Our President

The President was outstanding last night. The "girly men": Senate and the House: Republican and Democrats don't have a clue; they are spineless. We need my hero Josef "Joe" Stalin to start the trials.I'm happy to preside; it will be quick but not painless.

daddio

A great Saturday

Barb and I took a day trip to Chicago to view Kristen's art show; we were not disappointed. I'm still pondering Kristen's four works. Once I've seen a piece of art I need to reflect and think about it for a few days.

We then had a great lunch with my Bethany joining us. I also had the true delight of meeting Romie and her parents. I really believe Romi and I could really connect if I lived in Chicago and could then make the time to spend with Bethany and her. She is a very alert little child and very precious.

Joel, what might our February book selection be? I am anxiously waiting.

Colin, I'm glad you shared Egger's "What is the What" with me. I was reading it last night and this morning and it is outstanding! Zehtoun just doesn't have the same strength and composition

daddio

The Selfish Americans?

How do you read the American people? On one hand they give nobly and with passion to help out the struggling in Haiti. On the other hand they selfishly guard their own health benefits and deny them to the uninsured and underinsured in their own country; men, women and children with whom they work and live with day by day.The American people poll out as not supporting even a modest reform of our health care system. I reserve special ire for the senior citizens. They enjoy good Medicare coverage financed by even those who have no health insurance themselves( yes, people who work without health insurance still pay the Medicare tax from their payroll earnings); yet, they worry the proposed health care bill might diminish their own health care, and therefore reject the same. Many of our young people cannot get health insurance through their employment and cannot afford it on their own; yes, these are our children and your children, not some fantasized "other".
I am mindful many of our seniors support national health coverage; unfortunately, they are a minority of that age group.

The old kill our young; they devour our seed corn.

To our seniors: have you no shame?

I have all my adult life been proud of this country's support of Social Security and Medicare benefits; they have allowed our senior citizens to have some measure of economic security in their old age.

I am very angry; and I will stay angry

daddio

Zeitoung(sp)

Folks,

With my apologies to Colin, I don't think this is a really good book. I just don't like the writing style: it reads like poor biography. Having said that , it is a clear and convincing work documenting and damning our own government. It shows a massive disregard and callousness to those who lived in New Orleans. I note this morning we are sending 2000 war hardend Marines to Haiti with many ships and massive aid. Why couldn't we have done that in New Orleans? I don't think we can blame all of this on Bush JR. Anyone who voted for Gore is responsible for this moral failure.

daddio

The Beauty of Cold

several mornings in a row now I have got up and it is zer0 degrees outside. The air is so wonderfully crisp and clean. If you dress warmly you will be able to walk or hike in comfort. There are very few people out and you pretty much have the trees and sky to yourself.

I'm going to try some hiking at Forest Glen today. The snow ought to have been beaten down on the trails by the deer but we'll have to wait to see.

I've joined an outdoors hiking and backpacking group and we have a winter campout scheduled for February. I have some new eqiupment from Christmas so I am sure I will be out at Forest Glen and Kickapoo for some winter hiking and camping prior to then.

I am finishing "The God of Small Things"; a wonderful book Kristin gave me for Christmas, then I must dig into Eggers book therafter.

Love you "all my children"; which now includes Kristin so I need a picture of Kristin, Colin, Beth and Abby together if any of you can email me one please.

daddio

Taylor Family Book Club

Well now, Pip was quite the young man now, wasn't he. Great redemption of Miss Havisham, and the same for Pip. Jaggers a bit of a hard guy. Estella made it to the homestretch with panache.

So.........Mom, January is your selection. We expect to hear from you within the next week.

daddio