jump to navigation

Vile vs Bile October 19, 2009

Posted by judylobo in Links, Photography, Politics, Videos, Zoos, wildlife.
3 comments

bilevileIt is hard to say who makes me more nauseous – Al Sharpton or Rush Limbaugh.

Whenever I see Al Sharpton’s head pop up like Zelig I immediately change the channel or think negatively about whatever he is protesting for or against.  It is a Pavlovian knee jerk reaction that began in 1987  with the Tawana Brawley debacle.

My favorite NYC Police Detective, Matt, used to tell me that ‘Reverend Al was a cop’s favorite overtime pal.’  Translation – whenever Al Sharpton was around you could guarantee there would be a need for additional police presence.

Now it seems that an equally vile individual, Rush Limbaugh, is embroiled in a brouhaha with Al Sharpton.  It is hard to decide who to root for in this mud-fest. I find myself essentially snickering at the entire windbag-fest. It seems that when Limbaugh wanted to buy the St. Louis Rams, Sharpton sent a note to Commissioner Roger Goodell urging officials to reject Rush’s bid because of racist comments that he had made in the past.  Then, Limbaugh, in a Wall Street Journal op-ed piece, Limbaugh said Sharpton “played a leading role in the 1991 Crown Heights riot (he called neighborhood Jews ‘diamond merchants’) and 1995 Freddie’s Fashion Mart riot.”

Oh boy, oh boy – now Sharpton is threatening a defamation lawsuit against Rush.  Can this get much better?  This is one of those stupid situations that gives these two blowhards even more allotted air time. Argh!

-  Speaking of blowhards – Rudy Guiliani is back in the news. Gasp! He struck an all too familiar fear mongering tone on the campaign trail Sunday, saying the city is still “at great risk.”  Without mentioning Bloomberg’s Democratic opponent, Giuliani warned that crime in New York City, which declined under him and has continued to fall under Bloomberg, is also a gamble.“This city could very easily be taken back in a very different direction,” Giuliani said. “It could very easily be taken back to the way it was with the wrong political leadership.”  Why can’t this guy just go quietly into the night. Blech.

-  And then there is the balloon boy and his family. Maybe we should all treat this episode like a bad Halloween trick and let them all float quietly into the night.

-  For a  much needed smile, check out this terrific short video about a Repugnant App:

To the disappointed, disenchanted and disengaged… October 6, 2009

Posted by judylobo in Animal Videos, Links, Photography, Politics, Videos, Zoos, wildlife.
Tags: , , , ,
2 comments

kinkajooFor those that are woebegone, disappointed, disenchanted and generally becoming disengaged with the ‘Yes, We Can’ gang I decided it was time to be a cheerleader and turn those frowns upside down.  I too, have been a sad sack over the ‘do nothing’ crowd that has a majority in both chambers of power and occupies the big old White House. Yet suddenly, last Friday, after reading conservative New York Times columnist David Brooks‘ column – I felt better.  Why you say? His column, entitled, The Wizard of Beck‘ (I encourage you to read the article) postulates that the Screaming Mimi’s who occupy the Repugnant media on TV, radio and the Internet have the microphone but lack the power to get their minions to the polls. ‘It is a story of remarkable volume and utter weakness. It is the story of media mavens who claim to represent a hidden majority but who in fact represent a mere niche — even in the Republican Party. It is a story as old as “The Wizard of Oz,” of grand illusions and small men behind the curtain.  Over the years, I have asked many politicians what happens when Limbaugh and his colleagues attack. The story is always the same. Hundreds of calls come in. The receptionists are miserable. But the numbers back home do not move. There is no effect on the favorability rating or the re-election prospects. In the media world, he is a giant. In the real world, he’s not. But this is not merely a story of weakness. It is a story of resilience. For no matter how often their hollowness is exposed, the jocks still reweave the myth of their own power. They still ride the airwaves claiming to speak for millions. They still confuse listeners with voters. And they are aided in this endeavor by their enablers. They are enabled by cynical Democrats, who love to claim that Rush Limbaugh controls the G.O.P. They are enabled by lazy pundits who find it easier to argue with showmen than with people whose opinions are based on knowledge. They are enabled by the slightly educated snobs who believe that Glenn Beck really is the voice of Middle America. They pre-emptively surrender to armies that don’t exist’.

-  So does this mean I am happy with the Obama Administration’s handling of the larger issues that take over the headlines?  Absolutely not.  But it does mean I feel better about the power of the opposition. They are looking for someone or something to define themselves and win back the power in 2010.  I even heard someone suggest that Glenn Beck is considering a run as a third party.  One can only hope.  How about a Palin/Beck campaign? Gasp.

-  It is time for a reality check on Obama’s campaign promises.  I took a look at Politifact this morning and they claim he has kept 47 promises, Compromised on 12 things, Broken seven promises, Stalled on 12 items, 107 items are in the works and a whopping 330 items that have NO ACTION attached.

-  The larger picture shows that there are other issues being dealt with by the two houses of Congress, but unless you are a policy wonk nerd, you are only going to listen to the screamers and read the headlines.  I guarantee that you will feel better if you lower the volume and read between the lines.

- Try to remember that just last year at this time the campaign was in full swing.  We have only just begun. Keep the faith.

-  For some needed laughs, check out our encounter with an ostrich last week. That is me, giggling in the car.

He said or is it She said? September 29, 2009

Posted by judylobo in Links, Politics, Science, Videos.
Tags: , , , , , ,
add a comment

hermaphroditusI have had a long time interest in hermaphrodites.  100 years ago, when I taught art in an elementary school, the faculty was brought into the lounge and told that a youngster entering kindergarten was hermaphrodite and was in ‘transition.’  We were told to treat her as a girl. I was hooked. My interest in the subject began. In a biological context, a hermaphrodite is an animal or plant that has both male and female reproductive organs.  Many taxonomic groups of animals (mostly invertebrates), do not have separate sexes (genders). In these groups, hermaphroditism is a normal condition, enabling a form of sexual reproduction in which both partners can act as the “male” or “female”. The great majority of snails and slugs are hermaphrodites. Hermaphroditism is also found in some fish. In Greek mythology, Hermaphroditus  was the child of Aphrodite and Hermes. Born a remarkably handsome boy, he was transformed into an androgynous being by union with the nymph Salmacis.

caster-semenya-514There have been rumors for years that certain celebrities fall into this biological category.  The most famous name would be, Jamie Leigh Curtis. More recent names to surface have included Lady (or now, perhaps, Senor) Gaga, Fergie, Nicole Kidman (I kid you not) and  Chyna (Joanie Laurer).

We all recently heard of the young South African athlete, Semenya, who won gold in the 800 metres at the 2009 World Championships and after some drug testing was discovered to be hermaphrodite.  The sports world is flummoxed.  What to do?  What to do?

caster-semanya-makeover-you-magazineFrom this week’s New York Times comes this article about Martha Maxine, a five year old horse who is now listed as male but has raced for her whole life as a female.  I had never thought much about hermaphrodites as happening in other species, but after thinking about it – I said ‘why not’?

There is a great novel called Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. It was published in 2002 and won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2003.

So why am I posting this blog?  It is an interesting topic that should be brought out of the closets, woodwork, ceilings, or wherever it hides and education needs to happen. I found an interesting post on The Daily Beast about this issue. Intersex is the name that this group of misunderstood people now wants to be called.  I am formally changing my thought process to ‘intersex.’

‘The intersex-rights movement seeks the same things most civil-rights struggles seek: mainstream acceptance, equality under the law, the right to safely be “out. And – they don’t want to be called “hermaphrodites. -  The term ‘hermaphrodite’ is stigmatizing and confusing,” says Alice Domurat Dreger, a professor of clinical medical humanities and bioethics at Northwestern University who is cited regularly by intersex individuals and advocates. “It usually suggests to people that someone has all the organs of males and females—but that is not physically possible. The medical profession came to a consensus about three years ago to get rid of all terms based on the root ‘hermaphrodite’ (including ‘pseudo-hermaphrodite’) because they are stigmatizing and confusing.”’ ‘But perhaps the No. 1 goal of the intersex-rights movement is literally the right to exist. Every day in hospital maternity wards, intersex babies are born to freaked-out parents who’ve never even heard of such a thing, parents in a highly emotional state who are offered the immediate opportunity to surgically alter their child. Reducing the number of these surgeries is something intersex activists see as fundamental to their cause.’

Hermaphroditus in Ancient Greece by Gregory Zorzos

-  Today is a voting day in New York City.  There is a run-off between the Mark Green and Bill DeBlasio for Public Advocate and David Yassky and John Liu for Comptroller. I am voting for Mark Green because he and his family saved Air America and because most big politicians hate him since he is a pain in the ass.  That is a good enough reason for me to vote for him.  I am also voting for David Yassky.  Turnout should be awful and because there is virtually no Republican opponents the winner of today’s races will surely win in November.

-  It seems that Sarah Palin has finished her memoirs four short months after announcing that she was writing a book.  Four months?  Yikes.  I guess if you do not have much to write about you can complete your memoirs in four months.

-  My head is about to explode now that abortion has entered the health care ‘debate’. Abortion opponents in both the House and the Senate are seeking to block the millions of middle- and lower-income people who might receive federal insurance subsidies to help them buy health coverage from using the money on plans that cover abortion. And the abortion opponents are getting enough support from moderate Democrats that both sides say the outcome is too close to call. Opponents of abortion cite as precedent a 30-year-old ban on the use of taxpayer money to pay for elective abortions.

Rachel Maddow on the Truth About The Lies About Acorn.  Some interesting food for thought.

Silence of the Blog September 20, 2009

Posted by judylobo in Jewish Stuff, Links, Photography, Politics, Zoos, wildlife.
Tags: , , ,
add a comment

silenceWhy so silent these days, you ask? Yes, there are surely things that are driving me nuts every day. And yes, I have been screaming at the TV, newspapers and websites that I read.  I have been blogging in my head (can’t you hear the voices?) However, the dialogue is so crazy that It is hard to write about the lunacy.  I have always said to all who will listen that ‘I don’t do crazy.’  It is difficult to think like a crazy person. I find that analyzing this kind of behavior is a waste of my time. I have decided that this wackiness will pass – most likely replaced by other annoying, distracting wackiness.

-  These are the things that are bothering me this morning.  The delegitimizing of the Obama Presidency by the right, Glen Beck (read Frank Rich today), the healthcare debacle, the financial meltdown, Acorn, Obama interfering now in the New York State Governor’s race just like the Dems interfered in the upcoming New York State senatorial race (Gillibrand), Joe ‘you lie’ Wilson, ‘Values’ voters, the Mideast peace negotiations breakdown, the New York Mayoral contest and why can’t I DVR two shows while watching a live third one?

More details on some of these annoying above items at another time.  Today is too lovely a day to sit and gripe.  I am outta here.  Oh yes, and a very happy new year to all of my Jewish friends.  L’Shanah Tovah.

Meanwhile enjoy these photos from this week’s trip to the Bronx Zoo.

BRONX9.09blog

Monsters, Madness and the Public Option September 13, 2009

Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Animal Videos, Links, Photography, Politics, Videos, Zoos, wildlife.
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
3 comments

nessieThe debate rages on. While I am still confident some form of reform will get through Congress this year I get enraged by the distractions that the Repugnants excel at creating.  The ‘birthers’, ‘deathers’, Fox Noise and now the ‘tenthers’ are fine fodder for the non-stop chatter of the talking heads shows. Aurgh.

The above photo is ‘Nessie’ the Loch Ness Monster that I was lucky enough to see on last week’s trip to Scotland. Check out more photos below. By the way, everything I knew about Scottish history I learned from the movies. And guess what? It is all wrong. Double aurgh.

-  Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich explains what a public option for health care coverage really means for working people. Pass it on to everyone you know.  We can’t let the insurance companies decide who gets care and who doesn’t.

-  Well spoken Congressman Anthony Weiner (I wanted him to run for NYC Mayor or NY Senator) was on Bill Maher’s show Friday night.  Here is his simple take on the single payer debate (or non-debate).

-  New Rules from Bill Maher.

-  Here’s a little ditty called We’re # 37:

-  Our recent visit to Scotland was terrific.  Along with all of the beautiful castles, breathtaking landscape and rich artistic heritage we included visits to two Royal Zoological Society of Scotland venues.

-  The first is the all inclusive Edinburgh Zoo.

-  The second is located in the Highlands and is both a drive thru and walk thru venue.  The cat that looks like a house cat is actually one of only 400 pure-bred Scottish wildcats.

-  A bonus montage includes wildlife that we saw as we toured the countryside.  And yes, that is the Loch Ness monster, lovingly referred to as ‘Nessie.’

-  A visit to the Edinburgh Zoo is not complete without watching the daily (2:15) March of the Penguins. The zoo has about 200 penguins in three connected pool areas. The keepers open the gate at 2:15 and whichever penguins choose to take a stroll leave voluntarily and march around a large oval surrounded by adoring zoo visitors. The day we visited just three Kings and one Gentoo took advantage of the march.  Check out my short video for the results.  I left the sound intact so you can hear the narrator and the clicking of penguin feet on the ground.

Here’s To Our Health September 10, 2009

Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Animal Videos, Links, Photo Archives, Photography, Politics, Videos, Zoos, wildlife.
Tags: , , ,
add a comment

morningI am back, rested and refreshed.  (The photo above was taken this morning.  Oh what a beautiful morning). I have rebooted my entire system and am ready to take on the Repugnants.  Last night’s Presidential address to a joint session of Congress was all I needed to kick in my new outlook.  I thought Obama was…  well – Presidential. He found his summer silenced voice and explained his plan, which appears to be organic, and most likely stirred the Democratic base while at the same time alienated the Repugnant base (if they were watching).  Fox was the only major network that chose NOT to air the speech.  They went for ‘So you Think You Can Dance.’ South Carolina Congressman, Joe Wilson, in a wacky outburst, calling President Obama a ‘liar,’ stood in for all of the crazy ‘birthers’ and deathers’ that we have watched all summer at these town hall scream-a-thons. He later apologized for his outburst, but the damage was done.  When I heard him scream, something deep inside of me wanted him taken out to the public square and be drawn and quartered (Okay, I overreacted, a bit) Did you see Nancy Pelosi’s reaction?  I think she wanted to do to he same thing to him too.

Here is the outburst:

So what’s going to happen?  As I said way back in early summer, the Democrats will pass some major health care reform.  Will it be what we all imagine it to be?  No.  But it will be a start.  Will there be any Repugnant support?  Highly doubtful.  But there will be a handful of Repugnants who will step up to the plate and do the right thing. There is lots to be done as the NY Times states today in it’s editorial.

-  Gail Collins joins in on the subject.

-  Click on this link and you can actually see a photo of Congressman Joe Wilson.  He is the one pointing his finger.

Crooks and Liars has a link to the guy who is challenging Joe Wilson for his Congressional seat.  Check it out if you wold like to donate to his opponent’s campaign.  (Ya gotta love democracy, right?)

-  If you missed the full speech last night, click on this link for the text and the video.

-  If you feel the need to contact Congressman Joe Wilson to express your thoughts, here is his contact information.

Address in DC:
The Honorable Joe Wilson
United States House of Representatives
212 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4002

DC Phone: 202-225-2452
DC Fax:    202-225-2455

Email Address:    http://www.house.gov/formwilson/IMA/issue.htm

District Offices:
903 Port Republic Street
Beaufort, SC 29902
Voice: 843-521-2530
FAX: 843-521-2535

1700 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 1
West Columbia, SC 29169
Voice: 803-939-0041
FAX: 803-939-0078

-  Meanwhile, down the street, the Supremes are about to knock holes in our already wobbly campaign financing system. Aurgh.

-  A salute to our two year old walrus, Akituusaq, (check out my photos here)  who lived at the New York Aquarium and died this week.  The walrus died due to complications from pneumonia. During the past few days, Akituusaq had been under special care by Wildlife Conservation Society veterinarians and received round-the-clock attention. Working tirelessly, WCS staff closely monitored his status and provided dedicated medical care’. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved walrus Akituusaq and are proud of the exemplary care that our entire staff provided during this critical time,” said Jon Forrest Dohlin, New York Aquarium Director. “We know Brooklyn was proud of Akituusaq and many loved him. This is a loss to the whole community.”

Akituusaq was the first Pacific walrus baby born in the Aquarium’s 113 year history. This past spring he celebrated his second birthday.  He was born June 12, 2007. Walrus births in aquariums are very rare with only 5 surviving to one year of age.

I took this video in September of 2007.

Secrets, Lies and No Videotape July 12, 2009

Posted by judylobo in Links, Photography, Politics, Zoos, wildlife.
Tags: , , , , , , ,
add a comment

kookaThis alarming news story will not have any of the  Sarah ‘I Quit’ Palin 24/7 coverage – but it should. Why won’t it get coverage?  It does not involve sex or Appalachian Trail references and it is somewhat old news.  The public will not read about it and chances are that if it ever gets on TV – people will switch channels.  Unlike the Michael Jackson coverage where if you did not want to watch the same news items or file clips about him you really could not switch channels because every channel covered it.

This story involves Dick Cheney, George W Bush, secrets, the CIA (redundant term – see ’secrets’), oversight, counter-terrorism programs and lies.

So it turns out that the CIA withheld information about a secret counter-terrorism program from Congress for eight years on direct orders from former Vice President Dick Cheney. This not so shocking headline stems from last week’s admission by CIA chief Leon Panetta that he had ended the program on June 23rd when he first learned of it. So what was this very mysterious program?  That is still a secret and the ubiquitous Mr. Cheney has suddenly fallen silent.  Read the entire article from the front page of the New York Times here.

psstThe much maligned Nancy Pelosi has been crying foul for awhile as the rabid right tries to set her on fire. The law requires the president to make sure the intelligence committees “are kept fully and currently informed of the intelligence activities of the United States, including any significant anticipated intelligence activity.” But the language of the statute, the amended National Security Act of 1947, leaves some leeway for judgment, saying such briefings should be done “to the extent consistent with due regard for the protection from unauthorized disclosure of classified information relating to sensitive intelligence sources and methods or other exceptionally sensitive matters.”

After 9/11, in efforts to cover their asses the Bushies closed ranks and while a cowering, frightened nation looked for leadership, they took advantage and created secret, apparently useless programs and systematically raped our Constitution.

Will anyone be punished with this latest revelation?  I will eat my hat if that happens.  As I watch the Obama Administration morph into a middle of the road, let’s just wait awhile, make no waves bunch of wimps, my hopes for change grow dimmer with each passing day.

-  The above story is bad enough but this week we also had the revelation that President Bush was the one behind the hospital bed fiasco involving John Ashcroft, Alberto Gonzales and our Constitution.  Watch Keith Olbermann discuss this with Jonathan Turley.  Fascinating stuff.

The Democrats like to disclose crimes but not prosecute them. Shame, shame, shame.
Tongue Lashings for them all.

TONGUELASHINGSblog

Six Degrees of Mark Sanford, Sonia Sotomayor & Debbie Rowe? July 8, 2009

Posted by judylobo in Jewish Stuff, Links, Photography, Politics, Religion, Videos, Zoos.
Tags: , , , ,
2 comments

sixdegreesSix degrees of separation has become a fun game to play.  Also known as the ‘Human Web’, it gives thought to the idea that if a person is just one step away from each person they know and two steps away from each person who is known by one of the people they know, then everyone is at most six steps away from any other person on Earth. It was brought to the public’s attention through a fine  play by John Guare. It definitely fits in with the ‘me’ generation and the idea that the world revolves around oneself.

In that spirit I would share three items about those six (sometimes closer) degrees of separation.

PRAIRIEDOGSI have definitely had enough of both the Sarah Palin as quitter story (aren’t you glad she is not a heartbeat away form the Presidency?) and the over the top coverage of Michael Jackson’s long public mourning.  But I have not had enough of the Mark Sanford story.  If fact, now follow along with me please – a good friend of mine is from Argentina (she now lives in London).  I asked her if she new Maria Belen Chapur, the woman who is involved with the wacky South Carolina Governor.  She did not know the woman but did know the area where she lives very well, because her husband, (who is British) used to live on the very same street as Maria Belen Chapur when he worked in Buenos Aires.  The neighborhood is posh and is directly across the street from the Buenos Aires Zoo.  The little Italian restaurant that Mark Sanford mentions as part of his love nest and also where he made goo goo eyes is one of my friends’ favorite spots (they always recommend it to visitors).  In fact, when her British husband lived on that street he would have his morning coffee and croissant at that spot.  And to top that off, my Argentinean friends’ former colleague had an affair with Carlos, the owner of the restaurant.  Maybe all of that passion is served in the coffee? Who knows?

CHIMP5I found out the other night while waiting to watch the July 4th fireworks that Sonia Sotomayor used to live in my building.  In fact, she lived in the apartment of the woman I was speaking with. Go figure?  By the way – her confirmation hearings start Monday and newly sworn in Senator Al Franken got a post on the all important Judiciary Committee.  I have not gotten any more of those nightly telephone calls from the Al Franken campaign for money. It is almost time for him to start raising money for his re-election campaign so the phone should start ringing anytime again.  Since I called Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney’s office to encourage her to run for the NY State Senate I am sure her campaign will take the place of those nightly calls soon.

DRAGONAnd then there is Debbie Rowe.  We Jews have a saying when something happens in the news.  The collective response to war, the economy, scandal, etc. is – “Yes, but Is it good for the Jews?” A good example of it not being good for the Jews was the trial and execution of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg or when we found out that the murderous Son of Sam’s real name was David Berkowitz. We took some comfort in finding out that he was adopted.  Oh yeah – and Bernie Madoff was most definitely NOT good for the Jews.  Well, guess what?  Debbie Rowe, the biological mother of Michael Jackson’s two older children is Jewish. Jewish Law says if the mother is Jewish – so are the kids. Oy Vey. There is a joke of late that says Debbie Rowe is the only Jewish mother that leaves her kids alone.

-  If you missed this one, there was even a story called ‘Is Twitter Good for the Jews

-  In the always leave ‘em smiling mode, here is Al Franken getting sworn in yesterday.  A nice touch was to have VP Walter Mondale, another Minnesotan, by his side:

Thugs, Mugs and Slugs July 5, 2009

Posted by judylobo in Animal Videos, Dogs and cats, Links, Photography, Politics, Videos.
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
2 comments

redeyesThe GOP is going through some tough times.  Raise your hand if you feel sorry for them?  No one?  Politico did a recap of the Repugnant Class of ‘94 to see how some of them have fared.  They have discovered that not only Mark Sanford and John Ensign (both from that notorious class) but 71 other freshman families have suffered some devastating damage.  The holier than thou gang (under the tutelage of Newt Gingrich) that professed family values, Christian morality, apple pie, ice cream and Mom turns out to be rotten to the core.  Read this fascinating article that includes names such as:

-  Rep. Jim Bunn (R-Ore.) who, not long after taking office in 1995, divorced his wife, married one of his political aides, and later elevated her to chief of staff. Bunn lost his 1996 reelection bid.

-  Rep. Enid Greene, who became the first female member of Congress from Utah in 1994, spent most of her single term in the House dealing with a scandal of her husband’s making. Joe Waldholtz, who married Greene in 1993, embezzled millions of dollars that he used to help finance her campaign. Once authorities finally caught up with Waldholtz, Greene filed for divorce and took custody of the couple’s daughter. She did not run for reelection in 1996.

-  Rep. Joe Scarborough (R-Fla.) got divorced in 1999.  Yes,  this is Morning Joe.

-  Rep. Steven LaTourette (R-Ohio) and his wife, Susan, divorced after she accused him of having an affair with his former chief of staff, who he later married.

Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.), who resigned his seat in 2006, was in a class by himself — he was forced to step down after becoming embroiled in a controversy involving sexually explicit messages he sent to young Capitol Hill pages.

-  I have not been a fan of Kirsten Gillibrand from day one.  I did not like how she was selected by wacky Governor David Paterson to fill Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat. I did not like what she stood for, her reputation or hopes for  the future.  Now, as I have stated before, the big shots in the Democratic Party are arm twisting any Dem that wants to challenge her in the primary. Chuck Schumer (who has been on my shit list for quite a while) is front and center in this bullying tactic.  Those that have shown an inkling of interest in the Senate seat have gotten phone calls from as high up as President Obama.  Something smells rotten here.

My Congresswoman, Carolyn Maloney is defying the odds and attempting to go solo and challenge Gillibrand in the Primary. I support her efforts and have written to her.  The NY Times addressed this issue in both an article in Friday’s paper called,  For an Insider, a Lonely Road to Senate Run and in an opinion piece in yesterday’s paper called Let Them Run.

If you want to encourage Carolyn Maloney to move ahead with her challenge, why not write to her as I did at her website.

-  People are talking about Sarah Palin and her latest headline grabbing move.  I heard a newscaster say yesterday that just last year, on July 4th almost no one had heard of Sarah Palin outside of Alaska.  Then I realized that she had not been plucked out of obscurity until last August when John (thank goodness he is not President) McCain chose her to be his running mate.  Raise your hand if you think that Ms Palin has had way more than her 15 minutes and it is time to move out of the spotlight. I also began to think that there are some people that need the heavy spotlight of attention.  They adhere to the idea that there is even bad press is good press.  As long as the microphones and high beams are on them they are feeling the glow.  In this aspect, Sarah Palin has a lot in common with the recently departed Michael Jackson.  Both of their stories will dominate the headlines this week.  Anyone vote for reruns of Law & Order or NCIS?

-  In the always leave ‘em laughing mode, watch this bulldog kissing an orangutan.

Clouds, Crowds and Shrouds June 28, 2009

Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Animal Videos, Dogs and cats, Links, Photography, Politics, Videos, wildlife.
Tags: , , , , , ,
2 comments

cloudsI admit to being a long time cloud watcher.  They are ever changing, magical and portend the weather. Last Friday night while walking my dog Benny, I noticed a very dramatic in-progress sunset -  it reminded me of the twice a year Manhattanhenge night sky.

Upon returning to my apartment and searching for something on TV other than a story about Michael Jackson I saw the color of the sky start to turn an orange-salmon.  The fast changing light was ominous.  I  heard the sounds of dramatic music in my head.  Was this a sign of the apocalypse?  I grabbed my camera and took the above photo from my dining room window and watched the entire event until it passed. It turns out my imagination had run wild. It was a Mammatus (bumpy clouds), a meteorological term applied to a cellular pattern of pouches hanging underneath the base of a cloud event. It was very cool indeed.  Others saw it as well, of course. Since everyone has a camera these days there are many other images as well.

-  Today is the Gay Pride parade in NYC. The crowds will be lining the streets to cheer, smile, dance and generally have a grand time.  It is also the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The parade passes by my apartment and I can already hear the disco tunes in my head.  Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I Will Survive’ stays in my head for days after the parade.  There is much to celebrate in today’s crowded parade and much to be upset about, including Barack Obama’s weak support of Gay Rights.  Tsk, tsk, Mr President.  The Gay community is tired of being told to wait for their civil rights. Frank Rich addresses this issue in today’s column called 40 Years Later, Still Second-Class Americans.

Michael Jackson’s death has moved everything off of the front pages.  The riots in Iran, Farah Fawcett, Mark Sanford, the economy and everything else that seemed important for the talking heads to yada yada about are suddenly non-issues.  I did notice this morning that the NY Times has returned to normal front page coverage of other doom and gloom stuff but there are still many articles about the self-proclaimed ‘King of Pop.’ I admit that I was to old to appreciate Michael jackson when he first hit the big time but always enjoyed his music from afar. Ultimately his bizarre personal life superseded his music for me.  It became increasingly difficult to see him without wincing. The legal problems, the physical morphing, the three children, the chimpanzees, the dangling of a baby off of a balcony all became overriding images for me that quelled the music.  The public outpouring of grief (for all celebrities) is something I cannot understand. What brings people out to gather and cry together?  Is it an inability to feel sad alone?  Is it an inability to deal with grief?  How do you mourn a public figure that you did not know?  The legal battling amongst the folks that want a piece of Michael Jackson is already brewing.  It will be ugly, long and one can only pity those three kids.

-  The Filipino inmates who shot to global fame with a Youtube video recreating the “Thriller” dance, swayed and stomped again on Saturday in a behind-bars tribute to their idol, Michael Jackson.

-  Michael Jackson Best Dance Moves (R.I.P.)

-  The Mark Sanford scandal has moved to the inside pages because of the death of Michael Jackson. I am still paying attention to this crazy story, are you?  Why he is not resigning from his Governorship is a head scratcher. Sex Scandal Flow Chart from Talking Points Memo for your amusement and recall:

sex-scandal-flow-chart

-  In the always leave ‘em smiling mode – check out this enchanting langur monkey and the camera lens: