...feels nice to get out of hell.

Yes, I'm an optimist. I think that in the long run, good prevails. But I'm also realistic when it comes to solving problems, such as reversing the incredible decline of America in recent years. To be precise, during the 8 years of the Bush presidency. The Bush administration and the Republicans steered the nation so far down the road to hell that it'll take a long time to find our way back to paradise. It'll be a slow trek. Even Barack Obama won't be able to lead us back overnight. It'll take years to repair all the damage wreaked by the Bushies. But hey, we got what we deserved. After all, we elected Bush twice. That's our fault. Our national shame. We let it happen. But I take solace. In knowing that finally we have awakened. We're changing direction. Yes, some of the diehard Bushies will continue to drag their feet and heavy asses. They'll doggedly advocate the failed economic, political and social policies of the past. But they've been discredited. Meanwhile, it sure feels nice to get out of hell. It was hot and uncomfortable down there. --Jim Broede

We'd be living in Paradise.

I like Barack Obama's plan to get our troops out of Iraq within the next 16 months. But I'm leery of his idea to beef up our forces in Afghanistan. Sounds like the proposal is to double the deployment, to 60,000 troops. I'm not sure that we have any business being in Afghanistan, period. Seems to me that in the long run, we'd be better off leaving Afghanistan to the Afghans. Let 'em decide their own fate. And let's just mind our own business. Let's stop waging wars, period. And focus our efforts on domestic programs, building a better America. Seems to me that significant numbers of the Afghans would prefer having the Taliban ruling their country. Rather than an American-supported puppet government. Just think of all the money we've spent on wars in recent years. Little wonder we're going broke. We've been pouring money down rat holes. Just think, if all that moola was spent on education and universal health care and the elimination of poverty. We'd be living in Paradise. --Jim Broede

...too dumb to know.

Amazing. How much better I feel. Just knowing that Barack Obama is in the White House. And that George Bush is back in Texas, my least favorite state. I've never liked Texas. Gives me the creeps every time I pass through the state. I'm always on my way to another place. So I get out of Texas fast as I can. Doesn't surprise me that Texas produced Bush. Maybe the worst president we've ever had. Let him screw up Texas. That I don't mind. Unfortunately, he screwed up America. But we'll get fixed. Obama is the right guy for the job. Mr. Cool. Nice to know that Obama has a high approval rating. Something like 80 percent. Makes me feel like I'm in tune with the rest of America. For a change. I know these are bad times. With the economy in the dumpster. But still, I feel good. About the future. That finally we have a competent president. Oh, Obama will make his share of mistakes. Like anyone. But he's a quick learner. And he admits to mistakes. That makes him intelligent. Bush rarely admitted to a mistake. A sign that he's too dumb to know when he really screws up. --Jim Broede

My gawd!

A woman in California gave birth this week to 8 babies. Yes, 8. All at once. Incredible. They are all alive. Imagine that. Becoming a mother 8 times over. In 5 minutes. Of course, it was by cesarian section. I don't know if that's a record for multiple births. But in 1971, an Italian woman became pregnant with 15 fetuses. Yes, 15. But they were aborted after 4 months. Guess it was virtually impossible for her womb to hold 15. But imagine. Going into labor. And waking up to -- well, 15 sons and daughters. It'd shake me to be the father. But the mother? My gawd! --Jim Broede

A crappy health care system.

If ever there was a need for universal health care, it's now. In tough economic times. When the jobless rate keeps increasing by leaps and bounds. But the U.S. remains the only industrialized nation in the world without universal health care. Yes, a shame. I want every American to have the basic necessities of life. And health care is about as basic as it gets. Yet, we have nearly 50 million Americans without health insurance. And that number will increase as more people lose their jobs. This is America, folks. One of the wealthier countries in the world. Wealthy because 1 percent of the population has an overwhelming proportion of the wealth. Meanwhile, we have hordes of people living in poverty. And without jobs, too. At least, let's see to it that everyone is guaranteed health care. Whether they can afford it or not. The Germans, the French, the Italians, the British, the Canadians -- well, they're all ahead of us. They have universal health care. And what do we have? A crappy health care system. --Jim Broede

It doesn't pay to be dishonest.

I'm hoping that ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich beats the rap. That he's not convicted of corruption. Sure, he talked about selling a seat in the U.S. Senate. But he never did it. In the end, he did the right thing. He made a legitimate appointment. Yes, Blagojevich was thinking about selling the seat to the highest bidder. Maybe the same thing many other governors (politicians) would do. But they'd be more coy about it. They all play political games. Giving and receiving political favors. Doing the politically expedient things. Doing what's in their own political interest. Not necessarily what's in the public interest. Unfortunately, that's the nature of politics. It's often a dirty game. A cheating game. You get away with what you can get away with. Blagojevich is a rather cocky fella. Nurtured in Chicago politics. I wouldn't exactly trust him. But then, there aren't many politicians that I'd trust. Blagojevich is a particularly entertaining politician. And he's still learning. Maybe he might even learn some day to be honest. That it doesn't pay to be dishonest...even in the world of politics . --Jim Broede

Give me a choice of limitless evils.

It's a dirty, rotten shame that we Americans have to choose between Republicans and Democrats. We really deserve better. But we've got a political system that has basically evolved into two paltry parties. Donkeys and elephants. Stubborn and slow-witted and cumbersome. We need more voices in our Congress. Whigs. Socialists. Communists. Greens. Anarchists. Christian conservatives. Atheists. Libertarians. Yes, a whole mish-mash of ideas and persuasions. And let 'em all hassle it out. Find ways to cooperate. To reach some kind of accord. A consensus. A coalition government. Now it's just two ornery sides. Republicans and Democrats. Even the occasional independent that gets elected has to choose to caucus with either the Republicans or the Democrats. Yesterday, we had a vote in Congress on an economic stimulus package. All 188 Repubicans predictably voted against it. And all but 12 Democrats voted for it. Two sides. Black and white. Bad evil and good evil. That's the way we Americans define ourselves. Choose one or the other. A hell of a predicament. In the end, we're all forced to choose the lesser of two evils. I'd rather have a choice of limitless evils. --Jim Broede

Would he have joined a union?

I sure like the idea of redistributing the wealth. In America. Maybe in the entire world. Spread it around. So the 'haves' have a little less and the 'have-nots' have a little more. Seems the right thing to do. I always thought that this guy Jesus was advocating something like that. Like he was some kind of socialist. He went out preaching that it'd be mighty difficult for a monetarily rich man to find his way into the kingdom. Seems to me that Jesus never had a desire to accumulate material wealth. That he preferred something a bit more spiritual. I couldn't see him as a Wall Street trader. Or a big corporate executive waiting for his big year's end bonus. He seemed more like a common man. A carpenter by trade. I wonder if he would have joined a union. --Jim Broede

Bureaucracies.

I've been thinking about the differences between the Italian and German bureaucracies. In funny ways. My impression. Italians are laid back. They've created sort of a lazy bureaucracy. Do everything slowly. Make simple procedures last very, very long. Let 'em drag out. No hurry. Don't get anything done in one visit. Make people wait in line. Take care of one detail at a time. The Italian bureaucrats just dilly-dally. It's as if they don't want to run out of work. And that might happen if they get everything done pronto. The Germans, meanwhile, are rigid. They have rules. Procedures. One must learn discipline. The Germans are far more efficient than the Italians. But in a robotic way. In Germany, the trains are more likely to run on time. Because one must be punctual. Well-planned. Germans plan their vacations a year ahead. And they have a set routine. Yes, they must follow a rigid schedule. And not be too impulsive. Anyway, bureaucracies are bureaucracies. They can be aggravating. In Italy. In Germany. Anywhere. An annoyance if you allow them to be. But I do find them entertaining. If one allows one's self to be entertained and amused. Then it's easier navigating the bureaucracies. No matter which country. There's no escaping bureaucracies. Bureaucracies are a natural part of civilized society. --Jim Broede

Let 'em eat (caviar) cakes.

I can see good reason to keep Guantanamo open. But not for suspected terrorists. Instead, I'd keep the prison open for corporate executives convicted of bilking the public. They deserve a Caribbean setting for the rest of their lives. After all, they are used to privileged treatment. The Bushies have long argued that Guantanamo is a well-run place. And that outside of occasional 'enhanced' interrorgation procedures, the prisoners are treated quite well. That they are even served their ethnic food. Of course, I suppose that means the menu for the imprisoned corporate execs may have to include caviar. But what the heck, let 'em eat (caviar) cakes. --Jim Broede

Ending the era of corporate greed.

The rich and powerful just don't get it. As if they have a Marie Antoinette complex. That they are privileged. That they are entitled to huge cash bonuses. Even when their corporations fail. And if you are a Citibank executive, you even feel that it's all right to buy a $50 million corporate jet. For your convenience. Doesn't matter that the government is giving you billions of dollars to bail your bank out of financial trouble. After all, entitlement is entitlement. Only the peasants fly on commercial airliners. People beneath you. But hey, who is this guy Barack Obama? He's called on you to cancel the order for the new 12-passenger corporate jet. He's suggested that you rethink your privileged way of life. And start descending from your pedestal. And to start to redistribute the wealth. To finally narrow the gap between the rich and poor. Yes, it's time to end the era of corporate greed. --Jim Broede

...a singing voice that's unusual.

A friend surprised me last night. By introducing me to a British singer. Ann Duffy. That was very pleasant. Obviously, my friend liked Duffy's singing. Or she wouldn't have introduced me. Duffy's different. Captivating. A singing voice that's so unusual. Like a child's voice. Nothing like her speaking voice. She does put some emotion into it. I think some singers sing much like they talk. But not Duffy. It's almost as if she enters another world when she sings. I suppose some writers don't talk like they write. While others talk and write pretty much in the same manner. I wonder, why is that? It's almost as if some singers and some writers -- well, they have two personnas. Maybe in my earlier years, I had two. But as I get older, I think my writing and talking personnas have kind of merged. Into one. Maybe writing has made me more comfortable with my real self. --Jim Broede

A better alternative.

I've noticed that Barack Obama doesn't talk about a "war" on terror. Really, it's George Bush's war. He's the guy with swagger. Bring 'em on, he proclaimed early in his administration. Like he was ready for an old-fashioned shootout at the OK Corral. And Bush would be there bedecked in his white hat. To mow down all the black-hatted Muslim terrorists with his 6-shooter. Obama has a far different approach. He went on an Arab TV network today and addressed Muslims, particularly the moderate Muslims, to suggest that we can reach accord with each other. No need to fight. No need to be hostile. Obama even said that he's got Muslims in his family. And that he's spent time in Muslim countries. In essence, Obama is trying to recruit support from the moderate Muslims. Yes, a unified effort to quell the extremists. Maybe Obama will show the world that diplomacy is a better alternative than -- well, we don't want to mention the word. --Jim Broede

...a nice crazy.

I like people who are independent. Their own beings. I consider myself independent. To the point of often being a loner. Oh, I'm a mixer, too. I like to associate with people who are different. Very different, and independent. But I'd feel uncomfortable with my clone. That would be hell. Because we'd be thinking alike all the time. I really can't think of anything more horrible than that. I really want people to disagree with me. I'd prefer they do it in a nice way. Politely. But generally it's all right if they get vociferous about it, too. I sort of like people who lose control. Go crazy, so to speak. Shows me they are a bit emotional. Not too placid. I don't mind going crazy myself. Especially when I'm in love. But that's always a nice crazy. --Jim Broede

Let's tap the rich.

The gall of Republicans. I never cease to be amazed. They want more tax cuts for the rich. At a time when we have a trillion dollar deficit. That's one reason why we have a deficit. Previous tax cuts for the rich. Those tax cuts obviously have not worked. We keep going deeper and deeper into a hole. We keep losing jobs. But one thing is for sure. The rich keep getting richer. And the poor keep getting poorer. And the middle class is expected to pick up the brunt of the stimulus package. I say, let's all pitch in. To the degree that each of us can afford. I'm for the rich contributing more toward the common good. Not less. --Jim Broede

If they can do it, why not others?

Trying to be nice. And get along with everyone. That's a nice goal. But I suspect it's almost impossible. Invariably, one or the other becomes hard-nosed. And that means drawing a line. I sure as heck wouldn't want to please everyone all the time. I like to live by my rules. But without foisting my rules on others. Sort of live and let live. I'll take issue with people. Let them know what I think. Especially when I disagree. But it's nice when we agree to disagree. Without becoming hostile. Often, we can each pursue our own course. Like in politics. I voted for Obama. Some of my friends voted for McCain. I learned to live with Bush for 8 years. Now the others can learn to live with Obama. For 8 years and more, hopefully. I am a little surprised that there are so many people in the world with divergent views -- and so much hostility. Seems to me, it should be relatively easy for a Palestinian and a Jew to live together. Peacefully. Just takes a little bit of tolerance. And love. I imagine there must be a Muslim and a Jew married to each other. Quite happily. There has to be. Somewhere in the world. At least one couple. If they can do it, why not others? --Jim Broede

Tell 'em all, no obscene profits.

So many Americans cringe at the word nationalization. Because we've been brainwashed into thinking that's equivalent to socialism. And socialism is bad. Well, I'm of the mind that American-style capitalism is bad. And that socialism isn't half bad. Not perfect by any means. But better than capitalism. So I'm for nationalizing the nation's banking and lending institutions. And running them for the common good. Not for the good of private bankers. The bankers want to pad their own pockets. They want big salaries and big bonuses. That's the aim of big business. Make money. Lots of money. Obscene profits. The byword is greed. That's why banks are in such dire straits. They took stupid risks. Gambles. In the hope of raking in huge profits. Now they want the government to bail 'em out. Well, that's fine. As long as government gets equity in the banks. Let the government call the shots. Let the government even set the salaries of the bank executives. Let the government set the lending policies. Let the government regulate banks in a manner that's in the best interest of the taxpayers. After all, if the taxpayers are supposed to take the risks, then the taxpayers should be treated as the shareholders. They should reap the dividends if and when the banks become solvent and profitable again. And by the way, let's not stop with nationalizing the banks. We also need universal health care. Yes, socialized medicine. Under a single-payer system. The government. Let's tell the insurance companies the same thing we tell the bankers. You ain't gonna be in the business of making obscene profits anymore. --Jim Broede

A simple trick...

Maybe time is an illusion. Gives me the opportunity to relive my life. I sometimes have the feeling that I've lived this life before. Exactly this way. Repeatedly. And now I've been given the opportunity to review my life. By living it again. With events separated by time. Could be I lived it all at once. Outside of time. But time gives me more opportunity to understand what I've lived. And maybe that's why I keep coming back to this life. So that when I return to timelessness, I know I've experienced the same life over and over. Gives me the opportunity to get it right. Outside of time. Could be that time is no more than a figment of our imaginations. A way to get outside of timelessness. Time can be bent in so many ways. Einstein, for instance, theorized that if we can achieve speeds far faster than light, we can leave Earth for a few years, and return after centuries have passed on Earth. But we wouldn't have aged more than a few years. Sounds incredible. But that's what time is. Incredible. It's an illusionary invention. I suspect we can travel at speeds many times faster than light. Merely by taking another life form. A spirit. Making transmigration of souls possible. I could end up in another corner of creation, in an entirely different dimension, in an instant. Because I would be outside of time. Here on Earth, I'm locked inside my physical being. Which also could be an illusion. A simple trick to enter into time. Into measured space. --Jim Broede

Start acting like my hero.

My blog, aka my broodings, is personal. But not personal. In the sense that there are degrees of personal. Some things I wouldn't share in my blog. Because they are very personal. Maybe even very, very personal. I draw a line. I like to be opinionated. Yes, to speak my mind. And even my heart and my gut. My blog is the place for that. But I wouldn't share something deeply personal. Not here. That would be private. Something deeply personal I'd probably share with only one other. Or just with myself. I like to be personal in my writing. As contrasted to impersonal. I fluctuate, too, between being subjective and objective. And I like to poke fun. To use parody. I like it when people can't quite decide whether I'm serious or sticking my tongue in cheek. Sometimes, it's a little bit of both. Because I like to keep people guessing. Forces them to think. To speculate. Some people would like to tell me how to write. They don't like my style. But I mostly laugh it off. After all, they aren't required to read what I write. My blog is public. People are free to come to it. And even offer comment. I read all comments. But I don't print 'em all. Some are outrageous. Or stupid. Repetitious. Boring. Libelous. Profane. So I use my judgment. After all, it's my blog. No sense in letting the rabble take over. I'm aware that some people take offense over what I write. A few get downright pissed. My advice is, cool it. Start acting like my hero, Barack Obama. --Jim Broede

Alive...a long time ago.

I like to sit down and write sometimes. Without knowing what I'm gonna write about. My way of thinking, I suppose. I do it because writing and thinking all at the same time makes me feel good. I can do it on the whim. If I think without writing -- well, then the thought becomes elusive. It'll disappear. But when I write, I can review it. Mull it over. It's a little like writing a letter to myself. But I also can choose to share it. Makes life less lonely. Sharing. Quite possibly, that's how love evolves. By sharing. That's what I'm doing in my blog. In my broodings. Sharing a few random thoughts. Sometimes, I'm looking for response. Other times not. I do lots of things without rhyme or reason. Without a conscious motive in mind. Sometimes, I forget a thought. But maybe I'm just abandoning the thought. Because another thought has come to mind. And it's difficult to remember everything. Without making a list. Often, it's hard for me to get wrapped up in more than one thought at a time. I'm compelled to discard other thoughts. Just so I can focus on one. Yes. I call it living in the moment. Becoming oblivious of the past moment. And not caring about the next moment. It's called getting carried away. Maybe that's the way to stop time. The way to capture a moment. To truly live the moment. I like this thought. But by tomorrow I'd forget it. Unless I write about it. Then I have the opportunity to recall the moment. Even a year or two later. Shows me that I was alive at a particular moment. A long time ago. --Jim Broede

...close to everything I can get.

Since I really can't change the world, I guess I have to learn to accept it. And change what I can. Me. And I've discovered that I'm able to fall in love. Twice now. And that's phenomenal. That means I don't have to change the world. I can be happy and content, just by living in my cocoon. And being in love. Actually, that gives me a positive perspective on life. I'm beginning to think that was why I was born. To be a lover. Really, that gives me everything I need. Fulfillment. Sustenance. Happiness. I don't need a whole lot of material things. Enough to get by. With a bit of comfort. I don't need celebrity. Or fame. Oh, I suppose I want good health. And a reasonably long life. Yes, time to love. If I had a choice, I'd choose forever. Yes, if I had love and forever, that would be the ideal combination. I'd be in heaven. In paradise. But at least, I've had a taste of paradise. Because I'm in love. That's close to everything that I can get. --Jim Broede

Finally.

I wonder if our political and economic systems are so corrupt they can't be fixed. Not even a knight in shining armor can do it. Not even Barack Obama. Because eventually anyone who tries to clean up the systems will be swallowed. Like sinking in quicksand. The corruption and the greed will be too much to overcome. As a young man, I thought naively that an individual could trigger significant change. But that ain't true. Change may come. But it'll be ever-so gradual. And it doesn't make much difference whether a particular individual is alive or dead. Change in political and economic systems result from a cumulative effect. The same goes for social change, I suppose. Look at how long we had slavery in the USA. And even after the Civil War, basic civil rights were denied to blacks. For more than 100 years. And still there's discrimination. We're still plagued by racism. Changing laws don't automatically bring change and acceptance. Maybe America is on the road to a revolution. One that has been building for more than 200 years. Really, we knew from the very start, that slavery and the denial of civil rights to large segments of our population was wrong. Plain wrong. Morally offensive. But we lived with it. Maybe because one individual couldn't make a difference. Didn't matter. Until the scales tipped. And we decided as a society that we were ready for change. Finally. --Jim Broede

The Swedes got it right.

I don't trust bankers. Especially American capitalist bankers. I suspect they protect their own. Like when the government bails out the banks during hard economic times. The naive assume that the bankers will then lend much of the government aid to us common folks...and that will stimulate the economy. But there's mounting evidence that the bankers took the first $350 billion bailout funds to line their own pockets. Paying dividends to their shareholders. And big salary bonuses to their executives. And buying other banks. Little of the dough found its way to people at the bottom of the heap. Yes, the rich keep getting richer. And the poor keep getting poorer. That's the way the American capitalist system works. The truly needed get the proverbial shaft. The rich capitalist money lenders have no desire to break their greedy habits. But thank gawd, there are the Swedes. They do things right. They truly nationalized their banks. In the 1990s. The government literally took over the banks -- lock, stock and barrel. The citizens of Sweden became the shareholders. Yes, the Swedes got equity in the banks. The government made the decisions. The government became the bankers. And the government raked in the eventual profits when economic conditions stabilized. The idea, of course, is to run the banking industry for the common good. Not for the good of the elite bankers and the elite rich. Yes, the Swedes got it right. It's time for Americans to follow in their footsteps. --Jim Broede

Sad thing, he doesn't have a clue.

I almost felt a little sorry for George Bush. There he was. Sitting at the chilly inaugural. Only a few feet from Barack Obama. And he had to listen. To an enlightened new president. Repudiating so many of Bush's dreadful policies. Felt to me like the dawning of a new era. One of hope and optimism. Anyway, Bush seemed to have a blank look on his face. Maybe he didn't even hear what was being said. Maybe he just shut it out. For eight years, Bush was the decider. Unfortunately, anything but a good listener. Maybe Obama's words went far over Bush's head. So why should I feel sorry for Bush? But I do. If he ain't a sad man, he certainly had a sad presidency. Of course, he doesn't think so. He's convinced he did the right things. Starting pre-emptive wars. And fiddling as the nation's economy went into the tank. And dividing the world into good and evil. Bush is going back to Texas. Thinking he's one of the good guys. Sad thing, he doesn't have a clue. --Jim Broede

I think it was the good vibes.

Being an Alzheimer's care-giver for many years was a stimulating experience. And I mean that in a positive way. Because I learned something. A bit about living. I discovered there's something better than drug therapy. And that's to focus good vibes on the patient. I mean always. Daily. Day in and day out. No matter what happens, one just immerses the patient in a loving. virtually stress-free environment. Which is difficult. Almost unbelievably difficult. Because to make that happen, the care-giver has to be rested. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. One must get above the fray, so to speak. One must learn acceptance. Patience. Almost the kind of cool displayed by Barack Obama when he's under fire. Indeed, that's rare. Fact of the matter is that the care-giver often is confronted by a belligerent and agitated patient. A patient that does crazy things. Upsetting things. Things that you wish never happened. And it's a loved one doing all this. It's a sad state of affairs, indeed. How is one to stay positive through all this? Well, one just does. Easier said than done. Initially, I had to grit my teeth. And I had to wipe away the tears. But I remained steadfast. Eventually, there was a breakthrough. I reached Jeanne. And we got her weaned off most of her medications. She settled down. She sensed that I loved her. And that put her at ease. She knew she wouldn't be abandoned. And the more Jeanne came around, the more I came around. We fed upon each other. Maybe it was just one of those things. Maybe it would have happened no matter what. But I don't think so. I think it was the good vibes. --Jim Broede

Time to cleanse our souls.

Finally, a president I can believe in. Solidly. Haven't felt this optimistic since John Kennedy. When I was a young man. Obama is an inspiration. A poet. An idealist. An intellectual. A new kind of politician. He's a man of the spirit. The long-time oppressed among us come to the surface. And they turn out to be our most precious leaders. They are our salvation. I tell you. I see something good. Yes, good. Good. Good. Sometimes, the worst (Bush) in us brings out the best (Obama) in us. I'm starting to feel proud to be an American again. I've felt shame for much of these past 30 or 40 years. Especially these past 8 years. Now it's time to cleanse our souls. To do the right thing. To be honourable again. To work for the common good. --Jim Broede

We honkies are full of surprises.

I'm a racist, of sorts. Toward white folks. I'm not hesitant to call whites 'honkies' and 'bigots' and 'rednecks.' I suppose that makes me a racist. Even though I'm white, I tend to disparage some whites. Not the least being our founding fathers. Many of whom tolerated slavery. Some even owned slaves, such as Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. At least Washington had the decency to free his slaves after his death. But not Jefferson. And there's evidence that one of his slaves was his concubine. Yes, Jefferson was a hypocrite. A double-standard honky. He looked at black people as inferior. I suppose I shouldn't call Jefferson a name almost equivalent to the "N" word. But I think he deserves it. I guess that makes me a racist. And I can't blame blacks if they call us names such as honkies, and a lot worse. Sometimes, it's quite appropriate, from my racist point of view. But still, I'm getting a better feeling toward white America. Because many of us helped to elect Obama. Thought I'd never live to see the day. We honkies are full of surprises. --Jim Broede

About life and god.

I have a good feeling about life. Always have. I don't think I've ever been depressed. Oh, maybe I've been in the doldrums for a few days. But I always work my way out of it. Fast. And I get a bit annoyed. Over politics and economic and social issues. In my younger days, I thought I could change the system. Change the world, I suppose. How naive. Change comes when it's time. When the masses are moved. And the balance is finally tipped in favor of change. Not much I can do about it as an individual. So I have to be the observer. Watching. Watching. Watching. But I can create my own little world within the big world. Yes, a cocoon. That makes me happy. My handful of close associates. They have influence on me. And I influence them, too. Occasionally in very significant ways. In loving ways. Sometimes, people tell me they love just about everybody. Hordes and hordes of people. But I don't believe 'em. People tend to be more selective. Because there isn't enough love to go around, Maybe if love is handed out only in small, token doses, it becomes too diluted. The best love of all is one-on-one love. Between two people. The rest of it is more a token kind of love. Dished out when time allows. Not necessarily when it's most needed. I accept that as fact. One of the things I can't change. I don't want to tell the people closest to me that I only have a few minutes to spare, or no time at all. I want to be faithful to them. That means I all-too-often have to ignore others. I find myself portioning off my love. Rationing it. On the surface, that appears dreadful. But I think that the only being that can love everyone all the time is god. And I'm no god. --Jim Broede

Goodbye, bad times.

I wonder if we are entering an era of optimism in America. With the coming of the Barack Obama presidency on Tuesday. I have a good feeling about America. For the first time in a long time. And it has to do with the fact that we Americans finally did the right thing. We elected Obama. And to me that signals the end to the gawd-awful George Bush politics. We've been dragged down over these past 8 years. Almost to the point of despair. But the darkest of times often can bring change. Two years ago today, Jeanne died. The love of my life was gone. But I rebounded. I recovered. Today, I'm happy. And in love. With someone. With life. I'm an optimist. Not a pessimist. I know that things can change for the better. Yes, even right here in America. I see good times springing from bad times. --Jim Broede

I've cleared the first hurdle.

I find it difficult being all things to all people. Yes, maybe it's impossible. So maybe somewhere along the line I quit trying. Instead, I focused on one or two or three. Didn't let it get out of hand. Problem is, when I tried to do too many things, I started to treat everybody in a half-assed manner. I didn't give anyone adequate time and adequate effort. I felt pulled betwixt and between. Overwhelmed. Eventually, I concluded that my dear wife Jeanne was more important than anyone. Moreso, even than my career. More important than my other friends and associates. Even more important than my mother. So maybe I neglected things and others. But I made a conscious decision that I could do only so much. I'd give attention to others. But not at the cost of robbing Jeanne to pay -- well, whatever. Sometimes, I suspect there's only so much love to go around. I tend to want to focus on one other. Because that's all I can handle. And maybe I do it for selfish reason. I find that approach most personally satisfying. When I'm in love, I'm in love. I try to make it fully and completely. Could be that isn't right. I'm of the notion that god wants us to love everyone. Fully and completely. I have to confess that I haven't mastered that feat yet. I have to take it one being at a time. But that gives me a good feeling. Like I've cleared the first hurdle. --Jim Broede

Comprehending love.

I think I know how to comfort people. Really. Some ladies that read my blog don't think I do. They think I'm rather callous. Fact of the matter is, I reach some. Not others. Maybe because we don't speak the same language. I tend to tell people to quit feeling sorry for themselves. Yes, some ladies tell me that's not the right way. That it's cruel. Well, I think it's kind. And compassionate. Sometimes, the best course is to get over it. To get on with life. To renounce unhappiness. And to find happiness. To learn to live. Truly live. Rather than wallow in self pity. Oh, an occasional pity party is all right. But not one after another after another after another. Endlessly. Maybe it's a gender thing. Because I'm a man. Not a woman. And I often circulate in domains dominated by women. I like women. More than men. A woman is my conduit to the spiritual. To god. My entry way to Paradise. I think I understand why god created woman. So man could better comprehend love. The thing that makes Creation go round. --Jim Broede

I'd swear it's real.

It's unfortunate when people lack love in their lives. That can be the source of much unhappiness and misery. I'm very much a loner. But I've had love most of my life. A very long-lasting marriage. And after Jeanne died, I thought that would be it. But hey, the world is full of surprises. I'm in love again. Probably, that more than anything, makes me a happy camper. Things can go wrong in my life. But as long as I'm in love -- well, that brings everything into balance once again. I have a theory. That the majority of unhappy people in this world don't have love. They're the chronic gripers. Including some of the ladies that take me to task for being too happy. For not living in the real world. They accuse me...right here in this blog...of living in fantasyland. Well, being in love does feel fantastic. That I'll admit. Actually, it feels like Paradise. It feels so real that I'd swear it's real. --Jim Broede

I can worship a female god.

By the way, folks, I think of god more as a woman than as a man. Actually, my conduit to god is a woman. I think it's easier for man to speak to god through a woman. Maybe that's another reason I shun organized religion. It's all male-dominated. Women are put in submissive roles. That ain't fair. That ain't right. I think women are far more holy and divine than men. I can worship a female god far more easily than a male god. --Jim Broede

Today, I am quite happy.

I suspect that some of you anonymous ladies who gripe to and about me (with negative comments) must be living rather unhappy lives. Otherwise, you'd simply ignore me and get on with happy lives. Here's my theory. You ladies are deeply unhappy and you begrudge my happiness. You think I don't deserve it. Or that it's fake or insincere. Something less than real. And that what I'm trying to do is make you even more unhappy. By showing the contrast. Like dark seems darker when it's contrasted to light. So, even if my happiness were fake, it makes no earthly sense to take issue with me. Unless, of course, you are basically unhappy people who want me to admit that I'm like you. But I ain't, thank gawd. I am truly happy. I'm the eternal optimist. Believe it or not. Of course, if I think too far ahead, I'd also have to admit that all could change for the worst. That would make me a pessimist, and bring me closer to your realm of unhappiness. Therefore, I try to live in the moment. Today. And today, I am quite happy. --Jim Broede

With renewed hopes...

I kind of like the extreme weather. The extreme cold. Because eventually I appreciate even a little bit of warmth. When it's 20 degrees above zero instead of 20 below. Amazing how one adjusts. Anyway, I know how to dress when I go outdoors. If one dresses properly for cold, it doesn't seem so cold. Actually, it's downright comfortable. I dislike the indoor warmth more than I dislike the outdoor cold. The indoor heat is so very dry. Lots of static electricity. And one's nose can become painfuilly dry. Oh, well. I'll survive. I know that from experience. Anyway, here in Minnesota we're supposed to have a thaw by the beginning of next week. A temperature flirting with 30 degrees. And hey, the Chicago Cubs open spring training in about a month. Another baseball season in the offing. With renewed hopes for a World Series in Chicago. --Jim Broede

Zanardi sets the example.

Alex Zanardi. I had never heard of the guy. Until today. He's an Italian. A race car driver. He lost both of his legs in a racing accident a few years ago. An Italian friend introduced me to him. On YouTube. Saw him on David Letterman. And several other video interviews. Zanardi is an eternal optimist. An inspiration. A guy who doesn't stop to feel sorry for himself. He's just happy to be alive. Just so he can enjoy life. With his son. With his wife. With his handicap. I see so many people who feel sorry for themselves. On the verge of nervous breakdowns. Because, for example, they are care-givers for their parents or their spouses. Well, I wish they'd go to YouTube. Call up the name Alex Zanardi. And then think about life. And how wonderful it is. Despite the pitfalls. Yes, Zanardi sets the example for all of us. --Jim Broede

It's been wonderful.

I wonder if millions of years ago there was human life on Mars. Big cities. And things went awry. And, of course, there's no visible trace of what once existed. The atmosphere has long since disappeared. Everything. Even all the rivers. All the oceans. When conditions were ripe for life on Mars, Earth was uninhabitable. But it all changed with time. And some day, Earth will look much like the Mars of today. No trace of what once was. Or maybe here on Earth, we are already on our 2nd or 3rd go-around of life. Each civilization wrecked what it had. And nature eventually restored life. I think that anything we can imagine is possible. Life. Consciousness. Awareness. The sense of love and wonder. It's all extraordinary. Just this very moment in time. And our place in it. Wow! If this moment is all I have -- it's been wonderful. --Jim Broede

Beyond a doubt.

A lady wrote to me. Called me a liar. Because I said I can walk on water. Well, I can. I ain't no liar. I can, if I believe I can. That's all it takes. Believing. This guy Jesus says that's all it takes. Belief. And I believe Jesus. That doesn't mean that I'm gonna demonstrate. Because I have to believe beyond an iota of doubt. Even Jesus' closest disciples couldn't muster that unquestioning, total faith. But I'm convinced beyond a doubt that I could walk on water -- if only I muster the faith that Jesus said is necessary. Jesus was an honest man. Totally honest. Not the least bit a liar. If he said it can be done by we mere mortals -- well, then it has to be true. I can do it. And so can you and everyone. As long as we truly believe it. Beyond a doubt. --Jim Broede

Use it well.

We were all born to die. It's the ultimate act of living. To learn how to die. That's what gives life meaning. To accomplish something while we live. We have only a limited amount of time. Use it well. --Jim Broede

This may sound stupid & looney.

I'd like to declare that I am stupid. And I've always been fully aware that I am stupid. And that puts me a notch above the very stupid people. Because they don't even know they are stupid. That's the worst kind of stupid. Because if one doesn't know it, it's difficult to learn. One just remains in a state of utter stupidity. Because I know I am stupid, I am able to become a bit less stupid. By learning what makes me stupid. And I occasionally become -- well, quite smart. On this or that. But still, in so very many ways, I remain stupid. I don't know what it is about stupidity. But it does make me feel good. Because I am so stupid I don't know any better than to feel good -- and stupid. --Jim Broede

...a way to clean up the mess.

As I see it, Barack Obama is a practical liberal. Sometimes mistaken for a centrist. His aim is to get to a very liberal position. On most, if not all issues. But a true liberal knows that he can't shove a liberal agenda down people's throats. It's gotta be done coyly. Persuasively. Over a period of time. A true liberal tries not to make the same stupid mistakes of a conservative. George Bush, for instance, is as stupid as they come. Brazen and stupid. He tries to foist his gawd-awful conservative agenda on everyone. Unilaterally. He'll even start a war just for the hell of it. With lies. With deceit. With blatantly false intelligence information. Yes, a conservative likes to be the decider. Doesn't matter if the conservatives are in the minority. Actually, the first time around, Bush didn't even have a majority of the popular vote. But that didn't stop him from saying he had a mandate and a ton of political capital to spend. Anyway, little wonder that eventually Americans woke up. And clearly understood that Bush was a disaster. The worst president we've ever had. Now, if Obama was the same sort of unbridled ideologue as Bush, only in a left-leaning way, he'd probably turn out to be as big an ass as Bush. And eventually sour people on his agenda. But Obama has a brain. And savvy. And a sense of decency and fairness. He'll try to bring the American nation to the left, ever so gradually. Bit by bit by bit. The best he can. In a practical way. Because most people don't like dramatic change. They don't like to go from one extreme to another. Bush was an extremist. He refused to listen to points of view different than his own. Bush also was a religious zealot during his tenure in office. He divided the world into good and evil. Black and white. And he saw himself as champion of the good. And he even repeatedly identified the 'evil' nations. That's why he started a preemptive war. To take down an evil despot. And to this day, Bush doesn't think he has an evil bone in his body. He doesn't seem to have any regrets. He's convinced that history will judge him as a good president. One of the best. Yes, this guy is a believer. That he was picked by god to be the savior of America. Well, I'm not so sure about that. I'm just hoping that a practical liberal can find a way to clean up the mess. --Jim Broede

Wonderful. Wonderful. Wonderful.

Dementia patients often have the ability to imagine things. Good things. Bad things. So, it can be a plus, or a detriment. Try to channel the imagination into good and pleasant thoughts. For instance, imagining that someone's loved one still lives. That can be good. Very pleasant. We care-givers can do much to channel pleasant thoughts by exuding good vibes. I see it work. And it's very gratifying. Even we care-givers can use our imaginations to benefit. We can imagine ways to relax. And to imagine very pleasant and soothing situations. The mind is a very powerful tool. People can lower their blood pressure, just by biofeedback. Learning relaxation techniques. Mind over matter. Pretend you have a cat on your lap. And pretend petting that cat. Pretend hearing the cat purr. You don't even need a real cat. An imaginary cat will do. Maybe some dementia patients are way ahead of us in the use of their imaginations. Oh, so many ways to sooth. Comb someone's hair. Talk soothingly. Slowly. In a whisper. Play peaceful music. An adagio. Close your eyes. Imagine a beautiful sunset. Love, you know, is really a state of mind. It comes from within. It is cultivated to some degree with the imagination. I've seen some wonderful imaginations at work at nursing homes. With patient after patient. Indeed, it can be very rewarding. If properly channeled. I've entered imaginary worlds with some patients. Wonderful. Wonderful. Wonderful. --Jim Broede

A story behind everyone.

Late in my career as a writer for newspapers, I learned to like writing obituaries. Didn't have to do it very often. But when I did, I'd try to glorify or glamorize the guy or gal. I'd like to take people who have been perceived as ordinary and make them extraordinary. In one way or another. And usually, I could do it by interviewing a close friend or a loved one. I'd ask, what do you remember the most about him/her? And I'd take off from there. Often, it was a poignant remembrance. Sometimes, it got humorous. Downright funny. Which is all right. Helps the grieving process. Anyway, our local weekly newspaper doesn't do much with obituaries. Just a few bare facts. Other then when someone quite prominent in the community dies. I think the paper should have a full-time obituary writer. And everyone should get a glamorized final send-off. Yes, the way I'd do it. Because there isn't anyone who's plain ordinary, really. There's an interesting story behind everyone. No exceptions. --Jim Broede

The rest of us are going to hell.

As I see it, a conservative is cocksure. Has absolutely no doubt. A liberal, meanwhile, admits that he could be wrong. Allows for some doubt. That's one reason why I'm a liberal. I'll admit that I could be wrong. That generally leaves room for negotiation. Because a liberal keeps an open mind. He'll listen. My position on issues will change. As I learn more. I don't know it all. Albeit, I may sound like I do on occasion. But I'll be the first to concede that I make mistakes. And when I'm wrong, I try to correct the error of my way. I suspect it's a lot easier living with a liberal than with a conservative. George Bush is a conservative. He never admits that he's wrong. He's bull-headed. He can start an ungawdly war. And see thousands of people killed and mutilated and crippled. Including many women and children. Civilians. Yet, I don't think Bush has any difficulty sleeping. Because he's convinced that he did the right thing. A liberal would be in anguish if he did everything Bush did. But Bush can live with himself because he's a conservative Christian. He's done the Lord's bidding. In good conscience. His motives were pure. Christian. George Bush was on the side of good. He'll be saved. Because he's a Christian. The rest of us, liberals such as me, are going to hell. --Jim Broede

The fat cats will stay fat.

Allowing the rich to get richer. Seems to me that's the underlying factor that ruined our economy. We need a better distribution of the wealth. The longtime assumption of the Bushies and the Republicans was that money would trickle down from the wealthy and land in the pockets of the poor and middle classes sooner or later. Well, it's sure not gonna be sooner. And maybe the word 'never' should be substituted for later. When the banks and Wall Street were about to go kaput, the idea was to bail 'em out. With the naive assumption that the billions going into bank coffers would then be used to provide ordinary Americans with loans that enliven the economy. Well, it turns out that the banks are playing it safe. They ain't gonna loan anybody anything. They'll just hang on to the bailout money. And maybe give themselves salary increases. Well, that doesn't surprise me. That's the way the capitalist system works. The money lenders will keep what they get from the government -- and to hell with the economy. The fat cats will stay fat. --Jim Broede

I like all things Italian.

I've been corrupted. Albeit pleasantly. By a dear Italian friend. She's introduced me to espresso. Yes, coffee that I have long, long shunned. But hey, I'm open to new things, new tastes. Even at my ripe age. And I like it. Used to be that I rarely drank coffee of any kind. Only in a social way. After dining at a nice restaurant. But now I have espresso. Fairly often. I even have my own 2-cup espresso maker. Which I brought back with me from Italy. Espresso is served in tiny cups. And my friend often drinks her espresso in one swig, one gulp. Sort of like a drunk would do with a shot of whiskey. I'm still not up to the rapid pace of a seasoned espresso drinker. I sip away. Slowly. Gently. Savoring every drop. But give me time. Some day, I may be mistaken for an Italian. I'm really well on my way. I like all things Italian. --Jim Broede

My encounter with Elvis.

It's Elvis' birthday. Today (the 8th) . I feel sort of a kinship with Elvis. We were born in the same year. 1935. Wow! That's beginning to feel like ancient times. Anyway, Elvis and I crossed paths. When we were young. And in the Army. In Germany. Both of us were in the 3rd Armored Division. Elvis was in what we called a line outfit outside of Frankfurt. He was a real soldier. A model soldier. I was more a pretend soldier. At division headquarters. In the public information office. We handled all press inquiries about Elvis. Lots of 'em. Elvis was still an unspoiled guy. Unaffected by drugs. And by his celebrity status. Elvis was to become very, very famous. Maybe that was what did him in. That was a lot of pressure. A lot of stress. Back in 1959 and 1960, Elvis still had the easy life. A soldier in Germany. Maybe he would have been happier if he had settled down with a little fraulein and lived out his life quietly in Germany. He might still be living today. --Jim Broede

Keeping sane in a crazy world.

Sure, I can be a smart aleck. I certainly like to play the role. I can be lots of things. I like to be funny. Sometimes in an obnoxious way. I'm aware of what I'm doing. Sometimes, I do it just to annoy people. Other times, to make light of situations that shouldn't be taken so seriously. I'm not necessarily being a smart aleck to be cruel. I just want to let people know that I'm not gonna be forced to be serious. I'm exercising my freedom. To be lighthearted. I might even laugh at a funeral. Because I'll remember the deceased for being funny. Anyway, I don't like to mourn. I'd rather rejoice and celebrate at a funeral. Sure beats crying and lamenting. Occasionally, people post comments here. With the utmost of seriousness. So serious it makes me laugh. I try to get them to look at themselves. To see how funny they are. I think it's an art. To be able to laugh at one's self. I do it all the time. It keeps me sane in a crazy world. --Jim Broede

The kingdom within. I believe it.

When I was a young man, I didn't look forward to old age. Like being 73. Thought I'd like to stay young forever. But I'm pleasantly surprised. Being 73 isn't all that bad. Of course, if I were dreadfully ill, it would be another matter. But if I could lock in at where I am at now, I'd make do. I'm not as physically agile as I was in my younger days. But hey, I manage quite well. And meanwhile, I'm benefiting from life's experience. I know more about the art of love than I used to. And I'm still learning. I may be stupid, relatively speaking. But I'm getting smarter all the time. Mostly, it's a matter of getting my priorities straight. And knowing who I am. Yes, a romantic idealist, a free-thinker, a liberal and a lover. Not necessarily in that order. I shuffle the deck, so to speak. Depending on how I feel on a given day. When I was young, I lived far too much in the future. Always looking forward to tomorrow's or next week's or next year's pleasure. Now I grasp the pleasure of the moment. Today. Another thing. I've developed a thick skin. I seldom get upset. I can take criticism. Because I don't always take it too seriously. Often, I counter it with humor. With laughter. Over the years, I've cultivated self-confidence. And the ability to pursue love. Also, I've recognized that many things in life are beyond my control. Therefore, I have learned acceptance. And I try to make the best out of bad situations. Yes, a positive attitude makes a big difference. I've also become more expressive, and more opinionated. I like to speak my mind. Gives me a sense of being free. Sure, I may offend and alienate some folks. But I do it with good intentions. I'm trying to toughen 'em up. Get them to be more open-minded. More accepting of diverse points of view. Anyway, I may seem a little too self-absorbed. But that's because I'm looking for heaven. For paradise. And I'm told that the kingdom is within...and I believe it. --Jim Broede

A big price to pay.

I've been close to politicians most of my life. Especially local politicians. I wrote about them. And I've always wondered what motivates them. I think, in large part, it's ego. And the power that sometimes goes with elected office. And I even joined them once. Ran for the school board. And got elected. Served 3 years. That was long enough to sour me on politics. Too much game-playing. But still there's something that fascinates me about politics and politicians. And especially why people actually make a career of politics. On the local level, it's not so much a career. It's more a pastime. A hobby. A secondary activity. But the higher one goes up the political ladder, the more it becomes a career. A full-time job. In fact, I suspect that politicians in national office do it at the sacrifice of all other activities in their lives. And maybe we should be honored and grateful that they dedicate their lives to public service. But I'm leery of the career politician. The ones I know have gigantic egos. They love power. And love being a celebrity. Love the adoration. The thrill of it. But seems to me that the ones that win often are manipulators. They know how to play the game. To do double-speak. They are shrewd. The so-called best of 'em have a keen sense of what it takes to get elected. And some of 'em might sell their souls. That's a big price to pay to get ahead. --Jim Broede

Give the shrewd governor credit.

Give this guy Rod Blagojevich credit. He's the shrewd governor of Illinois. Accused of trying to auction off a vacancy in the U.S. Senate to the highest bidder. That allegation based on his tape-recorded phone conversations. Such a brouhaha. The Illinois state legislature is trying to impeach Blagojevich. And the majority leader in the U.S. Senate initially said he won't accept any appointee by Blagojevich. Because the governor's choice would be tainted by implication. But Blagojevich appointed Roland Burris, a former Illinois state attorney general. And Burris appears to be squeaky clean and as uncorruptible as they come. A good appointment. And the U.S. Senate seems backed in a corner and more or less obligated to accept Burris. And it'll give Blagojevich an argument that he always intended to do the right thing -- if and when he goes on trial for bribery and corruption charges. --Jim Broede

The loss wouldn't upset me.

More evidence that money doesn't buy happiness. German billionaire Adolph Merckle, 74, committed suicide Monday. He jumped in front of a train. Family members said that Merckle became despondent over the world economic crisis, and the fact that he dropped from the 44th richest man in the world in 2007, to a mere 94th richest. His worth declined from $12.8 billion to $9.2 billion. Imagine that. The loss wouldn't upset me. Certainly not to the extent of taking my life. I could still make do with a bit less than what Merckle had left. --Jim Broede

She tells me, keep on loving.

It'll be 2 years on the 18th that the bottom dropped out of my world. Or so I thought at the time. Jeanne died. For a few days, I didn't even know if I wanted to live. Yes, occasionally something devastating happens in one's life. Often, it's a death. Of a loved one. But really, there's always a bottom. One lands somewhere. It's not an abyss. Not a bottomless pit. That's the nice thing about life. It ain't all bad. So to survive one must cling to whatever one can. So many reasons and opportunities to get on with life. Life is supposed to be lived. And if one is constantly lamenting and feeling sorry for one's self -- well, that ain't living. I much prefer life over death. Give me a choice, and it's a no-brainer. I love life. Really do. Because there's an opportunity to love. Someone. Something. That's why I was born. Why I was put on Mother Earth. So I might as well get on with it. Rather than wasting my time. I am blessed. For every year of life that I'm granted. I sure wish Jeanne were still around. She is. In spirit. But not in this physical realm. But she can still talk to me. And she tells me, keep on loving. --Jim Broede

...strange things, strange reasons.

I like to be psychoanalytical. Of others. And of myself. I think that helps me understand people. And myself. And the world, in general. Some people don't like it when I try to get inside their heads. To see what it is that motivates them. But I find it intriguing. As for myself, I'm not afraid to probe. My own motivations. Helps me understand who I am. Can't be sure. But I have a good idea. I'm always discovering something new. I wish I could live to be 1,000, at least. Not to just learn more about me. But about others. And about the human psyche. Anyway, that's a little bit of what my blog is all about. Psychoanalysis. Meandering of the mind. Impressions. I find that my broodings tend to alienate some people. Evidenced by some of their comments. But some of 'em keep coming back. Even if I insult them. Sort of like they're hooked. Curious, maybe. They can't just say this guy isn't worth reading. Maybe it's that they are trying to psychoanalyze me. Which is all right. After all, I'm doing the same to them. I like some of my critics. The ones who try to be serious. When really, they are very funny. They bring humor to this blog. Without knowing it. Some of 'em have trailed me from the Alzheimer's message boards. Not because they like what I have to say. But largely because they don't like it. I guess that's the attraction. People are funny in that regard. People do strange things for strange reasons. --Jim Broede

I cultivate my love.

I ask myself the question, why do I get nervous? I suspect it happens when I'm trying to control the outcome. Of events. Happenings. In the hope that it will put me at ease. Make me comfortable. Like the outcome of a ball game, for instance. I'm trying to create a perfect and harmonious environment. Free of stress. Full of pleasure. And peace of mind. But invariably, things don't turn out exactly the way I want 'em to. Things start to go awry. And so I feel discomfort. Yes, nervousness. So, how do I combat the uneasiness? Well, I recognize that there are outcomes over which I have no control. So, I have to tell myself just that. I am not god. I cannot make everything flow just the way I want it to flow. Oh, I can still affect many things. Many outcomes. But so many that I can't, no matter how hard I try. Simply wishing isn't enough. So, I control what I can control. Mainly, my attitude. One of acceptance. One of living one day at a time. And trying to make the best of it. For instance, every day I wake up, and my first thought is that I'm in love. That gets me off to a rousing start. I forget to be nervous. Maybe because I really have nothing to be nervous about. So, I don't waste my time worrying. About things that might not go right. Instead, I cultivate my love. --Jim Broede

...a thin line.

It's looking more and more like the next U.S. senator from Minnesota will be a comedian. An exhaustive recount of 3 million votes shows Democrat Al Franken to be the winner over Republican incumbent Norm Coleman. By 225 votes. Yes, that's how close it was. Of course, Coleman most likely will challenge the outcome in court, and the final outcome may not be known for weeks or months. But at this stage I'd rather be Franken than Coleman. And I'm happy. Because Franken is the liberal. And he's funny. A much better sense of humor than Coleman. And Franken knows how to poke fun at conservatives. And at himself, too. Some conservatives think his humor is too raucous. He does parody. And he writes books, too. All funny. Anyway, if truth be told, some of the greatest comedy acts have come out of Washington. Right on the Senate floor. And over in the House of Representatives, too. And in the White House, particularly over the past 8 years. Some people would say the antics of some of our politicians are more sad than funny. True. But really, there's a thin line between comedy and tragedy. --Jim Broede

Putting up with the situation.

I've discovered I have no time to be unhappy. Because I am so very busy being happy. Guess I'll just have to put up with the situation. --Jim Broede

We make each other better.

Some days I feel superior. And I make no apologies for that. It's a nice feeling. To feel on top of the world. Able to accomplish almost anything. I'm confident. And in love. And so I let myself go. Maybe that makes me sound egotistical. But so be it. After all, I am superior. Not necessarily better than anyone else. Because we're all unique beings. No two exactly alike. But on superior days, I have a sense of being myself. Being me. Being I. Being Jim. That turns some people off. They suggest that I come across as better than everyone else. But they're wrong. Oh, I don't want to be like others. I just want to be me. Others can be themselves. I really don't want them to be me, or like me. I'm in love with someone. A woman that is unlike me in many, many ways. She's superior to me in all sorts of ways. And I'm superior to her, too, in other ways. But together, we make a good match. A good blend. A good balance. We make each other better. --Jim Broede

Far more than they imagine.

As for those who live hand to mouth, I think of many of them as superior beings. I envy them. Because they have got it right. They know how to live day to day. They don't require the material luxuries. They often have an inner faith. They are the really true religious ones. They have a richness of spirit. Ironically, when I praise them, they often think they are being castigated. Looked down upon. And I am looking at them from below. I am looking up. I respect them far more than they ever imagined. --Jim Broede

Isn't that a nice thought?

We need a Nelson Mandela in the Middle East. Yes, the Mandela mentality. A forgiving nature. The attitude of leaving bygones be bygones. A coming together. To live in reasonable peace and harmony. If that doesn't happen, we end up with mutual annihilation. Killing. Killing. Killing. Wars. Wars. Wars. Retribution. Retribution. Retribution. From time to time, I hear of individual Palestinians and Israelis becoming friends. Respecting each other. Able to live and work side by side. Able to love instead of hate. If a few can do it, why can't the many? If I'm able to love my so-called enemy, then maybe I will no longer have enemies. Isn't that a nice thought? --Jim Broede

We've learned our lesson.

For a long, long time our national shame was slavery and the denial of basic human and civil rights to people of color. Finally, we are making big strides, big amends. Correcting the wrongs of the past. Even electing a black president. Something that not very long ago seemed impossible. We Americans have tended to turn a blind eye to some of our most grievous wrongs. Like the way we privileged whites have been racists for almost all of our long history. Thank heavens for the new and upcoming young generation. They played a big role in getting Barack Obama elected. And that will rid us finally of our greatest shame of the 21st century. The shame of electing George Bush to two terms as president. Indeed, the most gawd-awful president we ever had. Despicible. A disgrace. It may take decades to correct all the wrongs wrought by the Bush administration and his Republican cohorts. But hey, I'm getting comfort and solace from all this. Bush was so bad that he made us see the light. Yes, I'm expecting something good to spring from the mess that Bush has left. We've learned our lesson. Never again will we allow it to happen. --Jim Broede

...over not much of anything.

I know there are lots of bad things that happen in the world. Daily. Reasons to lament. To fret. Reasons to complain. But still, I am happy. Because I have a choice. To focus on what's going right around me. For one thing, I'm in love. I'm in good health. I'm not destitute. And I keep telling myself that I can't do much to change the world. But I can control my attitude. I can think positively. Or negatively. And I can take life one day at a time. Which gives me opportunity to have a good day. Oh, there's an occasional bad day. Not so many recently. But I've been able to overcome bad days. Often, they aren't as bad as I imagined. I find it's relatively easy controlling the immediate moment. Or today. But if I try to get too far ahead of myself, there's a danger of fear creeping in. That something may go wrong. That's an affliction called worrying. Fretting. Really, over not much of anything. --Jim Broede

Where love prevails. Everywhere.

I'm feeling sorry for lots of people these days. Especially for Alzheimer care-givers. So many of 'em. I peek in almost daily on the Alzheimer's message boards. And so many care-givers are in bad shape. Mentally. Emotionally. Physically. Some are having nervous breakdowns. Really, they need to become patients. And turn themselves over to care-givers. Yet, they try to be stoic care-givers. As if they have no choice. Because there's nobody else to take over. Yes, that's sad. For the beleaguered care-givers. And for the sick patients. If I had a magic wand, I'd fix the problem. Immediately. Unfortunately, so many, many of these situations remain unfixed. All over the world, people are in need of help. They can barely exist from day to day. Many won't survive. That's the nature of life. Some survive. Some make it. Others don't. Kind of depressing, isn't it? I wish that as a society we were more atuned to the common good. So that more would survive. I'm among the fortunate. A survivor. A thriver. I have opportunity to savor the good, sweet life. Savor being in love. Some days, I ask myself, what more could I want of life? And I tell myself, a perfect world. Where there's no suffering. Where love prevails. Everywhere. --Jim Broede

...a little more leeway.

I do feel a little bit sorry for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. In that he already seems to be convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud and bribery. Convicted in the media, that is. With all the publicity, it's gonna be difficult for the governor to get a fair trial. However, Blagojevich remains optimistic. On the surface, at least. Says he's innocent. And hey, the presumption should be that he is. But virtually everybody assumes he's guilty as hell. Because of what they've read or heard on TV and radio. We're a publicity saturated nation. The pundits and alleged journalists have field days long before these cases go to court. I'm not sure it should be that way. The accused deserve a little more leeway. That's better than convicting them even before they step into court. --Jim Broede

So many, many competing gods.

Tell you what I dislike most about George Bush. His religous fervor. Maybe a more accurate word is ferocity. He practices his religion in black and white terms. Right and wrong. Good and evil. He divides the world into good guys and bad guys. And Bush considers himself one of the good guys. A well-principled guy. A man of god. In so many ways, he's similar to Osama bin Laden. It's all right to kill one's enemies. Rather than love one's foes. And even to kill innocent people in the process. My guess is that Bush's decisions as a powerbroker have resulted in the deaths of more people than even the killings perpetrated by bin Laden. Thing is both men probably have clear consciences. Because they perceive themselves as combatants against evil. And they both believe in preemptive wars. And they don't hesitate to act in the name of their gods. Neither man will admit that maybe he's wrong. It gets back to religious ferocity. Look back over history. So much of the atrocity comes in the name of religion. So many, many gods. Competing gods. --Jim Broede