The Utah Skies

It's amazing that the same Mother Nature who created these views also produced this week's horrible hurricane devastation. This is the awesome spectacle I witnessed every night from my daughter's balcony while visiting Salt Lake City.... enjoy.
(Click on each image to view full size.)




Talk about a room with a view!


Finally, the "Rainman" shot on our drive to Park City.

Question to the 700 Club

I did some research on the internet tonight regarding Pat Robertson's 700 Club. What I was looking for was Pat's personal email address by following their contact link. Here's a SURPRISE... it's not there! (Chicken shit.) So I used this link:

http://www.cbn.com/contact/feedback-cbnonline.asp

I clicked on "other" for type of message and used "question" as the subject, then sent the following email.:

Is this were I tell Pat he's an idiot?
Sincerely,
Connie in Florida

We shall see what kind of response I receive, if any.
Meanwhile, if you're interested in sending a message yourself, feel free to use my link.

Words...

... just words, each with frightening impact
strong words
cold words
fearful words
powerful words we will soon grow accustom to...

"sticks and stones will break my bones ... but words can never hurt me" another childhood promise broken

... legendary
... historic
... French Quarter
... Mississippi & Alabama
... stranded
... Katrina
... immense
... monstrous
... intensity
... category 5
... surge
... capable of causing catastrophic damage
... a vast cesspool tainted with toxic chemicals, human waste and even coffins
... winds of 160 mph and the power to lift sea level by as much as 28 feet above normal
... absolutely worst-case scenario
... vast swathes of New Orleans could be under water up to 30 feet deep
... 60 percent to 80 percent of the city's houses will be destroyed by wind

"In a few days emergency management officials are going to be wondering how to handle a giant stagnant pond contaminated with building debris, coffins, sewage and other hazardous materials."

... an environmental disaster of biblical proportions, one that could leave more than 1 million people homeless.

After the storm passes, the water will have nowhere to go.

Thoughts and prayers (just in case) to those who are in her path.

Human Frailties

I'll admit it. I am scared. We've been down this path before but today I am really scared. Maybe it's because every time before has been an emergency and there's been no time to dwell on what's over the horizon. The uncertainty. Not being sure of what's next.

You're not suppose to worry about immortality in your 50's, are you? Eighty is old. Not fifty three. Heart disease sucks. I hate it. And yet, in light of everything that has transpired since that first heart attack in February, we have been relatively lucky. Subsequent visits to the hospital via the emergency room by ambulance have resulted in promising results.

This time we've had a couple of weeks to dwell and ponder, wait and worry. Tomorrow yet another stent will be placed in an artery of my dear husband's heart. I think this is number 8. The what ifs are endless and frightening. I have loving family and a multitude of friends who share my concern. Yet, I feel so alone. Apprehensive and unnerved. I am not good at prayer as I am not sure I truly believe, but if crossing fingers, knees and toes counts - I'm covered.

At o'dark-thirty I'll get up and put on my brave face and accompany him to the hospital. Full of doubt and worry I'll smile, make small talk, reassure and kiss goodbye when they make me leave the procedure area... then, I'll make my way to that cold waiting room where I'll sit and hope it wasn't the last time....

Did I mention I'm scared?

::soap box::
IF YOU SMOKE, QUIT!
It's the number one cause of heart disease.

Random Thoughts on War

Have you read Rosie's blog today? If not, you should. She's posted an article written by E.L. Doctorow who uses some awesome words to describe his view of "W".
The Unfeeling President is worth the read.
link --------------------------->

Yesterday was another travel day, made most interesting by a twisted back. My fabulous visit with dear daughter and her hubby came to a close and I was off for home. Waiting in line at the Salt Lake City airport I couldn't help but notice several fellow passengers who had obviously attended the VFW convention. (The hats always give you away.) A lady about my age or a little younger got in line right behind me. Our flight was still over an hour away but when you fly Southwest you are cattle and must wait in your appropriate pen to get a good seat. We were first and second to board the Vegas bound plane where I would change for Tampa and she for San Diego.

Polite conversation followed regarding why we were each in SLC. She had been there for the VFW convention and began to gush about how thrilling the president's speech had been. How wonderful Laura's presence had been and how awful the protesters were. "They grabbed at us and yelled in our faces about ending the war! One of them even touched me." My expression must have changed because she then added something like no matter your view, he's still THE president. The hair on my neck stood up. I was stuck spending the next hour in line with this person I instantly disliked. Shame on her for changing the subject from the weather and Utah tourism to such a heated topic - Shame on me for not saying exactly what I was thinking right then. I don't like confrontation and my back was hurting so I decided not to get into a debate there in the airport. Thankfully, her son's orthodontist called about that time wondering why he wasn't there for his appointment.

Whew, saved by the dreaded cell phone. While she frantically called Grandma, the son, then the doctor's office I racked my brain for the words I could have used to express my opinion tactfully. Since I couldn't come up with anything that didn't contain the phrase "that son of a bitch" in it, I let her tell me about how irresponsible her 16 year old son was for being late to his appointment.

I wonder if her views of THE president and the war will change if two years from now that same child is drafted to serve his country as a soldier in Iraq? If he's killed, will she recall the day he got his braces off while she was on her way home from hearing THE president speak in SLC? Will she then look to Cindy Sheehan for guidance?

Freedom of Speech

I seem to be obsessed with this subject.

Free speach indeed.

____________________________________________________________

KTVX Channel 4 won't air 60-second anti-war ad

By Tom Wharton
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune

If President Bush wants to avoid peace activist Cindy Sheehan when he visits Salt Lake City on Monday, he might want to watch KTVX Channel 4 instead of Utah's other network stations.

That's because Utah's ABC affiliate is the only major network television station in Utah that refused to run a spot featuring a message from the mother whose son was killed in the Iraq War. She is demanding to meet with the president.

According to a press release issued by Gold Star Families, which is sponsoring the ad, the 60-second spot features Sheehan directly addressing the president, who will speak Monday at the Veterans of Foreign War Convention. The group has spent $15,000 on the ad that will air on CBS, NBC and Fox affiliates in Salt Lake City through Monday. But Channel 4, owned by Texas media giant Clear Channel Communications, refused to accept the spot.

Aaron Davis is president of Utah Chapter 118 of Veterans for Peace who helped arrange the advertising and is one of the organizers of a protest scheduled Monday at Pioneer Park.

"They said the ad did not fit their audience," he said. "That was their spin. [It] is basically 60 seconds of Cindy Sheehan asking the president, 'Why did you kill my son?' That is pretty much it. I have difficulty with five mega-operations owning all the media organizations in the country. . . . That tells me that big business and government are in bed together."

Davis said he thinks KTVX refused to carry the spot because it had business dealings with the Bush administration.
But KTVX general manager David D'Antuono said the decision was entirely local.

According to an e-mail released Saturday, D'Antuono said that after Channel 4 viewed the spot, "the management of KTVX felt that the controversial content could very well be offensive to our community in Utah, which has contributed more than its fair share of fighting soldiers and suffered significant loss of life in this Iraq War." "This is a local market decision made by the local management of KTVX-TV."


Transcript of Cindy Sheehan TV ad

"Mr. President, my name is Cindy Sheehan. On April 4, 2004, my son, Casey was killed in Iraq. He was only 24, and he died in his best friend's arms. Casey was so good and so honest. Why can't you be honest with us? You were wrong about the weapons of mass destruction. You were wrong about the link between Iraq and al-Qaida. You lied to us, and because of your lies, my son died. You said he died for a noble cause. What cause? Mr. President, I want to tell you face to face how much this hurts. I love my country. But how many more of our loved ones need to die in this senseless war? How many more soldiers have to die before we say enough? I know you can't bring Casey back. But it's time to admit mistakes and bring our troops home now."
Paid for by Gold Star Families for Peace

Rocky Rocks

Salt Lake City's mayor, Rocky Anderson, has become another public figure to speak out against the war. Read this article and see why he goes on my hero list.

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_2958368

My favorite quite:
"Patriotism," the mayor said, "demands that people speak out when we see our government officials acting in such anti-democratic and deceitful ways to the people of our country."

He also said: "I don't understand people simply blindly going along with the sort of deceit and utter cruelty of this administration. It's not just we have the right to speak out, but we have the obligation to speak out when we see misconduct on the part of the government. The most patriotic thing we can do is stand up against the misuse of governmental power."

Go Rocky!

Another Hero

hero... I've thrown that word around berfore.
Sometimes, someone comes along who just does the right thing and becomes one.

he·ro (plural he·roes)

noun 

Definitions:
 
1. remarkably brave person: somebody who commits an act of remarkable bravery or who has shown an admirable quality such as great courage or strength of character
a war hero

2. somebody admired: somebody who is admired for outstanding qualities or achievements
heroes of the war against poverty

3. Fred Mattlage

Chuhuly Gallery

I love the art of Dale Chuhuly.
His exhibit of hand blown glass in St. Petersburg last year was amazing and wonderful to see.



The Bellagio, in Las Vegas, often features pieces from time to time in addition to the fabulous ceiling fixture in the lobby there.

In 2008 he will open his first gallery in St. Pete next to the new fine art museum.

I can hardly wait!!!

Support Cindy

http://political.moveon.org

This is important.
Please support Cindy Sheehan.

Dana Reeve

Dana Reeve has lung cancer.

I can't believe it.
After all she's been through this seems a cruel blow.

I am sure she's not perfect, but her dedication to her late husband and the stem cell research cause she still works for make her seem like a good candidate for an easier go in life. I admit I do a lot of complaining and feeling sorry for myself when things go wrong. Turns out I have it pretty easy compared to what others must endure.

Hopefully this lovely lady will make a speedy and complete recovery.

Cindy Sheehan's Field Trip

I started a post this morning after reading the story of Cindy Sheehan in the AOL news. (She's the one who's son was killed in Iraq and she went to Crawford to ask "W" why.) Having trouble with the words I needed to express my thoughts, I put off finishing until now. Turns out, Rosie posted exactly what I wanted to say about it on her blog so now I don't need to finish mine, just read hers via the link to the right. ---->

I hate this war. I hate that this president seems to need it to feed his ego. I hate even more that he uses fear to get what he wants. If Iraq isn't another Viet Nam I'd love for somebody to explain it to me.

Very Interesting

Isn't it interesting when a person is centrally involved in one of the biggest news stories of the all time he waits 40 plus years to come forward with information that PROVES what REALLY happened?

Isn't it also interesting that this one lone survivor of the events doesn't take their story to a major newspaper or magazine years earlier, but instead writes a book he alone will profit from after everyone else involved is gone?

Isn't it convenient that none of the other principal characters are alive to corroborate or dispute his story?

Am I the only one who thinks this newest Marilyn theory is a crock?

Says in one internet news story that, tape recordings were secretly made by the actress for her psychiatrist and a written record of the tapes were made by the only person still alive who claims to have heard them. He is former prosecutor John Miner, 86, who says the recordings support his belief Monroe was a victim of foul play.

" ... Miner told the Times he examined the tapes in a bid to determine Monroe's state of mind and came away believing the recordings showed the actress was anything but suicidal."
" ... Miner took "extensive" and "nearly verbatim" notes from the tapes when they were played for him by Monroe's therapist, Dr. Ralph Greenson, now deceased, while Miner was investigating her death."

NEARLY verbatim? At age 86 NOW he comes forward?

Guess Mr. Miner's retirement fund doesn't sufficiently meet his needs.

Give me a break.

Who's Minding the Store?

If "W" is on vacation and Dick is representing US at the oil baron's funeral in the Middle East, who's in charge?

I'm assuming Condoleezza has a key to the House.

Shopping

Why ...

... do people get into the express check out with three times the posted limit?

... don't clerks working the express lane say anything to the person with way too many items who use that lane?

... do people wait until the clerk has rung up and bagged all their purchases before beginning the process of digging for their wallet (or check book)?

... do people who pay by check rarely have their own pen?

... does the cash register tape run out when it's my turn?

... does the cash drawer need change when it's my turn?

... do some retail employees think it's more important to sweep the floor than allow the only shopper in the store access to the area being swept?

... do some drivers going slow in the left lane speed up when you try to pass them then slow back down when you give up the effort?

... don't some drivers use their directional signals? (aka: indicators)

... can't/don't some drivers read the 4' x 4' sign posted that their lane ends SOON?

... do drivers in the merge lane always think they have the right of way?

... do some drivers who aren't using a cell phone sit through green turn arrows instead of paying attention to the signal?

... do people park in handicapped spaces who do not have a handicapped placard?

... didn't I stay home and use the pool?