Sac Women

Debate Not Relate

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:42:35 -0800

From the Huffington Post a post by Jaime Lee Curtis

The scariest thing I hear about the Palin nomination was that she would appeal to voters because they would be able to relate to her and she to them. I get that. There are many places where relatability is key. I am a recovering addict alcoholic and finding another group that relates to my struggles is/was key to my sobriety. When I am at school I find myself grouping with others whose kids share the same issues, interests. People tell me all the time that the More magazine article where I showed what my real body looked like in comparison to the air brushed images most women are fed, was important and made me relatable. That too is great. The problem is I may be relatable and share some of your experiences and concerns but you don't want me as president of United States. Relatability gets you nothing in a complex financial crisis. Relatability doesn't help you understand the Gordian knot of trouble in the Middle East. Relatability doesn't help you untangle the obscenity which is our health care and insurance system and relatability doesn't train the hundreds of thousands of new teachers and repair and rebuild the smashed infrastructure and schools where they work. I couldn't hold my own for one minute in a debate on any issue with someone like a Barack Obama or Joseph Biden and neither can Sarah Palin. When the call comes at 3AM I want a mind who was at the top of their class, who has gravitas and a real intellect. I want a leader who is a scholar who can hold the history of civilization in his head and will read and learn from the past as he charts the future. Real debates, where issues are explored, are the only way, prior to an election, to get the two candidates and their running mates to share their ideas and plans for the myriad contingencies they will/might face. This isn't a test. We don't get a re-do. This is the hardest time this generation has ever faced and people are all scared about the economy, our health care and mostly our children's futures. That is what millions of Americans and I can relate to.

Gillian Parrillo SacWomen

Governor Palin: What Kind of Mother Are You?

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 06:04:32 -0800

You made a choice to have a baby whom you knew would be born with Down's syndrome. Good for you and good for this country that you are allowed to make choices. And too bad that you don't believe that everyone should get to make their own choice about such matters. But when you made that choice, didn't you imagine that you might have to make some changes in your life, give up a little ambition, take things a little slower, to give the time and attention that this new child would require? Did you honestly believe that you could take off on the campaign trail and work every hour of every day and do right by this new baby? And when you said yes to the invitation to become a vice presidential candidate, knowing that your 17-year old daughter was pregnant, didn't it occur to you that you would embarrass your own daughter before the whole country? Most mothers I know would never have done such a thing. We would have supported our daughter in HER choice, we would have tried hard not to impose OUR choice, but we would have ALWAYS taken a back seat to protect our beloved child. I don't think I am the only one who is thinking this. See this article in the New York Times. Update: And here's another along the same lines. Gillian Parrillo SacWomen

Gillian at Invesco

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:13:33 -0800

From the Dallas Morning News: A concrete piece of evidence to me (because I still can't quite believe it) that I was really there on this very historic day! Gillian Parrillo SacWomen

Palin and the Pumas

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 07:23:53 -0800

Gillian Parrillo SacWomen

Day 3: Quotes, Wows

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:31:08 -0800

People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power.

Bill Clinton, August 27, 2008 Tammy Duckworth, fabulous speech, and as she left the podium, the shot of her two artificial legs. Joe Biden holding the hand of his small grandson after giving his Vice Presidential acceptance speech. Bill Clinton being accepted back into the Democratic fold. In my opinion, thanks to his wife's performance the day before. From Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood:

A woman voting for McCain is like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders.

Celebrities today: Progressive Talk Show Radio Goddess Randi Rhodes and Fox News Host, Greta Van Susteren. Photos to follow...I am off to Invesco for an event of a lifetime! Gillian Parrillo SacWomen

Day 3: Drama 2008

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:40:22 -0800

http://obamadallas.com/oddenver/?p=332 Gillian Parrillo SacWomen

Day 2 at the DNC Convention: Snippets

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:01:04 -0800

Please excuse the link to the original post. Time is short, lots to do! Gillian Parrillo SacWomen

Democratic National Convention: Day 1 Is A Whirl

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 04:29:33 -0800

Pierre and I arrive mid-morning in Denver. The airport is teaming with delegates. We pretty efficiently manuever our way through the throng and find the airport shuttle bus. Along the way from Dallas to Denver we meet delegates speeding their way to one of the most exciting conventions ever. The diversity is awesome. People are excited and friendly...and fired up. A baggage claim worker yells out "Obama is in the House!" It hits me! I'm really at the Democratic National Convention..to nominate the first African American to ever run for President. For a second, tears sprung to my eyes! We arrive at the hotel and the first person we see is Erin Moore, the SD 16 female delegate. She is with her partner Patti. It is good to see a familiar face so soon! We check in and with great fear and trembling go up to our room. The rooms that has received zero stars on Internet rating sites with comments like "don't even think of staying here!". Turns out, our room is not that bad. It's a little dated, but it does have a sleep number bed and appears clean. So much for setting zero expectations! You can only go up from there! But no time for lollygagging. We ditch our stuff and walk to the nearest light rail station. We take the train downtown and make our way to the Convention Center where our friend Chella Cardona is serving on the National Credentials Committee. We manage to get through all of the security nets and race to the appointed meeting room, but the Committee has been very efficient and finished their meeting already. So Pierre and I are back outside checking out the green area - a place full of booths relating to green energy. And then we make our way to the walking avenue. Along the way, we see thousands of riot police. They are everywhere, dressed for trouble, driving in armored vehicles, riding on horses (who are also dressed in protective covering), or simply standing in ready units. We see very few protestors and those we do see are very peaceful...after all, they are protesting against the war and for peace. The riot police add a heightened tension to the scene. The Convention seems to have attracted a large number of anti-abortion folk, who, as we are entering the Convention Center outside have taken over the entire apron outside the entrance and are displaying their usual graphic posters. They disgust me. We are here to do serious business. For me that is a passion to stop this never relenting war on woman. I vocalize my disgust. I am through being quiet and polite about this harrassment. Pierre and I make our way to a bar and make contact with Chella, who soon joins us. She looks very professional in her 'go to meeting' outfit. Later we are joined by Pierre's nephew, Chris, who lives in Denver and his wife, Ali. We spend the afternoon meeting and greeting many of the delegates, chuckling at all of the great tshirts and costumes, and watching thousands of riot police make their presence known. But then it is time to go to the Convention Center for the opening delegate reception. There has been a snafu with the tickets for the Texas Delegation but we are, to our great surprise, easily able to get through security just using our honest faces (!) and make our way to the reception. The event is a fundraiser for the Katrina victims. We are very pleasantly surprised to see that all of the food and beverages are free. The food is delicious - seafood gumbo, piles of giant shrimp, and other New Orleans favorites. Pierre buys a tshirt as part of the fundraiser. Chella arrives with a Hillary delegate from Sherman that she has met on the way. Throughout the evening, we meet so many amazing people. People ask us where we got the buttons we are wearing and soon we have a brisk trade going...all profits to Obama Dallas and we sell our last Save Roe button. Pierre takes lots and lots of photos. And then, through the crowd comes Joe Rowe and his caretaker. They have completed their long drive from Dallas. It is so great to see everyone. We run into Erin and Patti again. I get my photo taken with my son's Congresswoman - my son lives in Maui and was a delegate to the State convention...for Obama, of course. We meet people from everywhere, including two women from Paris and Berlin who are anxious to find delegates from Texas because they are part of the Americans Abroad, but vote in Texas. We meet a guy from South Dakota and share memories of our trip there a few weeks ago. We meet people from Philadelphia, who give me their cards and beg me to come work for them during the general. I get a handshake and a bow from someone from Colorado after Pierre tells him I am working on voter registration in Dallas. I meet two young guys from London, working in Georgia for Obama. I see Tom Blackwell from Dallas across the room. And then, my first celebrity sighting....I go to the bar for another glass of wine and run into...Barbara Boxer? Oh, no, it's Gloria Allred...the great defender of spurned women..she is tiny! Finally, the fun is over. We find the bus outside the Convention Center to take us to our hotel. And on it, many of the delegates from Dallas - Erin and Patti again and also Jeff Strater and his partner. The hotel lobbying is buzzing, but we are tired. We fall into bed and we are so tired, we forget to input our sleep number setting! Tomorrow, delegate breakfast at 7AM and special guest the Governor of Kansas, Kathleen Sebelius. And then tomorrow night, an amazing lineup of speakers, including Michelle Obama. I can't wait to experience it all! Gillian Parrillo SacWomen

Off To Denver

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:54:20 -0800

We leave for the Democratic National Convention tomorrow AM. I still can't believe this is happening. I have promised one of my fellow delegates that I will blog from the convention. You can check it out here Pierre also plans to blog about his experiences in Denver on the Sacramento Executive site. Let's hope the Hillary holdouts start remembering why they said they voted for Hillary in the first place - becasue she was a woman - and come to their senses before they get someone who is definitely not a friend to women - John McCain - elected as president. Goodbye Roe vs. Wade and just about any other freedoms women are still clinging on to. Gillian Parrillo SacWomen

A Plea To That Guy At The Podium

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:51:50 -0800

A Plea To That Guy At The Podium by Hunter - Email: hunter@dailykos.com Reprinted from the Daily Kos Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 07:15:16 PM PDT Our nation has been through so much These last few thousand days. Our battered hearts and weary souls Look now for warming rays. Our confidence is shattered; Our discourse in the muck; And so I have just one request: Please, Obama — please don’t suck. From Enron to the oil kings Our country has been sold And to the lowest bidders, And we all have gotten rolled. More tax cuts for the rich, While the barons pass the buck; It seems impossible to ask But Obama: please don’t suck. Our soldiers in Iraq will stay For many months, at least, Because we thought preemptive war Was a more docile beast. Our diplomacy has become farce Our policies, amok; If you want to be in charge of it Then Obama — please don’t suck. It would be very simple To let it slip away; A pardon here, a bill, a law, A tactical delay. The lobbyists and crooks remain, Always looking for a schmuck, But we have few chances left, So Obama: Please Don’t Suck.

Now We Have That Out Of The Way

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 07:53:26 -0800

In an interview with Politico and Yahoo News released Thursday, Condoleeza Rice was asked if she would feel secure with a president Obama. "Oh, the United States will be fine," she responded. "I think that we are having an important debate about how we keep the country safe," she said, pointing to the Middle East and Iraq. "Those are important judgments for the American people to make." Wonder what the next scare tactic will be. Gillian Parrillo SacWomen

There, She Said It

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:29:13 -0800

There, She Said It! I look forward to working with President Obama on these important challenges, working to rebuild a government that once again works for the people, follows the rule of law and respects the constitution. Hillary Clinton, August 6, 2008 11:25 AM CT Out of her mouth to God's ears. Please let's stop this Bill and Hillary nonsense. This is about the country, the world, the future of our children and grandchildren. Gillian Parrillo SacWomen

Solving Our Problems

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 03:43:00 -0800

"...the only way we are going to solve our problems in this country is if all of us come together, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, young, old, disabled, gay, straight... that has got to be our agenda." Barack Obama August 1, 2008 Gillian Parrillo SacWomen.com

Women's Equality Day Parade and Rally

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:54:05 -0800

Please join the California Commission on the Status of Women... 3rd Annual Women's Equality Day Parade and Rally Saturday, August 23rd, 2008 Sacramento, CA The California Suffrage Parade Coalition is inviting all women, girls and their supporters to the Third Annual statewide celebration with "A Special Tribute to the League of Women Voters" Commemorating the heroic suffragettes struggle in winning the right to vote, the parade starts at 10 a.m. at Sacramento's Southside Park, 5th and T. Street. The parade's destination is the North steps of the California State Capitol for an 11 a.m. rally with exciting guest speakers, esteemed women officials, info booths and music. Performers scheduled to entertain are award winning singer and song writer Hali Hammer, young singing-sensation Reyna Basila, and the Sound Solution Quartet of the Sweet Adeline Choir. The non-partisan parade and rally was organized to celebrate the landmark victory of the past and pledge determination to encourage women today to register as voters and to make women voices count in all elections and bring to focus continued challenges of paycheck and other inequalities. For parade registration and information visit womenequalityparade, or call (916) 435-9760 or (949) 230-1169. Let's celebrate getting the right to vote. And let's remember to use that right each and every time. Gillian Parrillo SacWomen

Girl Effect

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:46:06 -0800

Thank you Jonathan Lewis of Microcredit Enterprises for passing this along. I think it is amazing. Gillian Parrillo SacWomen