CNN Senior Congressional Producer Deirde Walsh writes, "Boehner admits immigration comments went too far..." O josh Walsh, say it ain't so! U.S. House Speaker made public comments that went "too far," nooo, surely not.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/04/29/boehner-admits-immigration-comments-went-too-far/?hpt=hp_inthenewshttp://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/04/29/boehner-admits-immigration-comments-went-too-far/?hpt=hp_inthenews
Boehner, who has a tendency to drop a quick tear or two during emotional public pronouncements and to look overtly tan, is now branching out into a public, mocking whine. Why do such politicians tend to do such things when at Rotary-Club-like appearances? Do they have a secret desire to be a comedian that they're unable to suppress...
After all Boehner was pretty funny when in reference to passing immigration legislation he melodramatically mocked some of the House Members of his own Party, speaking through them like he was a ventriloquist and they are dummies, "'Ohhhh, don't make me do this. Ohhhh, this is too hard.'" http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/04/29/boehner-admits-immigration-comments-went-too-far/?hpt=hp_inthenews
Don't get me wrong. I don't mean to attack Speaker Boehner due to his Party or views; nope, it's his funny behavior. On the other side of the aisle, I personally like Senator Harry Reid but at times his voice makes me cringe to the point I almost miss the point of what he might be saying... I know this isn't a perfect analogy, but still I consider myself as one who casually flirts with the behavior-news of others without regard to Party. FYI: There are no purely perfect analogies, anyway.
So, what do think? Should our politicians spend more time working on the timbre of their voices and/or their entertainment skills or on working together for the good of our country - especially the middle and lower classes? Just wondering...
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Lusting for Spring and Cruel O' April
T.S. Eliot wrote: "April is the cruelest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire, stirring Dull roots with spring rain (The Waste Land [1922]. I, the Burial of the Dead)." I've often said that Eliot must not have experienced the Midwest in March, or in February or November for that matter... Plus there's the hot and humid Dog Days of August. Yet, I guess he had to make a judgement to write the verse...
Fewer than normal would argue that we have not just sustained one of the harsher winters of the last few decades throughout a large part of the U.S., if not world. But Spring has now arrived. In her "monkey see" NPR blog article, Linda Holmes writes, A friend of mine grumbled on Facebook recently about the phenomenon of people moaning in despair over April's weather. There's often a cold snap around this time, she pointed out. There's often unpleasant rain. There's often unpredictability (http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2014/04/16/303724227/lusting-for-spring-in-our-hearts)."
Of course those of us living in the Midwest know that May will be entirely predictable and pleasant... Well okay, I've seen it snow in Indiana in May... June and early July (Remember, memories are not facts.). "But," Holmes continues, "somehow, we manage to summon every April the impatience and restlessness that can only mean one thing: we are lusting for spring in our hearts (http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2014/04/16/303724227/lusting-for-spring-in-our-hearts)."
Well though Spring started back around March 21/22, many of us have not yet fully realized the guilty pleasure of a fully lustful Spring. On the other hand, most days have been rather lusty lately as April races to a close. And, still I wonder if lusting for Spring, especially in our hearts, might be sinful. Have to think on this later, outside.
This lack of full satisfaction may be linked in part to not going outside enough due to reading blog posts or keeping constantly abreast of our incredibly intense social-media-life on an indoor, horribly outdated desk top CPU. At least those who have smart phones or laptops or tablets or whatever tech came out today can do this in the great outdoors.
However, one recent spectacular Spring day I was walking along a really hip, environmentally attuned, busy urban avenue and a significant minority appeared oblivious to the surrounding beauty as they, heads down, appeared riveted to their smart phones or one of the above mentioned outside internet connections. It must be an acquired skill to be able to do this while walking down a busy sidewalk and not bumping into more people than usual, because I don't have it or a smart phone.
Holmes also astutely notes, "I have feelings about spring. Every spring, I look forward to that first day that I can drive with the window down, even though I've been driving with the window down since I was a little girl... Every spring, there's that one day... when you turn the corner. You hit the farmer's market... The tables are crammed with berries that are a little early but they are there... You take your berries home, but you eat several of them in the car on the way there, because hey – they're grown without pesticides, right?
(http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2014/04/16/303724227/lusting-for-spring-in-our-hearts)."
Ms. Holmes, I'd like to be able to say all berries found at farmer's market are free of pesticides but I don't think I can. I'm not even sure I can assure you they've all been properly washed. But I can tell you I have farmer's market friends who do...
Finally, I was just thinking about how during the dead of the just past winter many of us likely proclaimed that this summer we would not complain about the heat and humidity. But alas, we are human and forgetful and often too prone to complaining. So I'll probably complain anyway. Will you? Have a great Spring!
Mark Wilson/Getty Images(http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2014/04/16/303724227/lusting-for-spring-in-our-hearts
Fewer than normal would argue that we have not just sustained one of the harsher winters of the last few decades throughout a large part of the U.S., if not world. But Spring has now arrived. In her "monkey see" NPR blog article, Linda Holmes writes, A friend of mine grumbled on Facebook recently about the phenomenon of people moaning in despair over April's weather. There's often a cold snap around this time, she pointed out. There's often unpleasant rain. There's often unpredictability (http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2014/04/16/303724227/lusting-for-spring-in-our-hearts)."
Of course those of us living in the Midwest know that May will be entirely predictable and pleasant... Well okay, I've seen it snow in Indiana in May... June and early July (Remember, memories are not facts.). "But," Holmes continues, "somehow, we manage to summon every April the impatience and restlessness that can only mean one thing: we are lusting for spring in our hearts (http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2014/04/16/303724227/lusting-for-spring-in-our-hearts)."
Well though Spring started back around March 21/22, many of us have not yet fully realized the guilty pleasure of a fully lustful Spring. On the other hand, most days have been rather lusty lately as April races to a close. And, still I wonder if lusting for Spring, especially in our hearts, might be sinful. Have to think on this later, outside.
This lack of full satisfaction may be linked in part to not going outside enough due to reading blog posts or keeping constantly abreast of our incredibly intense social-media-life on an indoor, horribly outdated desk top CPU. At least those who have smart phones or laptops or tablets or whatever tech came out today can do this in the great outdoors.
However, one recent spectacular Spring day I was walking along a really hip, environmentally attuned, busy urban avenue and a significant minority appeared oblivious to the surrounding beauty as they, heads down, appeared riveted to their smart phones or one of the above mentioned outside internet connections. It must be an acquired skill to be able to do this while walking down a busy sidewalk and not bumping into more people than usual, because I don't have it or a smart phone.
Holmes also astutely notes, "I have feelings about spring. Every spring, I look forward to that first day that I can drive with the window down, even though I've been driving with the window down since I was a little girl... Every spring, there's that one day... when you turn the corner. You hit the farmer's market... The tables are crammed with berries that are a little early but they are there... You take your berries home, but you eat several of them in the car on the way there, because hey – they're grown without pesticides, right?
(http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2014/04/16/303724227/lusting-for-spring-in-our-hearts)."
Ms. Holmes, I'd like to be able to say all berries found at farmer's market are free of pesticides but I don't think I can. I'm not even sure I can assure you they've all been properly washed. But I can tell you I have farmer's market friends who do...
Finally, I was just thinking about how during the dead of the just past winter many of us likely proclaimed that this summer we would not complain about the heat and humidity. But alas, we are human and forgetful and often too prone to complaining. So I'll probably complain anyway. Will you? Have a great Spring!
Mark Wilson/Getty Images(http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2014/04/16/303724227/lusting-for-spring-in-our-hearts
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Tim McGraw & Faith Hill Divorce RUMORS (again)!
Michele Zipp reports on married country singers Tim McGraw and Faith Hill on the day after the airing of one of the major country music award shows... which are a little like infomercials for Country Music and its entertainers... but so much of life is becoming so much like infomercials.... Though I found several moments of satisfying pleasure during the awards show, I was distracted to a tear over some aspects and deliriously amused by some after thoughts... "(http://www.mamaslatinas.com/group/11prism_id2=164254&utm_medium=sem2&utm_campaign=prism&utm_source=taboola&utm_content=787)!
This brings me back to Tim and Faith. Zipp writes, "Marriage is hard y'all. And harder still if you are a celebrity with all kinds of people lusting after you and the cameras always flashing in front of your eyes. Awww. Should we feel bad for celebrities? Maybe a little. Could you imagine having a little spat with your significant other and have the paparazzi be all capturing it on film? Horrifying. We read body language and facial expressions and conclude Yep, it's over for them when maybe they're just fighting over someone leaving the toilet seat up. (http://www.mamaslatinas.com/group/11prism_id2=164254&utm_medium=sem2&utm_campaign=prism&utm_source=taboola&utm_content=787)! Well, given what Zipp writes here and other things I do feel a little sorry for celebrities. I also feel sorry for those of us who spend much time following anything but their music!
Of course, there's a lot of speculation that Faith Hill appeared spontaneously on last night's award show to sing a duet with her husband to help dispel could-be wrong divorce rumors. I can't imagine such an ulterior motive... But what are such famous people to do? We've driven them to make every effort to portray the possible truth... Perhaps divorce is the right answer for some couples? If so, why can't we let that process follow its private course even among celebrities? Why should they have to maintain the right appearance; attempt to paint a picture (like singing together) of the possible truth of their relationship? Because...
I don't find the entire industries that have relatively recently mushroomed around celebrities the least bit amusing... Well, the only amusing thought that comes to mind is when a celebrity (man or woman) is pictured on a tabloid cover, their image highly manipulated to make them appear pregnant, with a giant caption indicating they're carrying a baby by their non-spouse or an alien or both (twins?)....
I know that since the first celebrity - perhaps the most talented, best looking person living in the local cave community - people have "cared" about their personal lives as well as their public ones. But can we at least reign this in fair amount and still be satisfied? Maybe let them leave their caves with their children to have normal experiences?
Okay - I confess: I often watch Entertainment Tonight or get some extra rest while it's on. But in the 24/7 365 days a year "news" cycles perhaps actual reality doesn't provide enough input for constant output. Plus, the tabloids and other media outlets that major in celebrity rumors wouldn't continue to exist unless people cared enough to support them... and who am I to judge there supporters? I just wish this didn't have to mean that "public" people had to be hounded so often and so intensely by the paparazzi that they can't have much of a private life without developing secret tricks to live freely. After all we've heard a lot lately about what a hoard of paparazzi, even if they're just doing "their job," can do to the emotions of the kids of celebrities; not to mention how they can get into injurious fights with one another over turf and with the celebs themselves, and soon no doubt their children.
Obviously as always I don't have all the answers here. But I think the laws that have been passed to help regulate the paparazzi celebs relationships should be strictly enforced and likely expanded. Plus we can personally not directly support the dark side of this situation... Like many old sayings, "Any publicity is good publicity," has likely reached its expiration date. What do you think about all of this? Is it a problem worthy of the attention of the proper authorities or is it just a condition of fame and fortune and celebs and everyone, including me, should just quit whining about it? Please, anyone have some common sense to offer in the comments here?
This brings me back to Tim and Faith. Zipp writes, "Marriage is hard y'all. And harder still if you are a celebrity with all kinds of people lusting after you and the cameras always flashing in front of your eyes. Awww. Should we feel bad for celebrities? Maybe a little. Could you imagine having a little spat with your significant other and have the paparazzi be all capturing it on film? Horrifying. We read body language and facial expressions and conclude Yep, it's over for them when maybe they're just fighting over someone leaving the toilet seat up. (http://www.mamaslatinas.com/group/11prism_id2=164254&utm_medium=sem2&utm_campaign=prism&utm_source=taboola&utm_content=787)! Well, given what Zipp writes here and other things I do feel a little sorry for celebrities. I also feel sorry for those of us who spend much time following anything but their music!
Of course, there's a lot of speculation that Faith Hill appeared spontaneously on last night's award show to sing a duet with her husband to help dispel could-be wrong divorce rumors. I can't imagine such an ulterior motive... But what are such famous people to do? We've driven them to make every effort to portray the possible truth... Perhaps divorce is the right answer for some couples? If so, why can't we let that process follow its private course even among celebrities? Why should they have to maintain the right appearance; attempt to paint a picture (like singing together) of the possible truth of their relationship? Because...
I don't find the entire industries that have relatively recently mushroomed around celebrities the least bit amusing... Well, the only amusing thought that comes to mind is when a celebrity (man or woman) is pictured on a tabloid cover, their image highly manipulated to make them appear pregnant, with a giant caption indicating they're carrying a baby by their non-spouse or an alien or both (twins?)....
I know that since the first celebrity - perhaps the most talented, best looking person living in the local cave community - people have "cared" about their personal lives as well as their public ones. But can we at least reign this in fair amount and still be satisfied? Maybe let them leave their caves with their children to have normal experiences?
Okay - I confess: I often watch Entertainment Tonight or get some extra rest while it's on. But in the 24/7 365 days a year "news" cycles perhaps actual reality doesn't provide enough input for constant output. Plus, the tabloids and other media outlets that major in celebrity rumors wouldn't continue to exist unless people cared enough to support them... and who am I to judge there supporters? I just wish this didn't have to mean that "public" people had to be hounded so often and so intensely by the paparazzi that they can't have much of a private life without developing secret tricks to live freely. After all we've heard a lot lately about what a hoard of paparazzi, even if they're just doing "their job," can do to the emotions of the kids of celebrities; not to mention how they can get into injurious fights with one another over turf and with the celebs themselves, and soon no doubt their children.
Obviously as always I don't have all the answers here. But I think the laws that have been passed to help regulate the paparazzi celebs relationships should be strictly enforced and likely expanded. Plus we can personally not directly support the dark side of this situation... Like many old sayings, "Any publicity is good publicity," has likely reached its expiration date. What do you think about all of this? Is it a problem worthy of the attention of the proper authorities or is it just a condition of fame and fortune and celebs and everyone, including me, should just quit whining about it? Please, anyone have some common sense to offer in the comments here?
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