This Just In...

Views of the news and other stuff

From...Watching TV

I don't watch all that much TV anymore. I find most of it dribble and drab. But there is one show I will be watching for sure starting Sunday. Ken Burns has come out with his production "The War" which is his documentary on World War II. Recent studies have indicated that many people under the age of 30 have little clue what WWII was about. For me, it will be a jaunt back into my memory. My Dad fought in that war; so did most, if not all, the parents of my childhood friends. I was raised in "veterans housing"--the many houses that were built in Canada in the mid to late '40's to house the returning WWII vets and their growing families--the start of the boomer generation. Some of my earliest memories were of rationing, listening to the war reports on the radio, and the earliest memory of my father. I have vivid memories of when he returned home...coming in on the troop train that was bringing vets home from battle; in my mothers arms, and Dad running down the train platform in Revelstoke BC to be with us. I will never forget that--and I was only 3 years old.

It was probably the last "good" war--if war can ever be called that. And the death toll from the battles dwarf the casualty rate of any other war since. Over 400,000 Americans were killed in the 5 or so years that the war was on plus tens of thousands of Brits, Canadians, Australians, French...and of course Germans.

But like everything else that is done today, there are groups who see themselves as being excluded. In the case of Burn's film, the Hispanics are upset because they weren't initially included in the film---he later brought in some to satisfy the critics. Damn I hate that kind of nonsense. And I think Robert Bianco, film critic for USA Today, makes a remark that maybe we all should remember when we see ourselves as being "left out"---"this is a controversy (the reaction of Hispanics) imposed by the present on the past, a product of an America so determined to view itself as a collection of competing interest groups, it apparently can't even remember what it was like to see itself as one nation."  And he concludes...."If The War can serve as a reminder, that will be one more reason to give thanks." Amen!

posted by: JustMe63 at 17:43 | link | comments |

From...Being Part of the Silver Tsunami

The Washington Post is currently running a series of articles on the “silver tsunami” that is sweeping the metro area.-(the first article is here; the second one here. And they have a whole section on their website on turning 50 for the youngsters in the crowd) The “tsunami” of course refers to the aging of the baby boomers—those who turned 60 in the last couple of years. So naturally I have been reading them with great interest. I am just a tad over the limit of being a boomer—I just turned 65—but nevertheless all are part of my generation.

I look forward, I guess, to moving down life’s highway because there is so much I want to do. My new business venture; becoming more creative with my photography (as an aside, I went to a fall fair yesterday and there were a number of folks selling their photos--- some for upwards of 400 bucks--- and while some were very good, I said “self, you can compete here;” traveling ---England in the spring is the first one on the list. And I have just finished outlining a manuscript that I am doing for my grandchildren….the story of moi. I often wish my grandparents and parents had done this…not necessarily for me, but for my kids so they have a sense of our family history.

posted by: JustMe63 at 14:22 | link | comments (3) |

From....Me

I have just come out of our massage room after a one hour massage--full body (and get your mind out of the gutter, it wasn't THAT kind of massage.) The professional therapist who does this is excellent, and her hands are as strong as an ox.

I have been getting a massage about once a month now for the past two years. I do find it very beneficial. But let me tell you, I know I am stressed out in my job when the therapist tells me that she can feel the tightness and the muscle lumps much more so now then two years ago. And my gawd when she starts putting the pressure on, it hurts like hell! There is also the age factor when she starts bending my arms and legs like pretzels....there was a time I could almost wrap my legs around my neck yoga style. Not anymore....but I do think I need to do something to increase my flexibility. Ya know, once you reach the age of 40, life is a continual maintenance job!

posted by: JustMe63 at 16:03 | link | comments (3) |

From....Reason #5,989 for Impeachment..

I had almost forgotten  about this given everything that the Dubya administration has screwed up, but when it happened it really pissed me off.....and reading it brings back the pissiness!

posted by: JustMe63 at 14:20 | link | comments (1) |

From....Sick to Sicker...

For anyone out there who still thinks we have the best health care system in the world and that a universal coverage system is a bunch of hooey....go see the movie Sicko, and also read this.... enough to make you puke with anger...

posted by: JustMe63 at 20:50 | link | comments |

From...Can We Trust the Media?

One of the tenants of a successful democracy is that they have newspapers, radio, tv, any kind of media that keeps watch over those in power, outs those who would abuse democracy, and generally informs the citizenry of the goings on of elected officials. Al Gore, in his book Assault on Reason, gives a darn good analysis of how the media has failed us in recent years by not providing us with the truth, or falling victim to the “sensationalism” that tabloids are known for, but that such well known newspapers as the NY Times and the Washington Post have fallen prey to as well. Much of it has to do with the fact that the media today has become very much a one-way street, with precious little opportunity for rebuttal by the average citizen (the reason, I think, that blogs have become so instrumental in the way we view our country and our leaders--- traditional media now fails us, blogs allow the opportunity for you and me to react publicly.)

 Within the past few days, two articles on two totally different subject areas, show how much the media has failed us. In one, the failure of the media may very well have brought us to where we are today with the war in Iraq, and the incompetence of Dubya and his gang of thieves; the second with the absolute destruction of some bright, albeit exuberant, college students.

The first was an article in Vanity Fair, which spells out how a small group of  rather insignificant (at the time) reporters twisted the news so much in favor of Bush and against Gore in the 2000 election that it really affected the eventual outcome. One reporter in particular, Kate Seelye of the NY Times, misquoted Gore so much that in hindsight, her shenanigans may very well have lead the voters down the garden path as it relates to their perception of Gore. Half truths and downright lies seemed to be her way of writing. (It is interesting to note that she would not return Vanity Fair’s phone calls when they wanted to question her on this issue.) As one observer put it, "overall the press was harder on Gore than it was on Bush....the consequences of [that] in such a close election were terrifying."--and as we now know, much more than just terrifying.  At Vanity Fair’s suggestion, many in the media are re-evaluating their role in the 2000 and 2004 elections and the consensus appears to be that they really screwed up. The amazing thing today is that many in the same press corps are now idolizing Gore…but the difference is that Gore is now speaking directly to the public rather than through the media…and he could give a damn about what the press says about him.

The second was an article in the Post the other day about the nonsense that the Duke lacrosse team had to endure in the so-called “rape case” involving a black stripper. We now know the truth—the stripper was a freaking liar; the prosecutor has just been jailed for his activity, and the university and many of the faculty are being sued, all for jumping to judgment way to early. Again, as was the case in the Gore scenario, the press failed to do their job. They came out totally against the kids on the team without really looking into it….a knee jerk reaction. And as is the case with many stories that start out as bold headlines on the front page, most retractions have come out on page 33.

Such inaccuracy, rush to judgment, downright lies, etc. of both of the above events is a dangerous precedent. The former incident with the press’ infatuation with Bush was carried on through the start of the Iraq war---- very few in the press even questioned the idea of WMD’s, which Dubya used as his rationale for going to war.

So the question now becomes how much can we trust the media, the fifth estate, to protect us? To keep us informed. To uncover “the truth.” And as we approach another election, can we trust the reporters to really deal with the “news” or will they succumb to the denigrating of a particular candidate, regardless of who it is, simply because they don’t like the way he/she dresses, tells a joke, fails to kiss babies on the cheek, won't go out and have a beer "with the boys"  and so on. Hopefully they will deal with issues, platforms, ideas…presenting all sides of an argument, checking facts, the candidates intellect, etc. so that we, as an electorate will go to the ballot box with some idea of what we can expect from the next President. Failing that, maybe the blogs of the Internet will take that charge. Somebody has to....

posted by: JustMe63 at 20:33 | link | comments |

From...To Kiss or not to Kiss...Is That The Question?

Hmmmmm...yummy!

posted by: JustMe63 at 13:16 | link | comments |

From...Thoughts from a Hot, Dry Summer...

Well the Labor Day weekend is over, and so is summer. Not sure what the past weekend weather was like where you live, but here it was absolutely gorgeous…the type of  weather I could take all year long. My son refers to it as “Vancouver weather.” It was a good summer…spending two weeks at the beach was a first. Most years we are lucky to get in one….but having the grandkids with us was great. They are both at an age (5 and 6 yrs) where you can really share their excitement…they both can swim now, and they love the water. Highlights….their curiosity at the North Carolina Aquarium; boogie boarding in the surf (they wouldn’t quit)….catching their first fish, and then a bunch more…digging for crabs…..and the best memory, their absolute excitement at going parasailing (much more guts then me!!).

And speaking of weather….beaches were very hot, and we suffered at home from lack of rain. Thank god the last week we were at the beach the lawn got some good rain .When we left the lawn was a crunchy brown, but we came back to lush green. And my tomato crop and herb harvest (basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary and parsley) turned out to be huge. Tried my hand this weekend making my own salsa…turned out very good.

The trips to the beach allowed me to get in  much more reading then is usual during the summer. Although it was blistering hot, the beach umbrellas did their job and in addition to my daily diet of newspapers and news magazines, I finished Gore’s book Assault on Reason; the book A Whole New Mind, by Dan Pink; the new version of Tom Friedman’s The World is Flat (not much new from the previous edition), a “how to” book on Fireworks (the graphics software), another “how to book” on starting a photography business (just a thought), and a couple of technical books on digital photography. Speaking of  photography, I took a ton of pics during the summer. The better ones are on my flickr site. Also bought a couple of new lenses, and now looking at a new tripod (geez those things are expensive!)

Have spent fair amount of time reading your posts and keeping up with your trials and tribs.

Also spent quite a bit of time pondering…. Combination of hot sun, sea breezes, and sounds of the surf tend to make one fall into thought-land….here is a summary…

-          Made a decision to move gradually into retirement. Starting in Oct (I think—hope--) will only work 3 days per week.

-          Made plans to begin a private venture to fill a niche in my field. Talked to people about it and they think it is a good idea. Will allow me to work out of the house.

-          We really need to think through the whole primary process for determining Presidential candidates. These states who are rushing to move up their primary dates in order to get the publicity and economic fallout are making a mockery out of our election process. If we are not careful, we will be allowing a handful of states to determine who the President of the country will be long before (two years is not exaggerating) the rest of us even go to the polling booth.

-       Speaking of primaries, would place bets that the Dems nominee will be Hillary or Obama, but right now, I think Hillary would be more of a hindrance than a help. As for the Reps, Fred Thompson's entry into the fray throws it wide open.

-          Saw a lot of bumper stickers over the summer that read “Impeach Them Both.” The more I think of it, the more I wish we had a parliamentary system of government where you can get rid of a rotten leader right now and not have to worry about waiting until the next election (yes, I know all about impeachment, but that really removes the electorate from the process.)

-          I am more afraid of Cheney then I am of Dubya…..Dubya is just the spokesman..Cheney is the brains, and he is a very scary man.

-          Just blogged about this a short time ago---Larry Craig deserves what he got---I am tired of self-righteous hypocrites.

-          Joel Achenbach of the Post had a good article over the weekend to the effect that 50 years from now, USA will still be number one. He makes a pretty strong argument and he may be right. His strongest point---- our fears about China and India taking over may be unfounded unless these two giants get a handle on their extreme poverty, and their profound environmental problems. My biggest concern, however, is that our arrogance will prevent us from thinking through how we deal with the rest of the world. The arrogance can sometimes get in the way of reality.

-          I love sports, I was a real jock when I was younger….but the state of sports in American stinks….pro football and basketball have been taken over by a bunch of thugs (does the name Mike Vick mean anything), college sports, especially football, have resulted in us putting a whole different priority on higher education, and it is getting worse; too many parents are involved in their kid’s sports for the vicarious kicks they get out of it, with no thought to whether it is good for the kid. In sum, I have lost all interest in almost all sports…..

-          I am tired of the knee-jerk reaction we now take to any threat---- terrorists can still do almost anything they want to our country, but in the knee jerk reaction to preventing terrorism, we have lost many of our civil liberties. In sum, security is a joke.

-          I continue to be amazed at what Google can do.

-          I am becoming much more aware of my desire to be creative, to use my right brain instead of my left….one reason why I am enjoying photography so much. And I wonder if I had my life to live over again whether I would have pursued the same track that I took….Have come to the conclusion that the older I get, the better idea I have of what is really important. Money is no longer the driving force, nor is fame……making a difference; giving back to society, making things pretty…those are becoming much more important to me.

Now we move into fall….the leaves will soon be changing, the heat and humidity of summer will soon be a memory, the fall fairs in the towns and villages of Virginia are now marked on the calendar……nice!!

posted by: JustMe63 at 16:19 | link | comments (3) |

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