TMI a little place to whine

As much as I am politically opposed to shopping in Walmart (for their employment practices), I must commend them on the decision to reduce generic drug cost for several hunderd maintenance medications.

The Walmart closest to me is still a 30 minute turnpike drive away, so I will not benefit from this price reduction. But others will, and more importantly the "industry" will now have to do something to match such prices. Walmart may, in it's drive to be a low price leader, force pharmaceduical companies to admit that they charge too much and retail pharmacies may have to negotiate lower wholesale prices, and pass on the savings to their customers.

So Yeah Walmart, for hopefully starting a price war that will benefit the people not the corporation.

Occasionally one encounters a book that has been removed fromt he shelves and placed in another spot. We discourage reshelving here, lest the user mistakenly read the call number incorrectly and then the book will be lost until we do a massive "shelf reading".

However I wish people would at least try to place the book on a shelving cart instead of leaving it next to the toilet the the bathroom.

So ok, I get the picture. You needed something to read while taking care of business so you took something off the shelf on your way to the restroom. It happens to many of us, we multi task these things at home so we continue the practice at school. However, I think it is extremely rude to just leave the book on the floor of the restroom next to the commode!

Do you think the librarians or student assistants routinely go around to the bathrooms pick ing up after you like your mother did at home?

If you are in a graduate level program at school one assumes you are a responsible adult. And believe it or not, responsible adults DO pick up after themselves.

My birthday is on Thursday (9/21). So I gave my daughter two of my watches that need new batteries. I want her to give me the "gift" of having the batteries replaced.

Now some people say, "that's no present", but to me it is. I rarely have the time to go get the batteries replaced because I am not a mall shopper generally, and let's face it, I don't always have the $$ to replace several batteries at once. Most watches now are sealed and if you want the seal to remain in tact, you have to have a watch repair guy replace the battery. Luckily this guy at the local mall does it, and only charges $12.00 or so for the battery and seal.

So I will be very glad to get that as my gift. After all, isn't it good to give something you actually want and can use? I think so.

You see, when I was young and poor I found it puzzling that adults would send me gifts of things I could never use. If you can barely afford food and clothing what good is a fancy party dress (when you never go to a fancy party?) I much prefered money so I could buy sox or underware, or maybe nylons or a new pair of shoes so I didn't have to walk to school with cardboard in my shoes to cover up the hole that went straight through the soles.

When I lived with my grandmother I saw how many of her grandchildren tried to out do each other buying her things she didn't need and would never use. She had enough talc and dusters to start her own business. What an elderly person living on a fixed income could really use was gift certificates to the grocery store, or to a department store so she could replace a winter coat, or a hat or buy scarves and gloves in winter. (Her birthday was in January). Instead she got delicate little do-dads to mount on the mantle or decorate the end tables.

Why don't people think before they give a gift and give something that the person might actually need and use?

I see nothing wrong with that.

One of my birthday gifts already received is a stove top coffee pot. Why, when I have a perfectly good electric coffee maker? I'll tell you why. My friend actually paid attention when I explained that last year after Hurricane Wilma we were without electricity for weeks because the electric power line in the back yard was down and it took a long time to replace it. Therefore I could NOT make coffee in the morning and had to boil water (on my gas range) for tea. So, just in case the same thing should occur THIS hurricane season she bought me a very practical gift of an old fashioned perk style range top coffeepot. Now, it was a suprise, but it was a thoughtful and very practical gift, for which I am truely greatful.

Practical is, in my opinion, much more thoughtful than flashy. And to me at least, it means more.

George W. Bush has his wires crossed. I suppose that during a press conference on Friday when he was trying to look forceful and presidential when asked about the Senate's action to NOT grant him the torture option he wanted. Actually his petulant and pouting answer to one of the newsmen who questioned him made him look as presidential as a 5 year old who had been told that he can't always have what he wants.

I was just wating for him to say "Yes I can, yes I can because I am the President I can have anything I want," as he stomps his feet and shakes his little fist.

No wonder our allies have such little respect for us any more if the only leader we can present them with is one who is more spoiled brat than world leader.

Aren't you tired yet?

I am.

Why pick at a scab and make a wound deeper leaving a bigger scar?

Let those who died be mourned in peace and not brought out annually to be prodded and paraded in front of the American public by politicians and media alike.

The attack happened. I know that. I have known it since it did happen. I will always remember where I was when I heard the news, like I do when I heard that JFK was killed or when the Challanger spacecraft exploded. For days I watched the film of the plane hitting the 2nd tower. I watched the Towers fall. I watched the horror, the shock, the disbelief.

And now? And now I ask why not move on?

Pray for the dead. Pray for the living who mourn the dead. Pray for our country that it is never attacked again. But then let it go.

No more picking at the scab and making it bleed again.

Let them rest in peace.

Since it was the Republican controlled senate committee who came to this conclusion I hope even die hard Republican fanatics will finally be skeptical of anything that comes out of the mouth of any prominent member of this administration.

But I am sure that the Republicans, even now, are thinking of a way to turn the blame on someone else. So very typical of our president, George "it's not my fault" Bush.

Our Constitution.

The Document that makes us a democracy.

A document that proclaims to the world that we beleive we are free men.

Amendment I gives us some rights.

We are free to worship in the manner in which we as individuals chose. We are free to speak out against injustice. We are free to print our opinions. There is nothing in that amendment that says we must agree with everyone else, nor does it say we can prevent anyone from "the free exercise thereof"

The Declaration of Independence.

A great document declaring that we, as a nation, believe that all men are created equal.

All men (masculine by preference as exhibited by the time in which the document was written). Not all Americans. Not all colonists. Not all Englishmen. All men.

So why do so many in America want to "defend" our rights by denying others theirs?

The Constitution and Amendments and the Declararation of Independence never mentions that "rights" are only for Americans.

All men.

Polish, Chinese, Afgahanis, Samoans, Japanese, Brazilians, Hondourans, Saudis, Isralis, Irish, Dutch, Germans, French, British, Australians, Canadians, Mexicans, Spainards.....ALL men.

Even those accused of terrorism. Even those who are not evangelical Christians. Even those who would hate us.

All men.

If you believe in Democracy you must believe in ALL of it. Even the parts you don't like.


And you must defend it - for ALL men.

Am I senile?

Last year didn't the Bush administration deny the existence of any CIA secret prisons in Europe?

Didn't they tell the world such places did not exist? There were no prisoners being harbored in secret locations?

So now how can Mr. Bush come out and say that 14 prisoners from CIA prisons are being transfered?

Why?

Because he thinks we are too stupid to remember.

Why?

Because he wants to put Congress in a no win position.

The Conservative Supreme Court wouldn't let him "punish" these prisoners the way he wanted to, so now he wants the Congress to make a law that tells him he CAN punish them. If they do, they play into his hands. If they don't he will declare the congress (liberal Democrats specifically) are all soft on terrorist.

The man is probably insane and and evil genius to have thought up such a trap. Actually, it's his mimions who do the thinking he's just going to get the credit for making everyone else look bad.

I think we should do away with the political party system in America and make candidates run as "individuals" with no political party backing them.

That way we will be able to pick a candidate who can speak his own mind and not spit out the rhetoric provided by the party. We would hear honest opinions. We would have candidates who would have to woo the public for support and only get as much backing as they could muster for themselves.

No big money interests could donate millions to anyone's campaign. I think no donations over $1000 should be allowed.

Let the individual show his stuff...and let the best MAN/WOMAN not the best "political party" win.

Looks liike by the time she gets near the coast it'll be nearer the Carolinas. I have had the feeling it's their turn for a "big one" maybe Florence will be it.

Primary election day in FL. Too many pretty faces with little substance. Who to choose?

The Crock hunter guy from TV died today off the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. He was stung by a sting ray, and the posionious barb penetrated his heart. He didnt' have a chance, but at least he died doing what he did in live, living an adventure.

Tropical Depression #6 is about 2800 miles away but it is predicted to become tropical storm Florence and eventually a hurricane.

I had thought she would be a mild storm fromt he name only, but now that I see her formation and projected path I am not so sure. She is slowing down in her forward movement and a slow storm means it will have time to strengthen. Perhaps instead of pooh poohing her I shall wait and see what she does.

Combine "something going around" and tropical wet weater and you come up with the perfect way to spend a holiday weekend feeling like crap.

Who me?