Michael Jackson Dead at 50!
- Who cares?
Farrah Fawcett Dead at 62!
- Who cares?
Ed McMahon Dead at 86!
- Who cares?
Sarah Hogan Dead at 90!
- Who?
From the Obituary page of the June 26 Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper web site is the notice of Sarah Logan's death. Her death is no less important to her family and loved ones than the other deaths listed above. Her notice (minus funeral home address and phone number):
HOGAN, Sarah Sarah Bulloch Hogan, age 90 of Loganville, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2009. Funeral Services will be held 3:30 PM Sunday, June 28, 2009 in the Chapel of Tim Stewart Funeral Home with Rev. David Dills and Rev. Nick Harmon officiating. Burial will follow in Ozora Baptist Church Cemetery. Mrs. Hogan retired from Walton Manufacturing as a seamstress and was a member of Ozora Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband Grady Hogan in 1986. She is survived by Children: Linda & Kenneth Guthrie, Loganville; Larry & Alice Hogan: Snellville; Jane Cahill, Loganville; Special Friend: Carl Moon, Loganville; Sisters-in-law: Macy Bulloch, Loganville; Sara Still, Good Hope; Care Givers: Barbara Biggers, Loganville; Dixie Short, Grayson; 7 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; several nieces & nephews.
I recognize the interest in the lives and deaths of 'famous' people. They do provide a certain superficial common bond between the rest of us. Their deaths deserve a note on the news, but not the untold hours of airtime and untold pages in newspapers and magazines that they receive. Such over-exposure detracts from their lives and reputations. It also detracts from the integrity and professionalism of our news outlets.
By the time you read this, I'll bet that you will be sick of hearing about Jackson, Fawcett, and McMahon. I already am. That's too bad. Each was talented.
So I suggest that you pause for a moment and think of Sarah Hogan, chosen at random by me. Then, look in your local newspaper and choose any obituary notice. Think about the stranger you're reading about. That person will then no longer be a stranger to you. Maybe you'll ponder the same questions as I have about Sarah. Was she a happy person? What troubles did she deal with in her life? Was she an optimist or a pessimist?
Mark Twain wrote, "There was never yet an uninteresting life. Such a thing is an impossibility. Inside of the dullest exterior there is a drama, a comedy, and a tragedy."
My experience with people has been the same as old Sam Clemens. For that I am glad.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Jon Voight Degenerates From Actor To Hater
Jon Voight has descended from an acclaimed actor (Midnight Cowboy) to a person making dangerous, threatening statements against President Obama in a speech made to the Republican Senate-House Fundraising Dinner earlier this month.
Of particular concern to me are these Voightisms:
1. "Let’s give thanks to them for not giving up and staying the course to bring an end to this false prophet Obama."
2. "I’ll tell you why this really scares the hell out of me. Because everything Obama has recommended has turned out to be disasterous."
3. "Obama really thinks that he is a soft-spoken Julius Ceaser. He thinks he’s going to conquer the world with his soft-spoken sweet talk."
4. "We and we alone are the right frame of mind to free this nation from this Obama oppression."
5. "We can blame Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Chris Dodd, George Soros, David Axelrod and their ilk for the downfall of this country."
In the interest of providing all the facts, here is the text of Voight's speech:
VOIGHT: My most pressing concern at this hour is the safety of Israel. I think Obama has no idea that Israel was built on the blood and sweat of the Jewish people. Every blade of grass, every tree, has been a successful effort because the Jewish people understanding they would have a safe homeland forever. He could not possibly understand this or he would know that the Jewish people are tried time and time again to give the Palestinians land and bring a peaceful solution. But every attempt, every attempt, was returned with violence. The Palestinians used Gaza to attack Israel. As far as I’m concerned, their only agenda is to wipe Israel off the Earth. And he reprimands the Israeli people, Obama. Like he’s a professor and they’re the school children. I was embarrassed to watch his press conference with the great war hero, Benjamin Netanyahu, who has helped keep his country safe for many years. Obama sat there with complete arrogance that he is the new American power, that he is able to dictate what he thinks is best for Israel. So how worried are we supposed to be now? Was I hearing things when he said that Iran might have the right to nuclear power? Are we supposed to be sitting and waiting, watching for the possibility of a new Holocaust? Who’s going to take the responsibility to keep Ameri — Israel safe?
I’ll tell you why this really scares the hell out of me. Because everything Obama has recommended has turned out to be disasterous. His so-called stimulus package and his budgets will leave our grandchildren with great burdens and great debts. The government is now owning car companies and banks and we’re losing job after job. Our unemployment rate is an astronomic 9.4. And of course they send out Joe Biden, one of the great double-talkers of our time, to tell us the unemployment rate is getting better. The government wants to run health care and tell people what doctors they can see. How much they can make. What cars to drive. And they’re killing off the entrepreneurs who are the backbone of our economy. It’s no wonder that the Russian newspaper Pravda, the former house organ for the former Soviet Communist regime, has said the American descent into Marxism is happening with breath-taking speed. We can blame Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Chris Dodd, George Soros, David Axelrod and their ilk for the downfall of this country. It saddens me greatly to think we were the great power for good in the world. We as Americans knew America to be strong. And we were the liberators of the entire world. We are becoming a weak nation. Obama really thinks that he is a soft-spoken Julius Ceaser. He thinks he’s going to conquer the world with his soft-spoken sweet talk. And really thinks he’s going to bring all the enemies of the world into a little playground where they’ll swing each other back and forth. We and we alone are the right frame of mind to free this nation from this Obama oppression.
And let’s give thanks to all the great people like Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly, Laura Ingraham, Mark Levin, William Bennett, Glenn Beck, Hugh Hewitt, Dennis Prager, Michael Medved, Dennis Miller, Dick Morris, Ann Coulter, John Kasich, Michael Steele, Karl Rove, Newt Gingrich, Thomas Sowell, Victor Davis Hanson, Shelby Steele, Charles Krauthammer, Michelle Malkin, Fred Barnes and so many others. Let’s give thanks to them for not giving up and staying the course to bring an end to this false prophet Obama."
Of the five quotes I listed above, it is the first one, "Let’s give thanks to them for not giving up and staying the course to bring an end to this false prophet Obama.", that worries me the most. It states quite clearly that "...an end to this false prophet Obama." is what Jon Voight desperately wants. And the Republicans in the audience agreed wholeheartedly. If Voight had said, instead, that it should be the goal of the Republican Party to defeat President Obama in the next election, that would have been acceptable. That approach fits in both with our political system of peaceful change and our culture. So why did Voight choose the incendiary language he did? Does he hope that some lunatic takes his words to heart?
I could possibly excuse Voight if he misspoke because he was in the heat of the moment. But this was not the first time he had given this hate-filled speech. Earlier that day he had given an expanded version of the speech to the National Republican Congressional Committee. There is no excuse for Voight.
I heard many times during anti-Vietnam War marches from haters like Voight who would shout, "America - Love It or Leave It!" Isn't it ironic that today, those same haters wouldn't think about taking their own advice? Hypocrites.
My hope is that this speech will only serve to further marginalize the Republican right-wing and show the world what idiots reside there. Where are the Republican leaders who should be condemning the sentiments of this speech? And oh yes, did you notice that Voight failed to even extend the courtesy of referring to "President" Obama? I wonder why not???
Perhaps Voight is upset that he didn't get the role Dustin Hoffman played in "Rainman." Voight would have been a natural.
Of particular concern to me are these Voightisms:
1. "Let’s give thanks to them for not giving up and staying the course to bring an end to this false prophet Obama."
2. "I’ll tell you why this really scares the hell out of me. Because everything Obama has recommended has turned out to be disasterous."
3. "Obama really thinks that he is a soft-spoken Julius Ceaser. He thinks he’s going to conquer the world with his soft-spoken sweet talk."
4. "We and we alone are the right frame of mind to free this nation from this Obama oppression."
5. "We can blame Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Chris Dodd, George Soros, David Axelrod and their ilk for the downfall of this country."
In the interest of providing all the facts, here is the text of Voight's speech:
VOIGHT: My most pressing concern at this hour is the safety of Israel. I think Obama has no idea that Israel was built on the blood and sweat of the Jewish people. Every blade of grass, every tree, has been a successful effort because the Jewish people understanding they would have a safe homeland forever. He could not possibly understand this or he would know that the Jewish people are tried time and time again to give the Palestinians land and bring a peaceful solution. But every attempt, every attempt, was returned with violence. The Palestinians used Gaza to attack Israel. As far as I’m concerned, their only agenda is to wipe Israel off the Earth. And he reprimands the Israeli people, Obama. Like he’s a professor and they’re the school children. I was embarrassed to watch his press conference with the great war hero, Benjamin Netanyahu, who has helped keep his country safe for many years. Obama sat there with complete arrogance that he is the new American power, that he is able to dictate what he thinks is best for Israel. So how worried are we supposed to be now? Was I hearing things when he said that Iran might have the right to nuclear power? Are we supposed to be sitting and waiting, watching for the possibility of a new Holocaust? Who’s going to take the responsibility to keep Ameri — Israel safe?
I’ll tell you why this really scares the hell out of me. Because everything Obama has recommended has turned out to be disasterous. His so-called stimulus package and his budgets will leave our grandchildren with great burdens and great debts. The government is now owning car companies and banks and we’re losing job after job. Our unemployment rate is an astronomic 9.4. And of course they send out Joe Biden, one of the great double-talkers of our time, to tell us the unemployment rate is getting better. The government wants to run health care and tell people what doctors they can see. How much they can make. What cars to drive. And they’re killing off the entrepreneurs who are the backbone of our economy. It’s no wonder that the Russian newspaper Pravda, the former house organ for the former Soviet Communist regime, has said the American descent into Marxism is happening with breath-taking speed. We can blame Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Chris Dodd, George Soros, David Axelrod and their ilk for the downfall of this country. It saddens me greatly to think we were the great power for good in the world. We as Americans knew America to be strong. And we were the liberators of the entire world. We are becoming a weak nation. Obama really thinks that he is a soft-spoken Julius Ceaser. He thinks he’s going to conquer the world with his soft-spoken sweet talk. And really thinks he’s going to bring all the enemies of the world into a little playground where they’ll swing each other back and forth. We and we alone are the right frame of mind to free this nation from this Obama oppression.
And let’s give thanks to all the great people like Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly, Laura Ingraham, Mark Levin, William Bennett, Glenn Beck, Hugh Hewitt, Dennis Prager, Michael Medved, Dennis Miller, Dick Morris, Ann Coulter, John Kasich, Michael Steele, Karl Rove, Newt Gingrich, Thomas Sowell, Victor Davis Hanson, Shelby Steele, Charles Krauthammer, Michelle Malkin, Fred Barnes and so many others. Let’s give thanks to them for not giving up and staying the course to bring an end to this false prophet Obama."
Of the five quotes I listed above, it is the first one, "Let’s give thanks to them for not giving up and staying the course to bring an end to this false prophet Obama.", that worries me the most. It states quite clearly that "...an end to this false prophet Obama." is what Jon Voight desperately wants. And the Republicans in the audience agreed wholeheartedly. If Voight had said, instead, that it should be the goal of the Republican Party to defeat President Obama in the next election, that would have been acceptable. That approach fits in both with our political system of peaceful change and our culture. So why did Voight choose the incendiary language he did? Does he hope that some lunatic takes his words to heart?
I could possibly excuse Voight if he misspoke because he was in the heat of the moment. But this was not the first time he had given this hate-filled speech. Earlier that day he had given an expanded version of the speech to the National Republican Congressional Committee. There is no excuse for Voight.
I heard many times during anti-Vietnam War marches from haters like Voight who would shout, "America - Love It or Leave It!" Isn't it ironic that today, those same haters wouldn't think about taking their own advice? Hypocrites.
My hope is that this speech will only serve to further marginalize the Republican right-wing and show the world what idiots reside there. Where are the Republican leaders who should be condemning the sentiments of this speech? And oh yes, did you notice that Voight failed to even extend the courtesy of referring to "President" Obama? I wonder why not???
Perhaps Voight is upset that he didn't get the role Dustin Hoffman played in "Rainman." Voight would have been a natural.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Exploring Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah is one of seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The term 'emirate' compares roughly to the old term 'shiekhdom'. It is the fifth of the seven that I have written about. To read about the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, and Fujairah, please see my posts dated February 13, 2009, Bye Bye, Dubai?, March 6, 2009, Exploring Abu Dhabi, April 3, 2009, Exploring Ajman, and May 8, 2009, Exploring Fujairah.
Ras Al Khaimah, Arabic: رأس الخيمة,, literally translated means "The Top of the Tent". The Gulfnews.com web site describes Ras Al Khaimah:
"Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is the northern-most emirate in the UAE and has been ruled by His Highness Shaikh Saqr bin Mohmmad Al Qasimi since 1948.
It is the smallest of the seven emirates by some way, covering just 168 square kilometers. That’s just over two per cent of the total mainland of the UAE.
The Emirate has been largely dependent upon traditional occupations, such as fishing, trading and agriculture. Since the establishment of the Federation, much effort has been put into modernising these traditional sectors to meet the demands of the UAE's economy.
In the 1980's, Ras Al Khaimah discovered the small, though useful, offshore Saleh oilfield. Ras Al Khaimah abounds in tuna fish. Another important local industry is cement and building materials.
Ras Al Khaimah’s Saqr Port (Mina Saqr), located next to the town of Ras Al Khaimah, is a deep water port with the latest facilities. It has also developed its new Free Zone on the Al Holaylah Island.
The city of Ras Al Khaimah is divided into two sections by Khor (creek) Ras Al Khaimah. In the western section, known as Old Ras Al Khaimah, are Ras Al Khaimah National Museum and a number of government departments.
The eastern part, known as Al Nakheel, houses the Ruler's office, several government departments and commercial companies. The two sections are connected by a large bridge built across the khor.
RAK was also once the centre of the naval strength of the southern Gulf states. Clashes with the British Navy led to its downfall in 1820 and the subsequent arrival of a British presence upon the local scene.
Ras Al Khaimah officially became a part of the UAE Federation on October 10, 1972, a year after the Federation was formed."
The Awafi Desert is an increasing tourist draw to the area. According to a January 2005 posting on www.ameinfo.com, the inaugural 2005 Awafi Festival included: "...traditional Arabic song and dance shows, colourful display of fire works and a performance by a band troupe..."
I was particularly interested in the traditional Arabic song and dance shows item. Cultural exchanges will ultimately bring various peoples together. Not politics. Not conquest. Sharing each other's dances, songs, and foods establish strong common bonds. They also bring smiles.
While actively involved in the Diversity Committee at a former employer of mine, I found that our annual Diversity picnic was the one event that virtually everyone looked forward to. The chance to share a culinary treat reflective of one's heritage was both irresistible and delicious!
How about a United Nations cultural initiative based on sharing culinary delights in a cooperative, not competitive, way? It's an idea I could really sink my teeth into. What about you?
Ras Al Khaimah, Arabic: رأس الخيمة,, literally translated means "The Top of the Tent". The Gulfnews.com web site describes Ras Al Khaimah:
"Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is the northern-most emirate in the UAE and has been ruled by His Highness Shaikh Saqr bin Mohmmad Al Qasimi since 1948.
It is the smallest of the seven emirates by some way, covering just 168 square kilometers. That’s just over two per cent of the total mainland of the UAE.
The Emirate has been largely dependent upon traditional occupations, such as fishing, trading and agriculture. Since the establishment of the Federation, much effort has been put into modernising these traditional sectors to meet the demands of the UAE's economy.
In the 1980's, Ras Al Khaimah discovered the small, though useful, offshore Saleh oilfield. Ras Al Khaimah abounds in tuna fish. Another important local industry is cement and building materials.
Ras Al Khaimah’s Saqr Port (Mina Saqr), located next to the town of Ras Al Khaimah, is a deep water port with the latest facilities. It has also developed its new Free Zone on the Al Holaylah Island.
The city of Ras Al Khaimah is divided into two sections by Khor (creek) Ras Al Khaimah. In the western section, known as Old Ras Al Khaimah, are Ras Al Khaimah National Museum and a number of government departments.
The eastern part, known as Al Nakheel, houses the Ruler's office, several government departments and commercial companies. The two sections are connected by a large bridge built across the khor.
RAK was also once the centre of the naval strength of the southern Gulf states. Clashes with the British Navy led to its downfall in 1820 and the subsequent arrival of a British presence upon the local scene.
Ras Al Khaimah officially became a part of the UAE Federation on October 10, 1972, a year after the Federation was formed."
The Awafi Desert is an increasing tourist draw to the area. According to a January 2005 posting on www.ameinfo.com, the inaugural 2005 Awafi Festival included: "...traditional Arabic song and dance shows, colourful display of fire works and a performance by a band troupe..."
I was particularly interested in the traditional Arabic song and dance shows item. Cultural exchanges will ultimately bring various peoples together. Not politics. Not conquest. Sharing each other's dances, songs, and foods establish strong common bonds. They also bring smiles.
While actively involved in the Diversity Committee at a former employer of mine, I found that our annual Diversity picnic was the one event that virtually everyone looked forward to. The chance to share a culinary treat reflective of one's heritage was both irresistible and delicious!
How about a United Nations cultural initiative based on sharing culinary delights in a cooperative, not competitive, way? It's an idea I could really sink my teeth into. What about you?
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