Sunny - Hi 95 Lo 75 for Baghdad, Iraq Sunny - Hi 94 Lo 59 for Qandahar, Afghanistan Mostly Sunny - Hi 79 Lo 55 for Northern KY, USA
Song of the week: Time To Change, The Brady Kids
I discovered during Michelle Obama's speech at the Democrat National Convention that she and I have something in common. It is an embarrassing malady that I don't like to discuss much, but like Michelle, I can pretty much recite nearly every episode of the Brady Bunch by heart. Knowing this reminded me of the episode in which the Peter's voice was changing...
Ramble:
How long has the election campaign been going? Two years? Well, thankfully we are down to one more month of this...
I thought I would compile a list of Presidential Campaign Slogans.
1976 Jimmy Carter: A Leader, For Change 1980 Jimmy Carter: ?? 1984 Walter Mondale: America Needs a Change 1988 Michael Dukakis: Competence Not Ideology 1992: Bill Clinton: It's Time to Change America, he also used For People, for a Change 1996 Bill Clinton: Building a bridge to the 21st Century 2000 Al Gore: Prosperity and Progress or Prosperity for America's families 2004 John Kerry: Change Starts Here or Let America be America again 2008 Barack Obama: Change We Can Believe In
Let me contrast those with Republican Presidential Campaign Slogans:
1976 Gerald Ford: He's Making Us Proud Again 1980 Ronald Reagan: Morning In America 1984: Ronald Reagan: It's Morning Again in America 1988 George Bush: Kinder Gentler Nation 1996 Bob Dole: A Better Man for a Better America 2000: George W. Bush: Compassionate Conservatism 2004: George W. Bush: Yes, America Can! 2008 John McCain: Country First
One point of observation is the contrast in attitude-- There is an optimism, a can do attitude in the Republican slogans whereas the Democrat slogans are.... not.
Back in 1964 Ronald Reagan understood intrinsically the importance of this country and the importance of her people and what we must do as a nation. "You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done."
And in his second inaugural address, Ronald Reagan explained quite nicely, "We are creating a nation once again vibrant, robust, and alive. There are many mountains yet to climb. We will not rest until every American enjoys the fullness of freedom, dignity, and opportunity as our birthright. It is our birthright as citizens of this great republic."
Ronald Reagan never spoke of handouts and redistribution of wealth cloaked in the word change. Instead he described a place where we worked to enjoy the freedoms and the countless opportunities this country has to offer. In the work, we find the satisfaction and appreciation for all that we have and in the work we realize what other opportunities are out there.
So... Just a suggestion to any and all Democrat Presidential Nominee Wannabees of the Future... Please, I beg you... try super duper hard to refrain from using the word, "CHANGE". Y'all have been trying to change for a real long long time. Quite frankly, change for the sake of change doesn't mean anything. Really. It doesn't.
Sunny - Hi 75 Lo 58 for Baghdad, Iraq Sunny - Hi 81 Lo 45 for Qandahar, Afghanistan Mostly Sunny - Hi 60 Lo 46 for Northern KY, USA
Song of the week: Pretty Vacant, Sex Pistols
Michael was going through some of his old American Spectator magazines and asked me to read an interview Greg Gutfeld had with Johnny Rotten from the Sex Pistols last October. Michael is a good man and knows that I liked them a lot once upon a time... For the music? Yeah... but probably more for the attitude. Rebellion against the establishment? I was 13! Of course not! Rebellion against my mom? Maybe... a little... No it was rebellion because I wanted to be different... unique... blah blah blah... I wanted to stand out... Again, I was a kid... and kids are narcissitic. Listening to this kind of music in my suburban little piece of the world would certainly stir things up. I was 13 when I bought this album (along with the soundtrack to Grease.... shh... don't tell anyone.)
The Sex Pistols only released this one album... I still have it on vinyl, but never replaced it on CD. I'm not sure why... I really should... I need to share it with my oldest niece... She'll hate it... but that's the point. Their music is intended to be repulsive, vulgar, and yes a little frightening. I suppose, like Johnny Rotten, I've also grown up... grown older... wiser (maybe) and I'm not angry like that any longer. When I think of Johnny Rotten, I actually think of him when he was with Public Image, Ltd.... One of my favorite songs when I was an angry teenager was a song called Rise--- the mantra--- "Anger is an energy."
Greg Gutfeld writes,
"When I got the Sex Pistols' debut album nearly 30 years ago, I was only 15 or so, and the LP scared the hell out of me. Johnny Rotten, the lead singer, seemed a street urchin shot straight out of hell's inner circle, and the enormously untalented Sid Vicious appeared nothing more than walking sewage. But that amazing rock record, in a matter of months, changed the way I looked at the world, the notion of "phoniness" or more importantly hippies -- the phoniest people on earth."
I hate hippies... so does Greg... so does Johnny... so there. The entire article can be read here -- A Rotten Affair by Greg Gutfeld
Ramble:
** Ohio's Primary is this Tuesday, so local television and radio have been inundated with commercials... Rush Limbaugh has sent out a request to all Ohioans and Texans to vote for Hillary. And I guess it is now old news but Cincinnati Radio Talk Show host on 700 WLW , Bill Cunningham also made news when he made comments about Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton at a rally for John McCain. John McCain redpudiated and apologized for Willy's comments. Willy Cunningham has been part of Cincinnati radio since I was a little girl... He is an attorney and my earliest memories of him were on Friday nights at my grandparent's home listening to his radio show called Desperate and Dateless... He would take calls from single men and women and play match maker... the show was a scream. Very very funny.
Mr. Cunningham is still on 700 WLW and he is a conservative talk show radio host. He is intelligent and passionate, but first and foremost he is an entertainer-- he will say outrageous things. . that is what some talk radio is about... His ratings drop... WLW drops him...
Understand... we in Cincinnati are used to him... He is like the uncle everyone has. At Thanksgiving, he does something embarassing... and everyone just dismisses it... and says... "oh... that's just Uncle Charlie..." And despite the "hey pull my finger" antics, we still love him...
With that said, Willy was asked to warm up a crowd for John McCain-- he was asked to "give 'em some red meat... . He says the same sort of things on his radio show. Willy is not racist. He is not a bigot. Never has been... never will be. Willy always refers to folks using their full name. Always.
That is where I stop defending him. I am a believer in decorum and pomp and circumstance. For instance, I believe one should dress in a shirt and tie for church, for a wedding, a funeral, a graduation out of respect for the person, for the ceremony. Despite being told to give the crowd "red meat" Willy should have thought about his choice of words. Words do matter. On his radio program the words he chose would have been and are fine. However, this past week, he was asked to warm up a crowd for a man who could one day be the President of the United States. The President of the United States... Every four years we as Americans make a decision and PEACEFULLY turn over keys to someone different... This office has been held by a small fraternity of only 43 men... men such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and our beloved Ronald Reagan. The Office of the Presidency is the highest in our land... We didn't like it when it was defiled by Richard Nixon or Bill Clinton- but the office prevails... our government works... John McCain wants to run his campaign in a respectful manner (not to be confused with consistent-- I.E. McCain's treatment of Donald Rumsfeld). Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton also have the same chance of winning the highest office in the land and despite the vast differences in politics, philosophy and moral standards, they too are entitled to the same respect. To be disrespectful is inexcusable....
Yes, of course John McCain's handlers should have been more cognizant of the what Bill Cunningham was all about... but ultimately, Willy should have known better... and truth be told... his reaction to the criticism shows that it was never about McCain. It has been about Willy and his ego... the fact that he is now going to vote for Hillary... well... that confirms my point.
** Shame on Matt Drudge for leaking the story about Prince Harry.... Had it been a liberal media leak... conservatives would have beeen outraged... Prince Harry follows a long tradition in British Royalty. He loves his country and wants to serve her. Leaking this story, put his life at risk as well as the men serving with and for him...
** We lost an incredible mind this week with the passing of William F. Buckley Jr. Michael has subscribed to National Review for nearly 20 years… For the longest time NR was the sole source for conservative thought and reason… I actually learned of his passing when I visited Laura. Reading her brief post literally knocked the wind out of me. More from Laura here and here.
*** interviews below include profane language. View at your discretion.
Johnny Rotten interview 1977
Johnny Lydon & Steve Jones 2006 - Craig Ferguson -- always a fun interview
Johnny Lydon interview 2007
Pretty Vacant
There's no point in asking you'll get no reply Oh just remember I don't decide I got no reason it's too all much You'll always find us out to lunch
Oh we're so pretty Oh so pretty we're vacant Oh we're so pretty Oh so pretty A vacant
Don't ask us to attend 'cos we're not all there Oh don't pretend 'cos I don't care I don't believe illusions 'cos too much is real So stop you're cheap comment 'cos we know what we feel
Oh we're so pretty Oh so pretty we're vacant Oh we're so pretty Oh so pretty we're vacant Ah but now and we don't care
There's no point in asking you'll get no reply Oh just remember a don't decide I got no reason it's too all much You'll always find me out to lunch We're out on lunch
Oh we're so pretty Oh so pretty we're vacant Oh we're so pretty Oh so pretty we're vacant Oh we're so pretty Oh so pretty ah But now and we don't care
We're pretty A pretty vacant We're pretty A pretty vacant We're pretty A pretty vacant We're pretty A pretty vacant
I can't say that I was a huge fan of America as a kid. In the 70's I think their songs were always on the radio and there is something comforting in that. I seem to recall seeing them on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert or possibly on Midnight Special when I was babysitting... This came from a time when the music was pretty and the musicians... not so much... but, wow... they could sing... live... The music is melodic, the words are familiar. Enjoy.
Here is another pretty song by America - Ventura Highway.
Ramble:
I haven't had much to write about. I'm in a funk- not depressed... I would'nt call it sad either... So much is going on in real life, demons rearing their ugly little heads... Things discovered that I didn't know. My mind is reeling from all the information that has been shared. I just don't have the energy to write about anything. Let's just say my brief blog bio is a real struggle... "I'm forever a pessimist, but doing my best to change that." Pessimism is oozing from every pore of my being. I gotta snap out of this...
Blogs and Links to Check Out This Week:
We are quickly approaching the anniversary of a black day, 9/11. Like last year, I will be participating in Project 2996. I don't know how much buzz is going on right now, but based on the lack of activity in the forum section, I fear a lot of help is needed in remembering nearly 3000 souls. On Tuesday, September 11, 2007 I will pay tribute to two more folks from Flight 93 that did not receive a tribute last year, Deora Frances Bodley, Age 20 of San Diego, California and Thomas E. Burnett Jr., Age 38 of San Ramon, California. There are many others that did not receive a tribute...
My tribute to Marion Britton last year was something that had an impact on my life that was completely unexpected. I think about her everyday. Everyday. If you participated last year, I encourage you to do so again. If you did not participate last year, I ask you to consider writing a tribute this year. I promise you, it will be one of the most meaningful posts you will ever write. If you don't have your own blog, I will be happy to post it here.
What I want to focus on this morning is remembering and reflecting…. Remembering what happened on a Tuesday morning a few September’s ago. I personally never want to forget what happened. I want to be vigilant and not be afraid and be willing to take a stand and fight for what I know to be right and just.
We went to Battery Park. There we saw the Sphere that stood between the 2 towers. http://www.dianefarrisgallery.com/artist/lee/ex02/renewnyc.html. Seeing this was completely unexpected and caught me off guard. But it was a reminder that New York City was attacked. It’s easy to walk around this huge city and forget that. See photo 1.
We walked from Trinity Church to Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange. One couldn’t help but notice that no vehicles were permitted and the city had placed huge concrete and steel pylons strategically in front of all the buildings to keep them safe. We also saw these huge steel plates on the ground that worked as blockades at the end of the street. You can sort of see one of them right in front of Trinity Church in the picture below. See photo 2.
We went to Ground Zero. I expected and was prepared to cry as I tend to do, however the sight is simply a gathering point for tourists – which was great because you could literally hear every possible language being spoken. I wouldn’t describe the scene as hushed or reverent. It was just quieter than other place in the city, but it was simply a hole in the ground… a very large hole. Posted on the fence was a minute by minute account of what happened that fateful day. I started to read it, but I soon realized that timeline is burned on my brain… and then I remembered why this place should be held in reverence. See photos 3 & 4.
As we left Ground Zero and crossed the street, we saw a couple of Pakistan sailors in for Fleet Week. Today, Pakistan is an ally… See photo 5.
We all noticed the church they were standing in front of- crossed the street from Ground Zero and saw there was a beautiful cemetery. Michael and I have a fascination with old cemeteries so naturally we had to go in. Before we walked in a local woman told my brother in law and me that it is well worth going in, that it wouldn’t take long but it is a great reminder of what happened on September 11. As we walked in, I was immediately overwhelmed by what I saw. This sanctuary had become a memorial to those who died and a tribute to those that volunteered tirelessly to try and find survivors. The fence outside St. Paul’s Chapel looked familiar to me – it was the fence that we all had seen countless times on the news – pictures of missing people… teddy bears, flowers, this church was home for the Holy Spirit for this broken city. God made this a place of sanctuary a place to begin healing. I couldn’t walk through it. I stopped and went to a pew and cried and prayed. See photo 6.
http://www.saintpaulschapel.org/ Go to the website – This church has an amazing history. George Washington attended church here when the nation’s capitol was NYC. Be sure to go to the time line and click on the video for 9/12/01. There is a lot to digest on this website. I urge you to spend time. It is a great reminder of what happened that awful day and to remember that they aren’t “insurgents” but rather terrorists… See photos 7 thru 14.
Never forget. When we returned to Cincinnati, I was asking everyone what was their favorite part of the trip. My niece said that she could have done without the Ground Zero stuff. She is a very sensitive girl and feels very deeply, so the emotion of revisiting those memories was difficult for her. I told her that it was important to remember- that we should never forget. But I didn’t tell her why… So, I’ll make a feeble attempt to explain why--- We are supposed to live our lives, to find purpose and to enjoy all the things that God has given us and to be thankful. We are also to fight evil in the way that has been asked of us. We are to remind and let others know that all things are possible through Christ. So, Aimee, although it was difficult to remember what happened on that day, it reminds me of all the things that matter. Family matters. You matter and I love you very much. See photo 15.
I have finally created my own blog so this will be the last installment of this weekly email. My goal is to continue with the same theme and post to the blog on Sunday mornings. I’ll attempt to post this email as my first installment. This will give you a chance to post comments and I hope you do. http://sundaymorningcoffee.blogspot.com/
Photo 16 Never Forget
Photo 15
Photo 14. Artist Jessica Stammen used steel from the collapsed World Trade Center as the base for this 14-pound chalice. She cast a bronze sculpture of a tree trunk to evoke the tree in St. Paul's churchyard that was struck down in the attacks. Two beams extend from the tree trunk to represent the Twin Towers, and the hands of God cup the top of the chalice. She said, "These trunks are cupped by the hands of God to symbolize the grace and spirit that the Lord is pouring out on people. As a container for the blood of Christ, [the chalice represents] our hope in re-creation, transformation, and rebuilding."
Photo 13
Photo 12
Photo 11
photo 10
Photo 8
Photo 9
Photo 7
Photo 6. St. Paul's Chapel
Photo 5. Pakistan Sailors in front of St. Paul's Chapel
Photo 4. Ground Zero
Photo 3. Ground Zero
Photo 2. Trinity Church from Wall Stree
Photo 1. Sphere Memorial
George Washington watching over the New York Stock Exchange
Manhattan as seen from the Empire State Building
The view from the Empire State Building was breathtaking. I have to fill you in on a little secret though -- getting up to the observation deck isn't as simple as in An Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle... It took nearly an hour to get to the top, 2 security checks, not so nice people, and several different lines all at $14.00 a head... Was it worth it? Next time we'll go at dusk.
Song of the week: Time To Change, The Brady Kids
1976 Jimmy Carter: A Leader, For Change 
1976 Gerald Ford: He's Making Us Proud Again
