LATEST IN THE NEWS
When the Federal Government Fails the People - Our Constitution Has a Solution
Joel S. Hirschhorn, My Town
http://www.mytown.ca/ev.php?URL_ID=124955&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201
The hardest thing for Americans to do right now in this presidential election season is to fight distraction and, instead, focus on the failure of all three branches of the federal government. And also to resist the propaganda masquerading as patriotic obligation that voting will fundamentally fix the federal government. The real lesson of American history is that things have turned so ugly that electing a new president and many new members of Congress will at best provide band-aids when what is needed is nothing less than what Thomas Jefferson wisely said our nation would need periodically: a political revolution.
The Fallacy of the 401(k)
Marie Cocco, Washington Post Writers Group
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/102775/
Bulls, Bears, Donkeys and Elephants
Tommy McCall, NY Times
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/10/14/opinion/20081014_OPCHART.html
Private Sector Loans, Not Fannie or Freddie, Triggered Crisis
David Goldstein & Kevin Hall, McClatchy Newpapers
http://www.truthout.org/101408K
As the economy worsens and Election Day approaches, a conservative campaign that blames the global financial crisis on a government push to make housing more affordable to lower-class Americans has taken off on talk radio and e-mail. Commentators say that's what triggered the stock market meltdown and the freeze on credit. They've specifically targeted the mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which the federal government seized on Sept. 6, contending that lending to poor and minority Americans caused Fannie's and Freddie's financial problems. Federal housing data reveal that the charges aren't true, and that the private sector, not the government or government-backed companies, was behind the soaring subprime lending at the core of the crisis.
The Presidential Debates Are a Scam
David Bollier, OnTheCommons
http://www.alternet.org/election08/102829/
Have you wondered why the presidential debates don't present any serious ideas or encourage any substantive exchanges about policy and political philosophy? Have you noticed that the events resemble a whirring jukebox of familiar sound bites -- a highly produced, tightly scripted affair with with no surprises and little passion? There's a reason. Both candidates and their political parties want it this way. The debates are not the production of some independent third party like the League of Women Voters, the host university or news organizations. They are co-produced by the Democratic and Republican Parties themselves, who have ingeniously disguised their actual roles by nominally delegating control to the Commission on Presidential Debates.
Palin Drops the Puck
Dave Zirin & Daniel Denvir
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2008/10/13-3
The Lord of the Rings 1981 Radio Series
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings_(1981_radio_series)
Transcripts - http://www.tolkienradio.com/
To sample the BBC radio version on YouTube - http://free--expression.blogspot.com/2008/08/lord-of-rings-1981-bbc-radio-adaptation.html
Monday, October 13, 2008
PERFECT AUTUMN DAY AT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
October 11th
[McCosh Hall off of Washington Road]
[Chapel on the left near Firestone Library]
[Duchess standing in a lovely archway at Dickinson Hall]
[Looking towards Firestone Library]
[Duchess standing in archway next to Dickinson Hall & Chapel]
[View of Nassau Hall]
[View of Holder Hall]
October 11th
[McCosh Hall off of Washington Road]
[Chapel on the left near Firestone Library]
[Duchess standing in a lovely archway at Dickinson Hall]
[Looking towards Firestone Library]
[Duchess standing in archway next to Dickinson Hall & Chapel]
[View of Nassau Hall]
[View of Holder Hall]
Thursday, October 09, 2008
PERSONAL NEWS #152
Friday, September 26th, I volunteered with City Harvest at the Union Square farmers market.
On Sunday, September 28th, I headed up to Fort Tryon Park [northern Manhattan] to volunteer at the annual Medieval Festival. Over the past few years I’ve helped out my friend Eileen, who is Production Director of this entertaining one-day event. Even with abit of rain this year, it didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of participants, actors, vendors and attendees, as it was a good turnout. This time I was helping out at the information booth near the main entrance of the park. Unfortunately I didn’t get to spend much time with Eileen, as she is one busy bee at the festival. I did check out the many wares at the vendor booths, plus see some of the final Joust. I did run into some of the members of “The Group Who Shall Not Be Named” [Harry Potter related] before and after the festival. They reminded me that the first Quidditch match of the season is on Sunday, October 12th, in Riverside Park. I also ran into a fellow political activist [Al] and we discussed the current situation and the boring debates.
Later that week, on Thursday evening, October 2nd, I attended the NYC Harry Potter meetup [The Group Who Shall Not Be Named] at Café Metro and it was Talent Night. It was a very nice turnout of regular and new members of this fun group. The evening was quite entertaining listening to songs, poems, dance and even an amusing skit revolving around Draco, Hermione and Harry. One of the members was selling buttons that said “I’m with the banned”, this in reference to that horrible Gov Palin.
The next evening, October 3rd, I attended the “Friday Nite Knits” group in the Kensington section of Brooklyn. I’d never been to this part of Brooklyn and it is along the F subway line. Nice little café near the subway and I enjoyed a delicious vanilla milkshake. OMG! It was so rich and thick. I find it so enjoyable socializing with others who knit/crochet, plus admiring different lovely knitting projects. It was a nice way to wrap up a work week.
On Sunday, October 5th, I headed up to CT for a visit with my good friend Katherine. We were supposed to attend the SoNo Festival back in early August, but I had to cancel due to being in the hospital. Took MetroNorth to Stratford and from there we checked out some shops before heading to her home for a warm lunch. I spent time with playing with her adorable two-year old grandson [Shane] and chat with her daughter Cherie. Then we attended [along with her hubby and grandson] Shelton Day and even with the overcast, cool weather all had a good time. Shane behaved himself and rode around the street festival in his little red wagon. He even got his face painted to make him look like a puppy dog. Great catching up on news and gossip with Katherine, then it was back to the train station for the ride back to NYC.
Monday evening, October 6th, after my foot doctor appointment for therapy, I participated in the NYDoP CCR committee conference call. We mostly discussed latest developments, faxes, rough draft of letter to Community Boards and phone calls with City Council.
On Wednesday afternoon, October 8th, I had my first eye exam in five years. Yep, that’s right, exactly five years to the day. Overall my eyes are doing well and I only need to upgrade my reading glasses from a 1.25 to a 1.75. I won’t be purchasing them from the eye doctor, as those are too pricey, but will visit RiteAid or Duane Reade during my next payday.
Guillermo Del Toro Says ‘Hobbit’ Script Is Coming Together ‘Magically’
Shawn Adler, MTV
http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1596511/story.jhtml
Friday, September 26th, I volunteered with City Harvest at the Union Square farmers market.
On Sunday, September 28th, I headed up to Fort Tryon Park [northern Manhattan] to volunteer at the annual Medieval Festival. Over the past few years I’ve helped out my friend Eileen, who is Production Director of this entertaining one-day event. Even with abit of rain this year, it didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of participants, actors, vendors and attendees, as it was a good turnout. This time I was helping out at the information booth near the main entrance of the park. Unfortunately I didn’t get to spend much time with Eileen, as she is one busy bee at the festival. I did check out the many wares at the vendor booths, plus see some of the final Joust. I did run into some of the members of “The Group Who Shall Not Be Named” [Harry Potter related] before and after the festival. They reminded me that the first Quidditch match of the season is on Sunday, October 12th, in Riverside Park. I also ran into a fellow political activist [Al] and we discussed the current situation and the boring debates.
Later that week, on Thursday evening, October 2nd, I attended the NYC Harry Potter meetup [The Group Who Shall Not Be Named] at Café Metro and it was Talent Night. It was a very nice turnout of regular and new members of this fun group. The evening was quite entertaining listening to songs, poems, dance and even an amusing skit revolving around Draco, Hermione and Harry. One of the members was selling buttons that said “I’m with the banned”, this in reference to that horrible Gov Palin.
The next evening, October 3rd, I attended the “Friday Nite Knits” group in the Kensington section of Brooklyn. I’d never been to this part of Brooklyn and it is along the F subway line. Nice little café near the subway and I enjoyed a delicious vanilla milkshake. OMG! It was so rich and thick. I find it so enjoyable socializing with others who knit/crochet, plus admiring different lovely knitting projects. It was a nice way to wrap up a work week.
On Sunday, October 5th, I headed up to CT for a visit with my good friend Katherine. We were supposed to attend the SoNo Festival back in early August, but I had to cancel due to being in the hospital. Took MetroNorth to Stratford and from there we checked out some shops before heading to her home for a warm lunch. I spent time with playing with her adorable two-year old grandson [Shane] and chat with her daughter Cherie. Then we attended [along with her hubby and grandson] Shelton Day and even with the overcast, cool weather all had a good time. Shane behaved himself and rode around the street festival in his little red wagon. He even got his face painted to make him look like a puppy dog. Great catching up on news and gossip with Katherine, then it was back to the train station for the ride back to NYC.
Monday evening, October 6th, after my foot doctor appointment for therapy, I participated in the NYDoP CCR committee conference call. We mostly discussed latest developments, faxes, rough draft of letter to Community Boards and phone calls with City Council.
On Wednesday afternoon, October 8th, I had my first eye exam in five years. Yep, that’s right, exactly five years to the day. Overall my eyes are doing well and I only need to upgrade my reading glasses from a 1.25 to a 1.75. I won’t be purchasing them from the eye doctor, as those are too pricey, but will visit RiteAid or Duane Reade during my next payday.
Guillermo Del Toro Says ‘Hobbit’ Script Is Coming Together ‘Magically’
Shawn Adler, MTV
http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1596511/story.jhtml
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Kucinich: Bailout Opened ‘Financial Whirlpool of Insatiable Greed’
The Raw Storyhttp://rawstory.com/news/2008/Kucinich_Bailout_opened_financial_whirlpool_of_1006.html
Steal Back Your Vote!
People can bring this guide [click on above link] into the voting area. Please pass this on if you know anyone helping with new voter registrations. Click on this link for more info http://www.gregpalast.com/sbyv/
Flirting Her Way to Victory - Sarah Palin's Farcical Debate Performance Lowered the Standards for both Female Candidates and US Political Discourse
Michelle Goldberg, The Guardian/UK
At least three times last night, Sarah Palin, the adorable, preposterous vice-presidential candidate, winked at the audience. Had a male candidate with a similar reputation for attractive vapidity made such a brazen attempt to flirt his way into the good graces of the voting public, it would have universally noted, discussed and mocked. Palin, however, has single-handedly so lowered the standards both for female candidates and American political discourse that, with her newfound ability to speak in more-or-less full sentences, she is now deemed to have performed acceptably last night. By any normal standard, including the ones applied to male presidential candidates of either party, she did not. Early on, she made the astonishing announcement that she had no intentions of actually answering the queries put to her. "I may not answer the questions that either the moderator or you want to hear, but I'm going to talk straight to the American people and let them know my track record also," she said.
And so she preceded, with an almost surreal disregard for the subjects she was supposed to be discussing, to unleash fusillades of scripted attack lines, platitudes, lies, gibberish and grating references to her own pseudo-folksy authenticity. It was an appalling display. The only reason it was not widely described as such is that too many American pundits don't even try to judge the truth, wisdom or reasonableness of the political rhetoric they are paid to pronounce upon. Instead, they imagine themselves as interpreters of a mythical mass of "average Americans" who they both venerate and despise.
In pronouncing upon a debate, they don't try and determine whether a candidate's responses correspond to existing reality, or whether he or she is capable of talking about subjects such as the deregulation of the financial markets or the devolution of the war in Afghanistan. The criteria are far more vaporous. In this case, it was whether Palin could avoid utterly humiliating herself for 90 minutes, and whether urbane commentators would believe that she had connected to a public that they see as ignorant and sentimental. For the Alaska governor, mission accomplished.
There is indeed something mesmerising about Palin, with her manic beaming and fulsome confidence in her own charm. The force of her personality managed to slightly obscure the insulting emptiness of her answers last night. It's worth reading the transcript of the encounter, where it becomes clearer how bizarre much of what she said was. Here, for example, is how she responded to Biden's comments about how the middle class has been short-changed during the Bush administration, and how McCain will continue Bush's policies:
Say it ain't so, Joe, there you go again pointing backwards again. You preferenced [sic] your whole comment with the Bush administration. Now doggone it, let's look ahead and tell Americans what we have to plan to do for them in the future. You mentioned education, and I'm glad you did. I know education you are passionate about with your wife being a teacher for 30 years, and god bless her. Her reward is in heaven, right? ... My brother, who I think is the best schoolteacher in the year, and here's a shout-out to all those third graders at Gladys Wood Elementary School, you get extra credit for watching the debate.
Evidently, Palin's pre-debate handlers judged her incapable of speaking on a fairly wide range of subjects, and so instructed to her to simply disregard questions that did not invite memorised talking points or cutesy filibustering. They probably told her to play up her spunky average-ness, which she did to the point of shtick - and dishonesty. Asked what her achilles heel is - a question she either didn't understand or chose to ignore - she started in on how McCain chose her because of her "connection to the heartland of America. Being a mom, one very concerned about a son in the war, about a special needs child, about kids heading off to college, how are we going to pay those tuition bills?"
None of Palin's children, it should be noted, is heading off to college. Her son is on the way to Iraq, and her pregnant 17-year-old daughter is engaged to be married to a high-school dropout and self-described "fuckin' redneck". Palin is a woman who can't even tell the truth about the most quotidian and public details of her own life, never mind about matters of major public import. In her only vice-presidential debate, she was shallow, mendacious and phoney. What kind of maverick, after all, keeps harping on what a maverick she is? That her performance was considered anything but a farce doesn't show how high Palin has risen, but how low we all have sunk.
[Duchess Note: Notice it takes a journalist with a prominent newspaper OUT SIDE OF THE U.S. to cut through the crap and lies regarding Palin. The majority of the U.S. mainstream media don't have the balls to engage in real reporting these days. Many thanks to Judith in sharing this terrific, insightful article.]
The Raw Storyhttp://rawstory.com/news/2008/Kucinich_Bailout_opened_financial_whirlpool_of_1006.html
Steal Back Your Vote!
People can bring this guide [click on above link] into the voting area. Please pass this on if you know anyone helping with new voter registrations. Click on this link for more info http://www.gregpalast.com/sbyv/
Flirting Her Way to Victory - Sarah Palin's Farcical Debate Performance Lowered the Standards for both Female Candidates and US Political Discourse
Michelle Goldberg, The Guardian/UK
At least three times last night, Sarah Palin, the adorable, preposterous vice-presidential candidate, winked at the audience. Had a male candidate with a similar reputation for attractive vapidity made such a brazen attempt to flirt his way into the good graces of the voting public, it would have universally noted, discussed and mocked. Palin, however, has single-handedly so lowered the standards both for female candidates and American political discourse that, with her newfound ability to speak in more-or-less full sentences, she is now deemed to have performed acceptably last night. By any normal standard, including the ones applied to male presidential candidates of either party, she did not. Early on, she made the astonishing announcement that she had no intentions of actually answering the queries put to her. "I may not answer the questions that either the moderator or you want to hear, but I'm going to talk straight to the American people and let them know my track record also," she said.
And so she preceded, with an almost surreal disregard for the subjects she was supposed to be discussing, to unleash fusillades of scripted attack lines, platitudes, lies, gibberish and grating references to her own pseudo-folksy authenticity. It was an appalling display. The only reason it was not widely described as such is that too many American pundits don't even try to judge the truth, wisdom or reasonableness of the political rhetoric they are paid to pronounce upon. Instead, they imagine themselves as interpreters of a mythical mass of "average Americans" who they both venerate and despise.
In pronouncing upon a debate, they don't try and determine whether a candidate's responses correspond to existing reality, or whether he or she is capable of talking about subjects such as the deregulation of the financial markets or the devolution of the war in Afghanistan. The criteria are far more vaporous. In this case, it was whether Palin could avoid utterly humiliating herself for 90 minutes, and whether urbane commentators would believe that she had connected to a public that they see as ignorant and sentimental. For the Alaska governor, mission accomplished.
There is indeed something mesmerising about Palin, with her manic beaming and fulsome confidence in her own charm. The force of her personality managed to slightly obscure the insulting emptiness of her answers last night. It's worth reading the transcript of the encounter, where it becomes clearer how bizarre much of what she said was. Here, for example, is how she responded to Biden's comments about how the middle class has been short-changed during the Bush administration, and how McCain will continue Bush's policies:
Say it ain't so, Joe, there you go again pointing backwards again. You preferenced [sic] your whole comment with the Bush administration. Now doggone it, let's look ahead and tell Americans what we have to plan to do for them in the future. You mentioned education, and I'm glad you did. I know education you are passionate about with your wife being a teacher for 30 years, and god bless her. Her reward is in heaven, right? ... My brother, who I think is the best schoolteacher in the year, and here's a shout-out to all those third graders at Gladys Wood Elementary School, you get extra credit for watching the debate.
Evidently, Palin's pre-debate handlers judged her incapable of speaking on a fairly wide range of subjects, and so instructed to her to simply disregard questions that did not invite memorised talking points or cutesy filibustering. They probably told her to play up her spunky average-ness, which she did to the point of shtick - and dishonesty. Asked what her achilles heel is - a question she either didn't understand or chose to ignore - she started in on how McCain chose her because of her "connection to the heartland of America. Being a mom, one very concerned about a son in the war, about a special needs child, about kids heading off to college, how are we going to pay those tuition bills?"
None of Palin's children, it should be noted, is heading off to college. Her son is on the way to Iraq, and her pregnant 17-year-old daughter is engaged to be married to a high-school dropout and self-described "fuckin' redneck". Palin is a woman who can't even tell the truth about the most quotidian and public details of her own life, never mind about matters of major public import. In her only vice-presidential debate, she was shallow, mendacious and phoney. What kind of maverick, after all, keeps harping on what a maverick she is? That her performance was considered anything but a farce doesn't show how high Palin has risen, but how low we all have sunk.
[Duchess Note: Notice it takes a journalist with a prominent newspaper OUT SIDE OF THE U.S. to cut through the crap and lies regarding Palin. The majority of the U.S. mainstream media don't have the balls to engage in real reporting these days. Many thanks to Judith in sharing this terrific, insightful article.]
Monday, October 06, 2008
Are The Greens Spoilers?
Commentary from “Some of All Parts” MySpace
Greens aren't spoilers, they keep politics fresh! The Green Party has no expiration date. We stay fresh and keep politics fresh. We bring new ideas into the conversation. We freshen up the system that the Democratic and Republican parties are trying to rotten. We are fighting for Instant Run Off Voting, Public Finance of Campaigns, Secure and Supervised Voting, and Open Debates. The question is, do you want the system to continue to rot or do you want to help the Green Party to keep it fresh?
• The concept of spoiling was defined and created by the Democratic Party and their funders due to their fear of losing the undeserved power they have in our country. If they can convince us that we are doing the opposite of building a movement and exercising our right to freedom and democracy, then they win. But we know the truth and we believe in Choices and Voices. We believe in our values. We know we are the fresheners of freedom, the baking soda of bureaucracy. We are the party working to stop the rotting perpetuated by the Democratic and Republican Party.
• The year 2000, is an example of how the Green Party kept it fresh. Despite all that happened, it was the Green Party, 3rd Parties and Independent Voters, who fought for election justice.
The Supreme Court Spoiled (appointed by Dems and Repubs):
Al Gore won the 2000 election. George W. Bush became President when a biased US Supreme Court allowed election manipulation by Florida Republicans.
Al Gore Spoiled in 2000(Dem):
Gore ran a weak campaign with no clear message. He failed to defeat Bush in the debates and even lost his home state of Tennessee. MILLIONS of Democrats voted for Bush compared to the few hundred thousand who voted for Nader. Al Gore also accepted the "defeat" and let it go. Why?
Democratic Senators Spoiled:
When the Black Caucus challenged Bush’s election victory in January 2001, not one Democratic Senator stood up in support. Senate Democrats failed to push for an investigation of the Florida vote debacle.
The Democratic Party Spoiled:
For many years, Democrats never objected when officials removed African American and other voters from the voter rolls in Florida and other states. Why didn’t the Democrats sue when 90,000 Florida voters were disqualified earlier in 2000? Why were Democrats (including Gore) silent about disqualified votes in the weeks after the election. So, let's keep politics fresh. Vote Green!
When Lata Mangeshkar floored Andy Summers!
Ediff.com
http://www.rediff.com/rss/redirect.php?url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/oct/06look.htm
In his memoir One Train Later, Andy Summers, the guitarist for the legendary rock band The Police, recounts how he was mesmerized by Piya Tose Naina Lage Naa, sung by Lata Mangeshkar in the 1965 classic movie, Guide.
MORE ON THE BAILOUT PLAN
Dennis Kucinich on Democracy Now Talking About the Bailout Plan
Scott Creighton, American Everyman
http://willyloman.wordpress.com/2008/10/02/dennis-kucinich-on-democracy-now-talking-about-the-bailout-plan/
Dennis Kucinich on the Democrats’ Bailout Betrayal
Chris Hedges, TruthDig
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20081006_dennis_kucinich_on_the_democrats_bailout_betrayal/
“Some of the most powerful speeches against this were given by members of the Republican Party who are on the political right,” Kucinich said. “They did a superb job in poking holes in the underlying assumptions of the bailout. They say what they believe. Give me somebody who says what they believe and I can figure out how to get them to a new place. When people say one thing and do another it is very hard to be able to move a debate.” So let us honor, in our moment of defeat, the handful of elected officials who valiantly defied their party leaderships in the House to stage a remarkable revolt that at first succeeded. Kucinich is one. There were others—Brad Sherman, Marcy Kaptur, Peter DeFazio, Lloyd Doggett and Robert C. “Bobby” Scott. They are about all that is left of the old Democratic Party, the party that once looked out for the poor and the working class. Send them a note of thanks. They deserve it. And if you live in their districts make sure you get to the polls in November. They did not sell you out.
They’re Stealing from You and Me – Where is the Outrage?
Garrison Keiller, International Herald Tribune
http://www.alternet.org/election08/101694/
Ralph Nader Calls Out Democrats for Financial Bailout
Afrique en Ligne
http://www.afriquenligne.fr/ralph-nader-calls-out-democrats-for-financial-bailout-2008100513265.html
[Duchess Note: We know Republicans short change and lie to the American people ALL the time, but now it’s also the majority of Democrats that have sold us up the river. It’s the continued rape of America and they support the Wall Street fat cats. This “bailout fiasco” has been lead proudly by that lying skunk, Obama. I am threw with the majority of Democrats! They are not worthy of my precious vote in November. Green all the way! Many thanks to Linda in Texas for contributing many articles.]
Commentary from “Some of All Parts” MySpace
Greens aren't spoilers, they keep politics fresh! The Green Party has no expiration date. We stay fresh and keep politics fresh. We bring new ideas into the conversation. We freshen up the system that the Democratic and Republican parties are trying to rotten. We are fighting for Instant Run Off Voting, Public Finance of Campaigns, Secure and Supervised Voting, and Open Debates. The question is, do you want the system to continue to rot or do you want to help the Green Party to keep it fresh?
• The concept of spoiling was defined and created by the Democratic Party and their funders due to their fear of losing the undeserved power they have in our country. If they can convince us that we are doing the opposite of building a movement and exercising our right to freedom and democracy, then they win. But we know the truth and we believe in Choices and Voices. We believe in our values. We know we are the fresheners of freedom, the baking soda of bureaucracy. We are the party working to stop the rotting perpetuated by the Democratic and Republican Party.
• The year 2000, is an example of how the Green Party kept it fresh. Despite all that happened, it was the Green Party, 3rd Parties and Independent Voters, who fought for election justice.
The Supreme Court Spoiled (appointed by Dems and Repubs):
Al Gore won the 2000 election. George W. Bush became President when a biased US Supreme Court allowed election manipulation by Florida Republicans.
Al Gore Spoiled in 2000(Dem):
Gore ran a weak campaign with no clear message. He failed to defeat Bush in the debates and even lost his home state of Tennessee. MILLIONS of Democrats voted for Bush compared to the few hundred thousand who voted for Nader. Al Gore also accepted the "defeat" and let it go. Why?
Democratic Senators Spoiled:
When the Black Caucus challenged Bush’s election victory in January 2001, not one Democratic Senator stood up in support. Senate Democrats failed to push for an investigation of the Florida vote debacle.
The Democratic Party Spoiled:
For many years, Democrats never objected when officials removed African American and other voters from the voter rolls in Florida and other states. Why didn’t the Democrats sue when 90,000 Florida voters were disqualified earlier in 2000? Why were Democrats (including Gore) silent about disqualified votes in the weeks after the election. So, let's keep politics fresh. Vote Green!
When Lata Mangeshkar floored Andy Summers!
Ediff.com
http://www.rediff.com/rss/redirect.php?url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/oct/06look.htm
In his memoir One Train Later, Andy Summers, the guitarist for the legendary rock band The Police, recounts how he was mesmerized by Piya Tose Naina Lage Naa, sung by Lata Mangeshkar in the 1965 classic movie, Guide.
MORE ON THE BAILOUT PLAN
Dennis Kucinich on Democracy Now Talking About the Bailout Plan
Scott Creighton, American Everyman
http://willyloman.wordpress.com/2008/10/02/dennis-kucinich-on-democracy-now-talking-about-the-bailout-plan/
Dennis Kucinich on the Democrats’ Bailout Betrayal
Chris Hedges, TruthDig
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20081006_dennis_kucinich_on_the_democrats_bailout_betrayal/
“Some of the most powerful speeches against this were given by members of the Republican Party who are on the political right,” Kucinich said. “They did a superb job in poking holes in the underlying assumptions of the bailout. They say what they believe. Give me somebody who says what they believe and I can figure out how to get them to a new place. When people say one thing and do another it is very hard to be able to move a debate.” So let us honor, in our moment of defeat, the handful of elected officials who valiantly defied their party leaderships in the House to stage a remarkable revolt that at first succeeded. Kucinich is one. There were others—Brad Sherman, Marcy Kaptur, Peter DeFazio, Lloyd Doggett and Robert C. “Bobby” Scott. They are about all that is left of the old Democratic Party, the party that once looked out for the poor and the working class. Send them a note of thanks. They deserve it. And if you live in their districts make sure you get to the polls in November. They did not sell you out.
They’re Stealing from You and Me – Where is the Outrage?
Garrison Keiller, International Herald Tribune
http://www.alternet.org/election08/101694/
Ralph Nader Calls Out Democrats for Financial Bailout
Afrique en Ligne
http://www.afriquenligne.fr/ralph-nader-calls-out-democrats-for-financial-bailout-2008100513265.html
[Duchess Note: We know Republicans short change and lie to the American people ALL the time, but now it’s also the majority of Democrats that have sold us up the river. It’s the continued rape of America and they support the Wall Street fat cats. This “bailout fiasco” has been lead proudly by that lying skunk, Obama. I am threw with the majority of Democrats! They are not worthy of my precious vote in November. Green all the way! Many thanks to Linda in Texas for contributing many articles.]
Friday, October 03, 2008
YOU CALL THAT A DEBATE?!?
The VP Debate: Palin’s Big Mistake
PostPartisan, Washington Post
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2008/10/the_vp_debate_palins_big_mista.html
QUOTE OF THE DAY … The majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the results that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. Sir Alex Fraser Tyler [1742-1813]
Biden vs Palin – Who Won? 6 Short Takes on the VP Debate
AlterNet Commentary
http://www.alternet.org/election08/101413/
Don’t Be Fooled, Palin is Bush in Pumps
Naomi Wolf Commentary
http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/dont-be-fooled-palin-is-bush-in-pumps/2008/10/03/1223013786182.html
Palin Has Never Actually Seen Russia From Alaska
Jed Lewison, Huffington Post
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/election08/101291/
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda from TX for articles. Don’t forget that Congress will be voting again on this bailout fiasco. Call, fax and/or email your representative today. Tell them to vote NO on corporate welfare bailout!]
The VP Debate: Palin’s Big Mistake
PostPartisan, Washington Post
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2008/10/the_vp_debate_palins_big_mista.html
QUOTE OF THE DAY … The majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the results that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. Sir Alex Fraser Tyler [1742-1813]
Biden vs Palin – Who Won? 6 Short Takes on the VP Debate
AlterNet Commentary
http://www.alternet.org/election08/101413/
Don’t Be Fooled, Palin is Bush in Pumps
Naomi Wolf Commentary
http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/dont-be-fooled-palin-is-bush-in-pumps/2008/10/03/1223013786182.html
Palin Has Never Actually Seen Russia From Alaska
Jed Lewison, Huffington Post
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/election08/101291/
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda from TX for articles. Don’t forget that Congress will be voting again on this bailout fiasco. Call, fax and/or email your representative today. Tell them to vote NO on corporate welfare bailout!]
Thursday, October 02, 2008
MORE BAILOUT NEWS
Bailout Lesson: Capital Crisis Will Wreak Both Parties
Glen Ford, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=806&Itemid=1
Sanders on Bailout: “Let Paulson and His Friends Pay for It”
John Nichols, The Nation
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/366927/print
Money As Debt [video]
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9050474362583451279
Bailout Protesters Send a Strong Message from Wall Street
Jeremy Scahill, AlterNet
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/rights/100370/
Bailout Passes Senate; 9 Reasons That’s Bad News for You
Senator Bernie Sanders, Huffington Post
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/101224/
[Duchess Note: Guess who voted for this friggin bailout fiasco in the Senate last night?!? Yep, that’s right, Obama and McCain! Both are hand in hand with the corporate elite and ultra rich. Help out the average American on Main Street? No way, they happily do the bidding of those that hold the purse strings. This lady is not voting for any Democrat in November, no way, it’s Green Party all the way. If you’re as pissed off as I am about this whole friggin mess, I recommend you contact your representatives in DC ASAP.]
Bailout Lesson: Capital Crisis Will Wreak Both Parties
Glen Ford, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=806&Itemid=1
Sanders on Bailout: “Let Paulson and His Friends Pay for It”
John Nichols, The Nation
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/366927/print
Money As Debt [video]
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9050474362583451279
Bailout Protesters Send a Strong Message from Wall Street
Jeremy Scahill, AlterNet
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/rights/100370/
Bailout Passes Senate; 9 Reasons That’s Bad News for You
Senator Bernie Sanders, Huffington Post
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/101224/
[Duchess Note: Guess who voted for this friggin bailout fiasco in the Senate last night?!? Yep, that’s right, Obama and McCain! Both are hand in hand with the corporate elite and ultra rich. Help out the average American on Main Street? No way, they happily do the bidding of those that hold the purse strings. This lady is not voting for any Democrat in November, no way, it’s Green Party all the way. If you’re as pissed off as I am about this whole friggin mess, I recommend you contact your representatives in DC ASAP.]
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
LIVE FROM NYC - ITS THE NEWS
Press Release: Kucinich: Bailout Must Protect Home Ownership
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=104160
Dennis Kucinich on The Rachel Maddow Show [Re: Bailout]
http://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/dennis-kucinich-on-the-rachel-maddow-show/
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda in TX for sharing these awesome links. Bravo Dennis Kucinich! He is always there for the American people and championing our interests/values.]
Press Release: Kucinich: Bailout Must Protect Home Ownership
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=104160
Dennis Kucinich on The Rachel Maddow Show [Re: Bailout]
http://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/dennis-kucinich-on-the-rachel-maddow-show/
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda in TX for sharing these awesome links. Bravo Dennis Kucinich! He is always there for the American people and championing our interests/values.]
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
MORE NEWS ON BAILOUT FOR THE ULTRA RICH – COURTESY OF THE USA TAXPAYER
An Appropriately Populist Anti-Bailout Rant
John Nichols, The Nation
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2008/09/29
Bailout Rejection Sends out Financial Shockwaves, but It’s Also an Invigorating Moment for Democracy
William Greider, The Nation
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/100875/
The Power of ‘NO’ and the Need to Keep the Pressure on Congress
Dave Lindorff Commentary
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2008/09/29-8
How Do You Know When the Bailout is Little More Than Theft?
Chris Bowers, Open Left
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/workplace/100840/how_do_you_know_when_the_bailout_is_little_more_than_theft/
The Rich are Staging a Coup This Morning
Michael Moore Commentary
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2008/09/29-6
[Duchess Note: If you’re as pissed off as I am regarding this bailout for Wall Street, corporations and the ultra rich; then contact your Congressional representative today. Let them know that they work for you and not the other way around. November election is right around the corner, so let’s put the heat on our representatives. Its time they listen to their constituents and hear our concerns on important issues. If not today, well then, when? Rise up America and take your country back. Please take a moment to send a fax, email or call to Congress and Senate. If we don’t then our hard earned money will go to bailing out greedy, spoiled, arrogant ultra rich. They have plenty of funds to bail themselves out. The poor and middle classes shouldn’t have to do it. No friggin way!]
An Appropriately Populist Anti-Bailout Rant
John Nichols, The Nation
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2008/09/29
Bailout Rejection Sends out Financial Shockwaves, but It’s Also an Invigorating Moment for Democracy
William Greider, The Nation
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/100875/
The Power of ‘NO’ and the Need to Keep the Pressure on Congress
Dave Lindorff Commentary
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2008/09/29-8
How Do You Know When the Bailout is Little More Than Theft?
Chris Bowers, Open Left
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/workplace/100840/how_do_you_know_when_the_bailout_is_little_more_than_theft/
The Rich are Staging a Coup This Morning
Michael Moore Commentary
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2008/09/29-6
[Duchess Note: If you’re as pissed off as I am regarding this bailout for Wall Street, corporations and the ultra rich; then contact your Congressional representative today. Let them know that they work for you and not the other way around. November election is right around the corner, so let’s put the heat on our representatives. Its time they listen to their constituents and hear our concerns on important issues. If not today, well then, when? Rise up America and take your country back. Please take a moment to send a fax, email or call to Congress and Senate. If we don’t then our hard earned money will go to bailing out greedy, spoiled, arrogant ultra rich. They have plenty of funds to bail themselves out. The poor and middle classes shouldn’t have to do it. No friggin way!]
Monday, September 29, 2008
LATEST ON THE BAILOUT MESS
Press Release – Kucinich: Opposes Bailout & Asks “Is this the United States Congress or the Board of Directors of Goldman Sachs?”
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=103918
Kucinich Says Not Enough Votes for Bailout
Kevin Bogardus, The Hill
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/kucinich-says-not-enough-votes-for-bailout-2008-09-28.html
A Gift for a Generation: A US Financial System of Our Own
Cynthia McKinney Commentary [scroll down website for the article]
http://votetruth08.com/
The Financial Meltdown Requires Far-Reaching Green Solutions, Say Green Party Leaders
http://votetruth08.com/index.php/component/content/article/266-the-financial-meltdown-requires-far-reaching-green-solutions-say-green-party-leaders
What You Didn’t See on CNBC – Protests on Wall Street
Daily Paul
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/64964
Is the Bailout Needed? Many Economists Say ‘NO’
Kevin G. Hall, McClatchy Newspapers
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2008/09/27
President Bush and his Treasury secretary, former Goldman Sachs chief executive Henry Paulson, have warned of imminent economic collapse and another Great Depression if their rescue plan isn't passed immediately. Is that true? "It's more hype than real risk," said James K. Galbraith, a University of Texas economist and son of the late economic historian John Kenneth Galbraith. "A nasty recession is possible, but the bailout will not cure that. So it's mainly relevant to the financial industry."
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda in TX for the articles. If your pissed off like me at the Bush Regime and government in DC; then contact your Congressional and Senate representatives and let them know. I did so last week via fax ... twice! Remember, they work for us, not the other way around. Dissent is patriotic!]
Press Release – Kucinich: Opposes Bailout & Asks “Is this the United States Congress or the Board of Directors of Goldman Sachs?”
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=103918
Kucinich Says Not Enough Votes for Bailout
Kevin Bogardus, The Hill
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/kucinich-says-not-enough-votes-for-bailout-2008-09-28.html
A Gift for a Generation: A US Financial System of Our Own
Cynthia McKinney Commentary [scroll down website for the article]
http://votetruth08.com/
The Financial Meltdown Requires Far-Reaching Green Solutions, Say Green Party Leaders
http://votetruth08.com/index.php/component/content/article/266-the-financial-meltdown-requires-far-reaching-green-solutions-say-green-party-leaders
What You Didn’t See on CNBC – Protests on Wall Street
Daily Paul
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/64964
Is the Bailout Needed? Many Economists Say ‘NO’
Kevin G. Hall, McClatchy Newspapers
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2008/09/27
President Bush and his Treasury secretary, former Goldman Sachs chief executive Henry Paulson, have warned of imminent economic collapse and another Great Depression if their rescue plan isn't passed immediately. Is that true? "It's more hype than real risk," said James K. Galbraith, a University of Texas economist and son of the late economic historian John Kenneth Galbraith. "A nasty recession is possible, but the bailout will not cure that. So it's mainly relevant to the financial industry."
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda in TX for the articles. If your pissed off like me at the Bush Regime and government in DC; then contact your Congressional and Senate representatives and let them know. I did so last week via fax ... twice! Remember, they work for us, not the other way around. Dissent is patriotic!]
Friday, September 26, 2008
PERSONAL NEWS #151
On Sunday afternoon, September 14th, I participated in a lecture and group discussion held by my friend Cielito at Think Coffee in Greenwich Village. It was regarding Maitreya, Age of Aquarius, and peace, sharing with world communities and through http://www.share-international.org/ It was great seeing Cielito and meeting some new people at the discussion, which was really fascinating.
Tuesday, September 16th, I had an appointment with my lung specialist towards end of the work day in Brooklyn. Discussed my situation and how best to deal with it. Afterwards I headed back into Manhattan for the monthly NYDoP board and core team meeting. We had a decent turnout and mostly discussed fundraising, Inwood retreat and Resolution 627. Great seeing everyone, as I wasn’t able to attend August meeting due to still being in quarantine.
Thursday morning, September 18th, I had an appointment with my internal medicine specialist before heading into work. He’s put me on a new meds regime to control the disease in my lungs. Hopefully these new meds won’t cause annoying side effects. After work I joined the Park Slope knitters group for a fun, interesting “yarn swap” at Sweet Melissa’s. [Weather was comfy and we utilized the garden area in back for dining.] It was quite a turnout this evening, with about 25 to 30 folk in attendance. I’d never been to a “yarn swap” before and it’s conducted by a points system. I wasn’t able to bring much, so I did not receive very many points, but enough to get yarn for my “Granny Square” project. I enjoyed socializing with the other ladies, eating some good food, and discussing or working on knitting projects.
On Saturday, September 20th, I joined other NY Tolkien Society members in heading up to Timdalf’s for the annual Bilbo/Frodo Birthday celebration and picnic. Not all of the members could attend, but those of us that could had a fun time. [I wasn’t on my new meds yet, so was able to partake of some wine and get a wee bit tipsy.]
I met up with Jessica and Anthony at Port Authority between 10am and 11am. We took the 9A bus up to Tim’s place, which is north of Nyack. Weather was sunny with some clouds and around 70 degrees. Everyone brought up some delicious homemade goodies to share at the picnic and Kathy provided the tasty wine. I brought up my homemade brownies and chocolate chip cookies.
Much socializing amongst the society members, a toast to the Professor and after some serious noshing, we all sat down to answer LOTR Trivial Pursuit questions, which were read to us by Timdalf. At that point, several of us [including me] were tipsy with wine and shouted out some silly answers. While eating the yummy birthday cake we had a raffle of Tolkien items and I won a 2009 calendar. Overall, a good time was had by all. Hurray!
Sunday, September 21st, I had an appointment with “Beyond Ground Zero” grassroots organization on the lower eastside of Manhattan. They help 9/11 survivors with health issues … I mostly spoke with Tosh and Celia. Learn more about them at http://www.beyondgroundzero.org/
Tuesday, September 23rd, I had an appointment with another lung specialist to get a second opinion on my situation. He in turn will discuss his conclusion with my main lung specialist. Last time I’d seen this particular specialist was back in 2006. Later that evening I jumped onto a conference call with the NYDoP CCR committee. Discussion centered on procedure for follow-up calls to the Sept 17th fax to City Council members who are co-sponsors to Resolution 627. We also discussed PowerPoint presentation and drafting a letter to Community Board chairperson.
Protesters Take Their Outrage to Wall Street
Steven Wishnia, AlterNet
http://www.alternet.org/rights/100414/
Bailout Backlash: Five Surprising Things that Happened on Thursday
AlterNet Staff
http://www.alternet.org/election08/100391/
Protests on Wall Street, White House pow-wow flops, Bailout plan implodes, and Obama will attend debate and McCain’s suspended campaign stunt.
[Duchess Note: Bravo to ALL the protesters who convened on Wall Street area yesterday. Let those greedy, spoiled, rich thugs on Wall Street know how the majority of Americans feel about them. We will NOT bail you out of the mess YOU made. Clean it up yourselves AND with your own funds. Not ours! If the Democrat majority in Congress allows the bailout to go through, guess what, many of us will NOT vote your disgusting butts back into office. No friggin way!!!]
On Sunday afternoon, September 14th, I participated in a lecture and group discussion held by my friend Cielito at Think Coffee in Greenwich Village. It was regarding Maitreya, Age of Aquarius, and peace, sharing with world communities and through http://www.share-international.org/ It was great seeing Cielito and meeting some new people at the discussion, which was really fascinating.
Tuesday, September 16th, I had an appointment with my lung specialist towards end of the work day in Brooklyn. Discussed my situation and how best to deal with it. Afterwards I headed back into Manhattan for the monthly NYDoP board and core team meeting. We had a decent turnout and mostly discussed fundraising, Inwood retreat and Resolution 627. Great seeing everyone, as I wasn’t able to attend August meeting due to still being in quarantine.
Thursday morning, September 18th, I had an appointment with my internal medicine specialist before heading into work. He’s put me on a new meds regime to control the disease in my lungs. Hopefully these new meds won’t cause annoying side effects. After work I joined the Park Slope knitters group for a fun, interesting “yarn swap” at Sweet Melissa’s. [Weather was comfy and we utilized the garden area in back for dining.] It was quite a turnout this evening, with about 25 to 30 folk in attendance. I’d never been to a “yarn swap” before and it’s conducted by a points system. I wasn’t able to bring much, so I did not receive very many points, but enough to get yarn for my “Granny Square” project. I enjoyed socializing with the other ladies, eating some good food, and discussing or working on knitting projects.
On Saturday, September 20th, I joined other NY Tolkien Society members in heading up to Timdalf’s for the annual Bilbo/Frodo Birthday celebration and picnic. Not all of the members could attend, but those of us that could had a fun time. [I wasn’t on my new meds yet, so was able to partake of some wine and get a wee bit tipsy.]
I met up with Jessica and Anthony at Port Authority between 10am and 11am. We took the 9A bus up to Tim’s place, which is north of Nyack. Weather was sunny with some clouds and around 70 degrees. Everyone brought up some delicious homemade goodies to share at the picnic and Kathy provided the tasty wine. I brought up my homemade brownies and chocolate chip cookies.
Much socializing amongst the society members, a toast to the Professor and after some serious noshing, we all sat down to answer LOTR Trivial Pursuit questions, which were read to us by Timdalf. At that point, several of us [including me] were tipsy with wine and shouted out some silly answers. While eating the yummy birthday cake we had a raffle of Tolkien items and I won a 2009 calendar. Overall, a good time was had by all. Hurray!
Sunday, September 21st, I had an appointment with “Beyond Ground Zero” grassroots organization on the lower eastside of Manhattan. They help 9/11 survivors with health issues … I mostly spoke with Tosh and Celia. Learn more about them at http://www.beyondgroundzero.org/
Tuesday, September 23rd, I had an appointment with another lung specialist to get a second opinion on my situation. He in turn will discuss his conclusion with my main lung specialist. Last time I’d seen this particular specialist was back in 2006. Later that evening I jumped onto a conference call with the NYDoP CCR committee. Discussion centered on procedure for follow-up calls to the Sept 17th fax to City Council members who are co-sponsors to Resolution 627. We also discussed PowerPoint presentation and drafting a letter to Community Board chairperson.
Protesters Take Their Outrage to Wall Street
Steven Wishnia, AlterNet
http://www.alternet.org/rights/100414/
Bailout Backlash: Five Surprising Things that Happened on Thursday
AlterNet Staff
http://www.alternet.org/election08/100391/
Protests on Wall Street, White House pow-wow flops, Bailout plan implodes, and Obama will attend debate and McCain’s suspended campaign stunt.
[Duchess Note: Bravo to ALL the protesters who convened on Wall Street area yesterday. Let those greedy, spoiled, rich thugs on Wall Street know how the majority of Americans feel about them. We will NOT bail you out of the mess YOU made. Clean it up yourselves AND with your own funds. Not ours! If the Democrat majority in Congress allows the bailout to go through, guess what, many of us will NOT vote your disgusting butts back into office. No friggin way!!!]
Thursday, September 25, 2008
LATEST UPDATES ON NEWS, BAILOUT & VOTING RIGHTS
Gut Check Time: Will Congress Stand Up To Wall Street?
Robert Borosage, Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-l-borosage/gut-check-time-will-congr_b_128649.html
No Blank Check – Open Letter to Congress
Paul Kruger, OpEdNews.com
http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/diarypage.php?did=9619
Press Release – Kucinich: Keep Congress in Session
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=103565
Press Release – Kucinich: Voting is a Right, Not a Privilege
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=103566
Cynthia McKinney Ready to Step in for McCain at Friday’s Debate
Austin Cassidy, Independent Political Report
http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2008/09/cynthia-mckinney-ready-to-step-in-for-mccain-at-fridays-debate/
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda in TX for all these informative articles. You’re a gem! FYI … the latest “Personal News”, with photos, will be posted tomorrow. Stay tuned…..]
Gut Check Time: Will Congress Stand Up To Wall Street?
Robert Borosage, Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-l-borosage/gut-check-time-will-congr_b_128649.html
No Blank Check – Open Letter to Congress
Paul Kruger, OpEdNews.com
http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/diarypage.php?did=9619
Press Release – Kucinich: Keep Congress in Session
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=103565
Press Release – Kucinich: Voting is a Right, Not a Privilege
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=103566
Cynthia McKinney Ready to Step in for McCain at Friday’s Debate
Austin Cassidy, Independent Political Report
http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2008/09/cynthia-mckinney-ready-to-step-in-for-mccain-at-fridays-debate/
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda in TX for all these informative articles. You’re a gem! FYI … the latest “Personal News”, with photos, will be posted tomorrow. Stay tuned…..]
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
NY TOLKIEN SOCIETY’S ANNUAL READING DAY
[March 2008 - Valley Cottage Library]
[Timdalf Officiates at Reading Day]
[Dennis & Timdalf perform the Ring Poem]
[Duchess reading a portion of “Council of Elrond” from FOTR while Timdalf looks on]
[Dennis & Andi perform “Lament for Boromir”]
[Some of the NY Tolkien Society members dining out after Reading Day]
[March 2008 - Valley Cottage Library]
[Timdalf Officiates at Reading Day]
[Dennis & Timdalf perform the Ring Poem]
[Duchess reading a portion of “Council of Elrond” from FOTR while Timdalf looks on]
[Dennis & Andi perform “Lament for Boromir”]
[Some of the NY Tolkien Society members dining out after Reading Day]
Obama says Bailout Will Postpone Spending Plans
Patrick Martin, World Socialist Website
In a further demonstration of his subservience to Wall Street, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said that the $700 billion bailout of US financial institutions now moving through Congress would force a delay in additional spending by an incoming Democratic administration. In an interview Tuesday morning with NBC’s “Today” show, Obama said of the bailout, “How we’re going to structure that in budget terms still has to be decided.” He continued, “Does that mean I can do everything that I’ve called for in this campaign right away? Probably not. I think we’re going to have to phase it in. And a lot of it’s going to depend on what our tax revenues look like.”
The new spending Obama has proposed on programs like education, infrastructure and health care is so minimal, compared to the vast social need, that it doesn’t deserve the label “reform.” It is barely a sop. But even this is likely to be withheld initially, and then canceled outright once the cost of the Wall Street bailout mushrooms, as it inevitably will. As late as the weekend, in an interview with John Harwood of CNBC, Obama had rejected suggestions that the magnitude of the Treasury expenditure for purchasing mortgage-backed securities would put any new social spending off the agenda. He claimed that he would proceed with a proposal to expand health insurance as well as additional funding for education, the environment and child care.
But by Tuesday the Democrat had abandoned even this position, promising only to retain a series of tax cuts in the first budget of an Obama administration—which will inevitably accrue more to upper-income families—while making no such pledge for social spending. Obama also sought to demonstrate his fidelity to the financial aristocracy by attacking his Republican opponent, Senator John McCain, for initially opposing the federal bailout of AIG, the world’s largest insurance company. The Federal Reserve Board agreed last week to take an 80 percent interest in AIG in return for an $85 billion loan last week.
“I think what has been clear during this entire past 10 days is John McCain has not had clarity and a grasp on the situation,” Obama said.
When his NBC interviewer Matt Lauer pointed out that the Democratic vice-presidential candidate, Senator Joseph Biden, had also initially opposed the bailout, Obama pointed out that he himself had deferred comment. “I think that in that situation, I think Joe should have waited as well.” This extraordinary rebuke to his own running mate demonstrates that for Senator Obama, nothing is more important than demonstrating that he puts the future of Wall Street above all other considerations, and that he aims to win the presidency, not on the basis of a populist appeal, but by persuading the financial aristocracy that he will be the most capable representative of their interests.
Wall Street Socialists
Amy Goodman, TruthDig.com
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20080917_wall_street_socialists/
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Carol and Judith for their contribution of articles.]
Patrick Martin, World Socialist Website
In a further demonstration of his subservience to Wall Street, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said that the $700 billion bailout of US financial institutions now moving through Congress would force a delay in additional spending by an incoming Democratic administration. In an interview Tuesday morning with NBC’s “Today” show, Obama said of the bailout, “How we’re going to structure that in budget terms still has to be decided.” He continued, “Does that mean I can do everything that I’ve called for in this campaign right away? Probably not. I think we’re going to have to phase it in. And a lot of it’s going to depend on what our tax revenues look like.”
The new spending Obama has proposed on programs like education, infrastructure and health care is so minimal, compared to the vast social need, that it doesn’t deserve the label “reform.” It is barely a sop. But even this is likely to be withheld initially, and then canceled outright once the cost of the Wall Street bailout mushrooms, as it inevitably will. As late as the weekend, in an interview with John Harwood of CNBC, Obama had rejected suggestions that the magnitude of the Treasury expenditure for purchasing mortgage-backed securities would put any new social spending off the agenda. He claimed that he would proceed with a proposal to expand health insurance as well as additional funding for education, the environment and child care.
But by Tuesday the Democrat had abandoned even this position, promising only to retain a series of tax cuts in the first budget of an Obama administration—which will inevitably accrue more to upper-income families—while making no such pledge for social spending. Obama also sought to demonstrate his fidelity to the financial aristocracy by attacking his Republican opponent, Senator John McCain, for initially opposing the federal bailout of AIG, the world’s largest insurance company. The Federal Reserve Board agreed last week to take an 80 percent interest in AIG in return for an $85 billion loan last week.
“I think what has been clear during this entire past 10 days is John McCain has not had clarity and a grasp on the situation,” Obama said.
When his NBC interviewer Matt Lauer pointed out that the Democratic vice-presidential candidate, Senator Joseph Biden, had also initially opposed the bailout, Obama pointed out that he himself had deferred comment. “I think that in that situation, I think Joe should have waited as well.” This extraordinary rebuke to his own running mate demonstrates that for Senator Obama, nothing is more important than demonstrating that he puts the future of Wall Street above all other considerations, and that he aims to win the presidency, not on the basis of a populist appeal, but by persuading the financial aristocracy that he will be the most capable representative of their interests.
Wall Street Socialists
Amy Goodman, TruthDig.com
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20080917_wall_street_socialists/
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Carol and Judith for their contribution of articles.]
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
LATEST IN THE NEWS
The Proposed $700 Billion Bailout of Wall Street, the Largest Government Bailout of Private Industry in US History
Democracy Now!
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/9/22/sen_bernie_sanders_robert_scheer_and OR http://www.democracynow.org/
Incredible documentary Footage of Mass Arrest in St Paul
AfterDowningStreet.org
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/36125
Let’s Stop the Greatest Theft in the History of Humankind
Otto Spengler, Asia Times
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/99895/
10 Things You Should Know About Bush’s Trillion Dollar Fleecing Plan
AlterNet Staff
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/99876/
The Proposed $700 Billion Bailout of Wall Street, the Largest Government Bailout of Private Industry in US History
Democracy Now!
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/9/22/sen_bernie_sanders_robert_scheer_and OR http://www.democracynow.org/
Incredible documentary Footage of Mass Arrest in St Paul
AfterDowningStreet.org
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/36125
Let’s Stop the Greatest Theft in the History of Humankind
Otto Spengler, Asia Times
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/99895/
10 Things You Should Know About Bush’s Trillion Dollar Fleecing Plan
AlterNet Staff
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/99876/
Friday, September 19, 2008
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
Press Release – Congressman Kucinich Sends Warning to Justice Department
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=102585
Press Release – Kucinich: US Must Stop Abusing Ally Pakistan
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=102586
Take Another Look at Rosa Clemente
Ashahed Muhammad, Dissident Voice
http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/09/take-another-look-at-rosa-clemente/
Alaska Women Reject Palin Rally [video & article]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_4GfAsKvGU OR http://www.huffingtonpost.com/akmuckraker/alaskan-women-reject-pali_b_126315.html
Polar Bear Protest Mocks Palin, Republicans and Lobbyists
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALambowNums&feature=related
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda in TX for sharing all these great and informative articles. Bravo to those in Alaska who protested against Barbie the Moose Hunter.]
JEFF AMENT'S DEBUT SOLO ALBUM "TONE"
Jeff Ament's debut solo project, "TONE", is available now at select U.S. CIMS stores (http://www.cimsmusic.com/). "Tone" features ten originaltracks by Jeff culled from more than fifty-plus "works in progress." Pennedover the last eight years, the final collection offers a look into Ament's worldof early life in Montana and how it has shaped his music. Much like Jeff's ownlife story, TONE tells the tale of a group of characters from a small town in Montanaand their slow integration into life in the big city. The album emerged from hisdesire to take care of "unfinished business;" taking the original worksand paring them down to a batch of like-minded and introspective songs. Check it out at http://www.pearljam.com/jeffament/
SPA Partners with Peace Jam
The Student Peace Alliance is proud to announce an official partnership with Peace Jam! Both organizations collaborate to achieve similar goals and are youth-driven. The Student Peace Alliance expresses solidarity with Peace Jam's Global Call to Action directly through two of its 10 sections, 'Investing in Human Security' and 'Breaking the Cycle of Violence'. The other eight sections all contribute to reducing the root causes of violence. Check out the links below.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyOxbDVNaM8 OR http://www.globalcalltoaction.org/
Press Release – Congressman Kucinich Sends Warning to Justice Department
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=102585
Press Release – Kucinich: US Must Stop Abusing Ally Pakistan
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=102586
Take Another Look at Rosa Clemente
Ashahed Muhammad, Dissident Voice
http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/09/take-another-look-at-rosa-clemente/
Alaska Women Reject Palin Rally [video & article]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_4GfAsKvGU OR http://www.huffingtonpost.com/akmuckraker/alaskan-women-reject-pali_b_126315.html
Polar Bear Protest Mocks Palin, Republicans and Lobbyists
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALambowNums&feature=related
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda in TX for sharing all these great and informative articles. Bravo to those in Alaska who protested against Barbie the Moose Hunter.]
JEFF AMENT'S DEBUT SOLO ALBUM "TONE"
Jeff Ament's debut solo project, "TONE", is available now at select U.S. CIMS stores (http://www.cimsmusic.com/). "Tone" features ten originaltracks by Jeff culled from more than fifty-plus "works in progress." Pennedover the last eight years, the final collection offers a look into Ament's worldof early life in Montana and how it has shaped his music. Much like Jeff's ownlife story, TONE tells the tale of a group of characters from a small town in Montanaand their slow integration into life in the big city. The album emerged from hisdesire to take care of "unfinished business;" taking the original worksand paring them down to a batch of like-minded and introspective songs. Check it out at http://www.pearljam.com/jeffament/
SPA Partners with Peace Jam
The Student Peace Alliance is proud to announce an official partnership with Peace Jam! Both organizations collaborate to achieve similar goals and are youth-driven. The Student Peace Alliance expresses solidarity with Peace Jam's Global Call to Action directly through two of its 10 sections, 'Investing in Human Security' and 'Breaking the Cycle of Violence'. The other eight sections all contribute to reducing the root causes of violence. Check out the links below.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyOxbDVNaM8 OR http://www.globalcalltoaction.org/
Thursday, September 18, 2008
MESSAGE FROM "NEW YORKERS FOR A DEPT OF PEACE" REGARDING a NEW WEBSITE and FUNDRAISER
I hope you are well and enjoying summer, or perhaps you’re looking forward to Fall’s cooler clime. Here’s what I’m working on until Summer’s end: I’ve taken on the exciting task of raising $3,000 by October 1, 2008 to get our New Yorkers for a Department of Peace website redesigned and online. The current website (www.nyc-dop.com) is no longer best suited for NYDOP purposes. By relaunching NYDOP’s website we hope to accomplish the following:
Create an attractive and easy-to-use website, Rebrand our image starting with a new domain to better reflect our status as an organization, Use a new content management system which will be more sustainable for the organization as a whole.
As you know, websites are a primary tool for communication and outreach and without a website that accomplishes the above goals, NYDOP’s ability to effectively communicate our message is limited. By now you’ve likely given careful consideration to active participation in this peace campaign. Your generosity will contribute to a culture of peace by providing NYDOP with a more robust website that better represents our mission and more fully engages our constituents. You can expect:
A more frequently updated website, with the latest NYDOP news & events
A web store which will increase our fundraising capacity
When choosing how much to give, please consider some (or all!) of these strategies:
Donate your age or the age you hope to live to
Donate the combined ages of your children
Donate $1 for every time you think “I wish I could help” and multiply it by 10
Donate your monthly cappuccino allowance
Donate joyfully!!!!
You’ve heard it before and it remains true that every dollar you give helps and all contributions are enormously appreciated. Please send your gift to: New Yorkers for a Department of Peace c/o Joe Allegro 5-18 126th Street, College Point, NY 11356. Or click the link below and make your contribution online. Because NYDOP is a 501(c)4 political lobbying organization, please be aware that contributions are NOT tax exempt.
Thank you for considering our request and we look forward to our continued collaboration with you as we launch our new and improved website.
http://www.nyc-dop.com/get-involved/contribute.html
I hope you are well and enjoying summer, or perhaps you’re looking forward to Fall’s cooler clime. Here’s what I’m working on until Summer’s end: I’ve taken on the exciting task of raising $3,000 by October 1, 2008 to get our New Yorkers for a Department of Peace website redesigned and online. The current website (www.nyc-dop.com) is no longer best suited for NYDOP purposes. By relaunching NYDOP’s website we hope to accomplish the following:
Create an attractive and easy-to-use website, Rebrand our image starting with a new domain to better reflect our status as an organization, Use a new content management system which will be more sustainable for the organization as a whole.
As you know, websites are a primary tool for communication and outreach and without a website that accomplishes the above goals, NYDOP’s ability to effectively communicate our message is limited. By now you’ve likely given careful consideration to active participation in this peace campaign. Your generosity will contribute to a culture of peace by providing NYDOP with a more robust website that better represents our mission and more fully engages our constituents. You can expect:
A more frequently updated website, with the latest NYDOP news & events
A web store which will increase our fundraising capacity
When choosing how much to give, please consider some (or all!) of these strategies:
Donate your age or the age you hope to live to
Donate the combined ages of your children
Donate $1 for every time you think “I wish I could help” and multiply it by 10
Donate your monthly cappuccino allowance
Donate joyfully!!!!
You’ve heard it before and it remains true that every dollar you give helps and all contributions are enormously appreciated. Please send your gift to: New Yorkers for a Department of Peace c/o Joe Allegro 5-18 126th Street, College Point, NY 11356. Or click the link below and make your contribution online. Because NYDOP is a 501(c)4 political lobbying organization, please be aware that contributions are NOT tax exempt.
Thank you for considering our request and we look forward to our continued collaboration with you as we launch our new and improved website.
http://www.nyc-dop.com/get-involved/contribute.html
Monday, September 15, 2008
PERSONAL NEWS #150
On Tuesday, Sept 2nd, I went back to work after a month long medical leave. Felt good to be back at the office and see my co-workers. There was much to do, organize and catch up on since my medical leave, plus several new projects.
Thursday evening, Sept 4th, after work I attended the weekly Park Slope knitters group at Sweet Melissa’s. Great seeing familiar faces and meet some new members of this terrific group. I haven’t been to a weekly gathering since mid July. Archie kindly helped me with my zig zag scarf project, which I’ve been tackling on and off since July.
Friday evening, Sept 5th, after work I volunteered with City Harvest at the Union Square farmers market.
On Sunday afternoon, Sept 7th, I attended a lecture at All Souls Church on upper eastside of Manhattan. Lecture was by Laura Donohue and the subject was on the “Cost of Counterterrorism: Power, Politics & Liberty”. Donohue examines laws in both the US and UK that have been promoted as increasing security at the expense of life, liberty, property, privacy and free speech. As these two countries take a leading role in setting global counterterrorism norms, at stake is the future of liberal democracy. While at this fascinating lecture, I ran into Susan C and Mary G. Haven’t seen either of these progressive, activist ladies in awhile and it was great to catch up on news.
Monday evening, Sept 8th, I participated in the NYDoP conference call with other board members to discuss fundraising strategies. Not only to raise funds for NYDoP, but also our upcoming Inwood Retreat. It was a good, productive call and great chatting with these amazing folk.
Tuesday, Sept 9th, turned into quite a busy productive day. I started the day off with going to the polls to vote in the NYS primary. After a busy work day, I had an appointment with my foot doctor for much needed therapy on my left foot. Last time I had therapy on the foot was in early to mid June. That evening I participated in a NYDoP CCR Committee conference call. We worked on fine tuning the fax we’ll be sending out to City Council co-sponsors of Resolution 627. Plus discuss strategy in regards to local Community Boards etc.
Wednesday morning, Sept 10th, I had an 8:45am appointment with Dr Pujol in regards to these new meds, which are still causing me diarrhea and trouble sleeping at night. He advised I stop taking them for now to give my internal system a rest. Will have a follow up visit with him next week, as well as see Dr Challapalli. After work that evening I had an appointment with my chiropractor for therapy and adjustment.
LATEST IN THE NEWS
Cynthia McKinney Speaks on Election Integrity
http://guerillawomentn.blogspot.com/2008/09/cynthia-mckinney-speaks-on-election.html
[McKinney spoke directly to the issues surrounding Election Integrity. She is, to my knowledge, the only Presidential candidate of any party this year, to speak substantively to the most important matter underscoring every freedom we have and every serious issue we face in this nation.]
Remembering 9/11
Congressman Dennis Kucinich
http://kucinich.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2430&Itemid=1
Sean Bean & John Tams at the 2008 Folk Awards
Media: BBC 2 Radio Interview with John & Sean after the 2008 Folk Awards. Watch an interview with John Tams, winner of Best Duo Award with Barry Coope, and one of his biggest fans, the actor Sean Bean: "I'm entirely bowled over by the fact Sean came and presented the award." John celebrates his award, and recalls working with Sean on the drama, Sharpe. Watch it at the original site. . .
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/events/folkawards2008/johntams.shtml
On Tuesday, Sept 2nd, I went back to work after a month long medical leave. Felt good to be back at the office and see my co-workers. There was much to do, organize and catch up on since my medical leave, plus several new projects.
Thursday evening, Sept 4th, after work I attended the weekly Park Slope knitters group at Sweet Melissa’s. Great seeing familiar faces and meet some new members of this terrific group. I haven’t been to a weekly gathering since mid July. Archie kindly helped me with my zig zag scarf project, which I’ve been tackling on and off since July.
Friday evening, Sept 5th, after work I volunteered with City Harvest at the Union Square farmers market.
On Sunday afternoon, Sept 7th, I attended a lecture at All Souls Church on upper eastside of Manhattan. Lecture was by Laura Donohue and the subject was on the “Cost of Counterterrorism: Power, Politics & Liberty”. Donohue examines laws in both the US and UK that have been promoted as increasing security at the expense of life, liberty, property, privacy and free speech. As these two countries take a leading role in setting global counterterrorism norms, at stake is the future of liberal democracy. While at this fascinating lecture, I ran into Susan C and Mary G. Haven’t seen either of these progressive, activist ladies in awhile and it was great to catch up on news.
Monday evening, Sept 8th, I participated in the NYDoP conference call with other board members to discuss fundraising strategies. Not only to raise funds for NYDoP, but also our upcoming Inwood Retreat. It was a good, productive call and great chatting with these amazing folk.
Tuesday, Sept 9th, turned into quite a busy productive day. I started the day off with going to the polls to vote in the NYS primary. After a busy work day, I had an appointment with my foot doctor for much needed therapy on my left foot. Last time I had therapy on the foot was in early to mid June. That evening I participated in a NYDoP CCR Committee conference call. We worked on fine tuning the fax we’ll be sending out to City Council co-sponsors of Resolution 627. Plus discuss strategy in regards to local Community Boards etc.
Wednesday morning, Sept 10th, I had an 8:45am appointment with Dr Pujol in regards to these new meds, which are still causing me diarrhea and trouble sleeping at night. He advised I stop taking them for now to give my internal system a rest. Will have a follow up visit with him next week, as well as see Dr Challapalli. After work that evening I had an appointment with my chiropractor for therapy and adjustment.
LATEST IN THE NEWS
Cynthia McKinney Speaks on Election Integrity
http://guerillawomentn.blogspot.com/2008/09/cynthia-mckinney-speaks-on-election.html
[McKinney spoke directly to the issues surrounding Election Integrity. She is, to my knowledge, the only Presidential candidate of any party this year, to speak substantively to the most important matter underscoring every freedom we have and every serious issue we face in this nation.]
Remembering 9/11
Congressman Dennis Kucinich
http://kucinich.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2430&Itemid=1
Sean Bean & John Tams at the 2008 Folk Awards
Media: BBC 2 Radio Interview with John & Sean after the 2008 Folk Awards. Watch an interview with John Tams, winner of Best Duo Award with Barry Coope, and one of his biggest fans, the actor Sean Bean: "I'm entirely bowled over by the fact Sean came and presented the award." John celebrates his award, and recalls working with Sean on the drama, Sharpe. Watch it at the original site. . .
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/events/folkawards2008/johntams.shtml
Thursday, September 11, 2008
LATEST IN HEADLINES
Kucinich: Impeach President Bush Now
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2008/09/10-7
QUOTE OF THE DAY … Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities. Voltaire
Disarmament & Peace Groups Call For Rejection of Nuke Deal
ttp://www.commondreams.org/headline/2008/09/10
QUOTE OF THE DAY … Hope has two daughters, their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are. St Augustine
Impeach President Bush Now, Says Dennis Kucinich
Los Angeles Times
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/presidentbush/2008/09/impeach-the-pre.html
Kucinich Announces New Effort – Grassroots Leaders, 2 Million Supporters, Rally Behind Impeachment
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=101960
Kucinich: Impeach President Bush Now
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2008/09/10-7
QUOTE OF THE DAY … Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities. Voltaire
Disarmament & Peace Groups Call For Rejection of Nuke Deal
ttp://www.commondreams.org/headline/2008/09/10
QUOTE OF THE DAY … Hope has two daughters, their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are. St Augustine
Impeach President Bush Now, Says Dennis Kucinich
Los Angeles Times
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/presidentbush/2008/09/impeach-the-pre.html
Kucinich Announces New Effort – Grassroots Leaders, 2 Million Supporters, Rally Behind Impeachment
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=101960
Friday, September 05, 2008
LIVE FROM NYC – NEWS TO TAKE YOU INTO THE WEEKEND
Cynthia McKinney [Green Party] is on the Ballot in the Following States – Check out the link below to see the chart
http://www.ballot-access.org/ballot-chart.html
[Duchess Note: Hurray! New Yorkers will have the honor and privilege to vote for McKinney. She is the true voice of change for progressives and liberals. Vote your values and conscious this November … don’t waste it on a Corporate Imperialist. I made that mistake in November 2004 and will not do it this time around. Peace, Justice & Solidarity!]
Hip Hop Pushes a Political Agenda
McKinney ‘08
http://legacy.runcynthiarun.org/node/344
Green Party Admits Soldiers Testing Positive to Depleted Uranium
All Things Cynthia McKinney
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/413
Please Help Cynthia Qualify for Primary Campaign Matching Funds
http://supporters2.runcynthiarun.org/supporters.cgi
Amy Goodman: Why We Were Falsely Arrested – Government crackdowns on journalists are a true threat to democracy
http://www.alternet.org/rights/97632/
Palin Pick is GOP Hypocrisy at its Best
Laura Flanders, AlterNet
http://www.alternet.org/reproductivejustice/97644/
How The GOP Bought Police 'Tough Tactics' and Political Repression
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2008/09/04
Cynthia McKinney [Green Party] is on the Ballot in the Following States – Check out the link below to see the chart
http://www.ballot-access.org/ballot-chart.html
[Duchess Note: Hurray! New Yorkers will have the honor and privilege to vote for McKinney. She is the true voice of change for progressives and liberals. Vote your values and conscious this November … don’t waste it on a Corporate Imperialist. I made that mistake in November 2004 and will not do it this time around. Peace, Justice & Solidarity!]
Hip Hop Pushes a Political Agenda
McKinney ‘08
http://legacy.runcynthiarun.org/node/344
Green Party Admits Soldiers Testing Positive to Depleted Uranium
All Things Cynthia McKinney
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/413
Please Help Cynthia Qualify for Primary Campaign Matching Funds
http://supporters2.runcynthiarun.org/supporters.cgi
Amy Goodman: Why We Were Falsely Arrested – Government crackdowns on journalists are a true threat to democracy
http://www.alternet.org/rights/97632/
Palin Pick is GOP Hypocrisy at its Best
Laura Flanders, AlterNet
http://www.alternet.org/reproductivejustice/97644/
How The GOP Bought Police 'Tough Tactics' and Political Repression
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2008/09/04
Thursday, September 04, 2008
PERSONAL NEWS #149
From August 5th through 29th I was on “short term medical leave” from work. This was due to a possible TB strain germ in my system. The NYC Dept of Health and my lung specialist had me on quarantine at home. This possible germ was detected from a test around end of July, but since then other tests [NY Methodist Hospital] have ALL come back negative. To appease these individuals at the NYC Dept of Health [who come across like US border Custom officials, Homeland Security & the Spanish Inquisition], I’m adhering to the quarantine rules. I’ve been taking care of things around the apartment; plus making phone calls, reading, painting, crocheting, watching the Olympics, taking several meds, Internet, watching movies, cleaning house, feed birds, organizing and trying to keep “cabin fever” at bay. [Many thanks to those who called me in hospital and when I was at home. Greatly appreciate it.] I’ll be so darn happy when these quarantine/restrictions are lifted and I can resume my normal every day activities. One of which is going back to work, and you may find this hard to believe, but I actually miss being at work and interacting with co-workers.
On Wednesday, August 6th, I participated in a NYDoP board member conference call regarding prep work for upcoming Inwood Weekend Retreat in October.
On Thursday, August 14th, I participated with other NYDoP CCR committee members on conference call to discuss developments over past 3 weeks [ie: DoP Resolution 627].
Tuesday, August 19th, I had an appointment with my lung specialist to see how my health was progressing since earlier in the month. All vitals were normal, as they have been since end of July, plus my lungs sound clear. They did more tests to see if the meds are working and hope that TB testing comes back negative. Later that day I had a phone call with NYC Health Dept and they questioned me for 30 minutes. Felt like the friggin Spanish Inquisition. I’ll be so happy when all of this is over, cause its abit annoying and frustrating.
On the morning of August 25th & 26th, at 10am, I had a visit from the NYC Dept of Health representative who “observed” my apartment, watched while I took my meds, wore a surgical mask, filled out a few forms and basically lectured me on TB. In the afternoon I had an appointment to see my lung specialist, who said all was clear. Life returns to normal. Whoa! The evening of the 26th I jumped on a conference call with NYDoP CCR committee. It was very productive and great chatting with others on NYC DoP resolution 627.
Morning of August 27th I had an appointment with a new doctor [Park Slope] who’s specialty is “infectious diseases”. After speaking with my lung specialist, he prescribed new meds for me to take when the others ran out. Good visit and I learned abit more about MAI. Later that afternoon I had an appointment with my chiropractor, and the pharmacy called to say my new meds would ready afternoon of Sept 1st.
August 28th through September 1st I visited my family in upstate NY for the long Labor Day holiday weekend. Weather was pretty decent most of the time. Checked out two farmers markets, tag sales, bead shop, helped out around the yard, ride my bike, plus shopping in Greenwich and Saratoga. Mom and I watched several movies on cable TV; one of which was “Diary of a Mad Black Woman”, plus the X-Men trilogy. My cousin Robert visited his father, along with his wife Lil and daughter Farah, and we exchanged our recent medical issues. Felt great to be out and about … not cooped up inside. Yippee!
LATEST NEWS FROM THE MUSIC WORLD
The Police: Certifiable – Exclusive Recordings from the Police Reunion Tour
PR Newswire
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080904/lath021.html?.v=101
Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament Preps Solo Debut
Jonathan Cohen, Billboard.com
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003845450
Jeff Ament's Debut Solo Album "Tone" - Pre-Sale Starts Today!
Jeff Ament's debut solo project, "Tone," is set to be released on September 16th via TenClub.net and at select U.S. independent music stores. We'd like to give you a chance to pre-order your limited edition copy starting today. "Tone" features ten original tracks by Jeff culled from more than fifty-plus "works in progress." Penned over the last eight years, the final collection offers a look into Ament's world of early life in Montana and how it has shaped his music. Much like Jeff's own life story, "Tone" tells the tale of a group of characters from a small town in Montana and their slow integration into life in the big city. The album emerged from his desire to take care of "unfinished business;" taking the original works and paring them down to a batch of like-minded and introspective songs. Featuring a little help from drummer Richard Stuverud (The Fastbacks, War Babies, Three Fish) and King's X frontman Dug Pinnick, "Tone" is raw and touches on many musical influences; a searing collection of tracks that trace back to Jeff's early music roots. In his own words "Tone" is Jeff "unchecked, left to his own devices, playing instruments he is not comfortable with, singing, pushing and painting himself into corners.”
[Duchess Note: I am so friggin excited about these CD's and DVDs coming out soon from musicians that I love and admire. WooHoo!]
THE LATEST NEWS ON THE POLITICAL SCENE
Cynthia McKinney Green Party Music Video “Run (historical moment)” – McKinney Not Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1NPlQjkqo
An Alternative to Both Democrats & Republicans
The Daily Green
http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/community-news/green-party-88081601
McKinney/Clemente Ticket Also Makes History
Michigan Citizen
http://www.michigancitizen.com/print_this_story.asp?smenu=1&sdetail=6404
Democratic National Convention Outlines Policy of Wider War
Bill Van Auken, WSWS.org
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/aug2008/denc-a29.shtml
Obama’s Denver Speech: Populist Demagogy in the Service of Militarism
Patrick Martin, WSWS.org
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/aug2008/obam-a30.shtml
The Democrats Endorse the “Global War on Terrorism” – Obama “goes after” Osama
Michael Chossudovsky, Global Research
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=9995
Obama, McCain Weak Choices in 2008
The DM Online
http://www.thedmonline.com/1.617603
QUOTE OF THE DAY … “There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party ... and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. Republicans are a bit stupider, more rigid, more doctrinaire in their laissez-faire capitalism than the Democrats, who are cuter, prettier, a bit more corrupt – until recently... and more willing than the Republicans to make small adjustments when the poor, the Black, the anti-imperialists get out of hand. But, essentially, there is no difference between the two parties.” Gore Vidal in 1977
The Evil of the Lesser Evil
Prisoner of Starvation Blog
http://prisonerofstarvation.blogspot.com/
Economy May Stall Push for Healthcare
USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-08-27-healthcare-stall_N.htm
Sarah Palin – All You Need to Know
She knows nothing about Foreign Policy - YOU know more about Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, Russia and Pakistan than she does!!
She thinks Alaska should succeed from the “union”
She was FOR the Bridge to No Where until she was against it
She campaigned for indicted Senator Ted Stevens
She knows nothing the American Credit Crisis, Free Trade, Immigration, Economics, Foreign Policy, National Security, Education, Health Care, Iraq, Iran, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, North Korea or China.
She is under investigation for abuse of power (she had her brother in law State Trooper Wooten fired during a custody battle with her sister)
She was a sportscaster, a city councilwoman and mayor of a town with less than 10,000 people before she was elected Governor almost by default
She now claims “13 years of Elected Experience”
She claims to have MORE experience than Barack Obama and Joe Biden
She has served less than 2 years as Governor
She did not campaign with John McCain
She did not know John McCain
She hunts from airplanes
She is a radical Christian Right Winger who obviously does believe in choice “Bristol CHOSE to have her baby”
She thinks the Pledge of Allegiance was written by the Founding Fathers Francis Bellamy (1855 - 1931), a Baptist minister, wrote the original Pledge in August 1892. He was a Christian Socialist
She brought the issue of ABORTION into the Wasilla’s “Mayor” race (a non partisan job that pays $68K/year)
Her mother in law won’t vote for her.
She doesn’t know what the Vice President “does all day”
She has a son who won’t take a photo with her, a 17 year old daughter who is pregnant
She stayed in Texas determined to “give a speech” at the Governors Conference AFTER her water broke prematurely with a high risk pregnancy
She is married to a guy who had a DUI
She doesn’t believe Global Warming is real
She doesn’t believe in Evolution
She would be a heartbeat away from being the Commander in Chief of the most awesome military and nuclear arsenal on the planet
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda, Carol, Judith and Doreen for their contributions in terrific articles to this blog.]
From August 5th through 29th I was on “short term medical leave” from work. This was due to a possible TB strain germ in my system. The NYC Dept of Health and my lung specialist had me on quarantine at home. This possible germ was detected from a test around end of July, but since then other tests [NY Methodist Hospital] have ALL come back negative. To appease these individuals at the NYC Dept of Health [who come across like US border Custom officials, Homeland Security & the Spanish Inquisition], I’m adhering to the quarantine rules. I’ve been taking care of things around the apartment; plus making phone calls, reading, painting, crocheting, watching the Olympics, taking several meds, Internet, watching movies, cleaning house, feed birds, organizing and trying to keep “cabin fever” at bay. [Many thanks to those who called me in hospital and when I was at home. Greatly appreciate it.] I’ll be so darn happy when these quarantine/restrictions are lifted and I can resume my normal every day activities. One of which is going back to work, and you may find this hard to believe, but I actually miss being at work and interacting with co-workers.
On Wednesday, August 6th, I participated in a NYDoP board member conference call regarding prep work for upcoming Inwood Weekend Retreat in October.
On Thursday, August 14th, I participated with other NYDoP CCR committee members on conference call to discuss developments over past 3 weeks [ie: DoP Resolution 627].
Tuesday, August 19th, I had an appointment with my lung specialist to see how my health was progressing since earlier in the month. All vitals were normal, as they have been since end of July, plus my lungs sound clear. They did more tests to see if the meds are working and hope that TB testing comes back negative. Later that day I had a phone call with NYC Health Dept and they questioned me for 30 minutes. Felt like the friggin Spanish Inquisition. I’ll be so happy when all of this is over, cause its abit annoying and frustrating.
On the morning of August 25th & 26th, at 10am, I had a visit from the NYC Dept of Health representative who “observed” my apartment, watched while I took my meds, wore a surgical mask, filled out a few forms and basically lectured me on TB. In the afternoon I had an appointment to see my lung specialist, who said all was clear. Life returns to normal. Whoa! The evening of the 26th I jumped on a conference call with NYDoP CCR committee. It was very productive and great chatting with others on NYC DoP resolution 627.
Morning of August 27th I had an appointment with a new doctor [Park Slope] who’s specialty is “infectious diseases”. After speaking with my lung specialist, he prescribed new meds for me to take when the others ran out. Good visit and I learned abit more about MAI. Later that afternoon I had an appointment with my chiropractor, and the pharmacy called to say my new meds would ready afternoon of Sept 1st.
August 28th through September 1st I visited my family in upstate NY for the long Labor Day holiday weekend. Weather was pretty decent most of the time. Checked out two farmers markets, tag sales, bead shop, helped out around the yard, ride my bike, plus shopping in Greenwich and Saratoga. Mom and I watched several movies on cable TV; one of which was “Diary of a Mad Black Woman”, plus the X-Men trilogy. My cousin Robert visited his father, along with his wife Lil and daughter Farah, and we exchanged our recent medical issues. Felt great to be out and about … not cooped up inside. Yippee!
LATEST NEWS FROM THE MUSIC WORLD
The Police: Certifiable – Exclusive Recordings from the Police Reunion Tour
PR Newswire
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080904/lath021.html?.v=101
Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament Preps Solo Debut
Jonathan Cohen, Billboard.com
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003845450
Jeff Ament's Debut Solo Album "Tone" - Pre-Sale Starts Today!
Jeff Ament's debut solo project, "Tone," is set to be released on September 16th via TenClub.net and at select U.S. independent music stores. We'd like to give you a chance to pre-order your limited edition copy starting today. "Tone" features ten original tracks by Jeff culled from more than fifty-plus "works in progress." Penned over the last eight years, the final collection offers a look into Ament's world of early life in Montana and how it has shaped his music. Much like Jeff's own life story, "Tone" tells the tale of a group of characters from a small town in Montana and their slow integration into life in the big city. The album emerged from his desire to take care of "unfinished business;" taking the original works and paring them down to a batch of like-minded and introspective songs. Featuring a little help from drummer Richard Stuverud (The Fastbacks, War Babies, Three Fish) and King's X frontman Dug Pinnick, "Tone" is raw and touches on many musical influences; a searing collection of tracks that trace back to Jeff's early music roots. In his own words "Tone" is Jeff "unchecked, left to his own devices, playing instruments he is not comfortable with, singing, pushing and painting himself into corners.”
[Duchess Note: I am so friggin excited about these CD's and DVDs coming out soon from musicians that I love and admire. WooHoo!]
THE LATEST NEWS ON THE POLITICAL SCENE
Cynthia McKinney Green Party Music Video “Run (historical moment)” – McKinney Not Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx1NPlQjkqo
An Alternative to Both Democrats & Republicans
The Daily Green
http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/community-news/green-party-88081601
McKinney/Clemente Ticket Also Makes History
Michigan Citizen
http://www.michigancitizen.com/print_this_story.asp?smenu=1&sdetail=6404
Democratic National Convention Outlines Policy of Wider War
Bill Van Auken, WSWS.org
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/aug2008/denc-a29.shtml
Obama’s Denver Speech: Populist Demagogy in the Service of Militarism
Patrick Martin, WSWS.org
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/aug2008/obam-a30.shtml
The Democrats Endorse the “Global War on Terrorism” – Obama “goes after” Osama
Michael Chossudovsky, Global Research
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=9995
Obama, McCain Weak Choices in 2008
The DM Online
http://www.thedmonline.com/1.617603
QUOTE OF THE DAY … “There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party ... and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. Republicans are a bit stupider, more rigid, more doctrinaire in their laissez-faire capitalism than the Democrats, who are cuter, prettier, a bit more corrupt – until recently... and more willing than the Republicans to make small adjustments when the poor, the Black, the anti-imperialists get out of hand. But, essentially, there is no difference between the two parties.” Gore Vidal in 1977
The Evil of the Lesser Evil
Prisoner of Starvation Blog
http://prisonerofstarvation.blogspot.com/
Economy May Stall Push for Healthcare
USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-08-27-healthcare-stall_N.htm
Sarah Palin – All You Need to Know
She knows nothing about Foreign Policy - YOU know more about Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, Russia and Pakistan than she does!!
She thinks Alaska should succeed from the “union”
She was FOR the Bridge to No Where until she was against it
She campaigned for indicted Senator Ted Stevens
She knows nothing the American Credit Crisis, Free Trade, Immigration, Economics, Foreign Policy, National Security, Education, Health Care, Iraq, Iran, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, North Korea or China.
She is under investigation for abuse of power (she had her brother in law State Trooper Wooten fired during a custody battle with her sister)
She was a sportscaster, a city councilwoman and mayor of a town with less than 10,000 people before she was elected Governor almost by default
She now claims “13 years of Elected Experience”
She claims to have MORE experience than Barack Obama and Joe Biden
She has served less than 2 years as Governor
She did not campaign with John McCain
She did not know John McCain
She hunts from airplanes
She is a radical Christian Right Winger who obviously does believe in choice “Bristol CHOSE to have her baby”
She thinks the Pledge of Allegiance was written by the Founding Fathers Francis Bellamy (1855 - 1931), a Baptist minister, wrote the original Pledge in August 1892. He was a Christian Socialist
She brought the issue of ABORTION into the Wasilla’s “Mayor” race (a non partisan job that pays $68K/year)
Her mother in law won’t vote for her.
She doesn’t know what the Vice President “does all day”
She has a son who won’t take a photo with her, a 17 year old daughter who is pregnant
She stayed in Texas determined to “give a speech” at the Governors Conference AFTER her water broke prematurely with a high risk pregnancy
She is married to a guy who had a DUI
She doesn’t believe Global Warming is real
She doesn’t believe in Evolution
She would be a heartbeat away from being the Commander in Chief of the most awesome military and nuclear arsenal on the planet
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda, Carol, Judith and Doreen for their contributions in terrific articles to this blog.]
Thursday, August 28, 2008
LIVE FROM NYC – IT’S THE NEWS
Dissent Debuts in Downtown Denverhttp://www.coloradodaily.com/news/2008/aug/25/democratic-national-convention-dissent-debuts-on/
Kucinich Electrifies Convention Arena http://news.yahoo.com/s/rockymountainnews/20080826/pl_rockymountainnews/kucinichelectrifiesconventionarena
Denver 2008: Hope is for The Weak
BAR Managing Editor Bruce Dixon
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=753&Itemid=34
Dennis Kucinich to Democrats: Where's the red meat
http://communities.canada.com/shareit/blogs/theelephant/archive/2008/08/26/dennis-kucinich-to-democrats-where-s-the-red-meat.aspx
[Duchess Note: The above journalist makes some good points in the article, but what I find vile, is how many mainstream journalists still insult Kucinich. He’s not some shallow matinee idol but what he is; is a true leader, patriot, progressive, intelligent, compassionate man and is not beholden to any corporations/lobbyists. Kucinich has always been there for “We the People” and always will be. He is never beholden to the Corporatnazi’s or the rich elite. Bravo Dennis!]
Kucinich Wakes Up the Crowd
Lydia Gensheimer, CQ Staff
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002941282
Video … http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=kucinich&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wn
Cynthia McKinney: Power to the People! Stop the War!
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=757&Itemid=1
Police Continue Repressive Tactics in Denver [DNC]
Tom Eley, World Socialist Web Site
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/aug2008/denv-a28.shtml
Union Bureaucrats Attack Their Own Members as “racist” for Failing to Back Obama
Shannon Jones, World Socialist WebSite
The two main competing factions within the US trade union bureaucracy are temporarily setting aside their bitter rivalry to unite behind the presidential campaign of Barack Obama. One prominent feature of their intervention has been to attribute the lack of enthusiasm among their own members for Obama on white racism, a charge that they make no attempt to substantiate, and in fact is contradicted by polls that reveal growing anger and alienation among workers for the Democrats and the two party system. Read more at…………………http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/aug2008/unio-a28.shtml
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda, Judith and Carol for their contributions.]
Dissent Debuts in Downtown Denverhttp://www.coloradodaily.com/news/2008/aug/25/democratic-national-convention-dissent-debuts-on/
Kucinich Electrifies Convention Arena http://news.yahoo.com/s/rockymountainnews/20080826/pl_rockymountainnews/kucinichelectrifiesconventionarena
Denver 2008: Hope is for The Weak
BAR Managing Editor Bruce Dixon
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=753&Itemid=34
Dennis Kucinich to Democrats: Where's the red meat
http://communities.canada.com/shareit/blogs/theelephant/archive/2008/08/26/dennis-kucinich-to-democrats-where-s-the-red-meat.aspx
[Duchess Note: The above journalist makes some good points in the article, but what I find vile, is how many mainstream journalists still insult Kucinich. He’s not some shallow matinee idol but what he is; is a true leader, patriot, progressive, intelligent, compassionate man and is not beholden to any corporations/lobbyists. Kucinich has always been there for “We the People” and always will be. He is never beholden to the Corporatnazi’s or the rich elite. Bravo Dennis!]
Kucinich Wakes Up the Crowd
Lydia Gensheimer, CQ Staff
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002941282
Video … http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=kucinich&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wn
Cynthia McKinney: Power to the People! Stop the War!
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=757&Itemid=1
Police Continue Repressive Tactics in Denver [DNC]
Tom Eley, World Socialist Web Site
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/aug2008/denv-a28.shtml
Union Bureaucrats Attack Their Own Members as “racist” for Failing to Back Obama
Shannon Jones, World Socialist WebSite
The two main competing factions within the US trade union bureaucracy are temporarily setting aside their bitter rivalry to unite behind the presidential campaign of Barack Obama. One prominent feature of their intervention has been to attribute the lack of enthusiasm among their own members for Obama on white racism, a charge that they make no attempt to substantiate, and in fact is contradicted by polls that reveal growing anger and alienation among workers for the Democrats and the two party system. Read more at…………………http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/aug2008/unio-a28.shtml
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda, Judith and Carol for their contributions.]
Thursday, August 14, 2008
PERSONAL NEWS #148
Thursday evening, July 17th, I joined several other Park Slope knitters at Sweet Melissa’s and started work on a new scarf with a zig zag pattern.
The following evening, July 18th, I volunteered with City Harvest at Union Square farmers market.
Saturday evening, July 19th, I joined my friend and neighbor [Gail] in checking out the local “festival” in eastern part of Greenpoint. Had an enjoyable time, drank some tasty Daiquiri and took a whirl on the ferries wheel.
The next day, July 20th, I joined other peace activists at the “Arthur Ross Pinetum” in Central Park for the “Feasting on Peace” picnic. Weather was warm and humid. No amount of water or shade could help out. By the time I got home early that evening I felt drained. During the picnic, not only did we nosh on the potluck, but we also participated in NVC empathy labyrinth, old fashion cake walk and dances of universal peace. One of the chants went like this … “We are one with the infinite sun; forever, forever, forever”.
Tuesday evening, July 22nd, was the NYDoP CCR Committee conference call to prep for our upcoming meeting with City Councilmember Mendez. It went well and we are so looking forward to this meeting.
Thursday evening, July 24th, I joined several other Park Slope knitters at Sweet Melissa’s. A few of the ladies helped me out with some troubles I was having with the zig zag scarf pattern. Food is delicious at this delightful café in the heart of Park Slope.
The following evening, July 25th, I volunteered with City Harvest at Union Square farmers market.
The next day, July 26th, I attended an event at FIT called “Maitreya – An Evening with Benjamin Crème”. My friends Cielito, Linda and Max are part of a group or organization called Share International, which were hosting this fascinating event. I first heard about this organization, Creme and Maitreya via my three friends back in 2005. This is the third time I’ve heard him speak about world events and Maitreya. To learn more, go to http://www.share-international.org/
On Tuesday, July 29th, I took the afternoon off as a partial personal day to attend two appointments. The first was an excellent, productive meeting with City Councilmember Mendez at her district office in Manhattan. Kevin and Joe [NYDoP CCR Committee members] also joined me in talking with Mendez about DoP Resolution 627. There were also legislative aids from council member White and Dickens offices. Both those councilmember’s are co-sponsors of this important resolution. I plan on connecting with several Community Boards in the NYC area, and work towards scheduling DoP presentations. Joe drove me home as I wasn’t feeling to well after the meeting. I took a nap before heading to the clinic, in my hood, for an appointment with my lung specialist on my health situation. Read more on that ... which was posted on August 8th.
Thursday evening, July 17th, I joined several other Park Slope knitters at Sweet Melissa’s and started work on a new scarf with a zig zag pattern.
The following evening, July 18th, I volunteered with City Harvest at Union Square farmers market.
Saturday evening, July 19th, I joined my friend and neighbor [Gail] in checking out the local “festival” in eastern part of Greenpoint. Had an enjoyable time, drank some tasty Daiquiri and took a whirl on the ferries wheel.
The next day, July 20th, I joined other peace activists at the “Arthur Ross Pinetum” in Central Park for the “Feasting on Peace” picnic. Weather was warm and humid. No amount of water or shade could help out. By the time I got home early that evening I felt drained. During the picnic, not only did we nosh on the potluck, but we also participated in NVC empathy labyrinth, old fashion cake walk and dances of universal peace. One of the chants went like this … “We are one with the infinite sun; forever, forever, forever”.
Tuesday evening, July 22nd, was the NYDoP CCR Committee conference call to prep for our upcoming meeting with City Councilmember Mendez. It went well and we are so looking forward to this meeting.
Thursday evening, July 24th, I joined several other Park Slope knitters at Sweet Melissa’s. A few of the ladies helped me out with some troubles I was having with the zig zag scarf pattern. Food is delicious at this delightful café in the heart of Park Slope.
The following evening, July 25th, I volunteered with City Harvest at Union Square farmers market.
The next day, July 26th, I attended an event at FIT called “Maitreya – An Evening with Benjamin Crème”. My friends Cielito, Linda and Max are part of a group or organization called Share International, which were hosting this fascinating event. I first heard about this organization, Creme and Maitreya via my three friends back in 2005. This is the third time I’ve heard him speak about world events and Maitreya. To learn more, go to http://www.share-international.org/
On Tuesday, July 29th, I took the afternoon off as a partial personal day to attend two appointments. The first was an excellent, productive meeting with City Councilmember Mendez at her district office in Manhattan. Kevin and Joe [NYDoP CCR Committee members] also joined me in talking with Mendez about DoP Resolution 627. There were also legislative aids from council member White and Dickens offices. Both those councilmember’s are co-sponsors of this important resolution. I plan on connecting with several Community Boards in the NYC area, and work towards scheduling DoP presentations. Joe drove me home as I wasn’t feeling to well after the meeting. I took a nap before heading to the clinic, in my hood, for an appointment with my lung specialist on my health situation. Read more on that ... which was posted on August 8th.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
MESSAGE FROM CONGRESSMAN KUCINICH - September 10th: The day before our world changed, a day to change the world!
On August 1st, I delivered to Speaker Nancy Pelosi; a petition bearing the names of over 100,000 Americans that, like us, feel that the President must be held accountable for abusing executive power and disregarding his Constitutional obligations. Your voices have been heard and your support continues to send a powerful message to lawmakers. That is why I call on you again to help us in a new effort to deliver 1 Million signatures to Speaker Pelosi on September 10, 2008.
Together we can:
1. Urge real Congressional action to hold President Bush accountable now
2. Reinstate the authority of our Constitution
3. Document crimes committed by President Bush for historical account
4. Facilitate post-Administration law enforcement and prosecution
5. Reset the standard for the incoming and future administrations
6. Demand justice for the over 3,000 who died on 9/11 and whose deaths were tragically exploited to take us into an illegal war in Iraq
7. Demand justice for the estimated 30,324 U.S. military personnel who have been injured/wounded
8. Demand justice for the estimated 4,138 U.S. military personnel who have been killed or died
9. Demand justice for the 1 Million innocent Iraqis who have died
10. Avert another illegitimate looming war – this time against Iran
We need your active participation to deliver 1 Million signatures to Congress by September 10, 2008. Please give at least ten of your friends the opportunity to stand up for our country – the way you and I have, by inviting them to sign the impeachment petition online at www.Kucinich.us. Send your friends an email invitation to sign the petition by clicking here. Tgether we can make September 10, the day before the world changed, a day we change the world! Tank you for your active and ongoing citizenship.
On August 1st, I delivered to Speaker Nancy Pelosi; a petition bearing the names of over 100,000 Americans that, like us, feel that the President must be held accountable for abusing executive power and disregarding his Constitutional obligations. Your voices have been heard and your support continues to send a powerful message to lawmakers. That is why I call on you again to help us in a new effort to deliver 1 Million signatures to Speaker Pelosi on September 10, 2008.
Together we can:
1. Urge real Congressional action to hold President Bush accountable now
2. Reinstate the authority of our Constitution
3. Document crimes committed by President Bush for historical account
4. Facilitate post-Administration law enforcement and prosecution
5. Reset the standard for the incoming and future administrations
6. Demand justice for the over 3,000 who died on 9/11 and whose deaths were tragically exploited to take us into an illegal war in Iraq
7. Demand justice for the estimated 30,324 U.S. military personnel who have been injured/wounded
8. Demand justice for the estimated 4,138 U.S. military personnel who have been killed or died
9. Demand justice for the 1 Million innocent Iraqis who have died
10. Avert another illegitimate looming war – this time against Iran
We need your active participation to deliver 1 Million signatures to Congress by September 10, 2008. Please give at least ten of your friends the opportunity to stand up for our country – the way you and I have, by inviting them to sign the impeachment petition online at www.Kucinich.us. Send your friends an email invitation to sign the petition by clicking here. Tgether we can make September 10, the day before the world changed, a day we change the world! Tank you for your active and ongoing citizenship.
Friday, August 08, 2008
August 1st through 4th
NY Methodist Hospital
Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY
Since July 25th I’d been having troubles with my lungs and bronchial. At work around 4:30pm to 5pm I started to spit and cough up blood. Not a lot, but enough to alarm me. Did my volunteer duties [lightly though as I was feeling abit light headed] with City Harvest down at Union Square farmers market that evening. Next day nothing happened, but on Sunday I again spit up some blood. Didn’t sleep well that night and decided to take ½ a personal day on Monday, so I could see my doctor at neighborhood clinic. They also had me get a chest X-ray, plus take meds and afterwards I went in to work.
On Tuesday I worked half a day and took afternoon off as ½ a personal day. Went to meeting at City Councilmember Mendez office with Joe and Kevin [NYDoP CCR Committee members]. We had a great, productive meeting with the councilwoman, plus legislative aids from White and Dickens office. Five to ten minutes after the meeting, I had another “blood spitting” attack, so Joe drove me home to my apartment. So sweet of Joe to do that for me, he’s a great guy. Later that afternoon I had an appointment with my lung specialist at neighborhood clinic. He gave me new prescriptions and said I have Bronchiectasis. He also mentioned that if the spitting/coughing up of blood got worse, that I should check myself into a hospital.
Next day wasn’t so bad, but things started getting worse on Thursday and Friday, especially the latter. Around 3:30pm on August 1st the coughing up of blood and clots was on and off for an hour. I called my lung specialist and he strongly advised I check into emergency at New York Methodist Hospital, as he is affiliated with that place. I made phone calls to cancel plans I had for that evening; plus made calls to my friends Larry and Linda. The latter was available and said she’d pick me up at home to take me to hospital. So sweet and kind of her, at this point I was getting upset and wore my sunglasses all the way home to cover up the tears. I left the office at 5:30pm.
Got home just after 6pm; made more phone calls to cancel upcoming appts, packed my small backpack with necessary items for stay at hospital, fed the birds outside, had something light to eat, and took care of other things around the apartment. Linda showed up at 7pm and we talked for abit before heading off to the hospital. Found parking in Park Slope and went into emergency check-in area; filled out forms, went through Triage and registered by 9pmish. Then it was time to wait, along with others, to get “service” in ER. While waiting we watched TV and worked on a granny square crochet project. At one point a nice, young man joined us to figure out these two puzzling crochet patterns we were working on. Nice chatting with him and his partner. Apparently the delay for folk to get into ER was caused by injured firemen from a huge building fire near Lincoln Road, or was it Lincoln Street. During all this I got water from a fountain using a Styrofoam coffee cup. Plus purchased tasty crackers from the waiting area vending machine at 11pm and 2:30am [8/2/08], and from 12:30am on many folk in waiting room, including me, tried to sleep or nap. Linda stretched out on 3 chairs and I sat up with my head against the wall for support. The hospital staff provided many of us with sheets for cover, as the a/c was abit chilly. Let me tell you, try to nap there was not easy.
I finally got called into the ER at 3:30am, and before that I had coughed up more blood clots twice in the public bathroom. In ER a nurse and doctor saw me while I was comfortably placed on a gurney type bed. I took off my blouse and bra to put on a hospital gown which was abit itchy around the collar. I was taken to get a chest X-rays just before 6am [8/2/08]. Another doctor spoke to me at 7am and said they’d have to admit me due to visuals in my right lung. Linda headed home at 7:30am and will make calls to my Mom and Larry with news. In the meantime, more waiting and napping, spoke with another doctor about CT-Scan and a possible bronchoscopy. I hope the latter doesn’t need to be done, as the memories from July 2005 still upset me. At 10am I was still waiting to be taken up to my room. A nice orderly [Kevin] gave me a pillow and closed the curtains in my area. At least I had privacy, but no real quiet. Kind of difficult when in a busy ER, yah know. Dang, was it busy with patients moaning and groaning with pain all around. Abit unsettling to say the least.
Than another orderly [Troy] came at 11:15am with a wheelchair to take me to 7N, Room 7063, bed B. So far I have the room to myself, and near the window. Spoke with Nurse Fraser, a dietitian and a doctor, whose name I can’t seem to recall. Drinking water and making phone calls while waiting for my lunch to be delivered. Checked at nurse’s station at 1:30pm and again at 2:15pm. I was feeling so hungry and lightheaded at that point. Last time I’d eaten anything was around 2:30am and that consisted of a few crackers with peanut butter. While waiting for lunch I read, washed up and walked around 7N. Nurse Fraser found my lunch and brought it in at 2:30pm. The lunch consisted of a plain turkey sandwich on whole wheat, diced peaches, apple juice and tea. Took my time eating it all, as Mom urged me to do for nourishment, afterwards I felt so much better. Shortly after this another doctor came in to see me about my upcoming CT-Scan of chest area. Plus he asked me questions and I signed a form. Nurses made up the other bed area in the room and brought in a Caribbean woman, with her two daughters, around 3:45pm. So much for going solo and then the doctor came back for further questions on my medical background. The other patient didn’t stay in the room long and was moved to a different section of the floor an hour or so later. So back to being in room solo, not sure how long that’ll last.
After that I briefly called Mom and Dad to give them an update, and then the new patient in the room was moved to a new location. The nurse came around to set me up with IV meds. I napped for awhile, had another “coughing up blood” attack and before dinner was brought I developed an allergic reaction to the meds. My scalp and eyes felt like they were on fire, a red rash formed on my stomach and I felt chilly all over. I immediately called the nurse and she stopped the IV and called the doctor. He explained that the allergic reaction I has was common and would try a different variation. While all this was going on my dinner was brought and I slowly polished it off. It consisted of baked chicken leg, rice, broccoli, tea, cranberry juice, slice of whole wheat bread and apple sauce. Only thing I didn’t like nor finish was the white rice. Also, my sister-in-law called to see how I was doing and I told her the whole story. She’ll call tomorrow to follow up.
Not sure if the CT-Scan will happen today. Watched some TV for abit, as each patient has their own and doesn’t have to share. Changed into the nightgown and bathrobe I’d brought from home. Gave a nurse the hospital gown … good riddance to the itchiness. While calling my friend Nancie in VA another patient [woman in her 60s] was brought in around 8pm and put in bed next to me. Nurse Denny came in to give me new meds via IV around 9pm, so there goes my chance for early bedtime. Sigh! I’m feeling so very tired, like I haven’t slept for days. Watched a movie [Nanny McPhee] while dealing with the IV, plus napped abit, plus brought up abit more blood. No CT-Scan tonight and most likely on Sunday, August 3rd. Watched abit of the movie “Titanic” before the meds finished and finally allowed to get some sleep after midnight. Throughout that Saturday evening the new patient had “issues” with nurses, meds, made calls and her telly was on too loud, but got it all sorted in the end.
Next thing I knew a doctor came in at 6am on Sunday morning to give me a shot, something about determining if I had TB. Went back to sleep after he left. Woken up by Nurse Denny at 7:10am and asked to give a urine sample, then a male nurse stopped in to take two vials of blood for more tests. I was told that breakfast would be delivered around 8:30am. Before breakfast was delivered I utilized the bathroom to wash up, apply abit of makeup and change my undergarments. Nurse Kathleen took my vitals, which were normal, and then served breakfast. The meal consisted of tea, apple juice, cereal, soymilk, whole wheat toast, jam, plus I had abit of the fruit cup left over from day before. Felt good after eating and gazing out the window it’s a sunny day with blue skies. I’d love to be outside right now in the sun and walk around Park Slope. Constantly sitting in a hospital bed is boring, so around 9:15am I took a walk around the 7N floor and spoke with a few nurses.
The female [Susan] patient in the room is abit loud on the phone and with the TV. After 9:30am Dr Sood came to check up on me, talk about meds for future, the scheduled CT-Scan and the next IV meds this AM. My brother called at 10am and we talked abit until a nurse came in to change my IV from right to left arm, then I walked the halls until Nurse Fraser came to say IV meds time. Back at my room Nurse Kathleen was changing my bed linens and Nurse Fraser hooked me up to Mr. IV. Around 11:15am I called Anni to talk and she’ll stop by to see me at hospital, plus bring some magazines. Today is her 10th wedding anniversary. At 11:30am the orderly [Milton] showed up to take me to CT-Scan on 1st floor. It didn’t take long and I was back in my room by 12:10pm. While waiting for the CT-Scan I was told a man was in there with his 2 year old son, who was being examined and the poor little boy was screaming. Later learned the boy was very scared and father was trying to comfort him. The CT-Scan was quick, painless and over quickly. Fortunately I had no coughing fits.
Back at my room I was brought lunch at 12:30pm and it consisted of baked chicken breast, brown rice, collard greens, apricots, whole wheat bread, jam, tea and soymilk. The chicken was good and very tasty. I was brought the wrong soup [split pea], so I passed on that, as I don’t care for it. Then my good friend Katherine called and we talked for abit. Good to hear her voice. Then the patient next to me started to cough and vomit. I had to abruptly end call with Katherine and go get help at the nurse’s station for Susan. I then walked around the 7th floor to get the blood circulating in my system and out of the bed. Plus look out the windows to see the daily activity in Park Slope. Today looks like such a nice day outside with sunny skies and some clouds. Anni showed up at 2:15pm for a visit. It’s great seeing her and so sweet of her to visit me, plus she brought me some magazines and tasty oatmeal/raisin cookies. Then Dr Sood showed up to give me results of the CT-Scan and he mentioned Bronchiectasis, plus nodules in my right lung. I’ll need to be on meds for awhile after I leave the hospital. After he left Anni’s husband called, they are going out that evening to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. After Anni left at 3:25pm I looked over the magazines and then took a nap. My friend Linda called at 5pm and we talked abit. She’s heading back to Brooklyn from northern Westchester County.
Rested abit and then called Jay in Florida to chitchat. While speaking with Jay my dinner was brought in and they messed up again. I asked for pasta, not mashed potatoes. The gist of the menu was pineapple juice, baked Tilapia, peas/carrots, whole wheat bread, apple sauce, tea and soymilk. Enjoyed the call with Jay and he was also checking out online about Bronchiectasis, plus reading it to me over the phone. Mom and Dad phoned me at about 7pm to hear about the CT-Scan results. Took another stroll around the 7th floor before heading back to bed and read some of the magazines. Then I nodded off for abit and when I woke up Linda was standing there, which startled me abit. It was abit after 8pm and good to see her. She’d found a better pattern to crochet granny squares and show me the gist of it. Definitely easier to understand and work with the yarn. We chatted while crocheting and she left at 9:20pm. Washed up, back into bed and getting more IV treatment at 10pm for a few hours. Watched some telly and read more of the magazines. The nurses took more darn blood before and after I received the IV. While I was receiving the IV I would try to sleep or nap. Not sure when all was said and done, but I’m sure it was after midnight. Was woken up around 4am when a nurse came in to administer treatment for patient in the other bed. This happened again at 5am. Went back to sleep for another 1 ½ hours and then up again to utilize the bathroom. Sponge bathed myself, brush teeth, wash the face, put on clean undergarments, and applied some makeup.
Another nurse came to my bed to take more blood. My arms and right hand will be sore, plus black & blue for days because of this. I just want to go home at this point and waiting for the “green light” from Sood and Challapalli. Around 8:15am on August 4th, the doctor stopped by to say he’ll consult with Challapalli after more tests are done. I may be going home today or tomorrow. With this news I called the office and learned Claire was on vacation, so I spoke with Ginger instead and explained the situation. She’ll inform co-workers in my department that I’ll be out for a few days. My breakfast was delivered by a volunteer and I noshed on apple juice, Cheerios, bran muffin, jelly, soymilk and an herbal tea. Tried to call Mom and left a voicemail. Then Nurse Kathleen came in to check my vitals, which were normal. Around 9:30am I took a long stroll around the floor for 15 t6o 30 minutes, while other patient [Susan] in the room was being attended to by nurses. Also, there is a cop sitting out in the hallway since 8am this morning. From what I learned there is an ill “prisoner” in the room across the hall from me. The cop is a nice, pleasant fella who is probably 30 something. I called Mom and Dad around 10:30am to update them on latest developments.
Afterwards I washed my dirty undergarments and placed them over a towel draped on a chair to dry. After a bathroom break I again strolled around the 7th floor for abit. I further learned that there is not one, but two ill “prisoners” on the 7th floor. One across the hall and one next door, plus the female patient in my room is going through some serious issues, both health and otherwise. Dear lord, please don’t let me get like that when I’m elderly. Its very unsettling and abit scary. About 11:30am Nurse Sanduson came in to set up my IV meds and this will probably last an hour or so. Called Dee at EY to touch base, talk and see how things were at work. While waiting for lunch to be delivered at 12:30pm I read some of the magazines. There were brought by Anni yesterday:
Stampington & Co Hand-Crafted Vol 4
Country Living
House Beautiful
Better Homes & Gardens
For lunch I had broth, roast fresh turkey, French cut beans, apple sauce, crackers, tea and soymilk. Turkey was tasty and tender, plus it feels like I’ve lost a wee bit of weight over past 4 days. After lunch I took a nap until 1:30pm when Dr Sood showed up and we talked about my health situation. I’m hoping I can go home tonight and he’ll see what can be done. Need a break away from the other patient, as her phone calls and demands on staff are unsettling. So I went for another walk at 2:10pm, and this time I brought along Mr. IV along around 7th floor. I looked out the windows on a nice, sunny day. Back at the room they came to take patient [Susan] for some X-rays and I was left with a quiet room, so I took a one hour nap. My sister-in-law called at 3:30pm to chat and see how I was getting on. [BTW, the meds are Vancomycin and Detrose plus Benadril to counter the allergic reaction to Vancomycin.] Dr. Sood showed up around 4:20pm with another doctor to check my breathing and ask more questions. After a brief consultation they said I could go home this evening. Hurray! Great news! Dr. Sood will give me prescription for meds and I need to do a follow up visit with Challapalli. I’ll call to make an appt tomorrow with my clinic.
I called Linda to see if she can drive me home and she said yes, will be here around 7pm. I called Mom with the news and will phone them as soon as I arrive home. Also called Ginger at EY with the news and she said take off Tuesday as a sick day to recover. The other patient in the room was brought back from tests around this time. I went for a walk around the 7th floor one last time and say goodbye to some of the nurses. Nurse Sanduson said I couldn’t be discharged until Dr Sood put the info into the computer. So I head back to my room and called him ASAP. He was still doing “rounds” and would take care of it shortly. In the meantime, I washed up, got my things packed and ate dinner at 6pm. My last meal at the hospital consisted of cranberry juice, Salmon, broccoli, fruit cup, crackers, tea and soymilk. After that I dressed in my street clothes and finished organizing my things, waited for Linda, plus the nurse to remove that darn IV. Talked with Susan for abit to kill time, and Linda arrived at 7:30pm and we talked about stuff.
Nurse Sanduson arrived with paperwork shortly after 8pm, which I had to sign, plus 2 prescriptions and a final report. Apparently I had Hemoptysis and I knew about the Bronchiectasis. Then Nurse Sanduson removed the IV, cleaned the area and put a bandage on it. I was free to go home. Hurray! Said goodbye to Susan, the nurses and got on the elevator with Linda. Her car was across the street and it felt good to be outdoors once again. Arrived at my apartment around 9pm, got my mail, turned on the a/c and called Mom. Took a long bubble bath in my tub and was in bed by 10:30pm. Amen!
NY Methodist Hospital
Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY
Since July 25th I’d been having troubles with my lungs and bronchial. At work around 4:30pm to 5pm I started to spit and cough up blood. Not a lot, but enough to alarm me. Did my volunteer duties [lightly though as I was feeling abit light headed] with City Harvest down at Union Square farmers market that evening. Next day nothing happened, but on Sunday I again spit up some blood. Didn’t sleep well that night and decided to take ½ a personal day on Monday, so I could see my doctor at neighborhood clinic. They also had me get a chest X-ray, plus take meds and afterwards I went in to work.
On Tuesday I worked half a day and took afternoon off as ½ a personal day. Went to meeting at City Councilmember Mendez office with Joe and Kevin [NYDoP CCR Committee members]. We had a great, productive meeting with the councilwoman, plus legislative aids from White and Dickens office. Five to ten minutes after the meeting, I had another “blood spitting” attack, so Joe drove me home to my apartment. So sweet of Joe to do that for me, he’s a great guy. Later that afternoon I had an appointment with my lung specialist at neighborhood clinic. He gave me new prescriptions and said I have Bronchiectasis. He also mentioned that if the spitting/coughing up of blood got worse, that I should check myself into a hospital.
Next day wasn’t so bad, but things started getting worse on Thursday and Friday, especially the latter. Around 3:30pm on August 1st the coughing up of blood and clots was on and off for an hour. I called my lung specialist and he strongly advised I check into emergency at New York Methodist Hospital, as he is affiliated with that place. I made phone calls to cancel plans I had for that evening; plus made calls to my friends Larry and Linda. The latter was available and said she’d pick me up at home to take me to hospital. So sweet and kind of her, at this point I was getting upset and wore my sunglasses all the way home to cover up the tears. I left the office at 5:30pm.
Got home just after 6pm; made more phone calls to cancel upcoming appts, packed my small backpack with necessary items for stay at hospital, fed the birds outside, had something light to eat, and took care of other things around the apartment. Linda showed up at 7pm and we talked for abit before heading off to the hospital. Found parking in Park Slope and went into emergency check-in area; filled out forms, went through Triage and registered by 9pmish. Then it was time to wait, along with others, to get “service” in ER. While waiting we watched TV and worked on a granny square crochet project. At one point a nice, young man joined us to figure out these two puzzling crochet patterns we were working on. Nice chatting with him and his partner. Apparently the delay for folk to get into ER was caused by injured firemen from a huge building fire near Lincoln Road, or was it Lincoln Street. During all this I got water from a fountain using a Styrofoam coffee cup. Plus purchased tasty crackers from the waiting area vending machine at 11pm and 2:30am [8/2/08], and from 12:30am on many folk in waiting room, including me, tried to sleep or nap. Linda stretched out on 3 chairs and I sat up with my head against the wall for support. The hospital staff provided many of us with sheets for cover, as the a/c was abit chilly. Let me tell you, try to nap there was not easy.
I finally got called into the ER at 3:30am, and before that I had coughed up more blood clots twice in the public bathroom. In ER a nurse and doctor saw me while I was comfortably placed on a gurney type bed. I took off my blouse and bra to put on a hospital gown which was abit itchy around the collar. I was taken to get a chest X-rays just before 6am [8/2/08]. Another doctor spoke to me at 7am and said they’d have to admit me due to visuals in my right lung. Linda headed home at 7:30am and will make calls to my Mom and Larry with news. In the meantime, more waiting and napping, spoke with another doctor about CT-Scan and a possible bronchoscopy. I hope the latter doesn’t need to be done, as the memories from July 2005 still upset me. At 10am I was still waiting to be taken up to my room. A nice orderly [Kevin] gave me a pillow and closed the curtains in my area. At least I had privacy, but no real quiet. Kind of difficult when in a busy ER, yah know. Dang, was it busy with patients moaning and groaning with pain all around. Abit unsettling to say the least.
Than another orderly [Troy] came at 11:15am with a wheelchair to take me to 7N, Room 7063, bed B. So far I have the room to myself, and near the window. Spoke with Nurse Fraser, a dietitian and a doctor, whose name I can’t seem to recall. Drinking water and making phone calls while waiting for my lunch to be delivered. Checked at nurse’s station at 1:30pm and again at 2:15pm. I was feeling so hungry and lightheaded at that point. Last time I’d eaten anything was around 2:30am and that consisted of a few crackers with peanut butter. While waiting for lunch I read, washed up and walked around 7N. Nurse Fraser found my lunch and brought it in at 2:30pm. The lunch consisted of a plain turkey sandwich on whole wheat, diced peaches, apple juice and tea. Took my time eating it all, as Mom urged me to do for nourishment, afterwards I felt so much better. Shortly after this another doctor came in to see me about my upcoming CT-Scan of chest area. Plus he asked me questions and I signed a form. Nurses made up the other bed area in the room and brought in a Caribbean woman, with her two daughters, around 3:45pm. So much for going solo and then the doctor came back for further questions on my medical background. The other patient didn’t stay in the room long and was moved to a different section of the floor an hour or so later. So back to being in room solo, not sure how long that’ll last.
After that I briefly called Mom and Dad to give them an update, and then the new patient in the room was moved to a new location. The nurse came around to set me up with IV meds. I napped for awhile, had another “coughing up blood” attack and before dinner was brought I developed an allergic reaction to the meds. My scalp and eyes felt like they were on fire, a red rash formed on my stomach and I felt chilly all over. I immediately called the nurse and she stopped the IV and called the doctor. He explained that the allergic reaction I has was common and would try a different variation. While all this was going on my dinner was brought and I slowly polished it off. It consisted of baked chicken leg, rice, broccoli, tea, cranberry juice, slice of whole wheat bread and apple sauce. Only thing I didn’t like nor finish was the white rice. Also, my sister-in-law called to see how I was doing and I told her the whole story. She’ll call tomorrow to follow up.
Not sure if the CT-Scan will happen today. Watched some TV for abit, as each patient has their own and doesn’t have to share. Changed into the nightgown and bathrobe I’d brought from home. Gave a nurse the hospital gown … good riddance to the itchiness. While calling my friend Nancie in VA another patient [woman in her 60s] was brought in around 8pm and put in bed next to me. Nurse Denny came in to give me new meds via IV around 9pm, so there goes my chance for early bedtime. Sigh! I’m feeling so very tired, like I haven’t slept for days. Watched a movie [Nanny McPhee] while dealing with the IV, plus napped abit, plus brought up abit more blood. No CT-Scan tonight and most likely on Sunday, August 3rd. Watched abit of the movie “Titanic” before the meds finished and finally allowed to get some sleep after midnight. Throughout that Saturday evening the new patient had “issues” with nurses, meds, made calls and her telly was on too loud, but got it all sorted in the end.
Next thing I knew a doctor came in at 6am on Sunday morning to give me a shot, something about determining if I had TB. Went back to sleep after he left. Woken up by Nurse Denny at 7:10am and asked to give a urine sample, then a male nurse stopped in to take two vials of blood for more tests. I was told that breakfast would be delivered around 8:30am. Before breakfast was delivered I utilized the bathroom to wash up, apply abit of makeup and change my undergarments. Nurse Kathleen took my vitals, which were normal, and then served breakfast. The meal consisted of tea, apple juice, cereal, soymilk, whole wheat toast, jam, plus I had abit of the fruit cup left over from day before. Felt good after eating and gazing out the window it’s a sunny day with blue skies. I’d love to be outside right now in the sun and walk around Park Slope. Constantly sitting in a hospital bed is boring, so around 9:15am I took a walk around the 7N floor and spoke with a few nurses.
The female [Susan] patient in the room is abit loud on the phone and with the TV. After 9:30am Dr Sood came to check up on me, talk about meds for future, the scheduled CT-Scan and the next IV meds this AM. My brother called at 10am and we talked abit until a nurse came in to change my IV from right to left arm, then I walked the halls until Nurse Fraser came to say IV meds time. Back at my room Nurse Kathleen was changing my bed linens and Nurse Fraser hooked me up to Mr. IV. Around 11:15am I called Anni to talk and she’ll stop by to see me at hospital, plus bring some magazines. Today is her 10th wedding anniversary. At 11:30am the orderly [Milton] showed up to take me to CT-Scan on 1st floor. It didn’t take long and I was back in my room by 12:10pm. While waiting for the CT-Scan I was told a man was in there with his 2 year old son, who was being examined and the poor little boy was screaming. Later learned the boy was very scared and father was trying to comfort him. The CT-Scan was quick, painless and over quickly. Fortunately I had no coughing fits.
Back at my room I was brought lunch at 12:30pm and it consisted of baked chicken breast, brown rice, collard greens, apricots, whole wheat bread, jam, tea and soymilk. The chicken was good and very tasty. I was brought the wrong soup [split pea], so I passed on that, as I don’t care for it. Then my good friend Katherine called and we talked for abit. Good to hear her voice. Then the patient next to me started to cough and vomit. I had to abruptly end call with Katherine and go get help at the nurse’s station for Susan. I then walked around the 7th floor to get the blood circulating in my system and out of the bed. Plus look out the windows to see the daily activity in Park Slope. Today looks like such a nice day outside with sunny skies and some clouds. Anni showed up at 2:15pm for a visit. It’s great seeing her and so sweet of her to visit me, plus she brought me some magazines and tasty oatmeal/raisin cookies. Then Dr Sood showed up to give me results of the CT-Scan and he mentioned Bronchiectasis, plus nodules in my right lung. I’ll need to be on meds for awhile after I leave the hospital. After he left Anni’s husband called, they are going out that evening to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. After Anni left at 3:25pm I looked over the magazines and then took a nap. My friend Linda called at 5pm and we talked abit. She’s heading back to Brooklyn from northern Westchester County.
Rested abit and then called Jay in Florida to chitchat. While speaking with Jay my dinner was brought in and they messed up again. I asked for pasta, not mashed potatoes. The gist of the menu was pineapple juice, baked Tilapia, peas/carrots, whole wheat bread, apple sauce, tea and soymilk. Enjoyed the call with Jay and he was also checking out online about Bronchiectasis, plus reading it to me over the phone. Mom and Dad phoned me at about 7pm to hear about the CT-Scan results. Took another stroll around the 7th floor before heading back to bed and read some of the magazines. Then I nodded off for abit and when I woke up Linda was standing there, which startled me abit. It was abit after 8pm and good to see her. She’d found a better pattern to crochet granny squares and show me the gist of it. Definitely easier to understand and work with the yarn. We chatted while crocheting and she left at 9:20pm. Washed up, back into bed and getting more IV treatment at 10pm for a few hours. Watched some telly and read more of the magazines. The nurses took more darn blood before and after I received the IV. While I was receiving the IV I would try to sleep or nap. Not sure when all was said and done, but I’m sure it was after midnight. Was woken up around 4am when a nurse came in to administer treatment for patient in the other bed. This happened again at 5am. Went back to sleep for another 1 ½ hours and then up again to utilize the bathroom. Sponge bathed myself, brush teeth, wash the face, put on clean undergarments, and applied some makeup.
Another nurse came to my bed to take more blood. My arms and right hand will be sore, plus black & blue for days because of this. I just want to go home at this point and waiting for the “green light” from Sood and Challapalli. Around 8:15am on August 4th, the doctor stopped by to say he’ll consult with Challapalli after more tests are done. I may be going home today or tomorrow. With this news I called the office and learned Claire was on vacation, so I spoke with Ginger instead and explained the situation. She’ll inform co-workers in my department that I’ll be out for a few days. My breakfast was delivered by a volunteer and I noshed on apple juice, Cheerios, bran muffin, jelly, soymilk and an herbal tea. Tried to call Mom and left a voicemail. Then Nurse Kathleen came in to check my vitals, which were normal. Around 9:30am I took a long stroll around the floor for 15 t6o 30 minutes, while other patient [Susan] in the room was being attended to by nurses. Also, there is a cop sitting out in the hallway since 8am this morning. From what I learned there is an ill “prisoner” in the room across the hall from me. The cop is a nice, pleasant fella who is probably 30 something. I called Mom and Dad around 10:30am to update them on latest developments.
Afterwards I washed my dirty undergarments and placed them over a towel draped on a chair to dry. After a bathroom break I again strolled around the 7th floor for abit. I further learned that there is not one, but two ill “prisoners” on the 7th floor. One across the hall and one next door, plus the female patient in my room is going through some serious issues, both health and otherwise. Dear lord, please don’t let me get like that when I’m elderly. Its very unsettling and abit scary. About 11:30am Nurse Sanduson came in to set up my IV meds and this will probably last an hour or so. Called Dee at EY to touch base, talk and see how things were at work. While waiting for lunch to be delivered at 12:30pm I read some of the magazines. There were brought by Anni yesterday:
Stampington & Co Hand-Crafted Vol 4
Country Living
House Beautiful
Better Homes & Gardens
For lunch I had broth, roast fresh turkey, French cut beans, apple sauce, crackers, tea and soymilk. Turkey was tasty and tender, plus it feels like I’ve lost a wee bit of weight over past 4 days. After lunch I took a nap until 1:30pm when Dr Sood showed up and we talked about my health situation. I’m hoping I can go home tonight and he’ll see what can be done. Need a break away from the other patient, as her phone calls and demands on staff are unsettling. So I went for another walk at 2:10pm, and this time I brought along Mr. IV along around 7th floor. I looked out the windows on a nice, sunny day. Back at the room they came to take patient [Susan] for some X-rays and I was left with a quiet room, so I took a one hour nap. My sister-in-law called at 3:30pm to chat and see how I was getting on. [BTW, the meds are Vancomycin and Detrose plus Benadril to counter the allergic reaction to Vancomycin.] Dr. Sood showed up around 4:20pm with another doctor to check my breathing and ask more questions. After a brief consultation they said I could go home this evening. Hurray! Great news! Dr. Sood will give me prescription for meds and I need to do a follow up visit with Challapalli. I’ll call to make an appt tomorrow with my clinic.
I called Linda to see if she can drive me home and she said yes, will be here around 7pm. I called Mom with the news and will phone them as soon as I arrive home. Also called Ginger at EY with the news and she said take off Tuesday as a sick day to recover. The other patient in the room was brought back from tests around this time. I went for a walk around the 7th floor one last time and say goodbye to some of the nurses. Nurse Sanduson said I couldn’t be discharged until Dr Sood put the info into the computer. So I head back to my room and called him ASAP. He was still doing “rounds” and would take care of it shortly. In the meantime, I washed up, got my things packed and ate dinner at 6pm. My last meal at the hospital consisted of cranberry juice, Salmon, broccoli, fruit cup, crackers, tea and soymilk. After that I dressed in my street clothes and finished organizing my things, waited for Linda, plus the nurse to remove that darn IV. Talked with Susan for abit to kill time, and Linda arrived at 7:30pm and we talked about stuff.
Nurse Sanduson arrived with paperwork shortly after 8pm, which I had to sign, plus 2 prescriptions and a final report. Apparently I had Hemoptysis and I knew about the Bronchiectasis. Then Nurse Sanduson removed the IV, cleaned the area and put a bandage on it. I was free to go home. Hurray! Said goodbye to Susan, the nurses and got on the elevator with Linda. Her car was across the street and it felt good to be outdoors once again. Arrived at my apartment around 9pm, got my mail, turned on the a/c and called Mom. Took a long bubble bath in my tub and was in bed by 10:30pm. Amen!