park for sale... or rent...

I've been following a very disturbing story about Griffith Park and if you're unaware of what's happening in your beautiful park, well, might I suggest you sit up and pay attention.

The city of Los Angeles is apparently running short on money, so in their infinite wisdom, they've decided the best way to generate some quick money ($80,000) is to rent out Griffith Park for a "Haunted Hayride" late into the night (for a few weeks leading up to Halloween). Alongside, other parks are in the process of being rented out for various and sundry events as well...

Herein lies the $64,000 question... is this really the best way to generate funding... by renting out a piece of land that belongs to ALL Los Angeles citizens, not just those downtown?

Several years ago, as individuals were asked to weigh in on how Griffith Park could/should be utilized, one of the overwhelming comments was "We do not need another theme park in Griffith Park!" Yet, here we are... again attempting to ward off those who would misuse the park for their personal gain, especially those who currently occupy seats on city council.

There are a great many people who fail to understand why this is a bad idea. They believe this influx of revenue into the city's empty coffers will help the city out of a financial hole. Not true. The generated money will do nothing to stave off the flow... it doesn't go to the coffers, and at this point, it doesn't really help the park.

Ask anyone who uses the park on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis. This park, this "jewel" in the center of the greater Los Angeles community should be protected. This was the request from Griffith J. Griffith when he gifted the park to the citizens of LA.

We, and our duly elected representatives, should honor that request, not just when it's politically expedient, but when it's not expedient, like now.

I grew up on the east coast, in an area right next to a semi-urban setting. One could walk down to the end of the block and fall into nature, snakes and all. As a child, I learned quickly which snakes to avoid... to give wide berth to... which plants were poison ivy, which trees were the best for climbing...  I was also ingrained from an early age with a great deal of respect for nature in general.

When I moved to the Los Angeles area, I quickly embraced Griffith Park for my recreational needs. I realize the importance of preservation of outdoor spaces, and especially this Park. Without Griffith Park, there are few areas available to the vast majority of people living in the area. It's more than just having access to an open setting... it's a way to commune with nature in a way few people in this area can, living in this vast city setting.

I think it's time to evaluate how we use the park, and if we're to see this park succeed for our grandchildren, and beyond, then it's imperative we get involved to stop the demolition of this and all our parks!

a very happy (alas belated) birthday wish to Sofia...

Yesterday was Sofia's birthday and while I made a mental note to wish her Happy Birthday, I got a bit busy working on stuff and never got around to wishing her the best... and so, Sofia... today, I wish you a very Happy Birthday, and may your life be filled with much happiness and may you always be surrounded by love!

and another rig bites the dust...

Somehow it's not surprising that another rig has caught fire in the Gulf. Thankfully, this was not nearly as devastating as the BP rig several months back... no lives lost in the fire and subsequent evacuation.

It does, however, point out a flaw in offshore drilling... eventually things do go wrong, and when they do, there is a greater possibility for catastrophic environmental damage. Most Americans do not realize how many oil rigs currently exist in the Gulf. Some websites put the number of rigs at nearly 7,000, although this figure includes rigs that still operate, as well as those that no longer operate, or were damaged, or destroyed when Hurricane Katrina plowed through..

We should all remember that oil is a finite energy resource. If the United States wants to maintain energy independence, now is the time to begin working on alternative plans, rather than wait for this finite source to cease. I wonder why this is such a difficult concept to grasp!

the station fire... one year later

On August 26th, 2010, Los Angeles celebrated the first anniversary as 160,557 acres or 251 square miles were destroyed by perhaps one individual dropping flammable materials near mile marker 29 in the Angeles Crest Forest.

Unfortunately no one has been brought to justice for this horrific destruction which cost the state millions of dollars, had a huge impact on the environment and will have an ongoing impact on the health of the forest and surrounding areas. At one point, the fires burned so hot, the earth was scorched, making it prone to water runoff during heavy winter rains. In the springtime, the scorched area refused to allow plant growth and even now, one year later, there are still enormous brown areas where nothing currently grows.

One lesson we should take away from this. The areas surrounding Los Angeles (and, many cities in the Southwest) are extremely sensitive and need to be treated accordingly. When one person can wreck such havoc on our environment, we all lose... not just our health, but the health of those areas which should be protected because ultimately, they protect us.

The photo was taken from Atwater Village the day the burn began.

it's all about the fish...

The failure of BP on the gulf may have far-reaching implications...

If we’ve learned nothing else, we should perhaps treat news coming from Washington and those BP folks with a certain amount of skepticism. When we’re told it’s fine to begin eating shellfish coming from the Gulf, perhaps we should hit the pause button.

Why?

Perhaps because there’s little evidence to support our government’s position of “safe to consume” when talking about the spill and its long-term effect on fish and shrimp for consumption.

In fact, there is far more evidence to support constraint in the fishing industry for a very long time.

Let us revisit for a moment, the failure of the Japanese government in response to the release of methylmercury into the waters near Minamata beginning in the 1930s until late '68 where neither the government of Japan nor the industrial giant, Chisso Corporation took responsibility for the enormous destruction to the environment and the huge toll on human and animal life. In fact, in 2001 there were over 2,000 deaths attributed directly to this lack of regulation of methylmercury.

As you ponder the photo, you should ask yourself if this is the scenario you want to be a part of in the years to come... or better yet, would you want your children to become nothing more than a statistic in BP's abuse to our environment...

In 1959 a report on the disease stated...
“Minamata disease is a poisoning disease that affects mainly the central nervous system and is caused by the consumption of large quantities of fish and shellfish living in Minamata Bay and its surroundings, the major causative agent being some sort of organic mercury compound.” 

In 2010, Chisso Corporation set aside a compensation fund for as-yet uncertified victims.

On a personal note:
Years ago I read a book on the effects of methylmercury in the small fishing village of Minamata and recall being horrified by photos of children (like the one pictured) grotesquely crippled and unable to care for themselves, caught in a forever child-like existence. Frankly, after seeing the photos, I would not wish this on anyone. 

welcome to arizona... now go back to wherever you came from

Once again the vestige of racism rears its ugly head... and brown people are again in the crosshairs.

Dare I suggest this change in Arizona law is about racism? After all, this country addressed the idea of racism in the ’60s... right?

Sadly, not true. The players may change, but racism by any other name, is still racism. Granted, the white bedsheets with holes cut out for eyes have been tucked neatly away in the closet, but now “color of authority” has become the new and improved KKK.

Let me just say, we who have been in this country for longer than, say 50 years and happen to be white never have to face the reality that not everyone in this country enjoys the same sense of privilege. That being said, this attempt to inflict Arizona’s concept of immigration might well backfire, as have all other attempts over the history of this nation.

Slavery... gone... well perhaps not completely, but most living in America (and around the world) frown on the ownership of another human being. Moving along... immigrants coming from Italy, Germany, Ireland and China had to fight for acceptance in their adopted country. How ironic that here in Los Angeles, bones discovered during the construction of the downtown subway and identified as Chinese were reinterred at Evergreen Cemetery, the same cemetery that originally barred them from burial among the “white” population as late as the 1920s.

During WWII, American citizens of Japanese descent living in this country had their lives and property stolen and their freedom snatched as they were forced into internment camps. There has never been adequate compensation for the years lived in tents far away from lives they once enjoyed.

But, if we go back to the founding of the new country, it’s easy to understand how the sense of privilege overrode the reality... that those who laid claim to this nation had no right to do so... and it was greatly destructive to once great populations of Native Americans who originally inhabited much of the country.

There is a moral here. If we do not understand the lessons, we will surely relive them for as long as it takes. As we continue to move forward through time, we must evaluate how we would like to be remembered... and whether or not compassion will become just another word lost along the way.

every picture tells a story...

The picture, as they say, is looking quite grim. It’s beginning to look more and more like we’re losing the battle to staunch the spewing flow in the gulf which does not bode well for any wildlife caught in the vicinity... and by that I mean anywhere in the gulf, or up or down the east coast.

It’s simply a matter of time before this BP disaster creates a domino effect that will be felt ‘round the world.

I wish I had better news to report.

mum's the word...

The giant question these days is... will the relief wells rushing toward completion in the gulf solve the spewing oil situation created by BP?

The answer is, perhaps... then again, perhaps not.

In June, then CEO head, Tony Hayward commented that the gulf oil reservoir is believed to hold about 2.1 billion gallons of oil. Now wrap that around your head for awhile. It all begins to make sense why it's better to let the oil flow... to kill off the gulf and make it a dead zone for all living things (oh, and that does include mankind since we too happen to live in the general vicinity of their oil reservoir). After all, “greed is good,” especially when major corporations are in charge.

So, perhaps all that oil gushing into the gulf is a good thing... certainly for BP.

Does this make you crazy yet? It should.

AP photo of oil-drenched waves threatening the Alabama coastline from the Huffington Post.

the senator from west virginia...

We’re talking about the death of Robert C. Byrd.

And this is important, why?

Robert C. Byrd was, what I would consider, one of the interesting individuals to represent the United States both as a congressman (beginning his career in 1953) and senator, elected in 1959 from the state of West Virginia. Near the end of his political career, he spoke forcefully against the gathering clouds of war in Iraq, contrary to the position he had taken during the war in Vietnam.

He commented (after failing to sway other senators to adopt a similar position opposing the Bush administration’s “preemptive war”) “Today I weep for my country.” He further noted, “I have watched the events of recent months with a heavy, heavy heart. No more is the image of America one of strong yet benevolent peacekeeper. The image of America has changed.” He made these remarks on the eve of the invasion of Iraq, and ironically I was in Australia, witnessing massive anti-war demonstrations against the government of Prime Minister, John Howard, similar to the Vietnam era anti-war demonstrations. I too, wept, knowing what would happen once war became the mantra of the state...

Whether or not one agreed with Byrd, he was capable of acknowledging past mistakes, and equally, was willing to change positions. It must be noted that early on, Robert C. Byrd was a member of the KKK. However, he later sought to distance himself from the virulent anti-black organization, embracing parity and equal opportunity for all Americans.

As an elder statesman, Byrd remained in Washington during eleven administrations; Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush (1), Clinton, Bush (2) and finally, Obama.  Perhaps it was the longevity that shaped, and reshaped his views.

May this country take its cue from one man’s life and reevaluate its direction.

goal... or not...

This morning, England was defeated on the field by arch-enemy, Germany. (Final score Germany 4, England 1)

It should have been a great game, but the game was marred by another really awful call, this time the sideline judge failed to see the goal scored by the English team which had the potential of changing the direction of the game by tying the score 2-2. (For those who missed the game, it really was a beautiful goal!)

But frankly, I don’t know how he missed it.

I've been a proponent for some time of including electronics in the game. Why? Objectivity.

There might be bad calls by field refs, or missed calls, but when electronics becomes part of the equation, those missed/bad calls will become a thing of the past. Clearly, all calls are subjective when called by an individual. Referees might miss something because they’re thinking about what they did, or didn’t consume at the dinner table... They might carry a grudge against a team from the last match they refereed. Who knows?

Electronics could change the game, make it cleaner and better. All those who advocate for continuation of the sport sans electronics are advocating for the possibility of payola or a continuation of the really bad calls that seem to have pervaded this 2010 World Cup.

By the way, there was another game this morning. Mexico vs. Argentina (final score Argentina 3, Mexico 1). And guess what... there was another controversy. As Argentina thundered down the field, they kicked hard toward the goal. However, one of the Argentinian players (Carlos Tevez) was clearly offsides and again, the line ref missed the call. Angry Mexican players immediately surrounded referee, Roberto Rosetti who then went into conference with the line judge. As he came back on the field, he let the goal stand.

In my estimation, a grave injustice was done in two games back to back.   

Tragically, FIFA doesn’t even address some of these failures when they post the results. According to reports, FIFA said in a statement that it “will not make any comments on decisions of the referee on the field of play.” Perhaps they should reconsider their decision because millions of people around the world are watching these games and would like to see their game well-played and equally – well-judged.

Instead, what we’re currently seeing are fights breaking out off-field because of the failure to control the on-field game, and the level of refereeing (or lack of...) is partially to blame.

Photo of the disputed goal  by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

hey kids... it’s time to watch the cup

The world cup, that is.

For all of you out there who don't understand what all the brouhaha is about, it’s really quite simple.

Take the ball (using only your feet...), run down an enormous (gigantic) 110 yard-long field and put the small ball into the large net. It looks really easy on t.v. doesn’t it? Trust me, it’s not. Once you get the hang of moving a ball using only your feet, do this for 90 minutes at a full clip with your opponent hanging all over you. Starting to get a little harder perhaps? Keep in mind as you run toward the goal, that player coming out to challenge you... the goalie, well, he’s the one who’s gonna attempt to prevent you from scoring on him (not to mention all the other players who’ve just showed up to the party in front of the goal post).

Now, bring on a referee who either A) doesn’t want to make any calls, or B) makes some really bad calls, and I do mean bad calls! Take, for example, the game played between the Americans and Slovenians. The third goal scored in the 86th minute by the American team was called back. Why? Well, no one really seems to know... unlike other sports where each call is viewed and reviewed from every conceivable angle if there is an on-field dispute.

In soccer, there are no instant replays, the field referee is the last word. Sadly, the last word got it completely wrong on this one crucial play. There should have been multiple penalties called,  unfortunately none were (watching the play again, it was clear the referee was in no position to make any call), and adding insult to injury the goal was called back. Hopefully, this will be the last time we see Koman Coulibaly as a referee on the field. By the way, Coulibaly was the official who assessed Egypt a controversial time-stoppage penalty during its final 2006 World Cup qualifier against Cameroon. Nevertheless, Egypt prevailed after Cameroon's missed kick. At that time, his controversial call should have disqualified him from further participation. This time, his judgment (American vs. Slovenia) was criminal.  

However, tomorrow (as they say in the movies...) is another day, and another game. This will be the decisive game for the American team... they’ll either advance to the next round, or go home and work on their game for the next World Cup. I would love to see them advance. It’s a long time between these tournaments and the world is their stage (at least for the moment).

In related news, France went home in disgrace. The players decided they didn’t want to play nice.

same time... same ol'... same ol'

Perhaps things have changed a bit, but not much.

I had mentioned in my last posting that Tony Hayward would be rejoining his life [which he was very anxious to get back to...]. I misspoke at the time, taking my cue from an on-line newssource. At that time, he was still BP’s CEO.

Earlier this week, Hayward testified in front of yet another congressional panel looking into the Gulf catastrophe. Before appearing, he was notified as to the line of questioning and specifically asked to bring documentation and experts who would testify as to magnitude of the spill, as well as any safety measures that were, or were not in place to staunch the flow generated by the Deepwater Horizon’s collapse and destruction. Again and again, Hayward declined to answer, stating he was not in “in the loop” around the day-to-day decision making regarding off-shore drilling practices [specifically in the Gulf Coast region]. He did repeat [for the cameras...]  “I am so devastated with this accident” and “deeply sorry” and ”so distraught,” but somehow this did little to assuage the anger as demonstrated by American lawmakers [and the American public]. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., commented, “You cut corners to save money and time.” At one point Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., interrupted Hayward and stated “You're kicking the can down the road and acting as if you had nothing to do with this company and nothing to do with the decisions. I find that irresponsible.”

Meanwhile, the oil volcano is still spewing thousands of gallons of crude into the gulf stream on a daily basis.

People are calling [screaming might be a better word] for more government intervention.

BP is applying pressure [employing our government as their personal security force], denying any opportunity to take a closer, more accurate look at what they’re destroying, both in the water and on our land.

When did this change happen in America?

Frankly, it's been happening for some time. We’ve just been asleep at the wheel.

hey bp... thanks for nada

The plot thickens in Louisiana... along with oil seeping into some of the most sensitive areas which (up to this point) were nesting areas for multitudes of brown pelicans and other bird species.
Alas, no more...

Anyone familiar with the Valdez oil spill in 1989 (I spoke of this in an earlier posting) knows that environmentally sensitive areas take decades to resurrect from a major spill. Unfortunately, we failed to understand this lesson after the Exxon Valdez spilled nearly 11 million gallons into Prince William Sound. Over 20 years later, the destruction wrought by that spill is still impacting the area, having covered 1,300 miles of coast and 11,000 square miles of ocean. Worse, the impact on animal species will take much longer, if it ever comes back.

If mankind completely disappeared from the face of the planet, perhaps other animals species would at last regroup from the damage we humans continually rain upon the earth.

Was there not a passage in the bible that gives humans dominion over other animals (along with a caveat)? We humans should learn to tread a bit more carefully on our planet... Tragically however, I believe this advice would fall on deaf ears since few in power seem to be listening.

After doing some research this evening I discovered much to my surprise that Tony Hayward (BP's supreme buffoon) was stepping down as CEO. I'm really not sure if this is good, or bad news. Granted, he will get his life back (just what he’s wanted since this environmental fiasco of biblical proportions began...) However, I want to see him in shiny stainless-steel cuffs and I wonder if I will live long enough to see this become a reality.

Even worse, Sarah Palin is again front and center, blaming those who have attempted to save her and her ilk from destroying themselves and our environment even further... comments posted on Palin’s blog are disturbing and should not be read by/to very small children, or those with sensitive dispositions...

“With [environmentalists'] nonsensical efforts to lock up safer drilling areas, all you're doing is outsourcing energy development, which makes us more controlled by foreign countries, less safe, and less prosperous on a dirtier planet. ... You're not preventing environmental hazards; you're outsourcing them and making drilling more dangerous. Extreme deep water drilling is not the preferred choice to meet our country's energy needs, but your protests and lawsuits and lies about onshore and shallow water drilling have locked up safer areas. It's catching up with you. The tragic, unprecedented deep water Gulf oil spill proves it.”

I would like to point out to Palin... oil emanating from American soil or American oceans is already controlled by foreign powers, and any suggestion on Palin's part that we control our own (un)natural resources is incredibly naive and baseless.

What this spill does prove is, any drilling near sensitive areas will ultimately destroy those areas, along with any wild (or otherwise) life in the immediate area. As a friend pointed out, the gulf has now become a “dead zone.”

And with that, God help us all...

AP photo published on the Huffington Post. They say a picture is worth a thousand words... I say the outrage created by pictures from the spill should at long last push for legislation prohibiting this kind of environmental destruction.

catalina... late may 2010

Sometimes it's nice to go away for a long weekend and spending it with friends makes it a more pleasant experience... so, Catalina, here we come!

We took the express to the “island” on Friday and although it was semi-calm in the harbor, as soon as the boat hit the breakwater, most everyone headed outside to the deck... ah, the joys of motion sickness.

Oddly, coming back Sunday afternoon to the mainland, the ten foot swells didn’t seem to bother me nearly as much, although there were some passengers that looked a bit green around the gills, and since the waves were pretty strong, I maintained a dry spot under the awning near the front, saving my partially-read book from a potential drenching.

I must say, the view from the deck is lovely as you enter the harbor at Avalon. It reminds me of a picturesque scene from the Mediterranean; everything appears clean and bright.

The gulls hang out on the tops of fountains and lampposts and act as though the island is theirs... it is.

We climbed up to the top of the Wrigley Memorial and took a picture for posterity.

We then hiked back down.

All in all, it was a really nice weekend shared with good friends and some great wine.

dubious distinctions realized...

As of today, May 18, 2010, the number of Americans killed in the conflict in Afghanistan reached the first 1,000 mark and in Iraq, the figure was 4,381.

Amazingly, neither conflict has been declared a war, thus shielding the rest of us from having to take any responsibility for the death and destruction we have visited upon these countries.

Sound familiar? It should.

The only difference between Vietnam and the conflicts now occurring is the number of dead Americans. However, if we remain there as long and the draft once again becomes part of the vernacular, then perhaps we will reach that lofty number of 58,169.

Or even surpass it...

And for those interested; the number of dead Vietnamese during our incursion can only be calculated. Approximately 3 to 4 million Vietnamese from both sides [North/South] plus, in Cambodia and Laos, 1.5 to 2 million lives destroyed.

If we truly understood history, we would stop having these deja vu's.

In truth I don't think we can help ourselves... we’re destined to replay the script until we get it.

excuses, excuses, excuses...

OMG! Anyone listening to the vacuous excuses and finger pointing from last week's senate hearings would come away scratching their head... wondering just who is really at fault for the Deepwater Horizon explosion and disaster in the Gulf.

Early reports from BP and our government suggested approximately 5,000 gallons per day were leaking into the gulf. This figure was challenged by scientists who have theorized that nearly 10 times the initial figure are now spilling into the gulf. A staggering figure; one that would have enormous, catastrophic repercussions on the economy and the environment for a very long time.

And, quite possibly, the numbers of wildlife dying as a result of this spill will never be fully counted. Roger Helm with the US Fish and Wildlife Service remarked, “If birds are impacted by oil and they die there, they sink.” Manatees, dolphins and whales may succumb to oil many miles out at sea, leaving little evidence. Some oil-soaked turtles have washed ashore... Steve Murawski, chief science advisor of NOAA Fisheries Service, said 156 turtles have died, most of them a protected species; Kemp's Ridley turtles. But the sheer numbers of wildlife expected to succumb will probably never be known.

And to make a bad situation even worse, BP tossed approximately 200,000 gallons of  the chemical dispersant, Corexit 9500 into the gulf in an attempt to stem the damage caused by the spill. There is, however a problem as this chemical is detrimental to the environment and also extremely toxic to wildlife. Chemical dispersants such as Corexit also enhance oil's toxicity in the dispersion process.

So, to recount... from whichever place you stand, this is a monstrous environmental disaster.

BP failed to create a failsafe system for removing oil from a mile down... Transocean blamed the catastrophe on Haliburton, Haliburton blamed the problem on BP. And the dance played out for all who wished to watch. Bottom line, no one wants responsibility, no one wants to pay for the privilege of destroying a very sensitive environment.

But they'll take your money, won’t they!  

Meanwhile, the slick from the underwater gusher is so huge, it’s visible from space.

Oh, one more thing... to those buffoons who want to drill indiscriminately... please get a clue. This destruction of the gulf is only the tip of the iceberg if you proceed without forethought or planning. Or, perhaps this was really good planning... kill the environment... kill the wildlife... destroy civilization as we know it... but then, what?


Photo was shot on May 17, 2010 by MODIS instrument aboard NASA's TERRA satellite. NASA Goddard / Rob Gutro http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/oilspill/20100517_spill.html

passing of a legend...

I'm sure there are those who will disagree with me, but what a woman.

I’m talking about Lena Mary Calhoun Horne, who passed away yesterday. Born June 30, 1917, she gained renown as an singer/actor/civil rights champion and then some.

At the age of 16, she began dancing at the world-famous Cotton Club in NYC, later singing with jazz legends such as Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington. During WWII, she refused to perform on a USO tour when German prisoners of war were seated in the front rows even as African-Americans were relegated to seats further back. Needless to say, she was cut from the tour, but continued to perform for troops, paying her own way. She embraced the civil rights movement in the 1960s, becoming an ardent supporter of Martin Luther King.

Style, class, grace... Lena Horne. Now she sings with the angels.

in your face...

Views from the spill.

I apologize for posting these today, but somehow it seemed appropriate, what with this being Mother’s Day and we generally refer to this planet as “Mother Earth.”

So, look at the destruction we have wrought, all in the name of greed.

oil spill photos/ AP

mother’s day...

To my mother and to all mothers, everywhere, Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day is the day set aside to celebrate all those responsible for... well... all of us.

Mothering Day, traced back to seventeenth century England (the fourth Sunday in Lent) was the day when strict rules regarding fasting and penance were set aside, and motherhood was celebrated.

In the United States, in 1872, Julia Ward Howe (author of the Battle Hymn of the Republic) suggested a day be set aside to celebrate motherhood and international peace. Then, in 1907, a woman named Anna Jarvis set up a national Mother’s “Work Day” to raise awareness of poor health conditions in the workplace. Jarvis asked legislators and businessmen to create a special day for mothers.

The idea finally took hold in 1914 when Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May be set aside as a tribute to the enormous contribution that mothers everywhere make.

And so, in honor of all mothers, once again, I/we salute and thank you!

drill, baby, drill...

It was the mantra heard ‘round the country, and around the world.

Now, if you really look at those who advocate for more drilling in sensitive areas, it’s mostly old white people who are close to the end of their lives. It’s easy to see why they think drilling in this country is appropriate. After all, they’ve been fed a steady diet of lies and tend to believe everything they’re told.

On the other hand, most everyone I hang with tends to view this information with a certain amount of skepticism. Quite possibly, it’s because we’ve seen what a lack of regulation does to the environment and to people’s lives.

But, I'm from Virginia, and am embarrassed by what I'm hearing from politicians in my neck of the woods. Rather than err on the side of caution, Governor Bob McDonnell insists on moving forward with plans for drilling off the Virginia coast. Now, the proverbial dust in the Gulf has not quite settled, but already he’s pressing the administration to allow exploratory drilling, even though estimates suggest there may (only) be enough oil to fuel the nation for about a week... and enough natural gas to heat the country for about a month.

Did I read that right?

Yes, I did!

No one will ever suggest that stupidity is in short supply when it comes to some of McDonnell’s hair-brained comments.

In addition to his push to allow more oil to pollute the environment (eventually this will be the case because anyone with brains understands there will be more accidents...), this is the guy who declared that April (2010) would be Confederate History Month in Virginia, forgetting why the American Civil War was fought in the first place... oh, yeah, that slave problem...

I gotta ask, what were those people thinking when they cast their ballot for this guy??

may 4, 1970

Today is the 40th anniversary of the Kent State massacre.

For those who were either A) not alive or B) living on some alien planet, this was the turning point of public opinion around the war in Vietnam. It is also a day that will live in infamy for those who believe the National Guard acted with malice when they destroyed four lives.

While some believe this shooting was justified, as students pelted the guard with rocks, it’s difficult to imagine how rocks equate with bullets. As it was, 29 of 77 guardsmen claimed to have fired their weapons, and a total of 67 bullets were expended.

As I look at the photo of Mary Ann Vecchio kneeling over the lifeless body of Jeffrey Miller, the shock and horror of that moment comes rushing back and I grieve for all of those who died that day.

photo/ John Filo  [a minor note re: the photograph. When originally published, the bar running into Vecchio’s head was airbrushed out.]

view of the station fire... then/now

Hard to believe that we’re coming up quickly on the first anniversary of the Station Fire that destroyed 160,577 acres in an area that included parts of Topanga, La Canada/Flintridge and Glendale.

The top photo was taken as a series from a vantage point in La Canada in August, 2009, The bottom photo was taken May 1, 2010 from the Hanson Dam area. As you can see, the burn area is still very evident.

may day...

May Day is traditionally the day set aside to celebrate International Workers’ Day.

Ironically, the May Day celebration began in this country in 1886, as more than 300,000 workers across the United States walked off their jobs to protest unsafe conditions in many factories and businesses.

Today, in Los Angeles, we are celebrating the positive impact immigration has had on the development within this country. We should celebrate that impact, it’s the influx of new blood that keeps this country healthy.

The flip side: it’s the angst that continually pits one group against another, forever dividing this country.

Yesterday I went to one of the local stores for lunch and overhead two elderly (white) men discussing SB1070 recently passed into law in Arizona. As I stood in front of the freezer, looking at the various items for sale, one remarked to the other that he supported the legislation because “all ‘those people’ are just thieves, liars, rapists, or worse...” As the other man nodded in agreement, I realized I needed to move away... but nearly commented that it was amazing how they could, with one negative brush stroke, paint so many.

Today, I went down to Los Angeles because there was a massive demonstration against SB1070 taking place.

The overwhelming number of American flags was heartening. It established (at least for me) that this is a country to be proud of and embrace, even if all living within the borders are unwilling to embrace that which they don’t know or understand.

I think all sides could take a lesson from this march to city hall and perhaps embrace the differences which mold the forever changing face in these united states.

another fine mess...

The pristine Gulf Coast is no longer (pristine, that is...).

We have BP (the former British Petroleum) to thank for this catastrophe.

Eleven died in the accident and approximately one hundred workers escaped the initial explosion. Nearly 5,000 barrels of crude are spilling into the gulf daily, creating a problem for the gulf states and the eastern coast of Mexico. The cataclysmic destruction to the environment is potentially worse than the damage done to Prince William Sound, Alaska in 1989.

Think about this for a moment. The spill from the Exxon Valdez (nearly 11 million U.S. gallons) into the Prince William Sound devastated not just the area, it also destroyed the livelihoods of many fishermen and native Alaskans.

Worst, this spill destroyed a huge swath of wildlife in the vicinity including as many as 250,000 seabirds, numerous sea and river otters, seals, orca whales and enormous numbers of salmon and herring. This was the immediate destruction from the Valdez. The long-term destruction is still felt, and not just economically. Wildlife populations devastated in the immediate spill, have not made a comeback and will probably feel the effects for quite some time.

Exxon/Mobil on the other hand, has never really paid for the extensive destruction to this region, and quite possibly, never will. In Baker v. Exxon, the jury awarded $287 million for actual damages and $5 billion for punitive damages. However, in appeals (2006), the damages award was trimmed to $2.5 billion. Exxon again appealed, the case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court which ultimately remanded the case back to a lower court after vacating the damages award. (for further information, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exxon_Valdez_oil_spill)

And so, insanity continues to prevail.

The official position still held by Exxon is this was an "accident" therefore the punitive award was fundamentally unjustified.

I cannot wait to hear the justification for the latest "accident" in the Gulf Coast area. Already the fingers are pointing elsewhere.

Stay tuned.

AP photo

let the perp walk begin...

I was going to write about the state of Arizona passing some really ugly, racist legislation, bordering on insane legislation, but suddenly, the Senate hearings with Goldman Sachs employees came to light and I couldn’t let it slide.

Tactics used by Goldman Sachs to bilk shareholders out of millions of dollars confound the sensibilities but even worse, these guys fail to understand why this is even an issue.

Senator Carl Levin’s remark “How about the fact that you sold hundreds of millions of that deal after your people knew it was a [EXPLETIVE DELETED] deal? Does that bother you at all?” seems to have fallen on deaf ears during the hearing.

Ever watch the movie Wall Street? Remember the famous (or perhaps infamous line) uttered by Michael Douglas’ character, Gordon Gekko “Greed is good.”

We’re now living it...

Fabrice Tourre, executive director, Structured Products Group Trading also commented during the Senate hearings “I deny categorically the SEC’s allegations, and I will defend myself in court against this false claim.”

Well, bravo, Tourre. A number of people are wondering when the fat cats are going to pony up their share of the profits to help “Main Street.” Care to toss a few million into the pot?  

The spillover into every facet of American life has only begun. Even worse, the global spillover has brought many a state to it’s knees... Greece’s economy is currently trashed and quite possibly Greece will not repay 411 billion U.S. dollars worth of debt hidden by tricky accounting. Now more countries are caught in the same web. Portugal, Ireland, Italy and Spain are also facing budget crises which potentially could cause another worldwide credit freeze.

This crisis occurred because a few investment firms decided to ramp up the greed factor.

Way to go, Wall Street! To those Senators in charge of the hearings... let the perp walk begin.

let's talk healthcare

Like many, I am getting to the age where things on my body (legs, arms... I think you get it... ) do not seem to work as well as they once did. This is a disturbing turn of events that makes me realize this is the flip side of getting up in years.

I’ve started to think about health care and health care statistics.

Last summer there was a loud ruckus around the health care issue, but given approximately 45,000 people die every year in this country due to a lack of health care, I think any move toward reform legislation was a significant leap forward. According to Harvard professor, Dr. David Himmelstein, more people die from this lack of coverage than drunk driving or homicides combined.

But let me bring it closer to home.

My father died from a lack of health coverage. He gave every one of his children the best he could, but did not give himself the same. When I was eighteen, my appendix burst and I was hospitalized for nearly a month. Much later I discovered my father paid every last cent he owed the hospital and surgeon for my really excellent care. He lacked the finances to provide his children with health insurance, but he worked to provide for our needs.

A similar study to the one recently published by the Harvard group found in 1993 that those individuals without insurance had a 25 percent greater risk of death. The Institute of Medicine later used that data in its 2002 estimate showing about 18,000 people a year died because they lacked coverage. Now we're up to roughly 45,000 dying prematurely due to a lack of insurance. 

My father was one of those statistics. And to those who argue that we should continue to accept the restrictions placed on basic health care by insurers, I say “enough.” I would have loved to have my father around for many more years than he was, and if he’d had even basic coverage, this probably would have been the case.

He once promised my niece he would be around to dance at her wedding.

He failed to live up to the promise.

comments on tax day...

On April 15, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln died after being shot the previous evening by southern fanatic John Wilkes Booth, while attending a play at the Ford Theater in Washington, DC.

For those of us who pay attention, April 15th is also the day we pay our fair share of the commons (taxes).

Somewhere, there is an irony.

Americans do pay their taxes except the uber wealthy who pay very little or no taxes. When they do, it's at a much lower rate than the majority of taxpayers. In fact, they pay approximately 16% to our 28% plus. Why? you might ask... Well, because of their stupendous wealth, they can lobby Congress where the rest of us don't have the same capability. Case in point: the McCourt divorce proceedings currently underway in the Los Angeles court system. Frank and Jamie McCourt purchased the Dodger franchise from Rupert Murdoch (former Australian, insanely wealthy vendor of FOX garbage television). The McCourts have paid next to nothing in taxes for quite awhile (which has been well-documented in the proceedings). Nor has the uber wealthy Mr. Murdoch paid his fair share into our tax system.

Do the wealthy use the same "commons" as the rest of America?

You betcha!...

But because of the skewed system now in place, they're allowed to skate within and around the system (laughing all the way to the bank). Meanwhile, the rest of us are left holding the bag.

Perhaps if "teabaggers" demonstrating against the current administration fully grasped who the real villians were... the "taxation without representation" demonstrations would cease or change direction... toward the Wall Street thieves and those among us who have no problem scamming the system, but refuse to pay for the privilege of living in America.

As we ponder the direction of our country, I believe we should also pause to reflect on the  achievements of the Lincoln legacy, which ended so abruptly on April 15th.

illustration originally published by Harper's Weekly May 6, 1865

balboa lake park, thursday evening

Let's face it... the ducks in Balboa Lake Park have it made.

They hang out in the man-made mini lakes and wait for the tourists to come along and feed them. I forgot this rule and brought no food along.

They seemed not to care, in fact, they completely ignored me as I wandered around looking for a decent shot.

A small creek resides on the opposite side of the road. Small is a relative word.

To me, it's a puny creek...

But there was life springing from a hole in the side of the rock on the shoreline, as well as small animal tracks leading from the water's edge.

And, of course, there was the urban-related tagging, a sure sign that there are many disparate animals using park facilities.

the house that dad built/part one

This is the house my father built. It was a wee bit different when we lived here.

There was a small blue spruce in the front yard which, alas no longer exists. The driveway in the front was placed by the people who purchased the house. But this driveway seems odd as there is another driveway and garage in the back as well.

My sister and I occupied the upstairs front bedroom (the dormer window on the left) and one night I escaped (via ladder) to go to a school dance with some friends. Of course I was caught sneaking back up the ladder and knew I was in deep trouble because my father used my entire name.

You know it's all downhill when the parents catch you in the act.

Nevertheless, it was a fabulous house. The yard used to extend from the road (on the left) to the fence on the right. We would play football in the front with the neighborhood boys. Rather, I would play, but only when my mother wasn't around, otherwise she would find something for me to do elsewhere. It also fell to me to mow the yard (actually I borrowed the chore from one of my brothers because it was such an enjoyable task). To this day, many years removed, I still enjoy mowing the lawn, smelling the freshly cut grass and cleaning the green off my shoes.

In the winter, we would go skating down on the frozen creek... in the summer we would skinny dip in the same creek, keeping an eye out for the occasional copperhead sunning along the rocky bank. I know the creek still exists, but the neighborhood has radically changed in the time since we moved away.

Many of the parents of friends have since died. Now we are the parents.

But, when we lived here, it was a wonderful place and time.

shades of gray...

When people think of Santa Monica, they usually think beautiful beaches, blue skies and deeply tanned bodies inhabiting the sands.

There is another Santa Monica, the flat, dull gray Santa Monica seen only in springtime.

As we drove into the city to watch the marathon, I wandered over to the edge of the cliff and discovered this sight...  where the sky kissed the sea.

It wasn't late in the day, rather it was about mid-afternoon so this was an amazing sight, something normally seen much later in the evening.

The haze never completely burned off, and there was a chill coming off the ocean that seemed to go right through ones' bones.

Still, it was beautiful in it's bleakness.

ode to a friend

Yesterday we put our dog to sleep. It was by no means an easy task.

However, I do believe she decided it was time to go...

I awakened early, went down to say good morning to Grover and start my day.

She was not getting up, nor was she greeting me with her usual barking frenzy... letting me know it was time to open the back door so she could go outside and do her business.

I showered, put some clothes on and got the laundry ready. Then I went to feed Grover. She was splayed out on the floor, which concerned me a bit. I helped her up and she looked a bit tipsy... like a drunken sailor on a wave-tossed boat. As I placed her food in the dish and set it down, she wobbled over to eat, and promptly dropped to the floor but still managed to pull the food to her mouth.

Ok, not so good, I thought.

I got her outside to do her business, helping her down the stairs. As she stepped down, I held her backside, going a stair at a time. I then cleaned up the droppings from yesterday, and waited for her to finish so I could help her back up the stairs.

Perhaps I should back up a bit. The night before, I had come to the conclusion it was time to have the "talk" about Grover, and when was a good time to end her suffering which had apparently started in earnest. I thought the time was coming much too quickly.

My roommate was unable to make the decision because Grover was, for all intents and purposes, her dog. Or, maybe even more descriptive... her "bud." I was really only the occasional "mom," like when someone needed to feed her, or clean up after her...

We had gotten two dogs at the same time, many years back and I had already gone through a similar situation with my dog, Bonnie. When the time came to make end of life decisions, I was devastated by the prospect, but knew it was cruel to allow her to lose her ability to walk without toppling over every few steps. However, realizing euthanasia was the best thing to do, and actually doing it was another matter altogether.

We were in the room when the drug was administered that would stop Bonnie's heart, and as she slipped away, I thought my heart would break. Perhaps it was not the most comforting experience but it was the most humane way to end her life.

We should have been a little more prepared but I'm not sure anyone is prepared for this eventuality even though it's part of the circle of life.

I must say, Grover looked like she was ready to go... like it was a good day to say goodbye and move on. She laid there quietly, surprising because her entire life had been a series of leaps and licks for anyone who wandered into her "space."

We held her and comforted her and she slipped away very quickly and peacefully.

So, I say goodbye to you, my old friend. Despite the disagreements you had with Bonnie, I hope you had a good life. You were a treasured member of our family and we will miss you and the loudest bark I have ever heard on a dog your size.

nobody walks in l.a.

It's true... well almost...

I met a friend for dinner last night and was pleasantly surprised to see numerous people walking the streets in Los Feliz given the late hour (roughly 11 pm). This is a relatively new trend, and hopefully will increase in popularity, especially if gas prices continue to rise.

A couple of weeks ago the Los Angeles Marathon came through town and since I volunteered to distribute water with a bunch of friends at mile 25, I saw a number of people of all shapes and sizes coming through on their way to the finish line (about a mile from where we stood).

Kudos to all those who start and finish!

kinda freaky weather

Again with the clouds. It's virtually impossible to concentrate at work because it's been so clear and clean outside.

The wind certainly helps by blowing the smog elsewhere. However, this has been truly bizarre weather lately. It leaps from hyper hot to so cold at night, it feels like it's time to pull out the flannel pjs. This time last week it was so warm, I was walking around the 'hood sans jacket. Now I'm uncomfortably cold.

How quickly it all changes.

But, heck no, there's no climate change happening on the planet... is there? Oh, wait, isn't today April Fools Day? I guess this is the reason for the freaky weather.

springtime in california

What... spring... what is this?

We slip so quickly from winter to spring to summer to fall in this state. Today however, was a exception. The clouds danced across the sky, moving gently eastward with the breeze, creating a breathtaking view of the valley.

If you happen live in the valley, you seldom get views like today. Generally, it all seems a bit flat, the sky never seems very blue, the clouds never seem to exist as they did this afternoon.

For a brief moment, I remembered springtime on the east coast and how we used to splash through puddles on the way to school (getting soaked in the process) .

On my drive home, I stopped by Balboa Lake Park and meandered into a field to take pictures of the blooming spring flowers... The poppies had already closed for the evening so I had to content myself by taking shots of unfamiliar flowers (at least to me).

I asked a friend to identify this flower... it's golden yarrow for those who want to know, aka eriophyllym.