Financial Reform Bill - Help from Both Sides?

I don’t know whether the upcoming financial reform bill is exactly what is needed to “fix” the system, or not. My hope is that it is a start that a majority can support and then tweak the “unforeseen consequences” or the other gritty issues that were left out.

I am most surprised, pleasantly I think, that three Republicans plan to join the Dems in supporting this reform legislation. They are taking great risks, maybe not as great as the signers of the Declaration of Independence who risked their very lives, but who still could face a political death from those on the right who see any bipartisanship as treason.

Even John McCain, at this time in his re-election fight, could not mount another McCain-Feingold type of bill, joining with the “enemy” to actually move some things forward. He could not risk the wrath of right-wingers who might convince even the moderates that he is selling out to liberals. Good thing McCain-Feingold passed a long time ago, despite its “milquetoast” effect on real campaign finance reform.

Now I wish some Democrats, who feel that they are statesmen and stateswomen, could see their way clear to back some moderate Republican proposals. I doubt it will happen, but that would be a change I could believe in.

Who's to Blame for Lindsay's Messes?

I really could not care less about Lindsay Lohan and her infamous escapades. Yet I still write this blog about her. My irritation today is less about Lindsey than it is about her parents, particularly her father.

Now that their Golden Goose is in real trouble, they are side-stepping the real issue with their daughter -- their lack of parenting of a willful child when they had the chance.

Mr. Lohan most recently appeared on camera after his daughter's 90 day jail sentence condemning the penalty and then went on to say that the "system" has failed his daughter. While he is an apologist for Lindsey's behavior, he deflects and blame from himself by blaming the "system" for not doing something.

Whoa, who raised this kid and let her run with her celebrity pretty much unbridled? The time for control was when she was a minor. It is so much harder to "help" an adult child, but they missed their opportunity many years ago. They could have taken away from the fast-paced

Hollywood world, kept her from making films until she matured a little more. But then, how could they do that with their meal ticket? The whole affair is sickening. It is clear from Lindsey's croc tears and astonished look when she was held to account for her actions, that she doesn't believe the rules should apply to her.

"Moi, going to jail...moi?" She really wondered how that could be. She TRIED to make her court-ordered meetings, but somehow could not. Not my fault she thinks. It is the "system" who is at fault. Wonder where she learned that, Michael?

"Saint James" Blesses Miami

I only peripherally follow NBA bball, but the LeBron James Story (capital S) was mildly intriguing, especially after the choice was made.

And it was a choice, wasn't it? Isn't that what Free Agency is about. The choice to stay or move on -whatever works out best for you?

I am not surprised by the Miami choice for lots of reasons, not the least of which is winning! And then their are his best buds there as well to help scope out the bars and beaches of South Beach.

But in this SPORT where one expects a scintilla of SPORTSMANSHIP, especially from management (fans are fickle, fair-weather, at best). The condemnation from the Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, along with the unnecessary and mean name calling ("cowardly") for someone you embraced just minutes earlier, is shameful and ludicrous at the same time. Had James chosen Cleveland, they would have been best buds as well, with lots of nice things to say. So that one decision made LeBron a coward and many other unspeakable things apparently.

Disappointment would be understandable, maybe even a little anger and sense of loss, but the unsportsmanlike conduct of so many who didn't get chosen is really appalling. "You pays

your money, and you takes your chances" to paraphrase "Punch".

When you lose, you should still act like a winner or at least a good loser. Clearly Cleveland doesn't get that. Too bad.

Patriotism Still Lives

Down with a very bad cold over the 4th of July weekend, I had the chance to watch the national Independence Day celebrations on TV. Yes, that was plural. I watched the shows from New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C. I TIVOed them actually, but managed to get them all watched by the morning of the 5th.

It was a bit much, but not too much. I enjoyed the music, contemporary as well as patriotic, and was stirred as always by Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever. That, and the National Anthem and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's rendition of the Battle Hymn of the Republic still brings me to shed a tear or two.

During these very tough times for our country, it might seem hard to rally the "rah rah" patriotic spirit of past years. Across the U.S. many fireworks displays were cancelled for lack of funds. Yet, as I watched all three shows, I made a point to watch the people attending. Many were adults, but the majority in my estimation were under 30. And while you might say that every one loves a party for whatever reason, I watched as people, old and young, sang along to "Yankee Doodle", or "It's a Grand Old Flag", and more than a few had tears after hearing and singing the "Star-Spangled Banner". That was a good sign that, "our flag was still there".

The many tributes to our Armed Forces, serving now and in the past, might seem a little worn after eight years of war, but what American cannot be moved by the sight of our wounded warriors, many still wanting to return to their units after losing an arm or leg.

Besides the obvious fun of a holiday, and the oft-heard complaint that most do not appreciate the real reason for celebration, I must disagree.

Despite some who have understandably given up because of the continued, unbelievable assaults on the Gulf states, or because they cannot find a job to support their families, there are exponentially more who still feel that the U.S.A. is the very best place to live, despite what we hope are soluable problems.

In fact, we cannot give up even if we have few or no real statesmen in Washington anymore. We cannot let those who signed that Declaration in July 1776 have all their work and real sacrifice be for naught after a relatively short 234 years.

There is lots to do, lots to think about, and much more hard work, and maybe even higher taxes to get us out of the current pickle, but I am sure that we will do it. The Stars and Stripes. Forever.

Help Afghanistan? Really?

I could buy that we needed to be in Afghanistan to "root out the terrorists". I could buy that we were doing good things there. But if Karzai doesn't buy any of that, and in fact, comes close to calling the U.S. "invaders", then it is time to leave.

We cannot responsibly pull up the tent stakes and Humvees precipitously, but we sure as hell can start to move out. The U.S. has always said that we don't want to be where we are not wanted. I assume that only means allies, and not enemies. But now I am not sure that this "ally" wants our help. We certainly could use the money it would save. And there are other ways to get to the terrorists (just ask Cheney). Oh, did I mention that Al-Qaeda is mainly in Pakistan anyway?

Let begin the pullout now; let's get the Navy team over to haul back our materiel and let's get the Air Force to fly our troops home to their families. When an ally calls us invaders, it is beyond time to go.

Pray for Congress

Whether you are for the President's health care plan or not, you should be appalled at the rotten sausage making that appears to be going through the grinder this week.

Using the "deem and pass" exception to keep from voting directly on the Senate bill seems cowardly at best, and bordering on constitutional blasphemy at worst. I won't argue the legality here, but surely the founding fathers never intended for very important and large pieces of legislation to be "passed" in this way.

I have agreed that health care needs revamping, and have even come to believe that every American of every class deserves at least basic health care. Most of this belief comes from the proven fact that people without insurance can certainly get at least urgent treatment at hospitals without having the means to pay. So the rest of us are all are paying anyway, so let's develop a system that works for all. I know full well that taxpayers will have to cover most of the costs, but covering the premiums seems cheaper than paying the entire bill.

Congress has gotten so far off track - both sides - that I think they actually believe what they are doing is right and ordained. Someone, or better yet, many of them, should form the Gang of 100 or whatever, and be actual statesmen and stateswoman, and work to save the Republic, not their own behinds. Wishful thinking? I hope not.

Crazy Weather

The hue and cry over global warming seems to be waning now, but the newer phrase, climate change, may gain more purchase with the weird weather of the last year.

Earthquakes in three countries within months aside, the tornadoes in Florida, incessant blizzards along the east coast, snow-melting warmth in Vancouver, and near record rains in the Arizona desert are just a few of the wacky things that can't be ignored.

I think we had more rain in Arizona desert than in the Everglades. There was snow in 49 states one week last month. Floods and mudslides are becoming more prevalent.

At least talking about the weather these days is not just a weak conversation starter.