Political Smackdown in Pennsylvania?

Hillary Clinton has pulled off a significant victory on "Junior Tuesday," coming back from the brink and keeping her candidacy viable; once again, she has surprised political pundits and naysayers by rising from the ashes, albeit still hobbling slightly behind Barack Obama.

I'm no political guru, but I do live in Pennsylvania, and already the buzz is reaching a fevered pitch.

Hillary or Barack? Who knows?

All I can say: this is the most exciting election year since 1960 when a young upstart named John F. Kennedy turned conventional wisdom on its ear and became the first President born in the 20th Century. (Back then, being young was viewed as an impediment; being young meant listening to your elders and not questioning the establishment. How attitudes changed in a few short years, starting with JFK's bold political campaign against Richard Nixon, a seasoned and well-connected politician.)

Could Barack Obama pull off one the most major wins of the 21st Century, becoming the first African-American President?

What an exciting possibility!

I must admit: right now, I'm leaning toward Hillary, but I would also be happy with Barack.

In any case, should Hillary Clinton win the presidency, we have not heard the last of Barack Obama; he has a bright political future ahead, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Best of all: No More Bush.

No more Bush. No more Bush. No more Bush. No more Bush. No more Bush.

NO MORE BUSH!

But I digress.

For the next few weeks, Pennsylvania is likely to be swarmed with national media, candidates and their supporters, rallies, and incessant buzz. Once seen as irrelevant in this election year, Pennsylvania may actually emerge as "the decider state." It's too soon to tell for sure; a lot can happen in five weeks.

One thing for sure: Pennsylvania is likely to be a bloody political ground, with lots of negative campaigning and ads.

A Hillary-Barack smackdown.

If the opponents can make it through the political bloodbath without suffering fatal injury (metaphorically speaking), Pennsylvania may also have a hand in finalizing the Democratic ticket: Clinton-Obama or Obama-Clinton.

IMHO, either configuration would equal victory in November.

That alone would be cause for celebration.

However, in election year 2008, one thing is for sure: nothing is for sure.

Conventional wisdom be damned.

;=)

Best,

Jennifer

Electrical Fire Last Thursday Night...

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But we are so fortunate; we are alive and well and only lost part of a wall (and cheap paneling). The fire was contained to a laundry room and started inside a wall. An inside wire went haywire, and that was enough to set off a spark, which set off the insulation. We could smell smouldering, but we couldn't find the flames.

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Then we saw the swirling smoke.

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We called 911; two fire trucks and about six firefighters arrived, and they spent two hours putting out the hot spots. Just as they arrived, the fire was JUST to the point of igniting and would have spread rapidly. The chief said that the house would have probably burned to the ground.

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Fortunately, we were home and it was early in the evening; had we been away, we would have lost our house. Worse yet, had we been home but asleep, we might have lost our lives.

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Unfortunately, the very next night (Friday), the Hernandez family wasn't so lucky; four people (two children and their parents, the mother four months pregnant) died in a fire that started in their basement.

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Unlike us, they were dealt a bum hand, and they had almost no chance. Three teenage girls did escape the fire, but they had to jump from a second and third story window.

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Read the whole story here.

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My husband and I will be donating some money to a fund that will help defray their funeral expenses and the transport of their bodies to Mexico for burial.

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If some readers of this blog could find it in their hearts to make a small donation to this family that has suffered so greatly, that would help them so much. This blog has about 50 readers a day (sometimes more, sometimes fewer), so every little bit would surely help.

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The address:

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Salvation Army

Hispanic Worship Center

257 E. South Street

York, PA 17403

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Make out any checks to the Salvation Army, with a Hernandez family notation.

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By the way, I don't know the Hernandez family at all, but I do feel a connection with them.

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Most important: hug your children, family, and significant other.

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And check your fire alarms. Tonight. Before you go to bed.

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Best to all,

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Jennifer