The Library

[nlhome]

The Library Our library cafe is open 24/7, the welcome mat is always out. Do come in from daily chores and spend some time with us. We look forward to hearing from you, about you and the books you are enjoying (or not). Let the book talk begin here!

*Suggestion Box for Future Discussions
*SeniorLearn's Archives 
 

Rosemary, my middle child has also decided that religion is not for him. He tolerates some of the traditional rituals - such as weddings and funerals, because he respects that others believe in them. I am just happy that he feels comfortable enough with us to share his feelings and beliefs.

[Steph]

JUst logged on and it seems they settled their fights and the world goes on.. I am angry to read that they would get their salaries when noone else does. I dont suppose we could manage to convince congress that this is what makes the general public furious and if the tea party people were really into cost cutting, they would demand this, but they just want to cut on Planned Parenthood, the EPA and anything else their little petty leaders say is bad..

[MaryPage]

Again, they are so uninformed re history.  It was a Republican president, Richard Nixon, who began the EPA.  He was deeply worried about our environment.  It is not we taxpayers who do not want to protect our babies from cancer, autism, ADHD, and who-knows-what because our air and soil and water are contaminated;  it is the corporate heads who want to save money on safety measures because that profit will determine the percentage that goes to their personal bonuses.

Nixon had read Rachel Carson's SILENT SPRING.  I never thought I would live to see her book come true, but here on the Chesapeake I now go down to the water's edge and see no minnows, no tadpoles, no crayfish.  No life.  They say approximately 70% of our bay is dead.  Silent.  The funds of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation have been drastically cut, so measures meant to bring it back cannot be implemented.

[Babi]

  MARYPAGE, do you know of anyplace where these minority blackmailers are identified clearly?
I'd like to make sure none of them are from my congressional district.  If there is, I
want to know that, too. 

[MaryPage]

I am not so much into individual politicians as the issues, and most particularly the issues from a historical point of view.  THE WASHINGTON POST always runs a column on who voted how on the important legislation, and who in this Maryland/Virginia/DC triangle voted on all of the others.  Just yeas and nays, with the names.  Mebbe your paper does as well, or perhaps you can look on line or call your local paper and ask them how to obtain the information.  I have not done this myself, but I would suggest you type in something like Vote Count on the Budget Agreement or Who Voted How on the Appropriation Bill.  I don't know.  I listen to my local politicians who are on MY ballot and vote accordingly.

Well, one rider slipped through;  i.e., was not removed from the bill.  They were forced to take out doing away with Planned Parenthood, but the Washington, D.C. rider to allow that city to spend NO tax dollars providing abortions remains.  The thing is, this has been an issue for simply years and years now, and the people of D.C. voted on it finally, and they voted that they DID want to spend their money providing abortions for those unable to pay for them themselves.  So the city happily felt they had things going their way.  Then this new group came up to Capitol Hill and slipped a rider into the Budget Agreement that says the wishes and desires of the citizens of the District of Columbia are null and void.  You can Google this or go to The Washington Post website.  I guess you know that in the long run, the Congress runs our capital city?

[bellemere]

As a part of the agreement, the E.P.A. will now be subjected to a "study" and hearings by Congress- to determine the "economic impact of regulations on the job market and b;usinesses"  I would like to propose that we first determine the cost of the study and the hearings. It will involve reams of new statistical record juggline, testimony by more scientists and economic analysts (these guys do not come cheap) and endless droning bloviation and hot (not polluted ) air, filling up the Congressional Record and our airwaves. 
Also, re Planned Parenthood and federal funds for abortion:  the agreement contains a provision that no federal funds can be used for abortions in the District of Columbia.  I don't understand, I thought such expenditures were already prohibited under the Hyde amendment.  Can enyone enlighten me?  and what is the subway/bus  fare from D.C. to Maryland or Virginia?

[MaryPage]

Those hearings are a political move to postpone doing anything to be of help to the general populace when it runs against the wishes of the present day robber barons.

I no longer take the subway and am not up on the current rate schedule.  Look up METRO FARES WASHINGTON D.C. and there may be a schedule.  

http://www.aipnews.com/talk/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=15792&posts=4

There IS a Hyde Amendment, but the voters of Washington, D.C. took a vote and said overwhelmingly that they wanted to pay for abortions for the poor.  With their own tax dollars.  Our Congress just smashed them down.  They are extremely frustrated in D.C. today.

[Frybabe]

The Washington Post posts the congressional votes online: http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/112/ This doesn't look complete or up to date though. Thanks for the info MaryPage, I am still looking for the actual vote.  The Congressional Record is a mess to sort through.
 
Here is a site I found interesting: http://www.opencongress.org/ and this one: http://www.govtrack.us

[MaryPage]

A lot of people were elected to the Congress of the United States of America this last November on the grounds they were going to create JOBS, JOBS and MORE JOBS for the millions out of work.

Once here in Washington, they have set to work on putting up bill after bill after bill regarding their view of SOCIAL ISSUES.  Things that they call "VALUES," and that have nothing whatsoever to do with creating JOBS.  Not a single jobs bill.  Not a one.

[pedln]

Just what is the relationship between DC and the Federal Government.  I know for years people who lived in DC did not have any representation and could not even vote in Federal elections. Has that changed?  I'm sure residents pay Federal taxes, but do they also have their own "city" taxes?

[MaryPage]

Washington, District of Columbia, is not one of our 50 states.  The Federal City is a "District."  It is run by a city council and has its own taxes, which that body spends to run the city.  They also get some payment from the Federal Government because so much of the city is in use by that Federal Government.  However, being a district, it is under the thumb of the congress and that congress can nullify any law the city may pass at the whim of any congressman.  Feelings run deep and angry about that on the streets of Washington.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_the_District_of_Columbia

[bellemere]

We could vent on this subject forever.  But just remember who votes for what when you go to the polls.  And if you have a senator or a congressman who has demonstrated a degree of common sense and principle during this fight, hang on to him or her.  if youdon't have sugh a rep, GET ONE!
We should get back to books while we can still read what we want, withoug the holier-than-thou  people telling us what we can and can't read.

[marcie]

Project Vote Smart tracks legislation and how Congress votes. See recent votes at http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_recent.php

Click on a bill and then click "How members voted."

[Frybabe]

MaryPage, I suspect that DC was created in the hopes it would be more or less neutral ground. It's probably something I learned way back in high school, but don't remember anymore. Perhaps there is a good book on the history of DC?

[MaryPage]

What I remember is that Maryland and Virginia donated a ten mile square area that had the Potomac River running through it.  Then L'Enfant came along and laid it out for the Federal City.  He, or someone, decided they did not need the Virginia donation, so that was given back and the City is now all in what Maryland donated and on just the one side of the river.  I know, I  know!  You have probably gone over the bridge to Arlington Cemetery and may have thought you were still in D.C.  Well, you were not.  You were in Arlington, Virginia on property confiscated after the Civil War from General Robert E. Lee.  I think National Airport (I spent too many years calling it that to switch over to the new, to me, Reagan Airport) is in Virginia, as well and all.  In fact, I am sure it is.  As is the Pentagon.  All in my native state.

[Steph]

Living in Florida, we are seeing all of the things we voted on be torn down by a Governor who is close to criminal and a legislature that seems to be under the thumb of the Chamber of Commerce and the NRA.. Whew.. They are tearing down the superstructure and doing it all in the sacred name of jobs.. Which mostly they are destroying, but they think they are bringing people in.. I just marvel and am truly sorry I live here. If my sons did not live in Florida, I would move..

[Babi]

 Sadly, MARYPAGE, the major 'news'paper down here isn't much on news. The current publishers
apparently decided that what would sell best is thick gobs of sales (homes/autos, etc.) and
the rest mostly society, fashion, and lifestyle. There is a thin sheaf of news buried in
there somewhere, but not much. I have found BBC news to be much more informative on world
news. As for Washington and it's politics, I glean that from news items in the morning
e-mail.

[Frybabe]

Babi, I've started watching BBC News more also. I get tired of seeing the same ol', same ol' hashed and rehased with little else reported. There is so much more going on in the world than just one or two "major" events.

I used to watch a local station in the morning for a decent view of the local news, weather and synopsis of the national news. No more. They have two female anchors on now who favor American Idol, touring local businesses, and general chit chat over real news. While touring local businesses and attractions in the area has some value, they do it every day. And it seems to take priority over some of the news.

[MaryPage]

Watch MSNBC constantly.  Monday through Friday, that is.  Favorites are Rachel Maddow, who comes on at nine at night Eastern Time, and Chris Matthews, who comes on at five every evening and is repeated at seven every night.  We call him "Dimples" in my family, and are quite fond of him.  Also watch Brian Williams on NBC Nightly News every single weekday night and alternate between Katie Couric and Diane Sawyer who anchor NBC and ABC and break my heart by appearing at the same time here.  Love them both!  Mebbe you are lucky and can catch them at different times.

Sunday mornings find me with my coffee cup watching Sunday Morning on CBS for an hour starting at nine AM and then switching to Chris Matthews on NBC for half an hour at ten and then over to Christiane Amanpour on ABC for the last half hour of This Week and then back to NBC for the last half hour of Meet The Press.

[FlaJean]

I also watch Rachel Maddow at 9pm.  She is one of the few IMO that actually gives the real facts about events.  She is a very smart and serious young woman and many don't know that she was a Rhodes Scholar and has a doctorate degree from Oxford, but she also has a good sense of humor.

[MaryPage]

Looked her up soon after she first starting appearing on MSNBC and before she got her very own hour.  That is when I discovered she was a Ph.D.  Have been absolutely staggered by her immense brainpower, but never so much so as when she decided right after the huge earthquake and tsunami in Japan to explain how a nuclear power plant works in layman's terms.  Well, she pulled it off!  Now feel I get the exact picture of what is going on!  

Thought to myself:  this cannot be!  I cannot possibly actually be picturing this accurately.

Then she brought on a very much degreed, prominent nuclear physicist.  She asked him to grade her performance.  He said it was totally accurate and gave her an A+.

Blew me away!  Hey;  I get it!  I get it!  Thank you, Rachel!

[CallieOK]

Information for those who participated in - or lurked in - the Book Discussion on "Empire of The Summer Moon.."
The book has received the 2011 Nonfiction Award from The Oklahoma Center For The Book (a state affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress).  "The awards recognize books written the previous year by Oklahomans or about Oklahoma".  Although the author is a Texan writing in Austin, "Empire of the Summer Moon..." qualifies as one of the latter.

[bellemere]

Rachel Maddow fans :  I am lucky to have Rachel for a neighbor, in Northamton,Massachusetts,  the next town north of me. Yes, she is brilliant and confident without getting shrill.
Mary Page, don't you ever get the PBS news?  Love Margaret Warner when she is inteviewing dictators and unsavory characters. And the give and tke between David Brooks and Mark shields is always wonderful. Read excerpts from Brooks's new book: Social Animal, about how much of our behavior is determined by our biology. May order it for the Nook, after I finish Cleopatra.
Jim Lehrer is the only news producer who includes a roll call of service people killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, with pictures, their ages and their home towns.  Really brings it home, what is happening.

[MaryPage]

Yes, I do often watch those and other PBS news programs.  Also some CNN and Nightline and 60 Minutes and so forth.  I am most especially fond of Gwen Ifill's Washington Week and Gordon Peterson's Inside Washington, both on our local PBS channels.  Do you get those?  I am a huge fan of Gwen Ifill.

[kiwilady]

I recommend Al Jazeera English. Its reporting just like the old BBC -good old fashioned fact. Quite a few old BBC presenters too. Riz Khan and Anita McNaught to name two.

[Steph]

Wow..Who knew we had so many news junkies. You all sound like MDH.. He loved all of the above and reveled in watching. I am not a fan of tv news for a variety of reasons. I get the NY Times and Slate on my IPAD..I love newspapers, but ours is now not much of anything, but ads and local nothing..Sad, but newspapers seem to be dying so fast.. Also newsmagazines. Time gets smaller and smaller.. Reading is my thing , so newspapers have always been important to me.

[Babi]

WOW, MARYPAGE. You are a news devotee.  Which of course explains why you are so current with on-going events. When I'm trying to figure out what's going on, I'll ask you.
MSNBC...I'm not sure which channel that is; I'll have to check my guide.  Affiliated with NBC,
I assume.

[pedln]

MaryPage and Bellemere, I'm on the same page as both of you.  PBS Newshour a must -- I feel like I'm on a first-name basis with all of them. Gwen Ifill, outstanding.  And you Latin folks, did you know that Jeffrey Brown was Classics major.

MSNBC is on right now.  I really enjoy Morning Joe, if I'm up early enough, but for a midwesterner, that's 6 am.'Fraid not.  David Gregory and Meet the Press on Sunday mornings.

Today Helen Simonson is coming to the Major Pettigrew discussion.  Recently I read her review of Paula McLain's novel The Paris Wife -- based on the life of Hadley Richardson, the first wife of Ernest Hemingway.  Sounds like a winner.

[MaryPage]

Babi, if you have never seen MSNBC, do give it a trial for a few days, at least.  MORNING JOE, sponsored by Starbucks, sooner or later has everyone who is anyone on it.  This morning they had Prime Minister Gordon Brown sitting right there with former Republican congressman from Florida Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, the daughter of Jimmy Carter's National Security Advisor.  They are on from six until nine A.M.

Then all day this channel is outstanding.  My big crush, Chris Matthews, comes on at five and again at seven.  He has worked on the hill, is a native of Philadelphia, and is excellent.  He tends to talk very fast and talk over people, which is annoying, but he is just so d--n cute and so totally brilliant that I excuse him.  His reflection in the last few moments of his show are worth your nickel.

Everyone gets this channel.  For free.

[jeriron]

I agree about Chris Mathews.  I like him the best although I also agree with you about him talking so fast and over others sometimes. I get a kick out of how he laughs at some people he's interviewing when they say the dumbest things. He can't seem to help himself.

[pedln]

Today Helen Simonson is coming to the Major Pettigrew discussion.  Recently I read her review of Paula McLain's novel The Paris Wife -- based on the life of Hadley Richardson, the first wife of Ernest Hemingway.  Sounds like a winner.

   from above.

Oh boy, was she ever great -- Helen Simonson, and what a coup for JoanP.  Thanks to her everything went as smoothe as clockwork.

And in answer to a question, Simonson had some comments about her review -- below

What I loved about the "Paris Wife" was that I am usually very hard on unfaithful men, but this book made me see that Hadley made her own bed when she married Hemingway.  She knew it, she had her own reasons to take the bargain - and then she made the classic mistake of wanting to change Hemingway into a suburban dad.  By the end, I could not find where my loyalties should lie and I thought that masterful

[serenesheila]

-I am totally disgusted with Congress!  I am glad they have finally voted to keep the governmeent working.  My primary ire is with them thinking it was ok, to stop paying the military.  Our young men and women are in harms way.  Putting their lives in danger.  Yet, not pay them!  Many of them quarify for food stamps!  Aren't their families sacrificing enough?.

I, too am a fan of Chris Matthews, Rachael and Gwen.  I watched Gwen and her BFF in a segment on C-Span 2, over the weekend.  She is amazing!  Washington Week is a must watch for me.  I also enjoy the McLaughlin show, although I do wish that he would stop the group from talking over, and interrupting.  My favorite on that show is Eleanor Clift.  Even though I am a dedicated Democrat, I really enjoy Pat Buchanan, too.  I still miss the Capital Gang.

Now, the news says that Medicare is going to be under scrutiny.  They are talking vouchers, again.  Sighhh  I fell recently, and an ambulance was called, to take me to the ER.  Without Medicare, I think I would have refused to go!

Sheila

[jane]

As far as I can gather, whatever they do to reduce the costs of Medicare/Medicaid will apply to those age 55 and younger. Those of us older than 55 that are exempt from their changes, as best I understand what's being discussed at this point.

I suspect that changes will be made, as changes have been made for many for whom pensions are no longer available. It seems 401Ks are going to be what funds their retirement and at later and later ages.  Perhaps they won't be encouraging the "old" people in 20 years to retire to make room for the younger ones, as they do now.

We're also big Gwen Ifill and her program fans!  I dislike the programs where the host shouts at the other members or constantly interrupts them. I want to reach through the TV and smack them!

Helen Simonson's appearance in Pettigrew was great.  She was very computer savy in responding promptly to the questions asked.

jane

[MaryPage]

It is of First Importance for each and every single Senior already on Medicare or over 55 and within ten years or so of getting it to know:

YOUR MEDICARE WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.  EVER.  PERIOD.  

Every bit of legislation proposed on either side of the aisle is talking about the future and the fact that Medicare must be revised in order to still be there for poor Seniors in the future.  Not my future, and probably not yours.  But the future of those now UNDER 55.

The main thing they are going to have to do is have a means test, such as (this is not the proposal, and nothing has been voted on yet anyway:  this is JUST an example) not allowing any Medicare payments to people with retirement incomes over $300,000.00 a year until they have met a very large deductible.  That kind of thing can guarantee the government won't go broke over Medicare.  

So don't get scared.  I swear to you, IF you are already on Medicare, you are Perfectly safe!

I swear.  Signed in blood by your most avid news junkie

[ginny]

 Pedln is right, that WAS an incredible interview with Helen Simonson and a coup indeed for Joan P. I loved the way she peppered the questions one right after the other and the author gave SUCH a fabulous interview and answers.

As Jane said how lucky and wonderful she was so computer literate, half the time I don't even see the answers to what I have just written, that was amazing and quite interesting to read.

I love the way she expressed herself, particularly about the authors come to her with bag in hand wanting to go somewhere.

This is a fine day for our Books and a great interview, congratulations, Pearson!

[nlhome]

Well, we may not have to worry about Medicare, but I worry about my children's future. All the discussion about changing Medicare doesn't address the biggest problem of our health care system, which is uncontrolled cost.

[JoanP]

If you missed the interview with Helen Simonson yesterday, you can read about it here -

 http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/readerguides/majorpettigrew/simonsonquestions.html

We're happy that she promised to come back at the end of the discussion after we have all read and discussed the book.

[Steph]

I still have problems with the fact that although all medical care of any type is rising at a much much higher rate than any other service, no thought has been given to try and fix this.. I hear people younger than medicare with inadequate insurance left with huge bills for small problems. Our medical world needs to take a reality check. Hospitals need to rethink how they do things. Just because you have new ways to test things, doesnt mean you have to use them each and every time.. It makes no sense to have more than one machine that is so horrendously expensive in a community. I know it is impossible, but we need a hospital czar to make them stop competing.

[Babi]

 I do plan to try and catch Rachel Maddow at 10pm., MARYPAGE.  In the early morning I'm in here, posting on SL before my daughter needs the computer for work.

[MaryPage]

Dr. Maddow comes on at NINE o'clock EDT here;  but check your local schedules for MSNBC.