Tuesday, September 30, 2008

It couldn't happen, could it?

Most days I stop to think about how nice it is to be alive. And conscious. At this very moment. Even if the world seems filled with zany events. Like the presidential election campaign. And all the characters involved. And the sagging economy. And people screaming about the falling sky. And the possibility that some day a Sarah Palin could become president of the United States. By a freak set of circumstances. And that no matter how hard I tried, I'd never be able to devise a more scary story. Not even Edgar Allan Poe could be scarier. I'd just want to live to see the end of this story. To see what happens to America. It must be something horrible. But then I'd try to tell myself, it ain't real. It couldn't happen, could it? --Jim Broede

After the stinking corpse is buried.

Pardon me, folks, if I laugh. Because I think that's a better option than crying. I'm watching the state of the American economy and the state of the American political system. They're both in a state of collapse. Some say it's a double tragedy. But I choose to look at it as comedy. Nobody knows what to do about it. Everybody is running around in a state of panic. Yelling. The sky is falling. And it may be. That's funny. A little like the guy that slips on a banana peel. Laughing at someone that gets hurt. We're all getting hurt. Because we don't know what to do. Except me. I know what to do. To bury capitalism once and for all. And go in a socialist direction. But that won't happen until after the funeral. After the stinking corpse is buried. --Jim Broede

The devil to the rescue.

Legend has it that Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned. Well, it's possible that American politicians from all over the spectrum are fiddling while the American economy collapses. And it seems that an amazing number are saying, let it collapse. And then let's bury its dirty, rotten corpse to stem the stench. I think that's the attitude of some on the left, where I mostly reside. And some on the far right, meanwhile, stubbornly concur. Only because they don't want what'll be instituted to replace capitalism. Yes, that dreaded scourge: socialism. Even George Bush is calling for socialist rescue packages. Yes, I would never have dreamed it. George Bush. A Born Again socialist. Wonders never cease. Some of Bush's best allies now are on the left. Talk about strange bedfellows. For the far right, it's like the devil being asked to save god. --Jim Broede

Monday, September 29, 2008

Counting unhatched chickens.

Yes, John McCain may be as goofy as his running mate, Sarah Palin. Or it may just be a matter of him getting senile. A distinct possibility. After all, he's as old as me. An old fart. At our age -- well, the mind begins to wander. I'm beginning to think that McCain is too old to be president. He may not last out a full term. And that would make Palin our commander-in-chief. That ain't good. It'd make me wonder if George Bush wasn't so bad after all. The fact that McCain picked Palin to be on the Republican ticket speaks a lot about his state of mind. Crazy. Crazy. Crazy. And it was only 10 days ago that McCain was claiming that the fundamentals of the American economy were still very sound. But suddenly, he suspended his campaign and came back to Washington to drum up support, he said, for a $700 billion bailout of Wall Street. Hmmmm. So strange. Especially for a nation that, according to McCain, was supposed to be on strong economic footing. Earlier today, McCain left Washington to speak in Ohio, where he proudly proclaimed that he was the one responsible for seeing to it the bailout bill passed with strong Republican support. Only thing is -- Congress voted an hour or two later to reject the plan. Because a majority of Republicans opposed it. Despite McCain's support for it. Yes. Whoops. Another McCain blunder. Taking credit when credit wasn't due. That's been typical McCain lately. Counting unhatched chickens. --Jim Broede

Gawd help us.

I really don't fully understand the American capitalist economic system. Exactly how it works. It's complex. Too complex for my limited brain capacity. But I do sense one thing. That it tends to widen the gap between the rich and the poor. And I don't like that. I think it's immoral. And contrary to the public or common good. I want a society in which people don't get excessively rich or excessively poor. I'd like to strike a happy medium. Seems to me there used to be no such thing as a billionaire. Maybe only millionaires. But now, I suppose, we are on the way to having trillionaires. If we aren't already there. Anyway, if that happens, it's obscene. Especially when we have rampant poverty in this world. And yes, even in the U.S., during our most properous periods, we've still had extreme poverty. Ain't right. We need a better sharing, a better distribution of wealth. The rich don't come close to providing their fair share to the common good. In large part because the rich are the ruling elite. Money is power. Or at least, access to power. Money buys power. Oh, sure, we say we have democracy. But really, that's a sham. We have a plutocracy. The monetarily rich people have the control. They dictate the course of the nation. In overt and covert ways. For instance, they control the mass media. They decide much of what we think. They frame the news coverage. They manipulate public opinion. They turn many of us into robots. To do their bidding. Often, all it takes are sound bites. Repeated over and over. Look at our presidential election. The campaigning. The commercials. The advertisements. Even the debates. The candidates are forced to frame their answers into two-minute frameworks. No substantial discussion. Much of it is absolute nonsense. Just listen to the gobbledygook coming from the mouth of vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. One must wonder if she really has a conscious mind. I suspect she's a robot on cruise control. She doesn't even know what she's doing. She's an automaton that soon could be only a heartbeat away from becoming president of the United States of America. Gawd help us. --Jim Broede

Sunday, September 28, 2008

We can always do better.

I've never been enamored by American-style capitalism. I think the day will come when we look back on it -- as a ruthless and immoral system. Just the way we look back now on slavery. Yet slavery used to be a vital part of the American economic system. Staunchly defended by many of our founding fathers. Even George Washington had slaves. Albeit, he freed them upon his death. But Thomas Jefferson didn't free his slaves. Anyway, I have a feeling that someday capitalism will be in as much disrepute as slavery. It takes time to recognize some wrongs. Look at the history of civilization. We often reach the point of thinking we have it right. And that our way is the best way, if not quite the perfect way. We Americans will some day wake up and do the right thing. But eventually we learn that even the right thing has flaws...and we can always do better. --Jim Broede

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Little wonder. He's Crazy John.

He's Crazy John. Crazy John McCain. That's not necessarily meant as an insult. After all, I sometimes call myself Crazy Jim. Because there's such a thing as a good crazy. I like to think of myself in that manner. A nice crazy. A pleasant crazy. Not afraid to make a fool of myself. Well, that's Crazy John, too. He's sure making a fool of himself. Running for president in a rather chaotic manner. Like he's downright crazy. Just look at the running mate he picked. A female moose hunter from Alaska. Almost like he picked her name out of a hat. Hardly anyone had ever heard of Sarah Palin before. They have now. And she's become a laughing stock. Yes, she's Crazy Sarah. Even goes to church (see a You Tube video) and has a rip-snorting preacher exorcise witches from her presence. Anyway, Crazy John was acting especially crazy this past week. Saying he might not show up for a presidential debate. And then when he does, acting like a grumpy old man. Didn't even look his opponent in the eyes. Not once. He had a crazy look about him. Little wonder. He's Crazy John. --Jim Broede

John McCain...a hero?

Suddenly, during the presidential debate last night, I felt sorry for John McCain. Almost pity. It occurred to me that McCain was still living his prisoner of war experience. In Vietnam. McCain so much wants America to win a war. In Iraq. Maybe so he can forget the loss in Vietnam. But America can't win in Iraq. Because it's the wrong war at the wrong time. An indecent war. An obscenity. Just like Vietnam. America keeps going to war for the wrong reasons. Vietnam and Iraq have not been patriotic wars. They have been imperial wars. Meant for America to be a dominant force in the world. One must go to war for the right reason in order to win. I sensed last night that McCain feels the only way for his life to be redeemed is to find a way for America to win a war. At virtually any cost. At any price. Even if America has to sell its soul. McCain doesn't want Iraq to be another Vietnam. McCain sees himself as a failure in Vietnam. He puts the blame on himself to some degree. Like he could have been a better soldier. Like maybe he failed. Failed his country. He feels guilt. Remorse. And now McCain wants to show everyone that America can win a war. Any war. And that he can be instrumental in bringing it about. And then he will be recognized as a patriot. Another George Washington. And then McCain will finally have peace of mind. And he will think of himself as a hero. --Jim Broede

Friday, September 26, 2008

I don't want an old president.

In the debate tonight. I thought Barack Obama showed far more respect for John McCain, than McCain showed for him. Obama looked at McCain. Often. And occasionally told McCain that he agreed with him. Obama is courteous. Polite. Yes, he shows respect for his opponent. Albeit, he does take issue with him. McCain tends to disparage Obama. Tells him he's naive. And that he doesn't get it. Sort of condescending. And he hardly ever looked at Obama. I find it compelling when someone says something nice to and about his opponent. Anyway, maybe it's the age difference. McCain is about the same age as me. We're a generation older than Obama. I guess I'm drawn to Obama because he has young ideas. And because I think he's kinder and nicer than McCain. McCain, unfortunately, has become old before his time. I don't want an old president. --Jim Broede

The surreal.

I think life is surreal. Like living in a dream. Some may say a nightmare. But it seems to me I have a choice. If I'm positive, I interpret what's happening to me and around me as a dream. If I'm negative, it's a nightmare. Yes, sort of like choosing whether one wants to live in heaven or hell. We're given freedom of choice. I choose to love life. Even when so-called bad things happen. Like the death of my longtime loved one -- Jeanne, almost two years ago. Some good has come of it. I've gotten on with life. And I'm in love again. With someone. And with my lot in life. Because I've learned to live one day at a time.To not get ahead of myself, or behind myself. I live in the now. I try to savor this moment. Writing at my computer. Thinking. Fully knowing and appreciating that I am in love. Maybe there's nothing more satisfying and pleasureable in life than being in love. If there is, I haven't found it yet. Love makes me happy. And I'm convinced that life is supposed to be the pursuit of happiness. Some might even call it the pursuit of peace of mind. Or the spiritual. The surreal. --Jim Broede

Thursday, September 25, 2008

I like cool.

I keep asking myself if I'd rather see Mr. Cool or Mr. Hothead as our next president. Invariably, I side with Mr. Cool. Barack Obama. And I turn thumbs down on Mr. Hothead. John McCain. Yes, I think that when it comes to temperament, Obama is the one far more suited for the job. He tends to be clear-headed. To listen to all sides of an argument. To be fair. Polite. Cordial. McCain, on the other hand, has been known to lose his cool. He has a temper. He's berated people, even his colleagues, with profanity. Some of Obama's Republican critics suggest that his being cool as the proverbial cucumber shows he lacks passion. That's baloney. What Obama has is an over-riding sense of fairness. And he's thoughtful. He's by far superior to McCain in the intellectual realm. And what's even more important, I think Obama has integrity. Certainly, more integrity than McCain. I don't trust McCain. He's too much like George Bush. Stubborn. Seldom learning from failure. And a utilizer of political gimmickery. Unfortunately, everybody who ever ran for president is a politician. But I see Obama as less of a politician than McCain. And hey, Obama is the cool guy. I like cool. --Jim Broede

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Keep 'em out of the White House.

My gawd. John McCain as president. The more I see of this man, the more I think he wouldn't be much better than George Bush. He's a lying, dirty politician. Playing games, it seems to me. Even afraid to debate. Instead, he's trying to pull a political ploy. Stay in Washington. To take action on bailing out Wall Street. Heck, the debate is for only 90 minutes. This will be a good time for both candidates to discuss the economy. And what they'd do to fix it. They'll have a national audience. But McCain is scared. He may not be ready for debate. He seems slow on the trigger. And his choice for vice president is a joke. What was he thinking? McCain and Palin. Abbott and Costello. Laurel and Hardy. Yes, entertaining. But please, keep 'em out of the White House. --Jim Broede

...the hutzpah to pull it off.

The more I learn about what's going on in the U.S., the more discouraged I get. This nation is going to hell, folks. Our politicians from both parties, with a big assist from greedy and unethical free enterprise capitalists, have muddled the economy. We've started an unnecessary and costly war. Failed to provide adequate health care for many, many of our citizens. Widened the gap between the rich and poor. Put the middle class on the road to ruin. Allowed our infrastructure to deteriorate. And we've been discredited around the world. My gawd. The list goes on and on. Now we even have the secretary of treasury wanting to spend $700 billion of taxpayers money to bail out Wall Street from a financial crisis. And he even wants to do this without congressional or judicial oversight. Yes, he wants a free rein. Because he thinks the economy is on the verge of collapse. Little wonder. Our national debt is skyrocketing. Beyond the stratosphere. And we've got two presidential candidates degrading each other. Conducting slimy campaigns. Albeit Republican John McCain has by far outslimed Barack Obama. Can't blame Obama for occasionally tossing back some of the crap. It ain't a pretty picture. I think Obama and the Democrats are more likely than McCain and the Republicans to get us out of this fix. And to think, McCain wants another Republican Administration to be allowed to clean up this mess. George Bush and the Republicans created it in the first place. With deregulation. Virtually no oversight for money-grubbing capitalists. Remarkable. Meanwhile, Bush keeps unabashedly defending 'democratic capitalism.' At the same time that he's calling for socialism to come to the rescue. Funny, isn't it? The Republicans have told us all these years that socialism is the enemy, the scourge we're all supposed to fear and fight. But now it's socialism that's supposed to bail us out. Only a Republican could have the hutzpah to pull it off. --Jim Broede

I wish for more solutions...

I think everyone in a nursing home should have an advocate and protector. I've seen some very good care in nursing homes. But also some shoddy care. Too often the care is too minimal. Because of understaffing. I more or less lived in a nursing home for 38 months. Overseeing the care for my Jeanne. But I'd also see other patients in immediate need. Without staff on the scene. So I didn't hesitate to help, or to see to it that a nurse or a nurse's aide became aware of the problem. Yes, it's good to have extra eyes and ears that happen to be in the right place at the right time. More volunteers are needed to provide supplemental care. Preferably the patients' friends or loved ones. Then the care tends to be more personalized. And problems can be nipped in the bud. Too often, I saw patients who never had visitors. That's sad, indeed. I wish there were more solutions to those kinds of situations. --Jim Broede

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

...because I simply choose to love.

On any given day, I see so many bad events going on. Such as the school shootings in Finland today. And the war casualties. The sagging economy. The countless injustices. But still, I don't become discouraged. Because I am in love. I get solace. Comfort. From my ability to cultivate love. Yes, a feeling. I'm alive. And oh, so happy. Really. And that makes all the difference. That's my salvation. My link to god. Yes, love is what makes life so bounteous. I have the opportunity to spend today loving. I can't control horrid events here on planet Earth. Maybe not even god can do that. But I'm able to feel enamored anyway. With my surroundings. With another. With life as a whole. Oh, I could lament about life being hell, as so many do. But I choose, instead, to believe I'm in Paradise...because I simply choose to love. --Jim Broede

...serving the common good.

American-style capitalism isn't the answer to good financial health. Oh, it is, for the few. The people at the top. Those with the yen to get monetarily rich. But most of us, it seems to me, would settle for far less. For the basic necessities of life. A roof over our heads. Three square meals a day. Guaranteed adequate health care. A job. A retirement income. A decent amount of leisure time. Peace. Contentment. With relatively little gap between the rich and the poor. So that the rich aren't so rich. And the poor aren't so poor. A nice distribution of the wealth. A system designed for the common good. Not for the good of a relatively small ruling elite. If that sounds more like socialism than capitalism, so be it. Our ruling class in America has been greedy. Right from the founding of the nation. With an economy based largely on slavery. On subjugating a whole class of people. Dividing us. Into superiors. And inferiors. Into whites. And blacks. The writers of the Constitution declared that all men are created equal. They really didn't believe it. Not only were blacks unequal. But women, too. And money became the source of power. That's the way it is in the American capitalist system. Built-in inequality. Doesn't seem right to me. Never did. But I was told that America is the land of opportunity. That America has been blessed by god. That other peoples should follow in our righteous footsteps. That America is good. And that some other countries are evil. Well, folks, I think we're all in this together. The entire Earth. Everyone. And that it's time to scrap capitalism and find something better...something serving the common good. --Jim Broede

...because I am in Paradise.

I like to dream. Yes, to imagine. And to discover. The way to make dreams come true. Oh, I dream of happiness. And beauty. And love. And peace. And contentment. Every day. Not a day goes by without a dream. Often, dreams of the impossible becoming possible. Makes me wonder. If life is but a dream...because I am in Paradise. --Jim Broede

To changing climes.

It's autumn. Another season. So nice to see change. Falling leaves. Especially from the aspens and the birch. And the changing colors. Still, some warms days. Pleasantly so. And coolish nights. But frost may still be a week or two or three away. Maybe long, long ago I'd lament the passing of summer. Not any more. I've learned to savor the changing seasons. In my younger days, I even fled to Florida. For three years. In search of an environs without winter. Only then did I understand that I missed what I once had. And back I went. To changing climes. --Jim Broede

Monday, September 22, 2008

... it'd be quite a bit like McBush.

My gosh. John McCain and Barack Obama know how to be negative in the presidential campaign. That especially goes for McCain. He's a dirty rotten lying scoundrel. The guy who really started the mud-slinging. Obama has retaliated. With stretching the truth of his own against McCain. But I think Obama did it as sort of a reflexive action. When you're slapped in the face, you turn the other cheek only so often. And finally you slap back with gusto. Unfortunately, that's the way politics is played. Downright dirty. In the gutter. As I see it, McCain asked for it. Probably because he has no other way to win. He has to paint Obama as a bad guy. And he may be coyly trying to remind rednecks and bigots that Obama is black. Yes, the racists are part of McCain's base. And they could make a difference in a very close election. Anyway, this election seems to be coming down to who's most likely to bring real change to national politics and to the economy. That gives Obama the edge. But American voters are a peculiar lot. They elected George Bush twice. And if they elected McCain -- well, it'd be quite a bit like McBush. --Jim Broede

Who's gonna get your vote?

When I hear 'trickle down,' I generally laugh. It's a theory that if we allow rich people to get richer, it'll be a good thing. Because they'll invest oodles of money in money-making projects that create jobs. And that thereby stimulates the economy. And helps poor people. It's an economic policy favored by Republicans, from the Reagan Administration on through the Bush Administration. Cut taxes. Especially on the very rich. And the money at the top will trickle down and benefit those at the bottom. Yes, that's baloney. A cruel joke. Look at what has actually happened. The gap between the rich and the poor keeps widening. The rich keep getting richer. And the poor keep getting poorer. And the middle class keeps getting smaller and smaller. Yet, many of us in lower and middle classes keep voting Republican. Maybe because we believe the trickle down crap. John McCain is preaching it. Echoing Reagan and Bush. Yes, he's one of 'em. He favors the rich, I suppose, in part because he's rich. When asked how many homes he owns, McCain wasn't sure. So many, it's hard to keep track. I think it turned out to be 8. And he's married money, too. His wife. She's very rich. Little wonder that McCain doesn't want to raise taxes on the very rich. And meanwhile, McCain is telling us in his campaign commercials that Barack Obama wants to raise everybody's taxes. That's a lie. Just as false as the trickle down theory. Obama wants to raise taxes on the wealthy -- the 5 percent richest people and corporations in America. As for the lower 90 percent or so --he's calling for lower taxes. Now the question, fellow Americans, is who's gonna get your vote? --Jim Broede

That's why I go by Jim.

I find it interesting how names change from one language to another. Like my name. James. That's English. But in Italian my name becomes Giacomo. And in Czech, it's Vaclav. I find that fascinating. Some days I'd rather be Giacomo or Vaclav. Rather than James. Never liked the name James. That's why I go by Jim. -- Jim Broede

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Sad, isn't it?

Polling shows that 13 percent of registered voters in America think Barack Obama is a Muslim, and 16 percent aren't certain about Obama's religious affiliation. Of course, he's a Christian. But it goes to show the ignorance of potential voters. And that might influence their votes. Against Obama. Hey, there's nothing wrong about being a Muslim. But we all know that there's some degree of distrust and even hostility towards Muslims. By far too many people. And then there's the matter of racism. It still exists. Obama will lose some votes merely because he's black. Or because he's suspected of being a Muslim. I guess that's a peril of living in a democracy. One can be a bigot, a racist and an idiot -- and still have the right to cast a vote. In a close election, that could be the voting bloc that decides the outcome. Sad, isn't it? --Jim Broede

...a pervasive love.

I am drifting today. Pleasantly drifting my way through life. Savoring the moment. Being in no hurry. Smiling. Thinking positive thoughts. Being happy. Feeling loved. And loving. Not necessarily wishing for more. But being satisfied with what I have. A peace of mind. Yes, just feeling good about myself. No guilt. No remorse. Knowing, too, that virtually every day I am in Paradise. If only for a few minutes. But a few minutes that can seem like forever. An eternity. Because I feel a pervasive love. --Jim Broede

Yes, the public good.

As long as we're nationalizing businesses that are going broke, let's also nationalize the ones that are still making obscene profits. Such as the pharmaceutical industry. Yes, the prescription drug makers. Then we have a choice. Either run the industry for no profit or channel the profits into the common good. Yes, the public good. --Jim Broede

Now the masquerade is over.

Imagine. Some politicians tell us they are opposed to tax increases. Of any kind. Here we are. A nation trillions and trillions of dollars in debt. And we're supposed to muddle along. With no tax increases. Sounds to me like we ain't gonna fix the problem. I suppose. Don't spend any more money. But then, how do we repay the debt? We've gotta spend money. Raise money. Sure, we shouldn't have allowed this debt to get bigger and bigger. Well, I suppose we could declare bankruptcy and start all over again. Yes, imagine that. America going bankrupt. Private businesses do it every day. Even big ones. Giant conglomerates. Banks. Money lenders. Insurance companies. So, why not the good old USA? Isn't that the capitalist way? Rake in the profits when things are going good. But if the bottom drops out, go bankrupt and damn the consequences. But hey, maybe that's good. The only alternative left to bail us out of this mess is socialism. Government coming to the rescue. I bet many of you didn't know that our business tycoons and politicians always were socialists hiding in capitalist costumes. Now the masquerade is over. --Jim Broede

I'm me...and that feels good.

Hard for me to understand why some people have difficulty making up their minds. Especially in this presidential election. I pay attention. I'm aware of issues. And the candidates. Can't help it. That's me. I know where I stand. At the moment. Sure, I'm capable of changing my mind on lots of topics. But when it comes to how I'm gonna vote for president -- well, it's a no-brainer. Because I've put my mind to work. Long ago. I'm worried about America. I want America to survive. So, I want change. Real change. A new direction. I know I'm a liberal. A leftist. Might even call me a socialist. Doesn't matter. All I know is that I'm me...and that feels good. --Jim Broede

Saturday, September 20, 2008

...black, not white.

A funny thought occurred to me when vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin paraded her unmarried pregnant 17-year-old daughter at the Republican convention. I liked that. No reason to hide her away. Palin has every right to be proud of her daughter. And the untimely pregnancy isn't being held against anyone by the Republican faithful. But I have to ask myself, what if Barack Obama and his wife had an unmarried pregnant teen-age daughter? My guess is that the Republicans would have made a big issue of it. Because the Obamas are Democrats and, yes, they are black, not white. --Jim Broede

...the patriotic thing to do.

Only a Republican administration can get away with nationalizing private businesses in America. Somebody like George Bush. If the Democrats had tried it, Bush and the Republicans would have yelled socialism. The Democrats would have been accused of being un-American. Of being communists. But when Republicans do it -- well, it's the patriotic thing to do. --Jim Broede

Friday, September 19, 2008

...the dying pangs of capitalism.

I think we are living through the demise of the American-style capitalist system. As we know it. And that brings me joy. Time to celebrate. Oh, it'll be painful to finally get things right. But we'll end up with a nice blend of capitalism and socialism. With government intervention. Yes, eventually we Americans will recognize that our longtime perceived enemy, socialism, really is our friend. Our savior, so to speak. Give free rein to the free enterprise capitalist, and he'll be ruled by greed. By the quest for unlimited profit. Which really amounts to unlimited exploitation of the many for the benefit of the few. And the common good be damned. From my perspective, unfettered capitalists are immoral. Because their motive is to get rich in the material sense. And it doesn't matter who they step on. Doesn't matter that they create an ever-widening gap between the rich and the poor. We end up with the filthy rich and the abjectly poor. And a shrinking middle class. So that one is either rich or poor. The haves and the have-nots. I want the predominant class to be the middle class. And that can happen if we allow government to impose socialism. Yes, democratic socialism. A society in which the middle class establishes the rules. And allows, for instance, for universal health care under a single-payer system. With the government being the payer. Not private insurance companies out to reap obscene profits. Yes, let's proudly call it socialized medicine. And let's have expanded social security. Yes, another socialized program. And let's have government-sponsored social programs that serve the truly needy rather than the big private corporations. And let's turn down our nose at the war mongers who like wars because they create an opportunity to make profits off weapons and misery. Yes, I know some of us feel that we're in the midst of an economy similar to the Great Depression of the 1930s. But sometimes, we have to be down, way down in the pits, before things begin to look up. Today, I'm an optimist. Celebrating the dying pangs of capitalism. --Jim Broede

I better not speculate here.

Imagine that. George Bush. A closet socialist. I would have never guessed it. Turns out that Bush is our first socialist president. He's just supported the nationalization of some banks, lending institutions and insurance companies. For the sake, supposedly, of reviving or saving our nation's economy. Wow! Wonders will never cease. Suddenly, Bush has become my hero. Because I'm a socialist sympathizer. Of course, Bush will be a big disappointment to his laissez-faire capitalist buddies. But he's taken a step in the right direction to lure me to his side. At least when it comes to the advancement of socialism. Maybe it'll be shown that Bush has been reading lots of Karl Marx lately. Yes, this guy Bush is full of lots of surprises. Makes me wonder what's coming next. Is he a closet...well, I better not speculate here. --Jim Broede

Government...the problem solver.

When it comes to trust, I'm inclined to trust government more than I trust the private sector. Because I think under the free enterprise system, we'll always have profiteers. People in business to make money. Lots of money. Obscene profits. But when the going gets tough, and the profits shrink because of poor investments and faulty management decisions, the capitalists run to government. For relief. Even for government takeover of their businesses. Such as banks and other lending institutions. Yes, nationalization. Socialism. So the taxpayers pick up the tab. The capitalists will take hefty profits gladly. But when it comes to losses, their attitude is shift the burden to the beleaguered taxpayers. Well, I'm a socialist sympathizer. Thinking that government can run business better than private enterprise. Government's aim is to provide a service for the public good. Without raking in profits. I like the idea of socialized medicine. A single-payer system. Through the government rather than by private insurance companies. Furthermore, many private businesses look for tax loopholes. In order to reap even bigger profits. And in the big corporations, the CEOs often make thousands of times more than the rank-and-file workers. That ain't right. It's time to finally recognize that government has been portrayed by big business as the problem. When really, democratic socialism may prove to be the problem solver. --Jim Broede

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Because the Cubs won today.

Looked like my Chicago Cubs were going to lose this afternoon. Trailing 6-2. With two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning and nobody on base. Then a double. A single. Another single. Then a home run. And the game was tied. Extra innings. The Cubs won in the 12th, 7-6. Wow! Euphoria. The Cubs are only one win away from clinching the National League's Central Division championship and a place in the play-offs. With a chance to advance to the World Series.

Yes, it'd be nice if the Cubs went all the way. For the first time in 100 years.

But I won't be greedy. I'm just happy that the Cubs have had a good season. With thrilling games. Like today's. Makes me feel good. Satisfied. And I'm thanking the baseball gods. Telling them even if they don't deliver the Cubs to the World Series, I'll accept that. Gratefully. Because the Cubs have accomplished a lot. And they made me happy so many, many times during the course of the baseball season.

Yes, I don't necessarily need to be blessed with everything. Everything that my heart could desire. I've been blessed with enough. Yes, 73 years of life, and counting. Good health, too. Oh, I'm not monetarily rich. Not even close to being a millionaire. But I'm not poor and destitute either. I have a comforable life. A home on the lake. A little money in the bank. A pension. Social security. Enough to get by reasonably well.

I had a good marriage, too. For 36 years. Until Jeanne died almost two years ago of Alzheimer's. But, oh, I still have precious memories. And I've been able to get on with life. Falling in love again. And living one day at a time. Really, savoring life. I don't worry about tomorrow. I'm busy living today. In love. And feeling elated. Because the Cubs won today. --Jim Broede

Socialism will save the day.

I get the feeling that we're headed for some really bad economic times. And it may be an indictment of the capitalist system. That it was allowed to run rampant. Unregulated. The idea was to allow for unlimited profits. Greed, one might say. In a sense, unlimited exploitation. The kind of thing that widens the gap between the rich and the poor. And now that private money lending institutions and insurance companies are failing, it's government that comes to the rescue. In essence, we're resorting to the nationalization of private companies. To save them. Yes, private enterprise always opposed socialism. Private enterprise wanted all of the profits. Even exobitant and obscene profits. Like it was an inherent right to rake in everythinhg it could. Often, without any consideration for the common good. Sometimes, it might have made sense to make less profit for the sake of the public good. Isn't it ironic that now, when private companies are steeped in big economic losses, they seek government help? They want a bail out. With public funds. Yes, suddenly socialism seems like a good idea. To the very people who used to decry it. On principle. That it verged on communism. Yes, it's a bail out. Private enterprise wants the profits, without taking the risks. These same businesses will oppose universal health care. Any why? Because it's 'socialized' medicine. A bad thing. Instead, the idea is to allow private insurers to sell health insurance -- at huge profits. But if the private venture goes awry, you can bet on one thing. The government will be asked to come to the rescue. And yes, socialism will save the day. --Jim Broede

I practice what I like most.

Oh, I survive. And thrive. I suppose because I'm basically an optimist. Much more so than a pessimist. On one hand, I see so many bad events happening in this world. But still, I think I have the good life. Because I'm in love. And I have good health. And I manage to have the essentials of life. Yes, I'm lucky, so to speak. Luckier than lots of people. I'd like to make the world a better place. Especially for others. But I don't go on a guilt trip. Instead, I take life one day at a time. And I try to do, if not my best, at least a reasonable semblance of good. Mostly, loving good. That's my primary focus. It gets my mind off other things. The not so good things. The political, social and economic conditions in America and the rest of the world. I recognize that my control over these things is rather limited. But hey, I can control my attitude. And my love life to a large degree. And so I proceed accordingly. I practice what I like most. Daily. Love. And writing. --Jim Broede

We'll get more of the same.

Could be I'm just plain stupid. And that I don't get it. Yes, I can't fully understand what's going on in America. In the political realm, that is. If I am to believe the opinion polls, the Republican ticket of John McCain and Sarah Palin have a fighting chance of defeating Democrats Barack Obama and John Biden. It's close. Like a toss-up, I'm being told by the news media. But I see what has happened to America in the last 8 years under a Republican Administration. And it seems to me akin to a disaster. America has gone down hill. The economy is a shambles. We're mired in a disastrous and costly and unnecessary war. There's an enormous and ever-widening gap between the rich and poor. We have close to 50 million Americans without health insurance. Money-lending institutions are failing left and right. Unemployment is increasing rapidly. The value of the dollar is at one of the lowest ebbs in history. And here we are being sold a bill of goods that would give the Republicans 4 more years and they'll fix the problems. Pretty much with the same old shell game they've practiced for the past 8 years under George Bush. Just seems to me that it should be no contest. The Democrats should win by a landslide. Both in the presidential and the congressional elections. But I'm being told that ain't the case. At least on the presidential level. That at this stage, it could go either way. Yes, I'm baffled. I wonder if it's all a hoax. What are Americans thinking? Do we want to commit collective suicide? I know we elected ourselves 8 years of George Bush politics. One term wasn't enough. So we gave him a second term. And maybe still, we haven't learned our lesson. In essence, we might give Bush the equivalent of a third term. By proxy. With McCain-Palin. Oh, they are telling us it'll be different. That they'll almost single-handedly clean up Washington and fix everything that's wrong with America. In fact, McCain suggests that there really isn't much of anything wrong with the economy. Just a litttle tinkering here and there and everything will be all right. Yes, this from a man who has supported Bush policies 90 percent of the time. Imagine that. A little tinkering. Well, that's where I don't get it. I think we need big, big change. Enormous change. A new way. Because the old ways haven't worked. We need an overhaul of the nation's economy and political system. And believe me, we ain't gonna get it under McCain-Palin. We'll get more of the same. --Jim Broede

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

What Barack Obama is telling us.

I don't trust the capitalist system. Especially American-style capitalism. I want at least a little bit of socialism mixed in. I want everybody guaranteed the basic necessities of life. I want the common good served. Oh, if the capitalists want to get rich, that's all right. But maybe not filthy and obscenely rich. There ought to be a limit. A distribution of wealth in such a way that we eliminate abject poverty. Everybody should be guaranteed a liveable income. Nobody should be destitute. There's a societal obligation/responsibility to see to it. And that's where government should step in. To see that it happens. Because it won't happen if we leave it up to private sector capitalists. Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark have set good examples for us already. A nation can have a good blend of democratic socialism and capitalism. No need in these countries to spend huge sums on national defense. Instead, the money can be channeled into the public good. In making for the good life for all of its citizens. Guaranteed health care. Guaranteed education. A safety net for everyone. We can do it in the U.S, too. With a little bit of change. I think that's what Barack Obama is telling us. --Jim Broede

I like it, Sarah Goodnight.

Someone called Sarah Goodnight posted this message on a New York Times web site. The opinion resonates. I like it. --Jim Broede

"It’s not about feminism and motherhood. It is about issues. I believe all women have the moral integrity to make decisions about their wombs. I believe that we can not 'blink' in regards to foreign policy. We need face to face diplomacy. I believe that book banning is a threat to our freedom. I believe that purchasing of guns should be controlled by simple rules like monthly application delays, banning of assault rifles, etc. I believe that any presidential/vice presidential candidate should be better educated than me. I believe that we can not drill more. We must move beyond our dependency on fossil fuels. I believe that abstinance only sexual education only increases the chances of AIDS and unwanted pregnancy. I believe in separation of church and state. I believe that the Iraq war is wrong and the result of lies and misleading propaganda. I believe that Sarah Palin is the antithesis of everything I believe in. I will not support or applaud a person just because of their gender."

Makes me aware...

I like to watch the sunrise. By looking west. Yes, not the usual east. Backwards, I suppose. What I see is the sun lighting up and reflecting off the town of Forest Lake, directly across the lake from me. But when it comes to the sunset, I do look west. Like most people. To not only see the often vivid colors in the sky but off a placid lake, too. Makes me aware that I'm very much alive and in love with life. --Jim Broede

...a way to keep one's sanity.

When it comes to staying informed about national and world events, I rely on the New York Times. Oh, I go to TV for breaking news. But for background and for understanding issues, usually it's the New York Times. Or magazines. Like Harper's. The Atlantic. And the New Yorker. Maybe that shows a bit of a liberal bias on my part. The one TV program I try to watch without miss is Bill Moyers' Journal. On Friday nights. On public television. And I trust the BBC, too. But when it comes to the rest of the media, I can take it only in very small doses. It's too annoying. And so I turn it off. I'll watch the satirical presentation of news. Such as Jon Stewart's Daily Show. And if Bill Maher is guesting on a program, I'll tune in. I like satirist Al Franken, too. And I'm happy to see that he's running for the U.S. Senate in my home state, Minnesota. He'll get my vote. Oh, and I'm also drawn to Arianna Huffington. Another liberal who used to be a conservative. Yes, I go to people I trust. And I find virtually all of them have a sense of humor. It's a way to keep one's sanity in this topsy-turvy and crazy world. --Jim Broede

Monday, September 15, 2008

I'm quite happy being a man.

I guess that when it comes to abortion, I don't have an opinion. In part, because I'm not a woman. And also, because I don't expect to be fathering a child. So, I don't have to make a choice. And basically, it would be the woman that makes the choice. Oh, maybe I could influence the decision. But I have no particular interest in doing that. And I suspect that I wouldn't tell a woman that you have to do this or that. I'd say, "It's up to you." So, come to think of it, I'm pro-choice when it comes right down to it. Although I'd hate to make the decision myself. So maybe it's nice that I'm not a woman. I'm quite happy being a man. So I don't have to make a choice. --Jim Broede

Yes, just plain forget to think.

We Americans are being manipulated. And we don't even know it. Political and advertising campaigns are designed to make us buy. A product. A candidate. Very cleverly. Mostly in 30-second sound bites. The idea isn't to make us think. Rather just the opposite. To make us do things unconsciously. Like robots. My guess is that many of the electorate have been turned into zombies. They march to the polls. And do as instructed. As programmed. By the manipulators. So many, many voters vote in ways that don't make sense. Against their own self-interests. That's possible, of course. When they are programmed not to think. Take Hillary Clinton supporters, for instance. The ones that have switched allegiance to John McCain and Sarah Palin. Doesn't make a bit of sense. McCain and Palin oppose virtually everything meaningful that Clinton ever stood for. But these one-time Clinton backers have been programmed to vote for a woman -- no matter what the cost. Maybe it's an emotional thing. The candidate can be a man disguised as a woman. That's all it takes. Someone that looks like a woman. Yes, we've reached that point in the United States of America. We even have voters who won't vote for a black man. Because he's black. No other reason. Forget the issues. Yes, just plain forget to think. --Jim Broede

A more liberal direction.

I guess I'm a liberal idealist. Oh, maybe I'm conservative in some ways, too. But mostly I'm a liberal. And an idealist. I believe, for instance, in equality. And that government should help people. By trying to guarantee everyone the basic necessities of life. Such as a sustainable income. And a job, so to speak, if one is healthy enough to work. To earn a living. I also believe in universal health care. Even if it's called socialized medicine. Yes, I believe in societal obligations. In something called the common good. I'm for government regulation on private business. To discourage greed, and to put a cap on profit. I want to narrow the gap between rich and poor. I want an end to racism. I want social programs that prevent people in need from falling through the cracks. And oh, I want an abundance of educational opportunities. For everyone. And much of what I want is brought about by government. I think it's possible for societal gains to be accomplished through the auspices of government. And by the private sector, too. But often government can do it better because government has a motivation to do it without the profit-motive in mind. Yes, for the common good. Profiteers often are exploiters. Too often, their motive is obscene profits. Good government will keep them in check. Yes, I suppose I want a little bit of sociailsm. I don't mind some amount of captalism. But under some restraint. Imposed by government. So, obviously, I'm for change. And though Barack Obama would not bring about all the change I'd like -- well, he'd still move this country in the right direction. A new direction. A more liberal direction. --Jim Broede

Sunday, September 14, 2008

'She does not speak for women.'

Wendy Doniger of the University of Chicago’s Divinity School had an interesting comment about vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin: “Her greatest hypocrisy is in her pretense that she is a woman. The Republican Party’s cynical calculation that because she has a womb and makes lots and lots of babies (and drives them to school! wow!) she speaks for the women of America, and will capture their hearts and their votes, has driven thousands of real women to take to their computers in outrage. She does not speak for women; she has no sympathy for the problems of other women, particularly working-class women.” --Jim Broede

Thank you, dear baseball gods.

Maybe the baseball gods are on the side of the Chicago Cubs, after all. The Cubs were supposed to play three games this weekend against the Houston Astros. In Houston. But Hurricane Ike forced postponent of the games. And two of the games were moved to a neutral site, the ballpark in Milwaukee, 90 miles north of Chicago. The first was played tonight. At a time and place never imagined until the hurricane. So, what happened? Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano threw a no-hitter. First by a Cubs pitcher in 36 years. The Cubs won, 5-0. Now, if that game had been played as originally scheduled on Friday night in Houston, the timing and the circumtances would have been very, very different. Maybe the outcome, too. Yes, timing makes a big difference, doesn't it? And second place Milwaukee, meanwhile, got swept in 4 games in Philadelphia. So I'm feeling good tonight. But there's still two weeks to go in the regular season, and the Cubs haven't clinched a play-off spot yet. But still, thank you for everything, dear baseball gods. --Jim Broede

Until I lose my freedom of speech.

I've liked being an American. I was born here. And grew up with patriotic fervor. I'm old enugh to remember World War II. And young enough to having never had to fight. I've served in the armed forces for 3 years. In peacetime. Mostly in Germany. And it was a nice experience. Anyway, what I like most about America is my freedom. Especially freedom of speech. I sound off a lot. And I went into a profession that allowed me to focus attention on lots of issues. I was a newspaper reporter. Now retired. But still, I'm not hesitant to voice my opinions. One might say I'm opinionated. I still like being an American. But less so than I used to. Because I don't like the political and social drift of America in recent years. Under the George Bush administration. Oh, I'm hopeful of change to a more liberal politic in the upcoming election. But if it doesn't happen, if the McCain-Palin ticket wins and we don't rid this country of its insanity, I'll give strong consideration to moving to Canada. Or maybe Italy. Of course, some of you will say good riddance. But then again, I may choose to stick around. Until I lose my freedom of speech. Then I'm gone. --Jim Broede

I'm an unabashed liberal.

I like the New York Times. It's a good newspaper. I trust its reporting, generally speaking. That contrasts, for instance with some highly-biased television news, such as can be found on Fox News or CNN. I recommmend going to http://www.nytimes.com/ today (Sunday) and reading a story headlined, "Once elected, Palin hired friends and lashed foes." It's the kind of unbiased reporting we need more of in this political campaign. By writers Jo Becker, Peter S. Goodman and Michael Powell. Of course, bias is in the eye of the beholder. I'm an unabashed liberal, admittedly. --Jim Broede

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Maybe it's impossible...

No denying it. Politics is a dirty and often rotten game. So many politicians like to talk out of both sides of their mouth. And castigate their opponents. Even play dirty tricks. And they distort the truth. If not outrightly lie. I have to wonder if there's such a thing as an honest politician. Seems to me that a totally honest politician couldn't succeed. He'd lose. He'd be rejected by the electorate. And his opponent would take advantage of him. Because he'd play clean and fair. If he was wronged, he'd turn the other cheek. He'd still take the high road. Anyway, the politicians that make it all the way to higher office, such as congress and the presidency -- well, they need tremendous egos. No other way would they get that far. And they have to compromise. With themselves. I suspect they have to sell their souls to some degree. Maybe we all do. Even those of us who stay out of the political arena. If that's so, maybe I'm too harsh on politicians. Maybe we're all in the same boat. Maybe it's impossible to live an honest life. --Jim Broede

I don't want to be field-dressed.

Yes, folks, we are living in an era of tabloid journalism. Just make up a preposterous story. And folks will believe it. Every day has become April Fool's day. Except that the majority believe that the joke is the truth. Sarah (Barracuda) Palin is a joke. Perpetrated by desperate Republicans. Same goes for John McCain. Put them on the ticket together. And package them as reformers. The bringers of change. Mavericks. And people believe it. Just wait until they make their Supreme Court appointments. And stifle universal health care. And start another war. Maybe with Iran. Or if Palin ascends to the presidency, maybe even with Russia. Meanwhile, I'm just thankful I'm not a moose. I don't want to be shot and field-dressed, especially by a gun-toting woman. --Jim Broede

Oh, merciful god, help us.

Here in the United States of America I live in a fantasy land. More or less created by the media. The media frame the agenda. Mostly, it's television. And especially cable. The media no longer just give us news. But rather entertainment. The media create a story. Based largely on who is chosen to be today's celebrity. Lately, it has been Sarah (Barracuda) Palin. She's followed all over. The focus is on this lady from Alaska. Because she's so different. A freak, in a sense. Some call her a cocky wacko. A little like Paris Hilton. Or Brittany Spears. Or Michael Jackson. Yes, Palin is the reigning political celebrity of the moment. And it may get her elected vice president of the United States. Which means John McCain will get a free ride into the White House. And at age 72, and with a history of skin cancer, there's always the possibility that McCain will die before the end of his elected term. And then Sarah Palin, no longer a barracuda, but a Cinderella, will ascend to the lofty heights of so-called leader of the free world. Not because she's a natural born leader and by far the most qualified human being to hold the job -- but just because she was tabbed by the media as celebrity of the current political campaign in America. Yes, she's the focus. And we are being sold on the idea that it's time to elect a female celebrity. Doesn't matter that she may be a wise-cracking war-monger. But she is capable of field-dressing a moose and shooting wolves from an airplane and embellishing her credentials. That makes a good story. She's caught the media's fancy. And so we are being spoon-fed Sarah Palin pablum daily. Heaps and heaps of it. Oh, there's no justification for it. Really. Only that it's entertaining. No doubt about it, Palin will be an entertaining vice president. And maybe an equally entertaining president some day. What a story. This woman emerges out of obscurity. In only a few days. And she becomes royalty. Because the media chose to elevate her to the stage. And to turn on the spotlight. All I can say about this at the moment is, oh, merciful god, help us. --Jim Broede

Friday, September 12, 2008

Yes, rid the world of evil.

The way I see it, John McCain is a cowboy. Hankering for a good fight. Yes, a war. I think he likes war. Just like George Bush. McCain is a proud American. He considers himself a patriot. He even volunteered to stay a prisoner of war in Vietnam when he was offered a chance to go home free. What a man. A saint. A maverick. But still, this is not the kind of guy I want to see in the White House. He's far too much like George Bush. Declaring America uber alles. Yes, above all else. As if America can do no wrong. As if it's all right for America to invade another country. Under false pretense. Such as suggesting that Iraq had something to do with the 9/11 attack on America. I don't trust McCain any more than I'd trust Bush. They're both cowboys. Like in the old wild west. Longing for a nice shootout. They fancy themselves as the guys wearing the white hats. Yes, it's good versus evil. And they gonna not only clean up the town -- they gonna clean up the whole world. Yes, rid the world of evil. --Jim Broede

But he's not a woman.

When it comes to electing an American president, maybe issues don't count. Really. Maybe issues are secondary. And what matters most is personality. Or celebrity status. Who's the biggest celebrity. And right now that appears to be John McCain's running mate, Sarah (Barracuda) Palin. She may pull McCain through to victory. She's Cinderella. She's captured the imagination of the electorate. Even of a significant amount of women who used to support Hillary Clinton. That's why I suggest that issues don't really count. Clinton and Palin are far, far apart on the political issues. But both women are celebrities. That's what they have in common. And that's why many women can support either one. Women like the idea of a woman being on the ticket, no matter what she believes. Because it's just nice to see a woman break through the glass ceiling. Better to see a woman attain such high and lofty office before a black man gets there. It's not yet Barack Obama's turn. Women come first. Especially white women. Sure, the black man may be right on the political issues. On health care. On the war in Iraq. On the economy. But he's not a woman. --Jim Broede

Thursday, September 11, 2008

...about Palin's qualifications.

In an interview on ABC News tonight, Sarah (Barracuda) Palin didn't seem to know what the Bush doctrine was. She had to be told by the interviewer that it's Bush's belief that the U.S. is entitled to start a preemptive war. As a means of protecting American interests. That's a sign that while she was a mayor and a governor in Alaska, maybe Palin wasn't paying attention to what was going on in Washington and the world. I don't deny Palin's ability to field dress a moose and to shoot wolves from an airplane and to make wisecracks about Democrats. But hey, that hardly qualifies her to be vice president, only a heartbeat away from the presidency. Pardon me. But I'm a little leery...about Palin's qualifications. --Jim Broede

Long live the liberals!

I was reminded the other day by New York Times columnist Bob Herbert why I should be proud of being a liberal. After all, he pointed out, liberals ended legalized racial segregation and gender discrimination, gave this country Head Start and legal services and the food stamp program. They fought for cleaner air and water. Gave us social security and unemployment insurance. And Medicare and Medicaid. Yes, long live the liberals! --Jim Broede

...what she learned in church.

Yes, there's a benefit stemming from the 9/11 tragedy. Both tickets for president have agreed to suspend their campaigning today. Suggesting it's inappropriate to bicker on this day. Oh, blessed relief. Thank heavens for 9/11. Almost like Christmas. When we vow to be on our good behavior for a day. And practice the Yuletime spirit. Too bad we can't live this way daily. All 365 days of the year. Our political campaigns are far too long. Too laborious. Too devoid of focused issues. Instead, pettiness prevails. And the cult of personality, too. One of the vice presidential candidates grew up in a Pentecostal church. Where folks speak in tongues. Another name for gibberish. Words that only god is supposed to understand. By golly, little wonder that she's a politician. She practices what she learned in church. --Jim Broede

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

I'd rather be known as a lover.

I like what I'm doing. Living. Loving. A day doesn't go by without me feeling alive. And in love. For a relatively long time now. Since I retired 10 years ago, I've had time. More time to focus on what I want to be. And what I want to do. To be me. A romantic idealist. A liberal. A free-thinker. And not least, a lover. Finally, as I am about to begin my 73rd year on Earth, I have a genuine sense of life. The thrill of being alive and in love. I wanted to be that from the beginning, I suspect. But I didn't fully know it until recent years. Now I know there's nothing better than to be in love. To be able to savor the day. Every day. I used to think that my primary mission in life was to be a writer. To pursue what's commonly called a career. But I'd rather be known as a lover. --Jim Broede

...stretching the truth.

I'm thinking that politics is a game. To be played. In cunning and devious ways. To manipulate people. For the sake of gaining power. And celebrity, too. To salve the human ego. I played it for a while. A long time ago. On the local level. Manipulating my way onto the local school board for 3 years. Yes, I probably did it to satisfy my ego. To effect change, too. I'm not sure if I had any genuine higher purpose in mind. I guess I learned something. In the end, I didn't want to compromise myself. I didn't want to sell my soul by playing this game. Seems to me if one really wants to succeed in politics above the local level, one must be driven. One must want power. And adulation. Maybe above everything else. A good politician, I suppose, is calculating. To the point of creating an image. A political self that can win over his/her constituency. Maybe to fool the people. By being clever. Saying the right things in the right places at the right times. A little like a used car salesman. Being affable. Selling people a bill of goods...even if it means stretching the truth. --Jim Broede

...makes me feel divinely inspired.

I'm making progress. Getting organized. Little things. Did two loads of wash last night. Put my oven on automatic clean overnight. Scoured the kitchen sink. Scrubbed most of the floors. And in recent days, I've hung 20 to 30 birdhouses and windchimes on a wire that extends from the garage to a tree on the east side of my lot, running across the yard. And the garage and an adjoining storage room have been cleaned up and organized. I've cleaned the kitchen counters. I cleaned the back door. Took a broom and swept away cobwebs under the eaves of the house. My gosh, what has gotten into me? Makes me feel I'm getting things done. Living in a little bit of neater and cleaner environs. Maybe I'm practicing what I preach. Making sure my surroundings are a bit more relaxing. Creating a sense of peace and calm. The very thing I've been urging others to do. Taking control. Maybe of only the little things over which I have control. But maybe these are the big things. Because they can affect my mood. Positively. Gives me a sense of accomplishment. Of getting things done. And yes, I've been writing. I've posted almost 40 threads so far this month right here in my blog. And I've been posting pretty much on a daily basis on the Alzheimer's message boards. And I'm writing love letters. And thinking about being in love. And maybe all this makes me feel divinely inspired. --Jim

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Show us your best stuff, Obama.

Obama. Obama. Get with it, man. Or you are gonna lose this election. You have lost your lustre. John McCain and his barracuda have taken it from you. Stolen it. They are outfoxing you on the political front. They are making this an election of personalities. Not issues. Yes, personalities. They are gambling that American voters care more about captivating personalities than about captivating issues. It's a lot easier making personality captivating than it is to make an issue captivating. Americans want to be entertained. They don't care that much about issues. Early in the primary campaign, you deftly captured their imaginations, Obama. But you haven't done much since. You have to electrify the electorate. Day after day. Week after week. Or you'll lose to the Republicans. In a year that once seemed impossible. McCain and the barracuda are about to pull off a big, big upset. Unless you do something about it. And I mean soon, Obama. Show us your best stuff. --Jim Broede

I'm always happy in love.

I know what usually makes me unhappy. It's when I get ahead of myself. Because that prompts me to wish. Wish for particular outcomes. Such as wishing for Barack Obama to be elected president. And for the Chicago Cubs to get into the playoffs and to win the World Series. These are outcomes that would make me happy. But if I wish too much -- well, then I'll be unhappy, I suppose, if the wishes don't come true. And when I'm watching the day by day progression leading up to these final outcomes, I sometimes get a little tense. Watching. Watching. Anticipating. Anticipating. Wishing. Wishing. Almost as if I am wanting to play god. When really, I am in absolutely no position to influence the outcomes. Rather ridiculous, isn't it? I submit myself to unnecessary stress. I would be better off paying little or no attention to the unfolding of so many, many events. And just plug in at the end to learn of the outcomes. In other words, it might be a blessing if I were, let's say, in faraway Tahiti with someone I love. Out of contact with the rest of the world. Because then I'd be focused on love. I'd be more or less in Eden, I suppose. Reading books. Writing. Making love. Enjoying good food. Yes, savoring life. Now that's the way to live. In a sense, I'm trying to do that now. I'm trying not to pay too much attention to the presidential race, and to the Cubs. And I'm writing. Like I am right now. Reflecting on life. And love. And that love is the most important element in my life. And so if I eventually get bad news about the presidential race or about the Cubs -- well, it won't matter that much in the grand scheme of things. I'll just settle for being in love. And so if Obama and the Cubs both lose, I still win...because I'm always happy in love. --Jim Broede

...tolerance and patience.

I'm fascinated by Sarah (Barracuda) Palin's religion. Growing up in a Pentecostal church. The Assembly of God. Where they speak in tongues. Really wild stuff. Which is all right. To each his/her own. A few years ago, when I was wheeling Jeanne around town in a wheelchair, people would come up to me and declare, "God bless you." That included a retired Assembly of God minister. We had some nice discussions about religion. He thought I was going to hell. Because I'm a free-thinker. I started out as a Christian. But grew disenchanted with organized religion. Now I'm what might be called a freelance monotheist. Which means I believe in a god. But I don't let preachers of any religion tell me what I'm supposed to believe. I think for myself. Anyway, this Assembly of God guy wanted to bring me back to Christianity, I guess. His kind of Christianity. I listen. I talk. And I'm polite. I thought for a while I might lure him over to my way of thinking. I really didn't want to do that. Because I respect others' beliefs. There are so many ways. Not just one way. But this guy still thinks there's only one way to salvation. His way. I can't buy into that stuff. After all, my god even saves atheists. He doesn't even require that people believe in god. He saves everyone. Because he is a loving god. He loves everyone. He gives everyone a second chance, a third chance. So many chances. My god never runs out of patience. And that's how I have learned patience. And tolerance. I have been taught directly by god himself. God tells me that true lovers have tolerance and patience. --Jim Broede

How would Jesus vote?

I'm not sure it's fair. But Sarah (Barracuda) Palin's church-going ways are getting lots of scrutiny. In the media. Newspapers. Television. Radio. All over. Maybe that should be private stuff. But hey, the media gave Barack Obama the same treatment. Now, it's Palin's turn. I think Obama withstood it quite well. We'll see if Palin does, too. Some folks tried to make out that Obama's spiritual/religious views are way out on the left. Well, now a case is being made that Palin is way out on the right. My. My. They both call themselves Christians. Goes to show there's quite a wide latitude in Christianity. I wonder if Jesus returned to Earth for a second visit if he'd approve of Christianity as we Earthlings practice it. Would he vote for the Obama-Biden ticket or for McCain-Palin? --Jim Broede

Monday, September 8, 2008

Yes, folks, I believe it.

"The Republicans," a letter-writer in the New York Times says, "are blowing the usual smoke to get working-class people to vote against their economic interest. Can you imagine Americans voting for John McCain to strike a blow against the wine-drinking, brie-eating coastal elites and denying themselves a decent health care system, a better economy and competent leadership? Believe it. It could happen."

Yes, folks, I believe it. --Jim Broede

The way we decide...

I don't think it's a good idea to vote for the sake of voting. Just because one has the privilege. Yes, maybe an ill-informed vote is a bad thing. But in a democracy, I guess, to vote is to vote is to vote. Like it's an automatic exercise. Robot-like. One is told to trek to the polls and cast a vote. For someone. Doesn't necessarily mean that one has to understand what or whom one is voting for. Many people are prodded into voting. Like rats in a maze. Just do as one is told. By a precinct worker. Or by a pundit on TV. Or by one's colleague. Or just because that's what an American citizen is supposed to do. Sometimes, voting is like joining a lynch mob. It seems like the right thing to do at the time. We vote against someone. Because we are told he's a bad guy. Maybe a communist. Or a socialist. Doesn't matter that it ain't true. Sometimes, we vote against a black guy. Only because he's black. We like the other guy's skin color better. Or we vote against someone because she's a woman. Doesn't really make sense. But hey, we are free to decide for ourselves. Maybe guys with blue eyes are evil. Or maybe he isn't a Christian, or the right kind of Christian, and therefore he doesn't deserve our vote. Funny thing, isn't it? The way we decide who gets our vote. --Jim Broede

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Sounds plausible to me.

Maybe the Republican candidate for president of the United States plucked his running mate from relative obscurity because he's desperate for the moose-hunting vote, a columnist in the Chicago Tribune speculated. Yes, that does sound plausible. --Jim Broede

I live in an absurd America.

I think the absurd happens. Often. On a daily basis. That is, it's absurd to me. Others may think of it as normal. But then, maybe I'm abnormal in my outlook on life. The fact that we Americans have elected George Bush as our president. Not once. But twice. That's doubly absurd. And idiotic. And the fact that we Americans don't get royally piqued over the Iraq War. To the point of insisting that it be ended. Well, that's absurd, too. And downright stupid. And immoral. And that we Americans put up with the fact that we are the only industrialized nation in the world without universal health care. That's wildly absurd. And think of this. Polls show there's a fighting chance that the John McCain-Sarah Barracuda ticket could win in the November election. Which would mean, in essence, a third term of sorts for George Bush and the Republicans. Yes, no doubt about it. I live in an absurd America. --Jim Broede

...at my pessimistic worst.

I think I have no way to influence the outcome of world events. No way to change history in any significant way. But come to think of it, somebody insignificant occasionally pops up in history and maybe changes the course of a nation. Take Lee Harvey Oswald. The guy that shot John F. Kennedy. I think that event changed the course of America. Kennedy's death took the spirit out of so many liberals. Had it not happened, Kennedy most likely would have won a second term. Lyndon Johnson would never have become president. I think liberal ideas would have thrived. Instead, a pessimism overtook America. Allowing conservatism to snatch the day. And the nation became even more disillusioned with the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King. Liberals retreated to their cocoons. And conservatives filled up the political void. To the detriment of America. Now, I'm sensing a comeback of liberalism. With Barack Obama. But still, I'm not sure it's gonna happen. There'll be another disaster along the way. That's me...at my pessimistic worst. --Jim Broede

...with positive thoughts.

I like to occupy my mind with positive thoughts. Especially when something negative happens to me or around me. It's a way for me to take control. To keep myself upbeat. I'm doing that now. Because something negative happened. Something that years ago might have made me distraught. And glum. But I've learned to not let that happen. Instead, I focus on the positives going on in my life. Many, many positives. And that dilutes the negatives -- so that they don't seem too negative. So here I am. Having a relatively happy day. In fact, a day with some joyous moments. Some folks might think that I'm a naysayer. Because I'm a bit critical of unhappy people. I tell some people who are depressed to look for silver linings. And that can be annoying, I know. But still, I persist. By talking positively. I try to console with positive thoughts. --Jim Broede

...a way for god to bless America.

If I'm god, and a god with a sense of humor, here's what I'd do. I'd make John McCain president of the United States. Then shortly after his inauguration, I'd bring him home. To heaven. That would make it possible for Sarah Barracuda to ascend to the presidency. Yes, America's first woman president. When mere mortals used to think that it would really be Hillary Clinton. Instead, it turns out to be a female barracuda. Yes, that would be a way for god to bless America. A hilarious way, too. --Jim Broede

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Anything a man can do, this barracuda can do better.

Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. That's why I believe it. Our Republican vice presidential aspirant Sarah Palin has a throw rug on her sofa. Yes, a rug made out of a grizzly bear skin, complete with head. I'm wondering if she personally banged it. After all, she brags about having field dressed a moose. And she's handy with a firearm and a member in good standing of the National Rifle Association. And she was a basketball star known for her aggressive play, earning her the nickname Sarah Barracuda. Could be that anything a man can do, this barracuda can do better. --Jim Broede

...the dumbing down of America.

I think political campaigns in a democracy such as the U.S. have become manipulations. Clever ways to influence minds. And outcomes. With sound bites. With key words. Yes, we are being turned into a nation of robots. Non-thinkers. In essence, we are being told we don't have time to think. To ponder. To reflect. Because we are so busy. With other things. The candidates have become a product. Like a laundry detergent. Or a car. Or a breakfast cereal. Yes, they are being sold to us in advertisements. Often 30-second commercials. With slogans. Often, we are being sold on a personality. Rather than a bona fide issue. The idea is to make contrasts. Black and white. Conservative and liberal. Good and bad/evil. Anyway, I'm sickened by it all. I'm disillusioned over the dumbing down of America. --Jim Broede

...a good & decent attitude.

Isn't life wonderful? I'm up at 6:30 in the morning. Daybreak here in Minnesota. Went to bed around 1:15 a.m. So, I don't have in my 8 hours of sleep. But still, I feel good. No dreams. No nightmares. Just nice thoughts. So I decided to get up. Enjoy the early morning. And ponder the blessing of being in love. Thinking more about what goes right in life. Rather than wrong. And also reminding myself that I can't fix the world. Only myself. I have absolutely no control over most world events. So, I have to keep learning acceptance. And to do what I can to have a reasonably good & decent attitude. --Jim Broede

Friday, September 5, 2008

I'm alive and well and happy.

About once a week, I peek in and read a woman's blog. A woman that seems to me feels sorry for herself. She's in depression. Admits it, too. And she has a chronic illness. I sort of feel sorry for her, too. I'll send her a note now and then. To try to console her. Doesn't always work. Sometimes, I may do her more harm than good. She doesn't think I understand depression. Could be she's right. Because I try to avoid depression. Just the thought of it makes me depressed. So I switch gears immediately. And start to think happy thoughts. Remind myself that I'm in love. With someone. But if I'm not in love with someone, I'm still in love with life. So far, that has pulled me through. May not forever. I don't like the thought of falling ill and dying a slow, lingering death. That might depress me. But I try not to think about it. Instead, I focus on today. And at the moment, I'm alive and well and happy. --Jim Broede

I don't cry any more. I just laugh.

The game of baseball, and especially the Chicago Cubs, fascinates me. For almost all of my life. I'm 72. And I remember listening to the Cubs play in a World Series. In 1945. When I was 10. Yes, the last time the Cubs were in a World Series. And they lost in 7 games to Detroit. The last time the Cubs won a World Series was in 1908. The Cubs have had a good season so far, despite a current 6-game losing streak. They still lead the National League Central Division by 4 games, with 21 left to play. Yes, the Cubs could still blow it. Because they are playing their worst baseball of the season now. And Lord knows, they've been known to fold before. They have a reputation as loveable losers. So, I'm used to pulling for a team of losers. But still, I find it fascinating. Just before the Cubs went on this losing streak, they had won 7 straight. Had the best record in baseball. Yes, maybe the best team. Yet, they could fade out of the picture, and not even make the playoffs at the end of the month. Unlikely. But still quite possible. If it happens, that will go down in Cubs lore. As another example of what may be the most ill-fated team in baseball. I used to get upset when the Cubs let their fans down. After high hopes. But I don't any more. I'm used to this sort of stuff. It happens. Time and again. And that is what fascinates me. How something always happens to dash the hopes of Chicago Cubs fans. I don't cry any more. I just laugh. --Jim Broede

...the unnecessary war on terror.

I think the terrorist threat to the U.S. is exaggerated. Largely by politicians. Such as George Bush. I don't even think a so-called war on terror is necessary. Oh, there should be police action. Attacks by terrorists are crimes. Yes, 9/11 was a crime. But to go to war over it? Give me a break. Those responsible for the planning of it should be rounded up and brought to trial and justice. By international police action. Not by war. The terrorists gave Bush an excuse to make political hay. To even invade a country (Iraq) that had nothing to do with 9/11. Bush just wanted an excuse to try to change the nature of the Middle East. He miscalculated a bit. Got us bogged down in a costly and senseless war. One that's doing far more harm than good for America. In terms of lost lives and lost money. We taxpayers are going to pay trillions for that debacle. We've played right into the hands of terrorists. And the planners of 9/11 are still free. Meanwhile, we Americans have lost many of our freedoms. All in the name of the war on terror. Yes, an unnecessary war. --Jim Broede

...the racial divide in America.

I'm sensing a deeply entrenched racist element in America. Oh, maybe it's only 1 in 10 people who are overtly racists in their souls. But that could be troubling for Barack Obama. Maybe it could even cost him the presidency. And my greatest fear is that it's even more than 1 in 10 Americans. Maybe 1 in 5. If that's the case, Obama's chances of getting to the White House are nil. Imagine that. What if 1 in 5 people wouldn't vote for Obama just because he's black? Oh, it's nice that Obama got nominated by the Democrats. A sign that America is moving in the right direction to ultimately achieve racial equality. But hey, now we're talking about a vote by the entire nation, not just the Democrats. Some of my brothers tell me that Americans aren't nearly as racist as I portray them. I hope they are right, and that I am wrong. I'm usually an optimist. Even a pollyanna. Except when it comes to what I perceive as the racial divide in America. --Jim Broede

...all the way back to last October.

I guess I refuse to be discouraged. No matter what happens. I always find something to be happy about. Used to be that I thought everything had to go right. Which was stupid. In other words, I wanted perfection. Smooth sailing all the time. When really all I needed were periods of calm. Opportunity to savor a few moments. Precious moments. Really, all I needed in my life was a little love. Yes, a little love goes a long, long way. Even if I have a bad day, and it ends with a little loving -- well, that sort of makes it an acceptable day. Yes, I've learned to put things in perspective. I think I have put together a string of consecutive joyful days stretching back all the way to last October. --Jim Broede

Thursday, September 4, 2008

...the shortcomings of democracy.

I'm not sure that democracy is the best form of government. For sure, it's far from perfect. But then I suppose, no government is perfect. Every government has weaknesses. I guess it's that I feel that majority rule isn't always good. In fact, sometimes it's downright bad. For instance, slavery was introduced in the U.S. by majority rule, more or less. That didn't make it right. Minorities are often discriminated against simply because they aren't in the majority. Yes, we have a history of gross injustices being perpetrated by the majority. And yes, our leaders are often elected by a majority. But sometimes by an ill-informed and ignorant majority. In other words, if the majority happen to be ignorant, should we still let them decide the fate of our nation? The relatively ignorant masses, for instance, can be easily manipulated. Through sound bites. Conditioned almost subconsciously to do things without much forethought. Without thinking. I saw this happening at the recent political party conventions in Denver and St. Paul. So much of the political rhetoric was just that -- insincere and grandiloquent speech. Much of it disparaging. Meant to ridicule the opponent. Rather than to make a persuasive and polite argument on an issue. Yes, one example of the shortcomings of democracy. --Jim Broede

As if the GOP knows how.

John McCain ain't a stupid man. He knows what he is doing. Picking Sara Barracuda for his running mate. Yes, she's just the right surrogate for McCain. A feisty barracuda. A veep who will avoid the issues. And instead, launch a negative campaign against Barack Obama and the Democrats, like she did at the Republican convention Wednesday night. She's good at making attacks on personalities. Because the Republicans really have no issues to run on. The economy has gone sour under their administration. We've got almost 50 million Americans without health insurance. A record high national debt. A widening gap between the rich and the poor. And a senseless and obscene and costly war. But McCain and his pet barracuda and the Republicans won't focus on that. They'll tell us that Obama and the Democrats are unfit to run the country. As if the Republicans know how. --Jim Broede

The truth about taxes.

The Republicans are telling us that the Democrats will raise taxes. But they aren't telling us the whole story. Yes, Barack Obama has proposed raising taxes -- on the 5 percent of the richest Americans. So that he can lower the taxes on the other 95 percent. I can support that. It's time that we soaked the filty rich. They haven't been paying their fair share of taxes. I mean the billionaires and multi-millionaires and the corporations with ungodly annual profits. And the Republicans aren't telling us that they're the ones supporting the senseless war in Iraq -- a war costing tens of thousands of lives, and in the end, trillions of dollars. Little wonder that America is operating with the biggest deficit in history. Little wonder that we have to raise taxes on the obscenely rich. That's a lot better than soaking the middle class to pay the bills. --Jim Broede

And I'm focused...on the ups.

My gosh, how I've changed. I even surprise myself. The Cubs have gone into a slump. And I'm not all shook up. Used to be, that would have sent me into a tizzy. Maybe even a state of depression. But I've learned to put baseball and the Cubs into perspective. It's just a game. Yes, it would be nice to see the Cubs go all the way for the first time in 100 years and win the World Series again. But it's not that important. If it happens, it happens. If the Cubs fail -- so be it. I ain't gonna lose sleep over it. I ain't gonna lament. The Cubs aren't at the top of my priority list. Instead, I'm in love. With life. And with someone in particular. It's very clear to me. That life is good. Many, many more things are going right than wrong. Like my love life, for instance. And even in the realm of politics. I think there's a decent chance that Barack Obama will be our next president. Can't be sure of that, of course. But I have reason to be optimistic. And at 72, I am still alive and well, or so it seems. And I spent 5 weeks in Europe this summer. Much of it with my love. And more and more, I'm learning to live one day at a time. And not to anticipate what might go wrong tomorrow or next week or next month. Besides, the Cubs are still in first place. Second place Milwaukee has lost three straight. Sure, two of the Cubs five starting pitchers are out with injuries. And things ain't looking good at the moment from that perspective. But life is full of ups and a few downs. And I'm focused...on the ups. --Jim Broede

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

...not even worth praying to god.

The Chicago Cubs keep losing. Shutout by Houston tonight. It's 5 straight losses. All of them at home. For a Cubs fan, this should start to trigger memories of 1969. When the Cubs blew a big lead in September and succumbed to the New York Mets. Funny. Many Cubs fans just figure that something will go wrong. High hopes. And then failure. Something like what the Mets did last season. New York blew a 7 1/2 game lead with only 17 games remaining. That's pretty hard to do. Anyway, I've learned over the years to accept fate. What happens, happens. And I don't lose sleep over it. Because the outcome is out of my control. It's not even worth praying to god. --Jim Broede

...the wonders of love.

I keep wondering why politicians have to keep insulting each other. Why they can't be nice. And polite. And just disagree on issues. Rather than take potshots at each other. All the nastiness. I tune in the political conventions and the daily exchange of barbs between politicians, and it leaves me saddened, I guess. Maybe I'm caught up in it, too. I tend to counter nastiness with nastiness. Maybe that doesn't speak well for me. In a sense, nastiness breeds nastiness. I figure that if a politician is nasty, I have a right to treat him nasty, too. I'm listening to what politicians have to say to each other in the upcoming election. And often, all I hear are insults and disparaging remarks. Enough for me to turn off the TV or the radio or put down the newspaper. I know who I'm gonna vote for president. Nothing will change my mind. So maybe I should just ignore all the campaign rhetoric. All the speeches. All the news reports. And just bide my time thinking positive thoughts. Thinking about the wonders of love. --Jim Broede

I know. From experience.

One can hardly get through life without facing a catastrophe or two. That's how it goes. But the good life is still possible. If one learns to adjust. To cope. Because despite adversity, life is still full of joys. So many good things. Sure, we may lose a father to suicide. Or a wife to Alzheimer's. All sorts of tragedies happen. And nobody lives forever. That's the nature of life. Yet, some people let the bad events pull them down. And they stay down. I think that's the saddest part of life. People who refuse to be happy. People who spend virtually all of their time lamenting. Instead of bouncing back. I see it so often. I try to console and comfort some of 'em. But I can't change them. They have to change themselves. But it can be done. I know. From experience. --Jim Broede

Face it, brothers, we've lost.

My next door neighbor has a sign in his yard. "Let our soldiers win." I think I'll ask him, how do we decide if we have won? Personally, such a task is virtually impossible. Even if we declare victory, we will have lost. So very much. Think of the lives being lost. Not only Americans and our allies. But Iraqi lives, too. What a shame. And think of the money being dumped down the proverbial rat hole. Estimates are starting to range into the trillions of dollars. The money could easily have been spent on improving life in America and the rest of the world. And think of the damage to the American soul. For waging a senseless war, a so-called preemptive war. A pity. Shame on the American nation. We Americans are delusional. Some of us think we won the Vietnam War. And now some of us even think we can win the Iraqi War. Face it, brothers, we've lost. --Jim Broede

...to enjoy virtually every day.

Here it is Sept. 3. And already I'm feeling the touch of autumn in Minnesota. Today's high is in the 60s. And it'll be 45 to 50 tonight. Yes, pleasant weather. People in warmer climates may think of it as cool. Time to pull out the sweaters and jackets. And maybe at nighttime, I'll do just that. But hey, I'm a change-of-seasons guy. I like it when summer moves into autumn. And autumn into winter. And winter into spring. And spring into summer. Variety. Change is wonderful. I don't even mind the snow and cold in winter. Because it doesn't last forever. And this winter I'm thinking about going to Corsica and Sardinia. And quite possibly, in March, to spring training again with the Chicago Cubs in Arizona. I enjoy life. No matter where. In the Italian and Swiss Alps. In the deserts of the American Southwest. Sure has been nice to have been born on planet Earth. Oh, yes, I know there's turmoil and wars and people ill and starving to death. That's part of life, too, I guess. But I'll take the pluses and minuses and find ways to enjoy virtually every day. --Jim Broede

And let nature take its course.

Just imagine. If Barack Obama had picked the equivalent of an inexperienced Sarah Palin as his running mate. The Republicans would have made political hay out of it. The Republicans would have been merciless in chastising Obama for such a choice. Trying to make him look like a fool. They would have said the Democrats have an inexperienced team. At the top. And at the bottom of the ticket. Well, thankfully, Obama isn't going to be critical of John McCain's choice. He'll just let it be. And let nature take its course. --Jim Broede

Making pleasures last.

When I came home from Italy this summer, I brought gifts. Including Italian cat food for my cats Loverboy and Chenuska. But Loverboy wouldn't eat the stuff. Guess he wants only American cat food. Nothing exotic. Nothing different. That surprised me a little bit. But Chenuska -- well, she gobbled everything. She likes food, period. And eats much faster than Loverboy. Guess she wants to make sure she gets her share of the food. But she has nothing to worry about. Because Loverboy nibbles. Savors his food, I think. By making it last. Yes, he really is a loverboy. Enjoys living in slow motion. Making the pleasures of life last for a long, long time. --Jim Broede

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Addicted to exercise.

I used to walk 10 miles a day. At a leisurely pace. Generally, a 17-minute mile. But for the past two weeks, I've changed my routine. To 6 miles. But I speed it up a bit. A combination of brisk walking and slow jogging. Typically a mile in 13 to 14 minutes. The six miles at a faster pace seems to have more aerobic benefits than the slower 10 miles. I also used to eat my supper quite late. Like between 10 p.m. and midnight. Not a good idea. Eating so close to bedtime. Now I'm more likely to sit down at the dinner table between 6 and 8 p.m. It's getting results. I'm losing about 2 pounds a week. Or about 4 pounds since I started the new regimen. I'm not heavy. Just 174 pounds. And I'm almost 6 feet tall. I'd like to level off at 168. I've been addicted to exercise for a long, long time. I started working out on a daily basis around 1970. --Jim Broede

To pursue love, love, love.

I seldom make lists any more. Years ago, I used to start the day by making a long list of things to try to accomplish. And tell you what. It tended to overwhelm me. I was reminding myself that I had too many things to do. So now, when I get up in the morning, I think of two or three things I might like to do, or want to do. Don't need a list to remember so few things. Then I just focus on one thing at a time. I don't become obsessed over things I don't get done. Because I don't have a list. What gets done, gets done. And what doesn't, doesn't. So simple. Lately, I've been thinking about washing the windows and sliding glass doors in the house. So, I do one at a time. Leisurely. Hardly ever more than one in a day. And often I skip a day or two. No sweat. Instead, I'll spend several hours a day on a computer/video camera/audio hook up with my love. In other words, on the most important thing in my life. I know my priorities. The top one is the same virtually every day. To pursue love, love, love. --Jim Broede

...how to cope with losing.

When the Cubs lost their 4th straight game tonight, I sat down at my computer and started to write several items for my blog. It was a way to divert my mind. To something more pleasant. Writing. I can affect my mood by choosing to write. And when I write, I work myself into a thoughtful mood. A good mood. I have this overwhelming desire to be happy. So I have to force myself to think happy thoughts. Upbeat thoughts. Positive thoughts. It means that I find a way to salvage some good from the night. Rather than to lament about something that would otherwise bother me. Yes, I found something good in the Cubs losing. I countered the loss with good thoughts. Even a thought that losing may be good for the Cubs in the long run. Teaches them how to cope with losing. --Jim Broede

...the way I want to live forever.

Thank gawd, I've lived to 72. Because I'm finally learning how to live. One day at a time. And in love. Every single day, I remind myself I'm in love. And when it comes to love, I've reached a new plateau. I learned so very much about the nature of love during my 36 years married to Jeanne. But Jeanne died. Almost 2 years ago. However, Jeanne taught me a lot about love. Especially in her last 3 years of life. When I was her care-giver. She taught me about unconditional love. And to keep pursuing love for the rest of my life. That is what makes life worthwhile. Love. Love. Love. I'm in love with a dear woman. And with life. I live each day as if it's the way I want to live forever. --Jim Broede

Such as, I am in love.

My Chicago Cubs are in a slump, so to speak. They've lost 4 straight. For the first time this season, I think. But I'm not particularly concerned. Tell you the truth, I'd rather see them finish second and qualify for the wild card team that advances to the playoffs in 4 weeks. Despite their recent losing ways, the Cubs are still in first place. By 4 1/2 games. But I think there's pressure in being the front runner, or the team with the best record. I'd rather see the Cubs underachieve a bit in the regular season, and then turn it on for the playoffs. Of course, I want them in the playoffs. But not necessarily as the favored team. It's the team that peaks in the end that usually makes it all the way. Anyway, I'm not getting uptight. Because my life is filled with more important things than the Cubs. Such as, I am in love. --Jim Broede

...a nice way to pursue romance.

I could become a frequent world traveler, and like it. Especially if I have a traveling partner. Beats traveling alone. Because it doubles the pleasure. Oh, I like to see things. And mix with people from other parts of the world. I'm in love, of course. And traveling with the one I love. Magnificent. I'm thinking about going to Corsica (an island in the Mediteranean) this winter. For a nice little rendevous. And next spring it'll be some other place. I have in mind separate trips to Prague, Vienna, Berlin, St. Petersburg, Budapest and London. Actually, we'd stay outside these cities. But close enough to travel in conveniently by bus, train or car. It's nice to retreat every night to the same place -- a Paradise in the countyside or a small village. Ah, it's a nice way to pursue romance...and love. --Jim Broede

...full of surprises.

I am intrigued by John McCain's choice for running mate. Sarah (Barracuda) Palin, the governor of Alaska. And the fact that she knows how to handle a firearm. She's a hunter. Which one might expect from an Alaskan. Even noticed that in her office she has a bearskin, complete with head. Looks like it may be a grizzly. And I suspect she's a better shot than Dick Cheney, who merely hunts quail and occasionally hits his hunting partner in the face with shot-gun pellets. I really never heard of Palin until the big announcement. Gotta admit, McCain is full of surprises. --Jim Broede

Monday, September 1, 2008

Passionate...but not intimate.

My most intimate sentiments are strictly private. Seems to me I don't think intimately about politics. More passionate than intimate. There's a difference betwen passion and intimacy. I make love intimately. Not necessarily passionately. There is something tender and gentle about love. But not about politics, the Middle East war. Not sure about the seasons. Maybe there's a bit more intimacy involved when I write about the seasons. When I write poetry, it tends to be intimate. Poetry I share with the masses would be passionate. Poetry I share with one other would be intimate. My blog can be passionate...but not intimate.--Jim