Green Village Pages

Oil and Dead Dolphins

2010-05-12T18:45:00.000-04:00

OK, now we've seen BP executives make fools of themselves before congress. Dead Dolphins washed up along beaches on the Gulf Coast, and no one was sure of the reason as yet....wake the hell up people! Ten percent of the population believes that environmental activists caused this....this country is going to hell, when men such as Dick Cheney, and Rush Limbaugh can lie freely about things and cause such harm, and generate such fear....and Glen Beck can be their cheerleader, things are wrong. Thanks to Bill O'Reilly for his honesty today.

Dale Shack Stories

2010-05-11T04:20:00.002-04:00

Please go to Dale Shack Stories and check it out. Thanks.

Blogger Buzz: Blogger integrates with Amazon Associates

2010-03-26T04:13:00.000-04:00

Blogger Buzz: Blogger integrates with Amazon Associates

Republicants

2010-03-26T04:00:00.000-04:00

I won't name names or make lists as the Republican part has. I've been a Democrat for most of my life. I am truly a progressive, even a Socialist. In America we have a jaded wrong view of progressive or Socialist political philosophy. I thing most people view Socialism as what the Soviet Socialist Republics were. Vicious leadership for many years, needing to control buffer states all around the Russian Homeland in a paranoid view of the outer world. After world war two who could not understand their trepidation, they lost over 10,000,000 people. But their leaders were corrupt. Pure communism is a great philosophy for very few countries, China may be an example where a more benevolent leadership, with some capitalist gains, could work for the good of the people and yet not stifle innovation and the entreprenureal spirit that has driven America. So we looks at these communist / former communist STATES AND WONDER ABOUT SOCIALISM - THESE WERE NEVER REAL PRODUCTIVE SOCIALIST STATES - TODAY SOME OF THE SOVIET SATELLITES ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH FREEDOM AND GOOD SOCIAL POLICIES FOR THEIR PEOPLE.
HOW DOES THIS BEAR ON THE UNITED STATES, A 50 PIECE PUZZLE OF A DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OVER RUN WITH GOUGING PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS AND INVESTMENT FIRMS. LARGE CORPORATIONS PUSHING AMERICAN JOBS TO OTHER COUNTRIES. I THINK IF SAM WALTON WERE ALIVE HE MIGHT BE VERY ANGRY TO SEE HOW MANY PRODUCTS SOLD IN WALL MART AND SAM'S CLUB ARE MADE IN THE USA. I ONCE WORKED FOR A DIVISION OF RCA, IT WAS SOLD TO GE AND THEN TO A PRIVATE OWNER, THIRTY YEARS IN BUSINESS, AND THE BUSINESS CLOSED IN 1 1/2 YEARS LATER. tAX WRITE OFF, ALL JOBS LOST.
HERE'S THE SIMPLE PART - IF IT WERE UP TO ME I WOULD HAVE LISTENED TO GEORGE SOROS AND NATIONALIZED THE BANKS - WHY, PURE GREED ON THEIR PART, BAD PHONY NON-QUALIFIED MORTGAGES WERE GIVEN OUT, KNOWING THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES. AND WHEN THEY LOST MONET PRECIPITOUSLY NO ONE DID ANYTHING IN THE BUSH YEARS. I WOULD HAVE TAKEN CONTROL FOR A LIMITED TIME, MET WITH MANAGEMENT, LOWERED SALARIES FOR PEOPLE ON TOP, AND PAID TELLERS AND PEOPLE FACING THE PUBLIC A FAIRER WAGE, SO THEY COULD AFFORD A NEW CAR. iF AN EXECUTIVE GETS A $10 TO $100 MILLION BONUS, YES I'D REDISTRIBUTE THE FUNDS BACK TO THE PEOPLE DOING THE GRUNT WORK - THIS IS GREAT FOR THE ECONOMY, INSTEAD OF AN EXECUTIVE BUYING SEVERAL McMANSIONS, AND COUNTRY HOMES, IF THE MONEY WAS SPREAD TO THE LOWER LEVELS THEY WOULD BUY NEW CARS, NEW TV'S, MOVE OR UPGRADE THEIR HOMES...PAY TO GET THEIR KIDS A GOOD EDUCATION. HIS IS A PROPER DISTRIBUTIN OF WEALTH, DOESN'T BOTHER ME ONE BIT. THIS ISN'T AN ENTERPENUER LIKE LARRY PAGE I'M HITTING, HE RECEIVED $7.8..BILLION WHEN THE FIRM WENT PUBLIC. HE SHARED THE WEALTH WITH HIS WORKED AND CREATED AN ATMOSPHERE FOR CREATIVITY. HIS FIRM ALSO CHANGES THE WORLD IN MANY PROFOUND WAYS. THAT'S THE AMERICAN DREAM. TO BE COMTINUED, THIS MAY BE LONG AND RE-EDITED.

Official Food, Inc. Movie Site - Hungry For Change? - About the Film

2010-03-12T03:12:00.000-05:00

Official Food, Inc. Movie Site - Hungry For Change? - About the Film

Just Another Night in Florida

2010-03-11T00:57:00.000-05:00

Just walked out to take out the garbage. Nice cool breeze, not cold tonight, no frost, which we've had on and off; but lights in the sky. looks like UFO's...nope just the Casino's birthday party, nice use of floodlights. The cloudy sky gave it a 1950's B movie feel. The UFO's should land....everything else is strange enough lately.

Alice in Wonderland

2010-03-09T03:40:00.001-05:00

Catch it before you fall into a rabbit hole and miss it. The film is a moving painting...a floating, flipping piece of true creative genius by all on board. If you don't agree, I'm sorry that you don't see what my daughter and I experienced. What marvelous art. I'd love to see Meryl Streep work with Tim Burton. Meryl has done some films on the edge of this type of art. But imagine what they could do together.
Art in film rocks on!
Alice has always intrigued me. My daughter read Alice when she was young - I gave her the Annotated Alice etc. to read. Great to see you children get it.
Tim Burton gets it.
Years ago I made large plaster mushrooms for an art store I worked in...my girlfriend at the time and I had a blast doing the work, it felt like we were in Wonderland; sidebar, a young lady from Bernardsville, NJ worked with us for awhile before heading off to college. She once said she'd be an actress...boy is she ever.
Boin Arts and Crafts, Morristoen, NJ 1967-1968. That time was like being in a rabbit hole in many ways - which path to turn on. Where to go. My artist/actor friends - the Army, are you nuts.
Don't miss Alice, find a rabbit hole of your own device to explore. Look for an old Donovan Leitch album -"HMS Donovan" worth the hard search, have your friends, kids listen. Also "A Gift Form a Flower to a Garden", and "Mellow Yellow: - they'll lead you to your rabbit hole. Thanks to Tim Burton, Mr.Depp....you rule sir...no one has your creative vision. Oh, Meryl is there as well...a special creative level shared by very few, just not as spaced out like John and Tim- but so damned good.

Where is George Bailey when you NEED him.

2010-03-06T00:54:00.001-05:00

We'd better watch who we become. If as in the Bush administration we act like our enemy and condone torture - then we become who we are fighting.
I see the Republican far right wing leaders starting to act like fascists. Their way or else. That will mean many really good Conservatives will be in danger of re-election. I saw this happen in the Democratic party.
You get what you ask for - Tea Party people, if you mean well, fact check, note that this President is fighting in your interest, if anything he is too Conservative. Maybe our banks should have been nationalized, then money might be flowing to small business owners who need so much help, not into the bonus accounts of the people who have abused the public trust.
Do some people in congress need to be voted out, of course, in both parties. The sanctimonious bull has got to stop.
Think carefully when you speak. Be for who you want - any party - say what you believe - any view, but always try and think of the public good as a whole. President Obama is so eloquent, and he really cares about the public good - that's why he's pushing health care so very hard. Does the system have flaws, yes, does the bill have flaws, yes - but Harry Truman, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Bill Clinton all thought it was something we needed.
The Olympics in Canada showed me one thing very clearly....Canada has got it right, they argue amongst themselves, and debate like crazy, but when it comes down to it - they are UNITED for the common good. Why can't we be just a little more like our neighbors to our north. Our foremost ally in war and peace!
Many Canadian soldiers are fighting and giving up their lives alongside our troops every day. I know the right wingers will say if Canada is so great why don't you go there - well, I was born there, I have a wonderful extended family there, but I got to the US when I was one. I am a decorated Veteran, and I love this country more than most of the very right wing. I put my life on the line and lost several friends. I support our troops without question, but I will note when boundaries have been crossed.

I just got through with an argument with someone in the Social Security Administration about my citizenship.
I told her that one piece of paper, my naturalization certificate, might keep me from going onto Medicare, and getting SSI. I finally went to the court where I was Naturalized and got a certified document proving I was a citizen. In the Army I had security clearances on several jobs,...the Army knows I'm a citizen. I work for the Census, they know I'm a citizen. Social Security could not get the information from them. National Security...we're so secure that we can't communicate from one agency to another. I was told by several people it could take me up to one year to get a copy of my Naturalization Certificate, at a cost of $380, because I was a Veteran it could be speeded by up to six months. Social security lady says, oh well you'll get your benefits retroactively. After several weeks of digging through records, and dealing with four government agencies - the courts system was great, I got a wonderful Hispanic lady in Newark, NJ, who really went out of her way to help me (I love you).
What is my point here - simple. I could have gone to Canada where I was born, and had less of a fight retiring in Canada than here in the US. In 1956 I stood on a street corner handing out brochures for Adlai Stevenson for President, A great Democrat, at that age I knew I loved politics and wanted to be President.
When I was fourteen I was told that I was not an American Citizen, (I was adopted by a great family), but I wasn't told I was Canadian, I was very angry----I was an AMERICAN! I am still very much that angry kid inside. I care about this country more than most of the right wing does, or the greedy bankers, or the Democrats that might have taken just a bit too much pac money. I made a choice in 1968 - when I was drafted, I made the decision, a complicated one, to enlist for Officer's Candidate School. I was against the war and could have gone to Canada, but I love the United Sates. I also love Canada.
Maybe if we start to do things the way Canadians do - a bit of decency and civility goes a long way.
Fix the bureaucracy first...this is a government for the PEOPLE, not some idiot who couldn't try to help me, but got upset because she had to follow her rules. (Her boss was very helpful once I said that I would send a letter to the President, I worked on his campaign, and still get e-mails every few days from the White House, DNC etc.)
I am going to put together a well thought out proposal to the White House, about security and efficiency that would make him the most popular President in generations - fix the bureaucracy. I am going to get input from many friends from within the system. This is the one thing that gets people very angry. The government isn't listening carefully enough, and now the Tea Party thinks they can just fix everything with mean rhetoric. Not the answer. This isn't taxation without representation, this is angry frustrated workers not doing their jobs right, this is bankers who don't understand that that a $10millin bonus could have started several viable small businesses. (They can't loan money, but they can reward themselves for almost bankrupting the country, When I was a kid this type of banking was called theft.
Jimmy Stewart was a great American in so many ways - if you don't know, go check. Barry Goldwater was another great American - both senior military staff officers, both Conservative. I think they both be sick to see where the right wing is headed.

Bobby Darin

2010-02-27T02:52:00.000-05:00

Come and sing a simple song of freedom.....damned if what you're feeling isn't change.....alone in the world was poor little anne......dream lover where are you......beyond the sea, waitin' for me....up a lazy river with me, throw away your troubles baby dream a dream with me.....just a jack-knife has old mack heath babe......
Once upon a Time, very long ago....around 1958, a limo pulled up in front of a neighbors house. I never met this young man. (But I bought his records). Our paths took a curious twist over time. Revelations in his life and mine enhanced my understanding of how he felt. He knew he had limited time here, and he did what he could to try to entertain the world, and try to change the world. His song Change, sung by Kevin Spacey in the film "Beyond the Sea" has actually haunted me for the last few weeks. (Great job on that film Kevin - Bob would be very proud). Carpe Deum, Tempes Fugit (pardon any errors here),....I'll be 65 shortly and I'm am the luckiest guy on the planet. Almost left this place 10 times (I mean very, very close to "well it was a nice run").
Many people said Bob was arrogant...driven is the truth, the guy who had too little time, and he knew it. Maybe if we all realized how close we are to not being here, we might live each day a little better, and help other people, be more civil to each other.
"By myself alone,... I'll build a world my own"...maybe we could all build a better world.
"Change...Whatever you've done it's all over, ....yesterdays gone forever"'
Example - Tim Hardin was a friend of a friend of mine in college. (Go get his 1st album - Tim Hardin - go download it now...I'll wait till you come back..... thanks....), so my friend told me about this album, and I listened. Tim was an ex-marine. An amazingly gifted writer and touching performer. He died if s drug overdose much too young. Bob recorded many of Tim's songs from demos he heard - Tim got pissed off when he heard them on the radio. They both got the word out to people and passed through much to quickly.
What they have in common other than a similar sensibility was pain. Two souls in pain. Luckily they shared their gifts with us. Go grab the time you have and use it for good, get politicians, and foolish pundits to listen that CHANGE is really needed. No one can change time and bring these guys back, they live on to warn us how little time we have to clean up our own time. The present doesn't exist but for a glint in an eye between the past and the future - grab the future. I hope my best is yet to come. I put some dreams aside, took paths other than some amazing other paths I had to choose from - sliding doors. The only constant is CHANGE -
lets fix things in a civil manner; support our people who put their lives on the line every day for us; prayers if you got 'em , say 'em. .I ain't goin' your way, get out of my way (Lazy River)....to those who don't get it keep up your Charade.

Health Care.

2010-01-25T15:14:00.000-05:00

It's simple. Whoopi Goldberg said on the view - "give me what you've got" to congress. Then Elizabeth jumped in and said their program was a private program Wrong Elizabeth! It is a program similar to what I have.
I have Tricare Prime run by Humana Healthcare South, but managed by the US Army. (It is a program for the military, active duty and retired). You pay an annual fee and have small co-pays. Pharmacy - outstanding. Very, very well run program. Mostly administered by Humana, but with government guidelines. Now this is the military, I lost three men in my platoon the day I was almost killed in Viet Nam. I had a person I met a couple of months ago, an insurance agent, question me on my right to have Tricare Prime because we don't pay enough for the coverage, and she didn't think that was fair. She told me she was a very Conservative Republican. Well I was polite and not in a position to argue with her at the time, so I let it be.
To all of you Conservatives that have any issue with any Veterans getting Tricare coverage - you go to war, you get shot, wounded for life, or get PTSD and then we can talk. What crap.I think Sen. Johm McCain would have something to say to you people.
Health care for all can be done. Richard Nixon wanted to do it, and the Democrats dropped the ball. The Clinton administration tried hard. So here we are again - everyone says rethink. Maybe a little - back room deals get people very angry - rightfully so - it's not Change. I worked for Change.
Simple - take a look at Tricare and how it works - modify it for all people - payment would be staggered, and if a person couldn't afford the coverage - Medicaid is there as a net.
I had private health care when I worked at a couple of corporations, which were both sold. I had Cobra after these companies laid us all off, and when I wanted to change from Cobra to full coverage, the insurer wanted to double my payments...due to pre-existing conditions. (Back then the Army used Champus which was secondary to my main health care, (and the Army hospitals in my area were still open) - when I had a heart attack I went straight to an Army hospital - they saved my life and transferred me to a private hospital for specialized care.
So what you might say. Well the warning is there...if your employer does not provide health care, as most of mine here in Florida have not; or you have health care, don't feel so secure. The vast corporate changes will catch up with many people at some time. Loose your job...go through Cobra, and then pray. I worked for a health benefits provider for one month during the evening this last year. Scariest stories I have heard in a long time... from some very scared people whose Cobra was ending and they wanted a solution...lot's of luck. Medical discount cards, rubbish. High deductible policies, rubbish. Unless you are wealthy or have planned very, very well...pray that the President gets what he wants for you! Yes it needs some fixing and fine tuning.
I do not understand how some people on Social Security, and Medicare can possibly complain about the government. Medicare fraud is being addressed in Florida very aggressively here in Florida. If you didn't like FDR or LBJ, good we'll pull your programs right now. Is the government system broken - yes - I've been at it with four government departments over the last few months. I have worked with two of them to make some possible system fixes - one person can make a difference. (See Penny Ronning - go Penny).

One leads by example, not with a tea bag.

PS
A few years ago my wife had to be seen by 23 separate doctors in a years time - (If you are Diabetic be very careful, and be well) - now you sort of get the picture - it can get complicated. Most of the doctors I know prefer government programs, they can plan better - insurance companies drive them insane.

Lower Casualties, but local sadness. (In Memory of Herb Saffir)

2010-01-14T23:54:00.001-05:00

Thanks to all who have helped with Haitian relief efforts. I was at church tonight and said a prayer for the people and their country. This one hit very close to home. My sympathy to all who have suffered losses. Some of the missionaries from a local university are missing. I don't know what you see outside of Florida, or even out of Miami/Ft. Lauderdale metro - but each hour or two we hear about more and more family members missing or found dead. Now we have looting, mass graves, ...luckily our building codes are tougher here than almost anywhere else. I worked with one of the Hurricane Code writers, the late Herb Saffir - as I have said before he wrote the codes stronger than they really had to be - but he always knew there would be worse storms, and events that would hit us. Hindsight for Haiti, a warning for us. I once asked Herb if he ever thought about how many lives he may have saved by his categorizing hurricanes and their damage - he said not really. That was his job - he was cited by congress for his great work. We must do as President Obama has said, our infrastructure is fragile in many areas - we need another national public / private effort to protect this country - now. Thank you Herb for our ten + years of friendship, and the lessons I learned from a quieit decent genius who really care about people. .As Herb and Mr. Simpson developed the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Scale, maybe we will find better ways to predict when a major quake might hit. Building codes must be upgraded here in our country - Florida and California are doing well, but there is a long wat to go.

Haiti and Politics and religion - Act Now!

2010-01-14T00:50:00.001-05:00

I am appalled at Rush Limbaugh - he has lost his mind and any perspective he may have ever had. I would like to hear Gov. Mike Huckabee address Rush's ridiculous disatribe today, also Newt, Sarah, Mr. O'Reilly - I don't always agree with all of you, but you are decent people. Rush is not - he is an oozing sore on the face of American decency.
Pat Robertson - the devil did not do this to Haiti, geology did this to Haiti, non-existent building codes did this to Haiti. My wife's relatives back in 1624 left Plymouth, Mass. and helped found Salem, Mass. You sounded today like the people in Salem during the witch trials. I will not debate the devil, or pacts with the devil - just too out there for me, sorry. Especially when a Roman Catholic Church collapsed killing the leading church leaders - were they devil worshipers Pat. I am pleased that your organization is sending aid to Haiti. If I had Kathy lee Gifford's number I'd have her call you and have a talk with you. I remember Kathy Lee Epstein on the 700 Club many years back. I used to like you - you're losing it sir.

Elvis Presley Jan. 8th, 2010

2010-01-10T20:01:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday! Got posted late). Almost 33 years ago a meteor that came out of Memphis returned home ti his place in the great unknown. For his good deeds and kindness I hope he has had the chance to speak with Jesus.
In his short life he radically changed the world. How could an entertainer do this. Grace, belief, generosity of spirit and caring about those who cared about him. He redefined music, but always paid homage to his roots. (If a black writer did not get his royalties, if an idol of his was ill - Elvis privately stepped in to help).
He opened doors that others would not open. He began pounding on that door and hopefully people will listen for a long time. Please see the film "The Express" - there is a great underlying reality defined by the soundtrack - whoever put the soundtrack together knew Elvis quite well in spirit the. The film defines how hard change comes all over our country. The song "A Mess of Blues" grabs you and makes your eyes pop open, after having heard all the great "Race" music, R + B artists played in the film to that point, (most of them later recorded by Elvis), suddenly a white singer, rocks the race boat. This was the mellower post-Army Elvis yelling out.
This is to be another year of "Elvis" - listen to the great Gospel music. Don't look at the bad jokes, the cruel comments - think of life without Elvis. Thanks Sam Phillips for having the foresight to know what would happen when he left this young man loose. Very few people like Elvis visit us.
See Ann Margaret's interview with Larry King on You Tube and you certainly feel his impact.
Elvis always said he was not the King - Jesus was the King, he meant it! I'm Jewish and I love Gospel music, without Elvis I never might have opened that door.
(There will be) Peace in the Valley for me, oh, oh, oh yeah!
Thanks, I'm sorry I didn't come to meet you when I was invited, thanks to Elvis for so much.

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

2009-12-07T21:29:00.000-05:00

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.

Green Village Pages - creation

2009-10-01T18:52:00.000-04:00

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.

FIND JOy 2

2009-09-04T00:54:00.000-04:00

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLcX2rCBR9U

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/give-joy-and-her-friends-a-voice

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/341766/991086?m=6d54c0aa

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=119611141878

Find Joy

2009-09-04T00:45:00.000-04:00

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.

Strange Days

2009-08-27T21:06:00.000-04:00

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.

Dwayne Colp - Jesse Hammer - Brotherhood

2009-08-21T00:48:00.000-04:00

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

2009-08-17T21:52:00.000-04:00

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.

NBC

2008-12-26T20:49:00.000-05:00

Well so much for the left wing media, and MSNBC being a Democraric party outlet. For almost eight years George W. Bush, or more accurately, Don Rumsfeld, John Aschcroft etc., have subverted our Constitution, not taken care of the VA, or our many brave wounded veterans from Iraq (another Viet Nam) afe neglected, and we've understaffed and under supplied our brave troops in Afghanistan - where the real battle is to be won. We need at this time of the year to remember we can not win - without winnig the Hearts and Minds of our adversaries. We elect a man who understands this - and what do we do, complain because he made suggestions for his replacement in Illinois to a Governor who seems to be a throwback to every back room deal maker both parties have always made. If we are going to nitpick details where there is no substance, than we must clean both the Senate and the House of every person who has some dealing with a lobbyist to get themselves elected - that's everyone folks. Campaign finance reform, ethics reform, will come when the American public gets angry enough. But let's pick proper targets!
The VA - NBC - go for it, ABC listen up - and Fox please protect our troops. Dr. Phil gets it! Great show. As Barry Goldwater once said, if we're not going to fight to win - get out. My take is, if we're can't feed, arm, protect within reason, and set proper goals, and treat our wounded with due respect and care - then end the wars NOW.
Nitpik Pakistani and Saudi Arabian diversions from help on the terroist front.

Eli Stone - Boston Legal, next Life on Mars?

2008-12-09T23:19:00.000-05:00

I personally volunteer to take over programming at ABC - all I want is to re-program Prime time. Somebody is letting some of the most creative shows EVER to die.
Stick these shows over on ABC family at 10 PM.
Whoever chooses these shows in the first first place is to be commended.

Other shows from various networks - Jehrico, Stargate Atlantis, The 4400, etc. have just been killed off.

This is not about ratings, or a generational change - I'm 63 and my generation really screwed up on many fine shows. (But we generally gave them time - not Star Trek, that just took on a life of its own after NBC crushed it - but the fans did not let it die.

So what will occur - well Elvis Presley 30 #1 hits has been repackaged in the new SD format - strange idea when SD cards are so cheap now- but RCA Special Porudcts keeps pushing Elvis...I love El, but he's been gone since 1977.
If the record companies, or Elvis, had listened to an idiot at the Grand Ole Opry our world in music, film, civil rights, Gospel music etc. would be much different.
All I ask is tolerance - put these great shows in different time slots - if you don't want to air them - shoot them as a new format DVD - SDHC Card, but include adverting targeted at audiences that will be sold in multiple markets, with ads for specific markets.
Run Eli Stone online - convergence is coming full tilt anyway. ABC is pushing standard TV over the edge. Convergence with make the Web 2 defcto television. Then Google can track every viewer (if allowed), and TV is dead.
Art should survive - the networks will blend into the Internet after February - and we have a new ballgame in let's say 5 years.
Save Eli Stone. And let Life on Mars find an audience or I'll sic Harvey Keitel on your offices.

Boston Legal

2008-12-09T00:19:00.000-05:00

By Denny and Alan. Have a happy marriage. You shall be missed, this level of intelligence in Primetime network TV is so very rare.
The talent of this cast just leaves me speechless...almost, thank you all!

Auto Bailout

2008-12-05T20:51:00.000-05:00

As much as I dislike the executives at GM - I am more exasperated by the bailout of AIG etc. - with not a bit of explanation that the car makers had to go into - and the UAW, got beaten up again, most of these fine workers are not paid an amout that would push them out of the middle class. (And they are made to make concessions.) I have blue collar friends of mine beating up the UAW, have the union made errors, sure, ask some of the workers, without unions sweat shops would be back. I could go on about how some major non-union firms treat their employees, but I have Republicans friends boycotting them.
As I've said before go to www.twochocolates.com and read the post that Penny put up from Al Feldstein - I'd nationalize the industry myself, and do just what Al says.

Brenden Foster - a GIFT to us all!

2008-12-05T20:28:00.000-05:00

I agree with my friend Penny Ronning on Brenden. Please go to www.TwoChocolates.com
and please listen to Penny, you world will change! Don't take that as hyperbole - just read and ingest her spirit.
When I saw Brenden speak I was amazed by the depth that this young man had.
We live in an era when "Shock and awe" is used to describe a mission in a war.
Brenden shocked me, and I am in awe of him. What a loss, but what an insight into what might be going on here - this was an old, wise soul - trapped in an ill body of a gentle boy. God had a special purpose for this child. Religions outside the Judeo-Chrstian, and Islamic traditions have views on reincarnation.
Physicists are discovering that there may well be parallel universes.
I remember a 7 year old child dying of cancer many years back, I was watching her and my Uncle Jack, 89, both fighting and losing their battles with cancer in the hospital. Both showed amazing grace and understanding.
Well all neeed to understand - there must be peace and understanding one day.
Start today! Love to all - Dale

Time to Change Course

2008-10-13T14:16:00.000-04:00

I've been involved in politics since 1956 as a vounteer (handing out literature at 11 years old on a street corner), assistant campaign co-ordinator, poll worker, and other positions in the Democratic Party in both New Jersey and Florida.
I am dismayed by the turn this campaign has taken in tone. Senator McCain has very wisely defended Senator Obama in recent days - this is the John McCain, my fellow officer from the Viet Nam era, that I always respected. He really isa maverick and for many years stood up to element of his party he didn't agree with, and did work with many notable democrats to acheive his goals. All well and good.
Today we get Gov. Palin and a terrible hatchet job on Sen. Obama. The "swift boat" lie machine is going full tilt. Enough.
Vote for Senator Barck Obama and Sen. Joe Biden.
Filter out the lies and vote.
I ask you - is there a choice? Thank you!

Captain Dale R. Shack
US Army, Retired
Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart

Bob Hartlen

2008-07-10T01:07:00.000-04:00

Bob Hartlen is a man in Nova Scotia who has brought so many families together, that were split apart at birth at the Ideal Maternity Home in East Chester , Nova Scotia. These innocent women who came to put their children up for adoption the this center never knew that they we're being pulled into the Butterbox Baby scandal. Many, many babies dies for many arbitrary reasons.
I am a survivor of this horror and Bob Hartlen has helped me reunite with my birth family by connecting me with leads and ideas to make my wish come true. Due to his efforts, and the helping hand of my dear friend Jesse Hammer I was reunited with my birth mother and that side of my family.
I bring this up as Bob has been ill for awhile (he just got a good test result), thank god.
Bob does so much to honor the survivors, reunite families, it is truly remarkable how he can endure the emotional roller coaster. When I worked with him a few years back on my story of reuniting with my family, I got to really understand the pain some of mt fellow adoptees had been through.
Google "Butterbox Babies" and you will be able to see the work he has done.
I have a friend that I recently called a workaholic angel, Bob is another one of these people among us that have worked so hard for others.
Say a prayer for Bob hartlen, but just as important "Carpe Diem" - "Sieze the Day" - live like there is no tomorrow, help those who can't help themselves, relieve pain wherever possible. Think globally, act locally - and smile through these times of strain.
Love,
Dale

Seven words

2008-06-24T23:14:00.000-04:00

Dear George,
These are the 7 words I never wanted to hear on TV -
George Carlin has died at seventy one.

While in college one of my drama professors started a class by just yelling out the word -f**k!
This was 1966 and the class was in shock, I had a smirk on my face. The power of language, the more we overuse a word or phrase the more we reduce it's power. George Carlin was a part of our comic and philosophical American fabric. He will be missed greatly. Sheer genius. Go back and listen - carefully.
Sorry I edited a word, but words still seem to scare people, amke them categorize you. diminish people's view of you (even when used to make a great point)...I think my edit makes Mr. carlin's point.

My regards to fellow fans and my sincere condolences to the family.

Lillian's Story - Part One

2008-06-14T01:21:00.000-04:00

June 3, 1911 - Lillian Goldstein was born.
My mother who adopted me when I was 6 months old and brought me to the United States from Nova Scotia, Canada in 1946.
Louis Goldstein was a tough father for her to deal with, he was abusive to his wife Dora, a strong, but gentle woman. He hit her at times. Usually Jewish men would not do this, if they did it was never mentioned. As mom got older she told me about this side of my grandfather. There was a lingering bitterness between my mother and grandfather. Dora passed away when I was very young.
Before I was adopted a pattern of sadness started early on for Lil, toughening her up, and making her independent and a leader, in a time where this was very hard for women.
Besides seeing her father being abusive, her younger brother Sol passed away at 16 from pneumonia. This took a hard emotional toll on her. She still had her younger brother Jack, a tall handsome man. Lil was a beautiful woman. (Strawberry blonde with freckles).
In Central High School in Newark, NJ. she formed a sorority with a group of women that would later become a huge influence in my life - god love them all and may they rest in peace. For most of the time I knew the sorority sisters, she was either President of the group, or oranized the sorority functions. She was a born leader. Lil went on after high school to attend Drake Business College, I have her diploma from her graduation, of which she was so proud. She became an Executive Secretary for Dorn and Kirschner Music, in Newark, NJ. Another big influence in my life, her love of music and dancing. (I got force fed dance lessons with my mothers before my Bar Mitzvah. It was sort of fun). I grew up exposed to a great variety of musical styles. My mother also got involved in social causes of the times, I saw pictures of her and her sorority sisters visiting with poor black families in the late 30's. She always tried to help those she felt were mistreated, or with some disability. All her life she gave to charities and worked for charities. She was a very Liberal Democrat and made sure I knew how one should give back and help those who needed help.

At 18 Lil was told that if she didn't quit smoking she could die. I don't know all the details, but she quit, but was still quite ill. She had to have a hysterectomy and of course was unable to have children. A hard blow to endure for anyone.
Lil married Harry Shack, and became a part of a family with more women, Harry was the baby of the family and the only boy. His sisters would become another major influence in my life.
Aunt Katy (my Godmother - always pinched my cheek and hugged and kissed me), Aunt Sarah - warmth and wisom, I spent a lot of time with her - always there to help, Aunt Clara (sweet to me, encouraged me), Aunt Rose (warm, always friedly, I didn't spend as much time with her.
Here's the rub. Lil and Harry could not have children and it was hard to adopt in 1945. Lil and Harry went to Nova Scotia, Canada to arrange for my adoption from the Ideal Maternity Home.
I don't know what they actually had to pay - but it ranged from $5,000 to $10,000. I had Strawberry Blonde hair and frekles, I looked just like Lil, (and I also look like my birth mother).
I had Chiken Pox and had to wait until I got better before I could come to the US. I was very lucky tat Lillian came and got me, for I was a Butterbox Baby, and easily could have been left to die if I hadn't been a cute baby that was wanted by an American. (Please see list of links below for more info on the Butterbox Babies. This had been documented in at least 4 books, and one feature film.) Please read this as it will give you an great insight into the Right to Choose/Pro-Life debate. (There is NO right or wrong, there's horror and fear on both sides of the issue. I am Pro-Choice, only because it's not my body, my life or my business to tell any woman to make that decision. Personally, if Abortion were legal at the time I was born, I might not be here. Lil and Fran, my mothers, thanks to you both for your wisdom and thought. The violence over this issue must end, most angry arguments either way are spurious, it is a very hard personal issue. Kindness, thought, and guidance from caring people is needed. I am pro-adoption and would hope women would choose this option, but I do not want the government to legislate this. This is where good religious leaders in each faith should focus their efforts, birth control does not need medication, but it is always there as an option. Guidance and thought, contemplation. There is help out there, there are Lillian's waiting to ameliorate their own pain and help young women with their fear and pain. No it isn't easy at any level.

In Memorium again - TooYoung - goodbye Tim

2008-06-14T00:16:00.000-04:00

I just watched a video that my friend Penny Ronning posted on her site, see below - go visit - it is about the unadulterated, outright, outrageous, undignified, uncalled for, superemely sexist campaign that Senator Hillary Clinton has had to endure. Michelle Obama has also been treated in a similar maner. Shame on all of you, both men and for Gods' sake women. Are you women too ignorant to realize that you are defeating your own future by a woman treating another woman as chattel, meat or a commodity rather than intelligent beings that have changed the world for the better. A quick aside - how many of you know that nuclear fission was proven to exist and work by a woman, when asked to help develop the atomic bomb she refused. (Watch the PBS special on Einstein's life and theories. Many very important women are discussed in detail. It is a revelation. A Jewish German woman changed the world and was treated horribly, in fear for her life, and not treated with respect by her colleauges. I apologize for not remembering her name, but I will watch the special again, order the DVD, and show my daughter what some women did to try and save the world.)

Chris Matthews go suck an egg and while you're at it, eat it raw, get Salmonella poisoning and feel some of the pain you have casually foisted upon women as a group. If I were Senator Clinton I could not be as gracious as to let you get away with your many sexist comments. YOU ARE NOT FUNNY! And I'm someone that used to enjoy your commentaries. Don't you realize what effect comments like these have on a campaign. Your dredging up every stereotype you could meekly and inepty bring up does effect the vote. Shamefully true.
Senator Clinton made an error in timing, and also trying to play a "mans' " game early on in the campaign. If she had been the real Hillary from day one and let the people see her as she really is through the whole campaign, Senator Obama, as good a person and candidate as he might be, could not have beaten Senator Clinton. What a geat loss we have just suffered.

On suffering a loss, I looked carefully to see if Tim Russert had beaten up on Hillary Clinton in a sexist way, the only spot I saw was Tim laughing at something Chris Matthews said. We will miss Tim Russert greatly. He was fair and tough on everyone. I heard someone say that he really questioned how some of our politicians got to where they are, they were so inept. I heard him described as a Ronald Reagan Democrat. (Ronald Reagan cut his political teeth on the side of FDR, as did LBJ. They really tried to appeal to the average American, and do what they though was good for the people - I didn't always agree with them, but they were hardcore true believers that government could make a difference.) I think Tim Russert cared so deeply for the American people he really tried to be neutral and fair, he just wanted answers to questions to be addresed with some modicum of intelligence. I will miss him, and America will notice our loss.
We need more journalists of this quality - not the garbage that has been spewed against Hillary Clinton by other psuedo-journalists. Rest in Peace Tim, you will be missed. I remember when you knew Hillary could not win, but you were fair - that's all I ask, fairness and decency. Anyone who worked in NY with the great politicians you trained with could ever ask why you were so incisive and demanding for honest answers from everyone. Thank you so much.

Robert Kennedy

2008-06-04T22:57:00.000-04:00

Robert Kennedy - a very consevative beginning led to a great philosophical transformation. He wanted to modify welfare the way Preisdent Clinton viewed wellfare. Motivate. He wanted to unite us as we need uniting now.
God let him rest in peace. Thanks to his relatives that supported Senator Hillary Clinton.
Let's mend our wounds, join together, end this war - I could have written this in 1968 just as I had entered the US Army and got ready to go to Viet Nam in 1969. Listen to our history.
Help Afghanistan, let Iraq solve their problems - help them help themselves, I've got friends there now trying to do just that.
Senator Obama - good luck, make good choices, work closely with Senator Clinton and you can change America. A joint ticket is unbeatable.
Since we will win - lead wisely.

In Memoriam

2008-06-03T19:42:00.000-04:00

My mother who raised me after adopting me as a baby, Lillian Goldstein Shack Schulman, would have celebrated her birthday today. (She passed away from her third bout with cancer in 1992).
May she rest in peace. If she were here to see what went on today she would have gone ballistic with the media. Senator Clinton, you deserved the win. Senator Obama, choose wisley and rebuild our party.
I've never seen such a last minute attack on a candidate before the polls had closed in the last two Primary states, South Dakota, and Montana.
This needs to be looked at, where is this evolving from.
Leave Bill Clinton alone already Vanity Fair (unfair). It's his private life, let him deal with Senator Clinton if there is an issue. If you live in glass houses in New York excpect rocks to be thrown at you. Enough... Let us look at the private life of every editor and writer at Vanity Fair - should be fun.
What a sleazy and unDemocratic society we are becoming. Disenfranchising so many voters, Michigan is too weird for description - was Hillary set up - perhaps, people came out to vote!.
Reform now. Now is the time for women to speak out loudy like my mother would have.

Senator Edward Kennedy

2008-06-02T22:16:00.000-04:00

Rest well and recover quickly. No family has lost so much and given more to their country. No matter what your political or philsophical views may be, or how you may judge him, Ted Kenndy has given more than he ever got from this country. I have my personal views of the things that have happened to the Kennedy family - someday the truth will be shown on each incident.
For now his legacy is one that needs to be continued, get well soon. The bipartisan spirit shown today is to be commended. Let's see more of this every day.
In that spirit I was saddened to see Senator Arlen Spector having to fight cancer again - my best to a Senator who has searched for truth so often, especially with regard to President Kennedy - his search for truth is commendable.
These men are civil servants that have not been afraid to speak their minds and help the Amercian people build a better society. May the next generation learn from these leaders and get ready to lead us into the future.
President Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy set lofty goals for us -Ted Kennedy has tried to follow them and to lead this country forward.
Whether Senaator Hillary Clinton or Senator Barack Obama earns the nomination I hope we will see Senator Kennedy healthy enough to see the Democratic party win the election.

Democracy from a Floridian Perspective.

2008-05-31T23:41:00.000-04:00

Well the weather here in Florida has calmed a bit. Coming home from a short vacation last week we were hit by what appeared to be 2 small Tornados that forced us tp pull over to side side on interstate 95. The rain and winds were sudden and strong and hailstones like marbles pelted us. All I could think of later was what was occurring across the midwest, giant versions of what just scared the hell out of my wife and I. Our very heartfelt condolences to those who suffered so much. We are used to this in Florida, it never gets easier.

Here is what is scary a week later. There are still Tornados beating up the midwest.
It seems that the DNC has decided that our votes in the Democratic (?) Party Primary, are worth 1/2 a vote each. I'm sorry, but if you thought the protestors today are an abberation, you are so wrong. We thought we had an election with the best two candidates available. We still can't get Florida right. On to the convention.

Burn on big lake, burn on!

2008-05-21T21:27:00.000-04:00

Who would have thought after blogging about the Cyuhoga River catching fire due to pollution many years back, that Florida on Fire would include our Great Lake Okeechobee. The drought that has plagued our region has caused the lake water level to drop to record lows - the grass and weeds along the shore of the lake caught fire last night. It is supposed to begin to rain soon, probably too little too late. We'll wait and hope to survive Hurricance season. My late friend, Herb Saffir, PE, and I discussed global warming many times - he was convinced that our problems here in Florida were cyclical. He did not live long enough to see Greenland cracking off glaciers. (Herb Saffir develpoed the Saffir/Simpson Hurricane scale 1-5, and i told him that he saved many lives by giving people fair warning before major storms would hit. How much worse the world would have been without him. God bless and keep you safe my dear friend.

(For those of you unfamiliar with words such as Okeechobee, its an Indian word meaning - I don't know, maybe big lake - I'll check it out and get back). The Seminole and Micousoukee tribes are still here in Florida - luckily. We are the immigrants, unless you're of some Indian ancestry - all of us - my wifes family came here in 1624 and landed on the second ship in Plymouth, Mass. They helped found Salem, Mass. (No my wife is not a witch).
My daughter was just in Boston and told me that she saw Paul Revere's grave, I told her that she has 20 relatives buried by Mr. Revere, and John Hancok etc. I told her to always be fair and just with immigrants - legal, or illegal - she has always been color blind, racially tolerant - she's just does not tolerate stupidity, insensitivity, and cruelty. Maybe she'll be President some day. She always defends the underdog and tries to help them. I'm proud of her. She asked why we're building a wall between the US and Mexico. I just said stupidity! She knows there are illegal aliens taking advantage of benefits that they may not have earned yet. Her generation will be charged with solving these issues fairly and justly.

A note on Senator Edward M. Kennedy: I am very sorry to hear of his illness. He has been a great legislator, for the most part. Our best wishes to you during this tough fight ahead of you.
I do not agree with the Senator on his position on Senator Obama - at all. As a friend of mine has noted on her blog -(Thanks Penny Ronning), Senator Kennedy's state overwhelmingly chose Senator Clinton. Massachusetts has always voted for Senator Kennedy, he should return the favor - vote with his constituents. Support their choice. The party rules are arbitrary and undemocratic! She is the people's choice, if the party wants to win, request that every super delegate vote the way their constituents voted. If they are not elected officials, think carefully, who can win, and wait for the full popular vote.
The news just had Hillary on, and a local reporter actually said "she has been avoiding Florida", she has done fund raisers here in Florida several times, and was not allowed to campaign when she had the chance. Media bias in Palm Beach county, or just another example of unqualified people on the news. Believe it or not WPBF news had a longer segment on Pole Dancing for excercise, than on both Democratic candidates visiting Florida. Enough is enough.

My late step father, Dr. Irving Schulman would have been 100 today, he died of prostate cancer and bone cancer, back in 1989. I love you dad, thanks for tolerating me, and thanks for being great when I was ill after Viet Nam.
My mother Lillian passed away three years after him - being a feminist ahead of her time, she'd be very proud of Hillary Clinton, as she was to see Shirley Chisolm, and geraldine ferraro begin to breal the ice. Sexism is worse than racism in the USA.

Florida on Fire! Go Hillary!

2008-05-21T00:26:00.000-04:00

It's a strange evening here in South Florida.
I was watching election results, (Go Hillary), and editing my blog, (watch the dyslexic moments, I'm tired tonight), while spending the week in Palm Beach Shores. We had a time share week to use so we stayed locally. A whole 30 or so miles north of our house in Coral Springs.
Well for those of you that read this some day...take note, Florida is on fire. Last week the Sawgrass Expressway, which goes around half of Coral Springs, (the whole Western side and Northern side of the city), caught on fire - smoke everywhere. Actually the median burned from one side of town to the other. The expressway is long, but it just burned around our city. So we're here in Palm Beach Gardens and since we arrived there is smoke in the air. Just north of us, there are brush fires. While I am entering this I just got the first weather warning of this type - FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS IN EFFECT - the winds, very low humidity, and high temperatures (96 today), high for Florida, are creating conditions perfect for fires to start. Well there's more smoke in the air. (Not as bad as California's fires, but the Everglades are on fire as well).
So whats my point. President Bush won't sign the Kyoto accords, and Florida burns. I know how the fires will go out. Greenland is cracking and HUGE glaciers are heading south, and Florida burns. The coast of Antarctica is melting. Rivers, lakes and water supplies around the country are drying up. Viva Las Vegas! Elvis send us down a lot of rain. The documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" warned us. Many of my friends thought Al Gore was crazy...well the state that made him President is on fire...(oh I forgot the Supreme Court decided we don't count and he's not President), and this should be the beginning of rainy season. This year the Democratic party decided we don't count. (Thanks Howard). I heard that Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama are headed here tomorrow. wear face masks, the smoke is bad for you.
I remeber when Randy Newman sang about the Cyuhoga River in Ohio catching fire..."burn on big river, burn on". (Sheer genius).
There is a solution to the state burning...Edgar Cayce, (I believe), predicted that Florida would be flooded by 2012. Orlando will be beachfont property. This is a bit ahead of the schedule predicted in "An Inconvenient Truth", ... the price of a gallon of regular gas reached $3.89 today. Large food companies are repackaging foods, raising the price, and reducing the packaged weight. "Buy one, get one free" they ease you into the new pricing of the reduced sized packaging. Oil companies have earned record profits and say they need it to compete globally.
"Green, green, it's green they say on the far side of the hill..." GO GREEN now! Because it brown and black on the far side of Florida.

Florida Again

2008-05-16T19:43:00.000-04:00

Today I have heard that the Democratic Party doesn't seem to be willing to settle the Florida/Michigan issue. And now that John Edwards, who I once campaigned for, for Vice President with some friends, has decided to support Senator Obama...we are wondering why the win by Senator Hillary Cliinton, a 40 point plus gap, has fallen off the news radar.
Kentucky, Puerto Rico, Montana, Oregon, Sout Dakota...if I missed any states other than Florida and Michigan, i'm sorry. What if Hillary wins these states? Senator Clinton fight on, old allies are falling by the wayside,... while Hillary keeps winning?
My fellow Democrats...wake up, this is the third time that Florida's disenfranchisement may lose the Democratic party another election. Hillary can win, Barack Obama has raised $250,000,000 and could not come close to Hillary in West Virginia, and lost Pennsylvania. History has told us this is a no win scenario for the general election. We're repeating history in Iraq by fighting in a civil war, as I fought in Viet Nam. We're angry at President Bush for not listeing to historys' lessons, and we're not listening to our own political history. Is this change...no, just more of the same. Perhaps our two excellent candidates will work out a solution to win. My solution - simple, a Clinton / Obama ticket.

One other thing, I had respect for Gov. Huckabee, even though we disagreed on the issues, but today he sadly crossed a brutal line. Did we forget 1968. It's not a joke, I'm sure the NRA members had a great lauagh at this joke in very bad taste. Remember that President Reagan was shot as well, and a nut tried to kill President Ford. I just heard Gov. Huckabee has apologized, more care Mike, an offhand joke usually comes from a deeper sad place in our thoughts and soul.
I just had to add that I am disappointed that Sen. George McGovern has chosen to endorse Barack Obama. I love Sen. McGovern, he is a great American hero and icon, and did not lie to the country when it needed truth. Let's hope he's right if Sen. Obama wins the nomination.

Human rights in our "enligtened" era.

2008-05-15T00:09:00.000-04:00

On this day I start my new blog. The title of the site is based on a book of poetry I started writing between 1966 and 1972. During that period of time I was in college, and the US Army. I was an Infantry officer. I returned from Viet Nam in 1970, and in 1972 worked on Sen. George McGovern's campaign for President to try to end the war.

I mention the above to simply show how little we have really changed in these 40 plus years. I grew up in the 1950's with a single mother, my father died when I was eight years old. She worked 6 days a week to take care of me and make sure we could keep our house. Underpaid, overworked, and doing jobs as an executive secretary where she actually did the work for the men she worked for. She was a natural leader. President of our "Family Circle", cousins club, and President of a charity she volunteered to work for after she married again.
Today women worldwide, in our enlightened age, are still underpaid, treated like property or worse in many nations. Still traded as slaves. Treated as second class citizens in countries that we pump our petro dollars into.
I am so proud of Sen. Hillary Clinton, fighting on, just as she fought hard for George McGovern in 1972. We were fighting an unpopular war then, and here we are repeating history again. Every vote must count. If our civil rights continue to be abridged, as the current Bush administration is doing, we are in deep trouble. Go to the end Hillary...the old boys club that Senator Obama said he was going to change, led to the disenfranchisement of the voters of Florida and Michigan. I will vote for Senator Oba a if he gets the nominaton, but he will need advisors to guide him - hopefully women. Maybe the Speaker of the House can give him some advice.
We shall see the time in the near future where women can earn a fair wage, become President of this country, and maybe follow in the steps of women that led Israel, Great Britain, Pakistan and other countries where women have made a difference, and given their lives for change.
Human rights - Capital Punishment, China and Tibet, Torture of Prisoners (even by the US),
Africa - so many horrors, and on, much more to discuss as we begin our journey to enlightenment.
God bless the women who have done so much to help me, Lillian Shack Schulman, nurses that spent so many extra hours with me over my hospital stays, and forced me to recover, - (talk about underpaid and overworked people), my many Aunts that I was advised by as a young boy, my wife who has been there for me always - my daughter, who I hope will benefit from the efforts of the women that came before her. My sister Alberta, and family in Canada. My mother Fran, and mother in law Dorothy, who are both fighting Alzheimer's disease.
And my friend Penny Ronning, who is single handedly trying to save the world, one blog at a time.