"Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream, really do come true"
I love this photo with the combination of dark skies, calm lake, and stunningly bright rainbow — a double rainbow for good luck.
It’s tempting to get trapped in the dark and think it will be like this forever, whether politically or personally. To get beyond that it helps to reconnect with your dreams — your childhood dreams, your young adult hopes, your current vision for the future.
To be at a point of transition, when one set of dreams has come to fruition, but the next set are waiting for the muse, is a special challenge. I think a lot of us are experiencing this disequilibrium politically if not personally. Our ideas about the way things are supposed to be have been shaken. Developing new ideas, new dreams, takes time and creative thought and way more patience that I can find sometimes.
Would love to hear from you pups about where you are in your evolving dreams…are you living them, considering new ones, basking in the joy of completed ones, despairing that you won’t ever have them come true, where are you?
Come on in, have some coffee or tea and homemade cookies, and pull up a chair….
photo by Nicholas_T at Minsi Lake, Northampton County PA
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In a profession where I’m supposed to be the hope cheerleader, I’m having trouble finding the hope. Don’t see it in the world, the country, the economy or the political race. I’m seeing one betrayal after another.
And at FDL I’m sensing an identity crisis. Who are we? What is our mission? Who is our audience and why?
You asked.
Good morning egregious.
Good question RevDeb.
Good cupcakes.
Good song.
JPL9 posted a link to Boston.com for pictures of the Olympics opening ceremony:
http://firedoglake.com/2008/08…..nt-1573924
Some of these pictures had me welling up with tears. This one in particular…
http://www.boston.com/sports/o…..mony?pg=44
Good morning pups! Coffee anyone?
We are still here, breathing, doing what we have to, to keep on going, to Love the ones around us, to support others along the way. I enjoy this site very much, you are all bright lights in a very crazy, dark, amazing time in our history. I for one, am going to ride it to the very end. With Hope, Love, Understanding, Forgiveness, Gratefullness and Humility.
What a great question…exactly where I am. I am officially retirement age, with no plans to retire. I really hope I am able to work endlessly. So, I am reflecting/mulling some next step that I want to take sharp. Will not try to describe. I have worked in non-profit (Social Work, legal, religious) world all my career, and will certainly stay there. Something new wants to be born: missions, more advocacy, over the rainbow. That’s my vision and longing right now. Thanks for the topic and the space. I was about to get out of here and thought I had missed the Chair. Plus, The Wrecking Crew should be very good this afternoon.
Opus in tomorrow’s paper is a good one. (they deliver the Sunday paper “filler” sections here on Sat.) If I could find a link I’d post it.
Who are we? We are a thousand different ideas arguing with each other to get at the underlying truth. We are people who have endured much, who have stories that urgently need to be told. We are the shining colors of a rainbow that arcs into the future. We are FDL.
Good morning egregious. I’m finding hope the Creating a World Without Poverty by Muhammad Yunus. It’s inspiring me to figure a way to direct my creative talent towards the social business model that he proposes.
Right now I’m just not sure how will I will rise to his challenge but that’s part of beauty of it. It’s challenging me to work outside of my comfort zone.
Here’s a youtube video of Eva Cassidy singing Over the Rainbow.
Her version is somewhat introverted and meditative, about right for this morning.
Cassidy reportedly was painfully shy, enjoyed her day job as a landscaper, but finally decided she wanted to perform. Tragically, Cassidy was diagnosed at age 33 with metastatic melanoma in February 1996, a month after her Live at Blues Alley recording. After her death in November 1996 she was discovered by people beyond her Washington, DC area.
(Michelle Kwan used Cassidy’s recording of Sting’s song “Fields of Gold” during her Exhibition skate in the 2002 Winter Olympics)
Bumper sticker seen in Maine recently:
“Feminism is the radical idea that women are human too”
Not sure what this has to do with RevDeb’s deep question of who we are in the FDL community, but I do know FDL is a place for all of us to come together to hash out ideas, share our thoughts & opinions, and a place where shit gets done.
Good morning Elliott, thanks for the lovely version of the song, the rainbow cupcakes, and the picture of Aurora/Sleeping Beauty who was my favorite when I was little. Isn’t that the one where the faeries argue over whether the dress should be pink or blue? My sister and I loved to pretend we were the magic faeries – and it’s her birthday today. [”blue” for the record]
What KayInMaine said about our mission.
As far as hope – I have to have hope right now. As I’m doing doors and listening to people tell their stories about what they want changed can be disheartening. If I didn’t have hope that one person can make a difference, and then instill that hope in them, I don’t know why I’d keep spending hours away from my family and prostituting myself making calls for money. Things are looking very positive right now, but the slime machine from the Right hasn’t really started up yet.
My kids are 22 and 31. This time is akin to taking a cake out of the oven. Some judgements can be made about the mixing of ingredients, oven time and temperature and such. The worrying has faded over the years while love grows with each day.
Those are wonderful pictures. I think I need to spend more time with young children. Never had any trouble generating new dreams around 5 year olds, they are just bursting with new ideas. Why don’t we…
How can our Pres. talk about the importance of “territorial integrity?” This man has never heard the meaning or expectation of Truth.
We had a beautiful day yesterday here. Both the weather and taking a short day trip to Lancaster county and the farmers’ markets. Fresh veggies, home made goodies, signs of a bygone era.
We talked a bit in the car about how the energy crisis won’t even be a bump in the lives of the Amish all over the county. They’ll keep feeding the horses that take them where they need to go.
Perhaps in a future PUAC we might discuss ways to simplify our lives and not be so dependent on all of the stuff we have and do.
Don’t forget to include yourself as a bright light. We need everybody.
No, he is into “truthiness.” Scott Horton has a good one on that in Harpers. Just the tip of the iceberg.
I love having my mornings free to be with my kids: 6 & 7… Right now, we have two kittens inside our garage that have been running the neighborhood. My son woke up extra early this morning to check on them. He got all of our cats’ wet food, open the cans and scattered it around our garage floor to feed the wild ones. My wife was so proud of herself for getting them into the garage so we could get them to good homes, now I think he opened the door (and left it open) and they are gone. But, he’s proud he remembered to feed the cats this morning!
Pink!
Always did like little Merriweather
When I was little I dreamed I’d have my own Prince Charming, well that didn’t work out. But other times I’ve wondered how lucky I was to really get over the rainbow.
Happy Birthday to your egregious sister.
and kittens!
a dream come true!
That’s the whole concept of evolving dreams. We don’t have the goal in focus yet, it’s still taking shape.
And if it is already challenging you to look beyond where you are now, that’s great – your creative mind is re-generating.
We will never be without problems in life, the goal is to have interesting problems. Evolving dreams open the door to so many possibilities, ways of shaping the question we hadn’t considered before.
Since Egreg is going to ask me anyway…the tomatoes are just starting to ripen. We pulled the first Carbon off the vine yesterday and have had a couple Beefsteaks that should’ve gone to the county fair. Checking this morning, we’ll have about a dozen ripe in a couple of days.
Beans, on the other hand, are swamping us. I picked about 3 pounds from one row yesterday. Now the other rows (other kinds of beans) are plumping out and ready. Stir fry tonight, or soon, or we’ll be buried in beans.
Life is good now. True, my garden is dying for lack of rain, and the news (and newsmakers) sometimes disappoint. But what I do — which is mainly talk to people, and collect their stories — rebuilds my spirit and my hope.
Just did a survey of my neighborhood, canvassing — and found that most of my neighbors are trending Dem this cycle. I always thought I lived in a bastion of Republicans — but who knew? I just needed to ask.
It’s funny you should mention patience. When people are just going through their lives, working, taking care of their families and friends, and meeting their responsibilities, patience is a key. Things take time to work out, and you just give them the time they need. Then, when you see things spinning out of control in any of those areas, you leap up and do something. That doesn’t work in politics, and for those of us who struggle with patience anyway, it gets hard.
Thanks pdaly for the Eva Cassidy version, that is haunting.
We’ve got beautiful looking pole bean vines. Hale and hearty. But no beans on them. Not a one. We’ve been told there’s too much nitrogen, but planted right next to them are bush beans that are doing just fine and producing very well.
I’m sure there’s a metaphor in there somewhere.
Austin is having a lovely breezy coolish morning. What a treat before more serious heat. Have a lovely day. B
‘Who are we? We are a thousand different ideas arguing with each other to get at the underlying truth. We are people who have endured much, who have stories that urgently need to be told. We are the shining colors of a rainbow that arcs into the future. We are FDL.’
Wow, that just said it all beautifully !!!
love to all of us :)
Good Morning. I have been growing and harvesting but have decided to move from my lovely place in rural Tennessee to Charlotte NC. Because my beloved Grandchildren are there. Hope I can find a place out side the city and continue to grow things. This time I want to teach three little ones how to grow and make art.
It is not at all certain if our species has the spirituality to, in Carl Sagan’s words, survive its technology. The gap between our capacity to destroy everything and our ability to control that capacity has grown geometrically since 1945 and the bomb. If we can close that gap, the future is ours. If not, then the universe may be well rid of us.
Perhaps, even if we sense that the battle is a losing one, it is best to remember that if we do not try, we only ensure the wrong result. At this time in the development of our world, with a shrug of disaffection for the ills of mankind, we simply need to continue to try to live well, to create peace, beauty, and honesty, and to hope for a positive outcome.
This is the fertile period. No hurry – take small steps, write down what you discover, share with friends if you are ready.
It’s a good time to make assessments.
Me, I’ve spent the last two weeks working on a screenplay with a writing partner. It’s a project she and I have worked on for many years. On and off. Other life plans would get in the way, you know how that goes. Here’s the thing…this time. Since we met while we had jobs in The Industry, we still have ties to producers and such. The current notes all point to making the danger in the story more real. The menace had to be dialed way up. What we realized yesterday is that what worked as menace when we first started writing is not sufficient for todays audience. 9/11, The Iraq War (bodies on the flow chart, to use a debate term) and technological advances in movies and (ew) video games have raised the bar, way up.
It’s a crazy day in a crazy world.
Well, thanks to a “fencing malfunction” around our organic garden our grass-fed beef are now actually better fed than most people, with a wide variety of organic produce.
And while I enjoy those rare Saturday mornings with my kids (6, 8, 10) when we don’t have anything pressing to do I think this is the first morning since they’ve been with us that all three have slept in past 9:00 a.m. I’m finding I enjoy that too.
Just remember, it’s always darkest before the dawn. But unfortunately as a student of history, I know it can get a whole lot darker. But it’s August, so dawn shouldn’t come as late as it would in December.
I think of FDL as being a humanist effort. Personally, I’m a Secular Humanist, but I’m sure there are many here at FDL who are not.
Here’s some of what Kenneth Phifer, a Unitarian Universalist Minister, had to say about Humanism:
Noonan you are walking the walk! For pups that haven’t heard, Noonan is running for office and is going door to door to listen to people about their concerns.
You’re doing something really difficult – it’s inspiring to me and to other people to see what you are accomplishing by getting out there and making your dream a reality.
Oh, and who are we?
I know I haven’t posted regularly here in quite a while, but I’m sure it hasn’t changed that much since I got in here on a regular basis.
IMO, we’re the people who still believe in the ideals on which this country was founded. That’s our common ground. I bet we would have some pretty heated disagreements on some issues, but we all believe in The Constitution, in the democratic process and a government that works FOR the people — all the people, not just the rich and powerful.
And I think we are people who value life in all its rich variety. Whether our moral compass is guided by the words of Jesus, Ghandi, Biblical prophets, Buddha or secular humanism, we all understand that we are in this together and we need to treat all people (and arguably all life) with love and respect.
Or maybe we’re just a bunch of rabble-rousing, cantankerous assholes. I don’t know.
A major story in the Canadian media this week is the RCMP spying on feminists during the 70s, Rita MacNeil in particular. The thought that Rita MacNeil was somehow a danger to Canadian society has caused many cups of coffee to be spilled and spewed this past week.
I hope someday we will see people in other countries, especially poor countries, as human. We’ve come a long way in two generations, people used to think of themselves by town or state, the rest of the world was just out there and not very real. I think it changed a lot in 1971 when we got the first photograph of earth from outer space. That was mind boggling.
oops, sorry to hear about the fencing malfunction, would love some of that beef tho!
noonan, when’s the Bratfest?
Noonan, right you are about getting involved locally. I made a pact with myself last year (after being called a jackboot licker of the Democratic Party by my fellow Democrats on another blog *rolling eyes*) that I would not give up on the Democratic Party just because of a few dumbass bad apples at the top of it and that I would join with my local Democrats to make new forward thinking changes instead. We can all bitch and complain about Pelosi and others and GIVE THEM CONTROL OVER US by doing so, or we can be the catalyst of change that pushes their asses to the curb to improve our party.
By the way, Nancy Pelosi’s book, “Know Your Power: A Message to America’s Daughters”, is hardly selling. Hell, instead of buying books people are protesting her wherever she goes:
http://blog.mlive.com/annarbor…..rotes.html
This is how we speak to the “Nancy’s” of our party. We don’t give them money and we don’t help them until they SHOW SOME UNITY WITH US and SHOW US THEY’RE LISTENING TO US TOO.
I think a new stronger Democratic Party is going to happen. I’m looking forward to it.
Noonan! I didn’t know you were running for office. Good for you! *slapping you a big ole fiver* ;-)
We Mennonites have a very similar view.
It’s amazing when you get to the very core of it, most religions/ethical worldviews say essentially the same thing. Okay, so that’s getting a bit outside my denomination’s official orthodoxy, but I’ve always had a bit of Universalist in me.
My dream is of peace, equality, social and economic justice for all. Not just here in the US but worldwide. I’m living the experience of making that dream come true. There are myriad obstacles and dealing with them one by one is a long and tedious process, disheartening at times. To give up because the road is hard is not my style. The dream will remain alive as long as I believe it is possible. Not much into believing but this is one belief I can live with. Never. Give. Up.
Peace Love Light
What a lovely analogy! The young egregious ones are in their 20’s, will be seeing them soon. Certainly have worried a lot about the ingredients of their lives, too much/too little, right flavor, what next. It’s very easy to get caught up in worrying about the little decisions and neglect to see the wonderful child standing in front of you.
For everything there is a season…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNopQq5lWqQ
That’s one of the points I always noted about the “hard sci-fi” authors; the inherent optimism displayed in the belief that we would manage to not totally kill ourselves on Earth but would make it out to the stars (where we often managed to continue the killing spread over a larger area).
Oh, and congratulations Noonan — I did that in 2006. It’s very rewarding but it takes a LOT of work. You’re doing the right thing getting out and knocking on doors — I should have done more of that.
Life’s too crazy for me to do that this cycle, but I’m sure I’ll do it again someday and I’ll do a much better job next time thanks to everything I learned in my last go round.
I don’t know what your district is like or what your chances are, but remember no matter what happens, with everyone you talk to and everyone who years your message you’re advancing the cause whether you win the election or not.
The BratFest was two nights ago, we raised about $1000, so we’re happy with that. Every little bit helps when you’re taking on a Bush-clone – 0% AFL/CIO rating 0% Conservation rating and 0% Choice rating, yeah, he’s a big zero :)
Hoping to have a live chat through Howie soon for a fundraiser like we had two years ago with BlueAmerica. They are focusing solely on Congress this cycle, but he’d like to help me out too, now it’s just a matter of finding a time and date.
BTW, if anyone wants some brats, salads or desserts, we’ve got leftovers :) My wife and her friends love to cook and never want to be caught lacking, so we’re overflowing with food right now. Good thing we’ve got an Obama field staffer staying with us right now, nothing like a young guy to help eat food!
I have enormous respect for the Mennonites, the religious tradition of my boss at a well known eastern teaching hospital. He is now dean of the medical school there, has advanced to this responsibility by showing love and concern for everyone including – perhaps especially – those who disagree with him. He is also willing to make the difficult decisions and patiently explain them. I have learned so much from him. Thanks JBM
bummer demi, I’m getting no sound on that classic. But it’s a good one to think on and so appropriate to this morning’s Pull Up A Chair.
Hey Elliot! Sounds works for me.
amazing how those volume knobs work
*laughing at myself
Rightous, SouthernDragon — keep the dream alive
Appropriate was what I was going for, Elliot.
There are a lot of versions of that at YouTube.
Big hug for you this morning.
OT AP via MSNBC Bernie Mac R.I.P.
How sad. :-(
Where are my manners?
Good Morning EG. Thank you for this post. I’ve gotten tears several times already. Sometimes I’m such a big baby.
This is inspiring! Thanks mkls
Good morning demi, good to see you.
admire you and your friend are putting your dreams on paper, but hope your more real danger is still only make believe…
The two most Republican bastions in my District now have people calling themselves Democrats more than Republicans. In one parade, adults were asking my wife for our stickers (as she was giving them to kids). People have been stopping to ask for my yard signs as I’m doing doors…there is an earthshaking change going on around here. I didn’t see this in 2006, and I came close then.
Good reminder about patience, masaccio. It can be hard to develop — or allow — the right pace for solving a problem. I’ve been thinking a lot about pace recently.
Or maybe we’re just a bunch of rabble-rousing, cantankerous assholes.
Present.
Morning all. Great post, eg.
Sometimes we don’t realize that we have reached many of our dreams until we get old.
With it comes peace and satisfaction. I still like a good political battle, look at my children and think “yeah, I like them a lot” and enjoy every minute of every day. Those minutes are precious – don’t waste them being angry and bitter. They are gifts.
We really do love to write. Sometimes the process is so tedious, I just have to scream. Word by word we create the world in our story. In that story the danger is real.
But, I remember when the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz scared me. Today, it takes more than green paint and those vicious eyes and laughter.
Or both?
*g*
Nice post, egregious!
Right now, the dream most in the forefront for me is the start of The Kid’s entry into the all-day school world of First Grade. He is soooo ready to see all his friends again, but he’s a definite evening person. Getting up early in the morning to catch the school bus will be a big shock to his routine, no matter how much we are trying to get him ready for it.
Thanks jayt, what do you hear from your son?
Republican membership is down across this country:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08…..ref=slogin
On the days when we’re feeling like we’re not doing our jobs and when we’re feeling the MSM’s poll numbers are correct, the reality is a good portion of Americans feel it’s the Democratic Party that is on the right track.
I don’t believe the polls. They’re lying to us to make the republic party feel better about itself. See?
— or allow —
Yes! I’ve been noticing lately how sometimes the best thing for me to do is Get Out Of The Way and let something happen.
Funny how growing older gives us such a different perspective. Mark Twain’s quote about his parents intelligence.
When I was a teen, I just didn’t like that phrase, Let Go, Let God.
Maybe I just didn’t appreciate the sentiment then.
Hiya eg. He’s getting toward the end of Basic Training, which he has seemed to really enjoy. After that, it looks like he’ll ship directly to AIT (Advance Individual Training) for the next six months.
Main thing is that he’s feeling good about himself – something missing from his life for the past few years. My last words as he was leaving were “Go make yourself proud of you”. He said “Yeah, it’s about time”.
All is well – thanks for asking.
Good Morning Egregious and Firedogs,
I’m going with the Baba RumDumb approach and say Gaia toys with us -
mr cbl happened to mention this story to me last night and I was gobsmacked just sat there weeping at the idea that it could be true, didn’t immediately jump up and hit the google was just so blown away by the news -
Approximately another 125,000 Gorillas have been found in Congo
then of course sobbed at the spectre of what humans would do with the discovery – but, the good news is researchers were tipped off by hunters and there appears to be little or no predation – sigh, this could be such a good thing for the people of a region exploited and torn by strife -
here is story and video: link
So true but difficult…need to appreciate the gifts. Thanks Twain.
we were jumping up and down over that one! Magic news
Is there a reason no one has posted Bruddah IZ’s version of OTR? Hey, it’s not his fault they played it at Russert’s funeral.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL-uL2M3xvM
Good morning Egregious, fine post , thanks.
Where am I?
I’m here in Montréal, having to deal with the rainiest summer in my lifetime.
Trying to find the last few bucks to start my business.
Taking care of my 87 year old mom.
Dreams are not a real big part of my life, dealing with reality, and the day to day grind pretty much puts that aspect of my life on the backburner.
But, overall, I’m happy about the grind and where I am.
Nice to take my bit part in this community, the learning experience is an enjoyement.
Good morning cbl, that is an amazing story.
Two of the places I have lived in have experienced major crises in their living memory. In each, the public became murderously divided, people died, families were rent asunder, massive damage was done to their societies. Each is now recovering but each bears social scars from the ordeal. The US too has experienced this, but it is hidden in unread, unminded history books, no living memory is there to tell the story, and few are wise enough or able to bring that history back into living experience and fewer still are those who would take the time to hear such folk’s knowledge. My fear, and my hope is that the divisive adventure the country is embarked upon will be resolved without the damage to society but one fact is for certain, of the two Americas, the one supporting empire, the other the republic, only one will emerge at the end of the day, just what scars will it bear? or be willing to bear to survive? or will the country survive?
Patience is hard to come by in a society that has become accustomed to instant everything. Once learned one begins to see the world in a different light. If you spot a butterfly in your yard, stop what you’re doing and follow, with your eyes, the beautiful creature as it flits around until it flys away, out of sight. Notice what feel after it’s gone.
Hey jackie, thanks for all you are doing here especially your terrific work with the diggs!
Thank you for the beautiful rainbows.
I’m achieving things professionally that I very much want, but on a personal level, yesterday’s news leaves me disheartened. I keep thinking it should not surprise me, but it does.
-S
Now there’s a beautiful dream. I took the love of my grandparents for granted but looking back, it was such an essential part of my security and happiness. You can have an influence on other people that they might not realize for years.
did you listen to last night’s Late Late Nite?
“Good thing we’ve got an Obama field staffer staying with us right now, nothing like a young guy to help eat food!”
noonan–tell him to go practice ‘herding those cats’ that got loose! : )
am off to run around with one of my friends-market, health food store, odd lots. am worn out from my trip, but ‘catbirding’ with her is never turned down by me.
i am in the middle of pursuing new/old interests due to new high-speed and catv , posting music on my blog and just found a camera cheap, and getting rid of stuff in a major way.
and getting back to eating right, was eating stuff i wouldn’t even let my dog eat cuz i know it isn’t good for her…..yeah. used to be a natural foods freak, fell into a pit.
take care pups.
Notice what you feel…
Preview is mah fren.
Good morning Steven Porter! We’ll be seeing you later on today. Folks, this is our guest for Blue America today — we opened the doors early :)
just so ya knows – woke up with this song playing in my head -
Chimes of Freedom
Delicious feeling, isnt it?
“Would love to hear from you pups about where you are in your evolving dreams…are you living them, considering new ones, basking in the joy of completed ones, despairing that you won’t ever have them come true, where are you?”
I’m a non-cable person with no NBC reception on my t.v., trying to figure out how to watch the Olympics online.
So today, my dream is evolving into how I am going to make my computer pretend it is some other country where the Olympics are available online.
Way to go, NBC.
Good morning firepups. No answers yet. Still waking up.
This is a need I can answer! http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/
Mornin’ eg, and everyone. That’s a really beautiful picture. Those red rocks tug at my heart and always have, which is why i moved to and live in the south west. Mesas and rock formations look exactly like that and they are everywhere down here. Thank you for that, eg.
I woke up concerned about the new war this am. I’d heard something like 1400 casualties last night before going to bed. Another war is the last thing this planet needs now, and then I heard that condi was on the phone about it all day yesterday, and that caused heightened concern! I wish everyone could just lay low till next year, as now we have the worry of Bu$hCo jumping in where they don’t belong and bungling another situation.
The story about the gorillas is awesome, i pray for them, hope people leave them alone! And I wonder where T-Bear lived (#81) that was torn asunder and which of the sides he spoke about will win in American now.
OK. enuf. more coffee.
:)
Good morning CalGeorge, TexBetsy, siri! More coffee, right over here.
Good morning folks. I’ve been wondering what happened to BobbyG. His story of his two daughters and of his parents in nursing home were very moving and his humorous comments were great. We all liked his continuously growing name from Obama. Although I’m aware of some other folks who have dropped from sight, I’ve never seen anything about BobbyG.
Ha! Good Morning to you and the Mr.
It must be a Byrds-like morning.
Great friends think alike, huh?
He is missed like many others. I hope they will come back and soon. It’s like having close friends move away.
You could look at it a different way, that yesterday’s news is moving you to feel something and begin to think of a possible response. It’s all energy, you can begin to shape and focus it for something good. The evolving dream.
I agree. Thanks.
Just remember 2 years ago, before Cindy Sheehan and before new Orleans was destroyed.
Bush was riding high and it looked like NO one could or would be able to expose him and his administration.
2 years later we have a Democratic Congress and a chance at the White House
(NEVER say “slam dunk!”.
Our rainbow has arrived because we include ALL of WE THE PEOPLE…..
Our sun is shining for the first time in 4 days. I’m out of here and in the garden!
Good morning, Pups!
Thanks for this post, eg, and thanks for the comments, everyone.
Quebecois, there’s nothing “bit” about your part at the lake. And starting a business…I really hope you’re successful. Can’t help but think that there’s a lot of hopes and dreams tied up in that venture.
FunnyD
Wonder what names we’ll see on the future list. Those dangerous minds at FDL…
Please pardon my ignorance. What news from yesterday are you two talking about?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/vid…..efault.stm
Russian jets bomb the Georgian town of Gori, near the breakaway province of South Ossetia, as Moscow says it is sending more troops to the region.
i finally got cable, and last night there was no sound an hour or so into the opening ceremonies.
funny. time-warner said it was nbc’s feed. never did get fixed.
texbet–thanks for the link.
bye-off to the market.
Good morning Quebecois, nice to hear from you!
Thanks Betsy.
You are the go to girl for links, for sure.
AND
DMac have fun out in the world today. :)
“Coalition of the willing” shrinks by 2,000: Georgia to remove all troops in Iraq
The Irish Civil War still has its reverberations, sometimes palpable, sometimes in the silences and reticences it is heard the loudest.
Spain is just now coming out of the shadows of its Civil War and the Franco (last reported -still dead) Dictatorship.
Elliot @ 86, I read the comments this morning waiting for PUAC, I saw the Alliance for Excellence, those results are widely reported in the media, the state of US education is a standing joke since Scopes. Is that what you referred to?
Mornin’ TexBetsy – was watching CBC link last night – but now am getting “not available in your area” link X(
General Electric/NBC really ripped off their viewers and cut to commerical just after the torch was lit (and I’m not talking about the inanity of Lauer and Costas who must have vapidity incentives in their contracts) anyway, CBC did not cut away and for those who missed it (youtube now taken down) it was the most incredible pyrotechnics display evah!
to go home and fight their own war. how awful. what if we had no wars just for 24 hours – wouldn’t that be nice.
thats Coalition of the Billing
mornin’
My dream is fairly small at the moment. Next Friday is the biggest of the spinal procedures in the past 14 months, #15 of 16. I am dreaming of an easy and complete recovery from the procedure and dreaming of a pain-free back after all procedures are complete. Almost daring to dream of a pain-free existence, but not quite letting myself.
Thanks for the Olympics link, TexB!!
It’s da shizzizzle. Check out the “animated sport explainers” cool.
I may get into the Olympics after all. Go Canucks!
FunnyD
Living in Virginia I learned the Civil War was the day before yesterday. It’s still something that touches people. In Russia WWII is a very present ghost, every family was deeply affected. They still won’t talk about 1937 except in whispers. It’s a goal of mine to keep us from having such a year here.
Coalition of the lemminings
good thoughts coming your way. pain-free would be excellent. keep us posted on how you are. fingers crossed.
cbl2, I am watching here but not impressed with what I see so far.
‘Morning, egregious, Firepups.
Excellent question this morning. I’m afraid I have been so wrapped up in the daily battle and the strategic warfare of winning back our democracy that I have lost sight of personal dreams.
That’s got to be remedied quickly; without dreams, one risks being consumed.
I have what I think are really objectives, dreams that are now so close to realization that I cannot call them dreams any longer. Like helping my daughter make it to college and medical school, now within reasonable range.
But what does it look like ten years from now? I don’t know. Maybe I’ve been afraid to look that far out, particularly since the last eight years have been so grueling.
It’s a problem that’s wide spread, that many of us cannot point to a place the horizon and say, There, I’ll be there in 10 years. My state was built upon corporations that lost sight of that horizon, and for their loss of vision we suffer immensely. If it can happen to corporations, it most certain happens to humans.
Perhaps it’s time to set myself down and do some dreaming. Past time.
Thank you Twain.
A beautiful dream, thank you mgardener!
Oh, Aunt Betsy, that isn’t small at all. But I do understand why you’re reluctant to focus on it too much.
I wish you the very best.
FunnyD
Seems like a logical move for Russia considering Americas’ hostility towards Iran.
Hey Rayne. I know you are really busy with your life and work and politics. Those of us who are in awe of your accomplishments have to be glad you are thinking about the dreams to come.
Seems small compared to those who are dreaming of democracy and peace!
On the other hand, I am also dreaming of peace with a certain 14 yr old teenager in the house.
Funnydiva is right, this isnt small at all…wishing you well, and keep us posted on how you are doing. Much love for you.
Well, that’s one way of forcing a downsizing in Iraq.
And it’s one way of forcing the U.S. to rethink the missile defense shield it was working to establish in Poland and Czech Republic.
Unfortunately for wrinkly white haired dude, he’s going to have to up his dose of Aricept and remember there is no Czechoslovakia.
You lead the way, babe. You’ve done a LOT in the last year to realize new dreams. Believe me, I’m in awe of your mileage.
Best wishes with this procedure. You will be in my thoughts.
Peace with a 14 year old just might be beyond reach. I have 4 children with an 8 year span. My house was full of kids all the time, they all knew each other and it was a circus. I never ran out of Oreo cookies – and other munchies.
Good morning tw3k! Thanks for teaching me how to spell l33t [am I doing it right finally?]
thank you.
(((TexBetsy)))
It will come, TB. The best remedies are firm boundary setting and the passage of time.
Used to battle with my stepson all the time at that age; now he calls me whenever he needs help, 13 years later.
Best wishes to you, TexBetsy, America does have great surgeons.
The BOMB just reached $150k !
Yeah, the other dude’s kindlier, gentler image of empire will be much more consumer friendly and easier to digest.
Now THERE’s a dream. Thanks Dakine
some of us hetero gurlz find Mens Water Polo impressive
mr cbl played in his youth – gooooaaalll!
Good morning everyone….. running around getting ready to leave for Oregon…. How is everyone?
Speaking of beauty, thank you cbl ;)
crikey ! linky no work – back in a sec
hey (((Rayne))) so good to see ya
Bonjour Betsy, j’espère que tout ira bien vendredi. Mes souhaits pour que ta douleur cesse once and for all.
cbl2 — nice to see you this morning, too!! so nice to see so many familiar faces this morning.
Twain — make that $150,025.00. Finally had time to pull out the debit card this morning for a tiny bit of frosting on that 150K.
Hey Crosstimbers…we see BobbyG from time to time. Bobby if you’re out there, waving hello! You too, Raven.
morning, y3s.
Merci! Since when is “once and for all” a French phrase?
Can’t wait to hear how they will use the money. It should be fun to start the real push.
Good Morning All,
As a recent retiree many of my dreams are focused towards the grandkids. Don’t want to leave them a world defined by productivity indexes, corp profits, and “our interests”
TexBetsy: My thoughts will be with you this week and especially friday
but wait, there’s more -
(h/t tpm)
Tu es la bienvenue!
My granddad used to say that when I was a kid, and he rarely if ever spoke english. It has to be some genetic thing… 8-)
Good morning Sandman! How are you doing today?
I wish lobbyists had never been “invented.” They make billions off the misery of other people. When did lobbying get started? Anyone know?
McSame has already let his position be known – kick Russia out of the G8 etc.
Late, but not too late-
Beautiful thread, egregious…and Betsy, all of my warmest and best hopes go out to you.
Lobbyists have been around for quite a while from across the spectrum. It’s just like everything else that has been bastardized by the party of greed.
My late grandmother once let it be known that on a family picnic she recalled the “old folks” were talking about “Uncle John (Slough)” and what happened to him. That is the closest direct link I have to the US Civil War. Most people don’t have that, would be my guess. History as hearsay would probably denote most educations today, some many removes from their experiences. “Lies My Teacher Told Me” is the tip of the iceberg and combine with the failure that is US education, the result will be willing to follow the first demagogue down the pike when their emotional keys are played, few will have the ability or the tools to say no.
The big problem is that of reconstruction of social, political, governmental, judicial, economic and corporate edifices that will have to be altered in such a way that reduce the possibility of this coup happening again and maintain viability. It will be an order of the same magnitude as that faced by the founding fathers (and Mums). With 300+ millions, there just might be the resources necessary.
Not too late at all, thank you!
Lobbyist
bom dia pups
What a wonderful topic! i’m off to read your various posts, ideas, dreams etc.
Very good. Perfect, in fact.
Katymine, what’s new with your parents? I was very sorry to learn they lost their house to fire. Btw if you’re driving perhaps we can persuade you to stop by as you go thru the bay area?
Well, when ya get this far down
(bows)(big grin) Konnichiwa, Wobbs
Yo! Wobbs! Hope you had a wonderful time. Nice to see you back.
You know I gotta ask about WeeBits.
Agh. Had forgotten about the Scheunemann baggage (and boy, does that guy have a LOT of baggage).
So Russia pulled a rare superfecta:
– smacks back at the missile defense shield
– forces a draw down on troops in Iraq
– removes troops in play if any assault on Iran
– cuffs up Georgia (which I think is the least of the effort here, ongoing quibbling over Ossetia)
– makes raising prices for natural gas easier, holding a gun to the head of all Europe
– forces a presidential candidate to rethink their team
– ruffles China’s feathers
All while sitting with our annoying president in the dignitaries’ box while watching the Olympic games open.
If only I could be certain that our evil veep wasn’t a beneficiary of this nifty gamesman ship; you have to believe that Cheney’s going to get a slice of the pie if natural gas markets rise because of this mess.
Wishing you all the best this coming Friday, and that a painfree back sneaks up on ye and slaps ye on the backside before you know it.
(((((egregious))))) Wonderful Sat. morning post and what fun to see so many early
birdfirepups.There are also numerous environmental groups, boy and girl scouts, the list goes on. The problem is with lobbyists that have access to limitless cash both for their salaries and to buy the government
Good morning foothillsmike, dmac, wobbly!
Thanks for all the good wishes firepups. I’ll carry them all with me into the surgery center and back to my magic bed on Friday.
In this instance I’m using Frazetta’s Death Dealer as a symbol for those whose greed and warped world view fuel the suffering of every species on the planet and the planet itself.
BlueTexan upstairs: http://firedoglake.com/2008/08…..other-way/
Hey npb, what’s new?
g’morning, firepups! I have learned, at this stage of life, to appreciate the details of life. A post like this is wonderful, reminding us of good in the world.
So the little things that are good in my life: half-way settled into new abode, with mac reassembled and online! I’ve missed Teh Lake. Working lots of overtime with a congenial group of folks, at a decent company. Having found love/romance, all unexpected at this age. I am drinking fair trade Sumatran coffee. My birthday is coming up and i have hopes of another wonderful birthday, last years birthday saw the resignation of Abu Gonzales. W00t! Hope its a bigger n better resignation this birthday :-)
Putin is no slouch when it comes to Machiavellian politics, no doubt.
The bonus is he gets to laugh at Bush while Bush sputters on about ’sovereign nations’ and also while Georgia pulls their own troops from another nation that didn’t invite their presence.
-G
Present!
(Damn it jayt, why didn’t you tell me we were having a meeting? Grumble grrr…)
We’re having a meeting?
(jayt’s post above)
That meeting.;)
It really is inspiring to run for office, experience that sticks with you for years afterwards. I haven’t done it for a decade, probably will again in about 8 years. In the meantime it is good to talk with people, hear a lot of different policy ideas (I’ve really been enjoying some of Kevin Carson’s posts over at The Art of the Possible – link is not his best work, but thought provoking none the less).
I’ve got another 6 to 8 years of doing technical work gigs before retiring to doing political work full time. I’m hoping that at age 55 I’ll be able to apply what wisdom I’ve developed to fixing policy problems that are affronts to basic human dignity. It seems likely that there will still be lots of problems still at that time.
Well, damn, now I gotta put a shirt on.
Someone far brighter than me once said, in order to know where your going, you have to know where you’ve been. Back in 1940, I think the movie that Charlie Chaplin stared in was called the Great Dictator. After watching this segment, you might come away from it thinking that way back then he was warning us of things to come.
Check it out. It’s an eye opener and his dialog is just a precient today as it was back then.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=…..re=related
If you get back….thank you for that gentle thought. I am learning to move at a slower pace. Many thanks.
Thanks RevBev, much appreciated. It’s a struggle for me too.
Christy,
As usual here in Hawaii, I’m late for your party. But here are my dreams, at the age of 64:
1. Our wedding on September 27 will be enjoyable and will happen without a hitch (we’re planning an outdoor wedding on or near a beach);
2. Find a place to live together that we can afford– like a refurbished 2-bedroom apartment in the Kahala Towers here in Honolulu on an upper level floor;
3. Retire within the next year or so;
4. Figure out where to live– here, or on the mainland near family;
5. Sort out my stuff and throw half of it away.
The most improbable and difficult may be the last one! *g*
Happy days to you, Peanut, and Mr. Redd!
Bob in HI
Drat! I must remember that preview is my friend. Change “my dreams” in the first line to the dreams of my fiancee and I.”
Bob in HI