Here it is... Dizzying.

http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/PressSummary01-15-09.pdf

Makes me a little queasy, going through this. So much wonderfullness. So much improvement.

The Uninformed People of the USA

President Obama speaks about his efforts to convince Republicans to support his Recovery and Reinvestment plan 'In some cases they are not as familiar with the package as I would like.'

  647 pages.

  What about us the American People how are we supposed to get familiar with the bill?

  Isn't that part of Democracy to be able to know what your government is actually voting on so that you can notify your 'representative' if you feel that you are opposed or in favor.

  I guess I am naive. This form of Government has been going on for years and years now. Just because Obama is bringing it to the highest levels of a lack information combined with general complexity of the document itself shouldn't cause me to get so frustrated. After all..

  Why is it my business to know what roads and highways and bridges are now going to be repaired in California? Why is it my business to know what and where and how big are the wastewater plants that will be built in California? Why should I be concerned that all my medical records are now going to be centralized & computerized for the benefit of me? Why should I be concerned that we are going to be doubling available Alternative Energy (Yeah Baby!) though no one has told me where or what is going to be built? Why should I be concerned about the 'Smart meters' that no one knows anything about that will monitor energy use in our homes? And on and on know one knows what is in this bill.

  

  I went to look at the official ' Whitehouse ' web site looking for finally a rough outline of what this bill is. There isn't one that I could find. President Obama is setting up a new website to keep us informed about this bill. I found that out while looking on the Whitehouse website Thank you President Obama. It is called www.recovery.gov.

  Here's what he has to say.

 

 I guess that is the way business is done. That's Democracy reaching for the next level. If you thought Bush was Orwellian welcome to our brand new transparent world. 'An unprecedented effort to root out waste, inefficiency, and unnecesary spending in our government.' Bravo. Please don't be a rude American and actually ask to see how your taxpayer dollars are going to be spent before you approve what may be the most brilliant plan the Government has ever created or might be the worst collection of BS and a monumental waste of our money. A debt to be paid back some day of $825 Billion, no problem, just vote Yes and have Faith and more important have Hope.

 Argghhh... Just when we felt like we were winning and we are losing again.

 Guy (What do I know?) W. Meyer, Jr.

  Yahoo ... Rev up the Bulldozers, back on track tearing up the Planet!

Mass Stimulation (Ooooh Baby!) Vs Taking Care

                                                                        Touch Down....

 Not much left to say that hasn't been said about Captain 'Sully' Sullenberger.

      (cell phone(?) photo by Roy Gates submitted to the NY Times)

 

 As you might have noticed, I am not satisfied about much with Obama's Stimulus proposal.

It seems to me like he has cobbled together a humongous Christmas Tree of Ornaments just 

big enough to satisfy the Economists who think it has to be real big. Everything seems like a pretty good idea that probably would never go anywhere alone but put together as the Great Stimulus well. $820 Billion is really not that much. 

So far there is just no room for the American people to participate in the debate, I am still looking for the details.

  Despite that let the debate begin, without any details Paul Krugman lets those of Bad Faith have it right between the eyes. But his admonishments to Republicans and maybe me doesn't seem to address my desire to see the details of this plan before we Say Yea or Nay and or think about what we will never be able to do for our Country that is really waiting our attention

because we just blew $820Billion. You can print as much money as you want forever, for one year, for two years? Answer A, B or C ? Is it possible that the actions of our Federal Government are a fundamental reason behind the 'recession'?

   Here's how Krugman wraps up his argument....

But here’s the thing: Most Americans aren’t listening. The most encouraging thing I’ve heard lately is Mr. Obama’s reported response to Republican objections to a spending-oriented economic plan: “I won.” Indeed he did — and he should disregard the huffing and puffing of those who lost.

   Ouch! Most Americans aren't listening because they are too busy and they have given Obama full faith that we have the best President perhaps ever. That's not a good sign, Americans need to pay attention. Obama has to prove himself. That's how Democracy has to work. We don't have a Theocracy.

  Then finally I find the bill or at least now I know where it is though like all bills that become law the American People rarely get to look at them and if you trust the Federal Government to do a good job with $820 Billion... I don't care how nice a guy Representative Obey is. I know the depth of his commitment and hard work through the years, the man is a class act. Unfortunately things get too big, the center does not hold, there is no center to this bill, a hundred disparate projects, with a hundred disparate projects under them why don't we just create a new cabinet post to oversee this Bill with a staff of maybe a thousand. 647 pages makes me want to cry... that #1, the citizens of this country really have that kind of faith in the wisdom of our government and #2 such a profound super-rushed ill thought out, mess of garbage, a complete waste of money...

Guy how can you possibly say that? You haven't even read it. Plus it proves how poor your argument is because there is no way with spending 820 Billionz could it be a complete waste of money. People will go to work.

  .... a lot of so called improvements that will end up making our lives more complicated and more removed from anything remotely like Country people, living responsible lives and taking care of themselves, which is what I advocate for this entire Country, City people too. Yes We Can. Know your neighbors, be good neighbors, fend for yourself and find ways to serve your community that's how we will make a living. The Ancient Chinese scholars (now scorned over there) and Thomas Jefferson had something in common, they both believed that a Nation could and would prosper for the best when the Government intervened in the least.

 

  That's just it as usual in Washington DC no one will have read it except a few burnt out Senate Aides who will report back to their Bosses yup it looks pretty thorough. Yup. Good, because as a Senator and or Representative for the people of the USA who is just way too busy to find the time to read this work that looks something like the old testament combined with the Legal Codes of  then I'll vote yes because we must do something.

Call it the Department of Homeland Recovery. Might as well institutionalize it with the Federal Government taking such firm leadership we have here a competitor to Terrorism as a cause supreme to further bend people towards eternal supplication to the Supreme Leader whoever he is of the moment. Yes sad how quick I have lost faith in Obama. Turn it around Guy... Cmon 'Bama show me something real. Let's talk Sustainability.

   Where is it? This is supposed to be a transparent Government, remember O....hh.. we are very transparent and accountable that's why we will report back to the American people how this bill fares in thorough detail you will be able to monitor it on our transparent website. But I want to know what we are voting on? Maybe if you shared it with the American people first they could look at it and help you eliminate all the projects that aren't really necessary or are in fact destructive to communities. For instance you say you want to modernize 10,000 schools across America. That sounds pretty good I guess, but what exactly do you mean by that. What is the criteria you have used to choose 10,000 schools across America to work on. Is their someone that just hates 195os architecture and all schools

that aren't whatever... what is the criteria? You want to double alternative energy output in the USA, sounds great but what do you mean? What is the plan? 25 mile mirror array in the Southwest desert?

no thank you. It's time to decentralize. Every home in America capable of producing enough energy to 

sustain an economical energy supply of it's own that is an Alternative Energy plan I would vote for. Let's see if we divided 300 million Americans into 850 Billion dollars....? $5 dollars each..? I am not good at math. How about divide the $850 Billion dollars divided by all adult Americans who are willing to give up driving cars. BaM! WHOA BABY...! Talk about cooling down the Earth, solving the Homeless problem, and bringing billions of dollars right to the roots of the American people who are in trouble. Wow imagine the stir that would bring to the economy as thousands of us finally launched our dream businesses all of this percolatiing right where you need it on Main street. Thousands left the Rat Race for good! In fact if you think about it without a car many more will opt to live close to main street and you have got a dynamic of ecological and economic rebirth that would be possibly fantastic.

 So many brilliant options. Unfortunately the one we are taking is entirely crafted by those removed

from the people, and kept in secrecy until after it's voted on. That's why we voted for Change. Cause we are trusting people. We just never figure out our new man's philosophy until right about now. Federal Government to the rescue because we are the Good Guys!!!

   Guy (a bum and a lonely grouch) ( My Cat may not even really like me anymore, she's Black..)

      PS

    As people have told me don't sweat the stuff you can't control Guy, Take it easy....

    I might go to Mexico on a sabbatical, maybe Virginia maybe stay right where I am. Omm Baby and don't spare the Horses. I dare someone to comment on my rude Audacity of Questioning my Commander in Chief. I voted for him. I sat down to listen at the inauguration, I was elevated, I applauded heartily

  

Real Assets, Something Real Obama...

  What are they? Real Assets. We Americans need a good seminar in modern Economics. I don't think anyone knows what is going on?

   I am doubtful that anyone on Obama's economy team knows what is going on. I think if they did, they would see the benefits of taking the time to explain to the American People what is going on, so we could all understand what is being attempted. Perhaps Obama himself would take a pause in the  'bold course for  dire times' as USA Today called his plans, to figure out again what exactly we are propping up or building or hoping to create with this plan. Stop with the cool, calm, and collected, Panic. It sounds to me you are saying... Quick, Quick Americans! It all might collapse unless we pass this mish mosh of possibly beneficial projects, but who really knows, none of which are going to inspire you much, but Hey! We must do something so let's throw a bunch of money against the Wall and see what sticks. To further prove to you the efficacy of this project I myself will tell you, we are not just throwing a bunch of money at the wall. How many times in the course of your term will you have to push an $820 Billion dollar project through congress? Shouldn't it be proudly thought out and be able to inspire America? 

Is it possible that one year from now 2 years from now we will all look back and say Wow I wish we had that one to do over again. That was our money. Damn.

   So far the broad outlines seem to change every day, all I know is I don't know much ...

    

   "Our economy could fall $1 trillion short of its full capacity, which translates into more than $12,000 in lost income for a family of four. And we could lose a generation of potential, as more young Americans are forced to forgo college dreams or the chance to train for the jobs of the future," Obama said in a five-minute address that the White House released early Saturday.

  "In short, if we do not act boldly and swiftly, a bad situation could become dramatically worse."

       

Hail Obama, God Bless him, etc. etc. .... It seems like we are getting this rush from our wonderful, 'fully transparent government' President to get behind this project ... it reminds me of Weapons of Mass Destruction. Lord forgive me, how dare I? ...and yet I still have Hope. I think Obama is just in too big a rush. What are we getting behind and why not think about asking people who disagree with you to give input at your table?

       There is no real solid plan yet. So why this rush? Are there enough 'Bobbleheads in bubble land' as some writer who coined the phrase described us that if you all in Washington DC appear as if that you know what you are doing.... With a flourish of the pen and all the brand new leaders of this country standing around the table there for the photo op. Click! Then America goes back to being normal. We can go back to making and spending money.  I don't think that's going to work. Only something deeply real and fully transparent as in:

       We see the plan. We understand the plan. Let's go ... will do.

A day earlier, he invited Democratic and Republican leaders to the White House to hear their ideas on the economy, yet Obama didn't share the plan's specifics while they visited.

Many of the goals in the speech and report were familiar from Obama's two-year campaign, like shifting to electronic medical records and investing in preventive health care. Other parts added specifics.

Obama's recovery package aims to:

• Double within three years the amount of energy that could be produced from renewable resources, an ambitious goal given the 30 years it took to reach current levels. Advisers say that could power 6 million households.
• Upgrade 10,000 schools and improve learning for about 5 million students.
• Save $2 billion a year by making federal buildings energy efficient.
• Triple the number of undergraduate and graduate fellowships in science.

   

   Those two quotes above are from MSNBC from January 24, 2009

    From the Washington Post January 24, 2009 :

     House  Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) said the goals outlined

    yesterday "will serve as a benchmark of progress to ensure accountability."

    I don't know how these end goals as noted above 'ensure' accountability of the measure in the present. We don't just vote on something and then you explain what we voted on.

   '   Among the other major goals are laying more than 3,000 miles of electric transmission lines;??Is this high speed Internet? Where are the details? installing 40 million "smart" utility meters, which help control energy use Do we know what we are getting with 'Smart' meters?, in U.S. homes; and weatherizing at least 2 million homes and 75 percent of federal buildings.OK I guess that costs billions Major infrastructure investments include enhancing security at 90 major ports and modernizing the nation's water system by launching 1,300 wastewater projects, 380 drinking-water projects, and 1,000 rural water and sewer system projects.  ' Has anyone required an EIR report on all these projects? It sounds benign but maybe they are big projects that aren't really needed? Who knows? If there is someone out there who knows where Americans get any details of this plan let me know.

Do we ignore people just because they are Republicans?

 From the Washington Post again:

Boehner spokeswoman Antonia Ferrier described the White House proposal as "just another unfocused, runaway bill loaded with slow and wasteful Washington spending on every conceivable goal."

Boehner criticized some spending proposals in the House Democratic plan, including $6 billion for colleges and universities, many of which have large endowments, and $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts. "All told, the plan would spend a whopping $275,000 in taxpayer dollars for every new job it aims to create, saddling each and every household with $6,700 in additional debt," he said.

  I was wondering if any one knew when it was that is became OK for Banks to loan more money than they have assets to cover? Can someone tell me the year or during whose administration, or has it always been OK for that too happen? As someone pointed out to me today though I can't say I am surprised. You know they are still doing it. It being the same stuff that brought, almost brought down Wall Street. You mean gambling with other people's money? They are still doing it? Of course they are, that's Wall Street, that's what they do.  

 

   The White House can respond. An interview with Obama wherein he can explain to one

 not particularly bright, but willing American what it's all about, and we can pour over the  details with American Pride would set my mind and heart to rest.

   

   I'll be paying attention to Obama over here not because I am a nut, maybe I am, but some fool has to try to watch over our stupid government no matter who is running it? I am just one of them, By The People, of the People, for the People... people.

    

     Banks made loans without concern for whether borrowers could repay them, and some borrowers took advantage of cheap credit to take on debt they couldn’t afford.  Politicians spent taxpayer money without wisdom or discipline, too often focused on scoring political points instead of the problems they were sent here to solve. The result has been a devastating loss of trust and confidence in our economy, our financial markets, and our government. 

       Barack Obama from his January 8 speech.

(Maybe this should read... Banks made loans whether they could repay them,)

(Please take note Barack, are you confident in the wisdom and discipline gone into this bill? I mean really confident?) and

We don't need another devastating loss of trust and confidence.

  

    

Some Quote from Somewhere

Democrats are eager to help Mr. Obama succeed, knowing that their success rides on his. Still, they are refusing to cede their status as leaders of a co-equal branch of government, as they say Republicans did under President George W. Bush.

Republicans, for their part, do not want to be seen as obstructionists of a popular new president in a time of national distress. Yet especially in the House, where most Republicans hail from ideologically conservative districts, the opposition members view the stimulus debate as an opportunity to rededicate their divided, demoralized party around the one idea that unites it: big tax cuts, even if that means opposing Mr. Obama.

Geithner - Ouch!

  We are in so precarious an Economic situation we have to support Obama in his pick for Treasury. 

Is that right? The fellow who didn't pay about $34,000 worth of taxes, careless mistakes, who learned his craft while working under Richard Rubin f0rmer Treasury Secretary who the NYTimes reported was responsible for loosening Banking regs during Clinton Administration ...

 And now capable of stirring things up a bit for his Boss. Ouch! 

 Nothing but confidence and as long as we all have confidence everything hums along, but that's just the problem with all these BailOut Billions the sickening amount we are dumping into banks to paper over maybe a bit of corrupt behavior shall we say, (don't banks have a legal responsibility to give good fiduciary.. take care of our money) anyways Richard Rubin is moving on to Non-Profits... hmmhmm. OK. What I am saying is people know the corruption is not out of the system, it's just been pasted over with a fresh printing of US currency. That doesn't bring confidence, not to me.

   Geithner, I think I am going to send an Email to Congresswoman Woolsey. It's OK to say no to our new President better to be a little impolite and give him an opportunity to rethink things look to other options. It's OK to Rethink Obama, that's my message to our new President it's OK to say after further reflection we will go this way... and not that way. America loves you Obama you can handle it.

   To Congresswoman Woolsey please ask President Obama to reconsider his choice for Secretary of the Treasury. Isn't there someone out there who is Old School. Someone nice and Conservative to handle our money. 

   Guy

  

 

 

The Middle East: Where is God? Under the Bombs..

 Of course who am I to say? I originally entitled this entry 'The Middle East:God Looks Away' If any one  believes in God who tunes in here... who am I to say, where God looks and does not look?

 My sense of the Cosmic Mystery is that God's Presence works pretty much on the infinite level

 and that power has a lot to do with being God.

  Anyways we continue to have the tragedy of Israel and it's great prowess at sowing the seeds of deep Hatred by the people who it feels threatened by. (A winning long term strategy for sure...) Threatened no doubt quite obviously by all the people who have been bombed over the years, and all their kin who have been driven off their ancestral homeland by Israel's military might backed by the USA and our 'special relationship' with Israel. If the Muslim bombers think they are forgiven or somehow have entered a special relationship with Allah AKA my God, your God, everyone's God (There is only one, when everything is connected I count One) just because of the perceived evil, rightly or wrongly perceived, of Israel, may you all wake up together in the lower regions of Hell. Forgive me my wrath, God. God is merciful they say and may choose to have mercy on those whose hands have already pulled a thousand triggers and blown up countless bombs supposedly with your blessings. God I don't know how you can't be full of wrath but they say that is part of what makes you God. Something about Love, something some say you have tried to pass on to Humans on this Planet. Imshallah. Maazle Tov and other Greetings that may be invoked to help make this a living reality.

 What do you think Barack? Are we as a nation ready to give up this 'special relationship', this relationship of special partners, of father, son, of what the heck is this special relationship and why does it exist? Barack some of these questions would be coming to you at your first news conference if I was there? I better apply for my press pass soon. Barack here's a heads up. My first question How did Israel become a nation? Can you explain to Americans in a simple fashion how this nation began, and what was the participation of the residents of this area at the time in this decision? (I'm talking about the Palestinians and even its neighboring nations.)

  You understand I want a Change, a Change we can believe in.

  The Academy Awards for best Motion Pictures is taking place in about a month. One of the categories for an Oscar is Best Foreign Film of the Year. I believe every nation on the planet is entitled to send one entry in. There are something like 67 entries this year, somehow they whittle that down to 5 for Oscar night and then tell you who won. I enjoy a good foreign film once in awhile, it's a relatively cheap way to see the rest of the Planet and sometimes the smaller the budget and the less special effects makes for a great Film.

  At The Rafael Theatre tonight I saw a great film. 'Under the Bombs' I would give it the Oscar right now. I think we, everyone, should see it. It's about a Cab Driver and a Beautiful Woman. Exactly. Forgive me, very seriously, the film is from Lebanon and was filmed at the time of the 2006 Israeli invasion into southern Lebanon. The filmmaker uses, make that, shoots his footage during the war and weaves it's story into the devastation. Let the tears flow, it'll do you know harm. Yes it is about these two people on an intense mission. It is Great Filmmaking and deserves the Oscar based on my viewing of 2 of the 67 entries. Americans should watch it, men who pull triggers should watch it, Jews should watch it. Maybe even Barack and Michele should rent a copy when it comes out. A touch of sexuality maybe too much. . ...how dare people make love when bombs are falling? We don't know. Excellent dramatic score, excellent suspense.

  Guy

A Witness to Great History

 Awesome. 

 It truly was a moment, a passage for humanity. A movement, a moment, an absolutely great moment for the USA.

 There are miles to go. Miles and miles. This morning marked a huge arrival for humanity. We are this far and we haven't even begun the battle and yet a huge step up. The USA might just become an awesome place that we hardly can conceive of ...

 Years ahead people, it won't happen overnight it won't happen with one administration.

 The Earth just forges ahead with this intelligent species ready to destroy everything and yet maybe just maybe we are capable of learning, maybe we can forego mutual annihilation and wake up to the Unity that exists, with some Spirits, some Human Beings of great Spirit who can

push us through.

 

 Allright.. I thought the invocation by Rick Warren was fine, I think maybe if somehow this helped influence a few million fundamentalist, conservative Christians to tune in to possibly get swept into this world, to behold, and not just run to a Rush Limbaugh to tell them what to think and to see what was unfolding and not feel like outsiders, then I say Bravo Barack. We do need everybody no matter how disparate we think, to at least pay attention.

  Aretha was breathtaking. 

  For Obama to get lost (with me- I had the exact same feeling {Yup! That's true.} like where are we, in repeating the oath that brief moment, and there was a siren in the background, and the wait and the weight of the world anyways I thought that little stumble was a beautiful thing for the great Orator that he is.

 His address I took no notes and it's now almost 7PM PST and I haven't read any reports just a few humans out there who gave me some of their insight during the day, which maybe I am stealing a bit, someone said Awesome and that fit my minds idea too and someone said Years and Years still to go and that's exactly what I think we all know.

 That address really was magnificent and I don't remember too much.  I do know that I realized the man is not just a great speechwriter (I'm giving him the credit - please don't tell me otherwise) and speechmaker, but the man is a Preacher, a minister of great Power.

 

  So on we go. Some of you know I am very skeptical of so much of Politics. I definitely was thinking even just a few days before the inauguration.... 'Hmm tell me again, What exactly do we need a Federal government for?' That skepticism and critical doubt, me just being a grouch, its not going away. I disagree with much of Obama's policies and I am not even sure what they are, I am going to try to continue to comment on things as they are and I wish I had a Whitehouse Press Pass I would be there to ask some annoying question to him every time and Press him and provide 'the necessary abrasion' as JFK described the process. I still think a Third Party might have to emerge in the USA. Onwards.

 

 Guy

A Cure for Insomnia -- the beginning (I Hope)

How do you build /take the mandate of so many Americans to go forward with change

and end up surrounded by so many people who have been locked into the same DC power politics thinking, for so long? Quite a challenge the young President has set himself up with.

Hope springs eternal.

Here goes the insomniac begins at 3:40 AM with his contribution to the cause.

Number One everything is connected. Ridiculously obvious but useful to keep in mind.

So when trying to lift the Monster that is the US Economy from it's nosedive it would serve us all well to address the other most profound problem Facing the Earth and that means all of us, women and children first, as they say, that profound problem is the destruction of our Atmosphere and the resulting Global Climate Change that will likely cause untold damage, unknown damage, but damage for sure. This is something we hold in our hands, the power to destroy ourselves and our Planet or the Power to begin the smooth transition to a World whose human activities celebrate, invigorate, work with, restore and enjoy this Beautiful Planet that is fundamentally a Miracle of Life.

 There are activities that we do and things we consume that harm the Earth and harm ourselves, we can begin to identify them and turn the gears of commerce as we move away from these destructive habits.

  President Obama is a good man. He cannot bring change on a grassroot level. That is our job. Almost all of us drive automobiles. We hold the key. Right there Boom! Right there we hold the key! It's so simple. When we turn that ignition on we start a fire, a little fire, and it gets us where we need to go but.. We are burning down the house with millions of us and our little fires. Don't panic I don't think we need to jump to extremes, though I would say a life without a car though, opens doors that you wouldn't know existed as to meeting people in your world. People that might be important to your life. However what I am suggesting is this. That President Obama call on all Americans to make a change, he needs to call on all Americans to make a change. Let's begin the Power Glide up towards a new economy by instituting the 4 day work week.  I know you think that is horrible and too painful a sacrifice but I believe we can do it. The truth is everyone in their bones knows we are in for some hard times, let's face them and go forward. Let's get a Nationwide commitment to drive to work only 4 days a week. 3 days of the week we leave our cars at home, and we get by with bicycles, walking, or public transit. Of course many of us are workaholics, people who would go nuts if they didn't have to be at work and so maybe we can make options for them again bicycle to work, public transit, walk, work at home One day a week.

 Let's think about all those businesses that are sitting right now ready to hand out the pink slips. It may be a cruel option but let's examine it. What would it be like for those businesses

to have you work 20% less you might have to earn 20% less, but that still might be worth it for many of us. These are going to be nothing but tough times ahead and very possibly the very best times of our lives as we begin to take these steps that directly confront our problems. Remember when you begin to directly face your problems that's when real progress happens..

Somebody told me that once and it makes sense to me.

  There is another important aspect to our self-inflicted problems on Earth. We keep destroying all the land that surrounds us. Some areas of the country are worse than others. That's the whole other fundamental dark side to all this real estate boom across the Planet. (Not just that they were reaming you with their crooked mortgages, and their crap (frequently) housing (modern life sardines). Tearing up the land to build more and more houses means less and less trees and grass. Trees and grass serve a very important function to us on a relatively small and definitely finite Planet. They help absorb our mess in the form of CO2 and as all you who made it to 4th grade probably know by now I hope, they release Oxygen. That's a pretty important function, in other words the increase of Trees and Grass would likely help stabilize global warming, the decrease of Grass and Trees increases the rate of Climate change. We can't hide from this or pretend this isn't the case.

 President Obama please take note. To be a good leader you must  look at all the threats this country faces as well as all the options that bring us greater security. We cannot afford to quickstart our economy back  into the same old destructive real estate habits. That time is over. A nationwide goal for every town and city in the USA. 40% reduction in, pavement, asphalt, tar paper what have you, all that stuff that reflects heat back up into our atmosphere, it all matters and replace it with trees and grass. Don't think this can't be done. It can. Imagine that sorry end of town with all the pavement, wasted parking spaces, everywhere as if we are afraid of letting anything in the realm of human life exist as nature. Let's get to work we are talking about thousands and thousands of acres. Nature preserves, Corn Fields, Baseball diamonds. Do you see how it all works together? As we begin to drive less, get more electric/solar/biodiesel vehicles on the road we are talking about an incredible transformation.

A healthy economy comes natural to people who take care of their environment, there are a thousand ways it all begins to work together when you get down to basics.

  Every major urban /suburban artery in the USA needs bus and shuttle service. Thousands more electric hybrid biodiesel buses and cars. To serve all of us citizens who aren't going to be driving on those happy 3 days of the week that we aren't driving. Put cab drivers at the wheel, some of us are getting old and need some benefits. There should be a revolution, the gears are in motion let's go!

  Don't spend our hard earned money billions & billions on a lot of pouring more asphalt across this land the time is here to restore nature. The economy is a function of intelligent living. When too many people think the economy is just about extracting money from the Earth without consequence that's when your economy is doomed. That's what has been happening we are dealing with some high laws beyond most current human comprehension. If you rip people and Life on Earth for your own gain your economy will eventually Crash. It's some sort of Natural Law and I don't think it really is that complicated and I do think that is exactly where we are. 

  

   More to come.

January is a tough month...Nothing Comes Easy

 

 We have to remember It's January. It doesn't come easy in January. Well when does it ever come easy? Shhhh...!

  Everything is Golden... said a friend of mine last night. Bush is out and Everything is Golden.

I feel bad that I can't muster up that glow right now. Can't fake it. Though maybe I will catch up to the Golden Glow sooner or later. If it was up to me, if the world's fate hung on my success or failure... Phew! what a weight.  I might crumble, everything could collapse. I YIYI...

 I have to remember that Positive Energy is a force unto itself and maybe even without necessarily heading in the most direct direction it can and will accomplish and achieve success.. eventually. The Isness of it all. The Just is. Om. 

  Nothing Comes Easy says a friend of mine who tells me, he who in his usual Zen clarity and pragmatism would raise an eyebrow to any mention of a Divine Force some destiny making/influencing reality that implies a Greater Other than us, he tells me he now believes there is an undeniable conspiracy against himself by a greater force,  manifest mainly in the area of Love. Hmmm... Sounds like me. Nothing Comes Easy is the guiding force at the independent art house movie theatre where he frequents regularly which is hard to figure since  always thought my friend loved Mainstream American movies that had plots, action, love interest, resolution and out the door. This year he sits through Gray movies whose whole purpose is to espouse the notion of Nothing Comes Easy. He's not happy and may have to go back to the chain theatres of America. Anyways why am I talking about my friends.

  Chain theatres reminds me of the Chains we are in with our Too big Corporate Powers and how we have handed over our lives to their success.

  We have a lot of references to Lincoln and Roosevelt lately, I was digging around some JFK material trying to find some of his press conferences online or available on DVD? Not much luck there.

  Guy

'Outsight'

 A friend rescued me on Tuesday night from the Cafe Aroma where I work it was 10PM, I had given up on making it to the San Anselmo Town Council meeting. There is always so much I want to say but usually can't or don't say much of anything. It was the first meeting of the new year I just wanted to be there. My letter regarding SSAV sits awaiting a final edit. 

 I was in poor shape having a couple of bad insomnia nights, in a row, the latest seemingly bringing on minor cold symptoms. Why do I tell you this? Why can't I write intelligent blog messages that just deal with what goes on outside the world and not what goes on onside my

head? Breathe... I won't worry. (sure you won't!) I am sorry, refer to 7 Year Itch to understand

the inner dialogue, no Marilyn Monroe has not moved in next door.

 I got doored back on Saturday. It's a bicycle term I hadn't known existed though I know the event which it describe exists. Now I know. I am all right. I still have my lightning (?) quick reflexes, pretty quick reflexes anyways I am all right but I had given up on getting out to the SA Town Meeting, and had finally emerged from my apartment. When... anyways showed up at 10:30 PM to a town council meeting with my friend Chris from Fairfax, maybe one or two other people observing discussion on setbacks, FAR (Floor Area Ratio) Floor area to Lot area ratio is pretty important stuff to any town that still prides itself on not having been destroyed by... argghh Greed. Anyways Chris immediately stands up to offer some insight on the complex subject, I decide to add my two cents, call it 'outsight'. I just wanted to make sure that what I thought I heard the council saying that houses with porches closer to the streets encouraged community I just wanted to add that my dream house would be one set back on the lot surrounded by thick Rose Bushes, Bottle Brushes, Peach Trees, Dogwood and Pink Flamingoes

where you hardly even new my house was there and still I would have community. Community is  a great thing, freedom from the hubbub of the street is a really good thing too. They said something to effect that they weren't going to legislate a preference in that regard and I said thank you good. Or we all said some words to the general effect as I have stated. I Guy W. Meyer Jr authorize this ramble.

  Guy

2009 Crap into Diamonds

That's going to be tough. Very tough. In fact maybe the pressure needed to turn Crap into Diamonds will be too much for some of us to bear. Who knows?

Crap into Diamond was the title of my New Year's Eve cab driving experience. Someday I'll write the book.

So many days so many thoughts so much to say.  Hey I don't think we have to accept Garbage and lies and Fear as a way of Life. The Tao of Life and how is Family going to be the foundation of the USA of the 21st century? 

If you want to save America, just make your family the foundation of it all. As it is, as it could be, as it hasn't even begun.

Me and Obama. I had this long dream a couple of nights ago it went on forever. We were buddies after the final hours of the inauguration he invited me out for drinks at the Corinthian

Yacht Club. A fitting place. I had helped smuggle him into the inauguration festivities, it was sort of cloak and dagger, with the secret service's help we rigged him up to some sort of sled I recall.. some strange and brilliant (sarcasm) idea. We used the beach at night and I believe we had a team of sheep, maybe they were rabbits, they were animals they were white and they were pulling along the Obama sled the tricky part was we had some other flock of animals that were grey in color to be used as a distraction, sort of a cover so there was this white team pulling through the grey flock and the whole thing bogged down and it kind of got embarrassing because suddenly there was this entire press corp standing around taking pictures and the sled wasn't moving. I was embarrassed and the CIA and secret service was embarrassed. Kind of looked a little foolish there on the beach. But somehow that passed. Michele was gorgeous that night in light blue, and I won't reveal anymore state secrets. The mystery 3rd daughter was there. It's probably not best for me to share dreams which are after all not much more than reflections of my subconscious.

  

Give me my calling. How come at the age of 57 I really don't know what I really do that I am good at you know.

 Deeply frustrated by my movies again. God just when I get close. 

A

Sometimes I think it's a sin

	D                                                E
When I	feel like I'm winnin' when I'm losin again

 Is that right? Chords off the internet. 

A whole 14 minute brilliant piece (uh-huh ), finally a hair's breath away from completion of the Day 3 State Fair of Virginia movie, now it's gone. 'Error!'  it says. I try bringing it back the whole thing. It's there  know it... the sequence that is listed it says it's there but it won't open up. Error, and then, out of memory. Sure. 3.3 gigs isn't enough that you would destroy my work? Fi! Fi! triple Fi on my wretched brilliant machine. This is why I am going to Mexico tomorrow... just thinking humans .. where is my escape hatch? Maybe Mexico?

 Anyways I am not real excited about the inauguration except Change is good. It would be good to be a nation with higher standards than the Bush years that is for sure. Just don't think Obama has his vision very clear. I hear nothing that excites me much. But he has a great family and has a starring role. Tough position to be in. Tough, very tough. Pressure...!

 It's all on me. Like all 0f us... carrying crosses. Our crap, our Diamonds.

   Guy

The Empty Cup 2009

What will fill it?