Democracy is for people

Speaking of democracy, Citizens United may top the list of recent history corruption in thinking and actions. 
No thank you US Supreme Court members (5-4 vote).

Bravo and all power to you, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-19) and Senator Bernard Sanders (VT) in this fight for democracy for all Americans:

 SandersDec8,2011

The Saving American Democracy Amendment as it is presented:
SADA

What this amendment means:
Fact sheet

"I Pledge Allegiance . . . "

Nordquist Pledge Monster

Exactly! is my response to this Politico article.  Now if the President of the U.S., U.S. Reps and Senators and State government officials who have NOT signed this would just speak up and shine a light on the fact that these elected officials are not serving the people of this country, nor doing their job as written and sworn in under the US Constitution.  These signers are power addicts, cowardly and soulless, and are of no service to the majority of the population of this country.  And if the American people (use this OWS folks, please) would just see this for the toxic drug that it is.

What are they really pledging allegiance to?  Corporations and their high financed special interest lobbyists?  One powerful and arrogant man?  They certainly are not pledging to do the work of the country for the good of the American people.  And if they don't sign, the money flow stops and their line to power (not service, they've already chosen to give that up) comes to an abrupt end.

This Nordquist pledge and what it has done to the minds and actions of those charged to serve our country, seems so obviously corrupt and immoral (in that money and greed are keeping people's democracy hostage) that I can not understand nor accept anyone's defense of any politician who has signed onto this.

To think, to feel, to love - democracy

Charlie Chaplin

Speech from The Great Dictator

Amazing Lady

Fantastic!  In case you're wondering whether OWS and other occupy events in cities around the country and around the world have meaning, listen to this Charlie Rose interview:

Charlie Rose interview w/ Amy Goodman and Chris Hedges

In thinking about these populist movements, Amy Godman reminds us what was said by Ghandi:

"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."
  --  Mahatma Gandhi


And, because he says it like no other:
Bill Maher

To listen, feel, cry, and understand

From Sendak's lastest book, "Bumble-ardy"

The other day, while listening to "Fresh Air", a poignant, loving interview made me cry and understand.

In loving memory of Vera, Uncle Glenn, and Aunt Al and the many elderly in our lives who have felt and are feeling the same as Mr. Sendak when he says, "I cry a lot because I miss people. They die and I can't stop them. They leave me and I love them more. ... What I dread is the isolation. ..."

Listen to the "Fresh Air" interview (Terry Gross) with Maurice Sendak here:
this-pig-wants-to-party-maurice-sendaks-latest

"Bury the War State's Blank Check at Sea"

"If September 11th was indeed a nightmare, 9/11 as a memorial and Ground Zero as a “consecrated” place have turned out to be a blank check for the American war state, funding an endless trip to hell.  They have helped lead us into fields of carnage that put the dead of 9/11 to shame."
~ Tom Engelhardt

Link to his letter that so eloquently states his peaceful frustration with war mentality bravado:
With great respect for peaceful Americans

"We will never forget" does not give us an endless excuse to continue endless war.

The view that led to a soccer field confrontation

"The government has no place in education."
"They are not teaching the three Rs in public education, it's just social engineering."

These are a couple of phrases loudly spouted out at a YMCA town soccer field, boys soccer practice last week.  I merely asked why not "Town" high school? in a conversation about this woman's son, who is at a Catholic HS, and he wants to go to the public HS.

michele-bachmann-jumps-on-the-anti-education-bandwagon-claims-department-of-education-is-unconstitutional

I was silent as my mind reeled.  I couldn't fathom opening my mouth for fear of not being able to hold back the flood gates.  My husband however, after a couple of minutes of this continuing (in the presence of several other parents I know have kids in public schools), opened his mouth and said "How can you even say that?"  And the "discussion" continued on for about ten minutes.  My stomach now in a knot, hoping and giving "be careful" glances his way, waiting for a spot when I could join in with a moderating opinion.  Luckily it ended OK.  Awkward silence for the rest of the practice.  He didn't quite put himself in the mode needed for this "crucial conversation" involving an issue of high emotion and high stakes.  We did get out unharmed.  At least one parent now at my son's school knows we don't hang on the line of the far-right.  I went home literally sick to my stomach and again feeling utterly betrayed by a fellow parent of kids I care about.  And feeling insulted beyond words, for the work that I have given my best to and my husband does as well, in public service for Americans.

"There is a lot more science behind it than saying it's not."

Bravo Bill Nye!  BRAVO!

why-is-this-fox-news-contributor-so-confused-by-bill-nye-the-science-guy

Fox News cuts off, interrupts any main point off their own talking points.
And the clip of Al Gore was edited right at a key point in his sentence.  Right where people say they do not go for the lies.
". . . I don’t go for that so don’t talk that way around me. I just don’t believe that.’"
al-gore-climate-deniers-racists

"When you learn the science of climate change . . . you will find it quite compelling."
 - Bill Nye
 This is the main point, and he had to speak it through interrupting words of Fox News guy.

Comments on this MoveOn.org link show how ridiculous Fox News is, and how easy it is to see his talking head bobble as a puppet.

I look forward to the day Fox News implodes on itself and becomes a cautionary tale in the history of media.

Science in reverence to and in stewardship of God's glory

Exactly.
the-inquisition-of-climate-science

This is not just understanding the universe, but understanding that we are souls here to care for the Earth and all life that we and our children and future generations are given.

And,
nytimes-opinion/republicans-against-science

And,
robert-redford-obama-public-health

Birthday Breakfast with Boyzan!

The weather finally calmed down after a full night of steady wind and rain being on the outskirts of Irene.

Joseph learned from Daddy how to make coffee and served me coffee and a muffin to start the day!  Followed by an egg in a hole from Daddy.
I watched Sunday Morning (first time in ages) and at commercial breaks, Joseph entertained me with karate forms and other moves.

Morning head, morning hugs!

We had an Italian dinner out last night and even went to Wegman's (the only here in south central PA) to pick out a small, wonderful chocolate cake and a flank steak for today to go with our homegrown potatoes and sauteed zucchini and marinated tomatoes.  Oh, and they found some flowers of course!

Love my boys!  They want today to be ALL about me and what I want to do!  Oh, OK! 

Blowing in on a Hurricane

OK, not so much, we are on the far edge of the winds.  Looking at steady rain and some 25-35 mph winds.
Last year I was in New York City with my sister and nieces; glad not to be there today.  All mass transit and so many other places there are shut down.  Weird ghost town like.  Mayor Bloomberg isn't taking any chances.

Excited about tomorrow!  Joseph is especially happy about celebrations of any type.  Somehow this 45 mark seems bigger and with better expectations for the year to come than did my 40th.

Of course though, I am blessed with each and every year!

August 2006 - Riding on a Merry-Go-Round

August 2011 - Paddling in a canoe



My best gift, year after year, is our little one, growing up so fast!

A few more days till school begins again.  Hello 1st grade!

Remembering Anna - "Our Quantum Hamster"

Anna, our sweet, adventurous, IndiANNA Jones hamster passed away yesterday.  She fought a brave battle against intestinal blockage.  We think that for some reason,  she took to chomping on the soft Carefresh pet bedding.  We all joined in helping her try to survive, through special feedings of applesauce and cucumber and following other advice from the Vet, and yet, her life ended after five months of being with us.

With the fondest of memories for her sweet, silly ways and for her curiosity and calm when she was in Joseph's hands, we wish her peace.

"You were the greatest little hamster I could ever have." ~ Joseph

A word (cloud) of influence

"Blessed is the influence of one true, 
loving human soul on another." 

~ George Eliot (pseudonym of Mary Ann Evans Cross)

Thank You!

(Many of these names are for several people in my heart with the same name.

All are placed, sized and repeated randomly, to form this fuzzy heart!)

Tang Soo Do - Receiving Orange Belt

At the end of class today, in the belting ceremony, Joseph received his orange belt and certificate!  

So much hard (and fun) work to come this far since February.  His body and mind show wonderful growth through the hours of stretching, workouts, forms, punches, kicks, sparring and discipline of Tang Soo.  Joseph has loved every day he has gone to Master Min's classes.  What a good thing it is that he has this genuine interest and ownership in developing skills that are uniquely his at the end of the day.

Off with the old yellow

On with the new, orange belt

Bowing to Mr. Bear

 And from here is where I move and don't refocus properly - dang!

Joseph and Ayla - the newest orange belts

So proud!  with Master Michael Min
(in focus, yay!)

Heading home.  Out front with friend Mathew.

14 Years!

One very hot summer day, we joined our lives together, 

and began our celebration . . .

August 16, 1997

About two and a half years later, Abbey bounded in (Dec. 1999)

February 2000

Eight years later, a little guy came into our lives . . .

August 12, 2005

filling our days with joy, ten years later . . .

August 2007

and fourteen years later, the party continues . . .

August 2011

in all the simple things we do together as two and as a family!

(Too many photos to choose from . . . random shots catch a mere glimpse)

Thank you Larry for your love, as we keep the party going!

Coming Alive!

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs;
ask yourself what makes you come alive.
And then go and do that.
Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
- Harold Whitman

 

Laughing and pouring rain . . . such beautiful sounds!

Tang Soo Do - Prep and Testing

Smiling and ready on test day!

 

But first, last preparation two days before test.

Day of Testing

Joseph with his friends Eric and Mathew

Getting ready before Master Michael Min

Stretch stretch!

Black belts, with a very young (11 or 12 yr old) one.

Intense!

Going through forms

Ready for elbow breaking technique

Haa!

Done!

Watching Mathew do the hammer fist break

Tang Soo!

Woohoo!  Mission accomplished.

Again, we are so proud and happy for you!

Love you little guy!