Creative Writing; Photography; Political Tidbits; Humor for the Heart; HOPE for the Soul; and MORE!
Please see the sidebar for event listings, news updates, polls, important links, activism opportunities and more...
For those that are able, I recommend that you bring paper and a pen to today's meeting; a camera if you want to take some of your own photos (you need to get permission to utilize photographs of others); your stories; and your ideas!
A full copy of Obamas recovery plan will not be available for all, as this is quite extensive - and I frankly don't have the money for that much ink and paper...
So, if you have a copy of that - or extra copies - please bring it (or them) along!
[Jackson Browne - "For Everyman"; as submitted to You Tube by stampbeugel on 6/03/07; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr-hqAjdNrU]
"In the weekly address for Saturday, February 7, 2009, President Barack Obama commends the progress the Senate has made on moving the recovery plan forward, and urged its completion..."
["2/7/09: Your Weekly Address"; as submitted to You Tube by the whitehouse on 2/7/09; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqAcRb2nf0U]
Note:
Thus far, according to MSNBC news briefings and videos, the compromise on the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan" reflects trimmings, primarily, from the spending sector - the latest breakdown I heard being 58% spending and 42% tax cuts.
There was no actual vote on this last night - and the situation could still change.
A vote is hoped for by Monday night - or at least, by the end of next week...
After which the plan still has to go back to the House and (apparently) through some other gyrations...
Some Democrats feel there has been "too much compromising" in regard to "The Obama Plan."
Most economists, according to MSNBC, agree --- citing the need to support / facilitate spending on behalf of the American people as being a more significant priority over tax cuts.
Thus far, this is reputedly a $780 Billion deal that is riding on a very thin majority - and not reflecting true bipartisanship in any sense of the word...
Everything thus, is "tentative" --- and I can only urge my readers to keep up with this fast moving train by staying up on the latest (ever evolving) news.
Please remember, too, that the second round of TARP funding remains up in the air in a number of ways...
And that our economy, as all of this is being debated, continues to slide (with approximately another 6,000 jobs lost in Jan 09 alone; with unemployment rates, as of yesterday, reputedly standing at 7.6% nationwide) downhill...
Everything is moving fast, but not necessarily smoothly... and the American People need to let their representatives, daily - if necessary - know what their genuine, in this moment, needs are!
For the latest update on the Stimulus Deal - See: "Pared-down stimulus deal reached in Senate...
Full Senate vote expected within days on $780 billion proposal" [NBC News and news services...; NBC's Ken Strickland, Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report; "Stimulus deal reached, senators say" - Capitol Hill- msnbc.com; http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29050187]
["Thank You Obama-Biden (2009)"; Photo (Copyrighted) by NS]
["It's a New Day (Enhanced)"; will.i.am - Dipdive.com; as submiteed to You Tube by illwilly on 11/11/08; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7y4IDeKjqk]
["1 of 2 Obama delivers fiery speech to Democrats on stimulus"; as submitted to You Tube by Subscribe4MoreNews on 2/5/09; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJDwbfbpRnQ]
Today is "Wear Red Day" (see videos below) - a day in which the American Heart Association promotes awareness of heart disease (in general) - particularly (if I understand it right) the high rate of heart disease in women.
This is also a "Have a Heart" Day (see videos above) - a day in which the lives and well-being of many Americans stands in the balance - as potential victims of - or as potential benefactors of - the economic recovery stimulus package - as currently proposed by President Barack Obama.
The first video above mentions Harriet Tubman, John F. Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr.
I would like to add the name of Chief Joseph to that list - as well as the multitude of other names (some well known, some not...) associated with the Womens Suffrage Movement, the Civil Rights Movement and the events that are taking place (on the positive end of the scale) this very day.
In the materials I downloaded for the "From Hope to Reality" meeting tomorrow (see below for details) - what is really being asked of us - right now - as Americans (whether Democrat, Republican, Independent or unaffiliated with any particular political party) that support Barack Obamas Economic Recovery Plan (or are open-minded enough to give it a fair evaluation) - is that we share our economic realities, our pain, our fears, our hopes, our needs and our dreams.
These meetings (the one I am hosting is just one of many across the nation) are not (to my understanding) intended to be yet another rehashing of the news...
These meetings are going to be about YOU - ME - US - WE.
President Barack Obama says, in the video above, something to the effect of (This is not an exact quote; bold emphasis mine...):
"I believe it is important to set aside some of the gamesmanship in this town and get something done..."
And although Obama is speaking (I presume) of Washington - the same could certainly be said of the "gamesmanship" (Why play games with our collective future?) that goes on right HERE.
The facts are the facts; and the state of the economy is something that cannot (by anyone with their eyes open to the truth) be denied.
And I believe a common saying applies quite well here, when evaluating whether or not to put one's trust in someone...
That is (I don't know the exact source of this saying, and I'm not quoting it exactly):
"Listen to what they say..."
But, more importantly:
"Watch what they do."
President Obama - in my opinion (you are entitled to your own) - has thus far (against tremendous odds) - been a shining example of integrity IN ACTION.
And as such, he represents the promise of an "American Dream" that might actually (this is going to take time) - for the general populous (not just for those born into lives of privilege) - have a chance of coming true.
For Saturday's meeting, I urge those that have signed on to bring (remembering to put safety first) their personal stories...
You can do this on a piece of scrap paper, in a letter, in a poem, via a work of art, via a photograph, in a collage, on a CD, on a DVD or in any other manner that suits you and the time limitations (some of us may choose to stay longer than the scheduled hour) of the occasion...
With - for those that are willing and able (there will be NO judgement of those that choose to simply be present and listen!)] a signed and dated permission slip allowing this material (by necessity, the materials you turn in for this purpose have to be somewhat brief) to be uploaded and/or otherwise passed on via Obamas official site (s), MoveOn.org, You Tube, this blog, your local newspapers and/or other progressive outlets.
This is a movement, folks - "of the people" and "by the people" - under the leadership of a man that has NOT been afraid to challenge the corruption in Washington, the greed on Wall Street, the gross neglect of our most vulnerable citizens - and the tragic legacy of a predominantly elitist (my opinion) and (I'm being "kind" here...) "insensitive" (on their way out?) "status quo."
Sometimes folks ask me how I (the facts about my life and health would probably surprise many of you) got involved in this...
Why I am (with the limitations that I have) "so" involved in this...
2. Because I have learned to love (in an abstract spiritual way) every single one of my fellow human beings...; and,
3. Because I have FINALLY learned to love (yes, there is personal sacrifice involved) myself, as well.
That said (I guess I'm practicing a bit for tomorrow...): I'm looking forward to meeting those that have signed up for tomorrow's event - and I will close with (please take the time to watch both versions) this:
["You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me" (Ray Price version); as submitted to You Tube by bulkmail1 on 1/31/08; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW6RH1GC9DM]
[Gladys Knight; "Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me" (2005); as submitted to You Tube by Largo3point0 on 2/14/08; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA3hzejbszQ]
[The Beatles; "Let it be Lyrics"; as posted on You Tube by rubyhartlove on 8/29/08; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRCPQFVWrRE]
Passing this (from my email - reformatted / bold emphasis and bracketed information mine - for inclusion here) on:
"...Yesterday, President Obama took an important first step, limiting pay at companies taking bailouts going forward...
But Congress is considering going even further, applying the limits retroactively and even taking back some of the most extravagant bonuses at firms that took taxpayer money...
A huge public outcry will give them momentum and push them to real action. Can you sign this petition to Congress, urging them to act now to rein in Wall Street greed?"
"The petition says: "Congress must place enforceable, common-sense limits on salaries at all the banks that have taken taxpayer dollars..."
"Sen. McCaskill showed courage standing up to the status quo. We've got to show the rest of Congress that this is the kind of leadership we need to get us out of this crisis and make the economy work for all Americans...
Limiting pay at companies taking bailouts won't fix our financial system... that will take a lot more hard work... but it's an important first step.
Can you tell Congress to rein in Wall Street's excesses now and then pass this ["petition" / link (when someone clicks on the link below their name is added to the petition)] on to your friends?"
[Link: Copy and paste in your browser and/or pass on to your friends: http://pol.moveon.org/bonus/o.pl?id=15503-4553635-O9hn5Ox&t=4 ]
"Thanks for all you do.
–Daniel, Peter, Justin, Marika and the rest of the team" [MoveOn.Org]
"Sources:
1. "McCaskill Proposes Compensation Cap For Private Companies Getting Federal Dollars," Senate Newsroom, January 30, 2009 http://mccaskill.senate.gov/newsroom/vid_013009.cfm
2. "What Red Ink? Wall St. Paid Fat Bonuses," The New York Times, January 28, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/29/business/29bonus.html
3. "Obama Outlines Limits on Executive Pay," The Washington Post, February 5, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51145&id=15503-4553635-O9hn5Ox&t=5
4. "Despite Treasury's New Rule, Senators Aren't Giving Up Their Push to Cap CEO Pay," TPMDC, February 4, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51146&id=15503-4553635-O9hn5Ox&t=6
5. "'Meet the Press' transcript for Feb. 1, 2009," MSNBC.com, February 1, 2009 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28964188/page/5/"
[Sheryl Crow; "Let's Get Free (live, 2003)"; as submitted to You Tube by crowarchive on 11/12/07; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPTt4jZ1itA]
UPDATED DETAILS REGARDING "FROM HOPE TO REALITY" MEETING/DISCUSSION ABOUT PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMAS ECONOMIC RECOVERY PLAN:
The new venue for the "From Hope to Reality" meeting regarding President Barack Obamas economic recovery plan will be the Dunkin Donuts on Ulster Avenue in Kingston. The revised [as the MuddyCup is reputedly closing up shop] plan:
When: Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009
Where: Dunkin Donuts, 553 Ulster Ave, Kingston, NY 12401 [Phone: (845) 331-3633] [A Map Link is Provided in the Sidebar>]
When: 2PM-3PM [It is a good idea to get there a little early to buy any drinks/treats you might want; and there is the possibility that the meeting will go on (for those that choose to stay) longer than 1 hour.]
What to Bring? Your concerns. Your ideas. And your information (if you are a collector like me) about Barack Obamas Economic Recovery plan.
Thanks All!
I picked this Dunkin Donuts, because there is a good deal of seating space available.
It should all work out (as long as we work "together") - just fine!
["Earth Spirit - Native American Pan Flute" (Gheorghe Zamfir); as submitted to You Tube by constantinalecse on 7/3/08; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P6MaemHFtI]
As received (via email) from the National Organization for Women (NOW) / NOW National Action Center: now@now.org [revised slightly for inclusion here]:
"SENATE DEBATING RECOVERY PACKAGE THURSDAY...
President Barack Obama has called for an economic recovery package to be on his desk for signing by the end of next week... Debate on dozens of amendments began this evening and will continue tomorrow as some senators try to weaken and stall the legislation... What are they thinking!? Thousands of jobs are disappearing daily, millions more will lose their homes and state governments are facing deficits into the billions of dollars. Our economic crisis is the worst the country has experienced since the 1930's.
Your messages are badly needed to urge both Democratic and Republican senators to adopt a strong bill. Women and their families, state and local governments and vital human needs programs administered by the federal government will benefit from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Please send a message to both of your senators [A link will be provided in the sidebar>]" [Also, pass this information on to your family and friends!]
"Call 1-866-544-7573 [or use the link provided in the sidebar>] and urge your Senators: Pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act NOW!
Background: "The Right is Winning Today," The Nation, February 3, 2009; "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act," Speaker Nancy Pelosi, January 28, 2009; "The Economic Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act," Economy.com, January 21, 2009"
[}The Universal Declaration of Human Rights"; as posted (this is the second time around; I LOVE this!) on You Tube by HumanRightsActionCtr on 10/7/08]
Unfortunately, I just found out that the Kingston MuddyCup is closing down, yet another casualty (it would appear) of the economic crisis...
Thus, unless I can find another public venue, close- by and quick, I will be holding this discussion / meeting at my home (details forthcoming, as necessary).
I've got a couple of other places in mind - and I'll let you know if either of these is a "go."
I am also open (... a call-out to the community... ) to suggestions!
If anyone needs to cancel due to this last minute change in venue, please let me know.
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Hope: One Word Says It All... Obama-Biden 2009" [Click Photo to Link to "One Hope.." / You Tube]
Photo / Copyright by NS
To My "Sisters": I received this on MySpace and it was so beautiful I wanted to pass it on...
"... The lady reading this is beautiful, classy and strong... Help her live [] life to the fullest [] Promote her and cause her to excel above her expectations [] Help her shine in the darkest places [] Protect her at all times..."
My Inaugural [Barack Obama 2009] Poem (Copyright, NS)
My New Year's oath To you and me Was to become All I can be
To live my muse Pursue my dreams With every drop Of energy...
And courage Drawn up from My toes...
The fear I've known... The fear I've known...
Handcuffed and chained To walls of pain This year, I say, "No more."
And, as I stand Before you now A poet, dreamer, Silly clown...
To celebrate Obamas day...
I have to say... I have to say...
Though I am white My oath is true
My commitment firm I've much to do
For I am, indeed, A lot like you...
My freedom card Long overdue.
And, although each day Can be tough to face
It is worth the price Because all our fates
Depend on you... Depend on me...
On everyone struggling To be free...
From the pain That holds us back
(So much locked up inside)
Speaking its truth... Speaking its truth...
Through all the tears We've cried...
I really tried to hide... I really tried to hide...
But this is the year... This Is the year...
That I've been Waiting for...
This is the year... This is the year...
I finally say, "No more."
And join The chorus Of voices Singing...
"We can!"
NS [MoveOn.org Civic Action Member / Inaugural Party (Obama 2009) Host] [Copyright Jan. 2009]
["One Proud Mama!"; Photo (Copyrighted) by NS]
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