Something Wonderful is About to Happen

At least, that's what the bumper sticker said. What it lacks in precision, it more than makes up for in optimism. But I guess it's that view, belief, hope that keeps people going. Honestly, if your personal philosophy is 'Something Shitty is About to Happen", it's going to get pretty hard to get out of bed after awhile. But, "Something Wonderful"? Who doesn't want to be around for that? All you have to do is keep putting one foot in front of the other, and pretty soon - Something Wonderful!!!

Here's the rub - "Wonderful" is pretty subjective. Your wonderful could be your neighbor's worst nightmare. And, is this a practical wonderful, or a fantastical one? Also, is free floating hope a good thing, or can you sometimes end up discouraged if the right wonderful thing doesn't happen. Leaving the satisfaction of your 'wonderful' needs to the fates, may bring us to an frustrated end - as Johnny Lydon and Public Image Ltd. so succinctly put it: "This is what you want. This is what you get."

At the risk of tempting the fates, and their quirky sense of humor, here are some wonderful things I'd like to see happen: My sister be happy again, and the Giants win the World Series. I'd like to see our troops come home from Iraq, and jobs for people who need them, college enrollments go up and prison populations go down.

Do you think that "Something Wonderful" is about to happen? What do you think it will be?

What More Can I Say?

Peace on Earth!!!

Merry Christmas, Brushfires Family!!!

I hope you all have a safe and happy Christmas, and that it is a joyous celebration!!!

(This is effin' awesome!!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDwWXpju77Q)

It's the End of the World As We Know It...

I watched this great 1998 film this morning, "Last Night" about a group of people and how they spend the final hours before the world ends. It got me to thinking, if I knew that approximately two months from now that the world was going to end, how would I spend that time? Would I show up to work every day? Would I make a list of all of the pleasures/adventures I'd always wanted to experience, and set out to do them all? Would I just curl up in a ball and wait to die? Who would I reach out to? Who would I want spend those last hours with...and who would want to share them with me?

Any thoughts you'd like to share?

For your listening pleasure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02TUsZzF6es

UPDATE: I've been pondering this question, and it's a toughy. I'd want to be with my sister and the kids up in Seattle. But, I'd also want to spend time with my family here in NoCal. And, what of my chosen family? Will I have a chance to reminisce with them? Plus, there are movies I haven't seen, books I haven't read...and so many letters I haven't written. Do I take the time to tell my father that even though we're estranged, I still love him - even knowing as I do that I probably wouldn't get a response? What about my kitties? Do I use my junior detective skills to track down twinfan and have a real dinner with my virtual husband? (On the plus side - no more worrying about how the Giants will do in the upcoming season!) If, for whatever reason, I was alone in that final hour, I would grab my kitties, and put on Fred and Ginger in "Swing Time" and try to go out smiling, humming, and purring...

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!!! (or not...)

(My favorite special)

Our dear Gina brought up the notion that Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ. Now, while I do have a spiritual bent, you won't find any days of worship on my calendar. There are many holidays that are celebrated at this time of year: Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid, Yule, etc. There is also the school of thought that says that the Christians co-opted the celebration of the solstice to bring the pagans into the fold, as it were.

As neither Christian, Jew, Muslim, Pagan, etc., Christmas has significance for me due to the fact that everyone I know celebrates the day, in whatever way makes sense for them. I love that people seem a little friendlier, but there is also a lot of stress in the season - lonely, poor, or depressed people feel pressure to be jolly. A time of joy for others, becomes a burden to some. (Note: Johnny Mathis is just this moment singing "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" - yes, I'm listening to holiday music!)

So, what does the holiday mean for you? Is it a joyous time, hard work, or just another day? Are you looking forward to it, or just wish it were already over? Any fun holiday stories you'd like to share? (Gina?) Best gift you ever gave or got?

Happy Holiday$$$

My Aunt & Uncle have sent out an e-mail requesting that, instead of gifts, we donate to a charity in their name. They have asked for charitable organizations to which we might like a donation, in lieu of a gift. Putting aside my absolutely unbridled joy at opening presents (yay!!!), I really don't need more stuff, and this is a wonderful idea. I'm trying to think of what charity to suggest, so I've made a poll to solicit the thoughtful opinions of the Brushfires family. It's my first poll, so I'd love it if you would check a box. Of course, your comments are appreciated (and necessary for me to feel validated - what a sad life your host must lead...) Just remember, it has to be a charity, Political Action Committees and 527 Organizations need not apply. So, feel free - remember, it's not your money you're spending!

Workin' in a Coal Mine

Dear PrezBO,

I understand that you are very, very busy these days. Getting ready to deal with the flaming bag of dog pooh that W has left on your front doorstep is a big job. There's the war, the occupation, the recession (or the depression if you're one of the more than 25 MILLION people using food stamps these days), and the stock market crash. Oh, and what to do about the failing US auto industry?

As with most start-ups, the key to future success is the foundation you are laying before your operation goes 'live'. Foreign relations: Secty of State, National Security Advisor, Secty of Defense - check! Law enforcement: Attorney General, Secty of Homeland Defense - check! Economy: Treasury Secretary, Economics Advisor, Secty of Commerce - check??? Hmmm...what's missing from this picture? Oh yeah, the frickin' workers!!!!! Hello? President-elect Obama, where is your nominee for Labor Secretary? Remember labor? The workers who are the backbone of the economy, and therefore key to it's recovery???

With all due respect, sir, the US has barely survived 20 plus years of administrations that have put corporations before citizens, and I had hoped to see some movement in this area by you before now. Especially considering all that labor did on behalf of your election efforts. You say you want to help re-build the middle class, how about looking out for their interests in the marketplace? Labor is the driving force behind a healthy economy - workers that earn a reasonable living should be the desired market for goods and services here in the US. Employed laborers create the demand for goods, thereby sparking life into manufacturing, creating the need for more workers, who in turn, make their own purchases, etc.

Surely, if I understand this, a man of your considerable intelligence does. So, why not show that your pledge to 'main street' wasn't just lip service, and make your selection of Labor Secretary a priority - and, it really, really should be someone from organized labor, in my most humble opinion. As a member of the progressive community, I have been quite understanding that you are going to govern as the centrist you truly are. But, unless you want to bring your honeymoon period to a premature end, it's time to show the working poor some love through action - or the next flaming bag of pooh on your porch may bear the Union label!

Respectfully yours,

JM Ferretti

People will Surprise You

Well, I had a lovely Thanksgiving. I hope you all had the same good time (xootie, I hope your little one is feeling better.) It's funny, you spend so much time with your family over the years, but very little of it is on a day-to-day basis. Turns out, I don't know these folks nearly as well as I thought I did. For example, I was talking about my blog, and my aunt and my cousin told me to send them the link. I asked my cousin, who is a few years younger than I am, if she had seen the "Palin Oval Office" (http://www.palinaspresident.us/never/index.html ). She said she hadn't, and my aunt said she might not enjoy it. Until that moment, I had no idea my cousin was a Republican. Turns out it's her husbands influence - which isn't all that surprising - but that he voted for Obama! Well, we ended up in a kind of heated discussion about the Occupation of Iraq, and how it needed to end, with my cousin going on about the war on terror, which I reminded her had FUCK ALL to do with Iraq...but, in a much nicer manner, of course.

Then, after dinner back at my aunt & uncle's house, my aunt and I started discussing Prop. 8. Now, I hadn't really thought about how my aunt might vote on that one - she's a very devout Catholic, but she also had a brother who was gay, and died all too young from AIDS. Turns out, she was conflicted, but voted 'no'. The best part was her reasoning - she didn't think it was right for minority rights to be left up to majority rule! Even though she believes that marriage should be between a man and a woman, she doesn't believe civil rights are something that we vote on. She remembers when whites and blacks weren't allowed to marry each other, and that it was the courts - not the public - that decided the issue, and feels that is how this needs to be decided.

So, did anyone surprise you this holiday? Or, did you surprise anyone who thought they knew you a little better than they did?

An Attitude of Gratitude

At the risk of inviting derision, I am going to indulge myself and talk about Thanksgiving, or more appropriately, giving thanks.

I find the ability to find something to be grateful for to be a blessing in itself. When life sucks, there got to be something - anything, really - that makes life just a little bit better. So, I'm going to list some things for which I am grateful today, and invite you all to do the same. (I reserve the right to expand this list as things occur to me, so check back often!)

1. I am grateful for the health of my family...blah, blah, blah. (I mean that sincerely, but come on - it's a total no-brainer!)

2. I am grateful that the world is full of so much absurdity that I can have a hearty belly laugh at least once a day. (A special shout-out to 'the powers that be' for Sarah Palin.)

3. I am grateful that I was fortunate enough to be born in such a prosperous country. For all of our faults, I have been able to enjoy a standard of living that too many people don't even dare dream of.

4. I am grateful that democracy was invented.

5. I am grateful that anybody even reads my blog, let alone comments on it.

To the members of the Brushfires family, please have a happy and safe holiday. Enjoy - or endure - the time with your families, and be grateful for just one thing and I bet you'll have a good day.

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

I'm too tired to post tonight, but you HAVE GOT TO SEE THIS!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYxn2vlhtWo

"Drinking the Kool-Aid"

A while ago, I created a bit of a stir on Mick LaSalle's Blog, because I said I wished people wouldn't use that expression. Some people got a little pissed, saying that I was trying to tell them what they could - or couldn't - say. But, it was my hope that once I explained the origin of that saying, maybe people would understand why I found it so offensive. (And, believe me, I am not easily offended.)

Thirty years ago, I was a teenager in the suburbs. Other than raging hormones, my life was pretty normal: school, homework, smoking pot, and obsessing over boys. We were all living under the vague Cold War era threat of nuclear annihilation. When I let my mind linger on it too long, it was actually quite terrifying, but fear was kept at bay by the belief/hope that the leaders of the nuclear powers would use logic, acknowledging that there was no 'winning' a nuclear war.

However, madness - on a scale that I had never imagined - was about to make itself known to me. The news stories started coming fast and furious, headlines bigger and louder - 300, 500, now 900 dead in a mass suicide in Jonestown. Being located between a former church in Mendo County and his last church in the Bay Area, the story seemed to have a special relevance for us here in Northern California. And it went on, and on - more graphic photos and horrifying details with every passing day. As the story grew, it became even more incomprehensible to my fourteen year-old mind. 900 people - 900 men, women, and children in a mass suicide (some were murdered, as was later discovered) - lined up and drank poison. Cyanide laced fruit punch...

And, somehow, over the years this horrific episode in the history of religious extremism - and mass hysteria - has been trivialized to the point of becoming short-hand for blind obedience. You hear people on tv, news commentators and pundits, saying that so-and-so 'drank the kool-aid' because they agreed with a politician in the opposition party. Every time I hear that, I feel a knife twisting in the hearts of the loved ones of those 900 people. People who survived - parents, spouses, siblings, children - hearing people turn the horror and tragedy of that day, 30 years ago, into a colloquialism. I didn't know any of the victims of Jonestown, or even anyone who did, but that event had a deep and lasting impact on my life and I feel that those people, whose journey started out in love and hope, deserve better than to have their deaths become a joke.

Sorry for the lecture, I hate to sound so preachy. It's just that, as someone who has an interest in the origins of expressions, sometimes I've found out some troubling facts about 'harmless' sayings I've been using for years. And, when I learn those facts, I try not to use the sayings anymore, because of the hurt that is associated with the past, and may be caused by it's usage in the present. Words do matter. Especially when you don't know who might be listening...

(Here's a Chronicle article from 1998: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/e/a/1998/11/08/NEWS4041.dtl)

Let's Pretend

If you had the ear of President-Elect Obama, what would you say to him? Would you offer congratulations, ask for a job, give advice? Would you recommend people for cabinet positions or a family-friendly, hypo-allergenic breed of dog?

You tell me your 'hot topic' of discussion with P.E. O, and I'll tell you mine...



I just thought this was great, and wanted to share it with as many people as possible:

Woo-Hoo!!!!!

Is this the dawning of a new day for our Republic? Will it be enough? I can only HOPE...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXywSZ-Zdmg

I Confess, I'm Afeared!!!

Paranoid loon, thy name is ferret. I have this horrible sense of foreboding. After 2000, and then 2004, it's hard to have faith in our elections. Vote switching, and suppression - here we go again. When you see people waiting 7 hours to early vote - what is this, some banana republic?!?!? I fear that tomorrow is going to be a cluster f**k for the ages!!! People shouldn't have to miss work, risk wages or even their jobs to vote. Is it as Rachel Maddow says, the new poll tax?

We need election day to be a national holiday. Or, is the solution to have mandatory vote by mail, like they do in Oregon? Move it to the first Saturday?

So, if you haven't already - VOTE! I'll check in before I lose consciousness after a 15-hour day at the polls...ain't democracy grand?

And now, for your (immature) viewing pleasure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX1ZGhaGjMo

Poll Working...

...is not the same as working a pole. Who knew? After attending my training as one of my county's newest poll workers - I do! Yep, your humble correspondent has decided to be a better citizen. It's all Greg Palast's fault (http://www.gregpalast.com/). Reading about all of the shenanigans the RNC played with our democracy in 2004 got me all pissed off! Now, I really don't think that voter suppression is a serious problem here in my town, but just in case...watch out, potential evil-doers, ferrethead is on the job!




So, for the most historic election of my lifetime, and one of the most in our nation's history, I won't be home watching the returns, calling my girl friends, moaning in ecstasy/groaning in agony. Nope, I'll be helping Steve & Eve Neighbor participate in one of the greatest gifts ever given to a free people. That's a thought that makes me happy.



But, I'm still bummed about not seeing the returns...

Greetings, from ferrethead the blogger!

Twelve days...I just keep telling myself, it's almost over, it's almost over. This campaign has been going on so long, I'm almost to the point where I don't care who wins - can't we just vote already?!?!?!

"Up yours, America!!!"

But then, it hits me - it most definitely matters who wins!!! In fact, I can't imagine a more important decision that the citizens of this country could make right now. So, I'm wondering, what - if anything - has each of us done to get our candidate elected? Or to support the causes that matter most to us?


For myself, I've just given money. Fortunately, as an accountant, I'm always lucky to have work, and I don't own a home or have children, so this abyssmal economy hasn't had an adverse effect on me, so far. So, I've given money - to Obama, to Democracy for America, to ActBlue (for various Democratic congress races), to No on 8 (civil rights for ALL). I was going to go to Nevada this weekend, for the get out the vote effort in Reno, but family obligations require I go to Seattle again this weekend.


Pretty lame effort, no phone calling, not even working the Democrats booth at the county fair. So, shame me with your efforts...please!

Fuck Joe the Plumber!!!

What about Josie the accountant?!?! Wah, Joe can't buy a business...people can't fill their gas tanks to go look for work, people fear catastrophic illness will drive them into foreclosure and bankruptcy, young people are choosing to go to work because they can't afford to continue their education!

1. McCain (sneering): "The health of the woman..." WTF?!?!? Are you high???

2. Obama: "Joe, here's your fine - zero." Will Grampy stop lying about it now?

3. Obama: "(Gov. Palin) is a capable...uh...politician." Faint praise indeed as to the question of her fitness to be President.

4. McCain: "(Gov. Palin) understands the issue of autism better than almost anybody." Wha---? Really?!? How does having a Down's Syndrome baby for approximately 5 months make you an expert is special needs children in general, and autistic children specifically???

Those are my immediate impressions. I may update this later, but in the mean time, have at it!

At long last sir, have you no decency?

UPDATE: 10/13/08 7:53 p.m. - Wow, that didn't last long! Rather than discount what I think was a rather nifty bit of writing, I will be making a slight alteration to the last paragraph...


Dear Sen. McCain,


For months now, I have been condemning the direction of your campaign. When you hired Karl Rove's protege, Steve Schmidt, to be your campaign strategist, I was disappointed. When you hired Tucker Eskew, the man who generated the push polling in South Carolina accusing you of 'fathering a black child', I was scandalized. Stocking your campaign staff with the very people that used the most vile tactics against you in 2000 caused me to believe that you would do anything to win this election.


To be honest, when you selected Gov. Sarah Palin as your running mate, my first response was laughter. She was under investigation for abuse of power, and for a campaign that was running on your 'experience', well let's just say she's even greener behind the ears than your opponent. After more thought, however, I became angry. Angry that you would do something so cynical, so desperate as choose someone so inadequate for the position that she aspired. I saw you as cementing your place alongside George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and Karl Rove as people who have taken politics to depths that this country has never before experienced.


Frankly, sir, you have run a campaign that is without honor. For a man who served his country, who was subjected to horrors I don't even wish to imagine, and has been treated as a hero, your campaign has been a disgrace. Advertisements insinuating that Barack Obama wants to teach sex education to kindergartners, has ties to terrorists, have been scraping the bottom of the character assassination barrel. I understand that you see this as your last chance at the Presidency, and it is slipping away.

On Saturday, October 4th, your running mate signalled the new direction your campaign was taking - distract from the economy, from real issues, and focus on Obama's character. Linking him with terrorism, standing by as the crowd yells 'kill him', 'traitor', 'off with his head', and you say nothing. People introducing you and Gov. Palin, invoking fear by using Barack Hussein Obama's middle name, playing on the basest of emotions in the crowd. And, you say nothing. And then, after three days of these scurrilous attacks, when you are face-to-face with Sen. Obama at the debate - you say nothing. No William Ayers, no 'who is the real Barack Obama' - nothing.

Did it strike a chord when Sen. Obama basically called you out in a radio interview? All but calling you a coward for saying things behind his back, but not being willing to say them to his face...that must have stung. And still, you stood by silently while your running mate, your wife and your other surrogates made this a campaign about associations instead of issues. When did it hit you? When did you realize that the people in the crowds weren't for you, but against Obama? Did you get a glimpse into the gaping maw of hatred, and see yourself being swallowed by it?

Whatever the reason, you finally had enough. You reclaimed that one last shred of honor you had, and spoke up. You stated quite clearly what most of us already know, that Barack Obama is a public servant, family man, American. It must have been disheartening, hearing the boos. The stench of hatred wafting off of those people must have been suffocating. But, you went on, trying to return the discussion to issues, not personalities. I can only think that you looked into the future, after you've lost the election, and it was a future bereft of honor, of the very soul that you sold in your desire to win. Finally, it seems to have occurred to you that if you were going to win or lose, it was by being the best candidate you could be. The more you allow the people who only support you when you espouse hatred to drive your campaign, the more it diminishes you as a man. And, if you continue to run the campaign that the people who know you best say that you would prefer to run, when you wake up on November 5th, you will at least have the comfort of your honor and your soul.

Whatever drove you to decide to turn the last weeks of this campaign toward the chasm of racist politics, you have done it. And for that, sir, you have condemned yourself to a very bleak future, indeed.

J.M. Ferretti

This just in...Barack Obama is BLACK!!!

Apparently, that is a bad thing. Or, it makes him dangerous. Maybe, he has his own "Black Agenda". You know, he was once on a board with a guy who did some really fucked up stuff - when Obama was 8. Funny thing, the Annenberg Project - the board in question - is an offshoot of the Annenberg Foundation, which is named for a man who was an Ambassador during Ronald Reagan's administration. That man's widow, also a former Ambassador is on a list of McCain supporter's that was just released by the campaign. To borrow from Rachel Maddow: Does this mean John McCain is supported by someone who supported a Domestic Terrorist? (http://tinyurl.com/4cbosm - hers is the second name on the list.)

Honestly, the McCain camp has jumped the shark. I guess this is what you do when you've got nothing left. I have this mental image of Sarah & Cindy pushing the Straight Talk Express, with Grampy at the wheel...and the left turn signal is blinking away.

If Barack Obama doesn't win in a landslide, you can be sure the neo-cons have stolen the election. Here's the proof: www.realclearpolitics.com - this thing has gotten out of Grampy & Vampy's grasp.

Uh oh...

So, Gov. Palin thinks that it's great that the Founders provided so much flexibility in the role of the Vice President:


IFILL: Governor, you mentioned a moment ago the constitution might give the vice president more power than it has in the past. Do you believe as Vice President Cheney does, that the Executive Branch does not hold complete sway over the office of the vice presidency, that it is also a member of the Legislative Branch?

PALIN: Well, our founding fathers were very wise there in allowing through the Constitution much flexibility there in the office of the vice president. ... Yeah, so I do agree with him that we have a lot of flexibility in there, and we'll do what we have to do to administer very appropriately the plans that are needed for this nation....


What exactly did the Constitution say about the role? Joe Biden's response led me to Article 1, Sect. 3: "The Vice-President of the United States shall be President of the senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided." That seems pretty cut and dried, to me. You have one job, and one job only - break a tie. (In fact, the section also allows for the election of a pro tem President, in the case of the Vice-President's unavailability.) That's it, the extent of the VPs Legislative responsibilities.

What do you think? Is Sarah Palin unaware of "what the VP really does"? Or, does she see herself in the role that Dick Cheney has carved for himself, having extra-Constitutional powers? Which do you find more frightening?

UPDATE: If you really want to be afraid...http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#27015517

Debate the Debate

Or, we would if we could get someone of a differing viewpoint to spend any real time here. (DJLoo, where are you?!?)

Favorite line of the night: "I have a bracelet, too." I'll see your grieving mother, and raise you a mandate for change!

Actually, McCain would have had the funniest line, but he stepped all over it. Talking about a earmark to study bear DNA, McCain said "I don't know if that was a criminal matter, or a paternal one." Now, that's funny! However, his delivery was like he was reading it off a cue card, flat and without any sense of humor in his eyes. And speaking of eyes - WTF with McCain being unable or unwilling to engage Obama? Was he trying to show contempt for him - or hide it? Pettiness is unbecoming in a presidential candidate...

Guilty secret: I was disappointed to McCain didn't go off. He looked close, but pulled himself back in. There's always next time... My boss was talking about looking forward to the VP debate. I said of course he was, for the same reason that "Shark Week" is always a big hit on the Discovery Channel... Here's a preview of Gov. Palin on Thursday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww

I'm out of town until Tuesday. Behave yourselves, and play nice - or else! (Sounded pretty serious there, huh?) Miss me! ;-)

Back in the U.S.S.A.!

Welcome, comrades, to the United Socialist States of America! While everyone was warning us of the dangers of socialized medicine, they missed the lurking threat of socialized financial institutions.

This is way too complex for your humble blogger, even after reading numerous articles from experts. From what I understand, we are going to have to borrow money (fortunately, Bush has China & Saudi Arabia on speed dial), to buy - not property - but nebulous derivatives and investments in over-valued mortgages. Here's a link to Paul Krugman's blog that does a good job of explaining the financial 'shell game' that we are tossing $700,000,000,000 at: http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/?scp=1&sq=Paul%20Krugman%20blog&st=cse

As a liberal that has been accused of being a socialist, I'd like to say that I believe it would have been much cheaper to force the lenders to re-write the loans that were being defaulted upon, than to help the banks that bought securities secured by those loans. But, why help people today, when we can help business tomorrow?!?!?

On the plus side - there always has to be a silver lining - those of us who want Single Payer Health care now have another weapon in the 'socialized medicine' arsenal. Plus, health care actually helps people, doesn't cost us Buh-buh-buh-billions of dollars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mortgage Crisis Smackdown

Okay, TedSpe has decided to stir it up - and more power to him! Instead of debating issues of spirituality and ethics, let's get down to the basics - How do we spread the blame for the banking meltdown? How much is due to predatory lending, and how much is on the people who took out loans they couldn't repay? Shakespeare wrote "Neither a borrower, or a lender be"...so I guess an argument can be made that they're both at fault - goodness knows, there's enough wrongdoing for everyone to share.

Party of the first part - the banks: There are two types of banks that are affected by the 'questionable' practices used in determining the credit worthiness of some borrowers. We have the Commercial Banks that actually made the loans, and the Investment Banks that buy the Mortgage Backed Securities.

Party of the second part - Jane & John Borrower: Ah, the American Dream, aka "Home Ownership". The ideal to which we should all aspire...unless you can't get a bank loan. But, lookie here, the Neighborhood Bank is just dying to give us money. They know we can't really afford the house, but they are going to write it so that we have ridiculously low payments for five years, and then the rates - and payments - are going to go up, up, up! But, the economy is going gangbusters, housing prices are doubling daily, we'll either re-finance or sell our home way before that happens... (Oops, looks like everyone else had the same plan...our house is worth what?!?!?!)

Party of the third part - the lawmakers: These are the folks who made it all possible, in my opinion. Separate the Commercial and Investment Banks, and regulate them differently? No problem! Look the other way when people try to force us to deal with predatory lending practices? Heck, we'll do better than that - we'll shitcan your career (paging Gov. Spitzer - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/13/AR2008021302783.html)!

For myself, I blame the party of the third part. These are the people who are supposed to provide the safety net - regulation - that protects society at large from business run amok (be it banks, big pharma, or Chinese toy manufacturers), and in some cases, even ourselves. They failed us in looking out for our interests, the citizens and the Nation's as a whole!

We know why the banks did it. We know why Jane & John did it. What did Congress (both Dems & Reps) get out of it?

Of course, you may disagree with me. Goodness knows, as a lifelong renter, I'm no expert in mortgages. I did however work in a bank for a long time (too long if you ask me), and I did learn a thing or two about how things work from that perspective. So, please disagree - I could use to be educated about this very serious issue.



Some background, if you haven't already downloaded all of this into your brains:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gramm-Leach-Bliley_Act
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass-Steagall_Act
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortgage-backed_security

Depression Watch 2008! Is there a pill for this?

The sky is falling, the sky is falling! Oh, wait - that's just the Dow Jones... Time to forget about the 401k, and invest in a nice, sturdy mattress. I'm no economist, but the news sure looks ominous. Good thing we have John McCain to make us all feel better about things. Here's my newest ad effort...

Now, stop whining & go shopping!!!

UPDATE: It looks like I was approximately 29 seconds ahead of my time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6reQLzgywzk

Lazy Sunday

I saw this yesterday, and it made me laugh... I thought we might take a day off from solving the world's problems, and have some fun. So, for the first time ever here at Brushfires - "You Write The Caption"!

Commercials I'd like to see...

I don't watch a lot of television, and, since I live in California the only way I would ever see a political ad would be if I watched Fox News...I'd rather get a root canal without Novocaine! So, I tend to see them on the YouTube, usually after some sort of scandal has erupted. What I've found all too often during this election cycle is that John McCain's campaign will create an ad that take some incredible liberties with the 'truth'. Then, the Obama campaign creates an ad refuting the assertions in the McCain ad. Unfortunately, by that time, the McCain camp has released a new, different ad with it's own special relationship with the 'truth'.

This got me to thinking. I'd like to see Obama (or a 527) come out with their own McCain ad - going on the offensive, but still being honest. It's not as sexy or newsworthy, but it's be nice to see my candidate out front with his message, instead of discussing McCain's ads. Armed with the google, wikipedia, and Windows Movie Maker (tm), I made a commercial I'd like to see. (I know there's a lot of reading. Imagine it's a voiceover by, I don't know, Dennis Haysbert...)






Do you have a commercial that you wish a candidate would make?

(If you don't think this utter crap, please share it with others: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaiDlUyKmqU)

Interview Wish List

Just a quickie, since I'm supposed to be working...

If I had a chance to sit down with Gov. Palin and ask her the questions that I feel are relevant to the issues facing our nation today, here is a partial list:

1. Your state of Alaska is experiencing a growth in methamphetamine production, and associated crimes. What if anything are you doing with Alaska law enforcement to combat this scourge? Is there anything that you have learned from that experience that you could apply to drug crime in the nation as a whole - as regards to crack cocaine, and the abuse of pharmaceutical drugs - especially by our teens?

2. How do you feel about the separation of church and state as it is commonly understood in America? Is there a way to reconcile your appearances in your church asking the congregation to pray for a natural gas pipeline, for example, with the concept of separation of church and state?

3. Do you regret taping a welcome statement for the recent convention of the Alasakan Independence Party, a party that promotes secession from the United States of America?

4. It could be argued that you denigrated community activism in your acceptance speech at the recent RNC. Can you see how that might not sit well with the millions of people who work long hours, for little pay in order to improve their communities and the lives of people within that community?

5. How would you explain the fact that when you became mayor of Wasilla it had no debt, but when you left, the town had a deficit of $22 million? Do you think that it is fiscally responsible to leave every man, woman and child in Wasilla a debt of almost $4,000?

6. How do you reconcile your statement that you are a reformer, and against pork barrel spending, when you requested just this past year almost $300 million in earmarks in a 70 page memo to Sen. Ted Stevens? Have you and Sen. McCain discussed the fact that three of your pet projects were on John McCain's pork list?


Wouldn't you like to hear the answers to those questions? Do you have any of your own? Also, what do you think the odds are that we will hear anything like this in the ABC interview? Which, I understand will be taped over two days, providing ample opportunity for do-overs. Does anyone know if the list of questions was submitted and pre-approved?

If you've got nothing nice to say...

Apparently, Governor Sarah Palin is not familiar with this old adage. Not only did she have nothing nice to say about Barack Obama and Joe Biden, she pretty much had nothing to say at all. Well, that's not entirely true - but, then again, neither was Gov. Palin's speech. Since the things I was yelling at my television would get me a righteous scolding here at Brushfires, in the spirit of the aforementioned saying, I will be sparing in my comments about the speech.

When you dismiss and disparage "Community Organizers", you are disrespecting democracy at it's purest. Change comes from the people, the grass roots, and communities acting together to make life better. I found her put downs, and snide asides to be beneath the office to which she aspires. Watching the crowd reaction, I am even less optimistic that the great divide in this country can be healed. (Sigh...)

Fortunately, I am saved from having to list and denounce Gov. Palin's lies, the good folks at the AP have done it for me (http://pantagraph.com/articles/2008/09/04/news/doc48bfd1f453ce5318632211.txt).

Here's something interesting you may or may not be aware of: http://www.washingtonindependent.com/3671/the-reform-candidate . Scroll down to the comments section from this Washington Independent article about Gov. Palin, and read the testimonial of Anne Kilkenny. I've heard a lot of this confirmed by Randi Rhodes today, from various newspaper articles written in the last few months, so I'm willing to give Ms. Kilkenny the benefit of the doubt, especially when you read what another Wasillan (?) says further down in the comments. Sometimes, your arguments are best supported by those who choose to oppose you.

Note: I love the blog, and want to do my best at this, but there are lengths to which I am not willing to go. I will read John McCain's speech & comment later. I don't think my poor cats can stand their mother shouting at the tv two nights in a row. ;-)

Rocky Mountain (Contact) High

Whew! What a week! I know I'm a big softie, but I teared up so many times this week, and it was out of hope instead of the constant hopelessness I've felt for the last 8 years.

Here are my favorite moments, impressions, and quotes. Please, share yours...

1. Michelle Obama describing Barack driving her and their first daughter home from the hospital. Favorite quote - "(Barack) talked about the world as it is and the world as it should be. And he said that all too often we accept the distance between the two and settle for the world as it is, even when it doesn’t reflect our values and aspirations."

2. Dennis Kucinich - "Wake Up, America!" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVp9cWOcZ7g)

3. The parade of 'regular folks', talking about how this administration has let them down. Favorite quote - "I want a president who's more concerned with Barney Smith than with Smith-Barney!" And this, from a lifelong Republican, no less! ;-)

4. Hillary Rodham Clinton - this was the HRC that could have won the nomination. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, this Hillary didn't run - more's the pity. She had two jobs to do: Turn her supporters around and velcro John McCain to George Bush. Hillary's speech was a grand slam, when all we needed was a homer. This judge gives her a perfect 10! Favorite quote (how do I pick only one?) - "(Barack) built his campaign on a fundamental belief that change in this country must start from the ground up, not the top down. He knows government must be about “We the people” not “We the favored few.”

5. Bill Clinton must have been heartbroken, but he did the right thing, and gave a GREAT speech, as though we would expect any less from the Big Dog. Favorite Quote - "Most important, Barack Obama knows that America cannot be strong abroad unless we are strong at home. People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power."

6. Joe Biden brought all of his charm, and none of his gaffability. Seeing him with his family...but of course, the Republicans will tell you that Dems have no family values. And, who didn't fall in love with Mama Biden? Favorite Quote - "My mother’s creed is the American creed: No one is better than you. You are everyone’s equal, and everyone is equal to you."

7. Teddy Kennedy, brain cancer and kidney stones couldn't keep him away. Passing the torch, receiving the tribute that his lifetime of service has earned. I don't have a favorite quote here, he wins by showing up!

8. God willing, The Next President of the United States of America - BARACK OBAMA!!!!!! For a long, long time I thought he was a great orator, who really didn't say all that much. However, when he gave his speech on race in America, and spoke to us as adults, in plain language, and told the truth - he won me over. After last night, how do you honestly claim he is 'an empty suit'? He laid out his plan, how he would accomplish it, and why he is a better option for America than John McCain. Plus - I got my Energy Program!!! Without re-printing his whole speech, here are some Favorite Quotes - "These challenges are not all of government's making. But the failure to respond is a direct result of a broken politics in Washington and the failed policies of George W. Bush." AND "Individual responsibility and mutual responsibility - that's the essence of America's promise." AND "We are the party of Roosevelt. We are the party of Kennedy. So don't tell me that Democrats won't defend this country. Don't tell me that Democrats won't keep us safe."

And, finally: "...at defining moments like this one, the change we need doesn't come from Washington. Change comes to Washington. Change happens because the American people demand it - because they rise up and insist on new ideas and new leadership, a new politics for a new time."



(Note: text of all the speeches - though I couldn't find Bill Richardson, WTF?!?! - can be found at http://www.demconvention.com/speeches/)

TV Fun Time

Conventions - rollicking good time, or waste of taxpayer money - either way, it is time to Par-Tay in the Rockies this week! There is so much about this year's convention that we can discuss: Will Hillary be able to tame the PUMAs? Will Mark Warner's keynote address be the showstopper that Barack Obama delivered in '04? Are you interested in the upcoming convention? Are you planning on watching it, and if so, how much? Are you looking forward to any speaker in particular? Any notable absences?

I'm looking forward to hearing Michelle Obama, Joe Biden, and of course, Barack Obama. He wasn't my original candidate - that was John Edwards. When he dropped out right before the CA primary, I felt that the similarities between Clinton & Obama were so close, the deciding factor for me was that her Health Care plan was mandatory, which I think is a requirement to making it work. However, since I wasn't 'in love', it was easy for me to go over to Obama's camp once the primaries were over. (Actually, in the interest of full disclosure - if the primary had been in March or June, I would have voted for Obama, since I was turned off by the tenor of the Clinton campaign by that point.) So, while he's WAY too moderate for me, I'm hoping for a more populist message from Obama, a la 2004. I'll probably have the tv on in prime time, and read the transcripts of speeches I miss. How about you guys?

BTW: As much as I adore you all, do you have any suggestions about how we might attract more attention to Brushfires? I'd really like to broaden the debate...

(Question: If you have sex in Denver, does that make you a member of the Mile Hile Club?)

Just Biden my time...

In case there's some sort of Blog Law, I'm going to cover my behind with a VP post. So what do you think about Sen. Joe Biden as the running mate of Barack Obama? (Watch this spot for a post about something that I find more personally interesting - probably later today.)

Mommy, what's a Conservative?

I think I'll pick up where the comments left off...I found it interesting that when DSG asked if there were any true conservatives left, gina responded that she was pro-life, and did that count. Barry Goldwater was used (by DSG?) as an example, which is a great starting point. In fact, if you haven't already, you really should see "Mr. Conservative" which is a documentary about Barry Goldwater by his granddaughter CC Goldwater. I always thought that he was some whack-a-doodle extremist, and while there were definitely elements of that about him, he would be considered a moderate Republican nowadays. When I speak of Republicans, true Republicans, I'm talking small government/fiscally conservative folks. The GOP has been hijacked by neo-cons, who bear as much resemblance to Republicans as Communists do to Democrats (take my word for it, they're worlds apart). It is my opinion that, since Ronald Reagan's presidency, the main item on the neo-con agenda has been the systematic dismantling of Government. They tell us Government doesn't work, staff it with inept or ineffectual employees, thereby ensuring it fails - and, voila! - Government doesn't work! They do not want to Protect, Defend, and Preserve the Constitution, they want to re-write it, taking the power away from We The People, and giving it to a select few, creating an aristocracy the likes of which we revolted against over 230 years ago.

Now, how does gina's response regarding being pro-life fit into this discussion? There are very many issues facing us in our personal and political lives. Some parties are supposedly stronger in some aspects than others - national security, education, health care, foreign relations, the economy, etc. For those of us in California, we can see this dichotomy in our own Gov. Schwarzenegger - he is a fiscal conservative and a social liberal, which is how he has come to anger and please both parties, in turn. Now, I feel I can have a reasoned discussion with a true Republican, but the neo-cons have the major shortcoming of most true believers - there are no facts, only doctrine and dogma. That's not to say that neo-cons aren't welcome here, but they have to abide by the same rules as the rest of us - polite, courteous, and perhaps 40% less snark than post #1.

What do you think are the major challenges facing our nation today? Where do you think common ground can be found between the two parties on those issues? Should we start healing the rift where we're presently closest, or should we try to force the other around to our way of thinking? Or, should we just give up, thereby ensuring the failure of the great experiment - The United States of America?

Preaching to...?

Well, I've been thinking about this for a while, and received just enough encouragement to convince myself this is a good idea. Who knows? Maybe someone will stumble upon this, looking for the blog of the same name that is in German, and hasn't had a post since 2005... Hopefully, they'll be fooled long enough to read something that keeps their interest.

The title of this blog comes from a quote by Samuel Adams. I came across it while reading Thom Hartmann's "Screwed: The Undeclared War Against the Middle Class - and What We Can Do About It"(www.thomhartmann.com). It stuck with me, and made me realize that perhaps I might be able to share the ideas - and ideals - that used to be held dear by so many Americans. Not Democrats, not Republicans, but AMERICANS. Remember those? Your neighbors, co-workers, teachers, the faces you see every day. I am constantly struck by the deep divisions in our country, the seeming impassable chasm between left and right. Now, I realize that those of us who frequent the political blogs come loaded with opinions, and ready to do battle with our adversaries. What saddens me is the inability to have a reasoned debate without resorting to insults, namecalling, and ad hominen attacks. (Case in point, until I ventured into the blogosphere, I'd never heard the phrase 'ad hominen attack'.) It is my hope that this blog will provide an opportunity for courteous discussion - passionate, courteous discussion.

That said - PLEASE, feel free to disagree with me. If I'm lucky enough to get anyone to read this, and comment on what I've written, I'd like it to not only be my friends or people who feel asI do. I like to think I am still able to learn things, and how can I be sure of my principles if I'm never challenged to defend them. However, don't just disagree, but tell me why.

First topic: Obama vs. McCain - who do you support and why? Now, let's stick to three main points, and they MUST be in support of your candidate, not against the other. (My blog, my rules!) Let the games begin!

I support Obama because he is a Democrat, I believe that he will appoint pro-choice justices to the Supreme Court, and because I fear that our Republic is in desperate straits and we need someone who will rein in the power of the corporations and return it to We The People.