Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Aha!!!!!
I found a great idea regarding the bailout of the auto industry. Its so simple and so sweet. I wish I could say that I thought of it but I actually saw it as an incoming viewer email on the Rick Sanchez broadcast on CNN this afternoon. Mr. Sanchez didn't mention it as it rolled by and neither did anyone else. But, yet, it is the first wonderful idea I've heard since the whole auto industry begging party has started. Why not let the phat-cat oil corporations bail out the auto industry? Think about it. It makes alot of sense and they can certainly afford it alot more than you and I can. Now anyone got the hotline number to those congressional hearings?
Saturday, November 15, 2008
ON PROP. 8
I voted against Prop. 8. This is still America and I believe that all men and women ARE created equal. That gay men and lesbians are every bit the American citizen that straight men and women are and, therefore, should be afforded every right that straights are afforded. Including the right to marry whom they choose. Thus marry whom they love. Having said that.......
I have some issues with the gay community right now. I realize that it may be through a lack of understanding that I have these issues. Hence the problem that California is encountering right now regarding Prop. 8. Rather than screaming and shouting and having what amounts to a public tantrum, I think the gay community would be better served by seeking what they want through peaceful means. By trying to understand the hearts of the people that voted FOR Prop. 8. By exercising even more patience (I know, I know) while they further pursue, in a court of law, their inalienable rights while at the same time educating those that voted against them. Pissing all those people off even further serves no one. But teaching everyone that anyone can have their own personal beliefs and follow their own religious values and still allow all others to follow theirs would serve everyone. We all, regardless of our beliefs, can find a way to share the same spaces. Boycotting and/or firing people from their jobs because of their beliefs, whichever side of the fence you reside, is wrong. Spray painting graffiti as an expression of any view is also wrong. I have heard many gays and lesbians on television putting partial blame on the black and Latino communities for voting for Prop. 8 in such large numbers. For voting THEIR beliefs. As a result, some gays have been comparing their lack of civil rights to the black fight for equality. And that, in itself, is a huge and somewhat sanctimonious stretch. Enough said about that. I would be mad as hell, though, if I were gay and managed to finally gain the right to marry, only to have it yanked out from under me. I get that. But it was yanked because of a lack of understanding. Period. The gay community, for the most part, admits that they were out-organized, out-funded and that they made the big mistake of assuming that, in California, their marriage rights would be upheld by the majority. They, point blank, bottom line, didn't do their homework. Right now THEY need to understand that they need to do it all again and do it right this time. Educate straight people, especially those that hold a strong religious belief against homosexuality. Raise enough cash to do it. Part of the problem is that gays are still isolating themselves as a result of past oppression. They have their own neighborhoods, nightclubs, restaurants and most other places of business. I say the faster we all mix it up, the better off we will all be. Gays AND straights, I know its a little scary, but not as scary as it used to be. Mix it up and the sooner the better. Gays and lesbians, get out there in the straight community and show them that you are no different and that your dreams are valued dreams. Invite the straight community into your community and show them that your lifestyle is not at all different from theirs. In other words, show us who you are, who you have been all along. Take the time and money and understanding it takes to do THAT and I think you will find that you don't really have a problem at all.
I have some issues with the gay community right now. I realize that it may be through a lack of understanding that I have these issues. Hence the problem that California is encountering right now regarding Prop. 8. Rather than screaming and shouting and having what amounts to a public tantrum, I think the gay community would be better served by seeking what they want through peaceful means. By trying to understand the hearts of the people that voted FOR Prop. 8. By exercising even more patience (I know, I know) while they further pursue, in a court of law, their inalienable rights while at the same time educating those that voted against them. Pissing all those people off even further serves no one. But teaching everyone that anyone can have their own personal beliefs and follow their own religious values and still allow all others to follow theirs would serve everyone. We all, regardless of our beliefs, can find a way to share the same spaces. Boycotting and/or firing people from their jobs because of their beliefs, whichever side of the fence you reside, is wrong. Spray painting graffiti as an expression of any view is also wrong. I have heard many gays and lesbians on television putting partial blame on the black and Latino communities for voting for Prop. 8 in such large numbers. For voting THEIR beliefs. As a result, some gays have been comparing their lack of civil rights to the black fight for equality. And that, in itself, is a huge and somewhat sanctimonious stretch. Enough said about that. I would be mad as hell, though, if I were gay and managed to finally gain the right to marry, only to have it yanked out from under me. I get that. But it was yanked because of a lack of understanding. Period. The gay community, for the most part, admits that they were out-organized, out-funded and that they made the big mistake of assuming that, in California, their marriage rights would be upheld by the majority. They, point blank, bottom line, didn't do their homework. Right now THEY need to understand that they need to do it all again and do it right this time. Educate straight people, especially those that hold a strong religious belief against homosexuality. Raise enough cash to do it. Part of the problem is that gays are still isolating themselves as a result of past oppression. They have their own neighborhoods, nightclubs, restaurants and most other places of business. I say the faster we all mix it up, the better off we will all be. Gays AND straights, I know its a little scary, but not as scary as it used to be. Mix it up and the sooner the better. Gays and lesbians, get out there in the straight community and show them that you are no different and that your dreams are valued dreams. Invite the straight community into your community and show them that your lifestyle is not at all different from theirs. In other words, show us who you are, who you have been all along. Take the time and money and understanding it takes to do THAT and I think you will find that you don't really have a problem at all.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
MONEY IN THE BANK?
Is it any surprise that one week AFTER the election, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson (is it just me or does this guy look like the perverbial used car salesman?) announced that the rules have changed regarding the ever-growing bank bailout? Suddenly, instead of buying up troubled mortgage assets, we are giving billions and billions of OUR hard earned cash to banks with no strings attached and thusfar, no oversight of any kind. They are not required to divulge to anyone exactly how they are using OUR hard-earned money. Yes, its OUR hard-earned money.......remember, its all taxpayer dollars. CBS News contacted 9 of the biggest recipient banks and asked them what was up and they all responded that they don't have to reveal how they use OUR hard earned cashola. hmmmm...... Whether or not they are required to tell is one thing....but, if it was all on the up and up, wouldn't they want to tell? The banks told CBS that it doesn't matter how they use OUR hard-earned money, just the mere fact that they received it boosts confidence in the economy. This coming from the same banking institutions that got us into this mess in the first place by means of dishonesty and greed. I know I feel more confident. And I can tell by the way the market took another stinky dump yesterday, that everyone else is as confident as I am.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
REPUBLICANS NEED TO GET REAL
Are Republicans re-evaluating their conservative platform since America overwhelmingly elected Barack Obama as President? I think not. They are too busy pointing fingers at each other for the campaign failure. Some upper management peeps are pointing at Sarah Palin, saying some pretty rotten things in the process. Of course, those responsible remain mostly chicken shit and 'un-named'. Other upper eschelon Republicans are blaming the Bush administration's goofs and lies of the last 8 years. Still others are lingering at the 'voter fraud' trough. I would say they are all wrong. I would say that, per usual, they just don't get it.
On November 6th, RNC Chairman Mike Duncan said that America's core beliefs are still center-right, implying that it was the bad economy and Prez Bush's reputation as an idiot that caused them to lose the election and that no Republican could have won this election because of it. Oh, really. Lest we forget, it was the Republicans who elected Prez Bush.....twice! And, dare I say it, the Republican campaign bottomed out long before the economy did.
A Rasmussen poll released on Sunday indicated that 64% of Republican voters listed Sarah Palin as their choice for the 2012 presidential nominee. Huh? You've got to be freakin kidding me. It is yet another indication that Republicans (64% of them anyway) don't live in the same reality that we do. You would think that Republicans might consider the possibility that McCain and Palin's "our way or the highway" form of politics might be, in large part, to blame for their loss. Their god awful (pun intended) 'we are smarter and better than they are' attitude might have had something to do with it. Their old-fashioned policy of 'do or say anything to get elected' comes to mind, too. The negativity of it all was downright disgusting and should have been an embarrassment to the entire Republican party early on.
Obama's agenda and campaign, on the other hand, was an all inclusive 'lets get together as proud Americans to get things right again' approach and inspired us all. Obama's positivity and obvious belief in the honesty and hard work of everyday people in America insured his victory.
I really do hope that Sarah Palin is the nominee in 2012. She will make things soooo easy for us. And, as an added bonus, SNL will get back to being funny again.
On November 6th, RNC Chairman Mike Duncan said that America's core beliefs are still center-right, implying that it was the bad economy and Prez Bush's reputation as an idiot that caused them to lose the election and that no Republican could have won this election because of it. Oh, really. Lest we forget, it was the Republicans who elected Prez Bush.....twice! And, dare I say it, the Republican campaign bottomed out long before the economy did.
A Rasmussen poll released on Sunday indicated that 64% of Republican voters listed Sarah Palin as their choice for the 2012 presidential nominee. Huh? You've got to be freakin kidding me. It is yet another indication that Republicans (64% of them anyway) don't live in the same reality that we do. You would think that Republicans might consider the possibility that McCain and Palin's "our way or the highway" form of politics might be, in large part, to blame for their loss. Their god awful (pun intended) 'we are smarter and better than they are' attitude might have had something to do with it. Their old-fashioned policy of 'do or say anything to get elected' comes to mind, too. The negativity of it all was downright disgusting and should have been an embarrassment to the entire Republican party early on.
Obama's agenda and campaign, on the other hand, was an all inclusive 'lets get together as proud Americans to get things right again' approach and inspired us all. Obama's positivity and obvious belief in the honesty and hard work of everyday people in America insured his victory.
I really do hope that Sarah Palin is the nominee in 2012. She will make things soooo easy for us. And, as an added bonus, SNL will get back to being funny again.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Merry Christmas Everybody!!
Yep, today feels like Christmas. Came a little early this year, didn't it? I am soooo happy this morning. I feel a wonderful energy in the air. And I can't wait to get this party started. America is finally feeling proud of themselves again. At least the majority of us are.
I was driving home from my family's house this morning (BIG election party last night with the grandkids!) and I decided, in the spirit of keeping my enemies closer, to listen just for a moment to Rush Limbaugh...to see what he would have to say about the election results. Well, it wasn't pretty. It actually disgusted me. I only listened to the first 10 minutes or so of his radio program.....in that short period of time, he spoke of angry, hating democrats. He told his audience it wasn't a landslide and that voter turnout was not exceptional. He told his audience that it is the worst thing that could ever happen to America. He spoke of a stolen election, saying that because of so much early voting, that it was voter fraud. That the whole election was in question. Bla, Bla, Bla.
Then, shortly after arriving home, my daughter-in-law told me that my son had heard Hannity, on the radio, saying he will lead the charge in denouncing Barack Obama and the rising up against a socialist America. Bla, Bla, Bla.
I suspect that O'Reilly and many others at Fox Schmooze will join that ugly chorus. Bla, Bla, Bla.
I had hoped, maybe somewhat naively, that for one day the Republican machine could consider the possibilities of working together. The possiblity of everyone reaching across the aisle in an attempt to right the wrongs of the past 8 years. Of making the attempt to right other wrongs that have been, for so much longer still, a part of this country.
Barak Obama will definitely have his hands full. But I truly believe if anyone can do it, if anyone can pull this country together for the betterment of all, it is Obama. His audacity of hope has become my hope. His dreams are my dreams. One of his many dreams and one of mine did come true last night.
On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. said to America:
"......I have a dream.....that one day my four little children will be no longer be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character".
That one wonderful day has finally dawned. I have the audacity to hope that other dreamed of days are just around the corner.
I was driving home from my family's house this morning (BIG election party last night with the grandkids!) and I decided, in the spirit of keeping my enemies closer, to listen just for a moment to Rush Limbaugh...to see what he would have to say about the election results. Well, it wasn't pretty. It actually disgusted me. I only listened to the first 10 minutes or so of his radio program.....in that short period of time, he spoke of angry, hating democrats. He told his audience it wasn't a landslide and that voter turnout was not exceptional. He told his audience that it is the worst thing that could ever happen to America. He spoke of a stolen election, saying that because of so much early voting, that it was voter fraud. That the whole election was in question. Bla, Bla, Bla.
Then, shortly after arriving home, my daughter-in-law told me that my son had heard Hannity, on the radio, saying he will lead the charge in denouncing Barack Obama and the rising up against a socialist America. Bla, Bla, Bla.
I suspect that O'Reilly and many others at Fox Schmooze will join that ugly chorus. Bla, Bla, Bla.
I had hoped, maybe somewhat naively, that for one day the Republican machine could consider the possibilities of working together. The possiblity of everyone reaching across the aisle in an attempt to right the wrongs of the past 8 years. Of making the attempt to right other wrongs that have been, for so much longer still, a part of this country.
Barak Obama will definitely have his hands full. But I truly believe if anyone can do it, if anyone can pull this country together for the betterment of all, it is Obama. His audacity of hope has become my hope. His dreams are my dreams. One of his many dreams and one of mine did come true last night.
On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. said to America:
"......I have a dream.....that one day my four little children will be no longer be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character".
That one wonderful day has finally dawned. I have the audacity to hope that other dreamed of days are just around the corner.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
GREAT SPIRITS AND PATRIOTISM
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices, but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence and fulfills the duty to express the results of his thought in clear form.
- Albert Einstein, quoted in New York Times, March 19, 1940
Albert Einstein must have been a psychic. Barack Obama is the great spirit in this election. The mediocre minds are John McCain and Sarah Palin. Barack Obama, always the cool and calm gentleman with the courage to speak of the virtues of right. John McCain, always the desperate purveyor of historical prejudices that he, himself, cannot identify as old and wrong.
I have to tell ya. Even though the polls are telling us that things are going to change on November 4th and that a new America is on the horizon, I have a little voice inside me that's telling me something could go sooooo wrong. The little voice is reminding me of the stolen 2000 election. The little voice is reminding me how much HUGE money stands to be lost by wealthy Republican supporters if Obama wins. I hear the voices of Republican's already seemingly setting things up so that they can scream "Voter Fraud!" at the top of their lungs when Obama wins tomorrow. I watch TV and see the age-old telltale signs of Republican voter suppression. I watch Fox Schmooze and hope that most of America will see through their prejudicial rhetoric disguised as patriotism. I worry that Democrats and other liberals will stay home on Tuesday, thinking that the election will be such a landslide, that they don't need to cast their own little vote.
There is no such thing as a little vote. Obama needs each and every American who is disgusted by the corruption of the Republican administration, to go out tomorrow and vote big. No matter the weather or the long lines. Stand in that line proudly, knowing that you are going to be a part of a new America. Take a beverage and some snacks. Enjoy your place in line. Do it so you can tell your children and your grandchildren that you can remember the day when everything changed. Keep your voter stub, put it somewhere safe, so that when your children are grown, you can proudly show them how important being an American patriot really is. You will be able to prove to them that your vote counted and it was YOUR vote that changed America forever.
- Albert Einstein, quoted in New York Times, March 19, 1940
Albert Einstein must have been a psychic. Barack Obama is the great spirit in this election. The mediocre minds are John McCain and Sarah Palin. Barack Obama, always the cool and calm gentleman with the courage to speak of the virtues of right. John McCain, always the desperate purveyor of historical prejudices that he, himself, cannot identify as old and wrong.
I have to tell ya. Even though the polls are telling us that things are going to change on November 4th and that a new America is on the horizon, I have a little voice inside me that's telling me something could go sooooo wrong. The little voice is reminding me of the stolen 2000 election. The little voice is reminding me how much HUGE money stands to be lost by wealthy Republican supporters if Obama wins. I hear the voices of Republican's already seemingly setting things up so that they can scream "Voter Fraud!" at the top of their lungs when Obama wins tomorrow. I watch TV and see the age-old telltale signs of Republican voter suppression. I watch Fox Schmooze and hope that most of America will see through their prejudicial rhetoric disguised as patriotism. I worry that Democrats and other liberals will stay home on Tuesday, thinking that the election will be such a landslide, that they don't need to cast their own little vote.
There is no such thing as a little vote. Obama needs each and every American who is disgusted by the corruption of the Republican administration, to go out tomorrow and vote big. No matter the weather or the long lines. Stand in that line proudly, knowing that you are going to be a part of a new America. Take a beverage and some snacks. Enjoy your place in line. Do it so you can tell your children and your grandchildren that you can remember the day when everything changed. Keep your voter stub, put it somewhere safe, so that when your children are grown, you can proudly show them how important being an American patriot really is. You will be able to prove to them that your vote counted and it was YOUR vote that changed America forever.
From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary:
PatriotismPa"tri*ot*ism\, n. - Love of country; devotion to the welfare of one's country; the virtues and actions of a patriot; the passion which inspires one to serve one's country.
My own definition of Patriotism:
That wonderful feeling you will have when you wake up on November 5th. Those goose bumps and that tear in your eye when you realize that Barack Obama and YOU have actually made it happen.
JUST VOTE. PLEASE.
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