Digital Penguin Blog

Buckle Up America.......It's going to be a bumpy ride!

2010-11-03T05:28:00.000-07:00

Well most of the results are in, and I have done my best to avoid reading or watching any of the "analysis" of the elections. Let's just say I am less than happy with the results! Not the least bit surprised by the outcome though. I too thought the current Administration had lost focus on the most important issues, and did appear tone deaf to the outcry from the American people. I did sense that the Obama team had definitely dropped the ball on some of the easiest issue resolutions they had campaigned on. And how did such a gifted communicator allow the folks on the right to steal the political message regarding the direction this country is heading as we slowly try to recover from the worst economic disaster since the Great Depression?

Being someone who spent much time and energy investing in Mr. Obama's election bid, I feel most qualified and justified in very loud criticism of the president and his performance. While on one hand I may be critical, I am still 100% supportive and loyal to the POTUS. It is disgraceful they way people have treated this administration and more importantly the President and his family. There is no respect for the office of the president if he doesn't portend to your political affiliation these days. There is an increasingly racial tone directed at all things Obama, be it policies, legacy or whatever, and I for one am ashamed to live in a country where this type of attitude is acceptable. But back on message - Despite its missteps and mistakes during the last 2 years I am proud that the Democratic Party was working on issues that moved this nation forward, and while I think too much compromise was put forth, they still managed to have the most successful legislative session in the last 40 years. All the while stablizing an economy that is no longer on the brink of collapse and albeit is not growing fast enough or recovering quickly enough, it is recovering. Also while fighting the absolute obstruction of all legislation by the "Party of No"(GOP). In terms of addressing many of the issues that are at the heart of our terrible economy yes they fell short. Still, I am amazed at the inability of the general public to remember any of the 8 years of the GWB administration - almost as if they didn't occur. It is like the whole world began on January 20th, 2009. Well guess what? It did NOT. So here we are two years later and we are facing the reality of having just re-elected many of the same idiots that had sold us out more than a decade ago - less we forget that our new Speaker of the House was not that long ago strolling around the floor of the very institution he now leads handing out checks from the tobacco industry lobby (John Boehner admits to giving bribes from Big Tobacco on the House floor...Why does the media consider him credible? | Crooks and Liars)
So listen up folks we are in for quite a bumpy ride, and things are probably going to get a whole lot worse before any sign of light at the end of the tunnel appears. Let's just hope that when it does appear it is not the oncoming train of Sarah Palin's presidency - now that should really scare you! Peace Out - The Digital Penguin.

First election results in.......Deep Sigh!!!!

2010-11-02T17:45:00.000-07:00

The bloodbath has begun and this post will be short and sweet - Mark my Word! - Tea Party Politics will not help our struggling economic recovery. Tax Cuts are the last thing we need! Deregulation is the last thing we need! Health Care Reform being repealed is a somewhat appalling prospect. BTW the term "ObamaCare" is offensive, from the disinformation about the new legislation to the underlying intent in the 'slur' !

I for one support my president and will continue to do so in an effort to move this nation forward. What the opposition has in mind though is another thing completely!

Peace Out!

Man Up....... What a JOKE!

2010-11-02T08:54:00.000-07:00

I was just watching some election day TV when I tried to block out a Lite beer commercial when it's main message hit me like a hammer right between the eyes! There it was - the beautiful young blonde bartender chiding the male patron to "Man Up". It took me a second but I quickly put the two together and came to the conclusion that here it was, put right before my eyes to take in and comprehend. This is our political discourse in a microcosm, simple, painfully ignorant, and the sum message of today's political wannabe's - the likes of Sharron Angle, Sarah Palin and their ilk.
Please tell me ladies this is not where we are getting our campaign buzzwords and catch phrases?
Although based on the way any of the candidates from the extreme right of even the Tea Party represents themselves these days I can't help from reaching for that conclusion, those are low apples, easy and within reach! I mean there is no longer the need to have any pretense of experience or knowledge in presenting your point of view. Regardless of how baseless, ignorant or just plain false your accusations and arguments are presented. In today's environment where all you need to do is put it out on the internet and Facebook and it is as good as gold, fact based reality. And of course you can hide behind that Facebook avatar and not really have to put yourself out there to defend yourself. And when you do defend yourself you only do so within the confines of "friendly territory" like a cable news network that is owned and operating with clear political intent and slant to positions and opinions which it finds favorable.

Actually then the really scary thing began to sink in - I live in a country where this is acceptable!
Now that 'IS" Sad!
Peace Out and remember if you haven't gotten to the polls and voted please do so, regardless of who you vote for! Digital Penguin!

Mark my Word - My Predictions..................

2010-11-01T23:02:00.000-07:00

Well it is election day! and with the hopeful vote I will cast, I will wait to see just how apathetic the electorate actually performs and if we actually do end up with the governance we deserve. That's right I am giving in a bit here, and if I do have to utter the words "Speaker Boehner " I will do so with this first Rant..........

Mark My Word - The GOP is no friend of the middle class! The next two years will be legislative gridlock as the right and the GOP spend every moment and resource waging an all out war on the Obama administration and their political agenda. Doing everything in their power to see to it that President Obama will never see another term in office. Yes this actually frightening strategy has already been put on the record by the Republican leadership (Mitch McConnell) They will defund legislation, subpoena endlessly, and put forth an agenda that will take the country on a path to cultural regression, and financial instability!

Mark my Word - The far right will gain a greater foothold in our government and will try to exploit their new found numbers in the Congress to push a radical agenda that doesn't really help our country face some of the difficult issues that we need to be addressing. Topics like climate change and Global Warming will be under attack as fallacy. Science will take a backseat to corporate interests, and instead of making any real progress trying to tackle these problems, we will stick with a status quo approach and keep our proverbial heads in the sand.

Mark my Word - The newly elected Republican leadership in Congress will be so hell bent on making sure President Obama fails, that they will be willing to sacrifice our economy and will not allow any policy decisions that may encourage recovery and produce any real hiring in the private employment workforce . Thus ensuring greater turmoil in order to expand the corporate agenda that is actually running our country today!

Mark my Word - The next two years are going to suck!

I sure hope I 'm wrong - One can hope !

Peace Out

Now I'm Angry, and It's My Country Too!.......

2010-10-31T21:56:00.000-07:00

Okay America, it is time to stand up and put forth your real face to the world. Come on now, you know the one, the one that portrays this nation as the true bastion of the free world. The nation built on values of inclusiveness and hard work. The nation that could talk the talk, while walking the walk. Honesty, truth and justice for all - regardless! - PERIOD!

Instead, today we put forth the face of a nation in turmoil! And to put it bluntly, we are NOT putting our best foot forward, nor our prettiest face for the world to see. Our nation is struggling to recover from the largest economic disaster since the Great Depression. Unemployment is at a staggering 9.6%. Business' are struggling with drops in revenues while trying to shoulder the spiraling costs of health care. Banks are, well.......They are banks and as we have all seen in the last 2 years they are in it for themselves regardless of the consequences. Our economy is in ruins for any number of reasons. Our Energy policies are inadequate and outdated. A future of struggling under the burden of ever increasing high costs of the reliance on foreign oil await us. Environmental meltdowns and disasters created from the unending, unsafe quests for said fossil fuels are already materializing. (i.e. - BP Deepwater Horizon disaster) Health Care costs are spiraling out of control, and yet nobody seems to see the 800 pound gorilla in the room. We are the only country in the industrialized world that has decided to saddle our employers with the burden of health care. In doing so so we have created a monster of a Health Care System. One that rewards the "haves" with the finest health care money can buy, while penalizing the "have nots" with inadequate services and prohibitive costs. By remaining a prisoner to this employer based system we are forcing our economic recovery upon very shaky ground. Neither political party is choosing to face this reality in any reasonable fashion. Last summer when we took single payer health care options out of the debate we started down the path of taking a pass on any real attempts to reign in the spiraling costs associated with health care. Reform then became nothing more than an attempt to service the system of status quo. Perhaps those on the left would claim the success of laying the groundwork for future improvements as time goes. But I fear an attack on the new law by those in the Republican party to repeal the recently passed reform legislation, or cripple it through defunding.

How did we arrive at the precipice of economic disaster? Maybe it was the short sightedness of our foreign policy landing us into two unpaid for wars. Perhaps it was economic and financial policies that allowed for unfettered deregulation of our banking institutions. Creating an atmosphere where reward superseded concern over risk, and its resulting catastrophic affects. Another factor to look at are the policies that helped foster the notion that cheap overseas labor was a suitable substitute for a domestic workforce, and padding shareholder dividends overruled the belief that taking care of your own employees was a better investment in our future.

This Tuesday we can choose to vote or not. But make no mistake elections have consequences, and I want to live in a country that is moving forward. Although I personally believe that our civic responsibility to cast our ballot in each and every local, state and national elections is one of vital importance, many in this country do not. We are lucky enough to live in a country where we each get that very basic right to have our voice heard. So go out Tuesday and make sure your voice is heard regardless of who you vote for!

WTF..............BP!

2010-05-31T15:03:00.000-07:00

As I have been traveling around doing errands lately, I have noticed a gradual decline in the price of gas. I thought it funny, in a peculiar kind of way, that just as Memorial Day was arriving the price of gas would be going in the opposite direction of the norm. Usually the price of gas goes up just as the summer driving season begins, not decreasing as it is now. Of course I hear about the catastrophic oil spill occurring in the Gulf of Mexico and one has to think.....................Could the oil companies be doing a little PR work in the face of an event which could surely sway public opinion in favor of taking the steps necessary to reduce our dependence on the oil interests. So a little selling off of profits at the pumps can go a long way in keeping the public at bay. Although I hope most people have the common sense to be able to see through this ploy and realize what is really happening here. Look at the Gulf, the damage being done every moment of every day this disaster continues spewing oil that is killing everything in its path. A real lesson can be learned here. Let's do the right thing for our country our planet and our existence! We need to make the hard choices today and quit putting it off for future generations to deal with. If we don't act now we may be too late and what we know will be lost. Just my Two cents....Peace Out!

And then it was Law.....................

2010-03-25T17:22:00.000-07:00

Well here we are! The long road traveled, many stories told, many fights have been fought! And now we have a new bill signed in to law by the President of the United States of America. (Thanks President Obama!) Hurray for the citizens of this country, who have finally joined the rest of the world's industrialized nations in realizing that all of our citizens should have health care as a right - not a privilege of the wealthy. Now let's be perfectly clear here - There is no reasonable person who can deny that our current system of health care delivery is unsustainable, inaccessible and built in a way to be distributed with a tilted advantaged to the privileged. I am proud to be one of those people who firmly believe that Health Care delivery should never be based on a for profit model. Medical professionals the world over tell you that is not why they got into medicine. Yet here we are!

We have allowed our love of the free market to blind us as the medical delivery system evolved into an enormous, ugly behemoth tended to by some of the finest health care professionals in the world, often using the latest medical technology, with cutting edge pharmaceutical research advancements. The view from the outside often led the viewer to believe that all was well with the system - it worked if you were wealthy or fortunate enough to work for an employer who provided health insurance. Everything seemed just fine!

Only when you looked beneath the surface did its ugly head begin to raise itself! First there was the obvious cost control issues. Doctors, Nurses and Staffs, Hospitals and delivery facilities which include doctors offices, clinics, labs and medical arts complexes. These things cost money - "lots" of money! Then there are consumables which include all of the medical supplies. Add to that the cost of medicine and the research involved in staying on the cutting edge of medicine that is required to keep up with the expectations we demand of the medical establishment. As you can see there is a recipe here pointing towards the obvious - Health Care is expensive!

So through the years we allowed the risk pool to be assumed by the health insurance providers and pharmaceutical companies, they would shoulder the financial risk of delivery and research and they would administer this complex monster we refer to as our health care system. In return we would submit ourselves to the will of the "for profit" health care model and all of its not so pretty details. You know the ones - "Pre existing conditions", "benefit caps", "being dropped from the insurance role after you got sick and really needed it." " High priced Medicines and Prescriptions" - All the good stuff. And did I mention sky rocketing premiums? Because, as we all know there are only a few large insurance giants who rule the industry. They are free to operate at the whim of their Boards and Shareholders only beholden to the bottom line. They are free from scrutiny because they enjoy that freedom their anti-trust status provides them. What a gig! Price setting and no interstate commerce worries, little regulation - Ah yes - "GOOD TIMES!"

One of the most glaring problems with this formula is that it has allowed the insurance industry to keep the true costs of the system cloaked inside a cacophony of smoke and mirrors accounting and benefit practices. By doing so it has allowed our society to live for decades with our heads in the sand while the costs and accounting practices have hidden the spiraling burden weighing our economy down. Because as I have been reminded over a million times during the last 12 months of this so called debate it is 1/6th of our economy. The problem with this should be obvious to anyone - If everybody is oblivious to the true cost and everyone expects the best that can be provided, and the insurance companies are answering shareholder concerns. Eventually those that provide the insurance that covers the cost of this expensive medical treatment are going to be choosing where the money is spent - who gets coverage and what is covered! This translates to people starting to be left behind by a machine that is too expensive and inaccessible unless you play by their rules or have the cash to pay for your own.

The result of the preceding - Millions of uninsured and under insured citizens who are forced to choose daily between the need and desire to seek medical care and the reality of real world economics in a down recession and trying to survive on less.

Hmmmm! Insurance companies deciding who gets what - now that sounds more like something to be afraid of. Not this ridiculous crap that those opposed to this new legislation have been spewing for the last year and a half! But then again my fears tend to remain in reality and I don't listen to those who choose to pick on the less educated and misinformed. But that hasn't stopped many of our elected leaders from stooping to the lowest forms of fear mongering and misinformation. They have allowed the truth to remain hidden from view and have decided instead to play to this new populist tea party movement which from my point of view always appears like an angry mob of uneducated white folks harboring anxiety and fears not based in reality at all. (btw - Yes I'm Caucasian, White, a Cracker!)

So I think it is time to start living in reality again! Let's just start moving forward as Americans. Let's take this new path of health care reform to the next level and work on addressing the issues that this first bill doesn't address. There are lots of them. And it is going to take the best and the brightest to figure this mess out! We do need to address tort reform and that antitrust exemption has got to go. These are issues championed by the Republicans and conservative right yet I am convinced that these are issues that need attention. Ultimately I believe it is just a matter of time before America comes to the conclusion that I have had for a long time! "For Profit" Health Care Delivery has no place in modern society and ultimately we will realize that employer based, insurance provided systems are burdensome and unsustainable and ultimately the answer will be "single payer"! But for now we should move forward and move on to the next big Issue we can all fight about! Climate and Energy Legislation or as the opposition like to call it "Cap and Trade"!

Peace out!
Digital Penguin

A Spoonful of Sugar...........

2009-08-14T05:48:00.000-07:00

........ makes the medicine go down." - I am not quite sure why the voice of Julie Andrews singing that tune came to mind as I was pondering the choice of a title for today's blog. Yet there it was, crystal clear and echoing from some distant corner of my memory spectrum. And now as I begin to type it seems rather appropriate for the subject of the current rant.

"HEALTH CARE REFORM!"

There I've said it! And, I know, one could find it rather shocking that I could even think of contemplating the subject, yet here I go again, right down this path, talking about the subject of comprehensive health care reform. Maybe it's because I have rather strong feelings on the subject. Maybe I am just a glutton for punishment. Whatever the reasons, I am still willing to put it out there! We "HAVE" to change the system. Our current vehicle for delivering health care in this country is broken, now here is where I will shift gears and change lanes and look at this problem from just that perspective. Really!

Let's look at the problem as if it were the car sitting in the driveway. They are a necessary evil! We have to have one around for emergencies. to get us from point A to point B in a pinch. Your Doctors and your health care are much the same. Necessary evils that stay out of sight and mind most of the time, but when the time does come when you need to have it there we sure are glad to be able to put the key in the ignition and fire that baby up and get where we need to be when we want to be there.

Our health care in its present form is most often insurance based, whether that insurance coverage is employer supplied or purchased privately on an individual and family basis. Like our cars we don't necessarily want to drive it all the time, or even frequently. But on those days when you really need it and you are faced with the reality of a true medical catastrophe, it sure is nice to have and for a large part of medical emergency's your medical insurance just might get you through with with what arguably are reasonable costs to the individual or family. But what seems to have been slipping through the cracks of the recent messaging coming out about what is actually in any of the proposed legislation currently being negotiated in the Form of H.R. 3200
is that over 1 million Americans file for bankruptcy every year after being faced with a medical calamity, and most of these people have or had insurance at the start. Imagine what a family without health insurance does when faced with this same situation. It is a scary thought.

This is a sad commentary on a country that spends more money than any other industrialized nation on the planet, more than 16% of our national GDP, yet for all of of that investment, we are only able to provide health care that ranks just above Costa Rica at about 37th on the list. Premiums for insurance coverage have been rising at a rate that cannot be maintained, yet the number of uninsured Americans is on the rise at a pace that is only being outgained by the record profit margins being posted by some of the largest health care providers (United Health Care - my insurance provider)

The funny part about most of the anger and outrage I see being demonstrated at many of these townhalls and public meetings, is that most of it is being put forth by the older segment of the population. Understandable because they have the most at stake in the Health care debate.

Let me state the obvious here! The older the citizen the more likely they are to need health care. Now for the sick irony of this situation. Most of the people I have been seeing on TV being so demonstrative about government involvement in health care, are the same people who are already receiving government supplied health care in the form of Medicare. HELLO! People this "IS" government involvement in healthcare "working!" Granted it is not perfect by any standard, but I sure have seen more than my fair share of signs at these rallies calling for the "Government to stay out of their Medicare"

I know this is somewhat like shooting fish in a barrel here, but when did ignorance become an American birthright. I believe we need to get back to the table and figure this quagmire out. Come on people I find it hard to believe that the greatest nation on the planet cannot solve this problem with a visionary solution that should be a shining example to the rest of the world of American ingenuity and high moral standards. We can do this! I know there are cost concerns and yes change and the unknown are always reasons for becoming anxious and actiong with caution. And this is an approach I recommend, this is a monumental task that must be undertaken. But we must keep our eyes on the finish line here, and not let those who would seek to undermine the current debate and keep the status quo. There are so many players in the game that have huge financial stakes in keeping things as they are. But as a country who just faced the greatest economic meltdown since the Great Depression, we have to do something about the 800lb Gorilla in the room! And like that car in the driveway, when it is broken we take it to the mechanic and get it fixed, we want our health care provision to work so let's take the time to fix that vehicle that is our Health Care System! Peace Out

Digital Penguin

What goes around comes around!

2009-07-26T05:47:00.000-07:00

Health Care (insurance) reform - Seems to be the topic of the day. I think that is a good thing. Although I read way too much in the way of descent in the papers and periodicals. What are you people thinking? We have a crisis at hand and people need to stop sticking their heads in the sand.

As a nation we spend the most of any industrialized Western Nation on heath care and yet, 47 to 48 million Americans are going without health care insurance, and on a global rating of health care systems for that investment we are ranked somewhere around 36th or 37th right above Costa Rica. And if you lump into that all the additional people who have health insurance that would not truly cover their needs if they were ever faced with a true life threatening illness the numbers are staggering. This is a sad commentary on our bloated, over sized, outdated and much in need of change health care system. Come on here we are Americans the leaders of the free world and yet from the looks of things on this front there doesn't seem to be any leading going on.

President Harry Truman spoke to the national legislators over 60 years ago about the need, and impetus to provide health care coverage for all Americans. And now in 2009 we are still not there. Oh Yeah! Did I mention that in that time every one of our allies has been able to solve this problem. Now I know that not every system is perfect, there are lot's of things about the systems in place in countries like England, and Canada that are not ideal, but they at least have tried. And I am so done with the argument that we are not a socialist country. I don't think I can hear one Republican Senator or Congressman balking about Social Security or the Medicare/Medicaid Programs, I haven't heard anyone complaining about Unemployment Benefits. Using the logic being used to stall Health Care Reform legistation all of these programs add up to us being a socialist state. So we had better shut down all of these programs too, right?

The time to act is now, and long overdue. Most arguments I keep hearing from those opposed to the proposals on the table being discussed are not even based on facts. Most Republican Senate and House members that are stepping up and speaking out against health care reform can't even come up with honest and clear, concise reasons for their position. The argument against a public option being offered has, as far as I can find, been based on some ridiculous idea that the Government is going to step in and tell everyone who they will see, and what treatments they will receive and will bankrupt our society in less then ten years. I haven't been able to find one shred of evidence of this from anywhere else but transcripts of John Boehner's lame attempt speeches to speak out against moving forward, and guess what people, at the rate we are going in the current system we are already well on our way down that road. Any changes to the status quo are going to require an investment. Personally I see this as a far better expenditure of taxpayer money then the ridiculous amounts of cash and resources being wasted on defense budgets, and unnecessary wars being waged in distant countries for God knows what reasons!

The time is now to act, and I would argue that turn around is fair play. When George W. wanted to pass his tax cuts he had no problem ramming them through the Congress and Senate using the reconciliation process where a simple 50 votes and V.P. Joe Biden's vote would pass the required bill. As far as I can see the only benefits of that little fiasco was to enrich the already wealthy and destroy much needed tax revenue. I understand the desire to try to drum up bipartisan support from both sides of the aisle, but the time for feeling warm and fuzzy over this is past and the time for action is now. I think it is time for the current President with his overwhelming majorities in both the House and the Senate do the right thing for the country and quit allowing this process to stall. Grow some balls guys and let's get this thing done! Peace out!

Digital Penguin

If the Republican's allow this to become their face...

2009-07-21T20:55:00.000-07:00

I just saw the YouTube video of the whacked lady who recently took over a town hall meeting being sponsored and hosted by Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V1nmn2zRMc
Now you can't tell me that this is not evidence of just how pathetic the far right has become. They have lost all sense of reality and have allowed themselves to be commandeered by these nut jobs. What I have found even crazier, is that there are actually congressional members who have signed on to co-sponsor legislation to require any person running for the office of president to be required to present an official birth certificate before being allowed to run for office. Now actually I read an article earlier today that presented a good argument as to the need for the legislation. But I find it hard to believe that this is something we need to be spending time on right now given the gravity of the situation with Heath Care Reform, Energy legislation, Supreme Court nominations, War spending and foreign policy oversight. I don't know maybe we should be spending our time doing the business of governance and put the politics of last years election to rest.

I just think that the average person on the street today, that you get into any conversation of current events with, the subject of President Obama's citizenship isn't at the top of the topic list! I would hope that this type of thinking would get the kind of response it deserves. (Insert Crickets chirping sound here!)

But alas I am sent to the floor with idiots like Lou Dobbs on CNN actually perpetuating this cockamamie notion. I find it hard to believe that by now this is still an issue, and if there was really something to any of this that it would not have been jumped upon by either the Clinton or McCain camps during the 2 year presidential election cycle.

Rep John Campbell (R) CA - co-sponsor of the legislation tried to defend himself with Chris Mathews on Hardball (MSNBC) tonight. It was almost comical to watch him dance around simple questions while not appearing completely foolish, and almost embarrassed. On more than one occasion Chris was able to get the Congressmen to show just how deep his political motivations are rooted. And like any politician, be it good or bad, Campbell continually dodged the simple answers with political subterfuge! Now I for one have had enough of this issue and no this is not a cry from the left in counter-attack. I just think it is more a cry from the reasonably educated let's just stop this nonsense, and move forward with the tough fight at hand. Our economy is still a major concern, we have two wars and a variety of foreign policy hot spots to deal with. Unemployment is soaring, housing markets are barely breathing. Let's just say we have bigger fish to fry. Come on people - it is time we start acting responsibly and work together across political party lines, social divides, and cultural and racial difference and provide solutions for the future! Peace Out friends!

Digital Penguin!

The Politics of the Bark and Growl!

2009-07-16T13:33:00.000-07:00

I sit at the top of the "power pyramid" of our pack. Now for you non-dog owners much of this blog is for naught, but for the rest of us crazy canine lovers - most know that this is an often precarious position to be in. Particularly because this pack has the joyous dynamic to include 4 Jack Russell Terriers and a rescued Terrier/Cattle Dog mix! Let's just say they are an active bunch that create a constantly shifting power dynamic that can often be difficult and precarious to navigate.

Now the view from the top often provides a humorous look at this dynamic, and usually this leads to a laugh out loud or two, but lately there seems to be an ongoing comedy sitcom with a laugh track that just won't stop! Now perhaps it should be noted that one of the best parts of this canine recipe of fun is the age range and disparity across the 5 dogs in the pack. This is key particularly when you take into account the fact that because I have Jack Russells (Beatrice is a cattle dog/terrier mix so I often just lump her in to the JRT clan) - Their completely insane approach to life and all of its challenges provides constant fodder "for the writers"

I have just about every age segment covered. Osceola age 16 (112 in Dog Years) has the geriatric angles covered. His 10 year old daughter Samantha (the TV watching dog) has midlife and each crisis that brings handled. We have Beatrice in the middle of the pack, not only does she stand out for being a completely different breed she is a completely different dog too. Much more empathetic and in touch with the sensitive side of life. She is followed by the two boys Abe (2) and Oscar (1). Abe is the only one of our Jacks not of the Osceola bloodline. That being said he is a delight! Truly a unique little dog that provides all the really great traits of the JRT breed without some of the less than appealing ones. I have yet to meet "anyone" who doesn't think that he is an extremely special little dog - perhaps he has a career ahead of him I am still not sure just how to market "it" but he definitely has "it"!

And finally we have Oscar, and with him we get all the fun that reckless abandon brings to the table. Being just a year and half old he is still all puppy through and through. I see flashes of brilliance which I know as evidence that he is his Grandfather's grandson. Osceola was quite the dog who carried me on the adventure of a lifetime so I should know!

And now that you know the cast of characters you can only guess the fun. The constant struggle for who's on top and and in control provides continual material for the writers of this ongoing dog show. Osceola may be the Alpha dog by proxy, but each member of the pack spends moments in the throne. Each episode plays out continually around us each day, one need only to take the time and pay attention and watch! So the moral of this ramble finally reveals itself. Dog lovers know, and animal lovers in general agree - these companions bring so much to our lives. Take some time to take stock and reap the harvest! Just my two cents - Peace Out!

Digital Penguin

The law does NOT apply to everyone!

2009-07-14T06:21:00.000-07:00

Well I was spending my morning reading the news, and listening to the AM pundits describe the recent revelations being uncovered in the latest Bush Administration scandal to descend upon the daily news cycle! Only one word comes to mind "WOW!"

Now it has come to light that there were secret operations being carried out under the direction of the office of the Vice President of the United States. Now up to this point that really isn't the frightening aspect of this story. Under the circumstances, with military engagements being carried out in two separate countries, a "supposed" - War on Terror being waged against I am not quite sure who? And a collection of other, very increasingly, difficult foreign policy predicaments occurring simultaneously, I would expect the need for secret covert operations to be planned and executed under the directions of our highest government officials. The astonishing aspect of this story is based upon the notion that most if not all of these recent "Secret Operations" were carried out in direct violation of the National Security Act of 1947. That's right, the law does not apply to everyone........................hmmmmmmmm there seems to be a disconnect here.

We are a nation founded upon principles that are based on the ideal that all men are created equal, bound by their restraints within the laws of the land. Laws that were created by the people for the people. Noble, lofty aspirations yes, but there is one big caveat her. The laws are not equally applied across all culture, race, and gender lines. Often the color of ones skin, or the social class of an individual, greatly affects just how rigorously the interpretation of the law applies to them. And based on these recent revelations about so called covert intelligence operations being planned and funded on the low down it is quite apparent that the law does not apply equally to all. Our former Vice-President Dick Cheney and his rogue band of misfits, are presently living the good life. Fishing and hunting in the wilds of Wyoming. Well, that's when the former VP isn't sowing his seedy seeds of illogic across the airwaves on one of his recent media tours!

Every day there seems to be another revelation disclosing new aspects of this story. Personally I think there has been enough information put forth to definitely call for inquirery by a Special Prosecutor. I know, I know - You would accuse me of being semi-biased and just calling for the sharks now that there is blood in the water. But let me be perfectly clear here! (Yes I just quoted my favorite President.) What value do you place on the lives of the soldiers that have died in the battlefield in defense of these ideals and the laws that are based upon them.

And as hard as you may find this to believe, I am highly critical of the Obama Administration for not realizing that although we might want to look at the future. We often learn the most by looking at our past, and if it has come to light that the law has been broken. The President should not hesitate to instruct the Justice Dept. to began the investigations. It is the duty of his office to adhere to the principles that all of this house of cards is predicated upon. He has taken an oath to defend the Constitution and all of the principles that it was based upon, and if "ALL" men are created equal and the law applies to "ALL" men - THEN - well let's just say - "Hey Dick know a good lawyer?" That's my two cents worth! Peace Out!

Digital Penguin

What the Fu__!

2009-06-18T15:10:00.000-07:00

Well after this morning's news onslaught I am once again brought to the point of befuddlement! I just don't get the GOP and the Republican take on things these days. I have never seen a more confused, incoherent and ragtag collection of ideas, and nonsense. Yes, I know I am probably not the best person to be reviewing their ideas since I might be accused of a slightly left leaning point of view. But come on now, does any of this stuff make any sense whatsoever.

1. - Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R) Minnesota - told the Washington Times on Wednesday that she will not be filling out all the questions on next year’s census because ACORN will be one of the federal government’s many community partners for conducting the census. But what she is proposing to do is illegal, the Times reports.

“I know for my family the only question we will be answering is how many people are in our home,” she said. “We won’t be answering any information beyond that, because the Constitution doesn’t require any information beyond that.”

“There’s great concern that’s being raised because now ACORN has been named as one of the federal partners… This is very concerning because the mother load of all data comes from the census,” she said.

But as the paper reports, Bachmann is “misreading” the law — and it could cost her family $100 per question left unanswered.

Can't the people of her congressional district not find some better more intelligent, coherent person to represent them. Wow if this is any indication of the the demographics there I am glad I live in PA. Sorry don't mean to slight any Minnesotans just calling it like I see it!

2. - Mike Pence (R) Indiana - As the election turmoil in Iran continues days after the election, the response from the new Administration is guarded at best. As has been the case for many other actions during his young presidency, Barack Obama has confronted the situation pragmatically. I for one think this approach best. But the GOP and the ridiculous right are calling on the president to come out in support for the opposition of the so called winners in the tainted election. Mike Pence, bullhorn in hand is screaming the loudest! He has criticized Obama for having allowed the protests to continue without hint of interference from the United States.

If you need to be reminded we (the US) do not have such a great history with Iran as far as the whole regime change game is concerned. So with that in mind, despite the best intentions of our new sitting president taking the cautious approach, Mike Pence would rather we throw caution to the wind and start loudly prostrating our support for one side or the other. Despite the danger of making a very delicate situation worse by providing the Government of Iran the ammunition needed to claim we are interfering in their affairs, and using this propaganda to suppress the opposition and keep the politics as status quo which is not very promising for US interests. Yes, an argument can be made for the point of view that would suggest we show support in the name of democracy. But there are considerations that should be made in reference to culture, and religious conflicts that date back thousands of years and therefore, resolutions and cooperation, progress and success are measured on a completely different scale. So prudence and caution on this front are more than acceptable from my president!

3. - Michael Steele (R) Chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) - During an interview today he was actually verbalized a statement that insinuated that the Obama administration is planning on creating some sort of "Health Police" to enforce it's mandated healthcare provisions that will be forced upon the people ("voters") if there is a public option offered in the new proposed health care reform legislation. Here's a link to the story - http://thinkprogress.org/2009/06/19/steele-health-police/
Come on now, this cart (the Republican Party) racing downhill and the wheels are coming off quickly at the rate they are going things are not looking good for them. Not only are they struggling to demonstrate some semblance of relevance in Washington these days. But there was Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) - Republican Whip waving another 4 page Republican proposal on Health Care Reform. Just like their "numberless" budget proposal, this one had no fiscal numbers as to cost, and no reference to how many additional people would receive insurance coverage. Nice work guys!

Once again I question just what is the purpose of the Republican party these days? Are they just practicing "obstructionism"? Are they in some strange contest to see just how low they can drive their popularity numbers in the poles? I just can't figure it out! Well I can say they need to get with the program soon we have some big issues that need addressing - STAT! I think it is time to get to the table, roll up some sleeves and get to work on fixing some of this broken stuff - Health Care System, Energy and the Environment, Foreign Policy (2 Wars, the Middle East and North Korea Ugh!) Don ask Don't Tell, Marriage Equality for all Americans. There is so much to be done and we are wasting our time with this crap! Come on guys can't we do better? Just my two cents! Peace out! - Digital Penguin

John Ensign - Hypocrisy at its Best!

2009-06-17T08:12:00.000-07:00

So I saw the news conference today with John Ensign (R - Nevada) announcing that he had an affair while on the campaign trail. My, my how things quickly change in Washington. The old adage "What goes around comes around" is the first thing that comes to mind!

It wasn't all that long ago that I watched this man call for the resignation of another Republican, Senator Larry Craig who had found himself in let's just say a little controversy of his own. It was this same Senator who back when President Clinton was struggling with his own personal indiscretions, called for the president to resign, or face impeachment.

Now the shoe is on the other foot, and there stood the junior Senator from Nevada facing the cameras and reporters. The tail was oddly familiar, and now we are being asked to forgive and forget. Not so fast there Senator. I used to live in Lake Tahoe - a local to your politics in Nevada and now you are asking a lot. Life is a tough road, politics even tougher. I think our politicians would be better served to spend more time working on policy and problems and issues. Grandstanding, and passing judgment on others should be left to the Judicial system and lawyers practicing law. SO! I am not so quick to dismiss the Senator here. I think the more you have to say in judgment of others, the higher the standard to be placed on your actions. So I just want whats fair here. Take the time to call your local US Senate office and let your Senator know that he or she should call for censure from the Ethics Committee. I know some of you might think this harsh. I just think it is time we started expecting more from our elected officials. Just my two cents worth - Peace Out!

Digital Penguin

What's wrong with this ...............

2009-04-30T05:39:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we were hanging around the house living our low key domestic life in rural Solebury Township about 45 minutes north of Philadelphia, when, while channel surfing through the digital cable library of mediocre programming when I stumbled upon the 2009 NFL draft on ESPN. As I sat there and listened as they reported the contract signing of the number pick with the Detroit Lions, the amount somewhere in the neighborhood of 80 million over 6 years with 40 something million guaranteed! I was sitting there trying to grasp the reality of what it would have been like if when I was 22 years old someone had handed me 46 million dollars before I showed up for my 1st day on the job. No probationary 90 period to start out to see that everything is a good fit first, no performance based bonus structure worked into a base salary, just here are your millions and then we react astonished when young men like Michael Vick, Travis Henry, Matt Jones........etc the list goes on and on and on! All display less the exemplary behavior as if we should expect more from them they are after all professional athletes. I never quite understood why we placed these people on the pedestals we do. We pay them ridiculous amounts of money to do nothing more than play a game!

Now let me distinguish my point of view here! I think it is wonderful that these young men can earn as much money as they can aspiring to the top of their profession, but there is no comparable blueprint or model in the non professional athletics world where you become a millionaire before you perform your first day on the job. Having had an up close and personal experience with professional athletics (my brother played baseball in the Major Leagues) I have a very strong argument against guaranteed contracts. I think they have ruined professional sports and I think even more importantly they provide an example that says I should be rewarded for who I am not what I have done. It provides disproportionate reward for unattainable goals that then reinforce the importance on athletic ability as opposed to perhaps providing an example of rewarding academic achievement. Then we all sit and lament and question what is wrong with society today? This "is" what's wrong with society. We allow our dream of a new day and a better life for ourselves to only be fulfilled by making it on television, or Hollywood or professional athletics, when now more than ever before it is more important that we strive for professional and personal fulfillment by giving more of ourselves to the cause of the common good. We need to donate more, and volunteer as much as possible. This is how we can improve our lives and probably at the same time begin to jump start our sputtering economy.

We need to start at home as they say on HGTV and although I like to sit and enjoy a televised pro footbal game as much as the next person. I think it is time we revisit our priorities and start spending our time and money more wisely. Sorry didn't mean to rant against Mathew Stafford or single him out, it just got me thinking about the big picture. And as you all can read that can be a dangerous exercise!
Peace Out!
DigitalPenguin!

And Arlen makes 59!

2009-04-29T07:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon I was reading some emails and listening to the news when I heard Andrea Mitchell of MSNBC reporting the political malay surrounding the party defection of Arlen Specter the Pennsylvania Republican Senator who had just jumped ship and joined the Democratic caucus. my how things change quickly, and I guess it is safe to assume, there is no way possible, that Al Frankin will see the inside of the Senate chamber anytime soon. It is a sit up and take notice moment. A crystal clear message of repudiation that should not be ignored, the Republican party used to include people like my parents who were moderate, fiscally conservatives, with a center leaning moral stance. Today the Republicans have allowed the far right Christian conservative leadership to transform the party and its message into a divisive, non inclusive view, that has alienated the majority of Americans.

Don't get me wrong here I am in no way sympathetic to the Republican cause, I am a true blue Democrat through and through! But there is some small amount of apathey I feel all the while I am being most thoroughly entertained by the response of the Republican leadership, who immediately began portraying Senator Specter as some left wing radical. It is sad to see what the Republican party has become, I had always enjoyed a spirited debate founded on opposing thoughts and differing ideologies. I have many good friends who are old school Republicans, like my parents were! But lately I find myself only finding that argument with right wing radicals who base much of their political persuasion on hatred, ignorance and a complete lack of logical thought process. The independent voters spoke very clearly in the last election. And if the Republican party doesn't lean how to diversify and become a much more inclusive political party, they will be enjoying many years to come in the complete minority. I just heard one analogy that was well put - It is better to be working somewhere on the train with steam in it's boiler, then it is to be driving the train whose fire is doused and is going no where fast! And with that note I will bid adeau' and Peace Out
DigitalPenguin!

Another Stormy Day Looms Ahead!

2009-04-21T06:12:00.000-07:00

As I sit here checking my email and messages before starting out on todays to do list I am listening to the news in the background. A pretty young woman is sitting there telling me how bad today is going to be on Wall Street, another dismal stock market day -WooHoo!

You kind of learn to steel yourself for the worse! I mean if you are not in it for the short term and have some stock market funds for the long term and perhaps it is only in retirement accounts then you just have to grin and bear it. Today there are apparently a number of firms giving out their 1st quarterly profit reports and the anticipated news is not supposed to be good. I guess I should turn the TV off and start on my world, and work on the things I have control over. Make my effort to make the day a little better for someone other than me! That's a good goal. Have a great day!

Peace out!
Digital Penguin

The fight for the planet

2009-04-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

I sit by every day on the sidelines as my husband, who shall remain nameless, works tirelessly for a rather large environmental advocacy organization, which shall remain nameless. I often hear from my one sided exposure to his endless phone calls - that recently, a more increasing importance being put on the environmental movement is a struggle like no other we have ever faced. It's importance is not as easy as one might think to grasp. There are so many battles to be fought to try to break through and get the message to start to sink in. What are the proper channels, which message will resonate. Which media outlet will get the highest impact and, more importantly, have the message properly received and acted upon. Now more than ever before I see the struggle become fiscally costlier and all too often the higher the profile, the higher the budget - which sure does seem like an easy argument to be made for - "Donate something today!

These organizations work extremely hard, bound by dwindling donation pools, higher operating costs, shrinking personnel pools from which to hire. And a growing urgency with which they make their case and fight to get the message out! Now I am not about to start to tell people where they should spend their charitable donations. I would however, make a point to say that we as a society should, now more than ever, try to make a difference. Often it is as small and as simple as your membership fee, or minor donation, that makes the difference in the viability of programs that are essential and invaluable in helping improve our lives. We should strive to spend a small amount of our free time volunteering or donating time at a local food bank or shelter, and I do mean "ANY" kind of shelter - be it homeless, elderly, juvenile, even animal. They all need help, and you would be surprised how much just a few hours of community service helps these places operate more efficiently while growing and strengthening neighborhoods at a local civic level. A sense of pride and community is found amongst a greater cross section of all peoples. Regardless of race, sex, age, creed, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. And however it is that you decide to contribute whether it is by donating your money, your time, or your efforts - whatever it may be! Know that it goes by "not" unnoticed, nor any less appreciated. We "do" see you doing so, and we "are" aware of your sacrifice. One small random act of kindness can breed more and more. And now this blog has gotten way too long and is rambling, So Peace out!
DigitalPenguin

PS Guys - Donate where you can and try to do something to help!

Rescession? Couldn't find it Last Night!

2009-04-17T08:05:00.000-07:00

So my partner and I went to see "Westside Story" last night on Broadway! My first time visiting the Theater's of fame and fortune, the bright lights, and big city atmosphere that is uniquely New York! I have to say I was impressed, not only by the overall performance, which was a sold out affair at the Palace on a unassuming Thursday evening in early April, right on Broadway. I guess that is as good an introduction to Broadway as it gets. We were also there to witness the angelic performance of Nicholas Barasch the 10 year old son of a colleague's of Phil's. How cool it must be to be performing and working in Theater on Broadway at the age of 10. Nickolas was starring in the role of Kiddo with a solo song performance of the shows anthem - He was fantastic - such poise.

Anyway the point of my post this morning is to point out that I know I may not get into the city often but from where I was standing there was little if any evidence of any economic downturn going on in New York. Every restaurant was full and most stores seem to be bristling with customers. I know it is hard to get any accurate idea unless you have some way of quantifying the activity, but it sure did seem busy, from the hour wait to get a table at Junior's Deli, to the Train ride home to New Hope at 11:00 pm in the evening. I just didn't get a whoe lot of evidence that the economy is in the crapper! I know, I know I am a very lucky guy whose life is pretty insulated against the really crappy stuff going on right now! But from my point of view last night things were actually pretty good and when compared to so much of the horror's I see nightly on the news I think even with our economy in the crapper - things aren't all that bad! Again just my three cents worth today!

Peace Out
Tim - Digital Penguin

I for one can't figure it out.............

2009-04-16T07:45:00.000-07:00

I watched yesterday and last night as the news outlets reported about the "great outbreak of public outrage" in the form of these teabag "uprisings"! Well I for one couldn't get any real sense as to just what the purpose of it all was. I noticed a collection of people with varying messages gathered to do little more than express right wing outrage with the loss of an election and an inability to deal with the fact that the other party - the Democrats are in the majority rule! There was so little continuity in just what they were protesting I struggled to grasp the message, was I missing something here? There were those who seemed to be demonstrating against tax increases, and increased government size and fiscal spending - Okay I am even concerned about some of those issues. But there were way too many splinter demonstrations, that seemed increasingly directed at the new president calling him a marxist, nazi, anti-semitic monster with no birth certificate, and ties to islamic revolutionaries. There were the same old same old's - who were keeping up there tired racial infrences as well. Isn't it time we as Americans moved beyond these ridiculous, petty, socially dangerous discriminations and move forward as a diverse society who is working together to solve the vast array of troublesome issues and problems we face going into the remainder of the 21st century! As much as I support the right to demonstrate and speak your opinions publicly can't we find better, more productive ways to spend our days. Just my two cents worth for today!

Support your President - it is your civic duty!

2009-04-13T07:26:00.000-07:00

Recent news from Capitol Hill and Congress have illustrated the great divide still ever present, despite the bipartisanship effort being put forth by the Obama administration. The Republicans are doing everything in there power to keep status quot as opposed to working towards a goal of digging our country out of the mess we have fallen into! I completely respect a difference of opinion, but the constant drumbeat from the far right that continues to spew some incredibly wacky stuff from the likes of Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann (MN) talking about re-education camps and forced government service is downright scary. How do these people get elected. Have we as a country stopped educating ourselves against crazy thinking like this.

It is time to get out and let your local Congress member and Senators know that we as Americans expect more. Let's work toward getting our economy moving in a new direction. Let's put political gain aside for the greater good of the country, there will be time to worry about the next election cycle later. We have far bigger fish to fry - like - Education and Energy reform, the Environmental crisis, escalating unempolyment - and on and on and on!

And don't think you cannot make a difference - suprisingly our elected officials actually want to hear from their constituents. Input and advice from the general population actually allows them to stay better informed about what matters most, and how better to vote on issues that effect all of us. By doing so you participate in what makes this country unique and the greatest place to live. There are so many people in this world that have no say so about their lives and what happens with the way their governments work. So stand up and speak out - It does make a difference!
Peace out and call today
Digital Penguin

KidRobot - A Thumb on the Pulse of Cool

2009-03-28T15:46:00.000-07:00

KidRobot sure does know Toys. They have created a community that not only is loyal, which is an incredibly effective way to sell product, but they have done so by gathering an ever growing stable of Artists from a variety of disciplines. Each one gives a unique element of surprise and talent that provides the Mother Ship with a constant feel for what is popular and relevant. Obviously it is a great recipe for success, and one that has many fans and a mulitude of copycats!

Take the time to discover their world at: http://www.kidrobot.com
I know you will enjoy the trip, and tell em Digital Penguin sent you!

Peace Out Guys!

The Limited Edition.........Is it really that "Limited"

2009-03-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

My Addiction for Vinyl.......

2009-02-17T14:43:00.000-08:00

Urban Designer Vinyl Toys - Why would a 48 year old man be addicted to this? I really can't answer that last question with any other good reason other than "They are just plain COOL!"
When my partner and best friend Phil, came home last year with the first of these things I was thinking to myself - "what the f__k!"

14 months later, and the following images will say it all. These along with my ebay store and the toy section of my website should be plenty of evidence of addiction in the clinical sense of the word.
Feel free to comment and laugh out loud!

We love it and that's all that really matters.

Can anything KidRobot be Bad?...........

2009-02-11T15:29:00.000-08:00

Just a thought after spending some time today perusing the KidRobot Website. They really do have their thumb on the pulse of the designer toy revolution and culture. I have to give kudos where needed and this company is spot on.