AT LAST: SOME THINGS ARE BEING MADE EASIER BUT SOME FIGHT CHANGE

After too many recent years of things changing immediately you have made a purchase, other tasks are being made more difficult,  like getting to a real person after a telephone maze; take heart.  There are a few good changes,  For example, petitions when signed online can be directly posted to your Facebook page and the cause you believe in sent to all your friends on Facebook.  This worked for me suggested by a Service Company who found a contractor for me.  Since the contractor had done a great job,  I was happy to praise him to anyone who reads my Facebook

Thinking over the many changes that have occurred in the past couple of decades, I feel sad for those who cannot accept that the world will continue to change and the pace will even be accelerated.  Technology will continue to advance so that new products will be required by those who feel the need to stay current.While there are still people who don't own home computers, cell phones, CD and DVD players, digital cameras, they are fast becoming a developmentally arrested  minority.

The inability to change will leave some with no ability to do many things.  If it were not for phone cameras we would not have caught as many police brutality incidents and other illegal acts, nor captured pictures which would have remained images inr heads only.  At one point most of us were tied to wired telephone lines.  Now we can use the Internet or Satellite connections. The advances in making everything smaller and lighter allows us to carry more equipment on our bodies...such as phone, camera, games, GPS, photo albums, instant resources, and so much more.

The down side to it all is that every changer requires another learning curve.  You really have to pay attention because the dials and buttons are not where you were used to having them. It takes a while before new things get established in your cerebral cortex.  However, resisting learning and making the change only leads to deprivation, and being left behind the majority.  Naturally, keeping up to date by charging purchases of every new toy that comes along is not an answer either!  Everything in moderation and within your budget works the best.

OUR OWN TERRORISTS: THE SENATE REPUBLICANS

The Senate would rather see our 'first responders' die than have the top 1% of wealthy have to pay the same proportion of their income as the lower classes who barely have enough income to support themselves and the families.  The fat cats of the Senate who have the power to give themselves raises whenever they wish; who have the best possible health care; who will live off the taxpayers forever even after they leave the Senate, believe that those without jobs (because the Senate has participated in the plan to send all jobs overseas since they can buy stocks and maintain their incomes without having to have an American paycheck as such.

Jon Stewart did a masterful job of satire when he showed Mitch McConnell in tears because his friend Judd Gregg retired from the Senate, showing this video clip to four men who are dying because of their work to help at Ground Zero while the Senate refuse to offer them health care for their subsequent illnesses from it.

One can only guess at the uncaring hearts in Mitch McConnell and those who vote with him to deny basic humanity to our citizens.  It is the humanity shown by Gov Jan Brewer of Nevada who would pay $45,000,000 to the prison system while denying $5,000,000 for families with a member in need of a transplanted organ.  No, Virginia, there isn't a Republican  Santa Claus in the US Senate any longer, only selfish people trying to stay in the luxury provided to them by the taxpayers whom they treat like gnats.

How anti-American can they get?  Why is the public not enraged to the point of action...non violent, but action to spread the truth about what they are doing to our country in the areas of our land where the citizenry hears little truth?  As long as we have people being brainwashed by so much of the media like Fox News,   conservative talk radio, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, and so many.that have been spitting bile for so long, they will not be n knowledgeable about the terrorists holding our government hostage. .

THE SENATE SEEMS TO BE FULL OF RELIGIOUS WHINERS

It seems dome of the Senators don't want to work on Christmas.  Do they think that only Jews and Muslims keep the police, fire departments, hospitals, retail and grocery stores,war, and other less important functions than the Senate working on holidays...religious or otherwise?  Read what David Herzenhorn has to say about it in THE  CAUCUS.  He quotes Senator Byrd in 2004 in a statement to the Senate body.  In typical Byrd-speak, he tells of being a Christian and believing in the ten commandments, etc.  We know that the whole Senate is not Christian and that Christmas is just one day.  I think I'd rather convert to Judaism and get all eight days of Chanukah off as well and all the other religions' special days.  That, combined with vacation time would make nearly three months, counting long weekends and other times.

Rather than make a link to this speech, I have chosen to quote it in entirety for those who don't 'do links'.

Reid's office released the following statement, hitting Kyl and DeMint for "sanctimonious lectures":
"As a Christian, no one has to remind me of the importance of Christmas for all Christian faiths and families across America.
"I do not need to hear the sanctimonious lectures of Senators Kyl and DeMint to remind me of what Christmas means.
"My question is where were their concerns about Christmas as they led filibusters on every major piece of legislation this Congress.
"Senate Republicans need look no further than themselves in casting blame for the predicament we are in right now.
"In this Congress, Republicans have waged 87 filibusters. They have used every trick in the book to delay legislation.
"In 15 minutes we are going to proceed to the START Treaty. Senator DeMint is going to make us read the entire treaty, in an effort to stall us from passing it.
"Then Senate Republicans are going to make us read the bill we need to pass in order to fund the government
"These are additional days of wasted time we could be using to pass legislation and get home for the holidays.
"Yet some of my Republican colleagues have the nerve to whine about having to stay and actually do the work the American people pay us for?
"Perhaps Senators Kyl and DeMint have been in Washington too long because in my state Nevadans employed in casinos and hotels have to work hard on holidays, including Christmas, to support their families.
"Most people don't get two weeks off yet alone one week off for Christmas. And those people who are lucky enough to have a job in these trying times need to work extra hours just to make ends meet.
"So it is deeply offensive to me and millions of working Americans across this country for any Senator to suggest that working through the Christmas holiday is somehow 'sacrilegious' or 'disrespectful.'
"The path to finishing this year lies in the hands of Senator Kyl, Senator DeMint and any other Senate Republican who are trying run out the clock or run out the door without finishing the American people's business.  "If they decide to work with us we can all have a happy holiday."

Now we know why this man was chosen as Speaker of the Senate, don't we?

BEWARE: ATHEISTS ARE APT TO BE EVERYWHERE

As people have gradually grown to respect the tactics of the religious  less and less, more is being written by atheists that is bolstering the 'non-believers' to 'come out of the closet', so to speak.  I am old enough to recall the feeling that there was not a choice on a form that just listed the major religions, primarily Christianity and Protestantism, though there was probably a space to write in other.  Since I had been baptized a Christian in full infant protestation, I felt required to report myself as one.  However, as I grew up and had my doubts, I note that more and more people are questioning organized religions.

In Fort Worth, a bus has taken an ad which is annoying those who believe that God runs our lives.  It has gotten to be disturbing to some and amusing to others.  An article by James McKinley sees it as a theological backlash..

A few days ago I tuned in to radio 4 on BBC and listened to a debate between atheist Christopher Hutchins and Tony Blair, former British Prime Minister (who has started the Blair Faith Foundation.)  You may be asked to join BBC (there is no cost) to get all it offers.  If so, do it...it is well worth your time. The top menu bar with BBC logo offers several choices.  Choose Radio, then radio 4.  They have some wonderful lectures and topics being presented.

For those of us who do not feel the need to have to hear a sermon on Sundays and, instead, stay tortured by the Sunday morning political shows, it is, at times, a welcome change to hear what the Brits are featuring....

MSNBC JOINS FOX IN THEIR FALSE CHATTER

On the Dillon Rattigan Show his afternoon, a panel of people commented on the terrible part of the Health Care Bill which forces people to buy insurance against their will or face a penalty.  Those supporters of no right on the part of the government are missing a major point.  The fight is the same one that faces us about seat belt laws.  Without a seat belt you can be more seriously hurt, requiring more medical care.  Without insurance, HCRA (The Health Care Responsibility Act, enacted in 1977) , comes into effect. forcing hospitals to be reimbursed by counties or local governments, ie. the taxpayers.

While the salaries of the people who have most air coverage are probably higher than average, it is not because of their knowledge or talent.  They should realize that there is no free lunch.  If the government does not pay for the indigent (if one does not qualify as one, credit bureaus will be after them), so in the end, it still all falls to the taxpayers because if they can't afford insurance, they can't afford care usually.

Normally, the people who were on the Rattigan show, are people I have respected.  However, there is, on panels, I believe a tendency to one-upsmanship which confuses some of the other panelists, ending up with unanimous agreement rather than risk egg on their face.  This is why I dislike this type of show..I prefer the media presenters to have done their homework rather than coming on and 'winging it'.

Even if the government didn't underwrite the care, the hospital would have to boost charges to pay so they can continue to operate.  So who pays ?  Once again, the taxpayers, since few have 100% coverage for all care.
I repeat, folks, there IS NO free lunch.unless you are getting a tax cut for being in the richest 1% of our society at the moment.  I guess that might qualify.  By the way, does anyone know how Mitch McConnell got himself anointed with so much power?

THE MADOFF TRAGEDY

Psychologists can have a field day trying to diagnose family relationships in the Madoff family.  How could a father do this to his friends while pretending with his family.  It seems the 'whistle blower' in his family stopped speaking to his father two years ago. However, the world would not allow the separation.  The law and victims were out for their pound of flesh.  Mark Madoff hung himself a couple of days ago, possibly thinking they would leave his family alone.  Not so, they will haunt his grave for his father's actions.

ABC wrote:  Since his death friends and associates have come forward to say that Mark Madoff, who committed suicide, was a kind and sensitive man who doesn't deserve to have his reputation tarnished by his father's sins.   For the complete ABC article, click here.

12/2010 RANDOM HEADLINES

U.S. and Allies Plan More Sanctions Against Iran  This seems as effective as parents who discipline their teenagers by taking away their hand-held DS player.  Most  kids just go next door to their friend's house and use the DS there. 

Winner's Chair Remains Empty at Nobel Event.  There really ARE people who care not for what the neighbors say...it is just that my mother wasn't one of them.

Madoff Trustee Seeks $19.6 Billion From Austrian BankerBy DIANA B. HENRIQUES and PETER LATTMAN    Some people never get enough nor seem to learn that the cash cow has dried up.  Why would the actions of greed surprise anyone who knows she was a close friend to Madoff?

Gates Regrets Rejection of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’  By ELISABETH BUMILLER Published: December 10, 2010.  Once again a minority loses to a minority...and we call this 'democracy'?  We need Bill Maher in for some "New Rules'.

Abortion Rights Expected to Come Under Attack When Republicans Are in Charge in The House. posted: 12-12-10 05:42 PM  Confirming once again that the only sure thing for Humans is death eventually.

SOME OF THE HEADLINES in 12/2010

U.S. and Allies Plan More Sanctions Against Iran  This seems as effective as parents who discipline their teenagers by taking away their hand-held DS player.  Most  kids just go next door to their friend's house and use the DS there. 

Winner's Chair Remains Empty at Nobel Event.  There really ARE people who care not for what the neighbors say...it is just that my mother wasn't one of them.

Madoff Trustee Seeks $19.6 Billion From Austrian BankerBy DIANA B. HENRIQUES and PETER LATTMAN    Some people never get enough nor seem to learn that the cash cow has dried up.  Why would the actions of greed surprise anyone who knows she was a close friend to Madoff?

Gates Regrets Rejection of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’  By ELISABETH BUMILLER Published: December 10, 2010.  Once again a minority loses to a minority...and we call this 'democracy'?  We need Bill Maher in for some "New Rules'.

Abortion Rights Expected to Come Under Attack When Republicans Are in Charge in The House. posted: 12-12-10 05:42 PM  Confirming once again that the only sure thing for Humans is death eventually.

 

 

 

 

EVEN WHEN IT IS WITHOUT DOUBT THE EMPEROR WEARS NO CLOTHES, SOME REFUSE TO BELIEVE IT

The financial crisis extends over the entire world.  England is in as much, if not a worse mess, that the US. Protests against the tripling of tuition fees are turning violent.  People of the world failed to heed, in the past 10-12 years , "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." 

The problem can be laid at the feet of those who want their government out of their lives and wanted less regulation by the government.  If there had been competent regulators doing their job, the Ponzi scheme would not have made it to the remarkable proportions that it reached.  Bernie Madoff's son committed suicide yesterday.  That makes clear that the sins of the father are often wished on the son.  As a country, we have brought forth suggestions to privatize social security, for example, using the analogy of government as parents and American citizens as sons.

In my own simplistic logic that would not serve the people but would make the rich richer.  Since not all Americans study how to best invest their money, they will either not invest it if it is not taken from them, ot they will make brokerst. invest it for them, thus costing far more than having the government do what it is been doing for many years now.  Those who have the discipline to save for themselves can certainly freely continue to do so.  Nevertheless, it is either stupidity on the part of our legislators or greed that makes them continue to use this kind of logic.to describe what is really a scam they know will not work.

Technological advancements have made our society so much better in so many ways, but it is also destroying us by its usage.  More time and emphasis is given to Fox News and other liars of the world than to honest and accurate information.  Some people, those who believe that the World Towers were a plot executed by our government, that Obama is not a citizen of the US, and other conspiracy theories, have been brainwashed easily since most of them a prejudiced and bigoted to begin with.

Last October, Bernie Sanders spoke on Face the Nation.  Watch a reply.