2006 and beyond

2006 was an interesting year that had a promising end to it.
With the Democrats taking back congress and with all of us staying on their backs, hopefully 2007 and for many years to come, we will have a sane and respected government.
We all have a lot of work to do to repair the past for our futures.

Happy New Year to you all!

A little taste of our future?

Washington's women pols repeatedly break `glass ceiling'

- from The Daily News in Longview, WA

I am concerned about global warming. Are you?

The situation is indeed a complicated one. It does boil down to one main commonality. Greed. Of course, that would also be coupled with power.

While the U.S. has a long history of oil interests, never before has it been so blatant. Consider this: why, with all that we now know about the effects of global warming and what we can do to reduce them, are we doing so little to combat the problem? One only has to take a look at the resumes of the current administration for a clue.

Our current leader in chief, George W. Bush, owned Arbusto Energy which was partially financed by a close family friend, James Bath. Mr. Bath was the U.S. representative for Salem bin Laden (brother of Osama) and also had direct ties to the Bank of Commerce and Credit International (BCCI), known to have funded clandestine CIA operations, the Afghan Mujahadeen, defrauded customers of over $10 billion and laundered money to support the efforts of Osama bin Laden. Conclude from that what you will.

George H.W. Bush, the senior, as we all know is the former director of the CIA. He is also the head of the Carlyle Group, which claims to be the nation's largest equity fund, with close ties to oil companies and the Saudi Royal Family. They also paved the way for entry into Asia, including South Korea, have advisory boards in major European companies and are contractors for military operations abroad.

No secret is the fact that our Vice President, Dick Cheney, was CEO of Halliburton (no bid contracts, anyone?), the world's largest oil field services company, who are making a fortune off of the overpriced services they are providing in Iraq that the military themselves would have once performed. I'm sure that it is a mere coincidence that Iraq and Iran sit on a giant wealth of oil.

Condoleeza Rice, our nation's Secretary of State, once sat on the board of directors for Exxon and once had a supertanker named after her.

The list goes on and on with a virtual family tree of oil and financial companies with ties to one another. For a comprehensive view please see:

http://www.opensecrets.org/bush/cabinet.asp


What can be done to change the corruption and head in a better direction towards saving this country and our environment? Besides heeding the suggestions stated in "An Inconvenient Truth" (agreed it is a must see), one must also become familiar with the background and record on which a candidate stands (and then please do vote!).

Another way that I believe is necessary if you truly want to be represented is by publicly funding campaigns. Currently, we have multi-billion dollar corporations throwing in the lion's share of donation dollars to secure their interests. Your elected officials then are beholden to return favors. They not only receive those tax breaks that we keep hearing so much about yet don't actually see ourselves, but other more ominous privileges are often granted.

By embarking on campaign reform with funding elections by the people, we end up saving in the long run. We will save in taxes, medical expenses, etc. And we will have more of a say in what our government supports.

For more information regarding public financing of campaigns, please see:

http://www.publicampaign.org/


Remember, we're all in this together.
...

All of what I write above is in response to a very thoughtful person who wrote the following in a Yahoo Group:

I've been reading a lot about alternative fuel vehicles and polar
bears lately.

I have a lot of questions about global warming. For instance, if
bio-diesel fuel is readily available everywhere (which it really is -
I checked) and diesel vehicles run on it with no problem, and lots of
diesel vehicles are made and sold around the world, why are so few of
them available in the United States? The few that are available are
really expensive.
Also, is it true what anti-electric car people say about disposing of
them once they are wrecked or no longer usable? Are the batteries
really that toxic?
If global warming is bad and cars are a huge cause of it, why haven't
the car companies done everything they can to adapt? E85 vehicles are
not very useful if you can only buy that type of fuel on the East Coast.

We need affordable alternative fuel vehicles that the average person
can afford and access to alternative fuels at convenient locations. We
can't wait 10 years to make this happen. We need it now!
Did you know that more and more polar bears are being seen in
populated areas? And that as soon as people see them, they shoot them?
But the fact is, the polar bear environment is melting, many of them
are drowning and the lucky ones who make it to dry land are welcomed
by a shot gun.
Read more about polar bear problem and what is being done about it on
my blog:
http://www.myspace.com/angelajossyband
I know this has nothing to do with music really, but maybe you'll be
inspired to write a song about it.

Don't Break The Elastic!!

In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday.

Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older.
And, there on television, she said it was "exciting." Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts.
They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.
The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!

Maya Angelou said this:
"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."
"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."
"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life."
"I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as "making a life."
"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."
"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."
"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision."
"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."
"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.
People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."
"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Gregarious guru just for guys? - Will you speak out against this?

This is intolerable. It wouldn't be allowed to take place if this attack was launched on any other group of people.
. . . . . . .

Gregarious guru just for guys
http://www.thenewstribune.com/ae/story/5208048p-4733089c.html

You’re here doing “Boys Night Out.” What’s that all about?

It’s a theme show kind of along the lines of Blue Collar Comedy Tour or The Original Kings of Comedy. The theme is that it’s comedy by guys for guys only. Women are not invited to this event. You legally can’t keep women out … but we encourage them to stay at home. This is comedy that is specifically aimed at guys, and it is politically incorrect to the max. I’m emcee of this show, and I say the things onstage that I would say on the air if I could get away with it.
..

So what’s going to happen? How do you enforce the “no women” rule?

The comedians are on the lookout for women in the audience. And they and the men who are too (wimpy) to keep the women out … will be brutalized verbally by the people on stage. So go on ahead. Come on in. But you’re going to be meat for the lion.
..

So what’s going to happen? How do you enforce the “no women” rule?

The comedians are on the lookout for women in the audience. And they and the men who are too (wimpy) to keep the women out … will be brutalized verbally by the people on stage. So go on ahead. Come on in. But you’re going to be meat for the lion.

. . . . . . .

Here is my letter to the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, WA.

Dear Mr. Ferguson,

I would like to express my feelings of disappointment over your choice in booking Tom Leykis into your establishment as an avenue to propogate his hatred and misogyny towards the female population. I wonder if you would offer the same hospitality to a person or party that sends a similar message regarding race or religion? Would you book a Neo-Nazi or Ku Klux Klan rally into your venue? I find the sentiment and behavior that is directed by Mr. Leykis to be no less damaging or dangerous than that of the above mentioned groups. Why is it more acceptable when the assault launched against a group of people are women?

I would hope that, in the future, you would consider what you are tarnishing the beauty of the beloved Paramount Theatre with and note that it is cherished and supported by all segments of the population. The revenue that it brings in is furnished by women as well and the message that we are not welcomed and will be abused upon entry is not only socially irresponsible, but fiscally irresponsible as well.

I welcome your response and look forward to hearing from you soon.


Sincerely,

(name removed) - tkelly

Contact the Paramount Theatre and let them know what you think:

http://www.theparamount.com/

206.467.5510 ext 150

Contact The News Tribune

Letters to the Editor

Write to:
The Editor
The News Tribune
PO Box 11000
Tacoma, Wa. 98411
Fax: 597-8451
You can also send letters via email at letters@thenewstribune.com or submit them online with this form: click below
https://secure.thenewstribune.com/opinion/letters/.

The original story
http://www.thenewstribune.com/ae/story/5208048p-4733089c.html

But What Can I Do? The Power of One.

Hello,

With the heartbreaking stories of the devastation coming out of the Gulf Coast, I'm sure we are all feeling helpless. Many have given monetary donations and, hopefully, will continue to do so. But so many of us are unable to give what we consider to be an adequate dollar amount as we are stretched ourselves at the increasingly elevating cost of living and are asking, "what can I do to help?".

Here are a few suggestions. One of the many precious luxuries that those of us outside the storm ravaged and flooded areas have is the ability to communicate. By the very fact that you are reading this means that you have access to the internet. I'm willing to bet that you probably have a working telephone as well. Some of you even have free long distance. You are able to reach out to those who have the means to do something to alleviate the suffering of those in need. Among those you may want to contact are hoteliers. As the events of this past week have shown, football stadiums, which may provide an instant roof over the heads of thousands, were not designed to house people. I'm sure the Hiltons, et.al., could afford to open a few doors to those left homeless.

Another would be cruise ships. They are in a unique position to simultaneously evacuate and provide temporary housing. Interestingly, while I was on the telephone yesterday to Carnival Cruises, they literally updated their web site with the news report that they would be halting the sailing of 3 of their ships to be used in rescue attempts in the Gulf. Of course, this may have been done not entirely of their own volition as they are receiving funding from FEMA, nonetheless, they are doing so. Although they are stationing them in Galveston, and will still need help with embarkment. This was the only cruise line I found to be making a concerned effort. In fact, while all others were pretty much of no help due to the fact that the higher-ups were on Holiday weekend, they were very amiable. Unlike Holland America, whose corporate offices are right here in Seattle. The woman I spoke to demanded to know my name, whether or not I was with the press, and what organisation I was from. Sad, indeed, that a plea would be construed as an attack.

Something that is also very important is that you contact your local representatives and ask them to assist in every way possible. This would include in the rebuilding of the areas affected and that they insist on using the labor of local people so that they can put their lives back together and get their economy flowing. Don't allow them to call in Halliburton and their subsidiaries so that they can continue to prosper off of the anguish of others. You can do this by contacting:

http://www.congress.org

If you can afford the postage you may also want to print out your letters and mail them. Remember how impressive the huge pile of mail on the judge's desk on "Miracle on 34th Street" was? Made you believe in Santa Claus, didn't it?

Also, if any of you are bloggers, you may want to post these and any ideas you may have. I think we've all come to know how powerful these web logs have become.

Thank you for bearing with me and understanding that this is the problem of the entire nation and that we all have a duty to do what we can. We are all vulnerable, whether it be to natural or man-made disaster, or enemy attack. We need to know that we will be able to rely on each other and, hopefully, next time in an expediant manner.


Sincerely,

TKelly