Afterthoughts on Tuscon

So many thoughts on the Tuscon travesty that my poor damaged brain is on overload . . .

* How ironic is it that Daniel Hernandez, the intern who helped save Gabrielle Giffords, is both gay and Hispanic? And he says that he's not a hero.

* Obama London has done an excellent job of tracking the deletion of comments on Sarah Palin's Facebook page and her and one of her minions claims that symbols were surveyors' symbols -- not cross hairs. And if y'all believe that -- I've got some oceanfront property in Arizona for ya. . .

* Keith Olbermann made a brilliant statement yesterday. It's worth every single minute.

Here's a very short video of Gabrielle making an excellent statement last year. Does Sarah Palin truly believe there is no retribution for her hateful acts?



And this takes the cake: Rep. Bob Brady of Pennsylvania wants to introduce legislation banning symbols like cross hairs on websites -- like it would really help.

That's it for today. I just got off the phone with Rain who wrote an excellent
commentary on this horrific tragedy.

Kay

Update, Assorted Nonsense and an Old Fave

Y'all prolly thought I died. The Kay has been busy with the various and sundry nonsense that permeates life in my world most of which isn't worth boring y'all!!!

* Saw Dr. Maria. She was delighted. My cholesterol dropped like the proverbial brick -- 100 points. I can't figure out why unless my morning Special K and fruit has magic powers. And that I've lost twenty pounds and am tired all the time doesn't seem to bother her. She thinks I need counseling so I'm going to be doing that and we'll see how it goes. My many past experiences with it haven't been good. I think I was just born crazy and it's been downhill ever since. Sigh.

* Speaking of Special K, my grocer had it on sale 4 for $10 and you got a free workout video to make a gal "runway ready". Uh-huh. Another old lady was buying the same and picked up her video and grimaced and then laughed like hell when I said, "Good idea!" And I told her that I was taking it 'cause I'd get tired just watching it and maybe it would help my insomnia. She answered, "Good plan!!! Thanks!!"

* I think I mentioned that the ex's girlfriend/roommate died suddenly. Yesterday morning *I* got a call asking to speak to the person handling her estate. I freaked. I explained who I was and that I had absolutely nothing to do with her estate. I gave him my ex's number and he still wouldn't back off so I hung up. I talked to my ex tonight and he guessed what the deal was and I think I should have gotten hthe guy's name, company and number so I could sue the hell out of them. I suspect what he did was illegal as hell under federal law. I called the ex later and told him about it and to handle it. It really annoys me. I hardly knew her and it's not my business. I swear that I'm going to move away from here.

* Have been hanging out at campaign heasquarters a lot. It's a tough campaign and there's always a mailing or data entry to do. The Teabaggers are rampant here. I echo Ronni Bennett's sentiments about elders who are supporting them.
I frankly don't want my grandchildren's future compromised.

* Speaking of Teabaggers -- and I'd rather not -- there was a march in Delaware that left me laughing. It protests newly elected Christine O'Donnell's stance on an intensely personal issue. You can read it here. It made me laugh and if you take exception to my posting the link, sorry. Be nice.

* I wish I could afford to be in D.C. on October 30th to join Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert for their rallies on the National Mall. I think it will be a lot more fun -- not to mention more credible -- than another recent rally (and y'all know who led that one) held there and make a lot more sense.

* AND Jon Stewart also had an excellent interview with Bill Clinton on fixing this country. It actually made sense. All I want to know is if he has discussed this with Obama and other decision-makers and if not, why not?

* This oldie's been rattling around my poor muddled brain this week and yeah, Aretha still rocks!!!!!



I gave myself tonight off and plan to watch a movie or two and try to get caught up on y'all. And oh yeah, I'm going to take a stab at getting organized. LOL

Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!

Kay

Saturday Random Thoughts

It's a pretty Saturday albeit crisp, chilly Saturday in Ohio with a glorious cloudless blue sky -- the kind of day that makes this old body smile. It's been a hell of a week and I'm hoping for a simpler one next week.

* Jeff called this morning and he and Shaughnessy will be returning from Florida long about Thursday. He asked me to make sure the cleaning lady gets things ready for them, get some stuff for him at the grocery, and that I keep Friday night open. No problem. He also said, "We need to talk." I don't know about y'all but my experience is that those four words are among the scariest words I've ever heard. They are harbingers of hard questions, difficult decisions and/or bad news in my experience and right now that isn't what I need. Sigh. Oh well. I'll get fed well.

* Y'all know that I am a huge believer in the Constitution of this country. Next week I get to do one of my favorite posts of the year: The Jefferson Muzzle Awards!!!!!! Yes!!! The top violators of the First Amendment in 2009!!! The sad news is that the every year the list of candidates grows. We have forgotten what our Founding Fathers set down to keep this country free. Given the past year, it should be a interesting albeit horrifying list.

* Tonight is symphony night. We have a guest artist and the programme is Chopin! One of my favorites! I am really looking forward to it!!! Sounds like I pull my favorite 'Audrey Hepburn dress' out of the closet!

* Michelle Bachmann and Sarah Palin got together this week. Scary, huh? Thelma and Louise go Tea Party.

* Quote of the Week: Obama on the new START Treaty: "I really have no response. Because last I checked, Sarah Palin's not much of an expert on nuclear issues." Did anyone recall except me that this treaty was the brain child of Ronald Reagan who wanted to eliminate nuclear weapons?

* My plan to re-organize and redecorate my blog is on hold indefinitely. I simply haven't the time to burrow through the nooks and crannies of Blogger and add the pages, widgets, etc. at the present time.

* Here's an amazing, short happy video of hope. It made me smile! Hope y'all do, too!



Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!

Kay

Visiting Old Friends

Lately, I've been frequenting my local library a lot. Libraries have been my friends ever since first grade when my then best friend, Stevie Jo (Stephanie Joyce) asked me to go with her after school to the library branch after school. Since we tended to dawdle on our way home, our mothers didn't worry too much if we (Imagine two six-year-olds walking fourteen blocks alone today!) were a bit late so I said okay because I wanted to see what it was all about.

Stevie Jo turned in her books and began choosing books to take home. I wanted books, too, and she told me I had to have library card and should go ask the lady at the desk for the application and she would tell me what I needed to do. So I did and then we walked home and I couldn't wait to get to my house to ask my folks if I could have a library card.

It wasn't a problem -- they knew I liked to read and that I read well and they liked it that I did. They didn't know that it created a monster. I would take the allowed three books and be back a couple days later for more and quickly was allowed to take out 2nd and 3rd grade books. My sister, age 3, liked it, too, because I read my books to her and sometimes brought home picture books for her.

Libraries today are a lot different. In addition to books and reference material, they truly are media centers with everything from books to computers. When I was first separated, I didn't have a computer and I would stop by to check my email from the Internet friends in those pre-blog days.

Lately, I'm haunting the video department for DVDs of old movies and television programs. My latest find is "The Fugitive" -- not the Harrison Ford/Tommy Lee Jones movie but the television series starring David Janssen, who for my money, was one of the finest-looking specimens of masculinity ever to grace the tube. The show was on for four seasons (1963-1967) and three of them so far are on DVD. It was one of the most popular shows on television and the finale still ranks is in the top 20 of most watched episodes!

We loved it at our house and I have been having a blast watching them and marvel that each season had THIRTY episodes!!!! And seeing the list guest stars is a delight. Imagine a young Ed Asner, Tuesday Weld, and Telly Savalas and many, many more!!! The one that really gave me a giggle was Betty Garrett who most of us remember best from "All in the Family" and "LaVerne and Shirley" and is my blogging friend TheOldOldLadyoftheHills's best friend. By the way, Betty is still working at age 90!!! What a gal!

I'm a tad irritated that season 4 isn't available yet but I guess I can wait but as soon as they have it, my name will be on the reserve list! And yeah, I still think David Janssen is my kind of hero.

Remember the opening?



Is there favorite program/series you would like to see again? Check your local library for a blast back to simpler times and enjoy your favorite shows.

It's nice to visit old friends, isn't it?

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!

Kay

Stuff from My Wanderings

I took some time just to wander across the net between reading blogs. Sometimes I find the darnedest stuff when I just click on a link.




Yesterday I wrote that Sarah Palin has a new book and cracked that she hadn't finished coloring the last one. Little did I know that some wags actually made one for her!!!! If you have time and money to waste, you can buy it here. And there's a 'look alike' on her first book here.

And oh yeah, The Daily Kos says Sarah's appearance on the Tonight Show was bogus. Read about it here. Interesting. I couldn't be bothered to watch -- I'm a Letterman fan.



On a bright note, on Tuesday the First Lady read "The Cat in the Hat" to school children at the Library of Congress in honor of Theodore "Dr. Seuss" Geisel's birthday which has been designated "Read Across America Day". I like that. (I would have read "Green Eggs and Ham") Reading has been a part of my life ever since I was a toddler. Both my ex-husband and I are inveterate readers and raised two more. One of my best memories was the summer when my husband and the Dynamic Duo would adjourn to the front porch after supper (on nights where our presence wasn't required at the soccer and softball fields) and he would read E.B. White's wonderful books to them. The fun part is that a bunch of the neighbor kids came to listen, too and kept coming back! Our kids were amazed to discover that their parents didn't read to them. My ex and I found that appalling.

I checked in at Crooks and Liars -- I like them because they are equal opportunity annoyers and will skewer anyone -- which is always an adventure and found this:
10 Lessons for Tea Baggers.

It's the first Friday of the month and it's a nice day so I think I'm going to head downtown to see what's going on in the the arts!!!!!

Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!

Kay

Old TV -- Cowboys! (Part 1)

In the early days of television the Old West was very much present and very popular. In fact my dad pronounced one night a week 'NBC' as in "nothing but cowboys". He wasn't complaining -- he liked westerns as much as I did!

* My absolute favorite cowboy was Richard Boone as Paladin on "Have Gun will Travel". (I never did get the Paladin gun and holsters set I wanted so badly.) I think the show was more famous for it's theme song and all of us kids could sing it -- could you? -- so I included it instead of a clip.



Also, here's is Boone in one of the funniest appearances on "What's My Line" I ever saw.

* Dad and I were great fans of James Arness as Matt Dillon in "Gunsmoke" This clip includes Dennis Weaver as everyone's favorite sidekick, Chester. (Note how much bigger Matt's horse is than the others -- they had to find extra large horses to accomodate Arness' height -- my kind of guy!)



The gambling Maverick brothers, Brett (James Garner) and Bart (Jack Kelly) provided comic relief in the world of TV westerns. Here's a clip with a very young Roger Moore as a guest star. Then again, have y'all seen Jim Garner lately? :)



If you don't see your favorite, there will be more next week! The abundance of "shoot 'em ups" on You Tube is astounding!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!

Kay

Old TV -- Comedy (Part 1)

The advent of television brought comedy to the small screen and put a lot of actors to work. The weekly comedies drew huge audiences and we laughed a lot. For the next couple weeks we'll look at a few of what has come to be known as sitcoms.

One of the top shows was "I Love Lucy" -- I know it was a favorite at our house! I don't think anyone who grew up in the 50s can forget the theme song!!!!



Here's a classic clip from "I Love Lucy" that I know y'all will enjoy:



Okay!!!! Are y'all done laughing???? Next week we'll look at some other comedy shows!!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!

Kay

Old TV -- Quiz Shows (Part 4)

In the mid 1950s quiz shows moved to prime time and the jackpots got bigger. Big money shows like the $64,000 Question, Tic Tac Dough, and Twenty-One garnered huge ratings. The format changed a bit with contestants choosing questions on a specific topic and returned each week to answer progressively more difficult questions. Here are videos of these shows:

Here's the intro to The $64,000 question with handsome Hal March:



This segment of Twenty-0ne, hosted by Jack Barry, figured prominently in the scandals that brought the demise of big cash game shows.



In August of 1958, the cheating in these game shows was exposed and a scandal that even reached the halls of Congress swept the nation. Careers and reputations were ruined. Here's a video of a news report on the Congressional hearings and court case in New York that ended these shows.



I think the scandals were the beginning of the loss of our innocence in this country.

Happy Blogging!!!!!!

Kay

Old TV -- Quiz Shows (Part 3)

Game shows have been a staple of television since it's beginnings. And they appeared in many formats.

A favorite of mine was Treasure Hunt hosted by Jan Murray who was (I thought) really funny and featured glamorous prizes.



We all remember Bob Barker on the Price is Right but do you remember its original host? Do you remember flat top haircut, too?




You'll recall this young man from Nebraska who cut his television teeth as a game show host and took his announcer to the top with him!



Next week we'll look at couple really challenging quiz shows and the fallout from them.

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!

Kay

That's Our Sarah!

I think y'all have heard about the on-going feud between David Letterman and Sarah Palin over a tasteless joke (Is there any other kind on late night TV?) that old Dave made about her daughter, Bristol, age 18, and the Palins went nuts. From what I can figure Dave didn't realize that that she had two daughters and his staff put up Willow Palin's photo instead of Bristol's. (Do we ever hear about her older son?) And Sarah and Todd, over-reacted and decided he was talking about their 14-year-old daughter. No surprise there -- Sarah never misses a chance to get press and, in my not so humble opinion, doesn't give a damn who, why or what or where she gets it. When a body drags her children constantly before the media things like this are going to happen.

YouTube fairly lit up with video. Dave has apologized and has since come up with joke after joke about the Palins and they, of course, are dragging it out, too. This is getting awfully sophomoric and tacky in my mind and all I'm going to do is remind the Palins of President Harry S "Give 'em hell, Harry" Truman's words: "If you don't like the heat, get out of the kitchen." I liked Harry -- we need a guy like him these days.

That said, I found this video that speaks to the situation rather well and I agree with this guy unequivocally.



This has gone on for over six months. I'm tired of it -- are you?

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!

Kay

Remembering Walter Cronkite

Walter Cronkite was, and always will be, one of my heroes. He was, for me, the voice of reason in the midst of chaos. No drama or hysteria -- just the news delivered with clarity, integrity, and fairness. His passing marks the end of an era -- an era when 'journalist' was a respectable and honorable term. With rare exceptions, we're left with Talking Heads who seem hell bent on converting us to whatever side they espouse. Walter never would have lowered himself to the shoddy standards of today. That some are saying with his passing that Rush Limbaugh is "the most trusted name in media" and that my friends is a huge insult to Cronkite's memory.

As with all my heroes, I have a collection of favorite quotes by him and I'm sharing them with y'all as a tribute to a truly fine man who touched our lives for many decades.

* America's health care system is neither healthy, caring, nor a system.

* I think it is absolutely essential in a democracy to have competition in the media, a lot of competition, and we seem to be moving away from that.

* In seeking truth you have to get both sides of a story.

* There is no such thing as a little freedom. Either you are all free, or you are not free.

* Objective journalism and an opinion column are about as similar as the Bible and Playboy magazine.

* We are not educated well enough to perform the necessary act of intelligently selecting our leaders.

* The great sadness of my life is that I never achieved the hour newscast, which would not have been twice as good as the half-hour newscast, but many times as good.

* I can't imagine a person becoming a success who doesn't give this game of life everything he's got,

*I want to say that probably 24 hours after I told CBS that I was stepping down at my 65th birthday, I was already regretting it. And I regretted it every day since.

Thank you, Walter!!!! You will be missed greatly!

And that's the way it is . . .

Happy (albeit mournful) Blogging!!!!!!!!!

Kay