Employment Chatter

“The best way to handle it would be to walk out there and talk to the woman,” said Bob Grossfeld, a political analyst and pollster in Arizona. “He’s insulting her and the mothers and fathers and husbands and wives and family members of thousands of people who lost their lives, all because he can’t give her a simple answer.

“This is how presidencies fall. Either by virtue of them not being electable or, in this case, not being credible.”

Chuck Coughlin, president of HighGround, a Phoenix political consulting firm, said Bush will not waver.

“My awareness of the Bush folks is they’re not likely to send up a peace flag soon,” Coughlin said. “I don’t think this bothers him. I think their sense is (the war) is going to start winding down.”

Still, Coughlin would recommend a meeting.

“My advice would be to see if there was an opportunity whereby she would meet with him, express her point of view and end her vigil.”

Carter said presidents have varied in their ability to deal with protests.

“Initially, President Johnson did try to meet with people, but then he became so scared, so torn and conflicted that he made it a point of very seldom meeting with critics of the war.”
Mayberry Deputy Barney Fife plays decoy for Charlene Darling on her wedding day and gets kidnapped by Ernest T. Bass. (image found [here]) We left Palm Bay at 8:00 pm on Wednesday, November 8th. The fugimobile was packed tighter than a Ringling Brother’s clown car, and probably less comfortably. By the time we finally closed the door on our former residence for the last time I was gradually shaking the urge to draw blood from the next person who pissed me off. Heaven knows I had been just this side of carrying a gallon jug of barbeque sauce in the van for such an occasion for far longer than I care to admit.

Closing was a major headache. Normally I’m not one for bringing ethnicity into any arena, but this case warrants it. The buyer was Haitain. First tip-off. I’ve had more than my share of dealings with folks from the land of despots (NO details will be offered), so I was already prepared for the business end of the bullshit. As expected, he did everything in his power to screw us out of more money. He even demanded periodic walkthroughs while we were in the midst of packing in the hopes that we’d be too busy to follow him around. Shyeah, riiiight. I had already noted the large Voudon Cross he tried to conceal. Game on, pal!!!

“Voodoo”, as it is commonly know by in most of the United States, is an incredibly intricate spiritual path. I respect its honorable practitioners who have taught me the differences in positive and negative usage. I also trust my gut instincts. The buyer wasn’t playing nice. Cut to the chase… When I had finally had enough of his attempts I put him into check damn quick.

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His eyes bugged out, his jaw dropped, and he became quietly respectful. No directly confrontational problems after that, but our sweet, devoutly Catholic, Brazillian realtor was clueless. I had to explain this to her after-the-fact. I think Pat was just grateful that Mr. Haitian stepped the f*ck down before he got a magickal whompin’, fugi style. And it would’ve been well within the Threefold Law, too. However, I highly suspect that Mr. Haitian had a hand in the challenges we encountered on our journey…

We made damned sure that our van was quite ready for the 1200+ mile trip. For more than a month beforehand we replaced the brakes, tires, old original 1986 belts and hoses, filters, got a major tuneup, the works. First leg of the trip was uneventful. We stayed overnight in Macon, Georgia. Next day went decently as well until we were almost through Alabama. Blowout at dusk on a curving steep grade. Called AAA and was told we would have priority status (90 minutes my ass!) since we had the boys with us. Thank Goddess for those huge Maglite flashlights that were donated following Hurricane Frances last year, and the Coleman Powermate Em gave us last Yule. I set the Powermate’s light source at the van’s back bumper closest to the road. Two hours later I’m waving speeding semis away from the shoulder they were riding- and where my family was holed up in our van. Along the treeline 50 yards away I saw a coyote slinking past. Lovely. If it weren’t for the seriously dedicated Marion County deputy who stopped by to help… Hmmm… Squashed fugi… Mangled van… A lot of coyote chow…
Talking about Sheehan’s protest stirs the feelings of loss for Watson, who meets regularly with three other Gold Star mothers in the Valley.

“We have one thing in common,” she said. “We lost our sons. It’s a very strong bond.”

They share stories they heard from their sons’ buddies, donate to groups sending care packages to those still serving and make squares for quilts sent to families who have lost someone.

Watson said she supports Sheehan’s right to protest but disagrees and said she will remember her son her own way.

“I don’t think it will ever be OK,” Watson said. “I hate like heck that he died. But to my death I will defend what he went over there to do.”