Music Shuffle

"Babe" by Styx
"Evermore" by Neil Diamond
"My Life" by Billy Joel
"Power" by Peter, Paul and Mary
"Heartbreaker" by Pat Benetar
"Thank God it's Christmas" by Queen
"I'm Not Sayin'" by Gordon Lightfoot
"Like a Surgeon" by Wierd Al Yankovich
"Brooklyn Blues" by Barry Manilow
"Second Hand News" by Fleetwood Mac

Democrats Debate, winners and losers

The standings in the polls probably won't change much because of this debate. However, I think the clear winners are Obama and Richardson. Obama, because he was able to stand up to his hype pretty well and spoke eloquently on a couple of key topics, abortion and health care. Richardson, because people got a chance to see that there is some real depth there.

Gravel and Dodd looked like bitter old men compared to their rivals and that will not work for them over-all. Neither one did anything to stand out significantly from the pack.

Edwards played it safe, I think, as did Hillary. I don't think it will do much to change their standings. Hillary is in a place in the polls to play it safe- Edwards is not.

On the abortion issue, I wish someone in the field would have pointed out that from 1992-2000 we had an administration that initiated real policies that were successful in reducing the number of abortions in this country- since that time abortions have again been on the rise thanks to 'compassionate conservativism.'

The big losers in this debate were the republicans we will hear from next week.

Morons of the Week !!!

All News Editors, starting with NBC who chose to release the photos, video and manifesto of the shooter at Virginia Tech. These appauling images are now forever engraved in our minds.

Several have talked about how "they gave him exactly what he wanted." I don't fall into that camp- HE'S DEAD!!! My problem is the continuing blather in the news about this loner who had to involve some 50 others and their families- and our public consciousness- into his suicide.

The Media got this wrong. I defy anyone to explain to me how I or anyone else is better off having had these images and thoughts forced into our brains.

Democratic Front-runner?

Check here to see why this could end being a very exciting time for the Democratic Party. The three-way tie being reported is not because of the apathy that has existed in past races. the depth of the field is producing some strong choices and people seem less content to let anything be a foregone conclusion.When you consider that the Obama, Clinton, Edwards trio have been steeling the media attention I am thrilled that Richardson remains a contender as well. I have my favorites but at this point could support any of these four.

I would bet the Republicans would love this problem. They have more contenders and no apparent leader in the whole field.

This post is the reason for this Blog.

"A Page That Aches" exists as an opportunity to say the things that no others will say about topics no one else will approach. It is not about being politically correct or falling into line with everyone else who is trying to get in line to take the popular position. That being said, here goes!!!

I preface my comments with profound sorrow in the face of the tragically violent acts of a single gunman in Virginia yesterday. My prayers go out to the families and many who have been touched by this evil.

President Bush has announced that he will personally attend a memorial service for the students killed yesterday in Virginia.- What an arrogant prick!!! Never mind the obvious pandering and creation of a photo op in the midst of people's grief. My anger on this issue is that for days, weeks, months and years we have lost (in some cases in one single act of violence) the same numbers in an ill- conceived war that this President has directly caused.

He has never given this same courtesy to the young men and women who have given their lives because of his continuing failed policy. Where is his compassion for them? Where is his photo op? What one of these men or women (or their families) has warranted his compassion?

I am sure Mr President has his reasons but I am appauled. And I am sure that when he makes some assinine commentary about the senseless violence he will wave the flag and talk about how we all need to pull together.

I am not impressed by this display of false compassion.

Music Shuffle

"La Bamba" Neil Diamond
"Hooked on the Memory of You" Neil Diamond
"Smoke on the Water" Deep Purple
"Delirious Love" Neil Diamond
"Closet Chronicles" Kansas
"Look Out Here Comes Tomorrow" The Monkees
"I Am I Said" Neil Diamond (from Hot August Night)
"All Through the Night" Peter, Paul and Mary
"I Shall be Released" Peter, Paul and Mary
"Fooling Yourself" Styx

Moron of the Week

I think Don Imus is the obvious choice. Even Imus has now claimed his comments of the past week as 'the stupidest thing I have ever said'. I am sure, even though he has apologized and lost his job and the women of Rutgers have appeared to move on, we have not heard the last of this one.

Administration to our troops: "BEND OVER!"

This is what is known as a 'back-door' draft. When this administration tells you to support our troops stand up and tell them- YOU FIRST. These bastards have our troops spread so thin on two fronts that we cannot keep up with current need- much les meet the need for the 'surge' that the President continues to promote.

I for one would fully support anyone who brings forth a 'bring them home, NOW ' campaign.
Each week I make a point to watch the names of the fallen on ABC's "This Week." We are losing so many for so little.

Morons of the week

Bill O'Reilly and Geraldo Rivera http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLPuGuaZTx8

You have to give Geraldo the edge for the positon he holds but to get so enraged about Bill O'Reilly, without whom Geraldo would be unemployed, seems like this is all a bit to scripted.
Check it out.

Music Shuffle-

We live for Love- Pat Benetar
I got a Feelin' (Oh No no)- Neil Diamond
The Gypsy- Gordon Lightfoot
The Last Thing on My Mind (Live)- Neil Diamond
Hot in The City - Billy Idol
Shanghai Breezes- John Denver
Peter's Denial "JesusChrist Superstar" London Cast 1998
Minstrel of the Dawn- Gordon Lightfoot
Annie's Song (acoustic mix)- John Denver
The Great Pretender- Queen

A 'Dear Jon' Letter

Dear Jon,
Ten weeks ago, on an icy day in Springfield, we launched an audacious campaign to change our politics and lift our country.
Today, I have some exciting news to share about the phenomenal progress we've made. And I wanted you to hear it first.
I'm proud to tell you that, after the first quarter of the campaign, we've exceeded all of our hopes and expectations.
In less than three months, a staggering 100,000 Americans have contributed to our cause -- tens of thousands more than the number reported by any other campaign. That's on top of the hundreds of thousands who have attended rallies, started groups and shared their ideas and energy.
It's been a truly historic response -- a measure of just how hungry people are to turn the page on this era of small and destructive politics and repair our American community.
And because of that extraordinary base of support, we were able to raise an astonishing $25 million -- $23.5 million of which can be used to help us in the upcoming primary contests.
What makes this achievement even more noteworthy is that we did it without taking any money from PACs or federal lobbyists. Instead, we're counting on you; on folks across America who want to take their country back and steer us to a better course.
You've sent an unmistakable message to the political establishment in Washington about the power and seriousness of our challenge.
But for all the impressive numbers by which pundits will judge this campaign, we know that every step of our progress happens one person at a time.
One person sharing their story of why they decided to get involved in the political process, one volunteer deciding to have a conversation about the campaign with their neighbor, one donor owning a piece of this campaign for as little as $5.
I've been struck by how personal this campaign experience has been for so many of you.
You heard last week from Rashed, a veteran and father who made his first-ever donation to a political campaign because of his hopes for his daughter. This campaign is the story of hundreds of thousands of people like him -- people participating because they believe that politics can mean something again.
We've put together a small presentation about all we've accomplished together so far, and links to a few of the personal stories from people who donated to the campaign or hosted a community get-together this past weekend. You can see it here:
http://my.barackobama.com/wherewestand
I want to thank you for all that you have done so far. This milestone for our campaign proves something I learned as a community organizer long ago: that together a whole lot of ordinary people can achieve something extraordinary.
And we're only just getting started.
Thank you,
Barack Obama