Racoon Kitty

Gabrielle had her physical and she definitely needs glasses.

Last night we were drving home and say a big racoon lumbering in the road. Gabrielle said, “oooh , kitty.”  She sounded like little Boo from Monster’s Inc calling Sully “Kitty.”

So it’s official – she needs glasses.

Manipulation lesson – Obama kicks ass

Time to reevealuate all those good feelings about Obama. Most would agree that all politicians try to manipulate us, but you may  be aware how could a job Obama did and is doing. He employs the power of iconagraphy. It is a great word that deserves a second look ( yes – pun intended!)

  

This 8 minute video featuring Bill Whittle is worth your time.

http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/theanchoress/2009/09/28/bill-whittle-national-treasure/

Out Of Mao’s Shadow – Phillip P. Pan

I recently finished a book that Reena purchased called Out of Mao’s Shadow by Phillip P. Pan. It is a remarkable book about various people who take a stand against injustice in China despite incredible risks posed to them by the ruling Communist Party. It will give anyone interested in China a great look at what it is really like to live there. It looks at current life there but China’s frightening past is certainly part of the story. It is an enjoyable, instructive inspirational yet disturbing read.

http://outofmaosshadow.com

You’ll find interviews of the author by Jon Stewart and Charlie Rose on the website.

My teeth are hot

Josie was just explaining why she needed Dad to give her some juice.

Xavier did a car wash for his Boy Scout troop yesterday. He was holding up a sign to attract people to the fundraiser. Most people smiled and/or waved, so he was a little shocked when someone flipped him off. People feel real brave when they are behind a steering wheel. He told the older Scouts and they laughed.

Gabrielle got a nice compliment from her English teacher about her presentation of her summer written assignement. She said it was the best one she EVER heard 🙂

 Reena and I are watching DVD’s of this TV series called Weeds. I think it is in its 5th season now. We finished season 3 last night. It is pretty funny. We don’t smoke pot any more but it is fun too watch people who do.

Reena is working on Clara Rose’s quilt this afternoon. She’s making an apple pie with Josie this morning. They went apple picking at an orchard yesterday.

I have been putting some time into learning guitar – trying to get a minimum of 20 minutes 3 times a week. I end up doing it more often because it is fun and relaxing. I can play songs like Amazing Grace and When the Saints go Marching In.

I saw ’em choo train

 

I yike ’em choo choo train!

Josie said this at the breakfast table this morning to Gabrielle and Xavier. Just making conversation with them. Very cute the way she purses her lips when she says ‘choo choo’.

How about you? Do you yike ’em too?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y2pLSC1__g  (48 seconds)

What can I say – I was raised on Bambi – I have a dark side.

Speaking of missing Mommy’s,

Josie’s comes home today.

WWWWD (What would wonderwoman do?)

I got this from http://althouse.blogspot.com

Lynda Carter eat your heart out.

 

 Lynda Carter I’ll put your eyes out with my boob armor.

I wouldn’t want to hug her though, not from the front anyway.

I would have hugged Lynda Carter, back in the day.

Beatles in the morning

Josie and I were listening to this children’s Beatles collection this morning. She likes songs like Yellow Submarine and Octopus’ Garden, but Dear Prudence , not so much. “It’s scawey Daddy”. It is a little scary, actually kind of wistful and confusing. If you want Prudence to come out and play, why are you addressing her like it is a formal letter?Josie also doesn’t like Blackbird, also ‘scawey’. It’s this sweet song about a BLACK bird. I think of crows and death.

Fuckin’ Beatles – messin’ with my little girl’s morning!

But they do win you over with the fun ones. Musicians don’t sing about yellow submarines and octopus’ gardens anymore and make it big. That takes a special kind of talent.

Home alone

Not exactly, I am with Josie tonight. Reena is away on a business trip, some kind of training  in Santa Fe , New Mexico. Gabrielle and Xavier are with their Mom tonight. Josie fell asleep quick. I think I wore her out letting her ride her tricycle a lot this evening. She cried on the phone when her mother called earlier. It was pretty heart renching, but all is calm now.

Today was a bit rough at work. I lost my temper with my secretaries. There is good reason to be frustrated as I don’t get paid it they don’t pay attention to certain details, but it really isn’t there fault. We are in transition to a full staff with two new members. I hope I didn’t freak out the new one that has already arrived! I usually don’t lose it like that and I really do feel bad about it. Oh well, I will repeat my apology tomorrow and just hang in there until the transition is complete.

Josie just woke up briefly. I hope this isn’t a long night.

 I’ll be happy to see Reena on Friday.

Josie Jukin’ a Giant

She fakes right, but   I AM HOLDING MY GROUND!

All right, no more messing around DAD!

For more go to http://overthemoontohome.blogspot.com

Tort reform WILL reduce health care costs

I really can see no good reason why this isn’t on the table among the Democrats.

Look at what happened in Mississippi:

Since passing tort reform in 2004, Mississippi has seen the number of medical malpractice claims plummet by 91 percent from its peak. The state’s largest medical liability insurer dropped its premiums by 42 percent, and has offered an additional 20 percent rebate each year since tort reform went into effect.

Holy crap. Even the lawyers , who obviously don’t like it, can’t call it unfair:

In the wake of tort reform’s passage, Barbour added, plaintiffs still have the right to sue and recover damages, and trial lawyers can still make a living — just not at the previous, exorbitant level. “It has not been very contentious,” he said. “Most of the trial lawyers — particularly the ones who are really good lawyers, think that it’s fair,” even if “they don’t like it.”

Here’s what they did in Mississippi:

Changed rules of venue, to prevent abusive court-shopping.

Got rid of the rule of “joint and several liability” — as Barbour put it, in order to protect the defendant who is only “2 percent negligent” but who has the “deep pockets” that trial lawyers look for when deciding whom to sue.

Protect innocent landowners and sellers of products. Under the reforms, “if a pharmacist is selling a drug that the FDA has said is appropriate for the purpose it says it’s used for, unless the pharmacist knows it has been tampered with, then that pharmacist is immune,” said Barbour.

Put caps on punitive damages, with a sliding scale based on the size of the defendant corporation.

Put caps on non-economic damages, particularly to deal with medical malpractice liability.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Heres-your-demonstration-project-Mr-President—-its-called-Mississippi-59990137.html

thanks to the Anchoress