The Scandals From A Woman's Perspective

A lot has been written and discussed about the scandals of Governor Chris Christie and President Barack Obama. I would like to give a woman's perspective.

I don't believe there is an equal equivalency between the different scandals but I would like to address the responses made by both leaders and the respective media takes on the controversies.

The GOP pundits have repeatedly praised New Jersey Governor Christie's handling of Bridgegate, (a scandal involving his staff closing down 2 lanes leading to the George Washington Bridge in September supposedly as political payback for the Mayor of Fort Lee, NJ for not endorsing Christie for re-election.) They have cited his nearly two hour press conference and his firing of the aides involved as proof of his leadership. These political observers from the right believe President Obama has not properly addressed the media on his Benghazi, IRS, and Obamacare scandals and not yet held anyone accountable.

I take issue with their assertions. President Obama held plenty of press conferences on Benghazi (as well as the IRS and Obamacare problems) but could not supply answers to all of the questions because the inquiries were not complete. There have been many ongoing congressional investigations on Benghazi including one where departing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified. Information is still coming out about what happened and how, but the assertions from the right that the President and Secretary watched it all unfold in real time and did nothing is purely bogus.

Much attention has been paid to then United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice's press interviews following the Benghazi attacks. I believe she was just conveying talking points given to her by the CIA and State Department. She was the messenger and the Republicans wanted to shoot the messenger. I still think it is not a stretch to think the anti-Mohammad video released on the Internet by an American on that same day, that had caused riots in Egypt and many cities in the Arab world, may have had an influence and a NY Times article bears that out. Al-Qaeda terrorists groups were also ruled out.

I have also thought that the President and Secretary of State have not been given enough credit for how they handled that volatile situation created by the release of that video. Their cool reactions in quickly condemning the anti-Muslim film and explaining that it does not reflect America's views I believe saved many lives. It is amazing no other Americans were lost on that fateful September day.

As far as firing people for the Benghazi tragedy, President Obama took the opposite approach. He chastised those who came after Rice, telling the press and pundits to deal with him, not her. I will always remember how he passionately defended Susan Rice and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at his second presidential debate. In fact, he later promoted Ambassador Rice to National Security Advisor and praised Secretary Clinton in an exclusive dual TV interview.

Contrast that with Governor Christie's throwing his Deputy Chief of Staff, Bridget Kelly, under the bus for her email to Port Authority official David Wilding (a Christie appointee) which read "Time for traffic problems in Fort Lee." Was she not just a messenger? Or did she have the authority to order such a task? Christie characterized her as a liar who acted stupidly.

The IRS scandal also was intensively investigated by Congress and the FBI simultaneously with no real connections made to the Oval Office. And in fact, the President on May 15, 2013 did force the resignation of the acting Head of the IRS, Steven T. Miller, who had taken over for Douglas Shulman, a Bush appointee who served from 2008 until 2012, when the alleged targeting of Tea Party PACs was done. Also resigning in 2013 was Joseph H. Grant, Commissioner of the Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division. Lois Lerner, the IRS official at the center of the controversy retired on September 13, 2013. So accountability was exacted.

The FBI IRS investigation also disclosed that liberal and progressive leaning groups as well as the Occupy movement were also targeted. The newly appointed and confirmed (in December 2013) IRS Commissioner, John Koskinen and the Obama administration have proposed new guidelines to help the IRS determine which type of activities will disqualify groups from tax-exempt 501c status.

Of course, you will never hear any of this on conservative talk radio or Fox News as they stoke up their base by utilizing their dislike of the government, the IRS, and President Obama.

This brings us to Obamacare. It's no secret that the initial rollout was disastrous due to the problems with the website. The original company, CGI Federal, was fired and a new firm, Accenture, put in place to fix the bugs. Many right wing pundits have suggested that Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius be fired. After hearing her testify at congressional hearings I am glad she was not. She took complete responsibility for the mistakes and handled the grilling boldly even after being compared to Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz because she is from Kansas.

I believe President Obama knew that removing her would set back the rollout of Healthcare.gov even further because a new Secretary would have to go through hearings and an interim leader would have to learn the ropes from the beginning and with the constant pressure from the anti-Obamacare gang, further delays would be even more disastrous.

The website is now working and between private sign ups and Medicaid enrollees, more than 6 million new people have obtained health care coverage. Of course, more work and diligence is required and it will take a full year before we can declare the Affordable Care Act successful, but I believe we are going in a positive direction. I credit the President's vigilance, loyalty, and patience with righting the ship.

In a contrast of styles, having observed Governor Christie angrily berate both a woman teacher for questioning his anti-teacher union stance and a mother who asked him why his children attended private school, I can see now why some have called him a bully. And isn't it thuggish tactics to try to pressure the woman Mayor of Hoboken, Dawn Zimmer, to push a development deal with his selected firm or he would withhold Sandy funds? Thankfully, she didn't give in, but her city is still waiting for promised monetary relief.

I will be curious to see what happens to Christie's woman Lieutenant Governor, Kim Guadagno, the messenger of that warning to the mayor of Hoboken. Will she also get thrown under the bus?

I recently read several comments from a Facebook post of an article about Bridgegate and was glad to see many responses of women who were upset that Bridget Kelly, a fellow female was getting the shaft. Too often in the past, we women have been our own worse enemies by not supporting one another. Perhaps this year of the woman will be a turning point.

I am also glad that President Obama has been consistent in his support for his women Cabinet members and advisors even when they make mistakes. I believe a true leader takes responsibility not just by saying he is accountable but who acts to rectify the situation and does not place the blame on others to save himself.

A Comeback From Over the Rainbow

She keeps showing up though her name is rarely mentioned.  And that is how she prefers it. She is there in spirit.  Never an egotist, she spent her life being under appreciated, neglected, an ugly duckling (according to MGM), the girl next door, and a diamond in the rough waiting to be discovered.  Yet those qualities are what endeared her to audiences everywhere.  They could relate to her down to earth nature and innocence.

Her impact is still being felt in the world of entertainment.  Let me point out some sightings.  Last March at the Academy Awards she showed up twice (with still no mention of her name).  When they did a filmed bit featuring past Oscar song winners, a fan stated that “The Trolley Song” was her favorite as they played a clip of her singing it.  Then, at the end of the ceremony, they had a school choir from Harlem singing “Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz” with the backdrop of the Emerald City and the four main characters following the yellow brick road.  That was her signature song (the number one movie song of all time, by the way.)

Speaking of “Over The Rainbow”, it was used to begin Oprah’s next to last show with young Jackie Evanko wearing red ruby slippers and Josh Grobin and Patti LaBelle crooning the tune.  It was really refreshing to hear “Over the Rainbow” with a gospel touch.  It must be one of Oprah’s favorites.

Then she showed up on “The O’Reilly Factor” of all places.  They were doing a segment on immigration and interviewing residents of San Francisco and they showed a clip of her as Dorothy from “the Wizard of Oz” saying “People come and go so quickly here.”

Another time I saw a picture of her as Dorothy next to Michelle Bachmann in an article for the Huffington Post that implied that Bachmann’s candidacy was the like the man behind the curtain pretending to be a wizard.

By now you probably know I am speaking about Judy Garland.  I don’t know if America is still fascinated by her or just the 1939 movie that is shown several times a year on network TV.  Maybe it’s both. But many credible show business elites consider her to be the entertainer of the century (I would say of all time.)

I got hooked on her when I was in a record store, minding my own business and her CD popped up begging for me to hear it.  I was her fan as a child so I bought it.

I am so glad I did.  I had no idea what a great artist she was.  So now I listen to her all the time in my car.  Then I went out and rented her movies and have come to realize what a phenomenal actress and dancer she was.  Her talent far exceeds Dorothy of Kansas although that wasn’t a bad way to start her career.  She is so much more than that winsome teen of the 1930s.  I am so happy that I am rediscovering her for my own entertainment.  And now she is popping up everywhere.

Another example is the day after I received her “Carnegie Hall” CD and started listening to it in my car.  I had an appointment with my hairdresser (also a Garland fan, no surprise there.)  While waiting to get my hair done, I was reading the May edition of “Vanity Fair” and up pops an article on her Carnegie Hall concert and the making of the CD.  Seems this is the 50^th Anniversary of that event.  Coincidence?  I think not. 

There’s even a picture of her as Dorothy Gale near the front of the magazine.  The title of the article is “Over The Rainbow and Then Some!”  I learned a lot of things I never knew about Judy from that article: that she was near death two years before that due to pills and alcohol and told by doctors that she must never work again.  Well, work she did.  Some who attended that Carnegie Hall concert called it “probably the greatest evening in show business history.”

Judy also recently made a guest appearance in “Glee”.  It was an episode titled “duets” and at the end of it, Rachel and Kurt recreated a collaboration sung by Barbra Streisand and Judy from the “Judy Garland Show” in 1963 called “Happy Days Are Here Again/ Get Happy”.  Again, their names were not mentioned although Rachel wore Barbra’s same outfit.  It’s featured on YouTube and someone blogged that “Kurt was channeling Judy.”  No doubt.

Judy had some turbulent times in her life, mostly related to a drug addiction forced on her by MGM.  But after every rough patch, she kept bouncing back as she made several well documented comebacks:  The 1954 movie "A Star Is Born", her concerts at the London Palladium, her 1961 Carnegie Hall concert and tour of America.   A fellow blogger pointed out once to me that she never really left so there is no reason for a comeback.  That may be true.  As Frank Sinatra once stated:  "We're all be forgotten, but not Judy."  Somewhere over the rainbow, she is smiling and plotting where she will pop up next.

Cantor Plays Politics With Disaster Relief Funds

As the weather gets nastier and deadlier with more and more record breaking tornadoes and floods and wildfires around the country, the majority party in the House of Representatives have done the unspeakable. They have played politics with Federal Disaster Aid. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said Monday that tornado victims in Joplin, MO would only get emergency relief if money could be diverted from somewhere else in the federal budget.

The GOP are so obsessed with reducing the deficit and debt that they are losing their sense of moral priorities. While balancing spending sounds sensible, I just have three questions. Firstly, where were these Congressmen and women when the deficit started exploding in 2004when they took over Congress and a fellow Republican was in the White House? I heard nary a peep when billions were spent on two wars, a new Homeland Security Department, and tax breaks were given to corporations and the wealthy. Conservative fiscal responsibility? I think not.

Secondly, how can anyone in good conscience put disaster relief on the table? Is not the main function of government to protect and support its citizens? If FEMA funding is put to question, why not also the Pentagon spending or entitlements or tax reform (raising taxes for the top 1% and big business)?

Thirdly, why do the Republicans in the House want to ax a clean-car program to pay for the FEMA funds? The under-funded Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program at the Department of Energy was designed to help the nation wean off fossil fuels and also create cleaner air and cut down on CO2 emissions which, according to many scientists, contribute to global warming.

But the GOP have their heads in the sand, vehemently denying such a thing as climate change exists as thepolar caps are melting, islands are disappearing, oceans are getting warmer and rising while dangerous weather patterns over the globe are becoming more severe and more frequent.

The irony is that if more is not done to create green energy, cut CO2 emissions, and clean up polluted air and water, these climate related disasters will continue and in fact, worsen in numbers and size.

I believe part of the reason we are in such an economic mess is because we have had to pay so much in disaster funds over the last decade. In 2010, FEMA reported 81 disasters after having 60 years of averaging 33 a year. Economic damage exceeded $6.7 billion. And that doesn't include 2011 with its record tornadoes and floods. So yes, the cost should be scrutinized but solutions to prevent these weather events should be explored. Cutting green energy initiatives is not the answer. In fact, it is idiotic. It's like pouring gasoline on a burning barn.

As Brad Johnson from the Wonkroom put it, referring to the Joplin, MO tornado:

"The deadliest twister in U.S. history since 1947 is the latest multi-billion-dollar climate disaster in this season of unprecedented death and destruction. Scientists have warned for decades that our climate system would grow deadlier as greenhouse pollution from coal and oil increases, with greater floods, heat waves, droughts, wildfires, and storms. Instead of responding to reality by mobilizing our nation to protect people from climate disasters and build a resilient, green economy, Republicans are keeping us tethered to big oil."

With the GOP in charge, it's a vicious circle of pollution caused climate disasters creating economic costs, cutting green energy (thus not bringing any solutions), leading to more weather related disasters etc.

No wonder everyone gave so much attention to Harold Camping who predicted the end of the world. The way we are going, it makes me fear for tomorrow's generations. I have heard many Republicans speak of how we are mortgaging our grandchildren's future with a mountain of debt. How about leaving them with a polluted planet with rising temperatures and continued natural disasters? Which is worse: debt or no planet? It's a no brainer to me. But then it is hard to see the light with one's head in the sand.

 

Ca

Liz was Great, But I'm Enchanted by Judy

I'm a Judy come lately fan and I've been enchanted by watching her old films from the '40s and '50s. I feel as though I have discovered a new star because even though I grew up in the '50s and enjoyed watching her in "The Wizard of Oz" and remember seeing "The Judy Garland Show" on TV in the '60s, I never knew the extent of her talent or the impact she had on the Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals. Her appeal goes way beyond the charming young Dorothy Gale and the forty something queen of song.

The recent death of Elizabeth Taylor had many journalists opining how Ms. Taylor's passing was the end of an era. Some called her the "Last Screen Goddess."Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer film critic, in comparing the two MGM child stars called Judy Garland a "winsome teen" who entertained with a song and a smile while Taylor was a serious actor with emotional gravity who portrayed characters with a mission in life (such as saving a racehorse in 1944's"National Velvet.")

That may all be true, but one should not dismiss the role Judy Garland fulfilled while singing, dancing, acting, and enthralling America during the Great Depression and World War II. I believe her talents lifted a weary, war torn nation.

She certainly earned the knickname of "Sweetheart of the USA" given to her in the 1942 film "For Me and My Gal". If her offstage personality was anything like her onstage persona, she had a sweet heart indeed. She also devoted countless hours entertaining troops and performing on radio during WWII.

According to quotes from colleagues and fellow actors, she was well liked and respected by her peers. Many spoke of her genius and ability to learn a song or dance on one hearing or viewing. Her ex-husband, movie producer Sidney Luft shared that she had memorized the whole script of her 1954 movie "A Star is Born" in one reading.

I view Garland as a supernova: a light that was so brilliant, she outshone all the other stars in the galaxy. And as with most supernovas, she burned brightly and then extinguished far too soon. She gave everything she had and by the end she had nothing left to give.

Listening to her CDs, I have come to the conclusion that her voice is timeless. Whereas many of the other singers of her day sound dated, particularly the operatic sopranos such as Deanna Durbin and Marta Eggerth (featured in "For Me and My Gal"), Judy's voice is fresh and natural and contemporary. It's a remarkable thing to me that even while the arrangements and orchestras from the big band era accompanying her often come across as old and outdated, her vocals and interpretations sound new and relevant.

I dare say that she could easily win "American Idol" if she were to miraculously reappear in modern times.

One of her musical strengths was her flexibility in singing so many different styles: she could swing jazz, croon ballads, belt out showstoppers, sizzle with torch songs, and be a hoot in comedy spoofs.

And her dancing was otherworldly. She could go toe to toe with Mickey Rooney, Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire backwards and in high heels. When she did tap, jitterbug, waltz, or classical style, she was mesmerizing. While observing her numerous Hollywood musical routines, it is hard to keep your eyes off her as she outshines all of her dancing partners.

She was Shirley Temple, Ginger Rogers, Ethel Merman, Lena Horne, Elizabeth Taylor, and Lucille Ball (with great comedic timing as shown in "Easter Parade") all rolled into one. I watched a film called "Hollywood Musicals of the '40s" in which some of Miss Garland's greatest movie moments are highlighted. I must say that I believe no other women singers of that era could hold a candle to Judy in appeal, vocal and dancing talent, and overall charisma.

Her mere presence lit up the screen. It is true she had a tragic personal life that included divorces, addictions, suicide attempts, and money problems. But a lot of that can be traced back to her early years at MGM where as a teen she was given amphetamines and barbiturates to keep up with a grueling work schedule. She also was told that she was an "ugly duckling" by studio honchos, which affected her self-esteem throughout her life.

However, by observing her as a young adult in such star vehicles as 1944's "Meet Me in St. Louis", 1946's"The Harvey Girls", and 1948's "Easter Parade", it had become quite apparent that the ugly duckling had grown into a beautiful swan. To say that she was the Entertainer of the 20th Century may be an understatement.

Yes, Judy Garland had it all: beauty, charisma, great acting skill, comedic timing, superb dancing, and versatile musical talent displayed by a great sense of rhythm and a timeless, angelic voice that could express the quietest whisper or the roar of a lion with the same amount of intensity and seamless phrasing. My only regret is that I didn't get to hear her sing live. But her music will always live on in CDs, on youtube, and in my heart.

Wanna Get Happy? Listen to Judy Garland

Ever since I bought the 3 CD collection “The Essential Judy Garland”,  I have been enjoying riding in my car.  I stopped listening to political talk radio and have instead been thrilling to Garland.

Traffic jam?  No problem.  It gives me more time to listen to Judy.  I have found my overall daily mood has improved and even when I’m not listening, the sweet refrains of her tunes keep being recalled in my head, brightening my day.

I keep marveling at what a natural talent she was.  She had such musical expression, such a beautiful tone that she changes to match whatever song she is singing, such rhythmic timing, such exuberance, such dynamic range, and such soul!

And she gets you to feel whatever she is singing about.  It’s clear she knows and conveys the meaning of whatever lyrics she is crooning.  You can hear her smiling through the upbeat spirit she brings to “Get Happy”, “The Trolley Song”, “Everybody Sing”, and “If You Feel Like Singing, Sing”. These renditions warm my heart and make me feel, well, like singing.

The timing and tempos of such spiritual classics as “Swanee”, “Fascinatin’ Rhythm”, “I’ve Got Rhythm”, “All God’s Chillun Got Rhythm” and “I’m Just Wild About Harry” and big band swing tunes of “Stompin’ At The Savoy”, “On The Atchison, Topeka, And The Santa Fe”, and “FDR Jones” make we want to get up and dance.  (Hard to do while driving.)

The pathos and dreamy quality of such ballads as “Zing Went The Strings of My Heart”, “Sleep, My Baby, Sleep”, “Oceans Apart”, “I’m Nobody’s Baby”, “But Not For Me”, “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, “The Man That Got Away”, “Embraceable You” and of course, “Over the Rainbow” make me swoon.

I had forgotten how many hit recordings she had.  Besides the holiday classics “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Easter Parade”, there are uplifting jewels such as “Look For the Silver Lining”, “On The Sunny Side Of The Street”,  “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”, and “Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis.”

And the duets she sings shows her ability to work well with other stars and create an entertaining chemistry that is palpable in renditions of “For You, For Me, Forevermore” and “Aren’t You Kind Of Glad We Did?” with Dick Haymes, “For Me and My Gal” and “When You Wore A Tulip” with Gene Kelly, and “Mine” with Bing Crosby.  And her comical side is highlighted in the collaborations of “Be A Clown” with Gene Kelly, “Friendship” with Johnny Mercer, “Yah-Ta-Ta, Yah-Ta-Ta, Talk, Talk, Talk” with Bing Crosby, “Could You Use Me?” with Mickey Rooney, and “We’re A Couple Of Swells” with Fred Astaire.

In fact, there is not one number out of the 60 offerings on the CD collection that I don’t like.  No wonder Ron O’Brien declared her “the reigning goddess of the golden age of the Hollywood film musical.”

And hearing Judy sing is just one part of the equation that was Garland. She was also a great dancer and gifted actress that brightened the stage or screen. Most have seen her memorable performance in “The Wizard of Oz” but in that classic she only sings one solo and doesn’t get to dance much.  If you haven’t yet experienced the total joyful package that she was, I suggest you go to youtube and watch the clips of her film career and TV show. The irony of Judy Garland is that though her tragic off screen life of imposed drug addiction by MGM (they made her take amphetamines in her teens), divorces, and breakdowns was publicized so extensively in the press, her on screen persona, I believe, is the real Judy and it is where she shined and was happiest.  She was born to sing and entertain.  And we are the lucky beneficiaries of her talent.

There is no getting around it.  We need a Garland revival.  I happen to love that time period of the big bands, spirituals, and Broadway musicals.  I have a theory that Judy helped that generation survive the Great Depression and World War II.  Boy, could we use her now!  I am thankful we have these CDs and youtube video clips.  The one of Judy and Barbra Streisand singing “Hooray for Love” on her TV show in 1963 is particularly memorable.  As one musical icon passes the torch to another, the genuine respect and affection they display for one another is heartwarming.

But we need more Judy.  I would like to hear more radio stations play her hits.  We have “Fridays with Frank”, why not “Fridays with Frances” (her real name)?  Or how about “Jubilation with Judy”?

How about a new movie on her life?  I know HBO did one a few years ago, but I want to see one on the big screen.  And I would cast Hillary Swank to play Judy.  She looks like her and has the same kind of girl next door energy.

While listening to these CDs I was struck by how many references are made to rainbows (“Over the Rainbow”, “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows”, and “Can This Be the End Of The Rainbow?”)

In “Sunny Side Of The Street”, Judy adds a new twist to one of the lines:  “Troubles over, I’ve crossed over the rainbow.”  She has and I am convinced she has found peace, free of the troubles and sorrows she must have endured here on earth.  She left us a legacy of happiness through song and if anyone is deserving of forgiveness and grace it is Judy Garland.

Miracle On Capitol Hill

(This is a recent article I sumitted to HuffPost on 12/22/10 that did not get published.  Any ideas why?  I am cluless.)

The Holidays came early for congress and the American public.  Just when it looked like Grinch Harry Reid was going to steal Christmas from them, lawmakers made deals and finished the 111th Congress with a flurry of bills, most supported by the majority of Americans.

This unforeseen miraculous happy ending came during a lame duck session where the departing incumbents could have taken their marbles and gone home, but they didn't.  And this is a victory for everyone, especially the President who less than two short months ago admitted he and his party took a "shellacking" in the mid-term elections.  (http://www.businessweek.com/.../obama-says-midterm-shellacking-to-spur- cooperation.html)

This come from behind series of victories is not unlike the "Miracle at the New Meadowlands" that the Philadelphia Eagles pulled off against the New York Giants this past weekend.  They were down by 21 points and rallied behind quarterback Michael Vick and punt returner DeSean Jackson for four touchdowns in 8 minutes. (http://www.philly.com/.../eagles/20101220_Eagles___Miracle_at_New_ Meadowlands__beats_Giants_for_NFC_East_lead.html)

Just as some are saying this Eagles win was so dramatic it has the fans thinking Super Bowl, President Obama's major bills that passed in the last week alone may propel him to re-election in 2012.  It is too soon to say for both but there are a lot of similarities.

Before Jackson's breathtaking punt return he had been dejected on the sidelines after fumbling away the ball in the third quarter.  He was ready to give up but QB Vick implored him not to.  "Vick kept telling me, 'Man, come on.  Man, keep your head up.  You're going to get one.  You're going to get one'.  And we kept plugging away and we got one."

Vick also told his teammates at halftime, if nothing else play for pride.  That seems to be what the Democrats in congress did this lame duck session.  Many are leaving in January.  They knew this was their last chance to get bills passed that they felt were just morally right:  the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", the 9/11 Responders' Health Care bill, and the Russian START treaty.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid smartly played the "Christmas card."   He told disgruntled GOP Senators who were complaining about having to stay past their holiday break time that many Americans have to work on Christmas.  Ironically this deadline of the new year forced many Republicans to stop playing obstructionist and vote on America's business.  (http://www.tnr.com/.../harry-reid-gets-something-right-making-our-lazy-politicians -earn-their-payc -)

It turns out that President Obama was wise to get the tax bill done first to clear the way for the rest of the legislation.  (http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/obama-gop-reach-tax-deal.aspx -).  Although  many progressives in his own party were unhappy with the deal which included tax breaks for the wealthy, the whole process helped them to find their voice (like Vermont Senator Sanders' 8 hour filibuster, take that, GOP)  and fired them up which helped create the momentum for the monumental last few weeks.  (http://sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/news/?id=cae39a0e-ad05-4782...)

Many moderate GOP Senators also showed backbone by voting for the President's agenda.  Already I have heard a backlash from the Tea party on right wing radio warning these lawmakers that they are "taking names." (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1210/46578.html)

The truth is that conservative Republicans lawmakers must feel similar to the NY Giants right about now.  They were sitting pretty after the historic November 4th mid-term elections but now they may be wondering what train hit them.  Senator Lindsey Graham (R,SC) is quoted as saying  Senator Reid has eaten our lunch."  (http://news.yahoo.com/video/politics-15749652/23595814)

Yesterday, history was made with the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell".  (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_gays_in_military.)   This is as momentous an occasion as Truman's  desegregating the Military in 1948.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Order_9981).  In addition to the extension of tax cuts, the START treaty and the 9/11 Health care bill, a Food Safety act was passed, and unemployment was extended for 13 months.  This on top of all of the legislative victories of the last two years including Health care reform, equal pay for women, credit card reform, and Financial reform.  Speaker Pelosi as well as Senator Reid should be applauded for all they accomplished despite the party of "no".

President Obama has called this a "Season of Progress." (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.../obama-press-conference-pr_2_n_800475.html).   The one bill that he regrets that didn't get passed is the  DREAM act which guarantees rights to children of illegal immigrants.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DREAM_Act ).  But he has said he has not given up on it and will take it up with the next congress.  I now believe him.  As he has said, he is nothing else if not persistent.

These are my Christmas wishes: the Eagles win the Super Bowl and President Obama and the 112th congress find a way to continue to work together and do what is right for the American people.  One can DREAM can't one?

Our Whole Nation Has PTSD

(Here is a blog I submitted to the Huffington Post on 11/18/09.  One of my favorites that never got published.  Any ideas why?)

Floods, wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, nor’easterns, droughts.  Just a few of the natural disasters this nation has endured these past few years.  Is global warming real and has it contributed to these latest catastrophes?

On 9/11/02, two planes were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in NYC, one struck the Pentagon in DC, and another headed for the White House crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after the brave passengers put up a fight with the al-Qaeda hijackers.  

Then we started two foreign wars in which we witnessed beheadings, suicide bombings, and IED attacks on our troops and recently an attack by an insider terrorist  on Army recruits at Fort Hood.  On Christmas day, 2009 a terrorist who boarded a plane in Nigeria detonated a home made bomb after the flight landed in Detroit.  Luckily it misfired and no one was hurt except the suspect.

Several “rogue nations” such as Iran and North Korea are developing nuclear weapons.  The Middle East is heating up.  The world is teetering on the edge.

In the last two decades, we have seen domestic terrorism in Oklahoma, high school students shooting their classmates in Columbine, a Washington DC sniper kill several civilians, a Virginia Tech college student going on a rampage, while countless disgruntled workers turned on their employers (creating the term “going postal”), and a seeming no end to violence and crime in our cities.

The most scary and violent program on television is the local news.  Murders, rapes, kidnappings, animal abuse, and robberies:  it’s just too depressing to watch.  And the sad thing is that it is real, not a fabricated plot.

Now as a nation we face a recession, high unemployment, a mortgage crisis, banks and automobile manufacturers failing, rising health costs, huge deficits, increased homelessness, and a divided nation as to how to solve our problems.

I believe we are collectively suffering from some form of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).  This affliction usually affects those who have experienced a life-threatening situation such as a war zone, a car accident, a plane crash, a physical attack or rape.  The VA Hospitals have long waiting lists of returning soldiers needing help for PTSD.  These are the extreme cases of the disorder.

But I also believe that to a lesser degree every one of us has a connection to the illness, if not personally afflicted, through our friends and family.

How many people do you know who have experienced a car accident, a life threatening disease, witnessed a crime, lost a son or daughter or sibling to war, had a family member that has committed suicide, or survived a natural disaster?  I know all of the above applies to me and my extended family.

Ironically, all of the above situations are also favorite subjects for our TV shows, movies, and books.  Why do we like to be frightened by our entertainment?  Why are horror films like “Friday the 13^th” and “Saw” so popular?  How is that the movie “2012” (that chronicles the end of the world due to solar flare-ups from the sun) is doing so well at the box office?  Aren’t movies supposed to be an escape from our stressful society?  More importantly, does art imitate life or does life imitate art?

I was recently shocked by my eight year old nephew when I asked him what he wanted to be when he grows up.  He said a “weapons builder.”  I couldn’t imagine where he got that idea, coming from a loving Christian family, then I remembered that he spends a lot of time on the computer.  Could it be the video games he plays? 

Come to think of it, that is what we Americans do best:  build weapons and sell them to the world.

Is the Bible right in that “whatsoever we sow, that we shall reap”?  Was President Eisenhower psychic when he warned about expanding the “military industrial complex”?  Are we as a nation conflicted internally because of the destruction and suffering we have contributed to around the globe?

How can we turn all this around?  Maybe we all need group therapy.  I also believe that change begins at home.  We can pressure our leaders, particularly our new President, to put an end to the wars, produce green jobs over weapons manufacturing, pass health care reform, bring back some form of gun control, and clean up the environment to prevent further climate change.  But they can’t do it alone.  We all have to do our part.

Many of our spiritual advisors suggest a personal moratorium on the evening news.  What is the sense of going around depressed all the time?  While we’re at it, how about a moratorium on scary, gory, or violent movies and TV shows?  Producers only produce what they think the public wants to see.  Also, how about a boycott of violent video games?

We need to change our collective consciousness to one of peace and compassion to replace conflict and stress.  It begins with us as individuals making a conscious decision to choose a different way of life, to reject the violence of the past and emphasize healing and reconciliation.

If someone is seriously afflicted with PTSD they should get professional help.  Meanwhile, the rest of us can find personal peace and comfort in our spiritual faith, our friends and family, and with our commonality rather than our differences.  As Michael Jackson so eloquently stated in his song, “Man in the Mirror”: “If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make the change.”