Long-Term Unemployed Losing Hold On Middle Class

When are the lawmakers in Washington going to address the huge elephant in the room, which is the pervasive dread of the middle class not falling into poverty. It seriously feels as if the opportunit­y of upward mobility has completely disappeare­d for the middle class and our focus is now, not how to get ahead, but how not to sink underneath the weight of potential unemployme­nt, or serial unemployme­nt, credit card bills, medical bills, student loans and the list goes on. You then read about Mr. Hansarling­(R) from Texas, who says that not all tax cuts are equal and that the extension of the payroll tax cut holiday will cost too much as opposed to letting the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy expire is bad because those tax cuts are okay. That is the problem with our country at this moment, the focus and the resources are all going to the top 10% of our society while the rest of us are on our own. It can’t last like this for long, we can’t afford it, we really can’t.
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A Natural Disasters History Lesson for Ron Paul

It is always easy to look back on the “good old days” and think that things were easier and less complicate­d without the complexiti­es of modern day society. You hear our generation talking about kids nowadays and how the technology is making them lazy and stupid, much the same as our grandparen­ts talked about us and their grandparen­ts talked about them. Ron Paul’s trouble is that he is seeking election to the highest office in the land based on a false or rosy colored nostalgic view of America. Much of the tea party philosophy is also based on a false view of America, that if only we could get back to a certain time in the past, things would be better. You can’t govern in present day society by wanting to turn the wheel of time backwards. It doesn’t work that way.
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Texas Sonogram Law: Judge Strikes Down Key Provisions Of Abortion Bill

How can a republican who campaigns against big government and who promises to make government as inconseque­ntial as possible in the lives of the American people be the biggest hypocrite of them all by ramming government into a women’s reproducti­ve life? A woman’s reproducti­ve choice is intensely personal and should never be put under a microscope­. Roe versus Wade is the law and it makes me so angry to think of a chamber full of strangers legislatin­g about reproducti­ve rights based on their faith which really means imposing their religious beliefs onto women regardless of their own free will. This goes against government interventi­on in people’s private lives and even goes against the separation of church and state. It really makes my blood boil.
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If you could be a part of a fictional world, which would it be?

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I’m in the sad process of reading the last book of the incomparable Robert Jordan. He was the architect of the wonderful fantasy world called the Wheel of Time. This brilliant wonderful writer left us too soon in 2007 and it is only through his courage and dedication that he left behind enough of his legacy to have one of his gifted followers, Brandon Sanderson, finish the saga in two final books. I have read and journeyed through Jordan’s world for now 13 books and the cast of characters have more or less become like friends to me. As in all good sci-fi/fantasy, this is the epic battle between good and evil, light and dark. For the dark to triumph means all must be undone, away from the light. The key figure is an ordinary man born into an extraordinary situation and gradually grows into powers that will either consume him or become what he needs to fight the lord of darkness. He is Rand alThor, the Dragon Reborn, or affectionately known to his old friends as sheep-herder. His friends and he, all hail from the small town of Edmond’s Field of the Two Rivers, a small farming community. His friends being Perrin Aybara, the blacksmith, who becomes known as Perrin Golden-eyes. Matt Cauthon, the charming rake, who, while still charming and rakish, becomes unbelievably heroic throughout the long journey. Lest we forget the ladies, there is Egwene alVere, the intended of Rand, and Nynaeve, the Wisdom of Edmond’s Field. Just a very small while later we get to meet Elaine Trakand, daughter heir to the kingdom of Andor, we then meet Aviendha, an Aiel warrior maiden, the Aiel are a nomadic desert tribe who become followers of Rand alThor. Finally, we meet Min, an incredibly capable and independent young lady, gifted with the sight or foretelling and she is never wrong. This band of friends are the ones who must find the inner strength to fight and resist all the obstacles, traps and lethal attacks from the dark side. This is the world that Robert Jordan paints so realistically and beautifully, that I would love to be a part of, to aid my friends in their important battle to save their world from an eternal darkness. The dark one is breaking the seals of his prison one by one and Rand is finding his strength, not just his external powers, but his inner strength as well. He cannot do it alone and all his friends play equally crucial roles in defeating the dark forces. Besides all the adventures each and every one of them go through, either together or on their own, these trials by fire really forge bonds of friendship beyond what they ever thought possible. Their characters are also hammered into stronger versions of what they originally were.

Right now I am halfway through the 13th book or to be more precise the last one in this wonderful series. I am taking such a long time finishing it because I don’t want it to end and I don’t want to say good-bye. I know that I’ll find another series eventually but I do get attached and I’ll be sad for a little bit. But if there was to be a fictional world that I could jump into, Robert Jordan’s world would be it.

A Must-See Documentary

Getting set for the Academy Awards on Hollywood Boulevard

The 2011 Oscar winner "Inside Job". The director made an excellent point in his acceptance speech, no one has of yet been jailed for their larcenous behavior and that is a real crime.

Dick Cheney Bashes John McCain In New Book

Whenever I think of Dick Cheney, I have Jon Stewart’s many impersonat­ions of him in my head. Stewart always made him sound like Burgess Meredith when he played the Penguin on Batman and Robin. Jon did equate Cheney with Darth Vader. In the annals of history Cheney will be seen as the dark overlord whereas Dan Quayle will be seen as the idiot brother. Lessons in what type of person not to ask to run with you.
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Write a review about a movie or product.

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We just went to see “Conan the Barbarian”, the remake with Jason Momoa as Conan. I grew up watching Arnold Schwarzenegger as “The Conan” so I was really interested to see what they were going to do with the remake. The actor they found to play Conan, is an actor that my hubby and I have watched for a while now, on the Syfy channel. His name is Jason Momoa and he was part of an ensemble cast of the series Stargate Atlantis. We are huge science fiction fans, and my husband always says that science fiction people love their science fiction actors, it is a small loyal community. We were pleasantly surprised to find Jason playing the barbarian lord in the HBO series “Games of Thrones”. We have to wait until next summer for more episodes of “Game of Thrones”, HBO is cruel that way, they give you a new series to get caught up in and leave you hanging for almost 10 months with a cliff-hanger.

Back to “Conan the Barbarian”, if you have any love for the original, don’t worry you will not be disappointed or angry with the treatment of Conan the character. Jason does not disappoint and I have to say, I think that he is a good actor. The special effects are much better this time around and that actually made us a little nostalgic for the good old days. In our opinion Arnold’s’ Conan will always be his, but we definitely loved Jason’s Conan. The storyline was realistically done in the fantasy realm. The supporting actors that play strong roles in the movies are all great character actors such as Ron Perlman and Stephen Lang, you also get a great newish actress Rachel Nichols, who does a bang up job as the heroine. Rose McGowan balances out the story with her dark turn as the sorceress.

The hubby and I are movie freaks, we will watch anything and everything under the sun. I say this to let you know that what we like is not hob knob or intellectual. Our favorite movies of all time are Willow and Princess Bride. We like basically everything, especially if it’s on HBO, then we have to watch. I say this so that you will take this movie review with a grain of salt, movies are expensive nowadays so know your source before you take their advice.

A Fascinating Time Period

Oyster Bay glad to have Mr. Roosevelt home in time to celebrate its 250th anniversary (LOC)

One of my favorite authors is Caleb Carr, he is a historian who specializes in early New York City and uses his knowledge to write spectacular mystery novels. His first novel called the Alienist takes place during the years 1896 through to 1905. That time in N.Y is so interesting, trying to envision Grammercy Park before cars and before the modern architecture. It is eye opening, Carr weaves the infamous J.P. Morgan into the story along with Police Commissioner Teddy Roosevelt, who I admire greatly. If you are ever curious about early New York, go out and read "The Alienist".

It’s Not a Great Recession

I think that we as democrats do not have a gift as a whole to come up with pithy brands or phrases that stick. I feel as if we are stuck in a quagmire and the vines and the branches are all up too high beyond our reach. I want to say that “It’s a Jungle Out There”. The theme song from the t.v show Monk is very apropos for the middle class right about now. Arriana Huffington­’s book Third World America is coming out in paper back. They have jungles in the Third World. Fitting, it would seem, to have that song be our anthem. It’s a Jungle Out There.
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Describe the perfect Sunday.

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Sunday should be a day of rest and relaxation. A day to revel in your senses. A sumptuous breakfast in bed delivered from room service in a five-star hotel in the country of your choice would make for a perfect start to your day. A warm balmy day on the mediterranean sea in the town of Beaulieu would be a plus and my choice as destination for the Sunday of perfection. Next item on the agenda would be to don the most comfortable attire to read and lounge near the pool which is attended to by the most discreet bartenders and waiters known to the industry. They can anticipate your every whim. Fresh fruit is readily available on every table as with freshly pressed lemonade and orange juice. What to do about lunch? Do I want to walk to town and enjoy a wonderful luncheon at a lovely Bistro or do I go shopping at the local boulangerie, the epicerie and the local Traiteur to get a wonderful assortment of ready to eat smackerals for a picnic on the beach? I think that I will go with the picnic on the beach and save the Bistro for dinner.

So, for the shopping trip to town for my picnic, like I said, I need to go to the boulangerie to get a nice warm baguette. Afterwards, I’ll be browsing the epicerie, which is a store that focuses solely on spices, smoked and cured meats and pates, terrines and confits. Foods that all we Frenchies adore. I think I’ll pick up a few slices of a country pate, a container of fresh picholine green olives and the tiny oil cured olives nicoises. Next stop is to the Traiteur which is the shop that concentrates its efforts on prepared meals. There I’ll be picking up a container of grated carrot salad, prepared tiny pink shrimp, fresh mussels in a simple vinaigrette. Lastly, I’ll be stopping at the patisserie for dessert, the choices will be mind-numbingly beautiful and delectable. How to choose what piece I want for dessert, I don’t know. I’ll have to muddle through and pick one, a chocolate eclair, perhaps.

After spending an hour walking through the town, visiting the shops, picking out all the delectable morsels for my picnic, it’s time to head to the beach and indulge myself with my picnic. Eating right on the beach near the water, relaxing without a care in the world. This is what a perfect Sunday is all about. The only thing on my mind is how good every bite is and how drowsy I feel right about now. My eyes are half closed, my body has found the perfect indentation in the sand and I’m now doing the most important part of the lunchtime meal, slow digestion so as not to stress the body.

Hours later, after doing the proper thing for myself and taking a rejuvenating nap, it is time to prepare for dinner. Nothing special planned for the evening, just a simple dinner at the local Bistro. I’ve been dreaming of having the classic Plateau de Fruits de Mer, this is a series of vertically placed platters of seafood with the plates, usually a trio, containing oysters, local steamed crab, fresh clams, shrimp and all this is served with a garlic mayonnaise, fresh baguette and butter. I’m probably too full for dessert but I’m not worried because tonight when I go to sleep, I’ll be dreaming of what I’m going to wake up to tomorrow, another beautiful breakfast in bed with beautiful pain aux raisins and a large pot of coffee.