Trip was outstanding. Kids flew wonderfully. Eurostar 1st class carriage is not to be missed. Food service is real food, great food, with several courses and a hot towel at the end!
Farenheit 9/11 1/2 is in the works to help enlighten the 51% of America that perhaps didn't have the knowledge they needed. Although, it was telling the other day speaking with a man in his 60's at lunch who told me he really was undecided until the last minute but chose Bush because he was afraid of changing things in the middle. Don't ever doubt that fear works when trying to convince people of something. Scare the hell out of them and they'll be to afraid to make a reasoned choice.
And now, nutjob and moral crusader John Ashcroft who spent $8,650 of our money to hide the Spirit of Justice and the Majesty of Law statues in the Great Hall at the DOJ because the Spirit statue had one breast exposed, (oh, the humanity! they've only been there since the 1930's!) is being replaced by the White House counsel Alberto Gonzales who wrote a 2002 memo advising the President to deny Geneva convention rights to prisoners in the war on terrorism. After the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal earlier this year, DOJ lawyers responded to Mr. Gonzales that prohibitions against torture of detainees could be loosened without breaking US or international laws! Great replacement we have going here!
It's going to be a rough four years. Good luck everyone. And don't forget to get yourself involved. http://www.democracyforamerica.com
This group rose from the ashes of Howard Dean's campaign and is still actively holding monthly meetups across the country to field and support local candidates, to address important issues and to focus on how best to take back the country in the next two to four years.
From Howard Dean M.D.
"The President successfully turned a discussion about moral values into a discussion about gay marriage and abortion. I think moral values are also about how you treat poor people, how you treat those who are different, how you respect the opinion of others, and what you leave to your children. On those moral values, I think the Republicans lose. We need to talk about these values too."
I couldn't agree more and I know I'm not alone. Please keep the faith, hold your heads high and get out there and fight to get back what's been taken from all of America!
Be nice.
Peace
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Sad day for America. Sad day for the world.
Well, it's happened. The most arrogant, impetuous, and quite possibly most dangerous president this country as ever seen has managed to secure himself another 4 years in office.
Who's to blame for this? Well, I'd have to say the blame falls a bit on all of us. To the sheep who voted for him out of fear and ignorance (this would be the "don't change horses midstream crowd"), to the Democrats who failed to nominate a charismatic as well as competent candidate who was able to connect with the American electorate, and to the people who failed to get out the vote when it was most crucial.
We can try to kid ourselves into thinking it may be different this time. The truth is, it'll probably be worse. Bush will be more arrogant than ever with those who voted against him as well as with the nations of the world that disagree with him and the policies of his administration. He will likely be emboldened by this victory and will happily ignore the fact that 55 million people voted to get rid of him and the failed policies of his cronies.
My advice to all of you is to keep your head down, keep your nose clean and get to work with the Howard Deans of the political world to formulate a plan to salvage this country in four years, because believe me, we are going to need to be saved! We'll lose more men and women in Iraq, we'll sink more money that we don't have into the war, we'll continue to be held hostage by the fear and intimidation of the Bush/Cheney realm and we'll further alienate the rest of the world. We can only hope and pray that we don't have to fight a war on another front, because if we need 800 British troops to cover for us in Baghdad before we can sent troops to Fallujah, we are really in a world of hurt militarily and no amount of spin from Karl Rove will save us.
Be nice.
Peace
Who's to blame for this? Well, I'd have to say the blame falls a bit on all of us. To the sheep who voted for him out of fear and ignorance (this would be the "don't change horses midstream crowd"), to the Democrats who failed to nominate a charismatic as well as competent candidate who was able to connect with the American electorate, and to the people who failed to get out the vote when it was most crucial.
We can try to kid ourselves into thinking it may be different this time. The truth is, it'll probably be worse. Bush will be more arrogant than ever with those who voted against him as well as with the nations of the world that disagree with him and the policies of his administration. He will likely be emboldened by this victory and will happily ignore the fact that 55 million people voted to get rid of him and the failed policies of his cronies.
My advice to all of you is to keep your head down, keep your nose clean and get to work with the Howard Deans of the political world to formulate a plan to salvage this country in four years, because believe me, we are going to need to be saved! We'll lose more men and women in Iraq, we'll sink more money that we don't have into the war, we'll continue to be held hostage by the fear and intimidation of the Bush/Cheney realm and we'll further alienate the rest of the world. We can only hope and pray that we don't have to fight a war on another front, because if we need 800 British troops to cover for us in Baghdad before we can sent troops to Fallujah, we are really in a world of hurt militarily and no amount of spin from Karl Rove will save us.
Be nice.
Peace
Friday, October 29, 2004
So long Bank of America. I won't be missing ya... RED SOX 2004 World Series Champions!!!
So, old job's officially over. New job starts Monday. Woo-hoo!!!
The Presidential race is tightening and even "The Economist" which backed George W. Bush in 2000 has endorsed John Kerry saying it was a difficult choice but in the end President Bush had been too incompetent to deserve re-election.
In related news, disaffected Republicans have launched an 11th hour grassroots effort to unseat President George W. Bush with an advertising blitz across eight swing states. The initiative has the backing of John Eisenhower, son of the Republican president Dwight D. Eisenhower. The campaign features a copy of Eisenhower's letter, "Why I Will Vote For John Kerry" which first appeared in the Manchester Union Leader.
And in other news, the RED SOX have won the World Series for the first time in 86 years. having grown up within earshot of the Red Sox Triple A farm team and having been fortunate enough to meet the likes of Fred Lynn, Jim Rice, Dwight Evans and even Bill "Spaceman" Lee, this victory had special meaning to me. Although admittedly, it felt very strange to watch the last out of game 4 occur so peacefully. After years of last minute errors, and untold angst, it just didn't feel like the Red Sox to win so assuredly! But, I'll take it just the same!!!
Be nice.
Peace
The Presidential race is tightening and even "The Economist" which backed George W. Bush in 2000 has endorsed John Kerry saying it was a difficult choice but in the end President Bush had been too incompetent to deserve re-election.
In related news, disaffected Republicans have launched an 11th hour grassroots effort to unseat President George W. Bush with an advertising blitz across eight swing states. The initiative has the backing of John Eisenhower, son of the Republican president Dwight D. Eisenhower. The campaign features a copy of Eisenhower's letter, "Why I Will Vote For John Kerry" which first appeared in the Manchester Union Leader.
And in other news, the RED SOX have won the World Series for the first time in 86 years. having grown up within earshot of the Red Sox Triple A farm team and having been fortunate enough to meet the likes of Fred Lynn, Jim Rice, Dwight Evans and even Bill "Spaceman" Lee, this victory had special meaning to me. Although admittedly, it felt very strange to watch the last out of game 4 occur so peacefully. After years of last minute errors, and untold angst, it just didn't feel like the Red Sox to win so assuredly! But, I'll take it just the same!!!
Be nice.
Peace
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
www.dubyaspeak.com
The election is a week away. Quite possibly the most important election of many of our lifetimes. Here's my plea to all the reasonable people who for some reason have been unable to decide for whom they should vote.
PLEASE visit http://www.johnkerry.com and spend a few minutes reading what this guy is about. He is well reasoned, articulate, intelligent and caring. There is no doubt in my mind that he will do a phenomenally better job as President of the United States of America than George W. Bush.
We are practically alone in the world. Tony Blair is on his way out of power as a result of following Bush. Sad thing this since he was a wonderful ally to President Clinton and at one time seemed rather well reasoned and driven by his convictions. There are more people across the globe with the ability to do us harm that now have more incentive than ever before.
There was a piece on NPR's All Things Considered this morning with Turkish author Orhan Pamuk discussing his book, SNOW, and describing how it is that poor and disenfranchised people from around the world are concerned about how America and the west view them and how distrustful they become from the sense of being looked down upon. It was a fascinating interview and offered wonderful insight into the hearts and minds of people from non-western cultures.
And if you are still undecided or worse yet, in the Bush camp, take a trip to the site in the title of this post and give a listen. Should be enough to convince you.
Be nice.
Peace
PLEASE visit http://www.johnkerry.com and spend a few minutes reading what this guy is about. He is well reasoned, articulate, intelligent and caring. There is no doubt in my mind that he will do a phenomenally better job as President of the United States of America than George W. Bush.
We are practically alone in the world. Tony Blair is on his way out of power as a result of following Bush. Sad thing this since he was a wonderful ally to President Clinton and at one time seemed rather well reasoned and driven by his convictions. There are more people across the globe with the ability to do us harm that now have more incentive than ever before.
There was a piece on NPR's All Things Considered this morning with Turkish author Orhan Pamuk discussing his book, SNOW, and describing how it is that poor and disenfranchised people from around the world are concerned about how America and the west view them and how distrustful they become from the sense of being looked down upon. It was a fascinating interview and offered wonderful insight into the hearts and minds of people from non-western cultures.
And if you are still undecided or worse yet, in the Bush camp, take a trip to the site in the title of this post and give a listen. Should be enough to convince you.
Be nice.
Peace
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Problem solved. Or am I crazy? :-)
Well, the conundrum of what to do about the Paris trip is resolved. Executive decision decreed, "Screw it, we'll just take them with us!".
After a litany of international phone calls to Air France (c'est magnifique!), Eurostar, Plaza Paris Vendome and a visit to our local awesomely helpful US Post Office for last minute photos of two boys with the biggest smiles you've ever seen, we are just about set. Last item is a visit to the US Passport Agency for expedited passports for the kids and we're in business.
Oddly enough, I feel a sense of relief over this decision and am seriously looking forward to this trip. If any one had ever told me I'd be excitedly planning to take a 3 and 5 year old to Europe, I'd have thought they were crazed. Yet, here I am more excited than I was about going without them. Go figure. I never cease to be amazed at what being a parent has done to me. ;-)
Be nice.
Peace
After a litany of international phone calls to Air France (c'est magnifique!), Eurostar, Plaza Paris Vendome and a visit to our local awesomely helpful US Post Office for last minute photos of two boys with the biggest smiles you've ever seen, we are just about set. Last item is a visit to the US Passport Agency for expedited passports for the kids and we're in business.
Oddly enough, I feel a sense of relief over this decision and am seriously looking forward to this trip. If any one had ever told me I'd be excitedly planning to take a 3 and 5 year old to Europe, I'd have thought they were crazed. Yet, here I am more excited than I was about going without them. Go figure. I never cease to be amazed at what being a parent has done to me. ;-)
Be nice.
Peace
Saturday, October 23, 2004
Paris trip in peril.
Due to unforeseen illness among one of the sitters we had lined up, the Paris trip is in peril. Options are few. Attempt to further take advantage of goodwill of remaining sitters (all are family members), buy a pair of tickets for the kids at a total of $2000. ouch, or bag the trip and eat the loss since it's almost all prepaid.
Puts me into reality mode, where I try to deal with the logic surrounding the issue and convince myself that it makes more sense to lose 2k than to spend 3k more to salvage a relatively short trip anyway. On the other hand, it might be more fun than I think with the kids along.
Anyway, I know most people wish this was all they had for problems. I'm not really complaining. Just trying to sort it through.
Be nice.
Peace
Puts me into reality mode, where I try to deal with the logic surrounding the issue and convince myself that it makes more sense to lose 2k than to spend 3k more to salvage a relatively short trip anyway. On the other hand, it might be more fun than I think with the kids along.
Anyway, I know most people wish this was all they had for problems. I'm not really complaining. Just trying to sort it through.
Be nice.
Peace
Thursday, October 21, 2004
It's a GOOD day!
Well, here it is, the Red Sox have clinched the pennant, I'm 10 days away from starting a great new job, 14 days from a trip to Paris and as I look out my office window, traffic doesn't look so bad.
Oh yeah, lest I forget, I recently reached the not so ripe age of 40, got not one, not two, but three 1/32 Slot car sets. Wicked fun and more linear feet of track than I have room for!
And finally, John Kerry, although admittedly not my first choice candidate, is holding his own in the polls and I can only hope the Red Sox magic rubs off on him enough to push his electoral vote count to the magical 270.
There you go. First blog, short blog. More to come.
Be nice.
Peace
Oh yeah, lest I forget, I recently reached the not so ripe age of 40, got not one, not two, but three 1/32 Slot car sets. Wicked fun and more linear feet of track than I have room for!
And finally, John Kerry, although admittedly not my first choice candidate, is holding his own in the polls and I can only hope the Red Sox magic rubs off on him enough to push his electoral vote count to the magical 270.
There you go. First blog, short blog. More to come.
Be nice.
Peace
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