Monday, December 7, 2009

Patience and Time Well Spent Mr. President I'm Proud!

Just quickly...I am very Liberal, fairly Socialistic being a military veteran and coming from that system - ask Sec. Gates about that. Onward toward the war in Afghanistan. You all, on both sides, cannot have it both ways - conservatives quibble about the Presidents' taking to much time - wake up and look back at Presidents Bush's declaration of defeating the Taliban. Thoughtful caring was and still is the order of the day. All my anti-war friends, and I was one of you until very recently... the real danger here is to let the Taliban expand further, and then get into control in Pakistan. Now why has everyone but the President and his talented staff,  and some wise Generals seem to have forgotten the target - as Oliver North noted during the Iran Contra hearings - Osama Bin Laden may be the most evil man on the planet. 9/11 - wake up time, this is reality. VP Gore missed this when Col. North brought it up;  President Clinton warned President Bush after the incidents he presided over,  Don Rumsfeld let Osama Bin Laden out after he was cornered in Tora Bora. OK no more of passing the ball - I have full confidence that President Obama understands these issues more than anyone in the house or senate - and with Hillary Clinton and Bob Gates to give him advice - the mission will be achieved. Time limit, get off it - we're setting a goal that is conditional. Any military person knows this.
You set goals and move forward. 
I would like answers on Blackwater involvement and too many tour rotations. Bring home as many troops from Iraq as feasible; pull troops out of "safe areas" around the globe. Get ready to send aid to Africa - we  need a  major Peace Corp type of effort to train the people to help themselves, President Clinton said one of his biggest regrets was noy listening to Hillary about Africa - how much can one person do. A lot if you are as bright and caring as President Obama.
We wasted so much in Iraq, our brave soldiers have hopefully stabilized and given them a chance. (Oh, let's make sure the population benefits from the oil revenue, not Mr. Bin Ladens supporters or our coporations.
Peace in our time...since when was it wrong to think carefully and plan before sending of people into harms way. The last administration dropped the 9/11 ball...let;s prevent the next major mistake.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Green Village Pages - creation

Simply put, Green Village pages was created as a book of Poetry started in 1966, in lovely Green Village, NJ, and completed in 1971. Portions of the book were used in a multimedia show, Midway, in 1971. The show was created and performed in 1971. (Maybe 72). The performances were at The Barn Theatre, in Rumson, NJ. At some point I will list more about the people and the creation that was Midway. Way before it's time - I worked with a group of the most creative people I have ever known. Their individual stories are amazing. I'll get to that some time soon. 

In 1971 I wrote the following for Midway -
"Money is not the root of all evil, it's the whole god damned forest"  d.r. sterling / Dale Shack 1971
(Sorry for any sacrilege, to my many faithful friends - I did not mean this as an anti-religious quote or reference, just an angry reaction from a soldier frustrated by waste of money and lives at the time.)
And here we are in 2009 watching our own greed, our banks greed, our corporate greed and we are all fighting about how not to help people with health care. Politicians fight over health care, while taking huge contributions from the health insurance companies. Both parties -shame. People are dying and were quibbling about the money - bull....!

Love and Joy to anyone who read this. Help Penny Ronning - do something that will make you feel good.

Friday, September 4, 2009

FIND JOy 2

 
 Please go to these sites - look, get exasperated, sign the petition, get angry (without malice), PLEASE!
 
 
 
 
 

Find Joy

Very simple...FIND JOY....for Penny...for peace of mind...for sanity...to make sure we can continue to get more people to work to save animals...for humanity!

Health care...we HAVE to be our brothers keeper...sanity and decency demands it...anyone with a heart and any shread of religious belief cannot turn their back...let's talk! Politics aside this is about humane treatment for people at a horrible time brought about by...does it matter when people are suffering.

FIND JOY.

Watch Jeff Bridges in "A Dog Year" on HBO. It's a simple beginning, decency and understanding.
Look into your hearts...I hope you find JOY, Joy is somewhere in Texas. Get her home to Montana.

In the last few months I've come face tp face with the health care system's victims - the stories I heard in a one month period would make the most rigid anti-Government health program protesters think twice.

For you "Birthers" - FIND JOY, come back to reality and decency. We're a team, this country has a solid foundation of working together - FIND JOY, literally, and for your own good as well.

Find a dog in Texas, and I promise you will be rewarded by God for your good deed.

Go to Penny Ronning's site listed below and start reading.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Strange Days

Just a quick note - see the Obama campaign material on this mish- mash of a blog - I and my friends will support the President fully - but ....
Pass The Kennedy Health Bill .... it MUST be like Medicare for all that have no other option. What makes my Conservative friends think that their current heath programs will always be there - and be affordable. Be realistic - some things are Socialistic for all the good of the people. Portability is crucial - if you'd have heard what I've heard in the last two months from people in search of health care - because Cobra was two expensive, they lost their coverage when they lost their job, they can't afford ....you name it. Is medicare perfect - no, but all those Conservatives with it, remember it's a Social plan.

Don't backpeddle a bit.

On the environment "Save the Wolves" or if their are legitimate issues, figure out a humane fix. If the planned Wolf kills in Idaho and Montana are just backed by rich ranchers...work with them.

Honor Senator Kennedy by truly working together. Many prominent Republicans worked closely with him for many years. (Thank you Senator Hatch for being a deceny man, and I'm glad you noted that it was ted Kennedy who came to your defense - class act! Sen. Hatch.)

I guess I wanted to honor Senator Kennedy and send my codolences to the Kennedy family by pointing out clearly - this is not the time for the Obama Administration to become more Bush (or should I say Cheyney/Rove) like every day.

In memory of Congressman JimHoward, of NJ, who was friends with Ted Kennedy, and got me more involved in politics...
In memory and praise of Senator Ted Kennedy, he will be missed. I had a friend standing by Robert Kennedy when he was killed, I was shocked by JFK's assasination - at least Ted got to fulfill many of their dreams. Our country owes this family a great deal of thanks.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Dwayne Colp - Jesse Hammer - Brotherhood

A long time ago in Hillside, NJ there were two classmates and friends who went to each others Bar Mitzvahs. Neither knew fully what those events in 1958 would be like to reflect on as adults. The amazing discoveries. Butterbox Babies, born and brought up together, and luckily surviving, ending up together in Jewish familes a few blocks from each other. Never knowing for so many years what the world had in store for us.
I've had brothers in arms in Viet Nam (pictures and stories soon), a step brother Steve, my natural brothers and sisters and so many family members -it's awesome to comprehend at times- but there are some brothers that are unique -
Brother Jesse Hammer - my dear, dear friend and soul brother always (a I mean real inner soul to the core). He is why I am writing this to my Butterbox Baby brother, Dwayne Colp, (Shellie Levine back in 1958). He is why I am like a brother to Ken Dodson - Jesse helped reunite Ken with some of his family. And there is much more. I shall post some 1958 Bar Mitzvah photos of Brother Dwayne, me, Alice Abrams (Gess). it's just so strange.
Dear brother Bob Hartlen - Bob is of course the key to putting the Butterbox Baby families back together, whenever possible. Dwayne, I will try to work with Bob and my family, they are from Prince Edward Island originally, but most now reside around Toronto. ( I was doing business in Toronto for a dew years and never knew my natural relatives were all around me.
Reunification is a strange and wonderful blessing.
Dwayne - it's been a long ride brother. I shall post your website here so my friend can view your wonderful work. I find it amazing that you learned the drums at Dorn and Kirschner - wow, I forgot so much - amazing. I loved music at a very young age - even before Elvis rocked our world.
One person CAN make a difference. Jesse Hammer and Bob Hartlen totally reinvented the people that we were. That's heady philosophical stuff - I love your attitude about bravery, you reinvented yourself, back to who you were. that's a great break Shellie to Dwayne. No wonder I couldn't find you. One day we'll find your family.
Love to all,
Dale

Monday, August 17, 2009

It's been awhile. My friends, fellow Butterbox Babies are having a reunion in Nova Scotia - health and economics keep me away from a nice visit.
Why i'm writing is partly because of the 40th Anniversary of several things, - mainly 1968-69. It's pretty straightforward if you read me right about the right wing.
What in the hell are we all fighting with each other about. Rush, Glen take a hike your time as guideposts of any sense is gone.
Time to look back and forward - to what we were and what we should become.
I have a good friend, Penny Ronning, who has spent over 7 months in very tough conditions and situations helping helpless animals - and what do she and her friends get - threats, ingratitude, and pure and simple ignorance. (Serious threats.)
Oh yeah, let Michael Vick give a phony apology and, poor man needs a second chance. Bull. Ignorance, while my friend saves animals - this animal kills the dream of saving animals (and gets a chance to earn millions more).
But to get to the heart of my point - we are being inhumane to each other in a time when humanity is dearly needed.
Those who are fighting health care reform; have not seen the system fail when your corporate insurance coverage fails. (I have been very lucky to see a Goverment/Private joint plan work well). The myth of congressional heath care - the families must be paid for - correct me please if I am wrong.
Many wounded veterans received horrible care, and benefits during the Bush years - not everyone - but many, many - should have received better care. We can send people to war - but what about the people and families paying the cost.
President Bill Clinton set a bad precient by going to North Korea, Richard Nixon went to China. Let's talk to Iran. Crush the Taliban, sure but win the hearts and minds of the next generation.
Full circle - it is lesson learned over and over again - if you don't study your history, you are doomed to repeat it. We stopped the ultra right wing before we became a fascist state. We are so afraid of Socialism - that's because we don't understand as yet that government (Socialist policies in some cases -Medicare) must co-exist with capitalism - let free thought flow. Some markets must be controlled, but we can't stifle capitalism at it's best - Google gets so big, and so scary - why aren't they big brother. I don't recall giving Larry Page a nickel of my money, yet I see him and his staff teach the world about Nikola Tesla. Let Google and government work in tandem for a common good.
Now why is it so hard to let some valiant people keep the dogs they saved.
Stop puppy mills.
For Frances Louella Boulter Grigg Partridge - in loving memory of a mother I didn't get know well enough.
For Buster - (Joy and all her rescued friends).
The book of Lillian will be continued.
For Dwayne Colp for having great courage, and being a great artisan.

Lillian Part 2 - 1953 Life gets Scarier for Lil

1953- October (day to be added)
2:30 AM
I awaken to Harry calling for Lil in the bathroom next to my bedroom, across the hall from their bedroom -
"Lil, Lil help... he sounds ill and I go to the bathoom door and look into the small room to see Lil trying to help Harry as he's coughing up blood. That was the last night I saw my father alive, or at all. I have forgotten almost everything about Harry prior to that night. Lil made me go to my room, and she just did what she always did, she took control of the situation. These lessons in handling what life smacks in your face helped me, especially in the Army. Most of the time Lil was in control, but...I was sent to stay with my Uncle Jack and Aunt Sylvia Gordon, and cousin Robert Gordon and Sanrda Gordon, for about two weeks while Harry was in the hospital. Harry had a bleeding Ulcer and the operation wasn't handled well. Harry passed away at the age of 44, I was 8, and Lil was 42. Today this condition is almost simple to take care of without problems. I've been told by Harry's close friends that he was a gentle, soft spoken, intelligent and creative person. He made a crystal radio in half a walnut shell. He remodelled our house and did beautiful wood work on the porch, turned a walk in pantry into a comfortable breakfast nook area with custom made benches and furniture, the linoleum floor was hand cut and designed by him. I remember the green shamrock cut and fitted into the floor ceter. He worked for Bendix during WW II. The other memory I have of him is at Chrismas 1952(?), Harry put up a Christmas tree because I wanted one, and there was a train set under the tree, and I had a stocking with my name on it. Later in her life Lillian denied that that ever happened, after all we were Jewish, and I went to Hebrew School. Well, I still have the stocking that hung on our fireplace mantle. (Sorry mom).
In the Jewish religion when a person dies, you cover the mirrors in the house, have the family over to your house, and for a week, you sit "Shivah" (that's how it would sound in Hebrew). It's a sort of extended wake, but in this case the wife sits there and the family and friends come with food, the Rabbi comes over and spends time with the family. That was the weakest I ever saw my mother (other than her unhealthy periods). My first cousins spent time with me, my cousin Lee Walsky stands out in my memory because he brought me books to read and tried to cheer me up. I love books because Lee did this for me. He was an athelete and a great teacher, his sister Martha was another great influence on me. She was about 12 or so years older than me, and she always loved me so much (and I her - my big sister in a way)- very kind and thoughtful, she helped Lil, as did my godmother Aunt Katy's daughter Lil Kurshner Rosenberg. At this point all these people knew I was adopted, I did not know. They just loved me. My mothers sorority sisters were there and hovered over me to make sure I was OK. They all knew I was adopted. My "Aunt" Sonya Litwak, loved me so much, it is hard to express how much love these women showed me at this tough time. Both Cousin Martha Walsky, and "Aunt" Sonya said they wanted to marry me when I grew up. How do you thank people for that kind of love - you pay it forward in your life! Do unto others...show the love. My mothers family was also very influential at that point, my mother helped start a cousins club with her relatives; and she helped run The Shack Family Circle with Harry's sisters and kept the family close until the mid 1960's.
Mom got a job and started work at the Jewish Community Center, six days a week many times. She was back at work after a long gap. I often went to work with her on weekends, or when I was out of school. I helped her at the office, learned to use the office equiptment. Lil also taught me to cook, clean, sew, and other skills, so I would be as self sufficient as possible. If anything happened I could face it like she did. She was not only a leader, manager, organizer, and teacher for me on so many things - she was the glue that kept the family together. She took control of Harry extended family for many years and kept us close for many years. She also kept the family in line politically, at family meetings while playng poker, she was a great card player, she would discuss politics and her ideas. She encouraged my interest in politics at a young age. She was also very tough, read Part 3 - please watch the times begin to change. You'll also meet Sally and Fluffy and 60 feet of Roses -"Mama Liked the Roses".

Lillian Part 3 -Roses, Puppy Dogs, and Fights.

1954-1959 Growing up fast.
Lillian adjusted to our new life and as always managed. At first if mom had to work long hours, I'd be shuffled out to a neighbors house for dinner, or at one of my friends houses to wait for her.
Hair salon
Silver's Bakery
The Smoke House
Bus to Newark
Kreske's
Woolworths
Sears records department i if you want records earn them
First records - Elvis, Old Shep, Rip it Up
Elvis - Jewish Bar Mitzvah and gospel music. Sing Boy Sing
Ed lHaupt loans me his guitar
Serious thought about being a Rabbi
Religion goes, Lil's reaction


Asbury Park, NJ - Part Time and Politics

A city to save. One of the places I lived from 1971-77. At the Empress Motel we had a state NJ Young Democrats Convention. The McGovern wing of the party fought the regular conservative Democrats. Great debates, great fun, great friends. I met my future wife Joan Gamberg, David Don (like a brother to Joan and I) ,and several close friends during this pivotal time. Taught part time as a substitute teacher in 1972 at Asbury Park High School. Too close to my return from Viet Nam to be patient enough to teach. Turned down offer at CBS TV with Walter Cronkite, low pay, 3 year Internship (should I have - Don't Look Back). We lived near the Inkwell, listen to "Subterranean Homesick Blues", Bob Dylan. Thanks Mr.Z. Oh and a hi to Madame marie, the psychic near my apartment, down the block on the boardwalk, (look into Bruce S.) Robert Gordon, Dave Edmunds, (Gary thanks for getting us on the bus to meet Dave).
Lived on First avenue 1 1/2 blocks from the beach. 10th Ave (Bruce) was not very far. Bruce put the band together, and played around the corner from my apartment. Lots of clubs, lots of bands, loved the music and the circle. Argued with the mayor about demolishing an Art deco theatre, The Mayfair, we lost that fight. Music, music, music was created.

Maukie - the virtual cat