With Malice Toward None --------- by Lee Harris

Suffer

2011-11-19T14:29:00.001-06:00

It is crystal clear that Santorum wants his God's Laws as part of our civil and criminal law.

Really listen to what he has to say about the poor and downtrodden..............

I have no words to describe my disgust for this pompous self-aggrandizing putz.

Is this the brand of Christianity that will rule?

Jesus save the poor from your followers!

Occupy the Blogs

2011-11-14T12:55:00.001-06:00

An anthem worthy of our consideration.

We Are The Many

Ye come here, gather 'round the stage
The time has come for us to voice our rage
Against the ones who've trapped us in a cage
To steal from us the value of our wage

From underneath the vestiture of law
The lobbyists at Washington do gnaw
At liberty, the bureaucrats guffaw
And until they are purged, we won't withdraw

We'll occupy the streets
We'll occupy the courts
We'll occupy the offices of you
Till you do
The bidding of the many, not the few

Our nation was built upon the right
Of every person to improve their plight
But laws of this Republic they rewrite
And now a few own everything in sight

They own it free of liability
They own, but they are not like you and me
Their influence dictates legality
And until they are stopped we are not free

We'll occupy the streets
We'll occupy the courts
We'll occupy the offices of you
Till you do
The bidding of the many, not the few

You enforce your monopolies with guns
While sacrificing our daughters and sons
But certain things belong to everyone
Your thievery has left the people none

So take heed of our notice to redress
We have little to lose, we must confess
Your empty words do leave us unimpressed
A growing number join us in protest

We occupy the streets
We occupy the courts
We occupy the offices of you
Till you do
The bidding of the many, not the few

You can't divide us into sides
And from our gaze, you cannot hide
Denial serves to amplify
And our allegiance you can't buy

Our government is not for sale
The banks do not deserve a bail
We will not reward those who fail
We will not move till we prevail

We'll occupy the streets
We'll occupy the courts
We'll occupy the offices of you
Till you do
The bidding of the many, not the few

We'll occupy the streets
We'll occupy the courts
We'll occupy the offices of you
Till you do
The bidding of the many, not the few

We are the many
You are the few

It's Not Too Late

2011-11-05T13:08:00.000-06:00

From Current TV..............David nails the problem in Michigan and mocks the idiotic proposed bullying law.

Happy 100th Podcast

2011-11-04T15:29:00.001-06:00

Congratulations, Blue Gal and Driftglass!

100 podcasts!

And HERE it is at The Professional Left.

Intelligent, passionate, and right on target...... take the time to listen.

.

Act Now

2011-11-04T13:35:00.000-06:00

The horrible so-called anti-bullying legislation passed by the Michigan State Senate may still be stopped. The State House has the opportunity to restore sanity in that bill. And, of course, Governor Snyder should veto the bill should it arrive on his desk. The people of Michigan must stop this travesty. They must call their elected representatives and complain.

The so-called anti-bullying law creates a special protected class of people. If the bill becomes law, it will be legal for alleged Christians to bully - torture - anyone that seems to not live up to their Biblical views of modesty, propriety, and morality. These Christianists will have special rights. Special civil rights that allow them -- teachers, parents, students, principals, and other school personnel -- to make public comments and remarks about EVERYTHING and ANYONE that does not square with their particular religious beliefs.

So, go ahead and tell Johnny his mother is a whore because she wasn't married to his father. Tell sweet Sue that she will burn in hell because she is not a virgin. Tell Ralph that God never intended for his African-American father and white mother to be married, let alone have children. And, of course, any child that seems to be or may actually be gay will come to school with a target on his or her back. It will be open season on LGBT youth, their parents, and family.

I am ashamed of the Legislature in Michigan. It has been taken over by religious zealots that don't support public education. They certainly don't care about Michigan's children.

Unbelievable. Horrible. Tragic.

Judge William Adams: Monster

2011-11-04T11:56:00.001-06:00

Please watch this "worst person" of the day...........

Worse Than Doing Nothing

2011-11-03T17:21:00.004-06:00

This link is a must read and watch the video they offer. The Michigan Legislature has once again shown its disregard for the lives of all children --- not just the LGBT.

They have legalized bullying gay kids or Sally, the rumored slut, if they claim the Bible told them to do it.

That gives new meaning to the old B-I-B-L-E song.

I am horrified by this legislation.

The GOP are immoral cynical monsters in Michigan.

Jesus, save us from your followers!

.

Servants of God

2011-11-01T13:47:00.000-06:00

Okay. I will comment about the news of the day. All I have to say is this ---------- many so-called Christians are the biggest hypocrites in the world..........

Michelle, Rick, Frothy Mix, Newt, Cain, and the others must stop pandering to the Republican base with promises of government intervention in the lives of women and anyone that loves someone of the same gender. And, shut the f#%k up! about your alleged faith.

They know Him not............. see Matthew 25.

AND. I offer this photograph of a billboard without comment.

To Serve Man

2011-11-01T13:26:00.000-06:00

I need a project. Not a job. Just something more to keep myself active and alive is all I ask. Following Bill's death I kept busy with near daily glimpses of the wonders that are México. It helped keep me sane. But as goes my bipolar mood swings goes the things I like. Sometimes they are lost and sometimes nothing replaces them.

In the few months since moving to a new town I have not been writing and I have not been giving in to my inner photo-bug. Hence, the quest for a quest. I am nearly burnt out when it comes to activism. If I ever have something more to add to the conversations of the day I'll blog.

So, today, lacking anything else creative or interesting, I offer these photographs.

This is my Chapala Omelet from the Salon, a restaurant located in the Cultural Center in Ajijic. I enjoyed toast and jam, beans, and fruit with the flavorful omelet. My friends and I have breakfast at the Salon at least once a week, if not more often. The food is fantastic and the prices are good.

This is called Enfrijoladas. These tortillas are filled with chicken and covered with a bean sauce and garnished with a dry crumbly cheese. One's enfrijoladas may also have cheese filled tortillas. This is one of my favorite breakfast dishes from the restaurant, Chapala Fonda, located on the plaza in Chapala.

The Cucumber Restaurant is on the plaza in Chapala. They offer gringo breakfasts as well as this Mexican dish -- Huevos y Carne Asada --- steak and eggs with a side of bean. It is served with tortillas that one uses to make tacos from the foods on the plate -- together or separately. I may have a fork in one hand eating eggs while holding a bean or steak taco in the other. Or, I may put the entire meal in multiple fresh hot tortillas. No toast or jam. Hot sauce is optional.

It is often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. For me and my "breakfast club" it may be the only "big" meal. In the past year, as my friends kept me sane with our near daily breakfast dates, I found myself eating only fruit, cheese, and toast during the remainder of the day. My favorite "meal" is a large bowl of bananas and fresh locally grown raspberries. A huge plastic quart container of raspberries may cost 20 or 30 pesos. Today, that is roughly a buck and a half to $2.50 U.S.

This is one of my typical daily meals. I love the flavored mini-toasts that I may buy, but ordinary pan tostado (toasted bread) is just as tasty. Bimbo Foods sells toasted bread that has fewer additives and far less salt.

Needless to say, with my simple diet, I am healthier. The weight loss has been great, as well.

So, I am looking for a new project. And, this little show and tell session was just for fun. In time, I'll find lots of things to keep me busy. And, sane. How could I not? Living in México is still a thrill and the great adventure continues.........

In Amsterdam

2011-09-09T12:41:00.001-05:00

We walked together in the rain along the canals

We shivered and giggled while seeing so much newly found

The cold, the wet, and the exhilaration

The North Sea churning

And, the rain came down

He packed the umbrella that threatened to collapse or maybe blow away

I could have cared less for now we had an excuse to be so close and share

The wind, the rain, and the bone chilling cold

The North Sea churning

And, we were a happy pair

We sat together on the wet marble slabs so near the Palace

Through the drizzle and between the forceful gusts of wind that blew all that was around

The people, the buskers, and The Dam

The North Sea churning

And, the rain came down

We dodged the rain inside the places remaining on that list

Entering museums, markets, and more

The portraits, the history, and the famous cafés

The North Sea churning

And, we were ducking into another door

We said goodbyes, again, with tears not noticed through the constant rain

I departed Amsterdam leaving our hearts and memories in a sacred mound

The canals, the houses, and the endless narrow streets

The North Sea churning

And, the rain came down

Lee Harris, September 2011 (REVISED)

The Day After

2011-08-04T19:41:00.000-05:00

Greeting all of those Crousers, Wheelers, Hoopers, other family, and church folk would seem exhausting.

It wasn’t.

There was no fatigue.

The next day, Billy found himself drawn to another group.

To another face or two.

Familiar.

“Hey, Billy,” said the brother in monotone.

“Hey,” the response.

“Is this my other flakey son?” asked the woman.

He knew her face.

Their eyes. Their cheekbones.

Billy just nodded.

And there ahead of all the cousins, aunts and uncles

He stood with a smirk firmly attached,

With those father’s eyes twinkling,

And, ever so gruffly,

He asked,

“You lost?”

----------- Lee Harris August, 2011

11 Months

2011-07-26T12:09:00.000-05:00

The move to Chapala is complete. There are only a few "housekeeping" items that I need to do -- such as changes of address. My house is just three blocks to the boardwalk along the lake and three blocks, more or less, to the central plaza. Perhaps, the only negative about this location is the proximity to "rocket central". I don't mind them. The cats have another opinion. And, when they come out of hiding you may ask them about those rockets.

10 Months

2011-07-06T21:14:00.001-05:00

Ten months ago I began submitting photographs and occasionally sharing my blog postings on Facebook. FarmVille was responsible for most, if not nearly all of my Facebook activity. It was great therapy or distraction for someone mourning. This evening, I am going to reproduce (with one spelling correction) a posting made on Facebook.

Here is what was on my mind:

I returned to my FarmVille estate today and found that nothing had changed. It was the result of having the miracle of an unwithering potion and a number of facebook FarmVille friends. Thanks.
The truth is -- I found another means of losing myself and avoiding the ever flowing tears and pain. The end of May was my 9th month of escaping to the farm. It was good. But, it seems that after 9 months of anything (read school) I have to change gears, distract myself in other ways, and rest.
And, I did. I almost immediately was seduced and hooked on Civilization V. My friends will tell you that I missed many of our breakfast dates due to all night conquests and battles. June was lost to the game, chronic insomnia, and, on occasion, too much sleep.
June was my tenth month and the hardest. We would have shared our 22nd anniversary.
My world has gotta change. It begins with a fresh start in the village of Chapala. The cost of living there is less -- greatly so because there are fewer gringos, canucks, and Europeans. Much Much fewer. My Spanish must improve now more than ever. I accept the challenge with delight.
I'm making plans. There are things I want to do. And, a promise to fulfill for Billy.
Healing comes with time. And, it is astoundingly augmented with the presence of good, caring, and peerlessly patient friends.

Fat Chance

2011-07-06T10:48:00.000-05:00

From an editorial by the Times Herald in Port Huron:

"....ending the health care perk for the majority of Michigan's legislators is a needed reform Lansing should enact. The trouble is there is no guarantee the legislation will become law.

This isn't the first time House members have passed a bill to eliminate the benefit. Two similar bills were previously passed, but they never received enough support from the Senate.

The legislation's passage this time ought to be a foregone conclusion. After all, the Legislature has pursued a fairly aggressive agenda of spending cuts.

Shared sacrifice has become a mantra legislators used to defend efforts to require public employees to pay 20% of their health insurance costs. To allow their lavish perk to remain would be the height of hypocrisy.

Michigan can't afford the lawmakers' health care benefit. The Legislature has no choice but to do away with it."

It is never going to happen. Republicans in Michigan have proven to be mean spirited hypocrites. Shared sacrifice is a joke.

GOP: Thieves

2011-05-26T17:52:00.000-05:00

Karlton O. Johnson: Knuckle Dragging Dumbass

2011-05-20T14:25:00.001-05:00

Please Read:

PRINCIPAL OUTS LESBIAN STUDENTS TO PARENTS AFTER HE SEES THEM HOLDING HANDS

Meet -- Principal Karlton O. Johnson of Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Florida

What a callous unthinking ignorant bigot!!!!

Thanks to Towleroad for the heads up.

It's Okay!

2011-05-20T14:03:00.000-05:00

Unless you live in Tennessee. Knuckle Dragging Politicians.............

Reinventing Michigan: Destroying Public Education

2011-05-20T13:29:00.000-05:00

None of what Gov. Snyder makes sense.

Right-Wing Social Engineering

2011-05-17T18:13:00.005-05:00

See Governor Rick Snyder: Tax breaks for the wealthy of nearly $2 Billion created a deficit in the Michigan budget that the Republican Party decided would be filled by making cuts to programs for the disabled, increases in taxes for the retired, eliminating tax credits for the working poor, and MORE, while simultaneously shifting K-12 education money to higher education and other purposes hence creating a humongus shortage in money for schools. Stupid kids means more pliant ~~slaves~~ workers - or something like that......

School Districts will fail because of the Republican Plan to starve public education. Then, in come the Emergency Financial Managers.

... and none of it had to happen. Attacking the wellbeing of the poor and disabled is cowardly. And, morally wrong. Attacking the public education system in Michigan is immoral.

Creating major crises when none existed all in the name of REINVENTING Michigan is moronic.

Social Engineering, indeed.

Benton Harbor: Where Democracy Died

2011-05-10T08:29:00.002-05:00

The Colbert Report
Tags: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

It Gets Better: Google Chrome

2011-05-04T09:42:00.000-05:00

This is worth viewing:

Intervention

2011-04-30T23:00:00.011-05:00

How sad to be that boy

At seven, or was it eight

Wet

Ashamed

And humiliated

With no power

No sense of control

Having first thoughts of things

Most awful, with angel lust

Wet

Ashamed

And humiliated

With no future

A life on parole

Making that tearful vow

If at sixteen or twenty

Wet

Ashamed

And humiliated

With no longings

A drop takes the soul

How sad to be that boy

Lee Harris

April 30, 2011
(Revised May 1, 2011)

The Port Huron Times Herald Part 2

2011-04-30T18:22:00.001-05:00

Part 2. (Part 1)

It didn't take very long today to come across an example of a newspaper reporter manipulating the English language to avoid saying something that is very plain, easy to understand, and controversial. Or, not. I will not disparage the motives or the absence of motives for a word choice that is not just merely clever, but sincerely clever. But, nonetheless, still controversial.

Karen Bouffard, a Detroit News journalist, reported to Michiganders that the Michigan House of Representatives passed a bill that grants businesses nearly $1.8 billion in tax cuts "and levies for pensions". The use of the word "levies" could be viewed in a couple of ways. Liberals, like myself, will complain that Ms. Bouffard didn't say "tax increase" or "new taxes" but instead used a chickenshit word like levies to camouflage the truth about a genuine honest-to-God tax increase on Michigan's senor citizens and retirees. We, Liberals, will remind everybody that Republicans always promise not to raise your taxes. Remember, Folks, they do that mostly in election years. So, this Liberal, did suspect, at first read, a less than honest and truthful motive in the choices of words in Ms. Bouffard's news article.

My inner Liberal screamed, "Why didn't she just say that there is a new tax on pensions. Simple. Succinct. But, oh no, she is trying to hide/soften/Karl Rove the truth."

I suspected commentary and opinion had replaced a factual account of the news. She did fail to mention that programs and services for the deaf were cut. Clothing allowances for orphans are being cut. Tax credits for the poor are being cut. School spending is being cut. And, on and on................. The poor, the disabled, and the elderly are getting the safety net we promised them pulled out from under them by the Republican Party. The education and the health of Michigan's children and their families are at risk because we must give $1.8 billion dollars to the rich!

After writing my first couple of angry paragraphs, I did the right thing. I used a dictionary to properly understand the words levy and levies.

I startled a few cats when I roared.

A levy is a compulsory government measure that takes money in order to pay off a tax liability. (Emphasis mine)

Michigan should not have a $1.8 billion tax liability. This CRISIS was created by giving away tax revenues belonging to the People of Michigan. Governor Snyder and his Republican Corporatist just passed a government measure to give the People's money to the rich by taking it away from the folks that most need it. There is no shared sacrifice when bleeding only the poor and powerless.

Yes, it's a levy of sorts, Ms. Bouffard. The State House passed a compulsory government measure that takes money from retired folks and the poor in order to pay off ~~a tax liability~~ their corporate sponsors.

And, this overt transfer of wealth is based on the lie that jobs will come to Michigan. That scheme has been refuted by economists. Do your research, Ms. Bouffard! That lie persists because of lazy reporters and malicious lying politicians. Do your research on trickle down economics and you will soon realize what has been trickling down on us for all these long years. Read some Paul Krugman from the NYT while you're at it. He's kinda smart and he even got an award for knowing what the hell he talks about. Do your research.

And, don't be a patsy for the pols. Please.

Listen for the Dog Whistles

2011-04-30T15:15:00.000-05:00

The Extreme Right

2011-04-30T14:33:00.000-05:00

Cutting community health programs and many of the other programs that serve the disabled, the poor, the working poor, and senor citizens so the Republican Congress can keep the Bush Tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires is IMMORAL.

And, on a related note:

Hat tip to Susie Madrak.

The Port Huron Times Herald

2011-04-30T14:00:00.003-05:00

It was in high school when I first heard the term "yellow journalism". We studied how and why propaganda was purposely inserted into so-called news stories. Sensational newspaper headlines would assist with any disinformation campaign. We were also taught that legitimate and unbiased newspapers present the facts, and only the facts, and save any political or social commentary for the "opinion pages". We even learned about the subtle and not so subtle slanting of the news brought to us by the, then, three major television networks broadcasting from nearby Detroit. Even the two Detroit newspapers regularly presented opposing views and commentaries about newsworthy events or political causes.

The world has moved on.

The abolishment of the fairness doctrine was a major blow to journalistic integrity. Lies and misinformation are now rampant in the so-called mainstream media and in some small town papers and other media outlets. Politicians now lie with impunity. Few, if any, newspapers, television stations, or radio stations confront the lying liars with the truth. It seems that these news organizations also have their own agendas. And, sometimes, truth and facts do get reported.

The striking part of the definition of yellow journalism is the media's penchant for presenting the news with very little legitimate research. Facts seem to get in the way of a good story. Does this indicate some degree of malice or a whole lot of sheer laziness?

The Times Herald, Port Huron's one and only daily newspaper, has a bit of a yellow tinge throughout its pages. For example, the views and alleged facts presented in "Guest Commentaries" by local leaders, politicians, and self-appointed know-all city critics are not checked for accuracy and factual content. Lies are routinely printed. These submissions have for the most part been unchallenged. It seems the editors of the newspaper have chosen to ignore the lies and publish each submission in a perfunctory manner. Why are these folks given an opportunity to espouse political or other viewpoints using lies to prop up their arguments? It is not a violation of someone's right to free speech if their submissions are rife with lies. An editor should be able to call bullshit when they read it and reject the guest opinion.

I would take my "don't publish crap view" to include the "Letters to the Editor". It does not serve the public well when lies and innuendo are printed. The editors of the Times Herald do not have to print every letter sent to the paper. The letters that are published should be factual and reasonably contribute to the day's discussion. ---- And, as far as I'm concerned, it remains unethical and unconscionable to publish a "Letter to the Editor" that bitches and lies about an organization while "outing" a gay teacher as proof of the terrible awfulness of the organization targeted. True story........

And, it seems of late, that the folks at the Times Herald have become quite committed cheerleaders for the Republican Party and Governor Snyder. They have not told the truth about the manufactured crisis in school funding. They have not told the truth about the Financial Martial Law. They have not told the truth about the shifting of money from seniors and the poor to pay for tax breaks for the wealthy in Michigan. Taxing the poor and senors to pay for tax breaks for the rich is immoral. By omitting that truth the Times Herald is failing the public.

In summary, this is what I believe:

The Times Herald is lazy.

The Times Herald has made some immoral choices evident by what they report, how they report it, and what opinions they have expressed or allowed to be expressed.

The Times Herald prints lies.

We Have All Been Debased

2011-04-29T17:28:00.000-05:00

A Manufactured Crisis: Governor Snyder and the GOP Lie

2011-04-29T15:52:00.000-05:00

If I could, I'd sign the petition to recall Governor Rick Snyder ----------

The wording for the petition has been approved and says:

Richard D. Snyder has requested from the legislature, approved and signed various laws that take authority and funds from local governments and school districts and vest them with the state.

He has obtained for himself, through his appointed Emergency Financial Managers, the power to invalidate legal and binding contracts entered into by properly elected local authorities.

He has sought tax increases upon retirees and lower income families, but instead of addressing the deficit, he has sought large new tax cuts for corporations and businesses.

Fact of Fiction?

2011-04-28T17:02:00.001-05:00

Fact. Paul Ryan's budget plan eliminates Medicare and gives humongous tax breaks to the rich. The Republican Party wants tax breaks for the rich so everything that makes America a Great Nation gets CUT to pay for them. His plan even adds $6 Trillion to the deficit.................

.

In My Humble Opinion

2011-04-28T15:39:00.005-05:00

If you are a Birther, you are a racist.

If you are a Birther and just saw the long form birth certificate that the President published AND you got upset that President Obama'a father's race was listed as "African" instead of Negro, you are a freaking racist.

If you are a Birther and now demand to see the President's grade school, high school, and university transcripts, you are a fool and a racist.

If you claim the President is illegitimate in any manner for any reason, YOU ARE A FUCKING KNUCKLE DRAGGING RACIST.

..... in my humble opinion.

And, I have no use for your "friendship", prayers, and alleged Christianist good thoughts. You are a lying liar and unrepentant hypocrite.

P.S. Birthers are violating God's commandment about bearing false witness ............... yep, even with overwhelming evidence that Barack Obama was born in Hawaii and that by blood --- his mother's -- Barack Obama is, in fact, automatically a citizen of the United States of America the Birthers continue to spread the birther lies and nonsense and they continue to dishonor God and the alleged covenant that they claim to have with Him.

Did you flunk that part of high school U.S. Government classes? Were you absent that semester? How about Sunday School?

Birthers: What racist morons they all are............

.

Birthers Find Even More Reasons to Doubt the REAL Certificate

2011-04-27T13:55:00.002-05:00

This shit will never end.

Barbara Morrill has a great article at the Daily Kos. "What a shock: Birthers aren't convinced by release of long form birth certificate"

"That the birthers aren't satisfied with the release of the long form birth certificate isn't surprising. Birthers aren't satisfied because no matter how many documents Barack Obama releases it will never be enough, because there isn't a document in the world that will turn him white.
.

Quote of the Day

2011-04-27T13:23:00.000-05:00

State Senator Gretchen Whitmer explains why there is an alleged crisis in Michigan. Read the entire Detroit Free Press online commentary here.

"To be clear, before Snyder proposed taking $895 million out of the School Aid Fund, there was no school funding crisis in Michigan. In fact, there was a surplus, making what we are now faced with a crisis of choice — not of necessity.

This all starts with the Governor proposing a $1.8 billion tax break for businesses. I support thoughtful business tax policy to spur growth and job creation, but this overreach exceeds any relief that even business groups like the Business Leaders for Michigan have advocated. Furthermore, it lacks any evidence it will create jobs or Michigan investment, as admitted recently by the Governor himself. For a man who likes to talk about metrics and measurements, this casual approach to tax breaks should concern us all."

Worst Person of the Day: Senator Bruce Caswell

2011-04-26T16:24:00.000-05:00

I wrote about this creep ---- And, even Keith Olbermann thinks the thrift store gift card idea is demeaning and cruel...........................

Soylent Green or Maintain Medicare & Social Security

2011-04-25T13:28:00.000-05:00

Republicans have a choice: Promote Soylent Green or Maintain Medicare & Social Security

Mean-Spirited Michigan Republicans

2011-04-25T02:33:00.001-05:00

Michigan State Senator Bruce Caswell (R) is a Mean-Spirited Michigan Republican. His brilliant idea to save more money to be given to the rich, though discarded by a Senate committee, demonstrates the thoughtless and heartless antics of the Republicans in Michigan. Yep, foster kids (and other poor folk) should, in Senator Bruce Caswell's opinion, be given gift cards to the Salvation Army, St. Vincent De Paul, or Goodwill thrift stores to buy used clothing and fore go any generous or even adequate amount of money to buy new clothes. Go on out and get those kids some used shoes, used socks, used underwear, and used outerwear. No one will notice......... Asshole.

Yes, let us short change the poor, the disabled, and the disadvantaged so Michigan may give tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires.

What the hell is going on in Michigan? Where are the folks that care about their neighbors?

More details here at Crooks & Liars. with "The Unbearable Meanness of Conservatives".

Protected And Private

2011-04-25T00:38:00.000-05:00

Blog Against Theocracy

Don't Watch This

2011-04-24T20:21:00.000-05:00

You may want to come and see for yourself.............. Many folks have come to visit and immediately make plans to move................

Credo: I Believe

2011-04-24T19:44:00.000-05:00

This I believe:

What Were You Thinking, Mrs. Miller?

2011-04-24T18:12:00.000-05:00

Rick Snyder's Michigan

2011-04-24T16:04:00.002-05:00

Government is the contract that the people have with themselves. It is a pact of mutual protection and care. We, the people of Benton Harbor, of Port Huron, of the Port Huron Area School District, or of the State of Michigan, have charters, governing rules, laws, and constitutions that pledge to defend and protect, and provide for the general welfare of our people -- us. We make rules and laws to govern ourselves. We elect our friends and neighbors to political offices to carry out the work of the people and to represent their respective constituents on our boards, commissions, and legislative bodies when making laws or spending OUR money.

We, the people, employ other people. We have promised each other that our food will be safe so we have employed folks to check our food. We do not want to fret about shrimp or lettuce or baby formula. And, through our government agents we are working to have clean air and safe drinking water. We take care of our parks, buildings, and roads. We employ police and firefighters to serve the public.

We the people provide whatever OUR governmental boards or OUR governmental geographical or political wards or districts or townships need to provide first-class services for the citizens. We tax ourselves to pay for all those things that we deem important. Usually.

Public Education is a part of the compact that we have made with ourselves. We promise to provide every child a world-class education in a public school using the public funds that we gather. We promise to give our kids every opportunity to learn and grow to be good citizens. Except, of course, when we, the Republicans, are in charge. Michigan Republicans hate public education to the detriment of Michigan.

In Michigan, with every decision to cut education monies, shift education monies, or give away OUR education funds so the rich may have tax cuts, the elected representatives of the people are irrevocably harming our children. Every decision that the Republicans are making right now seem to be for the purpose of paying back campaign donors and kissing the butts of the very rich in Michigan and of the butts of corporate stockholders and the Wall Street Gamblers outside of Michigan.

The State of Michigan has a contract with the people of Michigan. Why are The People allowing the Republican Party of Michigan and Governor Snyder to break that contract? Why did Michiganders trust these people in the last election? What are they going to do now?

The poor, the disabled, our seniors, public workers, unions, and our children are under attack. The Republicans seem hellbent on destroying the Michigan Way of Life. They are drastically changing the living and working conditions in Michigan.

For the money and the power that comes with it...............

The Civil War Celebrated?

2011-04-12T23:18:00.001-05:00

The Civil War Celebrated?

Well, think about it –

Does it really matter if you celebrate the beginning of a war or not? Who cares? The celebrations with displays of arrogance or with displays of unreal regret are disappointing.

Everything is about politics: Liars versus the folks that remember history, understand the Constitution, and demand truth and justice in their own times. Now, then, and freaking forever, Amen.

The only side that matters is the winning side.

We Are All F#@ked

2011-04-12T20:56:00.005-05:00

The GOP plans are beginning to reveal themselves.

Rachel Maddow, I believe, seems to think that many of the efforts to cripple Democratic Party "causes" (ACORN, Planned Parenthood), to knee-cap Democratic Party supporting unions (Oh, Michigan and our friends in Wisconsin), and, once again, to disappear Democratic leaning voters by voter suppression techniques like requiring photo-I.D. to vote or by maliciously telling voters that photo-I.D. will be needed on election day -- in States that do not require I.D. to Vote. (Michigan did not have a photo-I.D. law when I last voted some 4 years ago. It also didn't hurt that one of the poll workers had been someone I delivered papers to for many years and she watched me come and do my democratic duty for a long period of my adult life).

Anyway.........

It's all about beating the Democratic Party. POWER. A one-party ruled government cannot work in America. They don't care. The GOP wants to find out how it will be in real-time. Lord, I hate it when they experiment (Iraq).

AND / OR

Tonight, I am reading an article that says that the Republican Party is using the Budget and budget cutting squabbles AND now the Debt Ceiling (Hey,Retiree - get your ass to México) to, ...wait for it, deliberately sink the American Economy. The goal is to reduce American Worker Wages by 20% in one fell swoop. It's called the "Shock Doctrine". They are playing games with our livelihoods and our personal health and welfare.

And, of course the cuts will hit the elderly ( GO MICHIGAN 67'ers!!! Huzzah.) and the poor disproportionately. The bullshit with Family Planning wasn't about abortion ( 3% of total services ) the actual bill called for ENDING ALL THE MONEY USED FOR WOMEN"S HEALTH everywhere. That would be a blow to the working poor (sliding payment scale - you/I pay something), the middle-class, the anonymous person (teen) seeking/needing contraception and possible treatment for STD's, and anyone eligible for health services and seeking help.

Yep, Betsy DE VILLE is getting her way in a hurry. Sigh.

American workers. the working-poor, seniors, and the very poor will be cut -- but not one damn bit of the military - oh, of course, they want everybody shifting their retirement funds in good old reliable Wall Street. And, we just may go into a freaking real depression when the Republicans in Congress have their hissy fit about the National Debt and The Deficits - like some religious fetish they want to kill Medicare and Social Security. Shift wealth.

Democrats will suffer the loss of income and the ability to fight the very rich corporations. Thanks, Supreme Court. If Corporations are People -- tell me -- who went to jail for killing 11 workers on a rig that used a blow-out preventer that the oil industry (and, now, Congress) knows doesn't work.

The Corporations have decided that it is cheaper to pay for oil spill clean-up, cheaper to pay fines and cheaper to settle lawsuits, including those for wrongful death. Cheaper than spending the money to build a blow-out preventer that actually prevents blow-outs. You kidding? Cut into their enormous profits?

Money and Power.

And, PAY ATTENTION HERE, please ----- they are going to make drastic cuts WHILE giving tax cuts to the rich and the dopes that buy their wile.

WTF. Really?

Now, let's pray the Democratic Party wakes up and somehow mitigates this disaster in the making.

As, if.

.

My Journey

2011-04-10T01:29:00.007-05:00

The music posted during the past 8 months has had some great significance to me. I have a story about each one shared. Some have helped me through the healing process. Well, maybe all of them. One influenced how we said goodbye to our Billy on Loma Ancha. One truly demonstrated one of the stages of grief. Bargaining. Well, really two. Nearly forgot about Rammstein. And, I have shed a lot of tears. "Bled every day".

The lyrics from Cassidy Haley's Little Boys and Dinosaurs tells bits and pieces of my life. The imagery used in the video thoroughly compliments or really illustrates some real parts of my life. Really. Childhood trauma is what sent my innocence away or as the song suggests -- crippled my manhood -- kept me from being more complete. Held me back. I've not written about the day Mom locked everyone out of the house...... I am still horrified by the image of those knives jammed between the doors and their jambs. Grandma stayed with us while she was away.

And, in the end of the song...... Four years ago I came to a new place. I am far away from that scared little boy.

Snyder Cares Little for the Poor and Disabled

2011-04-06T14:28:00.000-05:00

Michigan is only in deep shit because Governor Snyder is transferring the wealth of the State of Michigan to the wealthiest Michiganders. Taxing the poor and elderly, while cutting aid to Michigan's schools, cutting services to the deaf community, and cutting other social services is absurd. Its a REVERSE Robin Hood taking from the poor to give to the rich....................

Recall Snyder and all the Republicans that continue to LIE and run Michigan into the ground.

Maddow

2011-04-06T00:33:00.000-05:00

Dear Mackinac Center:

Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow Maddow

Creeps!

Quote of the Day

2011-04-04T15:59:00.000-05:00

Wow! The Republican Party is going after Grandma's Medicare and the poor folks' Medicaid. Yep, Cut the programs needed by the elderly and the poor and give huge tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans. That's progress and job creation GOP style. Assholes.

From economist Paul Krugman:

Oh, and for all those older Americans who voted GOP last year because those nasty Democrats were going to cut Medicare, I have just one word: suckers!

It Gets Better

2011-04-03T18:20:00.000-05:00

My thanks to an incredible young artist, Cassidy Haley! At this point in my life, I have returned to music to find comfort and encouragement to just hold on......... It gets better.

Stand Up For Your LGBT Friends

2011-04-01T16:07:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Joe.My.God.

WTF?

2011-03-30T13:15:00.000-06:00

Okay. The State of Michigan is in deep shit according to the GOP and Gov. Synder. And, we have a state university paying a fracking football coach $2 Million dollars in the first of his 6 year contract.

Quote of the Day

2011-03-30T13:04:00.000-06:00

"This is my 10th presidential campaign, Lord help me. I have never before seen such a bunch of vile, desperate-to-please, shameless, embarrassing losers coagulated under a single party's banner. They are the most compelling argument I've seen against American exceptionalism." Joe Klein

The original article is here via Slog.

Synder Is Doing It To Michigan

2011-03-29T21:37:00.000-06:00

Wake up, America!

The GOP Jobs Plan for America

2011-03-29T17:37:00.000-06:00

All the jobs taken overseas will return to American workers when American workers accept cuts in their wages and benefits to a level less than the wages and benefits received by Chinese and Mexican workers...

No Jobs for Michigan This Year Says Governor Snyder

2011-03-29T16:55:00.001-06:00

Look carefully at what the Governor says and does. Right now, he is all about busting unions, negating local elections, and taking money from the poor and retirees to give to Michigan businesses. He repeats the old LIE that lower taxes on corporations and small businesses will bring more jobs into the State of Michigan. Tried and failed, Folks. First Engler, then President Bush gave away money to the rich. Jobs left Michigan and not enough jobs were created each month of Bush's presidency to fill the demand.......

The Big Republican LIE is still being repeated in Michigan and Washington, D.C.

And, now, amidst the current controversy about emergency financial managers, cuts in education funding, cuts in the services needed by Michigan's deaf community, and more cuts and on and on................ Snyder says, "Next year, my main issue is, let’s start the job creation process."

WTF?

RECALL Snyder before next year!!!!

LOL

2011-03-29T15:46:00.000-06:00

My First Computer!!!!!!! (via Slog)

Video of the Day

2011-03-28T21:06:00.000-06:00

Thank you, Dan Savage!

Dear Michigan

2011-03-26T16:09:00.002-06:00

You blew it! Snyder is not a centrist and moderate Republican. He is a corporate shill. He hates unions and Michigan workers. The bullshit that tax breaks for businesses creates more jobs has been disproved. It didn't happen when Engler did it. It hasn't happened anywhere -- ever!

The GOP lies. They have lied to the Michigan people for decades. And, still Michiganders continue to vote against their own interests by putting these corporation bought clowns into positions of power. Yep. Welcome to Michigan where the politicians are bought and paid for by Amway and outsiders.

Why is Snyder giving away almost two billion dollars to businesses in Michigan while cutting the funds needed to educate Michigan's children? Why is he giving away all that tax revenue to the rich while asking the poorest to sacrifice? None of his proposals call for "shared sacrifice"! Tell me. What are the rich sacrificing to save Michigan?

Vicki Barnes: Homophobic Bigot

2011-03-26T14:47:00.001-06:00

The more things change the more they stay the same. Even as the United States moves toward acceptance of all persons, acceptance of same-sex relationships, and now supporting a courageous U.N. statement on the human rights of LGBT people -- the bigots remain in positions of power. The most absurd things come out of their mouths. Lies. And, more lies.

And, one of the biggest liars in Tennessee is the executive director of the Sweetwater Housing Authority. Vicki Barnes sent a rather asinine and vicious piece of fiction to the Department of Housing and Urban Development in response to HUD's proposed rules banning discrimination against LGBT folks. She compares us to murderers, cult members, drug dealers, and prostitutes. She seems convinced that LGBT clients in public housing would create more crime. Who knows what she bases this claim on?

Read her letter here.

Thanks to Joe at Joe.My.God. for providing the letter online and alerting the world to this ignorant individual and the harm she probably causes folks in Tennessee with her bigoted views and actions.

Fire her.

Dear Billy,

2011-03-09T01:49:00.000-06:00

FOX News Lies

2011-02-23T14:16:00.001-06:00

What else is new? Via Daily Kos...........

FOX News

AND THE TRUTH:

Spreading Santorum

2011-02-20T17:40:00.000-06:00

What Dan Savage said!

Photo of the Day

2011-02-11T17:58:00.000-06:00

Walking had been an important part of my maintaining my sanity following Billy's death. Two months ago I woke up to find that I could not walk on my right foot, the heel to be more precise. My limp at first was quite profound. My daily walks ended and I lost a lot of interest in taking photographs.

Apparently, I was suffering from some sort of pinched nerve. Sciatica. Fortunately, I didn't have any leg or lower back pain. Perhaps, if I had taken the medicine Dr. Polo had given me and exercised my heel it would have taken less than two months for me to get back to near normal. I have been walking every day this week.

The boardwalk is so beautiful. And, I was privileged to see Blue Herons on Tuesday. This is the last few hundred feet of my usual "walk" before I ascend the hillside to get to the town's central plaza. Every step here in Ajijic is precious and a blessing.

Photo of the Day

2011-02-10T12:07:00.000-06:00

Several of my photographs were ruined today by water spots on my camera's lens. Darn. This egret was perched up high as were some egret friends in nearby trees. Nothin' but blues skies.........

Wow!

2011-02-08T19:39:00.000-06:00

FOX News Fail

2011-01-31T13:23:00.000-06:00

As it has been studied and reported -- FOX News viewers are the most uninformed........... No wonder.

If Grandma's Ruled the World

2011-01-30T14:38:00.003-06:00

Peace.

How could an Egyptian grandma not love a face like that.....

Photo of the Day

2011-01-23T15:53:00.000-06:00

This is a snippet of a photograph that I took this morning after breakfast at David's Cafe.These musicians were serenading the patrons of another popular eatery on the town square. A simple zoom in and cut with Microsoft Paint and a fairly fuzzy but interesting photograph shows a family, plus one friend, sharing their talents with a somewhat captive audience.Tipping is not required but certainly appreciated by the starving and well fed artists in Ajijic..

This is a common sight here in my little town, as are also the shoeshine men, basket sellers, confetti filled egg sales ladies and food vendors in and around the square and, there are all the extremely talented craftsmen selling numerous original and handmade treasures along the Paseo, a small "alley" connecting the square with a neighboring street. I'm not particularly fond of most street musicians, however these guys were fairly good. And, I listened to this group from a bench behind them on the square. Actually, everyone on the square seemed to stop to listen. It is rare to see so many stringed instruments in a family band and, the fact that they were good made it hard not to take time to appreciate the music.

Quote of the Day

2011-01-21T11:40:00.000-06:00

"I think I have it all. I have a wonderful career, a wonderful life. I have my health, I have a partner of 17 years, and now I have a son. I don't have everything because I don't have the respect of people like the church or like politicians who tell me that I'm not worthy, that I'm lesser because I'm gay, well FUCK YOU!" - Elton John, speaking after performing at an AFER fundraiser in Los Angeles. The event raised $3M for the overturn of Proposition 8.

Via Joe.My.God.

The Perfection of a Withered Rose

2011-01-21T11:26:00.007-06:00

Many years ago, I read a book that offered one person's glimpse of what he considered to be a possible "end times" scenario. One particular scene in the story has an angelic figure walking in a garden with the book's main character. The "angel" points to a rosebush with both fully blooming roses and ones that were withering and asks his companion to tell him which of the blooms are "perfect". Of course, we know that only the blooming roses were considered to be perfect and so the angel was obligated to teach a lesson about God. The withered roses were perfect, as well. They were created by God to do just as they were doing -- living, growing, and dying. Each is perfect. Each is living out the existence that The Creator provided. The withered roses are no more and no less perfect than the buds and blooms.

Each of us is perfect. Sadly, not all Christianists will agree.

Christians claim to be created in God's image and we equally claim to be His children -- all of us. The Scriptures proclaim that we are all His sons and daughters. So, would someone please explain how Christians can hate gays, Muslims, blacks, and anyone else that is not "them" and different? It seems that some scriptures have always been "open" to interpretation, yet too many of the pleadings of Christ are being ignored by the so-called culture warriors in the Republican Party. Many Republicans just don't want us (the taxpayers) paying for the health care of the poor. Many Republicans just don't want to help the poor, the elderly, the sick, the dying, and the mentally ill.

It seems something other than charity and goodness has replaced the focus of all those alleged Christians in the Republican Party.

The following video is NSFW.

It Gets Better: An Anthem

2011-01-05T14:57:00.000-06:00

Via Dan Savage

:

No one should have to hide. It gets better. I know.

Mecklenburg County (in North Carolina) Commissioner Bill James: Undereducated Bigot

2010-12-29T13:03:00.001-06:00

Knuckle Dragger Alert:

Mecklenburg County Commissioner Reacts To DADT Repeal, Emails Colleagues: 'Homosexuals Are Sexual Predators'

from Towleroad.......

Thank You, Carla and Henry!

2010-11-21T18:56:00.001-06:00

Billy would have been thrilled to have had both a traditional Mexican obit-like expression of gratitude from the family thanking the deceased closest friends and loved ones, and a heartfelt, non-traditional death announcement. He was like that. So am I. Thanks so much, Carla and Henry. It is great.

But, I do have to chuckle some: and Billy would be rolling on the floor. In 20 years, if a student of genealogy doesn't do some cross-checking, the budding family tree maker may assume that Eric is or was Henry's spouse....

No disrespect, respectively, Guys.

William B. Crouser, Jr.

2010-11-21T14:12:00.000-06:00

Billy's brother had our former hometown newspaper publish this obituary. I have re-printed it with one spelling correction (my name).................. and without further comment -- for now.

William B. Crouser Jr. Ajijic, Mexico William B. Crouser Jr., 45, passed this life suddenly on his birthday, August 24, 2010. Billy was well loved by all who knew him. He had a passion for life, an adventurous streak, and a soft heart for homeless animals, especially cats. He grew up in Michigan where he attended Clintondale and Richmond High Schools and graduated from Wayne State University. After living many years in Port Huron, Billy retired to Mexico where he resided with his partner of more than 20 years, Jody Lee Harris. Billy will be missed by his partner Jody, mother Mable father William Sr., brother Henry, sister Catherine, brother-in-law Eric and sister-in-law Carla. He also leaves behind two nieces and three nephews who will miss their uncle Bill very much. Rest in peace Billy we love you.

Photos of the Day

2010-11-19T18:53:00.001-06:00

This morning I went down to the lake as usual and saw my Kingfisher friend in the same tree as the last couple of days. I took several photographs. These two are my favorites from today.

UPDATE: FYI --- my photographs are hardly ever "photo-shopped". What we see are the naked shots, lens smudges and all. I do use the zoom liberally.

Photo of the Day

2010-11-16T15:05:00.000-06:00

Wow! I spotted this fella in that tree as I went for a walk this morning. This is the first Kingfisher that I've seen here in Ajijic.

The Bombs Bursting in Air

2010-11-11T20:22:00.000-06:00

There is nothing more Mexican than mom, apple pie, and the bombs bursting in air. On Sunday, October 31, 2010 the Little Virgin of the Rosary completed her annual tour of local churches and returned home to her chapel on the central plaza of Ajijic. Her escort of native dancers and the faithful were greeted with music and the booming explosions of rockets. This is village life.

I found myself chuckling the other day as I realized that the bed and breakfast where my brother and his bride will be staying is very close to "rocket central" and the village festival starts soon after their arrival. Rockets before sunrise....... LOL

Blue Skies and Street Dogs

2010-10-29T14:07:00.000-05:00

Our village has several dogs that roam the streets and the town square (plaza). All are calm and respectful, even as you step over and around them. The blond dog pictured on the steps of my friends' gift and DVD movie shop comes by every day for a handful of dog chow. Today, we both hung around the shop for awhile.

The second photograph features the blue sky and the gazebo in the middle of the plaza. The gazebo has been freshly painted in anticipation of the two week festival honoring the patron of Ajijic -- Saint Andrew (San Andres).

Ajijic really is a paradise.

Photo of the Day

2010-10-28T14:18:00.000-05:00

The rainy season has passed. The mountains are beginning to turn from green to brown. And, we have nothin' but blue skies. It is still so very beautiful here in Ajijic, Jalisco, México.

This is the Church of Saint Andrew -- Santo Andres -- the patron of our village.

Cowards

2010-10-13T15:44:00.001-05:00

"Housekeeping Items" were once a regular feature of the contract negotiations that I participated in when I was union Vice-President and an elected negotiator for the Port Huron Education Association. They were mostly little things. Sometimes an item was added to the housekeeping list to reflect changes in State or Federal laws. One clause or another of our professional agreement would be modified and, of course, no one opposed those changes. The new contract language would be typed and copied and the negotiating teams' respective Chief or Co-Chiefs would initial the document. Simple stuff.

Many years ago, the non-discrimination clause of our contract needed to be "corrected" to bring it into compliance with the federal non-discrimination laundry list. Some folks on both teams took a deep breath and waited to see what I would do. You see, I was a known homosexual and a union and gay rights activist. However, the adding of "sexual orientation" was not a mandated change. Would I make it an issue?

Well, I f#@king caved. I was a coward.

I was also bullied. I was given various reasons why I should not even broach the subject with my own negotiating team. The possible outcomes of that decision, I was told, were too dire. The union leadership and most team members did not want a public fight. Not even a skirmish. They were cowards, too.

I hope that someday soon the Port Huron Area School District will change its student and employee non-discrimination policies to reflect the reality of 2010. Do they now have the courage to, as one union president loved to say, "do the right thing?"

Recently, the Saline School District's Board of Education was given the opportunity to lead by adopting a non-discrimination policy that included "sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression." They chose not to change a thing.......

Cowards.

And, children are dying.....

Hat tip: Dan Savage via AnnArbor.com

Come Out, Come Out, WHOever You Are

2010-10-11T10:39:00.002-05:00

Photo of the Day

2010-10-05T20:23:00.000-05:00

Lake Chapala is home to the Great White ~~Heron~~ Egret. They are beautiful birds with a distinctive call that you may hear when they fly by. I crept up on this fella and started taking pictures before someone startled it. This was a lucky shot.

Why Are You Voting Republican?

2010-10-05T16:56:00.001-05:00

Hat tip: Joe.My.God.

Because the World Needs More Smiles

2010-10-03T23:59:00.001-05:00

Thank you, Andrew Sullivan for sharing this "Mental Health Break".

Opera Company of Philadelphia "Flash Brindisi" at Reading Terminal Market (April 24, 2010)

I Am Not Hiding!

2010-10-03T14:20:00.000-05:00

Here's a reminder to all of my family and friends --- the scenes in this video were mostly filmed in Ajijic. I love this village and its people. I love the wonders of nature that surround me. I love the temperate climate. And, yes. Ajijic is a place of Life, Love, Death, and Healing.

It is here that I will grieve. It is here that I Live. Somewhere in México....

Fire Assistant AG Andrew Shirvell

2010-09-29T08:25:00.000-05:00

Mike Cox must fire cyberbully Assistant AG Andrew Shirvell. He is an immature homophobic jerk. What an embarrassment for the State of Michigan.

OMG!

2010-09-25T23:04:00.000-05:00

There are folks like these in every state...... be afraid. Hat tip: Daily Kos

Taliban Dan

Photo of the Day

2010-09-24T20:38:00.000-05:00

Location. Location. Location. And, money. It seems that this particular block of buildings has been plagued with poor luck in maintaining tenants. The cost of rent? Or, more likely, the loss of our traditional sources of income -- Sunbirds and Snowbirds. This photograph shows a boutique where the photography studio had been. Next door, and not shown, is an empty store that just two months ago sold generic drugs. I'm told that a Chinese or Japanese restaurant will soon open at this location. The dragon painting is just the beginning.....

The Republicans in the US Senate

2010-09-21T18:56:00.001-05:00

Obstructionist Republicans in the US Senate blocked a vote on the Defense Appropriations bill with a filibuster. They did not want to vote for the repeal of DADT. They did not want to vote for the Dream Act. Hypocrites and cowards all.

Dan Savage said it best. So, I must reprise this message to all the bigots out there ---- NSFW

Photos of the Day

2010-09-21T13:08:00.000-05:00

On my walk today, these flowers caught my attention. Enjoy.

Photo of the Day

2010-09-17T21:33:00.002-05:00

The celebration of the bicentennial of México continues. Evidence of the festivities remains behind no matter how much sweeping is done. Confetti filled eggs are sold by many vendors around Ajijic's central Plaza during every national holiday and religious festival. Lots and lots and lots of eggs.

You crack them on a loved one's head, of course.

Photo of the Day

2010-09-15T15:37:00.000-05:00

This is the balcony of the municipal building in Ajijic. There at 11 pm tonight the "Grito de Dolores" will be reenacted. This cry was the call to arms that sparked a revolution.

My children: a new dispensation comes to us today. Will you receive it? Will you free yourselves? Will you recover the lands stolen by three hundred years ago from your forefathers by the hated Spaniards? We must act at once… Will you defend your religion and your rights as true patriots? Long live our Lady of Guadalupe! Death to bad government! Death to the gachupines!

----- Father Miguel Hidalgo

Prudential Financial: War Profiteers

2010-09-14T12:38:00.001-05:00

Prudential Financial had a secret agreement with the Veterans Administration allowing them to make a profit off the deaths of America's heroes. Grieving families were not given lump sum death benefits, but were given "check books" to use in drawing out funds. Prudential profited from the monies being held for the beneficiaries in violation of the provisions of the actual insurance contract published.

Disgusting. All war profiteering must end or we will always have wars of choice -- ask George Bush........

Photo of the Day

2010-09-14T12:08:00.000-05:00

This critter was pretty brave. He let me take several photographs of him. If I got too close he just walked away a little distance. This part of the boardwalk always has these lake birds nearby.

Muttering

2010-09-12T17:19:00.000-05:00

To understand a little bit more about me -- a story. Once upon a free ticket for being bumped off a flight from a convention and 21 years ago, I traveled to México. Alone. One day, I decided to snorkel in a National Park. It was my first time. And, the first time a school of awe inspiring exotic fish came swimming by me, I screamed. Underwater. Not from fear, mind you, I was praising a Creator for that wonder, those tiny swimming miracles. True story.

For the last three years, the townsfolk have watched two youngish retired Americans walking the streets -- living among them. And, from time-to-time one or the other of us, or both, would whip out our cameras and photograph something that struck our fancy. Yes, for three years, we both "religiously" carried a camera. And, occasionally, we even had a spare set of AA batteries.

Living in México is a dream come true. And, each and every day I nearly have to pinch myself to be convinced that I actually live here. It's real. And, it is beautiful beyond words. Really. Hence, the camera and an occasional muttering of gratitude and wonder.

----------- The first photograph was taken with Billy's Nikon CoolPix lenses wide open. The shrine on Loma Ancha in just visible above the stone column on the left --- just right of center. The second shot is full mechanical and digital zoom. The shrine is centered.

Photos of the Day

2010-09-12T16:13:00.000-05:00

I took these photographs on my journey to the shrine on Loma Ancha today. I spotted these flowers on the path. And, we encountered these roosters on the road we walked down from on our way to the car. We actually took a wrong path on the way down from the shrine and we were deposited a few blocks from where we started.

Loma Ancha

2010-09-12T15:43:00.000-05:00

I have the rest of my life to see that..... So, glib. So, disengaged. And, so wrong. Yep, that was my answer to everyone's inquiry as to whether or not I have seen this or that around Ajijic and the Lake Chapala region. I especially gave my standard "some day" answer when asked about trekking up Loma Ancha to see the shrine. Many added that the path continues to the top of the mountain and over and down to another village.

The Catholic shrine above Ajijic looks out upon Lake Chapala and the villages below. It is something that for the last three years I took for granted. The shrine can be seen from most any point in Ajijic and, from below, it looks to be about three quarters of the way up the mountain from Upper Ajijic. I promised Billy that someday we would journey to the shrine. This morning as the sun was rising, Christian and I made our way to the foot of the pilgrim's path. We climbed Loma Ancha to the shrine. And, we carried with us a portion of Billy ashes, messages, and flower seeds to cast "on the wind".

Billy wanted his ashes spread around the places that he loved. In addition to our pilgrimage to the shrine, we also spread some of Billy in Lake Chapala and a wee bit next to our mango tree and amongst the banana trees. Billy's brother said that he would have some of Billy spread in the Saint Clair River back in Michigan. We loved living just blocks away from the bottom of Lake Huron and the mouth of the Saint Clair River. We used to walk and ride bikes along the Thomas Edison Parkway -- one of the most beautiful places in the world -- in my hometown of Port Huron, Michigan.

I kept my promise to Billy. And, we made it to the shrine on Loma Ancha.....

In This Shirt

2010-09-12T15:24:00.001-05:00

I am lost
In our rainbow
Now our rainbow
Has gone

Overcast,
By your shadow
As our worlds move on

But in this shirt,
I can be you.
To be near you
For awhile.

But in this shirt,
I can be you.
To be near you
For awhile.

There's a crane
Knocking down
All those things
That we were.

I awake
In the night
To hear the engines purr.

There's a pain
It does ripple
Through my frame
Makes me lame.

There's a thorn
In my side.
It's the shame, it's the pride
Of you and me -- ever changing.

Moving on now.
Moving fast.

And his touch
Must be wanted.
Must become
Through your ask.

But I need,
Jake, to tell you,
That I love you -- it never rests.

And I've bled
Every day now
For a year,
For a year.

I did send
You a note
On the wind
For to read

Our names,
There together,
Must have fallen,
Like a seed.

To the depths
Of the soil
Buried deep
In the ground

On the wind
I could hear you
Call my name
Held the sounds.

I am lost.

I am lost
In our rainbow
Now our rainbow
Has gone

I am lost
In our rainbow
Now our rainbow
Has gone

I am lost.

I am lost.

I am lost.

----------- The Irrepressibles - In This Shirt

Photos of the Day

2010-09-11T12:32:00.000-05:00

On the way to the central plaza in Ajijic from Calle Guadalupe Victoria you may now pass by the newest mural being painted. It is "in progress" -- all seems to be going well for México's bicentennial celebrations. We are painting the town....

Photo of the Day (Friday)

2010-09-10T11:45:00.000-05:00

It is a bit cool and the rains have stuck around all morning. On the way to breakfast this morning, I passed this "new" store and its mural. The reflection in the glass door is from across the street. I have no idea what is opening in this location. Stay tuned.

Photo of the Day (Thursday)

2010-09-10T11:38:00.000-05:00

We had great weather yesterday. The rains ended early and the remainder of the day was sunny and warm. The banana tree on the right finally toppled as the bunch of bananas that had been growing reached maturity. Now, we just have to wait for them to ripen. Note the other trees growing. It takes about two years for this variety of the tree to grow, fruit, and die.
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Photo of the Day

2010-09-08T21:48:00.000-05:00

It seems to have rained most of the day today. Before a long afternoon nap, I snapped this photograph of some blossoms soaked in rain. The blooms in Ajijic are awe inspiring.
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