Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Walking report

I have now reached 314 miles walking so far this year. When it gets cooler, I plan to walk the Keystone YRE a few more times before we get to the end of the year. The last of the hot days are probably behind us now.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Quoted

Conservatism may be our default ideology. When detached from deep thinking, we tend to support the status quo. --from "Why You're Voting That Way," Pacific Standard, September/October 2012

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Quoted

We are seeing the conscious and deliberate creation by the corporate state of a permanent, insecure and terrified underclass within the wider society. They have had a lot of practice in refining these techniques in the sacrifice zones, such as West Virginia, we wrote about. The corporate state sees this permanent and desperate underclass as the most effective weapon to thwart rebellion and resistance as our economy is reconfigured to wipe out the middleclass and leave most of us at subsistence level. Huge pools of unemployed and underemployed effectively blunt labor organizing, since any job, no matter how menial, is zealously coveted. The beating down of workers, exacerbated by the refusal to extend unemployment benefits for hundreds of millions of Americans and the breaking of public sector unions, the last redoubt of union power, has transformed those in the working class from full members of society, able to participate in its debates, the economy and governance, into terrified people in fragmented pools preoccupied with the struggle of private existence. --Chris Hedges

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Torrential downpour

We have gone some two months with very little rain.  Wildfires destroyed some 1,600 structures in the state this summer.  Coming out of church this afternoon, it was raining so hard visibility was severely limited.  At times, I had to drive slowly.  We have been in a drought and probably still are since the rain lasted only a short period of time.

I had a full day today what with R. E. at 10, then the service at 11, lunch at church at 12:30, then the HAT meeting at 1.  At the HAT meeting I proposed we start a Progressive Book Club with Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States as the first selection.  Several members showed support for the idea.  When Vanessa returns from Europe, I will set up a time for the initial meeting.

Last Friday, J and I went to AMC20 theaters in Tulsa and saw a movie featuring Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones.  Hope Springs is the title.  Seeing the movie came up rather quickly.  We had not talked about it.  J just said we are going.  So we went.

After the movie we went to Red Lobster where I had the endless shrimp.  I did not go overboard with eating.  I have lost 15 pounds over the summer, and I don't want to gain it back.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Live Forever or Die Trying

Live Forever or Die Trying was published last year.  The author is Thomas J. Mooney.  I would like to quote two paragraphs from this book.

Like it or not, major Life Extension is going to occur.  The pace may be incremental, but it is inevitable.  Some will embrace living much longer, others will demonize it.  Profound religious and philosophical beliefs will be challenged; many will try to prevent it, but the dream of indefinite life extension will become a reality.

Some will be shocked, appalled, saddened, or outraged, but progress is occurring, as many brilliant scientists worldwide are increasingly undertaking life extension experiments, working tirelessly to unravel the human genome and life's many hidden secrets hidden within.  We are on the path to a longer, healthier life for those who choose it.

Recent pictures

This is a bookcase which I put together at the headquarters of John Olson, Democratic candidate for the First Congressional seat in Oklahoma.


These colorful eggs were produced on the Jim Lovelace farm in Missouri.  These eggs are not dyed.  This is their natural color.

This is the fellowship hall of the Sand Springs United Methodist Church.  People brought used colthing here in response to several families being burnt out during the wildfires which struck the area between Mannford and Luther.  I worked one afternoon sorting clothes here. 


Several bottles of water were donated to the residents whose homes were destroyed by wildfire.

The Jesus Budget

http://www.markfiore.com/political-cartoons/watch-jesus-budget-paul-ryan-gop-congress-budget-deficit-animated-video-mark-fiore-political+animation

Quoted

Lately, like at a recent lunch with Steve Schwarzman, who has likened Obama to Hitler, Greene’s been trying another tactic. Now I appeal to them selfishly, he says. Don’t you realize that if you don’t take care of this kid when they are 10 years old, you’ll take care of them when they are 20 and 100 instead? We just have to pay a little more taxes. It’s not going to kill us. You buy car insurance. Why not buy some democracy insurance?’ People think that Obama is this leftist, socialist guy, he says. But I don’t think they understand what people can go for when they are at the end of their line.

--Jessica Pressler, The Other Barbarians at the Gate

Friday, August 03, 2012

Hot days

We have had some hot days recently.  Coming back from Tulsa this evening we were on the Creek Turnpike.  The turnpike was closed before the Highway 97 exit.  We had to get off early due to the closure.  Earlier today the turnpike was closed between OKC and Chandler.  These closures were due to smoke from wildfires.  There have been many wildfires and several homes have burned down.

We were in Tulsa where we took Luke and Ayla (and Jennifer) to Bounce U.  It is a fun activity for kids.  I sat outside (in the foyer) while the others went back to bounce.  I read my Kindle during this time.  Afterwards, we went to a nearby Panera Bread for food.