Opinion Roundup: Does The Petraeus Affair Matter? : NPR

It takes very little to attract a monkey's attention. Often a bit of tinfoil or a bright leaf will do the trick. The mass media are the monkeys of the 21st century and you've got your Fox monkeys, MSNBC monkeys and all the rest of the busy little media monkeys dashing around, looking for more distraction to show the millions of spectator monkeys.

Can't we stop monkeying around?

Obama And Congress Must Tackle Impending Financial Crisis Immediately

Now is the time for every citizen to demand that their elected representatives in Washington work out a solution to the budget crisis they have created now, before it's too late. How can we get a petition going while we all deluge congress with e-mail and phone calls. Will OWC participate and if not, why not?

TIME GOES BY | TGB Elders and the 2012 Election

 I have now decided that I will vote for Obama in November even though my heart isn't completely in it the way it was in 2008. Obama has been a great disappointment these past four years and the 3rd debate certainly didn't get me "fired up and ready to got" the way me and my fellow Texas campaign workers were when we canvassed in Ohio the last time. Since I am a resident of "the Great State of Texas" my vote will have little effect (strike that-"no effect") on the outcome of the national elections but I might as well add my 2 cents along with my choices for local representatives.

And by the way, there is no question-it is the closet racist block who are opposing Obama so vehemently. Somebody commented that "We're all not racists" which is true but the number of bigots hiding in the closet is huge (especially here in the South)

Clinton '16? I wonder if she'll have the strength to pull it off and will Bill still be around to campaign for her?

Stay tuned...

Doing the Right Thing

"Providence House is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to transition women who are homeless and recently released from prison back into society. We provide case management and an array of programs throughout our network of transitional residences, individual apartments, and permanent supportive housing. Our goal is to help our residents obtain permanent housing, get an education, learn job skills and find employment. This four-tier approach enables women and children to become strong families. We provide daycare for our infants and toddlers, and we assure that our older children are enrolled in school. In addition, all residents have access to a Registered Nurse through our Family Health Services Program. Our unique structure provides a home away from home. Core community members, volunteers and staff share in the day-to-day life of our residents, teaching by example the life skills that will help them successfully reintegrate into the community. Providence House ultimately strives to break the cycle of homelessness and return to incarceration for these families. To date, over 8,500 women and 4,500 children have lived at Providence House." These women deserve your support. Donate at

Touring the brain

Over the past five years, I have read at least 50 books on the workings of the brain and almost countless articles. Neuroscience, brain mapping, emotional disability and Neurological psychology has captured my attention permanently. This article, Excerpted from "The Ravenous Brain," available from Basic Books, is one of the the most lucid articles I have yet to encounter. It is extremely well written and very easy to understand. I'm looking forward to reading ""The Ravenous Brain," in its entirety soon.

Mature Landscaping: Checking In The Frog Pile

Mature Landscaping: Checking In The Frog Pile

I met a new friend on the way to Basho's Pond

snopes.com: Warren Buffett on Fixing Congress

snopes.com: Warren Buffett on Fixing Congress:

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The current situation in Congress will be seen by some as a comedic interlude in the constant degradation of our national political institutions or the worst moment in U.S. political history since the Civil War. Either way, something must be done before the poseurs occupying the national houses of Congress push us over the cliff. The Buffet Proposal is a sensible step in the right direction and even though that the chances of getting national support are slim. It is definitely worth a try. Today, with the Social Media and the existing network of OWS etc. we have a better chance than ever before.  Forward a copy of the plan to everyone you know. Talk it up and every opportunity!

http://www.welcometothebathtub.com

http://www.welcometothebathtub.com

This looks like it's gonna something else

Establishment Media

It\'s the day after the first of May and although there have been demonstrations throughout the U.S. and the rest of the world, the media have for the most part, studiously avoided any coverage. "The tree fell" but they didn\'t want to see it (or were they told to shut their eyes). Some might say that other events preempted the spotlight - like the "Obama Declaration" from Kabul? But the truth is that in its anti-establishmentarian role the Occupiers are seriously threatening the status quo.

Class of 2012 | Prospect Magazine

Class of 2012 | Prospect Magazine:

" Billionaire Warren Buffett says: “There’s class warfare, all right, but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s making war, and we’re winning.”
 That just about sums it up. No matter what Romney the Robot says, with his $330 million nest egg he's so far up in the catbird seat that he has no idea how the 99% live, think and feel. George W Bush at leasy played at being just another one of the "good old boys" and his performance was almost convincing but when Romney talks about the "cheesy grits" it's far too obvious. If by some unfortunate chain of events the Robot gets into the White House, most of us, except Buffet and the other 1 per centers - are screwes.

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Elizabeth Warren’s Star Support Criticized - NYTimes.com

Elizabeth Warren’s Star Support Criticized - NYTimes.com:

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In our 21st century global village, the idea that residents of one geographic area should restrict their participation in the political process to that specific area is anachronistic and absurd. We are all citizens of the world and the locale of our current residence is of very little importance. Unfortunately, the politicians and their handlers will probably be one of the last to recognize this elemental fact.

Senate Kills G.O.P. Bill Opposing Contraception Policy - NYTimes.com

Senate Kills G.O.P. Bill Opposing Contraception Policy - NYTimes.com:

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It was way too close for comfort. Casey and his two henchmen almost tipped it the other way and Collins was the only Repub. to vote "nay". If the Repubs win the White House and get control of the Senate we are totally screwed. So hitch up your belts, pull up your socks and get to work. We must work for every sane candidate that's running this year and do everything we can (that's legal) to block as many of the right-wing nuts that are trying to turn this democracy into a full-fledged oligarchy and who just might do it if they get elected.

Do We Need A President in 2013?

After the Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street and the Komen Story, we are beginning to realize that the people, and not just fat-cat politicians and .01% bosses, can and will have a significant say in the way things are run. If we start to examine the function of a President in 21st century American government, it\'s

http://www.lettersofnote.com/2010/07/it-is-lovely-book.html

http://www.lettersofnote.com/2010/07/it-is-lovely-book.html

If only the President cared as much for his supporters as he does for animals (in story books)

Blogger: Blogger Dashboard

Blogger: Blogger Dashboard:

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Something to Shoot For - NYTimes.com

Something to Shoot For - NYTimes.com:

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They told me "Cheer up, things can't get any worse" so I cheered up and they passed HR822. Do we need any further proof that we now have a "Rogue legislature, that the members of Congress are completely out of control? Their willful disregard of the rights and needs of American citizens has reached a point where mass impeachment is urgent. These guys will do anything to for money and I do mean anything.

The Dissent's Dilemma

American Crisis Politics | Dissident Voice:

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When you can't vote for Obama and you won't vote for any of the possible candidates on the Republican slate, what do you do?

Obama has betrayed our trust and demonstrated his intractable dedication to "business as usual". He has totally ignored virtually all of his campaign promises and allied himself solidly with Wall Street and the bankers. He has ignored the people like me and thousands of others who worked the phones and knocked on doors to get him elected. The idea of voting for him in 2012 is the farthest thing from my mind and yet it would take a command from heaven to make me vote for any of the people who have thus far presented themselves for the Republican ticket. Barring something miraculous from "Americans Elect" or another third party movement, I'm stuck. Right now it looks like abstention is the only possible solution and yet that seems like a cop out. What's a poor guy to do?

Addicted to Exercise? - NYTimes.com

Addicted to Exercise? - NYTimes.com: "On the basis of the latest brain research, as well as practical experience, let’s acknowledge this profound truth: altruism and generosity can be hedonistic pleasures.

"

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"On the basis of the latest brain research, as well as practical experience, let’s acknowledge this profound truth: altruism and generosity can be hedonistic pleasures." Evidently the Dalai Lama "nailed it" when he said "If you want to be really selfish, make others happy"

The American Dream is a Myth

storyimages_1319223516_screenshot20111020at11.27.19am.png (702×479):

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"Go to school, work hard, get a degree and you'll be a success" Maybe, once upon a time that was what people believed in America but it was a myth. Today,the son of a poor farmer will be lucky to farm, let alone become head of ConAgra and for 99% of us, "downward mobility" could be the latest trend. What was the
land of the free and the home of the brave" could soon become "the land of a few rich and the home of the slave"

Not surprisingly our ranking among the developed nations of the world in terms of social justice (poverty prevention,Overall poverty rate, Child poverty, senior citizen poverty, income inequality, education and health) is at 27th place only marginally ahead of Greece, Chili, Mexico and Turkey.

It is time for this country to reverse the politics and economic policies that have led to fall and take the steps that will put us back among the Scandinavian and other European nations where we belong.

Americans Staying Put More Than At Any Time Since WWII: Census

Americans Staying Put More Than At Any Time Since WWII: Census:

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"A Nation on the Move" has evolved into "The Stay at Home Nation" If you "Go West Young Man" You could end up in California which seems to in total meltdown. Our cities are in chaos, we are now witnessing the beginning of the end. The socio/economic model that served so well in the 20th century (especially the early year) has outlived its usefulness. We need a new model for the 21st