I have an overwhelming amount of blessings for which I am grateful. In this current precarious moment of American life, I want to take a step away from fear, anxiety and concern and share a poem that always lifts my spirits. Many of you are probably already familiar with this poem, and with good reason. It's one the great ones.
A Blessing
Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota,
Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass.
And the eyes of those two Indian ponies
Darken with kindness.
They have come gladly out of the willows
To welcome my friend and me.
We step over the barbed wire into the pasture
Where they have been grazing all day, alone.
They ripple tensely, they can hardly contain their happiness
That we have come.
They bow shyly as wet swans. They love each other.
There is no loneliness like theirs.
At home once more, they begin munching the young tufts of
spring in the darkness.
I would like to hold the slenderer one in my arms,
For she has walked over to me
And nuzzled my left hand.
She is black and white,
Her mane falls wild on her forehead,
And the light breeze moves me to caress her long ear
That is delicate as the skin over a girl's wrist.
Suddenly I realize
That if I stepped out of my body I would break
Into blossom.
~by James Wright
Monday, March 30, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Profound Arrogance
It just keeps coming.
The arrogance from the insanely wealthy individuals responsible for creating this economic crisis, and the "reporters" who defend them, continues to astonish me. Mark Haines, a so-called reporter at CNBC recently conducted an interview with Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), during which, he, Haines, said the following:
"... you can’t really, it seems to me, expect that these Wall Street companies are going to be run well by a bunch of people who don’t make more than $250,000."
I forgot -- only super rich people are smart. That's right. Those of us making less than $250K, the "bunch of people" (as Haines so snidely put it), who make up the majority of the population of this country, are too stupid to run a Wall Street company. As the folks at Think Progress correctly point out, that means that most small business owners, those hard working individuals who manage their own companies, most of them making less than $250K, wouldn't know what to do. Not to mention someone who obtains an MBA but goes to work for a non-profit rather than simply amassing greater and greater wealth to buy more and more stuff -- that person wouldn't have a clue either.
Gee, it sure is a good thing that we have all of these whip smart millionaires running the show. They've done a great job, don't you think?
Look, there are many, many people making too much money, from sports stars, to movie stars to CEOs. In my opinion, if you find a cure for AIDS, or MS, Autism, or Parkinson's then absolutely you deserve a gajillion dollars. Hell, you deserve your own private island complete with U2, Sting or Stevie Wonder flown in whenever you want to play at your parties. Unless you do that, or make a gaggle of beauty contestants' dreams come true by ending world hunger, please, please stop complaining about the fact that some already-stinking-rich Wall Street executive won't get his or her ten million dollar bonus!
The arrogance from the insanely wealthy individuals responsible for creating this economic crisis, and the "reporters" who defend them, continues to astonish me. Mark Haines, a so-called reporter at CNBC recently conducted an interview with Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), during which, he, Haines, said the following:
"... you can’t really, it seems to me, expect that these Wall Street companies are going to be run well by a bunch of people who don’t make more than $250,000."
I forgot -- only super rich people are smart. That's right. Those of us making less than $250K, the "bunch of people" (as Haines so snidely put it), who make up the majority of the population of this country, are too stupid to run a Wall Street company. As the folks at Think Progress correctly point out, that means that most small business owners, those hard working individuals who manage their own companies, most of them making less than $250K, wouldn't know what to do. Not to mention someone who obtains an MBA but goes to work for a non-profit rather than simply amassing greater and greater wealth to buy more and more stuff -- that person wouldn't have a clue either.
Gee, it sure is a good thing that we have all of these whip smart millionaires running the show. They've done a great job, don't you think?
Look, there are many, many people making too much money, from sports stars, to movie stars to CEOs. In my opinion, if you find a cure for AIDS, or MS, Autism, or Parkinson's then absolutely you deserve a gajillion dollars. Hell, you deserve your own private island complete with U2, Sting or Stevie Wonder flown in whenever you want to play at your parties. Unless you do that, or make a gaggle of beauty contestants' dreams come true by ending world hunger, please, please stop complaining about the fact that some already-stinking-rich Wall Street executive won't get his or her ten million dollar bonus!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
My Secret Shame
Okay, I admit it. I watch American Idol.
So glad I got that off my chest!
I didn't start watching on a regular basis until the Melinda Doolittle season. (When was that, even? Seems like 5 years ago). The first season I refused to watch because I thought the entire thing looked ridiculous and tacky. And, um, it IS ridiculous and tacky but if you let go of that judgment, you can sit back, laugh at the spectacle Ryan and the judges make of themselves, and every so often hear some remarkable singing.
The first season my roommate Bjorn (hi, Bjorn!), insisted on watching the finale. My other roommate and I sat down with him prepared to cringe when the strangest thing happened. I sat up and said "Who the hell is THAT?" after hearing Kelly Clarkson sing. Yes, the production values were (and remain), over the top in a 13-year-old-girl-high-from-sniffing-glue-gone-crazy-with-her-glitter-pen way, but I did not care! Kelly Clarkson simply had amazing pipes and buckets of charisma, AND an emotional investment in what she was singing. I thought I was hooked.
And then I didn't watch the show again until the Melinda/Blake/Jordan season which was, what, 5 or 6 seasons later? While it's difficult to recall what brought me back to the show, I became invested in the outcome that season. Melinda Doolittle was clearly the most talented of the finalists and should have won, but as is regrettably the case on Idol, the best artist often doesn't win. Kelly Clarkson was an exception. (I can't comment on Carrie Underwood 'cause I wasn't watching that season).
Which brings me to perhaps the most frustrating thing about the show -- aside from the inane comments from Paula and Randy, the snarky, cold-eyed critique of Simon (who is usually right), it being over-produced to within an inch of its life, the blatant manipulation of the audience through pimping out any contestant's sad/difficult/handicapped backstory -- the fact that America often gets it wrong. [Insert your favorite George W. Bush joke here] Rewarding flashy emptiness, pandering, and cuddly looking 16 year olds who may sound good but don't have much going on underneath that sound, the ones who are truly artists often get the shaft. Not always, mind you, but often.
Case in point -- last night's results episode. Alexis -- the diminutive blond pixie with a powerful, soulful voice one doesn't expect to come out of that tiny frame -- was booted off, and Michael Sarver -- so, so boring -- was kept. But Sarver is from Texas and works on an oil rig and has a pretty blonde wife and a pretty blonde daughter, while Alexis is a single 21 year old mother, so clearly, he HAS to stay! It's beyond me.
Where was I? Oh, right, I actually like this show for some reason and I guess you'd like me to tell you why. Well, it's a combination of things really. Because every once in a while you see a performer do something completely beautiful and authentic, like Brooke White singing "Let It Be" at the piano, or the aforementioned Melinda Doolittle doing absolutely anything, or Blake with his awesome beat boxing and unexpected sexiness, and it reminds you that even on this tacky, manipulative, hyper program, actual artistry manages to sneak in the back door.
That, and it's delicious trying to figure out what Paula's saying since she still hasn't mastered the English language despite living here for her entire life.
And here's a brief shout-out to the most original, gifted performer the show has ever seen, one Adam Lambert. Love him or hate him, you cannot deny his talent, his self-possession or his uniqueness. I can't wait to see what he does next -- and isn't that one of the reasons for watching a show like this? The chance to occasionally watch someone so jaw-droppingly excellent that for the briefest of moments one can forget his or her troubles and simply... enjoy.
So glad I got that off my chest!
I didn't start watching on a regular basis until the Melinda Doolittle season. (When was that, even? Seems like 5 years ago). The first season I refused to watch because I thought the entire thing looked ridiculous and tacky. And, um, it IS ridiculous and tacky but if you let go of that judgment, you can sit back, laugh at the spectacle Ryan and the judges make of themselves, and every so often hear some remarkable singing.
The first season my roommate Bjorn (hi, Bjorn!), insisted on watching the finale. My other roommate and I sat down with him prepared to cringe when the strangest thing happened. I sat up and said "Who the hell is THAT?" after hearing Kelly Clarkson sing. Yes, the production values were (and remain), over the top in a 13-year-old-girl-high-from-sniffing-glue-gone-crazy-with-her-glitter-pen way, but I did not care! Kelly Clarkson simply had amazing pipes and buckets of charisma, AND an emotional investment in what she was singing. I thought I was hooked.
And then I didn't watch the show again until the Melinda/Blake/Jordan season which was, what, 5 or 6 seasons later? While it's difficult to recall what brought me back to the show, I became invested in the outcome that season. Melinda Doolittle was clearly the most talented of the finalists and should have won, but as is regrettably the case on Idol, the best artist often doesn't win. Kelly Clarkson was an exception. (I can't comment on Carrie Underwood 'cause I wasn't watching that season).
Which brings me to perhaps the most frustrating thing about the show -- aside from the inane comments from Paula and Randy, the snarky, cold-eyed critique of Simon (who is usually right), it being over-produced to within an inch of its life, the blatant manipulation of the audience through pimping out any contestant's sad/difficult/handicapped backstory -- the fact that America often gets it wrong. [Insert your favorite George W. Bush joke here] Rewarding flashy emptiness, pandering, and cuddly looking 16 year olds who may sound good but don't have much going on underneath that sound, the ones who are truly artists often get the shaft. Not always, mind you, but often.
Case in point -- last night's results episode. Alexis -- the diminutive blond pixie with a powerful, soulful voice one doesn't expect to come out of that tiny frame -- was booted off, and Michael Sarver -- so, so boring -- was kept. But Sarver is from Texas and works on an oil rig and has a pretty blonde wife and a pretty blonde daughter, while Alexis is a single 21 year old mother, so clearly, he HAS to stay! It's beyond me.
Where was I? Oh, right, I actually like this show for some reason and I guess you'd like me to tell you why. Well, it's a combination of things really. Because every once in a while you see a performer do something completely beautiful and authentic, like Brooke White singing "Let It Be" at the piano, or the aforementioned Melinda Doolittle doing absolutely anything, or Blake with his awesome beat boxing and unexpected sexiness, and it reminds you that even on this tacky, manipulative, hyper program, actual artistry manages to sneak in the back door.
That, and it's delicious trying to figure out what Paula's saying since she still hasn't mastered the English language despite living here for her entire life.
And here's a brief shout-out to the most original, gifted performer the show has ever seen, one Adam Lambert. Love him or hate him, you cannot deny his talent, his self-possession or his uniqueness. I can't wait to see what he does next -- and isn't that one of the reasons for watching a show like this? The chance to occasionally watch someone so jaw-droppingly excellent that for the briefest of moments one can forget his or her troubles and simply... enjoy.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I am Welsh, German and Dutch, so I cannot claim this holiday as my own. Nevertheless, I wish each and every one of you a Happy St. Pat's Day. Here in New York City, where I currently reside, this is the day of the enormous St. Patty's Day parade down Fifth Avenue; a parade I avoid, due to it being watched by thousands upon thousands of drunken tourists.
(Brief side note on parades: um... why? Why are they so interesting? I ask not because I'm attempting to be snarky but out of genuine curiosity. It seems to me that going to a parade means agreeing to stand on a sidewalk in order to watch other people walk past you. Sure, some of those people might be playing an instrument or twirling a baton, but most of them? Just walking. I've never quite understood why so many folks seem to not only enjoy this activity, they freak out and scream like banshees. Just another one of life's mysteries like: where DO blue whales go to mate?)
Anywho...
I'm taking an online course on monetizing blogs and let me tell you! -- there is so much information to absorb. RSS feeds, pings, tags, SEO, title-tags, pillar articles, feedburners and stats and ping-your-thing and tag-your-flag and whew! Getting traffic to one's website is no small accomplishment. Which leads me to...
A thank you. To those of you who have become regular readers, my appreciation knows no bounds. Thank you for stopping by, leaving comments and supporting me in this adventure.
(And a small favor to ask:
If each of you tells one other person about this site, I will ... um ... buy you a new car!
Okay. That is a lie.
However, I will be extremely happy and you will feel good knowing that you've contributed to my delight! A win-win, really).
One last thing! An enormous, huge, gigantic cyber-kiss to Jon Stewart for his interview with Jim Cramer. (Be sure to scroll down and watch the entire interview). While Mr. Cramer is certainly far from the only individual deserving of a lecture and a share of blame, Stewart's larger point about irresponsible journalism is one that desperately needed to be made. Do you think his wife would mind if Jon became a polygamist and married me too? No, you don't think she'd go for it? Damn.
(Brief side note on parades: um... why? Why are they so interesting? I ask not because I'm attempting to be snarky but out of genuine curiosity. It seems to me that going to a parade means agreeing to stand on a sidewalk in order to watch other people walk past you. Sure, some of those people might be playing an instrument or twirling a baton, but most of them? Just walking. I've never quite understood why so many folks seem to not only enjoy this activity, they freak out and scream like banshees. Just another one of life's mysteries like: where DO blue whales go to mate?)
Anywho...
I'm taking an online course on monetizing blogs and let me tell you! -- there is so much information to absorb. RSS feeds, pings, tags, SEO, title-tags, pillar articles, feedburners and stats and ping-your-thing and tag-your-flag and whew! Getting traffic to one's website is no small accomplishment. Which leads me to...
A thank you. To those of you who have become regular readers, my appreciation knows no bounds. Thank you for stopping by, leaving comments and supporting me in this adventure.
(And a small favor to ask:
If each of you tells one other person about this site, I will ... um ... buy you a new car!
Okay. That is a lie.
However, I will be extremely happy and you will feel good knowing that you've contributed to my delight! A win-win, really).
One last thing! An enormous, huge, gigantic cyber-kiss to Jon Stewart for his interview with Jim Cramer. (Be sure to scroll down and watch the entire interview). While Mr. Cramer is certainly far from the only individual deserving of a lecture and a share of blame, Stewart's larger point about irresponsible journalism is one that desperately needed to be made. Do you think his wife would mind if Jon became a polygamist and married me too? No, you don't think she'd go for it? Damn.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Roger Cohen says "Tsk, tsk"
In today's NY Times, Roger Cohen has an Op-Ed in which he chides Obama for lecturing when he should be inspiring. He writes that "...Obama has not yet found his presidential voice." I couldn't disagree more.
Cohen's column centers on England's Prime Minister Gordon Brown, his recent speech to Congress and his appearance on The Daily Show. He commends Brown on a rousing speech, saying he felt "stirred" by it. He takes Obama to task for what he sees as telling Americans "unpleasant truths" rather than "...galvanize[ing] through the optimism of his message." This begs the question -- did Cohen listen to Obama's recent address to Congress? Yes, it was laced throughout with hard truths, truths that we in this country have needed to face for a long, long time. But we have been far too busy playing Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil. A little "lecturing" as Cohen puts it seems quite appropriate to me.
As for inspiration, I found Obama's address quite inspiring. A clear, palpable love for this country, a determination to gather us all together in shared sacrifice in order to make America strong and proud again, his confidence that we can free ourselves from the current crisis -- this practically rang out in his speech like church bells on Sunday.
During the campaign, many people tried to paint Obama as being long on inspiration but short on substance. Now here is Cohen arguing the opposite. "He has been detailing tax and other polices to narrow the gap between the haves and have-nots, but in a cool, brisk top-down language that hardly seems right to overcome division", writes Cohen. So let's see -- during the campaign, not enough details. Now, too many details.
It is awfully easy to criticize when you are not the one responsible for fixing an enormous, frightening economic mess while at the same time reassuring an anxious, terrified populace. Hasn't found his Presidential voice? I already stated that I find that appraisal thoroughly wrong. But here's something else -- he has been President for what, 50 some days? The former occupant of the White House (he who shall not be named), had eight YEARS and couldn't locate a Presidential voice even with the help of a GPS machine!
I'm willing to be patient and cut Obama a lot of slack considering all that he inherited.
Cohen's column centers on England's Prime Minister Gordon Brown, his recent speech to Congress and his appearance on The Daily Show. He commends Brown on a rousing speech, saying he felt "stirred" by it. He takes Obama to task for what he sees as telling Americans "unpleasant truths" rather than "...galvanize[ing] through the optimism of his message." This begs the question -- did Cohen listen to Obama's recent address to Congress? Yes, it was laced throughout with hard truths, truths that we in this country have needed to face for a long, long time. But we have been far too busy playing Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil. A little "lecturing" as Cohen puts it seems quite appropriate to me.
As for inspiration, I found Obama's address quite inspiring. A clear, palpable love for this country, a determination to gather us all together in shared sacrifice in order to make America strong and proud again, his confidence that we can free ourselves from the current crisis -- this practically rang out in his speech like church bells on Sunday.
During the campaign, many people tried to paint Obama as being long on inspiration but short on substance. Now here is Cohen arguing the opposite. "He has been detailing tax and other polices to narrow the gap between the haves and have-nots, but in a cool, brisk top-down language that hardly seems right to overcome division", writes Cohen. So let's see -- during the campaign, not enough details. Now, too many details.
It is awfully easy to criticize when you are not the one responsible for fixing an enormous, frightening economic mess while at the same time reassuring an anxious, terrified populace. Hasn't found his Presidential voice? I already stated that I find that appraisal thoroughly wrong. But here's something else -- he has been President for what, 50 some days? The former occupant of the White House (he who shall not be named), had eight YEARS and couldn't locate a Presidential voice even with the help of a GPS machine!
I'm willing to be patient and cut Obama a lot of slack considering all that he inherited.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
I'm at a loss for words
Really.
I want to jump up and down about the whole Rush Limbaugh nonsense, the CNBC/Rick Santelli nonsense, the ridiculous socialism debate that seems to be raging among the political set (I say ridiculous because to charge Obama with socialism is patent, well, nonsense!), and the "feud" that Jim Cramer thinks he's in with Jon Stewart. And yet... I'm just tired. Tired of the noise. The yelling, the name-calling, the bile, the utter lack of civility, manners or judgment. But when I start to write down my feelings about all of this, I begin to rage. I seethe. And all I want to do is call Rush Limbaugh, Rick Santelli and Jim Cramer names. The sandbox is big and I jump right in ready to throw sand in the faces of those I dislike and disagree with, just as they do to the folks whom THEY dislike and with whom THEY disagree.
The result: I contribute to the very opera of rudeness and pettiness and mean-spiritedness that I claim to disdain.
How do I express my own anger and frustration with a sense of proportion? The past few days I've written several posts in my head that end up disappointing me. That disappointment stems not from a lack of confidence in my opinions; after all, they're simply *my* opinions and everyone out there is free to agree or disagree. My dismay results from an inability to express my anger, fear, anxiety, frustration about the state of the world, in a way that is whole, that is -- noble, I guess.
Is that even a reasonable expectation? Can anger ever be noble? Useful, yes. Necessary, sometimes. Unavoidable, absolutely. But noble?
In an effort to articulate my feelings I am left feeling empty. There seems to be no catharsis. The world is in a state of fragility I have never experienced before and never expected to experience. And the voices that are the loudest in this country are bickering, as usual. Bickering. How on earth does that help? Where is the somber, thoughtful conversation we ought to be having? Are we even capable of that? Should we even want that? Or have we gotten to the point where a full scale shouting match is all that's left?
Snarkiness and cleverness are considered an art form. I'm tired of Maureen Dowd's sarcasm. I'm baffled at David Brooks, usually so measured and reasonable (even when I find his philosophy wrong), writing recently that Michelle Obama should never bare her arms! What?! What is going on???
And when I reflect on some of my previous posts, I'm guilty of the very same snarky remarks. Don't I have anything more considered to contribute? True, not every op-ed column need be weighty and profound. There is more than enough time, room, and need for humor and levity. But why is it so often that humor becomes cleverness rather than wit?
I'm not terribly sure what I'm going on about in this post. Perhaps I am reacting to the fact that Obama's election did not usher in a new era of civility. I was naive to think it would. Rush Limbaugh did not, nor will he ever, wake up and think "You know what? I need to make my points in a way that does not demonize or insult. I need to find a new way to express my ideas and concerns." Because Rush Limbaugh, more than anything else, is a carnival barker. And he is attached to his money, his fame and his power. The ability to conduct oneself with grace is not valued any more, if it ever really was.
Sigh.
I'm sad today.
Given all that, I *do* feel that, in the long run, everything will be okay. Is it possible to be an optimist and a pessimist at the same time?
I want to jump up and down about the whole Rush Limbaugh nonsense, the CNBC/Rick Santelli nonsense, the ridiculous socialism debate that seems to be raging among the political set (I say ridiculous because to charge Obama with socialism is patent, well, nonsense!), and the "feud" that Jim Cramer thinks he's in with Jon Stewart. And yet... I'm just tired. Tired of the noise. The yelling, the name-calling, the bile, the utter lack of civility, manners or judgment. But when I start to write down my feelings about all of this, I begin to rage. I seethe. And all I want to do is call Rush Limbaugh, Rick Santelli and Jim Cramer names. The sandbox is big and I jump right in ready to throw sand in the faces of those I dislike and disagree with, just as they do to the folks whom THEY dislike and with whom THEY disagree.
The result: I contribute to the very opera of rudeness and pettiness and mean-spiritedness that I claim to disdain.
How do I express my own anger and frustration with a sense of proportion? The past few days I've written several posts in my head that end up disappointing me. That disappointment stems not from a lack of confidence in my opinions; after all, they're simply *my* opinions and everyone out there is free to agree or disagree. My dismay results from an inability to express my anger, fear, anxiety, frustration about the state of the world, in a way that is whole, that is -- noble, I guess.
Is that even a reasonable expectation? Can anger ever be noble? Useful, yes. Necessary, sometimes. Unavoidable, absolutely. But noble?
In an effort to articulate my feelings I am left feeling empty. There seems to be no catharsis. The world is in a state of fragility I have never experienced before and never expected to experience. And the voices that are the loudest in this country are bickering, as usual. Bickering. How on earth does that help? Where is the somber, thoughtful conversation we ought to be having? Are we even capable of that? Should we even want that? Or have we gotten to the point where a full scale shouting match is all that's left?
Snarkiness and cleverness are considered an art form. I'm tired of Maureen Dowd's sarcasm. I'm baffled at David Brooks, usually so measured and reasonable (even when I find his philosophy wrong), writing recently that Michelle Obama should never bare her arms! What?! What is going on???
And when I reflect on some of my previous posts, I'm guilty of the very same snarky remarks. Don't I have anything more considered to contribute? True, not every op-ed column need be weighty and profound. There is more than enough time, room, and need for humor and levity. But why is it so often that humor becomes cleverness rather than wit?
I'm not terribly sure what I'm going on about in this post. Perhaps I am reacting to the fact that Obama's election did not usher in a new era of civility. I was naive to think it would. Rush Limbaugh did not, nor will he ever, wake up and think "You know what? I need to make my points in a way that does not demonize or insult. I need to find a new way to express my ideas and concerns." Because Rush Limbaugh, more than anything else, is a carnival barker. And he is attached to his money, his fame and his power. The ability to conduct oneself with grace is not valued any more, if it ever really was.
Sigh.
I'm sad today.
Given all that, I *do* feel that, in the long run, everything will be okay. Is it possible to be an optimist and a pessimist at the same time?
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Random Thoughts
LOST. Oh, show! How I love you. Last night's episode was excellent. The way the show illustrates each character's redemption (or lack thereof) on the Island is so moving. I'm deeply invested in this show not only because the sci-fi shenanigans and the myriad mysteries are fun, but mostly due to the emotional thread running through it. Isn't that why we become invested in any story? There must be heart, characters to root for and thoughtful storytelling. This show has all of that in spades. Sawyer has never been my most favorite character; too often he is left with the snarky comment and the growl. But last night showed Sawyer blossoming (never ones to choose names willy-nilly, the writers did provide him with the new last name "LaFleur" meaning flower in French), finally unashamed of his softer side and stepping up to his responsibilities. At the start of the season, the rumors about a possible Juliet-Sawyer romance left me cold, but seeing it come to fruition last night, I'm completely sold. I adore those two together. There seems to be genuine affection and trust between them and I love it! God knows all of the characters on the show have been put through the ringer, but to see this unlikely pair so obviously happy with one another is a real treat. Thanks, show.
Other non-LOST related observations:
1. Why are all of the cable news shows giving Rush Limbaugh so much attention? Granted, it does help the Dems a great deal to remind folks that the Repubs are embracing this dangerous, racist, sexist, hate-filled clown. Nevertheless, the publicity and attention are exactly what he and his ilk (Coulter, Hannity, Malkin), are after. Why keep providing them with coverage? To seem objective? Why would anyone, or any news organization, in the name of objectivity, play into the hands of these despicable people who make fun of Parkinson's sufferers (Rush) or claim that the 9/11 widows deserved to lose their spouses (Coulter)? What on earth is "objective" or "fair" about their comments? To refuse to re-air their remarks in no way violates their First Amendment rights. They can shout all they want on their radio shows -- but don't replay their remarks over and over! That only helps them by disseminating their "message" even further. Stop giving them an additional forum. Stop focusing so relentlessly on your ratings and your bottom line and remember the effect all of this noise has on the public discourse.
2. The gossip magazines are claiming that Rihanna has taken Chris Brown back. I sincerely hope that isn't true. First of all, her safety is at issue. Second, she is looked up to by many young men and women and if it is indeed true that they are back together, this sends a signal to impressionable young people that beating up your lover is acceptable. "Oh, it was just a one-time thing" or "Oh, they're young and immature". Wrong. He BEAT her. He hit her REPEATEDLY. He will do it again. I hope both of them get help.
3. Read Wendell Berry. Be it his novels, essays or poetry -- just read his work.
4. I'm going to go eat a piece of chocolate cake. Peace out, bunny rabbits! Be back soon.
Other non-LOST related observations:
1. Why are all of the cable news shows giving Rush Limbaugh so much attention? Granted, it does help the Dems a great deal to remind folks that the Repubs are embracing this dangerous, racist, sexist, hate-filled clown. Nevertheless, the publicity and attention are exactly what he and his ilk (Coulter, Hannity, Malkin), are after. Why keep providing them with coverage? To seem objective? Why would anyone, or any news organization, in the name of objectivity, play into the hands of these despicable people who make fun of Parkinson's sufferers (Rush) or claim that the 9/11 widows deserved to lose their spouses (Coulter)? What on earth is "objective" or "fair" about their comments? To refuse to re-air their remarks in no way violates their First Amendment rights. They can shout all they want on their radio shows -- but don't replay their remarks over and over! That only helps them by disseminating their "message" even further. Stop giving them an additional forum. Stop focusing so relentlessly on your ratings and your bottom line and remember the effect all of this noise has on the public discourse.
2. The gossip magazines are claiming that Rihanna has taken Chris Brown back. I sincerely hope that isn't true. First of all, her safety is at issue. Second, she is looked up to by many young men and women and if it is indeed true that they are back together, this sends a signal to impressionable young people that beating up your lover is acceptable. "Oh, it was just a one-time thing" or "Oh, they're young and immature". Wrong. He BEAT her. He hit her REPEATEDLY. He will do it again. I hope both of them get help.
3. Read Wendell Berry. Be it his novels, essays or poetry -- just read his work.
4. I'm going to go eat a piece of chocolate cake. Peace out, bunny rabbits! Be back soon.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Gratitude
It's snowing today here on the East Coast. Snow makes me cranky. Winter makes me cranky. I know, snow is pretty and all that. It is also irritating. Go ahead and call me grumpy; I can take it.
However, rather than focus on the cold and the slush, I am going to create a list of some of the things for which I am grateful. It sure does beat kvetching about the weather.
In no particular order, my partial list --
I am grateful for/that:
~Facebook putting me back in touch with long lost friends
~my mom still calls me "punken"
~my sister-in-law videotaped my niece and nephews playing in the snow. I can watch it once I'm home this evening
~my dad likes my poetry
~dogs
~good health
~bread, cheese, wine -- the perfect meal
~the new online friends I'm making through blogging
~a warm winter coat
~the pet store near my apartment has new cats up for adoption; I get to see them every day on my walk to/from the subway
~blankets
~asparagus
~friends near and far
~my DVR
~salmon; I could eat it every day
~Jane Smiley's novel MOO. Read it if you want to laugh out loud.
~my energy healer/guru/practioner Mary Swanson
~my brother and sister and I like each other
~artists
~boots
~a mid-afternoon nap on a rainy/snowy day
~the cello
~Garrison Keillor
~Bill Moyers
~The New Yorker
~Caitlin, Scott, Flynn and Dewey
~Ann Adkinson, nee Burrows
~Shakespeare
~telescopes
~Bjorn-y-pants and Stine-a-rina
~reminders to count your blessings
~the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens
~Meeghan, Brutus and Wolfgang
~camraderie during tech rehearsals
~looking forward to the future
~guardian angels, both seen and unseen
~hot apple cider
~probiotics
~Wales
~whales
~National Geographic
~evidence of happy marriages
~the Founding Fathers
~ice cream
God knows my list could go on and on. What are some of the things you're grateful for? Feel free to post in the comments section!
However, rather than focus on the cold and the slush, I am going to create a list of some of the things for which I am grateful. It sure does beat kvetching about the weather.
In no particular order, my partial list --
I am grateful for/that:
~Facebook putting me back in touch with long lost friends
~my mom still calls me "punken"
~my sister-in-law videotaped my niece and nephews playing in the snow. I can watch it once I'm home this evening
~my dad likes my poetry
~dogs
~good health
~bread, cheese, wine -- the perfect meal
~the new online friends I'm making through blogging
~a warm winter coat
~the pet store near my apartment has new cats up for adoption; I get to see them every day on my walk to/from the subway
~blankets
~asparagus
~friends near and far
~my DVR
~salmon; I could eat it every day
~Jane Smiley's novel MOO. Read it if you want to laugh out loud.
~my energy healer/guru/practioner Mary Swanson
~my brother and sister and I like each other
~artists
~boots
~a mid-afternoon nap on a rainy/snowy day
~the cello
~Garrison Keillor
~Bill Moyers
~The New Yorker
~Caitlin, Scott, Flynn and Dewey
~Ann Adkinson, nee Burrows
~Shakespeare
~telescopes
~Bjorn-y-pants and Stine-a-rina
~reminders to count your blessings
~the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens
~Meeghan, Brutus and Wolfgang
~camraderie during tech rehearsals
~looking forward to the future
~guardian angels, both seen and unseen
~hot apple cider
~probiotics
~Wales
~whales
~National Geographic
~evidence of happy marriages
~the Founding Fathers
~ice cream
God knows my list could go on and on. What are some of the things you're grateful for? Feel free to post in the comments section!
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