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.

God's Politics

God's Politics
Originally uploaded by CelticWander.

I just got an email from Sojourner's with a this link to Jim Wallis's appearance on the Daily Show. He was plugging this book. I really want it.

If anyone wants to know what to get me for my upcoming birthday this is it.

Please watch the clip. It is really cool how Mr. Wallis talks about the Christian duty to care for the poor.

The War on . . . SPONGEBOB!!

Yup. You read that right. Dr. James Dobson has declared war on the heathen cartoon sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea.

"Does anybody here know SpongeBob?" Dr. James C. Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family, asked the guests Tuesday night at a black-tie dinner for members of Congress and political allies to celebrate the election results.

SpongeBob needed no introduction. In addition to his popularity among children, who watch his cartoon show, he has become a well-known camp figure among adult gay men, perhaps because he holds hands with his animated sidekick Patrick and likes to watch the imaginary television show "The Adventures of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy."

Now, Dr. Dobson said, SpongeBob's creators had enlisted him in a "pro-homosexual video," in which he appeared alongside children's television colleagues like Barney and Jimmy Neutron, among many others. The makers of the video, he said, planned to mail it to thousands of elementary schools to promote a "tolerance pledge" that includes tolerance for differences of "sexual identity."

So, promoting tolerance is bad? Well, Gooooleeee, I gues we have our values all out of whack. I am sorry, but this is just as STUPID as when Dobson's buddy Falwell got into a tizzy claiming that The Teletubbies were gay.

For being 2 of the most visible faces of the Christian community, these guys are making me ill. You do not have to condone or even accept others lifestyles, but last time I checked tolerance was a good thing.

If you are claiming to be a preacher of the Gospel, for cryin' out loud. Do it. The Gospel preaches tolerance and forgiveness and love. The judgement this is best left to the Big Guy.

This has gone on longer than I expected, but i guess it must have struck a nerve.

(BTW hat tip to Oliver Willis for pointing out the article.)

New SideBar

I have decided to keep myself accountable on my reading this year. On the sidebar you will seen Books 2005 with Completed and In Process. Feel free to add suggestions.

Peace

Living into the Cliche

It is true what they (They being in the emlpoy of The Man), "Don't like the weather in Chicago? Wait 20 minutes and it will change."

I left the house today and was soaked from the rain by the time I got to work. I went to lunch in a blizzard. I will be going home with nothing but clouds. Cool.

WOW

The Freepers' are pissed. (Freepers are members of the conservative blogging community at Free Republic.) Apparently Mel Gibson is now a heathen and a con and a flaming liberal because he liked F-911 and feels a "kinship" with Michael Moore and has questions about the war in Iraq. This is absurd.

--via Atrios

and apparently i like run on sentences yes i do really i do because they are so muchh fun to write and because it uses too much energy to puncuate and because well it is fun and this is probably the first post in ages without and elipse

A Small Change of Plans

Phil and his Crew
Originally uploaded by CelticWander.

Earlier in December I mentioned that my cousin was on his way to Iraq. (That is him in the middle with the green coat and brown pants). Well, if you heard Sec. of State Powell on Meet the Press this weekend he mentioned that there are some Carrier groups and Amphibious groups heading to SE Asia to help with the Tsunami relief. Well, Phil is part of the Amphibious group. He navigates a hover craft...I have seen pictures of this thing...it ain't no swamp buggy.

Anyhoo...

Phil seems a bit more aprehensive about doing this than going to Iraq. In Iraq they know what they are facing. Here it is still unknown. Earlier last week he got injected with a bunch of stuff. Also, apparently where they are going is littered with unmarked mine fields and stuff.

Please continue to pray for peace and the victims of the tsunami. Also for those sent to help aid the victims.

Jerry

Jerry
Originally uploaded by CelticWander.

I just read that Jerry Orbach died last night. He will be missed. A song and dance man that is best know as a cop.

Rest in Peace.

Fantastic Voyage

Raquel Welch
Originally uploaded by CelticWander.

Fantastic Voyage is on TV right now. I love this movie, and not JUST because of Raquel Welch. It is just a plain kick butt movie. That is all.

Goin' Home

Memory Eternal.

Waiting

Brother Cliff and his family are waiting this advent. Waiting for one life to finish its course. Vigil is being kept by family, friends, hospital personell. Sister Anna's brother will be going home soon.

Having gone through what they are now going through, my heart breaks all over again. These are dear, dear people and I pray they are granted the strength to make it through this extremely tough time.

May the Holy Three in One descend on them
May God the Father hold them in his hands
May Christ the Shelter wrap his arms around them
May The Spirit of Healing fill their souls.

God of family, watch and work wonders
Christ of suffering, take their pain and heal their souls
Spirit of God fill them with solace and comfort

Holy Three in One, bless this family, as they are yours.

Amen

The Candy Man

Willy Wonka
Originally uploaded by CelticWander.

Just click this. I can not wait.