A few things to note: “American Idol” Season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert has come out of the closet as a gay in a magazine article that will come out later this week: Did rumors about his sexuality doom his effort – or help him – in the finals vs. Kris Allen? Will the popularity of some gay figures like Adam translate into greater support gays like those that U.S. military continues to discharge from military because of their sexual identity?
The two U.S. journalists sentenced – in a secret trial – to eight years of hard labor in North Korean prisons probably won’t get the full North Korean prison treatment, but still won’t have an easy time. Will the news about their imprisonment publicize more widely general conditions in these mammoth prisons, where half of prisoners die within their first year and escapees detail abuses like guards beating to death small children imprisoned with their parents for stealing a piece of food? Will news about the lack of fair trials for the journalists or the conditions in the prisons make more North Americans think twice about fairness of military tribunals for Guantanamo Bay prisoners or bad conditions in Guantanamo, Abu Graib, or CIA secret prisons?
I have missed two series of planning workshops – locally and across the country – most recently this past Saturday – to help mobilize support for President Obama’s health care reform proposals. More action is planned for later this month, when hopefully I’ll get on board. Word is that drug companies like the one that paid my salary and benefits for 4 ½ years and insurance companies have mobilized to essentially remove the public option as a part of the reform mix, essentially taking the umph out of the plan. (At the same time, a dispute between our insurance company and a hospital company may make it so that we would not now have been able to afford to send Vincent to the Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville (other than the fact that he’s no longer considered a child!).)
Good news and bad news: A high-speed drive over a box that had apparently fallen out of another vehicle on the way to Ohio this weekend got the Camry into the shop, where a repair of the Camry suspension system and alignment is being done. What we thought might be a termite and bee or wasp infestation of our rented house turns out to be ants and crickets. Spraying and bombing some of the rooms won’t be pay-free or free (perhaps including washing all of the pots and pans, plates, and silverware after fogging and getting all of our companion animals) out of there. But it beats having to find a place to live for several weeks while someone tents our house for termites. Thanks for St. Matthews Exterminating Company for the free inspection.
Monday was Papa Bob’s birthday – and relatively newfound son Scott was visiting from Saipan, along with daughter Vikki and friend Loren earlier during the weekend. Tuesday is Grandma Martha’s birthday (and a special birthday, at that). Both Bob and Mom got cards etc. from us this week. We’ll see if Mom’s colleagues remember her birthday – they got a little reminder earlier in the day. Hopefully Father’s Day items will be on their way to various folks shortly also.
The two U.S. journalists sentenced – in a secret trial – to eight years of hard labor in North Korean prisons probably won’t get the full North Korean prison treatment, but still won’t have an easy time. Will the news about their imprisonment publicize more widely general conditions in these mammoth prisons, where half of prisoners die within their first year and escapees detail abuses like guards beating to death small children imprisoned with their parents for stealing a piece of food? Will news about the lack of fair trials for the journalists or the conditions in the prisons make more North Americans think twice about fairness of military tribunals for Guantanamo Bay prisoners or bad conditions in Guantanamo, Abu Graib, or CIA secret prisons?
I have missed two series of planning workshops – locally and across the country – most recently this past Saturday – to help mobilize support for President Obama’s health care reform proposals. More action is planned for later this month, when hopefully I’ll get on board. Word is that drug companies like the one that paid my salary and benefits for 4 ½ years and insurance companies have mobilized to essentially remove the public option as a part of the reform mix, essentially taking the umph out of the plan. (At the same time, a dispute between our insurance company and a hospital company may make it so that we would not now have been able to afford to send Vincent to the Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville (other than the fact that he’s no longer considered a child!).)
Good news and bad news: A high-speed drive over a box that had apparently fallen out of another vehicle on the way to Ohio this weekend got the Camry into the shop, where a repair of the Camry suspension system and alignment is being done. What we thought might be a termite and bee or wasp infestation of our rented house turns out to be ants and crickets. Spraying and bombing some of the rooms won’t be pay-free or free (perhaps including washing all of the pots and pans, plates, and silverware after fogging and getting all of our companion animals) out of there. But it beats having to find a place to live for several weeks while someone tents our house for termites. Thanks for St. Matthews Exterminating Company for the free inspection.
Monday was Papa Bob’s birthday – and relatively newfound son Scott was visiting from Saipan, along with daughter Vikki and friend Loren earlier during the weekend. Tuesday is Grandma Martha’s birthday (and a special birthday, at that). Both Bob and Mom got cards etc. from us this week. We’ll see if Mom’s colleagues remember her birthday – they got a little reminder earlier in the day. Hopefully Father’s Day items will be on their way to various folks shortly also.
-- Perry
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