phone call

My sister called yesterday with sad news. I'm in Texas to see what help I can be. I stopped for the day and will get there tomorrow. My father is not doing well which is all I want to say for now.

Exhausted

Had a 12pm tee time at Cochiti golf course. This was Grinnygranny's second day of vacation. We've never played this course, which is one of the best in the state, though we've passed it by dozens of times on our way to Dixon's for apples.
It's a great course. They keep it pristine for such a dry desert setting. When you're on the cart path there's grass on one side and dirt, rocks, pinons trees, shrubs, rattle snakes and scorpions on the other. The grass side is about 20 degrees cooler. It's amazing how far the ball travels at 7000 feet elevation. It's the last course I'd want to walk. Talk about steep hills! Being the middle of the week it wasn't too busy. It's most likely crawling during the weekend.
For my non-New Mexican readers Cochiti Pueblo is twenty miles south of Santa Fe. The Pueblo is below the Dam that was built in the 70's and they control the lake. There is a small non-Native American community around the lake that has a 99 year lease, which will be up in the 2060's. The golf course is just past the community, but is run by the Pueblo -- no gambling at this Pueblo, but you pass three casinos on the way up. Never say never, but I have so far avoided playing any of the courses run by casinos, for one they are way too expensive for a teacher's salary, and two why should I help outside businesses that are draining money out of the state's economy?
We took some pictures of the lake which I'll post on another day, but by the time we got to the golf course the memory on the camera was full. We'll have to go back up for pictures again.

Too much of a good thing

Once upon a time there was a young girl who had trouble getting the attention of boys. Her main problem was that while other girls developed normal curves she remained -- well in a word -- flat.


Then one day in desperation as she passed a pond she came across a frog. She reached down and thought to herself, "Why not?"


As she picked up the rather unhappy frog, who wanted nothing more than to eat more flies, she asked, "If I kiss you will you turn into a handsome Prince?"


The frog croaked out, "No."


To the young girls suprise she felt her chest start to grow. Thinking it must be a sign she asked the frog if she could kiss him and again he said, "No!" This time rather indignantly.


Lo and behold she could feel her chest expand even further. Being rather pleased with her new found bosom she thought that if she asked one more time her figure would be perfect. So she asked again.


This time the frog was really angry and yelled, "NO, NO, A THOUSAND TIMES NO!"

If you think this is just a joke or fairy tale scroll down a little further.

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Now close your mouth.

Interesting day

Took grinnygranny and auntiepesty out golfing with Ritchie. About half way through auntiepesty had a suger crash. She didn't eat anything for breakfast, and it was hot. Grinnygranny and I walked in the last three holes so she could take the cart back to the proshop and get something to eat at the restaurant. When we got in the EMT's were there they thought she was a little anemic. We got some orange juice in her, fed her a sandwich and had her take some vitamins. She was back to her normal self within a short time. Took it easy the rest of the day. Maybe she'll learn to eat a good breakfast from now on.

Captains Log

Stardate 072007.100

Paul Abrams hits the nail on the head as to why our Neocon Foreign Policy will never work.
Neocon foreign policy will never work because their assumptions are wrong and because neocons are not willing to make the required commitments. They will not pay more taxes, they will not lead by volunteering to risk their own lives, they will not support a draft. They are willing only to lead the US astray by pretending the challenges are imagined, and then accusing everyone else
Bruce has an interesting assessment in regards to his link to comments made by former President Jimmy Carter's blunt assessment of U.S. policy towards Palestine as Criminal. It's the second post on his blog.
The Islamic world has clearly exposed the foreign policy of the most powerful "Christian nation" in the world as nothing more than the law of the jungle -- "might makes right." America preaches democracy, but we practice "social darwinism.
"In the eyes of the non-Christian world, nothing could discredit both democracy and Christianity more than an American President who launches pre-emptive wars under false pretenses, authorizes the secret rendition and torture of prisoners, and then lectures the world about the virtues of both faith and democracy. And nothing could discredit the Church more than the fact that this President can still boast that his most loyal support comes from the ranks of the most publicly fervent and vocal proponents of the Christian faith.

Robert Sutton has interesing thoughts on emotional detatchment in the workplace.
I have argued for years that learning when not care, what not to care about, and how to not care is just as important to career success and personal well-being as being passionate. I especially think that it is an essential skill for people who are trapped in asshole-infested workplaces and can't get out -- at least for now. If people treat you like dirt, they don't deserve your passion and best efforts. And, as I say in The No Asshole Rule, going through the motions without letting the creeps that surround you touch your soul is, unfortunately, the best - or least bad -- option at times.

Bill Shur explains what the boo's during Hillary Clinton's speech were all about. I would be booing too.
"They jeered the Democratic presidential hopeful when she blamed the Iraqi government for the continued violence that has bogged down U.S. troops."...
That the progressive grassroots, being serious about foreign policy and national security, wanting a fundamental change in our foreign policy away from blundering occupation and towards steely multilateral diplomacy, viscerally reacted to a blatant mischaracterization of what's happening abroad.

Now I'm off to the golf course. The only civilized place to be at the moment.

Good day

Had a book signing at Bible Plus yesterday. Sold 4 books, but bought a book and cd from the two guys selling their stuff. They bought mine so I kind of had to buy theirs. Also gifted one book to the store for the employees to read in their break room.
Had a nice breakfast this morning then went to see Fantastic 4. Richie ran around the play area for a bit and then we came home to watch Tiger Woods come close, but no cigar in the U.S. Open. Hope everyone else had a good Father's Day.

The philosophy of the sociopath

The Sopranos ended last night after eight years. There has always been a fascination in this country with outlaws: pirates in the Carribean, gunslingers in the wild west, bank robbers during the Depression, and of course Gangsters. They all have one thing in common: They are spoiled children -- self-centered. ruthless, greedy and violent.
Most people suffer lives of quiet desperation so they live vicariously by watching people capable of doing what inhibits them. They fantasize about being outlaws but are inhibited and socialized. They've grown up and started taking responsibiltiy for their actions.
Parents for many generations knew that their most important accompishment was to socialize and civilize their children. (Pre Doctor Spock and the self-esteem movement) Teaching them manners, to control their tempers, to obey authority, and to become productive members of their community. There is a word used to describe children that never grow-up -- SPOILED. Cases in point: Paris Hilton, twenty-six years old crying like a baby and begging Momma to make it right. Teenagers killing for a pair of shoes, internet spammers.

Outlaws and sociopaths are morally toddlers. After all what is a three-year-old? They are self-centered, ruthless, greedy and violent.
A three-year-old sees an object and grabs it yelling "Mine."
Tony Soprano sees some action and yells "Mine."
Hitler saw Europe and yelled "Mine."
Any difference?

We've had a President that has exibited most of a toddler's trait ever since the last election. For six years he had carte blance with a rubber stamp Congress, but now he doesn't so he throws temper tantrums -- Vetoing the funding budget until he gets what he wants regardless of the consequences for the men in the field, his words: "I'm the Decider" runs around his house in Crawford pounding on his chest saying, "I'm the President."
Self-centered? What about his signing statements where he states the law does not apply to him? Has there been a President more ruthless? Sending hundreds of thousands of Americans into combat then refusing to attend a single funeral. Underfunding the war effort saving money at the cost of lives. Vacationing while an entire coastal area of the country is destroyed, and refusing to rebuild it. Greedy-- can you spell T-A-X-C-U-T-S for the wealthy while cutting services and raising taxes on the poor. How much more violent can you get than fighting two wars at once while approving torture, assasinations, and throwing people into dungeons at whim.

Now to the point. So far I've talked about the actions of the spoiled. There is a guiding philosophy that backs up their actions. How they rationalize such barbaric behavior. Today it's called Objectivism. Based on the writings of Ayn Rand. Her two most famous works being The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged.
Jim Hightower in his book Thieves in High Places mentions that corporate heads treat these books like the Bible. Rush Limbaugh quotes from it at length. I've even seen a bumper sticker that said "Who's John Galt? -- Ask Rush" (the question is the main focus of the story in Atlas Shrugged)
In Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand basically writes a philosophical doctoral dissertation about two-thirds into the story. She sums up her belief by asking everyone to take this oath:
"I swear--on my life and my love for it--that I will never live for the sake of another man, or ask another man to live for me."

Truly a sociopath's motto. The attitude of I'm the center of the universe and nobody else exists but me.
Xpatriated Texan has an enlightening post listing how understanding Objectivism explains most of Bush's actions.

The Bible also explains this philosopy. In the book of Revelations it's known as the mark of the Beast: 666. In numerology 3 represents the number of God (the trinity), 6 is the number for Man (created on the sixth day), 666 represents Man becoming God.

Bush once said in an interview that the reason he decided to become President was because God told him to. Obviously he believes his thoughts are God's thoughts. It's only a delusion that there is a God outside of himself.

Curse of the Golden Flower

Grinnygranny won't watch a movie with subtitles so I couldn't get her to watch this one. Believe it or not there are some really good movies made somewhere other than in Hollywood. Gerard Depredeau's Danton and Cyrano De Bourgerac are excellent. One of the perks of having summers off is that I can rent movies I want to see while the wife is at work. Drives her crazy.

I just watched Curse of the Golden Flower with Chou Young Phat. It was visually stunning. The sets, scenery and costumes were lavish, plush, colorful -- a veritable feast for the eyes. The subtitles were under the screen in black and readable. (My biggest complaint with most foreign movies is that the subtitles get washed out.)
The plot is similar to The Lion in Winter. Really nasty palace intrigue. The movie revolves around the Emperess who is forced to take hourly doses of medicine and the Emperor is poisoning her. She knows it, but can do nothing to stop it. The Crown Prince thinks his mother is dead, but she's really the wife of the Imperial Doctor helping poison the Emperess. The Emperess has seduced the Crown Prince, who is also having a fling with the daughter of the Imperial Doctor -- major problem when they learn they are actually half brother and sister. The Emperess does have two sons the eldest is the most capable at ruling...
Hey, it's palace intrigue the plot has to be complicated.
The Imperial Doctor is made the Governor of a province when the Emperor learns he is married to the Crown Prince's mother. Once outside the palace they are attacked and from that point on it is battle after battle. The youngest brother attacks first, but doesn't have that strong of a followiing. The middle son, Jai makes it into the inner courtyard with his troops. The entire courtyard is covered with chrysanthemums which are trampled while the battle rages. The fighting is intense, but not bloody like Braveheart, Henry V or Saving Private Ryan. The Emperors assassins sent to kill the Doctor's family climbs down on ropes and throw swords with a boomerang effect, but there's none of the silly flying over rooftops and trees like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Once the battle is over the courtyard is cleaned up and all the flowers replaced by thousands of workers and in a matter of minutes all traces of the battle are erased. It was amazing.
I won't divulge the outcome, but it did catch me by surprise. It finishes with a beautiful song as the closing credits roll. Reading the subtitles of the song it is a really touching poem.
Chou Young Phat was the only actor in the movie I knew about. He was King of Siam in Anna and the King and is a truly gifted actor. The Emperess was spectacular and is evidently the top actress of China -- for good reason.
If you feel like watching a truly spectacular movie this is the one to rent. See it at night with no other distractions -- you need undivided attention for the subtitles to follow the story.

Addam's Famly

Bought a DVD that has both The Addam's Family and Addam's Family Values. It's been a few years since we've watched either one. They have stood the test of time and are still very funny.
I can't watch the first movie without putting into context with the year it came out and we went to see it in the theater.
That year was supposed to be a good year. I had finally grabbed the holy grail. I had one World History class. I had taught 7th and 8th grade language arts, worked my way up to 9th and 10th grade language arts, government, U.S. History and now finally had the class I've always wanted to teach in the regular school year. I had taught World in Summer School so I'd be ready when the time came. Instead it was a LONG BAD HAIR YEAR.
It was the second year that the Principle nit-picking everything I did. The year before in the teacher's lounge, Larry, an older teacher could see how distressed I was after a brutal evaluation. He looked at me with sympathy and offered the best advise I ever received. He said, "Just remember you're permanent, she's temporary."
He spent part of that year in the hospital with a heart attack. When he got back the aforesaid Principle called him into her office and wanted him to take a classroom management class because while he was in the hospital his students (behavior disordered special ed) had misbehaved for the substitute. It was also nice to know I wasn't the only teacher she was digging her nine inch nails into.
As the bad hair school year started:

• one of my students was shot in the mouth during a drug bust just three weeks after giving birth.
• A male assistant principle was placed on paid administrative leave for sexual harassment, and the head Mistress tried to fire with falsified evaluation papers in retaliation another teacher I considered friend. The assistant principle did not have his contract renewed the next year. At the hearing to terminate my friend he was smart enough to have kept the copy of his evaluation paper and proved the grounds for his termination to be false. He returned to his teaching duties, but greatly subdued, and the Principle chastened. We all scratched our heads over the whole process as he wasn't the one who brought the charges. He had only celebrated the news a little too loudly in the main hallway.
• Then one morning as I arrived at my box to get mail the other teachers were in tears. Larry was out in his garden the evening before, suffered a heart attack and passed away. The longest day of teaching I've ever endured.

Depression is a deceptive state of mind while at the time you don't always realize you have it. I had trouble sleeping, was moody and withdrawn, stayed in my classroom during lunch instead of eating in the teacher's lounge. It was pre-Prilosec and my acid reflux was at its worst. I was feasting on Pepsid and Rolaids. At my fall evaluation I got pissed off enough to ask the dragon lady if I would be holding a sign on Central Avenue the next year that read "Will Teach for Food". I'm pretty sure Grinnygranny worried about me, and to her Saintly credit stuck by me. The children didn't have much of a choice all they knew was that Daddy was very cranky.

Then around the first of December we went to see The Addam's Family. It was funny, irreverent, black humor. Gomez walking up to Morticia and asking "Are you miserable, darling?'

She smiles sensuously and says, "Yes."

Christina Ricci as Wednesday strapping Pugsly into an electric chair telling him that they're playing a game called "Is there a God?" delivered with such a wickedly serious expression on her round, large eyed pale skinned face. Without realizing it I was laughing most likely for the first time in months. By the end of the movie it was as if a great weight had lifted from my shoulders. Walking out of the theater I looked at Grinnygranny and said "I needed that!"

Suddenly all the dread and grief was lifted. Somehow it gave me serenity. I can't explain it, it just did. Laughter can truly be the best medicine.

• The drama with the Principle's and my friend continued to the end of the school year.
• The day before the Student/faculty basketball game (which I had been practicing and getting into shape the previous month) I closed the car door on our cat's tail. When I tried to open the door it bit me on my hand so I had to watch the game instead of playing in it with a bandage as big as a tennis racket.
• At my Spring evaluation the Principle finally came out with why she was raking me over the coals. She didn't think I was doing enough extra-curricular duties. When I explained that I was sponsor of Youth and Government and the Rodeo club it was like night and day. From that point on I was her fair haired boy. I then took over as our department's representative on the Governing Council. She faced one pissed off Union Rep every month when the council met.
• During spring break a star football player and homecoming Queen were at a party, a fight ensued over the homecoming Queen and the football player killed another person at the party. Numerous students and faculty members were called as character witnesses during his sentencing.
• Two weeks before school ended one of our female students was raped and murdered.

I've never wanted a school year to be over so much before or since. What I do know is that the only thing that kept me sane that year was watching this movie.

Greetings from Texas

• Daughter is now officially a high school graduate. When we get home I'll post about the differences between big town/big school graduation and little town/little school graduations.
• Had Mom's 75th birthday celebration. A few people came by and it was nice.
• Auntie Pesty's graduation party -- only one person showed up. She was just a little disappointed.
• Wife, mother and daughter have gone into town to do some shopping leaving me here with Dad for a few minutes I have time to catch up on blogging and e-mails.
• More to come later.

Last Final

Students are currently taking their final and this is the last one for the year. If you hear a strange noise resembling someone sticking an ice pick in a cat's ear, that's me singing the Hallelujah chorus.
Tomorrow night is Auntiepestie's graduation and we have a long drive ahead of us to be there on time. I'll catch everyone up on it when we get back.

The Queen

The Queen deals with the aftermath of Princess Diana's death. Can it be that this August will be ten years since that traumatic day?
I had seen the previews while it was in the theaters which focused on Hellen Mirren's portrayal. I wasn't expecting how prominent Tony Blair was in the story. Coming as it does with his departure from office I found that rather interesting.
The focus of the movie was to me the royal families lack of response to Diana's passing kind of summed up in a comment by the Queen's sister that "Diana was proving just as irritating in death as she was in life."
Curiously absent from the movie was any mention of Andrew (randy Andie) and Sarah Fergusson (Fergie). There was just the one scene where Elizabeth watches Charles telling the two boys about their mother's death, other than that the boys aren't in the movie, except than Prince Phillip taking them out hunting so they can get fresh air.
There is the one scene where Blair is recommending Elizabeth return to Buckingham Palace and make a statement. She vehemently informs him that their grief will be private and not for public consumption. Another powerful scene was when Blair's staff is mocking the royal family and Blair explodes defending the Queen taking everyone by surprise. At the end while Elizabeth and Blair are analyzing what happened she mentions that the "people" will turn on him one day just as they had on her.
This was one of those movies where Grinnygranny and I stop it and talk about it. Here's the points we discussed and concluded.

• It was mentioned at the beginning that there were two Diana's the one the Royal family knew and the one the public created.
• They knew the real Diana -- the person and she refused to fit into the mold they made for her. After all she was supposed to be a brood mare -- infusing new blood into a hopeless incestuously polluted bloodline. She was to stay barefoot and pregnant. To her credit Diana revolted at this finding causes to support lending her fame and popularity to others.
• To the public she was the most intensely scrutinized woman since Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Every movement scrutinized, analyzed and photographed. She was what women dreamed of -- meeting and marrying a Prince who was supposed to live happily ever after. To a certain extend a bridge between the common people from all over the world, not just Britain. The grief was so personal to the public because with her death the bridge disappeared. That more than anything is what they mourned.
• So much of the royal family's concern was about protocol. The film did show how that their obsession with history and protocol has them so out of touch with reality and this event was a bit of a crash landing. Most poignant was the scene where they walked and looked at the flowers. I remember watching on T.V. when this happened, but was unaware of what she saw. The messages written on them must have cut Her Majesty to the quick. She talked with Blair about the damage done to the Monarchy and how her speech saved it. To a certain extent you do see how institutionalized their lives have been since birth. Truly a golden cage. It was this cage Diana revolted against and I can see her two sons facing the same problem as their father in trying to find a woman willing to enter such a huge public zoo with their lives open for public consumption. No wonder Elizabeth fought so hard to grieve in private.
• Whoever they chose as Charles was horribly miscast. The Queen Mum to a certain extent steals the show, and James Cromwell was excellent as Prince Phillip.

Long Day

Started with our church's annual golf tournament. Grinnygranny scheduled getting her hair permed for yesterday so she could play in it too. It was fun and we didn't do too bad. There were lots of door prizes. I wona a gift certificate to Applebees and she won certificate to another restraurant.
We came home and watched a couple of movies -- Code Name: The Cleaner and The Pursuit of Happyness (sic). The first one was cute. Pursuit with Will Smith was rather difficult to watch at times, but an excellent movie. We watched The Queen Friday night and I'm planning on discussing it tomorrow.
Three fellow history teachers are retiring and there was a retirment party for them. We went and stayed for about an hour. It was crazy.
Came home to relax and get caught up on e-mails and blogging.

Coming Memorial Day

Words of wisdom from John Edwards.

Memorial Day is a time of remembrance for those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. My wife Elizabeth grew up on military bases around the world, as the daughter of an Navy pilot, and this holiday has always had special meaning for our family. This year, I am calling on all Americans to use their Memorial Day Weekend not only for celebration and time with family and friends, but also for a deeper purpose: to honor the memory of the fallen by acting, as patriots, to honor troops today -- to end the war and bring them home.
This is a serious holiday and a serious time. The American people voted last fall to stand by our troops, end the war, and bring our soldiers home. The Congress has sent the president a bill that would fund the troops and bring them home. But President Bush has embarked on a stubborn path -- rejecting the will of the people and of Congress. He is not only continuing the disastrous war in Iraq, but is escalating our presence there and vetoing Congress's bill that would support the troops. It has become clear that the only way to support our troops and end the war is by direct action -- by democracy.
Some will say that this weekend is not the right time to ask Americans to stand together and tell the president and the Congress to end this war. They may say it is not patriotic, or that it does not honor the fallen.
I strongly disagree. I believe that Memorial Day Weekend is exactly the right time to honor the memory of those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom, and to honor the troops serving us today.
It has been said that dissent is the highest form of patriotism. Mark Twain once wrote that the government must not "decide who is a patriot and who isn't." President Theodore Roosevelt went even farther. He said that to say there should be no criticism of a president is not only "unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
As these wise words make so clear, democracy is a wonderful gift. But it is not free. On the contrary, democracy is also a responsibility. Brave Americans have fought for it again and again, and this holiday honors their sacrifice. There comes a time when citizens, acting together in a democracy, can truly force change. That time is today. And I do not want Americans to stand up and be heard because of any political campaign or ideology, or because they were told to. You should instead reclaim your patriotism for one important reason: it was yours to begin with.
This Memorial Day weekend, this means more than just getting in your car, driving to the beach, a parade, or a picnic and saying the words, "We support our troops." This weekend should honor the memory of the fallen through democracy itself. That's why I am asking the American people this weekend to give something in return for the sacrifice of the fallen -- to honor and remember all those who have gone before in service to our country, and to let our government know we want to honor our troops by ending the war and bringing them home.
I have offered Americans 10 suggested actions that will support our troops and end the war. These actions include sending our troops a care package, gathering in public to make your voice heard (taking a moment of silence beforehand to honor the fallen), organizing a prayer vigil, sending a letter to President Bush, and sending a thank-you note to our troops. In the days leading up to Memorial Day, we should take action to support our troops, end the war, and bring them home to the heroes' welcome they deserve. And on Memorial Day, we should honor and remember all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
It was only four decades ago that we found ourselves in a similar place to today. We were embroiled in an unpopular war, plagued by disparities and inequalities here at home, and looking for leadership in Washington, D.C. Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called us to action with three simple worlds. As he put it then, there comes a time when "silence is a betrayal" -- not only a betrayal of one's personal convictions, or even of one's country alone, but also a betrayal of our deeper obligations to one another and to the brotherhood of man.
Martin Luther King's demands were not to the government of the United States. He issued a direct appeal to the people of the United States, calling on us to break our own silence and to not sit idly by and wait for others to right the wrongs of the world. Today, I'm again calling on our nation to break its silence -- speak out to end this war and bring our troops home.
At Riverside Church in Harlem in 1967, Dr. King made another attempt to reclaim patriotism. He told his audience they had to move beyond "the prophesying of smooth patriotism" toward "a firm dissent based upon the mandates of conscience and the reading of history."
This Memorial Day Weekend, we should all take up Dr. King's call to action. It is time to take back patriotism from a president who has misused it to justify policies that have exacted such terrible costs -- from Guantanamo Bay to domestic spying to the War in Iraq itself. Let us reclaim patriotism for all of us who love our country, support our troops, and are ready to end the war -- and to bring these brave servicemen and women home to the heroes' welcome they deserve.

Happy Day

Received a phone call in class today, hard to fuss at the kids when my cell phone interupts my teaching. It was Toshiba calling saying that my laptop was on its way back, and they had replaced the screen. When I got home there was a big box in the door, guess what -- it was my laptop. That was fast. Nice to have it back.

Graduation was at 3:30, but had to be at the Pit at 2:00. When it was over (what a traffic jam as AHS was coming in as we were going out) went to have dinner with Grinnygranny at Japanese Kitchen for Tepanyaki. It was closed for renovations, so we had a nice dinner at Steak N Ale instead. Had to rush home for Dancing with the Stars.
Len Goodman was Mr. Nasty last week as a judge, he's Mr. Nice Guy.

Mothers Day

Took Grinnygranny shopping yesterday. She found a top and matching cover that she wore to Church this morning. Went and had lunch at Christy Mae's. They have the most divine Orange Cinnamon Tea. It is to die for. Brought home a gallon of the stuff. It's really strong which is all the better as you can dilute it into two gallons. We've been drinking on it and enjoying every sip.
After church we went golfing. First time we used our new three wheel push carts. They cost a bit, but are so much easier on the back than carrying or the pull carts, and in just a few trips to the golf course will save a bunch on paying for the driving carts. Renewed my yearly pass which lets me golf after 12pm for only $5.00. Grinnygranny isn't certain if she should get one. With her new clubs and push cart she should start playing enough to make it worth our while. Ten bucks everytime is sure alot better than fifty or sixty.
Grinnygranny called her mother and talked for awhile. I talked to Mom for a while too.
Here's hoping all Mother's out there had a good day too.

Soapbox

Just read a Yahoo news story where they've put a price tag on all the ideas John Edwards is floating while on the Presidentail campaign. If he gets what he's asking for it will cost $125 Billion a year. Wow that's a pretty big number so what is it he's going to be spending this money on?

• Universal health care
• Lowering engery costs
• College scholarship program
• reducing poverty levels

Now how is he going to pay for all this:

He would get rid of the tax cuts Bushco has given to all those making 200 grand or more a year. He would save money for medicair by negotiating lower drug prices. Stop paying the kickbacks to the banks financing student loans, who are quadrupling or more the interest rates on those who miss a single payment.

The Republican response is to label this TAX AND SPEND. And if elected to two terms it would come to a TRILLION DOLLARS.

Well we've had seven years going on eight years of TAX CUT AND SPEND LIKE CRAZY from the Republicans, and what has it got us?

• Nearly four thousand American soldiers dead and counting
• 25,000 wounded and counting
• Hundreds of thousands with mental and pychological disorders that will last for decades.
• Two countries in ruins with no resolution is sight.
• The destruction and failure to rebuild a major American City, but Florida is in fine shape.
• Runaway fuel prices with no end in sight.
• A medical care crisis killing children whose parents can't afford to pay for a dentist, but a brain dead woman merits an emergency session of Congress and legal bills mounting into the millions.
• College students becoming indentured servants to their student loan banks who are gouging the governemnt at the same time.

The total cost when all is said and done for Dubbya's eight years of mismanagement. WELL OVER A TRILLION DOLLARS. POSSIBLY TWO TRILLION DOLLARS.

Here's the kicker -- He's not paying for it. The tax cuts are too important for sound fiscal responsibility, or pay as you go. These two wars are being added to the National debt, to be paid for by the next three or four generations of taxpayers.

ARE WE GETTING OUR MONEY'S WORTH?

Late Night

• Finally got E's truck fixed and out of the shop. It only took two and a half weeks to get a part in.
• It was E's day off. He was outside when he saw his cat Mistress carrying a rabbit. He made her drop it and brought her inside. She fussed at him for some time, A very unhappy kitty.
• Where Grinnygranny works they had another retirement dinner. Just got in. They are really pretty fun, but it does make for a late night when you have to go to work in the morning.
• Going to an Isotopes game tomorrow with a group from the Convention. E's going with us. Auntie Pesty's going to a Ranger's game in Arlington tomorrow with her senior class. She's lording it over us that she gets to see a Major league game while we're stuck in the minors. Then she wanted money to pay for it.
• Two weeks from today is finals, and then we head out for Texas to see daughter graduate. Can't wait. It'll be nice to have her home for the summer. Still not sure about what she'll do in the fall, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

A little excitement

Got my bridge put in. I now have nice front teeth.
At home Lucy was parked in front of the washer and dryer. Put her outside then Pippen came running down the hall after something. Grinnygranny went to investigate and found a baby sqirrel cornered by the cat. It was quite a battle to try and herd the stupid thing out the door. It would not go out the open door. E finally caught it with gloves on and took it outside. All four of the animals are now sniffing every inch of the house trying to find it.

Senior Finals

Whew, glad they're over. This year our administration actually came up with a novel idea. Seniors who have less than 12 absences and end with an average in the 50%'s can still get their diploma if they finish out the school year and raise their grade to passing. They don't get to walk the line at graduation, but they can get their diploma without having to go to summer school. I had a student today with a 40's average that after the final was in the 50's and qualified. He was jumpin' up and down and more excited than those that pulled up to a passing grade and will get to walk the line.




Found this at Bruce's blog. Hebrew University has discoverd Herod the Great's tomb. The man who Augustus joked about saying, "It would be better to be his swine than his son, because the swine have a chance of living." This may prove to be as big a find as King Tut's.

Political Rant

One historian said of Oliver Cromwell the "He was the most average Englishman who ever lived." When he came to power he ruled Britain with an Iron Calvinist Fist.

Napoleon was an average artillery commander placed in extraordinary circumstances. As Emperor of France he wasted armies as if they were petty cash until the troop account went bankrupt.

Hitler was an average Austrian WWI corporal. I'm sure he sat around drinking beer with all the other guys discussing how if they had been in charge they would have won the war. He became so puffed up with himself that he wrote a book on that premise, naturally blaming everyone else for the war's failure.

Now we have a President who in 2000 was described as the one candidate you could sit down and have a drink with just like any other guy in bar.

Here's to the Common Man -- look what happens when they get into power. It kind of reminds me of good old Archie Bunker. If you ever wondered what would have happened if Archie was President you no longer have to wonder. Bush could be an Archie Bunker Clone.

Maybe it's time to elect an uncommon man or woman to the job to clean up this mess.