-
All this prattle about "Lost" reminds me of the over the top analytical, "are UFO's real", what's the hidden meaning in this, psycho babble conversations I had when I was a pot smoking 15-year-old discussing "Stranger in a Strange Land" or "Lord of the Rings".
I believe we made more sense than some of the questionable comments regarding this TV show.
Oddly, the comments about "Lost" sound remarkably similar to those we made about our favorite weird books while sitting around passing a bong or pipe filled with really good pot.
I have the feeling that the writers and producers were making it up as they went along - just like the Star Wars folks.
Let's face it - the "Lost" folks suckered you, the fan and viewer, in for six seasons and now you are all desperatly trying to make sense out of your obsession with a TV show that took you into flights of fancy, ran you down rabbit holes and generally made you crazy while they raked in the big bucks.
Take it from the Zen philosophy - the show means what it means, no more no less.
I mean come on - you'd think someone shot JR or closed Mary's TV station.
All this hubub over what turned out to be nothing - kinda like the last "Seinfeld" episode.
The best part is that many of you have gleaned little bits and pieces of story line that may lend themselves to a sequel or prequel: which is of course, what ABC and the producers want - the opportunity to make more money off a show that drove you all nuts for six seasons (it seems like more).
So keep on talking and philosophysing and, like Sherlock Holmes, looking for the slight nuance in every second of the last show.
That's what ABC hopes you'll do. That way they can sell DVD series, editor's cuts, lost "Lost" footage, scenes, outtakes and of course, alternate endings.
Let the fleecing of the fan base begin.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Rest in Peace Old Friend
-
Saturday night someone I loved and cared about died after a long bout with cancer.
Although she and I went to school together, it wasn't until after a high school reunion that we connected. It was a glorious time...... it was everything that a passionate relationship is - the good and the bad.
We hadn't talked lately, she shut herself off from the world when treatments started. I wish she had let her friends share her time.
We will all miss her smile, her sparkle, her joy.
At least we have our memories
-
-
Saturday night someone I loved and cared about died after a long bout with cancer.
Although she and I went to school together, it wasn't until after a high school reunion that we connected. It was a glorious time...... it was everything that a passionate relationship is - the good and the bad.
We hadn't talked lately, she shut herself off from the world when treatments started. I wish she had let her friends share her time.
We will all miss her smile, her sparkle, her joy.
At least we have our memories
-
-
Oklahoma Land Run Celebration
-
April 22nd was the anniverary of the Oklahoma Land Run. On that day people lined up to race for 'unsettled' land.
What recent accounts continue to forget to tell is that we gave the lands to the Indians, then decided we wanted it so we shuffled them off to another plot of land they could call their own - until we decided we wanted it back.
You can't cherry pick your history facts. It's time Oklahoma admitted that we ignored treaties and pushed the Indians off their land time and time again.
Of course now their getting our money with casinos and smoke shops....and in many cases the tribes are getting very rich off of us while folks.
Karma has a way of coming back on you.
April 22nd was the anniverary of the Oklahoma Land Run. On that day people lined up to race for 'unsettled' land.
What recent accounts continue to forget to tell is that we gave the lands to the Indians, then decided we wanted it so we shuffled them off to another plot of land they could call their own - until we decided we wanted it back.
You can't cherry pick your history facts. It's time Oklahoma admitted that we ignored treaties and pushed the Indians off their land time and time again.
Of course now their getting our money with casinos and smoke shops....and in many cases the tribes are getting very rich off of us while folks.
Karma has a way of coming back on you.
The Arizona Sinks Again
-
Say what you will about America's screwed up immigration system, Arizona's new law allowing police to stop anyone they think is an illegal sets a new low for the US... well, maybe behind the Patriot Act but just behind.
When asked, Arizona's Gov. Brewer couldn't define what an illegal looked or acted like, saying that was up to the cops - maybe Sheriff Joe can give her some pointers (he's under investigation for a host of illegal activities.
Countries with evil governments have laws that allow police to "ask for your papers". We don't. That's not the American way.
What happened to the Fourth Amendment?
“ The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
Illegal immigration is a problem for many. We need to find ways to stem the flow of people without giving up more of our Constitutional freedoms.
If we, the US, were smart, we'd help Mexico end it's drug business (remember, we're the ones who want the illegal drugs from Mexico), help end their civil war and do for them what we're doing in Iraq and Afghanistan, and work towards improving the economies of all countries in North America.
And why are we not going after the businesses and people who hire illegals? For the most part, they seem to get off scott free for adding to the problem.
If there was no money to be made in the US by illegals, if we cracked down on businesses who hire them, we'd go a long way to stopping the problem. But, we seem to have a problem punishing the people hiring the illegals.
If we, the US, were smart, we'd help Mexico end it's drug business (remember, we're the ones who want the illegal drugs from Mexico), help end their civil war and do for them what we're doing in Iraq and Afghanistan, and work towards improving the economies of all countries in North America.
But we're not smart. We'd rather point the finger and blame someone instead of solving the problem.
Immigrants built this country. My feeling is anyone who wants to come here and work his or her ass off for minimum wage to get started needs to be welcomed with open arms. They're trying to embrace the American Dream.
That's better than a lot of us are doing.
-
Say what you will about America's screwed up immigration system, Arizona's new law allowing police to stop anyone they think is an illegal sets a new low for the US... well, maybe behind the Patriot Act but just behind.
When asked, Arizona's Gov. Brewer couldn't define what an illegal looked or acted like, saying that was up to the cops - maybe Sheriff Joe can give her some pointers (he's under investigation for a host of illegal activities.
Countries with evil governments have laws that allow police to "ask for your papers". We don't. That's not the American way.
What happened to the Fourth Amendment?
“ The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
Illegal immigration is a problem for many. We need to find ways to stem the flow of people without giving up more of our Constitutional freedoms.
If we, the US, were smart, we'd help Mexico end it's drug business (remember, we're the ones who want the illegal drugs from Mexico), help end their civil war and do for them what we're doing in Iraq and Afghanistan, and work towards improving the economies of all countries in North America.
And why are we not going after the businesses and people who hire illegals? For the most part, they seem to get off scott free for adding to the problem.
If there was no money to be made in the US by illegals, if we cracked down on businesses who hire them, we'd go a long way to stopping the problem. But, we seem to have a problem punishing the people hiring the illegals.
If we, the US, were smart, we'd help Mexico end it's drug business (remember, we're the ones who want the illegal drugs from Mexico), help end their civil war and do for them what we're doing in Iraq and Afghanistan, and work towards improving the economies of all countries in North America.
But we're not smart. We'd rather point the finger and blame someone instead of solving the problem.
Immigrants built this country. My feeling is anyone who wants to come here and work his or her ass off for minimum wage to get started needs to be welcomed with open arms. They're trying to embrace the American Dream.
That's better than a lot of us are doing.
-
Monday, April 12, 2010
On Second Thought - No More Lawyers for SCOTUS
-
There is no Constitutional requirement that a Supreme Court Justice has to be a lawyer.
And, shocker of all shockers, the nominee doesn't have to have the American Bar Association Seal of Approval.
If Obama wants to really break the SCOTUS mold, I hope he appoints someone who isn't a lawyer.
It's about time us non-lawyers got one of our own on the court.
-
There is no Constitutional requirement that a Supreme Court Justice has to be a lawyer.
And, shocker of all shockers, the nominee doesn't have to have the American Bar Association Seal of Approval.
If Obama wants to really break the SCOTUS mold, I hope he appoints someone who isn't a lawyer.
It's about time us non-lawyers got one of our own on the court.
-
No More Status Quo for SCOTUS
-
With the announced retirement of Justice John Paul Stevens, President Obama has another opportunity to change the complexion of the Supreme Court in a radical way by breaking up the Harvard/Yale law grad and Catholic faith connection.
Now before anyone gets their panties in a wad, I'm not anti Catholic. What I am is pro diversity.
Right now all the Justices graduated from either Harvaed or Yale. Their are many good law schools that crank out top flight lawyers. Let's get someone from outside the Ivy League.
Six of the nine justices are Catholic. Let's get a Unitarian or Baptist or Methodist or Atheist or member of another faith in one of the chairs. Just as we need education diversity, let's have some religious diversity.
Let's also see someone who isn't a Federal judge. Once again, it seems to be a "rule" that potential justices serve on the Federal bench - it's time for a different perspective. I'd like to see a state judge or even someone who hasn't been a judge. How about a regular working attorney?
Obama has the power to move SCOTUS away from the status quo - I hope he has the good sense to bring someone with an "outside the SCOTUS Beltway" perspective.
-
With the announced retirement of Justice John Paul Stevens, President Obama has another opportunity to change the complexion of the Supreme Court in a radical way by breaking up the Harvard/Yale law grad and Catholic faith connection.
Now before anyone gets their panties in a wad, I'm not anti Catholic. What I am is pro diversity.
Right now all the Justices graduated from either Harvaed or Yale. Their are many good law schools that crank out top flight lawyers. Let's get someone from outside the Ivy League.
Six of the nine justices are Catholic. Let's get a Unitarian or Baptist or Methodist or Atheist or member of another faith in one of the chairs. Just as we need education diversity, let's have some religious diversity.
Let's also see someone who isn't a Federal judge. Once again, it seems to be a "rule" that potential justices serve on the Federal bench - it's time for a different perspective. I'd like to see a state judge or even someone who hasn't been a judge. How about a regular working attorney?
Obama has the power to move SCOTUS away from the status quo - I hope he has the good sense to bring someone with an "outside the SCOTUS Beltway" perspective.
-
Their was nothing civil about the War
-
The War Between the States was a multi facited war. Slavery is the emotional, easy to blame excuse. We forget it was also a war about economics and states rights.
Slavery was horrbile. It's wrong now (although it still goes on with not a lot of notice or concern) and it was wrong then.
This War was ugly. It pitted brother against brother, family against family. It had more casualties than any other war fought by Americans.
We seem to forget that the North had this lovely custom of indentured servitude - slavery with a better name. Surprisingly, history books gloss over this item. We are led to believe it was more like an apprenticeship than it was, slavery.
Let's remember too that men in the North were given the opportunity to pay a fee so they didn't have to serve.
Let's also remember that many in the North didn't want blacks coming north and didn't want this war.
We also equate other forms of serviture with slavery, which we should. Let's not forget the "company store" for coal mines and other industries.... nothing but slavery by another name.
As long as slavery is the topic, why are we not asking Rome and Greece to apologise for their long record of slavery?
This War was ugly. It pitted brother against brother, family against family. It had more casualties than any other war fought by Americans.
Why is there not more condemnation of the African slave traders, many who were black? We don't hear as much impassiond hand wringing about them as we do the Southern slave owners.
My family is from the South. Some fought for the Confederacy, some for the Union. We never owned slaves. I'm proud of my southern heritage.
I think it's time history paints a more even picture of the War. The reasons may Southerners fought was not about protecting slavery, it was about protecting their state and their land from the meddlings of a faraway big government (sound familiar).
-
The War Between the States was a multi facited war. Slavery is the emotional, easy to blame excuse. We forget it was also a war about economics and states rights.
Slavery was horrbile. It's wrong now (although it still goes on with not a lot of notice or concern) and it was wrong then.
This War was ugly. It pitted brother against brother, family against family. It had more casualties than any other war fought by Americans.
We seem to forget that the North had this lovely custom of indentured servitude - slavery with a better name. Surprisingly, history books gloss over this item. We are led to believe it was more like an apprenticeship than it was, slavery.
Let's remember too that men in the North were given the opportunity to pay a fee so they didn't have to serve.
Let's also remember that many in the North didn't want blacks coming north and didn't want this war.
We also equate other forms of serviture with slavery, which we should. Let's not forget the "company store" for coal mines and other industries.... nothing but slavery by another name.
As long as slavery is the topic, why are we not asking Rome and Greece to apologise for their long record of slavery?
This War was ugly. It pitted brother against brother, family against family. It had more casualties than any other war fought by Americans.
Why is there not more condemnation of the African slave traders, many who were black? We don't hear as much impassiond hand wringing about them as we do the Southern slave owners.
My family is from the South. Some fought for the Confederacy, some for the Union. We never owned slaves. I'm proud of my southern heritage.
I think it's time history paints a more even picture of the War. The reasons may Southerners fought was not about protecting slavery, it was about protecting their state and their land from the meddlings of a faraway big government (sound familiar).
-
Monday, April 5, 2010
It's Time for the Catholic Church to Repent
-
Dear defenders of the Catholic Church:
It's not about your fath or your brand of religion.
The latest smack down on the Catholic Church is directly related to the actions of some leaders of the Church, not or beliefs.
These men have done everything under the sun to cover up decades of abuse and worse by priests.
These leaders seem to be taking their playbook from the Morman Chuch, another example of a male dominated faith who will do anything the to "protect it" (read "The Morman Murders" for examples).
What is so infuriating to those outside the Catholic Church is the Church's unwillingness to formally, loudly and fearlessly crack down on these priests who abuse children.
Why is it so hard for the church to confess its sins, repent, and make things right?
Covering up, denial, obfuscation and lying are the cowards way out.
It takes real men to admit their mistakes and correct them.
And where are the lay Catholics? Why are they not demanding this coverup end? Why are they not refusing to fund the church until it stops thiese crimes?
Until the church does a Jimmy Swaggert and airs it's dirty laundry in toto, we'll all suspect the coverup and the crimes continue.
Dear defenders of the Catholic Church:
It's not about your fath or your brand of religion.
The latest smack down on the Catholic Church is directly related to the actions of some leaders of the Church, not or beliefs.
These men have done everything under the sun to cover up decades of abuse and worse by priests.
These leaders seem to be taking their playbook from the Morman Chuch, another example of a male dominated faith who will do anything the to "protect it" (read "The Morman Murders" for examples).
What is so infuriating to those outside the Catholic Church is the Church's unwillingness to formally, loudly and fearlessly crack down on these priests who abuse children.
Why is it so hard for the church to confess its sins, repent, and make things right?
Covering up, denial, obfuscation and lying are the cowards way out.
It takes real men to admit their mistakes and correct them.
And where are the lay Catholics? Why are they not demanding this coverup end? Why are they not refusing to fund the church until it stops thiese crimes?
Until the church does a Jimmy Swaggert and airs it's dirty laundry in toto, we'll all suspect the coverup and the crimes continue.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday Bloody Sunday
-
You've gotta love Congressman Randy Neugebauer. First he yells out “baby killer” while anti abortion Congressman Bart Stupak holds a press conference to talk about healthcare. Then Nuegenbauer apologizes, saying he really said “it's a baby killer”.
Now the ever changing Neugenbauer is using video of his his “baby killer” shout out in a fund raising campaign commercial.
–
When will the Catholic Church stop trying to hide, deny and otherwise cover up the massive child molestation problem within its priesthood?
We keep hearing the same old stories of how some priest molested boys, the church found out, transferred the priest to another parish, covered up the crime and denied everything.
The Church got nailed a few times in court, forcing it to pay big bucks to defendants.
You'd think they learn the lesson, come clean, spread a little sunshine on their secretive “cover their ass” policy towards priest child molesters.
But no, they continue on, business as usual.
The saddest thing is members of the church, who feed the machine with their donations, seem to be in the same coverup mode as the Pope and his subordinates.
At this point in time, they are equally to blame in the coverup.
It's time for the members of the flock to seize control of their church, clean up the mess, and move on.
–
I just love Caribou Barbie's wanted poster for targeting democrats in the upcoming elections. Putting their photos in the cross hairs of a gun sight was a nice touch.
I guess when your main job is calling attention to yourself and trying to get paid bigs bucks to do so, you resort to the most henious types of imagry.
Incitement to violence is a crime. If, God forbid, one of her targets gets shot, I hope the authorities go after her as an accessory.
It is time for this violent rhetoric to stop before someone does get killed.
You've gotta love Congressman Randy Neugebauer. First he yells out “baby killer” while anti abortion Congressman Bart Stupak holds a press conference to talk about healthcare. Then Nuegenbauer apologizes, saying he really said “it's a baby killer”.
Now the ever changing Neugenbauer is using video of his his “baby killer” shout out in a fund raising campaign commercial.
–
When will the Catholic Church stop trying to hide, deny and otherwise cover up the massive child molestation problem within its priesthood?
We keep hearing the same old stories of how some priest molested boys, the church found out, transferred the priest to another parish, covered up the crime and denied everything.
The Church got nailed a few times in court, forcing it to pay big bucks to defendants.
You'd think they learn the lesson, come clean, spread a little sunshine on their secretive “cover their ass” policy towards priest child molesters.
But no, they continue on, business as usual.
The saddest thing is members of the church, who feed the machine with their donations, seem to be in the same coverup mode as the Pope and his subordinates.
At this point in time, they are equally to blame in the coverup.
It's time for the members of the flock to seize control of their church, clean up the mess, and move on.
–
I just love Caribou Barbie's wanted poster for targeting democrats in the upcoming elections. Putting their photos in the cross hairs of a gun sight was a nice touch.
I guess when your main job is calling attention to yourself and trying to get paid bigs bucks to do so, you resort to the most henious types of imagry.
Incitement to violence is a crime. If, God forbid, one of her targets gets shot, I hope the authorities go after her as an accessory.
It is time for this violent rhetoric to stop before someone does get killed.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
What Ever Happened to Human Decency?
-
As we go into the final stages of the healthcare war, I am increasingly wondering what happened to civility in this country.
Yes there has always been political rancor, name calling and the hurling of epithets at people who disagree with you on this or that issue. No of course, the epithets are more basic; liberal and conservative are now dirty words, fighting words and words of derision.
For the record (my record anyway) it's okay to be a liberal and okay to be a conservative.
What's not okay is to use those labels to stop progress in our country.
Quoting and shouting support for the Constitution is quite popular these days. So let's start with the Preamble:
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
Please take note of the phrase “promote the general Welfare”.
What could be more promoting of our country's welfare than to make sure everyone gets healthcare? Do people against healthcare reform really want people getting sick, staying sick and possibly dying because they can't afford healthcare? Do they want lives ruined because the person or family can't afford healthcare?
Are we as a nation that uncaring? Are our hearts so hardened that we just don't care?
Where is the general human decency that mandates helping our fellow man when he or she is in need?
Jesus healed the sick and feed the hungry. Matthew 25: 35-40 says:
“For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me;
Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?'
And the King will answer them, 'I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.”
So my question to all of you who are against healthcare is: where is your Christian spirit? Why are you so against what Christ obviously mandates?
Why are you so afraid to do the right thing and help those who can't help themselves.
I don't care about the cost. What I care about is the amazing lack of compassion by so many when it comes to helping their fellow man.
What has happened to our society that allows us to let people go hungry, people not get proper medical care, not have shelter and not have the basic necessities to live?
Where did our compassion go?
What distresses me the most is these professed Christians who yell loudly about their faith and, in some cases, tout the singular righteousness of their faith while simultaneously ignoring the teachings of their faith.
If these professed Christians actually practiced what they tell others to do, we'd have universal healthcare, we'd make sure that everyone in our country gets enough to eat, has clothes to wear and a safe place to live.
Now they say churches will take care of these people but that's not the case. Some do a good job of ministering to the afflicted but many only give lip service. One only has to look at the giant mega-churches with their lavish buildings and grounds to see where the money really goes.
Is it more important to build a big ostentatious church or heal the sick?
What would Jesus say?
Instead we have this massive political battle. It's not about healthcare, it's all about power and control. Both sides want it and will demonize the other side to get it. They'll spend millions of dollars pushing their agenda (money that could go to help the afflicted). They'll resort to the lowest name calling, shouting down those who oppose them and while doing all this forget one of the prime directives of the Constitution:
“Promote the general welfare”.
What is more in our best interests an the general welfare of our country than to make sure everyone in our country gets medical care when they need it? We are more productive, better educated and genreally happier when we are healthy.
Why would anyone be against doing whatever it takes to heal the sick - especially those who can't take care of themselves or afford medical care?
We are lost as a society not because we have too much but because we have lost our compassion for our fellow man. Yes we'll send a few bucks to the disaster relief mission of the day. We might even send some people to help. But by and large we don't get our hands dirty taking care of the people in our own backyard who need help.
Those people we tend to ignore.
Jesus wouldn't. Why do we?
Today as healthcare reform (such as it is) heads to a vote I believe it's better to think of this a s a first step forward, not some one time, never make changes or tweak it bill.
Providing healthcare for those who can't get it. It's the right thing to do.
It's what Jesus would do.
As we go into the final stages of the healthcare war, I am increasingly wondering what happened to civility in this country.
Yes there has always been political rancor, name calling and the hurling of epithets at people who disagree with you on this or that issue. No of course, the epithets are more basic; liberal and conservative are now dirty words, fighting words and words of derision.
For the record (my record anyway) it's okay to be a liberal and okay to be a conservative.
What's not okay is to use those labels to stop progress in our country.
Quoting and shouting support for the Constitution is quite popular these days. So let's start with the Preamble:
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
Please take note of the phrase “promote the general Welfare”.
What could be more promoting of our country's welfare than to make sure everyone gets healthcare? Do people against healthcare reform really want people getting sick, staying sick and possibly dying because they can't afford healthcare? Do they want lives ruined because the person or family can't afford healthcare?
Are we as a nation that uncaring? Are our hearts so hardened that we just don't care?
Where is the general human decency that mandates helping our fellow man when he or she is in need?
Jesus healed the sick and feed the hungry. Matthew 25: 35-40 says:
“For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me;
Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?'
And the King will answer them, 'I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.”
So my question to all of you who are against healthcare is: where is your Christian spirit? Why are you so against what Christ obviously mandates?
Why are you so afraid to do the right thing and help those who can't help themselves.
I don't care about the cost. What I care about is the amazing lack of compassion by so many when it comes to helping their fellow man.
What has happened to our society that allows us to let people go hungry, people not get proper medical care, not have shelter and not have the basic necessities to live?
Where did our compassion go?
What distresses me the most is these professed Christians who yell loudly about their faith and, in some cases, tout the singular righteousness of their faith while simultaneously ignoring the teachings of their faith.
If these professed Christians actually practiced what they tell others to do, we'd have universal healthcare, we'd make sure that everyone in our country gets enough to eat, has clothes to wear and a safe place to live.
Now they say churches will take care of these people but that's not the case. Some do a good job of ministering to the afflicted but many only give lip service. One only has to look at the giant mega-churches with their lavish buildings and grounds to see where the money really goes.
Is it more important to build a big ostentatious church or heal the sick?
What would Jesus say?
Instead we have this massive political battle. It's not about healthcare, it's all about power and control. Both sides want it and will demonize the other side to get it. They'll spend millions of dollars pushing their agenda (money that could go to help the afflicted). They'll resort to the lowest name calling, shouting down those who oppose them and while doing all this forget one of the prime directives of the Constitution:
“Promote the general welfare”.
What is more in our best interests an the general welfare of our country than to make sure everyone in our country gets medical care when they need it? We are more productive, better educated and genreally happier when we are healthy.
Why would anyone be against doing whatever it takes to heal the sick - especially those who can't take care of themselves or afford medical care?
We are lost as a society not because we have too much but because we have lost our compassion for our fellow man. Yes we'll send a few bucks to the disaster relief mission of the day. We might even send some people to help. But by and large we don't get our hands dirty taking care of the people in our own backyard who need help.
Those people we tend to ignore.
Jesus wouldn't. Why do we?
Today as healthcare reform (such as it is) heads to a vote I believe it's better to think of this a s a first step forward, not some one time, never make changes or tweak it bill.
Providing healthcare for those who can't get it. It's the right thing to do.
It's what Jesus would do.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Glenn Beck
-
the thing that has alwasy bothered me is people like Beck, Limbaugh and the rest of the radical talkingheads is there unquestioned belief in what they say and their unwilingness to go up against someone with a different point of view.
I guess they are afraid of being bested in an actual debate, afraid their "facts' will be proven wrong and that thye will be outed for the charlatans and snake oil salepeople they are.
as with all radicals, they 'my way or the highway" rule applies and those who disagree are not worthy of true debate, hich is a cheap way of ignoring opponents.... See More
what irks me the most is how Beck defines Christianity in terms of charity and compassion. Even his own Morman faith adheres the basic tenants of the teachings of Jesus.
as with most loudmouth braggarts - Beck is all talk and no action.
-
the thing that has alwasy bothered me is people like Beck, Limbaugh and the rest of the radical talkingheads is there unquestioned belief in what they say and their unwilingness to go up against someone with a different point of view.
I guess they are afraid of being bested in an actual debate, afraid their "facts' will be proven wrong and that thye will be outed for the charlatans and snake oil salepeople they are.
as with all radicals, they 'my way or the highway" rule applies and those who disagree are not worthy of true debate, hich is a cheap way of ignoring opponents.... See More
what irks me the most is how Beck defines Christianity in terms of charity and compassion. Even his own Morman faith adheres the basic tenants of the teachings of Jesus.
as with most loudmouth braggarts - Beck is all talk and no action.
-
Oklahoma offers Bible class in schools
-
Adding this "elective" class to the Oklahoma education system is an accident waiting to happen.
How will this class be taught? Will schools use the Bart Ehrman approach that the Bible is a mismash of questionable documents and unreliable information?
Will it be taught under the eventual auspices of whatever religious group is in power in a particular school district?
How long will it be before people of particular faiths protest the class as being too secular?
I believe the school system would have been better off offering a comparative religion course so students have the opportunity to learn about a variety of religions.
Fat chance that will happen in Oklahoma
Adding this "elective" class to the Oklahoma education system is an accident waiting to happen.
How will this class be taught? Will schools use the Bart Ehrman approach that the Bible is a mismash of questionable documents and unreliable information?
Will it be taught under the eventual auspices of whatever religious group is in power in a particular school district?
How long will it be before people of particular faiths protest the class as being too secular?
I believe the school system would have been better off offering a comparative religion course so students have the opportunity to learn about a variety of religions.
Fat chance that will happen in Oklahoma
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
the problem with adults
-
A Mississippi School Board has decided to cancel the Senior Prom rather than let a gay student bring her date.
This is what happens when a group of adults decide to rule students and their activities with an iron fist.
Why ruin prom night because a gay person is coming witha date?
What's wrong with these adults? What does it say about this community when they elect narrow minded self righteous people to positions of authority?
Is this what Christ would have wanted? He wouldn't have shunned the gay couple. He would have welcomed them with open arms.
Why isn't the school board?
-
A Mississippi School Board has decided to cancel the Senior Prom rather than let a gay student bring her date.
This is what happens when a group of adults decide to rule students and their activities with an iron fist.
Why ruin prom night because a gay person is coming witha date?
What's wrong with these adults? What does it say about this community when they elect narrow minded self righteous people to positions of authority?
Is this what Christ would have wanted? He wouldn't have shunned the gay couple. He would have welcomed them with open arms.
Why isn't the school board?
-
thought
-
One can give nothing whatever without giving oneself -- that is to say, risking oneself. If one cannot risk oneself, then one is simply incapable of giving.
- James Baldwin
-
One can give nothing whatever without giving oneself -- that is to say, risking oneself. If one cannot risk oneself, then one is simply incapable of giving.
- James Baldwin
-
Sunday, February 28, 2010
a new path
-
as i've been perusing Facebook these past months Mike Carpenter keeps coming to mind - always chillin', always Zen in thought, always observant of the ordinary and elevating that ordinary thing to something more.
and then i look at my rant and raves on this site and on Facebook and i realize i've missed the mark. instead of doing good, i've concentrated on the banal, the superficial and the things i cannot change.
i've also realized that the things that polarize us into our little communities, those things that set up the fences to keep our tribe in and the others out, to foster hatred and mistrust of others not like us is exactly what i've been doing.
it is not a good thing, it is not helpful to the earth i live on and the universe.
i've determined in the sorry ass state of affairs in our world that there are too many of them - those who want to control your life and demand you follow what they believe, think like them, act like them. and if you don't, you are vilified, made fun of and hounded into submission.
i have become one of them. it is wrong, it is unkind and it is unnecessary. being "right" politically, spiritually or morally is too subjective for any person to decide their way is "the one true way" and all others are wrong.
i no longer wish to be engage or be ...a part of their universe. therefore, i shall not.
i have lacked compassion and not been mindful.
it is the beginning of spring. slowly but steadily the earth is renewing itself. so shall i.
it the time i have left i am turning a new leaf. no longer will there be rants and screeds and amazement at the actions of a world gone haywire.
for too long we have lived as adversaries. we spend more time fighting, posturing and arguing that time trying to solve the problems we face together.
if we are so full of and believing in the faith of our choosing, why do we as a world continue to ignore those very words and concepts when e want our way.
we now use faith and religion as a club against those who don't believe our way? Not a Christian, let us save you. Not our brand of Christianity? let us convert you. Refuse to follow our path? let us destroy you.
the same holds true for social and political beliefs. the name of the game is conquer and destroy.
it seems many of us secretly want Orwell's 1984. we want everyone to be like us, believe like us and act just like us.
Tolerance is evaporating like a shot glass of water in the dessert.
the phrase "live and let live" is no longer operative. it has turned to "live like me or be destroyed".
around the world millions die from lack of food, medicine, clean water and the unrelenting desire of some to conquer and eliminate those found not to be worthy of life. Whether it's Tibet, Darfur, Somalia, Croatia or the US, the drive to eliminate grows stronger every day.
we have lost basic human decency, the compassion to help our fellow man because he or she needs help. there is no litmus test for compassion or human decency. both are always the right thing to do every single day.
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."
- Dalai Lama
somewhere along the line, I, like so many others, stopped being kind and started, in my case, being a smartass with a quick line to wound and put down. i forgot to be kind.
helping the poor, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and healing the sick are always the right thing to do. most religious texts and dogmas say so. basic human kindness has given way to basic human greed and fear.
there is no, nor should there be a litmus test for compassion. yet we continually put up conditions prior to offering help to the helpless. or, governments can't act because those in power continue to push, not for speedy resolution to hunger and sickness and the humiliation of poverty, but gum up the works by not doing what's best, but doing what's politically advantageous. the stalemate ensues and nothing is accomplished.
being compassionate and helping our fellow man is so simple. yet the powers of the world would rather argue semantics than do the right thing. that is the saddest part of our world. we see a world starving for help and we refuse to jump in the pit with them and help. we'd rather sit up top and talk about their condition.
Actually doing something doesn't seem to be an option on the table.
the age of instant everything has brought us to a point where information is transmitted, twisted and chopped up to be used to support every and any position.
truth no longer exists as an absolute - it has become whatever you wish to believe.
Buddhist teacher Pema Chodron says it best:
"The truth you believe and cling to makes you unavailable to hear anything new."
all you have to do is watch world leaders, dictators and wanna be leaders to realize how true that statement is.
So our world goes. One only has to listen to the healthcare debate last week to realize everyone has their position and have no concern other than to pound their wishes, their demands into the ground and not consider the other persons point of view.
meanwhile, people get sick, people can't get medical care, cant get treated for disease and die in the richest, most medically advanced country in the world.
why?
Sadly, this same type of meeting happens all over the world every day. In Haiti there were arguments about how to save people and take care of them. the arguments went on and on - people suffered and died.
when you're more concerned about your own tree, it's impossible to see which forest you're in.
we are all hugging our own trees.
it's time to step back and see the forest.
that's my plan.
"Being religious means asking passionately the question of the meaning of our existence and being willing to receive answers, even if the answers hurt." - Paul Tillich
my answers hurt. so today i choose to face the pain and take a different path. as Thoreau wrote:
"Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence."
and now, onward.
-
as i've been perusing Facebook these past months Mike Carpenter keeps coming to mind - always chillin', always Zen in thought, always observant of the ordinary and elevating that ordinary thing to something more.
and then i look at my rant and raves on this site and on Facebook and i realize i've missed the mark. instead of doing good, i've concentrated on the banal, the superficial and the things i cannot change.
i've also realized that the things that polarize us into our little communities, those things that set up the fences to keep our tribe in and the others out, to foster hatred and mistrust of others not like us is exactly what i've been doing.
it is not a good thing, it is not helpful to the earth i live on and the universe.
i've determined in the sorry ass state of affairs in our world that there are too many of them - those who want to control your life and demand you follow what they believe, think like them, act like them. and if you don't, you are vilified, made fun of and hounded into submission.
i have become one of them. it is wrong, it is unkind and it is unnecessary. being "right" politically, spiritually or morally is too subjective for any person to decide their way is "the one true way" and all others are wrong.
i no longer wish to be engage or be ...a part of their universe. therefore, i shall not.
i have lacked compassion and not been mindful.
it is the beginning of spring. slowly but steadily the earth is renewing itself. so shall i.
it the time i have left i am turning a new leaf. no longer will there be rants and screeds and amazement at the actions of a world gone haywire.
for too long we have lived as adversaries. we spend more time fighting, posturing and arguing that time trying to solve the problems we face together.
if we are so full of and believing in the faith of our choosing, why do we as a world continue to ignore those very words and concepts when e want our way.
we now use faith and religion as a club against those who don't believe our way? Not a Christian, let us save you. Not our brand of Christianity? let us convert you. Refuse to follow our path? let us destroy you.
the same holds true for social and political beliefs. the name of the game is conquer and destroy.
it seems many of us secretly want Orwell's 1984. we want everyone to be like us, believe like us and act just like us.
Tolerance is evaporating like a shot glass of water in the dessert.
the phrase "live and let live" is no longer operative. it has turned to "live like me or be destroyed".
around the world millions die from lack of food, medicine, clean water and the unrelenting desire of some to conquer and eliminate those found not to be worthy of life. Whether it's Tibet, Darfur, Somalia, Croatia or the US, the drive to eliminate grows stronger every day.
we have lost basic human decency, the compassion to help our fellow man because he or she needs help. there is no litmus test for compassion or human decency. both are always the right thing to do every single day.
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."
- Dalai Lama
somewhere along the line, I, like so many others, stopped being kind and started, in my case, being a smartass with a quick line to wound and put down. i forgot to be kind.
helping the poor, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and healing the sick are always the right thing to do. most religious texts and dogmas say so. basic human kindness has given way to basic human greed and fear.
there is no, nor should there be a litmus test for compassion. yet we continually put up conditions prior to offering help to the helpless. or, governments can't act because those in power continue to push, not for speedy resolution to hunger and sickness and the humiliation of poverty, but gum up the works by not doing what's best, but doing what's politically advantageous. the stalemate ensues and nothing is accomplished.
being compassionate and helping our fellow man is so simple. yet the powers of the world would rather argue semantics than do the right thing. that is the saddest part of our world. we see a world starving for help and we refuse to jump in the pit with them and help. we'd rather sit up top and talk about their condition.
Actually doing something doesn't seem to be an option on the table.
the age of instant everything has brought us to a point where information is transmitted, twisted and chopped up to be used to support every and any position.
truth no longer exists as an absolute - it has become whatever you wish to believe.
Buddhist teacher Pema Chodron says it best:
"The truth you believe and cling to makes you unavailable to hear anything new."
all you have to do is watch world leaders, dictators and wanna be leaders to realize how true that statement is.
So our world goes. One only has to listen to the healthcare debate last week to realize everyone has their position and have no concern other than to pound their wishes, their demands into the ground and not consider the other persons point of view.
meanwhile, people get sick, people can't get medical care, cant get treated for disease and die in the richest, most medically advanced country in the world.
why?
Sadly, this same type of meeting happens all over the world every day. In Haiti there were arguments about how to save people and take care of them. the arguments went on and on - people suffered and died.
when you're more concerned about your own tree, it's impossible to see which forest you're in.
we are all hugging our own trees.
it's time to step back and see the forest.
that's my plan.
"Being religious means asking passionately the question of the meaning of our existence and being willing to receive answers, even if the answers hurt." - Paul Tillich
my answers hurt. so today i choose to face the pain and take a different path. as Thoreau wrote:
"Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence."
and now, onward.
-
thought
-
He who risks and fails can be forgiven. He who never risks and never fails is a failure in his whole being.
Paul Tillich
-
He who risks and fails can be forgiven. He who never risks and never fails is a failure in his whole being.
Paul Tillich
-
Friday, February 26, 2010
goin' back in time
-
1815 Napoleon Bonaparte escaped from the island of Elba to begin his second conquest of France
1983 Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album goes to #1 and stays #1 for 37 weeks
1987 The Tower Commission issued its report on the Iran-Contra affair, rebuking President Ronald Reagan for failing to control his national security staff.
1993 a bomb exploded in the garage of New York's World Trade Center, killing six people and injuring more than 1,000 others
1998 Oprah Winfrey beats Texas cattlemen in beef trial
1815 Napoleon Bonaparte escaped from the island of Elba to begin his second conquest of France
1983 Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album goes to #1 and stays #1 for 37 weeks
1987 The Tower Commission issued its report on the Iran-Contra affair, rebuking President Ronald Reagan for failing to control his national security staff.
1993 a bomb exploded in the garage of New York's World Trade Center, killing six people and injuring more than 1,000 others
1998 Oprah Winfrey beats Texas cattlemen in beef trial
healthcare meeting obscene
-
I was watching the healthcare opinion posturing show yesterday and realized why our country is in such trouble. not one of these politicians had the balls to set aside his or her ego and do what's best for the country intstead of what's best for his or her politicla career or fundraising efforts.
It was an obscene display of al that's wrong with American government and politics.
At the beginning of the meeting everyone drew a line in the sand and the pissing match commenced. Seven hours later the country was not one inch farther along.
At least everyone got great soundbites to show the folks back home and ones to appease the great pundit gods that reign on the airways.
Did anything get accomplished? Hell no.
The Dems want us to work of their script, the Repubs want to start with a clean sheet of paper and go slow. Neither wants to give an inch.
What happened to the days when politicians did what was best for the country, when they put asside differences to find common ground and move forward based on that commonality? Partisanship rules the day with a big ugly hammer, banging away at the 80% of us who sinply want Congress to do its job and solve a problem.
Is that too much to ask? Apparently so.
Now politics is a blood sport - take no prisoners, force your agenda on everyone else and do everything possible to stall the proces suntil you get your way.
Worst of all, it doesn't matter what's best for everyone. It's all about "ME ME ME".
None of these so called public servants have the least interest in doing what's best for all. They simply want to get re-elected and raise money.
Yesterday was further proof that our political system is broken.
John Lennon said it best and may have the only solution to change the system
You say you got a real solution
Well you know
We'd all want to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well you know
We're all doing what we can
But if you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell you is brother you'll have to wait
You say you'll change the constitution
Well you know
We'd all love to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well you know
You better free your mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
- Revolution
We did it once before and look at the results.
It may now be time for another revolution.
-
I was watching the healthcare opinion posturing show yesterday and realized why our country is in such trouble. not one of these politicians had the balls to set aside his or her ego and do what's best for the country intstead of what's best for his or her politicla career or fundraising efforts.
It was an obscene display of al that's wrong with American government and politics.
At the beginning of the meeting everyone drew a line in the sand and the pissing match commenced. Seven hours later the country was not one inch farther along.
At least everyone got great soundbites to show the folks back home and ones to appease the great pundit gods that reign on the airways.
Did anything get accomplished? Hell no.
The Dems want us to work of their script, the Repubs want to start with a clean sheet of paper and go slow. Neither wants to give an inch.
What happened to the days when politicians did what was best for the country, when they put asside differences to find common ground and move forward based on that commonality? Partisanship rules the day with a big ugly hammer, banging away at the 80% of us who sinply want Congress to do its job and solve a problem.
Is that too much to ask? Apparently so.
Now politics is a blood sport - take no prisoners, force your agenda on everyone else and do everything possible to stall the proces suntil you get your way.
Worst of all, it doesn't matter what's best for everyone. It's all about "ME ME ME".
None of these so called public servants have the least interest in doing what's best for all. They simply want to get re-elected and raise money.
Yesterday was further proof that our political system is broken.
John Lennon said it best and may have the only solution to change the system
You say you got a real solution
Well you know
We'd all want to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well you know
We're all doing what we can
But if you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell you is brother you'll have to wait
You say you'll change the constitution
Well you know
We'd all love to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well you know
You better free your mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
- Revolution
We did it once before and look at the results.
It may now be time for another revolution.
-
Thursday, February 25, 2010
thought
-
"Be like the earth. Weather the storms of life. Take the beating. Wait patiently for it to pass because it will pass. And then, as soon as possible begin healing and rebuilding yourself. Work harmoniously with your circumstances. Be patient and persevering. In the confrontation between stream and rock, the s...tream always wins – not through strength, but through persistence.
– The Buddha
-
"Be like the earth. Weather the storms of life. Take the beating. Wait patiently for it to pass because it will pass. And then, as soon as possible begin healing and rebuilding yourself. Work harmoniously with your circumstances. Be patient and persevering. In the confrontation between stream and rock, the s...tream always wins – not through strength, but through persistence.
– The Buddha
-
way back when
-
1836 Inventor Samuel Colt patented his revolver.
1870 Hiram R. Revels, R-Miss., became the first black member of the United States Senate as he was sworn in to serve out the unexpired term of Jefferson Davis
1913 The 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, giving Congress the power to levy and collect income taxes, was declared in effect.
1964 Cassius Clay (who later changed his name to Muhammad Ali) became the world heavyweight boxing champion by defeating Sonny Liston in Miami Beach.
1969 Beatles begin recording Abbey Road album
1836 Inventor Samuel Colt patented his revolver.
1870 Hiram R. Revels, R-Miss., became the first black member of the United States Senate as he was sworn in to serve out the unexpired term of Jefferson Davis
1913 The 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, giving Congress the power to levy and collect income taxes, was declared in effect.
1964 Cassius Clay (who later changed his name to Muhammad Ali) became the world heavyweight boxing champion by defeating Sonny Liston in Miami Beach.
1969 Beatles begin recording Abbey Road album
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
in earleir times
-
1803 the Supreme Court in Marbury v. Madison ruled itself the final interpreter of constitutional issues.
1868 the United States House of Representatives impeached President Johnson following his attempted dismissal of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton; Johnson was later acquitted by the Senate
1920 The German Workers Party, which later became the Nazi Party, met in Munich to adopt its platform.
1983 A congressional commission released a report condemning the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II as a "grave injustice."
2008 Cuba's parliament named Raul Castro president, ending nearly 50 years of rule by his brother Fidel.
1803 the Supreme Court in Marbury v. Madison ruled itself the final interpreter of constitutional issues.
1868 the United States House of Representatives impeached President Johnson following his attempted dismissal of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton; Johnson was later acquitted by the Senate
1920 The German Workers Party, which later became the Nazi Party, met in Munich to adopt its platform.
1983 A congressional commission released a report condemning the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II as a "grave injustice."
2008 Cuba's parliament named Raul Castro president, ending nearly 50 years of rule by his brother Fidel.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
thought
-
"The minute I heard my first love story I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along.”
- Rumi
"The minute I heard my first love story I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along.”
- Rumi
back in time
-
1836 The siege of the Alamo began in San Antonio, Texas.
1945 U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima captured Mount Suribachi and raised the American flag. The moment was captured in a Pulitzer Prize winning photo by AP photographer Joe Rosenthal.
1954 the first mass inoculation of children against polio with the Salk vaccine began in Pittsburgh
1991 President George H.W. Bush announced that the allied ground offensive against Iraqi forces had begun.
1997 Scientists in Scotland announced they had cloned an adult mammal, producing a lamb named Dolly.
2000 Carlos Santana won eight Grammy Awards for his album "Supernatural," tying the record set by Michael Jackson in 1983 for "Thriller."
1836 The siege of the Alamo began in San Antonio, Texas.
1945 U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima captured Mount Suribachi and raised the American flag. The moment was captured in a Pulitzer Prize winning photo by AP photographer Joe Rosenthal.
1954 the first mass inoculation of children against polio with the Salk vaccine began in Pittsburgh
1991 President George H.W. Bush announced that the allied ground offensive against Iraqi forces had begun.
1997 Scientists in Scotland announced they had cloned an adult mammal, producing a lamb named Dolly.
2000 Carlos Santana won eight Grammy Awards for his album "Supernatural," tying the record set by Michael Jackson in 1983 for "Thriller."
Monday, February 22, 2010
thought for the day
-
All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.
Buddha
-
All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.
Buddha
-
back in time
-
1821 Spain sells eastern Florida to United States for $5 million
1879 Frank Winfield Woolworth opened a five-cent store in Utica, N.Y.
1924 Calvin Coolidge delivered the first presidential radio broadcast from the White House.
1980 in a stunning upset, the United States Olympic hockey team defeated the Soviets at Lake Placid, N.Y., 4-to-3.
2006 Apple's iTunes store sells it's 1 billionth song
1821 Spain sells eastern Florida to United States for $5 million
1879 Frank Winfield Woolworth opened a five-cent store in Utica, N.Y.
1924 Calvin Coolidge delivered the first presidential radio broadcast from the White House.
1980 in a stunning upset, the United States Olympic hockey team defeated the Soviets at Lake Placid, N.Y., 4-to-3.
2006 Apple's iTunes store sells it's 1 billionth song
Sunday, February 21, 2010
CPAC, Cheney/Biden and Booze - Always a Good Combo
-
CPAC
If Woodstock was three days of peace, love and understanding, CPAC was three days of bashing, bitching and bemoaning the state of the US and the world as seen through the eyes of uber conservatives.
Winding up with the always amusing and seldom accurate Glenn Beck, the conference was a spotlight on everything they don’t like or can find fault with.
We got all the usual rantings and ravings about how bad everything was.
What was glaringly omitted was the smallest details of what these conservative tin foil hat experts would do if they actually ran the US.
No plans on healthcare, the war, the economy, education.
Nada, zip, zilch, zed.
Now that they’ve once again vented their collective spleens on everything they disagree with, let’s see a plan - a real live actual plan of what they would do to “cure what ails America”.
Until then, CPAC is a group of malcontents with a lot to bitch about and nothing to offer
-
Once again the Oklahoma legislature, bullied by Southern Baptists and other temperance advocated, has rejected the idea that wine can be sold in grocery stores.
Several major grocery chains have indicated their willingness to come to Oklahoma - and Bricktown - if they can sell wine.
But no, the anti alcohol folks are afraid kids will be able to buy wine if it’s sold in a grocery store.
Grow up and smell the reality.
I started buying beer, booze and wine when I was 16. I always found a way to get it. Age and where it was sold has little influence on my ability to purchase.
The liquor store near the University of Tulsa never carded me, nor did any of the pubs in the area.
Face reality Oklahoma. Whether their parents are giving it to them, they’re stealing it from their parents, having someone buy it for them or ponying up to the register and paying for it themselves, kids will get booze if they want it.
Let’s bring new business into Oklahoma. Let grocery stores sell wine, let wineries in and out of state ship their wines to Oklahoma addresses.
It’s time for those opposed to alcohol to stop foisting their beliefs on the majority of Oklahomans who like a drink and are tired of the hypocrisy of alcohol laws
Oklahomans like to drink - get over it.
-
Cheney/Biden
Listening to the Cheney/Biden verbal smack down last Sunday I couldn’t stop laughing.
It’s just more of the same political rhetoric pitting the left against the right. It's all posturing with no substance. If these guys, especially Cheney were really concerned about making our country better, they'd be putting aside partisan differences (now an impossibility) and working together to solve our complex problems.
This is just political flaming spear throwing 101: it accomplishes nothing except to inflame the base and raise money.
What is funny is that when Bush was in office, Cheney (and others) repeatedly said that if you spoke against the President’s stand and plan on terrorism, it was “aiding and abetting the enemy” and tantamount to treason?
Why is now okay for those same Republicans to blast the Obama Administration?
Treason must be in the eye of the beholder.
CPAC
If Woodstock was three days of peace, love and understanding, CPAC was three days of bashing, bitching and bemoaning the state of the US and the world as seen through the eyes of uber conservatives.
Winding up with the always amusing and seldom accurate Glenn Beck, the conference was a spotlight on everything they don’t like or can find fault with.
We got all the usual rantings and ravings about how bad everything was.
What was glaringly omitted was the smallest details of what these conservative tin foil hat experts would do if they actually ran the US.
No plans on healthcare, the war, the economy, education.
Nada, zip, zilch, zed.
Now that they’ve once again vented their collective spleens on everything they disagree with, let’s see a plan - a real live actual plan of what they would do to “cure what ails America”.
Until then, CPAC is a group of malcontents with a lot to bitch about and nothing to offer
-
Once again the Oklahoma legislature, bullied by Southern Baptists and other temperance advocated, has rejected the idea that wine can be sold in grocery stores.
Several major grocery chains have indicated their willingness to come to Oklahoma - and Bricktown - if they can sell wine.
But no, the anti alcohol folks are afraid kids will be able to buy wine if it’s sold in a grocery store.
Grow up and smell the reality.
I started buying beer, booze and wine when I was 16. I always found a way to get it. Age and where it was sold has little influence on my ability to purchase.
The liquor store near the University of Tulsa never carded me, nor did any of the pubs in the area.
Face reality Oklahoma. Whether their parents are giving it to them, they’re stealing it from their parents, having someone buy it for them or ponying up to the register and paying for it themselves, kids will get booze if they want it.
Let’s bring new business into Oklahoma. Let grocery stores sell wine, let wineries in and out of state ship their wines to Oklahoma addresses.
It’s time for those opposed to alcohol to stop foisting their beliefs on the majority of Oklahomans who like a drink and are tired of the hypocrisy of alcohol laws
Oklahomans like to drink - get over it.
-
Cheney/Biden
Listening to the Cheney/Biden verbal smack down last Sunday I couldn’t stop laughing.
It’s just more of the same political rhetoric pitting the left against the right. It's all posturing with no substance. If these guys, especially Cheney were really concerned about making our country better, they'd be putting aside partisan differences (now an impossibility) and working together to solve our complex problems.
This is just political flaming spear throwing 101: it accomplishes nothing except to inflame the base and raise money.
What is funny is that when Bush was in office, Cheney (and others) repeatedly said that if you spoke against the President’s stand and plan on terrorism, it was “aiding and abetting the enemy” and tantamount to treason?
Why is now okay for those same Republicans to blast the Obama Administration?
Treason must be in the eye of the beholder.
thought
-
“When we come into contact with the other person, our thoughts and actions should express our mind of compassion, even if that person says and does things that are not easy to accept. We practice in this way until we see clearly that our love is not contingent upon the other person being lovable.”
Thict Nha Hanh
“When we come into contact with the other person, our thoughts and actions should express our mind of compassion, even if that person says and does things that are not easy to accept. We practice in this way until we see clearly that our love is not contingent upon the other person being lovable.”
Thict Nha Hanh
a long long time ago
-
1842 1st known sewing machine patented in U.S., John Greenough, Washington D.C.
1878 The first telephone directory was issued, by the District Telephone Co. of New Haven, Conn.
1885 The Washington Monument was dedicated.
1947 Edwin H. Land publicly demonstrated his Polaroid Land camera, which could produce a black-and-white photograph in 60 seconds.
1953 Francis Crick and James Watson discover structure of DNA-molecule
1965, former Black Muslim leader Malcolm X was shot and killed by assassins identified as Black Muslims as he was about to address a rally in New York City; he was 39
1970 Jackson 5 make TV debut on American Bandstand
1975 Former Attorney General John N. Mitchell and former White House aides H.R. Haldeman and John D. Ehrlichman were sentenced to 2 1/2 to 8 years in prison for their roles in the Watergate cover-up.
1988 TV evangelist Jimmy Swaggart tearfully confessed to his congregation in Baton Rouge, La., that he was guilty of an unspecified sin, and said he was leaving the pulpit temporarily. Reports linked Swaggart to a prostitute.
-
1842 1st known sewing machine patented in U.S., John Greenough, Washington D.C.
1878 The first telephone directory was issued, by the District Telephone Co. of New Haven, Conn.
1885 The Washington Monument was dedicated.
1947 Edwin H. Land publicly demonstrated his Polaroid Land camera, which could produce a black-and-white photograph in 60 seconds.
1953 Francis Crick and James Watson discover structure of DNA-molecule
1965, former Black Muslim leader Malcolm X was shot and killed by assassins identified as Black Muslims as he was about to address a rally in New York City; he was 39
1970 Jackson 5 make TV debut on American Bandstand
1975 Former Attorney General John N. Mitchell and former White House aides H.R. Haldeman and John D. Ehrlichman were sentenced to 2 1/2 to 8 years in prison for their roles in the Watergate cover-up.
1988 TV evangelist Jimmy Swaggart tearfully confessed to his congregation in Baton Rouge, La., that he was guilty of an unspecified sin, and said he was leaving the pulpit temporarily. Reports linked Swaggart to a prostitute.
-
Saturday, February 20, 2010
on this day
-
1809 The Supreme Court ruled that the power of the federal government is greater than that of any individual state.
1962, astronaut John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth as he flew aboard the Friendship 7 Mercury capsule
1965 The Ranger 8 spacecraft crashed on the moon after sending back thousands of pictures of the lunar surface.
2003 Fire broke out during a rock concert at a nightclub in West Warwick, R.I., killing 100 people and injuring about 200 others.
1809 The Supreme Court ruled that the power of the federal government is greater than that of any individual state.
1962, astronaut John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth as he flew aboard the Friendship 7 Mercury capsule
1965 The Ranger 8 spacecraft crashed on the moon after sending back thousands of pictures of the lunar surface.
2003 Fire broke out during a rock concert at a nightclub in West Warwick, R.I., killing 100 people and injuring about 200 others.
Friday, February 19, 2010
this day a long time ago
-
1807 Vice President Aaron Burr arrested in Alabama for treason; later found innocent
1878 Thomas Edison received a patent for his phonograph.
1881 Kansas became the first state to prohibit all alcoholic beverages.
1942 President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order giving the military the authority to relocate and intern Japanese-Americans.
1945, during World War II, some 30,000 United States Marines landed on the Western Pacific island of Iwo Jima
1981 George Harrison is ordered to pay ABKCO Music $587,000 for "subconscious plagiarism" "My Sweet Lord" with "He's So Fine"
2004 Former Enron Corp. chief executive Jeffrey Skilling was charged with fraud, insider trading and other crimes in connection with the energy trader's collapse. (He was later convicted and sentenced to more than 24 years in prison.)
2008 An ailing Fidel Castro resigned the Cuban presidency after nearly a half-century in power; his brother Raul was later named to succeed him. .
1807 Vice President Aaron Burr arrested in Alabama for treason; later found innocent
1878 Thomas Edison received a patent for his phonograph.
1881 Kansas became the first state to prohibit all alcoholic beverages.
1942 President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order giving the military the authority to relocate and intern Japanese-Americans.
1945, during World War II, some 30,000 United States Marines landed on the Western Pacific island of Iwo Jima
1981 George Harrison is ordered to pay ABKCO Music $587,000 for "subconscious plagiarism" "My Sweet Lord" with "He's So Fine"
2004 Former Enron Corp. chief executive Jeffrey Skilling was charged with fraud, insider trading and other crimes in connection with the energy trader's collapse. (He was later convicted and sentenced to more than 24 years in prison.)
2008 An ailing Fidel Castro resigned the Cuban presidency after nearly a half-century in power; his brother Raul was later named to succeed him. .
Thursday, February 18, 2010
thought for the day
-
“Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
- Christopher Robin to Pooh
-
“Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
- Christopher Robin to Pooh
-
a long time ago
-
1564 The artist Michelangelo died in Rome
1861 Jefferson Davis was sworn in as president of the Confederate States of America in Montgomery, Ala.
1885 "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain was published.
1930 Photographic evidence of Pluto was discovered by Clyde W. Tombaugh at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz. Originally classified as a planet, the icy rock was downgraded to "dwarf planet" in 2006.
1970 Five of the Chicago Seven defendants were found guilty of intent to incite a riot at the 1968 Democratic national convention. The convictions were later overturned.
1972 The California Supreme Court struck down the state's death penalty.
1979 Snow falls in Sahara Desert
1564 The artist Michelangelo died in Rome
1861 Jefferson Davis was sworn in as president of the Confederate States of America in Montgomery, Ala.
1885 "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain was published.
1930 Photographic evidence of Pluto was discovered by Clyde W. Tombaugh at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz. Originally classified as a planet, the icy rock was downgraded to "dwarf planet" in 2006.
1970 Five of the Chicago Seven defendants were found guilty of intent to incite a riot at the 1968 Democratic national convention. The convictions were later overturned.
1972 The California Supreme Court struck down the state's death penalty.
1979 Snow falls in Sahara Desert
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
thought for the day
-
“When we come into contact with the other person, our thoughts and actions should express our mind of compassion, even if that person says and does things that are not easy to accept. We practice in this way until we see clearly that our love is not contingent upon the other person being lovable.”
- Thich Nhat Hanh
“When we come into contact with the other person, our thoughts and actions should express our mind of compassion, even if that person says and does things that are not easy to accept. We practice in this way until we see clearly that our love is not contingent upon the other person being lovable.”
- Thich Nhat Hanh
a long long time ago
-
1801 The House of Representatives broke an electoral tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, choosing Jefferson to be president
1865 Columbia, S.C., burned as the Confederates evacuated and Union forces moved in.
1938 1st public experimental demonstration of Baird color TV in London
1959 1st weather satellite launched, Vanguard 2, 9.8 kg
1962 Beach Boys introduced a new musical style with their hit "Surfin"
1976 The Eagles' album "Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)" was released.
1996 World chess champion Garry Kasparov beat IBM supercomputer "Deep Blue," winning a six-game match in Philadelphia.
1801 The House of Representatives broke an electoral tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, choosing Jefferson to be president
1865 Columbia, S.C., burned as the Confederates evacuated and Union forces moved in.
1938 1st public experimental demonstration of Baird color TV in London
1959 1st weather satellite launched, Vanguard 2, 9.8 kg
1962 Beach Boys introduced a new musical style with their hit "Surfin"
1976 The Eagles' album "Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)" was released.
1996 World chess champion Garry Kasparov beat IBM supercomputer "Deep Blue," winning a six-game match in Philadelphia.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
thought for the day
-
"Carpe diem! Rejoice while you are alive; enjoy the day; live life to the fullest; make the most of what you have. It is later than you think.”
- Horace
-
"Carpe diem! Rejoice while you are alive; enjoy the day; live life to the fullest; make the most of what you have. It is later than you think.”
- Horace
-
today's history lesson
-
1804 Lt. Stephen Decatur led a successful raid into Tripoli harbor to burn the U.S. Navy frigate Philadelphia, which had fallen into the hands of pirates.
1937 Wallace H. Carothers, a research chemist for Du Pont, received a patent for nylon.
1948 NBC-TV aired its first nightly newscast, "The Camel Newsreel Theatre," which consisted of Fox Movietone newsreels.
1959 Fidel Castro became premier of Cuba a month after the overthrow of Fulgencio Batista.
1968 The nation's first 911 emergency telephone system was inaugurated in Haleyville, Ala.
1804 Lt. Stephen Decatur led a successful raid into Tripoli harbor to burn the U.S. Navy frigate Philadelphia, which had fallen into the hands of pirates.
1937 Wallace H. Carothers, a research chemist for Du Pont, received a patent for nylon.
1948 NBC-TV aired its first nightly newscast, "The Camel Newsreel Theatre," which consisted of Fox Movietone newsreels.
1959 Fidel Castro became premier of Cuba a month after the overthrow of Fulgencio Batista.
1968 The nation's first 911 emergency telephone system was inaugurated in Haleyville, Ala.
Monday, February 15, 2010
a few musings
-
Listening to the Cheney/Biden verbal smack down on Sunday I couldn’t stop laughing.
It’s just more of the same political rhetoric pitting the left against the right. It's all posturing with no substance. If these guys, especialy Cheney were really concerned about making our country better, they'd be putting aside partisan differences (now an impossibility) and working together to solve our complex problems.
This is just political flaming spear throwing 101: it accomplishes nothing except to inflame the base and raise money.
What is funny is that when Bush was in office, Cheney (and others) repeatedly said that if you spoke against the President’s stand and plan on terrorism, it was “aiding and abetting the enemy” and tantamount to treason?
Why is now okay for those same Republicans to blast the Obama Administration?
Treason must be in the eye of the beholder.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Isn’t it odd how scared conservatives are of trying suspected terrorists in open court in the US.
Don’t they trust our system of justice?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loved some of the comments coming from the 5th District Congressional candidates debate.
Quotes are courtesy of NewsOK :
"He (Kevin Calvey) said they (terrorists) want Americans to convert to Islam "and we’re not going to do that.”
Don't Christian Churches send thousands and thousands of missionaries around the world to covert “heathens” to Christianity?
It wasn’t that many years ago that Christians used blunt force to force people to convert.
“James Lankford wants footnotes for bills passed by Congress to show where the Constitution allows for the bill.”
He obviously doesn’t know that much of what is determined to be Constitutional isn’t explicitly defined in the document.
“Lankford said he opposed holding civilian trials for any of the terrorists being held by the U.S.
"The O.J. Simpson trial will look like Judge Judy,” Lankford said if terrorists were tried in civil court.”
We’ve tried over 300 alleged terrorists in the US, in Federal Courts without disturbances.
Lankford doesn’t appear to made similar comments when the Bush Administration tried terrorists in Federal courts.
Why does Langford think it’s wrong now? Shouldn’t Republicans be excited that Obama is continuing a Bush policy?
“(Rick) Flanigan said he would never compromise on a bill that violated the U.S. Constitution.”
I wonder whose definition of what is Constitutional he will use? SCOTUS? Liberty University Law School?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Listening to the Cheney/Biden verbal smack down on Sunday I couldn’t stop laughing.
It’s just more of the same political rhetoric pitting the left against the right. It's all posturing with no substance. If these guys, especialy Cheney were really concerned about making our country better, they'd be putting aside partisan differences (now an impossibility) and working together to solve our complex problems.
This is just political flaming spear throwing 101: it accomplishes nothing except to inflame the base and raise money.
What is funny is that when Bush was in office, Cheney (and others) repeatedly said that if you spoke against the President’s stand and plan on terrorism, it was “aiding and abetting the enemy” and tantamount to treason?
Why is now okay for those same Republicans to blast the Obama Administration?
Treason must be in the eye of the beholder.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Isn’t it odd how scared conservatives are of trying suspected terrorists in open court in the US.
Don’t they trust our system of justice?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loved some of the comments coming from the 5th District Congressional candidates debate.
Quotes are courtesy of NewsOK :
"He (Kevin Calvey) said they (terrorists) want Americans to convert to Islam "and we’re not going to do that.”
Don't Christian Churches send thousands and thousands of missionaries around the world to covert “heathens” to Christianity?
It wasn’t that many years ago that Christians used blunt force to force people to convert.
“James Lankford wants footnotes for bills passed by Congress to show where the Constitution allows for the bill.”
He obviously doesn’t know that much of what is determined to be Constitutional isn’t explicitly defined in the document.
“Lankford said he opposed holding civilian trials for any of the terrorists being held by the U.S.
"The O.J. Simpson trial will look like Judge Judy,” Lankford said if terrorists were tried in civil court.”
We’ve tried over 300 alleged terrorists in the US, in Federal Courts without disturbances.
Lankford doesn’t appear to made similar comments when the Bush Administration tried terrorists in Federal courts.
Why does Langford think it’s wrong now? Shouldn’t Republicans be excited that Obama is continuing a Bush policy?
“(Rick) Flanigan said he would never compromise on a bill that violated the U.S. Constitution.”
I wonder whose definition of what is Constitutional he will use? SCOTUS? Liberty University Law School?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
thought for the day
“When you have come to the edge of all light that you know and are about to drop off into the darkness of the unknown, Faith is knowing one of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly”\
- Patrick Overton
- Patrick Overton
history on the Ides of February
-
1809 - the U.S. Supreme Court rules the power of the federal government is greater than that of any individual state.
1898, the U.S. battleship Maine blew up in Havana Harbor, killing 260 crew members and escalating tensions with Spain
1933 President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt escaped an assassination attempt in Miami that claimed the life of Chicago Mayor Anton J. Cermak.
1958 - "The Dick Clark Show" debuted on ABC-TV. Connie Francis, Pat Boone and Jerry Lee Lewis were the first performers to appear on the show.
1962 - Astronaut John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit Earth on the Friendship 7 Mercury capsule
1964 - The Beatles released the single "Eight Days a Week" and the album "Meet The Beatles." the album goes #1 and stays there for 11 weeks
1978 Leon Spinks beats Muhammad Ali in 15 for heavyweight boxing title
1992 Jeffrey Dahmer found sane & guilty of killing 15 boys
1995 - Population of People's Republic of China hits 1.2 billion
1809 - the U.S. Supreme Court rules the power of the federal government is greater than that of any individual state.
1898, the U.S. battleship Maine blew up in Havana Harbor, killing 260 crew members and escalating tensions with Spain
1933 President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt escaped an assassination attempt in Miami that claimed the life of Chicago Mayor Anton J. Cermak.
1958 - "The Dick Clark Show" debuted on ABC-TV. Connie Francis, Pat Boone and Jerry Lee Lewis were the first performers to appear on the show.
1962 - Astronaut John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit Earth on the Friendship 7 Mercury capsule
1964 - The Beatles released the single "Eight Days a Week" and the album "Meet The Beatles." the album goes #1 and stays there for 11 weeks
1978 Leon Spinks beats Muhammad Ali in 15 for heavyweight boxing title
1992 Jeffrey Dahmer found sane & guilty of killing 15 boys
1995 - Population of People's Republic of China hits 1.2 billion
Sunday, February 14, 2010
It's my Birthday back in time
-
1894 Venus is both a morning star & evening star
1929, the St. Valentine's Day Massacre took place in a Chicago garage as seven rivals of Al Capone's gang were gunned down.
1971 Richard Nixon installs secret taping system in White House
1978 1st "micro on a chip" patented by Texas Instruments
1989 Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini called on Muslims to kill Salman Rushdie, author of "The Satanic Verses," a novel Khomeini condemned as blasphemous.
1894 Venus is both a morning star & evening star
1929, the St. Valentine's Day Massacre took place in a Chicago garage as seven rivals of Al Capone's gang were gunned down.
1971 Richard Nixon installs secret taping system in White House
1978 1st "micro on a chip" patented by Texas Instruments
1989 Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini called on Muslims to kill Salman Rushdie, author of "The Satanic Verses," a novel Khomeini condemned as blasphemous.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Ten Zen Commandments
-
Living skillfully is never accidental. It is a combination of intention, integrity and intensity.
- Victor M. Parachin
1.Pay attention.
2.Awaken your mind.
3.Open your heart.
4.Follow your own light, not someone else's.
5.Don't cling to anyone or anything.
6.Be flexible: not too tight, not too lose.
7.Be mindful: be here while moving there.
8.Practice compassion.
9.Meditate as often as you can.
10.Choose joy.
-
Living skillfully is never accidental. It is a combination of intention, integrity and intensity.
- Victor M. Parachin
1.Pay attention.
2.Awaken your mind.
3.Open your heart.
4.Follow your own light, not someone else's.
5.Don't cling to anyone or anything.
6.Be flexible: not too tight, not too lose.
7.Be mindful: be here while moving there.
8.Practice compassion.
9.Meditate as often as you can.
10.Choose joy.
-
another history lesson
-
1635 The Boston Public Latin School was founded. (It is now the oldest public school in the United States.)
1866 Jesse James holds up his 1st bank, Liberty, Missouri ($15,000)
1924 King Tut's tomb opened
1943 Women's Marine Corps created
1945 Allied planes bomb Dresden Germany; 135,000 die
1959 Barbie doll goes on sale
1982 Dark Side of the Moon, is on charts for 402nd week
2000 Charles Schulz's final "Peanuts" comic strip ran in Sunday newspapers, the day after the cartoonist died at age 77.
1635 The Boston Public Latin School was founded. (It is now the oldest public school in the United States.)
1866 Jesse James holds up his 1st bank, Liberty, Missouri ($15,000)
1924 King Tut's tomb opened
1943 Women's Marine Corps created
1945 Allied planes bomb Dresden Germany; 135,000 die
1959 Barbie doll goes on sale
1982 Dark Side of the Moon, is on charts for 402nd week
2000 Charles Schulz's final "Peanuts" comic strip ran in Sunday newspapers, the day after the cartoonist died at age 77.
Friday, February 12, 2010
pre Valentine's Day thought
-
“Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning.”
-
“Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning.”
-
histories mysteries
-
1870 Women in the Utah Territory gained the right to vote.
1915 The cornerstone for the Lincoln Memorial was laid in Washington, D.C.
1924 President Calvin Coolidge makes 1st presidential radio speech
1950 Sen. Joe McCarthy claims to have a list with 205 State Department employees who he claims are Communists
1955 Pres Eisenhower sends 1st US advisors to S Vietnam
1999 The Senate voted to acquit President Bill Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.
2000 Charles M. Schulz, creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip, died at age 77.
1870 Women in the Utah Territory gained the right to vote.
1915 The cornerstone for the Lincoln Memorial was laid in Washington, D.C.
1924 President Calvin Coolidge makes 1st presidential radio speech
1950 Sen. Joe McCarthy claims to have a list with 205 State Department employees who he claims are Communists
1955 Pres Eisenhower sends 1st US advisors to S Vietnam
1999 The Senate voted to acquit President Bill Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.
2000 Charles M. Schulz, creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip, died at age 77.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
thought for the day
-
You are what you want to become. Why search anymore? You are a wonderful manifestation. The whole universe has come together to make your existence possible. There is nothing that is not you. The kingdom of God, the Pure Land, nirvana, happiness, and liberation are all you.
- Thich Nhat Hanh
-
You are what you want to become. Why search anymore? You are a wonderful manifestation. The whole universe has come together to make your existence possible. There is nothing that is not you. The kingdom of God, the Pure Land, nirvana, happiness, and liberation are all you.
- Thich Nhat Hanh
-
going back in time
-
1812 Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry signed a redistricting law that favored his party - giving rise to the term "gerrymandering."
1858 A French girl, Bernadette Soubirous, claimed to have seen a vision of the Virgin Mary near Lourdes
1861 US House unanimously passes resolution guaranteeing noninterference with slavery in any state
1942 "Archie" comic book debuts
1945, President Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Josef Stalin signed the Yalta Agreement during World War II
1960 Jack Paar walks off his TV show
1964 Beatles 1st live appearance in US; Washington DC Coliseum
1979 Followers of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini seized power in Iran, nine days after the religious leader returned to his home country following 15 years of exile.
1990 South African black activist Nelson Mandela was freed after 27 years in captivity.
2006 Vice President Dick Cheney accidentally shot and wounded a companion during a quail hunt in Texas.
2009 Democrat John Dingell of Michigan became the longest-serving member of the U.S. House of Representatives with more than 53 years of service
1812 Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry signed a redistricting law that favored his party - giving rise to the term "gerrymandering."
1858 A French girl, Bernadette Soubirous, claimed to have seen a vision of the Virgin Mary near Lourdes
1861 US House unanimously passes resolution guaranteeing noninterference with slavery in any state
1942 "Archie" comic book debuts
1945, President Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Josef Stalin signed the Yalta Agreement during World War II
1960 Jack Paar walks off his TV show
1964 Beatles 1st live appearance in US; Washington DC Coliseum
1979 Followers of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini seized power in Iran, nine days after the religious leader returned to his home country following 15 years of exile.
1990 South African black activist Nelson Mandela was freed after 27 years in captivity.
2006 Vice President Dick Cheney accidentally shot and wounded a companion during a quail hunt in Texas.
2009 Democrat John Dingell of Michigan became the longest-serving member of the U.S. House of Representatives with more than 53 years of service
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
more thoughts
-
"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly."
-- Buddha
Life is available only in the present moment. If you abandon the present moment you cannot live the moments of your daily life deeply.
–Thich Nhat Hanh
-
"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly."
-- Buddha
Life is available only in the present moment. If you abandon the present moment you cannot live the moments of your daily life deeply.
–Thich Nhat Hanh
-
thought for the day
-
“Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.”
- Thich Nhat Hanh
-
“Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.”
- Thich Nhat Hanh
-
goin' back in time
-
1846 Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - the Mormons - began an exodus west from Illinois
1942 Glenn Miller awarded 1st ever gold disc for selling 1 million copies of "Chattanooga Choo Choo"
1956 - Elvis records Heartbreak Hotel
1962, the Soviet Union exchanged captured American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers for Rudolph Ivanovich Abel, a Soviet spy held by the United States
1964 Bob Dylan's album "The Times They Are A-Changin"' was released.
1967 The 25th Amendment to the Constitution, dealing with presidential disability and succession, went into effect.
1989 Ron Brown was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee, becoming the first black to head a major U.S. political party.
1996, after three hours, world chess champion Gary Kasparov loses the first game of a six-game match against Deep Blue, an IBM computer
2007 Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., kicked off his presidential campaign with a speech at the state house in Springfield, Ill.
1846 Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - the Mormons - began an exodus west from Illinois
1942 Glenn Miller awarded 1st ever gold disc for selling 1 million copies of "Chattanooga Choo Choo"
1956 - Elvis records Heartbreak Hotel
1962, the Soviet Union exchanged captured American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers for Rudolph Ivanovich Abel, a Soviet spy held by the United States
1964 Bob Dylan's album "The Times They Are A-Changin"' was released.
1967 The 25th Amendment to the Constitution, dealing with presidential disability and succession, went into effect.
1989 Ron Brown was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee, becoming the first black to head a major U.S. political party.
1996, after three hours, world chess champion Gary Kasparov loses the first game of a six-game match against Deep Blue, an IBM computer
2007 Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., kicked off his presidential campaign with a speech at the state house in Springfield, Ill.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Palin Living the American Dream
-
Sorry folks - Palin is brilliant.
Here's a semi educated former cheerleader and sportscaster from the backwoods of Alaska who' gone from not much of anything to becoming the person everyone loves to talk about.
She's the flavor of the month just like her predecessors: Jessica Simpson, Paris Hilton, Octomom and Anna Nicole Smith.
None of her predecessors have much talent or ability but they've managed to parlay their insipid, PR driven activities into a multi milion dollar industry that revolves around them.
No true causes, no real stands on issues, no social relevance. All of them simply feed part of the population's insane need to latch on to a celebrity and feed on every word, every picture, every misstep.
Palin's making a boatload of money off her wacky, nonsensical, sing song speeches and fact challenged book. She's full of populist double speak and platitudes but short on substance.
I've yet to hear or read Palin's plan to fix America, create more jobs, fix healthcare or solve the current economic mess. Her base doesn't care.
The problem is just enough people love listening to her to keep the cash rolling in for the rest of her 15 minutes of fame.
Briliantly, she's shamelessly cashing in at every opportunity. She's taken a page from the Paris Hilton playbook - say or do whatever it takes to stay in the news and make your paying base happy.
Sarah Palin is living the American Dream - and it's making her rich.
-
Sorry folks - Palin is brilliant.
Here's a semi educated former cheerleader and sportscaster from the backwoods of Alaska who' gone from not much of anything to becoming the person everyone loves to talk about.
She's the flavor of the month just like her predecessors: Jessica Simpson, Paris Hilton, Octomom and Anna Nicole Smith.
None of her predecessors have much talent or ability but they've managed to parlay their insipid, PR driven activities into a multi milion dollar industry that revolves around them.
No true causes, no real stands on issues, no social relevance. All of them simply feed part of the population's insane need to latch on to a celebrity and feed on every word, every picture, every misstep.
Palin's making a boatload of money off her wacky, nonsensical, sing song speeches and fact challenged book. She's full of populist double speak and platitudes but short on substance.
I've yet to hear or read Palin's plan to fix America, create more jobs, fix healthcare or solve the current economic mess. Her base doesn't care.
The problem is just enough people love listening to her to keep the cash rolling in for the rest of her 15 minutes of fame.
Briliantly, she's shamelessly cashing in at every opportunity. She's taken a page from the Paris Hilton playbook - say or do whatever it takes to stay in the news and make your paying base happy.
Sarah Palin is living the American Dream - and it's making her rich.
-
something to consider
-
"A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man because he is a good talker"
- the Buddha
-
"A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man because he is a good talker"
- the Buddha
-
time travel
-
1825 The House of Representatives elected John Quincy Adams president after no candidate received a majority of electoral votes.
1861 The Provisional Congress of the Confederate States of America elected Jefferson Davis president and Alexander H. Stephens vice president.
1942 Daylight-saving "war time" went into effect in the United States, with clocks turned one hour forward.
1943, the World War II battle of Guadalcanal in the southwest Pacific ended with an American victory over Japanese forces
1964 The Beatles made their first live American TV appearance, on "The Ed Sullivan Show."
1964 GI Joe character created
1971 pitcher Leroy "Satchel" Paige becomes the first Negro League veteran to be nominated for the Baseball Hall of Fame
2009 Following media reports, New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez admitted he took banned substances from 2001 to 2003.
1825 The House of Representatives elected John Quincy Adams president after no candidate received a majority of electoral votes.
1861 The Provisional Congress of the Confederate States of America elected Jefferson Davis president and Alexander H. Stephens vice president.
1942 Daylight-saving "war time" went into effect in the United States, with clocks turned one hour forward.
1943, the World War II battle of Guadalcanal in the southwest Pacific ended with an American victory over Japanese forces
1964 The Beatles made their first live American TV appearance, on "The Ed Sullivan Show."
1964 GI Joe character created
1971 pitcher Leroy "Satchel" Paige becomes the first Negro League veteran to be nominated for the Baseball Hall of Fame
2009 Following media reports, New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez admitted he took banned substances from 2001 to 2003.
Monday, February 8, 2010
thoughts on stuff
-
Tom Tancredo, speaking at last weekends teabagger coffe clatche said Obama was elected president because the US doesn't have a mandatory "civics literacy test".
I'm thinking Tancredo might not have been elected to Congress if Colorado voters were pre-tested.
Don't think this is a random thought by one far right wingnut. The idea of some sort of "civics literacy test" has been floating around for a couple of years and may take flight with the Earl Grey crowd.
-
Leave it to Caribou Barbie. She managed to hornswaggle $100k out of the teabaggers for a speech that was long on catch prhases, short on ideas and even shorter on the truth.
Some of her major gaffs:
claimed the Christmas bomber "lawyered up" and stopped talking after being given his Miranda rights - not true, he's still singing according to the government.
claimed Obama refuses to use the word "war" - he uses it regualrly to describe Iran/Afghanistan?Pakistan conflict
claims the Prez likes to write the most henious of dictators to attempt to open up dialog - so did Reagan, the Shrubs and Clinton
It must be great to get paid for lying.
What's scarry is so many listen to these people.
-
There's a great article by Susan Jacoby in WaPo abot the arrogance of Christians. In the article Jacoby notes how many Christians act so superior, so arrogant that they are the, as she puts it, the self proclaimed children of God.
Too often people of all faiths spend too much time bragging about how faithful they are, how religious and how spiritual their lives are.
What Christians, and people of all faiths need to do, is spend a lot less time talking the talk and much more time walking the walk.
Talk is cheap - actions speak louder than words.
Let's see some real action from the Christian community in Oklahoma where poverty, illiteracy, hunger, lack of health insurance, spousal and family violence and alcohol and drug addicition consume a large portion of our population.
Those are sins worth fighting.
Jesus would.
Where's his flock?
-
Two OU mens basketball players have been busted for shoplifting at a Norman Dillard's. This seems to be a pattern with Sooner B-Ball players so i'm guessing shoplifting is a required class or some sort of initiation right for male and female jocks.
Does no one explain to these kids just how incredibly blessed they are to have a free ride to college while they play the sport they love?
Dont' they get how lucky they are?
All teenagers make mistakes. God knows I did. But I didn't do anything so stupid it would jeopardize my scholarship.
Stealing is wrong. What part of that don't these kids from OU understand?
-
With the forecast of snow in Oklahoma, I am surprised that schools remained open. This bucks a recent trend where OKC closed schools because it was too cold and because a snowstorm was headed our way.
That's just ignorant.
Part of the blame has to go to the weathercasters who loudly proclaim "danger danger" whenever the hint of bad weather heads our way.
These men and women will say anything to keep you watching - yes, the 'doom and gloom' wall to wall weather coverage is designed to make you watch, not make you safe (that's just a by product)
-
Tom Tancredo, speaking at last weekends teabagger coffe clatche said Obama was elected president because the US doesn't have a mandatory "civics literacy test".
I'm thinking Tancredo might not have been elected to Congress if Colorado voters were pre-tested.
Don't think this is a random thought by one far right wingnut. The idea of some sort of "civics literacy test" has been floating around for a couple of years and may take flight with the Earl Grey crowd.
-
Leave it to Caribou Barbie. She managed to hornswaggle $100k out of the teabaggers for a speech that was long on catch prhases, short on ideas and even shorter on the truth.
Some of her major gaffs:
claimed the Christmas bomber "lawyered up" and stopped talking after being given his Miranda rights - not true, he's still singing according to the government.
claimed Obama refuses to use the word "war" - he uses it regualrly to describe Iran/Afghanistan?Pakistan conflict
claims the Prez likes to write the most henious of dictators to attempt to open up dialog - so did Reagan, the Shrubs and Clinton
It must be great to get paid for lying.
What's scarry is so many listen to these people.
-
There's a great article by Susan Jacoby in WaPo abot the arrogance of Christians. In the article Jacoby notes how many Christians act so superior, so arrogant that they are the, as she puts it, the self proclaimed children of God.
Too often people of all faiths spend too much time bragging about how faithful they are, how religious and how spiritual their lives are.
What Christians, and people of all faiths need to do, is spend a lot less time talking the talk and much more time walking the walk.
Talk is cheap - actions speak louder than words.
Let's see some real action from the Christian community in Oklahoma where poverty, illiteracy, hunger, lack of health insurance, spousal and family violence and alcohol and drug addicition consume a large portion of our population.
Those are sins worth fighting.
Jesus would.
Where's his flock?
-
Two OU mens basketball players have been busted for shoplifting at a Norman Dillard's. This seems to be a pattern with Sooner B-Ball players so i'm guessing shoplifting is a required class or some sort of initiation right for male and female jocks.
Does no one explain to these kids just how incredibly blessed they are to have a free ride to college while they play the sport they love?
Dont' they get how lucky they are?
All teenagers make mistakes. God knows I did. But I didn't do anything so stupid it would jeopardize my scholarship.
Stealing is wrong. What part of that don't these kids from OU understand?
-
With the forecast of snow in Oklahoma, I am surprised that schools remained open. This bucks a recent trend where OKC closed schools because it was too cold and because a snowstorm was headed our way.
That's just ignorant.
Part of the blame has to go to the weathercasters who loudly proclaim "danger danger" whenever the hint of bad weather heads our way.
These men and women will say anything to keep you watching - yes, the 'doom and gloom' wall to wall weather coverage is designed to make you watch, not make you safe (that's just a by product)
-
history lesson
-
1587 Mary, Queen of Scots, was beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle in England after she was implicated in a plot to murder her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I.
1861 Confederate States of America organizes in Montgomery, Alabama
1910 The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated.
1911 U.S. helps overthrow President Miguel Devila of Honduras
1915 D.W. Griffith's silent movie epic about the Civil War, "The Birth of a Nation," premiered in Los Angeles.
1926 Walt Disney Studios forms
1944 1st black reporter accredited to White House, Harry McAlpin
1968 Three college students died in a confrontation with highway patrolmen in Orangeburg, S.C., during a civil rights protest against a whites-only bowling alley.
1587 Mary, Queen of Scots, was beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle in England after she was implicated in a plot to murder her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I.
1861 Confederate States of America organizes in Montgomery, Alabama
1910 The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated.
1911 U.S. helps overthrow President Miguel Devila of Honduras
1915 D.W. Griffith's silent movie epic about the Civil War, "The Birth of a Nation," premiered in Los Angeles.
1926 Walt Disney Studios forms
1944 1st black reporter accredited to White House, Harry McAlpin
1968 Three college students died in a confrontation with highway patrolmen in Orangeburg, S.C., during a civil rights protest against a whites-only bowling alley.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
today in history
-
1869 Harper's Weekly publishes 1st picture of Uncle Sam with chin whiskers
1935 "Monopoly" board game goes on sale for 1st time
1971 1st time a golf ball is hit on Moon (by Alan Shepard)
1974 US House of Reps begins determining grounds for impeachment of Nixon
1869 Harper's Weekly publishes 1st picture of Uncle Sam with chin whiskers
1935 "Monopoly" board game goes on sale for 1st time
1971 1st time a golf ball is hit on Moon (by Alan Shepard)
1974 US House of Reps begins determining grounds for impeachment of Nixon
Friday, February 5, 2010
thought for the day
-
"When it comes down to being a provider of God's love, there is really only one provider, who sends us out with nothing at all and with everything we need: healing, forgiveness, restoration, resurrection. Those are the only things we really have to share with the world, which is just as well, since they are the only th...ings the world really needs".
- Barbara Brown Taylor
"When it comes down to being a provider of God's love, there is really only one provider, who sends us out with nothing at all and with everything we need: healing, forgiveness, restoration, resurrection. Those are the only things we really have to share with the world, which is just as well, since they are the only th...ings the world really needs".
- Barbara Brown Taylor
a trip in the wayback machine - thanks Mr. Peabody
-
1922 Reader's Digest magazine 1st published
1937 President Roosevelt proposed increasing the number of Supreme Court justices; critics charged Roosevelt was attempting to "pack" the court
1967 "Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" premieres on CBS (later ABC, NBC)
1994 White separatist Byron De La Beckwith was convicted in Jackson, Miss., of murdering civil rights leader Medgar Evers in 1963. He was sentenced to life in prison
2003 Secretary of State Colin Powell urged the U.N. Security Council to move against Iraq, saying that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and was harboring terrorists - claims that later turned out to be false.
1922 Reader's Digest magazine 1st published
1937 President Roosevelt proposed increasing the number of Supreme Court justices; critics charged Roosevelt was attempting to "pack" the court
1967 "Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" premieres on CBS (later ABC, NBC)
1994 White separatist Byron De La Beckwith was convicted in Jackson, Miss., of murdering civil rights leader Medgar Evers in 1963. He was sentenced to life in prison
2003 Secretary of State Colin Powell urged the U.N. Security Council to move against Iraq, saying that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and was harboring terrorists - claims that later turned out to be false.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
thought for the day
-
“A further sign of health is that we don't become undone by fear and trembling, but we take it as a message that it's time to stop struggling and look directly at what's threatening us.”
- Pema Chodron
“A further sign of health is that we don't become undone by fear and trembling, but we take it as a message that it's time to stop struggling and look directly at what's threatening us.”
- Pema Chodron
time travel
-
1783 Britain declared a formal cessation of hostilities in the American Revolutionary War.
1787 Shays' Rebellion (of debt-ridden Massachusetts farmers) fails
1789 Electors unanimously chose George Washington to be the first president of the United States.
1861 Delegates from six southern states met in Montgomery, Ala., to form the Confederate States of America.
1938 Hitler seizes control of German army and puts Nazi in key posts
1945 FDR, Churchill and Stalin meet at Yalta - the division of Germany and Eurpoe
1957 1st electric portable typewriter placed on sale (Syracuse New York)
1974, newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst was kidnapped in Berkeley, Calif., by the Symbionese Liberation Army
1983 Singer Karen Carpenter died at age 32.
1987 Pianist Liberace died at age 67.
1991 Hall of Fame's board of directors vote 12-0 to bar Pete Rose
1997 A civil jury found O.J. Simpson liable for the deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.
2004 The Massachusetts high court declared that gays were entitled to marry.
1783 Britain declared a formal cessation of hostilities in the American Revolutionary War.
1787 Shays' Rebellion (of debt-ridden Massachusetts farmers) fails
1789 Electors unanimously chose George Washington to be the first president of the United States.
1861 Delegates from six southern states met in Montgomery, Ala., to form the Confederate States of America.
1938 Hitler seizes control of German army and puts Nazi in key posts
1945 FDR, Churchill and Stalin meet at Yalta - the division of Germany and Eurpoe
1957 1st electric portable typewriter placed on sale (Syracuse New York)
1974, newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst was kidnapped in Berkeley, Calif., by the Symbionese Liberation Army
1983 Singer Karen Carpenter died at age 32.
1987 Pianist Liberace died at age 67.
1991 Hall of Fame's board of directors vote 12-0 to bar Pete Rose
1997 A civil jury found O.J. Simpson liable for the deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.
2004 The Massachusetts high court declared that gays were entitled to marry.
thought for the day
-
Repentance is the doorway to the spiritual life, the only way to begin. It is also the path itself, the only way to continue. Anything else is foolishness and self-delusion. Only repentance is both brute-honest enough, and joyous enough, to bring us all the way home.
- Frederica Mathewes-Green
Repentance is the doorway to the spiritual life, the only way to begin. It is also the path itself, the only way to continue. Anything else is foolishness and self-delusion. Only repentance is both brute-honest enough, and joyous enough, to bring us all the way home.
- Frederica Mathewes-Green
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
random thoughts
-
It’s time for the American military to wake up and smell the coffee - and admit the obvious truth - gays have been serving in the military for as long as there has been a military.
They serve proudly, honorable and distinguish themselves in war and peace.
But that’s only if they never, never, ever admit to being gay.
The same kind of asinine statements about having blacks and women in the military are now surfacing again.
There’s nothing like a little ignorance in positions of leadership.
The Washington Post reports that Senator Saxby Chambliss of Georgia said that if they began to loosen one restriction, others might unravel, leading to a louche atmosphere brimming with “alcohol use, adultery, fraternization and body art.” Don’t ask, don’t tat.
Obviously Senator Chambliss has never been on post or he’d know there’s tons of alcohol abuse, adultery, fraternization and body art. Tattoos are as big a tradition in the military as anything else.
Now you can be ten kinds of sexual deviant, beat your kids and wife, drink to excess, sexually harass woman military personnel and be allowed to serve.
If the military can withstand those activities, they can surely withstand openly gay men and women serving their country.
At one time John McCain, a long supporter of the military and what it wants, said he would support a new policy on gays in the military as soon as the top brass in the services told him it was time.
According to the New Your Times, McCain told a group of college students that he would drop his objections on the issue “the day that the leadership of the military comes to me and says, ‘Senator, we ought to change the policy.
They did.
Now McCain is backtracking on that statement as fast as he can.
If a man or women wants to serve and is qualified, let them serve. We need the best and the brightest in our military be they white, black, female or gay.
Obama is doing the right thing.
AIG
One only wonders what the big brass at AIG is thinking - except how to fatten their wallets.
They announced yesterday that they were taking a pay cut of sorts, chopping 10% off their bonuses .
We’ll see how that works. Last year they said employees would return $45 million in bonuses by the end of 2009. So far only $19 million has been returned.
I'm betting AIG doesn't care - they got a bailout and are reaping the rewards.
Somewhere along the line AIG forgot who gave them a helping hand when things were tough. They should get a memory refresher and return the favor.
The obvious reponse by the American people is to boycott AIG. Stop using their products. Cancel your policies.
If they want to play hardball with bonuses, let's play it back.
Maybe those who promised to return the bonuses were waiting to see how big a chunk of change they got this year before deciding on whether to make good on their promise.
It’s time for the American military to wake up and smell the coffee - and admit the obvious truth - gays have been serving in the military for as long as there has been a military.
They serve proudly, honorable and distinguish themselves in war and peace.
But that’s only if they never, never, ever admit to being gay.
The same kind of asinine statements about having blacks and women in the military are now surfacing again.
There’s nothing like a little ignorance in positions of leadership.
The Washington Post reports that Senator Saxby Chambliss of Georgia said that if they began to loosen one restriction, others might unravel, leading to a louche atmosphere brimming with “alcohol use, adultery, fraternization and body art.” Don’t ask, don’t tat.
Obviously Senator Chambliss has never been on post or he’d know there’s tons of alcohol abuse, adultery, fraternization and body art. Tattoos are as big a tradition in the military as anything else.
Now you can be ten kinds of sexual deviant, beat your kids and wife, drink to excess, sexually harass woman military personnel and be allowed to serve.
If the military can withstand those activities, they can surely withstand openly gay men and women serving their country.
At one time John McCain, a long supporter of the military and what it wants, said he would support a new policy on gays in the military as soon as the top brass in the services told him it was time.
According to the New Your Times, McCain told a group of college students that he would drop his objections on the issue “the day that the leadership of the military comes to me and says, ‘Senator, we ought to change the policy.
They did.
Now McCain is backtracking on that statement as fast as he can.
If a man or women wants to serve and is qualified, let them serve. We need the best and the brightest in our military be they white, black, female or gay.
Obama is doing the right thing.
AIG
One only wonders what the big brass at AIG is thinking - except how to fatten their wallets.
They announced yesterday that they were taking a pay cut of sorts, chopping 10% off their bonuses .
We’ll see how that works. Last year they said employees would return $45 million in bonuses by the end of 2009. So far only $19 million has been returned.
I'm betting AIG doesn't care - they got a bailout and are reaping the rewards.
Somewhere along the line AIG forgot who gave them a helping hand when things were tough. They should get a memory refresher and return the favor.
The obvious reponse by the American people is to boycott AIG. Stop using their products. Cancel your policies.
If they want to play hardball with bonuses, let's play it back.
Maybe those who promised to return the bonuses were waiting to see how big a chunk of change they got this year before deciding on whether to make good on their promise.
thought for the day
-
When you begin to touch your heart or let your heart be touched, you begin to discover that it's bottomless, that it doesn't have any resolution, that this heart is huge, vast, and limitless. You begin to discover how much warmth and gentleness is there, as well as how much space.
- Pema Chodron
When you begin to touch your heart or let your heart be touched, you begin to discover that it's bottomless, that it doesn't have any resolution, that this heart is huge, vast, and limitless. You begin to discover how much warmth and gentleness is there, as well as how much space.
- Pema Chodron
History already made
-
1870 15th Amendment (Black suffrage) passed
1913 - The 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. It authorized the power to impose and collect income tax.
1956 - Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash held a recording session at Sun Studios in Memphis. The sessions were later named the "Million Dollar Quartet" and released.
1959 - Buddy Holly (22), Ritchie Valens (17), and the Big Bopper (28) died in a plane crash in Iowa.
1964 "Meet the Beatles" album goes Gold
1967 "Purple Haze" recorded by Jimi Hendrix
1994 The space shuttle Discovery blasted off with a woman, Air Force Lt. Col. Eileen Collins, in the pilot's seat for the first time.
1870 15th Amendment (Black suffrage) passed
1913 - The 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. It authorized the power to impose and collect income tax.
1956 - Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash held a recording session at Sun Studios in Memphis. The sessions were later named the "Million Dollar Quartet" and released.
1959 - Buddy Holly (22), Ritchie Valens (17), and the Big Bopper (28) died in a plane crash in Iowa.
1964 "Meet the Beatles" album goes Gold
1967 "Purple Haze" recorded by Jimi Hendrix
1994 The space shuttle Discovery blasted off with a woman, Air Force Lt. Col. Eileen Collins, in the pilot's seat for the first time.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
a different take on mindfulness
-
"What I like doing best is Nothing."
"How do you do Nothing?" asked Pooh, after he had wondered for a long time.
"Well, it's when people call out at you just as you're going off to do it, What are you going to do, Christopher Robin, and you say, Oh nothing, and then you go about to do it."
"Oh, I see," said Pooh.
"This is a nothing sort of thing that we're doing now."
"Oh, I see," said Pooh again.
"It means we're just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering."
-
"What I like doing best is Nothing."
"How do you do Nothing?" asked Pooh, after he had wondered for a long time.
"Well, it's when people call out at you just as you're going off to do it, What are you going to do, Christopher Robin, and you say, Oh nothing, and then you go about to do it."
"Oh, I see," said Pooh.
"This is a nothing sort of thing that we're doing now."
"Oh, I see," said Pooh again.
"It means we're just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering."
-
thought for the day
-
We are so obsessed with doing that we have no time and no imagination left for being. As a result, men are valued not for what they are but for what they do or what they have - for their usefulness.
Thomas Merton
We are so obsessed with doing that we have no time and no imagination left for being. As a result, men are valued not for what they are but for what they do or what they have - for their usefulness.
Thomas Merton
today in history
-
1653 New Amsterdam - now New York City - was incorporated
1876 The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs was formed in New York.
1940 Frank Sinatra's singing debut in Indianapolis, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
1943 Battle of Stalingrad ends with final surrender of the German army
1949 1st 45 RPM record released
1959 Buddy Holly's last performance
1971 Idi Amin assumed power in Uganda following a coup.
1977 Radio Shack officially begins creating TRS-80 computer
1982 "Late Night with David Letterman" premieres on NBC
2007 The world's leading climate scientists said global warming has begun, is "very likely" caused by humans and will be unstoppable for centuries.
1653 New Amsterdam - now New York City - was incorporated
1876 The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs was formed in New York.
1940 Frank Sinatra's singing debut in Indianapolis, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
1943 Battle of Stalingrad ends with final surrender of the German army
1949 1st 45 RPM record released
1959 Buddy Holly's last performance
1971 Idi Amin assumed power in Uganda following a coup.
1977 Radio Shack officially begins creating TRS-80 computer
1982 "Late Night with David Letterman" premieres on NBC
2007 The world's leading climate scientists said global warming has begun, is "very likely" caused by humans and will be unstoppable for centuries.
Monday, February 1, 2010
thought for the day
-
It is a glorious destiny to be a member of the human race, though it is a race dedicated to many absurdities and one which makes many terrible mistakes: yet, with all that, God ... gloried in becoming a member of the human race.
- Thomas Merton
It is a glorious destiny to be a member of the human race, though it is a race dedicated to many absurdities and one which makes many terrible mistakes: yet, with all that, God ... gloried in becoming a member of the human race.
- Thomas Merton
thought for the day
-
It is a glorious destiny to be a member of the human race, though it is a race dedicated to many absurdities and one which makes many terrible mistakes: yet, with all that, God ... gloried in becoming a member of the human race.
- Thomas Merton
It is a glorious destiny to be a member of the human race, though it is a race dedicated to many absurdities and one which makes many terrible mistakes: yet, with all that, God ... gloried in becoming a member of the human race.
- Thomas Merton
Tim Tebow
-
I don't really care if Tim Tebow does an anti-abortion commercial and it's shown on TV during the Superbowl. He's using his 15 minutes of fame to talk about something he believes in - he's no better or worse than any other celebrity pushing a cause.
I won't be watching the Superbowl and could care less.
What does disturb me are two things:
1 - The country where Tebow was born, the Phillipines, has laws that prevent abortion for any reason. That makes his mother's story suspect.
2 - CBS refused to air a gay oriented ad. If the NFL and CBS are to sell airtime to one issues group, they should sell time to any group who can pony up the money.
We should be a lot more concerned with the picking and choosing by the NFL and CBS over which issue commercials are aired.
I don't really care if Tim Tebow does an anti-abortion commercial and it's shown on TV during the Superbowl. He's using his 15 minutes of fame to talk about something he believes in - he's no better or worse than any other celebrity pushing a cause.
I won't be watching the Superbowl and could care less.
What does disturb me are two things:
1 - The country where Tebow was born, the Phillipines, has laws that prevent abortion for any reason. That makes his mother's story suspect.
2 - CBS refused to air a gay oriented ad. If the NFL and CBS are to sell airtime to one issues group, they should sell time to any group who can pony up the money.
We should be a lot more concerned with the picking and choosing by the NFL and CBS over which issue commercials are aired.
thoguth for the day
-
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.
- Henry David Thoreau
-
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.
- Henry David Thoreau
-
important things happend a long time ago
-
1893 Inventor Thomas A. Edison completed work on the world's first motion picture studio in West Orange, N.J.
1949 RCA releases 1st single record ever (45 rpm)
1959 Texas Instruments requests patent of IC (Integrated Circuit)
1960, four black college students began a sit-in protest at a lunch counter in Greensboro, N.C., where they'd been refused service.
1964 Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand," 1st #1 hit, stays #1 for 7 weeks
1965 Martin Luther King, Jr. and 700 demonstrators arrested in Selma, Alabama
1972 1st scientific hand-held calculator, the HP-35, introduced for $395
1978 Director Roman Polanski skips bail and fled to France after pleading guilty to charges of engaging in sex with a 13-year-old girl
1982 "Late Night with David Letterman" premiered on NBC.
1893 Inventor Thomas A. Edison completed work on the world's first motion picture studio in West Orange, N.J.
1949 RCA releases 1st single record ever (45 rpm)
1959 Texas Instruments requests patent of IC (Integrated Circuit)
1960, four black college students began a sit-in protest at a lunch counter in Greensboro, N.C., where they'd been refused service.
1964 Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand," 1st #1 hit, stays #1 for 7 weeks
1965 Martin Luther King, Jr. and 700 demonstrators arrested in Selma, Alabama
1972 1st scientific hand-held calculator, the HP-35, introduced for $395
1978 Director Roman Polanski skips bail and fled to France after pleading guilty to charges of engaging in sex with a 13-year-old girl
1982 "Late Night with David Letterman" premiered on NBC.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
thought for the day
-
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, It is the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead
-
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, It is the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead
-
a trip on the wayback machine
-
1851 Gail Borden announces invention of evaporated milk
1865 Congress passes 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery in America (121-24)
1964 U.S. report "Smoking and Health" connects smoking to lung cancer
1955 RCA demonstrates 1st music synthesizer
1992 Sportscaster Howard Cosell retires
-
1851 Gail Borden announces invention of evaporated milk
1865 Congress passes 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery in America (121-24)
1964 U.S. report "Smoking and Health" connects smoking to lung cancer
1955 RCA demonstrates 1st music synthesizer
1992 Sportscaster Howard Cosell retires
-
Saturday, January 30, 2010
a few observations
-
I thought it was a good thing for Obama to meet with Republicans and take their questions. While many pundits called this Obama in the lion's den, it reminded me more of Christ going to the temple.
In order for our country to survive, we have to work together. It's not enough to have the votes to pass or block something. That kind of control only allows one group to get its way.
What is really necessary for us is for all sides to work in concert to make the world better. That occasionally means moving a little off your position so all sides can come together to move forward.
As several of us often told a particular congressman we worked for: "What difference does it make if your position is right when you are the only person standing in the room?"
I hope that Obama cntinues to reach out to Republicans and tea baggers and everyone else to find plans that work to restore our nation and our world.
I also hope that these opposition groups have the courage to let their desire for what's best for us to move ahead of their pride and "my way or the highway" attitude.
We all have to play together in this sandbox. If we don't , the sand will fly and we'll be left with nothing.
-
I am remembering one of the greatest spiritual leaders of all time today. Gandhi was a master practicioner of non-violence. Martin Luther King, Jr. took Gandhi's ideas and turned them into the Civil Right's Movement of the 50's and 60's.
Gandhi's spiritula influence cannot be over simplified. He refused to let creed or religious ideology get int e way of reminding everyone that regardles of race or creed or religious beliefs, we are all children of God.
He may have expressed this thought best when he said "One's own religion is after all a matter between oneself and one's Maker and no one else's."
How true. So many of us get caught up in the belief that our way of faith is the only true way, that all others are false and must be brought into our fold, lest their souls be lost.
How arrogant of any man to say that his or her way to God is the only way.
The sad part is so many chuches and faiths spend most of their time not feeding the poor, healing the sick, taking care of those who cannot care for themselves; instead they spend untold riches building monuments not to God, but to their particular faith. From the way churches build, you'd think the only way to God is through a building - the bigger the better.
There are two examples of churches living over their menas right now - Rick Warren's Sadleback Church and Robert Schuller's church in LA.
Both have massive debt and are cutting back programs and laying off people to staunch the flow of red ink.
If we spent more time and money caring for our fellow man instead of fighting each other like Crusaders, our world would be in a better place.
-
I'm waiting patiently for my iPad. If it's Apple, I want it. I love my iPhone (most of the time) and love my laptop.
As someone who was an Apple employee when Jobs was CEO and when Scully took over I can say the Jobs years were the most exciting and productive.
Thinking and evangelizing and innovating were the top priority.
Thank God we have people like Jobs who continue to think and dream and execute their dreams.
Just think of the great things that could be accomplished if more companies encouraged people like Jobs.
We have become a nation of the status quo. Imagine what would happen if we lsited to Jobs. His inspiration and "go do it" attitude could be the spark to bring the US into another Golden Age.
We need more leaders like Jobs.
-
I thought it was a good thing for Obama to meet with Republicans and take their questions. While many pundits called this Obama in the lion's den, it reminded me more of Christ going to the temple.
In order for our country to survive, we have to work together. It's not enough to have the votes to pass or block something. That kind of control only allows one group to get its way.
What is really necessary for us is for all sides to work in concert to make the world better. That occasionally means moving a little off your position so all sides can come together to move forward.
As several of us often told a particular congressman we worked for: "What difference does it make if your position is right when you are the only person standing in the room?"
I hope that Obama cntinues to reach out to Republicans and tea baggers and everyone else to find plans that work to restore our nation and our world.
I also hope that these opposition groups have the courage to let their desire for what's best for us to move ahead of their pride and "my way or the highway" attitude.
We all have to play together in this sandbox. If we don't , the sand will fly and we'll be left with nothing.
-
I am remembering one of the greatest spiritual leaders of all time today. Gandhi was a master practicioner of non-violence. Martin Luther King, Jr. took Gandhi's ideas and turned them into the Civil Right's Movement of the 50's and 60's.
Gandhi's spiritula influence cannot be over simplified. He refused to let creed or religious ideology get int e way of reminding everyone that regardles of race or creed or religious beliefs, we are all children of God.
He may have expressed this thought best when he said "One's own religion is after all a matter between oneself and one's Maker and no one else's."
How true. So many of us get caught up in the belief that our way of faith is the only true way, that all others are false and must be brought into our fold, lest their souls be lost.
How arrogant of any man to say that his or her way to God is the only way.
The sad part is so many chuches and faiths spend most of their time not feeding the poor, healing the sick, taking care of those who cannot care for themselves; instead they spend untold riches building monuments not to God, but to their particular faith. From the way churches build, you'd think the only way to God is through a building - the bigger the better.
There are two examples of churches living over their menas right now - Rick Warren's Sadleback Church and Robert Schuller's church in LA.
Both have massive debt and are cutting back programs and laying off people to staunch the flow of red ink.
If we spent more time and money caring for our fellow man instead of fighting each other like Crusaders, our world would be in a better place.
-
I'm waiting patiently for my iPad. If it's Apple, I want it. I love my iPhone (most of the time) and love my laptop.
As someone who was an Apple employee when Jobs was CEO and when Scully took over I can say the Jobs years were the most exciting and productive.
Thinking and evangelizing and innovating were the top priority.
Thank God we have people like Jobs who continue to think and dream and execute their dreams.
Just think of the great things that could be accomplished if more companies encouraged people like Jobs.
We have become a nation of the status quo. Imagine what would happen if we lsited to Jobs. His inspiration and "go do it" attitude could be the spark to bring the US into another Golden Age.
We need more leaders like Jobs.
-
A few thoughts from Gandhi
-
Before the throne of the Almighty, man will be judged not by his acts but by his intentions. For God alone reads our hearts.
I am prepared to die, but there is no cause for which I am prepared to kill.
Glory lies in the attempt to reach one's goal and not in reaching it.
I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ
It has always been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves honoured by the humiliation of their fellow beings.
Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent then the one derived from fear of punishment.
-
Before the throne of the Almighty, man will be judged not by his acts but by his intentions. For God alone reads our hearts.
I am prepared to die, but there is no cause for which I am prepared to kill.
Glory lies in the attempt to reach one's goal and not in reaching it.
I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ
It has always been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves honoured by the humiliation of their fellow beings.
Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent then the one derived from fear of punishment.
-
a short time ago
-
1798 A brawl broke out in the House of Representatives in Philadelphia, as Matthew Lyon of Vermont spat in the face of Roger Griswold of Connecticut.
1815 Burned Library of Congress reestablished with Jefferson's 6500 vols
1933 The first episode of the "Lone Ranger" was broadcast on radio station WXYZ in Detroit.
1948, Indian political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi was murdered by a Hindu extremist
1956 Martin Luther King, Jr's home bombed
1968 Vietcong launch Tet-offensive on U.S. embassy in Saigon
1969 The Beatles performed as a group for the last time in public in a 45-minute gig on the roof of their Apple Records headquarters in London during the filming of "Let it Be."
1972 Thirteen Roman Catholic civil rights marchers were shot to death by British soldiers in Northern Ireland on what became known as "Bloody Sunday."
2003 Richard Reid, a British citizen and al-Qaida follower, was sentenced to life in prison by a federal judge in Boston for trying to blow up a trans-Atlantic jetliner with explosives hidden in his shoes.
1798 A brawl broke out in the House of Representatives in Philadelphia, as Matthew Lyon of Vermont spat in the face of Roger Griswold of Connecticut.
1815 Burned Library of Congress reestablished with Jefferson's 6500 vols
1933 The first episode of the "Lone Ranger" was broadcast on radio station WXYZ in Detroit.
1948, Indian political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi was murdered by a Hindu extremist
1956 Martin Luther King, Jr's home bombed
1968 Vietcong launch Tet-offensive on U.S. embassy in Saigon
1969 The Beatles performed as a group for the last time in public in a 45-minute gig on the roof of their Apple Records headquarters in London during the filming of "Let it Be."
1972 Thirteen Roman Catholic civil rights marchers were shot to death by British soldiers in Northern Ireland on what became known as "Bloody Sunday."
2003 Richard Reid, a British citizen and al-Qaida follower, was sentenced to life in prison by a federal judge in Boston for trying to blow up a trans-Atlantic jetliner with explosives hidden in his shoes.
Friday, January 29, 2010
something to muse upon
-
"When you begin to touch your heart or let your heart be touched, you begin to discover that it's bottomless, that it doesn't have any resolution, that this heart is huge, vast, and limitless. You begin to discover how much warmth and gentleness is there, as well as how much space."
- Pema Chodron
-
"When you begin to touch your heart or let your heart be touched, you begin to discover that it's bottomless, that it doesn't have any resolution, that this heart is huge, vast, and limitless. You begin to discover how much warmth and gentleness is there, as well as how much space."
- Pema Chodron
-
a long long time ago
-
1845 Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven" was first published, in the New York Evening Mirror.
1850 Henry Clay introduced in the Senate a compromise bill on slavery that included the admission of California into the Union as a free state.
1886 1st successful gasoline-driven car patented, Karl Benz, Karlsruhe
1900 The American League, consisting of eight baseball teams, was organized in Philadelphia.
1924 Ice cream cone rolling machine patented by Carl Taylor, Cleveland
1936 The first five members of baseball's Hall of Fame, including Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth, were named in Cooperstown, N.Y.
1996 6,138th performance of "Cats" is held in London, surpassing record of Broadway's longest-running musical, "A Chorus Line"
2002 In his first State of the Union address, President George W. Bush warned of "an axis of evil" consisting of North Korea, Iran and Iraq.
1845 Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven" was first published, in the New York Evening Mirror.
1850 Henry Clay introduced in the Senate a compromise bill on slavery that included the admission of California into the Union as a free state.
1886 1st successful gasoline-driven car patented, Karl Benz, Karlsruhe
1900 The American League, consisting of eight baseball teams, was organized in Philadelphia.
1924 Ice cream cone rolling machine patented by Carl Taylor, Cleveland
1936 The first five members of baseball's Hall of Fame, including Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth, were named in Cooperstown, N.Y.
1996 6,138th performance of "Cats" is held in London, surpassing record of Broadway's longest-running musical, "A Chorus Line"
2002 In his first State of the Union address, President George W. Bush warned of "an axis of evil" consisting of North Korea, Iran and Iraq.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The State of Our Union - A House Divided
-
The State of Our Union - a HouseDivided
It’s not going well folks. We are a nation divided. Not only that, we want to be divided.
During the President’s speech the blog universe was full of nasty hateful things about Obama and “the opposition”.
We had leaders and commentators from the right and the left call him a liar, arrogant, aloof and more.
Where is Rodney King when you need him?
Can’t we all just get along?
It's time for Olbermann, Beck, Limbaugh, Schlutz, Malkin, Hannity and the rest to shut up. You are causing more problems than you solve. You are helping to create the climate that is keeping our country spead out into little armed camps ready to do battle against "the enemy".
It seems today that we are more interested in blocking progress than making it, more interested in tearing the other guy down than building him up and more interested in the salacious, the sordid, the sleazy than in the truth.
We don’t want meaningful discussion about issues so we shout down those who don’t agree with us. We call them names. We distort facts or outright lie about them to fit our particular mindset. We all live by one motto - My Way or the Highway
We all have our little comfort group, made up of people who believe exactly like us. We don’t like diversity within our group - if you don’t believe exactly as I do, I will destroy you. Politics, religion, the subject doesn’t matter. We refuse to consider another opinion, refuse to admit we might be wrong or that someone else has a better idea.
Our leaders - and I call them that knowing they aren’t - spend more time name calling, posturing and working the angles to get more power than they do trying to make things better.
We’ve become an angry, surly nation of whiners and pompous, self absorbed, self centered louts.
Our country is broken. Instead of rolling up or collective sleeves and getting together to fix it, we’d rather point fingers and blame the other guy.
We have serious problems to solve: a falling economy, how to create more and better paying jobs, how to make sure everyone gets healthcare, how to defend our nation against it's real enemies, how to give our children the best education possible, how to encourage innovation and invention.... the lsit goes on.
Are we tackling these problems? No, we're in a giant pissing match with ourselves.
There’s plenty of blame to go around. Democrats, Republicans, right wing, left wing, middle of the roaders, we are all to blame for the mess we our country has become.
Does Obama have all the answers? No
Do Democrats? Republicans? Christians? Blacks? Whites? Hispanics?
No.
It’s time for us to stop playing around. We need to work together to get America back on track.
Working together means putting aside the “my way or the highway” attitude and work together to achieve what’s best for all of us, not just your little tribe.
Cooperation, communication and compromise will save us.
If we don’t fix this now, America will become a nation made up of little self interest groups. Nothing will get done, nothing will change and we will slide into our own sewage.
Lincoln said it best:
"A house divided against itself cannot stand."
The cracks in our foundation are getting bigger. We had better heed his warning before it’s too late.
The State of Our Union - a HouseDivided
It’s not going well folks. We are a nation divided. Not only that, we want to be divided.
During the President’s speech the blog universe was full of nasty hateful things about Obama and “the opposition”.
We had leaders and commentators from the right and the left call him a liar, arrogant, aloof and more.
Where is Rodney King when you need him?
Can’t we all just get along?
It's time for Olbermann, Beck, Limbaugh, Schlutz, Malkin, Hannity and the rest to shut up. You are causing more problems than you solve. You are helping to create the climate that is keeping our country spead out into little armed camps ready to do battle against "the enemy".
It seems today that we are more interested in blocking progress than making it, more interested in tearing the other guy down than building him up and more interested in the salacious, the sordid, the sleazy than in the truth.
We don’t want meaningful discussion about issues so we shout down those who don’t agree with us. We call them names. We distort facts or outright lie about them to fit our particular mindset. We all live by one motto - My Way or the Highway
We all have our little comfort group, made up of people who believe exactly like us. We don’t like diversity within our group - if you don’t believe exactly as I do, I will destroy you. Politics, religion, the subject doesn’t matter. We refuse to consider another opinion, refuse to admit we might be wrong or that someone else has a better idea.
Our leaders - and I call them that knowing they aren’t - spend more time name calling, posturing and working the angles to get more power than they do trying to make things better.
We’ve become an angry, surly nation of whiners and pompous, self absorbed, self centered louts.
Our country is broken. Instead of rolling up or collective sleeves and getting together to fix it, we’d rather point fingers and blame the other guy.
We have serious problems to solve: a falling economy, how to create more and better paying jobs, how to make sure everyone gets healthcare, how to defend our nation against it's real enemies, how to give our children the best education possible, how to encourage innovation and invention.... the lsit goes on.
Are we tackling these problems? No, we're in a giant pissing match with ourselves.
There’s plenty of blame to go around. Democrats, Republicans, right wing, left wing, middle of the roaders, we are all to blame for the mess we our country has become.
Does Obama have all the answers? No
Do Democrats? Republicans? Christians? Blacks? Whites? Hispanics?
No.
It’s time for us to stop playing around. We need to work together to get America back on track.
Working together means putting aside the “my way or the highway” attitude and work together to achieve what’s best for all of us, not just your little tribe.
Cooperation, communication and compromise will save us.
If we don’t fix this now, America will become a nation made up of little self interest groups. Nothing will get done, nothing will change and we will slide into our own sewage.
Lincoln said it best:
"A house divided against itself cannot stand."
The cracks in our foundation are getting bigger. We had better heed his warning before it’s too late.
thought for the day
-
"Each of us in our own way can try to spread compassion into people’s hearts. Western civilizations these days place great importance on filling the human “brain” with knowledge, but no one seems to care about filling the human “heart” with compassion. This is what the real role of religion is."
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama
-
"Each of us in our own way can try to spread compassion into people’s hearts. Western civilizations these days place great importance on filling the human “brain” with knowledge, but no one seems to care about filling the human “heart” with compassion. This is what the real role of religion is."
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama
-
History Lesson for Today
-
1878 - The first telephone switchboard was installed in New Haven, CT.
1935 - Iceland became the first country to introduce legalized abortion.
1956 - Elvis Presley made his first appearance on national television on "The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show" on CBS.
1973 A cease-fire officially went into effect in the Vietnam War.
1986 - The U.S. space shuttle Challenger exploded just after takeoff. All seven of its crewmembers were killed.
2003 President George W. Bush lied and said in his State of the Union address that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein had sought uranium from Africa. (The claim was later disproved by former ambassador Joseph Wilson, who had been asked by the CIA to investigate.)
-
1878 - The first telephone switchboard was installed in New Haven, CT.
1935 - Iceland became the first country to introduce legalized abortion.
1956 - Elvis Presley made his first appearance on national television on "The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show" on CBS.
1973 A cease-fire officially went into effect in the Vietnam War.
1986 - The U.S. space shuttle Challenger exploded just after takeoff. All seven of its crewmembers were killed.
2003 President George W. Bush lied and said in his State of the Union address that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein had sought uranium from Africa. (The claim was later disproved by former ambassador Joseph Wilson, who had been asked by the CIA to investigate.)
-
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
today - back then
-
1880 Thomas Edison received a patent for his electric incandescent lamp.
1945 Soviet troops liberated the Nazi concentration camps Auschwitz and Birkenau in Poland.
1951 The era of atomic testing in the Nevada desert began.
1964 "Introducing the Beatles" album released in US
1967 Astronauts Virgil I. ''Gus'' Grissom, Edward H. White and Roger B. Chaffee died in a flash fire during a test aboard their Apollo I spacecraft at Cape Kennedy, Fla
1977 Pres Carter pardons most Vietnam War draft evaders (10,000)
1984 Michael Jackson is burned during filming for Pepsi commercial
2006 - Western Union delivers its last telegram
1880 Thomas Edison received a patent for his electric incandescent lamp.
1945 Soviet troops liberated the Nazi concentration camps Auschwitz and Birkenau in Poland.
1951 The era of atomic testing in the Nevada desert began.
1964 "Introducing the Beatles" album released in US
1967 Astronauts Virgil I. ''Gus'' Grissom, Edward H. White and Roger B. Chaffee died in a flash fire during a test aboard their Apollo I spacecraft at Cape Kennedy, Fla
1977 Pres Carter pardons most Vietnam War draft evaders (10,000)
1984 Michael Jackson is burned during filming for Pepsi commercial
2006 - Western Union delivers its last telegram
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Term Limits for Dummies - It's Called Voting
-
Oklahoma already has Term Limits. Elections. You may have heard about them. It's in all the papers and on the TV news when it's time to vote. You may also see a dearth of mail form candidates or various groups pushing their position.
Call elections Term Limits for dummies. All you have to do is register one time and then show up on election day to vote.
It's not as easy as having some law do the dirty work for you but you do get the personal satisfaction of participating in the electoral process.
If you want someone out of office, vote them out.
On the other hand, if one district or state wants some bozo to be their representative and continue to elect that person, so be it. That's how our state and our Republic works.
As you can see from our own state government, most term limited officials find a new office to run for. All that Term Limits has accoplished is shuffling a full time elected official from one office to the other.
Term Limits also forces out of office the good public servants who have the institutional knowledge to keep things moving and to teach the new kids on the block how things work.
If Oklahomans would only get half as excited about elections and state government as they do about OU and OSU football, we wouldn't have a problem with ner-do-well elected officials and their inattention to the problems of our state.
Voters only have themselves to blame for bad public servants, bad laws, too many taxes and all the other things government does that people profess not to like.
Term Limits is the lazy voters solution to removing people from office.
Oklahoma already has Term Limits. Elections. You may have heard about them. It's in all the papers and on the TV news when it's time to vote. You may also see a dearth of mail form candidates or various groups pushing their position.
Call elections Term Limits for dummies. All you have to do is register one time and then show up on election day to vote.
It's not as easy as having some law do the dirty work for you but you do get the personal satisfaction of participating in the electoral process.
If you want someone out of office, vote them out.
On the other hand, if one district or state wants some bozo to be their representative and continue to elect that person, so be it. That's how our state and our Republic works.
As you can see from our own state government, most term limited officials find a new office to run for. All that Term Limits has accoplished is shuffling a full time elected official from one office to the other.
Term Limits also forces out of office the good public servants who have the institutional knowledge to keep things moving and to teach the new kids on the block how things work.
If Oklahomans would only get half as excited about elections and state government as they do about OU and OSU football, we wouldn't have a problem with ner-do-well elected officials and their inattention to the problems of our state.
Voters only have themselves to blame for bad public servants, bad laws, too many taxes and all the other things government does that people profess not to like.
Term Limits is the lazy voters solution to removing people from office.
thought for the day
-
The worst thing that happens to you may be the best thing for you if you don’t let it get the best of you.
-Will Rogers
-
The worst thing that happens to you may be the best thing for you if you don’t let it get the best of you.
-Will Rogers
-
today way back when
-
1838 Tennessee becomes 1st state to prohibit alcohol
1926 Television 1st demonstrated (J L Baird, London)
1959 KOKH TV channel 25 in Oklahoma City, OK (IND/PBS) begins broadcasting
1971 Charles Manson convicted of murder
1980 Mary Decker became 1st woman to run a mile in under 4 minutes
1988 The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "Phantom of the Opera," the longest-running show in Broadway history, opened at the Majestic Theater in New York.
1998 President Bill Clinton denied having an affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, telling reporters, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman."
2009 "Octomom" Nadya Suleman of Whittier, Calif., gave birth to octuplets conceived by in vitro fertilization. Suleman was already a mother of six.
1838 Tennessee becomes 1st state to prohibit alcohol
1926 Television 1st demonstrated (J L Baird, London)
1959 KOKH TV channel 25 in Oklahoma City, OK (IND/PBS) begins broadcasting
1971 Charles Manson convicted of murder
1980 Mary Decker became 1st woman to run a mile in under 4 minutes
1988 The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "Phantom of the Opera," the longest-running show in Broadway history, opened at the Majestic Theater in New York.
1998 President Bill Clinton denied having an affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, telling reporters, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman."
2009 "Octomom" Nadya Suleman of Whittier, Calif., gave birth to octuplets conceived by in vitro fertilization. Suleman was already a mother of six.
Monday, January 25, 2010
A Journey in the Wayback Machine
-
1533 England's King Henry VIII secretly married Anne Boleyn, his second wife.
1787 Shays' Rebellion suffered a setback when debt-ridden farmers led by Capt. Daniel Shays failed to capture an arsenal at Springfield, Mass.
1890 Nellie Bly beats Phileas Fogg's time around world by 8 days (72 days)
1915 the inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, inaugurated U.S. transcontinental telephone service
1961 President John F. Kennedy held the first presidential news conference carried live on radio and TV.
1981 52 Americans held hostage by Iran for 444 days arrived back in US
1988 Vice President George Bush and Dan Rather clashed on "The CBS Evening News" as the anchorman attempted to question the Republican presidential candidate about his role in the Iran-Contra affair.
1994 Singer Michael Jackson settled a child molestation lawsuit against him.
1995 The defense gave its opening statement in the O.J. Simpson trial in Los Angeles, saying Simpson was the victim of a "rush to judgment" by authorities.
-
1533 England's King Henry VIII secretly married Anne Boleyn, his second wife.
1787 Shays' Rebellion suffered a setback when debt-ridden farmers led by Capt. Daniel Shays failed to capture an arsenal at Springfield, Mass.
1890 Nellie Bly beats Phileas Fogg's time around world by 8 days (72 days)
1915 the inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, inaugurated U.S. transcontinental telephone service
1961 President John F. Kennedy held the first presidential news conference carried live on radio and TV.
1981 52 Americans held hostage by Iran for 444 days arrived back in US
1988 Vice President George Bush and Dan Rather clashed on "The CBS Evening News" as the anchorman attempted to question the Republican presidential candidate about his role in the Iran-Contra affair.
1994 Singer Michael Jackson settled a child molestation lawsuit against him.
1995 The defense gave its opening statement in the O.J. Simpson trial in Los Angeles, saying Simpson was the victim of a "rush to judgment" by authorities.
-
Sunday, January 24, 2010
We The People Are Responsible for Our Crappy Government
-
Term limits solve nothing. As long as the public refues to become informed about candidates, as long as people refuse to vote and as long as the electorate refuse to actively participate in the political process, we will continue to have sub standard elected officials.
It's our own fault we are in this mess because the electorate prefers to act like sheep - blindly following any candidate who tells them what they want to hear or looks good on TV.
Our society cares more about personalities - celebriticians - than they do candidates who actually have a reasoned thought in their head.
Add to that the distate so many on the far right and left have with the words "work together for the common good" and "compromise", we will continue to sink into the muck and mire of a second rate country.
We have the opportunity to change th American political landscape for the better. We're just to lazy and don't have the guts to do it.
And that my friends, is why our government is run by the corrupt, arrogant politicians and government officials who forget that they serve us.
We only get the government we ask for and you're now looking at the results.
Democrats and Republicans and Independents all share equal blame for the sorry state of our system of government.
Term limits solve nothing. As long as the public refues to become informed about candidates, as long as people refuse to vote and as long as the electorate refuse to actively participate in the political process, we will continue to have sub standard elected officials.
It's our own fault we are in this mess because the electorate prefers to act like sheep - blindly following any candidate who tells them what they want to hear or looks good on TV.
Our society cares more about personalities - celebriticians - than they do candidates who actually have a reasoned thought in their head.
Add to that the distate so many on the far right and left have with the words "work together for the common good" and "compromise", we will continue to sink into the muck and mire of a second rate country.
We have the opportunity to change th American political landscape for the better. We're just to lazy and don't have the guts to do it.
And that my friends, is why our government is run by the corrupt, arrogant politicians and government officials who forget that they serve us.
We only get the government we ask for and you're now looking at the results.
Democrats and Republicans and Independents all share equal blame for the sorry state of our system of government.
thoughts for the day
“Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the men of old; seek what they sought.”
- Basho
- Basho
today in history
-
1848 James W. Marshall discovered a gold nugget at Sutter's Mill in northern California, sparking the gold rush of '49.
1908 The first Boy Scout troop was organized in England by Robert Baden-Powell.
1935 - the first beer car - Krueger's Finest Beer and Krueger's Cream Ale
1965, Winston Churchill died in London at age 90
1984 - Apple Introduces the Macintosh
1993 Retired Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall died at age 84.
1995 The prosecution gave its opening statement in the O.J. Simpson murder trial.
1848 James W. Marshall discovered a gold nugget at Sutter's Mill in northern California, sparking the gold rush of '49.
1908 The first Boy Scout troop was organized in England by Robert Baden-Powell.
1935 - the first beer car - Krueger's Finest Beer and Krueger's Cream Ale
1965, Winston Churchill died in London at age 90
1984 - Apple Introduces the Macintosh
1993 Retired Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall died at age 84.
1995 The prosecution gave its opening statement in the O.J. Simpson murder trial.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
sententia pro dies
-"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
- Buddha
- Buddha
in is dies a porro diu abhinc.
-
1849 English-born Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in America to receive a medical degree, from the Medical Institution of Geneva, N.Y.
1907 Charles Curtis of Kansas becomes 1st Native American U.S. senator
1930 Clyde Tombaugh photographs planet Pluto
1968 North Korea seized the U.S. Navy ship the USS Pueblo, charging it had intruded into the communist nation's territorial waters on a spying mission. The crew was held for 11 months.
1973, President Richard Nixon announced an accord had been reached to end the Vietnam War
1977 The TV mini-series "Roots," based on the Alex Haley novel, began airing on ABC.
1991 World's largest oil spill, caused by embattled Iraqi forces in Kuwait
2005 Former "Tonight Show" host Johnny Carson died at age 79.
1849 English-born Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in America to receive a medical degree, from the Medical Institution of Geneva, N.Y.
1907 Charles Curtis of Kansas becomes 1st Native American U.S. senator
1930 Clyde Tombaugh photographs planet Pluto
1968 North Korea seized the U.S. Navy ship the USS Pueblo, charging it had intruded into the communist nation's territorial waters on a spying mission. The crew was held for 11 months.
1973, President Richard Nixon announced an accord had been reached to end the Vietnam War
1977 The TV mini-series "Roots," based on the Alex Haley novel, began airing on ABC.
1991 World's largest oil spill, caused by embattled Iraqi forces in Kuwait
2005 Former "Tonight Show" host Johnny Carson died at age 79.
Friday, January 22, 2010
thought for the day
-
Sometimes someone says something really small, and it just fits right into this empty place in your heart.
~From the television show My So-Called Life
-
Sometimes someone says something really small, and it just fits right into this empty place in your heart.
~From the television show My So-Called Life
-
este día en la historia
-
1901 Queen Victoria died at age 81 after 63 years on the British throne.
1939 Uranium atom 1st split, Columbia University
1959 USAF concludes less than 1% of UFO's are unknown objects
1968 "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" premiered on NBC.
1969 Billy Preston becomes 5th Beatle
1973, the Supreme Court handed down its Roe vs. Wade decision, which legalized abortion
1998 Theodore Kaczynski pleaded guilty in Sacramento, Calif., to being the Unabomber in return for a sentence of life in prison without parole
2008 Jose Padilla, once accused of plotting with al-Qaida to blow up a radioactive "dirty bomb," was sentenced by a U.S. federal judge in Miami to more than 17 years in prison on terrorism conspiracy charges.
1901 Queen Victoria died at age 81 after 63 years on the British throne.
1939 Uranium atom 1st split, Columbia University
1959 USAF concludes less than 1% of UFO's are unknown objects
1968 "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" premiered on NBC.
1969 Billy Preston becomes 5th Beatle
1973, the Supreme Court handed down its Roe vs. Wade decision, which legalized abortion
1998 Theodore Kaczynski pleaded guilty in Sacramento, Calif., to being the Unabomber in return for a sentence of life in prison without parole
2008 Jose Padilla, once accused of plotting with al-Qaida to blow up a radioactive "dirty bomb," was sentenced by a U.S. federal judge in Miami to more than 17 years in prison on terrorism conspiracy charges.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
thought for the day
-
“It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return, but what is the most painful is to love someone and never find the courage to let the person know how you feel.”
“It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return, but what is the most painful is to love someone and never find the courage to let the person know how you feel.”
today long ago
-
1793 France's King Louis XVI, condemned for treason, was executed on the guillotine.
1827 Freedom Journal, 1st Black paper, begins publishing
1861 Five Southerners resigned from the U.S. Senate, including Jefferson Davis of Mississippi, the future president of the Confederacy.
1954 The first atomic submarine, the USS Nautilus, was launched at Groton, Conn.
1976 The supersonic Concorde jet was put into service by Britain and France.
1977 President Carter pardons draft dodgers from Viet Nam War era
1997 Speaker Newt Gingrich was fined as the House voted for first time in history to discipline its leader for ethical misconduct.
1793 France's King Louis XVI, condemned for treason, was executed on the guillotine.
1827 Freedom Journal, 1st Black paper, begins publishing
1861 Five Southerners resigned from the U.S. Senate, including Jefferson Davis of Mississippi, the future president of the Confederacy.
1954 The first atomic submarine, the USS Nautilus, was launched at Groton, Conn.
1976 The supersonic Concorde jet was put into service by Britain and France.
1977 President Carter pardons draft dodgers from Viet Nam War era
1997 Speaker Newt Gingrich was fined as the House voted for first time in history to discipline its leader for ethical misconduct.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
thought for the day
-
It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act. There are two aspects to action. One is to overcome the distortions and afflictions of your own mind, that is, in terms of calming and eventually dispelling anger. This is action out of compassion. The other is more social, more public. When something needs to be done in the world to rectify the wrongs, if one is really concerned with benefitting others, one needs to be engaged, involved.
- His Highness the Dalai Lama
It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act. There are two aspects to action. One is to overcome the distortions and afflictions of your own mind, that is, in terms of calming and eventually dispelling anger. This is action out of compassion. The other is more social, more public. When something needs to be done in the world to rectify the wrongs, if one is really concerned with benefitting others, one needs to be engaged, involved.
- His Highness the Dalai Lama
a long time ago
-
1783 Hostilities cease in Revolutionary War
1942 Nazi officials arrived at a "final solution" that called for exterminating Europe's Jews, during a conference at Lake Wannsee in Berlin.
1955 1st atomic sub, USS Nautilus, launched at Groton Conn
1961 John F. Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th president of the United States.
1964 "Meet The Beatles" album released in US
1980 President Jimmy Carter announces US boycott of Olympics in Moscow
1981, Iran released 52 Americans held hostage for 444 days, minutes after the presidency had passed from Jimmy Carter to Ronald Reagan
1783 Hostilities cease in Revolutionary War
1801 John Marshall was appointed chief justice of the United States
1942 Nazi officials arrived at a "final solution" that called for exterminating Europe's Jews, during a conference at Lake Wannsee in Berlin.
1955 1st atomic sub, USS Nautilus, launched at Groton Conn
1961 John F. Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th president of the United States.
1964 "Meet The Beatles" album released in US
1980 President Jimmy Carter announces US boycott of Olympics in Moscow
1981, Iran released 52 Americans held hostage for 444 days, minutes after the presidency had passed from Jimmy Carter to Ronald Reagan
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
time travel
-
1922 Geological survey says U.S. oil supply would be depleted in 20 years
1955 A presidential news conference was filmed for TV for the first time, with the permission of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
1961 1st episode for "Dick Van Dyke Show" is filmed
2001 In a deal sparing himself possible indictment, President Bill Clinton acknowledged for the first time making false statements under oath about Monica Lewinsky; he also surrendered his law license for five years.
1922 Geological survey says U.S. oil supply would be depleted in 20 years
1955 A presidential news conference was filmed for TV for the first time, with the permission of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
1961 1st episode for "Dick Van Dyke Show" is filmed
2001 In a deal sparing himself possible indictment, President Bill Clinton acknowledged for the first time making false statements under oath about Monica Lewinsky; he also surrendered his law license for five years.
Monday, January 18, 2010
thought for the day
-
Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies - or else? The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars - must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
-
Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies - or else? The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars - must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
-
time machine
-
1644 Perplexed Pilgrims in Boston reported America's 1st UFO sighting
1778 English navigator Captain James Cook became the first European to reach the Hawaiian Islands, which he dubbed the Sandwich Islands.
1912, English explorer Robert F. Scott and his expedition reached the South Pole, only to discover that Roald Amundsen had gotten there first
1948 Ted Mack's "Original Amateur Hour" begins, DuMont (later NBC/ABC/CBS)
1964 Beatles 1st appear on Billboard Chart (I Want to Hold Your Hand-#35)
1967 Albert DeSalvo, who claimed to be the "Boston Strangler," was convicted in Cambridge, Mass., of armed robbery, assault and sex offenses.
1983 IOC restores Jim Thorpe's Olympic medals 70 years after they were taken from him for being paid $25 in semipro baseball
1990 Washington, D.C., Mayor Marion Barry was arrested for drug possession in an FBI sting.
1644 Perplexed Pilgrims in Boston reported America's 1st UFO sighting
1778 English navigator Captain James Cook became the first European to reach the Hawaiian Islands, which he dubbed the Sandwich Islands.
1912, English explorer Robert F. Scott and his expedition reached the South Pole, only to discover that Roald Amundsen had gotten there first
1948 Ted Mack's "Original Amateur Hour" begins, DuMont (later NBC/ABC/CBS)
1964 Beatles 1st appear on Billboard Chart (I Want to Hold Your Hand-#35)
1967 Albert DeSalvo, who claimed to be the "Boston Strangler," was convicted in Cambridge, Mass., of armed robbery, assault and sex offenses.
1983 IOC restores Jim Thorpe's Olympic medals 70 years after they were taken from him for being paid $25 in semipro baseball
1990 Washington, D.C., Mayor Marion Barry was arrested for drug possession in an FBI sting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)