My middle sister's middle son's new baby. Penny. Soons she was borned, mama started chemo for breast cancer (which has gone well)(if I'm getting this all correctly). The picture was from their Christmas card.
When my mom died in '99, she had 42 grandkids. Most of whom now have one or two or more kids. So immediate family requires some crowd control, lol!
Wow!! 42+ grandchildren~!?!?! I have a hard time keeping up with 6~!!! :-D That's outstanding!!
Is Penny's name Penny or Penelope? I ask because our grandniece is Penny who is a Penelope. She's the one who was born weighing about 3 lbs three years ago, and they couldn't even hold her for 10 days! Your Penny is super sweet!! I love the hat! We bought one like that from Etsy the year our first grandson was born, so he could be included in the Christmas skit. ;-)
A good day today, even though I did a fair amount of running around. Met a friend in Montpelier (an hour away) for lunch and to enjoy the great toy store there. Then I zoomed to the quaint, healthy grocery store, then on to the Town Hall to pick up my photograph that is on display so I could bring it home and reframe it (I'll bring it back tomorrow; the artist reception is Sunday); then on to the post office, bank and hardware store. Home at last to put away the groceries, nap with the kitties, make dinner and start in on the quilt. Discovered I have one seam that is perfect all the way across until the last 7" or so, which is a quarter inch short. Had to squeeze that quarter inch out of the seamage, Heh. Susan, if you see this, has this ever happened to you? I think I can punt okay with it and am just glad I happened to catch it before I put on the second border! Whoo!! Anyway, I think it's will be okay. Not stellar, but sufficient.
Clarification #1: We chose the toy store because we are both Grammies. ;-)
Clarification #2: My photo is not a photo of me. LOL! It's of two horses running out of a field and one of them has all four hoofs off the ground! Ha! They are our Town Clerk's horses. The photo is included in the local art on display this season, then will be on display at a local gallery. After that it's for our Town Clerk to keep. :-)
We watched the debate, Pat. I felt the questions were well formulated, best debate so far in that regard. When I hear Bernie speak to issues, it makes me feel confident and relaxed and hopeful. When I hear Hillary speak, I feel tense and frustrated. Honestly it's a good thing I'm not a drinker. Had I taken a sip every time she said "I" or "me" I'd have been under the table in no time and missed most of the debate. ;-) I don't feel I learned anything new, but I do feel sure of my choice.
Last night's debate was so superior to anything the Republicans have offered, it was a relief, actually a pleasure. On NPR this morning, Mara Liason (spell?) characterized it as vision versus pragmatism, and I'd agree. I think we need vision now.
And, I agree with you about Hillary, Listener. She is abrasive, and wearing, a little like someone in line behind you who keeps nudging and pushing. We can't help our personalities, and being abrasive doesn't mean we are bad people, but certainly someone you can only take so much of (to end with a proposition!).
Bernie, on the other hand, even with his passion, doesn't poke you, shows generosity, isn't repeating I I I I I over and over. I felt that both in substance and manner, he revealed himself as the preferable candidate. I hope he is the nominee.
Had a most funny yesterday: have had this big, solid, ripe tomato around for weeks. Seemed too delicious and inviting to use. Did yesterday. For a minute, I thought it was wormy. . . . on a harder look, it appears that the seeds had actually sprouted!! Tomato was fine. Looked better than it tasted though. I 'spect all kinds of GMO. . . . There was this really awful pear in China, called a snowflake pear which had been developed because it shipped well. But it didn't taste well.
Elmer came this afternoon an clear the tree off of the bridge, and cleared the culverts.
Thanks for the website. My son is a monkey. David and I are horses. Another son is a sheep. The grands are rats, dragon, sheep, and rooster. What fun the Chinese zodiac.
Well, it's warming. Tomorrow should be in the 50s. Tonight we'll watch Bill Maher and see what he says about the MSNBC debate. Not only do I want Bernie to be the nominee and the President, I want the corporate powers and the Republican and Democratic headquarters to learn a lesson, that you can't decide the elections. It's We the People, and we are present and participating. I understand why the Clinton folks didn't want more debates. Hillary is not easy to watch or listen to. And on the news, Bernie has risen in the national polls.
Well, sleep tight, don't let the bugs bite, is a saying I grew up with.
On NPR on Friday, I heard David Brooks say that Hillary may be able to get stuff done, but she has little vision of what needs to be done. Bernie on the other hand has vision, and of the two, that is preferable…!!
Also, apparently, he whose name I do not utter has uninvited support from a white supremacist Super PAC.
I suspected that Howard was not going to be "first" on this Baby Blog and I see that he isn't. The latest comments by him that Labor Unions were just Super Pacs that Democrats like. and "I don't hear anybody asking Bernie Sanders for his transcripts for some speech. Well, there is a difference, Howie. You once knew it. So sad.
tc told me that Howard had begun to sell out. I honestly didn't believe her. I said I would need to speak with Howard and hear his reasoning. But this is just beyond the pale. How can the Howard Dean we knew (and whom I knew as my Governor for 12 years) actually be equating Super PACs and Wall Street to labor unions??!!??!! He does indeed know better than that.
Yes, disappointing, so disappointing. I also read that Howard said he supports Hillary and agrees with all her stances and policies.
I was thinking today as we drove down the canyon to Loveland, that Hillary wants it all: money, status, influence, power. She's been First Lady, a Senator, a Secretary of State and now wants to be President. There is a time to say enough, and we do need new thinking because of the influence, corruption, and polarization that have resulted in the past 30 and more years. There's a grace in saying, I've been privileged to serve, and I'm grateful. Now is the time for me to step aside.
My thoughts are that Hillary is more about ambition than she is serving, though that's an opinion on my part. I know that we had two senators step down from the legislature in Colorado so that a Democrat could be appointed to fill a seat. Somehow the common good and a recognition of how a system works should be basic knowledge for politicians.
I do think we are at a tipping point about keeping our representative democracy. I listened to John Sununu on NPR this morning saying that the past 7 years have been a disaster. Where is he coming from? Is he mentally cracked? I just don't get it: the lies, the ideologies, the derogation, the destructiveness.
Well, today is sunny and melting is happening. My thoughts for all of us and a restoration of ethics, fairness, and integrity in government.
I grew up in Utah, a right to work state, with parents who were pro-union to the max. My education convinced me of the necessity of strong unions as protection against voracious capitalists. There is not now, nor ever has been, any doubt in my mind that Unions have save millions of lives soon and late. I especially honored the railroad unions and the miners unions.
In my mid-thirties, I worked my first union job, at Amtrak. I read the by-laws, paid my dues, and became aware, that save for the salary increase yearly, that that union in no way represented *me.* My local chapter spent all of its time and "capital" defending this jerk of a clerk over in revenue accounting who wouldn't come to work on time, took day long breaks, and was as lippy as hell.
As I observed the behavior of more and more union leaders, I was shamed to silence. . . . Where I ended up? Absolutely knowing that unions are vital in capitalism. And that unions are likely the most corrupt people I'd likely have to have in my life.
Lord Acton pretty much got it right in my way of seeing: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."
Good comments, Puddle. Yes, workers need unions, but like any organization, it can be corrupted, inadequate, unrepresentative. We had an organization here in the Storm Mountain area that responded to emergencies, and it worked very well. We volunteered when there was a fire, when people needed help. The leadership changed, and the goal became accumulation of vehicles and supplies, and the money wasn't accounted for. It became defunct as an organization.
Unions can devolve the same way. I'm grateful for the teachers' union which provided needed backup when there were unfair actions, complaints, and situations. We were well represented ethically and competently, and as a retiree, I am very grateful.
Once there was an administrator who said he would put in my resume the fact that I didn't have my attendance slip at the door in the first five minutes of class. It happened to be the first day of class, and students were coming in all during the hour. I told him that if this went on my resume, the hundreds of days the slip of paper was at the door on time would be discounted because of this one day, and if he insisted, I would call the union. He backed off. I think that kind of silliness comes about because of stress, but to be able to have the union respond gave me a voice in the matter.
Organizations are only as good as the ethics and responsibilities of their members, but a bad leader can do great harm.
ThankYou, Pat for this level-headed approach. Love you last sentence, also. The question for me is WHY is HD suddenly such an avid Hillary supporter? Is he hoping for a post in her Presidency?
While I'm not happy about it, I cannot fault Howard Dean for his support of Hillary. He said from the start of this campaign that if Hillary were going to run he would not. It may well be that she was clever enough to offer him a position early on to ensure he did not run. If so, and should she win, I hope she makes good on it, unlike what happened to Howard last time.
To tell you the truth, I left the Democratic party because of what the Dems did to Howard in Iowa; and I told that to Howard the October his book came out. He signed 7 of them for me in a local bookshop here, and we had a few minutes to talk while he signed. I told him I was waiting to see what the Dems did next, and waiting to see who would be the next DNC Chair. He was announced that next February as DNC Chair. I can only hope good things for him.
As I said, I do not fault him for choosing to be loyal to Hillary. I am aware that he did not know, when he promised loyalty to Hillary, that Bernie was going to run. And I have heard that they did not always see eye to eye when Bernie was Mayor and Howard was Governor. But I cannot accept him saying that labor unions are the same things as Super PACs. No way, no how. Not a chance! He really ought to recant that statement, and apologise to the workers of the nation and the world.
It continues to warm here, can't happen soon enough for me.
Thanks for your comments, folks. Listener, I had a thought this morning about Howard's characterizing unions as super pacs. I wonder if he wasn't generalizing about group money in campaigns. There's no doubt that unions can contribute lots of money to candidates, and because unions are needed, we assume that's a good thing. But, what if he was talking more about the impact of lots of money as corrupting the system instead of denigrating unions?
My preference is for government paying for elections, for the media having a responsibility to provide forums and debates, and all the noxious ads, money, and super pacs to be illegal. I don't think they serve us at all with respect to truth, the needs of the common good, and thoughtful discussion.
I wonder if that wasn't Howard's perspective instead of criticizing unions. Sometimes Howard is misunderstood, I think, though I have no way of knowing if this is the case in this instance.
Aside from that, I'd like it if our elections were more sane, rational, dignified. The spectacles we are subjected to are ridiculous.
I watched a clip where he complained to someone that, "Well, Rahm Emanual got COS..." don't remember the rest of it, but I definitely got the impression that he wanted it at that time. But he did to a terrific job in the DNC. I've since pulled my monthly support. Kept the monthly to DFA, but now they are supporting Bernie. YAY
Thank you for the link, Listener. It does clarify. I love the quality of loyalty, but I'm not sure this isn't going to backfire on Howard and Hillary. It was injudicious to say the least.
And, I had the sense, Barb, that Howard did want a position with the Obama Administration, but I'm not surprised that Obama chose his inner circle. Politics is a hard road. Still, I'm grateful for our experiences with Howard and the election, and always, we can say because of Howard, the Democratic Party was successful in getting us a president.
Problem was that Citizens United not only untied the hands of the Super PACs, it untied the hands of the labor unions, too. They'd have been krezzy not to take advantage of it, but it surely blurred the lines in that area.
Howard's never been an overly cautious speaker--in fact, he had me at confederate flags on pickups, which was roundly criticized. Politically, he's always been a good deal to my right. What I DO trust in him is that he'll tell me where he's coming from. He won't try to trick or bedizen me. Rare in a political type, and Hill has none of it, at all.
And speaking of Hill: http://www.joehill.org/ My father would have been six, and my grandfather owned a tiny coal mine which he and the boys mined till they hit a rock face, the vein disappeared, and never was found again. But I wonder how much that, the death of a fellow Scandinavian and coal informed his view of unions, which he loved, honored, and trusted?
The hot air link was interesting--especially the comments. I don't often frequent the righty sites, and forget what they whine about, lol! They clearly don't like Biden, either, eh?
Pat and puddle you make good points. I will always be grateful to Howard for waking us up, bringing us together and getting us moving. That his energizing of the People and his 50 state strategy got us a President, is HUGE. Thanks for the reminder.
My favourite line from the article is this: "Ultimately, the disorganization is a result of the candidate’s own decision-making, which lurches from hands-off delegation in times of success to hands-around-the-throat micromanagement when things go south."
I read another article today (CNN?) which quoted an unnamed Democrat who spoke directly with Bill Clinton as saying that Bill is privately unhappy that Hillary's staff did not foresee Bernie's popularity, but publicly they are saying the staff is great, they might just add more staff. It really alarms me that Bill's opinion would weigh in so strongly like this. What happens if she's President and he doesn't like her staff?
Wow! Excellent article rebutting Albright. Saw a meme wondering if she voted for Palin, or Bachmann or would vote for Carly! HAH!
I've been shamed twice by Hillary supporters for things I've posted or said. One I apologized for because, yeah, it was a bit snarky. The second one, No! It was expressing her outlook and Bernie's outlook. Someone accused me of posting "bullcrap" and she had never said that. I shot back, I don't see any quotes, it is her outlook and I feel it's true.
The Gloria and Madeline remarks, and Bill going around spreading lies, to me is unwarranted and will hurt Hillary in the long run.
Well the big five to eight inch snow in the event was a dusting. Sorry now I canceled my doc apt. Oh, well. Next week is fine. Just nice to have them out of the way. Gonna be bitter cold for a bit.
With 85% of the votes counted, Bernie is at 60% and Hillary at 39%. Sweet!
On NH Primary Day, I learned that on Super Tuesday, here in Vermont, I will be working at the polls 12:30-3:30pm, then returning at 6:45pm to help count the vote. My part will be counting the write-in votes, and reconciling the checklist. Cool! :-)
Stay snug, puddle! I see this weekend you're expecting 11F by day and 3F by night! So I checked ours and we're expecting 4F by day and -11F by night! Wow! Bill and I will be in Maine visiting Grandbaby!! It will be a heatwave by comparison. 14F by day and -6F at night. Brrrr!! Time to get out the long underwear!
I had wondered Bill might play in the H.C. When she ran against Mr. Obama. Now we know...I think he has a personality that cannot bear being out of the spotlight. Unlike First Ladies, especially Michelle Obama, who take on complementary projects, Bill would want to be in there...pushing this or that. One reason more to vote for Bernie!
I agree on every point, Shirlee. He's a wild card and I haven't fully forgiven him for his foolishness. The risks were (obviously) just too great. At least we wouldn't have to worry about Bernie in the same vein.
February 10, 2016 - 01:17PM ET New Hampshire - 292 of 300 Precincts Reporting - 97%
Bill Clinton has had the audacity to chastise Bernie supporters for being "sexist" toward Hillary. I have been trying for hours to define what was bothering me so much about it. At last a little clarity. It's not only that I don't like all Bernie supporters being lumped together as being cruel trollers. I feel that when Bill Clinton chose to be a fool while President, he lost the right to talk to citizens about their behaviour! I do not want to hear from him anymore. I have not watched his speeches, or read articles about him and I sure don't want him in the headlines day after day going forward. As Shirlee wisely said, "I think he has a personality that cannot bear being out of the spotlight. Unlike First Ladies, especially Michelle Obama, who take on complementary projects, Bill would want to be in there...pushing this or that."
And this is likely to happen, because the DNC has stacked the superdelegates. I dread it all.
At the close of the night I got to see some new photos of new grand baby ♡ Jacob ♡ ! Oh my goodness babies are good for the soul! :-D I can hardly wait to hold him again this weekend!!!!! ♡
Meetup in Estes Park for Democrats tonight. Representatives of Hillary and of Bernie will speak. Just among us bloggers, for me Hillary is the Democrats' Nixon: not very likable, hard to trust, somewhat paranoid, but perceived as competent and capable.
I don't know. At base, Americans are inclined towards pragmatism, caution, moderation in elections, I think. Are we numerous enough, dedicated enough, to achieve a real change in our systems and the players? We'll see.
Beautiful sunny day here, supposed to be in high 50s or low 60's.
Also on PBS tonight, another debate between Hillary and Bernie. I'm sorry to miss it because we'll be at the meetup.
Just had the nicest and nearly incomprehensible convo with a nice young man in Nicaragua. About a new card they decided to send me. I wouldn't have known at all if they hadn't threatened me to activate it. Jeepers. This guy was sweet, but it was only with a lot tries and retries that we managed the bidness that needed doing.
So, did folks here watch the debate tonight? (Pat, did they have it on at the Meetup, by any chance?)
Here's an interesting bit I just tripped across. Apparently when Bernie brought up Kissinger and Vietnam one of the (apparently not neutral) moderators didn't remember that her microphone was on and can be heard whispering "Oh god."
Do you know what I just realised? I just caught the start of the Dem debate that took place at UNH on Feb 4th, because I missed the beginning of it before. And do you know what? Back in the early 70's when I was a student there, I used to clean that very theatre where the debate was held! LOL!
Hi Listener. No, the Meetup didn't have a TV, however, there were at least 40 people there, most of us retirees. A young woman spoke for Hillary and how much she admired her. This young woman had just graduated from college with a BA in political science. She had been interning in Iowa, had been in Colorado only for 5 days. Listening to her, I felt greater sympathy for Hillary, was pleased that she had young people who supported her.
Another woman from California spoke passionately for Bernie. She talked about losing her home and savings in the Depression. She talked about what Bernie would do to bring up the once upon a time middle class. She was persuasive.
A friend remarked that the Koch Brothers and other right wring billionaires had bought Congress through funding, gerrymandering, and other means and it would take 20 years to get it back. He said that they were smart in what they did, and we are paying the price for it.
Then we came home and watched the media talk about the debate with segments replayed, and once again, I didn't like Hillary. She brings out in me some of the same gut reactions that John Edwards did, and there's a repugnance. Part of it is how she debates. She accused Bernie of being disloyal to Barack Obama, and it's a meanness that I detect in her, and that may just be culture and personality, but I find it very hard to listen to her. I first became aware of it when she mocked Barack Obama in the 2008 election. It was so off-putting.
And so it goes. I wonder, will we be able to take back our country?
I watched the debate at the 46th LD debate watch party. A few Hillary supporters sprinkled here and there, but predominately Bernie. I was flabbergasted that some FB friends thought that Hillary won that one. I saw her stumble over words, stutter, and had a totally dismayed look on her face (and noticeably sighed) when Bernie explained who Henry the K was.
Pat, I agree with you in that Hillary has a meanness about her. And, yes, she used a picture of Obama when he was in Africa honoring his fathers people as racist bait to divide. Bernie could have used his closing statements to slam Hillary on that last question, but instead, he chose to put forth his message of unity and hope.
And that was a really ugly jacket she had on. the jokes were flying about it being a fisherman's rain slicker were really funny. Not that that had any bearings on the debate, just an observation. She does look much better in pink.
Me too Puddle. Finally learned the avocado seems to respond properly at just the perfect ..short time of ripeness. For me..it is just between the stab and the squish!
Happy Friday to all. Netflix of ' Mrs. Doubtfire' arrived in the mail today... For my evening's entertainment!
70 comments:
OMGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Adorableness!!!!!
SO cute! Name? How related to you, Puddle?
Thanks for this.....what life is all about!
Love to all....
My middle sister's middle son's new baby. Penny. Soons she was borned, mama started chemo for breast cancer (which has gone well)(if I'm getting this all correctly). The picture was from their Christmas card.
When my mom died in '99, she had 42 grandkids. Most of whom now have one or two or more kids. So immediate family requires some crowd control, lol!
Wow!! 42+ grandchildren~!?!?! I have a hard time keeping up with 6~!!! :-D That's outstanding!!
Is Penny's name Penny or Penelope? I ask because our grandniece is Penny who is a Penelope. She's the one who was born weighing about 3 lbs three years ago, and they couldn't even hold her for 10 days! Your Penny is super sweet!! I love the hat! We bought one like that from Etsy the year our first grandson was born, so he could be included in the Christmas skit. ;-)
A good day today, even though I did a fair amount of running around. Met a friend in Montpelier (an hour away) for lunch and to enjoy the great toy store there. Then I zoomed to the quaint, healthy grocery store, then on to the Town Hall to pick up my photograph that is on display so I could bring it home and reframe it (I'll bring it back tomorrow; the artist reception is Sunday); then on to the post office, bank and hardware store. Home at last to put away the groceries, nap with the kitties, make dinner and start in on the quilt. Discovered I have one seam that is perfect all the way across until the last 7" or so, which is a quarter inch short. Had to squeeze that quarter inch out of the seamage, Heh. Susan, if you see this, has this ever happened to you? I think I can punt okay with it and am just glad I happened to catch it before I put on the second border! Whoo!! Anyway, I think it's will be okay. Not stellar, but sufficient.
By the 16th, I should be my own person again. ;-)
Clarification #1: We chose the toy store because we are both Grammies. ;-)
Clarification #2: My photo is not a photo of me. LOL! It's of two horses running out of a field and one of them has all four hoofs off the ground! Ha! They are our Town Clerk's horses. The photo is included in the local art on display this season, then will be on display at a local gallery. After that it's for our Town Clerk to keep. :-)
Hi,
Quick reminder, Bernie and Hillary at 9 PM Eastern time, a debate moderated by Rachel Maddow and Chuck Todd. On MSNBC. Tonight.
We watched the debate, Pat. I felt the questions were well formulated, best debate so far in that regard. When I hear Bernie speak to issues, it makes me feel confident and relaxed and hopeful. When I hear Hillary speak, I feel tense and frustrated. Honestly it's a good thing I'm not a drinker. Had I taken a sip every time she said "I" or "me" I'd have been under the table in no time and missed most of the debate. ;-) I don't feel I learned anything new, but I do feel sure of my choice.
Good Morning,
Last night's debate was so superior to anything the Republicans have offered, it was a relief, actually a pleasure. On NPR this morning, Mara Liason (spell?) characterized it as vision versus pragmatism, and I'd agree. I think we need vision now.
And, I agree with you about Hillary, Listener. She is abrasive, and wearing, a little like someone in line behind you who keeps nudging and pushing. We can't help our personalities, and being abrasive doesn't mean we are bad people, but certainly someone you can only take so much of (to end with a proposition!).
Bernie, on the other hand, even with his passion, doesn't poke you, shows generosity, isn't repeating I I I I I over and over. I felt that both in substance and manner, he revealed himself as the preferable candidate. I hope he is the nominee.
Mara Liasson. Thank you, Wikipedia.
新年快乐！ Xin nian kuai le! Happy New Year
This is the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese New Year. The Chinese zodiac is fun. Have a good day today.
Actually, New Year's doesn't begin till Monday, the 8th. The arcane explanation is here: http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/2016/
Had a most funny yesterday: have had this big, solid, ripe tomato around for weeks. Seemed too delicious and inviting to use. Did yesterday. For a minute, I thought it was wormy. . . . on a harder look, it appears that the seeds had actually sprouted!! Tomato was fine. Looked better than it tasted though. I 'spect all kinds of GMO. . . . There was this really awful pear in China, called a snowflake pear which had been developed because it shipped well. But it didn't taste well.
Elmer came this afternoon an clear the tree off of the bridge, and cleared the culverts.
Hi Puddle,
Thanks for the website. My son is a monkey. David and I are horses. Another son is a sheep. The grands are rats, dragon, sheep, and rooster. What fun the Chinese zodiac.
Well, it's warming. Tomorrow should be in the 50s. Tonight we'll watch Bill Maher and see what he says about the MSNBC debate. Not only do I want Bernie to be the nominee and the President, I want the corporate powers and the Republican and Democratic headquarters to learn a lesson, that you can't decide the elections. It's We the People, and we are present and participating. I understand why the Clinton folks didn't want more debates. Hillary is not easy to watch or listen to. And on the news, Bernie has risen in the national polls.
Well, sleep tight, don't let the bugs bite, is a saying I grew up with.
On NPR on Friday, I heard David Brooks say that Hillary may be able to get stuff done, but she has little vision of what needs to be done. Bernie on the other hand has vision, and of the two, that is preferable…!!
Also, apparently, he whose name I do not utter has uninvited support from a white supremacist Super PAC.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/05/politics/donald-trump-white-supremacists-new-hampshire/index.html
I first saw this link on Jo's Facebook page. I am as disappointed as she. It kind of knocks the breath out of you, so sit down before reading...
Howard Dean Says Labor Unions Are Just Super PACs That Democrats Like
http://truthinmedia.com/howard-dean-says-labor-unions-are-just-super-pacs-that-democrats-like/
This makes me so relieved we got Bernie before we lost Howard.
I suspected that Howard was not going to be "first" on this Baby Blog and I see that he isn't. The latest comments by him that Labor Unions were just Super Pacs that Democrats like. and "I don't hear anybody asking Bernie Sanders for his transcripts for some speech. Well, there is a difference, Howie. You once knew it. So sad.
tc told me that Howard had begun to sell out. I honestly didn't believe her. I said I would need to speak with Howard and hear his reasoning. But this is just beyond the pale. How can the Howard Dean we knew (and whom I knew as my Governor for 12 years) actually be equating Super PACs and Wall Street to labor unions??!!??!! He does indeed know better than that.
Good early afternoon,
Yes, disappointing, so disappointing. I also read that Howard said he supports Hillary and agrees with all her stances and policies.
I was thinking today as we drove down the canyon to Loveland, that Hillary wants it all: money, status, influence, power. She's been First Lady, a Senator, a Secretary of State and now wants to be President. There is a time to say enough, and we do need new thinking because of the influence, corruption, and polarization that have resulted in the past 30 and more years. There's a grace in saying, I've been privileged to serve, and I'm grateful. Now is the time for me to step aside.
My thoughts are that Hillary is more about ambition than she is serving, though that's an opinion on my part. I know that we had two senators step down from the legislature in Colorado so that a Democrat could be appointed to fill a seat. Somehow the common good and a recognition of how a system works should be basic knowledge for politicians.
I do think we are at a tipping point about keeping our representative democracy. I listened to John Sununu on NPR this morning saying that the past 7 years have been a disaster. Where is he coming from? Is he mentally cracked? I just don't get it: the lies, the ideologies, the derogation, the destructiveness.
Well, today is sunny and melting is happening. My thoughts for all of us and a restoration of ethics, fairness, and integrity in government.
I grew up in Utah, a right to work state, with parents who were pro-union to the max. My education convinced me of the necessity of strong unions as protection against voracious capitalists. There is not now, nor ever has been, any doubt in my mind that Unions have save millions of lives soon and late. I especially honored the railroad unions and the miners unions.
In my mid-thirties, I worked my first union job, at Amtrak. I read the by-laws, paid my dues, and became aware, that save for the salary increase yearly, that that union in no way represented *me.* My local chapter spent all of its time and "capital" defending this jerk of a clerk over in revenue accounting who wouldn't come to work on time, took day long breaks, and was as lippy as hell.
As I observed the behavior of more and more union leaders, I was shamed to silence. . . . Where I ended up? Absolutely knowing that unions are vital in capitalism. And that unions are likely the most corrupt people I'd likely have to have in my life.
Lord Acton pretty much got it right in my way of seeing: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."
Here's this, which I 'spect Howard got under his belt before speaking out: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/29/us/politics/bernie-sanders-is-democrats-top-beneficiary-of-outside-spending-like-it-or-not.html
I mayhap put it differently: Unions are Super PACs that the Democrats NEED.
Good comments, Puddle. Yes, workers need unions, but like any organization, it can be corrupted, inadequate, unrepresentative. We had an organization here in the Storm Mountain area that responded to emergencies, and it worked very well. We volunteered when there was a fire, when people needed help. The leadership changed, and the goal became accumulation of vehicles and supplies, and the money wasn't accounted for. It became defunct as an organization.
Unions can devolve the same way. I'm grateful for the teachers' union which provided needed backup when there were unfair actions, complaints, and situations. We were well represented ethically and competently, and as a retiree, I am very grateful.
Once there was an administrator who said he would put in my resume the fact that I didn't have my attendance slip at the door in the first five minutes of class. It happened to be the first day of class, and students were coming in all during the hour. I told him that if this went on my resume, the hundreds of days the slip of paper was at the door on time would be discounted because of this one day, and if he insisted, I would call the union. He backed off. I think that kind of silliness comes about because of stress, but to be able to have the union respond gave me a voice in the matter.
Organizations are only as good as the ethics and responsibilities of their members, but a bad leader can do great harm.
Thanks, Puddle, for your thoughtful reply.
ThankYou, Pat for this level-headed approach. Love you last sentence, also.
The question for me is WHY is HD suddenly such an avid Hillary supporter?
Is he hoping for a post in her Presidency?
Shirlee, I still remember how many were pissed at him for working for Kerry.
This is interesting, and possible instructive:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/09/08/does-the-sanders-surge-pose-a-serious-threat-to-hillary-howard-dean-weighs-in/
Going to watch the gop debate tonight. sounds like it was a doozy!
Shirlee, Dean was hoping for Chief of Staff in Obama's term. didn't happen. Obama gave it to that jerk Rahm Emanuel. Creep (Rahm, not Obama)
While I'm not happy about it, I cannot fault Howard Dean for his support of Hillary. He said from the start of this campaign that if Hillary were going to run he would not. It may well be that she was clever enough to offer him a position early on to ensure he did not run. If so, and should she win, I hope she makes good on it, unlike what happened to Howard last time.
To tell you the truth, I left the Democratic party because of what the Dems did to Howard in Iowa; and I told that to Howard the October his book came out. He signed 7 of them for me in a local bookshop here, and we had a few minutes to talk while he signed. I told him I was waiting to see what the Dems did next, and waiting to see who would be the next DNC Chair. He was announced that next February as DNC Chair. I can only hope good things for him.
As I said, I do not fault him for choosing to be loyal to Hillary. I am aware that he did not know, when he promised loyalty to Hillary, that Bernie was going to run. And I have heard that they did not always see eye to eye when Bernie was Mayor and Howard was Governor. But I cannot accept him saying that labor unions are the same things as Super PACs. No way, no how. Not a chance! He really ought to recant that statement, and apologise to the workers of the nation and the world.
Barb, I never thought that Howard wanted to be Chief of Staff--what I saw was a LOT of Howard's supporters wanting that. . . .
Good Morning,
It continues to warm here, can't happen soon enough for me.
Thanks for your comments, folks. Listener, I had a thought this morning about Howard's characterizing unions as super pacs. I wonder if he wasn't generalizing about group money in campaigns. There's no doubt that unions can contribute lots of money to candidates, and because unions are needed, we assume that's a good thing. But, what if he was talking more about the impact of lots of money as corrupting the system instead of denigrating unions?
My preference is for government paying for elections, for the media having a responsibility to provide forums and debates, and all the noxious ads, money, and super pacs to be illegal. I don't think they serve us at all with respect to truth, the needs of the common good, and thoughtful discussion.
I wonder if that wasn't Howard's perspective instead of criticizing unions. Sometimes Howard is misunderstood, I think, though I have no way of knowing if this is the case in this instance.
Aside from that, I'd like it if our elections were more sane, rational, dignified. The spectacles we are subjected to are ridiculous.
Have a good day, friends.
I watched a clip where he complained to someone that, "Well, Rahm Emanual got COS..." don't remember the rest of it, but I definitely got the impression that he wanted it at that time. But he did to a terrific job in the DNC. I've since pulled my monthly support. Kept the monthly to DFA, but now they are supporting Bernie. YAY
Much love to all!
Joe Hill by Joan Baez
I dreamed, I saw Joe Hill last night
Alive as you and me
Says I "But Joe, you're ten years dead"
"I never died" says he
"I never died" says he
"The copper bosses killed you, Joe"
"They shot you Joe" says I
"Takes more than guns to kill a man"
Says Joe "I didn't die"
Says Joe "I didn't die"
And standing there, as big as life
And smiling with his eyes
Says Joe "What they can never kill
Went on to organize
Went on to organize"
From San Diego up to Maine
In every mine and mill
Where working folks defend their rights
It's there you find Joe Hill
It's there you find Joe Hill
~ via MetroLyrics
Joan Baez singing Joe Hill at Woodstock 1969
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX7M9psH0rM
Pat, hear it from the horse's mouth, as it were:
Dean speaking to Andrea Mitchell:
http://hotair.com/archives/2016/02/07/video-howard-dean-admits-labor-unions-are-super-pacs-that-democrats-like/
Howard has been championing Hillary from the start. Apparently he was part of the committee that "convinced" her to run. Sigh.
HI friends,
Thank you for the link, Listener. It does clarify. I love the quality of loyalty, but I'm not sure this isn't going to backfire on Howard and Hillary. It was injudicious to say the least.
And, I had the sense, Barb, that Howard did want a position with the Obama Administration, but I'm not surprised that Obama chose his inner circle. Politics is a hard road. Still, I'm grateful for our experiences with Howard and the election, and always, we can say because of Howard, the Democratic Party was successful in getting us a president.
Talk to you later.
Problem was that Citizens United not only untied the hands of the Super PACs, it untied the hands of the labor unions, too. They'd have been krezzy not to take advantage of it, but it surely blurred the lines in that area.
Howard's never been an overly cautious speaker--in fact, he had me at confederate flags on pickups, which was roundly criticized. Politically, he's always been a good deal to my right. What I DO trust in him is that he'll tell me where he's coming from. He won't try to trick or bedizen me. Rare in a political type, and Hill has none of it, at all.
And speaking of Hill: http://www.joehill.org/ My father would have been six, and my grandfather owned a tiny coal mine which he and the boys mined till they hit a rock face, the vein disappeared, and never was found again. But I wonder how much that, the death of a fellow Scandinavian and coal informed his view of unions, which he loved, honored, and trusted?
The hot air link was interesting--especially the comments. I don't often frequent the righty sites, and forget what they whine about, lol! They clearly don't like Biden, either, eh?
BTW, as far as I know it's just plain "Penny."
Pat and puddle you make good points. I will always be grateful to Howard for waking us up, bringing us together and getting us moving. That his energizing of the People and his 50 state strategy got us a President, is HUGE. Thanks for the reminder.
Politico (and others as well) relate that there is a shakeup coming in Clinton staff.
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/hillary-clinton-staff-shakeup-218955#ixzz3zbuB3aDF
My favourite line from the article is this:
"Ultimately, the disorganization is a result of the candidate’s own decision-making, which lurches from hands-off delegation in times of success to hands-around-the-throat micromanagement when things go south."
I read another article today (CNN?) which quoted an unnamed Democrat who spoke directly with Bill Clinton as saying that Bill is privately unhappy that Hillary's staff did not foresee Bernie's popularity, but publicly they are saying the staff is great, they might just add more staff. It really alarms me that Bill's opinion would weigh in so strongly like this. What happens if she's President and he doesn't like her staff?
Have you read this response to Madeline Albright's remarks?
http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/02/08/my-special-place-hell-courtesy-unfettered-greed
and this is Penny's parents. . . .
Here's the CNN article I mentioned earlier today:
http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/08/politics/clinton-shakeup-rumors-take-stock/index.html
Wow! Excellent article rebutting Albright. Saw a meme wondering if she voted for Palin, or Bachmann or would vote for Carly! HAH!
I've been shamed twice by Hillary supporters for things I've posted or said. One I apologized for because, yeah, it was a bit snarky. The second one, No! It was expressing her outlook and Bernie's outlook. Someone accused me of posting "bullcrap" and she had never said that. I shot back, I don't see any quotes, it is her outlook and I feel it's true.
The Gloria and Madeline remarks, and Bill going around spreading lies, to me is unwarranted and will hurt Hillary in the long run.
Beautiful parents, Puddle. Thanks for sharing!
love to all you lovely ladies
And, here's why Chris Matthews is supporting Hillary. Someone please make it live:
http://dailycaller.com/2016/02/09/hillary-donors-helping-chris-matthews-wife-into-congress/
http://dailycaller.com/2016/02/09/hillary-donors-helping-chris-matthews-wife-into-congress/
Thanks, Puddle!
Kinda had to laugh though, all the worrying about donating from out of state donors, when I think about whom I've donated to since Howard.
Well the big five to eight inch snow in the event was a dusting. Sorry now I canceled my doc apt. Oh, well. Next week is fine. Just nice to have them out of the way. Gonna be bitter cold for a bit.
With 85% of the votes counted, Bernie is at 60% and Hillary at 39%. Sweet!
On NH Primary Day, I learned that on Super Tuesday, here in Vermont, I will be working at the polls 12:30-3:30pm, then returning at 6:45pm to help count the vote. My part will be counting the write-in votes, and reconciling the checklist. Cool! :-)
Whoa!
February 10, 2016 - 01:20AM ET
New Hampshire - 266 of 300 Precincts Reporting - 89%
Bernie 60%
Hillary 38%
Stay snug, puddle! I see this weekend you're expecting 11F by day and 3F by night! So I checked ours and we're expecting 4F by day and -11F by night! Wow! Bill and I will be in Maine visiting Grandbaby!! It will be a heatwave by comparison. 14F by day and -6F at night. Brrrr!! Time to get out the long underwear!
PS: Good News! The weather here in the east promises to become warmer after the weekend. It will feel like Spring by comparison! Hang in there! ♥
I had wondered Bill might play in the H.C. When she ran against Mr. Obama.
Now we know...I think he has a personality that cannot bear being out of the
spotlight. Unlike First Ladies, especially Michelle Obama, who take on
complementary projects, Bill would want to be in there...pushing this or that.
One reason more to vote for Bernie!
I agree on every point, Shirlee. He's a wild card and I haven't fully forgiven him for his foolishness. The risks were (obviously) just too great. At least we wouldn't have to worry about Bernie in the same vein.
February 10, 2016 - 01:17PM ET
New Hampshire - 292 of 300 Precincts Reporting - 97%
Bernie 60%
Hillary 38%
President - Dem Primary
February 10, 2016 - 02:18PM ET
New Hampshire - 300 of 300 Precincts Reporting - 100%
Final = 60% / 38% Go Bernie!!
Results of N.H. Republican primary:
RESULTS
Huge A-hole 34%
Normal A-hole 15%
Fundy A-hole 11%
Dynastic A-hole 11%
Robot A-hole 10%
Fat A-hole 7%
She A-hole 4%
Black A-hole 2%
— God (@TheTweetOfGod)
That actually is the only republican run down I was able to find in one place, lol!
Okay, now I'm feeling furious!
Bill Clinton has had the audacity to chastise Bernie supporters for being "sexist" toward Hillary. I have been trying for hours to define what was bothering me so much about it. At last a little clarity. It's not only that I don't like all Bernie supporters being lumped together as being cruel trollers. I feel that when Bill Clinton chose to be a fool while President, he lost the right to talk to citizens about their behaviour! I do not want to hear from him anymore. I have not watched his speeches, or read articles about him and I sure don't want him in the headlines day after day going forward. As Shirlee wisely said, "I think he has a personality that cannot bear being out of the spotlight. Unlike First Ladies, especially Michelle Obama, who take on complementary projects, Bill would want to be in there...pushing this or that."
And this is likely to happen, because the DNC has stacked the superdelegates. I dread it all.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/bernie-sanders-believes-bill-clinton-hit-belt/story?id=36844925
At the close of the night I got to see some new photos of new grand baby ♡ Jacob ♡ !
Oh my goodness babies are good for the soul! :-D
I can hardly wait to hold him again this weekend!!!!! ♡
Puddle, I'm stealing your GOP Results and putting it on FB. Too funny!
Hi Friends,
Meetup in Estes Park for Democrats tonight. Representatives of Hillary and of Bernie will speak. Just among us bloggers, for me Hillary is the Democrats' Nixon: not very likable, hard to trust, somewhat paranoid, but perceived as competent and capable.
I don't know. At base, Americans are inclined towards pragmatism, caution, moderation in elections, I think. Are we numerous enough, dedicated enough, to achieve a real change in our systems and the players? We'll see.
Beautiful sunny day here, supposed to be in high 50s or low 60's.
Also on PBS tonight, another debate between Hillary and Bernie. I'm sorry to miss it because we'll be at the meetup.
Pat you can probably catch the speech later....your meet up is more
important. Foot soldiers for the cause! Not likely to be televised!
Too ironic, Pat, that you'll miss the Dem debate because you'll be at the Dem Meetup!
As y'all may have gandered today…
THIS IS HUGE!!! =YUGE!!!!= Einstein's Theory of Relativity has been proven right!!!
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/12/science/ligo-gravitational-waves-black-holes-einstein.html?_r=1?
If the young people continue to come out to vote in droves (as they did in NH), they will have changed their future.
Just had the nicest and nearly incomprehensible convo with a nice young man in Nicaragua. About a new card they decided to send me. I wouldn't have known at all if they hadn't threatened me to activate it. Jeepers. This guy was sweet, but it was only with a lot tries and retries that we managed the bidness that needed doing.
So, did folks here watch the debate tonight? (Pat, did they have it on at the Meetup, by any chance?)
Here's an interesting bit I just tripped across. Apparently when Bernie brought up Kissinger and Vietnam one of the (apparently not neutral) moderators didn't remember that her microphone was on and can be heard whispering "Oh god."
http://gawker.com/moderator-accidentally-whispers-oh-god-into-mic-when-1758651605
It is good to know that Bernie would never include Henry Kissinger in his circle of advisors…! Go Bernie!
Also, here is the new Bernie Sanders ad. I don't know who is making his upbeat ads, but I am so grateful that he found them!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyhfJTFJHu8
Do you know what I just realised? I just caught the start of the Dem debate that took place at UNH on Feb 4th, because I missed the beginning of it before. And do you know what? Back in the early 70's when I was a student there, I used to clean that very theatre where the debate was held! LOL!
I watched the musical HAIR in that theatre the same season that Nixon resigned.
Good Morning,
Hi Listener. No, the Meetup didn't have a TV, however, there were at least 40 people there, most of us retirees. A young woman spoke for Hillary and how much she admired her. This young woman had just graduated from college with a BA in political science. She had been interning in Iowa, had been in Colorado only for 5 days. Listening to her, I felt greater sympathy for Hillary, was pleased that she had young people who supported her.
Another woman from California spoke passionately for Bernie. She talked about losing her home and savings in the Depression. She talked about what Bernie would do to bring up the once upon a time middle class. She was persuasive.
A friend remarked that the Koch Brothers and other right wring billionaires had bought Congress through funding, gerrymandering, and other means and it would take 20 years to get it back. He said that they were smart in what they did, and we are paying the price for it.
Then we came home and watched the media talk about the debate with segments replayed, and once again, I didn't like Hillary. She brings out in me some of the same gut reactions that John Edwards did, and there's a repugnance. Part of it is how she debates. She accused Bernie of being disloyal to Barack Obama, and it's a meanness that I detect in her, and that may just be culture and personality, but I find it very hard to listen to her. I first became aware of it when she mocked Barack Obama in the 2008 election. It was so off-putting.
And so it goes. I wonder, will we be able to take back our country?
I watched the debate at the 46th LD debate watch party. A few Hillary supporters sprinkled here and there, but predominately Bernie. I was flabbergasted that some FB friends thought that Hillary won that one. I saw her stumble over words, stutter, and had a totally dismayed look on her face (and noticeably sighed) when Bernie explained who Henry the K was.
Pat, I agree with you in that Hillary has a meanness about her. And, yes, she used a picture of Obama when he was in Africa honoring his fathers people as racist bait to divide. Bernie could have used his closing statements to slam Hillary on that last question, but instead, he chose to put forth his message of unity and hope.
And that was a really ugly jacket she had on. the jokes were flying about it being a fisherman's rain slicker were really funny. Not that that had any bearings on the debate, just an observation. She does look much better in pink.
scroll down just a bit to see another time Hillary was wearing that yellow suit... meeting with GS... http://www.wsj.com/news/politics
http://m.wsj.net/video/20160212/021116debate2min2/021116debate2min2_16x9still.jpg
Moments I love: that split second you *don't* stab yourself in the palm removing a pit from an avocado.
Me too Puddle. Finally learned the avocado seems to
respond properly at just the perfect ..short time of ripeness.
For me..it is just between the stab and the squish!
Happy Friday to all. Netflix of ' Mrs. Doubtfire' arrived in
the mail today... For my evening's entertainment!
Love to all.stay warm, well, etc.
New thread with no avocados!
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