Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Wall Street Journal staff flee building: suspicious packages found!
I just hear this news alert on CNN. It seems there's concerns over packages found in the offices of the Wall Street Journal and authorities are evacuating the building. Details are still sketchy. One commentator mentioned anthrax, but nothing has been confirmed at this time. I wonder what article brought this on?
Google image
Are you kidding me? That inaugural poem stunk!
Talk about a dud...Elizabeth Alexander's poem "Praise Song for the Day" simply didn't soar...it made me snore!
The Yale professor and author of five books on poetry didn't even come close to the talent of other poets in inauguration ceremonies, like Robert Frost (JFK's swearing in) or Maya Angelou (Clinton's swearing in).
I'm no expert on poetry, but it sure sounded like prose, and did not have the flow of a good poem.
AP photo
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Thoughts on this day...
As I watch the swearing in of Joe Biden, my thoughts wander back to the recent presidential campaign and the growing popularity (seemingly out of nowhere) of Barack Obama. Two years ago he was an obscure senator from Illinois and now he sits waiting for the moment when her will stand up, walk over to the podium, and put his hand on President Lincoln's Bible and get sworn in as our 44th President of the United States.
I watch as the cameras keep panning on the millions of people in the National Mall, and I try to imagine what it would be like to be there.
I know, because of my PTSD, that I could never be in a crowd that big without panic seizing me like a vise. I wonder what it would be like standing among that many like-minded people.
Now, as Barack repeats the oath, I watch his wife's eyes reflecting pride...then "Congradulations Mr President" and the crowd claps deleriously. People hugging and kissing. Jumping up and down for joy. Tears running down eyes that never thought they would see this day.
A sense of hope so strong that you can taste it, smell it, feel it in your pores.
Now, as Barack addresses everyone, he calmly, in his rich voice, speaks. His eyes seem to make contact with the millions before him. He appears serious, yet, a secret smile breaks through at times, as he spells out the challenges we all now face. He points out the problems we must now tackle, and the economy is mentioned first.
He tries to make us all understand that their are many challenges, but as he said, "They can be met!" You know, by the tone of his voice he means it. He speaks, not to just Americans, but to the world which is also watching this ceremonial changing of the guard. This peaceful transistion of power is something we pride ourselves in as Americans.
Cameras walk through the mass of humanity, and sometimes they settle on a face - and we see smiles or tears.
My mind wanders back to when I was growing up in the 50s and 60's and saw the ugly face of rasicm and an oppresed people. In those days, people referred to African-Americans as niggers, and other blatantly racist terms. I was familiar with descrimination as one of the few Caucasians that lived in the barrios of La Puente and El Monte. Most of my fights were because I was different. I didn't fit in those prodominately Hispanic communities.
So you see, I have a certain prospective on race that helps me understand what the blacks in this country have gone through.
Now, everyone's clapping... he waves...and waves amid the sea of sound. Then it's over. It's official. I wait for the ground to open up and Angels to sing...
but all that happens is a woman walks up to the mics and recites a poem. The spell is broken too soon. Too soon. The rhetoric sets in now...
I watch as the cameras keep panning on the millions of people in the National Mall, and I try to imagine what it would be like to be there.
I know, because of my PTSD, that I could never be in a crowd that big without panic seizing me like a vise. I wonder what it would be like standing among that many like-minded people.
Now, as Barack repeats the oath, I watch his wife's eyes reflecting pride...then "Congradulations Mr President" and the crowd claps deleriously. People hugging and kissing. Jumping up and down for joy. Tears running down eyes that never thought they would see this day.
A sense of hope so strong that you can taste it, smell it, feel it in your pores.
Now, as Barack addresses everyone, he calmly, in his rich voice, speaks. His eyes seem to make contact with the millions before him. He appears serious, yet, a secret smile breaks through at times, as he spells out the challenges we all now face. He points out the problems we must now tackle, and the economy is mentioned first.
He tries to make us all understand that their are many challenges, but as he said, "They can be met!" You know, by the tone of his voice he means it. He speaks, not to just Americans, but to the world which is also watching this ceremonial changing of the guard. This peaceful transistion of power is something we pride ourselves in as Americans.
Cameras walk through the mass of humanity, and sometimes they settle on a face - and we see smiles or tears.
My mind wanders back to when I was growing up in the 50s and 60's and saw the ugly face of rasicm and an oppresed people. In those days, people referred to African-Americans as niggers, and other blatantly racist terms. I was familiar with descrimination as one of the few Caucasians that lived in the barrios of La Puente and El Monte. Most of my fights were because I was different. I didn't fit in those prodominately Hispanic communities.
So you see, I have a certain prospective on race that helps me understand what the blacks in this country have gone through.
Now, everyone's clapping... he waves...and waves amid the sea of sound. Then it's over. It's official. I wait for the ground to open up and Angels to sing...
but all that happens is a woman walks up to the mics and recites a poem. The spell is broken too soon. Too soon. The rhetoric sets in now...
Kobe and Gasol carve up the Cavaliers, 105-88
Forget about a dislocated pinkie that happened in the first quarter, Kobe finished with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 12 assists!
LeBron and company got brought down to earth, as they suffered their worst loss of the season to the surging Lakers.
The game was reminiscent of the Celtic game, where the Lakers stopped the Celtics winning streak (19 games).
Cleveland has the best record the franchise ever posted and has been winning games easily until they ran into the Lakers last night.
At times like this, it sure is fun being a fan (since 1961 by the way).
AP photo
An Historical Day: Obama becomes 44nd president
Was there ever a president who had more expected from him? It's incredible to see the support for Obama.
Watching the crowd grow this morning at the National Mall, I was reminded of the glory days of JFK, when most Americans had a sense of hope and change.
After the pomp and ceremony of today, Obama faces challenges that would make any man nervous, but he seems to maintain a sense of calm that only that only the great one's can.
May God bless his administration.
AP photo
Monday, January 19, 2009
LATEST UPDATE: FDA confirms salmonella in Kellogg Peanut Butter Snacks!
Watch out for peanut butter!
What began as an investigation of bulk peanut butter shipped to nursing homes and institutional cafeterias has broadened with the Kellogg Co. recalling 16 products and federal officials confirming salmonella contamination at a Georgia facility that ships peanut products to 85 food companies.
There's a reported 474 people sick from peanut butter products, and six deaths attributed to the outbreak.
The new recalls, including one from General Mills (GIS) for Lärabar and JamFrakas snack bars, means that about a dozen companies have pulled products, including cookies, crackers and ice cream. Products were sold in stores such as Wal-Mart and Food Lion.
Kroger said Monday that it is recalling Private Selection Peanut Butter Passion Ice Cream sold in select stores because the peanut butter in the ice cream was supplied by Peanut Corporation of America and may be contaminated with Salmonella. Stores under the following names are included in this recall: City Market, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC and Smith's.
More recalls are likely, given that the Peanut Corporation of America, which earlier recalled the suspect peanut butter and peanut paste, supplied 23 other companies with product that's been recalled. PCA first recalled peanut butter last Tuesday, then Sunday added its peanut paste, an ingredient used by food manufacturer
Photo on right is the American Peanut Butter plant.
To see what products are being recalled click here
AP photo
The only good thing Bush Did: Pardons Border Guards
The El Paso Times / Associated Press
Border guards Ignacio Ramos, at left, wearing tie, and Jose Compean, pictured here in file photos, today had their prison sentences commuted by President Bush.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Bush's Legacy: most reviled president parodied
President Bush, art urinal, by Clark Sorensen. From EXHIBIT: 'DOWN THE DRAIN' -THE LEGACY OF GEORGE
AP photo
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