Giving Thanks
Here in the US, today is Thanksgiving Day. I have many things for which to be thankful today. I have a wonderful family and many great friends. I have my health and my son reads Harry Potter to me. Oh, and I live in a country where freedom of speech is still protected.
My gift to you are a few links that exercise that freedom of speech. The first is a super-sized rant courtesy of Clif Garboden. It may be a little over the top, but it soundly delivers a much needed dope slap to many deserving parties. Next is a tamer view with a reminder of the stages of grief from Susan J. Douglas. Let's all move toward Stage 6 and be ready for the next election. Finally, a link to do some shopping to proclaim your views courtesy of CafePress.
Enjoy, everyone! And thank you.
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Sunday, November 21, 2004
So, George Wants a Yacht
Congress has been busy this week. Yes, they passed the spending bill, raising the debt ceiling and keeping the country going. I'm sure we all have our own favorite bits of this bill. My personal favorite is the wording to support repurchasing the Presidential Yacht. We sold it decades ago because it was an expensive, outdated, money sink. Now GWB wants to play with a boat so we are going to go and spend more money. There is a little sticking point in that the current owners are expecting more money then Congress has appropriated for the purchase. Details, it's always the details.
George, if you want to play with a boat, send someone out to a toy store, okay?
Congress has been busy this week. Yes, they passed the spending bill, raising the debt ceiling and keeping the country going. I'm sure we all have our own favorite bits of this bill. My personal favorite is the wording to support repurchasing the Presidential Yacht. We sold it decades ago because it was an expensive, outdated, money sink. Now GWB wants to play with a boat so we are going to go and spend more money. There is a little sticking point in that the current owners are expecting more money then Congress has appropriated for the purchase. Details, it's always the details.
George, if you want to play with a boat, send someone out to a toy store, okay?
Monday, November 15, 2004
Small Rant on Children's Books
Why do books aimed squarely at young children have to include language that isn't appropriate? Last night, my seven year old was happily reading the third book in The Spiderwick Chronicles, Lucinda's Secret, when one of the children in the book says, "Oh, crap!" Now, I ask you, is that necessary? Other than this, the books are wonderful depictions of fantasy characters and children doing things that they certainly shouldn't, but make their intended readers happy. I'm not asking for artificial speech, but not all children are using epithets.
Why do books aimed squarely at young children have to include language that isn't appropriate? Last night, my seven year old was happily reading the third book in The Spiderwick Chronicles, Lucinda's Secret, when one of the children in the book says, "Oh, crap!" Now, I ask you, is that necessary? Other than this, the books are wonderful depictions of fantasy characters and children doing things that they certainly shouldn't, but make their intended readers happy. I'm not asking for artificial speech, but not all children are using epithets.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
What Next?
Okay, I watched and then I slept. When I awakened I learned that it wasn't just a bad dream. Or maybe it is the bad dream that didn't go away. I've licked my wounds and now I am ready to determine what is the next step.
I am confused in that this is not the America that I thought I knew. There is so much hate and intolerance out there that I do not even recognize the country of my birth. Continuing with my own anger isn't going to help. Some have spoken of leaving the country. Not only is that impractical, I'm not willing to give up. This is my country and no one is going to drive me from it!
Nation editor, Katrina vanden Heuvel, has some excellent thoughts in her Stand and Fight article. Very good food for thought. We have a lot to do. It's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.
Okay, I watched and then I slept. When I awakened I learned that it wasn't just a bad dream. Or maybe it is the bad dream that didn't go away. I've licked my wounds and now I am ready to determine what is the next step.
I am confused in that this is not the America that I thought I knew. There is so much hate and intolerance out there that I do not even recognize the country of my birth. Continuing with my own anger isn't going to help. Some have spoken of leaving the country. Not only is that impractical, I'm not willing to give up. This is my country and no one is going to drive me from it!
Nation editor, Katrina vanden Heuvel, has some excellent thoughts in her Stand and Fight article. Very good food for thought. We have a lot to do. It's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.
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