Did You Pay Your Taxes?

Did it hurt, I mean really hurt to look at that big number the government took from you so that Nancy Pelosi can fly her family about in taxpayer jets and we can bail out failing car companies and greedy banks? Are you happy that you contributed so much to Social Security when you know you will never see a penny of Social Security in your old age? Does it feel good to know that your hard earned money is for teacher's unions who no longer teach but exploit children and that the State dances to THEIR tune not the students'? Isn't it nice to have pretty green bike boxes even though violent criminals are set free because there isn't money to keep them in jail?

Does it make you angry to know that you work so hard and get to keep so little of it? Does it alarm you that you could actually pay someone a living wage with what you DIDN'T get to keep from your business proceeds?

If so get yourself to a Tea Party tomorrow. Let the politicians know that you will remember this day in November. If you are in Oregon visit November Recall to get involved.

Even though last April 15th was one of the most inspiring days of my life, this year I will be laying low as Camrock will be turning 10 on that day. He gave up his birthday for the Tea Party last year so this time it is his turn.

To tide you over

We are waiting for better footage, but in the meantime

Tax Referral Tea Party

LABOR DAY

Pioneer Courthouse Square
Downtown Portland
5-7:30 pm

Featuring:
Victoria Taft
Jeff Kropf
Kristina Ribali
David Hedrick
and

SAMURAI MOM!

Let's Hear it for I-Shuan!

Three cheers for my friend I-Shuan because I called her up today with no notice and asked: First if she had plans? Second, did she agree with my political views for the most part? And Third, would she help me spiff up my blog for the potential surge in traffic next week? She said yes and then sacrificed 4 hours for me.

Bless her.

Thanks to her I know have the spiffy new banner you see above and some shiny new buttons (one I tweaked a bit myself so don't blame her for that.)

I have streamlined some things and organized some others. Explore a bit and make sure you test out the buttons.

The "How to make the Politicians Squrim!" button will remain inactive until Monday when I will release my Tea Party Speech.

Please don't feel sad if your blog is not on my list anymore. I still read your blog and have it all organized in my google reader and following list.

To Do List

A few of the things on my To Do List this week:

- Participate in Tea Party Planning Committee conference call
- E-mail speaking guidelines to Tea Party Speakers
- Finalize Tea Party Event Activities
- Write speech for Tea Party
- Decide what to wear to Tea Party
- Blog about Tea Party

Did I mention that there will be a Tax Referral Tea Party this Monday, Labor Day, September 7th at 6pm in Pioneer Courthouse Square? We are gathering to collect signatures to put the tax increases the legislature passed this session on the ballot as is our right as Oregonians. If you are in the Portland area please come support us!

Petitions will be available for signing at the event, there will be fantastic speakers! We will hear from several of the candidates seeking to replace David Wu as the Representative from District 1.
Samurai Mom will be speaking as well as this guy!

The National Review

It was cool when Lars Larson read my blog post on his show,

And then when Kevin edited a great video of the Town Hall meeting featuring me,

And then The Oregonian linked to it.

But now I have been quoted in the National Review.

The National Review is big. It is La Keira's number one source of news. She has been in awe of me this week. I'll take it.

I have many thoughts on this. Firstly I love the attention because from the time I could smile I have been a fool for an audience. While I am a bit uncomfortable when people recognize me, I secretly love it.

While what I said took courage, initially I was just proud of the composure with which it was delivered. I fully expected to come out babbling and maybe crying. The words were not that revolutionary. I don't think what I had to say is any different that what people are feeling. Maybe it is just the fact that I said it. I am glad this happened before all the bad press about the town halls, I am glad I didn't have to stand in line or argue with union thugs.

One though on the whole "shouting" idea that the press has latched on to. What they are all neglecting to mention is that the Congressman are either refusing to answer direct questions OR outright lying to constituents. When you are sitting face to face with your paid representative in congress and he does not have the respect to answer your question or he lies to you, it makes you mad, really mad and shouting might be excusable. Frankly, I am impressed that people are not killing their congressmen on the spot. That is how angry people are and I think they are showing incredible restraint.

I have not tried to go to any more of Congressman Wu's town halls because I know I will not be allowed in and I have kids to take care of. I will choose when I protest and It will probably next be at Pioneer Courthouse Square on September 7th.

I regret that I have but one town hall to give to my country. (This summer.)

Interview with a Samurai, pt.1

As my life is SO mysterious, and inquiring minds DO want to know, La Keira has very kindly volunteered to do an interview with Samurai Mom to answer many of your pressing questions. I hope you enjoy it, I did.

#1: Living in Portland, as you do, I imagine you see a lot of bumper stickers. I saw a particularly self-righteous one the other day that said "What exactly do conservatives want to conserve?" Wow. What a zinger. Here's your chance to respond. I'd like at least three bullet points.

Your Money,
Your Rights,
Your Liberties,
and possibly,Your Sanity

#2: I know your home schooling style is inspired in part by Thomas Jefferson but I can't bring myself to like the guy (Declaration notwithstanding, it's gonna take some time for me to get past the Sally Hemmings thing). So, my question is, which Founding Father do you most relate to and (if different) who would you like to spend a dinner with? Why?Though I haven't studied him much, I think that I most identify with Patrick Henry. I don't think that I have all the ideas but I know correct principles when I see them and they burn within me and become part of me. I hope to be a "radical" as he was and maybe one day if needed to come up with a phrase as patriotic as "Give me liberty, or give me death!"
I don't want to mince words, I want to speak the truth.

As for dinner I would like to break bread with John and Abigail Adams because after reading McCullough's biography how could one not adore and admire John Adams?

#3: You, like me, are a collector of the fabulous. What item in your home do you have an inexplicable passion/unhealthy obsession for?
I simply cannot choose just one. This answer will be woefully inaccurate no matter the answer I choose so I am going to say that currently I am in love with colanders though I am limiting myself to possessing only 4. Also, there is Danvers, my ceramic duck filled with knitting needles, perhaps my favorite item.

And Books. I love books, even if I never read all of them, I love books.

#4: Speaking of books...The character Desmond on LOST is saving up a copy of "Our Mutual Friend" to read as the last book he ever reads in his life. Do you have a favorite book that you wish you could unread and save for just such an occasion?
I am having trouble with this one. First, I would say Jane Eyre but Jane Eyre has so many lessons that I have needed in this life, I would hate to have gone without them. Second, I would like to say Mrs. Miniver but again I can't imagine a world without knowing the joys of Mrs. Miniver. Just think of bidding on an auction emotionally because something looks lonely and not knowing that Mrs. Miniver would do the same thing.
I choose Rebecca. Rebecca is one of my favorite books but I fully admit that the life lessons learned therein are faulty and one doesn't learn much in that respect. It would be delightful for the last book read to begin "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderly again."

#5 I know that you loved your time in London. Where was your favorite place there? What time of day? What should it smell like?

I loved to walk along the Thames at night. Always with a friend, not because I was ever afraid for my safety in London Town but because walking along the Thames is a time for conversation. We would walk along the embankment and then cross to the south using Lambeth Bridge, then Westminster enchanted by the Houses of Parliament waving to Boadicea as we passed. Then skip Hungerford past the sphinxes and on to my favorite, Waterloo, which leads to the Royal National Theatre and up to the elaborately painted Blackfriars bridge. If it wasn't too late and the conversation was still good there was Tower Bridge via the New Globe Theatre, but not often. It smells like roasted chestnuts and crisp fall air. Chestnuts taste terrible but smell delicious and I am sure the Thames smells but if it does I can't recall the scent.

.....to be continued. Tune in tomorrow to find out my bad habits, psychological philosophy, and what I will look like in heaven in Interview with a Samurai, pt.2

Samurai Mom Goes to Washington *Edit*

You might remember how I went to a Washington County Town Hall meeting with Congressman David Wu a while back.

A new video has been edited with different footage from the other camera in the room. The audio is much better.

Congressman Wu meets Samurai Mom from WashCoGOP Oregon on Vimeo.

Proclaming Liberty Pt. 2

Please excuse all the fabulous pictures of myself. It was just so much fun to pose for them and where else to you show off all the pretty pictures if not your blog?

****My super secret mission has been completed. I was asked to write something for a specific news outlet but it was decided that the article would go in another direction. The good news is (thanks to the ineptitude of Microsoft products) you now get to read this HERE on the blog!***I rode my bicycle bedecked with red, white and blue flowers and ribbons up to the staging area for the Hillsboro Independence Day parade. I was late, I have 3 kids, a mother can't be standing around for hours waiting, an hour is all I could spare for waiting. 200 people were milling about chatting in what would be the largest entry in the parade. I scanned for people that I knew but couldn't find them amongst the crowd. I signed in and located my neighbor and her 14 year old son and a friend who had brought his wife and four children. Everyone else was a stranger. As we talked many people noticed my sash that read "Samurai Mom" and congratulated me on my great post and for giving it to Wu. We made the acquaintance of others in the group. A successful marketer and graphic designer offered to help us with a project we are planning. A man who installs siding and roofing talked about how hard it is to get business lately. An immigrant woman who said that she already escaped the Soviet union and didn't want to have to escape again. There was a great sense of camaraderie in our desire to keep our freedoms. Most of us knew only a few in the group but we fell in together shoulder to shoulder as we made our way along the parade route smiling and waving.

Nestled amongst the flowers and ribbons in my wicker bike basket were 130 copies of The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution, I planned to hand them out to people along the way. It was my way of saying "Happy Birthday America, I know why we have fireworks and parades on this day."
At first I just handed my gifts to people on the street but soon I started asking the question "Why do we celebrate the 4th of July?" as I handed them a copy. I asked young kids, older kids, teenagers, adults of all ages. To be fair, they didn't expect a pop quiz when they came to the parade but I was amazed at the shrugs and blank looks. Many people said "Our freedom," "It's our country's birthday", and "It's Independence Day." All true and good answers but only 3 people said "The signing of the Declaration of Independence." Most received the booklets without a word but many expressed genuine gratitude for their very own copy of two of the most important documents ever written.
One man didn't like our group, I saw him across the street wearing a frown and giving us a double "thumb's down" sign. I crossed and offered him a copy of our founding documents and he shook his head and refused. "You don't like our Constitution?" I asked, dumbfounded. His head was still shaking his refusal, thumbs still pointing down. "Why is this man at the 4th of July Parade if he doesn't love the Declaration of Independence?" I asked myself as I pedaled down Main Street. I realized with sadness that this man was so opposed to what he THOUGHT our message was that he didn't even understand what I was asking. His politics made him dig in his heels and refused to see what I was offering. He refused to listen to a fellow American.
That is why I fight for my country, why I teach my children about their country, why I gather at Tea Parties and rallies, for that angry man and for all of those smiling faces who might be reading the Declaration of Independence right now...

Proclaiming Liberty

My last post has caused quite a stir. As they say "Sometimes stating the obvious is revolutionary." (anyone know where that came from?)

I passed the post on to a few friends and before I knew it Lars Larson was reading my entire post on both his local and national shows, the phone was ringing off the hook, I was getting telephone calls from people I have voted for in the past. Talk about pressure. I feel obligated to make profound political statements in every post now. I was also given a super secret assignment.

Part of my assignment involves me going to the Hillsboro Parade and the Tea Party Rally in Hillsboro tomorrow. I couldn't just march in the parade, opportunities like these don't happen every day, and so, Liberty Bell and I will be at the parade together.I have spent the better part of the day reorganizing our Independence Day Celebration plans, planning my costume and decorating Liberty Bell for the Parade. I will of course be handing out free copies of The Constitution and The Declaration of Independence.

Shout out "Samurai Mom" if you see me!
Here's hoping my curls hold.

****There is now video of the Town Hall meeting with Congressman Wu here and here****

Samurai Mom Goes to Washington

...or to the Sherwood Town Hall meeting with Congressman Wu to be precise. The questions were not pre-screened.

Near the end of the meeting I was called on. I reminded the Congressman that he had not answered the gentleman's question about whether or not he had read the "cap and trade" bill before he voted on it. I also reminded him that he had not answered the lady's question as to whether he would commit to reading the health care bill before voting on it. I then said that I would like to know if he read any of the bills passed recently that spent gigantic amounts of money and that I would like to know if he would to commit to reading all future bills before voting on them. Then I said
"As someone that votes and sends you to congress I expect you to read every bill before voting. If you cannot do so or don't have the time I expect you to abstain or vote "no." If you can't do that, if you think that that is to much of a work load then maybe this isn't the job for you."

Wild applause from the audience.

He insisted that he had kept all of his campaign promises over the top of people yelling "Answer her question!" He did not, and I am still waiting for a satisfactory response, Congressman.

I was lucky that he called on me, I owe it all to my youthful and demure appearance Appearances can be deceiving as Congressman Wu found out. He went right back to asking questions of the frail looking elderly who were angry but a little more reserved and less pointed.

After the meeting was over I was congratulated many (20?) times, had my hand shaken repeatedly, was called a patriot and was accused of being just 18!

There were oh, so many other things I wanted to chastise him for but this one is what fit with the meeting. I am amazed that the thoughts came out so calmly, clearly and in order. I didn't lose my head and I didn't call anyone names! I was so angry but I don't think I gave that away in my voice.
The beauty of what I said is that it runs across the board. EVERY voter wants their congressmen to read bills before voting on them. No one but congresspeople think that not reading bills before passing legislation is OK. I realize that it is probably impossible to read every word of every bill. That just makes my point; the bills are too long, too complex, too full of pork and there are too many of them. If people refuse to support a bill until they have read it thoroughly then eventually the "way it is" will change!

As we heard tonight, Congressman David Wu has repeatedly refused to commit to reading bills before voting on them.

***This video will be active shortly, as it turns out it remembered it fairly well, and honestly, people did yell for him to answer my question.***

An Iconic Symbol

You may remember my daydream a few weeks back. Somehow it became a need and then an obsession in remarkably little time. I found a suitable bike in a far flung shop and Liberty Bell and I have been zipping along the Bethany Trail in iconic style since Mother's Day.
She is a Free Spirit make and thus the name, Liberty Bell. Unfortunately. I have not yet found a suitable patriotic bell to attach to her. I shall keep a few copies of the Declaration of Independence in my basket as I ring Liberty throughout the land.P.S. It turns out some skirts are more suitable for iconic biking than others.
P.P.S. I can not ride Liberty Bell without a gigantic grin on my face, it is that fun. Seriously a vintage bike feels different. We make other people smile too!

Would you care for some TEA?

It was big, as I expected. Guesstimates are between 4,ooo-8,ooo Portlanders packed themselves into Pioneer Courthouse Square for the Tax Day Tea Party.
I brought several friends along. The square was full, but we weren't packed in like sardines or anything. You could move about it needed but it was much more comfortable to stay put.
That didn't stop Commander C and 2 other 9 year olds from going about distributing the 100 free copies of The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution that I brought along. I had planned to give them to people on the street who weren't part of the Tea Party but people at the Tea Party were SO grateful for them that I am very happy that I brought them.
It was patriotic. There was a reading of the ENTIRE Declaration of Independence accompanied by a lot of cheering. There was a pledge and I must say it is inspiring to say it in unison with 5,000 of your closest compatriots. There was a prayer that was "non-denominational" However, it was little too evangelical for the Mormons in the crowd. Mostly we were confused trying to figure out if the actual prayer had started yet and then we we alarmed at the irreverent echoing and cheers. We all said "Amen" and looked at each other furtively wondering if we really agreed with the prayer or not.
There were some great speeches including one about community. There were more anti-Obama signs than I would have liked to have seen, I really thought it took away from the message of out of control spending. Keira and I felt a little saucy about any would be IRS agents looking for someone to Audit.
The I "heart" Reagan "tea" shirts were worn and someone asked me to make one for her. I agreed. We had so much fun. I now consider myself a "real" Portlander with a protest under my belt.
The environmentalists put the kibosh on our dumping the tea in the river, so we had to make do with dumping the tea in bins. Still, it felt great. Someone did dress like an Indian. That takes guts.

I brought Commander C along because I wanted him to feel what it is like to be with people who are united behind the Constitution of the United States of America. I wanted him to feel thousands of people chanting "U.S.A." I wanted him to feel thousands of people who love our freedom enough to fight for it.

He knows about the Boston Tea Party of 1773 and why it was held and now he can say he was at the Tea Party of 2009 and why we were there.
He loved it.

I want my children to cry when they think of men and women fighting for their freedom, when they hear a patriotic song and when they see our great monuments, as I do. I want them to be angry and speak out when they see our rights and freedoms being taken away, as I do.

I want the hearts of patriots to beat within their breasts.