In Response to Steve

Steve, Thanks for e-mailing me your comments.

I call these people handicapped. They disagree with the current situation, but it's like a scary dream... your body just can't move to get far away from it. For example, they don't like the war, they know Bush lied, but like him anyway. Handicapped. They need health care desperately and can't get it because of pre-existing conditions, but attach a stigma and call Obama's plan socialism, therefore, just sit and suffer and complain. Handicapped. They don't vote on any issues whatsoever. They don't care about anything having to do with facts and/or even opinion. They know they will vote Republican no matter who or what creatures run on that ticket. Handicapped, indeed.

One may want to say that they deserve their ill fate for being so stubborn, but what's really happening is fear kicking in. Fear!! Real fear from being an outcast of the family, fear from God, perhaps due to brainwashed ideas about abortion and gay rights and so on because the Republican machine has fooled them into thinking they are the party that God approves. But when they see Rush Limbaugh as a drug addict, they excuse him. When several members of congress are caught in gay affairs and prostitution, they excuse them. When Sarah Palin's 17 year-old daughter is pregnant out of wedlock and they even try to cover it up with a blanket over her stomach, they excuse it. Fear of God drives their passion. Once your life is in God's hands, two things are crystal clear: One is that you side with whoever says or does anything, no matter how illegal (Bush) or immoral (Palin killing Wolves) as long as they say God made them do it. The second is hatred is okay as long as you hate the right people (Muslims) and don't abort our children, but kill other children in wars and also by idly standing by and watching genocide and famine in Africa. That's when they say "Well we can't police the whole planet, it's not our fault."

Now don't misunderstand, I believe in and love God myself. But I love a just God. A God that loves all people. A God that believes in you and wants you to open your mind and learn and expand reach your potential. A God that recognized your fair and moral thoughts and actions. God wants you to create happiness in your life and be loving and true. That's what makes God happy.

Anyway, these are my thoughts for the day.
Go Obama!
Prepare yourselves for American unification and solidarity and respect around the world because it's coming!

Real Patriotic

So the GOP always preaches patriotism and they walk and talk proudly, as if they are somehow more American than everybody else. Last month I was listening to a local talk radio show in Charlotte and a caller said that people ripped her John Kerry sign off her yard four years ago. This year, the same thing happened with Obama signs. So she and her husband dug holes and poured concrete and set strong wood beams to support the sign and make it tough for pranksters to take away. One morning they discovered their lawn was torn up with tire tracks and someone had tied a chain to the back of their truck and ripped out the cemented sign once again. So I thought this was an isolated incident with a stupid neighbor or something. A few days later, I heard another story of a similar thing happening on another show is another state. Yesterday my wife discovered our yard sign was missing! In our neighborhood, there are about ten to fifteen McCain signs and we were one of just two homes with Obama signs. We checked the other Obama house down the street and sure enough, theirs was also missing.

Freedom of speech? American? Patriotism? These are not the words that come to mind. Words that DO come to mind are: Redneck, uneducated, hypocrite, violent.

That's all that needs to be said about that.

I lost a friend Friday. Wally Rooney passed away in Florida. He was an amazing person. He was full of life, full of energy, quick to tell a joke, quick to laugh at himself and best of all loyal and honorable. He worked hard all his life and never got a lucky break. He had three kids by the age of 21, forcing him to provide for his family with little consideration for himself. He was honorable and well respected. Wally was a young 71. Looking at him, one would guess he was about 58 or 60 years old. Wally, I love you and you will be missed more than you know!!

Angry Bitter Man

Watching the last Presidential debate was sort of entertaining. I was confident Obama would be succinct and actually make sense. And I watched McCain make a total fool of himself with his faux Macho Bravado. McCain is a train wreck just waiting to happen. It's almost sad to see a man that people respected just a few months ago, end his political career utterly pummelled to the turf by a smarter, wiser, cooler headed American Visionary like Barack Obama. I am neither a far left liberal, nor a far right conservative. I am an artist. I look for truth in everything. I am a man that observes a person's body language, tone of voice, facial gestures, posture, eye contact, vocabulary, syntax and breathing patterns. But I also look at substance. One may argue that Sarah Palin has some of the qualities that I just listed when debating or speaking, but falls hard and flat as a pancake when it comes to substance. She's also overbearing and aggressive and has a very desperate need for power and control. That's why she pauses after every sentence, nodding her head, waiting for the crowd to approve every word uttered.

So yeah, Obama kicked McCain off the mat last night with plenty of substance as well as style points. The question now is will America buy him or do they still want to have a barbecue with McBush? McCain is an angry, Bitter man trying anything from week to week to stir things up. In your spare time, instead of watching TV, download transcripts from the debates. This powerful technique will allow you to focus only on substance (or lack there of) from each candidate. Especially the VP Debate. You will laugh in disbelief.

There is still almost 3 weeks left before November 4th. A lot could happen from the McCain camp. There are probably dozens of people in a back room researching and digging for dirt on Obama. There are another few dozen conservative radio talk shows spewing hate and scare tactics. These tactics have paid off for the GOP in the past, so I don't blame them for trying again, but Americans should recognize this and push back. Push back against division, hatred and ignorance. We must ask ourselves do we really envision our economic future in the hands of an angry 72 year-old War Monger; a chaotic, irrational man that exercised his very first decision on selecting the most unqualified, uneducated, cheerleader like Sarah Palin to help solve so many major issues we face? Or do we want a man that is respected around the world, and at the peak of his public career leading our Nation through the roughest times we have seen in our life times? His VP choice? Joe Biden. Biden probably knows more about foreign policy and international relationships that any other person in the Senate, including John McCain himself.

Enough said.

Character Is Always Self Evident

Honestly, I used to respect John McCain. I really thought he was a good guy, but just had ideas I did not agree with. That was fair enough for me to accept.
But by reading and watching and paying a little attention, I realized that just below the surface, under the "Hero" posture, I see a man that has serious issues. In the context of trying to win an election, when he knows all eyes and ears are looking and listening to his every word, lying on camera is not a good plan. His poor judgement in his vp choice of an obviously unqualified Hockey mom like Sarah Palin after just meeting her one time is another character flaw of enormous proportions. Evangelicals like her because she's far more ignorant than they are. That's why the bar is set so low for her. She's promoting racism and violence in her rallies lately. Her supporters are shouting "kill him" (referring to Obama). Is this how low McCain is willing to go? But I digress.

To think McCain can just lie to people anytime he wants... that's called corruption in your face. We've already had that in Bush, but at least Bush tried to hide it. In fact, the single most common thread that forever links McCain to Bush is this arrogance and disregard for facts. Is this what Americans want? Newsflash for McCain: There are these things called cameras and video recorders and YouTube. And we're listening John!

Questioning Obama's character?
Are you kidding?
Would you consider LYING a character flaw John McCain? Then look in the mirror. How dare you talk about values and call yourself a "straight talker". Your talk is as crooked as Nixon was during Watergate. You have run the sleaziest campaign in American History and sadly, you've lost your good reputation for the rest of your political career.

Here are just a couple recent outright McCain LIES...each one is only a couple of minutes. Please take the time to watch and immediately pass this on. If you spread the truth enough, you will have made a difference.


http://video.google.com/videosearch?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLR,GGLR:2006-07,GGLR:en&q=mccain+caught+lying&um=1&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title#


http://video.google.com/videosearch?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLR,GGLR:2006-07,GGLR:en&q=mccain+caught+lying&um=1&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title#


http://video.google.com/videosearch?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLR,GGLR:2006-07,GGLR:en&q=mccain+caught+lying&um=1&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title#

My oh my. I just went on about 12 different blog sites and clearly people thought this debate tonight between McCain and Obama was won by Obama by far. Then I went on the FOX News site just to see..... and I could not believe the things I read. There is so much hatred and anger and bigotry coming from Republicans that it made me sick to my stomach. Talking about things like "Remember Obama can talk but he's still Black" or "He's a communist" It's so clear to me that in general, the Republican base just does not care about any issues whatsoever. Not health care, not peace and security, not the economy, certainly not education, and the future of Social Security, Medicare, and last but not least Global Warming.
They always have and always will vote on three topics:

1) Is the candidate likable?
Really meaning to say: "Is the candidate white, uneducated, gun toting and war hungry?"
The answer to that is YES. McCain/Palin fit that bill.

2) What values does the candidate have in common with me?
Really meaning to say: "Does the candidate dislike blacks, Jews, gay rights, Hispanics, Asians, poor people, abortion, gun control, all religions except Christianity?"
The answer to that is YES. McCain/Palin fit that bill.

3) Will the candidate keep Israel safe at all cost?
Really meaning to say: "Will the candidate, at a moment's notice bomb Iran, North Korea, Russia, France, Venezuela, etc..." Basically like the Bush Doctrine says, "you're either with us or against us." This speaks volumes to other countries! And we expect their help to solve global problems?
The answer to that sadly again is YES. McCain/Palin fit that bill.

I did a quick survey of common people at a couple of local stores over the past two days, regarding their opinion on the $700 Billion Bail out plan. I've posted their comments below.

Out of only 11 people I spoke with, 4 clearly had no clue. They did not know anything about it all all. Three people almost did not know anything. And 4 had specific comments.

The question: "What do think about the $700 Billion Bail Out?
Comments, in order of chronology:

1) Don't know about it. Haven't heard the news lately.
2) I'm very mad. They are the ones at fault. What about us?
3) Great if it works.
4) Don't know. If they gotta do it, they gotta do it.
5) We've been helping the big guys get where they are. What about us when we need it?
6) If we're going to give this money to these companies, they should give us something back in return.
7) Don't care. Life goes on.
8) What bail out? McCain? (no the Wall Street bail out) Oh, uh... they're lining their pockets. That's all--looking out for themselves. But I haven't followed it much.
9) Don't know.
10) Not good. Don't know much about it.
11) Don't know anything about it.

McCain is Lost and Desperate

Would anyone want a person like McCain leading the company they work for or taking over their corporation, let alone President of the US? Just look at the panic and desperation: Picking Palin was a panic decision to get Hillary's voters. He said the "Fundementals of the Economy are sound" was a panic / out of touch answer off the cuff. Wanting to fire the SEC Chairman last week was not only panic again, but he doesn't know the President has no authority to fire the SEC chair. Posturing about cancelling the debate with Obama is a politically motivated panic decision to bring attention to himself, impeding on the real decision-makers trying to solve a big problem. Furthermore, when he and Obama were requested to a meeting with the President, he had nothing to say. Obama even initiated a conversation with him and he had no response! Other than a photo op, why did he go there then?

Bush: You had me (running away) at Hello

My oh my!

Just knowing Bush is behind this Bail out proposal had me running for cover. I urge all Americans to remember the scenarios surrounding the decision to invade Iraq. If you just replace a few words here and there, it's hauntingly familiar. The Bushies are holding a gun to Congress to act quickly and decisively on a multi-billion dollar "plan" to do something never done before in the History of America at this scale. Mind you this "plan" is to be orchestrated by the same crooks that got us to this point to begin with. Oh, and as a side note, they want no oversight by anyone in government and want to be immune to lawsuits if this "plan" turns sour. What's their risk in possibly failing? OUR MONEY. Talk about a gambler's dream: to risk everything on a roll of the dice with everyone else's money. If you win, you're the hero for an entire generation or more. If you lose, you retire to your beach house and watch the country crash and burn.

Yes, maybe something does have to be done, but no matter how urgent and necessary and important this bail out actually is, asking Congress to close their eyes and sign the deal is at best uncivilized. A better word for it is BUSHISM. Bushism is a simple doctrine: Take away as much money away from ordinary people and expand your own powers with it.... and quick! I mean NOW. Now Now. You're late already. As Paulson said to Congress earlier this week: "Just sign it and we'll worry about the details later." After reading a 3 page ditto. I got more instructions from my son's 7th grade teacher on his first day of school.

I propose this: Take half of that $700 Billion and offer a fixed, low interest loan to families facing foreclosure or on their way to facing foreclosure. Base this loan on the lower end of their home's value and wipe out their original predatory loan. Now, with the rest of the $700 Billion, put together a comprehensive green energy plan that puts tens of millions to work and in a few years package, market and sell the technologies and innovations made in renewable energies to the world for a profit. Detroit can flourish with hydrogen and electric cars sold to India and China. America will again be making things instead of just being a credit based economy. This, in due time can help cut into our $12.1 Trillion Debt. Moreover, don't give anyone a tax cut right now. Get out of Iraq. Provide low cost (not free) health care to the uninsured... so long as they work, if they are able. Increasing the sales tax on Luxury goods will fund the create a few more million jobs by rebuilding our infrastructure. Even if it's a few billion dollars at a time, it's a start.

Oh, I almost forgot... what about those financial companies that are about to sink in 48 hours? Allow the big ones to merge and pool their resources and talents together, become a nonprofit organization for 5 years and check their books every month. Yes, there may be massive layoffs, but even if you save them, there is to be massive layoffs. Take the layed off workers, train and hire them as teachers and nurses. And finally, go on a 16 year moratorium on Republicans in power and see America meet and exceed its goals! (those 16 years by the way would be Obama two terms; Hillary two terms)

Fed Bail Outs

This financial crisis in the markets has gotten me worried about the economy. AIG fell into the lap of the Fed along with Fannie and Freddie and earlier, Bear Sterns. What's next? These maga corporations ride high when they are profitable, giving hundrends of millions to top execs and CEO's; but when their greed consumes them, the Fed steps in for the rescue? What about rescuing us?

How about instead of leaving the people to crash and burn, offering a guaranteed low interest loan plan directly to the people so they can be saved from foreclosures? Now, I know some of the homeowners just cannot sustain their payments no matter what. Those people probably should lose their homes. But there are many others that just need a temporary boost, due to job loss or illness or high interest rates on their homes. Arrangements can be made with this group. Saving these people, in turn, would save these financial institutions at the same time. They would all get their mortgage payments in on time hence, a lot lesser crisis!

The housing market would be saved from going under. Isn't that the root of all this Wall Street chaos? I'm no economist, so why does this make sense? Let's exaggerate and say there are 5 million homes at or near foreclosure. The Fed lends homeowners an average of $40,000 each at an interest rate of 3% fixed for 10 years. That would cost the Fed $200 Billion. It's a lotta dough. But what they've spent (so far) is over $830 Billion on bail outs.

checking

This is me

September 17th, 2008

This is Day One!
I'm now a blogger. My goals for this site are simple and very open-ended. I will post original thoughts, poems, lots artwork and sketches, talk about outer space, God, Science, food, family and sometimes post photos. We can talk NFL and NBA too. You are all welcome to share your input.

My mom will turn 80 on December 28th. Wow! I love her very much. I'll do a painting with her in mind and maybe write a little poem too. I'm not really a poet by any stretch, but I have deep emotions for certain subjects. Mom is one of them.

Now I need to figure out how to upload an image....

Later