Movies, Musings and More

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2010-12-14T09:54:00.000-08:00

Jack Goes Boating

2010-10-14T17:21:00.000-07:00

I love this movie and I am not alone. I have read several positive reviews (a few not so much) but this comment on a blog written by a person named Ruth was so unique that I thought it said it all---especially when it mentions the two movies close to my heart (for obvious reasons...)

Dear Phil,

It’s time for me to confess that I’ve been holding a grudge against you ever since the night I sat home and drank through “Love Liza” alone. When the picture ended, I telephoned my (then long distance) partner and sobbed into the mouthpiece for minutes.

On the short Spectrum of TV Trauma: if noticing the south tower falling before Peter Jennings did is at the most devastating end and seeing young Walt get kidnapped at the end of Lost Season 1* is at the least devastating end (still, severely disturbing), “Love Liza” fell smack dab in the middle.

Put a different way, all of my self destructive behaviors are linked to incredible pleasure. Except on that night, the night I watched your performance in “Love Liza”, I wanted to take a blade to my flesh. I wanted to bleed. I did (want to). But I’m healthier than that. I just cried incoherent sobs on the phone to a man who was too far away. But closer than Liza.

Last month, on my 41^st birthday, a feature I had never heard of was showing 10 minutes from my office at the exact window of time I had available. Hmmm, I thought, Philip Seymour Hoffman has directed a movie? I was on such a high from my 94-and-counting Facebook birthday wishes, that I figured not even one of your heart wrenching characters could bring me down. If it got too rough, I’d walk out on you.

So I found myself in the darkness with a very damp face. “Jack Goes Boating” Ruth goes reeling. Oh, Mister Hoffman. You have created a beautiful love letter to the human race. This is a film I will watch regularly. I hesitate to slather too much praise for fear of diminishing its impact. So I will simply thank you. Thank you for carrying me back to Zion.

With love, respect and (it bears repeating) gratitude,

Ruth

———————

Summer Reading....aka "In Bed With Jamie"

2010-09-27T08:16:00.000-07:00

This is not a recommendation for your summer reading (after all it is September/October!) but if you want, you can use it for your upcoming winter reading season. You see, I got my reading mojo back. It began happening in late Spring, probably around Easter when my niece recommended the Outlander series to me. The book she was holding was very thick, several hundred pages and she said there were others like it. I trust my niece and my sister, for that matter, especially when it comes to books so I went looking for this series I had never heard of---which doesn't mean anything. I have not been reading many books for several years. You see, my reading has been confined to law books, motion papers, judicial decisions and other legalese type stuff. Any recreational style reading was limited to vacations and that was not often. Mostly, I read the mystery genre and with my short attention span, Myron Bolitar served to pass time, nothing more.

And so, I began my summer reading with Claire and Jamie and I was hooked.....I read all seven very hefty books in about the same number of weeks along with a few others. (more on them later) For those of you who are or have been reading the Outlander series, you know what I am talking about---for the rest, take this recommendation with a word of caution. These books are addictive. It causes you to read into the night and even early morning....in the car, on a plane, everywhere. The books go with you to the boardroom, bathroom and the bedroom, on trips, to movies, restaurants because you need to continue reading whenever you have time, while you eat or if you are delayed anywhere; minutes is all you need. It becomes a part of your psyche. Why? I don't know; maybe that is why I am writing this, hoping it will lead me to a clearer understanding of my own obsession with these books. I know it has made me a better reader but less content with the formulaic style of my usual summer book fare.

First, the story. It is about a time traveling woman from the 20th century, Claire, who is a nurse, with her husband, Frank, are on a second honeymoon in Scotland in 1945 when she walks into a group of stones and time travels back in time to 1743. She finds herself in the middle of a fight between the English and some Scottish Highlanders. Of course, she is not dressed appropriately, talks funny and is eyed suspiciously by an English Captain and the Scotsmen. Is she a spy? a witch? It is then she meets Jamie and while trying to get back to her life with Frank in 1945, is forced to marry Jamie to save her life in 1743. Yes, it is romantic and I guess I am a sucker for that, more than I was aware I think. Maybe it is where I am in life but the romance is quite lovely. Yet, that would not be enough and it is not all you get from reading these books. There is history, English, Scottish, French and American---quite a broad canvas that Diana Gabaldon paints. She describes places, battles and events with such specificity that you can easily visualize what is happening whether it is a battle, a war, or the French Court. Even more stunning is the detail she provides about what people wore, ate and the weapons or tools used at the time and place. If you like history, this series is made for you. And the writing is good. Her story-line is what I have described but she creates many other characters and back stories until you have so many people you like and care about and then the surprises.....there are many. And so, here I am, in love with Jamie, caring about Claire, Fergus, Ian and Brianna and Roger and....... so frustrated that I caught up with my niece and sister and like them, I am waiting for the next in the series which will not be out for another year or so, thank you very much!!!

But, for just a minute, let me go back to Jamie---why is he so interesting? His looks are different, not necessarily handsome, even if I am prone to red-heads. He is the typical protagonist, strong, defiant, direct. You admire him for his leadership skills and his morals, even when the situation allows a practical application leaving the principles of right and wrong unclear and ripe for selfish manipulation. Jamie is never guilty of making decisions based solely on form over substance. Everything he does he explains with perfect rationale like when he chooses to leave his arch-rival alive not because Claire asks him to but because he sees where it will benefit Claire in a way she has not thought of but he has. We all have our favorite strong male fiction characters but Jamie is different, at least for me. I think it has something to do with his pragmatic constancy, his sense of duty and his "blood of my blood," "bone of my bone" love for Claire. Can this be real or is it only every woman's dream? Would men like Jamie? Or would they find him unbelievable and impossible to relate to? Even unbearable....
Enough---on to my other summer reading.

Other books I have devoured this summer include the Millennium Series with every one's favorite heroine, Lisbeth Sanders, along with another series written for teens and having a strong feminine lead, The Hunger Games. Add to the already long list, The Prodigal Summer, The Passage (another door stop of a book), The Pillars of the Earth (not so much), and three Jack Reacher books beginning with 61 Hours.

Another chick-lit (a label that does not bother me) is The Prodigal Summer beautifully written by Barbara Kingsglover. She draws you into her tapestry of land, foliage, birth, rebirth, death and loss. It is life she is describing through her characters, their homes and surrounding woods.....in the birds, the oak seedlings, the coyotes and chickens, even the mice....everything in a few square miles from butterflies to bees, animals to humans. Just a lovely book.

The Passage is something different. The back-drop is the future and it is not pleasant. Modern Man, looking for the ultimate warrior weapon, creates a virus that spreads to the general population by contact with infected zombie/vampire-like creatures who destroy life as we know it. I understand if most of you turn away at this description but the book has more depth than my limited use of language can describe. It questions choices and challenges the imagination exploring another time on earth, maybe not an end but a beginning.

And Jack Reacher---now there is one strong, silent type. A real man's man character created by Lee Child in a series of books definitely written for men. (shall we label it a male tale?) The specificity here is about the descriptive array of modern weaponry, loading and unloading guns and the details of machinery, trains and what-not. These are written for men... and a few strong women. I do think his latest, 61 Hours, is a cut above the rest ( I have only read two others, Without Fail and Gone Tomorrow). In 61, the opening sentences place you on a tour bus during a winter storm somewhere in the Northwest and Child holds you tight from there right through to the end. It was this introduction to Jack Reacher that made me check out the earlier books. I like this guy but am not "taken" by him. He has a moral code (ala Jamie) but no history, leaving him as more of a shadow figure than a fully formed human being. Maybe I shall have to start at the beginning with Jack. I will let you know if I do.

The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins,...is another future world, where governments rule ruthlessly and the individual is nothing more than a dot in their universe. We watch an annual sport called the "Hunger Games" which reminds me of a modern day version of an old story where a village has to pick one of its own to sacrifice for the safety of the whole for a year. Written for a teen audience, probably a Christian one, it has a lot of soft love and cuddling but no one really gets it on. I liked the lead heroine, Katniss, in the first two books, (The Hunger Games and Catching Fire) but found her a bit whiney in the third (Mockingjay). All in all, a good read. (It is being made into a movie so you will see it on the big screen soon.)

No need to talk about Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett....except to say it was very disappointing and after the wealth of historic information and realized characters in the Outlander Series, Pillars was shallow and boring, unless you find specific descriptions of buttressed ceilings exciting. Enough said.

Finally, the Millennium Series by Stieg Larsson. All have been made into movies in Sweden, the third arriving stateside in October with an American remake on its way. I will confess, I did not read the first one, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo because I saw the movie and heard that they are quite similar. However, I read the final two, The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. By the time I was deep into the third book, I realized I needed a guide to follow the very tricky espionage plot based on Swedish politics involving corrupt government officials. In other words, as the expression goes, you had to be there...and I wasn't. I think the first book and movie might be the best of the three. For me, it went downhill from there.

You can throw in a couple of other books, lesser known and not too interesting that I whipped through and the four or five, I started but still lay there unfinished. All in all......I am a reader in good standing, again. Don't you agree?

Season Finale 24

2010-05-25T09:24:00.001-07:00

In the frenzy of the final season of Lost, we have all forgotten another great series finale......24....I had to tape it and just finished watching. It was terrific and Cherry Jones ( President) and Gregory Itzin (Past President Charles Logan) deserve any award they can get. It set up perfectly a feature movie but that did not diminish the tv finale. It was great. I don't know how they can keep Jones for the movie.....but there must be a way. Sutherland (Bauer) has a great movie series ahead of him---something like the Ryan series but with a dark side. It has been a great ride.

Emily and her personal Idol Gives Back

2010-04-22T12:42:00.000-07:00

When I listened last night to Annie Lennox sing Universal Child on American Idol, I thought of my daughter, Emily and how she made all of us, in spite of ourselves, participate in a global adoption that saved two Ethiopian boys. My Emily had the courage and determination to ask us for our help, for our money and she faced our doubts, concerns and questions about why she would do this. It seemed to us she had lost perspective, failed to get her priorities right about her own family, a husband and three young children and was placing more of a burden on herself, them and yes, on the rest of us, too.

There are so many ways we are called to service and I know now that Emily called her family to service for Michael and Yabsarra. When I was concerned about what she was doing, what the impact might be on their own three children, she answered my questions but did not really convince me she was doing the right thing. She needed lots of money and help in the form of babysitting support from friends who would care for her own children while she and her husband went to Ethiopia. She asked her friends and family for the support she needed and somehow, she had the strength to ignore our lack of enthusiasm and the courage to confront our opposition. In order to bring those two boys home, she had to accept we didn’t agree with her decision and still ask us to give her whatever was necessary to pay the agency fees and travel expenses. She understood better than any of us that what she was doing would really make a difference in the lives of two boys and she also understood the risks she was taking and the possible long-term impact on her family. I think what Emily did takes vision and faith. These qualities are essential when a great person walks down a difficult and different path.

I know now she was right. I could make a donation to Idol Gives Back but it would never come back to me in the same way my giving to Emily has. I have the benefit of seeing the tangible results of my gift by watching two boys grow, laugh, and experience life with a Mom and Dad, brother and sisters. Every day, my investment grows into amazing dividends. I know that my daughter Emily did more than set up a clinic in Durban, or work to eradicate Pediatric Aids in Cape Town, South Africa. She saved two children from poverty and disease and the devastation of daily hunger…she saved their lives and gave them a future.

And Emily made us all be a part of this wonderful life-changing event.

Meanderings....here and there.

2010-04-16T10:53:00.000-07:00

I have been having idle thoughts lately and thought why not write some of them down. I pretend I am talking with a person next to me....you, the reader. So answer back!

Tiger's Version of Hell.

After the recent Master's tournament and Tiger's return to golf from what I am not sure. Sex rehab? Car accident? Broken golf club/marriage? The public's awareness of his disgusting choices for life numbing diversions? Anyway, I was reading various articles and was struck by an observation made about Tiger's comments after the tournament. I watched the interview and saw that Tiger looked sad, disappointed and had very few words for the interviewer. He said he had come into the match to win and he didn't. He finished fourth. End of comments. This from a guy who said he had learned something in the time he was away from the game. He would be more respectful. Really! as they say in that skit on SNL....Really!! Tiger had no words for the crowds at the Masters who greeted him warmly wherever he went, who were with him every step as he stalked the golf course seeking a victory. He had no words for the staff who welcomed him and cared for the beautiful course he was playing on. He had no words for the media who treated him in hushed tones as if he had been away caring for a sick relative and no words for the Course Security who kept away anyone who might cause him a second of discomfort by reminding him and others of his unsettling and unsavory behavior off the course. The only misstep was the overhead airspace and the trailing banner with the mocking play on Tiger's words when he said he wanted to return to the words of Buddhism with the flying marquee ...did you mean " bootyism"?

And no words about the winner. Forget everything folks---rewind! Tiger is still Tiger! And I thought again about how ironic life can be. Some people call it karma or justice but I believe Tiger has found his own version of hell. He gets to play whenever he wants, and he will always be in the hunt, make some brilliant shots, birdies and an occasional eagle but he does not win. As he put it. "I finished fourth" That is what "hell" feels like for Tiger.

The First Step.

2010-03-22T12:55:00.000-07:00

Last night, the House passed the first major Health Care legislation in a century. It was quite a fight, an exciting one to witness and remember. Is it the Health Care Reform Bill I wanted? No. Did important provisions relating to access and choice get left out? Yes. Did the health insurance companies benefit? Yes. But... did... we... begin? Yes.

I was disappointed when one by one, important reform items like a public option got left out or compromised. I cringed when the Right to Life Stupak group brought anti-abortion language front and center with its demands that President Obama repeat in an Executive Order what already is law before they would vote yes. This was political posturing for re-eletion purposes in their districts and I did not like it. But in the end, a step was taken and it was poignant that Rep. Dingell from Michigan whose father gaveled into law Medicare legislation 45 years ago lived to see his father's dream of healthcare for all Americans become a reality. There isn't a Republican or Democrat that would or could reverse Social Security or Medicare now and soon that will be the same for this legislation. People can now get and keep health insurance. It is a beginning.

I find this even more interesting if you look at some history on this issue. Remember, this is not the first time there has been an attempt to get health care for every American. Many have asked, if the Republicans wanted reform, why didn't they do it? They had eight years under Bush to do so and they did nothing. But maybe this got through because it really is a Republican piece of legislation disguised in Democrat's clothing. On this point, I discovered an interesting historical perspective commentary on Taylor Marsh's political website (http://www.taylormarsh.com/).

Marsh writes:

From throwing the American people into a system without any choice, providing private insurance companies with new customers, to using women’s rights to get it done while progressive Democrats enabled it to happen, what Democrats have done is produce a Republican health care bill that Richard Nixon would have loved.

From Steve Pearlstein back in August 2009:It was back in 1971 and President Nixon was concerned that he would once again have to face a Kennedy in the next year’s election — in this case a Kennedy with a proposal to extend health care to all Americans. Feeling the need to offer an alternative, Nixon asked Congress to require for the first time that all companies provide a health plan for their employees, with federal subsidies for low-income workers. Nixon was particularly intrigued by a new idea called health maintenance organizations, which held the promise of providing high-quality care at lower prices by relying on salaried physicians to manage and coordinate patient care.

At first, Kennedy rejected Nixon’s proposal as nothing more than a bonanza for the insurance industry that would create a two-class system of health care in America. But after Nixon won reelection, Kennedy began a series of secret negotiations with the White House that almost led to a public agreement. In the end, Nixon backed out after receiving pressure from small-business owners and the American Medical Association. And Kennedy himself decided to back off after receiving heavy pressure from labor leaders, who urged him to hold out for a single-payer system once Democrats recaptured the White House in the wake of the Watergate scandal.

(con't from Marsh...) Yes, Democrats have rallied behind a bill that Republicans—or at least large numbers of them—should love. It is built on a series of principles that Republicans espoused for years.

Republicans have said that they do not want to destroy the private insurance market. This bill not only preserves that market but strengthens it by bringing in millions of new customers. The plan before Congress does not call for a government “takeover” of health care. It provides subsidies so more people can buy private insurance. Republicans always say they are against “socialized medicine.” Not only is this bill nothing like a “single-payer” health system along Canadian or British lines. It doesn’t even include the “public option” that would have allowed people voluntarily to buy their insurance from the government.
… [...] You could argue that Democrats have learned from Republicans. Some might say that Democrats have been less than true to their principles.
But there is a simpler conclusion: Democrats, including President Obama, are so anxious to get everyone health insurance that they are more than willing to try a market-based system and hope it works. It’s a shame the Republicans can no longer take “yes” for an answer.
And my final thoughts.....Just like everyone agrees that it took a Republican (Nixon) to open the doors to China, maybe it took the Democrats adopting a Republican healthcare plan for this reform to pass. Isn't it ironic that a health care bill more in keeping with Republican ideas was passed by Democrats without a single Republican vote?

Oscar cometh!

2010-03-05T05:30:00.000-08:00

Very soon now, that night is coming. I am always excited , then frustrated and ultimately disappointed mainly because the actors I want to win usually don't. Things will not be different this year. I have given it over to Jeff Bridges winning and I am ok with that. I really think the best acting was done by Colin Firth in A Single Man but Bridges is right behind him and he has history on his side. Hopefully, Firth will be back.

It is the supporting actor category that is difficult. The dark horse here is Plummer and many people are coming late to the table with The Last Station which is too bad. It is a gem of a movie made so by brilliant acting across the board. Only Paul Giamatti could not completely leave his own skin behind. James McAvoy continues to impress me. He can deliver the emotionally love starved, sexually repressed lover so well. (remember Atonement?) I really like him---best of all the young actors out there. But this movie belongs to Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer. They are exquisite. I have watched Christopher Plummer for over 30 years first as a stage performer out of Stratford, Canada and then in television and movies. He is always good and sometimes great....this is his best movie work. He disappears into Tolstoy and delivers the human being behind the historical legend. Mirren, as his wife, chews up the scenery and makes it her character's own.

I still think Meryl gave the best performance of the year but Mirren is right behind her. So when Sandra Bullock takes the Oscar, expect a universal shrug from all of us who know better.

Best Picture is just a crap-shoot. Not one of the nominated films really deserves the title of the Best and I cannot tell you who should be there either. I think films right now are at a cross-roads. 3-D, digital, and the Internet are transforming the film-making process changing everything. Do you really think Avatar will play well on your IPhone? This latest technology must be similar to when talking pictures and color came into the mix. Who knows what will be used to make a movie 10 years from now. While we are impressed by technology, nothing replaces a good story and for that, we need good writers. Unfortunately it is the toughest profession and the least appreciated. So put the nominated movies into a hat and draw one. Who cares?

And the Best Director winner will be Kathryn Bigelow who probably deserves it and because she will be the first woman to win an Oscar in this category, I will be pleased. I just wish she had a better understanding of the women whose shoulders she stands on when she accepts her Oscar. All the unknown, unrecognized amazing women who not only worked in the film industry but led the way only to be tossed aside and ignored once it was recognized as a money maker. Anyone ever heard of Frances Marian? No, of course not.

Have fun Sunday.....

Movies to remember (and forget) (Update)

2010-02-14T11:41:00.000-08:00

Ok....I think I can finish my movie comments. I cannot call these remarks of mine any kind of actual reviews because I am really only giving a quick personal comment and recommendation. If you did not, read my previous blog for quite a few of the movies out now and especially those on the Oscar track. I mentioned then I had not yet seen a few of the favorites and I forgot to mention Quenton Tarentino's Inglorious Bastards so I will start with it.

Inglorious Bastards is really worth seeing. It is quirky in a very creative unique way which is why Tarentino remains a favorite with young film-makers. Brad Pitt is proving himself as an actor and one with a sense of humor. This is not your usual Nazi, WWII movie. It surprises you and makes you smile every now and then. Not bad.....

Crazy Heart is really a very good movie. It is a nice example of how good acting can lift a very ordinary script. Jeff Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal do just that. I was very skeptical of them, the knee-jerk May-December relationship storyline and the boozy protagonist who turns it around. We have seen this so many times that the thought of even going to this movie bored me. I was wrong. Jeff Bridges deserves the Oscar (and I am still hoping for Colin Firth) and I am pleased his Lady Maggie got a nomination. Bridges does more than ordinary acting to deliver this story of survival and while you do not like him initially, you find yourself rooting for him by the end. This will play well on the small screen too.

Of the movies nominated for the Oscar, Up, the animated film is nice and fun to watch but should not be in the best picture category, not because it is animated but because it is not that good. Take the family and enjoy but the word "pleasant" is all I have for you.

The other surprise is District 9 (should have been Star Trek), a futuristic drama that explores prejudice and bias except rather than gender or race, it is an alien society here on earth, separate but equal. Well, probably not equal. I can recommend this movie and I think you will like it. Again, if there is an Oscar nominee slot for a SyFy kind of movie, Star Trek is the better choice.

An Education is a movie I put off seeing because the relationship is between an older man and an underage girl. I think it is wrong to call this a relationship but the makers of this movie do everything they can to make it ok. The man is quiet, nice, pleasant and respectful. He does not rape her, he respects her and obliges her guidelines of conduct. Dress it up anyway you want, it is still illegal for a man over thirty to have sex with a woman under 18 and no matter how you minimize it, this man is a predator playing a game with a girl and her parents; one he has played many times before and his victims are getting younger. The fact that sex doesn't actually occur until her 18th birthday is putting lipstick on the pig. It is still a pig and he is still a sexual predator. I wish critics would not praise this kind of movie that sends all the wrong messages to young girls and definitely not honor it with an Oscar nomination. I cannot say anything about the acting because who cares? I do not want to give it any more space or thought than I already have.

The White Ribbon-- this is the only foreign film nominated that I have seen and it is very, very good. Michael Henecke who also directed Cache presents a Hickok's kind of "Who Done It?" crossed with the eerie "Children of the Corn". From the very beginning the lack of color and a winter environment sets an ominous tone that stays with you throughout. One terrible thing after another happens in the small rural village but no one knows who is behind the events and everyone is suspect. There have been a lot of discussions about the rise of Fascism as a theme for the movie but who knows. For a thorough review, go to Rogerebert.com.

I still did not see everything....haven't seen Precious nor A Serious Man but I will keep trying.

The Meaning of Massachusetts

2010-01-26T07:43:00.000-08:00

If you didn't think the Kennedy era was over, you know it now. Just as he kept it going, Ted took it with him. The last Kennedy magic dust was sprinkled on Barack Obama. There was nothing left for Martha Coakley in the recent senatorial race in Massachusetts and Scott Brown won. At first, I thought he was part of the UPS Brown mailing commercial and who knows what the electorate up there in Massachusetts have gotten for its Junior Senator. What does this mean?

Everyone, especially Republicans, are quick to declare it a defeat for Obama, Health Care Reform, and the policies of the Democrats. They are much better than the Democrats on delivering their message but I am not buying it. Massachusetts is like every other state mired in debt and government corruption. I have been saying for more than a year, just vote every incumbent out until the message is clear. Being elected is a gift and a service not a place to sell yourself and lie about what you stand for. We need leaders not leaners on special interests but people who can stand up and say no to increases in spending and taxes. This is not being a Republican, Democrat, Conservative or Liberal...it is being a responsible public servant. It is about who pays your check not lines your pockets. And Massachusetts is no different from New York, or California or Florida. Give the electorate a new, fresh, unknown and good looking face and they are ready to toss out the old, bring in the new. This didn't start yesterday, it began a couple of years ago with an unknown senator from Illinois.

And it is especially discouraging to me but women are not winners in this new knee-jerk voter election process. Part of this fresh face electorate is a throw back to a thinking that men are better, more reliable than women even when the facts say otherwise. Take a look at Massachusetts if you don't believe me. Who is Scott Brown?? What we know is he is a pleasant, good-looking young man who says he is a Republican although he compared himself to JFK frequently when campaigning and courted the Independents by not mentioning his Republican base (all 12% of it). His opponent was an experienced Attorney General but a plain, rather serious looking person who did not light up a room. Brown says he won because of this government's policies on terrorism....really. All I have heard is that he would oppose Health Care Reform and that he would vote against the present bill but you already appear to be back-pedaling. Maybe Massachusetts will be surprised when they find out who they elected. I, for one, do not think the message is clear.

And a little footnote, let's pretend a woman presented herself for a Senatorial candidate and when she was young, she posed naked for a centerfold, did a little shop-lifting and on the night of her election, offered up her two daughters to anyone who might be interested because they were "eligible." Do you think she would ever get elected or even nominated to anything??? But Scott Brown did all of that and it was glossed over as youthful indiscretions....I bet there is more in that closet of his.

Good luck Massachusetts and New York and California and any other state ready to throw out the incumbents.

Movies to remember (and forget)

2010-01-18T08:33:00.000-08:00

It is that time of year....the award season when we get to see a few good movies and a couple of exceptional ones. Problem this year is where are they?? I do like a few but remain fairly unimpressed and I am not sure why. The movies that we are hearing a lot about and gradually getting to see since I do not live in a major movie market are sometimes interesting but awesome is a word I can leave off the page. Let's take a look at those mentioned for the awards....dare we say Oscar? And they have to come up with TEN nominees...what a year to make that decision.

The Hurt Locker-- This is a very good movie and I love it that a gritty war movie was directed by a woman...Go Kathryn....although I heard somewhere that she wouldn't let her movie be screened at a film festival that focused on women film-makers because she really doesn't want to be included in that group niche. I guess she forgot what sex started this business of making movies where it is her ex-husband's shadow she is still trying to get out from under. Anyway, this movie is worth seeing but it does reminds me of any one of several episodes of "24". Lots of close-ups of sweating men and big explosions. Nothing new is explored in this movie but a familiar story line is delivered well.

Avatar--Let's talk about the elephant in the living room and the Golden Globe winner...I always say the Globes give out awards so the Oscars don't have to. And this is one. I did like this movie and recommend it to everyone. Make sure you see the 3-D version because it is quite a ride. I loved the visuals, the colors, the beautiful animals, people and landscapes---you know, sort of like watching "Earth" or "Oceans." The story-line (yes, there is one) is so thin it could have been the winner of the 5th grade writing contest. And going along with the premise that if something worked once, do it again, this movie, like Titanic, has a love story too but honestly, no one really cared.

Invictus--Clint Eastwood knows how to tell a story and the choice of Morgan Freeman to play Mandela was a no-brainer but Matt Damon?? I smell a package deal from an agency trying to raise money for this project. But really, did this movie have to suffer for all of us to learn that Matt cannot do an accent. I kept thinking who else? Who would you have liked to see in that part? I believe (at least partially) that the success of any movie is determined once the casting is over. If they had found someone, maybe even an unknown, who could have delivered that important role we would have the Oscar winner. Freeman was impeccable and Eastwood put together a taut movie which isn't easy when you are doing a biopic but it was like watching a great show and one of the leads is singing off-key throughout. I think they tried to limit Matt's dialogue and edit out what they could but the role was too important and it was a dead weight drag on an otherwise very good movie.

Young Victoria--This is the surprise movie for me. After all, I thought I had seen the best with Helen Mirren and Cate Blanchett. But, Emily Blunt held her own and better yet, she created a very likable, fully multifaceted character. She had a lot of help from Paul Bettany and other greats in cameo roles but this movie told a good story with great visuals, beautiful costumes and good acting. The camera work was creative by providing a bird's eye view of the massive coronation/wedding scenes that we usually see through a long lens showing us thousands of extras in ornate halls. I liked this one more than I thought I would.

Nine---Unfortunately, the individual parts are better than the whole with Daniel Day Lewis leading a talented cast through a lot of special moments. Who wouldn't want to see Penelope Cruz at her sexiest and Judy Dench showing us again her range and a little cleavage? Lewis reminds us again why he is a great actor becoming so Italian, you forgot he is a Brit. All the actors strut their stuff and it is fun to watch. I would say go see this on the big screen so the movie can hold your attention because the story doesn't.

Lovely Bones-- Roger Ebert found this movie "deplorable" and not because of the acting or cinematography. It is the message he did not like and I think I agree with him. Peter Jackson proves once again he can make a movie that is beautiful to watch even if it is about the brutal murder of a 14 year old girl but why? The acting all around is fine and Saoirse Ronan shows us she has more than one role in her besides Atonement. She is quite good as is Stanley Tucci but this is one story better read than seen.

Up in the Air---What can I say.....this is a very interesting story delivered by very competent actors with nice editing but I didn't care. It is a good movie, not great and without Clooney, it wouldn't have made it this far. He is the Cary Grant of our time and always a pleasure to watch. He will never play a really awful person and that will greatly limit his career. Then again, Cary did okay, didn't he?

The Single Man---This is the only movie I have watched this year that really moved me. (I haven't seen Precious yet) I credit Colin Firth for that. I (and many other women) have always loved to watch him in all his romantic, self deprecating roles but this one is different. It is a career best and in my opinion deserves the Oscar (And no, I haven't seen Crazy Heats yet either) This movie is about grief and loss of a loved one. Firth is superb in his stupor, his rage, and his stillness. Words are not necessary because he uses his body and face to deliver his despair. It is a sad and beautiful movie. Good work, Tom Ford.

It's Complicated----Now I really had fun watching this movie. It was a romantic comedy for the more "mature" among us. And, I suspect, all of us who have gone through a divorce must linger at least once over the thought that maybe, just maybe it could have all worked out. Alec Baldwin has Jack Benny's comedic timing blood coursing through his veins. And Meryl Streep is his match. What fun! Forget the critics....go and enjoy.

The Blind Side--While I am discussing movies that you will like (and the critics didn't) this is another one. Oh yes, it is predictable and many times even trite but Sandra Bullock manages to go to the edge of becoming too sappy, stopping just in time. Good for her. One critic said she actually did a part well without tripping or a prat-fall. True, but the accent came close. Still it is one I can recommend.

Sherlock Holmes---Robert Downey Jr. has another franchise hit. With Iron Man and this, he can write his own ticket in Hollywood. It may be easier to talk about why this movie didn't work than why it did because the acting, story line and special effects were very good but for me, there were problems. I am a lover of the Holmes' stories--great for your deductive thinking processes. The movie remembered to include the early clues to solving the mystery; they were just concealed really well, so Sherlock (Downey) had to periodically talk us through them with quick visual flashbacks. This helped the movie remain true to the Doyle writing technique we all love but it was, at times, confusing. The pace of the movie was either fast or faster and that is the opposite of the real Sherlock Holmes who is pensive and thoughtful. They sped it up for the younger set which did not work for me. Still worth seeing but not Oscar worthy.

Star Trek--Most people have forgotten about this movie but it really was one of the best last year. Why? Because it realistically and faithfully re-started this well known franchise. This movie was all about the story and everything from the actors to the costumes, to the cinematography supported that goal. It worked and worked well. Loved the use of "our" Spock to make the generational connect and that evil guy from Heroes as the literate, more highly evolved species we know and love as Spock. This is one that will hold up and should be nominated.

So there are twelve---a few listed below I have not seen yet so maybe I might add another movie to the list. I guess the Academy can get to ten but it won't be easy. I have not reviewed any foreign or animated films here but I may do so in another blog.

DID NOT SEE.....yet!!

The Serious Man

Precious

Crazy Heart

Ignore the column you received

2009-11-17T09:19:00.000-08:00

If you got a blog about mammograms, ignore it....it was a draft and posted by mistake...lots of errors etc....the real post will be on its way tomorrow.

Mammogram (spoiler alert)

2009-11-17T07:53:00.000-08:00

Just heard about the new guidelines for getting a mammogram and guess what, you can wait until you are fifty!!

My first reaction was how far ahead of the curve I was because that is when I got my first.....then as I listened to the NBC "expert" (yes, the quotes are what you think) say how the studies now show there is no proof that doing it sooner than age fifty saves lives. Forty has previously been the standard. Also, there was a hint during the news report (fear factor spoiler alert) that there was a possible downside from the radiation you are being exposed to by having those 10 mammograms in your forties.

That is when I said ---wait a minute!! First, mammograms have been around for over 40 years. While mammography started in 1960 it wasn't until 1976 that it became the standard screening device for breast cancer. And, just now they want us to believe they have accumulated enough data to make this new recommendation and suggest a possible radiation danger. Second, why now and if ten x-rays cause over-exposure to radiation, better warn those football players who probably have at least one xray a year for ten or more years of playing that sport. Third, whenever something just doesn't make sense or "add up" I remember the words of a very wise woman..."follow the money." Let's see... what do you think annual mammograms for women in their forties cost insurance companies? Will they now refuse to pay for this procedure for women in their forties calling it unreliable or experimental??

Is it possible that this information is just now being released to reduce costs and increase profits for the insurance companies (after all they are spending billions in ads opposing health care reform) or it is true and then, the question is, what took them so long? Does it really take over 40 years to collect data? I was opposed to having a mammogram for years (my forties actually) and I used to say to my doctor I would have a mammogram when men's testicles were crushed by a machine to determine prostrate cancer because I was sure no man would tolerate what we women did (and still do) without objection. Men actually can have a blood test to determine prostrate cancer. Why can't women??

I have never been convinced of the value of mammograms and now that the validity of the procedure is being questioned, maybe it is time for women to get involved and really take a good look at this procedure. After all, it is a part of our bodies that we allow a machine to flatten like a pancake, sometimes causing bruising or other damage. Maybe we need to ask why?

I VOTE FOR VICKI

2009-08-29T09:34:00.001-07:00

Ted Kennedy has been eulogized and remembered in many ways over the past few days and I must say, I watched most of it with some detachment. Like others, I came to the Kennedy magic through Jack and Bobby. Teddy was simply not them. He was given the thankless task of clean up. He was the younger brother who got to grow old and stand-in at every family event from funerals to weddings. He was the one God blessed or cursed with a long life.

Ted never got my attention or my soul because he never seemed authentic, more like a caricature of an Irish politician. I liked his issues but couldn't quite believe him. As I watched his funeral, a sense of his spirit became a reality for me. Maybe my separateness from him was of my own making, a resentment that he survived and not Jack or Bobby. And when he turned his back on Hillary, I could not see the possibility that he was not a traitor but instead actually faithful to his core principle of equal rights. Obama was the culmination of that belief and the hope of that ideal becoming integrated into the fabric of America. Maybe Ted understood the vision and helped delivered it into the world better than I understood.

What I witnessed today was his redemption as a human being, his great heart and his wisdom that grew from his past hurts and wrongdoings. I felt this most as I watched his wife, Vicki. She was composed, in charge, and caring towards everyone. She smiled as his progeny delivered his message through the Prayers of the Faithful. And I thought, Vicki may have been his best choice and decision as he entered the end time of his life. She has been with him for the past 17 years helping to mold his life, both public and private. Vicki, a lawyer herself, is a member of an old Louisiana political family; her father being well-known Louisiana Judge Edmund Reggie. While Reggie's history, like a lot of Louisiana's politicians, is a bit checkered including a federal conviction, his political ties are fascinating and far-reaching. It appears that in 1956, at the Democratic Convention, Reggie broke with his delegation and backed the fresh face of John F. Kennedy for Vice President. Even though Jack lost that effort, a life-long friendship was forged between Reggie and the Kennedy family. Vicki’s father had close relationships with many in politics, including the Clintons. Vicki grew up in this political environment and that support by her father in 1956 of a young Kennedy is the prelude to this point. No one should dismiss her at this time from a path into politics that may have been written long ago.

It was reported that Ted thought Vicki should take his senate seat. I agree. She can deliver his vision on health care and equality….who knows…maybe even the first woman president.

God Bless the Child That's Got His Own

2009-05-02T13:56:00.000-07:00

In my Freshman year in high school, I entered the guidance counselor's office and experienced a trans-formative moment. I was asked, in preparation for choosing my high school curriculum, what I wanted to do with my life. No, I take that back. That was not the question. I was there to choose between typing, shorthand and cooking classes. I was the youngest in my family and in that small town, we were not considered "college material." Our majors were in "shop", and secretarial skills. But that day, I asked about courses that would prepare me for college. "Just in case" I said. A little taken back, the counselor said, "But your brothers and sisters are in non-regents classes. Wouldn't you be better off there?" She knew my parents did not graduate from high school and with the exception of my oldest sister, my siblings were not exactly stellar students. I don't know why I said what I said but I would learn, it would not be the last time I reached beyond the boundaries already in place for my gender and economic class.

I remember this encounter clearly because it was a defining moment. Many years later at a high school reunion, I learned that the guidance counselor also remembered it clearly.

What makes some of us go beyond limitations or expectations? All of us know someone who rises above what their siblings and friends achieve, who excel in spite of poverty, drawbacks, race, gender, dysfunction, and class. What makes the difference? We all know the success stories of kids with talent whose light shines through, and the families and friends who supported them. But what about the others? The ones without the assistance of society who still lift themselves to a much higher level than anyone dreamed, even themselves.

As a Family Court Judge, I often saw kids in front of me without hope, one after another literally by the hundreds, and then one would be standing there who very simply turned the page from an impossible situation with no hope of a future to a path of purpose and contribution. I never knew why but I understood.

Recently, I was watching a recording of the TV series, Friday Night Lights which has such moments of genius underneath its typical TV soap-opera narrative. I watch for those moments and one surfaced from the character Tyra who is born into a lower class trashy drunk of a family and at 13 was well on her way to the strip-bar, a life of depressing poverty and too many unwanted pregnancies. Somewhere on her way to adulthood, she transforms very simply and not all at once. In a letter supporting her application for college she writes:

Two years ago, I was afraid of wanting anything.
I figured wanting would lead to trying
And trying would lead to failure,
But now I've found I can't stop wanting.

I want to fly somewhere in first class,
I want to travel to Europe on a business trip,
I want to get invited to the White House,
I want to learn about the world,
I want to surprise myself,
I want to be important,
I want to be the best person I can be.

I want to define myself instead of having others define me.
I want to win and have people be happy for me.
I want to lose and get over it,
I want to not be afraid of the unknown,
I want to grow up to be generous and big-hearted the way that people have been for me.

I want an interesting, surprising life.
It's not that I think I am going to get all these things,
But I just want the possibility of getting them.
College represents the possibility,
The possibility that things are going to change.

I can't wait.

Those words expressed my thoughts when I was fourteen. And I think the key to that life-changing moment was me taking charge of my life. The child who does that in face of all odds is the child in the song written by Arthur Herzog, Jr and sung by Billie Holiday .....

Them that's got shall get
Them that's not shall lose
So the Bible said and it still is news
Mama may have, papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own

Yes, the strong gets more
While the weak ones fade
Empty pockets don't ever make the grade
Mama may have, papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own...

So, congratulations graduates and "hello world" to those "that's got his/her own."

Where did I leave off.....

2009-04-30T15:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am back...back in Rochester and back to my blog. After spending a week with my children and grandchildren in Denver, I flew to Phoenix and drove up to Sedona. If you haven't seen red rock country, you really should try to do that. It is beautiful and staying at a resort that had the "snoopy" red rock configuration for a view was just heavenly. Four days connecting with the spirits of the mountains was very refreshing. There are urban myths that aliens are already here, living in the Sedona area...with the government's knowledge and permission, of course. I love speculating on who is an alien...is it the wierd looking guy you just walked by on the street or the beautiful blonde at the pool?? They copy humans, of course. :)

Then, it was on to Phoenix and visiting with my dear friends who are transplants from the East but have been in Scottsdale so long, they are really locals. I shortened my stay there to two days and headed home. I was done with traveling and glad to get back even if there was two months of mail waiting, a house badly in need of work and a long list of projects.

Besides the house, I continue reading screenplays, judging the competition for the local film festival. I read the entrants, picked five finalists and the winner. I look forward to the reading that will be performed live at the festival in early May. Check it out---High Falls Film Festival's "Screenplay Live!" It is also nice having my son, Gordy using my home as "base camp" while he pulls together his next movie project. It is a wonderful script and he will be directing it sometime this summer, hopefully.

The news continues to place second or third in my priorities but I do find some of the events interesting. Watching Arlen Spector do his "Staying Alive" dance is amusing and could Joe Biden create any more awkward moments for his President. The press continues to give him a pass every time. "It is just Joe", they say....mmmm....wonder what they would be saying if it were Sarah Palin? I continue to watch several news channels so I can hear all sides of an issue. Those of you who watch just CNN and/or MSNBC are hearing news that is slanted and you need to throw in some of the other outlets before you decide what your own opinion is on any subject.

Movies are typical summer fare but I am looking forward to some. Midnight tonight is the opening of "Wolverine" and I am there with my grandsons and their friends. What?! As my son said, he is positive I am taking to retirement better than anyone he knows. I think he is right.

Traveling with Marilyn

2009-03-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

"It's official", my daughter Jill said to me as I was leaving the bitter cold of the Northeast for sunny (I hoped) Florida, "You are a snowbird!"

And that, dear friends, is why I haven't posted in quite a while. So here is the catch-up.

I first visited friends in Naples (Florida) which is more Eastern than Southern. It does not take long to find someone from home. Once a month, the local Abbott's Ice Cream stand holds a reunion-like "Rochester" night. I am told even Brother Wease of talk radio shows up there.

The locals were complaining about the cold weather. Yes, it was in the 50's a couple of days....... oh dear.....! I left Naples after a few days traveling back in time to Gasparilla Island, a place where I have some history. When I graduated from Law School, three of us took annual vacations on that little known island where the only grocery store opened and closed whenever it felt like it and was never open on Sunday.

To get to the Island, you have to cross a toll bridge and once there, you really don't want to leave. The atmosphere has not changed and while I had some difficulty with my weekend reservation, I settled for a night at the Gasparilla Inn made famous by the Bushies. It is old Florida with jackets and dressy dresses for dinner. Obviously, the clientele was a bit over 50 and if you considered only men, it was pushing 70. I ate in one of the many good restaurants and took a trip down memory lane visiting Miller's, The Pink Elephant, Fugate's, and of course, the beach. The balance of the time was at Boca Grande Club, an upscale development with many condos and villas. Mine was on the beach and it was my long day there that ended with a water-logged phone. How was I supposed to know the bottle leaked? Like Scarlett, I said I would think about it tomorrow.

Tomorrow came and I headed for Orlando to meet a friend and use a time-share I have with Marriott. This was located a couple of miles from Disney and was really lovely. Great accommodations, setting and weather---great weather!! We really became tourists, sleeping in....actually that was me, Joyce is up at dawn. She also cooks great meals so food was not an issue. I have known Joyce since we were in grade school and it was terrific to re-connect.

While there, we saw the shuttle launch (wow!), shopped, and sat in the sun by any one of several available pools. We did not engage in the many activities offered by the resort but did spend one day at Disney combining Animal Kingdom and Epcot where their annual flower show was in full bloom. We explored the Orlando area and were treated to dinner and opening night at their Shakespeare Theater Festival. I have an "in" with the Artistic Director who is family twice removed. What would you call that?? The theater reminded me of my hometown's local equity house but Jim's season agenda is much more ambitious. He is doing an incredible job there and the performance of "Much Ado About Nothing" was full of energy, laughs and great character acting.

And, I got a new phone!

Leaving Florida was difficult and I am trying to make more permanent plans for next year. Up in New York, besides attending a board meeting of the Women's Bar Association, I had my grandmother fix with a birthday party for my six-year old grandson, watching his adorable sister, and holding the newest of my eleven. However, sad news interrupted my travels which were planned for a quick hop into Boston for my film lovers award ceremony. Chlotrudis will have to wait another year.

I returned home so that I could attend the funeral services for my brother who died that Friday. This meant a very long car ride to West Virginia made a bit easier by the constant banter between my son and daughter and their newly acquired mascot, The Raven. Originally, it was a gift for his nephew that my son brought home from London but my daughter confiscated it and since these two have been talking for and to animals since they could talk, the conversation was on. If I can I will download a picture of my son and The Raven. I don't think I have heard Jill laugh so hard in a long time. Thank you, Ronnie.

And now friends, you think, she is home for sure...... No, I am not. Three days was all I had at home before leaving for Denver and flying into the blizzard of the season in the Rockies. What?

After this, I am off to Sedona, Arizona, land of the Sun for a week.... more later.

And the envelope, please...

2009-02-23T13:07:00.000-08:00

I know most of you did not even bother. I, on the other hand, got my snacks, ballot and family together to engage in my annual Oscar ritual. Other family and friends checked in by phone or email to see what was happening. Some still have the Oscar guilt that I instilled in them many years ago that they HAD to watch until the (bitter) end. Then, there is the personal tie......

Today, I checked the local blogs and was very surprised at the nastiness flowing from them. The venom was so vicious I felt someone had unleashed many "Snidely Whiplashes" on the web. Comments on clothes, couples, and the overall show were horrible. Honestly, why do these people even watch the Oscars anyway? If you hate it that much, do something else. Presenters were chastised for slipping up on a name or putting one in the wrong order. The usual complaint about the show being too long prevailed although it didn't stop each self-appointed critic from watching and criticizing to the very end.

No one seemed to have anything good to say and I wondered if I had watched the same show. Now, I have watched a lot of Oscar shows and even been to one so in my "expert" opinion, this show was clearly the best. Why? For starters, Hugh Jackman!! He is the consummate performer; a dancer, singer, stand-up and a lover. Hugh was classy, sassy and just plain fun. Ask that man back, please. The opening number was fantastic and the setting of the stage and the audience lit up the Kodak Theater like an old fashion movie musical set. It was great theater. Presenting the awards as if you were making a movie provided insight into the film making process. And then the change-up of having five previous winners acknowledge each of the nominated actors with compliments and gratitude high-lighted each performance. The camera on the nominee's face showed the appreciation each one felt on hearing such glowing words spoken about them. There was emotion on the stage and in the audience.

There were a couple of missteps but come on, this is a live show after all. And it did run long, as usual but that had nothing to do with the show, the acceptance speeches, or the musical numbers. The commercials which came after every award toward the end were brutal. You not only had to sit through them but, unlike the Super Bowl, they were boring or ones you have seen many times. Ugh!! That is commercial television folks....not the Oscar show itself. If you could record it and see it later, fast-forwarding through the commercials, the show is probably of reasonable length and much more enjoyable.

And the winners---Kate Winslet was deserving in both her part and her time but Meryl's time is overdue. Sean Penn did not have to wait 25 years for his second acting accolade. Meryl will be nominated next year too but she was the best this year in "Doubt." No doubt about it. Maybe she has to do what seems to win, play gay in a holocaust movie. Remember someone said that to Winslet and guess what?? I did love Penelope Cruz both in the movie and on stage. The best couple of the night.....Tina Fey and Steve Martin.

Best dress---Miley Cyrus was the picture of a princess at the ball. She said it was heavy to wear and I bet it was.

Best moments---- were the actors on stage (legends all) honoring the next generation of talent. Seeing Robert DiNero, Sophia Loren, Shirley MacLaine, etc was amazing and a new tradition that will be around for some time, I think.

Hugh Jackman owned the night along with Slumdog Millionaire (those children were adorable) and Milk. But it really belonged to all of us who love movies--go see the winners and the losers because they are all remarkable.

P.S. The hat is covering "dreads" which are there for the movie, Jack Goes Boating that is being filmed as we speak. As he said, he would rather deal with "hat jokes" than "hair jokes."

Impeachment---What is it??

2009-01-29T16:21:00.000-08:00

You can look it up and maybe you should since it may become a part of the political landscape from now on. Impeachment is a two step process. A legislative body votes articles of impeachment or just impeaches someone and then the senate or in some cases the same legislative body rules on conviction and removal. Everything about it is vague and a civil officer (whatever that means) may be removed from office if the legislative body finds he or she has done something that warrants such action. It sounds a little like that Supreme Court decision on pornography when a justice trying to define pornography said, "I know it when I see it."

We all have a history schoolbook memory of impeachment by Congress of President Andrew Johnson and how he avoided being expelled from office by one vote. He was very unpopular and many thought it was political and a way to remove a president without shooting him. (although they tried that too)

Our modern day memory is of Bill Clinton and many think he was successfully found guilty and impeached when in reality the House (Republican controlled) voted out articles of impeachment against him and lost at trial in the Senate. To complete the impeachment process it takes impeachment and conviction followed by removal from office. At the time, I remember thinking it felt like a "witch-hunt." Clinton had engaged in an extra-marital affair and then lied under oath about it. ( I have often said, Clinton Lied, Nobody Died....Bush....(you finish it))

Everyone was quite disgusted with Clinton and the Republicans saw a chance to get rid of him seeing as they could not defeat him in an election. I remember I was constantly arguing with someone that impeachment was inappropriate and even dangerous if Congress used it to remove a President they didn't like.

What is my point here? This is a long way to get to the present day and the Governor of Illinois. Today Blagojevich was impeached and removed from office and I, for one, am worried. He has not been indicted, charged with a crime and he had no trial. Yet, he is gone for acts unknown. Oh, of course I know about the alleged selling of the Senate seat and other charges of buying and selling favors, etc but all I know is the talk---and more talk. Where are the actions. I can talk about a lot of things but the conspiracy that comes from that talk needs an act toward an end. Everyone respects the Atty General Fitzgerald but noone is perfect and he may have acted too soon. After all, he has now requested more time to investigate. That smells of someone without the requisite elements necessary for the crime. With delay and more time, it is hoped that some useful information might drop out of the tree.

Being a staunch believer in "process", I am worried about what is happening here and that is my point. Maybe Blagojevich is a crook but the people elected him and unless he is convicted of a crime, impeachment is closer to a lynching than I like. What will stop this from happening elsewhere? If a political party wants to remove a duly elected official, they can discover something off-base, whip it up publicly on our 24-7 news cycle or on the blogs and have the person out within 30-60 days. There isn't any appeal.

The public is like a mob that acts with one mind based upon information that may be accurate but may not. That is why we have our legal system that affords the accused rights...rights to an attorney, a trial, a jury of peers. We did not give that to the Governor of Illinois. He is gone---Should we hang a sign...Mission Accomplished!!

It is "frakkin" cold!!

2009-01-16T13:54:00.000-08:00

Sub-zero temperatures, snow drifting and blowing in 25 mile hour winds....and I am hibernating until tomorrow when I head for the Florida sun. I am in luck though because tonight is the beginning of the final season of one of my two favorite television shows (okay, there are really three)----24 and Damages and --- Battlestar Gallactica!! So, to get ready they are showing the entire previous season all day today. Wow!! What better way to hibernate than watch a repeat of last season. The trial of Baltar, Roslyn's illness, the revealing of the four ceylons onboard, Cara's return and quest for Earth, deception, and love... the joining of forces to survive. It is amazing stuff and so well done. I know most of you do not know what I am talking about but those few who do, have fun tonight. More on the other great tv shows later. Talk to me about your favorites.

A Quick Note

2009-01-12T10:33:00.000-08:00

I am trying to upgrade this blog with more information. A start is the list of "movies to see" which I am posting on the right. It will be updated from time to time to give those of you who might be interested an idea of what I like and recommend for viewing. For obvious reasons, I will not list any movies of Phil's. They are for you to see if you choose. I am going to try to add some pictures from time to time and maybe a clip or two from youtube. I need to become more tech-savvy about this and I will. My New Year's resolution is to do more writing and complete some projects I have been dreaming about. More later.

Here We Go Again

2009-01-05T10:42:00.000-08:00

Recently, a friend of mine was reacting to a person who was being very critical of Caroline Kennedy's candidacy for the Senate from New York. My friend stabbed at the air with her finger and asked, "What do the following have in common?" Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, Caroline Kennedy? There was silence at the dinner table because the answer was obvious. These are women who seek powerful positions and when they enter the public arena, the press hammers them pointing out every misstatement, gaffe, and of course, their "lack of experience."

The gentleman argued that Caroline Kennedy could not even speak well, saying "you know" over 200 times in a recent interview with a reporter. Sound familiar.... does Katie Couric help your memory? I am not sure that Caroline Kennedy should be the next senator from New York but it is impossible for me to reach that decision when I have to first deal with the knee-jerk sexist reaction to her even thinking about it.

Let's talk about experience. What has she done and what experience do you want or think is a pre-requisite to becoming a senator? She is a lawyer, graduate of Colombia Law School, an author of books on privacy law and the constitution, is a "community volunteer" on boards like the Commission on Presidential Debates, the N.A.A.C.P. Legal Defense Fund and Education Fund and the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. She was very involved with all of these as well as raising 70 million dollars for New York City Schools. All of this was done while she was a mother to her children. There have been millions of words written about experience and how it differs from culture to culture and men to women. Would we even be talking about this if the potential nominee were a male Kennedy??

Some may say, there you go again, claiming sexism like you did with Sarah Palin. Well, yes I am and I want to give you examples of why I am right. Let us look at some other Senators. How about Bill Bradley from New Jersey---his experience as a professional basketball player in the NBA definitely qualifed him, didn't it? Or how about Sonny Bono--an actor or for that matter Fred Thompson, another actor. And the new Junior Senator from Minnesota, Al Franken, a former SNL comic and radio host whose qualifications have never been questioned. Sports and entertainment are big pre-requisites, it seems. Did we have this discussion when those men stepped into the political spotlight? Where is it written that one must have some sort of political resume before applying for the senate? If you are a man, we accept a doctor's background (Frist), a man without a college degree (Truman), basketball player, (Bradley), and actors, even comedians but women are different.

It reminds me of a conversation I had with an attorney before I made my decision to go to law school in my late thirties. He asked derisively Why? Why do you want to become a lawyer? He was a lawyer and clearly didn't see the "big" deal. I answered that a law degree would give me status. He scoffed and said, "That and one dollar will get you a cup of coffee? My answer was .... when I walk into a room, I am a woman easily ignored and often dismissed. If I walk in and I am a lawyer, people stop and say, "really." And that has been my experience with sexism. A man walks into a room and he is instantly a person people look to for answers, an authority. When I can say I am a lawyer and a judge, I get instant acceptance, instant respect as a person with substance. But, I have to have those credentials first. A man doesn't.

Caroline Kennedy has a problem with speaking. Does it really mean she is stupid? How many of you thrown into the public eye could respond smoothly and coherently and if you could, would that really make you a good senator? Speaking well may be a gift but it can also be learned. Truth is there are no qualifications to be a senator and that is probably because the Founding Fathers didn't want to be prevented or limited by faux standards. Once elected, what do you as a senator do? You show up and vote. Your staff does all the research, preparation, and writing for any proposed legislation. You remain busy getting elected and re-elected. The latter is most important and Caroline Kennedy certainly can do that.

I don't often agree with the opinion writer Margaret Carlson but in a recent column she said it well when she indicated that Caroline Kennedy's real challenge was to get up after being knocked down. Carlson wrote, She now has to show she is a trooper by getting up after being ridiculed. Think of all the philandering, felonious, lying, cheating politicians who have no trouble asking for votes after doing worse. All she did was stammer.

I think it is ironic that right now, I bet Kennedy understands Sarah Palin better than she ever thought she would.

Putting lipstick on the woman....

2008-10-27T11:09:00.000-07:00

I have been wrestling with myself and many friends over my defense of Sarah Palin. Family and friends are in shock because as they say to me, how can you? She isn't intelligent. She likes guns and is anti-choice. And those are good arguments for not voting for her which I am not but I find I am so busy defending her right to be who and where she is that I cannot even get to the substantive issues.

Whenever the press wants to "get" a woman candidate, it is always about her looks (some have called her a "soft porn queen") or the money spent to dress her up. Remember Hillary's pants suits? Or the vicious ridicule. Did any of you see the Hillary Clinton nutcracker? Well now, a Palin look-a-like is hung by a noose from the roof of a house!!! Yes, you may not see it because the press is not repeating it as they would ad nausea if anyone hung Obama in effigy. I think that would be called a "lynching" conjuring up images of racism in America. I guess a hanging is the equivalent for women of sexism in the form of domestic violence.

And her intelligence, clearly suspect after the Gibson and Couric interviews. Yet, no one mentions Biden's recent remark on the stump that Obama understands the real issue and it is a three letter word, J-O-B-S. Whoops! In fact, most haven't even heard it (like the noose) because the mainstream media only played it a couple of times. Obama dresses up Biden's gaffes by calling them "rhetorical flourishes". (Yes that is correct!) But everything Palin says is sifted for possible mistakes so that her intelligence can be questioned. Is she smart enough to be our President?

I don't think she should be President but it has nothing to do with her clothes or the stumbling in a press interview. Did any of you know what the "Bush Doctrine" was? The reality is most of us do not know what it is even now. None of the male candidates ever had to answer that one. Thank heavens Hillary was experienced enough to answer all those questions in the debates before Obama so he could draft in the wake of her intelligence when he had to answer.

I have been giving this a lot of thought and wonder why I am the only "feminist" who has a problem with the way Palin is being treated and the universal dismissal of her by the press and liberal thinking women like me. I wanted to write about this for some time and wished I could be articulate enough about the issue so all my women friends and men too (particularly my son) would understand but I could not. However, I found someone who did and so I am copying below an op-ed piece from the NYTimes. While I think the author is not necessarily proud of the present state of women, her comments ring true. Women may have actually come a longer way baby with Palin than any other woman so far. Sorry Hillary.

No Ordinary Woman

by Judith Warner

In 1977, Bella Abzug, the former congresswoman and outspoken feminist said, "Our struggle today is not to have a female Einstein get appointed as an assistant professor. It is for a woman schlemiel to get as quickly promoted as a male schlemiel." In other words, women will truly have arrived when the most mediocre among us will be able to do just as well as the most mediocre of men. By this standard, the watershed event for women this year was not Hillary Clinton's near ascendancy to the top of the Democratic ticket, but Sarah Palin's nomination as the Republicans' NO. 2.

For Clinton was a lifelong overachiever, a star in a generational vanguard who clearly took to heart the maxim that women “must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good,” and in so doing divorced herself from the world of the merely average. In that, she was not unlike Barack Obama — taxed by his race to be twice as reassuring, twice as un-angry, twice as presidential as any white candidate.

Mediocrity, after all, is the privilege of those who have arrived.

Palin is a woman who has risen to national prominence without, apparently, even remotely being twice as good as her male competitors. On the contrary, her claim to fame lies in her repudiation of Clinton-type exceptionalism.

She speaks no better — and no worse — than many of her crowd-pleasing male peers, dropping her g’s, banishing “who” in favor of “that,” issuing verbal blunders that linger just long enough to make their mark in the public mind before they’re winked away in staged apologies.

She is a woman who is able to not only get by but also be quickly promoted on the kinds of attributes that were once the exclusive province of unremarkable white men: rapport, the right looks or connections, an easy sort of familiarity.

In the days leading up to Palin’s pick as vice-presidential nominee, according to an article in The New York Times Magazine today, Rick Davis, who is John McCain’s campaign manager, said a friend had told him how best to choose a running mate: “You get a frame of Time magazine, and you put the pictures of the people in that frame. You look at who fits that frame best — that’s your V.P.”

Donny Deutsch, the ad executive turned talk show host, put it less elegantly on CNBC right after the Republican convention. “Women want to be her, men want to mate with her,” he said, describing Palin as a “new creation that the feminist movement has not figured out in 40 years.”

And this was the crux of the Palin Phenomenon: she was a breakthrough woman who threatened no one.

The McCain crowd would have you believe that Palin is the perfect representation of the post-feminist woman, a candidate whose very existence marks the end of feminism — of the old “liberal feminist agenda,” as McCain himself has put it — and the start of a more global kind of triumph for the great mass of women.

Just as some young women in recent years have argued that appearing topless on “Girls Gone Wild” is an act of sexual liberation, putting an untested Alaskan governor on the road to the White House was spun as a sign of the arrival of real, hot-blooded women into the mainstream of power.

But the finer points of what it takes for real women to make progress in seizing power don’t seem much to trouble Palin.

“Someone called me a ‘redneck woman’ once, and you know what I said back? ‘Why, thank you,’” she told the country singer Gretchen Wilson at a recent Republican rally.

I guess Palin has never seen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman” music video, which, in addition to images of an attractive Wilson driving a variety of fuel-inefficient vehicles, features a couple of stripper-styled babes dancing in cages, one of which is made of chains.

With her five children, successful political career, $1.2 million net worth and beauty pageant looks, Sarah Palin is really not an average woman, much less the worthy schlemiel envisioned by Abzug. She’s actually, as Colin Powell carefully said, quite “distinguished” — for her looks, her grace and charm, her ability to connect with an audience, her ambition and her drive. Those are admirable, even enviable qualities. But the American public, defecting from the McCain ticket in a slow bleed, is clearly not convinced that they amount to vice-presidential qualifications.

Seems like “real America” wants something more than a wife, mother or girlfriend in a female political leader.

Maybe we’ve come a long way after all.

Judith Warner writes Domestic Disturbances, a column at nytimes.com.

More Articles in Opinion » A version of this article appeared in print on October 26, 2008, on page WK15 of the New York edition.

She's Back.....

2008-10-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

I have many thoughts about last night's Vice-Presidential debate and I found it necessary to weigh so much within the context of where I was coming from---be that as a democrat, a feminist, a regular person, and a "revengocrat" (what my daughter calls me-- meaning a former Hillary supporter). So what I am about to say blends all of these parts of me and cannot always be separated out and categorized easily.

First, she was in great form. This is a person who has been doing presidential politics for five weeks and she is on a stage with a man who has 35 years in the political arena. Palin deserves a standing ovation for her performance. She looked right into that camera and talked to us. She glanced occasionally at Biden when she was referencing him in some way but mostly she was crisp, strong and direct. The moderator who chose the questions concentrated on foreign policy and I wondered whether that benefited Biden who is an expert in that area. Certainly, given the recent economic problems facing this country I thought that might have been the major topic but it was introduced early on and then passed over with questions about Iraq, Pakistan et al. Here, there is no question that Biden was at his best. He did get a little messed up explaining his vote to "authorize" the use of power against Iraq but then he sounded like Hillary. For the most part though, his experience in dealing with international issues and leaders gave him the edge over Palin.

Governor Palin and Senator Biden were dead even when it came to doing what Vice-Presidental candidates are supposed to do---be the attack dog. Both went after their counter-parts at the top of the ticket. Biden successfully tied McCain to the Bush policies and Palin was equally good at pointing out the "tax and spend" liberal policies of Obama.

Over-all, without any scientific measurement, I thought she won the debate. Maybe that is because she survived when everyone, even her ardent supporters, were so worried she wouldn't do well. Maybe it was because Biden looked old, something that hung over McCain's head last week while she looked energetic and strong. Maybe it was because she held her own throughout and had some excellent moments. Maybe you had to give it to her because he was clearly not her better and that, given their disparate levels of experience and expertise, makes her the winner.

How will this impact the over-all race? Very little. However, it does make her the future star of the Republican Party and the future leader of the conservative movement in the party. I had a feeling of foreboding that I remember I felt when I first heard Obama at the Democratic Convention in 2003. I thought then, "watch out Hillary." And I have the same feeling again.

Bailout or Bust!!

2008-09-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

Okay, before I start, a few disclaimers. I do not even balance my checkbook and economics was my worst course in college. I do not understand all the business-speak that is going on but as one man told me once, "You are not stupid, Marilyn." So, a few observations about what is happening. Do I know what is happening? No! But I do know a fear-monger when I see it and he/she is out there. Do all the words coming out of the media and Bush right now sound familiar? Didn't we hear this "hurry up or else" kind of language over invading Iraq? We know how that one turned out? Also, does anyone else besides me have a problem believing Sec. Paulson who says we must give him 700 billion dollars with no strings attached (his proposal to Congress was 2-3 pages long and the present bill is over one hundred pages)? This is the same man who ran Goldman-Sachs until 2005 when he left Sachs and became the Treasury Secretary. And, oh yes, his former company went into the toilet. Isn't there a conflict of interest when the man from Wall Street wants the government to bail out Wall Street?

But, let's look at the two candidates. One will inherit this mess. Does anyone have a clue where either one of them stands? McCain suspends his campaign to work out a resolution and that didn't work. Obama, who wants to bring everyone together and suggests he can do that certainly didn't even get his own Democrats on board, did he? Yet, they both support the bailout!!? Really!! Obama says his support is "tepid". What does that mean? Is he hedging his bets again so if it proves the wrong decision, he can say he really wasn't for it? And McCain---where is the fiscal conservative? Shouldn't he be saying things like....this is socialism and a free market survives by its own checks and balances? Isn't this the market simply correcting itself for its past indulgences? But McCain isn't and quite frankly, he looks frightened. Neither candidate is giving me confidence.

And what about party politics? The Democrats support this....right? Soooo what is the problem? The Democrats are the majority in Congress and have the votes to do this by themselves but they want Republicans in on this. Why? Is it to share the blame if it fails? Since when does the majority party blame the minority for the failure of legislation to pass?

Think about this. Twelve out of thirty Democrats on Barney Franks' own Banking Committee voted against the bailout!!! Pelosi let this bill go to a vote and it failed. What does that say?? Traditional wisdom is that no leader allows a bill to a vote they cannot win but she did! Why? Well, either she is a poor leader and should be replaced (that is another issue) or....she is playing politics and wants this to run up to the election to benefit Democrats. Remember that a short few weeks ago she said she would not deal with these financial issues until after the election and then she was forced to by the President. My guess is Pelosi is not stupid and knows exactly what she is doing. How about those absurdly partisan words by her just before the vote? If any Republican was hesitating, she pushed the "blame the Republican" button and lost twelve Republican votes. The bill failed. The Democrats could pass this without any Republicans IF they wanted it so I think they don't.

Who caused this? Well, it is easy to answer.... the Republicans! After all, Clinton left a surplus to Bush who sank us into a trillion dollar deficit!! But that is too easy and if you look closer I think you will see the Democrats are not without sin here. 2004 is an important year because Democrats took over Congress and there were hearings then about financial institution practices. McCain and others wanted more regulations for Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae while the Democrats wanted them left alone because they were giving loans to lower income families for homes and businesses and according to people like Representatives Barney Frank and Maxine Waters, were solvent with no problems that needed fixing. That was in 2004 and while people were telling Congress there were serious problems of fraud and criminal activity in those financial institutions, a Democratic congress turned a deal ear. Maybe that is why now they want Republicans in on this bailout bill.

I am also just learning about a group called ACORN which stands for Association of Community Organizations for Reform. It has been reported that in this bailout bill, there was funding for ACORN until the Republicans took it out. There are allegations that this group has engaged in corrupt, even criminal practices. Obama is tied to this group as an original organizer. I think you will be hearing more about ACORN in the next few days. Google it for some interesting articles in the daily newspapers. (I promise to get better at linking items to this blog)

I am right now listening to Obama blaming Wall Street for the problem and encouraging bi-partisan support for the bailout bill. If he truly believes in the bill why is he not leading his party? Why can't he get his own to pass this? Why do they need Republican support? If Obama cannot bring his own party on board, why do we think he can reach across the aisle to accomplish health care reform? Of course, with this financial crisis, health care reform is probably dead anyway.

Why do I keep wondering what Hillary is thinking?

Neither Here Nor There

2008-09-22T06:59:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe how big a failure I am at blogging!! I think of all these things to say and then I don't. Why? I don't know---lazy, maybe. After all, it is work and I have been there, done that!! I think that organizing yourself and making good use of your time is an art itself and one I may not be good at. I am not giving up however and so I am forcing myself to sit here and say something!

On Politics: What can I say? My heart is not in it. I have become a detached outsider of this year's very unique race. It is historical and slightly hysterical (if my family is any indication) but not me. I find some parts amusing. MSNBC is trying to right its sexist ship by removing Matthews and Olbermann from lead roles but it is not working. It is totally in the tank for Obama and is "crazy" in its coverage of Palin. They just cannot deal with strong women. They try to diffuse their misogyny by giving Rachel Maddow her own show but it is really because Rachel has proven she can play "nice" with the boys and every now and then she takes a swipe at Buchanan as if that gives her journalist credentials!?! I continue to watch but now Fox News is more interesting than CNN. They try to bolster McCain/Palin and it contrasts with the others who are dissing them. At least, it is entertaining.

On insignificant items: Like the location of Ladies Rest Rooms.....ever notice that women, for the most part have to walk further than men to go to the bathrooms in most public establishments? Really, it is true and I know because I go to a lot of public restrooms, down all those dark hallways and theater staircases. You can take your own assessment and check out the location the next ten times you go to the bathroom when you are out to dinner or traveling. I have been doing that for a lot of years and only once or twice was the Ladies Room the first one. Why??

On Theater: I have seen quite a bit of theater this summer from Stratford, Canada to Williamstown, Ma with New York and Shaw in the middle. The best (see previous blog) was in the Berkshire and the worst in New York.

I have found two (yes, but I am sure there are more) people, who like me, did NOT like the Tony, Pulitzer Prize winning play, August, Osage County. I felt it was shrill, loud and without any redemption. And, all that anger and angst with a Southern accent!! Tooooo much for me. But, New York redeemed itself with In The Heights. That was a true Broadway musical unlike (untitled) which was cute but not real broadway and I could say that again about The Thirty-Nine Steps. It was "cute".

Let me go back to the beginning because I forgot a real gem I saw in Stratford and it was an American doing Beckett. Brian Dennehy did two one-acts at Stratford but it was the second that was a brilliant moment in theater time. He performed in Krapp's Last Tape and the response was very mixed. Many did not like it at all but that says more about the person watching than the play or the performance. This play is not easily accessible for the audience and you have to pay attention and let go at the same time. To my astonishment and delight, it was a most rewarding theater experience. Mr Dennehy disappeared into the character and what you see is a bitter old man who is angry, sad , and remorseful at the end of his life. The portrayl was sublime and exactly the kind of stage magic someone like me sits in one dark theater after another waiting to see and this summer, in Stratford, I was not disappointed. Take it to New York, Brian.

On Movies: Well, I did it. I started a movie club every Monday night. I pick the movie, location and send the info out to a list of people I think might want to go to the movies with others. It is an opportunity to share a movie without calling anyone and allows a last minute decision to go or not, depending on what is going on in your life. Some meet before for a light supper and I will give you further updates as we go along. This could spread to other cities where (like everyone reads the same book) people could go to the same movie and then discuss it online as in Facebook. Stay tuned....

On Football: Go Bills!!!

On Baseball: The Yankees are done (like Hillary) sooo who cares?!

Finally, Obama touched me.....

2008-09-02T10:32:00.000-07:00

Like some in my family. I stood with Hillary every step and even when I wanted her to quit, when I couldn't imagine her staying in the race, withstanding the constant sexism, she stayed. I would have quit a million times over but I was more than willing to stand with her. The strength of purpose, the will, the calm perseverance made me proud.... and even when the primary race was down to "The One", I did not become a part of the Barack Brigade. I thought his convention speech was just that, conventional, but of course, I realize that I have been listening to him for a long time and there was nothing new in that speech. Having heard it all before, I fell asleep.

But, yesterday, with one simple sentence, I was touched. Obama said, (in response to the Palin pregnancy)... I was born to an 18 year old mother. Zap!! Connected. Finally. Like many, I thought Obama's speech in 2003 at the DNC was amazing. I remember thinking...watch out Hillary. And, of course, look what happened --but I have not been an Obamamaniac. Yet, with that one personal, brief but real line, Obama touched me. He stepped up and defended the personal privacy of the new VP candidate. How I wish he had stepped up against the blatant sexism displayed in the primary race against Hillary or even after the primary or maybe just a little something at the convention but he didn't...... until now......

I think John McCain has made a bold choice. He has said, "You want change. You want no more Washington Politics as usual. You want historic." And he picked a woman. OMG!!! The media will have another punching bag to blast and they haven't waited one second. They were lost without Hillary to kick around. They should be thanking John McCain instead of questioning his sanity. What great fun!!!

Gov. Palin is 20 months into her term as Governor (of Alaska!!!) but that does gives her more executive experience than Obama, a senator for one year before he stepped out to run for President. Oh, but we have gotten used to him and he has run a great campaign which to some, shows his ability to run the country. (and he does have that appendage) Let's see....mmmmm....the Democrats put the least experienced at the top of the ticket while the Republicans put their least experienced at the bottom. Oh yes, the people in the primaries voted for the top dogs but one man, McCain, picked Palin, a person who upended "politics as usual" in Alaska; went against both the Republican and Democrat establishments there. And.... Obama picked Biden, a seasoned Washington "politics as usual" insider, who got one percent of the vote in Iowa.

But, let's talk about the person, Palin. She is definitely not a Hillary gal!!! But she is an independent, straight talking, gun-toting, Feminist for Life, who walks the walk. It may not be the same walk that some of you want to take but you know, supporting women's rights is more than standing up for Hillary. And Hillary, who immediately congratulated her on the historic nature of her opportunity, knows that. We all know we had the best qualified, most courageous, experienced woman ready to take this step into history and we said NO....we said NO to even placing her on the bottom of the ticket. (And I want the record to show that I said it first....."If Obama really wanted to win, he had to put Hillary on the ticket.") I knew he wouldn't but he cannot make it without her. And along comes Sarah.....She is the opposite of Hillary on many issues but personality-wise, they might not be too far apart. I am talking about strength of purpose and guts.

McCain has put life back into the Republican Party and all the pundits can say is...Alaska may be cold...but She is HOT!!" (wink, wink--good old boy Mike Barnacle on MSNBC today)

Palin will solidify the Republican base, fire up the Christian Conservatives which McCain was not doing and there is that chance that she will play well with blue-collar conservatives and maybe white men in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Do not count Sarah out my friends or you may look like Mark Penn who didn't think the first term senator from Illinois was more than a younger version of Jesse Jackson.

The media types do not have their hand on the pulse of the people....ordinary people. It became apparent when Bill Clinton who they had bashed and maligned during the primary walked up to the podium at the convention to the "people" who gave him the longest and loudest ovation of anyone. The "people" will decide the future of Sarah Palin and right now the Republican "people" are ecstatic. Just ask my daughter who hasn't been fired up ever about a candidate but Palin for President is her mantra now. (yes, I said president)

And I think the regular families who have struggled with a handicap child or teen-age pregnancy ---- working mothers who juggle family and careers---will like this woman, yes, a modern woman who is not a liberal but still a pioneer woman. If those of us who have been in the trenches of gender warfare for half a century fighting for women's rights and equality, really mean what we say, then we all must smile at what John McCain has done. Whether we vote for him (and her) or not, he has made history with a woman!!!!

That guy has guts in case you didn't know it and I think he has a match. Game on!!!!

Looking Back on the Olympics

2008-08-27T07:56:00.000-07:00

I have been a fan of the Olympics for forever.....are you? If you are, then you know the coverage for these Olympics was the best ever. 24-7 on at least one of the four channels---even the Spanish channel had it going for a couple of hours a day. You could see all kinds of sports, not just the usual and most popular. NBC did a great job!!! Bob Costas was terrific but what was Chris Collinsworth doing there? Oh, yeah....the tie-in to the coming NFL season. Duh! Setting that aside, what was your favorite moment and your observations? Mine definitely came through my female prism. Did you notice that women athletes did really well this year? Yes, Michael Phelps was unbelievable and lucky. He is the most decorated athlete ever but I was disappointed that both he and his mother immediately scurried off to make commercials and promotions. He didn't even stay for the closing ceremony. He was in London promoting the next Olympics, I think and his mom had a Johnson & Johnson commerical screening during coverage before the Games even ended. Truly living the American Dream.

But not as noticed were all the women who won gold or lesser medals in the Pole Vault (Silver), Discus Throw (gold), Rowing (gold), Gymnastics (Gold & Silver), Beach Volleyball (Gold), Swimming (Gold, Silver & Bronze), Volleyball (Gold), Softball (Gold), Soccer (Gold), Track (Gold, Silver & Bronze) etc... I am sure there are more but those are the ones I remember. The women were fabulous to watch and while I am not sure, I think they won more medals overall than the men. Thank you Title Nine!!

And there were other moments that just plain left me with my mouth wide in amazement---How about the man in the 120 lb. wrestling category from US who won the gold. He was the son of undocumented Mexican immigrants!!! Or the guy on the firing range whose gun (rifle!&) went off in his arms canceling his Olympic dream. Then there was the pole vault coach (male) caught on camera berating the women who had just won the Silver against a Russian who is the best in the world. The US woman had only been vaulting for four years and the coach was so unbelievably out-of-place yelling at her as if she had screwed up in some way and she had just won Silver. Then, there was the gymnast who proceeded to the vault before the light giving her permission to start turned green. Her dreams evaporated too.

I learned that Softball which has only been in the Olympics since 1996 will no longer be in the Games. Why? Because it is dominated by the USA---we have never lost the Gold and so no one wants to play us. Wow!

I really enjoyed watching it all. Although I admit, the gymnasts who do incredible but dangerous leaps and jumps into the air made me squirm in my seat...it is amazing there are not more serious injuries but maybe there are and we are not told. I know my daughter takes after me and loves the Olympics as well and I think there are several hundred million more. Good work NBC.

Summer Movie Reviews

2008-08-08T09:29:00.000-07:00

I just saw "Pineapple Express", the latest by the new King of Comedy, Judd Atapow, and directed by David Gordon Green. (What were you thinking, David?) I am confused. The review in our local paper like others I have read, loved it. Laugh out loud funny is what everyone is saying and there are very few, if any, words written about the overwhelming senseless violence in this movie. First off, the leads in the movie, Seth Rogen and James Franco are stoned throughout, happily using drugs every minute and Rogen's character is dating a high school girl!!! WHAT?! Anyway, between using, buying and selling drugs these two useless men get caught up with gangs, turf warfare with the local chinese gang, and a corrupt cop committing murder. This is a mad-cap movie something like the old-time Laurel and Hardy romps but it takes the old "running into the wall" slapstick to a new more dangerous level using serious drugs, guns and killings. I was appalled.

Again, like my previous review of "Wanted", I saw this so you don't have to. It is stupid, senseless and delivers so many bad messages about drugs and violence and abuse of girls that I want to yell to everyone who had anything to do with this film, "Have you no shame?" "Was the money really worth it?" At the end of the local review, the writer says, "This one takes comedy to places--irresponsible, violent and funny--that it has never been before." As they say on SNL, REALLY!!! Can we have a reality check? "Irresponsible" and "violent" do not belong in the same sentence as funny! Is it really ok if the people who get killed are worse than the ones who survive?

The audience in the theater I was in were mostly young men and they were laughing a lot which made me sad and a little worried for the women in their lives. Again, the women depicted in the movie were loud, crass, fat, ugly and corrupt. On balance though, the men weren't much better and most of them were stoned. It was just plain ugly and a very bad sign for this kind of genre.

Earthquake!!!

2008-07-29T12:12:00.000-07:00

I have a confession to make. My blogs are going down in number each month since I started this adventure. If any of you out there are checking, I admit I am not keeping up with blogging as well as I thought I would. This blog will have an August date but it is really all about July. You see July is my birthday month and I have been celebrating since the 20th. Sorry about that but let me bring you in on some of my adventures. On my actual birthday, I had lunch with several good friends, three who share the same birth-day. One of them invited us to his home and what a special time it was. I received several phone calls from my family and friends.....the truth is they dare NOT call. Years ago, I threw a hissy-fit demanding attention be paid to me "on my birthday" and since then, they do call religiously....some just under the wire at 11:30pm but that is ok. I got several cards and left for a planned trip two days later to LA to visit my son. What a trip....OMG!

It started off with a canceled 5am flight, followed up a day later with a car accident, and finally the day before I returned home, an EARTHQUAKE!! In between, my family made great memories and had one major meltdown. I really wonder about families who never see each other or go years in between visits. Are they happier? Do they have major confrontations when they do see each other?? Well, we did and we survived. Maybe that is better...to get together knowing things could get messy but be willing to show up, walk through the stormy moments and endure so there are no regrets about not being there and some good memories often captured in a few good pictures.

The accident occurred on Friday midday when we were in lines of freeway traffic on our way to lunch and "boom", a car rear-ended us. Fortunately, the only loss was time, no one was hurt and after an hour or so, we were on our way. At night, we saw the movie, "Step-Brothers" with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly and while I did laugh several times, it really was a crude potty humor movie for eleven year old boys. Only in this movie which was rated R, the language was also over the top vulgar so eleven year olds wouldn't be allowed in to see it. I guess they were looking for the 40 year old with an 11 year old inner child. The edge was pushed way out by showing a body part (well, two of them)caressing a drum....oh yeah.

My birthday lunch with the family was Saturday at a beautiful spot in Malibu called Moonshadow. (Later, we were told the place was made famous by Mel Gibson when he spent a night partying there and ended up arrested for DUI on the Pacific Coast Highway.) It is right on the ocean and we sat out on their deck with the waves crashing below, the temperature a perfect 75 and absolutely delicious food. That night we went to the ballpark and watched the Dodgers play and win. Again, great seats, perfect weather and mind-blowing baseball plays. Sunday was my son's day and he gathered over a hundred friends at Elysian Park for a personal best celebration. It was wonderful meeting so many people who truly love him.

On Monday, everyone headed home except me and I was treated to lunch with an old friend who works in animation out of a studio in Burbank. He is directing educational videos for children of Americans overseas. Seeing how the process takes place all within their studio is so exciting. It is all done with computers, green screens, one live very talented adult male, a fun script, great direction and a terrific musical score. Dinner that night was with friends from home who live in LA. Conversation was very interesting because this former backyard neighbor is a CGI (computer generated images) expert and has worked on several big studio films, the most recent being "Batman". He has been on a hiatus since January when he finished his six months on the biggest blockbuster movie of the year. I was learning about professions that are creative and not well known to most of us.

Tuesday was my personal day since a spa treatment at the Four Seasons had been given to me as a gift from my children. I was sleeping in, taking it easy, playing solitaire on the computer when the floor rumbled. I thought...mmm this feels like a subway train is going underneath me and then I thought, OMG, this isn't a subway, it is an EARTHQUAKE!!! First off, I was in my nightgown on the fourth floor of a hotel in Burbank. I watched the room jump and shake....the tv which was 54 inches and bolted to the cabinet began to bounce up and down and sideways. I thought it was going to fall off. My thoughts raced....do I get under the table, go stand in the doorway, and what about my lack of clothes. This went on for about 15 seconds and it stopped. My heart was racing. I tried to call my son but the lines were not working. I waited. The tv was reporting the earthquake at 5.4, then 5.8. I decided to get dressed, which I did and wait for my son to take me to the spa. The wonderful woman there, a native of California, was very casual saying, the building we were in was on rollers and we wouldn't feel anything. She was so calm and so I thought well, what a way to go!!

The trip ended with the movie, "Tell No One", from the book of the same name by the American writer, Harlan Coben, but made in France with subtitles. It is a story of a husband Dr Beck, well played by Francois Cluzet whose wife is kidnapped and murdered by strangers without any apparent motive. Eight years later, he receives an email that makes him revisit the events surrounding her death. This is a true mystery, fast-paced and very complex. The plot is difficult if not impossible to figure out so just hang on as the story unfolds. Although finished in 2006 and the recipient of several awards, it is just making its way to a screen near you. I recommend you run to see it because I am sure it won't be around very long.

And, I did have one star sighting, Rosie Perez was at the spa when I was there. In person, she is very soft spoken and quite gentle.

Wednesday, I flew back east, tired but happy I was able to have such adventures, mostly good with one exception. That exception may have been necessary to appreciate all the good moments.

Calling all "Chicks"---Have I got a flick for you...

2008-07-19T17:32:00.000-07:00

"Mamma Mia!" opened yesterday and between that and The Dark Knight, the box office at the movies will make a killing this weekend and it should. This is what summer is all about. Escapism!! I also think it is wonderful that the Drive-ins now show the new movies and you can watch both of these movies under the stars. They are equally fun and worth seeing for different reasons and maybe for different people. For my taste, the Knight was a little too long adding in the story of "Two Face" to the already satisfying "Joker" and it wasn't necessary even though well done.

But Mamma Mia is a true "chick flick"---all women, young and old (okay, maybe especially old) will smile and want to get up and dance. I remembered when two of my friends and I would do just that, laughing all the way. With all due respect to the Times, A.O.Scott, get over yourself!! Why send a man to this movie for a review---oh, I forgot, all the movie critics are men!!!! OOPS!! Anyway, Meryl Streep clearly had a blast and so did everyone else and their infectious enthusiasm for this movie, the songs, and each other came through loud and clear. None of them had the best voices but they were us singing our hearts out over men, love, our children, remorse and each other. It was the most fun I have had in a movie theater this year. I know the 'boy' critics like Roeper loved "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" because it is their version of a male "chick flick." It has beautiful babes with boobs, bodies and sex every which way you can. But women like something else. We like to reminisce, laugh and pretend. We could with this movie. So, gather your girl buddies and go, preferably to the Drive-in and take a little wine (designate the driver.!!)

I will bet you will hear everyone there singing right along with you.

Summer Theater in the Berkshires

2008-07-13T09:09:00.000-07:00

I love summer theater even when it is mediocre but I hit a golden vein recently when I visited the Berkshires, specifically Williamstown Summer Theater, Williamstown, Mass and The Berkshire Theater in Stockbridge, Mass. I saw three plays in two days (drama, musical, and comedy) and felt I had hit the mother lode---they were really good and anyone who knows me knows I don't say that often. I can put them into a good, better, best line-up if that helps anyone in that area who can only see one. I think one has closed and the others have another week or so left. You can go to the respective theater websites for details.

First up is Brokology, a new play written by Nathan Louis Jackson. It is about the decisions families make that sometimes supports the family unit but can also tear it apart. It sets up the emotional struggle for one brother who chooses to set off on a different path in a different place. Education provides him the opportunity to leave his ghetto environment but that also means leaving his brother and father. Whatever choice he makes he knows will be viewed either as running away from the responsibility of caring for his ill father and leaving his brother with that burden or not having the courage to leave. Written by a rising young African American writer, the story uniquely portrays an age-old conflict in the context of a city black family.

The play is performed on the Nikos Stage at Williamstown by four accomplished actors, Wendall Pierce, April Yvette Thompson, Francois Battiste and Gaius Charles. I was particularly impressed with Francois Battiste who has appeared in New York Theater on Broadway and at the Public. He is talented and he is trained. I hope he keeps working hard because he has what it takes. This play deserves to be seen again and it provides meaty acting roles for those lucky enough to get to show off their talent in a bright new piece.

That was good, the musical, She Loves Me, on the mainstage at Williamstown, was even better. Every one delivers their role with the multi-layers required by any musical. Each one must sing, dance and act and they do it with ease, energy and talent. I have not seen across the board talent like this in a long time. Usually in a production, one or two of the cast are great and then the others fall away. This was great ensemble work and the leads were fabulous. Brooks Ashmanskas (Georg) delivers the signature song, She Loves Me, like a reincarnation of Donald O'Connor. (if anyone knows who I am talking about). The delivery boy (Jason Babinsky) sings and dances his way through, Try Me, with such grace and versatility that I could only sit with a dropped jaw at what I was seeing. This is about the performances. They lift a very likable musical into the "Hello Dolly" stratosphere. It was exciting to watch and thoroughly enjoyable. The new artistic director at Williamstown, Nicholas Martin, directed and if this is any sign of the caliber of work he will bring to this theater program, I am very excited.

And now for the best....The Book Club Play, a new play by Karen Zacarias, performed at the Berkshire Theater in Stockbridge, Mass. This was not on my agenda but decided at the last minute to drive over and see an afternoon preview and am I glad I did. The program notes indicate the playwright is prolific and has five (5) world premieres this year!! She has won many awards and this play began its path (to Broadway I hope) at the 2007 O'Neill Playwrights Conference. I would love to see her other work and will keep watch for it. This play is a play within a documentary because what is happening on stage is also being video taped. The actors work in and out of this frame which keeps them and the audience on its toes. At one point, when things are definitely out of control among the participants and they don't want themselves being recorded, the camera is covered and the stage goes black even though you can still hear their voices. No one knew how to turn off the video equipment!!!

The premise is a book club with both male and female members, how it operates, choosing books and its members and for some reason, they agree to be videotaped. At one point, there is an interloper who holds a mirror up to the group, one they find surprising and disturbing. The group decides to expel him and try to go back to who they were but cannot. The dialogue is fast, funny and realistic. Anyone who has ever been in a book club will identify but that qualification is not necessary to enjoy this play. It is funny, very funny, and full of surprises. Think Noises Off, Reality Show and a touch of Christopher Guest thrown in.

The cast is diverse both in gender, age, and ethnicity adding to the richness of the story. Sarah Marshall and Bhavesh Patel are lucky to have been cast as the more colorful characters but they bring such talent to their portrayals, the roles are lucky to have them. All of the cast is terrific!! This could play forever in regional theaters but I do hope someone takes it to the "big city." It plays until the 19th....RUN if you can to see it. You will NOT be disappointed. I guarantee it!!!

More movies....

2008-07-05T19:32:00.000-07:00

Summer always does this to me. The weather is better. I want to get out and it is easy to go to a movie only there is nothing to see. So I turn to kids movies--Wall-E.....did you see it? It has gotten over the top reviews - the best Pixar ever!! I saw it and I liked it but my daughter didn't. Now you have to understand something, I am the one with all the opinions, my daughter isn't but I knew almost instantly she was not happy. She fidgeted in her seat, shifting around and when it ended, she bolted up the isle. We are a family who sits and watches credits. Anyone who does this knows they sometimes give you a little more information or even a laugh. But the rule was not being followed that night. Jill was up that aisle and out of the theater.

I was hesitant to ask but I finally did. "What did you think of the movie?" Her answer was astonishing and I thought for a minute, she had turned into me. "I hated it," she said. And then, she gave all the reasons. Wall-e was not "cute." He was dirty, made out of ugly trash and did nothing all day except make squares of trash. The people in the movie, she felt, were depicted as fat lazy Americans who did nothing to save earth. This was not a good message and worse was the one delivered by the feminine presence, Eve.(interesting name) She was perfectly shaped, pure white, glowing but if startled, her arm became a weapon of mass destruction. As my daughter went on and on with what she believed were very subtle, but terrible messages this movie was delivering, I had to stop and think about what she said. I realized her opinions were real giving me pause about this movie. I thought again about women in movies and realized that even in a cartoon, the feminine presence was deadly. Interesting. Think about it and talk amongst yourselves.

Women in Movies-Which or What?!!

2008-06-28T10:01:00.000-07:00

Several years ago, I noticed women had very predictable (and not very nice) roles in movies and television. I decided to keep track and it was pretty awful. Women were routinely portrayed as the bad wife, the bad girlfriend, the bad mother, always the reason the man had gone wrong, done wrong and ended up badly. The audience was moved to understand the man, no matter how terrible he acted because it was always some woman's fault. Fast forward to the present and after viewing the recent Angolina Jolie movie, Wanted, I really don't think we have come a long way baby! In fact, I am a little discouraged. First of all, I want to say up front, very quickly, there is no good reason for you to see this movie. I did it and you don't have to. It is a violent, bloody, very graphic action movie with a body count way beyond what any human being, especially children, teens and even adults should witness. It is the epitome of self-indulgent violent mania.

Back to the women in this movie. Basically, there are three, the girlfriend, the boss, and the assassin. And are they terrible people. The girlfriend is whiny, _itchy, and unfaithful. The boss is huge, ugly, grossly overweight, rude, nasty, unfair and an insensitive _itch. The assassin is beautiful, robotic, insensitive, territorial, and yes, a _itch. (and played by Angelina Jolie)

I walked out of the movie stunned. Yes, I felt I had returned to the movies of the 80's and the misogynous messages they were sending that women were the cause of everything bad, not to be trusted, mostly stupid, and those with brains were conniving evil, (yes, that word again) -itches. Besides the abject negativity towards women this movie delivers, the other message may be worse which is....if you have a gun, you have power. This movie is R rated but it should be X rated for the dangerous possibly lethal messages it sends about women and violence. And as far as I can see, even though it is not getting rave reviews, no one is talking about the graphic, bloody violence in this movie and the subliminal hatred of women it embraces.

Some of you may be scratching your heads saying, why Marilyn, did you go to this movie in the first place? I went to see James McAvoy. I also thought that Morgan Freeman gave it some credibility. All three of the stars delivered their roles and I am sure a very big paycheck made them say yes without thinking about what they were doing. But they were all wrong and I will remember this when I see their names on the marquees in the future.

I hope I have said enough to keep everyone I know and everyone they know and everyone everywhere away from this movie......

Summertime and the living.....

2008-06-23T09:43:00.000-07:00

Well, summer is here and I love it. I love the heat and the humidity---no kidding, I do. I have been away from this blog because I have had two grandchildren here and a graduation of a grandson. It has been busy!!! I did manage to see a few movies and I can actually recommend one. Young At Heart is a documentary film on a group of seniors (average age is 81) who sing and travel the world. They are an eclectic bunch many who prefer classical music but follow the lead of a musical director who gets them to do the vocal renditions of Rolling Stones and Beatles songs. It is a fun, unique and poignant movie that can be viewed and enjoyed by people of all ages.

There was also a classic playing at the Dryden ( a local movie museum originally built for George Eastman), Gloria starring Gena Rowlands and directed by John Cassavetes. It is so good and could easily be used in film schools to show the difference a good director can make in lifting a story from the ordinary to the profound. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have the wonderful Gena Rowlands in the title role. This movie was remade by Sidney Lumet and starred Sharon Stone and it could not compare at all. Play the Lumet one alongside the original to see the difference. Sharon Stone was a distraction maybe because she was too beautiful and could not deliver the layered mood of the main character. Gloria, played to perfection by Rowlands, is an over the hill "gun moll" thrust into the role of mother/protector of a nine year old boy; a role she doesn't want and really hopes to relinquish, but doesn't. Rowlands is amazing and was nominated for an academy award for her acting in this film. It was great to see it on the big screen again.

Oh, and I saw Kung Fu Panda----(remember the grandchildren?) Enough said.

All my time is not spent inside a dark theater but I do get there often. I did go outdoors for the annual Ladies Professional Golf at a local country club. I have been doing this since 1978 and still enjoy the beauty and peace of the golf course early in the day before the crowds pour in. I am amazed at how international the field of golfers has become. The listings are truly from all over the world, Sweden, Norway, Korea, Japan, Mexico, and on. The women played so well the winner was 15 under. Wow! Of course, while I watched my mind wandered as I surveyed the players, the crowd, vendors, volunteers etc. I actually thought of the whole thing as a movie set. Mmmm--I just can't get away from it, can I? Oh well....

A final note on politics....it is quiet isn't it?? It is almost like "Who Cares"? Is that just me because my gal isn't in it any longer or something more? Maybe it is just the lull before the conventions and the general elections. I don't know. What do you think??

Transition

2008-06-12T12:46:00.000-07:00

Time for something other than politics....summer heat, movies and family. If you haven't made plans for the summer, do it now. Don't let the glorious days of sun go by without doing the things you love with the people you love. I plan on theater and more theater from Stratford in Canada to Williamstown in Massachusetts and Niagra-on-the Lake in between. My granddaughters are coming from Denver and my grandson is graduating from High School. My family will gather in LA in July to celebrate my son's 20 year anniversary. Throw in a little Ladies Golf with the LPGA and the pool for other parties and I think my dance card is filling up. I haven't even mentioned the movies....I loved Iron Man with Robert Downey Jr., a comic book hero brought to life with good humor, outlandish plots, great special effects, and unreal(istic) plotlines. Great stuff!! I also liked Sex and the City even though I wasn't a watcher of the TV series. I went with a diehard fan who was on her third viewing. Talk about hidden pleasures. It was fun, though. Others that I liked and may be out on DVD were In Bruges (which I commented on in an earlier blog) and The Bank Job. This one is a really good heist movie and those are hard to come by. I think it is on DVD too.

I just got back from New York and saw Strange Passing, a new musical (mostly rock) which was fresh and different from the usual Broadway show. It is nominated for several Tonys and I think will win one or two next Sunday night. Stay tuned for my comments on summer theater and other events along the way. What are you all up to??

You Had Me At, "Well....."

2008-06-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

I was crying before she hit the stage and even now she didn't disappoint. Hillary Clinton is history but not in the way some want her to be. She is moving the barriers and cracking that ceiling even for those women who don't get it. It is the older ones who do because we have been there, done that and know what just happened. It will never be the same for women again. And that is remarkable because it is a significant step forward. There were so many times I wanted her to quit. Give it up. You don't need this Hillary. You don't have to put up with having your words twisted, being called a whore, a monster, a b----, and being degraded with a nutcracker in your image using your thighs to crack the nuts or your face on every sheet of a toilet paper roll. You are a sitting senator from New York and a former first lady. You could be viewed in a better light if you just didn't push so hard. They don't want you Hillary so shut up and go away.

I wanted her to leave this race so many times because it was so hateful and shameful. I understood. And every day that she continued, that she didn't go away, that she refused to step aside, I was pumped with pride. Even last Tuesday, when AP reported she would concede that night, I knew it was a false report. Hillary would never release such news before the voting ended in Montana and South Dakota. It was wishful thinking by media mouths. Then they reported the end would be in a couple of days. No, Friday. It was today, Saturday which she chose. The tv showmen (I will never call them journalists or reporters) demanded a concession..they argued amongst themselves, why is she only suspending her campaign, even though every other presidential candidate including republicans had done that? Is she angling for Vice President? Those Clintons, how can we get rid of them??

In fact, Hillary is more respected and liked today than ever. She is an example and a role model to girls and women everywhere. She could coast along on this for the rest of her life but she won't. Hillary is my hero, my daughter's hero, my son's hero and a hero, period.

I still have tears in my eyes but I am so proud.

And I have to add this from my daughter because it is similar but with so much more passion. Thanks Em.....

well....
I cried and cried- I just couldn't stop- I mean every time she said we will vote for Barak my head said, "YES!" but my heart was broken. I kept thinking how strong she was to go this far- and frankly- name me one man who would have gone this far? I dont think anyone would- they all would have been pulled into some backroom and given a glass of scotch and told- "It's time buddy! You put up a good fight...but its time" like Mitt Romney...But not her- there was no pulling her in a back room- she did an amazing thing for the party- for women and for Barak- she got 20 million new voters! and with the 2000 election being less than 1000 votes difference- those 20 million new voters that signed up because Hillary hung in there will likely win Barak the election.

When she was done doing what she had to do to "unite the party" (BTW I love how close the word UNITE is to UNTIE) there was a moment when her speech turned- and I felt like she said all the things she probably has not been able to say about women and equal rights and the struggles we have had over abolition, civil rights and the women's right to vote- it was beautiful and so I cried some more- and I hung on every word...and then she talked about the glass ceiling being broken into 18 million little pieces and when she said that we have shot 50 women into space you would think its time to shoot one into the white house and I was saying "Amen!" and then at one point she talked about women and girls who think about something and wonder if they should or shouldn't or can or can't or won't and she said "Stop right there!" I literally started to pick up my hands and applaud the TV- as if I was standing right in that room.

I will never forget it- ever- its a defining moment in my life- I loved most of all how she said that she grew up taking for granted the woman's right to Vote and Chelsea grew up with women doing the same jobs as men- and that our children- my kids- my Phoebe will just always think that its unremarkable for a women to run for and be president- and that was the remarkable thing....its was incredible mom. I watched it alone on my couch...and I kept thinking- its 11:00 in the am Saturday- who is watching this- I only knew because Mark called and told me he was listening on the radio- and they were late to Cal's game and Cal said, "Dad- can we stay in the car and listen to a few more minutes?" Even my 11 year old son was captivated by the speech as it was heard in a hot car on the radio when he was already late to his little league game.

If I can upload this video, it is very appropriate for all of us and that includes Cal...

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Put Your Hands Together....There's a Lady on Stage....

2008-06-04T14:26:00.000-07:00

This is for all Hillary supporters at the end of a very long, difficult primary. Be proud of her and what she accomplished for all of us. I think she has earned the respect of even the "Hillary Haters" and this is for you too.....Watch it all the way to the end.

Who the "Frak" is the last to be revealed??

2008-06-04T07:31:00.000-07:00

I have been traveling for a couple of weeks and have all my favorite tv programs recorded for viewing at my leisure (and I am able to do that now). I have just watched three episodes back to back of Battlestar Gallactica and OMG!!! It is soooo good. Is the President the last one to be revealed?? And the Commander sitting there in space waiting for her to return to the spot where the fleet was but left for safety reasons. This is a great story and so well done. Lee is the new president....wow!! And who is that guy with the cat? And, can you believe a ceylon is in charge of the ship?? Most of you don't know what I am talking about and it would take too much time to explain but click on the link to the right to find out. The summer may be a great time to "catch up". Anyone who is watching this unfold must give me your opinion, please....(Mike!!)

And a political footnote.....don't write the end of this story before it happens. Be patient and watch. It is a thrilling and historic time. Stay tuned.

Frank Rich has sealed the deal!!

2008-05-22T10:11:00.000-07:00

In a recent opinion column at the NYTimes Frank Rich wrote about the new demographics in the Democratic Party and how Obama will win in November. It is comprised of "mobilized young voters, blacks and women, among them many of Clinton-supporting Democrats (and independents and Republicans) unlikely to entertain a G.O.P. candidate with a perfect record of voting against abortion rights." Well there you have it!! We women are a lock for Obama, right Frank? NOT SO FAST.... Does anyone think I will go lemming-like to the voting booth in November because of the Supreme Court ? Or as one past comment read, McCain (may have) called his wife the c-word drawing the conclusion that I could not possibly vote for a man like that? Mmm..let me count the votes I have cast for men who have embarrassed me and humiliated their wives. Much more important to me is what I think about the dismissive treatment of me as a voter and a democrat and the disrespect and hate for Hillary, an amazing woman who is a sitting US Senator and a former First Lady of this country.

I cannot believe I am saying this but I am so close to leaving the Democratic Party or maybe I am waking up to the fact, they don't want me. Not one democratic party official, elected or otherwise has said anything against the sexist, hate-filled speech of the press. I am referring to both TV....Keith O of MSNBC who wanted someone to take Hillary out back and return without her implying she should be killed, and the print media lead by the vicious, vitriolic opinion columns of Rich and Dowd. If anyone uses race in any context, the Obama camp and the media scream racism but just laugh at the "humor" of sexism. A very good example of this is the Hillary Clinton nutcracker sold in airports around the country. I saw one on display in Washington DC. It is disgusting!! Can you imagine what would happen if someone sold a doll of Obama eating watermelon?? Believe me, that would be a lot less offensive than Hillary spreading her thighs waiting for the next nut to be inserted and cracked.

Maybe the bumper sticker I saw had it right....Bros Before Hos. When Frederick Douglas and Susan B. Anthony worked together for voting rights for blacks and women, Mr Douglas told

Miss Anthony to step aside and let the black men have the vote because it didn't seem probable that both of them could achieve voting rights at the same time. But perhaps one of the two disenfranchised groups alone might have a chance. Of course, Douglas wanted black men first. Susan B. refused to step aside and they parted ways not speaking for years. Black men did get the vote first and it was another 17 years before women were afforded the privilege. In their later years, Douglas and Anthony became friends again but what happened in history does have a familiar ring today, doesn't it?

Some agree with Frank Rich and are certain I must vote for the democratic nominee because of what might happen to abortion rights. But no, I am not influenced by the scare tactic of the "last" Supreme Court appointment that could overturn Roe v. Wade in the hands of a John McCain. Besides, no one gets to the Supreme Court without the consent of the Senate. The Democratic Majority in the Senate can exercise their power (if they grow a backbone) and deny any nominee submitted by the President that would do away with a woman's right to choose. Women's Rights are about a lot more than just abortion. It is the economy, stupid! One that doesn't pay women the same as men and health care that must cover everyone if it is to be effective.

I will not be scared, abused or dismissed.

I will stand for me and other women who will throw off party affiliation and vote for the person who stands with us and that may be a write-in or an absent ballot (that is not a typo).

Think again, Frank Rich, this woman cannot be counted on. I will not step aside or go away gracefully. This may be the beginning of a new revolution but it is definitely not a new coalition.

Odds and ends.....

2008-05-15T09:39:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the long absence from writing but I had to concentrate on speech writing. Last night at the event, someone at the table asked me if I had canned speeches that I simply updated and modified to fit the group. I was shocked because obviously this person thought I gave a lot of speeches....which I don't. I had spent the last week writing and rewriting. It wasn't easy and so my answer was no, this is brand new. And I hope I don't have to do it again soon. But throughout the week, I have logged on to the news blogs and followed the election results. Along the way, I came across a bunch of information and comments that I thought interesting and I wanted to share the thoughts with you. It is not the kind of stuff that makes the nightly network and cable news shows (and I wonder why) but it does make one think....this is truly the most exciting race in my lifetime and maybe ever. History will have a lot to say about this one. I did not write any of the words below, they are collected from many different writers on the internet.....So, here goes....did you know????

Look at 1992. Bill Clinton is fond of saying he didn’t wrap up the Democratic nomination until June 2 of that year, when he won the California primary. That’s technically true, but Clinton was the clear winner long before that. Nevertheless, former California Gov. Jerry Brown stubbornly stayed in the race, even though going into June 2, he had 388 delegates to Clinton’s 2,059. (Clinton’s total was, at the time, 86 short of locking up the nomination.)

The West Virginia results were as across-the-board as you can get. She (Hillary) won 57-34 among men and 70-24 among women. She won 64-25 among voters who attend church more than once a week and 64-34 among voters who never go to church. She won 69-24 among voters without a college degree and 54-39 among voters with a degree. She won 69-25 among voters who make less than $50,000 a year and 58-34 among voters who make more than that. She won 65-28 among voters who think the economy is the most important issue, 57-37 among voters who think the war in Iraq is the most important issue, and 68-23 among voters who think health care is the most important issue. She won 67-26 among white voters. (We don’t know the breakdown among black voters, because they were too few in number — West Virginia is 95 percent white — for exit pollsters to calculate, although results in other states suggest that blacks probably voted 90-plus percent for Obama.) She won 67-25 among voters who have a union member in their household and 63-31 among voters who don’t. She won 56-38 among voters under 30 years old, 63-27 among voters between 30 and 44 years old, 65-27 among voters between 45 and 59 years old, and 68-28 among voters 60 and older. Among all voters, 70 percent want the campaign to continue, against just 24 percent who want it to end as soon as possible.

Since 2005, Barack Obama has donated three times as much as Senator Clinton to Democratic superdelagates. The study found that the presidential candidate who gave more money to superdelegates received the endorsements 82 percent of the time. As noted in the Weekly Standard.

In 1980, Kennedy came into the Democratic convention at Madison Square Garden in New York City with 1,225 delegates to President Carter's 1,981, with 122 delegates uncommitted.
Kennedy stood on principle and people admired him for the fighting the good fight.
If Kennedy could take it to the convention when he trailed by 756 delegates, why can't Hillary go to the convention trailing by far less? Would it be so awful?

Barely a third of Clinton supporters say they’d vote for Obama over John McCain in a November matchup. As many claim they’d vote for Republican John McCain and a quarter said they would not vote for president. If that horse race were Clinton vs. McCain, half of Obama backers say they’d vote for Clinton, about three in 10 say they’d back McCain and the rest would stay home. Only a third of Hillary supporters say they will back Obama in a General Election. Barely a third! Another third said they would vote for John McCain. And 25% of them said they wouldn’t vote for anyone. Among Obama supporters 50% said they would back Hillary but 30% said they would vote for McCain. And 20% wouldn’t vote at all.

I am a woman who has fought for women's rights her whole live. Who once sat in a factory in Ithaca New York and wanted to tear it apart brick by brick as she remembered her mother's life eaten up by the numbing, mind stealing, life sapping work of putting the same 5 parts together on an assembly line for Grayson Heat Control. She did this for eight hours a day, five days a week, year in, and year out until her dreams become memories, and then they were nowhere to be found at all. I knew those dreams well, and I saw them eaten alive by a world that counts women's dreams less than anyone else's.

I mean I have never in all my life seen anything as tenacious, as determined, as strong, as committed, as inspiring and ultimately as Powerful as Hillary Rodham Clinton fighting for Her Fair Place in this nomination fight. This woman will take you home. She will rock your world. She can be the President of the United States--and she will start working for you and me on Day One. And if you don't think that would be pretty powerful, take a good look at her now. Because Hillary Rodham Clinton in the home state of Mothers Day is going to Rock the Vote like you have never dreamed. (referring to the West Virginia primary)

Have a great weekend!!!!

Obama is tired!?!!??

2008-05-10T09:36:00.001-07:00

Okay, so the headline under the video (click on Taylor Marsh to the right) said something about fatigue causing Obama to say he had campaigned in 57 states not counting Alaska and Hawaii because his staff said he shouldn't---that makes 59 states!!! And he also misstated the number of dead in Burma....he said 100 billion and then corrected himself the next day saying he meant 100 thousand. I think its interesting that he said Burma, the old name of Myanmar. Did his memory slip or the pronunciation? Oh, but he is tired.....all that campaigning does a young guy in, doesn't it?? It causes him to fumble his words, misspeak....Mmmm..and he is winning! What will he do if he falls behind or has the demands of a general election? I guess it is true, women do have to be twice as good as men to get the same job---I just didn't know we had to be twice as strong too. This man who is touted for his words...turns out without that teleprompter and speechwriters, he is mere mortal.

President Mc Cain

2008-05-07T07:29:00.000-07:00

Last night's primary results while split, did not move Hillary forward enough and that is disappointing for her fans. However, I am not giving up yet on Hillary. I will do whatever she says because she is my leader. As long as she is in it, so am I.

So, you ask, why the title above.....Well, I just read a blog from a democrat who said we need to get use to hearing, "President McCain." And whether we like it or not, it may be true. When McCain was counted out last summer and went out alone in New Hampshire and won, I thought then, this may be his destiny. When you look at his history, it is a remarkable story and when I saw him some months ago on Meet the Press, the word, "authentic" kept popping up in my head. McCain has the feel of a person you can trust.

Just the opposite, Obama is an elegant speaker but carries a questionable track record in job performance and associates. I do not have a sense of trust about him. Obama's speech last night was brilliant but I couldn't help noticing again, the teleprompters and the prepared remarks. He is not the same in interviews and debates. He reminds me of Adlai Stevenson (yes, my first love in politics) also from Chicago. Adlai was an elegant man, brilliant and..... a two time loser for the presidency. Obama may be the black version of Adlai. I just don't see how he wins this in spite of the negative numbers for the republicans. Those low Bush ratings may translate into increased numbers for the democrats in the Senate and House but not necessarily the Presidency. The fact that the polls today show a close race for the presidency in spite of huge opposition to Bush policies may be an indication the public is not holding McCain responsible for much of what is going on today. His biggest problem is the war. The present polls show that it might not be any different with Hillary as the candidate but I think she has more stomach for the fight than Barack. Get ready for lots of whining and accusations of racism.

And here is a list of names, some of which you are familiar with but not all, I am sure. If Obama is the candidate, they will be a part of the general election, guaranteed. Look them up......Tony Rezko, Nadhmi Auchi, Bernadine Dohrn, William Ayers, Rashid Khalidi and the favorite, Jerimiah Wright. The 527's are all ready set to go.

High Falls Film Festival

2008-05-05T12:16:00.000-07:00

I attended some events this past week at the High Falls Film festival and am pleased to report that the festival is growing and doing well. I did see a couple of movies and intend to go to the audience award winners (Phoebe in Wonderland and Autism:the Musical) tonight. I also saw Fermat's Room, an intricately drawn, suspenseful drama about puzzles and murder. A surprise for me was the Iranian film, Bride of Fire which powerfully presented the cultural differences between rural tribes and the younger more educated generation living in Tehran when it comes to love and marriage. The festival had movie star wattage with guests Rita Moreno and Bill Pullman. Bill was there to promote his movie, Phoebe in Wonderland and he is from nearby Steuben County. He was warm and amusing in his presentation of the Susan B. Anthony award to Rita Moreno, one of a handful of people to win all four prestigious awards. (Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy) I was lucky enough to meet both at one of the casual parties after the screenings and I can report they are both charming and fun, especially Rita. Jack Garner, retired Gannett movie critic interviewed Ms Moreno on stage at the theater and she was delightful telling her stories about the movies she has been in and the people she has worked with. She continues to work in the movies and television (Oz).

All in all, the festival looks healthy and the hopes are high for the future. There were some glitches...the shuttle that never came, projection issues, standing in the rain when you have paid for an all access pass wondering again what the benefit was supposed to be, but these are small compared to the over-all feeling that this film festival is very special for Rochester and can only get bigger and better. (If I get better at this stuff, I will post a couple of pictures---probably with the help of my daughter when I visit her next week)

As the superdelegates turn.....

2008-05-02T05:55:00.000-07:00

I listened to the latest superdelegate turn from Clinton to Obama explaining what he had just learned about Obama and it inspired him to switch.....the only problem with his reason was that everything he said (BO against the war, inspirational speaker, a unifying leader) did not just come to light causing his sudden turn; these attributes, if you will, were there months ago, even from the beginning, so why now....???? A person I used to work with always said, "When you don't understand something, look for the money." And I don't understand some of the moves to Obama, i.e. Richardson, etc. so I found the money. (those thirty pieces of silver that James Carville talked about). Also, if the numbers I am going to give you below were reversed, and it was Clinton giving three times as much money to superdelegates, you can bet it would be all over the news but no....you have to get this info from me. I tried to copy the entire list of individual contributions by the candidates to the superdelegate legislators and could not fit it on this page logistically so I will give you the totals. There has been a total of $947,006 given by both clinton and obama to legislator superdelegates. Of that, Obama has given 710,926 and Clinton, 236,080. For the source and the full list, click on the Taylor Marsh link on the side of this post and go to her red column of postings at that site. It is interesting isn't it? What is that expression...Show me the money!

"I HATE HILLARY"

2008-05-01T08:56:00.000-07:00

I have heard this from men and women and it always shocks me. Hate is a very visceral reaction to a person or thing. Why? I often ask? Why do you HATE Hillary? What has she done to deserve such a strong reaction? Below is a post from the Taylor Marsh website that I think is interesting. It does not answer the question but it is enlightening and worth reading. What do you think?

A Family Fight or a License to Hate?
guest post by Joanne Parrent

So, Democrats, the media tells us we are in the midst of a “family fight.”

To introduce myself and my family, I am a latte-drinking, white, college-educated progressive Democrat who, despite my demographic, supports Hillary Clinton. Maybe it is because I am also a woman over 45. My mother and my late father are “blue collar” Democrats. My Dad worked in a factory in the Detroit area all his life and my mother, in a medical supply house. My mother, whose vote doesn’t count – for now at least – because she lives in Michigan, supports Hillary. My younger sister, another educated progressive Democrat, (who, oddly, thinks Starbucks coffee is too bitter and doesn’t drink lattes), voted for Obama. We had several “family fights” about this, mostly by email since I live in the great Hillary-supporting state of California and my sister lives in Maryland, an Obama stronghold.

It occurs to me that my “family fight” somewhat mirrors the Democratic primary that the media has frequently characterized as a “family fight.” Therefore, I thought Democrats, particularly those latte (or non-latte) drinking, educated, progressive, blog-reading Democrats in the upcoming primaries, would like to hear about my family fight and what I learned from it, in the hope that it could illuminate the larger battle.

When I asked my sister why she didn’t want to vote for the first viable female candidate for President – and a brilliant person as well – she told me that she “hates” Hillary Clinton. Stunned at the intensity of her feelings, I asked her “Why?” She proceeded to give me some reasons that I found startlingly similar to the Obama campaign talking points:

1) Sister: Hillary voted for the war in Iraq.
Me: Actually, she voted to give the President the authorization to go to war so the threat of war would force Saddam Hussein to allow UN inspectors back into Iraq, which it did. Bush, not Hillary, then decided to stop those inspections before they were done and invade Iraq. (I sent her an article in the Huffington Post by anti-war activist, former Ambassador and husband of Valerie Plame, Joe Wilson, about this.)
Sister: I don’t have time for this. She still voted for the war, and Obama was against the war.
Me: Obama didn’t have to make that tough decision. He wasn’t in the Senate. He wasn’t representing the state of New York that had been devastated on 9/11. He just gave a speech at an anti-war rally in Chicago, in his very safe, very liberal State Senate District. How much courage did that take?
Sister: Look, I’m inspired by Obama. Democrats have the right to be inspired too, you know.
Me: Okay, you like the guy. I am not crazy about him, myself. He seems like a snake oil salesman, selling hope and change. But I don’t “hate” him, and you still haven’t answered my question about why you “hate” Hillary.

2) Sister: Hillary is just like Bill Clinton. She’s too moderate and they both “triangulate”. We don’t need another Clinton. I’m tired of Bushes and Clintons. We need something new. (To her credit she didn’t use the epithet “Billary” which may have been too sexist for her. Or she may have just been embarrassed to say that to me.)
Me: Have you seen Hillary’s policy proposals? They are very similar to Obama’s. In some cases, particularly her health care proposal, they are more progressive than his. (I sent her one of economist Paul Krugman’s articles from the New York Times on why Hillary’s health care plan which will cover everyone is better than Obama’s, which will only cover children.)
Sister: Who has time to read all of these things? Politicians never do them anyway. He inspires people. That’s what we need in a President. I’m going to lose my job if you don’t quit writing all these emails and sending me all these articles.
Me: I am just trying to find out why you “hate” Hillary so much?

3) Sister: Hillary Clinton will do anything to get elected. She’s running a negative campaign.
Me: Can’t you see that that is just code for she’s an ambitious, ball-busting bitch?! What kind of sexist double standard is that? Hillary has paid her dues. She didn’t run for President in 2004 after only four years in the Senate. She waited until 2008 after being elected by the state of New York with a huge majority to a second term. Yet, Obama’s ambition is very apparent. He has run for higher office every three years. He is impatient to get to the highest office in the land. And, do you really think Obama won’t do anything to get elected? Both he and his campaign have been very negative. He or his campaign spokespeople have said she:

• is a “calculating, poll-tested, divisive figure”
• "consistently" and "deliberately" misleads the American people.
• is “dishonest”
• is attempting to "deceive the American people".
• is "one of the most secretive politicians in America".
• is "a monster".
• is "not being straight with the American people".

They have also claimed that:

• “The American people are not going to elect a president that they do not trust".
• And, (probably the worse), they have said that John McCain is seen as more honest and trustworthy than Hillary Clinton.
Obama is a master at the very negative campaigning that he and his campaign accuse Hillary of practicing. And, though he calls her a liar, he has lied plenty in this campaign. (I sent her a New York Times news article about how he lied about a Senate bill that he claimed to have passed but didn’t regarding radioactive leaks at nuclear power plants.

Sister: Quit sending me these emails! Can’t we just agree to disagree? I’ll vote for her if she is nominated. But, I don’t want to talk about it anymore.

That, sadly, was the end of our conversation. But from it and others with Obama supporters, as well as listening to the regular anti-Hillary rants on the “progressive” Air America talk radio, I realized something quite disturbing. I realized that a very important pillar of Obama’s campaign strategy is exploiting the irrational hatred of Hillary Clinton. This hatred was first brought to us by the Republicans, and it is now the rallying cry of Obama supporters. The negative things Obama and his campaign have been saying about Hillary are 50 times worse on the blogosphere and the progressive talk stations (she’s a “bitch”, a “f**king whore”, “Billary”, “warmongering” etc.) than even that coming directly from him and his campaign. But the license to do this, the license to spew negative and vile, often misogynistic hatred, has come from Obama and his campaign – if they can call her a divisive liar, why can’t talk-show host Randi Rhodes go a little farther and call her a whore?

The other strategic pillars of his campaign are 1) his ability to give inspiring speeches about change and hope, 2) his race, which legitimately brings pride to African Americans and makes white liberals feel good about their support for the first viable African American nominee and 3) his hip, trendy, youthful coolness. None of these, in my opinion, are the best reasons to choose a President who will have the responsibility for pulling us out of war, an economic mess, a climate crisis and various other difficult, explosive foreign policy problems. But they aren’t ugly.

The exploitation and encouragement of Hillary-hating by the Obama campaign, however, is ugly. And, it is insulting not only to Hillary but to all women and particularly those who have worked hard and competed in male-dominated professions – like politics.

What is astonishing about what the Obama campaign has accomplished is that it has built so much of its support on this sexist, negative and inaccurate portrayal of Hillary Clinton, while at the same time successfully spreading the myth that it is the Clinton campaign that is negative. And the Obama campaign couldn’t have done this without the willing participation of Obama, himself, which belies the claim that he is a “unifying” figure and that he practices “new politics”, let alone that he brings people together. In fact, he is bringing people to his campaign by scapegoating and demonizing the “other” – the old, traditional, divisive, bitchy, lying, politics-as-usual Hillary Clinton.

Yet, in reality, Hillary is not only not traditional: she is, in fact, a very unusual figure in American politics – a First Lady who became a Senator and then ran for President. How many of those have we had? She also is not only not divisive but she has shown, as a Senator, that she can work with people who hated her and her husband when he was President. She has healed relationships that one would expect could never be healed.

Women across the country are working their hearts out for Hillary, not only because they want to see this brilliant woman become the first woman President, but because they are furious at the ugly misogyny coming from the Obama camp. And they know that the Obama campaign could not have been successful in building their support on the demonization of Hillary without the willing cooperation of a male-dominated, sexist media. A media that rarely reports that his campaign is regularly calling her some of the worst epithets ever thrown at one Democrat by another, but one that pounces on her when she or her surrogates even mildly criticize him. A media that doesn’t even notice that he is a Democrat, who, in attempting to tear her down, actually tears down the administration of the one Democrat since FDR, Bill Clinton, who has won two terms of office. (In his “bitter”/”clinging” remarks, Obama stated that the Clinton years were as bad for working people as the Bush years.)

I couldn’t talk to my sister about all of this because she wouldn’t listen. But, I’m hoping that voters in the upcoming primaries will listen. I’m hoping that Democrats, particularly those latte-drinking college educated Obama-leaning people will educate themselves to what is really going on in this primary election. I’m hoping that not just women, but men with daughters, mothers, wives and sisters, men who respect women – will no longer be inspired by hatred.

I’m hoping that this Democratic “family” will not stand by and watch as Obama and his campaign tear down Hillary Clinton and get away with it in the media, if not in the hearts half of the primary voters so far.

There is no question that this primary campaign has alienated a lot of women. And women are this party’s biggest block of supporters—almost 60 percent of reliable Democratic voters. If we abandon so many women, the backbone of our party, by nominating Obama, it will be more than a family fight. It will be a very bad time for the Democratic family – without the scores of women in local offices to answer the phones, canvass and run the ground game. We won’t have much of a family with women walking out of the house in droves.

We need these hard-working reliable “mamas” – and Hillary Clinton – much more than we need a candidate who has given his followers a license to hate – Barack Obama.

High Negativity Ratings

2008-04-26T05:50:00.000-07:00

O'Donnell (of the JFK and Ted Kennedy stripe) was on MSNBC yesterday talking about Hillary's high negativity ratings. You realize MSNBC talks about nothing but Hillary's negatives and adds to them every minute while sipping on Obama Kool-aid. Anyway, O'Donnell said that going into the PA primary, her negatives were at 48%. (For those who aren't familiar with politicalspeak, I am talking about people saying they just don't like Hillary and that collective thinking creates a negative rating. By comparison, Obama's negatives are much lower meaning people like him more.) So there were 48% of the number polled who said they did not like/hated Hillary and that is a high number, especially for someone running for political office. And then, O'Donnell said that just before the voting in PA, her negatives rose to 54% and he added he could not understand why she did so well in the actual voting.

I have been thinking about this and pose a possible explanation. The TV news stations (MSNBC, CNN, NBC etc) all make very derogatory, sexist comments about her every day. Here are some of the names she is called or described......looking like everyone's first wife, tough bitchy image, (MSNBC); reminds men of their nagging first wives, only reason she is a candidate for anything is because her husband messed around; men hear, "take out the garbage"; reminds men of their nagging wives, (Fox) Does Hillary shave?; Someone has to take her behind the barn; Scolding mother; White women are a problem, but we all know that....(all male panel at Fox laugh knowingly). The negative comments are not just on newscasts, they are in writing and objects for sale like the Hillary Clinton nutcracker where the nuts are cracked between her legs. (I saw a whole display at the Washington Reagan airport this past weekend.) And how about the bumper stickers and political signs that read....Life's a bitch, don't elect one! or What is Hillary? C.U.N.T. (citizens united not timid) or this one...showing an elephant with "the good" under it, a donkey with "the bad" under it and Hillary with "the ugly" under it....or the hand made sign held up that says, "Iron my shirt!" Rush Limbaugh has described her strength in an unusual way by saying, "Mrs Clinton's testicle lockbox is big enough for the entire democratic hierchy." And that is supposed to be a compliment!!!

Now if you did not know a person or had never met her, and you got your information from tv and the print media, wouldn't you think that if all these people say such terrible things about someone, some of it must be true and you probably would think less of them or have somewhat of a negative reaction to them. These comments are made mostly by men (not all) and they are against a woman, a powerful woman who will not go away, who will not step aside, who will not accommodate them or be controlled by them. This is sexism, pure gut level, unconscious cultural sexism. And it is important to note that sexism is not limited to men against women, women are very sexists against each other, almost instinctively and sometimes unconsciously but that is a whole other blog. Rev. Jerimiah Wright in one of his sermons said, Hillary ain't never been called a nigger....and he is right. But that is about all she hasn't been called.

So, I think I understand the high negative ratings but I will also venture an opinion about why she won in Pa. It is because she is still standing after everything including the kitchen sink has been tossed at her. Even Bill Bennett (Mr. Republican himself) said, "You have to respect her strength and resiliency." Yes you do!!! And the voters see that. Even the male voters. I actually think men are being reminded through her of those women in their lives that stood strong for them and maybe, just maybe, it is time to honor the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, school teachers and others who stood by you, stood up for you and gave you unconditional support....yes, they were women and I believe that Hillary is the strongest, smartest, and most sensitive woman I know. Yes she can...!!!! I said, you heard it here....BO is going down...!

(Come on you Obamabots, you can comment.)

In Florida and in Heaven with the Rolling Stones

2008-04-22T11:59:00.000-07:00

I am here in Florida enjoying the weather, the beach and that wonderful laid back feeling that comes when you are close to the ocean. Yet, it is tuesday and that means, "Primary in PA"---polls close at eight and we will see if our girl is still in it!!! This primary race is really one for the books because it covers so much and I believe it will be studied and discussed for years to come. I also believe this race is more about sexism than racism and that itself is interesting. Most people feel that race is the big issue and BO gave a well received speech on the subject but sexism is huge and yet, covered up, going along without any real discussion or comparison. I saw a video which if I can find it again and bring it to this blog I will because it shows the overwhelming sexism in the race.

But I digress.....florida.....we have been to the beach, shopped, eaten wonderful meals of lobster and the sun is soooo healthy. It really does make you smile and just feel better. Today we are doing a little tour of the inlet waterways and seeing all the beautiful homes here that wealthy people can afford to own but really never live in. It is a little like a peeping tom without any risky behavior. Tomorrow, we will take the train to Miami, meet a friend and hang out. I have never been to South Beach so it should be fun.

Now it is thursday....can you believe it?? I bet some of you were checking my blog on Wednesday for my reaction to Hillary's big win and found nothing!!! Well, I was busy in Miami but I and my friends did take time to send Hillary some money to carry on in Indiana and North Carolina....I thought she would win Pa by ten points but the polls had me scared. Now I have to weigh the polls----you know like reading movie reviews...there are those you trust and then others where you add or take away depending on the track record of the writer and whether you have agreed with their reviews in the past. Soooo just add 2 to 5 % points for Hillary in any poll in the future because they all under-poll Hillary's chances. You heard it here, folks...BO is on the downward slide. Check out what is happening in NC where the Republican state party chair is running a very negative ad against Obama and two state democrat legislators who want to be Governor. If the ad continues to run and the Republican State Chair said today it would through next week, BO's lead will fall below ten points.

But, last night I saw "Shine the Light" at Imax in Ft Lauderdale with my friends, my niece and her daughter. I recommend it even if you are not a Stones fan. I am not.......but this is a wonderful piece of history. They are such a significant part of our pop culture and Martin Scorsese does a masterful job of filming a recent concert at the Beacon Theater. You are not just in the audience; you feel as if you are right up on the stage. (it will be nominated for an Oscar if it qualifies in the documentary category) Throughout the concert you are treated to press interviews of the various band members when they were young and just beginning continuing on through their concert career years. It is quite priceless to hear them answer questions about their possible longevity---one such question..."Do you still see yourself doing this when you are sixty?" Answer: "Yes." and clearly they are. If you are a Rolling Stones fan, then you must NOT miss this. It will make you smile, laugh and bathe you in nostaglia...

Politics, movies and the warm sun....I am in Heaven!!!!

Stay Tuned....

2008-04-18T18:40:00.000-07:00

I am off to Florida tomorrow for a week and it will give me the time and opportunity to "blog" more. I really want to hear from you too so please, click the word comments at the bottom of my entries and go for it. A discussion/conversation is much more fun so join in. Talk later!!!

Kansas Should Have Quit....

2008-04-15T18:08:00.000-07:00

Ten seconds left, Memphis has the ball, Kansas down by three (or was it more?) .... This game is over. There is no way for Kansas to win, they have to foul and all Memphis has to do is make one shot. Game over! And so Kansas left the floor and conceded the game to Memphis, the obvious winner.

Oh, that is not what happened you say.....nor would it EVER happen. Give up...odds way against you...give in....let it go....NEVER!! Why? Because anything can happen and it did. Kansas fouled, Memphis froze and reverted to their lackluster foul shooting history---they missssed. The ball went to Kansas with what, three seconds left. Then Memphis made a mistake, a coaching mistake because that coach had a vision. He was cutting down the nets---he was a winner. Oops, something happened. No timeout or direction from the Memphis coach to foul Kansas to keep the possibility of any score to two and so the chance, that impossible chance became a shot for three points and a tie. Overtime. And Kansas, the team that didn't give up, that didn't accept defeat, that didn't leave the contest WON!

And who is it that wants Hillary to leave this race because the odds are against her?? You do the math. She can't win........not unless something goes wrong, something unforeseen happens....

Go Jayhawks!!!

Celebrate!!!!

2008-04-10T13:09:00.000-07:00

I am in New York celebrating everything that is good today....a birthday, a new job, a promotion, a new baby, new house, good times!!! And I get to do it with people I love. I urge all of you to never pass up a chance to celebrate events. Years ago, my mother turned 70 and I planned a big party, inviting all her children, friends etc. When I called my sister who then lived in Forida about coming to the party, she had several reasons why she couldn''t---her job, no money, other committments and I said, if I were calling to tell you mom had died, would you get here? She said, "of course I would." Well, I said, "Why don't you come while she is still alive and enjoy the time." She said, "Oh God!! I am glad you don't sell cars." And she came to a great party and we all have a terrific memory we still share today. The point I am making is that it is important to "show up" for the good times and celebrate life. We are doing that today in NY and tomorrow at8am, we go to NBC studios at Rockelfeller Center to rally for Hillary. Me and my kids making another memory......

What the "Frak?"

2008-04-05T12:24:00.000-07:00

Ok so I made a misstatement on my description of the show. "oops" I said there were aliens---not true, but in my defense, they seem alien. Actually, the human race made the machines who evolved and tired to take over causing the human race to escape abroad the space ship Gallactica away from their planet. (what that was I am not sure) The machines actually evolved into human look alikes--12 in all, seven original and the recent revelation of the remaining 4, leaving one still unknown. Of course these human like models can have many copies. It is very complicated but worth it because the story lines are so good. Is Starbuck a cylon? She is the one who died but is now back and viewed very suspiciously. I don't think so. I am going with the President. What do you think?? (ps. loved your comment Mike--miss you too)

"Battlestar" is back!!!

2008-04-03T18:40:00.000-07:00

I just realized that tomorrow night (friday) the last season of Battlestar Gallactica begins. This is really big news for Sci-fi fans and a few strays like me. I found this show two years ago and became an instant gallactifile.... This has everything, creativity, romance, power, the working poor, aliens, (aka cylons), reincarnation and the last ship in space searching for a friendly planet. i.e. earth. So I am not sure if this is pre or post our world but who cares. A woman is president!! And the love of her life is the wise general who is always right and his sons... Then, there is the head-strong female pilot who actually died at the end of last season but is set to return--how you ask?? Well, either A)she didn't really die B) she has become an alien (cylon) and can reincarnate if she dies near the resurrection ship (cool, huh?) C) it is all in our imagination.

I can't wait to see the faces when she shows up, particularly her husband and her boyfriend's. It is so "frakkin" good. That is the lingo on this show and it has become a part of the vernacular for fans. Say it at the office and you will instantly bond with other Battlestar fans. To catch up, they are running old shows all day Friday up til the new episode at 10. Get on board. This one is just plain fun.

Movies to watch-"In Bruges"

2008-04-03T11:07:00.000-07:00

I have been so wrapped up in politics lately that movies have definitely fallen off the radar. Of course, it is the slow season but there are still a few gems out there. "In Bruges" starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes is noteworthy and one not to miss. It will also play well on the small screen so you could add it to your video picks for viewing later.

It is about two hitmen who screw up an assignment and are sent to Bruges for a "vacation." Well, not really and what happens to them there is funny, tragic and a little poignant. Yes, there is violence and some rough language but overall, a creative, funny movie. Gleeson is terrific easily climbing into the skin of his character while Farrell, although quite good, has a few too many "actory" moments. Fiennes is especially funny and shows a good range of ability in delivering a person who seems real but is a bit surreal because he is the guy in charge of these two murderers and he takes it seriously.

The moral?? Even bad guys have limits and lines they do not cross and if they do, they get to see the sights "In Bruges." (It is showing now at your local film art house.)

"oops!!!"

2008-04-01T10:24:00.000-07:00

I am really tired of hearing about Hillary's "oops" moment over the sniper fire landing as if she is the only candidate ever to embellish an event. Some have given it as much attention as the anti-american, racist, hate-filled words of Rev. Wright and that is ridiculous. So I thought you would all enjoy an Obama "oops" moment because believe me, there are many. He actually used this when on stage with the Kennedy clan during their big endorsement of his candidacy. Mmmm, lying (overstating or embellishing --whatever!!) right up there in front of his benefactors and the whole world about an important family connection to the Kennedys'. All we needed was the "duck and run" visual. This is from the Tayor Marsh website which I had to copy because my computer linking skills are not up to speed yet. Here it is.....

There Goes Camelot

Obama had to finally admit that when it comes to John F. Kenney and his father, OOPS applies.

Contrary to Obama's claims in speeches in January at American University and in Selma last year, the Kennedy family did not provide the funding for a September 1959 airlift of 81 Kenyan students to the United States that included Obama's father. According to historical records and interviews with participants, the Kennedys were first approached for support for the program nearly a year later, in July 1960. The family responded with a $100,000 donation, most of which went to pay for a second airlift in September 1960.

Obama spokesman Bill Burton acknowledged yesterday that the senator from Illinois had erred in crediting the Kennedy family with a role in his father's arrival in the United States. He said the Kennedy involvement in the Kenya student program apparently "started 48 years ago, not 49 years ago as Obama has mistakenly suggested in the past." ... ..

Obama's Selma speech offers a very confused chronology of both the Kenya student program and the civil rights movement. Relating the story of how his parents met, Obama said: "There was something stirring across the country because of what happened in Selma, Alabama, because some folks are willing to march across a bridge. So they got together and Barack Obama Junior was born. So don't tell me I don't have a claim on Selma, Alabama." ... ..

Obama Overstates Kennedys' Role in Helping His Father

Mistakes happen. So maybe the Obama team will cool it when thinking Clinton is the only one who ever makes a biographical mistake. I'm sure the media and the Obama blogs will jump right on this one.

My sister, Renee.

2008-03-29T08:25:00.000-07:00

Donnie, Patty, Marilyn and Renee, August, 2007

I have been away from my blogging for a few days for a number of reasons. First I traveled to NY for business and some pleasure but returned with a bug. I was out of commission for about a week and during that time, I received word my sister had passed away. Renee, (in blue above) was a unique human being. Her family always came first and when we visited her, there was always plenty of food and good company. Early on, she purchased a cabin on a lake, that being her first venture into property but not her last. She was very shrewd when it came to buying and selling whether it was property or antiques. Her love of "old things" was something she shared with our mom and sister, Patty. (in white above) Donnie (the guy in the picture) and I were left out when those genes got passed around.

My kids and I loved going to the lake in the summer with Renee, Joe and their kids. We have so many wonderful memories. Last summer when this picture was taken, my kids threw a "big" birthday party for me and Renee and her children came to be with all of us. She created one more happy memory for us because shortly after the party, she was diagnosed with cancer and is now gone. Her love of family will remain with us and the comfort she gave all of us whenever we stopped in went beyond the food and drink, it soothed our souls and gave us respite.

And, she really wanted to vote for Hillary for President. We agreed if she wasn't the nominee, we were going to write her name in. I will keep that promise, Renee.

Where in the World is Rev. Jerimiah Wright? And a Footnote on Richardson.

2008-03-25T02:42:00.000-07:00

Okay, since no one else is asking the question, I will. Where is Rev. Wright??

He is the only person I know to cause such a maelstrom and disappear without question or concern on the part of anybody. Someone early on said he was on vacation (getting ready to retire at the end of March) and then, he was out of the country, and finally the last I read, in Africa!! Wow. What about his family? Are they still in Chicago or gone too? What about members of the Church?? Any news anyone?? This is America isn't it where people are not supposed to just disappear. Then again, it is Chicago.

The media clearly doesn't think Wright's whereabouts matters since no one is looking for him. They did not see the need to look into a Wright story when Fox News first ran it in March of last year. Yes, that is right, in March 2007, Hannity at Fox ran a story about Rev. Wright and his Black Liberation Theology Church with its ties to BO but it was completely ignored by the major media. Just think what might have been different if they hadn't. Just a quick note: anyone catch the Easter Sermon at Trinity Church?? Lovely... about lynchings.

FOOTNOTE on Richardson......I have been mulling this one over and I think Carville is on to something with his thirty pieces of silver comment. It is documented that BO has donated thousands of dollars to the local races of super delegates presumably to warm them up to voting for him at the convention so why not Richardson? Actually, I am not a genius, Richardson himself gave it away in one of his many interviews this weekend (the man was clearly enjoying the limelight) when he mentioned his huge debt that he had acquired running for the presidency.

If that is not the reason for his endorsement, then possibly, you could think he is simply an opportunist climbing on the bandwagon of the person he thinks is the winner but why do that now? He is a little late---New Mexico already went for HC and the states with large hispanic votes are likewise done... So, the only other reason would be a spot on the ticket? Not likely. Two ethnic males will not be a very balanced team. Maybe a spot in the cabinet. Maybe....but that is a big prize to give away and Ricahrdson said it had not been discussed.

So, maybe Carville knows and that is why the thirty pieces of silver analogy. When you don't know why something is happening, remember.....follow the money.

The Politician and his Pastor--"Really!!"

2008-03-19T08:12:00.000-07:00

I feel a little like Saturday Night Live and that part of Weekend Update when Amy and Seth give a current piece of news or statement by a person and then exclaim, “Really!?” I am a little in shock over the recent news, spin and media coverage of Obama and the Pastor. Can you imagine what MSNBC would be calling HC under such circumstances. “Hypocrite” and “Liar” come to mind quickly but not with the “Messiah”. BO did not go in front of a room of reporters like John Mc Cain and answer their questions, but chose to deliver his remarks on "race" by reading a prepared speech from teleprompters. It may have been an award winning performance and the media along with BO’s invited spinsters certainly loved it. Well, I want to look at those words….those important words not from the Pastor but from Obama, the presidential candidate.

He went on CNN. MSNBC, FOX and PBS over the weekend and on each one, he repudiated and rejected the devisive remarks made by his pastor but denied, yes DENIED ever hearing those words himself nor did he have any knowledge of those words until the media brought them to light this past week. No one believed him given that the Pastor was disinvited from his announcement last year of his presidential run. Why? --- if BO knew nothing about this Pastor’s vitriolic, anti-american speeches. Why not let him be a part of this important announcement? After all, Wright has been his pastor and spiritual advisor for over twenty years. And then, when the hate-filled sermons surfaced, only a spokesman responded deploring such words from any campaign, implying a comparison to G. Ferraro. Really!!!

When that didn’t work, the BO issued a written repudiation which didn’t work either and so we get the speech and the followup spin from all his supporters who were given time in every media outlet to rave about the courage of their candidate. Courage? This is a man who did not have the courage or the judgment to get up from the pew and leave the church when he first heard such horrible words. And then in that speech on race in America, he told us he LIED but no one noticed his confession because he said it so quickly and very quietly. His supporters continue to say BO never heard the speeches before. Go ahead. Check the speech on any web site anywhere and you will see his admission. BO sat right there in that church Sunday after Sunday listening to his Pastor “God D--- America.”

Now listen or read his “race speech” again and what BO does NOT say. He will not repudiate the man, only his words but then he says white Americans cannot understand how AA feel and that if he repudiates his Pastor, he would be repudiating his entire race. Really!!? Does this mean as a white person I cannot disown David Dukes, the man, only his remarks or I will be disowning the entire white race? What about Hitler? Think about what is being said, not how beautifully he says it. Isn’t he the new politician with integrity, character and judgement??? Please---do not allow this charade to continue because the Republicans will not for sure.

BP knew his pastor would be a problem and so did his chief architect, David Axelrod. They played a game with the people…..hide the truth and see how far can we get before we have to deal with it?? Credibility? Trust?? Now, that is up to the voters and it will be interesting to see what happens with the remaining 11 primares. Thank you Hillary for not being steamrolled into withdrawing…..just think, we could be dealing with Rev Wright in Sept rather than now. Shame on you BO first for deceiving the thousands of young people looking to you for a new day and maybe even more impoatant, shame on you for not getting up out of that pew the first time you heard such hate coming from the pulpit of your church. Oprah did---oh I wonder how she feels now. ”He is the One.” Oprah said. Really!!!!

One final comment----Did anyone actually see the speech or a rerun? If so, what is it about the BIG American flags surrounding BO as he spoke from his prepared text…(count them—SIX) three large American flags on each side…It is the purest example of “wrapping yourself in the American Flag I have ever seen (particularly from a Democrat) and he won’t even wear one on his lapel…Really!!!

What About Gore?

2008-03-16T09:32:00.000-07:00

Any rational democrat is concerned that the presidency is slipping away. Once again, we democrats are our own worse enemy. It is becoming increasingly clear that there will not be a clear winner in Denver, one everyone who is active now will support. Obama people will not support Hillary (he has said this) and while he counted on her supporters being more amenable, that too is slipping away. What are we to do?? Maybe John Edwards saw this coming when he said, "I am the only grownup in the room" and he may have been right at least in the eyes of the general public.

I blame the democratic leadership for this because they may have been too cute by half in planning this primary/causus calendar. They purposely put certain southern states after Iowa and NH maybe to bring out the AA vote but they clearly discounted the enormous appeal of BO. Remember when the schedule of contests was set, HC was the presumptive winner and BO a marginal candidate to be encouraged to gain the base support and bring it to the polls in Nov. This is probably what Jessie Jackson has done in the past but Barack is different and so are the times. He is a genuine political force. However, as Abigail Adams wrote to John, "do not forget the women."

And so we are at an real rock hard impasse that can cause significant damage to the party not just for this year but for several years. Maybe, just maybe, we will have to get the parents of the party together and get everyone to get behind a third person, so this party can win in November and bring both blacks and women home together. If either candidate, BO or HC fails to fully support this candidate and bring this party together, their true colors in all of this will show. Such a failure will indicate their candidacy was the person and a particular cause than the good of this country.

And so, I ask, what about Gore?

Words...and their meanings

2008-03-14T08:58:00.000-07:00

When we say things or make comments, we mean to speak clearly but that is often not what occurs. Sometimes we are careful in choosing our words to either soften what we are saying or to selectively target our audience. Good examples of this have surfaced recently in the comments made by Geraldine Ferraro and Senator Obama.

Ms Ferraro made a statement that Barack was lucky to be black at this moment in time because it was helping catapult him forward in his candidacy for the Presidency. I believe she is right and her comments should not be lifted out of context. The immediate reaction is a demand for an apology or a characterization of her words as "ridiculous". After all, how could anyone say that being born black gives you an edge over anyone in this society? True enough. But that is not what she said. Ferraro said that a woman white or black or a white man would not be in Obama's position and that is accurate. Not included but implied in Ferraro's statment is "someone with his limited experience." A good example of this is Carol Mosley Braun, an african american woman and a former senator from Illinois with a similar limited political history as Obama's who tried to run for the Presidency in 2003. She was completely ignored and withdrew after her poor showing in Iowa. Many people don't even know who she is.

It isn't "just" because Obama is AA, but it is a part of the reason. He is very bright, speaks eloquently, and is tall, always a positive for a politician and the democtatic primary voters love a liberal which he very clearly is. But the support from the AA community is critical in carrying him to wins in many states that come the general election, democrats will not win. Now, this is a discussion of facts, as if we were discussing Huckabee's evangelical support and its role in his winning certain primary contests. It is not racist but GF had to leave her supporting role in HC campaign and HC had to distance herself from the remarks.

Well, what about these words from Obama....."Don't let them HOODwink you." I watched him speak to an almost all black audience in Mississippi just before that primary and he said at least five times the word, "HOODwink" with the accent and emphasis on "HOOD". What do you think that word means to african americans? A hood brings up some very bad memories. Was Obama trying to remind his audience of what white people have done in the past and the need for AA to stick together now? The media is not discussing this but they will spend two days on Ferraro.

We will see what time they give to the words of Obama's religious mentor, Rev Wright. I will address that in another post especially since I have been asked by a friend what I think about religion in this political season.

I am having some computer problems so expect delays but I will do my best to be back on line quickly.

Spitzer, Sex and the Invisible Line

2008-03-11T07:53:00.000-07:00

When I first heard the shocking news about Gov. Spitzer's participation in a prostitution ring, I said, "He's Done. Cooked. Finished" Then I listened to his statement and realized that he wasn't going anywhere, yet. I was confused. So, I followed the news both print and video and realized there exists an invisible line of guilt or criminality on which he has yet to be placed.

Some would say he isn't as bad as Gov. McGreevey who had an extra marital affair with a man. (that would be the homophobes) Others place him worse (therefore higher on that line) than Sen Larry Craig who was caught in a public toilet and admitted to a misdemeanor but whose crime seems to be about a wide stance. Perhaps he is closest to Sen Vitter who also patronized a prostitute but then, Vitter is still in the Senate. No one should overlook Rep. Barney Frank who patronized a male prostitute, survived without resigning and was even re-elected. Of course, Barney never held himself out as a paradigm of virtue. So, is there a difference between being elected a Senator, a Governor, or President?

Add to all of this the fact mentioned today in the newspaper, that customers ("johns") are never prosecuted in this kind of sting. Why? I guess if the call girls are not prosecuted either then it might be fair and not unreasonably favorable to men. Yet, no one can overlook the possibility of a Mann Act violation if the Gov paid to have the prostitute travel across state lines from New York to Washington. Prosecutors have broad discretion when it comes to filing charges and they are not required to reveal their motives one way or the other. So, this may come down to image. He was the "Mr Clean" of politics and government and that is something he will never be again. It definitely affects his credibility but does it impact his ability to govern? And so we get to the big sinner himself, Bill Clinton, who lied and lived to complete an impressive period of governing in this country.

Someone on the news reported that the governor's wife, Silda, is one of the people around him urging him to stay on. Does she know something we don't or is it a cultural thing in some groups that extra-marital affairs with women (yes, not men) are the norm for aggressive, dynamic, hard-working men? Or as Alan Dershowitz says this is a throw-back to a law which should have been off the books a long time ago. He says the governor should not have done it and it is hypocritical but the voters can take all that into account in an election. Dershowitz also said we should get out of the bathrooms and the bedrooms and gauge a politician on his performance in the daytime especially where the crime is a victimless one. Of course, AD is a friend of the governor and was a mentor for him earlier in Spitzer's career.

Personally, Governor Spitzer has joined the ranks of ordinary human beings and if this makes him unfit to govern, then he will resign. I believe his actions now will tell us much more about him and his skills and strength as a political problem solver than any task force he ever led.

I had planned to comment today on "code" words used by the presidential candidates but that had to take a back seat. I will do it another time.

Eating Chocolate

2008-03-09T10:47:00.000-07:00

I just read in EatSmart by Jean Carper that what a pregnant woman eats may effect the brain of her unborn child and effect the brain for life. In other words, certain foods can give your unborn child a higher intellectual ability. I was very apprehensive about reading what foods do this because I am such a junk food person and I already know how brainy my kids turned out but guess what??? The substance needed is choline which can be obtained by eating 2-3 eggs a day or (and get this) wheat germ, soybeans, PEANUT BUTTER, CHOCOLATE, and beef liver. Three out of six---not bad. I knew chocolate and peanut butter were food groups. Have a great day.... look at that sun!!!

Obama money and rank rumor

2008-03-08T07:15:00.000-08:00

Along with many others, I am amazed by the millions of dollars that this brand new senator virtually unknown except for one speech (there it is again, one speech) raised almost immediately for his campaign to be president. At first, I thought maybe it is Republicans who want to stop Hillary before she even gets one step closer to the presidency and then I even began to accept the spin about all those little supporters from the internet. But then, a friend of mine called with this tidbit. (Warning! Rank Rumor! No Proof Yet!) She said she knew of two of her friends, both African American who got letters thanking them for their $50.00 contribution to the Obama campaign EXCEPT they NEVER made any kind of contribution and were more than a little surprised. Mmmmmmmm!!! Of course, they did not want to make this public because they are AA and in their community, it is not a good idea to do anything to diminish Obama. Shades of O.J. Simpson and so much for the "politics of fear" purity. Anyone else hear anything interesting on the money issue?

Tuesday and the Titanic

2008-03-06T11:53:00.000-08:00

Like many, I couldn't watch. I dared to hope (yes, that does belong to everyone) but I did not watch and then my son called asking if I had checked because he too, couldn't watch. I went to my now favorite channel, Fox News, and there it was....she was winning. Obama's tuesday titanic had hit the iceberg and his ship was sinking. I smiled because, once again, she showed her courage, strength and stubborn staying power--just what we want in a President!! It is her game now. Bill is right. She will get the nomination. Obama has turned into an ordinary politician, ambitious and duplicitous. Hillary is not ordinary and her determination in this race will win over the people. We want a fighter even if it is a woman. On to Pennsylvania and Denver.

Why I watch Fox news!!!

2008-03-04T07:34:00.000-08:00

Yes, it is true I now watch Fox news. I try to watch MSNBC, CNN and others and it is just depressing. They spin everything for Obama. It is to say the least, irritating and I really wonder what happen to journalism. I get more news from bloggers and comedy shows than MSNBC. So, I wonder why? The thought came to me today as I watched Fox News interpret trends in tomorrow's elections---they do not have a "dog in this hunt." Come the Fall, I have no doubt the spin will swing to McCain but now they really don't care so they are more about the story than the spin. But why is MSNBC so obamafickle? Whenever I don't understand something, I always ask...where is the money?? And then it comes clear. What age bracket does every tv channel try to cater to?? You got it--the 18 to 35 year old. And what age bracket is the strong base for Obama? There is the answer. MSNBC does not care about the story, the facts or fairness. It is all about the money and they want those viewers and the rest of us can go elsewhere. So, that is why I am watching Fox News.

And now we begin.....

2008-03-03T12:06:00.000-08:00

I have been talking about blogging ever since I first heard about a blog. It was very attractive to me to have a place where I could comment without interruption about anything I wanted to. You see, I am very opinionated but not without reason or rationale. I believe in opinions and ideas that have a basis in fact and that are open for discussion.....the civilized kind---no yelling, or mocking (well, maybe just a little if it is funny...) I love movies and the theater and have close connections to both...(like an oscar)----no, not mine. But I also love politics and this is the year for that, isn't it?? Fortunately, for me, this is also the year I retired and actually have the time to blog. The stars have been positioned and it is my time so join me and join the discussion about anything and everything. I have lots to say and I think you do too.