Kindle Sets Records

Amazon has reported that its Kindle (an electronic book reader) has become the most gifted item in their history.

For the first time ever, on Christmas Day, buyers purchased more Kindle books than physical books.

It appears, Sony's reader is going to end up a distant second. And Barnes and Noble's "Nook"? Many of the customers who actually wanted a "Nook" could not find one because of " availability" issues.

Is this the end of books as we know them? Confer November 23rd archived blog, "Kindle vs. 'Real' Books."

Over 30 Million Tennis Players

For the first time in over 20 years, tennis participation exceeded 30 million players. (USTA/ITA Survey). "With 30.1 million people hitting the courts, tennis participation grew 12 percent over 2008 and 25 percent since 2003." (RSI, January, 2010) Nearly 15 percent of those who identified themselves as tennis players, also consider themselves "regular players."

The reasons for this increase are probably quite varied, but one theory is: in a recession, tennis provides excellent physical activity in a competitive situation with a small financial investment. To participate, all one needs is a $3 can of balls, a tennis racquet which lasts for years and years, an opponent, a public (free) tennis court, and one can play every day the weather permits. Compared to golf, it's "no-brainer." By comparison, golf, even on a public course, is quite expensive-- not to mention the cost of equipment. In addition, a golfer must invest much more time, and in return receives much less in terms of physical exercise.

Women Religious Standing up to Vatican

According to the "National Catholic Reporter," many U.S. Catholic nuns are not answering the questions, or at least not all of the questions, being asked by the infamous Vatican study of U.S. women religious.

"Several women said canon lawyers told the women they were not required to answer all the questions. Religious, unlike bishops, priests and deacons, who make up the clergy, are not officially part of the church's hierarchical structure. According to this reasoning, women religious are responsible to their congregation leadership and to their constitutions."

One must wonder what motivates the Vatican. Why are they harassing the nuns who have dedicated their lives to following the gospels? The phrase, "control freaks," comes to mind.

And then to top it off, they are asking U.S. Catholics to pay millions of dollars to pay for this witch hunt.

Jennifer Brunner in Holiday Spirit

Although she is running for a U.S. Senate seat from Ohio, Jennifer Brunner, contacted her supporters by e-mail and suggested that instead of donating money to her campaign at this time of the year, we use that money to buy presents for family , relatives, or those in need.

A refreshing approach for a politician, but as I am learning, she is not the usual "politician."

Malodorous Gothic Cathedrals

This belongs under the category: what I learned while looking up something else.

Having grown up Catholic and serving as an altar boy for many years, I always wondered: why all the incense? I really disliked it and considered it a source of air pollution.

Now I understand why the Church used it. It seems that in the Middle Ages, personal hygiene was not a top priority, and when hundreds of people gathered in a church, the combined odors became a major distraction. Incense was the Church's answer.

I am not sure why the Church still uses it today. In fact, since perfume and cologne had a similar origin, why do we still use them today?

Mark Wagoner - Responsible Leadership

Representing one of Northwest Ohio's conservative districts, Mark Wagoner ( R., Ottawa Hills) demonstrated courage, integrity, and leadership by casting the deciding vote to delay an income-tax cut (4.2%) until 2011. This was necessary to avoid $851 million budget deficit. As Matt Szollosi (D., Oregon) said, "He was looking to do what was in the best interests of the state of Ohio and the students of our schools." During this "Great Recession" Governor Strickland has cut almost everything possible. It was either delay this tax cut or take the money from Ohio's school children. Mark and four other Republicans stood up to the plate and did the responsible thing.

Perhaps his remarks to his fellow Republicans will get their attention: "If we all were storming the beaches of Normandy right now, very few in our caucus would have gotten off the boat."

Lobbyists vs. Voters

A recent poll concludes that voters want a health care bill that includes a public option and a Medicare buy-in. 57% of Independents, 88% of Democrats, and 22% of Republicans favor that kind of bill. But the bill Americans are going to get from Congress does not include either option. Is it that the politicians do not care what the citizenry wants? Quite likely. It's not the will of the people, it is the will, and more importantly the MONEY, of the insurance/pharmaceutical industries and their lobbyists. All too often, when it's voters vs. lobbyists, it is the lobbyists who who carry the day.

I doubt that this what our Founding Fathers had in mind.

Susan Boyle

Susan Magdalane Boyle (1961-

Congratulations to Susan Boyle, a Scottish coal miner's

daughter! In November she released her CD,

"I Dreamed a Dream." In the first three weeks, it sold

over 1.8 million copies in the U.S, and will continue to

set records throughout the Christmas season.

Prior to appearing on "Britians Got Talent" last year,

her singing occurred either in church or in karaoke

pubs. Nine days after her appearance, her videos

were seen over 100 million times on the internet.

But wealth and fame have not turned Susan's head;

she still lives in the four-room family home in Balckburn.

When asked what she was going to buy herself, she

said she needed a new refrigerator and sofa.

Shame on Obama and the Dems

When the Republicans turned down a effort to allow Americans to import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada and Western Europe, the Democrats, including Senator Obama, raised all kinds of hell. Now that Democrats control the Senate and the White House, such a proposal was turned down 51-48, nine short of the 60 votes needed. The Obama administration and various Democratic senators, are now opposed to it in in an effort to curry the favor of the Big Pharmaceutical Companies who control significant amounts of money going to key legislators. Are not the interests and needs of the citizenry more important than the Pharmacuetical/Insurance cabal?

It seems the President and the Democratic leaders in Congress are more interested in getting any health care bill passed than in passing a good health care bill. If it passes, it is going to, once again, benefit the health insurers and the pharmaceutical companies, and if there is any benefit for the uninsured public, that is coincidental. Perhaps, Howard Dean, the Democratic National Chairman, is correct; this bill has been "gutted" to the point that it is not worth the effort. It's time to start over and to forget about the insurance and pharmaceutical interests and a 60 % majority. Do it this time with a 50% and forget about Lieberman and Nelson. They like the whole Republican party are obstructionists and will try to prevent any meaningful reform.

Lieberman Makes Health Care Bill an Insurance Company Bill

Thanks to Joey Lieberman, the petulant child of the Senate, real health care reform is not going to happen. Now that he has been able to remove the "public option" and the early buy-in to Medicare, the Senate Health Care Bill is worthless. It requires individuals to purchase health insurance, but allows the health insurance monopoly to charge whatever they like for said insurance. Wow! What a deal! By law you have to buy our product; and since we are a monopoly, we will charge you whatever we like. No wonder the insurance companies like Joey. Contrary to what he said to get elected, he is now taking care of his contributors. And why do the Democrats allow him to chair a Senate committee?

Lieberman: A Spoiled Brat?

When Joey Lieberman was running for the Senate in 2006 against Ned Lamont, he said: "I can do more to make health care affordable and to get universal health care insurance than Ned Lamont." But in fact, we have learned, he doesn't want health care reform or universal health care insurance. Apparently, since he was campaigning in 2006, his handlers, the large insurance companies, have told him not to go there. And Joey has been doing everything he can to prevent a "public option."

In an effort to prevent the "public option" which would have been competition for his insurance buddies, Joey suggested a Medicare buy-in for people over the age of 55. Now that the Democrats are seriously considering such a proposal, he now announces that he will join a Republican filibuster of the health-care bill--albeit, he was the one who suggested it as an alternative to the public option.

Such a flip-flop in a few months time indicates a total lack of integrity. Obviously, he threw out the "Medicare buy-in" as a diversionary tactic, and now is revealing what he is all about--being a puppet of the insurance industry. Or is it that Joey just likes being the center of attention, and he wants the Democrats to kiss his posterior? In other words, he is acting like a spoiled brat.

Like all spoiled brats, he should be spanked and sent to his room without dinner!

Chad Johnson, Chad Ochocinco, Chad Hachi Go

Most wide receivers in the National Football League have a reputation for being "divas," but the wide receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson wants to be the "diva among divas." Even when the Bengals for years were known as the "Bungals," Chad developed a whole panoply of ways to attract media attention, whether it was an ostentatious celebration in the end zone, putting the football with the goal line marker, wearing a pretentious golden blazer on the side line, or offerring an official a one dollar "bribe." It was all about attracting attention to Chad.

Then, last year he generated a ton of publicity by changing his las name to "Ocho Cinco," but because he listed the name on official documents as "Ochocinco" (one word), the NFL insisted on it being listed that way on his jersey. (But that was cool with Chad because that discussion also generated media attention.)

This season (2009), he seems to have become a team player, perhaps because the team is doing well; but now in the beginning of December, Chad has announced that he is going to change his name again, this time to the Japanese for 85, "Hachi Go." (Dugout Sports Show) It seems that Chad was not receiving enough ink, and he needed something to get the press's attention. Why not another name change? Perhaps next year he can change to "The player Formerly known as Ochocinco." (That will require 2 lines on the Jersey, and he will be delighted to be the first NFL player to require 2 lines for his name.)

I must admit that some of Chad's antics are funny; but if I were one of his teammates, I would prefer that he was a "a little" less self-centered.

Tax Wall Street Bonuses

The arrogance of Wall Street institutions is beyond belief. They screw up big time and throw our country into the "Great Recession," which could have become another "Great Depression" had not the taxpayers bailed them out. And now at the end of the year, they want to give themselves huge bonuses whereas in fact they are fortunate to have jobs at all, let alone receive bonuses on top of their already-large salaries.

Since it is the government's money they are using, it is only just and appropriate that, if they give themselves these bonuses, the bonuses should be taxed as windfall profits, if not more. The poor grocery clerk who has the good fortune to buy a winning lottery ticket is taxed over and above her normal tax, the windfall profits tax, but these guys who have been bailed out by the government insist that they should not be taxed for these windfall bonuses they are giving themselves.

And the really disgusting aspect is that apparently neither the Obama administration nor the congress is willing to step up to the plate and require such a tax.

Meanwhile, Great Britain, in a similar situation, is quite willing to tax such arrogant behavior.

"Alistair Darling, the U.K.'s Chancellor of the Exchequer -- sort of like a Treasury Secretary, but with more pluck -- announced today that he will impose an immediate, one-time 50-percent tax on bonuses of more than 25,000 pounds (about $40,800). That's on top of regular income taxes." (Huffington Post)

If our financial institutions are not forced to play fair now, they will do as they please and run rough-shod over the interests of our democracy.

NFL Costs Too Much -- For Me

After reading that the average cost of attending an NFL game for a family of four was $412.64 and season ticket holders have to purchase personal seat licenses for $2000 or more, I intended to write that the cost of attending NFL games was excessive. But, since there are obviously many fans out there who are willing to pay that much, I have second thoughts.

I would not purchase a seat license just to have the opportunity to spend more money for season tickets to sit in the second or third tier and have to watch the large screen monitors to see what really happened on a particular play. I would rather sit in the comfort of my home and watch it on HD TV. I suspect there are many fans like me, but observing sell-out audiences, I realize that many are willing to spend big bucks to be a part of the crowd.

And, if that is how those people choose to spend their money, NFL tickets are worth the cost--at least for those fans.

What Is Happening To Our Country?

The boisterous radio personality, Rush Limbaugh, uses our country's radio frequencies to hope that the President of the US fails.

But then various "Christian" preachers have gone further; they have publicly prayed for the President's death.

The mayor of Arlington, TN, goes into a racist, anti-Muslim rant on his Facebook page because President Obama was addressing the nation about the war in Afganistan, thus preventing the mayor from seeing another repeat of the "Charlie Brown Christmas" program, and oddly enough, suggesting that somehow Charlie Brown is a real Christmas character.

Where is all of this hatred and racism coming from? How can Christians pray for the death of our president? Why do Americans fear the Muslim religion? What has happened to the vision of our Founding Fathers?

Tiger's Woes Are His, Not Ours

We as a nation, at least based on the press attention surrounding Tiger Woods, appear to enjoy watching the rich and famous fall from grace. The married father of two appears to have had an affair with two women (a third one identified in the press denies such a relationship), and was beaten about his ears by his wife, Elin, with a golf club.

Tiger has admitted his "transgressions" and is seeking atonement for his "personal sins." But apparently that is not enough for the press. They want him to hang his personal dirty laundry out on the line in explicit detail. They want to ask him and his family embarrassing questions in front of TV cameras. They want TV footage for their evening news programs because they think the public loves to see the rich and famous fall, and fall hard.

But the bottom line is that it is none of our business. Tiger Woods and his family have always cherished their privacy. Their 155 foot yacht is named "Privacy." On the other hand, when it comes to golf, Tiger is more than willing to share with the public and the press, but he has always insisted on his family's privacy. He has never been like other celebrities or politicians who are eager to parade their families and their private lives onto the big stage. When he is on the big stage in golf tournaments, he belongs to us, but only as a golfer. If he screws up his private life, that is of his own making, and not any of our business.

Although the temptation is to "set the record straight," I hope Tiger and his family resist that temptation and continue to protect their privacy.

Cheney: Still in Denial

Have you noticed that Dick Cheney can't bring himself to use the phrase, "President Obama"? In fact, his usual reference, as in his most recent tirade, is to "that guy." Apparently, he still has not come to terms with the resounding results of the 2008 election.

Is this a new Low for Democracy?

Saturday, November 21, 2009, every Republican in the U.S. Senate voted against allowing a discussion of Health Care Reform on the floor of the U.S. Senate!

Almost everyone, by any accounting system, agrees that the U. S. health care system is a disaster, but every Republican senator voted against discussing the problem.

But, of course, they personally have the "Cadillac" of health care insurance--a government sponsored program--the kind of program they do not want the rest of us to access.

Kindle vs. "Real" Books

According to some, the arrival of the Kindle and e-books is going to be the end of civilization as we know it.

Please! Give us a break. I am sure that something similar was said about the Gutenberg's printing press. But, somehow we the world survived that evil technology. Then we were warned that radio would be the end of newspapers, and people would no longer go to concerts, purchase records, or attend sporting events. And then, horror of horrors, television came along and tolled the death-knoll for radio, live theater, and the cinema--all of which have since flourished, possibly because of TV.

And now, the Kindle is going to be the death of "real" books. The printing industry will be destroyed, libraries around the country will become mausoleums, librarians will be flipping burgers, and book stores will disappear except for one which will be moved to Greenfield Village next to the blacksmith's shop.

In fact, I suspect e-books and traditional paper-and-ink books will co-exist quite nicely. There is a place for both. Whereas the computer/internet made printed encyclopedias obsolete, the e-book is not going to replace paper-and-ink book anymore than radio replaced live concerts. There will always be readers who want the experience of sitting on the beach, turning pages, although, at other times, perhaps on an airplane, they will choose the convenience of a best-seller downloaded to their Kindle.

And then of course, there are children's books. It is difficult to foresee that either a parent or child would choose to read these books with their various sizes, engaging illustrations, and creative print on a Kindle.

Since the advent of the computer/internet more people than ever before are reading and writing. Let's not presume that an alternative method of reading is the end of paper-and-ink books.

US Catholic Bishops' Power Grab

According to Associate Press and Georgetown University paper, Vox Populi, the U.S. Conference of Bishops has formed a task force to examine what actions they could take to increase their oversight of Catholic colleges and universities.

Cardinal Francis George (Chicago) said the task force is researching what church law says about the bishops authority over schools.

It seems to me our bishops would be much better off serving the pastoral needs of their dioceses, taking steps to eliminate their pedophilic priests, and making an efforts to keep the Catholics we have, than trying to govern U.S. Catholic colleges and universities.

Our Catholic colleges and universities are doing just fine, thank you; they do not need power-hungry bishops snooping around their campuses.

Who Will Replace Charlie Weis at ND?

After the loss to UConn, there is no question that Notre Dame must remove Charlie Weis. Charlie's career record is 35-26, a .573 winning percentage. That's worse than the.583 percentage of the previous ND coaches, Ty Willingham and Bob Davie.

And this time, Notre Dame has to get it right. They need to find another Lou Holtz--somewhere. Perhaps in Cincinnati. Brian Kelly has worked wonders with Central Michigan and the Cincy Bearcats. Of course, he can't even think about ND until the bowl games are completed. Some are suggesting Bob Stoops. Perhaps. Other suggest Urban Meyer. Not likely, since ND "low-balled" him last time around. Stanford's coach, Jim Harbaugh, a former Michigan quarterback, is considered by many to be the "hottest" coach around; but of course, he says he is staying where he is--how many times have you heard that line?

Since other schools like nearby Northwestern are out there beating the bushes, presumably ND realizes Charlie's ship has sailed and is already searching for a new captain.

As in Soccer, So in Life

Wednesday (11/18/09) evening France defeated Ireland in extra time in the World Cup qualification playoff series. France's Thierry Henry deflected the ball to William Gallas who scored. The only problem was that the whole world saw that Henry clearly brought down the ball with his hand inside the penalty area. The other problem was the official did not see the infraction and allowed the goal, sending Ireland home for another four years and France on to World Cup competition.

Most agree that Ireland outplayed France for much of the second leg; nevertheless, just as in 2006, they will fail to qualify. Although, after the game Henry admitted that he used his hand, it's up to the official to make the call.

Ireland filed an appeal, and many thought the match should be replayed, but the Federation ruled that the result was final. A similar situation occurred in the 1986 World Cup. Diego Maradona scored the "infamous Hand of God" goal which gave Argentina a victory over England. Just as in other sports, the officials are an integral part of the game as are their mistakes.

It's much like life itself; mistakes are made, but we do not get to go back and have a "replay".

On the other hand, technology in the form of video replay would have rectified this mistake. Perhaps, in the future, soccer should make use of technology in order to assist officials who are not able to make the correct call.

More Welfare for Corporate Executives

For years, Corporate America underfunded employee pension plans, and eventually we, the government, i.e. taxpayers, were forced to take over the shorted funds.

But now we learn that, in the years prior to government takeover, these corporations cut benefits for retirees by as much as two-thirds while their executives got salary increases, retention bonuses, and other pay in the many millions of dollars. "One airline company missed $979 million in required pension contributions while its top three executives took $55 million in compensation, and another paid four executives $120.4 million amid two bankruptcies." (GAO Report in Bloomberg News Service)

"It is fundamentally wrong that executives were able to line their pockets with millions of dollars from bonuses, stock options, and free joyrides on corporate jets while watching their workers' retirement security slip into peril," Rep.George Miller ( D, Calif.) observed.

Once again, Coporate America was screwing U.S. employees by imperiling their retirement while at the same time paying millions of dollars in bonuses to executives who were not doing their jobs. Sounds like welfare for the rich.

US Chamber of Commerce Opposes Rape Victims

You probably heard this story four or five years ago, and presumed that justice had been done. Unfortunately, justice is still being denied.

Jamie Leigh Jones, in 2005, was employed by a private contractor in Iraq when she was gang-raped by her fellow employees. Since the rape took place in Iraq, she could not file U.S. criminal charges and she cannot file a lawsuit in the U.S. because of fine print in her contract.

Fortunately, the injustice of this situation is being addressed by Congress, but now the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is fighting it. The Chamber has gone so far as to say that it would set "a dangerous precedent" to allow rape victims into court.

Is it any wonder that responsible companies like Proctor and Gamble are withdrawing their membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce?

Drug Lobby Manipulates Congressional Puppets

I guess it is no surprise to learn that lobbyists are paying congressmen not only what to think, but also telling them what to say.

Consider the following example:

"“One of the reasons I have long supported the U.S. biotechnology industry is that it is a homegrown success story that has been an engine of job creation in this country.” This written statement by Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina on the health care bill was identical to one by Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer and used language suggested by lobbyists." (NYT, 11/14/09)

The NYT goes onto say : "Genentech, a subsidiary of the Swiss drug giant Roche, estimates that 42 House members picked up some of its talking points — 22 Republicans and 20 Democrats, an unusual bipartisan coup for lobbyists."

We knew the the drug industry was throwing tons of money at these congressmen, but we did not suspect that they were allowing the lobbyists to tell them what to say, word-for word. Is this what our democracy has come to? A bunch of puppets being manipulated by big business puppeteers. Why am I thinking--Miss Piggy?

Sarah Palin's Book of Whines

Sarah Palin, in a ghost-written book, "Going Rogue," blames her disastrous campaign on John

McCain's aide, Steve Schmidt. She was not the problem; it was the campaign's fault.

One of the best comments on Palin's book is that of "MountainPenelope" in the HuffingtonPost.

"MountainPenelope"

Still whining a year later Sista Sarah?

If this woman weren't so pa.the.tic, it would be funny.

The one secret she had to hide was a D in a college course?

She 'had' to get married. Her son went into the military to escape j.a.i.l. Her 'abstinence-only' trained teenaged daughter was pre.gnant. Her husband is a member of a separatist movement. The very house she lived in was mysteriously built with materials provided by the same folk who were building the Wasilla sports complex. She entered office in a Wasilla that was on sound financial footing and left them $20 million in debt...

None of those things bother her?

Thanks America for electing Obama."

FDA: Time to Ban BPA

Every time you drink from a plastic container or eat canned food, you may be exposing yourself and your family to a chemical (Bisphenol A or BPA) that has been linked to breast cancer, prostrate cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Since pregnant women, babies, and small children are most vulnerable, it is especially despicable that BPA is found in many baby bottles, sippy cups, and baby formula cans. While consumer groups are petitioning the FDA to ban BPA in all food and beverage products. the large chemical companies are fighting such a ban--BPA is one of the most produced chemicals in the world.

And to make matters worse, there is no need for BPA!

Although there are some technical questions about the cancer studies, the bottom line is that BPA is injurious to human health. As quoted in the NYT: “When you have 92 percent of the American population exposed to a chemical, this is not one where you want to be wrong,” said Dr. Ted Schettler of the Science and Environmental Health Network. “Are we going to quibble over individual rodent studies, or are we going to act?”"

NCAA Football: Forget Excessive Celebration

On a typical autumn Saturday afternoon, a young college football player makes a great play and scores a significant touchdown in a significant game. He raises his fist in celebration or in his exuberance chest-bumps a team mate--a college athlete enjoying the moment. But then Scrooge in the uniform of a NCAA official arrives, throwing a flag--EXCESSIVE CELEBRATION PENALTY.

Until the NCAA can define "excessive celebration" in a fashion that every player recognizes, the penalty is a subjective call by an individual official. In fact, on a particular Saturday afternoon, the vary same action may be a penalty in one game, but not in another.

And what is the problem with players celebrating? Why is this a penalty?

"In-your-face" taunting is offensive and deserving of a penalty, but players celebrating a significant touchdown is not.

The NCAA should allow young college players to celebrate a significant touchdown if the celebration is not an "in-your-face" exhibition. In that case, both the players and officials will know exactly what constitutes a violation.

Inconvenient Truths for GOP

On a day on which the House Republicans rallied with their "Teabaggers" in front of the Capitol, they were confronted with some inconvenient truths (my apologies to Al Gore):

1. Both the AMA and the AARP voiced their support for the Democratic health care plan. Immediately, Eric Cantor (R-Virginia) attacked both groups and their integrity.

2. Alan Grayson (D-Florida) gave a speech on the floor of the House in which he quoted the Harvard Study that reported 44,789 Americans die each year because they have no health insurance. When Mr Grayson began listing how many constituents die in each Republican District due to lack of health insurance, House Republicans spent over an hour trying a variety of procedural moves to stop him. After the delaying tactics, he was able to finish his speech.

3. The Polls indicate the American people favor health care reform.

These facts are quite inconvenient to a party trying to maintain the status quo.

John Boehner's Boner

Are we surprised that John Boehner (R-Ohio) does not know the difference between the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution?

But that's okay; John is a conservative congressman. Thank God he is not an immigrant. If he were, he would not be able to pass the citizenship test.

Chrysler Turnaround?

At Chrysler Headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, company executives explained how they expect to move from bankruptcy to profitability in five years, and apparently the Jeep brand is going to be a significant factor in that turnaround. The plan calls for boosting Jeep sales by 60% in that time.

Unfortunately, there are no plans for new products. The nearest indication of anything new is a "major modification" of the Wrangler in 2010. The Nitro may be "refreshed" in 2012, and the Liberty is scheduled for "a refresh" in 2010.

"Modification" and "refresh" sound to me much like "more of the same." I suspect the purchasing public is not going to be too excited by that prospect.

Perhaps Sergio Marchionne, CEO of both Chrysler and Fiat SpA, has a few tricks up his sleeve, but it will need to be more than "refresh" and "modification." Even if they have nothing "new,' they could, at the very least, make a concerted effort to improve quality.

Senate Fails to Appoint Judges

In an unprecedented effort to thwart the will of the people, the conservatives in the U.S. Senate have blocked nearly every Obama judicial nominee. They are using "the single senator anonymous hold" procedure to deny dozens of Obama judicial nominees an up-or-down vote.

The question is: why is Harry Reid allowing this? Why are Obama's nominees not receiving the same treatment the majority Democrats gave George Bush's nominees?

Since the conservatives can not sustain a filibuster, Mr Reid should force an up-or-down vote, treating the Obama's nominees the same way they treated Bush's nominees.

St. Augustine on Travel

St. Augustine extolled the value of travel when he wrote: "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."

The NFL Myth

For years there seemed to be some truth to the NFL's claim that "on any given Sunday" a lower-ranked team could defeat a higher-ranked team. For the last several years this propaganda has had no relation to reality at all. The Detroit Lions will not defeat the Minnesota Vikings this season. Everybody knows that, and we also know that the score is not going to be close. CBS, Fox, ESPN, and the NFL all know that the "on-any-given-Sunday" line is bull crap, but they would like for us to think it is still true, even though they have the statistics to demonstrate the fallacy. Not only are the fans not likely to see an upset, they are not likely to see a close game. The margins of victory have continued to increase steadily over the last several years.

Why then would fans invest 3 hours of their Sunday afternoon to watch less than 1 hour of actual football, all the while knowing which team will win? Why do fans pay big bucks to attend NFL games? The fans of winning teams probably enjoy watching their teams win, even though it is a foregone conclusion. Why do fans of losing teams attend or watch NFL games? The answer to that is football's dirty little secret: either 1) the fans are gambling on the game and their only interest is to cover the spread, or 2) they are involved in a fantasy football league and are interested, not in a team's success, but in an individual player's success.

The NFL has to be thankful that so many of us gamble on football or are playing fantasy football, because their product is not what it used to be.

No Thanks, Howie Long

It is amazing that General Motors is still using Howie Long in its auto/truck commercials. The guy comes across as an arrogant, self-centered bully. I suspect GM has some quality products, but if they want to identify themselves with Howie Long, I would not choose their company. On the other hand, I suppose that he does appeal to immature, self-centered, nineteen-year-olds.

Quotes of Note

"Small minds have always lashed out at what they don't understand. There are those who create ...and those who tear down. That dynamic has existed for all time." Dan Brown, The Lost Symbol,

p. 503.

Another Attack on Free Speech

Contrary to what one might expect, The United Nations Human Rights Council, with the support of the Obama Administration, agreed to recognize exceptions to free speech for any "negative racial and religious stereotyping," sometimes referred to as "blasphemy laws." These laws would criminalize speech that denounces or attacks religious values or institutions. (Jonathan Turley, USA Today, 10/19/09)

Free Speech is the of bedrock of democracy. The fact that someone's religious sensibilities are offended by my opinions should not make me a criminal. This country was founded on the belief that its citizens are free to criticize and question leaders and institutions, including religious ones.

Why is it that so many people are so willing to curb free speech? Why should religion and race be exceptions to free speech? Who defines a "religion"? Who defines "blasphemy"? Are not such exceptions just another form of censorship? Why do religions need protection from criticism or satire? If I find someone's speech uncomfortable or inconvenient, do I not have options other than calling for censorship. If it is a crime to criticize a religion, is it also a crime to criticize a religious leader?

A Power Grab by Large Agribusiness

Vote NO on Ohio Issue 2 to stop the corporations who operate huge factory farms from writing the regulations which control their operations. They are asking us to vote for this constitutional amendment under the guise of "food safety," while in effect it would become a classic case of the fox guarding the hen house.

To make matters worse, Issue 2, if passed, would become a permanent change to the Ohio Constitution. It would create the Livestock Care Standards Board which would have unlimited power to set standards for the care of livestock and poultry.

As we already know, agribusiness favors huge factory farms in which animals are raised in cages--a situation that fosters the spread of diseases which in turn requires the over-use of antibiotics--leading to resistance in animals and humans. In addition, the large amounts of manure generated pollute the water and the air. And, of course, the smell is another matter.

Small farmers as well as environmental groups are opposing this issue while the large agribusiness corporations are spending tons of money to assure its passage.

Even if one has no problem with factory farms, this is something that should not be imbedded in our State of Ohio Constitution.

Quote of Note

"There is more to life than increasing its speed." Ghandhi

Nobel Literature Prize

Congratulations to Herta Mueller, German author persecuted by the Romanian Ceausescu regime for her depiction of life behind the Iron Curtain, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

The voice of freedom somehow makes itself heard.

A Nation's Character

"To judge the content of a nation's character, look no further than its health-care system."

"All other industrialized democracies guarantee health care for everybody - young or old, rich or poor, native or immigrant."

"22,000 Americans die each year because they lack insurance; likewise, the U.S. is the only developed nation where medical bankruptcies occur."

Newsweek, 9/21/09

You Go, Sonia!

Not that this will surprise anyone, but it's worth noting: on her first day hearing a case on the Supreme Court, Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked more questions of the attorneys than Justice Clarence Thomas asked in several years. (McClatchy News)

In February, 2008, AP reported that Clarence Thomas had gone 2 years and 144 cases without speaking up during oral arguments. But then, why should he ask questions or pay attention to oral arguments, Justices Roberts and Alito will tell him how to vote later.

Thank you, President Obama, for giving our country a real Supreme Court Justice

Quote of Note

"...every vote against the public option is a vote for the insurance companies..." Shepard Smith of Fox News talking to John Barrasso (R-Wyo) on 9/7/09.

Yes, that's correct; he is on Fox News.

The Not-so-friendly Skies

Why are airlines charging more while the cost of fuel is decreasing? Answer 1: to make more money. Answer 2: because they can get away with it.

How are they doing this? By using a system of surcharges -- a system they discovered when fuel prices were increasing.

We all know about surcharges for checked bags, extra leg room, pillows & blankets, but now they have come up with a new one--a surcharge for holiday flights. At first it applied on just three or four days, but now they have expanded it to THIRTEEN days.

Soon there will be a seat-belt surcharge.

The Party of "No"

As has been observed many times, the GOP's strategy is to oppose any healthcare plan supported by Democrats. And, on the other hand, they have offered no serious healthcare proposal of their own.

As Alan Grayson (D-FL) remarked in reference to the GOP healthcare proposal, their plan is: "Don't get sick, and if you do get sick, die quickly."

They say they introduced 37 healthcare bills, but when questioned, GOP legislators don't know what is in these bills. They do not want to fix the healthcare mess; they like it as it is.

Toledo Botanical Garden

Ken Burns Does Parks

In case you missed it last night (9/27/09), PBS broadcast the first of Ken Burns' series on our National Parks.

The two-hour show was typical of his previous documentaries, very informative and thorough; however, what fascinated me was the HD color photography. I would have been willing to watch it without sound.

But, since I did listen to the commentary, I learned that the United States was the first country to create national parks to preserve some of nature's greatest treasures for the use and enjoyment of all its citizens.

Last evenings show was primarily about Yosemite and Yellowstone parks and the life of John Muir. Future shows will examine our other National Parks--a concept once described as: "our best idea."

Senator Kyl's Self-interest

Recently, while the Senate was discussing health care reform, Sen. Jon Kyl, Republican from Arizona, said: "I don't need maternity care."

Senator Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat from Michigan, replied: "I think your mom probably did."

Senator Kyl's remark seems to indicate: "I don't want anything in a health care system that provides only for women's health needs. If it doesn't benefit me: I don't want it included."

I must be old-fashioned because I believe as my parents did that elected politicians were to serve the common good, the good of all citizens, not just those who are wealthy, white, and male.

Hiding the Front Page

Daily newspapers, The Toledo Blade being one, have adopted an advertising gimmick that consists of part of an ad page covering the left hand side of the front page. The reader has to remove or fold back this in order to see the lead story.

I and others with whom I have discussed this find such advertising very annoying. So much so that I immediately remove it, crumple it up into a ball and throw it in the recycling bin. Furthermore, I am not the least inclined to take notice of what is being promoted.

In an era when newspapers are struggling, it appears to be self-defeating to employ a practice which 1) conceals part of the front page, and 2) annoys the readers and subscribers.

Quote of Note

"...better an imperfect peace than a perfect war."

Shimon Peres, Israeli President, 9/23/09

Health Insurance Monopolies

It is not surprising that the health insurance companies do not want to complete with a "Public Option"; they do not compete with each other. They have no history of competition. They are exempt from antitrust regulations that apply to almost every other industry. While their CEOs and supporters carry on at great length about the virtues of capitalism, the companies enjoy an exemption from capitalist competition. Is it any surprise that health insurance is too expensive for forty per cent of us? Or that health insurance companies have generated, in recent years, profit increases of 400%.

Senator Patrick Leahy has introduced legislation that would eliminate this outdated exemption and force health insurers to compete fairly. If you agree with him, now is the time to encourage your senators to support Senator Leahy.

Facebook | Jacqui Flipse's Photos - Wall Photos

This is an amusing photo I found on Facebook. You may have to look closely or enlarge.

Facebook | Jacqui Flipse's Photos - Wall Photos

Quote of the Day:

James Carville, recalling a Republican heckling the President of the US, the strategy of disrupting Town Hall meetings dealing with open discussion of health care reform, and the charges that universal health care is "fascism," remarked:

"Heck, if crazy were a pre-existing condition, the GOP wouldn't be able to get insurance."

David Paine: The Politicization of 9/11

Although the 9/11 Committee requested that this historic anniversary be celebrated as "A National Day of Service and Remembrance," The American Spectator decided that a 'day of service" was a "leftist celebration," and then the right-wing of the the Republican Party started repeating the crazy charge. Are they serious; the idea of American citizens trying to perform acts of service for their country is "leftist'? Have these people read "The Sermon on the Mount"?

David Paine: The Politicization of 9/11

Unacceptable � Rock the Vote Blog

And you thought that Republican "Dirty Tricks" ended with Nixon.

Unacceptable � Rock the Vote Blog

Hypocrisy Abounds

The Arlington Independent School District in Texas barred students from hearing President Obama speak about responsibility because it did not want to interrupt its regularly scheduled lesson plans; however, the district decided to bus its students off-campus to hear Former President Bush talk about the Super Bowl.

A school district in John Boehner's congressional district refused to allow students to view President Obama's speech, but bussed those same students to VOA Park for a "teabagger protest."

Maybe the school administrators and parents fail to recognize hypocrisy when they see it, but I am confident many of those students are intelligent enough to recognize an elephant when they see it.

Top 10 Coolest Statues in the World - Nerdabout New York : Science Channel

Sculpture is not what it used to be.

Top 10 Coolest Statues in the World - Nerdabout New York : Science Channel

Top 10 Signs You Might Not Be A Libertarian

For the consideration of those conservatives who call themselves libertarions.

Top 10 Signs You Might Not Be A Libertarian


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Phys Ed: An Easy Fix for Tennis Elbow? - Well Blog - NYTimes.com

Phys Ed: An Easy Fix for Tennis Elbow? - Well Blog - NYTimes.com

If you do not have access to a flex bar (described in the article), another method is to extend your arm forward, palm up. With your other hand, bend the fingers down toward the elbow and hold for twenty seconds. Do this several times on each arm several times a day.

Thomas Paine v. the Right's torture defenders - Glenn Greenwald - Salon.com

Thomas Paine v. the Right's torture defenders - Glenn Greenwald - Salon.com

Cash for Clunkers a Serious Success

Program generated nearly 700,000 new car sales during the past month. The most popular new vehicles purchased were the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Toyota Camry and the Ford Focus; all four built in the United States.

You Can't Go There!

Most of us believe that Americans have the freedom to travel wherever they choose; and, in fact we do--almost. We have the freedom to travel to any country in the world except for one. Now that you considered it, you probably have come to the correct conclusion that the one country you cannot travel to is one of our nearest neighbors--Cuba. The US has had a 50 year ban on Cuban travel. You can travel to North Korea or Iran (remember the "Axis of Evil"?), but you cannot travel to Cuba.

159 Congressmen and 29 Senators have sponsored the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act--a bipartisan effort to open travel to Cuba for all US citizens. The Cuban American Alliance, The Cuban American Commission for Family Rights, and Human Rights Watch have endorsed this concept.

Orbitz.com has recently launched OpenCuba.org, a website that gives citizens a method to petition their leaders to end this 50-year ban on travel to Cuba.

If you wish to support the Travel to Cuba Act, you can sign the petition at OpenCuba.org.

Music Under the Stars - Toledo Zoo

A Toledo Treasure

For years, on summer Sunday evenings, Toledoans have been gathering at the Toledo Zoo Ampitheater to listen to Sam Szor conduct the Toledo Concert Band in a series of free concerts. The concert series, known as "Music Under The Stars," draws large crowds, frequently whole families, who fill the bowl-shaped arena as they listen to the musicians on the stage of the stately band shell.

Toledoans are fortunate to have these concerts sponsored by The Toledo Symphony Orchestra along with a handful of businesses and the United Auto Workers.

The most recent performance was entitled "Clearly:U.S.A." and consisted of two hours of rousingly patriotic pieces ranging from Sousa to Andrew Lloyd Webber with commentary by Gordan Ward.

Next Sunday, July 26, will feature a program entitled "Dominant Force: Disney."

It's About Time

According to an article in today's New York Times, the Obama administration is considering the possibility of imposing regulations on those who speculate in oil and other energy commodities.

Thank God! It's about time! Everyone who has studied the wild gyrations in the cost of gasoline in the last three years has determined that the fluctuations were a result of speculator activity. The strict capitalists would like us to believe that the fluctuations were a result of supply and demand pressures, but prices were rising as supplies were increasing and demand was decreasing. So much for the forces of unfettered capitalism.

During the Bush administration, restrictions on speculators were severely mitigated and the speculators were given a free hand. Now it is time they are reined in.