President, pundits and Palin

Posted on January 13, 2011 by 40andover

I watched the President’s speech last night. He spoke as our nation’s leader, as a parent, as a person and as a professor. He clearly choked up when talking about the young girl who was killed. In that moment, he was a father who couldn’t imagine losing one of his daughters.

It is something that is remarkable about this President. He has young children and he often talks about the world he wants to pass down to them and their generation. They are our future. Last night, as President and father, he asked us to live up to the ideals of that young girl who was killed. Let’s move beyond the cynicism and the vitriol. Let’s make our kids proud. This wasn’t fake rhetoric or soaring oratory; this has been his message and his example since the campaign days.

(And yes, he is professorial, so sometimes you have to struggle through the abstract and long-winded parts.)

I noticed how naturally his and Mrs. Obama’s hands intertwined when he was seated. Theirs seems a relaxed affection that belies his stoic and Mr. Spock-like reputation. That comforted me although I am not yet sure why.

It was startling that it was a rolicking good time at the auditorium. I think those tuning in expected something more somber. But, having been in mourning more than once, I know it is the start of a personal journey and not something to be judged by outsiders.

Then I watched portions of Sarah Palin’s podcast. I am not sure what I would do if people blamed me for the deaths of innocent people. She is who she is: an agitator but not a leader.

The conservative, liberal and middle-of-the-road pundits were out-doing themselves last night. They must get paid by the word and get bonus dollars for picking things apart in ways that become senseless. And I think there is an even bigger bonus if you say something really inane and it gets repeated by another pundit on another show.

All in all, I think we and our democracy are best served when we, as citizens, go to sources — reading the books and listening to the speeches and debates — and making the decisions, rather than relying on talking heads to tell us what we ought to think. They get paid to incite controversy. If we just listened to each other, maybe the tone of the rhetoric would naturally tone down.

Tragedy on so many levels

Posted on January 9, 2011 by 40andover

In Tucson, many are dead and injured as a result of a deranged man with a deranged message.

Let’s put aside the left blaming the right and whether it is foreseeable that a lunatic would do this. That conversation will get us nowhere and misses the point.

I think it is more worthwhile to wonder why politics is a bloodsport these days in a way that we haven’t seen since in perhaps a century.

Let’s think instead about how our politician are so invested in being right that they vilify the oppositional view and the integrity of its proponents. In 2008, when Michele Bachmann said that then candidate Barack Obama and Michele Obama were “anti-American” because they hold views different from hers, that is a code that our country is being infiltrated by enemies. Think about it, she said that the likely 44th President was the Manchurian Candidate of the movies. And in the movies, a lone gunman (the good guy) kills the Manchurian Candidate.

Then Sarah Palin has a website that has a target on Rep. Giffords’ district (“in the cross-hairs”) for some reason or other. Or the famous, Palinism: “don’t back down, just reload” or something like that. Words have meaning, even if you try afterward to refudiate them.

This is war-speak. And in war, enemies are killed, and our soldiers come home to heroes’ welcomes (ideally). But war produces body-bags, brutality, starvation, desperation and carnage.

Is that the fevered pitch we want in our national discourse? So, let us speak gently and with respect when we debate. Even if we have to fake it.

Let’s set some ground rules:

A socialist and tea-party member can love this country and protect the very institutions of government that make us strong.
It isn’t about being right; it is about building a consensus and keeping this country great.
Political defeat is hard to take but you can’t take your marbles and go home or start threatening people.
The media does more to stoke the divisions than provide any useful information.
If our nation tacks to the left or right, some people will not be pleased, but they must always remain the loyal opposition. (It is hard; I know. I had to endure the policies of George Bush and Dick Cheney and even some of President Obama’s policies I don’t like).
Exemplifying and practicing the principles of this nation are essential for this country to move forward in one piece and in peace.

Oh, The Rapture

Posted on January 5, 2011 by 40andover

Ok, according to ebiblefellowship.com, “we’re almost there!!”

Almost where? Almost to the Day of Rapture when G-d’s Elect will ascend to Heaven. (I tried to use a Heavenly color.)

May 21, 2011, to be exact.

Then, a great fire will consume the rest of the earth, in October. I guess it is too much of a transportation headache to transport everyone (down?) to Hell, so G-d is just going to throw lighter fluid on an out-of-control oil well or something.

I know this is terrible, but I keep singing Blondie’s song “Rapture” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnhKPw2NXIw (with a little Jim Morrison mixed in for a full apocalyptic/conspiracy theory montage).

SO, I don’t get what happens on the day that the Rapture begins.

G-d will rule the Earth and G-d’s followers will abide by those rules.

Ok, according to the Christian theology, G-d already rules and these believers follow the rules.

Will G-d reward them with “life”?

They are already alive. Eternal life? As long as you stay young, because aging is not for the faint of heart.

Is it just that G-d will rid the universe of the rest of us?

The Christian thing to do would be just to ignore us.

To be honest, I would like to have that strength of faith. I would like to believe in a Great Benevolence that will save us. Because I do believe that this world could be destroyed, except I think the end will come because of human action.

I guess if Hell will be a place on Earth (in either scenario — theirs or mine), I should cancel that airport limousine I reserved for the End of Days. Because Hell is coming soon to a place near you — check newspapers for times and listings.

iFamily

Posted on December 29, 2010 by 40andover

For my 40th birthday (just about 7 years ago), POB (partner of blogger) gave me an iPod. There is new, souped of version of this dinosaur called “iPod Classic”. Just like those “classic” Chryslers with all the conveniences of modern technology but with the fins and the chrome edges. It was amazing in its time and, just seven years later, its limitations are quaint — in that way that a lop-sided homemade cake is really so, so, so, “homey”.

Then, it wore out as iThings are designed to do after 360 charges. So, it stays planted in its iPlayer for music when we are in the house.

Then, we got something for the gym.

And this doesn’t really hold a charge anymore. And so I get iRate at the gym when the battery idies on me and all I have to watch is the 24-hour-news-recycle to pass the tortuous 30 minutes on a constant-sweat machine of choice that day.

Ok, so then we got one that had more “juice” for the family. But we didn’t know about the iDeath that happens after 360 charges (don’t leave an iPod in a charger or re-charge willy-nilly). So this iDevice splits its time between two places: the kitchen, and, after hours, in SOPOBAB’s (son of POB and blogger’s) room so he can listen to audio books and then go to sleep to the music of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong (yes, SOPOBAB is an old soul). This requires TWO iBose systems for its two iHomes.

Ok, that was not enough, so we got two, TWO, iTouches. Two iTouches. SOPOBAB has dinosaur, bird, football, baseball and hockey apps so he can play, too. (Our child cannot conceive of a world with typewriters, dial-up connections, Basic 8 computer languages. Thank G-d, he loves real, honest-to-goodness books.)

The batteries are draining too quickly. So we are probably going to get another one. Oy.

Then we got an iMac. [picture not included because of iMalfunction] [imagine iPicture here].

THEN, a MacBook Pro.

Now, an iPhone. Not for me. For POB. Cool and groovy.

But I am a little iParanoid that our dependence on Steve Jobs is getting addictive. But I really hate PCs since Microsoft Vista came out and ground our PC to a halt even for simple tasks, like say, logging on.

There was a time when there was no “I” in “team” (but there IS an I in family, which stinks for the metaphor). Apple will get rid of that problem by creating the iTeam (who knows if that is true, but one has to believe that something like that has to come out in order to continue the mind control and advance the global domination).

In life, you pick your battles. Steve Jobs, you win. iLove you and so does this iFamily.

WikiLeaks made the world way more dangerous.

Posted on November 29, 2010 by 40andover

Mr. Wikileaks, the self-appointed arbiter of world politics, is a cyber-terrorist and not a crusader. But the information is not revelatory; but its publication is like yelling fire in a crowded theater.

And really, is the world a safer place because we know that a diplomat thinks Silvio Berlusconi is feckless and a womanizer? Or that Quaddafi travels with a voluptuous nurse? This suggests that Mr. WikiLeaks is out to embarrass people and not to save the world.

And does the world (and specifically terrorists) need to know that the US is SECRETLY (oops, WAS SECRETLY) trying to secure some of the Pakistani nuclear arsenal? And did anyone doubt that the Afghan government is corrupt to its core?

To review. Before this weekend, we knew, among other things, that:

China is our biggest creditor;
China can be an immense military and economic enemy if threatened;
China views North Korea as a buffer between it and the Western sphere of influence in the Korean peninsula;
South Korea is one of our biggest trading partners and buyer of US goods and thus key to our economic recovery;
North Korea is ruled by lunatics and they have a nuclear arsenal;
Iran probably has or is about to have nuclear weapons making the Middle East evermore the powder keg of the world;
Secretly every ruler in the Middle East hates Ahmedinejad and wants Iran disarmed;
The US cannot afford to fight another war; and
Hamid Karzai and his merry band of traffickers run one of the most corrupt governments in one of the most ungovernable areas of the world.

Now we know that:

The US and South Korea are planning for a united Korea (assuming North Korea implodes) allied with the US which will freak out China;
Some Middle East countries (other than Israel) hate Iran enough to want the US to attack;
Iran is really close to having nuclear weapons; and
Karzai’s brother regularly shakes down countries and is paid millions of dollars in unmarked bags.

Net Gain: Zero Information.

Net Loss: Now countries may have to respond with harsh words, sanctions or firepower because delicate diplomatic balances have been disrupted and bonds of trust breached. Gee, just what we needed.

Ramifications: In this world, this diplomatic crisis could as easily result in political breakthroughs or peace or devolve into war and/or global economic collapse.

Captive audience

Posted on November 18, 2010 by 40andover

We all have experienced the hassles and indignities of air travel these days. And, of course, the screaming babies, the smelly row mates, the loud talkers and the drunks have also challenged our coping mechanisms.

But on my flight this morning, I think I witnessed a new high in lows. Two young women friends are seated in the same row (behind me), one on the aisle, and the other by the window. A stranger is sitting between them. The two friends are chatting loud enough so they can hear each other, and as a result, as can everyone seated in nearby rows.

The young woman on the aisle said to the stranger, apparently pointing to her friend by the window, “we’re friends, so we’re just going to talk over you.” STOP THE MUSIC. Whaaaat? As if what is good for her is good for a stranger?

The stranger offers to switch seats and the young woman says, “No, I need an aisle seat and my friend needs to be by the window.” So, what you are really going to talk over this poor woman? As it turned out, yes, yes, they were.

I thought to say something but then decided that it is not my job (although it is my secret thrill) to correct every display of atrocious manners. Some wrongs will have to sort themselves out without my uninvited intervention. The real reason is that I am not sure whether reprimanding another passenger for crimes against civility would cause the TSA to take me forcibly from the plane. And I really wanted to get to the office, get some things done and get home to my family at a reasonable hour.

So, I put in my ear plugs and fell asleep.

A hero for our times — Aung San Suu Kyi

Posted on November 15, 2010 by 40andover

The Burmese military regime just released the rightful leader of Burma from 20 years of on-and-off house arrest.

She has committed her life to democracy in the country renamed as Myanmar by the military so much so that she didn’t see her dying husband in London for fear that if she left her homeland she would not be allowed back.

She is a hero by the example of her life and should not be measured by whether or not she brings democracy to Burma. And no one knows what democracy means to a people under totalitarian rule for at least two generations.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aung_San_Suu_Kyi

I visited Burma on a lark shortly after Aung San Suu Kyi was popularly elected and then prevented from seating her government. It was a crazy time to be there. Stupid in retrospect.

Burma is a beautiful country with natural and archeological treasures.

The military desecrates these treasures as easily as it does cemeteries, houses of worship and monasteries. Some of the country is as ungovernable as are parts of Afghanistan, where tribes and drug trade rule.

Veterans Day

Posted on November 12, 2010 by 40andover

Yesterday was Veteran’s Day.

I was thinking a lot about war and life yesterday. When I became a mother and god-mother, I understood that if my son (or god-daughters) went to war, I would have to go as well, because anything that is worth my child’s life, is worth my life. (And the corollary: if you mess with my children, you mess with me.) Of course, I think it would be hard to take your mom into battle. But if you know me, you know that the enemy should be really, really, scared.

So, I am grateful to the young men and women who routinely put their lives at risk for the high stakes political chess that our world leaders play with way too much glee and ooky blood lust.

And I am grateful to the veterans of prior wars for their sacrifices. It is hard to imagine old men and women in their prime, as spies (www.dailymail.co.uk/…/Tragedy-WWII-spy-Eileen-Nearne-escaped-Gestapo-died-alone.html) and soldiers and nurses on the front. They look so old and enfeebled now.

Today, as I was leaving my office, I saw two old men in wheel chairs. Using “old” is somewhat euphemistic. “Ancient” is more appropriate. Incapacitated and dependent. When I see random ancient people on the street (as opposed to family), I cannot think of them as once young and vibrant. I just see strangers with no past and probably not much of a future.

Except the two old men in their wheelchairs with their attendants were wearing war medals and insignias of their military service. All of a sudden, they were not inconvenient and uncomfortable reminders of my future decrepitude. I know that when they were young, they were warriors. Given the number of medals, they were brave warriors. And they have stories, of war and peace, love and hate, passion and indifference. Maybe these were good, generous, upright men. Maybe they weren’t. Probably, like all of us, they fell somewhere in between.

Two of my uncles were reluctant warriors in WWII. One was captured and imprisoned. I know his story, which is powerful (www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/Shapiro.html). It was hard to know these things about my uncle. I know it was hard for my uncle to remember, transcend the evil, and have his story known.

It wasn’t until my other uncle, Uncle Al, died about 9 years ago that I learned he fought in the Pacific in WWII. He never talked about it (or maybe we just didn’t see enough of him to draw him out). My father thinks he was at Guadalcanal. Of course, that generation never talked about the war, even when the effects of the war crippled, or at least altered, the trajectories of their post-war lives.

Truth is that I didn’t know this uncle very well. He was the third of five sons and got short shrift by three generations of our family. He was a quiet man with great artist skill. I wonder if I would have interacted with him differently if, while he was alive, I knew to look at his life through the prism of the bloodshed he must have witnessed and (possibly) perpetrated in some of the most grisly fighting of WWII.

Today, we have veterans who need our support. Whether or not we agree with the politics, their mere willingness to go to war to protect and defend us is heroic. We owe it to these young men and women to learn their stories, help them re-acclimate to post-war lives, and protect them from their deepest, darkest memories of combat and, yes, deal with the bad things they did “over there”.

It is hard to imagine that some of our warriors and their families have not yet been granted US citizenship. It is hard to imagine that some of our warriors and their families are treated like second class citizens because of sexual orientation. It is hard to believe that anyone thinks our returning veterans don’t deserve the very best in medical care and social services.

I just hope that no one has to wonder, when the veterans of our generation are in wheelchairs with attendants, if they will be remembered and honored. I hope the next generations remember that they once were warriors, protecting and defending us.

First, fire the pundits. Second, let’s talk about race.

Posted on November 7, 2010 by 40andover

Yesterday op-ed by Bob Herbert of the New York Times really got me nuts. It was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I don’t care which party “gets it” or not. That is not even a relevant question.

That we have a president named Barack Hussein Obama is in fact a delivery of his campaign promise of change. The fact that he is decried as not that much different from other presidents is another delivery of his campaign promise of being President of all citizens, not just blue states.

You see, you may not have noticed, but the President of the United States is African-American. Now, I am a middle-aged, white, Jewish lesbian (MWJL). And I have no idea what it is to be anything or anyone other than who I am. But from my perspective (for what it is worth):

The President may be post-racial, but the country is not. (We are making progress and, as we do, sometimes there is backlash that makes us think we are losing ground.) The fact of his presidency is a challenge to much of the nation. The fact that he is continuing some of the Bush policies in matters of war means that his opponents (the Grand Old White Man Party) need to frame his domestic policies as so radical as to threaten our very existence as a nation. Thus, the charged rhetoric.

Because it is, at least in part, about race. (Please no eye rolls — I am a MWJL, remember?)

Lest we forget that John McCain and Sarah Palin got a lot of votes and stirred up fears of the end of the reign of the Old White Man.

Remember when he let a little of his anger show when Professor Gates was arrested? You would think that he created an international incident. All he did was call the actions of white cops stupid. Imagine George Bush doing that. Not even a blip on the radar.

Listen to the racist language of the Tea Party. These people are scared that they will be treated the way they have treated minorities. They know that karma can be a painful boomerang. So, now that the Establishment is run by an African-American, they are fighting the Establishment tooth and nail.

I had an epiphany the other day about DADT. The President is Commander in Chief of a military run by conservative white men. When he leads, they need to follow. So, he needs to show he will listen, too. So, maybe he needs to protect DADT for now as it winds it way through the courts and the Congress.

The President is the embodiment of the American dream, with the picture-perfect American family. But he is not a reflection of America yet, but an aspiration of what America can be. We all have some work to do.

Gays in the Military

Posted on October 13, 2010 by 40andover

Does anyone really believe that, with the lifting of the ban, gays will start wearing rainbow flags and singing Judy Garland songs instead of the national anthem?

Military is a macho place where gays will be harassed for decades to come. I doubt gays will start coming out of the closet in droves tomorrow.

The point on the injunction is that no one can get forced from the military for being gay, so gay service members don’t have to live in fear of discovery while they serve our nation on the battlefields. Our nation should be grateful to those who love this country so much that they will risk their lives even though they face senseless discrimination.

Let’s get at the fear, which is sex: Some people think that gay service members will start propositioning heterosexuals and start having sex in public.

First, straight people over-estimate their attractiveness.

Second, these people are trained military personnel who abide by a code of conduct.

If a gay or straight service member acts in a way unbecoming an officer or enlisted person (use any example you want) then that service member can still be, and should be, discharged.

And, President Obama, don’t fight this injunction. We are here, we are queer and we are tired of waiting.

40 — oh wait, yikes!! 50 — andoverblog

Aging and living in urban US

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