Motley Moose – Archive

Slightly edited and re-posted from November 5, 2009. I was listening to Tavis Smiley this morning and was reminded of this earlier post. I will update with the clip from Morning Joe-Boy (or “Jughead” as Stewart calls him), if I can find a tube. Tavis rocks. I have liked him forever. And I really like Jughead. Heh.

Ask Not…  

by: Hollede

Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 16:24:19 PM EST

I have a couple of important issues that I want addressed by our new President. God, after eight long years, it feels so good to call someone President again. President Barack Hussein Obama.

However, I am going to skip over my desires and speak to something I think our new President needs. Something our country needs. Something our world needs.

In a heart wrenching surprise moment yesterday morning, Former President Bill Clinton helped bring Laura Ling and Euna Lee home from what must been an absolutely terrifying experience in North Korea. The event brought tears to my eyes and I must say my extreme fondness for the Big Dog has grown beyond measure. And my admiration for President Obama’s deftness in this matter is bursting at the seams.  

Goodness, it is wonderful to have grown-ups in charge again. And it is astonishing to me, to be so proud of our government again. This is how it is supposed to work folks.

It has kind of sucked to be a Democrat lately. Birthers, fear mongers, and tea baggers seem to be gaining the upper hand, as the President sips a brew in his backyard. I am certain that I am not the only frustrated  American these days. I am particularly shocked about the latest repug strategy.  

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled today in Al Franken’s favor and just now, Norm Coleman conceded the race. As a Minnesotan and a Democrat, all I can say is, FINALLY!!! I am doing a modified snoopy dance as I listen to the news.

I have had the extreme misfortune of lacking internet access over the past few weeks as my former home of Iran has seen the ripples of change, grow into a mighty storm. MSNB has done a fair job reporting events in Iran, at least this past week, but CNN has been dreadful. So I was moderately pleased to see a great deal of coverage this last weekendt on CNN of the revolution in Persia.

I normally dread the weekends, as they are almost completely news free. I rarely dip into cnn, and cannot stomach fox. The last couple of days have been a positive change, as cnn has done almost wall to wall coverage. Kudos to them.

I have had the extreme misfortune of lacking internet access over the past few weeks. MSNB has done a fair job reporting events in Iran, at least this past week, but CNN has been dreadful. So I am moderately pleased to see a great deal of coverage today on CNN of the revolution in Persia.

I normally dread the weekends, as they are almost completely news free. I rarely dip into cnn, and cannot stomach fox. Today has been a positive change as cnn has done almost wall to wall coverage. Kudos to them.

I have been following the Moose on my phone devise for the past few weeks and have been especially gratified to see all of the support and interest in the events happening in my former second home of Iran. Thank you all for the passion directed at the brave women and men of Persia these past few days.

I am so excited about the dialogue here that I have decided to call to have my internet hooked up as soon as possible.

That being said, I finally see the world recognizing the amazing strength, education and desire for justice I have always known Iranians possess. The scene of students protecting a fallen ‘enemy’ brought tears to my eyes and reminded me of the gentle yet strong people I grew to love during my time in Iran.

It has been a very rough month for me. I think I keep saying that, but it has been very, very bad for me. I have pretty much lost my sense of humor and that is my best indication that I am not doing well. I imagine that I am not alone. I do hope that April is better…

Tuesday March 30, 2009, in 100 seconds.

By the end of last week, residents of the city of Fargo thought disaster had been averted. The dikes are currently holding and the Red Rive has gone down a bit. Basically, they have been in a holding pattern for several days.

But all of that is about to change. North and South Dakota (and Minnesota, where I live) are expecting up to 14 inches of snow today and tomorrow. Understand that the Red River of the North flows north. It begins near Whapeton South Dakota and ends in Winnipeg Manitoba. And four large cities lies in the path between. Fargo and Moorhead have a combined population of approximately 125,000 people and Grand Forks and East Grand Forks have populations of about 50,000.