Thursday, April 2, 2009

If you are reading this blog, then you must have survived April Fools' Day. I wanted to post more yesterday, but just didn't have the time. Sometimes I just run out of time. As I get older, I realize how short a time we actually have in life. Life is what you make it. Don't let the lack of time interfere in appreciating that life. April Fools' Day seemed to be somewhat of a dud this year. I'm not complaining. No drama is a good thing. I'm over those drama queen days, so to speak. Now I like it nice and easy. A relaxing day doing what I truly want to do, that's the best. A little excitement is OK, but I prefer less excitement and more realism and contentment. There are plenty of things in life to explore that offer a sense of realism and satisfaction. The trick is to actually explore those things in ones own unique manner.

Friday, April 3, 2009

The President is in Europe acting like a rock star. Acting like a rock star, sounds so retro to me. People all over the world are yearning for a hero. President Obama happens to be the right person at the right time to fulfill their dream or illusion. A guest on Larry King Live last night made the comment that it wasn't good for a president to have too much, overwhelming support. That allows him or her to have too much power due to the public support and that might cause the person in charge to perceive himself or herself with unconditional power. In a democracy we need the loyal opposition to question the person or party in charge. Keep them honest, if you please. It seems that President Obama still has his objectivity and humility. I hope that he keeps both. The rock star seems to be First Lady Michelle Obama. Who would have thought that she would have evolved into such a Jackie like first lady. Michelle seems truly humble and every-women-like. She is a delight and a great role model for females as well as all people. President Obama, I'm just not too sure about him, yet. I think he is trying to grow into the stature of what he feels is demanded of an American president. In any case, he does possess the presidential poise and demeanor needed for the office. I'm sure he is completely aware of how sentiment can change in a very short time period. I sense that President Obama has plans to deal with any change in public opinion. He is a very media suave president. Public support is important in the short term. In the long term, a president is judged truly successful and great by his or her policy actions as president. It seems that President Obama has that covered, too. Time will tell.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Many of the alumni as well as others associated with the University of Notre Dame are livid about the scheduled visit by President Obama at next month's commencement ceremony. What really has these people seeing red is the fact that President Obama will be honored with an honorary law degree from the University. The President's views on choice, birth control, etc. are the primary reasons for the outcry. Come on you Fighting Irish, he's the President. Whatever happened to free speech. Show some respect for the presidency as well as for another human being with contrasting views. How do we expect to coexist with people from conflicting countries or with different religions or with differing world views, if we Americans can not coexist peacefully and be respectful of differences of opinion? The bottom line to all of this "much to do about nothing" is hypocrisy. The Catholic Church and it's people do not have the market on hypocrisy. It runs rampant in most religious groups and among arrogant, self-righteous groups of people. Whatever happened to respect for contrasting points of view? I would be interested in knowing how many of the Notre Dame disapproving crowd have ever had an abortion, practiced birth control or took part in any aspect of in vitro fertilization? Statistics tell us that Catholics make up a vast number of the people who take part in the above listed so-called anti-life activities. Hypocrisy to the fullest extent. Shame on Notre Dame. Kudos to the administrators who invited the President to speak at commencement. Catholics voted overwhelmingly for Barack Obama in the November election. Now, they turn on him? Hypocrisy 101. No one does hypocrisy better than self-righteous alleged religious people. 

Monday, April 13, 2009

Fox News Channel, purportedly the "fair and balanced" news channel, is hosting many so-called Boston Tea Parties all across the United States on Wednesday, April15. To me the tea parties are just an excuse for conservatives to make some noise about the Obama budget. Much of the FNC regular scheduled news shows will be broadcasting from the tea party sites all night on Wednesday. Is this fair and balanced reporting? What did Fox do about the Bush budget deficits during the last administration? I think we all get the message - much to do about nothing. Something must be done about the recession, President Obama is doing it. Yes, the spending is regrettable. Yes, the deficits will be a drag. Yes, I do have my doubts about the bailouts. However, at least the President is acting in a proactive manner. In the long term, the recession will ease and recovery will take it's place. We must support the President. We must support America. We must pay our bills. Hence, taxes are inevitable. I hope that our tax responsibility will be a little more fair and balanced than Fox News reporting.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Tax Day. For the life of me I just don't understand the hoopla made over April 15. Why do people procrastinate so? By the end of December, I usually have a general idea of my tax situation for the soon to end year. If you are proactive in keeping good financial accounting records throughout the year, then there should be little reason for such procrastination and the horrors that sometimes follow. An even more astonishing thing for me is the extension that many taxpayers request. I think that these taxpayers are probably late in everything they do. They are the kind of people who put things off, can't accept the facts or have a false sense of an inflated ego. My approach to life's tasks is, "Just Do It". Of course I did not make up that saying - it's not original. Face the facts people. Take care of your tax responsibility. Today is also the day for the anti-tax tea parties. I guess FOX News isn't really hosting the parties, just reporting on them. Although many of their TV personalities are in support of such sentiments. As Glenn Beck explained this morning on his radio talk show, the tax parties are anticipatory in nature. They are a demonstration against the anticipated tax increases due to President Obama's budget spending. The parties are supposed to be nonpartisan, but I would be willing to wager that conservatives, Republicans, are the overwhelming Americans taking part in the demonstrations. As I've said before, fair and equitable taxation is paramount to a successful democracy. We must pay our national, state and local bills. Taxation is necessary and an integral part in meeting this objective. There are other methods of determining the taxpayers' tax responsibility beside the current IRS method. Perhaps it is time for a change. I feel that a strict flat tax, with no deductions or exceptions would be a more equitable and simpler tax system. Of course tax reform is another story. One that should be investigated, but now is not the time. The recession must be solved with the financial tools at hand. I guess that's what the Obama Administration is trying to do. And these so-called anti-tax tea parties? They are a premature expression of concern by working Americans precipitated and over exaggerated by the loyal opposition in order to cause chaos. I guess times are tough for Republicans.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Today 3 out of 4 Americans are online. That's great, but when is it inappropriate to be connected? I am a technology fan. However, I see technology as a tool. A tool to make my life easier. Many people see technology as their main mode of communication. Whatever happened to the person to person communication? Email is great. There are many benefits to email, but it is so impersonal. Sometimes a person to person conversation is good. I think technology is making us a cold, impersonal world. Sooner or later people, especially young people growing up in this technological age, will find it hard to communicate face to face. They will need a computer, cell or email to feel comfortable enough to conduct their business. With technology comes speed. Speed in everything we do. With technology comes the need for noise. We have TV on and we aren't even engaged in it. We have the radio, ipods, DVD players, etc. in the "on" position constantly. Many people feel uncomfortable with silence. We need silence. We need to focus on other things than the byproducts of technology. We need time, peace and silence to really connect with ourselves and the world. Sometimes we turn to technology to escape the loneliness of the world. We must experience that loneliness, deal with it and be at peace with it. To do this, we need to focus on our concerns in an appropriate environment. Why do some people need activity at all times? Have you ever just sat in quiet? Have you ever lost yourself in the appreciation of mother nature? Probably not. Today's with-it, connected crew needs noise, activity and constant stimulation. Are these people really happy? Do they even know what true happiness is all about? Would they recognize themselves if they passed a double of themselves on the street? Have they thought about and developed beliefs concerning contemporary societal problems? These things are important in maturation and development. They are important in our relationships with other people, but they are crucial in our relationships with ourselves. Experience the quiet of life and learn to be at peace with you, alone. In the end, it is only you. 

Monday, April 20, 2009

Is the Republican Party trying to redefine itself? It has to do something to survive? Right and wrong. Political dominance is cyclical. For most of the last eight years the Republicans have been in control. Now it's the Democrats turn. The public's perception of the kind of job President Obama and the Democratically controlled congress is doing will determine the length and depth of that control. If J. Q. Public perceives a deficit in the success of the current administration and/or congress, then out they will go. Believe me, the Republicans will regain control of the congress and/or the presidency in time. How long will be determined by the perception of the electorate. Too often this perception is affected by erroneous manmade conditions perpetrated by the opposing party. A few years ago President Bush and his fellow conservatives were seen as the only game in town. The Democrats used the blunders of the conservatives to deride the Republican machine from perceived success in the eyes of the American people. In time the Republicans will do the same to the liberal Democratic machine. This is the fate of our political system. The only way it will change is if the American people revolt and force a political systematic revision. I just don't think that will happen. Americans don't really care that much. They are more vocal now because of the recession. Once the recession passes and the majority of people reclaim prosperity this disenchantment with government will cease. Also, for change to take place, the Democratic and Republican monopolies would have to give up their unprecedented power and control and buy into this revision. In short, "It ain't going to happen". Unless of course Americans decide to initiate a universal revolt much like that of the American Revolution. The probability of something like that happening: nil to zero.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

The Obama administration asked Georgetown University officials to "cover up" religious symbols when President Obama spoke there a couple of days ago. I think this is going a little too far. Obama was visiting Georgetown. He should have spoken with the religious symbols of the host university in open sight. I believe that we should be considerate of other people's religious beliefs, but this is too much. If he didn't want the religious symbols present, then he should have given his speech elsewhere. Perhaps on neutral grounds. As time goes on, I feel that the Obama administration is looking foolish and too interested in political correctness. A president must be firm, fair and decisive. President Obama has not been acting presidential. I have a feeling that the American people will soon wise up to the real Obama and won't like what they discover. Who is the real Obama? Hard to say. He seems to be like the palm trees, sways with the wind. He seems to be tending to the limp, elitist type of individual that he was portrayed as in the campaign. His words and actions remind me of a disgruntled working class poor who lashes out at everything that he is not. President Obama should realize that he is the president of all Americans, even the wealthy Americans. He must realize that all Americans are equal, even the wealthy, self-sufficient or self-reliant. He would be wise to admit that the rights and needs of all Americans must be addressed, even the Americans who are not the least of Obama's brethren. 

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Florida Governor Charlie Crist is being criticized for being away from the job of governor for  62 days over the past 2 years. A Sun-Sentinel (a South Florida newspaper) review found that Crist did not have any job related notations on his calendar for a sporadic total of 62 weekdays. So what? The Governor is "on duty" every day of the year. He deserves some time off. Wait until Hurricane Season, he may be working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Petty. Is this all the Sun-sentinel has to do with it's time? No wonder newspapers are going bankrupt. Petty and insignificant. Governor Crist, although Republican, is doing an admirable job as Florida's governor. He works across party lines in the best interest of all Floridians. He may have lost crucial support from Republican Party leaders for his bipartisan approach to government, but he enjoys extremely high Floridian support for his job record. 

Miss California is not Miss USA? Many agree that the Miss USA contest was determined by Miss California's response to a question about gay-marriage. She said that she was against it. The contestant had every right to speak her mind, but in doing so she must accept the consequences. In short, we have the freedom of speech. With that freedom comes consequences. The consequences in this case, she offended a group of people, she was held accountable and became the runner up in the Miss USA contest. I respect her honesty, but deplore her discriminatory attitude. When a public figure or a potential public figure offends any group of people, he or she must be prepared to face the consequences.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

President Obama's 100th day in office, a milestone? I guess historically it's considered a milestone, but what's more important is the next 100 days and the next 100 days, etc., etc... These 100 day increments are important in keeping the administration on target. The target, doing the people's work. How is the President doing? A good indicator of the President's progress and success is the degree of vigor and aggressiveness that the conservative right wing talk radio personalities and FOX News anchors portray in their presidential reporting. They are in full attack mode and appear a little frustrated and sad. Therefore, President Obama must be doing a great job as president and enjoying high favorable ratings from the public. 

We lost another Golden Girl. Bea Arthur is gone. She was truly a great in the world of TV and entertainment. Her passing should remind all of us how fast time goes. We must try to enjoy every day to the fullest. More importantly, we should be ever so mindful of the importance of all life, our relationships and the impact of ourselves and others. Life is precious and fleeting. It deserves our best efforts.