Ukrainian Artist Interprets '41-'45 Occupation

A friend who always sends me the most amazing things forwarded this video to me while I was away. Germany was the occupier.

Here are the notes:
Kseniya Simonova is a Ukrainian artist who recently won the "Ukraine's Got Talent" competition. She uses a giant light box, dramatic music, imagination and "sand painting" skills to interpret the invasion and occupation of her country from 1941-1945.

Joke - Republican v. Democrats

This joke was just sent to me by a good friend. Enjoy!

Subject: LOST WOMAN

A woman in a hot air balloon realized she was lost. She lowered her altitude and spotted a man in a boat below. She shouted to him, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."

The man consulted his portable GPS and replied, "You're in a hot air balloon, approximately 30 feet above ground elevation of 2,346 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude.

"She rolled her eyes and said, "You must be an Obama Democrat."

"I am,"replied the man. "How did you know?"

"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct. But I have no idea what to do with your information, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help to me."

The man smiled and responded, "You must be a Republican."

"I am," replied the balloonist. "How did you know?"

"Well," said the man, "you don't know where you are or where you are going. You've risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but somehow, now it's my fault."

The Economist: Obama Doesn't Lack Steel

Check out this defense of Obama in The Economist:

Most of these barbs are bunk. Yes, Mr Obama favours trying Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of September 11th 2001, in a civilian court. But that is not a sign of weakness. Several terrorists were successfully prosecuted in civilian courts under George Bush. And though Mr Obama is willing to admit his country’s failings, he is quite ruthless about blowing its enemies to scraps. American drones fired missiles at suspected Taliban and al-Qaeda leaders in Pakistan’s tribal areas 55 times last year, killing hundreds of jihadists and who knows how many civilians. This year, the killing has accelerated; so far more than a dozen strikes have been reported. Mr Obama orders assassinations at a far brisker pace than George Bush ever did. For some reason, his habit of blowing up alleged terrorists and bystanders from the air causes less global outrage than the smothering of a lone Hamas operative, allegedly by Israel, in a hotel room in Dubai. But whether you think it justified or not, it is hardly evidence that the president is “against killing terrorists”.

Emphasis mine.

The whole thing is worth a read: Is Obama Tough Enough? The essay ends with a note about Iran.

Charlie Wilson Forthright Letter

Politico's playbook today highlighted this, saying it was making the rounds. I see why - refreshing.

Live Blogging the Health Summit

10:45 am
Good choice to pick Lamar Alexander to lead the repugnants. Gosh there is so much broken trust. And now they're issuing an ultimatum right from the start. Alexander is lying when he says there has never before been a huge bill pushed through reconciliation. Says "we don't do comprehensive well." What? Because Republicans label anything big as a scary government takeover and/or expansion. Has to be comprehensive - can't eliminate "pre-existing conditions" and not have mandate. Obama says he'll address some of Alexander's points regarding process. Good. Many need to be addressed!

10:50 am
Here is NPR's "Health Care is No Stranger to Reconciliation"

10:55 am
Wah, wah, wah. The conventional wisdom that politicians need to cite specific examples grows tiresome. Reid is telling a story I already heard. I think on NPR this morning. Who cares? Point is - stop wasting time telling these stories. We know it's a problem. Get to work. Stop telling these horror stories. We KNOW. It SUCKS. Now Reid is pleading that the discussion is based on facts. Yeah - good point! Now making point about process - noting accurately that reconciliation has been used, mostly used by Republicans. TRUE. It's as if there's "a different set of facts from the reality." Noting Dodd (Chair of HELP) committee and Baucus (Finance) incorporate hundreds of amendments from the Republicans, representing "significant imput" from Republicans. Now citing Harvard study about deaths and bankruptcies due to excessive health care costs, even those who have health insurance. Boy this is depressing.

11:05 am
Obama addressing Alexander. Many of the items you suggested are in the bill. Your characterization would not be mine, understandably. Suggests they "discuss the substance and we might surprise ourselves and that might help to dictate how we move forward." If not, then take it from there. Graciously spurning the ultimatum.

11:09 am
Alexander and Obama getting into it over what is factual. Whether premiums would go up or down, according to CBO. Gosh, my mom would have LOVED this debate! Obama now pointing out that buying insurance across state lines IS IN THE BILL.

11:25
I'm behind. Have help over to move somethings around the house given that I can't walk today. Coburn is now speaking for the Republicans. He's a personal friend of Obama. Suggesting that we are treating the symptoms and not the disease and that's bad medicine (he's a doctor). Says there needs to be more prevention. (There is a lot of prevention). Now citing Harvard and saying 20% is fraud. Obama making note. I bet he's got a team of fact checkers in the back. Colburn is taking about the need costs are driven to minimize risk and that needs to be addressed too. Ried points out the Colburn is filibustering. Funny!

11:45 am
Okay - I can't do this live blogging and deal with the movers/helpers, so I'll have to pick up later. MSNBC sucks btw. They've interrupted Hoyer to provide "analysis" and go to commercials. To be continued.....

1:10 pm
Obama is responding to Cantor. Shaming him for use of prop (stacks of paper - the bill). Obama also makes the point that if we only implemented Republican ideas - there'd be a bunch of papers too. Now, making argument for effective government. Food would be cheaper without meat inspectors and regulations. Drugs would be cheaper with out the FDA. This point was in response to Eric Cantor raising the fear that BUREAUCRATS would decide rates. I'd rather government do it than insurance executives.

"The courage that my mother had"

Here's a poem for St. Valentine's Day

"The courage that my mother had"

The courage that my mother had
Went with her, and is with her still:
Rock from New England quarried;
Now granite in granite hill.

The golden brooch my mother wore
She left behind for me to wear;
I have no thing I treasure more:
Yet, it us something I could spare.

Oh, if instead she'd left to me
The thing she took into the grave!--
That courage like a rock, which she
Has no more need of, and I have.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay

Condescending Liberals - The Atlantic Politics Channel

http://politics.theatlantic.com/2010/02/condescending_liberals.php

Sent from my iphone
Cassandra Marcella
Google voice # - 505-333-8850

The 'Devil' Writes Pat Robertson A Letter

Check out this link.

Monday January 18 2010

A few moments later

January 18th 2010

Sunrise January 17 2010

Christmas at the National Cathedral

Test from iPhone

Let's see if this works!

Obama Visits Section 60 at Arlington

This report from the New York Daily News is very moving. I just saw the author, James Gordon Meek, on MSNBC and will post the video if/when it becomes available.

It's especially so, when aware that afterward, from 2:30 to 4:50 pm he met with his team to weigh the options for Afghanistan.

Read the whole thing, but here's a taste:

"Well, we appreciate his service very much," Obama told me.

I then told him I'm a reporter for the Daily News - but was just there to visit friends.

"Well, James," he said, looking me in the eye, "just because you're a journalist doesn't mean you can't honor your friends here."

The First Lady smiled and squeezed my hand. I thanked her for coming to Section 60.

Her face opened up into a smile filled with warmth and comfort, a welcome antidote for the weather and sadness around her. She said there was no finer place to be on Veterans Day.

Oprah Previews Palin Interview

Won't broadcast until next Monday, but here's the official Oprah preview:



Regarding Levi Johnson, US Magazine has a bit more -

Of Johnston badmouthing the family to press, the former Alaska Gov. says: "We don't have to keep going down this road of controversy and drama all the time. We're not really into the drama. We don't really like that. We're more productive. We have other things to concentrate on...."

Sure - that's why she responds to every thing Levi says - to NOT keep it going.

Sean Hannity Admits Wrong

"As much as it pains him," Sean Hannity admits Jon Stewart caught him red handed. Called it inadvertent. Sure, just like the labeled Sen. Specter as a Democrat (before he actually became one).

Facts matter not. Here's the video:

FOX - Liar, Liar - Caught With Pants on Fire

One of the two messages I still have from my mother is her saying good-bye to me, a message left at a point when I was driving back to DC.  After saying you good bye, she added - "Did you hear that Fox News identified Mark Foley as a Democrat.  Can you believe that outfit?!?  Bye"

Well Mom - I know you'd appreciate this: 

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Sean Hannity Uses Glenn Beck's Protest Footage
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

Daily Show Mocks Beck Brilliantly

This was so funny, I laughed until I cried. Probably only funny if you've actually seen Beck's show. Stewart's satire is a relief (and no worse than Affleck mimicking Olbermann on SNL).

"The Communists who want to socialize your Nazism." blissful ignorance indeed.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
The 11/3 Project
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

Ricky Gervais on the Graham Norton show

I love Ricky and I love the Graham Norton show. Enjoy a laugh

Poetry about Michael

These words, by Maya Angelou, a poem entitled "We Had Him" were relayed by Queen Latifah. Very moving.

We Had Him by Maya Angelou

Beloveds, now we know that we know nothing, now that our bright and shining star can slip away from our fingertips like a puff of summer wind.

Without notice, our dear love can escape our doting embrace. Sing our songs among the stars and walk our dances across the face of the moon. In the instant that Michael is gone, we know nothing. No clocks can tell time. No oceans can rush our tides with the abrupt absence of our treasure.

Though we are many, each of us is achingly alone, piercingly alone.

Only when we confess our confusion can we remember that he was a gift to us and we did have him.

He came to us from the creator, trailing creativity in abundance.

Despite the anguish, his life was sheathed in mother love, family love, and survived and did more than that.

He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style. We had him whether we know who he was or did not know, he was ours and we were his.

We had him, beautiful, delighting our eyes.

His hat, aslant over his brow, and took a pose on his toes for all of us.

And we laughed and stomped our feet for him.

We were enchanted with his passion because he held nothing. He gave us all he had been given.

Today in Tokyo, beneath the Eiffel Tower, in Ghana's Black Star Square.

In Johannesburg and Pittsburgh, in Birmingham, Alabama, and Birmingham, England

We are missing Michael.

But we do know we had him, and we are the world.

Brooke Shield quoted The Little Prince -

"What moves me so deeply about this sleeping little prince is his loyalty to a flower--the image of a rose shining within him like a flame within a lamp, even when he's asleep... And I realized he was even more fragile than I thought. Lamps must be protected. A gust of wind can blow them out."

And -

Eyes are blind, you have to look with the heart, what is most important is invisible.

Brooke did the best at humanizing Michael Jackson.

He (and Brooke) were came of age when I did - in the 80s. Not just his music, yes, that. But his dance moves. His magic moves greatly influenced the choreography I danced and performed as a teenager ; I see it now in the videos. And later too, just for fun, on the Mug floor. He was of my age.

Now he belongs to the ages.