Good, Betty, Best

Good, Betty, Best

“It's true. The 88-year-old actress is posing for her own 2011 calendar.”
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/07/08/entertainment/main6658275.shtml


It’s a weird world isn’t it?

I love Betty White, and I always have. On Mary Tyler Moore Show, she was hands down the funniest thing on the show. Biting sarcasm and wit were always my favorites (yeah I got my own problems as well) and I also watched her on Password, Match Game, Golden Girls, and pretty much anytime my remote landed me near this funny lady. She was in a ground breaking class with a few genuine greats, Lucille Ball, Eve Arden, Ginger Rodgers, Mary Tyler Moore; women who could be attractive and seriously funny.

But what is the big deal that Betty is so hot, suddenly? Is it because she is so old? Is this one of the baby boomers last big hurrahs in dictating how and what we see? In a culture where old age is run from, denied, Botox-ed and operated away, what’s the big celebration about?

My theory is for one moment the “silent majority” was paid attention to on FaceBook and the money-changers heard and jumped on the White Wagon. Betty is very talented, but at 88 she is no longer at the top of her game.


It doesn’t matter, the media is beating the drum and we must cheer for Betty. I don’t do it resentfully, just wondering…

I don’t believe I ever read one nice word about George Steinbrenner until he died a few days ago. Now, every day I see another article about some kindness he did, or what a nice man he was. I lived in NYC in the 90’s and George was spoken about daily. At least I think it’s the same guy; oh, I know what it is, they just removed his horns, fangs and claws, for the funeral, I guess.

If our culture wasn’t attention deficit-ly disordered, I wonder if we’d wonder more about what the real truth is, or would we maintain our high school mentality for reputation rather than substance.

A Pig's Ear May Look Like a Silk Purse........

"Nobody made these guys go to war. They had to have known and accepted the risks. Now they whine about bearing the costs of their choice?"
Supposed remarks made by President Obama regarding the military’s insurance benefits.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/veteranshealth.asp

The Snopes.com article link, above refutes the article I was sent. Is snopes.com 100% accurate? I wouldn't think so, but I also wouldn't send anything unless I am 100% sure it is true.

It is so important that we keep the facts straight; otherwise those who support Obama can discredit us by the false rumors we circulate about him. God knows there are enough nightmare truths about this administration to keep us busy a long time.

In fact I genuinely wonder if some of the more ridiculous claims don't come directly from the Obama camp. This way, when the time comes and they are genuinely exposed on some serious issue, they can mention all the ridiculous rumors that have been spread and group them all together.

According to snopes, there was a bill proposed that would limit medical benefits paid to service men, but not problems resulting from the line of duty. The spirit of the email does strike me as too close to the truth, for comfort. For the administration to consider taking any benefit from our underpaid, underappreciated service men and women is a travesty. While Congress receives better medical benefits than the armed services right now, not to mention a generous lifelong pension, I wonder why this was even a consideration.

But, in my humble opinion, we need to take the high road and speak the truth and shame the progressives who believe any means are justified by the end-the utopia of socialism.

Sunny D, the real "D"

Exercise, tea, vitamin D could help fight off Alzheimer's

July 13, 2010

Get lots of physical activity. Drink plenty of tea. And make sure you get enough vitamin D.

Three studies presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Honolulu link all of those things to a lower risk of brain decline with age.
http://www.suntimes.com/health/2492560,CST-NWS-dementia13.article


That's really terrific news, and it is nice to see the medical community in the western world acknowledge that nutrition can prevent certain disease.

In the 1980's my doctor laughed me to ridicule because I took vitamin supplements. When I explained that I hadn't had a cold in 3 years, he as much as called me a liar, and said the only benefit was creating expensive urine.

Since that time doctors have certainly changed their tune, though they still seem to think if they can't prescribe it on a pad, it is most likely useless.

I am here to tell you that whenever possible, get good nutrition directly from the source, but if you're not sure you're getting all you should, use supplements. I have had amazing results and I know I enjoy the health I do, in large part to me gracious Creator (peace with God is very healthy), and secondly to eating whole natural foods and supplements.

I won't lie to you; an occasional Chef Boyardee, pizza, or a hot dog do cross my lips, but I try to surround and dominate with fresh veggies (canned or frozen cannot possibly have the same nutritional benefit).

I am no expert; I have no degree, but I do live a pretty healthy life and the proof is in the pudding, right?

Rock-A-Bye Republic

'Glenn Beck': Who Is Donald Berwick?

“…He is your brand new head of Medicare and Medicaid services….You probably haven't heard of him because, well, President Obama bypassed the Senate confirmation process and just appointed him to the post. Enough of the pesky conference there in Congress.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,596382,00.html

In 2008 while speaking on the British health care system in the UK, Berwick said wealthy individuals must redistribute their wealth to those less fortunate for health care funding. Also during this speech, he told those in attendance that he opposes free markets.


“Any health care funding plan that is just equitable civilized and humane must, must redistribute wealth from the richer among us to the poorer and the less fortunate. Excellent health care is by definition redistributional.” Donald Berwick

http://community.history.com/topic/13473/t/Flashback-Donald-Berwick---Redistribute-Wealth-Appointed.html?page=-1

Isn’t the quote by Mr. Berwick precisely why many are against National Healthcare? Medicare, by the way has a budget of billions of dollars (over 500 billion last year) and you don’t have the right to challenge his appointment before the fact. According to Beck, several newspapers mentioned what a battle it would be to get Donald Berwick appointed. Just appointing him was much easier. Can you imagine if the President did not have the media in his pocket, how loud they’d be screaming?

When are we going to realize that we have been lulled into watching our liberty be taken away in the name of safety (with President Bush’s help) and being “taken care of”. We act as if we are represented by this present administration, when they very clearly have a socialist agenda, like the redistribution of wealth? The majority of us don't agree.

Our country is great, in part due to a free market! I am all for a socially conscious agenda, where we care for and protect the less fortunate. I have a 5 gallon pot of soup on the stove now to provide for the homeless. By the way, I am closer to poor than to middle class, but I do my little part to help out.

Socialism gives the power to an elite group who ultimately are corrupt, because it is in human nature to be corrupt.

“Absolute power corrupts absolutely” Lord Acton

"Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it; and this I know, my lords, that where laws end, tyranny begins." William Pitt

When President Obama places people in positions of great authority to change our entire political system, he is swallowing a branch of our government, the Congress. Those are the people who are supposed to be representing us.

Wake up folks, the bough is about to break and when baby falls it will be too late.

Alec isn't Just One of the Baldwin Brothers

Alec Baldwin is a very funny man. He is not, IMHOToday, a bright man. He lost the most beautiful woman in Hollywood, verbally abused his daughter, and politically he borders on the moronic. But as I have said here before, I don’t ask a chef or a sculptor his philosophy of life before I enjoy his art. I judge him by the product I have before me. Recently Alec Baldwin’s productions have me laughing out loud!

Just saw It’s Complicated where he is teamed with Streep and Steve Martin, and he holds his own beautifully among these giants! 30 Rock is fun and fairly clever, but it is Baldwin that keeps me coming back for more. He brings the “je nais sais qua” to what could easily be just another show with a few funny lines (no offense Tina, you are a funny lady). Some of the funniest bits ever on Saturday Night Live have come from Baldwin's great comedic timing and delivery.

The Departed was my favorite movie in 5 years, easily, and Baldwin played comedic relief in a most subtle, straight way. The first laughs in the theater sounded a little guilty, as if laughing during a Scorsese film was irreverent. He says to a cop engaged to be married: ” Marriage is an important part of getting ahead: lets people know you're not a homo; married guy seems more stable; people see the ring, they think at least somebody can stand the son of a bitch; ladies see the ring, they know immediately you must have some cash or your #$@% must work.” The quote alone is amusing, but Baldwin’s delivery left me genuinely enjoying this “throw away character.”


He has said of his career that he has lost many roles because of his looks and I believe him. It’s sad that Hollywood still hasn’t figured out that a handsome man can be a clown, and “not classically” handsome men can be romantically appreciated (Adrien Brody comes to mind). Brad Pitt is one of the funniest guys you will ever see! It’s sad hat we’ll probably never see his full range because he has a handsome face. By the Way see “12 Monkeys”, he plays a very funny crazy guy!

Now that Alec Baldwin has seen the end of his sexy young hunk days, maybe we can just let him make us laugh!

Albert Camus; "Autumn is a second spring..."

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." Albert Camus


I will begin by saying I haven’t read anything by Mr Camus, but I will certainly be doing so as soon as possible. He is supposedly an existentialist, and that would normally have sworn me off him.

I’d tried to get through Sartre but found his "pre-reflective consciousness" a little too presumptuous. The theory simplified is we can’t get out of our own way (our perceptions and experiences) to know anything, so we can never arrive at objective truth.

This has truth to it, but I think it misses a couple of important points. Camus didn't want to be labeled existentialist, nor Absurdest, though he carries both. My point here is that I had dismissed the whole Camus on that basis until today.

I was doing some research on another project and did some overview info on this Nobel Prize winner for Literature in 1957. Albert Camus was born of French nationalists in French Algeria. His father was killed a year after his birth in World War 1. He grew up poor and was a soccer scholarship student, until he contracted tuberculosis. This was certainly a man who grew up in adversity. He ultimately did succeed in earning his degree. Although this is inspiring, what really caught my eye was his stance as a pacifist. It was challenged as he saw the Germans march into Paris. Their brutality convinced Camus to join the French Resistance. This is hardly the act of a true pacifist, but he was a practical man, which is what makes him more interesting. When men with ideas must put them to the test of practice, they are worth listening to, even if I don’t agree with them. He was editor on a French Resistance paper, called “Combat” until the war ended and the paper became “legitimate.”

“You cannot acquire experience by making experiments. You cannot create experience. You must undergo it.”

“It is natural to give a clear view of the world after accepting the idea that it must be clear.” (Think on that one for a minute)

“Charm is a way of getting the answer yes without asking a clear question.”

The short bio I read along with the quotes above is enough for me to be intrigued with Albert Camus. Contact me if you know more or are ready to read with me.

Royalty in the Center of the World!

For the first time in almost 35 years the Queen Elisabeth is back in Manhattan, but only for half a day. Half a day? How much can you do in NYC in half a day? Well if they are barricading streets for you, you might be surprised

I was thinking about Elisabeth today; imagining what it must be like for royalty to visit a place like NYC. I started reading about her, and the strongest impression I received was how fortunate she and Britain are to have had one another.

I think for many that being in a Monarchy is a lot like being a child star. It’s pretty heady stuff, to be adored and cheered for and you can easily get sucked into it; and then chewed up and spit out.

Elisabeth has been queen for close to 60 years, and considering the storms that she has had to weather, I’d say she is well suited for the challenge. Don’t believe me? How many other monarchs survived modern times?

Winston Churchill said as a toddler, Elisabeth was "a character. She has an air of authority and reflectiveness astonishing in an infant." Her nanny wrote a book titled “The Little Princesses” and she mentioned her exceptional orderliness and attitude of responsibility. As a young girl her cousin Margaret said she was "a jolly little girl, but fundamentally sensible and well-behaved".

Queen Elisabeth is the last living head of state to have served in World War 2.
She is the most widely traveled head of state in history.
She’s even credited for boosting TV’s popularity because her coronation was televised in 1953, and many bought sets just to witness this historic event.

On April 21, 1947, Elisabeth’s 21st birthday, she spoke on a radio broadcast and pledged, "I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.”

Most would crumble when presented with the task of maintaining a largely ornamental position while maintaining the power and authority that remains. And to do this with all the scrutiny now available through technology is impressive.

It was said of her that she hates to be treated like a film star; she loves her duty and she means to be queen. I like that. I also wonder if she has misgivings about her successor. Who’d know better than Elisabeth, the kind of King Charles would make?

Long Live the Queen!