Friggin Katrina

Last night late, I tried to call my friend the Hippy.  He resides in Colorado, a place that isn't under the spell of Katrina.  I couldn't connect to him.  It dawned on me today that the cell signal towers were out because of this spirit of far reaching winds.

Panic set in on me this morning when I realized that I have people I care for who live in Mississippi and Louisiana that I had not kept contact with due to personal differences.  Today taught me, as I sought any way to contact them--only to fail, that it is far better to keep in touch; because you never know, I mean you just never know when we shall forever disappear from each other's lives.

I cannot watch these stories without having a part of my heart shredded. Yet, I do.  Pain is the only way I can drum up the presence of those who can't contact anyone to let them know they are alive.  God protect them, feed them, and lead them to safety. 

If this was something I could repent of and it would stop, then I would do so. Let those of us who pray continue to do so. 

Today's Conversations and Odd Tidbits

Today, everywhere I went, people were talking about the hurricane Katrina. But, like Katrina, our conversations took some unexpected twists and turns.  The most alarming comment was how the weather front did the most devastation in the "red" states.  I won't repeat what followed, but if you have any recollection of those states, you can guess where the conversation ended up.  Check out the red state/blue state map.

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/election/

I spoke with a man who spoke no English.  He was from Chile.  I did pretty good on my own but did much better with his cousin as our interpreter.  I inquired about the savings certificates that all their people had now that they had a privatized social retirement program.  I explained that my curiousity peeked when our president told us how well it was doing, how happy and proud the people of Chile are with their savings books that they carry on them as he tried to sell our country on the idea.  This fellow warned me and told me that the rich are all busy selling us untruths.  He explained that not one of them is being truthful that they are in the golden boot (collusion) together. He told me about General, César Gaviria, distinguished former President of Colombia and how he too had fallen to the side of untruth that the people in Chile have never been so discontent.  So I decided to look this fellow up and check out what date this speech of his was, and who was present.  I did more follow-up and this fellow was telling me the truth.  Here is the link:

http://www.oas.org/speeches/speech.asp?sCodigo=02-0342

I asked some folks if they heard what happened to Dick Luger (R-Ind) and Barack Obama (D-Ill) while trying to leave out of Russia to continue their trip to Ukraine.  Each and every person who knew the name Obama ,skipped over the little problem the two senators met up with. They all said something like this. "Obama for president!"  Interesting.  As a matter of fact, I think he would make a fine leader.  More curious is why the National Security Force of Russia wanted to search Obama's and Luger's plane, especially since it is against international diplomatic policy.  This occured in Perm, Russia.  If I were Obama, I'd be watching my back. And.... what about Luger and Obama????  I mean, what an odd couple!

Like the block buster movie of the week, Cindy Sheehan continues to be high on the spin list of the media.  I've been patient as they paint pretty much the same picture of what one little gal from Vacaville, Calif. has accomplished; and, still the media misses the mark.  This one woman has acquired the attention of international media and what is on display to the entire world?  Democracy-Liberty-Freedom of expression.  Not only that, she has many people dissenting her dissent.  This my friends is huge news! Huge!  The entire world is watching as one woman has succeeded in making herself heard in a time where a supposedly evil country like the United States does nothing to stop her.  Not only that, others are opposing this one woman.  She must be important!   Imagine, one woman being that important.  Imagine others being allowed to disagree and not be shot or imprisoned.  The world is getting a far different picture of democracy and America that it had with the promise of freedom that lead to a war which destroyed all resources the people need.

On the other hand, the world sat watching a show they might never have watched had some American not used his liberties so  irresponsibly.  Yup, Pat Robertson was at it again.  It wasn't bad enough that he said to his viewers (I happened to be channel surfing and caught him!) that Muslims believe they are rewarded heavily when they are martyred, so why don't we go make martyrs out of every last one of them.  This time he merely thought assassintation would be more cost effective so why don't we assassinate this evil communist, good friend of America's enemy, Fidel Castro.

Cindy Sheehan used our rights and it was good for the world to see.  Robertson used our rights irresponsibly and the ripples haven't slapped our asses yet--but they will.  Still, I'm a firm believer that if you don't use it, you lose it (have it taken away) but freedom comes with responsibility.  Live and learn; or die a dummy.  Good job Ms. Sheehan! Pat, Pat, Pat<slap!!!>

One more thing, check out the Hutchinson-Wampoa Shipping lines.  Would you  be surprised to learn that they are owned by the Chinese Army? 

http://www.fmc.gov/reading/ChinaOceanShippingCompany.asp

They control the northern and southern entrance of the Panama Canal. 

Our Troops

I subscribe to military news in hardcopy and online.  Today, one of my favorite web sites shared a woman's blog who is in Iraq.  The Military Government has decided that they must monitor the blogs of our military personnel for security reasons. 

There is an upside to this but also a downside.  For some of us, their words will be the last we shall ever see of them.  They have to all registar to blog now.  Soon, they will all have to have special clearance to send emails home.

Come home dear ones.  Come home to us soon.

Below is one of my favorite links.  If you are into conspiracy links, you won't find a conspiracy here--just old fashioned information.

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,FL_blogs_081305,00.html?ESRC=dod.nl

Today

Today I noticed that people were more relaxed, almost resigned to something I could not see with my eyes. I could sure feel it, whatever it was.  I figured since it was my only day off, Tuesday, I'd take a drive.  I thought about going to a favorite coffee house in Vallejo called Listen and Be Heard.  It is where poets gather and good coffee is served.  At the last minute I headed toward the I80 instead. 

The gas station where I filled up last week at $2.45 a gallon, today advertised gas at $2.68 a gallon.  I turned on the radio and thought about the inflation our president spoke of as being at an all time low just yesterday while in New Mexico.  I wondered when we could get some relief before I had to resort in raising my prices--just one more added expense to my clients already stretched budgets. Then as if on cue, the news announced that our prime rate is due to increase by a sizeable amount which means our credit card interest rates are about to go up.  Great.  Friggin great.

I ended up at a new casino just 20 miles away.  It was totally packed.  People from every walk of life were plunking their dollars away.  Me too. I enjoyed myself and didn't spend too much, thank God. On the way home, every restaurant and bar was packed.  I guess folks figured like I did, that what the hell.  Better spend it before some stranger claims it as their interest.

We are in an unhealthy period financially.  It is nationwide.  The trick is to eat very little, do next to nothing unless it involves earning a living, and invest anything you have leftover into something that has a chance of earning money.  I asked folks at the slot machines what they thought about the economy.  They all had lost money in their retirement plans--blue collar workers and average middle class folks.  What struck me as one of those things where you just go "huh...", was that every person I spoke to figured they had a better chance of bettering their current situation through gambling!  Holy Smokes!  I went there to win as well.  Who gambles to lose?  Still, we must ask ourselves, when did investing in a financial portfolio become too much of a gamble to risk that people are suddenly more willing to gamble in casinos?

I hope the nation's economy heals soon.  I know that something good has to come from all our lamentations.  Right?  Right?             

Right?