Sassy Susan

Sassy Has Merged

2009-04-22T10:21:00.005-06:00

She's actually merged with herself. Susan has decided to combine the inner child, the giant squid, the sassy alter ego and the baby boomer all into one blog.

It's called Susan52 dot com.

Hope you'll join the sassy side of Susan, as well as the rest of her split personalities, there.

Thanks for your support.

Cash or Credit for Christmas?

2008-11-14T16:24:00.009-06:00

It's clear that retailers are working very hard - already - to get their fair share of holiday shoppers. But don't the offers of "No payments until 2010" or "10% off when you use your store credit card" just compound the credit problem that has gotten people into the economic mess they're in today? Am I the only one who pays cash (well plastic, as in debit card) for Christmas? I'm sure I'm not.

How about "10% discount when you pay with cash" as an incentive? Does that sound too absurd? Would there be any takers? I do most of my shopping online, so I can't hand crisp, green bills through cyberspace, but I won't be taking advantage of those credit offers, either. In fact, if I knew a store was offering a discount for cash, I might actually fill up my gas tank (gas is below $2 a gallon now so that wouldn't be so bad), drive through the take-out lane at the bank to stock up on old-fashioned folding money, and hit the mall. And I hate the mall.

I want the retailers to make sales and stay in business, I really do, but not at the expense of hard-working Americans who are bombarded with temptation to "Charge it!" Next thing you know, we'll be hearing about a consumer holiday bailout plan. Will government be paying for your next Christmas?

Forget letters to Santa. "Dear Uncle Sam. All I want for Christmas is a zero balance on my credit card bill, and a lot of expensive presents that I can't afford, too." Sheesh.

Trading Places

2008-10-19T10:14:00.003-06:00

Imagine that Barack Obama's past associates had, instead, been John McCain's past associates. I'm talking about Jeremiah Wright, William Ayers, ACORN, and others you've probably heard of.

Hadn't thought about that? Diana West, columnist with the Washington Times, thought about it and wrote about what might be different if John McCain's adult background resembled Obama's.

Read her thought-provoking column here. Every American voter should read it before election day.

Joe the Plumber - Instant Celebrity, October Surprise?

2008-10-16T15:26:00.004-06:00

I heard someone on the radio this morning say that Joe the Plumber may end up being the "October surprise" in this year's presidential campaign. If you don't know who or what I'm talking about, then you must have skipped last night's presidential debate and slept all day today.

Joe the Plumber was the hit of the debate last night and could end up turning the tide for John McCain, who used Barack Obama's conversation with Joe - Obama's own words - to educate the viewing public about what Obama's tax plan for small businesses really means.

Who is Joe the Plumber? What did Obama say that demonstrates his socialistic point of view? What's this about spreading around the wealth? Listen to the actual conversation between Obama and Joe, then watch the exchange about that conversation during last night's debate, all right here. And if you're a Joe the Plumber fan, grab a t-shirt while you're at it.

Watching the Debate

2008-09-26T20:35:00.004-06:00

First presidential debate tonight is winding down. My impression: Barack Obama is very smart, has studied well, was quite prepared on the topics, as a good student would be prepared for a test. Senator McCain is equally prepared on the topics but brings to the platform a clear, much more clear, understanding of the issues based on experience, not just life experience but experience as a lawmaker who is much less affected by public opinion than by what he knows, by personal observation, to be true.

That experience, which can be equally defined as "wisdom," is the difference that should make the difference for those undecided voters when choosing between the two candidates. This world moves much too fast for a student to become the spokesperson for the most powerful and important nation on earth. Instead, the wise, experienced man has the characteristics of the leader that this country needs.

If I had any doubt before (though I didn't), I have none now.

She's a Winner!

2008-09-04T12:15:00.005-06:00

Wow! I stayed up and watched Sarah Palin's speech last night then went to sleep with a big grin on my face. I said she was going to knock it out of the park, and I was right. I didn't say that the bases would be loaded, but they certainly were; Mike Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani did a great job warming up the crowd. Since when have you seen even a convention center full of Republicans so happy?! Ronald Reagan has to be smiling down from heaven.

I've heard some commentary this morning and, naturally, it's all either on one end of the spectrum or the other, nothing in between. I suppose the ones on the negative end have to say something, but you'd think they could be more creative than calling her statements lies as some have. Of course those on the positive end just couldn't be happier. In fact, I made sure I had the radio on to hear Rush Limbaugh's opening words this morning; he said he didn't want it to end, didn't want Sarah's speech to end, didn't want Rudy Giuliani's speech to end. We knew he'd be excited, but the language needs more superlatives to describe his elation over the speech and everything surrounding it. He even mentioned little daughter Piper's loving gesture of wetting her hand (she licked her whole palm, folks, and it was adorable) and smoothing down her baby brother's hair. Speech writers can't invent "real people" gestures like that, and don't underestimate the importance of those things.

There's much more to say, but I'm still grinning so wide I can barely see to type, so for now I'm just going to savor the lingering positive vibes of the moment and look forward to the weeks to come. John McCain, no matter what happens now, you picked a winner.

Get Back on Topic, Already!

2008-09-03T12:52:00.005-06:00

Sarah Palin is going to knock it out of the park tonight with her speech, I just know it. Think it will shut up the critics? Golly, I hope so. The Palin family issues talk dominating the press the past few days is already old, old, old and just plain wrong, wrong, wrong.

Hopefully they'll get back on topic soon; we only have two months (and a day) of election talk to go. How about discussing an issue a day, a real one. I like that idea.

Voting for a Woman

2008-08-31T10:16:00.005-06:00

Once upon a time, not so long ago, I said I couldn't imagine ever feeling comfortable voting for a woman for president. Then along came Hillary. Now, I want to make it clear that I don't agree with Hillary Clinton's outlook on life and politics, don't agree with her wanting to put big government in charge of me and my money, but I have a huge amount of respect for the woman. She was a class act at the Democrats' convention last week and I actually almost wanted to cry when she submitted Obama's name as the nominee by acclimation; that had to be hard. Over the past six months, Hillary Clinton has changed my outlook of women in politics. Good thing because of what happened on Friday. On Friday, along came Sarah Palin.

The only two things I can think of that Hillary and Sarah have in common are that they are of the female gender and they are both in politics. Actually, I'm not even sure about that second observation. Hillary is in politics; Sarah Palin is in government leadership. Having accepted John McCain's invitation to run as his vice presidential choice, though, I suppose now she really is in politics. And I think she can handle it. Not only that, I think I'm going to feel comfortable voting for her.

Having been a stay-at-home mom myself, I have to admit to a bias toward women who choose that job. But I know that there are stay-at-home moms that don't do a bit of good for their children, just as there are employed moms who are wonderful parents. I know that being a working mom doesn't automatically curse a family, that many well-grounded families can pull off raising their children while both parents work outside the home. I know that being a mom isn't an easy job no matter what. Sarah Palin and her family appear to be well grounded, down-to-earth, nice people with nice kids. I hope that's true because Sarah already has a lot of stressors in her life and has just taken on another huge one. I want to see her succeed.

Being a heartbeat away from the presidency is an important job, far more important than most people recognize, and I have to think that Sarah Palin, already serving as chief executive of a state, considered more ramifications of that position than I could even think of before she said yes to John McCain. I'm excited for Sarah and for her family. I'm even more excited for our country. Putting country first is part of John McCain's campaign slogan. I'll be praying for strength for Sarah Palin's family, that they can stand up to that competition.

The Irreverent Jesse Jackson Speaks Again

2008-07-09T15:09:00.004-06:00

The "Reverend" Jesse Jackson opened his mouth again. Unfortunately for him, the microphone was on.

The tape will be played exclusively on Fox News tonight, but if the "bleeped" version that I just saw on Drudge was even close, certainly the "Reverend" was far less than reverent towards Barack Obama, the candidate he supposedly supports. In fact, Jesse's quickly issued apology alone demonstrates that. Per The Drudge Report, here is Jesse Jackson's statement of apology:

For any harm or hurt that this hot mic private conversation may have caused, I apologize. My support for Senator Obama_s campaign is wide, deep and unequivocal. I cherish this redemptive and historical moment.

_My appeal was for the moral content of his message to not only deal with the personal and moral responsibility of black males, but to deal with the collective moral responsibility of government and the public policy which would be a corrective action for the lack of good choices that often led to their irresponsibility.

_That was the context of my private conversation and it does not reflect any disparagement on my part for the historic event in which we are involved or my pride in Senator Barack Obama, who is leading it, whom I have supported by crisscrossing this nation in every level of media and audience from the beginning in absolute terms._

Typical Jesse Speak in my opinion. I'm not sure that addresses what he said about what he'd like to do to Obama's male anatomy.

My rule, and I think Jesse should adopt it (but I won't be holding my breath) is this: If you wouldn't say it to their face, don't say it behind their back. For Jesse I might add, and always do a mike check before you open your big, irreverent mouth.

I may be sassy, but I don't cuss.

2008-05-04T10:35:00.003-06:00

Why do people who otherwise have perfectly wonderful vocabularies feel a need to cuss? That word "cuss" may be a bit outdated, but you probably know what I mean. Call them curse words, vulgarities, profanities, obscenities, or even four-letter words (since many of them are), I don't like them, don't use them, and don't see a need for them.

The people I've noticed recently using what I consider foul language are using those words on forums such as Twitter. They're mostly "mild" profanities, but they leave me with a bad impression of the person who chose them. Thing is, most of those people are bloggers and write very good blog posts, so I know they have a probably better-than-average command of the English language.

It bothers me even more that many of the people I'm referring to are women. Profanity is bad enough from a man, but there's something even worse about it coming from a woman.

Call me old fashioned, call me sassy, but if you want me to read your blog, leave out the %&@*.

Sassy Meets Sweet

2008-04-25T06:55:00.003-06:00

I dreamed I met Shirley Temple.

It was really the current, grown-up Mrs. Shirley Temple Black, who just celebrated her 80th birthday this week. In the dream there was a small gathering, maybe a dinner. Shirley wore blue, looked beautiful, and appeared very spry. I met her, wished her happy birthday and we chatted a bit (don’t remember what we said but it was fan-to-idol kind of talk – I was the fan) and then the dream moved on to something about guinea hens in the backyard and where was my dog and other things that had nothing to do with each other (it was a dream, after all).

I grew up watching Shirley Temple movies and always loved her determination and sweetness, which put together I would call “feistiness.” I think Shirley must be that way in real life. In fact, having run for Congress and then serving as a United States Ambassador those qualities would likely have been a requirement, along with huge doses of intellect and diplomacy.

Feisty is the sweet version of sassy. I think if we met in real life, Feisty Shirley and Sassy Susan would get along very, very well.

Sassy on Taxes

2008-04-15T11:40:00.003-06:00

Susan's feeling especially sassy today. It's tax day, April 15th. 'Nuff said. Well, maybe not quite e'nuff. Here are some thoughts on taxes, paying taxes, the tax system, who pays taxes, and who doesn't.

I don't mind paying taxes and think everyone should pay some. I appreciate that the federal government provides infrastructure and national defense and probably a few other things that I take for granted.

What's wrong with someone wanting to work hard and earn a good living? Operative word being "earning." Isn't it fair that if you earn it, you should get to keep it? Well, most of it.

What's wrong with being rich? It beats being poor. I'd bet money (if I bet, but I don't bet) that more poor people than rich people received and spent part of the taxes that I paid last year. (Think about that. Bet it's true with you, too.)

Why is it that it's so easy for a poor person to cheat the tax system? (That is a fact.) If they're savvy enough to do that, aren't they smart enough to earn a living? Is getting a taxpayer handout more fulfilling than providing an honest living for one's family? I'd be willing to bet (if I bet) that more poor people cheat the tax system than do rich people.

Cheating the tax system is breaking the law. Rich people use tax law to pay less taxes than some think they should. That isn’t breaking the law.

Don't blame the IRS. Blame Congress. Then fire Congress. Hire a new group who are willing to do something about the tax mess. Especially hire Congress people who support the FairTax. And those who believe it's okay to work for a living – and get rich.

The Great Emancipator for President?

2008-03-31T15:13:00.003-06:00

There's been talk about former vice president Al Gore stepping in to emancipate the democrats from the Hillary-won't-quit embroilment. I'm not sure how that would work, and I can't imagine why Mr. Gore would want to give up his position as Emancipator of Earth (or whatever he calls himself these days) to risk losing another election. How embarrassing would that be?!

Heck, despite this very cold winter that we've had, Mr. Gore seems quite comfortable in his position of promoting the myths associated with global warming for which, as you may recall, he won a lucrative Nobel peace prize. Why would anyone in that position even want to be president? Both jobs have their perks, but this current job would seem to have far fewer problems – and no 2 a.m. phone calls.

Of course someone who can bring Pat Robertson and Al Sharpton together to make a commercial in which they actually agree about something may have a talent that the democrats could really use right now.

Nah. I think Tipper would put her foot down.

Liar, Liar, Pantsuit's on Fire

2008-03-27T21:41:00.003-06:00

Hillary and Chelsea Clinton went to Bosnia in 1996. She speaks about it often. And embellishes the experience every time she brings it up.

Hillary, Hillary, Hillary. What are we going to do about you?

How about one final embellished version of the story.

(Click here for the original CBS News version.)

The Man with the Yellow Hair

2008-02-25T13:42:00.006-06:00

My Schwan's man was here today. He looked a little bit different and, while I didn't want to stare, it became pretty obvious that it wasn't just a new haircut that I was noticing, it was a new hair color.

We made our usual small talk and our biweekly exchange, the frozen food for me, the check for him, and as he turned and walked back to his truck I realized that his new hair color matched his truck.

I almost stopped him to comment about that, just in case there was a contest and the first person to mention that his hair matched his truck would get a prize, but I decided against it. Didn't want to embarrass him. Or myself.

Have you ever seen a Schwan's truck? Thank goodness he left off the blue highlights.

I'm An Angry White Woman

2008-02-17T08:20:00.003-06:00

My sassy red hat is off to Mr. Gary Hubbell, who penned this awesome commentary about angry white men. I'm guessing Mr. Hubbell knows there are some pretty angry white women out there, too, including this sassy one.

Right on, Gary Hubbell. You go, guy!

My Hillary Poll - Encouraging Results

2008-02-02T16:32:00.000-06:00

I have a very unscientific poll going on at my Who is Hillary Clinton? page on Squidoo. The page is meant to be informative, presenting facts about Hillary and the campaign, some resources pro-Hillary, some anti-Hillary. It's meant to help people gather information in order to make an informed decision prior to heading off to the voting booth to cast their ballots, not to try to sway people in either direction.

Judging by the variety of comments in the two feedback sections on the page, its visitors run the gamut from staunch Clinton supporters to those who are quick to remind us of Bill Clinton's impeachment proceedings and Hillary's Rose Law firm fiasco. So, even though it's unscientific and its number of visitors is in the hundreds and not the thousands, I have to think that the poll results come very close to mirroring the opinion of the population as a whole.

Thus, I am encouraged by the fact that the score has stayed in the vicinity of 45% yes, 55% no in response to the question, "If Hillary Clinton receives the nomination, will you vote for her?" We'll see in time how that compares with the real-life results.

Now, Isn't This Sassy!

2008-01-16T13:25:00.001-06:00

Someone suggested this as a motto for 2008. Yep, I think it'll work.

(P.S. I received this via email so I don't know to whom to give credit. If it's yours, let me know, and - I like you already!)

Not a Right-Wing Christian? Have a Merry Christmas Anyway

2007-12-18T14:13:00.000-06:00

Have you seen Mike Huckabee's commercial, the one where he wishes everyone a Merry Christmas? This article, rather its associated analysis, tags the commercial as a "religious message that excludes all religions except for the predominant Christian faith." Give me a break.

This is not a religious commercial and does not just address Christians and, specifically, conservative Christians, to the exclusion of anyone else. No matter what you call it, this is the Christmas season and you don't have to believe in the Reason for the season to be affected by, or benefit from, what happens in society at this time of the year. There is hustle, bustle, great sales at stores where everyone shops (Christian or not), and there's even good will towards men (and women) when people aren't fighting over the closest parking space or the last mohair sweater.

Come on, analyst. You're missing the forest for the artificial Christmas trees. Get a life. Take Governor Huckabee's advice. Relax and have a Merry Christmas, whether you're a right-wing conservative Christian or not.

Huck-Chuck Facts

2007-11-21T15:26:00.000-06:00

It's a fact. Gotta love Chuck Norris.

Who is Mike Huckabee?

Character and Charisma on the Campaign Trail

2007-11-18T13:34:00.000-06:00

Seems to me that anti-Hillary Clinton comments are everywhere while it's downright difficult to find anyone with anything (of substance) good to say about her. Maybe it’s her charismatic game face, the one she shows in public, that keeps her ahead in the polls.

Seems that glowing commentary on Mike Huckabee is easy to find and nobody has anything (of substance) bad to say about him. Could that be his exemplary character shining through? Too bad so many Americans don’t even know who he is.

I’d say that perceived charisma has trumped true character in the polls so far in 2007. Let's hope, for our country’s sake, that does not carry over to election day 2008.

Do You Work Long or Do You Work Hard?

2007-09-04T10:51:00.000-06:00

Seth Godin blogged yesterday, Labor Day, about the difference between working long and working hard. I like what he said.

My reply to Seth: "I, of necessity, do two types of work. I work long to maintain the status quo, then I work hard to beat up the status quo. Thank you for validating my risk-taking hard work. Most people don’t 'get it.' You, Seth, have defined it well."

To "get it," you might have to read Seth's blog post.

Honor

2007-08-29T09:41:00.000-06:00

DEFINITION OF A VETERAN

A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to The "United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life." That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.

Author Unknown

Michael Vick - Judgment and Redemption

2007-08-28T07:27:00.000-06:00

My response to this post regarding the value of Michael Vick's trading cards:

I'd sure keep my cards if I had any. Americans, especially sports fans, have short memories. Fair chance Vick will come back in some redeemed way and those cards will be valuable once again. I'll keep my money in the stock market, though, rather than buying cards low, hoping to sell high.

Only once of the many times I heard Vick's "I'm sorry" statement replayed on radio or television did I hear the part about his finding Jesus and turning his life over to God. The commentators I heard were very judgmental and harsh with him overall, stating that he lacked sincerity. I'm not so sure. I'd like to hope that the Jesus part is true and he'll still be able to claim - and demonstrate - that he is forgiven and changed after he completes his jail term. Obviously only time will tell about that.

Fortunately for Vick, it's only God's judgment that ultimately matters.

I Like Mike

2007-06-10T10:46:00.001-06:00

Perhaps people are actually beginning to take Mike Huckabee seriously as a contender for the presidency. At minimum, those who watched the Republican candidate debates this week got to see the Mike Huckabee that I knew and respected as governor of Arkansas. Well, they got to see him a little bit, at least. (I guess "equal time" doesn't apply at these debates.)

This exchange, in my mind, demonstrates Mike's ability to get to the point, to not get off-track by follow-up questions from reporters who don't listen to the original answer, and to put people with dumb questions in their proper place.

I love what Tom Beven says in this post: "In the last debate, Huckabee made an impression with humor. This time he did it with oratory."

Makes me think of Ronald Reagan.