RETIRING

I am retiring from doing a BLOG. The hype of politics and the rants needed while Bush was in office are gone. Peace is in our hearts.

Thanks for checking in every once in a while and contact me the old fashioned way whenever you want to share a thought, a joy, a pleasant experience.

Jean

New Year

It's been a while since I posted. Since the last post, I have visited my family in North Carolina and had a wonderful Thanksgiving with them. Christmas was in Yuma with my ex husband and his wife and our son, Mark. The weather was beautiful and we ate dinner outside on the patio. The New Year was quiet and full of football games. Go Chargers!

We look forward to a healthy New Year and Clifford quitting his teaching position at Arizona Western College so we can travel more.

We have seen a lot of new movies; some good, some bad. "Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is full of wonderful life affirming messages but is a numbbutt (to quote a friend movie.

Visit and comment,

SARAH PALIN

Okay, enough is enough. We liberal, Obama loving fans were so hopeful that Obama would win and we would hear the last of Sarah Palin. But instead, what do we see when we turn on CNN, MSNBC, network news? Every tidbit the news people can find about Sarah? How much did she spend on clothes for herself, her husband, etc. Following her to Alaska to interview her; digging up every piece of info about her they can.


If we are really fascinated with her, let's be honest and admit it. If we have heard enough, let's let the news people know.

And, as a last word, Clifford and I have suspected that she was used and abused and tossed aside by the Republican Party. In a way, I pity this woman who was beyond her capabilities and expertise. Cast to the sharks, so to speak.

Off my soap box now.

Jean

MOVIE REVIEW

Every once in a while, I stumble on a really great movie/documentary. Tonight we watched one! It is called "The Real Dirt on Farmer John" and is about Angelic Organics in Clinton, Wisconsin. The man who is the center of the movie is named John Peterson and his is a truly inspiring, sensitive, up-lifting story. It encompasses the 60's, the demise of farms in the Midwest, never giving up, and CSA's or Community Sponsored Agriculture. Rent it, watch it. You'll really find it a great real-life story.

Jean

THE DIFFERENCE IS CLEAR

The difference between Obama and McCain: For 1 thing, Clifford and I noted that McCain and supporters are at the Arizona Biltmore, one of the most posh hotels in Phoenix and a rather small venue in relation to GRANT PARK. I have been to both places and the difference between an elitist and a maverick are shown by their choice of places to celebrate.

Well three hours later and we are celebrating the most amazing event we have seen in years. Can anyone of our generation believe that we have an African/American (half white) man elected President of the United States! Let us never forget how far we have come and that the old older may pass quietly and we come upon a time when color is not as important as some people think it is.

We are so proud to be Americans again. No, we were not proud for the past 8 years and I am not afraid to say it.

Jean Baber and Clifford Hetz

Wasted food

With the thousands (and more) people in this world starving, can anyone tell me why we should give media attention to food fights, all you can eat contests and efforts to get into Guinness Book of World Records by eating as much as you can. It is not only gross, but a total waste of food that could be donated to those who would eat it thankfully.

Jean

BOOK REVIEW

I just read "Slavery By Another Name" by Douglas A. Blackmon. It is about the re-enslavement of black americans from the Civil War to World War II and is eye opening, jaw dropping and totally overwhelming and I recommend you read it.

It seems that the southern whites could not make a go of it after the slaves were "freed" after the Civil War so developed a system of peonage or forced slavery whereby a black would be arrested on a trumped up charge and when he couldn't pay the fine, a big powerful white man would kindly pay it and the man was his for life.

If you are interested in this subject matter and learning the REAL history of America read it.

I can't believe we put ourselves up as the land of the free after reading this book.

Jean