WHICH END IS UP--AND IM NOT REFERRING TO THE FURNITURE COMPANY

I am sooo confused about world events--I don't even know where to begin. But here, in the lower level, are some of my random thoughts in no particular order.

--According to my computer, at exactly 8:02 on the night Obama spoke to the nation about Libya, Boehner (he who has a perpetual tan)and Cantor (he who is a member of my tribe)issued a statement calling the speech inadequate. Now maybe since the White House seems full of all these good government/lets be nice people,they gave the guys a copy of the speech so they could prepare a response. But if not, they simply, pulled it out of thin air in anticipation of what he would say. Before the U.S. intervention, these guys were yakking about going in and saving the Libyans. After the speech, they were yakking about how there was no exit strategy.

My problem is I don't get how we can help the Libyans but not the Bahrainians (did I spell that right?). But even so, at least we are not in Libya on our own and are operating under a UN resolution with some other countries. And, as I write, NATO is in charge. But I still don't get it about Libya except for oil and Khadafy. Which might just say it all.

--The senate continues to hold up two key Obama appointments. One, a guy named Daimond, won a Nobel in economics but the right wing Senators think he is a commie or something. The other, Berwick, is supposed to be in charge of Medicare and Medicaid . But since those some folks want to repeal Obamacare, they don't want anyone in there who actually might do something to move it along. At a minimum, in 2012, these guys better not get control of the Senate--otherwise we should all go into our bunkers.

--Anna sent me a great article from the NY Times about the difference between the disaster in Haiti and the one in Japan. Without diminishing either, the article did point out how different the two countries were before the earthquakes and how that might mean they required different kids of assistance from abroad after the earthquakes. I am always very cautious about giving to the Red Cross or the United Way for anything since they skim money off the top for their administrative costs. Usually you can give directly to a group and not go through the big boys. There are still administrative costs but you are only paying once for them and it increases the amount that reaches the ground.

--So the Governors of 3 states (Wisconsin, NJ, and Ohio) hate teachers and anyone with a public sector job--must really feel good to be working in the public sector these days. Have to give my governor credit for not taking the easy way out by scapegoating any group. The guy in NJ gave back money for a new tunnel (the guy in Florida gave back money for commuter rail) and he is a big bully--literally and figuratively. Kick em while they are down and if in doubt, blame the victim.
I am not a dupe for the unions but give me a break--if it were as simple as eliminating collective bargaining, all state budgets would be in balance--duh, its all about health care at the state level.

--Speaking of which, my insurer Blue Cross/Blue Shield just gave a departing CEO an $11 million dollar severance package for doing nothing except raising the rates charged to consumers. Plus they pay board members even though they are a non profit.
Our AG is after them but there are more of them where they came from. It is pathetic.

--I continue to be distressed about Israel. The situation with the Palestinians and them continues to deteriorate. Hamas does not help with its new found rockets but neither do the ultra orthodox Jews who lay claim to all sorts of land because it is a biblical "right". But don't have to serve in the IDF because they are ultra Orthodox--go figure. Read a brief article about Netanyahu and his father which only reminded me that the only way out for him is to pull a "Nixon"--go to Abbas secretly and cut some sort of deal. But do it. Im betting he will not.

--I really hope the Republicans nominate Michelle Bachman. Huckabee, Palin, and the others are a bit crazy. But Michelle is truly a candidate for the butterfly net. She cannot help herself. I still am embarrassed to admit I thought both Minnesota and Wisconsin were bastions of Mid West liberalism; but nooooo, they are tuning into bastions of right wing tea party crazies.

--Got my senior Charlie card for the "T". Much like applying for Social Security, except for a wheelchair bound woman, I was the lone white person amongst a veritable tribe of people from around the Globe. I do get quite a discount and it was surprisingly efficient.

--We take that big silver bird next week to Key West--where it has been sunny and in the low 80's all week while our weather map looks like slop with low temps. In between, to Scranton for Yvette's 90th!



SPORTS TALK

I admit to the following--I could not care less if both the NBA and the NFL have lock outs which end their seasons. I am so sick of these stories--the only worse thing is who cares about Bonds and Clemens and their trials. Puke.

No conversations about baseball until 7/4--however I will say that the Red Flops are way overrated and I just saw the new Yankee set up man (Soriano) who looks immense--then Mo got his first save.

The Celtics have looked god awful and I worry their age is catching up. They miss a big post presence but I continue to believe the Perkins trade was a good one. I love Jeff Green and this Krstic fellow ain't bad either.

If Tim Thomas stays hot, the Bruins could go far especially since no other team looks so spectacular--except perhaps for the Canucks with those twins.

Happy 65th up there in Toronto.

Sayonara.