Phyliss:

I meant to post my reply to your comments, which includes the following link here.  My apology.

You captured much of my sentiments when you wrote:

"It takes a lot to ignore some of this ignorance and regroup or reboot or whatever … it takes to think positively. … My beautiful trees, standing tall and proud, give me solace. And my own little life is blessed."

Please click on the following link.  I think it will offer you a bit of ‘solace’ as it did for me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs8AXlTwhJ0

Maizie

Phyllis:

Nanchuan’s message was inspiring and uplifting. Yet, after I read your comments, it was as if you read my mind.

I can absolutely relate to much of what you’ve expressed.  Often, I feel so overwhelmed by the problems facing all mankind, it’s sometimes difficult to feel joy.  Yet like you, I often find ‘solace’ and inner peace and serenity by appreciating the wonders of nature.  I hope you will take a moment and click the link of the following video.  This video celebrates the wonders of Spring, featuring ENYA’S, A DAY WITHOUT RAIN. 

I hope you and everyone who reads this post, will enjoy this video as much as I did because it’s soothing, and it captures the essence of the beauty in all nature, while offering a sense of comfort, calm, and ‘solace’.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs8AXlTwhJ0

ENJOY!!!

Maizie

 

PS:  There is already enough ‘legitimate’ criticism [from renowned/learned economist] about the mind-boggling cost of President Obama’s Stimulus Recovery Act - as it exists!!  Why then, continue to focus on areas which were left out of the kettle?  Instead, I hope our country will support the President’s efforts to make the current plan work - even if Stimulus Recovery Act has a minimal effect bringing about a sibilance of recovery in our overall economy.  

No matter the continuing criticism of President Obama’s Stimulus Recovery Act/Plan’s lack of [financial policy] support for small businesses, entrepreneurial ingenuity will never diminish.  Implicit in the ‘connotation’ of enterprenerialism - literally - is the ability to devise business plans/ideas/strategies, which ultimately prove profitable - without ‘government’ monies.

I don’t feel worried about [entrepreneurial type] small businesses faltering, because there will always exist sharp-minded, smart individuals with brilliant creative ideas; mavericks, who hold the combination of perfect timing and a great business concept, which would generate start-up capital from suave investors - equity partners/joint venture capitalists.

This is how America was built - businesses which became ICONS, borne of the entrepreneurial spirit in a free enterprise democracy.

I regret all the ‘unnecessary’ purchases I’ve made [though never used], because of fantastic bargins.  But, the good news is that I have amassed a few large boxes of new clothes and shoes, which will go to either a consignment store or to a women’s shelter.  [I’m almost done gathering these ‘bargins’, and early next week, I will be making better use of these items in the ways I’ve forementioned.]

Whenever I become distressed or feel overwhelmed by personal problems or by distressing national and internation news, I escape to a favorite bookstore to browse.  Ocassionally, I don’t buy anything.  Yet, I usually see a book, a greeting card, or a CD, which captures my interest.  I especially like private owned bookstores for browsing.  More often, these ‘special’ tucked away bookstores carry used books, and/or first and second editions of best sellers, which are sold at reasonable prices.  And, when I go browsing to ‘escape’, I usally purchase a title, which - under different circumstance - I proably would never purchase. 

And of course, when I’m done browsing … I later buy some ice cream.

Suzanne has already provided much of the facts about the problems with our prison system.  Yet, I’ve a few comments.

Nobody cares about issues such as the ethics of keeping men and women in solitary confinement.  Because, prison has become big business, as many of you have stated.   We spend more money maintaining prisons and incarcerating criminals than we spend on education.  Duh! 

And, as long as laws convict drug users/sellers, the inmate rate will continue to increase/surge.

Yet, we are hypocrites.  We complain about the infringement of drug related crime along our border with Mexico spilling upon American soil, while we greedily demand more [illegal] drugs, and supply the Mexican criminals and terrorists with 99% of the fire power they use to kill one another, and their officials. Do we care?  No.  Because of our insatiable appetite for drugs.

It’s about supply and demand.  And, too many ‘big shots’ of America businesses are profiting off of the drug trade. 

I’m dumbfounded.  Why aren’t we paying attention to the warnings from the office of Homeland Security … that the real impending threat to America lies at our border, rather than from Iran/Afghanistan/and AlKida????

To many Americans of Indian [Hindu] ethnicity, Boby Jindal is viewed as the Republicans ‘houseboy’, in much the same way as Clarence Thomas is viewed among many [liberal] African Americans.  Bobby Jindal needs to ‘shut up’ … And he surely needs to stop ‘boasting’ about renouncing his Hindu heritage.

I agree with Joan.

I do not like these new generation tiny-tiny wireless gadgets.  The fact is that new software languages are being written faster than I’m writing my comments, which will make today’s itsy-bitsy gadgets as obsolete as the pagers and compact CD players which were the rage twenty/ten years ago [respectively]. 

And frankly, I’m tired of anything plastic … with one exception.  I like the Kindle 2, which my son has promised to get me for my birthday.  For practical reasons I’ll use it a lot when I travel.  Yet, the Kindle 2 will never replace an actual book, no more than the iPod Shuffle will repace my BOSE CD radio system.

Um.

I’ve read and reviewed comments in this thread beginning when the poll was first posted.  I thought, should I or should I not respond to some of the comments, or submit my thoughts.  I wondered if my comments would matter much.  Then I reflected on many of the conversations I’ve had with a dear friend who was born in Iran, and had to flee with her family in 1979 along with the the Shah of Iran and his cronies [her husband among them] when the Islamic leader, Ayatollah Khomeini was hailed as a ‘savior’ on the streets of Tehran because the people were fed up with the monarchy.

No American has an actual clue of the suffering afflicted upon the people … the ‘comon people’ of Iran who were displaced during the revolution/war.  The fall of the monarchy pitted family against family, and many suffered unnameable horrors. 

Oh, no.  We can not be judge and jury because we are not Iranians. And after listening to firsthand accounts from my friend of what occurred in Iran [prior and during the revolution], I realize that many of the comments posted are saddly biased.  The history of the Iranian people and the rise of Islamic ideology is complex.  And, the political environment is even more complex, especially explained by someone who has family members still living in Iran; family members who fully sympathize with their leader.

I just need to say that … the person who offers an ‘olive branch’, is to be admire and commended for his humility and foresight for peace.  For clearly, the person to whom it’s being offered must always be approached with caution - especially someone like President Ahmadinejad, who rose to power under dubious political/social/religious dogma. 

Joan,

I love your story!!

I put my fingertips to my lips, turned to the boy a half mile away and said “Namaste.” And at that moment, the poor boy and I were together, perhaps for the rest of our lives.

 

Thank you for sharing.

Frannie,

You are truly blessed to have such a wonderful son!

Thank you for sharing!

 

Many of you have written about the precious gifts received from your children.  I agree that the gifts I’ve receive from my children are among the best ever.  However, more recently, I met  a philosophy/psychology professor while traveling.  And, after knowing him for about two months, he wrote me a beautiful note, ending by saying those ‘magic words’ … I love you!  I knew he meant it as an expression of ‘agape’ love, and in this sense it was the best present I’ve ever received recently.

De,

My impression, exactly.

I was among the many women who saw the founders of wOw on Charlie Rose last spring discussing this new ‘idea’ of a website were women could come and voice their opinions on any topic.

Immediately I was thrilled, and wanted to participate.  Yet, often I felt a bit  ‘out of sync’  with many of the posters, respective to political/philosophical ideology.  For sure, I’ve posted comments, which were unpopular and regrettable.  And more often, as the months passed, I didn’t feel my ‘point of view’ mattered to the ‘typical’  wOw posters who emerged to become the majority ‘voice’ of this website.  Yet whether I was admonished, criticised, or  ’complimented’ for my divergent opinions, I’ve learned so much here on wOw, and have gained insight about womens issues, I might never have known. 

However, I became increasingly ‘put-off’  by many posters who engaged in mean-spirited debate, when points of views clashed on ‘hot topic issues’.   Nevertheless, I returned to wOw several times a week to read commentary from my favorite posters.   And whether I agreed or disagreed, I attempted to avoid  purposely offending any posters when responding and expressing my point of view. 

I confess that I ‘stepped away’ for a while when tempers were a bit too hot for my sensibilities.  And, when I returned, for a while it seemed that ‘debate’ was more substantive, and pleasingly intriguing.  But in recent months, once again, there has be a deluge of insulting commentary posted, and it truly saddens me.

For this reason, I don’t post as often as I used to because I’m a ‘coward’  when pitted in the midst of philosophical/political ‘brawls’.  Yet, my hope is that wOw will continue to attract women who are incredibly intelligent, and who offer a wealth of information and insight on the countless topics which are introduces for discussion.

Happy Birthday wOw.  I have faith that this second year will effect a model by which the creators, moderators, and participants of the wOw community might find an equalizer, which will inspire and motivate more intelligent discussions, and will offer a more respectful environment where more women and men will feel welcome to participate and want to remain for the tenure of this site.  

All the very best to everyone.