These movie theaters in Albuquerque have been going steadily downhill. Bad popcorn! Dirty restrooms! And now withholding movies from us. Let me explain. I read all of Stieg Larrson's novels starting with the "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". Not great literature but really fun reads. Then Bobbi and I went to see the Swedish produced movies of the first two books of the trilogy. They were excellent. But now some idiot at Cinemark says Albuquerque wont get the third installment because they don't think they will make money on it. It is no different than running the first two Lord of the Rings movies and then telling your customers to go screw themselves on the third movie. Never mind that when we went to the first two "dragon" movies the theaters were packed.
However, you will still get to see lots of product commercials at their theater. There is no escaping it.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Misc.
Yesterday I entered the sixth day of my cold. I felt okay. The end stage is here and it is the worst. Everything moves into the chest. It is like a relapse but I know I will be doing my hikes again by Sunday.
I hope "Oh Susana" doesn't have a relapse on her effort to cut the ridiculous number of branch colleges around the state. It is the biggest money waster around and the savings could be significant. I am with the Governor on this one. Lets see what the legislature does since they are mostly the ones who created this labyrinth of educational overlap.
Gun Sales are up after the violence in Tucson. Paranoia runs deep. It is still legal to buy 30 round clips for Glocks. Just think if someone else was armed at the shooting with a concealed weapon. You don't need training in Arizona to carry one. 60 rounds available to be discharged before loading. 30 from the bad guy and 30 from the would be protector. All in a big crowd. The toll might have been greater. Paranoia runs deep.
I did not watch the President's eulogy last night in Tucson, but by all media accounts he did well. Lots of bible reading, but if that helps with the grief then okay. At the same time you look at Sarah Palin's ham-fisted attempt at defending herself and you wonder if she has seen her best days already. Let us hope so.
I hope "Oh Susana" doesn't have a relapse on her effort to cut the ridiculous number of branch colleges around the state. It is the biggest money waster around and the savings could be significant. I am with the Governor on this one. Lets see what the legislature does since they are mostly the ones who created this labyrinth of educational overlap.
Gun Sales are up after the violence in Tucson. Paranoia runs deep. It is still legal to buy 30 round clips for Glocks. Just think if someone else was armed at the shooting with a concealed weapon. You don't need training in Arizona to carry one. 60 rounds available to be discharged before loading. 30 from the bad guy and 30 from the would be protector. All in a big crowd. The toll might have been greater. Paranoia runs deep.
I did not watch the President's eulogy last night in Tucson, but by all media accounts he did well. Lots of bible reading, but if that helps with the grief then okay. At the same time you look at Sarah Palin's ham-fisted attempt at defending herself and you wonder if she has seen her best days already. Let us hope so.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Both Sides?
I keep scratching my head wondering why most media people say that the rhetoric on 'both sides' needs to be controlled. Isn't it the corporate far right that is controlling rightwing radio talk show hosts? Isn't it Roger Ailes and crew that controls 24 hour a day unfair and unbalanced news at Fox? Isn't it Rupert Murdoch controlling way to many newspapers editorial pages?
Locally, I don't see any evidence of liberals controlling the editorial page at the Albuquerque Journal. Or the hate talk at KKOB radio. This is one of those examples of how the media can rewrite what has happened in reality. It is amazing really but something we must live with.
Speaking of the Journal, we have gone 10 days without home delivery now. I am reading it for free at coffee shops and other sundry places. I got a letter from them yesterday saying they want me back and touting a special 90 day offer, which as far as I could tell was the normal subscription price. As much as I love 9 Chickweed Lane and Dilbert I am still not feeling withdrawal pains from reading this failing newspaper.
I am happy to see the New Mexico Environmental Law Center pushing back against the oil and gas operated Martinez administration. They have gone to court to get regulations protecting our states land, water and air from "oh Susana's" illegal suspensions. I give the Center money because they have good attorneys. Donate to them here.
Locally, I don't see any evidence of liberals controlling the editorial page at the Albuquerque Journal. Or the hate talk at KKOB radio. This is one of those examples of how the media can rewrite what has happened in reality. It is amazing really but something we must live with.
Speaking of the Journal, we have gone 10 days without home delivery now. I am reading it for free at coffee shops and other sundry places. I got a letter from them yesterday saying they want me back and touting a special 90 day offer, which as far as I could tell was the normal subscription price. As much as I love 9 Chickweed Lane and Dilbert I am still not feeling withdrawal pains from reading this failing newspaper.
I am happy to see the New Mexico Environmental Law Center pushing back against the oil and gas operated Martinez administration. They have gone to court to get regulations protecting our states land, water and air from "oh Susana's" illegal suspensions. I give the Center money because they have good attorneys. Donate to them here.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
A Career Diplomat's View
My highschool buddy Dennis Jett writes often for the McClatchey News Papers. Here is his latest column. Dennis was Ambassador to Mozambique and Peru during his State Department career.
With the Republicans taking over the House of Representatives, there has been much speculation about what policy changes will be made. The focus has been mainly on domestic issues, where the agenda is ambitious. The first priority seems to be to turn back the clock to the good old days when insurance companies got to determine your health.
Very little attention has been paid to what the new majority might do with regard to foreign policy. There is at least one strong indicator in that area, however. In the "Pledge to America," the policy document issued by Republicans back in September to show they were ready to govern again, there was a section entitled “A Plan to Keep Our Nation Secure at Home and Abroad.”
At less than 750 words, the Plan was not a comprehensive foreign policy blueprint, but it did have a clear theme. The theme that runs through all its main points is quite simple — the outside world is largely populated by scary, dark, swarthy foreigners. Let’s call them SDSFs for short.
Here is how that theme plays out in the Plan’s proposals. It promises to “Pass Clean Troop Funding Bills” because our military is the only way to deal with a world full of SDSFs. Its description of the need to “Keep Terrorists Out of America” is essential because the homeland is no place for SDSFs; and apparently keeping them abroad solves our security problems.
In line with the need to keep terrorists out, the Pledge asserts the new Congress should “Demand an Overarching Detention Policy.” The U.S. has more people in prison, in relative and absolute terms, than any other country in the world, so perhaps there is simply no more room. But a more likely explanation is that the Guantanamo Gulag must be maintained forever because it keeps SDSFs over there instead of over here. An assertion that suspected terrorists have no Miranda rights and should be tried in a military court, however, makes it seem that a country that prides itself on the rule of law makes up new rules when it does not like the law.
Everywhere else in the Pledge there are references to cutting government programs, but the Plan has one that calls out for an increase by making a commitment to “Fully Fund Missile Defense.” Clearly there is nothing scarier than SDSFs with missiles. Never mind the fact that the missile defense program does not work or that an offensive system needs only one more missile than the defensive system to defeat it. Spending billions on such a system, even if were effective, also makes little sense when a bomb is far more likely to arrive in a shipping container.
The Pledge says it will “Require Tough Enforcement of Sanctions against Iran” because in the post-Saddam Hussein era, they are the scariest SDSFs around. Unfortunately effective sanctions cannot be imposed unilaterally and our allies need to be convinced, and cannot be required, to enforce them.
And finally, the Pledge pledges to “Establish Operational Control of the Border”, “Work with State and Local Officials to Enforce Our Immigration Laws” and “Strengthen Visa Security.” Those steps are necessary to keep out all SDSFs, except of course those who do our gardening, dish washing and menial construction jobs.
So it is a new day in America with a new approach to international, as well as domestic, issues. The only question left is whether this foreign policy of fear is a political ploy or a true reflection of public opinion in America. The world has no doubt noted the latter is exactly what the new majority claims everything it intends to do is based upon.
With the Republicans taking over the House of Representatives, there has been much speculation about what policy changes will be made. The focus has been mainly on domestic issues, where the agenda is ambitious. The first priority seems to be to turn back the clock to the good old days when insurance companies got to determine your health.
Very little attention has been paid to what the new majority might do with regard to foreign policy. There is at least one strong indicator in that area, however. In the "Pledge to America," the policy document issued by Republicans back in September to show they were ready to govern again, there was a section entitled “A Plan to Keep Our Nation Secure at Home and Abroad.”
At less than 750 words, the Plan was not a comprehensive foreign policy blueprint, but it did have a clear theme. The theme that runs through all its main points is quite simple — the outside world is largely populated by scary, dark, swarthy foreigners. Let’s call them SDSFs for short.
Here is how that theme plays out in the Plan’s proposals. It promises to “Pass Clean Troop Funding Bills” because our military is the only way to deal with a world full of SDSFs. Its description of the need to “Keep Terrorists Out of America” is essential because the homeland is no place for SDSFs; and apparently keeping them abroad solves our security problems.
In line with the need to keep terrorists out, the Pledge asserts the new Congress should “Demand an Overarching Detention Policy.” The U.S. has more people in prison, in relative and absolute terms, than any other country in the world, so perhaps there is simply no more room. But a more likely explanation is that the Guantanamo Gulag must be maintained forever because it keeps SDSFs over there instead of over here. An assertion that suspected terrorists have no Miranda rights and should be tried in a military court, however, makes it seem that a country that prides itself on the rule of law makes up new rules when it does not like the law.
Everywhere else in the Pledge there are references to cutting government programs, but the Plan has one that calls out for an increase by making a commitment to “Fully Fund Missile Defense.” Clearly there is nothing scarier than SDSFs with missiles. Never mind the fact that the missile defense program does not work or that an offensive system needs only one more missile than the defensive system to defeat it. Spending billions on such a system, even if were effective, also makes little sense when a bomb is far more likely to arrive in a shipping container.
The Pledge says it will “Require Tough Enforcement of Sanctions against Iran” because in the post-Saddam Hussein era, they are the scariest SDSFs around. Unfortunately effective sanctions cannot be imposed unilaterally and our allies need to be convinced, and cannot be required, to enforce them.
And finally, the Pledge pledges to “Establish Operational Control of the Border”, “Work with State and Local Officials to Enforce Our Immigration Laws” and “Strengthen Visa Security.” Those steps are necessary to keep out all SDSFs, except of course those who do our gardening, dish washing and menial construction jobs.
So it is a new day in America with a new approach to international, as well as domestic, issues. The only question left is whether this foreign policy of fear is a political ploy or a true reflection of public opinion in America. The world has no doubt noted the latter is exactly what the new majority claims everything it intends to do is based upon.
1/11/11
In my Nyquil induced stupor I looked at today's date in numeric form and was surprised some fringe group had not seen an omen or conspiracy in it. I have been suffering from a pesky cold for the last four days. I haven't had one in about four years so I have become reacquainted with the side effects of cold medicines. That stuff you squirt up your nose to relieve congestion works well, but it sure brings on the nose bleeds.
We can put the computer power of a early mainframe into a smart phone but we can't stop colds from occurring. It is hard to believe that little tiny viruses still rule us. And they always will it appears. We can no more eradicate them than we can the crazies who go around killing innocent people, although we could make the gun laws a lot more stringent. That is where the real conspiracy is. The NRA does a good job of teaching gun safety but then supports handing them out willy nilly to insane people. Once again, I am a gun owner and former NRA member who thinks things have gotten out of hand.
We can put the computer power of a early mainframe into a smart phone but we can't stop colds from occurring. It is hard to believe that little tiny viruses still rule us. And they always will it appears. We can no more eradicate them than we can the crazies who go around killing innocent people, although we could make the gun laws a lot more stringent. That is where the real conspiracy is. The NRA does a good job of teaching gun safety but then supports handing them out willy nilly to insane people. Once again, I am a gun owner and former NRA member who thinks things have gotten out of hand.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Prayer Again
The National Rifle Association says it is praying for Representative Giffords. (It funded her opponent last year) The Tea Party says it is praying for her too. Rightwing congressmen are saying she needs our prayers even after funding extremist candidates against her. Everywhere I look people are saying she needs prayers. Pray, Pray, Pray. Remember that definition of prayer? "How to say your helping with out really doing anything."
I think civil actions are required more than prayer right now. First up are Arizona's silly gun laws that allows unfettered access and carrying concealed weapons with no permitting system. Would that have helped in this case? Maybe. Maybe not. But toughening up those gun laws would send a message.
I think outraged citizens might want to call the media corporate bosses and insist they tell their nut job talk show hosts to ratchet it down about 500%, at least. And I mean really dog those media bosses and name names. Violent rhetoric might make revenues, but we can let them know we will hold them accountable. It does work.
And we all should realize there are good public officials in Arizona, here and there. Sheriff Dupnik in Pima County is one example who was not afraid to state some truths about what is happening in that state. He is the opposite of that other Sheriff in Maricopa county who never met an immigrant he liked.
I think civil actions are required more than prayer right now. First up are Arizona's silly gun laws that allows unfettered access and carrying concealed weapons with no permitting system. Would that have helped in this case? Maybe. Maybe not. But toughening up those gun laws would send a message.
I think outraged citizens might want to call the media corporate bosses and insist they tell their nut job talk show hosts to ratchet it down about 500%, at least. And I mean really dog those media bosses and name names. Violent rhetoric might make revenues, but we can let them know we will hold them accountable. It does work.
And we all should realize there are good public officials in Arizona, here and there. Sheriff Dupnik in Pima County is one example who was not afraid to state some truths about what is happening in that state. He is the opposite of that other Sheriff in Maricopa county who never met an immigrant he liked.
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Stay at Home
If I were a radio talk show host in Tucson, and many other places, I would call in sick on Monday. And anything that Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and the Tea Party says about the carnage in Arizona will be contrite and a little self serving. Frankly, I think things are going to get very difficult in Arizona.
Friday, January 07, 2011
Fringe
Just because you walked on the moon and worked as a geologist doesn't mean you are hitting on all cylinders. Here is a quote from the newly annointed cabinet secretary for the Energy and Natural Resources Department in the Martinez Administration.
"There exists no true concern by the President or Congressional Leadership about the true effects of climate change-only a poorly concealed, ideologically driven attempt to use conjured up threats of catastrophic consequences as a lever to gain authoritarian control of society."
Yes, he really said that on his blog. I am talking about Harrison Schmitt, former US Senator and Astronaut. He will be in charge of doing whatever the coal, oil, and gas industries want him to do in his new position. It is very sad to see those quotes from him. I remember that after he left the Senate (Bingaman defeated him) that he took a bunch of fathers and sons on a geology field trip near Taos. My son Justin and I went, and I was thrilled with Schmitt's scientific approach to his subject and the great way he talked to the kids. But now, he has drifted into the fringe. It is very sad.
"There exists no true concern by the President or Congressional Leadership about the true effects of climate change-only a poorly concealed, ideologically driven attempt to use conjured up threats of catastrophic consequences as a lever to gain authoritarian control of society."
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Big Business and APS
Can you believe it? The Chamber of Commerce in DC pours tens of millions of dollars into right wing candidates who will lower taxes on Corporate America in every way. Soon America's CEOs could soon be in charge of our schools. Case in point is the Albuquerque School Board approving leases for the corporate media giant Clear Channel to put electronic billboards on school grounds in return for some money to help run the schools. It is ingenious. It used to be they would pay taxes to support the schools but now they take that same money saved from low taxes and make a deal with the schools in Albuquerque to turn their campuses into advertising platforms. Damn! Life is too short.
Misc.
The new Governor is dropping the salaries of Cabinet Secretaries coming in to their new jobs. She is touting that she will pay less than Governor Richardson. Does this get her the best people for these difficult jobs? Does it mean that there will be no raises for these new people? Richardson gave raises along the way to reward hard work. It is an incentive. So, why is the new Governor doing this? I think it is to show people how she has jumped on to the 'hate government workers' bandwagon. It is the current thing with many right wingers but it is curious since Susanna Martinez has been a government worker most of her career.
She is using that political ideology that she accused the entire Environmental Improvement Board of using when passing tough air pollution regulations during the Richardson Administration. She is the one that is really using a right wing ideology. Do you suppose she ever read these regulations that protect New Mexicans from the polluting practices of the coal, oil and gas industries? Not a chance. But those CEOs who bankrolled her said to her, "Trust Us." Is she showing wisdom in trusting CEO's rather than common New Mexicans who worked hard to pass these regs?
And finally, since the new Governor has fired the food staff at the Governor's Mansion, when the King of Spain comes for a visit will she just throw some taquitos in the microwave? From Camelot to Dog patch!
I am still hoping for some brilliance on her part.
She is using that political ideology that she accused the entire Environmental Improvement Board of using when passing tough air pollution regulations during the Richardson Administration. She is the one that is really using a right wing ideology. Do you suppose she ever read these regulations that protect New Mexicans from the polluting practices of the coal, oil and gas industries? Not a chance. But those CEOs who bankrolled her said to her, "Trust Us." Is she showing wisdom in trusting CEO's rather than common New Mexicans who worked hard to pass these regs?
I am still hoping for some brilliance on her part.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Lawyer Up
Governor Martinez will also face the hard working and honest scientists and public servants in the agencies. Her administration will threaten them with job loss and career ruination. Those scientists will need to be tough. We need to support them in every way. We will need to bolster Attorney General Gary King to convince him to fight these long term life threatening policies of the new governor. Land Commissioner Ray Powell will need to show courage and fight her in these industry sponsored moves. Call him at his office and tell him so.
Send money to your favorite groups to get ready. Call a career public scientist and say you will stand with them. We should fight for New Mexico's Landscapes and water supplies.
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Misc.
The first thing out of the box for the new Governor, who was flanked by Albuquerque public safety officer Darren White, is an attack on civil liberties. They want to force everyone one to give DNA samples if they are arrested for certain crimes. Even before a trial or decision on whether to prosecute. Shades of things to come? Scary!
Today is our first day with out receiving the doorstep delivery of the Albuquerque Journal. I don't have a problem with it, but maybe I should have asked Bobbi if she was completely okay with it. Like me she enjoys Leslie Lithicum's work. We despise the front page editorials camouflaged as news stories.
We had a great trip to Syracuse. Bobbi got a lot of time with Simon as I did. I had forgotten how much work these little guys can be. But worth every moment. The little guy has the longest fingers! Maybe a concert pianist?
Today is our first day with out receiving the doorstep delivery of the Albuquerque Journal. I don't have a problem with it, but maybe I should have asked Bobbi if she was completely okay with it. Like me she enjoys Leslie Lithicum's work. We despise the front page editorials camouflaged as news stories.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Happy New Year
Syracuse is in the midst of a warm spell and the 70 inches of snow they recieved in December is melting fast.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Bigger than Life
We are heading off to see our new grandchild over the New Years weekend. Our well armed house sitter has some new buckshot shells I purchased. But, before I say goodbye to this year, which went awfully fast, I thought I would comment on our Bigger Than Life Governor of the last eight years. Bill Richardson.
I think he could go down as one of our best Governor's ever. I liked the way he thought big and actually followed through on promises. He got the DWI numbers down dramatically. He built an incredible rail service between Belen and Santa Fe. The Land of Enchantment is the go to place for film makers now. New Mexico has a great commercial Space Port growing in the southern part of the state. He was a stalwart protector of New Mexico's landscapes, watersheds, and air quality. And generally he has always done the right thing for New Mexicans.
Yes, I worked as the New Mexico Natural Resource Trustee for Richardson. He was always supportive of the Trustee's work and put the interests of the state's people first. I was proud to have been part of his administration.
He will always have his detractors in these days of pure partisan politics and right wing media. It is too bad that media gets to write some of the history, but that is the breaks. In the meantime I want to thank him for his service and wish him the best in his efforts at forming a "Peace Institute" in Santa Fe.
Yes, I worked as the New Mexico Natural Resource Trustee for Richardson. He was always supportive of the Trustee's work and put the interests of the state's people first. I was proud to have been part of his administration.
He will always have his detractors in these days of pure partisan politics and right wing media. It is too bad that media gets to write some of the history, but that is the breaks. In the meantime I want to thank him for his service and wish him the best in his efforts at forming a "Peace Institute" in Santa Fe.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Things I Would Like to See in 2011
- The Pope decides that gay people are okay, priests can marry, and women can be priests.
- Governor Elect Susana Martinez turns into a moderate republican uninfluenced by her right wing supporters.
- The Republican House Leadership decides there is value in science and they move to curtail climate change.
- All conservative Radio Talk Show Hosts have acute decades long laryngitis.
- Oil and Gas industry CEO's and Boards are all put into forced labor for six months to clean up any and all oil spills.
- It is discovered that acute laryngitis is incurable.
- Comcast Cable is broken up into little pieces along with Rupert Murdoch's empire.
- President Obama makes the right wing bleed a little before compromising.
- All Defense Industry CEOs, Boards and Congressmen must serve six months of front line combat in Afghanistan.
- Drugs are legalized so that the modern day crime wave ceases.
- A flat and progressive tax rate is passed with no loopholes or subsidies except for renewable energy research and development.
- I take five strokes of my golf game.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Darren's Silliness
Why does the Mayor's Public Safety Chief Darren White need to be on all of the TV Channels and the Journal throwing a tantrum about the DNA lab moving from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. Why doesn't he just keep his camera loving psyche quiet and wait out this silly controversy? He will only have to control himself for three days! But, oh god, the cameras are there....the cameras are there at his beck and call.
I don't know who is right in this thing, but I know the hysterics on TV wont do any good. It is just a vehicle for White to try and score political points. I have been positive about Mayor Berry's administration so far, but here it is in a blunt way, "Mayor, this guy is hurting your effectiveness and image." Period! Keep him off the media circuit.
I don't know who is right in this thing, but I know the hysterics on TV wont do any good. It is just a vehicle for White to try and score political points. I have been positive about Mayor Berry's administration so far, but here it is in a blunt way, "Mayor, this guy is hurting your effectiveness and image." Period! Keep him off the media circuit.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Unload
The corrupt tenure of State Land Commissioner Pat Lyons is history. Sate Auditor Hector Balderas did a good job in exposing Lyons. He will now move his brand of government to the Public Regulatory Commission to join those stalwart public servants like David King, Jerome Block, and other bad actors. Good riddance, and hopefully the Legislature will undo the creation some years back of the PRC. What a disaster.
I place the blame for Pat Lyons disastrous terms in office on the oil and gas industry and the Albuquerque Journal and other so called journalists. I knew what was going on there and how bad it was. I met with the editors and with Thomas Cole, (the Journal's resident character assassin) and pointed them to where they needed to go. They didn't go because it would have required real investigation over a period of months and real work. They saw it easier to insinuate the Governor was going to be indicted.
Of course some of the state's real estate developers especially wanted this Lyons administration to stay in office. As much as the oil and gas industry and they teamed up to give unprecedented political donations to him in 2006 when he buried me in greasy money. I lost and it was my own fault for not going negative.
I wish Ray Powell lots of luck in finding out where the bodies are buried. Ray should ask for a special appropriation to hire a forensic accounting team to see just how bad the damage was. Any findings should be turned over to the U.S. Attorney. Don't bother with the media though, they might actually have to do some work rather than replay 911 emergency calls as news.
I place the blame for Pat Lyons disastrous terms in office on the oil and gas industry and the Albuquerque Journal and other so called journalists. I knew what was going on there and how bad it was. I met with the editors and with Thomas Cole, (the Journal's resident character assassin) and pointed them to where they needed to go. They didn't go because it would have required real investigation over a period of months and real work. They saw it easier to insinuate the Governor was going to be indicted.
Of course some of the state's real estate developers especially wanted this Lyons administration to stay in office. As much as the oil and gas industry and they teamed up to give unprecedented political donations to him in 2006 when he buried me in greasy money. I lost and it was my own fault for not going negative.
I wish Ray Powell lots of luck in finding out where the bodies are buried. Ray should ask for a special appropriation to hire a forensic accounting team to see just how bad the damage was. Any findings should be turned over to the U.S. Attorney. Don't bother with the media though, they might actually have to do some work rather than replay 911 emergency calls as news.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Misc.
The Albuquerque Journal did their look back at Governor Richardson's two terms. It said his administration was dogged by scandals. It should of said his administration was dogged by the Albuquerque Journal, as all Hispanic democratic governors are. Jerry Apodaca, Toney Anaya, and Bill Richardson all tasted those barrels of ink. Unlike republicans Garrey Carruthers and Gary Johnson. Bruce King was never really pummeled by the Journal in a consistent way. Susanna Martinez may well escape the poison printing press since she is a darling of the oil and gas industry.
So, the question is, do the exempt employees who are being fired by the new Governor get to collect unemployment compensation? I think the answer is yes. It is okay for them to be shown the door by the new governor who should have her own folks in those positions. (It seems many are from Florida and Texas, doesn't it?) I think it is also okay that those newly unemployed get help just like everyone else.
The new Governor needs to announce soon who the new Environment Secretary will be. It will certainly show us what kind of protections we can expect for our water, air and landscapes.
We went to see "The King's Speech" last night. It was an excellent movie that did not have special effects. Just good writing. It was surprising to see a packed theater. Great acting all the way around.
So, the question is, do the exempt employees who are being fired by the new Governor get to collect unemployment compensation? I think the answer is yes. It is okay for them to be shown the door by the new governor who should have her own folks in those positions. (It seems many are from Florida and Texas, doesn't it?) I think it is also okay that those newly unemployed get help just like everyone else.
The new Governor needs to announce soon who the new Environment Secretary will be. It will certainly show us what kind of protections we can expect for our water, air and landscapes.
We went to see "The King's Speech" last night. It was an excellent movie that did not have special effects. Just good writing. It was surprising to see a packed theater. Great acting all the way around.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Christmas is for Kids
We had a nice party last evening. I took some pics of Lisa and John Newell's kids and Stephanie and Mike Schmidt's kids.
Amanda Newell
Anya Newell
Emma Schmidt
Maya Schmidt
Ian Newell
Friday, December 24, 2010
Eve
I always feel so smart when I recycle the Luminaria bags. It saves work. Folding those bags is like walking through the seventh level of hell in my opinion. So I try to save that experience for every third year. Especially if the kids are home and can do most of it. But they look nice in our neighborhood. We wish everyone a great time with friends and family.
Now on to cook the posole for the annual family gathering tonight!
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