Sunday, June 28, 2009

Where Have All The Icons Gone

Within five days, four Icons in the Entertainment World passed away. From June 23 to June 28, 2009, these four recognizable entertainers were taken from us but, they all left impressions that will resonate for years to come.

Ed McMahon, said to be the ultimate and perennial sidekick of Johnny Carson, a past host of the tonight show, was the first of these elites to pass away. Mr. McMahon died at the age of 86 at the Ronald Reagan Medical Center at UCLA in Los Angeles California. In recent years Mr. McMahon was suffering from medical issues and had only recently been able to settle some severe financial difficulties that had plagued him for several years prior. Mr. McMahon spent over twenty five years on the Tonight Show patenting the phrase “Hhheeeerrreee’ssssss Johnny” when introducing Johnny Carson every night. Even though, Mr. McMahon went on to continue his success in other entertainment endeavors, it will always be his booming voice and introduction that will be ingrained in the halls of entertainment legacy for all time.

Farrah Fawcett was the next Icon to pass in the early morning of June 25, 2009. Ms. Fawcett was best known for the role of Jill Monroe on the television series Charlie’s Angels, which aired in the 1970’s. Considered one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, she holds the record for the most Posters ever sold. Her trademark golden locks were captured in a photo of her in a one piece red bathing suit and sparkling smile. Ms. Fawcett continued with her career after Charlie’s Angels and received much notoriety for various movie and stage performances. Ms. Fawcett waged a courageous battle against Anal Cancer. Though, she had a couple of bouts in remission and promised her last beau Ryan O’Neal that she would marry him when she felt better, she passed before she could get the chance. Farrah Fawcett was 62 when she died and many a male heart went along with her.


In the afternoon of the same day Farrah Fawcett died, Michael Jackson, said to be the King of Pop, was pronounced dead at the Ronald Reagan Medical Center at UCLA. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office must wait for all the toxicology tests to be performed before he will issue the final cause of death. Michael Jackson was 50 years old. Mr. Jackson’s life has been chronicled through the years with accolades for his music and criticisms, for what some have said, are bizarre behavior. Much of the criticism was about alleged inappropriate behavior with minors and his parenting skills. However, on stage and performing, he is unmatched in talent and creativity as acknowledged by his peers. His mark on the music industry is forever etched.


On June 28, 2009, Billy Mays passed away. Mr. Mays was known for being the pitchman for Oxy Clean and Oxy Glow cleaning products. After midnight, you could always surf the TV channels and come across a commercial that would start off with his patented,”Billy Mays here” sales pitch. He died suddenly in his home in the Tampa Florida suburb of Odessa of Heart Disease. Apparently, Mr. Mays was unaware that he had this condition He was 51 years old.

I guess it really does not matter whether you are religious, spiritual or a non believer. You can still reflect on the thought of how you never know from day to day whether this will be your last and how you will be missed.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_McMahon
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10578611&nav=0RaPbpwi
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/06/23/obit.mcmahon/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/TV/06/06/lkl.mcmahon/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farrah_Fawcett
http://bulletin.aarp.org/opinions/othervoices/articles/farrah_fawcett_dies.html?CMP=KNC-360I-GOOGLE-BULL&HBX_OU=50&HBX_PK=farrah_fawcett
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,529080,00.html?mrp
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000396/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson
http://www.michaeljackson.com/
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,529188,00.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Mays
http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/28/billy-mays-tv-pitchman-dies/?hp

Friday, June 26, 2009

Reality or Deceit TV

A few years ago a one-hour special titled “Surviving Sextuplets and Twins” was aired on the Discovery Channel. Since that broadcast, a reality television series developed called, Jon and Kate plus 8. Every episode was a day in the life of Jon and Kate Gossellin raising their eight children. This series has proven to be a ratings boom for the Discovery Channel as well as a financial bonanza for the network and the Gossellin family. But, through all of the controversy and rumors that have circulated since this show’s beginning, the specter of divorce has reared it’s ugly head.


When divorce papers were filed by Kate Gossellin, a few days ago, it stated that she and Jon Gossellin had been living apart for two years. This fact was never indicated on the show. In fact, the Discovery Channel went out of it’s way to show Jon and Kate as a loving couple trying to raise their family in today’s economy. In light of everything, the show appears to have been a complete fraud. It is reported that Jon was actually living in an apartment above the garage and has been dating during the whole series. Which brings us to the question; Was this a reality show or a big deception? Or, even a bigger question; Do we care?

For me, if it is reality then, tell it like it is. In other words, the truth. This show has been a lie from it’s inception. Sure, you had a couple trying to raise their eight children but, they were not lovey dovey. They were actually a couple pretending to care about each other for the sake of the kids. Now that would have been reality television.

The series is on a hiatus until sometime in August. Then, it is scheduled to continue. It remains to be seen if the popularity of the show continues or not. More than likely it will. But, I think it should be relabeled as a Soap Opera instead. Yes, divorce is reality but, the Discovery Channel will try to gloss it over because ratings equals money. And don’t forget, that is what this is really all about.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Kate+Plus+sham+last+years+divorce+papers/1731637/story.html
http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/jon-and-kate/jon-and-kate.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_&_Kate_Plus_8
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/12/jon-kate-plus-8-mom-denie_n_214862.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stacy-schneider/emjon-and-kate-plus-8em-d_b_212710.html

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Another One Bites The Dust


For the second time in as many weeks, a high profile Republican admits to having an extramarital affair. On the surface, you can say, “this is just another politician caught cheating on his wife”. However, for a party still reeling from the overwhelming defeat handed to them in the 2008 Presidential Election, the news is distressing. The GOP is desperately looking for a leader to step up, and take up the charge, for a comeback in the mid term 2010 elections. Senator John Ensign from Nevada and Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina were two individuals being eyed as possible Presidential Candidates in the 2012 Presidential Election. For both of them, that may only seem like a pipe dream now.

On June 18, 2009, Senator Ensign admitted to an extramarital affair. Today, June 24, 2009, Governor Sanford admitted to the same. Though, Governor Sanford’s admission comes after being missing for five days. It appears he told his staff he would be hiking in the Appalachian Mountains when in fact; he was with his mistress in Argentina. While away, no one was technically in charge in South Carolina. One of the biggest criticisms toward the Governor is the fact that, had there been a crisis, he was out of touch and unavailable for any decision making processes. There is sure to be more fallout from his opponents over this and more in the future. But, even more disturbing, is the hypocrisy being shown by the Republican candidates.


The Democratic Party is not immune to this behavior either but, it is the Republican Party that touts family values and Christian beliefs. The following is an excerpt from an interview Governor Sanford had with Fox News pundit Sean Hannity on the Talk Show Hannity; http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,527220,00.html
HANNITY: All right. Clearly, there are going to be implications for 2010 and certainly the 2012 election. This is now Obama’s deficits. This is his debt, this is his economy, and this is his health care plan. Do you think ultimately — and of course, his positions on national security are a separate issue?
Do you think this ultimately is the undoing of the Democratic Party? I mean James Carville was bragging about, you know, a generation of Democratic rule. I don't see it happening.

SANFORD: I guess the Bible says pride cometh before a fall so I would take humble exception with Carville's suggesting on that front because I think that with the numbers point to, and you can always see it in this month's job numbers, you know, the Obama administration was out talking about 100,000 jobs either saved or added.
And this notion of saving a job becomes really amorphous in terms of what that means. While, meanwhile, over 300,000 jobs were lost around the country. So there's a lot of backtracking and I think that that is the bellwether as to what comes next. If this economy continues to deteriorate, I think Obama is going to have severe problems as well, by extension, the Democratic Party.
Note, the reference to the Bible, used by the Governor. This is typical of most, if not, all Republicans in or running for office. This Party raises praise of the very values that they are consisting breaking, especially of late.

Now, as I have said, the Democrats are just as guilty of infidelity and other misdeeds just like the Republicans. But, you do not see the Democrats quoting the Bible or using the Bible to explain or exhort something just to try to play to the public. Let’s face it; if a Democrat is a Heathen, he or she is not going to set themselves up for it.

The Republicans continue on their downward spiral. The Right Wing Talk Shows keep talking about the changing mood in America and how people, are in doubt of, the Obama Administration. The only people being doubted are the Republican old guard that continues to drag the party down. Eventually, a trusted, fresh and honest face will emerge someday. The Party can only hope that it will be sooner, rather then later.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://www.softsailor.com/news/5353-governor-mark-sanfords-emails-leaked-prove-hes-having-an-affair.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/24/AR2009062402504.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ensign
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1905351,00.html
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/23813.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,527220,00.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Sanford

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Arrogance versus Confidence

Barbara Boxer is the junior Senator from California. Senator Boxer joined the U.S. Senate in 1992. However, her impressive political career began long before that. Like any other politician she has gained many supporters and opponents alike. However, on June 18, 2009, the junior Senator from California has brought criticism even I must agree with.

There were many articles describing a verbal exchange between Senator Boxer and Brigadier General Michael Walsh during the Senates Environment and Public Works Committee meeting. I chose the following article by Rob Hotakainen because it summarizes the issue and fallout rather effectively; http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/1108835.html
Critics pounce as Sen. Boxer says no to `ma'am'
By ROB HOTAKAINEN
McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON -- There's a burning question in California's 2010 Senate race: Is it OK for a military general to call a senator "ma'am"?

It didn't take long for the state's junior senator, Democrat Barbara Boxer, to object when Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh followed proper military protocol last week by calling her "ma'am" at a hearing of the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee, which Boxer heads.
"Do me a favor. Could you say 'senator' instead of 'ma'am'? It's just a thing; I worked so hard to get that title, so I'd appreciate it," Boxer said.

Chuck DeVore, a Republican who's trying to deny Boxer a fourth term, said it was remarkable that Boxer "dressed down" a general, calling it "the latest liberal-military confrontation." He said it wasn't Boxer's first confrontation with the military, noting that she had cut her political teeth during protests of the Vietnam War in the San Francisco Bay area.
"Why do some liberals apparently despise our military?" DeVore asks in a statement on his campaign's Web site. He says the use of "ma'am" is "a perfectly acceptable sign of military respect to both a U.S. senator or a senior female officer."

Republican critics in the blogosphere and elsewhere are excoriating Boxer. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., called Boxer "a loose cannon" and an embarrassment to her party.
"I just can't put up with that kind of thing when people think too much of themselves, and we see a lot of that in Washington," DeMint told Fox News Channel.

During a line of questioning on protecting and restoring the Louisiana coast, Walsh repeatedly referred to Boxer as "ma'am" until she cut him off with her request to be called "senator."
"Yes, senator," replied Walsh, who's with the Army Corps of Engineers.
Zachary Coile, Boxer's communications director, said Monday that the senator had spoken with Walsh after the hearing and that the general wasn't offended by Boxer's request.
"They had a very friendly conversation," Coile said. "They reiterated their respect for each other and how much they look forward to working together in the future. Sen. Boxer has tremendous respect for our men and women who serve in the military, including Gen. Walsh."

Pundits and the national media have been having a field day over the dustup.
National Public Radio ended a segment by playing a sound bite of Aretha Franklin's "Respect" ("All I'm asking for is a little respect"), while The Washington Times ran a story headlined "No 'ma'am' for Boxer."


The following article is a short Biography of Brigadier General Michael Walsh;
http://chl.erdc.usace.army.mil/chl.aspx?p=s&a=ARTICLES!539
Colonel Michael J. WalshBG Walsh assumed command of the South Atlantic Division (SAD) on 24 June 2004. His previous assignment was Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
As SAD Commander, BG Walsh oversees engineering, construction, and real estate activities for the Army and Air Force in the Southeastern United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. He is also responsible for water resources development activities, which include management of major harbors, federal navigable waterways, and multiple-purpose reservoirs.
As USACE Chief of Staff from May 2003 to June 2004, he was responsible for directing, coordinating, supervising, integrating, and training more than 900 personnel to provide responsive engineering support to the Army and Nation at home and abroad. He worked closely with Army, other MACOMs, Department of Defense staff, and members of Congress to ensure USACE provided exceptional support to the Army and Nation in peace and war.
BG Walsh served as USACE Executive Director of Civil Works from August 2001 to May 2003. He provided executive direction and oversight to 200 personnel in the DC headquarters and to 25,000 Corps employees who execute the daily civil works mission throughout the United States. BG Walsh's career includes two USACE district commands: Sacramento District from 1998 to 2001 and San Francisco District from 1994 to 1996.
BG Walsh has held a wide variety of Army command and staff assignments. They include project management officer for Engineer Branch, Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers, Europe (SHAPE); Environmental Task Force Leader, Fort Stewart, GA; Executive Officer, 92nd Engineer Battalion, Fort Stewart, GA, and Saudi Arabia; Project Engineer and Assistant Area Engineer, Baltimore District; Construction Officer, 18th Engineer Brigade, Darmstadt, Germany; and Commander, Company B, 94th Engineer Battalion, Darmstadt, Germany.
BG Walsh graduated from Polytechnic Institute of New York in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. He also earned a master's degree in construction management from the University of Florida. His military education includes the Engineer Officers Basic and Advanced Courses, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College.

I have no doubt, with the Senator’s Communications Officer, that after the hearing the Senator and General spoke and he stated he was not offended by what was said. That is because he was being courteous and respectful. Just like he was when he referred to Senator Boxer as ma’am. I believe the General was as professional as his training dictates and that Senator Boxer is arrogant and quite frankly an insecure female who needs to be reassured through words that she is respected. Shame on you Senator Boxer for insulting a man who, not only paid you due respect but, is a member of a military that has historically preserved the right that you abused on this day. You have fought for the average American and served your country well in the political arena. Feeling that, I am surprised at your arrogance and insecurity for needing a verbal reinforcement of your title, at the expense of a respected Confident Military Man, on the national stage.

Hopefully, Senator Boxer has learned her lesson and understands that, if you want the respect, try offering the same. It is the least she can do for a person in her position.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://chl.erdc.usace.army.mil/chl.aspx?p=s&a=ARTICLES!539
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Boxer
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/1108835.html

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Partisan, Bi-Partisan

On the campaign trail, during the Presidential Election in 2008, Barack Obama promised to reach out to the Republican Party if he should win the Presidency. True to his promise and to the dismay of many Progressives, President Obama has done this by trying to fill his cabinet with a diverse group of individuals from both Republican and his own Democratic Party. Some say this is a political ploy to eliminate possible presidential competition in 2012. Others say this is good politics where, in trying to keep his political promises, is creating the "unite not divide" leadership, for his legacy. As the proverbial “Honeymoon” period of his Presidency winds down, President Obama finds himself at odds with his own party with trying to pass bills and making laws in a bi-partisan manner.

A good example of this comes from an excerpt of the “New Rules” segment of the HBO Talk Show Real Time with Bill Maher;
http://www.hbo.com/billmaher/new_rules/index.html
And, this is why I don't want my president to be a TV star. Because TV stars are too worried about being popular, and too concerned with getting renewed. Oh, you can relax about that one, Mr. President. The Party is doing everything they possibly can to insure that you'll get re-elected. The Republican Party. Speaking of which—speaking of the Republicans, if you can't shove some real reform down their throats now, then when? Folks, Barack Obama needs to start putting it on the line in fights against the banks, the energy companies and the health care industry. I never thought I'd say this, but actually, what he needs in his personality is a little George Bush. He needs to stop worrying about being loved and bring out that smug, insufferable swagger that says, "Suck on it, America." George Bush had horrible ideas—torture, deregulation, preemptive war, tax cuts for the rich—but he pushed them through in their full measure, never mind the Congress or the Constitution, the Geneva Convention — Magna Carta—Hammurabi's Code. The point is, he didn't care if it made him unpopular with every human on the planet not named Cletus or Fred Barnes. Which it did. And what we need to do is to marry the good ideas that Barack Obama has, with a little bit of the Bush attitude and certitude. I'd love it if Obama came out one day and said, "Jesus told me to fix health care." In conclusion, Bush was bad, but he never cared if he was seen out in a restaurant having a burger with Dick Cheney. If he wanted a burger, he picked up the phone in the White House and said, "I'm the president, bring me a burger!" And they would say, "Sir, this is NORAD." "Would you please stop ordering burgers into the red phone?"
I'm glad Obama is president, but the "audacity of hope" part is over. Right now, I'm hoping for a little more audacity.

The following is one of the definitions of Partisan, from the Wikipedia Dictionary;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partisan
In politics, partisan literally means organized into political parties. The expression "partisan politics" usually refers to fervent, sometimes militant support of a party, cause, faction, person, or idea. Although this is typically an appellation with negative connotations, some supporters embrace the term.

After eight years of the previous administration, many of President Obama’s supporters want him to be a little less bi-partisan and push more of his agenda, using the partisan power he was fortunate enough, to have accumulated. Many feel the last eight years showed a Republican Party that was not bi-partisan but in fact, so partisan, that they pushed laws and regulations through Congressional approval, while steam rolling over their Democratic rivals. Some say this is what contributed to the collapse of our economy and our decline on the world stage.

It will be interesting to see if our new President will lose his patience with the Republican stonewalling, that he has been facing, and take the advice to push for his agenda to be completed. The Republicans have pushed back on virtually every initiative he has brought to the table. So intense and bitter, the battles have become, it is seven months since the election in 2008 and the Minnesota Senate Seat is still being contested by Republican Norm Coleman. The incumbent Mr. Coleman, was defeated by Democratic Candidate Al Franken.
Due to the challenges made by the Republican Party and Mr. Coleman, the people of Minnesota only have one Senator representing them. This will remain until the matter is finally decided. Mr. Coleman has promised to go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court before he will concede defeat. With this type of determination from the opposing party and the growing discontent within his own, it is probably just a matter of time before our calm, cool thinking leader decides he has had enough and takes out a big can of “Whoop Ass”. When he does, the Republican Party might see it as a Pandora’s Box, they wish they never opened.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

What Has Happened To Our Heroes

Yesterday, The New York Times reported that baseball great Sammy Sosa had tested positive for steroid use during the 2003 Major League Baseball Season. Even though many followers of the game suspected him of such, this brings Mr. Sosa under suspicion that he may have lied to a Congressional Hearing in 2005, when he testified he had never used the substances. Now retired, Mr. Sosa says he will be relaxing at his home in the Dominican Republic and looks forward to the day he will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. This prospect is now in jeopardy in lieu of the report of his positive test results.

The following is an excerpt from Mr. Sosa’s testimony at the Congressional Hearing on banned substance use in Baseball; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sammy_Sosa
"To be clear, I have never taken illegal performance-enhancing drugs."
"I have never injected myself or had anyone inject me with anything," he told the House Government Reform Committee on March 17, 2005. "I have not broken the laws of the United States or the laws of the Dominican Republic. I have been tested as recently as 2004, and I am clean."

The following is an excerpt from the testimony of Jose Canseco, the author of the book “Juiced”;
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/18/sports/baseball/18steroids.html
Jose Canseco, a former player who said in his recent book, "Juiced," that he and others, including Mr. McGwire and Mr. Sosa, used steroids, and Curt Schilling, a pitcher who has been outspoken in criticizing steroid use, testified but contradicted previous public statements.


Those mentioned above, along with, Barry Bonds, Manny Ramierez, Raphael Palmeiro and Alex Rodriguez, were looked up to by many of our children. Just the same as we looked up to past greats like Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, to name a few. But, our baseball heroes, did not use drugs to play in greatness. They used their own abilities the best they could and we loved them for it. The heroes of yesterday were real and honest. They were true legends. This is something the baseball players today lost in their quest for fame and fortune. Maybe the thought of having to compete with the past made them feel so inadequate they felt they had to cheat. Or, was it simply the money. The obscene amount of money Team Owners threw at these individuals to feed their pockets and egos. Or, to try to turn baseball into an entertainment industry instead of the wholesome sporting event, it was always meant to be. Maybe, the Team Owners and the Players Union are just as culpable.

Whoever is to blame, one thing is certain, baseball must change the way they do things if their credibility is to ever be restored. The game itself will never be ruined. It is too much a part of the American fiber to allow that to happen. But, heroes will have to be made. From now on, they will be made once again, by their ability on the field. Not depend upon their credibility from a Lab test.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090616/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bbo_sosa_drugs
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/sports/baseball/17doping.html?_r=1&ref=sports
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/18/sports/baseball/18steroids.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sammy_Sosa

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Generational Divide

It has been said that the younger generation had an effect on the Presidential election that brought the first African American President in our nation. It is now being said that a generation that will not be silenced or dictated to by a status quo and enjoys the freedom and hope of a better future, is also influencing a countries election. This paraphrased statement is from an article appearing on The Daily Dish by Andrew Sullivan. The country being spoken of is Iran. The following is the article as it appears on the website theatlantic.com;
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/06/the-revolution-will-be-twittered-1.html
The Revolution will be Twittered
Mock not. As the regime shut down other forms of communication, Twitter survived. With some remarkable results. Those rooftop chants that were becoming deafening in Tehran? A few hours ago, this concept of resistance was spread by a twitter message. Here's the Twitter from a Moussavi supporter:
ALL internet & mobile networks are cut. We ask everyone in Tehran to go onto their rooftops and shout ALAHO AKBAR in protest #IranElection
That a new information technology could be improvised for this purpose so swiftly is a sign of the times. It reveals in Iran what the Obama campaign revealed in the United States. You cannot stop people any longer. You cannot control them any longer. They can bypass your established media; they can broadcast to one another; they can organize as never before.
It's increasingly clear that Ahmadinejad and the old guard mullahs were caught off-guard by this technology and how it helped galvanize the opposition movement in the last few weeks. That's why they didn't see what those of us surgically attached to modems could spot a mile away: something was happening in Iran. If
Drum is right, the mullahs believed their own propaganda about victory until reality hit them so hard so fast, they miscalculated badly and over-reached.
The key force behind this is the next generation, the Millennials, who elected Obama in America and may oust Ahmadinejad in Iran. They want freedom; they are sick of lies; they enjoy life and know hope.
This generation will determine if the world can avoid the apocalypse that will come if the fear-ridden establishments continue to dominate global politics, motivated by terror, armed with nukes, and playing old but now far too dangerous games. This generation will not bypass existing institutions and methods: look at the record turnout in Iran and the massive mobilization of the young and minority vote in the US. But they will use technology to displace old modes and orders. Maybe this revolt will be crushed. But even if it is, the genie has escaped this Islamist bottle.
Maybe that's what we're hearing on the rooftops of Tehran: the sound of the next revolution.
Allah O Akbar!


I believe this article is spot on with the assessment of the situation over the Presidential Election in Iran. If the Mullahs have underestimated the rising unrest in their country, we could be viewing, the beginning of the end of the tightened hard lined Islamic rule that has been in place since the over throw of the Shah in the 1970’s. Iran has had Presidential Elections through the years but, the elected official has limited power which is controlled by the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iran is facing many issues such as economic hardships with unemployment over 12% and inflation near 25%. Mir-Hossein Mousavi is the major opponent to the incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Mr. Mousavi, former Prime Minister of Iran, is a reformist who wants more of a free market economy and a less aggressive tone towards the International Community involving Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He appears to have most of the support in the urban areas where Ahmadinejad has the support of the rural land. The election results have shown Ahmadinejad winning in a landslide. However, violent demonstrations have occurred since the results appear to contradict poling sources and demographic statistics.

Whatever the final results, Iran is a country in turmoil. This may work against, the Mullahs in charge, if future policies cause more international friction. In particular, a nuclear program that will leave the region threatened. The population already looks divided and just might not be willing to support their Government should hostilities with the International Community present itself.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_presidential_election,_2009
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Iran
http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2009/0610_iran_election_salehi_isfahani.aspx
http://www.juancole.com/2009/06/stealing-iranian-election.html
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/06/the-revolution-will-be-twittered-1.html

Saturday, June 13, 2009

The Last Seven

John Boehner is the House Minority Leader in the 111th Congress. He is a Congressman representing the 8th District of Ohio and has enjoyed a successful career spanning close to twenty years. Congressman Boehner joined the U. S. House of Representatives when the 102nd Congress convened in 1990. Soon after, he joined with a group of fellow Congressmen who became known as “The Gang of Seven.” The following is taken directly from the Wikipedia page about this group;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gang_of_Seven
Gang of Seven

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to:
navigation, searchThe Gang of Seven refers to a group of Republican U.S. Representatives, elected in 1990. The group loudly condemned the House banking scandal and the Congressional Post Office Scandal. They also criticised Congressional perks such as subsidies for the Capitol Barbershop and Senate Restaurant.

The seven Representatives were:
John Boehner (OH-08)
John Doolittle (CA-04)
Scott Klug (WI-02)
Jim Nussle (IA-01)
Frank Riggs (CA-01)
Charles H. Taylor (NC-11)
Rick Santorum (PA-18)
Six of the seven will not serve in the 111th Congress. Two were defeated for re-election, and four have resigned.

Santorum was once considered a rising star in the Republican Party. He was the first of the Gang of Seven to run for higher office, and the only one who was successful, becoming the Junior US Senator from Pennsylvania in the Republican landslide of 1994. Santorum served two terms in the Senate and rose to the level of Senate Republican Conference Chairman before being defeated by State Treasurer
Bob Casey in 2006.

Charles Taylor, who remained in the House and was then an 11-term incumbent, was also defeated in 2006 amid allegations of corruption, losing to former NFL quarterback
Heath Shuler.

Four others retired, two of them to run for higher office. Riggs resigned his seat in 1998 to run for US Senate, but lost to incumbent
Barbara Boxer. Nussle resigned in 2006 to run for the open Iowa governor's seat, but also lost, to current incumbent Chet Culver. Klug chose to return to private life in 1998. Doolittle, accused of involvement in the Jack Abramoff scandal, is retiring at the end of his current term in 2008.

Only Boehner still remains in office, where he has been extremely successful in advancing his career. In February 2006, he became
House Majority Leader. After the November 2006 election, when the Republicans lost control of the House, he became the House Minority Leader. He won re-election in 2008.

During his career, many detractors have formed against Congressman Boehner. He has gained a reputation for being against the average citizen and favoring Insurance Companies and Corporate America. The Congressman admits to being associated with the “K – Street” lobbyists. He contends that these associations are legal, ethical and does not buy favors for his support.


According to the website Middleclass.org;
http://www.themiddleclass.org/legislator/john-boehner-31?gclid=CKWF46HFh5sCFQZeswodm2YTpQ
Congressman Boehner has a failing grade when it comes to championing laws and bills that are designed to help the Middle Class of America. From the years 2003 through 2008, this organization places an “F” next to his name on issues of Credit Card Holder’s Bill of Rights, Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 and The Emergency Extended Unemployment Insurance Compensation Act of 2008, to mention a few.

For me, I do not believe there is anything ethical when it comes to the “K – Street” Lobbying Firms and Corporate America. It is one thing to try to get laws to give businesses a break and a competitive edge in today’s markets. But, Corporate America sets out to give the shaft to Labor and the average American as much as it can. Congressman Boehner is always in the thick of things to make that happen. But, it is not just him. The Republican Party has become the tool Corporations use making the average citizen second class at best. That is why I find it hard to believe Congressman Boehner or anyone else in the Republican Party, when they say, they are watching out for the American People. Like John Edwards would probably ask, which America are we talking about? It must be the wealthy one because, I am not, and the Republicans have hurt my chances in getting ahead way more than helping.

However, Congressman Boehner does have my respect, if not my complete support. I believe him and his Political Party need to care more about the Middle Class and show that the average American is as important to them, as Corporate America is. Until then, my only advice to the Congressman is, not to take the jokes about his color to heart. They are just jealous. When you got it, flaunt it Congressman.

That’s How I Feel.

Websites of reference;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobbying
http://www.themiddleclass.org/legislator/john-boehner-31?gclid=CKWF46HFh5sCFQZeswodm2YTpQ
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Boehner
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gang_of_Seven

Friday, June 12, 2009

Comical Taste to Tasteless

On a recent Late Show broadcast, the host David Letterman made some jokes meant to entertain. His jokes were directed towards Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and her daughter Bristol. The following are the jokes from that show;
http://lateshow.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/top_ten/index/php/20090608.phtml
Top Ten List:
10.) Visited New York Landmarks she normally only sees from Alaska.
9.) Laughed at all the crazy looking foreigners entering the U.N.
8.) Made Moose Jerky on Rachel Ray
7.) Keyed Tina Fey’s car.
6.) After a wink and a nod, ended up with kilo of crack
5.) Made coat out of New York City rat pelts.
4.) Sat in for Kelly Ripa, Regis couldn’t tell the difference.
3.) Finally met one of those Jewish people Mel Gibson’s always talking about
2.) Bought makeup at Bloomingdale’s to update her “slutty flight attendant” look.
1.) Especially enjoyed not appearing on Letterman.


Another joke was said during his monologue;
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/06/sarah-palin-david-letterman-cbs-rape.html
One awkward moment for Sarah Palin at the Yankee game, during the seventh inning, her daughter was knocked up by Alex Rodriguez.

On the following day, David Letterman gave this explanation and sort of apology;
We were, as we often do, making jokes about people in the news and we made some jokes about Sarah Palin and her daughter, the 18-year-old girl, who is – her name is Bristol, that’s right, and so, then, now they’re upset with me…”
“These are not jokes made about her 14-year-old daughter. I would never, never make jokes about raping or having sex of any description with a 14-year-old girl. I mean, look at my record. It has never happened. I don’t think it’s funny. I would never think it was funny. I wouldn’t put it in a joke…”
“…Governor Palin, if you’re watching, I would like you to consider coming to New York City – you and Todd as my guests, or leave Todd at home – I’d love to have you on the show. It’d be exciting…”
“All right, so there, I hope I’ve cleared part of this up. Am I guilty of poor taste? Yes. Did I suggest that it was okay for her 14-year-old daughter to be having promiscuous sex? No.”

The Palins were outraged by these remarks and felt they were tasteless and uncalled for. I agree to a point. David Letterman makes his money at humor. Whether it is good or not, will be judged by his audience. I agree that references to minor family members should be kept decent at best. Mr. Letterman’s apology is about as good as it is going to get. Is it enough? If the Palin’s want to show any class it would be. But class is one of two traits Sarah Palin does not have in my opinion. The other trait being intelligence.

Sarah Palin is using this opportunity to keep her name in the press and try to obtain some sympathetic following. She is aware as anyone that, the Republican Party is in disarray and would love, to end up being the leader of the party. So, like she did early in the Presidential Election, she is using her family as a prop to gain recognition from the public. Quite frankly, I think this is worse than what David Letterman is accused of doing. Both she and her husband could have shrugged the remarks off or made a short statement about the remarks being tasteless and left it at that. She could have even said she was a Leno fan to add to the rebuttal and looked classy over it. But, as in the Presidential Election, she has shown the lack of class and intelligence that I believe cost John McCain the election. To continue to throw her daughters name out into the public realm shows the low class she is and probably always will be. I hope, when the Republican Party resurges, it has left this classless and brainless woman on the sidelines. She may be considered in high esteem in Alaska but, to me, her lack of intelligence in National and World affairs makes her an embarrassment and insult for someone trying to reach the highest office in our Country.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/robert-schlesinger/2009/06/12/sarah-palin-matches-david-letterman-in-cheap-classless-jokes.html
http://www.usnews.com/articles/opinion/2009/06/12/is-the-palin-crews-fight-with-david-letterman-a-publicity-stunt.html
http://www.biography.com/articles/David-Letterman-9380239
http://www.newsday.com/topic/entertainment/television/david-letterman-PECLB004157.topic
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/L/htmlL/lettermanda/lettermanda.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Show_with_David_Letterman
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20284295,00.html
http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=49506
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/06/sarah-palin-david-letterman-cbs-rape.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Letterman

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Tobacco Regulation


Could this be the lead in to Marijuana Legalization

As of today, the Senate is working on a bill that already passed the House, on the regulation of Tobacco products. The Senate is making the changes they would like to see and will pass it back to the Congress for their approval. The main focus of this bill, as I understand it, is to prevent the use of tobacco by minors. What I am wondering is, could this be a doorway to the legalization of Marijuana?


For me, I do not think this would be a bad thing. No, I am not a Pot Head. I do enjoy my dalliances with volatile liquids from time to time though. (Manhattan in particular, in a pitcher of ice) I think we can set a small amount of use of Cannabis to be legal and amounts over the set legal amount to be fined like a traffic ticket. Think of the revenue obtained while enjoying the savings in court costs. The Tax money could be spread from Local to Federal levels. The fines written, you know there would be, could bring in millions across the country.
The following is a quote from an article authored by Stephen J. Dubner on NewYorkTimes.com;
http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/22/pot-quorum/
Two years ago we ran a quorum debating the pros and cons of decriminalizing marijuana. Since then, a largely theoretical debate has moved quite substantially toward the realm of reality, with a growing number of states and municipalities having changed their laws. The details from place to place vary greatly and are very much a patchwork; the most prominent state to make a move is Massachusetts. The California legislature, meanwhile, is wondering whether marijuana could save its economy — which, as we read just this morning, is badly in need of saving.
Although President Obama
doesn’t seem interested, arguments in favor of decriminalization are popping up everywhere, from the Law Enforcement Against Prohibition platform to the senior thesis of a graduating economics major at Brown named Max Chaiken, which finds that “a legally taxed and regulated marijuana market could generate upwards of $200 billion annually in excise tax revenues for the federal government … [which] would be enough to fund Medicaid.”

Mostly every link I did review for this article, talked about the medical issues Marijuana is said to cause. However, Marijuana is being considered for medical purposes as a pain reliever with cancer patients. This seems kind of ironic, huh? I am sure the debate will continue with one state or another. Whether it be California, Massachusetts or such, I believe the issue of Marijuana legalization is down the road and will be coming up sooner rather than later. Hey GOP! Want to make a comeback? Have I got an issue for you!!!

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/marijuana.html
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/marijuana/index.html
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/marijuana.html
http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/22/pot-quorum/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_(drug)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/
http://www.tobacco.org/
http://www.tobacco.org/History/Tobacco_History.html

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Unitil Must Go


On December 11, 2008, the most devastating Ice Storm in Massachusetts history took place. I know of this first hand. I, along with my disabled wife and mother-in-law, barely survived it. This is no thanks to the most useless, incompetent and criminally negligent utility company I have ever been a customer of, UNITIL. We live in the Franklin Road area of Fitchburg. This area has always been the forgotten step child of the city. From our previous crooked mayor Dan Mylott to the incompetent Lisa Wong today, our area of town always seems to be the last to receive any kind of service during good times, let alone during a crisis. But, this article is not about the lousy government we have here in Massachusetts. This is about a utility company that has shown they are criminally negligent, to the point where loss of life, could have taken place due to their ineffectiveness and inability to respond in a disaster.

Our home was without power for over twelve days. Frozen pipes and fixtures were replaced before the house became inhabitable again. Let me take you through a quick time line of my experience. We lost power around 2:00 AM Thursday morning. We survived pretty well through the first day and then through the next. After numerous calls to criminally negligent UNITIL, being told they were doing the best they could, never seeing a truck in the area, I had my mother-in-law taken to my sister-in-laws house. She had power. You see, she lives in Leominster Massachusetts with National Grid as her utility provider. She had power the day after the storm. Yes, there are demographics involved, but Leominster is the neighbor to Fitchburg. Leominster was just as hard hit as Fitchburg but, Mayor Mazzarella of Leominster, along with National Grid had his city completely powered up within five days. Meanwhile, our Mayor Wong floundered in confusion and incompetence trying to get the criminally negligent UNITIL into action. I’ll fast forward to the seventh Day without power. We had survived an additional twelve to fifteen inch snow storm and numerous broken promises, from the criminally negligent UNITIL, of power restoration. It was because of these promises that I remained behind with my disabled wife. We were trying to stay warm ourselves and keep the house from freezing, thinking if we could just hold on for another hour, then the power would be on and we would be home free. That hour never came.


The decision, to abandon the house, came at the end of the seventh day, when I was angered so much by a criminally negligent UNITIL employee named John, I almost assaulted him in a rage. Power trucks had worked on our poles and told us we had power. We did not. I approached the criminally negligent UNITIL worker, sitting in a UNITIL vehicle talking on his cell phone. I explained to this criminally negligent individual that we did not have power to our house. This criminally negligent individual told me, very arrogantly, that the power was restored to my house and I must have a problem on my house. This criminally negligent individual said “that isn’t my problem pal, good luck” and turned to finish talking on his cell phone. I almost yanked this criminally negligent UNITIL worker out of his car and beat the snot out of him. But, I went home and told my wife we must leave because there was no one coming to help us. As we drove away I saw the same criminally negligent UNITIL worker still sitting in his vehicle talking on his cell phone. During the time my wife had spent in the house, waiting for power to be turned on by the criminally negligent UNITIL, she became very ill developing an infection requiring hospitalization. After twelve days, the power was restored by National Grid that had been ordered into the area to help out. There was nothing wrong with our house electrically. When the power was correctly restored to our house from the street, we made repairs and moved back in.

On Sunday March 15, 2009, I was disgusted and outraged when this article appeared in the Worcester Telegram, a newspaper published out of Worcester Massachusetts;
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090315/NEWS/903150415/1160/SPECIALSECTIONS04&source=rss

This article was written by Shaun Sutner

Critics of Unitil, the embattled utility that has come under intense criticism after the December ice storm, blasted the company for awarding a nearly $300,000 incentive bonus to Robert G. Schoenberger, its $1 million-a-year president and CEO, for outperforming his 2008 job goals. According to documents filed Friday with the federal Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr. Schoenberger got $294,796 tacked onto his other compensation on Feb. 16 for exceeding target objectives. Based on the bonus formula, he received 10 percent on customer satisfaction, while 25 percent was linked to company earnings. “The whole thing is obscene,” said Fitchburg City Council President Stephan Hay. “I challenge them to find a customer in Fitchburg who is satisfied with their performance.” Wesley Eberle, an executive with O’Neil and Associates, a Boston PR company hired by the New Hampshired-based utility to handle media inquiries in the wake of the Dec. 11-12 storm, said the company has made changes to better serve customers, many of them in northern Worcester County. However, he said, Mr. Schoenberger heads “a well-run utility with effective, efficient management that is working hard for its customers and working hard for its shareholders.” Mr. Eberle noted that Mr. Schoenberger was recognized as one of the top CEOs in the country and that Unitil completed a successful acquisition of Northern Utilities last year. He also said Unitil soon will be passing on rate decreases to customers. But many customers and elected officials in Ashby, Fitchburg, Lunenburg and Townsend — the Massachusetts communities serviced by the utility — remain incensed with the company for leaving many customers without power for almost two weeks after the storm. Some have also complained about excessively high rates and billing problems. A petition seeking the removal of the utility has garnered more than 5,000 signatures, and a class action suit was filed Jan. 7 against Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Co., a division of Unitil, by 14 people from Fitchburg, Lunenburg and Townsend. The news that Mr. Schoenberger, and three other top executives who got financial awards ranging from $77,000 to $101,000 further inflamed bitterness, and some are renewing their call to remove Unitil as the electricity and gas heat provider in their communities. “I understand it’s a free enterprise system and that their primary responsibility is to shareholders,” said state Rep. Stephen L. DiNatale, D-Fitchburg. “But tell that to the folks in Fitchburg who have been unfairly subjected to utility rates that are outrageous. “If Bob Schoenberger is doing such a wonderful job for investors, then how do you explain the unfathomable bills people are getting?” Mr. DiNatale continued. Robert V. Antonucci, president of Fitchburg State College and a member of Unitil’s board of directors, declined to comment, saying he has been advised by the utility’s lawyers to leave public statements to company executives. Nicholas C. Pappas of Fitchburg, one of the plaintiffs in the class action suit, said his lawyers have also told him not to publicly comment about the company. Mr. Schoenberger, 58, has been chairman of the board and CEO of Unitil since 1997 and president since 2003. Before that, he was president and chief operating officer of the New York Power Authority. In addition to his $443,302 base salary last year, Mr. Schoenberger received stock awards worth $125,748; non-equity incentive compensation valued at $294,796; $366,736 in pension and other deferred compensation earnings; and $56,404 in other payments. He made a total of $1,295,985 last year, up from $1,179,819 in 2007 and $1,019,013 in 2006, according to the SEC filing. “To read that the executives of Unitil are getting bonuses is an insult to the city of Fitchburg and to the ratepayers,” said Mr. DiNatale. Other Unitil executives made the following incentive bonuses for 2008: • Mark H. Collin, senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer, $99,820; • Thomas P. Meissner Jr., senior vice president and chief operating officer, $101,000; • George R. Gantz, senior vice president, Unitil Service, $77,532; • Todd R. Black, president, Usource, $45,987.

On June 6, 2009, it is being reported that Massachusetts State Attorney General Martha Coakley is recommending a 4.6 million dollar fine to be levied against criminally negligent UNITIL for their criminally negligent response to the Ice Storm. Criminally negligent UNITIL says this is unfair. I congratulate Ms. Coakley. It seems she is the only Massachusetts Politician that has any balls in doing something to criminally negligent UNITIL.

As for me, I do not feel this is enough. I believe, with all my being, that criminally negligent UNITIL must have their license to work in the state of Massachusetts revoked and they should be kicked out. The response or lack of response was CRIMINALLY NEGLIGENT on so many levels. The bonuses given to the CEO and other Executives of this criminally negligent company are obscene, disgraceful and typical of how Corporate America flips the middle finger and spits on the average American citizen. Now, I would love to see CEO Schoenberger and all his top executives hanging from a tree on the center green in Fitchburg. But, I guess we are to civilized for that. (Damn it!) I’ll just have to settle for them being kicked out, if that even happens at all. For now, I plan on moving out of the area if criminally negligent UNITIL remains the power utility and the present incompetent administration remains in charge here in Fitchburg. I have had enough. Oh by the way, my utility bill has gone up over seventy five dollars, a month, more than at this time last year. So much for the rate reduction that criminally negligent UNITIL said was coming.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://www.unitil.com/
http://www.unitil.com/content/aboutus/
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/06/06/ag_seeks_46m_in_fines_for_unitil/
http://www.google.com/finance?q=NYSE:UTL
http://www.northernutilities.com/
http://wbztv.com/icestorm08/unitil.ice.storm.2.1032820.html
http://news.prnewswire.com/ViewContent.aspx?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/05-27-2009/0005033557&EDATE=
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/05/12/utility_promises_better_response/
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090315/NEWS/903150415/1160/SPECIALSECTIONS04&source=rss
http://unitilsucks.blogspot.com/

Saturday, June 6, 2009

The Man Behind The Curtain

Rahmbo

In the movie, The Wizard of Oz; Dorothy, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion go to the castle to meet the famous Wizard. Over and above the difficulty they had, to get in to see him, the three soon realized that all of the smoke and mirrors were just a cover for a man behind the curtain. In our, Land of Oz, President Barack Obama is front and center. But, there is a man behind the curtain, just the same. This man comes in the form of, Chief of Staff for the Obama Administration, Rahm Emanuel.

In researching Mr. Emanuel I found, there are no smoke and mirrors, when interacting with this individual. He is real, in your face and takes no prisoners, when he wants to get his point across. He has also had quite a career in politics and overall life experiences as he approaches his fiftieth birthday this year. The following is a short excerpt, from an article about Mr. Emanuel’s life, by M.J. Stephey and Kate Pickert of Time Magazine, Political Section; http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1856965,00.html
Fast Facts:
• 48 years old, married to Amy Rule, a woman he met on a blind date. They have three children.
• He studied ballet in high school and was offered a scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet, but went to Sarah Lawrence College instead, where he earned a bachelor's degree. He has a master's degree in speech from Northwestern University.
• As a teenager, he severed his right middle finger slicing meat at Arby's and went swimming in Lake Michigan before getting stitches. After the wound became severly infected, Emanuel had the top of his finger amputated and spent six weeks recovering.
• Has served in the White House before, as a senior advisor to Bill Clinton. On Emanuel's 38th birthday, Clinton gave him a photo with the following tongue-in-cheek inscription: "Now Mr. President, how many times do I have to tell you, say it this way?" Clinton wrote. "And, by the way, wish me a happy birthday. Always gently, Rahm. 11/29/97."
• Before working in the Clinton White House, Emanuel worked for Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. He was first elected to Congress in 2002, and is the fourth-highest ranking House Democrat.
• In between his stints in Washington, Emanuel got rich working as an investment banker. He once sat on the board of Freddie Mac and recuses himself from any Congressional votes on the mortgage giant.
• Orchestrated the Democratic takeover of the House in 2006 and is known among colleagues as "Rahmbo."

There are many more interesting facts that were presented. I recommend clicking on the link above for the complete article.

If you go to the White House Website, the following link rounds out the relative experience that Mr. Emanuel has obtained; http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/staff/rahm_emanuel/
CHIEF OF STAFF RAHM EMANUEL
Rahm Emanuel is the White House Chief of Staff. Prior to joining President Barack H. Obama's administration, Emanuel served in the House of Representatives, representing the fifth district of Illinois, and was Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. As an advocate for Chicago's working families, Emanuel served on the House Ways and Means Committee, which oversees taxes, trade, Social Security, and Medicare issues.
Appointed by then House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Emanuel served as Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for the 2006 cycle. Under his leadership, Democrats gained 30 seats in the House without losing a single incumbent, and ushered in a new Democratic majority for the first time in more than a decade.
In January 2007, the new majority elected Emanuel to serve as Democratic Caucus Chair, the fourth-highest-ranking member of the House Democratic Leadership. As Chair, Emanuel led the Democratic Caucus in fulfilling its campaign promise to pass legislation reflecting the values and priorities of the American people.
Before being elected to Congress, Emanuel worked at the Chicago investment bank Wasserstein Perella. He was a core member of the Clinton White House from 1993 to 1998, starting as the national finance director for the 1992 campaign and eventually becoming Senior Adviser to the President for Policy and Strategy. In 1989, Emanuel was a senior adviser and chief fundraiser for Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's campaign. He also played an important role in Paul Simon's 1984 campaign for the Senate.
Emanuel graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1981 and received a Master's Degree in Speech and Communication from Northwestern University in 1985. He and his wife, Amy Rule, have three children, Zach, Ilana, and Leah.

Of all the information I have read to research this article I noticed a common fiber in all of them. Regardless of whether the article supported Mr. Emanuel or criticized him. They all appeared to greatly respect him and his abilities along with a slight touch of admiration as well. Now I have not been a blogger for a long time and can count on one hand (well maybe two), how many short Bio’s I have written. This is the only one I can make that claim to. In fact, unless I am not looking in the right places, even the derogatory information I read, appeared to be mild compared to some individuals I have written about. I feel this says an awful lot about the character of the man. A character of a determined, steadfast but, fair man who has devoted a good part of his life to public service to help make a better world for all of us to live in.

If I ever have the pleasure of meeting Rahm Emanuel, I hope we hit it off well. I have a feeling he is one of the good guys. Someone you would be proud to have in your corner and to be equally as proud, to know you are in his, as well.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Rahm_Emanuel
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/03/02/090302fa_fact_lizza
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/e000287/
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02172009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/rahms_rent_is_just_the_tip_of_ethics_ice_155536.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/06/us/politics/06emanuel.html
http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/politics/government/rahm-emanuel--PEPLT000007532.topic
http://search.bloomberg.com/search?q=Rahm+Emanuel&site=wnews&client=wnews&proxystylesheet=wnews&output=xml_no_dtd&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&filter=p&getfields=wnnis&sort=date:D:S:d1
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/8091986/the_enforcer/
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/us/politics/10obama.html?_r=1&ref=politics
http://www.politicalfriendster.com/showPerson.php?id=2281&name=Rham-Emanuel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahm_Emanuel