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