Flinging Towards the Sun

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Photos of the Garden at the YMCA and Photos of a Deer By My Moms House...

Monday, July 12, 2010

Spider Web.... 4AM Popcorn and Coffee Musings... Another Sleepless Night...

Spider Web - Photo [modified] My Mom Gave Me

I haven't been inspired to write much of late... Too much heat and humidity... Too many entanglements that are complex, depressing and sticky...

"Too much... [as the song goes] too little... too late?"

Aging isn't fun...

Mistakes tend to haunt one...

The future [aging parents / our own mortality] becomes daunting...

The day becomes a battleground of responsibility versus "hey, I might not be here tomorrow..."

It seems, sometimes, like there have been "traps" laid everywhere.

Even for butterflies.

Especially for butterflies?

The "World Wide Web" is aptly named - is it not?

From the "personal to the political" (a play off an old feminist saying) one could easily get lost in this alternative universe where it is sometimes as hard to sort out the good from the not so... as it is in real life.

Sincere "voices" park right beside the cynics, the comics and the master manipulators...

Whilst "Miss Muffett" hums her innocent timeless tune...

Eats her gruel

Enjoys the summer breeze...

And takes time to analyze spiders...

Stomping [the organic cure] her feet

As necessary.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy Independence Day...

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Vine Update... Best Tomato Plant So Far... Roses, Roses...

These are a couple of the vines I was inquiring about.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Invasive vines... Any suggestions...?

Has anyone noticed some of the aggressive vines growing around here? I'm relatively new to gardening, so maybe they have always been an issue, but yousa... There is a vine in the neighbor's back yard (bordering on our back yard) that is actually reaching up, up, up... and strangling a beautiful maple tree... And another one (it looks like a wild grape vine, but it is fuzzy) that keeps popping up as quick as I tear it down. Suggestions anyone?

Sunday, June 27, 2010

"Dogville" Movie Promo and Snippets - You Tube - Graphic Content - Adults Only

["Dogville Trailer"; You Tube Video; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rPllm4WEXw ]

Note: This movie has actually been out for a long time now - but may be hard to locate. If interested, my best guess is to try an internet search or a library.

["Gathering - Dogville"; You Tube Video; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLEPyg3eoog&feature=related ]

This movie gets off to a very slow start - and it is entirely different than the majority of movies I have seen in my lifetime...

Still - traumatic as the movie is [and for me it was very...] I think every adult should see it and think about the implications.

This world will not - in my opinion - change for the better - until we hold perpetrators - at all levels - accountable [penal system wise; financially; etc.] for their actions.

I also believe every fine collected for an offense perpetrated against humanity, be it targeting one person or a nation - should be put into a victims [and their families] legal fund.

Why should low income perps get free legal counsel - and thier victims have to [this, if they even can...] pay full pop for legal representation?

This movie is a powerful thought-provoker. It is also heartrending enough that it made me physically sick.

Canada Protests... G20 Summit 2010... You Tube Videos

["Toronto Tension: G20 protesters hit streets..."; You Tube; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4TDaPFEoq4 ]

["Broken windows, burnt cars left by G20 riots in Toronto"; You Tube; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKgFsqry6LQ&feature=channel ]

Friday, June 25, 2010

Click Click Click... Local Updates... Activist Sites... Looking Ahead... Jeb Bush Scream... You Tube Videos

Click, click, click... [Local Sites / Activist Sites]

"Facebook Community Safety Walk Deux": http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111728102207212&index=1

"Facebook Kingston Digital Corridor": http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kingston-Digital-Corridor/71135128280

"Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter": http://activistnewsletter.blogspot.com/

"Women's Health Matters Facebook": http://www.facebook.com/pages/Womens-Health-Matters/63998254096

"Coffee Party - National Vote on Money in Politics": http://sharedpurpose.net/cpvote/background.cfm

"ReelFacts Productions": http://reelfacts.org/

"Clear Stream Media": http://clearstreammedia.blogspot.com/

"FAIR Blog » Blog Archive » Oxymoron Murdoch Media Ethics": http://www.fair.org/blog/2010/06/25/oxymoron-murdoch-media-ethics/

"ActBlue — Help bold progressives crusade against corporations and win in 2010": http://www.actblue.com/page/2010pccc?refcode=wallst-fin

-----------------------------------------------------------

Click, Click, Click [George W. Bush Jr. / Jeb Bush... / Thinking Ahead...]

["Headzup: Jeb Bush For President": You Tube; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Lj4l2EL2lY&feature=fvsr ]

"President Jeb Bush – Orlando Opinionators – Orlando Sentinel": http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/orlando_opinionators/2010/06/president-jeb-bush.html

"Jeb Bush On the Move coonsey's Blog": http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/c/o/coonsey/2010/06/jeb-bush-on-the-move.php?ref=reccafe

"HuffPost TV Roy Sekoff On 'Ed Show' Slams Jeb Bush For Slamming Obama For Slamming His Brother (VIDEO)": http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-tv/roy-sekoff-ed-show-jeb-bush_b_623448.html?page=8

"Siblings stick together Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush tells President Obama not to bully brother": http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2010/06/23/2010-06-23_siblings_stick_together_former_florida_governor_jeb_bush_tells_president_obama_n.html

"For Jeb Bush, Life Out of Office, Defending Family Name": http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10174/1067621-84.stm

"Jeb Bush in 2012 - Political Hotsheet - CBS News": http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20008631-503544.html

"Jeb Bush Biography from Answers.com": http://www.answers.com/topic/jeb-bush

"Jeb Bush - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeb_Bush

-------------------------------------------------------------

I haven't checked all of these sites out in any depth yet, so if you find anything [other than my general leanings...] that is offensive, please let me know.

Please note that I do not endorse or oppose any advertizements or comments that might pop up on You Tube videos.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Passing This On... You Tube Video... "Where's the Loyalty..."

["Where's the Loyalty? 70% of Intelligence Budget to Private Contractors"; You Tube; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xud9oZ6I-qA ]

Monday, June 21, 2010

UPDATED... SEX OFFENDERS IN THE U.S.... ANGRY AND FEELING LIKE PUKING... WHY NOT LAY OFF MY CIGS AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT... AFTER THE VIDEO... THIS...

["Gov will hike cigarette tax on extender"; You Tube; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUAmCrqLJOs ]

Heres an idea: Why not stop concerning yourselves [allegedly] about "my" health - and our children's health --- and do something [with all of that "concern"] about these creeps?????

Quote: "...the 5,200 [sex] offenders in the ["civil committment"] program are costing states hundreds of millions of dollars more than anyone envisioned. In California alone, the cost per offender averages $96,000 a year, about double what it would cost to send them to an Ivy League university..." ["TalkeRR - Sexual Predators - Road Runner": http://www.rr.com/news/talkerrpredator/ [info in brackets mine]

WHY CAN'T THEY WORK - ON SITE - AND PAY AT LEAST SOME OF THIS THEMSELVES? ARE THEY LIVING AT THE RITZ?

----------------------------------------------------------

"NH sex offender claims religious rights denied - Road Runner": http://www.rr.com/home/home/article/rr/14584802/14427308/NH_sex_offender_claims_religious_rights_denied

My aging mother and my sister [who has multiple sclerosis] could use a free ride and chaperone (sp?) to church too!

---------------------------------------------------------

"Calif to consider marked IDs for sex offenders - Road Runner": http://www.rr.com/home/home/article/rr/14584802/12397001/Calif_to_consider_marked_IDs_for_sex_offenders

Yeah. Mark their license. Put em in ankle bracelets. Put trackers on their cars. Have someone actually MONITOR all of this 24/7 - AND dress them [the offenders...] in an easily identifyable uniform [no gold chains please] that they have to wear 24/7...

Then - use all of that money [being spent on the program noted - linked to - in the first entry] to send our children and grandchildren [tuition free] to community college - by making those who are apparently "staying at the 'Ritz'" (in a manner of speaking... $90,000 plus cost per containee per year....?!!!?) work off at least half of the program costs!

--------------------------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT INFORMATIVE LINKS:

1) http://www.missingkids.com/en_US/documents/sex-offender-map.pdf

2) "Civil Commitment Laws for Sexual Offenders - Road Runner":
http://www.rr.com/news/sexualpredators

-------------------------------------------------------------

There is no excuse - ever - for laying a unkind or sexuated hand on a child.

NONE.

How about a ZERO TOLERANCE law? It is long (in my opinion) overdue.....!

Pot and Kettle - Cigarettes - Stigma - Taxes - Booze - Ron Paul on Topic - You Tube Vide - Yet Another Business Leaving - Opinion Piece - More

["Ron Paul Opposes Tobacco Tyranny on House Floor 6/12/09"; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v9SXhLvwUQ ]

As another uptown business makes its way towards closing its doors [ "'Taxes send Uptown cigar store south' - The Daily Freeman News Serving the Hudson Valley since 1871(DailyFreeman.com)": http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2010/06/08/news/doc4c0dcfef14ed6247508941.txt ] --- I can't help but wonder if the whole cigarette thing [increased price; increase taxes; increased regulations; increased stigma; restrictive laws; etc.] isn't part of what has taken this city downhill...

Seriously. [Yeah, I know I'm probably not too "popular" with this one...]

How many people [smokers] quit frequenting restaurants and other events?

How many businesses lost revenue?

How many people quit and switched over to another addiction [such as overeating] that is often associated with health problems?

How many lives have been saved?

Are we moving towards a prohibition on tobacco products?

Did prohibition [alcohol] - back in the day - work? [It is my understanding that the prohibition on alcohol backfired - and, along with gambling and such - led to the proliferation of "gangs" - blackmarket products - etc...]

My grandfather smoked and worked his "butt off" [pun intended] his whole life.

My mother [who is still working and paying taxes at age 77...] smoked for most of her adult life - and didn't develop asthma and breathing problems - blood pressure problems - until after [partly due to weight gain?] she stopped smoking. [Ditto for some other folks I know, with post-smoking issues popping up - such as weight gain, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.]

My brother died - in part - from multiple issues associated with addictions [including smoking] - "BUT" --- do you know what? He was a CLASS ACT - and he paid for every chemical he put into his body.

YOU didn't! [Contrast this with the whole medical / Medicaid issue (socially approved drugs replacing socially dissapproved drugs?) that is going on around here...]

What got me cranked up again?

Seeing a lady - outside a church - "sneaking" into a corner by herself [after a funeral service] to have a cigarette.

Which reminded me of an elderly lady I saw smoking outside a hospital emergency room a while back - in the dead of winter - shaking [Did she catch pnemonia from the cold?] like a leaf.

Have we gotten too moralistic around here? Why target cigarettes and not [to the extent one might think is justified...] booze?

Mike Madsen has a welcome post ["kingston progressive"] at http://kingstonprogressive.blogspot.com/on his blog regarding a new domestic violence law.

How many people have beat their partner after a drag on a cigarette?

How many people have beat their partner after a swig off the old bottle?

How many driving while cigging accidents are on the books?

How many DUIs and DWIs and driving / alcohol-related tragedies and fatalities?

I've never been in the uptown shop that is noted in the article cited... but I can sure say that I'm sad to see another small business in this city leave...

Iyi.

Should we do everything we can to encourage our youth not to smoke or drink or drug?

Absolutely.

Are smoking and non-smoking areas a realistic approach [versus what "has" gone down...] to the 2nd hand smoke [or "I'm better than you are...?"] issue?

Does it really serve us well when the "pot calls the kettle black" [from an addiction recovery (12 Step...) book]?

Just thoughts.

Interesting article and dialogue...

Check it out if you get a chance.

----------------------------------------------------------

I actually wrote this one day last week - but had decided not to post it. However, after reading a bunch of related "stuff" on Facebook and elsewhere - I decided to give it a go.

I am not real familiar with Ron Paul - and the video is a bit outdated - so as I've heard bantered about (always the case, anyway...): "Take what you like and leave the rest..." [heard in a 12 Step Program].

Friday, June 18, 2010

Talk About War... Videos on Psychiatry... Bush Jr. "Decade of the Brain"... Link re Eugenics... Viewer Discretion Advised

["Psychiatry Industry Of Death part 2/10"; You Tube; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSviRH5Dq68&NR=1 ]

"... Therefore, I, George Bush, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the decade beginning January 1, 1990, as the Decade of the Brain..." ["Decade of the Brain Presidential Proclamation 6158 (Library of Congress) II"; http://www.loc.gov/loc/brain/proclaim.html ]

["Psychiatry: An Industry Of Death 8/10"; You Tube; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUrQsqBbZtc&feature=related ]

["Psychiatry: An Industry Of Death part 9 of 10"; You Tube; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEv4C6yew3c&feature=related ]

["Psychiatry: An Industry Of Death part 10 of 10"; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmKI8QsTRCI&feature=related ]

"Eugenics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia"; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugenics ]

-------------------------------------------------------------

Disclaimer: Please do not utilize this information to discontinue any medication based on what you have read or seen here!. Please check things out seriously - if you are so inclined - for yourself. Recommendations that I have come across in this department are to 1) Be an informed consumer... and 2) Get a second medical opinion.

-------------------------------------------------------------

I know what I think - and that is my right and business.

What do you think?

-------------------------------------------------------------

Videos 1/10 and 3/10 - 7/10 [this series] are available for viewing on You Tube, as well.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Poem... If You Want to Sell Me Something, Sell Me Hope...

["All Along the Watchtower" [Bob Dylan]; You Tube; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqutXNkBD3o ]

"If You Want to Sell Me Something, Sell Me Hope..."

If only "Humpty Dumpty"
Had been made of steel
Dent proof,
Rust proof,
"Built to last..."
Programmed to think and feel...
And rotate on his axis
If a twig snapped in the bush...
Poor old egg, unseemingly..
Reduced to so much mush..

Dylan's "Watchtower"
Could have used a guard
That could rotate on a whim...
To catch the view, not just in front,
But from in back of him
Where history teaches lessons...
And science provides facts...
That would either keep us on
A saner path...
Or stop us in our tracks.

Riders approaching from the front...
Yeah, Dylan covered that.
But looking at the world one way
Does not protect one's back...

I have long suspected
That both "Humpty" and Dylan
Were pushed...
Beyond the realm of reason
By shadows in the bush...

Was the rescue squad
A clean up squad?
Sent forth to scew the clues...

Did the big cat cry at another lie?

Did the egg not pay his dues?

Bow at the temple of Mammon?
Dedicate his life to greed?

Did Dylan weep? I wonder...

Did "Humpty Dumpty" bleed?

What happens when one wanders
Too close to time and truth?
Does the world say, "Wow man, thank you..."
Or, does the world prepare a noose?

Hope is in your left hand...
Terror is in your right...
Armegeddon just a prophecy...
That could use a little light.

Because WE create
And WE destroy
As we walk our paths in life...

And whether "saved" or "damned"
An honest man...

Will not give up the fight.

c / NS [Rough Draft]

["Song - Humpty Dumpty"; You Tube; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJHsk_hengU ]

Monday, June 14, 2010

Flag Day 2010... John Mellencamp Rain on the Scarecrow... You Tube Videos

["Flag Day..."; You Tube; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IuS0MF2G18 ]

["John Mellencamp Rain on the Scarecrow"; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9Iy2Jw4DVk&feature=related ]

Sunday, June 13, 2010

FOOD FOR THOUGHT... PASSING THESE ON FROM NPR...

["Turning Poverty Into A Multi-billion Dollar Industry"; http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127236038 ]

["Progressives Ask: 'Is It Obama, Or Is It Us?'"; http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127545645&sc=nl&cc=ph-20100613 ]

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Ward 5 Meeting Notes... Citizen blogger... Important Updates...

Alderman Jen Fuentes did such a great job providing Ward 5 meeting notes [via KingstonCitizens.org Ward 5 group...] last month that I hesitated [this month] to post any here.

Instead - in case Jen is busy - I will do a brief writeup here [since I'm a compulsive notetaker...] - and keep an eye on KingstonCitizens.org Ward 5 group - in case I missed anything Jen has to add.

I personally thought it was a great meeting - and I would encourage other Ward 5 residents to come to these meetings!

Jen gave an update on some City Council considerations and decisions; stated that she had been made the Chairperson of a group that is going to look into ways in which City health care / benefit costs might be reduced [even though current union contracts won't expire until 2012]; and pulled together a committee to pursue the Ward 5 block party idea [I'm on board...] that I suggested, complete with [if we can pull together around $500] a "Mr. Bouncy" and some other fun family things!

Are you [Ward 5 residents...] interested in being involved / having a say in the latter? Please let Jen know --- and/or feel free to post thoughts and ideas here! The YMCA park was a suggested location --- but that needs to be checked into... permission granted... etc... so stay tuned! Thus far, we are looking at a potential August date.

Other than that, Mike D'Arcy was present and noted that Ward 5 does not - as of yet - have a Kingston Neighborhood Watch "Block Steward" and/or "Ward Steward" [I think we lack both... but I'm not 100% positive!]

So please give this [these positions] some consideration --- and [if possible] attend tomorrow's Kingston Neigborhood Watch "Sunday Meeting in the Park!" [10:30AM / Academy Green / 238 Clinton Ave (See the KNW site for more details.)] [I don't know if I can make this meeting - or if it is apt to be cancelled due to thunderstorms or heavy rain (?) [I think it might be a good idea (considering the forecast) to take an umbrella!]

Other than that, Attorney Shane Gallo was present to give an update on Elizabeth (sp?) Manor, the "Nuisance Law" and the process being followed to address complaints.

I am not going to write that up here, however [I don't have the specifics down well enough...] --- except to say that some recommendations [regarding Elizabeth Manor] have been made - and that the part of the situation that most disturbs me - is Elizabeth Manors [a boarding house that apparently houses (amongst others) individuals that are fresh out of and/or involved in the Corrections system] proximity to George Washington School.

It was noted that college dorms have reasonable rules - and even motels / hotels have rules...

Why not [I'm talking about basics, like evictions due to disorderly conduct, drug use, arrests, etc.] boarding houses?

The story there continues to unfold... with Jen pegged to look into a few things, as well.

Also discussed was the "Block by Block" program (Correct wording?) - some problems [i.e., absentee landlord issues...] and some [Overall, this seems to be going well.] successes...

I believethe process, if one gets a violation [code violations] --- goes like this:

1. You receive both a violation and an "order of remedy."

2. You have 2 weeks to resolve the issue without penalty.

3. Then, if the issue is not resolved - another violation will be filed [this one attached to a $150 fine...]

4. And so forth...

If violations are not resolved in a timely manner, court proceedings will ensue and the situation - left chronically unresolved - could become [Quick, fix it!] quite costly.

If I recorded "any" of that wrong - please correct me!

I am not a professional. I am simply [I consider this innovative and intrinsically motivated volunteer work.] a citizen blogger.

Thank you Alderman Fuentes, Mr. D'Arcy, Mr. Gallo and all other attendees!

This [the Ward meetings] is new territory for Ward 5 --- and very welcome!

Please know that your taking time out of your busy schedules for this purpose is very much appreciated!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Re: Kingston Neighborhood Watch Update at Last Night's Kingston City Council Meeting

KNW Mascot?

Mike D'Arcy, of the Kingston Neigborhood Watch (KNW) [The first meeting was on April 13th, 2010], came across clear and assertive (during the open speaking session) at last night's

Kingston City Council meeting.

Mr. D'Arcy (These are not direct quotes /and some of my own thoughts / inserts have slipped in....) stated:

A) that the 2nd KNW meeting (May 18) went well [He thanked Alderman Hoffay, Alderman Fuentes, Alderman Turco-Levin and Alderman Clement for attending.]

B) that the 1st KNW neighborhood walk (May 27th) went well.

C) that a 3rd KNW meeting is planned for this coming Sunday morning (10:30 AM) at the Academy Green Park [See the KNW site for more information, to sign up and/or for meeting details] - and that the KNW will continue the process of people getting to know each other, their Block Stewards, Ward Stewards, etc.

D) that new Neighborhood Watch community walks (The last was noted as "successful.") are [This will also be discussed at the upcoming meeting.] in the offing

E) that he doesn't see a need for more youth programming in the City; but instead, perceives a need for an evaluation (or "audit") of the youth programs that are already in place [Are these working? If not, why not?]

F) that he is upgrading his own skills via taking a "Citizens Police Academy course" --- and via continued communications with community members and City authorities;

G) that he is concerned about a lack of participation by the people in Ward 8 --- and would appreciate it if Ward 8 Alderman Bob Senor would return his calls

H) that he (Mr. D'Arcy) was in communication with the FBI in the hopes of bringing gang awareness seminars (The right word?) into Kingston High School and/or [This would be good too!] the community at large.

I) that he would really like to see the Mayor participate in the KNW and walks (as the Poughkeepsie Mayor has done...); and...

J). that he would give monthly KNW updates at upcoming Kingston City Council meetings.

Mr. D'Arcy stated that he heard one person state to a child - whilst in the midst of the last Neighborhood Watch walk - "not to worry, this is a good thing." Some whistles (for safety purposes) were reputedly given out enroute.

---------------------------------------------------------

To wrap this up:

1. The next KNW meeting [see the KNW site (direct link in sidebar...) for details] is this Sunday, June 13th, 10:30AM - at the Academy Green Park - 238 Clinton Avenue.

2. The KNW is also going to be involved [in conjunction with the Everett Hodge Midtown Community Center, community volunteers, etc.] in the midtown "Midtown Make a Difference Day" on June 19 [11AM - 4PM - Franklin Street]

3. Something new - and potentially very important - is happening in KNY. Why not (Citzens have been voicing safety concerns for a long time...) be a part of it ?

Generally speaking, the more people that get involved in the KNW --- the safer it will be for the founders (Mr and Ms D'Arcy); the active participants; and the residents (Including our children!) of the City of Kingston.

[I took notes at this meeting - and looked up various dates, etc. - but if I heard or recorded anything in error - or if there is something you would like to add - let me know! Corrections will be made as necessary]

Monday, June 7, 2010

Gulf Oil Spill... Heartbreaking... BP Accountability... Poll Link... Earth Song Michael Jackson You Tube Video

I've posted this video [from You Tube] before; but it seems appropriate - at this point in time - again.

["Michael Jackson - Earth song"; as submitted to You Tube by YourMusicAndLyrics on 3/4/2008; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gJcNBKiyMI ]

http://environment-msnbc.newsvine.com/_question/2010/06/07/4475753-should-the-federal-government-pursue-criminal-charges-against-bp-and-other-companies-involved-in-the-oil-spill-

"poll Americans want charges against BP - Washington Post- msnbc.com"; http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37558610/ns/us_news-washington_post

There are related videos posted below.

Yo Moms... and All of the People That Love and Respect Moms... Passing This On From My Email... MomsRising.Org

Photo by NS

"Dear Friend,

Last week, the New York Times reported that more and more moms are losing their jobs and turning to welfare for one shocking reason: They simply can't afford to work.

Can't afford to work?! How could that be? Well, it turns out that too often the high cost of childcare is more than the pay that moms bring home to support their families. It's a catch-22. Many modern families now need the wages of two breadwinners to put food on the table.

“It’s a blow to my own self-image and self-worth as a person who can take care of myself,” explains a mom in Tuscon. “I’m totally able, physically and intellectually, to continue working. But I can’t work without child care, and I can’t afford child care without work.”[1]

There are federal programs in place that can help solve this child care crisis—but Congress needs to invest in them.

That's why I signed a petition today urging Congress to put families back to work by investing in affordable, quality child care. If we join together by signing this petition we can remind Congress that working families are essential to our nation's economic recovery.

Can you join me and sign on todayhttp://action.momsrising.org/cms/sign/CCDBG_petition_2010/

It only takes a sec!

*With one click you’ll be standing up for the millions of working parents across the country! We'll be delivering this to Congress

As cash-strapped states slash funding for programs that help families afford child care, moms are often caught in a terrible bind – many can’t find work that pays enough to afford safe care for their kids, and they can’t work at all without safe care.

All you have to do is look at the numbers to see why investing in child care is key to our economic recovery:

- 71.3 % of women with children are in the labor force.[2]

- Child care is one of the major costs for working families; for low-income families, child care is one of the largest expenditures after housing, eating up nearly 30% of a household budget for a family below the poverty line.[3]

We need to take action now. Cash-strapped states across the country are slashing programs that make childcare affordable for working families just when these programs are most needed. At least twelve states are making cuts to their child care assistance programs or child care quality initiatives.[4] And as the New York Times reported, this means many moms have no other choice but welfare, slowing our economic recovery down even more and leaving kids in the lurch.[5]

Existing funds are already stretched too tight, leaving teachers in a bind. Teachers and care givers already subsidize these child care costs by working for low wages and few benefits. Only 20 of 821 occupations reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics have lower average wages than child care workers.[6] Over a third of child care workers leave the field each year, many because they can't afford to do the jobs they love without decent pay and benefits.[7]

That’s why families, child care providers, advocates and others are joining together to speak out for increased federal investments to make early care and education affordable.

Together, we can get families working again and care for our children. Sign on today!

http://action.momsrising.org/cms/sign/CCDBG_petition_2010/

And please pass this message along to everyone you know. The power of thousands of moms standing together is so great even Congress can’t ignore it!

Together we are a powerful voice for families.

[1] Peter S. Goodman, ”Cuts to Child Care Subsidy Thwart More Job Seekers,” New York Times, May 23, 2010, A-1 (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/business/economy/24childcare.html?pagewanted=1&hp)

[2] U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Women in the Labor Force: A Databook. September 2009. (http://www.bls.gov/cps/wlf-databook2008.htm)

[3]Mark Lino & Andrea Carlson, "Expenditures on Children by Families," 2008.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, 2009 (http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/CRC/crc2008.pdf)

[4]U.S. Census Bureau, "Who’s Minding the Kids? Child Care Arrangements: Summer 2006" (Detailed Tables) (http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/child/tables-2006.html)

[5] National Women’s Law Center, “Supporting State Child Care Efforts With ARRA Funds and Summary,” April 13, 2010 (http://www.nwlc.org/pdf/ARRAReportSummaryApril2010.pdf)

[6] Peter S. Goodman, ”Cuts to Child Care Subsidy Thwart More Job Seekers,” New York Times, May 23, 2010, A-1 (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/business/economy/24childcare.html?pagewanted=1&hp)

[7] United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, "May 2009 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

United States" http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000"

Sunday, June 6, 2010

On the Devastating BP Oil Spill and Accountability

["BP slimes away from protest"; as submitted to You Tube by RTAmerica on 6/4/2010; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_JHj_b0uWg&feature=channel ]

["There's another BP oil spill?"; as submitted to You Tube by RTAmerica on 6/4/2010; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4kly6TynvA ]

Please note that I do not endorse or oppose the ads that pop up on these videos. I would suggest - since I haven't done so and checked out the safety of these sites - that you do not click on them. Further research, if you so choose [of course, other viewpoints exist] - can be done by other means. Thank You.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Thunderstorms in the Air... Opinion Piece

There was a letter in todays "Daily Freeman" that really struck me, so I'm going to post the link here for those that might not have seen it:

A brief quote, from the very end: "Everyone you speak to is appalled at the Catholic Church and its lack of character or morality regarding these child molestation cases by priests. But these same people don’t agree on anything when it comes to the fact that government and big businesses are raping the environment, our pockets and our well-being. I just don’t get it..."

"letter 'A sad state of affairs' [6/5/2010] - The Daily Freeman Opinion Serving the Hudson Valley since 1871(DailyFreeman.com)"; Stephanie R. Aivaz; http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2010/06/05/opinion/doc4c06897a36b3b429353041.txt ]

-----------------------------------------------------------

I also read an article about how low the confidence in our government has gotten:

"'Primaries from Calif to SC measure voter anger' - Road Runner"; http://www.rr.com/news/topic/article/rr/9009/13312740/Primaries_from_Calif_to_SC_measure_voter_anger

And although I didn't read this article in any depth - the issue of "voter anger" caught my eye - for sure.

----------------------------------------------------------

I'm no expert on anything - to be sure - and if life was a baseball game I would have been struck out a zillion times by now...

But can't someone else out there hit the ball? Can't someone else out there find the courage to tackle the real issues?

Ah yes... there are a lot of bandaids being applied. I see that.

But when you are dealing with a flood of blood [dramatic, but applicable...] --- a bandaid just isn't going to solve the problem [s] --- and the bandaids themselves start to become [in every sense of the word] too expensive.

I am grateful for the positive things that I see [locally] going on - like the [much publicized] investigation of the "Safety Net" issue, the "Kingston Neighborhood Watch" efforts, the "Block by Block" [Do I have that right?] efforts, the improvements at the Waterfront, etc...

But there is far too little discussion about national issues - if you ask [You didn't, but here it is...] me.

Why wasn't the last Presidential Administration [in part or in full] ever held accountable for the damage [Is this still "alleged" damage?] they [my opinion] did to this country?

Why has there been no "bail out" [so to speak / of any real significance...] for the working class? The middle class?

Where are we headed when almost everyhing I pick up in a store [at least everything that is affordable...] is labeled "made in China?"

When are we [Or are we ever?] going to address the "not-for-profit" versus "for profit" [The economic scales seem very tilted in favor of the (This is not targeted at any specific organization) "not-for-profits..."] issue?

Has the suggestion - put forth by a few people, locally [and by at least one more prominent polititian] - that this issue [the "not for profit" issue"] be investigated - ever been taken seriously around here?

How many times did MaryAnne Parker [who has also addressed the "not for profit" issue] have to bring up the "Safety Net" issue [I heard her bring it up at meeting after meeting after meeting...] before it was finally taken seriously and [still ongoing] investigated?

Haven't folks found "that" [the "Safety Net" investigation] to be worthwhile? Wouldn't it be a good idea [just maybe...] to take what the citizens have to say [in general...] more seriously - before "it" [whatever the issue might be...] becomes [at least in some instances] an avalanche?

----------------------------------------------------------

Just thoughts.

My mood always dips when there are thunderstorms in the offing --- and although I love a good party or parade as much as anyone [Lord knows, we need our distractions!] --- shouldn't the state of our city, county, state and country be [Yes, it is a drag to think deeply about all of this...] addressed collectively --- at all [Yes, "we the people" (even poor people) have thoughts....] levels...?

-----------------------------------------------------------

BTW, you might get a lot more participation in political fundraisers, activism groups, etc. if they were affordable to the average [and struggling...] citizen. I, for one, have seen many events that I would like to attend - but cannot afford to - and I'm sure there are others in the same position!

Money? Yes, you need a lot of money...

No doubt about it.

But maybe (?) we have reached a point in time [when it comes to the voting booth] where the respect of one's constituents [How accessible are you? Do you listen? Do you respond? Do you take the people's concerns seriously? Do you make it possible for citizens to actively engage in the political process? Are average citizens (Please take the state of the economy, the average family income around here and the proliferation of poor people into account...) welcome at your "parties?"]

Might this not be - or become - just as important - or even more important - than the "all mighty buck?"

A drinking water source and a few bags of chips and cheese doodles... That would work (I could even afford to bring a bag...) for me.