BS Bush

CORRECTION BUSH, originally uploaded by CelticWander.

President Bush and the Wingers are doing what they do best. Sliming all in their way. They are trying to slime Cindy Sheehan, but it is not working. Now, anyone who opposed the war are weakening America and not what the majority of people...since when is 54% not a majoity?

Shoot, if your 51% election win was a mandate...wtf is this?

Oh yeah, Mr. Moyer above is harming America, too. You know..he was one of the people in attendance at your speech...the one where you are taking a vacation from your vacation.

(via Kos via Atrios)

Who Said It?

"You know, I don't know about this doctrine of addaddination, but if he thinks we're trying to addaddinate him, I think that we really ought to go a head and do it...It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war...and I don't think any oil shipments will stop."

Go ahead and guess.

Yup...the stalwart of the pro-life, religious right...Pat Robertson. He said it about Hugo Chavez, Presidend of Venezuela.

An E-mail

Below is an email written to Larry Northern, the patriot who mowed over the memorial crosses at Camp Casey. The email was written by Iraqi war vet, Perry Jefferies from Operation Truth, the 2005 version of Vietnam Vets Against the War.

The email:
Mr. Northern:

I am a Veteran of the Iraq war, having served with the 4th Infantry Division on the initial invasion with Force Package One.

While I was in Iraq,a very good friend of mine, Christopher Cutchall,was killed in an unarmoredHMMWV outside of Baghdad. He was a cavalry scout serving with the 3d ID.Once he had declined the award of a medal because Soldiers assigned to him did not receive similar awards that he had recommended. He left two sons and awonderful wife. On Monday night, August 16, you ran down the memorial cross erected for him by Arlington West.

One of my Soldiers in Iraq was Roger Turner. We gave him a hard time because he always wore all of his protective equipment, including three pairs of glasses or goggles. He did this because he wanted to make sure that he returned home to his family. He rode a bicycle to work every day to make sure that he was able to save enough money on his Army salary to send his son to college. At Camp Anaconda, where the squadron briefly stayed, a rocket landed inside a tent, sending a piece of debris or fragment into him and killed him. On Monday night, August 16, you ran down the memorial cross erected for him by Arlington West.

One of my Soldiers was Henry Bacon. He was one of the finest men I ever met. He was in perfect shape for a man over forty, working hard at night. He told me that he did that because he didn't have much money to buy nice things for his wife, who he loved so much, so he had to be in good shape for her. He was like a father to many young men in his section of maintenance mechanics. They fixed our vehicles with almost no support and fabricated parts and made repairs that kept our squadron rolling on the longest, fastest armor advance ever made under fire. He was so very proud of his son-in-law that married the beautiful daughter so well raised by Henry. His son-in-law was a helicopter pilot with the 1st Cavalry Division, who died last year. Henry stopped to rescue a vehicle belonging to another unit on what was to be his last day in Iraq. He could have kept rolling - he was headed to Kuwait after a year's tour. But he stopped. He could have sent others to do the work, but he was on the ground, leading by example, when he was killed. On Monday night, August 16, you took it upon yourself to go out in the country, where a peaceful group was exercising their constitutional rights, and harming no one, and you ran down the memorial cross erected for Henry and for his son-in-law by Arlington West.

Mr. Northern - I know little about Cindy Sheehan except that she is a grieving mother, a gentle soul, and wants to bring harm to no one. I know little about you except that you found your way to Crawford on Monday night in August with chains and a pipe attached to your truck for the sole purpose of dishonoring a memorial erected for my friends and lost Soldiers and hundreds of others that served this nation when they were called. I find it disheartening that good men like these have died so that people like you can threaten a mother who lost a child with your actions. I hope that you are ashamed of yourself.

Perry Jefferies, First Sergeant, USA (retired)

Last Night

Last night I went to the peace vigil outsid of St. Gertrude's Church up in Roger's Park. Last night there were 1,625 registered peace vigils outside of churches, schools, on street corneres, parks. Last night at least 100 people were gathered at the corner of Glenwood and Hood. Tears were shed. The Holy Spirit was present.

Ginger, who's son is currently in Iraq, organized the gathering, and we opened with a couple of songs and she told us her son's story. Then the meeting was run as a quaker meeting. People spoke if moved by the spirit. One person invoked the recent Peasant revolt in China as an example of what can happen, and how the peasants did what they did at the fear of death, at least we have the bill of rights to protect our actions. Another person invoked the saints and especially the late John Paul II. Though he did not agree with all of the pontiff's postitions, the one that was most overlooked during all the news stories surrounding his death was his ABSOLUTE horror at this war. A student from Loyola brought the sad news of the murder of Brother Roger, and invoked his name and the work of Taize as an example of living for peace and justice. After her, someone spontaneously broke into the the Taize song "Jesus, remember me/When you come into your kingdom." 100+ voices then joined. An older lady spoke on behalf of the children who are loosing brothers and sisters in this war, and how the death of her brother during WWII forever changed her life. Some one offered a prayer for all the innocent victims in Iraq. Someone offered a prayer to the Creator to send the Sprit upon us and make us instruments of peace.

Ginger will be joining Cindy Sheehan in Crawford, TX this weekend and will be taking a letter of support signed by all present to her.

The winds of change are moving. These kind of actions will do much more than the loud protests (which have thier place), but this meeting was different in that the Spirit was present and working. We ended with this song:

Well, I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside.
I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield,
Down by the riverside,
I'm gonna study war no more.

I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more.

Let me close with this verse from one of my favorite songs:

Cure Thy children's warring madness;
Bend our pride to Thy control;
Shame our wanton, shelfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in sould.
Grant us wisdome, Grant us courage,
Lest we miss Thy kingdom's goal,
Lest we miss Thy kingdom's goal.

The Other War

Monday night when Mae and I got home from the Sox/Twins game we had a very cryptic message from our friend, Sherry. The message said, "I assume you have heard about 'S'. If not, stop by the [Uptown] ministry tomorrow and talk to Pastor Bob." Mae and I were trying to figure out who S was (I am not usinging his full name). She remembered he was one of the kids she worked with at the ministry.

Yesterday, she spent the day going through photos with Sherry for S's visitation and funeral this weekend. S was the victim of a drive-by shooting on Sunday. His mother, a dear friend of Mae, did not find out until 3 hours later. By the time she got to the hospital her son was dead.

Dead. 18 or 19 years old.

This is the war going on our own land. Gang warfare has taken so many lives so soon.

How can we confront this? How do we fight it?

I think a major thing that can be done is to make this news. I could not find any archival reports about this murder in any of the local newspapers.

The other is to continue the fight for civil rights. While Blacks and Latinos and other minorites have made great strides in the last 50 years, there is still much to be done. But, there is a new 'ism that is emerging. Especially in the urban areas. Classism. We have the super rich and the super poor. There is such a disconnect between the two groups that reconciliation seems impossible. We need to open our heart and minds and arms to those less fortunate than us. We need to be employing people from within our neighboorhoods instead of outsourcing jobs. We need to work to created community businesses instead of mega low marts opening up and putting all the mom and pops out of business. We need to work to developed poor areas, using people who will live there to build, union workers. We need to control housing costs.

There is so much that can come together to end this war, we just need to start.

Brother Roger Slain

Brother Roger, the founder of the ecuminical community Taize, was slain during a service yesterday.

Brother Roger and his Taize community are a strong influence in what my Christian walk has become.

This is a sad time.

Borther Roger touched so many, even Pope Benedict XVI:

Visibly shaken and speaking extemporaneously, the Pontiff said this morning that he “received very sad, terrifying news; that Brother Roger, founder of the Taizé communities, was killed in a knife attack, most likely by a deranged woman”.

“This most sad news strikes me even more because just yesterday I received a letter from him,” the Pope said, “a very moving and loving letter in which he was wholeheartedly one with the Pope and all those who were in Cologne” for World Youth Days, an event that to which he could not come because of his health conditions, but in which he was “spiritually present”.

Benedict XVI also noted that, in his letter, Brother Roger said he intended to come to Rome and that the Taizé community wanted to walk with the new Pope.

“In this moment of sadness we can only commend to the Lord’s goodness the soul of His faithful servant who has reached eternal happiness,” the Pope added.

Thank God for Brother Roger

A Mother's Eyes

There has been a good conversation going on over at Tripp's blog about Camp Casey in Crawford, TX.

For those who do not know about it, Cindy Sheehan is a mother of a KIA soldier in Iraq, Casey. She is staging a sit in at President Bush's Crawford ranch. She just want to meet with the president one on one to ask him some very important questions. "What is the nobel cause my son (our kids) died for?" and "Why did you kill my son?" She believes that the war is illegal and immoral...which it is.

She is the new face of the anti-war movement. Not the long haired radicals, but the sad eyes of a mother who lost a child for no good reason.

The discussion over at Tripp's turned to the effectiveness of such a protest. He see no use in it because the president will never meet with her, and even if he did would not take anything she said to heart...so why do it? This, I believe, is a short sited and lazy way to look at protest. (Tripp is far from lazy, but this argument is.)

I, on the other hand, believe what is going on is Crawford is one of the best things that has happened for the anti-war movement. I know, too, that President Bush will not meet with Cindy. I know that if he did he would sweep it under the rug. I have seen her being smeared by the right wing pundit class who know how to fight a war eventhough they have never been. I have seen her refute those smears with grace and love. Here is an example of an exchange that happened the other day as reported by Jodie Evans at CodePink:

The first question of the morning pool came from a young soldier who had just returned from Iraq. He was polite, addressing her as Ms. Sheehan. Surrounded by cameras he told her he was sorry for her son's death, he said he had lost many friends in the Iraq War also. "Death is a part of war and what we are doing is more important, bringing freedom to the world. Think of all the people who died for the freedom we enjoy. So your son's life is just a drop in the bucket."

Those of us standing behind the cameras gasp, but Cindy's face continued to listen to him calmly and openly. Forced by the gasp he quickly said "but I feel for your son."

At this moment Cindy put her arm on his shoulder and holding him to her side they walked out into the field together, she asked the press to give them some privacy. They honored her in a way that I have never seen before, they were still shooting photos as the 2 walked away. Cindy drew the young man close like a mother, they spoke for about 5 minutes during which the shift in his feeling was palpable. He stepped away and pulled a book he had written about his experiences in Iraq and gave it to her. Then they hugged a long deep embrace, you could see the conversation continuing.

She walked back towards us and the press as he left. Yet again, this woman had made me cry with her strength her love and her courage (oh I forgot to mention everyone else in the camp had tried to keep this young man from confronting her). As we walked back to our make shift office in Casey's camper I was pouring my heart out in awe of her, she stopped me and said "do you know what that young man said as we were hugging? He said his mother agrees with me. She told him that if he had been killed in Iraq she would have done the same thing ...and then he called me Mom."

This is the new face of the anti-war movement.

But, why do I think this protest is a good thing. I see something happening that has not happened since the war began. I see people talking about it. Really talking about it, not just lip service. No, I see and hear people talking about the wast of life. I see right wing people look begining to take off the rose colored glasses. I see the left wing people opening their arms and hugging those who need it. It see the middlle of the road people discussing it. This is what the protest is doing now. These discussions will come up again in 2006 when people go to the polls to elect members of congress. Remeber, the civil rights movement grew out of people in Motgomery, Alabama just wanting to change the way segregated seating was handled on the busses (not get rid of segregated seating, just change the was the ruels were enforced), but it grew from there to fighting for de-segrated seating to the voting rights act.

Ms. Sheehan is changing the direction of the wind. Something that has needed to be done for a long time.

Who Says?

There has been a lot of nay saying about Howard Dean and his leadership of the DNC and his courting of the Netroots community. Well, yesterday in Ohio they had a special election to fill a vacant House seat, and a repbulican won. But there are NO tears being shed by Netroots and Democratic party...well the party maybe, becausse the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee did nothing until it looked like Iraqi War Vet Paul Hackett might actually win. The Netroots were behind him from the begining raising over $30,000/day in the last week and a half of the the campaing. What does this have to do with Chaiman Dean? Well you see the 2nd District of Ohio is 70% republican. In fact the the reuslts from 1998-2004 have been about 75% for the Republican candidate and 25% for the Democrat candidate. That is why the DCCC did not give a hoot about this race. BUT, Dean's strategy is that every Republican seat in the House is up for grabs. He is giveing the power back to the states and allowing them to choose thier candidate and letting the people build the candidate. Not letting the establishment in DC pick the candidate (something they started doing in the Clintion era, and we see how good that has worked.).

So, what happend in a 70% Republican district when the people are allowed to run a campaing...The Democrat lost by less than 4,000 votes or about 4%...hell of a lot better than the 50% margins of the last elections...

This is a new democracy!

The War on Terror is OVER!!!

Dateline: According to the braintrust running our country we are no longer engaged in the war on terror. No, we are now involce in The Struggle Against Extremeism. Apparently the war on terror was not polling well. Either that or the word war was turning people off since we are not doing so well. We are, after all, used to kicking some ass and getting out and winning our wars. But now that we are engaged in a struggle, well, as Stephen Colbert says in this report from the Daily Show (hat tip crooks and liars for the link), "a struggle is something we can live with...like the weight on our hips."

This mess is going so well the damned adminstration has to re-brand it. What asses.

The Poem

This is the poem that my friend Ziggy read at our wedding.

This is for Mae.

___________________
As the sun shines in the midday sky; and
The moon makes the tide roll in; and stars
Guide the sailor to the places unknown.
You are my light.

The stones that mark the place of time:
Unmoveable; solid; They tell the story.
Staying in their spot. Unmoving: eternal.
You are my rock.

The trees that give shade to those who tire, and
food to those who hunger; shelter to the
weak, and rest to the weary.
You are my refuge.

As the water falls down the rock and
Carves it story. As it leaves its
mark in the canyon floor, and brings forth beautiful life
You nourish me.

You are my light, my rock, my refuge, and nousihment.
You guide me when I have lost my way.
You are there; solid; unmoving; endless.
You wrap your arms around me; envelop me.
You fill me in body, mind, and soul.

The endlessness of the gifts of creation;
Tell the story of my love to you.
The pieces that have been in place since the
Begining of time are the reminders of
All you mean to me.

Brother Sun and Sister Moon;
Brother Wind and Sister Water;
Brother Fire and Sister Mother Earth;
All are gifts; since the begining

With the eternity of these gifts,
I give you my all. For as long as they
Have been on earth, and for as long as they remain;
My love for you will join them: everlasting.

It Is Orfishal

Happily Ever After, originally uploaded by Si Adam.

We is Married.

I hope to have more pictures soon on Flick, but for the time being check out Si's Flickr.

The Time Has Come

Mae on the Phone, originally uploaded by CelticWander.

Aint she cute.

No, this is not a good by cruel world blog post. This is a, HEY I AM GETTING MARRIED on Saturday post.

Yup. Saturday at 4 pm the wedding begins. I am guessing about 4:15 we will officially be married. If I am timing things right, that is when the preachers release the mojo. Ain't holy mystery grand!

I have know Mae for roughly 2.5 years, 1.5 of that we have been engaged. It has been a fantastic time. Really, eventhough most of that time was 400 miles apart. I think that may even have helped strengthen the relationship.

I am excited about this. Those who konw me find this hard to believe, as I am one who usually does not show emotion outwardly. But last night I was cleaning the apartment, and I couldn't stop. Anyone who knows me knows this is a sure sign something is up. I tend to live with the Radar O'Reilly system of stuff. Piles, i like piles and i know where things are.

Any way. The next time I post I will be a married man.

Have fun everyone and be happy

Woo Woo Is Missing

Ronnie 'Woo Woo' Wickers is missing

From the MSNBC website:

WMAQ-TV

CHICAGO - Ronnie "Woo Woo" Wickers' famous chant hasn't been heard inside Wrigley Field lately.

Wickers' wife reported him missing on June 29. After this story was posted on NBC5.com, several viewers have e-mailed to say they have spotted the Woo Woo in recent days at sporting events and an Independence Day parade.

Police said they don't know where Wickers was last seen, but said this is not the first time he has disappeared.

Woo Woo was last reported missing in 2002, when he went to visit friends. Then again in 1987 when he failed to show up for the Cubs' home opener. At that time, he was working and couldn't get off.

Woo Woo has been a staple at Cubs games since the 1960s.

I hope Woo Woo is safe. I talked with him for about 10 minutes after a game last year, and he is a sweet sweet man.

New Template

What think you?

I found this Here. Lots of Free blogger freindly templates.

Peace

On A Lighter Note

Though I don't really want to see it based on its title, I will need to go see The Break Up staring Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston. You see, they are filming right outside my office for the third day in a row. I saw Vince yesterday. Ahhh...Chicago.

London Attack

London Attack, originally uploaded by greggchadwick.

I woke up this morning to the news of the attack in London. I was/am numb. The person I know who lived there moved back to the US in the past couple months. She is safe.

I sent prayers to the victims and the people who did this. All suffer in such situations. I pray for peace, daily, hourly. I pray for wisdom for leaders. I pray, it seems that is all I can do.

If you are up to it, Flickr.com has a page setup for people to send pictures of this tragedy . It is here.

It's A Girl

Cliff, Anna and Sofie have a new arrival. Stop by and wish blessings to Delaina Rose Healy and her loving family.

Hoodathunk

That a rock star would have so much pull that his/her words get twisted in a state department memo to mean the exact opposite of what the star meant. Shoot, hoodathunk the State departement would ever quote a rock star to beging with...what is this werld comin to?

A State Department release from Monday doctored remarks from U2’s Bono, twisting his quote to mean the very opposite of what he apparently believes. Here’s the State Department paragraph, two graphs below the lede [besides underlining, excerpt appears exactly as published]:

Bono, lead singer of the Irish band U2 and longtime activist for aid to Africa, echoed Geldof’s praise for President Bush as he told an American television interviewer June 26, “[Bush] has already doubled and tripled aid to Africa .… I think he has done an incredible job, his administration, on AIDS. 250,000 Africans are on anti-viral drugs; they literally owe their lives to America.”

In fact, Bono only said the latter half of that quote during his appearance on Meet the Press last Sunday. The first part — “[Bush] has already doubled and tripled aid to Africa” — is deceptively transplanted from an interview Bono did with Time magazine that Tim Russert quoted on the show, and the State Department has taken it entirely out of context. Here’s the full quote:

Question: Which of the G8 leaders do you think remains the toughest nut to crack?

Bono: The most important and toughest nut is still President Bush. He feels he’s already doubled and tripled aid to Africa, which he started from far too low a place. He can stand there and say he paid at the office already. He shouldn’t because he’ll be left out of the history books. But it’s hard for him because of the expense of the war and the debts.

In other words, Bono was relaying President Bush’s claim (which he repeated during his press conference with Tony Blair this month) that his administration has tripled aid to Africa. Yet we know Bono does not believe that Bush has tripled aid to Africa. On Meet the Press, Bono said that while Bush has made a commitment to triple aid, that will only be the case “if he follows through” on that pledge.

This blatant dishonesty is even more relevant in light of the study by Susan Rice that Brookings released this week. Rice’s analysis showed that…

…U.S. aid to Africa from FY 2000 (the last full budget year of the Clinton Administration) to FY2004 (the last completed fiscal year of the Bush Administration) has not “tripled” or even doubled. Rather, in real dollars, it has increased 56% (or 67% in nominal dollar terms). The majority of that increase consists of emergency food aid, rather than assistance for sustainable development of the sort Africa needs to achieve lasting poverty reduction.

Taken from Think Progress.

OOOO...Fun

Click the button...become one, too.

via Tripp

Why Should We Attack Thee

Let me count the ways

Yep, the above link is a list of only 9 of the reasons we went to war.

This administration can not decide why the hell we are there, so they keep changing the reason. They would not have to keep doing that if we would not have gone in in the first place.

Even that first reason we were given, seems to be made up.

I am so sick of all this shit. I was talking to a guy last night who has just finished his tour in the Coast Guard. He was telling me about his Marine buddies that are either over there now, or have recently returned. Tears were coming down this kid's face. A face which was red with anger. And eyes that were those of a person whose entire world has been a lie. He told me how his friends over there are fed up with being lied to. He told me about his friends that are over there who are so tired of living on the edge because they do not know what they are supposed to be doing. He told me about his friends who have returned, but they are not his friends who went over there. He told me about his friends that have the stare of an old man seeing his life go past him, and they are only 24. He told me about his friend who grabbed his arm and would not let go because he wanted to hold on to something that was not steel. He told me about his friends, brave Marines, who just burst into tears for seemingly no reason.

We have an arrogant president and administration that will not admit they screwed up. We have a president and administration that will not call upon us to sacrifice. I would be willing to forgo some niceties if it means people come home faster and safer. We have a president and administration that will not call those who support this war to arms. We have supportors of this war who are not willing to go and fight themselves. To them I say, put up or shut up. There are those who support this war, and yet they say they are not dumb enough to enlist to go over there. There are those who say this is God's will, but it doesn't include me.

Piss off.

[This rant was uninteded, but I guess I just needed to vent.]

Pay No Attention To The Men Behind The Microphones

Do not pay attention to what the right-wingers are calling Sen. Durbin. They (Hannity, Rush, Drudge) claim he has called out troops Nazi's. As usual, this is the right pulling comments so out of context that they make no sense. Durbin, (pdf) in a floor statement,was reading from a memo supplied by the FBI and then made some comments. If the brain trust on the right really listened to what our Senator said, they should feel ill instead of self-righteous.

When you read some of the graphic descriptions of what has occurred here [at Guantanamo Bay]--I almost hesitate to put them in the [Congressional] Record, and yet they have to be added to this debate. Let me read to you what one FBI agent saw. And I quote from his report:

'On a couple of occasions, I entered interview rooms to find a detainee chained hand and foot in a fetal position to the floor, with no chair, food or water. Most times they urinated or defecated on themselves, and had been left there for 18-24 hours or more. On one occasion, the air conditioning had been turned down so far and the temperature was so cold in the room, that the barefooted detainee was shaking with cold. . . . On another occasion, the [air conditioner] had been turned off, making the temperature in the unventilated room well over 100 degrees. The detainee was almost unconscious on the floor, with a pile of hair next to him. He had apparently been literally pulling his hair out throughout the night. On another occasion, not only was the temperature unbearably hot, but extremely loud rap music was being played in the room, and had been since the day before, with the detainee chained hand and foot in the fetal position on the tile floor.'

If I read this to you and did not tell you that it was an FBI agent describing what Americans had done to prisoners in their control, you would most certainly believe this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime--Pol Pot or others--that had no concern for human beings. Sadly, that is not the case. This was the action of Americans in the treatment of their prisoners.

How about these folks pay attention to the fact that what he was saying is that there is severe mistreatment of detainees goingon at Gitmo? How about they see that, even though, these folks down there may have hate towards our country, they are still humans? How about they stop defending and start paying attention? They should listen to what the Senator has to say:

"The President could declare the United States will apply the Geneva Conventions to the war on terrorism. He could declare, as he should, that the United States will not, under any circumstances, subject any detainee to torture, or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. The administration could give all detainees a meaningful opportunity to challenge their detention before a neutral decision maker. Such a change of course would dramatically improve our image and it would make us safer. I hope this administration will choose that course. If they do not, Congress must step in."

What really irks me about this whole situation is the fact that people from both sides of the aisle are calling for reforms, if not closure, of Gitmo, and yet, you have these ass-clowns on the right wing airwave who take any criticism of our dear leader as an attack on the very fibers that this country stands for. I wish they would open their eyes and realize that disagreementand opposition to, instead of blind loyalty, are the very fibers that our country is built on. Going all the way back to Hamilton and Jefferson.

If we are to become, again, the beacon of hope to the world, then we must realize that smearing those who criticized the leadership is not what we are about. We are about: holding our leader accountable, with respect; we are about challenging authority; and, we are about showing dignityto those who are opposed to us and showing the world that we respect our enemies as human beings eventhough they despise us...we are better than that.

(Cheers to Daily Kos for alerting me to this and Talk Left for the scoop.)

1700

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Is it really worth it?

WARNING* Gratuitous Crackers

HumpDayCrackers, originally uploaded by CelticWander.

Happy Hump Day...

This picture made me spit out my coffee this morning.

HOOO HOOO

Pleased to meet ya. Hope you guess my name.

Interactive blog time.

I have had Sympathy For the Devil stuck in my head for like...shoot...I don't know...3 days...I am going crazy. Here is a cool article about the song.

Help me here...please. Must.......get......new.......song....in.....my.....heed.


(what do you currently have stuck in your heed?)

Disgusting

There is something SO WRONG about our market system when you read things like this:

General Motors was among the Dow Jones industrial average’s biggest percentage gainers, jumping 1.6 percent after its CEO told shareholders it will cut thousands of U.S. jobs and close more plants over the next few years.

25,000 people are loosing their jobs and people are rewarding this by snatching up stock. Think about this a second. That is a quarter of my hometown. A third of my college town. 10x Mae's hometown. That is an overflow crowd at The United Center.

People are profiting from this. I feel Ill.

I Know I Am A Geek

when I yell at the streaming video of CSPAN on my computer at work.

These people are drive me nuts. The debate is about Justice Brown for the Appellate Court in DC. The dems bring up relevant material. It took Sen. Boxer 15 minutes to read the list of Civil Rights organizations that opposed the Justice's nomination. But I hear the same three things from the republicans...she is the daughter of share-croppers, she got 75% of the vote for retention and our favorit...upperdownupperdownupperdown that is all Frist says.

The think that cause me to yell at the computer was the who 75% thing. It sounds like a lot, but she was unopposed. They say there were 4 other justices on the ballot and she got the highest...her name starts with a B it was on the top of the list...we all know how people vote on judges...how many? Ok. Punch 1,2 and 3

grrrr

A Hero

"We must recognize the full human equality of all our people - before God, before the law, and in the councils of government. We must do this not because it is economically advantageous - although it is; not because the laws of God and man command it - although they do command it; not because people in other lands wish it so. We must do it for the single and fundamental reason that it is the right thing to do."
Day of Affirmation Address, University of Capetown, South Africa, June 6, 1966

Yesterday was the 35th anniversary of the murder of Robert F. Kennedy.

I have always admired RFK. A complex man. A broken man. A man of honesty.

His views on the world seem so radical, right now, amidst all of the conflict and apparent hatred. His view of equality amongst all peoples of the world. His hope for tomorrow. His quest for social justice.

His concern for the "right" in our nature stikes a cord that resonates to all people. We all seek the right. We seek the fullness of humanity: the love of our brothers and sisters, and to love our enemies. His views were put so simply, "[I]t is the right thing to do."

"Bay of Pigsgate, Teapot Domegate, Slaverygate"

From Crooks and Liars:

Here is a clip from The Daily Show's take on Deep Throat...sort of goes with the below quote.

Quote of the Day

I just heard this blurb advertising tonights Majority Report re: all the Deep Throat hooplaa, "...[W]hile we watch the mainstream "liberal" media filling up with convicted felons bemoaning the lack ethics of a whistleblower."

I find this truly amusing.

Step Right Up

HIM, originally uploaded by CelticWander.

This is the show I am working on right now. Here is ticket info:

WHERE:
Viaduct Theater, 3111 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60618 Street parking and under the viaduct; CTA accessible (Western and Belmont bus stops)
WHEN:
Opened Thursday, May 26, 2005, at 8 PM. Runs Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 PM, and Sundays at 7 PM through 6/25/05
TICKETS:
Viaduct Theater Box Office, 773.296.6024 (open 7-10 PM Thursday – Saturday, and 6-9 PM on Sunday) HotTix
$15 on Thursdays/Sundays; $18 on Fridays/Saturdays Half-price on Thursday, 6/2 and Sunday, 6/5 for industry members with headshot/card.
Call for group rates.

Here are reviews:

Chicago Sun-Times: Hedy Weiss
"A "curiosity" in both concept and execution, this rarely produced work, now in an elaborate and ingenious production by the Viaduct Theater, also serves as a reminder of how Chicago theaters still will dance out on a limb to experiment.”

“Anchoring the play are brief, revealing, well-acted scenes between the artist, Him (David Schultz), and his insightful if admittedly bourgeois wife, Me (Julia Siple), which unfold in a tiny parlor seen from different angles thanks to clever set changes. There is love between these two but also a certain disconnect. And interspersed among their intimate scenes (which have some Eugene O'Neill-like echoes) are stylized routines exposing the human comedy: two clowns who burst each other's balloons; a sweaty carnival barker and snake-oil salesman (terrific work by Paul D'Addario) who thrives on lies, and the three Miss Weirds (Ariel Brenner, Christine Cummings and Marssie Mencotti), who nearly steal the show with their hilarious, verbally brilliant riffs on men (and other strange creatures). Best of all is a circus sideshow (applause throughout for set designer Robert Whitaker, whether for his vintage folk art-style cutout curtain with openings for human heads and appendages) or his magenta burlesque stage.
Cheers, too, for Alison Siple's marvelous costumes. Director Whitney Blakemore (working with Sheri Reda), and TS Henry Webb, the funky conductor of an onstage band, has staged "Him" with great invention. And her large cast captures the spirit of the piece.


Chicago Tribune: Chris Jones
"Whitney Blakemore's astonishingly expansive production, which gives the work all the sets it needs and, at the core of the staging, seems to understand both its style and its pain. And, indeed, for fans or students of cummings in particular, or the literature of despair
in general, this heavy work has all kinds of interest. The language is dazzlingly rich. And you'll probably not get the chance to see it again around here anytime soon.”

"You have to admire the Viaduct for attempting this almost impossible play - which requires some 20 actors, a live band, a re-creation of carnival oddities and a constantly changing set and frame of reference."

Prayers, please

Theresa's, one of the maintence workers in my office building, daughter has been diagnosed with leukemia. I am not sure of her age. Unfortunately, as is the case way to often in this country, her insurance will not pay for the treatment. Thursday there is a fundraiser in the building for her. I will try to find more info for donations and post it here.

God of Creation, Christ of Healing, Spirit of Love
Holy Three in One
Bless this family
Ease their minds
Give them rest in the midst of this storm

Heal their wounds
Grant them wisdom
Touch thier souls

O, Holy Three in One
Bless them and keep them in your arms
Hold their hand
Weep with them

May Your touch be upon them.

Amazing

That's Jazz, originally uploaded by AKMA.

I truly enjoy going to AKMA's blog and looking at what Pippa has been creating (Click on the link to see other pieces of her work). She is a very talented young artist. I came across this picture today, and though...WOW! This is amazing. Thanks Pippa!

A Man of God

From the Taize e-newsletter. Bother Roger has been and continues to be a healing force in the Body of Christ.

Taizé celebrates discreetly Brother Roger's 90th birthday
--------------------------------------------
Last Thursday, 12 May, the Community celebrated Brother Roger's 90th birthday. According to his wish, the day was marked by discretion. He was nevertheless touched by the numerous messages he received: from young people, women, men, from many countries, who wanted to offer him a sign of affection and gratitude. Messages reached him from Pope Benedict XVI, from Orthodox Patriarch Alexis II of Moscow, from Metropolitans Cyril of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow and Philaret of Minsk. Brother Roger received letters of friendship from the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, from Bishop Huber, president of the Council of the German Protestant Churches, from Cardinal Lehman, president of the German Bishops' Conference, from the Swiss Protestant Federation and the Swiss Bishops' Conference, from Cardinal Danneels of Brussels, from Archbishop Kiet of Hanoi, and from
bishops in the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, France, and elsewhere. From these numerous messages, perhaps we can retain just the beautiful expression of Bishop Huber: "Thank you for the work of your hands that, joined together in prayer, bring together the two families of the Churches in the West."

In a Tizzy

[Note: I wrote this on Friday, but Blogger was down, so here it is now!]

I just read this amazing artilce in the Suntimes.

It seems our friend, Rush, got worked in a tizzy after reading this article about an international studies class in Evanston. In this class students participate in mock Iraqi elections, peace talks on Kashmir and many other hands on educational activites.

Rush said about these students, while espousing his disdain about multi-culturalism, "[They] don't know anything about World War II" and "they've probably never heard the name Adolf Hitler."

Well, the kids have called him out. "'I think [a debate] would be great because then we'd prove him wrong and open up his opinion a little bit,' Sarah Loeb, an ETHS sophomore, said Thursday."

So, far he has not accepted the offer to a debate. Hmmm...

If he would look at test resuts from the school he would discover he was wrong, but what can we expect from the guy who claims 75% of minimum wage earners are 16 year olds working thier first jobs.

I See

This is interesting, kind of true, kind of not...oh wait...it is an internet quiz!

You scored as Cultural Creative. Cultural Creatives are probably the newest group to enter this realm. You are a modern thinker who tends to shy away from organized religion but still feels as if there is something greater than ourselves. You are very spiritual, even if you are not religious. Life has a meaning outside of the rational. Cultural Creative 75% Idealist 63% Fundamentalist 56% Postmodernist 56% Romanticist 56% Existentialist 44% Modernist 31% Materialist 25% What is Your World View? (corrected...hopefully) created with QuizFarm.com

Thanks Tripp

Everything is Good

oh my god, a local band and good friends of mine were featured in a 3 minute mini-documentary on MTV last week.

Here is a link to the web version of the featureette.

This is just so cool.

Belated Apology

The Sherman Brothers are apologizing for writing the song that sends many, the world over, into near epileptic fits...It's A Small World (After All.)

"They must go out of their minds," says Richard Sherman.

"We've driven teenagers crazy in every language," says Robert Sherman.

Thanks Guys.

(Hat Tip to Bill in Portland Maine.)

Let's Think, Shall We?

You are making many important contributions to freedom's cause, but your most important contribution is your example. In recent months, the world has marveled at the hopeful changes taking place from Baghdad to Beirut to Bishkek. But before there was a Purple Revolution in Iraq, or an Orange Revolution in Ukraine, or a Cedar Revolution in Lebanon, there was the Rose Revolution in Georgia. Pres. George W. Bush, 5/10/05, Tbilisi, Georgia.

I heard this line on the news last night. I heard the crowd cheering. I saw the young vibrant presidend of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili. I though about our president's words, and reflected. The Orange Revolution in Ukraine. The Cedar Revolution in Lebanon. The Rose Revolution of Georgia.

Three of the four of the cited revolutions cited were non-violent, bloodless revolutions. They were movements of the people. There was a massive chage in the lands caused by the people from within each of the countries. In Georgia and Ukraine they were the result of the people rising after unfair elections. The Cedar Revolution of Lebanon was instigated by the assassination of a former, beloved leader, but the change came through non-violent protest. But the thing that sticks out with all of these and with the non-violent revolutions of the Eastern Bloc and Soviet Union is they were all movements that came from within each of the countries. The United States was not involved; the use of force was not the impetus of the revolutions: the call for renewal from the people was what led to them.

The Purple Revolution of Iraq is a slightly different story with not such a happy ending. The Purple Revolution was caused by an outside force. The Purple Revolution, while good, is not succeeding. The Purple Revolution has led to civil war. The leaders of The Purple Revolution are being assassinated. These things cause me to pause and think. Revolutions must come from the people, not instigated by an outside force. Non-violent revolutions are movements of the people. Wave of people demanding their rights. "But, in this part of the world, violence is the only language that is understood." To that I say look at Lebanon. A violent act was the inciting incident, but the revolution came about through non-violent means, and through the will of the people.

I have no doubt that Iraq under Sadam Hussein was a miserable place. I have no doubt that one day a democratic Iraq will be peaceful. I have no doubt that this revolution was about to come about, and was thwarted by outside intervention. 100,000 dead Iraqis...is it worth that? Especially, since, now they are killing each other, since this revolution was not a movement of the people.

I pray daily for peace in Iraq. I pray that the people find peace within themselves and each other. I pray that our leaders realize their error. I pray that peace comes to a land that has for too long know violence.

Let the revolution happen in its own time, not as mandated by an outside force.

Here's Your Chance

For all the pro-war members of the blogosphere.

Here is your chance to join the fight. All branches of the armed forces are short of their recuiting goals. You wanted it...here is the chance. Go and sign up! I dare ya. Or is it not really that important?

Maybe this is a reality check for the actual attitudes toward the war. Maybe parents are talking their kids out of enlisting. Maybe kids are seeing that this war is not all it is chalked up to be. Maybe our leaders will wake up and see that if this war is to continue they should stop being the chicke-hawks they are and put their feet to the fire. Maybe...just maybe this will be a wakeup call. A clarion bell. Maybe people see they have been lied to, and maybe they are telling the powers that be to shove it.

Those over there now are not re-enlisting in the numbers hoped for either. Those over there are giving their lives daily for asses who want to fight, but are not willing to do so themselves.

So, if you think this war is just and right...go ahead and enlist...Uncle Same Wants You.

Oh Happy Day!

Mae will be finishing her thesis today!!!!

Everybody...YAY!!!!

What is Going On?

I came across this diary at dKos. East Waynesville Baptist Church in North Carolina as forced members out who voted for John Kerry or were Democrats. Here is a link from the local news story. The pastor of the church told those who voted for Kerry or other Democrats to repent of their sins or leave.

From the WLOS website:

East Waynesville Baptist asked nine members to leave. Now 40 more have left the church in protest. Former members say Pastor Chan Chandler gave them the ultimatum, saying if they didn't support George Bush, they should resign or repent. The minister declined an interview with News 13. But he did say "the actions were not politically motivated." There are questions about whether the bi-laws were followed when the members were thrown out.

There is something very wrong here. Very. Wrong.

The logic and past history of fundamentalist evangelical Christians leads one to believe that this was motivated due in part to John Kerry's and the Democratic Party's stance on abortion. They are pro-choice.

The pro-choice/life issue needs to be really clarified. I voted for Kerry, and yet, I am pro-life. What does that mean? Pro-Life. How can one be pro-life and still vote for a pro-choice candidate. Well, I may be pro-life, but I am not anti-choice. I do not see a conflict in this stance. Some of you may, and for good reason. But I see this as a constisant ethic of life.

How does this work? I believe that abortion should remain safe, legal and rare. So, how can I be pro-life. Well, as a well know seminary professor says, "it is more complicated than that." I belive that in order for abortion to become obsolete we must look at the root causes and begin working to eliminating them from the bottom up. We must look at the poverty that leads to the sense of hopelessness that makes abortion seems as the only viable option. We must look at a healthcare system that is so cost prohibitive that pre-natal care can seem like a pipe dreams. We must look at the cause for so many instable/abusive relationships that lead to the terror that the child would be better off not being born. We must look at post-natal care as an essential not an option. We must look at a society that makes tax cuts for corporations instead of using that money to provide child care and medical care for these children once they are born. We must let people know they are loved and cared for. We must have an ethic of life that extends past just a pro-birth world view. We must take care and love those that have been through the hell of abortion. We must not judge those who have had to make the choice. We must look in the mirror and ask what must I do in order to end this.

Until these things happen, abortion should be kept safe, legal, and hopefully rare. Until these things happen, women will feel the need to have an abortion. If abortion is made illegal it will not stop them. They will happen. Untill these things happen I pray for forgiveness for being part of the problem.

To create such a society may be a pipe dream on my part, but I beileve that that is a consistant ethic of life.

[UPDATE: Cliff has posted on the same subject form a different point of view. It is an interesting read and very good points. I disagree with some of it, but he does bring up a good thing...Did the pastor go about the dismissal of members the proper way. Scripturally consistant? We may never know.}

Appropiate

Your Inner European is Irish!

Sprited and boisterous! You drink everyone under the table.

Who's Your Inner European?

Thanks Tripp, you Frenchman

Huzzah

I am down 10 pounds in a month!!!

You see, when I ordered my kilt I ordered a belt to hold it on. No biggie, I ordered the correct size and all, but I did not think about the fact that the belt is 4 inches wide. So, it would have fit perfectly if it were the normal 1 inch belt, but it is not and my tummy was in the way. Well, now it fits!! It has for a week or two, and I can stand to loose more tummy, but color me happy.

And I did it without going on a fad diet, or changing my diet all that drastically. I just pay attention to what I eat, and how many calories are in it, and try to eat less than I burn. This has been pretty successful and not hunger inducing. Also, I work out 3-5 times a week. 3 days I do weights and cardio, and 2 days I do cardio only. Mon. do chest, shoulders, triceps, and abs and stationary bike for 20 minutes. Tuesday I do stationary bike for 45 minutes. Wednesday I do legs, back, and biceps and abs and stationary bike for 20 minutes. Thursday I stationary bike 45 minutes. Friday I do a circut of all muscle groups and 20 minutes bike. If for some reason I can not make all 5 days I adjust accordingly.

Anyhoo...10 pounds down...we shall see how many more.

For Cliff :-)

Air America will be returning to Chicago air waves next week.
850 AM.

The little network that could has been around for over a year now, and has 65 affliliates. It started with 4.

Yay!!!

I Don't Get It

This morning the Today Show led off with a 2 segment piece about the Runaway Bride.

Why didn't they lead off with real news. One of the Abu Ghraib torturers got sentenced. Did they do an investigation about whether or not the abuse has continued?

Or, how about this, 2 years ago yesterday, President Bush landed on an aircraft carier and declared Mission Accomplished. Shoot, that did not even make the teasers for the rest of the show. How about nearly 1600 soldiers have been killed since the mission was accomplished? How about the fact that terrorism has become more prevelant since the mission was accomplished? How about al-Quadia now has a breeding ground in Iraq? How about the nearly 100,000 Iraqis killed? How about the daily suidice bombings? Hmmmm??? Why aren't these in the first segment?

I check other morning news programs, and discoverd they all were covering the Runaway Bride. Who cares about that? Read People if you want that dreck. If you claim to be a news program, cover the NEWS.

Culture of errr...Life?

The moral majority (nearly, but not all of the Republicans) in both houses of congress passed a budget last night. Bravo. They made cuts. Kudos. They are cutting taxes. Huzzah.

BULLSHIT (sorry, ma, but I am angry)

They decided to cut $10 billion from medicaid/care while making $106 billion in tax cuts. Something does not add up to me. Right now the deficit is spiraling out of control. The economy is starting to falter (if it really had an uptick to begin with). Energy prices are up. Costs of living are increasing every where.

More and more people are loosing health insurance, and the culture of lifers in congress just passed a budget that CUTS the program that is meant to help these people. Shoot, it could be anyone of us in a heartbeat. 1/3 of the spending cuts voted on in this budget come from the program that is meant to help least fortunate of our brothers and sisters. These asses in congress just voted to cut aid to what would have kept their most recent martyr alive. These are the people who claim that every life is sacred. In watching their actions, I guess that means until you are born and until your end comes. Everything in between, shoot, survival of the fittest, baby.

Not only are the least among us getting shafted, but those not even among us yet are being told to bend over and pick up the soap. So, cutting aid and taxes in order to??? What? I don't get it. We are in a fiscal crisis and the best they can do is cut taxes? I don't get the logic here. So, hypothetically, my company is in the red, so I give people raises? You know what happens when we start spending money we don't have, and we don't pay back...Yep...Those pesky collection agencies start a callin'. You know what happens when you kick the bucket and have mountains of debt? Nope, it doesn't dissappear...your kids have to pay it. In this case our grandkids will be paying for the stupidity of this generation. God Help Them. My prediction is that by the time my grandkids are my age, this country will no longer be a superpower. It will be an indentured servant to all those we owe.

Now, why do I have this bee in my bonnet? Well, I know, first hand what good medicare does. You see, my dad was diabetic for my entire life. He lived a good, happy, loving life...even if I was a pain in the butt. But something happened the summer before my freshman year of high school. He got a diabetic ulcer on his foot. It became infected, and, as a result of nearly 20 years of diabetes, it became gangrenous (due to lack of circulation. You see diabetes slowly calcifies the capillaries and then the bigger blood vessels, thus reducing/elimating circulation.) He had to have half of his foot amputated, but that became infected and the rest of his leg below the knee was sent to the incenerator. During this time he lost his job due to being in the hospital so long (this was before the Family and Medical Leave Act, so it was legal.) My parents, both extremely proud and lovely people, had to juggle some finances to pay for things, now that his insurance was gone. Now, mind you this was about 15 years ago before medical costs were as outrageous as they are now. Eventually they had to bite the bullet and apply for disability and medicare/aid. Over the next 7 years my dad had his other leg amputated, 7 of his 10 fingers amputated, became confined to a wheelchair due to calcification of the vessels in the balance center of the brain, lost weight, became almost jaundiced, went from a lovely dark head of hair to a classy silver (he was proud of how dignified he looked with a mane of silver hair), had a heart attack that could have been treated had the vessels in his heart not calcified to the point that they would have shattered if an angioplasty was performed, and died. July 1998.

Through this time he was on medicare/disabilty. It paid for a majority of the medical bills. It helped to supplement my mom's income in order to give us a living wage. My mom has not had a real vacation in as long as I can remember. The day I can afford to send this saint on a carribean cruise, I will...THAT IS A PROMISE. We were able to make it due in part to help from the very programs the so-called Culture of Lifers voted to cut. I challenge them to look me in the eye and say cuts should/must be made to this program. Couldn't the tax cuts, that none of us will see since they are for the rich, been made to $10 billion less? We can afford a tax cut, but not to take care of our own. Culture of life my foot.

Oh Yeah!

This is us, originally uploaded by CelticWander.

Here is one of our engagement photos.

Bust that Filler

Last Sunday in Louisville, KY a group of republicans and members of the religious right had an event called "Justice Sunday" at Highview Baptist Church. The purpose of this meeting was to appeal to the religious to force their senators to vote for some of President Bush's judicial nominees; nominees that did not get approved for the bench during his first term. The reason they did not get approved is because they did not have enough votes to get approved due to the parties having almost equal representation in the Senate (50 Republicans, 49 Democrats and 1 Independent.) Now the tables have turned and the Republicans have a strong majority. There are legitimate concerns about the ability of the unconfirmed nominees, and the Democrats are willing to filibuster to keep them from being confirmed. While Republicans may have enough votes to confirm the nominees, they do not have the 60 votes to end the filibuster. This would effectively be then end of the road for the nominees.

The filibuster is an important piece of parliamentary procedure. It protects the minority party from being totally overrun by the whims of the majority party. It protects the rights of those who did not vote for the majority. It has been used, effectively, by both sides of the aisle. And thus, after all the exposition here, I come to the point of this post.

SEN. BILL FRIST (R-TN), MAJORITY LEADER: Because even some conservatives don‘t think we should press the issue on requiring votes on judicial nominees. They‘re concerned that in the future, Republicans won‘t be able to use this same device to obstruct Democratic nominees.

Well, that may be true. But if what the Democrats are doing is wrong today, it won‘t be right for Republicans to do the same thing tomorrow.

Sen. Frist sent a 4-minute video to the gathering in Louisville, saying the above as well as saying the fillibuster is an attack on people of faith (I will not even go there...this time.)

But what makes this so, interesting is that Sen. Frist and other Republicans fillibustered and did not confirm 60 of President Clinton's judicial nominees: so far all but 10 of Bush's nominees have been confirmed. In fact, Republicans were the first party to use the fillibuster to stall the nomination of a judicial nominee.

"Good evening. The Senate today began its expected, but unprecedented, filibuster against confirmation of a President’s [ed. LBJ] nominee for Chief Justice of the United States, Abe Fortas." That was said in 1968 by Walter Cronkite, but still Sen Frist will not admit it happened. Here is a Washington Post artilce going more indepth to this story.

So, Frist and his cohorts are distorting history for their means. Yes, I am sure it has happened on both sides. But, the point is this time they are working to remove an important piece of prodecure meant to protect the minority.

“The Senate,” ... “is not a majoritarian institution, like the House of Representatives is. It is a deliberative body, and it‘s got a number of checks and balances built into our government. The filibuster is one of those checks in which a majority cannot just sheerly force its will, even if they have a majority of votes in some cases. That‘s why there are things like filibusters, and other things that give minorities in the Senate some power to slow things up, to hold things up, and let things be aired properly.”

That says it perfectly. Thank you Mr. Swartz! He said that 7 years ago. In fact, it was when President Clinton was trying to get James Hormel the ambassadorship of Luxembourg. The Democrats had a majority in the Senate and the Republicans did not want a gay ambassador to Luxembourg.

Just who is this Mr. Swartz. Well, 7 years ago he was the senior writer for The Family Research Council. But who are they? They are the group that sponsored last Sunday's "Justice Sunday." Yep, they were in favor of the fillibuster when it helped their ends. But now that their Republican friends are in control that makes the fillibuster obsolete.

I just wish they would get their heads on straigh about their stories. Maybe they should listen to Bob Dole, "I think you have to be very careful, that's my advice, before you start tinkering with the rules. I mean the rules have been changed before. You want to think down the road. The Senate's going to change. It's not always going to be Republican. It changes back and forth. History shows that."

I hope the Democrats remeber this, too, when they are back in power.

Ack: Thanks to lawstudent922 for inspiring this rant, and Keith Olbermann for the scoop, and finally The Al Franken show for leading me to crooksandliars.com for the Cronkite clip.

New Jeans

I am wearing new jeans today. I discover something that I need to check when purchasing jeans. I need to check the pocket depths. You see, my new jeans have deep pockets. To get my chapstick I must stick 3/4 of my arm into them to reach it. It is the small things you discover when wearing new jeans.

The Power of Many

I regulary read Daily Kos. It is a Democratic blog. They have a system where you can post diaries, or mini blogs. Well sometime some amazing things come of these. A few months ago, a vet needed some help, and it came...in droves.

Yesterday a diaist named Turtle Bay posted this diary. He tells about his girlfriend who is a teacher at a public school in NYC that caters to kids just our of juvinile detention. The rough of the rough. The school wants to take these kids to a ranch outside NYC, but, like so many schools around the country, they have no money. Turtle Bay came up with the idea to post at dKos. This appeal has done something amazing. In 1 day, half of the $3000 necessary to take the kids on this trip was raised. Turtle Bay posed a new diary today wich contains an email from his girlfriend saying how grateful and surprised everyone was to the outpouring of gifts from people all over the country. Turtle Bay has the great idea to make them really surprised. He is appealing for the other half to be raised today. If you have a few spare cents, click here for info on the paypal account that Turtle Bay has set up. I don't have the spare change, so I figured this is how I can do my part.

(as of this posting they are already at $2,130 of the $3000.)


[UPDATE: $3,000+ Raised...I will keep you updated on the final totals]

[UPDATE 2: From the Diary:
Total Contributions Raised:
$3,255!!!
Total Contributors:
OVER A HUNDRED!!

The Diary Update contains notes from the teacher and a caseworker at the school.

This is a truly amazing act. $3,000+ raised in 24 hours for kids that people have forgotten about.

Tears come to my eyes. ]

Oops

just heard a funny freadian slip on the radio....

the traffic reporter said the "extressways" are messy...how true. I hit them in about 90 minutes...going to springfield to see mom.

Two Lunch Time Thoughts

Part of my lunch time ritual is to leave the office, find a place to eat lunch and read the newspaper. It is a very nice was to split up the day and find an hour or of solitude in the hectic area of the Mag. Mile.

Well, today I was at a resturant eating my sandwich reading the paper. As expected there was lots about Pope Benedict XVI...from all persepctives. Among the liberals in the world there is some concern. I, as a relatively liberal person, am not too concerned (yet). I am taking a wait and see approach. I found my thoughs echoed by Father Andrew Greeley. In this coloumn he discusses the choice of name for the new pontiff. But was stuck out to me was the followin paragraph:

Heaven knows that there is need for healing in the church. Perhaps a man whose conservative credentials as the head of the Congregation for the Defense of the Faith are unquestioned might be uniquely situated for the task --just as Richard Nixon was uniquely situated to visit China.

Pope Benedict would have a truly unique perspective.

I, also, read Richard Roeper's column. He talks alot about the Virgin Mary of the Viaduct. Pilgrams are starting to flock the the vision/stain depending on your faith in the apperation. But one thing he notice that showed the one sidedness of the pilgrams:

Just a few steps west of the holy image, leaning against a streetlight pole on Fullerton, there is a homeless man, holding up a small cardboard sign that says:

HELP
I'M HUNGRY

You'd chastise a screenwriter for such easy symbolism, but there the man sits, squinting against the sun and holding up his sign.

In clusters of two and three and four, the faithful who are flocking to and from the image of the Virgin Mary -- they walk right past the homeless man. They walk right past him, as if he's not even there.

It is my prayer that I start to open my eyes more and care for the man on the ramp. It is my prayer the God forgives me my self-centeredness.

Take this city
A city should be shining on a hill
Take this city
If it be your will
What no man can own, no man can take
Take this heart
Take this heart
Take this heart
And make it break
--Yahweh, U2

Bono on The Catholic Church

"The Church has its problems, but the older I get, the more comfort I find there. The physical experience of being in a crowd of largely humble people, heads bowed, murmuring prayers, stories told in stained-glass windows, the colors of Catholicism - purple, mauve, yellow, red - the burning incense ... My friend Gavin Friday says Catholicism is the glam-rock of religion."

Found this and forgot the site...sorry. But there is a book called "Conversations with Bono" coming out.

I Just liked this quote

HABEMUS PAPAM

HABEMUS PAPAM

Pope Benedict XVI

God grant him wisdom. God grant the Catholics of the world Peace. God bless us all.

They are HEEERRRREEEE

wedding ring, originally uploaded by CelticWander.

The Rings have arrived...Huzzah

Getting Closer

Wow! It just hit me. Mae and I are getting married...soon.

Things are starting to come together. This is fun. Mae is here! My kilt is here. The groom's mens' kilts are on the way. Mae has a fitting type thingy, with Kate, tomorrow. We have what I think is our last official premarital session tomorrow. Leo is taking our engagement photo tomorrow. Jane has material to make the stoles for our three participating ministers...Pastor Tripp , Pastor Bob, and Pastor Andy (my cousin's husband). Mae's folks are readying the backyard for a bunch of out-of-towners, and planning a shower. My mom is keeping herself busy planning the rehearsal dinner, and a shower. Our rings will be shipping from Dublin in the next day or so.

But the coolest part of all this happened when I re-read what I just wrote. All of these people are blessing us with their gifts of kindness, patience, and love. To you all, thanks!

Quiz Fun

This is pretty darn accurate:

Global Personality Test Results

Stability (80%) high which suggests you are very relaxed, calm, secure, and optimistic.. Orderliness (23%) low which suggests you are overly flexible, improvised, and fun seeking at the expense too often of reliability, work ethic, and long term accomplishment. Extraversion (38%) moderately low which suggests you are reclusive, quiet, unassertive, and secretive.

Take Free Global Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

Everybody! Everybody!

Leave a happy birthday wish for my Brother, Josh! He turns 25 today!!!

Happy Birthday, Bro.

Please leave a greeting whether you know him or not....

thanks

God Save Ireland

Manchester Martyrs, originally uploaded by CelticWander.

God Save Ireland
Timothy Daniel Sullivan

God save Ireland, said the heroes
God save Ireland, said they all
Whether on the scaffold high
Or the battlefield we die
Oh, what matter when for Erin dear we fall

High upon the gallows tree swung the noble hearted three
By the vengeful tyrant stricken in their bloom
But they met him face to face with the courage of their race
And they went with souls undaunted to their doom

God save Ireland, said the heroes
God save Ireland, said they all
Whether on the scaffold high
Or the battlefield we die
Oh, what matter when for Erin dear we fall

Climbed they up the rugged stair, rang their voices out in prayer
Then with England's fatal cord around them cast
Close beside the gallows tree kissed like brothers lovingly
True to home and faith and freedom to the last

God save Ireland, said the heroes
God save Ireland, said they all
Whether on the scaffold high
Or the battlefield we die
Oh, what matter when for Erin dear we fall

Never till the latest day shall the memory pass away
Of the gallant lives thus given for our land
But on the cause must go, amidst joy and weal and woe
Till we make our Isle a nation free and grand

God save Ireland, said the heroes
God save Ireland, said they all
Whether on the scaffold high
Or the battlefield we die
Oh, what matter when for Erin dear we fall

-------------------
The link in the first line of the song tells of the inspiration of this song. The Manchester Martyrs were one of the catalysts for the Easter Rising of 1916.

Tartan

MacConnell
Originally uploaded by CelticWander.

This is the tartan of my Kilt. It is the MacConnell tartan. That is my mom's side of the family.

Huzzah!!

GreatKilt
Originally uploaded by CelticWander.

My Kilt will be shipping today...hip hip...

Blood of Innocence

I just moved to the Andersonville/Edgewater neighborhood in Chicago. It is a very nice neighborhood. It is close to friends, Mom 'n Pop shops, church, transportation, theater, and many other things. If is a family friendly area. It has a sense of ease and tranquility in the midst of a major city. It is nice.

Last Monday, though, something happened that has altered this place. Something happened to prompt someone to scrawl disillusioned in red spray paint on the sidewalk. Something happened that caused pastor to look like they have not slept in a week. Something happened that has caused a normally jubilant 9 year old to sit by herself and reflect. Something happened.

There were 2 people whose blood was spilled. There were 2 people. A mother and a husband/father. A new widow. Newly fatherless children. A motherless woman. These tragic murders have rattled a normally calm and peaceful neighborhood. The Blood of Innocents.

These murders have been on the news constantly for the past week, and this is a good thing. As my pastor said, "Evil flourishes in silence." Evil spreads and strengthens its grip when it is not confronted. Headlines are a weapon that is quite powerful. News keeps eyes open. People are aware. People notice. There is help. People are looking for the culprits.

It is good that the news is following this story. This crime can not go unpunished. A family needs to heal. Families need to heal. Families whose loved ones die anonymously. Families who grieve, but are silenced by where they live. Families who mourn in solitude. These families, too, must have their stories told. We can not allow evil to grow in the silence.

It is my prayer that the Blood of the Innocents killed on Lakewood Avenue will not be spilled in vain, but will mix with the Blood of the Innocent Price of Peace and help to bring awareness and justice for ALL those whose blood is shed.

The Blood of Innocence has been shed, let us work to stop the flow.

I Am A Wee Bit Slow

I have had a "blogroll me" button over on my side bar for, I don't know, two years maybe. Well, today I finally figgered out how to use it. So, I have been adding some of my daily wanderings to it. Feel free to check 'em out.

Peace

Fozen Over???

Is hell freezing over? Tomorrow morning The Al Franken Show and the G. Gordon Liddy Show will be broadcasting together!!!

This should make for some interresting listening...to be sure!

Water and Oil, anyone?

Organized Democrats?

(This is a comment for Cliff's blog.... As usual I stayed from the topic, but believe this a viable if incoherent post.)

With the near imminent election of Howard Dean to the DNC Chair I think notice has been given to the Beltway Dems who have run the party since the inception of the DLC. The grassroots of the party are firing up, and I think Dean, while not my choice for pres, will make a...(God forgive me for saying this)...Rove like leader that the Dems need. Someone who understands how the grassroots works. Can appeal to the base of the party. The DLC has too long tried to be Republican Light (not all, but most). That hasn't worked. See the congressional seats lost, the 2 failed presidential campaigns. Dean and Reid (I am a still a little leery of Pelosi) "get it" and will get the grassroots moving.

Dean won the chair of the DNC the old fashioned way. Grassroots. There was a massive anyone but Dean campaigning put on by the DLC and the other Beltway Babies, but through grassroots organizing and old-school door knocking and phone calling Dean won his way into leadership.

As for the anyone but Dean, I think the Good Doctor learned a valuable lesson...that kind of message can not win a campaign. Focusing on issues (that he has promised to let the Democratic congressional leadership determine), making people a part of the system...damn his slogan is "You have the power"...decentralizing the national party and focusing on the state parties (allowing them to build viable candidates) and then facilitating communication between them...that is what wins elections.

Reid has been working hard to unite Senate Democrats. This is working. The whole idea is to make sure that in a system where the majority party holds all the power, there is strength to our checks and balances system. Without a united frot this can not happen. Newt Gingrich did the same thing during Clinton's first term. Look where it got them. Hopefully, this new, fresh batch of Democratic leadership has been taking notes.

Listen to the people...GET IT!

Death Of A Playwright

Arthur Miller
Originally uploaded by CelticWander.

Arthur Miller Died last night.

One of the most prolific playwrights of the 20th Century has gone to join the myriad before him.

Rest in Peace

Welcome

Bar
Originally uploaded by CelticWander.

Welcome to the Knotty Pine Inn. Our new apartment. This room was built in the 1950's. Click here to see more picture of the apartment, including the SWEET wall paper. Feel free to leave comments here on with the pictures. Be sure to click to page 2 to see more,

Birthday Boy

Birthday Boy
Originally uploaded by CelticWander.

Everybody wish THE MAN Alice Cooper a wicked birthday!

oh yeah...it is mine too!

Ossie Davis

Ossie Davis
Originally uploaded by CelticWander.

I just heard on the radio that actor Ossie Davis has died. Not only is he the husband to the wonderful Ruby Dee, but he was such a force in the civil rights movement. The two of them have used their fame to instigate more good than most can even fathom. From race relations of the 60s to the anti-war movement of today. An Inspiration.

Rest in Peace

Oooooo...Fuuuunnnn

It doesn't take much to amuse me...i found this site:

Online Etymology Dictionary

It is fun...type a word and get its history.