Rep. Rick Santorum Calls Himself Stupid (I think)

Enquiring minds find his recent statements lead to intriguing questions.  The Rep. on Sat. stated: “We will never have the media on our side, ever, in this country. We will never have the elite, smart people on our side.”

Despite the fact about the media being repeatedly proven untrue, I'm curious as to the definition of  "the elite," not to mention "smart." Sooo... being one of 435 in the entire U.S. sounds elite to me. Smart?  Able to read AND write?  Are elite & smart necessarily attached?

Then there is: "Santorum also criticized the libertarian wing of the Republican party who 'don’t want to talk about social issues,' saying that 'without the church and the family, there is no conservative movement, there is no basic values of America.'” Besides questionable syntax...

Read the Constitution lately?  Our founding fathers weren't exactly traditional Church members. So... none of them were Conservatives?  They had no basic values?  It boggles the mind...

It reminds me of the time I was out having breakfast one morning after an election I had run in as a liberal Democrat (lost to the long-time Republican liberal incumbent).  I ran into a candidate from a different race (who also lost) who is most definitely a conservative Rep. who also happens to be a staunch Catholic (whatever that means).  He met my family & we talked about many things- nothing political.  As we were leaving he remarked that, gee, he was surprised that I did have family values.  HUH???

But back to Rick's remarks.  Does this mean that ALL Republicans are neither elite nor smart?  Okay.  I can live with the latter (( especially after listening to Clint). His logic is impeccable, right?  Unless, of course, he is stupid.  Which would make his remarks applicable to him (except for the "elite" bit).  But who would give a fig for any remarks a non-smart man would make?  This just boggles the mind.  Does this mean I am smart?  Or... I can read & write after all.  Elite?  I think the most important point to be taken from the Santorum speech is (like Eastwood)... it certainly gave me LOL! Clint, baby- great actor, director; lousy extemp speaker.  Next time- use the script someone has written for you.  (Rick, hon, r u listening? )  Umm, Just a thought- isn't Clint one of the "elite?"

Maryland's Rep. Bartlett Against Student Loans

Or is he?

Representative Roscoe Bartlett from Maryland said on Sept. 5 in a town hall meeting, "Not that it's not a good idea to give students loans, it certainly is a good idea to give them loans... But if you can ignore the Constitution to do something good today, tomorrow you will be ignoring the Constitution to do something bad. You could... The Holocaust that occurred in Germany -- how in the heck could that happen? And when you start down the wrong road, it can be a very slippery slope." 1 The next day he issued an apology regarding the Holocaust comparison.  This dude is the second oldest Republican in the House (1926), so he lived through WWII and well knows what the Holocaust is. A slippery slope?  Student loans?   Perhaps this remark is related to the fact that the largest ethnic background of his constituents is German?  Or perhaps his mouth was engaged while his brain was still in neutral? He's served since 1993, and is also a member of the Tea Party Caucus.  His district was redrawn this year from the Western Maryland Appalachian hinterlands (e.g., Republican and 60% white) to include pieces of Baltimore, Harford, Montgomery, etc., where they actually have Democrats and minorities more representative of the State as a whole. The national Democratic Party also decided to tackle this re-election campaign with monies believing they might actually defeat this man. Bartlet won re-election despite admitting to property tax cheating (by over a million $) & lying on his federal disclosure form ($5,000 fine). He calls himself a "bit player" in real estate while he is the wealthiest member of Maryland's federal delegation.  What a guy! Perhaps he needs to like, actually reread the Constiutution which says the the power to decide legislative legalities belongs to the umm, you know, Supreme Court. I'm just sayin'... Maybe it's time to give HIM the boot!  Student loans - WORK!!!!  I had them.  How about you? John Delaney

Tutu demands Trial for Bush & Blair over Iraqi War

Desmond Tutu's article in "London Guardian."

when he speaks, you at least have to listen.

Happy Labor Day, Siemens, North East, Maryland!

*** The results of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election at Siemens in North East Maryland, USA: 15 workers voted Yes and 24 voted No. 2 workers did not vote.

 

Hello, Cecil Whig- where the heck are you?  You covered sucessful unionizing efforts at the IKEA warehouse recently here in Perryville.  WHASSUP?  That one was peaceful (thumbs up to Ikea) & this one is not.  Could that be the difference?  You got me!


The conflict at Siemens (a German electronics & engineeringineering company)  has made national & international news.  The problem is being discussed on Facebook- with photos no less!  It's in North East, Md. and has 42 production employees.

In a nutshell: "It [Siemens] even just signed an agreement with labour organizations committing to respect workers’ rights around the globe. So what does Siemens do within days after signing this agreement? It launches a vicious union busting campaign. In Maryland, USA, Siemens has hired a top-dollar anti-union consultant and waged a campaign that’s included intimidation, surveillance, threats involving termination, and prohibiting Siemens employees from even talking about the union." source

Exactly what do the union busting tactics involve?  Well... you'll get fired!

Final vote to join the United Steelworkers is Sept. 6.  The Union has filed unfair labor charges against Siemens with the NLRB.

Oh, BTW: HAPPY LABOR DAY!

 

Verizon Rant

***UPDATE: Repair tech GORDON-BVJ came about 11:30. Seems to have been THEIR problem; although unclear. I was treated WELL because I took the time & trouble to follow their phone suggestion- DISCONNECT everything from phone lines & try testing items one at a time. Didn't work but still it was worth a try. Thank you ! and You're Welcome! HAPPY FEET!

I have some phones and Internet service from Verizon.  Phones go dead, but not Internet.  I may not be the brightest bulb around, but this is not good news.
Quick phone call- all automated, of course.  The best that they can do is check the line- seems okay, but there could still be problems.  Bottom line, I'm not covered for repair work.  Charges are $75/hr.  Could be their problem, could be mine, could be a combo- who knows? 
So I book 'em, Dano.  Really, what choice do I have even though I doubt it's my telephones?
Then I notify my landlord (I live in a condo) of the good news.  Great guy, but not happy lately.  In the current assessment he lost SUBSTANTIALLY- buying at the height of the market.  The building is not new- heading towards 20 yrs. Everything has outlived it's life (and beyo-o-o-ond).
While I've done a lot of maintenance here on my own- I ain't no electrician, plumber, or refrigerator, and my rent ain't cheap. So, he's balking.
Hey, been there, done that.  Every penny you get in rent after you pay mortgage and taxes and other fees, ain't all profit.  Ummm. that's why I RENT!
But I digress.
Verizon is coming- beween 8 AM and 6 PM.  Huh! And I have to pay for this???  ALL DAY WAITING? I could call pizza delivery & get better service than that! Not for !  So I'm pisssd!  And I haven't rec'd a bill- yet! Who takes care of the condo telephone boxes in the lobby?  Hey, it ain't my fault if any wiring has gone bad.  All I did was plug things in expecting that they would work.
The plumber is also coming- broken tub spout valve.  Sigh.  And my very wide glass door blinds don't operate and my new kitchen light turns itself off sometimes.  I haven't even mentioned the rugs.  Sigh.

So nice when the phone companies were deregulated to provide us with hoice & better pricing.  So... how'd that work out for you? Thanks. Pres. Reagan. I don't suppose you're available for condo sitting.... no; any archangels not busy?
Blah, blah, blah.  Update- later!

Middletown Elections Are Coming- Be VERY Afraid!

Sorry, well not really, that I have not kept up with Middletown politics.  I do know some of what's going on due to visitations, not the daily snooze (they charge).  Truly, it's not very high on my list since I no longer reside nor own property there!
I do know about the referendum question (above) and some of the local yokels running (I say this most affectionately).
I'll be short & sweet.  If you don't elect Ed Silveira, Barbara VonVillas, and Dick Adams- you are nuts & deserve what you get.  I've only heard mention of a few other names- "I've heard that song before." Feel free to check the archives!  Check Projo's, too.  Change is extremely difficult, if not impossible for most, so past performance matters!
It's highly questionable why ANYONE would want to run for Town Council/School Committee, but aren't you lucky that they do!  Hat's off to one and ALL of them!   
Pay special attention to State Lege races.  Often these candidates are ignored and get a free pass every year.  They Should Not!  High property taxes- thank them.  Tolls raised?  Look to them.  School woes?  Hey, cast your eyes towards Prov.  But, damn, they do know how to look effective and duck. It's often a beauty contest.  If you haven't got the physical attributes- spin city. So don't let the philistines escape!
Hang tough & buckle down!  Ask those  hard questions & duck the incoming. "Eggheads of the world- unite!  We have nothing to lose but our yolks!"  Adlai Stevenson.

Dear Kevin Spacey,

Dear Kev,

You used to be my most favorite actor.  Note the operative "used to be."  I'm upset and I think that I have a right to be so.  Most of it is your own fault.  I still love you, just not as much.  And my "love" will now always be tempered with a caveat. 

So "poag mahone"- and I know that you know what that means.  But I say it kindly.

I became inordinately fond of you when we first met- in the t.v. series, "The Wise Guy."  You were the PERFECT villain.  Really detestable!!!  But with excellent writing AND acting, you were sometimes human- in other words- not all bad with some redeeming qualities.  What fun that role must have been!

You were a not so nice guy to loveable actor Jack Lemmon in "Glengarry Glen Ross." BTW, Nice tribute to him on my all-time fav channel- Turner Classics.  And what a magnificent piece of work in "The Usual Suspects."  The last minute of that film is quite remarkable in a rather confusing plot, to say the least.  The only comparable I can come up with is some of those exquisite actors in the old silents.  Not a word & we "get it." Such a piece of acting!  You were once again truly EVIL.  

While it's true we've never had a face-to-face, we almost have & that works for me.  A few years ago when I was a Newporter (RI., of course), you were honored & rec'd an award there. My exercise pal, Mrs. Nuala Pell was presenting it (spouse of the famous R.I. Senator Claiborne Pell, father of Pell Grants). I could have gone to the reception & met you, but I demurred because of the $- son beginning college & all that.

But I digress- when they started advertising a need for extras for the Balto. based production of Netflix's "House of Cards," I pondered, then thought, why the heck not?  My uncle was an extra in "Mystic Pizza" filmed in New London and kept telling us the set talk was about this new young actress- Julia Roberts (He could have been in more films if he'd owned a tuxedo). So I applied- one more item off the bucket list.  He had said it was a lot of sitting around.  Hey, I could do that. After all- I have northern European white girl flat ass syndrome- perfect for lounging.  Hah!!!

So I excitedly said YES when the casting call came.  I was to play a military wife in a party scene.  Dress appropriately (booooring). Be there by 7 pm.

By 9:30 after being fed & watered and shuffled about, I had spent a lot of time sitting.  And that's where the good news ends.  About ?120 of were shuffled up to the set for the party scene- standing only, of course.  So there I was with Robin Wright (co-star from "The Princess Bride" & "Forrest Bump") & two ? other major actors not 12 feet from me.  Of course, it was mostly your back I saw, but it's a FINE back.

Take 1, take 1, take 3, take 500.  I lost count.  A few lousy lines. We ALL had them memorized.  Maybe 60 sec. of usable film.  We were there until 6 a.m.  SIX AM!!!!  Hello!!!!  On our feet!  We had no stand-in's- unlike yourself.  I'm 60 (well, that's what I told casting & I'm sticking with it).  My body is not made for this!!

With a bunch of young kids (assistants, aides, interns, who knows?) hollering at us- look lively!  Stop talking!  Mime!  Don't drink what's in your glasses!  Freeze!  Places!  Blah, blah, blah, yacketty, smacketty.  I could easily have taken any one of them on.  Quiet!  Then there was the ass't who spent a lot of his time scratching his balls (really, why do guys do that?  Checking to see if they're still there? jock itch? twisted underwear?).

We women were in heels and sitting whenever, wherever we could.  We learned not to believe anyone when they said they were filming immediately if your stand-in was there.  Duh.  Why so many takes?  Only a few involved camera/lighting changes.  Are we not human?  Do we not bleed?  Yeah, our pay is lousy, but...

I finally figured out who the main director was- older dude (like unlike many of the PAID others- an ADULT).  I could have slapped him silly. Kill the director!  I did see you having a few words with him.  I know what I would have told him- what the fuck?  how many times do you have to film the SAME thing?  are you an idiot?  We're TIRED!  You were likely more... diplomatic.  After that talk the end was near. 

And where is my pay?  I still haven't gotten it.  Evidently there were a few Union members there, but not we lowly extras.  Your union wants no more members.  Mine- NEA is a LOT friendlier.  No special meals, seats, etc. for us.  And btw, I THINK  the pay for an extra and a substitue teacher in this state is about the same- LOUSY. You'd think they'd pay subs a tad more, but...No-o-o-o-.

Then a half hour waiting to fill out my pay voucher (Union first) which I still have NOT yet rec'd (did I mention that?).

Another hour to get home- rush hour & all- lucky me going the opposite way most of the time.  I dragged myself to bed leaving a trail behind me- a shoe, another shoe, watch, etc.- still wearing my dress & with hair & make-up done (that was fun- I looked extremely elegant, if I do say so myself- and I do!)  My curly hair was pulled back so tightly in a French twist that it was instant face lift (this is NOT a complaint). 

Then- three days- Advil and PAIN.  Chiropractor.

When the casting company called later to hire me to continue the scene- NO!!! I'm now a SIT DOWN extra only!!! Thank you for calling.

So, Kevin, baby.  Get me on that other list.  Better yet, I'll be your stand-in.  Or your go-fer.  Yes, you & Robin had one.  Sigh.  

You owe me big time!  I'm waitin'.  Call me, hon.

I'll still strongly dislike you, but I'll take out some of the stuff I said.  Like the part that I think you were wearing a rug.  Maybe.  I don't know.  It depends on my mood.  If you ever think of killing the director, though, I'll testify as to justifiable homicide. 

BTW, did I mention I have NOT yet been paid for work 3-4 weeks ago.  So, dahhh-ling, you know where to find me.  The phone book for Cecil County will do it.  Under pissed off, where's my beef, or cross that one off the bucket list.  Too bad you are no longer a shoe salesman- revenge could be very sweet.  

Good actor, though.  Heck, I don't even have Netflix.

Hugs & kisses,

Eileen

YES, I meant to close my eyes.  

PS. Just rec'd my huge salary of $85.  Whooppee! Substitute teaching pays slightly less for a day. Still waiting to hear from Kevin

I

The Bitch is Back!

So excuse the language.  Yeah, it's been awhile.  I've been busy- life got in the way.   Go figure.  Some modernizing to do here.  I've been quiet (re: written word only) for too long.  Just getting this post up took way too much work: e.g., out-of-practice.
Today- practice.  Tomorrow- ???  Maybe on the local rag: The Cecil Whig.  Yeah.  That's the name alright.  How many Whigs are still around? &
I'll cross post when I think it works.  New blog from Md.- Lost on the Eastern Shore

Republican Medicare Voucher Proposal

I may be lost sometimes, but I'm not stupid about Medicare. The year- 1963.  The location- The Girls' Catholic H.S. of Baltimore (TCHS). The time: after school.  The purpose: discussion of the National Forensics League topic for the year:
Resolved: That Social Security benefits should be extended to include complete medical care.

In other words- I was on the debate team with my good bud, Kathy & we debated Medicare- the current hot Congressional topic.  On a debate team- you practice BOTH sides- makes you more prepared. 

So the current voucher proposal caught my attention; esp. since I'm now 64 (gulp), need to sign up for it, & think about Medigap coverage, and costs for these & prescrition drug coverage.  It's a minefield out there & the cost is not  insignificant.  No, I can't obtain anything from R.I. pension except for a very high-cost limited policy from United Healthcare. Thanks, RI.

Yesterday I'm sitting in a Bel Air vision specialists' office.  As I'm wiling away the time, I can't help but have my attention drawn to the reception where trouble is obviously a-brewing.  An elderly gentlemen is there with his son ( my age).  The older man is being asked for his drivers' license (which he surprisingly has- many don't) & his Medicare card.  Now the trouble starts as he can't find it.  With two people trying to help him- it turns up.  He is amazed because he is quite sure this card is not it.  It's lack of importance to him is noticeable as it's in sad shape.

Look, we don't like to admit it, but as we get older, things like this often happen- mainly because we don't give a damn about all this paper stuff & we forget.  Surprise!  We also acquire an "attitude."

When the medigap, drug coverage stuff came out a number of years ago, I had to help my mother-in-law by doing the research & paperwork for coverage.  Her children were disinterested (!!!), so I foolishly took on the task- simple, I thought.  NOT SO!  Just getting her list of meds was challenging. The gov't site is helpful but it ain't quick or easy or clear.  Don't get me started on going down the Social Security road for disability.  I've got two advanced college degrees & both tasks took DAYS, not minutes.  And the former needs to be done every year.

"Choice" is usually a good thing.  Choice in foods, where we live, what we eat.  Choice in healthcare?  Please.  Yet another area in which I'm supposed to suddenly become an expert?  In life it's often not the questions you ask, it's the questions you don't ask- mainly because you don't have enough expertise or take things for granted.

What I want are benefits, not a Chinese menu.  I plan to stay healthy, but, you know, it won't last forever.  So which plans?  How much to spend?       

Henry Ford had it right when he said you could have his car in any color you wanted- as long as it's black.  Giving me a ? voucher is NOT the same as providing me with benefits.  The public insurance market, frankly, ain't famous for the super job it's done or being crystal clear in its benefits or non-coverages (that's why small print was invented). 

And don't feed me the line about Medicare going broke.  Changes?  Okay.  But don't pretend that there's only one way- YOUR WAY to do it.  I like Sen. Whitehouse's (D-RI) bill to raise the cap on Social Security payroll taxes to include income over $250,000.  This would extend the viability of the program for appx. 25 years.  It's a start.

Think vochers can't happen?  Elect a Republican President & Congress and it may well happen. Just like in schools, but that's a topic for another day.

Please, don't throw me to the wolves.  Give me few choices, but gimme health care. Ill take that Ford. While I still have my mind.

 

A Fine Whine

So, President Barack Obama dropped in on Rhode Island on Monday, and notably failed to endorse Democratic gubernatorial candidate Frank Caprio. Caprio responded by saying, "He could take his endorsement and really shove it, as far as I'm concerned." WJAR, the local NBC affiliate in Providence, then polled the race, and found that Caprio had dropped from first place to third since a previous poll released on October 12. Specifically, Caprio fell from 37% to 25%, Independent Lincoln Chafee rose from 33% to 35%, Republican John Robitaille rose from 22% to 28%, Moderate Ken Block held steady at 2%, while undecideds rose from 6% to 10%. So Caprio dropped 12%, with 2% going to Chafee, 6% going to Robitaille, and 4% going to undecided.

It looks like "Vote for the Whiner" is not going to be a winning campaign slogan for Caprio.