or What I Did Today.
The Lost City Museum had its annual holiday open house today. I was assigned to cover it for the newspaper. It really is one of the coolest places around. It really is one of the reasons that I love living in a small town.
But, anyway, the high school choir performed one of my favorite songs, and I happened to have my handy, dandy, camera--thingee which also videotapes handy, so I taped it.
Beautiful.
Merry Christmas. Or Happy Holidays. Whichever you prefer. Have a lovely Winter Solstice...
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
The Women's Crusade
The Women's Crusade
“Women hold up half the sky,” in the words of a Chinese saying, yet that’s mostly an aspiration: in a large slice of the world, girls are uneducated and women marginalized, and it’s not an accident that those same countries are disproportionately mired in poverty and riven by fundamentalism and chaos. There’s a growing recognition among everyone from the World Bank to the U.S. military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff to aid organizations like CARE that focusing on women and girls is the most effective way to fight global poverty and extremism. That’s why foreign aid is increasingly directed to women. The world is awakening to a powerful truth: Women and girls aren’t the problem; they’re the solution.
“Women hold up half the sky,” in the words of a Chinese saying, yet that’s mostly an aspiration: in a large slice of the world, girls are uneducated and women marginalized, and it’s not an accident that those same countries are disproportionately mired in poverty and riven by fundamentalism and chaos. There’s a growing recognition among everyone from the World Bank to the U.S. military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff to aid organizations like CARE that focusing on women and girls is the most effective way to fight global poverty and extremism. That’s why foreign aid is increasingly directed to women. The world is awakening to a powerful truth: Women and girls aren’t the problem; they’re the solution.
Rights...
I just want to clarify that believing in a woman's Right to Choose does not necessarily mean that a person is pro-abortion. Just Pro-Choice.
Just as someone who is anti-abortion is probably not anti-choice.
It's all in the use of the words.
But, having said that, don't for a minute expect me to believe on the one hand that government power should be limited, but government should tell me what to do with my body. You can't have it both ways.
Just as someone who is anti-abortion is probably not anti-choice.
It's all in the use of the words.
But, having said that, don't for a minute expect me to believe on the one hand that government power should be limited, but government should tell me what to do with my body. You can't have it both ways.
Part Time Workers
You know how much I love the NY Times. I read it every day. It is probably a good indication that I am a liberal.
With liberal ideas.
Which is why it frustrates me when conservatives (many of them my friends and neighbors) complain about our new President and how he is turning America into a Socialist country. It really makes me angry when you (the ubiquitous you) tell me that no one needs a helping hand and everyone who does is just abusing the system.
I think you need to read my piece on the Dutch.
Which brings me to today. Great article in the NY Times suggesting that the "Great Recession" is so much worse than is being reported. If you take into account all the people that are working part time because full time work is unavailable, it brings the unemployment rate up quite a bit. As much as 23.5% in Oregon, 21.5% in Michigan and Rhode Island, and just under 20% in Tennessee and Nevada (oh, where I live!). And to be honest--my husband's hours were reduced to 24 hours a week in December. He has looked for another job, but they just aren't out there. My daughter was laid off from her government job and is collecting unemployment. I am still working (at home, as a writer), but I am not even close to being the breadwinner in the family.
Guess what, we need a helping hand. And I am pissed every time someone suggests that our family problem is our own fault. And that by looking for help, we are abusing the system.
Crazy thing, all you naysayers who look to history to prove your point: The government and the economy seem to do better when the democrats are in office. The deficit isn't as high, if it is existent at all (remember, during the Clinton years we were running with a surplus--which went away very quickly when W. came into office).
That's my vent today. Thanks for listening.
With liberal ideas.
Which is why it frustrates me when conservatives (many of them my friends and neighbors) complain about our new President and how he is turning America into a Socialist country. It really makes me angry when you (the ubiquitous you) tell me that no one needs a helping hand and everyone who does is just abusing the system.
I think you need to read my piece on the Dutch.
Which brings me to today. Great article in the NY Times suggesting that the "Great Recession" is so much worse than is being reported. If you take into account all the people that are working part time because full time work is unavailable, it brings the unemployment rate up quite a bit. As much as 23.5% in Oregon, 21.5% in Michigan and Rhode Island, and just under 20% in Tennessee and Nevada (oh, where I live!). And to be honest--my husband's hours were reduced to 24 hours a week in December. He has looked for another job, but they just aren't out there. My daughter was laid off from her government job and is collecting unemployment. I am still working (at home, as a writer), but I am not even close to being the breadwinner in the family.
Guess what, we need a helping hand. And I am pissed every time someone suggests that our family problem is our own fault. And that by looking for help, we are abusing the system.
Crazy thing, all you naysayers who look to history to prove your point: The government and the economy seem to do better when the democrats are in office. The deficit isn't as high, if it is existent at all (remember, during the Clinton years we were running with a surplus--which went away very quickly when W. came into office).
That's my vent today. Thanks for listening.
Karl Malden
Sigh. Yet another celebrity has moved out of this world an on to the next.I loved Karl Malden. He was the veteran cop assigned to the Homicide Division and tasked with the job of teaching Michael Douglas all the tips and tricks of being an effective detective. Michael Douglas was the pretty one...but I loved Karl Malden.
He was the Reverend Paul Ford in Pollyanna--a childhood favorite.
He reminds me of family.
Karl Malden died today. He was 97. He had a long life, married to the same woman for 70 years. A great career, great offspring. He won an Academy Award (Best Supporting Actor) for his role as Harold "Mitch" Mitchell in A Streetcar Named Desire.
I will miss him.
Angels and Demons
No, not the movie. As I was perusing Momstar's blog yesterday, I came across one of her random thoughts. It was basic: An angel and a demon died today. But so blatant in what she meant. I imagine if you are 10 or more years younger than me, the Michael Jackson you know is Wacko Jacko. The man who never grew up--or never got to be a child. I remember the younger Michael of the 70's and 80's. Much more exciting. Awesome music. Somewhat normal.
The angel--well, Charlie's Angel. Farrah has had her own ups and downs in life. Don't forget her Playboy spread. But, she was a woman living her life. She has had her own struggles--of course, the cancer. Her relationships. Her son. I think her life could be called far from angelic.
Anyway. I love the play on words. Although I don't believe so much in the correlation.
The angel--well, Charlie's Angel. Farrah has had her own ups and downs in life. Don't forget her Playboy spread. But, she was a woman living her life. She has had her own struggles--of course, the cancer. Her relationships. Her son. I think her life could be called far from angelic.
Anyway. I love the play on words. Although I don't believe so much in the correlation.
Teresa Wiltz on Michael Jackson
I’ve always found it ironic that the boy who helped me to really appreciate that black was indeed beautiful grew into a man who didn’t seem to see that in himself.
On June 8, 1978, a jury in Clark County, Nev., ruled the so-called "Mormon will," purportedly written by the late billionaire Howard Hughes, was a forgery.
“I don’t know who this bailout is helping. We’ve given these banks all this money and they’re not doing what they say they’re doing. Something’s not working right.”
Eileen Ulery, a homeowner in Mesa, Ariz.
"...imagine a world in which Donald Trump owns NBC and lives in the White House, while grooming Miss California USA to run for Congress, and you may be half way to understanding Italian politics."
~Robert Mackey on Italian Politics
Where Have all the Helicopters Gone?
Great new article in the NY Times about changing parenting styles. It's one of those articles that makes me feel like, yes...someone finally understands me! I grew up in a time where it was safe to ride my bike to the park, and I did it on a daily basis. One of the reasons I love living in a (very) small town is because I feel relatively safe allowing my kids to walk or ride their bikes to their friends house, or let them go to one of the two local pools without adult supervision. I am limited in the "opportunities" for extra-curricular activities available for my kids, which makes it that much easier not to worry about what they are missing. They are growing up much in the same way I did.
It works for me. My kids take (or took) music lessons in school. Public school. Public school teachers. Who are really very good at what they teach. It's an amazing concept, I know. My son is a Boy Scout. He goes camping every month or two. He learns how to help other people and to be a good citizen. My daughter was a Girl Scout until she graduated High School--learning and doing much the same. My daughter got a job when she turned 16. I expect my son to get a job when he turns 16. This is life. This is what the rest of us did.
I suspect the helicoptering goes back to this sense of entitlement that we have been fed. We all have to have big houses and cars, send our kids to multiple classes so that they will get into the best colleges. We must have only the biggest and the best of everything. But you know what? There is so much more to life than stuff. So much more, and even if it is only the economy that is moving society "backwards" to a simpler time, at least we are getting back to it. When our kids do things they want to do, and they do it for themselves, they become better people. They gain a sense of accomplishment from their own successes and their own choices. They learn better. They don't have a sense of urgency without knowing what is causing it.
In short, they become the people we want them to become.
It works for me. My kids take (or took) music lessons in school. Public school. Public school teachers. Who are really very good at what they teach. It's an amazing concept, I know. My son is a Boy Scout. He goes camping every month or two. He learns how to help other people and to be a good citizen. My daughter was a Girl Scout until she graduated High School--learning and doing much the same. My daughter got a job when she turned 16. I expect my son to get a job when he turns 16. This is life. This is what the rest of us did.
I suspect the helicoptering goes back to this sense of entitlement that we have been fed. We all have to have big houses and cars, send our kids to multiple classes so that they will get into the best colleges. We must have only the biggest and the best of everything. But you know what? There is so much more to life than stuff. So much more, and even if it is only the economy that is moving society "backwards" to a simpler time, at least we are getting back to it. When our kids do things they want to do, and they do it for themselves, they become better people. They gain a sense of accomplishment from their own successes and their own choices. They learn better. They don't have a sense of urgency without knowing what is causing it.
In short, they become the people we want them to become.
Witch Hunts...No, Really!
Are there still witch hunts in the world? I mean real witch hunts--hunting for witches to root out evil in our midst. Apparently so. According to the New York Times, the President of Gambia has sent out men in red tunics to all the villages searching for witches. An unknown number of men were taken from their villages and forced to drink a foul concoction which induced hallucinations, caused vomiting, and in some cases, even death.
It is frustrating to me that one man can cause such heartache in his country, where people are not free to object to such outlandish treatment. It seems like a ploy to place blame for what is wrong with the country on its people, rather than those who caused the problems--the leaders. I am sickened.
It's time to call the witch doctor.
It is frustrating to me that one man can cause such heartache in his country, where people are not free to object to such outlandish treatment. It seems like a ploy to place blame for what is wrong with the country on its people, rather than those who caused the problems--the leaders. I am sickened.
It's time to call the witch doctor.
Mt. St. Helens
On May 18, 1980, the Mount St. Helens volcano in Washington state exploded, leaving 57 people dead or missing.
Government Aid
This actually makes me want to cry:
"The system for helping Americans in need is very fragmented, and it confuses everyone. Some people are covered and some people are not, even though they look like they’re in very similar circumstances."
"The system for helping Americans in need is very fragmented, and it confuses everyone. Some people are covered and some people are not, even though they look like they’re in very similar circumstances."
~THEDA SKOCPOL, a political scientist at Harvard, on government aid.
Going Dutch
Excellent article in the NY Times today about the Dutch government and its "socialist" tendencies. I am on the more liberal side of the democratic party (as you may or may not have guessed from reading my blog), and so this article really struck a chord with me.
I have read a bit of Marx, and one thing that really struck me is not so much his ideas of communism, but really--how the capitalist system as it is today is doomed to failure. The idea that capitalism will evolve into something closer to socialism--and work--is something that resonates with me, because I just don't get the idea of capitalism in America. I believe that if you work hard for something you can achieve it, but I have a problem with the idea of not helping others if you are able to.
One of the things I really like about the Dutch system is that it seems like there is a balanced mix of socialism and capitalism. I really don't think that if we have universal health care in America that all people are going to suddenly feel "entitled" to things beyond their means. I actually think our current "capitalist" American society has done that. We have spent the last couple of decades fooling everyone into thinking that we are "entitled" to have nice cars, big houses, easy money. Where has that gotten us? Into a very extreme, economic downturn.
One of the things that Shorto points out in his article is that the Dutch form of "the socialist state" is that it is not really based on Marxism, but rather, St. Francis of Assisi. At this point, there is not a perfect system in the world. But I truly believe that parts of the American system are broken. We need to change, especially if we want to keep our status in the world. And for a country bent on being different from our forefathers' country--we really seem to be afraid of change.
Suck it up, people...it's not going to kill us to try something different.
I have read a bit of Marx, and one thing that really struck me is not so much his ideas of communism, but really--how the capitalist system as it is today is doomed to failure. The idea that capitalism will evolve into something closer to socialism--and work--is something that resonates with me, because I just don't get the idea of capitalism in America. I believe that if you work hard for something you can achieve it, but I have a problem with the idea of not helping others if you are able to.
One of the things I really like about the Dutch system is that it seems like there is a balanced mix of socialism and capitalism. I really don't think that if we have universal health care in America that all people are going to suddenly feel "entitled" to things beyond their means. I actually think our current "capitalist" American society has done that. We have spent the last couple of decades fooling everyone into thinking that we are "entitled" to have nice cars, big houses, easy money. Where has that gotten us? Into a very extreme, economic downturn.
One of the things that Shorto points out in his article is that the Dutch form of "the socialist state" is that it is not really based on Marxism, but rather, St. Francis of Assisi. At this point, there is not a perfect system in the world. But I truly believe that parts of the American system are broken. We need to change, especially if we want to keep our status in the world. And for a country bent on being different from our forefathers' country--we really seem to be afraid of change.
Suck it up, people...it's not going to kill us to try something different.
Conspiracy Theory...
Yesterday my daughter informs me (are you ready for this "my boyfriend's sister's best friend's hairstylist's cousin" scenario???) that a friend of hers who happens to be in the military police told her that the swine flu that is going around was created from some missing vials of viruses originating from some super-secret virus test lab somewhere in the United States. In her defense, she probably told me where the super-secret lab was...She also told me that the reason Gov. Arnold (R) Cal., declared a state of emergency in California is because there are 40 confirmed (by the military, but not by the press)/unconfirmed deaths from the swine flu in California.
I'm a bit skeptical.
Although I did just get over the flu...
I may be naive, but I generally believe what the news is telling me, and rarely believe that there is any kind of conspiracy going on. However, I am interested in what you think as well...I promise if you tell me, I won't tell anyone what a crackpot I think you are (just kidding!).
I'm waiting for her theory to show up on her blog...and in the meantime, I will keep reading the news.
100 Days of Hope (Let's Stop the Hunger)
One of the many problems in the world today is world hunger. And by world, I want to make sure you understand that I absolutely include the U.S. in that. I am thrilled that President Obama is addressing that issue. I am doing what I know I can do (which, I am sure, is not nearly enough).
Thank you....that is all. :)
Anyway, what can we do to help? Donate food to the food bank. Don't waste your own food. Recognize the not only is food a basic necessity, it is an unalienable human right. Champion that idea...At the G20 summit in London this month, Obama announced that he intends to double U.S. assistance for global agricultural productivity and rural development. He also called for a comprehensive food security strategy to alleviate chronic hunger that affects one-sixth of the world's population.
Thank you....that is all. :)
Change Your Name!
I was reading the New York Times this morning and came across this article about how Chinese people are being told to change their names if they have unusual names not recognized by their computer system. The system currently recognizes approximately 32,500 of the 55,000 characters available in the writing system of China.
This makes me really appreciate our 26 character system.
I personally think that China is getting a bit big for its britches--shouldn't naming children (and keeping our own names) be a given? At what point is too much government involvement? The really scary part about this is that China is the largest country by population in the world. And China owns a large part of the United States (where do you think we keep getting money from?). At some point in our future (perhaps not in my lifetime), this could be us....
Scary.
This makes me really appreciate our 26 character system.
I personally think that China is getting a bit big for its britches--shouldn't naming children (and keeping our own names) be a given? At what point is too much government involvement? The really scary part about this is that China is the largest country by population in the world. And China owns a large part of the United States (where do you think we keep getting money from?). At some point in our future (perhaps not in my lifetime), this could be us....
Scary.
I want $80,000 to take a year off!
Wouldn't we all like to work for a company who will pay us $80,000 to take a year off of work? Granted, the $80,000 is only a third of the workers base pay--but I think many of us wouldn't have a problem living off of it (I wouldn't).
I think this is a brilliant plan to cut costs--especially since you are not required to take it. If you can afford to take the cut in pay, by all means--what an opportunity! In this case, the firm is a law firm, and many of the lawyers who are taking advantage of this program will be going out into the community and doing pro bono work.
You don't often hear good things about lawyers--more often the down and dirty stuff--so it is a relief to hear about a firm doing something to help their employees and help the community at the same time, even if it is all in an effort to cut costs.
Maybe I should go to law school...
I think this is a brilliant plan to cut costs--especially since you are not required to take it. If you can afford to take the cut in pay, by all means--what an opportunity! In this case, the firm is a law firm, and many of the lawyers who are taking advantage of this program will be going out into the community and doing pro bono work.
You don't often hear good things about lawyers--more often the down and dirty stuff--so it is a relief to hear about a firm doing something to help their employees and help the community at the same time, even if it is all in an effort to cut costs.
Maybe I should go to law school...
Unite for Hunger and Hope
I was going through my email (you know--deleting the junk mail, responding to the important stuff, and enjoying the rest) this afternoon, and I came across an email inviting me to UNITE FOR HUNGER AND HOPE. Well, sheesh--I am always up for a good uniting, so I clicked the link, read the info, and decided that I would definitely participate! I personally have never experienced real hunger (and I hope I never do), but that doesn't mean I would wish it on anyone else. You all know how much I love food--and that love is something I certainly want to share with the rest of the world. Good food, that is. Although I imagine that for some people, any food would be better then nothing. Or maybe not.
Did you happen to see Wall-E? It occurred to me whilst I was watching it that the food they were eating was not the best food for them. Actually, what really struck me was that we (the U.S. and the world) are heading right in that direction--that if we don't watch ourselves, the human race will end up just like the human race did in Wall-E. Social commentary. At least that's how I saw it. Which isn't to say I didn't love the movie--because I actually did. But--sheesh, people. Take care! You are what you eat!
Luckily, we can help those who don't have food get some. Bloggers, Unite, ya'll. :)
Did you happen to see Wall-E? It occurred to me whilst I was watching it that the food they were eating was not the best food for them. Actually, what really struck me was that we (the U.S. and the world) are heading right in that direction--that if we don't watch ourselves, the human race will end up just like the human race did in Wall-E. Social commentary. At least that's how I saw it. Which isn't to say I didn't love the movie--because I actually did. But--sheesh, people. Take care! You are what you eat!
Luckily, we can help those who don't have food get some. Bloggers, Unite, ya'll. :)
