egregious

The King's Speech

2011-06-18T21:56:00.000-07:00

Wonderful movie, I identified with the one who was thrust into the spotlight wondering if people would realize he/she was really not that good, really an impostor. How often I experienced this in St. Petersburg Children's Hospital as I was interviewed by Russian television and radio, in a language I studied hard to speak and barely could evoke. But it seemed to be enough.

Cried when they played the Emperor Concerto - the only piece I ever played piano with a real orchestra [Cornell] - because I realized as they played this German music the movie was headed towards war between Britain and Germany, what now seems impossible and then must have seemed nearly so.

We all try to do the best we can, and sometimes it falls into pieces. Even so, we must carry on.

Saving a Child's Life

2011-02-23T20:46:00.000-08:00

How far would we go to save the life of a child? A mile, surely. A thousand miles? Probably only if they were related to us. Six thousand miles for strangers, difficult to explain.

Dark Times...And Yet

2010-12-19T15:34:00.001-08:00

Darkest time of the year...and yet, there is still beauty. There is still joy. There is still something wonderful coming.

And if we have lost this sense of awe and purpose, then we shall have to go out and find it again.

*****

Dream Act

2010-11-30T16:46:00.001-08:00

Very proud of my daughter.

"Our community is only as strong as the dreams within it"

***

Against All Odds

2010-11-07T12:56:00.000-08:00

Get up every day and try again.

Youtube link here

*****

Looking into the Future

2010-09-12T15:41:00.000-07:00

Love this photo of Laura. They grow up so fast.

*****

Waterslide

2010-08-22T18:19:00.000-07:00

Neighborhood block party today, so nervous I nearly didn't go. Of course everyone was gracious to welcome the newcomer. This waterslide was directly outside my front door. Love the sound of happy children.

Sitting Around the Campfire

2010-08-17T15:51:00.001-07:00

Beautiful weather for sitting around the electronic campfire with family and friends. It's a funny thing to be in touch with people from so many decades and so many places in my life.

Am enjoying facebook in particular. I have some idea what my delightful nieces and nephews are up to, and don't worry, I won't tell.

My 85 year old mother just joined fb, possibly from the lure of seeing more family pictures. Years ago we would wait weeks to see baby pictures, if not available before the annual Christmas card. Now they're visible right away.

Beyond family it's been wonderful reconnecting with friends from childhood and young adulthood. These are people with stories! I'm basking in their affirmation of me as a capable person during periods of doubt. A great blessing all around.

[This lovely photo by Fiona Shields]

Thinking about My Children

2010-07-18T15:38:00.000-07:00

Came across this poem, I love the idea of the house of tomorrow:

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

-Kahlil Gibran (Our Children)

[Photo by D. Sharon Pruitt at this link]

Don't Give Up

2010-06-03T21:12:00.000-07:00

Need to remember.

Youtube link

Let's Dance!

2010-04-30T16:06:00.001-07:00

I just love this.

The spirit, the music, the real people making magic. I know it's been around for awhile but wanted to share.

Let's dance!

Youtube link here

Hold on my heart

2010-04-23T20:13:00.000-07:00

So I'm in my new home. It is so beautiful. So quiet. No garbage trucks at 6am, no commuter traffic, no neighbors below and on the other side of the wall where I need to be careful not to make noise.

I pass the morning in peace without guarding against the noise of trucks, neighbor stereos, the apartment refrigerator 5 feet from where I work. I am on guard against these things and they are gone. I am waiting and on guard for what is next. My life has been taken from me. I feel robbed. I was in a good marriage and it fell. I thought I knew what I was doing and I didnt.

I do so well even brilliantly in my work. I've been at a high level in my string of careers. [Kids: this is chronological which is why you are third.] Music - Carnegie Hall. Medicine - Mass General Hospital. Children - they are so wonderful, the treasure of my life. Community - chairman of board of health. Church - board of elders. Public health - charity founder and president and saved 3000 lives, a number which to this day I can not wrap my head around.

That we saved the child from Chechnya I get. That we saved the baby airlifted from Dagestan I get. That we saved the patient with burns I get. But 3000 is beyond my ken.

Then to work with FDL - we are pushing the edge for human rights. End of torture as a national policy. Winding down the wars. Open government where people who speak their minds will be heard and not marginalized. Human rights for all. Covering the prop8 trial and in charge of our archives, it is history. Helping our authors make the case for foreclosure fraud. I seem to be able to do this work.

Where I fail utterly is in human relationships. I am at the level of a 7 year old. I seem clueless because I am clueless. I dont get it. I dont understand what other people understand. I have to ask for help in the most elementary ways and it is so humiliating. The disconnect between my intellect and my emotional intelligence is painful. I wanted this on the record so that people will understand what I have tried to do. God bless all who have extended mercy to me as I struggle.

New House

2010-03-11T11:50:00.000-08:00

Moving in slowly over the next few weeks. I looked for a long time for this lovely place.

For Auld Lang Syne

2010-01-01T16:04:00.000-08:00

For Katymine, for Kobe, for all our beloved ones.

A very Scottish, longing version of Auld Lang Syne, which means Old Long Since, a remembrance of those who hae gone before us.

We'll tak a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

crossposted at firedoglake 1 jan 2010

Science Jokes

2009-11-26T16:55:00.000-08:00

Brian Malow on Fora.tv

*****

Kraken

2009-11-03T17:55:00.000-08:00

Rainy Day: Pull Up a Chair

2009-10-30T11:12:00.000-07:00

crossposted at firedoglake 17 oct 2009

"Into every life, a little rain must fall"

Good morning pups, I hope you are in a nice dry place waiting for these heavy rains to pass! Wasn't it just summer? The dour Scottish part of me rather likes these days, an opportunity to be indoors, if we're fortunate enough to have indoor work, and to contemplate life.

It's a chance to think about how things grow and change, how we can go through the storms and come out on the other side.

A lot of people are under heavy weather economically this year, and it looks like unemployment - a lagging factor in any economic recovery - seems destined to rise a little more before we get real relief.

If ever there was a need for community, this is it. Many folks here are struggling, and we all know friends and neighbors who are shocked to realize the safety net didn't include them. We need to share ideas.

I would like your thoughts and suggestions about how to reach out to our family members, neighbors, friends, and strangers in need during this economic storm.

We need to rethink our participation in the local food bank and other agencies that are there for us all when we need it.

This would be a good time to gather up warm clothing and especially coats that we are not using, and donate them to a local organization that will get them to people who will be cold without them.

There may be elderly in your neighborhood who need extra help as the friends they have counted on slip away from age or infirmity.

Pups, let's be there for each other. Folks who have never commented before - a special invitation to you, we would love to hear from you in the comments.

I've got fresh-baked blueberry muffins along with some hot tea and coffee and cocoa with extra little marshmallows, so let's gather together and think what we can do. Pull up a chair....

*****

photo by .faramarz

Hope for the Future

2009-10-23T18:36:00.000-07:00

When you look carefully at the darkness you begin to see the most astonishing things.

*****

photo by Joe_M500

Hey We Know How to Have Fun

2009-10-21T19:15:00.000-07:00

I love this.

We're #37! - Paul Hipp

2009-09-24T14:12:00.000-07:00

Yay team!!

A Beautiful Mind

2009-09-13T11:20:00.001-07:00

Latest pictures from the Hubble Telescope.

From New York Times

Not Attending Netroots Nation

2009-08-09T15:10:00.001-07:00

Hope y'all have a good time anyway. Need to be a mom for a while.

photo by Ivan Makarov

Frank McCourt, Author, 1930 - 2009

2009-07-19T17:59:00.000-07:00

photo by David Shankbone

The world has lost a great voice: Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes, 'Tis, and Teacher Man, died Sunday, 19 July 2009.

FDL writer Cynthia Kouril, who met Himself, talks of McCourt and what he meant to Irish-Americans.

I am so sad. I remember when he would hold forth at the White Horse Tavern in the Village. He had such an agile mind and strung words together like fine jewels. He was an artist and words were his palette.

I remember one Sunday, going there for brunch with Margaret Breen, and it was our great good fortune to be there when “himself” was telling stories. I don’t think that either of us girls said a word, just ate our brown bread, eggs and tea and listened in awe.

The New York Times has a touching story of his childhood in the obit:

he described a childhood of terrible deprivation. After Mr. McCourt’s alcoholic father abandoned the family, his mother — the Angela of the title — begged on the streets of Limerick to keep him and his three brothers meagerly fed, poorly clothed and housed in a basement flat with no bathroom and a thriving population of vermin. The book’s clear-eyed look at childhood misery, its incongruously lilting, buoyant prose and its heartfelt urgency struck a remarkable chord with readers and critics.

“When I look back on my childhood, I wonder how I survived at all,” the book’s second paragraph begins in a famous passage. “It was, of course, a miserable childhood: The happy childhood is hardly worth your while. Worse than the ordinary miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood, and worse yet is the miserable Irish Catholic childhood.

“People everywhere brag and whimper about the woes of their early years, but nothing can compare with the Irish version: the poverty; the shiftless loquacious alcoholic father; the pious defeated mother moaning by the fire; pompous priests; bullying schoolmasters; the English and all the terrible things they did to us for 800 long years.”

Difficult to let this magnificent writer leave us. I can do no better than to quote Kouril's fare thee well:

Slán leat. Mr. McCourt. Slán abhaile.

Walter Cronkite - R.I.P.

2009-07-17T21:09:00.000-07:00

Cronkite announces JFK's death:

Beat It - Green Iran Version

2009-06-26T11:10:00.001-07:00

Standing up for freedom.

YouTube link here

h/t Matt Ortega

Graduation

2009-06-03T15:37:00.000-07:00

Over the top happiness watching my youngest graduate magna cum laude from Princeton. Good going, kid.

*****

More Hopscotch

2009-05-26T16:25:00.000-07:00

295...296/297...298...

h/t JS of A2 - photo from jweise

*****

Congratulations Em!

2009-05-26T16:15:00.000-07:00

World famous Team Two brings the honors home from the County Envirothon:

h/t bam

*****

In Memory of Trevor

2009-05-25T21:08:00.000-07:00

Thinking today of all the veterans in our family - Dad, both Grandfathers, Uncle Don, Uncle Jim.

Thinking we ought to have Mother's cousin Trevor Endsley still here, telling jokes and enjoying life. But his plane went down in WWII. I hope we will always count the cost before sending young people off to war.

*****

photo by mountainbread

Hopscotch - Lessons Learned

2009-05-24T19:01:00.000-07:00

Taught the neighborhood kids how to play hopscotch - of course they caught on right away!

We didnt get as far as how to throw your small stone onto a particular number. They just followed me on the 1, 2-3, 4, 5-6, 7, 8-9 10 with great glee. I left them streaming across the colored chalk grid.

They were so enchanted I didnt have the heart to explain to them they were "supposed" to turn around and go backwards also and they "should" use small stones.

We all won this game.

*****

photo by lincolnblues

Beautiful Guitar Work

2009-05-24T11:43:00.000-07:00

Tommy Emmanuel / J.Shimabukuro: While My Guitar Gently Weeps

So beautiful - and you can see in their faces, they know they've got something good here.

h/t Tom F.

*****

The College Search

2009-05-24T11:38:00.000-07:00

Good times. Remembering long hours thinking about my children's future.

*****

Three Trillion Dollars Later

2009-05-23T21:45:00.001-07:00

Three trillion dollars later, what do we have to show for it?

In a Galaxy Far, Far Away...

2009-05-22T20:02:00.000-07:00

The universe is so beautiful.

Sombrero Galaxy - Hubble photograph

The Game of Monopoly, Revised

2009-05-22T20:00:00.000-07:00

BillShrinkGuy has a hilarious interpretation of Monopoly, upgraded for modern times [click link to see it large]:

h/t kamd

crossposted at firedoglake oxdown 8 may 2009

Swine Flu Emergency - Or Not

2009-04-29T17:47:00.000-07:00

The new swine flu: sounds scary. But what is the reality?

A few dozen people have died in Mexico, and there are some documented cases in other countries. What are we NOT seeing: rapid contagion; an exponentially growing number of fatalities; contagion affecting medical care professionals. SARS was frightening in its lethal spread. So far we are not seeing this with the new swine flu outbreak.

We need to keep on top of the fear mongering potential of this issue. There are real public health threats, which we can discuss as professionals/people interested in public policy; however they overlap with those who would take medium size threats and turn them into opportunities to make money and consolidate power.

Cui bono in each case. I followed the avian flu thing closely and was inside enough to see how that became a money making opportunity.

Whatever this new thing is, is real. It will kill some people. It deserves appropriate attention and resources.

But something like 36,000 people in the U.S. die from regular flu every year; I don't hear a lot of screaming about that, except the one year Rumsfeld's Tamiflu folks tried to manufacture a shortage of vaccine. And don't get me started about other preventable deaths, here and abroad....

So yeah, I am afraid, just not of what you might think: I'm afraid of people who cry wolf so often that a REAL threat in the future would be ignored. I'm afraid of demagogues who advance their own narrow causes by making the rest of us scared, by magnifying a medium size problem into something terrifying. I'm afraid of resources at the CDC and state health boards - decimated during the Bush reign - now being forced into one issue at the expense of others that could save vastly more lives.

The author has an M.Sc. from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health

*****

crossposted at firedoglake oxdown 26 april 2009

Torture Reaction: They've Never Seen Me Cry Before

2009-04-16T19:27:00.001-07:00

Long day at work, when legal memos supporting torture -- and I can hardly type that -- became public showing new depths of depravity of the Bush/Cheney Administration.

So I thought I would get away from things, go for a nice long neighborhood walk. The first neighbor I see, asks 'What's wrong?' and I realize I have leaky eyes. Tough day at work, I say, hope you are well.

The next neighbor: 'Hey are you ok?' and I realize that multitasking today means walking and crying at the same time.

I shared that our staff is hurting from seeing legal memos justifying - almost inviting - torture. This is done in our name. We have worked to elect a different team for the government; we knew the Bush/Cheney administration did bad things, and yet...to see this in writing, from LAWYERS...it is egregious. It is too much. They went too far.

I realized that the neighbors had never seen me cry before. Not from divorce, not from being lonely in a new place, not from other losses. But THIS - this makes my eyes overflow, in public, in a way I have not done since my father died. My father, city prosecutor, HLS, who deeply believed in the rule of law.

Our national honor has nearly died. I hope and pray we can restore it.

*****

photo by margaretv

Shy Girl Branches Out

2009-04-13T20:16:00.001-07:00

It's the little things in life that can make it so sweet, if we will stop to think about them.

A neighbor dog, that looks just like mine when I was 5 years old, came up to me and just stood with his head next to my leg. Never did this before.

The repairman came a day early and fixed 3 things instead of the scheduled one. Got quite a lesson in how to install towel racks, and even better, learned about the man's family back in Guatemala.

Let me start this one by saying no one was hurt - a gigantic leafy branch fell off a tree in the courtyard and the kids had a super time dividing up the spoils and playing with them.

In front of the grocery I stopped to talk with the guy handing out something, instead of going on by which I would normally do. Turns out he is a school teacher from the neighboring town who is trying to raise funds for one of the high school kids who had an accident. The paper wasn't an ad, but the article in the local newspaper about efforts to help the family.

I got brave and called up a friend that I hadn't talked to for a long time. She was delighted to get back in touch. [Are we sensing an introvert theme here today?]

Went to the bank and the woman who helped me said, Yes I remember you, I helped you open your account last summer.

So it's my natural tendency to hide and not talk to anyone - need to push myself out there a little - but the rewards are very sweet.

*****

photo by adwriter

Comedy Central Interview

2009-04-10T16:16:00.000-07:00

Comedy Central took this photo of me at the Democratic Convention in August 2008. I think I forgot to put it up here then. We were kinda busy :)

From the interview:

http://blog.indecisionforever.com/2008/08/25/liveblog-democratic-national-convention-night-one/comment-page-1/

POSTED BY: Dennis and Michael
11:03 - So the plus sides of The Big Tent are definitely the company (thanks to our friends at Fire Dog Lake, Group News Blog, and Daily Kos) the free food, and the free beer. The only real downside was that they didn't turn on the sound until after Pelosi spoke, and when they did, they nearly blasted my ear drums out.

10:28 - I asked Firedoglake editor egregious a question, hoping to trip her up, because I'm an asshole. She was talking about all this community's efforts to sway the country blue, and I asked her what she thought would happen when the country became a vast Democratic majority. Her response…

"In twenty years, when the Democrats have gotten fat and lazy, our children will vote them out… And they should."

Ha ha! I'm not gonna have kids, so she's wrong. - DDC

*****

I think if I ever did one thing that makes me cool in my kids' eyes, this could be it. Altho texting from overseas in the early 2000's apparently counts, as not too many folks' parents were doing such things then.

Broken

2009-04-08T21:11:00.000-07:00

[click graphic for video]

Lifehouse lyrics:

The broken clock is a comfort, it helps me sleep tonight
Maybe it can stop tomorrow from stealing all my time
I am here still waiting though i still have my doubts
I am damaged at best, like you've already figured out

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart that's still beating
In the pain there is healing
In your name I find meaning
So I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on
I'm barely holdin' on to you

The broken locks were a warning you got inside my head
I tried my best to be guarded, I'm an open book instead
I still see your reflection inside of my eyes
That are looking for a purpose, they're still looking for life

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing
with a broken heart that's still beating
In the pain is there is healing
In your name I find meaning
So I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on
I'm barely holdin' on to you

I'm hangin' on another day
Just to see what you will throw my way
And I'm hangin' on to the words you say
You said that I will be ok

The broken lights on the freeway left me here alone
I may have lost my way now, haven't forgotten my way home

*****

That Sinking Feeling

2009-04-07T20:39:00.000-07:00

Ever hear a drip drip drip and think, I'm sure I turned all the faucets off?

Of course I'm the princess in the pea kind of hypersensitive who can hear a faucet from upstairs...but this was different.

Alas this dripping was from a sink full of water that was leaking underneath, onto everything I was storing in the cabinet beneath.

I had fully intended to reorganize this cabinet...just not today. But what could I do, everything was soaking.

I reported the problem to the apartment maintenance, they came out right away yesterday, and by today at noon I had myself a new sink.

While feeling extremely sorry for myself, I tried to put things into perspective by thinking about people who had other more egregious problems. Didn't work. What did help: a lovely hummingbird who came very close to my door - twice; a neighbor child who spoke to me for the first time; a late night delivery of items I thought might have gotten lost; and a phone call from someone who loves me.

We can be coaxed back to happiness, just need to be open to it.

*****

photo by tanakawho

Hold Hands Tighter

2009-03-28T16:11:00.001-07:00

In a transition it's important to hold hands tighter, to keep each other safe.

I am feeling very uplifted by people on my team. I worked for many years alone. To be part of a great team is truly astonishing. To have so much love and concern for each other. To have people ask me to take on new responsibilities and trust me - even when i screwed up - again - has been very healing.

*****

photo by gregg.jenkinson

My television interview suit

2009-03-20T20:21:00.000-07:00

Prepared a bag of clothes for goodwill today and delivered them. Mostly I felt ok about this.... Sometimes I need to keep things for a long time to make sure I am really finished with them. With ADHD I love to start projects but have difficulty understanding when things are finished.

My purple and black suit was from the mid 80s when I was a young mom serving as president of our town's board of health. I wore it to a Massachusetts Department of Public Health hearing on sulfur dioxide additives in food, which was covered by all 3 local affiliate channels - NBC, ABC, and CBS. I knew as I was speaking the exact sound bite that would be the 20 second news segment, and was thrilled that this made all 3 networks.

We tend to romanticize the good old days, and I look back fondly at this moment when I theoretically had it all together. And professionally that is probably a high point, not equaled again until my work in Russia and then again at Firedoglake during the election. But this fuzzy memory glosses over other things going on in my life, everything was not golden.

I closed myself off from people and did not have the friend/colleague network that is such a vital part of my life now. I faced challenges with my intelligent and willful children and my brilliant but emotionally distant husband. It was difficult for me to ask for the help and support that I needed professionally and personally. Slow learner!

So decades later I very reluctantly add this gorgeous suit to the pile of clothes to give to charity, where they will find greater use than filling up closet space here. But this was a hard one. That moment where I spoke at the hearing which was then televised, as both a public health professional and as a person who was affected by sulfite, was truly a high point. A representative from the FDA was there, and shortly after there were federal changes in sulfite regulation. Sometimes you hit it just right. I like to think that project selection is one of my great strengths. My projects don't always make me happy, but at the end of my life I will be able to tell God I did the best I could, truly. And that is not so easy, from whom much is given, much is expected.

In giving away this suit, I honor that moment while making room for what new things are coming in my life.

*****

photo - not me - taken by andrew feinberg

*****

Hope it is Enough

2009-03-18T19:30:00.001-07:00

For those who have quietly given so much, thank you.

*****

Last Train Out

2009-03-16T19:54:00.000-07:00

Looking for what awaits me in the future.

So many changes. I wake often at 3am worrying about the economy. I can protect my family but there will be many who suffer from decisions made by those in power.

*****

yet another Kevin Dooley masterpiece

Aurora over Finland

2009-03-07T21:40:00.000-08:00

For all the times we thought we could finish up early on surgery and get to Finland, it never happened. Still hoping to see the aurora borealis one of these days/nights.

*****

Take Care of Each Other

2009-03-03T20:20:00.000-08:00

Taken from a letter to a friend who lost someone to despair:

Thank you for sharing this and I am so sorry for your loss.

It is a useful reminder to consider people in our lives who face cascading losses. Even folks who have coped well most of their lives have trouble with multiple losses in a short time.

Depression is the silent killer. People withdraw and don’t say where it hurts. People with depression learn only slowly that it’s better to cry early and loudly, even when that is embarrassing, than to let things get too far.

Unlike a generation ago many people are not engaged in a religious community that would feel responsible for taking care of people in trouble. So many are alone, and we have not yet developed new ways of keeping people integrated in the community.

I think there will be people newly facing reduced economic circumstances that fall into depression, who will be in danger. Folks who thought they had sufficient savings, sufficient plans for retirement. The devastation of the Bush years will bring many good people down. Reach out to your older friends and neighbors.

*****

photo by judepics

Emerging to New Life

2009-03-02T11:50:00.000-08:00

photo by KingsbraeGarden

"The butterfly has been out of its cocoon about 10 minutes and is still drying and unfolding its wings."

Is it Spring Yet?

2009-03-02T10:22:00.001-08:00

photo by DelosJ

*****

help

2009-03-01T20:49:00.001-08:00

help

*****

photo by ecstaticist

Sorry, the Bank is Closed

2009-02-16T20:09:00.000-08:00

As I always do on a federal holiday, I go check my mailbox and wonder why there aren't any letters. I nearly always compound that by feeling that it's a great time to go to the bank, and then wonder why the parking lot is empty and the doors are locked. Yes, I've done this an embarrassing number of times.

I figure if you can be amused by your own mistakes you'll never run out of material.

But as I contemplate what's going on in capital markets around the world, which wakes me up at 3am from time to time, I wonder if the Bank Closed sign will be there on some other day, perhaps for real. Sobering times. We do what we can.

Taibbi Does Friedman

2009-02-16T20:07:00.000-08:00

crossposted 18 january 2009 firedoglake

Hilarious smackdown of Friedman's new book by Matt Taibbi in the nypress: "How Green Was My Mustache"

Cartoon here.

So, why does it matter whether Friedman makes any sense? Who cares?

Friedman’s language choices over the years have been highly revealing: When a man who thinks you need to break a vase to get the water out of it starts arguing that you need to invade a country in order to change the minds of its people, you might want to start paying attention to how his approach to the vase problem worked out.Thomas Friedman is not a president, a pope, a general on the field of battle or any other kind of man of action. He doesn’t actually do anything apart from talk about shit in a newspaper. So in my mind it’s highly relevant if his manner of speaking is fucked.

Taibbi then eviscerates Friedman's method of social science research consisting of flying around the world and talking about what he sees out of his hotel room window. At the end he explains the real world consequences of printing such foolishness:

To review quickly, the “Long Bomb” Iraq war plan Friedman supported as a means of transforming the Middle East blew up in his and everyone else’s face; the “Electronic Herd” of highly volatile international capital markets he once touted as an economic cure-all not only didn’t pan out, but led the world into a terrifying chasm of seemingly irreversible economic catastrophe; his beloved “Golden Straitjacket” of American-style global development (forced on the world by the “hidden fist” of American military power) turned out to be the vehicle for the very energy/ecological crisis Friedman himself warns about in his new book; and, most humorously, the “Flat World” consumer economics Friedman marveled at so voluminously turned out to be grounded in such total unreality that even his wife’s once-mighty shopping mall empire, General Growth Properties, has lost 99 percent of its value in this year alone.

So, yes, Friedman is suddenly an environmentalist of sorts.

Pour another cup of coffee, put your feet up, and prepare to enjoy yourself - read the whole thing.

h/t to Prairie for the link

California Suspends Payments to Disabled, Tax Refunds Feb 1

2009-02-16T20:04:00.000-08:00

crossposted 16 january 2009 firedoglake

Empty refrigerator

Evan Halper of the LA Times has this sobering news:

Reporting from Sacramento -- State Controller John Chiang announced today that his office would suspend tax refunds, welfare checks, student grants and other payments owed to Californians starting Feb. 1, as a result of the state's cash crisis.

Whew - good thing none of those folks were counting on that money. People on welfare have other ways to get by, I'm sure. And students - let them eat Ramen.

Chiang said he had no choice but to stop making some $3.7 billion in payments in the absence of action by the governor and lawmakers to close the state's nearly $42-billion budget deficit. More than half of those payments are tax refunds.

Wonder what happens to all the folks who took out loans based on getting those tax refunds.

The controller said the suspended payments could be rolled into IOUs if California still lacked sufficient cash to pay its bills come March or April.

[snip]

The payments to be frozen include nearly $2 billion in tax refunds; $300 million in cash grants for needy families and the aged, blind and disabled; and $13 million in grants for college students.

Needy families - aged - blind - disabled. Look at what we have become. For shame.

Bush's Farewell Address

2009-02-16T20:03:00.001-08:00

crossposted 15 january 2009 at firedoglake

It is Tuesday yet?

The real speech:

Part One

Part Two

And in case you are really suffering from insomnia, The transcript

We Won. Now What?

2009-02-16T20:00:00.000-08:00

crossposted as Pull Up a Chair 24 january 2009 at firedoglake

What a week! Trying to say "President Obama" without stopping in awe right there. He is not the answer to all our problems but isn't it amazing we have gotten this far?

Think about 4, 5, 6 years ago how bleak things were looking for our nation. It's been a long hard slog with little to show for it until recently. Suddenly there is so much potential!

In a way, we have a new problem of choosing among many attractive possibilities. We've gone from a situation where we had to fight for every inch to where we have the high ground at last. What next?

I would love to hear from fellow pups, what are your priorities in the new administration? We've seen some first steps by the new president and his team: no more torture, close Guantanamo, close the CIA prisons, return to diplomacy instead of bullying our way around the world.

What else should we be doing? What are your priorities?

And I would especially invite those who have never commented before, or rarely commented, to chime in here. It's a new day - we need everybody!

So pour yourself another cup of hot cocoa, take as many of those little marshmallows as you want, and pull up a chair....

Too Many Hopes

2009-01-27T18:55:00.001-08:00

The period of rising expectations is dangerous, whether for nations or individuals. People who have been waiting for so much for so long see a narrow window into which great hopes and anxiety must flow.

Not everything can be done the first week. I worked for years in demography and international birth control programs, yet I do not savage the new administration for excluding it from the economic bill. There are priorities, and priorities by definition mean that everyone does not get all the goodies they want right away.

I see this same struggle in microcosm in the blogosphere, and quite frankly, here. We are tearing each other apart trying to be first through the door. We have been starving and food is right there...so close. We want so much, right now, and it is tantalizing that much is possible. IF we can manage the process properly.

*****

Obama Inauguration Parade

2009-01-21T20:08:00.000-08:00

President Obama and his family are in their American-manufactured limo proceeding slowly along the parade route.

It's a cool license plate: USA1

They're near Fourth Street. If memory serves, this is very close to the federal courthouse where Fitzgerald prosecuted Libby not so long ago.

Cabinet: 7 confirmations from the Senate, not including Clinton.

Stupendous crowds causing delays even for people with tickets. Marcy reported on the crowds this morning and we will have more from Spencer and Gregg.

Somber reporting because of the scare with Senators Kennedy and Byrd being taken away, ill, from the Senate lunch.

Updates for both Senators affirm they are in better condition than originally feared.

Parade order in this Elliott diary - much appreciated.

Sample of participants:

* Representatives from the US Army, United States Military Academy & US Army Reserve
* Punahou School JROTC
* Punahou School Marching Band
* Whitney M. Young Magnet High School Navy JROTC
* Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corps
* Jesse White Tumbling Team
* Florida A&M University Marching 100 Band
* Crow Nation of Montana
* Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School Marching Band
* Illinois Home State Float
* Brooklyn Music and Arts Program
* Theodore Roosevelt High School Marine Corps JROTC Color Guard and Drill Team
* Colts Drum and Bugle Corps
* Klein Collins High School Air Force JROTC
* Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes and Drums

The schedule is something like an hour late, with participants along the parade route wondering why there is a delay.

Heavy cheers from the crowds as the President's car goes slowly forward.

Very visible and heavy security.

Will be riding until 15th Street, then walking. There is a different level of security check for people who are permitted in that area. Had some experience there.

Obama is getting out of the car by the Navy Memorial. Michelle and Barack walking now - way ahead of schedule - up Pennsylvania Avenue.

Walking by the National Archives. Our beloved Constitution. The Bill of Rights.

Crowds screaming with joy as the Obamas walk by.

The President and Mrs. Obama have gotten back into the car.

Must have been really cold - or perhaps the Secret Service reminded them this was not the plan.

The Obamas are walking again, will apparently walk the rest of the way as per the original plan. Stands are full to capacity.

Approaching the reviewing stand.

Speculation about whether they must be feeling cold. This is laughable. These are Chicago people who went to Boston to get warm.

Aaaand back into the car, to the White House.

Plenty of other groups still to come through as part of the parade. Traditionally a group from every state plus the service bands.

Obama's high school band coming by the reviewing stand. Local guy does well.

Not much air time for the photogenic Bidens. Striking red coat - imagine she is warm.

What you miss if you just watch the President go by is the over the top excitement of the bands and groups that participate in the parade.

They are jazzed. Freezing, but happy.

Obamas and Bidens can now watch the parade from a warm place.

Bidens crossing the North Lawn towad the reviewing stand. Obamas soon.

Obama family heading toward the reviewing stand - so sweet to see parents and children holding hands. Love the children's bright coats. Barack with the younger daughter.

Announcing the President and First Lady.

Entering the reviewing stand.

Hail to the Chief being played.

Delaware is well represented in the parade, as Biden's home state.

*****

crossposted 20 january 2009 at firedoglake

Muevete - Let's Move!

2009-01-15T20:10:00.000-08:00

New physical fitness project for the DC schools. One of those folks looks mighty familiar.

*****

crossposted at firedoglake 15 january 2009

Mothers' Manifesto

2009-01-01T19:33:00.000-08:00

We have — at minimum — two [unrelated] people among our commenters at Firedoglake who were involved in the resolution of the Irish struggles who are engaged with trying to bring the current situation in Gaza to the attention of the world.

After a certain number of decades/centuries of enmity both sides must agree to pull back and say, no more orphans.

No more children with arms and legs blown off.

No more people dying from stupid reasons like lack of medical supplies.

No more bombing hospitals and universities.

No more taking 18 year olds and throwing them into the furnace of war. It is wrong. It is immoral. The mothers of the world will tolerate it no longer.

*****

crossposted at firedoglake oxdown 1 jan 2009

You Have the Right to Remain Happy

2008-12-31T16:09:00.000-08:00

Wishing all you pups a Happy New Year - with no strings attached.

*****

Cartoon used with the express written permission of Stu's Views

*****

crossposted at firedoglake oxdown 30 dec 2008

Cool Ham Radio Stuff

2008-12-27T08:42:00.000-08:00

Fun piccolo parts - when I go to a concert I always check the health of the flute players, just in case they need an emergency backup player.

*****

Ye who now will bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing

2008-12-24T20:48:00.000-08:00

Music and lyrics from across the centuries, reminding us of hope and light in a dark time. I have tried to work over the years to bring hope to dark places. Having winter depression I know a little bit about that - different kinds of poverty - of the wallet, of the heart, of the soul. People come into our lives and bring blessings, sometimes quite unexpectedly.

My Christmas wish for you all is to be open to the messenger of hope and joy in your life. It may come in quite an unusual form, angels from the higher realm speaking to your heart and soul in the darkest hour.

Sire the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart I know not how
I can go no longer....
Mark my footsteps my good page,
Tread thou in them boldly,
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly.

Let us be the footsteps ahead for each other.

*****

Emergency Backup Organist: Teaching Children about Joy

2008-12-16T19:37:00.000-08:00

Lost in joy at a Christmas concert with daughter-west, thinking of other Christmas music events over the decades and how they have also brought me such happiness.

Singing in church with my mother, father, grandma Mc, and siblings as a child.

Playing flute and piccolo for the Vienna VA church concerts for many years.

Caroling around the neighborhood - need to organize this again this year.

Strolling through the international carols book and learning new songs, singing at my piano-east.

Performing at Bailey Hall, Ithaca for an appreciative crowd in the snowy weather.

Listening to O Holy Night on the radio and crying because we are so far from peace on earth.

And, from the title, being the emergency backup organist in Virginia, especially Christmas Eve when there are so many services that the regular organist cannot play them all.

I always volunteered to take the Children's Service early on Christmas Eve. The children's choir kids were surprised to learn that I would let them play a few notes, in contrast to when I was a child -- maybe ten years old -- and harshly scolded for wanting to play the church organ, despite being a music prodigy. I always let the children hear how their actions make beautiful music. And they laughed so much when I showed them I played barefoot. Real grownups don't go barefoot! But it is the easiest way to feel where the pedals are, to follow them along the edge of my feet. So now you know my secret with both music and children: Share the joy.

*****

The Second Great Depression

2008-12-14T14:23:00.000-08:00

The Second Great Depression - equally unthinkable as another World War after the War to End All Wars.

Economic collapse: coming soon to a town near you. I lived in a dying steel town in the 70s and well remember stories of the 30s from my ancestors. Father's family lost their house when the government reneged on veterans disability benefits. Mother's family fed homeless people by being ready with a plate of food when they came to the door. Dear God what have we allowed to happen to our country.

"I saw and approached the hungry and desperate mother, as if drawn by a magnet. I do not remember how I explained my presence or my camera to her, but I do remember she asked me no questions. I made five exposures, working closer and closer from the same direction. I did not ask her name or her history. She told me her age, that she was thirty-two. She said that they had been living on frozen vegetables from the surrounding fields, and birds that the children killed. She had just sold the tires from her car to buy food. There she sat in that lean- to tent with her children huddled around her, and seemed to know that my pictures might help her, and so she helped me. There was a sort of equality about it."

Photographer Dorothea Lange. I imagine the next generation of depression photographers will find plenty of opportunity.

*****

What Is Left Undone

2008-12-01T18:02:00.000-08:00

If I work to help this country I am not working in medicine. If I work in medicine I leave this country in ruins for my children.

If I offer up my time and essence and it does not solve the problem I cannot do more.

I give all I have and it is not enough. I have done my best. Forgive.

Tom Paxton - Changing My Name to Fannie Mae

2008-11-30T17:43:00.001-08:00

"All this crazy rooty tootin and this golden parachuting

Means that someone's making millions - just not you!"

youtube link

*****

crossposted at firedoglake ox 30 nov 2008

One - No, Two - Deaths at WalMart

2008-11-28T20:37:00.000-08:00

crossposted at firedoglake 30 nov 2008 and oxdown 29 nov

A man was crushed to death and a woman lost her baby in the madness that is post-Thanksgiving shopping.

I am trying to put myself in the place of those who were lined up, eager to shop for certain items that had limited availability, those folks who wanted to be Good Parents for their child and secure the wii or other urgent item.

I've always been leery of the phrase "I would kill for..." because we are not so evolved that we wouldn't. Taught my children not to say the word kill unless they meant it. Words lose their meaning if they are used in mundane ways. Take care to use the words kill, freedom, God, love, "Help!" when it matters so that these words don't lose their meaning.

A man--a temporary employee--was killed, and a baby was killed, so that good parents, well meaning parents, could be the first in line to get the Christmas items their own children desired.

I am trying to imagine the first person who stepped over the body of the fallen man. Or those who rushed past the stricken pregnant -- but pregnant no longer -- woman on their way to the toy counter. It is human. But very dark. Our first story in recorded human history is that we screwed up. Not sure we've evolved very far past that.

Christmas is deliberately scheduled to be just after the winter solstice, a reminder that light will come again, but maybe not so soon. [Hope this doesn't get me disbarred as a Presbyterian elder.] Those of us with winter depression know that Candlemas on Feb 2 is the better holiday, with the promise of spring coming soon.

But there is darkness all around. I have worked in a country drowning in darkness from the Soviet years, and recognize that my own dear nation is falling into the abyss.

We get trapped in what we feel is the right thing to do. It is an easy armchair condemnation of those shoppers - safely far away - who went too far. Let us be careful to look in the mirror and consider how far we would go, if we had so little money after economic collapse, and such an urgent opportunity to provide for our own.

UPDATE: Peter Goodman of the NYT has much more on this tragedy.

Russian Medical Fund 24 November 2008

2008-11-24T10:23:00.001-08:00

Twelve years coming to a close today. We have saved the lives of more than 3,000 newborns and changed their families forever. We brought hope to a dark place when they thought there was no hope. We kept the entire children's hospital open in 1998 during the ruble crash.

With the hospital gaining political support from the government, I can move on to other projects. But this was a special baby for me, a lifelong dream to help children in other countries who were dying from lack of medicine. It seemed so wrong, and I vowed as a child I would do something when I grew up.

With great affection for my colleagues and supporters, I declare the Russian Medical Fund closed. I think I need to go have a good cry now.

*****

Refueling

2008-11-17T15:49:00.000-08:00

Need* to replenish after the exhausting journey up to the election. Daughter-west, in a great act of mercy, removed my fingers from the keyboard for some delightful spa time in SF with her over the weekend.

I was amused to realize I was beginning the journey north with a near empty tank of gas. How fitting. Then looked in my wallet and realized I was about to travel with a minimum of cash. Both pretty uncharacteristic of me, and shows how frazzled I was getting.

Fighting the temptation to just plow ahead anyway, I took the extra time to fill up with gas and cash and then start the journey. Hope I can remember this lesson in the future. It's not about logistics - it's about taking care of myself, and not last, either.

[And yes, the spa was heavenly]

Update -- *Surprised to see I wrote this in the present tense. Guess I'm still in need of re-creation.

*******

Going to Ground

2008-11-13T19:55:00.000-08:00

It's been a very intense couple of weeks as you can see from the attatched firedoglake crossposts. Still awaiting the outcome on a couple of races including Charlie Brown in CA-04 and Begich Sen-Alaska. Our man Larry Kissell NC-08 in '08 has won won won won!!!! After just missing it by 300 votes in 2006 he cruised to a lovely 55% victory over the longtime incumbent.

And so, to rest and reflect and recuperate. I have little idea even how to begin. Daughter-west is taking me to a spa over the weekend for some proper reeducation into that rest thingie, not to mention taking care of oneself. I'm always so brain oriented, keep the mind busy, I forget everything else. Dinner with a friend a couple days ago, a girl talk fest. A little shopping - I was good, just one new pair of lovely shoes. Restocking the frig with healthy food. Getting out the door with walking shoes on every day. You know, the basics.

Not quite there yet. I went to prepare my coffeemaker for the morning - 6:45am editor shift is an abrupt way to begin the day, must have caffeine - and realized I had purchased beans instead of ground.

Oh well, I figure, if you can laugh at your own mistakes, you'll never run out of material.

*******

Alaska -- Begich Vote Count Update

2008-11-13T19:53:00.000-08:00

crossposted 10 Nov 2008 at firedoglake oxdown

Blue Alaska favorite Mark Begich is still waiting to learn whether he will represent Alaska in the U.S. Senate.

Alaska Senate and House races are still unfinished as absentee and provisional ballots are being counted. Colleagues in Alaska indicate if the counting is done honestly, Begich ought to come out the winner. But that's a big "if".

Received this from the Begich campaign: [Donate Here to help the count and recount]

There are currently more than 81,000 early, absentee, and questioned ballots going through the validating process. More ballots are arriving each day, so that number will grow a bit. While currently trailing by 3257 votes, we did exceedingly well with the early votes counted so far (61% for Mark, 48% for Stevens), sent a terrific mail piece to every absentee voter, and question ballots in Alaska usually skew to Democrats. You can see this by going to http//action.begich.com/electoralmap.

This is a race we are fighting for and intend to win.

The Division of Elections (DOE) plans to count 2/3 of the outstanding ballots on Wednesday and those remaining on Friday. All oversees ballots have to be in by Wednesday, November 19th and the DOE plans to certify the election on Tuesday, November 25. A recount, should one be necessary, would occur after that. We will keep you updated on the status of the race after each step in the process.

The Anchorage Daily News explains the process of contesting ballots:

With 18,271 questioned ballots so far, the campaigns for Stevens and Begich are asking their supporters for help with the additional expense of lawyers and observers during the canvassing. Each ballot is reviewed by a two-member board composed of a Democrat and Republican, and each side is entitled to an observer who can challenge a ruling. Unresolved issues can be brought to court.

Considering all the national media time wasted on trivial matters, would it be too much to hope they would shine some light on the Alaskan vote count?

Olbermann on 8 - This Is What Your Heart Tells You To Do?

2008-11-13T19:52:00.001-08:00

crossposted 10 Nov 2008 at firedoglake oxdown

Can we stand between people who love each other? And on what basis? Legally, morally - explain how it can be right to stand between adults who meet their match, who find their soul mate.

"A question of love. Let the tiny ember of love meet its own fate." ---Keith Olbermann 10 November 2008

Can Obama Undo Bush's Disasters? Olbermann Interview with Jonathan Turley

2008-11-13T19:50:00.000-08:00

crossposted 12 Nov 2008 at firedoglake oxdown

Learning more about the Congressional Review Act of 1996, which deals with acts of outgoing presidents in the last six months of their administration.

Executive orders are easier to undo, President Obama can come in with his own superseding executive orders. These include some executive orders that are classified that President Obama will be able to unravel. Things such as Guantanamo Bay and other very hot button issues are often contained in executive orders rather than regulations.

Those regulations, however, is really what concerns people the most because, a push for regulation at the end of an administration is akin to fouling the water well. It is almost a sign of contempt for the results of the election. [snip]

The Congressional Review Act is designed to prevent presidents in the final hours of their adminstration from creating this deadhand control. What is does is it creates something of a kind of fiction. It says if you push it through in the final days of your administration, it won't be considered final until the new Congress comes in.

So if you do this closer at the end of the previous Congress, Congress gave itself extra time to reverse it.

That sounds good, so no prob, right? Hm:

The key here however is time..We're not going to have a lot of time and we're talking about a lot of regulations, and a lot of executive orders. And that's why Obama reportedly has a team of dozens of people who are trying to unravel this very complex web of executive orders and regulations, to use that time efficiently.

Kind of high stakes chess on both sides. How much moolah can Bush-Cheney throw to their criminal buddies, and hide, versus what the Obama people can find and undo.

I like to think there are many hidden whistleblowers just aching to be of service to their country.

Too Bad It's Parody

2008-11-13T19:48:00.000-08:00

crossposted 12 Nov 2008 at firedoglake

NY Times Announces End of War in Iraq

Waiting for the real thing here.

UPDATE: NYT is a good sport about the whole thing

Spontaneous Honor Guard for the Fallen

2008-11-13T19:45:00.000-08:00

crossposted 11 November 2008 at firedoglake. My grandfather McIntosh died on 11/11 - WWI vet, fought in France.

Honor Guard

Wanted to share Prairie's story from 2007 about a spontaneous honor guard she observed along the frozen North Dakota highway for a young Minnesota soldier who was killed in Iraq.

Had a really poignant drive into town. Turned on the Fargo radio for weather and road reports. Right at the freeze mark and rainy dismal white-knuckle driving all the way back.

Then the radio mentioned a motorcade for the [------] soldier’s remains which were arriving in Fargo and asked people to come out to honor him.

Just west of Hawley we started seeing pickups and SUVs at the ends of driveways. Flags flying in front yards. By Dilworth, the fire dept trucks were all out along the road. As we drove into Moorhead, the police escort led the way for their group.

My God, I had tears running down my cheeks. Flashing our lights seemed such a small gesture. All those fatheads on the Sunday shows and cable news with their strolls and photo-ops and posturing.

And it’s all about this. One 28-year-old kid coming home for the last time.

These sons and daughters of America died for us. Let us remember, and honor.

More Good Jobs Evaporate -- DHL Closing American Operations?

2008-11-13T19:44:00.001-08:00

crossposted 10 Nov 2008 at firedoglake

No more DHL in the US?

Frankfurter Allgemeine reports DHL is eliminating 40,000 jobs, including potentially everything they have in the US.

For you Deutsch sprechers:

Appel wird nicht anders können, als einen massiven Stellenabbau zu verkünden: 40.000 Jobs in dem verlustreichen Bereich sind akut bedroht; 20 000 bei der Post direkt, noch mal so viele bei ihren amerikanischen Partnern.

Roughly -- 20,000 jobs direct, and another 20,000 by American partners. [h/t to Calculated Risk commenter HJ for this, you paid better attention in high school German than I did.]

Not a math expert, but to me this sounds like they're closing their entire US operations. Financial Times gives it to us gently, saying

Deutsche Post is poised to reveal bigger cuts than expected to its troubled DHL US express deliveries service today after the rapid economic downturn complicated efforts to restructure the lossmaking business.

[snip]

DHL intended to become a third significant force in the US market but failed to break up the de facto duopoly enjoyed by UPS and FedEx. The company employs about 18,000 in its US express business.

Well, folks, if they employ 18,000 -- including 8,000 in one small Ohio town destined for doom, and they're laying off "about 20,000", doesn't that mean they're closing up shop?

McCain had his hand in this:

"Those jobs are on the chopping block because Sen. McCain and his campaign were involved in a deal that resulted in control of those positions being shifted to a foreign corporation, and there's no getting around that," said Joe Rugola, president of the Ohio AFL-CIO.

And truth in advertising, I'm from a small town in Ohio, and the losses from having these jobs disappear will show on faces much like those in my family. We sent all the money in the world to Wall Street and the Iraq war profiteers, and there's nothing left for average folks in the small towns of the nation.

We are watching our inner nation bleed to death economically. Will Obama's team stop the hemorrhage?

Darcy Burner Concedes, Reichert Re-elected in Washington State

2008-11-13T19:42:00.000-08:00

crossposted 7 Nov 2008 at firedoglake

Blue America candidate Darcy Burner announced she will concede her congressional race to incumbent Dave Reichert in Washington's 8th District.

The Seattle Times has the sad news:

U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert has survived a second Democratic wave election, bucking a national trend that flipped at least 24 Republican congressional seats to Democrats.

His opponent, Darcy Burner, conceded tonight after The Associated Press determined tonight that Reichert's lead for the 8th District seat was insurmountable.

In a statement tonight, Burner said: "It is likely at this point that Congressman Reichert has won re-election, and while we will certainly ensure that every valid vote is counted, we accept the decision of the voters.

"I would like to thank the thousands of people who put so much time and effort into the campaign, as well as the countless thousands more who went beyond voting to actively participate in our democratic process this year. The election of Barack Obama as our new president will ensure that the change to the direction of our country called for in this campaign is realized in the new year."

Our best wishes to Darcy and her family, along with the hope she will begin her campaign for 2010 as soon as possible.

Obama's Grandmother Dies of Cancer

2008-11-13T19:41:00.000-08:00

crossposted 3 Nov 2008 at firedoglake, at which point i start crying and have to leave work from the stress.

Source: Obama campaign headquarters

MSNBC and Reuters reporting that Barack Obama's grandmother Madelyn Payne Dunham has just died.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's grandmother died of cancer, he said in a statement on Monday, a little more than a week after Obama interrupted the White House race to say goodbye to her in Hawaii.

"It is with great sadness that we announce that our grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has died peacefully after a battle with cancer," Obama said in a joint statement with his sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng. "She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility."

Dunham helped raise Obama from the age of 10 while his mother was working in Indonesia, and Obama took an emotional 22-hour trip to Hawaii to visit her on October 23 and 24.

Our deep sympathy and love to the Obama family.

Bush to Recognize Iran. So Iceland = Terrorists, Iran = Not Terrorists?

2008-11-13T19:39:00.000-08:00

crossposted 25 oct 2008 at firedoglake

Bush intends to take the first steps towards diplomatic relations with Iran, as reported by Warren Strobel at McClatchy.

Meanwhile, folks in Iceland can't conduct normal business because of having the entire country on the UK terror list.

So Iceland = Terrorists and Iran = Not Terrorists.

Now I'm confused.

Lost in a Dream

2008-11-05T11:39:00.000-08:00

Victory for the nation, exhaustion for the team.

A sad loss for the No on 8 folks in California, which my daughter and I worked on. Much to contemplate.

Time to rest, and to reflect.

Scottish mountains, of course. Perhaps it's time to visit Scotland again, where my soul expands.

*****

Joy to the World!

2008-11-04T07:27:00.000-08:00

Make it happen.

Is It Tuesday Yet??

2008-11-03T11:37:00.001-08:00

Watertiger gently reminds me the correct question is, Is it Wednesday yet.

I hear echoes from dreams - anguished dreams - far, far away. My esp antennae on high alert. This is the big one. Let's make it happen people.

photo by eleda

*****

I'm really a dog person. Really.

2008-10-26T18:07:00.000-07:00

What could I do, the local kids invited me to their Halloween costume party. Easier to stitch together a cat costume. Life is too short not to have fun!

Happy BIrthday, Mother!

2008-10-26T07:26:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday, Mother!

Beautiful flowers for a beautiful woman. Wishing you the great joy and happiness you have always showered on us.

We love you!

*****

photo by zteamie

Idea Incubator

2008-10-17T20:38:00.001-07:00

Enchanted to work with stellar authors, especially those who don't realize how wonderful they are becoming. I feel that I work in a well-protected idea incubator, observing and guarding ideas until they hatch.

Ask me two years ago if this scenario was even conceivable, and you get the same laughter as I had contemplating the evolving work that would result in 30 trips to Russia to save thousands of lives, before it happened, while the dream was still in the incubator.

Old dream: save the former USSR from darkness, bring hope

New dream: save the current US from darkness, bring hope

*****

Krugman Wins Nobel in Economics

2008-10-17T20:37:00.001-07:00

Bush critic wins prize: sweet

Paul Krugman of Princeton was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics.

Let's hope someone in the government is listening to what he has to say. It's not too late.

May I say "Bush Critic Krugman Wins 2008 Nobel for Economics" is a wonderful headline. Talk about getting the most important information out there first.

Next post up will have some ideas for the bailout. Later today we've got action items for Congress. Great start to a busy day!

Pull Up A Chair -- Special Edition for Christy

2008-10-17T20:36:00.003-07:00

crossposted 11 october 2008 firedoglake

Set it on the kitchen counter, ok?

On most Saturday mornings, Christy puts on a pot of coffee and invites us over to chat. Today, though, it's our turn to offer some very special FDL love to Christy and her family in the loss of her husband's mother this week.

We lean on each other so much here that it has become a real community of shared joys and sorrows. We offer Christy, her husband, and their family our deep sympathy, our hugs, our spiritual energy, and our flowing love as they go through this terrible loss. We are with you.

When people in our own neighborhoods suffer a loss like this, a lot of us would bring over a casserole, so that the family wouldn't have to worry about cooking for a while. Today, I'm asking you to bring a virtual casserole (or other comfort food) to Pull Up A Chair, since it's what we would do if we all lived in the same physical community.

Bring your favorites here, either a description or the recipe, for her family to contemplate, and maybe some of those recipes will become favorites of her family in the future as they remember the community who loves them.

We all grieve in different ways. At its worst, grief can nearly knock people down physically, and it can be hard to endure one hour to the next. It can be hard to imagine why the sky is still blue -- does it even matter? And how can people go on living normal lives all around us? Don't they understand that everything is different now?

In mourning we often need an unknown combination of time alone to contemplate and then time to be surrounded by others who care for us. It can be difficult for others to know what is the right thing to do or say. But it's always right to show that you care, that you are there for each other. A simple "I'm sorry for your loss" or a hug can be more healing than you imagine.

One of the loving ideas that comes to us from the grieving family is that they are asking, instead of flowers, for folks to donate to their own local library -- libraries being a lifelong passion of Christy's mother-in-law. I am going to pass this idea along in my own circle of friends and family.

We're at a physical distance from each other: Christy in the east, other family in the west, and firepups all over the globe. Even so, keep Christy and her family with you in love and in spirit this morning. She does so much for us, and today we can return her hospitality as we surround her and her family with our caring.

It's been a rough time for Christy, her husband, and The Peanut as they've dealt with all of this. Christy may join us in the comments this morning, or she may decide to sleep in and check out the comments later on. Either way, please come on in, set your casseroles on the kitchen counter, and pull up a chair....

Late Nite Hospital Visit: New Revelations

2008-10-17T20:34:00.000-07:00

crossposted 26 september 2008 firedoglake

Murray Waas has a breaking story in the Atlantic with more details about that frightening hospital visit to Ashcroft, where the entire top tier of DoJ stood ready to resign.

Marcy's new Timeline here

According to people familiar with statements recently made by Gonzales to federal investigators, Gonzales is now saying that George Bush personally directed him to make that hospital visit.

[snip]

Gonzales has also told Justice Department investigators that President Bush played a more central and active role than was previously known in devising a strategy to have Congress enable the continuation of the surveillance program when questions about its legality were raised by the Justice Department, as well as devising other ways to circumvent the Justice Department’s legal concerns about the program, according to people who have read Gonzales’s interviews with investigators.

So, is it bad? What is the White House's reaction?

One scenario feared by the White House is that the IG or OPR could send a public report to Congress concluding that Gonzales or some other official may have committed a crime. At a minimum, that would make the conduct of Gonzales, or of any other official deemed to be under suspicion, the subject of a criminal investigation.

If the report also raised unanswered questions about possible misconduct by other senior administration officials, or even the president, that could lead to the appointment of a special prosecutor.

Good times, good times.

video from hidusr

The Debate is On: McCain Flip-Flops Again

2008-10-17T20:32:00.000-07:00

crossposted 26 september 2008 firedoglake

The Presidential debate will go on as scheduled. So McCain's campaign suspension is suspended. Or something.

From Reuters:

Republican John McCain said he will attend the first of three presidential debates with Democrat Barack Obama on Friday, ending two days of suspense and setting up a showdown that could help decide a tight race for the White House.

McCain had vowed to skip the debate if a $700 billion rescue of the U.S. financial industry was not settled, but his campaign said in a statement that enough progress had been made to go ahead.

"The McCain campaign is resuming all activities and the senator will travel to the debate this afternoon," the statement said. He will come back to Washington after the event and return to the negotiations.

photo by wedgienet

Thirty Years - A Toast

2008-10-08T11:28:00.001-07:00

"Kingdoms come and go
But they don't last
Before you know
The future is the past.

In spite of what's been lost
What's been gained
We are living proof
Love remains"

*******

Collin Raye

photo by Picture Taker 2

Jigsaw Puzzle: Ur Doin It Rong

2008-10-06T07:17:00.000-07:00

Bring me a hammer and the scissors please? Because that's the only way I can make these puzzle pieces fit.

*****

Dem Convention Journalist

2008-08-30T22:20:00.000-07:00

When being recognized by Gavin Newsom, the young mayor of SF, doesnt even make the top ten amazing things that happened this week at the convention, it's time to start writing some impressions. Back yesterday, completely amazing time, so many new friends and colleagues and the opportunity to meet people I have been working with online.

In no particular order:

1. Talked with Senator Jon Tester - complete love fest in the press room.

2. Scoop interview with George Lakoff on framing: next steps. I saw him walk by and jumped up out of my chair to meet him, got the story on the new narrative.

3. Photo of me and snarky quote on Comedy Central site. And the producer and writer are so cool. Look at 11:03, my quote at 10:28, and photo at 8:45.

4. Four on camera interviews -- not bad for one whose pre-egregious screen name was "shygirl" -- including Reuters and Cox News.

5. Awesome time with old friends including Marcy, Ian, Christy, Jane, Pach, Dave Johnson

6. Interviewed Rep. John Hall -- "Still the One" --energy policy awaits Obama's election.

7. Spoke with a dozen governors, senators, congressmen, and candidates - list later. I'm tired. Sen. Salazar -- who was amused to learn about what firedoglake means. Gov. Schweitzer. Shulman. Polis. Taddeo. Sen. Durbin.

8. Came close to, but did not speak with: Rachel Maddow, Senator Leahy, Wash State Governor Chris Gregoire, Rep. Moran, Jonathan Alter of msnbc, Katie Couric, Sen. Schumer, Sean Penn, Paul Pelosi.

9. Met so many new folks -- again the full list must wait. Noneck - who got thrown out of China for interviewing people about Tibet, this is his photo of me. BenGoshi, attorney at kos, and the whole LeftinAlabama team. Crooks&Liars' Amato - wild man and his partner who is a complete sweetheart. Aravosis/Americablog. Glenn Greenwald. Markos/kos. Duncan/Atrios. Jesse, Lauren, Evan, and Sara at Group News Blog. Tim Tagaris.

10. Helped C-Span edit an article.

11. Back channel established with an official high up in the DCCC. Long off record interview.

12. Glad I didn't bolt the first day when I was so scared I nearly left.

13. SF Mayor Gavin Newsom recognizes me.

14. A new sense of self confidence as I try new things and many of them actually work. I look great and apparently am throwing off sparks. Thanks to Team Egregious for wardrobe advice and general support, you know who you are even if I can't name you in public.

Small steps, brave small steps, add up when it counts. Thank you new friends and old friends. We are going to elect Obama/Biden and rock the world.

*******

Sailing into the wind

2008-08-15T19:16:00.000-07:00

Sailing by day, watching the Olympics, listening to Tom Lehrer -- who is surprisingly topical even now -- and playing family games by night. Still some stormy waters from the divorce, though folks are doing their best to focus on the positive, that we are here together for a few days.

*******

photo by thomashawk

Carry Me Back to Ol Virginia

2008-08-10T12:04:00.000-07:00

Travel day, see you on the flip side.

*******

Photo by Elsie esq

Evolving Dreams

2008-08-09T11:11:00.000-07:00

crossposted 9 august 2008 at firedoglake

"Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue

And the dreams that you dare to dream, really do come true"

I love this photo with the combination of dark skies, calm lake, and stunningly bright rainbow -- a double rainbow for good luck.

It's tempting to get trapped in the dark and think it will be like this forever, whether politically or personally. To get beyond that it helps to reconnect with your dreams -- your childhood dreams, your young adult hopes, your current vision for the future.

To be at a point of transition, when one set of dreams has come to fruition, but the next set are waiting for the muse, is a special challenge. I think a lot of us are experiencing this disequilibrium politically if not personally. Our ideas about the way things are supposed to be have been shaken. Developing new ideas, new dreams, takes time and creative thought and way more patience that I can find sometimes.

Would love to hear from you pups about where you are in your evolving dreams...are you living them, considering new ones, basking in the joy of completed ones, despairing that you won't ever have them come true, where are you?

Come on in, have some coffee or tea and homemade cookies, and pull up a chair....

photo by Nicholas_T at Minsi Lake, Northampton County PA

Cousin on Today Show

2008-08-04T08:48:00.000-07:00

My cousin David Spindler gave in interview to The Today Show which was broadcast this morning. There is a second section which I don't have youtubed yet.

Congratulations David!

Thanks Mother!!

2008-07-31T12:49:00.000-07:00

It's my birthday today :)

*******

photo by Little Bitty Tam

Best Wishes K.C. and David!

2008-07-29T07:14:00.000-07:00

My cousin David is getting married to the lovely K.C.!!

If I have my story right, he met her while he was researching the Great Wall in China. Actually it's not a wall, it's a line...well, a series of lines...fortifications...ok maybe better to read the New Yorker article where he explains it all.

Congratulations and wishing you guys much happiness!

*******

photo by sci-figal

Birthday Babes

2008-07-27T12:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday and a day to my dear Laura! Not surprised to hear you say you were about to go out boating -- with Grandma on a ship and me swimming in the Pacific, we had three generations of Mc's on the water today.

Happy Birthday Aunt Ruth -- 80 today!

One more joyous occasion coming up Thursday, where I call my mother and thank her for the great gift of my life. I was a pretty strong-willed child and cannot have been easy to raise :) Thanks Mother!

*******

photo by Jessica Driver

Cruisin

2008-07-24T20:53:00.001-07:00

My mother and sister Marilyn are on their first cruise. Bon voyage and much happiness!

*******

photo by mezzoblue