Date: 2002-11-17 22:14:00 Subject: Green Party Why t

Transcription

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2002-11-17 22:14:00
Subject: Green Party
Why the Greens are also celebrating Election '02 (Buoyed by a handful of grass-roots victories,
the Green Party claims the midterms showed the hollowness of its Democratic rival.)By Michelle
Goldberg, in Salon.
Nov. 18, 2002 | Republicans aren't the only ones feeling validated by the 2002 elections. For
many Green Party leaders, the Democrats' defeat and the conventional wisdom explaining it
confirm criticisms they've been making about the Democratic Party for years -- that it lacks
backbone and has betrayed its progressive base.
"There's no question that [the] election results demonstrate the structural weaknesses that the
Democratic Party has," says Ben Mansky, co-chair of the Green Party steering committee. "It's
dependent on corporate money for financing, and therefore the leadership is unable to deliver the
political agenda that so many progressives expect." Some pundits are calling on Democrats to
reenergize their activist base, but parts of that base may have already defected.
After the messy 2000 election, some liberal Democrats hoped Greens would guiltily defect, or
return, to the Democratic Party. There is no evidence that happened. "There were no prominent
people who switched or major debates about strategy," says Green Party political coordinator
Dean Myerson.
Instead, the party has grown, posting small but significant victories in the midterm elections.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2002-12-12 12:31:00
Subject: Trent Lott
When I first heard the news of Trent Lott making a snafu at Strom's birthday bash, I was willing to
give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, I've put my foot in my mouth on more occasions than I
care to remember.
However, on further examination, <a href="http://www.fair.org/press-releases/lott-advisory.html"
target="_blank">FAIR</a>, I agree with those who support his stepping down from the majority
leader position.
User Comments:
MaryAnn
-----The Daily Show had the best take on this: hey, he only says these things every 22 years. He's
like the Halley's Comet of bigotry.
Yaga http://www.journalscape.com/yaga
-----Apparently he said almost the exact same thing back in 80 when he and Strom were stumping for
Reagan. Regardless of whatever apology he makes, I'd have a hard time accepting it until he
also explains exactly what he meant by "all these problems" we seem to be in.
Kenny http://www.journalscape.com/kenny/
-----That's pretty harsh.. I mean, he may have been trying to convey a different feeling or thought, but
seriously a politician should think before saying kind words about a racist.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2002-12-13 09:19:00
Subject: Barney Cam
I always watch C-Span in the mornings. I think Washington Journal is one of the best shows
around, because the people running it do their darndest not to feature their point of view, but
rather let the viewer decide. Fox News could take some lessons as they brag "we report...you
decide"...yeah right!
Anyway, Fridays are always my favorite WJ day as Brian Lamb hosts the show most times that
day. Today, he had an assortment of subjects, but my favorite was his feature about the Barney
Cam. If you haven't already, check it out! <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/holiday/"
target="_blank">a small camera attached to Barney</a>, President Bush's dog.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2002-12-16 09:13:00
Subject: Al Gore
I was really surprised by Al Gore's announcement last night that he's not running for president in
2004. I assumed that his book tour and recent vocal opposition to the policies of the current
administration were a preface to the inevitable - that there would be a rematch of 2000.
Now, this seems to open up the field, and I'm hoping that the Dems that are considering a run for
it will focus on the issues and not "eat their own" so to speak.
And did anyone catch Al on SNL? He was pretty good, I think. I was a little disappointed that
Darrell Hammond didn't go one on one (playing Gore) with Gore. But the West Wing sketch was
funny (and sad), the Stuart Smalley bit was good as always, and I really liked the Hardball bit!
User Comments:
Derek James <[email protected]> http://www.derekjames.net
-----Yeah, the skits with Al Gore were pretty funny. But the Weekend Update, the other skits, and
Phish all stunk.
So are you pumped yet?
Lieberman in 2004!
or, um...
Gephardt in 2004! Yay!
or how about:
Kerry in 2004! Woo-hoo!
No, I guess none of those sound all that great...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2002-12-16 10:31:00
Subject: Good Cause, Bad Website
I have a friend who bases his opinion on an issue, in some part and probably a major part, by the
quality of their website. When I was trying to get him to look at the Green candidates in the last
election, he complained about the Green Party website...it just didn't match up to the bells and
whistles that the Dems and Reps had on theirs.
My question to him...how do grass roots organizations have a chance if everyone felt this way?
Being in the web development business, I can understand that it doesn't take a huge amount of
brains to develop a good website. On the other hand, my expertise in doing this may be matched
equally by someone who doesn't know a thing about HTML, but has all the facts on an important
issue of the day.
The more I learn, in fact, I want to almost run the other way when I see a fancy, Madison Avenue
type site trying to get my $$$$s, my votes, or my mind!
User Comments:
Luke McKibben <[email protected]> http://www.lukemckibben.org
-----This isn't about the topic at hand, but about this journal in general. I think it's awesome that you
are keeping this kind of journal and I look forward to reading it!
-----All right, dammit...my ears were burning.
I don't judge the worthiness of a cause or candidate on how pretty their website is. I was
complaining about the content of the site.
If you recall, I said that the national Green Party site is well-organized and informative, unlike
their Texas pages or especially, the pages for the Texas candidates. I thought they were
severely lacking in substantive content, stuff like, oh...where the candidates stood on issues
affecting Texans.
So don't go paintin' me with that brush, sister. I'll be watching. ;)
-----It's unfortunate that the website makes people feel that way, but I can understand. If you saw a
candidate (let's assume for this example it's a guy) and he was wearing dirty pants and his hair
was messed up and he didn't speak English properly, you wouldn't vote for him. I guess it's kind
of the same with the website, like if the person didn't care enough to present themselves in a nice
fashion to the voters, then do I really want them representing us to the world?
I'm split on the issue though, it really should be about substance.. however, impressions are a
strong human reaction.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2002-12-18 08:36:00
Subject: Frida
It may be too early for me to declare my favorite movie of the year, what with some blockbusters
coming out shortly. I also didn't see too many movies this past year...not as many as I would
have liked, anyway.
But I'll have to say that my personal favorite as of right now is also on <a
href="http://www.afi.com/about/afi2002.asp" target="_blank">AFIs list</a> so I don't feel too off
base.
The movie I enjoyed the most of the ones I saw this past year was Frida. It may have
been, in part, because when Luke & I were in NYC in September attending the New Yorker
Festival, we were able to see Julie Taymor. In my opinion she's a genius! Soon after seeing her
speak, we went to see The Lion King at the New Amsterdam. Again, I was overwhelmed.
I'm not that much into musicals, but this was way beyond that.
Given my newly found admiration of Taymor's work, I was very anxious to see Frida, and
I'll have to say that I wasn't let down. The performances were fantastic! The story was interesting!
And, once again, I was bowled over by Taymor's ability to bring art to life!
Of the upcoming movies, though, I'll have to say that About Schmidt might make me
change my mind. Jack Nicholson's always a favorite with me.
But at the end of the day (year), I'm thinking I'll still like Frida best!
User Comments:
-----Yeah, I hate musicals too.
Selma Hayek, on the other hand, is hot and spicy, no matter how many eyebrows she has.
Still, I'm content to wait for it on video.
-----I still haven't seen Frida, though I certainly want to. I too enjoyed Julie Taymor. It's easy to tell
that she is very talented and pasionate at what she does. I also am not too interested in
musicals, but I was blown away by the Lion King.
As far as a favorite movie of the year, well, that is hard to say. I will have to get back to you on
that.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2002-12-19 08:30:00
Subject: Yahoo Person of the Year?
This blog is not so much about the winner of the <a href="http://yir.yahoo.com/2002/winner.html"
target="_blank">Yahoo Person of the Year</a> but rather about the other nominees.
Now I know that this is not scientific, and it was just a poll conducted by people who access
Yahoo, but really...these are the only people that they could come up with???
1. Barry Bonds
2. Britney Spears
3. Colin Powell
4. Eminem
5. George W. Bush
6. Howard Stern
7. J. K. Rowling
8. Kofi Annan
9. The Osbourne Family
10. Serena Williams
Maybe I'm just too much into world affairs to take 1,2,4,6,7,9 and 10 seriously, but I'm
wondering...am I that far out of touch?
Like I said, I'm not disagreeing with the top choice all that much. I'm just hoping that Time
Magazine doesn't let me down and that they have a better slate of candidates to choose from.
User Comments:
-----Yeah, I think it was a good choice, too.
Jillsusan <[email protected]> http://www.journalscape.com/jillsusan/
-----Time didn't let me down for <a href="http://www.time.com/time/personoftheyear/2002/"
target="_blank">Person of the Year 2002!</a>
-----Yeah, hopefully Time Magazine won't do what they did last year and give it to someone like Rudy
Gulliana. That was a mistake if I have ever seen one.
It's almost like the person of the year is "who has had their name in the most headlines" or
something like that. I don't know, I am just rambling here.
-----Alright, JournalScape Person of the Year.... here we go. :)
Matthew
-----I think Reese Witherspoon should be the person of the year. EVERYONE loves Reese.
-matt
-----I'm just wondering why Yahoo is doing a "Person of the Year".
Wouldn't it be perfect for them to have a vote for "Yahoo of the Year"?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2002-12-24 14:14:00
Subject: Jill's Rules of Reading
I just watched a recent taped episode of Charlie Rose and he was interviewing Elmore Leonard.
In the interview, Mr. Leonard talked about <a
href="http://elmoreleonard.com/archives/010elrules.htm" target="_blank">Elmore's Rules of
Writing</a>. Although I don't consider him to be the best writer ever by any stretch, I found his
rules pretty interesting.
It got me to thinking, since I don't write all that much, but I love to read, maybe I should come up
with my own list.
So here goes....
Jill's Rules of READING
1. Never get in bed with a book...it'll last longer than you will.
2. Never buy a book under 200 pages...after all, you can finish it on 4 good visits and 6 lattes at
Borders.
3. Never read while walking your dogs...dumpsters have a way of popping up in your path and
the bruise is ugly.
4. Never expect that when you loan out a book, that you'll ever see it again.
5. Likewise, when someone loans you a book, it's yours!
6. Never read a book with Fabio (or someone who looks like Fabio) on the cover.
7. Never read a book of the movie, after you've seen the movie. It's a waste of time.
8. Audiobooks, even the unabridged ones, are not as good as reading the book, but they do
serve a purpose on those dull commutes or jogs.
9. Don't assume that just because a book is on the bestseller list that it has to be good (e.g.
JOURNALS, by Kurt Cobain).
10. A good library nearby (if you use it) is a lot more valuable than a college education, and much
cheaper.
Happy reading!
User Comments:
-----Yeah, and I also realized that reading a book after you've seen the movie is not always a waste
of time....sometimes, you just have to have a little more than what you got at the local cinema and
the book fills in the gaps nicely. I should have probably thought through this a little more.
-----Hey, Merry Mythmas, Jill!
I'd seen Leonard's rules a while back, and they're generally good ones, if what you're after is
streamlined, action-oriented prose. The "said" rule is sound for everyone, though. And adverbs
in general should be avoided like the plague. But not everyone needs to limit physical
description, of people or places. This is a stylistic choice, and as he points out with exceptions to
nearly every one of his "rules", if you do it well, go for it.
Also, I liked your reading rules (though I like short books).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2002-12-26 12:10:00
Subject: Washington Journal
I wake up most mornings to the sound of news, which I quickly turn off. Then I grab my remote so
that I can turn my TV on to C-Span to watch Washington Journal. It's a live broadcast from 6-9
(my time) everyday. I was thrilled to see that even on Christmas Day, they were live. It's very
comforting, somehow.
The announcers on the show spend some time reading the morning papers from across the
world and pick out timely and interesting pieces and topics. I always hear something pretty
interesting and new.
The revolving group of hosts are a pretty low-key bunch and they are paid (probably not that
much) for staring into the camera and listening to callers voice their opinions about things.
Most mornings they have at least one guest, sometimes more. There are names I recognize, and
some I don't. It's a great way to ease into the day and I've made it a habit!
Today, I heard an interesting phrase that I've been pondering for awhile now. The guests were
discussing the recent lawsuit involving the guy that is suing McDonalds because he didn't know
that Big Macs would make him "Big Fat," so to speak. They had a vegan doctor debating the
head of a restaurant association who was defending fast food chains. The most interesting
comment was from the restaurant guy...he said "this is the kind of lawsuit that gives frivolous
lawsuits a bad name."
Think about it...I have. ;-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2002-12-28 12:33:00
Subject: Get over it
Someone once said that you will never get over a death until you see it as a life completed,
rather than a life interrupted.
I'm thinking that this is probably pretty helpful, but I'm also thinking that this is probably pretty
impossible, at least for me.
Although I find that it's easier to accept an older person's death (what's old?...older than me!),
there is still a big part of me that wants that person here still, available to me.
User Comments:
-----Don't be taken aback. The older I get, the more philosophical I become, it seems. Death is a
scary issue for me, both my own, and others that are close to me. I don't like goodbyes, and
death is a pretty final one!
-----This was an interesting post that seemed to come from nowhere. Did someone you know pass
on recently?
Some of those simple little sayings about life seem to have the best meaning. My favorite is the
old Native American idea of:
"We are not inheriting the world from our parents, we are borrowing it from our children."
Just those simple phrases that totally throw "conventional wisdom" out the window. Or here is
another one, slightly more 'on topic'.
If you’re frightened of dying, and your holding on, then you will see devils tearing your life away.
But if you’ve made your peace, then the devils are really angels freeing you from the Earth.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2002-12-29 09:23:00
Subject: Bill Clinton
I dreamed about Bill Clinton last night. No, not that kind of dream.
I think I've been watching too much C-Span. He was coming to me for advice on what to do with
the rest of his life. I suggested that he be more Carter-esque, and use his power and influence to
help eradicate AIDs in Africa. Or lead the US as a bully pulpit to end racism, since he often gets
credit for being the "first black president."
But he said he had 2 house payments to make and a child to put through college. He needed to
make money. So I gave him my brother Ted's advice....find a job you like and the money will take
care of itself.
That must have struck a cord, as he just smiled as he walked away.
User Comments:
matthew mckibben
-----Your dreams are a lot more coherant than mine are. If I had this dream, Bill Clinton would have
been in an evening gown sipping on an IBC Root Beer.
I agree with your advice to the former Commander in Chief. Since his legacy is all but wasted, he
might as well make his legacy be his "post term" career. Kind of like Carter. I'd be willing to bet
that most people will remember the work he's done now as opposed to the work he did as
President.
I'd like to see Bill Clinton manage a McDonalds for one. Maybe he could manage a Payless
Shoes store. Can't you see him in his brown pants and tan shirt with a dark brown tie.
-m
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2002-12-29 18:41:00
Subject: If heaven exists
So I go to my sunday school today and the topic is "If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear
God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?" Now I'm a big fan of <a
href="http://bravotv.com/series/actorsstudio/index.html" target="_blank">Inside the Actors Studio
</a> and I knew the topic before I arrived, so I studied the actors' responses to the Bernard Pivot
survey that James Lipton asks them each week. They're posted on the website.
Most of the actors questioned just said something boring, like "Welcome" or "Glad to see you." I
liked Tom Hanks' response best..."ah, ah, ah. Back you go." That was kind of like what I would
say.
But after giving it more thought, I said that god would say to me "See, you made it to 100 years
old and you finished reading all the books on your bookshelves. Welcome to my library."
A friend in the class said that he would like to envision more of a "library of people," rather than a
library of books. I like that idea too.
It was interesting though. The atheists in the group had a real problem with the question and kept
coming up with things that they wanted to say to god, not so much hearing what god had to say
to them.
User Comments:
-----How about:
"Ha! Didn't think you'd make it in, did you, you unbelieving sonofabitch! Well, we've lowered our
standards a little. Make yourself at home: plenty of food and drink, and the oiled-up supermodels
are over there..." :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2002-12-30 11:43:00
Subject: Ain't it great?
In reading the NY Times today, I came across this article <a
href="http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/30/nyregion/30HIAT.html?todaysheadlines"
target="_blank">When Christmas Is a Wednesday, 2 Workweeks Can Evaporate</a> by ELISSA
GOOTMAN.
In it, she says With both Christmas and New Year's Day falling on Wednesdays, the week-orso-long hiatus that normally takes place between the holidays has stretched into two weeks.
Sure, not everyone technically has both weeks off, but look at it this way: the Tuesdays are
bound to be unproductive, as Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are practically holidays
themselves. Knowing that, how much are you going to accomplish on the Mondays? The
Wednesdays are the official holidays, the Thursdays are for recovering from the holidays, and the
Fridays are, well, Fridays.
How sweet it is!
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----This is TOO good. I love this long holiday. Sure, I'll probably go broke trying to pay my bills next
month but this time off is WONDERFUL!
-m
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-03 00:15:00
Subject: Chicago
MaryAnn, Robert, Michael and I spent NY eve in Atlanta with Chicago, the movie. It was really
good. Now you all know that I'm not that much into musicals, but I loved The Lion King in NY in
September and MA thought this would be a good way to usher in the new year 2003. I went
along.
I really enjoyed it. Richard Gere was really good, CZ Jones was terrific and I liked Rene Z,
although everytime I see here, I just think of Bridget Jones and "you complete me" so I have a
hard time getting past this with her. She was my least favorite part in the production, but I really,
really liked the rest of it. I wished that they hadn't had to cut out any of the numbers for the movie
and that sometime in the near future I can see the live performance of this musical in NYC.
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----Great movie. I LOVED it. I wrote a mini-review of it on my website.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-03 13:12:00
Subject: Oh baby!
I'm having a great time here in Atlanta with my firstborn child MaryAnn and her cool hubby
Robert. The best part of the whole visit has been sharing in their plans/chatter/preparation for the
late January/early February arrival of "little Dana," my third grandchild.
Yesterday, MaryAnn and I celebrated her 31st birthday by going to Babies 'R Us and finishing the
shopping. I can say proudly that I'm no longer shocked when I enter this store, as I was the first
time. At that time, I just couldn't believe that one could fill a whole mega-store with baby items. If
anyone has any doubt about what an advantage it is to be born American, they just need to go to
one of these stores.
Anyway, now I know what a Diaper Genie is, and where to find one in the store. I even figured out
that we needed the "wide-mouthed" refills, instead of the "narrow-mouthed" ones. And I was the
disposable diaper expert (thanks to Katie), as I confidently told MaryAnn - "it's Pampers or
Huggies. Those are the best!"
After having four perfectly normal healthy children of my own without the advantage of this baby
superstore, I know that it's possible to have a baby without all of this stuff. But if all this stuff helps
moms and dads spend more quality time holding/hugging/loving their children, then I'm all for it!
User Comments:
matthew mckibben
-----I'd like to make a toast.
To Mary Ann and Robert who are expecting their first child.
and
To myself, who hopes to not have a spawn of my own for a good long while.
-Matt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-08 13:19:00
Subject: The Last Waltz
The 70s were a great decade for me (marriage, a move to Houston, the birth of 4 healthy babies,
etc.) and I wouldn't trade my experience in the 70s for anything, but I'm finding out more and
more how much I missed while I was enjoying my life.
My boss gave me, along with my co-workers, an Amazon gift certificate and I spent mine on the
25th Anniversary edition DVD of The Last Waltz..."the finest of all rock movies" according
to Newsweek.
I was a fan of The Band before I became a respectable wife and mother. Oh, they weren't in my
top 5 or probably even my top 10. But spending time with them again in 2003 has been a really
nice experience. And with the appearances of Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Eric Clapton, I can
almost forgive them for inviting Neil Diamond to the gig.
Totally not trusting my taste in things until it's confirmed by the experts, I visited <a
href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/TheLastWaltz-1011990/" target="_blank">Rotten
Tomatoes</a>, a site that I check often for movie reviews. I was surprised to find that both the
Tomatometer and the Cream of the Crop gave it a rating of 100% Fresh! So now I can really
 enjoy it, can't I?
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----I have heard nothing but good things about "The Last Waltz." Many people even say that it's their
favorite Scorsese movie which says A LOT since he's one of the best.
I'm a "The Band" fan. Not one of my faves by any stretch of the word, but they're pretty awesome.
It sounds really cliche but "The Weight" is one of the all time great songs.
And you can't go wrong with Bob Dylan. Let's face it, the man's the best.
-Matthew
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-09 12:02:00
Subject: Food for thought
I have many joys in life, but really, eating out is not one of them. Oh sure, I'll occasionally
accompany co-workers on their noonday quest for a fast, cheap, delicious place to eat, but it's
always, for me, more for the company than the food.
And it seems that whenever I have company or a request to bring a dish, I'll find a reasonable,
acceptable restaurant to visit or an Eatzi's type place to buy the "homemade" dish. But that's
usually more for others than it is for me, too, as I'd just as soon have a few slices of cheese and a
few crackers (usually quite old) from my cupboard. But can I really offer company these
things???? Well, no! And besides that, my little teeny, tiny kitchen is not conducive to preparing
big meals.
In trying to identify why I feel this way, when so many people around me really dig eating out, I've
come up with some possible reasons:
1. I'm cheap. I can spend 6 or 7 bucks on a lunch out or buy a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut
butter and have lunches for days, maybe even weeks.
2. I'm not cheap...I'd just rather spend my money on something else. A week's worth of lunch
money will buy a book from Amazon, 1/2 of a plane ticket to Tulsa, 2 movie tickets plus popcorn
and a diet Coke (now that's "restaurant" food I can't pass up!).
3. You never know where it's been. I'm not really that anal retentive, but then again, I've read 
Kitchen Confidential and watched enough Marvin Zindler reports to know that even in the
best of restaurants you can find gooey, greasy grime on the ice machine.
4. Waist watcher. I don't care what meal I select, and even if I only eat half of the humongous
portions that they serve these days, it's next to impossible for me to watch my waistline when I
eat out. You just never know the ingredients of those secret sauces.
5. The check. It's usually an uncomfortable moment that I just hate. Unless you get separate
checks, which is a pain for the waitstaff, divvying it up usually is not ever fair (and you know how I
love fair) as people at the table just remember the menu price of their food and throw that into the
pile without regard for tax and tip. Then the person who is in charge of counting and collecting the
money has to beg for more from everyone. Sometimes, when I'm the collector, to avoid this, I've
just "eaten" it.
6. Food is just not that important to me. Now I love good food whenever I have it (my son-in-law
Robert is a gourmet cook and I just recently enjoyed some very wonderful meals from his
kitchen) but day-in, day-out, give me pretty basic, non-fancy food and as long as it makes the
hunger pangs go away, I'm set.
7. People are starving in Africa. This really doesn't keep me from dining out, but it does make me
pause to see how much we Americans eat and how big our portions are. A little voice inside me
just says "it's just wrong".
8. I can't decide. This is a toughy for me. When I do go out to eat, especially to a buffet, I want
one of EVERYTHING! This goes against #7 and my feelings about that so I am conflicted about
what to do. I don't like being conflicted.
9. Where do you want to eat? When I do go out to eat, I'll most always defer to the choice of
restaurants of the people I dine with. Oh sure, I really do have some places I prefer over others,
but then again, is it really that important to make a big deal of it and the places they are
suggesting aren't going to kill me (except for the gooey, greasy, grimy slime on the ice machine -see #3).
10. Minimum wage. Why don't restaurants pay their employees at least a minimum wage? And
give them benefits? And give them the dignity of making a career in food service, if that's what
they enjoy? It's just not fair, and you know how I like fair -- see #5).
So, where do you want to go for lunch?
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----I eat out WAY too much. I think I personally keep every Tex-Mex rest. in Denton opened off my
patronage. It put a serious dent in the good ol pocketbook. It's fun sometimes but most of the
time, it gets really old. It's too greasy, too heavy, too expensive, and the portions are incredibly
too large. I'm going to devote my efforts to eating healthier and cheaper this semester.
But I like a good Marshalls BBQ sandwich every once in a while.
I'm really liking your posts. Keep up the good work.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-12 00:02:00
Subject: Daily Show - Good/SNL - Bad
OK, maybe it's just because I was working on mediator stuff while I was kinda watching SNL
tonight, but I don't think so.
THIS WAS THE WORST SNL THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN!
I really liked Avril Lavigne, but that was it! The rest of it really sucked!!! I guess if I had to pick, the
Charlie Rose skit was the best, but still, it was really, really bad!
I have a theory. I think Jon Stewart's The Daily Show has gotten all of the good writers
from SNL. It's consistently great!
Or maybe they just haven't found anyone to pick up the slack for Will Ferrell. I mean, he's no Phil
Hartman, and Phil Hartman's no John Belushi, but still...
Where are the Not Ready for Primetime Players when you need them?
Sure, Jimmy Fallon is as cute as a bug and Darrell Hammond does some really great
impressions (but they seem to be not writing stuff for him lately...it was Horatio Sands night last
night) and the women are OK, but I miss Cheri Oteri and Jan Hooks (and why does anyone think
a routine featuring an impersonation of Diana Ross is a topical one for the year 2003?)...come
on!
This show has so <a href="http://www.jumptheshark.com/" target="_blank">jumped the shark
</a> on steroids!
User Comments:
matthew mckibben
-----Just an awful show sometimes. Usually, it's bad beyond belief. I think they should trim about a
half hour off the show. That'd help with ratins and also with the weak ass writing staff.
I think that all the great comedy writers have gone to "The Daily Show" and to "The Conan
O'Brien Show." If I remember correctly, a lot of the talent from the old SNL days work on both
shows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-13 08:54:00
Subject: I can see clearly now
I was walking Jack and Marina this morning and saw a neighbor walking her dog. This isn't
unusual, but what was unusual about it was that she was wearing glasses. I'd never seen her
wear glasses before.
It got me to thinking about glasses. I remember when I first got mine, back in the 3rd or 4th grade.
I was so excited about it and remember walking out of the optician's office and noticing how
clearly I could see. At first, it looked like I was walking downhill all the time, but I got used to it. I
wasn't too concerned about vanity yet, or impressing boys, so I was a happy "four eyes".
Then, my teenage years hit and I bought into the old saying that "guys don't make passes at girls
who wear glasses" so I got contact lenses for the first time. I struggled with them and put up with
all kinds of discomfort, but, in my mind, it was worth it.
After I became a wife, and especially a mother, I just didn't have time for all the frustration of
contacts so I returned to glasses and wear them still today. I've been through all kinds of
styles...the big 70s ones that almost covered your whole face, the kinder, gentler wire rims that
barely covered my eyes, and now I'm in the Ashley Banfield/Tina Fey type design. If money was
no object, I'd have all different kinds of glasses, as I enjoy the various styles available today.
Finally, I just have to say that I'm very grateful that I'm in a place where I can have vision
correction. Just how much would I miss out on, if I couldn't see clearly, not to mention how
dangerous would I be to myself and others, especially behind the wheel of a car!
I also think about all the people in the world who go through life without having the opportunity to
have vision correction. I know in the big scheme of things, having 20/20 vision is not as important
as having your next meal, but then again, I have both, and for that, I'm very grateful.
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----The 70's and 80's were by far the worst decade for glasses. Everyone had those glasses that
covered three quarters of our faces. For me, the smaller the better. I like the John
Lennon/Granny glasses personally.
I'd like to try the LASIK sometime. I hear that it's pretty cheap now and can be paid in
installments. Can't beat that deal.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-14 09:48:00
Subject: Evil is as evil does
For the most part, I want to keep this post pretty lighthearted, but occasionally something comes
to mind that I just can't shake. This is one of those times.
I received an email recently relaying the events of a traffic accident that could have had tragic
results (the driver that was hit was dragged out of the car and beaten by the other driver, with the
promise of worse things ahead, until a passerby intervened and the other driver fled).
I replied to this email that the way I see it, the "good guys" still outnumber the bad guys and
for all the horrible events of our time, we just need to focus on that. That person who came to [the
driver's] rescue is a "saint" in my opinion and we just can't let evil win! Yes, as much as I don't
want to admit it, there is real evil in the world
In even replying this way, I faced real conflict with myself. There have been times when I thought
that there was no such thing as evil, and others (like the aforementioned event) where I think
evil's present in our world. It's a question that I struggle with every day.
Today I'm on the side that doesn't believe that people are evil, per se, but that they make really,
really evil choices. Let's look at the DC snipers for instance.
Didn't the fact that they hid from authorities and took the time to customize a vehicle so that they
could wreak their havoc without even leaving the comfort of their car say that they knew right
from wrong, and they chose wrong and continued killing random people? Wasn't this evil?
If they had just shown up at a shopping center and started blowing people away in full view of
everyone, I would have been more willing to believe that they were just crazy, insane people that
didn't know a good choice from a bad (evil) one.
What do you think?
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----I'll add this and be done:
I think that my perceptions of good and evil are partly inspired and based on fantasy stories like
"The Lord of the Rings" and the "Star Wars" movies.
In those movies, good and evil come to fruition through fully realized evil characters. Characters
beyond all moral reproach like the Emperor in Star Wars and Sauron and Sauromon in LOTR.
But I think that we also get the human representation of good and evil through other characters.
Darth Vader who is described as "twisted and evil" by Obi Wan Kenobi has feelings of doubt and
good in him as felt by his son. Smeagol/Gollum is a character that many would classify as evil yet
he too has some good in him.
I know, it's kinda a silly analogy, but I guess it fits.
Matthew McKibben
-----I was actually thinking about this very subject today as I walked through campus. Not this topic of
what happened, but the topic of good vs. evil.
One of my main arguments with the classification of "good" and the classification of "evil" is that it
tends to put the individual being spoken about on some kind of above human plane. Like to say
that the Dalai Lama is the epitome of "good" and Adolf Hitler is the epitome of "evil" places both
people on a plane higher than human existence.
They are humans with human actions, human desires, and human goals. Does doing evil things
make one inherantly evil and does doing good things make someone inherantly good? Good and
evil are the opposite ends of the spectrum. Good being a (1) and evil being a (10). I firmly believe
that all human beings (including Hitler and Ghandi and Mother Theresa or whomever)fall directly
in the middle. I think that there is just as much potential to create in our bodies and minds as
there is potential to destroy.
There is a lot of talk nowdays in the entertainment world about Adolf Hitler. CBS is planning a
mini-series on his early years, John Cusack starred in a recent movie called "Max" which deals
with Hitler's early days as an artist, and there is even a rumor of a major motion picture in the
early stages of production about Hitler. But with all this talk about Adolf Hitler, a lot of Jewish
groups are understandably cautious about any movie that tries to portray "this monster as
human." I totally see why they would feel cautious and worried. Any group of people that had
their own government systematically round them up and gas them, would and should have every
right to feel cautious about a movie that would attempt to place a human face on Hitler.
But at the same time, it is VITAL that we finally break down this wall that we've built around Hitler
where we classify him as "evil incarnate." He did really fucked up things to millions of people. But
Hitler himself was not evil. Hitler was a human being. And the sooner we start realizing that Hitler
was a human being, the sooner we can start to deal with the fact that we are Hitler and we are
Mother Theresa. A famous Jewish scholar (whose name escapes me right now) said that in order
to best understand Hitler, it is important to realize that all he ever wanted to be in this life was an
artist. This meaning that we all carry the potential for great and awful things but that sometimes,
there are forces beyond our control that can lead people down one path over the other.
There is potential in us to do great and wonderful things and there is also the potential for us to
destroy and kill. Humans have the capability to both create and destroy life in the same breath.
Was Hitler evil? Was Ghandi good? Hitler was no more evil than the people who elected him and
the people he led to their deaths. Ghandi was no more good than the people he led to liberation.
I do believe in evil and I do believe in good. They are yin and yang with each other. But I do not
and can not believe that good and evil as we know them, can manifest themselves in mankind.
Jill <[email protected]> http://www.jilllsusan.com
-----Bottom line, I'm very uncomfortable classifying people as either good or bad (evil). I think this is
what Luke is saying and I agree with him.
That's why when I wrote the original email response, I said that I hated to admit that there was
evil in the world...I didn't say I hated to admit that there were evil people in the world.
I don't want to set myself up as judge of a person. After all, until I've walked a mile in their
moccasins, so to speak, how can I possibly know all about them? How can I judge them and call
them an evil person? Or a good one, for that matter? I think labelling people is not only
inaccurate, but destructive.
On the other hand, I think I have the right to say that a particular action on their part was evil,
based on my moral compass.
-----Your right Derek. People can't be good. I never said that they could be.
And Maryann, sorry!
-----Luke writes: "So my main point is that acts can be wrong, bad, inhumane, and even if you would
like to use the word "evil", but that people are not evil, or cannot be evil."
But Luke, using your logic, could anyone be said to be good?
A man dives into a freezing river to save a drowning girl. Oh, he isn't really a good person...a
myriad of factors (his childhood, his brain chemistry, etc.) influenced his "decision".
If people aren't really evil, then by extension they're not really good either. You can't have it both
ways.
MaryAnn
-----I know the woman involved in this incident, so it is hard for me to think about this question
abstractly... but I just have to say to Luke, why is 'husband' capitalized and 'wife' not in your email? Shame on you! Down with patriarchy! LOL ;-)
-----"Do the motivations, or lack thereof, mitigate or lessen the moral categorization of the act?"
An act may be wrong or bad or stupid or immoral or inhumane or pointless or cruel or dare I say
"evil", but a person is not evil.
"For example, if a man kidnaps a little girl and brutally disfigures her (e.g. by pulling out her teeth
with pliers), do his motivations matter in categorizing his actions as evil or not?"
Read above.
"And what if it happened that the man very well knew the difference between right and wrong,
was a functional, intelligent adult, and committed such an act? Would that satisfy as evil?"
Read above. Although I find it extremely hard to believe that anyone who is a "functional
intelligent adult" who is not insane and knows the difference between right and wrong" would be
able to do that. The only person who could do something that bad, wrong, immoral, inhumane,
vile, whatever else, would either be mentally ill, or would have a reason why he felt that he could
do that and get away with that. No one is socialized to do that, so we couldn't say it was society.
But rape is wrong and bad and evil and all that right? Well at a time it was alright for Husbands to
rape wives. In some cultures it still is. In many places it is alright for Husbands to beat wives.
But isn't beating or raping someone bad, or even evil?
But is the man evil who is doing something he has been socialized as the right thing to do? Or is
he just doing what he has always been told was right?
Forget about cultural relativism, rape and domestic violence is always wrong in my book. But I
can't beleive that a person is just evil, and THAT is their motivation to do something bad.
So my main point is that acts can be wrong, bad, inhumane, and even if you would like to use the
word "evil", but that people are not evil, or cannot be evil.
As I told mom in an email today, unless you believe that a baby can be born evil, I don't think that
people can be evil, because something along the way made them do the 'evil' act.
Jill <[email protected]> http://www.jillsusan.com
-----I think motivations do matter when it comes to classifying something as evil, but I know that this is
a slippery slope. That sets someone (me) up as judge and jury of the act.
But then again, would Robin Hood have been considered evil? I think not, if he's stealing from the
rich to give to the poor. But Ken Lay is definitely evil...stealing from the poor to give to the rich
(himself)!
-----Luke writes: "It seems to me that when horrendously brutal and "evil" things happen, the people
who are perpetrating the crime are either psychologically insane, desensitized to the violence,
reacting to the way they have been socialized, or counteracting against pent up rage and
oppression."
Do the motivations, or lack thereof, mitigate or lessen the moral categorization of the act?
For example, if a man kidnaps a little girl and brutally disfigures her (e.g. by pulling out her teeth
with pliers), do his motivations matter in categorizing his actions as evil or not?
And what if it happened that the man very well knew the difference between right and wrong, was
a functional, intelligent adult, and committed such an act? Would that satisfy as evil?
-----An interesting question, mom, to say the least. I am of the mind that there is no such thing as
evil, in the real world that is. Maybe in the artistic, literary, or "religious world" though.
Labeling people evil, in my mind, is a simple way of dealing with situations and
compartmentalizing the bad things that may be going on.
It seems to me that when horrendously brutal and "evil" things happen, the people who are
perpetrating the crime are either psychologically insane, desensitized to the violence, reacting to
the way they have been socialized, or counteracting against pent up rage and oppression. I
would wager that it is probably usually a mix of all of these.
Who is to really say why people do what they do. I don't know, maybe there are evil acts but not
really evil people??? Overall the term evil doesn't really mean anything though, I don't know. I
am just kind of rambling.
I will have to think more about this one, and maybe post something to my site about it. Though if
I had to answer absolutely, I would say that "No, there is no such thing as 'evil' in the world".
-----Sure, I believe in evil. I believe there are evil acts and evil people who perpetrate them.
Some people want to mock Bush for being "morally simplistic" in his speech, but to a certain
extent I find that rhetoric, if suitably applied, to be refreshing.
Yes, a dictator like Kim Jong-Il who uses food as a weapon, starving children for political
purposes, is evil. A dictator like Hussein who gasses villages to test chemical weapons, who
tortures and murders political opponents, who uses rape as a weapon is evil.
What else would you call such behavior? "Not very nice"?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-15 08:41:00
Subject: You've got mail
So I go into my Yahoo mail this morning as usual and check that I have 9 or so messages in my
Inbox and 1 message in my Bulk Mail box. Yahoo does a pretty good job of separating the spam
mail from the email that you want to read and dumps the Spam into the Bulk Mail box and the
"good" email in the regular Inbox. I always go to the Bulk Mail box first so that I can hit the Check
All/Delete buttons and go on about my day, starting with reading the "good" email.
Today the Bulk Mail message's subject line read as follows: Don't Let the IRS Seize Your Pay
Check. Sounds pretty interesting and perhaps something I might need to check into. But the
Sender line read as follows: [email protected].
Which leads me to my question...if you're going to go to the trouble of spamming the entire
Yahoo world, why don't you at least set yourself up in Hotmail with a better user name?
Who knows, maybe I would have been more inclined to read this if the sender was
[email protected] or [email protected]. But big_jon82002? Probably,
most definitely not!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-16 15:03:00
Subject: Smoking Gun or ...?
According to CNN today, U.N. weapons inspectors Thursday found 11 empty chemical
warheads and another one that needed further evaluation, all in "excellent condition," according
to a U.N. spokesman.
"It is neither chemical, neither biological," Hossam Amin, head of Iraq's National Monitoring
Directorate, said. "It is empty warheads. It is small artillery rockets. It is expired rockets. They
were forgotten without any intention to use them, because they were expired since 10 years
ago."
Amin dismissed any allegation that the find is significant, calling the material "forgotten."
Isn't that always the way it is? Anyone who has ever decorated their home for the holidays and
then packed the stuff away after New Years can attest to this fact.
It's usually some time in the middle of January before you find that one last ornament that just
didn't quite make it to the box in the attic!
User Comments:
-----Good one Ted!
Ted Fulmer <[email protected]>
-----Jill wrote: "It's usually some time in the middle of January before you find that one last ornament
that just didn't quite make it to the box in the attic! "
Jill - you misspelled "armament" :)
-----Yup...<a href="http://www.journalscape.com/derekjames/2003-01-16-14:45">great minds</a>,
indeed. ;)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-19 00:07:00
Subject: Could this really be true?
I was reading Harpers today and came across this on their index..."Minimum number of neutered
pets worldwide that have been implanted with fake testicles: 100,000."
Now I don't want to go off on a rant here, but this is totally ridiculous, if it's true.
Really, I can kinda believe this, if it's true, because as I have joked (truthfully), I have spent more
money getting my bichon frises groomed than I ever did on myself at any hair salon, and spent
many more dollars at the vet on my animals than I did on my 4 kids, but still...
Is this frivolous or not? But then again, I'm not a neutered male animal. But I'm still thinking this is
way over the top!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-20 15:25:00
Subject: I write, I fold, I lick, I stamp
I was watching a Charlie Rose interview with Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney this
morning while I was getting ready for work.
In it, they were talking about the movie Solaris. Soderbergh wrote the screenplay and
sent it to Clooney for his feedback. (By the way, Soderbergh said that he didn't have Clooney in
mind to play any of the parts when he wrote it.)
After reading it, however, Clooney thought that he would enjoy and be good at playing the main
character. So what did he do? Did he pick up the phone and call Soderbergh? No. Did he email
him? No.
Instead he wrote him a long letter outlining his case and mailed it to him. What a unique thought!
Rose asked Clooney why he did it that way and he said that there are just things that require time
and attention. He added that when you take the time to sit down and write a letter, then fold it,
seal it, stamp it and find a mailbox to mail it in, you've been able think about the worth and
viability of the contents.
Soderbergh agreed, saying that when he got the actual letter from Clooney, he had time to mull it
over and make a better decision about his response than he would have if Clooney had just
called or emailed him. And although I haven't seen the movie, it sounds like it was a good pairing,
as it's gotten more positive reviews than negative ones.
My mother gave me a box of letters several years ago that I had written her in the early days of
my marriage and during the period when I was having babies. They have given me many
moments of delight, surprise, reflection, sadness, but most of all, perspective.
In this "throw away" culture and times of rapid response, I must admit that I'm not ready to
discard my email account(s) and phone(s). But an actual letter sometimes is nice and a relic of
the past that I hope doesn't completely go away.
User Comments:
-----God, you're so, like, 20th century, Jill. ;)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-21 12:00:00
Subject: We're number 1!
In reading the headines of the Dallas Morning News today, I came across this <a
href="http://www.dallasnews.com/latestnews/stories/012103dnmetcarpooling.61d56.html"
target="_blank">article</a> with the headline "Dallas commuters lead the pack in car pooling"
and the subtext "City is tops in U.S. as 18% share rides; traffic, Hispanic workers cited."
This made me smile, as I thought that maybe, just maybe, we are finally "getting it" after all.
Now don't get me wrong. I still realize that Texans, and especially Dallas Texans, have never met
an SUV or F150 that they didn't like, but then again, it sounds like Dallasites are putting those
humongous gas guzzlers to work by carpooling. So that makes it alot easier to swallow, so to
speak.
So celebrate yourself, Dallas, and keep up the good work!
User Comments:
MaryAnn
-----Luke asked with tongue in cheek, "So just what do you suggest, government regulation?!?!?"
Just read an article about the physician-assisted suicide law in Oregon and how John Asscroft
has tried to challenge it repeatedly because he's personally opposed to it. Government
intervention suits them just fine if it imposes their own personal morality. The hypocrisy is
unbelievable.
P.S. Viva Roe v. Wade!
-----Wow! Steve Case responded to my blog. I'm famous! I'm rich! He likes me, he really likes me!
Steve Case <[email protected]>
http://aoltimewarner.com/corporate_information/bio/CaseSteph.adp
-----I heard that!
-----"...and as long as our gummint makes it optional for polluters to clean up their act--that'll be the
day"
So just what do you suggest, government regulation?!?!? Once we go down that
road, it's "Next stop, Red China".
No no no, the market, my dear, will regulate itself. Take it from <a
href="http://aoltimewarner.com/corporate_information/bio/CaseSteph.adp" target="_blank">me
</a>.
MaryAnn
-----Good for Dallas! That's really neat. Houston is probably near the bottom. It's a shame; we love
that city and would consider moving back there but would not want to raise a child in the
smoggiest city in the U.S. Especially since the awl bidness seems to have such power there that
innovative anti-pollution proposals don't get much of a fair shake (and as long as our gummint
makes it optional for polluters to clean up their act--that'll be the day).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-22 14:30:00
Subject: Now/Not now
OK, let me get this straight....I'm supposed to pray really, really hard for my boss Mary Ann to
have her baby today or tomorrow (today's her due date) and I'm supposed to pray really, really
hard for my daughter MaryAnn not to have her baby today or tomorrow (she's due Feb.
4).
I hope I can handle this. I hope that I'm up to the task. I hope I don't get confused. And I hope
God (of many names, and mystery beyond all our naming) doesn't get confused either. ;-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-23 20:34:00
Subject: I'm involved...are you?
How come there are so many people in this country that are so totally uninvolved with issues and
things going on around them?
I am a member of several mediation organizations and soon to be on the board of my
homeowners group. In fact, I just got back from an annual meeting of the HOA group and we
didn't even have a quorum of people there so that we could vote on anything. And that's after all
owners were sent a proxy form to fill out (simple, easy fill out) with a SASE to return it in so that if
they chose to not attend, the board could place a vote for them.
When I send out invitations to our monthly mediation meetings and ask for an RSVP so that we
can estimate the amount of food to purchase for our "light dinner," I usually get about 20 RSVPs
and about 40 or 50 people actually show up! It's maddening when all they had to do to RSVP was
to hit the reply button on their computer and say "yes, I'm coming."
Is this just bad manners, or do people not want to commit to stuff or what?
My observation is that it's the busy people that continually do all the work in organizations and
groups I'm involved with.
Has it always been this way? Will it always be this way? Should I just deal with it?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-24 21:44:00
Subject: TGIF
Is there anything more perfect than Friday night?
I really, really love Friday nights! Especially Friday nights that occur on paydays. I get paid every
other Friday, so every other Friday is especially wonderful as I have a whole 2 days ahead of me
to squander, relax and enjoy, knowing that I've put in a productive 2 weeks and gotten rewarded
for my hard work with a good chunk of change!
And the Friday nights on the no paycheck weeks are almost as good, 'cause I still have the R & R
ahead of me and the cool thought that I'll have a paycheck waiting for me in less than a week!
Yes, Friday nights...full of possibilities. Would that every hour of my days could be as wonderful
and special as Friday nights!
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----Best night of the week. And you can quote me. ;-)
-Matt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-25 15:26:00
Subject: Boo! Hiss!-story
I went to a two hour session about the African American Museum here in Dallas this morning at
my church. Phillip, the curator of the museum, gave an interesting talk about the history of the
museum and showed some slides of the artwork exhibited there. It's wonderful, and I can't wait to
visit next weekend when a group from my church will go there as the second part of this
informative session this morning.
During the history part of the talk, he said that Dallas (yes he said Dallas TX!) had the first African
American Museum in the country in 1936! Wow...was I ever proud of that!! It was housed in one
of the art deco buildings at Fair Park and was known at that time as the African American
Museum of Life and Culture.
But then, as he continued the history of the museum, it got ugly. Seems that during the early days
of the museum, blacks could only access the place on "Black Family Day, Black School Children
Day, and June 19th." The rest of the time, the museum sat empty.
So with all this non-use, the city fathers, in their infinite wisdom, decided that the site of the
museum could be put to better use. It would be a wonderful place for a public swimming pool, in
their minds, so they tore it down and built the pool there. (So much for art and history and
culture!)
But wait, it gets worse. When the civil rights movement back in the 60s started catching on and
the city fathers realized that they would have to allow blacks the opportunity to use the public
pool, they filled the pool in with concrete and built a parking lot for the Music Hall at the site. (You
just can't have too much concrete now, can you?)
Thankfully, in 1974, Bishop College decided to appropriate part of their space for another
museum and in 1980, a bond election was held to fund the new building at Fair Park. And that's
where it stands today. It's part of the Smithsonian and is the only African American museum in
the Southwest US.
So the next time you are in the Fair Park area of town, check it out. Better yet, plan a trip to visit it
and I think you'll be glad that you did!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-26 23:26:00
Subject: Just another manic Sunday
So I'm trying to be a well-rounded gal, and I turn on the Super Bowl (who's playing again?) and at
least try to catch some groovy commercials and the halftime show. Disappointment, 21st century
style! Is this what it's come to? Sting with Gwen Stefani, preceded by a lip-syncing Shania
Twain? Oh no!!!
Oh well, I was paying bills at the same time, so it wasn't a total loss. But then again, the whole
Super Bowl thing is so highly overrated, in my opinion. I'm sorry, but I just can't get excited about
PRO football anymore. Especially any game that's got a Florida team involved.
I saw a wonderful play today at the Dallas Theater Center...Tom Stoppard's "The Real Thing". It
was funny, witty and wonderful! And in the In Perspective afterwards, I was able to be dubbed
"the favorite person in the room" by Professor Daniel Mendelsohn of Princeton, as I asked him
about a recent
review that he wrote in the NY Review of Books and he was beaming that someone in the
audience had actually read his work!
A strange thing happened on my way to the play however. I was getting the mediator mail at the
post office on Oak Lawn and parked next to me was a van that was painted (like a company van)
with the following: "Women Who Fear God International" along with a local phone number. Now
what's that all about???? They'd have to have really tinted windows before I'd jump aboard! ;-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-27 19:09:00
Subject: 65 for 45
I left work a little early today to go to Fieldwork Dallas to attend a 45 minute interview about skin
medications for which I received $65! Now I call that a good use of my time.
I've enjoyed being a part of market research on occasions in the past with this company and I'm
always excited, when, after the initial phone interview with me, the screener says "OK, you
qualify, would you like to come in for an hour on ___day and we'll pay you $___ for
participating?"
I've participated in quite a few studies over the past few years. One was about wine (I liked this
one, as I not only got paid for it, but got a bottle of wine, too). Then there were the others about
hotels and dashboards and potato chips (this one was pretty yucky as we actually had to taste
"steak" flavored potato chips...yuck!). But on the whole, it's a neat experience. I get to be
opinionated and someone actually *listens* to me and I even get paid for it! Is this a great country
or what???
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----65 for 45 sounds like the title of a Dylan song.
One time a drug dealer paid me a couple grand to try some heroin and crack. Man oh man, was
THAT good research. ;-)
Jill
-----No, it was a cream for dry skin. They wouldn't tell me the name or the drug company's name, but
there were honest to god doctors behind the 2-way mirrors...oooh, I hope I didn't scratch or pick
at something in their presence!
They didn't even have it there for me to see. I just had to answer questions about their marketing
campaign.
An easy 65 if I've ever seen one!
-----Yeah, yeah...what we really want to know is what kind of medication it was. Wart
remover? Leprosy cream?
Did you have to actually use it?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-28 12:56:00
Subject: OK, fork 'em over!!
You know you have at least one, probably more. Maybe you're storing your old socks in them, or
photos, or recyclables, or your porn.
Maybe you're using them to carry your lunch back and forth to work.
Or collecting the oil when you do a 'do it yourself' oil change.
They're the perfect size for a small baby's bed (MaryAnn & Robert...I'm looking in your direction)
or they make a neat cat or dog bed, with a little blanket thrown in for fluffiness.
Whatever you're using them for, fork 'em over! With <a
href="http://enquirer.com/editions/2002/12/10/loc_mailtubs10.html" target="_blank">19,980,000
</a> of them missing nationwide, I just know that you have at least one!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-29 16:21:00
Subject: For my children always
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about your despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
-from "Wild Geese" by Mary Oliver
User Comments:
MaryAnn
-----I've always loved that poem!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-01-30 21:04:00
Subject: Uncomfortably numb
I arrive just in time for work today to make my 10 o'clock meeting, only to find that it has been
postponed to a day of another's choosing. Most days I would celebrate this good turn of events,
but today, I really, really want structure and to not be interrupted.
So I begin...
I check email. I can act on those and delete those and file those and be done with those. But
then, I come across one that requires more than reaction and thought, but feeling, and there I am
again. Back where I started.
OK, then, I'll answer my phone when it rings. And that will keep me centered on corporate things,
not private and painful things, and I'll be able to vacate the reality of the past few days. But
uncertainty shows up in phone calls, and my mind is left wandering to places I want not to go,
and I feel anger and guilt and loneliness and regret.
Center, Jill, just center. Maybe the hollowness comes from hunger, so find bread, simple, pure
and stable. Pick at it, swallow it down, all the time wondering if it will fill me up, but knowing that it
probably won't.
Only a few more hours left of this workday and maybe if I can just be really productive, I'll fool
myself into thinking that nothing has changed. So I try, and try again, but again, I can not focus
on what is set before me, but rather only on what has gone before this day and the day before.
So finally, the closing bell rings and I can go home to four furry friends who need my attention
and there, I will find peace and tasks to keep me busy and my mind occupied so that I don't float
to other places. But alas, it doesn't happen. I watch a video tape for 30 minutes, only to rewind it
when I realize that I couldn't for the life of me report to anyone what in the world it was about.
I search my books and journals for comfort, knowing that I have lived through other days like
these, and wanting to find confirmation for what I know, or thought I knew. That this, too, shall
pass. But every page I turn to speaks to me, yet not in the words I need to hear.
So I wait for time to pass and events to pass and memories to fade...
And I look forward to the day, when once again, I'll progress from uncomfortably to comfortably
numb.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-02-02 20:24:00
Subject: The Circle of Life
I've just recently arrived home from attending the memorial services of the father of my children in
Houston. He died suddenly and unexpectantly last Tuesday, January 28th.
I'm glad to be home.
I'm exhausted.
I'm sentimental.
I'm reflective.
I'm sad, so sad.
I'm happy (that my children are my children and that they do as they do).
I'm glad that I was introduced to the concept of "one day at a time" and that I live it, most days.
I'm warm because of all the hugs that I received yesterday morning from so many that were in my
past, but are in my present now.
I'm hopeful that "war is over" because I want it and I hope others want it too.
I'm unforgiven, but that's "OK."
I'm alive.
I'm wanting a return to normalcy (whatever that is).
I'm excited about the impending birth of my third grandchild, LD.
I'm relieved that Katie & Dan and the kids arrived home safely.
I'm appreciative of my brother Ted and my sister Sherry who sat and talked with me this
afternoon for hours just to make sure that "I" was going to be OK.
I'm blessed that I have my mother nearby to lend perspective to life and death at her age of 76.
I'm these and so many other things tonight. More than I can mention here. And although it will
take time, probably a lifetime, to process all the events of the last few days in my heart and in my
mind, I'm grateful that MaryAnn sent this to me:
Fear not that which is now,
Fear not that which is to come.
Life, Death and Being are as one,
It is a circle. There is no
beginning and no end.
For that which is the beginning
is the end of the other.
And that which is the end
is the beginning of the other.
Surely the lessons of life are
the wisdom of death.
Those who live in the knowledge
of what the circle truly is
have peace beyond measure.
-from the book Graces by June Cotner
Finally, for tonight (and always)...good night Jim...rest in peace.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-02-03 21:45:00
Subject: Mine!
I really, really, wonder if I was this way when I was 2 1/2 and 5.
I was lucky enough to get to spend the last couple of nights with Jessie and Joey, my 5 year old
granddaughter and my 2 1/2 year old grandson. I shared an air mattress with Joey, and Jessie
had the couch nearby. The first night, Jessie was really tired and she slept peacefully and quietly.
Joey, on the other hand, was a little restless and several times during the night I'd awaken to
what I believed was a wide awake, alert Joey, as he was shouting "Mine" or laughing out loud
about something or even saying some sentence, which, for the life of me, I couldn't tell you the
meaning of right now.
The final night, Saturday night, was an adventure...Jessie, again on the couch, and Joey sharing
the air mattress with MaDear. About every hour on the hour, Joey would make a complete 360
degree revolution, half way through kicking me and yelling at the same time at the top of his
lungs, "NO!!!"
I would just say "Joey, get back on your pillow and be quiet" and Jessie would say "Joey, don't
talk so loud" and we'd both wait for the calm to come after the storm, so to speak.
And then I'd have to go to the bathroom and make my way back to bed, where I'd find my MP3
player of episodes of NPRs Fresh Air and I'd lie there awake, and wondering how Katie and Dan
do this night after night and just how sleep deprived people with young children actually survive in
this stressful world.
When I got to my own bed Sunday night, with only Jack & Marina to cuddle with, and Dalai and
Dharma doing their cat, nocturnal things all night, I just relished in the fact that it was going to be
a good night, full of peaceful, quiet, wonderful bliss, but then again, I *did* miss the thrill of it all
with my JJs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-02-04 15:55:00
Subject: Would you want to know?
First, let me say that I listened to the memorial service for the Columbia space shuttle astronauts
today. They, along with their families, are on my mind and in my heart. I hope that the families,
and especially the 15 children that they left behind, find peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Now comes the point of this blog. When I got to work today, Darrell gave me this senario:
<ul>You are aboard the space shuttle and mission control in Houston determines that upon takeoff, the shuttle was damaged beyond repair. Although you'll be able to safely spend the next 2 or
3 weeks in space, there is no chance for your safe return to earth. You also know that you can't
just cruise through space indefinitely so your end is near.
Would you want them to inform you of this, and if so, when during the trip (the first day, some
time into it, or the day of your attempt to return to earth)?</ul>
My answer: I would not want to know. If I was in the position to be on a space shuttle mission, I'm
assuming that this would be because it was the fulfillment of a lifetime dream. And because I was
fulfilling this dream, I would be extremely happy. By knowing that I was going to die on this trip, I
would be robbed of that happiness, as I just wouldn't be able to not let that fact overshadow my
days.
What about you? Would you want to know?
User Comments:
Jill <[email protected]> http::/www.jillsusan.com
-----I agree totally, MaryAnn! When we were talking about this this morning, Derek said "Jill, would
you really be here at ClubCorp this morning if you knew that today was your last" and I said
"yes."
Truth is, I probably wouldn't have come to work today if I knew that I would not wake up tomorrow
morning, but on the other hand, don't we go through life knowing that we may not officially know
this is out last day, but it could be.
I try to live each day, as if it was my last. I tell everyone I know that I love them (if I do) and I say
the things to them that I would say, as if it's my last conversation with them.
And I'm a peacemaker...I make peace if I can, because I may not have the chance to do it again.
Yes, MaryAnn, maybe, indeed, we should all say all those things!
MaryAnn
-----I would not want to know either. The only reason I would want to know would be so I could say all
the things to my loved ones that I wanted to say--should I not return. But since a shuttle mission
is a risky thing in itself anyway, I would like to think I would have said those things already.
Hmm... a trip around the sun on this big blue ball is itself a risky thing too. Maybe I should say all
those things.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-02-05 19:36:00
Subject: Calling in sick, when you're not
I woke up at my usual time this morning...sometime around 4-5 AM, knowing that I don't have to
get out of bed until, at the latest, 7:00ish. So I turned on C-Span, which is my custom, so that the
drone of political BS can lull me back to sleepy time.
I found myself back asleep, but before going there, I really, really decided I should call in sick and
take a day off from work. I've gotten horribly behind in personal stuff, and mediation stuff, and
website stuff that I need to do. Plus, I'm on call, so to speak, as I await the arrival of my 3rd
grandchild and an impromptu trip to Atlanta. So, before I succumbed to the precious zzzzzzz's
that awaited me, I was resolved to do it! And with that resolve, I fell asleep.
Now all of you know just how wierd and funky those dreams are that you have during your last
hours of sleep. This morning, mine were no different.
My boss is out on maternity leave and she's divvied out her managerial tasks to all of us. Diane is
the one who we call when we're sick or going to be late. So, in my crazy dream this morning,
between the hours of 5 AM and 7 AM, I dreamed that Diane came for a visit and busted me. No, I
wasn't sick. I was faking it and she knew it!
In happier days, say the late 1990s, I could have just said "big deal...I'm still calling in and
catching up" but with the worst hiring slump in 20 years, I got my butt to work. And grateful, I was,
for a job to go to!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-02-06 09:18:00
Subject: What's so good about Clinton & Bush?
First, let me say that I am not a huge fan of Bill Clinton, and second, let me say that I'm not a
huge fan of George W. Bush either. But, having said that, I think both men have their good points
and I'm going to focus on those today.
Clinton started from humble beginnings and overcame some really bad stuff in his life to become
the most powerful man in the world. I think, if nothing else, this gives a lesson and sets an
example to others that have such difficult and humble beginnings. From Clinton, they can learn
that it can be done, and that brings encouragement to many. And encouragement is always a
good thing.
Bush knows how to comfort people in their time of grief in an "it's not about me" kind of way. He
displayed that in the time period after the 9/11 attacks and he displayed it again during the
memorial service for the shuttle astronauts. His eulogy of the victims of the shuttle disaster was
contrasted with Clinton's eulogy of the victims of the OK City bombing this morning by the "god
squad" (Msgr. Thomas Hartman and Rabbi Marc Gellman) on Imus this morning. Rabbi Gellman
pointed out that in Clinton's eulogy, he used the word "I" 10 times and "Hillary & I" 5 times. Bush
used the word "I" only once.
I appreciate the positive side of these two men today.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-02-07 22:59:00
Subject: What I Want Is
What I Want Is
-by C. G. Hanzlicek
What I want is
Enough money
To have what I want
What I want is
My own hill
And beneath that hill
A pond
In the pond a lazy
Bass or two
And duck feathers
Resting on the mud
Of the shore
Between the hill
And mud a patch
Of grass where I
Can lie and count
My seven trees
My seven clouds
And count the coyotes
Coming down the hill
To drink
Coyote 1 Coyote 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-02-08 19:52:00
Subject: Drivers wanted
OK. I really, really like driving a VW Beetle.
I don't know why. Maybe it brings me back to when I first learned to drive. I didn't have much faith
then that I could keep a vehicle in the narrow path of a lane, so I was thrilled that I could learn
driving a small little foreign car. Parallel parking was a dream! And so, stick shift and all, I spent
time on the road with my father...."daddy"...and he taught me well how to drive that wonderful
German car!
When it came time to buy my first car, I had no choice but to make it a '72 Super Beetle. I think it
was the first year they made that model. It was Baby Blue and smelled so wonderfully new when I
drove it. It was MINE!
Soon, thereafter, I married and moved to Houston and soon became pregnant and a Beetle just
isn't a family car, is it?
So we traded it in. I had other cars, but soon returned to the VW Van...Skipper, I called her. I
think back to her fondly and wonder now how I could be so careless as I let my four precious
children wander around, un-seat belted! Thank you, god, for watching over them, even though
their mother (and father) were so clueless!
And so, when I needed a car in 1998, I rejoiced that the Beetle had returned and I drove one,
ready to enjoy the fun and spirit that only VW owners know.
And today, after the lease of my 1998 Beetle expires, I return again to the Beetle. It's a 2003
model, Blue Lagoon is the color and it's got a kick-ass stereo system. And it's mine (and the
bank's) with a 2.9% interest rate! Driver's wanted????....that would be me!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-02-09 17:50:00
Subject: Yes! Y'all!!
I really, really like my church! I always seem to hear something that I need to hear there. Today,
we talked about death and dying and how different faiths deal with the subject. It was interesting
and timely and informative, but most of all, just a good sharing time.
After the church services, we voted on acceptance of Daniel Kanter as our new minister, to join
Laurel on our church staff. We have the largest UU congregation with only one minister....until
today. Our church voted, almost unanimously (and I'm thinking the 5 abstentions and the 3 No's
were just to make it interesting, stacked up against the 322 Yes votes) to make Daniel a
permanent part of our "family."
Daniel is from Boston and he, along with his wife and small daughter love the northeast. But
today, he became a Texan! It was so cute. After we voted, and Daniel said "yes!" Daniel, his wife
and daughter donned honest to goodness "cowboy" hats.
Just 3 more people who realize that there is no place else but Texas!
User Comments:
-----Quite the contrary...you're not stupid about this...I am!
I think you've pointed this out to me before, but each old and outdated brain cell sprouts one grey
hair and I'm getting more grey each day! ;-)
-----Pet peave meter just went off.
Y'all is spelled "Y'all", not "Ya'll". The word stems from "You all".
Sorry to be so stupid about this. I need sleep.
Luke~
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-02-11 23:35:00
Subject: For MaryAnn
Now that I am forever with child
How the days went
While you were blooming within me
I remember each upon each-The swelling changed planes of my body-And how you first fluttered, then jumped
And I thought it was my heart.
How the days wound down
And the turning of winter
I recall, with you growing heavy
Against the wind. I thought
Now her hands
Are formed, and her hair
Has started to curl
Now her teeth are done
Now she sneezes.
Then the seed opened.
I bore you one morning just before spring-My head rang like a fiery piston
My legs were towers between which
A new world was passing.
From then
I can only distinguish
One thread within running hours
You...flowing through selves
Toward you.
--by Audre Lorde
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-02-16 13:05:00
Subject: Caroline Susan
I am spending just the best 7 days ever! Wednesday morning early, I got THE call from Robert
that MaryAnn had delivered a 7 pound, 10 ounce healthy baby girl at 3:28 AM on Feb. 12, 2003. I
readied myself for an afternoon flight to Atlanta and got to MaryAnn's hospital room at Northside
by about 5:30 PM. That's when I was first introduced to my 2nd granddaughter Caroline Susan.
Needless to say, she's beautiful and perfect in every way!
Robert headed home later that evening for a good night's sleep, and I was privileged and lucky
enough to get to spend the night with my girls. I didn't get much sleep, but then again, who
cares??? After all, I can sleep anytime, but it's not often (and especially these days) that I can
just be totally, ecstatically happy and excited about such a wonderful event.
Robert came back to the hospital early Thursday morning and I went back to their home
Thursday evening to take care of kitties and get some rest myself. I just crashed...I was so tired,
but such a good tired!
On Friday, I attended a chapel service at Columbia, where Michael was preaching and then
Marta'd out to Northside again, to help the "new" family in their homecoming. We arrived home at
around 5:30 PM and it was fun to see the kitties explore the new person in their life.
The last couple of days have been filled with sleeping, eating (yes, Robert cooked another
gourmet meal of beef stroganoff last night), holding, watching, kissing, photographing, caring for,
worrying about (for a time there, we were all slightly concerned that Caroline was not urinating as
often as she needed to be, but she's way behond that now!), swaddling, changing, bathing, and
just generally oohing and aahing over Caroline!
I'm on the downhill turn of my visit and I'm trying not to project how hard it's going to be for me to
get on that plane on Tuesday to return to Dallas and say goodbye to Caroline, if only for just a
short few days. I'm lucky enough to have a conference here in Atlanta and will be back on the
22nd!
Here are the first pictures of Caroline!
<a href="http://home.attbi.com/~rdana1/Caroline_Susan_Dana.JPG" target="_blank">Day One
</a>
<a href="http://home.attbi.com/~rdana1/MA_and_Caroline.JPG" target="_blank">With Mommy
</a>
<a href="http://home.attbi.com/~rdana1/Closeup1.JPG" target="_blank">Close Up & Personal 1
</a>
</a>
</a>
<a href="http://home.attbi.com/~rdana1/MA_and_Caroline2.JPG" target="_blank">Caroline &
Mommy</a>
<a href="http://home.attbi.com/~rdana1/Robert_and_Caroline.JPG" target="_blank">Caroline &
Daddy</a>
<a href="http://home.attbi.com/~rdana1/The_Susans.JPG" target="_blank">Caroline & MaDear
</a>
<a href="http://home.attbi.com/~rdana1/Just_Home.JPG" target="_blank">Just Home</a>
User Comments:
Bruce Turne <bot9th$flash.net>
-----Great pics of a beautiful "new" girl. We always welcome a future taxpayer with open arms.
Seriously, this is the Lion King in real life...enjoy
Claudia Dixon <[email protected]>
-----What a little miracle she is. I didn't notice that you looked tired, Jill, just glowing with that whole
experience.
-----Yes, that picture of Caroline with her MaDear was taken after I had spent the night in the hospital
on Wednesday night so Robert could go home and rest. I didn't get much sleep, slept in my
clothes and hadn't even combed my hair, but you know, with the ClubCorp logo nearby, I dealt!
;-)
-----Hey, that's a fine-lookin' baby. :) Congratulations to the family (and I noticed someone sporting
their ClubCorp shirt while holding the baby...).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-02-19 22:34:00
Subject: Puddin'
How life goes sometime....
I got back into town last night, after spending 6 days with my new granddaughter and daughter
and son (in-law) in Atlanta, only to find that Sherry, my pet sitter-sister was pretty stressed out,
not that I was back but that she was still dealing with a blind and deaf 16 year old dog, who, when
she made a move, emptied her bladder in an unknowing way, wherever she felt like it.
I got to work, and tried to concentrate, but I knew what I had to do. I had to make the call. Sherry
couldn't, but I had to.
So this afternoon, I took Puddin' in and she fell asleep, thanks to modern medicine and a vet that
understood, and she's gone in this lifetime. It was peaceful and quick and painless. I kissed her
and told her that we loved her and she was gone.
Sad, so sad. We miss you Puddin' and hope you are in a place where you see, you hear, you are
enjoying your supper and playing with Snoopy, and Dallas, and Patches, and Misty, and Irish,
and Fargo and ......
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----:-(
She was a good dog. She'll be missed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-02-20 22:15:00
Subject: Name the Baby!
I'm in a 'baby state of mind' still, with my recent visit with Caroline in GA and my upcoming trip to
see her again (and, oh yes, work) in Atlanta this weekend.
So, I'm sitting around thinking how much newborn babies, just look like, well, newborn babies.
Some say they look like Winston Churchill. I think they pretty much look alot alike. I mean, there
are differences, but until they start filling out a little...they are scrunched up newborns!
So I put together <a href="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/name_baby.gif" target="_blank">this
picture</a> and sent it out to the family for their "name the baby" answers. Sherry did best...great
aunt!
And in case you are wondering, here are the <a
href="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/name_baby_answers.txt" target="_blank">answers</a>.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-02-22 22:22:00
Subject: It's OK to be smart
I was at DFW today, getting ready for my trip to Atlanta, and and I saw a young girl (pre-teen
probably) with a backpack on, and on the backpack was a rather large button that said "It's OK to
be Smart" and I just had to think this one over for awhile.
What would prompt someone to think that it wasn't OK to be smart? Is it a guy/gal thing? Would a
guy be likely to sport a similar button? Or was it just bragging on her part? Maybe she wants the
world to know that she's smart! I don't know, but when I passed her by, I paused and said, YES!
It's MORE than OK to be smart! In fact, it's preferable.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-02-24 20:16:00
Subject: We are family...I got all my sisters with me!
I'm in Atlanta with Caroline and MA & Robert and am having a really, really enjoyable visit. I'm
here for Training 2003 and spent all day yesterday helping Bryan Chapman with his presentation
on Tips, Techniques and Tools for Online Learning. The conference this year is not as well
attended, but the the people here are more enthusiastic...I think happy that their companies have
spared the training dollars for them to attend. It's nice to see companies that think that training is
a priority.
I'm also enjoying my visit with Mary Caroline, Robert's mom. We have been bonding (again) and
enjoying watching our wonderful children as parents. It's so gratifying.
I'm so lucky that my children have all made wise choices with their partners, SOs and spouses. I
really, really am enjoying this extended family that I've been so lucky to be associated with!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-03-02 15:28:00
Subject: The Invitation
The Invitation
It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for,
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love, for your dreams,
for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon.
I want to know if you have touched
the centre of your own sorrow,
if you have been opened by life's betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain.
I want to know if you can sit with pain,
mine or your own, without moving to hide it
or fade it or fix it.
I want to know if you can be with joy mine or your own.
if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy
fill you to the tips of your fingers
and toes without cautioning us
to be careful, be realistic,
remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty every day,
and if you can source your own life from its presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine,
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,“Yes.”
It doesn't interest me to know where you live,
or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair,
weary and bruised to the bone,
and do what needs to be done to feed the children.
It doesn't interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn't interest me where or what
or with whom you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you from the inside
when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself,
and if you truly like the company
you keep in the empty moments.
© Oriah Mountain Dreamer, from the book The Invitation published by HarperSanFrancisco, 1999
User Comments:
Mr. Cloudy
-----Thanks for posting this. I've been reflecting upon such things lately and pondering what could
change me into the sort of person that this reading speaks of. A kind of person who is sturdy,
alive and warm while denying nothing of the fear and pain that we all face.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-03-05 08:26:00
Subject: A study showed...
This morning on C-Span, I heard a commentator say that "a study showed that Stalin died of
poisoning 50 years after his death".
Man, that must have been some really slow acting poison! ;-)
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----That's pretty interesting. But here's a study that's even more interesting. It says that death is still
our nation's number 1 killer at a 100% rate.
:-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-03-08 14:41:00
Subject: Saturday at home
After being gone from my home all weekends, except for one, in February, it's good to be here
today. Oh, don't get me wrong. I really enjoyed my time away from here in February too, but I've
really grown to love my space, my 750 square feet of stuff and things I like.
There was a time when I really didn't want to be anywhere near my home. I just found too many
things that called out to me to do around there...."dust me, feed me, launder me, clean me,
organize me" etc. Is it just because I'm a little bit older and maybe my hearing's gone out (all
those rock concerts!) or what that I don't hear those voices anymore?
I'm thinking that with age comes priorities and now, the age I'm at, I just don't find it too important
to have a completely clean, organized, dust-free place in which to reside. Rather, I like my little
place, and I especially like that I have a Saturday where I can do whatever I want in it!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-03-12 21:05:00
Subject: Coming up for air!
I've had such a hectic last few days, that finally, I can say that I'm coming up for air!!!
One of the things I did recently was go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and transfer
the title of my '98 VW Beetle from the leasing company/bank to me. I decided to buy it (rather my
son Luke has decided to buy it, but it's in my name so we could do a seamless, flawless
financing) so I had to visit the DMV to transfer the title. The leasing company was really good
about getting all the paperwork in order so that was a no brainer! But walking into the DMV, I see
the usual long lines of people at 8:30 AM (where do all these people come from...I'm thinking I've
visited at a *good* time!). So I take my place in the line.
Then, I notice there is another line. One that says "Information" and it is specifically people
transferring titles. There is a person behind the desk who will check all your paperwork and make
sure all is complete before you're given a number to go stand in another line. I think I've hit pay
dirt!!! There are only 2 people ahead of me in this line, so I go, willingly and excitedly to this line.
Of course, the 2 people in this line don't speak English and they don't have all of their paperwork.
So the person behind the counter spends about 20 minutes with each of them, kind of doing a
sign language/pantomime of what forms they still needed to get to complete their transaction with
the DMV.
So finally, I'm at the head of the line. The DMV person looks at my paperwork, approves it and
gives me the lucky number of 13! I'm on my way!
I go sit and wait and see that they are now serving #10. I'm almost going to be called on. Only 2
more ahead of me! So I wait, and wait, and wait. I have time to look at all the DMV people behind
the counter. There are about 15 of them in all, but only 3 are actually helping customers. The rest
are trying hard not to make eye contact with any of us waiting in line and are typing away on their
keyboards, looking too busy to deal with customer service...
...EXCEPT FOR ONE OF THEM. There is actually one of them that is not helping customers or
typing away/not making eye contact with customers. This lady is moving a ladder around the area
and hanging big, huge yellow smiley face signs from the ceiling. She elicits feedback from all her
co-workers (they *can* make eye contact with her and help her, evidently) about which ceiling tile
to hang them from and they all engage in a rather happy and upbeat dialogue about the
hanging...evidently, the smiley faces are already working on the workers of the DMV.
I'm just thinking that they could readily discard the hanging smiley faces and wait on us
customers...I'm thinking that if the purpose of the hanging smiley faces was to induce smiley
faces from their customers, wouldn't waiting on their customers and giving real customer service
achieve the same thing????
Oh well, my tax dollars at work! They can hang smiley faces, not wait on me until they're ready,
and make me wait because they're the DMV and I'm not!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2003-03-13 12:44:00
Subject: Questions
A sign out by my church states that "it's better to have unanswered questions than to have
unquestioned answers." I think that's pretty good, don't you?
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----ooooooo.......me like
I like it when churches wax philosophical.
We've been talking a lot about church in my philosophy class. Mainly we've been talking about
how most churches are too afraid to lose membership to actually propose "changing the world."
Basically, it's become more of a social gathering instead of a gathering for social change. We just
finished reading Martin Luther King's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" addressed to clergymen of
the Southern states. In it, he says asks that people start using the church as a place to institute
social change instead of just a place for social gatherings and fellowship. He says that fellowship
is not enough. I couldn't agree more.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-03-17 22:52:00
Subject: WAR! What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing!
OK, as a peacemaker and mediator, I'm just bummed out really badly tonight that our nation is
entering into another war. This makes the 4th major war in my lifetime, and that's not counting all
the other "little" skirmishes we have been involved in!
Tonight, I'm praying for the safety of our soldiers and the innocent people in Iraq and hoping that
it's overwith soon!
And I'm praying and hoping that this will be the last war, but realistically, I doubt it.
John and Yoko said "War is over, if you want it" but alot more people than me wanting it is going
to have to happen before that's true!
This is a sad day!
User Comments:
luke <[email protected]> http://www.lukemckibben.org
-----Both of you hippies need to live in the now. War is real people, and we need wars to control the
population.
Never mind the fact that the 20th century saw some of the worst wars in the history of humankind
and yet the population quadrupled. But anyway, they have to label some century as the bloodiest
(i just hope the 21st century doesn't steal the title).
Alright. All seriousness aside. This war is pissing me off too. It was interesting because I started
watching the speech a few minutes after he started. I started watching when he was saying
things like...
"..This nation has funded terrorist groups, esp. Al Quaida. This nation is a threat to their
neigbors. This nation has not worked with the UN. This nation has rejected the use of diplomacy
to deal with it's problems. This nation has developed weapons of mass destruction etc etc etc..."
It's funny because I thought he was talking about the US! It wasn't until he mentioned Saddam
that I realized he was talking about "the modern day Hitler" of Saddam.
Matthew
------es...a trully sad day. :-(
"If people demanded peace instead of another television, then there'd be peace."
-John Lennon 1940-1980
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-03-20 21:42:00
Subject: How do I expect...
countries to get along, if we can't even get along with our neighbors?
I just returned from a homeowner's meeting for my condo. I'm in "training" to be on the board next
year so I attend each meeting each month.
At the last meeting, my downstairs neighbor complained about the "excessive" noise coming from
my apartment. No, I've given up my sub-woofer and my exercise equipment. The excessive noise
she complained about was my clock radio in my kitchen (set at NPR, for Jack & Marina) and my
TV (even after I invited this particular neighbor to my home to affirm that no, it wasn't too loud and
they were both at acceptable levels) and my walking. Since I've gotten hardwood floors, I don't
even wear shoes in my place anymore, as I kick them off the minute I enter and only put them on
as I leave.
Anyway, of course, when she was here to hear my radio and TV and agree with me about the
levels not being too loud, I asked her if she had a resolution about how I could eliminate the
walking noise for her. She didn't have an answer to that so I thought she would just have to deal
with it.
I knew I was just being optimistic about all this when I got a phone call from her on Saturday night
as I was running bath water for Joey and Jessie and brushing teeth. She screamed at me "do you
know how loud you are being?" and I just listened to her rant and rave about how she just knew
that I was talking about her with my sister and how she knew that I was trying to break up her
marriage and how she hasn't been able to sleep at all at night and how she cries all night
because I make so much noise.
Needless to say, she gave the same song and dance to the homeowner's group tonight and
finally, when one of them asked her what she wanted, she said that she just wanted me to
respect her.
So I'm trying really hard to do that, but I'm thinking that if anyone is that sensitive to noise that #1
--- they shouldn't be living in a downstairs apartment and #2 --- they shouldn't be living in a multifamily dwelling and #3 --- they should get a life!
User Comments:
Mike Losack <[email protected]>
-----Hey Jill,
I feel for you. I have apartment security, and there are some residents who can be so
unreasonable. Luckily my apartment mangement recognizes this fact, and will eventually tell
these peoplethat their complaints are not valid. thereafter they are simply ignored until they finally
move. You are right in saying that this woman should not be living in a multi-family dwelling. She
should have a house on a hill in the country. I live downstairs, I hear noise, I just deal with it.
Hang in there.
Mike Losack
Derekjames <[email protected]> http://www.journalscape.com/derekjames/
-----You have to respect her?
Hm...that's gonna be hard. ;)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-03-21 20:04:00
Subject: Giving Thanks
I just love this....
Giving Thanks, from The Great Boomer Bust, by Katy Butler
I went to dinner with my brother Peter in the flat he shares in the Haight-Ashbury. He is 36, a
perpetual student, and lives on about a quarter of what I spend. There's always peace and quiet
at his place, a sense of being an expected guest. He knows how to use a pressure cooker and
where to find prized items at Goodwill; when he wants to see a show, he works as an usher.
When I arrived, the table was set and the lights turned low; there were wine glasses filled with
mineral water, cloth napkins folded carefully at each place, and two candle stubs glowing. When
it was time, we sat down for homemade lentil soup, warm sourdough rye from the neighborhood
bakery, salad, and baked potatoes. I felt so cared for that I ate bread as though it were a rare
food, tasting the grains against my palate instead of wolfing it down. There was a sort of Zen
luxuriousness about the whole meal; we squeezed maximum enjoyment out of minimum
consumption. My deepest needs warmth, light, quiet, companionship were satisfied. I didn't miss
anything.
I thought of my own life my constant conversations with myself about wanting a child, a new
couch, a weekend cottage, a bigger house on a quieter street and realized my discontent was
cheating me of the life I had. "If it's by choice and it's not overwhelming, having no money can be
a way of entering more deeply into your life," my brother said as he served me some more
soup.
Not long after that, I bought myself a new raincoat, a year's supply of shampoo, and a pressure
cooker. I quit my job as a reporter to become a freelance writer. I wrote to the direct mail
association and asked them to take me off the catalog lists. I sold my ancient, infuriating old
Mercedes and bought a dull but reliable used Honda. I bought a second-hand copy of Laurel's
Kitchen, I learned to cook beans, and started using my library card.
I decided that if the economy was going to deprive me of things I deeply wanted, it would not also
take my free time.
I began facing the life I had, not the life I dreamed of having or thought I deserved to have. I
turned off lights. I started to cut the link between consumption and pleasure, between
consumption and self-worth.
First published in Mother Jones Magazine, June 1989. ©1989, Katy Butler, Mill
Valley, California.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-03-22 19:21:00
Subject: I'm grateful, I think
So my son Matthew calls me and tells me the Camp Pendleton band is in Iraq. I scream into the
phone "What do you mean the band is in Iraq? I thought you told me there was no chance that
you could go!"
And he says that he 'probably' won't be called, and right now, that's good enough for me.
Matthew has about 6 months left of inactive duty in the Marine Corp (he's done on Sept. 11,
2003) and I'm just hoping and praying that they won't call him up.
Of course, Matthew says if he *does* have to go that he would probably just be called on to
check id's and security for the higher ups there, but I'm just now hearing that the 101st got
attacked by a grenade wielding American soldier. There is no safe place in war, or otherwise, I
guess, for that matter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-03-25 21:41:00
Subject: Things I do to get my mind off the war
1. Look at pictures of Jessie, Joey & Caroline.
2. Take my dogs for a walk and watch them sniff and examine and sniff and examine and sniff
and examine every blade of grass along the way.
3. Take a bath, with bubbles and dim lighting.
4. Light a candle and enjoy the scent.
5. Read The New Yorker cartoons.
6. Call or email a friend.
7. Watch my cats chase a bug.
8. Say my children's birthdays one at a time and think of all the good things about them, one at a
time.
9. Walk and smile and say hello to everyone I meet along the way.
10. Clean the dust off my ceiling fan.
11. Listen to Jeff Foxworthy's CD "You might be a redneck if..."
12. Buy a new brand of Merlot and try to imagine the grape vine that it came from.
13. Listen to Norah Jones.
14. Read poetry.
15. Write poetry.
16. Fill my ice cube trays.
17. Recline.
18. Watch the "Wizard of Oz"...again.
19. Go to the Dallas Museum of Art.
20. Plan a vacation to NYC in September.
These are just some of the things I do to get my mind off the war...what do you do?
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----Hmmmmm.......things I do to take my mind off the war? It's kinda hard to answer since it's
ALWAYS in the back of my mind.
but here's a short list
1. watch movies on either dvd or at the theater.
2. i think that it's important for me to counterbalance the war with a lot of positive messages so
i've been listening to a lot of good positive music. Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, etc.
3. i also think that it's a good idea for me to counter this war with some good anti-war music so
i've been listening to a lot of Dylan, the Beatles, Rage Against the Machine, Marvin Gaye, Jimi
Hendrix etc etc.
4. i've always liked going to the park war or no war, so i've continued to go to the park regardless.
it's kinda tricky for me to say what i'm doing to keep my mind off of things because i've been so in
tune to it all. i'm constantly checking up on it at work. when i watch tv it's been war coverage
mostly. i haven't found myself to the point where i feel like it's too much, but i'm sure that's not far
off.
i gotta get back to work.
-----Good list mom. I take the dogs on a walk, listen to music, watch movies, play video games (the
new Zelda game mainly!!!), talk with friends, occassionally study (ha!). Although it's hard to keep
the mind from waundering back to Iraq every once in a while.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-03-26 21:50:00
Subject: Pacifism
I found this interesting in the latest New Yorker...
"I see that a man I know to be a ruffian is pursuing a young girl,” Leo Tolstoy wrote in “The
Kingdom of God Is Within You.”“I have a gun in my hand—I kill the ruffian and save the girl. But
the death or the wounding of the ruffian has positively taken place, while what would have
happened if this had not been I cannot know. And what an immense mass of evil must result, and
indeed does result, from allowing men to assume the right of anticipating what may happen.
Ninety-nine per cent of the evil of the world is founded on this reasoning—from the Inquisition to
dynamite bombs.”
To read more, go to <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/talk/content/?030324ta_talk_hertzberg"
target="_blank">this article.</a>
User Comments:
-----For a pretty good discussion on this very topic, visit my friend <a
href="http://www.journalscape.com/derekjames/2003-03-27-09:05" target="_blank">Derek's
weblog</a>.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-03-27 15:17:00
Subject: Wingman
If you regularly watch the popular TV show, "The Simpsons," as I do, then you're already aware
of its clever, dead-on satire about American culture, family life, and religion. In one memorable
episode, young Bart Simpson, a proverbial bad seed, finds himself in the care of his
fundamentalist and evangelical neighbors, the Flanders family. Naturally, Ned and Maude (the
parents) have carefully monitored the leisure activities of their obedient sons, Rod and Todd, so
Bart is bored stiff around these goody-goodies.
The situation perks up a bit when the boys haul out their favorite (and only) video game called
Bible Busters. The objective is to convert all heathens (depicted on screen as cavemen) into
Bible-toting Christians, who stand erect in three-piece suits. This conversion is accomplished by
zapping the heathen dead on with a Bible shaped salvo.
Bart is, of course, a master at blood-and-guts video games. He eventually takes over the
controls, but struggles to make a clean hit. Finally, he zaps a heathen and exclaims, "I got him! I
got him! " Rod examines the screen and shots Todd an awkward sideways glance and responds,
"Uh, No Bart. You just winged him... and made him a Unitarian."
User Comments:
-----A friend of mine at my UU church said that, after watching this episode, a friend of his looked up
Unitarianism on the Internet and found our church and attended it the following Sunday and
joined it shortly thereafter! Way to go, Bart!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-03-30 21:34:00
Subject: Day of Silence
I participated in a day of silence at my church yesterday. I had signed up for it a couple of months
ago when they were introducing the Adult RE (Religious Education) programs for the spring
"semester" and it sounded like a good idea at the time. I'm game for almost anything new that I
haven't tried and I thought, "what the heck...I'll give it a go."
So I woke up early, a sacrifice for me these days, watched a little war coverage and was
determined to get a few errands in before the day at the church. So I returned my cable converter
(I've finally joined the land of the satellite dish and TIVO!),stopped at the vet to get J & M & D & D
some Science Diet, and stopped at Angela's Cafe on Inwood to grab me a bite to eat (I'd heard
about this place in the Guide a couple of months ago and I've been trying to find an excuse to try
it ever since) before my day of silence began.
I arrived at the church early and instead of deciding what to bring to the day, I just brought my
whole 'book bag.' My book bag is something I carry back and forth to work everyday. It contains
various magazines, books, newspaper articles that Sherry gives me, a couple of data CDs, a few
floppy disks, MaryAnn's PIF and Burke Presby's CIF, pictures of Jessie and Joey and Caroline,
my daytimer which has my bills and important info, and a couple of gum wrappers, crumbs from
various breakfast, lunches and dinners that I've consumed in the car, etc.
I brought the book bag, along with Chris Hedges' book War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning
 and Anne Lamott's book Bird by Bird , as well as my New Yorker Desk Diary that I
carry everywhere, with the latest copy of the New Yorker stashed away, just in case I have a
minute to read the cartoons, or the most interesting sounding article that I can find.
So there I go...into the church....loaded down...bag lady in training!
We start the day with the facilitator whispering the agenda for the day, but telling us this is our
day and we don't have to follow an agenda at all, if we don't want to. Then we go into the silence.
Our charge, if we want to accept it, is to find 'intention' for our meditation. Oooh, that's a hard one
for me. So much intention...so little time.
So I mulled this over for awhile and finally settled on "I am enough" which was the theme of a
sermon that I listened to lately. I lit a candle for the sand garden (the fourth one to be lit, as that's
my lucky number) and then continued to be silent for the rest of the first hour, as I watched
everyone else, eyes closed, really getting into it...alot better than me, I was sure!
When everyone started to leave for various other areas of the church "campus" for activities that
had been laid out for us (art, clay, sewing, nature trails, food, green tea, yoga, etc.), I stayed in
the chapel that we'd started out in and proceeded to organize my book bag, and read yesterday's
mail that I had been carrying around for a whole 24 hours. Already I was blowing it! Maybe "I am
enough, as long as I have my mail read" should have been my meditation intention.
Anyway, once I got through that, I decided to lighten my load. I took my book bag back to my car
and decided I'd only carry around my 2 books, my New Yorker Desk Diary (with the latest issue
of The New Yorker) and the packet the facilitators gave us. I was ready to get serious now!
I went to the church library and read the long intro to the "War" book and then it was time for
yoga. Since I was already there, I got down on the floor with the rest of the participants and for
the next hour I inhaled and exhaled and stretched and posed and generally really got into it. I
really like yoga and everytime I do it, I vow to do it more regularly.
By the time that was over, I was pretty mellowed out and ready to just go with the flow. I read a
little more and then it was time for lunch. It was wonderful...all the stuff I like...breads, salads, tea,
you know, Cafe Express kind of stuff!
I tried eating my lunch outside, but it was a little chilly, so I ended up in the parsonage in a room
with about 5 other people. This was the hardest part of the day for me, as I sat there with these
other people and just thought it was so strange that we weren't conversing. I always seem to be
the one, if no one else will do it, to start conversations when I'm with a group, so I just had to
keep shoving food in my mouth. Finally I found a graceful way to leave the room so I didn't have
to deal with my strange feelings of not bringing this silent group together in conversation!
Then it was time to read again, and then we all went into the sanctuary and had another
facilitated meditation. The girl that led this one said that she found it hard to be still when she
meditates so she proceeded to help us relax, one body part at a time. I think the whole group got
so relaxed that I'll call this the "sleeping" meditation, as I'm pretty sure the breathing I heard was
snoring and not just simple exhaling and inhaling! Maybe this is what this meditation thing is
really all about, I thought. Just a good nap after lunch.
After this, the day was almost over. I had a few more minutes to read the Bird book intro, and
then we met as a group "to leave the silence and go back into our day" in the parsonage living
room. We planted seeds (either Basil or Sunflower) in little styrofoam cups (not very Unitarian, I
was thinking) and then we evaluated the day. I gave the day good marks/myself failing ones.
Oh yes, I was silent, but I'm thinking that maybe I didn't have the deep, inward thinking, revelatory
day that most had. So what is wrong with me? I used to be such an achiever!!
And then it hit me. Maybe I'm finally OK with my life. Maybe I don't have some flaw that I want to
fix, some child that I want to fix, some man that I want to fix, me that I want to fix.
Maybe I'm finally getting it. Maybe I'm finally living and breathing and believing what my friend
Red in Houston always said...that "everything everywhere is alright already."
In the silence, or in the Metallica/Rage Against the Machine/heavy metal loudness, I'm OK with
my life right now. And more importantly to me, I'm OK with Jill right now.
If it took this day at the church to help me realize this, then it was a day well spent!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-03-31 21:14:00
Subject: You heard it here first
OK, so I'm watching CNBC and the "News with Brian Williams" (I really like him, he's so tanned!)
and Forrest Sawyer (who's holding down the homeland front for Brian while Brian's embedded
somewhere in the Middle East) is talking to some "expert" about the war when he says "we don't
know what we're talking about...we're just speculating" and then he proceeds to continue asking
him about the war and strategy and other stuff.
I'm not kidding...he really said that!
All of this happened after I was already amazed this past weekend while watching C-Span when I
heard another expert say that he "didn't know anything about that" but then
proceeded to go on for another 5 minutes or so and definitively answer a question from a
Washington Journal journalist.
I just love the first amendment!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-01 09:09:00
Subject: Happy April Fool's Day!
In case you're interested, here's what <a
href="http://www.urbanlegends.com/misc/april_fools_day_origin_of.html" target="_blank">Urban
Legends</a> says about the origin of April Fool's Day.
And if you're not interested, here's a New Yorker cartoon to give you a giggle.
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/junk.gif">
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-01 11:05:00
Subject: Fancy Ketchup
I stopped at Angela's Cafe the other day and ordered breakfast to go...scrambled eggs, hash
browns and biscuits...my idea of heaven on a Saturday morning.
Anyway, the lady behind the counter loaded my to go bag with jelly and napkins and eating
utensils and little packets of 'fancy ketchup' (for my hashbrowns, I'm guessing).
What exactly is fancy ketchup? I consulted Websters and found out that fancy, used as an
adjective means "not plain" so I'm thinking in the case of this little packet of ketchup, that by
adding distilled vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, salt, spice, onion powder, and
natural flavoring to tomatoes, the manufacturers took plain old ketchup and made it 'fancy.'
But I'm wondering if they hadn't added all those ingredients to tomatoes anyway, it wouldn't have
been ketchup, would it?
Point is, if I'm going to enjoy fancy ketchup, I want more for my money. Maybe throw in a little hat
with flowers, a little lace, something sleek and satin, or at the very least, a petticoat or two?
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----Wow....that was very Twainian. Maybe there's a Huck Finn in there somewhere, just waiting to
get out.
Good writing.
:-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-03 13:05:00
Subject: Day by day by day by day by....
Do you ever have one of those moments when you think "I'm losing it" and you get this sudden
feeling of dread?
Well, I did this morning. I was getting ready to go to work. I put Jack and Marina in the kitchen,
was giving them their cookies and turning on NPR for their listening pleasure for the day, when all
of a sudden, I looked at my "Believing in Ourselves" page a day calendar. It said Wednesday,
April 2, so I boldly tore off the page and had it displaying today, April 3rd.
That's when I quit believing in myself! Wait a minute, it's not Thursday, it's Wednesday. Or is it?
That's when the dreaded "I'm losing it" feeling began. There was a sudden feeling of anxiety, as I
thought, how, right now, do I find out exactly what day it is? I turned around to look at the monthly
John Lennon calendar that I have hanging on my pantry door. OK, I know it's not April 1st...that
was a given. But looking at the whole 30 days in April didn't give me any better clue as to whether
this was the 2nd or the 3rd.
So I just walked out the door and drove to work, still not knowing whether I had 2 days until the
weekend or just 1. After firing up my computer, I said a quick prayer "Outlook, don't fail me now!"
and quickly learned that it was indeed Thursday April 3rd. I had been right all along and should
have trusted my actions (to rip off Wednesday) and my instincts (that it was Thursday). But it still
made me feel creepy.
I checked with a couple of my co-workers and they all agreed that this has happened to them, so
I feel better now.
And I'm also attributing part of my brain 'fart' to having a clear calendar this week. Oh yeah, I had
the usual work, but I had no evening meetings or extra curricular activities planned, so each day
just kind of blended into the next.
I'll not let that happen again! I'll have my girl call your girl and we'll do lunch!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-03 21:20:00
Subject: He said what?
So, I'm just into about 5 minutes of my stairmaster workout at the gym right after work. I'm
already fantasizing about going home, walking my dogs, doing a few chores, very few, and then
sitting down with a glass of wine and Tivo'ing my evening away, when I hear someone say to one
of the trainers at Heart Healthy, "so were you here the other day when the guy died?"
Now, my concentration has been interrupted. I'm thinking...what guy died? what was he doing?
was he doing the stairmaster, as he had done time and time again, day after day? was he new to
the gym? should I be doing this today? maybe I should go get the stress test from my doctor
soon? is this really helping me...exercising after work? should I just go home, hug my dogs and
cats and forgetaboutit..exercising, I mean?
Oh well, I didn't find out the details of this remark and I just went about continuing my workout
and hoping for the best. Stress, always present...even when we're not looking for it!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-04 09:37:00
Subject: Saving Private Saddam
I woke up during the night at about 3:30 AM and turned on CNN to see what was going on with
the war.
They were showing a couple of Army medics tending to a wounded Iraqi soldier. Evidently, a
CNN crew saw that this fellow was alive, amidst many dead Iraqi soldiers, and brought it to the
attention of the medics.
He had been there about 5 or 6 hours, they figured, and he was wounded in the leg and buttocks,
but not life threatening injuries, although he probably would have died if he hadn't been rescued
and helped by the medics.
Although CNN didn't show his face, the reporter said that the fellow was obviously relieved and
grateful for the medical attention he was receiving. They were cleaning his injuries and giving him
an IV, before they carried him off the battlefield (there was still active combat going on during all
of this) on a stretcher to the nearest 'mash.'
I'd like to think that this kind of thing would be happening, without the embedded media there to
record it for posterity, but I guess I'm not totally convinced about that.
And I'd also like to think that the other side would treat our wounded soldiers just the same, but
again, I'm not convinced at all that this is happening.
And finally, if one minute two guys are bitter opponents and the next minute they are tending to
each other with care and concern, why can't we just skip the first step (opposition) and go directly
to the second step (care and concern)?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-05 20:07:00
Subject: Brainstorming in the live music capital of the world
I took an early morning flight to Austin this morning to attend a strategic planning meeting of the
Texas Association of Mediators. I'm membership director and webmaster for this group and really
enjoy it, although it's a lot of work, especially from November to about this time of year. That's
when our annual conference occurs and our over 350 members renew their membership. I
usually don't have a spare minute in my spare minutes.
Today, we had a facilitator help us re-vamp our mission statement and identify some strategic
objectives to fulfill the mission. It took us about 7 hours, but we have a good roadmap for the
days and months and years ahead.
I enjoy flying to Austin and if you haven't been to Love Field lately, you won't believe how classy
the place looks, with it's new remote parking garage, the 'skywalk' to the terminal from the new
garage and the groovy new signs...updated and so eye-appealing!
Austin's a really cool place to visit, too, but I'm always taken aback by the signs everywhere that
promote it to be the 'live music capital of the world.' Now I love Willie, Waylon and the boys as
much as the next guy, and I've heard some pretty good music in Austin, but 'live music capital of
the world'???? I'm thinking, probably not.
But then again, what would be?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-06 21:15:00
Subject: Hailstorming in the shopping center capital of the world
I got back from Austin just in time yesterday evening. As I was pulling into my condo parking lot, I
noticed lightning in the western sky. My sister greeted me, as I was exiting my car, and said "I'm
glad you made it back from Austin before the tornado hits!"
Huh? Tornado? Well it is springtime in North Texas so I need to be prepared for
anything, at any minute, right?
All I was intent on doing was walking Jack and Marina before the rain hit.
Mission accomplished. Walk done and now I could just sit and chill and Tivo and try to stay
awake until a reasonable hour to go to bed. But then, all 'hail' broke loose!
Literally hail the size of anemic baseballs started hitting my second floor roof and wind and tinier
hail and rain and it was really something!!! My kitties didn't like it, not one bit, and since they are
the ones closest to their animal instinct roots in my house, I had to pause a little as they vied for
the safest position in my place...between the back of the potty and the bathroom wall...a place
with only room enough for one (one kitty that is!).
So I switch to The Weather Channel, only to have my satellite go out...Ted says it's something
called rain fog, I think. Maybe it's better I don't know what's happening. So I ride it out.
It ended soon, but before it did, I felt a little like I'd ended up in Baghdad! It was pretty scary...the
sound of it all.
It almost makes me wish for the summer days ahead...stable, 100 degree plus weather, with no
chance of rain or hail or anything pleasant...just pure hot and heat and simmer!
October...where are you when I need you?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-08 22:16:00
Subject: 4/10s
Last year my company's CIO decided sometime around the 4th of July weekend that all of us in
IT could work 4 ten-hour days until Labor Day, if we so chose. (It's cheaper and easier than
giving us all raises, after all.)
I grabbed this idea and ran with it and took Mondays off and had a ball. A three-day weekend,
every week! Life was good.
Well, last week, our CIO decided to start our 4/10s the day after Daylight Savings Time took
effect 4/8 and so I was delighted to have Monday off yesterday. Of course, today, I had to pay the
piper...10 solid hours of productivity and nose to the grind stone!
I made it through and am now just really dead tired and ready to go to bed!
But before I do that, I'll let you know that I think I made a good decision. Having all of Monday off
and getting to start the work week with only 4 days instead of 5 days ahead of me today was a
delight!
Monday is always better when it's a Tuesday!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-09 23:10:00
Subject: Rejoice!
OK, I'm agreeing with Jon Stewart on this one. Unless you are really far to the left or really far to
the right, it's hard not to find that today was a good day.
I know that we'll have tough times ahead, but seeing people tearing down statues of Saddam (I
think we can all agree that he was a seriously bad man) was, at least to the author of this site, a
welcome and joyous sight!
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/horsey.gif">
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-10 17:34:00
Subject: Breadcrumbs
Are they useful on a website?
I didn't even know about them until last night, when I was meeting with the website committee for
my church's re-design of its website.
They are called breadcrumbs and according to Google, they are a form of navigation where the
current location within the website is indicated by a list of pages above this page in the hierarchy,
up to the main page. For example, if you were browsing the products at a department store, you
might see the following hierarchy when you're on the Sneakers page:
Home > Products > Clothes > Shoes > Sneakers
Each of the categories above the current page is usually a link to the corresponding category
page.
The term "breadcrumbs" is a reference to the Hansel and Gretel tale where they leave
breadcrumbs as they wander the forest so they can find their way home. The metaphor is
imperfect because the breadcrumbs do not represent the actual path the user took, but instead
the optimal path from the home page to the current page in the hierarchy.
Well, anyway, just when I thought I 'knew it all' about websites, I learned something new last
night.
I think they are pretty cool, but I'm also thinking that I'll just let my browser's Back button (with the
accompanying down arrow) do the work for me, and not rush to include them on my sites.
User Comments:
-----I try to do this on all of the pages on my site. It's kind of a courtesy to the users.
Kenny <[email protected]> http://www.journalscape.com/kenny/
-----I really like them on a website. A good navigation menu is really important.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-11 11:23:00
Subject: The Cost of War
Terry Gross was interviewing David Horsey, the 2003 Pulitzer Prize winner for editorial
cartooning, today on her show. I quickly stopped what I was doing and made a quick trip to his <a
href="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/horsey/" target="_blank">page</a> on the Seattle PostIntelligencer site. I was blown away by his cartoons, and I'm sorry to say that I hadn't known
about him, until today.
This one, in particular, made me pause...
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/war_cost.gif">
I also added one to my April 9th entry "Rejoice" if you want to check it out. It seemed to fit.
User Comments:
Nobody
-----I like how the war widow holds out her left hand like the Virgin of the Pieta. She's holding her
husband like Mary held Jesus. I wonder if the boy's posture referances another work.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-14 11:26:00
Subject: You are not forgotten!
Great news! Iraqi troops south of Tikrit handed U.S. Marines a stunning surprise Sunday: seven
American POWs were released in relatively good condition after three weeks of captivity.
It's important, though, to remember that the number of Americans still missing and unaccounted
for from the Vietnam War is 1,887 (as of April 7, 2003).
You are not forgotten!
I found two pretty good sites to track the status of our POWs and MIAs...this <a
href="http://www.aiipowmia.com/" target="_blank">one</a> and this <a href="http://www.powmiafamilies.org/index.html" target="_blank">one</a>.
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/flag.jpg">
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-15 13:39:00
Subject: "I told u I was hardcore."
<ul>Those were the last coherent words Brandon Vedas, 21, typed into the computer in his
Phoenix bedroom as he showed off for Internet pals watching on a Web cam by swallowing more
and more prescription drugs.
Vedas died online as a crowd of virtual onlookers egged him to "eat more!" A chilling record of
the Jan. 12 chat reads like an Internet version of the notorious 1964 Kew Gardens, Queens,
stabbing of Kitty Genovese as her neighbors watched from their windows.
In Vedas' case, some did try to help — begging him to stop, to call 911, to get his mother from
the next room. After he passed out, some tried frantically to figure out his location while others
argued against getting involved.
But the technology that brought as many as a dozen chatters into the intimacy of Vedas' bedroom
was unable to tell them where he was. Internet Relay Chat is anonymous, and no one in the drug
users' chat group knew the last name of the young man who called himself Ripper.
By his own account, bragging in the hour before he died, Vedas ingested large doses of
Klonopin, Methadone, Restoril and Inderal, along with marijuana and 151-proof rum.
Vedas, who worked in computer support at the University of Phoenix, knew a lot about the
dangers of mixing drugs. But he also bragged delusionally about his "high tolerance."
On the night of Jan. 12, Vedas urged chat pals to log onto his Web site and watch him go through
his stash. "Bottoms up, fellas!" he crowed.
"Don't OD on us, Ripper," said one of the onlookers watching Vedas swallow pill after pill.
"That's not much," said a teenager from rural Oklahoma who calls himself Smoke2K. "Eat more. I
wanna see if you survive or if you just black out."
In the macho atmosphere of the druggie chat room, Vedas seemed to have something to prove.
"This is usual weekend behavior. U all said I was lying," he said.
He said it was safe and noted, "My mom is in the next room doing crozzwordz."
As he took more and more, Vedas' typing became disjointed. His chat pals cheered him on.
"Ripper — you should try to pass out in front of the cam," suggested one gleeful voyeur.
Vedas even tried to protect himself against disaster.
"In fase anything goe wrong," he said, typing his cell phone number. "Call if I look dead."
Soon, he did.
Soon, he was.
"I am online with 911. Is this the right choice?" asked one chatter. "NO NO NO NO NO," said
another. "I talked my way out of it," came the reply. "I didn't give them any info."
In the end, there was nothing they could do.
Vedas' cell phone was off or not loud enough to rouse anyone else in the house. They looked up
his Web site registry, but he had listed his home number as 555-1234.
And the online chatters didn't know his real name or location.
His mother found him at 1 p.m. the next day sprawled on his bed. The tech whiz's computer had
shut down and locked itself automatically, so it wasn't until more than a week later that the family
found out his death had had witnesses.</ul>
I first read about this story in the May 2003 issue of Harper's Magazine. They have the
transcription of the January 12 Internet Relay Chat session. I found out more details from <a
href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/story/56497p-52905c.html" target="_blank">The New
York Daily News</a>. I'm thinking anyone who reads this story would be sickened and saddened
as I was. And it may even make them be a little more careful with both prescribed and
unprescribed drugs.
But maybe not...
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----Wow. That's a really messed up story. That's a story that sticks with someone for a while after
reading it.
Tragic, to say the least.
MaryAnn
-----This is just about the saddest thing I've ever read... in addition to be tragic all the way around, I'm
pretty sure it is some kind of allegory.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-16 22:27:00
Subject: What would you loot?
OK, I know that I would never, ever do this, but let's just say that I was in a country...Iraq...and
they had just ousted the evil, awful leader and for just a short period of time there was not leader,
and I had been downtrodden and thinking I was owed something and there were all sorts of
things I could snatch for myself, that would sort of repay all the misery I had suffered for lo these
many years....what would I chose to lug back to my humble abode?
Which store would I chose to go to? Maybe Borders, or Barnes and Noble? No, I already have a
bookshelf full of books.
Maybe a clothes store, say The Gap or Old Navy...no, I already have a closet full of clothes and
just how many outfits can you wear in a day?
Maybe a jewelry store, but then again, I don't really need to know what time it is (who needs a
watch?) and jewelry...who needs it either?
Maybe Best Buy...but then again, I have a great and reliable (knock on wood) computer and
enough TV sets to watch...after all, there are only so many hours in a day!
A bank...now you're talking! But since the evil dictator ruled the country, there probably wouldn't
be any money to pick from a bank...what money there was probably is sheltered somewhere in
some French bank account!
Oh well...I've made it this many years without taking something that doesn't belong to me...guess
I won't start now.
But then again, if I had the chance, what would I loot?
What would you loot?
User Comments:
anya
-----disturbed by matt's plan? definitely. surprised? not in the least.
but since matt's already looted all the good stuff...i think i would just loot matt's apartment and
save myself a few trips ;)
Matthew McKibben
-----I'm really surprised that Mattell (or whomever makes Barbie dolls) hasn't come out with an "Antiwar Protestor Barbie" complete with "Riot Gear Ken." You could have Barbie with a bandana over
her face while Ken shoots tear gas into the crowd. I'd buy that.
MaryAnn
-----Is anyone else disturbed that Matthew has given this topic so much thought?!
BTW, you can give all the Barbie dolls to Jessie. We are hoping to postpone Barbie as long as
possible while probably not banning them outright. After all, forbidden fruits are the sweetest.
Besides I played with Barbies and I am a badass feminist.
-----Wow! I'm impressed. Sounds like you've got a plan!!
Now if we could only get one of our local sports teams to win a championship, you could
implement it (ala LA Lakers style). ;-)
Matthew McKibben
-----Hypothetically:
If I could convince myself that looting wasn't wrong, I'd probably rob:
a) Best Buy-I'm really wanting that 13,000 dollar flat screen television, brand new 5 disc dvd
changer with BOSE surround sound system, 100 disc cd changer, all the dvd's and cd's I could fit
into my basket. A Playstation 2, GameCube, and X-Box with all the games I could fit into my car.
then I'd head over to
b) Toys R Us: I'd fit all the Star Wars toys I could into my basket. I'd even get some Barbie Dolls
so that I could give my nieces some new dolls (see I'm not all bad). Then I'd pick up this R2-D2
droid that I've been hearing all about that has some kind of AI capabilities and can more or less
function on it's own. If looting isn't an option for you then it retails at 99.99 dollars. I guess the
hefty expense is just to ensure that George Luca$ never has to loot ILM's toy chest.
c) Petsmart: and Free all the animals. You can't have looting without a little chaos, and nothing
says chaos better than loose animals.
then I'd head over to the zoo
d) for the same reason posted above. But this time the animals would be bigger and I could
kidnap a little monkey for my own diabolical schemes. Monkeys are smart, I can convince it to
help me loot.
e) Marshalls BBQ and steal me some food
after eating I'd go to
f) random clothing stores to pick out my new wardrobe. In my quest to fill the power vacuum that
regime change brings, I'd buy lots of Berets and old military uniforms.
But you can't have a regime of your own without going to
g) Wal Mart- and buying out their arsenal of weapons. Nothing says dictator better than standing
above your adoring masses and firing your weapons into the air.
then I'd head over to the bank
h) and take out some of the federal govt's money. Nothing says ruthless dictator better than
getting financial backing from the United States Federal Govt. ;)
-matt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-17 10:34:00
Subject: The Revenge of the Net Evaders
Does anyone but me get annoyed when you're faced with the possibility of future communication
and the people you need to communicate with don't have email?
I am the membership director for a couple of mediation organizations and often I need to
communicate with my members about upcoming events. Most of the people have email and I can
just compose the message, hit the 'send' button and I'm good to go.
But there are a surprising number of people in both groups that don't have email. Because they
don't choose to be a part of the 21st century, I have to take my valuable time and convert the
message to paper, stuff, lick, stamp and mail their meeting announcements via snail mail. Each
time this happens, I find myself getting put out with the non-email types, thinking, how stone age
can you get??? Not having email in this day and age.
But according to a new study from the Pew Internet and American Life Project, 42 percent of
American adults say they are not connected to the Internet, and a surprising number live in a
household where other relatives are regular Internet users, or they have close friends who
regularly go online. Yet they refuse to join the crowd.
Of those who do not use the Internet, the study found, 74 percent have relatives or close friends
who do. And 20 percent of the nonusers are what the study calls Net evaders: people living in
Internet-connected homes where other relatives go online.
The Net evaders have their reasons for remaining offline. Some are short on free time and fear
that it will take over their lives - that once they take the plunge, they will never resurface. Others
simply prefer to send and receive handwritten correspondence. Still others lament the loss of
face-to-face contact associated with the rise of the Web. A few confess to ignorance and
intimidation. And there are those who manage, through wired surrogates, to take advantage of
the Internet indirectly for research or communication.
Now I can imagine the fear of the net taking over my life. In fact, I was urged by a friend some
time ago to respond and make comments on his weblog, and I told him that I had resisted doing
that because once I took the plunge I'd be hooked and soon he'd find me in a gutter somewhere,
having lost my home and hearth because I was too busy commenting on weblogs to hold down a
job.
That, in fact, hasn't happened and I'm proud to say that I can show restraint. And while I can
understand the Net Evaders worrying about their precious time, I just wish they'd be a little more
benevolent and worry about my precious time and the time it takes for me to provide them with
their precious handwritten correspondence!
User Comments:
Nobody
-----Some folks just can't afford it. The library (the only place I've *ever* seen free Internet resources)
is not someplace most folks think of going to do what is "fashionable."
For plenty of Americans computers are just too expensive, and regular payments to an ISP make
the concept rediculous. Most of my neighbors have a hard enough time making ends meet. No
one has even bothered to explain the uses in a computer, let alone the Net.
Then there are folks like my parents who just don't trust the things not to bring filth into their
homes. (I've explained both the V-chip for cable and Netsetter for the computer but they persist
in excluding cable and Internet from the house.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-17 10:57:00
Subject: Fashionable Floods
Now that spring is upon us and the weather is warming here in Big D, alot of the women in my
office are wearing those mid-calf length pants.
I'll have to admit that I resisted buying into this craze last year, thinking it would only last one
season and besides that, I'm not really dictated by the fashion gods anyway.
Being a tall gal (5'7"), many times in my past I've purchased jeans and other long pants, only to
have them shrink with each washing and drying and sooner or later they'd end up as "floods".
Disgusted, I'd throw them in a bag and contribute them to Goodwill! They'd be just perfect for
some 5'4" body!
Now, however, I'm thinking I should have just held onto them and I'd be fashionable. But to be
honest, they still just look like "floods" to me, so I'm not sure I'd be able to get over that!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-18 21:50:00
Subject: Good Friday with Grand Kids
I arrived in Tulsa today to be greeted by Joey and Jessie with huge smiles on their faces when
they saw their MaDear coming their way.
It's so wonderful to see that, even though we're miles away from each other, they know me and
are glad when I visit.
I spent the rest of the day "playing" with them. Jessie is full of imagination and Joey and I entered
into her fantasies. She directs us, which is good for me, because I don't have much of an
imagination.
Joey is growing out of the last of his baby fat and he's looking like a 3 year old already, even
though he still has a few weeks to go.
They both are full of energy and I realize now that they're in bed that I'm exhausted from trying to
keep up with them! But it's a good tired...I'm so thankful for my grandchildren!
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----I'm envious. I can't wait until June when I can come up and hang out with the Jessie and Joey
meisters. Tell them they don't even know what fun is until their Uncle Matt gets up there. ;-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-22 14:45:00
Subject: We'll show 'em how to do democracy!
I was just listening to NPR and they were talking about Iraq's oil-for-food program. The oil-for-
food program was exploited in the most cynical manner by members and clients of the palatial
Saddam regime, who used the money to enrich themselves while starving and neglecting the
population.
The news reporter was interviewing our "wonderful politicians" to ask them how we can bring
honesty and sanity to the new Iraq so that, in the future, the Iraqi people can enjoy the fruits of
their labor. I'm thinking, that's like asking the fox to guard the hen house! If you don't believe me,
go <a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/" target="_blank">here</a> or <a
href="http://citizenworks.org" target="_blank">here</a>.
We're all screwed!
Except for the lucky people that work for SAS. Did you see <a
href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/02/08/eveningnews/main270458.shtml"
target="_blank">60 Minutes</a> last night about that really cool company?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-23 12:49:00
Subject: Well I'm movin' on Up!
For all of you that remember that TV series, The Jeffersons, you can sing along with the
following:
<ul>Well I'm movin' on Up!
To the east side!
To a dee-luxe office in the sky.
I'm movin' on up!
To the east side!
I've finally got a piece of HR pie!
Fish don't fry in the kitchen,
Beans don't burn on the grill.
Didn't take much tryin'
Just had to sit here and chill.
Now I'm up in the big leagues,
Gettin' my turn at bat!
As long as I live,
It's People Strategies, baby!
There ain't nothin' wrong with that!
Hooray, I'm Movin' on Up!
To the east side!
To a dee-luxe office in the sky!
I'm Movin' on Up!
To the east side!
I've finally got a piece of HR pie!</ul>
Now for the explanation...seems my boss Mary is being promoted to VP or Director of Training
(not sure which) and instead of just IT training, she'll be in charge of all of ClubCorp training. She
needed one of her team to volunteer to go up (to the 8th floor) with her and move from IT to
People Strategies (HR). Since I'm always looking for opportunities to update my resume, I
volunteered and she's glad, as she would have picked me anyway, I think.
I'm cool with it as it beats getting laid off and I'm looking forward to the new opportunity (although
I'm going to miss being next to the rest of my group that's staying on the 6th floor and in IT, but I'll
still be 'working' with them on projects, at times). I'll be doing alot of what I'm doing now and
interfacing more with the business sponsors (higher ups) in the company so that's always a good
thing, I guess.
This 'promotion' didn't come with a pay raise, but then again, in today's economy, I'm just happy
to be employed!
Oh, and BTW, my new office will be on the east side, as opposed to the west side (which it is
now)....a lot better feng shui and 'facing' my grandkids!!
User Comments:
-----Ah, so that's what you were talking about. Are you and Mary moving, or is the whole crew?
Matthew
-----Congratulations!!!! Won't be long until you're running the place.
And I believe it's "Well I'm a Movin on up." The 'a' is pronounced as an 'uh.' ;-)
matt
Katie
-----Congrats!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-24 16:09:00
Subject: One of the A words-which one are you?
Are you an agnostic, an atheist or just apatheistic?
I just read an interesting short essay about "apatheism" in Atlantic Monthly. In searching for a link
to this essay, I came across this <a href="http://www.brianmontopoli.com/index.asp"
target="_blank">blog</a> about it. <ul>Don't care much about your religion and care even less
about the religions of others? Then you're an "apatheist," according to The Atlantic Monthly's
Jonathan Rauch. Most agnostics are apatheists, but most apatheists are not agnostics--because
a believer can still be an apatheist. It's what makes it possible for Rauch to have "Christian
friends who organize their lives around an intense and personal relationship with God, but who
betray no sign of caring that [Rauch is] an unrepentantly atheistic Jewish homosexual." The piece
isn't online, but Rauch claims that apatheism is rising, and that it's a very good thing:
"...the rise in apatheism is to be celebrated as nothing less than a major civilizational advance.
Religion, as the events of September 11 and after have so brutally underscored, remains the
most divisive and volatile of social issues. To be in the grip of religious zeal is the natural state of
human beings, or at least of a great many human beings; that is how much of the species seems
to be wired. Apatheism, therefore, should not be assumed to represent a lazy recumbancy, like
my collapse into a soft chair after a long day. Just the opposite: it is the product of a determined
cultural effort to discipline the religious mindset, and often of an equally determined personal
effort to master the spiritual passions. It is not a lapse. It is an achievement."</ul>
In search for more, I went into Websters Online, but apatheistic wasn't listed. However, The
American Dialect Society (whatever that is) published their words of the year and making an
appearance in the creative catagory was apatheist, someone believing that God or gods exist but
are not of any use.
Interesting, I think, to say the least, yet not surprising. I see alot of apathy these days in many
areas...does not surprise me it's flowed over to theism.
User Comments:
Rferb <[email protected]>
-----Excuse my ignorance: is this a newly coined word, or has it been around...also, what is the
correct pronunciation?
Rferb
wes <[email protected]> http://www.djlocutus.com
-----< apatheist who cares<<<
i just "discovered" apatheism (iornically it was on the american dialect society website... when i
was doing research for a paper.. anyway) i now realize that i haven't been atheist or agnostic, as
i had thought for most of my live, but i am in fact apatheistic. however i do care about religion.
this might sound like a contradiction... but it's not. i think other people's religions are fascinating,
especially the really involved ones. however when it comes to the question of god(s) i'm really
not concerened (personally). this is great, i've already told some of closest friends about it. i
really hope this is a growing trend in the world.
-----I was still somewhat asleep this morning when I turned on C-Span and a caller (apparently an
atheist) was questioning Brian Lamb as to why he grilled a previously caller about their source to
the claim that Colin Powell was an atheist.
She said, "if the caller had said that Powell was a Methodist, would you have asked for a source
of this information?"
Good point, and I imagine he wouldn't have and I can kind of see now why this stuff can be pretty
frightening to a "non-believer", but a believer in separtion of church and state.
-----Q: So are you ignorant or just apathetic?
A: I don't know and I don't care.
Well, I'm definitely not apatheistic (good to see people are still out there busily making up new
words). I care very much about religion. So I'm still very firmly an agnostic, though not an
apatheistic agnostic (which is utterly lame). Why not just call yourself a "Brain-dead
Sleepwalking Zombie" instead?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-26 12:01:00
Subject: I finished a book!
Now this doesn't sound like a comment that needs an exclamation point following it, but it's rare
that I do...finish a book that is.
I don't know whether it's short attention span, adult attention deficit disorder, no time, too much
Tivo time or what, but I have a hard time making it through even the easiest to read book.
But this time I did. I just finished "Last Man Down" about one of the 911 FDNY firefighters that
was trapped in a stairway in the north tower of the WTC. It was an interesting read and the whole
time I was reading it, I was just imagining that scene over and over again of the buildings falling. I
still can't believe that anyone made it out alive.
One of the most interesting (and sad) parts of the book was the story about when the guy was
making his descent down the stairs (before the fall, but the south tower had already tumbled). On
each floor from about the 23rd one down, he would scan the floor for survivors before he headed
down to the next floor. On one floor, he came across a firefighter, sitting in one of the offices,
calmly smoking a cigarette. Seems this guy didn't make it out, and the author felt that he didn't
want to. He'd had lots of financial, family problems so this guy just was going to go down with the
building. Evidently, this happens, although rarely (hopefully). Sad, so sad...
Having finished this book, now I'm encouraged to start another. This one is interesting
too..."Jarhead"...a memoir of a Marine in the first Gulf War. Not your usual rah-rah, but how it
really is. I don't want to call it anti-war, but it's definitely not pro-war either. And of course, the
whole time I'm reading it, I'm thinking about my son Matthew and the things he didn't tell
me...probably a good thing!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-04-28 10:04:00
Subject: Do it anyway
We talked about paradoxes and religion yesterday in my Sunday School class at First U, and
someone brought along this:
<ul>The Paradoxical Commandments
-by Kent M. Keith
People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and
women with the smallest ideas. Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them. Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you
have anyway.</ul>
It hit home.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-05-01 18:19:00
Subject: Preposition Therapy
I'm finding out that I like The Atlantic Monthly magazine almost as much as I like The
New Yorker, and that's quite a lot!
In the May 2003 issue, I found the following information:
<ul>...consider a study published this year by psychologists at the University of Texas at Austin.
The findings, published in the journal Psychological Science, suggest that people who use
a diverse array of pronouns have stronger immune systems, lower levels of stress, and less need
to see the doctor than people who say "I" "I" "I" all the time. The study speculated that the
willingness to perceive the world from many angles is a healthier outlook than solipsism. Can
preposition therapy be far away? You, me, us, them: this is a form of enhancement we can all
embrace.</ul>
You can find the whole article called "The Olden Mean" (When the posthuman future meets our
pre-posthuman selves" <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/2003/05/murphy.htm"
target="_blank">here.</a>
Now, I say, ur, rather, you need to use more pronouns when you
talk about us and them, according to me, and you'll
live longer and healthier!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-05-05 19:49:00
Subject: Saving face
On May 2nd, I turned the page of my calendar to find this quote from Lauren Bacall:
<ul>I think your whole life shows in your face, and you should be proud of that.</ul>
Then, today, when I had my TiVo on while I was enjoying the day off, I heard someone else say:
<ul>The face you have at 50 is the face you've earned.</ul>
I guess I feel better now....
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----Movie star addition:
The face you have at fifty is the face you purchased. :-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-05-06 13:35:00
Subject: Only the nose knows
Some people have really interesting jobs. In the May 5th 2003 New Yorker <a
href="http://www.newyorker.com/talk/content/?030505ta_talk_schillinger" target="_blank">
Talk of the Town</a> there's an interesting article about a guy named John Caglione, Jr.
who won the Oscar for makeup in 1991 for his work in the movie "Dick Tracy," in particular
Tracy's nose. He also made the cones for the Coneheads on SNL.
But before you think that this kind of work just comes to you without effort or a learning curve,
read this from Caglione's own words:
<ul>When I was twelve, I sent my brother to the emergency room. One night, when he was
maybe twenty, I tried to make a cast of his face. This is before I knew about alginate. I had this
stuff called dental stone. I put it on my brother, but I didn’t know that as it sets it goes up to about
220 degrees Fahrenheit. I nearly baked him! We tried to chisel it off, but the stuff was like granite.
I had stuck straws through his nostrils so he could breathe, but it was hot under there. I
remember my dad and I dunked his face in water in the bathroom sink, and when the water came
out of the nostril holes my brother looked like a fountain. So we took him to the emergency room
around midnight. The doctors just ripped the stone straight off. It took his eyebrows and his
mustache with it—and it was the early seventies, so he also had these big long sideburns. He still
has a chunk of the mold on his bureau; it’s weird to see the eyebrow emerging from the dental
stone. It’s a perfect eyebrow, every follicle ripped right out.</ul>
Why do I think of my sons when I read this?
User Comments:
Matthew
-----quote
Why do I think of my sons when I read this?
answer
Because I did this to Luke last night. Didn't you hear about it? ;-)
Matthew
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-05-07 09:29:00
Subject: Please call me by my true names
<a href="http://www.seaox.com/thich.html">Thich Nhat Hanh</a> is very big around UU. And so
is <a href="http://jcf.org/">Joseph Campbell</a>. So it's only fitting that Unitarians try to tie the
two together somehow.
During the last group meeting studying Joseph Campbell, the facilitator read this poem by Thich
Nhat Hanh:
<ul>Please call me by my true names
Don’t say that I will depart tomorroweven today I am still arriving.
Look deeply: every second I am arriving
to be a bud on a spring branch,
to be a tiny bird, with still fragile wings,
learning to sing in my new nest,
to be a caterpillar in the heart of a flower,
to be a jewel hiding itself in a stone.
I still arrive, in order to laugh and cry,
to fear and to hope.
The rhythm of my heart is the birth and death
of all that is alive.
I am the mayfly metamorphosing
on the surface of the river.
And I am a bird that swoops to swallow the
mayfly.
I am a frog swimming happily
in the clear water of a pond.
And I am the grass-snake
that silently feeds itself on the frog.
I am the child in Uganda, all skin and bones,
my legs as thin as bamboo sticks.
And I am the arms merchant
selling deadly weapons to Uganda.
I am the twelve-year-old girl,
refugee on a small boat,
who throws herself into the ocean
after being raped by a sea pirate.
And I am the pirate,
my heart not yet capable
of seeing and loving.
I am a member of the politburo,
with plenty of power in my hands.
And I am the man who has to pay
his “debt of blood” to my people
dying slowly in a forced-labor camp.
My joy is like Spring, so warm
it makes flowers bloom all over the Earth.
My pain is like a river of tears
so vast it fills the four oceans.
Please call me by my true names,
so I can hear all my cries and laughter at once,
so I can see that my joy and pain are one.
Please call me by my true names
so I can wake up
and the door of my heart could be left open,
the door of compassion.</ul>
I really liked this explanation of spiritual literacy (kind of the 'theme' of this piece), given by
Frederic and Mary Anne Brussat.
<ul>One of the greatest steps to enlightenment is realizing the interconnectedness of every
single living thing in the universe. The realization that you do not exist in a void... you are not only
you, you are everything. Everything is you and whatever you endeavor has consequences
beyond your widest imaginings. No event or choice in your life stands on its own. So you are
forever arriving and even in the moment that you truly feel you belong in a certain place is the
moment you start leaving. The moment you feel you know everyone, you meet someone new.
The moment you realize you have friends you become isolated. The instant you find true love you
lose it. The recognition of yourself as a moving part of the universe - that when someone hurts
you hurt too, that even if a tree hurts you hurt, that there is a universal pain, but also a universal
joy. That pain and joy are so inextricable from each other that they can not exist independently.
That laughing and crying are the same thing. You are the abused and the abuser. Then reality
becomes clear and we recognize our responsibility to live, to make decisions, to be absolutely
compassionate or be nothing.</ul>
Wow! I may not ever get there, but I can strive to get there, and by striving, I am there, right?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-05-07 16:13:00
Subject: If only we were as hearty as the worm
The NY Times had this little <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/07/opinion/07WED4.html?
th" target="_blank">article</a> about the C. elegans worm:
<ul>The Indestructible Worm
When last we checked in on the tiny soil worm known as C. elegans, it had reached a pinnacle of
scientific success. Not only was it the first animal to have its genome deciphered, but it had also
become the favored laboratory specimen for studying how cells divide, differentiate and develop
into organs, a role that contributed heavily to last year's Nobel Prize in medicine.
Now C. elegans has achieved another spectacular feat. Hundreds of the worms were on the
space shuttle Columbia when it disintegrated. They survived the breakup, the fiery descent
through the atmosphere and the jarring collision with the ground and kept on reproducing until
they were found three months later.
Whether this was mostly luck, or because their canisters rode in a sheltered spot on the shuttle,
or because of the worms' hardiness, is not clear. Their survival lends plausibility to the notion that
life might have descended on Earth from other worlds in ancient times. If a tiny soil worm could
do it, why not a hardy bacterium from a distant world, hitching a ride on a space rock or, dare we
think it, sent by an advanced civilization?</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-05-08 09:47:00
Subject: 3 branches of government
Bill Maher was on the Hardball College Tour with Chris Matthews the other night and said this
when asked about political focus groups:
<ul>"I think the 3 branches of government now are Photo-ops, Attack Ads, and Focus
Groups."</ul>
I know it's a cynical thought, but I can't say that I disagree with him.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Nice quote. Can't say I disagree either.
-matt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-05-09 11:27:00
Subject: Live the questions now
Rainer Maria Rilke, in Letters to a Young Poet, says the following:
<ul>I would like to beg you...as well as I can, to have patience with everything unsolved in your
heart and try to love the questions themselves...Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be
given to you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live
the questions now. Perhaps you will gradually, without noticing it, live your way into the answer.
</ul>
This has been so true in my life. Many times things have happened to me that, at the time,
seemed disastrous, or at the very least disabling. Wasted time was spent trying to figure out the
answers to my dilemmas, only to find that if I live the questions, the answers 
always come.
User Comments:
-----"have patience with everything unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves"
That's exactly what I do. I don't claim that the unsolved is solved, and I question everything.
"Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given to you because you would not be able to
live them."
Huh? I would say that by seeking answers, you are also finding ways of living them.
"And the point is, to live everything."
And what does "living everything" entail?
"Live the questions now."
How do you live a question? If you explore a question, you're seeking answers, which is exactly
what he told us *not* to do just a second ago.
"Perhaps you will gradually, without noticing it, live your way into the answer."
Uh, okay. By living the questions, right? Like, what does that mean, dude?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-05-11 14:50:00
Subject: Mother's Day Proclamation
-by Julia Ward Howe (27 May 1819 to 17 October 1910)
<ul>Arise, then, women of this day!
Arise all women who have hearts, whether your baptism be that of water or of fears!
Say firmly: "We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies,
"Our husbands shall not come to us reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause.
"Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of
charity, mercy, and patience.
"We women of one country will be too tender of those of another country to allow our sons to be
trained to injure theirs."
From the bosom of the devasted earth a voice goes up with our own. It says, "Disarm, Disarm!"
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice! Blood does not wipe out dishonor nor violence
indicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plow and the anvil at the summons of war, let women now leave
all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them then solemnly take counsel with each other as the means whereby the great human
family can live in peace,
And each bearing after her own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar, but of God.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-05-14 22:35:00
Subject: Jumping the shark? probably....
Ok, I'm slow, I know!
More than a year ago my best friends in Houston recommended I watch "West Wing" 'cause it
was their favorite show.
Then, my sweet daughter MaryAnn recommended it to me, saying it was one that she TiVo'd
every week.
I still didn't listen. After all, I had Charlie Rose and The Daily Show and Inside the Actor's Studio
and I just couldn't handle more TV.
But, after spending a couple of weeks in Atlanta around the time of Caroline's birth, I watched it
with MA & Robert and got hooked.
It's been a show I look forward to since Feb. 12, 2003.
I just have to say now though, after watching the season finale, that I arrived too late at the party.
In this episode, Pres. Bartlett evokes the 25th amendment after his daughter is abducted and
"Republican Speaker of the House John Goodman" takes over powers of the presidency....Ack!
Once again, I'm just too little, too late!
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----it's always painful to watch a favorite show of yours jump the shark...."the simpsons" i'm looking
in your direction.
-matt
MaryAnn
-----I've heard lots of speculation about shark-jumping for that show. I thought it was riveting TV last
night even though it is very different than it used to be. Sorkin is also leaving the show which
could be the death knell.
I thought it was interesting because it mirrors real life. I remember thinking after 9/11--if George
W. Bush had been offered the job of baseball commissioner back in the late 90s (which he really
wanted)... and if those several hundred voters in Florida had voted differently... if the Supreme
Court had had different people on it... and so on and so forth, the world would be very different
today. Now on WW you have a similar dynamic. If the president didn't have MS... and if the VP
hadn't had to resign... etc. etc. That's just so interesting to me, how seemingly unrelated events
create a domino effect.
John Goodman character=Newt!
-----Never seen it, though based on your description it sounds like it might be.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-05-15 11:51:00
Subject: Eeuuww, or however it's spelled
Now I'm not making a value judgement here, if any of you happen to appear at my doorstep after
doing <a href="http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_780095.html" target="_blank">this</a>,
but then again, maybe Matthew was way ahead of his time back on that little red fire engine in
Southside Park so long ago....
User Comments:
Jill/Mamala <[email protected]>
-----I'm not going to ask you why "chicks dig scars." ;-)
Matthew
-----I am THE trendsetter!!!! I still have two little teeth marks in my tongue from that incident. Chicks
dig scars.
-matt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-05-19 15:31:00
Subject: I wish I could be so bold!
So I'm sitting on MARTA (Atlanta's light rail system)going to the airport, early in the morning, after
spending a wonderful weekend watching MaryAnn graduate with an M.Div., Robert lovingly plan
their move to Springfield, and Caroline doing what she does best....stealing hearts everywhere.
I've got my nose deep into the latest issue of Vanity Fair, reading about the Oscars from
Dominick Dunne's point of view when all of a sudden I hear a voice around me say something. I
continue to read on about how Halle Berry hated the wide open mouthed kiss (with tongue) that
Adrien Brody laid on her after she announced his name for Best Actor for "The Pianist," (she says
he wouldn't have done that to Meryl Streep if she had been the presenter) when I became
conscious that perhaps someone was trying to get my attention.
I looked up and there was a young girl, probably in her mid-teens, riding alone next to me (across
the aisle). She said, "Ma'am, do you have any gum?" I always carry gum, so I dug in my purse
and supplied her with a piece of Peppermint Trident. She was happy.
I'm thinking, unless it was life or death for me to bum something off a stranger, I'd never, in a
million years, do this. And I'm also hoping that if it was life or death, that my adrenalin would take
over for me, because I'm not so sure I'd even ask for help then from a perfect stranger on a train!
All in all, I think the gum chewing stranger on the train is a lot healthier than me, in at least this
way.
User Comments:
-----Yeah but maybe she was a serial killer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-05-22 23:03:00
Subject: Boston with the UUs
I have an early morning (6:30 AM, aacckk!) flight to Boston tomorrow morning. I'll be back on
Tuesday at 6 PMish.
Should be really, really fun and informative and rainy, according to weather.com., but oh well, I
won't melt and it may even make my hair curly...cool!
User Comments:
Matthew
-----I'm green with envy. I've always wanted to go to Boston. I hear it's a gorgeous city. I hear it's not
much of a college town though. ;-)
matthew
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-05-27 22:00:00
Subject: Back from Boston
I'm back (and blown away) from Boston!
I'll write more later, but for now, all I can say is that the next time you meet a Unitarian, thank
them for your American democratic heritage!
I'm thinking seriously that if we didn't have those rebel, Unitarians in our history, we'd all be
paying taxes to King George and, instead of badmouthing Bush, we'd be badmouthing Blair, right
about now!
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----If there is ONE American philosopher that stands out in American History, it's Ralph Waldo
Emerson who also happened to have been raised a Unitarian. Go figure.
I think some of our founding fathers and mothers were also Unitarians, or at the very least a lot of
them were deists, which is essentially the same thing as Unitarian. Thomas Paine, I'm looking in
your direction. Thomas Paine was in many ways, the most radical of founding fathers.
MaryAnn
-----...if the Unitarians gave the revolution its oomph, then the Presbyterians came along afterward
and made everything "decent and in order". lol
-----Did they go and fill you with a bunch of Unitarian historical revisionism and propaganda? :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-03 16:45:00
Subject: Typhoid Jill
No, it's not SARS, but I've done it this time.
My dear friends in Houston graciously allowed me to stay in their home over the weekend so that
I could be conveniently located to all of MaryAnn's ordination activities.
Before hitting H-town, however, I developed a sore throat, which progressed into a devil of a
summer cold, two days before my arrival there.
I didn't let that deter my plans, however, as I've always believed that old wives' tale about "how by
the time you have symptoms of an illness, you're no longer contagious."
Yeah, right!!!!!
I just got an email from one of my Houston hostesses and she's nursing her sore throat now and
quizzing me on just how this thing progresses and how much more pain and suffering she has to
endure before it's gone.
Now who's to say that she got 'my' illness, as it is a big and cruel world out there, but then again,
maybe I'm getting my due, as when I arrived back at my office, I screamed and yelled at a coworker (not seriously, mind you) about how he gave me his dastardly cold!
If I hear about one more person (from last weekend) getting this thing, I'm really going to be sick
(in the heart and soul) that I inflicted such pain and suffering on others!
Sorry, in advance....I'm really, really sorry!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-04 13:45:00
Subject: Survivor Guilt
Well, it happened.
The much anticipated layoffs in my department happened yesterday. Of the 6 of us, 3 are left.
Actually, the 3 that got laid off have a job until August 12th if they want it, and after that, 2 months
severence, so I'm thinking (hoping) that they will be able to get great jobs soon!
I'm one of the 'lucky' ones that didn't get hit, but that's always a double edged sword.
I've never really liked good-byes and after spending 8+ hours a day with these people, they've
become 'family' so this is difficult.
On the other hand, it seems every time I've either quit a job willingly or had the job 'quit' me, I've
ended up in a better place. I'm confident that this will happen to my 3 amigos here!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-06 08:14:00
Subject: I will not die an unlived life
I will not die an unlived life
- by Dawna Markova
<ul>I will not die an unlived life
I will not live in fear of falling
Or of catching fire
I choose to inhabit my days
To allow my living to open me
Making me less afraid
More accessible
To loosen my heart
So that it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise
I choose to risk my significance.
To live so that that which comes to me as seed
Goes to the next as blossom
And that which comes to me as blossom
Goes on as fruit.</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-06 08:27:00
Subject: The time will come...
Love After Love
by Derek Walcott
<ul>The time will come
when, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other's welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-06 08:31:00
Subject: The last of "poetry Friday"
Attitude is Everything
by Francis Altazar-Schwartz
<ul>Chapter 1
I walk down the street.
there is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost...I am helpless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
Chapter 2
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in the same place.
Bit it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter 3
I see it is there.
I still fall in....it's a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
Chapter 4
I walk around it.
Chapter 5
I walk down another street.</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-10 21:35:00
Subject: Seen any cute dogs & cats lately?
Well, here they are! Dalai, Dharma, Jack & Marina!!!
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/dd2.jpg">
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/dd4.jpg">
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/jm1.jpg">
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-10 22:07:00
Subject: Seen my wonderful sons lately?
The Way of Love
-by Rumi
The way of love is not
a subtle argument.
The door there
is devastation.
Birds make great sky-circles
of their freedom.
How do they learn it?
They fall, and falling,
they're given wings.
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/matt_luke.jpg">
User Comments:
-----You don't look old, you look 25! And it's still under 30, so I can still trust you...
Matthew McKibben
-----What a couple of rascals!!!! How come a I'm starting to look so old. It's not fair. ;-)
-matt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-11 17:12:00
Subject: Lame excuses
You all know the drill....
"the dog ate my homework"
"my aunt died"
"my child is sick"
etc., etc.
My friend Derek and I were talking about why people (me included) feel the need to give an
excuse when they have to bow out of a scheduled, planned get-together. Why can't they just say
that they aren't in the mood or they've changed their mind or go to hell!
But no, we all have to come up with an excuse, which oftentimes, is pretty lame!
Derek's bridge night is going to be one short because his friend "just bought a computer and has
15 days to decide whether or not he is going to keep it so he needs tonight's hours to evaluate
it." Yeah, right....
Perhaps Derek's friend Cory was the recipient of the best lame excuse I've heard. When inviting
a girl that he was interested in out for dinner, she declined saying "that she had leftover lasagna
in her 'fridge and if she didn't eat it that very evening, it would go bad."
You've just got to love it!!!
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----Isn't bridge an old ladies game? ;-)
j/k
I'm the king of lame excuses. Give me a circumstance, I'll find an excuse.
:-)
-----How about:
I have to defrag my harddrive.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-12 12:20:00
Subject: The Three Goals
The Three Goals 
By David Budbill
The first goal is to see the thing itself
in and for itself, to see it simply and clearly
for what it is.
No symbolism please.
The second goal is to see each individual thing
as unified, as one, with all the other
ten thousand things.
In this regard, a little wine helps a lot.
The third goal is to grasp the first and the second goals,
to see the universal and the particular,
simultaneously.
Regarding this one, call me when you get it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-12 12:27:00
Subject: Hope
Hope
by Lisel Mueller
It hovers in dark corners
before the lights are turned on,
it shakes sleep from its eyes
and drops from mushroom gills,
it explodes in the starry heads
of dandelions turned sages,
it sticks to the wings of green angels
that sail from the tops of maples.
It sprouts in each occluded eye
of the many-eyed potato,
it lives in each earthworm segment
surviving cruelty,
it is the motion that runs the tail of a dog,
it is the mouth that inflates the lungs
of the child that has just been born.
It is the singular gift
we cannot destroy in ourselves,
the argument that refutes death,
the genius that invents the future,
all we know of God.
It is the serum which makes us swear
not to betray one another;
it is in this poem, trying to speak.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-12 12:30:00
Subject: The Peace of Wild Things
THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS
by Wendell Berry
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-13 09:54:00
Subject: It's Friday and I'm not getting on a plane!
I woke up this morning with a sense of panic. It's Friday, after all, and I don't have a suitcase
packed. In fact, my suitcase is rebelling, as on my trip last week to Tulsa, the handle broke and
it's now in the suitcase repair shop, taking a breather from my hectic schedule too!
For the past 4 weekends, I've travelled to Atlanta, Boston, Austin/Houston and Tulsa and the trips
have been just some of the best experiences of my life.
I got to enjoy the Columbia graduation and baccalaureate (Caroline), an ordination (Jessie, Joey
and Caroline) and a gymnastics recital (Jessie and Joey). Oh yeah, and of course being around
my fab four didn't hurt either!
But as much as I enjoyed the past four weekends, I must say that I'm looking forward to a quiet
weekend at home coming up. Jack and Marina will be happy about it too! Not to mention Dalai
and Dharma!
I say all this and also say at the same time that I can't wait until mid-July's trip to DC!
User Comments:
Matthew
-----You hung out with the Beatles?????? ;-)
Gotta amscray!
matthew
MaryAnn
-----It's also Friday the 13th!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-15 17:21:00
Subject: Father's Day
I was pleased to learn this morning in church that Father's Day wasn't a holiday initiated by
Hallmark.
Seems it originated way back in the early 1900's with a young girl that was raised by her father,
after her mother died at an early age. She thought up the celebration while attending a Mother's
Day service and celebrated it about a month later, in June.
LBJ signed the order to make Father's Day a holiday on the third Sunday in June back in 1966,
and I'm glad he did.
After all, I should remember and appreciate my own father and grandfathers and the father of my
children every day, but at least I have one 24 hour period each year, specifically set out for that
purpose. That's pretty neat.
Today, in church, our intern pastor read the following passage. It's a lesson Robert Fulghum got
from his grandfather. I thought it was pretty neat!
<ul>My grandfather Sam called me up last Tuesday to ask me if I'd take him to a football game.
Grandfather likes small town high school football-- and even better the eight-man ball played by
cross roads team. Grandfather is a fan of amateurs and small scale.
Some people are concerned about how it is that good things happen to bad people and there are
those concerned about how bad things happen to good people. But my grandfather is interested
in those times when miracles happen to ordinary people.
Here again he likes small scale. When a nothing team from a nothing town full of nothing kids
rises up with nothing to lose against some up market suburban outfit with new uniforms, and start
chucking hail Mary bombs from their own goal line and their scrawny freshman tight end catches
three in a row to win the game, well, it does your heart good.
"Murphy's Law doesn't always hold," says grandfather. Every once in a while, the fundamental
laws of the universe seem to be momentarily suspended and not only does everything go right,
nothing seems to be able to keep it from going right.
Ever drop a glass in the sink when you are washing dishes and have it bounce nine times and
not even chip? A near miss at an intersection, the lump that turned out to be benign, the heart
attack that was only gas...
My grandfather says he blesses God each day when he takes himself off to bed, having eaten
and not been eaten once again. Now I lay me down to sleep, in the peace of amateurs for whom
so many blessings flow, I thank you God for what went right. Amen.</ul>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2003-06-15 22:29:00
Subject: Oh, what the hell...
Matthew and I had this discussion recently about replying to a blog where he totally disagrees
with most of the premises presented... I say, just go for it!
I think that just by disagreeing, it doesn't discount the other person in any way. Just as they have
a right to their opinion, so does everyone else in the world. I am often troubled by people in this
world who hold strong opinions, but yet, when challenged, shrink to tears, or don't want to defend
their opinions (is it fear that they can't, that they won't hold up to scrutiny, or what?)
Anyway, one of the things I enjoy in this world is honest debate. I've talked about discussing
subjects at length with my co-worker Derek and although we hold different opinions on a lot of
topics, I always find that it challenges me to defend my opinion, which is very good. Do I have the
right information? Do I really believe what I'm saying and standing for? etc. etc.
When we disagree, I don't take it as a personal attack, even though Derek sometimes rolls his
eyes or tells me that what I just said didn't make any sense. I've learned long ago that that kind of
stuff, in a debate, is often used when the other person doesn't have a good comeback. And
sometimes, I need to go back and find better information to support my belief. That's always a
good thing!!
And sometimes, I can even be persuaded to change my mind or point of view. And how neat is
that?
User Comments:
-----EXACTLY! Derek, you're a genius!
-----Well yeah...obviously I agree with you here. This is one of the reasons I have a blog in the first
place.
Some bloggers only want either acolytes or to draw flame. I like honest interaction. I like to hear
people tell me what they really think, and then I get to do the same.
In Christopher Hitchens' book Letters to a Young Contrarian he points out that even
between two people who seem to be intractable entrenched in their own ideologies, most
intelligent people never come away from a debate/argument/discussion without some change or
refinement to their own point of view. Healthy debate, he argues, is a crucible for your own
views...and I agree.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-16 10:39:00
Subject: From Blossoms
From Blossoms
by Li-Young Lee
From blossoms comes
this brown paper bag of peaches
we bought from the boy
at the bend in the road where we turned toward
signs painted Peaches.
From laden boughs, from hands
from sweet fellowship in the bins,
comes nectar at the roadside, succulent
peaches we devour, dusty skin and all,
comes the familiar dust of summer, dust we eat.
O, to take what we love inside,
to carry within us an orchard, to eat
not only the skin, but the shade,
not only the sugar, but the days, to hold
the fruit in our hands, adore it, then bite into
the round jubilance of peach.
There are days we live
as if death were nowhere
in the background; from joy
to joy to joy, from wing to wing,
from blossom to blossom to
impossible blossom, to sweet impossible blossom.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-16 17:25:00
Subject: Make Love, Not War
I saw this guy, Chris Hedges, on Charlie Rose and thought he was interesting. I bought his book,
"War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning". Here, he answers some readers' questions.
It's all about the love!
I wondered if the love Hedges suggests as an alternate path to life than war-making was a new
idea for him or is part of his religious legacy flowering again? ... I do hope he will be able to share
more of his thinking on what he sees as the path that turns away from war, why he called it love.
ayohn3 5/23/03 9:21am
Chris Hedges: Love is the only antidote to war, not love in the abstract but love in the particular.
This does not mean that we can, through love, eradicate war. But love protects us from the
contagion and euphoria of war, for in the love of the other we find a wholeness and a
completeness that gives us meaning and more importantly happiness. We do not, if we have
love, need to seek this outside of our relationships. Love protects us from the cruelty of war. It
protects us from the racism and intolerance and drive to dehumanize the other that comes with
blind patriotism. When we can see love in others, even our enemy, that is like our own, we can
forgive. And in forgiveness we can create a new narrative, one that saves us from the cycle of
violence. I do not see love, however, as an alternative to war. I am not a pacifist. I see it as a
protection from the contagion of war and from hate and from the lust of war, all those forces that
can stunt and destroy a civilized society in wartime.
What is your definition of love?
bdhpoet 5/20/03 7:49pm
Chris Hedges: God
What "acts or behaviors of love" are sufficiently intense to offset or balance war-lust (for want of a
better term)?
ayohn3 5/20/03 7:42pm
Chris Hedges: The love between two people can offset the lust for war, for we will sacrifice
security for those we love, just as comrades will sacrifice themselves in war. The difference is
that dying for a friend or one we love is bitter and hard. It is not like dying for a comrade. There is
no ecstasy in this death. Friends and lovers lose, perhaps forever, the precious dialogue that
comes with love, the dialogue that touches our inner core. Friends fear death. They do not exalt
in it like comrades. This is why love is the most potent antidote to war.
Why do you, Mr. Hedges, conflate love and friendship? Why do you limit the definition of
friendship the kind of affinity that has traditionally been reserved for love? Why do you believe
that the battlefield is not the place where such friendship could occur?
jackson_dyer 5/22/03 10:32pm
Chris Hedges: It is almost impossible in war to build or sustain love, everything around you
conspires to destroy tenderness and beauty and replace it with violence and smut, all those
things that turn human beings into objects. Real friendship -- and I mean the kind of friendship
that happens to us a few times in our lives -- is love. Many of us, if we were honest, would admit
we never had a friend. The most fortunate of us have very few. In the friend we find selfawareness, self-possession, the opposite of comradeship which is the suppression of selfawareness for the intoxication of the cause. This confusion in war between friendship and
comradeship is common, but the comradeship of war is not friendship. It is not love. It is part of
war's intoxication. This is why once the war is over these comrades again become strangers to
us. It is why after war we fall into despair. Without the external threat to bind us as comrades, to
make us feel as one entity, one people, without the cause to give us a single purpose in life, there
can be no comradeship. War, especially at its inception, looks and feels like love but it is death.
And so much of the worship and excitement of war and comradeship is at its core necrophilia.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-20 10:27:00
Subject: Drivers Wanted
I was doing my usual 30 minutes on the Stairmaster last night at Heart Healthy, listening to my
headphones and watching the TV screen, and realizing that if I wasn't impatient with commercials
before TiVo, I certainly am now. I was switching channels whenever there was a commercial
break and found that most of the stations I was going to took their commercial breaks at the
same time.
So that left me with trying to fill up my mind with something other than the sweat and toil and
physical exertion that I know comes with my daily workout. What to do???
And then it hit me. When I use the stairmaster at Heart Healthy, the view in front of me through
the expansive windows is of the LBJ freeway [that's the 635 loop (now the inner loop, thanks to
the Pres. George Bush freeway {as opposed to the Pres. George W. Bush freeway} that is at
least looping the north side of town)].
It was rush hour and the traffic was moving remarkably well. So I started a game with myself.
Which color Beetle would be the most popular color that I'd see on LBJ at rush hour on a
Thursday in Dallas for the next 30 minutes?
I was surprised at what I saw! First came the Blue one (like mine), then the Pea Green one
(which was a color I considered before I settled on the Blue one), then another Blue, then a Black
one (with that little handle dealy that covers the back so it looks like you could pick it up by it's
bootstraps!), then another Blue one, then a Silver one, then another Blue one, then another Blue
one, then another Blue one!
I was shocked. In the course of about 30 minutes, I saw no White ones (sorry, Luke), no Red
ones, no Yellow ones, no Orange ones, no custom color ones (but I did see a 60s model in a
groovy shade of pale)!!
How can this be?
I guess this isn't a very scientific study, after only one evening of Beetle color watching, but I'll be
back this evening for another 30 minutes!
Aaaahhhh, life is good!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-23 22:17:00
Subject: Drivers NOT Wanted
Volkswagen to end production of old-style Beetle car this year 
BERLIN (AP) - Volkswagen said Friday it will stop making the original rear-engined Beetle later
this year, bringing the curtain down on the nearly 70-year history of the classic "bug."
Production of the last old Beetles at the VW plant in Puebla, Mexico, will "end this summer,"
spokesman Fred Baerbock said, adding that an exact date was not set.
He said there had been sinking demand for the original model, made only in Puebla since 1978.
The first version of what would become known as the Beetle was developed in 1934 under the
guidance of Adolf Hitler, who wanted to build a "people's car" - or in German, a Volkswagen. It
first entered mass production after the Second World War.
Over the decades, the VW became a favourite of both thrifty postwar Germans and 1960s
American hippies before competition from Japanese compacts elbowed it aside.
Volkswagen sold more than 21 million of the cars over the decades, but says it produced less
than 30,000 at Puebla last year.
Puebla will continue to produce the New Beetle sedan, a modernized successor to the cult car,
which hit the market in 1998 and has a chassis based on the VW Golf.
© The Canadian Press, 2003
Can you say sad, very sad?? Although I'm crazy about my New Beetle, this story still makes me
sad.
Probably, though, they'll quit making them, only to re-tool them someday and charge us nostalgic,
rich boomers an arm and a leg for the real thing! Ok, besides being sad, I'm a tad bit cynical too.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-23 22:27:00
Subject: Because I Love You
Because I Love You
by Jewel Kilcher (Sept 1997)
It's time now to leave
Quiet the mind of it's chatter
Still the riot in your heart
Disarm the tongue of it's dagger
Tell your arms not to worry so
And listen.....
Step into it
Lift your face into the strong wind
Least we miss it's meaning
Such cold beauty exists here
Do you see it?
Like the landscape
Frozen & waiting to be born
Let me bundle you in clothing
And soft things
Because I love you
I will not send you out into the night
With teeth marks & pride I have stripped you of
We will prepare each other
We will make up our own ceremony
I will draw a compass on your belly
Tell me that its OK
Before you turn me loose
Into the endless sky
Let me kiss you & then send you on your way
For Winters can be long
And I will need a friend
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-24 09:25:00
Subject: The Paradox of Faith
Religion is the vision of something which stands beyond, behind, and within the passing flux of
immediate things; something which is real, and yet waiting to be realized; something which is a
remote possibility, and yet the greatest of all present facts; something that gives meaning to all
that passes, and yet eludes apprehension; something whose possession is the final good, and
yet is beyond all reach; something which is the ultimate ideal, and the hopeless quest.
-Albert North Whitehead (1863-1947)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-24 09:31:00
Subject: Whole Lotta Love
Sometimes impulse buying really pays off...
I was in Best Buy this weekend, 'just looking' and came across Led Zeppelin's newest (oldest,
really) CD, How the West was Won and pulled out the old credit card and it was mine.
I plopped it into my CD player and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the live music from
the 70s. I don't know what they did to take these bootlegs purr, but do yourself a favor and get
your hands on a copy of this CD, or better yet, the DVD.
Whole Lotta Love's over 23 minutes long and, dare I say, as erotic as ever! It's almost
like I can't wait to hear the next cut and drive the next mile, as long as I have this CD to
accompany me.
Life is good!
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Ahhhhh yes!!! Led Zeppelin!!! They are a new discovery of mine. I had always heard about cool
the music of Led Zeppelin was and I remember thinking that the Led Zeppelin that I heard on the
radio was pretty bad ass. So their cd's are my new work in progress. I have I, II, III, and IV
already. Man. They really kick ass and a half.
-matthew
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-26 10:32:00
Subject: O happy day!
This <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/06/26/scotus.sodomy/index.html" target="_blank">
headline</a> couldn't have made me happier today! I just don't think that what goes on between
consenting adults in the privacy of their own bedroom should be the business of anyone but
those same consenting adults in the privacy of their own bedroom.
Maybe enlightenment is actually happening after all...even if in small bits and pieces.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-26 22:28:00
Subject: Bare
Annie Lennox was on Charlie Rose last night and after watching her, I was impressed, not only
with her wonderful singing voice, but her charm, wit and pathos.
I succumbed to the marketing and bought her newest CD "Bare" and it's enjoyable listening,
especially as I climbed stair after stair on the Stairmaster at Heart Healthy tonight.
It certainly speaks to me about love and loss.
User Comments:
-----I am against stealing (sharing), although that being said, I've done my share of sharing (stealing).
Oh, not of music, but I've 'shared' computer software and other things that I won't go into right
now.
So, basically, you could just label me a huge hypocrite!
-----Speaking of buying cds, what do you think of all this "cracking down on file sharing" business? I
am pretty sure I know where you stand on the issue, but...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-27 16:05:00
Subject: Boston Photos
I'm going to a get together tonight with some church friends that went to Boston with me about a
month ago.
We're supposed to bring the photos that we took and share them with each other.
I just realized that I so totally suck when it comes to taking pictures. Oh, I did OK with the
exposure and all, but I came back with only one picture of the 'thing' I care most about in this
world -- people, and came back with a butt-load of pictures of the 'thing' I care least about in this
world -- pictures of gravesites (even if they were famous ones like Emerson, Thoreau and
Hawthorne).
What would Freud say?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-28 13:35:00
Subject: Nonviolent soldier
I would say that I'm a nonviolent soldier. In place of weapons of violence, you have to use your
mind, your heart, your sense of humor, every faculty available to you...
-Joan Baez
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Where's her warbling voice when we need her? j/k
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-06-29 01:04:00
Subject: The Whale Rider
Matthew, Anya and I just got back from seeing "The Whale Rider" at the Inwood. What a smart,
intelligent, beautiful, empowering story! And the young girl that plays the lead is just about one of
the best actresses I've seen in a long time. The scene with her performing in the school play,
looking out in the audience for her missing grandfather, was powerful and heartbreaking at the
same time.
Do yourself a favor...pass on at least one summer blockbuster and go see this flick. I don't think
you'll be sorry that you did!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-03 12:06:00
Subject: Don't patronize the hired help
I was at lunch yesterday with my co-workers and we got into a big discussion about the
appropriate banter with waitstaff.
Our waiter was particularly good, I thought, and as is my habit, I engaged him in a brief exchange
while he was serving us, fueled by a tattoo on his serving hand, which, at first glance, I thought
were my initials "JM". When I remarked about it, he corrected me and said, "no, it was WC" and
then proceeded to tell me that when he was in high school, a group of his friends went and got
them done together and it stood for "wild child".
As he was explaining this, he did so in the strongest of Texas accents, and my curiosity was
aroused as to whether it was East or West Texas. On his next visit to our table, I was planning to
ask him where he was from, and told my co-workers so.
At that point, we got into a long, drawn out discussion about the appropriateness of engaging in
'personal' discussions with service people. The consensus seemed to be that if you wanted to
say anything to them, that you should just compliment them on the job they were doing, instead
of anything the least bit personal. I disagreed.
I feel that although it's not OK to delve into the deep, personal lives of people you come across
on a daily basis, it's OK and really good that you engage on more than a surface level with folks. I
think the more I understand people (and they understand me) the more that conflict and prejudice
and intolerance disappear, so I always look for opportunities to do so.
I guess at the end of the discussion, we agreed to disagree.
However, later that night, I accompanied Matthew and Anya to Taco Cabana, and, while handing
my credit card to the cashier, he asked me if I was from Boston (I had used my Fleet Mastercard,
and their headquarters is in Boston). I smiled and said, "no, but I love the place. Are you from
there?" and we engaged in a brief exchange about Albany, NY and New Hampshire and the East
Coast, all while my credit card was being authorized. At the end of the transaction, I knew a little
more about him and he knew a little more about me.
Oh sure, our paths will probably never cross again, but he knew that I saw him as a person, not
just an object behind a counter and I know that he saw me as a person, and not just a pain in the
neck customer!
I'll keep doing what I'm doing, I think.
User Comments:
-----Yo go mom! We live in such an impersonal society. I see no harm in chit chatting with anyone,
just as long as both people are reading body language to know when the other person wants to
stop.
Because it is annoying to get a waiter who just keeps talking after you have expressed interest in
talking.
But in general, I think you are in the right here. When I worked at Subway and such, I always
enjoyed the little customer chit chat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-03 14:53:00
Subject: I make wide right (left) turns
Just was out to run a few errands and noticed (again) something that irritates me.
Why is it that drivers of sedan size cars (or smaller) feel the need to veer into the adjoining lane
to make a simple left or right turn? I mean, we're not talking an 18 wheeler here!! Grrrrr...
User Comments:
-----No, I was just referencing that Saturday Night Live skit with Seinfeld on it, where it was the game
show of stand up comedians. Anyway, this post about wide turns seemed like one of those
Seinfeld type stand up comedian "real life revelations".
-----Airplane food...what's that?
Have you been on a Greyhound bus, I mean an airplane, recently? ;-)
-----"...And airplane food. What is the deal with Airplane food?!?!"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-03 15:01:00
Subject: The T-shirt rule
It's a hot summer day here in Dallas and I've got the day off. I awake to throw on my summer
'uniform'...shorts, t-shirt and sandals (when I'm not barefoot).
Finding the shorts to wear is pretty simple. I only have about 5 or so pairs of shorts and they're all
neutral colors so I can just pick one and be done with it.
But finding the right t-shirt...now that's a different story. Am I in a "make a statement" mode
(Million Mom March, Green Party, RAWA, First Amendment)? Or do I want to show my
connection with youth and wear one of the multitude of concert t-shirts accumulated over my
lifetime (Metallica, Beck, Woodstock)?
Maybe I'll just look benevolent and wear one of the t-shirts that the blood centers give donors
when they give up a pint!
If I think I'll run into law enforcement during my daily routine, putting on the Torch Run or
Carrollton PAL shirts may come in handy.
Then again, I could advertise for big BAD corporations and wear Macromedia, GM (a gift from my
Michigan cousin), Thinq, or all those Turkey Trot shirts that are sponsored by ABC or IBM or The
Dallas Morning News.
I admire my sons Luke and Matthew and their girlfriends for picking out really cool t-shirts from
thrift stores and making not only a fashion statement, but sometimes a political one at that (or a
religious one, really???).
And speaking of picking up shirts at thrift stores, one of the things that I have a hard time doing is
getting rid of t-shirts. Does it matter that my daughter MaryAnn graduated from Rice almost 10
years ago that I should still proudly wear my Rice t-shirts? Or what about all those t-shirts I got
from runs that I did when I took up jogging after my first divorce? That's almost 20 years ago, so
they're a little dated, aren't they?
Giving up t-shirts is just about as hard for me as giving up the memory of the event connected
with it. I just don't want to do it.
So, I'll continue to keep and wear my t-shirts proudly and when I die in the 2040s sometime,
whoever takes care of such things can do whatever they want with them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-04 09:25:00
Subject: Google rocks!
If you haven't done this little exercise, I recommend it for a laugh:
1) Pay a visit to Google.
2) Type in (without using any quotes): weapons of mass destruction
3) Click the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button.
After you've done this and you'd like to read more, go <a
href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/28/31562.html">here</a>.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-04 23:09:00
Subject: A Fairy Tale for the Assertive Woman
(thanks, MaryAnn, for this...a little tale of independence for the 4th of July!)
Once upon a time, in a land far away, a beautiful, independent, self assured princess, happened
upon a frog as she sat contemplating ecological issues on the shores of an unpolluted pond in a
verdant meadow near her castle.
The frog hopped into the Princess' lap and said: Elegant Lady, I was once a handsome Prince,
until an evil witch cast a spell upon me. One kiss from you, however, and I will turn back into the
dapper, young Prince that I am and then, my sweet, we can marry and setup housekeeping in
yon castle with my Mother, where you can prepare my meals, clean my clothes, bear my children,
and forever feel grateful and happy doing so.
That night, while dining on lightly sautéed frog legs seasoned in a white wine and onion cream
sauce, she chuckled to herself and thought: I don't f****** think so.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-05 17:47:00
Subject: "not" capturing the Friedmans
So I watch all the movie critics on Charlie Rose the other night, talking about the summer
movies. All of them, without an exception, recommended Capturing the Friedmans and
said it was by far the best movie of the season, if not the year.
I'd read all the press and synopsis of this movie and even saw the trailer for it and thought, yuck,
this is American Idol, the Osbournes, and Survivor all wrapped into one flick. But I was
persuaded to see it, by the glowing reviews from the experts.
All I can say is I should have trusted my instincts. I don't get it...how could I be so out of step with
people who are experts on flicks?
Oh well, it was nice to get out of the house!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-06 22:01:00
Subject: A Mighty Wind
Just couldn't complete my 4 day, July 4th weekend with the bad taste in my mouth that seeing
Capturing the Friedmans left yesterday so today after church, I headed on over to the
Angelika and took in Chrisopher Guest's latest flick.
I'm glad I did!
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----ea
a
oe's
WHHHHAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAPPPENED?
-----Yes, wasn't it a great movie?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-09 10:33:00
Subject: A Fair Fight
I was just having a discussion with one of my co-workers. He made a statement that I disagreed
with and I told him so. The next statement out of his mouth was something like this -- "Jill, you've
been unusually cranky this past week." At that point, my buttons were pushed.
Am I wrong, or is it just my bad experiences talking, that men (in general) do this alot when
conversing (arguing a point) with females? By "this" I'm talking about taking the point past the
point and making it all about the individual and their (fill in the blank)...this time it was my
"crankiness."
User Comments:
-----Yes, that's exactly what I should have said...I'll be better prepared next time,
thanks to my savvy daughter!
MaryAnn
-----Yes... how are you supposed to respond? "Yes, I am feeling cranky which must mean that I am
wrong in the point I just made. Thank you for showing how my mood is clearly impairing my ability
to carry on a conversation." Or something like that.
I don't know if that's a gender thing but it is certainly annoying.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-09 22:28:00
Subject: Only metrosexuals need apply
Maureen Dowd had quite a unique article today in the NY Times. If you missed it, here 'tis:
<ul>Incredible Shrinking Y
By MAUREEN DOWD
Why, oh Y, are men so insecure?
The darlings have been fretting for some years now that they may be rendered unnecessary if
women get financial and biological independence, learning how to reproduce and refinance
without them. What if nature played a cruel trick and demoted men, so they had to be judged
merely by their appearance, pliability and talent for gazing raptly at the opposite sex, no matter
how bored?
New research on the Y chromosome shows that my jittery male friends are not paranoid; they are
in an evolutionary shame spiral.
As Nicholas Wade wrote in The Times: "Although most men are unaware of the peril, the Y
chromosome has been shedding genes furiously over the course of evolutionary time, and it is
now a fraction of the size of its partner, the X chromosome. . . . The decay of the Y stems from
the fact that it is forbidden to enjoy the principal advantage of sex, which is, of course, for each
member of a pair of chromosomes to swap matching pieces of DNA with its partner."
Mr. Wade said that biologists in Cambridge, Mass., had made a remarkable discovery: "Denied
the benefits of recombining with the X, the Y recombines with itself."
The ultimate guys' night out. Simply put, the Y chromosome figured out a Herculean way to save
itself from extinction by making an incredibly difficult hairpin turn and swapping molecular
material with itself.
Self-love as a survival mechanism: the unflinching narcissism of men may send women into
despair at times, but it has saved their sex for the next 5 million or 10 million years.
But, according to Olivia Judson, science's answer to the sensual British cook Nigella Lawson,
men may need more than narcissism to survive.
Dr. Judson, a 33-year-old evolutionary biologist at Imperial College in London who has written a
book about animals in a Dear Abby style, or Deer Abby, under the pen name Dr. Tatiana, says
the worm has turned. "For a long time, it was assumed that promiscuity was good for males and
bad for females in terms of the number of kids they could have," she explains. "But it wasn't until
1988 that it really started to become evident that females were benefiting from having sex with
lots of males, with more promiscuous females having more and healthier offspring."
In her book, Dr. Judson writes about powerful babes, noting that females in more than 80
species, like praying mantises, have been caught devouring their lovers before, during or after
mating. "I'm particularly fond," she told me, "of the green spoon worm. . . . The male is 200,000
times smaller, effectively a little parasite who lives in her reproductive tract, fertilizing her eggs
and regurgitating sperm through his mouth."
And then there's the tiny female midge, who plunges her proboscis into the male midge's head
during procreation. As Dr. Judson told the journalist Ken Ringle, "Her spittle turns his innards to
soup, which she slurps up, drinking until she's sucked him dry."
The Economist recently reported on a variation of the creepy-crawly girl-eats-boy love stories.
The male orb-weaving spider kills himself before the female has a chance to. Biologists now
believe that the male orb-weaver dies when he turns himself into a plug to prevent other males
from copulating, thus ensuring his genes are more likely to live on.
In a new book called "Y: The Descent of Men," Steve Jones, a professor of genetics at University
College in London, says males, always a genetic "parasite," have devolved to become the
"second sex."
The news that Dolly the sheep had been cloned without masculine aid sent a frisson through the
Y populace, he writes, because men began to fear that science would cause nature to return to
its original, feminine state and men would fade from view.
The Y chromosome, "a mere remnant of its once mighty structure," is worried about size. "Men
are wilting away," Dr. Jones writes. "From sperm count to social status and from fertilization to
death, as civilization advances, those who bear Y chromosomes are in relative decline."
Perhaps that's why men are adapting, becoming more passive and turning into "metrosexuals,"
the new term for straight men who are feminized, with a taste for facials, grooming products and
home design.
Better to be an X chromosome than an ex-chromosome.
</ul>
I'm still trying to figure out whether or not I actually know any metrosexuals...I'm thinking NOT! but
wish I did.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-09 22:44:00
Subject: The Incredible "shrinking?" Y
See my previous blog...and then go <a href = http://www.thesun.co.uk//article/0,,22003310256,00.html target = _blank>here</a>.
I just love the Brits!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-11 11:07:00
Subject: 28 Days Later
I went to see this movie yesterday. I was kind of scared about going to see it, as the subject
matter is intense and it promised to be kind of icky and full of gore (not Al)...you know what I
mean.
After reading the stuff about it on <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/28DaysLater1123236/">rottentomatoes.com</a>, I decided to go after work with my friend and co-worker
Derek.
The story had so many holes in it that, far from being scared or anxious or grossed out, I found
that I was more in a giggly mood by the end of it.
I just don't get it. This had an 88% rating on the above mentioned site and Capturing the
Friedmans had a 96% rating from the critics on the same above mentioned site.
What happened to their taste, or mine, in movies and how could we be at such opposite ends of
the spectrum?
Oh well, as they say, there's no accounting for taste!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-12 15:18:00
Subject: A Mouthful of Air
I just recently finished the book "A Mouthful of Air" written by Amy Koppelman. As many of the
reviewers on Amazon said, "I couldn't put it down" either.
Having dealt with depression off and on over the past 20 years, and having had moments of
postpartum depression with at least 4 of my 5 pregnancies, I found it easy to empathize with the
main character. The fact that she was young and rich and living in NYC didn't make me feel her
pain any less.
What with all the fuss about "The Lovely Bones" over the past year or so, I'd recommend this
novel over that one any day.
Word to the wise, though...have a hankie ready if you do pick it up! because you won't be able to
put it down and you'll need it, sooner or later.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-12 15:35:00
Subject: An old radical adage states that...
the will to command is not as corrupting as the will to obey.
There, I've given you a topic....discuss!
User Comments:
Pat <[email protected]>
-----Great quote from Hitchens on Orwell. It's no profound thing for me to point out that Oceania and
Animal Farm are only possible as long as Winston Smith loves Big Brother and Boxer will work
harder.
This also sheds some light on Hitchens' own recent break with the left. Hitchens despises and
dismisses those resistant Middle Easterners who would willingly live under Saddam Hussein's
grisly totalitarian regime or under the stifling direction of Iran's mullahs. If the will to obey is more
corrupting than the will to command, then to call legitimate the preference of some Iraqis to live
under Baathist rule as opposed to a temporary, if protracted, American occupation is at least as
appalling as the detestable defense of Hussein's own sovereign rights.
matthew mckibben
-----*rubs fingers through goatee*
hmmmm......sleep on this i will
-yoda
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-14 11:26:00
Subject: Sometimes a Man Stands Up
Sometimes a man stands up during supper
and walks outdoors, and keeps on walking,
because of a church that stands somewhere in the East.
And his children say blessings on him as if he were dead.
And another man, who remains inside his own house,
dies there, inside the dishes and in the glasses,
so that his children have to go far out into the world
toward that same church, which he forgot.
-Rainer Maria Rilke
translated by Robert Bly
User Comments:
Guru <[email protected]> http://www.journalscape.com/guru/
-----Okay, danke!
:>
-----I believe it's not part of another poem, but one in and of itself.
A friend of mine gave it to me in its present form...he had read it at his father's memorial service.
It moved me, too!
Guru <[email protected]> http://www.journalscape.com/guru/
-----In translating this, Mr. Bly has probably earned a number of laps off Purgatory, should it exist.
Is the poem title the same as the post title, or is a section of something longer?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-14 11:37:00
Subject: In the Beginning
Sometimes simplicity rises
like a blossom of fire
from the smooth silk of your own skin.
You were there in the beginning
you heard the story, you heard the merciless
and tender words telling you where you had to go.
Exile is never easy and the journey
itself leaves a bitter taste. But then,
when you heard that voice, you had to go.
You couldn't stay by the fire, you couldn't live
so close to the live flame of that compassion
you had to go out in the world and make it your own
so you could come back with
that flame in your voice, saying listen...
this warmth, this unbearable light, this fearful love...
It is all here, it is all here.
-David Whyte
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-16 14:25:00
Subject: Napster, 60s style
I just got this email from my 'baby' brother Ted (he's 5 years younger than me)-
<ul>I'm sitting at my desk today - conf calls etc - and some of the time I'm able to wear my
headphones and have the "jukebox" on random.
Just now the song that played was "The Night Before" from the HELP! soundtrack.
I had a flashback to Northaven - Rodger MacDonald had purchased the album and brought it
over to our house, we played it on that console stereo in the living room while dangling a
microphone (from the old reel to reel tape recorder that Dad had won) next to a speaker to tape
it.
A long way from Napster, huh?</ul>
Need I say more? In my day....
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----Both songs kick butt, but which one in particular were you talking about MA?
-Matt
MaryAnn
-----That song kicks butt and is worth getting any way you can.
Matthew McKibben
-----Coincidence? I was listening to Tom Petty's cd, "The Last DJ" last night and his song "The Last
DJ" contains the lyric:
"As we celebrate mediocrity/All the boys upstairs want to see/How much you'll pay for what you
used to get for free"
YEAH!!! Preach it brother Tom.
matt out
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-19 00:01:00
Subject: There's no good answer
<ul>Can we be sure that terrorism and WMD will join together? If we are wrong, we will have
destroyed a threat that, at its least is responsible for inhuman carnage and suffering. That is
something I am confident history will forgive. But if our critics are wrong and we do not act, then
we will have hesitated in face of this menace, when we should have given leadership. That is
something history will not forgive.</ul>
-Tony Blair
User Comments:
-----I've been called the "most naive person" in the whole wide world, but I'm still hopeful about the
future of Iraq. I 'remember' (just barely, in real life, but I've read my history) when Germany and
Japan were ruled by brutal dictators and I'm thinking that today, most, if not all Germans and
Japanese would agree that even with the problems both countries have now, they're far better off
than they were at anytime with Hitler and Hirohito.
Now the Middle East might be a different ballgame entirely, but I'm still not ready to throw in the
towel on this one.
Matthew McKibben
-----Never forget that when Iraq was committing most of the murders that Blair and Bush were
referencing, the United States and Britain were some of Iraq's staunchest allies and suppliers of
military hardware. Never forget that we welcomed the slaughtering of Iranians in our on going
fight with Muslim fundamentalism. Never forget that it wasn't until Iraq invaded an oil baring ally
that we decided to intervene. Never forget that after Gulf War I, we barred most types of efforts of
Iraq to rebuild itself, even though their infrastructure was basically laid to waste. And lastly, never
forget that after 12 years of sanctions, well over 500,000 Iraqi children and countless hundreds of
thousand more adults have died under the brutal and genocidal sanctions that prevented Iraq
from rebuilding it's infrastructure that was destroyed during GW I. Saddam was brutal. And I'm
sure the person that replaces him will turn out to be just as brutal. People tend to get angry when
someone considers them a commodity above a human being.
Yaga http://www.journalscape.com/
-----As I am unsure if WMD will join together with the Christian Fundamentalism that esposes the
murder of abortion doctors, gays, and various other cultural minorities, I feel morally bound to
invade the bible Belt. If I am wrong, I will have destroyed a threat that, at its least, is responsible
for inhuman carnage and suffering. That is something I am confident history will forgive.
-----Yes, Tony Blair is quite the poetic statesman. He has such an eloquent way of putting things.
But I wonder if "history will forgive" the way his nation and the United States have slowly killed
millions of Iraqis over the last 12 years (sanctions) only to finally oust Saddam because of oil.
"That is something history will not forgive."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-22 12:02:00
Subject: It's a great day!
Not to embarrass my 'baby' son, but today's a great day for his mom. You see, today's the day
that Luke is starting his first full time job after college (ok, he has one more class to complete, but
an IM from him last evening stated that he "thought that he aced his last test" so this is just a
technicality).
There were times when I thought this might be in my future...
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/mother1.gif">
...OK, not really, but there is no rhyme or reason to this mom's fears about her children so it 
could have been back in the dark recesses of my mind somewhere.
Anyway, this mother of 4 is feeling pretty confident about all her children these days (and I'm
trying to stymie the doom and gloom that always seems to pop up when things are going too
well for me and them) and just celebrate today as a great day!
User Comments:
Matthewmckibben <[email protected]>
http://www.journalscape.com/matthewmckibben/
-----"Anyway, this mother of 4 is feeling pretty confident about all her children these days"
Even moi? I'm better at deception than I thought. ;-)
Matthew
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-24 22:03:00
Subject: Checking the news
So my co-workers and I are going out to lunch at PF Changs to celebrate a birthday, when I
decide to go to Yahoo and check the news one last time before I get into the car to head that
way.
What do I see but the gross out pictures of Saddam's dead sons, right before my very eyes. No
warning...no link to click to view them if I so choose...no, they were right there in front of me.
Now, I spent some time working in Crime Scene at Carrollton PD, so I've seen my share of yucky
pictures, but I think this was poor judgment on the part of Yahoo. After all, many people, alot
more sensitive than me, go there for their dose of daily news, and many people, if they have the
choice, would choose not to view this kind of stuff. Once it's implanted on one of your brain cells,
it's there forever.
Pleasant dreams, right??
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----Yeah. That sounds mighty irresponsible of Yahoo to post those pictures. CNN did it the right way
by having the pictures be under the advisory of "viewer discretion advised."
The pictures were pretty ugly. War is ugly. I think that other news agencies around the world
have been airing pictures like that since the "war" began.
-matt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-26 12:52:00
Subject: Toking
From the July 14, 2003 issue of Business Week:
<ul>Scientists know that many illegal drugs, as well as alcohol, can cause irreversible brain
damage. But according to a recent study, marijuana poses no such threat. Researchers from the
University of California at San Diego compared the mental performance of 704 long-term pot
smokers, who were tested while not high, with 484 nonusers. They found that even heavy
marijuana use did no permanent harm to a variety of key functions including language, reaction
time, motor skills, or perceptual and reasoning abilities. The only exception: a small decrease in
the pot smoker's ability to learn new information. The findings, published in July's Journal of
the International Neuropsychological Society, suggest that short-term use of cannibas for
medical purposes is unlikely to cause harmful side effects.
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----Well...last night I watched an educational movie called "Reefer Madness" that said that Marijuana
is bad for you. Smoking one joint is enough to send even the sanest people to committ brutal acts
against your fellow human being.
And to quote the guidance counsellor from 'South Park', "Drugs are bad...mmmkay."
-----I kinda figured you'd weigh in on this one, Mike.
You're right...and that's something to remember. You, indeed, can find a survey that supports
almost anything these days.
I was just surprised to see this one in the conservative magazine Business Week! I was
wondering why and where they were going with this one.
But then again, maybe they had someone in the "filler" room who wanted to feel better about his
free time activies! ;-)
-----I have researched this issue extensively,and believe me, there are studies that support any
position one wants to take on the marihuana issue. I have found that the outcome of the study
depends on who conducts the study. Without knowing who conducted this particular study my
first guess would have been Berkley. I wasn't that far off. I'm sure the real answers lie
somewhere in the middle of the extremes, however from my personal observations there is no
doubt in my mind that long term use of marihuana affects brain function. To what extent? Who
knows?
Matthew McKibben
-----from Anya: "Take that modern science."
So it's been proven that pot really doesn't increase or decrease motor skills or communication
skills. Probably the only things that pot does increase are junk food eating and Discovery
Channel watching.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-26 13:40:00
Subject: He said what?
From the <a href = http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0307/22/lkl.00.html target=_blank>
transcript</a> of the Larry King Show on July 22, 2003 (with Bob Dole & Bill Clinton):
<ul>KING: What do you do, Mr. President, with what's put in front of you?
CLINTON: Well, here's what happens: every day the president gets a daily brief from the CIA.
And then, if it's some important issue -- and believe me, you know, anything having to do with
chemical, biological or nuclear weapons became much more important to everybody in the White
House after September the 11 -- then they probably told the president, certainly Condoleezza
Rice, that this is what the British intelligence thought. They maybe have a difference of opinion,
but on balance, they decided they should leave that line in the speech.
I think the main thing I want to say to you is, people can quarrel with whether we should have
more troops in Afghanistan or internationalize Iraq or whatever, but it is incontestable that on the
day I left office, there were unaccounted for stocks...
DOLE: That's right.
CLINTON: ... of biological and chemical weapons. We might have destroyed them in '98. We tried
to, but we sure as heck didn't know it because we never got to go back in there.
KING: Yes.
CLINTON: And what I think -- again, I would say the most important thing is we should focus on
what's the best way to build Iraq as a democracy? How is the president going to do that and deal
with continuing problems in Afghanistan and North Korea?
We should be pulling for America on this. We should be pulling for the people of Iraq. We can
have honest disagreements about where we go from here, and we have space now to discuss
that in what I hope will be a nonpartisan and open way. But this State of the Union deal they
decided to use the British intelligence. The president said it was British intelligence. Then they
said on balance they shouldn't have done it. You know, everybody makes mistakes when they
are president. I mean, you can't make as many calls as you have to make without messing up
once in awhile. The thing we ought to be focused on is what is the right thing to do now. That's
what I think.</ul>
User Comments:
Jillsusan <[email protected]> http://www.jillsusan.com
-----Since I try to be a positive/can-do person, I agree with you. The war has been fought (although
some would say we're still fighting it) and we have to look at the situation going forward.
The fact that Clinton minimizes statements made by the President is so Clinton-esque,
don't you think?
Of course, that depends on what the meaning of the word is is. ;-)
Brainsalad http://www.journalscape.com/brainsalad
-----I find myself agreeing with Clinton, mostly. The focus now ought to be on what should be done in
Iraq and Afghanistan next. When was the last time there was any media focus on the situation in
Afghanistan? Our best defense against future terrorism is to make these countries into success
stories that others will seek to emulate.
I would disagree with the level to which Clinton minimizes the importance of the statements made
by the President. The President needs to be a source of accurate information to the Congress
and the people of our nation. I think we are better off when we have a president who is willing to
present the complete truth, even when that means admitting that some information is not
completely verifiable.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2003-07-26 14:10:00
Subject: Edward Norton
When someone asks me if there's an actor that I'll always run to see his movies, I answer
"Edward Norton." I've enjoyed all of his movies, (even Death to Smoochy, so you could
say I'm a big fan!
Last night, I TiVo'd the Charlie Rose show from Thursday night when Norton was the guest. He
wasn't on there talking about a movie promo. Rather, he was on there talking about <a href =
http://www.thehighline.org/ target = _blank>Friends of the High Line</a> and <a href =
http://www.enterprisefoundation.org/ target = _blank>The Enterprise Foundation</a>.
These are two pet projects of Norton's and I was really impressed by his passion and activism.
So many times these days, celebrities seem to make empty cries of protests, and I figure they
come on talk shows and talk about their causes, but that's all they do. It seems a little less than
sincere to me. Norton, on the other hand, has put his money and his time behind both of these
organizations for change.
And, as a peacemaker, what impressed me most, especially in the case of the High Line project
(an abandoned rail line, that nature has re-claimed), is that he is trying to build consensus in the
neighborhood, showing not only 'greens' but businesses how preserving the area can benefit
them all.
One more thing Norton said during the interview, which struck me as something I need to
remember..."the Declaration of Independence was a document of protest"...ah, yes...indeed!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-28 21:34:00
Subject: Bob Hope
I was sorry to hear that Bob Hope passed away, but then again, what a great, long life he lived!
As someone who is planning on living to a healthy age of 100, I'm going to use him as a role
model.
I remember watching his shows with the military guys overseas when I was young. It was one of
my favorite "Christmas" shows. He'd always have some inside jokes about the particular base or
military brass and he'd always have a gaggle of beautiful women with him, that would ooh and
ahh over him. Then, he'd pick the shyest guy in the bunch to come up on stage and one of the
girls would sing or dance with him, as others looked on jealously.
His jokes were sometimes really corny, but his delivery was top notch.
Bob...thanks for the memories.
User Comments:
austingirl
-----Re: planning to live to 100 like Bob Hope. Me, too.
Here's the plan: Laugh a lot, stay happily married to the same person your entire life, and get the
best, and most cutting edge medical care money can buy. I think this was Bob's receipe for
longevity.
I would only add get in shape and stay in shape, no matter what, as early in life as possible.
At least I can afford comedy videos, running shoes, and a gym membership! Now, if I could just
find me a good man, and a decent job with good benefits, I'd be all set! ;-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-07-30 23:58:00
Subject: Oh! Hi! Oh!
Family reunion calls, and that's where I'll be for the next few days. I'm looking forward to it, even if
the best of families take the "fun" out of dysfunctional. ;-)
Mines' better than most, and I wouldn't trade them for any other family I know.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-04 23:16:00
Subject: I'm back
And the kitties were glad to see me and I'll pick J & M up at 7:30 AM. A great trip...glad to be
home...more later...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-06 23:22:00
Subject: quietly...without fanfare...he's done
duh, duh duh duh, duhhhhhhh, duhhhh...(think the graduation march here)
Congratulations Luke! You did it! and I'm so proud of you!!!
That would be Luke McK....Bachelor's degree!
It's a great day!
User Comments:
-----As if there was ever a doubt!!!!!
Luke is my hero!!!
-matt out
Uncle Ted <[email protected]>
-----CONGRATULATIONS LUKE! Feels good, I bet!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-08 09:08:00
Subject: Barney air
As if August wasn't miserable enough in Texas (it's been 108 degrees the last couple of days
here in Dallas), I wake up this morning with a report on NPR that for the first time ever, we're at
<a href="http://www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/air/monops/o3explain.html#2" target="_blank">"Level
Purple"</a> in Dallas and Houston.
In other words, don't breathe when you're outside!
I'm so looking forward to October!!!
User Comments:
matthew mckibben
-----Yeah......I can't wait til the weather cools down to a nice "high of 75."
-matt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-11 12:25:00
Subject: Dove that ventured outside
I've started going to a class at my church called Spiritual Conversations. In it, we read and
discuss poetry. Most of it has been very meaningful to me...this one is no exception.
Dove that ventured outside,
flying far from the dovecote:
housed and protected again,
one with the day, the night,
knows what serenity is,
for she has felt her wings
pass through all distance and fear
The doves that remained at home,
innocent and secure,
never exposed to loss,
cannot know tenderness;
only the won-back heart
through all it has given up,
Being arches itself
in the course of her wanderings.
can ever be satisfied: free,
to rejoice in its mastery.
over the vast abyss.
Ah the ball that we dared,
doesn't it fill our hands
that we hurled into infinite space,
differently with its return:
heavier by the weight of where it has been.
-Rainer Maria Rilke: Uncollected Poems
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-11 12:37:00
Subject: Less reason not to give yourself away
A Sabbath Poem by Wendell Berry, from A Timbered Choir, The Sabbath Poems 1979-1997
(Washington, DC: Counterpoint, 1998)
No, no there is no going back.
Less and less you are
that possibility you were.
More and more you have become
those lives and deaths
that have belonged to you.
You have become a sort of grave
containing much that was
and is no more in time, beloved
then, now, and always.
And so you have become a sort of tree
standing over a grave.
Now more than ever you can be
generous toward each day
that comes, young, to disappear
forever, and yet remain
unaging in the mind.
Every day you have less reason
not to give yourself away.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-11 12:41:00
Subject: Peaking too soon
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/db030811.gif">
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-12 11:07:00
Subject: It's fiscally unsound, but I want it
I was reading my email from Progressive.org about their upcoming issue and this part of the
email just struck me as funny and ironic --
<ul>Also, if you're getting one of those $400 checks from George Bush, consider
(if you can afford it) donating part of that to The Progressive. We're
tax-exempt, and we'll put it to good use exposing the biases of Bush's
economic policy and and the recklessness of his foreign policy.</ul>
Seems to me if you really think Bush's economic policy is biased and you still received one of
those checks, wouldn't it make more sense to send it to a totally non-biased place...kind of to
even things out a bit?
But then again, is there such a thing as 'non-biased' place in this world?
Or you could just not cash it, so that the money stays in the US Treasury, thereby cancelling out
Bush's "biased economic policy."
I won't face the dilemma of what to do with the check, as I didn't make the cut this time. :-(
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-12 13:09:00
Subject: Coming soon to a toy store near you
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/bush.jpg">
In September, KB Toys will begin selling an action figure depicting President Bush when he
landed on the USS Abraham Lincoln.
<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46252-2003Aug11.html">Check the
whole story out!</a>
User Comments:
-----oh wow...that's really bad. it's funny that the doll has an "action grip" hand as if it's capable of
holding a gun.
i'm still waiting on the governor bush doll with the accompanying lethal injection inmate and
gurney.
-matt out
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-13 10:22:00
Subject: A walk in the park
I blogged about the terribly hot and yucky weather here in Dallas last week, so thought I'd blog
about the nice weather we had yesterday (until the thunderstorm last night, anyway). No, I didn't
feel 'fall' in the air, but at least the summer winds were a little cooler...so much so that I actually
walked around Golfing Green and enjoyed all the ducks in the pond, happy smiles on fellow
joggers' faces, and almost no sweating from my effort!
I'm not going to get too used to it, though, as temperatures are headed back to the 90s today and
I bet we'll see at least one more 100 degree day before Summer 2003 is all said and done.
But it was nice while it lasted!
User Comments:
-----Yeah, that happened in Houston too. Although it was definitely still Summer, it has felt pretty
good the past couple of days. Some of this is relative of course, but it's nice nonetheless.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-14 14:24:00
Subject: Ms. Piggy at the Trough
From the LA Times, comes this <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-meariannatax14aug14,1,6551509.story?coll=la-headlines-politics" target="_blank">story</a> about
Arianna Huffington, one of the 135 candidates for governor who has criticized 'fat cats' for
avoiding taxes, but paid no individual state income tax and just $771 in federal taxes during the
last two years. She denies taking advantage of loopholes and unfair deductions.
According to the Times, she
<ul>lives in an 8,000-square-foot home in Brentwood above Sunset Boulevard that is valued at
about $7 million. She socializes with many wealthy and prominent people.
But the returns show that at least for the last two years, her income was far outweighed by losses
that she reported were incurred by Christabella Inc., the private corporation she owns and uses
to manage her writing and lecturing business.
In announcing her candidacy last week, Huffington blamed California's fiscal crisis, in part, on the
corrupting influence of special interest groups that have helped "corporate fat cats get away with
not paying their fair share of taxes."
Failing to close corporate tax loopholes, she argued, would "be a slap in the face of all the hardworking taxpayers being forced to dig deeper and deeper in their pockets so the well-connected
can pad their bottom line."</ul>
Yes, indeedie!
Ms. Huffington's most recent book discusses tax loopholes and abuses by the wealthy and it's
entitled Pigs at the Trough...I guess it takes one to know one.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-18 17:58:00
Subject: Back to School
How old do you have to be before you quit seeing life in terms of semesters, summer vacations
and back to school in the fall?
I've been out of school a loooooonnnnngggg time, but today, the kiddos that live around me
started back to school, and I got this funny, excited feeling in me about all the first days of school
that I've been through. It was neat.
A mother nearby was taking pictures of her children in their new school duds and fancy new
backpacks. It reminded me of the shopping trips I used to make with my own kids and the
dilemma about whether to get the "Dukes of Hazzard" lunchbox or "Spiderman". Those were
great days.
I even miss going to zillions of stores, trying to find the exact school supplies that the teachers
demanded that my children have on day 2!
In reality, though, it's also nice to not have to do that shopping, and in reality, it's nice that my life
is not really divided into semesters anymore, or getting homework done every night.
Maybe, in a way, that's what makes it so romantic to me.
User Comments:
------
I can kind of relate. This is the first fall since I was 4 or something that I haven't been getting
ready to start classes again. It's a very bittersweet feeling indeed! I already miss it, yet also am
so glad I am out. If your feelings are any indication of how I will feel, I will never really get over it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-20 12:55:00
Subject: We need to talk about Kevin
I just finished reading Lionel Shriver's book, "We Need to Talk about Kevin" and I'm having 'good
book' withdrawal. Although some of the subject matter was pretty grim (it's a series of letters from
Eva, the mom of one of those Columbine type killers, to her husband Franklin) it was so well
written and it had some issues to really think about. You know, the whole nature vs. nurture thing,
the whole 'whose fault is it when kids turn out bad' thing, the whole 'Mom' thing, the whole
'affluent society' thing, the whole 'family' thing, etc. etc.
Although there was much in the book that I couldn't identify with (thank god!), there was
surprisingly much in the book that I could. And of course it was set in NYC, so you know that I
love that!
Anyway, I liked the book so much that I ordered past novels by Ms. Shriver from the Amazon
(used) Marketplace and have 3 more novels waiting for me.
I just hope that they are as captivating and 'realistic' as this one.
It's always so great when you find a new writer that just says it like you wish you could.
User Comments:
LOGANSARAH <[email protected]>
-----I JUST FINISHED READING THIS BOOK TOO! I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU
MEANT ABOUT BOOK WITHDRAW. I JUST FINISHED THE BOOK LAST NIGHT AND
COULDN'T WAIT TO GET ON LINE TODAY TO FIND INFO ON MORE OF HER BOOKS.
WHEN I FINISHED THE NEXT TO THE LAST CHAPTER YESTERDAY AT LUNCH I WAS
AWSTRUCK. I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING AT THE END. I GUESS I WAS SO CAUGHT UP
IN THE BOOK THAT I DIDN'T SEE THE CLUES UNTIL READ THE ANSWER. KNOW WHAT I
MEAN.
I CAN'T WAIT TO READ MORE OF HER STUFF. I HOPE THEY ARE ALL AS GOOD AS THIS
ONE. IT'S LIKE REALISTIC HORROR. DEAN KOONTZ, STEVEN KING, TYPE OF THINGS
WITH MORE REALITY.
I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS BOOK AND ARTHOR THAT I'M RATTLING. I'M GLAD I
FOUND YOUR JOURNAL ENTRY.
IT'S NICE TO KNOW SOMEONE ELSE HAD THE SAME REACTION I DID.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-22 09:42:00
Subject: Because I'm worth it
Well, I succumbed to vanity...
About a year or so ago, or maybe more like 2 years ago (around 9/11/01) I made the decision
that I just didn't want to 'waste' time dying my hair anymore. I wasn't totally grey, but I did have a
nice (kind of) salt and pepper blend. Guys with that hair color look so great (for the most
part)...actually, guys over 50 with any hair look pretty good, but that's another story.
Anyway, I went through the pain and suffering of letting my natural color grow out. Halfway
through this process I had my hair cut in layers, to speed up the process of getting it to the
natural color.
And for awhile I really liked it. But lately, I noticed a totally grey streak forming on one side of my
face, really in the bangs area on the left. My grandmother had the same streak, and although
Gannie was a beautiful woman, I always thought that grey/white streak looked a little funky.
So, earlier this week, I decided that I was going to go back to L'oreal-ing my hair every few weeks
or so. I did it last night.
So much for truth and honesty when vanity is at stake!
User Comments:
-----And I shaved my head.
jk jk
Matthew McKibben
-----I too have a grey streak forming on the side of my head. Maybe I'll dye my hair as well. Maybe
Carlie Simon wrote "You're so Vain" in reference to me. She still hasn't said who she was talking
about. ;-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-22 10:21:00
Subject: Beyond Belief
I'm reading a pretty good book now by Elaine Pagels called Beyond Belief - The Secret
Gospel of Thomas.
It's an interesting read as she's comparing and contrasting the Thomas gospel with MML & J
(Matthew, Mark, Luke and John).
Even though it's not really an 'accepted' gospel, according to most Christian theology, as a
Unitarian, I really pretty much like it.
According to Thomas:
<ul> "If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring
forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you."</ul>
According to Pagels, the strength of this saying is that it does not tell us what to believe but
challenges us to discover what lies hidden within ourselves; and, with a shock of recognition, I
realized that this prespective seemed to me self-evidently true.
I agree.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-22 10:55:00
Subject: Conan's Harvard Commencement Speech
Conan was recently on Charlie Rose and Charlie was going on and on about this...it's worth the
read!
<ul>
I'd like to thank the Class Marshals for inviting me here today. The last time I was invited to
Harvard it cost me $110,000, so you'll forgive me if I'm a bit suspicious. I'd like to announce up
front that I have one goal this afternoon: to be half as funny as tomorrow's Commencement
Speaker, Moral Philosopher and Economist, Amartya Sen. Must get more laughs than seminal
wage/price theoretician.
Students of the Harvard Class of 2000, fifteen years ago I sat where you sit now and I thought
exactly what you are now thinking: What's going to happen to me? Will I find my place in the
world? Am I really graduating a
virgin? I still have 24 hours and my roommate's Mom is hot. I swear she was checking me out.
Being here today is very special for me. I miss this place. I especially miss Harvard Square - it's
so unique. No where else in the world will you find a man with a turban wearing a Red Sox jacket
and working in a lesbian bookstore. Hey, I'm just glad my dad's working.
It's particularly sweet for me to be here today because when I graduated, I wanted very badly to
be a Class Day Speaker. Unfortunately, my speech was rejected. So, if you'll indulge me, I'd like
to read a portion of that speech from fifteen years ago: "Fellow students, as we sit here today
listening to that classic Ah-ha tune which will definitely stand the test of time, I would like to make
several predictions about what the future will hold: "I believe that one day a simple Governor from
a small Southern
state will rise to the highest office in the land. He will lack political skill, but will lead on the sheer
strength of his moral authority." "I believe that Justice will prevail and, one day, the Berlin Wall
will
crumble, uniting East and West Berlin forever under Communist rule." "I believe that one day, a
high speed network of interconnected computers will spring up world-wide, so enriching people
that they will lose their
interest in idle chit chat and pornography." "And finally, I believe that
one day I will have a television show on a major network, seen by millions of people a night,
which I will use to re-enact crimes and help catch at-large criminals." And then there's some stuff
about the death of Wall
Street which I don't think we need to get into....
The point is that, although you see me as a celebrity, a member of the cultural elite, a kind of
demigod, I was actually a student here once much like you. I came here in the fall of 1981 and
lived in Holworthy. I was, without exaggeration, the ugliest picture in the Freshman Face book.
When Harvard asked me for a picture the previous summer, I thought it was just for their records,
so I literally jogged in the August heat to a passport
photo office and sat for a morgue photo. To make matters worse, when the Face Book came out
they put my picture next to Catherine Oxenberg, a stunning blonde actress who was accepted to
the class of '85 but decided
to defer admission so she could join the cast of "Dynasty." My photo would have looked bad on
any page, but next to Catherine Oxenberg, I looked like a mackerel that had been in a car
accident. You see, in those days I was
six feet four inches tall and I weighed 150 pounds. Recently, I had some structural engineers run
those numbers into a computer model and, according to the computer, I collapsed in 1987, killing
hundreds in Taiwan.
<hr size="1" width="100">
After freshman year I moved to Mather House. Mather House, incidentally, was designed by the
same firm that built Hitler's bunker. In fact, if Hitler had conducted the war from Mather House,
he'd have shot himself a year earlier. 1985 seems like a long time ago now. When I had my
Class Day, you students would have been seven years old. Seven years old. Do you know what
that means? Back then I could have beaten any of you in a fight. And I mean bad. It would be no
contest. If any one here has a time machine, seriously, let's get it on, I will whip your seven year
old butt. When I was here, they sold diapers at the Coop that said "Harvard Class of 2000." At the
time, it was kind of a joke, but now I realize you wore those diapers. How embarrassing for you.
A lot has happened in fifteen years. When you think about it, we come from completely different
worlds. When I graduated, we watched movies starring Tom Cruise and listened to music by
Madonna. I come from a time when we huddled around our TV sets and watched "The Cosby
Show" on NBC, never imagining that there would one day be a show called "Cosby" on CBS. In
1985 we drove cars with driver's side airbags, but if you told us that one day there'd be
passenger side airbags, we'd have burned you for witchcraft.
But of course, I think there is some common ground between us. I remember well the great
uncertainty of this day. Many of you are justifiably nervous about leaving the safe, comfortable
world of Harvard Yard and
hurling yourself headlong into the cold, harsh world of Harvard Grad School, a plum job at your
father's firm, or a year abroad with a gold Amex card and then a plum job in your father's firm.
But let me assure you that the knowledge you've gained here at Harvard is a precious gift that will
never leave you. Take it from me, your education is yours to keep forever. Why, many of you
have read the Merchant of Florence, and that will inspire you when you travel to the island of
Spain. Your knowledge of that problem they had with those people in Russia, or that guy in South
America-you know, that guy-will enrich you for the rest of your life.
There is also sadness today, a feeling of loss that you're leaving Harvard forever. Well, let me
assure you that you never really leave Harvard. The Harvard Fundraising Committee will be on
your ass until the day you die. Right now, a member of the Alumni Association is at the Mt.
Auburn Cemetery shaking down the corpse of Henry Adams. They heard he had a brass toe ring
and they aims to get it. Imagine: These people just raised 2.5 billion dollars and they only got
through the B's in the alumni directory. Here's how it works. Your phone rings, usually after a big
meal when you're tired and most vulnerable. A voice asks you for money. Knowing they just
raised 2.5 billion dollars you ask, "What do you need it for?" Then there's a long pause and the
voice on the other end of the line says, "We don't need it, we just want it." It's chilling.
What else can you expect? Let me see, by your applause, who here wrote a thesis. (APPLAUSE)
A lot of hard work, a lot of your blood went into that thesis... and no one is ever going to care. I
wrote a thesis: Literary
Progeria in the works of Flannery O'Connor and William Faulkner. Let's just say that, during my
discussions with Pauly Shore, it doesn't come up much. For three years after graduation I kept
my thesis in the glove compartment
of my car so I could show it to a policeman in case I was pulled over. (ACT OUT) License,
registration, cultural exploration of the Man Child in the Sound and the Fury...
So what can you expect out there in the real world? Let me tell you. As you leave these gates
and re-enter society, one thing is certain: Everyone out there is going to hate you. Never tell
anyone in a roadside diner that
you went to Harvard. In most situations the correct response to where did you to school is,
"School? Why, I never had much in the way of book larnin' and such." Then, get in your BMW
and get the hell out of there.
You see, you're in for a lifetime of "And you went to Harvard?" Accidentally give the wrong
amount of change in a transaction and it's, "And you went to Harvard?" Ask the guy at the
hardware store how these jumper cables work and hear, "And you went to Harvard?" Forget just
once that your underwear goes inside your pants and it's "and you went to
Harvard." Get your head stuck in your niece's dollhouse because you wanted to see what it was
like to be a giant and it's "Uncle Conan, you went to Harvard!?"
But to really know what's in store for you after Harvard, I have to tell you what happened to me
after graduation. I'm going to tell you my story because, first of all, my perspective may give
many of you hope, and,
secondly, it's an amazing rush to stand in front of six thousand people and talk about yourself.
After graduating in May, I moved to Los Angeles and got a three week contract at a small cable
show. I got a $380 a month apartment and bought a 1977 Isuzu Opel, a car Isuzu only
manufactured for a year because they
found out that, technically, it's not a car. Here's a quick tip, graduates: no four cylinder vehicle
should have a racing stripe. I worked at that show for over a year, feeling pretty good about
myself, when one day they told me they were letting me go. I was fired and, I hadn't saved a lot
of money. I tried to get another job in television but I couldn't
find one.
So, with nowhere else to turn, I went to a temp agency and filled out a questionnaire. I made
damn sure they knew I had been to Harvard and that I expected the very best treatment. And so,
the next day, I was sent to the
Santa Monica branch of Wilson's House of Suede and Leather. When you have a Harvard
degree and you're working at Wilson's House of Suede and Leather, you are haunted by the
ghostly images of your classmates who chose Graduate
School. You see their faces everywhere: in coffee cups, in fish tanks, and they're always laughing
at you as you stack suede shirts no man, in good conscience, would ever wear. I tried a lot of
things during this period:
acting in corporate infomercials, serving drinks in a non-equity theatre, I even took a job
entertaining at a seven year olds' birthday party. In desperate need of work, I put together some
sketches and scored a job at
the fledgling Fox Network as a writer and performer for a new show called "The Wilton North
Report." I was finally on a network and really excited. The producer told me the show was going
to revolutionize television. And,
in a way, it did. The show was so hated and did so badly that when, four weeks later, news of its
cancellation was announced to the Fox affiliates, they burst into applause.
Eventually, though, I got a huge break. I had submitted, along with my writing partner, a batch of
sketches to Saturday Night Live and, after a year and a half, they read it and gave us a two week
tryout. The two weeks
turned into two seasons and I felt successful. Successful enough to write
a TV pilot for an original sitcom and, when the network decided to make it, I left Saturday Night
Live. This TV show was going to be groundbreaking. It was going to resurrect the career of TV's
Batman, Adam West. It was going to be a comedy without a laugh track or a studio audience. It
was going to change all the rules. And here's what happened: When the pilot aired it was the
second lowest-rated television show of all time. It's tied with a
test pattern they show in Nova Scotia.
So, I was 28 and, once again, I had no job. I had good writing credits in New York, but I was filled
with disappointment and didn't know what to do next. I started smelling suede on my fingertips.
And that's when The Simpsons saved me. I got a job there and started writing episodes about
Springfield getting a Monorail and Homer going to College. I was finally putting my Harvard
education to good use, writing dialogue for a man who's so stupid that in one episode he forgot to
make his own heart beat. Life was good.
And then, an insane, inexplicable opportunity came my way . A chance to
audition for host of the new Late Night Show. I took the opportunity seriously but, at the same
time, I had the relaxed confidence of someone who knew he had no real shot. I couldn't fear
losing a great job I had
never had. And, I think that attitude made the difference. I'll never forget being in the Simpson's
recording basement that morning when the phone rang. It was for me. My car was blocking a fire
lane. But a week later I got another call: I got the job.
So, this was undeniably the it: the truly life-altering break I had always dreamed of. And, I went to
work. I gathered all my funny friends and poured all my years of comedy experience into building
that show over the summer, gathering the talent and figuring out the sensibility. We debuted on
September 13, 1993 and I was happy with our effort. I felt like I had seized the moment and put
my very best foot forward. And this is what the
most respected and widely read television critic, Tom Shales, wrote in the
Washington Post: "O'Brien is a living collage of annoying nervous habits. He giggles and titters,
jiggles about and fiddles with his cuffs. He had dark, beady little eyes like a rabbit. He's one of the
whitest white men
ever. O'Brien is a switch on the guest who won't leave: he's the host who should never have
come. Let the Late show with Conan O'Brien become the late, Late Show and may the host
return to Conan O'Blivion whence he
came." There's more but it gets kind of mean.
Needless to say, I took a lot of criticism, some of it deserved, some of it excessive. And it hurt like
you wouldn't believe. But I'm telling you all this for a reason. I've had a lot of success and I've had
a lot of failure. I've looked good and I've looked bad. I've been praised and I've been criticized.
But my mistakes have been necessary. Except for Wilson's House of Suede and Leather. That
was just stupid.
I've dwelled on my failures today because, as graduates of Harvard, your biggest liability is your
need to succeed. Your need to always find yourself on the sweet side of the bell curve. Because
success is a lot like a bright, white tuxedo. You feel terrific when you get it, but then you're
desperately afraid of getting it dirty, of spoiling it in any way.
I left the cocoon of Harvard, I left the cocoon of Saturday Night Live, I left the cocoon of The
Simpsons. And each time it was bruising and tumultuous. And yet, every failure was freeing, and
today I'm as nostalgic
for the bad as I am for the good.
So, that's what I wish for all of you: the bad as well as the good. Fall down, make a mess, break
something occasionally. And remember that the story is never over. If it's all right, I'd like to read
a little
something from just this year: "Somehow, Conan O'Brien has transformed himself into the
brightest star in the Late Night firmament. His comedy is the gold standard and Conan himself is
not only the quickest and most inventive wit of his generation, but quite possible the greatest host
ever."
Ladies and Gentlemen, Class of 2000, I wrote that this morning, as proof that, when all else fails,
there's always delusion.
I'll go now, to make bigger mistakes and to embarrass this fine institution even more. But let me
leave you with one last thought: If you
can laugh at yourself loud and hard every time you fall, people will think you're drunk.
Thank you.</ul>
User Comments:
-----I just realized that I didn't spell "speech" correctly in my comment.
LOOK MA! I GRAJUIWATED FRUM UNT!!!
Matthew McKibben
-----That speech is so funny and really does much to showcase why Conan is the only late night talk
show host that I watch on any regular basis. If I had TiVo, I'd record the first 30 minutes of his
show every night. He does have a 10th anniversary show coming up in September that will
probably be really funny.
-----HIGHlarious speach! He is the funniest late night talk show host, that's for sure.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-22 11:37:00
Subject: Kirk Varnedoe-Gone,but not forgotten
I learned so much from his appearances on Charlie's show...I'll miss him!
From the NYTimes:
The Curatorial Voice: Kirk Varnedoe
By VERLYN KLINKENBORG
<ul>It's natural enough to talk about the eye of an art historian. But when it comes to Kirk
Varnedoe, who died this week at the age of 57, it's just as important to talk about his voice. His
eye, after all, will live on, embodied as it is in the additions he made to the collection of the
Museum of Modern Art, where he was the chief curator of painting and sculpture from 1988 to
2001. What has really gone with his premature death is his living voice and everything it
represented.
Nearly everyone who met Kirk Varnedoe felt his volubility, the sometimes astonishing flow of
words and ideas at his command. There were set pieces in his conversation, favorite stories,
well-trod paths. But mostly there was the feeling that a newly begun sentence could wind up
going almost anywhere, crossing the plains into an unknown country or doubling back on a
settlement that suddenly looked different than it did the first time we passed it. The great talkers
— and he was one — are great because they are always embarked on a voyage of discovery.

There was a fine, dark gravel on the streambed of Kirk Varnedoe's voice. Occasionally, a
Southern note from his childhood would float to the surface like a perfectly formed bubble. He
was a conveyor of knowledge, not a hoarder. No idea, no fact, became quite real to him unless
he had passed it along to someone else first.
Despite his volubility, I was always struck by the tangibility of the words he used, whether he was
talking about college football, which he had played and coached, or modernism, which he had
spent most of his life studying. It was as if he were laying words down on the table one by
one as he used them, like brushes in an artist's studio. That was why students crowded into
his classes and why the National Gallery of Art had overflow audiences for his Mellon Lectures
earlier this year. Something synaptic happened when you listened to Kirk Varnedoe, and,
remarkably, something synaptic happened when he listened to you. You never knew what you
might discover together.</ul>
User Comments:
Lemuel <[email protected]>
-----I learned of Kirk's death today, Feb 4, 2004. In 1972 I was traveling through Spain on a
motorcycle and met Kirk. He was riding a white Moto Guzzi and we rode together for a week
through Andalucia. I have a picture in my mind that I have carried through my life. We are sitting
on a hillside next to a monastery in Spain looking over a broad valley. It is a perfect afternoon
and we are having a sort of impromtu picnic. Crusty bread, cheese, spanish mustard, red wine.
It was probably the finest moment in my life and even today I'm not exactly sure why that is so.
We later rode up and visited him in Paris where he was living that summer. He took us through
the Impressionist Museum and was able to impart facinating and formidable insights
understandable even to an individual who understood as much about Impressionist Art as a pig
does about Sunday. I have followed the trajectory of his career through the years and we
corresponded at infrequent intervals. When he wrote that he had been diagnosed with cancer
several years ago I was concerned but he sounded optimistic. The world is made dimmer with
the loss of such a bright light. I am so sad.
Paulette Mills <[email protected]>
-----I was privileged to attend the Mellon Lectures given by Professor Varnedoe this past spring. I
discovered him while watching Charlie Rose one night. He impressed me as no other person
ever has. ideas flowed from him in an articulate, comprehensible stream. The crowd was so large
at the first lecture that I was unable to get in. I arrived two and a half hours early for the remaining
lectures and was never the first in line. Each week the people in line with me always spoke of the
brilliance of this man and his ability to convey the essence of a work of art. His method was by no
means simple, he weaved a complex tapestry of place, time, and trends in the art world. I don't
think anyone who attended was left unchanged. I certainly wasn't.
Paulette Mills
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-24 19:14:00
Subject: Shut the door!
Katie and I were talking this weekend about the differences betweeen men and women. She
pointed out something that she learned from Dan (or *with* Dan) several years ago.
It had to do with the differences between men and women. A man can compartmentalize... in
other words, he can divide the world into rooms and easily shut or close the door on any or all of
the rooms, whenever he so chooses.
A woman, on the other hand, sees the world as one big room (and maybe with no door).
Using this world view allows a man to go and thoroughly enjoy a rented DVD or a video game
when there are dirty dishes in the sink when a woman in the same house will, in the back of her
mind, be viewing the DVD with that nagging "I need to go finish the dishes" feeling!
Oh my!~
User Comments:
-----You're right Luke! I should have been more precise in my wording, but I still contend that my
premise was right. At least from my experience with my two marriage relationships with men.
-----I still think that the main reason why A. Men don't care as much about the house not being kept
up and B. men perform "differently" (ie, better) in math, science, and engineering is a lot about
how we are raised.
Either way, my main problem was with the wording. "A man can compartmentalize" and
"a woman sees the world as one big room".
These seemed too much like "absolute" statements.
Perhaps something like "men tend to compartmentalize more than women" or something
like that.
Keith http://www.woollymammoth.com/keith
-----I just don't care whether the dishes ever get done.
Matthew McKibben
-----I think that I tend to agree with Mom on this post. Even though men and women are socialized
differently and that biologically we are all pretty similar, I do think that our brains are pretty
different in how they function. I don't know specifics, but I know that men tend to use one side of
their brain and women use the other. And I know that both of the different "lobes" handle different
types of tasks that men and women undertake. This is why, generally men and women perform
differntly in areas such as math, engineering, science, etc. etc. Socialization plays an important
role obviously, but generally speaking, I think that the way that men's and women's brains
operate might be able to explain something like compartmentalizing that men and women do or
don't do.
-matthew
-----I can't help but disagree with this post, and I think it is a little "genderist".
As much as possible I try to avoid things like "Men can do this better and women can do this
better". I don't think it's simply a matter of "men compartmentalize, so they can put off doing the
dishes while they watch a movie" or something like that and that women don't or *can't* do the
same thing.
We are much more alike, and both men and women have the same ability to put things off, we
are just socialized to do things differently.
The relatively small biological differences between men and women are exagerated through
socialization. Men are pretty much taught that if we don't clean something, a woman will do it for
us.
That's just my opiny.
luke~
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-24 19:20:00
Subject: Forget what you want to do...you just can't make a living!
I was welcoming new members at church this morning when I overheard this conversation
between members....
A couple of mothers were talking about their freshman age college students trying to start at
colleges.
One mother was saying that her son wanted to be an architect, but that she had put him in touch
with her architect buddies and they had all advised him that he 'couldn't make a living' doing that
anymore.
After all, all of the architects that she knew "only made $50,000 a year"!
Since when did $50,000 a year become low income???
This was an eye-opener for me!
User Comments:
-----Damn. $50,000 is plenty for me!
I like the following statements.
"It's better to have a life, than a living"
and
"It's better to work to live than to live to work."
Follow your bliss! It's never too late!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-26 14:44:00
Subject: What can make me feel this way?
So I just got on the elevator with some guy I'd never seen before. They were playing The
Temptations "My Girl" on the sound system and I just had to think what great music Motown
produced in the 60s and 70s! It's timeless and terrific.
It made me remember that classic SNL sketch about the guys in the bathroom, all sitting down,
about 4 of them, behind closed doors. One starts singing The Drifters' "Under the Boardwalk" and
before you know it, they all join in on the chorus.
Maybe next time, in that elevator, I'll just start singing and see what happens. ;-)
User Comments:
-----no, but it'd been cool if he did!
-----So did the guy start singing or something?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-27 23:07:00
Subject: Did you ever notice...?
that when you see a car that has a dent in it go passed you, you can pretty much see how they
got the dent, just by some of the stupid things the driver is doing?
I was coming home tonight from a meeting and this car ran the red light, and on the driver side
rear of the car, he had a pretty major size dent!
Wonder how that happened???? NOT!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-28 23:52:00
Subject: Call me a Socialist
I was watching C-Span this morning and Laura Flanders of Working Assets Radio was on...
She covered lots of topics, but the one that hit home to me most was the subject of corporate
executive compensation.
Did you know that in the past 20 years, executive salaries have increased from 42:1 to 281:1 (in
other words, 281 times the average workers salary now)?
To me, this is disgusting!!
And what's worse is that companies that have taken their companies offshore or laid off the most
workers are enjoying 231% increase in executive compensation (Carly Fiorina of HP, I'm looking
in your direction...you laid off 25,000 workers, but you're rich, so who cares?)
User Comments:
-----So move to France, you commie frog wannabe!
Just kidding...I couldn't survive in corporate America without Jill there to gripe to. :)
-----Yeah, France rocks....
'course this is after George Will totally slammed the French for taking off the 4 weeks. He showed
the French lounging on the Riviera, and then proceeded to tell us how they hate our guts
because they are jealous of us and our great economy. Huh?
Another statistic Will gave was rather alarming. The French get 4 weeks off a year. Americans
get an average of 16 days, and most Americans, according to Will, don't even take the 16 days!
Hey, send them (the days) to me! I have grandkids in other states to visit and watch grow up!
MaryAnn
-----Meanwhile in France, they value their workers so much that not only do people get 4 weeks paid
vacation, but there is a government program that helps subsidize vacation costs for the poor, so
they can actually go somewhere with their family. Interesting.
Matthew McKibben
-----you socialist
sickening aint it? the salary stat, not you being a socialist. i guess i'm just a chip off the ol' block.
matthew
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-29 00:01:00
Subject: Ticketmaster sucks!
I was purchasing tickets this morning online for The New Yorker Festival. Most of them could be
purchased through Ticketmaster.com. Actually, that was the *only* way to purchase the tickets.
I bought 2 tickets for 4 different venues, but I had to pay 4 service charges (actually 8...2X4) and
4 different postage fees.
This totally sucks, but if I wanted the tickets I had no choice. Go through Ticketmaster or you
don't go. Is this America????
Where's a good anti-trust, anti monopoly lawsuit when you need one?
User Comments:
Mark <[email protected]>
-----MLB Tickets at Ticketmaster: What a joke. They are a pathetic group of monopolistic
losers/idiots. I logged on at 12:30 today (the day and minute the World Series tickets went on
sale) and I was confirmed for 4 tickets. The next screen threw me off. I tried again. I got
confirmed for tickets again, and then the next screen threw me off again. I tried for 2 hours until
their final screen “all tickets are gone” came up. Their 8th grader website threw me off 8 times
total in the process. Ticketmaster could not possibly suck anymore and it is high time the MLB
drops the losers. The MLB should realize that they don’t need those incompetent fools anymore.
I will be sending this to the Marlins, Reds and Yankees.
Mitch (Chicago, IL) <[email protected]>
------
I have had anti-Ticketmaster feelings for years dealing with them for concert and sporting event
tickets. They are a monopoly, they take advantage of customers, and their policies are
completely unfair. If anyone has any information ( a web site, organization, law suits... whatever)
please pass it along to me. This company is evil and is a classic example of what's wrong with
corporate America. Let's bring them down!
Matthew McKibben
-----"Nobody" is my hero of the day!!!
-matt
Nobody
-----Dude, Pearl Jam already tried that. They took it all the way to the Supreme Court to show that it
was literally impossible to hold a tour without going through Ticketmaster. (They used several
venues that weren't services by Ticketmaster, but many of those venues are smaller than the
arenas Pearl Jam was selling out at the time. Many of them panicked and either cancelled the
shows or postponed them until PJ ponied up tons of insurance.)
Anyway the Supreme Court shut Pearl Jam down.
Fucking ticketbastard...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-08-29 00:05:00
Subject: Grandchildren
I just love my grandchildren!
I have them on screensavers, both at home and at work, and every time I see their beautiful,
smiling faces I just want to rejoice!
I'm so blessed!
This MaDear is so glad to be MaDear!!!
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----This uncle's proud to be an uncle too. The more nephews and nieces the better. Someday I'm
going to recruit all of them into my own Nephew and Niece Army and we're going to take over the
world.
muahahahahaha
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-09-01 20:33:00
Subject: Laboring on Labor Day
OK, today I complete another 3 day weekend where I had big hopes of getting mucho stuff done
(and some much needed R&R) and I'm finding that it's almost time to hit the hay and I still have
projects left to do.
But I'm going to take my own advice and consider what I did get done this weekend:
Laundry
Hostessing a Party for Friends
Visiting with my sons and their girlfriends
Grooming Jack and Marina
Going to Church and Sunday School
Picking up the Mediator Mail
Clearing out my Yahoo Inbox
Cleaning the litter box and the litter off the bathroom floor
Getting caught up on Sunday nght for the sleep I missed on Friday night
Editing and creating pages for my church website
Resolving an issue with a member of my homeowner's association
Watching a couple of episodes of West Wing and Meet the Press
Emailing my daughter MaryAnn
Whew! OK, now I'm tired. This list far exceeds the tasks I didn't get done. Good job!
User Comments:
MaryAnn
-----And I appreciated the e-mail!
In fact I was just telling Robert that we needed to start thinking about what we did accomplish
rather than what is still left to be done. Caroline takes up a lot of time, but hey--keeping a 6 month
old alive and fed and clean and well-rested is hard work! We also enjoy her too. Did I tell you
she's creeping/crawling?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-09-03 22:44:00
Subject: So much TiVo, so little time
I'm almost maxing out my TiVo. When I bought the thing, I had to choose between the 40 hour
(really 35) and the 80 hour. Naturally, the 40 hour was cheaper and I sat there and considered
that I spend 8 hours a day/5 days a week at a job...do I really need to have more than that
recorded to watch?
So I opted for the 40 hour (35 hour) TiVo.
And now, since I've had meetings after work every day this week, and the last 3 day weekend
was spent either entertaining or working on my volunteer stuff, I've almost maxed out the space.
It's all those West Wings, and a pay-per-view movie (Talk To Her), and good ole Charlie Rose.
Aaackk...what pressure. Oh well, I deleted some Simpsons episodes and some Inside the Actor's
Studio...after all, they'll be repeated for sure. And thank god the Daily Show is re-runs this week. I
might just make it!
But what about the Chicago DVD with all the extras and the Bowling for Columbine (with a whole
DVD full of extras) that I purchased a couple of weeks ago...when will I ever get to that?
ODAT...one day at a time....oh yes....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-09-03 22:51:00
Subject: Rattle and hum
Mary, my boss and new mother, and I were talking today about motherhood. It's quite an
adjustment and we were talking about that.
I related motherhood, and the feelings you get with the birth of your child, with a constant
humming that some people have in their brain.
Let me explain.
During pregnancy, something happens to you. You have this thing inside you (a wonderful
miracle) and in the birthing process, it enters the world.
But it's always with you, even when it's not. It's like that freeway noise that I have constantly at
my condo (living near 35 and 635 as I do) or the airplane noise I hear (only after 9/11/01 did I
realize that I even have airplane noise, since when the airlines were not flying did I notice that it
was there always...)
That's what motherhood is like. You can go days/weeks without being with your child, but it's a
constant hum...they are with you always. Are they ok? Are they safe? Will you ever see them
again? How can I watch over them when they are soooo far away?
And another thing...relationships with men (their father) changes...
It's not that men are so needy. But when I dote and pay attention to my child, it takes time away
from the relationship with my mate. But when they/my mate dote and pay attention to my child,
they are paying attention to me.
It's like an arm cut off, or an organ transplant.
I have a friend that had the upper most part of his finger cut off in an accident. Even though it
wasn't there, he always felt like it was there...when he typed on a keyboard, he felt like he was
typing on the tip of that finger...phantom stuff and all.
It's like that when you have a child. It may not be in me still, but it's an extension of me, no matter
what. What is done to them is done to me, and it's that constant hum....rattle and hum...phantom
stuff and all.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-09-07 00:56:00
Subject: I'm kinda proud of this
If you'd like, visit <a href="http://dallasuu.org"> this site</a>.
This is my church website that I, along with a team of 3 others, created. We're still adding links
and troubleshooting, but it's almost there and I think you'll find that it's a good site, compiled by
willing volunteers who love UU and especially First UU of Dallas and want to spread the word to
the world!
User Comments:
MaryAnn
-----Here I am! :-) I like the color scheme a lot. Good job. I wouldn't even know where to start on
something like that!
Matthew McKibben
-----All that's missing is MA's response and the Fab will be reunited with the Four.
:-)
Matthew
-----Great job mom!
Matthew McKibben
-----as am i
Katie
-----That's really nice! I'm impressed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-09-08 22:06:00
Subject: September Song
September is such a great month!
Is it just because it follows the horrible month of August????
Really, 31 days of hotter than hell temperatures...even at night.
Summer is ok, most of the time. Life gets a little easier then...only one church service, daylight
savings time, you don't have to worry 'bout what to wear (as little as possible, please), and if you
travel during August to anywhere, you can pack light!)
But oh, it's such a long month! Unless you're wanting it to last forever, 'cause you're going to start
school soon (and that means homework).
Anyway, September comes and you wake up that first day when you go outside and realize that
it's cooler outside than it was when you left your place...yes god (or someone) actually left the
thermostat lower outside than yours inside....what a relief.
Yes, I made it through another Texas summer. Oh, rue that I am grateful to have endured...
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----You should try poetry sometime. Your post had some really nice, poetic moments.
-Walt Whitman
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-09-09 21:53:00
Subject: What kind of craziness is this?
So I have a cell phone and Luke has a cell phone and we have unlimited usage after 9 or 10 or
something like that....
So do we call each other and talk?
NO!
We are instant messaging.
I can surf and update websites and watch TiVo, etc. inbetween posts and so can he.
It's the 2000s after all. Why do something so 90s as pick up the phone and call, when you can so
totally do it "all" with IM?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-09-10 22:54:00
Subject: Tribute
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/twin_towers.jpg">
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----Beautiful picture.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-09-11 19:46:00
Subject: Two_ness
From the cover of the latest New Yorker magazine...
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/two_ness.gif">
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-09-11 19:51:00
Subject: Killing in the Name
Matthew, I'm glad for this September 11th!
John Brown
-Bob Dylan
<ul>John Brown went off to war to fight on a foreign shore.
His mama sure was proud of him!
He stood straight and tall in his uniform and all.
His mama's face broke out all in a grin.
"Oh son, you look so fine, I'm glad you're a son of mine,
You make me proud to know you hold a gun.
Do what the captain says, lots of medals you will get,
And we'll put them on the wall when you come home."
As that old train pulled out, John's ma began to shout,
Tellin' ev'ryone in the neighborhood:
"That's my son that's about to go, he's a soldier now, you know."
She made well sure her neighbors understood.
She got a letter once in a while and her face broke into a smile
As she showed them to the people from next door.
And she bragged about her son with his uniform and gun,
And these things you called a good old-fashioned war.
Oh! Good old-fashioned war!
Then the letters ceased to come, for a long time they did not come.
They ceased to come for about ten months or more.
Then a letter finally came saying, "Go down and meet the train.
Your son's a-coming home from the war."
She smiled and went right down, she looked everywhere around
But she could not see her soldier son in sight.
But as all the people passed, she saw her son at last,
When she did she could hardly believe her eyes.
Oh his face was all shot up and his hand was all blown off
And he wore a metal brace around his waist.
He whispered kind of slow, in a voice she did not know,
While she couldn't even recognize his face!
Oh! Lord! Not even recognize his face.
"Oh tell me, my darling son, pray tell me what they done.
How is it you come to be this way?"
He tried his best to talk but his mouth could hardly move
And the mother had to turn her face away.
"Don't you remember, Ma, when I went off to war
You thought it was the best thing I could do?
I was on the battleground, you were home . . . acting proud.
You wasn't there standing in my shoes."
"Oh, and I thought when I was there, God, what am I doing here?
I'm a-tryin' to kill somebody or die tryin'.
But the thing that scared me most was when my enemy came close
And I saw that his face looked just like mine."
Oh! Lord! Just like mine!
"And I couldn't help but think, through the thunder rolling and stink,
That I was just a puppet in a play.
And through the roar and smoke, this string is finally broke,
And a cannon ball blew my eyes away."
As he turned away to walk, his Ma was still in shock
At seein' the metal brace that helped him stand.
But as he turned to go, he called his mother close
And he dropped his medals down into her hand.</ul>
Copyright © 1963; renewed 1991 Special Rider Music
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-09-15 00:00:00
Subject: First Lesson
First Lesson
-by Philip Booth
<ul>Lie back daughter, let your head
be tipped back in the cup of my hand.
Gently, and I will hold you. Spread
your arms wide, lie out on the stream
and look high at the gulls. A deadman's float is face down. You will dive
and swim soon enough where this tidewater
ebbs to the sea. Daughter, believe
me, when you tire on the long thrash
to your island, lie up, and survive.
As you float now, where I held you
and let go, remember when fear
cramps your heart what I told you:
lie gently and wide to the light-year
stars, lie back, and the sea will hold you.</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-09-15 23:21:00
Subject: Anger and tears
That's what I'm feeling today.
I want to scream, I want to hit something, I want to escape, I want to help, I want to be strong, I
want to make it all go away, I want to sleep, I want to get drunk, I want to love, I want to have
more time, I want to forget, I want to remember, I want.....
User Comments:
MaryAnn
-----Do it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-09-16 23:51:00
Subject: I've made it through another layer
A layer of grief, that is....
Yesterday, all the world seemed to really suck.
Today, I got a positive message from Ted, a phone call from Caroline/MaryAnn, a phone call from
Katie/a couple of other friends of mine called me and then called Sherry/and I got a group of
wonderful pictures of my precious grandchildren...
With, and through their eyes, the world is OK!
Sherry, I'm ready to take up the fight with you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-09-22 13:09:00
Subject: You probably didn't even know that I was gone...
...but I'm back.
Luke and I had a great trip to NYC. We managed to dodge the hurricane going into the city, and
once there, it was a nice weather weekend.
We watched panels on the media and screenwriting and listened to Dave Eggers and ZZ Packer
read excerpts from their latest works of fiction.
The whole gang from "The Mighty Wind" movie performed a concert Saturday night, and it was
fun to be there in the middle of New York City with a sold out audience for this cool event.
Luke and I managed to down a few calories...Afghanistan food the first night (not in our own
private room though) (inside joke), cheesecake at the Brooklyn Diner, Greek food and Italian
sausage at the street fair, bagels and cream cheese, and a 'slice' at Penn Station.
We didn't get mugged, even when we went to the 'evil' lower east side on Friday night.
And we both agreed that the upper east side (Madison Ave) is a place we don't care about
visiting again.
We checked out the Whitney and enjoyed it immensely.
Our hotel (Portland Square) was little more than a NY version of Motel 6, but it was safe and
sound and convenient to Times Square and everything, really.
All in all, we had a great time! We're hoping more can join us next year for our annual trek to the
Big Apple!
User Comments:
-----Maggie writes: Were the panels and Eggers part of the NY is Book country festival? 
Close, but no, they were part of The New Yorker Festival.
And yes, I'm counting you in for next year Matthew.
And MA, babies LOVE the big apple! I've already promised Jessie a trip to the Statue of Liberty
so 'Tusan' would love the boat ride too! Joey too! What fun!
Maggie
-----Were the panels and Eggers part of the NY is Book country festival?
MaryAnn
-----Sounds like a family tradition in the making! But who will take care of Caroline?
-----I'm glad that you had a great time. Next year, you can count me in. :-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-09-23 14:58:00
Subject: "My" Symphony
<table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tr>
<td width="201" valign="top"> To live content with
small means;
To seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement
rather than fashion;
To be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not,
rich;
To listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with
open heart;
To study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk
gently, await occasions, hurry never;
in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious,
grow up through the common
This is my symphony. 
William Henry Channing's
<a href="http://www.transcendentalists.com/channing_symphony.htm" target="_blank">
Symphony</a>: from the 1906 collection, "Editorials From The Hearst Newspapers"

</td>
<td width="1" align="left" class="boxsideright"></td>
</tr>
</table>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-09-25 23:06:00
Subject: Leisure time
Does anyone ever have it anymore?
I was going over the things I have planned for the weekend...hosting my son and his girlfriend
late tonight and tomorrow night...then Seminary for a day at my church on Saturday
morning...then a football game with Matthew Saturday night, possibly...then it's church on
Sunday, facilitate my SS class discussion, attend my Assoc. Pastor's installation or Hamlet at the
Dallas Theater Center (I can't do both), then update websites, play with pets, relax for the week
ahead...Aaackk!!!!
OK, I'll just find a little time to have some leisure time, no, really, I really will do this, really.....
User Comments:
matthew mckibben
-----going to a football game isn't leisurely? ;-)
matt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-09-30 10:14:00
Subject: Patriot Act
I attended a seminar at my church given by one of our members who's an attorney about the
Patriot Act. Pretty scary....
Yet, not coordinating intelligence is pretty scary as well...
I wish I could be so sure of my feelings on things like this as strong liberals or conservatives are,
but I remain conflicted.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-10-01 00:03:00
Subject: How weird is this?
On the same day, I check my sister into the hospital for cancer surgery and go to see "Hamlet" at
the Dallas Theater Center.
The play was great! and I'm hoping that the doctors operating on Sherry are a little more on the
ball than what I observed from admitting her. Oh yeah, the people were really nice...it's just that
the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing most of the time.
I'll be there for her and be her advocate. You need that nowadays, if you have a stint in the
hospital.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-10-02 21:59:00
Subject: It was a little more than a month ago...
...that I was celebrating that, at least for awhile, I would not have to take care of anyone but
myself (and my pets, I guess).
Now don't get me wrong. I'm a caretaker, in the strictest sense of the word.
But my baby son had graduated from college and he had gotten a job and I was in that 'place'
between taking care of kids and taking care of my parent(s). I was even telling people that I was
hoping this period would last, at least a little while.
And then, it happened. My sister is very ill...who would have thought that?
I still maintain that things would be a lot less complicated if god did things in chronological order,
but that's not to be.
So, here I am again, in my role as caretaker of my sister and others, but it's ok. That's who I am.
Been there...done that...can do it again and will!
User Comments:
-----Like the advice you always give us, don't try to do too much. You are just one person. Although
you can do a lot, don't lose sight that we have a great family unit in the Dallas area (as well as in
Oklahoma and Houston) who would do anything for anyone at the drop of a hat.
I'm a resource just waiting to be tapped.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-10-08 09:37:00
Subject: Dreamland
I went to a meeting last night at my church about lucid dreaming. I think I fall, most of the time, in
the category he described as "too stressed" to remember dreams, but I want to try to change that.
Not that I want to start remembering everything I dream about, but I think it would be healthy for
me to at least remember some of them.
He recommended a dream journal (Luke, you were way ahead of him on that one) and doing
some intentional things to aid the process.
An exercise we did during the class almost put me to sleep, so, at the very least, this will be
helpful in relaxation.
User Comments:
Luke McKibben <[email protected]> http://www.lukemckibben.org/dreams
-----Yeah, Dream Journals are great. Though I haven't updated mine in a while, and trust me, I have
had some dreams lately!
matthew mckibben
-----"score one for the relaxation king."
-taken from "The Ben Stiller Show
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-10-14 10:49:00
Subject: Party switching
This helped me commit again....
<ul>Grass is Not Always Greener on the Other Side
The Green Party of New Mexico is made up of people from across the political
spectrum but united around Ten Key Values. There has always been and will
continue to be a difference of opinion over electoral strategy and the party
welcomes that diversity. While most Greens in New Mexico and around the
country are committed to creating a multi-party democracy and running as
many Green Party candidates as possible in every election, a small minority
from time to time chose to support candidates of other parties.
Most Greens in New Mexico and across the county will not be supporting
Dennis Kucinich or any other Democrat for President. They will be supporting
the Green Party candidate for President, whether it is Ralph Nader or one of
the four other declared candidates. Most Greens want an alternative to
Democrat and Republican candidates and are very focused on the long term
goal of building a new political force in the United States,² stated Joe
Lacayo, Co-Chair GPNM.
"We thank David Bacon for his 2002 run for Governor," continued Lacayo, "and
while we disagree with his decision to register Democrat to support Dennis
Kucinich that is his decision. While other Greens may also make this
decision, most Greens realize that for Kucinich to energize his campaign he
has to attract Democrats, not Greens."
Democrats are 52% of the registered voters in NM; Greens are 1% statewide,
although registration is 4% in several counties. Kucinich consistently ranks
in last place among the Democrat candidates, somewhere between 0 and 2%.
GPNM respects the diversity and independence of its members and will welcome
back any Greens that try out other parties.
"We are strong in the knowledge that we are part of a national and
international movement that stands for peace, non-violence, economic and
social justice. The Green Party opposes the death penalty, stands for real
election reform, saving the environment, honoring the rights of indigenous
people, a living wage for all workers and universal health care," said Carol
Miller, Co-Chair.
The Green Party of New Mexico will have a June 1, 2004 primary election to
select delegates to the Presidential Nominating Convention, to be held in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin from June 24 - 26, 2004.
</ul>
User Comments:
Nobody
-----One of the things that deeply impressed me about Peter Camejo was that not only where his
ideals in line with my own, he was very happy to give up the spotlight to someone else if that
someone else was going to support his ideals.
He wasn't running because he wanted power but because he wanted certain things done
differently in the state. If someone else from a major party took up the standard from him, he
would support that person.
I find that a very enlightened approach and it's a major reason why I'm changing my affiliation to
Green this month. Thanks for posting this article.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-10-14 18:49:00
Subject: This just makes sense!
From Citizen Works today...
<ul>Dear Citizen:
Congress is expected to pass President Bush's $87 billion supplemental appropriations request
for Iraq this week, which includes $20 billion for rebuilding Iraq.
In the House, Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) has drafted an amendment to the supplemental
spending bill that would ban companies that have moved their headquarters to offshore tax
havens to avoid paying U.S. taxes from receiving government contracts in Iraq.
In recent years, several dozen U.S. companies have “reincorporated” in offshore tax havens,
exploiting a tax loophole that now costs the Treasury billions of dollars in revenue each year.
According to the General Accounting Office, four of the top 100 federal contractors – Accenture,
Tyco, Foster Wheeler, and McDermott International – are now incorporated in an offshore tax
haven. Bermuda-based Accenture, for instance, has more than $1 billion in federal contracts
($278 million in 2001 alone, according to the GAO), including a five-year contract to revamp the
IRS’s own web site.
Put simply, companies that move offshore to a PO Box headquarters to avoid paying their fair
share of taxes should not be rewarded with American taxpayer money. Please let your member
of Congress know TODAY that you support Rep. Brown’s amendment to the supplemental Iraq
appropriations request to ban tax escapees from receiving any contracts in the rebuilding of Iraq.
To contact your representative - http://www.house.gov/writerep
For more background on corporate tax escapees:
http://www.citizenworks.org/corp/tax/corp_tax_dodgers.php
Keep up the good work,
Your Friends at Citizen Works</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-10-17 22:45:00
Subject: Ikebana
My church offers so many good classes, that over the last 2 years, I've signed up for most, if not
all, of them.
Ikebana is the latest one that I attended (and will finish the class tomorrow) and it's just so cool.
I've never had a green thumb and living in a one bedroom condo, I don't have space or time for
gardening.
But this seems like something I can sink my teeth into.
All you need is an interesting shallow dish, a kenzan, a pair of gardening shears, and a few
flowers or branches or other greenery.
Using these simple ingredients, you're able to design and produce a wonderful, minimalist flower
arrangement, Japanese style. And it's spiritual and meditative at that!
For someone whose life is complex and busy, the simplicity of this is very comforting and quieting
and serene.
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----But is it Cheea Pet cool? j/k
I'm looking forward to seeing it when I come down sometime soon.
:-)
matt out
-----I have an application I downloaded called "e-ikebana". It is a virtual ikebana program that allows
me to make one on my computer. I can download it to my PDA, which is perfect for my fast
paced "on the go" meditations.
When I get bummed out because my stocks are at a loss, I just look down at the animated gifs
and think about meditation and spirituality. It's a lifesaver.
just kidding just kidding. :)
Sounds cool though...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-10-20 22:10:00
Subject: Praise the lord
So Sherry is on day 3 past her chemo, and she's not sick...just a little tired, but who isn't these
days???
I'm so glad that she's handling this ok.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-10-23 13:12:00
Subject: This just doesn't make sense
Just went to lunch with my boss and co-worker. We tried a new place -- Duke's Roadhouse Cafe
in Addison. We were looking for a Blackeyed Pea type of place and this seemed, according to
Dallas Guidelive, to be similar. Upon entering, however, we realized it was a little less homey-like
and alot more sports bar like, but oh well, it still looked like it might have a chicken fried chicken
meal to suit Derek.
I ordered the baked potato and Derek got his c-f-c. Mary, my boss, is on the Atkins Diet and
wanted a hamburger, without the bun, and wanted to substitute the dinner salad for the french
fries. They just couldn't do that. She'd have to pay a dollar upcharge.
Now I'm thinking a couple of leaves of iceberg lettuce and a tomato slice or two with a little ranch
dressing for good measure couldn't possibly cost the restaurant more than a handful of french
fries. And they could have saved and used the bun for another customer. But still, they wouldn't
do it.
So, this was lose/lose. Mary didn't get what she really wanted and won't go back and the
restaurant didn't get what they really wanted...repeat business in a competitive restaurant world.
User Comments:
-----It kind of seems like something from that Jack Nicholson movie, where all he wanted was (toast I
believe?).
Anyway...
Matthew McKibben
-----Actually, in today's tough socio-economic climate, a head of lettuce runs about 20,000 yen.
Advantage....Matthew.
j/k
that is pretty silly though
-----Advantage: Maryann...
MaryAnn
-----That would be Burger King.
Ashamed that I know that...
-----That's the problem with Atkins.
Just kidding. That was pretty stupid of the restaurant. Probably just some uptight people who
are anal about "following the rules". If the place really cared about it's customers it would have
accomodated.
Oh well, there's always McDonalds, where you have it *your* way...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-10-24 08:56:00
Subject: Help wanted
My boss forwarded me this...only those qualified need apply!
<ul>Senior Technology Scientist I - Breath Freshening
Wrigley
Location- Chicago Factory
Description - Performs and applies high intermediate to advanced level breath freshening
technology research into new technologies for chewing gum and confectionery products to
provide the basis for new product development or product improvements, and serves as the
primary contact with the international breath freshening community
Requirements - PhD in Organic, Medical, Biochemistry or related with 5-10 years industrial
experience in developing products effective against bad breath from concept to market. Must
have demonstrated experience identifying activities effective against bad breath, formulating
actives in mints, gums, films, mouth wash or toothpaste. </ul>
So tell me...did you even know that there was an "international breath freshening community"???
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-10-29 16:42:00
Subject: Buddhism 101
I attended the first of a 3-part series at my church this past Monday about Buddhism.
Seems many UUs are very interested in the subject. Usually, we get about 10-20 people who
sign up for an evening course like this at my church.
But not a course about Buddhism!
We had over 50 people crammed into Raible Chapel and at least 10 or 15 on the 'wait list' for the
next time this is offered. WOW!
One of my fellow UUs remarked that he wondered if the class would be overflowing like this if the
Buddhists offered a class about Unitarian Universalism.
Doubt it, seriously doubt it, but then again, churning and churning water doesn't produce butter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-10-30 22:41:00
Subject: Bowling for credibility
OK, this is from the San Francisco Chronicle...hardly your right wing rag...
<ul>
EDITORIAL, Bowling for credibility, Thursday, October 30, 2003
MICHAEL MOORE, the polemic filmmaker who likes to wear his "progressive'' politics on his
plaid sleeves, has made a fortune from bashing doyens of corporate greed. But apparently the
provocative Moore doesn't mind the perks of celebrity -- even when they bear the label of bigtime corporate America.
Moore recently touched down in California as part of his national book tour. He's traveling in style
-- in a private jet provided by Time Warner, and in SUVs courtesy of his publisher, Warner Books.
The company also threw in some bodyguards -- as we know from his movies, America is a pretty
darn dangerous place.
For his part, Moore sees no contradiction between his private life and his public image,
suggesting that the only reason he's feeding at the corporate trough is because it's there. "I would
never pay for this,'' Moore told the Los Angeles Times, adding that the irony is not lost on him.
When you make your living bashing malicious corporate CEOs, it's best not to remind people that
you're using giant media companies to carry your message.
After all, the bottom line is all about profits, not prophets.</ul>
It is easy for men to talk one thing and think another.
- Syrus (Publilius Syrus), Maxims
User Comments:
-----Yeah, damn everyone. Everyone's a hypocrite. I hate articles like this because it points out both a
sad truth about the message giver.
But the main reason why I hate article like this is that it boxes people in to some kind of perfection
that no one can achieve. If you're not Gandhi or Jesus Christ, they're going to find something to
degrade your message. Even if those two fellas were doing their thing today, I bet they would
somehow be dragged down by some kind of media or politician. What articles like this do is lead
people to saying, "Well what's the point of me doing anything different if someone like _________
isn't even doing what they're preaching?"
It's as if Michael Moore driving around in an SUV to promote his book or using body guards,
disregards everything good that he's achieved.
But on the subject of the body guards, I mean, he DID just make a movie about "gun loving" gun
nuts, and he's said that he's received quite a few death threats. I don't think it's hypocritical of him
to use bodyguards to protect his security. His discourse on the culture of fear and him using
bodyguards to protect himself from a real and present danger are two different issues.
And for him using corporations, Michael Moore has never said that all corporations are bad. He
isn't that stupid. His main gripe is with the coporations and people who put profits and corporate
interests above all else. I don't think "Random House" fits that bill. I have never heard of a book
publishing company making missiles or dumping toxic waste into the Pacific ocean.
just my two cents
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-11-01 19:45:00
Subject: Where hatred ends up
The Hindus have a legend concerning a mythical bird called Bherunda. The bird had a single
body, but two necks, two heads and two separate consciousnesses. After an eternity together,
these two heads began to hate each other and decided to harm each other. Both of them
swallowed pebbles and poison, and the result was predictable: The whole Bherunda bird went
into spasms and died with loud cries of pain. It was brought back to life by the infinite mercy of
Krishna, to remind people forever how all hatred ends up.
We should remind ourselves of this legend each day. As soon as one of us succumbs to the
temptation to hate another, we will all end up like the Bherunda bird.
With this difference. There will be no earthly Krishna around to liberate us from our new
misfortune.
-Address by Vaclav Havel, Oslo Conference on "The Anatomy of Hate"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-11-03 00:05:00
Subject: Happy Birthday Matthew
How can this be? My son...26 years old????
I remember when he was born. How happy I was that I had a son! Oh, not that my 2 daughters
didn't make me so extremely happy, but then again, a son. That was special too.
I had the daughter thing down. Dolls, dresses, and all that. But a son...
How would I ever know how to mother a son?
Matthew made it easy. His smile melted my heart...still does. And his sensitivity was almost
feminine...if sensitivity has a sex.
I love you Matthew. And wish you the happiest of birthdays!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-11-07 21:33:00
Subject: Radical Forgiveness Ceremony
This is what I'm doing tomorrow....
<ul>Based on a Native American healing circle ceremony and the tools and principles of the book
'Radical Forgiveness, Making Room for the Miracle' by Colin Tipping, this largely non-verbal
process preserves privacy and anonymity, yet has proven itself to be extremely powerful and
effective in allowing people to forgive themselves and others, and to find peace and happiness.
Participants walk the circle once to silently honor and witness their 'story' of what happened to
them. As they see others walk too they realize they are not alone, and they honor each others'
pain. After hearing a special Radical Forgiveness story, participants walk the circle again and ask
inwardly to come to a new place of forgiveness and peace. This really works! People leave with
tears of joy and smiling faces. Please come! It is entirely non-threatening and will quite likely
change your life forever! </ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-11-07 21:41:00
Subject: This Much I Do Remember
It was after dinner.
You were talking to me across the table
about something or other,
a greyhound you had seen that day
or a song you liked,
and I was looking past you
over your bare shoulder
at the three oranges lying
on the kitchen counter
next to the small electric bean grinder,
which was also orange,
and the orange and white cruets for vinegar and oil.
All of which converged
into a random still life,
so fastened together by the hasp of color,
and so fixed behind the animated
foreground of your
talking and smiling,
gesturing and pouring wine,
and the camber of you shoulders
that I could feel it being painted within me,
brushed on the wall of my skull,
while the tone of your voice
lifted and fell in its flight,
and the three oranges
remained fixed on the counter
the way that stars are said
to be fixed in the universe.
Then all of the moments of the past
began to line up behind that moment
and all of the moments to come
assembled in front of it in a long row,
giving me reason to believe
that this was a moment I had rescued
from millions that rush out of sight
into a darkness behind the eyes.
Even after I have forgotten what year it is,
my middle name,
and the meaning of money,
I will still carry in my pocket
the small coin of that moment,
minted in the kingdom
that we pace through every day.
- Billy Collins
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-11-07 21:47:00
Subject: Today, like every other day
Today, like every other day,
we wake up empty and frightened.
Don't open the door to the study and begin reading.
Take down a musical instrument.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.
-Rumi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-11-07 21:49:00
Subject: So Much Happiness
It is difficult to know what to do with so much happiness.
With sadness there is something to rub against,
a wound to tend with lotion and cloth.
When the world falls in around you, you have pieces to pick up,
something to hold in your hands, like ticket stubs or change.
But happiness floats.
It doesn't need you to hold it down.
It doesn't need anything.
Happiness lands on the roof of the next house, singing,
and disappears when it wants to.
-Naomi Shihab Nye
You are happy either way.
Even the fact that you once lived in a peaceful tree house
and now live over a quarry of noise and dust
cannot make you unhappy.
Everything has a life of its own,
it too could wake up filled with possibilities
of coffee cake and ripe peaches,
and love even the floor which needs to be swept,
the soiled linens and scratched records...
Since there is no place large enough
to contain so much happiness,
you shrug, you raise your hands, and it flows out of you
into everything you touch. You are not responsible.
You take no credit, as the night sky takes no credit
for the moon, but continues to hold it, and share it,
and in that way, be known.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-11-07 21:54:00
Subject: What to Remember When Waking
In that first
hardly noticed
moment
in which you wake,
coming back
to this life
from the other,
more secret,
moveable
and frighteningly
honest
world
where everything
began,
there is a small
opening
into the new day
which closes
the moment
you begin
your plans.
What you can plan
is too small
for you to live.
What you can live wholeheartedly
will make plans
enough
for the vitality
hidden in your sleep.
To be human
is to become visible
while carrying
what is hidden
as a gift to others.
To remember
the other world
in this world
is to live in your
true inheritance.
You are not
a trouble guest
on this earth,
you are not
an accident
amidst other accidents.
You were invited
from another and greater
night
than the one
from which
you have just emerged.
Now looking through
the slanting light
of the morning
window toward
the mountain
presence
of everything
that can be,
what urgency
calls you to your
one love? What shape
waits in the seed
of you to grow
and spread
its branches
against a future sky?
Is it waiting
in the fertile sea?
In the trees
beyond the house?
In the life
you can imagine
for yourself?
In the open
and lovely
white page
on the waiting desk?
-David Whyte
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-11-07 21:58:00
Subject: Life While-You-Wait
-by Wislawa Szymborska
Life While-You-Wait.
Performance without rehearsal.
Body without alteration.
Head without premeditation.
I know nothing of the role I play.
I only know it's mine, I can't exchange it.
I have to guess on the spot
just what this play's all about.
Ill-prepared for the privilege of living,
I can barely keep up with the pace that the action demands.
I improvise, though I loathe improvisation.
I trip at every step over my own ignorance.
I can't conceal my hayseed manners.
My instincts are hammy histrionics.
Stage fright makes excuses for me, which humiliate me more.
Extenuating circumstances strike me as cruel.
Words and impulses you can't take back,
stars you'll never get counted,
your character like a raincoat you button on the run--the pitiful results of all this unexpectedness.
If I could just rehearse one Wednesday in advance,
or repeat a single Thursday that has passed!
But here comes Friday with a script I haven't seen.
Is it fair, I ask
(my voice a little hoarse,
since I couldn't even clear my throat offstage).
You'd be wrong to think it's just a slapdash quiz
taken in makeshift accommodations. Oh no.
I'm standing on the set and I see how strong it is.
The props are surprisingly precise.
The machine rotating the stage has been around even longer.
The farthest galaxies have been turned on.
Oh no, there's no question, this must be the premiere.
And whatever I do
will become forever what I've done.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-11-07 22:00:00
Subject: Bear with me...I'm in a poetry state of mind
Long week...short weekend ahead.
I'm looking for inspiration and I find it in poetry.
For now, I'm going to go cuddle with my cats and dogs....
User Comments:
-----Wow, she posted....
...I'm speechless...
Matthew McKibben
-----Maybe i'll write some for you...
:-D
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-11-08 17:08:00
Subject: This just in
I just finished Bob Schieffer's unabridged audiobook This Just In: What I Couldn't Tell You on
TV. It was 13 CDs full of about 40 years of anchoring and reporting on stories for CBS News.
I'm not a huge Schieffer fan, but I do think he's a decent person and a pretty good newsman.
During the course of 'hearing' this book, I found myself being taken back to Watergate, the JFK
assassination, 9/11, Carter and Ford's presidencies, etc. It was interesting and shed some new
light on those events and others.
Probably the most profound thing that I learned from the book (and my friend Derek denies that
this happens) is that Congress works to not settle certain perennial issues (such as abortion and
gun control) since they have such fractious groups on either side that throw big sums of money
their way, depending on which side they are on. Both parties do it and profit from it.
You only need to look at the vote this week on Bush's 87.5 billion dollar relief package to Iraq and
the, excuse the expression, pussy way that congress dealt with the vote (they did a voice vote
and only 6 senators showed up and only Robert Byrd voted no!) to believe that our
'representatives' play some pretty foul games with the power we've invested in them to maintain
their standing and office.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-11-11 12:26:00
Subject: "Happy?" Veterans Day
The New York Times published the following today...
----------------------------------------------November 11, 2003 VETERANS DAY
The Things They Wrote
Veterans Day honors all who have served in the military — in peace and in war, at home and
abroad, living and dead. Today is the 50th anniversary of the holiday renamed by President
Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954 to "solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so
valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom."
Before 1954 the holiday was called Armistice Day.
Observation this year of Veterans Day comes as about 130,000 troops — 102,000 active military
and 28,000 reserve — remain on duty in Iraq. As of yesterday, according to the Pentagon, 394
have died in the war.
Below are excerpts from among the final letters home of some soldiers who died there.
--------------------------------------------Excerpts of letters from Army Capt. Joshua T. Byers, 29, of Anderson, S.C., who was killed on
July 23 when a bomb detonated under his vehicle.
<blockquote>
Thursday, June 5
Dear Mom and Dad,
A couple of days ago, my squadron commander told me that I would be taking command of Fox
Troop in June, after all. . . . SWEET! I left my conversation with him walking on air! Not only will I
soon be a cavalry troop commander (the most lethal combination of fire power that a captain can
be in command of, in any service), BUT I will have the opportunity and the incredible
responsibility of commanding in combat. I have to admit that I am really nervous and just pray
that I am up to the task out here to lead 120 men in combat operations.
I will give them everything I have to give — I love them already, just because they're mine. I
pray, with all my heart, that I will be able to take every single one of them home safe when we
finish our mission here.
Friday, June 20
It seems like I've been here for so much longer than I have. My life away from here seems so far
away. In some ways, I don't think I'll ever have it back completely. I think war takes certain things
from you, or maybe it gives certain things that change your perspective. I love being in command.
It's so great to lead again. I love taking care of my
men and accomplishing our missions together here. I am blessed.
Thursday, July 3
In the past two nights we've been attacked each night while on patrol. No casualties for us. . . . I
see more bravery in a day here than I had seen in my entire life prior to this. I'm healthy and
doing fine — although I really want to get that redeployment order and come home (as everyone
does) — I don't dwell on it. We are accomplishing our mission here and I think I'll take a lot of
pride in that for the rest of my life. Although the sacrifice is great, the rewards of service are so
much greater.
Friday, July 18
Life here continues to be challenging, but we're all hanging in there. We got a blow to our morale
a few days ago when the corps commander visited us (three-star general). He said there was no
way we were going home in less than nine to 12 months. Man, that's going to suck. We're
working on month No. 4 right now and it already seems like we've been here forever and a day. I
still love being a commander. I love leading troops and taking care of them. It is a huge
responsibility and I feel the weight of it every day. I send the thing I love most out here — my men
— into harm's way every day and every night. I just do my best to ensure they're ready, trained,
equipped and properly led in every situation.
Monday, July 21
We conducted a huge operation in the desert about a week ago. We had intel that suggested that
the bad guys were hiding weapons and ammo out in the desert and bringing it into the city to
attack us. We swept all of the desert north of us and found lots of weapons/ammo. . . . Two of the
targets that we captured turned out to be first cousins of Saddam Hussein. I love you both with all
of my heart! I'm working very hard here — adding honor to our country and to our family name!
Love, Josh
</blockquote>
----------------------------------------------Excerpt of an e-mail message to his wife, Theresa, from Army Master Sgt. Kevin N. Morehead,
33, of Little Rock, Ark., who was killed Sept. 12 during a raid on enemy forces. The message was
sent July 7.
<blockquote>
Hey Baby,
I do enjoy planning for the future. It gives me a lot of hope to be able to plan for our success.
Sometimes I think that maybe I wouldn't come up with these plans if I wasn't deployed. Being
here focuses my attention on home and I have time to come up with lots of avenues for us. It has
been one blessing for me being here. I think if we can get the things done that I have come up
with we will be able to have a prosperous life ahead of us. I don't want you to worry about how we
are going to make it after I get out. . . . I want us to be able to enjoy our life and do things that we
want to do.
I think after we get these bills settled and get on track this winter with the property and the house,
next spring I am going to get us another boat. We had a lot of fun when we had a boat. I
remember when me, you and Jesse used to go to the lake and camping. Those were really fun
times. I would eventually like to get a camper or an R.V., too. . . . I know how you like to have a
nice place to stay. If we got a nice camper, then it would almost be like staying in a hotel room
with A.C. and a private shower and a queen size bed. I love you very much. I can't wait to get on
with our lives. I really look forward to our future together.
Kevin
</blockquote>
-----------------------------------------------Excerpts of letters from Army Pfc. Rachel K. Bosveld, 19, of
Oshkosh, Wis., who was killed Oct. 26 in a mortar attack.
<blockquote>
Tuesday, Oct. 14
Mom,
I'm doing fine, Mom. Yes, I did get into a sort of accident, if that's what you call it. We were hit by
an IED (improvised explosive device) or RPG (rocket-propelled grenade), which set our truck on
fire because it struck the battery and fuel line. My neck and shoulder were pretty banged up for
about two weeks. My shoulder popped (dislocated) and I jammed my neck as well. I lost my
hearing in my left ear for a few weeks. My hearing in general isn't good at all anymore. I've been
through my share of explosives. I'm sending pictures home to be developed of my truck (or
what's left of it). I took a few of me with the truck, so you could all see that I'm O.K.
It's still pretty warm during the day, but gets very chilly at night. Could you try and find one of my
hooded sweatshirts to send to me? Right now I'm soaking my feet. My feet take a beating in
these boots. My feet are all cut up and sore. . . . Feels soooooo good now, anyway. I guess I
haven't been taking as good care of myself this month. We have a physical training test I'm
getting ready for. This month and last we haven't gotten much time to do P.T. So I work, sleep,
work, P.T., work — oh, and eat. Well Mom, my 20-minute soak is up. Take care. I love you. Don't
worry so much about me, Mom, my intuition has already saved a few lives here and my own as
well.
Monday, Oct. 20
I'm doing great this week. Sure, I've dodged lots of bullets and such, gotten little to no sleep and
eaten nasty food, but I am doing great. I got to drive a tank! I got a tour, learned how to operate
everything, load everything, and I got to DRIVE IT! I was tooth from ear to ear! I'm getting a
Purple Heart for the accident, along with eight other people in my platoon. . . . Someone is always
getting injured here. There have been no fatalities so far in my company, though, just lots of
injuries. So, how are you? Eighteen days till my birthday! I can't wait! No one probably even
knows when it is over here. Well, bye for now, just wanted to let you know I'm O.K. and I miss
you. I love you, Rachel
</blockquote>
--------------------------------------------Excerpt of a letter from Army Pvt. Robert L. Frantz, 19, of San Antonio, who was killed June
17 when he was struck by a grenade. The letter was postmarked June 15.
<blockquote>
Dear Mom,
I got the first package, and the letter you sent me. Sorry if I haven't been writing so much. I pull
12-hour guard shifts from 7 at night till 7 in the morning, and then I go on patrols some time in
between those hours, and when I am not doing that I am usually sleeping.
Someone shot at us last night. I was getting ready to go to sleep and I hear a pop, pop, and then
the bullets ricocheted off the building right outside the window I was standing in front of. . . . It
kinda sucks, when all you can think about is there's someone out there trying to kill you or your
buddy next to you, and all you can do is hope you kill them first.
I got to stay the night in Saddam's wife's palace the first night I was
in Baghdad. That thing is huge. I want to see what his main palace looks like. . . . I took some
pictures, hopefully they'll come out. We've had random gunfire within a 100-meter radius all night,
every night, since I have been here. It kinda
scares you the first couple nights, but you tend to get used to it.
Well, Mom, I gotta go. Tell everyone I love them and miss them very
much.
Love always and forever, Robby
</blockquote>
----------------------------------------------Excerpt of a letter from Army Pfc. Jesse A. Givens, 34, of Springfield, Mo. Private Givens was
killed May 1 when his tank fell into the Euphrates River after the bank on which he was parked
gave way. This letter was written to be delivered to his family if he died.
Melissa is his wife, Dakota is his 6-year-old stepson and Bean is the
name he used for his son, Carson, who was born May 29.
<blockquote>
My family, I never thought that I would be writing a letter like this. I really don't know
where to start. I've been getting bad feelings, though and, well, if you are reading this. . . .
The happiest moments in my life all deal with my little family. I will always have with me the small
moments we all shared. The moments when you quit taking life so serious and smiled. The
sounds of a beautiful boy's laughter or the simple nudge of a baby unborn.
You will never know how complete you have made me. You saved me from loneliness and taught
me how to think beyond myself. You taught me how to live and to love. You opened my eyes to a
world I never dreamed existed.
Dakota . . . you taught me how to care until it hurts, you taught me
how to smile again. You taught me that life isn't so serious and sometimes you just have to play.
You have a big, beautiful heart. Through life you need to keep it open and follow it. Never be
afraid to be yourself. I will always be there in our park when you dream so we can play. I love
you, and hope someday you will understand why I didn't come home.
Please be proud of me. Bean, I never got to see you but I know in my heart you are beautiful. I
know you will be strong and big-hearted like your mom and brother. I will always have with me
the feel of the soft nudges on your mom's belly, and the joy I felt
when I found out you were on your way. I love
you, Bean.
Melissa, I have never been as blessed as the day I met you. You
are my angel, soulmate, wife, lover and best friend. I am sorry. I did not want to have to write this
letter. There
is so much more I need to say, so much more I need to share. A lifetime's worth. I married you for
a million lifetimes. That's how long I will be with you. Please keep my babies safe. Please find it in
your heart to forgive me for leaving you alone. . . . Teach our babies to live life to the fullest, tell
yourself to do
the same. I will always be there with you, Melissa. I will always want you, need you and love you,
in my heart, my mind and my soul. Do me a favor, after you tuck the children in. Give them hugs
and kisses from me. Go outside and look at the stars and count them. Don't forget to smile.
Love Always,
Your husband,
Jess
</blockquote>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-11-11 14:30:00
Subject: Boxers or Briefs?
We've always known that the best place to get information about a presidential candidate is on
"Rock the Vote" right?
Well, accoring to the Los Angeles Times, CNN planted question at debate, student says
<ul>NEW YORK -- CNN planted a question about computer preferences at last week's debate of
the Democratic presidential candidates at Faneuil Hall in Boston, according to the student who
posed the query and wrote about it yesterday in an online forum of the Brown (University) Daily
Herald. During the debate, cosponsored by the nonprofit Rock the Vote organization, Alexandra
Trustman asked the candidates whether they preferred the PC or Mac format for their computers.
Trustman wrote yesterday that she was called the morning of the debate and given the topic of
the question the CNN producers wanted her to ask. She wrote that she was "confused by the
question's relevance" and constructed what she thought was a "much more relevant" question.
But when she arrived in Boston for the debate, she wrote, she was "handed a note card" with the
question and told she couldn't ask her alternative "because it wasn't lighthearted enough and
they wanted to modulate the event with various types of questions."
CNN did not respond to repeated requests for comment.</ul>
This is discouraging...just when I thought all those relevant and intelligent questions were those
of the kids in the audience!
User Comments:
-----Yes, I just loved the Daily Show's take on it.
They continue to be just right on!
MaryAnn
-----Did you see The Daily Show talking about those 30 second spots that each of the candidates
did? And I loved how they described how each was dressed--the cool English teacher who
directs the school play, and the NARC! lol
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-11-12 23:18:00
Subject: You *can* teach an old dog new tricks
So last night, I used clippers and cut my sister's hair to 1/2 (or slightly less) inch length.
And today I learned to give my sister an injection in her stomach of Interferon (3Xweekly).
Two new career paths that I may be qualified for...hairdresser to chemo patients or home health
"nurse" to chemo patients.
And tonight, I deal with it all in my "grief class" at church.
Only to come home and find two wonderful messages on my answer machine. One from
Joey/Jessie (Katie)and one from MaryAnn about the good news of Caroline's 9 month pediatric
visit and the games she plays.
To every thing, turn, turn, turn
There is a season, turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-11-13 21:25:00
Subject: Winter clothes
Now that the weather has turned cold again, and people have drug out the winter clothes and
actually donned them, it's interesting to note that when you live in a state like Texas, that has a
very short winter season, winter clothes last a long, long time.
I'm lucky if the clothes I wear in the summertime make it through a couple of years without
showing the wear and tear and stylish decline. But my winter clothes I can wear winter after
winter without showing much wear. After all, if we're lucky, we only really have a few days of
winter weather at most to snuggle into sweaters and coats. Because of this, these clothes just
last forever!
Unfortunately, the styles don't! I can find a sweater in my closet that has that horizontal stripe of
colors so prevalent in the 70s and early 80s. I can find the sweater dress that we loved to love in
the early 90s. And both look as good as new! How can I possibly find it within me to throw them
out?
And then there are the shoes...the boots I wore in winters of the late 80s.
Truly, I think you'll all agree that to find a styling dude in winter you need to visit New York or
Minnesota or our Canadian neighbors to the north. If you want to see stylish winter clothes, don't
mess with Texas. We just wear those clothes year after year and they never wear out...not with
our 2 or 3 days of winter each year.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-11-21 15:20:00
Subject: Koala "Bare"
I was having lunch with Derek today at our local El Fenix and we got a choice table by the
restrooms. I had a good view of the doors for both the men's and women's rooms and noticed
that there was a sign on the women's room door that read Koala Bear Kare® Baby Changing
Station available inside but there wasn't one posted on the men's room door.
I turned to Derek and with a smug attitude said, "why don't they have those baby changing
stations in mensrooms?" expecting him to say what we already know...that it's 'expected'
that women change their babies' diapers.
Instead he surprised me and said that, in fact, many men's rooms have those changing stations
(just not the one at this local establishment).
I smiled and was pleased.
You've come a long way baby!
User Comments:
-----Katie, I guess that's the true sign of a dedicated mother; the only break you get is when you are
in the bathroom!
Katieg http://www.journalscape.com/katieg/
-----So true. Sometimes in the past I have sent Jessie or Joey to the bathroom with Dan (so I can get
a break). Inevitably, they will walk back out and say it was too gross and I end up taking them
anyway!
-----Yeah, they are getting them more and more in Men's restrooms. That's a good sign!
Although, with the sanitary conditions that *most* Men's restrooms are in, I don't think a baby
should even come *close* to a men's restroom!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-11-23 22:38:00
Subject: Screenplay, courtesy of Google
I'm headed to DC this T-giving weekend and with a TiVo full of stuff, I had to empty the thing out
this weekend or I'd just lose out on all the upcoming's week's shows.
So I chose to take all the West Wings on there (all 13 of them) and transfer them to VHS format
(Derek is going to love it that he has 13 episodes to watch over the 4 day weekend upcoming).
Anyway, while I was recording them, I was 'working' on my computer and doing other things. But I
did catch enough of the tit-for-tat to know that what Derek said the other day was true. That at the
simple stroke of a search engine, any screenwriter can fill an hour episode with obscure facts and
minutiae...that while making shows interesting and the banter good between the cast members,
the shows are, in a way, 'ruined' by Google.
Oh yeah, it's really cool to think that a president, like Bartlett, can convert Fahrenheit to Celsius,
just like that, or know the percentage of (fill in the blank) on a moment's notice.
But really, does anyone these days really have all this information at their fingertips?
OK, I guess they do, but only if they have a keyboard handy, internet access and Google.
Otherwise, I rather doubt that it just pops out of their head while walking the halls of the West
Wing.
Still, it makes for a great show! And look out future Trivial Pursuit challengers...I may just take
you on!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-02 11:07:00
Subject: Christmas clothes
I have a dress that is "Christmassy" that my sister gave me a couple of years ago. It sits in the
back of my closet most of the year, but it gets heavy wearing from December 1st through the
New Year's holiday, which for this year lasts through January 4th!
I always like wearing this dress, and today, when I was kind of gloomy that my long T-giving
weekend had finally come to an end and I had to return to the grind at ClubCorp, I brightened
somewhat as I put it on...kind of like running into an old friend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-02 11:11:00
Subject: Bad Santa
Speaking of Christmas, does anyone other than me want to see this movie?
User Comments:
-----You tell me when your school stuff is over and done with and/or you have some free time.
Looking forward to it.
Matthew McKibben
-----So when are we going to go? ;-)
-matt
-----You can count me in. I'm not sure when I'll be able to make it down. Probably early next week
sometime. I'd be more than happy to see it.
matt out
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-04 08:34:00
Subject: I'll give you a topic...discuss
At my "Living with Loss" class last night, we were given this assignment:
<ul>It is no accident that the world's greatest and best loved poems are of love and death. Both
the highs and the lows of our emotional lives are felt passionately whenever we become
intimately connected or we lose what we most dearly love.
Write your own poem about loss. Do not concern yourself with rhyme or meter. The best poetry is
often eloquent prose.
The first line of your poem is:
Grief came knocking at my door one day...</ul>
Here's mine:
<ul>Grief came knocking at my door one day.
I didn't want to let it in, but it entered anyway.
It stayed long past its welcome.
It used up all my clean sheets and towels.
It ate all my food and drank all my wine.
It watched bad TV programs way into the night,
And listened to music so loud that I could not hear myself think.
When friends came to visit, they could not enter because my house was already full.</ul>
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----*working on mine--will be up soon hopefully*
-matt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-04 08:41:00
Subject: Nascar dads
It's the first I'd heard of them...first, at a rather long meeting and looking over the shoulder of a coworker who was trying to look like they were actually engrossed in note-taking but instead were
reading an article about them in the Dallas Morning News.
And then, when I was watching my daily dose of "The Daily Show" Jon Stewart filled me in on this
latest, hottest <a href="http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-nascar03.html"
target="blank">demographic.</a>
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----Shouldn't this be called "the mullet demographic?"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-07 09:20:00
Subject: Something to think about
and possibly <a href="http://action.truemajority.org/ctt.asp?u=46825&l=245" target="blank">act
</a> on.
User Comments:
-----Busted by <a href="http://www.journalscape.com/derekjames/2003-12-10-15:43" target="blank">
Derek</a>.
-----Don't be sorry Mike...you made some good points and I always appreciate passionate responses
to my postings! You're right to point out that the Pentagon budget is 100% federally funded. Good
point!
------
Sorry Jill,
I'm not with you on this one. Personally I think the Feds should keep their nose out of public
school altogether. That is a state and local issue. They could take those 7 cookies and give it
back to us to solve our own public school problems. Maybe then more people could afford
healthcare. Basically I think the Federal Government should provide national security and roads.
I personally have no problem with the Pentagon budget. Of course it will be larger than the other
catagories since it is 100% Federally funded. All of those other issues also receive State, Local,
and/or private funding. As for the terrorists only spending 1 cookie. Hell, their guys are eating
bugs and rats in the mountains! I think our guys deserve better than that. OK, I'm off my
soapbox.
Ted <[email protected]>
-----Hey, that's cool. As a former "oreo cookie and bologna sandwiches" guy, I related to the graphic.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-09 10:44:00
Subject: Bah humbug
I was in the elevator here at work yesterday with several women who spent the whole ride up to
the 8th floor (stopping on every floor on the way) complaining and moaning about all they had to
do lately. Comments like "I've finished shopping...now I have to wrap. I hate wrapping" and "I
spent the whole weekend decorating and now I'm exhausted and we haven't even finished the
tree yet" and "I'm not ever putting up lights on my house again...it just put me in a bad mood".
I just kinda 'sat' back and smiled as I am really loving this season. 'Course you wouldn't know it
by the way I've (not) decorated my house or shopped til I drop.
Basically, I've become an observer of all the December holidays and that's given me a good
vantage point to really enjoy all of it!
User Comments:
-----Sounds like you have the right attitude for how to enjoy the season.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-10 16:03:00
Subject: What HTML color are you?
<center><table bgcolor="#9400D3" border=1 width="100%"><tr><td><center><big>you are darkviolet</big>
#9400D3</center></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><center>
Your dominant hues are blue and magenta. You're the one who goes to all the parties but doesn't
quite fit in at every one... you know what you want, but are afraid of what the world might think of
it. You're a little different and that's okay with them, and if you're smart it's okay with you too.
Your saturation level is very high - you are all about getting things done. The world may think you
work too hard but you have a lot to show for it, and it keeps you going. You shouldn't be afraid to
lead people, because if you're doing it, it'll be done right.
Your outlook on life is brighter than most people's. You like the idea of influencing things for the
better and find hope in situations where others might give up. You're not exactly a bouncy
sunshine but things in your world generally look up.
</center></td></tr><tr><td><center><a href="http://spacefem.com/colorquiz">the
spacefem.com html color quiz</a></center></td></tr></table></center>
P.S.-Thanks to Anya for this!
User Comments:
-----I don't know what's more scary; that mom did this quiz or that she referenced Anya's journal. ;-)
matt
-----So you finally did one of those ridiculous online quiz things.
If blogging is "nutrition", then online quizes are the junk food.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-13 14:42:00
Subject: Getting stuff done
It's amazing how productive one can be when they spend a whole day at home. I've had a very
busy fall, and haven't had many of those, but today, I'm here and it's nice to have a chance to regroup.
Just call me "productive Jill"! :-)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2003-12-14 12:37:00
Subject: Bring him to justice
I must say that I was very glad when I woke up this morning to find that they had captured
Saddam Hussein.
I hope now that he will be brought to trial for all of the hundreds of thousands of people that he or
his regime murdered.
It's a good day to see that justice can prevail.
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----It's extremely rare that a leader such as Saddam can actually be found alive and brought to
justice. You think of all the tyrants of the world and how many have actually been brought to
justice, the only one I can think of is Milosevic.
Let the media circus begin. You know people like Michael Jackson and Kobe Bryant have to be
thanking their lucky stars that the media spotlight keeps geting shifted from their trial.
What a strange year it's been.
-----I just hope that it really does.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-15 15:21:00
Subject: Pet Santa
I had to run into Petsmart yesterday to get a few things for my animal friends and I was greeted at
the door by 'Santa'. He looked pretty good and authentic and I thought it was a neat gimmick to
have him at the front of the store greeting people, Walmart style.
Little did I know that his employers had more in store for him than greeting people. In fact, he was
there for people to have their pets pictures taken with Santa.
Now, I love my four legged friends as much as the next person, but c'mon, people....does this
strike anyone else besides me as just a little bit absurd?
Or maybe that's why they call him Santa Claws. ;-)
User Comments:
-----Yeah, Jamie and I saw a Santa at a Petsmart here. Pretty crazy, but a good way to make
money.
The Santa we had was in drag. It was a female Santa, though I am guessing that the with the
Polaroid pictures no one would be able to tell.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-16 23:59:00
Subject: My heart sings...
...when I see pictures (or better yet, the real thing) of my daughters with their children. It doesn't
get any better than that!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-18 08:23:00
Subject: Let Saddam Live
From the Washington Post today...my thoughts entirely. Now before you think I don't think
he should be punished, that's not the case. After due process, lock him up and throw away the
key. But let's set the example here. Of course, I agree with Cohen...probably that's not going to
happen.
<ul>Let Saddam Live
By Richard Cohen
Thursday, December 18, 2003; Page A35
This column may be the most futile of my long career. I am about to plead for Saddam Hussein's
life. I do so not because I have the slightest doubt that he is a killer, responsible for taking the
lives of many thousands, but because sparing his life would send a message to the world that
judicial death -- so often abused -- is no longer acceptable.
Such a day will come, no doubt about it. The death penalty is already illegal in most of Europe,
and renunciation of it is required for admission to the European Union. Many other countries keep
the death penalty on their books but have not had an execution in so long that the prospect of
one is remote.
This, of course, is not the case in the United States. Here, the death penalty not only remains on
the books but executions are common. Along with such pariah nations as Sudan, the United
States still executes children (under 18) and the mentally feeble -- and, inevitably, the innocent.
President Bush has already endorsed the death penalty for Hussein. "I think he ought to get the
ultimate penalty," he told ABC's Diane Sawyer. But Bush, a primitive in such matters, was
somehow not the first to call for Hussein's death. That honor may belong to Joe Lieberman, who,
in the manner of John Ashcroft with the Washington snipers, said the United States ought to shop
for a jurisdiction that permits the death penalty. For some reason -- probably an oversight -- he
did not suggest Virginia or Texas.
Instead Lieberman merely ruled out the International Criminal Court in The Hague, because it is
not empowered to impose the death penalty. The court is now trying the former Serbian leader
Slobodan Milosevic -- and has already convicted others from the wars in the former Yugoslavia -but it sorely lacks a gallows, and for that matter a torture chamber.
"So my first question about where he's going to be tried will be answered by whether the tribunal
can execute him," Lieberman said in response to a question from Tim Russert on "Meet The
Press." Calling Hussein evil, the Connecticut senator said, "This man . . . has to face the death
penalty."
Probably most of the Democratic presidential candidates agree. In the United States the right of
the government to take life is almost universally accepted -- if not applauded. In Europe there is
no such consensus. That's because in the past century, much of the continent suffered under
fascist or communist governments that routinely murdered their own citizens, often "legally." It's
true, of course, that these governments also jailed and tortured people without killing them, but
only death is irrevocable. Life in prison is a lifetime of punishment.
In many ways Iraq was the equivalent of a European totalitarian country. Call it Baathist if you
will, but Iraq under Saddam Hussein was essentially fascist, with the death penalty meted out
willy-nilly, sometimes for serious crimes, sometimes for trivial infractions such as possession of a
cell phone. The Iraqis no doubt expect to treat Hussein as he treated them. It would be
marvelous if they were disappointed. We can do better than an eye for an eye. We can establish
the principle of limited government that should be so dear to American conservatives such as
Bush: Among the things government should not do is take a life.
Except for the principle, I don't care about Saddam Hussein's life. I care about him the same way
I care about your more prosaic murderer -- not at all. But the principle is important. The death
penalty vindicates the killer's mentality: Life can be taken. When a California killer named Hung
Thanh Mai, who had murdered a cop at a routine traffic stop, faced the jury during the penalty
phase of his trial, he said he was prepared to die.
"Personally, I believe in an eye for an eye," he said. "I believe in two eyes for an eye. If you take
down one of my fellows, I'd do everything to take down two of yours."
President Bush, Joe Lieberman and much of America will probably have it their way. Saddam
Hussein will be tried -- probably in Iraq -- found guilty and executed. In his reptilian brain, he will
understand. He would have done the same thing himself.</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-18 16:15:00
Subject: What's right with this picture?
Derek, Darrell and I had lunch today at Cantina Laredo (one of my favorite Mexican restaurants)
at Preston Royal.
Sitting next to us was a table with 3 guys, enjoying Tex/Mex and (obviously) each other's
company, laughing and joking with each other and conversing all through the meal.
One guy was Asian, one was Caucasian, and one was Black.
Upon seeing this (and it really happens everyday, doesn't it?) I just felt good about the melting
pot that is the United States of America.
Oh, of course, I know that we still have racist people around, but I think there's more tolerance
than we notice sometimes.
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----make that two
:)
-----Mmmm... Cantina Laredo.... Mouth salivating.....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-18 16:20:00
Subject: Chirac has it wrong this time
I woke up to the sounds of C-Span's Washington Journal host's rustling of the morning
papers.
Today, she was reading an article from the NYTimes about Jacques Chirac wanting to
pass a law against the wearing of scarves (Muslim), scullcaps (Jews), and 'large' crosses
(Christians) in public schools.
Derek <a href="http://www.journalscape.com/derekjames/2003-12-18-09:07" target="blank">
posted</a> about it and I totally agree with his position (except for the part where he says,
"Let's be clear: I don't like religion...haven't for a long time.") On this point, he's entitled to
his opinion, but I think it's based on a few bad 'fundamentalist' apples instead of the vast majority
of people who get hope, strength and happiness and a bunch more positive things from their
religious faith.
But he's right on with this:
<ul>But I believe very strongly in the principles of freedom of religion and the separation of
church and state.
I strongly believe the government itself should be secular. It should not play favorites with regard
to religion, and it should not engage in religious practices as an institution (that means no
reference to god on our money, no ten commandments statues in our courthouses, no oaths on
bibles before giving testimony, no religiously-based Federal holidays).
However, the government has a very large stake in protecting the rights of citizens and groups to
freely practice their beliefs. That means if I want to go out and pray aloud in a park, or preach on
a street corner, or put a giant Star of David on my front lawn, the government has an abiding duty
to protect my ability to do so.
<center>...</center>
You can't, and shouldn't even try, to impose secularism on individual citizens. You should strive
to ensure that the institution itself does not sponsor any religious activity (e.g. leading prayers),
but the government should go out of its way not to interfere with an individual's religious freedom,
unless it has a very strong, overriding need to do so.</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-21 23:43:00
Subject: They got it right this time
I'm pleased with this...
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/cover_thumb.jpg">
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-22 00:33:00
Subject: Sweet Darkness
-by David Whyte
When your eyes are tired
the world is tired also.
When your vision has gone
no part of the world can find you.
Time to go into the dark
where the night has eyes
to recognize its own.
There you can be sure
you are not beyond love.
The dark will be your womb
tonight.
The night will give you a horizon
further than you can see.
You must learn one thing,
The world was made to be free in.
Give up all the other worlds
except the one to which you belong.
Sometimes it takes darkness and
the sweet confinement of your
aloneness to learn
anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive
is too small for you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-23 15:36:00
Subject: Pardon me
New York pardons late Lenny Bruce
American comedian Lenny Bruce has been granted a posthumous pardon by the state of New
York 40 years after he was convicted in an obscenity case.
Bruce was charged after a performance in 1964 during which he was said to have used more
than 100 obscene words.
He was convicted after a six-month trial. But he died of a drugs overdose in 1966 before serving
any time.
State governor George Pataki said the pardon represented New York's commitment to freedom
of speech.
User Comments:
Joseph Haines <[email protected]> http://www.journalscape.com
-----Ah, political opportunism. You know, it really chaps me to no end that some friggin' politician will
take a martyr to their cause that, were they still alive, said politician wouldn't go near.
Sigh.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-27 11:09:00
Subject: Fear
Yes, in the deep dark midnight, it creeps in...and what to do.
Anne Lamott relays the short vignette of the little girl who cried every time she tried to fall asleep
in the dark. Her mother would tell her, "Don't be afraid. God is there in the dark with you." at
which time the little girl says, "But I need someone with skin on."
Don't we all?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-27 12:54:00
Subject: Blame Canada
Sheesh...here we go again...
<ul>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Agriculture Department said on Saturday it believes the
dairy cow infected with mad cow disease was imported to the United States from Canada in
2001. </ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-27 12:57:00
Subject: Plastics
From the 1967 movie The Graduate
Walter Brooke (Mr. McGuire): I just wanna say one word to you. Just one word.
Dustin Hoffman (Ben Braddock): Yes, sir.
Walter Brooke (Mr. McGuire): Are you listening?
Dustin Hoffman (Ben): Yes, I am.
Walter Brooke (Mr. McGuire): "Plastics."
From December 27, 2003 Reuters -
<ul>
U.S. retailers kicked off their annual after-Christmas blitz on Friday, hoping that shoppers would
rush in to spend their plastic gift cards in time to salvage a disappointing holiday season.</ul>
User Comments:
-----Hmm..."The Graduate." Now that's a good movie. Every young person should watch that movie. It
should be required viewing in high school. ;-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-29 22:44:00
Subject: Well, so that is that
by W.H. Auden
<ul>Well, so that is that. Now we must dismantle the tree,
Putting the decorations back into their cardboard boxes Some have got broken - and carrying them up to the attic.
The holly and the mistletoe must be taken down and burnt,
And the children got ready for school. There are enough
Leftovers to do, warmed up, for the rest of the week Not that we have much appetite, having drunk such a lot,
Stayed up so late, attempted - quite unsuccessfully To love all of our relatives, and in general
Grossly overestimated our powers. Once again
As in previous years we have seen the actual Vision and failed
To do more than entertain it as an agreeable
Possibility, once again we have sent Him away,
Begging though to remain His disobedient servant,
The promising child who cannot keep His word for long.
</ul>
User Comments:
MaryAnn
-----I've always loved this snippet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-30 14:22:00
Subject: What's Better?
Thanks to my friend <a href="http://www.journalscape.com/derekjames/" target="blank">Derek
</a>, he guided me to this <a href="http://www.whatsbetter.com" target="blank">site</a>, a great
time waster for the almost last day of 2003!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2003-12-30 15:11:00
Subject: PowerPoint is Evil
Ran across an article today on CNN.com that referenced this <a
href="http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.09/ppt2.html" target="blank">article</a> in the
November issue of Wired.
And this article reference the <a href="http://www.norvig.com/Gettysburg/index.htm"
target="blank">Gettysburg Address PowerPoint</a>...funny if you haven't seen it before, and
also a good lead in for <a href="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/Jill's Predictions for 2004.pps">
my predictions</a> for 2004.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-01-01 00:53:00
Subject: Happy Google 2004
I just love Google. Not only is it the very best search engine ever, it just makes me smile to see
how they dress up their logo according to special days on the calendar.
Here's the one for today!
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/newyear04.gif">
User Comments:
-----Just kidding of course. I always like to look at the little logos they make. It's pretty clever indeed.
-----They just do that to brainwash you....
puppets....
-----By far the funniest thing that I've seen regarding the ol' 2004 was Comedy Central's parody of the
Y2K scare. They had this fake ad that said that the computers were going to go on the fritz and
think that it was 1904 instead of 2004. It was funny.
Google rules. :)
matt out
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-01-06 15:49:00
Subject: The natural order of things
During my recent stay in Virginia with Caroline (and her parents) I had the chance to give her a
daily ride in her stroller, due to the mild 'winter' weather there.
She really enjoyed the walks and I did too. The whole time I was pushing the stroller up and
down the hills of Springfield, I just kept thinking that strollers were just perfectly made for babies
and grandparents. For babies, they offer a comfortable way to see the sights before they are old
enough to walk and for grandparents, they are the perfect height to act as a walker.
Of course, I'm way too young for a walker (and hopefully will never have to use one) but if and
when I do, I'm just going to have to find a baby to stroll around....oh the vanity of it all!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-01-06 15:54:00
Subject: More room in coach
...just not at the gate.
I returned yesterday evening from Springfield on American Airlines. The flight was delayed in
leaving BWI Airport about an hour (weather problems, I think). So instead of arriving at DFW at
6:30 PM, I got there at 7:15 PM...not bad...I'd still have time to unpack, drink a glass of wine, and
cuddle with my pets before bed.
Well, no.
Seems that we sat on a remote part of the runway for almost an hour before there was a gate
cleared for us to park at.
Now I don't want to go off on a rant here, but how, with approximately 90 gates at DFW assigned
to American Airlines, is it possible that they couldn't find one for us?
Grrrrr....!
User Comments:
-----I hate when that happens. I would rather sit in the airport for 3 extra hours than sit on an airplane
for an extra hour. It has an almost clostorphobic (sp????) affect on me to be strapped to my seat
on an airplane that is sitting on the ground. It's strange because I am fine when I am in the air. I
think it is elevated by having to entertain two children for an extra hour while they are strapped to
a car seat.
That is not as annoying as when we were on our way back from the reunion and we had to wait
on the plane while the proper paparwork came through. At least there could legitimately be no
open gates, but there is NO reason why they should not have the paperwork there on time (esp
since we left late!).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-01-06 16:12:00
Subject: Does anyone else think this is really, really cool?
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/mars.jpeg">
This is the first color image of Mars taken by the panoramic camera on the Mars Exploration
Rover Spirit, released today.
User Comments:
Andreas Black <[email protected]>
-----Dude, Matt, we'll be neighbors. Yours is the flat, sandy patch to the <right.
Matthew McKibben
-----Maybe they have oil there.
-----Is that Mars or west Texas?
Matthew McKibben
-----Hey Andreas Black, quit squatting on my land. ;-)
I was AMAZED at that picture. It's very surreal to see a picture like that. It's almost like...another
planet.
Andreas Black <[email protected]> http://www.journalscape.com/andreas
-----Yup, it's very cool. If you look just below the horizon and slightly to the left, you can see where I
want my future house to be. :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-01-07 16:10:00
Subject: PropertyRoom.com
I've purchased only one item from Ebay...a keyboard for my Palm Pilot for 99 cents. It was brand
new and works great! When I purchased it, I wondered if it was 'hot' but rationalized that it was
probably just an older model (I always catch onto things a little late).
Anyway, I recently read an article about this <a href="http://www.stealitback.com/"
target="blank">site</a>. It is an online auction for items that end up in police property rooms.
Since I spent 6 1/2 years working in the Carrollton PD property room, I know all about what kind
of stuff ends up there, and believe me, I'm not interested. But I think it's a heck of an idea for
getting rid of all that stuff for people who are interested.
By the way, I accessed the site by typing in "propertyrooom.com" but that URL is forwarded to
"stealitback.com"...good one! ;-)
User Comments:
matt <[email protected]>
-----i too have been on www.propertyroom.com and the deals are incredible! the stealitback logo is
defn catchy as well...
Mamala <[email protected]> http://www.jillsusan.com
-----I'd say both.
But then again, it put things in perspective to see people coming in claiming what they thought
was the most valuable stuff in their life and for me to realize that I wouldn't want those items
under any circumstances.
-----Were you not interested because of the items or the circumstances of why they were there?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-01-11 21:29:00
Subject: From ...
<a href="http://www.journalscape.com/pleaselobotomy/2004-01-08-17:30" target="blank">a blog
</a>
But this is me....
If I were a...?
-If I were a month I would be: October
-If I were a day of the week I would be: Saturday
-If I were a time of day I would be:9 PM
-If I were a planet I would be: the earth
-If I were a direction I would be: West
-If I were a liquid I would be: wine
-If I were a tree, I would be: oak
-If I were a flower, I would be: sunflower
-If I were a kind of weather, I would be: Sunny & clear
-If I were a musical instrument, I would be: violin
-If I were an emotion, I would be: in love
-If I were a vegetable, I would be: acorn squash
-If I were a sound, I would be: blues guitar
-If I were a car,I would be: volkswagon
-If I were a song, I would be: Imagine
-If I were a food, I would be: Valomilks
-If I were a place, I would be: NYC
-If I were a material, I would be: velvet
-If I were a scent, I would be: Beautiful
-If I were a subject in school, I would be: debate
-If I were a cartoon character, I would be: Lisa from the Simpsons
-If I were a shape, I would be: Square
-If I were a number, I would be: 4
Finish the sentence...?
-I am: dazed & confused
-I want: world peace
-I have: too much to do
-I wish: my sister did not have cancer
-I hate: fundamentalism
-I miss: seeing my kids and grandkids on a regular basis
-I fear: dying alone
-I hear: you
-I search: Google
-I wonder: why bad things happen to good people
-I love: MKMLJJC, jlm
-I ache: when people don't get along
-I always: want more
-I am not: Republican
-I dance: when I hear rock music
-I sing: happy birthday when everyone else does
-I cry: when I'm not expecting to
-I am always: ready to hear someone out
-I write: when I want to remember something
-I win: I don't care about winning
-I lose: a thought almost daily
-I confuse: myself when I'm going someplace in Irving or Arlington
-I need: a hug daily
-I should: I don't should on myself
Yes or no...?
-keep a diary: a blog, is that close enough?
-like to cook: no, burned myself out in the 70s
-have a secret you have not shared with anyone:no
-set your watch a few minutes ahead: no, who am I trying to kid?
-bite your fingernails: no, but I bite my cuticles
-take a shower everyday: no, I love baths
-have a(any) crush(es): no, not now
-think/know you've been in love: of course, definitely!
-want to get married: been there, done that
-have any tattoos?: no, but I'm open to it
-have any piercings?: yes, just the boring ear thing
-get motion sickness: yes, on rides at amusement parks, but I'm cool on a plane
-think you're a health freak: no, but I'm inspired by my son-in-law Robert
-get along with your parents: yes, I overlook alot
-like thunderstorms: no, they're scary here in North Texas
Who is...?
-the weirdest person you know: no one I know is weirder than me
-the loudest person you know: James Hetfield
-the sexiest person you know: jlm
-your close friends: barbara, priscilla, jlm
-the person that knows the most about you: jlm
-your crush: dark eyed bad boys
-most boring teacher: Ms. Kneif
What is...?
-your most overused phrase on IM: "ILY"
-the last image/thought you go to sleep with: A New Yorker cartoon
User Comments:
-----If I were a...?
-If I were a month I would be:
-If I were a day of the week I would be:
-If I were a time of day I would be:
-If I were a planet I would be:
-If I were a direction I would be:
-If I were a liquid I would be:
-If I were a tree, I would be:
-If I were a flower, I would be:
-If I were a kind of weather, I would be:
-If I were a musical instrument, I would be:
-If I were an emotion, I would be:
-If I were a vegetable, I would be:
-If I were a sound, I would be:
-If I were a car,I would be:
-If I were a song, I would be:
-If I were a food, I would be:
-If I were a place, I would be:
-If I were a material, I would be:
-If I were a scent, I would be:
-If I were a subject in school, I would be:
-If I were a cartoon character, I would be:
-If I were a shape, I would be:
-If I were a number, I would be:
Finish the sentence...?
-I am:
-I want:
-I have:
-I wish:
-I hate:
-I miss:
-I fear:
-I hear:
-I search:
-I wonder:
-I love:
-I ache:
-I always:
-I am not:
-I dance:
-I sing:
-I cry:
-I am always:
-I write:
-I win:
-I lose:
-I confuse:
-I need:
-I should:
Yes or no...?
-keep a diary:
-like to cook:
-have a secret you have not shared with anyone:
-set your watch a few minutes ahead:
-bite your fingernails:
-take a shower everyday:
-have a(any) crush(es):
-think/know you've been in love:
-want to get married:
-have any tattoos?:
-have any piercings?:
-get motion sickness:
-think you're a health freak:
-get along with your parents:
-like thunderstorms:
Who is...?
-the weirdest person you know:
-the loudest person you know:
-the sexiest person you know:
-your close friends:
-the person that knows the most about you:
-your crush:
-most boring teacher:
What is...?
-your most overused phrase on IM:
-the last image/thought you go to sleep with:
-----No, I got it from here...
http://www.journalscape.com/pleaselobotomy/2004-01-08-17:30
Take it...I'd love to read your answers!
Matthew McKibben
-----was this a survey or something or was it one of those on-line quizzes?
curious because i may want to take it too.
matt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-01-15 17:10:00
Subject: If I were an Iowan, I'd rather have the 100 bucks
Just heard on NPR, that by the time Iowans go to the caucuses on Monday to vote for one of 9
(make that 8, now that CM Braun, has indeed decided that there still is a "men only" sign on the
White House and withdrawn from the race) Democratic candidates for President, that each Iowan
will have had $100 spent by the candidates running for each vote cast.
Sheesh...I'd rather have the dough! Or at the very least, wouldn't it have gone to better use if it'd
been given to some worthy charity somewhere.
Something's wrong here...
User Comments:
-----Amen to that!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-01-20 16:12:00
Subject: The agony of defeat...
Guess <a href="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/guess_who.mp3">who</a>? (audio file will play)
User Comments:
Jillsusan http://www.journalscape.com/jillsusan/
-----Wow...Mike guessed correctly in record time...it is, indeed, Blah Blah Blah! Good job, Mike!
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/dean.jpeg">
We're screwed it that's the best the Dems have to offer.
-----Blah Blah Blah
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-01-27 01:22:00
Subject: Paper due tomorrow (today)
Shades of school....
I had to be productive girl today at work, so I got there early (before 8) and started in right
away...worked through lunch & dinner...then brought it home and am just now finished.
I'm thinkin' I'll probably get over-ruled by my boss and the way she'd do the project, but oh well, I
put my best foot forward...
Eyes tired, mind wired, hope I don't get fired, in corporate stuff I am mired....
User Comments:
-----Sounds like a Bob Dylan song or something. 
You got that right....!
-----"Eyes tired, mind wired, hope I don't get fired, in corporate stuff I am mired...."
Sounds like a Bob Dylan song or something.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-01-27 23:45:00
Subject: I'm not voting for a Munster!
<table><tr><td><img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/munster.jpg"></td><td><img
src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/kerry.jpg"></td></tr>
User Comments:
ted
-----LOL! You are bad.
Now I'll not be able to see JFK(lite) without thinking of Herman Munster.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-01-28 10:45:00
Subject: Discouraging thought for the day
Just watched the Richard Perle interview on The Daily Show and learned that almost, if not all, of
the large law firms in DC represent at least one wealthy Saudi.
Why does this make my stomach churn?
Guess it's 'cause I've connected the dots and I don't like the picture they make.
But it does help clarify why our lawmakers have not really done much since 9/11 to deal with the
Saudi influence on Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups in the Middle East.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-01-29 13:36:00
Subject: My brother did me one better!
See my January 27th <a href="http://www.journalscape.com/jillsusan/2004-01-27-23:45"
target="blank">post</a> "I'm not voting for a munster".
Just got this via email from my bro'...
No, not Herman Munster, ...but Francis Muldoon, from "Car 54, Where Are You?"
<table>
<tr><td><img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/car54.gif"></td><td><img
src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/jfk-lite.jpg"></td></tr></table>
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----Your son can do you both one better if I can only find out how to post pictures. :-)
Maybe I can send a link or something.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-01-29 13:51:00
Subject: All Return Again
All Return Again
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
It is the secret of the world that all things subsist
and do not die, but only retire a little from sight
and afterwards return again. Nothing is dead; men
feign themselves dead, and endure mock funerals
and mournful obituaries, and there they stand looking
out of the window, sound and well, in some new strange
disguise. Jesus is not dead; he is very well alive;
nor John, nor Paul, nor Mahomet, nor Aristotle; at
times we believe we have seen them all, and could
easily tell the names under which they go.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-02-02 12:40:00
Subject: Moving into February....
Well, the long gray month of January is over and now one of my favorite months of the year is
here.
I love February. That may have something to do with my love of the number 4...after all, most
years, it has an even 4 weeks, and even when there's an extra day because of leap year like this
year, it's cool because it's like getting a bonus day. Kind of like the day in the fall when we get the
extra hour because of daylight savings time.
Time for a little poetry...
<ul>There comes a little space between the south
side of a boulder
and the snow that fills the woods around it.
Sun heats the stone, reveals
a crescent of bare ground: brown ferns,
and tufts of needles like red hair,
acorns, a patch of moss, bright green....
I sank with every step up to my knees,
throwing myself forward with a violence
of effort, greedy for unhappiness-until by accident I found the stone,
with its secret porch of heat and light,
where something small could luxuriate, then
turned back down my path, chastened and calm.</ul>
Depression in Winter, by Jane Kenyon.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-02-04 10:32:00
Subject: Internal Bleeding
While our law makers in Washington DC are busy campaigning, raising funds for their
campaigns, or trying to decide the fate of Justin and Janet, real issues are being ignored.
I watched C-span this morning and saw Robert Wachter, the author of his book Internal
Bleeding: The Truth Behind America's Terrifying Epidemic of Medical Mistakes describe how
the equivalent of a jumbo jet full of Americans die each day (that's almost 100,000 people a year
folks) due to a flawed hospital system. He explained that because of the fragmentation of care in
modern medicine, errors are often due to communication problems that arise during patient
"handoffs." He also pointed out that medicine lacks the kind of safeguards used in other high-tech
industries like the commercial airline business.
How come all we hear about healthcare in this country is how many American don't have it
(somewhere around 40 million at last count). With this scary stuff going on in hospitals, maybe
these people are better off than they realize.
Seriously, though, I would love to hear all of our elected officials raise questions (and
provide answers) to questions such as this, instead of the soundbites and talking points that they
feed to us on a regular basis.
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----See...that's why I don't go to the doctor. ;-)
j/k
That is pretty disturbing indeed. It really goes to show you how much a "safe image front" the
medical industry puts up, if something so glaring isn't coming to out to the forefront.
matt out
Jamie
-----I can't tell you how many times (I really leagally can't) I have been reviewing a medical file on one
of our kids and have found someone elses records shoved in the middle of their chart.
-----Plus I think it is an almost overwhelming issue. The problem is so huge, so expensive, with so
many competing interests, that I for one wouldn't no where to start.
-----It's like on one wants to touch the issue because they don't even want to get in to how deeply
flawed it is.
Pretty scary stuff.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-02-06 23:16:00
Subject: The Hours
Great movie! Really enjoyed it. Is there no role that Nicole Kidman can't play, or Meryl for that
matter?
And Ms. Moore, she's one heck of a 50s wife.
I was hesitant about this movie, thinking it would probably be too long and too depressing. But I
found it neither of the two.
What a good way to spend a Friday night!
User Comments:
-----Oh yes! A good movie all around. I really liked "The Hours" too! Any movie with Meryl Streep, Ed
Harris, Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman, and John C. Reilly is good by default.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-02-06 23:33:00
Subject: Red books and blue books
From <a href="http://www.andrewsullivan.com" target="blank">Andrew Sullivan</a>
<ul>A <a href =
http://www.marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2004/02/red_books_and_b.html target =
_blank>fascinating graphic</a> of how hermetically sealed we are becoming one from another.
We don't even read the same books any more, depending on our blue-red identity. I agree ... that
there's nothing wrong with a divided country. It can be fun! But a divided country where both
sides don't even talk to one another? That's a little more worrying.
Valdis Krebs uses data from Amazon to draw a network <a
href="http://www.orgnet.com/divided.html">map of books related to current politics</a>. Two
books are linked if they were bought together. Like other maps this one shows the red and the
blue. Notice how few books link the clusters. Click on the image to expand.
</ul>
<a href="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/divided2004.gif"><img alt="divided2004.gif"
src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/divided2004-thumb.gif" width="450" height="300"
border="0" /></a>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-02-07 22:13:00
Subject: The Fog of War
Snuck off today and met Derek at the Inwood to see this movie. 85 year old Robert Strange (no
really, that's his middle name) McNamara spends about an hour and a half recalling events and
his part in WW2, the Cuban missile crisis, and of course, Vietnam.
It's a fascinating study and well done by Erroll Morris.
I think in today's time, this is a relevant film for everyone to see. In fact, I think it should be
required viewing by every voting American!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-02-07 22:22:00
Subject: I don't care what you think!
but maybe you do...
PollingReport.com
This site gathers many of the major polls—NBC, CBS, CNN, AP, and more—in one
handy place for your perusal. Who should win in 2004? How concerned are we about mad cow
disease? It's all here.
<a href="http://start.earthlink.net/track?id=1026003&url=http://www.pollingreport.com/">Go there
now</a>!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-02-10 09:30:00
Subject: Let him win
Since when do politicians need to 'let' someone else win. Perot should have dropped out of the
race so Bush 1 could win a second term. Nader should have dropped out so Gore could win.
Now, they're calling for Dean to drop out so Kerry has smooth sailing to the Democratic
nomination (although I think they should be just as concerned with Clark and Edwards, but that's
just me).
Wouldn't it be nice if we had candidates for president that could win on their own merits instead of
the only one left at the end of the day?
I swear, the more I know, the more I'm getting disenfranchised about the whole political process
in this country.
User Comments:
Jill
-----From my brother...
"You(r) latest weblog entry:
I think you may have meant disenchanted rather than disenfranchised, no?"
Yes, I stand corrected.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-02-11 09:37:00
Subject: What have you done for me lately?
Well, with Clark dropping out of the presidential race on the Democratic side and it's looking more
and more like John Kerry will be the nominee to face Bush (although I'm still very much in the
Edwards camp), there is one issue that I just don't want to hear any more about.
It's the subject of military service.
Yes, we all know Kerry was a war hero in Vietnam.
And yes, we all know that Bush (as well as Kerry) was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and
had his Dad pull strings to get him into the Guard to keep him safe from Vietnamese jungles and
the Viet Cong (hey, I would have pulled every string possible if either one of my 2 sons were
faced with having to fight in that fog of war).
But that was 30 + years ago. I'm not the same person I was then and I doubt either one of these
2 guys is either.
So I hope that the national debate on these 2 candidates focuses on today's issues and today's
problems and today's vision of how each of them will solve those problems. As Kerry himself said
during the 1992 controversy over Bill Clinton's efforts to evade the draft: "We do not need to
divide America over who served and how."
There simply are too many dangers facing this country abroad - and too many fundamental
disagreements between the candidates on how best to meet them - to be focusing an inordinate
amount of attention on who did what 30 years ago.
User Comments:
-----I don't have a problem with people going against popular sentiment and doing what (they feel)
is right but tell me how he came to his decisions about both Gulf Wars? If anything, the first
one was alot more justified (even the French and the Germans thought so) than the second one,
and he voted against the first and for the second.
I just don't get it.
Matthew McKibben
-----I couldn't disagree more. I think if anything his stances on these war issues shows his ability to
stand up for what he believes in. Is it wishy washy? Or is it him going against popular sentiment
and doing what he feels is right? I don't know. But I lean towards the latter.
-----Re: your last paragraph...
And it's because of this that I don't support John Kerry. He fought in a war, then protested the war
that he fought in, did not vote for a war that most of the free world supported when a nation
invaded another nation (Gulf War I), and then supported a war that was pre-emptive (Gulf War II).
He's squishy beyond belief and I don't trust him.
Matthew McKibben
-----I somewhat agree and disagree with your post. I think that there are definitely more important
issues to deal with at the moment.
But this issue over service runs deep and is like an onion. The more you peel, the more it stinks.
If for nothing else, this issue is a bellwether of sorts in that it shows a trend of just how much
information the Bush Administration has distorted over the past 3 years. The Bush Administration
has shown a complete lack of cojones in admitting when it was wrong. When the shit hits the fan,
the Bush Administrations points more fingers than a traffic guard directing traffic. And I feel that if
Bush would just hone up to the fact that he skipped duty in Alabama, this stuff would just go
away. But what's become the issue now is that he's refusing and refusing and refusing to either
address the issue head on, as well as dodge around the issue with the skill of a parapallegic
pantomime. This issue is just one of many that the Bush Administration has shown a complete
lack of "honing up" to the facts.
And when you add that on top of the fact that sending troops to war is the gravest of situations a
president can face, I think that it's very important to look at the Commander's previous military
experience. It's no surprise that a lot of the people opposed to this war, both left and right, were
former service members who fought in everywhere from Guadalcanal to Panama City. And I think
it's because they know what it's like to hold your buddies hand while he bleeds to death in some
rice patty. And it angers them beyond belief that a president who would willfully skip out on
service during a time when our country was at it's most divided, would have the gall to send
American service men and women into harm's way.
just my two cents
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-02-12 22:13:00
Subject: Caroline's first birthday
What a joy to come to DC today and be with Caroline (and her parents) for her first birthday. She
had a little party with her daycare buddies at Sonia's (cupcakes, balloons, and 'dancing') and then
her dad made wonderful soup and chocolate cake with one candle on it and she was all eyes as
we sang 'Happy Birthday' to her (along with some church friends of MA's) and then she opened
presents. But mostly, she just showed us how good she can walk across the room, and ride her
'airplane', and give us that great big toothy grin.
She's a doll! and I'm so glad she came to us one year ago.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-02-13 17:27:00
Subject: I was there....
...for Caroline's first taste of Peeps...the Valentine heart-shaped ones that are vanilla creme
flavored....needless to say, she loved them! We have more in common than our middle names!
I'll post the picture as soon as I get it developed. Yeah, I know...I'm so 20th century.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-02-14 09:00:00
Subject: We're not number 1...kinda
From the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/14/national/14EXEC.html?th" target=blank>
New York Times</a> today,
<ul>Texas, generally considered the leading death penalty state, actually sentences a smaller
percentage of people convicted of murder to death than the national average, according to a new
study. It found that the conventional view failed to take into account the large number of murders
in Texas.
As a percentage of murders, Nevada and Oklahoma impose the most death sentences, at 6 and
5.1 percent. In Texas, the percentage is 2 percent. The rate in Virginia, another state noted for its
commitment to capital punishment, is 1.3 percent. The national average is 2.5 percent; the
median is 2 percent.
"Texas's reputation as a death-prone state should rest on its many murders and on its willingness
to execute death-sentenced inmates," wrote the authors of the study, published in a new
publication, the Journal of Empirical Legal Studies. "It should not rest on the false belief that
Texas has a high rate of sentencing convicted murderers to death."</ul>
And as it pertains to race,
<ul>Using the same analysis, the study concluded that blacks are actually underrepresented on
the nation's death row. Blacks commit 51.5 percent of all murders nationally but constitute about
42 percent of death row inmates, the study found.</ul>
Finally, we just had to be number one at something, but we weren't...
<ul>Texas had about 38,000 murders from 1976 to 1998 in which people older than 16 were
arrested, according to the study, which relied on F.B.I. data. Only California had more, about
50,000. The number of murders in Texas, more than anything else, explains the 776 death
sentences that were issued during roughly the same period, the study concluded.</ul>
Ok, here's where we excel...
<ul>Prisoners on death row in Texas are more likely to be executed than in many other states.
As of this week, Texas has executed 319 people since 1976. California, by contrast, sentenced
795 people to death from 1976 through 2002 and has executed only 10.</ul>
I still stand firmly against the death penalty. But I say that we should have lifetime sentences for
murderers, and by lifetime, I mean lifetime.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-02-14 19:41:00
Subject: Joy and Sorrow
<ul>Then a woman said, "Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow."
And he answered:
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that hold your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given
you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping
for that which has been your delight.
Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater."
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is
asleep upon your bed.
Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your
sorrow rise or fall.</ul>
-Kahlil Gibran, in “The Prophet”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-02-15 23:28:00
Subject: Fuzzy Kerry
Since I'm in DC this weekend, and since MA & Robert subscribe to the Sunday Washington Post,
I had the privilege of reading their editorial pages.
This pretty much expressed my thoughts (and apprehensions) about John Kerry...
<ul>Time for Clarity
JOHN KERRY has become the favorite for the Democratic presidential nomination without a
detailed or clarifying debate on many issues. This has happened in part because the leading
Democratic candidates had relatively few differences on foreign or domestic policy; in part
because their multi-candidate forums allowed little time for in-depth discussion; and in part
because most have chosen to avoid direct attacks on each other since the primaries began last
month. Most of the rhetoric has been directed at President Bush, and exit polls show that many
voters have been more interested in which candidate has a better chance of unseating the
incumbent than in where he might take the country. Mr. Kerry has surged to the forefront in part
because of his biography and in part because he avoided the political misjudgments and verbal
gaffes that caused voters to reject onetime front-runner Howard Dean. Now, with the nomination
seemingly within his reach, the Massachusetts senator must begin to more fully explain where he
stands on the major challenges facing the country.
That task is particularly important for Mr. Kerry because of his fuzziness on issues ranging from
Iraq to gay marriage. Some of the blur is caused by a record of political activity stretching back
more than 30 years, including 19 in the Senate; in such circumstances it's not hard for opposition
researchers to unearth contradictions. But even a more independent assessment of Mr. Kerry
can lead to puzzlement. He says he opposes gay marriage, yet voted against the federal
Defense of Marriage act. He voted for the North American Free Trade agreement yet now talks in
protectionist terms, promising he will provide American workers "a fair playing field" while
accusing Mr. Bush of "selling them out." Would a President Kerry seek additional free trade
agreements in Latin America and elsewhere? What's his position on whether his own state
should adopt a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage? So far, the answers aren't clear.
The most important confusion surrounds Mr. Kerry's position on Iraq. In 1991 he voted against
the first Persian Gulf War, saying more support was needed from Americans for a war that he
believed would prove costly. In 1998, when President Clinton was considering military steps
against Iraq, he strenuously argued for action, with or without allies. Four years later he voted for
a resolution authorizing invasion but criticized Mr. Bush for not recruiting allies. Last fall he voted
against funding for Iraqi reconstruction, but argued that the United States must support the
establishment of a democratic government.
Mr. Kerry's attempts to weave a thread connecting and justifying all these positions are
unconvincing. He would do better to offer a more honest accounting. His estimation of the cost of
expelling Iraq from Kuwait in 1991 was simply wrong; and if President Bush was mistaken to
think in 2003 that there was an urgent need to stop Saddam Hussein from stockpiling weapons of
mass destruction, Mr. Kerry made the same error in 1998.
More important, Mr. Kerry should clarify what he believes should be the objectives of the U.S.
mission in Iraq going forward -- and what military and aid commitments he is prepared to make.
In his last substantive speech on the subject, in December, the candidate called for replacing the
U.S. occupation authority with a United Nations mission and recruiting NATO and other allied
troops "so that we get the targets off the back of our soldiers." But there is no prospect of a U.N.
administration; its envoys are instead negotiating the terms under which an Iraqi government will
succeed the U.S. authority. The Bush administration has meanwhile invited NATO to share
responsibility in Iraq, only to receive a cool response from Germany and France. Mr. Kerry spoke
of "completing the tasks of security and democracy" in Iraq. But he hasn't yet offered a realistic
plan for how he would do it or committed himself to the likely cost in American troop deployments
and dollars. If he is to offer a credible alternative to Mr. Bush, he must explain how he would
manage the real and dangerous challenges the United States now faces in Iraq -- without the
fuzzing.</ul>
And then George Will piled on, but I can't say that I find fallacy in his screed....
<ul>The 1st 28 Questions For Kerry
In the more than 250 days until Nov. 2, John Kerry can answer questions that linger despite, or
because of, all he has said so far. Such as:
Other than denoting your disapproval, what does the adjective mean in the phrase "special
interest"? Is the National Education Association a special interest? The AFL-CIO?
You abhor "special tax giveaways for the privileged and special interests." When supporting
billions in ethanol subsidies, mostly for agribusinesses, did you think about corn-growing, caucusholding Iowa?
Is the National Rifle Association a "special interest"? Is "special" a synonym for "conservative"?
When you denounce "lobbyists" do you include those for Planned Parenthood and the Sierra
Club? Is "liberal lobbyist" an oxymoron?
All the Americans affected by laws you pass -- that is, all Americans -- refuse to pipe down and
mind their own business so that you can mind their business for them. Often they hire lobbyists to
exercise their First Amendment right to "petition the government for a redress of grievances." Can
you despise lobbyists without disparaging that right?
You say the rich do not pay enough taxes. In 1979 the top 1 percent of earners paid 19.75
percent of income taxes. Today they pay 36.3 percent. How much is enough?
You say the federal government is not spending enough on education. President Bush has
increased education spending 48 percent. How much is enough?
In January 1991, after Iraq extinguished Kuwait's sovereignty, you opposed responding with force
rather than economic sanctions. Have such sanctions ever undone such aggression?
On Jan. 11, 1991, you said that going to war was abandoning "the theory of deterrence." Was it
not a tad late to deter Iraqi aggression?
The next day you said, "I do not believe our nation is prepared for war." How did unpreparedness
subsequently manifest itself?
On Jan. 22, 1991, responding to a constituent opposed to the Persian Gulf War, you wrote "I
share your concerns" and would have given sanctions more time. Nine days later, responding to
a voter who favored the war, you wrote, "I have strongly and unequivocally supported President
Bush's response to the crisis." Did you have a third position?
You say the Bush administration questions "the patriotism" of its critics. You say that as president
you will "appoint a U.S. trade representative who is an American patriot." You mean the current
representative, Robert Zoellick, is not a patriot?
You strongly praise former Treasury secretary Bob Rubin, who strongly supports NAFTA and free
trade. Have you changed your mind about him or about free trade (as you have changed your
mind about the No Child Left Behind Act, the 2002 war resolution, the Patriot Act, etc.)?
You oppose immediate termination of U.S. involvement in Iraq, and you opposed the $87 billion
to pay for involvement. Come again?
In 1994, the year after the first attack on the World Trade Center, you voted to cut $1 billion from
counterterrorism activities. In 1995 you proposed a $1.5 billion cut in intelligence funding. Are you
now glad that both proposals were defeated?
You favor civil unions but not same-sex marriage. What is the difference? What consequences of
gay marriage worry you? Your state's highest court says marriage is "an evolving paradigm." Do
you agree? You say you agree with what Dick Cheney said in 2000: States should have a right to
"come to different conclusions" about same-sex marriage. Why, then, were you one of only 14
senators who opposed the Defense of Marriage Act, which protects that right? Massachusetts
opponents of the same-sex ruling are moving for a referendum to amend the state constitution to
define marriage as between a man and a woman. How will you vote?
You favor full disclosure of political spending. Organized labor is fighting new regulations
requiring full disclosure to union members of the political uses of their mandatory union dues. As
president, would you rescind these regulations?
Praising McCain-Feingold restrictions on political contributions, you said: "This bill reduces the
power of the checkbook, and I will therefore support it." In December you saved your sagging
campaign by writing it a $6.4 million check. Why is your checkbook's unfettered freedom
wholesome?
You deny that restricting campaign contributions restricts speech. How much of the $6.4 million
did you spend on speech -- in the form of broadcast messages?
Billionaire George Soros says he will spend whatever is necessary to defeat President Bush. As
one who believes -- well, who says -- there is "too much money" in politics, are you appalled?
There are 28 more questions where these 28 came from.</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-02-15 23:49:00
Subject: V-day movie
What would Freud say?
I was here in DC, alone (except for sweet Caroline sleeping soundly upstairs) and chose to watch
the movie "Unfaithful" on Valentine's Day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-02-20 16:19:00
Subject: Nader's running
Looks like Nader's in the race for the presidency in 2004. This time, he says he won't run as a
Green Party candidate because that party won't nominate a candidate until June, and he says
that's too late in the process to be effective.
Nader told CNN, "If I do run, it will be as an independent. One out of every three Americans calls
themselves independent. We want to give them the kind of candidacy, if I announce it, that will
resonate there."
A formal announcement by Nader is expected this weekend.
"He's felt there is a role for an independent candidate to play," Linda Schade, a spokeswoman for
Nader's presidential exploratory committee.
Some are wondering what effect, if any, Nader's entry into the race will have on the other
candidates, particularly as Kerry and Edwards both try to attract independent voters. Nader's
2000 presidential run is blamed by many Democrats for tilting a close election in favor of George
W. Bush.
"I don't think it will have a tremendous amount of effect," Edwards told reporters Friday. "I think if
we have a candidate across the ticket that's appealing to independents, appealing to the kind of
people that might be attracted to a Nader campaign, then we'll be fine. And I think I am exactly
that kind of candidate."
Exactly! That's why I like Edwards.
User Comments:
-----I think that his campaign will be a slightly more profiled version of his 1996 Presidential bid, as
opposed to his very high profiled 2000 Presidential campaign.
I don't think he's going to have the funds, the wide grass roots support, the energy, the backing of
a political party, or enough broad appeal to really make a dent one way or another.
I think that this is a different ballgame than 2000. I think that the Democrats are stronger this year
than in 2000. I think that both Kerry and Edwards are really strong candidates, and HOPE that
they join forces on the same ticket.
my two
MaryAnn
-----I like this spin from Salon:
Benjamin says Nader will not run the same campaign he did in 2000, when he stressed the
similarities between Democrats and Republicans, a move that still rankles many on the left. "He'll
talk about how bad the Bush administration is and he'll add to the anti-Bush sentiment," she says.
"It could be a win-win. Ralph gets his message out, he makes the Democrat look like the
moderate, he beats up on Bush, and he's strategic about where he campaigns by staying away
from the swing states."
Matthew McKibben
-----Oh you like Edwards because he's hot. ;-)
j/k
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-02-23 22:22:00
Subject: More than a slippery slope, to him
So I tuned into Rush today to hear his take on what's happening in the world (I do this
periodically, just to keep what I listen to 'fair and balanced') and he's talking about the issue
Russert raised with Schwarzenegger yesterday about the idea of running for president since he's
been a citizen of the US for more than 20 years, even though he wasn't born here (which
currently disqualifies him from running or serving).
Rush is against them changing the qualifications and dramatically said, "If they change the rules,
then Osama bin Laden could be president of the US"....well, no! but I'm thinking that alot of his
listeners found this argument pretty powerful!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-02-23 22:35:00
Subject: Love the one you're with
I just don't get it....
According to <a href="http://www.andrewsullivan.com" target="blank">Andrew Sullivan's weblog
</a>
<ul>GORE DID IT: The former vice-president's un-Midas touch is now given even more credence
by Joe Trippi, in the New York Times Magazine:
If you were to give one reason for the campaign's collapse, what would it be?
TRIPPI: You have a party that's tried to make every rule that it can to stop an insurgent. But at
the same time -- it's not Al Gore's endorsement -- what I'm saying is, him endorsing us was a
good thing. But at the same time, the unintended consequence of it was that the second Al Gore
endorsed Howard Dean, alarms went off in newsrooms and at every other campaign
headquarters. At the campaign headquarters, they all had meetings and said, ''We've got to stop
Howard Dean right this second.'' That's what the Al Gore endorsement meant. It meant, We've
got to kill this guy or he's going to be the nominee.
C'mon, Joe. Stop being so nice. Gore killed off Dean. Some big Democrat should get Al to
endorse Nader - soon.</ul>
Is this the same Al Gore that won the popular vote in 2000 and had the presidency stolen from
him by the Supreme Court and Katherine Harris? Now, he's responsible for killing a candidacy
just by endorsing it?
Now I'm all over "So if you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with" but the
Democrats take this to a whole new level!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-02-23 22:46:00
Subject: A simple question
Jesus said nothing about homosexuality. But he was adamant about the impermissibility of <a
href = http://www.beliefnet.com/story/140/story_14050_1.html target = _blank>divorce</a>. How
can the Protestant right ignore his direct teachings on one and yet demand Constitutional action
against the other? On their own Biblically inerrant terms? Can someone clue me in here?
User Comments:
MaryAnn
-----I don't know; it's a mystery to me.
However, I just had a conversation with a guy who was talking about the three sins of abortion,
divorce, and homosexuality. Which I actually appreciate in a way because at least it is consistent
(not trying to make an exception for divorce for the sake of pleasing the culture). Kinda like
people who are pro-life in the sense of against abortion AND the death penalty. I think there's
something to admire in that.
Matthew
-----Katie, Dan, Mary Ann...
we're looking in your direction
:-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-02-24 14:33:00
Subject: The Electoral College
I'm one of the minority, I'm sure, that would like to see the Electoral College go away. Living in
Texas as I do, and knowing that Bush will overwhelmingly carry the Lone Star State in the 2004
election, I feel pretty much like my vote won't count, no matter who I vote for.
Thanks to my brother for sending me this <a href="http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/People/jab/elect/"
target="blank">map</a> that is skewed to show a representation of the contiguous 48 + 2 sized
by the number of electoral votes. It's fun to play with anyway. I actually mapped out a strategy
that would put Nader the winner. ;-)
User Comments:
Matthew McKibben
-----Make that three!
:-)
-----Well consider me part of your minority!
The Electoral College is pretty ridiculous if you ask me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-02-25 01:39:00
Subject: Is it kind, is it true, is it necessary
If we all used this criteria (is it kind, is it true, is it necessary) before we spoke, we'd all be alot
better off, don't ya' think?
User Comments:
-----I first heard it at AA. Most of the stuff that really carries me through my days is either from AA,
poetry, or UU wisdom text.
Matthew McKibben
-----I agree! Where'd you get that from? Did you think it up? I like it a lot. :-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-03-01 13:54:00
Subject: Civil Marriage is a Civil Right
UUA president William G. Sinkford was in town yesterday and spoke at my church prior to the
ordination of the area's newest UU pastor, Anthony David of Pathways Church in mid-cities. I
agree with this statement that he recently issued in response to the proposed constitutional
amendment regarding gay marriage:
<ul>Amending the United States constitution to deny same-gender couples the rights and
responsibilities of marriage would be to enshrine discrimination into the document that provides
the foundation for our democracy. While the constitution has been amended in the past, it has
never been altered with the express intent to deny equal protection to an entire class of citizens,
and now is no time to start. Instead, successive generations of Americans have found new ways
to honor the spirit of the constitution by extending its promise to an ever-widening circle of
American citizens. The document that granted freedom and full citizenship to African Americans
and gave women the right to vote must not be used as a weapon with which to attack the families
of our country's gay and lesbian citizens.</ul>
<center><img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/180ad_civil_rights.gif"></center>
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Amen to that!
:-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-03-02 21:14:00
Subject: Ick
So it looks like Kerry's the candidate....
I'm blue, and I don't mean like one of the 'blue states'....
Edwards has withdrawn from the race...
Dean is out....
Kucinich doesn't have a chance....
and so on and so on....
Guess I'm voting for Nader for sure now.
User Comments:
-----Make that two of us...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-03-03 08:18:00
Subject: Stuff I don't need
How relevant is a calendar on the wall that when, on March 1st, I go to change it to the new
month and end up changing it not from February to March, but from January to March?
User Comments:
-----Calendars... who use caldendars anymore? Isn't that what PDA's are for!!
-----I've certainly been there.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-03-03 16:12:00
Subject: Make that a double
Just read a <a href="http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=
4491549" target="blank">story</a> from Reuters that Dietary Folate May Lower Ovarian Cancer
Risk.
<ul>The results of a study conducted in Sweden indicate that high levels of folate obtained from
food sources may protect against ovarian cancer. The benefits were found to be primarily among
women who consumed at least two drinks of alcohol per week.
Previous reports have shown that dietary levels of folate, a B vitamin also known as folic acid, are
inversely related to the risk of breast and colorectal cancer. In contrast, few studies have looked
at the association between folate intake and ovarian cancer risk.
<center>...</center>
Overall, women with the highest level of folate in their diet (at least 204 micrograms/day) were 33
percent less likely to develop ovarian cancer than those with the lowest levels (less than 155
micrograms/day).
Among women who consumed more than about two drinks per day, the risk reduction seen with
high folate intake was much higher -74 percent. In contrast, high folate intake provided no
protection against ovarian cancer in women who consumed lesser amounts of alcohol, the
investigators point out.</ul>
User Comments:
Jill
-----As an addendum to this blog, I went online to research what foods have folic acid. Looks like I
won't ever go on the Atkins Diet....
Folic acid, or folate, a B vitamin, is in bread, pasta, rice, flour and cereals. Some cereals contain
100 percent of the total daily value. A daily multivitamin is also an option, according to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Foods naturally high in folate include fruits and
orange juice from concentrate, green leafy vegetables and dried beans and legumes.
Folic acid has no known toxic level; even if you were to eat a bowl of fully fortified cereal, take a
supplement, eat fortified foods and foods rich in folate, women of reproductive age would not
have a problem, according to the CDC.
It also may have other benefits. High levels of homocysteine, an amino acid, are associated with
an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Folic acid lowers homocysteine levels, although it
is not known whether it also lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke, the CDC says. It also
may play a role in protecting against cervical, colon and possibly breast cancers, according to the
March of Dimes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-03-04 17:19:00
Subject: Spring in North Texas
Although it's not officially Spring yet, we just had our first taste of 2004's afternoon spring
showers. There was a tornado warning in Denton County (that's just great....Matthew find a safe
place under a mattress in a bathtub NOW!...) and I'm pounding away on the computer and hoping
to god that a bolt of lightning doesn't strike the building, and then proceed to the cable that lets
my computer talk to other CCorp computers and doesn't, in the end, electrocute my whole body,
starting with one finger at a time as it hits each key on my keyboard.
Seriously, I am always kind of sad to see winter fade away each year. I like the colder weather
that we get here from November through February, and I sleep so well when I can snuggle down
under the covers of my fluffy down-filled duvet. Last night, to accomplish this, I had to turn on the
ceiling fan and soon I'll have to get out the oscillating fan and have it hold steady on me.
In a month or two, I'll have both fans going all the time and pointing towards me. I'll still be hot
and will climb out of the sheet that provided some security and lay with arms and legs
outstretched, hoping that I can elevate myself off the bed just enough to completely surround my
limbs with hot, fanned air, that may, possibly, make me a little cooler.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-03-07 21:17:00
Subject: I want a life credit
So Rev. Kanter talks about a 35 year old friend of his family this morning in church that
committed suicide on Thursday this week....
...I want a credit for this life that was taken by its owner and give it to the people I wish were still
here...my father...the father of my children...JFK, Jr....any child that is preceded in death before
their parents....Senator Paul Wellstone....[fill in the blanks]....etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-03-09 00:12:00
Subject: Whereas....
Whereas the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights are sacred documents
intended to ensure that all Americans have equal rights and equal protections under the law, and
Whereas the US Constitution should not be used to limit the rights of any group of Americans,
We the people of (Precinct ______, or Senatorial District _______) do hereby call upon our
Congressional Representatives and Senators to vote against the proposed U.S. Constitutional
Amendment that defines marriage and limits the rights of gay and lesbian families.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-03-09 00:34:00
Subject: Bush 1
So I fly into Austin this morning (what a great day to be alive and in Austin Texas!) and participate
in facilitation of Leadership 101 Training for my company with 30 or so supervisors (Executive
Chefs, Golf Pros, Club Managers, etc.)
One of our exercises, scheduled for late in the afternoon, is a communication exercise involving
the construction of about 30 paper airplanes. After construction, I take the class outside to test fly
and see who wins.
Just as the 30 or so mostly men arrive on the patio, a representative of the resort that we're
staying in comes up to me and says "the secret service aren't thrilled about the activity
here"....huh?
Upon further examination and questioning (I just have to question), I find that President Bush (the
father) is here to speak with the Dell meeting attendees and the place is covered with dark
glasses, dark suits with earphones.
We fly our planes, give Lottery Tickets to the winner, and a round of golf is played by the
presidential father, and for a fleeting moment, I feel like a small part of history as an actual
president is walking where I walk.
User Comments:
-----Mamala wrote:
"For the record, I would have stood up and applauded, out of respect, if nothing else, for the
office of the presidency and the service of the man who occupied it."
I respect your point of view, however, I don't think that just because someone is the President
that they deserve any respect. Especially a President like King George the first and especially
the second.
For me it is better to respect a person than a position or "role".
-----For the record, I would have stood up and applauded, out of respect, if nothing else, for the office
of the presidency and the service of the man who occupied it.
-----haha...i had forgotten about that. i remember one time we went and saw Ronald Reagan speak
somewhere about "enterprise" or something. All I remember is that we were young, and we were
bored. Why did we go in the first place?
And Jamie's post is hilarious. Of all the places to see someone, in the bathroom at the
Cheesecake Factory would have to be THE single funniest place to see someone like that.
jamie
-----I saw Barbara Bush in the bathroom at The Cheesecake Factory in the Galleria.
-----Culture of fear.
I remember going to an Astros game with Matt and Dad. We had good seats, right behind the
season tickets people behind home plate.
King George the First and his wife "Barb" showed up and everyone stood up to cheer. The three
of us stayed in our seats.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-03-12 22:09:00
Subject: See MaDear, I told you
I was walking to the park today with Joey and Jessie. Jessie was actually riding her bike and
remained about 20 yeards ahead of Joey and I. One of the reasons for this is that Joey was
"mowing" as he made his way to the park...he was pushing his play lawnmower.
As Jessie yelled "hurry up", Joey and I, lagging behind looked ahead. Joey saw a telephone pole
about 5 yards ahead and said it was in his way. I assessed the road ahead and told Joey there
was plenty of room to go around the pole and stay off the street and on a steady course to catch
up with Jessie.
I decided to position myself about halfway between the two of them. Within moments, I heard a
little bump and turned around to see that Joey had run his lawn mower into the pole, at which
point he said, "See MaDear, I told you [I would run into this]".
I just had to chuckle and say to myself that children can be so adult-like at times.
How many times have I, in my life, known that obstacles were in my path, but also knew that I
had plenty of options of paths around them, only to take the very path that headed straight toward
the very thing standing in my path that would stop me cold.
Ex-husbands, ex-boyfriends, ex-supervisors, ex-etc., etc.....I'm looking in your direction.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----i always like hearing about how my nieces and nephews are developing their personalities. i think
it's cute. they're like miniature little adults.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-03-13 23:31:00
Subject: The Pundit on the Desktop
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/13/opinion/13MORT.html?th" target="blank">This</a>
was clever....
<ul>Ars Magna, the software program that always answers in anagrams, has been giving some
thought to the presidential election. When we say senator, for instance, it replies treason; and if
we ask it about tax policies, it comes back with axe politics. Recently, we settled in for an
interview about the 2004 presidential race:
So, Ars, the next big political event will be the Democratic convention. What do you think the
party really wants?
To intervene; chad not comic.
How will the convention respond to the Massachusetts senator?
Chorus: Statesman! Asset!
Do you personally have an opinion about Senator John Kerry?
John? Ornery streak.
The Republicans are attacking Senator Kerry now for changing his mind about important issues.
He criticizes the administration's Iraq policy, yet just a year ago he voted to go to war in the Gulf
again.
Gather in awful gain.
As you may know, Senator Kerry has been called a Boston brahmin.
O, man! Birth snob!
What can his so-called Band of Brothers — Vietnam veterans — offer him?
Net verve, stamina.
Let's turn to the Republican National Convention. What might be its message to the country?
Continual privation can ennoble.
And what will President George W. Bush say to his party?
Whee! Progress in budget!
Do you agree?
Progress? Huge new debit!
The president once billed himself as a compassionate conservative. How do you interpret that
now?
Conspire to save a vast income.
Mr. Bush assures us the economy will turn around soon, and Fed Chairman Greenspan —
Spending framer an ache!
It seems you don't like the chairman's proposal for Social Security and Medicare cuts.
Edit care? Scum!
Later in the year, we'll have the Bush-Kerry debates. What should we expect?
Test, hey? Bash, drub. Reek.
Do you think Ralph Nader should be allowed to take part in the presidential debates?
Despise alternate bid!
It appears the Republicans' big issue will be national security. What do you think of the Patriot
Act?
A pathetic tort.
As for the Democrats, they'll keep raising the Florida debacle of 2000. We've read that some
states will use the touchscreen voting machine. Do you worry that it might skew the outcome?
Oh, much concern! Investigate!</ul>
By MIKE MORTON and SABRA MORTON
Mike Morton is a software engineer. Sabra Morton is a writer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-03-16 17:32:00
Subject: Be your own Ralph Nader
Probable Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry will likely face a challenge on the left from
Ralph Nader soon, but 32 years ago, Kerry showered his possible electoral spoiler with praise in
a speech at the College.
Kerry implored Dartmouth students "to be their own Ralph Nader" in opposing the Vietnam War,
urging the audience to "break the cycle of non-involvement."
Kerry, who had recently served as president of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War, spoke on
Jan. 10, 1972 at the Top of the Hop, where he urged students and Americans who opposed the
Vietnam War to involve themselves in politics with greater zeal. Regarding Ralph Nader, Kerry
said that opponents of the war "must be public citizens in every aspect of our lives," as Kerry
apparently thought Nader did.
User Comments:
Luke
-----But if Nader takes his own advice he is in the wrong?
-----It's a good thing Kerry took his own advice. :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-03-17 11:16:00
Subject: Putting it in Context
I'm enjoying my free subscription to Time magazine (using those scraggler frequent flyer
miles from airlines like Delta and Northwest, that I hardly ever fly anymore).
They have an ongoing article called "Putting it in Context" where they take stuff that both Bush
and Kerry have said or advertised in the past couple of weeks and report on the validity of it.
Here's the <a href="http://www.time.com/time/election2004/article/0,18471,600909,00.html"
target="blank">latest</a>.
<ul>THE CHARGE: A President sets his agenda for America in the first 100 days. John Kerry's
plan: to pay for new government spending, raise taxes by at least $900 billion. --GEORGE W.
BUSH, in a campaign ad running in 18 states that attacks his opponent's tax plan
THE CONTEXT: A September 2003 study of the Democratic candidates' health-care proposals
put an $895 billion price tag on Kerry's 10-year plan, which would bring insurance to 26.7 million
people who don't have it now. The Bush campaign claims there is no way to pay for that
generous plan other than by raising taxes. But Kerry has never said he would raise taxes by $900
billion. He has advocated raising taxes on the wealthiest 2% of Americans — those who make
more than $200,000 a year — while giving middle-class earners tax cuts. Kerry's campaign says
it is still studying how his health-care plan would be paid for, and it will release details in the
coming weeks as analysts reconcile budget projections with Kerry's proposal.
THE CHARGE: [President Bush] thought that Americans wouldn't notice what's happening in our
country to the people who make up this country. Thought they wouldn't notice that every minute,
two jobs are lost. --JOHN KERRY, speaking to supporters last week in West Palm Beach, Fla.
THE CONTEXT: The statement would be fair if it were in the past tense, but it's not accurate
about what's happening in the present. Kerry first introduced this charge back in November, when
the nation had lost more than 3 million private-sector jobs since the start of the Bush presidency.
(The number has since dipped under 3 million.) The 1,500,000th minute of the Bush presidency
ticked by in December. Divide the jobs lost by the number of minutes and — presto!--two jobs a
minute. But hirings began overtaking firings last September, and the economy has been creating
jobs for a net increase since then of 364,000. So right now, the country is actually gaining jobs at
a rate of about 1.4 per minute.</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-03-20 21:08:00
Subject: All we are saying...
...is give peace a chance....
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/hand_world.gif">
User Comments:
Jill
-----It was a graphic associated with the RoadWomen email regarding the Peace March in Houston
this past weekend.
-----Wow...that's really neat looking. Where'd you find it?
Luke McKibben
-----That's kind of scary looking.
No really, it's cool though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-03-24 21:46:00
Subject: Spring has sprung
Just got back from my trip to North Carolina and was walking Jack and Marina. Spring is here
and people have their windows open...amazing the sounds you hear. A grandma that has
custody of her teenage granddaughter scream and yell at each other. A Hispanic couple on the
other side of the brick wall that separates my condo from the neighborhood of houses nearby are
yelling and screaming at each other. Dogs bark and planes are flying overhead. The freeway still
has traffic at 9 PM and it's a sound I almost miss.
And then I give my sister with cancer her Interferon injection and hold her in a hug as she's worn
out from the battle and crying and wanting desperately for one day of energy, feeling good, and
cancer in remission.
Welcome back, Jill....
User Comments:
Matthew
-----If I ever wonder where all of us youngens got our writing talent, all I need to do is look at both of
my parents.
I really liked what you just wrote. You have a talent at writing. :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-03-28 16:45:00
Subject: How the other half lives
I'm at <a href="http://www.thehomestead.com/" target="blank">The Homestead</a> since last
night about midnight and will be here until Wednesday evening. It's a historical place and has
some wonderfully tall ceilings, 250+ year old hardwood floors, and it doesn't hurt that the weather
is good with clear, sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 60s.
My room looks out over the roof of one of the dining rooms so it's not that great of a view, but I do
see part of a hill behind me...guess this is one of the rooms they give employees, but who's
complaining.
I spent most of the morning watching TV and working on my mediator websites. I hate that my
room doesn't have hi-speed internet, but oh well, dial-up keeps me humble. Trouble is, I'm
probably going to exceed my Earthlink charges this month and that will be costly, not to mention
that there is no local dial-up number so I'm paying long distance when I connect. Oh well...
Anyway, I ordered room service this morning for breakfast (the first time I have ever done that in
my 'short' lifetime) and that was fun...man, that coffee tasted tasty!!
User Comments:
-----Yeah, right...
I'm sitting in the hotel room, eating the Pringles from the mini-bar, and watching E's 2 hour
special about Brittney...live it up?
You betcha!
-----You gotta live it up mamala!
:)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-04-05 23:48:00
Subject: Apples don't fall very far from the tree
I'm having a great time spending time with my youngest granddaughter and my oldest child (and
her husband).
Caroline is so smart. She studies everything and doesn't blindly eat that green vegetable or
canned fruit or marvelous dish that her dad prepares, just because she should. If she doesn't
want it, she just purses her lips tightly together and that's that!
And then there is Robert, who, when I tell him I'm having trouble sending email, proceeds to give
me the fix and tell me why it needs to be fixed in the first place.
Of course, my daughter MaryAnn is smart to marry this guy (and I can't brag enough about her
excellent sermon on Sunday...one that even a Unitarian can grab onto) and all the other
wonderful things she does and the sensitivity she shows her good friend who's just had a
stressful birthing experience and knows just the right words to give to her....
And then there is Luke, who got a promo today
And Matthew whose writing skills are a joy to behold
And Katie, who walks her Mom through yet another email/website challenge....
Wow...am I blessed or what???
User Comments:
Matthew
-----you rule mom! you never fail to bring a smile to my face.
:-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-04-15 23:16:00
Subject: What do you think?
IN DEFENSE OF BUSH: Victor Davis Hanson makes <a
href = http://www.city-journal.org/html/14_2_the_fruits.html target = _blank>an argument</a>
about how the current president has reversed over two decades of appeasement of Middle East
terror. Money quote: <blockquote>George W. Bush, impervious to such self-deception, has, in a
mere two and a half years, reversed the perilous course of a quarter-century. Since September
11, he has removed the Taliban and Saddam Hussein, begun to challenge the Middle East
through support for consensual government, isolated Yasser Arafat, pressured the Europeans on
everything from anti-Semitism to their largesse to Hamas, removed American troops from Saudi
Arabia, shut down fascistic Islamic "charities," scattered al-Qaida, turned Pakistan from a de
facto foe to a scrutinized neutral, rounded up terrorists in the United States, pressured Libya,
Iran, and Pakistan to come clean on clandestine nuclear cheating, so far avoided another
September 11 — and promises that he is not nearly done yet.</blockquote>That record is far
more impressive when you consider what came before him. 
<A HREF="index.php?dish_inc=archives/2004_04_11_dish_archive.html#
108191780295369476">- 1:43:22 AM
User Comments:
-----Ted writes You and I have talked before about listening to people you don't agree with - I still
check in on Rush Limbaugh a couple of times a week to see if my long held views can stand
challenge. and this is just one of the many things I love and respect about you Ted.
I, too, try to keep up with different points of view and not just read the line that supports what I
already "know".
I regularly read Andrew Sullivan's <a href="http://www.andrewsullivan.com" target="blank">
weblog</a> and this made me think.
Luke
-----Uh, no...
Anyone who tries to boil something as complicated as terrorism as simple "evildoers" doesn't
deserve the credit that this author wants to give him.
What he has done is make the world less secure. He has reversed many strong alliances we
have had with other countries. Started two wars (one with a country not remotely responsible for
"911", a war for Oil). Not to mention the damage he is doing domestically with regard to a
constitutional ammendment against gay marraige, chipping away at women's rights, etc...
Unfortunately, the only part of the article I think is accurate is the last line:
"[he promises] that he is not nearly done". It's scary to think what more he has in store before he
is (hopefully) removed from Office in January 05!
matthew
-----oh crap...stupid journalscape.
i just posted a lot and it didn't work.
nevermind
:-(
Ted
-----What an interesting thing to read on your weblog - especially after several days off.
You and I have talked before about listening to people you don't agree with - I still check in on
Rush Limbaugh a couple of times a week to see if my long held views can stand challenge. I
don't know how your came across Hanson's writings, but I know after reading it I'll certainly be
thinking about it today.
Good find!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-04-17 15:44:00
Subject: GMail
Directly taken from my friend Derek's <a href="http://www.journalscape.com/derekjames"
target="blank"> blog</a>
<ul><a href="http://www.journalscape.com/kenny/" target="_blank">Kenny</a> recently hooked
me up with a trial account for <a href="https://gmail.google.com/" target="_blank">GMail</a>,
Google's new web-based mail service. And it's pretty damned cool. You get 1 freakin' 
gigabyte of storage space, and instead of filing messages, they all go in one big searchable
mail archive.
</ul>
If you want to be a beta user, go to Kenny's log and request an invitation. I think he's still handing
them out. That is, if you're not 'scared' about the privacy issues...for info about that, go to Derek's
blog.
User Comments:
ian <[email protected]>
-----hi,
how can i use gmail as well? are there any more invitations out there?
thanks
Luke
-----A little update. As I was signing into my blogger (owned by google) I got an invitation to join
gmail. So now I have an account too!
Luke
-----Yeah, this seems real awesome to me, and as soon as they open it up I am going to get one and
be done with it.
It's not like Yahoo! and Hotmail and email sites like that probably don't look in people's files
anyway. I consider anything online as not really personal or safe anyway.
And besides, I have always been more than satisfied with google and their services.
I wonder how long it is until Google starts web hosting. Seems natural for a search engine and
all.
Anyway, I think G-Mail is awesome, and can't wait to get an account.
-----I'm not sure about that, but it's really, really awesome!
matthew
-----hmmmm....i'm going to have to check that out. do they have e-mail list services?
-matt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-04-20 11:07:00
Subject: I wish you enough
So I got this email from someone I'm not even sure I know, but I liked the sentiment....
<ul>I Wish You Enough
Recently, I overheard a Mother and daughter in their last moments together at a regional airport.
They had announced her departure and standing near the security gate, they hugged and she
said, "I love you. I wish you enough."
They kissed and she left.
Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy,
but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be
forever?"
"Yes, I have," I replied. "Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?" I asked.
"I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is, the next
trip back will be for my funeral," she said.
"When you were saying good-bye I heard you say, "I wish you enough." May I ask what that
means?"
She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My
parents used to say it to everyone."
She paused for a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail,she smiled even
more. "When we said 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled
with just enough good things to sustain them," she continued. Then, turning toward me, she
shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye."
She then began to sob and walked away.</ul>
If you're reading this, I wish you enough.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-04-21 09:59:00
Subject: Verbatim
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/verbatim_bush2.jpg">
User Comments:
Luke
-----Yeah, he's special...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-04-22 09:59:00
Subject: You break it, you own it
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 20 (UPI) -- Pottery Barn of San Francisco says there is no such
rule in its stores that if "you break it, you own it," as cited in Bob Woodward's book, "Plan of
Attack."
Woodward attributed the remark to Secretary of State Colin Powell, who was warning President
Bush of the consequences of invading Iraq.
The real Pottery Barn, owned by Williams-Sonoma Inc. of San Francisco, said it is getting tired of
the nonexistent rule being quoted in the news, The St. Petersburg Times reported Tuesday.
"This is very, very far from a policy of ours," said Pottery Barn public relations director Leigh
Oshirak. "In the rare instance that something is broken in the store, it's written off as a loss."
Oshirak said some store managers have called her about the news reports. Pottery Barn has
more than 170 stores selling home furnishings.
"It's upsetting and absurd that that analogy has been put out there," Oshirak. "You'd think that
somewhere along the line they would have checked."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-04-25 21:28:00
Subject: March for Women's Lives
Can't be prouder of my two sons that they were there!
User Comments:
matt
-----it was such a great experience. hopefully there is never a need for another march, because
hopefully things will work out and reproductive rights will be secure for ages to come. but if there
ever is another need for a march like this, you are SOOOO there. :-)
matt
Luke
-----Wish you were there with us though...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-04-29 22:39:00
Subject: Can I just say....
...that today just sucked?
Well it did and it still does....
User Comments:
matthew
-----what's wrong mom? be expecting a call from me later.
-matt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-05-01 21:45:00
Subject: John Kerry Must Go
From the <a href= "http://www.villagevoice.com/print/issues/0417/mondo1.php" target="blank">
Village Voice</a>....
WASHINGTON, D.C.— With the air gushing out of John Kerry's balloon, it may be only a matter
of time until political insiders in Washington face the dread reality that the junior senator from
Massachusetts doesn't have what it takes to win and has got to go. As arrogant and out of it as
the Democratic political establishment is, even these pols know the party's got to have someone
to run against George Bush. They can't exactly expect the president to self-destruct into thin air.
With growing issues over his wealth (which makes fellow plutocrat Bush seem a charity case by
comparison), the miasma over his medals and ribbons (or ribbons and medals), his uninspiring
record in the Senate (yes war, no war), and wishy-washy efforts to mimic Bill Clinton's
triangulation gimmickry (the protractor factor), Kerry sinks day by day. The pros all know that the
candidate who starts each morning by having to explain himself is a goner.
What to do? Look for the Dem biggies, whoever they are these days, to sit down with the rich and
arrogant presumptive nominee and try to persuade him to take a hike. Then they can return to
business as usual—resurrecting John Edwards, who is still hanging around, or staging an open
convention in Boston, or both.
If things proceed as they are, the dim-bulb Dem leaders are going to be very sorry they screwed
Howard Dean.
User Comments:
Dickie_Cronkite <[email protected]> http://www.journalscape.com/Dickie_Cronkite/
-----My favorite part of that article is the very end:
Additional reporting: Alicia Ng and Phoebe St John
"Reporting"?? What the hell did they "report"?
Matthew
-----How can the press criticize Kerry's medal/ribbons issue without blinking an eye at George Bush's
lack of service in any substantial way?
How can they attack Kerry's being a rich person, yet not examine Bush in the same way? He DID
go to both Harvard and Yale. Although not as wealthy as Kerry, Bush's father was the CIA
director, Vice President, and President of the United States. So while not being as wealthy as
Kerry, Bush isn't exactly hurting in the political power department. And when it comes to trying to
look like a down to earth person, I'll take Kerry's panderings over Bush's, "I'm a Texan because I
wear blue jeans, boots, and eat BBQ."
And how can the press criticize Kerry's "wishy washy" stances and not look at Bush's record in
office with the same colored glasses?
THAT's why, the only media outlet that I trully thing is doing a credible job of calling both people
on their own crap is "The Daily Show." Because they take articles like the one you posted, and
flip it on it's ear and get Bush while they're at it. Why criticize the media for what they did to
Howard Dean, and not criticize it now for doing the same thing to John Kerry?
But they both suck I guess. So it's almost besides the point. I'm still voting Kerry though. I think
that sometimes, weak senators have become the strongest presidents. Don't forget that as a
senator, LBJ waffled on Civil Rights. JFK wasn't exactly the greatest senator or president, but it's
hard to deny that he had a strength in the presidency that few had, or else we wouldn't still be
talking about him 40 years after his death.
And what are they talking about him losing steam? He's still beating Bush in many polls. And if
the March for Women's Lives proved anything, it's that if there are enough people mad at Bush's
policies to gather 1 million strong in the nation's capital, then whoever is running against him has
as good a shot as anyone.
-----Have you seen the commercials that MTV is "sponsoring" on all the major networks? They are
designed to try to get young people to vote in the coming election..... "Choose or Lose" is their
slogan. As with most voting campaings, they are not promoting one candidate over the other
(though it is pretty obvious which side they are most likely rooting for). Anyway, their
commercials have changed in tone over the past few weeks. They now feature a young man
saying, "I don't like either candidate... I'm just going to choose the better of the two... but it's only
slightly better." I was wondering if this change in their advertising campaign was representative
of the current political sentiment.
Luke
-----Well, as long as people still have Nader to blame things on, I guess it doesn't matter how ill
equiped Kerry is to win.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2004-05-04 09:06:00
Subject: Curb your Enthusiasm
I just recently found this wonderfully, edgy, funny series. Yeah, I know...I'm always the last one to
the party.
I watched another funny episode last night.
I've been told that it's alot like Seinfeld (which I've never really watched either...I know, I'm the
only one in America that hasn't watched it) but truth be told, I've yet to watch a whole episode of
any of the reality shows either (I catch a little bit of some of them when I do the kitty litter/shot
routine at Sherry's)...yes, I'm a dinosaur!
Anyway, as soon as I complete the viewing of the remaining West Wings on my TiVo, I think I'll
grab some Seinfeld episodes and see if I enjoy them as much.
I can sure use some laughs these days!
User Comments:
Luke
-----Not many dinosaurs have TiVo.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-05-04 22:56:00
Subject: Get real
Conflict is everywhere and I got 'written up' and the dogs are barking and the cats need food and
dust bunnies are flying and jerky soldiers are treating the 'enemy' like dirt and I want a drink and
it's getting hotter by the day and Democrats hate Republicans and Republicans hate Democrats
and my bills are stacking up and my paycheck is too short and my sister just wants to have
enough platelets to be able to have her chemo tomorrow,
and so on and so on and so on....
User Comments:
Luke
-----Sounds like you had a rough day.
At least you will have a new job soon.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-05-07 22:58:00
Subject: Say it isn't so...
Gore TV Deal Is Stalled At The 11th Hour; Major Investor <a
href="http://www.observer.com/pages/frontpage5a.asp" target="blank">Pulls Out</a>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-05-11 20:48:00
Subject: Exxon Mobil says this...
So I'm watching the CEO of Exxon Mobil on Charlie Rose and he's saying "for every million
barrels of oil we moved on a tanker, we spilled 1 teaspoon."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-05-11 22:15:00
Subject: Ask Matthew
He's a genius!
When we spent the day together on Mother's Day, he mentioned a cure for hiccups...kind of a
pressure/acupuncture/Eastern religious type of thing...
Tonight I had the hiccups...tried it...and it worked!
Good info, Matthew!
User Comments:
Matthew
-----behind every good man, there's a better woman.
that's anya's trick. i'm just riding on her coat tails. :-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-05-13 22:07:00
Subject: From Andrew Sullivan...
WHY THE BIG MEDIA CONTINUE TO LOSE THEIR AUDIENCE: <a
href="http://boortz.com/nuze/index.html">Neal Boortz observes:</A><BLOCKQUOTE>
This morning in most of the newspapers I scanned during my preparation for the show the
top story was still the Iraqi prison abuse scandal. Nick Berg had already disappeared from many
front pages, but the prison abuse stories remain. May I suggest to you that there is a reason for
this? Maybe it's just this simple: The prison abuse scandal can damage Bush, the Nick Berg
story can only help him. Given the choice many editors will chose the stories that serve their
cause, getting Bush out of the White House, rather than one that hurts it.</blockquote>
Such cynicism about the media, these days. But he's right. The Berg video wasn't shown on
TV, and -- as Boortz notes -- the big media leaders seem almost desperate to keep the story on
Abu Ghraib, even to the point of running <a
href="http://www.instapundit.com/archives/015523.php">already discredited fake porn photos
</a> purporting to be from Iraq. (And issuing <a
href="http://www.instapundit.com/archives/015535.php">lame and incomplete pseudo-apologies
</a> when caught out.)
But on the Internet, where users set the agenda, not Big Media editors and producers, it's
different. As Jeff Quinton notes, <a href="http://www.jquinton.com/archives/001095.html">Nick
Berg is the story</a> that people care about:<blockquote>
Right now the 10 phrases most searched for are: 
nick berg video 
nick berg 
berg beheading 
beheading video 
nick berg beheading video 
nick berg beheading 
berg video 
berg beheading video 
"nick berg" 
video nick berg</blockquote>
Likewise, Rod Dreher of the Dallas Morning News reports that <a
href="http://www.nationalreview.com/thecorner/04_05_09_corner-archive.asp#031706">that's
what his readers care about:</a><blockquote>
 Our letters page today is filled with nothing but Berg-related letters, most of them demanding
that the DMN show more photos of the Berg execution. Not one of the 87 letters we received on
the topic yesterday called for these images not to be printed. My sense is that there's a big
backlash building against the media for flogging the Abu Ghraib photos, but being so delicate
with the Berg images. People sense that there's an agenda afoot here. As somebody, can't
remember who, wrote yesterday, "Why is it that the media can show over and over again pictures
that could make Arabs hate Americans, but refuse to show pictures that could make Americans
hate Arabs?"</blockquote>
These guys are marginalizing themselves with their agenda-driven coverage. And they're so
out of touch they don't realize it. As <a href="http://andrewsullivan.com/index.php?
dish_inc=archives/2004_05_09_dish_archive.html#108446293603964566">Andrew Sullivan</a>
notes:<blockquote>
My gut tells me that the Nick Berg video has had much more psychic impact in this country
than the Abu Ghraib horrors. I even notice some small evidence for this. Every political blog site
has just seen an exponential jump in traffic - far more than anything that occurred during the Abu
Ghraib unfolding. My traffic went through the roof yesterday, and, according to Alexa, so did
everyone else's. People who have tuned the war out suddenly tuned the war in. They get it. Will
the mainstream media?</blockquote>
My prediction: Nope, and they'll continue to lose audience to the Internet.
User Comments:
Lisa <[email protected]>
-----The media has been obviously right-biased, so to say that they have a liberal agenda is
ridiculous. For example, The Bushes are good friend with the Bin Ladens and helped them to
safely leave the country right after 9/11. If this had been Clinton, dontr you think he'd have been
immmediately impeached for ttreason? Hell, he was over a blow job.
But the issue is the beheading...and I think that showing it WON'T work to Bushes favor because
we CANNOT fight that way and it shows how we are now less safe than before as well as letting
the situation spiral out of control and last but not least..that we never should have gone over there
in the first place. We were after Osama...whom we have NOT caught yet. This war is about
money and power and the extremist know that and hate us even more for it. We should have just
let them continue to fight amongst themselves. I suggest you read articles about how we GAVE
Saddam weapons and chemicals in the 80's...hell Rumsfield was in on it! If you don't believe
me...it's fact, you can find it.
So we give a horrible leader weapons when we need him and then go to war for "democratic and
humanitarian" reasons when we no longer need him and it doesn't serve our interest. We gave
him the weapons he used on his people! Get educated...read!
Jill
------
Good point Ted, and one I argue with my co-worker about constantly. He said with the wealth of
media sources out there, to say that "the media" has an agenda is idiotic.
But my take-way from this whole blog are the last lines of it..."People who have tuned the war
out suddenly tuned the war in. They get it. Will the mainstream media? My prediction: Nope,
and they'll continue to lose audience to the Internet." which I think is the most hopeful
phrase of all. With media consolidating to a few conglomerates, the fact that we have this
glorious internet makes it more possible for freedom of thought (and speech) throughout the
whole world! And I say that's a great thing!!
Ted
------
Jill quoted:
>refuse to show pictures that could make Americans hate Arabs?
You know, sometimes I think we get the media we deserve. Imagine if they had shown the whole
video...then we'd hear a chorus of complaints about the graphic video being 'forced down our
throats'. What's an editor to do?
But let's give these people the argument for a moment - the media is anti-bush/anti-war. And they
(the media) decide to 'come around' and get with the program. They dedicate themselves to
becoming "the American Al-Jazeera". What would the Bush administration do with that support?
What have they wanted to do but didn't because they lacked popular support?
I'm sorry but to me this argument (the media have an agenda) rings hollow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-05-15 09:08:00
Subject: Proud as punch
...and just what does that expression mean?
Anyway, I'm a proud Mamala this morning after attending the RHEMA Bible Training Center
graduation last evening and watching Katie and Dan graduate.
Way to go!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-05-16 18:02:00
Subject: I can laugh about this now
So Sherry and I just got back from Tulsa where we had a really nice weekend. It's no secret that I
don't like to fly. Only the love of my grandchildren (and kiddos) make me do it willingly and
happily.
I get through the whole experience by sitting in an aisle seat and pretending I'm in a business
meeting with all the other folks on the plane. I pretend I have to get up at any moment, all
prepared and stuff, to talk about one issue or another.
So I dig deeply into a magazine article, or organize my daytimer, or listen to the tunes on my ipod
with gusto, and figuratively transplant myself into "another world"....it gets me through the night,
so to speak.
Anyway, today when we arrived at Love Field, we followed the pilot of our Southwest Airlines
plane away from the gate and he had a "bumper sticker" on his flight bag that said "I've used up
all of my sick days. Now I have to call in dead"...
This would be a clever bumper sticker if it belonged to little old me, that usually doesn't even
have a passenger in my car, much less 137 other people, like a SWA jet.
But I'm kinda surprised that this guy thought that may be funny for his passengers to see.
Maybe it's just dark pilot humor. When I was working with the crime scene guys at the police
department in Carrollton, you'd be surprised at what we all joked about!
So be it...I'm safe and sound on the ground.
User Comments:
Luke
-----Easiest way to get to New York is on a plane!
Glad you have a good time, and that you are back safe.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-05-20 17:27:00
Subject: It's a great day!
Grandkids (and kids), here I come!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-05-23 23:12:00
Subject: Another reason to vote for Nader
From the <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5045125/" target="blank">transcript</a> of 
Meet the Press today, comes this...
<ul>MR. RUSSERT: David Broder, we all thought we were going to go to Boston in the last week
of July for the nomination of John Kerry. And now a trial balloon has been floated by the
campaign of the Democratic candidate, saying, "Well, we'll probably have a Democratic rally
there and a great event, but he may not formally accept the nomination of his party," because he
can then delay having to receive public campaign funding until, say, Labor Day and continue to
raise a lot of other hard money, contributions which will allow him to compete with George Bush.
What's going on?
MR. BRODER: What's going on is money, money, money. I have to say that we used to blame
Republicans as being the party where money really drove everything. It's the Democrats that are
allowing money to drive everything. They moved up the primary campaign dates so that they
could have more time in the spring to raise money. Now, they want to move back the nomination
time so they can raise more money in the fall. It is ridiculous. They are destroying institution
after institution of political significance by this preoccupation with chasing money.
Ken Melman from the Bush campaign called yesterday and said, "If the networks go along with
this scheme and cover the four nights of the Democratic Convention as a political rally, which
does not produce a nomination, we will demand four nights of coverage of our rallies there." And
I said to him, "Why don't you just move your date back? You have the president defer his
accepting the nomination for another five weeks, and then you can go on raising money, and we'll
end up with two parties, neither of which has an official nominee, and Ralph Nader will be the
only candidate out there."</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-05-26 00:33:00
Subject: A Real Commencement Speech
From <a href="http://www.andrewsullivan.com" target="blank">Andrew Sullivan</a>, Jon Stewart
<a href = http://web.wm.edu/news/index.php?id=3650 target = _blank>nails it</a>.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-05-28 11:15:00
Subject: Where do you get liberal talk radio in Dallas?
I succumbed...
I've purchased a subscription to XM radio.
For less than 10 dollars a month, I'm listening to Al Franken and Jon Stewart right now, while I
type this and work (yeah, right) and earlier today I listened to C-Span and Brian Lamb interview
Tim Russert, and if I want I can switch to BBC World News, or listen to the WW2 veterans talking
about their experience at their Memorial Dedication in DC, or maybe tune into Nascar.
So far, I really, really like it and I can't think of a better way to spend 10 bucks! Well, maybe a nice
bottle of Merlot....
User Comments:
Matthew
-----i LOVE satellite radio. Both Sirius and XM are really good brands. If and when I get a new car,
satellite radio is how I'll go.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-05-28 13:45:00
Subject: The Greatest Generation Speaks
I'm looking forward to a long weekend, and hoping that during part of it, I'll keep in my memory
those who have come before me that sacrificed to allow me to live in the land of the free and the
home of the brave.
C-Span (both 1 & 2) is going to spend most of the next 3 days with the WW2 veterans and their
memorial dedication. Many are calling this weekend in DC the Greatest Generation's Woodstock.
I'm listening to one of the GG-ers right now telling about his experience in the Pacific front and
being a POW. It's fascinating and a story that is being lost, as 1000 of these guys are dying per
day.
I'm looking forward to spending more time with these guys this weekend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-06-02 10:23:00
Subject: Providence and North Texas storms
Can I just say that I'm glad my son Luke arrived safe and sound at Dallas Love field last night,
about an hour before <a
href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/060204dnmetstorms.
21e441f1e.html" target="_blank">one hell of a storm</a>?
User Comments:
Matthew
-----don't worry katie, you won't *actually* see a tornado until you buy that R.V. you've been talking
about. ;-)
-----DMN annoys me. I would have to sign up for an account to see the story you linked. I know it is
free, but I just don't like to fill out an online form with my personal information in order to read the
news.
I can probably top that news story though. Saturday night, for the first time in our 7+ years living
in Tulsa, we actually woke the kids up at 2:00 in the morning and stuffed into our bedroom closet
(along with our bike helmets, the comforter from our bed, our gym shoes, etc) due to the tornadic
weather coming down our street. Thankfully, we were safe, but it was a little nerve-racking.
Incidentally, Jessie is quite ready to move from tornado alley now!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-06-04 20:42:00
Subject: Get out the vote
From the latest <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101040607644175,00.html" target="blank">Time magazine</a>,
105 million -Number of votes cast in the 2000 presidential election out of
156 million registered voters
65 million -Number of callin votes recorded for the two finalists on
American Idol (some people voted twice)
Why do these numbers depress me?
User Comments:
-----Yes it is somewhat depressing, but the voting pool for American Idol is WAY larger than the
registered voting pool, since there are no requirements of age, citizenship, etc. The comparison
is really apples and oranges. Don't be too depressed. :-)
Katieg
-----I just pictured Kerry vs Bush in a Idol-style sing-off with Randy, Simon, and Paula offering
criticism. Now that would be entertaining.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-06-06 19:39:00
Subject: Keep Austin Weird
Between <a href="http://www.rotrally.com/" target="blank">this</a> and <a
href="http://www.esthersfollies.com/" target="blank">this</a>, I had a great weekend in Austin.
User Comments:
Ted
-----You went to the ROTRALLY? I want to hear more about this!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-06-07 01:37:00
Subject: Ronald Reagan
From <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5150469/" target="blank">Meet the Press</a>
today, Peggy Noonan recalls...
<ul>He was a doll. He was just a deeply courteous boss. He was so nice. Tim, you know what I
was thinking about him this morning, is a funny thing about Reagan. I don't think you can say this
of any other president. You knew Reagan was coming in the halls of the White House because
suddenly you would hear laughter. That's how you knew the boss was on his way. He always
had an entourage, and he was always saying something and people were always cracking up
around him. So I was thinking very much about his humor.
But he was a doll to work with. I wrote a very big--well, my first speech for him, I was so excited.
It was for something very small like the teacher of the year, but I was a brand-new speech writer
and so I was keen to make an impression. I wrote a 20-page speech that was a defense of the
West and a damnation of the Soviet Union. I sent it to Reagan. The poor man got it. He knew it
was utterly inappropriate. It was just wrong in every way. Instead of sending it back to me and
saying, "This is a bunch of garbage," he neatly put a line through about 80 percent of what I
wrote, then rewrote a few things, then wrote a note to me at the end that said, "What a wonderful
speech this is. Unfortunately, it's a little too long. I had to shorten it. I hope you don't mind." And
I was so stupid, I believed him. It took me months to figure out, "Oh, man, this is a courteous
boss."</ul>
User Comments:
Matthew
-----As far as discussing the man, I think that mostly negative stuff should be off limits. If we're
discussing Reagan's Presidency, then I think EVERYTHING should come into play.
I've never been a supporter of people being sainted in death.
Jill
-----Yeah, I think death does that...mixed feelings indeed.
Luke
-----mixed feelings...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-06-09 13:13:00
Subject: Quotes of the Day
Getting caught up on old Charlie Rose shows...here's what I've heard so far, among other
things...
I believe in God because I believe in God-given talent. - Quentin Tarantino
Most conflict is not between right and wrong, but rather between right and right. - Tom Stoppard
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-06-15 23:28:00
Subject: How I spent my Summer vacation
Watching <img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/2.jpg">Caroline</image> slide...
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/3.jpg"></image>
User Comments:
Matthew
-----She's not that easy of a subject. If I had been taking the pictures, I'm sure she would have been
crying. ;-)
-----Yes, the tiny camera strikes again. On my laptop, they aren't too clear, but I'm hoping they looked
all right.
And yes, the subject was an easy one...much like my JJs.
-----I was just curious how you took these pictures. Did you use your tiny digital camera? If so, I am
very impressed! Though how can you go wrong with Caroline as the subject of your photos!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-06-17 21:25:00
Subject: Trippin'
Was watching PBS with Caroline this morning and came across this <a
href="http://pbskids.org/boohbah/boohbah.html" target="blank">show</a>....
All I can say is it's a very unusual children's show and Caroline loved it!
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/boohbahlogo.gif">
User Comments:
Matthew
-----What are you talking about, I see this type of stuff all the time. Maybe it's been TOO good of a
summer. ;-)
just kidding obviously
matt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-06-23 00:45:00
Subject: V-time
From this <a href="http://lawroark.blog-city.com/read/663671.htm" target="blank">blog</a> come
this-
I haven't seen Fahrenheit 9/11, but I know that Mr. Moore alleges that Bush spent <a
title="42%" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/20/movies/20SHEN.html?ex=1088308800
&en=05f2b88c69444954&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE" target="_blank">
42%</a> of his first eight months in office (before 9/11) on vacation, and that he proudly
declares that this figure came from the Washington Post. I couldn't find a Post article on this from
2001, but I did find <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A27592-2002Sep2?
language=printer">this one</a> from 2002--which says that Bush
spent 42% of his term to date (Sept. 3, 2002) at vacation locations:
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">Bush has spent a whopping total of 250 days
of his presidency at Camp David (123 days), Kennebunkport (12) and his Texas ranch (115).
That means Bush has spent 42 percent of his term so far at one of his three leisure destinations.
</nitf />
</blockquote>It's obvious that these "vacation days" include weekends. (You can do
the math: 250/x=42/100; x=595 days=1.63 years). Okay, 42% is a lot of vacation, but weekends
account for 29% of our time. I'm sure that a lot of this "vacation" time is just Bush
going to Camp David for the weekend. Can we really fault the President for going to Camp David
on weekends? If you take out weekends, you get 42%-29%, or 13% of the time that Bush was on
vacation.
Okay, this is still a lot, although 13% looks a lot better than 42%. Over a year, 13% is about 6.76
weeks of the year--which is still much more than most of us. But we know that Bush's vacations
are generally working vacations. For example, he has hosted visits from leaders like Putin, Fox,
and many <a href="http://www.crawford-texas.org/id1.html">others
</a> there. This hardly seems like a real vacation.
As <a href="http://slate.msn.com/id/2102723/">Hitchens</a>
points out today, there are a lot of problems with Fahrenheit 9/11. It's pretty clear
that Moore's "vacation time" allegation is one of them.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----I read some stuff on Michael Moore's site that refutes some of the claims that Hitchens made in
his article.
-----A good example of "Fair and Balanced" reporting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-06-27 23:49:00
Subject: A woman scorned
From <a href="http://www.andrewsullivan.com" target="blank">Andrew Sullivan</a>....
QUOTE FOR THE DAY I: "I have not yet read Mr. Clinton's book, but you can bet that my Judicial
Watch attorneys will. I have learned that Bill Clinton has repeated his lies about me, and I am
sickened by his continued disregard for the truth. Bill Clinton pretends to be contrite, but he
continues to bear false witness against his neighbor. He is a national disgrace." - Gennifer
Flowers, Bill Clinton's former long-term mistress.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----What a jackass Clinton is/was.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-06-27 23:54:00
Subject: The Geists do Mexico
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/geists.jpg">
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-06-27 23:58:00
Subject: 2 of my favorite people
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/jj.jpg">
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-06-28 00:05:00
Subject: 2 more....
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/jj2.jpg">
User Comments:
matthew
-----gosh they're soo BIG!!! they grow up too fast.
-matt
luke
-----cute.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-06-28 00:10:00
Subject: And 2 more...
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/ed_me.jpg">
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-06-30 11:09:00
Subject: My thoughts exactly...
Nicholas Kristof has written an excellent <a
href="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/30/opinion/30KRIS.html?n=Top%2fOpinion%
2fEditorials%20and%20Op%2dEd%2fOp%2dEd%2fColumnists" target="blank">op-ed</a> in the
NYTimes today that I am in total agreement with.
<ul>So is President Bush a liar?
Plenty of Americans think so. Bookshops are filled with titles about Mr. Bush like "Lies and the
Lying Liars Who Tell Them," "Big Lies," "Thieves in High Places" and "The Lies of George W.
Bush."
A consensus is emerging on the left that Mr. Bush is fundamentally dishonest, perhaps even evil
— a nut, yes, but mostly a liar and a schemer. That view is at the heart of Michael Moore's
scathing new documentary, "Farenheit 9/11."
In the 1990's, nothing made conservatives look more petty and simpleminded than their demonization of Bill and Hillary Clinton, who were even accused of spending
their spare time killing Vince Foster and others. Mr. Clinton, in other words, left the right wing
addled. Now Mr. Bush is doing the same to the left. For example, Mr. Moore hints that the real
reason Mr. Bush invaded Afghanistan was to give his cronies a chance to profit by building an oil
pipeline there.
"I'm just raising what I think is a legitimate question," Mr. Moore told me, a touch defensively,
adding, "I'm just posing a question."
Right. And right-wing nuts were "just posing a question" about whether Mr. Clinton was a serial
killer.
I'm against the "liar" label for two reasons. First, it further polarizes the political cesspool, and
this polarization is making America increasingly difficult to govern. Second, insults and rage
impede understanding. 
Lefties have been asking me whether Mr. Bush has already captured Osama bin Laden, and
whether Mr. Bush will plant W.M.D. in Iraq. Those are the questions of a conspiracy theorist, for
even if officials wanted to pull such stunts, they would be daunted by the fear of leaks.
Bob Woodward's latest book underscores that Mr. Bush actually believed that Saddam did have
W.M.D. After one briefing, Mr. Bush turned to George Tenet and protested, "I've been told all this
intelligence about having W.M.D., and this is the best we've got?" The same book also reports
that Mr. Bush told Mr. Tenet several times, "Make sure no one stretches to make our case."
In fact, of course, Mr. Bush did stretch the truth. The run-up to Iraq was all about exaggerations,
but not flat-out lies. Indeed, there's some evidence that Mr. Bush carefully avoids the most blatant
lies — witness his meticulous descriptions of the periods in which he did not use illegal drugs.
True, Mr. Bush boasted that he doesn't normally read newspaper articles, when his wife said he
does. And Mr. Bush wrongly claimed that he was watching on television on the morning of 9/11
as the first airplane hit the World Trade Center. But considering the odd things the president often
says ("I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family"), Mr. Bush always has available a
prima facie defense of confusion.
Mr. Bush's central problem is not that he was lying about Iraq, but that he
was overzealous and self-deluded. He surrounded himself with like-minded ideologues, and they
all told one another that Saddam was a mortal threat to us. They deceived themselves along with
the public — a more common problem in government than flat-out lying.
Some Democrats, like Mr. Clinton and Senator Joseph Lieberman, have pushed back against
the impulse to demonize Mr. Bush. I salute them, for there are so many legitimate criticisms we
can (and should) make about this president that we don't need to get into kindergarten epithets.

But the rush to sling mud is gaining momentum, and "Farenheit 9/11" marks the polarization of
yet another form of media. One medium after another has found it
profitable to turn from information to entertainment, from nuance to table-thumping.
Talk radio pioneered this strategy, then cable television. Political books have lately become as
subtle as professional wrestling, and the Internet is adding to the polarization. Now, with the
economic success of "Farenheit 9/11," look for more documentaries that shriek rather than
explain.
It wasn't surprising when the right foamed at the mouth during the Clinton years, for
conservatives have always been quick to detect evil empires. But liberals love subtlety and
describe the world in a palette of grays — yet many have now dropped all nuance about this
president.
Mr. Bush got us into a mess by overdosing on moral clarity and self-righteousness, and
embracing conspiracy theories of like-minded zealots. How sad that many liberals now seem
intent on making the same mistakes.</ul>
User Comments:
Luke
-----Now what if I call you a liar? ;)
Jill
-----Luke/Matthew-you're both right! We're having an honest intelligent debate right here so certainly
the concept is not dead, is it?
Luke
-----I just don't buy that there was a golden age when people on the left or the right didn't call
someone a liar (which to me isn't necessarily a bad thing to call someone when it's true). Bush
would call himself a Cowboy, so whatever ("Bring it on"?!?!). And the man is not intelligent. I
don't think I am using a kindergarten epitath by saying that. There really isn't a fair debate in this
country and there probably hasn't ever been. But the main reason we haven't had a fair debate is
because one has not been allowed.
I also don't quite see what's wrong with being a conspiracy theorist. Sure, most conspiracy
theories may not be true, but to me it's more dangerous to automatically discount a theory
because it doesn't seem likely than it is to call the President a liar when he IS ONE. Or to call
him a Cowboy when he IS ONE. Or to call him ignorant because, well, you be the judge of that!!!
And almost everything I have read on the subject offers a solution. It may not be in a headline,
and the word "liar" might be in the subject, but there are plenty of solutions being offered.
Not to mention that to me people questioning authority and power IS part of the solution, even if a
direct solution is not given.
Matthew
-----have we ever had honest debate in this country though? it seems to me that the only time that we
may have had this...was during the time before the founding fathers wrote the declaration of
independence. It was then, we had progressives such as Thomas Paine, getting the same exact
air time as conservatives like Adams. And they were able to hold real, honest intelligent
discussions.
I'd say, that maybe FDR was able to accomplish real, honest debates as well. But the times are
few and far between.
Jill
-----No, I would love to see anyone criticizing anything offer a solution to what they are criticizing.
Unfortunately, mostly what we get these days are labels (liar, stupid, cowboy, etc. etc.) and
conspiracy theories. That's unnerving to me.
To me, this article reiterated my point that we no longer have honest debate and critical thinking,
which lead to real alternatives in the voting booth.
Instead, we seem to have (either from the right or the left) "nuances, kindergarten epithets, selfrighteousness, and embracing conspiracy theories of like-minded zealots."
Luke
-----So are you saying that only people who should offer solutions are people who are running for
president? I thought this article was about Leftists slinging mud at the President by calling him a
liar? Not about the fact that the Democrats don't offer any real alternatives.
Jill
-----Matthew-Nader is probably 'overstating' how many Democrat votes he is going to get also,
judging by his recent appearance at the Black Caucus and the lawsuits that have been filed
against him by Democrats in Oregon, etc.
Jill
-----Luke-of the 3 you named that offer solutions, unfortunately only one of them is running for
president. But that one has my vote so far.
Matthew
-----I was referring to how he has denied that he taken money from Republican funded political
machines.
And he's WAY overstating how many votes he's taking away from Republicans.
Luke
-----I really do think the president has the power to polarize the country. Yes.
And I don't see anything wrong with people criticizing Bush or calling him on his lies, even hating
him for that matter. He's screwing up the environment, foreign and domestic policy. He's
heterosexist, dangerously fundamentalist, unintelligent and a liar. One could say that I simply
"lost my ability to agree to disagree", but when wars are being faught for Oil and White
Supremecy, and when someone is fighting the basic rights of human beings tooth and nail, he
deserves the criticism he is getting, and more.
While you may be able to say that the Democrats aren't offering real alternatives (what else is
new?), you can't say that no one who criticizes Bush has a solution. Michael Moore's recent
book pointed to solutions. Noam Chomsky has named solutions. Ralph Nader offers a real
alternative solution.
Jill
-----Has he really said that? When he announced his candidacy, he said he would pull votes from
both parties. Why wouldn't he take $$$ from former supporters of both parties as well?
Or maybe he's just taking Howard Zinn's <a href="http://votenader.org/media_press/index.php?
cid=82" target="blank">advice</a>...Howard Zinn to Voters: "Do all in your power to assure
that Nader achieves ballot access"
Matthew
-----other than the one that he doesn't take money from republican groups?
Jill
-----I guess what I'm saying here is that what I want to hear from opponents of Bush (or anyone for
that matter) is what the policies are that Bush (or anyone for that matter) promotes that people so
dislike and why they are voting against him, or for someone else and why that someone else
would be any better. That's what I'm not hearing in the debate these days. And it's frustrating to
say the least.
So, if Bush is in bed with the Saudis, what decisions has he made as president to benefit the
Saudis and hurt the US?
If Bush lied about his military service in the 70s, how has this negatively impacted any policy that
he has made since he's been president in 2001-2004?
What is Kerry's answer to stopping Al Qaeda? Getting the international community involved?
Involved in what? A war? Guns for hire to put a bullet in their heads late at night? What? Please
tell me. I'm not saying that Bush has all the answers...but frankly, I haven't heard any from the
Democratic side on this...just criticism and blame that Bush has done it wrong. If what they want
is to get the UN involved (or the French) I'm thinking "good luck"...heck, the French won't even
help Afghanistan and send troops so they can have safe, free elections. And the last time I
looked, the UN didn't have an army.
Again, Bush's domestic agenda is reason enough for me to not vote for him. But unless I hear
another good alternative from the Democrats about defeating terror(ists)(ism), I'm perplexed as to
what the alternative should be. Somebody, please advise....
And finally, tell me a lie that Nader has told. I'm just curious.
Matthew
-----one more thing...
all politicians are liars. from nader to kerry to bush to clinton to nixon to etc etc etc.
but what the rub is, is that THIS administration has taken the game to a completely new level.
Matthew
-----yes i am for learning all the information from hillary and bill's years in office. although they are
hardly as liberal as the republicans make them out to be.
even if bush believed at the start that iraq war that the war was making us safer, the facts NOW
prove otherwise. i don't remember the report that came out a week or two ago, but the report
more or less said that terrorists attacks have increased, as well as al queda's membership. the lie
exists in the bush administration's refusal to acknowledge the report that their own administration
put out. he still...to this day...says that this war is making us safer. the evidence proves otherwise.
if it's not a lie, then it's ignorance. either/or, they're intolerable and dangerous. either he's lying, or
he's ignorant. or he's both. and if his ignorance is putting us at risk, then he's gotta go.
Jill
-----Matthew writes- And one lie that I can't forgive him for (and one worth voting him out of office
for), is that he said and continues to say that he's a compassionate conservative. I'm for
voting him out of office because of his faith-based programs, his support of the amendment to
ban same-sex marriages, his refusal to relax federal restrictions on stem cell research, and more.
And I agree that he should, at the very least, reprimand Cheney for his remark. But Matthew, are
you willing to call Hillary Clinton a liar because she didn't divulge what went on in private at her
healthcare meetings back in 1992/3? The same principle applied there.
And if Bush truly believes that the war in Iraq is making us safer from international terrorism
(whether or not you agree with this) does that inherently make him a liar for saying it?
Luke-Do you really feel that one person (Bush) is responsible for polarizing this country? I
remember when we could have honest debate about issues and agree to disagree without the
hatred from both sides...as Kristof said It wasn't surprising when the right foamed at the mouth
during the Clinton years, for conservatives have always been quick to detect evil empires. But
liberals love subtlety and describe the world in a palette of grays — yet many have now dropped
all nuance about this president. 
Luke
-----Bush lied. End of story. That's no conspiracy, that's fact.
Bush is responsible for polarizing the country, not leftists who ask questions and call him on his
lies.
Matthew
-----I don't think it's so much that Bush is a liar in so much that he's just plain shady.
Whether it's his military service record with pages missing and names blacked out, or the report
on 9-11 that had 28 pages of transcripts (probably about Saudi Arabia) taken out, that he and his
administration refuse to tell journalists and the American public just what happened in those
meetings with Halliburton, and his insistence that the war in Iraq has made us safer from
international terrorism. It's not so much that they're outright lies (although the distinction between
distorting the truth and lying is teeny tiny), it's more that they're just plain shady.
And one lie that I can't forgive him for (and one worth voting him out of office for), is that he said
and continues to say that he's a compassionate conservative. His past 4 years have proven
otherwise.
And he's also lied that he was going to bring a new level of integrity and civility to the White
House. Dick Cheney saying "Fuck off" on the floor of the Senate is the symptom of a much bigger
problem at how the Bush Administration has nearly completely polarized our country. A Uniter???
If this is unity, I'd hate to see division.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-06-30 12:43:00
Subject: Separated at birth
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/separated.gif">
User Comments:
Matthew
-----haha
that's funny.
the irony being that someone's probably trying to "wack" Allawi, in the same way that they're
always trying to get Tony.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-01 09:51:00
Subject: Happy Canada Day!
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
User Comments:
Jill
-----Ok, you guys really got it when I took you to Canada back in the late 90s and showed you
another way!
Luke
-----I love the sticker that says "Re-Defeat Bush"
Matthew
-----A place I may be moving to if Bush is re-elected. ;-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-01 09:56:00
Subject: Ideal v. Real
Ted Ralls had a good <a href="http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=127&e=1
&u=/ucru/20040701/cm_ucru/godblesstheleftielimbaugh" target="blank">opinion piece</a>
yesterday.
He pretty much outlined what I want:
<ul>In an ideal world, Americans of every political stripe would enjoy a forum to discuss the
issues of the day. In an ideal world, communists and conservatives and militiamen and socialists
and centrists and Christianists and atheists and libertarians and anarchists would all get the
chance to express their opinions and propose changes in law and policy in the media as well as
the corridors of power. In an ideal world, vigorous debate would never degenerate into namecalling or threats. In an ideal world, a losing political party would play the role of the loyal
opposition as it plotted its return to power. In an ideal world, an imaginative, freewheeling,
independent media would cast a wide net, broadening our national dialogue to include the
previously disenfranchised. </ul>
His vision of the real world is a little more harsh than I would admit to (witness the ability of
congress to pretty much stop all of Bush's judicial appointments, the upcoming defeat of the
FMA, etc)...
<ul>In the real world, however, a narrow subset of right-wing conservatives controls the Supreme
Court, White House, Congress and most state legislatures. In the real world, no American to the
left of John McCain--including John McCain--has a chance to propose a law and see it signed
into law. In the real world, newspapers, magazines, radio and television outlets are owned by a
shrinking pool of conservative corporations motivated by short-term profits and cozy ties to the
right-wingers who run the government. In the real world, the Democratic Party has given up hope
of recapturing either the House or the Senate, and Democratic politicians vote along with the
Republicans. In the real world, anyone who questions the president's justifications for starting
wars, or questions whether he even has the right to call himself "president," should expect to be
insulted and ridiculed, blackballed, smeared as a traitor and threatened with death by
conservative commentators.</ul>
...but it does help explain the shrill tone of the opposition.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-02 10:10:00
Subject: Riddle me this...
Ok, so I'm reading this <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/02/opinion/02HERB.html?th"
target="blank">editorial piece</a> in the NYTimes today and read the following:
<ul>A Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll published yesterday found that a majority of Americans
now believe the war has increased the threat of terrorism. A New York Times/CBS News poll
earlier this week found that 47 percent of respondents believe the terror threat has increased,
while only 13 percent say it has declined. Thirty-eight percent of the respondents in that poll said
the war had not made a difference.</ul>
Now, I've never claimed to be a math wiz or anything, but when the piece says "a majority of
Americans now believe the war has increased the threat of terrorism" and the actual percentage
of Americans that either believe the threat has declined or not changed since the war in Iraq adds
up to 51 percent, isn't that less than the 47 percent of respondents who believe the terror threat
has increased? So wouldn't their premise be wrong here? Help me out somebody...
User Comments:
-----Just proof once again that you can make numbers say just about anything you want them to.
Luke
-----Well they are referring to two different polls.
Wall Street Journal/NBC News: "a majority of Americans...."
New York Times/CBS News: "47 percent, 13 percent, etc..."
They may also be thinking about the largest group. While not a true majority, the largest group
was 47 percent. You see?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-02 11:13:00
Subject: Bye, bye Brando
Just heard the news that Marlon Brando has died at age 80. In his later years, his acting and
roles were off again, on again. But in his early days, he was super.
<ul>His (private) life may best be defined by a line from "The Wild One," in which Brando, playing
a motorcycle gang leader, is asked what he's rebelling against.
"Whattaya got?" was his famous reply. </ul>
RIP.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----It isn't hyperbole to say that he is one of the all-time greats.
Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep, Robert DeNiro,
Edward Norton, Katherine Hepburn, Johnny Depp
He's the tops of the list. At the very least, he's one of the most influential actors of all time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-05 23:46:00
Subject: Faith, the Fourth, and gay marriage
I had the opportunity to stay home most of the day today and sit and work at my computer and at
the same time watch C-Span. It was there that I saw Ellen Goodman interviewed by Linda
Wertheimer (from NPR).
Where have I been? I've not known about her before, but I plan on checking the <a
href="http://www.boston.com" target="blank">Boston Globe site</a> regularly from now on so I
can read her columns. She speaks to me!
Anyway, here's her latest column...
<ul>Faith, the Fourth, and gay marriage
By Ellen Goodman, Globe Columnist | July 4, 2004
IT'S JUST days before the wedding, and Dorothy Austin is on her cellphone trying to track down
a Dixieland band to lead the procession from Harvard's Memorial Church to the Lowell House
yard.
The odds of finding a band for the Fourth of July are getting longer by the minute. But they are
nothing compared to the odds against marriage that she and Diana Eck faced 28 years ago when
they first met.
Now the table in Lowell House, the student residence where this pair have been co-masters for
nearly a decade, is covered with place cards. As she moves the cards in search of the perfect
seating arrangement for 400 guests, Diana laughs, "We're the brides, the mothers of the brides,
and the wedding planners rolled into one."
Dorothy was in her car on Nov. 18 when Diana called and said, "The court just ruled in our favor.
We can get married." "We never thought we'd see this in our lifetime," they both say. So it's no
wonder that this couple chose the Fourth of July for their wedding date and planned to end the
ceremony singing "my country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty."
Same-sex wedding bells have been ringing all over this state since they became legal on May 18.
They enrage some Americans and engage others in celebrations. Yet there's been a shared
assumption that this debate pits the more devout against the less devout, the religious against
the secular.
But the wedding of these two women challenges this accepted divide. You see, Dorothy Austin,
60, is an ordained Episcopal priest and associate minister of Harvard's Memorial Church. Diana
Eck, 58, is a professor of comparative religion and head of the Pluralism Project at Harvard who
has spent her life exploring what religious diversity means for American democracy.
These two women are deeply -- and also widely -- religious. And neither is willing to cede faith to
the religious right.
In many ways their marriage is part of a long trajectory of social changes around both their work
and love. When Dorothy, whose mother was a mill worker in Fall River, was young, her vocation
was closed to women. When Diana came east from Montana to Smith College, she didn't think of
becoming a professor as much as marrying a professor.
Having come this far, they are very aware of how controversial their marriage still is. The Sunday
after their wedding has been designated as "Protect Marriage Sunday" by the religious right.
Sometime during the week of July 12, a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage
will come before the US Senate with an endorsement of the Conference of Catholic Bishops and
the Southern Baptist Convention. Meanwhile, Jerry Falwell has sent out missives telling
preachers to "lift up the God-ordained institution of marriage in their ceremonies" by fighting
same-sex marriage.
Both women, minister and religious scholar, emphasize that the Massachusetts court gave gay
couples the right to a "civil marriage," not a "sacred marriage." Indeed, says Diana, in the most
religiously diverse nation in the world "it's important we get that distinction right."
But at the same time, they have a very different view of religion itself than does the religious right.
"Our religious traditions," Diana Eck has written, "are dynamic not static, changing not fixed, more
like rivers than monuments."
To this pair, America is not just a country where church and state are separate. It's a country in
which many faiths flourish and must coexist. And while some faiths reject same-sex marriage,
others are ready to bless them.
For people of faith, same-sex marriage presents "the whole issue of how we cope with
difference" says Diana, who acknowledges that "thoughtful religious people of every
denomination have struggled with this.
"My work is thinking about religious difference and whether we'll be able to work and live
creatively with it. Religion is not something that should be divisive, to create ever more fractures
in a society. Religions can work at bridge-building and connections."
For her part as an Episcopal priest, Dorothy adds, "We shouldn't relinquish the religious tools to
the right." She then breaks into the language of her ministry: "This is a moment of prophecy -- of
mercy, justice, love, comfort. We need religious traditions and the people in them."
So, before the Dixieland band -- if they find one -- plays, there will be readings from both
Corinthians and the Massachusetts decision. There will be three ministers on the pulpit, and
friends from enough religions to form their own pluralism project will fill the church.
In the background there will also be the ecumenical words of Dorothy's late grandmother, who
blessed their union decades ago when she said: "Them that mind don't matter, and them that
matter won't mind." Amen.</ul>
User Comments:
Reverendmother http://www.journalscape.com/reverendmother/
-----Amen is right!
Ellen Goodman is great--glad you found her.
Equally unwilling to cede faith to the religious right,
Reverendmother
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-07 09:23:00
Subject: Control Room v. F911
Having a 3 day weekend this past weekend afforded me the opportunity to check out 2 of the
movies that have been on my list to see...Michael Moore's "F911" and the documentary "Control
Room" made by the "Start-up.com" guys about Al Jazeera. I really, really enjoyed both of these
movies, but for different reasons.
1. Both of them covered stuff about the war in Iraq. 2. Both had clips of Bush and Rumsfeld.
3. Both had information that I had not heard before in the mainstream media.
4. Both were fair and balanced.
Ok, 3 out of 4's not bad.
Control Room was fair and balanced for the most part, but F911 didn't even attempt to be. I was
prepared for that, however, having read so many articles online about the flick. What I wasn't
prepared for was my enjoyment of F911. I figured that I'd just be angry the whole time that both
sides weren't be presented. You know me...there's always two sides to every coin.
But because F911 was so over-the-top one sided, I was able just to sit back and enjoy it for what
it was...Moore's view of his world.
As far as documentaries go, though, F911 doesn't even qualify. Look for Hollywood to recognize
that and give next year's Oscar for Best Documentary to anyone but Moore. (You know me...as
someone once said about me, "you're the most naive person I know").
User Comments:
Jill
-----Rev-Great explanation, and one that I totally agree with!
Your story about the woman from the Unity Church rang true to me, as I've seen this happen in
my own church. UUs rush to condemn the religious right, but make excuses for the
fundamentalist Muslims that thought that Allah guided them (and those planes) into the WTC and
the Pentagon.
-----This is hard to say in few words, but I'll try.
I (like the rest of us) am a product of this post-modern age we live in. As such, I have been
trained to be skeptical of absolute black and white thinking (i.e. U.S.A. good, our enemies bad). I
do appreciate the grey, and I think that tolerance and diversity are worthy values to be upheld in
our society.
The problem is that in our (culture's) rush to tolerate diverse points of view, we refrain from
condemning anything at all. Simply stated, I think there are certain moral absolutes.
The next problem of course is that my moral absolutes are not the same as someone else's
(assuming that they have any--and actually I think everyone has them, whether they cop to them
or not). And too often the only way we know to deal with that is to say, "Oh well, everyone has
different absolutes so maybe there are no real absolutes." Which brings us full circle.
My guess is that Michael Moore feels that the Bush administration is so far beyond the pale in
terms of his moral absolutes that he would never in a million years think to give any validity to the
"other side," because there *is* no validity to the other side. (I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with
him; I'm just speculating on what may or may not be in his head.)
I worked with a woman one summer who was part of the Unity Church of Christianity and her
utter rejection of any concept of evil, or anything bad really, led to truly bizarre (to me) notions like
the idea that Hitler was just misguided, but he was trying to do the right thing and that's got to
count for something.
Matthew
-----Well that's what I'm saying. It's not about one side being good and the other being evil. One side
being right and the other wrong.
But when you have two sides that both *think* that they're right, sides are drawn. Especially when
things are really polarized like they are now.
Jill
-----Good point, Matthew, but I didn't say the 2 sides of the coins had to be opposites...one dark, one
light or one good, one evil.
Isn't it possible to have two grey sides that are opposing?
Matthew
-----Well I think the danger of having two sides, is that sometimes the "grey" gets cut out. And when
there are two sides and only two sides, adversarial relationships tend to happen.
Jill
-----Rev writes "But I do have a question about this... are there really two sides to *every* issue? I
fully grant that there is more complexity to the issues facing us than Moore, Limbaugh, Fox News,
Salon, or anyone else is capable of or interested in addressing. But I think that's a little different
than saying there are two sides to every issue. I find that naive, potentially dangerously so. to
which I answer...
It's difficult for me to make absolute statements about "every" situation, but yes, I do think in the
case of the war with Iraq, there were definitely 2 sides to that.
And I'm interested in hearing more about your statement about the naivety and danger of finding
two sides.
-----I have also noticed that, Katie. I would say the problem isn't bias one way or another, but a real
lack of depth.
I don't think the media are pro-Bush per se, but I do think the media viewed the push toward war
very uncritically, to say the least. People demonstrating against the war were portrayed as wildeyed fringe radicals, too few in number to even take seriously. Now that public opinion is
changing on the war, the media are following suit.
Regarding asking why MM didn't show Saddam as a bad man, I think that misses the point,
which is that "Saddam is a madman who terrorizes his people" was at best a secondary
argument for going to war. The case for war was built primarily around supposed WMDs,
supposed links to Al Qaeda, etc. My sense is that the "He was just a bad guy" argument gained
more prominence as the strawman came a-tumblin' down.
But I do have a question about this... are there really two sides to *every* issue? I fully grant that
there is more complexity to the issues facing us than Moore, Limbaugh, Fox News, Salon, or
anyone else is capable of or interested in addressing. But I think that's a little different than
saying there are two sides to every issue. I find that naive, potentially dangerously so.
Luke
-----Fact: Corporations run the "mainstream media".
Fact: Corporations are interested in making money more than anything.
Fact: Corporate interests, while not always conservative, usually are.
There's never been any credible evidence given that the mainstream media has a liberal bias.
Lots of people say that, but it fundamentally isn't true.
The power elites in this country have already succeeded in making the word "liberal" a bad one.
Consequently, the mainstream media often due whatever they can to prove that they aren't
liberal. (as do politicians. Remember when Clinton flew back to Arkansas while campaigning in
92 to put a mentally retarded men to death to prove that he wasn't "Soft on Crime". And look at
how Kerry tells his audiences what he thinks they want him to hear).
But I guess in one sense it does depend on your perspective. Take NPR for example. Often
NPR is seen as the shining light of mainstream liberal journalism. I happen to see NPR as pretty
centrist, with only occassional tilts to the left and right (more to the right than most people would
like to think). But if I was a "conservative Democrat", I would probably see NPR as dead on the
money.
One fact that CANNOT be disputed is that the mainstream media is run by corporations.
Corporations who are interested in their bottom line. Corporations who profit off of war, fear, the
status quo, and Corporate subsidies (usually handed to them on a silver plate by Democrats and
Republicans).
Matthew
-----When I said that the media was pro-Bush, I probably mis-spoke. I don't think the media is proBush.
I feel that the media is beholden to the corporate interests who run them. And that there is no
liberal or conservative bias in the mainstream media.
But where the rub is for me, is that with the mainstream media is so in tune to the bottom $ line,
that they have refused to dig deeper into what the administration is telling them. Because the
times that they have dug deeper, they were accused to being un-patriotic and anti-American. And
when you're an "unpatriotic" news agency, the bottom line gets hit. And it becomes the norm, to
be lazy.
-----It is always so strange to me how both sides of the coin sees the media as unbalanced in the
other direction. Most conservatives think that the media (with the exception of Fox News of
course) is ultra-ultra-liberal. I almost fell of my chair one time when I read a comment in a blog
Matthew wrote about the media being pro-Bush.
So if both sides think the media is pro-the-other-side, does that mean that the media is really fair
and balanced? Hmmm.. somehow I doubt that.. but it is an interesting phenomena!
Matthew
-----But what Luke is saying (i think) is that we've already heard all of the terrible stuff that he's done.
We know this. How many times have we seen the children of Iraq playing in the streets?
Rush Limbaugh often says that he's the balance. In his eyes, the mainstream media is liberal. So
in his eyes, he's the balance. I think Michael Moore may think of himself in the same way. We've
seen all this before. What he's bringing (finally) is balance.
-----You're probably right. It is a documentary, in the strictest definition.
According to <a href="http://www.webster.com" target="blank">Webster</a>...
<ul>Main Entry: 1doc·u·men·ta·ry
Pronunciation: "dä-ky&-'men-t&-rE, -'men-trE
Function: adjective
1 : being or consisting of documents : contained or certified in writing <documentary evidence>
2 : of, relating to, or employing documentation in literature or art; broadly : FACTUAL,
OBJECTIVE <a documentary film of the war>
- doc·u·men·tar·i·ly /-m&n-'ter-&-lE, -"men-/ adverb </ul>
The only part of the definition which didn't match that I had a problem with is the "OBJECTIVE"
part.
It seems for that to have been true with F911, Moore would have had to have shown just a
teensy, eensy bit of the atrocities toward the Iraqi people, at the hands of Saddam Hussein. Not
just the kite-flying scene that he picked.
Luke
-----Couldn't we say that all that we normally hear is Bush' "one side" from the corporate media? And
that Moore's film being "one sided" was just showing the side that is never shown?
I saw no problem with it being "one sided" because it showed things for how they really are
instead of showing things how the powers that be want them to be shown.
Hellsyeah it was a documentary.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-07 10:53:00
Subject: Happy Days are Here Again
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/edwards_kerry.jpeg">
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Come on get happy!
-Danny Partridge
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-08 10:15:00
Subject: I'd love to see more of these
Former Enron CEO Ken Lay (L) is led into the Federal Courthouse in Houston by FBI agents
after surrendering to authorities after being indicted for wire fraud and conspiracy July 8, 2004.
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/lay.jpeg">
User Comments:
Shrub
-----Uh, "Kenny-who?" Never met the man. Now watch this drive.
CG Autnie
-----Shrub must've shed a tear or two for ol' Kenny Boy today.
Jill
-----"There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says,
fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." —George W.
Bush, Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002
MaryAnn
-----Interesting times we live in.
Now watch this drive.
Matthew
-----*in Sean Connery voice*
"Shuck it Trebek."
Luke
-----Amen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-10 20:30:00
Subject: 7 deadly social sins, per Gandhi
1. Politics without principle
2. Wealth without work
3. Commerce without morality
4. Pleasure without conscience
5. Education without character
6. Science without humanity
7. Worship without sacrifice
User Comments:
-----don't forget
Garfunkel without Simon.
Now watch this drive.
Matthew
-----and
8. Buffalo wings without beer.
9. Pink Floyd without laser show.
;-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-13 11:20:00
Subject: Democrats
"Always standing up for what they later realize they should have believed in"-Jon Stewart, July
12, 2004
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Kucinich and Dean are both as principled as they come.
Luke
-----Jon Stewart is unstoppable.
Stewart/Moore in 04. Has a nice ring doesn't it?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-13 21:43:00
Subject: This land is your land
Bush and Kerry do a <a href = http://jibjab.com/thisland.html target = _blank>duet</a>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-13 21:53:00
Subject: Some Kind of Monster
"We come now to create our album of life. Throughout our individual and collective journeys,
sometimes through pain and conflict, we've discovered the true meaning of family. As we
accomplish ultimate togetherness, we become healers of ourselves and the countless who
embrace us and our message. We have learned and we understand. Now we must share." - the
"Mission Statement" for heavy metal group Metallica's new album, drafted by their "performanceenhancement coach." (Taken from the latest GQ review of the new documentary, "Some Kind of
Monster.")
User Comments:
Matthew
-----I'm there.
-----Mark your calendar for July 30th-The Magnolia!
Matthew
-----As soon as it comes to Dallas, we're going right?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-15 16:40:00
Subject: Opinion-hurling
I'm reading a really neat book right now. It's a collection of essays by Ellen Goodman called <a
href="http://www.simonsays.com/content/content.cfm?sid=33&pid=423339&agid=2"
target="blank">Paper Trail</a>.
In reading her introduction, I can tell that she and I are definitely on the same page, so to speak.
<ul>Opinion-writing and opinion-speaking over the course of these years have become
something closer to a combat sport: opinion-hurling. We moved into a time when politics became
polarized and political debate became more like a food fight. The Olympic sport of opinion-hurling
found a stadium on talk radio and cable TV, the playing fields of certitude.
<center>***</center>
Americans have felt ambivalent about many issues of the past decade -- from abortion to gay
marriage, from welfare reform to globalization -- but rarely heard that ambivalence in the media.
On the panels and round tables that dot TV, they only see two sides of an issue when people
filled with certainty and untinged with doubt are invited to duke it out.
... I listen to talk radio. The voices of the anchor and the call-in audience seem linked by anger as
much as politics. I am not sure why certitude is so much the rage. And rage is the right word.
I've tried to stay on my own, somewhat separate trail through this increasingly noisy corridor. The
columns on these pages were written for people who argue with both hands, the one and the
other, and occasionally end up with them clasped together. </ul>
User Comments:
Mr. Cloudy
-----I like what she says here. On the whole, tho, I would guess people are entertained by conflict
and anesthetized by hearing someone espousing their views in a tone that sounds like the matter
is beyond doubt.
-----When I'm driving to church on Sunday mornings I occasionally have C-Span radio on. It's the call
in show where "if you support the Democrats, call this number, if you support President Bush, call
this number, if you support third-party candidates, call this number."
I have to quickly turn it off. Lots of bile, not a lot of listening.
Matthew
-----I don't know. It could be a number of factors causing the shrillness of public discourse these
days.
I think that today in many ways mirrors what the sixties was like. People have taken sides. And
the people that have taken sides are being vocal about their stances. Maybe today is like the 60's
minus all the hippy-drippy love-ins and acid trips.
I think a lot of it may be in response to the political administration and the world events. As a
country, we've had A LOT on our plates in the past 4-10 years.
We've had an impeachment, 2 terrorist attacks in the United States, 2 international wars, and a
President who is pretty far to the right.
We've also had an increased popularity in shows like the "O'Reilly Factor" and "Hardball" where
people are broken down into two distinct sides, each one vying for the last word.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-15 23:25:00
Subject: No one lied...
"No one lied. No one made up the intelligence. No one inserted things into the dossier against the
advice of the intelligence services. Everyone genuinely tried to do their best in good faith for the
country in circumstances of acute difficulty. That issue of good faith should now be at an end ...
But I have to accept, as the months have passed, it seems increasingly clear that at the time of
invasion, Saddam did not have stockpiles of chemical or biological weapons ready to deploy ... I
have searched my conscience, not in the spirit of obstinacy, but in genuine reconsideration in the
light of what we now know, in answer to that question. And my answer would be that the
evidence of Saddam's WMD was indeed less certain, less well-founded than was stated at the
time. But I cannot go from there to the opposite extreme. On any basis he retained complete
strategic intent on WMD and significant capability. The only reason he ever let the inspectors
back into Iraq was that he had 180,000 US and British troops on his doorstep ... Had we backed
down in respect of Saddam, we would never have taken the stand we needed to take on WMD,
never have got progress on Libya ... and we would have left Saddam in charge of Iraq, with every
malign intent and capability still in place and every dictator with the same intent everywhere
immeasurably emboldened. For any mistakes made, as the report finds, in good faith, I of course
take full responsibility. But I cannot honestly say I believe getting rid of Saddam was a mistake at
all." - <A HREF =
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;sessionid=KRDQCA44XWIZBQFIQMGCM5WAVCB
QUJVC?xml=/news/2004/07/15/ncomm15.xml&sSheet=/portal/2004/07/15/ixportaltop.html target
= _blank>Tony Blair</a>, yesterday. It's a classy, honest, intelligent and sincere rebuke to the
anti-war arguments. If only the president had the character and strength to say something as
candid.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-15 23:26:00
Subject: Red states/Blue states
I love Internet quizzes and here's the <a href = http://slate.msn.com/id/2103764/ target = _blank>
latest</a> from Slate, determining how red-state or blue-state you are.
This was what I scored....
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/marker.jpg">
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-16 10:18:00
Subject: Fear of flying
A friend of mine recently sent me this, after we had had a minor disagreement about how best to
handle our situation. I want to remember this always.
<ul>It would be fantastic if we came into this world knowing how to perfectly deal with every
situation that might come up. Unfortunately we don't. We get thrown into situations and we fly by
the seat of our pants and usually fly blind at that.</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-18 20:36:00
Subject: The Door in the Floor
I went to see this movie today after church. I really enjoyed it. Jeff Bridges is one of my favorite
actors and he shows a total range of emotions in this movie. He looks great, BTW, and it almost
makes me think that guys my age can be sexy after all!
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Thanks for the mini-review. I've heard good things about this movie. I too am a Jeff Bridges fan.
He's a badass!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-18 20:43:00
Subject: Religion & 12 step programs
This was the topic of my UU Sunday School today. It was interesting, and when I shared, I talked
about how in almost, if not all, meetings that I have been in, we ended the meeting by standing,
holding hands, and saying the Lord's prayer. No one else in the room had had this experience.
Am I just imagining this?
User Comments:
Mr. Cloudy
-----I haven't been to a lot of official meetings, but the ones I went to ended with the Serenity prayer,
not the Lord's prayer.
MaryAnn
-----Pretty standard in my experience.
Katieg
-----That sounds very familiar to me, but my memory is about like yours so I could be wrong!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-19 12:42:00
Subject: Fun with Paint
(click)
<A target="_blank"
href="http://www.chinapaint.com/eng/flash/colorandme_en.swf" >Try
this it's fun</A>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-20 23:13:00
Subject: 2 photos
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/0714twins.jpg">
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/casket08.jpg">
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-21 13:43:00
Subject: Finding Nemo-Matthew style
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/nemo.gif">
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-22 18:40:00
Subject: Think about this the next time you order chicken
From <a href="http://www.andrewsullivan.com" target="blank">Andrew Sullivan</a>....
FINGER-LICKING BRUTALITY: More <a href = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5481874
target = _blank>evidence</a> that many parts of our agricultural industry - even with chickens
now - is, with respect to treatment of animals, a moral disgrace. Money quote: <blockquote>The
group said its investigator also obtained eyewitness testimony about employees "ripping birds'
beaks off, spray-painting their faces, twisting their heads off, spitting tobacco into their mouths
and eyes, and breaking them in half -- all while the birds are still alive."</blockquote>Just
incredible - but perhaps unavoidable in a food industry that often treats animals with contempt
and cruelty. (If you care about these issues, can I recommend again Matthew Scully's moving
and important book, <a href = http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0312319738/ref%
3Dase%5Fhttpwwwandrec-20/002-2420863-7834414 target = _blank>"Dominion."</a>)
User Comments:
-----<a href="http://www.bellandevans.com" target="blank">Bell and Evans Chicken </a> rules!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-23 11:04:00
Subject: Can I vote for her instead?
“We need to honor women in all their complexity.
It’s time that we acknowledge the wisdom women have acquired by managing the chaos of daily
life.
Women are realists, the glue that holds society together.
They bring a reverence to life that’s instinctual, not just intellectual.”
- Teresa Heinz Kerry
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Unfortunately not. I'd vote for her. In the meantime, you can vote for her husband. ;-)
*trying to turn you Democrat*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-23 23:13:00
Subject: I've ordered my copy of the 9/11 Commission Report, have you?
From the <a href="http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110005391"
target="blank">Wall Street Journal</a> comes this...
<ul>The Pre-emption Commission
The virtues of the Patriot Act, among other surprises.
Friday, July 23, 2004 12:01 a.m.
So the doctrine of pre-emption has its uses, after all. In a world of conflicting intelligence,
uncertain consequences and potential foreign opposition, it is still sometimes necessary for
America to attack an adversary before it attacks us.
That, reduced to its essence, is the main conclusion of yesterday's 567-page report from the 9/11
Commission. The September 11 attacks may have been a shock, it says, but they never should
have come as a surprise. Our government--and the entire political class--knew enough to act
against al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden, but it did not because of "failures of imagination, policy,
capability, and management." Though the bipartisan report can't quite bring itself to use the
words, it would seem that the Bush anti-terror doctrine lives.
These columns have been rough on the Commission, especially for the partisanship that has
marked its deliberations. But perhaps our pounding helped, because its unanimous final report
seems on our first reading to be better than the process that produced it. Its narrative history is
especially helpful, filling in much of the record of what the government knew, when it knew it, and
what it didn't do about it.
We refer readers specifically to the recitation of non-action that starts on page 11 of the executive
summary. Beginning in 1997, the U.S. tried diplomacy to get the Taliban to drop al Qaeda and
Pakistan to drop the Taliban, but the efforts failed. We now know that only an ultimatum turned
Pakistan, and only military force toppled Mullah Omar.
The report discloses that the CIA failed to infiltrate the terrorist Islamic network with even a single
spy. The FBI failed to share crucial information about terrorist suspects. In other words, our
security bureaucracies became hidebound and self-protective over the years, and their cultures
need a thorough shaking up.
The report is especially damning in its revelations about the law enforcement mindset toward
terrorism that prevailed before 9/11. Top CIA analysts--many of whom are now critical of the
Bush Administration--thought it was a manageable problem. FBI investigations were "geared
toward prosecution," the report notes, and hampered by "perceived legal barriers to sharing
information." Part of this was due to the infamous "wall of separation" between intelligence and
law enforcement that was reinforced in 1995 by Clinton Deputy Attorney General (and 9/11
Commissioner) Jamie Gorelick. The Patriot Act took down that wall, and the report amounts to a
rousing endorsement of that much-maligned legislation.
Notably, the Commission performs a service by defining the threat we now face in refreshing
fashion. "The enemy is not just 'terrorism,' " it says. "It is the threat posed specifically by Islamic
terrorism." Bush Administration officials say the same thing privately, but they have been
reluctant to state this publicly lest they offend the broader body of peaceable Islam. But it is hard
to defeat an enemy without defining who it is. And the fact that Islam has a problem with its
radical factions is something that Muslims themselves have to face up to.
This failure to speak candidly has ramifications at home, too, specifically in the Transportation
Department's continued failure to endorse racial profiling in airport security checks. The policy
reduces the government's credibility among ordinary Americans who understand that the policy
defies common sense. Commissioner John Lehman noted at one hearing that any airline that set
aside more than two Middle Eastern-looking passengers for secondary security clearing at any
one time still faces large anti-discrimination fines.
The report also sheds new light on the issue of "state sponsors" of terror, especially Iran and
Iraq. The Iran information--including pass-through rights without border stamps for al Qaeda-should give pause to those who think diplomacy alone will mollify the mullahs.
As for Iraq, the final report retreats from its interim judgment that there was no "collaborative
relationship." The Commission now says it found no "collaborative operational relationship" to
attack the U.S., but it does record extensive and troubling contacts. This includes the news that
Richard Clarke, the former NSC aide, himself believed that Iraq had ties to the chemical plant in
Sudan that was linked to al Qaeda and bombed by Bill Clinton. The report quotes Mr. Clarke as
speculating to a superior about an "Iraq-al Qida [sic] agreement" on the chemical plant. Our
readers may recall that Mr. Clarke more recently said there was not a shred of evidence of such
ties.
As for the Commission's many proposals, they deserve to be examined, though count us
skeptical on the idea of unifying all intelligence agencies under the control of a Cabinet-level
intelligence czar. It might change bureaucratic incentives for the better, but it might also create a
new and equally dangerous kind of groupthink. At the very least Congress should wait until the
intelligence review commission led by former Senator Charles Robb and federal appeals court
Judge Laurence Silberman reports next year.
The details, however, should not obscure the Commission's larger message about the dangers of
not acting against a looming threat. After a year of recriminations against a President who chose
to act against another threat, in Iraq, the report may even do some good.</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-27 13:13:00
Subject: The best speech from Day One of the Democratic Convention
was delivered by Haleema Salie, a Muslim-American of Sri Lankan descent. She lost her
daughter who was 7 months pregnant and her son-in-law on American Airlines Flight 11.
<ul>Those we lost that day were husbands and wives, children, neighbors and friends. We
thought we would have them longer. We thought we had more time. As the families we stood in
clothes of mourning and wiped our children‘s tears. The whole country grieved with us and we
leaned on their support.
In our grief, and its ground-shattering aftermath, we truly understood that as Americans
everything had changed and we will not have the luxury of time and innocence again.
Tonight, I come here to ask that you never forget our loved ones, to remember that they were
people exactly like you and me each with their own story. Dignity asks that you give them a
human face.
And then I want to ask that you remember September 11th as the day we were one. It was the
day we acted as if we were responsible for each other. Human life was valued above all else. It
was and must remain the defining moment that reminds us what unites us is stronger than what
divides us.
For the sake of those innocent souls we lost and for the soul of our country, life moves forward as
it must. We bring our memories but we turn our faces towards the future towards our children,
towards the ongoing stream of life.
Now, as we turn our faces toward a new day and a new world the strength of who we were on
9/11 should stay with us, a light in the darkness, to show us the way.</ul>
User Comments:
Mr. Cloudy
-----A very nice reminder that there are deeper things in life than politics -- that's good news.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-27 13:45:00
Subject: The list you've been waiting for...
<div class="textMed">Democratic convention accredited blogs</div><div
class="textHang"><div style="padding-bottom:3px">• 
<a href="http://www.command-post.org/">Command-post.org</a>
</div><div style="padding-bottom:3px">• <a href="http://scripting.com/" target="_blank">Scripting News</a>
</div><div style="padding-bottom:3px">• <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/blogs/dnc/" target="_blank">Boston.com
</a></div><div style="padding-bottom:3px">• 
<a href="http://politicalwire.com/" target="_blank">Political Wire </a>
class="textMed"><a href="http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/weblogs/pressthink/"
target="_blank">NYU's Jay Rosen</a></div><div style="padding-bottom:3px">• <a
href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/7/7/0017/48039" target="_blank">Daily Kos</a>
class="textMed"><a href="http://www.mydd.com/story/2004/7/6/203238/6853" target="_blank">
Jerome Armstrong</a></div><div style="padding-bottom:3px">Article Online</a></div><div
style="padding-bottom:3px">• <a
href="http://www.greaterdemocracy.org/" target="_blank">Greaterdemocracy.org</a>
class="textMed"><a href="http://talkleft.com/new_archives/007181.html#007181"
target="_blank">TalkLeft</a></div><div style="padding-bottom:3px">Matt Welch</a></div>
<div style="padding-bottom:3px">• <a href="http://reason.com/hitandrun/" target="_blank">Reason</a>
class="textMed"><a href="http://tomburka.com/" target="_blank">Opinions You Should Have</a>
class="textMed"><a href="http://www.reachm.com/amstreet/" target="_blank">The American
Street</a></div><div style="padding-bottom:3px">•
<a href="http://oxblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Oxblog
<a href="http://www.centristcoalition.com/blog/archives/000790.html"
target="_blank">Centerfield</a></div><div style="padding-bottom:3px">Matthew Gross</a></div>
<div style="padding-bottom:3px">• <a href="http://www.burntorangereport.com/archives/001835.html"
target="_blank">BurntOrangeReport</a></div><div style="padding-bottom:3px">• <a href="http://librarian.net/dnc/"
target="_blank">Jessamyn West</a></div><div style="padding-bottom:3px">• <a href="http://www.electablog.com/"
target="_blank">Electablog</a></div><div style="padding-bottom:3px">• <a href="http://www.pacificviews.org/"
target="_blank">Pacificviews</a></div><div style="padding-bottom:3px">• <a href="http://kcdems.blogspot.com/"
target="_blank">King County Democrats</a></div><div style="padding-bottom:3px">
• <a href="http://pandagon.net/"
target="_blank">Pandagon</a></div><div style="padding-bottom:3px">DowBrigade
News</a></div><div style="padding-bottom:3px">•
<a href="http://westportnow.com/" target="_blank">
WestportNow.com</a></div><div style="padding-bottom:3px">• <a href="http://www.afro-netizen.org/"
target="_blank">Afro-Netizen</a></div><div style="padding-bottom:3px">American Amnesia</a>
class="textMed"><a href="http://www.liberaloasis.com/" target="_blank">Liberal Oasis</a>
class="textMed"><a href="http://ourcampaigns.com/" target="_blank">OurCampaigns.com</a>
class="textMed"><a href="http://reinvented.net/" target="_blank">Reinvented.net</a>
class="textMed"><a href="http://notgeniuses.com/" target="_blank">NotGenuises.com</a>
class="textMed"><a href="http://blogforamerica.com/" target="_blank">BlogforAmerica.com</a>
class="textMed"><a href="http://larsonreport.com/" target="_blank">LarsonReport.com</a>
class="textMed"><a href="http://www.bopnews.com/" target="_blank">Blogging of the President
<a href="http://hotflashesfromthecampaigntrail.blogspot.com/"
target="_blank">Hotflashesfromthecampaigntrail.blogspot.com</a></div><div
href="http://blogforvictory.com/" target="_blank">Blogforvictory.com</a></div><div
href="http://www.nateknowsnada.org/" target="_blank">Nateknowsnada.org</a></div>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-27 13:52:00
Subject: See you in Crawford?
For details, click <a href="http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=112"
target="blank">here</a> or <a href="http://www.crawfordpeacehouse.org/" target="blank">here
</a>.
User Comments:
jillsusan <[email protected]> http://www.jillsusan.com
-----no, don't think so, but if you go, take pix!
Matthew
-----Are you going? I'm contemplating going.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-28 09:27:00
Subject: The best speech from Day Two of the Democratic Convention
Candidate for U.S. Senate in Illinois, Barack Obama, delivered the keynote address at the
Democratic National Convention in Boston Tuesday night. Here is a transcript of his remarks.
<ul>Thank you so much. Thank you.
Thank you, Dick Durbin. You make us all proud.
On behalf of the great state of Illinois...
... crossroads of a nation, land of Lincoln, let me express my deep gratitude for the privilege of
addressing this convention. Tonight is a particular honor for me because, let's face it, my
presence on this stage is pretty unlikely.
My father was a foreign student, born and raised in a small village in Kenya. He grew up herding
goats, went to school in a tin-roof shack. His father, my grandfather, was a cook, a domestic
servant to the British.
But my grandfather had larger dreams for his son. Through hard work and perseverance my
father got a scholarship to study in a magical place, America, that's shown as a beacon of
freedom and opportunity to so many who had come before him.
While studying here my father met my mother. She was born in a town on the other side of the
world, in Kansas.
Her father worked on oil rigs and farms through most of the Depression. The day after Pearl
Harbor, my grandfather signed up for duty, joined Patton's army, marched across Europe.
Back home my grandmother raised a baby and went to work on a bomber assembly line. After
the war, they studied on the GI Bill, bought a house through FHA and later moved west, all the
way to Hawaii, in search of opportunity.
And they too had big dreams for their daughter, a common dream born of two continents.
My parents shared not only an improbable love; they shared an abiding faith in the possibilities of
this nation. They would give me an African name, Barack, or "blessed," believing that in a tolerant
America, your name is no barrier to success.
They imagined me going to the best schools in the land, even though they weren't rich, because
in a generous America you don't have to be rich to achieve your potential.
They're both passed away now. And yet I know that, on this night, they look down on me with
great pride.
And I stand here today grateful for the diversity of my heritage, aware that my parents' dreams
live on in my two precious daughters.
I stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story, that I owe a debt to all of
those who came before me, and that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible.
Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation not because of the height of our
skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy; our pride is based on a very
simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago: "We hold these
truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal...
... that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
That is the true genius of America, a faith...
... a faith in simple dreams, an insistence on small miracles; that we can tuck in our children at
night and know that they are fed and clothed and safe from harm; that we can say what we think,
write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door; that we can have an idea and
start our own business without paying a bribe; that we can participate in the political process
without fear of retribution; and that our votes will be counted -- or at least, most of the time.
This year, in this election, we are called to reaffirm our values and our commitments, to hold them
against a hard reality and see how we are measuring up, to the legacy of our forbearers and the
promise of future generations.
And fellow Americans, Democrats, Republicans, independents, I say to you, tonight, we have
more work to do...
... more work to do, for the workers I met in Galesburg, Illinois, who are losing their union jobs at
the Maytag plant that's moving to Mexico, and now they're having to compete with their own
children for jobs that pay 7 bucks an hour; more to do for the father I met who was losing his job
and chocking back the tears wondering how he would pay $4,500 a months for the drugs his son
needs without the health benefits that he counted on; more to do for the young woman in East St.
Louis, and thousands more like her who have the grades, have the drive, have the will, but
doesn't have the money to go to college.
Now, don't get me wrong, the people I meet in small towns and big cities and diners and office
parks, they don't expect government to solves all of their problems. They know they have to work
hard to get a head. And they want to.
Go into the collar counties around Chicago, and people will tell you: They don't want their tax
money wasted by a welfare agency or by the Pentagon.
Go into any inner-city neighborhood, and folks will tell you that government alone can't teach kids
to learn.
They know that parents have to teach, that children can't achieve unless we raise their
expectations and turn off the television sets and eradicate the slander that says a black youth
with a book is acting white. They know those things.
People don't expect -- people don't expect government to solve all their problems. But they
sense, deep in their bones, that with just a slight change in priorities, we can make sure that
every child in America has a decent shot at life and that the doors of opportunity remain open to
all. They know we can do better. And they want that choice.
In this election, we offer that choice. Our party has chosen a man to lead us who embodies the
best this country has to offer. And that man is John Kerry.
John Kerry understands the ideals of community, faith and service because they've defined his
life. From his heroic service to Vietnam to his years as prosecutor and lieutenant governor,
through two decades in the United States Senate, he has devoted himself to this
country. Again and again, we've seen him make tough choices when easier ones were available.
His values and his record affirm what is best in us.
John Kerry believes in an America where hard work is rewarded. So instead of offering tax
breaks to companies shipping jobs overseas, he offers them to companies creating jobs here at
home.
John Kerry believes in an America where all Americans can afford the same health coverage our
politicians in Washington have for themselves.
John Kerry believes in energy independence, so we aren't held hostage to the profits of oil
companies or the sabotage of foreign oil fields.
John Kerry believes in the constitutional freedoms that have made our country the envy of the
world, and he will never sacrifice our basic liberties nor use faith as a wedge to divide us.
And John Kerry believes that in a dangerous world, war must be an option sometimes, but it
should never be the first option.
You know, a while back, I met a young man named Seamus (ph) in a VFW hall in East Moline,
Illinois. He was a good-looking kid, 6'2", 6'3", clear eyed, with an easy smile. He told me he'd
joined the Marines and was heading to Iraq the following week.
And as I listened to him explain why he had enlisted -- the absolute faith he had in our country
and its leaders, his devotion to duty and service -- I thought, this young man was all that any of us
might ever hope for in a child. But then I asked myself: Are we serving Seamus (ph) as well as
he's serving us?
I thought of the 900 men and women, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, friends and
neighbors who won't be returning to their own hometowns. I thought of the families I had met who
were struggling to get by without a loved one's full income or whose loved ones had returned with
a limb missing or nerves shattered, but still lacked long-term health benefits because they were
Reservists.
When we send our young men and women into harm's way, we have a solemn obligation not to
fudge the numbers or shade the truth about why they are going, to care for their families while
they're gone, to tend to the soldiers upon their return and to never, ever go to war without enough
troops to win the war, secure the peace and earn the respect of the world.
Now, let me be clear. Let me be clear. We have real enemies in the world. These enemies must
be found. They must be pursued. And they must be defeated.
John Kerry knows this. And just as Lieutenant Kerry did not hesitate to risk his life to protect the
men who served with him in Vietnam, President Kerry will not hesitate one moment to use our
military might to keep America safe and secure.
John Kerry believes in America. And he knows that it's not enough for just some of us to prosper.
For alongside our famous individualism, there's another ingredient in the American saga, a belief
that we are all connected as one people.
If there's a child on the south side of Chicago who can't read, that matters to me, even if it's not
my child.
If there's a senior citizen somewhere who can't pay for their prescription and having to choose
between medicine and the rent, that makes my life poorer, even if it's not my grandparent.
If there's an Arab-American family being rounded up without benefit of an attorney or due
process, that threatens my civil liberties.
It is that fundamental belief -- it is that fundamental belief -- I am my brother's keeper,
I am my sisters' keeper -- that makes this country work.
It's what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, yet still come together as a single American
family: "E pluribus unum," out of many, one.
Now even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and
negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes.
Well, I say to them tonight, there's not a liberal America and a conservative America; there's the
United States of America.
There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there's
the United States of America.
The pundits, the pundits like to slice and dice our country into red states and blue States: red
states for Republicans, blue States for Democrats. But I've got news for them, too. We worship
an awesome God in the blue states, and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries
in the red states.
We coach little league in the blue states and, yes, we've got some gay friends in the red states.
There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq, and there are patriots who supported the war in
Iraq.
We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the
United States of America.
In the end, that's what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism, or do we
participate in a politics of hope?
John Kerry calls on us to hope. John Edwards calls on us to hope. I'm not talking about blind
optimism here, the almost willful ignorance that thinks unemployment will go away if we just don't
think about it, or health care crisis will solve itself if we just ignore it.
That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about something more substantial. It's the hope of
slaves sitting around a fire singing freedom songs; the hope of immigrants setting out for distant
shores; the hope of a young naval lieutenant bravely patrolling the Mekong Delta; the hope of a
millworker's son who dares to defy the odds; the hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who
believes that America has a place for him, too.
Hope in the face of difficulty, hope in the face of uncertainty, the audacity of hope: In the end, that
is God's greatest gift to us, the bedrock of this nation, a belief in things not seen, a belief that
there are better days ahead.
I believe that we can give our middle class relief and provide working families with a road to
opportunity.
I believe we can provide jobs for the jobless, homes to the homeless, and reclaim young people
in cities across America from violence and despair.
I believe that we have a righteous wind at our backs, and that as we stand on the crossroads of
history, we can make the right choices and meet the challenges that face us.
America, tonight, if you feel the same energy that I do, if you feel the same urgency that I do, if
you feel the same passion that I do, if you feel the same hopefulness that I do, if we do what we
must do, then I have no doubt that all across the country, from Florida to Oregon, from
Washington to Maine, the people will rise up in November, and John Kerry will
be sworn in as president. And John Edwards will be sworn in as vice president. And this country
will reclaim it's promise. And out of this long political darkness a brighter day will come.
Thank you very much, everybody.
God bless you.
Thank you. </ul>
User Comments:
Luke
-----Yeah, overall this was definitely the best speech I have heard so far.
I still don't buy that Kerry is "the man" for this, but oh well.
MaryAnn
-----HIs sections on "if there's a child on the south side of Chicago..." and also "we coach little league
in the blue states" were brilliant and make me proud to vote Democratic.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-28 22:02:00
Subject: The Crawford Wives
From Andrew Sullivan...
<ul>A below-the-belt but relatively amusing <a href =
http://www.bushvchoice.com/trailer/home.html target = _blank>NARAL ad</a></ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-28 22:30:00
Subject: The best speech from Day 3 of the Democratic Convention
Wow...this is a hard one. I'm not sure I really liked any of the speeches tonight, but I'm giving it to
Edwards.
Some of my favorite lines...
<ul>And we will have one clear unmistakable message for al Qaida and the rest of these
terrorists. You cannot run. You cannot hide. And we will destroy you.
We will double our Special Forces, and invest in the new equipment and technologies so that our
military remains the best equipped and best trained in the world. This will make our military
stronger so we're able to defeat every enemy in this new world.</ul>
The Pentagon will sleep well tonight.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Well what's wrong with increasing the special forces? What's wrong with a strong military?
And Sharpton by far gave the best speech last night.
Jill
-----It seems as the messages and speeches have gotten closer to the actual candidates, I've
enjoyed them less and less.
We'll see if this holds true tonight with the Dem-a-god's arrival.
-----I actually give Sharpton the best speech, although Edwards was good too. (I actually didn't watch
as much as yesterday.)
You guys' talk about the controlling of the message and the so-called "show of unity" has given
me an idea for a blog that I'm hoping to write today.
Luke
-----"And we will have one clear unmistakable message for al Qaida and the rest of these terrorists.
You cannot run. You cannot hide. And we will destroy you"
I cracked up when he said that one! I kept waiting for him to say "now watch this drive".
And also, when he started talking about the Special Forces and whatnot I thought I passed out
and woke up listening to the Republican National Convention. Way to go!
"ED-WARDS! ED-WARDS! U-S-A!! U-S-A!!"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-29 09:35:00
Subject: When Punchline Trumps Honesty
From Tuesday's WSJ, comes <a href="http://www.opinionjournal.com/la/?id=110005402"
target="blank">this editorial</a> by NPRs Scott Simon...
<ul>When Punchline Trumps Honesty
There's more McCarthy than Murrow in the work of Michael Moore.
BY SCOTT SIMON, Tuesday, July 27, 2004 12:01 a.m.
Michael Moore has won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and may win an Oscar for
the kind of work that got Stephen Glass, Jayson Blair, and Jack Kelly fired.
Trying to track the unproven innuendoes and conspiracies in a Michael Moore film or book is as
futile as trying to count the flatulence jokes in one by Adam Sandler. Some journalists and critics
have acted as if his wrenching of facts is no more serious than a movie continuity problem, like
showing a 1963 Chevy in 1956 Santa Monica.
A documentary film doesn't have to be fair and balanced, to coin a phrase. But it ought to make
an attempt to be accurate. It can certainly be pointed and opinionated. But it should not knowingly
misrepresent the truth. Much of Michael Moore's films and books, however entertaining to his
fans and enraging to his critics, seems to regard facts as mere nuisances to the story he wants to
tell.
Back in 1991 that sharpest of film critics, the New Yorker's Pauline Kael, blunted some of the
raves for Mr. Moore's "Roger and Me" by pointing out how the film misrepresented many facts
about plant closings in Flint, Mich., and caricatured people it purported to feel for. "The film I saw
was shallow and facetious," said Kael, "a piece of gonzo demagoguery that made me feel cheap
for laughing."
His methods remain unrefined in "Fahrenheit 9/11." Mr. Moore ignores or misrepresents the truth,
prefers innuendo to fact, edits with poetic license rather than accuracy, and strips existing news
footage of its context to make events and real people say what he wants, even if they don't. As
Kael observed back then, Mr. Moore's method is no more high-minded than "the work of a slick
ad exec."
The main premise of Mr. Moore's recent work is that both Presidents Bush have been what
amounts to Manchurian Candidates of the Saudi royal family. Mr. Moore suggests (he depends
so much on innuendo that a simple, declarative verb like "says" is usually impossible) the Saudi
government, having soured on their pawns for unstated reasons, launched the attacks of Sept.
11.
"What if these weren't wacko terrorists, but military pilots who signed onto a suicide mission?"
Moore asks in the best-selling "Dude, Where's My Country?" "What if they were doing this at the
behest of either the Saudi government or certain disgruntled members of the Saudi royal
family?" Central to Mr. Moore's indictment of the current President Bush is his charge that the
U.S. government secretly assisted the evacuation of bin Laden family members from the U.S. in
the hours following the Sept. 11 attacks, when all other flights nationwide were grounded. He
supports this with grainy images of indecipherable documents.
But on our show on Saturday, Richard Clarke, the government's former counter-terrorism adviser
and no apologist for the Bush administration, told us that he had authorized those flights, but only
after air travel had been restored and all the Saudis had been questioned. "I think Moore's
making a mountain of a molehill," he said. Moreover, said Mr. Clarke, "He never interviewed me."
Instead, Mr. Moore had simply lifted a clip from an ABC interview. Perhaps Mr. Moore just didn't
want to get an answer that he didn't want to hear. (See how useful innuendoes can be?)
In what is perhaps the most wrenching scene in the film, an Iraqi woman is shown wailing amid
the rubble caused by a bomb that killed members of her family. I do not doubt her account, or her
sorrow. I have interviewed Iraqis about U.S. bombs that killed civilians. People who agree to wars
should see the human damage bombs can do.
But reporters who were taken around to see the sites of civilian deaths during the bombing of
Baghdad also observed that some of those errant bombs were fired by Iraqi anti-aircraft crews.
Mr. Moore doesn't let the audience know when and where this bomb was dropped, or otherwise
try to identify the culprit of the tragedy.
Mr. Moore tries hard to identify himself with U.S. troops and their concerns. But he spends an
awful lot of effort depicting them as dupes and brutes. At one point in "Fahrenheit 9/11," someone
off-camera prods a U.S. soldier into singing a favorite hip-hop song with profane lyrics. Mr. Moore
then runs the soldier's voice over combat footage, to make it seem as if the soldier were
insensitively singing along with the destruction.
In another scene, U.S. soldiers make savage jokes about the awkward effects of rigor mortis on
one part of the corpse of an Iraqi soldier. I do not doubt the authenticity of those pictures. But I
also have no particular reason to trust it. A few basic details, like where and when the video was
shot, are considered traditional reporting techniques (especially after the front-page photos of
British soldiers brutalizing Iraqi prisoners turned out to be frauds). A few other basic facts might
have informed the audience. Was the Iraqi killed in battle? By a suicide bomb? Moore says the
U.S. soldiers are good boys turned coarse in an immoral war. But I have also heard those kind of
ugly and anxious jokes about corpses from overstressed emergency room physicians.
In the New York Times, Paul Krugman wrote that, "Viewers may come away from Moore's movie
believing some things that probably aren't true," and that he "uses association and innuendo to
create false impressions." Try to imagine those phrases on a marquee. But that is his rave
review! He lauds "Fahrenheit 9/11" for its "appeal to working-class Americans." Do we really want
to believe that only innuendo, untruths, and conspiracy theories can reach working-class
Americans?
Governments of both parties have assuaged Saudi interests for more than 50 years. (I wonder if
Mr. Moore grasps how much the jobs of auto workers in Flint depended on cheap oil.) Sound
questions about the course, costs, and grounds for the war in Iraq have been raised by voices
across the political spectrum.
But when 9/11 Commission Chairman Kean has to take a minute at a press conference, as he
did last Thursday, to knock down a proven falsehood like the secret flights of the bin Laden
family, you wonder if those who urge people to see Moore's film are informing or contaminating
the debate. I see more McCarthy than Murrow in the work of Michael Moore. No matter how hot a
blowtorch burns, it doesn't shed much light.
Mr. Simon hosts NPR's "Weekend Edition Saturday" and is the author of theforthcoming
"Pretty Birds," a novel about the siege of Sarajevo, from Random House.</ul>
User Comments:
Luke
-----What a silly article.
Keith http://www.journalscape.com/keithsnyder
-----> Do we really want to believe that only innuendo, untruths,
>and conspiracy theories can reach working-class Americans?
No. I want to believe working-class Americans can be reached by a government that tells the
truth.
Problem is, there's not one around. Which leaves a huge opening for others to step in and try to
make sense of it all--or (in Moore's case) to put forth an explanation with an emotional coherence
to it, if not an intellectual coherence.
My problem with articles like this one isn't that they're wrong--it's that the best they can do is
"Nuh-uh!!"
Fine, so it's nuh-uh. I'm willing to accept that. So please, somebody... rather than poking holes in
other people's stories, give me an alternative story that makes sense.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-30 09:45:00
Subject: The best speech from Day Four of the Democratic Convention
I'm giving this one to Alexandra Kerry...
<ul>It's great to be here tonight. It hasn't been easy to sift through years of memories about my
father and find those few that might best tell you who John Kerry really is. Let me just begin with
one July day when Vanessa and I were kids. It's a silly story, but it's true, and it's one of my
favorite memories of my father.
We were standing on a dock waiting for a boat to take us on a summer trip. Vanessa, the
scientist, had packed all her animals including her favorite hamster. Our over-zealous golden
retriever got tangled in his leash and knocked the hamster cage off the dock. We watched as
Licorice, the unlucky hamster bubbled down to a watery doom. That might have been the end of
the story. But my dad jumped in, grabbed an oar, fished the cage from the water, hunched over
the soggy hamster and began to administer CPR. There were some reports of mouth-to-mouth,
but, I admit that's probably a trick of memory. He was never quite right after that, but Licorice
lived. Like I said, it may sound silly. We still laugh about it today. But, to us it was serious and
that's what mattered to my father.
Years later, when I was driving back to college with him, brooding as only a nineteen-year-old
can, my father told me to look outside. He said, "Ali, this is a beautiful day. Feel the sun. Look at
the country you live in." The passion of his words makes me remember them, still, ten years later.
He said: "I know men your exact age, who thought they had the same future you have. Whose
families were never born, who never again walked on American soil. They don't feel this sun.
Ali," he said. "If there's something you don't like, something that needs to be changed, change it.
But never, ever give up. Remember that you are alive. And that you are an American. Those two
things make you the luckiest girl in the world."
Even now, I look back at that and think about what my dad's been through in his life. Because
he's quiet about those things, my sister and I had to sneak upstairs, when we were kids, to read
his letters from Vietnam. Who knew a 23 year-old could have seen so much, so young?
To every little girl her father is a hero. It's taken some getting used to, that my father actually is
one. And not just in the obvious ways. Because he likes to listen as much as he likes to talk;
because he's studious in the way someone is when everything in the whole world interests them;
because he leads by example; because he trusts people with the truth and doesn't pander or play
to our baser instincts.
And let me tell you this, when he loves you-as he loves me and my sister and his family, as he
loves the men who fought beside him-there is no sacrifice too great. When he cares for you, as
he cares for this country, there are no surer hands, and no wiser heart.
And so when he teaches you, by the life he has led, as he has taught me and my sister all of our
lives, there is no better lesson: That the future of this country is not only his life's work. It's mine
and yours. It is all of our life's work, all of us.
And if we want our children to breathe clean air and drink clean water, if we want them to control
their own bodies, if we want them to protect the liberties and opportunities that are our birthrights,
we must be involved in the struggle. Because on that day, my father was right, we are the luckiest
people in the world. We walk on this soil. We feel this sun. And we are Americans. And now, we'd
like to present, our dad, John Kerry!</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-30 13:18:00
Subject: They should have picked Dean
From the San Francisco Chronicle comes <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?
file=/chronicle/archive/2004/07/30/EDGS67UQ681.DTL&type=printable" target="blank">this
</a>...
<ul>They should have picked Dean
- Debra J. Saunders, Friday, July 30, 2004
Boston -- AT THE DEMOCRATIC National Convention, the gulf between rhetoric and reality is
breathtaking.
John Kerry and his surrogates have spent the week telling America that if Kerry and John
Edwards are elected, America will not go to war, as the script reads, "because we want to, we
only go to war because we have to."
But Sens. Kerry and Edwards did not have to vote in favor of the resolution authorizing the use of
force in Iraq. Yet they did.
Now they say they were misled -- which suggests that they now think America didn't have to go to
war. Why should Americans listen to them now?
Bottom line: The Democratic Party did not have to nominate a candidate who supported the war,
but Democratic voters for some reason chose to do so.
Item: According to a New York Times/CBS News poll, three-quarters of Democratic voters
opposed the war.
Item: The same poll found that 86 percent of convention delegates opposed the war.
Item: 100 percent of the Democratic ticket voted with GOP President Bush on Iraq.
Nonetheless, this convention is packed with politicians who are boasting about the tremendous
party unity they see everywhere. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco said
that the party is more united than she has seen it in 40 years. Three in 4 Democrats disagree
with the nominee on the biggest issue out there -- and that's unity?
"It's not just a toning down of rhetoric, but a turning inside-out of reality," said Massachusetts
GOP politico Todd Domke.
No lie. Here's an example, a line from the Democratic Party platform chapter entitled "A Strong,
Respected America," which faults members of the Bush administration because "They do not
understand that real leadership means standing by your principles and rallying others to join
you."
Au contraire, Bush understands leadership. He stood by his principles, he rallied Kerry and
Edwards to join him, and he thereby brought the opposing party to his war.
Kerry and Edwards followed.
Bush led.
Veteran Kerry observer Domke told me months ago the Democrats should have picked Dean.
I now see how right Domke was.
I see it as I watch a group of well-meaning delegates gush about how excited they are, how
united they are, because they chose a man with whom nearly 9 out of 10 of them disagree on the
most fundamental issue -- the war.
It must hurt. The delegates can't argue their most deeply held belief -- that the war was wrong -because they nominated a man who voted to authorize it.
Think: America is in the middle of a war, and speakers at the Democratic National Convention
can't really address this war in an honest manner. Many can't say what they really believe.
They have to pretend they will go along with positions they detest.
For a campaign to succeed, Domke noted, its energy has to come from both the message and
the candidate. "It turns out that with Howard Dean, (the Democrats) would have had not just a
messenger they could believe, but a message that they obviously do believe in."
It's true that Thursday night showed America a man with a compelling story, a worthy biography
and an admirable war record, but his story can't change the minds of those who disagree with his
policies.
If the Democrats wanted an anti-war nominee, they should have picked one.
Instead, they chose a man who is committed to seeing the war in Iraq through.
They threw out their principles when they picked John Kerry. They wanted to win so badly that
they have been willing to stake their party's future on a man whom they must attack in a matter of
months, if he stays true to his words of today.
And how united will their party be then?
It's tragic -- I say, even though I support Bush -- to see committed people turn their back on their
most cherished principles because they thought it was the clever way to beat Bush.</ul>
I couldn't agree with this more!
User Comments:
Dickie_Cronkite <[email protected]> http://www.journalscape.com/Dickie_Cronkite/
-----Reverendmother really covered my reactions to that column perfectly (phew, thanks!) I would
only add that to pidgeon hole Kerry by his "Yes" authorization vote doesn't take into consideration
the complexities behind that decision. But am I totally comfortable with his "Yes" vote? No. Am I
more in tune with some of our brethren Deniacs? Sure. Would Dean have won, if nominated,
even if he and the Kucinich's represent the party's conscience (like Byrd in the Senate)? No way.
Does this mean the party's "selling out"? I strongly say Hell no. Look at the nature of our political
and electoral system - it's not Parliamentary and thus you HAVE to move to the center if you're a
realist, and want to bring about actual change in the U.S. Sucks I know, but that's the way it is
here. I wrote about this in a 'Nader' post a few days ago...
-----I couldn't agree with this more!
Oh, you support George Bush too? ;-)
This convention is packed with politicians who are boasting about the tremendous party unity
they see everywhere... Three in 4 Democrats disagree with the nominee on the biggest issue out
there -- and that's unity? 
First of all, for better or worse, the war in Iraq is not the biggest issue for the Dems. The biggest
issue is their belief that Bush is taking the country in the wrong direction. The war in Iraq is just
one major example. The sketchy nature of the run-up to war is at issue for most Democrats, as I
understand it, more than the war itself.
That is, I find it hard to believe that 3 out of 4 Democrats are pure and true pacifists; my guess is
most of them are just-war theorists. Which is to say that force is justified in very specific cases.
What we (were told and thought we) knew then indicated WMDs, ties to Al Qaeda, an imminent
threat, Bush was at least feigning interest in what the UN was thinking, etc. etc. etc. Hindsight is
20/20 of course; 3/4 of Democrats did not oppose the war 18 months ago.
Anyway... yeah. It is unity. What it's *not* is uniformity, which people seem to get confused time
and again. One can feel unity with a group without being in lockstep on all their beliefs. But, it is
easy and satisfying to label that as selling out.
I daresay that members of the beloved Green party in other countries routinely "unite" with
members of other parties in order to form coalitions--these other parties may be considerably less
progressive than the Greens are. Is that selling out? Or is that being collaborative? I suppose I
know your answer!
"A Strong, Respected America,"... faults members of the Bush administration because "They
do not understand that real leadership means standing by your principles and rallying others to
join you." 
Um, I think that's exactly what Kerry and Edwards are doing...!? Would it be better if they told the
party faithful what they wanted to hear? Instead they are saying, here is where I stand and why
it's good for America. Come along with me. And people are. Of course there are disagreements.
And they'd better hold his feet to the fire when he's elected. We all should.
It must hurt. The delegates can't argue their most deeply held belief -- that the war was wrong
-- because they nominated a man who voted to authorize it. 
First of all, I would wonder about her motives as a Bush supporter in claiming "the war is wrong"
as the predominant rallying cry of the Democrats. Again, the predominent rallying cry of the Dems
is, "Bush has been a horrible president, the country's a mess, the man needs to go and we've got
the man and the plan to make it happen." Also, "the war was wrong" is such a simplistic way of
putting it.
Does she mean the act of going to war at all?
Does she mean going before the inspectors had finished their work?
Does she mean going without the UN?
Again, I seem to remember people supporting the war in Iraq in record numbers, based on
what we were told at the time. (I personally didn't.)
I find the article rather patronizing in tone. Poor Democrats, selling out their ideals just to win an
election... it's a very simple and simplistic view of things. Life is rarely so.
Matthew
-----Didn't you support the war though?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-30 21:49:00
Subject: Again, I couldn't agree more...
From the Boston Globe comes <a
href="http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/07/30/rushed_spee
ch_lost_opportunity/" target="blank"> this</a>...
<ul>Rushed speech, lost opportunity
By Thomas Oliphant, Globe Staff | July 30, 2004
FOR REASONS he might like to explain, John Kerry last night raced through an acceptance
speech that was way too long for a time slot he knew about for weeks.
Desperate to stay within the broadcast networks' paltry 60 minutes, Kerry stepped on his best
thoughts and lines and blurred important proposals and distinctions, committing the sin of
interfering with his own ability to communicate with an electorate eager to learn much more about
President Bush's opponent.
At a Democratic convention planned to showcase a candidate and his basic approach to two
huge situations -- a bogged-down military adventure in Iraq and a fragile economy -- Kerry
obscured his presentation in a blizzard of hard-to-follow verbiage dictated by the clock.
Perhaps the public will let him off the hook, but the fact remains that Kerry essentially blew an
opportunity he may not get again until the debates with Bush this fall. He and his advisers can
and will argue that the cold facts of economic and foreign policy life will dominate political opinion
in the weeks ahead; nevertheless, a golden opportunity slipped away.
It almost never happens, but Kerry appears to rank at the bottom of a short list of the most
significant Democratic orators that was headed by (take your pick) running mate John Edwards
and Illinois Senate candidate (and keynoter) Barack Obama and included the Rev. Al Sharpton
and Senator Edward Kennedy.
Yesterday morning there were reports from Democratic and Kerry campaign officials that the
speech remained roughly 20 minutes too long despite a process of thinking, writing, and editing
that had been going on in earnest at least since his selection of Edwards on July 6.
At first it appeared that the process was achingly slow and dominated by a candidate determined
to sketch out the basic outline and content of his speech alone with a yellow pad. With
assistance, a body of text approaching 10,000 words was collected and then expanded upon by
a campaign determined to add more material to show how "tough" Kerry intends to be in fighting
terrorism.
Kerry was not delivering a practice State of the Union Message last night. He was giving a
thematic overview. The purpose was not to make new proposals but to present himself as a
public servant, an advocate of effective and honest conduct of a new kind of war, and a
proponent of a more robust economy that will raise ordinary Americans' living standards.
In parts it was beautifully written (trees as "the cathedrals of nature"). In parts it was horrid -- the
snappy salute at the outset and the distinctly nonpresidential announcement that "I'm John Kerry,
and I'm reporting for duty."
Because Kerry was racing, the audience in the convention hall responded with its loudest noise
to points about civil right and civil liberties dear to liberals' hearts but not central to Kerry's
election strategy -- there will be a new attorney general, no assaults on the Constitution, and no
partisan use of the American flag.
That's reassuring, but Kerry muffed an opportunity to hone great material into a powerful address.
He and his campaign can do better than this, and his supporters have a right to demand that they
do.
Thomas Oliphant's e-mail address is [email protected]. </ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-07-30 22:21:00
Subject: The Corporation
This film lives up to all its hype!
User Comments:
Moody'sTabernackle <[email protected]> http://www.journalscape.com/Moody'sTabernackle/
-----Noam Chomsky rules!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-08-02 23:02:00
Subject: Some Kind of Monster
Saw it yesterday and it was a great flick for the Metallica fan in me!
User Comments:
Jill
-----I guess I'd not want to recommend it, as I'm a fan and I loved it, but it's hard to be objective about
it.
Let's just put it this way...it wouldn't hurt! ;-)
Matthew
-----Was it good for non-Metallica fans?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-08-03 09:31:00
Subject: Break not the circle
We sang this hymn in church a couple of Sundays ago and the words spoke to me....
<ul>Break not the circle of enabling love,
where people grow, forgiven and forgiving;
break not that circle, make it wider still,
till it includes, embraces all the living.
Come, wonder at the love that comes to life,
where words of humour are with freedom spoken;
and people keep no score of wrong and guilt,
but will that human bonds remain unbroken.
Join then the movement of the love that frees,
till people of whatever race or nation
will truly be themselves, stand on their feet,
see eye to eye with laughter and elation.</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-08-06 09:45:00
Subject: When 3 letter words can be as dangerous as 4 letter ones
NEW ORLEANS - It wasn't a four-letter word, but it was close enough to cause a stir at the
National Scrabble Championship Thursday.
In the final round, eventual champion Trey Wright played the word "lez," which was on a list of
offensive words not allowed during the tournament.
Normally, no word is off-limits, but because the games were being taped for broadcast on ESPN,
certain terms had been deemed inappropriate, including the three-letter slang for lesbian.
"There are words you just can't show on television," Scrabble Association Executive Director
John Williams said.
Wright, a 30-year-old concert pianist from Los Angeles, played the word and then drew two
replacement tiles so quickly that the referee didn't notice at first. When he did, he said the slang
term had to go.
ESPN officials told Williams the word could stay, but the issue was that Wright had already
selected new tiles.
"He violated the rules. But there were also people who were upset that the word was played,"
Williams said.
Eric Chaiken, a tournament participant and director of "Word Wars," a documentary about the
Scrabble championship, said the definition of "offensive" was open to interpretation.
"The ultimate absurdity is that you can't play the word 'redskins' on ESPN," he said.
Williams spoke with Wright and his opponent, David Gibson, then called an emergency meeting
of the Scrabble Advisory Board. The board unanimously agreed to remove the word. Wright then
returned the two tiles he had selected and played a different word, Williams said.
"We kind of took two steps back," he said.
Wright, using more innocent words like feijoa (an evergreen shrub) and zebu (a domesticated
ox), won the best-of-five final round in three games and pocketed a $25,000 prize.
"Meaning has no consideration when I play," Wright said.
User Comments:
Jill
-----Ah-so! Yeah, it is absurd.
Luke
-----""The ultimate absurdity is that you can't play the word 'redskins' on ESPN," he said."
That should be clear enough.
Jill http://www.jillsusan.com
-----Luke-can you clarify?
Luke
-----What a silly article.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-08-09 09:16:00
Subject: Cause and effect
"We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men; and among
those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as
effects."
-Herman Melville
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-08-09 10:23:00
Subject: The last laugh on "free trade"
Did anyone but me have to chuckle at this <a
href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/01/26/60minutes/main595875.shtml" target="blank">
60 Minutes story</a> last night? (I think this was a repeat of a broadcast earlier in the year, but I
missed it the first time around.)
<ul>Name an American brand. Any brand, and any kind of product.
Clothing, computer chips, car parts. Just name it and we’ll tell you something about it. It’s
probably being counterfeited in China as we speak.
For years, China has been the workshop of the world. And for years, American and other western
firms have set up shop in China to tap into the enormous, cheap labor force.
The question is: Once the Chinese know how to make an American product, what’s to stop them
from copying it?
The answer?
Nothing at all.
And what's to prevent the Chinese from shipping these counterfeits back to the United States?
Not much.</ul>
With all these American companies outsourcing to other countries, I just had to chuckle that
maybe some of this is coming back to bite them!
Of course, it does have its downside as the story ends by reporting that dozens of children from
one eastern Chinese city died after being fed counterfeit baby formula and I hope they can stop
that. But the Guccis and the Calloways and the Nikes...hey, it's just too bad...you reap what you
sow, no pun intended.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-08-11 19:42:00
Subject: ClubCorp No More
Yes, it's true. Yesterday I was laid off at ClubCorp. They gave me one of their fondest farewells!
Oh, how sweet it is....
I'll miss the people, at least some of them, and the wonderfully great 5 minute commute, and my
co-worker (he's the only one left out of 5 of us), but beyond that, good riddance.
User Comments:
Mr. Cloudy
-----ClubCorp is certainly worse off for this decision. No matter how you slice it, it sucks.
I hope that something promising falls your way soon.
-----Although it sucks that you have to look for a new job, it sounds like the last few months have
been stressful.
I'll call you tomorrow when it's not so late to talk more in depth.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-08-12 14:50:00
Subject: Margical History Tour
Nothing like an episode of The Simpsons to bring you out of a funk, at least temporarily, anyway.
Laughter really, truly *is* good medicine.
This episode was a good one for me today! And it's a little history lesson at that!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-08-12 14:53:00
Subject: 2.5 billion
According to Time Magazine,
2.5 billion Gallons of water it would take a day to support 4.7 billion people at the UN daily
minimum.
2.5 billion Gallons of water used a day to irrigate the world's golf courses.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-08-16 00:08:00
Subject: Good things about today
1. Walks with Caroline
2. Robert's brisket
3. Talks with MaryAnn
4. Conversations with Sherry
5. High speed internet access
6. The Sunday Washington Post
7. Diversity in this Springfield VA neighborhood
8. My friend Donna, listening to my end of the conversation, and then saying exactly what I would
have said
9. My dream about my best friend
10. Purple yarn knitted into a sweater
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-08-19 09:15:00
Subject: Day 9 of unemployment (but who is counting)
It was a mere one week and two days ago that I got laid off. So how am I feeling?
Great-the stress is gone from trying to please people that can't be pleased
Afraid-that I won't be able to find a job that I like or that likes me
Relaxed-no time clocks to punch, no traffic to wade through every morning or evening
Centered-one week (almost) with my granddaughter can do that for me
Less hypocritical-no more working for a company that caters to rich, spoiled golfers, with all the
environmental impact those golf courses make
Free-that I can go and do a week in DC and no one is waiting on the other side for me to do their
dirty work
Wondering-how I will pay for my life choices if I don't find a job before the severence runs out
Angry-that my boss has posted the "new" position (that replaced me) that I'm totally qualified for
Working through the feelings-because I know I have to
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-08-20 18:49:00
Subject: Home again, home again, giggedie, gig
But not for long...
I've spent almost a whole week in northern Virginia with my youngest granddaughter and I had so
much fun!
OK, if you don't want to hear me bragging, you can stop reading now!
"She-who-is" is wonderful!
She can:
<ul><li>Answer "Si" and nod her head affirmatively to a question you ask of her
<li>Recognize the letter "O" during bathtime
<li>Sing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" all the way through, over and over again, during a walk in
her stroller
<li>Growl like Baby Bear on Sesame Street
<li>Give the best hug to her MaDear every time it's requested
<li>Make me laugh when lately I've not felt like laughing much
<li>Melt my heart, which she did on a daily/hourly basis.
I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to make this trip.
User Comments:
MaryAnn
-----We have these foam letters that stick to the side of the bathtub. Apparently she knows "O" but I
think it's a coincidence--unless she's reading Oprah's magazine or something!
We couldn't have made it through this busy time without Mom. She even did some projects that
have been on hold for a long time. What a gift.
-----What is the significance of the letter "O" during bathtime? Just curious.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-08-22 00:35:00
Subject: My Day
Alarm
Awake
Airplane
Austin
Airplane
Ambulate
Amuse
Asleep
User Comments:
MaryAnn
-----Up and back the same day?
I guess that's why I didn't get you on the phone last night.
Matthew
-----That's quite "a" day.
Brian
-----Awesome
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-08-25 18:46:00
Subject: Can I just say....
...campaign finance reform was a joke!
User Comments:
matthew
-----it's taken the negative ads away from the party's and into the hands of "evil doers" and "shadowy
groups."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-08-26 22:10:00
Subject: Unemployed no more
Consulting Partners came through for me...
After 3 interviews and 16 days of leisure, I landed a position at Lennox in Richardson. They
wanted me to start on Monday at 8:30 AM but looks like I'll go in tomorrow at 11:00 as they are
anxious to put me to work.
If I didn't know better, I'd think that there was an angel looking out for me, but then, I have some
really good friends who are looking for jobs and have been for quite some time, so I'm thinking, it
must be just pure dumb luck.
User Comments:
-----PS - We close on our house tomorrow.
-----Tell us more, tell us more! What will you do? Is this permanent or short term?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-08-28 00:18:00
Subject: Hole in the Wall
Blues and buds...it's good!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-08-29 02:25:00
Subject: C-Span rules!
I'm mesmerized...
I just watched an hour and 1/2 of a debate about Gay & Lesbian issues on C-Span that was
WONDERFUL!
OK, I wanted to go to bed early tonight, but this kept me up...catch it if you can!
User Comments:
Matthewmckibben
-----C-Span DOES rule if for nothing else than the fact that they just show the convention unedited.
No pundits, no Bob Dole, no Bill O'Reilly. Just straight up coverage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-09-02 20:55:00
Subject: September Song
I'm always so glad when I turn the calendar page from August to September. Although I don't
want to spend my life wishing away some of my days, and I can even enjoy some of the lazy,
hazy, crazy days of summer, September's cooler weather and the promises of fall not far ahead
always invigorate me.
Life is good!
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Amen to that! :-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-09-06 15:21:00
Subject: Happy Labor Day
Heard in church yesterday...
It was god that gave us Sundays, but it was Labor Unions that gave us weekends.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-09-10 22:20:00
Subject: Reality
1000...what does that mean? Really...
That's the number of dead soldiers in Iraq.
I feel sad about it and wonder "how many deaths will it take till he knows that too many people
have died?"
When I was waiting in line Monday morning early for my trip to Atlanta, I saw a shaven headed
20-something guy kissing his girlfriend/wife goodbye (as she cried) and watched his family
members shake hands with him, hug him, wave good-bye to him, as he goes through security
and TSA searches his bags and he heads to his gate, for ports unknown to me but probably in
harms way. god go with him.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-09-14 23:06:00
Subject: When you're sick and out of town
So I'm sick (cold and fever) and in Atlanta and working contract work and wondering if life will
ever slow up and thankful that I have a job and enjoying the peace and quiet of a hotel room and
looking forward to getting back to Dallas but secretly hoping the hurricane will keep me here in
Atlanta so I can just hibernate and hole up in the hotel room here.
Whatever happens, I'll deal.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----two more words:
Get.Well.
Reverendmother blogs.salon.com/0004134
-----Two words:
Room.Service.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-09-15 21:42:00
Subject: Ivan, you're the man
So I've succumbed. I'm staying in Atlanta this weekend because I really, really don't want to fly
through a hurricane and I think it's just pointless to go home to Dallas for just a few hours so here
I'll sit.
Things could be worse...
User Comments:
Jill
-----some of my most favorite letters from you (Matthew) during that time were ones that described
just what you just commented on...
Matthew
-----When I was in the Marines, we'd fly from Okinawa to different parts of the mainland. Numerous
times, while we were at our destination, a typhoon would either roll through Okinawa or the place
where we were staying, thusly preventing us from leaving on a jet plane back home.
So we'd just hole ourselves up in our rooms, buy all the junk food we could, and just have the
time of our lives.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-09-16 21:02:00
Subject: Why I love Teresa
"Clothing is wonderful, but let them go naked for a while, at least the kids," said Heinz Kerry, the
wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites). "Water is necessary,
and then generators, and then food, and then clothes."
<http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&u=/ap/20040915/ap_on_el_pr/heinz_kerry_1
&printer=1>
User Comments:
Jill
-----Ouch, Mike....good point!
-----I am assuming she is talking about aid to hurricane victims? I'm sure the pedophiles will agree
with her 100%.
Matthew
-----People felt the same way about Hillary as well. And sadly, many of these people are the same
ones who used to criticize Chelsea. For what? She was a teenager under the media spotlight,
and everyone's criticizing the way she looks??? What's up with that?
Reverendmother blogs.salon.com/0004134
-----I was in a coffee shop recently and overheard two people talking about her. The woman said
something about "Teresa--that is, tuh-RAY-suh, or whatever she wants to be called."
Um, she "wants to be called" tuh-RAY-suh because THAT'S HER NAME.
There seem to be people out there who are just genetically predisposed not to like her. Criticize
what she says, does or believes if you want, but that comment really bugged because it's based
on--what? Nothing of substance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-09-22 10:11:00
Subject: Fall in Atlanta
This is my fourth week in Atlanta. The doc project lead is leaving for another contract job in
Amsterdam (cool!) and it looks like I'll be the new lead for the rest of the project. They've added
another doc specialist to work with me, so it won't fall completely on my shoulders, which is good.
I should be getting quite a few more good weeks of hours in.
In the meantime, it's not completely all work and no play for me, but almost.
I actually walked in a neighborhood near my hotel after work last night and it felt so good to get
moving and breathe in the cool, crisp air of the first day of fall!
Mad season, my season!
User Comments:
MaryAnn
-----I do miss Atlanta weather. Four mild seasons...
Conrats on the 'promotion'!
Katieg http://www.journalscape.com/katieg
-----The project lead, huh? Too bad you were so unqualifed for that Club Corp work..... NOT!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-09-22 21:17:00
Subject: From ROADwomen
If America were Iraq, what would it be like?
by Juan Cole, Professor of History, University of Michigan
President Bush said Tuesday that the Iraqis are refuting the pessimists and implied that things
are improving in that country.
What would America look like if it were in Iraq's current situation? The population of the US is
over 11 times that of Iraq, so statistics would have to be multiplied by that number.
Thus, violence killed 300 Iraqis last week, the equivalent proportionately of 3,300 Americans.
What if 3,300 Americans had died in car bombings, grenade and rocket attacks, machine gun
spray, and aerial bombardment in the last week? That is a number greater than the deaths on
September 11, and if America were Iraq, it would be an ongoing, weekly or monthly toll.
And what if those deaths occurred all over the country, including in the capital of Washington,
DC, but mainly above the Mason Dixon line, in Boston, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, and San
Francisco?
What if the grounds of the White House and the government buildings near the Mall were
constantly taking mortar fire? What if almost nobody in the State Department at Foggy Bottom,
the White House, or the Pentagon dared venture out of their buildings, and considered it
dangerous to go over to Crystal City or Alexandria?
What if all the reporters for all the major television and print media were trapped in five-star hotels
in Washington, DC and New York, unable to move more than a few blocks safely, and dependent
on stringers to know what was happening in Oklahoma City and St. Louis? What if the only time
they ventured into the Midwest was if they could be embedded in Army or National Guard units?
There are estimated to be some 25,000 guerrillas in Iraq engaged in concerted acts of violence.
What if there were private armies totalling 275,000 men, armed with machine guns, assault rifles
(legal again!), rocket-propelled grenades, and mortar launchers, hiding out in dangerous urban
areas of cities all over the country? What if they completely controlled Seattle, Portland, San
Francisco, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Denver and Omaha, such that local police and Federal
troops could not go into those cities?
What if, during the past year, the Secretary of State (Aqilah Hashemi), the President (Izzedine
Salim), and the Attorney General (Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim) had all been assassinated?
What if all the cities in the US were wracked by a crime wave, with thousands of murders,
kidnappings, burglaries, and carjackings in every major city every year?
What if the Air Force routinely (I mean daily or weekly) bombed Billings, Montana, Flint, Michigan,
Watts in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Anacostia in Washington, DC, and other urban areas,
attempting to target "safe houses" of "criminal gangs", but inevitably killing a lot of children and
little old ladies?
What if, from time to time, the US Army besieged Virginia Beach, killing hundreds of armed
members of the Christian Soldiers? What if entire platoons of the Christian Soldiers militia holed
up in Arlington National Cemetery, and were bombarded by US Air Force warplanes daily,
destroying thousands of graves and even pulverizing the Vietnam Memorial over on the Mall?
What if the National Council of Churches had to call for a popular march of thousands of
believers to converge on the National Cathedral to stop the US Army from demolishing it to get at
a rogue band of the Timothy McVeigh Memorial Brigades?
What if there were virtually no commercial air traffic in the country? What if many roads were
highly dangerous, especially Interstate 95 from Richmond to Washington, DC, and I-95 and I-91
up to Boston? If you got on I-95 anywhere along that over 500-mile stretch, you would risk being
carjacked, kidnapped, or having your car sprayed with machine gun fire.
What if no one had electricity for much more than 10 hours a day, and often less? What if it went
off at unpredictable times, causing factories to grind to a halt and air conditioning to fail in the
middle of the summer in Houston and Miami? What if the Alaska pipeline were bombed and
disabled at least monthly? What if unemployment hovered around 40%?
What if veterans of militia actions at Ruby Ridge and the Oklahoma City bombing were brought in
to run the government on the theory that you need a tough guy in these times of crisis?
What if municipal elections were cancelled and cliques close to the new "president" quietly
installed in the statehouses as "governors?" What if several of these governors (especially of
Montana and Wyoming) were assassinated soon after taking office or resigned when their
children were taken hostage by guerrillas?
What if the leader of the European Union maintained that the citizens of the United States are,
under these conditions, refuting pessimism and that freedom and democracy are just around the
corner?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2004-09-22 22:40:00
Subject: From Andrew Sullivan...
CIVILIAN DEATHS: Here's <a href =
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/08/13/1092340466424.html?oneclick=true target =
_blank>a point</a> worth remembering: <blockquote>The anti-war website Iraqbodycount.net
estimates that between 11,487 and 13,458 Iraqis have been killed since the start of the war.
Added to that are 1049 coalition deaths listed. That is a staggering 14,507 deaths since March 19
last year - a horrendous average of 28.5 people, real human beings, a day for the 509 days. How could this ever be justified? Wouldn't Iraq have been better off without this? It is
estimated that Saddam killed between 500,000 and 1 million of his own people in the 13 years
since the Gulf War, not including the effects of the sanctions. The lower number averages out to
be 105 a day. Assuming Saddam had stayed in power, as the anti-war movement would
have had, and assuming his regime did not fundamentally change, Saddam could have killed
between 53,445 and 106,890 innocent people in the same 509 days. In other words, the
war probably cost between 38,938 and 92,383 fewer lives than the so-called peace would have
cost.</blockquote>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-09-22 22:48:00
Subject: A 15 minute quiz
Again, from Andrew Sullivan...
THE CANDIDATES AND YOU: Do we simply vote for the guy we most think we
resemble? An interesting pop-quiz/political survey. Takes 15 minutes. Take a <a href =
http://www.yourpersonality.net/political/ target = _blank>procrastination break</a>. 
<A HREF="index.php?dish_inc=archives/2004_09_19_dish_archive.html#
109588663480548621">- 6:56:14 PM</A>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-09-23 16:39:00
Subject: Google says "Happy Birthday Ray"
I love this!
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/ray.gif">
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Google is so clever with their designs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-09-28 21:30:00
Subject: This might be good news
ARE THE JIHADISTS LOSING? A new book <a href =
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55504-2004Sep27.html target = _blank>says
so</a>. The key is the way in which these murderous theocrats are now killing more Muslims
than infidels. Would any sane Muslim want to live in Falluja? Money quote: <blockquote>"The
principal goal of terrorism - to seize power in Muslim countries through mobilization of
populations galvanized by jihad's sheer audacity - has not been realized," Kepel writes. In fact,
bin Laden's followers are losing ground: The Taliban regime in Afghanistan has been toppled; the
fence-sitting semi-Islamist regime in Saudi Arabia has taken sides more strongly with the West;
Islamists in Sudan and Libya are in retreat; and the plight of the Palestinians has never been
more dire. And Baghdad, the traditional seat of the Muslim caliphs, is under foreign occupation.
Not what you would call a successful jihad. </blockquote>
User Comments:
Reverendmother www.journalscape.com/reverendmother
-----Interesting--this is a bit different than what R heard on the radio recently (C-SPAN?) that talked
about Islamic fundamentalists who deliberately go after their "near enemies," like
mainstream/moderate Muslims, as a stage in the jihad.
So I'm not sure the jihadists would see as a bad thing that Muslims are being killed, because
they're not the right kind of Muslims, if you get my meaning.
I think the point was that this is not solely about a land grab or power, it is about a religious
purification of sorts.
This is a paraphrase of second-hand information, but I thought it was worth mentioning.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-09-29 18:30:00
Subject: No he didn't say that.... ;-)
"And the question in my mind is how many additional American casualties is Saddam worth? And
the answer is not very damned many. So I think we got it right, both when we decided to expel
him from Kuwait, but also when the president made the decision that we'd achieved our
objectives and we were not going to go get bogged down in the problems of trying to take over
and govern Iraq... All of a sudden you've got a battle you're fighting in a major built-up city, a lot
of civilians are around, significant limitations on our ability to use our most effective technologies
and techniques. Once we had rounded him up and gotten rid of his government, then the
question is what do you put in its place? You know, you then have accepted the responsibility for
governing Iraq." - vice president <a href = http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/192908
_cheney29.html target = _blank>Dick Cheney</a>, 1992.
User Comments:
-----and Kerry's the flip flopper right?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2004-10-05 11:56:00
Subject: October
It's just my favorite month of the year, it really is.
So far, this has been a really, really good month.
I'm continuing my job in Atlanta and loving the fact that I'm getting severence from ClubCorp AND
contractor income here.
I had a fast, quick trip to Houston and got to spend time with all of my children and grandchildren,
not to mention my good friends Bobbie and Dalia. Sherry made it through the trip well too.
I arrived safely in Atlanta yesterday, even after a T-storm start at DFW and a delay of 3.5 hours.
I got 8 hours of sleep last night.
It's a beautiful fall day here today and plan on getting a walk in before I watch the VP debate
tonight.
Life is good! and better, now that it's October!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-10-07 12:44:00
Subject: Friendship
"To talk and laugh. To do each other kindnesses. To read pleasant books together; to pass from
lightest joking to talk of deepest things, and back again. To differ without rancor, as a man might
differ with himself... these, and such like things, proceeding from our hearts as we gave affection
and received it back, and shown by face, by voice, by eyes, and by a thousand pleasing ways,
kindled a flame which fused our very souls together, and, of many, made us one." - Augustine, on
friendship, in the Confessions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-10-09 20:49:00
Subject: What a great name for a book title
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/068987474X/qid=1097372858/sr=81/ref=pd_csp_1/103-7520727-7695801?v=glance&s=books&n=507846" target="blank">He's just
not that into you</a>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-10-11 19:30:00
Subject: Happy Birth Day
It really seems like only yesterday that I, about this hour, was on my way to the hospital over a
bumpy Southwest Freeway to Memorial Hospital Southwest to give birth to my fourth child.
I'd done it before, but that didn't take away from the excitement I felt about what was about to
take place. This was before the days of common sonograms and knowing what sex you'd deliver
months before the actual date. I was hoping (yes I was) for a son to be a buddy for Matthew, and
was thinking that Katie wouldn't mind having another little brother to mother.
When Luke was born, it was fulfillment. Yes! I had 2 and 2 and I always liked even numbers and
the balance that I thought that created.
And now, he's 25 and married and life has changed. That day, I never even looked past that day.
And it's here.
User Comments:
-----ditto
can't we just stop the clock? before we know it, we'll all be grey haired and bed ridden.
-----Something about "Lukey" being 25 and married makes me feel really old!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-10-15 10:16:00
Subject: Je ne regrette rien
(translated "I do not regret anything")
Today, I'm ok, you're ok.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-10-18 21:17:00
Subject: If it's Monday, I must be in Atlanta
I'm really enjoying the job here in Atlanta, but have only 2 weeks left (after this week). Really, I
think I could probably work this job the rest of my life, but I won't be able to.
I'm hoping I can find another job as neat as this one when this one ends.
User Comments:
-----As does Denton...wait...nix that unless you want to wait table at Texas Roadhouse.
-----I hear Colorado Springs has some great jobs available!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-10-19 11:11:00
Subject: When cities run out of names for streets
I was driving to work today in Atlanta and heard on the radio that there was bad traffic on
"Naturally Fresh Blvd".
Now, how does a street get named "Naturally Fresh Blvd"?
I know that Atlanta has conjugated the noun "peach" to the limit and has every iteration of it on
many streets here. I'm sure they have numbered streets. I'm sure they've used the presidents'
names somewhere (Washington, Jefferson, etc.), then the colleges (Amherst, Vanderbilt, etc.),
and the writers series (Tennyson, Milton, Coleridge). Maybe they have even run through girls'
and boys' names (Ann, Robin, Pat Ln.).
But what happened when the concrete on this patch of land was laid, and how did it happen, that
someone said "let's name it "Naturally Fresh Blvd" and everyone else in the room said "yeah,
that's a great idea"!
User Comments:
anya
-----it really does sound like a feminine deodorant. not the kind of product that i would want
associated with my business, but maybe that's just me.
my favorite stupid street name is thanks to the wonderful people in waco: new road. "so guys,
what should we name this new road?" "how about new road?" "eh, works for us!"
Luna
-----Sounds like a feminine deodorant. Eek. Wonder if they were paid to name it that?
Brian
-----Sounds like a street named after a detergent ad.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-10-21 09:51:00
Subject: What Flu Vaccine Shortage?
I just love C-Span...did I say that already?
Watching Washington Journal this morning, they had a guest on..the AP Science Editor. In a
calm, cool voice she explained many of the issues that the mainstream and cable media have
been shouting about for a couple of weeks now.
Basically, about 100 million Americans are at risk for getting the flu and it turning into a serious, if
not life-threatening illness. We currently have 50 or so million doses of the vaccine available for
that group. On first glance, it would appear that we are seriously short and panic should arise.
But on further follow-up, it appears that historically about half of that 100 million that are at risk
opt not to get a flu vaccine.
In other words, in the past, when the flu vaccine was delivered to cover the at risk individuals,
only about half took advantage of it and the rest of the vaccine was discarded.
Again, I ask, "what flu vaccine shortage?"
User Comments:
-----Oh, I wasn't clear on the timing. My bad.
(And I have heard about a company donating its vaccines to clinics serving seniors--nice!)
C gets hers tomorrow or Saturday, at her regular doctor. I'll be glad when it's done--she's still in
the high-risk category (20 months old). Although if it doesn't happen I'm not going to panic. She's
hearty.
-----In defense of the company I'm working with (and me), we got these shots the day before all the
press about the shortage. I came in the next day (and you can verify this with co-contractors that I
work with) saying that "I felt bad...especially if my mother and my grandchildren were denied their
shots" because I got one.
-----Wait a minute--companies are still giving flu shots to employees who aren't even in the high-risk
population? I personally think that's irresponsible.
If enough companies do that then there actually will be a problem:
100 million at risk,
only half take advantage of vaccine=50 million.
50 million vaccines available,
minus however many non-risk people getting vaccine...
It doesn't add up.
Also, I've heard some things to suggest (even before the Chiron thing happened) that more
people were intending to get vaccinated, given the number of deaths of elderly in Colorado.
But it does shoot some holes in the classic conservative "less govt" mindset, that people will do
the right thing if we get out of their way.
Mmm, not so much.
-----I had an experience similar to Maggie's.
I'm contract working in Atlanta and they were giving flu shots to their employees here. After the
employees had had their chance to get one, they came to a room full of contractors and asked us
if any of us wanted one, that they'd be more than happy to comply. Several of us (including me)
got our shots then. The next day in the USA Today in the hotel where I'm staying was front page
headlines of the shortage problem.
I agree with MaryAnn that distribution may be a problem, but I also think this is being way hyped
by the media, causing irrational panic in some/most.
Maggie <[email protected]> http://journalscape.com/maggie
-----I was at my OB's on Tuesday and was offered a vaccine. It blew my mind. Everyone I've talked
to is either worried because they can't get one, or are grateful because they were lucky enough to
get one just before the supply ran out. I declined; I think there's other people out there who need
it more than I. From what I've heard on the street, there's a bit of a shortage, but it seems like the
media is really hyping this up.
-----I have never had a flu vaccine, mainly due to my needle phobia. I at least have an excuse this
year... "I am skipping my flu shot so those that need it more can have theirs."
-----I just finished a Bible study with a bunch of LOLs (little old ladies) who are very worried. None of
their doctors have the flu vaccine available, and the grocery stores around here had had some flu
clinics but now have abruptly stopped with no word on when they will reopen.
There may be enough vaccine, but distribution seems to be a huge problem--one woman said a
person had been on line since 4 a.m.
That ain't good.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-10-21 17:08:00
Subject: Cardinals are dumb
I've just been sitting here watching a determined cardinal try to dive bomb the 1/2 inch glass on
this office building here in Stone Mountain for about the last 5 minutes. He's still at it, and I'm
thinking if, in fact, he did get in here, what then would he do? (BTW, I'm sure "it's" a "he", don't
ask me why). ;-)
Actually, it's been fun to watch his determination, and I'm trying not to look at this as a bad omen
for tonight's game.
Go Astros!
User Comments:
matt
-----and only red cardinals beat the astros and make matt an unhappy man-boy. :-(
-----R tells me that only male cardinals are red.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-10-23 20:16:00
Subject: From my sister Sherry
With all the sadness and trauma going on in the world right now, it is worth reflecting on the death
of a very important person which almost went unnoticed last week. Larry LaPrise, the man who
wrote "The Hokey Pokey," died peacefully at age 93.
The most traumatic part for his family was getting him into the coffin. They put his right leg in. And
then the trouble started.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-10-26 09:02:00
Subject: Thought for the day
People often fail because they trade what they want most for what they want now.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-10-26 09:13:00
Subject: O God, You are the Wayside Resting Place
From <a href="http://theanchoress.blogspot.com/2004/10/o-god-you-are-wayside-restingplace.html" target="blank">The Anchoress</a>
<ul>Monday, October 25, 2004
O God, You Are the Wayside Resting Place
Likewise, the spirit also comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we
ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans
8:26
Inexpressible groanings seem to be the stuff of my life these days. My groans combined with
whines as I watched my Yankees go down to an ignoble defeat to the dreaded Red Sox. They
are half-hyperventilated as I consider this election season and the need for the winner of this
election - whoever that might be - to win with a margin of mandate.
My groans mingle with tears at the bedside of my brother as he slowly, slowly retreats into
himself in these last days.
I watch my brother, now in hospice as we have reached that point, and I realize how small our
lives are, and how a prolonged death makes them ever smaller. A few months ago it became
clear that S could no longer drive, and so the car became meaningless to him, and the world
began to shrink. Then he couldn't go out, and so his clothes were irrelevant, and the world
became four rooms and a bath. Then he could no longer cook and his staggeringly well-equipped
kitchen became so-much excess. (When one is only eating soup or soft-boiled eggs, a simple
hotplate will do; when you're mostly drinking Ensure, all you need is a cooler.)
And meds. Bottles and bottles of meds. You need them, and they begin to take over. The world is
smaller, but the nightstands are not large enough. The object d'arts are put away and replaced
with bottles of multi-colored pills, retractable needles with pre-measured doses, large bottles of
pasty yellow stuff that is supposedly liquid...the world becomes your bedroom and your
bathroom, your tv and your meds. You pop opium-based painkillers while watching Emeril cook
with your Kitchen Aid mixer and wonder how he got into your stuff. Then, when your brother hurts
his back lifting you because you are literally too weak to move, your world shrinks again, until it is
only your bedroom, and then only your bed. Emeril is silent. The burners are turned low. The
whole large world, which you had launched yourself into recklessly, with abandon, the world you
had yourself enlarged with your art and your playfulness and your noise has become compressed
and concentrated and hushed.
This is not merely a matter of space and proportion, of physical layout. When you are admitted to
hospice, you land in an open, airy, colorful room with a lovely view of the autumn leaves, and the
heartening, kind and cheerful chatter of nurses and nuns, but you are still inward and small. Your
physical space has expanded but your body and mind have moved further away. My brother's
world now is reduced to an hourly hit of pain meds and an occasional lucid moment. I watch him
move to a fetal position, and wonder if the process of dying is taking him not only inward but
backward. He converses, but his conversations are interior. His lips move but he says nothing.
His agitation is soothed by the merest touch. He opens his eyes and announces he is going. I ask
him where he is going and he replies that he is going to Florida. I bid him a safe journey and
Godspeed, and he closes his eyes and fades back out.
But he is still here, lingering. S has his things about him, his own quilts and pictures and
tshochkes, and he is suspended between two worlds, half in and half out of heaven. I lean in and
tell him he's got his boarding pass and is cleared for take-off whenever he's ready to leave...and
he stays, and he groans and we groan and pray. Evening comes and morning follows. The next
day.
The support is heartening. The family is rallying, even the cousins are coming to help, to take a
shift, to give S a manicure or a back rub or a flower. But with all of that, I think to myself so often,
where would we be without prayer? And I thank God for those inexpressible groans which have
the effect of enlarging our view, and giving our spirits some room to breath, of giving our souls
some respose. As the world becomes the road to and from hospice and the room and the bed,
prayer expands our breath, keeps us from suffocating. It brings balance.
O Daystarâ€¦
O Living Waterâ€¦
O Key of Davidâ€¦
O Christâ€¦
I praise you for you are my God. I thank you, for you have heard my plea.
O Man of Jerusalem
- City of Bread O Lord of Life
- Saving Cup â€“
I now walk with you
And each step is illuminated, made new, for
You are the Path of Light.
You are the Wayside Resting Place.
You are the Glory of the City of God.
In your greatness and your compassion have mercy on me in my smallness, and my humanity.
Bless me as I bless your Holy Name, and keep me in your sight as I rest a while in you. Amen.
(Closing prayer: The Way of the Cross in Times of Illness)</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-10-27 09:21:00
Subject: Banging your head against the wall
I'm getting a good lesson about determination (or should I say obsessive/compulsive behavior)
from that bird I blogged about last week. He's spent the better part of the last 4 days that I have
been here in the office in Stone Mountain flying at/into various areas of the plate glass window
that is closest to the tree that acts as his runway.
I went over to the window to try to scare him away, as I think he must be hurting himself, the way
that he ferociously hits the glass. But he just looked at me with that "why don't you just let me
in?" look.
And of course I have to take the actions of this bird as a lesson for me. How many times have I
done the same thing, over and over again, expecting different results? Too many to count. And
most of these times, I, like the bird, just wanted to be let in.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Banging heads against the wall is one thing Red Sox fans will no longer have to do.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-10-28 15:28:00
Subject: Mama mia, mama mia
<a href="http://www.andrewsullivan.com" target="blank">From Andrew Sullivan:</a>
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY: The 2004 election <a href =
http://www.flowgo.com/funpages/view.cfm/6019 target = _blank>version</a>.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-10-29 23:07:00
Subject: Wow...I should leave home more often
I had Ed Harris AND Bradley Whitford on my answer machine when I got home tonight...'course
they just wanted me to vote for Kerry. Ahem...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-10-30 23:04:00
Subject: We'll see, won't we
From the <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/247753p-212149c.html"
target="blank">NY Daily News</a> comes this...
<ul>See tape as boost for Prez
By Thomas M. DeFrank
Saturday, October 30th, 2004
With his typical flair for drama, Osama Bin Laden inserted himself directly into the presidential
election yesterday, and both parties believed it would boost President Bush's reelection hopes.
Bin Laden popping up like a malignant jack-in-the-box four days before the balloting may bolster
John Kerry's argument that Bush should have finished wiping out Al Qaeda before turning his
attention to Iraq.
But it also refocused the nation on terrorism, which polls show helps Bush. And it reminds voters
of their horror on Sept. 11 and Bush's well-received response, as well as obliterating the recent
flood of bad news for Bush.
"We want people to think 'terrorism' for the last four days," said a Bush-Cheney campaign official.
"And anything that raises the issue in people's minds is good for us."
A senior GOP strategist added, "anything that makes people nervous about their personal safety
helps Bush."
He called it "a little gift," saying it helps the President but doesn't guarantee his reelection.
In the closing weeks of the campaign, Kerry has accused Bush of "letting Bin Laden escape"
when he was cornered at Tora Bora by "outsourcing" the job to unreliable Afghan warlords
instead of using U.S. troops. And he has mocked Bush for never mentioning the Al Qaeda leader
after pledging to get Bin Laden "dead or alive."
But the new tape - which is so nakedly political that it should end with the words "I'm Osama Bin
Laden and I approved this message" - makes it difficult for Kerry to keep hammering Bush on the
subject without appearing to be capitalizing on terror. Kerry eliminated those lines from his
speeches yesterday evening.
"If Kerry had been making this a bigger issue, as he should have been, it would definitely
translate to his benefit," said a Democratic strategist with ties to the Kerry camp.
Kerry's staff looked somber.
"It's very important for us to move forward. We're going ahead and doing our events as we
would," said spokesman Mike McCurry.</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-11-01 21:29:00
Subject: Vote on Tuesday, November 2nd!
if you haven't already done so in early voting.
And may the best candidate win and may the country re-group behind him and support him for
the good of our country.
User Comments:
-----That's rich!
The only commercials we see in non-swing states are local candidates. I've had to go to the
internet to see presidential campaign commercials.
I've worn a button since Sunday (non-partisan) just telling people to "Use your vote or lose you
voice"...it's funny to see the reaction of people when they read it. Without telling me who they are
voting for, they all seem to be telling me that they see an urgent need to vote this year. I think
that's a good thing.
Honestly, I think the best scenario (probably) for unifying the country would be a Kerry win and a
continuation of a Republican Congress.
But I'm not predicting that, and I'll be up all night tonight, as yes, this is a political junkie like me's
'super bowl'.
-----Yeah - November 2... the end of campaign commercials!
We saw the funniest commercial this weekend. It was for one of those local candidates who
probably only had enough money to run one or two commercials in the last few days before the
election. Anyway, he showed some "secret" footage of his opponant's wife stealing his campaign
signs from a street corner. I don't remember the candidate or what they were running for, but the
commercial made me laugh.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-11-02 08:40:00
Subject: I take the pledge
From <a href="http://www.andrewsullivan.com" target="blank">Andrew Sullivan</a> comes this...
<ul>Jeff Jarvis has the <a href = http://www.buzzmachine.com/archives/2004_11_01.html#
008331 target = _blank>details</a>. Bottom line: <blockquote>After the election results are in, I
promise to: : Support the President, even if I didn't vote for him. : Criticize the
President, even if I did vote for him. : Uphold standards of civilized discourse in blogs and in
media while pushing both to be better. : Unite as a nation, putting country over party, even
as we work together to make America better.</blockquote></ul>
User Comments:
Matthew
-----I don't think I'll be taking that pledge. I didn't like George W. Bush before the election and I don't
like him now. I don't care how many votes he wins by, this election is a travesty. The fact that he
used the Gay Marriage issue as a wedge says a lot about him as a person.
The only thing I'm pledging is that I am getting pretty sick and tired of living in this conservative
ass society. Whatever happened to moderation and compromise? Oh I forgot, that went out the
window the second Bush and Co. set foot in the White House.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-11-02 09:32:00
Subject: Just when you thought this election year was nasty...
...back in the 1800s they were saying that a "vote for Thomas Jefferson was a vote against
god"...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-11-02 14:28:00
Subject: Votenfraude
In the inevitable jitters and bitten nails of
Election Day, here's a suggestion. Think of someone you really can't stand who favors your
candidate. Now imagine how bad he's gonna feel when your guy loses. Feel better? No? Well, it
was worth a try. The assimilation of other voters' agony has had a bumper year in 2004. Call
it "votenfreude": the notion that you're voting to enjoy other voters' electoral misery. I had a bout
of it a while back, when I read the novelist Amy Tan's comment in Slate on the reason
she's supporting John Kerry. "I'm voting for Kerry, because I have a brain and so does he," she
wrote. There's a part of me that wants George W. Bush to win just so that Amy Tan will have a
bad day. Oh and Michael Moore. And Noam Chomsky. And Paul Begala. And Alec Baldwin. And
that sanctimonious lesbian I harangued at a "peace" demo in Provincetown last year. And Paul
Krugman. I could go on and on. In fact, I think I'll spend today compiling a list of people I can't
stand and imagining their expressions if Bush pulls it off. Did I forget Barbra Streisand? 
I'm lucky, of course. There are almost as many people on the religious right I feel the same way
about. So my own votenfreude gets to be really complicated. I want Kerry to win for what I hope
are <a target="new" href="/doc.mhtml?i=express&s=sullivan102604" class="articlelink">clear
reasons</a>, independent of anyone else's response. But the joy that I'll inevitably feel imagining
the despondency of James Dobson and Jerry Falwell may well eclipse any rational belief that the
country has made the better of two choices. Given how much angst Karl Rove has unleashed on
many individuals over the years, watching him melt down in front of a Kerry landslide would be a
moment of exquisite--if completely indefensible--pleasure. These are all harmless, if
morally suspect, post-election scenarios. But what's really stunning is how many people have
actually premised their votes on whom they will tick off the most. Yesterday, <a target="new"
href="http://www.nationalreview.com/frum/frum-diary.asp" class="articlelink">David Frum</a>
played to my weak spot by declaring: 
<blockquote>If John Kerry wins the
presidency on Nov. 2, Champagne corks will be popping all over Europe. Radio and television
broadcasters worldwide will assure their audiences that the United States has repented and
given up its aggressive, provocative ways. "Neoconservative unilateralism" will go out of style;
multilateralism and consultation will return to vogue. The international conference circuit will buzz
with activity. The leaders of the European Union will plan a royal welcome for President Kerry on
his first tour abroad.</blockquote>
 Well, we wouldn't want that, would we?
Personally, the thought of a very good champagne being opened in the Elysee Palace after a
Kerry victory would do a lot to convince me to vote for W. Every time I think of various BBC
producers popping open a bottle of Bolly, I do my best to banish the thought. Then there's the
Osama card. <a target="new" href="http://www.nationalreview.com/ijaz/ijaz200411011247.asp"
class="articlelink">Here</a>'s a crude piece of "analysis" from National Review, informing
us how happy Osama would be if Kerry were elected: 
<blockquote>A Kerry victory would also give power to the growing idea among
jihadists that democracies and their constituent voters can be intimidated. No commuter-train
bombings were required, the arch-terrorist would argue to his cadre of supporters; a mere
appearance was enough to scare the American voter into changing governments. And then he
would stake his claim on a messianic cult-like vision that he has been sent by his God to rule the
earth and bring the likes of George W. Bush to account for their misdeeds against Muslims
everywhere.</blockquote>
 The Osama card works both ways, of course. <a target="new"
href="http://slate.msn.com/id/2108870/" class="articlelink">Here</a>'s the estimable Will Saletan
explaining how:
<blockquote>Bin Laden would like to see Bush thrown out of office, like that Spanish prime
minister with the mustache who served as our beard for the Iraq invasion. If Bush loses, Bin
Laden thinks he'll have another scalp to hang on his wall, or cave, or whatever it is. He'll claim to
have brought down the president. Except he won't bring down the president. More likely, by
showing up four days before our election, he'll scare Americans into re-electing Bush.
</blockquote>
 So make
Osama miserable by voting for Kerry? Er, that would be the inference, I think. But a better idea is
to forget what Osama believes. Ignore Michael Moore. Do your best to put images of a grinning
or suicidal Rick Santorum out of your mind. Just figure out who you think is best for the country.
Grit your teeth. And vote. Then let the gloating begin. 
  
 <a style="text-transform: uppercase"
class="authorlink" href="showBio.mhtml?pid=30">Andrew Sullivan</a> is a
senior editor at TNR.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----haha
-----I think the other key is realizing that it is not the end of the world if one guy wins over the other.
That is what makes America great... there are checks and balances, various branches of
government, state versus national rights, new presidential elections every 4 years, etc.... all to
ensure that no matter who is president, we still have a voice.
It is kind of weird being in Mountain time zone when the presidential results come in. I feel like I
get to hear the results "earlier" than everyone else (the west coast polls close at just 5:00 local
time!). Don't worry, though... I won't ruin it for you and tell you who wins. ;-)
Matthew
-----I was thinking about that the other day in Aunt Sherry's hospital room. It'd be good for her spirits
to see a Bush victory.
-----wow...I hadn't even finished formatting this blog before you beat me to what was going to be my
point...
Why I want Bush to win:
Sherry, Katie, Dan, Kirk, Kathy
Why I want Kerry to win:
Matthew, Anya, MaryAnn, Robert, Ted, Chris
reverendmother www.journalscape.com/reverendmother
-----The other side of this is knowing that people you care about are supporting the other guy, and
taking at least some small enjoyment in their happiness. One of our administrative people here at
the church is a Bush supporter, and she's a dear person. So if things don't go the way I hope they
will, at least I know that she will be happy. It does provide a small consolation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-11-02 17:25:00
Subject: The Poor Voter on Election Day
To-day, of all the weary year,
A king of men am I.
To-day, alike are great and small,
The nameless and the known;
My palace is the people's hall,
The ballot-box my throne!
The rich is level with the poor,
The weak is strong to-day;
And sleekest broadcloth counts no more
Than homespun frock of gray.
To-day let pomp and vain pretence
My stubborn right abide;
I set a plain man's common sense
Against the pedant's pride.
The wide world has not wealth to buy
The power in my right hand!
--John Greenleaf Whittier
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-11-06 21:40:00
Subject: I'd like to teach the world to sing...
...in perfect harmony..
I really like this post from <a href="http://www.journalscape.com/derekjames/2004-11-04-16:54"
target="blank">Thinking as a Hobby</a> as I'd like to think we're not as polarized as the red
state/blue state <a href="http://network.ap.org/dynamic/files/specials/election_night_
2004/us_map_govsenhouse/index.html?SITE=CSPANELN&SECTION=POLITICS"
target="blank">map</a> shows us.
<ul>Via Boing Boing, here's a <a href="http://www.boingboing.net/images/Purple-USA.jpg"
target="blank">popular vote map</a> showing the proportions of voters as a mix of red and blue.
Note that I'm often accused of only thinking in black and white. Here's a nice fuzzy image for you.
Texas is a nice shade of purple. Even though Bush is from here, the vote still split around 60/40.
</ul>
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Yeah...too bad Bush is going to rule as if he won 90% to 10%.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-11-09 22:08:00
Subject: The Coolest Maps
When you look at a simple geographical/political representation of the country, you can get
overwhelmed by the red states, simply because they are much bigger than the blue ones. And
that, in itself, can lead us to imagine that the country is more conservative than it actually is, or
more consistently Republican. That's why these cartograms are so enlightening. <a href =
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/election/ target = _blank>Check 'em out</a>
User Comments:
-----<a href="http://thechrisproject.com/images/map_nowvsthen.jpg" target="blank">Here's another
one.</a>
Red State/Blue State correlated to Slave States/Free States, pre-Civil War.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-11-11 12:01:00
Subject: Thank a veteran today!
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/soldier_cat.jpg">
User Comments:
Matthew
-----You'd be proud of me if I was in jail mom. ;-)
In all seriousness, thanks though. For all the good and bad that military service brings, I am glad
that I served. Now if only I can quit this whole "aging" thing. ;-)
Mamala
-----Did I tell you lately how proud I am of you Matthew? And thank you!
-----You're not gettin' the firstborn!
Matthew
-----No thanks needed here. But if you must, send all checks, cash, money orders, and first born to
my address. ;-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-11-11 20:50:00
Subject: In defense of the red states
They do extremely well in the Catalogue for Philanthropy's <a href =
http://www.catalogueforphilanthropy.org/cfp/db/generosity.php?year=2004 target = _blank>
Generosity Index</a>. The top five states for charity giving, relative to their own wealth, are:
Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Alabama. The least generous? Wisconsin, New
Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
User Comments:
Brian T
-----Well, as long as you base "giving" on itemized deductions on your tax form, maybe.
I'm not sure Adjusted Gross Income versus Itemized Deductions is the best method of
determining "generosity".
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-11-15 21:38:00
Subject: My last election map - I promise
YOUR OWN PRIVATE IDAHO: Another <a href =
http://krupsjustsayin.blogspot.com/2004/11/best-map-yet.html target = _blank>electoral map</a>
showing what unites us as well as what is tearing us apart. Yes, there are blue-staters in
Wyoming!
User Comments:
thefoulragandboneshopoftheheart
-----You, uh, do know that this Ninja whatever map isn't an actual, accurate depiction of election
results, right? Because the creator has simply taken every state and made a group of the
opposite party coloring in the middle of it to suggest greater unity than perhaps the partisan
responses to the election have allowed. It's not the point that's undermined. The map's meant to
be an illustration of the concept, but you can see that through a county by county map of the US
just as well, without the fabrication:

<a href=http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/vote2004/countymap.htm>2004 County
by County Election Map</a>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-11-16 22:13:00
Subject: In Oklahoma
Check out this conclusion to a superb Washington Post <a href =
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A48197-2004Nov13?language=printer target =
_blank>story</a> of conflicting emotions as homosexuality comes out in the heartland. A protest
by the vile Fred Phelps leads to a backlash against those who would berate a young gay man in
the congregation, Michael Shackleford: <blockquote>Inside the church, the congregation was
standing and the six-piece guitar band was rocking. The Lord reigns ... Great is the Almighty.
 The music and energy built until Pastor Eubanks bounded onstage. "Welcome to the reign of
life," he said. "Amen?" "Amen!" the crowd shouted, whistling and clapping. "There is darkness
and there is light and we are in the middle of the light," Eubanks said, to more thunderous
applause. "Say it: God loves us all. All of us!" After the service, several people came
up to hug Janice. One woman held her in an embrace that lasted two minutes, whispering to
Janice the whole time. A burly man with a crew cut gave Michael a thumbs-up. "Man, you be who
you are," Shannon Watie said, holding his Bible. "We got your back."</blockquote>Not everything
is black and white. Or red and blue.
User Comments:
-----What nside said.
nsidemymind
-----Thank you for sharing that article. I was in discussion with my co-worker and asked her what she
thought about people who led a homosexual lifestyle going to church since she's religious.
personally, i don't have a problem with it. i feel like what two people do behind closed doors or in
the parking lot of wal mart is thier business. she actually told me that she didn't think
homosexuals should be allowed in the church unless they were coming to confess their sin and
change their lifestyle. i really had a problem with what she said because i was always to
understand that all were welcome in the house of the Lord. I said to her: so you think it's okay for
an adulterer or a murderer to come and sit next to you in church and praise the Lord but not a
homosexual. she stood firm in her answer which is fine with me, everyone is entitled to their own
opinion but when did society become so self righteous that we're weeding out who is worthy of
going to church and who isn't? it's rediculous and prejudice.
during the clinton campaign i learned that oklahoma was a republican state so it doesn't suprise
me one bit that the people here(yes i live in oklahoma) are against it. i think that question they
had regarding gay marriages was silly....i had flashbacks of this book i read in 10th grade english
called 1984. the government has no right dictating who we should live our lives with. i thought,
and correct me if i'm wrong that we as americans were entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness and if our happiness is persued with someone of the same sex, that's none of the
governments concern.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-11-18 10:20:00
Subject: Semper Fi
Maybe it's because I make minor mistakes daily...
Maybe it's because I'm not a very brave person...
Maybe it's because I haven't sacrificed a day of my life for the security of my country...
Maybe it's because all of the above and more....
But I thought this opinion from the <a href="http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?
id=110005911" target="blank">Wall Street Journal</a> makes sense -
The story of Fallujah isn't on that NBC videotape.
Thursday, November 18, 2004 12:01 a.m. EST
Some 40 Marines have just lost their lives cleaning out one of the world's worst terror dens, in
Fallujah, yet all the world wants to talk about is the NBC videotape of a Marine shooting a
prostrate Iraqi inside a mosque. Have we lost all sense of moral proportion?
The al-Zarqawi TV network, also known as Al-Jazeera, has broadcast the tape to the Arab world,
and U.S. media have also played it up. The point seems to be to conjure up images again of Abu
Ghraib, further maligning the American purpose in Iraq. Never mind that the pictures don't come
close to telling us about the context of the incident, much less what was on the mind of the soldier
after days of combat.
Put yourself in that Marine's boots. He and his mates have had to endure some of the toughest
infantry duty imaginable, house-to-house urban fighting against an enemy that neither wears a
uniform nor obeys any normal rules of war. Here is how that enemy fights, according to an
account in the Times of London:
"In the south of Fallujah yesterday, U.S. Marines found the armless, legless body of a blonde
woman, her throat slashed and her entrails cut out. Benjamin Finnell, a hospital apprentice with
the U.S. Navy Corps, said that she had been dead for a while, but at that location for only a day
or two. The woman was wearing a blue dress; her face had been disfigured. It was unclear if the
remains were the body of the Irish-born aid worker Margaret Hassan, 59, or of Teresa Borcz, 54,
a Pole abducted two weeks ago. Both were married to Iraqis and held Iraqi citizenship; both were
kidnapped in Baghdad last month."
When not disemboweling Iraqi women, these killers hide in mosques and hospitals, booby-trap
dead bodies, and open fire as they pretend to surrender. Their snipers kill U.S. soldiers out of
nowhere. According to one account, the Marine in the videotape had seen a member of his unit
killed by another insurgent pretending to be dead. Who from the safety of his Manhattan sofa has
standing to judge what that Marine did in that mosque?
Beyond the one incident, think of what the Marine and Army units just accomplished in Fallujah.
In a single week, they killed as many as 1,200 of the enemy and captured 1,000 more. They did
this despite forfeiting the element of surprise, so civilians could escape, and while taking
precautions to protect Iraqis that no doubt made their own mission more difficult and hazardous.
And they did all of this not for personal advantage, and certainly not to get rich, but only out of a
sense of duty to their comrades, their mission and their country.
In a more grateful age, this would be hailed as one of the great battles in Marine history--with
Guadalcanal, Peleliu, Hue City and the Chosin Reservoir. We'd know the names of these military
units, and of many of the soldiers too. Instead, the name we know belongs to the NBC
correspondent, Kevin Sites.
We suppose he was only doing his job, too. But that doesn't mean the rest of us have to indulge
in the moral abdication that would equate deliberate televised beheadings of civilians with a
Marine shooting a terrorist, who may or may not have been armed, amid the ferocity of battle.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Despite the confusion and the fog of war, we absolutely cannot have Marines opening fire on
injured people. That is just horrible. War is friggin ugly as hell, but that should never be used as a
justification for acts that are against the law.
taken from a news site:
The footage showed a man slumped on the floor of the mosque, where rebels had earlier been
shooting at US troops.
When the troops realised one man was not dead, a Marine opened fire.
Before his death, the man had been half sitting against the wall, wearing an orange headscarf.
As the troops enter the mosque, some are heard shouting obscenities and one says: "We have
got two in there."
As the cameraman followed the Marines inside, one is heard to say: "These are the two wounded
that they never picked up."
One Marine is heard shouting: "He's faking he's dead."
There was another shout: "He's breathing."
Gunfire rang out, and one Marine said: "He's dead now."
At the point when the gunshots were fired, NBC and other networks blacked out the footage.
"The Marine then raises his rifle and fires into the man's head. The pictures are too graphic for us
to broadcast," Sites said.
The Associated Press said the blacked out portion of the video tape showed the bullet striking the
man. His blood splatters on the wall behind him and his body goes limp.
Sites said the shot prisoner "did not appear to be armed or threatening in any way".
Semper Die
-----This article is bullshit! It just attempts to justify and sanitize war.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-11-24 11:52:00
Subject: Let Us Give Thanks
My pastor posted this to our church newsletter as she waited for her granddaughterâ€™s
imminent birth, and, at the same time, received news that a lifelong friend had suddenly died.
Let us give thanks for a bounty of people.
For children who are our second planting,
and though they grow like weeds and the wind
too soon blows them away,
may they forgive us our cultivation and fondly
remember where their roots are.
Let us give thanks:
For generous friends . . . with hearts . . .
and smiles as bright as their blossoms;
For feisty friends as tart as apples;
For continuous friends, who, like scallions and cucumbers,
keep reminding us that we've had them;
For crotchety friends, as sour as rhubarb and as
indestructible.
For handsome friends, who are as gorgeous as eggplants
and as elegant as a row of corn,
and the others, as plain as potatoes and so good for you.
For funny friends, who are as silly as Brussels sprouts
and as amusing as Jerusalem artichokes,
and serious friends, as complex as cauliflowers and as
intricate as onions;
For friends as unpretentious as cabbages,
as subtle as summer squash,
as persistent as parsley, as delightful as dill,
as endless as zucchini, and who, like parsnips,
can be counted on to see you throughout the winter;
For old friends, nodding like sunflowers in the evening-time
and young friends, coming on as fast as radishes;
For loving friends, who wind around us like tendrils and
hold us,
despite our blights, wilts and witherings;
And, finally, for those friends now gone, like gardens past that
have been harvested,
but who fed us in their times that we might have life
thereafter;
for all these we give thanks.
-Max Coots
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-11-25 12:52:00
Subject: The first Thanksgiving proclamation
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His
will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas
both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the
people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by
acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by
affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and
happiness:"
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be
devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the
beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in
rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people
of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the
favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the
great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and
rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our
safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted' for the civil and
religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing
useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been
pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the
great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other
transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and
relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the
people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and
faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such
as have show kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to
promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science
among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal
prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d dy of October, A.D. 1789.
(signed) G. Washington
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-11-26 22:42:00
Subject: A Hopeful Iraqi Future?
As Andrew Sullivan says...here's hoping...
<ul>The trickle of good news from Iraq is beginning to gain momentum, it seems to me. I'd cite
several things: the relatively subdued Shiite and Kurdish response to the suppression of the
Falluja revolt; the forgiveness of 80 percent of Iraq's debt (can you imagine the media hype if
John Kerry had negotiated that?); the larger-than-expected load of captured armaments in
Falluja; the capture of Zaraqwi's aide, Abu Saeed; and now, the latest desperate propaganda
tape by Zarqawi. What Zarqawi is doing is complaining that some Sunnis - those not committed
to the global Jihad so much as defending their own privileges and fighting the occupation - are
going soft. Negotiations with Allawi might bear some fruit, thus isolating Zaraqwi even further.
The barbarism of Zarqawi may also be alienating more moderate Iraqis - and many Shiites
whose co-religionists have been targeted by insurgent violence. The elections, even without
overwhelming Sunni involvement, will doubtless add momentum to the interim government and
the prospect of holding Iraq together. Yes, huge obstacles remain; and the threat of civil war
(which is the flipside of Kurdish and Shiite ambivalence toward watching the Sunnis get
clobbered) is still intense. But it seems to me that the light at the end of this tunnel just grew a
little. Here's hoping. </ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-11-27 14:48:00
Subject: Pillow talk
I had a wonderful dinner with the Fisher/Dana family last night. We talked and talked and talked
some more.
Gregg is so wise. He recommended that I do the things that I do, and when I lay my head down
on my pillow at night, I can sleep well, confidently knowing that in the past 24 hours, I was who I
am.
Thanksgiving is everyday with friends/family such as this.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-11-27 14:52:00
Subject: I can take this to heart
"We cannot change the past, but we can change our attitude toward it. Uproot guilt and plant
forgiveness. Tear out arrogance and seed humility. Exchange love for hate --- thereby, making
the present comfortable and the future promising." - Maya Angelou
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-11-28 09:55:00
Subject: Maureen takes a free pass
OK, if Maureen can take a "columnist" free pass and make most of her op-ed piece a reprise of a
spam email, I can post her column in totality on my blog... Come on, Maureen...
<ul>Blood Is Thicker Than Gravy
By MAUREEN DOWD
I've been surprised, out on the road, how often I get asked about my family. They're beyond red more like crimson. My sister flew to West Virginia in October to work a phone bank for W.
People often wonder what our Thanksgiving is like.
It's lovely - if you enjoy hearing about how brilliant Ann Coulter is, how misguided The New York
Times's editorial page is, and how valiant the president is as he tries to stop America's slide into
paganism.
This year, my brothers were on the warpath about news reports that Maryland public schools did
not teach about Thanksgiving from a religious perspective. "Who do they think the Pilgrims
thanked?" demanded Martin. "God."
There are moments - when my brothers are sharing some snarky thing Rush Limbaugh said
about me, or the latest bon mot from Pat Buchanan, with whom they grew up - that I'm tempted to
stuff my ears with my mom's potato stuffing, or go off and read a book by David Sedaris about
normal family life.
People often ask me why President Bush inspires such passionate support. My brother Kevin, a
salesman who lives in Montgomery County, Md., can answer that; here is a recent e-mail
message, trimmed for space, he sent to friends:
"Ladies and Gentlemen,
Now, just as four years ago, I breathe a huge sigh of relief and rejoice in the common sense of
the American voting public. Congratulations to President Bush for winning re-election in a poker
game played with a stacked deck. No candidate, including Richard Nixon, ever had to endure the
biased and unfair tactics of our major media in their attempt to influence the outcome of an
election. ... He never complained, just systematically set about delivering the same consistent
message. You may remember that four years ago, I felt physically ill watching the Democrats try
to legislate their way to the presidency. ...
A very big thank you to Michael Moore, Susan Sarandon, Rob Reiner, Bill Maher, Barbra
Streisand, Alec Baldwin, Al Franken and Jon Stewart for your involvement. You certainly
energized the base. Now, please have the courage of your convictions and leave the country.
To Bob Shrum - Cut your fee.
To Mike McCurry, Joe Lockhart and Paul Begala - You don't seem quite as smart without a great
candidate.
To The New York Times and The Washington Post - If Bush and Reagan were so stupid, how did
they both go four for four in elections involving two of our biggest states and the presidency
without your endorsement?
We do not live in a secular country. There are all sorts of people of faith that place moral values
over personal freedoms. They are not all 'wacky evangelicals.' They are people who don't like
Howard Stern piping a hard porn show over the airwaves and wrapping himself in the freedom of
the First Amendment. They don't like being told that a young girl does not have to seek her
mother's counsel about an abortion. They don't like seeing an eight-month-old fetus having his
head punctured and his brains sucked out. They don't like being told the Pledge of Allegiance, a
moment of silent prayer and the words 'under God' are offensive to an enlightened few so nobody
should be allowed to use them. ... My wife and I picked our sons' schools based on three criteria:
1) moral values 2) discipline 3) religious maintenance - in that order. We have spent an obscene
amount of money doing this and never regretted a penny. Last week on the news, I heard that the
Montgomery County school board voted to include a class with a 10th-grade girl demonstrating
how to put a condom on a cucumber and a study of the homosexual lifestyle. The vote was 6-0. I
feel better about the money all the time.
To Dan Rather - Good luck in your retirement.
To Gavin Newsom - Thanks for all of the great shots of the San Francisco couples embracing
their mates at City Hall in direct defiance of the law.
To P. Diddy - 'Vote or Die' might need a little work.
To John Edwards - Thanks for being there.
To my friends - only 1,460 days until the next election. Stay vigilant. The Democrats, CBS, the
NY Times and the Post may think Hillary is the perfect antidote for all those 'stupid' voters out
there.
Best regards, Kevin"</ul>
User Comments:
-----Hey, my sermon this morning was basically a bunch of old chestnuts and a canned stories strung
together... you gotta do that sometimes. Especially on a holiday weekend. People liked it anyway.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-11-30 12:24:00
Subject: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Can I just say that this is a great album?
U2 just keeps getting better and better!
You know you're listening to good music when you wish your morning commute to work was just
a little longer!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-12-03 23:55:00
Subject: Baked Potato Soup
Is there any better comfort food than that?
And Saltgrass has the best!
User Comments:
Matthew
-----hmmmmmm....can't say i've had it. my curiousity is piqued.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-12-09 02:01:00
Subject: C-span mugs
They make me happy.
Am I a nerd, or what?
User Comments:
Matthew
-----yes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-12-09 22:49:00
Subject: Consulting Partners
I really, really like being a contractor/consultant for Consulting Partners. Tonight, we had holiday
party and it was fun to see the powers that be that keep me busy and "making the big bucks".
They say they will be able to place me easily in the weeks ahead. I hope so.
I'll miss Lennox, but it will be nice to move on. It feeds my AADD.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Mom? With AADD? NEVER!!!!
Good to read the good news.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-12-17 17:19:00
Subject: Person of the Year-Who will it be?
According to Reuters,
<ul>White House adviser Karl Rove topped the unofficial list of contenders for Time's 2004
Person of the Year, according to a panel assembled by the magazine on Tuesday to debate the
question.
Along with Rove, widely credited as the architect behind President Bush's re-election, other
candidates suggested by the panel included the president himself and filmmakers Mel Gibson
and Michael Moore.
Time does not prepare or publish a formal list of nominees. Instead, the weekly magazine said its
editors choose the person of the year after significant reporting by the staff.
The selection may well be none of the names suggested at Tuesday's panel, the editors said.
The choice remains secret until it appears, this year, on the Dec. 20 issue cover.
In the meantime, the selection becomes a parlor game in America to guess who fits the criteria of
"the person or persons who most affected the news and our lives, for good or for ill, and
embodied what was important about the year, for better or for worse."
The person also must be alive, the editors said.
Another suggestion was "The Terrorist." Time has selected such entities as "The American
Soldier" in 2003, the "Endangered Earth" in 1988 and "The 25 and Under Generation" in 1966.
Another proposed entity for 2004 was "The Blogosphere," the online Web log journals that helped
redefine the role of the media. Other suggestions were God and the prophet Mohammed.
Gibson was proposed for directing "The Passion of the Christ," a controversial film seen by many
as anti-Semitic. Moore made "Fahrenheit 9/11," a film highly critical of the Bush administration
which was a huge box office hit.
The panel featured Time commentator Andrew Sullivan, NBC News anchor Brian Williams,
activist Rev. Al Sharpton (news - web sites), Alessandra Stanley, television critic for The New
York Times, and FBI (news - web sites) agent Coleen Rowley, one of the 2002 Persons of the
Year which went to "The Whistleblowers."
The Person of the Year tradition grew out of an editorial embarrassment in 1927 when the
magazine failed to put pilot Charles Lindbergh on its cover after his historical solo trans-Atlantic
flight.
At the end of that year, during a slow news week, the editors decided to make him man of the
year to remedy the oversight, said Eileen Naughton, president of the Time Group.
Some selections have been notoriously unpopular, such as Adolf Hitler in 1938, Joseph Stalin in
1939 and 1942 and the Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979.
Bush was named Person of the Year in 2000.</ul>
What's your choice?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-12-17 20:14:00
Subject: ADDOCD
I have ADDOCD which means I'm constantly changing what I'm obsessing about.
-Dennis Miller
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-12-20 12:38:00
Subject: A poem for winter solstice
I love the dark hours of my being.
My mind deepens into them.
There I can find, as in old letters,
the days of my life, already lived,
and held like a legend, and understood.
Then the knowing comes: I can open
to another life that's wide and timeless.
So I am sometimes like a tree
rustling over a gravesite
and making real the dream
of the one its living roots
embrace:
a dream once lost
among sorrows and songs.
~ Ranier Maria Rilke ~
(Rilkeâ€™s Book of Hours:Love Poems to God, translated by Anita Barrows and Joanna Macy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-12-20 12:39:00
Subject: Gold, common sense and fur
Rev Daniel read this is church yesterday...
<ul>My husband and I had been happily (most of the time) married for five years, but hadn't been
blessed with a baby. I decided to do some serious praying and promised God that if He would
give us a child, I would be a perfect mother, love it with all my heart and raise it with His word as
my guide.
God answered my prayers and blessed us with a son. The next year God blessed us with
another son. The following year, he blessed us with yet another son. The year after that we were
blessed with a daughter. My husband thought we'd been blessed right into poverty. We now had
four children, and the oldest was only four years old. I learned never to ask God for anything
unless I meant it. As a minister once told me, "If you pray for rain, make sure you carry an
umbrella."
I began reading a few verses of the Bible to the children each day as they lay in their cribs. I was
off to a good start. God had entrusted me with four children and I didn't want to disappoint Him.
I tried to be patient the day the children smashed two dozen eggs on the kitchen floor searching
for baby chicks. I tried to be understanding when they started a hotel for homeless frogs in the
spare bedroom, although it took me nearly two hours to catch all twenty-three frogs. When my
daughter poured ketchup all over herself and rolled up in a blanket to see how it felt to be a hot
dog, I tried to see the humor rather than the mess.
In spite of changing over twenty-five thousand diapers, never eating a hot meal and never
sleeping for more than thirty minutes at a time, I still thank God daily for my children.
While I couldn't keep my promise to be a perfect mother, I didn't even come close, I did keep my
promise to raise them in the Word of God. I knew I was missing the mark just a little when I told
my daughter we were going to church to worship God, and she wanted to bring a bar of soap
along to "wash up" Jesus, too.
Something was lost in the translation when I explained that God gave us everlasting life, and my
son thought it was generous of God to give us his "last wife."
My proudest moment came during the children's Christmas pageant. My daughter was playing
Mary, two of my sons were shepherds and my youngest son was a wise man. This was their
moment to shine. My five-year-old shepherd had practiced his line, "We found the babe wrapped
in swaddling clothes." But he was nervous and said, "The baby was wrapped in wrinkled
clothes."
My four-year-old "Mary" said, "That's not 'wrinkled clothes,' silly. That's dirty, rotten clothes." A
wrestling match broke out between Mary and the shepherd and was stopped by an angel, who
bent her halo and lost her left wing.
I slouched a little lower in my seat when Mary dropped the doll representing Baby Jesus, and it
bounced down the aisle crying, "Mama-mama." Mary grabbed the doll, wrapped it back up and
held it tightly as the wise men arrived. My other son stepped forward wearing a bath robe and a
paper crown, knelt at the manger and announced, "We are the three wise men, and we are
bringing gifts of gold, common sense and fur."
The congregation dissolved into laughter, and the pageant got a standing ovation. "I've never
enjoyed a Christmas program as much as this one," Pastor Brian laughed, wiping tears from his
eyes. "For the rest of my life, I'll never hear the Christmas story without thinking of gold, common
sense and fur."
"My children are my pride and my joy and my greatest blessing," I said as I dug through my purse
for an aspirin.</ul>
-By Linda C. Stafford
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-12-24 08:49:00
Subject: It doesn't get any better than this
OK, it could, if one more granddaughter was here with me (but I'll usher in the new year with her
next week). In the meantime, I'm having a great time celebrating Christmas with the JJs. It brings
back the fun and excitement of many Christmases past with their mom (and her sibs) and the fun
and excitement, and yes, hectic times we shared around this holiday.
Merry Christmas Eve, you all.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-12-26 20:15:00
Subject: The Objection To Being Stepped On
-by Robert Frost - 1962
At the end of the row
I stepped on the toe
Of an unemployed hoe.
It rose in offense
And struck me a blow
In the seat of my sense.
It wasn't to blame
But I called it a name.
And I must say it dealt
Me a blow that I felt
Like a malice prepense.
You may call me a fool,
But was there a rule
The weapon should be
Turned into a tool?
And what do we see?
The first tool I step on
Turned into a weapon.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-12-26 20:16:00
Subject: The Hardship of Accounting
-by Robert Frost
"Never ask of money spent
Where the spender thinks it went
Nobody was ever meant
To remember or invent
What he did with every cent"
...a good poem for post-Christmas, don't you think?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-12-26 20:23:00
Subject: Power to the (blog) People
<a href="http://www.newhousenews.com/archive/lileks122204.html" target="_blank">James
Lileks</a> thinks blogs will replace opinion journalism altogether: <blockquote>The
Internet is going to make gigs like this obsolete, once enough people realize that some guy in his
basement is capable of turning out commentary as insightful as a tenured eminence who was
handed a column 30 years ago and has spent the last 10 coasting on a scoop from the Reagan
years.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-12-27 16:56:00
Subject: Quote of the day
I write to find out what I'm thinking - Joan Didion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-12-27 22:29:00
Subject: Jessie and I play "Life"
So we played Life Jr. and she took the non-college track and I took the college track (more
earning potential was promised to me from the game instructions).
At the end, she had 7.5 hundred thousand and I had way less than that! I watched as she
patterned herself after her mom and dad, as she maneuvered through the game and made
decisions..."they (her imaginery 4 kids) don't need summer camp" "I can home school the kids"
"yay, I can buy an RV"....
You really need to play this game...it teaches you all about values of your opponents.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-12-28 21:37:00
Subject: She's going to bitch me out
I went to the doctor today and had a blood test to see what horrendous level my cholesterol is at.
I just know it's going to be bad, despite the Lipitor...
Why, oh why, did I inherit this 'high cholesterol' gene?
Anyway, I can't blame genes entirely...I do so love the cheesy, buttery things in life.
Oh well, I will succumb to the usual 'new year' deal and say that I can do better in 2005.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Don't make me bitch you out either Mamala. :-(
j/k
Let me know if there's anything I can do to help out with healthy eating. Go Vegan. I've never met
a vegan who didn't have good cholesterol counts.
Jill Susan
-----I was right, and she did. But she was justified.
Triglycerides - 900! (150 or less is good)
Cholesterol - 250! (despite the Lipitor)
Basically, she told me if it's not green or grown in the ground, I can't eat it. :-(
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-12-28 21:47:00
Subject: Bye, bye Susan...I'll miss you
Susan Sontag, the novelist, essayist and critic whose impassioned advocacy of the avant-garde
and equally impassioned political pronouncements made her one of the most lionized presences
- and one of the most polarizing - in 20th-century letters, died yesterday morning in Manhattan.
She was 71 and lived in Manhattan.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2004-12-28 21:50:00
Subject: Alexander the movie
Daniel Mendelsohn on the subject, <a href="http://www.nybooks.com/articles/17685"
target="_blank">excellent as usual</a>. (As a counterpoint, here's an unusually revealing <a
href="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/26/movies/26ston.html?oref=login" target="_blank">
interview with Oliver Stone</a> on the film's, um, less-than-stellar reception.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-01-01 22:24:00
Subject: Politics and Prose
I got to DC early yesterday so had time to go from the airport to Union Station on the Metro,
check my bags, head out to the Van Ness/UDC stop on the Red Line and visit this really cool
bookstore that I see authors touting their books on C-Span. I know, I'm a geek, especially when it
comes to books. I admit it...I'm a book-a-holic, but guess I could have worse habits (and at one
time or other, I probably did).
Anyway, I spent the better part of 4 hours there, and just had a great time. If there is a heaven,
for me, there will be a store just like this one, waiting for me there.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----*adds to places I must see*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-01-01 22:28:00
Subject: C, J & J
I've had a great holiday season. Not only have I had time to spend with 3/4 of my children, but
I've had the best time with my grandkids. I especially like bath time and seeing their wonderfully
perfect little bodies in the warm water (with temperatures outside frosty) and seeing them delight
in play. C got crayons to use to color the sides of the tub (I'm wondering if this doesn't cause
some disconnect somewhere if she decides later on to use them or the real crayons on the wall
in other parts of the house). J & J still enjoy a bath together, although it's getting harder and
harder for them to both have room enough to move. They splash and play together so well, that it
will certainly be sad when they do decide that because of size or modesty, it's time for separate
bathtimes.
Is it just because of the Aquarian in me that delights in this bathtime play of my wonderful
offsprings' offspring?
User Comments:
Matthew
-----yes....the torch MUST be passed post haste.
-----We need to get those 3 kids together in a bath tub for the classic "see-no-evil, hear-no-evil,
speak-no-evil" picture.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-01-01 22:35:00
Subject: Too soon old, too late smart
"Any relationship is under the control of the person who cares the least"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-01-02 13:24:00
Subject: How I learned to stop worrying and love Christmas
My DC daughter was down (as in 'blue funk') last night, now that the holidays are nearly over. It's
a feeling that I've had time and time again, so I recognize her feelings well. I've been 'round and
'round with my attitude about the Christmas season, but I've finally grown into really liking the
season. As they say at the end of an AA meeting, "take what you like, and leave the rest" and I
do that about Christmas.
Maybe it's the unitarian influence that I've grabbed onto as my pastor likes to emphasize the
winter solstice and the season of lights this time of year. I like that. I can now really, really enjoy
all the lights lit up on architecture and trees, no matter how tacky or classy.
Or maybe it's the reds and the greens and the golds and the silvers. I'm a "winter" as the
cosmeticians say so those colors really, really appeal to me, even though I'm a sucker for the
golds and oranges of fall. Seeing those big red bows on things, or shiny ribbons hanging from
things you don't normally see ribbons hanging from, are a delight.
It's a time when it's really ok to goof off a little. People at work are using up the last of their
vacation time and the company I'm working with this Christmas season decided it was a good
idea to let all of us that are there and holding down the fort wear jeans the last two weeks of
2004. Those "casual days" at work have translated into "occasional work" at work, just because
we can.
Last, but certainly not least, the holidays are a good excuse for me to indulge in things that I
wouldn't normally indulge in... things like un-guilty time spent with my grandkids and kids
(normally, I'm thinking about what I *should* be doing, but the holidays give me permission to let
go of that), the latest holiday epicurean delight (I'm basking in the wonderful smells right now of a
homemade marble chiffon cake, made by my son-in-law to celebrate the birth of my #1 child 33
years ago). My biggest indulgence, however, is in the optimism I feel for this new year that is just
a little over a day old. It's going to be a good year, one day at a time.
User Comments:
Martha <[email protected]> http://msongbird.blogspot.com
-----I never fully appreciated Christmas lights until I moved to dark, dark Maine. Growing up in
Southeastern Virginia and in Northern Virginia, I just didn't experience the same level of
darkness, of shortness of day. And for me it's the white lights. Somehow the white twined in the
evergreen is magical to me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-01-02 14:12:00
Subject: How MaDear stole Christmas
So I wanted to help out, but it's not always easy when you're at someone else's house, even if
that someone else is you're very own daughter.
I decided I'd help take down and put away the holiday decorations. It would be fun, I thought, to
have C help me. We started with the ceramic Christmas tree I made ages ago that has little
different colored plastic birds placed on it. C really got into it...she was most proficient and
enjoyed the task until I started putting the tree itself into the box for storage. "No, MaDear!" she
said, as I tried to explain to her that it was time for the decorations to go bye-bye. It then dawned
on me that maybe I really, really didn't want her to associate *me* with the end of the fun and
magic of Christmas so together we re-decorated the tree and played with the birds and sang
"Jingle Bells" one more time.
User Comments:
Martha <[email protected]> http://msongbird.blogspot.com
-----A very wise choice, in my opinion.
You make me miss my mom. She died before my daughter was born, but she was just the best
sort of grandmother with my sons. I have a great picture of her with my oldest when he was
about 4. They had spent the morning building a replica of the Peaks Island, Maine, ferry landing
out of blocks, shells, driftwood and toy cars.
Thanks for sharing your sweet story.
Matthew
-----ya big push over. ;-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-01-05 12:34:00
Subject: passage
Christopher Hitchens, in a <a href="http://slate.msn.com/id/2111506/" target="blank">eulogy</a>
of Susan Sontag, wrote the following:
<ul>Between the word "public" and the word "intellectual" there falls, or ought to fall, a shadow.
The life of the cultivated mind should be private, reticent, discreet: Most of its celebrations will
occur with no audience, because there can be no applause for that moment when the solitary
reader gets up and paces round the room, having just noticed the hidden image in the sonnet, or
the profane joke in the devotional text, or the secret message in the prison diaries. Individual
pleasure of this kind is only rivaled when the same reader turns into a writer, and after a long
wrestle until daybreak hits on his or her own version of the mot juste, or the unmasking of
pretension, or the apt, latent literary connection, or the satire upon tyranny.</ul>
Writers of the world, take a bow!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-01-07 23:30:00
Subject: Driving by Brookhaven
Part of my Associate Degree from El Centro came from classes I took at Brookhaven, a college
in Farmers Branch that is part of the Dallas County Community College District.
So tonight I'm driving home from work and as I pass by Brookhaven, I note the sign out on the
east side of the campus. It reads "Want a new carrer? Come to the free real estate seminar."
Oh surely this was just a case of running out of E's. By the time I round the curve and come to
the front entrance sign on the south side, I look hopefully at the sign. Again, it's wanting me to
come to a real estate seminar to obtain a new carrer.
Again, I can always hope they just ran out of E's. But what I am thinking is that whoever put up
those letters, just didn't know.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-01-08 23:12:00
Subject: Do yourself a favor...
...go see <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/very_long_engagement/" target="blank">"A
Very Long Engagement"</a>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-01-11 08:46:00
Subject: Hello darkness, my old friend
<ul>Hello darkness, my old friend. I've come to talk with you again.
Because a vision softly creeping left its seeds while I was sleeping
and the vision that was planted in my brain still remains within the sound of silence.
In restless dreams I walked alone, narrow streets of cobblestone
â€˜neath the halo of a street lamp, I turned my collar to the cold and damp
when my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
that split the night and touched the sound of silence.
And in the naked light I saw ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking, people hearing without listening.
People writing songs that voices never shared, no one dared disturb the sound of silence.
"Fools," said I, "you do not know, silence like a cancer grows.
Hear my words that I might teach you, take my arms that I might reach you."
But my words like silent raindrops fell and echoed in the wells of silence.
And the people bowed and prayed to the neon god they made
and the sign flashed out its warning in the words that it was forming.
And the sign said "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
and tenement halls and whispered in the sound of silence."</ul> - Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel
I treated myself to <a href="http://www.simonandgarfunkel.com" target="blank">"Old Friends Live
on Stage"</a> CD recently and have been enjoying it tremendously during my commute to work.
It reminds me of the MTV Unplugged series (back when it was good). Give it a listen,
especially if you're a boomer, and want to be brought back. It doesn't get any better than this.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----I always like it when musicians can put aside their differences for their fans. Kudos to them for
doing so.
Mr. Cloudy
-----Couldn't agree more. Put this song together with "Bridge" and "I am a Rock" and name me 5
other songwriters of the Rock era who have a better trio. The list would be very short in my book.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-01-12 16:16:00
Subject: I have one, but I still think it's silly
So how far are we going to take these 'cause ribbons' on our cars?
You see them for "Support our Troops" and "God Bless the USA". Recently, I saw one that was
brown and had little paw prints on it and said "Rescue". Then I saw one this morning on a car that
was a dainty pink one with no words on it so I'm thinking either the words faded or it was
assumed that all would know by now that it's for breast cancer. I haven't seen any red ones yet
(for HIV/AIDS) but I'm sure they are around.
The one that graces the left side bumper of my car is teal in color and says "Ovarian Cancer
Awareness" which my sister bought for me at the O-Cancer fun run last fall. At this point, if my
sister with cancer asked me to wear it on my face, I probably would. Thankfully, she didn't and I
put it where it belongs...on my car.
But I still think these are kinda silly.
User Comments:
Jill
-----Breast cancer's not silly...no cancer is.
But putting a ribbon magnet on your car is, IMO.
Jamie
-----I have one of the referenced "dainty pink" ones. It is for breast cancer and I don't think it is silly.
anya
-----i think we should make up some little ribbon stickers that have "no more ribben stickers!" written
on them. people might even buy them! extra points if they completely miss the irony ;)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-01-14 20:45:00
Subject: Breyer v. Scalia
I know...I'm a neek (that's a combination of Geek/Nerd.)
If you didn't see the Scalia/Breyer show on C-Span yesterday, you missed a good one.
Check it out on their <a href="http://www.c-span.org" target="blank">website</a>.
User Comments:
Mamala
-----This was all about using Foreign Law to base opinions on cases in our country. They sat in 'easy
chairs' and just had a conversation, and really, it was fascinating to see these 2 brilliant men and
their interchange.
This isn't a really good Cliffs Notes summary, but it's all I have. You just need to watch it.
-----How about the Cliffs Notes version?
Busily yours,
RM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-01-17 21:20:00
Subject: I have a dream
Martin Luther King, Jr.: "I Have a Dream"


<img border="0" src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/mlkihaveadreamgogo.jpg" width="300"
height="444">

delivered
28 August 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C.
I am happy to join with you today
in what will go down in history as
the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.
Five score years ago, a great American, in whose
symbolic shadow we
stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great
beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves, who had been seared in the flames of
withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their
captivity.
But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not
free. One
hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of
segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a
lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred
years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds
himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful
condition.
In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to
cash a check.
When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and
the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every
American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as
white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness. It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar
as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation,
America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked
"insufficient funds."
But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is
bankrupt. We
refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of
this nation. And so we have come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand
the riches of freedom and the security of justice.
We have also come to this hallowed spot to
remind America of the
fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take
the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of
democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the
sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of
racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a
reality for all of God's children.
It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the
urgency of the
moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until
there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an
end but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now
be content will have a rude awakening if  the nation returns to business as usual.
There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his
citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our
nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
But there is something that I must say to my
people who stand on the
warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our
rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our
thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must ever conduct
our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative
protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic
heights of meeting physical force with soul force.
The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed
the Negro community
must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as
evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up
with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound
to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.
And as we walk, we must make the pledge that
we shall always march
ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights,
"When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is
the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as
long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of
the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in
Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote.
No, no, we are not satisfied and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like
waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.


<img border="0" src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/martinlutherkingIhaveadream2.jpg"
width="161" height="212" alt="martinlutherkingIhaveadream2.jpg" border="1">
I am not unmindful that some of you have come
here out of great
trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you
have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of
persecutions and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of
creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.
Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia,
go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing
that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of
despair, I say to you today, my friends. And so even though we face the difficulties of
today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American
dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up
and live out
the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are
created equal.
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of
Georgia the sons of
former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the
table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of
Mississippi, a state
sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be
transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one
day live in a
nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of
their character. I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day, down in
Alabama, with its
vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of
interposition and nullification; one day right down in Alabama little black boys and black
girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and
brothers. I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be
exalted, and every
hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked
places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh
shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith that I will go back
to the South
with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of
hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation
into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work
together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for
freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day. And this will be the day, this
will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning, "My
country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died,
land of the Pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring!" And if
America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

<img border="0" src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/mlkfreeatlast.jpg" width="336"
height="214" style="border: 1px solid #000000">
       
        
And so let freedom ring -- from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
        
Let freedom ring -- from the mighty mountains of New York.
        
Let freedom ring -- from the heightening Alleghenies of
             
  
Pennsylvania. 
        
Let freedom ring -- from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.
        
Let freedom ring -- from the curvaceous slopes of California.
        
But not only that.
        
Let freedom ring -- from Stone Mountain of Georgia.
        
Let freedom ring -- from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.
        
Let freedom ring -- from every hill and molehill of Mississippi,
             
  
from every mountainside, let freedom ring!
And when this happens, when we allow freedom
to ring,
when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city,
we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and
white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and
sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual,
        
"Free at last, free at last.
        
Thank God Almighty, we are free at last."
User Comments:
Lisa <[email protected]> http://www.lisamanzi.com
-----Thanks for posting that, i don't think i've ever read the entire text.
Matthew
-----changed
Matthew
-----I agree with Revmom's assesment. His letters from a Birmingham Jail should be like a bible to
any good activist, or anyone who hopes to change the world.
I don't remember if it was from that essay or not, but he made a direct plea with his fellow clergy
folk to use their churches as lightning rods for social change. That really stuck with me for some
reason. Good stuff.
-----There was a great op/ed in the Post this weekend about how people sometimes over-emphasize
the I Have a Dream speech, as gloriously good and rhetorically powerful as it is. And what people
really need to read along with "Dream" is <a href="http://almaz.com/nobel/peace/MLK-jail.html"
target="blank">Letter from a Birmingham Jail</a>, which presents the other, perhaps more real,
messy and difficult side of the struggle for civil rights. It's a brilliant, intellectual work that talks
about the complacency and silence of the "good people" being more problematic than the evil
words of the "bad people."
I'm not saying that's what you're doing in printing the speech here, but I just thought it was
interesting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-01-19 20:02:00
Subject: Magic
I've been in a lock-in with high level IT managers at the company I've been contracting with all
week. It's exciting to see how dedicated they are to their company and their career. When the
clock rolls around to 6 PM (when we started out at 8 AM sharp) and they say, shocked "that they
can't believe it's 6 PM already" I have to admire not only their work ethic, but their dedication to
get the job done and done well.
Yes, it's a form of magic to me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-01-22 23:06:00
Subject: Lock-in/Lock-out
I've had the week from hell/heaven, ok, I'm glad to have a job. I was at my consultant job from
early, early morning to late, late evening every day this past week. Today, I had a workshop at
my church from 9-3 and when I got home at about 5, I thought I'd had an early day.
Life is good.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-01-24 19:28:00
Subject: What part of >>> do you not understand?
I think I speak pretty clearly and don't use long words or anything like that.
Recently it has come to my attention that I have too much on my plate, so to speak. In doing an
inventory of my extra-curricular activities, I was honest with myself and decided that I would drop
the things that I'm currently doing that don't bring me 'joy'.
One of these that qualified was maintaining a website for a local mediator group (one that I
haven't attended in at least a couple of years). Another was my homeowner's association board
position. I've dropped them both. Before I could even resign the mediation position I got an email
from the chapter president saying that she realized that I was soooo busy and that she had found
someone to take my place.
Yay! I didn't have to quit! They had replaced me before I would even have the chance to let them
down. Life was good.
So I met at a local Starbucks for the big handoff. I had my laptop, my thumb disk filled with files,
and I was ready to hand the website over to this willing volunteer.
I knew I was in trouble when she asked me "What is this .html file extension on these files? What
does that mean?" But she had done a family website using a site builder so I just encouraged her
to go forward with the technology that she was familiar with. Life was still good, but getting worse.
Today, I get an email from her saying that they like the site that I did, they don't want to change
anything, that she wants to know what application I used for developing the site (Dreamweaver...,
not your totally user friendly app, for the novice) and when we could get together again for me to
train her on this new tool.
Aaack!!!
So now I'm spending part of my time tonight composing in my head an email response to her that
basically asks "what part of 'I don't have time' did you not understand?'"
User Comments:
Mamala/MaDear
-----Yes...I'll stay strong. J & J here (with their Mom and Dad) are incentive enough. I wrote the tough
email this morning explaining that I would only be available via email and that it had, indeed,
taken me "years to learn about websites" so perhaps, they really need to put in the hours and
move on (without me).
-----Be strong!!!! Be strong!!! Say no!!!!
I'm proud of you for doing this. And you need extra spare time for when your oldest two
grandkids live there for a few months.
-----Exactly.
This is where NMP (not my problem) is very effective, though there's probably more polite ways
to put it....
Good luck with emptying your plate.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-01-24 19:48:00
Subject: Finding Neverland
This is truly a case where the trailer defies what a great movie this is!
User Comments:
Matthew
-----One of the year's best IMO!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-01-24 20:13:00
Subject: Loss
WHATEVER, HE SMILED: When a sister loses her brother to AIDS, <a href =
http://theanchoress.blogspot.com/2005/01/whatever-he-smiled.html target = _blank>a world
cracks</a>. And now, a blog can express the grief and peer forward in hope. Hang in there,
Lizzie. Keep the faith. Do you know Leonard Cohen's song, <a href =
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000028W9/qid=1106515596/sr=1-8/ref=sr_1_
8/103-8134013-2799060?v=glance&s=music target = _blank>"The Anthem"</a>? It helped me
get through my own AIDS deaths.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-01-28 15:37:00
Subject: For my children, on January 28, 2005
A Summer Day
-by Mary Oliver
<ul>Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?</ul>
User Comments:
-----Mary Oliver kicks so much ass.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-01-30 23:47:00
Subject: Quote of the Day
"Are you a Sunni or a Shiite?"
"I'm an Iraqi."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-02-04 20:53:00
Subject: This feels so good; why don't I do it more often?
Now that I have your attention, I have been exercising lately, back to my routine, at least 30
minutes a day. So far, my blood pressure has gone down 10 points, I wake up feeling alive, the
endorphins kick in during/right after my walk, and life is good.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Exerc..what????
never heard of it.
Jill
-----I'm doing it in the evening. I just can't move in the morning and have finally given up trying
to...morning person, I'm not. If the weather is good, I'll walk around the complex, and if not, I'll hit
the gym about 8ish.
-----What time of day are you doing it?
Sounds great! I know that once I get the initial push past the inertia I will feel the same. It's the
first step that's always the hardest.
Katieg
-----Hmmm... I'll just have to take your word for it. :-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-02-08 08:37:00
Subject: "Darn, I got a green one"
Or so 'says' my dog Marina this morning as I handed her the green
 Milk Bone dog biscuit before I left for work. Well, really, she handles it pretty well. But
I'd be pissed.
You see, I buy the Milk Bones that come in 5 delicious flavors...Peanut Butter, Bacon, Beef,
Chicken and VEGETABLE.
Now I'm thinking that dogs love all these flavors, except for 
VEGETABLE. Maybe I'm wrong.
But as I randomly reach into the box for treats for Jack and Marina each morning, all the biscuits
are pleasing colors of light tan, dark tan, beige, ivory and GREEN.
 There is no disguising the VEGETABLE
flavored one or trying to say I didn't notice that the dog that got this one just got cheated!
And to top it all off, and this is slightly gross, I'll 'see' it again as I'm a good neighbor and pooper
scoop the slightly greenish-tinged pet waste.
I'm thinking this kind of disappointment is much like the disappointment I feel when I get a center
piece of a flat-sheet birthday cake, the "pan-side pieces" of brownies, a bowl of Raisin Bran with
no raisins, or a handful of mixed nuts with just peanuts!
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Poor Marina. Don't make me come get my dog! ;-)
Mr. Cloudy
-----Very funny and too true. I can just imagine the inner dog dialogue: I rolled over for this?!?
-----And what I don't get it is that Mom likes the heel of bread, so why did we ever have to get stuck
with it???
-----But how would you know that you got the heel when it was so cleverly hidden?
MaryAnn
-----Not to mention when you're a kid and you get a sandwich with the heel of the bread...
No, I'm not at all bitter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-02-10 12:41:00
Subject: From where I sit...
...I can see people coming and going downstairs from their cars to the parking garage.
I try not to spend too much time doing this, but there are just some days when I sense the
movements and turn to look.
Several times a day, a woman comes in riding a motorized wheelchair. She appears healthy
(although she is extremely overweight) and generally looks pretty good natured. I always wonder
what put her there, in that wheelchair, and say a little prayer that "there, but for the grace of god,
go I."
Today, when I went down to the company cafe to grab a bite to eat, I noticed that a motorized
wheelchair was plugged into an outlet near the cafe.
And there she was, standing in the line for her food. After getting her order, she walked over,
seemingly effortlessly, to the drink fountain to grab a super-size Regular Coke.
As I got my food and walked by the wheelchair again, I noticed a pack of Marlboros in her basket.
I'm trying not to be judgmental because I really despise that part of me.
User Comments:
Luna
-----I know just what you mean. Sometimes I just want to say, "stop putting junk in your body, it's not
good for you!", but then I remember that they're adults and that it's not polite to yell...
:)
Keith http://www.journalscape.com/keithsnyder/
-----I don't quite understand. Are you assuming that the cigarettes somehow put her in the
wheelchair?
-----Are you judgmental of your judgmental nature?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-02-10 16:34:00
Subject: It sucks to be second!
According to <a href="http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=4115820" target="blank">
Scotsman.com</a>
<ul>after her marriage [to Prince Charles], Camilla Parker Bowles will become the most senior
female royal behind the Queen. As HRH Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla will take precedence
within the Royal Family as the wife of the Prince of Wales and heir to the throne.
But unlike her sister-in-law the Princess Royal, her importance solely relies upon marriage.
She will have no constitutional role but will be invited to state and national occasions at the
Queenâ€™s invitation.
She will not be known as the Princess of Wales, a title which for many people worldwide still
conjures up memories of the Princeâ€™s popular first wife, the late Diana, Princess of Wales.
When he becomes King, she will be known as Princess Consort.</ul>
Conjures up a great image, doesn't it?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-02-16 15:12:00
Subject: Does God owe us an apology?
From the March 2005 issue of the Progressive, comes <a target="_blank"
href="http://www.progressive.org/march05/ehren0305.php">this</a> by Barbara Ehrenreich
God Owes Us and Apology
<ul>The tsunami of sea water was followed instantly by a tsunami of spittle as the religious
sputtered to rationalize God's latest felony. Here we'd been placidly killing each other a few
dozen at a time in Iraq, Darfur, Congo, Israel, and Palestine, when along comes the deity and
whacks a quarter million in a couple of hours between breakfast and lunch. On CNN, NPR, Fox
News, and in newspaper articles too numerous for Nexis to count, men and women of the cloth
weighed in solemnly on His existence, His motives, and even His competence to continue as
Ruler of Everything.
Theodicy, in other words--the attempt to reconcile God's perfect goodness with the manifest evils
of His world--has arisen from the waves. On the retro, fundamentalist, side, various men of the
cloth announced that the tsunami was the rational act of a deity enraged by (take your pick): the
suppression of Christianity in South Asia, pornography and child-trafficking in that same locale,
or, in the view of some Muslim commentators, the bikini-clad tourists at Phuket.
On the more liberal end of the theological spectrum, God's spokespeople hastened to stuff their
fingers in the dike even as the floodwaters of doubt washed over it. Of course, God exists, seems
to be the general consensus. And, of course, He is perfectly good. It's just that his jurisdiction
doesn't extend to tectonic plates. Or maybe it does and He tosses us an occasional grenade like
this just to see how quickly we can mobilize to clean up the damage. Besides, as the Catholic
priests like to remind us, "He's a 'mystery' "--though that's never stopped them from pronouncing
His views on abortion with absolute certainty.
The clerics who are struggling to make sense of the tsunami must not have noticed that this is
hardly the first display of God's penchant for wanton, homicidal mischief. Leaving out man-made
genocide, war, and even those "natural" disasters, like drought and famine, to which "man"
invariably contributes through his inept social arrangements, God has a lot to account for in the
way of earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, and plagues. Nor has He ever shown much
discrimination in his choice of victims. A tsunami hit Lisbon in 1755, on All Saints Day, when the
good Christians were all in church. The faithful perished, while the denizens of the red light
district, which was built on strong stone, simply carried on sinning. Similarly, last fall's hurricanes
flattened the God-fearing, Republican parts of Florida while sparing sin-soaked Key West and
South Beach.
The Christian-style "God of love" should be particularly vulnerable to post-tsunami doubts. What
kind of "love" inspired Him to wrest babies from their parents' arms, the better to drown them in a
hurry? If He so loves us that He gave his only son etc., why couldn't he have held those tectonic
plates in place at least until the kids were off the beach? So much, too, for the current popChristian God, who can be found, at least on the Internet, micro-managing people's careers,
resolving marital spats, and taking excess pounds off the faithful--this last being Pat Robertson's
latest fixation.
If we are responsible for our actions, as most religions insist, then God should be, too, and I
would propose, post-tsunami, an immediate withdrawal of prayer and other forms of flattery
directed at a supposedly moral deity--at least until an apology is issued, such as, for example: "I
was so busy with Cindy-in-Omaha's weight-loss program that I wasn't paying attention to the
Earth's crust."
It's not just Christianity. Any religion centered on a God who is both all-powerful and all-good,
including Islam and the more monotheistically inclined versions of Hinduism, should be subject to
a thorough post-tsunami evaluation. As many have noted before me: If God cares about our puny
species, then disasters prove that he is not all-powerful; and if he is all-powerful, then clearly he
doesn't give a damn.
In fact, the best way for the religious to fend off the atheist threat might be to revive the old bad-or at least amoral and indifferent--gods. The tortured notion of a God who is both good and
powerful is fairly recent, dating to roughly 1200 BC, after which Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism,
and Islam emerged. Before that, you had the feckless Greco-Roman pantheon, whose members
interfered in human events only when their considerable egos were at stake. Or you had
monstrous, human-sacrifice-consuming, psycho-gods like Ba'al and his Central American
counterparts. Even earlier, as I pointed out in my book Blood Rites, there were prehistoric god
(desses) modeled on man-eating animals like lions, and requiring a steady diet of human or
animal sacrificial flesh.
The faithful will protest that they don't want to worship a bad--or amoral or indifferent--God, but
obviously they already do. Why not acknowledge what our prehistoric ancestors knew? If the Big
Guy or Gal operates in any kind of moral framework, it has nothing to do with the rules we've
come up with over the eons as primates attempting to live in groups-- rules like, for example, "no
hitting."
Yes, 12/26 was a warning, though not about the hazards of wearing bikinis. What it comes down
to is that we're up shit creek here on the planet Earth. We're wide open to asteroid hits, with the
latest near-miss coming in October, when a city-sized one passed within a mere million miles of
Earth, which is just four times the distance between the Earth and the moon. Then, too, it's only a
matter of time before the constant shuffling of viral DNA results in a global pandemic. And 12/26
was a reminder that the planet itself is a jerry-rigged affair, likely to keep belching and lurching.
Even leaving out global warming and the possibility of nuclear war, this is not a good situation, in
case you hadn't noticed so far.
If there is a God, and He, She, or It had a message for us on 12/26, that message is: Get your act
together, folks--your seismic detection systems, your first responders and global mobilization
capacity--because no one, and I do mean no One, is coming to medi-vac us out of here.</ul>
User Comments:
Mr. Cloudy
-----I think she makes a lot of good points that most of the religious people in our country still have not
wrestled with. So, they are old points in a way -- been around for a while -- but for as long as
they have been around, there are still millions who live insulated from them and worship precisely
the kind of God she runs through the grinder.
-----Sigh. Barbara Ehrenreich has gotten really tedious in recent years. What does she want us to
say? Yes, dear. You're absolutely right. You have penetrated my dense religion-poisoned, logicdeprived brain and I now see the light, thank God (whoops, old habits die hard).
This was also a rather thinly-veiled crib of a Slate article that came out right after the disaster
called "Boycott God." I guess that in itself is evidence that this argument has gone on forever and
very little new is said on either side.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2005-02-19 22:04:00
Subject: I saw him at a glance
I walked today on the golfing green track and saw a guy that looked just like him, back when he
was 12 or so, back when he was talking to me, back when I thought nothing could tear us apart.
He had shorts on, and a t-shirt, and curly hair. When he passed by me he waived and smiled. It
was familiar and it felt good.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-02-27 21:25:00
Subject: What was I thinking?
when I purchased this CD?
I had a $5 gift coupon that was burning a hole in my pocket so I hit Best Buy on my way home
from a great mediator conference yesterday.
I immediately started with the Metallica aisle as I always do to see if something new had come
out as I love those boys!
But seeing nothing there I veered over to the cover groups that do Metallica and came across <a
href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000CC866/104-7555594-9472765?
v=glance" target="blank">this CD</a> which I snatched up and bought.
Again, what was I thinking?....
User Comments:
Matthew
-----What were you thinking? ;-)
I can't wait to hear it, honestly.
Jillsusan
-----Yeah, that makes me feel better about my purchase, and maybe it'll grow on me, but on initial
hearing, I'm not a believer yet.
-----It got great Amazon reviews!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-03-06 23:17:00
Subject: Bank building
It's likely that if I pass a building project in a commercial/business part of Dallas that it will be a
new bank building going up.
What's up with that?
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Everytime I see broken ground, I always wonder if maybe they're building the long hoped for
Fuddruckers restaurant that Denton sorely needs, but alas, it is another Bank or Credit Union.
Is there no justice?
-----The same thing is happening here. Banks and credit unions are popping up on every corner. I
don't get it either.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-03-06 23:19:00
Subject: Prime Minister's Questions
I'm watching Tony Blair and the British House of Commons on C-span and thinking how
wonderful it would be if our very own congress and president went through such a regular
exercise.
Something tells me if you could get them to do it, it wouldn't be nearly as much fun, or informative
as the Brits do it.
In my next life, I want to be British.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Nix the next life part, and go British now. Then you can hang out with Gwynneth Paltrow and
Madonna. :-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-03-08 11:02:00
A non-violent revolution is not a program of seizure of power. It is a program of transformation of
relationships, ending in a peaceful transfer of power. - Gandhi
User Comments:
Matthew
-----In response to ImaPinkBubble:
*in Dr. Evil voice*
"Rrrrrriiiight!"
ImAPinkBubble http://www.journalscape.com/ImAPinkBubble/
-----Really? Well my commetn of the day is
MWAHAHAHA I am an evil cupcake - which Im quite proud of shouting it out at the top of my
voice in French lesson :P
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-03-17 23:21:00
Subject: Oh, how I've been there...
So I'm watching C-span and the hearing with Porter Goss and the committee. You see Porter
reading his statement and behind him sits his aids. And one of them is so wanting to listen and
look alert, but alas, he's just not able to stay awake through the whole affair. He does all the
things we all do. He looks around. But his eyelids droop.
I'm getting sleepy just looking at this poor guy...
User Comments:
NotShyChiRev http://www.journalscape.com/notshychirev
-----Or one of my little old ladies on Sunday...bless her heart. Nothing deflates pastoral ego like
someone dozing off during the Easter sermon.
Matthew
-----Sounds like a college kid during the last few weeks of school.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-03-23 11:46:00
Subject: The Woman in Jesus's life
So, what's the deal?
I have "air-miles" complimentary subscriptions to Newsweek, Time and US News and World
Reports and they all have articles about Mary and how protestants are embracing her.
Having been a Catholic, I know she was honored. But I don't remember her 'not' being honored
while I was a Protestant.
Now, I'm a Unitarian and we honor everyone (or not). ;-)
User Comments:
NotShyChiRev http://www.journalscape.com/notshychirev
-----I remember hearing, in my Baptist church growing up, that Mary was a vessel.
It's hard to see a vessel as a hero. I think the more work we do with out folks about what the
social and political climate of the 1st Century was, people will have a chance to see what a hero
Mary was.
-----Mr. Cloudy, do you have a blog? I'd read it.
Mr. Cloudy
-----I remember reading how the protestant reformation de-populated the spiritual universe (I think
maybe it was a brief note by Peter Brown somewhere) because it tended to obliterate veneration
of the saints of the church among its adherents. While protestantism promoted a more direct
relation to God, it perhaps had the unintended consequence of making the world almost seem
less friendly to those who know themselves as having shortcomings. I wonder if there isn't a
reclamation going on that will restore the saints in general as a way of personalizing religion -providing us with a variety of persons/personalities/real human beings to fellowship with.?
Although Jesus is said to be fully human by the church, the claim that he was divine puts a
certain space between him and us.
-----Mary is certainly not vilified in Protestant circles, but is largely ignored as a biblical hero in her
own right (as opposed to just the woman who bore Jesus).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-03-29 10:21:00
Subject: It's all in how you look at it
As I was filling the gas tank in my VW the other day, I watched the ticker climb higher and higher
until it stopped at almost $25! Aaaack! With gas well over $2.00/gallon, I guess I just better get
used to it and like it.
Helping me to get perspective on this matter comes recent guests on Charlie Rose. According to
Vijay Vaithees, after all, gasoline is still the cheapest liquid sold at your
neighborhood gas station/quik-e-mart.
OK, but somehow when I plunk down a dollar for a 20 oz. Diet Vanilla Coke, it doesn't seem all
that bad.
Guess I'm going to have to have an attitude adjustment...
User Comments:
-----It was interesting how many gas stations I passed on the way up here last weekend that had
"$.06" as the price for the gas. In other words, they did not have a way to put a "2" in the price
(there was only space for a 1). I can just imagine the conversation when they erected the
signs.... "We can just put a 1 up there... the price will never reach $2!"
NotShyChiRev http://www.journalscape.com/NotShyChiRev/
-----When you own, or operate, every step of the process from the ground to the pump, as most of
the majors do, you can make huge profits even with the lower prices...
In town this morning, at one of the admittedly highest stations in ChiTown, I saw medium grade
gas for 2.42 a gallon!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-03-29 22:06:00
Subject: Gilda's Place
I went to Gilda's Place with Sherry this evening to hear a talk about nutrition. It's a really neat
place and right in my favorite part of town, near downtown.
We heard a talk about nutrition and as I sat there and listened and observed the women with
cancer and their desire to do whatever it takes to get rid of it, I thought about how I take my good
health for granted so much of the time and how I abuse my body with food and drink more than I
care to admit.
It's enough to make me want to eat the entire Ben and Jerry's and get wasted!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-03-31 10:07:00
Subject: Perfection
Is there anything more perfect in this world than the purple tulips outlining my path to work?
Oh yes, my children and grandchildren.
But today, those purple tulips came in a close second.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-03-31 10:31:00
Subject: One person
To the world you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world.
Terri Schiavo, rest in peace.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-03-31 23:49:00
Subject: Back to my unit
That's what I hear from the soldiers that have lost limbs in Iraq on C-Span this week.
How can that be? These guys and gals are learning to deal with prosthesis and have given 'all'
to their country, but yet, as they recover in Walter Reed, they strive to heal so they can get back
to their unit in country.
Heroes? Yes, they are!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-04-03 14:58:00
Subject: Shopping with C
So I was determined to buy a toy for C, my DC granddaughter.
We found an Elmo puzzle that looked exciting to her, but it had over 25 pieces and said it was for
3+ years (C's just turned 2).
Searching further, we found all kinds of toys with bells and whistles and sounds and flashing
lights. She looked at them from afar and was intrigued but said "NO!" as I brought them closer to
her reach.
It looked like the search might not succeed, when, on our way out of the toy department I saw
hoola hoops hanging on the wall. We had just played with one the day before at KinderMusic,
learning all kinds of imaginative ways to play with this simple toy. She was delighted when I
showed it to her and she couldn't have been happier.
Sometimes (most time, probably) simple is best!
User Comments:
-----Excellent taste for a toddler.
But with all those amazing genes, who could doubt it?
Matthew
-----Kudos to C for keepin it real with the oldies and goodies.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-04-06 17:16:00
Subject: Woodstock
I came upon a child of god
He was walking along the road
And I asked him, where are you going
And this he told me
Iâ€™m going on down to yasgurâ€™s farm
Iâ€™m going to join in a rock â€™nâ€™ roll band
Iâ€™m going to camp out on the land
Iâ€™m going to try anâ€™ get my soul free
We are stardust
We are golden
And weâ€™ve got to get ourselves
Back to the garden
Then can I walk beside you
I have come here to lose the smog
And I feel to be a cog in something turning
Well maybe it is just the time of year
Or maybe itâ€™s the time of man
I donâ€™t know who l am
But you know life is for learning
We are stardust
We are golden
Back to the garden
By the time we got to woodstock
We were half a million strong
And everywhere there was song and celebration
And I dreamed I saw the bombers
Riding shotgun in the sky
And they were turning into butterflies
Above our nation
We are stardust
Billion year old carbon
We are golden
Caught in the devilâ€™s bargain
Back to the garden
-Joni Mitchell
User Comments:
matthew
-----I stand corrected. Great song.
Random Crosby, Stills, and Nash trivia...Woodstock was their first live performance. Talk about a
grand entrance. :-)
-----Interestingly, Paglia said Joni was slammed for the lines about "bombers turning into butterflies"
for being too idealistic.
sigh
-----They did the "famous" version. Joni wrote it. I was listening to Camille Paglia today on Bob
Edward's radio show and she has picked it as one of her top 43 favorite poems and she played
Joni's version of it...quite lovely.
Matthew
-----I thought that was a Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young song. I could be wrong though. Either way,
it's a great song.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-04-08 10:52:00
Subject: Planned Parenthood
Having a sister with ovarian cancer, my family practice MD no longer wants to do "well-woman"
checkups on me and referred me to several OB/GYNs in the area. One was going to take up to 4
months to schedule an appointment, the other about 3 months if I was willing to see her nurse
practitioner.
This kind of stuff is what brought me to my family practice MD in the first place. After all, I was
way past the baby-making business and couldn't just about anyone do this? Well, I guess not.
What to do? I remember working with a gal that got her yearly checkups at Planned Parenthood
(PP). She said that they were cheap and she felt OK about the exams she got there. She told me
this several years ago, but the information was stowed away in the back regions of my mind, I
guess.
So, after hearing of the long waits at the private Drs, I was shocked and surprised when I called
PP and they could see me the very next day and at the early morning hour that I preferred.
I went today and I must say that I was VERY happy with the exam that I received. The nurse
practitioner that I saw was about my age, very friendly, and willing to actually listen to my
concerns. She seemed to want to spend as much time with me as I needed. Wow...this was
definitely not what I was expecting. PP also does blood tests for cholesterol checks and
diagnoses and treats urinary tract infections (good to know since I don't get them often but when I
do, I now know where to go).
Their fee is on a sliding scale, but even so, I only spent $69 today.
Anyway, I'm very happy with their service and will recommend it, much like I do when I find that
the generic brand toilet paper works just as well as the Charmin or the generic brand toothpaste
satisfies just like Crest!
User Comments:
Matthew
-----At one point, G.H.Bush was "pro-choice." But then once he signed on with Reagan, he changed
his tune. That's what I've always read anyways.
Luke http://www.lukalicious.com
-----"George H.W. and Bar were even on the board of PP Texas at one point. But that was before."
"Before the dark times. Before the empire!"
-----PP rocks.
George H.W. and Bar were even on the board of PP Texas at one point. But that was before.
Matthew
-----Although I've obviously never used their services, I've heard nothing but great things from
everyone I know who does use their services. Planned Parenthood often has a negative
connotation associated with it mainly because of the dirt that's been thrown its way by people
who don't really have a grasp on ALL the services that they provide.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-04-08 17:11:00
Subject: Ace and Gary
Did you know that Stephen Colbert is the voice of Ace for Saturday Night Lives's animated shorts
"Ace & Gary: The Ambiguously Gay Duo"?
Who does Gary? (and don't say Ace) ;-)
User Comments:
CG Auntie <[email protected]>
-----Have no idea the answer to your question, but I just have to say thank God for the Daily Show!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-04-14 16:51:00
Subject: Road Kill
Yesterday, on my way to work, I was happily going down Alpha and enjoying the wonderfully,
sunny spring morning. It was cool and crisp and clear and what I like to describe as a "Dallas
type day" when all of a sudden, probably 50 yards in front of me was the evil black SUV tooling
along at the same time that a squirrel was crossing its path.
It all happened so fast but I saw it happen and the poor thing's tail twitched several times and
then by the time I was near it, it was still.
It upset me terribly.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----I read this great short story in a "Twilite Zone" anthology about all of these people on a bus being
visited by the animals that they had killed. Typical stuff, deer, dogs, cats, etc. In typical short story
fashion, the last person to be visisted was visited by the ghost of a girl that he had run over. It
seemed cool at the time, but now it seems kinda hack.
I hope that I never run over any kind of animal. *shudders*
NotShyChiRev/ChicagoRev http://journalscape.com/notshychirev
-----My secret shame in college was that I actually killed a dog that darted out suddenly from between
two parked cars right in front of my car. I stopped and went door to door til I found the
house...They were very kind to the blubbering college boy who had just killed their pet. I mourned
for weeks.
I can still see every moment of it in my head and it was 20+ years ago.
Matthew
-----I've said it once, I'll say it a thousand times, someone needs to teach these squirrels to look both
ways before crossing the street.
I have yet to run over any animal. *knocks wood*
-----I ran over a squirrel once.
Cried like a baby.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-04-22 12:09:00
Subject: Rubber Ducky
It was a beautiful Spring morning this morning and I was walking Jack and Marina as I always do
when I came upon the site of 3 mallard ducks happily swimming in our complex's pool.
I know that the powers that be will boot them out before they actually open the pool for the
summer season, but, really, I got more enjoyment and serenity seeing this site than I will ever
receive from seeing hot, sweaty adults lathering sunscreen on their already bronzed bodies or
children yelling "marco" ---> "polo" at each other in the midst of the August heat.
Sometimes I wish the animals would have won.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Yikes. :-|
Katieg
-----I have to say that I have a thing against ducks. I was baby sitting for this boy when I was a
teenager. I never liked babysitting much (except for my siblings and cousins), and this kid was
particularly challenging for me. I never knew what to do with him to keep him entertained.
Anyway, he liked fishing so I took him out to this pond near his house to fish. This duck came up
to us and was "walking" around us (and probably hoping for food). Suddenly, the duck chomped
down on the fishing hook. It was stuck in his beak, and it was squawking loudly. I had no idea
what to do. It eventually swam off. I felt terrible for the poor thing. Ever since that
experience, I really don't like to be around ducks. Post Traumatic Stress, I guess.
Rhubarb <[email protected]> http://www.journalscape.com/rhubarb/
-----And then, suddenly, they go bottoms up for a morsel of food, resurface, and shake the water from
their feathers. All so matter-of-factly, as if the beauty of nature were just an everyday thing.
Which it is.
Mr. Cloudy http://www.journalscape.com/mrcloudy
-----Some of my fondest memories with my kids in the younger days were going to the duck ponds for
a visit. There's something about floating that just makes them cool. And you often can't see their
feet moving when they swim so they almost seem motorized, but most of all leisurely.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-04-26 14:06:00
Subject: C.U.R.E.
I spent most of the weekend with my sister at <a
href="http://www.curetoday.com/patientmeeting/" target="blank">this conference</a> here in
Dallas.
Over the 16 hours that we spent there, I learned many things. Here's just some of them:
<ul type="square"><li>Fatigue from chemo is worse than pain from cancer/surgery for most
cancer patients.</li></ul>
<ul type="square"><li>VEGF (Vascular endothelial growth factor) is necessary for tumor growth.
If you can cut off the blood supply to the affected area, you kill the growth.</li></ul>
<ul type="square"><li>Participating in trials is often the best way to get the newest/best
drugs/treatment. </li></ul>
<ul type="square"><li>The Josh Groban song "You Raise Me Up" always makes my sister cry.
</li></ul>
User Comments:
-----Blessings for wholeness all around....and "You Raise Me Up" sometimes still gives me the lumpy
throat....
Matthew
-----Now I know where my sisters get their awesome sister skills from. You're an angel, but we all
already knew that. :-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-04-29 12:32:00
Subject: "blog" gives "blogging" a bad name
Was watching Friday's edition of C-span's Washington Journal (it's really the best on Fridays
because Brian Lamb is on [Can I just say that I'm not usually attracted to guys my age or older,
but I think Brian is one groovy dude] this morning and saw Matt Drudge make his annual
appearance, his 10th one to be exact.
Conservative or liberal, I think we all owe Drudge a high five as he really got this whole 'blog'
thing off the ground 10 years ago.
But given his roots, he said that bloggers should reject being called "bloggers" and that their
"websites" should not be demeaned by being called "blogs". He said this was just MSMedia's
way of delegitimizing us.
User Comments:
-----I have a blog (obviously), but I don't consider myself a blogger in the sense that the MSM uses
the word. I'm not in it to break stories, or even comment on news (except in rare cases).
However, I would think that bloggers should constantly strive for excellence, and thus raise the
connotation of the term, rather than insist that people stop using it. It's here to stay.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-05-01 23:39:00
Subject: The wisdom of buttons
She wears "Choose Hope"
I wear "Cancer Sucks"
A Ct-scan last week
An appointment with the oncologist Monday morning
She hopes for no more surgery
I hope for no more cancer
I fear
I dread
But, then, it's not about me
User Comments:
-----Jill,
In those moments, isn't it SUPPOSED to be about you at least for a moment? Any time we
wrestle with our finite-ness, we are so very human...and so very much in touch with being a
unique creation.
And...'Cancer Sucks' is a statement of liberation! Sometimes we need hope to be strong...and
sometimes we need to be liberated from assumptions and fears in a way that doesn't rely solely
on hope, but on an empowering, loud "f*&$ you" to the forces that oppose us--even the forces of
freaked out cells in our own bodies.
Maybe I'm not being adequately pastoral here... but I'm not your pastor, so what the hell...
-----I hope there was good news. I know what you are saying - that it isn't about you, but those of us
who care about you know it is about you too, for this is a shared journey for all concerned.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-05-03 13:32:00
Subject: On the 8th anniversary of my father's death
The Well of Grief
(David Whyte)
Those who will not slip beneath
the still surface on the wall of grief
turning downward through its black water
to the place we cannot breathe
will never know the source from which we drink,
the secret water, cold and clear,
nor find the darkness glimmering,
the small round coins
thrown by those who wished for something else.
User Comments:
-----I was moved by this poem. Thanks for posting it. Peace.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-05-05 16:05:00
Subject: Why I like sleepovers
Now that J & J are residing in the North Texas area, I've had the good pleasure of having them
almost weekly for sleepovers. I'm enjoying this time with them so much.
J#2 amazes me with his imaginative play. He loves a book that I purchased over a year ago "The
Day the Babies Crawled Away" and we read it almost every night that he's with me before he
goes to sleep. Last Sunday, however, he carried it to church and he pulled out his Larry and Bob
action figures and "incorporated" them into the story as he turned each page. It was wonderful.
J#1 wakes up happy and ready to seize each day. This past Sunday, I woke her and she
exclaimed, beaming "MaDear, I had the best dream!"
I asked her what it was about and she
said "A buffet!" I asked her what was the best item on the buffet and she said "Hot Dogs!"
Most days I wake up with C-Span and the troubles of the world confronting me. It's nice to take a
break from this routine!
User Comments:
Matthew
-----hahaha
mmmm....hot dogs....*drools*
-----mmmmm
Dreams of food...
Sign of healthy mind, I'm betting.
-----J#1 is definitely my girl.... Dreaming about buffets!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-05-05 23:35:00
Subject: I'd like to thank my agent...
I'm watching the Brits and their election results on C-span and each and every one of the
victorious politicians is thanking their "agent."
Leave it to the Brits to make election night like our Oscars!
BTW, looks like the British red states beat the British blue states...oh my....
User Comments:
-----I'm sure J#2 will be upset that he missed quality cspan time with you!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-05-08 21:47:00
Subject: The Lanyard
The Lanyard
-by Billy Collins
The other day I was ricocheting slowly
off the blue walls of this room,
moving as if underwater from typewriter to piano,
from bookshelf to an envelope lying on the floor,
when I found myself in the L section of the dictionary
where my eyes fell upon the word lanyard.
No cookie nibbled by a French novelist
could send one into the past more suddenlyâ€”
a past where I sat at a workbench at a camp
by a deep Adirondack lake
learning how to braid long thin plastic strips
into a lanyard, a gift for my mother.
I had never seen anyone use a lanyard
or wear one, if thatâ€™s what you did with them,
but that did not keep me from crossing
strand over strand again and again
until I had made a boxy
red and white lanyard for my mother.
She gave me life and milk from her breasts,
and I gave her a lanyard.
She nursed me in many a sick room,
lifted spoons of medicine to my lips,
laid cold face-cloths on my forehead,
and then led me out into the airy light
and taught me to walk and swim,
and I, in turn, presented her with a lanyard.
Here are thousands of meals, she said,
and here is clothing and a good education.
And here is your lanyard, I replied,
which I made with a little help from a counselor.
Here is a breathing body and a beating heart,
strong legs, bones and teeth,
and two clear eyes to read the world, she whispered,
and here, I said, is the lanyard I made at camp.
And here, I wish to say to her now,
is a smaller giftâ€”not the worn truth
that you can never repay your mother,
but the rueful admission that when she took
the two-tone lanyard from my hand,
I was as sure as a boy could be
that this useless, worthless thing I wove
out of boredom would be enough to make us even.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-05-09 15:17:00
Subject: Sunny California
I often listen to online streaming while I'm at work. Sometimes I can't get the local feed and
search for other locations on the web to provide me with my streaming needs. I mostly choose
California stations, as I figure, since it's the 'technology' state, they will have the most advanced
and error-free feeds. I've found this to be true and it works pretty well.
However, sometimes I am listening away and forget that I'm hearing news reports, commercials,
and weather reports from the left coast.
The other day, I got all excited as I listed to a Trader Joes' commercial and momentarily
celebrated the prospects of shopping at this store locally (I love going there while I'm in DC) until I
remembered that the Trader Joes that they were advertising was a little far for me to run to on the
way home from work.
Today, I heard them say that the weatherman was reporting that they had seen their last rainfall
until next year. How neat is that?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-05-10 22:59:00
Subject: Huffington Post
My friend <a href="http://www.derekjames.net" target="blank">Derek</a> pointed me to <a
href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com" target="blank">this</a>...I think I'm hooked already!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-05-15 06:00:00
Subject: In the span of 6 short weeks
Mother, Sherry and I were here for a visit with C and her parents just 6 short weeks ago.
Thankfully I'm back this weekend while Cs parents attended the U2 concert in Philly (yes, and I
*did* get a T-shirt!)
In these six weeks away from C, she's learned to do the following:
<li>tease me by offering me a piece of tasty food, and then, just when I am ready to chomp down,
pulls it away and giggles
<li>called me to come get her from her nap/bedtime by saying "wake up MaDear"
<li>peddle her tricycle
<li>use the potty (when she thinks about it), and she's really into toilet paper
<li>spell her name with the bathtub crayons (OK, she doesn't do this exactly right, but she does
say all the letters of her name, a little scrambled, but, hey's it's a long name)
<li>and much, much more...
User Comments:
AEF <[email protected]>
-----Thanks for the update on C- its been six and a half weeks for us as well. Glad she is doing some
neat things.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-05-15 06:19:00
Subject: Conflicted about grey
I'm at the end of yet another 3 - 4 week time period when the old grey roots start rearing their
ugly 'head' on my head. And it's at this time period that I go through yet another few moments of
inner conflict.
I say to myself that I really hate the mess and time it takes to color my hair. It's certainly a good
30-45 minutes that I'd rather spend doing something else.
And I should be secure enough with who I am and how old I am that having grey hair shouldn't
bother me.
And I really, really don't want to turn into one of those "old" ladies that colors her hair this
ridiculous shade of reddish/brown that you just *know* is not her real hair color (maybe I'm there
already)...
But then again, there's only just a handful of women I know with grey hair that pull it off
successfully and ALL of them have short, really short haircuts that I've never been able to pull
off...my hair is just too thin with no body at all.
Several years ago I went through that awful process of getting back to my natural color (salt and
pepper grey and brown and it was amazing how many people liked it and how many people didn't
and were very vocal about it (especially the ones that didn't like it).
One day, I was passing a mirror and glanced at my reflection. "Who was that old lady in the
mirror?" I thought as I headed directly to the nearest store to purchase my L'Oreal color of choice
(because I'm worth it, don't you know).
So here I am again on another weekend when I have to make the decision once again to cave in
to my vanity or allow me to be me, in all my grey haired glory. Trouble is, the culture I live in and
was brought up in, never has found anything glorious about grey hair, unless, of course, you're a
man.
User Comments:
Songbird <[email protected]> http://msongbird.blogspot.com
-----I started going grey in my early 30's and have been coloring for ten years now. Sometimes I wish
I had never started, and I feel the same conflict at root times. Like today, for instance. At least I
got over paying someone to do it for me, which really felt like an obscene way to spend money.
Or maybe it was just that my hairdresser's price went up to an obscene new level.
And then there is the husband who likes long hair...so growing it out seems impossible.
I say do whatever makes you feel best, on balance.
anne
------
recently i told my husband that when i turn 60 i'm going to stop coloring my hair. he objected,
saying he really likes the tie-died (oops i meant colored w/ highlites) me. i'm taking it 5 weeks at a
time.
-----I say, if you do it for you...go for it.
If you do it for "them," screw 'em...cuz M & K are right.
-----Have you read the poem about when I am old I shall wear purple?
For me, now mostly bald (which is pretty much like being mostly dead and having no Miracle Max
around to revive you), I've come to appreciate the convenience of having no hair to mess with -all shaved to a 1/2 inch and nothing to think about -- and I at least know no one will accuse me of
the dreaded comb-over. Hope you are happy with whatever choice you made.
-----"You are so beautiful to me"
Matthew
-----Go with the Loreal. It makes you look beautiful.
Go with the grey. It makes you look beautiful.
:-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-05-15 21:10:00
Subject: One
I think this is a good thing....
<a href="http://www.one.org/ActionSignup.aspx" target="blank">One<a/>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-05-17 11:50:00
Subject: Speeding through the golf zone
On my way to work and home, depending on the route I take, I pass through several school
zones. I gladly slow down to an exact 20 mph speed limit, as I remember when my children were
school age and would want *everyone* that entered their school zones to do the same.
Again, depending on which route I take, I also pass through a "golf" zone with signs alerting me
that I should slow my speed to 20 mph so that the golfers can cross the street, either by foot or by
cart, to get to their next hole.
Well, no.
I continue my 35 to 40 mph speed and am thinking, defiantly, that if some peace officer wants to
ticket me for this, I'll gladly pay the fine. So far, luckily, that hasn't happened.
I'm sorry. Maybe I have an irrational dislike of golf and golfers. Maybe my ClubCorp experience
has tainted my view of this game and its proponents. But I just can't bring myself to think that
there is anything fair about me, on my way to a productive job in the morning or home from that
same productive job in the evening, slowing down so that some retired rich guy in green plaid
polyester pants with the rest of his life ahead of him to play golf doesn't have to wait for me to
pass to continue on to his game.
School zones? Yes. Golf zones? NO!
User Comments:
Matthew
-----"You've got the need. The need, for speed."
-----You go mom!
-----Made me laugh! I've never heard of this. Maybe they need to build an overpass.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-05-19 16:45:00
Subject: Check Engine Light
My "check engine" light was on in my car when I got in it to go home on Tuesday.
Even though my car's been driving fine and I have less than 15,000 miles on it, I took it in to the
dealership today to have it checked out.
They replaced a temperature guage-part-thingy at no charge, since it's still under warranty.
But they got my 30 bucks for an oil change at the same time and managed to convince me that I
needed my brake system flushed for another 109 dollars.
The skeptical side of me says that this whole "check engine" thing is just a way for them to get
me in to the dealership for a service that I probably don't need.
On the other hand, being a single female, I need a reliable car and I'm at their mercy.
In my next life, I'm taking shop class instead of home ec.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----I think you're robbed. There really isn't much reason to get your brakes flushed when you only
have 15,000 miles on it. But I could be wrong.
-----I think Katie is right, and Gramps, I was taken.
Gramps <[email protected]>
-----I feel so fortunate that I have found a nearby mechanic whom I trust, because I too have had the
experience of paying a dealer's service bill for work I wasn't sure was really needed. I have
never had a brake system flushed as a routine procedure, which may or may not mean anything
about how your dealer treated you, but it makes me wonder.
-----Dan thinks you were robbed! :-(
anne
-----we have a car whose check engine light comes on if we don't screw our gas cap on tightly
enough. to get the light off again we have to take it to the dealership to have them turn it off. you
might want to make sure you screw the gas cap on tightly...just in case your car is a cousin of
ours.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-05-20 14:50:00
Subject: It's a dog's life
While, of course, I'm thrilled that J & J are in town (even if it is just for a short time period while
their mom and dad plot out their next area to bring their business to). I think my pets (even Dalai)
are enjoying having them around more often too.
Last night while their parents enjoyed the latest Star Wars movie on opening night, the JJs, as I
like to call them, came over and we had a fun evening.
We started out by walking (with Jack and Marina) to McDonalds and getting Happy Meals for our
trip to the park. We sat on new spring grass and enjoyed an outdoor picnic on the greenbelt in
front of the condo that their mom, her sister, and I lived in while she was in high school.
After that, we went to the park. Having Jack and Marina along attracts lots of attention. The park
was full of neighborhood kids and alot of them wanted to see the doggies up close and personal.
It's cute to see J#1 take on a maternal/teaching role to these kids, some of them hesitant and shy
around even my foo-foo dogs, as she assures them that "they don't bite" and "pet them on their
back" or "this is the way you hold their leash."
We stopped at McDonalds for ice cream for the walk home. J#2 and I got a cone and J#1 got a
small shake. It was pretty warm last night and the minute we walked out of McDs, the ice cream
on the cones started melting fast. I told J#2 to start eating his cone fast. Well anyone who knows
him knows that what's 'fast' to him is our 'slow'. But he tried his best to do it. That's when I looked
down at him and saw that immediately after I said "hurry" he basically stuck his whole face into
the cone of ice cream. It was downhill from there and being the dumb person that I am, without
napkins (save the environment and all) the mess just got messier.
The fun part of being a grandma is that you can just go with it. The more deluged J#2 got with
dripping ice cream (on his shoes, shirt, pants, legs, arms, etc) the more we all just had a good
time and J#1 could smuggly say, as she looked at her younger, messy brother, "that's why I get
shakes". Next time, we probably all will.
When J#2 finished his cone, I told him to just "wipe his sticky hands on his shirt"...something I'm
quite sure I never told his mom or her siblings back when I was just a mom.
And this 'mini-disaster' turned into the best part of the walk for Jack and Marina, as Jack followed
behind J#2 and attempted to lick up every drip and Marina enjoyed giving J#2 a 'bath' with her
tongue on his sticky legs and hands.
User Comments:
anne <[email protected]>
-----when my dad was a boy one brother got to lick the bowl after cake-baking or icing making. then
another brother got to lick the face of the bowl-licker. your story makes me recall dad's story one
fondly.
Matthew
-----You're a good grandma. And no, you never let us "wipe our hands on our shirts." I'm sure we did
anyway though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-05-20 17:23:00
Subject: An analogy you probably shouldn't make
When Pepsico President and CFO Indra Nooyi agreed to deliver the commencement address to
Columbia University's MBA class of 2005 last Sunday, it sounded like a good idea at the time.
From her address....
<ul>This analogy of the five fingers as the five major continents leaves the long, middle finger for
North America, and, in particular, The United States. As the longest of the fingers, it really stands
out. The middle finger anchors every function that the hand performs and is the key to all of the
fingers working together efficiently and effectively. This is a really good thing, and has given the
U.S. a leg-up in global business since the end of World War I.
However, if used inappropriately â€“ just like the U.S. itself - the middle finger can convey a
negative message and get us in trouble. You know what Iâ€™m talking about. In fact, I suspect
youâ€™re hoping that Iâ€™ll demonstrate what I mean. And trust me, Iâ€™m not looking for
volunteers to model.
Discretion being the better part of valor...I think Iâ€™ll pass.
What is most crucial to my analogy of the five fingers as the five major continents, is that each of
us in the U.S. â€“ the long middle finger â€“ must be careful that when we extend our arm in
either a business or political sense, we take pains to assure we are giving a hand...not the finger.
Sometimes this is very difficult. Because the U.S. â€“ the middle finger â€“ sticks out so much,
we can send the wrong message unintentionally.
Unfortunately, I think this is how the rest of the world looks at the U.S. right now. Not as part of
the hand â€“ giving strength and purpose to the rest of the fingers â€“ but, instead, scratching our
nose and sending a far different signal.</ul>
PepsiCo has apologized and flagged Ms. Nooyi's remarks as being "misconstrued."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-05-20 23:52:00
Subject: Postcards from the Edge
THE TRUTH: Do you have a secret? Write it on a
postcard and post it <a href = http://postsecret.blogspot.com/ target = _blank>here</a>. I couldn't
stop reading them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-05-24 11:13:00
Subject: 92.7
92.7...that was my score...not that far short of 100, which is what my target is.
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<img src="http://w.eimg.net/elink/img/art/v72/sm_webwatch_5_72.gif" width="56" height="53"
border="0"></a>
Life Expectancy
Calculator</a>
How long will you live?
Sure, you can never really know. But it's still fun to try to find out! This free, anonymous
questionnaire from the Alliance for Aging Research asks about health, lifestyle, and family history
to predict your life expectancy. Get your instant resultsâ€”then learn what you can do to improve
your health and quality of life!
Peek into your future!</a>

User Comments:
Matthew
-----I second that.
Katieg
-----100 Sounds good to me!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-05-25 09:44:00
Subject: Did you ever know that you're my hero?
From my sister who prefaced the forward of this with "I agree completely with the sentiment and
try real hard to live it."
<ul>The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more
important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than
circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think or say or do. It is more
important than appearance, gift, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The
remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that
day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.
We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the string we have, and
that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how
I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.</ul>
User Comments:
-----I totally agree!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-05-27 16:12:00
The way to cope with what I *don't* have is to embrace what I *do* have.
User Comments:
-----..and good friends who love hearing from and about you!!
Matthew
-----like 4 children who love you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-05-30 10:39:00
Subject: JAGs thoughts for the day
"When I eat strawberries my stomach smells like fish sticks"
"My other grandma lets me have 2 rice krispy treats for breakfast"
more to come, I'm sure....
User Comments:
-----He is too CUTE!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-05-31 13:52:00
Subject: Deep Throat revealed
So the guy that <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2005/05/31/AR2005053100654_pf.html" target="blank">claims he's
Watergate's "deep throat"</a> in Vanity Fair's upcoming issue is having a hard time getting his
story confirmed by Woodward and Bernstein.
Seems the three of them agreed back in the 70s to not disclose the identity until he was dead.
And at 91, he's just wanting his 10 minutes of fame.
Woodward says he's keeping his word.
Ben Bradlee at the Washington Post says he's not talking either.
Bernstein???
User Comments:
sara http://www.journalscape.com/beautiful_brown_eyes
-----that would get me a A in history. lol. thanks!
Bernstein <[email protected]> http://www.journalscape.com/Dickie_Cronkite/
-----Yup, it's him.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-06-01 09:04:00
Subject: Just plead stupidity
C-Span's Washington Journal was all over the story about the Supreme Court's <a
href="http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8051957/" target="blank">ruling on the Arthur Andersen case
</a>.
The unanimous decision by all 9 justices ruled in favor of Arthur Andersen's appeal against its
conviction for shredding Enron documents in 2001 as federal regulators were about to move
against the tottering energy company.
According to Marilyn Geewax, business reporter for Cox Newspapers, what saved these guys
was pleading stupidity.
OK, let me get this right.
Didn't we hear from this same corporation and others that the reason why they pay their CEOs
such high salaries is that they hire the best and the brightest?
Throw away your Harvard MBAs! Hide those framed diplomas! Clear your bookshelves of any
books higher than 3rd grade level!
Then, you too, will be ready for your day in court!
User Comments:
-----Aargh!
Matthew
-----Makes ya sick doesn't it? :-(
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-06-01 22:50:00
Subject: Just plain stupid
From <a href="http://www.andrewsullivan.com" target="blank">Andrew Sullivan</a>...
DISCHARGED: The military desperately needs soldiers. It even more desperately needs good
soldiers. But this <a href = http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-773881.php target =
_blank>wounded serviceman</a> who won a Purple Heart in Iraq and was eager to return was
<a href = http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=807773 target = _blank>discharged</a> today.
The reason? He's gay. None of his fellow soldiers minded. But policy must be upheld. Only gay
liars are allowed in the military. Even if you win a Purple Heart, honesty and integrity violate the
military code.
User Comments:
anne
-----one time in a store i heard a dad say to his son, "don't ever let me catch you lying again." (i
noticed he didn't say don't lie again.) somehow that line seems to fit your posting.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2005-06-05 21:52:00
Subject: Keep Austin "Austin"
Sherry and I spent the weekend in Austin with Donna (I had a board meeting to attend with TAM
part of the time).
During our weekend there, Donna and I took a walk in an older neighborhood near downtown.
We noticed how well manicured the lawns were, except for one. I made the comment that "I bet
that house was not a popular one in the neighborhood" and Donna said "Yeah, I wouldn't want to
live near that house."
Upon further examination, we noticed that the homeowner was out working in this yard that
appeared overgrown and mish-mashed.
Now, I'm reflecting back that this yard, although not the well-manicured, St. Augustine grass,
monkey-grassed, hedges-neatly-trimmed yard as others in the neighborhood, was probably
representative of native Austin.
Yes, this yard *was* Austin.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-06-07 14:56:00
Subject: Jill, the "intellectual"
Is it OK to label yourself an "intellectual"?
I was sitting at Donna's breakfast table on Sunday and she made that remark about herself.
I agreed with her that I was one too, and how I thought it was neat that since we've been friends
for about 40 years (aack!) now, we still believe in and value some of the very same things. In fact,
I think we've grown more alike than apart.
I've labeled myself alot in my lifetime (I'm fat, busy, tired, a wife, a mother, etc.) but until my friend
labeled herself an intellectual, I would never have admitted it about myself.
User Comments:
anne
-----it's funny about labels, isn't it? for years i wrote poetry but would never say i was a poet. then i
went to an art show where there was lots of very strange installation art that looked like piles of
stuff from my basement (and i often like strange installation art). i came home and wrote a poem
that ended with "if that's art, then this is poetry."
still i couldn't call myself a poet until people started paying me $50-$75 a pop to write custom
special-occasion poems for them. when i got paid for it, i claimed it.
later i gave up the business part of poetry (though i'm still writing lots) i've found myself backing
away from the word poet again.
because i'm intimidated by the word intellectual and don't think it really fits me, i call myself
bookish if i'm feeling good about myself and nerdy if not.
Matthew
-----Mom makes J and J watch C-Span??? Weird. ;-)
Mom, you're definitely an intellectual. You shop at Borders, you have an iPod, a VW Bug, and
more political books than are at James Carville's house. :-)
Katieg
-----Is that why you make J-J watch all that CSPAN?
-----Same issue with the word "artist." People are reluctant to use the term, as if calling oneself an
artist means one is claiming to be Michelangelo. Hey, I'm not saying I'm a great artist, but I'm an
artist.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-06-14 10:08:00
Subject: Lock 'em up and throw away the key
OK, let me get this right.
The only 'celebrity' to do jail time is Martha Stewart?
I'm looking in your direction O.J., Robert Blake, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jackson!
We've (women) come a long way baby...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-06-14 10:17:00
Subject: "Sorry" seems to be the hardest word
I know it's 'just words' but I'm glad the senate did <a
href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-06-13-senate-lynching_x.htm"
target="blank">this</a>.
User Comments:
-----Have you visited the online lynching postcard exhibit. Truly chilling -- professional photos made
into postcards. I think it's <a href="http://www.musarium.com/withoutsanctuary">here </a>
I agree this is a good thing. Will our grandchildren look back with disgust on us for our inactions?
I guess I can only hope each new generation will be more willing to look themselves in the eye
and do something at the time.
-----Interesting that 78 out of 100 senators signed on as co-sponsors... I wonder why the illustrious
senators from Texas were not among them?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-06-16 12:06:00
Subject: When the planets align
So I've been walking around since Sunday morning, feeling just awful, as I had a thought to
check UNTs website about when August (and Matthew's) graduation was. I had booked flights for
myself and a couple of family members in August and just had this awful thought waking up
Sunday morning that perhaps the trip was going to conflict with this one-time event in Matthew's
life.
Found a calendar and saw that indeed it was at the same time that I was going to be out of town.
DARN!
What to do, what to do?
Today I checked Orbitz to see how much it would set me back to change the flights (about $300)
but then again, it's not every day that my child gets a BA from UNT! OK, I'll do it.
But before I hit the "confirm changes" button, I checked back at UNTs site.
Summer graduation is August 13th!
Yay...I'll be back by then. No changes necessary.
Don't kNow what calendar I was looking at last Sunday, but from UNTs home page, it's loud and
clear that this August 13th date is *the* date.
This is a good day indeed!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-06-17 16:16:00
Subject: No Smoking Gun?????
By Michael Kinsley, Sunday, June 12, 2005
<ul>After about the 200th e-mail from a stranger demanding that I cease my personal coverup of
something called the Downing Street Memo, I decided to read it. It's all over the blogosphere and
Air America, the left-wing talk radio network: This is the smoking gun of the Iraq war. It is proof
positive that President Bush was determined to invade Iraq the year before he did so. The whole
"weapons of mass destruction" concern was phony from the start, and the drama about
inspections was just kabuki: going through the motions.
Although it is flattering to be thought personally responsible for allowing a proven war criminal to
remain in office, in the end I don't buy the fuss. Nevertheless, I am enjoying it, as an encouraging
sign of the revival of the left. Developing a paranoid theory and promoting it to the very edge of
national respectability takes a certain amount of ideological self-confidence. It takes a critical
mass of citizens with extreme views and the time and energy to obsess about them. It takes a
promotional infrastructure and the widely shared self-discipline to settle on a story line,
disseminate it and stick to it.
It takes, in short, what Hillary Clinton once called a vast conspiracy. The right has enjoyed one for
years. Even moderate and reasonable right-wingers have enjoyed the presence of a mass of
angry people even further right. This overhang of extremists makes the moderates appear more
reasonable. It pulls the center of politics, where the media try to be and where compromises on
particular issues end up, in a rightward direction. Listening to extreme views on your own side is
soothing even if you would never express them and may not even believe them yourself.
So, cheers for the Downing Street Memo. But what does it say? It's a report on a meeting of
British Prime Minister Tony Blair and some aides on July 23, 2002. The key passage summarizes
"recent talks in Washington" by the head of British foreign intelligence (identified, John Le Carrestyle, simply as "C"). C reported that "Military action was now seen as inevitable. Bush wanted to
remove Saddam, through military action, justified by the conjunction of terrorism and WMD. But
intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy. . . . There was little discussion in
Washington of the aftermath after military action."
C's focus on the dog that didn't bark -- the lack of discussion about the aftermath of war -- was
smart and prescient. But even on its face, the memo is not proof that Bush had decided on war. It
says that war is "now seen as inevitable" by "Washington." That is, people other than Bush had
concluded, based on observation, that he was determined to go to war. There is no claim of even
fourth-hand knowledge that he had actually declared this intention. Even if "Washington" meant
actual administration decision makers, rather than the usual freelance chatterboxes, C is saying
only that these people believe that war is how events will play out.
Of course, if "intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy," rather than vice versa,
that is pretty good evidence of Bush's intentions, as well as a scandal in its own right. And we
know now that this was true and a half. Fixing intelligence and facts to fit a desired policy is the
Bush II governing style, especially concerning the war in Iraq. But C offered no specifics, or none
that made it into the memo. Nor does the memo assert that actual decision makers had told him
they were fixing the facts. Although the prose is not exactly crystalline, it seems to be saying only
that "Washington" had reached that conclusion.
And of course Washington had done so. You don't need a secret memo to know this. Just look at
what was in the newspapers on July 23, 2002, and the day before. Left-wing Los Angeles Times
columnist Robert Scheer casually referred to the coming war against Iraq as "much-planned-for."
The New York Times reported Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's response to an earlier story
"which reported preliminary planning on ways the United States might attack Iraq to topple
President Saddam Hussein." Rumsfeld effectively confirmed the report by announcing an
investigation of the leak.
A Wall Street Journal op-ed piece declared that "the drums of war beat louder." A dispatch from
Turkey in the New York Times even used the same word "inevitable" to describe the thinking in
Ankara about the thinking in Washington about the decision "to topple President Saddam
Hussein of Iraq by force."
Poor Time magazine, with a cover date of July 22 but actually published a week earlier, had the
whole story. "Sometime last spring the President ordered the Pentagon and the CIA to come up
with a new plan to invade Iraq and topple its leader." Originally planned for the fall, the war was
put off until "at least early next year" (which is when, in fact, it happened). Unfortunately, Time
went on to speculate that because of a weak economy, the war "may have to wait -- some think
forever," and concluded that "Washington is engaged more in psy-war than in war itself."
Some people you have to hit over the head. Hey, you folks at Time, why are you ignoring the
Downing Street Memo?</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-06-18 23:57:00
Subject: Deep Thoughts, by Joseph A.
"MaDear, when you were my age, how old were you?"
Upon picking up Jack & Marina from a day of grooming at Pretty Paws, "they have that new car
smell".
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Those are classic.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-06-21 15:09:00
Subject: If you liked The Da Vinci Code, you'll love the Downing Street Memo
From <a href="http://www.slate.com" target="blank">Slate</a>, comes this...
By Christopher Hitchens, Posted Tuesday, June 21, 2005, at 9:42 AM PT
<ul>A few weeks ago, at an airport in Europe, I saw Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code staring at me
across the bookstore bins. I had seen it many times before and averted my gaze, but I was facing
a long delay, and I suddenly thought: May as well get it over with.
Well, of course I knew it would be bad. I just didn't know that it would be that bad. Never mind for
now the breathless and witless style, or the mashed-paper characters, or the lazy, puerile
reliance on incredible coincidence to flog the lame plot along. What if it was all true? What if the
Nazarene had had issue, in fleshly form, with an androgynous disciple? The Catholic Church
would look foolish but, then, it already looks foolish enough on the basis of the official story.
"Opus Dei," according to Brown, is a sinister cult organization. Excuse me, but I already knew
this, so to speak, independently.
Over the past month, I have hardly been able to open my e-mail without a flood of similarly
portentous tripe concerning the "Downing Street Memo(s)." This time, it is not the interior of a
Templar Church but the style of a clerk in the British Foreign Office that furnishes "the key to all
mythologies." A former CIA hand named Ray McGovern has challenged me to debate about the
"smoking gun" contained in the Downing Street palimpsests, and I have agreed, in principle.
Other correspondents have helpfully added other "smoking guns" as e-mail attachments. A man
named Morgan Reynolds, a former chief economist at the Bush Labor Department and now an
instructor at Texas A&M, has proof that the World Trade Center was laid low by a "controlled
demolition" and not by the hijacked planes. This is a refreshing change from the Gore Vidal view
that the Bush administration knowingly grounded all military aircraft in order to give the al-Qaida
teams a clear shot. But perhaps both those theories are congruent: One wouldn't want to exclude
any options if one were a Republican seeking to incinerate the downtown business HQ of
capitalist globalization.
I am not one of those who uses the term "conspiracy theory" as an automatic sneer of dismissal.
Conspiracies do occur. I spent a lot of my life at one point trying to show that William Casey of
the Reagan-era CIA had made a private deal with the Iranian hostage-takers in 1979, inducing
them to keep their prisoners until the Carter administration had been defeated, and I still firmly
believe that something of the sort (which eventually culminated in the Iran-Contra underworld)
was at least attempted. So do many senior members of both parties in Washington, with whom I
am still in touch.
But the main Downing Street document does not introduce us to any hidden or arcane or occult
knowledge. As Fred Kaplan wrote in Slate last week, it explains no mystery. As protagonist Jim
Dixon observes in another context in Lucky Jim, it is remarkable for "its niggling mindlessness, its
funereal parade of yawn-enforcing facts, the pseudo-light it threw upon non-problems." On a visit
to Washington in the prelude to the Iraq war, some senior British officials formed the strong and
correct impression that the Bush administration was bent upon an intervention. Their junior notetaker committed the literary and political solecism of saying that intelligence findings and "facts"
were being "fixed" around this policy.
Well, if that doesn't prove it, I don't know what does. We apparently have an administration that
can, on the word of a British clerk, "fix" not just findings but also "facts." Never mind for now that
the English employ the word "fix" in a slightly different wayâ€”a better term might have been
"organized."
We have been here before. In an interview with Sam Tanenhaus for Vanity Fair more than two
years ago, Paul Wolfowitz allowed that, though there were many reasons to seek the removal of
Saddam Hussein, the legal minimum basis for it was to be sought, inside the U.S. government
bureaucracy and at the United Nations, in the unenforced resolutions concerning WMD. At the
time, this mild observation was also hailed as a full confession of perfidy.
I am now forced to wonder: Who is there who does not know that the Bush administration
decided after September 2001 to change the balance of power in the region and to enforce the
Iraq Liberation Act, passed unanimously by the Senate in 1998, which made it overt American
policy to change the government of Iraq? This was a fairly open conspiracy, and an open secret.
Given that everyone from Hans Blix to Jacques Chirac believed that Saddam was hiding
weapons from inspectors, it made legal sense to advance this case under the banner of
international law and to treat Saddam "as if" (and how else?) his strategy of concealment and
deception were prima facie proof. The British attorney generalâ€”who has no jurisdiction in these
50 statesâ€”was worried that "regime change" alone would not be a sufficient legal basis. One
appreciates his concern. But the existence of the Saddam regime was itself a defiance of all
known international laws, and we had before us the consequences of previous failures to act, in
Bosnia and Rwanda, where action would have been another word for "regime change."
Many in the British Foreign Office, like many in the American State Department and the CIA, felt
more comfortable with the status quo as they knew it (which might explain the hapless references
elsewhere in the memos to Iraq's "Sunni majority"). But theirs is only one opinion among many.
How odd that the American left, when it is not busy swallowing the unpunctuated words of the
CIA, follows this with another helping of wisdom from the most reactionary institution of the British
state.
If such a "left" is not careful, it will end up consoling itself in futile bitterness and resentment in the
way that the Old Right used to do: by brooding on the hellish manner in which FDR told the
Japanese to "bring it on" at Pearl Harbor. (The anti-war right of today, led by Pat Buchanan, was
raised and nurtured on this very fantasy, as were Gore Vidal and the other Charles Lindbergh
fans.) I am in favor of taking such theories at face value, as a thought experiment, to see how
they pan out. It is clear that Roosevelt hoped that the Japanese empire would make a mistake
and furnish a pretext for war: The plain evidence of this hope is what keeps the conspiracy theory
alive. I myself rather doubt that he would have wanted to start such a war with the loss of the
Pacific Fleet, but still, he did think a confrontation was inevitable, as indeed it was. And William
Casey may have seen the chance for a double coup: taking credit for the release of the Iranian
hostages and discrediting Jimmy Carter into the bargain. But if it had all come out at the time, and
been proven, would this change my attitude to Japanese imperialism or to Iranian hostage-taking
theocracy? Certainly not. The demand would be to impeach those responsible in Washington and
to form a national bipartisan alliance to fight even harder against our enemies, and in defense of
our friends.
Full circle, then: The outrage about the nondisclosures in the Downing Street memos has led
Congressman Walter Jones of North Carolina to demand that we tell the al-Qaida forces in Iraq
exactly when we intend to give up. Jones is the right-wing bigmouth who once wanted to rename
French fries "freedom fries." He was a moral and political cretin when he did that and, not to my
surprise, he has been unable to stop being a moral and political cretin since. He and his new
friends are welcome to each other. They illustrate exactly how the credulous search for Da Vinci
codes is the sign of feeble minds.</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-06-23 18:38:00
Subject: Highway Robbery
I'm working the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association booth today and tomorrow at the
Wyndham Anatole, near downtown Dallas at the Texas State Bar Convention/Meeting. It's a good
gig and I'm actually billing these hours.
But, the downside is that on breaks and in the exhibit hall, I don't have internet access. Oh, it's
available all right. I can actually purchase access from the hotel for $100 A DAY!
You've got to be kidding me!!!!
User Comments:
Matthew
------
Indeed. That's about 99 dollars more than they should be charging, since I'm sure it doesn't cost
them much to host internet access.
Luke
-----Lame!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-06-28 13:16:00
Subject: Santorum's right about this one
A republican sponsored <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/santorum_puppy_love;
_ylt=Asuwd9jfpLt1rxYUNffTQnis0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3ODdxdHBhBHNlYwM5NjQ"
target="blank">bill</a> I can back completely.
User Comments:
Luke
-----That guy's name sounds like a location in hell...
Demon: Where do you want this new batch of doomed souls we got, your vileness?
Devil: Throw them in the fire pit in Santorum! That should teach them!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-06-28 13:18:00
Subject: The Flash Mind Reader
Looking to <a href="http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/mind.php" target="blank">waste</a>
a little time?
Spoiler below
spoiler
No matter which two-digit number you pick, adding the digits and subtracting from the original
number will result in a factor of 9: 81, 72, 63, 54, 45, 36, 27, 18, or 9. (Go ahead and pick any
two-digit number - it's just one of those neat mathematical factoids.)
Go to the site and look at the symbols next to the numbers I've listed above - they're all the same.
The smart part about the flash mind reader, however, is that the symbols change every time you
click "try again." Again, those numbers listed above will always have the same symbol next to
them, although the symbols will change from attempt to attempt.
In short - yes, it's a huge waste of time, but at least now you aren't one of those people clicking
and clicking and clicking, wondering how a computer can read your mind.
User Comments:
Luke
-----Neat!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-07-01 23:02:00
Subject: hide & go seek
So I hid my brand new digital camera somewhere before I left town last so that my pet sitters
wouldn't be tempted and I'd have it on my return.
I got the bee in my bonnet today to get it so that I could have it to take pix of J & J before they
leave town.
I spent the better part of 2 HOURS looking for it, because I had forgotten where I'd hid it....ugh....
Has that ever happened to you? That you hid something so well that you had to look for it
yourself?
I finally found it, but oh, I'd sure love to have those 2 hours back that I used trying to find it...
User Comments:
------
That has happened to me too many times to count!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-07-01 23:10:00
Subject: Look at me, I'm Sandra Dee
Or rather Sandra O...that's Sandra Day O'Connor. Thank you for your service and I hope you're
replaced by a woman, but then again, I rather doubt it...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-07-02 08:43:00
Subject: The Boss from Hell
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/cov96.jpg" width="130" height="159">
The latest issue of <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com" target="blank">Fast Company</a> has
a great article about the boss from hell, described as one that "ridicules colleagues, has a
grandiose sense of self-worth, and fails to accept responsibility for their own actions"...sound like
anyone you know? This question is aimed specifically to my 2 ex-coworkers that may possibly
read this blog.
It's been almost a year since I left this boss and as with any dysfunction, the longer I am away,
the more I'm able to view it as an experience that I'm lucky to have escaped from!
My boss now, however temporarily as I'm still doing contract work, is so much the opposite...a
really great, supportive, giving individual that wants me to succeed! How cool is that?
btw, you need an access code to read the issue online and I'll share mine with you...fcjulypsycho
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-07-03 23:19:00
Subject: Act Normal
"Act normal"...that was the command I gave to my grandson J as I was taking pictures of him and
his sister this morning before they left town and it would be days/months before I could see them
again...
He was hamming it up before the camera...making funny faces and goofy looks. I took a couple
of shots of him doing these silly things, and then I asked him to "act normal".
He obliged me with a nice smile and I took my shots.
Later in the day, however, I got this really guilty feeling. Why did I say that?
Wasn't he indeed 'acting normal' when he was making those goofy faces and being J?
Sorry....
User Comments:
Matthew
-----So now when he grows up to be a pencil pusher for "Cubicle Incorporated," instead of the next
Jim Carrey, I'll tell Jo-Jo that it was because of his MaDear's attempts to normalize him. ;-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-07-07 14:14:00
Subject: London bridge...it won't fall down
<center> <img src = "http://www.jillsusan.com/images/uk1.jpg"></center>
<ul>LIVINGSTONE RESPLENDENT: Yes, it's old Red Ken himself, the famously left-wing mayor
of London. Here's what he just said: <blockquote>"This was not a terrorist attack against the
mighty and the powerful; it is not aimed at presidents or prime ministers; it was aimed at ordinary
working class Londoners, black and white, Muslim and Christians, Hindu and Jew, young and
old, indiscriminate attempt at slaughter irrespective of any considerations, of age, of class, of
religion, whatever, that isn't an ideology, it isn't even a perverted faith, it's just indiscriminate
attempt at mass murder, and we know what the objective is, they seek to divide London. They
seek to turn Londoners against each other and Londoners will not be divided by this cowardly
attack... I wish to speak through you directly, to those who came to London to claim lives, nothing
you do, how many of us you kill will stop that flight to our cities where freedom is strong and
where people can live in harmony with one another, whatever you do, how many you kill, you will
fail."</blockquote>Amen a million times. How dumb are these fascists to take on the Brits and the
Americans? Sure, we fight with each other; but up against this kind of evil, our divisions are petty.
I also admire Livingstone's ability to see how liberal and left-wing Londoners who have helped
build an amazingly vibrant, diverse and tolerant city are particularly affronted by these medieval
monsters. Maybe this will help build support for a war that is as unavoidable as it is unlosable. I
don't mean we won't continue to differ over means and methods and tactics and strategy. We will.
That's our strength. But right and left, we are in this together.</ul>
User Comments:
JillSusan
-----Another one of my favorite Brits <a href="http://www.slate.com/id/2122186/" target="blank">
weighs in</a>...
<ul>My son flew in from London at the weekend, and we were discussing, as we have several
times before, why it hadn't happened yet. "It" was the jihadist attack on the city, for which the
British security forces have been braced ever since the bombings in Madrid. When the telephone
rang in the small hours of this morning, I was pretty sure it was the call I had been waiting for.
And as I snapped on the TV I could see, from the drawn expression and halting speech of Tony
Blair, that he was reacting not so much with shock as from a sense of inevitability.
Perhaps this partly explains the stoicism and insouciance of those Brits interviewed on the
streets, all of whom seemed to know that a certain sang-froid was expected of them. The
concrete barriers around the Houses of Parliament have been up for some time. There are
estimated to be over 4 million surveillance cameras in the United Kingdom today, but of course it
had to be the Underground—"the tube"—and the good old symbolic red London bus. Timed for
the rush hour, and at transit stations that serve outlying and East London neighborhoods, the
bombs are nearly certain to have killed a number of British Muslims. None of this, of course, has
stopped George Galloway and his ilk from rushing to the microphone and demanding that the
British people be removed "from harm's way" by an immediate withdrawal from Iraq. (Since the
Islamists also demand a withdrawal from Afghanistan, it surprises me that he doesn't oblige them
in this way as well, but perhaps that will come in time.)</ul>
<ul>Older Londoners are of course raised on memories of the Nazi blitzkrieg, and a younger
generation remembers living through a long campaign of bombings by the Provisional IRA. This
latest challenge is far more insidious, however, because the ambitions of the killers are nonnegotiable, and because their methods so exactly match their aims. It will be easy in the short
term for Blair to rally national and international support, as always happens in moments such as
this, but over time these gestural moments lose their force and become subject to diminishing
returns. If, as one must suspect, these bombs are only the first, then Britain will start to undergo
the same tensions—between a retreat to insularity and clannishness of the sort recently seen in
France and Holland, and the self-segregation of the Muslim minority in both those countries—that
will start to infect other European countries as well. It is ludicrous to try and reduce this to Iraq.
Europe is steadily becoming a part of the civil war that is roiling the Islamic world, and it will
require all our cultural ingenuity to ensure that the criminals who shattered London's peace at
rush hour this morning are not the ones who dictate the pace and rhythm of events from now on.
</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-07-07 22:45:00
Subject: Team Britain: Fuck Yeah!
<a href = http://www.secondbreakfast.net/archives/001995.html target = _blank>explained</a>.
<blockquote>Driving on the wrong side of the road! FUCK YEAH! Greasy fish dripping
through a newspaper! FUCK YEAH! Page Three! FUCK YEAH! Alfred Hitchcock!
FUCK YEAH! Eric Clapton! FUCK YEAH! Going to see Mark Knopfler Tonight in
London! FUCK YEAH! Crabtree and Evelyn! FUCK YEAH! Shortbread from Marks and
Spencer! FUCK YEAH! Rudyard Kipling! FUCK YEAH! Lord Stanley and his Cup given
to Canada! FUCK YEAH! Tweed with patches on the elbows! FUCK YEAH! And The
Magna Carta! BIG FUCK YEAH!</blockquote>
I added mine...Go add yours to the list...
User Comments:
Dani <[email protected]> http://www.journalscape.com/bluefeather
-----That's bloody buggery brilliant! :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-07-08 15:21:00
Subject: @&*^$&(())&^%$#$
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/theblog/archive/david-corn/rehnquist-resigning-now_
3859.html" target="blank">uh-oh</a>
User Comments:
Luke
-----"@&*^$&(())&^%$#$" indeed!
We're fucked.
-----I'm thinking this is all deliberate, so W can mollify the right wing by nominating an ideologue, yet
also show good faith to everyone else (that is, the vast rest of the country) and nominate a
moderate.
And when I say moderate, I mean a "well it could be worse" conservative. I can hardly wait.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-07-08 22:46:00
Subject: We're not afraid
Another wonderful collective blog of images - sending a message to the medievalist murderers of
New York, Bali, Aldgate and Baghdad. <a href = http://www.werenotafraid.com/ target = _blank>
Check it out</a>
User Comments:
brownEYES
-----WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS THE MIGHTY MIGHTY CAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-07-08 23:56:00
An elderly Brit says this:
If we didn't kowtow to the Nazis, we certainly won't kowtow to this lot.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-07-10 16:48:00
Subject: Partners in Crime
I really should trust my instincts.
When I left for church today, one of the loaves of bread that I purchased yesterday (2 for 1) at the
Empire Bread Co. was sitting on the edge of the kitchen counter, in front of my microwave. I
thought about finding a "safer" home for it, as I keep Jack and Marina in my kitchen while I'm
away. But then, they are Bichons and little dogs...how in the world could they get at it?
On my return home, however, I found that they had. I saw a couple of pieces of bread laying on
the floor (which only means that they were full, to the brim) and the rest of the loaf laying on the
floor, a crumpled up piece of mess with shredded plastic wrapping and not one totally whole
piece of bread to be found.
There's just no way that Jack and Marina got to this without the help of Dharma or Dalai, my
kitties who are now guilty (or at least I pronounced them that) of teaming up with them to
perpetrate the crime.
Oh well, the sour dough loaf was untouched and it was delicious with my salad at lunch!
User Comments:
Jill
-----They made it just fine, and surprisingly, it must have been really, really good bread as no
noticeable aromas...
I feed them Science Diet, in part, because it promises to reduce the size of the output. I'm never
really sure that it works, but after the bread fiasco, I think it may just do what it says it is supposed
to do.
-----I'm wondering how well they made it to their first trip outdoors the next morning and whether you
had to de-fumigate the house.
-----So cute!
Did I tell you CG Auntie's mother has a new bichon? Her name is Coco.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-07-15 21:27:00
Subject: Albuquerque Rocks!
I'm on my way to Vegas via Southwest Airlines, so you know I'm having to take a hop here, a
jump there to get there from Dallas.
On my stop in Albuquerque, I've got about an hour to wait for my 20 minute flight to Vegas. I
powered up my computer to see what wireless is available so that I can check email.
It's free wireless internet compliments of the City of Albuquerque.
Just how cool is that???
User Comments:
-----Places where you have to pay:
Houston Hobby
Kansas City
St. Louis
Stunningly stupid place where it isn't available at all:
Atlanta
Luke
-----It's cool I guess.
A free laptop, now that would be cool.
-----Asheville NC airport has that as well. Very cool.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-07-16 15:08:00
Subject: I blamed it on the grandkids
In order for me to take this "free" trip to Vegas (I used SW Airline credits for free flights and
agreed to sit through a sales presentation, about 1 1/2 hours, for time share vacations). I was
dreading this...you know what a people pleaser I am and how I hate to say "no"...
A really nice fellow gave me the pitch...wouldn't I like to quit wasting all my money on hotels and
take all that money that I spent on vacations to "build equity"...
It made sense, if you're the type of person that I'm not...one that takes weeks and weeks of
vacations to exotic places.
After I told him that I pretty much use any time off I have to go bond with my grandkids, he pretty
much said "well this kind of thing is not for everyone"...Yes!
I came away feeling like he didn't blame me for wasting his time, but rather thought a. she's a
good person and b. maybe when the grandkids are a little older I can sell her a time share at
Disneyland so she can gather them all up and spend a week or 2 there each year.
User Comments:
-----Yeah...the timeshares in Orlando are better than in Orange County....and easier to "bank" if you
want to go somewhere else.
-----As much as I loathe the rest of Florida, I'd put in a vote for DisneyWORLD, not land.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-07-16 15:14:00
Subject: The Human Body
I'm sitting here working from my hotel room during the heat of the day...yes, I know....
Anyway, I *do* have a good view of the pool and am watching the people out there relaxing and
tanning and getting a swim, but mostly smoking and drinking and preparing for their evening
ahead.
So far, I haven't seen one "perfect" body on any of the people there, and there is really a wide
discrepancy of body shapes and sizes.
I'm wondering if this would be true if I was in a resort in Europe. Would I see more perfect
bodies? You know, the ones that you see on the cover of Cosmo or GQ.
I'm thinking that maybe there is no such thing as perfection, or then, maybe we're all perfect, just
the way we are (kudos to Mr. Rogers, I do so agree with you!)
User Comments:
-----I recently went to Galveston and I did not see much in the way of perfection either. Of course,
maybe all of the beautiful people are only at the beautiful beaches.
Jillsusan
-----I'm headed to a show this evening...so there. And just saw an Elvis impersonator so I've been
there, done that.
-----So get out of your room! Go to a museum or something. Or a mall, even.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-07-16 16:25:00
Subject: Why I'm not Catholic, among other reasons
<ul>IS THE PURGE IMMINENT? The usually reliable Catholic Reporter's John Allen <a
href = http://www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/word/word070805.htm target = _blank>reports</a>
that a long-awaited (and long-feared) document is now in Pope Benedict's hands. The document
would put the Vatican's full authority behind banning all gay men from seminaries and the
priesthood, regardless of their commitment to celibacy or faithfulness to Church teachings. Their
very existence as involuntary homosexuals would make them ineligible for the priesthood. Money
quote: <blockquote>[T]he document will reject a solution that some seminaries, religious
communities and bishops have tended to adopt in recent years - that it doesn't matter if a
candidate is gay, as long as he's capable of remaining celibate. "I suspect some people, in good
will, have gravitated to this idea," one bishop said. "But that's not what the church is saying, and
this document will make that clear." To date, there's been no indication of what the pope intends
to do.</blockquote>Just ponder what this might mean. The Church concedes that gay people are
involuntarily gay; the Church asks them to commit to a life without sex or physical or emotional
intimacy; if they are priests, the conundrum is resolved anyway: celibacy is mandatory for gays
and straights alike, and, so the very distinction becomes moot. THE TURN TOWARD BIGOTRY: But now the policy could
become something much, much different: even if gay priests live up to all their responsibilities,
even if they embrace celibacy wholly, even if they faithfully serve the Church, they would still be
deemed beneath being priests, serving God, or entering seminaries. Why? Because, in pope
Benedict's own words, they are "objectively disordered," indelibly morally sick in some undefined
way, and so unfit, regardless of their actions, to serve God or His people. It is no longer a matter
of what they do or not do that qualifies or disqualifies them for the priesthood; it is who they
are. Not since the Jesuits' ban on ethnic Jews, regardless of their conversion or Christian
faith, has the Church entertained such pure discrimination. The insult to gay Catholics is, of
course, immeasurable. It is also an outrageous attack on the good, great and holy work so many
gay men and lesbians have performed in the Church from its very beginnings. Father Mychal
Judge, for example, the fire-fighters' priest who died in the ruins of the World Trade Center
ministering sacraments to fire-men, would retroactively be deemed unfit for the priesthood. So
would literally thousands and thousands of gay priests, bishops, cardinals and popes over the
centuries. The old doctrine, however cruel and inhumane, at least concentrated on moral acts
and made no distinctions between who committed them. It laid out clear rules and insisted that
gays and straights abide by them equally. The proposed policy would instead focus on a human
being's very core - and exclude him or her as a result. That kind of discrimination is the definition
of bigotry. This is the Church? This is God's voice for human dignity and equality in the world?
This is an institution that says all are welcome at the Lord's table? I can only hope and
pray that pope Benedict doesn't go there. And if he does, I hope that heterosexual Catholics will
rise up and defend their gay priests and friends and family members against this unconscionable
attack. (P.S. I am leaving aside, of course, the long history of discrimination and
subordination of heterosexual women in the Church. It is equally indefensible, in my view, but the
arguments for and against women priests has a different lineage and history that, for now, is best
discussed in a different context.)</ul>
User Comments:
inotellingwhoitellingwhen
-----<IMG height=150 alt="Earth-11-june.gif (29337 bytes)"
src="http://bestanimations.com/Earth&Space/Earth/Earth-11-june.gif" width=200>
brownEYES http://www.journalscape.com/beautiful_brown_eyes
-----<A href="mailto:[email protected]" target=_blank>
<IMG id=div154401097i style="WIDTH: 108px; HEIGHT: 252px"
src="http://pic.piczo.com/img/i81335264_91842.jpg" border=0></A>you know one thing
we wont be sending our young boys to church no more. lol! ewwwwwwwwwww!!!
-----This one still has me seething. Mychal Judge is one of my great heroes...
Here's my request...if the Catholic church decides once and for all that it doesn't want anything or
anyone gay in its churches....there are a few things we'd like returned... or destroyed...as a part
of the purge.
We'll start with everything Michelangelo or da Vinci ever made for the church...and every building,
work of art, document or benefit received/built/purchased by the church during the tenure of Pope
Julius III.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-07-18 15:46:00
Subject: Viva??? Las Vegas
Well, I'm back, despite a 3-hour flight delay in Vegas yesterday, which made me miss my Austin
to Dallas flight so I spent last night, courtesy of SW Airlines, at a Comfort Suites, which, btw, was
better accomodations than my hotel in Vegas.
I just had to see for myself what all the fuss was about that so many people venture there at least
yearly, sometimes more.
First, the pros:
1. The sky is really clear and blue and the surrounding moutains are really cool to look at.
2. People, for the most part, were really nice.
3. Alot of the stores in my hotel were open 24/7!
4. It was kinda smarmy, but I loved the Bellagio fountains.
5. Cops on bikes everywhere made me feel incredibly safe while walking alone on the strip.
Now, the cons (and I'll try to hold it to 5):
1. Greed on display is just not fun for me to watch, and you have to really search to find a smiling,
happy face at the tables and slot machines there.
2. 115 degrees (and it doesn't matter that it's a dry heat).
3. Why, on god's green earth, don't they have mass transit to and from the strip to the airport? I
mean, tourism is their biggest industry so it's just blatantly f*** the ozone/bow down to the Saudis
watching all those cabs and hotel shuttles carrying two or three people each when it'd really be
quite easy to hook up the monorail that goes from one end of the strip to the other to the airport.
4. Call me a prude, but I think that there are just some times of the day when you shouldn't drink
alcohol, and I don't care where you are, I don't want to breathe your second hand smoke! Take it
outside!!!
5. All those guys on street corners, tapping the cards that advertise "girls to go" and "strippers on
call"...hey, they are someone's little girl, guys!
I know, I know...my idea of a good time on vacation is The New Yorker Festival or a tour of the
monuments in DC. Boston is really great with all of its museums and all. I don't even mind a little
mindless fun on the beaches in San Diego (I love the Pacific!) or shopping and walking in San
Francisco, with their average temps in the perfect 70s. There are other nice places I've been to
as well, many I would love to re-visit.
But Vegas, I gave you a chance, but it's just not a love connection, sorry. Knowing you, though,
you won't miss me much.
User Comments:
Katieg
-----When we were in Vegas for a 3 hour layover last year, they were working on connecting the
monorail. Don't know whatever happened with that, but maybe there is hope!
Glad to have you back!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-07-18 16:16:00
Subject: Set Love Free
If you read my previous entry about my delayed flight from Vegas to Dallas (via Austin) because
of the Wright Amendment you've got to know that I think it's ridiculous that SW Airlines still is
having to deal with this stupid legislation!<table width="175" border="0" align="center"
cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tr>
<td><a href="http://setlovefree.com"><img src="http://ffs.capwiz.com/setlovefree/images/ws1
_top.gif" width="175" height="103" border="0"></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
_pho-anim.gif" width="175" height="85" border="0"></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
_setlovefree.gif" width="175" height="43" border="0"></a></td>
</tr>
</table>
User Comments:
-----They don't....jk/jk/jk
Matthew
-----Quick, mom. Make sure and post that my other three siblings make perfect sense too before we
revolt. j/k j/k
;-)
-----You're making perfect sense, as you most always do, Matthew!
Matthew
-----It's "SHOWDOWN" time.
American Airlines lobby
vs.
Southwest Airlines lobby
I'm putting my money on Southwest Airlines. I'd also guess that there are more loyal constituents
with Southwest Airlines than there are with American Airlines. Meaning, that there are probably
more people, loyal to SW, willing to call their congress people to get this thing overturned. (I'm
not making any sense this morning...or ever)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-07-19 23:53:00
Subject: How old am I???...
...when the new nominee for Supreme Court is only 50 years old???
User Comments:
-----He likes Key Lime pie? Ok, my protest sign is already formed in my mind. Surely this is not the
kind of discriminating mind we want on our supreme court.
Matthew
-----lay off the drugs, mamala. ;-)
JillSusan <[email protected]> http://www.jillsusan.com
-----So I never dream, but last night I dreamed that Supreme Court nominee John Roberts came to
my house and we went out for conversation and key lime pie...
Matthew
-----Changing the face of the court for years upon years to come.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-08-02 14:10:00
Subject: August Poem ----- by Marilyn McIntyre
Augorophobia
august
scorched lawns
trees turn brown with fright
holidays and beaches
and reparing to the cool
august
oppressive, painful despair
inside looking out
mugged breathe sweats
air of the great outdoors
cats sullen
blue jays drop their jays
crows too beat to caw
august
let me out of here
august
my mind curled like rock
drugged and writhing
soul up there at rest
in the crook of the old oak tree
User Comments:
-----wow
Matthew
-----good stuff.
Katieg
-----Great, powerful poem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-08-07 10:31:00
Subject: I was invited to the party, but I wasn't there to dance
I had another dream involving Supreme Court nominee John Roberts last night...I really, really,
really watch too much C-span, don't ya think?
Anyway, it was very vivid. All the Washington insiders were there, including W (sans Laura) but I
didn't recognize any of them. They all brought there kids and it was soon apparent to me that I
was in charge to make sure none of them drowned in the inside pool on the lower level of the
Roberts mansion. The pool was great...not too deep, but it was separated into 2 parts where
when I was on one side I couldn't see what was happening to the kids on the other side. I was
busy rushing back and forth, usually with at least one kid in tow. My brother Ted was there,
though, sitting in a chair with "black teeth" disguise, reading a liberal book with huge letters so
that anyone from the party glancing at him would know that he didn't share their philosophy.
Soon the party was on the streets of DC, where a car suddenly accelerated and headed over an
embankment. We all rushed over to get a view and there was my mother sitting there, going
through photographs and as calm as ever, saying that she was in the process of moving.
I glanced back and saw Sherry coming down the street chasing after (in the way that Sherry
could possibly be chasing after anyone about a month ago) Jack and Marina.
Then I heard my cousin Ann say "is it time for you to take your medicine Sherry?" and the dream
ended with me back in action.
Any Freuds out there?
User Comments:
-----As another who sleeps with the tv on from time to time...when I forget to set the sleep timer...I
can tell you that snippets from the tv will sometimes worm their way into my dreams...Was the TV
on that night, and if so, what was on? :-)
-----I can't interpret the dream, but I just want to tell the dreamer that as you give yourself to your
sister, we offer ourselves to you in any way that you can draw strength from.
"Black Teeth" Ted
-----I'm not sure what to think about the black teeth part, but the large type book with liberal
tendencies seems right on.
Otherwise, given what you've been dealing with the last seven days, the dream makes perfect
sense to me.
-----Wow - I think you could read something into that - I'll leave it to Anya. I have had Aunt Sherry
related dreams the past few nights.
-----No, except that given that you sleep with the TV on it's a wonder you don't always have such
psychedelic dreams! I don't sleep well with noise.
Matthew
-----Anya's good at dream analysis. I'll tell her about the dream.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-08-13 23:00:00
Subject: "Plastics"
<img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/plastics.jpg" width="363" height="377">
User Comments:
-----My, my...
Where are Treat Williams and Nell Carter and when do they get naked and start singing? (for yet
another movie reference)
Congrats to a proud parental unit and a peacenik graduate!
Matthew
-----People always wonder what he did from adolescents to age 32. Maybe he went off to college and
joined a fraternity.
Luke
-----Twas awesome to see Jesus graduate.
-----LOL!
I love it.
Sara: Rent The Graduate.
Sara http://www.journalscape.com/beautiful_brown_eyes
-----<IMG src="http://tickerfactory.com/Occasion/tickers/event/rulers/ruler-10704.png" width=400
align=middle>
I DONT GET IT. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
<IMG src="http://tickerfactory.com/Occasion/tickers/event/rulers/ruler-10704.png" width=400
align=middle>
-----Thanks so much for sharing!!!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-08-17 11:09:00
Subject: Burying my head in the (news) sand
Spending the last 3 weeks at my mother's home most of my non-working time and all of my
sleeping time has been an experience I will not long forget. Besides the obvious and constant
urge to "take away the bad stuff" from both my sister and my mother, I've found little time for
myself. But a couple of nights ago, I just had to do it and I'll continue to for as long as I'm there.
I'm giving myself 30 minutes a day, or rather 20+/- minutes if I don't watch the commercials (I
soooo miss my TiVo). When mother and Sherry (although Sherry is usually asleep) tune into the
10 pm news and the reporters start talking about the war, traffic accidents, autism in children,
murder and mayhem in Dallas, spoiled professional athletes, and whatnot, I sneak into my
mother's living room and turn on "The Daily Show."
Few things make me LOL these days, but I usually am able to chuckle at at least several of the
Stewart/Colbert/Corddry/Helms/Bee/Black shenanigans during those wonderful 20+/- minutes
and I can feel my breathing more relaxed, my blood pressure levelling off at a good 120/80, and
for a few minutes, just a few minutes, I'm leaving reality behind.
User Comments:
ChicagoRev
-----I second Mr. Cloudy's motion.
Katieg
-----Good - you need to take time for yourself.
-----I think humor is grace coming in through the back door. Comedians ought to be eligible for
sainthood, they save all of us so often.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-08-23 13:21:00
Subject: Best 361 College Rankings
I was listening to the news yesterday on the way home from work when they reported that <a
href="http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/rankings/rankings.asp" target="blank">
The Princeton Review</a> had just come out with their latest college rankings. The reporter
stated that <a href="http://www.wisc.edu/" target="blank">The University of Wisconsin at Madison
</a> was the Best Party School. Then he went on to explain a little about the report itself.
Almost as an aside, at the end of his report, he added that <a href="http://web.reed.edu/
target="blank">Reed College</a> in Portland, Oregon was listed #1 academically.
I guess this news outlet knows where its listeners' priorities are.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2005-09-03 21:00:00
Subject: Broken Hearted (for New Orleans)
-By Eric Clapton and Greg Phillinganes
When the wind blows down this hard,
Many a bond is broken.
See the water lie on the ground
From where the heavens opened.
Lord, how will you get through this night
With your dreams departed?
And who alone will comfort you?
Only the broken hearted.
So youâ€™ve gone beyond your means,
Every wound is open,
Your best laid plans are out of reach,
And all your fears unspoken.
Sweet revenge is spoken then;
In the twilight it is gone.
To living lies with no escape,
Lord, I would rather be alone.
I press my fingers to the wood
To tell you of my dreaming,
To sing you songs from olden times,
To keep the love light gleaming.
â€™cause thereâ€™s a place where we can go,
Where we will not be parted.
And who alone will enter there?
Only the broken hearted.
User Comments:
-----Thanks for posting this. I've never heard this song, but very much plan to do so now.
Peace.
-----J,
Thinking of you and the whole family tonight...wrapping you in thoughts and prayers of light and
peace.
netter
-----from the album "Pilgrim", one of my most very favorite.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-09-11 19:23:00
Subject: For Sherry
I read this poem at Sherry's memorial service on Thursday...I miss her so much....
My Sister by Lisa Lorden
My sister is my heart.
She opens doors to rooms
I never knew were there,
Breaks through walls
I don't recall building.
She lights my darkest corners
With the sparkle in her eyes.
My sister is my soul.
She inspires my wearied spirit
To fly on wings of angels
But while I hold her hand
My feet never leave the ground.
She stills my deepest fears
With the wisdom of her song.
My sister is my past.
She writes my history
In her eyes I recognize myself,
Memories only we can share.
She remembers, she forgives
She accepts me as I am
With tender understanding.
My sister is my future.
She lives within my dreams
She sees my undiscovered secrets,
Believes in me as I stumble
She walks in step beside me,
Her love lighting my way.
My sister is my strength
She hears the whispered prayers
That I cannot speak
She helps me find my smile,
Freely giving hers away
She catches my tears
In her gentle hands.
My sister is like no one else
She's my most treasured friend
Filling up the empty spaces
Healing broken places
She is my rock, my inspiration.
Though impossible to define,
In a word, she is...my sister.
User Comments:
profess
-----Very sorry to learn of your loss. The best poet I know for grieving is Edna St. Vincent Millay. I
hope this will help.
LOW-TIDE
These wet rocks where the tide has been,
Barnacled white and weeded brown
And slimed beneath to a beautiful green,
These wet rocks where the tide went down
Will show again when the tide is high
Faint and perilous, far from shore,
No place to dream, but a place to die,-The bottom of the sea once more.
There was a child that wandered through
A giant's empty house all day,-House full of wonderful things and new,
But no fit place for a child to play.
-----e-Hugs to you in this time of grief. Thinking of you often.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-09-16 11:11:00
Subject: The Way We Were
As I replay over and over again in my mind the last few days of my sister's life, I come upon
friends of hers that tell me over and over again how they had wanted to visit her during those last
days, but just couldn't as they wanted to remember her "as she was" and then they pick some
moment in time and remind me of her vitality then.
User Comments:
Luke
-----That is the same reason why I chose not to see my dad at his wake. I had seen him a few weeks
before and he was alive and happy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-09-20 14:57:00
Subject: Living with the Dead
I missed this the first time around (September 11, 2005) but it's just as meaningful today, this
day.
From the New York Times and written by Alice Sebold--
<ul>AND where do the dead go after they have sucked down their last breaths and drowned in
the rafters of their homes? After they have died in the aftermath of fiery explosion? Do they
gather, as some believe, together, and ascend to an otherworldly level; or do they remain,
watching; or disappear altogether? Do they wait to hear the stories we will tell?
The truth is, none of us knows what the dead do. But on earth, where we remain, the living
become the keepers of their memory. This is an awesome and overwhelming responsibility. And
it is simple: we must not forget them.
These first weeks after Hurricane Katrina, this fourth anniversary of the attacks on the World
Trade Center and the Pentagon, are not the dangerous days. The dangerous ones are ahead of
us - always. They are the days when if we are not careful the dead will fall away from us because
of our neglect.
There are the grieving families who will never forget. The co-workers and neighbors who
survived, who, like those left living at the end of war, may be haunted for the rest of their lives.
Why was one person taken and not another?
What I would wish for us is that we would turn away from being obsessed by numbers or by
politics, and sit with our dead. That we would listen to what they have to tell us instead of doing
the easier things: tossing back and forth volleys of blame, recrimination and muscular public
bluster.
No, New Orleans will not come back as it was. And yes, it will come back.
No, a new building is not the World Trade Center, but there can still be a new heart for downtown
Manhattan.
But no matter what, you cannot bring the dead back. They are gone.
What can the living do in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and 9/11, where loss has greeted us
twice on a national scale in such a short span of years?
Do the dead wish you to suffer? Do they want you to watch CNN and Fox News for days on end?
Do they want your guilt or pity? All of these things are like jewels to them. In other words valueless where they have gone.
Instead, a woman wants her husband not to forget her but to go on and live. A child longs for a
lost mother's arms again. A man grows peaceful when his partner finds new love. Some of the
dead, I imagine, get enraged at these things. They are dead after all. They get to do and feel - I
hope - what they want to.
The living who were close to the dead have a well-marked path of grief to walk down. But what
about the rest of us? What can we, the distant - those of us who live in Nebraska or California or
the very tip of Maine - do?
You are in your kitchen or your backyard or stuck on an endless elevator ride. You are sitting with
a book in the park. Perhaps it is an image you remember having seen. A handmade grave of
sheets and bricks. "Here Lies Vera. God Help Us." Perhaps it is the voice from a message left on
an answering machine. "They have told us to remain at our desks. I'm O.K., Mom. I love you."
Perhaps it is less specific: Bodies falling from high windows, bodies floating in muddy water.
Bodies wrapped in dirty bedding and tucked along the sides of bridges and highways. The faces
of the missing, taped and tacked up on a wall.
Whatever it is that comes to you in three months, six months, a year or more, don't turn the page
of your book and forget, don't stab the elevator button trying to hurry up the trip. Stop.
These tragedies, it's worth remembering, grant us an opportunity to understand what is perhaps
our finest raw material: our humanity. The way we at our best treat one another. The way we
listen to one another. The way we grieve.
Who can forget the funerals of the firemen lost in the twin towers? Who can imagine the funerals
to come in the weeks and months ahead in Louisiana and Mississippi? We won't be present, in
front of our television or through the newspaper, for all of them. The press itself cannot, beyond a
certain point, do anything but name and count the dead.
So grieve for the particular lives that come to you. Think of the grandmother slumped in her
wheelchair under a plaid blanket, or the body of a young financial analyst from West Virginia who
was never found but whose smiling face still greets us from a Web site of the dead. Let them
guide you to understand that it is our absolute vulnerability that provides our greatest chance to
be human.
Look up from this newspaper you are reading, ignore the morning traffic you may find yourself in
tomorrow, turn off the television one day this week and watch the moon. Think of the dead of 9/11
and of Hurricane Katrina. Stay there a moment. Remember them. </ul>
User Comments:
-----I like this article. I find that watching too much news on tragedies seems to dehumanize
everyone involved, no matter how heart-wrenching some of the specific stories are -- somehow
watching them at the safe remove of my living room makes it harder to separate them from just
watching some movie that moves me. This article points a way forward that is sure to keep the
humanity alive in us.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-09-21 14:18:00
Subject: A woman's place
A dear family-in-law woman wrote to me recently and suggested that I get a copy of "We are our
Mother's Daughters" by Cokie Roberts. In it, dear "A" explained, Cokie writes about the death of
her older sister and how, with that death, her (Cokie's) place in the family changed.
How much this is true of my life now!
In growing up and "planning" my life and what I would "be", I never dreamed that I would be my
mother's oldest (living) child, my brothers' only (living) sister.
Oh sure, if I really thought about it, with my way of wanting things to work out chronologically, I
guess some day I would have imagined that it was only logical that Sherry would have died
before me and I would assume those roles.
But then, I would have also imagined that my mother would have gone way before Sherry and my
brothers would have been much less "young".
I guess the most difficult times in my life have been when I have found myself in the stage or part
of life that I had not imagined me ever being in. A divorced mother of four. A mother with an
empty nest. A grandma. Me without an older (living) sister/sibling.
And in trying to understand why I never imagined these places that I'd be in, I have to wonder
what made me *not* imagine these things.
With each of those un-imaginable parts, I did manage to work my way to acceptance of my new
role and in different ways. Months and months of therapy helped me cope with the divorced
mother of four role. A career transition helped me fill my "empty nest". Clearly, the grandma part
is wonderful now, but I did have to take on the grandma-name "MaDear" to ease the transition.
You would think by now I'd have a huge handle on how to adjust to this new place in my family
that I find myself in. Right now, however, I just feel like I've walked onstage of a very strange play,
not knowing the lines I'm supposed to deliver.
User Comments:
-----Right now, however, I just feel like I've walked onstage of a very strange play, not knowing the
lines I'm supposed to deliver.
A very tender and beautifully delivered line that ought to be part of a play. An all the more
moving because you are not trying to "act" a part.
Matthew
-----Let me know if there's anything I can do to help out.
Katieg
-----We are here for you as you find your new place. I love you!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-09-27 13:13:00
Subject: The New Yorker Festival
I plan on detailed blogs about the many great events that I saw this past weekend at the New
Yorker Festival, but here are just a few of the highlights:
<li>Stephen King, dressed down and funny, despite his dark gloomy subjects
<li>Jonathan Franzen, reading his essay about birds, the environment and his divorce
<li>Zadie Smith, looking gorgeous and sounding very British as she read from her new novel "On
Beauty"...I never, ever "allow" myself to read fiction, but I bought her book and had her autograph
it and I'm enjoying the read
<li>Malcolm Gladwell...the guy is so interesting and smart and his talk on precociousness is
hopefully going to be an article soon, as I want to hear/read it again
<li>John Updike - ok, the guy's in his late 70s and he has a better memory than I do now or
probably ever did
<li>The New Yorker cartoonists, creating and drawing right before my very eyes, much in the
style of the improv of "Whose Line is it Anyway?"
<li>The brilliance and bravery of Jon Lee Anderson, and his "master class" on reporting
<li>Hearing Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Brad Bird, David R. Willis and Matt Maiellaro talking about
"Animation and Anarchy" with clips from their work ("The Incredibles", "South Park" and "Aqua
Teen Hunger Force")
<li>The 20 or so New Yorker writers reading their funny, funny pieces (<a
href="http://www.newyorker.com/shouts/content/articles/050725sh_shouts" target="blank">"My
Dog is Tom Cruise"</a> and Anthony Lane's <a
href="http://www.newyorker.com/critics/content/articles/050523crci_cinema"
target="blank">"Review of Revenge of the Sith"</a> were the greatest)
<li>Tracy Chapman, in interview and song
<li>Larissa MacFarquhar (so much better than when I saw her several years ago) talking about
interviewing Michael Moore and Noam Chomsky
<li>The welcoming style of Cressida Leyshon
<li>David Remnick...I mean, he's just good to look at
Besides the events, I also:
<li>survived a 110 mph cab ride on the NJ turnpike
<li>enjoyed a bagel, spaghetti and meatballs, bratwurst (with a mustard bar), and of course, a
Cinnabon at the airport
<li>found my way around town on the subways without too much trouble
<li>successfully "negotiated" the price down from one of those electronic store vendors
<li> and much, much more...
I <img src = "http://www.jillsusan.com/images/heart.gif"> NY!
User Comments:
Katieg
-----Welcome back!
Matthew
-----Damnit. Stephen King, the South Park guys, Brad Bird, the Aqua Teen Hunger Force people
were there???? WHY didn't I go? Oh well. There's always next year.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-10-05 09:10:00
Subject: Please, Supremes, vote AGAINST the feds
<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1185409" target="blank">WASHINGTON
Oct 5, 2005</a> â€” The Supreme Court will revisit the emotionally charged issue of physicianassisted suicide in a test of the federal government's power to block doctors from helping
terminally ill patients end their lives.
Oregon is the only state that lets dying patients obtain lethal doses of medication from their
doctors, although other states may pass laws of their own if the high court rules against the
federal government. Voters in Oregon have twice endorsed doctor-assisted suicide, but the Bush
administration has aggressively challenged the state law.
User Comments:
Jon McCachren <[email protected]>
-----Its cases like this that reveal that Bush is not a real conservative. He advocates the expansive
reach of Federal Law to see that every issue is resolved in his constituents' favor. The real
conservative would see this as a state issue and leave Oregon to adress their own health and
welfare issues. The solicitors argument is so technical it almost concedes the big point. . . that
an Oregon Doctor might do what he thinks best as long as he doesn't use Federally regulated
drugs to do it.
RM, your point is also a good one, that they don't really want strict constructionist judges. They
want judges that will enact their own ideology. That wouldn't necessarily be so bad if it wasn't so
hypocritical. Oops, another illustration that these Bushies are wolves in conservative's clothing.
-----I also find it fascinating that then-Sen. Ashcroft tried TWICE in congress to amend the controlled
substances law to make the Oregon thing illegal. Tried, and failed. There were also other actions
that failed.
So I guess you could say that the administration is trying to do in the courts what they couldn't do
legislatively... hmm... does this sound familiar?
Let's hope they don't find any activist judges to help them in their quest.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-10-07 09:08:00
Subject: Happy Bday Washington Journal
C-Span's <a href="http://www.c-span.org/c-span25/viewercalls.asp" target="blank">Washington
Journal</a> turns 25 years old today and they're doing 25 straight hours of caller phone-in
starting this evening at 7 CST. Don't think I'll make it the whole 25 hours, but I'll watch it this
evening.
For added fun, take a drink every time Brian Lamb says "caller, what's your point?"
User Comments:
Matthew
-----haha
-----I'll see if J&J want to tune in.
Matthew
-----You should call in. :-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-10-10 15:52:00
Subject: She out-Dixie-Chicks the Dixie Chicks
From Jill's ipod today...
Wasteland of the Free
Artist:Iris Dement
Living in the wasteland of the free...
We got preachers dealing in politics and diamond mines
and their speech is growing increasingly unkind
They say they are Christ's disciples
but they don't look like Jesus to me
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free
We got politicians running races on corporate cash
Now don't tell me they don't turn around and kiss them peoples' ass
You may call me old-fashioned
but that don't fit my picture of a true democracy
We got CEO's making two hundred times the workers' pay
but they'll fight like hell against raising the minimum wage
and If you don't like it, mister, they'll ship your job
to some third-world country 'cross the sea
Living in the wasteland of the free
where the poor have now become the enemy
Let's blame our troubles on the weak ones
Sounds like some kind of Hitler remedy
We got little kids with guns fighting inner city wars
So what do we do, we put these little kids behind prison doors
and we call ourselves the advanced civilization
that sounds like crap to me
We got high-school kids running 'round in Calvin Klein and Guess
who cannot pass a sixth-grade reading test
but if you ask them, they can tell you
the name of every crotch on mTV
We kill for oil, then we throw a party when we win
Some guy refuses to fight, and we call that the sin
but he's standing up for what he believes in
and that seems pretty damned American to me
where the poor have now become the enemy
Let's blame our troubles on the weak ones
Sounds like some kind of Hitler remedy
While we sit gloating in our greatness
justice is sinking to the bottom of the sea
User Comments:
-----I do love that song... they played it on KPFT all the time--I always thought it was Lucinda Williams
though! Thanks for setting me straight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-10-13 11:11:00
Subject: How to be a Poet
How to be a Poet
(to remind myself)- Wendell Berry
Make a place to sit down.
Sit down. Be quiet.
You must depend upon
affection, reading, knowledge,
skill - more of each
than you have - inspiration,
work, growing older, patience,
for patience joins time
to eternity. Any readers
who like your poems,
doubt their judgment.
Breathe with unconditional breath
the unconditioned air.
Shun electric wire.
Communicate slowly. Live
a three-dimensioned life;
stay away from screens.
Stay away from anything
that obscures the place it is in.
There are no unsacred places;
there are only sacred places
and desecrated places.
Accept what comes from silence.
Make the best you can of it.
Of the little words that come
out of the silence, like prayers
prayed back to the one who prays,
make a poem that does not disturb
the silence from which it came.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Nothing better than a poem to describe how to write a poem. Great post.
sara http://www.journalscape.com/beautiful_brown_eyes
-----<A href="http://www.piczo.com/photographics?g=17214018&cr=1" target=_new><IMG
height=182 src="http://pic.piczo.com/img/i117291598_17421.gif" width=220 border=0></A>
DEEP.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-10-18 21:16:00
Subject: Tupac
Can I just say that the best 40 minutes (that's TiVo time) in television lately, as far as I'm
concerned, is at 10 to 11 pm CST when you have The Daily Show and <a href =
http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/the_colbert_report/index.jhtml target = _blank>The Colbert
Report</a> (pronounced col-bear re-poor) back to back?
User Comments:
-----Like Matthew, I'm still on the fence on Colbert...I've enjoyed the show, though he sometimes
seems a bit like an actor who needs one more week of rehearsal....the flubs with the teleprompter
are a bit jarring...
So far, I've only noticed one common joke between the two shows...that's remarkable...and I love
the 'interviews' with other reporters/analysts...I'm always chomping at the bit to see what horrible
thing he will say...
My fear is that it is a format that isn't designed for the long haul...But I'm willing to go along for the
ride, if for no other reason than I fear "The Daily Show" will be injured if it is forced to be in
contact again with that Carolla piece of crap...
Matthew
------
I pretty much agree with the sentiment that it's like a two for one deal, but I have mixed feelings
on Colbert's show. I'll post more on this later, after I've seen a few more episodes.
-----So you liked it? We enjoyed it too, although we think it will continue to hit its stride. It had a totally
different energy than Jon's show, which is good. The gravitas competition was funny.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-10-22 09:27:00
Subject: I've fallen and I can't get up
That's what my mother said on Monday about noontime, as she lay on the floor in her kitchen
until I arrived around 5:30ish on my usual 'check on her' visit that I make daily.
I had a meeting planned at the church for later that night and had considered not even stopping
by, as lately I've felt that maybe I need to not make her dependent on these daily visits. But
something told me I should go, and thank god I did.
She has a broken hip and had surgery on Wednesday. Last night my brothers and I sat in the
hospital waiting room trying to decide whether her total lack of trying to get better/eat
anything/confused state at times is due to the meds they're giving her or whether she's losing her
will to fight back.
Time will tell...
User Comments:
-----Blessings for wholeness...of body and spirit...
-----Very sorry to hear this, but very glad you did stop in. My thoughts are with you.
-----I hope she's getting some of her feistiness back today.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-10-25 12:17:00
Subject: You may say that you're my hero
<table width="100%" border="0">
<tr>
<td width="16%"><img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/rosa.jpg" width="123"
height="98"></td>
<td width="84%">Rosa Parks, whose refusal to give up her bus seat to a
white man sparked the modern civil rights movement, died Monday evening. She was 92. Mrs.
Parks died at her home during the evening of natural causes, with close friends by her side.
</td>
</tr>
</table>
User Comments:
-----and while we learned in later years there was more of a plan behind it that simply being tired one
day, that didn't change the fact that she was willing to be the one to risk everything...
netter
-----"I'm not moving."
three words that changed a world.
is that not amazing?
Matthew
-----a true hero
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-10-26 09:37:00
Subject: Why 2K?
WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE - words and music by Pete Seeger
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing
Long time ago
Girls have picked them every one
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time passing
Long time ago
Taken husbands every one
Where have all the young men gone?
Long time passing
Long time ago
Gone for soldiers every one
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time passing
Long time ago
Gone to graveyards every one
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time passing
Long time ago
Covered with flowers every one
When will we ever learn?
When will we ever learn?
User Comments:
-----It's a sad milestone.
Matthew
-----One of the great songs of all time. Pete Seeger often gets overlooked, but the man wrote some
really beautiful songs, that went on to get played by other artists.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-11-03 09:14:00
Subject: 28 years ago today...
...a star was born! Happy Birthday, Matthew!!! ILY!
User Comments:
Matthew
-----a star wars nerd was born. :-)
Thanks, Mom. You're the greatest.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-11-09 10:05:00
Subject: My sabbatical begins on Friday!
Friday will be my last day here at my current contracting/consulting job. What started out as a 2week assignment back in August of 2004, has turned into a 15 month assignment. My boss
wanted more of me, and last week asked me to commit to another year here. My "honesty" gene
was working overtime and I let her know that given my personal situation (Sherry's death,
Mother's hip/leg fracture, and my strong desire to re-locate to the DC area) I just couldn't do that.
So she pulled my contract early (I was supposed to be here at least until Dec 22nd.) Oh well.
Such is life.
I really have enjoyed this job, but to tell you the truth, I'm ready for a break. I have boxes to pack
and stuff to throw away and decisions to make.
Something tells me this sabbatical is going to be busy and go by fast!
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Can't wait to see you! :-)
Katieg
-----Wow! Exciting!
-----Congratulations?! Enjoy your freedom and I hope we'll hear about all kinds of new things
blossoming in this time of fallow ground.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-11-09 11:08:00
Subject: The Best Ex-Husband You Could Ever Ask For
Poem: "The Best Ex-Husband You Could Ever Ask For" by Elizabeth W. Garber from Listening
Inside the Dance: A Life in Maine Infused with Tango.Â© The Illuminated Sea Press, 2005.
Reprinted with permission.
Traveling with my Ex,
we take our daughter and her friend to New York City.
Since we were traveling the same way,
it only made sense.
We settle into an old comfort,
the familiarity of all the years of car trips with our children,
as the girls chatter away in the backseat.
We worry about our sleep-deprived son at college,
and share our amazement at his last paper
he'd emailed both of us for our editing comments.
It's been six years of unwinding the knotted battles,
until they've mostly vanished, forgotten.
What were those battles all about,
when it felt like I was fighting for my life?
He talks of his girlfriend,
of living without making plans.
I gently hold him at a distance,
as he continues to vaguely court me.
as he, perhaps, vaguely courts all women.
We drive, facing our unknown lives ahead,
wondering about what still waits to be lived.
Mid trip, my mind goes blank with his talk
in all the old familiar ways.
This used to feel like dying, again and again.
Today it's like being a tourist
at a historic battleground.
Grass has grown over all the bloodshed.
We settle into the easy silence
of long married couples,
smiling as we overhear the conversations from the backseat.
It is good to find peace.
No furious expectations haunt us,
no heartbreaking slights,
no land-mined conversations.
We are thoughtful about simple things.
Thank you for driving,
for packing food, for trading off on paying tolls,
for finding this great Salsa club in Soho for our teenaged daughter.
We sit together, the parents, smiling and slightly anxious
as a man asks our daughter to dance.
We stand up as well, but tentatively,
following a rhythm and steps we don't know,
dancing like chaste old friends.
We are careful,
discovering this new dance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-11-14 11:33:00
Subject: Unemployment begins
So I started the day by sleeping in (til 8:30) and then paying bills (while I still can) and then by
listening to C-span (right now, John Bolton, the controversial appointed US Ambassador to the
UN [got milk?] is on so I'll be turning it off soon) and getting showered and ready for a visit with
mother.
Oh before that, I'll file for unemployment online.
Another day, another $1.98 (or maybe not).
User Comments:
-----Here's to a brief sojourn in the land of the Tex. Dept. of Human Resources.
Mamala
-----Matthew-you're so clever!
Matthew
-----The apple fell upwards to the tree.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-11-14 19:22:00
Subject: Hell-thcare
Can I just say that I'm as frustrated right now as I've ever been about the US healthcare system?
I'm fantasizing about some good old fashioned socialized medicine right about now!
I went to visit my mother today in the nursing home that her insurance company has *allowed*
her to go to while she's recovering from a broken hip and femur. I was gone all weekend and
when I walked in I was expecting to see her, at the very least, in a wheelchair. But no. She'd
been in her bed since Friday evening when I last saw her. Her hair was greasy and needed
washing, but no, she couldn't have a shower until her stitches were removed, maybe "in one
week" according to one nurse, maybe "now" according to another.
The physical therapist came in while I was there and was glad to see me there, as she wanted to
know why RHD (her previous hospital) had outfitted her with a brace for her left calf and foot. OK,
I know I'm smart but do I look like a Doctor????
You know, I was willing to give the staff at RHD all kinds of breaks when I'd approach them at the
nurses station and they were all busy with forms and notebooks on each patient. Maybe that's
why they couldn't respond to my mother's calls for help right away, as they needed to keep an
accurate record of what they were doing with her.
But when the PT tells me that she's read her records from beginning to end and still doesn't know
why she got this brace, and then asks me the reason for it, I just want to scream!
So I tell her that I don't know and if all they are going to do is keep her in bed in diapers, then she
might as well go home as any of us can do that for her, she apologizes for another "ball" that has
been dropped and promises to do better.
They'll test mother tomorrow (or someday soon) to make sure she doesn't have a blod clot in her
leg, and then proceed with her PT.
After dealing with the healthcare community BIGTIME since my sister entered hospice care on
July 26th, all I can say is if this (the US) is the best healthcare in the world, I'm saddened and sick
about this tonight!
User Comments:
-----I've spent the better part of my last two months negotiating the healthcare system, specifically the
Medicare system, for three folks. Arbitrary, uncaring, totally dependent upon a doctor agreeing to
be insistent...and don't get me started about the Veteran's Administration healthcare system. And
Medicare D will cause my parents' annual drug expenses to go UP as their current supplemental
plans are made illegal. I stand behind my governor's statements that he will continue to buy our
Medicaid drugs from Canada and double dog dare the Feds to sue illinois, since we can provide
almost 200% more coverage buying them that way.
-----Whoever said ours was the best? I can't imagine.
R had a perfectly routine physical about two months ago. We have paid $50 so far for this
physical; today we received a bill for another $150. It is beyond me why we are having to pay
ANYTHING for this since the doc was in network and he hadn't had a physical in two years or so.
And so we're paying $200? What on earth is the point of insurance?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-12-05 22:01:00
Subject: I've sold my condo!
How cool is this?
Monday, a week ago, I put a sign in the laundry room here that I had a condo for sale.
Nothing happened for a week, but yesterday I started receiving calls from a Vietnamese guy with
a young wife and a small child who was *very* interested.
Tonight he came by, with his wife and his brother, and I have a deposit check and a deal!
I'm so pleased...not only that I sold this condo so quickly, but also to an Asian couple. What
wonderful people they appear to be! They took their shoes off before they entered my place.
They were *so* appreciative and excited about getting my place.
With all the *stuff* going on these past few months, I must say that I feel really, really good about
this and know that I will smile when I think that my condo is inhabited by this really nice Asian
family!
User Comments:
Luke
-----"He was speaking another language. I think it was...Asian"
Matthew
-----gotta love those asians!
-----Wow, that is cool! This is all very exciting, even if it does make Mr. Cloudy drizzle.
-----Awesome! Let us know what we can do to help!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-12-11 03:36:00
Subject: Life: Part 2 (or whatever) begins
I'm here in VA and have all my worldly goods and my VW in a truck outside.
I've never done this before. Gone to a place I don't have a job, a new place, one with no
connections other than a strong desire to be near at least one of my children, and near at least
one of my grandchildren, and far away from the door of my sweet sister, who, on the inside was
heroically battling ovarian cancer (which laughed at her optimism of getting better and eventually,
it was the victor) and my sweet brothers and, of course, my mother who needs me now more
than ever.
Oh, what to do?
My answer to that was "do it for me"...how selfish can I be, but on the other hand, if not now,
when?
User Comments:
Mr. Cloudy
-----Perhaps there is a witness in both the willingness to be wrong and the willingness to be right.
The willingness to fall into the unknown. And perhaps what seems selfish one moment will also
seem selfless in another -- a new kind of giving yourself away, to mystery itself.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-12-15 01:52:00
Subject: Geographic Cure
When I was actively in the AA/Alanon program in Houston in the late 70s and early 80s, they
used to talk alot about "geographic cures" and how they were not advisable as steps to take to
quit drinking or obsessing about the drinker. They defined a geographic cure as a move, a new
job, a new partner, any major new life change really.
With this in my background, I really had to examine my decision to move from Dallas to the DC
area after Sherry's death. Although I had lately (over the past few years) grown weary of living in
Dallas, I was fully aware that I was making this move, in part, specifically to have a geographic
cure.
Now I know that it doesn't matter where I live in this world...I'm still going to grieve for and miss
my sister.
But on the other hand, I also know that people who have been able to pick up and move without a
plan (job and permanent place to live) have always inspired me and I've admired them.
I had never made such a bold step, and if not now, when?
So far, I'm not looking back at my decision at all. Of course, I could be at the honeymoon phase
of my plan (what plan?).
But on the other hand, as I sat on the couch with my 3 grandchildren tonight and watched an
animated Christmas show with them and saw the magical looks on their faces, I couldn't help
think that I was in the right place.
And as I heard just before bed from my son-in-law R that my daughter's "water broke" (she's 9
months pregnant with #2) this afternoon so it'll be any time now that she'll give birth, it just seems
right to be where I am, geographic cure or not.
User Comments:
Mamala
-----RM-I'm crazy...I know it.
I don't know where I got this idea (about your water breaking), except you might read my next
post and see, that in reality, or rather symbolically, "my water broke"...
-----My water didn't break!
We're all intact here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-12-15 02:06:00
Subject: Over the Rainbow
My granddaughter J is slightly obsessed (in a good way) with "The Wizard of OZ" and lately
wants to watch the movie when she's with me.
Now, I've seen that movie more times than probably any other movie in my life, but I still find
something wonderful and magical about it.
Tonight, as I sat between J and her brother J, and we were watching this movie, I found my eyes
filling with tears as I listened to Dorothy sing "Over the Rainbow".
Two obvious reasons caused this outburst of emotion:
1. I was so happy as I sat between 2 of my grandchildren, all cozy under the comforter, our arms
and hands entwined, enjoying just being with them and listening to their interpretations and
questions about the movie.
2. I was so sad as I listened to this song as it was the song they played the instrumental version
of in the pre-surgical waiting room prior to Sherry's first surgery some 2 years ago that ultimately
gave us the really bad news of her fatal illness. I remember that she was so nervous about her
surgery and all, and when she heard that song, she just broke down and cried and held my hand
as they were injecting her with pre-surgery Valium. As the drug took hold of her and the song
played on, I remember her asking me to take her back to Kansas.
Eyes welling up again....
User Comments:
-----I was moved reading this. I'm glad this memory now includes the loving presence of your
grandchildren.
Ted http://www.livejournal.com/users/ripvansabre/
-----What a bittersweet moment...the joy of the shared experience with your J & J and the sorrow of
the loss of our sister.
It's been more than 8 years since we lost Dad and I still have moments like that for him as well.
When they first happened I found them somewhat unwelcome. Now when one happens I marvel
at how the emotions last after the physical presence has faded, and I've come to feel that those
moments are proof that life ends but love does not.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-12-16 23:06:00
Subject: Active Labor
Eventually, the contractions that you have been experiencing will become
stronger and more intense. You will also find that as time progresses the contractions are getting
closer together and lasting longer. When this happens, you will have moved into active labor.

When I was pregnant with each of my four children, I was focused on the end result (having that
baby in my arms) and not so much on how they would come to me, hoping only that they would
be healthy, that I wouldn't have to experience much pain, and they would just be born.
For most women, active labor is the longest part of their labor.
Isn't this the truth in all things for women? Laboring, longest?
You will find that as active labor progresses, you will become more
serious or "focused" during your contractions. You may find yourself slowly moving from not
talking during the peak of a contraction - to not talking during a contraction - to barely talking
even between contractions. You may also find that your movements become slower and more
deliberate as you progress through active labor. Eventually you may even be at the point that
moving between contractions is uncomfortable and difficult to manage.
My oldest granddaughter J is experiencing some really grown up emotions now. Sometimes she'll
just cry out...other times, I see her just not wanting to focus on much around her. I have no doubt
that she'll grow into an acceptance of some disappointments and into a maturity that knows that
most things around her are good and true.
These are normal physical reactions to labor. As your body works harder
to contract the uterus, you will naturally spend less energy on "non-labor" activities such as
moving and talking. You will also find that your hunger naturally disappears so your body will not
waste energy trying to digest food. For most women, the increased focus it takes to labor also
prevents them from being concerned with societal norms leading to a decrease in modesty and
the pleasantries of conversation.
My sister Sherry in her end days just plain quit eating. She quit drinking. She laid oblivious to
things around her as she died, with me trying my darndest to make her last days OK for her. The
night before she died, all she wanted to do was get out of bed and go home. I said "no".
During active labor, mothers find that changing their activity and position
as desired helps them to remain comfortable.
Little C accompanied her parents to a Christmas party tonight. I'm pretty sure she had a really,
really great time, but arriving at home really late, she found that just the usual acts of brushing
her teeth and going potty before bed were almost more than she could bear.
Although the desire for food disappears during labor, it is important to
stay well hydrated.
My mother, in the hospital recovering from a broken hip and femur, is finding it hard to work up an
appetite for any of the food they are giving her. Now, I've tried it and find it's pretty darn tasty.
Just yesterday, she complained that even the KFC chicken sandwich my sister-in-law brought her
was "dry" and "over-cooked".
During active labor, some women find that making noise, called
vocalization, with contractions helps to keep them relaxed during the contractions. Many women
also find that tuning out the world around them, sometimes called "going inside yourself," helps
them to stay relaxed and handle contractions more effectively.
Being in a different place, other than my comfortably quiet condo in Dallas, has forced me to
abandon the stuff that helped me turn on, tune in, drop out. I've had to deal...I'm tearing up (as in
crying tears) more now than I've ever done. Just reading the contents of one of those form
Christmas letters from a dear one is an emotional event. Lately, I've just taken to opening the
envelope and putting it aside for a day when I can handle the sentiment effectively.
Most women will develop some form of pattern or ritual during active
labor. This means that she will repeat the same responses to contractions for several
contractions in a row.
My pregnant daughter (9 months-almost full term), just the other night appeared at the dinner
table, long after dinnertime, in a long sleeved, flannel nightgown, reading the latest New Yorker
magazine, with a facial mask, while eating a homemade (just that day by her and her daughter C)
candy sucker while experiencing contractions, marking the beginning of new life to be born soon.
As you see these behaviors build (vocalization, tuning out and using
rituals), you will know that labor is progressing. By keeping track of the behaviors the physical
signs (loss of hunger, loss of modesty and deliberate movement), and the emotional signs
(focusing, decreasing talkativeness, decreasing humor) you can get a pretty good estimate of
"how far" into labor the mother is.
My female Bichon, Marina, is adjusting well (much better than her brother Jack) to the foster
home that she'll inhabit for the next month or so, until I find a home for us all. She's come quite a
long way, as always before, having entered my household 7 months after her half brother Jack,
she felt like an intruder to an already established household.
It is important to note though, that not every mother will respond in the
same way or with the same behaviors and signs.
User Comments:
-----Just as Aunt Sherry wanted to get up and go home, the same thing often happens during
transition in labor--the woman will want to climb out of bed, say "I'm done" and ask to go home.
It's a clear sign that the process is almost complete.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-12-19 09:54:00
Subject: It's my party and I'll cry if I want to
Lately, since arriving in DC last week, I have often had periods of strong emotions. I can never
really tell what's going to set them off. Sometimes it's the obvious - hearing Silent Night, watching
a sappy movie, thoughts of friends and family who are no longer with us in this world. At other
times, it's not so obvious. Take yesterday, for example.
I decided to go to Reverend Mother's church to hear her deliver the children's sermon instead of
setting off to search for a Unitarian church to call my new "home". All was fine until I walked
toward the door of the church and I just had the strongest feeling that I needed to be "alone". In
the crowd forming at the entrance to the church, I quickly moved away from R & C and headed to
the very last row (almost) of the church and sat anonymously by myself. I closed my eyes as the
flutes and pianos began to play and concentrated on the music. Many times during the service,
and not at the obvious ones, I found myself feeling very sad, very lonely, very joyful, very
overwhelmed, very, very, very.
Don't get me wrong. I look at this as a good thing. I think for over 2 years now (maybe almost 3
years as it probably began with the sudden passing of my children's father) I have not allowed
myself to feel much.
Now with this new place and new beginning, I'm dealing with all these emotions.
I've become a snivelling idiot!
User Comments:
-----Although I hate that you have to go through this, I am glad to hear that it is happening. My one
fear with you moving was that it was to avoid dealing with all of this (even though I would
understand the desire to escape!). I am just glad that, as you work through the pain, you will
have the kids nearby to bring the smile back to your face.
-----Sniveling? Possibly. Idiot? Never.
I wish you traveling mercies as you journey down such paths, to wherever they lead. Thanks for
continuing to share the journey.
-----Sounds like a positive thing to me!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-12-21 09:25:00
Subject: Good (great) things come in small packages
I just got back from spending a wonderful 24 hours with J & J in their RV, parked about 30
minutes from where I'm temporarily staying until I find a place to settle.
How fun it was to see how they "live" in this small space!
RVs are full of cabinets and neat hiding spaces that convert into something else. J & J are
experts at what's behind each door and know the in's and out's of how to do what with what.
We had a great mac and cheese supper, since the Redskins Pizza special (you get free toppings
depending on how the Redskins do in their last game and this week it was really a special,
special since they *really* beat the Cowboys last Sunday, grrrrr)[I'm not a huge pro-sports fan at
all, but I do have to say that I've lived in the Dallas area long enough to be at least a little
disconcerted to see so much Redskin stuff on *everything* here in Northern VA] would have
taken way over 45 minutes to even be ready for pick up.
Then, J & J's parents took off for shopping and we decorated Christmas cookies and watched
The Polar Express. Then it was off to bed. But before that, they showed me how to work the potty
(you have to decide beforehand what you're going to do in there because depending on what
you're going to do, you either add water or not), how they decorated an area with a hand-drawn
fireplace that they hung their stockings nearby, the mochlum angel (complete with Barbie dress
and wings) that topped their small Christmas tree, and they proudly showed off their
sleeping/play area.
Now I'm not sure that as J & J grow, they'll want to continue to live in such a small space with
their Mom and Dad. It seems eventually female J will need some space from male J. But for now,
I think they are building some really wonderful, close-knit memories of their time together in this
small space.
It's obvious to me that for them, it's all the space they need.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-12-22 08:25:00
Subject: Of Virgin Births, Caves, and Infants
"We are all born as animals and live the life that animals live: We sleep, eat, reproduce, and fight.
There is, however, another order of living, which the animals do not know, that of awe before the
mystery of being, the mysterium tremendum et fascinans, that can be the root and the branch of
the spiritual sense of one's days. That is the birth -- the Virgin Birth -- in the heart of a properly
human, spiritual life.
"The motif of birth in a cave is also very ancient. This symbol is associated particularly with the
winter solstice, when the sun has traveled to its farthest point away from the tilted earth and the
light is in the nadir of the abyss...
"The cave has always been the scene of initiation, where the birth of the light takes place. Here
as well is found the whole idea of the cave of the heart, the dark chamber of the heart, where the
light of the divine first appears. This image is also associated with the emergence of light in the
beginning, out of the abyss of the early chaos, so that one senses the deep resonations of this
theme.
"We have then the story and image of the birth of this wondrous child in a richly evocative setting.
Let us look at other aspects of it. That there was no room in the inn is also an old story. So, too, is
that of the infant in exile as the new world is born outside of the province of the old...
"What it evokes...is the birth of a new King somewhere else, outside of the sphere of the powers
that be, and the ultimate overcoming of these powers by this new King."
from Thou Art That: Transforming Religious Metaphor
by Joseph Campbell
pages 29, 65, and 67
User Comments:
-----I love Campbell...his incredible sense of the power of myth and its place in life and
faith...nevertheless, sometimes he can so dissect a story that its real power as narrative is
neutered...but these are awesome quotes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-12-26 22:16:00
Subject: I'm where I need (want) to be
I've been in the DC area just a couple of short weeks now. I love the climate...the trees shedding
their leaves...the squirrels in MA & Robt's yard...playing with C as her mom has labor pains, then
not, then labor pains again...shopping for apts on Craigslist...imagining that I can take a train to
my next work location...imagining that I can actually *live* without a car...knowing that I may live
in a "red state" but it's damn close to blue...and just so much more.
I needed, and am glad for, this new direction in my life.
User Comments:
-----Very glad to hear it! Sounds lovely.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2005-12-27 20:31:00
Subject: The Divine Miss M
I'm in love...granddaughter #3, grandchild #4, was born this beautiful, glorious day!
It just doesn't get any better than this!!!!!!!!
User Comments:
Uncle Matthew
-----MUST...GET...MORE...PICTURES!
haha
-----Congratulations! What exciting times. Sounds like new birth is in the air up there.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-01-02 00:54:00
Subject: Happy New Year!
And I'm sure it will be a happy one!
I've rented a place in DC near Dupont Circle...a small apartment, but an updated 1920s building
that is all the space I need. I'll take possession of it on the 15th of this month, but probably
actually move in around the 1st of February.
This is exciting...for so long now I've said I wanted to live in a downtown area, near where all the
action is. And now that dream is a reality.
Woohoo!!
User Comments:
-----I'm finally catching up on blogs! I guess I should have known about your new apartment after all.
Congrats!
-----Awesome!
-----That is great! Does "all the space I need" include crash space for wayward brothers?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-01-02 01:07:00
Subject: Deja vu all over again
Recently, I had the neat experience of seeing my oldest daughter (9 months pregnant) at a table
at a fast food place with her almost 3 year old daughter and my other 2 grandkids (ages 8 and 5).
Looking at that scene, I realized that that was probably what I looked like, oh so many years ago,
as I was waiting for my fourth and final child to be delivered and had 3 young ones myself, about
the same age as those in this recent scene.
From 50+ eyes and mindset, I just shook my head and said to myself "wow...how did I ever
manage?"
But then, manage I did and what a wonderful time it was!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-01-02 01:11:00
Subject: East coast time
I love being on the east coast. It's after one here in DC, and I'm still awake and thinking it's really
just early as it's only just after midnight in Dallas.
Last night, as the ball fell at midnight in Times Square, I enjoyed seeing the New Year come to
the US in real time.
User Comments:
Mamala
-----hey now...
Luke
-----Correction: Mom's been an East Coast elitist...
Matthew
-----Mom's turning into an East Coast elitist. ;-)
-----Since returning from London, I've been an early riser - yesterday 4am, today 5am. It's fun to play
'timezone mind games', isn't it?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-01-05 00:42:00
Subject: Hook em horns!
What a great game...I haven't watched a football game since I don't know when, but this was one
for the history books!
Go Texas! National Champs! Hook 'em horns and Matthew McConaughey is sooooo hot!~
User Comments:
Matthew
-----You can take the person out of Texas, but you can't take the Texas out of the person. Right Katie
and Reverendmother? :-)
-----So there's still a little Texan in ya?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-01-08 08:55:00
Subject: MaDear's Cereal
That's the strange concoction of mostly healthy cereals that I mixed all together into one of those
HUGE Sam's containers when I moved last month. It's pretty tasty to me, but then, anyone who
knows me, knows that I'm not that picky and I've been known to not throw anything away, no
matter how old or what the expiration date says.
Thankfully, this stuff is pretty fresh, but there's not a Cocoa Puff, a Captain Crunch, a Fruit Loop,
or Frosted Flake among it. No, instead you'll find almonds and pumpkin seeds and other seeds,
oat bran flakes, raisins and dried blueberries, and chunks of oats. And C, my granddaughter, just
loves it! Without exception, she asks for it when I ask her the question "what would you like for
breakfast?" She says joyfully, "MaDear's cereal!"
User Comments:
Matthew
-----That healthy cereal sounds tasty. Sounds like something I'd enjoy as well.
Katieg: You can tell J and J that Pop Tarts and Donuts are Uncle Matt's cereal.
Mr. Cloudy
-----Ok. It's ok to share the cereal, but not the 2 1/2 week old carryout box from Chili's!
-----Hmmm... Caroline gets the healthy cereal, and when my kids are there they usually get donuts,
pop tarts, or some other unhealthy concoction! :-)
-----I love it - this is EXACTLY the kind of think I was hoping you'd get to experience when you
moved! How could you have the same thing happen when you're 'just visiting'?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-01-08 23:38:00
Subject: Dallas S.W.A.T.
A friend of mine from Carrollton PD sent me a link regarding this new TV show. I just had to TiVo
it and watched the first episode this evening. I really relate to it since I worked for Carrollton and
have a brother who was actually a SWAT officer with Dallas. Some of his good buddies are now
stars of the show. I liked it, as I have an affinity for police officers, especially Dallas area ones,
but it had it's cheesy parts too with all the personal relationship stuff.
I'm thinking these guys (the stars of the show) are getting all kinds of grief these days from their
brothers in law enforcement.
But I have to admit, they are hunks!
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Where'd you go?
Luke
-----There's that word again... "hunk"...
*shudders*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-01-21 22:34:00
Subject: "I want to call my Aunt Sherry"
That's what C said this morning as I placed my sweatshirt and my cell phone on the bench at the
playground in the park.
I was delighted that, of all the people C knows, that she picked my sister, Aunt Sherry, to *want*
to call on my cellphone.
I told C that Aunt Sherry was in heaven watching us play, and that she didn't need a call.
But it was wonderful that she (C) wanted to call her!
User Comments:
Matthew
-----that's adorable. she has jedi powers. ;-)
-----I had no idea! That's so sweet!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-01-31 23:39:00
Subject: Sirens in DC
So why does it feel really, really good when I hear the faint sounds of sirens at night in DC, while
I'm putting stuff away and finding a home for all my worldly possessions, that I smile a little about
hearing sirens?
I watch the State of the Union and think, "it's going on just a few short blocks away from me" how cool is that?
I drive to the Virginia suburbs..hey, I don't even need to get on a plane, and I hold my
granddaughter and just smell her wonderful baby breath and feel her sweet newborn skin! And
then, I get to walk to pick up C and see her delight that I have my doggies nearby.
So I come home, and spend some time unpacking just a few more boxes. And then, I think, this is
the best time of my life.
User Comments:
-----This made me very happy. I'm so glad -- glad to have seen the dream in your eyes, glad to have
seen you choose to embrace it at the right time, and so glad to see it come true.
-----Aw, yay!
-----I got goosebumps when I read your journal tonight...as I read your words, I thought "She's home.
D.C. feels like home to her". I punch up "Feels Like Home" (the Bonnie Raitt version, of course)
on iTunes and listen. As the song plays I hear the line "And a siren wails in the night" at the same
moment that I noticed your entry's title.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-02-03 00:25:00
Subject: It's worth the read
<a href="http://www.data.org/archives/000774.php" target="blank">Bono, on C-span, at the
National Prayer Breakfast</a>
User Comments:
Jill
-----Better yet, don't read it, watch it from the link on <a href="http://c-span.org/" target="blank">CSpan's home page</a>.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-02-04 12:17:00
Subject: I'm so much into settling in my new place in DC...
...that when I read this headline "<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/fc/world/iran" target="blank">
IAEA Reports Iran to U.N. Security Council</a>", I read it as 
IKEA Reports Iran to U.N. Security Council.
User Comments:
-----The swedish meatballs are reconstituted depleted uranium.
Jill
-----hee-hee..I love you both!
Matthew
-----the hot dogs they sell at IKEA are made of enriched uranium.
anya
-----yeah, iran called ikea to try and find out how to flat-pack some nukes for easy transport. ikea
couldn't take that lying down!
(i got nothin')
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-02-08 20:47:00
Subject: Musical orgasm
Mary J Blige and U2 singing "One" at the 2006 Grammy Awards...pay for it and download it <a
href="http://www.apple.com/itunes/" target="blank">here</a>.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----Yeah. Go figure that the one year I don't watch the Grammy's is the one year I *should* have
watched the Grammy's.
Jill Susan
-----Liar...liar...pants on fire....
Record of the Year - U2, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Jill Susan
-----I lied...one more...
Record of the year... Green Day, Boulevard of Broken Dreams.
Jill Susan
-----Okay, one more...
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own by U2 - Song of the Year
Jill
-----Okay, another one...
Paul McCartney singing "Helter Skelter"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-02-11 09:47:00
Subject: I tested them and they passed the test...
...the residents of my building here in DC, that is.
You see, I had just spent a wonderful evening with my 2 DC area granddaughters while their
mom and dad had their "first date" as parents of two. So you know I was as sober as they come,
drinking in only the sheer delight of M's soft baby skin, C's request for an additional hug and kiss
at bedtime, and just the wonderful-ness that I didn't have to spend hours on a plane to get here.
When the evening was over and as I headed toward DC, I delighted in my situation. So, yes,
maybe I was "drunk" with delight. But oh well...
Anyway, arriving at home, I walked Jack and Marina and settled in for a short check of email and
weather.com as they are predicting major snow for the northeast today.
Sleeping soundly and waking peacefully, I dressed quickly and prepared to take Jack and Marina
out for their morning walk, but where were my keys?
[short pause here for you to reflect when/if this ever happened to you]
So I looked around in the usual spots and then said "uh-oh" to myself and found them at last, in
my door, hanging their "shouting" for all to see, that entry to my apartment was easy and no-fuss.
Now, I have to admit that I've done this before back in Dallas, but then I lived in a second story
condo in safe Farmers Branch, and anyone that wanted to discover this, would have had to walk
up stairs. Here, in DC, it's another story.
First, it *is* DC, one of the crime capitals of America. Second, I live in a building with 28
apartments. 28 residents may have passed by my door as I'm the first one you pass by as you
enter the building. They passed the test.
Now, I hope that I'll not do this again, but it's nice to know that this time, when I did, it was OK.
User Comments:
-----Luke - you are TERRIBLE!!!!
lukey
-----unless though someone took your keys out and made a copy of them and now they are just
lurking in the safe distance, noting your patterns so they know when you are gone and they can
come in at their leisure and steal all your stuff....
MUAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAH!!!!
No really, I am kidding of course!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-02-11 10:12:00
Subject: It's the subtle things
Last night, the Olympic games opened in Turin, Italy. I didn't watch the ceremonies, but just
knowing that they were going on made me think about, and miss, my sister.
Sherry always made a big deal about the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. She'd watch them
and tape them every time. She also loved the Kentucky Derby. And many times, I'd go to see her
and she'd have a golf game on, or a basketball game, or a football game. I'd always ask her "Are
you watching that?".
Sherry, I'd like to think that you were very "present" last night in Turin, and that you had the best
seat in the house...
User Comments:
-----It's amazing what little things can bind people deeply together. Because of past stories you've
told, I always think of you and Sherry now whenever I hear Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Matthew
-----Yeah. Someone on American Idol auditioned to that song. He was only sixteen, but he was
astoundingly good. It choked me up, no doubt.
-----Yesterday we were at a restaurant and they played that song from her funeral (the Ovarian
cancer anthem... I don't know the name of the song). It was the first time I had heard it since her
funeral. It definitely choked me up to hear it again.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-02-11 22:02:00
Subject: Why did I wait so long to get here?
All I can say is that it's snowing, and I went to Whole Foods to stock up (along with the rest of NW
DC) and when walking my dogs other dog owners are fun to talk to, as our dogs sniff each
other...yes, why did I wait so long to get here?
User Comments:
-----As wonderful as it is for you being there...You'd love it in Chicago too...Of this I'm certain...
-----Oh, good. I was worried you were thinking Why the heck did I move here?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-02-19 11:53:00
Subject: Party in my dorm room
Dorm room-that's what I'm calling my place in DC now. I look at it's small-ness and the fact that I
have crammed all my worldly possessions into it and think, I've seen this before. But where? ...
everytime I've visited a dorm...
MA and R and C & M brought my birthday party to me last night. They ordered a yummy Chicago
style pizza (MA was saying that they asked her if she wanted thick or thin crust when she placed
the order - huh? It was kind of like when I ordered a Ceasar salad once and they asked me what
kind of dressing I wanted) to be delivered to my door and brought along a yummy chocolate
brownie cake, with chocolate frosting. C and I walked to the corner 7/11 to purchase ice cream to
top it off.
It was a fun evening and I was glad to see that my dorm room can hold guests, at least for a
couple of hours. I'm waiting now for the rest of my family to visit.
Word of warning...be prepared to take home "parting gifts" when you visit. I'm dedicated to the
task of simplifying and will never again move all the stuff I've accumulated over my 57 years! My
son-in-law D is smiling right now, I imagine, upon hearing this.
User Comments:
Mamala
-----K, M & L-I promise I'll save some stuff for you, and of course, the JJs.
Katieg
-----Now just because MA is closer doesn't mean she gets all of the good stuff!!
-----Excellent, Uncle Ted!
R is so excited about the cookbooks. He says he wants to cook you one dish out of each of
them--that should take some time!
In fact I woke up this morning to the smell of bread dough rising on the counter.
-----Jill opened a pandora's box with: I'm waiting now for the rest of my family to visit.
Last week - in fact almost exactly one week ago at this moment - as we were considering how to
get back to Texas from Blizzard '06 one of the ideas I explored was to get to D.C. to see your
'dorm room' and then fly home from there.
I can guarantee you that you will see me before the summer is over.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-02-21 00:39:00
Subject: Take me for a ride in your car-car
After 34 years of owning a car, I no longer do.
I sold my blue 2003 VW to Carmax today. I took the Metro home, just a block away from the
Rockville Carmax location.
How convenient is that?
User Comments:
Matthew
-----I wouldn't see it as "selling your car." You should see it more as "detoxing your oil addiction." Let
me know when your cold shivers start.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-02-21 00:42:00
Subject: Adoption Day
Jack and Marina are in a new home tonight. They went to live in Manassas VA with Elizabeth
(Elisa) and her hubby and kids, Tony and Isa (pronounced "eeesa", short for Isabel).
This was a tough day for me, made easier, by Elisa's great attitude and demeanor (I could see
myself in her-30 years ago) and J & M's eagerness to devour her pet treats, and follow her kiddos
around soon after we arrived.
Dalai and Dharma are wondering where their dog friends are tonight, and I'm just thinking, I'm
beginning to have now what I can handle.
User Comments:
-----Blessings on them and both their new and their former owners.
Matthew
-----Sad to hear that, but glad they're in a good home.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-03-02 17:42:00
Subject: What state do you live in?
Since moving to DC, I've found the most confusing thing for anyone (especially off-shore people)
that I talk to about my new address is my answer to their question "What state do you live in?".
When I tell them I don't live in a state, they get really confused and then say something like, "Do
you live in Washington state?" When I answer them and say again that I don't live in a state, they
again, get really confused. At this point I ask them if they don't have a website where I can enter
my own change of address info (of course, I've already checked this out as I'd lots rather do this
online than talk to most 'customer service' people) so that I don't have to go through this again
and again with them.
Today, I was changing my address with The Gap and "Richard" (more accurately Chandrak or
Rajat) asked me "What county I lived in?"
Oh, good question. What county is DC in?
Looking it up, I live in an <a
href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_city#Other_entities_similar_to_independent_cities"
target="blank">independent city</a>. No county. How cool is that? So the next time I'm asked
that question, I'm prepared.
And the next time I'm asked what state I live in, I'll probably just say "you're tap-dancing on my
last nerve state of mind"!!!
User Comments:
-----Never thought about this. I don't think I've ever made out an address in D.C., and I certainly
wouldn't know how to without looking it up somewhere. It's funny that computer systems aren't
programmed to recognize D.C. for address changes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-03-10 18:57:00
Subject: Pulling the Trigger
It wasn't my move to DC that did it.
It wasn't the death of my high school friend's brother recently (too premature and too unfair) that
did it.
It wasn't even seeing the picture I hung of her (when she was a wee one) near the place where
my grandchildren will find toys to play with when they come to visit that did it.
What did it was getting things ready for the accountant who would file her last tax return.
Asking my brothers about practical matters - what is taxable and what is not - brought on a well of
tears.
You could be funny and say we all cry when we think about paying taxes.
But that's not what did it.
It was thinking of her, all those months and years, watching her investments grow so that maybe,
someday, she could retire and live again in the land of Oz, her Kansas, but only after she took
care of all of us first.
It'd be easier (but probably not as effective) if I could predict when this horrible sadness would
show up in me. Instead, like a shot in the stillnes of the night, I'm wounded unexpectedly.
I'll recover. I just won't be quite the same.
User Comments:
Luke
-----((hugs))
Matthew
-----Who's to say that she's not in Kansas right now? :-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-03-14 13:40:00
Subject: Amusing ourselves to death
From <a href="http://www.DemocracyRising.US" target="blank">Democracy Rising</a> comes
this...
What's your pleasure?
<ul><li>Watching the NBA? Spring Training?</li>
<li>Late night movies on cable?</li>
<li>A day at the mall?</li></ul>
The great thing about America is there are endless opportunities for amusement. Hundreds of
cable channels. Amusement parks. Shopping malls galore.
But are we amusing ourselves to death?
"Amusing Ourselves to Death" is the name of Neil Postman's 1985 classic that weighed in on the
debate between Aldous Huxley and George Orwell.
Here's Postman:
<blockquote>What Orwell feared were those who would ban books.
What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one
who wanted to read one.
Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information.
Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and
egoism.
Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us.
Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance.
Orwell feared we would become a captive culture.
Huxley feared we would become a trivial culture, preoccupied with some equivalent of the feelies,
the orgy porgy, and the centrifugal bumblepuppy.
</blockquote>
Something to think about, eh?
User Comments:
-----VERY interesting!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-03-20 21:20:00
Subject: Happy Days Are Here Again!
Praise the lord...finally, yes really finally, Verizon has connected my DSL and I'm cookin' with
speed again, internet wise.
Oh, I'm still having to deal without TiVo and satellite. There's just something incestuous and bad
about Comcast cable TV to me. Not sure why, but I'm dealing...
But the "hell" that I've been through over the past week with a multitude of customer service reps
at Verizon is something that I just don't want to repeat any time soon. If I have to call that 800#
again, give them my phone number again, tell them I want to talk with tech support again, listen
to their "helpful hints" about powering down my modem, etc. again, I'm just going to scream.
On the other hand, I'm grateful and glad that I'm capable of that scream.
User Comments:
-----Ah, yes. Back in the modern world. Sort of like going without a shower for a week not to have a
fast connection.
Katieg
-----Yeah! Can you imagine that we used to live without internet?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-03-21 18:33:00
Subject: Guest blogger - Grandchild #1
I love getting emails like this....
"Hi we loved scince. We lerned about the human body.It was
GROSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is all.
Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, J"
User Comments:
-----Could she use any more exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matthew
-----i LOVE those e-mails!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-03-22 08:58:00
Subject: World Water Day
Did you know that
around the world, 1 billion people â€“ 20% of the population â€“ donâ€™t have clean drinking water? Wednesday is <a
href="http://www.one.org/dia/track.jsp?key=45050410&url_num=4
&url=http://www.one.org/dia/hq/www.worldwaterday2006.org"
title="www.worldwaterday2006.org">
</a><a
href="http://www.one.org/dia/track.jsp?key=45050410&url_num=5
&url=http://www.worldwaterday2006.org" target="_blank"> World Water Day</a>, so on your
way to the water fountain at school or work, take ONE minute to learn more about the global
water crisis and how you can get involved.
User Comments:
Matthew
-----I read the other day that China is in major trouble. Approximately 90% of the people in China get
water from highly polluted sources and that they could be facing a major demographic challenge
in the coming years. There are some villages where 75 to 85% of people live with some form of
cancer. It was pretty scary.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-03-29 13:15:00
Subject: Guinea Pig
I'm part of a research study at GWU, as of today.
A couple of weeks ago, I answered an ad in the WaPo Express about participating in a research
study re: GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder). I'm certainly not an extreme case, but I do worry
more that I need to about all kinds of things.
Today I went for my health screening. They did an EKG, a blood and urine test, and just a
general health check. I spent an hour with "Dr. Kenny," a really nice guy, who asked me tons of
questions about me and my 'condition' to make sure I qualified for the study. Turns out, either
fortunately or unfortunately, however one wants to look at it, that I do qualify.
I will go back in a couple of weeks (as soon as the last remnants of Paxil have left my body) to be
given this new drug or a placebo to take for the next 12 weeks.
I'm not getting paid for the study, but they do re-imburse my travel expenses each time, with $25
cash/money. Seeing as I only spent $1.35 on the metro to get there, I will pocket a little cash.
This should be interesting.
User Comments:
-----I'll be interested in how this goes. I am certain that I have Social Anxiety Disorder as I feel very
different around people when I'm on Paxil. Please keep us posted.
Matthew
-----random trivia:
Robert Rodriguez got his big directing break from a movie he made, funded completely off of a
medical experiment. He raised the ~7,500 dollars necessary for "El Mariachi" from a Cholesterol
study that he participated in for about half a year.
nerd moment over...
Luke
-----It's kinda funny how them doing all of those tests on you might increase your anxiety.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-03-31 19:46:00
Subject: This doesn't make any sense
From <a href="http://www.instapundit.com" target="blank">Instapundit</a> comes this....
A PRAYER STUDY shows <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12082681/">no benefit:
</a><blockquote>
In the largest study of its kind, researchers found that having people pray for heart bypass
surgery patients had no effect on their recovery. In fact, patients who knew they were being
prayed for had a slightly higher rate of complications.
Researchers emphasized that their work can't address whether God exists or answers
prayers made on another's behalf. The study can only look for an effect from prayers offered as
part of the research, they said.
They also said they had no explanation for the higher complication rate in patients who knew
they were being prayed for, in comparison to patients who only knew it was possible prayers
were being said for them.</blockquote>
Hmm. What's the prayer equivalent of a placebo? Scott Ott, meanwhile, offers an <a
href="http://www.scrappleface.com/?p=2229">alternative take.</a>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-02 23:31:00
Subject: Strike a pose with FDR
I spent the better part of the day with daughter #1 and her hubby and girls as we took in the
Cherry Blossom Festival in DC. First, can I just say that nature's beauty beats any manufactured
beauty in the world! The blossoms were absolutely gorgeous!!
I love getting out and doing things like this in my new home. Being the people watcher that I am,
it only gets better and better to have a huge crowd of blossom-loving people to feast my curious
eyes on. One of the best parts of the day was seeing the amateur photographers posing their
family members among the blossoms. You wouldn't believe the far out measures some took to
record this moment for posterity.
Speaking of poses, what is the appropriate pose one should take when posing in front of DC's
more serious and sometimes sad, somber memorials and monuments?
Now I've seen people standing in front of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, just smiling away as they
are getting their picture taken. That just seems wierd.
Today, we also took in the FDR memorial and many people would hug the statue of FDR sitting
in his wheelchair and smile, or they would stand at the end of the statue with people in the
depression era food line, smiling away...they looked really wierd, with their goofy smiles, as the
statue figures in that food line looked anything but happy.
Before you think I'm just a totally judgemental snob, I will have to say that I hoisted my
granddaughter C up on FDR's knee so that her daddy could take a picture of her, smiling away.
Of course, in this case, it didn't seem strange at all! ;-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-03 09:54:00
Subject: Cold Turkey
I've been attempting to withdraw from Paxil so that I can participate in a <a
href="http://www.journalscape.com/jillsusan/2006-03-29-13:15" target="blank">study at GWU
</a>, starting next week. The doctor told me a week ago, when I went for my initial evaluation,
that I had to be off the drug for at least 2 weeks, so here I am, in the middle of my withdrawal
period. All I can say is that, for the most part, it's been hell.
Internet sites everywhere warn against getting off the drug cold turkey, but given my situation, it
seems the only option. I'm experiencing the typical symptoms that sites such as <a
href="http://www.quitpaxil.info/Main/advice.htm" target="blank">this one</a> say I'll have. I woke
up Saturday morning in the throes of the "paxil withdrawal flu", but by mid-afternoon, felt good
enough to visit my DC granddaughters. The rest of the weekend was good, until I got home late
in the afternoon yesterday and decided that I had enough energy to go grocery shopping, throw
away 6 files boxes of Texas Association of Mediator files, and then completely re-organize my
closets (packing away all my winter clothes for storage). Even with all this activity, I rationalized
that this would make me even more tired and I would be able to sleep like a baby, ready to hit the
ground running on Monday and put in a productive week at work.
That didn't happen.
As I tossed and turned until at least 4:30 AM, my body totally exhausted and every muscle and
joint hurting like crazy, I finally fell asleep giving me maybe 2 good hours of sleep to start the
week.
I keep reading that by next week at this time, I'll feel alot better. I'm hoping so.
User Comments:
-----I hope you feel better quick. I guess I'm twisted somehow, cause I've always been able to quit it
without a blip, but I have heard it can be trouble for many. And I hope this study medicine is
much gentler on you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-04 10:19:00
Subject: Nerd alert
From <a href="http://www.andrewsullivan.com" target="blank">Andrew Sullivan</a>, comes
this...
<ul>A reader informs me that on Wednesday of [this] week, at two minutes and three seconds
after 1:00 in the morning, the time and date will be 01:02:03 04/05/06. It will not happen again for
a [hundred] years. Be there, or be square.</ul>
User Comments:
Lukalicious
-----Yeah, it certainly is a "nerd alert", but it's pretty cool anyway!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-04 22:40:00
Subject: The last box
When I moved to DC, I had tons and tons of boxes. Ok, that's a big exaggeration. I had a lot of
boxes, all filled to the brim with my stuff.
It's taken me until today to actually move/relocate/go through/discard/organize/find a place for
each and every box. But tonight, just a few minutes ago, I completed this task.
The last box was the hardest. I knew it would be. It was a legal size file box that I had initially
marked with a post-it "Jill's stuff". I remember exactly when I marked it this way. It was when I
was going through my sister's things. It was a box that I put photos, knick-knacks, things I just
couldn't part with at the moment, things I just didn't have time to think about. I knew at the time
that I didn't want to throw the things inside this box away. I also knew that the contents of this box
weren't appropriate for the Salvation Army that would come a few days later to cart off the rest of
her things that hadn't already been divvied up.
Until tonight, it's been on a shelf in my bathroom. When I placed it there months ago, I re-labeled
it from the outside with a simple marking "SLS".
But tonight, I took it down off that shelf and went through it. It had photos of her with her grand
nieces and nephew, her at a better time when she was healthy. It had the reunion genealogy
book that she worked on so diligently. Candles, lots of candles. Her "ovarian cancer" bracelet.
Keys to my condo that she probably used over and over again to help me out by walking Jack
and Marina. A pedometer that was brand new, still in the box. A couple of New Testaments, one
from 1966, one from 1953. A deck of cards with a cancer drug logo on them. A couple of blank
VCR tapes, and one that was the last show I recorded for her, the series "Into the West" that she
loved watching - as her health and energy faded, she just couldn't seem to gather enough energy
to watch the final episode. A canvas bag with "The Cure" emblazoned on the front of it [if only it
had contained that for her]. Her TJ yearbook. And other things.
I took all the items out, and gently put them all back in this last box, and placed it back again on
the shelf in the bathroom with "SLS" on it.
User Comments:
-----Agree.
-----Very moving.
Luke
-----This is beautiful mom.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-07 13:39:00
Subject: Which brings us to tonight's word...
<table width="310" border="0">
<tr>
<td width="150"><img src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/the_word.gif" width="150"
height="46" /></td>
<td width="150"><div align="center">THONGS</div></td>
</tr>
</table>
I was talking to my mother last night, wishing her a very Happy 80th Birthday, when she told me
about her recent shopping trip. She said she bought a couple of new pairs of pants and a couple
of new shirts and some thongs. In the background of our conversation, I could hear my sister-inlaw correcting my mother saying "flip-flops".
Of course, I knew exactly what mother meant when she told me she bought some thongs, as
that's what "flip-flops" were initially called so very long ago. And recently, in a conversation, I
used the word thongs with the same meaning as my mother and was corrected with the word
"flip-flops" too.
Now, I can see why thong-makers hijacked the word 'thong' from unsuspecting "flip-flop" makers
as when you think of the design of each (one splitting the big toe from the next biggest toe and
the other splitting...well, you get my point). But couldn't the faux-thong people come up with
another word for their invention without stealing a perfectly good word from "flip-flop" makers? I
mean, they could have made up a new word, couldn't they? How about calling them "binders" or
"rider-uppers" or "splitters"?
I think we need some imagination here! Quit stealing perfectly good words from unsuspecting
flimsy-shoe manufacturing cobblers?
User Comments:
-----Ha!!!!!!
How about butt-floss?
-----I suggest "finishing garment"
http://ripvansabre.livejournal.com/2006/04/06/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-09 10:23:00
Subject: Visiting "Home"
I made a quick trip to Dallas this weekend to visit with my brothers and their families and
especially my mother who celebrated her 80th birthday this past week. It's a trip that's been in the
works for several weeks now and one that I knew I should make. But I also knew with all the
positive parts of my visit here would be one huge negative part...my sister would not be part of
the visit.
Oh sure, I'm going to take some flowers to Restland to put at the site of her marker and ashes.
But it's not the same as it's always been, when I would fly back to Dallas from business or
personal trips and she would almost greet me at the door of my car, wanting to give me a report
on how Jack and Marina got along during my time away, or wanting me to report on the latest
goings-on of one or more of my 4 children (and their children). Those were special times looking
back.
Many times I would get home so extremely tired from these trips that the only thing I wanted to do
was just head directly to my home and fall into bed. But seeing the excitement in Sherry's eyes
about the latest accomplishment of JJ & C (sadly she never got to meet the Divine Miss M) would
energize me and I'd realized how lucky I was to have kids and grandkids, but also just how
extremely lucky I was to have a sister that shared in my life and theirs so enthusiastically and
lovingly.
I told my brother yesterday when he picked me up at the airport that although I was glad to see
everyone with this visit, as it got closer and closer to the time that I'd leave DC and get on the
plane to come to Dallas, I was filled with a real dread of the visit here as well. I'm feeling again
the tremendous loss and with my visit "home" it's impossible for me to pretend that the loss isn't
real. I have to remember...
<ul>Remember
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.</ul>
From: Goblin Market, The Prince's Progress and Other Poems. Christina Rosetti. London:
Macmillan 1879.
User Comments:
-----I'm mourning with you. A very beautiful poem. The tender heart that can neither hold on nor let
go. Peace be with you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-10 23:23:00
Subject: We are America
Well, this is what it's like to live in the heart of DC.
Tonight, it took me more than twice the time it usually takes to get home from work on the Metro.
Can commuter trains have traffic jams? I don't know, but it seemed so, as the immigrant march
on the capital was underway and it slowed the commute down tremendously, but that's OK. I'm
happy to be delayed while people are exercising their first amendment rights.
When I finally did arrive at my stop and started walking toward my place, I saw many people with
smiles on their faces, carrying AMERICAN flags, and chanting "Si Se Puede!" -- Spanish for
"Yes, we can!". They included families pushing strollers with their children and ice cream vendors
who placed American flags on their carts. Many wore white clothing to symbolize peace.
I've still not totally formulated my opinion on this issue (it's really complicated the more I learn) but
on first glance, most of the people I saw today would make great Americans, if they aren't
already.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-11 12:22:00
Subject: Tax time
<table width="485" border="0"><tr><td width="485"><img
src="http://www.jillsusan.com/images/dean.jpg" width="480" height="323" /></td>
</tr>
<tr><td width="480"><div align="center">Actor James Dean with his
accountant, 1955</div></td>
</tr></table>
Can I just say that I absolutely detest getting my information together to prepare my yearly tax
return? And this year, it's been "prep on steroids" as I've dealt with not only my return, but both
my sister's returns (pre- and post- Sept. 5, 2005) and two CPAs!
One of the CPAs doesn't want anything to do with her estate stuff and the other is just trying to
keep me out of an audit as I've got lots going on (a move, unemployment, 1099s from my nonprofits who just this year decided they needed to declare my "income" with them, big deposits in
my checking account, etc., etc., etc.). In the meantime, I have 3 1099-OMBs, whatever those are,
that neither CPA wants to deal with. I swear, if someone ran for office today supporting a flat tax,
s(he'd) have my vote.
I have spent many hours getting all the information gathered for the filings. Last night, I actually
completed the task and have just now FedEx'ed a packet to the Dallas CPA who will file Sherry's
pre-Sept. 5th tax and the other CPA here in DC is telling me that he is mailing my return to me
today so, although it will be close, I should be able to mail all returns next Monday to fall within
the deadline.
It shouldn't be this painful, but then last night I was reminded that our tax system is not the only
screwed up system in this country. To locate some of the records I needed, I had to go through a
box of Sherry's records with a fine tooth comb and ran across her huge 5" 3-ring binder which
contained all her medical records from the past 2 years. Within that binder were copies of
letters/faxes/emails that she sent to healthcare providers and insurance companies to try to get
her claims paid. It made me so angry seeing all this stuff, as I just thought how unfair it was that
my sister, who only had a limited time left on this earth when she was diagnosed with cancer two
years ago, had to spend even one precious second on this kind of crap! Knowing how meticulous
she was with money and savings, I'm sure this caused her more stress than she needed to deal
with in her final days.
Yes, indeed, tax time is taxing.
User Comments:
-----Read the Hendrik Hertzberg piece on health care in the latest New Yorker (Talk of the Town).
Grrrr....
-----Amen! Ours went off today. Blah!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2006-04-13 20:57:00
Subject: I'm fascinated by this story
<a href="http://www.slate.com/id/2139781/?nav=navoa" target="blank">Judas saves</a>.
User Comments:
-----I was fascinated too. Seems it highlights the likelihood that the orthodox are merely the group
whose interpretation won out.
netter
-----it will be most interesting to see how this impacts today's christianity.
to be honest, logic has no place there. no matter how much it makes sense, fundamentalists,
conservatives and most right-wing religious groups will denounce this as heresy. it won't make
any difference that it's authenticated, true, or logical.
sad, that. but yes, totally fascinating.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-13 22:12:00
Subject: Censoring South Park
From blogland comes this...
<center> <img
src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b241/AlanESQ/comedycentral002.jpg" border="0"
alt="nomohammed"> </center><blockquote>First, The Catholics came for South Park and I
did not speak out because my head was in the sand. Then, the Scientologists came for
South Park and did not speak out because my head was in the sand. Then, the Muslims
came for South Park and I did not speak out because my head was in the sand. Then, when
I pulled my head out of the sand and turned on Comedy Central to watch South Park and it was
gone.</blockquote>After watching last night's South Park, it was unclear whether or not the
image of Mohammed was censored, or whether it was part of the gag. Well, it turns out that it
was the network who censored the image. <a
href="http://michellemalkin.com/archives/004982.htm">Malkin</a> has a complete rundown
complete with news links to other bloggers and how you can contact the network. The most
ironic aspect of this is that Mohammed is depicted in their episode "Super Best Friends" which
makes fun of David Blaine. In fact, the clip of Mohammed is part of the opening credits. Don't
you just love the inconsistency of censorship. Perhaps Cartman is right that this will
spell the end of <strike>Family Guy</strike> South Park. He argued that once one "offended"
group gets an episode censored, then each new group that gets offended will also demand their
episode also gets pulled. First it was the <a href="http://alanesq.livejournal.com/161723.html">
Catholics</a>, then it was the <a href="http://alanesq.livejournal.com/206421.html">
Scientologists</a>, and now it is the Muslims. I don't see South Park having much of a future in
these circumstances. In fact, we are seeing a twisted version of Pastor Martin NiemÃ¶ller's,
"First They Came for the Jews". (see above) However, in this version, the victim is free speech.
 While I would certainly miss the show, I am more fearful at how successful extremists
are becoming at squelching free speech. Granted, it's not technically "censorship" since it is not
a government ban on speech. However, this private form of censorship is much more insidious
and sadly is more effective.</div>
User Comments:
Matthew
-----SP is an awesome guilty pleasure to have. They really have some insightful things to say about
political and social happenings. And I like that they skewer both sides of the political aisle.
Mamala
-----For all you "shocked" children of mine, I've just recently started watching SP...it's one of my guilty
pleasures. Most of my TV diet now consists of C-Span and Public TV for the main dish and
Colbert/Stewart/SP/Simpsons for dessert.
Matthew
-----haha I had a similar feeling when I was reading this post. I kept looking at the web address to
confirm that it really *was* mamala's journal.
I really think that Wednesday's SP was probably one of the all time great political statements any
show has ever made.
-----I opened your entry from my e-mail account and I didn't really pay attention to whose blog it was.
It wasn't until I opened the comments that I realized it was Mom's (I thought it was Luke's). I just
thought that was funny.
Although I don't watch South Park, I think it is great that Mom has slowly come over to the "dark
side" of her kids... Simpsons, South Park, etc. If only we could convert her into a Star Wars
fanatic. I guess that will be the responsibility of JJCM.
Matthew
-----I didn't know you watched "South Park." I thought last night's episode of SP was probably one of
their top five episodes of all time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-14 19:40:00
Only 4% of the world's population owns a computer (or at least that's what I just heard on C-
Span...prove me wrong).
User Comments:
-----That sounded a little low to me at first, but if it is per capita, then it seems about right. For
example, we have a computer and a family of 4, so that is 1 in 4 per capita (or 25%). So if the
average computer owning household had 4 people, then 4% (1 of 25) per capita might be closer
to 16% (1 of 6.25) per household. But obviously I'm just guessing here.
Matthew
-----This doesn't surprise me, considering ~2 Billion (about one third of the US population) lives in the
poorest parts of India and China, and also considering that not even everyone in the United
States owns a computer yet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-16 21:03:00
Subject: I'm a poet and don't know it
The Washington Post dedicated their whole Book Section on Poetry today...on the cover: "It is
difficult to get the news from poems yet men [and women] die miserably every day for lack of
what is found there." - William Carlos Williams
Of course, they misspoke a little in their issue. In listing the top 10 poets,
(1. Langston Hughes
2. Emily Dickinson
3. Robert Frost
4. Walt Whitman
5. E.E. Cummings
6. Sylvia Plath
7. Maya Angelou
8. Dylan Thomas
9. Shel Silverstein
10. William Carlos Williams)
they totally didn't mention the <a href="http://www.journalscape.com/reverendmother/2005-0321-22:08/" target="blank">Reverend Mother</a>.
User Comments:
-----Ha!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-17 16:54:00
Subject: U2 Eucharists
Now this seems like a simply great idea to me!
<table border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 align=center width=100%>
<tr><td class=article_body>
<blockquote>Bono has declared that he is not a man of the cloth, "unless that cloth is leather".
But the words of the charismatic U2 front man are nevertheless ringing out from pulpits across
the United States. The Irish rock band's songs and lyrics are being used by the Episcopal Church
in so-called "<a href="http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=509842006">U2 Eucharists</a>"
as a means of attracting young people who relate to the group's social activism.</blockquote>
<blockquote>"If the sound's an issue, we do have <a
href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2006/04/01/lure_of_u2
_draws_churchgoers_to_special_services/">earplugs available</a>," he said. Ushers handed out
complementary ear plugs and fluorescent glow sticks for this "U2 Eucharist," a communion
service punctuated by the Irish band's rock music. In Episcopal parishes from California to Maine,
believers are weaving U2's Biblically laced music into the denomination's traditionally formal
liturgy.</blockquote>
</td></tr></table>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-17 17:07:00
Subject: I made the right decision
Dallas: Mostly sunny, with a high near 97.
DC: Partly cloudy, with a high around 59.
User Comments:
-----Well, that's the one and only way I'll ever be called "hot." So maybe I'd better give thanks. ;^)
Besides, they say we may top out below 80 today!!
Jill
-----Sorry, Mr. Cloudy. You're right. But I'm less mean now than I would be right now if this
hormonally-challenged woman was sweating in 100 degree heat in Big D.
I miss you "hot" guys though!
-----You are mean. I read this just after hearing we'll hit 100 for the second day in a row.
Mamala
-----Maybe when my body fat percentage is as low as yours (in my dreams), the heat will be
wonderful for me as well. But until then, or hell freezes over, I will seek cooler climates whenever
I can, no matter what coast they are on.
Matthew
-----I call North East Coast bias. ;-)
I like the Texas heat. It makes me mentally and physically tough. Plus, you can only truly enjoy
Tex-Mex when the weather outside matches what's going in your stomach.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-17 22:42:00
Subject: OK, I get it now
I blogged previously about the <a href="http://journalscape.com/jillsusan/2006-03-31-19:46"
target="blank">prayer study</a> and titled my blog "This doesn't make any sense." Leave it to
the pastor of my Unitarian church in Dallas to make sense of it for me.
From the Senior Minister - Dr. Laurel Hallman
The newspaper heading read, â€œPower of Prayer Doubted.â€ The article (in the March 28
edition of The Dallas Morning News) went on to say that â€œprayers offered by strangers had no
effect on the recovery of people who were undergoing heart surgery, a large and long-awaited
study has found.â€
The study began almost a decade ago and involved more than 1,800 patients. It was funded
largely by the John Templeton Foundation, a reputable institution which funds scientific studies of
religious claims.
The article went on to say, â€œPatients who knew they were being prayed for had a higher rate
of postoperative complications . . . perhaps because of the expectations the prayers created, the
researchers suggested.â€
I for one am glad that there is research that refutes belief in a small god who moves at our
bidding.
Some have questioned why, then, our ministers pray during worship on Sundays, apparently
asking God for the very requests that are discounted in this study. My simple answer is this: The
study didnâ€™t say anything about the effect of prayer on the congregation doing the praying. I
know such prayers change those of us in the Sanctuary, making us conscious at a deep level of
how bound together we are.
When we pray we are not arranging our words to influence an absent-minded God, or to point
Him/Her in the direction of our need. Weâ€™re praying because we are humans who need to
bow to the mystery and love one another, and our prayers help us do that. Weâ€™re praying
because we need to give voice to our hope.
The study got it partly right: Prayer can dash expectations which are too literal. (How many
people have lost their faith when their prayers havenâ€™t been answered as they were expected
to be?) Any future studies need to measure the effect on people who are giving voice to human
need without expectation. That might come to something.
User Comments:
-----I'm right there with you on this. And I think anyone who believes because their prayer list has all
checkmarks for answered prayer, just isn't praying for big enough things -- like ending world
hunger.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-18 09:39:00
Subject: Keeping my legs under the desk
Navy blue knee socks look like black knee socks until exposed to flourescent lights (or daylight).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-21 09:38:00
Subject: Not ready to make nice
The Dixie Chicks' new album is being released sometime in May, but you can go to their <a
href="http://www.dixiechicks.com/" target="blank">website</a> and hear the single "Not Ready to
Make Nice" right now. I like the song (I paid I-Tunes 99 cents for my download already), but some
of the words disturb me, as being the peacemaker that I strive to be, lines like "Itâ€™s too late to
make it right - I probably wouldnâ€™t if I could" bother me in so many ways.
However, yesterday's <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1620987.htm"
target="blank">"interruption"</a> of the Chinese president by the Falun Gong protester at the
White House, got me thinking that good change comes from people "not ready to make nice."
This whole week, protesters of the Chinese government's cruelty to members of the <a
href="http://www.fofg.org/index.php" target="blank">Falun Gong</a>, a peaceful, spiritual
practice without any formal organization, property or membership, have lined the streets of DC
handing out literature and urging people to contact their congressional representatives and the
President to call for an investigation into the concentration camp charges, and to demand that the
government of the People's Republic of China cease its persecution of Falun Gong immediately,
and release all Falun Gong prisoners of conscience. [As background, Chinese President Jiang
Zemin banned the practice in China on July 20th, 1999. What has followed over the last five
years is the violent persecution of millions of Chinese citizens.]
In the meantime, Hu Jintao and Bush sat down with top business leaders in our country for a nice
lunch.
Guess they were ready to make nice.
User Comments:
Luke
-----This was a great post and made greater by the comments! my family is the coolest!
Oh yeah, and the largest practice of the Fallon Gong in the United States is right here in Houston
Texas
Mamala
-----You've got that right, Matthew. She is far from being a heckler. And while listening to C-Span this
morning, a person called in very familiar with this issue and said that if she has any family or
maybe even friends left in China, that they were probably arrested and put in jail before you can
say "we don't care what China does as far as human rights are concerned...they buy American
products!"
Matthew
-----It sucks how the mainstream press has labelled her a "heckler" instead of a "protester." A heckler
is someone who interrupts a comedy show, not someone who risks arrest for their political
beliefs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-24 16:18:00
Subject: If Jesus had not existed
<ul>Matthew Parris, an old friend I caught up with last week, writes in this week's London
Spectator (sub req):
If Jesus Christ had not existed, it would almost certainly not have been necessary for the Church
to invent someone like him. What does the Church want with a man who plainly despised ritual?
Can you imagine the man who rode into Jerusalem on a donkey wanting anything to do with bells
and smells and frocks, with gilt and silver and semi-idolatry, and repetitive chants and chorused
inanities? The man who said he had come to break up families being paraded as a paradigm of
family values? The man who had absolutely no interest in politics or administration and preached
forgiveness, not 'the rule of law', wanting anything to do with the Conservative party or the Third
Way? ...
When we consider all those painfully counter-intuitive sayings and parables - the Prodigal Son,
the idea that it is no good restraining your actions if your thoughts are bad, the impatience with
good works ('the poor always ye have with you') except as a means for personal purification - and
when we consider how Jesus keeps saying ... the wrong thing, it becomes even clearer that he
must have been real: if Jesus had been a hoax, the Church could have invented someone so
much more convenient.</ul>
User Comments:
-----Very interesting! And I think pretty appropriate to the Jesus we encounter in the text. Thanks for
posting this.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-25 16:57:00
Subject: I hope this comes to a theater near me
I'll probably pass on the movie "United 93" as I don't think my stress level can take it. But this is a
movie that I hope I'll be able to see...
"Saint of 9/11," a feature-length documentary about Father Mychal Judge, will have its world
premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on Thursday, April 27, at 9:15 p.m. at Pace University
Center for the Arts in lower Manhattan.
Father Mychal Judge was a beloved chaplain of the Fire Department of New York, who lost his
life on September 11, 2001. The news photograph of his body being carried from the World
Trade Center became an iconic image of heroism and sacrifice.
<a href="http://www.saintof9-11.com">"Saint of 9/11"</a> tells the story of Father Mychal's life
through those deeply touched by his ministry, from the powerless to the dispossessed. The film
reveals Father Mychal as complex, intense, humble and deeply loved, through interviews of
friends and colleagues and narration of Father Mychal's own words by legendary actor Sir Ian
McKellen.
"Saint of 9/11" is directed by Glenn Holsten, executive produced by Malcolm Lazin, and produced
by <a
href="http://www.equalityforum.com">Equality Forum</a>, a national nonprofit GLBT civil rights
organization. Holsten, Lazin and Equality Forum also collaborated on the documentary films "JIM
IN BOLD" and "Gay Pioneers." The film's original music score is by Michael Aharon.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-26 08:50:00
Subject: I have to look the other way now
On my way to work, while I'm on the shuttle from the Pentagon City Metro stop to my office in
Alexandria, we pass by Arlington Cemetery. Now that spring is here and the trees are in full
bloom, it's more difficult to see the rows and rows of tombstones lined up endlessly on the rolling
hills of northern Virginia, but they are there. The markers I see look like they are facing toward
the Pentagon and I'm forever hopeful that the generals there pay attention to them. Once we get
past the cemetery, we see a golf course, tucked close by in the same rolling hills of northern
Virginia. For some reason, seeing this golf course so close to such hallowed ground, just really,
really bothers me.
User Comments:
JillSusan
-----Mr. Cloudy, as if I could...you know I detested golf then too!
-----It probably doesn't help that you worked inside the golf industry. Or have you blotted that out of
your mind!
-----I remember touring the Pentagon one time and there were all these signs over the water
fountains--"Please don't dump your coffee grounds into the water fountain." They were semipermenant bronze plaques, and I realized, these are the people who decide when and how
we go to war.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-27 09:58:00
Subject: I scored 28074, how 'bout you?
<a href="http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.05/carbon.html">Can You Ace the Carbon Quiz?
</a>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-27 10:23:00
Subject: My Life, My Card
You've probably all seen the <a href="http://www.mylifemycard.com" target="blank">American
Express ads</a> where famous people fill out the following questionaire:
<ul>
<li>My name</li>
<li>Childhood ambition</li>
<li>Fondest memory</li>
<li>Soundtrack</li>
<li>Retreat</li>
<li>Wildest dream</li>
<li>Proudest moment</li>
<li>Biggest challenge</li>
<li>Alarm clock</li>
<li>Perfect day</li>
<li>First job</li>
<li>Indulgence</li>
<li>Last purchase</li>
<li>Favorite movie</li>
<li>Inspiration</li>
<li>My life</li>
<li>My card</li></ul>
Well, I'm not famous, but here's mine...
<ul><li>My name-JillSusan</li>
<li>Childhood ambition-to be a wife and mother</li>
<li>Fondest memory-the births of my grandchildren</li>
<li>Soundtrack-The Big Chill</li>
<li>Retreat-anywhere where there are tall trees, sunshine, nature paths, mountains, a body of
water</li>
<li>Wildest dream-to be a travelling food critic</li>
<li>Proudest moment-watching any of my kids make adult life decisions</li>
<li>Biggest challenge-staying focused on anything</li>
<li>Alarm clock-small bladder</li>
<li>Perfect day-any time spent with family</li>
<li>First job-cashier at Hancock Fabric Outlets in Dallas</li>
<li>Indulgence-it took me too long to think of an answer for this, only proving that I don't indulge
enough</li>
<li>Last purchase-Joe Klein's new book <a
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385510276/sr=8-1/qid=1146147142/ref=pd_bbs_
1/102-8712769-9239353?%5Fencoding=UTF8" target="blank">"Politics Lost : How American
Democracy Was Trivialized By People Who Think You're Stupid"</a> and a 3-year membership
to <a href="http://www.politics-prose.com/" target="blank">Politics and Prose<a/> bookstore</li>
<li>Favorite movie-West Side Story</li>
<li>Inspiration-the latest is <a href="http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12499502/" target="blank">Wenyi
Wang</a></li>
<li>My life-is precious to me, and something, since the death of my sister, that I don't take for
granted</li>
<li>My card-OK, I have 3 American Express cards (Optima, Blue and Gold)</li></ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-04-28 17:04:00
Subject: Hand-me-downs
To her, they were just clothes in her closet, some still with the price tags on them, unworn, but the
plan was that she would be well one day and she'd have a new outfit to wear to celebrate in.
To me, they are memories of her. I couldn't keep all of them, but I kept enough. There's the aqua
sweater with an ovarian cancer pin on it. There's the jacket that matches almost everything I own
(she was a "winter" too). Everything that has a pocket has a small, clean kleenex in it. Some even
smell like her perfume.
When I want to be close to her, I carefully pick one out of my closet to wear, and inevitably, I get
a compliment..."that color looks good on you."
To her, they were just clothes in her closet. To me, they are her clothes in my
closet.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2006-04-29 23:23:00
Subject: White House Correspondents Dinner
OK, I was really looking forward to this event. I spent the afternoon at the DC Arboretum with RM
and her family and then caught a movie before coming home. On the way home, at about 7:30
PM, I was forbidden to take my usual route home by DC cops as you-know-who was leaving his
humble abode at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and hooking it to the DC Hilton for the annual
correspondents dinner event. It had all the trappings of what, for me, was a star-studded gala.
But you really don't want to see some of these people away from their press podiums and in
really bad eveningwear. I'm sorry, but I've never seen such horrible evening gowns on the ladies
and let's face it, if you have fat, flabby upper arms (like me), use your better judgement and buy a
gown with sleeves. I know this sounds shallow, but come on...
The highlights:
<li>Seeing Scalia carry his Corona and find a place at the table</li>
<li>Madeline Albright in her red dress</li>
<li>The Marine Corp band and color guard</li>
<li>George Clooney - que hombre</li>
<li>George W's alter ego</li>
The lowlight(s):
<li>I hate to say it, but Stephen Colbert was a HUGE disappointment...I love this guy, but he fell
way flat tonight.</li>
The compensation (to make me end the evening with a real laugh):
<li>Saturday Night Live Fun House</li>
User Comments:
Luke
-----Well, you should also know who you invite over.
Mamala
------
I don't know. To me, it's kind of like inviting company to your house and having them spit in the
soup.
Luke
-----I finally read ths blog. I agree with Matt. While it was harsh, I think he needed to hear it. We
need more people in the media to stand up to the people in charge.
Not to mention, why did they hire him anyway? Had they not done their research? I take what he
did any day other than when people like Jay Leno spit their one liners.
Matthew
-----I don't know. This president has been less receptive to criticism than any president I can
remember. Whether it's not allowing dissenters into his staged "town hall meetings," or cutting off
reporters when they ask tough questions, this president has consistently NOT been criticized to
his face. And I think since he has a Congress and Supreme Court that won't do the job either (like
they did to Clinton) I thought Colbert did the right thing.
If not that venue, what venue would it have been okay for him to do that?
Jill
-----I agree with you, Matthew, that there was much truth in SC's words. The problem was the venue.
The fact that SC's better judgement didn't take over and say to him "I'm going to look like a jerk
hitting the president hard" after he's just won over the audience with his pretty funny "alter ego"
routine was telling. I expected better of him.
I think the audience, probably mostly anti-Bush, felt the same way...it was kind of like kicking a
man when he's down. SC allowed Bush to gain their sympathy and for that, I'm again, surprised
that he didn't see that (the uncomfortable audience response) coming.
Matthew
-----Oh man, just watched Colbert at the Press Dinner. He didn't kill the audience, but I think his
schtick was utterly brilliant. I've never in my life see someone take it to a president like that. It was
greatness.
Matthew
------
Scalia drinks Corona??? Yikes.
Glad you enjoyed the show. I'll have to catch a repeat showing of it sometime.
I didn't catch Colbert at the dinner, but I did catch him on SNL's TV Funhouse. That was one of
the funnier episodes of SNL that I'd seen in a long time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-02 11:08:00
Subject: Quote of the Day
If you can't comfort the afflicted, then afflict the comfortable. - John Kenneth Galbraith, 1908-2006
User Comments:
Luke
-----Great quote!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-02 14:10:00
Subject: About Saturday Night
This <a href="http://www.tnr.com/blog/theplank?pid=15455" target="blank">article</a> explains it
better than I can...
<ul>ABOUT SATURDAY NIGHT...:
I'm a big Stephen Colbert fan, a huge Bush detractor, and I think the White House press corps
has been out to lunch for much of the last five years. (Though, unlike many in the blogosphere, I
don't think that's because White House reporters are lazy or stupid.) That should have made me
the ideal audience-member for Colbert's performance at this weekend's White House
Correspondents' Dinner (WHCD). As it happens, though, I laughed out loud maybe twice during
Colbert's entire 20-odd minute routine. Colbert's problem, blogosphere conspiracy theories
notwithstanding, is that he just wasn't very entertaining. Most of the funny lines had been
recycled from his show; the new material was all pretty tired--including a way-too-long video
presentation whose big joke was that ... Helen Thomas is old and batty. (Stop me if you've heard
that one.)
Various aggrieved bloggers have suggested the audience wasn't laughing because Colbert was
too tough on the president and the press corps. I dunno. I didn't find Colbert appreciably harder
on either of them than, say, Jay Leno was two years ago--though Leno did take shots at John
Kerry, too, which maybe took some of his edge off. In any case, it wasn't just journalists who
didn't find Colbert amusing. I was sitting about ten feet from Ed Helms, Colbert's former "Daily
Show" colleague, and kept glancing over to check his reaction. He cracked some smiles here
and there. But I never saw him doubled over with laughter, not even close. My sense is that the
blogosphere response is more evidence of a new Stalinist aesthetic on the left--until recently
more common on the right--wherein the political content of a performance or work of art is
actually more important than its entertainment value. Jon Stewart often says he hates when his
audience cheers; he wants them to laugh. My sense is that, had most of the bloggers
complaining about the WHCD been around Saturday night, there would have been lots of
cheering but not much more laughing.
--Noam Scheiber
UPDATE: As if to prove my point, Atrios chides me for misunderstanding the Helen Thomas
video. I'm guessing he thought the video was funny because Thomas has been one of the White
House press corps' most outspoken war skeptics (and therefore a hero to antiwar bloggers).
Watching the White House press secretary (played by Colbert) run away from her must have had
him in stitches. But to the extent that the routine works as comedy rather than agitprop--and for
the sake of argument let's say it works as comedy--it's because Thomas is, indeed, old and batty.
Try imagining the same sketch with, say, Katrina Vanden Heuvel in the stalker role and you see
what I mean.
Also, before you write in complaining that I'm a war-mongering Bush apologist because I don't
think Helen Thomas is some kind of hero, please note that I also thought the Iraq war was a bad
idea from the get-go.</ul>
User Comments:
Luke
-----Great article! Thanks for posting it!
JillSusan/Mamala
-----OK, I can be persuaded.
My sons, and this <a href="http://www.slate.com/id/2140921/?nav=ais" target="blank">article
</a>, did just that.
<ul>Why Stephen Colbert didn't bomb in D.C.
By Troy Patterson
So, I'm sitting there watching the online video of Stephen Colbert's performance at Saturday
night's White House Correspondents' Association dinner. Colbert looked excellent in his tux, and
he was doing his usual shtick—playing a know-it-all know-nothing of the Bill O'Reilly school—with
the usual aplomb. And just as Colbert is making his segue into a pre-taped skit documenting his
"audition" for Tony Snow's new job—"I think I would have made a fabulous press secretary. I
have nothing but contempt for these people"—there's an audience shot capturing the face of my
ex-girlfriend. She's a D.C. lawyer who loves the silliness of Monty Python, who used to read the
Nation in the bath, and who, I think, named her new dog after Howard Dean. In other words, she
ought to have been cracking up at Colbert's absurdist satire and meaningful snark. Instead, as
the comedian aimed vicious blows at the president, I mostly read nervous concern in her eyes.
The air in that room must have had a weird and very rare charge.
The night's best reaction shots confirmed this. Here's a jiggling Justice Scalia giggling like a
schoolgirl. Here's a military man not quite disciplined enough to stifle his grin at a crack—decent
but not first-rate—on the Secretary of Defense: "See who we've got here tonight. Gen. Moseley,
Air Force Chief of Staff. Gen. Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. They still support
Rumsfeld. Right, you guys aren't retired yet, right?" In the immediate wake of Colbert's most
brutal line ("I stand by this man. I stand by this man because he stands for things. Not only for
things, he stands on things. Things like aircraft carriers and rubble and recently flooded city
squares."), the president of the United States wore, on his peeved lips, an expression that you
usually see only in the instant before a bar fight. But half a minute later, when the topic turned to
the First Marriage ("Obviously loves his wife, calls her his better half. And polls show America
does, too"), the president had regained his composure and was the picture of jolliness. Not so the
trio of Washington wives the camera next cut to. Their faces showed varying degrees of disgust,
and it looked like all three of them were trying to hide under their shawls.
Who did they think they were getting, Mark Russell? (Actually, they may not have known who
they were getting; the emcee was clueless enough, when introducing the headliner, to pronounce
the final T in The Colbert Report. Square.) You hire a good political satirist, you get good political
satire, which is necessarily dangerous. So, when the Washington Post's "Reliable Source"
column speaks of the "consensus" that the routine "fell flat" and New York Daily News gossip—
and "Reliable Source" alumnus—Lloyd Grove writes that Colbert "bombed badly," they are
offering meaningless reportage. Pop Dadaist that he is, Colbert wasn't bombing so much as
freaking his audience out for his own enjoyment.
Colbert deserves to be judged on his own terms: He shouldn't haven't stolen one good joke from
his own show ("Next time, look it up in your gut") and another from Jon Stewart's Oscar intro
("McClellan, of course, eager to retire. Really felt like he needed to spend more time with Andrew
Card's children."). The "audition tape" segment was at least 90 seconds too long, although the
Colbert rapport with Helen Thomas was good enough that the two ought to be considering a
sitcom. In general, though, he was brilliant—perfectly daffy and gutsy, as in the line that earned
what seemed to be the crowd's biggest laugh. Colbert spoke of interviewing Jesse Jackson: "You
can ask him anything, but he's going to say what he wants, at the pace that he wants. It's like
boxing a glacier. Enjoy that metaphor, by the way, because your grandchildren will have no idea
what a glacier is."
Troy Patterson is Slate's television critic.</ul>
Matthew
-----First off, I'd like to say that when you invite a wolf over to your house, you shouldn't be surprised
when it eats your children. Colbert is Colbert. His political schtick has been pretty consistent from
the Daily Show to The Colbert Report to everything in between. If people are upset about what he
said, they shouldn't have invited him. His performance Saturday Night was largely consistent with
what he's been saying on his show for the past year.
I think more people were laughing than has been reported. But yes, there were some rather
uncomfortable silences in the crowd. This is probably because a) the crowd is uptight b) some of
his jokes fell flat c) his jokes (like Jon Stewart's jokes at the Oscars) may not be as effective
outside the confines of their studio as he might like, and d)they were politically driven.
I think his jokes were smart, dripping in political irony, and ultimately very funny. And having the
brilliant mind that he does, I think he saw Saturday's performance as a once in a lifetime deal. He
probably said to himself, this is going to be my one and only opportunity to say to Bush's face
what no one else has the opportunity to do.
Colbert, like the rest of us, has had to put up with 6 years of pre-staged-Republican only town hall
meetings, a President who will rudely cut off reporters when they ask the toughest of questions
("Can I finish?"), a President who took his narrow margins of victory in both elections as a sign to
take this country to the far right as possible, and a News Agency that shouts down guests by
"cutting their mic." And I think he took his opportunity to snipe them when they had no other
option but to sit there and take it, because I've NEVER seen a satyrist "take it to the man" right in
front of "the man."
So yes, there was an element of agitprop to his material. Actually, there was a large element of
agitprop to what he was saying. I don't see that as Stalinist in any way. I don't see how an artist
making a statement against someone can be seen as "a Stalinist aesthetic." Something can only
be seen as Stalinist if the government itself is the one performing this act. Examples of Stalinism
would be a government produced piece of media touting a program it's forwarding, not being
open to political dissent, keeping secret prisons, outing people in the government who disagree
with what the government's doing, etc...I swear, this all seems so familiar.
But on a different level, Bush's routine was largely recycled material as well. Bush has been
making fun of his speech screw ups and his pronounciation of "nukular" for years now.
Luke
-----The skit did go on too long, but that was the point. He was showing how far the white house
would go to avoid questions. At first it got annoying, but then I realized the genius of it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-02 19:47:00
Subject: Jumped the shark
So Bush has jumped the shark, according to many who read this blog. It's very hard for me to be
down on someone...rather, I'd like to be up on someone else. Help me out
here...
Who are you supporting to replace him in '08?
User Comments:
General Zod
-----VOTE FOR ME, PUNY EARTHLINGS!
http://www.zod2008.com/
Mamala
-----Hmmm, RM, interesting...
I was going to suggest that ticket but have it Stewart/Colbert...
Maybe they could have a co-presidency!
OK, I'm still depressed, because, let's face it, as Jon Stewart says, "it's basic cable!"
-----Colbert/Stewart in 08.
Really.
Luke
-----For obvious reasons, I am just barely keeping up with anything that is going on in the world...
I do hope this changes soon!
JillSusan/Mamala
-----Thanks Matthew for your comment. I was all prepared to post [sound of crickets chirping] if you
hadn't spoken up.
What about the rest of you out there? and you may ask why I'm asking. I don't know of any
particular person right now that would garner my support. I've had it up to here with all the
criticism, but have yet to find someone that I can get behind or a plan that I can back to make
things better. It's very depressing.
Matthew
-----I'm in the anyone but Hillary camp at the moment. She's just too damned Senatorial in her
speech and demeanor. There are a lot of bad Democrat candidates out there. If I had to pick
someone right now, I think I'd go with Biden. Everytime I see him on tv (especially Bill Maher) he
impresses me.
But honestly, I think the Dems and Reps are going to nominate yet another lackluster presidential
candidate. We'll see...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-03 11:14:00
Subject: Dylan Radio
Just finished listening to the first installment of XM Radio's Deep Tracks' show "Theme Time
Radio Hour" with <a href="http://www.xmradio.com/bobdylan/" target="blank">Bob Dylan as DJ
</a>. I enjoyed it and will tune in again next week. My only disappointment was that he didn't play
any of his own tunes, but then, I guess this would go against the humble Mr. Dylan's persona.
The theme today was "the weather" and he played everything from Judy Garland, The Staple
Singers, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Sinatra and Stevie Wonder singing the Spanish version of "A Place
in the Sun" (Â¡SÃ, Se Puede!). He introduced each song with a little vignette and I was able to
learn a little more about the legend and the music that has influenced his genius.
With news today that both XM Radio and Sirius radio had record 1st quarter losses, I, for one, am
willing to pay my 10 bucks or so a month to listen to stuff like this.
User Comments:
Mamala
-----When you're here, I'll gladly give you my XM radio as I have another one that I'm not using. I
know...'consume, I am'!!!!
Luke
-----Shows like that make the most compelling case for satellite radio. I am very tempted to get it
myself, and I think that someday I will. Certainly if I didn't live in a city with a station like KTRU, I
would.
But yeah, I am not surprised that he didn't play his own stuff. In fact, you would be hard pressed
to fine any real artist who would do that!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-04 17:01:00
Subject: Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front
Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front
by Wendell Berry
Love the quick profit, the annual raise,
vacation with pay. Want more
of everything ready-made. Be afraid
to know your neighbors and to die.
And you will have a window in your head.
Not even your future will be a mystery
any more. Your mind will be punched in a card
and shut away in a little drawer.
When they want you to buy something
they will call you. When they want you
to die for profit they will let you know.
So, friends, every day do something
that won't compute. Love the Lord.
Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it.
Denounce the government and embrace
the flag. Hope to live in that free
republic for which it stands.
Give your approval to all you cannot
understand. Praise ignorance, for what man
has not encountered he has not destroyed.
Ask the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millenium. Plant sequoias.
Say that your main crop is the forest
that you did not plant,
that you will not live to harvest.
Say that the leaves are harvested
when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.
Put your faith in the two inches of humus
that will build under the trees
every thousand years.
Listen to carrion - put your ear
close, and hear the faint chattering
of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts.
So long as women do not go cheap
for power, please women more than men.
Ask yourself: Will this satisfy
a woman satisfied to bear a child?
Will this disturb the sleep
of a woman near to giving birth?
Go with your love to the fields.
Lie down in the shade. Rest your head
in her lap. Swear allegiance
to what is nighest your thoughts.
As soon as the generals and the politicos
can predict the motions of your mind,
lose it. Leave it as a sign
to mark the false trail, the way
you didn't go. Be like the fox
who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection.
User Comments:
-----I've always loved that poem.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-04 22:03:00
Subject: JK Rowling...watch your back!
Guest blogger: #1 Granddaughter
<ul>
Hi MaDear how are you? Did I mention I'm a pin pal! My friend Maddie is going too make a book!
And i'm going too help her! The book is called The Traveling friend's. I am making my character's
name Mally Smith. The first part is when the bad guy catches the grass on fire and makes a huge
fire that catches their house on fire and the girls in the story scream. Then they get in the car and
drive away. But Mally is so nervous that she hits the gas petal and crashes in to another car and
both friend's run away. They both go different directions. They ran into a dark woods and when
they were running on the paths it went in a circle and they both bumped into each other. They
both said "sorry" and wanted to be friends and travel together. So they did. Then they saw a bird
who got hurt so they helped it. They got a bandage and wrapped it around the birds arm so he
would feel better. Then they were wondering what to name it. Then they thought of a perfect
name Pecker - cause it was a woodpecker. Then they wanted to make sure they other animals
were OK. So Mally went east and Angel went west. Angel is Mattie's character's name. But where
were we. Yes. When Mally was going east she saw a fox who had a brooken neck. "We have to
get you home and fix you up so you feel much better. Then when they got there her friend said
too hurry up cause a broken neck can kill you. So she hurried up so he would be OK.
Like the book so far? We are going to try too publish it to book stores and librarys so everybody
can read it. And after we make the first book we will make the second book. I want too try to
make nine or ten books and try too become very popular. Are nicknames for books are J.M.G**st
and M.D.Sparrow. Like those nick names? I do. But we have just started so don't be heading for
the book store yet.
But how are you? Have you visited C and M recently? I wish I could visit them every day because
I miss them a lot. They are so cute. I like little cute baby's too because they are always sleeping
so cute. And C I think she is cute when she talks. Like when she said "My mommy or my daddy."
But they are cute no matter what. I love it if you send me back. But in a few hours I'm going to
drama so I better go. I love you. Bye. Here's one joke before I go. Why did the lady put make up
on her head? To make up her mind
Love,
J</ul>
User Comments:
Luke
-----The email itself should be published! Bravo J!
JillSusan/MaDear
-----Correction to this line in my initial post:
Guest blogger: #1 Granddaughter
It should have read:
Guest blogger: Granddaughter #1
All three of my granddaughers are #1! But you all probably knew what I meant, right?
Matthew
-----No, it's in the genes. If there was any doubt before, Jessie put the final nail in the coffin. Both my
grandfathers were/are good writers. My dad was a good writer. My mom is a good writer. All of
my siblings are good writers. I think I'm a good writer. And now a new generation is picking it up.
How cool is this? I remember when I wrote my first long piece. It's such a cool thing. And anyone
who reads my blog knows that I've yet to outgrow it. haha
JK Rowling better watch her back, indeed. There's a new kid in town.
-----clearly writing is in the genes....or will this be another nature vs nurture argument...:-)
------
She was very, very proud of her e-mail. She kept coming in to me (with a big smile on her face),
saying that she was writing the longest e-mail ever to MaDear. "Have you ever written an e-mail
this long before, Mommy?"
My favorite part... "But where were we. Yes."
-----That is just about the most wonderful thing I've ever read.
This is what we have to look forward to, right?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-07 18:20:00
Subject: If you think he got off easy, check this out
When I heard the verdict this week - life - for Moussaoui, I almost cheered from my cubicle in
northern Virginia. I refrained, but was proud of the jury that decided this way.
Then comes this from <a href="http://www.andrewsullivan.com" target="blank">Andrew Sullivan
</a> today...
I think I'd prefer death to a true life sentence in the <a
href="http://www.perryonpolitics.com/2006/05/end-of-chapter.html">Supermax prison</a>...go
there to see what awaits him.
User Comments:
Luke
-----It looks like he has been sentenced to death.
-----couldn't agree more
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-07 18:28:00
Subject: I think I agree with him
<a href="http://time.blogs.com/daily_dish/2006/05/democrats_and_h.html" target="blank">No to
Hillary in '08</a>
User Comments:
Luke
-----I wonder sometimes about the "is the average American ready to vote into office a woman for
president". But then i also think, if not now, when? I am not necessarily a supporter of Hillary
Clinton, but it would be great to have a female president!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-07 19:59:00
Subject: 9/11's gay hero
<a href="http://time.blogs.com/daily_dish/2006/05/the_bingham_cup.html">The Bingham Cup
</a></h3>
06 May 2006 07:57 pm
<div class="blogtext">
<img border="0" src="http://time.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/mark_steelers_
1.jpg" title="Mark_steelers_1" alt="Mark_steelers_1" />
 Over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, over forty rugby teams will converge on
Randall's Island in New York City to compete for the <a href="www.binghamcup.com">Bingham
Cup</a>, named after Mark Bingham, one of the heroes of United Flight 93. Bingham's 36th
birthday would be this May 23, if religious fanatics had not hijacked his plane and tried, in vain, to
turn it into a missile against Washington, D.C. Why not honor his memory by going to the games?
Full info is <a href="www.binghamcup.com">here</a>. A brief history of the tournament can be
found <a href="http://www.binghamcup.com/articles/category/history">here</a>. The website for
the host team, Gotham Rugdy Football Club, is <a href="http://sffog.org/marktribute">here</a>. I
suppose one way to commemorate a rugby player is to beat the crap out of each other on a
muddy field for an hour and a half. There will be plenty of beer afterwards, as well.
Thanks, Andrew Sullivan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-07 20:06:00
Subject: Never again
Never Again
by the Editors of The New Republic
Never again? What nonsense. Again and again is more like it. In Darfur, we are witnessing a
genocide again, and again we are witnessing ourselves witnessing it and doing nothing to stop it.
Even people who wish to know about the problem do not wish to know about the solution. They
prefer the raising of consciousnesses to the raising of troops. Just as Rwanda made a bleak
mockery of the lessons of Bosnia, Darfur is making a bleak mockery of the lessons of Rwanda.
Some lessons, it seems, are gladly and regularly unlearned. Except, of course, by the
perpetrators of this evil, who learn the only really enduring lessons about genocide in our time:
that the Western response to it is late in coming, or is not coming at all....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-07 20:24:00
Subject: Draft Hollywood
<a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-op-klavan7may07,0,186677.story?
coll=la-home-commentary" target="blank">Draft Hollywood</a>
<ul>THERE HAS NEVER been an age without war, not ever. Mass violence is a continual aspect
of the human condition. Peace, like good weather, is always local and temporary â€” and what is
peace anyway but the result of past victories in war and the effective threat of future war against
would-be aggressors?
We play with our children, read books, go to work and enjoy recreations only because people
with guns stand ready, willing and able to kill other people with guns who would kill us if they
could.
It's sweet to forget this and therefore difficult to keep it in mind. "It is hard for those who live near
a Police Station to believe in the triumph of violence," as T.S. Eliot wrote. That's us â€” we
Americans, protected by a mighty military that by and large obeys the rules of our republic â€”
safe enough, and keeping much of the world safe enough, so that we find it hard to believe in
what would happen if that protection failed.
But these fighters do keep us safe. And because keeping us safe is harsh, dangerous work, we
should glorify them, exalt them in story and song by way of appreciation.
"United 93" â€” the film celebrating the heroic civilian attempt to retake a hijacked plane on 9/11 â
€” opened last week. That's great. Well done and about time. But now, let's have some war
movies.
We need some films celebrating the war against Islamo-fascism in Afghanistan and Iraq â€” and
in Iran as well, if and when that becomes necessary. We need films like those that were made
during World War II, films such as 1943's "Sahara" and "Action in the North Atlantic," or "The
Fighting Seabees" and "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo," which were released in 1944.
Not all of these were great films, or even good ones, but their patriotic tributes to our fighting
forces inspired the nation.
More than that, they reminded the country what exactly it was that those forces were fighting to
defend. Though many of these pictures now seem almost hilariously free with racist tirades
against "sauerkrauts," and "eyeties" and "Tojo and his bug-eyed monkeys," they were also
carefully constructed to display American life at its open-minded and inclusive best.
Every roll call of Hollywood's U.S. troops seems to include a Ragazzi and a Donovan, a
Hellenopolis, a Novasky, and a wisecracking Roth. "Sahara" even throws in the black
"Mohammedan" Tabul, a Sudanese ally. This may have been corny, but it was also more or less
realistic, and it depicted the war as a conflict between our lovably mongrel melting pot and the
despicable Axis ideal of racial purity.
For all their epithets and stereotypes, then, these pictures sent the distinctly American message
that it's not bloodlines but national creeds that make a people, and that while even so great a
creed as ours can't guarantee the decency of individuals, evil creeds surely sweep them up into
destructive madness and therefore must be opposed.
Today we face an enemy in the grip of a belief system just as evil, just as destructive in its intent,
as the system we fought back then. We were attacked at home in this war as we were in World
War II. The outcome of the struggle is just as much in doubt. Worse, because Islamic
fundamentalism supersedes nationhood, the danger it poses is more protean and diffuse. It's
easier to pretend it isn't there, more tempting for the war-weary and the fatally foolish to waver
and sound retreat.
In short, we need war movies now even more than in the '40s. So why aren't we getting them?
One reason surely is that, in the years since World War II, our self-assurance as a nation, the
self-assurance necessary for the waging of war, has been shaken, and Hollywood reflects that.
The change occurred against the backdrop of postwar history, but I believe it has as much to do
with our cultural values, their uses and misuses, as it does with events. The Western ethos, with
its Christian roots, demands that we look to our own sins before judging the sins of others. It's
amazing how quickly, after the war ended, Hollywood began to examine the ways in which
Americans shared the moral failings of the Axis.
As early as 1947, we had "Crossfire," about an American GI who commits an anti-Semitic
murder. In 1949, "Home of the Brave" depicted a heroic African American soldier dealing with
prejudice. And by 1955, there was the classic "Bad Day at Black Rock," in which a veteran
uncovers homicidal anti-Japanese bigotry when he tries to deliver a medal to the father of a
Japanese American killed on the battlefields of Italy.
Such self-examination and reform are part of the measure of our greatness. But there's a
difference between a humble nation confessing its sins and a country of flagellants whipping
themselves for every impure thought. Since the '60s, we have had, it seems, an endless string of
war movies, from "Dr. Strangelove" to "Syriana," in which the United States is depicted as wildly
aggressive and endlessly corrupt â€” which, in fact, it's not; which, in fact, it never has been.
In taking our self-examining ethos to these extremes, we have lost a kind of wisdom, wisdom that
acknowledges the complexity of human life but can move through it to find the simple truth again.
While assessing the intricate failings of our moral history, many of us have lost sight of the simple
truth that the system that shapes us is, in fact, a great one, that it has moved us inexorably to do
better and that it's well worth defending against every aggressor and certainly against as shabby
and vicious an aggressor as we face today.
Not only have we lost this kind of wisdom, but I think that a handful of elites â€” really only a
handful of academics, journalists and artists â€” has raised up a golden counterfeit in its stead.
With this counterfeit wisdom, they imagine themselves above the need for patriotism; they
fantasize they grasp a truth beyond good and evil, and they preen themselves on a higher calling
than the protection of our way of life. And all the while they forget that they imagine and fantasize
and preen only by the grace of those who fight and die and stand guard to secure those
freedoms that our system alone guarantees.
When war comes, as it always will, and when it is justified, as it is now, some nuances and
shades of gray have to be set aside. It is time, instead, for faith and for ferocity. Our enemies
have these weapons, after all. Our movies should inspire us to have them too. </a>
User Comments:
Luke
-----I disagree. But it was an interesting read.
I feel that times of war are times when it is most necessary to have active dissent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-07 20:32:00
Subject: Cardinal Wants Da Vinci Code Legally Suppressed
In the latest Vatican broadside against "The Da Vinci Code", a leading cardinal says Christians
should respond to the book and film with legal action because both offend Christ and the Church
he founded. Cardinal Francis Arinze, a Nigerian who was considered a candidate for pope last
year, made his strong comments in a documentary called "The Da Vinci Code -- A Masterful
Deception." ...
"Christians must not just sit back and say it is enough for us to forgive and to forget," Arinze said
in the documentary made by Rome film maker Mario Biasetti for Rome Reports, a Catholic film
agency specializing in religious affairs.
"Sometimes it is our duty to do something practical. So it is not I who will tell all Christians what to
do but some know legal means which can be taken in order to get the other person to respect the
rights of others," Arinze said.
"This is one of the fundamental human rights: that we should be respected, our religious beliefs
respected, and our founder Jesus Christ respected," he said, without elaborating on what legal
means he had in mind....
I had hoped that the Catholic Church had learned that it's wrong to try to use legal coercion to
suppress religious views that one disapproves of -- and that no religion should have a legal right
to be free from criticism or disagreement (or for that matter novels it dislikes). I'm sorry to see that
at least one leading cardinal takes a different view. Those of us who condemned Moslem leaders
who called for legal suppression of the Mohammed cartoons (not just those who called for
violence, but also those who called for government action) should condemn this Catholic leader's
call as well.
User Comments:
Luke
-----This is sadly not very much of a surprise. Another example of history repeating itself.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-07 21:32:00
Subject: Pajamas Media
After posting/linking 6 times in one day, I'm declaring myself a member of the <a
href="http://pajamasmedia.com/" target="blank">Pajamas Media</a>.
User Comments:
Luke
-----I finally have some pajamas, so i guess I can join.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-08 15:54:00
Subject: The Euston Manifesto
The <a href="http://www.eustonmanifesto.org" target="blank">â€œEuston Manifestoâ€ </a>
keeps it simple. It prefers democratic pluralism, at any price, to theocracy. It raises an eyebrow at
the enslavement of the female half of the population and the burial alive of homosexuals. It has
its reservations about the United States, but knows that if anything is ever done about (say)
Darfur, it will be Washington that receives the UN mandate to do the heavy lifting.
It prefers those who vote in Iraq and Afghanistan to those who put bombs in mosques and
schools and hospitals. It does not conceive of arguments that make excuses for suicide
murderers. It affirms the right of democratic nations and open societies to defend themselves,
both from theocratic states abroad and from theocratic gangsters at home.
This is probably the most "conservative" document I've ever signed. Although I don't agree with
every single word, I like the change of direction it suggests for progressives/liberals.
WHAT IS IT?
<ul>In May last year about 20 disgruntled leftists met in a pub near Euston station in London.
Journalists, academics, bloggers and students, they were united in feeling at odds with the antiwar movement and the blanket anti-American/anti-Blair sentiments it inspired. They felt that the
left had lost touch with its core values, its muddled sympathies now falling in with terrorists in its
rush to condemn its own government</ul>
WHAT IS THE POINT OF IT? 
<ul>The manifesto appeared on the internet, arguing the time has come for â€œegalitarian
liberalsâ€ to reassess their behaviour and allegiances. Members include Norman Geras, Nick
Cohen and Brian Brivati</ul>
POINTS INCLUDED:
<li>A rejection of the idea that the left should â€œindulgently â€˜understandâ€™ reactionary
regimes and movements for which democracy is a hated enemyâ€ </li>
<li>That members will condemn any abuse of human rights, and not see Guantanamo or
rendition as being somehow worse than equivalent actions by non-democracies</li>
<li>That without incitement, people should be free to criticise othersâ€™ religious beliefs</li>
<li>That the duty of the left is to concentrate on seeing democracy triumph in Iraq and not
ceaselessly to harp on about the justice of the initial intervention </li>
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Because, its authors believe, it will lead to a return to common sense and put an end to so-called
liberals supporting gruesome regimes for political gain back home.
It has won support from John Lloyd, Paul Berman, Anthony Julius and Francis Wheen. There are
now more than 200,000 mentions of it online
User Comments:
Luke
-----"its muddled sympathies now falling in with terrorists in its rush to condemn its own government"
What? This hasn't been my experience with most "extreme leftists".
Sometimes I think it's the "radicals" of today that are tomorrow's heroes.
This is interesting though, thanks for posting!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-09 12:10:00
Subject: Doh!
<ul>Moussaoui Fails in Bid to Withdraw 9/11 Guilty Plea
By Jerry Markon, Washington Post Staff Writer, Tuesday, May 9, 2006;
Facing transfer to the nation's toughest federal prison, Zacarias Moussaoui served up what may
be his final legal surprise yesterday: The al-Qaeda conspirator said he was not involved in the
Sept. 11, 2001, terror plot after all and wants a new trial to prove it.
His efforts were immediately rejected by a federal judge.
In a motion in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Moussaoui sought to withdraw his guilty plea and
be granted a new trial "to prove my innocence of the Sept. 11 plot.'' The filing came four days
after he was sentenced to life in prison, a punishment determined by a jury that heard Moussaoui
testify during a seven-week sentencing trial that he had planned to fly a fifth hijacked airplane into
the White House on Sept. 11.
Now, the French citizen says that testimony was "a complete fabrication.'' In an affidavit
accompanying the motion, Moussaoui said he never met lead hijacker Mohamed Atta, didn't
know the other 18 hijackers "or anything about their operation" and was taking flying lessons in
the United States only to train for a second wave of attacks.
He also offered measured praise for the U.S. legal system he has spent the past four years
attacking. Moussaoui said he lied on the stand because he assumed he would be executed
"based on the emotions and anger toward me for the deaths on Sept. 11.'' But he was "extremely
surprised" at the jury's verdict, he said, and now believes "it is possible I can receive a fair trial
even with Americans as jurors.''
U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema summarily rejected Moussaoui's motion late yesterday,
saying federal rules prohibit a defendant from withdrawing a guilty plea after being sentenced.
"Because defendant was sentenced on May 4, 2006, his motion is too late and must be denied
on this basis alone,'' Brinkema wrote.
Moussaoui can appeal her ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit in Richmond, but
legal experts said such appeals are rarely granted and would probably require a grievous legal
error by the judge.</ul>
User Comments:
Jill
-----RM-you've got that right....
Guess his claims after the life verdict ["America, you lost," Moussaoui taunted, clapping his hands
as he left the courtroom. "I won."] are ringing a little hollow these days for the man who will spend
the rest of his life in a 7X12' cell.
-----Clearly he was gunning to be a martyr. Kudos to the jury for denying him that opportunity. Instead
he will rot in prison--a humiliation he seems to deserve.
Luke
-----Ummm....
?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-10 14:39:00
Subject: Memory
ask me to tell how it feels
remembering your mother's face
turned to water under the white words
of the man at the shoe store. ask me,
though she tells it better than i do,
not because of her charm
but because it never happened
she says,
no bully salesman swaggering,
no rage, no shame, none of it
ever happened.
i only remember buying you
your first grown up shoes
she smiles. ask me
how it feels.
-Lucille Clifton, who grew up Black in the Jim Crow South
User Comments:
-----LOVE Clifton's stuff.
Luke
-----beautiful
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-11 09:17:00
Subject: Googling Sex
From <a href="http://time.blogs.com/daily_dish/2006/05/googling_sex.html" target="blank">
Andrew Sullivan</a> comes this...
<ul>Google has a new feature called <a href="http://www.google.com/trends">Google Trends
</a>. It tracks the <a href="http://www.google.com/trends/about.html">number of searches</a>
for various topics online, and also gives you some regional analysis of where those searches are
taking place. A reader clued me in. And here's a somewhat revealing discovery. Who's looking
for "sex" the most? The countries with the <a href="http://www.google.com/trends?
q=sex">most searches</a> for that word is - surprise! - Pakistan, followed by Egypt, Iran, India,
Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Hmmm. It couldn't have anything to do with all that Muslim
repression, could it? Arabic is the most popular language for "sex" searches.
Islamism, like Christianism, doesn't conquer sex; it just fetishizes it and forces it underground.
The most sex-obsessed Christian country? Poland. Congrats to the Vatican. Sex searching also
seems to peak around Christmas and New Year. Yes, I can understand that.
Of course, I do realize i just ruined productivity today in a few offices across America. Oh,
well. Enjoy. And if you come across something particularly interesting or amusing, let me know.
</ul>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-11 10:02:00
Subject: Popularity
From <a href="http://atrios.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Eschaton</a> comes this, which is
really no surprise to me since I can't think of a candidate in 2008 that I could back right now.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>Voters don't seem to like anybody very much these days. Here
are the ranked <strike>approval</strike> favorability scores of various national <a
href="http://www.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/politics/20060509_POLL_RESULTS.pdf">figures
from the NYT poll (.pdf):</a> <ul><li>Hillary Clinton - 34%</li><li>John McCain - 31%
</li>
<li>George W Bush - 31%</li><li>Al Gore - 28%</li><li>John Kerry - 26% </li></ul><div
style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div>
User Comments:
Luke
-----Dang! That's low!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-11 10:11:00
Subject: You're either with them or against them
Howard Dean <a href="http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?
blog_id=6713">says</a>, on the 700 Club, that the
Democratic Party believes marriage is between a man and a woman.
User Comments:
Luke
------
Dang...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-12 09:42:00
Subject: I try to be good
I've never stolen any music from anyone. I pay my 99 cents to Itunes whenever I want a new
song. But I really, really wanted the Traveling Wilbury's CD, volume 1 & 3, and couldn't find it on
Amazon or Itunes. So what did I do? I googled it and ordered from the first 'sponsored link' on the
page...what could be wrong with that?
My first clue came when I got a note in my mailbox that I needed to pick up a certified/registered
package at the main PO in Dc, next to the White House. The only indication of who sent this
package to me was a note at the top of the notice "Russia."
When I handed the note to the postal worker, she promptly (at least promptly for the post office)
went to the back to get it for me. A few minutes later, she came back apologizing for the delay
and said she needed to get someone to open the safe. Wow...the safe?!?
I got the package and quickly retreated, watching my back as the FBI Building is not too far from
this post office. The CD looks great, but I imagine it's an illegal copy. I hope not, but again, I tried
to be good.
User Comments:
Luke
-----I agree with Matt. If you ever need anything that you CAN'T find anywhere else, as far as I'm
concerned it's fine to download seeing as that it may be the only legitimate way to get it. Let me
know and I got you covered.
Matthew
-----There are only 3 surviving members of that band left, and they're too stoned to care if you're
getting their music illegally. haha
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-12 09:55:00
Subject: What, me worry?
Let's see...
<li>CVS knows every drug I take.</li>
<li>Safeway knows every food I eat.</li>
<li>The IRS knows what I make and what charitable organizations I spend my money on.</li>
<li>The Social Security Administration knows when I turn 65.</li>
<li>Pepco knows my electric usage.</li>
<li>My employer knows if I take drugs or not (mandatory, random drug testing).</li>
<li>My health insurance company knows that I refilled a prescription for Lipitor this week and that
I have borderline high cholesterol.</li>
<li>My doctor has seen the film of the inside of my colon.</li>
<li>When I google my name, the first 5 entries are me!</li>
<li>My landlord has access to my apartment at any time he wants.</li>
<li>Amazon sends me recommendations of new stuff I might like, based on every book and CD
I've ordered from them since they've been in business.</li>
<li>and so on, and so on, and so on.</li>
The fact that the NSA now has a record of who I call and who calls me, which, btw, they got from
the phone company who has this stuff in their "Jill file of phone calls" will not cause me to lose
any sleep tonight.
User Comments:
LisaMarie <[email protected]> http://www.journalscape.com/lisamarie
-----I am angry that it is yet ANOTHER thing this administration is doing that I don't like, and there is
something fundamentally wrong about it, but I am not going to lose sleep over it either.
It's ok that NSA knows how frequently I call my mother. I will accept that. I should but a call into
congress or the whitehouse or something, just in hopes of making a "special" file. :)
Ted
-----I'm not losing any sleep either, but I wish the Congress was more of a check and balance than
they have been on this administration. The latest poll says 2 out of 3 people say it is justified when I heard that, all I could think of was Martin Niemoller
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came...
-----You have made the choice to share your information with CVS and Safeway.
Everyone else on that list has a good reason for that information, with the possible exception of
the charitable contributions, your employer with the drug testing... and the NSA. Does the
government have probable cause to suspect you as a terrorist?
I'm not losing sleep either, which is probably the sad thing. This wanker administration fails to
surprise me anymore.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-12 10:09:00
Subject: I should have kept my Texas Voter Registration Card
MUSICIAN and mystery writer Kinky Friedman brought his long-shot bid to become governor of
Texas a little closer to reality yesterday when he turned in 169,574 signatures to get on the
November ballot - more than 31/2 times the number needed. Friedman, clad in his trademark
black cowboy hat and Western clothes, stood on the steps of the Texas secretary of state's office
and quipped, "Thank God for bars and dance halls. Every signature counts, whether it came from
a country club or homeless shelter."
User Comments:
Luke
-----:)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-12 10:46:00
Subject: Behind the scenes
The <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhcA4Ry65FU" target="blank">making</a> of a
Mother's Day video...
User Comments:
Mamala
-----Matthew---you got it!
I was going to preface this post with "which one's Matthew, which one's Luke?" but guess I didn't
have to be so obvious for you smart ones!! ;-)
Matthew
-----damn...i was going to send you this on mother's day! :-) haha
Oh well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-14 15:30:00
Subject: I'm the new member with tears streaming down her face
I signed the membership book and joined All Souls Church, Unitarian in DC today. It's a great
church with a rich history. I'm happy to be a member there.
After attending a 3-hour introductory class yesterday about the history of the church, along with a
tour of the building including a 8-story trek up the bell tower, we had the opportunity to make the
decision to become members. I was glad to continue my over 4 year relationship with UUism with
this wonderful church.
Today, we were honored in the service, but just before we were presented to the church body, a
soloist sang the song "Wind Beneath My Wings." I thought I was prepared for it. I read the order
of service prior to the start of church and said, under my breath, "oh no" as I realized that this
solo was placed just immediately ahead of our getting up from our comfortable seats and
standing before the congregation.
Now I kept thinking, mind over matter. I'll just pretend I don't hear the words, I'll just "mentally"
stick my fingers in my ears and shout "I can't hear you, I can't hear you" while the song was being
sung. But none of these tricks worked and I just cried.
I'm sure the song was picked to honor our mothers, as today's Mother's Day. But while she was
singing it, all I could think of was my sister Sherry.
Many times now, when I attend church, or spiritual events (12 step meetings/an image and poetry
class/my granddaughter C's pre-school program honoring her mother/etc.) I find myself getting a
lump in my throat, my eyes tearing up.
I realize that now that I'm finally settled in my new home and all my boxes are unpacked, the
emotional baggage of the loss of my sister is waiting to be opened up and dealt with. There's no
escaping it now; it's just the way it is. I have a feeling though that it'll not be as easy finding a
home for the contents of this heartfelt grief.
Wind Beneath My Wings
<ul>It must have been cold there in my shadow,
to never have sunlight on your face.
You were content to let me shine, that's your way.
You always walked a step behind.
So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strength.
A beautiful face without a name for so long.
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.
Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings.
It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
but I've got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it.
I would be nothing without you.
Did you ever know that you're my hero?
You're everything I wish I could be.
I could fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings.
Did I ever tell you you're my hero?
You're everything, everything I wish I could be.
Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.
Oh, the wind beneath my wings.
You, you, you, you are the wind beneath my wings.
Fly, fly, fly away. You let me fly so high.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.
Fly, fly, fly high against the sky,
so high I almost touch the sky.
Thank you, thank you,
thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings.</ul>
User Comments:
-----I'm glad you connected with this church. Hopefully it will be one of those safe places to unpack
the heart.
Luke
-----Yes, that can real tough. It's those unexpected times that can be the worst.
We are all here for you!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-15 13:04:00
Subject: Please don't remain calm
Please Don't Remain Calm
Instinctual response in the wake of crises like 9/11.
By Michael Kinsley, Posted Friday, May 12, 2006, at 6:18 AM ET
The story of United Flight 93, more than any other taleâ€”true or fableâ€”of our lifetime, makes
you wonder about yourself. These were not young soldiers in battle. This was not the culmination
of some long crisis with time to ruminate and firm up your resolve. These were ordinary, middleclass and (mostly) middle-aged Americans going about their everyday lives, whenâ€”bang!â€”
they faced the ultimate test. And passed. "Once to every man and nation comes the moment to
decide," goes the old hymn. But usually it's not literally just a moment. These people were not just
courageous. They were instinctually courageous.
I think I'd flunk. Oh, perhaps optimistically, I give myself a 50-50 chance of having the courage to
rise from my seat and join a charge toward the cockpit (once I'd concluded I was almost certainly
going to die anyway). What I find harder to imagine is disobeying the instructions from authority
figuresâ€”flight attendants, anonymous voices over the public-address system, telling me to stay
seated and remain calm.
In retrospect, this was bad advice. Similar instructions were even worse advice at the World
Trade Center, where people who called 911 were told to remain at their desks. Many ignored or
didn't wait for this advice, fled anyway, made it partway down the emergency stairs, and then
were told to go back to their desks, or to wait at assembly points in the doomed buildings.
Hundreds did as they were told and died as a result. Other hundreds defied authority, proceeded
out of the buildings, and went about the rest of their lives.
So, what's the lesson? Is it to defy authority and follow your own instincts in an emergency? If so,
we haven't learned it. For a while after 9/11 there was talk of changing the official policy regarding
hijackings and to start encouraging the passengers to whack the hijackers with their pillows, and
so on. An urban myth sprouted about an airplane captain who gave the passengers detailed
instructions in guerilla warfare at 30,000 feet. But today, airline passengers are still told at the
start of every flight that in an emergency they should remain calm and follow instructions from
anyone in a uniform orâ€”in the case of Unitedâ€”even inanimate objects ("lighted signs and
placards").
Poking around the Web, I stumbled across the official "Hijacking Survival Guidelines" for
employees of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They say, "Stay calm and encourage others
around you to do the same. Do not challenge the hijackers physically or verbally. Comply with
their instructions. Do not struggle. â€¦ Blend in with the other airline passengers." (There's no
telling, I suppose, how an emotionally volatile hijacker might react to the discovery that there is an
Agriculture Department employee on board.)
So the U.S. government is kicking in millions of dollars for a memorial to the heroes of United 93.
But meanwhile it is officially encouraging people not to do what these heroes did, should the
occasion arise. "Don't try this at home" might be a sensible policy if the United 93 passengers
had been specially selected or trained. But they were an utterly random collection of Americans,
just like you or me or the employees of the Ag Department. If they are heroes, why are we being
told not to do what they did?
It is the nature of authorities to assert authority, and its hard to imagine officials of anything urging
people to pay no attention to official instructions. But there is also some logic here. The policies
followed by police and fire officials at the World Trade Center (at the cost of their own lives as
well as others') seem very wrong in hindsight. But these rules themselves were the product of
hindsight. During the first World Trade Center bombing, back in 1993, rescue attempts and fire
control were frustrated by the anarchy of thousands fleeing unnecessarily down narrow
emergency stairs. Emergency planners are like generalsâ€”always fighting the last war. But what
other choice do they have? Let he who anticipated that the next four hijacked planes would be
pointed at major office buildings cast the first stone.
With convenient symmetry, it also seems to be the nature of most people, most of the time, to
obey authority. The famous Stanley Milgram experiments at Yale in 1961 demonstrated that it is
frighteningly easy to induce ordinary peopleâ€”good peopleâ€”to inflict pain on others, when
ordered to do so by some authority figure. Sept. 11 demonstrated that most people will sit tight
and obey orders even unto their own deaths. The defiance of authority is a big reason the United
93 story is so thrilling. This was heroism, American-style. Dissing the Man on your way out the
door. These folks were cowboys. John Wayne and Clint Eastwood don't have time for the rules,
and neither did they.
But instinct aside, people who choose to obey authority in crises may do so because of a
conscious and rational decision that it is the right thing to do. If, in an airplane emergency, the
flight attendant told me to remain in my seat with my seat belt buckled high across my waist and
my seat back and tray table in the full upright and locked position, I would be strongly inclined to
assume that a trained flight attendant knew more about what was going on, and the best way of
dealing with it, than I did. She, far better than I, could assess the ever-present danger of items
shifting in the overhead bins. The incantatory power of these familiar phrases no doubt enhances
their persuasiveness. As a fairly enthusiastic fan of the rule of law generallyâ€”in a democratic
society, that isâ€”I would probably regard being caught in the middle of a crisis like 9/11 as a test
of my principles in extremis. And I would be inclined, even for high-minded reasons, to do as told.
And sometimes obeying authority is the counsel of courage while defying it is the counsel of
cowardice. It probably took more courage to climb back up to your office in the World Trade
Center than it did to proceed down and out of the building. Foolish courage, as it turns out, but
you never know. I suspect that many emergencies are what game theorists call a "prisoner's
dilemma" situation, where everybody is best off if most people obey the rules, but the few that
disobey are even better offâ€”as long as they're only a few. In a situation like the World Trade
Center, for example, the most lives might be saved by an orderly evacuation, but your best shot
at saving your own life is to escape before order collapses because everyone else is doing what
you do.
Courage and cowardice, obeying instructions and defying them, are all unreliable guides in an
unimaginable crisis like 9/11. In a way, that's comforting. You can't really get it wrong. You're in
the hands of fate (or faith, if you've got it). We celebrate the passengers who rebelled on United
93 for their choice, but we surely don't, or shouldn't, blame any of the folks on any of those planes
for arriving at a different decision, or none at all.
----------------------------------------------------------Sidebar from Kinsley--
The closest I've come to such a crisis was a big earthquake in Seattle a few years ago. I was at a
meeting in a ground-floor conference room at Microsoft when the tremors started. People
shouted, "Don't run outside, don't run outside"â€”that being the one piece of official advice
everybody remembers. Then, after a very long two or three seconds, everybody ran outside.
Including me. That's not courage, and it may not be wisdom. But it's instinct and it's irresistible. I'd
do it again, whatever they may say.
User Comments:
Luke
-----I also wonder if a reason why the official line is to remain calm is because, say a flight attendant
were to organize a "rebellion" but the rebellion failed, the airline might be held liable for any lives
lost as a result of said "rebellion".
That might not be true, but in such an "insured" world, I bet this has at least a small part of why
they tell us to remain in our seats.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-16 17:05:00
Subject: notes from my checkbook register
September 2003 - drop in appetite
loss of weight in neck and arms
lower chest look good on ct scan
lymph nodes enlarged
uterus enlarged 3 times normal size
lymph nodes around aorta to left kidney are enlarged
liver ok
can't promise to get out lymph nodes
a sarcoma of uterus or ovarian abnormality
game plan-take out as much as can safely get
many possibilities
really innovative things now
very worrisome things
may need to take out part of colon
every week for 7 weeks in a row
no hair loss
nausea
kidney function
can affect blood counts
no steroids
colon resection
7/13/04 - chemo chart, coming along well, it looks good
CA125 - 52
repeat ct-scan after next week
comparison of lymph nodes
pelvis clean as a whistle
finish this round
may change protocol
11/11/04 - Good news!
Evidence good
de-bulked 90%
dead bowel/dead kidney
left kidney encased scar tissue
none show extreme drug resistance
no interferon
one more week
chemo sensitivity - all will treat
7/26/05 - make decision
9/5/05 User Comments:
------
Peace be with you, my friend.
Luke
-----:(
This is hard stuff to work through. Can't wait to give you a hug!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-17 17:04:00
Subject: Just heard the news
Paul McCartney has separated from his wife....
Hey Paul, look over here, I'm available and I've loved you since I was 14!
User Comments:
Luke
-----Wow. Having a step father who was once a Beatle would be SOOOOO rad!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-20 08:22:00
Subject: Optimism
Optimism - Setting the alarm clock for 8:00 AM when grandkids sleepover.
User Comments:
Luke
-----WORD!
-----Made me giggle. ;^)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-23 08:45:00
Subject: My Fab Four
This past weekend was one of the most wonderful weekends of my life! Being with my adult
children and seeing them interact with each other is a joy and I feel so blessed.
It really, really doesn't get any better than this!
User Comments:
Luke
-----Yeah, it was a blast and a half.
-----It was great. I'm already looking forward to the one next year!
Matthew
-----I agree. It was a great weekend. It's one that I'll remember for a long time to come.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-25 09:36:00
Subject: Good for you, Bill Press
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-press/" target="blank">Let's throw the bum out.</a>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-26 09:23:00
Subject: The Great Deluge
I attended Douglas Brinkley's talk about his <a
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061124230/104-9410352-2177552?v=glance&n=
283155" target="blank">new book</a> about New Orleans and the Gulf Coast and Katrina last
night at Politics and Prose bookstore. I love these events and attend them regularly.
First of all, P & Prose is a great bookstore! I always feel alot smarter after my visits there. It's neat
to hang around like-minded people. And it makes me glad that people still buy books there and
that it's still around.
It's also a great walk, as the area is beautiful on upper Connecticut Avenue.
Yes, this is definitely one of the better places in DC!
Oh, and I thanked Mr. Brinkley for dedicating his book to the wonderfully warm people of Houston
for opening their arms to evacuees during this terrible time. I agree, Houston's a great place!
User Comments:
Luke
-----Can't wait til you visit this great place.
-----Great dedication!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-26 10:04:00
Subject: AmeriCorps
I met a young man last night at Politics and Prose that was serving his third and final year in
AmeriCorp, helping homeless people. He had a backpack full of energy bars, information about
helpful resources, and bars of soap, etc.
I thanked him for his service to his country and then he said, "yeah, I wish I could do this the rest
of my life, but they (I'm assuming the bureaucrats here in W, DC) limit AmeriCorp service to 3
years."
Now, why in a country where one can be career military and serve 20 or 30 years or more, do we
limit someone's service to AmeriCorp to 3 years?
Something's definitely wrong here...
User Comments:
Luke
-----Right, I agree. I think some people will hate us regardless, but yeah, spending a billion dollars a
day on the peace corps would go a LONG way!
Jill
-----Now I'm not saying that there aren't some radical islamo-fascists out there that would hate us
Americans no matter what we do, but can you imagine how different life would be if we placed as
much importance on the Peace Corp and AmeriCorp as we do on the military?
Luke
-----That is a good point... It might be something I would do.
-----Things that make you go hmm...
Or not. If that kind of service were a priority to us, we'd find a way to allow people to continue.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-26 19:30:00
Subject: Good for you, Bush/Blair
QUESTION: Mr. President, you spoke about missteps and mistakes in Iraq. Could I ask both of
you which missteps and mistakes of your own you most regret?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Sounds like kind of a familiar refrain here -- saying "bring it on," kind of
tough talk, you know, that sent the wrong signal to people. I learned some lessons about
expressing myself maybe in a little more sophisticated manner -- you know, "wanted dead or
alive," that kind of talk. I think in certain parts of the world it was misinterpreted, and so I learned
from that. And I think the biggest mistake that's happened so far, at least from our country's
involvement in Iraq is Abu Ghraib. We've been paying for that for a long period of time. And it's -unlike Iraq, however, under Saddam, the people who committed those acts were brought to
justice. They've been given a fair trial and tried and convicted.
PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: I think inevitably some of the things that we thought were going to be
the biggest challenge proved not to be, and some of the things we didn't expect to be challenges
at all proved to be immense. I think that probably in retrospect -- though at the time it was very
difficult to argue this -- we could have done the de-Baathification in a more differentiated way
than we did.
I think that the most difficult thing, however, has been the determination of people to move
against the democratic process in Iraq in a way that I think -- as I was saying a moment or two
ago -- indicates our opponents' very clear view from a very early stage that they have to stop the
democratic process working. And I think it's easy to go back over mistakes that we may have
made, but the biggest reason why Iraq has been difficult is the determination of our opponents to
defeat us. And I don't think we should be surprised at that.
Maybe in retrospect, when we look back, it should have been very obvious to us, and is obvious
still in Afghanistan that for them, it is very clear. You know, they can't afford to have these
countries turned round, and I think that probably, there was a whole series of things in Iraq that
were bound to come out once you got al Qaeda and other groups operating in there to cause
maximum destruction and damage. And therefore, I'm afraid in the end, we're always going to
have to be prepared for the fall of Saddam not to be the rise of democratic Iraq, that it was going
to be a more difficult process.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-26 19:52:00
Subject: Stuff Happens
<div class="blogtext">
Three Iraqis - members of the national tennis team - have just been <a
href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/5020804.stm">summarily executed</a> on
the streets for wearing shorts. They were violating a religious edict enforced by armed Talibanstyle terrorists. 
</div>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-26 20:05:00
Subject: A beginning
<div class="entry-content">
<div class="entry-body">
[The following is the text of my (Norm Geras) talk at last night's <a
href="http://normblog.typepad.com/normblog/2006/05/euston_launch.html">Euston Manifesto
launch</a>.]
 
By one of those coincidences that don't mean anything, 70 years ago today - and I mean to the
very day - the poet T.S. Eliot paid a visit to a small hamlet in Cambridgeshire. He took the name
of this place as the title for the fourth of his Four Quartets - 'Little Gidding'. What has
that got to do with the Euston Manifesto? Nothing, really.
But in the way of these things, I went back to the poem just to have a look, in case (you never
know) I might find some other connection than merely the date. What I came back to there were
these lines:<blockquote>And to make an end is to make a beginning. 
The end is where we start from...</blockquote>There you go â€“ that gives me
somewhere to start from this evening. Because I want to talk about ends and beginnings in both
a public and a personal sense.
The first of these: 9/11 - September 11, 2001. It is a day imprinted on the public memory indelibly - because the crime committed in New York and Washington DC announced a terrible
willingness, of which few previously had been aware: a willingness to use terror without limit for
political ends; a terrorism, that is to say, unconstrained by any concern about the numbers of the
innocent dead. That day was both an end and a beginning because it showed, and to many of us
in an instant, that the world was now different, dangerously so, and in a way not amenable to
simple-minded responses.
This brings me to a second end and beginning, and if I may get your indulgence for this, I will
frame it in more personal terms. It happened in the days immediately following 9/11. Not just
simple-minded, but cold, shameful, appalling responses to the crime that had been perpetrated,
parading across the pages of the liberal and left press. You know the terms of it: blowback;
comeuppance; yes, a crime of course but... But what? But a crime to be
contextualized immediately, just in case you might be unaware that it wasn't the first or the worst
crime in human history.
This kind of stuff, I regret to say, was coming principally from a part of the left. And in those few
days, 12, 13, 14 September 2001, it became clear to me that this part of the left wasn't a part one
should have anything - or anything more, depending on where you were at the time - to do with if
the left was to have a worthwhile future and merit anybody's support.
Anyone who's ever belonged to anything, as we all have - a family, a group, a club, a movement will know that this involves having some quarrels. If you're part of the left then you have your
quarrels; and having been a part of the left all my adult life, I've had my share. But some things
you quarrel about. About other things you draw a line.
Over 9/11 I decided the time had come to draw a line. A left truly committed to democratic values
doesn't make excuses for terrorism, not at all, not ever. Terrorism is murder. There is no context
that makes it OK. This is a simple principle - that you do not wantonly kill the innocent - embodied
in the most basic moral codes of civilized existence, embodied in the rules of warfare and in
international humanitarian law.
The left paid a heavy price for its fellow-travelling with - its justification and apologetics for - the
mass crimes of the Soviet Union in the twentieth century. For another generation to put its foot
upon a similar path is not something any of us should look upon with indulgence. It's the place to
draw a line. You make an end and, if necessary, another beginning. The left has to be better than
that.
OK, now push the clock forward. It's 2003. A number of people are blogging about the Iraq war.
In my own case this starts in the summer of 2003, but others have already been going a while,
and more others are getting into the conversation with each month that passes. There are
bloggers of the left who support the war. How's that possible? Support the war? From the left?
Well, it's possible because Saddam Hussein's regime is a murderous tyranny - as it has been
said, a torture chamber above ground, a mass grave below - responsible for the deaths of
hundreds of thousands of people of that long suffering country.
Of course, it was also possible to oppose the war, even while knowing this - as did a number of
the supporters of the Euston Manifesto. There were weighty considerations on both sides, and
reasonable people could reasonably disagree about the prospects and the dangers, how things
were likely to turn out, as well as about the alternatives to war and their likely
consequences and dangers.
But there has been another discourse of opposition to the Iraq war, starting with the banners and
slogans for that Saturday on 15 February 2003, from which one would never have known what
kind of a place Saddam's Iraq was. It has been a discourse of denial, evidenced by the numbers
of those on the left unwilling to allow, or even comprehend, why others of us on the left supported
the war; by a rancorous hostility towards the pro-war left; and, most seriously of all, by the lack of
interest in initiatives of solidarity with the forces in Iraq battling for a democratic transformation of
their country, itself part of a wider lack of enthusiasm for the success of this enterprise.
To those who now say that such criticisms levelled by the Euston Manifesto at a large part of the
anti-war left are misdirected, applying only to a small number of people on the far left, I have two
answers. (1) Not true. (There's a more forceful way of putting that, but it violates the rules of
public civility.) (2) That it isn't true has been documented at length.
In any event, this takes us back to those shameful responses to 9/11 from which I started because some of the themes of what I'm calling the discourse of denial in argument about the
Iraq war are for their part shameful too: a tendency to go silent about, or at least to minimize, the
horrors of Baathist Iraq; a manner of distributing blame for everything that has gone wrong in that
country in such a way that the daily killing of civilians by so-called insurgents figures only as one
of the lamentable consequences of coalition failure, and barely at all as the result of the actions
of those who are directly responsible - as if they were merely a hive of bees stirred up and not
people making choices; only the most grudging acknowledgement - if that - that millions of Iraqis
voting for a different kind of future for themselves was a matter of some significance.
One has to draw a line. This is not the authentic voice of the left, and it is not a voice which any
self-respecting liberal should be willing to own. It is a disgrace to the best aspirations of the
progressive and democratic tradition.
So, some people - bloggers, the owners of other websites, trade unionists, other kinds of activists
- come together last May. We know there are others out there who share our sense of nonbelonging to the left-liberal consensus on such issues. We know because of the feedback we get.
'Thank goodness, I found your blog. Thank goodness I'm not the only one who feels that 
this left doesn't speak for me.'
We decide to produce a document setting out some general principles, some common positions.
The Euston Manifesto steps out into the world. What it says I hope many of you now know, and I
won't try to rehearse it here.
But thank you all for coming this evening. We need to insist that there is a different
tradition which socialists and democrats and liberals can speak out for. There's been quite a
chorus of voices these past few weeks saying that the Euston Manifesto is of no account - though
a lot of those saying so seem rather animated about it. Well, we make no extravagant claims. It's
a beginning, that's all.</div>
<ul>And from Andrew Sullivan comes this...
And so parts of the left - including Peter Beinart's <a
href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060841613/ref%3Dase%5Fhttpwwwandrec20/002-2420863-7834414">upcoming book</a> - refuse to be bystanders on the war against
Islamist terror. If the Democrats are smart, they will follow their lead. We have real enemies out
there; and they need to be uncovered, fought and killed before they kill us. And the primary
victims of our enemies - ordinary Muslims across the Middle East - need our democratic support
now as much as they ever have.
</ul>
and more...
<ul><a href="http://time.blogs.com/daily_dish/2006/05/bush_blair_iraq.html">Bush, Blair, Iraq
</a>
They were different men <a
href="http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060526/D8HREK580.html">last night</a> - for the first
time dropping all pretense that their occupation of Iraq has gone in any way according to nonexistent plan. And in a strange way, that helps them. They both have expiration dates marked on
their heads; they share this legacy; they remain committed to it, because they have no other
realistic option. But their acknowledgment of the "ghastly" violence, their ownership of
past mistakes, and the clear interest we all have in seeing the project succeed makes things in
some ways less fraught. They get it now: bravado is not strength; realism is. I'm with Tom
Friedman on this one. We're three years in. Remember the Kurds? They were effectively
liberated fifteen years ago. They experienced a brutal civil war before their society was able to
gain some semblance of pluralist normality. The violence in Iraq was preventable - but it may
also, in a horrifying way, have been a way to purge the society of the terrible grievances and
divides that are the consequences of several decades of brutal dictatorship. Iraq is still the lever
for real, profound change in the Middle East. It is our only real brake on Iran. It is the front line
against Jihadism. Our job will not be finished in two more years; maybe not in twenty. But this is
America. It can be done. Bringing the Arab and Muslim world into the new millennium is a prerequisite for our own security and the world's. We must finish the job.</ul>
I agree! ~ JillSusan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 2006-05-29 18:54:00
Subject: The Returning Dead
<ul>Each night I make a drink and wait for them
They have become the day's concluding news,
Installments from a world without anthems
Or children, unfocusing eyes
A question that repeatedly rejects
My easy terms. They are ones who believed
And acted in the narrow and select
Ways handed them, while ordinary lives
Ran on without interr

Date: 2002-11-17 22:14:00 Subject: Green Party Why t

Transcription

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