THE SUNDAY MORNING PAPER, Aug 3, 2008

There were several things in the morning's Little Rock paper that caught my eye. One was the article about the new standard for housekeeping. The idea was that with the women working outside the home, the home now is probably kept "clean enough to be healthy, but dirty enough to be happy". Mothers and Grandmothers weren't happy with this because they feel that their home is a reflection on who they are. I liked reading this, as I felt it freed me from worrying about "the corners."

Another article was intesesting because it talked about the 6 degrees of separation. Some tests were done by tracing communication methods. They showed a social connectivity among the peoples of the world to the 6th or 7th degree of separation. Perhaps that shows an explanation for all those "it's a small world" experiences which most of us so delight in.

I've never been comfortable in situations calling for "small talk" so was glad to see some suggestions for how to do it reported the the High Profile section. I'll practice them and maybe, just maybe, I can be more comfortable when socializing which I actually really love.

Have some joy in the coming week--it's worth it. Marian

HELLO AGAIN--

After a somewhat long rest, a big birthday, and a some house guests, I seem to have a renewed interest in the this blog. I heard Al Gore on Meet the Press a week ago, and got excited about his message. It is vital that we listen to it, but other than changing the light bulbs, and driving less (which we try to do anyway due to the high gas prices) there's not much we can do. But there are people who can, and I hope they are working on it as our President doesn't seem to be. Obama and McCain are doing lots of talking hoping to influence the voters, and Obama's trip to Europe and the middle East was of great interest to the press. Banks are failing, but there is still confidence in the F.D.I.C for most of us. Reporting from Iraq seems mixed: they're calming down, but still there are killings; their infrastructure is costing us billions but without much to show for it, and Kisinich isn't getting far with his hope for impeaching the president. So much for the news. Wish someone would answer me, so that we could have a dialogue----How about it? Have you figured out how to get joy form each day? Hope so--Marian

NO ENTRIES FOR A TIME

TRAVEL!! OH JOY----MARIAN

I'M FOR OBANA FOR PRESIDENT!!!

WE, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY MEMBERS, MUST WIN THE 2009 ELECTION, AND PUT MR. OBOMA IN AS OUR PRESIDENT. I SHALL DO ALL THAT I CAN TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. AGAIN, DEMOCRATS ABSOLUTELY MUST WIN THE PRESIDENCY IN 2008.

MORE OF THE SAME---

More of my vandetta against MEET THE PRESS--or in fact against all reports about the McCellon book. Did you notice that most of the comments were "Why now? "--"Why not sooner?" "The author is disgrunteld", "why didn't he resign if he felt that way? etc.. I heard very little of the content, either pro or con. It seemed that they thought that it was more important to attack the author. Don't we really want the facts from the Media? It's a pretty day here today---enjoy it. Marian

MEET THE MEET THE PRESS 5-25-O8 WAS VERY BAD: READ ON--

I am so mad and disgusted! I just listened to Tim Russett's MEET THE PRESS (Sunday, May 25) . I am for Hillary Clinton for president because I think she is better informed about the problems facing our country, and more able to deal with them. But the first half of Russet's panel spent the entire time on her missstatements, mistakes and especially critized the reasons she gave for staying in the race. NOT ONE WORD was said about her program, her solutions, her views or what kind of a president she would make. I think the press in general has not won any kudos during this primary season, but this was a low point. I will vote for whomever wins the nomination, and I strongly support the Democratic party because I feel that our future safety and progress depend upon turning around, if possible, the bad government of the last eight years. But I feel so sure that this morning's program, based on nothing about our country's problems, but only on how many mistakes they feel that Hillary Clinton has made, will NOT help us in any posiltive way to a better government. I have lost all respect for Tim Russet for planning such a presentation, and feel that this was the last straw in my respect for the press as it has operated in this election!!! It will be hard for me to have any joy today-----Marian

A CHANGE OF PACE

Well, the election has few solutions, and I don't know any of them. Therefore, I plan to think about other things. I'm reading Susan Jacoby's book, THE AGE OF AMERICAN UNREASON. I find it hard to read, but well worth the extra effort it takes to get her opinions about when, why and how we "dumbed down America". I'm also liking Geraldine Brooks book, PEOPLE OF THE BOOK. It is about a person who is stabilizing a very old and unusual book. By tracing down pieces of trivia like what one of the stains might be, she finds lots of interesting history about how the book survived the centurys. I have time to read today, so I'm having fun---Hope you do too. Marian

CREATING NEW RULES FOR THE 2012 ELECTIONS

It is time to begin considering needed changes in the rules for the 2012 elections. Such problems as the length of the campaigning, the media bias, the type of debates, the tremendous amount of money that has been involved, etc. has led to GREAT dissatisfaction this year. I'm assuming that the parties can establish these needed changes, so I am suggesting that (1) all State primaries to select their party candidate be at the same time, and only several months before the general election when the president is selected.. (The general election can be run the same way as specified in the Constitution; thus requiring no major action by the government.) Financing the election has long been recognized as a major problem, and needs much change; and change which would include a way for money to come from ALL citizens. Presidents should be responsible to all of us, and not just those with inordinate amounts of money. (Big business) I'm not smart enough to think about solutions for this! I would appreciate your comments, and also hearing the suggestions you have been considering. It's a fine day here, a good one for fun. I hope you also have some! Marian

READ MY WAR, by ANDY ROONEY

We're back from the trip to Texas, and ready again to get into life around here. Politics is still an unhappy subject for me, and I hope for enough others that the parties will change their rules, timing, money spending into a better, shorter, and more effective election for 2012. Do you agree? Read a tremendous book while on vacation. It was published in 2000, but I just ran into it now. It is Andy Rooney's MY WAR. It's 40 degrees here today, but we plan to have fun anyway! You too, I hope. Marian

VACATION TIME FOR US---TEXAS, HERE WE COME!

We're use to hearing "CHURCH VS. STATE", but I heard a new one that could become well-known also: "SPORTS VS. POLITICS". That starts the imagination with a different set of conflicts. And another thing I read is that the metal value of the penny exceedes its face value. Now isn't that funny? I don't think that will happen to a dollar bill, but it is gong that way------Going on vacation----my turn for fun! Marian

ELECTION EXHAUSTION------

I'm so tired of the election talk. It is now superficial, repetitive, mean, and far from helpful. WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THIS COUNTRY, AND FIGHTING AMONG OURSELVES IS NOT GOING TO GET THE JOB DONE. Something has to change. I don't know the solution to how the time between now and convention time should be used, but I for one, am NOT going to listen any more to the election programs on the television. Does anyone agree? FUN? WHAT'S FUN? Marian

READ THIS!

Wow! I read that some Texans (up in the high percentages) who voted for Obama wouldn't vote for Clinton, should he lose, and some likewise who voted for Clinton, wouldn't vote for Obama should he win. Now, that is a "biting your nose to spite your face" if I ever heard one. Both of those candidates are very close in their plans, but VASTLY different from the Bush program which most of us oppose violently. I hope that this Texas attitude doesn't spread. We MUST get a Democrat into the presidency!!!!! Oh my, slow down and get some fun today. We all need it---Marian

GOOD ADMINISTRATORS------

I don't know what Wharton School of Business and other big business schools teach their students about being administrators, but I HOPE they put emphasis on the fact administration is a special talent, and that not everyone can be a good one. And one way I think good ones can be judged is bythe atmosphere they create for those they administer. Do they encourage people to enjoy their work? or to be proud of what they do? or enjoy where they work, and the people with whom they work? I mean do they recognize the talents and specialties of the people who work there? Do the understand the talents for the work their workers use? Today, more than ever, the workers (poor name for the employees) know and use specialized information, tools, techniques far beyond the ken of the administrators, so it is extremely necessary for these administrators to create a good atmosphere--how many of you are administrators like that? and how many of you have had administrators like that? Well, think about it, but have some fun today. Marian

NEW BOOK

I just finished Tom Brokow's new book about the sixties. It was a VERY GOOD BOOK!!! Tell me if you read it. Sit out in the sun some time today---it's fun! Marian

IT'S A GOOD DAY

Beautiful day, so we sat out on the balcony in the sun. My medicines were changed a bit yesterday, and I feel better than I have since Nov. 1, today!!!! And have you noticed that even the media itself is telling of its prejudiced reporting for Obama, and against Clinton? They are even using statistics to prove it. Have LOTS of fun today! Marian

NO WORDS

It's a blah day here, weather-wise, and ambition-wise. BUT things are about back to normal and I should be able to share more "words" with you soon. Have some fun today---Marian

POINTS TO MENTION

HERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS FROM THE PAPER THAT I FOUND INTERESTING AND SIGNIFICANT:

1. 27 Million Dollars were spent in recovery efforts for the
Gray Wolf in the Rocky Mountains since 1974!!!!!!

2. Stanford tuition and board for one student next year will be: tuition:$36,000 and Board and Room: $11,182!!!!!! (I must admit that the story also contained information that the school intends to give many more scholarships this coming year)

2. Headline in morning paper (2-25-08): EXPERT;TEENS CASUALLY CUSSING MORE
Here is the punch: this is a quote from "Timothy Jay, one of the leading scholars on cursing in the United States." (leading scholar on cursing????)

PLEDGED DELEGATES ARE ELECTED--CHECK IT OUT

The media seems to be implying that the pledged delegates are not elected, so shouldn't decide the cadidate for the Democratic Party if it should reach that point.. The "pleadged delegates" are senators, represeentitive, governors etc.. Aren't they elected? I don't care for whom you vote, but I do hope your vote is an intellegent one, not one dictated by miss statements or implied truths . Take time to be happy today. Marian

THE MEDIA IS RUNNING THE ELECTION-----

FROM THE NON-PARTISAN Center for Media and Public Affairs: "From Decemger l6 through January 27, media coverage of Obama has been 87 percent favorable, for Clinton only 51 percent favorable. " What do you suppose will be done about this to prevent it in the years to come? We want the election to reflect the wishes of us, the People of the United States! It's getting serious now. Joy? I hope there is some left----Marian











media and public affairs

THIS MORNING'S THOUGHT

This election results this year will no doubt go down in the history books as the one the media dictated. It will be interesting to read how it is written in them in a year or two.. And perhaps you should be reminded to wash your hands OFTEN as the morning paper said that the flu is coming in more types than we are protected from by the shot.
You might as well have fun today. Why not? Marian

TWI THINGS ABOUT THE ELECTION----

Two things about the election last Feb 5 especially impressed me. First: the astonishing number of Democrats that voted. It appears that the Democratic Chairman reached his goal of increasing the number of Democrats at the grass root level. Second: I saw no (I might of missed some) mention that Hillary Clinton took the State of Mass. IN SPITE OF THE KENNEDY ENDORSEMENT. I'll just bet that had Mass. not got for Hillary, there would have been many comments from the Media about how much Kennedy's backing meant. Do you have some comments on this? Think about it. Marian

FATEFUL TUESDAY

HOPE YOU GET A CHANCE TO VOTE TODAY---DO YOUR OWN THINKING ABOUT WHOM YOU THINK COULD DO THE BETTER JOB. THUNDER STORMS HERE TODAY--A BAD OMEN. BUT TODAY DO SOMETHING YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO FOR FUN---MARIAN

BRING THE TROOPS HOME---still another reason

And now, we're hearing that this country is most unprepared for a disaster, attack, huge storm or other danger because our National Guard and Reserve have been so neglected or sent to Iraq! Another reason not to spend more money on keeping the combat troops in Iraq! We need as a country, to tend to this. The Democratic Debate last night was inspiring: no bickering, and no time constrains allowed more time for discussing the issues in a better way. Aside: can anyone imagine what pressure those two people were under? Put yourself in their place and think how you would have felt during the last five minutes before the cameras were turned on!!!!!! Will you have some fun today? Hope so. Marian

QUESTION

Now, I ask you: just where are we as a government, going to get the money for the tax rebates to most all and sundry of our citizens in an attempt to ward off the recession? Think about that? It's raining hard here today; a good day to read. That's a joy---Marian

We're in real trouble with this election with the media attempting to dictate the choice in such an out and out way! While lots of people are seeing this, the Feb. 5th elections are coming too soon for their to be an up swell against it. President Clinton should, in my opinion, stay presidential in his support of his wife. I was happy to hear several say today that if we brought the combat troops home, we could pay what it takes to save our economy. Well, sleep well, and save a little joy for tomorrow. Marian

ECONOMY AND BRINGING THE TROOPS HOME

This may be vastly oversimplified, but think about it. For several weeks now the media has been talking about only the economy. That's a good thing to talk about but what happened to our concern about ending the war and bringing the troops home? Bush and the Congress are thinking about pouring money into the economy to forestall the depression. Where are they going to get that money? Why not end the combat and bring the troops home, and use some of that money to save the economy? Well, think about it? Have some fun today--Marian

More shots at the Media ---

There was a headline in this morning's paper (Democrat Gazette) that really annoyed me: Here it is: "From S.C. to Florida, candidates in quest for primary votes honor slain leader." I'm just not so blase that I think ANY of the people running for President of the United States would praise Martin L. King just to get votes. But the media wants to influence our thinking!!!

Also, I think the former President should be VERY careful about what he says as nobody knows what Karl Rove is doing these days, and he just might be out there waiting to turn anything Bill says into trouble for his wife. Anyway, it is my opinion that the former president really doesn't have to say anything to effectively back his wife. He just has to be there. Enough for today---Marian

HELLO AGAIN; BACK ON THE JOB OF OPINION GIVING!!

I am glad to be back at this "blogging business" after the long Christmas break, which, by the way, was a good one. But how about the election? It's gone a long time, and still has a long way to go! I'm worried that we, the people, are getting crowded out of making the decidsions, however. I think the media is doing it for us. They are makeing comments, writing stories, making implecations that say too much about what they think is going on. How many of you have heard how things are going: who's ahead, who can't win in S.C., who said things that brought up the race or gender issue -- all interpretations of what THEY think.. All of this long before the vote in any State. There must be hundreds of news writers, all of whom need to write a story with a viewpoint that we hear and read. Most of these individuals are subtly (and maybe not so subtly) pushing a candidate. I want our president to be selected by US, the people.

And there are the polls. Many, many of them, and their published results push people into changing their votes. What about outlawing the polls? But it is too late for election reforms like government financing, limiting time of electioneering, etc. At this point in the procedures, all you and I and others can do is to be aware that we are reading and hearing material that is prejudiced. We each need to think and listen carefully about the issues that are important to us, and really question what is said about them, and try to check the facts. We want this election outcome to be the best person for a very hard job of bringing our troops home, of re-making our image in the world, of working on problems of global warming, and bringing balance of opportunities and rewards to all of our people, and of managing our economy.

There, I have said a lot that I want to say. More another day. Have a great 2008, Marian