My new favorite song...

My Rainbow Race by Pete Seeger

Sing Along

Netflix delivered a copy of 'Pete Seeger; The Power of Song' and we watched it last night. Even if that era is 'ancient history' to you, you should watch this film. I learned so much from watching it. And one thing I learned was that the Right Wingnuts have been around forever, spreading hatred wherever they could. It was scary to watch ignorant Americans driven to such a fury that they would throw rocks at their fellow Americans. Children throwing rocks at children with their parents helping. You could have inserted an ancient news clip of Germans throwing rocks at Jews in the 1930's and you would not have seen a difference. The parallels with today's society were quite clear. If you don't understand something or someone, then it should be hated and destroyed. And Pete Seeger has always done the right thing throughout his life no matter what was done to him. He sang and sang again. He has never stopped singing.

What's the Border Fence Good for?

Subsidizing Mexican Scrap Metal Entrepreneurs |

Gosh! I hate to say 'I told you so' but I did. But hey, it's only money. The same money that could be used for education, health, etc, etc.

Change is good

I was reading about some fools in Arizona that want to eliminate the provision in the proposed health care bill that would mandate insurance coverage for all and they are citing 'states rights' as some sort of reason for their foolishness. Well, I've had it up to here with the 'states rights' rhetoric. This is the twenty first century and it's time to remove states altogether. Do we have to show our passport to move between states? Of course not. We're all Americans and that should be enough. Why don't we argue about 'county rights'? Or 'city rights'? it would make as much sense as it does to argue about states rights'. They are simply lines on a map and mean nothing unless you are a congressperson. Think of the duplication of services that we all have to pay for because of the state, county, city bureaucrats. It's time for a change!

What's New

I was wandering and came across a NY Times article that talked about 'Justice', the Harvard University lecture course that is now being web broadcast. The lecturer is Michael Sandel and he is great. Plain and simple...great. And well worth your time to watch.

http://www.justiceharvard.org/

It’s bothering me

After I read the morning news and went through the various blogs this morning, I had this feeling that I was on some sort of runaway train. The throttle is wide open and we're rocketing down the tracks, the passenger cars swaying from side to side as the speed increases. Now substitute our country for the train. Okay, I know I shouldn't let the news get to me like this…it's generated by people who want you to look at their product and not necessarily because they want to inform you. Eyes good, brain bad. I should think about it more carefully before I let the 'runaway train' scare me. For instance, aren't all of the networks in trouble financially? I read that cable is draining them dry. So if they are in that kind of trouble, why would I believe that the news departments are told to search out the truth, no matter what the cost is? Sorry, Walter Cronkite is dead. And it's the same scenario with newspapers, isn't it? Are they hiring investigative reporters to crack open stories that just might offend an advertiser? Or a possible influence peddling Congressman with local clout? I don't think so. I feel the train slowing down.

Now that the 'train' has stopped, the question is…where do we find good, responsible news?

Something I Found

Sarcasm is always fun early in the morning. It gets your brain moving.

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

Again

The day starts with this piece of news, "The top military commander in Afghanistan warns in a classified assessment of the war there that he needs
additional troops within the next year or else the conflict "will likely result in failure.""

Does any of that sound familiar? I heard it in the 60's and 70's and so it's very clear to me as to the meaning. What it is, is an advance warning of what will be a total failure on our part and the death of thousands of innocents. Afghans and Americans. Very much like what the Soviets experienced when they tried to subdue Afghanistan. In fact, it's exactly the same. Eerie.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to hear a top administrator say, "We need more books and teachers in Afghanistan. We are getting close to winning the war on poverty there and it will only take a few more million to build colleges and fund new co-ops." But that won't happen, there's too much money to be made from bombs and very little profit in books.

ACORN

CEO 'Outraged' by Behavior of Employees in Prostitute Tapes

I have to agree. Some of these people were acting just like members of Congress. Shameful!

But on the other hand, ACORN hasn't resorted to lying as Congress does. These folks were just telling the truth. And they apparently didn't ask for money for the information. Now a Congressman wouldn't let that opportunity pass him by. Or her.

From A Majority of Two:

If You Can't Say Something Nice...

Here it is again. A Republican lie debunked. How can these people (republicans) show their faces in public without embarrassment? Don't they do any research at all? Is it all off the cuff and let the chips fall where they may? It's shame that Democrats are too classy to shout 'you lie' to these people when it's obvious that they are lying.

From Orcinus

Orcinus

Here's a good story about Canadian health care, you know...the single payer form of health care that we so wisely avoid. No sir! No socialism for us. Anyway, the story has to be a lie from beginning to end. The US of A has the best health care system in the galaxy, certainly not Canada!

And I may hold my breath until I turn blue if you don't agree with me

Dancing is

good for your health!

Found this on Daily KOS

and I wanted to be counted when when it comes to the fight against socialism. Yes sir, count me in! I've already filled mine out so go ahead and use this blank copy to sign your name to this most patriotic document!

I, ________________________, do solemnly swear to uphold the principles of a socialism-free society and heretofore pledge my word that I shall strictly adhere to the following:

I will complain about the destruction of 1st Amendment Rights in this country, while I am duly being allowed to exercise my 1st Amendment Rights.

I will complain about the destruction of my 2nd Amendment Rights in this country, while I am duly being allowed to exercise my 2nd Amendment rights by legally but brazenly brandishing unconcealed firearms in public.

I will foreswear the time-honored principles of fairness, decency, and respect by screaming unintelligible platitudes regarding tyranny, Nazi-ism, and socialism at public town halls. Also.

I pledge to eliminate all government intervention in my life. I will abstain from the use of and participation in any socialist goods and services including but not limited to the following:

• Social Security
• Medicare/Medicaid
• State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP)
• Police, Fire, and Emergency Services
• US Postal Service
• Roads and Highways
• Air Travel (regulated by the socialist FAA)
• The US Railway System
• Public Subways and Metro Systems
• Public Bus and Lightrail Systems
• Rest Areas on Highways
• Sidewalks
• All Government-Funded Local/State Projects (e.g., see Iowa 2009 federal senate appropriations)
• Public Water and Sewer Services (goodbye socialist toilet, shower, dishwasher, kitchen sink, outdoor hose!)
• Public and State Universities and Colleges
• Public Primary and Secondary Schools
• Sesame Street
• Publicly Funded Anti-Drug Use Education for Children
• Public Museums
• Libraries
• Public Parks and Beaches
• State and National Parks
• Public Zoos
• Unemployment Insurance
• Municipal Garbage and Recycling Services
• Treatment at Any Hospital or Clinic That Ever Received Funding From Local, State or Federal Government (pretty much all of them)
• Medical Services and Medications That Were Created or Derived From Any Government Grant or Research Funding (again, pretty much all of them)
• Socialist Byproducts of Government Investment Such as Duct Tape and Velcro (Nazi-NASA Inventions)
• Use of the Internets, email, and networked computers, as the DoD's ARPANET was the basis for subsequent computer networking
• Foodstuffs, Meats, Produce and Crops That Were Grown With, Fed With, Raised With or That Contain Inputs From Crops Grown With Government Subsidies
• Clothing Made from Crops (e.g. cotton) That Were Grown With or That Contain Inputs From Government Subsidies

If a veteran of the government-run socialist US military, I will forego my VA benefits and insist on paying for my own medical care

I will not tour socialist government buildings like the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

I pledge to never take myself, my family, or my children on a tour of the following types of socialist locations, including but not limited to:

• Smithsonian Museums such as the Air and Space Museum or Museum of American History
• The socialist Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson Monuments
• The government-operated Statue of Liberty
• The Grand Canyon
• The socialist World War II and Vietnam Veterans Memorials
• The government-run socialist-propaganda location known as Arlington National Cemetery
• All other public-funded socialist sites, whether it be in my state or in Washington, DC

I will urge my Member of Congress and Senators to forego their government salary and government-provided healthcare.

I will oppose and condemn the government-funded and therefore socialist military of the United States of America.

I will boycott the products of socialist defense contractors such as GE, Lockheed-Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Raytheon, Humana, FedEx, General Motors, Honeywell, and hundreds of others that are paid by our socialist government to produce goods for our socialist army.

I will protest socialist security departments such as the Pentagon, FBI, CIA, Department of Homeland Security, TSA, Department of Justice and their socialist employees.

Upon reaching eligible retirement age, I will tear up my socialist Social Security checks.

Upon reaching age 65, I will forego Medicare and pay for my own private health insurance until I die.

SWORN ON A BIBLE AND SIGNED THIS DAY OF __________ IN THE YEAR ___.

_____________ _________________________

Signed Printed Name/Town and State

From Rachel Maddow --

Why Do 1/3 of New Jersey Conservatives Think Obama Might Be the Anti-Christ?

Please...watch the video. Mr. Schaeffer paints an all too life-like portrait of the Christian Right wing. Yes, they are very unintelligent, but they are extremely dangerous because of that fact. They left Christianity behind a long time ago and are pursuing an agenda that cannot be argued against...simply because they won't allow arguments. I've seen this happening in the small town that I live near. We even went to their church for a short time. But, my being a questioning sort of guy, I quickly saw that we were not going to be welcome there and we left. Now, one of their leaders has been elected to the city council and that scares the heck out of me. Who will be elected next time? And in how many cities is this happening?

From The Clever Pup:

Say Ahhhh!

"Canada's health care system has its share of problems, (long wait times, doctor shortages)"

Umh...can I tell you about my experiences with long wait times and doctor shortages right here in the US of A? I didn't think so. I know...you've heard it all before and even experienced it yourself. Yet the Wingnuts still claim the US is superior when it comes to health care. Where do these people live? Venus?

Acorn Sting

"Pimp" is Rutgers Alum Who Hates Lucky Charms | NBC New York

I know it's a serious story...but anyone who believed this guy was a 'pimp' really deserves to be fired for 'terminal stupidity' for letting the guy talk for more than a minute without throwing him out. I don't see corruption here at all, just stupid people.

Jimmy Carter...is right

Jimmy Carter gets flak for racism charge against Rep. Joe Wilson - even from White House

As someone who traveled extensively in the rural South during the early years of this century, I can say that once you leave Atlanta or any other large city in the South, you also leave this century...

From Just my little piece of the world:

10 Lessons for Tea Baggers, Hey Wing Nuts.. That Means YOU!:

"Conservative Republicans failed America over the past 30 years and did so without shame or apology using hypocrisy and false equivalency as tools of deceit and revisionist history."

Sadly true...whatever happened to real Republicans?

Traitor

The health care bill has been released…

Baucus is a fool and we have all wasted our money in giving him a salary during the past year. But wait…he doesn't need our money, he works for the insurance industry.

Am I upset over this? Nah!

Browser

I was browsing the Los Angeles Times as I usually do at this hour and I read an article I wanted to share. Well, I went through the usual hoops and then I saw that Firefox and the Times had a new way to share called Share This and so I have tried it. It works OK, but I do have to go back to the post and edit it if I want to add my comments. And then there was the fact that it posted the same article three times in a row. Maybe my fault? I think what I really liked was the fact that a major newspaper had put in a way for bloggers to easily share their articles. That's different. Now, will Share This work on other news sites?

Behind the right's attack on Obama -- latimes.com

Behind the right's attack on Obama -- latimes.com

Posted using ShareThis

From Roger Cohen

an Op-Ed Columnist - Get Real on Health Care - NYTimes.com

This guy lays it out straight and honest and with honest to goodness - logic! Why is this so hard for republicans to understand? Is it because they can't refute anything he says and that makes them cranky and stubborn?

So again, why do republicans hate America?

Venting

I'm getting crabbier each day as I read of the republicans attempt to subvert the health care bills. Without a Public Option we will have no reform at all and the democrats will have failed at the task they were mandated to accomplish. On a personal level, if anyone I'm talking with brings up 'socialism', I'm ending the conversation at that point and telling the person that I will not discuss important matters with the uninformed. Or the stupid. Depending on how crabby I am.

Just recently

I heard, first hand, of a discussion among some local citizens and the discussion centered around the question of whether or not you should trust and obey your government. What scared me, when I heard the responses was that all, except for my lovely wife, were of the opinion that government knew best and should be trusted. What? I simply do not understand their reasoning. First, we have already established, without any doubt, all government officials are quite likely to be liars. President's lie. Yes, they do…and it goes downhill from there. Even Reagan, a terrible liar himself (you could almost see his nose growing), said 'Trust-but verify'. My lovely wife asked the group if they thought Rosa Parks had done something wrong by defying the government? Confusion reigned.

I'm sorry to say, it's actually your patriotic duty to be skeptical of government and what they tell you to do. Governments needs to be tested at all levels and at all times. Complacency breeds disaster.

Child welfare:

The nanny state | The Economist:

"Nine states are well below the group average; these laggards include America. It is not just infant mortality, an essential indicator, in which America lags behind (see chart). Though it has the world’s most expensive health system and spends more per child than most oecd countries, outcomes are poor. Performance falls behind on several indicators, ranging from birth-weight to teenage pregnancies."

We may be just ahead of Mexico and Turkey in infant mortality rates but we don't have any of of that commie pinko socialist health care that Sweden, Japan and that evil minded France have. We're red, white and blue, through and through, even if we have to sacrifice some of our babies to do it.

Better Place

A much Better Place

Interesting concept; your electric car battery is swapped out at 'Battery Stations' by a robotics driven service device as soon as you feel the need for 'fuel'.. Just like going to the gas station. You rent the batteries and are charged by the amount of power you consume. It's rumored that if you use enough power, they will throw in the car for free. Nissan is already making the proper sized battery to fit the battery stations needs. It's a California company but they are working all around the world, just not here in California (that I know of) Didn't some wacko's suggest that California was losing corporations right and left?

Obama

rallies Minneapolis crowd for healthcare reform -- latimes.com:

"'I don't know if you agree with me, but I think the time for bickering is over,' he said. 'The time for games has passed. Now is the time for action. Now is the time to deliver on healthcare for every American.'"

It's getting late. It's time for the President to put all of his efforts into getting a decent health care bill passed and not one that republicans have watered down to a piece of meaningless paper. Yes, I wanted the single payer...and that was thrown away in 'negotiations'. And whoever negotiated it out needs to pack their bags and leave. And whatever happened to Medicare For All? Even the Public Option looks precarious now and if it goes, I'm through. I'm an independent voter and this is not what I gave my money for. No, I will never vote for a republican...I'm not stupid. But I will support the others that run for President because if this health care bill fails we will have a one term President.

Legislative year

ends with a whimper -- latimes.com:

"Sacramento lawmakers adjourn with little progress to pacify a restive public. Key prison and energy efforts got watered down, and the governor plans to veto most of the few bills that did pass."

Getting away with murder. Where is the governor in this? Why isn't he forcing the legislators back into session? He has that power but he doesn't want to offend the few republican friends he has left. They all need to be turned out! Yep, I'm still cranky!

Iraq's freedoms under threat:

Could a police state return? | The Economist:

"“This is the new Iraq.” Legal protections, he noted, count for little. “Power”, he added, “is held by the men with the guns.”"

This is what our trillions of dollars paid for...and we keep paying. But, hey...they get to vote. (as if it makes a difference...Saddam let them vote as well)

With Its Prisons Dangerously Full...

Why Is California Fighting for Custody of a Dying Prisoner Across the Country?

Ya know, I have to get out of this state before I'm crazy...
Is there a sane place anywhere in these United States? A place where intelligent people might gather to discuss and ponder those things that make up 'life'?

Pessimism

It looks like the health reform bill we need is going to be watered down and starved until there is little left to support…unless you are an insurance company. They will love it! Sure, I'm still writing to my Senators and to my idiot congressman, Wally Buffoon. I've heard back from one Senator so far and hope is fading for the rest. Wally Buffoon has even stopped sending me his form letters, does that mean he doesn't love me anymore? Whatever…hope fades.

So many people say that we can't afford to have a single payer option or even the public option. But that's not true. It's a lie. A very minor adjustment to the withholding tax rates (the cut off amount) would provide the money needed. And if they were really the concerned lawmakers that they say they are, they would be going after the obvious; over 70% of all corporations, foreign and domestic, pay no tax at all. None. Zero. Taxes are for peasants to pay. I saw it happen with the company I retired from. Some expeditious changes in the corporate structure and suddenly they were tax free! $6 million dollars in yearly taxes were suddenly the responsibility of the public sector. You and me. The peasants.

Of course all of this makes me very angry with the 'Fourth Estate', the so-called free press. These are the ones that should be calling out the liars and rubbing their noses in it. It used to be their job. It's what they went to journalism school for. Now it's a less than cohesive band of bloggers that are ferreting out the truth and what can they do with it? Sure they publish it on their blogs, but who reads it? Other bloggers. The sad fact is, the majority of the citizens are computer ignorant and they like it that way. They get their news from bobble heads on the 6 O'clock news and they believe every word they hear. They don't even want to verify what they have just been told. Doesn't anyone question anymore?

CIA -

The World Factbook -- Country Comparison :: Current account balance

Something I found while surfing. It's really quite interesting as it is found on the CIA's website and we all know that the CIA doesn't lie...well, not about this stuff.

So start at the top of the page and look at the worlds wealthiest nations; it starts with China which is no surprise. OK, scroll down. Hmmm? Where's the US of A? Keep scrolling. Wow! I bet you didn't know this many nations were on this planet. Keep scrolling. Weird names! Are you sure these are countries? Keep scrolling...ah! There we are at #190. Thank you very much Republicans. With your leadership, we are now poorer than Latvia.

Link to Just Ain't Right, where I think I found this bit of info

From 'Just Ain't Right'

Just Ain't Right:

"During the past 10 (and arguably as much as 28) years since the republicans were in the majority, this country has turned into a near third-world country. We have the highest infant mortality rate of any industrialized nation, we are #42 in healthcare for our citizens. We have 45 million uninsured and a healthcare-related bankruptcy every 30 minutes. We have lost more jobs in the past 10 years."

I was wandering around the internet this morning and putting new feeds into my Sage Feed reader. I have to do this every now and then as my tastes change or blog authors go somewhere else. (Where do they go? Is there a rest home for tired bloggers?) Anyway, I was rummaging through Citizen K's list of blogs and found this one. I like it. I like anyone who can put thoughts together in a cogent manner. It's something I'm unable to do on a regular basis; it's a personality thing and all INFP's have the problem. When I feel passionately about something, my mind will not focus on the one thing it needs to and I'm soon mumbling...passionately. So I admire this author and many others of the same bent.

Obama

Speaks to Congress Tonight on Health Care:

"Between 18,000 and 22,000 people die every year for lack of money for treatment. Medicare will run out of funds in eight years. Health care costs will double or, possibly, triple in ten years along with the costs of the private insurance people buy now."

This is the scenario that those who oppose the Public Option want to continue. The deaths of all of those people can be laid at the doorsteps of the Right Wingnuts.

When did we become a nation that didn't care?

Home Again

The family reunion is over and I'm convinced that the great-great grandparents of the Dunn, Zumwalt and Deffebach families would be proud of us all. We live in a world that they could not have imagined in their wildest dreams. And that will happen to our great-great grandchildren as well. Life goes on…

Lake Tahoe was exceptionally beautiful during our visit and life was grand. The children were well behaved as were the adults. We couldn't have asked for a better time during this rare event. Can we do it again? There's talk of doing it at Lake Almanor in the near future and we will have to see if that idea gains traction.

Now that I'm back in front of my normal sized computer monitor, I've been browsing the sites that I usually visit and I see that Ronni Bennett has some good stuff on the health care crisis. She speaks well and she says exactly what I would say if I were as eloquent.

I must admit that I am totally baffled by the public response to the health care proposals. It's as if the citizens have lost their minds, or perhaps they have tumbled down that rabbit hole that Alice did and are now in 'Wonderland' where white is black, right is wrong and idiocy is sanity. Have we all lost our minds? Do we really want insurance companies to own us, body and soul? I for one don't want it and I don't want it for my children and grandchildren. Enough is enough; it's time for reasoned arguments and it's time to push Limbaugh, Beck and others of that mentality back into the holes they came from.

Link to Ronni Bennett

Van Jones quits

"he used a vulgar term to describe Republicans."

You mean they didn't deserve it? Of course they did, so what's the problem?

E-mails

on illegal immigration are eye-opening -- latimes.com

As much as I hate this kind of bottom feeding email, (just reading it gives me the creeps) it's best to read the truth and be prepared when some bozo wants to spread the 'facts' to your mailbox.

Life on the lake

A while ago, perhaps six month ago, my sister decided that 2009 would be a great year for a family reunion and so she went to work on the planning. This is a small family, less than twenty people at the present time but growing; even so, the logistics were challenging. The family is split geographically between Arizona, S. California and N. California. Most members have jobs and free time was minimal. We were the only retired couple and basically free for any schedule.

Short story, she did most of the organizing work before handing off shopping and cooking chores to volunteers and now we are all gathered together in one large house at Lake Tahoe. A 9-bedroom and 7-bath house at the north end of the lake. Truth is, only a few couldn't make it, but most are here and that's quite an accomplishment. Thanks, Kitty!

So here I sit, early in the morning, overlooking a very black lake that will turn a splendid shade of blue in just a few hours. The air is clean and clear and it has a hint of fall in it. Our family lies asleep all around me. I have a cup of coffee and a super fast wireless internet connection. Life is good.

From Bill Moyers Journal

"Pfizer, the world's largest drug maker, has been fined a record $2.3 billion dollars as a civil and criminal — yes, that's criminal, as in fraud — penalty for promoting prescription drugs with the subtlety of the Russian mafia. It's the fourth time in a decade Pfizer's been called on the carpet."

Did we really expect otherwise? What would be a surprise, would be for someone (any0ne?) within the ranks of Pfizer to serve any jail time.

From The Economist

Reshaping Cisco: The world according to Chambers

Great article about a fascinating company; Cisco. Who knew that routers and servers could be so much fun to read about. And Mr. Chambers; who will often begin a conversation with these words, “What do you expect from this conversation?” Now that's a great line! But Mr. Chambers is a serious guy and this article tells you just how serious Cisco is in taking the lead in many aspects of digital technology... including Cisco in your home via Flip camcorders that will transmit HD video to your home screen via wireless. Yes, Cisco bought Flip.

What I really enjoyed about the article was the simple fact that new technology is back in the news and in a good way. If I had any money I would buy Cisco stock...

From Citizen K.

Health Care Town Hall Meeting

Even if you don't read the whole article, you need to read these facts...

• 47,000,000 Americans are uninsured, including
• 4,ooo,ooo since the onset of the recession
• 10,000 working families a day lose insurance
• annually, we spend $2.2 trillion (emphasis mine) on health care
• 60% of all U. S. bankruptcies are due at least in part to unpaid medical bills
• 80% of the uninsured work
• the rest of the industrialized world spends $2800 per person annually on health insurance or coverage compared to $6500 in the U.S.
• U.S. life expectancy is below that of Bosnia and Jordan
• as a per cent of the economy, health care costs have risen from 8% in 1980 to 16% today
• without reform, trends indicate that health care costs will be 35% of the economy by 2040

Still, read the article. Then write to those who claim to represent you.

Bill Moyers

Money-Driven Medicine - The Real Reason Health Care Costs So Much | Health and Wellness | AlterNet:

"There are at least a dozen countries with lower rates of preventable mortalities than the United States and not one of those countries spends 60 percent of what we do on health care."

Item: I have a bone growth stimulator that I have worn ever since my surgery. It's a fairly simple looking device that connects to a couple of adhesive pads that allow a small current of electricity to flow between them and stimulate the bone. The device is plastic and is the size of a deck of cards. 1/3 of that size is a battery. Cost? A little over $4,000.

Innocent but Dead - NYTimes.com

"Cameron Todd Willingham, who refused to accept a guilty plea that would have spared his life, and who insisted until his last painful breath that he was innocent, had in fact been telling the truth all along."

How many others? When are we going to stop this barbaric practice that accomplishes nothing?

"...the state fire marshal who investigated the case and testified against Willingham “seems to be wholly without any realistic understanding of fires.” He said the marshal’s approach seemed to lack “rational reasoning” and he likened it to the practices “of mystics or psychics.”

From Time Goes By

and Saul Friedman : Trusts

Mr. Friedman does a great job here in exposing some simple truths that are being ignored by the American news media.

What I don't understand and never will, is why so many Americans believe that corporations have their best interests at heart. No. No. And no. Corporation's exist to make money and that is their only goal. Why would they care about your well being if it's going to impact the profit picture in some negative manner? They don't and they won't. The truth is all around us, but you will have to do some reading and investigating on your own; the news media has abandoned that responsibility and has moved on to more serious matters, such as the death of Michael Jackson or something equally important, and Lord knows, that certainly impacts us all!