Dianne's Dispatch

REMEMBERING BLUMENTHAL

2010-06-08T06:18:00.000-07:00

I am really pleased to see that more and more restaurants request that patrons do not use their cell phones while dining. It is something I applaud. But what can be done about the person who is not on a cell phone but who speaks so loudly that all you can hear is his conversation?

This happened to us recently and I title it: "David and the the Elderly Retired couple."

Our cast is David a 60+ lawyer, and an elderly married couple who are having dinner because mutual friends have suggested it.

The setting is on Orcas Island in Washington State, and the place/restaurant is Inn at Ship Bay.

We enter, in medias res.

D: I have a story to tell about Blumenthal.

C: So do I, but let's get to that later.

D: No my meeting with people from the Obama administration didn't focus on those things,

I have long been against drilling in the ocean so I don't think my opinion would come as a surprise as a liberal lawyer.

D: I had been going back to New York every month or so when my dad was ill, and I would spend time with my mother because she needed a break from taking care of him all the time.

Then after my father died my mother became comatose.

C: You mean she couldn't cope?

D: She was more like a deer in the headlights.

C: How did you deal with that?

D: We didn't learn until later that she actually had alzheimers.

I moved her out to San Diego to be near us, we have about 4 acres, but she didn't seem to get any better. Then she was diagnosed with alzheimers.

C: So where is she now?

D: We have her in a great facility.

C: Are you happy with the place?

D: She is getting wonderful treatment there.

C: Getting back to Blumenthal.

D: First I have to go back to the Vietnam war. You remember the political climate then.

C: I sure do, and I remember Blumenthal then.

D: Well, I was at NYU then and participating in more demonstrations than going to classes -- you know how it was. I had long hair down to my shoulders and more committed to protesting than anything else. Of course my father was worried about what was to become of me.

Then in 1969 they changed the rules of the draft and now me and my friends were worried that we would have to go to war, and we were all against it. I was 20 at the time and they were to draw the lottery numbers to determine who was going to be drafted. My friends had a "draft party" to watch as the numbers were picked. Even before I made it to the draft party, my mom called me and she was crying saying my number was 41 and it was certain I was going to Vietnam.

Well I thought about going to Canada or being a conscientious objector, but my dad told me that having the "conscientious objector" on my record would be a blot on me for the rest of my life. Then I asked my dad to help me get into the reserves like Bush and the others did. Getting into the reserves was next to impossible at the time.

C: There were a number of politicians that managed to get in the reserves or get a deferment.

D: Yes, and you can imagine how a long haired hippie from Brooklyn was going to feel in the army. I managed to keep my hair long by wearing a wig over it until I went to basic training in Louisiana.

C: How did you manage that?

D: In New York when we were being processed, I thought I might get away with keeping my long hair hidden. But basic training was something else. As the new recruits all lined up there were 100 men from Louisiana, 100 from Arkansas, 100 from Kentucky and 8 Jews from Brooklyn. The usual fare in the Army.

C: Not too far from what I expected.

D: The first day the barber says you have three choices for the length of your hair and he shows me three attachments to the clippers. Naturally I picked the one that would leave my hair the longest. Well everyone gets shorn the same way. The "supposed choice of attachments" is to show the army has a sense of humor.

Well as one of the 8 Jews on the base, I was not one of the chosen few. Then I had the luck to meet a beautiful local girl and ask her for a date. She came to pick me up in her convertible, and my status on the base went up considerably.

C: How was life in basic training?

D: It turned out to be better than I thought. I had a girlfriend, I had some structure, and the threat of the war was winding down although we weren't aware of it 'til later on. That's when I decided to stay in Louisiana and go to school. My dad was not happy about that, but at least I was becoming a serious student. And, I stayed and got my law degree.

Just then a couple get ups from another table and walks over to David and the elderly couple.

New couple: We couldn't help overhearing your story about the long haired hippie becoming a lawyer (this is an understatement, everyone in the room heard the story) and we were wondering if you are David Soandso, because we bought a house of yours.

D: Why yes I am, but we never met when we sold the house.

New couple: Well it is nice to meet you now.

D: Nice to meet you too.

The story was interrupted, and now it's time for dessert.

And we are on our way before hearing about Blumenthal!

JAMES TAYLOR AND CAROLE KING, WHAT A GREAT SHOW!

2010-05-12T13:31:00.000-07:00

Over 16,000 of us went to the HP Pavilion in San Jose to hear James Taylor and Carole King in concert. From the moment they entered the stage until 2 1/2 hours later the audience was with them in the present while remembering all the songs of the past. Their back-up musicians and singers had been with the for awhile so it seemed to move smoothly and joyfully. I didn't realize the audience was singing along to all the songs until I recorded "You've Got a Friend" on my iphone and could hear the background support.

I always considered Carole King more of the rocker and James Taylor more of the folk musician, and they displayed these styles and more. Carol showed her rocking style with "Smackwater Jack," "I Feel the Earth Move," and "Natural Woman." James displayed his quieter side with "Fire and Rain," "Walking Man," and "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight."

James Taylor then rocked it a bit with "Mexico" and "Shower The People." Carole King slowed it down with "It's Too Late" and "Will You Still Love Me tomorrow." The show was a perfect balance of songs and tempos.

The audience brought them back for three encores, and I could have listened to them for another hour, but we were happy just to see and hear these artists for the time we had.

WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?

2009-11-19T10:02:00.000-08:00

The last time I posted something on my blog was well over a year ago, yikes! Another resolution shot to hell! I would like to blame it on something exotic like being shackled in a Southern town (as pictured) for having done something courageous and righteous. It would provide a interesting story line. But it's not true. As usual, the truth is a little more complicated. The following are some of the excuses that all have a little bit of truth in them: I signed up for Facebook, and spent way too much time keeping that up-to-date; I joined a book club; I took advantage of a few opportunities to travel; the fodder for topics changed with the election of Obama; and I spent too much unnecessary time on the computer. With that being said, it's time to give a 2 to 3 times a week missive another shot.

Who would have thought...?

2008-11-07T12:19:00.000-08:00

The election is over, except for the final vote counting in Missouri, and the Democrats won. The right wing pundits are now telling us what happened -- if Lehman brothers hadn't collapsed in mid-September..., if he stayed on target..., if he hadn't picked..., if the economy..., if he raised..., and if his campaign had... McCain would have won.

Obama won because he is the best person to lead us in these trying times -- and an overwhelming majority of Democrats, Independents and Republicans agreed. I have not felt this excitement about a Presidential race since 1960 when John Kennedy ran against Nixon. Luckily, I did not have to stay up all night to see the results.

It's good to have the Obsessive Compulsive Election Disorder (OCED) in remission. No longer searching the blogs for polling updates. No longer reading stories about the "Bradley effect" and Joe the unlicensed plumber. No longer wondering how the ballots are going to be misinterpreted by voters. No longer anxious about the long lines and how people would be turned away from voting. No longer dreading the intervention of the courts in the vote counting process. It's amazing how the antidote of an overwhelming electoral win cures this disorder.

My native state of Pennsylvania also made me proud. I visited Pittsburgh in October and had reason to be optimistic. One of the most conservative and wealthy suburbs had as many, if not more, Obama signs on their lawn as the other guys. The Sunday before the election, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh bought a full page ad in the local paper advising people to vote to support "the right to life position." However, in the same newspaper, another ad running two pages and signed by Catholic nuns and priests, and hundreds of leaders from all walks of life, called for the end of racism in our country. I love "smorgasbord catholics," picking and choosing what is relevant and ignoring what is not.

August Wilson wrote telling plays about the African-American experience in the "Hill District" of Pittsburgh. As in many cities, the neighborhoods were segregated by race. However, my inner-city neighborhood was racially-mixed, giving me exposure to all kinds of people. Now living in California where the racial and ethnic mix is even more diverse, I can only applaud the recognition of talent and leadership in people regardless of race, creed, ethnicity or sexual preference.

How the markets really work

2008-10-11T17:34:00.001-07:00

Is It Time To Go Shopping George?

2008-09-20T21:29:00.000-07:00

I remember when the terrorists struck back in 2001 and people wondered what they could do to help our country. The President told us to go shopping. The following years the country spent nearly a Trillion dollars on an unnecessary war and the economy continued to decline. What did the President tell us? That the economy was basically solid and the free market system was working. No need for regulations or interference from the government. However, to give the economy a boost he was sending us checks so we could spend some more -- go shopping.

Well the consumer debt is now $2.56 Trillion, and the Federal Deficit is now $9.7 Trillion. And, this Administration has asked Congress to raise the ceiling on the national debt from $10 Trillion to $11.3 Trillion. This is needed so the Federal Government can seize control of the most powerful insurance company in the country, as well as the mortgage industry and other financial services.

I remember when we used to hear that national health care was such a risky and dangerous plan because you don't want the federal government controlling an industry. With what happened this past week you don't need to worry about socialized medicine, we now have socialized the financial sector of our country which is much much bigger fish. The Bush Doctrine had changed from protecting democracy and capitalism around the world to creating Capital-Socialism at home.

I remember when this Administration wanted to Privatize Social Security. Makes you shake in your boots when you think of what might have happened to all those folks who put hard earned dollars in the financial companies that crashed. No need to worry about the corporations and their wealthiest shareholders who manage to reap millions of dollars on reckless schemes, then walk away without having to pay back those ill-gotten gains. The government will shift the industry's losses to us citizens.

I am really feeling scared again. Is it time to go shopping George?

HE IS NOT A VETTING MAN !!!

2008-08-30T16:41:00.000-07:00

When I first learned of John McCain's choice for Vice President, I thought he wanted to upstage the Democrats by choosing a woman. The media loved reporting that the Democrats were divided over Hillary's defeat. However, polls showed there was less division in this convention than in previous years. The Republicans are more divided going into their convention that the Democrats were.

I didn't buy the argument that Democratic women are going to vote for McCain because his running mate is a woman. She stands for everything the Bush Administration has championed for the past 8 years. How insulting to women to suggest that we would vote against our own self-interest because the vice-presidential nominee has inside plumbing.

Then I learned of her qualifications, and suddenly I felt over-qualified to be Vice-President. I had twenty years in elected and appointed office: mayor of a city of 120,000; Chair of a County Board of 1.6 million people; Chair of the State of California's Transportation Commission. No need to go into all the issues or projects I approved or supported. Let's just say I would be comfortable matching my experience with hers any day. Also, I have traveled outside the country on numerous times, and unlike McCain, I know that Iraq and Pakistan don't share a border.

Why would McCain select someone one heartbeat away from being the leader of the free world with so little experience? Is he a maverick or impulsive -- desperate or confident -- old and losing his bearings? Then I remembered when McCain accused of Obama of putting his desire to win the election over the good of the country? Be careful of what you accuse others of, it may be a reflection of your own character.

I think he was taken in by a pretty woman who would support him (he has done this before). The larger question is why would Palin take the job? I know it would be history making to be the first woman vice president, but she must recognize her limited experience, and more importantly, what this would mean to her family. As a mother, isn't your first response to protect you children? Wouldn't you avoid anything that would create any discomfort or sensationalism for them? When do family values or your moral values take precedence over political values?

This selection tells us a great deal about McCain, his running mate, and their respective values.

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

2008-08-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

My summer vacation happened in August along with the Olympics in Beijing and the Democratic Convention in Denver. My vacation did not include opening and closing ceremonies, television coverage, or singing of the national anthem; but we did manage some athletic competition: swimming, running, surfing, scuba diving, hiking, and zip cording which was followed by the lighting of the torches every evening. Now that my vacation is over and school is back in session, it's time to get back into the swing of things. I don't think I'm ready.

Book Review

2008-07-29T11:12:00.000-07:00

Michael B. Oren's book, "Power, Faith, and Fantasy: America in the Middle East 1776 to the Present" weaves a seamless narrative of 230 years of history. While the book covers the action and words of the "anticipated suspects," it also includes a cast of fascinating characters -- earnest missionaries, military leaders, well-known authors and poets, and guileless tourists. The author dispels the notion that America's entanglement in the Middle East began in the latter part of the 20th century; and he demonstrates that you can't understand the present if you don't understand the past. The best summary of this 604 page history is aptly spoken by the author: "...the United States can be expected to pursue the traditional patterns of its Middle East involvement. Policymakers will press on with their civic mission as mediators and liberators in the area and strive for a 'pax Americana.' American churches and evangelist groups will still seek to save the region spiritually. And the producers of films about the mysterious, menacing Orient will never lack for audiences. The themes that evolved over the course of more than two centuries of America's interaction with the Middle East will continue to distinguish those ties, binding and animating them for generations."

This book is indispensable in understanding the roots of America's Middle East involvement today. I wish that each new President wouldn't have to learn the same by trial and error!

Stevens Creek Trail, Mountain View, CA

2008-07-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

Hats off, or bicycle helmets off, to the The City of Mountain View! The City Council and staff should be congratulated for their work on making the Stevens Creek Trail a reality. Three of us rode our bikes from our home to the trail head at El Camino Real then onto Shoreline Park at San Francisco Bay. We stopped for lunch and then headed back home. The trail provides users multiple experiences through woodlands, tidal marshes and neighborhood parks.

Stevens Creek is named after Captain Elisha Stephens one of the early settlers of Cupertino.

My favorite story about Stephens is that he moved West to get away from the growing population in the Mid-West. However, soon others had the same idea. When a neighbor moved to within 8 miles of Stephens ranch, he said the place was getting too crowded. So he headed north into an unpopulated area of California.

The creek that was named after Stevens begins on the flanks of Black Mountain in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and flows through Stevens Canyon and the cities of Cupertino, Los Altos, Sunnyvale and Mountain View on its way to the San Francisco Bay. The total length of Stevens Creek is more than 20 miles.

The Friends of Stevens Creek Trail is a local community group whose goal is to raise community awareness and support for the completion of a trail in the Stevens Creek Corridor. You can visit their website to get more information on the trail: www.stevenscreek trail.org Thanks to the City of Mountain View and the Friends of the trail for providing such a benefit to the larger community.

Waiting for Gaffe Foe

2008-07-22T11:50:00.000-07:00

When Senator Obama embarked on his trip to the Middle East and Europe most of the news organizations and pundits seemed to be gleefully waiting for him to make a mistake: "Will global politics end up being Barack Obama's Achilles heel?" "Of all of the pitfalls, he could say something wrong!" "The possibility of a misstep is all that more dangerous." "A gaffee could be a killer."

Meanwhile on the home front, McCain is talking about the border between Iraq and Pakistan-- yep, we would refer to that border as the country of Iran. He confused the countries of Sudan and Somalia, and he still thinks Czechoslovakia is a country. He didn't have Lieberman by his side to correct his gaffes, like explaining the difference between Sunni and Shia. This is the candidate with foreign policy experience?

Even the New York times got in on the hype, with a headline today, "For Obama, A Fist Step is Not a Misstep, A Baghdad Signal, or Just Good Luck?" Why do I think if Obama had made one of McCain's gaffes it would be a weeks worth of discussion in the media frenzy.

The Color Line

2008-07-19T19:51:00.000-07:00

At the movie theater this week, I saw a preview for an upcoming movie about Ernie Davis, an outstanding running back for the University of Syracuse, who was the first African-American to win the Heisman trophy. It looks like it will be an interesting film. Davis was an outstanding athlete, the first pick in the draft, and tragically, a young victim of leukemia. Seeing the highlights about Ernie Davis reminded me of another first by an African-American that was the lead story for several weeks in our local newspaper -- the Pittsburgh Press. The story was about a University of Pittsburgh football player, Bobby Grier, and the time was 1956.

The University of Pittsburgh was scheduled to play Georgia Tech in the Sugar Bowl in Louisiana, on January 2, 1956. Pitt had an African-American football player, Bobby Grier. It is 1955-56, and the opposing team is from the south. Just a month earlier Rosa Parks had refused to move to the rear of the bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Governor Griffin of Georgia gave a speech urging the Administrators at Georgia Tech to boycott the game unless Bobby Grier was forbidden to play. Reaction to the Governor's speech was mostly negative, and Georgia Tech students marched to the Governor's mansion and hung Griffin in effigy. Similarly, the Pitt football team voted not to go to the Sugar Bowl if Bobby Grier was not allowed to play. Bobby Grier became the first African-American to play in a bowl game. Pitt lost the game 7-0. The only touchdown Georgia scored and was set up by a controversial pass interference penalty against Grier. Some suggested the penalty was called on Grier because of his color. However, Grier said he believed it was a blown call, nothing more.

Seems like both yesterday and so long ago. I wonder if the country has finally erased most of color line?

Letter to the editor

2008-07-16T16:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Editor:

As a member of the Women's movement I was told I had no sense of humor when satirical cartoons of feminists were published. Now, as an Obama supporter, again I am told I have no sense of humor because I don't find your cover of the Obamas very funny. Oh please!

I would have you answer a question, who does the cover satirize? It can't be the Obamas because satire should contain some truth, and there is no truth in it. If it is supposed to satirize the people or the media who believe these things about the Obamas, then the cover misses the mark.

This is a sad attempt to be too clever.

Splurging Makes You Happier!

2008-07-08T16:50:00.000-07:00

The Wall Street Journal ran a story (July 7, 2008) with the title "Splurging is good for your health." The article did not relate to health at all. Instead it reported on a study a couple of business-school professors found that "splurging now makes you happier later, and that not splurging now gives you pangs of regret later."

What is the evidence for such a pronouncement? Spring breaks, work choices, and mall shoppers. If you take a spring break instead of working or studying; if spend time with your family or vacation instead of working; if you buy that gucci bag instead of the one on sale, you will be happier in the long run with that choice.

So buy that handbag, take the cruise to Tahiti, head for the sun at Spring break and know that you will feel happier later. Why does this feel like marketing ploy, or the admonition of "Dubya" after 911 when he told Americans to go shopping? I recognize that people need to take vacations, spend time with their family, and be kind to themselves -- everyone would support that. However, this is about "splurging" - spending money lavishly or ostentatiously. When did this become a hallmark of happiness?

To help prove the author's point the article uses the words of the late Massachusetts Senator Paul Tsongas, "Nobody on his deathbed ever said, 'I wish I had spent more time at the office.'"

Of course not! However, there is a big difference in spending time with your family and "splurging."

Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR)

2008-06-27T18:14:00.000-07:00

In a recent phone conversation with my son, I mentioned my frustration with voice recognition services, and he suggested I read an article in the New Yorker (June 23, 2008, "Hello Hal" by John Seabrook). Quoting from the article: "And, even within limited applications, speech recognition never seems to work as well as it should. North Americans spent forty-three billion minutes on the line with an I.V.R. in 2007; according to one study, only one caller in ten was satisfied with the experience."

So, ninety percent of us aren't happy with voice recognition. I can personally account for at least 360 of those 43 billion minutes trying to suspend delivery of newspapers, make airline reservations, deal with credit card companies, etc., and all of them are unhappy minutes. With so many of us unhappy with the voice recognition systems, why do they persist? Money, money, money. When calling a company we hear the refrain, "your call is important to us." However, what is more important to "us" is saving the $5.oo it costs for human-to-human interaction.

Some have figured a way around the IVR system, take a look at: www.gethuman.com

It is a great website and resource. It helped me navigate around several annoying company systems. However, one remains where I take a hand held phone, walk to the furthest room in the house, close the door, and scream my voice responses into the phone!

Trail Spotting

2008-06-23T15:55:00.000-07:00

On the trail this morning, I spotted a 4 foot long California King Snake, pictured on the left. My jogging partner carries a small camera in his backpack, so we can capture such "kodak moments."

The Kingsnake derives its name form the its habit of eating other snakes, and it is immune to viper venom. Although, it is a gentle snake, it did hiss and vibrate it tail when we approached.

He really was a beauty, black with cream stripes!

Family Stories

2008-06-21T21:04:00.000-07:00

In listening to Doris Kerns Goodwin remarks the other day, she noted that, "History at its best is about telling stories, stories about people who lived before, about events in the past that create the contours of the present."

This comment reminded me of one our family's favorite stories about our father. As an eyewitness to the story, I can retell it like it happened yesterday, when in reality it occurred over 50 years ago.

My father, his brother, and two friends played golf every Saturday morning at the local public golf course. The tee time was determined on a "first come first serve basis." To be one of the first foursomes to tee off each Saturday, one golfer would line up 4 golf bags in front of the clubhouse early in the morning. With each person taking a turn, this would mean you would have to get up early only once a month to put the golf bags in line. Since our house was closest to the gold course, each player would bring or leave his clubs in our garage for pick up and delivery to the golf course. Then early Saturday morning the assigned golfer would come to our house, lift up the garage door, pick up the bags, and take them to the golf course to be put in line.

This early morning Saturday ritual went on for well over a decade when one weekend morning our local Township Police noticed someone opening our garage door and removing four sets of golf clubs, putting them into the back of his car and driving off. They decide to follow the culprit for several miles and also call for backup. They finally stop the burglar and demand to know what he was up to. He explains that he is, Bernie Waters, a friend of my father's and is on his way to put the golf bags in line to get an early tee time. A likely story! So they send the backup policeman to our home to check out Bernie's alibi.

The door bell rings at our house at 4:30 am, scaring and awakening our family. My father makes it to the front door first. I hear my dad responding, "Yeah, I know a Bernie Waters." Then realizing that Bernie is being detained by the police, my father asks somewhat impatiently, "You mean you have kept him from putting the golf bags in line." The policeman who was much larger than my father and carrying a gun, begins to explain that they had to follow up on what appeared to be a residential burglary. My father wasn't hearing a word of this explanation. In no uncertain terms, my father lets the policeman know that if they didn't let Bernie go right now, they would miss their tee time and he was none to happy about that! Fortunately for Bernie and the Saturday golf game, he was immediately released from police custody.

I wonder how the police wrote up that report!

Fox News

2008-06-20T09:54:00.001-07:00

If you are anticipating a richly deserved criticism of Fox News -- which usually presents the news in unfair and unbalanced manner, don't read any further. I will save that for another time.

The fox news today is that I saw a fox while jogging in the Open Space Preserve today. I haven't seen a fox in years, and it was a delight to see him on the trail this unusually hot morning.

He saw me, but seemed confused about whether I was a threat or not. As I slowed to a walk on the down hill slope, he moved off into the bushes but apparently didn't want to go over the steep slope. So he waited for me to pass before resuming his place on the trail.

With the warm weather and water far down in the valley, I wonder if this will drive other creatures in search of water onto these well traveled trails.

Investing Wisely in Education

2008-06-12T07:34:00.000-07:00

Some big name universities are coming under fire for mega-endowments that are accumulating. Several members of congress are suggesting that university endowments be required to disperse at least 5% each year, like other tax exempt organizations. And, states are considering taxing endowments exceeding $1 billion. In response to these concerns, a few universities announced they would cover the tuition for low income students who were admitted to their schools. Not an adequate response, I think.

However, I would suggest to anyone considering a donation to a big university that you give a second look to your local community college and the students they are serving. In my locale -- Silicon Valley -- The Foothill-De Anza Community colleges serve 41% of all the students attending community colleges in our county. The small college foundation distributed more than $1 million in scholarships to 1000 deserving students. Foothill-De Anza ranks near the top of community colleges statewide in student transfers to four-year colleges and universities. The student population mirrors the richly diverse Silicon Valley and 90% of the students complete the courses in which they enroll.

It's time to recognize the fine work that community colleges do in educating students from all walks of life and economic backgrounds. It's a good investment in the students and our country's future.

Baggage Claim

2008-05-17T11:10:00.000-07:00

While traveling during the past two weeks, I saw a news story on CNN International that American Airlines would charge $15 to check your first bag and each additional bag would be an added cost. Oh, please! May the American management team who thought up that cockamamy idea perpetually lose their luggage. Do these people ever fly coach class? Have they even been on a plane recently? Well, I have. People carry on more bags than are allowed and bags are larger than allowed. Charging a fee to check bags would only exacerbate the carry on luggage problems.

I understand that fuel costs are rising and the airlines are looking for ways to stay profitable, but charging a fee that will only make the experience of the passengers more unpleasant doesn't seem to be the answer. However, this seems to be the modus operandi of the industry.

Last winter airlines left passengers stranded due to cancelled flights, and forced others to wait in crowded planes for 12 hours or more with broken toilets. Congress considered passing a Passenger Bill of Rights in response to this service debacle. The airline industry dodged that bullet, but it needs a whole new way of thinking about the service it provides and the way to make it both safe and reasonably pleasant. Frequent flyer programs that never have available seats, long lines for check-in and security checks, overbooked or cancelled flights, equipment that is broken, crowded conditions, and surly service staff are complaints one hears frequently while traveling by plane. It's time to look at a few more things besides fuel costs and charges.

Running on Empty

2008-05-14T23:50:00.000-07:00

(Picture on left was taken 6/15/2008)

When Dubya was first elected to office 8 years ago, gas was $28 a barrel.

Now it's $130.00 a barrel!

With the failed policies of the Bush administration, the country is not unlike my car: it's running on empty.

(Picture on right taken 5/2008)

Same old, Same old!

2008-05-09T17:07:00.000-07:00

There is a sadness in watching the end of Hillary Clinton's campaign for the Democratic Nomination. A sadness that comes from knowing that someone of talent must be eliminated from the race, and a sadness in watching someone diminish their character with pandering, and prejudice -- same old, same old.

It seems long ago when Hillary first announced that she was running for President. She struck a presumptive air that she was the one to beat. And, she was the one to beat. The men who were bold enough to entered the race, were not taken seriously until they all began to challenge her. Hillary claimed she was more prepared and had been "vetted" by the media, so she was not only the best candidate but also the safe one.

Then the field was whittled down to two democratic contenders, and in the process the challenger was able to hone his skills. Of course, being vetted didn't mean the media was going to let her off easy, and they didn't. However, Hillary's campaign registered complaints against the media, and the media attempted to balance its reporting.

Then arrogance, hubris, ignorance or a little of all three, began to effect the results. Hillary and her campaign clearly knew the rules, she had to sign an agreement to that effect. (She didn't read the intelligence report before voting for the war, so maybe she didn't read the Democratic Committee's agreement either.) As the various states held their primaries the delegates were allocated on the basis of percentage of votes received, and there was no knock out punch as the Clinton campaign had expected. They also didn't campaign in traditional red states and saw 11 of them go to Obama. Hillary wasn't supposed to lose and they needed to turn the tide.

How do you turn the tide? You claim, like Geraldine Ferraro did, that Obama wouldn't be in the lead if he weren't a black man. We all know the advantages of being black! Your campaign gives the right wing internet bloggers a picture of Obama in his native garb so he looks Muslim. Your spouse claims that any black man could win South Carolina, just like Jesse jackson did, so no big deal. You run television adds that ask who do want protecting your children at 3 am in the morning, a white woman or a black man? When you are really desperate, you tell people that hard working people, white people, won't support a black man. I guess Obama's supporters are lazy white people, or lazy black people. All that being said, Hillary suggested that she is the one to unite the democratic party and the country, and beat the republicans in November.

It was exciting to see a woman run for the Presidency. Hillary will be credited with making it easier for women to run for this high office in the future. However, along the way she lost sight of what most of us want, people of principle and integrity, and a change from the old way of doing things. Too bad that the first strong woman to run for President was more of the same old, same old.

Costa Rica '08

2008-04-20T13:28:00.000-07:00

The pictures were taken in Lapa Rios, Tortuguero, and Manuel Antonio,

Costa Rica during the last week of March, 2008

Book Review

2008-02-16T21:19:00.000-08:00

Oracle Bones by Peter Hessler: This nonfiction book takes you inside the lives of a handful of ordinary citizens in present day China. Through their thoughts, struggles, and inter-connections you come to appreciate the culture and understand the history of the country. The author deftly handles the political interactions between China and United States in recent years. I eagerly found time to read this book -- the people and their stories were compelling. I truly enjoyed this book as I learned about ancient and modern China. Quoting from the book: "My journeys between China and the United States came to feel the same way -- a blurring of old boundaries and distinctions. When I first lived in China, I was mostly struck by differences, but over time the similarities became more obvious. Americans and Chinese share a number of characteristics: they were pragmatic and informal, and they had an easy sense of humor. In both nations, people tended to optimistic, sometimes to a fault. They worked hard --business success came naturally, and so did materialism. They were deeply patriotic, but it was a patriotism based on faith rather than experience: relatively few people had spent much time abroad, but they still loved their country deeply. When they did leave, they tended to be bad travelers -- quick to complain, slow to adjust. Their first question about a foreign country was usually: What do the think of us?

Time Out!

2008-02-05T19:42:00.000-08:00

In listening to the news today, the commentator said that the California Polls close at 11:00 PM Eastern time. For those Easterners who don't know that our country has different time zones, our polls close at 8:00 PM (Pacific time). When the event occurs on the East Coast, by all means, use the local time to indicate when it begins. But when the event occurs in another time zone, use that local time as well. Los Angeles hosted the Olympics and all the events were listed according to East Coast time. The Super Bowl (go Giants) which was played in Arizona, was listed in East Coast time. What is this chauvinism about? Can't Easterners tell time? Do they think because the sun rises in the East it also sets in the East? No wonder our kids aren't good in math, we can't add and subtract 1,2,3,4 or 5 from a given time zone? Or maybe it's that those of us in the central time, mountain time, pacific time, Alaskan time, and Hawaiian time have figured this out!

What Book Would You Recommend?

2008-02-05T11:23:00.000-08:00

I was watching Bill Moyers Journal on PBS, and he mentioned that Katie Couric of CBS news asked each of the presidential candidates which book, excluding the Bible, they would take with them to the White House. Bill Moyers then asked his audience to go to his website (www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/02012008/profile3.html) and recommend a book for the candidates. You can make your recommendation to Bill Moyers or add your suggestions below.

Before you make your recommendation, consider the books the candidates chose:

Hillary Clinton and Rudolf Guliani both picked: The Federalist Papers which includes the Constitution to understand how our country was formed. John Edwards selected a book he has read several times, I.F. Stone's "The Trial of Socrates." For Mike Huckabee, Francis Schafer's "Whatever Happened to the Human Race?" influenced him. Mitt Romney found "John Adams" by David McCollough noteworthy reflection of heart and character. John McCain liked "The Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith because of our shaky economic times. And, Barack Obama found Doris Kearns Goodwins, "Team of Rivals," a remarkable study in leadership. Some of the responses seem more political than others, but the selections do reveal something about each of the candidates.

I have to admit that Barack Obama's choice is one I would have recommended, but I do have another recommendation -- David Halberstam's, "The Best and The Brightest." In response to Bill Moyer's blog I wrote: "The Best and The Brightest," is a primer on the inner workings of several administrations, and how they led us into, and expanded an unnecessary war. It shows the consequences to our people and to the world of not understanding history and other cultures, of not challenging assumptions, of not seeking information from the people on the lines, of not recognizing that might doesn't make right, and of not being able to acknowledge a mistake.

What would be your choice?

Chris Matthews: There You Go Again

2008-01-21T14:44:00.000-08:00

Chris Matthews was one of the Flint Center Series speakers for the 2007-08 season. I can't say I was looking forward to his talk. I read his column when he wrote for the San Francisco Chronicle, and I occasionally watch his television show. Like many news and political commentators, he suffers from a large ego and self-righteousness. However, I paid for the series, so I went to hear Chris Matthews speak. I was pleasantly surprised that he talked about growing up, his family, his work at the SF Chronicle and as a congressional staffer, and the state of current political affairs. He kept his biases to a minimum. At the conclusion of his remarks came the question and answer period. As on might expect, the questions were political in nature. The last question was: (paraphrasing) Whose lie did more harm, Clinton's or Bush's? Paraphrasing his response: 'I am not going to be suckered into the answer you want. We don't know that Bush lied. But because Clinton lied, Gore was defeated, Bush was elected, and now we are in Iraq.'

So you see according to Chris Matthews, if Clinton hadn't lied we wouldn't be in Iraq.

Have a familiar ring?

Monday is Wash Day

2008-01-19T09:14:00.000-08:00

Growing up as a child, Monday was the day women washed their family's clothes. At 86 years of age, my mother still washes her clothes on Monday. I believe this is another tradition that will pass with my mother's generation. How did Monday become the day for clothes washing?

It dates back to 1620 when the Mayflower landed in Provincetown Harbor on Saturday, November 11. The next day was the Sabbath and it was devoted to worship and no work was to be done. Then came Monday, and a great need for washing after two months at sea. "The women found a small freshwater pond near the present site of Provincetown. For generations to come, Monday would be wash day in New England, a tradition that began with the women of the Mayflower." (Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick)

Reviews:

2008-01-12T08:58:00.000-08:00

BOOK: "Out Stealing Horses," by Per Petterson: A simply but eloquently written novel told through the quiet voice of 67 year old Trond Sander. The chronology shifts to slowly unfold the story of the main character as he recalls his young adulthood in Norway after WWII to present day. The novel makes you care about the characters, and appreciate how other people, and life's experiences impact your choices.

This novel is worth reading.

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DVD: The Lives of Others: While I saw this film in a movie theatre, I don't think it will lose anything by viewing on a smaller screen. The story takes place right before the fall of the Berlin wall, and it follows a member of the Stasi (spying agency) as he investigates and gradually becomes consumed by the lives of a couple involved in the arts. The movies has some twists and turns, but it is well acted and feels authentic.

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