Saturday, July 30, 2016

Army Captain Humayun Khan

More Cracks

















    Congratulations to Hillary Rodham Clinton being the Democratic nominee for President of the United States. She is also the first woman doing so putting more cracks in that glass ceiling.  This picture is the most compelling and moving. It's was a quiet proud moment of a mother watching her daughter Chelsea speaking about her at the Democratic Convention. One wonders what she is thinking at that moment.                              

Friday, July 29, 2016

Watch Hillary Clinton's full speech at the 2016 Democratic National Conv...


Full Speech: Chelsea Clinton addresses the DNC


Morgan Freeman narrates Hillary Clinton DNC biography video


Thursday, July 28, 2016

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Poor Susan


Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

Poor Susan Sarandon looked like she was having an awful time. It must have been like going to a movie you hate. In a way she's the face and spirit of "Bernie or bust". The "I didn't get the toy I wanted so I'm going to sulk and or throw a tantrum" face. She's no Hillary fan so it's not likely she was going to get what she wanted at the convention.

Bernie did manage to move the party platform to left on issue's that were important to his movement. Not exactly sure what Susan or other Bernie or busters crowd was expecting. Bernie had already endorsed Hillary and it was clear he was moving on. Unfortunately many of those he inspired have yet to reach the same place. Recent polls do show that 90% of Bernie supporters will vote for Clinton but a staunch and vocal 10% continue to hold out.


http://www.latimes.com/opinion/topoftheticket/la-na-tt-renegade-delegates-20160727-snap-story.html

 Many Bernie or buster's, like Susan, just can't see themselves voting for Hillary. She describes "in a way she's more dangerous" than Trump. They even boo and heckle Bernie himself and Senator Elizabeth Warren. I have a feeling nothing short Bernie running for President will satisfy any of them. Maybe they thought by holding there breathe and stomping on the ground they'd get there way.


Maybe I'll go watch Susan in Bull Durham later so I can see her act like a grown up.

Bernie Sanders Nominates Hillary Clinton | MSNBC


Hillary Clinton Delivers Message to Young Girls | MSNBC

More cracks in that glass ceiling were made. One more big hit in November should break it. 

Hey! A Message to Bernie or Bust Die-Hards


Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Dear Bernie or bust



It's really sad to see that Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren was booed and heckled in her speech at the Democratic Convention. Really people? Apparently some very vocal Bernie supporters are still peeved of her endorsing Hillary. It's time to get over it. As the famous philosopher, Mick Jagger, once said "You don't always get what you want.". Do you really think Trump will give you what you want? Your revolution will sputter and die in a Trump Presidency.

Lesser of two evil's you might be thinking. 

On one side you have "The Donald". A billionaire loudmouth bully prone to misogynistic demagogic racist like behavior. Thin skinned and prone to late night rants on Twitter, using third grade insults and name calling. Who has spent his father's money plastering his name and brand on many failed businesses. Spent the Vietnam War years busy getting five deferments. 

The other side you have Hillary Clinton. She has spent her years as a lawyer advocating strongly on family issue. Fought on issues that affected women and children especially. She fought for health care reform as a First Lady. As Senator she fought for the state of New York in the aftermath of 9/11. She traveled extensively and work tirelessly as Secretary of State representing us over the world. She has served the country for most her adult life. 

Here are sure ways to see the"Bernie Revolution" come to quick end.  

  1. Vote Donald Trump 
  2. Vote Green or Libertarian Party 
  3. Stay home on election day

Are you proud now that you made your "protest" vote. All three choices are votes for Trump. You want to support your third party candidate on a local level would be a more effective in continuing your revolution. Third party's don't work on a national scale. Teddy Roosevelt torpedoed his own party(Republican) by running third party. What happened was that neither he nor Taft(Republican) both lost to Woodrow Wilson. Even more recently we had the Green Party siphon just enough votes in a razor thing margin that we got 8 years of George W. Bush instead of Al Gore. 

I understand coming up short at the end is tough. When I saw faces in the crowd crying when Bernie spoke I could not help but admire the devotion and passion that they have. It would be a shame and a waste of the movement that Bernie worked hard to get started to be
lost in a Trump presidency.

Watch Sen. Bernie Sanders’ full speech at the 2016 Democratic National C...


Sen. Elizabeth Warren makes speech at DNC


Michelle Obama FULL REMARKS at Democratic National Convention (C-SPAN)

Amazing speech. 

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Friday, July 22, 2016

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Monday, July 18, 2016

Sunday, July 17, 2016

It Takes a Village by Hillary Rodham Clinton

It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach UsIt Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us by Hillary Rodham Clinton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

At times I find it puzzling that people either don't understand Hillary or what she really cares about. This is actually the third Hillary book I've read this year, the others being "Living History" and "Hard Choices". Her core issues she fights for is children, families and women. The books premise is that government, family, friends and a host of other entities all work together effect one another. In ther words we should help each other. It may seem simplistic and naive but it is true. If you're looking for further insight into who maybe be the first female President of the United States I would suggest this book and along with her other books, "Living History" and "Hard Choices".

View all my reviews

Night by Elie Wiesel

NightNight by Elie Wiesel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was inspired to reread this again after the recent of death of the author, Elie Wiesel. I read this decades ago in school though I can't remember what grade or who the teacher was. I do remember the book though. Don't let the size of the book fool you as it packs a powerful punch. It is with stark simplicity he describes his tale of surviving the death camps of World War Two. He struggles not only for his physical survival but his relationship with God to on how the horrors he's witnessed and experienced can go on. The book is an incredible experience you won't forget.

View all my reviews

Friday, July 15, 2016

Sunday, July 10, 2016

THE BRAINWASHING OF MY DAD




I'm not quite sure how I first came across this video but I'm sure hooked on it now. Filmmaker Jen Senko explores how her Dad got hooked on right-wing talk radio and Fox News and began hating and annoying those around him. Come to find out it's not that uncommon. In fact we all probably know someone who has fallen for Fox News and talk radio mind set. That mind set of course is an emotional anger towards anything liberal or Democrat. President Obama and the presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton are practically his and her and antichrist's according to pundits and commentary on this media. 

I'll admit I skirted with the right-wing phenomenon also. Around the year 2000 a new FM radio station came to our area. I believe it was 96.9FM WTTK in Boston which was all news and talk radio which was a new concept in the area. Working the 2nd shift I caught libertarian Jay Severin in the afternoon drive in and sometimes I'd can't Sean Hannity at night. Matt Levin also substituted sometimes. I remember when the Bush verses Gore election controversy in 2001 was when I became glued to it. Also my in-laws born-again Christian and loved Bill O'Reilly I read some of Bill's books and liked them a lot. I never really watched him on TV as his show was on while I was working. I have to admit I was somewhat disappointed when I did see him. I felt the same about Sean Hannity as I found him aggressive and combative to those who didn't agree with him.Although I liked him in a way I found this manner unappealing and frankly tiresome. I thought his righteous mannerism and bully behavior wrong and unfair. It hardly presented a fair and balanced viewpoint as the Fox News slogan proclaims.

Over the years I had gradually shifted back to the left of politics. I put it somewhere between  2008 and 2012 because I voted for McCain 2008 and then voted to re-elect President Obama by 2012 I had voted to the re-elect Obama. I had even grown to like President Obama him despite my initial misgivings. I never hated him as some did just wasn't sure of his ability which he has proven to be quite capable.

In short this video may help explain why those on the right seem so angry and uncompromising, even to this day. The video is on demand on Amazon, YouTube and iTunes. It should be available on DVD and Blu-Ray in August of this year. It may help explain a lot about Donald Trump's rise and popularity. The video does have a warm and happy ending.


Official Website for The Brainwashing of My Dad