my favorite part of protesting...

...all the creative signs and slogans!

These are two bumper stickers Jason ordered

Yes on 8 Bus Tour Rally

I was super excited to go to my first political rally! I didn't know waht to expect, but there was plenty of enthusiasm, sign waving, and so many random people I know! Do you like my ghetto last-minute sign? :)My favorite speaker there really got the crowd pumped up

The Yes on 8 bus toured from northern California all the way down to our part of town

This was a popular secondary use for the bumper stickers :)

Another "creative" use of Prop 8 paraphanelia

There was a good sized crowd there (this is only half of it) some pretty cool shirts

PUBLISHED!

Jason brought home a surprise today... our letter to the editor of our newspaper about the scandalous $1.25 million "No on Prop 8" contribution made by the CTA... was published in today's paper!!!

We are SO proud and excited. Ecstatic. Wow! I still can't believe it.

Yay!

CTA opposes Prop 8... what about the teachers?

This controversy had me fuming... until Jason and I fought back by writing this letter tonight (A letter. That'll show 'em.) to the editor of our local newspaper in response to the CTA's voting pamphlet opposing Proposition 8 and the $1 million plus donation it made.

To the Editor:

When I became a teacher and joined the California Teachers Association, I felt more or less forced to pay union dues. Teachers have the option to not join the union, but are still required to pay a fee to the union that runs only $18 less per month than regular dues.

At no time are teachers asked regarding their political views, moral code of conduct, or opinions on hotbed political issues. Thus, the CTA does not represent the majority view of teachers as it claims to.

Given the fact that last week the CTA donated over $1 million to the "No on Proposition 8" campaign, it is apparent that our opinion has been declared for us, in spite of the fact that opposing Proposition 8 is not the representative view of the rank and file teacher in the classroom.

I know that I speak for over a dozen teachers at my school site that are also adamently opposed to the CTA using our funds to support any moral issue on the election ticket without the input or permission of the teachers it claims to represent.

This CTA decision was made by the political arm of the CTA, not the teachers, and teachers would like the CTA to quit making political contributions that do not represent the majority of the teacher.

Teachers who interact with students and their families on a daily basis recognize the fact that children from traditional homes with a mom and dad do better in school than children from any other family make-up.

From a teacher who is also a member of the CTA, please vote YES on Proposition 8!

Activism can be entertaining!

So tonight I helped make polling phone calls for the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign with a group of friends... what an experience. I normally hang up on telemarketers and groups trying to solicit money, but I am glad that I have never been rude to callers taking surveys or polling. Because now I know what it feels like!

Making that first call was like jumping into the deep end of the pool without knowing how cold it will be. Fortunately for me, I got an answering machine! Just read off the script, piece of cake. My second call, however, reached a not-so-happy-camper who apparently thinks 7:30 pm is too late at night (granted, he may be a crazy early-riser) and so I can "just stick it, lady!" Hm. I hung up and after telling everyone why I had that look on my face, we all burst out laughing. I know I wouldn't have been laughing if I had been making calls on my own, so here's a shout-out to Suzie, Russ, Denise, Stan and Marjorie :)

The other highlight of the evening was when Suzie was telling about her last recipient who thought the call was from the opposers, and shouted "Yes on 8! YES! YES! YES!" The only problem was that the person I was calling picked up the phone just as Suzie was enthusiastically retelling the YES! YES! YES! part, and I barely made it through my lines without laughing! (I did giggle a little, poor guy probably thought I was a nut!) By the time I hung up, everyone realized I had been on a call, and we really lost it then!

So tomorrow I will be at it again, with more confidence and a greater sense of humor. And we're all bringing dessert, so let the sugar-highs commence!

Vote YES on Prop 8!

http://www.makemyvotecount.blogspot.com

http://www.protectmarriage.com

Proposition 8 in plain english

Okay, Proposition 8 in plain english is my favorite Prop 8 video! It is positive, matter of fact, and the illustrative design is just plain awesome.

This is a great one to share with others, especially those who have not made up their minds yet.

Vote YES on Proposition 8!

I'm a contributer!

My cousin Heather has really taken initiative and created a blog Does My Vote Really Matter?

And guess who is a contributing member of the blog team?! I'm really excited to have a small voice out there. Shouting (yet friendly) what I think is important to know for this upcoming election. Check it out and please comment! Also feel free to e-mail me pertinent information that would be great to post. And vote!