Thank you for your comments, Deborah.  I was referring to policies; whereas, seemingly, you are referring to personalities.  Actually, I left out the Nixon administration, which would be 28 years of republican leadership in the past 40 years.  My very point was that George W. Bush cannot be blamed for the complete economic catastrophe in which we find ourselves.  If you’re calling me a hypocrite, your venom is wasted here.

‘Where do you get off Liz bringing this topic up and not even mentioning President Bush and how it goes on and on and on ???’  Actually, it would appear Liz Smith was responding to a topic; others introduced Bush to the discussion.  Your point is well-taken in that the younger Bush did receive a great deal of criticism, but you must admit it curious that even your own party chooses to distance themselves from him and his policies.  All of us would do well to remove the ‘all or nothing’ rhetoric.

‘But there is no way Obama has been bashed….’  He’s labelled a socialist, a man with a ‘vision’ to effect the destruction of America ‘as we’ve known it’.  Sincerely, I say, that correctness is in the eye of the beholder.  You point out that ‘the inconsistencies are blatant.’  I would suggest politics is actually blantantly consistent.  Anytime people feel their safety and their lifestyles are threatened, they rise up in indignation and protest.  Our futures should not be guided by fear and emotion, insults and false rhetoric.  We all deserve the better part of each other.

Peace and grace

A teaser Tazer…..I like it.

Peace and grace

deber B, I agree with you that Dubya cannot be weighed down with total responsibility for our economic downturn.  Over the last 32 years, republican presidents have served 20 years.  So, what we  have is the collective damage of republican compassionate conservatives who admit that their base encompasses those at the higher end of the financial spectrum.  These are the warriors who led us into three armed conflicts, two of which continue today, all on the backs of young men and women, often with inadequate materials and little or no understanding of the enemy.  These are the administrations of Iran-Contra, tax breaks for the rich, deregulation, energy policies decided behind closed doors. The admistrations who have attempted to influence public education from the federal level with mandates that come with no financial support.  The administrations who brag their base is the rich and the richer, whose attempt finally to reach out to the minorities and blue collar Americans fell flat in the last election; who register a total lack of faith in the current president, some for the very reason that he is African American and then finally put an African American in a national office..Michael Steele, RNC chairman. 

And I acknowledge that the during the 12 years democrats were in office, mistakes were made.  Often times by signing into law policies crafted by republican majorities in the senate and congress.  You say Bush/Cheney ‘faced unprecedented terrorist attack,’ and I absolutely agree.  Obama inherits the wars waged in response and in addition finds himself in the midst of domestic battles over the worst econmy since the depression.  We are here now and it’s time for solutions not scare tactics….we all have to support, not agree with the president because it is in our best interest.

Peace and grace

All of these helped me gain my wisdom of people and their lives:  I walked a mile in their shoes……then I was a mile away from them and I had their shoes.

Peace and grace

After reading about the facts in this divorce, I do believe we have more than ‘two Americas.’  As George W. defined his base as ‘the rich and the richer’, this couple seems to fall into Bush’s ‘two Americas’.

Peace and grace

I’m with you Chrome.  Liz Smith shoots from the hip.

Peace and grace

Kelly, what is your source for these statistics? I am sincerely interested.

Peace and grace

I agree that 23 is too young to kick anyone to the curb.  Your story about Lindsay’s turning down a movie which was financially successful reminds me of Elaine Strich’s story in her ‘Lady Liberty’ show.  She blew her audition for a new sit-com back in the day…Stritch was somewhat disappointed; then she said, ‘Who knew a show about three old broads living together in Miami had a chance.’  Of course, that’s paraphrased.  I watch ‘Lady Liberty’ about every three months…for the inspiration.

I’m a devoted fan of Holland Taylor, yep, all the way from ‘Bosom Buddies’.  I know that witty dialogue comes from a writer’s page, but without someone classy and,I’m thinking authentically witty,  those ‘words’ just won’t translate………the facial expression, the eyes…narrowing or widening, eyebrows arching. I would so much relish the opportunity to see her in this off-broadway play.  I’m eagerly awaiting her Ann Richards one-woman show. Then we can hope she will do a ‘Holland Taylor’ one-woman show.

Back to the hearings…not sure why they’re called ‘hearings’, appears most of the folks involed are just waiting to talk…to the detriment of their hearing.

Peace and grace

With sincere respect to you, deber B, you introduced the explanation of eligibility for the presidency, but you did not respond to my facts, which were not tabloid fodder.   Personally, my thinking is that this thread concerned ‘Palin Bashing’.  All democrats do not engage in conversation about the Palins at all, but, when asked, will present a view, not a monolithic response based on party affiliation, but a view.  We are not all meeting in smoke-filled rooms plotting the devastation of the country or the two party system. Perhaps we should accept that the internet is  probably both productive and destructive.  I have to believe that much of the rancor and divisiveness among groups today is due to the speed and not the accuracy with which this medium operates.  Like it or not, it’s what democracy is all about.  Pardon if this offends, but it does illustrate:  Democracy is like sex.  When it’s good, it’s really good, and when it’s bad, it’s still pretty good.

Have a good Sunday, deber B

Peace and grace

Absolutely, one of my favorite reads and what an honor to share with students who were reading it for the very first time…every year for a good many years.  So many well-crafted characters, but among my favorite is the irascible Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose. Scout and Jem hated her, "If she was on the porch when we passed,we would be raked by her wrathful gaze, subjected to ruthless interrogation regarding our behavior, and given a melancholy prediction on what we would amount to when we grew, which was always nothing." And over the course of more and more intimate exchanges with Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose, Scout and Jem learned a profound truth, which perhaps neither appreciated in their youth.  But their daddy wanted them "to see what real courage is"…that it’s not always, ‘A man with a gun in his hand." Mrs. Henry Lafaette Dubose was ‘the bravest person’ Atticus ever knew.  And my eyes still water with the images.

Peace and grace

Lisolette Neumann, professional golfer from Europe.  I was going to say Candice Bergen, but then I read ‘that you’ve actually seen’.  Then I remembered I did not care, so Candice Bergen, and I might see her, particularly if she becomes a professional golfer or runs for governor of Texas.

Peace and grace

deber B, the Republicans are the ones who cleaned up Levi and paraded him around.  I believed them, thought two nice kids were going to make the best of a ‘poor-timing’ situation.  Had I not seen Levi on display at the convention, I’d have no opinion of him.  Seems like Reps make and break their own.

Peace and grace