Thom Hartmann: GOP 2:1 Presence on TV

Why are the Republicans still two to one on TV, even since Obama has become president? Perhaps we should be directing this question to the TV networks, particularly since in the Bush days when we asked about GOP domination in guest spots they told us it was because the Republicans were in power. They are not in power now but the Republicans are still being given the benefits of the bully pulpit. Boo hiss! But don't just bitch, speak up!

Aggie's Amazin' Beans

I have to find more vegetarian recipes to enjoy without cheese in them :-) From Nutrition Action Healthletter I got Aggie's Amazin' Bean recipe, one of my favorites:

1 can of Goya Black Beans (rinsed)
Juice from one lemon
2 cloves of garlic (smashed)
Fresh parsley and/or
Fresh cilantro (To taste -- I use a handful of BOTH green types)
Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil

Let the beans marinate in the mixture at least a half an hour then HEAT a portion for a minute or two in the microwave. WOW -- yummy. The recipe says it can last a week in your refrigerator but it won't because you will EAT it. It is good cold, too, but
delicious and healthy and easy to make.

FYI: Lemons juice easier if you first plop them into hot water and then ROLL them on the counter. You can then make a small hole and squeeze -- or use a juicer if you prefer. (I have one of those orange plastic juice knobs that you insert into the lemon and then squeeze.)

Thom Hartmann, On Privatization

"I'm telling you the reason why Republicans want to privatize all this stuff is because they want to get their hands on our money."
-- Thom Hartmann, 01/23/09

Environment Health and Democracy with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Bobby Kennedy Jr. gives a terrific presentation. This video speaks of environmental abuses during the Bush administration and documents more reason for happiness in seeing them finally OUT as well as reason for campaign finance reform. Preserve our democracy and our environment by allowing politicians to serve who are only answerable to WE the People. And we can only have that by getting big money OUT of Politics. Limit campaign contributions and spending. Keep lobbyists out of government. Allow GOOD people of education and wisdom from all economic levels to run for office, not just the wealthy. (And it makes me wish even more that RFK, Jr. could have been Hillary's successor.)

Favorite Faves of Kate Anne

Politics has taken me away from some of my favorite photo-taking, but I love photography. If I am going to post Garrett Rock's photos, I should post MINE. Here are MY Favorite Faves (with apologies to my family and friends who are not part of this set). For best effect, view it as a full screen slide show.

Favorites of Garrett Rock

I was following up on "catalpa", a Facebook Word Twist word and looking for photos of what we always called the cigar tree, I somehow ended up finding some excellent photos from a Chicago resident and architecture student with great photographic talent and a good eye. This is a excellent mix of photos, the only negative is I wish I knew more about some of the details. Enjoy Garrett Rock's favorites from his Flickr stream.

Frustration at The Inauguration

Air America documented this frustration at the inauguration -- folks who were shut out. Imagine being these folks.

Gene Robinson's Prayer Kicks off Inaugural Events

This wasn't shown on HBO so we, the uncabled, didn't miss it. Thank God and some tech-savy folk for YouTube and the person who taped this from the front of the Sunday concert: Bishop Gene Robinson's Prayer.

8 Years Of Bush in 8 Minutes! ~Olbermann

Keith Olbermann recounts Bush's eight year legacy so that we do not forget -- contrast this to Bush's unrealistic thirteen minute farewell speech. This is one to save and remember.

OBAMA SONG OFFICIAL VIDEO - Michael Franti and Spearhead

Something positive for this cold ten-degree day! Let's stay on Barack to help him become the successful president our country needs after eight years, indeed 28 years, of conservatism and the failure of supply-side economics. Yes, we can restore our integrity, our economy, our people -- and become America the Beautiful! With Barack's help, and your and my help, and God's help! AMEN!!!

BILL MOYERS JOURNAL | Bill Moyers on Mideast Violence | PBS

This eight minute segment helps explain the problem. And several of my friends' facebook statuses say, "In 16 days: 879 Palestinians killed in Gaza (236 children and 100 women) and 3695 injured." While Hamas' violence must be condemned, too, very few Israelis have died via Hamas rockets since the end of the ceasefire. Please watch this and do what you can to peacefully end the violence. Thank you.

NYC needs progressive candidates

NYC needs progressive candidates
Originally uploaded by Kate Anne

On the right is a cell phone shot of Josh Skaller, Brooklyn NYC council candidate saying, "We need community involvement."

Josh, running for New York City Council in District 39, was enthusiastically received at a fundraiser Jan. 6, 2009 at O'Lunney's Pub, on 45th Street just off Broadway in NYC.



Jonathan Tasini, Josh, and Chris Owens

O Tannenbaum - HUGE!

O Tannenbaum - HUGE!
Originally uploaded by Kate Anne

Made it to Rockefeller Center and Christmas tree.

Obama: We need realistic Health Care

Family doctors are dying under the current system, so says Dr. John Brady on Common Dreams and in The Providence Journal. The Obama administration must give us realistic health care. Remind those creepy nay-saying Republican congress critters who say they are pro-life that life doesn't just begin at conception and end at birth.

Insurance Hassles Killing Off Family Docs

by John Brady

I love being a family physician. I love the history rooted in the country doc who did his best to help comfort and heal his neighbors. I love the broad scope of practice where I am always seeing something different and something challenging. But most of all, I love the long-term relationships with my patients. So it is with a heavy heart I admit that my specialty is dying.

This matters not because of the nostalgic loss of the way things were; it matters because studies have proved the essential foundation of a less expensive and higher quality health-care system is effective primary care.

Specifically, as primary care dies, access becomes limited, waits become longer and costs soar.

With this silent but looming crisis becoming ever more evident, we have to take an open and honest look at the reasons for the demise.

We are dying because of an insane payment system.... MORE