I've been reading a lot lately. Books that is, not blogs. Our computer is housed in our sun room which is a bit chilly this time of year, especially in the evenings and when I'm at the bookstore, I've actually been working. Imagine that! Both scenarios have left me with very little time to spend leisurely perusing the blogosphere or making many posts of my own.
The book I just finished is The Conscience of a Liberal by Paul Krugman and I think it is one of the single most important books I have read in years. If you believe our country needs a Universal Health Care system, read this book! Or if you often wonder why the economy seems to go to the dogs when our friendly conservatives are in office, read this book! Krugman is an economist and so some parts of it are a bit dry. I even flashed back to my Econ 101 college days every now and then whilst reading and remembered how I'd have rather jammed toothpicks underneath my fingernails than read my Econ text.
This book fortunately did not create such urges, I think mainly because Krugman weaves within his text, topics besides economics including politics, unions, race and comparing and contrasting our system with those of Canada, France, Germany and Britain to support his arguments. The parts of the book which focus on the role of unions during the last 100 years of our country and it's economy was particularly interesting to me as my dad was a union steward during his life and I am a supporter of unions. Perhaps I'll go more into that aspect of the book in a later post.
So for those of you who just can't get enough Paul Krugman in your life, which will most decidely be the case after you have read the book, he has a blog through the New York Times! So yes, try and hold back your glee as I have had to... You can connect with this man's thoughts daily. Sigh! Sob! Life would be so terribly dreadful without the internet. Wouldn't it? I can't believe I lived through the first five-sixths of my life without it.
The events of the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali have been resonating in the shadows of my daily world. I've gone about my days, taking care of my family, schooling my children, conversing with my friends and running my business, but my heart and soul took a trip to Bali recently. No one would've known to see me and I've said very little to anyone until yesterday, but that's where I've been, hoping that some progress would be made, agonizing really.
Watching diplomatic processes such as these are mental torture. Perhaps, I should have just waited to tune in to the aftermath. But then I would have missed all the drama and bali-hoo taking place. I've pulled some excerpts from "Tortured End to Bali" from Time.com which convey some of the drama that exploded at the end of the conference.
It was only with the help of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, who made an emergency stop in Bali, that negotiations got kick started. The South Korean, in office for less than a year, is known as diplomatic even by UN standards, but he arrived without mincing words. "Frankly, I am disappointed at the lack of progress," said Ban to a packed audience. "Seize the moment, this moment, for the good of all humanity." With that, Ban left the chamber to a standing ovation. Yes! What exactly is our problem? Divided we fall... WHY must it always be soooo difficult for nations (for people from different groups in general) to work together?
After India reiterated its objection — and was essentially supported by the European Union — the lead American negotiator Paula Dobiansky turned to speak, and announced that the U.S. would not accept India's changes, which sought to lighten the expectations from developing countries. (The UN negotiating process requires total consensus.) Boos rained on the U.S. delegation from NGO observers and even the press gallery, breaking the last remaining appearance of diplomatic placidity. I don't know if my boos can be heard from here all the way to Bali... I keep thinking of the Dr. Seuss book, Horton Hears a Who. Thank goodness the Who's down in Who-ville made themselves heard!
Nation after developing nation rose to criticize the U.S. in language more often reserved for a political debate than a UN conference. A representative from tiny Papua New Guinea — one of many small island states most immediately threatened by climate change — recalled the old Lee Iacocca line about leading, following or getting out of the way. "If the U.S. will not lead, get out of the way," he said, to gallery cheers. "Please get out of the way." While I would love my country to be looked back on at this point in history as a leader on this issue, I just don't see it happening. I do see individuals and large groups of U.S. citizens standing out a part from our government. Count me in with them. Yes United States, PLEASE GET OUT OF THE WAY if you're not going to lead!
...not one of the allies that had generally stood with the U.S. the past two weeks — Australia, Russia, Canada — rose in its defense. The near-total isolation of the U.S. on climate change — which had been building since its rejection of the Kyoto Protocol nearly a decade ago — was now obvious, apparently even to the U.S. Dobiansky turned to speak. "We've listened very closely to many of our colleagues here during these two weeks, but especially to what has been said in this hall today," she said. "We will go forward and join consensus." Boos turned to cheers, and the deal was essentially sealed. Now what was so difficult about that? The U.S. had to be ridiculed and shamed into doing something positive... Like I said, thank goodness the Whos down in Who-ville made themselves heard. Thank you to the European Union and the developing countries who refused to keep silent. To the thousands of supporters and activists who made the trip to Bali. And thank you even to Australia, Russia and Canada who kept silent for once.
The Closing Press Briefing by YvoDeBoer
While many will argue and debate on the outcome of the conference, I see this as a positive step. And let's see where we can go now... But remember, it's not just about these decisions made by the world's governments. It's about each of us individually and our attitudes about taking care of our beautiful planet, what we do and what we say. I challenge everyone to permanently change a habit or two in your lifestyle in the next month that conveys your commitment to our planet and all life that resides here.
Yesterday, my day began with the BBC reporting on the Climate Change Conference in Bali and hearing parts of Al Gore's speech. I was filled with hope. A smile spread across my face as I listened to Gore.
A few excerpts from Gore's speech follow:
"I am not an official of the United States and I am not bound by diplomatic niceties. So, I am going to speak an inconvenient truth. My own country, the United States is principally responsible for obstructing progress here in Bali. We all know that. But my country is not the only one that can take steps to ensure that we move forward from Bali with progress and with hope." Perhaps, the world can move along a path towards preservation without a commitment from the U.S. We probably don't have a choice, at least for a little while longer.
"Over the next two years the United States is going to BE somewhere it is not now. You must anticipate that." I can only hope! The last 7 years have been tense to say the least. I remember the shock I felt when I heard that the U.S. had walked way from the Kyoto treaty in 2001. This sick feeling fell into the pit of my stomach had has loomed there since.
"These are not political problems. They are moral imperatives." What will we choose? I know what I choose daily, but it's frustrating when I see people around me being so wasteful. My family and I make permanent changes in our lifestyle frequently to help preserve our beautiful world, but there is always more we can all do. My new favorite blog is Green as a Thistle. The blog is best described by the author herself. "I decided to take on a bit of a challenge: Spend each day, for an entire calendar year, doing one thing that betters the environment. The idea is that everything I do, I keep doing (so if I switch brands, it's a permanent switch; if I turn down my thermostat, I keep it down), so that by day 365, I'll be living as green a lifestyle as it gets. I hope, in the end, this proves that being an environmentalist doesn't necessarily have to require massive change, compromise or Greenpeace levels of dedication — it can be simple, and inspiring." This woman is an inspiration to me and has got me thinking of my own personal Green Attack. Waa...ha...ha... "We are one people on one planet. We have one future." Too bad we have one rotten government ruled by huge corporations standing in the way of doing something truly significant to protect our one planet, our one people, our one future!
Below is about 9 minutes of Al Gore's speech at the conference. It is definitely worth checking out!
Scott and I saw Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett on Saturday night performed at IPFW. This is one of my favorite plays! I enjoyed it, though the production was somewhat startling to me as it was produced in a very vaudville-ish fashion. I personally find the play so filled with such meaningful dialogue that first of all the laughter that ensued in the audience caused us all to miss some lines. Secondly, the audience REALLY got on a roll and took the laughter too far as far as I'm concerned laughing at Didi and Gogo as they contemplate suicide, laughing at the character Lucky who is a servant with a rope tied around his neck and is called names like pig and hog and laughing in Act 2 as Pozzo has fallen and is calling for help. Like I said, I prefer a bit more serious production of this play, but the actors in Saturday's performance were very good and overall it was enjoyable. Best of all, Scott and I got to spend the evening out together.
Some of my favorite lines from Waiting for Godot...
We are all born mad. Some remain so.
Let us not waste our time in idle discourse! (Pause. Vehemently.) Let us do something while we have the chance! It is not every day that we are needed. Not indeed that we personally are needed. Others would meet the case equally well, if not better. To all mankind they were addressed, those cries for help still ringing in our ears! But at this place, at this moment of time, all mankind is us, whether we like it or not. Let us make the most of it, before it is too late! Let us represent worthily for once the foul brood to which a cruel fate consigned us!
Why are we here, that is the question. And we are blessed in this, that we happen to know the answer. Yes, in this immense confusion one thing alone is clear. We are waiting for Godot to come.
We wait. We are bored. (He throws up his hand.) No, don't protest, we are bored to death, there's no denying it. Good. A diversion comes along and what do we do? We let it go to waste. . .In an instant all will vanish and we'll be alone once more, in the midst of nothingness!
The tears of the world are a constant quantity. For each one who begins to weep, somewhere else another stops. The same is true of the laugh. (He laughs.) Let us not then speak ill of our generation, it is not any unhappier than its predecessors. (Pause.) Let us not speak well of it either. (Pause.) Let us not speak of it at all.
And my favorite quote in regards to Godot by Samuel Beckett himself..."If I knew who Godot was, I'd have put it in the play."
I get a variety of e-mails forwarded to me as my list of contacts grows and grows. Such is the world of the Internet and e-mail. Most the e-mails are just for fun like the one of "The Wedding Dance" which has gained such notoriety. If you haven't seen it, check it out as it is hilarious.
Other e-mails are informative and serious. But lately, I've become wary of these type of e-mails and have gotten in the habit of checking these "informative" and "serious" e-mails on Snopes.com to check the um... honesty and validity of these e-mails. For instance did you know that despite e-mails you may have gotten stating the contrary:
1. Illinois Senator BarackObama is NOT a radical, ideological Muslim NOR did he swear on the the Koran rather than the Bible when he was sworn into office. Obama's father was Muslim with whom Obama had very little contact with as he was growing up. Additionally, Senator Obama has said that he is a Christian. During official congressional swearing-in ceremonies, newly elected members do not place their hand on any book.
2. George W. Bush does NOT have the lowest I.Q. of all the presidents of the last 50 years. This study never took place and the Lovenstein Institute which is credited with the study does not even exist.
3. Madalyn O'Hair is NOT campaigning to remove all Christmas programs and Christmas Carols from the public schools NOR has she been granted a hearing with the FCC to eliminate the bible from being read on all television and radio broadcasting networks. Mrs. O'Hair has been dead since 1995, but apparently is still a real threat.
The most recent e-mail I received is about some observances Ben Stein made a few years ago on CBS Sunday Morning about Christmas. The e-mail started off well enough with Ben Stein remarking how people seem to "worship" superstars, that as a Jewish person, he is not offended by Christmas trees, manger scenes or when people wish him a Merry Christmas. He then states that "I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians." Fair enough and well stated as I don't think anyone likes getting pushed around for their beliefs.
But about a third of the way through the e-mail the tone of it completely changes and things start to become a little distorted and I can see that right away words are being put into Ben Stein's mouth. Especially at the end as the entire e-mail is credited to Ben Stein and he concludes with an Amen. So I went on over to Snopes.com to discover if my feelings that something was amiss were accurate. Sure enough at the point in which the tone of the e-mail changes, the author also changes. Ben Stein did author the first part, but not the last.
The e-mail disturbed me so much because it keeps trying to convince the reader that we live in a hugely secular country and this is the reason for our woes. I think the e-mail propagates a continued us versus them mentally which helps no one. I find it hard to understand why some Christians in the United States feel so threatened. 80% of our country's population profess to being Christian while only about 14% percent claim to be atheists . Those who feel so threatened by those 14% should really try living in Sweden for awhile where 69% of the population claim to be non-believers.
One of the things that struck me most about this e-mail is the portion about Dr. Spock. "Then Dr. Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide)."
This really got my dander up as the part about Dr. Spock's son is an outright lie. How perverse of people to say such terrible things! And additionally, Dr. Spock encouraged parents to be more flexible and affectionate with their children. He never said not to discipline children AND I get tired of people pointing their fingers at this guy and blaming him for the "problems" with the last few generations of children. When will we all start taking responsibility for our own choices that we make in regards to well, everything?
Another part of the e-mail states "I think it all started with Madalyn O'Hair (spelled completely wrong) who complained she didn't want prayer in schools and we said okay. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school and we said okay."
Wow! I wonder if the author of this would be okay with children reading the Koran or other holy books in school. Just wondering... considering people want Philip Pullman's books pulled off library shelves everywhere. And by the way, several of my students over the years brought their bibles to school or books of children's Bible stories to read during our daily silent reading time and I never once refused this. Why would I?
Anyway if you'd like to read the entire e-mail, you can link to it here.
So all I'm saying is when you get these "informative" and "serious" e-mails, check them out first for validity before you send them along. Especially, if they could be hurtful to other people (i.e. Dr. Spock's family). We all know the power of the Internet in our lives. Let's try to use it for the best of things, shall we?
Well, this Wednesday sure did sneak up on me! Here it is Wordy Wednesday again and I have not posted since last Wednesday. That is mostly due to me having my head stuck in a book, actually books for the last 5 days.
I had to take a break from many of my "extra-curricular" activities so I could turn my attention to Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy which begins with the book, The Golden Compass. I've actually had the trilogy sitting on my shelf now for more time that I'd like to admit. But as you know if you've ever visited my house, my husband and I probably own more books than we'll ever possibly be able to read. We don't mind though, we've learned to decorate with them!
Anyway, I receive lots of e-mails from a variety of sources and have recently been bombarded with e-mails calling for a boycott of the upcoming "controversial" movie, The Golden Compass. Don't you just love controversies? It amazes me how much energy people will put into boycotting and banning other people's thoughts and creations. My curiosity piqued, I put all other reading materials aside and dove in. I'm half way through the second book. The books are excellent reading so far, especially for a fan of fantasy such as myself.
For now, I will leave my commentary at that and leave you with everyone else's in the true spirit of Wordy Wednesday. Each quote is linked to a full online article.
I've been reading a lot lately. Books that is, not blogs. Our computer is housed in our sun room which is a bit chilly this time of year, especially in the evenings and when I'm at the bookstore, I've actually been working. Imagine that! Both scenarios have left me with very little time to spend leisurely perusing the blogosphere or making many posts of my own.
