Open Thread – Light
How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains! ~John Muir
December 17, 2024
Thursday, August 3, 2023
The Quitter Returns! -Monday, March 21, 2022
Putting the goober in gubernatorial -Friday, January 28, 2022
How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains! ~John Muir
Hello all, I always come to read, but seldom have time to post. I found this beautiful reflection on light by Diana Butler Bass and wanted to share it with you.
Gabby Opened Her Eyes and We Should Too
“Gabby opened her eyes.”
When President Obama uttered these simple words, the crowd at the Tucson memorial service cheered wildly. “Gabby opened her eyes.”
Four simple words. Four very spiritual words.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/diana-butler-bass/gabby-opened-her-eyes-and_b_809198.html
(I’m the former InExileSC version – I needed a name change. I don’t think I’m stealing anyone’s name, but let me know.) 🙂
Mudpups, this is a must read blog posting describing perfectly the comparisons between the
rhetoric of the Conservatives and Progressives.
http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2011/01/lets-get-this-straight.html
DD
“My spiritual progress does not come directly from God, but by humbling myself to hear God through imperfect people”. – Francis Frangipane
Dr.Martin Luther King
—- “I have a DREAM today!
–When we allow freedom ring, When we let it ring
from every village and every hamlet,
from state to state and every city,
we will be able to speed up that day
when All of God’s children, black men and white men,
Jews and Gentiles,Protestants and Catholics,
will be able to join hands
and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:
Free at last! Free at last!
Thank God Almighty We are free at last!
In celebration of MLK, I still have a dream!
I thought you might enjoy this fascinating article about the Nine newly discovered Nostradamus prophecies about Sarah Palin.
http://nomadicjoe.blogspot.com/2011/01/nine-newly-found-nostradamus-prophecies.html
Every Thursday for the next month there will be another tabloid story about SP.
Saw this on palingates website. Anchorage-ites may want to FB it, to help get the word out?
“Alaskans are the people who seem to know Sarah Palin best, and object to her most. Democrats, Independents, and Republicans are each susceptible to PDS (Palin Derangement Syndrome). Hope is coming to Alaska. Malia Litman, blogger at malialitman.wordpress.com and author of The Ignorance Virtues of Sarah Palin: A Humorous Refudiation of the Half-Term Ex-Governor will be at Borders at 1100 E. Dimond Blvd, Anchorage on Sat. Jan. 22nd at 2:00. Malia will give a presentation and sign books, guaranteed to provide much needed relief for PDS. If you are one of the unfortunate Americans afflicted with this disability condition, come to Borders on Saturday. Together we can find comfort and therapeutic relief for our ailment. Please join Malia.”
Malia Litman
[email protected]
malialitman.wordpress.com
http://www.justsaynotobs.com
I spent the day at the Anchorage MLK Celebration – both of our Senators were there. I started a thread on the forum, but wanted to mention here that Lisa and Mark both spoke. Lisa spoke about diversity, and though they were nice comments, just kind of the general ‘yeah diversity’ kind of thing. Mark, however, delivered some excellent comments about Tucson and the need for civil discourse. I hope we can get a transcript at some point – hint – hint – hint.
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/photos/palin-political-cartoons/65
That tribute is so beautiful!!
Beautiful photograph. It is so difficult to take good pictures out of the airplane windows. I’ve tried with much less success so I have practiced to memorize the best when I get the chance – then your pictures remind me of the good luck I’ve had flying out and into the state over the Chugach north of Anchorage toward Valdez, trying my hardest to know what I’m flying over. That’s my favorite: out over the Wrangells and Valdez. But in: over the Turnagain Arm, well that takes my breath away because I know Prince William Sound and Turnagain Arm with so much more intimacy.
I spent the day taking care of something very important that included my motorcycle and now I want to ride again so much, so badly, so much longing. I don’t want to fore-go today longing for April but, sigh, I want to ride.
Have you guys seen/heard this musical tribute to the Tucson victims yet?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QqAVFwGwaI
Lovely cover of Imagine.
Yeah. I played it three times.
Highest point in Iowa:
http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showthreaded&Number=18282&site_id=1#import
But it’s “beat” by Florida:
“At 345 feet (105 m) above mean sea level, Britton Hill is the highest point in Florida and the lowest highpoint of any U.S. state.[20]”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida#Geography
I think Mike and Crow should get together and back pack to their highest peaks together! 🙂 Then, you’d be mountain experts and could write a book. Or do a reality show: “Crow and Mike’s Mountaineering.” One episode could be climbing Alaska’s mudflats.
😀
I’ve been gone a few days and really haven’t read anything on here. Did I miss anything? Oh, never mind. I can read the comments myself. Any of them. All of them.
and all our mudpup friends can join us in a rousing chorus of “Climb Every Mountain” also, too! 🙂
I can’t sing, but I’m willing. I can lip-synch in the back row. 🙂
I’ll play the piano!
I’d be happy to join the chorus but ONLY if you promise that we don’t have to wear nun habits when we sing.
The Dominican order nuns at my elementary school dressed me up like a Mini-Me for a parade when I was in kindergarten because I was the littlest kid (in age and size) in the class. When they they used straight pins to attach the veil to my headband, they missed and stuck them in my scalp instead. I spent the entire day crying and bleeding under the stupid veil but was too scared to say anything because I was only 4.
I still have flashbacks!
(And they wondered why I stopped going to church!)
Sit by me and turn the pages please. I can’t play in a habit and I won’t let you turn the pages if you’re wearing one.
Lovely picture and quote. I laughed at Mike in Iowa. I lived in IA for almost 20 years and the funniest thing I ever saw was a postcard that said “ski Iowa.” It was the flattest place I’d ever been. I’m glad to be back in Michigan now, which is green and lush and rolling (no real mountains, though, despite claims of Boyne and Crystal). Iowa was a great place to raise a family, but not very scenic (or very diverse). It’s nice that we each treasure our home states, while we can appreciate the beauty of others, AK especially. Thanks for the views AKM; so glad you’re back.
Another excellent opinion piece in US News and World Report:
“But to failed vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, it’s all about Sarah Palin. The former Alaska governor, displaying a stunning level of narcissism, has managed to present herself as both victim and savior in this tragic era.”
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/susan-milligan/2011/01/13/to-sarah-palin-the-arizona-shooting-is-all-about-sarah-palin.html
Excellent link.
The aspect that I’m grimly “enjoying” amidst this terrible tragedy is the nearly unified wall of criticism against Mrs. Palin. In the past two years, solitary souls would venture into the public square with a criticism of Palin, and they immediately would become the targets of death threats and the foulest of verbal abuse from her fans.
With the latest debacle by Palin, there are so many critics that her “hounds from hell” don’t know which target to strike. It puts me in mind of the most watched YouTube video in history–over 50 million views– of the tourists in South Africa who caught on tape a pride of lions fighting with a crocodile over a live baby water buffalo. It looked grim for the baby until the whole damn herd of buffalos gathered their collective guts, and charged the lions, goring them and chasing their predator butts to parts unknown. (Please, no comments on the “circle of life.” That’s not my point with this example.) It’s about time that our media herd gathered their collective guts.
I watched that too….AMAZING!
If you all want a good laugh, you have to see this video of animals. The Brits have a dry sense of humor.
http://www.wimp.com/animalvoiceovers/
Now that’s entertainment!
that was so fun lacy lady! Alan! Alan! Alan! Steve! lol
Thnx Lacy Lady – I sent it to my rellies in Oz – they speak English, you know. LOL
I loved it! I might have to ask my nephews to interpret one or two things….
Hilarious! I laughed the whole video!
Going to watch again and really get my laugh on! Cheers Lacy Lady 🙂
Great but would be nicer if ya could click on the animal or at least some to see what they were.I had no Idea what some were especially the ones standing on two legs.
-7 here tonight near the Adirondacks(NY) and really cold for the rest of the week. We have not gotten the real heavy snow of the last several storms, hope the plants make it!
Hey, if you want to warm up, head west on the Thruway a couple hundred miles…we’re having a heat wave here in Rochy. It’s gonna be a whole 4 degrees tonight!
(Of course, it’s still 12 now but -3 with the wind chill so I can’t guarantee that we’ll stay above zero if the wind keeps up!)
Woww – I thot it was cold at minus zero F here in Anchortown today… minus seven, ouch.
does Iowa have hills? also too?
mike from iowa @ 0627: Iowa has mountains?
Sally Quinn takes a look at Obama’s speech and compares it (as so many others have) to Palin’s. It is very thoughtful and thorough.
“Obama’s words invoked the best in all of us. He made us believe in the goodness of ourselves, of human nature and of the country. We want leaders who can make us believe in the best we can be, not someone who will bring out the pettiness, anger, hostility, selfishness, and other base emotions.
“Which is why, when I watched Obama the other night. I felt inspired. I felt proud. When I watched Sarah Palin’s video I felt like I wanted to take a bath.”
http://onfaith.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/sally_quinn/2011/01/to_sarah_palin_its_not_all_about_you.html?hpid=topnews
Whew! Some of the comments after that article are fierce!
In her comparison, I realize what it is about Obama that I do like. He does speak to our better selves.
And since elected, he has spoken as the leader of all the citizens. While I admire him for it, I am disappointed in his submitting to policies from the right that are based on lies and thereby coming across as sometimes ineffectual.
Because I respect him greatly in many ways, I am withholding judgment on what his presidency will ultimately accomplish for this country.
What I’ve learned from his ‘submitting to policies from the right’ is the concept that he believes that all good ideas do not necessarily originate solely on the left. IMO the President believes that if all senators (red or blue) put their heads together, the possibility of hammering out the best laws for the country is greater. Sure the Republicans are too stunted to realize that there is wisdom in this approach, but that doesn’t mean that the approach is not a sound one. After the election, when President Obama started to espouse this approach, a light went on in my head as follows – ‘Once the election is over, the president is the leader of the entire country and since he was not elected unanimously, then it does behove him to be respectful of the ideas/philosophy of the voters who did not support him’. After all, they too are citizens. My experience of politics before this man was that if my side wins, then governing should only reflect the ideas/philosophies I support. If the other side wins, then I would have expected that governing would be done with the ideas they support. Now I see what the President is trying to do, I think – show a ‘better’ way. Governing should be done using the best ideas from either/both sides (and when the next election rolls around, let the voters look at what was accomplished, the promises AND actions of the candidates, then choose.) Of course, we can say that the country isn’t ready for this kind of, dare I say, mature, approach to governance**, but the President did promise to bring change to Washington, and I believe this is indeed change. Just think how much more could be accomplished if that was the approach already in use! However, the President did say recently that he is persistent. And frankly, once I’ve started to look at things this way, I realize that rather than labelling him ‘weak’ like many lefties have done, I respect his strength of conviction, and the fact that he doesn’t give up easily (think Health Care). He has a plan which he is working towards step by step, and even when part of me accepts that his governing adversaries are just too shortsighted and plebeian to help him realize this goal for the country, I don’t really want him to change. There must be others like me who have seen, or are starting to see, the light.
** Mr McAdams was another example that the country isn’t yet ready for a mature approach to governance, but I want to believe it is very gradually waking up. If there is no politician willing to set the example, how will the country learn?
vyccan I am with you there and I agree even a governor or a senator has to represent all his or her constituients not just the people from their own party.At least that is the way it should be.I have always had different opinions at times than people I voted for had.Ya can always think exactly alike.
Reading those post makes me believe those posters are delusional.Just because someone disagrees with palin does not mean they hate her as she wants people to believe..It isn’t the message the left dislikes it is the outright lies by palin they dislike.Now we can see that Evan a good christian woman will be roasted for her thoughts,and those people claim there was no violent rhetoric.The dribble ya read there is just that dribble
After reading some of the comments after that article, I think that ‘RICKSHAWJIM’ may need a little more fiber in his diet!
Wow!
What’s wrong with your mountains? They’re all white.
They’re old. Same thing happened to me . . .
hahahahaha caw Caw CAW CAW CAW
happened to me, also, too… 🙂
Guffaw…. 🙂
Not me!
(At least, not since I bonded with a box of ‘Clairol 20B Cinnamon Stick’ over the holiday vacation!) 😉
OY !! ROFL ! guess I’ll have to shave my head bald then as a disguise !
This is a great graphic and appropriately titled comic:
http://crooksandliars.com/bluegal/open-thread-565
Tomorrow we honor Brother Martin, of blessed memory.
Brother Martin talked the talk and walked the walk for non-violence, for equality and for civil rights., for the dignity of working people, for his Dream of a better world for all of us.
Here’s a link to “I am a Man: Dr. King and the Memphis Sanitation Strike.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBDgH435oaU&feature=related
and to the complete “I Have a Dream” speech:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk
and to hope, to our better angels…Yes, We Can
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsV2O4fCgjk
Now that’s food for thought.
Eat up. There’s plenty to go around.
thatcrowwoman
Robert Kennedy Jr. writes about what was going on in rightwingdom Dallas
at the time of JFK’s assassination and relates it to what is going on today
in his article for HuffingtonPost:
Tucson: Time for Another Examination of Conscience
And in between all the seriousness,
I’d like to comment
on a gorgeous sun shining through today,
and say thank you thatcrowwoman for the Louis Armstrong song
that has been playing in my mind since you mentioned it. I can even hear it playing with the sound of his voice!
(((Crow))) thank you.
On the days I wasn’t home sick with a virus that my beloved students SOOO generously shared with me (l’il stinkers!), I taught my annual MLK lessons this past week. As a white woman who was born in 1960 and barely remembers the struggle for civil rights, it always strikes me how those events, propelled in great part by that one man, changed the world so completely for the children that I see every day.
Nearly all of my students are of some race, or races, other than white, and it never fails to move me how different their everyday lives would have been but for the brave people who worked so hard for equality. Despite our best efforts to share their history with them, they have no real concept of the discrimination that existed just a few short decades ago (and, sadly, still exists in some forms today). Although many of them still struggle with poverty, lack of parental support and cultural pressures that scorn education, they have almost limitless opportunities to achieve their dreams, thanks to the generations who came before them.
They may not fully appreciate how those people, like Martin Luther King, Jr., who died so many years ago, have impacted their lives, but I am grateful, both for them and for all of us who benefit by their success.
Happy Birthday, Dr. King and thank you.
crowwoman… have you been to the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama?
Talk about the waters which flow with the food for thought!
Yes indeed.
Southern Poverty Law Center is an amazing organization. Here’s a link to the memorial:
http://www.splcenter.org/civil-rights-memorial
L’Shalom.
Southern Poverty Law Center
Fighting Hate • Teaching Tolerance • Seeking Justice
Thank you FTD and TCW for the link. I had never heard of the memorial, haven’t ever been to Alabama, but it’s truly beautiful and stirring.
Do kids in school learn about the Civil Rights struggle..I mean..do they study it, learn about Black history- Toussaint L’Overture…I’m not even sure the schools here honor his day….it makes it all the more pathetic to me. It makes it all the more difficult to learn about Civil Rights, when you have no black people. So sad…but true…I get sad because of this area and the attitudes…however, today something marvelous happened. The Westboro Baptist ‘Church’ came to protest at a soldiers funeral…and there was no place for them to buy gas! On the door of the gas station, a sign that said ‘We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone from the WBC’ -this was within their rights to do! The place where they were going to eat was going to charge them $7.00 a pancake…local residents, no charge.. There were only three of them- they left –YAY.! Seymour, Mo. These folks are all lawyers.. What they do is to pimp people into hitting them, or reacting in a threatening way, that then gets THEM in trouble…and if you are any person who might have a bit of money…that’s when the lawsuit happens..get it? They are not religious, they could care less..it’s all a moneymaking scheme. These guys are DEPENDING on us to react, and we do…who wouldn’t?? But it’s not for the reason of religious principles…it’s for love of MONEY.
There IS one special thing …it’s kind of like a balance..bad and good..we never get all good, damn it…there is always bad mixed with it.. Well the wonderful part is: Dr George Washington Carver was born, kind of down the road a bit at Diamond, Mo. He was an incredible person..incredibly brilliant…created all kinds of things..and sought patents on none of the things he invented! He made money for other people, but not for himself. He was not interested in becoming a rich man…he wanted to help folks grow their crops, and taught them to use legumes like the peanut- that would enrich the soil. He was a teacher and he was loved by his students… So I celebrate Dr. Carver and think of him everytime I water my houseplants…
Bubbles—thanks for the clip! Loved it! Belgium is a beautiful country , and I noticed there were no kids that looked overweight!
As $arah would tell you, Lacy Lady: “The Belgish children get by just fine without Michelle telling them what they can eat — Amurica needs to be more like Belgia, a country where government stays out of people’s lives and where parents can tell their children what to eat. And where Belgishes and Amuricans can grow small businesses and love the troops, too, and lowering taxes on the trickle-down ideas from before this administration started shoving things down our throat like what food our children should eat, not like the Belgish who don’t do that, is manifest destiny for rill Amuricans, and also, then, too, limiting government that is out of control.” beth.
DANG! You are good at that.
oops! Title should read ‘The End of a Sarah Palin Presidency’ by David Badash
……
Okay, first I couldn’t get on, now I’m on all by myself. Sigh, I’ll just tuck my tail between my legs and go home.
Poor, poor lil’ pup……
Ok, see if this works. You are right, it is a great read.
http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/the-end-of-a-sarah-palin-presidency/politics/2011/01/13/16735
If you just put the link in on its own, it will go to moderation. You need some text with it.
{{{{{vyccan}}}}}
from the article:
“You know who did a better job than Palin? Reluctant hero Daniel Hernandez, the twenty-year old Giffords intern who on day five of his first week on the (volunteer) job ran toward the bullets that killed six people and wounded fourteen others, and helped save Gabby Giffords life. Last night, Hernandez stood in front of a crowd of twenty-six thousand, plus cameras from all the news channels, and millions of Americans, and spoke — with neither notes nor teleprompter — and said, “e plurbus unum: out of many, one.”
A concept a twenty-year old college intern grasped, that a forty-six year-old former Republican Vice Presidential candidate, former Governor, former chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, former Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, former “Miss Congeniality,” former sportscaster, and former head of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Sarah Palin, could not, and has offered no evidence she ever will.”
i loved this paragraph also:
America yesterday saw the real Sarah Palin, and it was not a welcome sight. America saw a person unable to lead, unable to unite, unable to rise above and give voice to our better angels, unable to understand the first amendment, unable to understand cultural and religious differences, unable to apologize, unable to show compassion or (yes,) empathy. And America, maybe most distasteful to all, regardless of party, saw a person too emotionally-invested in playing a victim, rather than rising above victimhood.
Sarah Palin is a psychopath. end of story. she will continue to do her worst but for the most part she is done.
“….now I’m all by myself. Sigh, I’ll just tuck my tail between my legs and go home.”
LOL, vyccan! Exactly what Palin should realize and say!
By the way, excellent article.
Aaww! Thank you ALL. [I came back to peek in between cooking ;)] My feelings of rejection are all blowing away. 🙂
(Oho! I reread that last line and realize that I’m sounding like that woman – it’s all about me. Actually I KNOW it’s not – just wanted to contribute to the dialogue.) Of course, reading the dialogue here becomes so absorbing at times I forget what I’m supposed to be doing, so I’ll go finish cooking and come back to read later.
Hope nothing burnt…come back soon.
Did somebody mention food? vyccan, what’s for lunch?
We had seasoned rice and (oven) barbecued chicken, then watched a DVD. Now I don’t need to feel guilty if I spend the rest of the night jumping around on the blogs.
Yes it is and I put it on my face book page and twitter just to spread it around.we don’t get into it but I have some palin people, at least two that I know of on my page. so I always put things up.of course they are not all about palin.
AKM please help this lil’ pup.
Wow vyccan! THAT was one of the best, well thought out articles I’ve read in a while! Thx!! I shared it at another blog I frequent.
Thanks too Irishgirl for finding the link!
Still singing in my head “Do(e) a deer I call my friend..” (thanks to bubbles :))
vyccan, nice link. Woof!
Related to a couple of the comments above, Mudpups could read the following
‘The End of a Palin Presidency’ by David Badash.
It is online, but I’ve finally figured out that whenever I input the site address, my comments go travelling. I don’t know why, but I thought it was a well-written piece in tone and content, and wouldn’t mind another opinion or two..
I hope the author is right.
that was definitely worthwhile and full of links, most of which add to the consensus that palin’s political train has finally gone completely off the rails. she’s got no chance in 2012. considering richard nixon i for one will not prophesy beyond that.
So that got through, but my appreciation for the beauty of the picture, the music shared by TCW, and the company….plus
…a suggested article to be read didn’t. Maybe it was the article. I’ll list it separately just to see.
TESTING! TESTING!
Why is everything I write this morning being sent to moderation??? Aaagh!! Aaaagh! What have I done to deserve this treatment? Aaaagh!
SIgh. Let’s see if this gets through.
uhoh. i done it again, blast!!!! counfound it! and dang!
Dance Train Station Belgium: Do-Re-Mi. The Sound of Music – Julie Andrews
http://www.youtube.com.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkBepgH00GM
hahahaha caw Caw CAW!!! What fun!
OK, so I’m adding that to my Bucket List…before I die, I WILL be a part of a flash-mob musical!
Been mulling over **mudflats teh musical** for several dream cycles lately.
Someday I will “make it so.” 🙂
{{{{{Bubbles}}}}} (and thanks for the mail, also, too. mwuah!)
I love the musical flashmobs and that is a favorite. I, too, would love to be a part.
Bubbles, thank you!!! I am sending this link out to Family and friends! How cool is this?
take a moment to lighten up. i got this on facebook from a beloved Mudpup:
The President urged the nation to become more humble and less divided, “But what we can’t do is use this tragedy as one more occasion to turn on one another. As we discuss these issues, let each of us do so with a good dose of humility. Rather than pointing fingers or assigning blame, let us use this occasion to expand our moral imaginations, to listen to each other more carefully, to sharpen our instincts for empathy, and remind ourselves of all the ways our hopes and dreams are bound together.”
thanks Jaime
no comment? the White House in the form of the president of the United States:
The President urged the nation to become more humble and less divided, “But what we can’t do is use this tragedy as one more occasion to turn on one another. As we discuss these issues, let each of us do so with a good dose of humility. Rather than pointing fingers or assigning blame, let us use this occasion to expand our moral imaginations, to listen to each other more carefully, to sharpen our instincts for empathy, and remind ourselves of all the ways our hopes and dreams are bound together.”
_____________________________________________________________________________
if the media insists on continuing to be tools then we need to treat them as such. it is the duty of the President in his public persona to support the welfare and healing to the populous in times of crisis. the President did that.
it is not his job to deal with Palin directly. that job belongs to us. she has insulted us all. we will deal with Palin. we need to deal with Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity, Murdoch, Al Talibani, Angle,O’reilly, Buchanan et al given time.
Kick the FCC in the butt or….bring a Civil law suit against individuals who use speech in such a way that promotes hate ….or creates an atmosphere of hatred such as Glenn Beck-using gun and hunting analogies-Bachmann- second amendment remedies- Sharron Angle ….sue them….the people of the United States could bring a lawsiut against Rupert Murdoch. I don’t want to hear about any more little girls being murdered for nothing.
–“the 1980’s brought the Reagan Revolution with it’s army of anti-regulatory extremists.”
Congrats ‘ole Ronnie…USA’s got a new “sheriff” in town and it’s now all Corporate owned radio ,local and cable “news”, and many local newspapers gobbled up and now owned by billionaire “law-maker-politician-pimps.”
Reinstate the Fairness Doctrine .
Right you are bubbles and we always need to be aware least we be taken by surprise
I should have checked before writing my remark on the article in our Local Paper.
The article—-“-White House: NO comment on Palin’s ‘blood libel’ remark”
was submitted by Charles Babington of the Associated Press.
That said—–I don’t think it should have taken up over a half-page of our paper . The article went on and on and on about her. It starts out on the FRONT page, and continues on another.
I think she may use the “interview” tomorrow to cement her victim status for her followers by reinforcing how she has been suffering from prejudice for being a woman, for… oh whatever.
Look at the calendar: February 12th – Lincoln’s birthday,
21st – Presidents’ Day
22nd – Washington’s birthday
My guess is 2/22/ 2011. Washington’s birthday. I shudder as I think about it. May I be wrong!
GKatz @ #9: My comment #16 wads directed at your prediction, but it did not take.
I fervently hope we are both wrong!
My guess is February 6, 2011. That is Ronald Reagan’s 100th birthday.
He did not even enter my thoughts… but you are absolutely right! May we all be wrong!
Ron Reagan Jr. has a new book coming out this week about his father…..should stir things up with the Reaganites. If Sarah announces on Ronnie’s birthday, everyone else will be stirred up also, too.
If Sarah runs for the Repub nomination or as an Indie, she will probably pull a Perot. She will do the victim act because she will have threats, protests and heckling and she will quit.
The best position for her would be President of the NRA…..or better yet they could crown her Queen. Tiara and one of those bandolier bullet sashes. What better way for her to strut around and sprew her Second Amendment/Freedom of Speech bombastic banter. Should increase gun sales as even the Liberals would be Locked and Loaded. YIKES!!!
I got to say I still wish Nancy would comeout and declare tha palin is no Ronald Reagan nothing at all like the man.If I remember right he did not incite people to violence like palin IMO has done
I heard Ronald Reagan’s son, Ron, the other night on 20/20. He said that Sarah Palin has nothing to do with his dad, zero. Wish I had the quote – he was quite firm on that point. It probably won’t stop her trying to take over his image, but at least someone from Reagan’s family has put it on record that they aren’t embracing her.
I think Nancy Reagan needs to defend her husband from being associated with psychosis Sarah
Saint Ronnie’s elder son (Michael – with Jane Wyman) is mucho mega-whole-bunches-of conservative. I believe he embraces $arah QuittyPants-UglySoul and her use of his Dad to promote herself and what she stands for — they both, he says, “have the passion”…leastwise, he’s never disavowed her. Interestingly, he’s estranged from the rest of the family. beth. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2010/11/04/michael_reagan_compares_sarah_palin_to_ronald_reagan.html
Palin introduced Michael when he spoke in Anchorage AFTER she and McCain lost the election. He is pro her or she is pro him – not sure which. But, I will say that he is very different than President Reagan’s biological son, Ron. Prefer the latter son truthfully.
i heart Ron Reagan. i think Nancy Reagan agrees with him. i am wondering though if she is able to defend her husband. she is getting on now and may not be aware of what Palin is doing but i sure wish she would tell Sarah to feck off. in a nice way of course.
Ronald’s son was interviewed the other night (can’t remember what show) saying his father was a deep and complicated man that Pain et-al have no idea what he believed in and would have preferred she not use his father for her political agenda.
Exactly, bubbles.
Oh, mais ouis… but in the Alexis and Crystal manner of Dynasty days! When St.Ronnie (co-star of Bonzo the Chimp)still had a mane of jet black hair and a bit of sanity.
Should have read one more comment.At least one of the Reagan’s agree with me and I think a lot of us and many moderate republicans also
That’s superbowl sunday. Does that make it a better day to announce, or worse? My guess is worse.
Excellent point. I would guess worse, but maybe the day before or whenever the Republicans decide to celebrate the birthday. I do think Jimzmum nailed it.
After all, George Washington is her Favorite Founder, oh, unless you count “all of them” as those were her favorite Founders before she was forced to choose just one 🙂
Sheesh, we had uncommon snow on Jan 1 that stayed for a week. Yesterday was almost 70f. What the heck? Glad you’re back AKM.
thank you AKM for the glorious Sunday picture.
Will the real John McCain (whoever that is) please stand up?
“Arizona Senator John McCain, a politician who seemed to be working had to shed his old persona, reverted to his old persona in an Op-Ed piece in the Washington Post where he praised Barack Obama’s Tucson shooting speech, defended Obama’s patriotism and even suggested some regret for some of his own past statements. Does this signal a split with his former running mate Sarah Palin, who is now the embodiment of the country’s polarizing talk radio political culture (she is also literally a favorite of Glenn Beck’s and Rush Limbaugh)?”
http://themoderatevoice.com/98495/mccain-defends-obama-a-split-with-sarah-palin/
ah hah! you was absolutely right OMG. that look he gave Mr. OBama and we discussed yesterday (?) was maybe not hatred or anger but a deep realization and regret. bless you sweet pup. it is all about perspective isn’t it? you talked me down. i need help to see more clearly sometimes.
naw… he got elected… now he can sit back again…
You beat me to it. I was just going to post it. It makes for a very interesting read!
Love the mountain picture. Our family has always loved going to Colorado and driving through the mountains. Beautiful!
Cold here in Iowa. 4 degs. And snow on the way-grrrrrr!
I scrinze at the thought of Palin running for President. I thought something was in the wind when I read in our local newspaper a very large article on—who else?—-SP. Our small town has started to be “brain-washed”. It would be interesting to know just who sent this to our Iowegian and if they were charged for the printing —–or—–free!
I just might stir-up something.
I remember back during the 08 campaign when some one complained that there were no “pro” SP letters to the editor in our small town paper. The response–none had be received. These days lots of Baggers are writing to the editor but still not much of herself.
This was on The Plum Line’s Open Thread header this morning–remind you of anyone?
Sunday Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
Thank God for the First Amendment, which protects my speech by prohibiting any and all criticism of it.
The happiest time in Alaska and other northern places Is when the sun begins to cone back. Small wonder it has been celebrated in every culture and community since the beginning of Man. Merry Christmas!
I’m afraid my mind will not let go of this nightmarish, far-fetched thought until I share it. Unfortunately, in the world of Ms. Palin, the more far-fetched an idea the more likely it seems. So here goes my reasoning:
Recent events have enabled Sarah to reach a crescendo of martyrdom. What better way to capitalize on it than to announce the ultimate sacrifice to her and her family (but for the good of the country) by throwing her hat in the 2012 ring? And what better time to do it than on Hannity tomorrow? To further ratchet up the hype, she will be able to compare herself with the man whose life we should be commemorating that day, a man who lost his life making the world better for others. We know too well how she likes to steal the thunder. She has said that she would run if nobody else would. To me, that means she has to announce first, and it certainly appears that Mitt is getting his hat ready by stepping down from the board of Marriott.
The only flaw I see in the plan is that she needs to announce early in the morning for the lower 48, as she did with her last video, to get maximum impact, and Hannity is too late in the day for that.
I fear that I may sound like a Becktonian fool in front of a well-used chalkboard with tears streaming from my eyes. Well, the tears part could become true, although there would be some relief in getting over this hump so that she could truly be expected to be accountable to more than her buddies over at Rupert and Friends.
Shivers ran down my spine at the thought. You are right, Palin continues to thrive through just about everything. I am still crossing fingers that her latest video will be her ultimate undoing. People will rally around the poor and abused for only so long…I think that when she made herself the victim, after six people lost their lives, she played her last victim card to her own demise.
I must add that while she did not pull the trigger in Arizona last week, she has been one of the loudest voices of violent rhetoric since entering the national political stage. Words do have consequences in the big picture. Remember history…from Stalins Russia to Hitler’s German to the Cultural Revolution in China to parts of the USA where the KKK inspired ordinary citizens to carry out heinous hate crimes against other human beings–hate speech (that demonized opponents) was at the root of every war and every incident. Hate-filled rhetoric has also been linked to many “lone-wolf” crimes as well such as the horrific act of Timothy McVeigh.
Take a look at “The Fright Wing”
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-01-15/jared-loughner-and-the-rise-of-the-political-fright-wing/?cid=hp:mainpromo2
…I wonder how long a video would be if you took all her extreme derogatory statements (paliing around with terrorists) and strung them together? and then add in her proven lies; Death Panels, a dike around the oil spill,etc. Think it would be full feature movie ?
Back off to Huntsville tomorrow- gaack !!! Sunny Cal to Cold and Wet Alabama…YUCK !
Safe travels.
Safe journey and I won’t tell about the temperature here yesterday.
Good read, and I think one of Obama’s many well-crafted comments in his Tucson speech is relevant here:
If this tragedy prompts reflection and debate — as it should — let’s make sure it’s worthy of those we have lost. Let’s make sure it’s not on the usual plane of politics and point-scoring and pettiness that drifts away in the next news cycle.
i wouldn’t put it past her. i believe she is just that crazy. what i fear is that MSM and that evangelical-wingnut money will support her run for the White House. i still say she is finished but if she does run she will tear this country apart. literally.
It’s awful to contemplate. I still have to think that the GOP wants to win, and they can’t do it with her. Unfortunately, they can’t do it totally without her either. The question will be how they resolve this to get her votes without getting her in the package.
If she doesn’t run, she’ll still campaign for people and do more damage whether they win or not.
yes. she certainly will.
Our local PBS station is showing Eyes on the Prize. After watching that, I would be seriously to ticked off if that wench announced tomorrow. She has NO business attaching her name to ANY civil-rights leader.
Oy, vey.
I keep flashing on 2 images of the bitter twitter quitter this week, but haven’t shared them until now. My reaction to the “blood libel” comment was so unexpectedly intense…Mama taught me that just because it pops into my head, it doesn’t have to pop out of my mouth, and to sleep on those disturbing thoughts in hopes of better understanding and calmer expression. It’s time.
~~like Pontius Pilate washing hands before the crucifixion of Jesus and 2 others, Matthew 27:24:
Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!”
(New Living Translation ©2007…not found in my Hebrew Bible)
~~~and like Lady MacBeth with blood on her hands (Act V, Scene I)
Out, damned spot! out, I say!—One: two: why, then ’tis time to do ’t.—Hell is murky!—Fie, my lord, fie! a soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?—Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?
She can wash her hands raw, but they’ll never be clean.
AKM, like boodog proposed earlier, I would prefer to QUIT whatzername’s book, and to SHUN HER, except to call her out on her behavior. We’ve all got a pretty good picture of her “reflections on family, faith, and flag,” and it’s a selfish, hate-filled, ugly labyrinth of victim-hood.
Drop it down some outhouse where the pile of crap belongs. Shred it and put it in the nesting boxes for the chickens, or in the gerbils’ cage. Tear it apart and make collages or papier-mache. Auction it off and donate the proceeds to a favorite cause. This may be the only time you hear this librarian advocate for the power of 451 degrees Fahrenheit, and not flinch. I’d light the match, and you cannot know the pain and shame that brings me. Whatever you do, just get rid of the toxic tome. It’s not healthy.
Whew. Rant over.
Whatever whatzername does, we’ll deal with the fall-out.
She truly is her own worst enemy; she is a miserable and pathetic excuse for a human being. All the more reason for us to keep to the high road: to make our world a better place by acts of kindness each day, by speaking the truth right out loud, by listening and learning, by supporting the causes that matter to us, by sharing our opinions with our representatives, and by engaging with those around us.
Many thanks to you all,
thatcrowwoman
WHOA!!! ThatCrowwoman ranted! nice rant by the way. very nice…..Sarah has successfully pissed off a librarian and that’s is not a good thing to do especially when one has secrets. librarians know how to do research and they read books.
Well said, tcw. I agree with all of it.
Me too.
Count me in on that sentiment as well.
I am with you all on this one,Great and very true post thatcrowwoman . I was wondering when you would have something to say about her comments and how she tried to defend herself.There is no defense for what she has done and continues to do.
Powerful imagery that’s right on! I also agree that I would not regret for a moment dropping the quitter’s book at this point. I don’t think anything of value will come out of it.
Great rant Crow and I agree. No need to finish that pitiful excuse for a book. It is not worthy of further discussion. We know who she and her enablers are. Our time is better spent honoring Christina to make this a better country for all the kids.
So hope that all the Mudpuppies go forward and caw, caw, caw from sea to shining sea across all the mountain tops and the prairies
Righteous rant, crowwoman!
If words have no effect….then:
Saying “I love you” to a beloved has no effect;
Saying “Great Job!” to a child has no effect;
Saying “I’m sorry” to a parent has no effect;
Words count. Words have effects. Blood is on her hands.
I definitely had thought of Lady Macbeth and wondered if she could ever wash the blood off her hands. I didn’t think of Pontius Pilate, another good example.
I thought of Pontius Pilate first off with the blood reference, with her being a christianist and all.
The line in the self-centered video cruelty early on evoked ‘Catholic church service’ and went on to blood (Biblical NT blood on the Jews–choosing Jesus for death). As a non-catholic, it was historically obvious and it was fashionable at the start of the early Church to blame Jews for all that was wrong with the church folk (themselves). Church history was pulled up to offend many and round up the fundamental evangelicals–and the dominionists.
absolutely
Agreed crowwoman – also a librarian here.
Morning Mudpups and ‘Mother Mudpup”, It feels good to be able to appreciate the beauty around us – frozen mountains bathed in sunlight or music, or the presence of friends!
In response to the responses I’ve read so far, IF you haven’t yet seen this, I suggest it makes a good read on the subject of the person in question:
http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/the-end-of-a-sarah-palin-presidency/politics/2011/01/13/16735
I agree that, in Palin’s distorted view of the world, tomorrow would be a perfect opportunity to ‘sacrifice’ herself and her family ‘for the good of the country’ by announcing her candidacy. The timing also fits in with her claim that she would only do it if no on else stepped up, which is easy to do if you’re the first one. She is so delusional that I’m sure she sincerely believes that the country is behind her and agrees that she is the True Poor, Poor Victim in the Tucson tragedy. And, of course, she would feel no shame in comparing herself to MLK (even though he was one of ‘those’) and how he also sacrificed himself for our nation.
Don’t forget, because she surrounds herself ONLY with people who fawn at her feet and take as pearls of gospel every utterance that falls from her lips, she has no true understanding of how the world really perceives her. Even her facebook pages are scrubbed of anything remotely critical moments after it is posted.
However…
In the weeks leading up to last week’s shooting, the Republican Powers That Be have slowly but surely been distancing themselves from her as a viable prospect for President. They have been more critical and dismissive, and less respectful towards her than at any time since 2008. Since the shooting, and the accompanying criticism of her gun sight map, they have been vocal about denying any culpability, but in a general way that seems to be more a defense of themselves than of her specifically. After her Poor Widdle Me speech on Wednesday, many of the most outspoken right wingers – and former Palin supporters – have appeared to all but abandon her and many have openly criticized her. Their instinct for self-preservation has apparently kicked in and they are quickly sacrificing her for their own protection, rather than defending a speech that is indefensible.
She may indeed announce that she has decided to run (a time and a choice that I think is truly despicable), but I believe that any support she might have enjoyed 6 months ago has dwindled down to only her most wink-addled palinbots.
You have made some really good points, and I appreciate the comments you and everyone else have contributed.
To add to this, I also recall reading/hearing that many of the other presumed candidates have started to pick up staff members for their campaigns, but Sarah has not. Perhaps she does recognize the near impossibility of her getting a nomination and the absolute impossibility (in a sane and logical world) of her winning an election if she did get nominated.
Still, that doesn’t mean she’s going to be a wallflower, especially as long as she has her beloved Rupert giving her open mic night whenever she wants it. She may only be his pet as long as she has enough followers to increase his ratings, though!
Of course she would try to steal the spotlight from MLK! That’s her MO these days; swoop in and steal the day! Oh, wait, when she tried that last weekend it was an EPIC FAIL. Let her announce a run in 2012. It’ll just give her opponents more reason to dig deeper in her closet and regale us with more examples of her shortcomings.
I am amazed that otherwise sane and reasonable people such as Mudpuppies think $arah has a chance. The main reason she hasn’t been laughed into oblivion already is her self-limited access to the media. No one can do more than form an exploratory committee without falling into the media typhoon. A couple of weeks of that, and she’ll quit, and try to gild the lily by saying she “wants to spend time with her family.”
Perhaps if people worrried about real problems, like mental illness, the unemployed, or the weather something could be accomplished.
Also agreeing here – I am just so agreeable today!!
Last week, I would have agreed. She has rested over Christmas, been out of the limelight, had whatever spiffing up she thought she needed, and now she is ready for the BIG announcement. Last week, sorta threw a monkey-wrench into her glorious plans. I think the “Presidential” video was an attempt to recoup, but fell pretty flat. Well, tomorrow we’ll see how tone deaf she is, and how wrong I am.
A sacrilege…that huir..! of course..that would make a sick sense, since it would fit her MO…She likes to suck all the oxygen/attention out of the room…she is an insult to all of us.
That quitter-grifter is a martyr-wanna-be. She’s so pissed that an intelligent and hard working woman/ lefty is fighting for her life and all she can do is spit tacks in lame videos and at herself when she thinks no one is looking.
Go ahead and rub it in. The mountains of Iowa pale in comparison to your treasures in Alaska. Besides,I’ve never seen an actual mountain in real life. Off topic and I don’t want to tick people off,but,does anyone have any idea what it costs to keep a person in intensive care for a day? I was kinda wondering when certain groups would make a big deal about Congresswoman Giffords and her insurance.
no, but 7 years ago it cost about $7,000 to have my son in the ER for 3 or 4 hours. i know it ain’t cheap.
Depending on location, and how intensive the intensive care is, it runs between $10,000 and $12,000 a DAY. Of course, our Congresscritters have the best insurance in the US — unless something has changed, it rivals the best of executive coverage. And they all have it for life, no matter how short their stay in Congress. I think that applies even to that felon Tom Delay. This is one of the reasons the so-called left (meaning sane people who acknowledge facts) asked why we couldn’t have a public option.
“they all have it for life, no matter how short their stay in Congress”
Not so. They have the same retirement and health benefit plan choices as any other Federal employee. Premiums are wonderously low. Health benefits vest after 5 years but retirement is a bit more complicated.
Members of Congress are not eligible for a pension until they reach the age of 50, but only if they’ve completed 20 years of service. Members are eligible at any age after completing 25 years of service or after they reach the age of 62. Members of Congress have to serve at least 5 years to even receive a pension which is calculated using a formula based on the years of service and the average of the highest 3 years salary.
You spoke of pensions, what about healthcare for life for congress-peeps and their immediate family? Is that a separate issue (HC) from their pension and related “service” years.
Just wondering. You seem to know something of these matters.
They have it for life??? no wonder this country is broke.
Mountains of Iowa? Ok, hilarious, but Iowa anywhere near the Mississippi is a fantastic place to visit for pre-history and geology. It’s beautiful beyond belief and ancient, wonderful and lovely in any season.
Love those tunes! Thanks for warming the heart. The mountains in Colorado are snow-covered, too- but 50 degrees in Denver, and melting the slush on the streets. Doggies are happy the white stuff is still in the yard…
Enjoy the day, everyone 🙂
Lived out in Aurora and loved how we could cool off by going to the mountains and yes also loved that in Denver the snow did not stay long. Lived there about 6 months before moving back,by the way not my choice.I loved it out there.
Good morning, AKM and all.
Sunshine on mountains…does my heart good.
Two for today….
Louis Armstrong: What a Wonderful World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzJY96m3lkg
George Harrison/Beatles: Here Comes the Sun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_dBwJDUlS4
L’Shalom,
thatcrowwoman
I smiled just at the memory of such great songs. Thanks.
Too, me!
thank you Crow. Louis Armstrong was and is beloved figure in my community. what a wonderful man he was.
Great songs to start the day with a fantastic photo.
John Denver “Sunshine on my shoulder? (makes me happy)
George Harrison, yup and many thanks thatcrowwoman.
Good morning all…what a beautifully image to wake up to.
For your morning reading, I found this column to be one of the most important and powerful that I’ve read: Listening to Giffords:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/16/opinion/16rich.html?_r=1&src=ISMR_HP_LO_MST_FB
We should all read it, but it won’t change anything until those who are turning a blind eye to the violence commited with legally owned guns are willing to read it as well.
I always knew I didn’t like Newt Gingrich but the quote and link to the article from 1995 about him is astounding.
Thank you for the link: The column is eye-opening (for me, the section comparing the violence of the groups in the 60s and 70s which were left-oriented to the violence now which is inspired by govt antipathy on the right), and the ‘highlight’ comments after the column are really worthwhile reading!
Thanks for that link! Frank Rich so often seems to get things exactly right.
Great read OMG. To bad the Lamestream media already recused itself when chants of “kill him” and other hateful insane words were deftly ignored and NOT aired on the Lame stream media-msm during Senator John McCain and his current VP nods’ (and future Governor slacker/grifter/quitter) race-baiting 2008 presidential rallies. I had to Google that MESS.
Palin had put the “crosshairs of a gunsight over our district. When people (palin) do that, they’ve got to realize there’s consequences to that.” — Congress woman Gabrielle Giffords.
Common decency is now a by-product of political campaigns, shootings too and also. Words do mean something.
This photo is good for the soul……..
Happy Sunday! Beautiful picture AK. I’m off to work this morning. I hate retail.
Good morning. Another beautiful picture. Cold here, too. Snow in the forecast. No surprise. Off to the hospital to visit with Mother. Plan is to download more books on her Kindle. Oh, how she loves that Kindle. We have the text size fixed so she can see it, and she is loving reading old favorites that are not available in large print. The Kindle is light-weight, too.
hugs to your mother Jimzmum. the kindle is a wonderful thing to have.
Thank you, Bubbles. I am feeling a bit guilty. And, I know this is silly, but I have been neglecting the forum and here for about the last year.
If you are off to visit your Mother in the hospital, that is excuse enough.
Welcome home, JD,
Stay warm! Coldageddon is upon us.
Heh heh…good one.