Hehrow!
I haven't been posting out here of late because I have been extremely busy. Time with family and friends and taking care of our household have always kept me busy, but I found time during the day to read and write. I'm still reading, but I'm using my writing time to get back into some old hobbies and volunteering that I had let wither while embroiled in my writing and politics. Obama won phew! And our country is in a terrible mess, so I've decided to use some of my free time to work to help others again. If something of interest worth posting comes up, I'll do so.
I hope you are all doing well and keeping busy yourselves. I'll bop in to visit your blogs here and there.
Namaste.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Hiatus
Friday, November 21, 2008
Frontline - Heat
I missed the original airing of this Frontline episode, but watched it last night. A very interesting look at our energy consumption, global warming, and the politics of changing the US' investments in green energy.
Our legislators need to grow some backbone and set aside their popularity contests for the good of this nation and our planet.
Frontline's Heat - read and watch the episode
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
No End in Sight Documentary
If you have not watched this documentary, you really should. It really gives insight, from folks within the Bush administration, on how the Iraq war was rolled out and why they made the decisions they did. It is amazing.
Be sure to pass it on. With all the incorrect rhetoric I hear spouted these days, it's good to counteract the misinformation.
Watch the trailer.
Youtube has the documentary in its entirety for you to watch.
Election Day
Read a lot of reports of fake robocalls and fake posters saying various things like Democrats are supposed to vote on the 5th because of the huge lines at the polls. Here's to hoping there isn't too much funny business today and we have a drama-free election. Fingers crossed Obama wins!
On one of the boards I was reading yesterday, someone was commenting on the CNN video that showed a security guard saying they couldn't afford Obama's 'spreading the wealth'. The poster railed for a paragraph in utter disbelief. Their last statement, though not a nice thing to say, had me and my husband laughing hard.
"God help you all dumb people".
Friday, October 31, 2008
From the Mouths of Babes
This is the part that absolutely stuns me about this election - Bush has the lowest approval ratings of any President in history and you put someone like McCain and his voting record next to him, the public should know better than to vote for McCain. When will folks learn?
My nine year old son is studying civics in school right now. He brought home paperwork on the whole process from caucus/primaries to the inaugural ball. So we're discussing it all. He remembers our caucus as he attended with me. I had mentioned that Bush's popularity rating is down to 20%. Towards the end of our discussion, I am explaining to him how it is important to know politicians and their voting records to help gauge what their stances are, etc. I said that one of the things being discussed in our current campaign is that McCain's voting history is 90% similar to Bush's policies and stances. His face squinches up and he says to me, my NINE YEAR OLD, "I thought you said Bush is only liked by 20% of the people? How come so many are voting for McCain if they don't like Bush and McCain is so much like him?" My response was that I don't get it either.
Are you smarter than a 4th grader?
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
When You Don't Think You Can Win Fair and Square
This is really really disturbing...
And I can't help but notice the number of times it says "Republican".
From CNN:
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- College senior Kyla Berry was looking forward to voting in her first presidential election, even carrying her voter registration card in her wallet.
"Vote suppression is real. It does sometimes happen," said Daniel P. Tokaji, a law professor at Ohio State University. But about two weeks ago, Berry got disturbing news from local election officials.
"This office has received notification from the state of Georgia indicating that you are not a citizen of the United States and therefore, not eligible to vote," a letter from the Fulton County Department of Registration and Elections said.
But Berry is a U.S. citizen, born in Boston, Massachusetts. She has a passport and a birth certificate to prove it. Watch some of the concerns of voting experts »
The letter, which was dated October 2, gave her a week from the time it was dated to prove her citizenship. There was a problem, though -- the letter was postmarked October 9.
Read the rest of the article.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
David Horsey's Latest Cartoon
I love it!
See David Horsey's other wonderful cartoons here at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Al-Qaida-Linked Website Backs McCain
From AP:
Al-Qaida supporters suggested in a Web site message this week they would welcome a pre-election terror attack on the U.S. as a way to usher in a McCain presidency.
The message, posted Monday on the password-protected al-Hesbah Web site, said if al-Qaida wants to exhaust the United States militarily and economically, "impetuous" Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain is the better choice because he is more likely to continue the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"This requires presence of an impetuous American leader such as McCain, who pledged to continue the war till the last American soldier," the message said. "Then, al-Qaida will have to support McCain in the coming elections so that he continues the failing march of his predecessor, Bush."
Read the rest of the article.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Divided We Fall
Pro America vs Anti America.
A new era of McCarthyism where we need to find the anti-American legislators?
Elitism.
Socialism.
Red vs blue.
Small town vs urban.
Terrorist.
Commie.
Blatant lying.
Racism.
It's wearing me down.
How do the few that try to divide us sleep at night? Why can't we have intellectual and reasonable discourse on policies and stances? McCain was so angry at the Bush/Rove slurs that hurt him in 2000 and yet he's doing just as ugly things.
There are none so blind as those who will not see. Sucks that I may have to see family and friends suffer 4 more years because of it.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Free Lunch - David Cay Johnston
I don't tend to recommend books until I've actually finished reading the book. =) However, I am in chapter 3 of David Cay Johnston's Free Lunch: How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (And Stick You With the Bill). This book is excellent so far.
I feel the wealth disparity is enormous in this country and we can point to certain inequities and policies that foster this. However, this book has really boiled down, with specifics, many of these policies in the collusion of the wealthy with our government policies and some politicians.
One of the eye opening moments for me was where he discusses our economic structure is most like the countries of Brazil, Mexico, and Russia - countries many of us know have extreme corruption that feeds a rich few, impoverished masses, and virtually no or a shrinking middle class. I think for me, though I understand the disparity in our country, when you say we are no better than Mexico, that really opened it up for me.
Also, in this time of economic crisis in our country where we have seen terms like "deregulation" bandied around, this book appears prescient, but really it's what we've put into place and are now paying the reaper for.
I don't know what the rest of the book is going to say, but I recommend it highly from what I've read so far.
Here are some of the editorial notes on this book.
“If you’re concerned about congressional earmarks, stock options (especially backdated options), hedge fund tax breaks, abuse of eminent domain, subsidies to sports teams, K Street lobbyists, the state of our health-care system, to say nothing of the cavernous gap between rich and poor, you’ll read this fine book—as I did—with a growing sense of outrage. Free Lunch makes it clear that it’s high time for ‘We the People’ to stand up and be counted.”
—John C. Bogle, founder and former chairman, The Vanguard Group
The bestselling author of Perfectly Legal returns with a powerful new exposé.
How does a strong and growing economy lend itself to job uncertainty, debt, bankruptcy, and economic fear for a vast number of Americans? Free Lunch provides answers to this great economic mystery of our time, revealing how today’s government policies and spending reach deep into the wallets of the many for the benefit of the wealthy few.
Johnston cuts through the official version of events and shows how, under the guise of deregulation, a whole new set of regulations quietly went into effect— regulations that thwart competition, depress wages, and reward misconduct. From how George W. Bush got rich off a tax increase to a $100 million taxpayer gift to Warren Buffett, Johnston puts a face on all of the dirty little tricks that business and government pull. A lot of people appear to be getting free lunches—but of course there’s no such thing as a free lunch, and someone (you, the taxpayer) is picking up the bill.
Johnston’s many revelations include:
• How we ended up with the most expensive yet inefficient health-care system in the world
• How homeowners’ title insurance became a costly, deceitful, yet almost invisible oligopoly
• How our government gives hidden subsidies for posh golf courses
• How Paris Hilton’s grandfather schemed to retake the family fortune from a charity for poor children
• How the Yankees and Mets owners will collect more than $1.3 billion in public funds
In these instances and many more, Free Lunch shows how the lobbyists and lawyers representing the most powerful 0.1 percent of Americans manipulated our government at the expense of the other 99.9 percent.
With his extraordinary reporting, vivid stories, and sharp analysis, Johnston reveals the forces that shape our everyday economic lives—and shows us how we can finally make things better.
Thanx to DiaLogic for writing about it, otherwise I may not have known of its existence!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Group Therapy
I liked this joke sent to me. Fortunately, my sons' names don't say anything about me. Except that I love Irish names.
A psychiatrist was conducting a group therapy session with four young Mothers and their small children.
"You all have obsessions," he observed.
To the first mother, Mary, he said, "You are obsessed with eating.
You have even named your daughter 'Candy'.
"He turned to the second Mom, Ann.
"Your obsession is with money.
Again, it manifests itself in your child's name, 'Penny'.
"He turned to the third Mom, Joyce.
"Your obsession is with alcohol.
This shows, too, in your child's name, 'Brandy'."
At this point, the fourth Mother, Kathy, quietly got up, took her little boy by the hand and whispered, "Come on, Dick. This guy has no idea what he's talking about. Let's go pick up Peter and Willy from school and get dinner."
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Man Punches Shark
First person that came to mind when I read the excerpt on this story was Donn over at HomoEscapeons (linked in Blogs I Dig). He and I share a love/fear relationship with sharks. =)
Man Punches Shark to Save Dog in Florida
Monday, September 29, 2008
Surprise Birthday Party
It is really hard for my husband to keep a secret from me, but he managed to wrangle a surprise birthday party for me with very clever tricks!
One of our friends has been ill lately and so she asked for some help cleaning out her horse stalls and farm. The boys and I headed over and did a bunch of chores and then when we got back, everyone was waiting. I arrived probably smelling like horse manure, but what a surprise!
It was a good time and I feel blessed to have such wonderful family and friends in my life.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
First Presidential Debate
Well the first presidential debate reaffirmed my choice of Obama. I don't think in terms of who won the debate except to see the polls of who other watchers think won the debate. Apparently the polls indicated Obama, some by very large margins. Here were the main things I noticed last night:
1. What's up with McCain never looking at Obama? I thought it came off dismissive.
2. Obama said something along the lines of "You're correct John on X" a number of times. After the debates, some of the pundits were saying that the McCain camp had already spliced together an ad showing how often Obama thinks McCain is right. Many thought it was a misstep on Obama's part. But what struck me most about it while I was watching, and my husband concurred, was that it seemed to be a way to reach across the aisle and find common ground as well as showed someone who is "fair" with the facts. So McCain keeps saying he's the bipartisan guy but he won't look at Obama and never once acknowledged any commonality with Obama. I also think in this climate of "right wing" vs "liberal" and all the spin, the fact that Obama was willing to acknowledge certain accomplishments and that both parties can agree on some things showed a thinker, not a knee-jerk partisan.
3. McCain has been discussing reform since his convention in an attempt to differentiate himself from Bush, but last night he seemed to go back to his experience. He seemed to be chastising Obama for not travelling as much as he, not being as experienced. Experience matters he says. The only thought going to my mind during this time was "and you picked Sarah Palin when experience is so important to you?"
4. The whole back and forth on Kissinger and meeting with Iran without preconditions. I was surprised McCain belabored it actually because on the Couric/Palin interview, this very topic came up and the video showed Kissinger saying exactly what Obama said. I guess McCain is hoping most folks aren't aware of those tidbits by pulling the "I've been friends with him for 35 years" bit. Secondly, I think the reason Kissinger and the Bush administration are now talking with Iran is because it is so naive to think that if you don't talk to them, they somehow cease to exist or continue progressing on their objectives! It's like sticking your fingers in your ears, closing your eyes, and repeating a blah blah blah mantra like a child pretending the world yields to your delusion.
5. I know some folks who are voting Republican and therefore for McCain because they can't stand "entitlements". Well, most entitlements are things like Social Security, Medicare, Govt Employee Pensions. Our entitlements absolutely need fixing and some cuts need to be made, but I think some who just freak out that all entitlements are bad aren't acknowledging what most entitlements are. Anyway, the thing I noted was that during the debate, when asked what he would have to give up in order for the $700B rescue to go through, he said what he wouldn't give up - defense, veteran affairs, and ENTITLEMENTS.
Though many are feeling this is all good from a historical perspective for Obama, I'm not counting my chickens yet.
Friday, September 26, 2008
McCain the Soothsayer Declares Debate Victory!
Now McCain is a veritable soothsayer and already proclaims he won tonight's debate. Before it has even happened! /queue the creepy music
The Washington Post discusses the ad in the online Wall Street Journal from this morning. Oops! I guess the advertising folks put it in a bit prematurely eh?
Perhaps this is the 'witchcraft' Palin was praying for protection from in her bid for Governor?
Kathleen Parker Says Palin Should Step Down
Bwahahahahaha! Those that were coming out for her because she is on the Republican ticket can no longer ignore what most of us have been gaping our mouths in awe and terror over since McCain chose Palin. She may be nice but she is so out of her league. It's no wonder the McCain camp has closed off interviews, because every time she speaks, you go further down the rabbit hole. Not only can she see Alaska from her house, but now she has foreign policy experience with Russia because they fly over her state on their way to Washington DC! LMAO! Here's the latest conservative saying Palin should step down.
It's partly why the independent vote is swinging to Obama more and more daily and why conservatives are flipping the bit on the McCain/Palin ticket. McCain has a hard sell as it is, and he thought the lipstick pandering would work. It possibly would have, had the lipstick any substance behind it.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Alaska Rally Against Palin
Someone sent me a bunch of photos and info on this recent rally in Alaska. I checked it out on Snopes to make sure it wasn't made up. Ah, these pics make me happy.
Here are a few that weren't on Snopes and the rest can be seen at Snopes on this topic. Some of the posters are really good. =)
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
How Many Republicans to Change a Lightbulb?
Though I believe these are not exclusive to Republicans and that there are good, bad, and ugly on both sides of the aisle, this joke was funny considering current times.
How many members of the Republican Party does it take to change a light bulb?
Answer: TEN...
1. One to deny that a light bulb needs to be changed,
2. One to attack the patriotism of anyone who says the light bulb needs to be changed,
3. One to blame Clinton for burning out the light bulb,
4. One to tell the nations of the world that they are either for
changing the light bulb or for eternal darkness,
5. One to give a billion dollar no-bid contract to Halliburton for the
new light bulb,
6. One to arrange a photograph of Bush, dressed as a janitor, standing
on a step ladder under the banner "Bulb Accomplished",
7. One administration insider to resign and in detail reveal how Bush
was literally "in the dark" the whole time,
8. One to viciously smear #7,
9. One surrogate to campaign on TV and at rallies on how John McCain
has had a strong light bulb-changing policy all along,
10. And finally, one to confuse Americans about the difference between
screwing a light bulb and screwing the country.
And after all is said and done, no one will notice that they never
actually managed to change the light bulb.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
John McCain on The View
John McCain was on the View yesterday. I didn't get to catch the episode, but read and watched some of it on their website. I was surprised by many of the comments on the boards saying they thought the View cast was too harsh on him and calling for boycotts, etc. Lots of defending of Palin. Here's my posted comment:
"I for one am thankful to hear women questioning McCain and Palin. In response to some of the comments here - I served 12 years in the armed forces. I have some college but no degree. I personally am in utter disbelief that Palin is the VP candidate. This goes way beyond Roe v Wade folks. We're talking possible leader of the greatest country on this planet imho. The person who represents us and goes head to head with brilliant world leaders working to gain advantage over us. I'm sorry. While I think she may be a nice person, she is no match for the people she will be working with and against. This isn't a movie where the neighbor next door who could barely finish school but is spunky becomes President and it's all hunky dory. And as a woman, I did not prefer Hillary Clinton for president. But I recognize she is extremely bright, educated, and experienced, and comes from humble beginnings. To think Palin can just step in as another woman in her stead is insulting really. Ask yourself this if you are an average Jane/Joe. If you were given the nuclear codes and told to make a decision quickly whether or not to bomb some country, under pressure, do you feel you are qualified to answer that question? If not, why is Palin in your mind qualified to do it? This isn't a petty game of 'stop picking on her' folks. I recently watched a video with her and her pastor discussing the 'end times' and how everyone will flock to Alaska during those times and they must be ready. This is who you want to control our nukes?"
We've been painting our front porch and trim lately which allows the mind to daydream quite a bit. I was thinking of how many of the Middle East countries were once some of the most advanced societies in time. Women were treated with respect and advanced in their educations. Nowadays, they can be burned with acid if they show too much wrist. While some of this has been thrust upon them by religious extremists, so too have some of the women been complicit. By accepting a burqa and espousing the rules of a 'good woman' and how she should behave, they have made it easier for the minority-held view that women should now be treated as property.
I believe we are undergoing such transformations in our own society. When women support a ticket like McCain/Palin, they are accepting their burqas with pride. When they think it is acceptable to have a 'hot' (word used by the Republicans to describe Palin) woman selected as VP versus an educated, bright and experienced woman, they say women can be judged on their look rather than content. When they accept candidates who think a woman should not have control over their own bodies, even after violence has been committed upon them, they say the good little woman can suffer for those around them. When they don't immediately balk at someone who considers book banning, the limiting of our rights to think, know, and speak, how can they say they support America?
A neighbor recently sent out the Gloria Steinem article regarding Palin. She prefaced the email with an apology for being political. I understand why she did it, but I responded to her that those of us who care about this country should never apologize for discussing who runs this country and how to make things better.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Jon Stewart & Stephen Colbert on Palin
You just gotta love Jon Stewart. Here's a clip of him showing soundbites of various Republicans defending Palin and then roasting others on the same exact topic. Hypocrisy at its best. Then the second clip is just hilarious comments about McCain's choice from Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.
On Charlie Rose the other night at the Republican convention, Carly Fiorini, a top McCain advisor made me LMAO. She's going on and on about how sexist the coverage is on Palin and then she says Obama has no EXECUTIVE experience since he's only been a senator and senators don't have to make executive decisions. And how Palin has had to make executive decisions as a mayor and governor. So Charlie Rose politely asks if this means McCain hasn't made an executive decision since perhaps his days in the Navy? LMAO! She tried to recover by saying it's up to the American people to decide on experience.
I just don't understand how so many fall for the Republicans' lies. The Republican party as it is now is not how so many ideally describe the party. I was amazed at the many bald-faced lies said during the Republican convention. Even though Bush is one of the most reviled Presidents in US history and the Republicans have decimated our economy, too many are still supporting McCain.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
The Yin and Yang of Washingtons
This is a cute joke someone sent me. Being from Washington state, it's funnier for me. I have occasionally in my travels come across Americans who didn't even know there was a Washington state. They call the DC area Washington and that's the only Washington they know. I'll take Washington state over Washington DC any day.
God was missing for six days. Eventually, Michael, the archangel, found him resting on the seventh day.
He inquired, 'Where have you been?'
God smiled deeply and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds,' Look, Michael. Look what I've made.'
Archangel Michael looked puzzled, and said, 'What is it?' 'It's a planet,' replied God, 'and I've put Life on it. I'm going to call it Earth and it's going to be a place to test Balance.'
'Balance?' inquired Michael, 'I'm still confused.'
God explained, pointing to different parts of earth. 'For example, Northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, while southern Europe will be poor. Over here I've placed a continent of white people, and over there is a continent of black people. Balance in all things.'
God continued pointing to different countries. 'This one will be extremely hot, while this one will be very cold and covered in ice.'
The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a land area and said, 'What's that one?'
'That's Washington State, the most glorious place on earth. There are beautiful mountains, rivers and streams, lakes, forests, hills, and plains. The people from Washington State are going to be handsome, modest, intelligent, and humorous, and they are going to travel the world. They will be extremely sociable, hardworking, high achieving and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats, carriers of peace, and producers of software.'
Michael gasped in wonder and admiration, but then asked, 'But what about balance, God? You said there would be balance.'
God smiled, 'There is another Washington . Wait till you see the idiots I put there.'
Monday, September 1, 2008
Hurricane Gustav
Phew! I don't know about you, but I was really worried for the folks in Hurricane Gustav's path. Very relieved to read this morning that it was downgraded to Category 2. All the stuff I had read yesterday was "storm of the century" and "possible Category 5". There are still folks waiting on insurance companies and such 3 years after Hurricane Katrina. I just can't imagine what another horribly damaging hurricane would have done to the area.
Sphere: Related ContentDiddy Blog "Gas Prices Are Too High"
Wow, this just shows how extreme wealth can corrupt some folks' minds. Here's Sean Diddy Combs blogging about how he's being forced to fly commercial airlines because flying his personal jet is getting too expensive with gas prices. And he's sharing with folks how shocking it all is. It really is out of touch with the masses that have given him his wealth. At the end he says he's even flying coach /gasp! But I've never seen leather seats when I fly coach. He's so out of touch he can't even differentiate between coach and first class. And for him to put this blog out there shows he is oblivious to how repulsive it is. The comment on the side is that it is a joke, but I think that was added post comments of venom imho.
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