Point of View

Glenn Beck

 Who are we that claim to be so liberal we cannot even truly hear the words others say?  Since when is close-mindedness and rhetoric a means to liberation?

I have tried to understand why friends and the general media denounce people like Glenn Beck for being hate mongers and trouble makers. To that end, I have watched Mr. Beck's program and several other Fox News shows and have only one question.

Huh?

Mind you, I don't agree with everything they have to say....but at the same time where we agree, we really agree.

When it comes to why the United States is so hated in the world, we see eye-to-eye.

Hypocrisy is the dirtiest underwear....it stinks up the room and makes for unpleasant company.  Our nation hasn't changed its skivvies in a long, long time.  No wonder people are mad at us!  We finance governments who are abusive to their people then wonder why we are hated.

America used to be the shining city on a hill. We were a welcomed, desired ally.  Now we are hated...even called "The Great Satan." A quick review of our actions over the past 30 plus years indicates our complicity in countries government-sponsored abuses throughout the planet.

Citing "The enemy of my enemy is my friend," the United States built relationships and policies with leaders who operate as cruel dictators; this in direct violation of our own country's "moral fiber" of civil rights and freedom.

Lady Liberty is no longer seen as a beacon light in a world of darkness; her robes are tarnished, her book missing most of its pages and her torch barely an ember.

These are not the musings of a fear-monger, they are my own thoughts....thoughts I've had for a long time and heard reflected in, of all places, a news channel that's all but damned by my fellow liberals.
To folks like Mr. Glenn Beck I say a heart-felt thank you for having the courage to speak out in spite of the many pressures to do otherwise.

For today, Fifty  Five is the New Point of View....being liberal doesn't mean a person can't have an open mind.

Egyptian Update

Egypt....just moments ago we heard that President Mubarak stepped down; awaiting confirmation.
Please let this be more than an appeasement...let it be real, positive change; but change for the better.
The Muslim Brotherhood is NOT, to my understanding "real, positive change."

Please...let this be a new beginning for new beginnings throughout the region; and a new beginning for us as well.

For the moment, Fifty Five is the new Egyptian Update....more to come

Writing On The Wall

I'm re-reading "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Attwood; food for thought when it comes to the idea that things like Sharia Law can't happen in the United States.  Anything is possible when we devalue our personal freedoms for the sake of political expediency.

I'm also recommending the book to anyone who cares to listen to my yammering.  "It's a cautionary tale," I tell them, "read and heed."  "Handmaid's" and "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand stand out as two very important works that should be reviewed by everyone on their way to the revolution; let's make sure which leaders we are following and where they intend to take us.

Such books help with figuring out these things.....if only we take the knowledge and work with it.

For today, Fifty Five is the New Writing On The Wall...."Handmaid's Tale" and "Atlas Shrugged;" It's time we do some heavy reading.

Work

We've been doing some more recording amid the political chaos.  I think it's best to keep the creative juices flowing, even in the midst of craziness. 

Cruisin' to make the video for "You Drive"

We've re-recorded an old country song written by us a few years back: "Dusty Old Bar Stool." Jack says it's a classic two-step country dance tune. Sounds right to me.

We also wrote the melody for "Country By The Dock Of The Bay," lyrics written a few months back.
I'm so glad we're keeping up with the music. 

For now, neither has a video but that will soon change.  We have the tunes up on our Sonicbids EPK (www.sonicbids.com/BargainBasementBand2) and on Jango internet radio. 

We are working on the video for "You Drive," and are taking a little road trip soon to get some more footage including a much-needed view over a cliff from our car's passenger side window. Should be fun, interesting, a little hair raising and great visuals!

For today, Fifty Five Is The New Work...every day, something new to do to keep us active, young and alive.

Body Politic

The fires of revolution burn throughout the world - in some places it has erupted like Vesuvius, while in others it smolders right below the surface.....waiting for its time to burst forth.
We live in very interesting times.
In our own country, we're having a revolution of sorts as Congress works to re-master or do completely away with programs instigated by President Obama that have been deemed budget killers.

Some thought that our first African American President would bring with him real change in how government is done; not so.  Rather than unifying, he polarized our country....not single handed, he had help through the arrogance of both major political parties. Their respective indolence and constant bickering didn't allow for an atmosphere of true non-partisan policy making.

The recent elections were a wake-up call for Washington D.C.; those that survived the cut were put on notice and quickly scrambled about, getting up to speed on what their constituency have been saying while the newly elected members, some Tea Party supported, came to work with ideas for cutting budgets and "getting the house in order."

Economic problems are rampant, globally and locally.  When there is no money, people cry out....when there is no food, they march.   My prayer is that we find a way through our own problems before things get worse.....globally and locally.

For today, Fifty Five is the new Body Politic....If the People Lead, the Leaders Will Follow-let's hope the right People are doing the leading.
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Appreciating Life

North Beach Deli-by rcw

A person can be poor as a church mouse and still find a way to feel like a million in North Beach.  Just walk down Columbus...take a peek inside a deli, take a sample of a few cheeses and bread. 

Mosey on down to the chocolate shop and get a sample of fudge to finish it off!

Between all that and the life going on all around, there's a lot to enjoy. The street musicians, the usual corner beggars who've been there for years....the usual crew hanging out at Trieste.

I am grateful every day for having such a wonderful neighborhood.  I have been blessed and will never forget it.

Granted, I've had moments when the same sort of thing only adds to the depression...a person's got to be careful when it comes to things like that.

Just like taking a drink; perhaps not the best thing to do in the throes of a woe-is-me.

So for today, Fifty Five Is The New

Thought Book

When I began this blog, I wasn't sure where it would lead or even if I'd be able to stick to it for more than a few weeks.  Truth is, I'm not big on talking about myself....although you wouldn't know it by reading these pages.  Here I've been able to reveal without sounding egotistical.

That's the beauty of the art form known as blogging.  Back in the olden days it would have been called journal keeping or keeping a diary.  I had both in my youth.  At first it was those black and white copy books, then at around age thirteen I was given a real diary with a key and lock, but was back to the old faithful copybooks as soon as the store bought diary was filled.

Actually I filled it in a lot sooner than the manufacturer intended.  Their idea was for a couple of paragraphs per day, and they only allowed for four entries per page.  That configuration didn't work for me. I filled several pages per day, ignoring the pre-printed day/date as I did most items of conformity.

With a vengeance!

In high school, a dear friend named Holly shared the interest.  She taught me a new name for these bound reams of ours.  She called them "Thought Books."   It's the name I've used ever since.

Blogging is like keeping a thought book.  Granted, it's way more public than the pages kept locked up in those commercial diaries.  There's a great deal more care to be taken if a person doesn't want every skeleton dragged out of the closet.   But keeping that in mind....or not caring who knows what....leads to a very good past time, discipline, project or legacy.  Or what ever.

For today, Fifty Five Is The New Thought Book, because that's what all this is...ultimately.  Thoughts.