merry christmas to all!

Esten!

Does this mean I can say I was liberal before it was cool?

Fitz!

Jane!

Ava!

Boy, does UPS want a bunch of money from me to send a boxful of coal to Deborah Howell! Maybe FedEx is better…

I think it safe to say that our soldiers in Iraq are not having a merry Christmas. Support the troops! Bring ‘em home.

and a blessing to ava lowery - the video is powerful - heartbreaking.

Thank you, Jane…

For Firedoglake… for all your wit and wisdom and for giving voice to so many wonderful writers…

Oh yeah, and for all the Robin Trower memories…

I saw a light, just up ahead

But I couldn’t seem to rise up from my bed

I’m not alone, than I am

People seem to think I’m superman

But I watch for the love

I’m living in the day of the eagle, the eagle not the, dove

Its like a weight, that brings me down

If I don’t move, I’m on the ground

Its in my mind, Its in my soul

Its telling me the things I can’t be told

Its a watch for the love

Living in the day of the eagle, eagle not the, dove

Another day, another night

I want to love, they want to fight

I need the time, I got to be alone

I got to meet a lover on my own

I watch for the love

Living in the day of the eagle, eagle not the, dove

Ave Maria.

If you haven’t opened “The Gift” yet, tonight would be a great time.

Feliz Festivus!

Ed*ard Teller @ 5

Boy, does UPS want a bunch of money from me to send a boxful of coal to Deborah Howell! Maybe FedEx is better…

Spoke with FedEx drivers a bit back in passing (foot specialist referral about my broken foot bone; they had a package for the doc)…they envied the bucks the UPS guys (and girls) make. UPS is a Teamsters shop. FedEx has no union I am aware of. Choose wisely.

Are you REALLY sending her coal? That would be…HOT!

Oklahoma kiddo @
9

Ave Maria.

Ave Marla

Are the GOP Congresscritters having some kind of hate speech contest that’s outta the closet? Did they re-calibrate their dog-whistles so that we can all hear?

Virgil Goode slandered Congressman-elect Ellison, and now this screed by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) about ailing Castro, in which she re-affirms she “would welcome” Castro’s death.

Merry Jeebus Day!
Peace on Earth!
Goodwill to men!

As Christy asked once, what kinda Sunday School did these people go to, anyway?

… oh, and:
Troops
Home
NOW

Don’t get me started, I threatened Swopa with 20 minutes on Robin Trower and he said he’d post for a month if I wouldn’t.

Merry Christmas everyone! The hordes have cleared out for the most part, watching “Scrooge” again and getting ready for midnight mass.

Wow what a stirring piece of work. There definiely is reason for hope.

Peace,
bobo

Ava & Marla

Twisted Martini @ 15

Merry Christmas everyone! The hordes have cleared out for the most part, watching “Scrooge” again and getting ready for midnight mass.

Midnight mass. I love it!

Twisted Martini @ 14

…getting ready for midnight mass.

yeah I’m gonna do that… haven’t gone for years, but it makes my parents happy - that’s good enough of a reason for me.

Jane Hamsher @
14

Don’t get me started, I threatened Swopa with 20 minutes on Robin Trower and he said he’d post for a month if I wouldn’t.

Carry that opening riff around in your head and no one will be the wiser… Swopa be damned!!!

jayt @ 19

Twisted Martini @ 14

…getting ready for midnight mass.

yeah I’m gonna do that… haven’t gone for years, but it makes my parents happy - that’s good enough of a reason for me.

throw a hail mary in for me…i’m working until 2 here in the casino…was never an alter boy but used to sing my heart out in the choir…that part was fun.

hello, is this thing on?

I want peace. In the Middle East. Before it’s too late.

it’s been a long time since I was catholic but midnight mass gets me teary … oh my

I loved midnight Mass when I was in the choir, luckily I never was an altar boy, life was easy in the choir loft!

Siun @
24

it’s been a long time since I was catholic but midnight mass gets me teary … oh my

Silent Night gets me… it’s inevitable… I just downloaded about 20 versions from ITunes… Al Green’s is awesome…

Does anyone have linky to a really good Ave Maria?

Happy Solstice and please pray to whatever dieties you think are appropriate for the end to the violence in Iraq, for the safe return of our men and women in combat, and for the world to move on from the nightmare inflicted on it by the inerrant boy-king.

Peace to all you Firepups, and may some jolly old elf grant all my wishes this season. Hey, I’m not asking for much, just World Peace and a House/Congressional investigation to turn up a 21st Century John Dean in the course of said investigation.

Love,

Jo Fish :)

ThatSinger @ 26

Siun @
24

it’s been a long time since I was catholic but midnight mass gets me teary … oh my

Silent Night gets me… it’s inevitable… I just downloaded about 20 versions from ITunes… Al Green’s is awesome…

Linky?

Merry Meet Jo Fish …

May the return of the light bring peace!

Don’t have a linky, but the Andrea Bocelli is real good.

I’ve pumped my kids full of sugar and Pepsi so they’ll stay up. I’m on my second cup of coffee. Presents all got wrapped last night, I was playing with the Late Nighters while my wife was busy working.

May the new year bring us all continued blessings, and may this horrid war be over.

Oklahoma kiddo @
29

ThatSinger @ 26

Siun @
24

Silent Night gets me… it’s inevitable… I just downloaded about 20 versions from ITunes… Al Green’s is awesome…

Linky?

It’s on ITunes… just go to the Music Store and search for “Silent Night”… Al’s in there along with some other amazing singers.. Elvis, Sinatra, Aaron Neville’s is particularly poignant, as is Johnny Cash’s… but Al Green takes it places it’s never been before…

I just created an IMix… I’ll post it when it’s up…

Blank Kludge @
12

Ed*ard Teller @ 5

Boy, does UPS want a bunch of money from me to send a boxful of coal to Deborah Howell! Maybe FedEx is better…

Spoke with FedEx drivers a bit back in passing (foot specialist referral about my broken foot bone; they had a package for the doc)…they envied the bucks the UPS guys (and girls) make. UPS is a Teamsters shop. FedEx has no union I am aware of. Choose wisely.

Are you REALLY sending her coal? That would be…HOT!

I thought about it, but I’m more likely to donate to CIVIC, the foundation started by Marla Ruzicka, the woman who was the subject of the previous thread. Makes more sense. civicworldwide.org.

Life is precious. Why must we kill each other? Why do some of our elected representatives seem to relish killing so much?

It’s hard out here for a chimp …Keep your saint hand strong

;>)

Oklahoma kiddo @
27

Does anyone have linky to a really good Ave Maria?

My favorite version is - you can’t make this stuff up - by the Red Army Chorus. No recordings of them doing it on the web, though. But another of my very favorite versions is by the Vienna Boys Choir (with hokey photos):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SygL40HYI44

Oklahoma kiddo @
33

Life is precious. Why must we kill each other? Why do some of our elected representatives seem to relish killing so much?

Because the only death they truly fear is their own… and that death scares the fuck out of them… other peoples deaths??? Not so much…

darkblack!

May the Holy Mother smile on each and everyone of us. Even Republicans. (and show them ‘the way’, of course)

Trinity Church in Copley Square used to have a Episcopal (?) midnight mass.
I’m a non-Catholic; actually totally free - but I’d recommend any Greater Boston area FDL folks try to get there (well, assuming they still hold the midnight service) the church itself is well worth a visit. Designed by H.H. Richardson.
http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/c.....7/hhr.html

Seen from inside it evokes deity; try for a balcony seat. That’s where I spent one midnight mass.

boingboing has this vid of ‘Silent Night’ - also evocative.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G_IfObY8ko

and an FBI doc about unAmerican (as in 1947 HUAC) Capra’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. Spiritual values is commie agitprop versus consumrism. I cant’ say; refuse to watch the thing. Don’t know why. Give me ‘Bells of St. Mary’s’ or ‘Holiday Inn’ or ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ that Christy had Garland singing ‘Merry Little Christmas’ (never seen GWTW, or read it either either. Call me ignorant, if you want.)

Capra and ‘IAWL’ link:
http://www.boingboing.net/2006.....s_a_w.html

Communist propaganda. About the FBI memo titled “COMMUNIST INFILTRATION OF THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY,” Blogger Will Chen writes,

I love It’s a Wonderful Life because it teaches us that family, friendship, and virtue are the true definitions of wealth.

In 1947, however, the FBI considered this anti-consumerist message as subversive Communist propaganda (read original FBI memo).

According to Professor John Noakes of Franklin and Marshall College, the FBI thought Life smeared American values such as wealth and free enterprise while glorifying anti-American values such as the triumph of the common man.

and a redacted FBI doc.

JH!

ET … the Red Army Chorus … wonderful! my best friend in Jr High bought an album by them solely to drive her very cold war parents nuts but we ended up listening to it all the time … amazing sound.

Siun @
42

ET … the Red Army Chorus … wonderful! my best friend in Jr High bought an album by them solely to drive her very cold war parents nuts but we ended up listening to it all the time … amazing sound.

One of the few legacies of the USSR still functioning very well is their music education system. Both in the musical aspects of community life and in public/professional life, there is an appreciation of great music there which doesn’t exist here. if egregious is around, I might get a second on that notion.

I hope the country is allowed to hear the progressive ideas coming from Kucinich (and others) and that Democrats will support much of what he says.

His top ten issues list

1. Universal Health Care
2. International Cooperation: US out of Iraq, UN in
3. Jobs and Withdrawal from NAFTA and WTO
4. Repeal of the “Patriot Act”
5. Guaranteed Quality Education, Pre-K Through College
6. Full Social Security Benefits at Age 65
7. Right-to-Choose, Privacy, and Civil Rights
8. Balance Between Workers and Corporations
9. Environmental Renewal and Clean Energy
10. Restored Rural Communities and Family Farms

I still believe in “Joy To The World” and ‘peace on earth’. Have I become out dated? A relic perhaps.

Therre are two famous “Ave Maria”s. The older is by Franz Schubert, and was written as a sacred song (text by Sir Walter Scott!), accompanied by piano. The second is by the French opera composer, Charles Gounod. He combines the Catholic melodic setting of the “Hail Mary” or “Ave Maria” to an accompaniment that is comprised of the 1st Prelude to J.S. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1.

Although most people refer to Schubert’s version, there is sometimes confusion when “Ave Maria” s requested for a wedding, etc.

Disappearing world: Global warming claims tropical island

For the first time, an inhabited island has disappeared beneath rising seas. Environment Editor Geoffrey Lean reports

http://news.independent.co.uk/.....099971.ece

Begin withdrawing, redeploying troops now
By CHRISTOPHER DODD
SPECIAL TO THE REGISTER
December 24, 2006

The time has come for the United States to begin the process of getting our troops out of Iraq.

http://desmoinesregister.com/a.....35/archive

Hi All,

Just wanted to de-lurk for a moment to wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year. Also wanted to give heartfelt thanks to the FDL family for everything they’ve done for America and the world this year.

Have to go. My Mom had a heart attack Friday and surgery today so want to keep the phone line open.

Many Blessings
Audrey

Merry Christmas everyone. From Oklahoma.

Merry Christmas everybody!

Best wishes Audrey, for you and your family.

George W. Bush = Pure Misery.

This Christmas season and forever more, may the power of Peace on Earth, Goodwill to EVERY Living Being overtake him and his kind.
.

Merry Christmas Eve, or Festivus Eve, or . . .

RevDeb and Mr. RevDeb invited me over and I got to see RevDeb do her Christmas Eve service in Chatham, MA. It was lovely. Just like the old days.

“Peace, good will, towards all people,” she said.

Audrey … best to your mom and you!

OK Kiddo - hmmm Dodd (who I have an old issue with) just jumped way up in my book. Thanks for the link!

Merry Christmas from an eerily balmy New England. Thanks FDL, Jane, Christy and all the regulars, irregulars, mediums, lurkers, jokers, thinkers and believers.

P.S.

Welcome back Darkblack.

-GSD

Hey Scarecrow - now that must have been wonderful! Hope you’re having a very merry!

A very Merry Christmas to all the FDL folks.

Here’s my holiday advice: if you’re drinking soy eggnog, (lactose intolerant, vegan, whatever) which is not bad, btw, but it’s a WHOLE lot better spiked with whatever alcoholic beverage you have handy. Whiskey, Grand Marnier, anything will do. ;)

Now I’m off to watch It’s a Wonderful Life. I’ll check out the FBI docs another day. For some reason, it doesn’t surprise me that the powers-that-be didn’t like it.

Hmm, so much expression of good will to all and hopes for peace on earth. I wonder. How does one express good will toward George W. Bush, and still have peace on earth?

Maybe the meme for 2007 will have to be “it’s time to save George from himself, once and for all. Impeachment is just a way of saving him from himself and protecting us from someone’s who destructive to himself and to others.”

I think there’s lots of good will in that. :)

Merry Christmas Firepups. And best wishes to Audrey and family.

Over the river and through the woods… after three days and lots of snow I made it to the Oregon Coast to my parents house!

Merry Christmas to everyone

MfI writes this night from the road:

“The Iraqi Red Crescent does not know the fate of the 13 of its staff kidnapped a week ago at gun point from one ofits Baghdad offices in an area massively controlled by the Americans and their political allies in Iraq.

Today December 24th 2006 the Red crescent in Fallujah held a sit-in protest to demonstrate their grief, their horror, and their outrage, at the things they see and hear and smell on a daily basis. The treatment they have to put with on a daily basis. The fear with which they live on a daily basis.”

for more, click the link under my name …
we must work harder to bring peace for the people of Iraq …

The Prince of Peace whispers to our family tonight.

The Holy Mother smiles tonight.

Ava,
That is so touching. Jane, thanks for sharing the video. I opposed this war when it was still in the talking stages, but still I feel guilty for the Iraqis and our soldiers. How can human beings be so cruel?

The best of the holidays to all of the FDL community.

There must be consequences for a party having put up someone like Bush. If Bush marks the effective end of Republican rule, he will have one significant positive accomplishment for all his years n office.

To Jane, Christy, Pach, TRex, guest posters, all firepups and like-minded lurkers:

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Fabulous Festivus, Kewl Kwanzaa, Salutory Solstice, and more.

Peace.

Thanks Ava.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and praying for peace worldwide.

Eureka Springs, AR @
45

I hope the country is allowed to hear the progressive ideas coming from Kucinich (and others) and that Democrats will support much of what he says.

His top ten issues list

1. Universal Health Care
2. International Cooperation: US out of Iraq, UN in
3. Jobs and Withdrawal from NAFTA and WTO
4. Repeal of the “Patriot Act”
5. Guaranteed Quality Education, Pre-K Through College
6. Full Social Security Benefits at Age 65
7. Right-to-Choose, Privacy, and Civil Rights
8. Balance Between Workers and Corporations
9. Environmental Renewal and Clean Energy
10. Restored Rural Communities and Family Farms

This is a great platform. Democrats and Republicans will support a lot of this! Thanks, ES

Thank you for that. Beautiful singing. Horrible reality. The gulf is plain for anyone to see.

Merry Christmas, FDL.

Peace on earth.

I’m just running around the b’sphere yelling, that the real enemy of america is:

http://www.eurolegal.org/neoconservatives.shtml

the word neocon seems to have dropped off the face of the earth lately.

Thank you for the good thoughts all. My mother is in Arizona with a sister. She calls my other sister with updates knowing she will call everyone else. Makes it hard to keep track, but the last word is Mom is ok. She had too much anasthaesia and they had trouble rousing her, but she’s awake now with a new stint somewhere. I’m sure I’ll get the details later, but for now, that’s a great Christmas present.

Thanks again

Audrey

PS: Siun, prayers here for the kidnapped…and for peace! How utterly sad.

WOUNDED VETERAN DISCHARGED IN BLOODY HOSPITAL CLOTHING - DUH???

Date: Sunday, 24 December 2006

Well, isn’t this special? A soldier, one of tens of thousands screwed royally by a country they swore an oath to fight for, did, were wounded, then….then…geesh, were hung out to dry. What a deal….NOT!

You will love this quote: ” “We have to find out why this happened and we’re going to,” chief medical officer Col. Charles Callahan told the newspaper.”

HELL, it does not take a rocket scientist to “FIND OUT” what happened. Hello???

What happened is they just could care a red rats behind about our veterans, that is what happened! Ask a Nam Vet just how much the Imperial Federal Government cares.

I will be proud of my two step sons if “THE MAN” comes to get them to fight for big business and politicians and they say with a loud shout; BITE ME!
http://www.rumormillnews.com/c.....read=97160

=====================================
Wounded Iraq Vet Discharged Too Early
UPI

A soldier was discharged from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. without receiving proper care, the Chicago Tribune reported Friday.

Sgt. Ricki Hardyman, admitted to the hospital on Dec. 8 after being wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq, was released from the hospital while still sedated by pain medication and wearing only the bloody hospital clothing he was issued.

Complete article:

http://www.sierratimes.com/06/12/23/Vet.htm

=REMEMBER WHEN RUMSFELD STARTED CLOSING WALTER REED, THE REGIME SAID THAT THE WOUNDED VETERANS COULD BE ADEQUATELY HANDLED BY BETHESDA NAVAL HOSPITAL - WHY WASN’T THIS SOLDIER SENT THERE??

Bush must not be allowed to escalate the war on Iraq.

WRITE YOUR CONGRESSPERSON TODAY ABOUT THIS DISGRACE AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS SOLDIER RECEIVES ADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE!

And I wonder when the right-wing hate machine will find this 16-year-old girl and excoriate her? That’s their stock in trade: hate, hate, and more hate. Ava’s got more balls than any 10,000 rethuglicans you can name.

As the video started, I was returned to those terrible days of yesteryear as the Vietnam War raged and I waited for the orders to send my father to that shit hole that finally came in 1969. I think it was around 1968 when Simon & Garfunkel were at the top of their game, The Sounds of Silence album if I havent killed too many brain cells. They sang Silent Night with a broadcast of the 6 o’clock news that was as haunting as this.

As a Vietnam Veteran in my own right, the war we started in Iraq sucks the humanity from our country, not to mention the humanity of the Iraqis as we spiral ever downward into the maddness. I am again haunted by the the old lie Dulce et Decorum Est.

Out of Iraq…….now.