Yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced a health care plan that would include a public option, but which would also allow states to opt out of said public option if they so choose.
Why do I have the sneaking suspicion that the states that would opt out are the ones with the citizens who most need the program?
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Walkway Over the Hudson
This past Sunday, I did what thousands of other Hudson Valley residents did: I took a trip on the Walkway Over the Hudson. I walked from Poughkeepsie to Highland and back, covering almost 2.5 miles, and it was quite the experience. When it came to the old railroad bridge, I think revitalizing it was the best idea, especially considering it would have cost more to tear the bridge down. I do, however, need to bring up a couple of points:
First, there are no emergency call boxes on the bridge. There are signs that give emergency numbers as well as signs discouraging people from committing suicide, but a person in distress should not be kept from help by their lack of a cell phone. There should direct line emergency boxes like you find on many other bridges, or even on many college campuses.
Second, I found that there are a lack of benches for sitting. What happens if you need to rest, or have a sudden health problem? Grab some cement? And since it is a park, what if you want to sit and read? Do I have to bring my own chair?
These suggests may seem small, but I think they could certainly improve the Walkway.
I just hope people use the thing.
First, there are no emergency call boxes on the bridge. There are signs that give emergency numbers as well as signs discouraging people from committing suicide, but a person in distress should not be kept from help by their lack of a cell phone. There should direct line emergency boxes like you find on many other bridges, or even on many college campuses.
Second, I found that there are a lack of benches for sitting. What happens if you need to rest, or have a sudden health problem? Grab some cement? And since it is a park, what if you want to sit and read? Do I have to bring my own chair?
These suggests may seem small, but I think they could certainly improve the Walkway.
I just hope people use the thing.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
CNN Tapes at Poughkeepsie High School
In case you missed it, the following is a post from the Poughkeepsie City School District website, PoughkeepsieSchools.org:
CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien and her production crew visited Poughkeepsie High School Tuesday, September 8, while working on a special series, “Latino in America.” CNN will feature Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch, CEO of Educational Achievement Services, in the documentary. Ms. Kickbusch was the inspirational keynote speaker at the Superintendent’s Convocation for staff.
Ms. O’Brien interviewed Ms. Kickbusch in a Poughkeepsie High classroom set up as a temporary television studio after her remarks. She even helped Ms. Kickbusch touch up her makeup before the interview, commenting “The only other person I ever did this for was President Clinton.”
Ms. O’Brien, who has a weekend home in Dutchess County, said she comes to Poughkeepsie often. The documentary which reports on the growing diversity of America will air at 8 p.m. on CNN and in Spanish on CNN enEspanol on October 21 and 22.
CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien and her production crew visited Poughkeepsie High School Tuesday, September 8, while working on a special series, “Latino in America.” CNN will feature Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch, CEO of Educational Achievement Services, in the documentary. Ms. Kickbusch was the inspirational keynote speaker at the Superintendent’s Convocation for staff.
Ms. O’Brien interviewed Ms. Kickbusch in a Poughkeepsie High classroom set up as a temporary television studio after her remarks. She even helped Ms. Kickbusch touch up her makeup before the interview, commenting “The only other person I ever did this for was President Clinton.”
Ms. O’Brien, who has a weekend home in Dutchess County, said she comes to Poughkeepsie often. The documentary which reports on the growing diversity of America will air at 8 p.m. on CNN and in Spanish on CNN enEspanol on October 21 and 22.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Hitting the Nail
Sometimes, a person hits the nail so perfectly on the head that the best thing you can do is not try to improve upon their work. The following is Bill Maher's final "New Rule" from the September 11, 2009, episode of Real Time with Bill Maher:
And finally, New Rule: Democrats must get in touch with their "inner asshole." And, no, I'm not being gratuitously crude when I say that. I refer to the case of one, Van Jones, who was the man the Obama Administration hired to find jobs for Americans in the new green industries. Hmm, seems like a smart thing to do in a recession. But, Van Jones got fired because he got caught on tape saying Republicans are assholes. And they call it news.
Now, I know that right now I'm supposed to be all re-injected with "Yes We Can" fever after the big healthcare speech. And it was a great speech. You know, when Black Elvis gets jiggy with his Teleprompter there's nobody better. But, here's the thing. Muhammad Ali also had a way with words. But, it helped enormously that he could also punch guys in the face.
It bothers me that Obama didn't say a word in defense of Mr. Van Jones, and basically fired him when Glenn Beck told him to. Just like we dropped "end of life counseling" from healthcare because Sarah Palin said it meant "death panels" on her Facebook page. Crazy morons make up things for Obama to do, and he does it.
Same thing with the speech to schools this week, where the president attempted to merely tell children to work hard and wash their hands. And "Cracker Nation" reacted as if he was trying to hire the Black Panthers to hand out grenades in home room. And, of course, the White House immediately capitulated. "No students will be forced to view the speech," a White House spokesperson assured a panicked nation. Well, isn't that like admitting that the president might be doing something unseemly? What a bunch of cowards. If the White House had any balls, they'd have said, "He's giving a speech on the importance of staying in school, and if you jackasses don't show it to every damn kid, we're cutting off your federal education funding tomorrow."
The Democrats just never learn. Americans don't really care which side of an issue you're on as long as you don't act like p*ssies. When Van Jones called the Republicans "assholes," he was actually paying them a compliment. He was. He was talking about how they can get things done even when they're the minority. As opposed to the Democrats, who can't seem to get anything done even when they control both houses of Congress, the presidency and Bruce Springsteen.
You know, I love Obama's civility, his desire to work with his enemies. It's positively Christ-like. In college, he was probably the guy at the dorm parties who made sure the stoners shared their pot with the jocks. But, we don't need that guy now. We need an asshole. Mr. President, there are some people who are never going to like you. That's why they voted for the old guy and "Carrie's mom." You're not going to win them over. Stand up for the 70% of Americans who aren't crazy. And, speaking of that 70%, when are we going to actually show up in all this?
You know, tomorrow, Glenn Beck's army of zombie retirees are descending on Washington. It's the "Million Moron March." Although they won't get a million, of course, because many will be confused and drive to Washington State. But, they will make news, because people who take to the streets always do. They're at town hall meetings screaming at the congressmen. We're on the couch screaming at the TV. You know, especially in this age of Twitters and blogs and Snuggies it's a statement just to leave the house. But, leave the house, we must, because this is our last best shot for a long time to get the sort of serious healthcare reform that would make the United States the envy of several African nations.
And finally, New Rule: Democrats must get in touch with their "inner asshole." And, no, I'm not being gratuitously crude when I say that. I refer to the case of one, Van Jones, who was the man the Obama Administration hired to find jobs for Americans in the new green industries. Hmm, seems like a smart thing to do in a recession. But, Van Jones got fired because he got caught on tape saying Republicans are assholes. And they call it news.
Now, I know that right now I'm supposed to be all re-injected with "Yes We Can" fever after the big healthcare speech. And it was a great speech. You know, when Black Elvis gets jiggy with his Teleprompter there's nobody better. But, here's the thing. Muhammad Ali also had a way with words. But, it helped enormously that he could also punch guys in the face.
It bothers me that Obama didn't say a word in defense of Mr. Van Jones, and basically fired him when Glenn Beck told him to. Just like we dropped "end of life counseling" from healthcare because Sarah Palin said it meant "death panels" on her Facebook page. Crazy morons make up things for Obama to do, and he does it.
Same thing with the speech to schools this week, where the president attempted to merely tell children to work hard and wash their hands. And "Cracker Nation" reacted as if he was trying to hire the Black Panthers to hand out grenades in home room. And, of course, the White House immediately capitulated. "No students will be forced to view the speech," a White House spokesperson assured a panicked nation. Well, isn't that like admitting that the president might be doing something unseemly? What a bunch of cowards. If the White House had any balls, they'd have said, "He's giving a speech on the importance of staying in school, and if you jackasses don't show it to every damn kid, we're cutting off your federal education funding tomorrow."
The Democrats just never learn. Americans don't really care which side of an issue you're on as long as you don't act like p*ssies. When Van Jones called the Republicans "assholes," he was actually paying them a compliment. He was. He was talking about how they can get things done even when they're the minority. As opposed to the Democrats, who can't seem to get anything done even when they control both houses of Congress, the presidency and Bruce Springsteen.
You know, I love Obama's civility, his desire to work with his enemies. It's positively Christ-like. In college, he was probably the guy at the dorm parties who made sure the stoners shared their pot with the jocks. But, we don't need that guy now. We need an asshole. Mr. President, there are some people who are never going to like you. That's why they voted for the old guy and "Carrie's mom." You're not going to win them over. Stand up for the 70% of Americans who aren't crazy. And, speaking of that 70%, when are we going to actually show up in all this?
You know, tomorrow, Glenn Beck's army of zombie retirees are descending on Washington. It's the "Million Moron March." Although they won't get a million, of course, because many will be confused and drive to Washington State. But, they will make news, because people who take to the streets always do. They're at town hall meetings screaming at the congressmen. We're on the couch screaming at the TV. You know, especially in this age of Twitters and blogs and Snuggies it's a statement just to leave the house. But, leave the house, we must, because this is our last best shot for a long time to get the sort of serious healthcare reform that would make the United States the envy of several African nations.
Friday, September 11, 2009
8
The sky was falling and streaked with blood
I heard you calling me then you disappeared into the dust
Up the stairs, into the fire
Up the stairs, into the fire
I need your kiss, but love and duty called you someplace higher
Somewhere up the stairs into the fire
May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love
May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love
You gave your love to see in fields of red and autumn brown
You gave your love to me and lay your young body down
Up the stairs, into the fire
Up the stairs, into the fire
I need you near but love and duty called you someplace higher
Somewhere up the stairs into the fire
May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love
May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love
May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love
It was dark, too dark to see, you held me in the light you gave
You lay your hand on me
Then walked into the darkness of your smoky grave
Somewhere up the stairs into the fire
Somewhere up the stairs into the fire
I need your kiss, but love and duty called you someplace higher
Somewhere up the stairs into the fire
May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love
May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love
May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love
May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love
May your love give us love
-Bruce Springsteen, "Into the Fire"
I heard you calling me then you disappeared into the dust
Up the stairs, into the fire
Up the stairs, into the fire
I need your kiss, but love and duty called you someplace higher
Somewhere up the stairs into the fire
May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love
May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love
You gave your love to see in fields of red and autumn brown
You gave your love to me and lay your young body down
Up the stairs, into the fire
Up the stairs, into the fire
I need you near but love and duty called you someplace higher
Somewhere up the stairs into the fire
May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love
May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love
May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love
It was dark, too dark to see, you held me in the light you gave
You lay your hand on me
Then walked into the darkness of your smoky grave
Somewhere up the stairs into the fire
Somewhere up the stairs into the fire
I need your kiss, but love and duty called you someplace higher
Somewhere up the stairs into the fire
May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love
May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love
May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love
May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love
May your love give us love
-Bruce Springsteen, "Into the Fire"
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
End of an Era
Last night, Senator Edward Kennedy succumbed to brain cancer at the age of 77. It truly is the end of an era as it is the passing of the last Kennedy brother. Below is a re-posting of most of my blog entry published on Friday, May 23, 2008, entitled "A Remarkable Life":
This big news in the world of politics this week was obviously the health of Sen. Edward Kennedy. His seizure earlier this week led to the diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor, and has brought into question not only his future, but also the future of the United States Senate: what will its make-up become? What direction will it take once this giant of politics is lost?
But this week's news has started me thinking about the journey that Sen. Kennedy has traveled. It truly has been a remarkable life, no matter how you view the man politically. He's a Kennedy -- a name that has been held in the highest esteem in the eyes of Americans for more than 50 years. He comes from the era of Camelot, which many of us know only through the words of history books. He has been able to stand up and stand out among a group of larger than life personalities.
People's lives fascinate me -- how long they've lived, what they've done, where they've been. Sen. Kennedy is a member of an extraordinary family, and more specifically a member of a group of three brothers that have not only changed this country, but the world as a whole (his eldest brother, Joseph, was killed during World War II). His second eldest brother John held the highest office in this land. His brother Robert was John's closest confidant, and made his own run for president. Both were cut down by the bullets of assassins, 45 and 40 years ago, respectively. That amazes me. Losing one brother in such a fashion would be traumatic enough, but losing two, and then choosing to continue to live the same kind of public, exposed lifestyle that led to their murders clearly shows the depth of commitment that Sen. Kennedy has for this country. He has served in the United States Senate since 1963 -- 45 years.
Sen. Kennedy has truly lived a blessed life, despite the trials and tribulations -- both professional and personal -- that seem to come along with the name 'Kennedy.'
This big news in the world of politics this week was obviously the health of Sen. Edward Kennedy. His seizure earlier this week led to the diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor, and has brought into question not only his future, but also the future of the United States Senate: what will its make-up become? What direction will it take once this giant of politics is lost?
But this week's news has started me thinking about the journey that Sen. Kennedy has traveled. It truly has been a remarkable life, no matter how you view the man politically. He's a Kennedy -- a name that has been held in the highest esteem in the eyes of Americans for more than 50 years. He comes from the era of Camelot, which many of us know only through the words of history books. He has been able to stand up and stand out among a group of larger than life personalities.
People's lives fascinate me -- how long they've lived, what they've done, where they've been. Sen. Kennedy is a member of an extraordinary family, and more specifically a member of a group of three brothers that have not only changed this country, but the world as a whole (his eldest brother, Joseph, was killed during World War II). His second eldest brother John held the highest office in this land. His brother Robert was John's closest confidant, and made his own run for president. Both were cut down by the bullets of assassins, 45 and 40 years ago, respectively. That amazes me. Losing one brother in such a fashion would be traumatic enough, but losing two, and then choosing to continue to live the same kind of public, exposed lifestyle that led to their murders clearly shows the depth of commitment that Sen. Kennedy has for this country. He has served in the United States Senate since 1963 -- 45 years.
Sen. Kennedy has truly lived a blessed life, despite the trials and tribulations -- both professional and personal -- that seem to come along with the name 'Kennedy.'
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Slick Willie
On Henry Rollins' live spoken word album, A Rollins in the Wry, he makes the following observation:
"...he is just like an eel in the weeds in the ocean, man. He's like an eel going through the Sargasso Sea, man. You know? He's slick and slippery; you can't get to the guy. And he's not Teflon, he's just oily. He's like a Dukes-of-Hazzard-kinda-yahoo guy, and he's getting it, you know?"
Who was Henry speaking of? Why none other than former President Bill Clinton. And though this quote was in reference to Clinton's 5-hour Monica Lewinsky testimony, I believe that the description is just as relevant today...and I mean that as a compliment. A week ago, Bill Clinton accomplished what I think was a magnificent feat: he walked into North Korea -- probably the most unstable and unpredictable country in the world -- slipped through the weeds, and walked out with Laura Ling and Euna Lee, two North Korean-convicted U.S. journalists. And this was not a covert mission. He went, he met with leaders (including the elusive Kim Jong Il) out in the open, he got it done, and he left saying, "This is how it's done, folks. Sit down and take notes."
Now, there are some who feel that Bill Clinton's meeting and photo-op with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il was a mistake because it legitimizes Kim in a way that should not be allowed. I, however, disagree. Situations like this are how things change. A world-renowned dignitary travels to the doors of an enemy with a request, and the enemy acquiesces. This could be the beginning of a whole new dialogue between our government and North Korea, and you never know what might come of that.
Slick Willie, at it again.
"...he is just like an eel in the weeds in the ocean, man. He's like an eel going through the Sargasso Sea, man. You know? He's slick and slippery; you can't get to the guy. And he's not Teflon, he's just oily. He's like a Dukes-of-Hazzard-kinda-yahoo guy, and he's getting it, you know?"
Who was Henry speaking of? Why none other than former President Bill Clinton. And though this quote was in reference to Clinton's 5-hour Monica Lewinsky testimony, I believe that the description is just as relevant today...and I mean that as a compliment. A week ago, Bill Clinton accomplished what I think was a magnificent feat: he walked into North Korea -- probably the most unstable and unpredictable country in the world -- slipped through the weeds, and walked out with Laura Ling and Euna Lee, two North Korean-convicted U.S. journalists. And this was not a covert mission. He went, he met with leaders (including the elusive Kim Jong Il) out in the open, he got it done, and he left saying, "This is how it's done, folks. Sit down and take notes."
Now, there are some who feel that Bill Clinton's meeting and photo-op with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il was a mistake because it legitimizes Kim in a way that should not be allowed. I, however, disagree. Situations like this are how things change. A world-renowned dignitary travels to the doors of an enemy with a request, and the enemy acquiesces. This could be the beginning of a whole new dialogue between our government and North Korea, and you never know what might come of that.
Slick Willie, at it again.
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