Saturday, October 11, 2008
Amy Goodman on the army brigade sent to the homeland
http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2008/10/2/amy_goodmans_latest_column_invasion_of_the_sea_smurfs
McCain defends Obama's character to fellow Republicans.
Before this election season, I used to think McCain was a decent fellow. He fought for his country and stands up for what he believes in no matter what anyone says. I admire that, despite the fact that I do not agree with his policies. However, he has become a very ugly person during this campaign, and I am not talking about his looks. The countless personal baseless attacks on Obama, that keep on being repeated by McCain and Palin despite the fact that they have been proven wrong......for example, he will not raise taxes on the middle class (unless you define the middle class as making over 250,000 a year). He is not muslim. He does not pal around with terrorists and he barely knows Bill Ayers.
McCain is starting to show that he does not like the tone of his campaign and it is a little too late. In recent town hall forums with Republicans, he's had to correct his own supporters from misinformation his own party has provided them with, over and over again, through the rumor mill. http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=27888.
Where McCain went wrong is to have the same political strategists as George Bush, the same ones who started the unethical swift boat attacks against John Kerry, directing his campaign. I believe he himself criticized the swift boat attacks, yet he signed on with them if they could work their wonders to place him in the oval office. Slimy.
McCain is starting to show that he does not like the tone of his campaign and it is a little too late. In recent town hall forums with Republicans, he's had to correct his own supporters from misinformation his own party has provided them with, over and over again, through the rumor mill. http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=27888.
Where McCain went wrong is to have the same political strategists as George Bush, the same ones who started the unethical swift boat attacks against John Kerry, directing his campaign. I believe he himself criticized the swift boat attacks, yet he signed on with them if they could work their wonders to place him in the oval office. Slimy.
Martial Law in America Today
Yikes....on October 1, 2008, the President ordered the an army brigade to be assigned to the homeland to attend to civil unrest (i.e., protests and November 4th election day). Naomi Wolf, feminist, author and historian, has been giving interviews on her fear of martial law and the beginning of the end of democracy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XgkeTanCGI
For more depressing news, see congressman Brad Sherman on Martial Law threat by the President and why this bailout is a terrible idea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaG9d_4zij8
Then check out Salon.com, because it is great.
This article from salon seems to say that 1 brigade will not greatly affect the election this November 4, 2008, but it is a dangerous precedent........
For more depressing news, see congressman Brad Sherman on Martial Law threat by the President and why this bailout is a terrible idea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaG9d_4zij8
Then check out Salon.com, because it is great.
Why is a U.S. Army brigade being assigned to the “Homeland”?
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/09/24/army/This article from salon seems to say that 1 brigade will not greatly affect the election this November 4, 2008, but it is a dangerous precedent........
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Subprime Mortgage Crisis caused by REGULATIONS???
Here is an interesting article written by an economist and free market supporter. http://myslu.stlawu.edu/~shorwitz/open_letter.htm. I don't know much about the author, only that a good friend sent my partner this link and it is an interesting approach to the current economic crisis. And the more I think about it, the more convincing it is.
Basically, the point of the article is that the bailout is a bad idea. These giant companies that the bailout is intending to assist, went under because of government regulations. Thus, we should not be asking for more regulations that caused this mess in the first place. He feels that free market competition will eliminate the problems caused by these regulations, which only served to promote unsavory business practices, like requiring Fannie Mae and Freddie Mack to lend to borrowers in low income communities (Community Reinvestment Act of 1977.
I don't completely trust him, but I tend to think that these companies had a say in these regulations as well as unsavory friends in the government who did not have the public in their best interest. I don't think we can do away with regulation, and we certainly have to think more about which regulations to make. That said, I tend to agree with the author about the bailout. That money could be put to better use.
Basically, the point of the article is that the bailout is a bad idea. These giant companies that the bailout is intending to assist, went under because of government regulations. Thus, we should not be asking for more regulations that caused this mess in the first place. He feels that free market competition will eliminate the problems caused by these regulations, which only served to promote unsavory business practices, like requiring Fannie Mae and Freddie Mack to lend to borrowers in low income communities (Community Reinvestment Act of 1977.
I don't completely trust him, but I tend to think that these companies had a say in these regulations as well as unsavory friends in the government who did not have the public in their best interest. I don't think we can do away with regulation, and we certainly have to think more about which regulations to make. That said, I tend to agree with the author about the bailout. That money could be put to better use.
Todd Palin in Maine
Apparently, McCain is pulling out all the stops to grab any electoral votes he can, even if he can't win the state outright. Maine has 4 electoral votes, two are given to the candidate who wins the popular vote. The remaining two depend on how the two congressional districts in Maine vote, for example, if the southern district votes Obama, he gets one, if the northern district votes McCain, he gets the final one.
In the 2004 election, all 4 electoral votes went to Kerry, however the northern district was a close call. For the capture the northern district in 2008, McCain is sending Todd Palin to campaign for him. I have to admit that I was worried when I heard that McCain was going to focus on Maine. I even signed up with Obama's neighbor to neighbor program again, but this time to make calls to the northern district. But, now that I know that the guy who proclams himself "first dude" is coming up, I am not that worried. I feel fairly comfortable that he will not be able to pull to the Republican ticket any Independent or Democrat who cares about the issues.
In the 2004 election, all 4 electoral votes went to Kerry, however the northern district was a close call. For the capture the northern district in 2008, McCain is sending Todd Palin to campaign for him. I have to admit that I was worried when I heard that McCain was going to focus on Maine. I even signed up with Obama's neighbor to neighbor program again, but this time to make calls to the northern district. But, now that I know that the guy who proclams himself "first dude" is coming up, I am not that worried. I feel fairly comfortable that he will not be able to pull to the Republican ticket any Independent or Democrat who cares about the issues.
Soup Glorious Soup
Today I threw together a soup in a few minutes that was healthy and a hit with my 4 and 2 year old. Thanks to Jessica Seinfeld, I have been cooking up veggies, pureeing them and storing them in my freezer to add to anything I can think of; for example, pancake batter, sweet breads, pasta sauce... Well, today I happened to have 3/4 cup of pureed zucchini. I added a few cups of vegetable broth, one whole tomato from a can chopped up small, olive oil, garlic and whole wheat elbow noodles. For some reason, my children love the idea of eating soup. Maybe its the slurping factor, but whatever the reason I am thrilled. Dee, the receptionist at my work, and an amazing person I might add, told me that her grandchildren love tortellini soup, which is just chicken broth with tortellinis. I may try that next and see what else I can slip in there.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
FOX NEWS IS INCREDIBLE
I just saw something incredible at Fox news. They were polling independent voters from I can't remember what state. The voters said that Obama won the debate on Healthcare. Brett from Fox then asked, but they thought McCain won on the economy right? The guy with the voters said yes and then turned around to ask the people to raise their hands if they think McCain won....only about 4 people raised thier hands, out of 25, and the Fox guys turned to the camera quickly and said "about half."
Totally fraudulent.......
Totally fraudulent.......
Real time barama/mccain debate 10/7/08
First off, what channel to watch
the plethera of pundits speculating on CNN
FOX news which I just heard say that McCain needs to take the Palin aproach and not answer the questions as they are asked but just say what he wants
can't watch that one....just can't stomach those guys.
MSNBC with Oberman and Matthews.........
or C-Span, with no commentary.....yes, that sounds right
Here is Tom Brokaw with the opening
-First question, how to fix the economic problem for the middle class
Obama: tax cuts for middle class, energy independence, healthcare, help states generate new jobs
McCain: federal treasury will buy up bad mortgages and renegotiate mortgages at the value of the house today. (interesting idea)
Who is the next treasury secretary?
McCain: Meg ____, or someone who the people can trust.
Obama: Warren Buffet, maybe but the person need to focus on middle class, not upper class.
How will the bailout plan actually help out the people who need it most?
McCain: greed and access, Main street paying price. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac went out and made risky loans to people who can't afford it.
some of us two years ago said we have to stop this greed and excess. Senator Obama second highest recipient of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in history. That's why we have to buy up bad loans and stabilize home values. Fannie and Freddie catalyst for all this.
Obama: the credit markets are frozen up....small buisness and large businees can't get loans ad make payroll. this could have an adverse affect on everyone. Correcting Senator McCain's history not surprisingly....this crisis was caused by deregulation and McCain is a deregulator. Two years ago I wrote to Paulson and Bernake and told them about sub prime mortgage problem...one year ago went to wall street and said we have to deregulate. McCain keeps saying deregulate.
Fannie Mae bill McCain jumped on the bill a year after it started and it didn't pass....his staff lobbiest for Fannie Mae for "but you are not interested in hearing politicians point fingers at each other."
Ohhhh I got caught listening....
How can we trust either of you?
Obama: I understand how you feel, you balance your budget every day and Congress has not. We have to help you meet your budget, by reducing premiums on healthcare.....
McCain: I am a reformer...I lean across the isle....look at our records, look at watch dogs that watch us to see our records. Senator Obama is proposing 800 billion dollars of new spending...voting for every new increase of spending with pork barrell ear marks, including 3 millions dollars for overhead projector for a planetarium in Chicago.....can you believe that.
What is priorities: Health care, entitlement reform (SSI), energy policy
McCain: can take care of all three at same time
Obama: Energy is 1st. Oil prices can go up at any time. In 10 years time we are free of dependence on middle eastern oil. JFK said we are going to the moon in 10 year and he did.
Health care is number 2
Education is three so young people competetive in global economy.
Look at my record. I will go line by line. When senator McCain proposes a 300 billion dollar tax cut to big oil companies that is money out of the system.
WWII we were never asked to sacrifice anything except the blood of our children what sacrifices will you ask the American people to sacrifice to get back on track.
McCain: eliminate some government programs. 1) defense spending - i saved tax payers 6 million dollars, eliminate ear marks, spending freeze, except for defense, verterans affairs, across teh board freeze....and establish priorities, transparent.
Obama: you all remember 911 and how all the country was ready to come together. opportunities missed by Bush, he said "go out and shop". that wasn't the call to service he should have said. Energy: we will all need to think a bout how we use energy, explore new ways to get new oil develop clean coil technology, ways to store safely nuclear, we al have to weatherize home, make business fuel efficient, young people are especially interested in how they could serve. Double peace corps, volunteer corps across country so that military families and troops not the only ones bearing the burdens.
How would you break habits of too much debt and spending in Washington.
Obama: starts in Washington, McCain talks about ear marks 18 billion dolllars. His tax cuts are 80 billion fo oil companies. Tough to ask a teacher to tighten her belt when people doing much better are doing just fine. I don't want an across the board freeze...that is using a hatchet, I want to use a scapel to make sure that those who need help still get it.
McCain: Obama will raise taxes, like Herber Hoover who did so in bad economic time. He will cut taxes on small businesses. I am not in favor of tax cuts for the wealthy. I will double the tax exemption for each family from 3k to 7 k and give tax credit for 5 k for each family for health care purposes.
Can you say you will reform social security and medicare in two years:
Obama: Let's be clear about my tax plan: I want to provide a tax cut for 95% of Americans if you make less than 250K a year you will not see taxes go up, will do down. Only a few percent of small businesses make over 250K. We provide a 50% tax credit to buy health care.
While McCain wants to give a 300 billion dollar tax cut to largest corporations and 100 billion to CEO's on wall street. That is not fair and it doesn't work. If we get our tax policies right so they are good for middle class, we will be in a position to deal with SS and medicare.
McCain: I will answer the questions. Obama has never proposed legislation to reduce taxes, he voted for raising taxes every time.
What will you do about the enviroment and providing green jobs
McCain: I have worked on green house gasses with Leiberman, nuclear power and spent nuclear fuel is safe, Obama thinks it isn't. We can clean up our environment and get economy going by creating millions of jobs.
Obama: This is a challenge and an opportunity. If we create a new energy policy we can create 500 million new jobs, just the way the computer did for our country. We've got to make some investiments in solar wind, geothermal, I favor nuclear power as one component of our overall energy mix. look at record. He said that problem with energy is that 30 years, politicians have not done anything about energy. McCain has voted against alternative enegery 26 times. One last point, McCain talks about drilling.. we have 3 % of oil and use 25 % of world's oil...and can't deal with climate change that way.
Should we fund a Manhattan project to deal with energy research or do it in small garages?
McCain: start with research and development.......I am against pork barrel, and Obama supports it. Off shore oil is key, we need more oil. Nuclear power, look at the record.
Health care has become a commodity and selling it has become very profitable. Do you think it should be treated as a commodity?
Obama: this is the biggest problem for America. We have a moral and economic committment to do something about health care crisis. If you have healthcare already, then you can keep it if you are satisfied with it, we will work with your employer to lower premiums by up to 2500 a year, reduce forms reduce costs, prevention. If you don't have health insurance, you can buy insurance like us, no one excluded for pre existing conditions. McCain will strip away regulations by taxing your healthcare, striping mamagrams and maternity leave.
McCain: huge problem. let's put health records on line, community health centers, walk in clinic, obama talks about government will do this. he'll impose mandates and will fine you if you don't have health insurance. I will allow people to go across state lines to buy health insurance of their choice and to shop around. We have got to give people choice, not mandate health insurance.
Is health care a priviledge, right or responsibility? (good question brokaw)
McCain: responsibility of businesses and politicians to provide it.
Obama: healthcare should be a right. people should not go bankrupt because of healthcare. my mother died of cancer at 53 and in hospital arguing with insurance companies to pay because of her preexisting condition. no mandate for you already have healthcare, no mandate for small businesses, children will have to have healthcare.....McCain voted against SCHIP to insure children. We have to crack down on insurance companies. Problem to go shopping state by state. they will dfind a state where there are no requirements where you have to get cancer screedning or preexisting conditions. Then the consumer protections will not be there.
How will all the recent economic stress effect our nations ability to act as a peace maker in the world?
-McCain: we have to have a strong economy. we are the force of good by shedding blood to defend others. challenge is to know that US can assist the outcome of a battle. That question can only be answered by someone with judgment who knows how to prevent genocide, prevent spread of terrorism. my record and judgment I am willing to stand on. Obama wrong about Iraq and surge, wrong about Russia and Georgia.
-Obama: McCain says I don't understand. yes, true, I don't understand how we ended up invading Iraq when Bin Laden is in Afghanastan. That was the wrong judgment, which McCain support. Irq has strained our budget 700 billion dollars. 10 billion dollars a month. 79 billion dollar surplus in Iraq.
What is the Obama Doctrine on aiding other countries with military force?
-morally, we have an obligation, but now we don't have the allies. We need to consider assiting those countries
-McCain: Obama would have brought our troops home from Iraq in defeat. I will bring them home in honor. You have to temper your instinct to go in, but I will keep in mind our troops. Can't make the situation worse and ruin our reputation.
Should the US respect pakistani sovereignty with regard to terrorists in pakistan?
Obama: we lost focus on bin laden and these terrorists groups grew there. have to end war in Iraq to get troops in Afghansistan. Have to change policy with Pakistan. encourage democracy, expand non military aid to Pakistan and insist that they go after militants, if we have Osama BIn Laden I think we have to take them out.
McCain: Obama wants to announce that he is launching an attack on Pakistan...poor judgment.
Obama: McCain sang bomb Iran, after Afghanistan he said, next Baghdad.......
How can we apply pressure on Russia?
McCain: Russia and Putin is dangerous. Have to support Georgia
Obama: have to provide financial assistance to help rebuild their economies. Anticipate some of these problems. In April, I put out a statement that the situation in Georgia was not stable because Russian peace keepers in these disputed areas. President has to anticipate these problems before they happen.
Is Russia and evil empire?
Obama: evil behavior
McCain: maybe
retired navy chief, support for Isreal, but if Iran attacks Isreal would you committ troops or wait for UN security council vote.
McCain: not wait. Obama wants to negotiate without preconditions with Iran.
Obama: can't allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon as it would threaten Isreal. Never take military options off the table or allow the UN to act in our interests or prevent us from acting. We need to work more effectively with other countries to tighten sanctions on Iran, reduce our energy consumption so Iran has less money.
We should have direct talks with our enemies. If you don't change your behavior, there are dire consequences, if you do change, we can work together.
What don't you know and how will you learn it
Obama: many challenges we can't know. I do know that I wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for the opportunity.
the plethera of pundits speculating on CNN
FOX news which I just heard say that McCain needs to take the Palin aproach and not answer the questions as they are asked but just say what he wants
can't watch that one....just can't stomach those guys.
MSNBC with Oberman and Matthews.........
or C-Span, with no commentary.....yes, that sounds right
Here is Tom Brokaw with the opening
-First question, how to fix the economic problem for the middle class
Obama: tax cuts for middle class, energy independence, healthcare, help states generate new jobs
McCain: federal treasury will buy up bad mortgages and renegotiate mortgages at the value of the house today. (interesting idea)
Who is the next treasury secretary?
McCain: Meg ____, or someone who the people can trust.
Obama: Warren Buffet, maybe but the person need to focus on middle class, not upper class.
How will the bailout plan actually help out the people who need it most?
McCain: greed and access, Main street paying price. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac went out and made risky loans to people who can't afford it.
some of us two years ago said we have to stop this greed and excess. Senator Obama second highest recipient of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in history. That's why we have to buy up bad loans and stabilize home values. Fannie and Freddie catalyst for all this.
Obama: the credit markets are frozen up....small buisness and large businees can't get loans ad make payroll. this could have an adverse affect on everyone. Correcting Senator McCain's history not surprisingly....this crisis was caused by deregulation and McCain is a deregulator. Two years ago I wrote to Paulson and Bernake and told them about sub prime mortgage problem...one year ago went to wall street and said we have to deregulate. McCain keeps saying deregulate.
Fannie Mae bill McCain jumped on the bill a year after it started and it didn't pass....his staff lobbiest for Fannie Mae for "but you are not interested in hearing politicians point fingers at each other."
Ohhhh I got caught listening....
How can we trust either of you?
Obama: I understand how you feel, you balance your budget every day and Congress has not. We have to help you meet your budget, by reducing premiums on healthcare.....
McCain: I am a reformer...I lean across the isle....look at our records, look at watch dogs that watch us to see our records. Senator Obama is proposing 800 billion dollars of new spending...voting for every new increase of spending with pork barrell ear marks, including 3 millions dollars for overhead projector for a planetarium in Chicago.....can you believe that.
What is priorities: Health care, entitlement reform (SSI), energy policy
McCain: can take care of all three at same time
Obama: Energy is 1st. Oil prices can go up at any time. In 10 years time we are free of dependence on middle eastern oil. JFK said we are going to the moon in 10 year and he did.
Health care is number 2
Education is three so young people competetive in global economy.
Look at my record. I will go line by line. When senator McCain proposes a 300 billion dollar tax cut to big oil companies that is money out of the system.
WWII we were never asked to sacrifice anything except the blood of our children what sacrifices will you ask the American people to sacrifice to get back on track.
McCain: eliminate some government programs. 1) defense spending - i saved tax payers 6 million dollars, eliminate ear marks, spending freeze, except for defense, verterans affairs, across teh board freeze....and establish priorities, transparent.
Obama: you all remember 911 and how all the country was ready to come together. opportunities missed by Bush, he said "go out and shop". that wasn't the call to service he should have said. Energy: we will all need to think a bout how we use energy, explore new ways to get new oil develop clean coil technology, ways to store safely nuclear, we al have to weatherize home, make business fuel efficient, young people are especially interested in how they could serve. Double peace corps, volunteer corps across country so that military families and troops not the only ones bearing the burdens.
How would you break habits of too much debt and spending in Washington.
Obama: starts in Washington, McCain talks about ear marks 18 billion dolllars. His tax cuts are 80 billion fo oil companies. Tough to ask a teacher to tighten her belt when people doing much better are doing just fine. I don't want an across the board freeze...that is using a hatchet, I want to use a scapel to make sure that those who need help still get it.
McCain: Obama will raise taxes, like Herber Hoover who did so in bad economic time. He will cut taxes on small businesses. I am not in favor of tax cuts for the wealthy. I will double the tax exemption for each family from 3k to 7 k and give tax credit for 5 k for each family for health care purposes.
Can you say you will reform social security and medicare in two years:
Obama: Let's be clear about my tax plan: I want to provide a tax cut for 95% of Americans if you make less than 250K a year you will not see taxes go up, will do down. Only a few percent of small businesses make over 250K. We provide a 50% tax credit to buy health care.
While McCain wants to give a 300 billion dollar tax cut to largest corporations and 100 billion to CEO's on wall street. That is not fair and it doesn't work. If we get our tax policies right so they are good for middle class, we will be in a position to deal with SS and medicare.
McCain: I will answer the questions. Obama has never proposed legislation to reduce taxes, he voted for raising taxes every time.
What will you do about the enviroment and providing green jobs
McCain: I have worked on green house gasses with Leiberman, nuclear power and spent nuclear fuel is safe, Obama thinks it isn't. We can clean up our environment and get economy going by creating millions of jobs.
Obama: This is a challenge and an opportunity. If we create a new energy policy we can create 500 million new jobs, just the way the computer did for our country. We've got to make some investiments in solar wind, geothermal, I favor nuclear power as one component of our overall energy mix. look at record. He said that problem with energy is that 30 years, politicians have not done anything about energy. McCain has voted against alternative enegery 26 times. One last point, McCain talks about drilling.. we have 3 % of oil and use 25 % of world's oil...and can't deal with climate change that way.
Should we fund a Manhattan project to deal with energy research or do it in small garages?
McCain: start with research and development.......I am against pork barrel, and Obama supports it. Off shore oil is key, we need more oil. Nuclear power, look at the record.
Health care has become a commodity and selling it has become very profitable. Do you think it should be treated as a commodity?
Obama: this is the biggest problem for America. We have a moral and economic committment to do something about health care crisis. If you have healthcare already, then you can keep it if you are satisfied with it, we will work with your employer to lower premiums by up to 2500 a year, reduce forms reduce costs, prevention. If you don't have health insurance, you can buy insurance like us, no one excluded for pre existing conditions. McCain will strip away regulations by taxing your healthcare, striping mamagrams and maternity leave.
McCain: huge problem. let's put health records on line, community health centers, walk in clinic, obama talks about government will do this. he'll impose mandates and will fine you if you don't have health insurance. I will allow people to go across state lines to buy health insurance of their choice and to shop around. We have got to give people choice, not mandate health insurance.
Is health care a priviledge, right or responsibility? (good question brokaw)
McCain: responsibility of businesses and politicians to provide it.
Obama: healthcare should be a right. people should not go bankrupt because of healthcare. my mother died of cancer at 53 and in hospital arguing with insurance companies to pay because of her preexisting condition. no mandate for you already have healthcare, no mandate for small businesses, children will have to have healthcare.....McCain voted against SCHIP to insure children. We have to crack down on insurance companies. Problem to go shopping state by state. they will dfind a state where there are no requirements where you have to get cancer screedning or preexisting conditions. Then the consumer protections will not be there.
How will all the recent economic stress effect our nations ability to act as a peace maker in the world?
-McCain: we have to have a strong economy. we are the force of good by shedding blood to defend others. challenge is to know that US can assist the outcome of a battle. That question can only be answered by someone with judgment who knows how to prevent genocide, prevent spread of terrorism. my record and judgment I am willing to stand on. Obama wrong about Iraq and surge, wrong about Russia and Georgia.
-Obama: McCain says I don't understand. yes, true, I don't understand how we ended up invading Iraq when Bin Laden is in Afghanastan. That was the wrong judgment, which McCain support. Irq has strained our budget 700 billion dollars. 10 billion dollars a month. 79 billion dollar surplus in Iraq.
What is the Obama Doctrine on aiding other countries with military force?
-morally, we have an obligation, but now we don't have the allies. We need to consider assiting those countries
-McCain: Obama would have brought our troops home from Iraq in defeat. I will bring them home in honor. You have to temper your instinct to go in, but I will keep in mind our troops. Can't make the situation worse and ruin our reputation.
Should the US respect pakistani sovereignty with regard to terrorists in pakistan?
Obama: we lost focus on bin laden and these terrorists groups grew there. have to end war in Iraq to get troops in Afghansistan. Have to change policy with Pakistan. encourage democracy, expand non military aid to Pakistan and insist that they go after militants, if we have Osama BIn Laden I think we have to take them out.
McCain: Obama wants to announce that he is launching an attack on Pakistan...poor judgment.
Obama: McCain sang bomb Iran, after Afghanistan he said, next Baghdad.......
How can we apply pressure on Russia?
McCain: Russia and Putin is dangerous. Have to support Georgia
Obama: have to provide financial assistance to help rebuild their economies. Anticipate some of these problems. In April, I put out a statement that the situation in Georgia was not stable because Russian peace keepers in these disputed areas. President has to anticipate these problems before they happen.
Is Russia and evil empire?
Obama: evil behavior
McCain: maybe
retired navy chief, support for Isreal, but if Iran attacks Isreal would you committ troops or wait for UN security council vote.
McCain: not wait. Obama wants to negotiate without preconditions with Iran.
Obama: can't allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon as it would threaten Isreal. Never take military options off the table or allow the UN to act in our interests or prevent us from acting. We need to work more effectively with other countries to tighten sanctions on Iran, reduce our energy consumption so Iran has less money.
We should have direct talks with our enemies. If you don't change your behavior, there are dire consequences, if you do change, we can work together.
What don't you know and how will you learn it
Obama: many challenges we can't know. I do know that I wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for the opportunity.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Breast cancer gene
It is amazing how once you become tuned into something you inevitably find that it is all around you. That happened to me when I had a miscarriage. After having it, I felt much loneliness and despair. However, once I began talking about it, many women I knew came to me sharing very similar stories. Now, it is happening again, but under much different circumstances.
A very good friend of mine was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has just had a double mysectomy. Since then, I have been hearing about more and more young women with similar stories. Two nights ago, while I was randomnly surfing the stations for something other than the home improvement channel, I found an extremely moving documentary by Joanna Rudnick on the mutated gene that triggers breast and ovarian cancer. http://www.kartemquin.com/about/joanna-rudnick. She tracks her own story about finding out about having the breast cancer gene at a very young age, which prompts her to find out about other women with the breast cancer gene.
There is a wonderful scene in the documentary where a family of three daughters go together to find out the results of their genetic testing. Their mother carries the gene and has battled breast cancer already. The eldest is married and hoping to have children. The younger two are single and in their twenties. Ms. Rudnick captures the moment so well as the family turns to each other for support in grief and in joy.
As I talk about the documentary, more and more women I know have told me that they think ovarian cancer is in their family. I hope that this documentary, and those who view it will continue to discuss it and raise awareness of this issue.
A very good friend of mine was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has just had a double mysectomy. Since then, I have been hearing about more and more young women with similar stories. Two nights ago, while I was randomnly surfing the stations for something other than the home improvement channel, I found an extremely moving documentary by Joanna Rudnick on the mutated gene that triggers breast and ovarian cancer. http://www.kartemquin.com/about/joanna-rudnick. She tracks her own story about finding out about having the breast cancer gene at a very young age, which prompts her to find out about other women with the breast cancer gene.
There is a wonderful scene in the documentary where a family of three daughters go together to find out the results of their genetic testing. Their mother carries the gene and has battled breast cancer already. The eldest is married and hoping to have children. The younger two are single and in their twenties. Ms. Rudnick captures the moment so well as the family turns to each other for support in grief and in joy.
As I talk about the documentary, more and more women I know have told me that they think ovarian cancer is in their family. I hope that this documentary, and those who view it will continue to discuss it and raise awareness of this issue.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Artichoke Pasta
Tonight I threw together a pasta sauce with a number of flavorful items in the back of my refrigerator and cabinets. It was quick to make, dynamic in flavor, healthy, and most importantly, it received raving reviews from my children (2 and 4) and my partner. I embarked by googling the ingredients to see what ideas I could find. Fortunately, as I love artichokes, I was able to keep that in the experiment.
I call it Artichoke Pasta:
4 cloves garlic
1/4 cup olive oil (approx)
1/4 - 1/2 cup pine nuts
8 kalamatta olives pitted and chopped
1 14 oz can of fire roasted tomatoes, drained
1 can artichokes, chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil
2 teaspoons oregano (i used dried)
Heat olive oil at medium heat. Add garlic and pine nuts until slightly browned. Add tomatoes and the rest of the ingredients and cook for 5 minutes. You can blend this for the little ones and serve with any kind of whole wheat pasta with or without parmesan. If you are like me, you may consider adding more tomatoes
I call it Artichoke Pasta:
4 cloves garlic
1/4 cup olive oil (approx)
1/4 - 1/2 cup pine nuts
8 kalamatta olives pitted and chopped
1 14 oz can of fire roasted tomatoes, drained
1 can artichokes, chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil
2 teaspoons oregano (i used dried)
Heat olive oil at medium heat. Add garlic and pine nuts until slightly browned. Add tomatoes and the rest of the ingredients and cook for 5 minutes. You can blend this for the little ones and serve with any kind of whole wheat pasta with or without parmesan. If you are like me, you may consider adding more tomatoes
In the beginning, the Catholic Church and the GOP
I am the product of 16 years of Catholic school education. Not to mention that my family is also very religious in that they attend church, have as the main focus in their professions helping less fortunate people, and generally try to be good people. Thus, I was taught to be selfless and to care for others as much as I could, to turn the other cheek so to say, to not say anything if it wasn't nice, and to not judge others; like Jesus. I was even forced to attend vacation bible school during a summer or two where I distinctly remember a tie dyeing activity where the final product, which we had to wear, was a t-shirt with the image of Jesus' blood and sweat ridden face and crown of thorns. After much begging, thankfully I was allowed to skip vacation bible school forever more.
With all this religion around me one may assume that just by osmosiss, the Catholic beliefs entered my body through my semi-permeable membraine. While that is not entirely true, I can say that caring for others and not judging are the most important teachings I have taken away from my schooling, which is why I simply cannot be a part of mainstream Catholic Church ideology.
There was an article in the New York Times today about the Roman Catholic Church's political position as it observes its annual “respect life” Sunday. The article talks about Catholic voters debating how to apply the church’s teachings not only on abortion but also on the war in Iraq, immgration and racism. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/us/politics/05catholic.html?ref=us. I assume these teachings are the same ones I learned in Catholic school, which, as I mentioned above, is to basically love you neighbor, etc. I applaud those members of the Church who have challenged the Church to open its eyes to apply the "teachings" to the bigger picture and the reality we live in.
I have to start out by saying that I respect every person's individual position on abortion. That said, there are other social issues that affect a woman's decision to have an abortion, which if were addressed may ultimately prevent abortions and poverty. As Jim Wallis, the editor of Sojourners magazine, which I highly recommend for all you religiously reared, socially justice minded folks, so eloquently put it, "we have seen once again in this campaign the issue of abortion used as a partisan wedge rather than having a serious discussion on how to act to reduce the number of abortions. If we are to be truly pro-life, we must focus on real people and the conditions that lead women to seek abortions. Jobs, health care, and a living income."
So, the message from the Church is to vote Republican because the GOP opposes abortion, despite the fact that the GOP does not believe in social programs such as: health care for all, living wage, equality in education, which all help people rise up out of poverty and potentially avoid the societal conditions (poverty) that lead to abortion? The reason, I can only assume, is that all of these things cost money and the GOP base is not willing to share, or another way to look at is it that the GOP is not really sincere about making the life of a child born into these conditions a better one.
Sharing, I believe, although I have no source to cite, is a basic teaching of most religions, and certainly all pre-schoolers. How then did that basic moral principle get left at the door of the Catholic Church and GOP headquarters? (stock portfolios, vacation home number 9, ruling the world?).
Maybe it's just that the Church and the GOP simply adhere to the sixth commandment; thou shalt not kill. But wait, the GOP supports the death penalty, which contradicts not only the sixth commandment, but the teaching to not judge others? Yet despite this support for the death penalty, the Catholic Church still openly supports the GOP. I have never been able to understand the juxtaposition of the killing issue, abortion vs. death penalty. The only lesson I can glean from this discourse is that we care for some select people, but definitely not others, most of which we have judged.
Never more have I felt that the WWJD rave would have more relevance.
The simple fact is that the GOP does not believe that we should help each other in the form of social programs. Rather, it feels that everyone should pull themselves up by their own boot straps. The irony is that many of the old Republican guard who hold this belief are confused about whose boot straps they were holding onto when they received their education and began making their fortune. As I painstakingly pay my student loan for the next 30 years, I can't help but think that you can't get more socialist than the G. I. bill. ........oh wait, I think I misspoke, nationalizing the largest corporations in this country and pumping 700 billion dollars of taxpayer money into Wall Street may have a slight edge.
* like all organizations, the Catholic Church has members who are movers and shakers in the social justice reform area, such as the Paulist Center in Boston, MA.
With all this religion around me one may assume that just by osmosiss, the Catholic beliefs entered my body through my semi-permeable membraine. While that is not entirely true, I can say that caring for others and not judging are the most important teachings I have taken away from my schooling, which is why I simply cannot be a part of mainstream Catholic Church ideology.
There was an article in the New York Times today about the Roman Catholic Church's political position as it observes its annual “respect life” Sunday. The article talks about Catholic voters debating how to apply the church’s teachings not only on abortion but also on the war in Iraq, immgration and racism. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/us/politics/05catholic.html?ref=us. I assume these teachings are the same ones I learned in Catholic school, which, as I mentioned above, is to basically love you neighbor, etc. I applaud those members of the Church who have challenged the Church to open its eyes to apply the "teachings" to the bigger picture and the reality we live in.
I have to start out by saying that I respect every person's individual position on abortion. That said, there are other social issues that affect a woman's decision to have an abortion, which if were addressed may ultimately prevent abortions and poverty. As Jim Wallis, the editor of Sojourners magazine, which I highly recommend for all you religiously reared, socially justice minded folks, so eloquently put it, "we have seen once again in this campaign the issue of abortion used as a partisan wedge rather than having a serious discussion on how to act to reduce the number of abortions. If we are to be truly pro-life, we must focus on real people and the conditions that lead women to seek abortions. Jobs, health care, and a living income."
So, the message from the Church is to vote Republican because the GOP opposes abortion, despite the fact that the GOP does not believe in social programs such as: health care for all, living wage, equality in education, which all help people rise up out of poverty and potentially avoid the societal conditions (poverty) that lead to abortion? The reason, I can only assume, is that all of these things cost money and the GOP base is not willing to share, or another way to look at is it that the GOP is not really sincere about making the life of a child born into these conditions a better one.
Sharing, I believe, although I have no source to cite, is a basic teaching of most religions, and certainly all pre-schoolers. How then did that basic moral principle get left at the door of the Catholic Church and GOP headquarters? (stock portfolios, vacation home number 9, ruling the world?).
Maybe it's just that the Church and the GOP simply adhere to the sixth commandment; thou shalt not kill. But wait, the GOP supports the death penalty, which contradicts not only the sixth commandment, but the teaching to not judge others? Yet despite this support for the death penalty, the Catholic Church still openly supports the GOP. I have never been able to understand the juxtaposition of the killing issue, abortion vs. death penalty. The only lesson I can glean from this discourse is that we care for some select people, but definitely not others, most of which we have judged.
Never more have I felt that the WWJD rave would have more relevance.
The simple fact is that the GOP does not believe that we should help each other in the form of social programs. Rather, it feels that everyone should pull themselves up by their own boot straps. The irony is that many of the old Republican guard who hold this belief are confused about whose boot straps they were holding onto when they received their education and began making their fortune. As I painstakingly pay my student loan for the next 30 years, I can't help but think that you can't get more socialist than the G. I. bill. ........oh wait, I think I misspoke, nationalizing the largest corporations in this country and pumping 700 billion dollars of taxpayer money into Wall Street may have a slight edge.
* like all organizations, the Catholic Church has members who are movers and shakers in the social justice reform area, such as the Paulist Center in Boston, MA.
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