a lot of people - intentionally or not - are misreading what occupy wall street protestors are railing against. for the majority of them, for people like myself, it's not about evil corporations that have to be brought down. it's about a more realistic sharing of the profits made by those corporations, a system similar used to that in some other nations, where the head of a company can't make more than a certain percentage of entry level employees. the protests, as i've heard them described, are less about abolishing corporation than making them more humane.
it's interesting that the supreme court ruled that corporations have the legal standing of personhood, when a more inherently bloodless, bottom line over life line entity you're rarely going to find.
my view of mega large financial institutions is forever colored by a comment made by rey cooper at a sultry autumn "snacks by the tracks": after hearing someone mention something her bank had done for free, rey quipped - "banks don't do anything for free." there's always something they're getting out of whatever they do.
and that's not evil - that's business. but when 1% of the population of a country controls most of the wealth, then that is sick.
it's not corporations, per se, that most of the people i've heard gripe are trying to rein in - it's the mega corporations, the "too big to fail" institutions whose executives have grown comfortable living lives beyond consequences.
we've gone from being a nation where everyone was equal under the law to one where if you're high enough, wealthy enough, important enough, you can get away with the most blatant disregard of our laws because pursuing justice comes at too high a price, too much discomfort.
it's the inequality of seeing an entire strata of financial nab bobs who brought down our economy get away with it, scot free.
it's the inequality of seeing leaders lie & do things against our own principles, and get away with it because "the nation needs to move on."
it's the inequality of a mega wealthy businessman extolling occupy wall street protestors to return home leave, get a job, get a life because he doesn't grasp that the protest is over the cold reality that the home is lost, the jobs are overseas, and their lives short-changed by economic policies favoring corporate "persons" rather than actual people.
capitalism has done a lot of good over the years, but robber barons are a perversion of its potential, "opinion-making elites"acting outside the law ~ assured by the powerful that they're entitled to a life without consequences ~ are a travesty of our principles, a government that dances to their tune rather than looking out for the welfare of all its citizens is a mockery.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
surrealistic
that's how the republican primaries feel. herman cain has a web ad featuring someone smoking. no explanation for the cig, guy just takes a drag after giving his spiel for mr. cain.
beyond curiouser & curiouser.
beyond curiouser & curiouser.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
back from hiatus
took a blogging hiatus. revved up & ready for whatever lies within this present moment!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Break out the popcorn!
Might as well sit back & enjoy the show as the 2012 election campaign cycle begins even EARLIER than ever. If I didn't approach it as entertainment, would be utterly burned out by politicos & talking heads by THIS November, let alone next.
Will that the opportunity to occasionally point out what promises to be some surefire surrealistic aspects - such as a would-be candidate who less than two years ago indicated he was sort of in favor of his state considering leaving the Union, who believes that the Constitution of the United States of America includes a provision whereby states are given a green light to secede should they feel the federal government is unduly subverting its sovereign state rights.
Pass the popcorn!
Will that the opportunity to occasionally point out what promises to be some surefire surrealistic aspects - such as a would-be candidate who less than two years ago indicated he was sort of in favor of his state considering leaving the Union, who believes that the Constitution of the United States of America includes a provision whereby states are given a green light to secede should they feel the federal government is unduly subverting its sovereign state rights.
Pass the popcorn!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Lazy hazy crazy days of summer!
It has been HOT HOT HOT this summer!
The Midwest baked, while here in the East we were lucky enough to just merely swelter under strings of triple digit weather.
One result ~ nary a blog posting since early July.
What happened over the past five weeks? Not much that mattered.
Dueling politicians blamed each other for the financial debacle & downgrade.
Michelle Bachmann said that Standard & Poor's action showed they agreed with her that the debt ceiling shouldn't have been passed ~ Standard & Poor's responded that she was nuts (well, they weren't that blunt, but close), that congressional gridlock (lead by guess who) was primarily to blame for the downgrade.
Reps painted the president as arrogant & unable to negotiate. Dems would agree with the 2nd part - as Speaker Boehner put it, he got 98% of what the GOP wanted. Lousy negotiating by the president, but not quite the way Reps paint it.
There was imaginable tragedy in Norway. We took a heavy loss of good men when a helicopter carrying Special Forces troops was shot down in Afghanistan. Seems the Pakistanis might have given the Chinese a peek at the downed stealth helicopter in Bin Laden's compound.
Really stinko stuff happened, that's true. But all of it is at arm's length - it feels immediate because it comes into our home via the tv. What would happen to ME if it went unwatched, if I remained unaware? Nothing.
The things that DO matter this summer have been awesome wonderful!
I've had several AH HA! moments that have lead to a greater & deeper sense of personal liberation from habits that long ago outlived their usefulness.
John finished his portrait of Fred, to the surprise & delight of Chris & Ellen.
Max, who seemed to be in poor health, is fine & dandy.
I'm making gluten-free muffins & (as of this week) Whoopie Pies for the spectacular Bryn Athyn Bounty Farm Market.
John & I went to a vendor event in Berwyn last Thursday & for the first time I had no twinges of sadness at not taking the opportunity to drop something off at Chad & Whitney's. (They are always gracious when we're there, but there's never a reciprocal outreach - doesn't bother me, as that's the norm to me en famile, but John feels it is ... I'm not sure what the word is, but he thinks it doesn't serve a genuine use.) Big step. Can love them to pieces without actively putting myself in the way of whatever.
Marg & Anne are both greatly improved in spirits, due (per Caroline & Lisa, respectively) in large part to our outs & abouts. Anne is especially fun, as she reminds me in many ways of Mom - loves to hit the road, find a special place for a sip & nibble.
Been going to church, due to taking Anne. Uncomfy at much of what is said, but loving the music, the songs, the people.
Seems that Sky gets to be a more & more tender kitty with every passing day. His favorite place is next to one of his beloved 2-Legs.
Designed a card featuring Mom & Dad's wedding photo and sent it to the MANY couples whose great marriages & awesome partnerships touch our lives, however lightly. Still have 15 to go!
Dave & Candy called Sunday a week ago, I called them this Sunday, they called back yesterday (I was out with Karen at Starbucks). Can't wait until we can skype!
Great evening with Karen last night - fabulous cloudscapes & mega fun hearing about the various fab excursions they've taken this summer (REAL great adventures!).
Some things never change, thank goodness!! Am still utterly goofy in love with John. The 22nd anniversary of our betrothal was on the 5th (or the 6th). The BIG DAY is less than three weeks away! Have a couple super special presents for my Budgie.
Life is challenging & sometimes a tad nail-biting, but - first & foremost - it's sweet & filled with incredible blessings!!
The Midwest baked, while here in the East we were lucky enough to just merely swelter under strings of triple digit weather.
One result ~ nary a blog posting since early July.
What happened over the past five weeks? Not much that mattered.
Dueling politicians blamed each other for the financial debacle & downgrade.
Michelle Bachmann said that Standard & Poor's action showed they agreed with her that the debt ceiling shouldn't have been passed ~ Standard & Poor's responded that she was nuts (well, they weren't that blunt, but close), that congressional gridlock (lead by guess who) was primarily to blame for the downgrade.
Reps painted the president as arrogant & unable to negotiate. Dems would agree with the 2nd part - as Speaker Boehner put it, he got 98% of what the GOP wanted. Lousy negotiating by the president, but not quite the way Reps paint it.
There was imaginable tragedy in Norway. We took a heavy loss of good men when a helicopter carrying Special Forces troops was shot down in Afghanistan. Seems the Pakistanis might have given the Chinese a peek at the downed stealth helicopter in Bin Laden's compound.
Really stinko stuff happened, that's true. But all of it is at arm's length - it feels immediate because it comes into our home via the tv. What would happen to ME if it went unwatched, if I remained unaware? Nothing.
The things that DO matter this summer have been awesome wonderful!
I've had several AH HA! moments that have lead to a greater & deeper sense of personal liberation from habits that long ago outlived their usefulness.
John finished his portrait of Fred, to the surprise & delight of Chris & Ellen.
Max, who seemed to be in poor health, is fine & dandy.
I'm making gluten-free muffins & (as of this week) Whoopie Pies for the spectacular Bryn Athyn Bounty Farm Market.
John & I went to a vendor event in Berwyn last Thursday & for the first time I had no twinges of sadness at not taking the opportunity to drop something off at Chad & Whitney's. (They are always gracious when we're there, but there's never a reciprocal outreach - doesn't bother me, as that's the norm to me en famile, but John feels it is ... I'm not sure what the word is, but he thinks it doesn't serve a genuine use.) Big step. Can love them to pieces without actively putting myself in the way of whatever.
Marg & Anne are both greatly improved in spirits, due (per Caroline & Lisa, respectively) in large part to our outs & abouts. Anne is especially fun, as she reminds me in many ways of Mom - loves to hit the road, find a special place for a sip & nibble.
Been going to church, due to taking Anne. Uncomfy at much of what is said, but loving the music, the songs, the people.
Seems that Sky gets to be a more & more tender kitty with every passing day. His favorite place is next to one of his beloved 2-Legs.
Designed a card featuring Mom & Dad's wedding photo and sent it to the MANY couples whose great marriages & awesome partnerships touch our lives, however lightly. Still have 15 to go!
Dave & Candy called Sunday a week ago, I called them this Sunday, they called back yesterday (I was out with Karen at Starbucks). Can't wait until we can skype!
Great evening with Karen last night - fabulous cloudscapes & mega fun hearing about the various fab excursions they've taken this summer (REAL great adventures!).
Some things never change, thank goodness!! Am still utterly goofy in love with John. The 22nd anniversary of our betrothal was on the 5th (or the 6th). The BIG DAY is less than three weeks away! Have a couple super special presents for my Budgie.
Life is challenging & sometimes a tad nail-biting, but - first & foremost - it's sweet & filled with incredible blessings!!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
"i'm shocked..."
the murdochs ditching their british news of the world paper reminds me of a scene in the 1991 film, class action.
the head of a powerful law firm dismisses the blatantly illegal actions by an associate as having ANY connection to his prestigious firm by telling the judge "michael grazer is no longer part of quinn calafan" ~ ~ forget that less than 10 minutes earlier, the very same michael grazer was very much a partner in good standing. as gene hackman's character sneers ~ "ballast off a sinking ship."
hundreds of innocent people will suffer due to the abrupt folding of news of the world, all sacrificed for what's depicted as the shocking lack of ethics of renegade reporters acting totally on their own, utterly outside the news organization's knowledge.
ah, but news corp, its parent company, is going above & beyond the decisive action of closing down the paper, which will do incredible damage to the many due to the actions of a reported few. as penance for those few bad apples, all this weekend's final profits will be contributed to charity, an altruistic action meant to show how deeply repulsed the murdochs are by relatively low-level employees' lack of ethics.
yeah - and fox news is "fair & balanced."
face it - the abrupt closure by murdochs pere et fils hopes to halt any further inquiry into whether the hacking of the phones of regular people like you & me, in many cases families waiting to hear if children were alive or dead, was limited to a few news of the world reporters or systemic to the news organization, along with questions raised about who knew what when.
whatever it takes - including a ceremonial wearing of the proverbial hair shirt, symbolized by the contribution - to protect news corp big wigs especially heir apparent james murdoch, suspected of approving huge settlement amounts to buy the silence of private citizens. perhaps above all, to protect rupert murdoch's proposed acquisition of a u.k. key television network currently awaiting british government approval.
now that i think about the two murdochs and their responses, the utter horror they share that anything of such a nature could happen within their powerful organization, perhaps the most apt line would be captain renault's, as he suddenly shuts down rick's, one of the greatest lines of all time from one of the greatest movies ever made - - "i'm shocked, shocked to discover gambling going on" ...just as he's handed his night's winnings.
it worked for donald moffat's character (along with a massive settlement) in extricating his law firm from harm's way.
it worked for claude rains in following german major strasser's unofficially offical orders.
will it work for the murdochs?
we shall see.
the head of a powerful law firm dismisses the blatantly illegal actions by an associate as having ANY connection to his prestigious firm by telling the judge "michael grazer is no longer part of quinn calafan" ~ ~ forget that less than 10 minutes earlier, the very same michael grazer was very much a partner in good standing. as gene hackman's character sneers ~ "ballast off a sinking ship."
hundreds of innocent people will suffer due to the abrupt folding of news of the world, all sacrificed for what's depicted as the shocking lack of ethics of renegade reporters acting totally on their own, utterly outside the news organization's knowledge.
ah, but news corp, its parent company, is going above & beyond the decisive action of closing down the paper, which will do incredible damage to the many due to the actions of a reported few. as penance for those few bad apples, all this weekend's final profits will be contributed to charity, an altruistic action meant to show how deeply repulsed the murdochs are by relatively low-level employees' lack of ethics.
yeah - and fox news is "fair & balanced."
face it - the abrupt closure by murdochs pere et fils hopes to halt any further inquiry into whether the hacking of the phones of regular people like you & me, in many cases families waiting to hear if children were alive or dead, was limited to a few news of the world reporters or systemic to the news organization, along with questions raised about who knew what when.
whatever it takes - including a ceremonial wearing of the proverbial hair shirt, symbolized by the contribution - to protect news corp big wigs especially heir apparent james murdoch, suspected of approving huge settlement amounts to buy the silence of private citizens. perhaps above all, to protect rupert murdoch's proposed acquisition of a u.k. key television network currently awaiting british government approval.
now that i think about the two murdochs and their responses, the utter horror they share that anything of such a nature could happen within their powerful organization, perhaps the most apt line would be captain renault's, as he suddenly shuts down rick's, one of the greatest lines of all time from one of the greatest movies ever made - - "i'm shocked, shocked to discover gambling going on" ...just as he's handed his night's winnings.
it worked for donald moffat's character (along with a massive settlement) in extricating his law firm from harm's way.
it worked for claude rains in following german major strasser's unofficially offical orders.
will it work for the murdochs?
we shall see.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
murdoch & ailes ~ a partnership made in....
between the rolling stone article on the genesis of roger ailes' fox news empire and the current investigation into rupert murdoch's news of the world mind-boggling nasty intercepting of phone calls during actual crises, would love to be a fly on the wall this week at news corp!
small wonder fox news is doing its darndest to make the current big story the "war on fox news" by media matters - fox/news corp NEED a mega distraction away from the growing evidence (and negative public opinion) that fox news was carefully crafted as a conservative (in the worst sense) republican party mouth piece & that rupert murdock remains mired in tabloid (in the worst sense) journalism.
small wonder fox news is doing its darndest to make the current big story the "war on fox news" by media matters - fox/news corp NEED a mega distraction away from the growing evidence (and negative public opinion) that fox news was carefully crafted as a conservative (in the worst sense) republican party mouth piece & that rupert murdock remains mired in tabloid (in the worst sense) journalism.
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