Big Blue
I’m a graduate of Clemson University with a BA in Political Science and a minor in English. In 2003-2004, I was the upstate volunteer coordinator for the Howard Dean campaign, which beyond teaching me the fundamentals of political organizing, also taught me that Jim Dean, the head of Democracy for America and Howard Dean’s brother, smokes an insane amount of cigarettes. He once entered the office with about four cartons of smokes under his arms declaring that, “they practically pay you to smoke these things here!”
Following the February primary, I had the good fortune to travel to Illinois where I briefly on the 2004 Democratic primary race for Senate. Sadly, I did not have the good fortune to be working on the Obama campaign, which when I was there trailed badly by the two top contenders. I worked the 2006 election cycle as a senior adviser to the Democratic candidate for House from South Carolina’s third district. In other words, in my three campaigns, I’ve become an expert in how to lose an election.
In my free time, I enjoy indie rock concerts, writing, cinema, and endlessly perusing the internet for the latest news and commentary on domestic politics and the 2008 election.
♦
Briseadh na Faire
[View all posts by Briseadh na Faire]
Seek not to change the world. Seek instead to change yourself. Can you become the perfect image of love and peace you would hope for the world?
Imagine that. Hold that vision in your mind and heart, even if only for a moment. And in that moment, you will have changed the world.
♦
Cats r Flyfishn
[View all posts by Cats r Flyfishn]
Meow, meow, meow, and meow.
Translated – I was born in New Jersey but I’m not a “Jersey Girl”. Spent most of my life living in the Southeastern part of Pennsylvania. I enjoy reading, gardening, cooking, and music. My husband tells people that I am a “cat whisperer”. Funny guy. I have degree in Nursing Science and spent several years working in the field of addiction. When I decided to leave nursing, I went to work for the Pharmaceutical Industry. I have since retired from “Big Pharma” and now have my own business providing therapeutic massage and reflexology.
In 2004, I became politcally active when I realized that something had to be done to keep George W Bush out of the White House for a second term. Unfortunately, the Republican controlled Ohio Board of Elections made sure that GWB won that state. Sound familiar?
We must remain vigilant to protect our democracy. Otherwise, we lose it.
♦
dbadass
[Freegan Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish,Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish
♦
Europeanview
[View all posts by Europeanview]
Hi, my name’s Amelie. I was born in the middle of Europe in 2006. When my real mom decided five of us were one mouth too many to feed, she picked me to be the one, kicked out of the nest. Europeanview is my surrogate mother. She picked me up and nursed me through my childhood and adolescence and finally let me roam free in her garden. Europeanview is a lot like me. Prickly on the outside and quite soft underneath. She loves nature and her fellow men and occasionally despairs of the world she lives in. On the whole a warm resting place, good food, good people and a good story are her idea of a good time and the Zoo is the place to find the latter two.
♦
freedomrebel
[View all posts by freedomrebel]
I was born in Ohio; one of my earliest memories was going for a ride on my father’s motorcycle when I was 4 years old. That is when the rebel in me was born. Of course, some members of my family would say it started sooner than that. I wasn’t the typical girl; I liked to climb the tallest trees and see what kind of crazy things I could do on my bike. I don’t like limits or boundaries that is were the freedom comes from.
In high school, I just couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do when I grew up. What does a long distance track runner that was great in accounting and science do? I’m still not completely sure but it has been an incredible adventure. Along the way, I had two beautiful children. A few years later, we received the news that our son had Autism. I allowed myself a good cry and then started working on how to help him overcome the many obstacles he faced. I went into inside sales to work around my sons needs and for all the specialists and therapy’s that would be part of his life. My son has taught me more than I have taught him. To look at the world through his eyes; to enjoy the simple things in life and savor them.
Over the last few years, I wanted to help children and teenagers with Autism and disabilities. I worked for our local high school for a full school year in the MH Unit. I also started working for the county chapter of MRDD. After helping my friend get her company off the ground after a year and half, I had decided to work on my own company. First, I have to finish my business plan. I love to read, do research, woodworking, interior decorating, sewing, hiking, remodel old homes, baking, Star Trek, and music.
You ask what got me interested in politics. Many reasons, there isn’t a Republican President I have ever liked, but my dislike for Bush and this administration was more intense. It motivated me to do something about it. My life has revolved around remodeling two homes, raising two children, fighting constructively with the school system for years to improve their programs for Autistic students, and working, there never seemed to be enough time to get involved in politics. With my daughter moving to Canada, one of my passions has always been research. So I started digging into many websites and doing searches all over the internet to find out more facts. Heard about the political website TP, so I checked it out, got hooked on their forum, and all the incredible people that were there. Which lead me to Zooey, Ms Joanne and the Zoo. The Zoo is a wonderful place were I have the freedom I crave and can rebel against all the wrong-doings in our government and society. The added bonus is all the great critters I have met. They are truly an incredible group of characters, each one very unique, I’m honored to be a part of their family.
♦
Gorn [gorn by any other name]
[View all posts by gorn by any other name]
I’m a silverback gorilla. A strong, dominant troop leader, I am the center of my troop’s attention, making all decisions, mediating conflicts, determining movements of the group, leading others to feeding sites, and taking responsibility for the safety and well-being of the troop. If challenged by a younger gorilla or an outsider, I will scream, beat my chest, break branches, bare my teeth, and charge forward. Fortunately, evolutionary pressures help me to reach for higher goals, unlike Republicans. In my evolved nature, I’m a progressive, tolerant of those who are different, and intolerant of liars and hypocrites of any political or social affiliation. My particular passion is preserving a free, secular society for the entire animal kingdom, devoid of supernatural mumbo jumbo and pseudoscientific nonsense. I am skeptical of all extraordinary claims that are devoid of extraordinary evidence. I believe in science, reason, and gorillist ideals. Join me in beating a path through the jungle, my friend.
♦
gummitch
Me? I’m a year shy of 60, and that’s really hard for me to say. I’m still waiting for the do-over, because I learned a lot of useful information over the years, almost all of it too late to do me any good. I grew up in small towns in western New York and in Oregon, because my father kept getting transferred. It was disruptive, but I did get to see a lot of the US, driving back and forth. In 1965, we moved to Modesto, California and I’ve lived on the West Coast ever since. After college, I bounced around to Portland, Seattle, Berkeley and finally back to Portland in 1984. Since then, I’ve worked for the local transit agency, first as a graphic designer and now as a half-assed technical project manager, responsible for various electronic information systems. Married (unsuccessfully) twice, and have a son that is 22 and a step-daughter also 22. Both of them are friends to me now, and I’m really glad adolescence is over. Over for them, at any rate. Not sure about me. My loves include books, movies, beer, whiskey, food and photography. Oh, and baseball, when it isn’t making me furious.
♦
Jane E. Schneider
[View all posts by Jane E. Schneider]
I’ve lived in southeastern New York for all but a few years of my life. I’ll turn (gulp!) 52 shortly before Christmas. Despite thirteen years of Catholic schools, I’m now an agnostic. I prefer animals to most people, and Wayne and I have a large collection of cats. My main interests are: sleeping, baseball (Mets, you tear my heart out!), reading (though my eyes aren’t up to it much these days), photography (extreme amateur), nature, science, and, always, sleeping. Oh…and, of course, political issues. Always of a liberal bent, my early dreams of saving the planet have, of necessity, now been focused on trying to help save my country.
♦
MsJoanne
Who am I? Iʼm Jean Val Jean!
Ok, maybe not. Iʼm forty something and I hail from the Chicagoland area. Professionally, Iʼm a writer, trainer and business consultant. I spend the majority of my time traveling around the world for work, something that gives me a broader perspective of this great planet we live on. And the ability to mix a lot of work with enough cultural, historical, and architectural pleasure to satisfy my constant thirst for knowledge keeps me going and going and going (much like that annoying bunny).
As they say, 9/11 changed everything including my realization that the policies of many American administrations led us down the path to the point where we are today. While I was always politically aware, I became active over the last several years as I watched the country I love be stolen by the greed and avarice of our elected and appointed officials and by the general ignorance of too many of my fellow Americans. Critical thinking has become a thing of the past. The combination of the dumbing down of our populace and expectation of entitlement, without having to work for it, will ultimately be the downfall of our once great society. We, as a nation, are on a precipice, and we are leaning farther over the edge at a rapidly increasing rate.
I believe in the Constitution and have a strong desire to see it returned to being the document which drives our nation. I believe that no one is above the law, neither you, dear reader, nor myself, nor any elected official. If we are not a nation of laws which apply to everyone, we are no longer the United States of America
While being vigorously anti-religion (organized religion has caused more death than anything else in human history), Iʼm quite spiritual. If you had to label me (best not to do that to my face), I suppose Agnostic would probably be the closest fit. I donʼt believe that religion belongs in our political discourse. Separation of church and state worked well for more than 200 years. I further believe that if churches, synagogues, wats or anything in between desire to have a say in our government, they should start by paying taxes.
Opinionated much, MsJoanne? Ya think?
♦
nwmuse
I have spent my adult life in the Pacific Northwest. Yup, webbed feet. I am interested in politics and reading (though I buy way more books than I ever get around to reading..). I love the ocean, especially in the Pacific Northwest. I’m a musician, though I think I must have been a politician or a spy in another life.. Or maybe a starving artist..
My motto continues to be “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans..” (John Lennon).
♦
RUCerious
I’m a native SoCal boy, actually a Valley boy (San Fernando). Two weeks out of Catholic HS, I enlisted in the Army, seeking my fame and fortune. Unfortunately, after 2 years 8 months I escaped with neither, but luckily still had my life. I attended UC Santa Barbara, married, had a daughter, divorced and worked in the natural food business for 14 years. Came up to the NW in 84, worked as a buyer at a natural foods distributorship from 85 – 89. In 89 I had one of those mid life epiphanies, realized I should have been a computer programmer. Went to school nights for 3 years and went into business for myself, doing database programs for small businesses. Taught at the local CC for four years before winding up over at Costco Wholesale. Married (for the third and final time) in 2000, to my Vietnamese wife Lisa. Amber was born in March of 2003, and keeps mom and dad real busy. I’ve played guitar and harmonica and sung since I was 13, and really enjoy it when I find the time.
♦
Shayne
Being a Critter here at The Zoo is the most exciting thing that’s happened to me in years. What more do I need to say. I’m the mother of one middle schooler and I own a business with my husband but work out of the house. That leaves me plenty of time to watch the news and absorb all the frustration that comes with it. Living in a mostly Republican county makes it difficult to find political conversations that don’t end up in confrontation and I was thrilled when I met my fellow Critters and was able to express my feelings about the path this country has been going down.
♦
Spudge_Boy
[View all posts by Spudge_Boy]
Born and raised in ——-, I have — brothers and sisters, and I am #–. I graduated from the ——— of ————- in ——–. From there I went on to become a -(spy)- for the ———. I have traveled all over the world, being assigned as far away as ———- and ——. I worked from —- to —–, with my field of expertise being————–. In —-, I retired from ———— in —— and moved to ——- ——–. Since my retirement from the ———-, I have enjoyed ———— and raising my family with — children and my lovely —- whom I adore. We now live in ——– where I enjoy —— and ——-. I had hoped to write my memoirs, of all the places I have worked and visited, and of all the adventures I have been a part of, but I am afraid the pages would surely end up looking like this: ————————————————————-, so I decided to start blogging here at TheZoo instead.
♦
WaltTheMan
[View all posts by WaltTheMan]
Born in Washington, DC in 1941, I have lived all over the world. In addition to myself, my Mom gave birth to triplets when I was 3 (If you can imagine the trauma from being the center of attention and then being totally ignored, that took the cake.) and a sister (Born on Halloween.). The picture is of my Mom and myself in 1942. I have three sons, a beautiful spouse and a loving and & lovable granddaughter with an intense interest in nature. I worked 40 years in computer design (logic and microcode) and PC programming after vectoring off a combined degree in EE, CompSci and Physics (In 1963!). I am currently retired in Florida where I dabble in woodworking and The Zoo as my hobbies.
♦
Wayne A. Schneider
[View all posts by Wayne A. Schneider]
Born in a mining colony on Rigel VII, I was raised by Vulcan traders who found the wreckage of my family’s spaceship. I was the only survivor. During a subsequent, still-classified visit to the planet Earth, I was exchanged for some Vulcan political dissidents being held in a secret hangar in Ohio ( Hangar 18 ) wanted on their home planet for expressing illogical ideas. My adoptive Earth family raised me as one of their own, never telling me my true origins. I was left to discover this on my own as an adult. On a visit to a place the humans call New York City, my true identity was revealed to me by a strange woman who wore a head scarf and consulted a glowing orb. I’d say I got my $200 worth that day.Posing as one of you, I have experienced many things during my time on your planet. I attended what you call an “institute of higher learning” where I learned about the effects of massive alcohol consumption on education. (It doesn’t help.) I even enrolled in a military organization calling itself the United States Air Force. They sent me from Louisiana, to Maryland, to Georgia, to Alaska, to West Germany, then back to Louisiana again, then back once more to West Germany, then to New Jersey where they told me my services were no longer needed. It seemed like an awful lot of trouble to go through just for that. These days I pose as something called a “Production Planner” in a small family-owned business, with occasional computer programming work thrown in for fun. In my spare time I write silly song parodies and political commentary of an insignificant nature. But it all helps me keep my sanity while I wait for the people from my home planet to come rescue me.
♦
Zooey
I was born in Twenty-Nine Palms, California, on November 3, in the last century. I was bawling my eyes out because I had been rudely awakened from a deep slumber in my water-filled room – where I dreamed of a world run by people who cared about one another – by an obnoxious smack across my newly-born, yet cute-for-life behind, by some guy wearing a mask. I didn’t get a good look at him, as someone was whisking me away and putting some kind of drops in my eyes. Not two minutes old and already they were trying to control me. But they wouldn’t succeed. Never! They would rue the day they…ever……(yawn)…tried to…con…trol… (yawn)…me… zzzzzz…zzzzzz…zzzZZZ…ZZZZZZ…
(A few years later)
Life is good for the Zooster. No one controls me now – and I’ll never tell where the bodies are buried, so don’t bother asking. The men have flown the coop, but I’ve managed to scrape up all the droppings they left behind, and things are smelling a bit sweeter. Of course, we all have to deal with that moronic boss at work…but wait, I forgot! Not me! I’m happily unemployed – no moronic bosses for me. Now that I have the time, I decided to finally embark on my University career as a psych major. But really, don’t come to me with your problems. 
I guess somewhere along the way, I pissed off someone from China, because I seem to have found myself in interesting times indeed, and I’m hanging on by my fingernails like everybody else. We’re in this together, so let’s get a move on.
