I sat here this afternoon watching Anthony Weiner admit to lying to his wife, his constituents, his supports and to the press (according to them the worse of all the lies were to them!!!) When will these guys realize that the cover up is worse than the sin? In this day and age everything comes out eventually.
This past weekend I attended the NCGOP Convention in Wilmington. One of the things we had to do was elect new officers. Robin Hayes won easily after Marcus Kindly removed his name. The race was tighter over the Vice Chair position. The sitting VC, Timothy Johnson, is a lot like others that I know in the party. If he was who he says he is he would be great. But he is not. He send around an email that stated Con. Allen West of Fla. endorsed him. West never endorses folks. Johnson had literature printed up stating this and also had buttons printed with his picture along side West. His supporters were wearing them. So when it came time to make his speech he stated that he had made a mistake in claiming West was endorsing him. A MISTAKE by ass. He did it with the hopes no one would call him on it. Well he was. Now he is going around saying he would not work with the man who beat him. I have also seen posts in which his supporters say it was an anti-tea party vote. No it was not, at least in my case. For me it was a vote on integrity with Johnson does not have. This will be a good test for Johnson. Let's see if he in fact does go out and work for the party and support the candidates or if he will sulk off and suck his thumb and whine about losing because he is a tea party member. Is he going to play the race card? Or is he going to go out and continue to recruit Black Americans? Time will tell.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Day 4 - Israel Trip
Left Tel Aviv early in the morning heading first out to Caesaria. Drove along the Med and despite the rain it was a beautiful drive. Build during time of King Herod – named after Caesar Augustus
Build 100bc – born to a Bedouin tribe – forced to be converted into Judism Became a powerful officer in the army – Romans did not know what to do, it put Jewish king in place, Jews hated Herod – built as a Roman pagan city, Flavius wrote a lot about Herod – he killed his children so they would not take power away from him. He built Masada as a place to escape to. Roman governor lived here, Pontius Pilate lived here – 7th century, Muslim came and conquered and destroyed – Crusaders in 1099 important not as a site but as a harbor and built a small city and conquered again by the Ottomans/ Deserted again – 4000 people can sit in the theater. The original walls and most of the city are in the sea but you can see the outlines of the place.
We left there and went to the Galilee Mts to Nazareth. We visited the Church of the Annunciation. The spot where the angel appeared to Mary and told her she would have a child. It is relatively new church but very interesting with the ruins that you can see underneath it. Nazareth is an Arab city today which produces a lot of tensions. When the Pope visited in 2000 the Arabs put up signs all over the city basically say there is no god but Allah. Some are still up
We then left and drove down to the Sea of Galilee (which in reality is a lake not a sea) and up to the Golan Heights. To quote Henry Kissenger, you can read out it, you can study it, but until you see the territory from the heights you do not understand it. I now understand much better why the Israelis do not want to return it to the Syrians. We then drove across the Heights – which is a plateau about 80 miles long – all overlooking Israel – to the Sea of Galilee and the town of Tiberious for lunch at a place called Decks. It was right on the Sea and the food was outstanding.
After that we drove to Jerusalem along the Jordan Valley. By this time it was dark and we were not able to see very much. We arrived in Jerusalem about 7pm just in time to go to dinner. Tomorrow will have meetings again all day starting with breakfast.
Build 100bc – born to a Bedouin tribe – forced to be converted into Judism Became a powerful officer in the army – Romans did not know what to do, it put Jewish king in place, Jews hated Herod – built as a Roman pagan city, Flavius wrote a lot about Herod – he killed his children so they would not take power away from him. He built Masada as a place to escape to. Roman governor lived here, Pontius Pilate lived here – 7th century, Muslim came and conquered and destroyed – Crusaders in 1099 important not as a site but as a harbor and built a small city and conquered again by the Ottomans/ Deserted again – 4000 people can sit in the theater. The original walls and most of the city are in the sea but you can see the outlines of the place.
We left there and went to the Galilee Mts to Nazareth. We visited the Church of the Annunciation. The spot where the angel appeared to Mary and told her she would have a child. It is relatively new church but very interesting with the ruins that you can see underneath it. Nazareth is an Arab city today which produces a lot of tensions. When the Pope visited in 2000 the Arabs put up signs all over the city basically say there is no god but Allah. Some are still up
We then left and drove down to the Sea of Galilee (which in reality is a lake not a sea) and up to the Golan Heights. To quote Henry Kissenger, you can read out it, you can study it, but until you see the territory from the heights you do not understand it. I now understand much better why the Israelis do not want to return it to the Syrians. We then drove across the Heights – which is a plateau about 80 miles long – all overlooking Israel – to the Sea of Galilee and the town of Tiberious for lunch at a place called Decks. It was right on the Sea and the food was outstanding.
After that we drove to Jerusalem along the Jordan Valley. By this time it was dark and we were not able to see very much. We arrived in Jerusalem about 7pm just in time to go to dinner. Tomorrow will have meetings again all day starting with breakfast.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Day 2 - Israel Trip
Woke up early this morning, had breakfast and then walked the promenade. The Sea is beautiful and right across the street from the hotel. I walked for hours, had lunch, cleaned up and met the group at 2pm. It is an interesting group -- there are 5 of us and Mervin. There are professors from Emery, GW, University of Texas at Austin, Hunter College, and myself. There are two women and the rest are men. We started off sitting around a conference table talking about the day and coming week. We then left and went to the Tel Aviv Museum of Modern Art. It was interesting but modern art is not my thing. I really don't understand abstractism but they also has some old masters and one room in particular which was filled with displays of miniature future from different periods. We then went to Old Jaffa. That is one place I would love to return to and spend more time in. Our guide took us to the top of the mountain (?) where we could overlook Jaffa and Tel Aviv and get an excellent idea of how close things are.
There is a church in Old Jaffa -- St. Peter's -- named for the apostle Paul who visited there and preformed a miracle -- this was after Jesus death -- he brought a young girl back to life to symbolize that he was the successor to Jesus. This was also the area where Napoleon landed and killed all the residents to rid the area of Ottomans. The history here is amazing. The town is full of winding stairways and walks with small stores. None of which we got to stop and look at in much detail.
After this we went to Pinhas Maoz, an attorney, who has advised various political figures. Pinhas talked with us about law in Israel. We had a lively discussion about human rights. I did not know that Israel does not have a constitution. They have several basic laws but not written constitution. The main reason is how do you write one to cover all the various factions, sects, religions, etc. Fascinating talk. We discussed such things as who is a Jew? How do you define one? If you want to get married where and how? Different courts -- there is a rabbinical court for the Jews and a Muslim court for the Muslims.
After our meeting with him we joined one of Israel's leading political scientists , Gideon Doreon for dinner and had a wonderful free ranging discussion of the political system in Israel today and how they got to where they are today. Dinner was excellent and we walked back to our hotel. Keep in mind it is 10:47pm here and we are all worn out. Several of the group just arrived from the States today and they are really whipped.
As usual I managed to lose something, I always seem to leave things, this time it was my sun glasses. Am going to have to find a pair I can wear for the next week until I get home.
We are going to have a full day of meetings tomorrow which I will report on tomorrow night.
Statistics -- I walked 16,164 steps for a total of 6.63 miles.
There is a church in Old Jaffa -- St. Peter's -- named for the apostle Paul who visited there and preformed a miracle -- this was after Jesus death -- he brought a young girl back to life to symbolize that he was the successor to Jesus. This was also the area where Napoleon landed and killed all the residents to rid the area of Ottomans. The history here is amazing. The town is full of winding stairways and walks with small stores. None of which we got to stop and look at in much detail.
After this we went to Pinhas Maoz, an attorney, who has advised various political figures. Pinhas talked with us about law in Israel. We had a lively discussion about human rights. I did not know that Israel does not have a constitution. They have several basic laws but not written constitution. The main reason is how do you write one to cover all the various factions, sects, religions, etc. Fascinating talk. We discussed such things as who is a Jew? How do you define one? If you want to get married where and how? Different courts -- there is a rabbinical court for the Jews and a Muslim court for the Muslims.
After our meeting with him we joined one of Israel's leading political scientists , Gideon Doreon for dinner and had a wonderful free ranging discussion of the political system in Israel today and how they got to where they are today. Dinner was excellent and we walked back to our hotel. Keep in mind it is 10:47pm here and we are all worn out. Several of the group just arrived from the States today and they are really whipped.
As usual I managed to lose something, I always seem to leave things, this time it was my sun glasses. Am going to have to find a pair I can wear for the next week until I get home.
We are going to have a full day of meetings tomorrow which I will report on tomorrow night.
Statistics -- I walked 16,164 steps for a total of 6.63 miles.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Day 1 - Israel Trip
This has been a long day. Left the house a little after 11am in dense fog. I wasn't sure if when I got to the airport I would be able to get out of GSO. But there were no delays and I got to Philly on time. Spent the $50 for a day pass to the US Airways Club and it was worth it. It was an island of quiet. The 6 hour wait passed very quickly and I was able to get a few things done. I was curious about security for the flight to Israel. I had passed through security in Greensboro and with the Israeli reputation of being very security conscience I did not know what to expect. But it was easy and smooth. There was another security area that one had to pass through to get to the boarding area. Flight was not full and I was lucky enough not to have a seat mate so I could spread out.
The surprise came when I left the airplane and as I started to walk up the ramp to the terminal I saw a man holding a card with my name on it. Turns out he was sent from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (from now on MFA) to help expedite my way through customs. We went out the door, down the steps to the tarmac where we walked around the corner and got into a car. He then drove around the airport to immigrations where he took my passport and we went to the head of the line. Got my luggage and put me in a car to the hotel. I have never traveled like this and I rather liked it!!!!
Hotel is right on the beach and is very nice. Rooms are small and there are not nearly enough outlets, but then again in most hotels there aren't. Arrived at the hotel about 4:30 and laid down to take a short nap. My plans were to take a short nap and then walk around for a while. I woke up at midnight!!! There goes the plans to walk around tonight. But plan on getting up early and walking and perhaps even make it to the fitness center.
I am to meet up with the group at 2pm and I am excited to meet the other members and to find out what all we will be doing.
Off to bed again. More tomorrow.
The surprise came when I left the airplane and as I started to walk up the ramp to the terminal I saw a man holding a card with my name on it. Turns out he was sent from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (from now on MFA) to help expedite my way through customs. We went out the door, down the steps to the tarmac where we walked around the corner and got into a car. He then drove around the airport to immigrations where he took my passport and we went to the head of the line. Got my luggage and put me in a car to the hotel. I have never traveled like this and I rather liked it!!!!
Hotel is right on the beach and is very nice. Rooms are small and there are not nearly enough outlets, but then again in most hotels there aren't. Arrived at the hotel about 4:30 and laid down to take a short nap. My plans were to take a short nap and then walk around for a while. I woke up at midnight!!! There goes the plans to walk around tonight. But plan on getting up early and walking and perhaps even make it to the fitness center.
I am to meet up with the group at 2pm and I am excited to meet the other members and to find out what all we will be doing.
Off to bed again. More tomorrow.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning
I wish the MSM and FOX would stop talking about the Bush Tax Cuts!!! What Congress is talking about is keeping the tax levels at the current rate not cutting them. If the Democrats manage to pass an extension of the current tax rates minus those making over $250,000 a year it should be called the Obama TAX INCREASE!!
Have been reading the articles about how Obama has lost his communication skills. I would tend to disagree. If you read his speeches they are very well written and most of the time his reading of them from his Teleprompter is adequate. So what is the problem? He has lost his ability to persuade. I have always argued that the biggest power a president has his his ability to persuade and when he loses that he is in trouble. Along with the ability to persuade comes the projecting the fear of hurting in Congress. Obama seems stuck in the days of massive approval ratings and doesn't yet seem to realize that his party and therefore him lost in November. Obama is unable to persuade the folks. He also can not "threaten" Congress except to campaign for them!!! His problem is not that he has been unable to communication his proposals; it is that he has been unable to persuade people to follow his lead. I think the biggest mistake he made was that people voted for change but change in the culture of Washington not for change in our system of government. He confused the two and to add to the confused mix he thought his win in 2008 was a mandate. It was a vote against Republican rule for the most part not a mandate for him and his desire to change the fundamental nature of our country. I hope the Republicans in the House do not fall into that trap.
Speaking of the Republicans, they seem to be getting off to a good start. A lot of what they are doing is symbolic right now and they need to keep this up. Boehner giving up the military jet was a great idea. I still don't understand why anyone but Boehner and perhaps the minority leader needs a car and driver. The rest of them should cab it or drive themselves or take the metro or have staff drive them. And they also should go through security at the airport. In fact I would recommend that all the Congressmen go through security at the airports and while in line talk to the people (without identifying themselves as congressmen) and really listen to the people who make this country work instead of the lobbyists and interest groups.
I am glad that Thanksgiving is over. My husband died a few days before Thanksgiving several years ago and as a result the holiday is rather bittersweet for me. Christmas is a little better.
Am looking forward to going to Israel the first of the year. It is one of those places I never thought I would get do. One doesn't necessarily wake up one morning and say let's go. I will be there during Orthodox Christmas so it should be festive.
Am still getting used to the new Weight Watchers point system. I intellectually know I have more points and that most fruit and vegetables are zero points but a number of things I have eaten on the last points program now are much higher -- ie Vita top muffins went from 1 to 3 points. Ugh. We will see.
Have been reading the articles about how Obama has lost his communication skills. I would tend to disagree. If you read his speeches they are very well written and most of the time his reading of them from his Teleprompter is adequate. So what is the problem? He has lost his ability to persuade. I have always argued that the biggest power a president has his his ability to persuade and when he loses that he is in trouble. Along with the ability to persuade comes the projecting the fear of hurting in Congress. Obama seems stuck in the days of massive approval ratings and doesn't yet seem to realize that his party and therefore him lost in November. Obama is unable to persuade the folks. He also can not "threaten" Congress except to campaign for them!!! His problem is not that he has been unable to communication his proposals; it is that he has been unable to persuade people to follow his lead. I think the biggest mistake he made was that people voted for change but change in the culture of Washington not for change in our system of government. He confused the two and to add to the confused mix he thought his win in 2008 was a mandate. It was a vote against Republican rule for the most part not a mandate for him and his desire to change the fundamental nature of our country. I hope the Republicans in the House do not fall into that trap.
Speaking of the Republicans, they seem to be getting off to a good start. A lot of what they are doing is symbolic right now and they need to keep this up. Boehner giving up the military jet was a great idea. I still don't understand why anyone but Boehner and perhaps the minority leader needs a car and driver. The rest of them should cab it or drive themselves or take the metro or have staff drive them. And they also should go through security at the airport. In fact I would recommend that all the Congressmen go through security at the airports and while in line talk to the people (without identifying themselves as congressmen) and really listen to the people who make this country work instead of the lobbyists and interest groups.
I am glad that Thanksgiving is over. My husband died a few days before Thanksgiving several years ago and as a result the holiday is rather bittersweet for me. Christmas is a little better.
Am looking forward to going to Israel the first of the year. It is one of those places I never thought I would get do. One doesn't necessarily wake up one morning and say let's go. I will be there during Orthodox Christmas so it should be festive.
Am still getting used to the new Weight Watchers point system. I intellectually know I have more points and that most fruit and vegetables are zero points but a number of things I have eaten on the last points program now are much higher -- ie Vita top muffins went from 1 to 3 points. Ugh. We will see.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Sunday morning
What a wonderful day outside. I love this time of year.
Read all the coverage of the One Nation rally yesterday in Washington sponored by the unions, self described socialists/communists, liberals and others. Not as well attended as Beck's rally the end of August. The press was rather critical of it and showed a number of pictures of how the Mall was left when the rally was over. I was surprised at that. Conservatives tend to pick up after themselves, Liberals leave it for someone else to do. Rather indicative of their political philosophy, don't ya think?
Yesterday on the Mall after the rally:
After the Beck rally:
Guess that is what unions are for -- to clean up after liberal rallies!!
Just about 30 days until the November elections. The American public has not been paying attention for years and to quote President Obama's pastor "the chickens have come home to roost!!" I have talked with people all over the US and folks are scared. They don't know what is going to happen with taxes, health care, energy, and a variety of other issues. They woke up one morning and saw what was going on in Washington. The massive increase in debt, the huge increase in federal employees, the increase in new agencies along with the new rules and regulations, the huge increase in IRS agents to make sure that everyone has health care, and the list goes on and on. For the first time people in this country are afraid that their children will not have the opportunity to have the good life that they have had. It doesn't really matter when and under whose administration it started, it is ending up under the Obama administration and he is reaping the blame. As he should as he has had a big hand in growing government.
But it is not just at the federal level, everywhere one looks one sees how government has broken down yet it is costing us more and more each year. Look at what is happening here in NC. This week's scandal was the over payment of unemployment benefits by the state and the state's attempt to recover those over payments. It amounts to somewhere in the neighborhood of $28 million (yes that is Million). Now the state has decided not to recover this money which means the taxpayers are not in the hole for an addition $28M. This is in addition to the SBI scandal and the state lab scandal and Perdue's lack of reporting of "free" flights during the campaign to rumors of fmr Governor Easly's indictment.
Then you get to the local level where the front page today has a long story on the number of teachers in the local school system who have been indicted for abusing school children. It appears the school board's attorney did not report complaints to the police department in a timely manner which meant those teachers were in the classroom longer than they should be. There were also several cases where the teacher was transferred and the new school was not informed of the complaints.
So there is a sense out there that something has to be done. We have got to start paying attention at ALL levels of government. The days of just ignoring things because the "don't impact us" has to be over. We as a country can no longer afford to not pay attention. It is time to make major changes in this country.
So if you aren't registered to vote, get registered. And if you are, vote on election day.
At the state level keep in mind that the Democrats have been in total control of this state since 1898 with the exception of 4 years in the state House and two Republican governors. When one party has total control and has in effect no opposition they tend to become correct. Doesn't matter which party it is - it just is. So here in NC the Democrats need to be thrown out and the Republicans need to be given an opportunity. It will be hard as they will have to deal with a $3 Billion deficit next year; some how they will have to close that gap in order to balance the budget next year (not including the latest $23M over compensation).
Read all the coverage of the One Nation rally yesterday in Washington sponored by the unions, self described socialists/communists, liberals and others. Not as well attended as Beck's rally the end of August. The press was rather critical of it and showed a number of pictures of how the Mall was left when the rally was over. I was surprised at that. Conservatives tend to pick up after themselves, Liberals leave it for someone else to do. Rather indicative of their political philosophy, don't ya think?
Yesterday on the Mall after the rally:
After the Beck rally:
Just about 30 days until the November elections. The American public has not been paying attention for years and to quote President Obama's pastor "the chickens have come home to roost!!" I have talked with people all over the US and folks are scared. They don't know what is going to happen with taxes, health care, energy, and a variety of other issues. They woke up one morning and saw what was going on in Washington. The massive increase in debt, the huge increase in federal employees, the increase in new agencies along with the new rules and regulations, the huge increase in IRS agents to make sure that everyone has health care, and the list goes on and on. For the first time people in this country are afraid that their children will not have the opportunity to have the good life that they have had. It doesn't really matter when and under whose administration it started, it is ending up under the Obama administration and he is reaping the blame. As he should as he has had a big hand in growing government.
But it is not just at the federal level, everywhere one looks one sees how government has broken down yet it is costing us more and more each year. Look at what is happening here in NC. This week's scandal was the over payment of unemployment benefits by the state and the state's attempt to recover those over payments. It amounts to somewhere in the neighborhood of $28 million (yes that is Million). Now the state has decided not to recover this money which means the taxpayers are not in the hole for an addition $28M. This is in addition to the SBI scandal and the state lab scandal and Perdue's lack of reporting of "free" flights during the campaign to rumors of fmr Governor Easly's indictment.
Then you get to the local level where the front page today has a long story on the number of teachers in the local school system who have been indicted for abusing school children. It appears the school board's attorney did not report complaints to the police department in a timely manner which meant those teachers were in the classroom longer than they should be. There were also several cases where the teacher was transferred and the new school was not informed of the complaints.
So there is a sense out there that something has to be done. We have got to start paying attention at ALL levels of government. The days of just ignoring things because the "don't impact us" has to be over. We as a country can no longer afford to not pay attention. It is time to make major changes in this country.
So if you aren't registered to vote, get registered. And if you are, vote on election day.
At the state level keep in mind that the Democrats have been in total control of this state since 1898 with the exception of 4 years in the state House and two Republican governors. When one party has total control and has in effect no opposition they tend to become correct. Doesn't matter which party it is - it just is. So here in NC the Democrats need to be thrown out and the Republicans need to be given an opportunity. It will be hard as they will have to deal with a $3 Billion deficit next year; some how they will have to close that gap in order to balance the budget next year (not including the latest $23M over compensation).
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Mussings at the end of the week
For the second time in two weeks I have almost been hit by a biker on the WFU campus who was going the WRONG way on a one way street. Crossing from the parking lot to Carswell, it is one way right to left. The biker this week came tearing down the road from left to right. When I yelled out, you are going the wrong way on a one way street he yelled back yea I know. This is what drives me crazy about bikers, the belief that the law does not apply to them. It does. They have to obey all the laws of the road. I wonder if the WFU police would give them a ticket if they say it happening? So, from now on I will look both ways when crossing from the lot to the building.
Went to a 5th CD Executive Committee meeting yesterday held at Shatley Springs. The owner of Shatley Springs, Lee McMillian, is a big republican -- of course the entire area is a big republican area. Shatley Springs is a wonderful place to go about once a year. Before going one should fast for a day or so. It is a family style resturant which means they place bowls and platters of food at the table and if you are not with a group they sit you where there are seats (regardless of whether or not you know them). We had breakfast and placed on the table before us were platters of country ham, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, grits, fried potatoes, baked apples, and the best biscuits one has ever eaten along with gravy. As the platters and bowls empty they are replaced. Great stuff but in no one's world low calorie.
It is always great to meet up with folks and friends from around the district. Of course this looks like a great year for Republicans.
The mountain's were beautiful and every time I drive up there I fall in love. Then I think about the winter time and the snow. Those mountain roads are curvy and narrow. I stopped on the way down to visit a friend who had just bought a place up there. He is down a very narrow road but once you get there and sit out back it is as if you were the only people on the mountain. The view was amazing. It was so quiet, all one could hear were the birds. The view was mountains and woods. I could imagine myself sitting on the deck and grading papers or reading a book. As the afternoon went on you could see the shadows moving across the hills, really beautiful.
It's Sunday and it is in the 70s and it is raining. All the windows are open and it smells so good. I love this time of year.
Went to a 5th CD Executive Committee meeting yesterday held at Shatley Springs. The owner of Shatley Springs, Lee McMillian, is a big republican -- of course the entire area is a big republican area. Shatley Springs is a wonderful place to go about once a year. Before going one should fast for a day or so. It is a family style resturant which means they place bowls and platters of food at the table and if you are not with a group they sit you where there are seats (regardless of whether or not you know them). We had breakfast and placed on the table before us were platters of country ham, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, grits, fried potatoes, baked apples, and the best biscuits one has ever eaten along with gravy. As the platters and bowls empty they are replaced. Great stuff but in no one's world low calorie.
It is always great to meet up with folks and friends from around the district. Of course this looks like a great year for Republicans.
The mountain's were beautiful and every time I drive up there I fall in love. Then I think about the winter time and the snow. Those mountain roads are curvy and narrow. I stopped on the way down to visit a friend who had just bought a place up there. He is down a very narrow road but once you get there and sit out back it is as if you were the only people on the mountain. The view was amazing. It was so quiet, all one could hear were the birds. The view was mountains and woods. I could imagine myself sitting on the deck and grading papers or reading a book. As the afternoon went on you could see the shadows moving across the hills, really beautiful.
It's Sunday and it is in the 70s and it is raining. All the windows are open and it smells so good. I love this time of year.
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