DISQUS

Daryl Frame · 1 year ago

I hope all Americans on this list get out and vote for a change. You all deserve better than what you have, especially in the healthcare field. Also, imagine what a relief it will be to everyone when this endless campaign finally comes to an end?! Vote and make a difference!

Martha Finney · 1 year ago

Hi Kris: I agree with everything you said...read your post line by line by line (as I do with all your posts). BUT...I was mildly disturbed by one thing you said (awww...just get over it, I thought, as I moved toward my bathroom to give it a good cleaning before I leave on a trip to Santa Barbara today...but it stayed with me -- probably a subliminal excuse to get away from the scrubbie...so here it is)

"Who the hell let him open his yap..."... I don't think you quite meant it this way, but what you're advocating with this phrase is an adjustment to our freedom of speech. Everyone gets to open their yap in this country, and one of the things that I've found SO disheartening about our political culture over the last 8 years especially, is that it's increasingly dangerous to speak your mind. For this reason, I've kept my politics to myself behind a tightly zipped lip.

The corollary to "who let him open his yap" is "who gets to be the one who decides whether we all can open our yaps." So I'm totally with you on all counts, sister friend! That's why I read you all the time and tell all my friends about you. But in addition to everything you said, I have to stand up and go, "yap yap yap yap yap yap!"

Kris Carr · 1 year ago

Martha, what frustrates me is the bold faced lying, twisting and accusations. The fanning of fear and desperation. In my mind the media's job is to report the facts. Fox news in particular has lead many vulnerable viewers into a mess of deception. I am ALL for freedom of speech, that's why I say EXACTLY what's on my mind. Please don't miss the larger issue with your annoyance about my "yap" comment. YAP ON MARTHA. But to the interviewer I'm talking about - I still wish you'd close your yap. It's a wish, not an order.

Martha Finney · 1 year ago

Unfortunately both sides are guilty of the bald-faced lying, twisting and accusations, that's what makes the political season such a crying shame. It becomes all about winning the game not saving the nation (or for that matter, the planet).

YAP ON KRIS!

:-)

Kris Carr · 1 year ago

Well said, and true. Although I have a far dirtier taste in my mouth thanks to the mounds of illogical, made-up yap hurtled from the mouths of Palin & McCain. It's a strategic way to distract us and side step the major issues. It also puts us back as a country, as a people. When I hear the dangerous threats made by anti-Obama supporters I wonder who if anyone will put an end to the fear- mongering (unless forced by the reflection of slipping numbers in the polls).

Where is the compassion, the inspiration, the humanity? Obama isn't a terrorist or a socialist, and no one should chant "kill him". Freedom of speech or not, I think we can all agree on that one.

Much damage is done by these negative claims. If Obama gets elected he will have so a lot to undo - people who actually think he was sent and/or nurtured by terrorists to overturn our government from the inside. Is this a good time for that kind of thinking? Do we not have bigger dragons to slay? Plus, McCain is damaging his own ability to govern if he gets elected because so many of us are outraged by his antics. Wow, this gets me HOT. Very uncrazy, unsexy.

And one last thing about my comment, “who the hell let him open his yap.” It’s meant to be humorous and abstract. I'm talking about the media and NOT about changing the law. The first amendment is the cornerstone of liberty. The government’s job is to protect our right of free speech. The media’s job is to choose rational, non-manipulative discussions over circus ratings and potential trash rag headlines.

Ok, I'm done with this YAP. :) Thanks Martha. It's always fun yapping with you!

mary brittain · 1 year ago

Right On!

a.h. · 1 year ago

I hear you totally and completely on health care. My little brother just turned eighteen, may or may not have Hodgekins (we're still trying to figure out what he has--his lymph nodes are all screwy), and my fiance had to try and calm me down during a debate when I sat there screaming at McCain through the TV because I'm terrified my little brother will never be able to get the health-care he may need for the rest of his life because he won't bea ble to afford it...or that he'll lose our parents coverage (currently he's still in school and under state law can keep it until he's twenty-three as long as he's in school) in the middle of his treatment...

If we can buy huge chunks of so many major banks, why can't we do something about health care???? Its hard enough to spread your wings without health conditions you couldn't prevent (or didn't have the treatment to prevent) clipping your flight feathers just as they're sprouting....

Kris Carr · 1 year ago

AMEN! I've been screaming too my friend. Let's pray for wing spreading this Tuesday. I'm sick of looking down at a pile of lost-potential feathers.

a.h. · 1 year ago

You'd totally think given all the clucking politicos do about welfare moms clogging up the system and other such that they'd care about all the wasted brainpower and labor hours that go into fretting about health insurance and trying to get on patient assistance or into a trial program, or whatever...

If I was a numbers, I'd figure out if that'd balance out the cost of fixing the wreck that is health care in this country.

Callie · 1 year ago

Hey sweet potatoe.. been doing some research and if cobra is running out you have 63 days before you are considered without prior medical conditions and you also can get covered and not have a pre-existing count against you.. all policies and states are different but check it out.. it helped me and several others and it may work out.. Good luck I know this is off the subject..

on the subject palin sets women back 50 years....and generally pisses me off.. karma would be she comes back as a wolf......oh that is not nice but life is not always fair........ she sets the era and other orgs.. that have worked like national org for woman back to the stone age.......all i have seen this week is lipstickers for palin and women for palin little lawn stickers and I swear I have a whole slew of sharpies just ready to go to work.. if only i would let go.. and let the inner beast out.. but i wont.. i just keep planting obama signs. and i am with you why in the name of god and goodnsense are people just lying flat out.. we didn't care if clinton slept with the dog ... but he ran a good nation there are good muslims if he is one.. and he isn't and he is a good man.....this is ridiculous race wars they are trying to pull us into.. shame on them......callie

rebecca_c · 1 year ago

Obama had me at "coverage for pre-existing conditions"... I'm in Florida, voted early, and am keeping my fingers crossed that all votes are counted here... properly!! Thanks for the post.

Kris Carr · 1 year ago

Me too. I gasped! When a man talks about making changes in favor of prevention and pre-existing conditions I get RANDY. xo

Julie · 1 year ago

I totally agree with and share your views. Thank-you for sharing them!

Callie · 1 year ago

I couldn't have said it better myself. Like Brian Montecello is my mecca. Jefferson said that once every two hundred years a government should be remade, infused with new blood or in the coming years you would have anarchy. The people would revolt. We are at that point. I think Jefferson's was the most brilliant man to have walked and today is the turning point between curing or beginning to cure what ails us or anarchy. I am excited to vote against the protection of marriage act, have an affordable insurance we can all by into that doesn't hack your coverage or give you a cancer minimum that is unexceptable and addresses that simple fact that we are in an economic storm that not only effect those of us in the stock market but when milk cost close or more to the minimum wage most families with children realize thier jobs canot support just buying food and gas. Thanks Kris for logging in on this one. I think McCain is a hero in one respect and that his time has come and gone in another. Let him go with honor, but Obama feels like JFK to me.....a new wind is blowing. I pray he will lead us to a new place in this country a more balanced one. Most importantly we must vote.. people died so we could cast that ballot and forever the activist I feel that we stand on the backs of those who came before us, the women sufferagist, the black men and women with fight who wanted that vote and all who have died to protect this country and allow the vote to be possible. Thanks for this blog.. I think it is one of your most important. Much Love and enjoy rocking the vote. Callie

Kris Carr · 1 year ago

You're so right and poetic Ms. Callie, thank you for your comments. xo

Debbie W · 1 year ago

Love the Sedonaland photo, my old hometown!
I've voted! And I do hope Obama wins. I believe he is our best chance at real change. There is a lot to do!
God Bless!
Debbie

debbiedoesraw · 1 year ago

from one pre existing gal to another,
I hear ya! anyone who knows me knows how I feel on this
OBAMA all the way
no on 8
yes on 2
nuff said
love you deb

Andrea "Cuca" · 1 year ago

I'm glad people like you -who are a huge influence for other people- spread the word about both Obama and McCain's plans. Now, I live in Mexico and I'm not even an American, however, I am completely obsessed with your election. I've found myself doing research about both candidates as if I was going to vote (which you have no idea of how bad I want to vote). I've come to the conclusion that Obama is THE option. He has plans and ideals that as far as I know, no other president has ever had. I truly believe that if you -Americans- select him as your president, you won't regret it.
Yesterday I saw the movie "Recount" on TV. I had no idea how dirty that election had been. I mean, I knew they went through the recount and everything but I didn't really know the other side of the story. It was a very fishy situation.
I just hope the Republican party doesn't pull what they did in 2000.
Not only do I worry about McCain's priorities and ideals but Sarah Palin is just an eerie, inexperienced woman. I've always been a little bit of a feminist but Palin just makes me want to take that back. All she's been doing is crying and talking about how a good mother she is. don't think she's ready to run a whole Country. I don't even know how she's governing Alaska. But that's just my opinion.
Anyways, I really hope Barack Obama gets elected.
This is getting too long, sorry.
I wish you the best of lucks with everything.

xoxo
Cuca
P.S. I know it's been a while since your documentary"Crazy Sexy Cancer" came out but I just watched it a few weeks ago and it's one of the best documentaries I've ever seen. Thank you for making it. It really changed me.

laur · 1 year ago

that's so amazing that you're so informed on an election that isn't even directly affecting your country. I truly think it's beautiful! amen sista! we'll do what we can.

iffat · 1 year ago

Thanks for writing on this Kris, I totally agree with you.
I think its time that we wake up and look for a ray of hope and bring a change and vote for Obama. I believe, he is the one....for America...:-)
we have been through enough and seen enough.
we all need hope and change now...

Lauren · 1 year ago

I can't wait to Barack the vote next week!!! I don't need no stinkin' maverick ;) I'm sooo excited! I've voted every election since I turned 18, but I've never been so excited to vote before!!

Martha Finney · 1 year ago

This is off-topic...sorry in advance, but I was thinking about you guys on my drive from Santa Fe to Flagstaff en route to Santa Barbara (I'm in Flagstaff right now...neener neener! ;-) ) That long drive is a great time to catch up on all my pod caught editions of Fresh Air. And on one edition Terri Gross interviews Michael Pollan about food policy. It's ab fascinating!! Everyone who enjoyed In Defense of Food will enjoy this interview. And to force a politics related connection, he wrote an open letter to both candidates in the October 12 edition of the NY Times Magazine. 8,000 words, he says, and one of the campaigns asked him to synthesize the entire article into a two-page exec summary. That's the only interest he received from either campaign. Sheesh.

Callie · 1 year ago

Martha.. my nanna got that article and has passed it to everyone it is fabulous.. cannot remember in my stack of ordered disorder where it is will post it if I can find it........he is amazing.. another good book is Hot Flat and Crowded?? is that is.. I just finished it fabulous.. along the same lines as Pollan.. Wish I was with you......what you doing whay out in Santa Fe.. that is my favorite place on earth besides Austin.....so spiritual I get a soul detox when I walk on the soil......love ya.. drive safe.. callie

Austin · 1 year ago

Oh Kris, I love you!! :) As I read this I was saying to myself, "Yes we can, YES WE CAN!!!" You should get Brian to do the dry erase board again and video it for us!!! :)

Corinne · 1 year ago

That was one wing-dinger of a blog! I'm on a ship in the Aegean Sea with people from all over the world this week and lots of them know about our election (and they are very concerned about it!). Especially, the Brits. I won't be in my home state during the week of the election, but I was sure to mail in my absentee ballot last week. I am swinging between excitement and hope to total panic and so are most people that I know. Something really is different this year. People are TALKING about the election in a way that I've never experienced before. I think that we are about to experience something extraordinary and inspiring next week. I believe that people are going to show up like never before and exercise their right to vote. Can't wait to talk about our new president with you all next week!
VOTE!!
Corinne

laurab · 1 year ago

Voting is a privilege and a right so get out and Barak the vote!

Thanks Kris for sharing your thoughts and passions, as usual well said and thought out!
xoxo

laurab · 1 year ago

I meant Barack......typing too fast!

Jennifer · 1 year ago

My husband and I waited in line behind 15,000 people for three hours to witness history in action in Richmond, VA last week as Barack Obama left goose bumps on my arms and hope in my heart. Obama all the way, baby. Neither my husband nor i have health insurance, I lost my job and my husband's self employed business has tanked in this economy. We are both artists, are intelligent, educated people, but are living on peanuts and I can't even find a part time seasonal job to help us out. Living on credit cards, worrying ourselves sick, I seriously doubt McCain and Palin with her $150 grand (wink wink) care a lick that we are one wink away from living on the street. Vote Obama, folks. He's our only hope.

sandrajoseph · 1 year ago

Kris and Brian, I LOVE YOU for putting your views out there and encouraging everyone not only to CARE about politics but to understand WHY they should care. It does trickle down to each and every one of us in oh so many areas of our lives. I am SO passionate about this, I have to check myself. Last night I decided to do an experiment. I flipped back and forth between MSNBC and Fox News. It's like we are on two different planets. I sometimes wish we could say screw it and split up. Let Palin and the religious right move to their side of the world and let the rest of us allow gays to marry, women to choose, and everyone to have free healthcare. I need a detox from all this...I can feel the acid flowing.

Kris Carr · 1 year ago

WOW! Did anyone see the 1/2 Obama commercial? That was magical. Let's hope it swings some swing states towards to light. If he's able to do even half the things he promises to do it's a beautiful thing. Come on Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Colorado join us! Let's unite for REAL change. Let's take back our power and our national pride. Walk with your head held high to the polls next week (get there early). Be the change this world so desperately needs. Our future, our children's future, the planet's future depends on it....

xo
Kris

Jennifer · 1 year ago

YES I watched it! I was moved to tears I don't know how many times. I am overwhelmed. When he is elected, I for one will be in DC, cheering him on! Pure magic, indeed.

Callie · 1 year ago

That infomercial was so inspiring. Not only did barack get across that he certainly understands not only the joys of american life but the frustration. I know I cannot be alone in seeing his empathy for his mother and her struggle to battle the insurance Gods for help during her last days. Nor pay off his student loans.. he is a regular person with a most enhancced and supercharged life. I pray pray pray he is the next president. I am frightened... he might lose and I cannot imagine a world where that happens. Love you all. Callie

Laryssa · 1 year ago

Thanks for the great info! Too Shy to Stop writer Lauren Bucci just wrote an article about websites that claim to help undecided votes. You can read the piece here.

Chris · 1 year ago

That is a beautiful shirt you're wearing Kris.

Could you be anymore beautiful? I mean, you juice, you're educated and passionate. What more could anyone hope for.

Summerbead · 1 year ago

I continue to enjoy reading your many "quirky" yet upbeat and realistic posts. I know that this post was meant as a political forum; however, I would like to continue to ask for your support with the aid of your dear friend, Lance Armstrong, and all other's who are firm believer's in the Power of: You (the motto behind my bloggging therapy) ~ to help get a foundation started to build a hospital style/resort for terminal cancer patients and their families. My idea can be read on today's blog post, Thursday, October 30.
As I sit in a hospital bed, as all too many cancer patients will and do spend their time doing, I am outreaching to You. To help make a difference. Any and all advice, tips, contacts, thoughts, comments, and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I know that I am just yet, another number or "statistic"; the status quo in the cancer world ~ but, I will not allow that to be a setback. You are inspiring, to me; indeed. My newest motto 's, "Livestrong, Fight Stronger" ~ and "I'm not living with cancer, cancer is living with me"... continue to give me the stride to carry on.
Peace be with you all.
Love,
Becky of www.positive4cure.blogspot.com

RachelV · 1 year ago

I like your theme, "parts=whole."
I agree, figure out what issues are most important and VOTE. Especially us twenty-somethings.

libelletage · 1 year ago

Healthcare is such an important issue. As a oncology nurse I have seen way too many people lose their livelihood, their homes and their lives while struggling to pay for healthcare. It's not a commodity people!

And when you compare the plans for healthcare, McCain will bring people even closer to financial ruin over healthcare bills.

laur · 1 year ago

I second everything Kris has said, but can't help but add that it is a bit nauseating to think of Palin as VP or Pres someday by default......just can't happen!!!

Larry · 1 year ago

Bring it. Sting it!........brothers and sisters!.....It is now we are asked to participate in this great calling ....may we all get the good stuff and love, love love,.....better yet, give love, love, love...
Larry Marnie, Owen and Vivy.

Rach · 1 year ago

I have to say neither candidate is ideal and either way I think as a country you're screwed no matter which of them gets in....

I will agree when you say that your health system is royally stuffed, you got it right when you said that no wealthy country should have a nonfucntioning health system...they need to get their priorities right.