"... We got it e-e-eas-y-y-y, we oughtta take it e-e-eas-y-y-y ..." as the wise old Eagles' song goes.
So what still keeps me going, hopefully humming, along?
Work? (Sorry, I aspire to stay active and retired, as long as I am able)
Family? (Sorry, I'm widowed, and childless)
Hobbies? (Ah, several avocations and causes celebres, which may become apparent, or maybe not.)
9/17/2015
Watched the debates last night.
The Lesser Candidates' debate was substantive, Jindal, Graham, Pataki in great form, reasonable on the issues, looking good. Rick Santorum was rather off-message, although the conversation volley was quick and up-tempo by all. Good game.
On the other hand, the Greater Candidates' debate had a more staccato feel, less ordered, candidates, two or three at a time clamoring for the moderator's attention as he tried to keep up with the timeline. It was substantive, but almost boisterous at times.
Rand Paul, cynical, grimacing,
Rubio eager (dry-mouthed as usual),
Cruz slyly keeping up,
Huckabee kind and gentlemanly,
Carson carefully picking his words,
Trump, lording it over all with his plain-speak,
Jeb finally catching up to himself,
Walker serious and restrained,
Kasich earnest,
Fiorina angry and appalled,
Christie over-reaching.
Fascinating. Only in America!
10/26/2015
It's been a while since the first democratic candidates' debate, think it was the week before last. Hillary, playing the establishment candidate to the hilt, Bernie Sanders none too substantive, playing to his constituents, O'Malley holding his own, the other two, can't recall, not so much. Those last two dropped out since.
Last Thursday, 10/22, Hillary before the Benghazi House Select Committee, grueling session, something of a dirge for the 4 lost souls of 9/11/2012 Benghazi. Proceedings shed some light on Hillary's role in the U.S. involvement during the rebellion and overthrow of Ghaddafi in Libya. Apparently she spearheaded the effort to have the U.S military support the coup, pushing back against resistance in the State Dept, and convincing Prez Obama to authorize in 2011. Ambassador Chris Stevens was supposedly "her man in Benghazi"., starting around April 2011, when Libya had a transitional governing body replacing Ghaddafi. From the testimony, in 2012, Amb. Stevens repeatedly requested (18 times?) more security for the Benghazi compound, but was denied by State dept staff. In her testimony, Hillary distanced herself from direct responsibility, claiming not to have been in the loop. Committee members, (all Repubs) detailed her frequent (solicited?) communications at the time concerning Libyan business interests with an employee of the Clinton Foundation, man named Blumenthal, who had previously been denied government employment by the Obama Administration.
The sleaze factor, here, is the "elephant in the room", so to speak.
Libya is now a failed state, like Yemen. The state dept. officials who opposed military involvement, saying that, historically, it never worked to advantage, have been proved right, so far. Viet Nam comes to mind.
And Hillary is the pre-eminent candidate, at this point.
Does this remind anyone else of Bush/Cheney, WMD in Iraq in 2002/2003?
Saturday morning, tennish, November 14, 2015, crisp, windy, fall day
I watched Mike Huckabee give a twenty-minute speech to a Florida crowd last night, what a class act he is. He spoke about being a lieut. gov. in Arkansas, becoming gov. after sitting gov. forced out of office during Whitewater scandal. The backlash directed at him by the Clinton machine in that state. I am lately impressed by him, Rand Paul, and John Kasich, all dark horses, all eminently presentable as candidates, all largely ignored. It is, at this point, ironically, to their advantage. The others in the field, Trump, Carson, Rubio, Cruz, Fiorina, and Bush, are distorted, all mega-sized and caricatured by the media.
Mike presents a hopeful message on a variety of issues, taxation, immigration, job growth. What keeps him back is his unabashedly Christian message, which doesn’t play well with the mainstream American voter, at least according to popular opinion.
Rand Paul and John Kasich present as reformers, out to change the status quo in Washington, on budget, immigration, taxes, and the economy.
All three appear to be in the race, knowing they trail in the polls significantly, because it is so important to each to proclaim their message on a national stage, until such time as it is necessary to pass the torch to others in a narrowing field.
Selfless public servants, working against the odds.
Bravi, bravi!
Saturday afternoon, Thanksgiving weekend, November 28, 2015
Just back from my frequent two/three hour jaunt-the two-mile walk and shopping expedition to the vittle stores. It's a cloudy fall day, temps are higher than normal this year. I think of Wordsworth as I walk the Henry Hudson trail nearby, his rapturous poetic expression and celebration of nature. Restland has an old stone chapel that especially evokes "The Ruined Cottage". I was there on Thanksgiving, making a day of visiting the grave sites before ending up in a Paramus restaurant for the meal. You know, the usual familial contretemps occurred. Me, with my newfound enthusiasm for all things living, dying and in-between, and the genetic disposition toward sibling rivalry that affects all of us except the second, who got caught in the middle. Tried to scare up the squire's household to join me at our parents' grave by calling on the way there. Second bit right away, then, apparently, after discussing with squire and doyenne, called back and reneged. Squire and doyenne in rare form at the meal, he hostile at the outset, she taking her time to display it. I am now so used to it that it doesn't catch me unawares anymore. So, this time, doyenne went too far. It was over how much to give the nieces for Christmas, which she tries to control every damn year. Butter wouldn't melt in my mouth this time, and she really blew it, trying to get a rise out of me. I sent them an email Friday, lightly referring to the "fireworks", which gave her an opening, and she apologized. This time I did not acknowledge it.
On to the day's shopping. How often is your everyday purchasing influenced by cultural illusions you have of what is deemed proper conduct in the marketplace? When shopping, do you envision yourself as an epicure, as a fashionista, as a bargain-hunter, as feckless, as extravagant, or variously all of the above at varying times? Let's discuss, especially this "Black Friday Week-End" when so many human, material and financial resources are involved!
Wednesday evening, December 30, 2015, after 6.
Chilly, but not cold, cloudy and some fog.
So Bill Cosby was charged and arraigned today in Pennsylvania for something almost, but less than, date rape that occurred almost 12 years ago. Just before statute of limitations runs out on the case. I suppose the fruits of his labors have finally ripened to rotten, and now his turn as a social pariah is officially begun.
I remember him in the 60's show, "I, Spy". So cool. Then his turn as a comedian. Lost track, then saw him many years later. His fierce, angry look as he spewed his comic routine. The Cosby Show. The Amos 'n Andy tapes. He had changed, not for the better. Lots of successes over the years, must have really gone to his head, big and little.
Found out tonight on CNN that, around 5 years ago, the "30 Rock" show characters made oblique reference to Cosby's escapades, somehow. Must have been common knowledge in show-biz circles. Then his deposition unsealed last year after many women came forward. His admissions in the deposition gave credence to the Pennsy case, which had been shelved for lack of evidence.
I don't know, maybe this will finally help resolve his anger issues the way his successes were never able to do. I hope so. It would be something if he could find redemption in this attempt to bring about justice for himself and these women who accuse him.
This last observation comes from my strict Catholic upbringing, may it rest in peace. Looking at the case sidelong, it casts a different shadow. These women each fit the profile of the ambitious, modern careerist looking for her big break and hoping to get it from Cosby. They each seemed to acquiesce, curiously unsuspecting, following his lead into his "lair", lapping up the proffered pills and alcohol, then to be "assaulted". They will be cast as fortune-hunters by the defense, and it does seem there is some substance to that. Does that make Cosby innocent of the assault charge, though? Suppose the devil is in the details.
December 31, 2015, around 2 pm.
Chilly, cloudy.
More on this Cosby business. These fifty-odd women have sullied his reputation by disclosing their escapades with him in public. They are calling it rape. Why would they do this? Considering their loose behavior, most likely for financial gain, and notoriety.
Saturday afternoon, after 2 pm, cloudy, none too cold or windy, January 16 2015
Lot of news. "El Chapo" Guzman, the infamous Sinaloa cartel drug lord, is back in the clinker. News buzz out of Mexico is that Sean Penn's recent interview of him led to his arrest. Sunday night 60 minutes will air an interview of Penn by Charlie Rose. Hope I remember to tune it in.
Sean claims that he interviewed Guzman to use the media coverage as a means to mainstream the issue of drug use in the US. He portrays Guzman as just a local boy who made good in the only viable business opp'ty available to him. A heroic act on Sean's part, but was it ill-advised? Let's look at the facts. We know from our past experience with issues such as civil rights, women's rights and gay rights that progress is made gradually. Women are given the right to vote. Segregation was outlawed. The voting rights act was passed. Gay Marriage ban lifted. Are we there, yet? Not by a long shot. Police brutality, lower wages for women, hate crimes. But we are on a journey in the right direction with all these issues, including recreational drug use. One step was amnesty for non-violent offenders serving time. Another is the legalization of marijuana experiments in Colorado and California. Gradual, discretionary moves towards a slacking in the rules. There is a good reason why the Federal gov't's ban on marijuana hasn't been enforced yet in those states. So far, so good. So, along comes Sean, making shock waves with the Guzman interview in the Rolling Stone. In-your-face Penn, as usual taking on the dragon's part, not to justify it, but to give it life, in all its multi-faceted complexity. Except this time, it's not a movie role. You have to admit, at great risk, he fleshed out this mythic figure El Chapo for us, in order to bring it to us in the safety and comfort of our own homes. We owe him a debt of gratitude. I think Sean must have a huge sense of responsibility to his public in his role of Hollywood superstar. He must love this country very much.
Saturday Morning, just before 10 AM, hot and humid, August 6, 2016
Republicans are in a state of panic, and Democrats are cynical.
We have a long, drawn-out election cycle for a very good reason: it is a testing as well as a proving ground. We, the people, use this time to not only observe our chosen but must help them to understand the issues and their own limitations, which we all have. It is a life-and-death matter for our country, literally.
This is a high-stakes sport, where, in order to win, respective party membership have to help Hillary directly confront her issues with integrity and transparency, and help Trump confront his competency issues regarding basic governing policy. Instead, we, all of us, are bemoaning the choices we ourselves have made.
Let’s not panic, we still have almost 3 months to get these two losers, Trump and Clinton ready for the big one. But let’s come together now, in our respective corners, and get down to business, all of us.
Saturday noonish, still and overcast, October 8, 2016, waiting for Hurricane Matthew
Whoo Hoo, I'm winning the weight-loss battle (186 aw), once again, just before holiday bashes. Oh well. Colleen's Bojie with me, Australian Shepherd dog, swifty she be. Doyenne in the fight of her life, chemo treatments. Second bearing up. Pray for them.
So Donald Trump pushing the hoopla envelope once again. Crude remarks about some Hollywood press gal 10 years ago has the network news media up in arms. How much lower the bar in this election cycle? No concern about the legality of the leaked video, of harm done to the woman's reputation. Trump makes a valid point about the media/political backlash, though. Hillary Clinton has made no pretense of her opinion of women who have fallen under hubby Bill's spell, and it is undoubtedly full of contempt and scorn. Two of a kind, Bill and Donald. And it looks like there might be crude cavorting in the White House again for the next four years.
Monday evening, January 30, 2017, partly cloudy day, high 30's
Trump's first weeks in office. An executive order barring immigrants and refugees from 7 countries (Lybia, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, Iraq and Iran). Why Iran, you ask? I don't. Dost see a semblance of order emerging from chaos? A better one. Please God, a beaming gift of mercy and grace upon the place(s) beneath, an attempt from afar to guide these 7, all but one failed states, to take steps towards regional parity. Prez got everyone's attention with that order, for sure!
Monday Presidents' Day, February 20, 2017, Sunny and Chilly, mid-morning
Brou-ha-ha over prez remarks about terrorists' threats in Sweden, media out for blood after Trump revealed he sourced the report to seeing it on Fox News. All slings at prez watching the tv news instead of reviewing gov't intel, not fact-checking, etc. What about Fox News? Why aren't they being raked over coals as well? Press lending credence to prez complaint of 'fake news', i.e., news that is slanted, opinionated, more agitprop instead if fact-based, objective reporting.
CSpan over the week-end covered a live symposium about press coverage in Trump's first hundred days in office. Bob Woodward, senior editor
of Washington Post and David Sanger, National Security correspondent for the NY Times, Sanger showing obvious bias against Trump and Admin and for Hillary. Woodward even-handed, and watchful.
Media needs to address its shortcomings, including all its "riders of the purple wage", self-correct. There is undeniable public rancor at the major news outlets like the NYTimes, CNN, Fox News, and the prez is perfectly correct in shedding a spotlight on it. He's taking a lot of heat for it, but it needed someone brash and courageous like him to do it.
So what still keeps me going, hopefully humming, along?
Work? (Sorry, I aspire to stay active and retired, as long as I am able)
Family? (Sorry, I'm widowed, and childless)
Hobbies? (Ah, several avocations and causes celebres, which may become apparent, or maybe not.)
9/17/2015
Watched the debates last night.
The Lesser Candidates' debate was substantive, Jindal, Graham, Pataki in great form, reasonable on the issues, looking good. Rick Santorum was rather off-message, although the conversation volley was quick and up-tempo by all. Good game.
On the other hand, the Greater Candidates' debate had a more staccato feel, less ordered, candidates, two or three at a time clamoring for the moderator's attention as he tried to keep up with the timeline. It was substantive, but almost boisterous at times.
Rand Paul, cynical, grimacing,
Rubio eager (dry-mouthed as usual),
Cruz slyly keeping up,
Huckabee kind and gentlemanly,
Carson carefully picking his words,
Trump, lording it over all with his plain-speak,
Jeb finally catching up to himself,
Walker serious and restrained,
Kasich earnest,
Fiorina angry and appalled,
Christie over-reaching.
Fascinating. Only in America!
10/26/2015
It's been a while since the first democratic candidates' debate, think it was the week before last. Hillary, playing the establishment candidate to the hilt, Bernie Sanders none too substantive, playing to his constituents, O'Malley holding his own, the other two, can't recall, not so much. Those last two dropped out since.
Last Thursday, 10/22, Hillary before the Benghazi House Select Committee, grueling session, something of a dirge for the 4 lost souls of 9/11/2012 Benghazi. Proceedings shed some light on Hillary's role in the U.S. involvement during the rebellion and overthrow of Ghaddafi in Libya. Apparently she spearheaded the effort to have the U.S military support the coup, pushing back against resistance in the State Dept, and convincing Prez Obama to authorize in 2011. Ambassador Chris Stevens was supposedly "her man in Benghazi"., starting around April 2011, when Libya had a transitional governing body replacing Ghaddafi. From the testimony, in 2012, Amb. Stevens repeatedly requested (18 times?) more security for the Benghazi compound, but was denied by State dept staff. In her testimony, Hillary distanced herself from direct responsibility, claiming not to have been in the loop. Committee members, (all Repubs) detailed her frequent (solicited?) communications at the time concerning Libyan business interests with an employee of the Clinton Foundation, man named Blumenthal, who had previously been denied government employment by the Obama Administration.
The sleaze factor, here, is the "elephant in the room", so to speak.
Libya is now a failed state, like Yemen. The state dept. officials who opposed military involvement, saying that, historically, it never worked to advantage, have been proved right, so far. Viet Nam comes to mind.
And Hillary is the pre-eminent candidate, at this point.
Does this remind anyone else of Bush/Cheney, WMD in Iraq in 2002/2003?
Saturday morning, tennish, November 14, 2015, crisp, windy, fall day
I watched Mike Huckabee give a twenty-minute speech to a Florida crowd last night, what a class act he is. He spoke about being a lieut. gov. in Arkansas, becoming gov. after sitting gov. forced out of office during Whitewater scandal. The backlash directed at him by the Clinton machine in that state. I am lately impressed by him, Rand Paul, and John Kasich, all dark horses, all eminently presentable as candidates, all largely ignored. It is, at this point, ironically, to their advantage. The others in the field, Trump, Carson, Rubio, Cruz, Fiorina, and Bush, are distorted, all mega-sized and caricatured by the media.
Mike presents a hopeful message on a variety of issues, taxation, immigration, job growth. What keeps him back is his unabashedly Christian message, which doesn’t play well with the mainstream American voter, at least according to popular opinion.
Rand Paul and John Kasich present as reformers, out to change the status quo in Washington, on budget, immigration, taxes, and the economy.
All three appear to be in the race, knowing they trail in the polls significantly, because it is so important to each to proclaim their message on a national stage, until such time as it is necessary to pass the torch to others in a narrowing field.
Selfless public servants, working against the odds.
Bravi, bravi!
Saturday afternoon, Thanksgiving weekend, November 28, 2015
Just back from my frequent two/three hour jaunt-the two-mile walk and shopping expedition to the vittle stores. It's a cloudy fall day, temps are higher than normal this year. I think of Wordsworth as I walk the Henry Hudson trail nearby, his rapturous poetic expression and celebration of nature. Restland has an old stone chapel that especially evokes "The Ruined Cottage". I was there on Thanksgiving, making a day of visiting the grave sites before ending up in a Paramus restaurant for the meal. You know, the usual familial contretemps occurred. Me, with my newfound enthusiasm for all things living, dying and in-between, and the genetic disposition toward sibling rivalry that affects all of us except the second, who got caught in the middle. Tried to scare up the squire's household to join me at our parents' grave by calling on the way there. Second bit right away, then, apparently, after discussing with squire and doyenne, called back and reneged. Squire and doyenne in rare form at the meal, he hostile at the outset, she taking her time to display it. I am now so used to it that it doesn't catch me unawares anymore. So, this time, doyenne went too far. It was over how much to give the nieces for Christmas, which she tries to control every damn year. Butter wouldn't melt in my mouth this time, and she really blew it, trying to get a rise out of me. I sent them an email Friday, lightly referring to the "fireworks", which gave her an opening, and she apologized. This time I did not acknowledge it.
On to the day's shopping. How often is your everyday purchasing influenced by cultural illusions you have of what is deemed proper conduct in the marketplace? When shopping, do you envision yourself as an epicure, as a fashionista, as a bargain-hunter, as feckless, as extravagant, or variously all of the above at varying times? Let's discuss, especially this "Black Friday Week-End" when so many human, material and financial resources are involved!
Wednesday evening, December 30, 2015, after 6.
Chilly, but not cold, cloudy and some fog.
So Bill Cosby was charged and arraigned today in Pennsylvania for something almost, but less than, date rape that occurred almost 12 years ago. Just before statute of limitations runs out on the case. I suppose the fruits of his labors have finally ripened to rotten, and now his turn as a social pariah is officially begun.
I remember him in the 60's show, "I, Spy". So cool. Then his turn as a comedian. Lost track, then saw him many years later. His fierce, angry look as he spewed his comic routine. The Cosby Show. The Amos 'n Andy tapes. He had changed, not for the better. Lots of successes over the years, must have really gone to his head, big and little.
Found out tonight on CNN that, around 5 years ago, the "30 Rock" show characters made oblique reference to Cosby's escapades, somehow. Must have been common knowledge in show-biz circles. Then his deposition unsealed last year after many women came forward. His admissions in the deposition gave credence to the Pennsy case, which had been shelved for lack of evidence.
I don't know, maybe this will finally help resolve his anger issues the way his successes were never able to do. I hope so. It would be something if he could find redemption in this attempt to bring about justice for himself and these women who accuse him.
This last observation comes from my strict Catholic upbringing, may it rest in peace. Looking at the case sidelong, it casts a different shadow. These women each fit the profile of the ambitious, modern careerist looking for her big break and hoping to get it from Cosby. They each seemed to acquiesce, curiously unsuspecting, following his lead into his "lair", lapping up the proffered pills and alcohol, then to be "assaulted". They will be cast as fortune-hunters by the defense, and it does seem there is some substance to that. Does that make Cosby innocent of the assault charge, though? Suppose the devil is in the details.
December 31, 2015, around 2 pm.
Chilly, cloudy.
More on this Cosby business. These fifty-odd women have sullied his reputation by disclosing their escapades with him in public. They are calling it rape. Why would they do this? Considering their loose behavior, most likely for financial gain, and notoriety.
Saturday afternoon, after 2 pm, cloudy, none too cold or windy, January 16 2015
Lot of news. "El Chapo" Guzman, the infamous Sinaloa cartel drug lord, is back in the clinker. News buzz out of Mexico is that Sean Penn's recent interview of him led to his arrest. Sunday night 60 minutes will air an interview of Penn by Charlie Rose. Hope I remember to tune it in.
Sean claims that he interviewed Guzman to use the media coverage as a means to mainstream the issue of drug use in the US. He portrays Guzman as just a local boy who made good in the only viable business opp'ty available to him. A heroic act on Sean's part, but was it ill-advised? Let's look at the facts. We know from our past experience with issues such as civil rights, women's rights and gay rights that progress is made gradually. Women are given the right to vote. Segregation was outlawed. The voting rights act was passed. Gay Marriage ban lifted. Are we there, yet? Not by a long shot. Police brutality, lower wages for women, hate crimes. But we are on a journey in the right direction with all these issues, including recreational drug use. One step was amnesty for non-violent offenders serving time. Another is the legalization of marijuana experiments in Colorado and California. Gradual, discretionary moves towards a slacking in the rules. There is a good reason why the Federal gov't's ban on marijuana hasn't been enforced yet in those states. So far, so good. So, along comes Sean, making shock waves with the Guzman interview in the Rolling Stone. In-your-face Penn, as usual taking on the dragon's part, not to justify it, but to give it life, in all its multi-faceted complexity. Except this time, it's not a movie role. You have to admit, at great risk, he fleshed out this mythic figure El Chapo for us, in order to bring it to us in the safety and comfort of our own homes. We owe him a debt of gratitude. I think Sean must have a huge sense of responsibility to his public in his role of Hollywood superstar. He must love this country very much.
Saturday Morning, just before 10 AM, hot and humid, August 6, 2016
Republicans are in a state of panic, and Democrats are cynical.
We have a long, drawn-out election cycle for a very good reason: it is a testing as well as a proving ground. We, the people, use this time to not only observe our chosen but must help them to understand the issues and their own limitations, which we all have. It is a life-and-death matter for our country, literally.
This is a high-stakes sport, where, in order to win, respective party membership have to help Hillary directly confront her issues with integrity and transparency, and help Trump confront his competency issues regarding basic governing policy. Instead, we, all of us, are bemoaning the choices we ourselves have made.
Let’s not panic, we still have almost 3 months to get these two losers, Trump and Clinton ready for the big one. But let’s come together now, in our respective corners, and get down to business, all of us.
Saturday noonish, still and overcast, October 8, 2016, waiting for Hurricane Matthew
Whoo Hoo, I'm winning the weight-loss battle (186 aw), once again, just before holiday bashes. Oh well. Colleen's Bojie with me, Australian Shepherd dog, swifty she be. Doyenne in the fight of her life, chemo treatments. Second bearing up. Pray for them.
So Donald Trump pushing the hoopla envelope once again. Crude remarks about some Hollywood press gal 10 years ago has the network news media up in arms. How much lower the bar in this election cycle? No concern about the legality of the leaked video, of harm done to the woman's reputation. Trump makes a valid point about the media/political backlash, though. Hillary Clinton has made no pretense of her opinion of women who have fallen under hubby Bill's spell, and it is undoubtedly full of contempt and scorn. Two of a kind, Bill and Donald. And it looks like there might be crude cavorting in the White House again for the next four years.
Monday evening, January 30, 2017, partly cloudy day, high 30's
Trump's first weeks in office. An executive order barring immigrants and refugees from 7 countries (Lybia, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, Iraq and Iran). Why Iran, you ask? I don't. Dost see a semblance of order emerging from chaos? A better one. Please God, a beaming gift of mercy and grace upon the place(s) beneath, an attempt from afar to guide these 7, all but one failed states, to take steps towards regional parity. Prez got everyone's attention with that order, for sure!
Monday Presidents' Day, February 20, 2017, Sunny and Chilly, mid-morning
Brou-ha-ha over prez remarks about terrorists' threats in Sweden, media out for blood after Trump revealed he sourced the report to seeing it on Fox News. All slings at prez watching the tv news instead of reviewing gov't intel, not fact-checking, etc. What about Fox News? Why aren't they being raked over coals as well? Press lending credence to prez complaint of 'fake news', i.e., news that is slanted, opinionated, more agitprop instead if fact-based, objective reporting.
CSpan over the week-end covered a live symposium about press coverage in Trump's first hundred days in office. Bob Woodward, senior editor
of Washington Post and David Sanger, National Security correspondent for the NY Times, Sanger showing obvious bias against Trump and Admin and for Hillary. Woodward even-handed, and watchful.
Media needs to address its shortcomings, including all its "riders of the purple wage", self-correct. There is undeniable public rancor at the major news outlets like the NYTimes, CNN, Fox News, and the prez is perfectly correct in shedding a spotlight on it. He's taking a lot of heat for it, but it needed someone brash and courageous like him to do it.