Monthly Archives: September 2010

(Community Matters) really? Jason Priest, GOP candidate for Montana State legislature apologizes for calling economist a ‘Big Homo’ and accusing Obama of sodomizing America

(Community Matters) Very good signs signaling a win for Main St over Wall Street

#1  Austan Goolsbee as chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers

#2 Elizabeth Warren meets with Pres. Obama, fueling appointment rumors

(Community Matters) Give me a break, my experience is most college Republican presidents are queer

(Community Matters) A federal court in Riverside, California, rules the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy is unconstitutional.

(Community Matters) CNN: Rev. Terry Jones of World Outreach Center in Florida says he is canceling Koran burning event on Saturday

(Community Matters)

Vodpod videos no longer available.

(Community Matters) I admit that I lack patience – if you asked Steven my most aggravating trait, I’m sure that would be his pick.  And, I’m not mean, so I don’t get cruel. Though, I do get very specific and am not shy about articulating frustration nor asking for clarification of expectations.

Airlines – Continental must have spoiled me.  I suppose having an elevated elite status might mean we get routed to the best representatives (and outside of an endless automated system), though I prefer to think Continental offers this quality of service to all customers.  United –> doesn’t escape me that they are about to merge with us.  I’ve hedged my bets and secured status at American Airlines too, just in case.  Anyhow, I knew I should have gently said thank you and no thank you when the United Airlines guy finally answered the telephone this morning.  I knew it was a distant customer service location immediately.  And, he was most unhelpful – not because he didn’t want to be but because he lacked experience and knowledge. After a frustrating experience, I thanked him, then called back.  Same distant location and a very competent woman.  She fixed my issues immediately, even offering insights into what the previous rep missed.  When she asked me to rate my customer service experience, I asked if with her or United overall – she asked for United overall.  As a result, I have a $100 voucher.  That does go far in making up.

Household Repairmen – HVAC.  When we renovated the house, we installed two new HVAC systems.  Our contractor (who I love) misled us to use an independent contractor in order to save a couple thousand bucks.  Good gosh, they installed two super duper, highly automated HVAC systems.  First, they were so automated/computerized, even they can hardly figure them out.  And, why have we had issues with these top of the line systems for the last two years when we had zero problems with the 30 year old systems – even more sophisticated in some ways (auto humidity control, etc) though easier to maintain and service.  This will be their last call.  After months, supposedly they will arrive at any time, (now an hour late) to replace coils which I’m having to pay for after just two years since the warranty has expired.  Forget that this problem has existed since day 1 and they just happened to diagnose it correctly.  I’ll miss the repair man who’s shared with me stories of his bouts of venereal disease contracted from the women he’s met at the Dallas nightclub.  Can’t wait to reenroll with Strand Brothers who saved us at the 11th hour on a Sunday just before a dinner party once.

(Community Matters) Last week, some were crowing about the Gallup poll’s generic ballot being at -10 for Democrats.

Now, the Gallup poll’s generic ballot is tied. National polls for congressional district races are meaningless anyhow, but thought I’d share the latest for balanced perspective. Each race will be won or lost in each district. It’ll be all about turn out and whether we want to rehire political leadership which brought us near economic collapse or  leadership which has delivered healthcare reform, financial regulatory reform and prevented another Great Depression

(Community Matters) very pleased to see ADL weighing in here

ADL Calls “International Burn a Koran Day” Reprehensible

Boca Raton, FL, August 5, 2010 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) condemns plans of the Dove World Outreach Center (DWOC) to hold “International Burn a Koran Day” on September 11, 2010.  While utterly reprehensible, these plans are not unexpected.  They fall within DWOC’s established pattern of anti-Islam activities, which are detailed in a new ADL backgrounder on the group.

Andrew Rosenkranz, ADL Florida Regional Director, issued the following statement:

The Anti-Defamation League is dismayed by the Dove World Outreach Center’s public campaign to promote anti-Islam propaganda.  The group is providing a platform for hatred against all Muslims, and is promulgating myths, falsehoods and stereotypes about Islam.

The upcoming “International Burn a Koran Day” is the latest anti-Islam tactic employed by an organization led by Pastor Terry Jones and author of the book, “Islam is of the Devil.”  It undoubtedly is intended to cast blame on all Muslims for 9/11, and not the extremists who perpetrated the terrorist attack.

Recent examples of DWOC’s hate-fueled activities include: an “Islam is of the Devil” campaign in July 2009 and was publicly condemned by ADL; DWOC member participation in an anti-gay demonstration organized by the Westboro Baptist Church in April 2010; and a July 5, 2010 protest of the Islamic Center on University Ave. in Gainesville.

(Community Matters)

Happy New Year

L’shanah tova

L’shanah tova = for a good year

Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, “head of the year” or “first of the year.” Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. This name is somewhat deceptive, because there is little similarity between Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days of the year, and the American midnight drinking bash and daytime football game.

There is, however, one important similarity between the Jewish New Year and the American one: Many Americans use the New Year as a time to plan a better life, making “resolutions.” Likewise, the Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year.

The shofar is a ram’s horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue.

(Community Matters)

2010 Blandy Lectures
September 21 & 22

The Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest’s 2010 Blandy Lecturer is Jeff Sharlet, the author of the New York Times bestselling book The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power.  Jeff has been newly appointed to the faculty at Dartmouth College, and is a contributing editor for Harper’s and Rolling Stone.  He has been writing about the intersection of politics, fundamentalism and culture for more than a decade.  Visit www.jeffsharlet.com to learn more.

At the Tuesday evening lecture, Jeff will discuss his soon-to-be-released book, C-Street: The Fundamentalist Threat to American Power.  The Tuesday morning lecture will cover the controversy surrounding the Ugandan anti-homosexuality bill.

This year’s Hal Brook Perry Award recipients are the Rev. Esteban Saucedo, ’57 and Dr. Harry Gunkel, ’08, and the McDonald Teaching Award will be presented to the Rev. Dr. Ray Pickett.

(Community Matters) Nothing to crow about, and one might have thought the figure was 90% given the rhetoric.

Mike Allen, Politico: independents’ disapproval of the president has reached an all-time high, with 57 percent giving him negative marks. … A majority of independents – 59 percent – say they would prefer to have Republicans in charge of Congress to serve as a check on the president’s agenda.”

Still . . . gotta create jobs – #1