...in this crazy world.

I sort of miss the Cold War. The constant bickering between the Communists and we holier-than-thou Americans. Gave life some vigor. Some tension. And pizazz. But then the Soviet Union collapsed. For a few years, it seemed like we'd have to learn to live in a dull and quiet world. But lo and behold, we don't have to worry about that any more. The Republicans and Democrats are at each other's throats. Like it's another Cold War. Plenty of hate on both sides. Despite the fact that we are all Americans. It's so nice to feud. To be mean to each other. To even express downright hate for each other day after day after day. The Republicans especially want it that way. Even to the point of calling Barack Obama a socialist and a communist out to destroy our beloved nation. That's more like it. Used to be that Republicans only hated Communists. Now they even hate our duly-elected president. Can't decide whether this is a sad state of affairs or another welcome and entertaining diversion in this crazy world. --Jim Broede

We end up with crap-filled minds.

Virtually everything we read and see in the media is slanted. Biased. Condensed. Capsulized. And we even know exactly where to go to get the particular bias that we want. For instance, if you are a member of the lunatic fringe of the Republican Party you go to Fox News. And link to your fellow idiots. On the other hand, liberals like me go to MSNBC or the Huffington Post or the New York Times. Because my fellow geniuses tell it the way I like to hear it. They feed my bias. Years ago, before the Internet, our choices were more limited. And the main news organizations tried to be more objective, more fair, more balanced. But we've lost our objectivity. And instead of educating us, the media chooses to entertain us. With crap. So little wonder that we end up with exactly what we deserve. Crap-filled minds. --Jim Broede

My heroes have nothing to lose.

To listen to Republicans, the Democrats' health care plan is a “Bolshevik plot” and Barack Obama is “doing all kinds of crazy stuff that’s going to destroy America.” Of course, that's ridiculous. But then, there's no denying that Republicans are very ridiculous. To put it another way, they don't know what they're talking about. But they know what they are doing. Being obstructionists. Opposing Democrats and Obama every step of the way. Blocking change. Blocking progress. Blocking meaningful dialogue. Apparently, Americans are frustrated by it all. And they are beginning to blame virtually every politician in sight. Or at least any politician now holding elected office. That's why incumbents are being defeated. Doesn't matter whether they are Republican or Democrat. In the eyes of the public, they are all looking like losers. But the sad fact is that even the newcomers to public office look like losers. Just as bad as the people they replace. Two weeks ago, I proposed that we elect people who have no desire to hold public office. They are more likely to do the right thing. Because they have no wish to be re-elected. So they have nothing to lose. That makes them winners in my mind. --Jim Broede

Let's all pitch in.

I think we all should bail out our nation. Each and everyone of us. Let's all do a little bit extra for the next year or two or three. To right the ship, so to speak. By agreeing to pay more taxes. By volunteering to do something for the common good. Some kind of public service. Let's pretend we are at war. In terms of raising money and pitching in. Of course, it's not a war. But it's a battle for survival of our nation. To make it a stronger nation. To me, this is more patriotic than going to war. In fact, it might be nice to take the bulk of our defense budget, and put it to use fixing our infrastructure and putting people back to work. I'd even like to see big corporations create jobs by siphoning off their profits. To actually go a year or two without paying dividends. Instead, plowing that money into doing something decent for America. And the banks could pitch in, too. By helping people and small business with low-interest loans. Yes, let's help each other out of this mess. --Jim Broede

An occasional breakthrough.

Barack Obama walked into the lion's den yesterday. Into a roomful of Republican members of Congress. And I thought he handled himself quite well. Everything was relatively civil. Which is unusual in American politics. We need more of it. A genuine dialogue between the two parties. Unfortunately, politicians have lost touch with each other. There's fault on both sides of the aisle. Instead of listening to each other, there's been endless bombast. But this time, there were 82 captivating minutes. And it was televised. Live. The nice thing is that Obama knows no fear. He's got a gifted mind. An amazing intellect. But he's caught up in a political system in which sound bites prevail. Politicians really don't talk to each other. But hey, there's an occasional breakthorugh. That's encouraging. Here's how the New York Times reported the rare event. --Jim Broede

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/30/us/politics/30obama.html?th&emc=th

I've discovered real live people.

Really, what I have here is an open journal. I allow myself to talk about anything. To brood. Have you noticed the title of my blog? I often sit down and write. Without knowing what I'm gonna write. I just let it flow. Sometimes, in serious ways. Other times, in nonsensical ways. Just depends upon my mood. I can be nice. And not so nice. Just like the rest of you. Anyway, I'm just feeling my way. Always learning. New ways to express myself. In some ways, I feel as if I'm on stage. Standing before an audience. And I'm not afraid. I can handle myself. Conduct a monologue. Used to be that would have petrified me. But not any more. I just wing it. And when I'm out and about, I don't hesitate to talk to strangers. No sense in being shy. Often, it results in an enlightening conversation. Yes, I like to peek in. To determine if someone is really alive. I have discovered some robots in human bodies. But then again, there are some real live people out there. --Jim Broede

An intelligent conservative.

The American political system is sick. Very sick. And there's at least one conservative-leaning columnist that recognizes it. David Brooks of the New York Times. I like Brooks. Because he's an intelligent man. Yes, even some conservatives have a functioning brain. I'm not sure if Brooks would call himself a Republican. If so, he'd be a moderate one. With an open mind. In fact, Brooks speaks favorably of Barack Obama. And he thinks Obama has the potential to bring about significant change in Washington. Here's what Brooks had to say in a column published Thursday. --Jim Broede

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/29/opinion/29brooks.html

I'm falling in love. With Macbeth.

I'm gonna do Shakespeare one better. By rewriting Macbeth. And giving the play a happy ending. Instead of playing politics and coveting power, Macbeth could have had a happy life. Just by falling in love with his wife, Lady Macbeth. And living happily ever after. In splendor in the Scottish countryside. But no, no. Macbeth craved power. Wanted to be king. Maybe he had some slight qualms of conscience. But Lady Macbeth would have nothing of it. She chided her husband for not being ruthless enough. It was the manly thing for him to be ruthless. Like a modern-day, crazed Republican. The last thing she wanted him to be was another Barack Obama. A rare politician that tried to be fair to everyone. But Macbeth got caught up in his lust for power. That was his fatal flaw. Ruthless to the core. Sad. Sad. Sad. It didn't have to be. He could have chosen love. And his fate would have been much better. Anyway, I've been wrapped up in Macbeth. My girlfriend has me reading and contemplating and appreciating the genius of Shakespeare. I even attended a seminar at the local seminary today. The subject was "Power & Evil. Using Shakespeare and Scripture." The focus was on Macbeth. And in February, I'm going to a theatrical production of Macbeth. Meanwhile, I'm falling in love. With Shakespeare. With Macbeth. And the scene. The setting. The Scottish highlands. Which I visted last spring. It's all coming together. --Jim Broede

A fan of chicken noodle soup.

If Republicans want to filibuster health care reform, I say let 'em filibuster. Until the cows come home. Let them make fools of themselves. By talking forever. Make them go through the full and complete procedure of getting up on the podium in the U.S. Senate to yap until their voices become hoarse. Let them take a lunch break in the cafeteria when they are dog-tired. Might be that a senator or two allows his face to flop down into the soup. And we could read about how they drowned in bowl of chicken noodle soup. If that happens, I'll be a lifetime devotee of soup. --Jim Broede

Socialism may yet save us.

Let's give credit where credit is due, folks. Social security and Medicare are two fine examples of socialist programs. And they are generally well-received by Americans. But many of these same Americans bad-mouth socialism. Because they've been brainwashed. To hate and despise the word 'socialism.' The point being, they haven't stopped to think that we're already a socialist country. In many ways. In fact, socialism is what may ultimately save us from exploitive capitalism. --Jim Broede

The rich would still be rich.

Maybe there's hope for this country yet. Oregon voters have approved by a wide margin new taxes on wealthy families and corporations. Imagine that. I hope it's the start of a trend. One that spreads across the USA. This is what I've been advocating. Soak the rich. They haven't ever paid their fair share. The decision of George Bush and his Republican cronies to cut the taxes of the rich have cost us dearly. Yes, a total $1 trillion, and counting. If we had applied that money instead to our spiraling budget deficit, we'd be in much better shape today. And the rich would still be rich. --Jim Broede

The power of love.

Seems to me that many people have a rather shallow notion of love. That it's pretty much a guy and a gal, or for that matter two of the same gender, falling in love with each other. And having good sex. No. No. No. It's much more than that. One can fall in love with life. With all sorts of things. With nature. With your pets. With books. With music. Yes, with 1,000 things. I was more in love with Jeanne after she had Alzheimer's and we had no more sex than I was before the whole sojourn began. Because I found new ways to love Jeanne. Genuinely. Completely. The usual kind of sex act didn't have to be factored in. Love can be expressed in so many ways. Oh, sex is nice. No doubt about it. But one foregoes sex when your partner is deep in the throes of Alzheimer's. Oh, I was still physical with Jeanne. In that I gave her massages and showers and kisses and caresses and combed her hair and whispered sweet nothings. And it wasn't necessary for Jeanne to return the kisses and caresses. I was merely trying to make Jeanne relaxed and comforted. Without expecting to get sexual arousal. I just wanted Jeanne to feel loved. Despite the Alzheimer's. I wanted Jeanne to feel a closeness. A bonding. I wanted Jeanne to feel that I wouldn't abandon her. I wanted Jeanne to feel safe and secure. And because I was getting across to Jeanne, I felt like a lover. I felt sustained. I really felt wonderful. That's the power of love. --Jim Broede

That's politics as usual.

The last thing we need in the USA is politics as usual. But believe me, that's what we will get. In America, we don't work together in a crisis anymore. We go our own separate ways. The Democrats their way. The Republicans their way. Moreorless in opposite directions. Pulling the nation apart rather than together. Congress sets the tone. Yes, we bad mouth each other from both sides of the aisle. Won't surprise me if when Barack Obama delivers his state of the union address tonight, a Republican gets up and hollers, "You lie." Last time it happened, the congressman was hailed by his Republican colleagues as a hero. Yes, rude conduct prevails. We've lost our manners. But that's politics as usual. --Jim Broede

We're becoming second-rate.

Odd as it may seem, the minority has become the majority in the U.S. Senate. Yes, the Republicans keep outmaneuvering the Democrats. Despite the fact that the Democrats have had up to a 60-40 majority. But if so much as one Democrat wavers on major legislation, the Republicans are able to block passage of virtually anything. By filibustering. Which requires a 60 percent majority to cut off debate and force a vote on the issue. In fact, 70 percent of major legislation in the Senate from 2007 through 2009 was filibustered. Yes, that's right, 70 percent. Used to be that the filibuster was rarely used. Back in 1960, only 8 percent of the time. But now with 41 senators, the Republicans block anything they please. The Senate has come to gridlock. Much of Barack Obama's legislative initiatives are blocked or watered down to the point of being unrecognizable. Used to be in our democracy, all it took was a simple majority to get laws through Congress. Now it takes a super majority. The filibuster is a dreadful rule. Adopted by the Senate. It's not in the Constitution. Only in the Senate rules. At this rate, we're going to have do-nothing Congresses forever and ever. Little wonder that we don't get our nation's problems solved. We're becoming a second-rate nation. Because we have second-rate politicians. And the filibuster. --Jim Broede

More crap. From both sides.

I'm looking forward to Barack Obama's state of the union address on Wednesday night. But I already know what the spin will be. Very upbeat by the president's staff. Supportive by Democrats. And unanimously gawd-awful by Republicans. That's the nature of our political system. Very predictable. We have a two-party system. And neither party cooperates with each other. There's bad blood. We don't believe in teamwork and fair play in America. We believe in nastiness. And that's one reason why we're in deep economic trouble in the U.S. If we had taken this approach during World War II, we'd have done Hitler a favor. The Nazis would have won. We're living in relatively bad times. But I suspect things will get much worse. Our politicians will see to it. They're highly partisan. And full of crap, too. So that's what we'll hear after Obama's speech. More crap. From both sides. I've said it before. And I'll say it again. Makes me want to puke. --Jim Broede

Obama will get better.

Here's the way I'm looking at it. Barack Obama is undergoing on-the-job training. Which means he's moreorless learning from scratch. No doubt about it, Obama has made his share of mistakes in the first year in the White House. That's to be expected. When George Bush went into his on-the-job training program he got worse and worse. At the end of 8 years in offfice, he was far worse than when he began. I'm expecting just the opposite from Obama. After all, he has a brain. He's intelligent. Savvy. Capable of learning. Unlike Bush. So if my calculation is correct, Obama will get better and better and better. --Jim Broede

My thing: Learning experiences.

Even if things go wrong on any given day, I always find other things that go right. So I have a choice. I can focus more on the wrongs or more on the rights. Ultimately, I try to correct the wrongs. But my focus at the end of the day is on the accumulative rights. Many times, it's a collection of the wrongs converted into rights. Actually, I've sort of learned to like doing wrong because it gives me the opportunity to fix it and do right. Almost better than doing right in the first place. Yes, I turn mistakes into learning experiences. That's my specialty. --Jim Broede

To savor & cherish a moment.

I enjoy a sporting event in a relaxed way when I'm not so emotionally involved. Maybe that's the best way. Because then I can analyze the event in a fairly objective way. I'm not firmly committed to one team or the other. But if I'm a diehard fan of a particular team, I'm subjective about it. I desperately want my team to win. And if my Chicago Cubs or Chicago Bears lose a tough game, I might be upset. Emotionally distraught. And I'll brood over missed opportunities. And raise all sorts of 'what ifs...' But there's also a plus if my team wins. Especially a championship game. Then there's a euphoria. Great pleasure. The opportunity to savor and cherish a moment for the rest of my life. --Jim Broede

If I were a greedy capitalist.

One thing I like about Barack Obama. He's well-intentioned. That's far more than one can say about most politicians, it seems to me. I think he's truly looking out for the middle class and poor people. In other words, he's for bringing relief to the 'have-nots.' Of course, that means the 'haves' tend to see Obama as an enemy. As a threat to their riches. Because he'd tap some of it to help the less privileged. The Robinhood syndrome. So little wonder that the Republicans -- the party of special interests and the wealthy -- have been bad-mouthing Obama since he took office. And I suppose if I were a greedy capitalist, I'd put Obama on my (s)hit list, too. But I'm a middle class socialist sympathizer. So, go to it, Obama. --Jim Broede

Idealists ain't practical enough.

Seems to me that Barack Obama is an idealist. Unusual for a politician. He has lofty concepts. Problem is, we aren't a nation of idealists. We're practical people that just want to get by. Ideals don't grab us. Don't feed us. Don't inspire us. Instead, we want the creature comforts of life. Money. And the security of a job. And some of us have it. And some of us don't. We're a nation of haves and have-nots. We seem to accept that. That the poor will always be with us. But Obama probably is a socialist at heart. He'd like a redistribution of wealth. To make the rich less rich. And the poor less poor. That's an ideal. But we ain't gonna get it. Because the rich want to stay rich. Want to keep what they have. And even get more. At the expense of the poor and downtrodden. And once you've got the money, you have the power. To get your way. And to hell with the idealists. They're ignorant. They ain't practical enough. --Jim Broede

Beats being bored.

Maybe life in the sports world is overdramatized. And athletes become overly revered. We focus on games. And teams. And individual achievements. Like it's real important that our favorite team wins the Super Bowl or the World Series. In a sense, it's a make-believe world. And we fans get a good feeling when events go our way. But in the end, it's only a game. Played for the purpose of entertainment. And isn't that what we want in life? To be entertained? Better than being well-informed. The political pundits entertain us rather than inform us. And we're told what we want to be told. Not necessarily the truth. Even when we go to school. We want a teacher that entertains us. That's the primary way that we learn. By being entertained. Otherwise, we'd be bored to death. --Jim Broede

It's a nice blend.

I started out as a sportswriter. And that's what I could have specialized in for the rest of my life. But I decided to make an abrupt turn. And give up sportswriting. For feature stories. For breaking news. For coverage of local politics. Yes, for general assignment writing. For newspapers. I liked the variety. It was my way of becoming involved in my local community. In life. I don't like to think of myself as a specialist. Rather, more as a jack-of-many-trades. Maybe that's a mistake. But I don't think so. I like to know a little bit about lots of things. But that also might mean I'm a master of none. Anyway, I've gravitated. Now I think of myself as a romantic idealist, a free-thinker, a liberal and a lover. And I'm happy with that. I think of it as a nice blend. --Jim Broede

Do you ever fret?

Hey folks, are you reasonably happy with your lives? Yes, not everything has gone the way you would have liked. Right? But things aren't too bad. You've got a good life going. But tell me, what would make you more happy? You don't have to answer that for me. But it's an interesting question, isn't it? I could pose the same question to myself. And I'm not sure how I'd answer it. Because I'm trying to be satisfied with what I've got. Satisfied in the sense that I'm reasonably happy. I enjoy living. From day to day. In large part because I have love in my life. Oh, I could say it'd be nice to be younger or to have more money or to be a better writer. But none of this is essential. I can still be quite happy without being younger and without more money and without more writing skills. By just savoring what I've got at the moment. And not wishing that I had more. Albeit, I intend to keep honing my writing skills. I'm happy enough that I don't sit down and fret about what I don't have. Anyway, what about you? Do you ever fret over what you don't have? --Jim Broede

Negating the intelligence factor.

Here's my latest theory. Anyone that runs for public office is either stupid or crazy. If one is intelligent and sane, one finds pursuits other than politics. This explains why the inmates are running the asylum in Washington. Some politicians are just plain stupid. Others are downright crazy. And some are both -- stupid and crazy. As for one of my favorite politicians, the esteemed Barack Obama, he's quite intelligent. But he's crazy to think that he can buck the system. I also surmise that most politicians are inherently evil. They have an innate desire to wreck society. To ignore the common good. And instead to work only for their self-gratification. Politicians, of course, are not to be trusted. And I sense that the electorate that go to the polls to vote, tend to detest intelligent politicians. Because the last thing they want is to be ruled by someone smarter than them. We prefer the dumbest of the dumb. But we never need to worry. If an intelligent politician accidentally makes it all the way into public office, at least we know he's crazy. And that negates the intelligence factor. --Jim Broede

More deserving & less obnoxious.

As a Minnesotan, I'm supposed to pull for the Minnesota Vikings to beat the New Orleans Saints today. But I can't. I feel no allegiance to the Vikings, despite living in Minnesota since 1965. I've been taught to dislike the Vikings. Because they are arch rivals of my blessed Chicago Bears. So, I'll be rooting for the Saints to win and go on to the Super Bowl. Anyway, Saints fans are more deserving and less obnoxious than Vikings fans. Many of them have endured Hurricane Katrina. And in Minnesota we only endure a snowy and frigid winter. No hurricanes. But an occasional tornado. --Jim Broede

Obama has lost his pizzaz.

Barack Obama was persuasive enough to get most of us to vote for him. But in terms of getting things done in Washinton, he's a failure. In part because of Republican obstructionism. But he also hasn't rallied his own Democratic Party enough. And most of all, he hasn't clearly enunciated to the nation exactly what needs to be done, and why. Sure, Obama inherited a mess. Created by Republicans. But Obama has allowed Republicans to foist the blame on him and the Democrats. Believe me, that's ironic. That's why Republicans won Ted Kennedy's old seat in the U.S. Senate last week. An election the Democrats should never have lost. But Obama and the Democrats are trying to live on their laurels and promises from 2008. But this is 2010. And people's memories are short. They hear the Republican sound bites. And they are effective. More so than Obama's talk. He's supposed to be the persuasive orator. Like he was on the campaign trail. But Obama has lost touch. He's too meek. Too mild. Too kind. Too courteous. He's left too much to a sharply divided and inept Congress. He's not giving us the leadership we thought we'd get when he was inaugurated a year ago. Yes, Obama has lost his pizazz. I hope to god that he finds it. Soon. For the sake of the country. --Jim Broede

Nice thing about dreams.

I'm dreaming. About three weeks this summer in Eastern Europe. Using Prague as my home base. And taking train trips to Budapest, Cracow, Berlin and Vienna. And maybe flying to St. Petersburg. Nice thing about dreams. I often make them come true. --Jim Broede

Finding something to savor.

I find refuge in tiny, out-of-the-way corners of Mother Earth. So far, so good. Initially, in Chicago, where I was born. Then relatively small towns in Wisconsin, Florida, New York, Colorado and Minnesota. In addition to Germany. Maybe that's why I'm well-adjusted. Really. I hide away in rather remote areas. Where, if I choose, I can ignore the conflagrations going on in the rest of the world. Even right here in the United States. I just moreorless mind my own business. Oh, I spout off. Express my opinions. But in harmless ways. I haven't been sued or sent to jail. I have a few friends. Including a lovely and talented and intelligent girlfriend. So that's about all I need in life. A few intimate contacts. And good health. I used to think I could change the world. When I was young and naive. Of course, I know better now. I accept the world for what it is. And make the best of it. By picking my spots. Carefully. And living life one day at a time. Always finding something to savor. --Jim Broede

How to start a revolution.

On working people and the poor. That's where our focus should be. Instead, we have Republicans and Democrats catering to the wealthy. To big corporations. And banks. Especially those on Wall Street. Of course, all this should come as no surprise. The campaigns of our elected officials are financed largely by the big-money interests. Not so much by the working people and the poor. And that's the way it'll continue. Forever. Because the conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that big business is entitled under the constitution to contribute unlimited amounts of money to political campaigns. Yes, money talks. Money is power. That's the American way. The capitalist way. Allow the rich to become richer. And the poor to become poorer. Our free enterprise capitalists sure know how to manipulate. They have even purchased five justices on the Supreme Court. Well, you hapless working people and the poor. You don't have the money. You don't have the political clout. But on second thought, maybe you do. Take to the streets. Start pillaging Washington. Maybe you could start at the Supreme Court building. And hang five justices in effigy. That'll capture attention. And maybe even start the revolution. --Jim Broede

In my mellow way.

I think I'm a mellow fellow. Laid back. Easy going. Oh, I can get aroused. Stirred up. To make a point. But in the end, I don't lose sleep if I don't get my own way. I take it matter-of-factly. And say, 'Oh, well. No big deal.' I'm satisfied if I say what's on my mind. If I want to call a Republican a nitwit, I do it. Doesn't mean I'm angry with him. I just happen to think he's a nitwit. And that settles it. And I go about the rest of my daily business. In a mellow way. Generally, I follow the rules of courtesy and politeness. But not necessarily with discourteous and impolite people. I like to return tit for tat. If some guy punched me in the stomach, I'd probably give him a hard knee to the groin. And leave it at that. And walk away in a mellow mood. But for the most part, I'd avoid a physical confrontation. I much prefer a verbal fight. Because that's fun. Anyway, I'm not a very good boxer or wrestler. But hey, I can run. Pretty good. I'm able to flee if the going gets tough. I'd rather be a bit winded than beat up and bruised. I haven't got the world's most handsome face. So I better protect what I've got. Don't want it to be any worse. Anyway, I'm having fun. Just living. Seems that no matter what I do, it feels like fun. Like I could enjoy living forever. In my mellow way. --Jim Broede

The divine pleasure of love.

I like to complain about things. Things of all nature. But especially about things over which I have virtually no control. Such as the random and often tragic acts of god. And the antics of Republicans and other nitwits. Maybe even occasionally the weather. And, of course, the standard things we all complain about. Death and taxes. Yes, I was born to complain. And I've learned to cultivate and enjoy the craft of complaining. Of just letting it all hang out. Like right here in my blog. I have discovered that complaining is a god-given right. I even complain directly to my pal, god almighty himself. God often laughs over my complaints. He advises, "Learn to love much of what you don't like." He even encourages me to love Republicans. I find that an almost impossible task. But I do. For example, I love my daughter and son-in-law. Despite their descent into Republicanism. A disease of the mind. Which can be cured, thank god. Meanwhile, I try to be kind to my daughter and son in law. Albeit, I pity them. Anyway, if I can love a Republican, it's proof that I can love anything. That's what god tells me. Tells me he's downright proud of me. To be able to love everyone. Friend and foe alike. God tells me tolerance is a virtue. I'm working at it. I tell god that I love life. And that I understand that life is the greatest gift of all. Because it gives me the opportunity to love. Without life, I'd be unable to feel the divine pleasure of love. --Jim Broede

My most prized possession.

Pssssst. I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. The readers of my blog include the most prestigious being in all of creation. Yes, my pal, god himself. That's why it doesn't matter to me if the rest of you stick around or not. I'm in direct contact with god almighty. What more can one ask? I have direct access. I don't even have to go to church. Or call myself a Christian or a Jew or Muslim or a Hindu or a Buddhist. I don't even have to proclaim a belief in god. But obviously I do. Because I can see him. Touch him. Actually, I can talk to him any time. Even when I'm out walking in the woods. Anywhere. And if I want an answer from god, I just have to listen. Sometimes, god keeps me guessing. He tells me to think. And that if I do that, I'm likely to come up with the answer on my own. God says he doesn't want to make it too easy for me. That it's good to search for an answer. That's why he gave me a brain. A mind. A conscience. God also gave me the ability to love. He suggests that should be my most prized possession. --Jim Broede

Maybe not in Texas.

Maybe I'm saying that no matter how hard we try to fix government, it won't ever get fixed. It's too complex. Too impossible. Guess we just have to learn to live with it. I really don't know how one measures the success of government. At least in private business, success is usually measured in terms of monetary profits. Earnings. I'd like to think that government success might be measured in terms of service and achievement of the common good. But we'd probably never come to agreement over what's the common good. I suppose I could learn to live under virtually any kind of government -- capitalist, socialist, communist. I'd just try to make the best of it. Knowing that I could do very little, if anything, to bring about change. So I accept death, taxes and government. At best, I could try to move to another country with a government more to my liking. But I think I could find a way to live happily almost anywhere. Maybe not in Texas. --Jim Broede

Where is good government?

My guess is that if we keep electing Republicans and Democrats to Congress, we'll get more of the same. Gridlock. Doesn't matter whether they are liberal or conservative or moderate. They're all inept. From both sides of the aisle. They're part of a stinking, rotten political system. They've sold their souls to the corporate and big-money interests. The occasional revolutionary (Dennis Kucinich) that tries to change the system has no chance. He's isolated. Scoffed at. Ridiculed. Yes, by the powerbrokers. And they manipulate the media, too. They shape public opinion. With sound bites. They've learned how to control empty minds. We are largely a nation of robots. We do as directed. We even vote against our own best interests. Doesn't make sense. But then, that's the way the game is played. Won't change. Until some of us get mad enough to take to the streets. To topple the government. And even then, there's no assurance that things will get much better. We just haven't figured out the mystery yet. Maybe there is no such thing as good government. Certainly not when it's run by politicians. --Jim Broede

Our putrid political system.

Yes, I once envisioned Barack Obama as the Great Communicator. The man with the words. That would inspire us. Lead us out of the wilderness. But no. Maybe it was all a mirage. But then again, maybe it isn't too late. The nation can still be rallied. To change. In big ways. To adapt to modern times. To finally serve the common good instead of the good of the fat cats. Anyway, I sense a stirring in America. At the grassroots. A feeling of disgust toward our politicians. Republicans and Democrats alike. They aren't working for us. The common, ordinary people. They've sold their souls. To the power elites. To the greedy and corrupt capitalists. They have become part of our putrid political system. --Jim Broede

The fat cats continue to rule.

I feel like criticizing Barack Obama today. So, I'll make that my primary mission. Right here in this blog. And elsewhere. Wherever I go. A year ago I was envisioning Obama as our great leader. Our savior. The man that would stir a revolution. That would change Washington. But instead it seems that Washington has changed Obama. For the worse. And my dreams of a revolution are fading. The fat cats continue to rule. --Jim Broede

While the rest of us go broke.

If I sound annoyed with Barack Obama, it's because I am. He's not as svelte as he used to be. Because he's been sitting on his fat ass in the White House for the past year. I want him to get out of Washington. And come to us. In Minnesota. In Podunkville. All over these United States. Outside the beltway. Let's have town hall meetings with you, Mr. President. Like on the campaign trail. If you don't start mixing with us, you'll have a failed presidency. You've been mixing too much with Congress. With your fellow politicians. They don't give a rat's ass for this nation. Or for the common good. They'd keep the status quo forever. They are paid shills for the big corporate interests. They don't want a revolution. They want to keep their cushy jobs. And money. While the rest of us go jobless. And go broke. --Jim Broede

Stir a revolution.

I'm disillusioned and disappointed in you, Mr. President. You've let us down. You've got the gift of gab. And you've chosen not to use it. You haven't got out and tried hard enough to sell your ideas and programs to us. I want you to bypass Congress. Come to us. Directly. Stir a revolution. That's the only way change will come. --Jim Broede

Make us a better nation.

Barack Obama says what he misses most since moving into the White House is not being able to talk directly to the American people. Well, if that's the case, I have some advice for Obama. Start talking. Directly. Get out of the White House. At least once a week. Maybe more. And talk to us. Or invite us into the White House. And talk to us there. Talk. Talk. Talk to your heart's delight. Make the time. Become the most loquacious president we've ever had. Hold a press conference two or three times a week. And talk about what you wanna tell us. And don't give us lame excuses that you're too busy with affairs of state to talk to us. You can make the time. I'll bet that also would make you a better president. And make us a better nation. --Jim Broede

Don't rule out a lynching party.

One nice thing about the public's bad mood. It's aimed at Wall Street bankers. For ripping us off. I think any legislation that taxes the hell out of the bankers and denies them their multi-million dollar annual bonuses will be very popular. Unlike in the French revolution, the bankers won't go to the guillotine. But don't rule out a lynching party. I wouldn't put it past the tea-party lunatic fringe Republicans. As a liberal, I'm opposed to violence and capital punishment. --Jim Broede

Love keeps me in a good mood.

I hardly get upset any more. Wasn't always that way. But I've mellowed. Guess that comes with age. One begins to realize that acceptance is a big part of life. Gotta take the downs with the ups. And my priorities have changed. I used to want to affect the goings on around me. In politics, and such. I still voice my opinions. But I accept political reality. To the point of not getting upset. Knowing I can't change things. Guess I also have to accept death and taxes. Albeit, I'd like to put it off. And another thing. I'm in love. That keeps me in a good mood. --Jim Broede

Seemed like an odd question.

Takes me about three months to wear out a pair of walking shoes. And when they go, the heel goes first. The last pair of shoes that I threw away had holes in the soles. But I kept the pair to the bitter end. Because they were so comfortable. Occasionally, I get blisters. Some shoes just aren't perfect fits. Or they need a little breaking in. Just before Christmas, I bought four pairs of identical walking shoes. I've had good luck with 'em in the past. So I splurged while the shoes were on sale. Some years ago, when I was pushing my wife Jeanne in a wheelchair, a stranger asked me what size of shoe I was wearing. I told him 10 1/2. Seemed like an odd question. The next day he presented me with a new pair of shoes. Told me the ones I had on looked too worn. --Jim Broede

I swear to tell the truth.

When I go to church, I don't sing the hymns. Many times, I go in just to see the architecture. Other times, just to enjoy the peace and quiet of an empty church. To me, the nicest church of all is the outdoors. Especially along an ocean beach. Or in a forest. Or on a mountain top. When I go to a ball game, I never sing the Star Spangled Banner. Now that I think of it, I never sing the national anthem. Ain't for lack of patriotism. More a case that I don't want to be embarrassed by my singing voice. But it's also the humane thing to do. For the sake of the people standing near me. Another thing. I don't recite the pledge of allegiance. And when I've had to testify in court, I don't say "so help me god." I simply swear to tell the truth. --Jim Broede

Sounds kind of un-American.

The sad thing is that Republicans have been obstructionists in the health care reform debate. It would have been nice if the GOP countered with their own plan. One that maybe could be merged with the Democrats' plan. Where there'd be some give and take. But Republcans just didn't want anything done. Wanted to maintain the status quo. Postpone. Postpone. Postpone. Really, our gawd-awful health care system has been allowed to fester for decades. It needs streamlining. An overhaul. The high cost makes health care unaffordable for many, many Americans. Think of it. Almost 50 million Americans are uninsured, and many of 'em don't seek medical help. Even when they are dreadfully ill. A Harvard University study shows that 45,000 Americans die needlessly every year because they don't seek medical attention because of lack of insurance. That's 15 times more deaths than in the 9/11 terrorist attack. And we're needlessly losing those lives year after year. Things ain't getting better. We have a gridlocked Congress. Unwilling to deal with the health care issues on a bipartisan basis. It's a sad commentary on our state of politics. Yes, we have two political parties working against each other. Unwilling to sit down together and do what's best for America. Sounds kind of un-American to me. --Jim Broede

Go to it, Obama.

Exactly one year after he was sworn into office, Barack Obama disappoints me. Because he hasn't used the bully pulpit to enunciate where America needs to go. Obama has a gift. The ability to express himself quite well. He's an exceptionally good speaker. That got him elected. But once elected, Obama withdrew. Left everything to legislative initiative. And he has remained on the sidelines. As an observer. Obama has not been the leader he promised us he would be. He has to take to the bully pulpit. At least once a week. He has to become a good salesman. He must convince the American people that he makes sense. That we Americans need to pull together. With an effort equal to the effort made during World War II. An all-out fight for survival. And that's gonna require sacrifice. On the part of all of us. Sacrifice that may hurt. But sacrifice that ultimately brings us joy and makes America a beacon for the world again. So, go to it, Obama. You've got three years left in your first term. Make us want to give you a second term, too. --Jim Broede

It makes me feel good.

I really could live life without politics. By completely ignoring politics. Because I can't change outcomes. It's a little like sports. I pull for the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears. And I can become wrapped up in the games. But there's no way that I can affect the outcome. What will happen, will happen. The same goes for politics. I can go to the polls. And vote. But I haven't yet participated in an election in which my vote was crucial. The outcome would have been the same, no matter which way I voted, or if I had not voted at all. And I doubt that writing a letter or an email to a politician will do any good. At least in the grand scheme of things. I guess I just have to learn to accept the inevitable. But I do get a little solace and comfort if I sound off. Right here in this blog. Even if it has no big impact on anyone or anything. At least it makes me feel good. --Jim Broede

Makes me want to puke.

You know, we have a rather pathetic bunch of politicians on both sides of the aisle. When I go to the polls, I often have to choose between a very bad candidate and one that's even worse. Makes me want to puke. --Jim Broede

Democrats: Get your asses in gear.

Could be that Democrats are resting on their laurels. They won big in 2008. And now they are starting to lose big. In large part because they are lazy Democrats. They don't get out and sell their programs. Such as meaningful health care reform. The Democrats let the rival Republicans define the issue. That's a pity. Little wonder that public polling went from relatively strong support for universal health care, to something less than a majority. Again, a pity. And then Democrats assumed that they'd handily win the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of Ted Kennedy. The Democratic candidate Martha Coakley even went on a Caribean vacation during a critical phase of the election campaign. She dropped in two weeks from a 20-point advantage in public polling, to what now appears to be an election loss to a conservative Republican. In liberal Massachusetts, of all places. Indeed, another pity. And there's far worse failures likely to come for Democrats. Unless they wake up and get their asses in gear. --Jim Broede

We're too dumb to see it coming.

We Americans are sold a bill of goods almost around the clock. We're told what to do. What to buy. How to think. We've become automated. Analyzed by capitalist moneymakers and powerbrokers. They know just what buttons to push. Often, all it takes is a 30-second commercial or sound bite. We can be reached. Directly. Or subliminally. Maybe even in our sleep. We're like trained dogs. Or sheep that can be easily herded. Even by a dog. And the powerbrokers especially aim their spiel at unhappy people. They'll buy almost anything. Even Hitler. Just crank up the volume of patriotic slogans and music. We're seeing it happen in America now. Because so many of us are disenchanted. We have a sense of foreboding. Of doom. As if America has been mismanaged. No surprise. Look at the eight years of the Bush administration. And some of us thought we'd get a quick fix. By voting in Obama and the Democrats. But no fix will be quick. Because we are in one big ungawdly mess. Brought about by the very people that we may start electing to clean it up. The Republicans. And we should know what will happen then. An even bigger mess. But we're too dumb to see it coming. --Jim Broede

Whatever stirs me.

I like the invention of the blog. Because it allows me to write pretty much as I please. No editors, really. Unless, maybe, I did something even beyond outlandish. The blog gives me a sense of freedom. To say what I want to say on any given day. I'm not out to attract a big audience. Or maybe not even an audience at all. But I'm bound to pull in a few people. My friends and acquaintances. And often people that I alienate. That's all right with me. I don't have to be liked. I don't write for the purpose of being liked. Often enough, I write to provoke. To taunt people I don't particularly like. Such as Republicans. And politicians, in general. Especially the right-wingers on the lunatic fringe. They don't like me either. And I don't mind. I don't want to be liked by fascists and bigots and guttersnipes and scumbags. Anyway, here I am. Writing. Writing. Writing whatever comes to mind. Whatever stirs me. Could be anything. --Jim Broede

It's a lot better than hell.

I sense that as a society, Americans are basically an unhappy lot. They don't necessarily know why they are unhappy. Only that they are unhappy. Maybe that's the problem. They don't know what's going on. It's over their heads. Or too complicated. I think the electorate sided with Obama and the Democrats in 2008 because they thought the Republicans were really stinking things up. But the stench hasn't gone away. Mainly because the pile of crap and problems left by the GOP can't be easily solved. Maybe not even by god himself. So all these unhappy people are still unhappy. And that means they'll toss out the Democrats the next time around, in 2010. And return the power to the even more dreadful tea-party Republicans. Yes, the lunatic fringe. And that could very well mean the demise of America. Period. Our nation will have gone all the way to hell. And there may be no escaping. Yes, we Americans will be condemned to hell for the rest of our lives. Unless one manages to escape. And I may flee. To Italy or Germany. I have friends there. And I visit often. And certainly, it's a lot better than hell. --Jim Broede

No icicles. Only sweat.

In St. Paul, we're into the annual Winter Carnival. But it just doesn't seem like winter. Because the temperature for the past week has hovered at about 32 degrees. Around here, that ain't winter. Almost feels like spring. Might even get a little sun tan. If they had built an ice palace, as they've done some years, maybe it would start to melt. That would be a disgrace. We Minnesotans like to brag about our frigid, bone-numbing winters. We like to have icicles hanging from our noses. Instead, that may be sweat trickling down our brows. --Jim Broede

To stay on top, give it your all.

I'm disgusted with Democrats. They're too complacent. They don't push hard enough for their programs. And they aren't ruthless enough in dealing with Republicans. Add it all up and Democrats are capable of losing the U.S. Senate race Tuesday in Massachusetts. Democrats once thought they were a shoe-in. All they had to do was go through the motions. And they'd win. Well, now in what may well be the most progressive state in the union, it's quite possible that a very conservative Republican may win. But it's more a case of the Democrats losing because of over-confidence. Democrats should take nothing for granted. They should campaign as if their life depended on the outcome. Maybe this will wake up the Democrats. But I doubt it. They got Obama elected. But then they went into hibernation. If you wanna stay on top, you'd better give it your all. Yes, all of the time. --Jim Broede

Nothing wrong with that.

I like to be nice to people. But also, I don't mind offending people. It brings me great satisfaction. Because if I've offended them, I've made a point. They became aroused. And maybe I've planted a seed. I've let 'em know that I disagree. Or maybe I do it just to be funny. To try to lighten up the situation a little bit. To get a laugh. Anyway, life would be boring if we always agreed with each other. Or if we were totally nice to each other. I prefer feeling people out. Determining what makes 'em tick. And some people are just plain stupid. Or mentally lazy. If that's the case, I want to offend 'em. By actually calling 'em stupid or lazy. Nothing wrong with that, is there? --Jim Broede

A philosopher, a poet & a peasant.

We Americans are a perplexing bunch. Failures, really. When it comes to forming a more perfect union. A country. A nation. Run in a reasonably correct and efficient manner. We pretend that our founders were intelligent and insightful men. Capable of writing a constitution that would last forever and ever. And be a model for the rest of the world to follow. Of course, that has proved to be poppycock. America is a disaster. In need of a complete overhaul. Little fixes won't help. We need to start from scratch. We need a constitutional convention. New founders. A recognition that our previous founders didn't get it right. Certainly incapable of designing a constitution and country that would fit neatly into the 21st century. And function effectively. So I am proposing a triumvirate run government. In which we pick three rulers. A philosopher. A poet. A peasant. Yes, three people who really don't want to rule. But we require them to rule anyway. We give 'em carte blanche. Do what they will. Do what they think is best for the country. And my guess is that we'll come out with a much better country than we have now. And one that will be copied by other nations. Might even become a world government. Absent of politicians. That's really been our problem. Right from the start. We've designed governments that were to be run by politicians. People who covet power. And for the main part are clueless as to what it takes to run a government. Politicians have been allowed to drag us down. Into the gutter. Into a living hell. And we've put up with it for time immemorial. Because we have been dumbed down. By politicians. We have made politicians our gods. Our saviors. When really they are nincompoops. Dumber than dumb. And that makes us -- well, not very smart. And so, fellow citizens, today I am pleading with all of you. Let's declare that enough is enough. Let's hire a philosopher, a poet and a peasant to run the show. --Jim Broede

Let's quit meddling.

We don't need a war on terror. Because it's stupid. And costly. And counter-productive. Let's just get out of the Middle East and solve our own problems. Let's build America rather than spending trillions of dollars staging an idiotic war on terrorism. If we mind our own business, the terrorists probably will mind their business. They may even be reined in by moderate Muslims. The terrorists hate us because we're meddling in the Middle East. So, let's quit meddling. --Jim Broede

Enough to cause me to weep.

I'll tell you one thing. If the Democrats don't win the U.S. Senate race in Massachusetts, it's time for liberals to go into a cold sweat. Because the Republicans will have won a key battle in a traditional liberal stronghold. This ain't Alabama. It's Massachusetts. Yes, I know that Massachusetts elects some Republicans. Even Republican governors. But this is Ted Kennedy's old seat in the senate. To make a gawd-awful Republican Kennedy's successor -- well, that would be a disgrace. Enough to cause me to weep. --Jim Broede

The making of true patriots.

I know this sounds un-American. But I'd keep taxing the rich more and more. Until we tax our way out of the nation's financial crisis. There's lots of wealth in the United States. Only thing is it's being horded by the rich. The upper 1 or 2 percent of the wealthiest. Yes, the wealthy could be the saviors of America. By agreeing to surrender much -- not all -- of their wealth. They'd still be rich. And just think about how much they'd be revered. They'd be pictured in our school textbooks along side of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. As true patriots. As true Americans. Maybe we could start with the Wall Street bankers. By putting a 100 percent tax on their year-end bonuses. --Jim Broede

Let's start from scratch.

Yes, we Americans are idiots. With short memories. Maybe we are all afflicted with Alzheimer's. We can't even remember yesterday and what got us into our unholy economic plight. It was the policies of the neo-conservatives. The Bushies. The Republicans. They spent us into bankruptcy. They gave us an unfettered form of capitalism. Pure greed. Made the rich richer. And the poor poorer. And now the lunatics on the fringe are blaming it all on Barack Obama and his socialist policies. Only a year after he inherited this debacle. Yes, we have short memories. And let's blame it all on Obama. Because he hasn't yet worked a miracle. Think about it. The Republicans want to regain power because they think capitalism wasn't given enough of a free rein. To exploit all of us. Yes, put 'em back in power. Let's have 'em finish the job. Wreck America once and for all. Completely. Then maybe we can begin to rebuild from the scrap heap. That's all we deserve. The death of a nation. Then let's start from scratch. Maybe we can do a better job of it next time. --Jim Broede

On a solitary moment.

So sad. Now there are estimates of 200,000 dead in Haiti. One can only despair. I even hate to put on the newscast. I feel like burying my head in the sand. Shit happens. Maybe it's best to withdraw from the world. And hideout in one's cocoon. Yet, life is so sweet. One has to learn to focus. On the things that pull one through. On love. On a solitary moment. --Jim Broede

Become educated...and depressed.

If you really want to know what's going on in America, I recommend that you tune in Bill Moyers' Journal on PBS on Friday nights. Some pretty scary stuff. Makes me wonder if our nation will survive. Because we Americans are a pretty stupid lot. Anyway, here's a transcript of tonight's program. Read it. Become educated. And maybe a bit depressed. Especially if the conservatives return to power. --Jim Broede

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/01152010/transcript4.html

Time to rally, Obama Democrats.

You better wake up, Obama Democrats. You got your man elected. By becoming energized. But seems to me you've lost a lot of your energy. You are allowing crazed and fanatical Republicans to pick up steam. Don't take 'em for granted. They may be stupid. But that never stopped the ruthless from coming to power. They thrive on stupidity. Especially in a democracy. Because the electorate includes easily manipulated dunderheads. Even Germans who fancied themselves as intellectuals succumbed to the rantings of Hitler. What say you if some day Sarah Palin emerges as president of the United States of America? If that doesn't scare the willies out of you, nothing will. Yes, Obama Democrats. It's time to rally. --Jim Broede

Saving rather than taking lives.

Finally, the USA is using an army for a useful, decent purpose. Sending troops into Haiti to bring relief to the people devastated by a horrific earthquake. That's what a military should be for. For providing the needy with help. For saving lives. Rather than taking lives. --Jim Broede

The unscrupulous usually win.

If I'm a Democrat, I'm a Democrat by default. Because I have only two choices. Democrat or Republican. And a Democrat is the lesser of evils. Basically, all politicians are evil. It's only a matter of degree. Often, I just abstain. All of my choices are putrid. It's like telling someone about to be executed that he can pick between being shot or hanged. Really, doesn't make much difference. Democrats generally tend to be a tad bit more liberal than Republicans. But virtually no Democrat is liberal enough for me. Certainly, not Barack Obama. I like Obama's intellect. His mind works in interesting ways. But Obama and most Democrats aren't nearly ruthless enough. They're far too kind to Republicans. Too nice. Too trusting. Republicans are bastards and sons and daughters of bitches. They have absolutely no scruples whatever. They long ago sold their souls to the devil. They are not to be trusted under any circumstances. Many Democrats are too stupid to understand this. Republicans can be cunning. They might even pull an upset and win the Senate race to replace Ted Kennedy. That would really upset the Democrats applecart. It might even jeopardize health care reform. But if that happens, Democrats can blame themselves. For taking Republicans too matter-of-factly. In politics, as in war, the most ruthless and unscrupulous usually win. --Jim Broede

I don't get ahead of myself.

I wonder. When does one become old? When I was a youngster, I thought of 74 as old. Very old. Now that I'm 74, I'm not sure. A few years ago, I was taking a course at the local seminary. And I looked around the room. And the thought occurred to me that I was the oldest person in the room. "My gawd," I mused to myself, "nobody here is older than me." That was a startling revelation. And my granddaughter calls me grandpa. And by golly, she's got a son. That makes me a great grandpa. That's old. Not as old as a great great grandpa. Anyway, I don't know if age makes me feel great or not. I really don't think about it that much. In my younger days. I dreaded becoming old. But on reflection, it beats the alternative. I know that a fair number of people reach their 80s. And a few enter their 90s. And very, very few eclipse 100. So time is running out. But I don't worry much about it, I guess. Because I've learned to live one day at a time. I've today. And that's what counts. I don't get ahead of myself. --Jim Broede

What's life really worth?

I'd probably try to adapt. No matter what country I lived in. The point being, maybe I'd have no other choice. I'd have to learn the local customs. The local ways. I'd have to figure out ways to survive. And hopefully, to thrive. Of course, I'd have to learn at least the rudiments of the local language. That would be difficult at my age. But not impossible. If the predominant language was English, I'd be way ahead of the game. When I was younger, I thought about leaving America. And settling in New Zealand or Australia. Now that would be difficult, if not impossible. Old age reduces one's options. At least, I still have the opportunity to travel. To visit other lands. And I'm doing that. Every year. Better late than never. I gripe a lot about America. But that's one of the things I like. The freedom to gripe. Maybe I wouldn't be allowed to do that in some countries. Well, if that was the case, I'd adapt. And maybe not openly gripe. I'd do it in secret. I probably could live in another country. On my retirement income. Not luxuriously. But modestly. Maybe in Britain. Or Ireland. Preferably in an out-of-the-way place. That would be exciting. Getting to know a foreign place. And making it familiar. I'd be all right. As long as I have my health. Maybe that's why I put such a high premium on universal health care. After all, what's life really worth without good health? --Jim Broede

Maybe that's just their thing.

I can't say I deal with people in a perfect way. In a sense, I treat them the way they'd treat me. Sort of an offshoot of the Golden Rule. Treat others the way you'd have them treat you. Well, I figure if someone treats me rudely, they want to be treated rudely, too. So I'll occasionally return the favor. Of course, I prefer to be treated nicely. And I am. Most of the time. I'm assuming that everyone is living by the Golden Rule. And that some people are masochists. They like to be punished. Treated badly. I think that's probably a mental illness. Or at least an odd personality quirk. But maybe that's just their thing. Their path to happiness. --Jim Broede

Sounds like the real devil.

Hard for me to decipher remarks of some Christians. Especially evangelicals such as Pat Robertson. He's declared that god punished Haitians with a devastating earthquake. Because Haitians in a bygone era made a pact with the devil. Maybe that's one reason why I'm not a Christian. At least a Christian as Robertson would perceive one. I never did believe in a vengeful god. My god identifies himself as the god of love. Good gawd. I don't want to get anywhere close to Robertson's god. Sounds more like the real devil to me. --Jim Broede

Ho hum. Ho hum. Ho hum.

It's a startling statistic. A study shows that 45,000 Americans die every year. Because they don't have health insurance. And don't seek medical care. What may be even more startling is that we Americans don't seem startled by the needless loss of life. Ho hum. Just another statistic. And we keep on going as the only industrialized nation in the world without universal health care. But I tell you what really arouses us. The terrorist attack on New York in 2001. Killing 3,000 innocents. We're willing to go to war over that. But as for those 45,000 Americans dying because of lack of health care. Ho hum. Ho hum. Ho hum. --Jim Broede

The irony of a long life.

Oh, the irony of life. A 104-year-old man. In New York City. Takes pride in his good health. Boasts that he's one of the strongest men alive. Walks 5 miles daily. Only thing is, the other day, he was crossing a street. Got hit by a mini-van. Broke all sorts of bones. Died later in the hospital. And to think. Moments earlier, he was probably the healthiest living 104-year-old on Earth. Really took good care of himself. Until he tried to cross the street. In the wrong place. At the wrong time. --Jim Broede

The linking of power and evil.

I have a feeling that news organizations will some day be able to create their own news. Actually, to the point of creating a president of the United States of America. Just the way god would do it. By taking the naked, raw material. A nothing. A lump of mud. Such as Sarah Palin. And fashioning from it the next president. By putting Sarah on air. On the network. And scripting Sarah in a way that makes her a viable candidate. Attractive to a conservative base. And enough other loonies. To get her elected. And groomed in a way to serve the Fox News agenda. Yes, this is an example of power. And the evil that often comes with power. --Jim Broede

Making kindness contagious.

I wonder what would happen if everyone practiced a simple act of kindness. Once a day. Yes, just went out of his/her way to be kind. To someone. Even to one's self. To do it. Consciously. My guess is that it'd be so satisfying that one would do it a second and a third time. And others that witnessed all this would be motivated to do their own acts of kindness. And kindness would become contagious. --Jim Broede

My god tells me know thyself.

I don't allow people to define me. That's something I learned early in life. By the time I was a teen-ager. My teachers and my parents weren't supposed to define me. I define myself. I'm not a robot. I have my own mind. I know what I want to be. At any given moment. Maybe I want to change. And become something else. Yes, I evolve. I believe in evolution. Nothing is static. Change is possible. But I'm the one that determines my essence. I don't leave that to others. That's the nice thing about the human condition. We aren't born with a prescribed essence. We can make ourselves into any number of essences. I can shape by soul. My being. I've determined that at the moment I want to be a romantic idealist, a free-thinker, a liberal and a lover. I think that's a wonderful combination. Makes me comfortable. Within my own skin. If I begin to feel uncomfortable in any of these roles, I'll change. I'm really defining myself all the time. Early in life, my teachers and my parents tried to define me. Initially, I let them do it. Because I didn't quite yet have a sense of self. I wasn't fully alive. I tell my girlfriend that I'm really 10 or 11 years younger than my chronological age of 74. I wasn't born until a decade or so after I climbed out of my mother's womb. So call me 64. Of course, some Catholics believe that life begins at the moment of conception. That would add another 9 months to my chronological age. But I'm not Catholic. So I don't have to accept such craziness. Anyway, I remember that in elementary school my teachers tried to stuff all kinds of stuff into my head. Much of it was crap. Stuff that I later discarded. My parents did much the same. They hauled me off to Sunday School and tried to make me a Christian. Even foisted confirmation classes on me. But eventually, I saw the real light. And became a free-thinker. Yes, I think for myself. I define myself. Others often try to define me. Even from a distance. They're just plain stupid people. Meanwhile, I have smarts. Insights. My god tells me know thyself. And I sure do. --Jim Broede

I'm proud to be me.

Names don't personally offend me. I can be called anything. And I'll take it matter-of-factly. Honky, for instance. That's supposed to be a racial slur. Aimed at a white man. I think it's funny. Or I suppose I could be called a bohunk. A slur aimed at someone of Czech or Bohemian heritage. My mother was of Czech descent. And she took offense at the term. I've been called just about every derogatory name in the book. Far, far worse than s.o.b. But hey, I take it all in stride. A name never did me any physical harm. And I think I've fended off any mental or emotional anguish over it, too. I'd like to set the world record for the number of names I've been called. It would be a fantasically long list. Might take days to read. The remarkable thing is that I've survived the barrage. If that's the worst that ever befalls me, I'm home free. I bring this up because I'm told that the word "negro' is now considered taboo. Out of style. Actually, racist. Equivalent to honky for a white man. Golly, gee. Wouldn't bother me. I'd be a proud negro or a proud honky or a proud bohunk. Doesn't matter. I'm just proud to be me. Whatever I am. --Jim Broede

These GOP racists are funny.

Harry Reid, the Senate's majority leader, is being taken to task. For his choice of words. Used almost 2 years ago. When he initially supported Barack Obama for the presidency. Reid said he thought Obama could win. Because he's a light-skinned black. And because he speaks eloquently. Without a black dialect. Well, some people, mainly Republicans, claim the language Reid used is racist. And that he should resign as the Senate's leader. Give me a break. Reid was speaking the truth. Obama had an advantage because of his light skin and his smooth manner of speech. That's fact. Not racism. I'll give you an example of racism. The Republicans' southern strategy, which began in the 1960s. When the GOP lured southern whites and bigots into the party because of their disenchantment over the civil rights movement. Funny thing, isn't it? Racists labeling Reid as racist. --Jim Broede

...shirtsleeve weather.

We've got a January thaw coming. Starting Tuesday. For at least three days, our high temperature will hover around 32 degrees. Been a long time since we've been that warm. We've had a lot of sub-zero. But I haven't paid much attention. Was told the other day that we dipped to 26 below about 10 days ago. I wasn't aware of it. Just thought it was another cool day when I went out for my daily walk. Maybe that makes me a true blue Minnesotan. We'll see. The test will be whether I go out in shirtsleeves in the next few days. --Jim Broede

Annoyed with my sub-conscious.

I have a recurring dream. That I'm working for a newspaper. But I've run out of things to write about. And it's terribly frustrating. I suspect that maybe I'm just lazy. I can't get motivated. Maybe it was boredom. I was cleaning out my desk. Just to stay busy. Like I had to be doing something. And I was thinking maybe I needed a change in beat. Something to stimulate me. Because I wasn't stimulating myself. When I woke up, I felt relieved. Because the dream made me feel uncomfortable. And I understood it was only a dream. But I've had similar dreams over the years. Maybe I'm telling myself something. Maybe I'm supposed to do more with my life. But consciously, I keep telling myself that I've got to savor life. Take it slow and easy. Don't mind being a bit lazy. But maybe my sub-conscious is telling me something different. If so, I'm a bit annoyed with my sub-conscious. --Jim Broede

America ain't necessarily the best.

You know, some Americans look down their noses at Europeans. As if they aren't as well-off as Americans. But I don't buy that. And neither does New York Times columnist Paul Krugman. I visit Europe. And like Krugman, I like what I see. America ain't necessarily the best place to live. --Jim Broede

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/11/opinion/11krugman.html

The wonders of life.

I like to make little adjustments in life. Often, that's all it takes to bring about a new and significant experience. Like a few months ago I started putting out chestnuts and walnuts and pecans for the squirrels. Never did that before. Lo and behold, at least one squirrel finds the nuts. On my deck. Picks 'em up in his paws. Exams 'em by twirling 'em around. Then prances off. And buries 'em. One by one. Now I've begun putting out tiny carrots for the rabbits. Very entertaining. Makes me feel good. Doing my part. Getting wildlife through another Minnesota winter. And I'm painting the interior of the house. With texture paint. A little bit at a time. I experimented. With relatively thin sandy paint. Applied with a brush. And with extra thick paint that I trawled on initially. But now I just apply it with a sponge. And swirl it on. Looks nice. Makes me feel like an artist. Just completed the laundry room. Next weekend I'll move to the front hall. Yes, I do a little bit at a time. Making the project last. Savoring it. And last week I went to a museum. To see an exhibit of masterpieces from the Louvre. Didn't let a snowstorm deter me. Took 2 hours instead of the usual 40 minutes to make the trip. And I got a bonus. In addition to seeing paintings and statues from another time, I watched Mother Nature design snowdrifts. From the huge windows in the cozy warm museum. Even dined next to the window and read the New York Times and browsed at a book store on the way home. Then I shoveled snow from the driveway...and thought about the wonders of life. --Jim Broede

I'm all lit up.

I'm lighting up. Bringing more and more light into my house. Really, I've been living in the dark. With dim lights. With amber. It's soothing. But I've turned a new leaf. I want more light. So I have installed a track of eight lights in the living room. Pointed in every direction. Flood lights. They light up the place. Of course, I have 'em on a dimmer switch. So I can adjust the intensity of the light. But in the wintertime, it's almost like sunlight. In the kitchen, too. I used to have amber bulbs in the track lights. Now, bright daylight bulbs. Again, on a dimmer switch. So I can adjust according to my mood. My desire. Maybe I went through a somber period. When Jeanne was dying of Alzheimer's. I wanted to be soothed. Calmed. But it's three years now. And I'm all lit up. --Jim Broede

I am what I am. And I like me.

I accept lots of things and situations without necessarily liking 'em. That's part of life. Like dear Jeanne, for instance, having Alzheimer's. I don't go so far as to say I hate Alzheimer's. Any more than I'd hate life. Life is a conglomeration of things. Things that one has to learn to accept. Like it or not. Death and taxes, for instance. But that doesn't make me any less a lover of life. One learns to cope. And count one's blessings. For instance, I had Jeanne in my life for 38 years. That's a real plus. Even during the Alzheimer years, I learned how to love Jeanne better. In a sense, I learned to appreciate Jeanne more than ever. Yes, the adversities of life can serve as learning experiences. As tests. Even as blessings. I often criticize America. The very country in which I live. I don't like the inequality. The wide separation between the rich and the poor. I don't like Republicans. Especially the neo-conservatives. But hey, I accept 'em all as part of life. Often, I'm disappointed. With the Chicago Cubs, for instance. The fact that they ain't been in a World Series since 1945. And they haven't won the series since 1908. But that doesn't make me any less of a fan of the beloved Cubs. Or make me any less of an American. I am what I am. And I not only accept me. I like me. --Jim Broede

They've mastered politics.

I don't go into politics. For good reason. I want to be a gadfly. In other words, I want to speak my piece. Regardless of consequences. If I was a full-fledged politician seeking public office, I'd have to play the game. Become deceptive. And a liar. I couldn't be honest. And still get ahead. So I stay on the sidelines. And say what I want to say. The satirist Bill Maher would be the kind of candidate I'd vote for. He'd make a good senator. Even a president. But he couldn't get elected. Because he pokes fun at politicians. Moreorless tells it as it is. If a politician did that, he'd be doomed. Politicians are con men. They try to dupe us. And many do. They are masters at selling us a bill of goods. Sometimes, of course, we find them out. We kick 'em out of office. But many of 'em stick around until they die. They've mastered the craft of politics. Almost made it an art. --Jim Broede

For the good of the ruling elite.

We Americans have always been good at denying people their rights. At making some people second class citizens. In other words, designing a society of haves and have-nots. So that we have a nation of inequality. Rather than equality. But still, we declared from the beginning that men (as if we meant everyone) were created equal. In practice, we Americans never practiced such a credo. It was a sham. Right from the beginning. America was founded on the principle of exploitation. That some of us have the right to exploit others. It's inherent in the capitalist system. The rich have the right to become richer. In part, by making the poor poorer. Our philosophy is one of survival. Of the fittest. And the fittest generally accumulate monetary riches and political and social power. The 'fittest' establish a system that benefits themselves. Rather than humanity as a whole. The common good becomes secondary to what's good for the powerful ruling elite. --Jim Broede

The opportunity to work.

I'm for creating jobs for the sake of creating jobs. Nothing wrong with that. And the private sector won't do it. Because it's not profitable. So, yes, government should step in. And create a jobs program. Like government did in the 1930s. Put people back to work. Because it's the humane and decent thing to do. And government also is able to design projects that bring public benefit. I think everyone should have a right to a job. The opportunity to work. To be a productive citizen. And if there aren't enough jobs to go around -- well, then let's create 'em. --Jim Broede

Reminds me that I'm in control.

I get annoyed with Barack Obama. When he gets too conciliatory. Too fair. Because his political foes take advantage of it. They are anything but fair and conciliatory. I wonder if Obama ever gets angry. Maybe not. I could understand that. Because I don't get angry. Only annoyed. But that doesn't stop me from insulting people. In ways that may seem like an expression of anger. But it isn't. Really, it's just my way of trying to annoy people. I have fun doing it. That's one way to avoid getting angry. By having fun. By poking fun. I think one of my major lifetime accomplishments has been cultivating the ability to put rein on anger. I figure that anger never serves a useful purpose. Oh, on second thought, maybe it does. When somebody else gets angry. At me. That helps to remind me that I'm the one in control. Of my temperament. --Jim Broede

Some independents ain't.

I doubt that all independents in the political realm are truly independent. Rather, they are people with difficulty making up their minds. Maybe because they're stupid. Or they don't give a damn. Yes, just plain apathetic. And these are the people who decide many elections. They're the swing vote between the Democrats and Republicans. During the last national election, the independents sided with the Democrats and Barack Obama. But polls indicate that the tide is turning. That so-called independents are drifting over into the Republican column. That fortifies my thesis that independents really are the stupid people. Easily swayed by nonsensical sound bites. They're robots. The non-thinkers. The people who really should stay home rather than go to the polls. Because they're ill-informed. Or not informed at all. But in a democracy, just about everybody has a right to vote. No need to pass an intelligence test. Chances are, the village idiot can trek off to the polls. We have dumbed down politics in America. And that means just about anybody can get elected. Maybe even the village idiot. That is, if he can corral a big majority of the idiot votes. --Jim Broede

Isn't love a state of mind?

I spent yesterday at an art museum. And it struck me that artists are extraordinary technicians. One can dream of art. But to put it on canvas, it requires one to become a brilliant technician. It takes more than a thought. That is, in a physical world. But in a spiritual world, maybe all one needs is a thought. The thought becomes alive. Isn't love a state of mind? --Jim Broede

We're all trapped in the system.

The president, sharing an internal investigation into the foiled Christmas airline attack, calls for changes to improve the system but avoids placing specific blame. Yes, this is what I read this morning. And it sounds to me like typical Barack Obama. Trying to fix things. Without placing specific blame. Kind of nice, isn't it? Politicians are supposed to play the blame game. To see to it that heads roll. But usually, when something goes wrong, it's the result of the system. A shoddy bureaucracy. And not the fault of any one individual. We're all trapped in the system. --Jim Broede

So let the shoving begin.

I gotta admit that I like having socialism shoved down our throats. The national mood is against the current health care reform. But we are gonna get it anyway. Because a slim majority of politicians want to foist it on us. And that's good. From my point of view. Because I think reform is long overdue. And if we wait for the public to rally behind it, we might wait forever. Sometimes, we need leaders to show us the way. To take the proverbial bull by the horns. And wrestle with it. We Americans are really too dumb to know what's best for us. Because we listen to naysayers. Obstructionists. And that often leads to gridlock. To the perpetuation of the status quo. The entrenched ruling elite don't want to give up power. That's why blacks and women were denied equal rights for a long, long time. Even today, they don't have full equality in our society. Little wonder that the gap keeps widening between the rich and the poor. Between the haves and the have-nots. We won't even get universal health care. Unless, of course, it's shoved down our throats. So let the shoving begin. --Jim Broede

What are we gonna do about it?

I wonder if our politicians set our national mood. That of acrimony. Yes, deep divisions in our society. Not only are Democrats and Republicans at each other's throats. But the split also goes within. Even Republicans can't get along with each other. The neo-conservatives versus the moderates. And the same goes with the Democratic party. Conservative Democrats have to be literally bribed with pork to support health care reform. Maybe all this is good. I don't know. But I sense that we Americans are learning more and more to hate each other. To become obstructionists. To call each other names. It's even done in this blog. Maybe I'm at fault. But I think it goes beyond me. I'm just going along with the national mood. The flow. The acrimony. We Americans are pulling against each other. Praying for failure. Even for each other's death. For political gain. Our national security apparatus is devoid of cooperation. Look at the security breaches that nearly led to a plane being blown up over Detroit on Christmas day. All because we didn't share information with each other. Our intelligence people simply refuse to cooperate, refuse to share, refuse to connect so-called dots. Yes, at deep peril to the nation's security. That's become the natural way in America. We're a nation divided. I have to admit that I'm not even proud to be an American any more. I don't like the acrimony. But I continue to feed it. Maybe we all do. So, what are we gonna do about it? --Jim Broede

No time to heed my advice.

I'm in no hurry. I consciously plod through life. In slow motion. Gives me time to savor whatever I'm doing. Might even be wasting time. But hey, that can be enjoyable. And then it's no longer a waste. People tell me I should do this or that. Yes, they tell me how to live. But I let it go in one ear and out the other. Instead, I tell them how to live. To slow down. But it doesn't bother me if they don't listen. Because they're in a hurry. They have to go somewhere. Meet a deadline. And they're late already. Maybe for a doctor's appointment. Because their blood pressure is elevated. Yes, they're overwhelmed. They're stressed out. No time to heed my advice. --Jim Broede

They're slow learners.

I gotta admit that I'm ill-mannered to some degree. But for a reason. It's often in response to ill-mannered people. I've been that way for a long time. Especially during my days as a writer for newspapers. And lately, in my blog. Right here. I don't take guff. I dish it right back. Someone wants to be snide with me, I find it easy to be double snide. I can out-insult just about anybody. I'm good at it. And when the recipients of my insults take offense over it -- that's just fine with me. I suppose I've become a master of insults because I've spent much of my lifetime dealing with politicians. Some of whom for which I have little respect. Because they are disrespectful themselves. Or downright stupid. And liars. So the point I wish to make is that I'm not nice to everyone. But I am nice to the vast majority of people. Because most people are nice. But there's a disrespectful, ill-mannered element. Some of whom visit this blog. And I'm trying to teach 'em manners. But they're slow-learners. --Jim Broede

Mind your manners, please.

Just a reminder, anonymous ladies. Mind your manners. Or you won't get printed in the comments section. Some of you have been acting like sluts instead of ladies. Time to shape up. Some of you should enroll in my "Mind Your Manners" course. --Jim Broede

No more half-assed wars.

If we Americans want war -- well, then let's have a grand old war. Let's initiate the draft again. And recruit an army of 20 million. Let's even draft guys like me. Age 74. Put me on the frontline. Might as well. I've lived a long life already. Better than putting a 19-year-old there. I'll bet if we put 2 million troops in Afghanistan we could control the country. And let's invade Pakistan with 500,000 troops. In search of Osama bin Laden. Let's look into every cave in the world. Let's show the terrorists and the world that we Americans mean business. Yes, let's show everyone that we know how to fight wars. No more half-assed wars. Let's go all-out. Into a full-blown war like this Earth has never seen before. --Jim Broede

We worship $$$.

Think about it. Your money or your life. What would you rather give to save America? To me, it's a no-brainer. I'd pay double or triple my taxes. Rather than surrender my life. In fact, if I had to choose between everything I own, and my life -- well, it's still a no-brainer. We ask our soldiers to risk their lives in defense of the nation. But the rest of us complain if we're asked to pay more taxes. Instead, we become Republicans. Cowards. Penny-pinching non-patriots. We don't want to have anything to do with bailing America out of its steady decline into bankruptcy. No, we're cheapskates. Like Jack Benny. In his comedic skit many years ago. Benny was being robbed. And the robber declared, "Give me your money or your life." And there was silence. And the robber kept demanding an answer. Finally, Benny said, "Give me a minute to think about it." Yes, we don't want to part with anything to save America. The rich wanna keep getting richer. We're greedy Americans. And that's maybe why we'll go the same direction of every empire. Into extinction. Because not only are we unwilling to surrender our lives. But our money, too. We worship money more than country. --Jim Broede

America has lost its spirit.

Unless we Americans change markedly and dramatically, we will fester as a nation. That's the way I see our future. We are in a decline. We have lost the faith. We don't pull together any more. We are at odds with each other. And we are in crisis. I see it every day. It's so obvious. We could pull ourselves out. But we don't want to pay the price. An all-out national effort. A united front. But too many of us want to cling to the old ways. The bickering ways. Maybe the last time we were united was during World War II. We were in decline in the 1930s. But then we rallied. We moreorless pulled ourselves up by the bootstraps. In order to survive. It was that. Or perish. And we're in a similar situation today. We need to rally everything we've got. We all have to go to work. And I mean that literally and figuratively. We all have to contribute. But I don't see it happening. Because America has lost its spirit. --Jim Broede

For god's sake.

We aren't building a better society in America. Instead, we are going into ruin. We are doing nothing to fix America. We are divided. Quibbling. Blaming each other for our plight. For the recession. For the unemployment. For the gridlock in Washington. Our political parties can't even be respectful of each other. Let alone get something done. America is starting to look like a scrap heap. A joke. America really needs an overhaul. Revitalization. I mean with everybody pitching in. We need to pool our resources. I mean a huge tax increase. For just about everyone. But especially for the rich. And let's use the money to rebuild America. Let's pull together for a change. For the sake of survival. For the sake of the American spirit. Yes, for god's sake. --Jim Broede

We're shamefully frightful, too.

Fear. Fear. Fear. We Americans are living in fear. Of so-called terrorists. That's what we've labeled 'em. They're really criminals. And religious fanatics. But we dignify 'em. By calling 'em terrorists. And we're supposed to be afraid of 'em. Even to the point of not wanting to put them into prisons in the USA. Because they're "too dangerous." Give me a break. They're dangerous because we insist on painting them as dangerous. We're horrified. But worse, we're sissies. We have to pretend that we are waging war on the terrorists. In Iraq. And in Afghanistan. Under the pretense of keeping 'em out of America. Give me another break. We could spend the trillions of dollars that we spend on "wars," and channel it instead into intelligence operations. To root out these criminals. That's all they are. Criminals. And we can't even track down the big kahuna, Osama bin Laden. Because we're busy fighting wars. Rather than taking effective police action against a common criminal. Yes, we're inept. We're Republicans and Democrats. Feuding with each other. Showing utter lack of respect for each other. Blaming each other for all the futility. Yes, we're a collection of ignoramuses. And there sits Osama bin Laden. In a cave. Laughing his head off. As we grapple with the scourge of terrorism. We're not only frightened as a nation. We're shamefully frightful, too, in the way we are dealing with the situation. Like chickens running around with their heads cut off. --Jim Broede

Would I die for anyone?

No doubt about it. I tend to be the center of my univesre. Everything radiates out from me. I don't see anything wrong with that. In that I'm relating myself to everything that I perceive. I keep asking the question, how do I relate? To my enviornment. To other people. To circumstances. I'm trying to figure out what life is all about. One might say I'm self-centered. But that doesn't mean that I lack empathy for others. Especially when I am in love. I don't know if I would have ever sacrificed my life for another. But I'd certainly make huge sacrifices for someone I love. I'd make many things, if not all things, secondary to the wishes of my loved ones. Giving one's life totally. Now that would be the supreme sacrifice. I like living. I love the nature of life. Therefore, I would be reluctant to give it up. For instance, I wouldn't want to die for my country. Maybe I would die to protect a loved one. But I don't love my country enough to die for it. When my Jeanne had Alzheimer's, I never considered abandoning her. Because if I did, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. I genuinely loved Jeanne. But what if a doctor told me, "We could make Jeanne well again. If only you sacrificed your life. She can live. But you must die." Now that would have posed a real dilemma. For multiple reasons. But primarily because I really do treasure my own life. Anyway, I'm in love again. And my life really revolves around my loved one. I'd do a whole lot for her. Just to make her happy. And I'd protect her against harm. I'd come to her rescue if she needed me. But would I die for her? I don't know. I just hope I never have to be faced with that decision. --Jim Broede

Here's why it's been a good day.

I have mostly pleasant thoughts. Oh, I chide people. But in pleasant ways. Pleasant for me, that is. Maybe not pleasant for the people being chided. Because they allow themselves to be annoyed. That doesn't bother me. It's their choice. We're all free to make of life what we want to make of it. With an attitude. See, I like to annoy people. Because I think they deserve to be annoyed. Oh, I don't annoy everyone. Just certain people. Like Republicans. And religious fanatics. And people that don't like me for one reason or another. I don't particularly want to be liked. Because if everybody liked me, I wouldn't have people to annoy. That's my lifeblood. The desire to annoy. And I'm often fulfilling that desire. Right here in this blog. And in everyday life. That makes for a rather pleasant existence. A feeling that I'm accomplishing something meaningful. Worthwhile. Yes, it's been a good day when I've annoyed someone. --Jim Broede

Blessed. By the hand of god.

Maybe the only people I trust are romantic idealists. Like me. We think that life was meant for love. That two particular people were destined to meet. Sooner or later. Of course, it may seem like coincidence brought us together. But no, it really was fated. By design. By a guiding spirit. But first, one has to be a believer. In love. In romance. Because then one is alert. Able to recognize the moment. When it happens, one just knows. That one has been blessed. By the hand of god. --Jim Broede

My love keeps me going.

I suppose it's not essential for me to know what's going on in the rest of the world. All I need is a feel for my immediate environs. I wouldn't have to pick up a newspaper. Or go on the Internet. Or watch TV. Or listen to the radio. I could just go about living a rather cloistered life. Sometimes, I think that's what I should do. Ignore the rest of the world. But I'm naturally curious. Maybe too curious for my own good. Because I'm probably getting a distorted picture of the world. Brought to me selectively. By the media. Anyway, I can't do much, if anything, about world events. So it wouldn't matter if I disappeared into the Northwoods for a year or two. Or lived in a cave. Only thing is, I'm in hot pursuit of love. Of romance. And that requires me to venture out into the world. Because my darling is out there. And she needs protecting. And loving. --Jim Broede

They want everyone to be a robot.

Know thyself. Yes, that's what I'm trying to do. Because if I don't know myself, how the heck am I gonna know others? At least, I can get inside myself. I have a keen sense of my being. An awareness. I know, for instance, that I'm a romantic idealist, a free-thinker, a liberal and a lover. Not necessarily in that order. The emphasis can change from day to day. I can share myself with myself every day. Any time. I've determined, too, that I am not a robot. Didn't know that until I learned to know thyself. And so here I am. Rejecting the advice of idiots. People who still operate as robots. And that's what some of 'em want me to do. Become a robot again. They tell me I'm not supposed to know thyself. That it's more inportant to know others. That I'm too self-centered. That I need to be more selfless. One of the idiot ladies even told me that I should still be in love with Jeanne. Even though Jeanne died three years ago. I'm told it's wrong that I've fallen in love again. With another woman. Of course, such advice is pure crap. After all, I'm no robot. I know I'm a lover. I need to be in love. In order to be whole. Yes, I know thyself. No doubt about it. And I also know that I encounter idiots. Robots. Daily. Idiots and robots don't know themselves. And they fear people who know how to think. For themselves. They want everyone to be a robot. --Jim Broede

I have nothing against polite pigs.

You gotta admit, this is an unusual blog. Different. I'm not out to attract big readership. If it's only a small handful. That's fine with me. We've had about 35,000 hits since the blog debuted a little over two years ago. And I'm just letting it flow. It's my outlet. I really don't care that much if you don't like it. Some of you don't, I know. But you keep coming back. Which seems strange. But to each his/her own. Some of you get a bit too personal. You try to disparage me. Which is okay. But I don't print all of it. Only the funny stuff. By now you veterans know that I'm the boss. I call the shots. And I'm not afraid to disparage the disparagers. Some of you have to be taught manners. You sound like you've been raised in a barn. In the pig pen. Which is all right. I have nothing against pigs. Polite pigs. --Jim Broede

We make each other happy.

I'm happy. And that helps me make other people happy. Think about it. If I'm grumpy. And disconsolate. And depressed. I'm not gonna be a very nice guy to be around. But if I'm happy, I quite possibly can make it contagious. I'd be exuding happiness. Good vibes. I have a handful of ladies writing to me to complain that I'm too focused on my own happiness. And that I should spend more time making someone else happy. Hey, I'm doing that. I'm in love. And so I'm busy making my love happy. And I'm happy because I'm in love. It's a beautiful circle. Love feeds upon itself. And hey, there's nothing wrong with having high self-esteem. Liking one's self. I like myself because I'm capable of falling in love. I loved my Jeanne for 38 years. Right up to the day she died three years ago. Thought I'd probably never fall in love again. But I have. And I'm devoted. I love. And I am loved. The love is a two-way street. Nothing better than that. We make each other happy. --Jim Broede

The nicest of my random thoughts.

Random thoughts. I like random thoughts. To wake up. With a thought. Any thought. To prove that I am conscious. Goes back to the philosophy of I think, therefore I am. Maybe that's all I am. A collection of random thoughts. I create myself anew. Daily. By deciding what to think. Moreso than what to do. I have some control. Over what thought to bring to mind. Generally, I grasp for a reasonably happy thought. Because I want to feel good. Today, I want to feel philosophical. By thinking about the meaning of life. Why was I born? I assume it was to savor life. And life is thought. Awareness. Not only of myself. But my environs. And other people. And most of all, the ability to love. Maybe that's the nicest of my random thoughts. The loving ones. --Jim Broede

Let's call it a crime, and not war.

Oh, my gawd. Republicans are so enamored with war. They want it to be a war on terrorism. Not a crime. Yes, outright war. And therefore, so-called terrorists should be deemed enemy combatants, and treated like prisoners of war. Without the constitutional rights afforded alleged criminals. Republicans don't like it that the Nigerian that tried to blow up a plane the other day was read his rights and allowed to have an attorney. The GOP would like to dispatch him pronto to Guantanamo. Devoid of rights. Well, I'm for sending the guy through our American judicial system, and afforded the same kind of rights granted to any of our citizens. In other words, treat him decently and fairly. Even though he isn't a U.S. citizen. Chances are he'll be found guilty and sent to a maximum security prison. Quite possibly for the rest of his life. Just like a criminal. As I see it, terrorism is a crime. Not an act of war. It's an attempt to kill people. And that ain't right. It's wrong, wrong, wrong. The same kind of heinous acts being perpetrated regularly by all sorts of people. Murders occur daily. And the suspects are charged with crimes. Not with starting a war. --Jim Broede

I have seen the light.

As an American, I was brainwashed. In, oh, so many ways. That I'm blessed to be an American. That I ought be a Christian. That it's all right to kill. If it's to protect the nation. And that it's all right to execute criminals. And that capitalism is good. And socialism is bad. And that I should vote. Even if all of the candidates are full of crap. And that it's all right to lie for political gain. And that our founding fathers were virtuous men, despite allowing for slavery and all sorts of inequality. And that I should either love America or leave it. And that America has solved the problem of racism. And that all of America's wars have been just wars. And that apple pie is good. Well, folks, I reject all of this stuff. I'm no longer a brainwashed American. I have seen the light. --Jim Broede

Rather than do irreparable harm.

Many care-givers are doing good jobs. Because they find ways to hold themselves together. Or because they get help. They cope. They have what it takes to be good care-givers. That's a blessing. And I give 'em credit. But others -- well, they're in over their heads. They aren't equipped for it. They aren't up to the daily grind. It's best that they acknowledge it. Rather than do irreparable harm. --Jim Broede

I've chosen good crazy.

I suppose there's a good crazy and a bad crazy. And I'm not sure how one decides which is good and which is bad. I'm assuming that I've chosen good crazy. Because I think I feel good. Yes, I feel like I am in love. With life. And with someone. --Jim Broede