Buy American

In my view, this Op-Ed article by Warren Buffett in today's NY Times is right on target, and timely:

Buy American. I Am.

Bailout Legislation

This morning I read (scanned) the revised version of the Financial Bailout Legislation Proposal.

In my view, there are still no protections for the taxpayers; the proposal is so vague and gives the government so much power to spend our money on gifts to already rich brokers, bankers, foreign governments and other friends of the administration that it would reduce our standard of living for generations.

Please call, write (best), or e-mail your elected officials and make your voices heard.
--
Bob Malone / The Queensbury Group / Houston, TX, USA / 866-538-8754 /spud8.queensburygroup@blogger.com

Data Point: D vs. R

A new book by ALAN S. BLINDER says that the United States economy has grown faster, on average, under Democratic presidents than under Republicans.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/31/business/31view.html?em

U.S.A. : A status report

One of our nation's leaders recently said:

“Our nation is in trouble on two fronts. The American dream is under siege at home, and America’s leadership in the world has been weakened. Middle-class and low-income Americans are hurting — with incomes declining; job losses, poverty and inequality rising; mortgage foreclosures and credit card debt increasing; health care coverage disappearing; and a very big spike in the cost of food, utilities and gasoline.

“And our position in the world has been weakened by too much unilateralism and too little cooperation, by a perilous dependence on imported oil, by a refusal to lead on global warming, by a growing indebtedness and a dependence on foreign lenders, by a severely burdened military, by a backsliding on global nonproliferation and arms control agreements, and by a failure to consistently use the power of diplomacy, from the Middle East to Africa to Latin America to Central and Eastern Europe.”

To me it sounds like a pretty accurate (grim) summary of our situation.

Let's not allow ourselves to be distracted
by gender, race, religion, political party, and the myriad of other distractions being trumpeted by the media. Our country needs to return to it's roots. You and I are the only ones who can make that happen. Think, Vote, and Be Heard.

Virginia Declaration of Rights

Today I stumbled upon the Declaration of Rights in the Constitution of the State of Virginia. It seems to me to be a particularly well thought-out and well articulated set of guidelines for governing ourselves.

I think you might enjoy reading the Declaration, and comparing it with our national Constitution or the Constitution in your own state. Here's a link to one online source. And following is a synopsis taken from that site:

"The Virginia Declaration of Rights, unanimously adopted by the Virginia Convention on 12 June 1776, was the first statement of individual rights to be adopted by a state government at the beginning of the American Revolution. It inspired other states to add similar declarations to their state constitutions and eventually became a part of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Drawing in part on the English Bill of Rights of 1689, the Virginia Declaration of Rights was one of the most influential documents that contributed to the evolution of what became the United States Bill of Rights."

If you do read it, and whether you agree with me or don't, I'd like to hear from you. Why not  add your  comments  below?

It just keeps getting better ....

Google's online applications just keep getting better, (and better integrated). Check out Google Apps and Google Sites. All we need is a plan!

Who said this?

" ... Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country. "

A Repeat Recommendation

In the past I've recommended the growing list of interactive online applications being developed by Google. The list just keeps on growing. There are now more than 40 "programs" listed by Google at

http://www.google.com/intl/en/options/

and and over 300 "gadgets" available in iGoogle at

http://tinyurl.com/2qxsbd

I've used about 10 of the programs, including iGoogle, Blogger, Docs, Picassa, and Earth, and about 30 of the iGoogle gadgets, and find them fun and useful. You may want to check them out.

spud@queensburygroup.com

This item was posted using "ScribeFire" in FireFox
13507 queensbury lane, houston, tx, 77079, USA

ScribeFire seems to be another useful addition if you do a lot of blogging.

Secular Humanism

* A conviction that dogmas, ideologies and traditions, whether religious, political or social, must be weighed and tested by each individual and not simply accepted on faith.
* Commitment to the use of critical reason, factual evidence, and scientific methods of inquiry, rather than faith and mysticism, in seeking solutions to human problems and answers to important human questions.
* A primary concern with fulfillment, growth, and creativity for both the individual and humankind in general.
* A constant search for objective truth, with the understanding that new knowledge and experience constantly alter our imperfect perception of it.
* A concern for this life and a commitment to making it meaningful through better understanding of ourselves, our history, our intellectual and artistic achievements, and the outlooks of those who differ from us.
* A search for viable individual, social and political principles of ethical conduct, judging them on their ability to enhance human well-being and individual responsibility.
* A conviction that with reason, an open marketplace of ideas, good will, and tolerance, progress can be made in building a better world for ourselves and our children.

Re: Christine Heenan having Affairs

Congratulations are in order:

See: Harvard names taps Christine Heenan VP for Affairs*

* (Government, Community and Public Affairs, that is)

Kim & Beau: Rehearsal Dinner

 

For more photos see below or check out Rehearsal Dinner

 

Shawn, Spud and Clara fooling around.