No Heath Care Debate

Former Democratic Senator Tom Daschle speaks live tonight at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
The issue of bipartisanship in the health care debate was to be the topic with Former Republican Senator Bill Frist in the discussion with Daschle. Frist has cancelled at the last moment, but Daschle will still appear at 7pm in the Pugh Hall Ocora to explore this issue.

For more information, follow this link: Graham Center |

I'd rather listen to Tom anyway.

Coming Home From War

War ceases to be portrayed in the media accurately. How can we really know what its like?
The American public thinks very little of the destruction we have caused in this far-away country. Maybe because if we look at it, we will vomit from the reality. Why do we stay there? Politics dictates we must not cut and run. To hell with that.
Why are we not arresting George Bush, Cheney, Condi, Rumsfeld and the rest of the Bush Administration for War Crimes and Treason for lying to the American people about why we need to go to war?


I am giving the following documentary air time on my blog because I cannot understand why it has not received more air play and coverage. Ava Lowry, the young activist and journalist, who frankly, has more guts than words can say, composed this film.
I urge everyone to visit her site: Peace Takes Courage for even more compelling short films and clips and projects she has worked on. Thank you Ava.
The documentary is longer, but its worth the time to view it.

Haiti Earthquake

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that has brought Haiti's capital, Port-Au-Prince to rubble is now taking its toll on its inhabitants--individuals who, on a good day, suffer from enormous poverty.

The current estimate of dead is 50,000 people. Bodies are stacked by the hundreds just outside the local hospital and there is no flow of fresh water.

Intervention efforts are in the works, but everyone around the world must pitch in. To do your part go to the following links provided by NPR, National Public Radio.

Clean Air Act Petition

Next week, the Senate will vote on The Clean Air Act and the progress President Obama has made concerning global warming.

Click on the link MoveOn.org Political Action:
Save the Clean Air Act to be directed to the petition you can sign to help keep the United States away from the policies of the Bush Administration regarding global warming and clean air.

The following resource: Climate Change and Global Warming Introduction — Global Issues is a comprehensive view on data regarding global warming and how it affects all humans.

Happy New Year!

Mac vs. PC

My very first computer was a PC. I bought it at Best Buy in 1995. Tinkering with a brand new concept, my own personal computer, was fun.

And then the glitches. Ack.

When I met my husband, he introduced me to my new friend:apple. I have been hooked ever since. A mac is easier to use, has less problems and despite costing more, has the better value.

Even the commercials are better. Apple - Get a Mac - Watch the TV Ads - Broken Promises; and i hate commercials.

Rocker

Rock music screams rebellion.

Sometimes I'm in the mood for Metallica, but the rockers of the classic era are where its at.

AC/DC, Rush, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin.

I'm 42 years old and I still love to drive down the road with the windows down with "Comfortably Numb" blaring.

Don't get me wrong, I love other music too: classical, jazz, alternative; but rock speaks to my soul.

Be A History Buff

What ever question you may have about an historical event or timeline; look no further.

HistoryWorld will give you the answers you are seeking.

You don't have to be a student working on a research paper to need this information. We all benefit from knowing our own country's history and that of other lands.

Quiz yourself. Do you really know enough about history?

Pre-Thanksgiving Thoughts

We are one week away from Thanksgiving Day and the blogs and news outlets will be streaming with historical data and personal stories about the day and what it means.
The Day Of Thanks.
The Day Of Gratitude.
In one week, my family will be gathered; we are a small bunch. Myself, my husband and our three grown children. My in-laws live next door, so that is easy. My husband's newly separated cousin and his two daughters will also join us. And that's it.
It's family.
I am thankful I have my family; many will be alone this holiday.

Holidays create particular difficulties for those seeking sobriety. Alcoholics Anonymous : makes itself available on holidays for meetings and in some places gathering for sober potlucks.

The only requirement is a desire to stop drinking. Check out their website and locate meetings in your area.

Peace.

Everyday We Change

This you tube video and website seemed quite interesting to me.




I believe it struck me because I've been more mindful of how quickly I have aged over the past few years.

This young man has taken on a task and project through his love of photography and I felt the need to honor it here.

Noah K Everyday

Good luck with your project Noah.

Bill Moyers' Wisdom

The most effective change comes when individuals stand up and work against the greed.

What will you do?

Waterboarding IS Torture

Father Joseph Martin Passes

Sadly, Father Martin died today. October 12, 1924 - March 9, 2009

He was instrumental in addiction education, especially with alcohol.

His videos are widely used in treatment facilities and I personally find them helpful to my clients.

Father Martin


RIP Father Martin

Classical Conditioning!!!

Awesome!

Boycott Burger King/Goldman Sachs

Get Along!

It Begins Today...

44 Presidents

Morphing is pretty cool.

Obama Announces New Team Members

This taken from Obama's transition website:

Remarks of President-elect Barack Obama
Announcement of National Security Team
December 1st, 2008
Chicago, IL

Good morning. Last week, we announced our economic team, which is working as we speak to craft an Economic Recovery Program to create jobs and grow our struggling economy. Today, Vice President-elect Biden and I are pleased to announce our national security team.

The national security challenges we face are just as grave -- and just as urgent -- as our economic crisis. We are fighting two wars. Old conflicts remain unresolved, and newly assertive powers have put strains on the international system. The spread of nuclear weapons raises the peril that the world’s deadliest technology could fall into dangerous hands. Our dependence on foreign oil empowers authoritarian governments and endangers our planet.

America must also be strong at home to be strong abroad. We need to provide education and opportunity for our citizens, so every American can compete with anyone, anywhere. And our economic power must sustain our military strength, our diplomatic leverage, and our global leadership.

The common thread linking these challenges is the fundamental reality that in the 21st century, our destiny is shared with the world's. From our markets to our security; from our public health to our climate -- we must act with the understanding that, now more than ever, we have a stake in what happens across the globe. And as we learned so painfully on 9/11, terror cannot be contained by borders, nor safety provided by oceans alone.

Last week, we were reminded of this threat once again when terrorists took the lives of six American among nearly 200 victims in Mumbai. In the world we seek, there is no place for those who kill innocent civilians to advance hateful extremism. This weekend, I told Prime Minister Singh that Americans stand with the people of India in this dark time. And I am confident that India's great democracy is more resilient than killers who would tear it down.

And so, in this uncertain world, the time has come for a new beginning -- a new dawn of American leadership to overcome the challenges of the 21st century, and to seize the opportunities embedded in those challenges. We will strengthen our capacity to defeat our enemies and support our friends. We will renew old alliances and forge new and enduring partnerships. We will show the world once more that America is relentless in defense of our people, steady in advancing our interests, and committed to the ideals that shine as a beacon to the world: democracy and justice; opportunity and unyielding hope -- because American values are America’s greatest export to the world.

To succeed, we must pursue a new strategy that skillfully uses, balances, and integrates all elements of American power: our military and diplomacy; our intelligence and law enforcement; our economy and the power of our moral example. The team that we have assembled here today is uniquely suited to do just that.

In their past service and plans for the future, these men and women represent all of those elements of American power, and the very best of the American example. They have served in uniform and as diplomats; they have worked as legislators, law enforcement officials, and executives. They share my pragmatism about the use of power, and my sense of purpose about America's role as a leader in the world.

I have known Hillary Clinton as a friend, a colleague, a source of counsel, and as a campaign opponent. She possesses an extraordinary intelligence and toughness, and a remarkable work ethic. I am proud that she will be our next Secretary of State. She is an American of tremendous stature who will have my complete confidence; who knows many of the world's leaders; who will command respect in every capitol; and who will clearly have the ability to advance our interests around the world.

Hillary’s appointment is a sign to friend and foe of the seriousness of my commitment to renew American diplomacy and restore our alliances. There is much to do -- from preventing the spread of nuclear weapons to Iran and North Korea, to seeking a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians, to strengthening international institutions. I have no doubt that Hillary Clinton is the right person to lead our State Department, and to work with me in tackling this ambitious foreign policy agenda.

At a time when we face an unprecedented transition amidst two wars, I have asked Robert Gates to continue as Secretary of Defense, and I'm pleased that he's accepted. Two years ago, he took over the Pentagon at a difficult time. He restored accountability. He won the confidence of military commanders, and the trust of our brave men and women in uniform, and their families. He earned the respect of members of Congress on both sides of the aisle for his pragmatism and competence. He knows that we need a sustainable national security strategy -- and that includes a bipartisan consensus at home.

As I said throughout the campaign, I will be giving Secretary Gates and our military a new mission as soon as I take office: responsibly ending the war in Iraq through a successful transition to Iraqi control. We will also ensure that we have the strategy -- and resources -- to succeed against al Qaeda and the Taliban. As Bob said not too long ago, Afghanistan is where the war on terror began, and it is where it must end. And going forward, we will continue to make the investments necessary to strengthen our military and increase our ground forces to defeat the threats of the 21st century.

Eric Holder has the talent and commitment to succeed as Attorney General from his first day on the job, which is even more important in a transition that demands vigilance. He has distinguished himself as a prosecutor, a Judge, and a senior official, and he is deeply familiar with the law enforcement challenges we face– from terrorism to counter-intelligence; from white collar crime to public corruption.

Eric also has the combination of toughness and independence that we need at the Justice Department. Let me be clear: the Attorney General serves the American people. And I have every expectation that Eric will protect our people, uphold the public trust, and adhere to our Constitution.

Janet Napolitano offers the experience and executive skill that we need in the next Secretary of Homeland Security. She has spent her career protecting people -- as a US Attorney, an Attorney General, and as Governor of Arizona. She understands the need for a Department of Homeland Security that has the capacity to help prevent terrorist attacks and respond to catastrophe -- be it manmade or natural.

Janet assumes this critical role having learned the lessons -- some of them painful -- of the last several years, from 9/11 to Katrina. She insists on competence and accountability. She knows firsthand the need to have a partner in Washington that works well with state and local governments. She understands as well as anyone the danger of an unsecure border. And she will be a leader who can reform a sprawling Department while safeguarding our homeland.

Susan Rice will take on the crucial task of serving as Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations. Susan has been a close and trusted advisor. As in previous Administrations, the UN Ambassador will serve as a member of my cabinet and integral member of my team. Her background as a scholar, on the National Security Council, and Assistant Secretary of State will serve our nation well at the United Nations.

Susan knows that the global challenges we face demand global institutions that work. She shares my belief that the UN is an indispensable -- and imperfect -- forum. She will carry the message that our commitment to multilateral action must be coupled with a commitment to reform. We need the UN to be more effective as a venue for collective action -- against terror and proliferation; climate change and genocide; poverty and disease.

Finally, I am convinced that General James Jones is uniquely suited to be a strong and skilled National Security Advisor. Generations of Joneses have served heroically on the battlefield -- from the beaches of Tarawa in World War II, to Foxtrot Ridge in Vietnam. Jim's Silver Star is a proud part of that legacy. He will bring to the job the dual experience of serving in uniform and as a diplomat. He has commanded a platoon in battle, served as Supreme Allied Commander in a time of war, and worked on behalf of peace in the Middle East.

Jim is focused on the threats of today and the future. He understands the connection between energy and national security, and has worked on the frontlines of global instability – from Kosovo to northern Iraq to Afghanistan. He will advise me and work effectively to integrate our efforts across the government, so that we are effectively using all elements of American power to defeat unconventional threats and promote our values.

I am confident that this is the team that we need to make a new beginning for American national security. This morning, we met to discuss the situation in Mumbai and some of the challenges that we face in the months and years ahead. In the coming weeks, I will be in close contact with these advisors, who will be working with their counterparts in the Bush Administration to make sure that we are ready to hit the ground running on January 20. Given the range of threats that we face -- and the vulnerability that can be a part of every presidential transition -- I hope that we can proceed swiftly for those national security officials who demand confirmation.

We move forward with the humility that comes with knowing that there are brave men and women protecting us on the front lines. Troops serving their second, third, or fourth tours. Diplomats and intelligence officers in dangerous corners of the world. FBI agents in the field, cops on the beat, prosecutors in our courts, and cargo inspectors at our ports. These selfless Americans whose names are unknown to most of us will form the backbone of our effort. If we serve as well as they do, we will protect our country and promote our values.

And we move forward with respect for America's tradition of a bipartisan national security policy, and a commitment to national unity. When it comes to keeping our nation and our people safe, we are not Republicans and we are not Democrats: we are Americans. There is no monopoly of power or wisdom in either party. Together, as one nation, as one people, we can shape our times instead of being shaped by them. Together, we will meet the challenges of the 21st century not with fear, but with hope.

Now, before I take questions, I'd like to invite my team to say a few words, starting with my friend Hillary Clinton. Thank you.

SnoopDog & Martha Stewart