. . . ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY
If you are spending your time watching the Olympic Games, having friends over to play cards and feast, planning another day out shopping, going out to the next hit movie, or even just taking full-time care of your little children, you are probably not aware of the presidential power grab that is going on in this country. It is progressing amazingly fast. When I'd like to be writing, even a mere blog, or reading a good book, I must catch up on the news first. There is only one television channel where I can get that. That is Fox News. Tonight and recent other nights this power grab was the major theme, it seemed, though I didn't watch all the programs available on the subject.
When a guest, usually from the Senate or the House of Representatives spoke about this, some reminding us of how the Germans were tricked into such a power grab in the 1930-40s, I had to turn the telly off. Or I would have cried in heartache. The speakers seem to believe that it is up to us people, to make an outcry, till the halls of Congress ring with our pleadings for them to stop that despot. If you ever thought that the Holocaust could not ever be repeated, think again. The situation is ripe for that very thing. And next time, it may include Christians, not just the Jews.
I volunteered my life when I joined the WAVES in WWII, though I was not expected to take part in combat. I would do that again, if the action could help save my country. All I can do now at my age, is write a bit here and encourage the rest of you to write e-mail to members of Congress, tweet them too, use your face book, and if the president can use his pen and his phone to get action (as he said), you can do the same. But time is running out.
And if you are depending on other networks for your news coverage, please, please, switch to Fox News. (Not the same as Fox Channel.) ***
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Thursday, February 13, 2014
SOMETHING ABOUT SHAKESPEARE
Our clouds were both dark and white and especially billowy this morning, and we knew to expect another rainy day, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, creeping in, as Macbeth said, but for a different situation entirely. I just checked to see how many tomorrows he used, although I know the soliloquy from memory, and found something rather astonishing. There was the soliloquy as we knew it in school, but then there it was written in modern English too! A desecration, in my book. I remember learning many years ago, as a young teacher, Shakespeare must never be brought down to anyone's inadequacy, but the student must be brought up to Shakespeare's level. The original version is poetry. The modern version is prose. I will rub it in and say it is prosaic prose. To save time for those who aren't familiar with that word, I'll tell you one of the meanings of prosaic is dull. Poetry--real poetry--is never dull. ***
Our clouds were both dark and white and especially billowy this morning, and we knew to expect another rainy day, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, creeping in, as Macbeth said, but for a different situation entirely. I just checked to see how many tomorrows he used, although I know the soliloquy from memory, and found something rather astonishing. There was the soliloquy as we knew it in school, but then there it was written in modern English too! A desecration, in my book. I remember learning many years ago, as a young teacher, Shakespeare must never be brought down to anyone's inadequacy, but the student must be brought up to Shakespeare's level. The original version is poetry. The modern version is prose. I will rub it in and say it is prosaic prose. To save time for those who aren't familiar with that word, I'll tell you one of the meanings of prosaic is dull. Poetry--real poetry--is never dull. ***
Monday, February 10, 2014
MORE ABOUT FIRST MEMORIES
This blog has talked more than once about children's first memories. But someone(s) got interested in knowing what happened with what a child learned before that first recalled memory. Now we find that Emory University has made such a study. I ran across this information from an AOL story yesterday and will not indulge your time with details except to say Emory found at age seven is a huge drop-off of early memory for some children they interviewed.
The interviews were carried out between child and parent and were recorded for the researchers. If this is especially appealing to you, you might dig it out from AOL, or simply ask for Emory University's Study on Children's Memories. ***
This blog has talked more than once about children's first memories. But someone(s) got interested in knowing what happened with what a child learned before that first recalled memory. Now we find that Emory University has made such a study. I ran across this information from an AOL story yesterday and will not indulge your time with details except to say Emory found at age seven is a huge drop-off of early memory for some children they interviewed.
The interviews were carried out between child and parent and were recorded for the researchers. If this is especially appealing to you, you might dig it out from AOL, or simply ask for Emory University's Study on Children's Memories. ***
Sunday, February 9, 2014
WHAT'S HAPPENING TO AMERICA?
This area is currently having snow on a rather regular basis, usually when I'm asleep. But nothing weather-wise here compares with the tragic weather conditions that much of the country has suffered for weeks now. But it could be worse, according to reports.
Last night we heard from more than one expert who spoke about the "grids" that control electric power across the country. Apparently, work is needed to fortify whatever supports the grids. I don't know enough about things electrical, mechanical, or technological to be even discussing this matter. But maybe this info will be enough to spark someone's interest in the subject who can understand what's what. But the gist seems to be the whole country could be blacked-out unless something is done in the right direction soon.
Think about it: not only no lights, but no heat. Many would freeze to death in their homes. Some in power couldn't care less, regardless of their wordage. ***
This area is currently having snow on a rather regular basis, usually when I'm asleep. But nothing weather-wise here compares with the tragic weather conditions that much of the country has suffered for weeks now. But it could be worse, according to reports.
Last night we heard from more than one expert who spoke about the "grids" that control electric power across the country. Apparently, work is needed to fortify whatever supports the grids. I don't know enough about things electrical, mechanical, or technological to be even discussing this matter. But maybe this info will be enough to spark someone's interest in the subject who can understand what's what. But the gist seems to be the whole country could be blacked-out unless something is done in the right direction soon.
Think about it: not only no lights, but no heat. Many would freeze to death in their homes. Some in power couldn't care less, regardless of their wordage. ***
Friday, February 7, 2014
I DO NOT LIKE THIS CHANGE
After my computer tech fixed a few things wrong with Pete, he left me with much chrome stuff that I find difficult to work with. I don't have a way to write my blogs in my private documents and copy and paste them. Now I must write my trial and error page on the blog's choice of location. I cannot find the SYMBOLS I often use in composing prose. Not even the heart to end the blogs with. There has to be a way. I just don't have time to play with a computer. Nor would I like to do so. I'm too busy for that game.
After my computer tech fixed a few things wrong with Pete, he left me with much chrome stuff that I find difficult to work with. I don't have a way to write my blogs in my private documents and copy and paste them. Now I must write my trial and error page on the blog's choice of location. I cannot find the SYMBOLS I often use in composing prose. Not even the heart to end the blogs with. There has to be a way. I just don't have time to play with a computer. Nor would I like to do so. I'm too busy for that game.
THE PRESIDENT'S SMIDGEN
The president's smidgen is currently the talk of intelligent folks. How could he say, in an interview with Bill O'Reilly, that the IRS targeting scandal had "not even a smidgen of corruption"? The jury is still out on that one, so to speak, with plenty of evidence of a contrary persuasion. His body language, at the time of denying the corruption, was like that of a child, secure that someone would make what he said right. Not quite a "Gotcha!" look, for his face showed he was not exactly sure of his own answer.
The president's smidgen is currently the talk of intelligent folks. How could he say, in an interview with Bill O'Reilly, that the IRS targeting scandal had "not even a smidgen of corruption"? The jury is still out on that one, so to speak, with plenty of evidence of a contrary persuasion. His body language, at the time of denying the corruption, was like that of a child, secure that someone would make what he said right. Not quite a "Gotcha!" look, for his face showed he was not exactly sure of his own answer.
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