Big Bird turns the big 4-0 today

Photo: www.blissfullydomestic.com

I’m a bit out of “Sesame Street”’s target demographic, but this post is brought to you by the letter H, for Happy Birthday.

Here’s to forty more.

Love,

-S, who still knows the lyrics to “It’s Not Easy Being Green”…

 

Today is the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall

Photo: www.europa.eu

There is a small piece of concrete with the rest of my valuables. One side is a melange of colors; the other side is smooth. One of my roommates brought it back for me years ago after a visit to Germany. It’s part of the former Berlin Wall.

Google thought this event sufficiently important to put up a slideshow of photos and video at their site. You might be interested in taking a look.

http://www.google.com/berlinwall09.html

-S

And we have a suspect in the murder of Officer Timothy Brenton

I was relieved to read late last evening that there’s someone in custody. Looks like the party in question’s been pretty busy in the meantime.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010226607_suspect08m.html

Amid the carnage and confusion of the Halloween night ambush-slaying of Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton was one seemingly incongruous clue that soon took on an ominous meaning.

A bandanna printed with the American flag, found near the patrol car where Brenton was gunned down, provided a chilling connection to a second crime, just nine days earlier, that also targeted Seattle police.

The link — to the bombing of Seattle police vehicles on Oct. 22, where a small flag was found — allowed investigators to quickly determine Brenton almost certainly had been targeted simply because he was an officer. And it helps explain why police officials quickly labeled the killing an assassination.

Detectives are trying to determine why the man suspected of both crimes, Christopher John Monfort, 41, apparently held a grudge against officers that spiraled from destructive to deadly in so little time. Police on Saturday labeled him a “domestic terrorist” who was apparently acting alone and whose motives remain under investigation.

I don’t have anything vile enough to call Mr. Monfort. The English language fails to meet my need for self-expression right now. I hope he recovers from his gunshot wound. I hope that he stands trial. After all, that’s the way we do things in America. If he is found guilty, I hope he never sees the exterior of a prison again.

It’s unfortunate that those who wish to make a statement in our society by killing others can’t simply lean into the strike zone and take one for the team, to quote Dennis Miller.

-S

Have you seen this car?

Photo: Seattle Police Department

Thousands of law enforcement officers joined in the procession to Seattle Police Department Officer Timothy Brenton’s funeral this afternoon at Key Arena in Seattle.  A being I can only classify as a waste of skin spineless coward murderer shot Officer Brenton to death on Halloween night as he and a student officer were parked in their police car on 29th Avenue in Seattle. Officer Brenton leaves behind a wife, children, loving family and friends, and a stunned and shaken community.

A 1980-83 Datsun B-210 was seen more than once in the video from the officers’ car, and is believed to be driven by whomever did this. One doesn’t see a lot of those on the road these days, so hopefully, someone will come forward with information that might help identify the shooter.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010213315_copshot06m.html

Police urged the killer to come forward, saying they would listen to any grievance and why he chose the Seattle Police Department as a target.

“Everyone has a conscience,” Pugel said, noting the assailant might even admire police.

“The fact that he killed a very good human being, I don’t know if he understood that when this occurred,” Pugel said.

In the meantime, if you know the shooter, tell him or her to man up and turn themselves in. If they’re so proud of what they’ve done, facing it should be no problem at all. If you’d like to make a call, I’m sure Crime Stoppers would be happy to talk with you. They’re at 800/222-TIPS.

My condolences go out to Mrs. Brenton and her family. If you live in the area and you’d like to make a donation, it’s possible to do so at any Bank of America branch. Please specify the “Brenton Family Assistance Fund”.

What an incalculable loss.

-S

Twelve people are dead in attacks at Fort Hood, Texas

The press conference wrapped up minutes ago; there’s another one shortly.

Twelve are dead, including one of the alleged three shooters. Thirty-one people are injured.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ihGepAkECGoDagETVBMpPb3w7Y3gD9BPKKFG0

The first shooting began at about 1:30 p.m. at a personnel and medical processing office, Army spokesman Lt. Col. Nathan Banks said. The facility, called a Soldier Rating and Processing center, handles administrative details for soldiers.

Banks says the second shooting took place at a theater on the sprawling base.

Sgt. Rebekah Lampam, a spokeswoman at Fort Hood, said it was not known whether the shooters were soldiers or civilians.

An Army spokesman said the base was locked down after the shootings.

For more information, please go to the following:

www.cnn.com

www.msnbc.com

My thoughts and prayers go out to those at Fort Hood, their families and friends.

-S

The timetable for health care reform “may slip”, according to Harry Reid

I’d like to dedicate the above to Senator Harry Reid… After all, “meet the new boss, same as the old boss” is highly appropriate, isn’t it?

It seems like I spend a lot of time these days apologizing for being tardy at TLPC. Mostly, stuff like the following demoralizes me. I realize there’s a lot of other things I could be covering on my blog as well, but for someone who typically lives and breathes politics, the current climate is beyond frustrating. It occurs to me that politics is, essentially, kabuki — it’s all about power and money, and whatever those in public office have to do to solidify their hold on power and keeping the campaign money rolling in is what’s going to happen.

It’s so nice that people like Harry Reid can screw around with legislation millions desperately need. After all, it sure doesn’t affect him or his colleagues, does it? If there was a way to strip Congress and the executive of their health insurance until every possible American is covered, it would be a great thing. I find it more than amusing that a complicated bailout of the financial industry was accomplished in one week, but health care — not important!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091103/ap_on_bi_ge/us_health_care_overhaul

Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., spoke as Democratic officials said it could be December before Senate debate begins in earnest on the issue atop President Barack Obama’s domestic agenda, months after senior lawmakers and the White House had hoped. The drive to pass legislation has been plagued for months by divisions within the party’s rank and file.

House leaders, on a somewhat faster track, pointed toward a vote this weekend on a bill to extend coverage to tens of millions who lack it, ban insurance industry practices such as denying coverage because of pre-existing medical conditions and generally slow the rate of growth of medical spending nationwide. The 10-year, $1.2 trillion legislation is estimated to expand coverage to about 96 percent of eligible Americans.

The measure includes an option for consumers to purchase a government insurance plan, an attempt to put pressure on private firms.

While Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and House leaders weighed final changes to their version of the bill, Reid for the first time publicly raised the possibility that lawmakers would not be able to meet their — and Obama’s — self-imposed deadline of completing work on health care by year’s end.

“We’re not going to be bound by any timelines. We need to do the best job we can for the American people,” he said after the weekly closed-door meeting of rank-and-file Democrats.

Don’t you actually mean “the best job we can for the health insurance industry”,  Senator Reid? Do you have the slightest idea what it is like for millions around the country who wonder whether or not they can afford to go to the doctor, whether to fill the prescription the doctor has just given them or go without, or whether or not to take the baby they think has H1N1 to an emergency room because they have no insurance coverage, and can’t hope to get it? These people cannot wait. While you dither, wave your hands around and count the money in your campaign coffers, the people who voted you into office (and pay your salary!) are the ones who suffer. Of course, again — this means nothing to you and your colleagues. As long as those checks clear, it’s all great, isn’t it?

In the meantime, there is news today about a H1N1 emergency sick leave bill proposed in Congress. People are going to work sick because they either can’t afford to stay home without sick leave, or their employers compel them to come to work anyway. I was amused to note that the bill in question doesn’t take effect until 14 days after it’s signed. Isn’t it the height of flu season right now?

If you’re as angry as I am, feel free to give the good Senator’s office a call. I’m sure his staff will enjoy it.

528 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3542 / Fax: 202-224-7327

If they tell you you’re outside of Nevada and Senator Reid doesn’t have to respond, be sure to tell them that as Majority Leader of the Senate, he represents the country, which means everyone.

If you’d like to call your own electeds about health care reform, they’re available at the following.

http://www.senate.gov/

http://www.house.gov/

-S

There’s trick-or-treating at the White House tonight

2,200 goody bags containing a White House cookie, Presidential M&M’s, and dried fruit were prepared for tonight’s trick-or-treaters.

Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak

No matter how frustrated I am with President Obama, it’s nice to have children in the White House again. It’s even better when 2,200 of their friends can come and visit.

We won’t see 2,200 tonight at Casa de Dauphin/Strategerie, but the sixty or so kids that usually make it to our front door will be treated to Kit-Kats, Reese’s peanut butter cups, Smarties, and (if they ask!) a hug.

Happy Halloween, everyone!

-S

Six-year-old Elena Desserich’s love lives on, one heart at a time

Photo: Today Show

It’s a heartrending story — a six-year-old with pediatric brain cancer spent the time she had left writing and hiding notes for her family all over their house. Even more remarkable, Elena Desserich’s parents never told her about her diagnosis. Somehow, she just knew, and she wanted to make sure she left something for them.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33505351/ns/today-today_books

And so, the girl who loved art and reading began to write notes on any paper she could find: Post-it notes, scrap paper, pink hearts her mom cut out for her, printer paper. The messages were addressed to her parents, her little sister, Gracie, her grandparents, even her great-aunt’s dog. Most carried simple variations on a theme: “I love you Mom Dad and Grace.” And most are decorated with her favorite symbol: a heart.

***

There were so many of them, in so many places, that it became clear Elena wasn’t inspired by whimsy, but had set out with a clear purpose. “It wasn’t just a random collection of notes. She was actually hiding these notes for us,” her father said.

“It was her way of letting us know that everything would be OK,” added Brooke. “You hope that it never ends.”

I hope it never ends, too.

The article’s a great and inspiring read, full of more of Elena’s notes. (I recommend lots and lots of Kleenex.)

Thanks to the Desseriches for sharing their memories of a remarkable little girl.

-S

Help. We have an 11-month-old chocolate Lab.

Moose helps with the laundry

It’s time for a Moose update.

When we last looked in on the chocolate cyclone that rules our household, he was asleep on the family room floor. He was snoring in a pile of my dirty laundry, previously destined for the laundry room. It seems that he devised some method of sneaking off his tether, seizing the mesh laundry basket, and shredding it. (I was working at the time, which was my first mistake.) When Moose was questioned about this, he gave me his best “You’re not really mad at me, are you?”, heart-melting gaze. Tatters of my favorite t-shirt were hanging out of his mouth. Of course, he is left wondering why I wasn’t complimenting him on his obviously superior chewing talents.

We laugh at the words “almost indestructible” on any dog toy. If there’s a way to destroy it, Moose will do so, and in quick order. We bought him one of the “fire hose” toys last night at the grocery store, which he destroyed in less than five minutes. We have photographic proof. The only toy that seems to survive is the red Kong, which he is bored with unless there are treats hidden inside.

If dogs were allowed in the NFL, he would be a natural. There’s only one problem — if he got anywhere near the ball, the game would be over. Quickly. I’m thinking he would make a great linebacker. After all, not only is he great at chewing, I can only imagine his sacking ability would rival Jared Allen’s. Let’s just say we’re still working on the jumping. (All we have to do is accidentally smear some spray cheese on the opposing team’s quarterback.)

When we’re not spending the GNP of a smallish country on dog toys and at the vet, to say that Moose is endearing and irresistible is an understatement.  He’s just so excited to see everyone. The smallest things (a tummy rub, for example!) bring a madly wagging tail. It’s hilarious to see him riding shotgun in The Dauphin’s truck — after all, they like to hit the Starbucks drive-through on the weekends.

We have something in common now with everyone who’s ever fallen in love with a puppy.

-S

Pilots were “checking their laptops” during overfly incident

Yup. That’s right. They were unavailable by radio, text message or any other means for over an hour because they were checking flight schedules on their laptops.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2010140286_webnorthwestairlines26.html

Two Northwest Airlines pilots have told federal investigators that they were going over schedules using their laptop computers in violation of company policy while their plane overflew their Minneapolis destination by 150 miles, the National Transportation Safety Board said Monday.

The pilots — Richard Cole of Salem, Ore., the first officer, and Timothy Cheney of Gig Harbor, Wash., the captain — said in interviews conducted over the weekend that they were not fatigued and didn’t fall asleep, the board said in a statement.

Instead, Cole and Cheney told investigators that they both had their laptops out while the first officer, who had more experience with scheduling, instructed the captain on monthly flight crew scheduling. The pilots were out of communication with air traffic controllers and their airline for more than an hour and didn’t realize their mistake until contacted by a flight attendant, the board said.

With all due respect, I disagree. In the interest of maintaining that “clean blog” designation, I submit the following: There is ONE activity that would absorb a man to the extent he was unable to respond (or maintain “situational awareness”) for over an hour, and it’s not updating his Facebook page…

-S