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11 years ago
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Huh?
Can someone explain to me how a governor can violate the trust placed in her by state residents but that such actions are not unethical. Can this behavior be allowed to go unsanctioned by the state's legislature?
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Her French Son
While in a local department store I walked past a mother wheeling a stroller, her 5 yr. old son walking by her side. The boy suddenly darted away from her to look and then attempt to smell a perfume bottle on the counter. The mom chided her son to come along and leave the perfume alone also mentioning that it is for girls. Skipping over to her he brightly said, "Ooh la la!" I looked at the mom, she looked at me, and we cracked up.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Puhleeze
Fact check time. Finally free from her handlers' fetters, Sarah Palin's new mission is to declare Barack Obama a companion of terrorists. Golly, gosh, gee, tell me it ain't so, Sarah Louise! I cannot believe that after 20+ months of campaigning we are finally being told the truth about this bleeding heart left winger who wants to obviously lead our country down the jihad's path of destruction. Gosh, darn it, we had to wait until the maverick's maverick of the frozen tundra thundered into the lower 48 to save us from ourselves.
Puhleeze. The low level fear mongering so familiar to the Bush era raises its ugly head in these times of McCain's desperation to gain poll points. Whenever Bush's popularity dipped he elevated the Homeland Security rating -- the nation routinely went from a yellow (elevated) to an orange (high) rating depending on the whims of Karl Rove and his ilk. I was hoping this misuse of position was an antic of the past.
With only 32 days until the election, the major media is reporting that the McCain campaign is "taking off the gloves" and accusing Obama of terrorist connections for "palling" with William Ayers, a 1960's radical(founder of the Weather Underground) known for setting bombs in protest of the Vietnam War. No less than Time, the New York Times, New York Post, Chicago Sun Times and even Fox News have declared this claim untrue.
The key question is why the McCain campaign is focusing on fear mongering rather than spelling out his economic plans, clearly explaining his health care plan which would mean clearly explaining to the American public the difference between tax credits and tax breaks (I'd also like to know where a family can purchase a $5000/yr. health insurance policy), and explaining how he isn't going to raise taxes while supporting the Iraq War, bailing out Wall Street, and dealing with an $11 trillion debt.
Fear mongering appeals to the population who can't or won't fact check. Since I have met too many voters who believe any email that comes across their computer and who fail to fact check, I continue to hope that leaders and leader wannabes will take a higher road. I had high hopes for McCain (while supporting Obama) until he decided to become less maverick and more mainstream conservative.
It would also be worth noting that while William Ayers was a "protester" in the 1960's; using the word "terrorist" in today's society is tantamount to linking him to today's Middle Eastern terrorists.....and thus hoping to associate Barack Hussein Obama to terrorism. A new low and a great disappointment that someone as John McCain would use this tactic.
Puhleeze. The low level fear mongering so familiar to the Bush era raises its ugly head in these times of McCain's desperation to gain poll points. Whenever Bush's popularity dipped he elevated the Homeland Security rating -- the nation routinely went from a yellow (elevated) to an orange (high) rating depending on the whims of Karl Rove and his ilk. I was hoping this misuse of position was an antic of the past.
With only 32 days until the election, the major media is reporting that the McCain campaign is "taking off the gloves" and accusing Obama of terrorist connections for "palling" with William Ayers, a 1960's radical(founder of the Weather Underground) known for setting bombs in protest of the Vietnam War. No less than Time, the New York Times, New York Post, Chicago Sun Times and even Fox News have declared this claim untrue.
The key question is why the McCain campaign is focusing on fear mongering rather than spelling out his economic plans, clearly explaining his health care plan which would mean clearly explaining to the American public the difference between tax credits and tax breaks (I'd also like to know where a family can purchase a $5000/yr. health insurance policy), and explaining how he isn't going to raise taxes while supporting the Iraq War, bailing out Wall Street, and dealing with an $11 trillion debt.
Fear mongering appeals to the population who can't or won't fact check. Since I have met too many voters who believe any email that comes across their computer and who fail to fact check, I continue to hope that leaders and leader wannabes will take a higher road. I had high hopes for McCain (while supporting Obama) until he decided to become less maverick and more mainstream conservative.
It would also be worth noting that while William Ayers was a "protester" in the 1960's; using the word "terrorist" in today's society is tantamount to linking him to today's Middle Eastern terrorists.....and thus hoping to associate Barack Hussein Obama to terrorism. A new low and a great disappointment that someone as John McCain would use this tactic.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Music
Since I have listed favorite books and movies it would be logical to list favorite songs next. However, I am unable to make that list since there are simply too many favorite songs (compositions) to list.
I can list my favorite rock groups/artists: Eagles, Eric Clapton, Sting, Moody Blues, AC/DC, Doobie Brothers, The Who, Sheryl Crowe, Sarah McClauchlan, U2, Bon Jovi, The James Gang, Traveling Wilburys, Def Leppard, Pink Floyd.
But, I also like certain songs by Ozzie Osbourne (Mama, I'm Coming Home), Molly Hatchet (Dreams), Poison (Every Rose Has Its Thorns), Bare Naked Ladies (One Week), Foo Fighters (Learn to Fly) and many other songs and artists.
I enjoy Loreena McKinnet who is a Celtic singer, Eva Cassidy who defies classification (and was a favorite of Ted Koppel),George Winston, and Vince Geraldi's "Charlie Brown Christmas" soundtrack.
My parents enjoyed Russian composers and I grew up listening to anything Tchiakovsky, some Mussorgsky, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, and Rimsky-Korsakov. Ravel and Verde were sometimes allowed to join the party.
I also grew up listening to show tunes and still know the lyrics to many of the songs from Sound of Music, The King and I, Oklahoma, South Pacific, West Side Story and the drinking song from the Student Prince.
Recently I have found Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman which brings me to opera. I cannot say I enjoy more than those at this point but it is a start in a new genre for me.
I do not begin to understand rap or hip hop although can appreciate the rhythm of some in small doses.
Last, but not least, I am a sucker for Christmas music. My favorite seasonal standards are Joy to the World, Noel, Hark the Herald, Once in Royal David's City, Oh Holy Night, and Do You See What I See. Mannheim Steamroller is a constant for me during December.
Music enhances my mood and can set my mood. It is tied to memories and fills in the blanks of a day.
I can list my favorite rock groups/artists: Eagles, Eric Clapton, Sting, Moody Blues, AC/DC, Doobie Brothers, The Who, Sheryl Crowe, Sarah McClauchlan, U2, Bon Jovi, The James Gang, Traveling Wilburys, Def Leppard, Pink Floyd.
But, I also like certain songs by Ozzie Osbourne (Mama, I'm Coming Home), Molly Hatchet (Dreams), Poison (Every Rose Has Its Thorns), Bare Naked Ladies (One Week), Foo Fighters (Learn to Fly) and many other songs and artists.
I enjoy Loreena McKinnet who is a Celtic singer, Eva Cassidy who defies classification (and was a favorite of Ted Koppel),George Winston, and Vince Geraldi's "Charlie Brown Christmas" soundtrack.
My parents enjoyed Russian composers and I grew up listening to anything Tchiakovsky, some Mussorgsky, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, and Rimsky-Korsakov. Ravel and Verde were sometimes allowed to join the party.
I also grew up listening to show tunes and still know the lyrics to many of the songs from Sound of Music, The King and I, Oklahoma, South Pacific, West Side Story and the drinking song from the Student Prince.
Recently I have found Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman which brings me to opera. I cannot say I enjoy more than those at this point but it is a start in a new genre for me.
I do not begin to understand rap or hip hop although can appreciate the rhythm of some in small doses.
Last, but not least, I am a sucker for Christmas music. My favorite seasonal standards are Joy to the World, Noel, Hark the Herald, Once in Royal David's City, Oh Holy Night, and Do You See What I See. Mannheim Steamroller is a constant for me during December.
Music enhances my mood and can set my mood. It is tied to memories and fills in the blanks of a day.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Favorite Movies
Yesterday was favorite books; today is favorite movies.
Ferris Buehler's Day Off
Grease
Close Counters of the Third Kind
To Kill a Mockingbird
Mary Poppins
The Sandlot
The Sixth Sense
The Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge
Casablanca
Million Dollar Baby
My Fair Lady
Oklahoma
Sound of Music
Moulin Rouge
The King and I
Fiddler on the Roof
Miracle on 34th Street
Beverly Hills Cop - both movies
Let me explain why some of these movies are on the list. Ferris Buehler and Beverly Hills Cop have rule breakers as the main character plus both have a sense of humor. Both aspects appeal to me.
The "old" musicals have a special place in my heart. I love the music and the simple story lines.
To Kill a Mockingbird and Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge are based on a movie/short story. Mockingbird is the only movie I liked almost as much as the book. Occurance is better than the book and this is the only time I have ever said that about a written piece over a movie.
When flipping through channels The Sandlot, Ferris Buehler, Grease and Beverly Hills Cop are movies I will always stop to watch AGAIN. There is something about them that I love.
I have watched many a mediocre movie but there are a few reallyreallyreally bad ones that come to mind:
The Weatherman
Vanity Fair
The Goofy Movie (I fell asleep)
Ferris Buehler's Day Off
Grease
Close Counters of the Third Kind
To Kill a Mockingbird
Mary Poppins
The Sandlot
The Sixth Sense
The Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge
Casablanca
Million Dollar Baby
My Fair Lady
Oklahoma
Sound of Music
Moulin Rouge
The King and I
Fiddler on the Roof
Miracle on 34th Street
Beverly Hills Cop - both movies
Let me explain why some of these movies are on the list. Ferris Buehler and Beverly Hills Cop have rule breakers as the main character plus both have a sense of humor. Both aspects appeal to me.
The "old" musicals have a special place in my heart. I love the music and the simple story lines.
To Kill a Mockingbird and Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge are based on a movie/short story. Mockingbird is the only movie I liked almost as much as the book. Occurance is better than the book and this is the only time I have ever said that about a written piece over a movie.
When flipping through channels The Sandlot, Ferris Buehler, Grease and Beverly Hills Cop are movies I will always stop to watch AGAIN. There is something about them that I love.
I have watched many a mediocre movie but there are a few reallyreallyreally bad ones that come to mind:
The Weatherman
Vanity Fair
The Goofy Movie (I fell asleep)
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Favorite Books
It is "Banned Book Week." I've written on this topic before so won't go into my opinion details again. However, I will celebrate reading by listing my favorite books. I have read a plethora of books in my adulthood and find reading my great escape. No money spent in a bookstore is wasted. Of all the books I have read, the following always stay with me:
Gone With the Wind (read it 5 times)
Atlas Shrugged (read it 3 times)
Brave New World
Ethan Frome
Winds of War/War and Rememberance
Beloved
Of Mice and Men
To Kill a Mockingbird
In Cold Blood
Sons and Lovers
The Crucible (technically a play)
The Pearl
The Promise/The Chosen
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Others may come to mind after I publish this but these are ones that impacted me in some way.
Anyway, here's to reading --- banned or otherwise. Viva the first amendment!
Gone With the Wind (read it 5 times)
Atlas Shrugged (read it 3 times)
Brave New World
Ethan Frome
Winds of War/War and Rememberance
Beloved
Of Mice and Men
To Kill a Mockingbird
In Cold Blood
Sons and Lovers
The Crucible (technically a play)
The Pearl
The Promise/The Chosen
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Others may come to mind after I publish this but these are ones that impacted me in some way.
Anyway, here's to reading --- banned or otherwise. Viva the first amendment!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Both Sides Now
I went to see Barack Obama last week. It was exciting to hear the lead in speeches by state politicians and a chill ran down my back when Obama came on stage. It was also energizing to talk to others who shared my political beliefs. The Resch Center was filled with 6,000 people who shared my political beliefs.
In Presidential elections Wisconsin votes for the Democratic candidate; Milwaukee and Madison are the Democratic strongholds. I live in a part of the state that is a Republican stronghold. The John Birch Society is based in Appleton, Joe McCarthy's bust is still in the Outagamie County courthouse, and the Republican Party originated in Ripon. So to be with 6,000 other Democrats was not only unusual but refreshing.
As irritated as I can get with some Republican viewpoints, I admit that if everyone thought alike it would be not only boring but unhealthy. The difference in opinions keeps discussion alive, a chance for compromise, an opportunity to look at other sides of an issue.
In Presidential elections Wisconsin votes for the Democratic candidate; Milwaukee and Madison are the Democratic strongholds. I live in a part of the state that is a Republican stronghold. The John Birch Society is based in Appleton, Joe McCarthy's bust is still in the Outagamie County courthouse, and the Republican Party originated in Ripon. So to be with 6,000 other Democrats was not only unusual but refreshing.
As irritated as I can get with some Republican viewpoints, I admit that if everyone thought alike it would be not only boring but unhealthy. The difference in opinions keeps discussion alive, a chance for compromise, an opportunity to look at other sides of an issue.
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