on-the-upbeat.com

Art not necessary ?!

2012-02-12T05:35:20Z

Comment To: Portland Tribune Newspaper

Michael C. Wagoner of Hillsboro is dead wrong that art is not necessary, that it does not build a thriving city.

It will no doubt come as a surprise to him that children's involvement in the arts is associated with gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skill. Both art and music -- whether passively or actively engaged in -- can improve motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork. Not to mention helping reduce high blood pressure!

As a recent returnee to Portland (after 20 years in southern California) I can personally attest that the abundance of art and music, artists and musicians, play a large part in the renowned neighborly ambiance, friendliness and indeed the livability of my beloved hometown.

Below is just one of a stupendous number of lovely public art displays on buildings, on sidewalks, everywhere. Here we even have artistic lime green bicycle racks and wide lime green painted bike lanes down, around and across oh-so-many streets!

Positively,
Carolan

JC Penney -- good & bad, very BAD!

2012-01-31T03:42:35Z

J.C. Penney Co.
Attn: Public Relations, Advertising and
(new) Chief Executive Officer Ron Johnson

Your new idea of reducing all prices on a permanent basis could be a good one. As a longtime customer and platinum cardholder -- who never carries a balance because your interest rates are usurious! -- I always wait and buy things on sale. Now perhaps I can buy anytime -- but I'll wait and see ...

However, your new television commercials can be judged by anyone with their hearing intact as some of the most horrible ever! The visuals are just plain dumb, and we get way more than enough screaming in actual tv dramas. For you to confront us with these ads is ugly and disrespectful.

With disgust,
Carolan Gladden
Portland, OR

Has our country been ceded to nitwits?

2012-01-26T23:03:43Z

Colleges are the Left's Indoctrination?! So rants Rick Santorum -- who, truth be known, was educated in a combination of public and Catholic schools, with degrees from Penn State University. He practiced law before entering politics.

Interestingly, his schooldays nickname Rooster denoted in part his "defiantly confrontational nature." Read bio.

So, as a longterm Conservative who does not believe in the rights of women or gays or immigrants et al (as well as making some of the most inane remarks of any would-be Presidential candidate) I guess Mr. Santorum must be exempting himself and his education from the ridiculous idea of Democrat indoctrination.

The truly destructive thing is the nitwits who latch on to such stupidity when what we need in this country is individuals with active brains who grasp problems, employ knowledge, imagination and manage to create solutions.

Thank heavens that institutions of higher learning (such as UC San Diego, of which I am a proud administrative employee) are indeed dedicated to imparting knowledge to 25,000 students each year, as well as inculcating the abilities to benefit the country and the world.

And if these ideals do not fit within the Republican arena but rather in the broad-based mission of Progressive politics, let's hear a cheer!

Positively,
Carolan

Attn Carnival: It's not a picnic

2012-01-22T19:32:07Z

In the past few years I have taken 4 cruises on 3 different lines, all enjoyable and safe -- with lifeboat drills conducted within hours of sailing. However, in searching for cruises of interest, I learned that the Carnival Corporation owns 11 major cruise companies and, therefore, controls 49.2% share of the worldwide cruise market!

AIDA Cruises, Germany
Carnival Cruise Lines, United States
Costa Cruises, Italy
Cunard Line, United Kingdom
Holland America Line, United States
Ibero Cruises, Spain
P&O Cruises, United Kingdom
P&O Cruises Australia, Australia
Princess Cruises, United States
Seabourn Cruise Line, United States

It is surprising to me that each line does maintain its own identity -- established as an independent entity long before Carnival came a-buying. However, with the incredible, most-stupid-ever disaster of the Costa Concordia, it seems that Carnival believed they could just reap profits. To hell with overseeing safety regulations, laws and the hiring of responsible captains!

This guy, Francesco Schettino, would be a joke, the quintessential devil-may-care romantic Italian man -- that is, if he were not responsible for the lives of four thousand two hundred other human beings!

And btw in addition to its cruise brands, Carnival also has a Cruise Support segment, and as of November 30, 2010, owned and operated 15 hotels or lodges, with 3,420 guest rooms, 395 motorcoaches and 20 domed rail cars. In the past five years, the corporation's profit margins have been as high as 31.87%.

Of course the captain must be legally prosecuted and the Costa Company accept blame. But, as the parent, Carnival must assume responsibility for this horrific tragedy!

Positively,
Carolan

Martin Luther King Day

2012-01-16T16:57:36Z

Dr. King's dream may be felt and perhaps even realized in some areas. But at least in terms of the west coast, which is the area I know, and taking into account that I'm not a sociologist, I must say that the larger white world in the US is still incredibly oblivious to most everything about the Black community.

1. This lack of knowledge (and interest) goes all the way back to Africa and slave trade history, including the long-term effects of slavery on everyone on all sides.

2. It is still true that the majority of Caucasians over 50 have never even met an African-American. This is changing in younger generations. However, it is older generations who vote and wield political and financial power.

3. It is also true that the white world gets fed a dally tv diet of Blacks as criminals, gang members or cops. But nowhere do they learn of the many impressive accomplishments of Blacks. Nor, indeed, of the fact that credit for the majority of innovations in the creative areas of music, dance, language, video, film rightfully goes to African-Americans.

Bottom line, it may not be possible for all people to be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character unless or until we jointly find ways to educate everyone on these applicable aspects. It's a fact -- once a person gets acquainted with an other, voila! preconceived notions disappear.

And, I probably shouldn't out my dad but he's a great example, regularly using every imaginable slang term for all minorities. It was embarrassing! But when he met a person, no matter the background or color, he made a friend. In fact, a certain Portland blues singer was literally the first Black person he ever met face to face, at an event I was involved with. And before it was over, they were singing harmony for impromptu square dancing. (My dad was a Square Dance Caller.)

Positively,
Carolan

Left Action Activity

2012-01-04T02:32:40Z

Left Action found me on facebook and I've only recently realized this is a dynamic network of more than a million activists committed to making a difference, fighting for Progressive causes and, as they say, having some fun while doing it.

Tonight was posted The Iowa Caucuses will be decided in the next few hours. Anyone want to make predictions for who will win? I predict it will either be the crazy one, the stupid one, the lying one, or the crazy, stupid, lying one.

Then we were asked to discuss, and I could not resist contributing one long but fairly eloquent sentence:

The melange of Tea Party, Repubs, Conservatives & all who hanker after the Presidency of these United States are such misdirected and mind-bogglingly dimwitted that they are incredibly far from representing either our Founding Fathers or the best or brightest of any Americans who have ever lived in the history of our precious Country!

Join Left Action!

Positively,
Carolan

Rich getting richer -- the poor ?

2011-12-30T22:16:58Z

I just signed a petition against a measure that is imminently set to take effect. It radically reduces the income tax rates for Oregon's wealthiest people, while doing nothing to ease the burden on others or to supply desperately needed funds in such areas as education, healthcare, food for the hungry and homelessness.

I included a brief personal note:

Not only is a reduction in taxes for the wealthy a bad idea at this time. Eventual armed revolution will be the outcome in the US if the rich continue reaping ALL the available riches and the poor get nothing -- except perhaps access to guns.

Thank you, moronic Republicans and un-savvy Dem's!

Trying to remain positive,
Carolan

Cheers for Webshots

2011-12-28T00:13:57Z

A dozen years ago I made my first trek to Brazil and of course was entranced by Ipanema, Copacabana and Arpoador Head, where I stayed, right between Rio de Janeiro's two most famous beaches!

Then, when I got home, I stumbled across Webshots. Well, I excitedly set up an account, with "riocarolan" as my user name, and uploaded all my best pix. And then I discovered Webshots Desktop that let me rotate my pix on my computer every few minutes or make them whiz by as quick as I wished.

Ever since that time, for each trip I've made I've added an albums full of good photos to my Webshots account. Plus I went back and resurrected Jamaica and bits of California that came before Rio.

I classified most of my pix "Cityscapes" as that's really what I love shooting. Architectural angles, combinations of contemporary and ancient buildings, ocean waves, mountains in the distance, etc.

Along the way American Greetings bought Webshots and I feared the commercial folks would wreck it. But they did not-- in fact, they keep improving the way it works. And I became a paying member -- 30 bucks a year or some such.

Anyway, today I was delighted to realize that I have uploaded more than 2000 photos taken at 56 different geographic locations (56 albums). And since my beginnings, my photos have attracted 97 thousand 800 views and 3,268 downloads.

Plus I hold the position of 74th of all Webshots Cityscapes submitters -- so when you have a minute, click below and go traveling!

Check 'em out!

Positively,
Carolan

As my birthday approaches ...

2011-12-26T02:51:11Z

I know I've probably said this more than anyone wants to hear through the course of this blog, but the longer time goes on the more sure I am of it ... that getting older doesn't mean getting dumber or out of it or even overlooked. And here's the latest proof:

After 4 months of "retirement" just working on apartment set-up, family/friend connections, health programs, blogging, etc. -- and right now dealing with the cold rain that is Portland in winter -- I was getting not a little depressed and antsy to feel productive. When, as if by magic, my UCSD former boss Shelley asked if I'd like a part-time gig.

Omg yes!

Sooo, long-story-short, the deal was done in a matter of days and now I am the Temporal Dynamics of Learning Center's part-time telecommuting Sr. Writer!

Woo hoo, I'm needed, I'm appreciated, I can contribute, be productive --
all at the age of 76 (as of Dec. 27th)!

Don't look it, though, do I? (smile)
Carolan

Dowd on Newt is Priceless

2011-12-23T01:02:28Z

Maureen Dowd’s OpEd column “My Man Newt” (NY Times Nov. 29^th) is a marvel! The formulation is a rowdy mix of her own fascinating take on Gingrich, pungent quotes from the DC elite and fascinating statements by the would-be president himself.,

Dowd begins with tongue firmly in cheek: “In many ways, Newt is the perfect man. He knows how to buy good jewelry. He puts his wife ahead of his campaign. He’s so in touch with his feelings that he would rather close the entire federal government than keep his emotions bottled up …

Then deeper digs: … “Newt Gingrich is a phony with gobs of historical grandiosity. The 68-year-old has … noted nonchalantly: ‘People like me are what stand between us and Auschwitz.’ As speaker, he liked to tell reporters he was a World Historical Transformational Figure.”

And the plaintive question, “What does it say about the cuckoo G.O.P. primary that Gingrich is the hot new thing?”

But my favorite passage comes from Barney Frank, who since he is soon retiring, calls it like he sees it: “‘Gingrich was the single biggest factor in destroying a Washington culture where two parties respected each other’s differing views yet still worked together ... He got to Congress in ’78 and said, ‘We the Republicans are not going to be able to take over unless we demonize the Democrats.’”

Dowd sums up, “Newt is the progenitor of the modern politics of personal destruction … boasts that he’s full of fresh ideas ... but it always seems to essentially be the same old one ... let’s turn the clock back to the ‘50s.”

Read it here.

Positively,
Carolan

Exposing Bachmann

2011-12-18T20:40:09Z

"I don't hate Muslims. I love the American people. And as president of the United States, my goal will be to keep America safe, free, and sovereign."

So says Michelle Bachmann. Oh but keep your hands off her frequently spewed and forever-skewed beliefs on, among a litany of subjects:

Iran
healthcare
climate change
evolution
homosexuality
slavery
the Civil War
Christianity

And -- not least:
The founders and founding of our country

Once again, (think Sarah Palin) a female without a brain in her head seems to be taken seriously by the religious right, if not the rational left.

Why? Simply because (think Sarah Palin) she is good-looking. If they were both frumpy, overweight, un-made-up housefraus, NO attention would be paid. Period, end of subject.

I ask you, what on earth does that say about the United States of America?
And will the misguided wake up before the crazies take us down?

Hopefully,
Carolan

Why do we need a Federal Government?

2011-12-16T22:16:54Z

Why do we need a Federal Government? Or, better yet:

Why do we need a RATIONAL, PROGRESSIVE Federal Government?

For starters, for the two huge programs that work and work well for ALL Americans:

Social Security and Medicare

Plus, no matter the state -- Red, Blue, Purple -- among many other things such as trade and financial regulation, the Federal Government provides for US, the people:

Guaranteed Voting Rights
Access to Factual Free Education
Protection of the Environment

And now, just yesterday, we got one of the very best examples of this when the Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Justice issued the strongest condemnations possible of Joe Arpiao, the self-proclaimed "America's Toughest Sheriff" and the entire Maricopa County, Arizona, Sheriff's Office.

The list of appalling behaviors these cretins have engaged in -- in their desire for a white-only state -- is too long to enumerate. Suffice to say, they ignored the US Constitution and persecuted minorities -- as well as unlawfully prosecuting criminals.
So thank heavens we have a Federal Government that decrees STOP THIS NOW!

And this sort of action needs to be the rule, not the exception, for such states as:

Florida that hacks away to disenfranchise non-white, non-conservative voters
Texas that "cooks the textbooks" to obliterate important national history

So know the facts when the looney tunes try to tell us the Government is the problem!

Positively,
Carolan

Just shut up!

2011-12-09T21:14:22Z

Below is a (partial) list of individuals who consistently wreak havoc, do damage to our psyches and make it impossible for the United States of America to be respected around the world.

For those reasons they should shut their mouths immediately and the media should agree to cover no other words they might spew!

Herman Cain -- Return to conning the public about how to be successful.
Ann Coulter -- Crawling under the nearest rock would suit me.
Bill O'Reilly -- Recall the person of yesteryear, before Mr. Obnoxious.
Karl Rove -- Keep pulling the strings and eventually end up in jail.
Newt Gingrich -- Hypocrisy to the nth degree.
Donald Trump -- Sad little man.
Rick Perry -- Typical of Texas hubris combined with know-nothingness.
Michelle Bachmann -- Oh so demure with little in her brain.
Sarah Palin - Media has nearly quit covering this one's stupidities, thank heavens.

Positively,
Carolan

Comment to Jim Wallis on Huffington Post

2011-12-09T01:51:32Z

Article "The Disappearance of the Compassionate Conservatives"...

Your article was excellent and right on the mark! And after reading a couple comments that made no sense I had to post my response:

The original article is profoundly true And it cannot be said any more clearly than this ... Over the past 50 years since I have been voting, the Republican party has been ONLY for the white, the wealthy, the corporations, oh and of course War. Virtually ALL civil rights legislation during this period of time and what's now called "entitlements" -- Social Security and Medicare, which of course are programs that we pay into and that work -- came to be because a Democratic President and Congress made "us" the 99% a priority!

(Plus as I have been reminded the help of a few unusual Repub’s along the way who were indeed compassionate.)

Read the entire article.

Positively,
Carolan

Cain is gone -- now what?

2011-12-04T00:48:49Z

In the grio column "Herman Cain's presidential run: A setback black conservatives?" Robert Trayham reflects, "Here we had a handsome, articulate, successful business owner who just happened to be African-American and a Republican."

But then after Candidate Cain kept revealing himself as a know-nothing plus his many peccadilloes came out, Mr. Trayham sums up, "The unfortunate truth is that Cain appears to have simply wanted to sell books. He thought running for president would be the best way to make some money selling as many books as he possibly could." Read it all.

Well, I could not resist posting what I believe is a most important and appropos comment this day on that website:

I cannot fathom why on earth would any Black citizens even consider being part of the Republican/Tea Party fiasco -- unless perhaps you/they are of the 1% and don't give a damn what happens to the 99%.

You do know the 99% of us likely includes 99.99% of African-Americans -- for whom virtually every right secured in the past 50 years has been secured by Democratic Presidents and/or Congress. So for heaven's sake, give it up and get behind Barack!

Positively,
Carolan

"Supercommittee" Truth

2011-11-20T20:26:16Z

We need to jump smack-dab into the middle of Paul Krugman's as-always eloquent op-ed piece:

"So the supercommittee brought together legislators who disagree completely both about how the world works and about the proper role of government. Why did anyone think this would work?

"Well, maybe the idea was that the parties would compromise out of fear that there would be a political price for seeming intransigent. But this could only happen if the news media were willing to point out who is really refusing to compromise. And they aren’t. If and when the supercommittee fails, virtually all news reports will be he-said, she-said, quoting Democrats who blame Republicans and vice versa without ever explaining the truth."

And then Mr. Krugman explains that the supercommittee will fail and tells us why that’s good ...

"For one thing, history tells us that the Republican Party would renege on its side of any deal as soon as it got the chance. Remember, the U.S. fiscal outlook was pretty good in 2000, but, as soon as Republicans gained control of the White House, they squandered the surplus on tax cuts and unfunded wars ..."

And of course "we eventually have to match spending and revenue.

"But the decision about how to do that isn’t about accounting. It’s about fundamental values — and it’s a decision that should be made by voters, not by some committee that allegedly transcends the partisan divide.

"Eventually, one side or the other of that divide will get the kind of popular mandate it needs to resolve our long-run budget issues. Until then, attempts to strike a Grand Bargain are fundamentally destructive.

"If the supercommittee fails, as expected, it will be time to celebrate."

Woo hoo!
Carolan

Read it all.

Think, voters, think!

2011-11-17T23:37:54Z

"I'm often criticized ... criticized about the fact that I don't know this and I don't know that, and I don't know that and I don't know this," he said. "A leader doesn't have to know everything."

Of course none other than Herman Cain mouthed this gem. But every Independent, Libertarian, Republican or Tea Partier must begin to engage his or her cognitive functions NOW!

This will allow them to come to the realization that Cain is only the worst and that actually it is the entire crowd of presidential candidates on their side that consists of uneducated or mis-educated individuals who first of all don't believe in government and next, don't know how to be President.

Ah, yes, truth is tough! But as Paul Begala said, "Republicans used to admire intelligence. Now they are dumbing themselves down." His piece involved Perry but it's great!
Read it.

Thinking positive,
Carolan

Candidates Embarrassing

2011-11-10T17:54:16Z

Each and every one of the Republicans who would be President is incredible! I sincerely hope it's not just my opinion but they are all:

Incredibly uninformed
Incredibly out of touch with the current situation/s our country is in
Incredibly narrow-minded and ego-driven
Incredibly wealthy and proud of it

But if you ask me, the worst of the bunch has got to be Herman Cain -- a flat-out embarrassment to the Black community, as well as to honorable men everywhere and to anyone who cares about real people and the reality of our everyday existence.

Did you know that Mister Cain not only assaulted women as a Restaurant Association honcho but also was instrumental in helping defeat the first big healthcare reform measure?

So imagine what damage he could do should he actually reach the White House!!!!

No, Mister Cain should stick to motivational speaking -- aka fast talking and big smiling -- that's how he became a millionaire. Yes, he is one of the 1% -- and certainly doesn't care one whit about us, the 99%.

We have huge reasons to fear that the bloated egos, the could-not-care-less attitudes and the lack of knowledge and knowhow of ANY of these Republicans/Tea Partiers or whatever they want to call themselves could replace knowledge, truth, reliability, progressive beliefs and caring about US of a Democratic administration.

Yes, as Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and other 1%-ers know, we must champion the 99% for the country to work!

Positively,
Carolan

Commercials that Dis-Inform

2011-11-01T19:54:59Z

These days I find myself exasperated with so many tv commercials! I mean, I used to be part of the marketing/advertising community and proud of it, but these days so much of what is out there is inaccurate information or lacks clarity or ...

Right now the most egregious is the holier-than-thou tone of the ones that first tell us of the concern about "corn sugar" versus "cane sugar." And in the end imparts the happy thought that "Sugar is sugar and your body can't tell the difference."

Wrong! "This is certainly not High Fructose Corn Syrup, a highly processed sweetener that is linked to obesity and a host of other health problems."

Besides which, too much of any kind of sweetener is never good for anyone!

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/032281_HFCS_sugar.html#ixzz1cU4HAKSb

Positively,
Carolan

"Frankly, Terrifying"

2011-10-14T18:24:04Z

"Since economic policy has to deal with the world we live in, not the fantasy world of the G.O.P.’s imagination, the prospect that one of these people may well be our next president is, frankly, terrifying."

Again, Paul Krugman (NW Times OpEd 10/13) makes use of his intellect and economic expertise to expose the doubletalk, stupidspeak and outright falsehoods that the Republicans -- and especially their Presidential candidates -- keep hammering into the squishy brains of those who against all reason believe they are hearing objective truth!

He titles this piece "Rabbit-Hole Economics" and writes that in the Tuesday Repub debate, "Suddenly, you find yourself in a fantasy world
where nothing looks or behaves the way it does in real life.

"In the real world, recent events were a devastating refutation of the free-market orthodoxy that has ruled American politics these past three decades. Above all, the long crusade against financial regulation, the successful effort to unravel the prudential rules established after the Great Depression on the grounds that they were unnecessary, ended up demonstrating — at immense cost to the nation — that those rules were necessary, after all."

Read it all.

Keep thinking positively!
Carolan