There's something always exciting about facing a challenge and overcoming it. As a counselor, I get to help others with that process and once a year I have the honor of watching students graduate often knowing what they had to face beyond tests and papers.
But we all have personal challenges to deal with.
There's a local art show sponsored by Munson Williams Proctor Institute that I've enjoyed visiting for years. I've always been lucky enough to have artistic friends, but just as I've never taken a political science class, neither have I taken a formal art class.
But art has come to be a serious hobby for me. And there are some days that it's a lot more than a just a hobby. There are some days where making something creative is the best counterbalance for some of the other aspects of the day.
But past week I took the plunge and submitted a piece to the Sidewalk Art Show. I've thought of doing it for the last few years, but it's a juried show. My usual justification for not doing it was that the submission day was the day that I leave for my annual get away. The stronger reason, most simply, was that I just was too chicken.
So I had to laugh as I was leaving the museum and the guard commented "Well, that didn't take long."
"Actually, it probably took like 15 years," I answered.
Dropping the piece off didn't take long. Working up the courage to do so probably took too long.
And yesterday, I got the postcard telling me that my piece had been accepted for display!
Maimun
20060611
On the Road to Smithville Flats
It was Smithville Flats Days in Smithville Flats, NY. I was again on the road for the Michael Arcuri campaign. We were there for a parade and on the way back, we stopped at 2006 Wet Paint, an arts celebration in Oxford, NY. Unfortunately, the wet weather put a damper on the Wet Paint celebration.
The weather wasn't all that friendly, though once again the people were. Maybe that sums up living in Central NY. At least today, I remembered to grab a jacket. As much as I was glad for having it, I really wish I'd thought to put on socks and sneakers instead of spring sandals. Silly me.. I thought it was June.
When I moved back here after living in Washington, I had the hardest time trying to fall asleep. It was just too quiet. But I've been here long enough now and with the memories of growing up here that I can find contentment living here.
There's nothing like small towns that still embody community. Kids playing across backyards, neighbors visiting on front porches, neighbors watching over the said kids, and everyone knowing each other.
And in spite of the grey skies and occasional rain, driving though the 24th Congressional district is sheer joy. Add good company and this is more fun than I've had in a very long time. The landscape is often breath-taking. The wildlife is humbling.
Though there are dangerous temptations out there too. I've been finding more used book stores and really need to start mapping those out so I can get back to them. Today's test was a rubber stamping store in Oxford, NY, the Creative Stamper. I don't think I failed the test.... I just didn't spend a fortune there today. Which is pretty impressive, I think, because they carried not only paper arts supplies, but jewelry-making supplies too.
Who knows... maybe tomorrow I'll even get a little time to play.
Maimun
The weather wasn't all that friendly, though once again the people were. Maybe that sums up living in Central NY. At least today, I remembered to grab a jacket. As much as I was glad for having it, I really wish I'd thought to put on socks and sneakers instead of spring sandals. Silly me.. I thought it was June.
When I moved back here after living in Washington, I had the hardest time trying to fall asleep. It was just too quiet. But I've been here long enough now and with the memories of growing up here that I can find contentment living here.
There's nothing like small towns that still embody community. Kids playing across backyards, neighbors visiting on front porches, neighbors watching over the said kids, and everyone knowing each other.
And in spite of the grey skies and occasional rain, driving though the 24th Congressional district is sheer joy. Add good company and this is more fun than I've had in a very long time. The landscape is often breath-taking. The wildlife is humbling.
Though there are dangerous temptations out there too. I've been finding more used book stores and really need to start mapping those out so I can get back to them. Today's test was a rubber stamping store in Oxford, NY, the Creative Stamper. I don't think I failed the test.... I just didn't spend a fortune there today. Which is pretty impressive, I think, because they carried not only paper arts supplies, but jewelry-making supplies too.
Who knows... maybe tomorrow I'll even get a little time to play.
Maimun
20060608
Regional security threat
Ray Meier, currently running for Congress here on the other side of the aisle, justifies the War on Terror, because according to him, Saddam Hussein "was a regional security threat."
While being Pataki's lapdog, guess he's getting a jump start on being Shrub's lapdog.
That's not what this region needs.
Maimun
20060606
Cortland Dairy Parade
I think I will actually sleep well tonight, because I am so tired.
But it's a happy tired. The satisfied tired that comes from working hard and getting something done.
And I'm doing it with a healthy surving of humble pie.
I'm city slicker enough that my first reaction to this political event was "a DAIRY parade?? On a TUESDAY NIGHT?!"
It was the Cortland Dairy Parade and a strong supporter of Michael Arcuri urged us strongly to attend. We can't miss it, he insisted. So, I in Utica, and Mike and Jordan in NYC, fought the clock to get to Cortland in time.
My challenge was that though I'd left early enough with plenty of time to get there, I wasn't expecting to twice get stuck in bumper-to-bumper stopped traffic because of the closing of one lane on 81 South. The "construction" signs were up as were the orange cones that funneled all the traffic into one lane. However, there were no construction work, workers or equipment to be seen.
But, I got there only a few minutes late. Mike and Jordan got there just before the parade was due to start.
Finally after an hour of waiting, we started the stroll down the parade route.
Cortland deserves a HUGE round of applause for the organization and celebration of this parade. People were lined on the sidewalks in layers, children waved and blew plastic horns, squeeled at and hugged Crime Dog McGruff, bags of cotton candy were sold by strolling men as were a variety of stuffed and plastic toys. Behind is was a large columbine (at least, that's what I think is was!) and a block of tractors behind that.
Everyone was so friendly. Children waved and yelled "Hi!" Strangers yelled out "I like Mike" which had us laughing (and had me nodding saying "yes, it's common, but we should still use it). Even after the parade was over and we were returning to where other cars had been left, Cortland residents were walking back to their homes and they were still waving to us.
Although I do have the city slicker side of me, I also grew up in a relatively small town. Parades here, aside from being laughed at on the Letterman Show, are a part of our summer. Memorial Day, July 4th, Firemen, Liberty Bell, Strawberry, Dairy, Tomato, various famous people and who knows what else I'm forgetting.
Small town parades are fun. Watchers and marchers both see friends on the road and on the sidewalk. Co-workers, students and teachers cheer and wave. Its a few hours when most of the communty gathers together and celebrate the different slices of the community.
Thank you, Cortland, for making Michael Arcuri and his campaign welcome!
Next stop... Smithville Flats.
Maimun
But it's a happy tired. The satisfied tired that comes from working hard and getting something done.
And I'm doing it with a healthy surving of humble pie.
I'm city slicker enough that my first reaction to this political event was "a DAIRY parade?? On a TUESDAY NIGHT?!"
It was the Cortland Dairy Parade and a strong supporter of Michael Arcuri urged us strongly to attend. We can't miss it, he insisted. So, I in Utica, and Mike and Jordan in NYC, fought the clock to get to Cortland in time.
My challenge was that though I'd left early enough with plenty of time to get there, I wasn't expecting to twice get stuck in bumper-to-bumper stopped traffic because of the closing of one lane on 81 South. The "construction" signs were up as were the orange cones that funneled all the traffic into one lane. However, there were no construction work, workers or equipment to be seen.
But, I got there only a few minutes late. Mike and Jordan got there just before the parade was due to start.
Finally after an hour of waiting, we started the stroll down the parade route.
Cortland deserves a HUGE round of applause for the organization and celebration of this parade. People were lined on the sidewalks in layers, children waved and blew plastic horns, squeeled at and hugged Crime Dog McGruff, bags of cotton candy were sold by strolling men as were a variety of stuffed and plastic toys. Behind is was a large columbine (at least, that's what I think is was!) and a block of tractors behind that.
Everyone was so friendly. Children waved and yelled "Hi!" Strangers yelled out "I like Mike" which had us laughing (and had me nodding saying "yes, it's common, but we should still use it). Even after the parade was over and we were returning to where other cars had been left, Cortland residents were walking back to their homes and they were still waving to us.
Although I do have the city slicker side of me, I also grew up in a relatively small town. Parades here, aside from being laughed at on the Letterman Show, are a part of our summer. Memorial Day, July 4th, Firemen, Liberty Bell, Strawberry, Dairy, Tomato, various famous people and who knows what else I'm forgetting.
Small town parades are fun. Watchers and marchers both see friends on the road and on the sidewalk. Co-workers, students and teachers cheer and wave. Its a few hours when most of the communty gathers together and celebrate the different slices of the community.
Thank you, Cortland, for making Michael Arcuri and his campaign welcome!
Next stop... Smithville Flats.
Maimun
20060605
For the record, the fact that I am still single is in no way caused by gays and lesbians finding partners in their own lives
A "Marriage Amendment"
Osama's been forgotten, the mission was accomplished a while ago now, this hurricane season hasn't caused the gas prices to jump, so I suppose things are dull enough in the Off-White House that now the Shrub can turn to other serious matters.
And if you buy that, let me tell you about some oceanfront property that I'm selling just north of Utica, too.
But as much as I hate seeming to give credence to the issue by addressing it, I also couldn't stay silent about it. Marriage is just too important to me to ignore what they're trying to push down our throats, never mind fanning the flames of a non-issue so we'll stop talking about all the really immoral, disgusting things this Badministration's doing.
"Marriage is union between a man and a woman as a husband and a wife," is Shrub's idea of a marriage. And given that we're talking about changing the Constitution here, it's inferred, at least, that that is the ideal of marriage. After all, the Constitution is the founding document of the United States of America.
We're not talking about the by-laws of the local star trek fan club here. This is the fundamental basis of how America was formed and how it functions. The Constitution covers topics such as elections, citizenship, separation of powers, and states' rights. The Amendments covered things like Freedom of Speech, Religion, Press, Petition and Assembly, the right to bear arms, prohibition of slavery, citizenship, and voting.
(Well, as I typed that previous paragraph, I realize that expecting this Badministration to treat the Constitution with the seriousness required really is asking too much. They're pretty much shredding everything except the 2nd Amendment, though that's being very edited too. But while I might not agree with everything in the Guiding Texts, be they religious, political or social, I do respect their embodiment. And this doesn't mean that I believe they are completed, perfect works. No, as long as humans change, so too do the Guides need to be applied in new contexts.)
But, back to the whole ideal marriage thing.
In no particular order:
Robert Blake Bonny Lee Blake
OJ Simpson Nicole Brown Simpson
Mike Tyson Robin Givens
Ike Turner Tina Turner
John Wayne Bobbitt Lorena Bobbitt
Scott Peterson Laci Peterson
Dan Broderick Betty Broderick
There's more to an ideal marriage. A LOT more.
Personally, my idea of an ideal marriage is the traditional Islamic analogy of The Cloak... that the two people are comfort, protection and enhancement for each other. At least for my life, I trust that if those qualities are there between me and whoever I might someday share my life with, so too will be love, honor and trust. At least I hope so. Yes, he would have to be a "he" but that's just because of how I'm wired. But religion, skin tone, hight, weight, heritage, etc aren't factors. (The search for said man is a whole other topic!)
As someone who has claims of "otherness," marriage as well as all the social interaction leading up to it, have always been especially highlighted, sensitive, analyzed, discussed, dissected, examined, explored, etc. And by now in my life, I know enough about myself to know what I want. And I've seen enough to know what I don't want.
There's been so much talk about the institution of marriage. "Which kind?" I ask.
The traditional south asian marriage where husband and wife don't meet until the wedding ceremony? The ones where either by family pressure or religion, the woman has no choice? The ones done by elopement because one or both families would rather see their son or daughter dead before married to the other son or daughter? The ones done to secure political treaties or economic growth?
I don't mean to sound down on marriage. It's easy to point to all the sad examples. But just as the above types occur, so too do the ones based on caring, honor and respect.
And not a one of them succeed or fail because of gender, much less the genders of other people.
Marriage exists between whoever chooses to be married to each other. However they choose to define their marriage, that is their measurement for success. Everyone on the outside can have an opinion on that marriage, but only those in it have a vote.
As an "other," my right to marry a man of my choice, while mine in the eyes of Allah, would have been denied by America in the early 1900's.
I wouldn't have the right to decide who could make health care decissions for me should I no longer be able to. I wouldn't be able to visit him in the hospital. There would be no assumption of inheritance. And then would come the denial of employment benefits, social security benefits, life insurance, etc.
So, not only does this Badministration have no business in mine or anyone else's dating/married life, it is reprehensible that it would even try. But I, once again, shouldn't expect decency. The voting rights violations, the Terry Shiavo assault, the Iraq lies... this is just one more effort on their part to keep us busy and distracted while they attack America.
Shrub might not think so, but we really have more important things to deal with. And I doubt that him codifying his idea of a marriage would get me any closer to finding my partner.
Maimun
Osama's been forgotten, the mission was accomplished a while ago now, this hurricane season hasn't caused the gas prices to jump, so I suppose things are dull enough in the Off-White House that now the Shrub can turn to other serious matters.
And if you buy that, let me tell you about some oceanfront property that I'm selling just north of Utica, too.
But as much as I hate seeming to give credence to the issue by addressing it, I also couldn't stay silent about it. Marriage is just too important to me to ignore what they're trying to push down our throats, never mind fanning the flames of a non-issue so we'll stop talking about all the really immoral, disgusting things this Badministration's doing.
"Marriage is union between a man and a woman as a husband and a wife," is Shrub's idea of a marriage. And given that we're talking about changing the Constitution here, it's inferred, at least, that that is the ideal of marriage. After all, the Constitution is the founding document of the United States of America.
We're not talking about the by-laws of the local star trek fan club here. This is the fundamental basis of how America was formed and how it functions. The Constitution covers topics such as elections, citizenship, separation of powers, and states' rights. The Amendments covered things like Freedom of Speech, Religion, Press, Petition and Assembly, the right to bear arms, prohibition of slavery, citizenship, and voting.
(Well, as I typed that previous paragraph, I realize that expecting this Badministration to treat the Constitution with the seriousness required really is asking too much. They're pretty much shredding everything except the 2nd Amendment, though that's being very edited too. But while I might not agree with everything in the Guiding Texts, be they religious, political or social, I do respect their embodiment. And this doesn't mean that I believe they are completed, perfect works. No, as long as humans change, so too do the Guides need to be applied in new contexts.)
But, back to the whole ideal marriage thing.
In no particular order:
Robert Blake Bonny Lee Blake
OJ Simpson Nicole Brown Simpson
Mike Tyson Robin Givens
Ike Turner Tina Turner
John Wayne Bobbitt Lorena Bobbitt
Scott Peterson Laci Peterson
Dan Broderick Betty Broderick
There's more to an ideal marriage. A LOT more.
Personally, my idea of an ideal marriage is the traditional Islamic analogy of The Cloak... that the two people are comfort, protection and enhancement for each other. At least for my life, I trust that if those qualities are there between me and whoever I might someday share my life with, so too will be love, honor and trust. At least I hope so. Yes, he would have to be a "he" but that's just because of how I'm wired. But religion, skin tone, hight, weight, heritage, etc aren't factors. (The search for said man is a whole other topic!)
As someone who has claims of "otherness," marriage as well as all the social interaction leading up to it, have always been especially highlighted, sensitive, analyzed, discussed, dissected, examined, explored, etc. And by now in my life, I know enough about myself to know what I want. And I've seen enough to know what I don't want.
There's been so much talk about the institution of marriage. "Which kind?" I ask.
The traditional south asian marriage where husband and wife don't meet until the wedding ceremony? The ones where either by family pressure or religion, the woman has no choice? The ones done by elopement because one or both families would rather see their son or daughter dead before married to the other son or daughter? The ones done to secure political treaties or economic growth?
I don't mean to sound down on marriage. It's easy to point to all the sad examples. But just as the above types occur, so too do the ones based on caring, honor and respect.
And not a one of them succeed or fail because of gender, much less the genders of other people.
Marriage exists between whoever chooses to be married to each other. However they choose to define their marriage, that is their measurement for success. Everyone on the outside can have an opinion on that marriage, but only those in it have a vote.
As an "other," my right to marry a man of my choice, while mine in the eyes of Allah, would have been denied by America in the early 1900's.
I wouldn't have the right to decide who could make health care decissions for me should I no longer be able to. I wouldn't be able to visit him in the hospital. There would be no assumption of inheritance. And then would come the denial of employment benefits, social security benefits, life insurance, etc.
So, not only does this Badministration have no business in mine or anyone else's dating/married life, it is reprehensible that it would even try. But I, once again, shouldn't expect decency. The voting rights violations, the Terry Shiavo assault, the Iraq lies... this is just one more effort on their part to keep us busy and distracted while they attack America.
Shrub might not think so, but we really have more important things to deal with. And I doubt that him codifying his idea of a marriage would get me any closer to finding my partner.
Maimun
20060604
I hate headcolds
Just surfacing for a quick gulp of air...
I got hit with the worst cold I ever had and unfortunately, I can still feel it in me. But the crazier weeks of the semester are finally over and another brood of students have flown the coop. I'm one that absolutely LOVES graduation. I love seeing all the students, meeting their family and friends, but more than anything, I love bearing witness to their achieving a goal. And sometimes, I'm lucky enough to really know exactly what they had to endure and overcome to get there.
Like everyone in college, my time there as a student was filled with all the usual ups and downs. Some things felt totally devestating and other things really did change my life. But, for the most part, my challenges those years were fairly middle of the road. But from my side of the desk these days, I know I had it pretty easy. There are things that my student have, do and will face that sometimes seem inbearable. But, somehow, hopefully most, find the way to still reach their goals. I'm grateful that some of them let me in enough to know and hoopefully help. I'm humbled by all of them.
And because of that, it was particularly horrifying that when I apologized to one student for not seeing her at graduation, she replied that not only did I see her, and congratulate her with a hug, but that I also met her family.
Man, I HATE headcolds.
And on top of that, I thought I messed up reservations for my annual treat-to-myself weekend away. Somehow, I did get it all right though I'm really not sure how.
But I did pretty much exactly what I expected and was afraid I'd do. I might have been out of town for my annual retreat, but my heart and head was still working on the Arcuri for Congress campaign. Who would have thought there were as many applications at an art retreat for politics?
Anyway.. this week is a packed week (and it feels even moreso because I've been flat out for 2 weeks). Hopefully, I'll be getting back to my usual soon...
Maimun
I got hit with the worst cold I ever had and unfortunately, I can still feel it in me. But the crazier weeks of the semester are finally over and another brood of students have flown the coop. I'm one that absolutely LOVES graduation. I love seeing all the students, meeting their family and friends, but more than anything, I love bearing witness to their achieving a goal. And sometimes, I'm lucky enough to really know exactly what they had to endure and overcome to get there.
Like everyone in college, my time there as a student was filled with all the usual ups and downs. Some things felt totally devestating and other things really did change my life. But, for the most part, my challenges those years were fairly middle of the road. But from my side of the desk these days, I know I had it pretty easy. There are things that my student have, do and will face that sometimes seem inbearable. But, somehow, hopefully most, find the way to still reach their goals. I'm grateful that some of them let me in enough to know and hoopefully help. I'm humbled by all of them.
And because of that, it was particularly horrifying that when I apologized to one student for not seeing her at graduation, she replied that not only did I see her, and congratulate her with a hug, but that I also met her family.
Man, I HATE headcolds.
And on top of that, I thought I messed up reservations for my annual treat-to-myself weekend away. Somehow, I did get it all right though I'm really not sure how.
But I did pretty much exactly what I expected and was afraid I'd do. I might have been out of town for my annual retreat, but my heart and head was still working on the Arcuri for Congress campaign. Who would have thought there were as many applications at an art retreat for politics?
Anyway.. this week is a packed week (and it feels even moreso because I've been flat out for 2 weeks). Hopefully, I'll be getting back to my usual soon...
Maimun
20060518
The Meier energy plan
In a comment on a previous posting:
Truth Be Told 24 said..."Ummm... did you guys actually read the energy plan or are you going to spend this entire campaign looking for stupid ways to get in cheap shots? It was a publicity stunt, and based on the news coverage it worked. Is anyone going to blog about the actual issues here? Attack the issues that he presented in his energy plan if you want to make a point."
Well, "you guys" is just me and I can't remember any other time I've been accused of getting in cheap shots. I'm not cute either.
But, since TBT24 couldn't be bothered to direct the dialog, I looked over at Meier's 'now arrived' site and took a look at the energy plan that couldn't be seen through the exhaust fumes of the old caddy.
(Reminded me too strongly of the Utica Independence Day Parade in 2004 where I marched behind Sherwood Boehlert as he rode in an antique fire truck. I still don't know if it was dehydration or car exhaust that knocked me off for the rest of the day)
In his "Energy Plan," Meier reminds us of the Energy Crisis of the 1970's. Those were the days where wearing cardigans were cool because our President wore them. Carter also set the tone by not only urging conservation as a good idea, but by also giving us specific tasks and habits to develop that would move us as a nation to real conservation.
Ray Meier has been in political positions since 1978, so I would have liked to see what he offered in answer to "the clear call for action."
He proposes 5 items he "will propose, work and fight for."
The first is "Change the Tone"
In that piece, he states, "Neither are they impressed with sound bites or gimmicks."
Right... That pretty much sums up the publicity stunt.
The second is "Conservation"
In this, he promotes "implement and expand tax credits for fuel efficient vehicles, including a tax credit for retiring fuel inefficient cars."
So, when NYS's Alternative (Clean) Fuel Vehicle Tax incentive Program, which offered credit and an exemption for purchasing a new hybrid vehicle, expired, what did the State Senator do to see that it be extended? Or am I to believe that what's good for the country is not good for NYS?
The third is "Increase Oil Supply"
Without the outrage of this Badministration's Energy Policy developed by the Oil Companies, his statement, "Accessing these reserves, to the extent they are in or near environmentally sensitive areas, should be done under rules developed by independent scientists of impeccable credentials with no ties to oil companies" sounds like a sound-bite and gimmick. (see above.)
The fourth is "Develop a Market in Alternative Fuels"
Again, if this has been such a great idea for so long that Brazil's been far ahead of us for the last 20 years, what tax incentives or research supports have we missed learning about that he delivered? Certainly the Tug Hill windmills, but is that all the 10 years show?
The fifth is "Look at Energy Issues Comprehensively"
Here, the State Senator makes sense, but it's common sense, stating the obvious. "We need to seriously pursue fuel cells, clean coal technology, wind and solar power, and safe nuclear power as sources for new electricity generation which will bring prices down."
I'm still not sold on the possibility of "safe nuclear power" but I also know that I lack the credentials to evaluate that. And some common sense in DC would be a good thing...
beaming out...
Maimun
Truth Be Told 24 said..."Ummm... did you guys actually read the energy plan or are you going to spend this entire campaign looking for stupid ways to get in cheap shots? It was a publicity stunt, and based on the news coverage it worked. Is anyone going to blog about the actual issues here? Attack the issues that he presented in his energy plan if you want to make a point."
Well, "you guys" is just me and I can't remember any other time I've been accused of getting in cheap shots. I'm not cute either.
But, since TBT24 couldn't be bothered to direct the dialog, I looked over at Meier's 'now arrived' site and took a look at the energy plan that couldn't be seen through the exhaust fumes of the old caddy.
(Reminded me too strongly of the Utica Independence Day Parade in 2004 where I marched behind Sherwood Boehlert as he rode in an antique fire truck. I still don't know if it was dehydration or car exhaust that knocked me off for the rest of the day)
In his "Energy Plan," Meier reminds us of the Energy Crisis of the 1970's. Those were the days where wearing cardigans were cool because our President wore them. Carter also set the tone by not only urging conservation as a good idea, but by also giving us specific tasks and habits to develop that would move us as a nation to real conservation.
Ray Meier has been in political positions since 1978, so I would have liked to see what he offered in answer to "the clear call for action."
He proposes 5 items he "will propose, work and fight for."
The first is "Change the Tone"
In that piece, he states, "Neither are they impressed with sound bites or gimmicks."
Right... That pretty much sums up the publicity stunt.
The second is "Conservation"
In this, he promotes "implement and expand tax credits for fuel efficient vehicles, including a tax credit for retiring fuel inefficient cars."
So, when NYS's Alternative (Clean) Fuel Vehicle Tax incentive Program, which offered credit and an exemption for purchasing a new hybrid vehicle, expired, what did the State Senator do to see that it be extended? Or am I to believe that what's good for the country is not good for NYS?
The third is "Increase Oil Supply"
Without the outrage of this Badministration's Energy Policy developed by the Oil Companies, his statement, "Accessing these reserves, to the extent they are in or near environmentally sensitive areas, should be done under rules developed by independent scientists of impeccable credentials with no ties to oil companies" sounds like a sound-bite and gimmick. (see above.)
The fourth is "Develop a Market in Alternative Fuels"
Again, if this has been such a great idea for so long that Brazil's been far ahead of us for the last 20 years, what tax incentives or research supports have we missed learning about that he delivered? Certainly the Tug Hill windmills, but is that all the 10 years show?
The fifth is "Look at Energy Issues Comprehensively"
Here, the State Senator makes sense, but it's common sense, stating the obvious. "We need to seriously pursue fuel cells, clean coal technology, wind and solar power, and safe nuclear power as sources for new electricity generation which will bring prices down."
I'm still not sold on the possibility of "safe nuclear power" but I also know that I lack the credentials to evaluate that. And some common sense in DC would be a good thing...
beaming out...
Maimun
car shopping
In a comment left on a previous post, BiDi asked what make of car I wrote about. Because I hope that everyone would do a better job of car shopping, I'm posting these sites that have various search options so anyone can find the best car match for him or herself and hopefully not rely on the comments of a stranger.
www.autobytel.com
www.cars.com
www.edmonds.com
www.cartalk.com
www.caranddriver.com
www.consumerreports.org
Good luck,
Maimun
www.autobytel.com
www.cars.com
www.edmonds.com
www.cartalk.com
www.caranddriver.com
www.consumerreports.org
Good luck,
Maimun
20060512
Simon Says "Don't do What I Do"
Well, on average now, we have gas at $2.98 up here. Yes, it's down, but I'm still not planning any long road trips And a while ago, I wrote about the Hybrid hypocrisy that was displayed in DC but some members of Congress.
But I really didn't believe this when I heard it was going to happen. I can think of a several much better ways of showing the damage of this administration's energy bill. But then, this is yet another bad-parenting lesson of "do what I say, not what I do."
Today's lesson is:
When gas prices are through the roof... when oil companies are making record profits... when students are needing to drop out of college because of the cost of transportation... when dependence on foreign oil has become an addiction...
What you do as an elected official and candidate is get in a 1972 Cadillac which gets an average 11mpg and drive about 100 miles with a few stops to talk about how bad the gas situation is.
I gotta wonder... did Ray Meier leave the caddy idling while he held the press conferences or did he turn the engine off during stops? And at 11 mpg (that's MILES PER GALLON... 11 of them), did it really make a difference?
I've been traveling some with Michael Arcuri as he speaks throughout the 24th CD.
It was just a little over 100 miles from Utica to Geneva.
We head to Binghamton tomorrow morning, about 90 miles away.
If we started in northern Herkimer County, went to Binghamton, then on to Geneva, we'd cover about 300 miles.
Obviously, driving a car that gets 11 miles to the gallon these days is either foolish or greedy, at best. Thank you for showing us what not to do. I suppose it could be called leading by example, but only if we're supposed to do opposite of what the so-called leader chooses.
Maimun
But I really didn't believe this when I heard it was going to happen. I can think of a several much better ways of showing the damage of this administration's energy bill. But then, this is yet another bad-parenting lesson of "do what I say, not what I do."
Today's lesson is:
When gas prices are through the roof... when oil companies are making record profits... when students are needing to drop out of college because of the cost of transportation... when dependence on foreign oil has become an addiction...
What you do as an elected official and candidate is get in a 1972 Cadillac which gets an average 11mpg and drive about 100 miles with a few stops to talk about how bad the gas situation is.
I gotta wonder... did Ray Meier leave the caddy idling while he held the press conferences or did he turn the engine off during stops? And at 11 mpg (that's MILES PER GALLON... 11 of them), did it really make a difference?
I've been traveling some with Michael Arcuri as he speaks throughout the 24th CD.
It was just a little over 100 miles from Utica to Geneva.
We head to Binghamton tomorrow morning, about 90 miles away.
If we started in northern Herkimer County, went to Binghamton, then on to Geneva, we'd cover about 300 miles.
Obviously, driving a car that gets 11 miles to the gallon these days is either foolish or greedy, at best. Thank you for showing us what not to do. I suppose it could be called leading by example, but only if we're supposed to do opposite of what the so-called leader chooses.
Maimun
Actions speak louder than words
I thought I would write tonight about a pretty offensive statement that was thrown in my face twice this week, once by a conservative Republican and the second time by a liberal Democrat, or so the two of them self-claimed.
But, I did my usual nightly blog check and that offense actually got bumped by another. I suppose I should be thankful that my initial disgust was pushed away a bit since that rant was threatening to keep me up all night.
What I found won't keep me up at night, but is actually even more disturbing.
There is a blogger out there, who's various alias' I will not publicize, who seems to think that the only credible political ventures are those that are based on the Internet. He actually stated that the only reason he donated to a particular campaign was because that candidate had a website up.
Hey, anyone can spend their money any way they want, and as much as I'd love to have that much expendable cash, I'm pretty sure I'd hand it over to a book store, craft supply store or someone/thing that I believed and respected, though not necessarily in that order.
He also claims repeatedly that he's a "Liberal" and that all other Democrats have lost their way.
But, tonight, he took a memorial page of a suicide victim and attempted to use it for his own political collateral against Congressional candidate Michael Arcuri.
After my initial shock at the insensitivity displayed, I thought, "How very Republican of him."
Remember when we were outraged at the RNC for using NYC for it's convention simply to use the backdrop of 9/11 to foster it's agenda?
Remember Reagan's use of Willie Horton?
This Congress' and White House's abuse of Terri Schiavo?
This blogger I'm referring to calls himself a "progressive" and "liberal" Democrat.
The comment that I thought I'd be writing about was "He's a good candidate because he's married." Sadly, that didn't surprise me coming from a Republican but it shocked the dickens out when a self-identified "liberal" said it to me.
I've been feeling for quite some time now that the liberal end of the political spectrum has moved. There's a lot more vitriol there. The "us vs. them" mentality had gained strength. An arrogance exists there now that I doubt was ever imagined previously.
And that's sad to see. As a child, I remember thinking highly of Ralph Nader. Abbie Hoffman was a hero. What they chose in attitude and behavior later in the years felt like an insult to who they had been.
But, whatever label, whoever applies it, is simply used in talking about it. Talk alone never changed anything. Talk needs to be transferred into action and only then can change occur.
In this abuse of the memorial page, there was not even one word of sympathy or condolences from this blogger. But I have among all the condolence cards my family received, a hand written letter from Mike that touched me deeply in its kindness and thoughtfulness of an elected official to a Democratic Committeemember.
Actions speak louder than words.
As a sister of someone who committed suicide, as a counselor, as someone who feels, I am deeply appalled that someone who claims the same party affiliation as I do could act in such a callous way. His actions have shown that he is no more a Democrat than bin Laden is a Muslim, at least in my book.
I've called myself a liberal Democrat most of my political life. But if these two people are typical of what liberals have become, its time to reclaim that name for what it really is.
In the words from West Wing, "Liberals got women the right to vote. Liberals got African-Americans the right to vote. Liberals created Social Security and lifted millions of elderly people out of poverty. Liberals ended segregation. Liberals passed the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act. Liberals created Medicare. Liberals passed the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act. What did Conservatives do? They opposed them on every one of those things - every one. So when you try to hurl that label at my feet, "Liberal," as if it were something to be ashamed of, something dirty, something to run away from, it won't work, Senator, because I will pick up that label and I will wear it as a badge of honor."
Yes, liberals did those things. They were also known as Democrats.
The name might need some cleaning off after the muck it got dragged through today, but I'll sleep tonight knowing that my actions need not change.
-Maimun
But, I did my usual nightly blog check and that offense actually got bumped by another. I suppose I should be thankful that my initial disgust was pushed away a bit since that rant was threatening to keep me up all night.
What I found won't keep me up at night, but is actually even more disturbing.
There is a blogger out there, who's various alias' I will not publicize, who seems to think that the only credible political ventures are those that are based on the Internet. He actually stated that the only reason he donated to a particular campaign was because that candidate had a website up.
Hey, anyone can spend their money any way they want, and as much as I'd love to have that much expendable cash, I'm pretty sure I'd hand it over to a book store, craft supply store or someone/thing that I believed and respected, though not necessarily in that order.
He also claims repeatedly that he's a "Liberal" and that all other Democrats have lost their way.
But, tonight, he took a memorial page of a suicide victim and attempted to use it for his own political collateral against Congressional candidate Michael Arcuri.
After my initial shock at the insensitivity displayed, I thought, "How very Republican of him."
Remember when we were outraged at the RNC for using NYC for it's convention simply to use the backdrop of 9/11 to foster it's agenda?
Remember Reagan's use of Willie Horton?
This Congress' and White House's abuse of Terri Schiavo?
This blogger I'm referring to calls himself a "progressive" and "liberal" Democrat.
The comment that I thought I'd be writing about was "He's a good candidate because he's married." Sadly, that didn't surprise me coming from a Republican but it shocked the dickens out when a self-identified "liberal" said it to me.
I've been feeling for quite some time now that the liberal end of the political spectrum has moved. There's a lot more vitriol there. The "us vs. them" mentality had gained strength. An arrogance exists there now that I doubt was ever imagined previously.
And that's sad to see. As a child, I remember thinking highly of Ralph Nader. Abbie Hoffman was a hero. What they chose in attitude and behavior later in the years felt like an insult to who they had been.
But, whatever label, whoever applies it, is simply used in talking about it. Talk alone never changed anything. Talk needs to be transferred into action and only then can change occur.
In this abuse of the memorial page, there was not even one word of sympathy or condolences from this blogger. But I have among all the condolence cards my family received, a hand written letter from Mike that touched me deeply in its kindness and thoughtfulness of an elected official to a Democratic Committeemember.
Actions speak louder than words.
As a sister of someone who committed suicide, as a counselor, as someone who feels, I am deeply appalled that someone who claims the same party affiliation as I do could act in such a callous way. His actions have shown that he is no more a Democrat than bin Laden is a Muslim, at least in my book.
I've called myself a liberal Democrat most of my political life. But if these two people are typical of what liberals have become, its time to reclaim that name for what it really is.
In the words from West Wing, "Liberals got women the right to vote. Liberals got African-Americans the right to vote. Liberals created Social Security and lifted millions of elderly people out of poverty. Liberals ended segregation. Liberals passed the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act. Liberals created Medicare. Liberals passed the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act. What did Conservatives do? They opposed them on every one of those things - every one. So when you try to hurl that label at my feet, "Liberal," as if it were something to be ashamed of, something dirty, something to run away from, it won't work, Senator, because I will pick up that label and I will wear it as a badge of honor."
Yes, liberals did those things. They were also known as Democrats.
The name might need some cleaning off after the muck it got dragged through today, but I'll sleep tonight knowing that my actions need not change.
-Maimun
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