(1 comments) SHARE        Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Jim Cooper, is Number One Blue Dog The man has influence, knowledge, and vast experience. Looking at his background allows one to come away with the fact that here is no down home redneck to work with.

(12 comments) SHARE        Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Who's a Journalist? I'm not a professional journalist. I wondered what one is. To get a notion I went to their webpage to find out what is required of a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, where I read their ethics code.

(2 comments) SHARE        Friday, June 12, 2009
Googling Through the Senate Healthcare reform is going to be a fight to the finish, penciled in for the end of September. In the meantime, we citizens are laying our bodies on the line. For this citizen, it's keeping a very wary eye. On the House for Christmas tree ornaments. On the Senate for what Senators do--act senatorial

(8 comments) SHARE        Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tell Me Some Stories, Mr. President Would it be too much to ask that he sit at that desk he orbits away from, look us in the eye, and lay out some guiding principles? What are the issues the US faces in a global crisis of bad economies and suspicious militaries? It's just that simple. How is it possible to avoid still more war when we are stretched thin from wars started, still not finished?

(3 comments) SHARE        Friday, May 1, 2009
ABC News' Blotter Updates its 2007 Torture Story On April 30, 2009, ABC News had more to say about it's September 14, 2007 story concerning waterboarding. Now, they have learned that two former military officers, Bruce Jessen and Jim Mitchell--working as Mitchell Jensen and Associates--were contracted by the CIA to instruct it in how to set up "legal" waterboarding techniques.

(4 comments) SHARE        Saturday, April 4, 2009
Tripping Down Memory Lane Through Presidential Campaigns As 20 nations sent representatives to London this week, I itched to be there to observe how men and women were going to look at "the least of these." Through it all, I recognize that on this 41st anniversary of MLK's death we have the same question as he and LBJ tussled over on that fateful day. Guns or butter? Which will prevail?

(6 comments) SHARE        Saturday, March 7, 2009
Hey, Boomer! Can We Talk Now? During the days of the Great Cultural Divide, I worked with those young enough to be my children. By way of explanation, much of this piece of history occurred during the infamous Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968. Since I worked a few blocks from Mayor Daley's home, part of my memories involves navigating to our near western suburb. And a large part includes hearing the events of the previous night.

(7 comments) SHARE        Wednesday, February 25, 2009
What are You Giving up? What is this little essay about? And what isn't it? It isn't an appeal for "aid to Cedar Rapids." What this essay is about is "spinning wheels." Actions Speak Louder than Words.

(1 comments) SHARE        Saturday, February 7, 2009
Surviving Turbulent Economic & Political Times--Though 50 War winding down, impeachment chatter, economic changes, generational shifts--what happened to me in the early 70s is something which I see happening to my younger friends these days as they hope to be on the last full time job they'll ever need.

(1 comments) SHARE        Monday, January 5, 2009
To Mark the Beginning of the Last Year of a Decade in the 2000s On January 2, I met some Democrats who I hardly know except through local news. Blount County Democrats, who have been blogging since 2004, invited me to join. I want to see whether "they" can turn into "we."

(15 comments) SHARE        Sunday, December 21, 2008
Democrats and Republicans & Questions on War and Peace There is currently a discussion going on about details such as more troops to Afghanistan, better help for the veterans returning from Iraq, and Obama's choices for Secretaries of State and Defense. Herein a little global overview added.

(2 comments) SHARE        Friday, December 19, 2008
I Heart Chicago Well, not every last bit of rubble and rabble. Just the energy it gives to one who works and cares.

(23 comments) SHARE        Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Chris Hedges on the State of Higher Education Personal opinion relating to Education, as seen in politics and as needed in the Real World. I heart Chris Hedges.

(8 comments) SHARE        Sunday, December 7, 2008
It's Morning - Time to Get to Work, America A few thoughts concerning how Barack Obama is proceeding with woeful news. Time to wake up and smell the coffee.

(13 comments) SHARE        Sunday, November 30, 2008
World Revolutions, US History and Mumbai Mayhem How will Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State perform in the "War on Terror" when George W Bush is gone? As Monday's announcement of her appointment approaches, best that her statements be gauged.

(6 comments) SHARE        Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving from Maryville, Tennessee Woke up feeling good, started the coffee and looked at the local headlines. There in big black letters were three pre-holiday stories.

(4 comments) SHARE        Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The car crazy crowd and the cross they may bear Personally, what is happening in Washington politics is local with me. Two families where I have long friendship ties are impacted. A parts manufacturer is closing down.

(3 comments) SHARE        Monday, November 10, 2008
Globalization is Not a Dirty Word "Wall Street needs it, Obama brings it" is how David Weidner wrote hours after President-elect Obama's acceptance speech.

SHARE        Monday, November 3, 2008
Me and My Money Whatever the social scientists want to call it.

(2 comments) SHARE        Thursday, October 23, 2008
Brave New Films and ACORN Release Video Attacking Vote Suppression YouTube VIDEO: ACORN and Brave New Films team up to debunk the GOP myth of voter fraud and expose the GOP practice of voter suppression.