Forty-four days left of George W. Bush's non presidency... Can we fast forward?

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Watched the Meet The Press Barack Obama show.
He has some good ideas and some that I'm not as sure of.
The only thing we agree on is that it's going to get worse before it gets better.
Not too sure about the time frame on that recovery either.
2.5 million jobs? I'd like to know more about that. Who, where, how much cost?
I'm happy with the choice of Dick Gregory for the moderator of Meet The Press, he's pretty good.

Iowa's supreme court is going to rule on the state's gay marriage ban.
Let's hope that they favor basic civil rights being extended to all people.
There have been other groups oppressed in this country and there still are...
Matthew Shepard was murdered because he was gay, just like the racially inspired beatings and murders that have occurred.
No matter what you personally feel about gay marriage we cannot allow government sanctioned discrimination.

On a lighter note, have you watched Mark Shaiman's "Prop 8- The Musical" with Jack Black as Jesus? (yup)
Might be offensive to some but I thought it amusing and pointed.

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Non Political:
Spent most of today searching for good internet prices on the few things I have left on my Christmas list.
It's a shorter list this year and definitely not very expensive gifts on it.
Only have two people left on the list, the rest get cookies, pies and homemade things.
One more trip to major stores and that's all I expect to do as far as shopping.

Can't wait for New Year's Eve. I have a number of real resolutions and a "bucket list" of sorts to work on.
I'll likely post it here New Year's Day... I wonder if there's a way to place it on the side to add to and delete items.
Working my way through watching Miami Vice Season Three and drinking a hot cup of tea.
G'night
Crockett and Tubbs are calling to me.
Laura

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Forty-five days left of Prince George... Obama to the rescue?

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Listened to Obama's "Public Works Program" speech.
Might work. Could work. We'll see. Probably will need to make it work.
Wondering how the government will payroll all this mess... guess we're going to find out.

I went on an excellent adventure last night.
I used the opportunity to make my first short video with my brand new Flip Mino.
Though the video isn't any fantastic accomplishment I still had a lot of fun doing it.
Making and editing the video was so easy to do I would recommend it to anyone.
I was amazed. Would make a good Christmas gift for anyone who wants to make You Tube Videos
So don't judge me too harshly on the video, I didn't try for anything remarkable and had no idea what I was going to say.
Expected most of the clips to not come out considering my total lack of experience with the whole process.
Pleasant enough surprise.



I'm not a huge Bill O'Reilly fan, actually I'm more a Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert type.
I still do read and watch both sides for that is the way to stay informed and to decide based on all opinions and facts.

An agreement in the Democratic Party on a package to help out the auto industry that could be voted on next week. Hmm.
The dems have to be careful what they do and say... was listening to Barney Frank talking about the auto money issues
and he stated that the Dems were planning on passing what they wanted to after Jan.
"If this were next year and Barack Obama was in office and we had the 58 or maybe 59 democratic senators then we would be able to break a filibuster, but so we'd have to compromise... we will reserve the right next year when we have a better president and a better congress to replace that 25 billion from the TARP, they won't be able to stop us then. We're not asking them to sign off on it we're simply giving notice that's something we have the option to do later..."

Now Barney sweetheart, I know what you're saying and it has merit, substance and logic to it but you can't use that language without irritating folk especially republican congressfolk and senators... Seriously you sound like the republicans that took over that you've previously complained about their lack of inclusiveness and um, arrogance? Not very humble language there.
I'm a democrat, fairly liberal for the most part and it really annoyed me Barney.

Are we getting rid of Gitmo or not?
And wonder of wonders I didn't hear or see anything about Sarah Palin today. Oh Happy Day.
Read at CNN that Sunny von Bulow died. I remember that case, she was in a coma and her husband Claus was tried and convicted of trying to kill her and then it was overturned. Probably have to be older to remember that story but here it is:
28 years in a coma

Okay well, going to bed need some of that ever elusive sleep...

G'night

Laura

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Forty-six days left of GW Bush...

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I'm wondering if it's getting near time to refinance our mortgage.
I hear that shortly the interest rates might go down a little yet again.
Will look into it next week and see if it would be beneficial to us or not.

I saw that OJ Simpson is going to jail for at least 9 years possibly more.
Now I'm not a vindictive person (though I can be rather sarcastic) but I was reasonably content with that judgement.
Restores my faith in Karma, though about 13 years overdue in arrival.
Now we'll see to what the cosmic powers demand of the juice.

Car manufacturers still crying you must save us.
While at least some of the banks are laughing all the way to the bank.
NY Times says that the US lost 533,000 jobs in November.
Outlook isn't that good for December/January.
I'm digging my heels in for a long cold winter.

I successfully accomplished my mission this evening and we video taped it in small segments.
I'm going to upload it tomorrow and attempt to make it watchable.
I apologize in advance for the possibility of the "awfulness" of my first video.
Was thinking of doing one or so a week.
If nothing else it was fun and I'll hopefully get better along the way.
So, I'll see you, or rather you'll see me tomorrow.

Still squawking about Obama's birth certificate (he was born in Hawaii).
Interesting that it was Clarence Thomas referral.
What a waste of time, effort and money.
Give it a rest... people will believe whatever they want to anyway.
Maybe Obama arrived via UFO, no wait now I remember:
I heard tell that was Sarah Palin and that's the scoop.
And you betcha. Pass it on...
Obama is a US citizen

Will Caroline Kennedy seriously look at the NY senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton.
That's an interesting development.
Another woman smarter and more interesting than Sarah Palin.
Keep it coming.
Someday soon we'll come out of the dark ages and elect an intelligent, capable woman for the President of the USA.
Yes, we can.
And we will.

G'night
Back tomorrow.

Laura

Forty-seven days of GW Bush's "administration"

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Did you see the clip of GW Bush squishing himself in between American soldiers for a photo op?
I can't for the life of me remember where I saw it but one soldier doesn't seem thrilled with GW standing there.

Bush's last days interviews both with and without Laura Bush have so far had interesting views by GW on his legacy.
I swear he's language challenged, or really dumb, or maybe both.
He bumbles, misunderstands questions, wanders when answering and mispronounces things.
History is being rewritten in Bush's mind... now it seems it was faulty CIA information on WMD's that caused the war in Iraq.
Interesting, I guess he hasn't seen all his previous speeches on the internets (lol).

The auto industry is in real trouble. Bankers: yay. GE, Chrysler, Ford: nay?
We're bleeding jobs daily, the auto industry carries somewhere around 3 million or more.
If the industry isn't bailed out... then we need some kind of jobs for those that will lose theirs.
Even if they do the bailout, job losses will sky rocket in the industry.
Factory and dealership jobs.
Not gonna be a bright and cheery New Year for a lot of people.

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And what about Plaxico Burress?
If I (or anyone in my family) took a loaded Glock into a club and shot myself in the thigh, I'd all ready be sitting in jail.
I'm so sick of overpaid and overvalued celebrities and athletes behaving badly.
There are no great role models for kids or adults lately.
No, let me rephrase that... there are no great role models that make the news and get press no less monetary reward.
I was trying to think of what role models there were for women my age.
Pretty bleak.

Here's my ode to Plaxico:

Oh Plaxico
who would have thought
you wouldn't know
guns belong in nightstands
not at night clubs tucked
in sweat pant's waistbands
loaded but not locked...

Oh Plaxico
who would have thought
you wouldn't know
now you're just the guy
stupid enough to
shoot himself in the thigh
at least it wasn't someone elses...

from the winning touchdown for the Giants
to just another one of some lawyer's clients
that's amazing talent
indeed.

Tomorrow I have an interesting escapade planned that I'll document with a silly video...
Probably won't get it posted here until Saturday if it comes out at all the way I would like it to.

Going to bed.
Need to go grocery shopping tomorrow.
And run a million errands.

G'night

Laura

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Forty-eight days of GW Bush... and what of Jeb Bush?

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Jeb Bush has indicated he's interested in the senate seat in Florida when Martinez leaves it (2010).
If I recall Jeb was the smart Bush... and what ever happened to Neil Bush? The savings and loan scandal Bush.
Herrreeee'sss Jebby

Could it be that a third Bush will run for the presidency?
Okay as long as he doesn't run with Sarah Palin. Promise me NOW please.

Was interesting listening to the Nixon tapes that are out now. Always got a kick out of the tape where Nixon talked about the elder Bush's good for nothing son George W. came around and how he thought he'd amount to nothing.
It would be funny but GW ended up president... I think we were punked.

And speaking of being punked, here's a funny story about a phone call Obama made to GOP congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen in Florida to congratulate her on her win... she, hung up on him... read the story it's worth a chuckle.
Yeah sure you're Barack Obama

Disturbed by video clips on the news of people on the streets of India yelling about going to war with Pakistan.
Hopefully they're just letting off steam and frustration.

Auto bailout? Not going all that well so far. Have we run out of cash we need to borrow yet?
The union has been making concessions, again they are not to blame for the mismanagement of the auto industry.
It's been decades. GM made the decision to sell Hummers to the public. Seriously folks.
Build a billion dollar factory and hire the folks back... produce hybrid or other green cars.
Isn't there any money to be made in mass transit?
Sorry folks the cowboy way is yesterday.

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Other Stuff:

Jimmy Kimmel did a spoof of Rudolph the Reindeer Christmas standard. Funny but somewhat twisted.
In other words I liked it.
Not for the queasy

Finally got around to seeing the new Bond movie tonight, Quantum of Solace.
It was okay. Not a crazed Bond fan, but it wasn't bad. Enjoyed seeing Judi Dench as always.
I do miss the character of "Q" in the last two movies.
Liked John Cleese and of course the long standing Desmond Llewelyn was the best.
Enough car chases, fighting, jumping and things blowing up to satisfy me.
Makes me want to cry when they bash up that black Aston Martin. Oh, that ripped off door, how that hurt.
Take the Aston Martin for a drive
Sigh I'm a sports car lady trapped in my Toyota Corolla world. ::sigh::

It's Ozzy Osbourne's birthday and he's 60 years old can you believe that?
Doesn't seem like his age has kept him from getting work.
I absolutely love the commercial for Samsung Mobile he's in.
If you haven't seen it here it is:
Ozzy Mumbles

How about the Ozzy Osbourne World of Warcraft Commercial?
Cracks me up, but then again I think odd things are funny.
The guys around here have been known to play WoW well into the wee hours of the night.



All right I'm going to stop babbling and go to bed.
Have a busy day tomorrow.
G'night

Laura

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Forty-nine days left to add to the Bush legacy... or something like that.

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I keep reading that David Gregory (chief White House Correspondent for NBC) will be taking over on Meet The press.
I know Tom Brocaw taking Tim Russert's spot was temporary, so David Gregory isn't a bad choice at all and not unexpected.
I really miss Tim Russert. He made watching Meet The Press very interesting with his enthusiasm.
He was so into the show, interviews and debates. Still miss him. In some ways it was his show.
It was such a shame that he died at the premature age of 58.
His son Luke not only looks a bit like Tim but even has some of his mannerisms and voice.

Chambliss (as I expected) won the Georgia senate run off election.
It still looks like Coleman won over Franken in Minnesota too...
So no filibuster proof senate for the democrats.
Let's hope the dems and repubs can get something done in the next few years instead of the usual bullshit.
We have major problems that we need to really fix instead of the normal stalemate until all hell breaks loose and then blame it on the each other. If that happens, well, the word "doomed" or at least "doom and gloom" pops into my head for the middle class.

I also keep coming across the rumor that Sarah Palin might appear on the season finale of abc's Desparate Housewives.
I knew I hated that show. lol. No seriously I don't watch it. Seems a fitting place for her though. Yay.

Newsweek had a very sobering, pessimistic and depressing story about the possibility of attacks with weapons of mass destruction (such as biological pathogens). It's something more for people to be stressed out about.
Beginning to wonder why people are so stressed out and discouraged? Just look and listen to the news these days.
Threat of WMD terrorist attack in future

Auto makers, banks, insurance, state governments, there seems to be a larger and larger list of folk that want $$$.
Still not sure how it's all going to help "Main Street" at all... Maybe, maybe not.

Watched the Laura and George Bush interview with Charles Gibson. It was okay. Nothing really new.
They have the strangest body language with each other. I wonder what their days are like together.

Non Political:

Gun's and Roses cd, something like 17 years in the coming, ain't so great. Sorry Axl.
They're fighting with Dr. Pepper over a free soda deal if the cd came out in 2008. Seriously?

Still struggling with Christmas presents but have some ideas at least.
So far haven't been able to muster much enthusiasm but hopefully it'll get better shortly.
Just have too much on my mind and a little down in the dumps.
I realized tonight that part of my problem is that I stopped working on the book I was writing.
I felt better when my page tally was going upward.

Senior class is one cost after another. Just bought a bunch of pizza's and cheesecakes because we have no relatives to sell all this stuff to... next up is magazines. UGH. I don't want to hit up the few people I know at holiday time to buy overpriced items my senior is selling. January there is the next installment on the Senior Class trip of $200.00.
It's the most expensive year by far!
Well, at least this is the last time we have to do it. Last one in high school.
Hallelujah!!!

Well, G'night for now.
Have a good day.

Laura

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Fifty days left of George W. Bush's, um, administrating...

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The stories coming out of Mumbai, India are very disturbing.
They're also getting information from the terrorist that they captured.
I feel very bad for all those caught in the attack.
I'd never understand such cruelty if I lived to be a thousand.
It also appears that India had some warning about the possibility of terror attack.
What is the point of all this intelligence that everybody collects when it never seems to be listened to by security agencies and governments? So frustrating.

So it's confirmed yet again that we're in a recession (like there was any doubt) and the stock exchange drops.
They say that we'll likely remain in a recession for a long while... duh. Thanks.
Conflicting reports on Black Friday shopping.
People shopped but the stores slashed prices, so with less shoppers and lower profits I don't know how it's a great thing.

Mall was relatively quiet on Sunday evening when we were there after dropping Coll at train.
Got a few good deals didn't at any point have to wait in line (shocking) and prices were pretty low.
Stuck to my budget and didn't buy much (only had one large bag.
Tonight I looked around online for Cyber Monday.
Not too impressed with sales though I did find 3 things I was looking for out there for pretty good prices.
Just ordered, low sale price, rebates and no shipping costs... not bad.
Would say what the things were but inquiring minds (read as relatives and children) would then know what they were getting.
Can't have that now can I?

And now it's formal Barack Obama has formally announced Hillary Clinton for the position of Secretary of State.
I think this is great. Of course not everyone agrees with me but that's fine.
He's put together a solidly competent and intelligent cabinet now we'll see how it works out in real time.

The Chambliss/Martin run off election in Georgia looks like a republican who's who cast of characters.
Giuliani, McCain, Palin, Romney, Huckabee and the other side is the same: Gore, B. Clinton... Amazing!

Still waiting to hear who officially will win the Minnesota election Coleman or Franken.
I'm thinking Coleman but I don't like Franken so I suppose I hold that against him. Ha, don't care that he's a democrat.
I'm just happy that we didn't have another drawn out contentious presidential election.
That would have been horrible.

Can't believe that it's December 1, 2008 all ready.
Doesn't seem possible yet my computer assures me it's true!

Well, let me get this off my chest now maybe it'll help:
AAAaaarrrrggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Not sure it helped my long term stress levels but felt good right now.
In about a week or so that odd thwacking sound you'll hear
is actually the sound my head makes when it hits the table when I realize there aren't enough hours in the day or night to get ready for the holidays.

But then somehow I make it and always enjoy at least the beginning of every year because of the promise of the NEW...

G'night everyone,
Stay sane, if not, try not to show it!

Laura

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