Spineless Democrats and free-for-all corporate campaign spending

A Republican won the seat that Ted Kennedy held for many years. What does this tell us? 1. People in Massachusetts like a good-looking senator, 2. People in Massachssetts don't like someone who seems to be clueless, 3. Unlike the rest of the country, people in Massachusetts don't think that their senate seat is a national one, 4. People in Massachusetts already have a robust, consumer-oriented health care system and don't seem to think it matters who represents them in the Senate.

Harsh? Maybe. But the Democrats seemed to think that all they had to do was offer a candidate and they were done. Why Rahm Emmanuel wasn't personally overseeing who ran Coakley's campaign is beyond me. She is obviously a smart, hard-working woman; she just didn't know how to campaign to replace the most likeable man in the Senate.

And let's face it. The Democrats need to grow up and get a little backbone. It is not like the election of Scott Brown tipped the majority in the Senate to 51-49. The Democrats still have 59 votes. Change the rules of the Senate, and go ahead and pass legislation. Waiting for the Republicans to cooperate, after they have stated time and again that they have no intention to, is naive and gives them the power. Democrats have the majority: Use it.

Barack Obama cannot single-handedly solve all the problems facing this country. He needs a little help from House and Senate Democrats who are willing to put principal over their own re-election.

However, that is probably not going to happen. Now that the Supreme Court has somewhat inexplicably ruled that corporations, including foreign ones, can contribute without restriction to campains, we will see anyone who wants to be elected pander even more than they already do to their big-money donors.

Happy New Year.

This Week

With the week almost over, I thought I'd put together some fragments about the week.


"Man vs. Wild" is back on. It is always fun to see Bear Grylls (yes, it's his real name) doing insanely dangerous and stupid things. Not to mention the fun of making snarky comments about being alone...except for that camera crew!


My new guilty pleasure is watching "Tabatha's Salon Makeover." It never ceases to amaze me how many people manage to open a salon without needing a business plan.


There is a new initiative to encourage everyone, but especially women, to get eight hours of sleep a night. Now just try convincing my offspring!


Quote of the week: "If Congress made it rain cookies, the headline would read: DEMOCRATS LEAVE MILLIONS MILKLESS -- Jon Stewart on The Daily Show


Our #2 child got a perfect score on a math paper and had it added to the permanent outstanding work wall in the classroom.


More people than you would expect lack common sense. The subject has arisen no less than six times in the past three days, in very different contexts. To quote C.S. Lewis, what do they teach in schools these days?


"Ugly Betty" started up again this week, and "How I Met Your Mother:, "The Big Bang Theory, "Chuck" and "Project Runway" start next week. Also next week, Robert Wagner appears on "NCIS" as DiNozzo's father. I'm glad we're back into new episodes.

I have a Reading Buddy. She's in 5th grade, and a riot. I don't think I'm helping her improve her reading skills, but it sure is fun to spend a half an hour a week with her.

Supper tonight: Sausage rolls and lamingtons. Australian comfort food! My husband was interviewed by another Australian while he was at "the pie shop" picking them up. No one makes lamingtons like Angus.


And, finally, it's a blustery day and night, with the wind howling around the house. I'm glad we have a generator!

Happy 2010

There's a little less than an hour left of 2009 on the west coast. Friends and family have already rung in the new year on the east coast and in the Midwest, and some of them are most likely already in bed asleep. The aughts are almost over. (as in '09)

Ten years ago tonight, my daughters were 3 1/2 yrs. and 1 1/2 months old. We celebrated by watching the ball drop in Times Square on the New York ABC channel, 9:00pm our time, then put them to bed and had a quiet evening. In those days I was getting sleep where I can get it.

Tonight there was Beatles Rock Band, Facebook conversations, instant messaging, and a Doctor Who marathon that became a "The Nanny" marathon.

There is no question that, while not as euphoric as last year's New Year's Eve celebration was, with the lingering euphoria of Barack Obama's victory and anticipation of his inauguration, tonight's celebration is hopeful and joyful.

The past year under President Obama's leadership we have been able to relax a bit, to feel a little more secure in the state of the country and the world. In spite of multiple crises, we have been led by a man who deeply cares about the welfare and future of the country and its citizens, and has the intellect to deal with the stumbling blocks, with an optimistic eye.

President Obama reflects that American optimism in his New Year's address. (see it here)

I am looking forward to the next decade, with the same optimism for the future that my grandfather looked at the approach of 1910, and the same optimism with which I greeted 2000, for a bright future for my children.

Happy New Year.

It's Almost Christmas

"It's almost Christmas..."

I'll bet there's a bad holiday-themed pop love song out there that starts with those words. And I'll bet it's been used in one of the many sappy Christmas movies that flood Lifetime, Hallmark Channel and ABCFamily this time of year.

I have a confession. I love watching those movies. And I'm determined to write one. Although it will probably be a parody amalgamation, it will still be full of all the corny things that make us keep tuning into them year after year.

So take a look at that picture, there. Okay.

What comes to mind?

Whatever it is, that is what those holiday movies are all about. Just replace the actors with Dean Cain or one of your favorite TV actresses, and you've got it.

Happy Holidays.