Condi, Condi, Condi.

Can we really take seriously a woman whom the President likes to address as "Condi" ? (It sounds too much like "Bambi" for me).

Reminds me of how "they" (read: white males and other "so-called" liberal media) used to call former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman, "Christie" (before she became the head of the EPA - when she regained status and respect, via her name).

Granted, Bushie likes to have "nicknames" for everyone. Just another way that he segregates those he likes (they get nicknames -- see Alexandra Pelosi's first documentary when she covered him on the campaign trail) from those he doesn't like; and just another way, I feel, that he demeans the peons -- ooops! I mean his co-workers/Cabinet members/wife.

Anyway, they're falling like flies in D.C. today.

Re: Condi -- let's just revisit her 9/11 hearing testimony, shall we: Answering a question re: an intelligence document presented to the President in August of 2001, "I believe the name of that document was ' Osama plans to strike on U.S. soil ' "

Too bad neither she nor anyone else in the Bush Administration actually read the document!

So, I'm in my car this weekend, pondering listening to an IG tape or trying to find the Eagles game on the radio (I forgot we had the Monday night game this week), when I come across this:

"Rrrrrr, zoooommm, rrrrr, zooooooommmmmmmmm, rrrrrrrrrr"

You get the idea.

Just what is the point of putting NASCAR on the radio, anyway?

Attended a wonderful Indigo Girls concert last night, the last one of their "All That We Let In" tour (alas, they did not perform the title song).

My friend, Mel, had a single seatt in The Pit (like 6 ft. away from Amy Ray!) so we hung with her during the opening act, but were kicked out just before IG went on.

However, the lovely youngsters in the crowd rushed the stage about 5 songs in, so I did, too. And stayed. (The security guys were less obnoxious than at the Mann.)

I felt like I was 13 again.

Good tunes, good dinner beforehand (the Greek place, "Athena" in Glenside), good friends, good fun. The crowd actually didn't bug me at this one, and a lot of folks sang along to many of the songs, not just "Closer to Fine" and "Least Complicated."

My personal highlights: hearing "Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters" live; Amy doing a touching version of "Cordova" and, by request, the as-yet unreleased, "Let Me Go Easy"; Emily's voice sounding just lovely and her guitar solo on "Chickenman-Bitteroot" was awesome!; Amy almost missing her line ("I can sense a resting place") during "Get Out the Map" and having to run back to her mic, laughing all the while; me, almost getting a guitar pick!

Oh, yeah; and watching the show from The Pit. Thanks, Mel!

I've been so depressed lately, it's been hard to even write on my Blog; but then, today, I read this item in the newspaper:

"Karl Rove has told a number of American networks that Mr Bush will fight for a ban on gay marriage in his second term by seeking an amendment in the Congress." (Reuters)

This, to appease his Conservative Christian voters, doncha know!

Besides what you can imagine is my anger and ire at The Gall of this man to even consider bringing the FMA up again (after both The House and The Senate pretty much told him it's a losing battle!), there's this:

Doesn't anyone recall that Mr. Flippity-Floppity President Bush said, in a TV interview the week before the election, that he disagreed with the Republican Party platform opposing civil unions of same-sex couples and that the matter should be left up to the states." Just whose votes was he trying to get then ?

Not that he could "say the words" ya know. His quote: ". . . states ought to be able to have the right to pass … laws that enable people to you know, be able to have rights, like others." Bushie also told Gibson that he's open to the possibility that nature could be the defining component when it comes to a person's sexuality.

So, we know he'd do and say anything to win the election. Now, he'll do and say anything to appease his Base. Ah, politics!

The theme of my radio show today was "Mandate My Ass!" (with props to Gil Scott-Heron).

This in response to Mr. Cheney's lovely remarks thanking America for giving The Administration a clear "mandate" for the future, and Mr. Bushies's "I have the capital. . . and I intend to spend it" cowboy attitude.

Goes along with my anger at the moment (in between moments of despair).

I tried to get angry at an impromptu rally at Love Park after work on Wednesday, but the organizers were all so young and so into talking, talking, talking (I was hoping for chanting, chanting, chanting) that I left to go home to The Banana and The Gal.

What else was there left to do to quell the anger and sadness but have a little quiet home time with The Family and Our New Hamster, Hammie?

Well, okay, we have been researching moving to Canada. . .

Well, my train ride in to work was quite a quiet ride. Normally, there's a lot of chatter; neighbors catching up on gossip, news, each other's lives. Today, just quiet.

Except for this one woman who must have either not stayed up late to catch the election returns; or is a Republican. Couldn't tell.

The rest of us were dismayed as we read our papers in silence. Ohio this, Ohio that. Arlen Specter wins again. All 11 state FMA's pass.

At least my Liberal Talk Radio hosts will have something to talk about for the next 4 years.

The Gal and I spent most of the day today in Philadelphia's 32nd ward - the area in and around the 22nd and Diamond Street neighborhood win which, for you sports fans, Dawn Staley grew up in.

So, us two cute, little, radical white lesbians visited with all of the older, straight (mostly female!) African-American election officials at various polling places. We volunteered with the Committee of Seventy and had a great day.

Met a number of first-time voters. Felt good positive vibes. Heard a lot of Honks for Kerry. Saw the Russell Simmons Hip-Hop Tour busses go by. Just missed seeing the actor Danny Glover. Were surprised at the vacant storefronts and run-down residencies and community centers used as polling places in some districts.

But, the voters came out! And, almost everywhere we turned, it seemed, there was a beautiful Philadelphia Mural lighting up the dismal surroundings.

Later, when The Banana and her friends came home from school, they did a few "Kerry, Kerry" chants for us. It was a good day.

In a post-Halloween funk.

And not because I ate too much candy (The Banana wouldn't let me touch her piles!)

Just 'cuz, you know, it's over. I love Halloween. Enjoyed wearing my Mary Cheney costume; even though my "Bush-Cheney 04" button got quite a few stares and a few choice words. (I also wore a Coors logo on a polo shirt and carried a mock-up copy of "mom's" lesbian-romance novel, Sisters).

A few tidbits from the celebration:

• My friend Jon, dressed as Adult Spiderman, and his son as young Spidey. Ya shoulda sprung for the dart-shooting wrist-attachment, though, Jon!


• The neighborhood parade started off to the music of "76 Trombones" this year; the year that The Banana is listening to The Music Man at school and we watch the DVD at home. A lot.


• Had some awesome chili again at a pre-parade party at our friend Michael and Amy's house. Amy dressed as a "homey" - for both the party and (on Friday) at the Philadelphia public high school she teaches at. We hear her costume was quite a hit with the kids!


• The weather here on the East Coast was just lovely. Warm and clear, and made for a great evening of trick-or-treating. Can't wait until next year!