OBAMA, TIM RUSSERT AND WHY I'M STILL MOURNING TIM RUSSERT'S DEATH.
Barack Obama is to public service what Tim Russert is to political reporting.
Both came from humble beginnings, roots with a strong work ethic, and great familial love, but little money. Both were educated in private schools(I loved that Tim honored all his life the strong teachings he received from the nuns(I feel strong affection for my teacher-nuns, too)), and both were encouraged to dream. Both have been giants in their fields of choice. Obama continues to be.
Tim Russert won't get the chance to do even more, to walk with us through the most historic election this country has ever seen. He won't be there for us to watch--as I did in 2000--when he held up that little board, with "Florida, Florida, Florida" on it, where he explained the entire election(long before anyone guessed how spot-on he'd be)would hinge on that state. I called my ol pal, Alan, and we chatted, back-and-forth throughout the night. My "California connection", Alan offered insights as we listened to Tim's, and when I headed to bed, I believed Al Gore had won. When Alan called to let me know "Something's up...", it was Tim Russert who we listened to. It was a long evening, a longer morning, and I went from elation, to heartbreak, to maybe -there's-a-chance...
Election Night (Tuesday, November 4th, 2008) won't be the same without Tim Russert and his perspective, his commentary on politics, on music--a lifelong rock n' roller, he adored Bruce Springsteen, but was tender-hearted enough to have "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" as his cell-phone ring-tone.On life, on sports--and his beloved "Bills".I'll miss his bigger-than-life smile.
I saw on NBC News the other evening, that after his funeral, a rainbow suddenly appeared just behind the NBC studios. They showed the rainbow, and for a moment, it was seeing like Tim--intelligent, bright blue eyes, blinking, saying hello, and urging the rest of us to go after the story we want, and "Go get'em, pal...".
RIP, Tim.
Showing posts with label BARACK OBAMA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BARACK OBAMA. Show all posts
Friday, June 20, 2008
Saturday, May 31, 2008
PRACTICING WHAT I PEACE...
I could engage in real battlefield language, what with John McCain's "spiritual mentor" calling the R.C. Church "the great whore". I could engage in a rowdy defense of the R.C. priest who has worked wonders for his church, and been a great supporter of Senator Barack Obama...and has been attacked by The Catholic League(no big feat here, The Catholic League attacks nearly everyone who disagrees with its outdated, ultra-conservative agenda), and ordered to withdraw from any campaigning, or even naming of a candidate, by his own archbishop.And while this priest's comments were mean-spirited, and I wish he'd expressed his outrage over his interpretation of Hillary feeling "entitled" to the Democratic candidacy for President in a less strident way(mimicking her crying, etc.), I defend his right to express himself.
So what I'll do here instead, is show you a way to more peace, kids. It's called music. Music doesn't just "soothe the savage beast". Apparently, it soothes the savage, in all of us...Read on, in an article from the AP:
Neurologist, choir explore music's healing power
By KAREN MATTHEWS, Associated Press Writer Sat May 31, 9:17 AM ET
NEW YORK - Noted neurologist Oliver Sacks has found common ground with the pastor of Harlem's Abyssinian Baptist Church:
Both men believe in the healing power of music.
Sacks, the best-selling author of "Awakenings" and "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat," was to share the church stage Saturday with the famed gospel choir as part of the inaugural World Science Festival, a five-day celebration of science taking place in New York this week.
"It should be an exciting and unusual event," Sacks said in an interview this week. "I will talk about the therapeutic and beneficent power of music as a physician, and then their wonderful choir will perform. ... And the audience will make what they can of it."
Sacks' most recent book is "Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain," which examines the relationship between music and the brain, including its healing effect on people suffering from such diseases as Tourette's syndrome, Parkinson's, autism and Alzheimer's.
"Even with advanced dementia, when powers of memory and language are lost, people will respond to music," he said.
A Baptist church is an unusual venue for Sacks, a professor of clinical neurology and clinical psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center who was brought up Jewish but is not a religious believer.
But the central role of music in church makes Abyssinian a good place to discuss the myriad ways that music affects the human brain, said Sacks, who was played by Robin Williams in the movie version of "Awakenings."
Abyssinian's pastor, the Rev. Calvin O. Butts III, said the choir is looking forward to performing with Sacks. He noted that music plays a central role in the healing power of prayer.
"What we have been studying ... is that when you pray, there's actually a physiological change in the body," he said. "Music is very much a part of this. There are certain notes that generate in the human body a kind of peacefulness."
Abyssinian was founded by Ethiopian sea traders in 1808 and is celebrating its bicentennial. It is a popular destination for European tourists who line up around the block in Harlem for Sunday services.
The event there is one of two Sacks is participating in during the World Science Festival. The other focuses on vision and the brain.
The festival was conceived by Columbia University physicist Brian Greene and his wife Tracy Day, a broadcast journalist.
"Our intent is to help shift the public perception of science, so that people realize that science is as important as art, literature, film, theater," Greene said.
Panelists include Nobel laureates as well as actors, dancers, philosophers and science journalists.
Greene said he hopes the festival will spread to other cities.
___
On the Net:
http://www.worldsciencefestival.com/
http://www.abyssinian.org:
Have a sacred, blessed, peaceful weekend!
I could engage in real battlefield language, what with John McCain's "spiritual mentor" calling the R.C. Church "the great whore". I could engage in a rowdy defense of the R.C. priest who has worked wonders for his church, and been a great supporter of Senator Barack Obama...and has been attacked by The Catholic League(no big feat here, The Catholic League attacks nearly everyone who disagrees with its outdated, ultra-conservative agenda), and ordered to withdraw from any campaigning, or even naming of a candidate, by his own archbishop.And while this priest's comments were mean-spirited, and I wish he'd expressed his outrage over his interpretation of Hillary feeling "entitled" to the Democratic candidacy for President in a less strident way(mimicking her crying, etc.), I defend his right to express himself.
So what I'll do here instead, is show you a way to more peace, kids. It's called music. Music doesn't just "soothe the savage beast". Apparently, it soothes the savage, in all of us...Read on, in an article from the AP:
Neurologist, choir explore music's healing power
By KAREN MATTHEWS, Associated Press Writer Sat May 31, 9:17 AM ET
NEW YORK - Noted neurologist Oliver Sacks has found common ground with the pastor of Harlem's Abyssinian Baptist Church:
Both men believe in the healing power of music.
Sacks, the best-selling author of "Awakenings" and "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat," was to share the church stage Saturday with the famed gospel choir as part of the inaugural World Science Festival, a five-day celebration of science taking place in New York this week.
"It should be an exciting and unusual event," Sacks said in an interview this week. "I will talk about the therapeutic and beneficent power of music as a physician, and then their wonderful choir will perform. ... And the audience will make what they can of it."
Sacks' most recent book is "Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain," which examines the relationship between music and the brain, including its healing effect on people suffering from such diseases as Tourette's syndrome, Parkinson's, autism and Alzheimer's.
"Even with advanced dementia, when powers of memory and language are lost, people will respond to music," he said.
A Baptist church is an unusual venue for Sacks, a professor of clinical neurology and clinical psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center who was brought up Jewish but is not a religious believer.
But the central role of music in church makes Abyssinian a good place to discuss the myriad ways that music affects the human brain, said Sacks, who was played by Robin Williams in the movie version of "Awakenings."
Abyssinian's pastor, the Rev. Calvin O. Butts III, said the choir is looking forward to performing with Sacks. He noted that music plays a central role in the healing power of prayer.
"What we have been studying ... is that when you pray, there's actually a physiological change in the body," he said. "Music is very much a part of this. There are certain notes that generate in the human body a kind of peacefulness."
Abyssinian was founded by Ethiopian sea traders in 1808 and is celebrating its bicentennial. It is a popular destination for European tourists who line up around the block in Harlem for Sunday services.
The event there is one of two Sacks is participating in during the World Science Festival. The other focuses on vision and the brain.
The festival was conceived by Columbia University physicist Brian Greene and his wife Tracy Day, a broadcast journalist.
"Our intent is to help shift the public perception of science, so that people realize that science is as important as art, literature, film, theater," Greene said.
Panelists include Nobel laureates as well as actors, dancers, philosophers and science journalists.
Greene said he hopes the festival will spread to other cities.
___
On the Net:
http://www.worldsciencefestival.com/
http://www.abyssinian.org:
Have a sacred, blessed, peaceful weekend!
Friday, February 15, 2008
HEY KIDS LOOK AT THIS--TELL ME IT'S TRUE!!!
McCain Aide Says He Will Quit if Obama Gets Nod
Thursday, February 14, 2008 12:18 PMBy: Newsmax Staff
Article Font Size
Mark McKinnon, a top adviser to Republican presidential front-runner John McCain, says he will quit the campaign if Barack Obama wins the Democratic nomination.
McKinnon — a Democrat-turned Republican who was President Bush’s chief media adviser in 2004 — told National Public Radio he would leave the McCain team to avoid involvement in any attacks on Obama.
“I met Barack Obama. I read his book. I like him a great deal,” he said.
“I disagree with him on very fundamental issues. But I think … it would be a great race for the country and I would simply be uncomfortable being in a campaign that would be inevitably attacking Barack Obama.
“I think it would be uncomfortable for me, and I think it would be bad for the McCain campaign.”
© 2008 Newsmax. All rights reserved
This is a bigger turning point, I think, than all the Unions who back Obama, or the Superdelegates choosing him. I mean, if your opponent's people DO NOT WANT to oppose you--my God, that's POWER.Think about it--think what a President Obama could accomplish in the rest of the world!
McCain Aide Says He Will Quit if Obama Gets Nod
Thursday, February 14, 2008 12:18 PMBy: Newsmax Staff
Article Font Size
Mark McKinnon, a top adviser to Republican presidential front-runner John McCain, says he will quit the campaign if Barack Obama wins the Democratic nomination.
McKinnon — a Democrat-turned Republican who was President Bush’s chief media adviser in 2004 — told National Public Radio he would leave the McCain team to avoid involvement in any attacks on Obama.
“I met Barack Obama. I read his book. I like him a great deal,” he said.
“I disagree with him on very fundamental issues. But I think … it would be a great race for the country and I would simply be uncomfortable being in a campaign that would be inevitably attacking Barack Obama.
“I think it would be uncomfortable for me, and I think it would be bad for the McCain campaign.”
© 2008 Newsmax. All rights reserved
This is a bigger turning point, I think, than all the Unions who back Obama, or the Superdelegates choosing him. I mean, if your opponent's people DO NOT WANT to oppose you--my God, that's POWER.Think about it--think what a President Obama could accomplish in the rest of the world!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
REMEMBER, TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13th, 8:15 P.M., CALLANWOLDE FINE ARTS CENTER, LISA ALLENDER READING HER POETRY, ALONGSIDE LITERARY GIANT, JUDSON("THE SWEET EVERLASTING") MITCHAM!
I AM SO HONORED!
ARRIVE BY 7:45 P.M., TO ENSURE A SEAT!
SEE THE LINK TO CALLANWOLDE, TO THE RIGHT OF THIS COLUMN.
See you there.
I am becoming afflicted(cheerfully!) with Obama-mania!!
One more article--this one quite amusing and delightful-- on this (yet another!)historic day, below:
Obama, Japan, roots for accidental namesake
by Shaun TandonTue Feb 12, 2:15 AM ET
Barack Obama, who has been credited with tapping support in unlikely places, is enjoying a groundswell of enthusiasm in a small city in western Japan, which is delighted to share his name.
Obama, Japan, is rooting for candidate Obama, hoping that if he becomes the US president he will put this ancient fishing town of 32,000 people firmly on the tourist map and, just maybe, choose it for an international summit.
Supporters in Obama -- which means "small shore" in Japanese -- have held parties to watch election results, put up posters wishing the senator luck and plan a special batch of the town's "manju" sweets bearing his likeness.
"At first we were more low-key as Hillary Clinton looked to be ahead, but now we see he is getting more popular," Obama Mayor Toshio Murakami said.
"I give him an 80 percent chance of becoming president," the 75-year-old said with a proud grin.
Murakami sent a letter last year to Obama, enclosing a set of lacquer chopsticks, a famous product of this town on the Sea of Japan (East Sea) in Fukui prefecture's Wakasa region.
"I will present you the chopsticks of Wakasa paint and I am glad if you use it habitually," Murakami said in the English-language letter. "I wish you the best of health and success."
Murakami noted that Barack Obama's birthday, August 4, happens to be "Chopsticks Day" in the city.
Obama, who is also a hero in his father's native Kenya, has been gaining in a neck-and-neck race with Clinton, in part by winning over voters in states that rarely back members of their Democratic party.
Murakami is now preparing another package for the candidate that will include a good-luck charm from the local Obama Shrine.
"For the first letter I found his address on the Internet, so I don't know if he got it," Murakami said. "But this time I asked the (US) embassy for his exact address, so I'm sure he'll get it."
Lest cynics find the city's efforts naive, it was Obama himself who first drew attention to the connection.
Obama, speaking to Japan's TBS network in December 2006, said that when he flew once to Tokyo, an officer stamping his passport told him of the town.
"He looked up and said, 'I'm from Obama,'" the senator said.
A professor saw the footage and contacted the mayor, who insists that his support for Obama goes beyond just his name.
"It seems to me that President Bush isn't aggressively addressing global warming, but Obama would. And I like how he opposed the Iraq war," he said.
Murakami also hoped a President Obama would sign a peace treaty with North Korea. It is no small issue in Obama, one of the seaside towns where agents from the communist state kidnapped Japanese in the 1970s and 1980s, setting off a long row between the countries.
The election is being closely followed by many in 1,500-year-old Obama, a port nestled by snowy hills that in ancient times supplied food to the emperor when he lived in Kyoto some 75 kilometres (40 miles) to the south.
"When you look in Obama's eyes and hear his voice, he's very impressive," said resident Rieko Tanaka.
"Hillary is a bit old-fashioned and she's the wife of Bill Clinton, so I think a new person should lead the USA," she said.
Tomoyuki Ueda, 40, a company worker dining at a restaurant serving the town's celebrated mackerel, said it would be healthy for the United States to elect its first African-American president.
"I think both Obama and Hillary are qualified, but if Obama becomes president he could correct problems of racial discrimination," he said.
Seiji Fujihara, a head of the local tourism board, said he has only met a black person once, but believed Obama's election would make the United States "more equal" on racial issues.
Fujihara started a club for self-styled Obama supporters in the city and plans "I love Obama" T-shirts.
"We know we can't vote. But if we send out a message, we can help push him to victory," he said.
ENJOY YOUR EVENING, AND TOMORROW, PLEASE CONSIDER COMING OUT TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR ME(I NEED YOU!), AT CALLANWOLDE!
I AM SO HONORED!
ARRIVE BY 7:45 P.M., TO ENSURE A SEAT!
SEE THE LINK TO CALLANWOLDE, TO THE RIGHT OF THIS COLUMN.
See you there.
I am becoming afflicted(cheerfully!) with Obama-mania!!
One more article--this one quite amusing and delightful-- on this (yet another!)historic day, below:
Obama, Japan, roots for accidental namesake
by Shaun TandonTue Feb 12, 2:15 AM ET
Barack Obama, who has been credited with tapping support in unlikely places, is enjoying a groundswell of enthusiasm in a small city in western Japan, which is delighted to share his name.
Obama, Japan, is rooting for candidate Obama, hoping that if he becomes the US president he will put this ancient fishing town of 32,000 people firmly on the tourist map and, just maybe, choose it for an international summit.
Supporters in Obama -- which means "small shore" in Japanese -- have held parties to watch election results, put up posters wishing the senator luck and plan a special batch of the town's "manju" sweets bearing his likeness.
"At first we were more low-key as Hillary Clinton looked to be ahead, but now we see he is getting more popular," Obama Mayor Toshio Murakami said.
"I give him an 80 percent chance of becoming president," the 75-year-old said with a proud grin.
Murakami sent a letter last year to Obama, enclosing a set of lacquer chopsticks, a famous product of this town on the Sea of Japan (East Sea) in Fukui prefecture's Wakasa region.
"I will present you the chopsticks of Wakasa paint and I am glad if you use it habitually," Murakami said in the English-language letter. "I wish you the best of health and success."
Murakami noted that Barack Obama's birthday, August 4, happens to be "Chopsticks Day" in the city.
Obama, who is also a hero in his father's native Kenya, has been gaining in a neck-and-neck race with Clinton, in part by winning over voters in states that rarely back members of their Democratic party.
Murakami is now preparing another package for the candidate that will include a good-luck charm from the local Obama Shrine.
"For the first letter I found his address on the Internet, so I don't know if he got it," Murakami said. "But this time I asked the (US) embassy for his exact address, so I'm sure he'll get it."
Lest cynics find the city's efforts naive, it was Obama himself who first drew attention to the connection.
Obama, speaking to Japan's TBS network in December 2006, said that when he flew once to Tokyo, an officer stamping his passport told him of the town.
"He looked up and said, 'I'm from Obama,'" the senator said.
A professor saw the footage and contacted the mayor, who insists that his support for Obama goes beyond just his name.
"It seems to me that President Bush isn't aggressively addressing global warming, but Obama would. And I like how he opposed the Iraq war," he said.
Murakami also hoped a President Obama would sign a peace treaty with North Korea. It is no small issue in Obama, one of the seaside towns where agents from the communist state kidnapped Japanese in the 1970s and 1980s, setting off a long row between the countries.
The election is being closely followed by many in 1,500-year-old Obama, a port nestled by snowy hills that in ancient times supplied food to the emperor when he lived in Kyoto some 75 kilometres (40 miles) to the south.
"When you look in Obama's eyes and hear his voice, he's very impressive," said resident Rieko Tanaka.
"Hillary is a bit old-fashioned and she's the wife of Bill Clinton, so I think a new person should lead the USA," she said.
Tomoyuki Ueda, 40, a company worker dining at a restaurant serving the town's celebrated mackerel, said it would be healthy for the United States to elect its first African-American president.
"I think both Obama and Hillary are qualified, but if Obama becomes president he could correct problems of racial discrimination," he said.
Seiji Fujihara, a head of the local tourism board, said he has only met a black person once, but believed Obama's election would make the United States "more equal" on racial issues.
Fujihara started a club for self-styled Obama supporters in the city and plans "I love Obama" T-shirts.
"We know we can't vote. But if we send out a message, we can help push him to victory," he said.
ENJOY YOUR EVENING, AND TOMORROW, PLEASE CONSIDER COMING OUT TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR ME(I NEED YOU!), AT CALLANWOLDE!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
OUR ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY!
It's official, kids--as of about three hours ago(it's nearly 11:00 P.M. here in the Atlanta area)I've been in this committed relationship called marriage exactly one year(and the "before" part, since August, 1995).
How is marriage different from living together? In my case, it simply feels more "sacred".I feel I have been entrusted with his welfare, with his deepest needs and wants, and he with mine. And we "sealed the deal", by proclaiming that committment, "In front of God and everyone.."
A dear friend of Hansoo's recently met up with us, and asked about our staying together for so long(since we've been together for nearly 13 years, that's literally longer than many marriages).I told this fellow that it takes work, and any couple who says they "never disagree" have a pretty shallow(they never reveal when they feel differently about something, or they avoid ALL conflict--very unhealthy) relationship.
But there's a RIGHT way to disagree, and really WRONG ways to disagree.Name-calling, hurtful words, ridicule, has no place in a discussion, debate, or argument.
I'd say mutual respect, and never going to a place of "cheap shots" ensures that even when you or your partner are not at their absolute best, neither of you will do your absolute worst.The rest of the time?
I try to be patient, since Hansoo is NOT the extrovert I am, and often declines social events, lectures, plays, public readings, etc.He's a solitary type, while I enjoy tremendously being around gobs of people(I spend ENOUGH time alone--writing, rehearsing, etc..).
It has grounded me to be at home more, and I am much more comfortable "in my skin" than I was many years ago.
I don't know if being with Hansoo has helped me adapt to more "at home" activities, but I think it has... Likewise, I think he's grown in reaching out to others(which is difficult for a real introvert).
I hope we "balance" each other, and I hope it lasts.
In the news:
OBAMA SWEEPS!!
I predicted over two years ago Hillary would NOT get the nomination, and that may very well be what happens. Having said that, I find her more appealing than ever--her tenacity is amazing!
I am a strong, steadfast Obama supporter, but I hope "Dream Team" comes about, because I think if the two of them could agree to be on the ticket together, it would be an amazing landslide!
(Sidebar: John Edwards may be waiting-in-the-wings for a shot at V.P. or a Cabinet post).
Have a great night--I'm headed to bed, to uh, celebrate our anniversary!
It's official, kids--as of about three hours ago(it's nearly 11:00 P.M. here in the Atlanta area)I've been in this committed relationship called marriage exactly one year(and the "before" part, since August, 1995).
How is marriage different from living together? In my case, it simply feels more "sacred".I feel I have been entrusted with his welfare, with his deepest needs and wants, and he with mine. And we "sealed the deal", by proclaiming that committment, "In front of God and everyone.."
A dear friend of Hansoo's recently met up with us, and asked about our staying together for so long(since we've been together for nearly 13 years, that's literally longer than many marriages).I told this fellow that it takes work, and any couple who says they "never disagree" have a pretty shallow(they never reveal when they feel differently about something, or they avoid ALL conflict--very unhealthy) relationship.
But there's a RIGHT way to disagree, and really WRONG ways to disagree.Name-calling, hurtful words, ridicule, has no place in a discussion, debate, or argument.
I'd say mutual respect, and never going to a place of "cheap shots" ensures that even when you or your partner are not at their absolute best, neither of you will do your absolute worst.The rest of the time?
I try to be patient, since Hansoo is NOT the extrovert I am, and often declines social events, lectures, plays, public readings, etc.He's a solitary type, while I enjoy tremendously being around gobs of people(I spend ENOUGH time alone--writing, rehearsing, etc..).
It has grounded me to be at home more, and I am much more comfortable "in my skin" than I was many years ago.
I don't know if being with Hansoo has helped me adapt to more "at home" activities, but I think it has... Likewise, I think he's grown in reaching out to others(which is difficult for a real introvert).
I hope we "balance" each other, and I hope it lasts.
In the news:
OBAMA SWEEPS!!
I predicted over two years ago Hillary would NOT get the nomination, and that may very well be what happens. Having said that, I find her more appealing than ever--her tenacity is amazing!
I am a strong, steadfast Obama supporter, but I hope "Dream Team" comes about, because I think if the two of them could agree to be on the ticket together, it would be an amazing landslide!
(Sidebar: John Edwards may be waiting-in-the-wings for a shot at V.P. or a Cabinet post).
Have a great night--I'm headed to bed, to uh, celebrate our anniversary!
Monday, February 04, 2008
Tomorrow(Super-Tuesday)I am headed down to College Park to do some campaigning(door-to-door) for Senator Barack Obama's Campaign for America...
If you are still unsure of who you'll vote for, please take a look at Barack Obama's website, which I just added as a link, to the right of this column.
I got to speak with some of the folks working for his campaign, and they are dedicated, kind, and focused--I knew they would be, as these qualities are a direct reflection of the man himself.
So, here's to Super-Tuesday, and a win for Barack Obama...
And to all my friends who are Hillary-supporters, good luck to you, too.
May the best Democratic nominee, win. And may that person--(please, God!) win over the Republican candidate, come fall!
If you are still unsure of who you'll vote for, please take a look at Barack Obama's website, which I just added as a link, to the right of this column.
I got to speak with some of the folks working for his campaign, and they are dedicated, kind, and focused--I knew they would be, as these qualities are a direct reflection of the man himself.
So, here's to Super-Tuesday, and a win for Barack Obama...
And to all my friends who are Hillary-supporters, good luck to you, too.
May the best Democratic nominee, win. And may that person--(please, God!) win over the Republican candidate, come fall!
Saturday, February 02, 2008
DEMS "DEBATE"....
I did not see a whole lot of difference in terms of opinions, and views, and actual PLANS between Obama, and Hillary....
that said, Obama is the one for me.He has, as I've repeated for almost two years now(even before he decided to run), NO ties to lobbyists money, and/or major corporations(Hillary unfortunately, definitely does have a lot she "owes" these kinds of folks).
Obama's momentum appears unstoppable.
And, I think he can actually WIN over John "Grandpa Munster" (thank you, Bill Maher!)McCain.
Hillary at the top of the Dems ticket would be a mistake, but I do think (if she'll actually accept the second-slot)vice-president would be okay with most folks.
Still wishing John Edwards had hung in there, for the second-slot, but those days I suppose, are gone(sigh).
I had been sending out info on Edwards, and had simultaneously signed up with Obama's campaign, a few months ago.
After Edwards dropped out, I signed on to do more campaigning for Obama, which begins for me, this weekend.
Other news:
REMEMBER: Wednesday, February 13th-- be there by 7:00 P.M., to ensure a good seat--Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, Judson ("The Sweet Everlasting")Mitcham, reading from his new collection of poems, and hey--yours truly, reading alongside this literary giant!
Come on out to hear the wonderful Judson Mitcham, and hear me read from my "Words From Water: Poems", too.
$5.00 for General Admission, and $3.00 for Students and Seniors.
REMEMBER: February 29th is the RELEASE-PARTY for Dustin Brookshire's LIMP WRIST Literary Magazine!!
BE AT OUTWRITE BOOKS that night, for all the excitement!!
Get more details by clicking on the Limp Wrist link at the right of this column!
See you soon!
I did not see a whole lot of difference in terms of opinions, and views, and actual PLANS between Obama, and Hillary....
that said, Obama is the one for me.He has, as I've repeated for almost two years now(even before he decided to run), NO ties to lobbyists money, and/or major corporations(Hillary unfortunately, definitely does have a lot she "owes" these kinds of folks).
Obama's momentum appears unstoppable.
And, I think he can actually WIN over John "Grandpa Munster" (thank you, Bill Maher!)McCain.
Hillary at the top of the Dems ticket would be a mistake, but I do think (if she'll actually accept the second-slot)vice-president would be okay with most folks.
Still wishing John Edwards had hung in there, for the second-slot, but those days I suppose, are gone(sigh).
I had been sending out info on Edwards, and had simultaneously signed up with Obama's campaign, a few months ago.
After Edwards dropped out, I signed on to do more campaigning for Obama, which begins for me, this weekend.
Other news:
REMEMBER: Wednesday, February 13th-- be there by 7:00 P.M., to ensure a good seat--Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, Judson ("The Sweet Everlasting")Mitcham, reading from his new collection of poems, and hey--yours truly, reading alongside this literary giant!
Come on out to hear the wonderful Judson Mitcham, and hear me read from my "Words From Water: Poems", too.
$5.00 for General Admission, and $3.00 for Students and Seniors.
REMEMBER: February 29th is the RELEASE-PARTY for Dustin Brookshire's LIMP WRIST Literary Magazine!!
BE AT OUTWRITE BOOKS that night, for all the excitement!!
Get more details by clicking on the Limp Wrist link at the right of this column!
See you soon!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
John Edwards is out? It certainly looks like he's ended his run for the office of President, though the actual word he used is telling:
"suspending", not ending, was the word he chose.....Hmmmmmmm.
methinks he could hop into the second-slot of nominee for Vice-President(if asked), and sail to victory with Obama at the helm, quite easily!
But then, there's Hillary. Champion for women and children, highly educated and skilled, and the most experienced. Unfortunately, as I have been saying for two years now, she is extremely unpopular--with most men, and approximately half of all Democrats.
And is seen as very divisive.I've also noted that the Pharmaceutical Industry OWNS her, by way of all the hefty $$ from their powerful lobby which has handed her millions...And let's not forget the war-machine, including the company Halliburton, and several key REPUBLICANS, who have contributed to her campaign!!
So, let's support Barack Obama completely, and let's hope he eventually selects John Edwards for a running mate.That's a ticket that has, as I've said before--the vision of Obama, the pragmatism of Edwards--in short, the ticket that has the ability to WIN over a Republican candidate.
I have said repeatedly I believe if John McCain gets the nomination(hardly a "given", seeing as how the Repubs tend to not choose "moderates" like McCain), that opposite Obama, there would be a clear choice in terms of VIEWS OF THE WORLD...
I think it's like this:
Republicans think of themselves as simply American(we have only to look at their views on immigration, their insistence on establishing a "national language", etc.., to see how pervasive this exclusivity is felt by them) only,
whereas Democrats see our role as Americans, as being
Citizens of the World.
I hope the match-up will be between John McCain and Barack Obama.
A contest between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama or Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama, would be too boring. It would be a slam-dunk for Democrats, I believe.
I think if Hillary wins the nomination, she'll lose the race for the Presidency....
Possibly to one of the lesser Repubs, and definitely to John McCain.
Both Barack Obama, and John McCain have collaborated--across the aisles, Democrat and Republican, and will continue to do so.Both have pledged to do so.Both men wage fair campaigns, with little or no ugliness, and both dislike the old school politicians.
And on the Iraq War, there is a very very clear distinction:
John McCain has said "Whether it takes 100 years, or 1,000, we will have victory in Iraq..."
He makes no apologies for that statement, saying we must "win".
Barack Obama has said "We should be as careful in getting out, as we were careless in going in,", and has pledged to draw down troops immediately upon taking office.
How do YOU feel about the war in Iraq? As for me, I do not believe ANY militairy solution is possible.
The troops did what this government asked of them, and more. Let them come home.
"suspending", not ending, was the word he chose.....Hmmmmmmm.
methinks he could hop into the second-slot of nominee for Vice-President(if asked), and sail to victory with Obama at the helm, quite easily!
But then, there's Hillary. Champion for women and children, highly educated and skilled, and the most experienced. Unfortunately, as I have been saying for two years now, she is extremely unpopular--with most men, and approximately half of all Democrats.
And is seen as very divisive.I've also noted that the Pharmaceutical Industry OWNS her, by way of all the hefty $$ from their powerful lobby which has handed her millions...And let's not forget the war-machine, including the company Halliburton, and several key REPUBLICANS, who have contributed to her campaign!!
So, let's support Barack Obama completely, and let's hope he eventually selects John Edwards for a running mate.That's a ticket that has, as I've said before--the vision of Obama, the pragmatism of Edwards--in short, the ticket that has the ability to WIN over a Republican candidate.
I have said repeatedly I believe if John McCain gets the nomination(hardly a "given", seeing as how the Repubs tend to not choose "moderates" like McCain), that opposite Obama, there would be a clear choice in terms of VIEWS OF THE WORLD...
I think it's like this:
Republicans think of themselves as simply American(we have only to look at their views on immigration, their insistence on establishing a "national language", etc.., to see how pervasive this exclusivity is felt by them) only,
whereas Democrats see our role as Americans, as being
Citizens of the World.
I hope the match-up will be between John McCain and Barack Obama.
A contest between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama or Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama, would be too boring. It would be a slam-dunk for Democrats, I believe.
I think if Hillary wins the nomination, she'll lose the race for the Presidency....
Possibly to one of the lesser Repubs, and definitely to John McCain.
Both Barack Obama, and John McCain have collaborated--across the aisles, Democrat and Republican, and will continue to do so.Both have pledged to do so.Both men wage fair campaigns, with little or no ugliness, and both dislike the old school politicians.
And on the Iraq War, there is a very very clear distinction:
John McCain has said "Whether it takes 100 years, or 1,000, we will have victory in Iraq..."
He makes no apologies for that statement, saying we must "win".
Barack Obama has said "We should be as careful in getting out, as we were careless in going in,", and has pledged to draw down troops immediately upon taking office.
How do YOU feel about the war in Iraq? As for me, I do not believe ANY militairy solution is possible.
The troops did what this government asked of them, and more. Let them come home.
Monday, January 28, 2008
The SAG Awards were televised last night...if you missed them, you may click on the LINK to the right of this entry, where it says SAG AWARDS, Jan. 27th, 2008, where you'll read the transcripts, and view pics of the winners accepting.
I was pretty pleased with the winners from television.
"The Sopranos" swept that, and I am happy for them. I voted for "The Sopranos" to win Ensemble, and Edie Falco to win Best Performance by a Female.
I still want Michael C. Hall-- of "Dexter" fame-- to get more recognition, though. Mr. Hall was on fire as David in "Six Feet Under" several seasons ago, and I felt that show never received the kudos it deserved, either. I think in television's history book, both "Six Feet Under" and "Dexter" will be remembered as groundbreakers.
In film, I voted for, and predicted "No Country For Old Men" would win Ensemble, and it did, as did my favorite, Javier Bardem, for Best Performance, male.
*******************************************************************
I just watched Barack Obama receive Ted Kennedy's endorsement for President.
Hmmmm..
I am delighted that Ted Kennedy has worked tirelessly for the poor, the disenfranchised, and has always supported the arts in this country.
But. Uh. If I were Barack Obama, I'm not sure having his endorsement is the ultimate. As in-- is someone is going to say:
"Ted Kennedy's supporting him? Oh, well, then he's my man."
Barack Obama already has Caroline Kennedy's support(which is a wonderful thing!), and the support of all the nephews, etc., of JFK.
At the rally where Ted Kennedy made his announcement,
The always uplifting Barack Obama spoke eloquently to American University students, about us being united"White or black, straight or gay...".
How refreshing to have a candidate include us-- LGBTQ folks--in the national discussion of unity.God Bless Barack Obama!
He really does not "need" Ted Kennedy, who is a target for Republicans, and sometimes an embarassment for Democrats(alleged heavy drinking, a few scandals which were never completely resolved, etc.).
And speaking of scandals, the mud-slinging is officially beginning...CNN is reporting on a developer from Illinois who is being charged with impropreity in busness affairs, who long-ago donated $80,000.00 to Senator Obama's campaign(all the money is already being returned, Senator Obama has said he "wants none of it.").
Several "reporters" are trying to insinuate Senator Obama has done something wrong, even though all he did was purchase a house(which is in all public records, nothing improper), a few years ago, from this individual, who was considered trustworthy, and was a friend, at that time. The Senator has not even been accused of ANYthing, much less been charged with anything!
I'm certain FOX "News"(I have not looked, but we all know what they do best is rumor-mongering) will accelerate this to Olympian status, and give it hours of coverage, only to drop the story quietly(since there is no truth linking Obama to any of this), in a few days...
Leave Barack Obama alone, and go find something that actually threatens this country to write about. Like, I don't know--how 'bout the usual nonesense we're all going to hear tonight on t.v., entitled, "The State of the Union" address, by our Liar-in-Chief, George W.?
I was pretty pleased with the winners from television.
"The Sopranos" swept that, and I am happy for them. I voted for "The Sopranos" to win Ensemble, and Edie Falco to win Best Performance by a Female.
I still want Michael C. Hall-- of "Dexter" fame-- to get more recognition, though. Mr. Hall was on fire as David in "Six Feet Under" several seasons ago, and I felt that show never received the kudos it deserved, either. I think in television's history book, both "Six Feet Under" and "Dexter" will be remembered as groundbreakers.
In film, I voted for, and predicted "No Country For Old Men" would win Ensemble, and it did, as did my favorite, Javier Bardem, for Best Performance, male.
*******************************************************************
I just watched Barack Obama receive Ted Kennedy's endorsement for President.
Hmmmm..
I am delighted that Ted Kennedy has worked tirelessly for the poor, the disenfranchised, and has always supported the arts in this country.
But. Uh. If I were Barack Obama, I'm not sure having his endorsement is the ultimate. As in-- is someone is going to say:
"Ted Kennedy's supporting him? Oh, well, then he's my man."
Barack Obama already has Caroline Kennedy's support(which is a wonderful thing!), and the support of all the nephews, etc., of JFK.
At the rally where Ted Kennedy made his announcement,
The always uplifting Barack Obama spoke eloquently to American University students, about us being united"White or black, straight or gay...".
How refreshing to have a candidate include us-- LGBTQ folks--in the national discussion of unity.God Bless Barack Obama!
He really does not "need" Ted Kennedy, who is a target for Republicans, and sometimes an embarassment for Democrats(alleged heavy drinking, a few scandals which were never completely resolved, etc.).
And speaking of scandals, the mud-slinging is officially beginning...CNN is reporting on a developer from Illinois who is being charged with impropreity in busness affairs, who long-ago donated $80,000.00 to Senator Obama's campaign(all the money is already being returned, Senator Obama has said he "wants none of it.").
Several "reporters" are trying to insinuate Senator Obama has done something wrong, even though all he did was purchase a house(which is in all public records, nothing improper), a few years ago, from this individual, who was considered trustworthy, and was a friend, at that time. The Senator has not even been accused of ANYthing, much less been charged with anything!
I'm certain FOX "News"(I have not looked, but we all know what they do best is rumor-mongering) will accelerate this to Olympian status, and give it hours of coverage, only to drop the story quietly(since there is no truth linking Obama to any of this), in a few days...
Leave Barack Obama alone, and go find something that actually threatens this country to write about. Like, I don't know--how 'bout the usual nonesense we're all going to hear tonight on t.v., entitled, "The State of the Union" address, by our Liar-in-Chief, George W.?
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