TUESDAY POLITICS

I’ve blogged about CODEPINK before. Started in 2002, it’s a women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end the war in Iraq, stop new wars, and redirect our resources into healthcare, education and other life-affirming activities. As of July 3, along with Global Exchange and Gold Star Families for Peace and a tonload of celebrities including musicians Willie Nelson and Michael Franti, actors Danny Glover, Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon, Gold Star parents Cindy Sheehan and Fernando Suarez, legendary faster and comedian Dick Gregory, environmental activist Diane Wilson, Iraq war veteran Geoffrey Millard and Gulf War vet Michael McPherson, and labor leader Dolores Huerta, they’re going to begin a historic hunger strike against the war in Iraq. At 5 pm, they will sit down in front of the White House to eat their last meal and hold a press conference before beginning the fast at the same location in the morning of July 4 at 10am. So while the rest of us barbecue, the folks in this group will fast as long as they can, ending on September 21, International Peace Day, when activists around the country will initiate a week of nonviolent actions against the war as part of the Declaration of Peace. And while this is happening, in other parts of the country people will begin rolling fasts, passing the fast from person to person every 24 hours. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is. (For more info and a full list of fasters click here.)

Guess the Movie: “The only arithmetic he ever got was hearing the referee count up to ten. “ Answer: On the Waterfront, 1954. Winner: pray14me.

FRIDAY FIVE

Appetizer
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you like your job?
Yes, and it’s definitely a job, not a career, but I’ve been there 21 years so it must not be a 0. I’d say the number has fluctuated over the years but at the moment it’s about a 5. Great salary and benefits and working conditions; administration currently totally noncommunicative, tired of long drive in bad weather in winter especially, no interpersonal contact at all lately. But 5 is workable.

Soup
When was the last time you think you were lied to?
By my government on a daily basis. Just watched the DVD of Syriana (will review later). Major spotlight on high-level corruption.

Salad
Share some lyrics from one of your favorite songs.
“While the world is asleep
You can look at it and weep
Few things you find are worthwhile
And though I don’t ask for much
No material things to touch
Lord, protect my child.

There’ll be a time I hear tell
When all will be well
When God and man will be reconciled
But until men lose their chains
And righteousness reigns
Lord, protect my child.”

Main Course
What do you do/take when you are in pain?
I have almost constant lower back pain, which seems to be worsening gradually over the years as my spine degenerates into fluff. I use one of those little pillow things you can throw in the microwave and heat and put behind your back when you sit. Sleeping through the night often eases the kinks out. Avoiding stress is BIG. Occasional ibuprophen that really doesn’t do that much. Stretching and yoga.

Dessert
Fill in the blanks: My darkest heartcloud is very silver underneath.

Guess the Movie: “If you won’t sleep with me this time I want you to know that you can call me up anytime you want and we’ll make some kind of arrangement.” Answer: The Graduate, 1967. Winner: sfamylou.

THURSDAY WHATEVER

I see myself on
that oldest day
high on a cliff
somewhere, its brow swept
back with grass,
looking out to sea,
still lonely, and reaching
high high up
for the nets of angels
to haul me into
heaven.

I see myself an
iron-hard old woman,
having foaled my share
and spent my gift for
singing to them,
and gone on.

Guess the Movie: “You, my friend, are a victim of disorganized thinking. You are under the unfortunate impression that just because you run away you have no courage; you’re confusing courage with wisdom.” Answer: The Wizard of Oz, 1939. Winner: Iby1014.

WEDNESDAY MOVIE

A Prairie Home Companion

Robert Altman is 81 now and honest-to-god has to have a back-up director on hand in case he croaks while working on whatever is his current film. (And I thought I felt rickety!) I figure at least part of his secret is the joy he gets at a job he obviously loves and has mastered. He’s the king of ensemble drama and overlapping dialogue (like real people talk when they butt in right over what you’re just saying). I haven’t been a huge fan, though I really liked Gosford Park, Cookie’s Fortune, and of course Nashville and MASH. The radio version of Prairie Home Companion is another thing. I came to it late on my car radio on Sundays where there really wasn’t much other choice. What drew me in was the hypnotic sound of Garrison Keillor’s voice, the humorous news of life at Lake Wobegon in faraway Minnesota, and Guy Noir-Private Eye. Keillor has been heading up this charming program for 37 years (there’s a great site here if you want more info). So I was intrigued to see what Altman would do with this beloved piece of radio history. I guess I’d say I had a mixed reaction. On the plus side, the cast was big-time (duets by Meryl Streep and Lilly Tomlin, duets by John C. Reilly and Woody Harrelson, Kevin Kline as Guy Noir, plus delectable cameos by others), cinematography primo, atmosphere smokin’. On the minus side, the plot was pretty darn thin (another Altman trademark) and there wasn’t anywhere near enough Keillor humor for me. But all in all, it was a lark and a gem. Rock on, Sir Altman.

Guess the Movie: “All right, if the applicant is young, tell him he’s too young. Old, too old. Fat, too fat. If the applicant then waits for three days without food, shelter, or encouragement he may then enter and begin his training.” Answer: Fight Club, 1999. Winner: buttermelon.

MONDAY READING

An Inconvenient Truth
by Al Gore

Since the book was published at the same time as the film came out, I’m using it for today’s post even though I haven’t read it yet. I did see the film yesterday and was fascinated and even more impressed than I expected to be. The local cineplex put it in one of the tiny theaters in its group so there were probably only 100 people in the room, so hopefully they were all people who will spread the word. From the clapping at the end I’m guessing they will. Al Gore has been working tirelessly for the environment for years, presenting this particular lecture at least 2000 times all around the world. One turning point in his life was when his only sibling, a sister, died from lung cancer causing the family which had raised tobacco to totally close that part of their lives down. He was turned on to the issue of global warming by an early professor in school and became passionate about it. The film uses cinematography, and very clever visual graphs, charts, cartoons, etc. to make its points. One of my favorites is when Gore gets on a hydraulic lift and has it raise him along with the rise in heat levels over the past few dozen years as they shoot almost straight up on a graph. His delivery is easy to listen to and humorous in spite of how serious the subject is. The point is made that various economic interests have swayed media reports to try to paint the crisis as all a big nothing mistake. But a survey of actual scientists found that not a single one disagreed with the iminent disaster coming if major action isn’t taken Soon. I’m sure some who read this little post are convinced global warming is all a hoax and we should calm the heck down. All I can say is see the film, read the book, visit this web site that Gore recommended, and then let’s talk. My opinion is that, while we can begin doing lots of environmentally forward small things in our daily lives, the real power we have is to contact our politicians and make sure they know just how concerned we are. For that go here.

Deep Thought: “Once, when I got lost in the woods, I was afraid that eventually I might have to eat Tippy. But finally I found my way home, and I was able to put Tippy back in the refrigerator with my other sandwiches.”
Today I am grateful for: Lie detection
Guess the Movie: “Young men make wars, and the virtues of war are the virtues of young men: courage, and hope for the future. Then old men make the peace, and the vices of peace are the vices of old men: mistrust and caution.” Answer: Lawrence of Arabia, 1962. Winner: ChattyCat02.
Medicare Part D Plans Significantly Raised Drug Prices Since Program Began
New Study Shows that Virtually All Medicare Part D Plans Recently Increased Their Prices for the Top 20 Drugs Prescribed to Seniors (Rest of article here.)

SUNDAY GOOD NEWS

First of all, Happy Father’s Day to all dads out there. Mine has been gone for many years now and one of the illnesses he had when he died was Alzheimers. It’s possible that part of what brought it on was extended exposure to toxic chemicals in his years as a farmer before he retired. He was highly educated – Ph.D. in psychology – and taught me to read before I started grade school. I remember him working crossword puzzles a lot in his last years and I’m thinking now maybe he knew what was happening and was trying to slow it down. His huge Random House Dictionary is one of my most precious possessions. So the Good News today is that a vaccine has just been developed for Alzheimer’s disease, which targets the DNA, without any side effects, and has produced promising results in mice. Japanese scientists at the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Neuroscience have demonstrated that when put through tests, the vaccine helped cut levels of amyloid proteins by up to 50 per cent in certain areas of the brain. The proteins are thought to play a major role in the development and progress of the disease. The researchers suggest that DNA vaccines of the type they have produced could provide a cheap and effective strategy for treating Alzheimer’s in future. The findings support the idea that a vaccine is the best hope for fighting this disease for which there is currently no cure. So I hope this gets fast-tracked for humans in time for dads of the future. And to mine I just say, I miss you papa and thanks for all you gave me when you were here.

Deep Thought: “If you think a weakness can be turned into a strength, I hate to tell you this, but that’s another weakness.”
Today I am grateful for: Libraries.
Guess the Movie: Great balls of fire. Don’t bother me anymore, and don’t call me sugar.   Answer:  Gone with the Wind, 1939.  Winner:  SevenOfNine
What Sent Hannah up a Tree
By Robert W. Welkos
The Los Angeles Times
Friday 16 June 200
The actress, arrested at a protest this week after 23 days on the urban farm, is no newcomer to activism or environmentalism.
She became a vegan at the age of 11 after she befriended a little calf being hauled by a truck that was parked near a road. The calf kissed her face for about an hour. When the truck driver appeared, she asked him what the calf’s name was. “Veal, tomorrow morning at 7,” he shot back. (Rest of article here.)

FRIDAY FIVE

Appetizer – What is a word that you use that would not be considered common?
Beats me why the first thing that came to mind was the word “fetch”, as used in the teen movie, Mean Girls, when one girl keeps saying “that is so fetch.” I love that phrase and think it a lot in my head, but I actually rarely say it out loud because I figure hardly anyone would remember where it’s from and they’ll just think I’m nuts. By the way, saw Lindsay Lohan in Prairie Home Companion this week and thought she gave a nice little performance in a rather different role. Quite a nice segue (now there’s a word you don’t hear every day) for her to work alongside a pro like Meryl Streep. That is so fetch, LL.

Soup – What theme of calendar do you have on your wall this year?
Calendar freak here. One in every room of the house. The one in this room is from the company that delivers my oil and has nature photos on it. Living room – one from Reed College where I went freshman year – more nature. Kitchen – one from a realtor I engaged when I thought I might move who later dropped off my map – more nature. Bathroom – the Humane Society – animal children, thank god. Bedroom – Hawaii – scenes from there. Gotta love those free calendars. Even the last one someone gave me. But I would have bought them for every room anyway if the free ones hadn’t arrived.

Salad – Name 3 people you speak with by telephone a regular basis.
My daughter, turtle_dove, my son (her younger brother), and my Recovery sponsee, with whom I just had a weekly meeting at my house and then went to an AA meeting. I’m more of an email person actually. Funny how that’s come to be. Are we losing the art of actual voice connection? I know I’m not the only one.

Main Course – If you could buy a new outfit for someone you know – who would it be and what would you purchase for them?
I have a 10-year-old granddaughter who has weight issues and is already self-conscious about it. I often watch for outfits for her on the occasions when I shop for myself that would make her feel comfortable and at ease. I keep them at my house for times when she visits and feels like trying on something new.

Dessert – What is the last beverage you drank?
Coffee at the meeting I attended earlier. I pretty much keep it to 3 cups a day – usually decaf.

Deep Thought: “Instead of a regular arm, Carl had been born with a pigeon’s wing. The odd thing was, all through his life, no one had ever laughed at his wing – not even the mean kids at school. Then one day he realized why: He looked in the mirror and saw that HE WAS A PIGEON! He shit right there, as he often did, wherever he was.”
Today I am grateful for: Liberals no matter how far left they get.
Guess the Movie: “I want someone good, I mean very good, to plant that gun. I don’t want my brother coming out of the bathroom with just his dick in his hands.” Answer: The Godfather, 1972. Winner: pray14me.
Soldier’s Duty: Say No to Illegal War
by Michael Honey
Lost in the media frenzy over the killing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, First Lt. Ehren Watada, of Fort Lewis, opened another front in the conflict over President Bush’s war of choice in Iraq. At a news conference in Tacoma a few hours before al-Zarqawi’s death, Watada announced his refusal of orders to deploy to Iraq on grounds that the war is illegal as well as immoral. (Rest of article here.)

THURSDAY WHATEVER

Summer is almost here – well, next Wednesday officially. Solstice is such a comfy word, meaning sliding gently from one season to another in June and again in December. We have a pretty mild climate here in Oregon, so our hardest task is waiting out the endless rainy grey skies till we turn that corner. It’s hanging on longer than usual this year. Tomorrow I’m going to see the new Al Gore movie on global warming, An Inconvenient Truth. Not that I need to be convinced, but I’ve heard he makes a particularly good case and is also very charming compared to how stiff he was during the election campaign. The least I can do is support the film’s success. And while the sun works on the earth and its plants, world leaders are preparing for the next G8 summit in Russia where last year’s priority, climate change and the environment, will be pushed aside for this year’s lead topic – terrorism. Just for today, it seems like the earth will keep turning and the solstice will arrive right on time. Tomorrow, next year, our children’s and grandchildren’s years – it may be a close race between frying by holes in the ozone or by nuclear warfare. I love this turning planet and I hope there are miracles.

Deep Thought: “People think it would be fun to be a bird because you could fly. But they forget the negative side, which is the preening.”
Today I am grateful for: Liability insurance
Guess the Movie: “Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she had to walk into mine.”  Answer:  Casablanca, 1942.  Winner:  hypatia.
A Whiff of Brimstone, a Shameful Silence on Coulter
by Joe Conason
With
the predictable regularity of a locust plague, Ann Coulter and her
enablers at the once-reputable firm of Random House have issued yet
another volume of fascistic entertainment. Now the hard-drinking,
trash-talking, fortysomething bachelorette bills herself as a Christian
moralist, in holy battle against the liberal heathens. (Rest of article
here.)

SATURDAY PHOTO       

New England Barn

by Arnold Newman (1918-2006)

Arnold Newman died Tuesday in New York City at age 88.   He was actually known best for portrait photography of most of the great celebrities of the 20th century.  Here are some of his photos.  What he brought to portraits that was new was to show how the environment in the photo could express who the person was
- like this portrait of Barnett Newman, an abstract expressionist painter.  He carried his camera and lighting equipment to his subjects, capturing them in their surroundings and used a large-format camera and tripod to ensure that every detail of a scene was recorded.  He was born in New York and was a painter first but had to leave school because of the Depression.  Then he got a job as an assistant in a photography studio in Philadelphia and fell in love with it.  He took a portfolio to the Museum of Modern Art in New York and got his first show at age 23.  Five years ater, he started freelancing.  The New York Times and Life magazine started hiring him.  “We don’t take photographs with our cameras,” Newman once told Vanity Fair. “We take them with our hearts and minds.”  He is survived by his wife, Augusta, two sons and four grandchildren.

Deep Thought:  “The first thing was, I learned to forgive myself. Then I told myself, “Go ahead and do whatever you want, it’s okay by me.” Today I am grateful for:  My legs Guess the Movie:  “A
fellow will remember a lot of things you wouldn’t think he’d remember. You take me. One day, back in 1896, I was crossing over to Jersey on the ferry, and as we pulled out, there was another ferry pulling in, and on it there was a girl waiting to get off. A white dress she had on. She was carrying a white parasol. I only saw her for one second. She didn’t see me at all, but I’ll bet a month hasn’t gone by since that I haven’t thought of that girl.” Answer: Citizen Kane, 1941. Winner: lowflyingsquab.
Who Will Get, and Pay for, the Cervical Cancer Vaccine?
The newly approved vaccine is a major breakthrough, but tough questions about its cost and target market remain.  (Rest of article here.)

THURSDAY WHATEVER



June is Adopt A Cat Month

Not that I’m going to myself, as I already have four.  But the ASPCA
and the American Humane are hoping you will.    Two of mine
were given to me by family members who couldn’t keep them and two are
strays who arrived in my backyard.  I’ve drawn the line
there.  It’s a big responsibility to have a pet.  Vets are
unbelievably expensive.  Getting a cat’s teeth cleaned costs up to
$500 because they have to knock them out to do it.  Even if they
don’t get sick, there’s the yearly shots and flea meds.  But
they’re great low-maintenance pets compared to dogs, who really have a
hard time if they’re left alone at home much.  Mine have several
modes – sleep, pace, sleep, eat, sleep, watch the neighborhood, and
sleep.  My house came with a built-in cat door so they go in and
out at will.   So there it is – I’m a cat person.  These
four will have a good home till they croak.  I hope many of those
in shelters will find homes too this month.

Deep Thought:  “On the other hand, we have different fingers.”
Today I am grateful for:  Left turns.
Guess the Movie:  “WHAT
DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE WHERE YOU BUY UNDERWEAR? WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES
IT MAKE? UNDERWEAR IS UNDERWEAR! IT IS UNDERWEAR WHEREVER YOU BUY IT!
IN CINCINNATTI OR WHEREVER!”  Answer:  Rain Man, 1988.  Winner:  pray14me.
Father of Beheaded Man Blames Bush, Not Zarqawi

by Jon Hurdle
PHILADELPHIA – Michael Berg, whose son Nick was beheaded in Iraq in
2004, said on Thursday he felt no sense of relief at the killing of the
al Qaeda leader in Iraq and blamed President Bush for his son’s
death.  (Rest of article here.)