Good luck with it all!

K&R

the beginning, I also agree with you.

No matter what, this man has been thrown to the wolves and cannot do anything right in some people's minds.

While I personally wished that he had fired Mc Chrystal and withdrawn us from this quagmire immediately, I am willing to believe that our president has a strategy to win the hearts and minds of the people in this region.

I am willing to wait and see, before I criticize him for this, when he always said that he needed to complete the mission in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Suddenly everybody is surprised?

Sad as I am today with his decision--I am still proud to have President Obama in office.

K&R

That's 1 accomplishment every 3.3 days--during his 305 days in office!
Please correct me if that's wrong...but I feel so proud right now.

Sometimes a blessing and sometimes a curse, I was born with a large dose of empathy and I wish I could put it to better use than I have, up to now.

The day that the US began bombing Afghanistan was certainly one of my worst days, one where I could not function in any normal fashion. All I could do that day was lie on my couch with my face turned inward and weep. A feeling of such deep despair overtook me and weighed me down and not even my son could snap me out of it.

Having lived for long enough to have lost most of my family members in the first and second World Wars, I have believed forever that violence can never be fought with more violence.

I personally have quite a temper that often feels just seconds away from a violent outburst of some sort--meaning that I do understand how easy it is to lose one self and turn in the wrong direction.

So, when I heard that President Obama was seriously considering a further deployment of possibly 40.000 troops as the general on the ground is demanding in Afghanistan, that same kind of gloom began to overtake me.

Even though I seriously love our new president,I obviously wish that he was far more liberal than he has been so far, but given the totally wrecked state of this country when it was turned over to him, he is doing really well. Especially in these past weeks, when so much extra violence occurred--here and abroad.
You can see the extra gray in his hair and he looks a lot thinner--so all this is taking a huge toll on him---and how could it not?

How can one live normally and try to solve the world's problems knowing that trying to bring healthcare to the general public, is being compared to 'death-camps and Nazism? What is wrong with these people who spout that kind of shit?
I put it down to pure ignorance and a willingness by some to exploit those who have no thoughts of their own, but it really really ticks me off when I see that kind of stuff happening. It turns me off to the extent that I have to tune out any kind of interaction with the media, as it drives me to the screaming point and only music and reruns of Star Trek will soothe my troubled soul, lest I run screaming through the streets in frustration, ready to be hauled in by the authorities.

I have lived through Communism in East Berlin, experienced Nazism in the first degree, and I challenge anyone to to show me the similarities between our situation here in the US right now, and the realities of the World War Two isms.

Let's face it President Obama is always going to be between a rock and a hard place,the incredibly sick and obnoxious far right, and us progressive liberals with our righteous indignation--so taking a centrist position is the only way he will ever get anything done.

So, either way if he doesn't comply with the generals promoting more death and war, all for the sake of 'Freedom'--he will be seen as being 'soft of terrorism', even if we're lucky enough to escape any horrific attacks during his tenure.

And if he does send a lot more troops than how can he honor his commitment to peace in the world?
Will that mean his "Vietnam" is indeed Afghanistan, as so many pundits have been expounding?

So I was incredibly pleased and encouraged to hear that the president is not forging ahead (at least not yet)with a big increase of troops, but is concentrating on an 'end-game' theory, meaning that our goal is to leave the war zone asap.

So once again I can go to bed tonight with the knowledge that the fate of the world lies in capable, sensitive hands, and for that I am so grateful.

Sometime during the mid- nineties, I needed the services of a car mechanic to come to my home, and I found someone from the phone book.

A very handsome and charismatic man turned up on my doorstep and after checking his credentials, I let him do the work on my car. As he was working on it within view of my window—I saw him chatting with one of my neighbors and later learned that they were old friends from their time together in the armed service, although I can’t remember which one, as it really didn’t matter to me until much later.

I was new to my neighborhood and wanted to make new friends, so when he finished the job on my car, I asked John in to my place for a cup of coffee and he accepted quite eagerly.
Always attracted to handsome men and having come out of a long and passionate relationship not long ago, I told myself to be careful, and not give the wrong impression of why I asked him in. However, I felt quite attracted to him and was glad to chat with an adult for a while, since my life at the time was pretty much ruled by my son and work. I was definitely interested in finding out more about this man, and he seemed quite pleased my interest.
I remember that John talked about his life, his many difficulties and moves around the country and such. He also had some kind of connection with Texas, where we had lived for three years, but eventually our conversation switched to more personal matters and I learned that he had a wife and a large family with many kids, scattered around the country and most of his children had different mothers. I remember him saying how much he loved his children, and my thinking why are you coming on to me then?
I got the impression that he would make a move on me at any moment then and I quickly got up to avoid any physical contact, still chatting about this and that, and trying not to look worried, because he was strong and if he’d wanted to—could have overpowered me. For me, the moment he told me that he was married—our chat was over—but he looked quite annoyed when he realized that I was no longer interested.
I said that I had to go and pick up my son from school, thanked him for the good work on my car and saw him out the door.

I drove out of the apartment complex shortly after and noticed that John was driving directly behind me—he must have waited for me to leave—although it could have been a co-incidence, I suppose. When I reached a corner with a left turn, he pulled up beside me and glared at me, and I remember thinking, what was that all about? He had seemed so nice, at first! What a shame!
Turning the corner, I checked the rear vision mirror to see if he was still following—but he was gone. There goes trouble -lucky escape!
He had reminded me of Denzel Washington in a good way and years later I thought of John again after watching Denzel’s incredible performance in Training Day. I had seen that same kind of flash of madness in that brief exchange with the man who became the DC sniper.
And now, tonight he will be executed, what a tragedy that is! How can so much sorrow be erased with more death?
When will we ever learn?

Just what is a Controller --exactly?
What a place of contradiction good ol Texas is--can't help but love it though!

This man Lieberman cares for nobody but himself, he has proven this again and again.
A year ago he was openly campaigning against our president, and now this threat--it is disgusting!
While he enjoys the best public healthcare in the world-(the senate's)he tries to deny any kind of affordable healthcare for the rest of us.
You must not allow him to derail any more democratic plans of any kind, and promptly relieve him of his chairmanship.

Today I wanted to pay tribute to all those who died on September 11, 2001, and their families and friends who mourn them .

I am aware that nothing I can say will ever ease the pain of their losses, but let me assure them that in our own way, we all shared their pain on that dreadful day, as did the rest of the world.

I humbly bow my head today and pray that nothing so shocking will ever happen again, but that said, I'm not as naive to really believe that, so let me just add "at least not in my life time."

Since then a lot of water has flown under the bridge, and the date of this infamous day bounced around like a political football, almost as if by design--how ever that is another story and not to be told today.

Thanks to our new president, I can now sleep better at night and am still taking a break from politics, so my comments today are all told in the context of the US Open Tennis championships, that had just finished the day before the horror of 9/11 began eight years ago today.

Before the days of Roger Federer, I was a huge Pete Sampras fan--and he had just been beaten--again, and it seemed that his career was finally over, so I was pretty upset at the end of September 9.

The only thing that took the edge of my disappointment was that the winner was a fellow Aussie--Leyton Hewitt, and also that my teenage son insisted on taking me to see a new movie after the match.

So we saw a movie--but I can't remember which one, but no matter; whatever it was- it wasn't as good as 'Nurse Betty'-which had served the same purpose the year before, when Pete lost to Marat Safin.

The following Monday was about a normal a day as one could imagine for me. My kid was at school,I had housework to do, and then some work and the only thing niggling away at my peace of mind was the unexpected US Open results from the night before, but I forced myself to get over it as the day wore on. I'm pretty sure we even played tennis that day after school, as I remember falling asleep feeling pretty exhausted.

Then,as if seconds later and still half asleep, I wondered why Tom Brokaw seemed to be crying on TV!
In those days I still had some belief in the media and always watched the Today show during the week and given the type of programs they usually had in the early morning--this --whatever it was seemed very odd.

I rubbed my eyes to fully awaken, and still thought that I was watching some new kind of show they were promoting and switched channels frantically to see if everything was normal there. It was like I had a mental block, and my brain refused to accept what my eyes were telling me.

The World Trade Center was my favorite building in the USA and the first we had visited on our arrival in the States in 1989- and NOW it was burning and people were leaping out of the windows?

--Fucking Unbelievable--how could this be?

And the rest is history, and it seems nothing was ever really normal again, and that day just the beginning of the on-going nightmare of bloodshed, wars and mayhem that never seems to stop, once started.

And yet we have also come a long way since then, and the Inauguration of our President Obama did a lot to reverse the terror-factor for me. And for the time being l try to block out the "Party of No", which is surely just a huge zit on the face of this country and sooner or later set to burst.

Our president is just getting started, and I am very impatient these days--so I stay away from politics as much as I can--but I did listen to his speech on health care last week and was once again thrilled to have such an intelligent person in the WH--especially on days like this one.

There was no tennis today--since it's been raining since early last night--and I think that it was totally appropriate, in remembrance of all those lost souls.

And just one more thing--Pete Sampras did go on to win one more US Open tournament the following year!

Remembering the Lion of the Senate and his brothers.

I heard the sad news late last night, as I lay in my bed, sleepy as anything—after a series of late nights in a row.

At that moment all I could think was “Those damn scandal mags in the checkouts were finally right about something!” I had been seeing the headlines “Ted Kennedy dying” screaming at me ever since the inauguration, (and sometimes they are right) but he was still making public appearances and there were even some reports of a full recovery, so I chose to believe the better option.

Shocked but still ‘under’ from the pill I’d taken, I remember mumbling to my son who had brought me the news,” He lived longer than anyone thought he could, and even with the best health care in the country, (as in the Senate) his cancer was too advanced for any happy ending.”

As the day dawned, I immediately remembered last night’s news, and was overcome with emotion. This was only the beginning of what has turned out to be a day of remembering everything that was decent about this man, lone and last survivor of the three outstanding men who gave their lives for this amazing country.

Instead of continuing to write, I took some time off and listened to my usual suspects—Thom, Stephanie and Ed, as well as Ron Reagan, and now Mike Malloy. A lot of the people were either choked up or actually weeping as they expressed their sorrow, and it got me every time.

They all had a lot of people calling in to relate their personal experiences with the best Senator this country has had so far, and we will have to wait for quite some time before we can find somebody else, who is so passionately devoted for no other reason than the love of his country and the less fortunate people in it.

Was he the last true liberal voice in a position of power for us? I hope not, but I will miss his wonderful, powerful, passionate speeches in that unmistakable Kennedy voice. I know that the Kennedys were not exactly angels, but they certainly gave all they could, and with Ted’s passing we have lost the last of an amazing generation of brilliant politicians.

If anyone ever had enough reason to live somewhere less publicly, it was Senator Kennedy, after all he had lost all three brothers while he was still a young man, and he had the means to live a life of luxury-anywhere in the world, and yet he chose to serve others and for that he deserves my gratitude.

Just today I learned that it was largely his work many years ago that created our Community Health Centers around the country; for people who had no health insurance, and I have used ours for more than 15 years now! So thank you for that Senator “Lionheart!”

I do hope that we will all call on President Obama and insist that he finish Teddy’s job by giving us a universal Health Care system that Teddy would be proud to have named after him.

I was quite touched to receive a rather personal –looking, email message from the President and his wife in regard to Senator Kennedy tonight, so I replied in kind and asked him to do exactly that.

I somehow think it will happen, but then I am more hopeful these days in the age of Obama.
Yes, despite of all the right wing nuts crawling out of shadows with their shrill voices and filthy lies.

Lastly I want send my deepest condolence to the remaining Kennedy family.


PS I began this post yesterday--hence the discrepancy of the date.

...the world is a far better place since he came along and I must---(we must all) learn to be patient!

I haven't posted anything recently, because my cranky level was so high that I was in danger of harming myself, if I had to listen to another word from the political front.I mean I really wanted to tear my ears off, gouge my own eyes out and have myself committed--that's how bad I felt!

It's bad enough that the likes of Palin, Limbaugh and all of their lackeys have an open door to the so-called liberal media--but I have to work really hard to fight off my disappointment with the Obama administration, and so I chose to do what I always do when I can--switch to tennis--which can keep me enthralled deeply enough to stop me from thinking about politics.

But no matter how hard I try--I always get sucked in again, since I can't do without my morning Hartmann--and if I'm up early enough --Stephanie Miller.
At least I get a good laugh, usually followed by a lesson about something interesting from Thom, and once again I sign all the petitions coming my way and occasionally I write a response to something formulaic from the White House.

Although I still believe that having President Obama in office is one of the greatest things ever--but I do wish he were slightly more progressive (in fact I wish he were totally progressive), but things are what they are and a leopard cannot change his spots, but my GOD--what has happened here?
Cow-towing to these idiotic, right wing, gun-toting fanatics who wish him nothing but harm--is not the way to get anything done!

And the Blue Dog Democrats are even worse--please use the power given to you Mr. President--and force them to see things your way, or the Democratic party might well be finished.

Anyway--now it's out there, and just one more thing--before you ask me for any more money or my precious time--think about the majority of the people who worked so hard to elect you!

Here is a copy of my letter to the WH from last night.


Dear Mr. Axelrod,
Thank you for all the information- and all the effort you are putting into reforming the health care system, and the myriad of problems you all tackle every day.
I think that the president is doing a fantastic job over all, in these really tough times--but he can't do it all alone, so we have to be patient--I know.

I have never been taken in by all these stupid rumors spread by your political enemies- but I will pass it on ASAP--but I also want to add a little memo of my own to the White House.

I for one totally support the single-payer system and have lived in countries that have it- to my benefit. I have also written to you before, when asked for an opinion, and always supported this universally accepted position--that "Basic Health" is a human right.
I am appalled at the greed the CEOS so openly flaunt in the face of the public, while others die for want of a few bucks.

But since that is not an option right now--Medicare for those of us who cant afford to really pay anything--sounds pretty good for a start.
Please Do as Thom Hartmann, the wonderfully astute author, proud liberal and progressive radio host suggests- simplify the message -make the public aware that the 'public' option would be and should simply be called Medicare for All!
From what I've heard--this system does work--for those who really need it--but it also needs tweaking to make it better. So why not try it now?

I have been totally stressed out by the lack of leadership among the democrats, and President Obama's need to include the opposition for the sake of bi-partisanship--in these extremely important matters. It drives me nuts.

We are all out here; we have your back --just use the power!

Sincerely,
XXXXXX

you read all of my post--you would have seen that I only felt upset for a little while and once again felt relief and pride that this man is running our country and by this much of the "world", or at least is trying to do so.

As much as I felt chastened when I read this email, I also know that anybody who has been following politics for any length of time would have been aware of all these problems-(most of all President Obama). Any decent, liberal minded candidate would have known about the incredible mess left to sort out in these incredibly difficult and yet exiting times.

The damage that was done by the previous administration didn't happen overnight, but gradually for all to see--if they were in any way astute or aware of anything.


I don't find any fault with him personally and have held my tongue for the most part in speaking out against him in any way--as all my previous posts show--but I do have a problem with some of decisions in recent weeks, at least those that I mentioned earlier, as they 'seem' to be playing directly into the hands of those who are the hate-mongers amongst us.

I also worked very hard to bring this man to power--spending hours phoning people. knocking on doors in the worst kind of weather and signing every petition (hundreds) to make a difference and donating every spare $$$ I could afford, as did many of my friends and relatives.

And even though I'm critical now--I still love this man and feel that he still can save us all from gloom and doom by really pushing his agenda and standing up to the spineless dems (among the good ones).

I also get emails from the President--(alas only because of my previous donations)--but he asks 'US' the people to hold him responsible and push him to do the things we want--and unless we are vigilant at all times he will lose his base.

This in no way diminishes what was said in your email--I just find it a little disingenuous to think that all the difficulties the president has to deal with is news.

(I promised to keep count)

....and I was very cranky all morning...however by noon--I was back to feeling okay about things.

I really don’t know how much longer I can think about politics, and especially politicians--as it does at times seem that they really are all the same—regardless of the party they represent.

By that I mean that they will say anything—just to get into office—but once there—all their promises seem to fall by the wayside. Should I be surprised—of course not—but I’m pretty upset about some of the decisions being made at the White House at the moment.

I know that President Obama’s attention is on getting us a better health care system at the moment, but why doesn’t he just push it through, like the shrub pushed his agenda when he was in office? We all know that he could do it with only 51 votes—so WTF not?

I know it hasn’t been that long—just 148 days---but what ever happened to his WH being the “Most-Open house for the people”?
(They refused to publish the WH visitors’ log—since the inauguration.)

Or this: “Nobody is above the law”?
Think of the people who issued the “torture” orders.
(Still hanging around and inciting the simple- minded among us.)

Or “don’t ask don’t tell.”
(More gay people have been fired in the last few weeks than before.)

I could go on –but I’d only get cranky again—and I don’t want to dwell on negativity right now—so I’ll just remind every one of how things are better than before, anyway.

I mean what were our options? I ask myself now—what would Hilary have done differently? What could she do differently—given the condition this country was handed over in, after the last election? And the situation is still is precarious in every way!

Or what about the other alternative –too awful to mention? But you know the ones I mean, as they continue to butt their noses into our affairs at every opportunity, seemingly not realizing that they lost the election!

So I’m happy to say that I am still tremendously proud to have President Obama lead our nation, considering all the shit that’s happening around the world.

I still smile when I see him and hear him speak, and stand in awe of the enormous job he is expected to carry out in record time. I will try not to dwell on the scary things I’m hearing all around me –even as I write this with the last rays of daylight.

I will dwell in the moment, enjoy the company of my son and my dear sweet cats, while I can and hope that tomorrow will be a better morning and day for all of us.

Remember to www.savethefrogs.com

This morning I woke up feeling low and depressed and very cranky. As I stepped into the bathroom—I found a little brown gift from one of my cats and narrowly avoided stepping in it.

Later I realized that it was just a bit of vomit, which was easier to handle and wash—so I went back to bed with a cup of tea and listened to Stephanie Miller until my mood was light and more able to deal with everything that the day had in store—actual shit on the carpet in my studio for starters!

Now a lot of my crankiness revolves around not having enough work again—but there is also the fact that I am so sick and tired of hearing the name of Sarah Palin being mentioned every five minutes on my radio station and everywhere else!

So David Letterman made a joke—I happened to catch it and thought it was slightly funny and immediately moved on, as most adults would—and I’m a mother too!

I will not give her credence by dwelling on her here—but WTF????????????

Must we be subjected to her primitive points of view any longer?
She herself subjected her kids to the limelight and made me sick at the sight of them—(poor things) no offense intended as they could hardly choose their mother-but the over-exposure sucked!
Is she planning to bring them out again when she runs in 2012?

Anyway a lot of other things to rant about—like the election in Iran—looks like nothing changed there, just the same old, same old –in a week when there was such hope.

Oh well change comes slowly and I am glad that our President Obama has taken a strong stand on the health care issue and I’m sure he will get something going –something that has to be better than nothing for those 47 million of us who can’t afford any kind of health insurance.

Who would have thought that some of the biggest battles would come from within our own party?

It’s just unbelievable really that at this time when things are as bad as they are in every possible way—climate change, foreclosures, bankruptcies, shootings, murders, 2 wars, etc. etc. that we—the dems-- can’t get our shit together!
Why are they worse than the republicans—from whom we expect nothing more?


And at the same time---why do we still have to kowtow to the republicans?
Why do we still have to be subjected to the party of racists, twisted child pornographers, naysayers, liars and cheats and mass murderers?

Please tell me if you can—anyone?

PS.
Just a quick note to those who care about the planet and the continuance of the species!

Please boycott any stores that sell frogs legs!
I noticed that Albertson’s have them—so I’m staying away from them!


Remember that frogs are 'the canaries in the mine' for us--if they all disappear so do we--so save them--please!

Visit www.savethefrogs.com and learn!
Thanks

Another k&r