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God’s Blog – 7-26-2012

AdLib,

One of my less attractive characteristics is that I never feel self-consious about anything. Your comments bring to my attention that I need to work on my satire writing skills.

It was a fun read and certain stimulated m imagination and a few others I’ve read. Sometimes, AdLib, when I read some of the comments written by the reliigious right, I say, “Poor God. He gets blamed for everything.” But that’s what the CEO is supposed to do, isn’t it?

FYI and off subject, I just read that a Reputlixcan cadidate for a county office in Arizona has dropped uut of the race for voter fraud. County officers discovered that his deceased girlfriend has been voting absentee for the past 5 years.

» Posted By BourneID On July 27, 2012 @ 4:10 pm

Thank you KQuark,

It would have been so much easier for God to have designed everything in black and whilte. I wonder if He added to “Let there be color” and the authors of the Old Testament forgot to add that.

I would like to know you better. I like the way you think.

My name is Pat.

» Posted By BourneID On July 27, 2012 @ 4:02 pm

Thank you Murph. I often use satire to address serious subjects. God is most certainly a serious but also very personal to each of us. I try to see in the words of others something that touches my own life. I know how deeply and truly you believe because we have discussed it and I see it in your wprds above. I think it’s wonderful to express our own view of God, because in our words we offer a view of our own life experiences. I’ve been angry woth God many times in the same way I was angry with my parents when I thought they were unfair. God is not always fair, particularly to the people I’ve lived with in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. And in my own city when I taught school in one of the two most dangerous and poorest areas, I learned Hunger has no language.

What I’ve read today in yours and all the other comments leads me to a better understanding that maybe the message God is sending us is that he created this magnificent, mysterious universe but we are its caretakers. Could it be that simple?

You always bring reason into every conversation and you do it with respect, grace.and friendship.

» Posted By BourneID On July 27, 2012 @ 3:56 pm

Dear God

I didn’t find a Letters to the Editor section so I suppose it’s okay to address you directly, thogh I admit it does make me a bit nervous. However, You seem like a friendly sort and I really have always liked You.

I understand what You’re saying about some of the disappointments, but You do have to take a little responsibiity for that, don’t You think? Your prototype human had some flaws. For example, God, when I read how you started all of this amazing universe and built in fabulous mysteries for us to unravel, which You knew will take eons but should keep us busy, it must disappoint You that so many people will not accept that it took several billion years and it’s still not finished. I guess those poor souls will always believe it took only 7 days and 7 nights. I personally thank you for the genius of design in the mountains, magnificent water falls. incredible colors in all the flora, and the amazing fauna that you gave us to enjoy. And how long did it take you to make trillions of stars? That is a sure A in my grade book.

So, God, I know sometimes we annoy You and forget to say thanks, but we are only human and You, Sir, can be stunningly initimidating at times. You must have scared the stuffing our of Michelangelo if his portrait of you in the Sistine Chapel is right. I know You didn’t plan for things to turn out the way they are now. But I do have to ask this. You created the earth then decided to create man to enjoy it. So you gave life to Adam, gave him the finest real estate in the universet, built Eden for him to live in, lush, beautiful, perfect garden with pool but, for whatever reason, You then decided he needed company. And what did You do? You gave him Eve. You actually took one of his ribs to do this. Then, once again, you go off plan, create an apple tree and tell them not to eat the fruit. Really God? Did You really think a woman was going to listen to You? Eve then picks an apple, hands it to Adam, says, “Would a like a bite?” Of course, being well-mannered, he said yes. Then there were four. And it came to pass, God, You created the first dysfunctional family.

So be patient sir. We are still a work in progress and most of us love You. I do have one special thank you. I thank you for Mitt Romney’s runaway mouth. He’s not going to let us down and our President will be around another 4 years.

Have a nice day, God.

» Posted By BourneID On July 26, 2012 @ 6:52 pm

The Right Wing’s Psychotic Version of God

AsLib

This is a very good, very timely article. “Only virtuous people” can understand freedom. I wish some of these morons who call themselves Christian would open a hisrory book and learn a bit about Ben franklin’s virtue out of public view.

I was in the little coffee shop in the building where my attorney has her offices. My friend who owns the shop is an American citizen from Iran who is Christian and we talked of how vulnerable he and his son, who works for him, are – how we all are. And somehow, this is all part of God’s plan – ask George Zimmermann. I’m pretty pissed off at God these days if this how He chooses to teach us a lesson. I’d rather decline my invitation to go to heaven.

AL, I had a 6ixth grade transfer student who came to our school from another district to live with her aunt. She was a brilliant black girl refined, respectful, well mannered. Her aunt came to classroom to pick her up with school was and told me Jasmine’s mother (her sister) was one of the 5 people killed the week before when a man enraged because the insurance company she worked for didn’t pay his claim and he burst through the door at 8:30 and killed the 5 people there. Her mother, of course, was one of them. To understand the extraordinary pain we have to look into the eyes of the people who lost someone and who will never, never completely ok.

Today the mayor of Aurora said they would come back stronger, be one again and all the rest of the crap we hear. No, Mr. Mayor, the 59 people who survived and the family and friends of the 71 victims and us -our country – the world’s new killing field – will not be ok.

I’m going to sign in to VP now. Again, thanks.

BourneID

» Posted By BourneID On July 20, 2012 @ 7:26 pm

Figuring Out The Far Right Republicans

I hope so Sue. Everything deserves a second look.

» Posted By BourneID On July 12, 2012 @ 7:30 am

Hey,

Are you talking about my mother’s “your big mouth” or what I’ve said about HP?

I know whch one. Of course you may. Thank you; it’s a very generous gesture.

» Posted By BourneID On July 11, 2012 @ 6:45 pm

AdLib

It might of fun to follow through on yur comment re RW race to the finish in stupdity. Why not start our own “Most Stupic RW” Olympics? Could be the first time in history there were multiple ties. Might be kind of fun to keep track – see if any new ideas come up.

» Posted By BourneID On July 11, 2012 @ 2:45 pm

Sue,

My compliments to you for starting an inspiring, interesting, important conversation. This is one of the best I’ve seen either here or in the other place I wont mention.

Even if you had suggesed or inferred that mass murder could follow, you are not that far off base. Man’s inhumanity to man is has been recorded in history for millenia. Sue, when I lived in Germany, I visited Dachqu, and nothing you read can describe the terror that still lives in that place. On one of the pathways to the gas chanbers there a huge rock and it it is inscribed, “here lie the remains of 700 Jews.” It’s chilling. Inside of the museum area, where all the pictures of the dead are, there’s a signs printed in 7 languages that translate to ‘NVEVER AGAIN” – I would add, “until next time.”

These things may not happen to us but who can guarantee they will not happen ever? It’s the generations of the children of the new powerful who will use the power of privilege to whatever purpose suits them.

One day, history books written about American will begin with, “Once upon a time…”

BTW, that other place Murph i refer to above is one led = an incredible conversation re abortion that was so good I printed it it was 15 pages long. I attracted so many comments from pro and con views; it changed minds when a nurse/attorney stepped in to discuss times when it’s medically necessary to abort; it brought others, one of whom was Rachel Maddow, and then one woman came on and described that she had been anti-abortion until was raped and nearly beaten to death; dhe now works with rape victims. Another woman, one of Murph’s close friends, came on and said the same thing happened to her when she was a child. These women brought to the table the human story – I wonder how a Congressional committee would receive that? Would that change their minds?

Note for Murph: it was I-lass.

» Posted By BourneID On July 11, 2012 @ 2:24 pm

Thank you Murph,

i appreciate your describing my comments on the site as a “gift to strike up conversations with almost anyone…” My mother used to call that gift…”your big mouth!”

» Posted By BourneID On July 11, 2012 @ 1:26 pm

Hey Murph

I’m particularly attracted to your observation re print media’s more aggressive involvement now because, as AdLib said above, the power still rests in the majority. We all consider our own interests in decision-making, and I suspect the press now realizes that if Citizens United and other billionaires can purchase the Supreme Court there is no room anywhere for them to shout “freedom of the press.” Should the GOP succeed, then in 2013, the press as they themselves and we now it will no longer be. The power managers will quash every story even remotely critical of the new “regime.” I’m quite sure the gestalt light suddenly flashed on somewhere in a major news room and many saw the end of careers.

I had not considered that. After reading AL’s comment I jotted down a few of the powers that might be used. but your reference to the recent and, OMG finally! wakeup call jells everythng for me.

Thank you gentlemen.

» Posted By BourneID On July 11, 2012 @ 1:18 pm

Well said KT. Fear is the enemy of both sides. Unfortunately, the Repubs are tapping into it and we’re losing our way. If we don’t self-correct soon, it won’t matter.

Let me ask you this, KT. Have you heard anyone in the leadership of the Congress express concern over 14 or 15 states (30% of the total number) and the millions who have suffered loss of life, electricity, water, and God knows what else from this cruel, unrelentng heat? Sixty (60) potential voters have died. Have you heard any Democrat or Independent demand help for them? I haven’t. Have you heard any Dem or Independent running for office, either federal, state or local, say, “Okay folks. This is what you can expect if the Repubs win because nothing is more important than lowering that damn deficit and there’s just not enough money for entitlements right now.”

I haven’t.

» Posted By BourneID On July 9, 2012 @ 5:48 pm

Hey sue

I didn’t know you had been on HP at one time. The moderation process is annoying at times, but my complaint is the 250 word allowance. I can’t say good morning in 250 words. It took a long time for me to find my legs, but I’m now at my comfort level. It’s not for everyone, of course, but my personal learning style needs the challenge that comes from respectful disagreement. I don’t even mind a shouting match now and then.

There’s a lot to talk about in coming months. I see huge weaknesses in the Dem/Independent dialogue. The Repubs, who have never directed my thinking, have somehow zeroed in on everything that has made and keeps people angry. They listened to the TP message and they’ve used it well and successfully. It’s possible the Repub leadership itself doesnt agree with the message, but they’re using it and using it successfully. When do we like our President best? When he becomes angry and says what’s on his mind. The media I watch and read frequently have comments from his supporters that say, “Why doesn’t he say somehing?” Many criticisms are leveled at his “caving in” on the deficit or walking away from confrontation. I don’t care what side of the table we sit on, we want someone to fight for us. As dull and uninteresting as Romney is, he sounds like he’s fighting and he has enough voices speaking for him that we’re being drowned out.

I have a different vantage point of the world. I’ve lived in Africa, the Middle East, Asia where poverty is alive and thriving and the word “self” is not in the vocabulary.

Have I gone beyong POV’s “be nice” mantra? The world is not nice. You wrote an important article Sue. It doesn’t need defending. Everything I’ve read that you write has a strong message. Keep writing.

» Posted By BourneID On July 9, 2012 @ 5:15 pm

Hi KQ

I’m not sure that we’ve had any conversations on VP yet, but I hold myself accountable for that. I’m so busy trying to figure out where I am and where I should be during the rapid fire chats that I barely remember what we’re talking about. It’s nice meeting you finally.

You bring insight into your response and it’s important to the broader conversation that I hope will continue. I agree with your observation that we should not compare the motivations of the extreme right wing to Hitler’s Germany, but I do see strong parallels in their methodology. They lull the senses with fear and convince the uninformed that everything will continue to be fine, then launch the assault. Hitler had the Jews; Romney has the Dems. This concerns me more than the blatant lieing. How can we convince them that once they have given their minds – that which differrentiates us from one another – they have given up their identity and it will be used as the bad guys see fit. The answer lies in knowledge and in understanding our own deficiency in finding solutions.

we need to address the Republican agenda directly and honestly with Republicans, not among ourselves. We already agree, but we just keep preachng to the choir. To succeed in sending our message, I truly believe we must not succumb to our own anger which then denies us the chance for the type of discourse that might lead to the occasional “ah ha!” moment that’s rare but not impssible. If each of us can change 3 minds, think of the numbers exponentially.

See you at VP.

» Posted By BourneID On July 9, 2012 @ 1:30 pm

Sue,

Everything that concerns you is the same everything that concerns all of us. It is blatant ignorance. Knowledge is power but somehow the powerful (us) are losing it – or are we giving it away?

The operative phrase in your reply to me might be, “The hate and viotriol….has brought me down.” We cannot afford to let anything bring us down. There are a lot of blind people out there now. I et one last week, a technician who works on mu A/C when it needs attention. I’ve known a few years. He’s a retired State employee who worked in the HVAC unit (is that what A/C is called? I never know) and now operates his few clients from his home. He told me he’s in his early 70’s which surprised me because of the things he believes. Of course, since I’m a political animal, we talked about the election. I said I have a serious problem with the disrespect and disgraceful things that some say about the Preiident. He said, “You know why don’t you?” I replied no then he said, “Because he’s a socialist.” I asked him to define “socialist” and he really could not. He also brought up Muslim, affirative action, hs “birth place” Kenya. I then said it sounds that he is perhaps more racist than he might realize. He denied that he holds any form of prjudice. Of course he doesn’t…but he doesn’t know that. I know this is short-sighted of me, Sue, but I don’t expect something like that from a native born Califorian, which he is. But he’s angry and believes everythng that he hears on Fox. In his opinion, the healthcare bill is illegal, should be stricken down, why he pay for someone else’s health care;h he already pays $800 a month for his wife’s and his Kaiser and supplemental Medicare. I suggested that the figure may be reduced closer to zero. He doesn’t believe it. It is fear, unwillingness to learn more, broaden perspectives, and see what is happening.

Murph has brought up the danger of massive amounts of money being used by Citizens United and others in their unrelenting pursuit of buying the most valuable real estate in the world. He has brought this up several times on VP, but no one seems willing to dissect it and include all our thoughts in the whole picture. I’ve noticed we take positions and rather than blending our ideas, weaving them into a whole tapestry that we design together, we repeat our defend our own viewpoints instead. POV has the smartest people I’ve communicated with in years; it’s a pleasure to speak but also to learn. I find no value in any conversation if I can’t learn something from it.

My personal feeling abour your fear is that we want to believe this won’t happen; we want to think that there will be some miraculous clap of thunder that brings people to their senses. I don’t know that will happen, but I think we still have time. Murph invited to come to POV and expressed the highest respect for all of you. I agree with him. I don’t know if you post on HP or visit it, but in my view it is one of the most important resources available, not only to post what we want (with some irritating restrictions that surface now and then) but to see how many people are falling into the trap that is being laid by the money people. Some are being paid to post on HP; they are evident; extremely right wing, new members, few fans, and they are surrounding Murph and other pundits with his reputation level. I am currently making links and archiving their comments to ID them. It’s blatant and left unchallenged can be successful. There are a respectable number of POV members but HP has hundreds of thousands. I had problems with my account a few months ago and Murph contacted his management sources who helped fix it. One of them emailed me to let me now the problem was solved and said HP manages more than one million posts or more. The politics section is heavy with activity. I would also like for you to know that Rachel Maddow posts on HP and has periodically entered conersations that Murph has stared. The Firt Lady also posts; she’s responded to one or two of my comments. What better way for the WH to guage the temperature of the voting public?

I’ve sensed that there is some resistance to HP here but I consider that a personal choice.

Sue, I would love to see your article discussed on Friday with a serious look at how we can start moving things forward. I think many are worn out by the incessant in fighting among Cable news networks. You’ve given us a great starting point for discussion, if not on VP then here.

I look forward to meeting you and CL.

» Posted By BourneID On July 9, 2012 @ 11:36 am

Good morning Sue

I read your article carefully and see the emotion that drives you to write. It becomes more clear as I personally engage in conversations and research that most of us are anxious about the direction of our country – even most of the Republican party members share your concerns except they’ve named the enemy – US. I am a registered Republican; I voted for President Bush because I did not think Al Gore would be effective in the WH. I supported Preident Bush’s decision to invade Iraq and now know it was an emotional, angry reaction to 9/11; how dare anyone attack my country…the world’s First Responder to any disaster that occurs anywhere in the world. I now know it was a huge mistake. Some mother in Brooklyn didn’t raise her son to die in another country to “protect our freedoms.” Interesting, isn’t it, that we now must protect those freedoms from the party that made the decision to send that son there.

There is a mindless element that has invaded the repubs, contaminated by greed, self-serving interests, and disregard for those whose lives it has destroyed. My view from the bridge, is that the party has taken a detour not yet on any GPS. They’ve entered the neverland of the uneducated, narrow-visioned who stuff their ignorance down our throats and the price they pay is loss of dignity and forced tolerance of those who came to DC to fix things but are now mesmerized by the privilege of elected office. Power is an aphrodisiac. But it is also a weakness when it reveals its true purpose, as did the representative who said yesterday that voter ID will assure Republican sucess in November.

If we move away from our angst and acknowledge the value in what this experience is teaching us, we can confront and destroy the ugly beast. We just need to find the right dragon slayer. A starting place might be to demand the media that does support the President is to keep the camera and mic on what HE is saying rather than focusing on Mitt and his dpzen gaffes a day. But make no mistake, we can learn from them. The Repubs are better at the “art of war” than we are. That was proven several decades ago in a memo Roger Aieles wrote when he was an advisor to President Nixon; Murph published that memo. Everyone should read it – is was spot-on about the psyche of the American electorate. Study the patterns; they always lead to the solution.

I agree with most of your list and I pray that all of it is not our future. The agency I worked for in Germay had a small library and in it was a full transcript of the Neuremberg trials. I read it. Hitler’s party was one of the most evil in history. Are we going to be there one day? Maybe not in our lifetimes but just maybe… In it is the conversation between the 2 judges, one American, one German, which was included in the great Spencer Tracy movie. He, the American judge, said to the German judge, Burt Lancaster, “You sentenced innocent people to die. You knew what was happening and you did nothing to stop it.” Sound like our Supreme Court future?

How many voters understand that once/if Citizens United completes its purchase of America in November, it will not matter what party we belong to. They’ve already made the down payment in the Supreme Court. We are losing justice;. Without justice there is no America.

Sue, this reveals much about you and the depth of your love for our country. It is an important post. There are too many good people still in the Republican party who would agree with you…let’s appeal to the better instincts of those who do.

» Posted By BourneID On July 9, 2012 @ 10:17 am

Why Romney and the GOP Can’t Repeal “Obamacare”

CL,

This is very clever, very funny.

» Posted By BourneID On July 12, 2012 @ 7:15 am

AdLib

I like your article, and I especially like the way you think. I too believe that President Obama will be elected. I have an intense mistrust of poll results. I rely on my own system: the “like” factor…a simple “Do I like this person?” Unscientific, I know, but every poll asks what we like or dislike about whoever is doing whatever.

By any measure, President Obama soars; Romney doesn’t even place.

Thanks AdLib; good food for thought.

» Posted By BourneID On July 12, 2012 @ 7:11 am

Good morning KT,

Re your comment that a repeal of ACA in a Romney presidency would add billions to the deficit would probably be just a little bump, easily explained as the forewarned consequences of a failed one-term prsident who brought an economis holocaust to the country. And, as ChoiceLady points out, the gullible, frightened, uneducated who believe the Repub message will search their bibles and find some obscure passage that foretold the danger of electing a Black man whose people had given aid comfort to Noah’s son (thanks CL for this interesting tidbit).

» Posted By BourneID On July 12, 2012 @ 6:20 am

The Shape of the GOP Win in 2012? I Fear The Coup is Coming

Bito

I don’t know that we’ve talked at VP. I have to tell you that your definition of the GNC chair’s name as a skin disease is absolutely great. I like anything that makes me laugh.

Your information about his concerns of voter fraud just adds to the list of utter nonsense repubs spew every day, with implications that clearly target immigrant haters. Good point that needs attention.

Nice meeting you.

Bourne

» Posted By BourneID On May 31, 2012 @ 9:22 pm

Hi MTS

I know you’ve done a huge amount of research and put together something we should all be aware of. I’m inclined to lean a bit in the direction of hopeful optimism. Remember my post to you this morning on HP that the majority of responses that suggest optimism are all from women? I guess it’s our nature – it isn’t lack of interest or knowledge – you’ve provided both and very well, I might add.

Every news media – liberal and conservative – are running this story. Unfortunately, the way I see things is that the biggest mouthpiece for the GOP is MSNBC. They’re so busy bashing Fox and Romney & Company that they’re completely ignoring the President’s message…our message. Now the GOP has almost 100% of coverage and half of that is free. How’s that for stupid?

Last night’s War Room with Jennifer Grandholm was outstanding. She was furious, brought her face right up to the camera and shouted in a clear, loud, clear voice exactly what you wrote. But she added an important message to us: get off our sizable rears and do whatever we have to to stop it, because it’s not going to go away if we don’t. She interviewed David Axelrod and he admitted there’s some concern, but look at what they’ve learned in 3.5 years? You know how tiresome I am when I get an idea. It’s time to bring on SunTzu – Lesson #1- know your enemy; Less #2 – Never let your enemy know what you’re planning – it’s called “the art of timing your surprises.” So let’s start.]
I also told you in my email that I see advantages to the President’s efforts. This brings us to another point I suggested: the story broke almost simultaneously with Romney’s win in Texas. Now he’s the actual GOP candidate, no longer a wannabe. It’s put up or shut time. His timing is lousy. He showed up with Trump in Las Vegas and now he’s trying to disassociate from Trump’s blather. If the big money people invest their dollars in warning all of us about this president and what he’s done to destroy our country, isn’t that moving the mic away from Romney? He hasn’t the verbal skill to finesse it. It’s still his game. I don’t think he knows how to play.

I’m going to start yelling louder myself, and I have a bunch of Fox News nieces and nephews who heads are lodged in what Sean Hannity uses to sit on. I shout louder than they.

MTS, you know I agree in principal with your assessment of the threat, but we can push it back far enough to get the room our candidate needs. You have contact with Rachel; she’s responded to things you’ve written. Can you encourage her to lower the outrage with FactCheck and start pummeling the money men?

What you’ve written is important to ignore and it inspires action. Thank you. Can we discuss it tomorrow on Vox?

Bourne

» Posted By BourneID On May 31, 2012 @ 3:43 pm

Mitt Romney, Donald Trump and The Theory of Relativity

Hey AdLib

I’m always late for the party, but they let me in anywat,

You have a gift for the big takedown. I like it…best application of Einstein’s theory I’ve seen.

I have a question for both you and Murph. It came to me as I read your piece, AdLib. Do either of you beieve Romney actually reads anything himself? ponders it? digests it? correlates to something he thinks is important? I don’t “hear” a well read person when he speaks; I hear what sounds like memorized fact that often comes out clumsy and unsure. I ask that because he has and continues to demonstrate a wide distance between what he knows and what’s happening a round him. I visualize his staff breaking down in tears every other time he speaks. They’re very quick to come on and explain what the governor meant and that it was taken out of context.

Just asking..

A fun read AdLib.

Bourne

» Posted By BourneID On May 31, 2012 @ 4:23 pm

Religious Right and The Council on National Policy(CNP)

Hi Sue

We are definitely connected in more ways than being fellow northern Californians. You have an interesting history and a very interesting mother; I just read your reply to AdLib. She sounds great.

I am very aware of the advantages of working in the investigative field. It does teach how to find informaiton, but also changes perspectives dramatically. I chose my screen name because it relates to where I worked as civilian federal emplyee…what a great life I’ve lived. I credit my 6th grade teacher who took us on a trip around the world every Friday afternoon when we studied geography. She gave a line drawing of a country, with an assignment to write in the capitol, other major cities, rivers, mountains and son. We has also to include longitude/latitude and identify whether it was above or below the equater. Then could choose any color we wanted to finish job. I still associate countries with color; Germany is green; Spain is yellow; Vietnam is red (who knew?).

My first job was in Saudi Arabia – travelled all middle east countries; loved it and so glad I had a chance to know the people. I told Murph about our wonderful janitor, Abdul, who loved conjugating verbs and recognized them. No matter what you asked, he conjugated. “Abdul, do you want some candy?” Answer; “I want, you want, he want, we want, they want.” How sad it is that we see the people and Islam as enemy, but then look at how we treat each other.

I taught English writing and grammar for the uS Armed Froces Institute in Saudi, Morocco, the Philippines, and Maylasia to US military, dependents, members of friendly military in the area, and residents of the countries we in. I also taught in a private college and in the CA public school system (elementary). I’ll withhold comment because I don’t want to get sued. I have my degrees in history, which you mention as an interest.

I look forward to your next published piece and I definitely look forward to meeitng you and CL, which, by the way, won’t be for a couple of months since I’m involved in a legal issue right now.

Take care and talk to tomorrow on VP?

Bourne

» Posted By BourneID On May 17, 2012 @ 1:52 pm

Hi again

I’m impressed with the scope and depth of your article. I was surprised to read you only recently learned of CPM. Your research is excellent and the construction flows so well. I knew nothng of this until I read your piece.

I completely agree with your concern about the inaction of the left on almost everything. While I’m appalled and disgusted with the paralyzed congress and Boehner’s daily lesson on “how to fail as a leader” I’m disgusted with the silence of the lambs who sit on the other side of the aisle. It’s ridiculous to read about their inaction and watch them capitulate on almost everything that crosses their desk. And we, by our own silence, give them permission to continue doing nothing.

I think the dems have let the president down and we’re so busy criticizing the repubs that we not paying attention. Nordquist shold not have happened; Koch bros should not have happened, but they did – there was no one there to stop them.

I’m worried, Sue – not that the President won’t be reelection but because I don’t believe we will ever return to simpler times – things are too out of control.

Look forward to meeting you and CL sometime.

Bourne

» Posted By BourneID On May 16, 2012 @ 9:53 pm

Sue, hi

Thanks for an extremely enlightening work on a subject I knew little about.

I’ve always thought of Sarah Palin as a rather ridiculous anomaly who would disappear quickly. When I’m wrong, I’m wrong. I attributed her rise to prminence in Alaska to its remote location and a population one-third that of the Bay Area (and that includes the grizzlies). i now see that she’s cunning, ruthless and dangerous. And she is not going away.

You’ve informed and spotlighted the dangers of the religious right. They are not the group of back hills dolts I dismissed. I don’t know if our minds are designed to process so much information, but my book list is growing. There’s much I must learn before November. The question now is, can they be stopped?

An excellent piece Sue.

Bourne

» Posted By BourneID On May 16, 2012 @ 7:57 pm

Ten Things You Will Never Hear on the News

AdLib

I love this. You’ve started the conversation on one of my most favorite targets. Each of your 10 points illustrating what our news media has become is spont-on. My favorite is number 6 re polls. I cannot describe the impatience I have with the continuing polling and results produced by “experts” who tell us nothing about the demographic group, liberal or conservative, north or south, east or west, all of which factor into the result. Thank you for that.

Yes, Cable news feeds us junk food every day, and we all know how bad that is for us, but we keep consuming it. Are there other choices? Yes, BBC and PBS are pretty good at keep some form of balance.

I’m so worried, AdLib, about the direction the Supreme Court is taking our country. I think even my lifetime we could see the end of the American experience. Perhaps the news as a corporate giant, as you suggest, is merely the training ground for what it be ike to live in the Corporate States of America, with leadership appointed by Citizens United, Freedom Works, and the wonder Karl Rove, the republican’s dream.

thanks for writing this. Maybe we could say a few words about tonight on Vox?

Bourne

» Posted By BourneID On May 18, 2012 @ 2:07 pm

Why GOP Leaders Aren’t Worried About Throwing the Affordable Care Act Under the Bus

YOU ARE RIGHT!

I sent our article to my niece in LA who works as a medical transcriptionist in a hospital and asked her to do a survey of some of the medical and administrative folks (I’m beginning to sound iike you) she works with to find out their thoughts on the President’s plan. She’s also very, very, very pro-Obama.

Did I read that Kaiser is positive about it? I would assume that if SCOTuS gives it a green light, Kaiser would be a huge beneficiary…less expensive, all-in-one service.

Nourne

» Posted By BourneID On April 12, 2012 @ 8:17 am

hey thanks MTS,

See, I’m consistent – I screw things up immediately but eventually, as we all hope, I get how it works.

Bourne

» Posted By BourneID On April 11, 2012 @ 8:06 pm

Hi again, AL

There is something about this man, this President, that touches the soul (at least of those who still have one). He repreents the best example of “grace under file.” I often wondered if his caution at the beginning of his administration came from that place outside the circle that we keep people who are “different.” Here is the first black president – probably the most emotional day I’ve experienced – entrusted with the Oval office and then quickly criticized for not moving forward fast enough. You know, it doesn’t take a PhD in psychology to understand the human condition. I have thought often of how he must have felt the first night, when finally alone with his thoughts, of the enormity of what had just happened in his life. The most powerful country in the world is now in his care but despite that achievement, he still had to overcome that little voice tht reminded him that he’s a black man. In a response that Murph made on HP to a poster who insulted the President, he said the problem is that some people still wonder why that black guy in the White HOuse isn’t wearing a white uniform. I think that’s spot on.

He will be extremely effective in his next 4 because this time we are electing him because we know what he can do, what he’s been up against, and it will be, not a mandate as the press loves to say, but a vote of confidence in his ability to make the right decisions. Last election was mind-numbing because we actually elected a black president. This is my view from the bridge and I may have it all wrong.

Fifty percent of my 6th graders were black…all feisty, ready to take anyone down, sensitive to their color, aware of some people’s prejudice. I told them everyday that they have a right to everything the country is and then I showed them what that looked like. In Nov and Dec I took 4 students every Sat and Sun to shop, lunch, tour the university – show them what it’s like on my side of town. i had 4 girls one Saturday, 2 black, 2 Hmong, 1 Mexican. We walked into a music store and the manager signaled one of his male employees who came and stood by us, watching the girls. I went to the Manager, introduced myself as their teacher, told him why they with me and what our plan and that I would NEVER again enter his store and make certain every teacher in my district knew the name and location of his store and would also inform the superintendent so he could include it in his next newsletter. And then I said, “Shame on you” and we left.

You must have guessed by now I love conversation.

Bourne.

» Posted By BourneID On April 11, 2012 @ 4:35 pm

Hi AdLib

I’m getting the hang of this and really enjoying it.

I am absolutely delighted with recent polls. I’ve never really relied on them a great deal because I never know who the target group polled is and how the pollsters read the results. But is a measure of trends. The greatest thing about Americans is we never fail to right ourselves. You are right with regard to how the GOP continues shooting itself in the foot. How culd they miss with morons (I can that here, can’t I?) Rep Allen of Florida saying at a town hall meeting that the president wouldn’t debate him and, when asked why, replied, “Because he’s afraid.” Unreal.

There’s a lot to be said for why we choose the person to support and/or vote for. Much of it is “liking” the person. I think we do factor into our “dossier” the physical things as well as intelligence and other substantive attributes. The entire group of 9 destroyed itself and brought the party down. The TPers who came in fix everything wrong with government are now completely silent, powerless, and learned quickly that governing is a gread deal different than talking about governing. AdLib, I am a registered Republican working for President Obama as I did in 2008. I tell people personally and online that I am ashamed of the behavior of the party, of the complete disrespect members demonstrate daily as they assault President Obama and the Office of the President.

I have a friend on HP (I know, sensitive, but I’ve met some great people there) who is from Australia and is completely engaged in this election and our politics. He comments frequently about those who denigrate the Office of the President – the disrespect for the man, for the office. I tell him I appreciate his views; we need to know how others see us. This great, great country, always first to respond wherever the need but treating but treating our own citizens like garbage.

We’ll be back in November and it will be a glorious holiday season for all of us. Now if we could just do something about the messy, ineffective news and print media, we may even bring intelligence back. What a treat that would be.

Thanks for your comment. I would ask, may I invite my Australian friend to visit the planet and join if he’s interested? He would broaden the perspective.

Bourne

» Posted By BourneID On April 11, 2012 @ 2:32 pm