Incivility

Joe Wilson, a protege of the late segregationist Strom Thurmond, disrupts an address by the President to a joint session of Congress by yelling "you lie" and then becomes a hero to the crazed Republican base, taking back his initial apology and raising big bucks for his campaign from like-minded disgruntled supporters. 170+ of Wilson's fellow Representatives refused to vote to censor the guy. Kanye West jumps on stage in the middle of Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the Grammy awards to denounce her win. The President calls West a jackass (although it was supposed to be off the record). Mercy! Am I just old-fashioned or has this uncontrolled public behavior gotten completely out of hand? I am even more worried about the undisguised racism exhibited at the tea bag party in DC where there were signs suggesting that "next time" the participants would come armed and dangerous to "take back our country." What does that mean? It can't be good. Are we at the brink of another civil war here? Certainly there is already a war against civility.

Teabaggers in DC

Why weren't the huge protests against the Iraq war covered as well as these corporate-organized birthers, deathers, and all-arounde Obama haters? There were far greater numbers of people in the streets trying to stop the Bush war machine, but they might as well have been invisible to major news outlets. At least we have Ed Shultz, Keith Olberman, and Rachel Maddow attempting to counter some of this coverage of faux astro-turf nonsense. I am sure there are frightened people out there, but it is the politicians and corporate interests who are making hay out of that fear who should really be highlighted. Let's hope Obama can stick to his guns in spite of all this noise. All those who realize we must quickly get "health care for everybody" need to make our own voices heard above it.

All Right, Obama!

Ok, so he's my guy again after he came out punching in his speech to Congress, FINALLY seeming to really get behind a public option, although it is still a little confusing exactly how it is going to work. Congressman Wilson who yelled out "you lie" just delighted me because it exposed the Repubs for the extremists they have become. It just might be the gift that keeps on giving for the Dems efforts at health care reform.

Cast in Emmy Award Winning Series Breaking Bad

I am back in the acting business again. I will be seen this fall as one of the bingo ladies in an early episode. I guess the bad guys do some bad things, but don't know if I will be one of the "victims" or not. It has been over a decade since I even auditioned for anything. Hadn't planned to dive back in, but they took a photo when I went in with my son to an open casting call. Yet another possibility for staying active in retirement: audition for a TV show!

Happy Labor Day!

American workers are in peril due to unemployment, the high cost of health insurance, disappearing jobs. Fear pervades the country right now. Trust in government is minimal because here in the USA, corporate interests always dominate over those of the needs of the people. Under the constitution, we are supposed to pass laws to benefit the common good, but that so seldom happens these days, it is very easy to manipulate these fears. If Obama gets a good health plan through, in spite of his missteps so far, and we can all be treated just like seniors and veterans are now without complaint from rational people, particularly those who benefit from those programs, health care for all will become an accepted reality. This would benefit the country enormously; it is long overdue. If he just tinkers around with the current system, the entire economy is in danger of falling apart. It's hard to be optimistic this Labor Day, 2009 but I am trying to visualize the best possible outcome. Obama should say like Roosevelt did in the 1930's: We have nothing to fear but fear itself, and lay out a bold plan for our recovery.

LOL: Facebook Post from a Friend In Texas

An old pal of mine from our Methodist Sunday school days took exception to my calling the secessionists on the steps of his capitol city "crazy," and chose to remind me that some "nice" people still live in Texas, including him. So I started listing some of my favorite Texans (Molly Ivens--may she rest in peace, Jim Hightower, Kinky Friedman.) He then asked on my Facebook page, "So you don't like the "crazy" Texans but you are fine with the "kinky" ones?"

Obama Should Not Take Progressives for Granted

I will be one of those listening to Obama's speech on health care. If he fails to lead on the most important issue of our time (which has been on the table since the TRUMAN administration, for heaven's sake), I will feel I have no choice but to support a genuinely progressive candidate in the next election. There are numerous Labor Day rallies and another national one on September 13th. We all have to join in and make our voices heard. This may be our last chance to get this done.