With the midterm elections only a week away, I've seen daily reports of the President on the campaign trail for this candidate or that candidate. He gives campaign speeches, etc. all over the country, at taxpayer expense of course.
The thought struck me today that when he was elected President, he became the President of the United States, not the President of the Republican Party. Regardless of his party affiliation, George Bush is the president of all Americans. As such he represents us all and has absolutely no business campaigning for anyone for any reason.
Why is the President allowed to campaign against the wishes of at least half of his electorate....the people he purports to represent? He should remain in D.C. and keep out of the races. They are none of his business but are rather the will of the people in action. By making partisan appearances and taking partisan positions, he undermines the very notion of a President for all the people of the country.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Negative Campaign Ads
I am so sick and tired of negative campaign ads. You would think that people running for office would want the voters to know their record, what they would try to do if elected, etc. Instead we get an almost endless supply of extremely negative attack ads which often have little more than the merest shred of truth in them. I truly question the intelligence of anyone who would let their opinion of a candidate be swayed by an advertisement by someone with a vested interest in making the other person look bad.
I see ads calling an opponent "the biggest spender in Congress" as if one person decides and spends money there. I see ads infering that a black politician is consorting with white prostitutes to play the race card in a southern state. I see ads in which the scenes in one candidate's novel are portrayed as his opinion of women in real life. I see national ads that portray one party's position as being nothing that is related to what that party actually is saying.
These ads have been getting worse and worse over the years. I would love to see the voters entirely reject any candidate who dares to run one. Tell me what your positions are. Tell me how they differ from those of your opponent (and be honest about your opponent's position). Tell me what you will try to do in congress, what committees you'd like to serve on, what your special interests are. Don't do dirty attacks on your opponent because you're not winning. Reach me through intelligent discourse, not though mud-slinging.
I see ads calling an opponent "the biggest spender in Congress" as if one person decides and spends money there. I see ads infering that a black politician is consorting with white prostitutes to play the race card in a southern state. I see ads in which the scenes in one candidate's novel are portrayed as his opinion of women in real life. I see national ads that portray one party's position as being nothing that is related to what that party actually is saying.
These ads have been getting worse and worse over the years. I would love to see the voters entirely reject any candidate who dares to run one. Tell me what your positions are. Tell me how they differ from those of your opponent (and be honest about your opponent's position). Tell me what you will try to do in congress, what committees you'd like to serve on, what your special interests are. Don't do dirty attacks on your opponent because you're not winning. Reach me through intelligent discourse, not though mud-slinging.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
The Busy Season
My busy season has already started. I am frantically trying to finish an afghan for my daughter's birthday in about two weeks. I'm making good progress by keeping myself to a strict production schedule that eats up to two hours a day. I should be able to finish it in plenty of time. The problem is that I can only work on it when she is not in the house so I keep a second project going at the same time.
The second project is a quilt for my son and his wife for Christmas. Of course it's not going to be finished by Christmas, but it should be far enough along for me to be able to send them a nice picture and a promise. It will be done in early Spring at latest. I have two of the thirty squares already finished. I love quilting and keep one going at all times. When this is done, I have two more, and four wall hangings to do.
Sometime this upcoming week I will get a kit for a beautiful blue knitted afghan. It has a snowflake design. It's reversible, so that will be pretty. It's going to be for my daughter's girlfriend. I will have to push hard to get it done in the five or six weeks I'll have to do it. I'll figure out what I have to finish in what time frame to make it happen so we'll see.
Because of all of this, my time for games and other things is restricted. I have not been writing much, though I have to get that to change. I am going to start (again) trying to write for an hour every morning as soon as I am up. That seems to work better than some other things.
For now, however, I'll chug along happily with my various projects and see where it gets me. I have one afghan square finished already this morning, and if Susan comes home soon (not very likely) I will still have this evening while she is out to do the other one. I only have to get two a day finished to hit my deadline. I have five done now and will have one more today. That leaves 11 more of this color. The other 18 are already finished.
The second project is a quilt for my son and his wife for Christmas. Of course it's not going to be finished by Christmas, but it should be far enough along for me to be able to send them a nice picture and a promise. It will be done in early Spring at latest. I have two of the thirty squares already finished. I love quilting and keep one going at all times. When this is done, I have two more, and four wall hangings to do.
Sometime this upcoming week I will get a kit for a beautiful blue knitted afghan. It has a snowflake design. It's reversible, so that will be pretty. It's going to be for my daughter's girlfriend. I will have to push hard to get it done in the five or six weeks I'll have to do it. I'll figure out what I have to finish in what time frame to make it happen so we'll see.
Because of all of this, my time for games and other things is restricted. I have not been writing much, though I have to get that to change. I am going to start (again) trying to write for an hour every morning as soon as I am up. That seems to work better than some other things.
For now, however, I'll chug along happily with my various projects and see where it gets me. I have one afghan square finished already this morning, and if Susan comes home soon (not very likely) I will still have this evening while she is out to do the other one. I only have to get two a day finished to hit my deadline. I have five done now and will have one more today. That leaves 11 more of this color. The other 18 are already finished.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Democratic Agenda
I have heard a lot of talk coming from the Republicans about how Democrats "have no plan" etc. However, after doing a bit of reading, I discover that they have put forth a rather definitive plan of what they would want to accomplish should they take control of the House and/or Senate in two weeks.
At the top of the agenda is legislation to increase the minimum wage, force drug companies to negotiate price on prescription drugs sold to Medicare recipients, implement all of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, end tax breaks for big oil, and increase spending for embrionic stem cell research. While it's not "stay the course" it's certainly a very ambitious agenda and if they can actually do even part of it, it will be remarkable and will be 100% more than the current congress has managed to accomplish.
Republicans say that the Democrats will increase taxes, but tht's just a scare tactic as is the call to impeach Bush. While a few Democrats might like to do that, most realize it's a waste of time that they will need to solidify their base and set themselves up with accomplishments going into the next presidential election. On taxation, the only thing I found they were going to propose is an overhaul of the alternative minimum tax, which is increasingly gouging into income of the middle class. Republicans have also called for doing this, but they have never actually proposed legislation to accomplish it.
Another thing that Republicans say is that Democrats will bog congress down with investigations. I cannot see how congress could possibly be less effective than it is now, but I agree with the areas where the Democrats want to conduct investigations. They want to focus on waste, fraud, and abuse in government contracts awarded for Iraq, Katrina, Homeland Security and other such huge handout programs. I would hope this homes in heavily on no-bid contacts to Bush and Cheney buddies. They are also saying they will investigate the reconstruction contracts in Iraq for war profiteering. These are good things, and the money that could be recovered in such investigations would more than pay for any new programs.
In effect, Democrats are saying they will actually try to accomplish something even if Republicans block it and Bush vetoes it. Since most of their agenda is important domestic things, it will sell well to the voters either way. Democrats will have to walk a very fine line this upcoming two years as their aim is not just regaining the House and possibly the Senate, but also defeating Republicans for the Presidency in two years. Personally, I honestly believe they will blow that one. Then again I am not convinced they will actually take the House or the Senate in two weeks. I do, however, hope that if they do they follow through to end much of the acrimony and fighting and actually try to accomplish something.
At the top of the agenda is legislation to increase the minimum wage, force drug companies to negotiate price on prescription drugs sold to Medicare recipients, implement all of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, end tax breaks for big oil, and increase spending for embrionic stem cell research. While it's not "stay the course" it's certainly a very ambitious agenda and if they can actually do even part of it, it will be remarkable and will be 100% more than the current congress has managed to accomplish.
Republicans say that the Democrats will increase taxes, but tht's just a scare tactic as is the call to impeach Bush. While a few Democrats might like to do that, most realize it's a waste of time that they will need to solidify their base and set themselves up with accomplishments going into the next presidential election. On taxation, the only thing I found they were going to propose is an overhaul of the alternative minimum tax, which is increasingly gouging into income of the middle class. Republicans have also called for doing this, but they have never actually proposed legislation to accomplish it.
Another thing that Republicans say is that Democrats will bog congress down with investigations. I cannot see how congress could possibly be less effective than it is now, but I agree with the areas where the Democrats want to conduct investigations. They want to focus on waste, fraud, and abuse in government contracts awarded for Iraq, Katrina, Homeland Security and other such huge handout programs. I would hope this homes in heavily on no-bid contacts to Bush and Cheney buddies. They are also saying they will investigate the reconstruction contracts in Iraq for war profiteering. These are good things, and the money that could be recovered in such investigations would more than pay for any new programs.
In effect, Democrats are saying they will actually try to accomplish something even if Republicans block it and Bush vetoes it. Since most of their agenda is important domestic things, it will sell well to the voters either way. Democrats will have to walk a very fine line this upcoming two years as their aim is not just regaining the House and possibly the Senate, but also defeating Republicans for the Presidency in two years. Personally, I honestly believe they will blow that one. Then again I am not convinced they will actually take the House or the Senate in two weeks. I do, however, hope that if they do they follow through to end much of the acrimony and fighting and actually try to accomplish something.
The Midterms
The political climate is heating up again as the midterm elections are only two weeks away. As usual there is political rhetoric and attack ads. What there isn't, as usual is any substantive action or call to action on the part of either party. We have the usual: "We can do better," talk, but given the total inaction on the part of this congress, I am not sure why anyone should believe them now just because there is an election.
I admit I'm disappointed. I had hoped maybe this could have been an election on issues and plans. What legislation will the Republicans or Democrats introduce in the new session to address even one of the major domestic issues in this country? Thus far the biggest news on that front is that Bush will stop using "stay the course," as a slogan for Iraq. No plan or anything for ending the conflict, but by god we are getting a new slogan. That's so reassuring. I hope he's not simly switching to "Well stand down as they stand up." Maybe something with more zip like: "Mission Accomplished!"
The Republicans are having heart failure over the thought of Nancy Pellosi as Speaker of the House if the Democrats win. There is even talk of a grassroots rebellion among Democrats against her candidacy. On the other hand, she has put forth an actual plan for her first few weeks in office that is impressive, even if it's impossible. Even if the Democrats win and step up to the plate in terms of advancing domestic legislation aimed at solving problems at home, the Republicans and the President will shoot it down in the interest of partisan politics.
I guess in the end that is what bothers me most about our current government. It's all about political power and acrimony and not anything about actually stepping up to the responsibilities of the job we elected them to do. I would sooner have one party or the other pushing a major agenda with which I basically disagreed than to do nothing. At least they would be trying to accomplish something aside from raising money, getting reelected, and kissing ass on big business and big donors.
The midterms are coming. Will it really make any difference at all which party wins?
I admit I'm disappointed. I had hoped maybe this could have been an election on issues and plans. What legislation will the Republicans or Democrats introduce in the new session to address even one of the major domestic issues in this country? Thus far the biggest news on that front is that Bush will stop using "stay the course," as a slogan for Iraq. No plan or anything for ending the conflict, but by god we are getting a new slogan. That's so reassuring. I hope he's not simly switching to "Well stand down as they stand up." Maybe something with more zip like: "Mission Accomplished!"
The Republicans are having heart failure over the thought of Nancy Pellosi as Speaker of the House if the Democrats win. There is even talk of a grassroots rebellion among Democrats against her candidacy. On the other hand, she has put forth an actual plan for her first few weeks in office that is impressive, even if it's impossible. Even if the Democrats win and step up to the plate in terms of advancing domestic legislation aimed at solving problems at home, the Republicans and the President will shoot it down in the interest of partisan politics.
I guess in the end that is what bothers me most about our current government. It's all about political power and acrimony and not anything about actually stepping up to the responsibilities of the job we elected them to do. I would sooner have one party or the other pushing a major agenda with which I basically disagreed than to do nothing. At least they would be trying to accomplish something aside from raising money, getting reelected, and kissing ass on big business and big donors.
The midterms are coming. Will it really make any difference at all which party wins?
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Addictions
Everyone has addictions of one sort or another, some are simply more universally acceptable than are others. Drugs, alcohol, excessive sex, and the like are examples of bad addictions. Books, learning, writing, and the like are examples of things that can be viewed as good addictions.
I was thinking about this this past week because I again indulged in my biggest addiction of all..buying books. I love books. I read them vociferously and I learn or am entertained. I also have a weakness for pens and blank books in which to record ideas. Tablets. I always have a lot of these things at hand scattered across the house and even in my purse or in the car. I am having to be more careful about the book addiction of late because I am now retired. I go to half price books more often and buy paperback as opposed to hardback for all but the more urgent offerings. I mean I won't wait a year for the newest Harry Potter book to be published in paperback, for instance.
That being said, however, I do buy more books than I should. It often takes me a while to read them all and I generally have a pile of 10 or more in my queue. I freely admit that I start getting really antsy, even anxious, if I am down to my last one or two books. I suppose as addictions go, this one, while expensive, is better than many other types of addictions. I guess this is a good thing because I cannot even imagine not having a pile of cool new books waiting to be cracked open and enjoyed.
Hmmmm.....I suppose hints to my relatives that gift cards to book stores make excellent birthday and Christmas presents might be in order.
I was thinking about this this past week because I again indulged in my biggest addiction of all..buying books. I love books. I read them vociferously and I learn or am entertained. I also have a weakness for pens and blank books in which to record ideas. Tablets. I always have a lot of these things at hand scattered across the house and even in my purse or in the car. I am having to be more careful about the book addiction of late because I am now retired. I go to half price books more often and buy paperback as opposed to hardback for all but the more urgent offerings. I mean I won't wait a year for the newest Harry Potter book to be published in paperback, for instance.
That being said, however, I do buy more books than I should. It often takes me a while to read them all and I generally have a pile of 10 or more in my queue. I freely admit that I start getting really antsy, even anxious, if I am down to my last one or two books. I suppose as addictions go, this one, while expensive, is better than many other types of addictions. I guess this is a good thing because I cannot even imagine not having a pile of cool new books waiting to be cracked open and enjoyed.
Hmmmm.....I suppose hints to my relatives that gift cards to book stores make excellent birthday and Christmas presents might be in order.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Getting Things Done
I seem to be off and on when it comes to getting things done. I never seem to get everything I want done no matter how hard I try.
This week I did manage to complete an afghan for myself for this winter, and also a quilt that my friend Arla and I made for a friend. She cuts and pieces and I quilt and bind. Neither likes the other's job much so it works out perfectly for me and things get done.
Today I went out and bought backing for my son's quilt, and will put the batting, backing, and top together today sometime and begin quilting that. I already know what I plan to do in terms of quilting it, so that helps.
I started an afghan for my daughter for her birthday. Will have a push a bit to get that one done by the 9th, but the saving grace is that it is done with really chunky yarn so a huge square is only 7 rows.
I've fallen down badly on my writing. I think I have a work-around for that and will see tomorrow morning. I decided to pull up whatever I was working on first thing before I even head to the kitchen to make coffee. Then I'll come back and write while the coffee is brewing and while I am sipping a couple of cups. It would be just another way to get my morning going on an up note.
On the up side of the writing, I did manage to rewrite and then edit my white paper on outsourcing and also to write the marketing letter. Today or tomorrow I'll select up to ten possible recipients and personalize each letter a bit for them, then send it out. I know it's a really good idea, but I need to be realistic in terms of anyone else seeing the possibilities. Then I shall move on to completing the outline and proposal for the book on teaching techies to write. I want to include a special chapter or two at the back concerning the problems of teaching non-native speakers to write at a professional level. I doubt it can be done to be honest, but I do know what it would take to do it if it were possible.
I need to do more to keep the house up. Just one or two things a day will make all the difference in the world when it comes to keeping on top of things. My daughter is doing better about picking up after herself and doing things too. At some point we will make a list of everything that needs to be done every week, divide it up, and then each person will do their share as they find the time.
I find it particularly ironic that now that I don't work any more I seem to be more busy than I ever was when I did.
This week I did manage to complete an afghan for myself for this winter, and also a quilt that my friend Arla and I made for a friend. She cuts and pieces and I quilt and bind. Neither likes the other's job much so it works out perfectly for me and things get done.
Today I went out and bought backing for my son's quilt, and will put the batting, backing, and top together today sometime and begin quilting that. I already know what I plan to do in terms of quilting it, so that helps.
I started an afghan for my daughter for her birthday. Will have a push a bit to get that one done by the 9th, but the saving grace is that it is done with really chunky yarn so a huge square is only 7 rows.
I've fallen down badly on my writing. I think I have a work-around for that and will see tomorrow morning. I decided to pull up whatever I was working on first thing before I even head to the kitchen to make coffee. Then I'll come back and write while the coffee is brewing and while I am sipping a couple of cups. It would be just another way to get my morning going on an up note.
On the up side of the writing, I did manage to rewrite and then edit my white paper on outsourcing and also to write the marketing letter. Today or tomorrow I'll select up to ten possible recipients and personalize each letter a bit for them, then send it out. I know it's a really good idea, but I need to be realistic in terms of anyone else seeing the possibilities. Then I shall move on to completing the outline and proposal for the book on teaching techies to write. I want to include a special chapter or two at the back concerning the problems of teaching non-native speakers to write at a professional level. I doubt it can be done to be honest, but I do know what it would take to do it if it were possible.
I need to do more to keep the house up. Just one or two things a day will make all the difference in the world when it comes to keeping on top of things. My daughter is doing better about picking up after herself and doing things too. At some point we will make a list of everything that needs to be done every week, divide it up, and then each person will do their share as they find the time.
I find it particularly ironic that now that I don't work any more I seem to be more busy than I ever was when I did.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
A changing world
I haven't posted for a few days; not because I don't have things to comment on, but rather because the world is getting a bit overwhelming. So much is happening, and none of it seems to be good. Here and there I see a glimmering of goodness, but for the most part the news is grim, both personally and in the world.
It's a bit less tense around my house on a personal level because my daughter's girlfriend is gone. I hope for good, but I doubt it. As a result my daughter is home more and is drinking less. These are both good things. She has even started cleaning house again and invited me to go with her for a pedicure on Saturday.
Politically the U.S. is a mess as we plunge toward the midterm elections. Scandal follows scandal with no letup and crisis follows crisis. The Foley scandal continues to roar on unabated. New things arise every day.
On the world stage the U.S. is proving itself to be ineffectual and no longer a power with whom to be reckoned. A paper tiger. Bush draws lines in the sand and other countries step across them with impunity, knowing we have neither the will or the resources to enforce our saber rattling and bluster. Iraq is getting to be a bigger mess by the day and now, rather than beginning to draw down troops by early next year as we were told, we're not told that it will be 2010 or later. Afghanistan is sliding away because there are insufficient troops there to stop the reinsurgency of the Taliban across the Pakistani border, and the Pakistanis have given them a free pass.
Yesterday it hit me how much the world has really changed. A small plane flew into a high rise in NY city. The first thing the news was broadcasting is that it probably wasn't a terrorist attack. I can remember when such a thought wouldn't have occurred to any of us.
I guess I am just feeling overwhelmed by all of the possibilities and all of the news. The one bright spot in all of this chaos is the reaction of the Amish community to the terrible massacre of its children by a nutjob with a gun. Members of that community actually attended the killer's funeral and have set up a fund for his children's schooling. That is such a fine example of living your faith and your beliefs rather than just talking about them. Members of the American religious right could do well to emulate these fine, caring people of faith.
It's a bit less tense around my house on a personal level because my daughter's girlfriend is gone. I hope for good, but I doubt it. As a result my daughter is home more and is drinking less. These are both good things. She has even started cleaning house again and invited me to go with her for a pedicure on Saturday.
Politically the U.S. is a mess as we plunge toward the midterm elections. Scandal follows scandal with no letup and crisis follows crisis. The Foley scandal continues to roar on unabated. New things arise every day.
On the world stage the U.S. is proving itself to be ineffectual and no longer a power with whom to be reckoned. A paper tiger. Bush draws lines in the sand and other countries step across them with impunity, knowing we have neither the will or the resources to enforce our saber rattling and bluster. Iraq is getting to be a bigger mess by the day and now, rather than beginning to draw down troops by early next year as we were told, we're not told that it will be 2010 or later. Afghanistan is sliding away because there are insufficient troops there to stop the reinsurgency of the Taliban across the Pakistani border, and the Pakistanis have given them a free pass.
Yesterday it hit me how much the world has really changed. A small plane flew into a high rise in NY city. The first thing the news was broadcasting is that it probably wasn't a terrorist attack. I can remember when such a thought wouldn't have occurred to any of us.
I guess I am just feeling overwhelmed by all of the possibilities and all of the news. The one bright spot in all of this chaos is the reaction of the Amish community to the terrible massacre of its children by a nutjob with a gun. Members of that community actually attended the killer's funeral and have set up a fund for his children's schooling. That is such a fine example of living your faith and your beliefs rather than just talking about them. Members of the American religious right could do well to emulate these fine, caring people of faith.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
What an awful week
This has truly been an awful week. The school shootings have left me feeling really shaken and wondering how murdering children somehow is seen as a solution to anything for any reason. It feels as if there is some sort of sickness growing among us that is disconnecting us all from our basic humanity.
Then we have the Washington scandals. The Foley thing is, in my opinion, just a symptom of the generalized corruption in D.C. now on both sides of the aisle. Those up there have long ago lost sight of what they are elected to do and why they are really there. I fear the only solution that they'll actually hear is to vote out all incumbents and continue to do so every two years until they get the message to start doing what they are there to do such as secure our borders, fix our tax code, fix the broken immigration system, balance the budget, reduce the debt, and start acting with fiscal responsiblity. The general public is sick and tired of this do-nothing congress where the biggest thing they think of as an accomplishment is voting in a huge tax cut to the top two-tenths of one percent of the taxpayers.
I'm eagerly awaiting my copy of Bob Woodward's new book State of Denial. Already the repercussions of what he says in there are shaking the country. First Ms. Rice flatly denies a critical briefing every happened, only to be forced to turn around two days later and admit it did happen then try to explain it away. The Administration, who touted Woodward's first two books on the Bush Presidency, is now trying to make it appear as if for some reason Woodward chose in this instance to abandon the journalistic care and integrity for which he's been known for over 30 years and has produced a pack of lies. Even the denials are couched in such a way as to make them laughable. The collective amnesia is amazing.
On the personal front things are very traumatic at home at present so I am exhausted and feeling out of sorts despite having a ton of important things to get done today. It's nearly 8:30 in the morning and I am not even ready to begin work.
In all it's been an awful week, and it's only Thursday.
Then we have the Washington scandals. The Foley thing is, in my opinion, just a symptom of the generalized corruption in D.C. now on both sides of the aisle. Those up there have long ago lost sight of what they are elected to do and why they are really there. I fear the only solution that they'll actually hear is to vote out all incumbents and continue to do so every two years until they get the message to start doing what they are there to do such as secure our borders, fix our tax code, fix the broken immigration system, balance the budget, reduce the debt, and start acting with fiscal responsiblity. The general public is sick and tired of this do-nothing congress where the biggest thing they think of as an accomplishment is voting in a huge tax cut to the top two-tenths of one percent of the taxpayers.
I'm eagerly awaiting my copy of Bob Woodward's new book State of Denial. Already the repercussions of what he says in there are shaking the country. First Ms. Rice flatly denies a critical briefing every happened, only to be forced to turn around two days later and admit it did happen then try to explain it away. The Administration, who touted Woodward's first two books on the Bush Presidency, is now trying to make it appear as if for some reason Woodward chose in this instance to abandon the journalistic care and integrity for which he's been known for over 30 years and has produced a pack of lies. Even the denials are couched in such a way as to make them laughable. The collective amnesia is amazing.
On the personal front things are very traumatic at home at present so I am exhausted and feeling out of sorts despite having a ton of important things to get done today. It's nearly 8:30 in the morning and I am not even ready to begin work.
In all it's been an awful week, and it's only Thursday.
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