Priorities....

"The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, conducted Jan. 7-11 among 1,503 adults on cell phones and landlines, finds that strengthening the economy and improving the job situation are higher priorities today than they have been at any point over the past decade, and the recent upward trend has been steep. The share of Americans saying that strengthening the nation’s economy should be a top priority has risen from 68% two years ago to 75% last January to 85% today. Concern about jobs has risen even more sharply. The 82% who rate improving the job situation as a top priority represents a 21-point jump from 61% a year ago.

Of the 20 issues people were asked to rate in both January 2008 and January 2009, five have slipped significantly in importance as attention to the economy has surged. Protecting the environment fell the most precipitously – just 41% rate this as a top priority today, down from 56% a year ago. The percentage rating illegal immigration as a top priority has fallen from 51% to 41% over the past year, and reducing crime has fallen by a similar amount (from 54% to 46%). And while reducing health care costs remains a top priority to 59% of Americans, this is down 10-points from 69% one year ago."

Notice what is last on that list? Global Warming. Yep, the supposed cause of the end of the human species is 20th out of 20. I certainly hope that the new administration pays attention to what the people of this country are most concerned about and not what the lobbyists, PACs, and special interest groups are most concerned about. Priorities, Mr. President. It would be wise to align yours with the people you serve.

Ting a ling a ling

And so it begins

The swearing in of our new President is done, the parties will continue long into the night, and tomorrow, the real work begins. Whether you are a fan of the President or not, you simply have to admire the fact that the greatest nation on earth can have a change of government from one political ideal to another so easily, so efficiently. "Congratulations Mr. President" and the reins of power have been passed. No tanks in the streets, no menacing men in military uniforms declaring martial law on television, not even a whisper of the terms "coup" or "junta". We vote, we transition. This is one of the things that makes our country the greatest on earth.

To our new President, I wish him the best. While our opinions differ in many areas, if he succeeds, America succeeds. I hope that he will understand that every action he takes has ramifications that cannot possibly be foreseen, and that he has the insight and internal fortitude to do what is right for our country, and not what is fashionable or chic or what plays well in the insulated, isolated think-tanks. Remember, Mr. President, that you work for us. We have placed our best interests in your hands. Do not take that lightly. Do not look at us as the great unwashed needing your guidance. Look at us as people who have families, hopes, and dreams. Do not categorize us as "red" or "blue", but as the people you have taken an oath to serve and protect. Do not be swayed or panicked into ill-advised courses of action. Let the American people do what we do best. Give us a reason to start a business, not roadblocks to prevent it. Give us hope that hard work will bring us rewards, not punishments.

Godspeed Mr. President. Good luck to you and good luck to us all.

baby it's cold outside

-1 for a HIGH tomorrow. Seriously... it's time to move.

but it's what everyone does...

40 pounds. That's what I am determined to lose. I know you probably think I should come up with something more creative for a new year goal than the hoary old chestnut of losing weight, but that's what I am going to put at the top of the list. The first 10 shouldn't be much of an issue. Changing eating habits, more exercise, whammo! The next 10 are going to involve more determination on my part... discipline, no more Famous Amos breakfast cookies (what? you haven't heard of them? tsk...) and more regimented and varied workout routines. The next 20... maron... I don't even want to think about that right now!

Just to keep the pot bubbling, I also am going to take guitar lessons and figure out our new camera and how to photo-edit with it and some software. I've had the iMac for a year now, and its time to start using it to greater extent.

The other resolution I have is that I am not going to work myself into an apoplexy over the stupidity of others. I will simply accept them for the slack-jawed, booger eating morons that they are and let it go.

I don't hold out much hope for that last one.

Here's an interesting link if you like off the beaten path movies... my friend Keith runs a pretty interesting website for those of us who hide well off the beaten path of society.