on-the-upbeat.com

Scourge of the Earth

2012-04-20T17:04:58Z

This rant has long been formulating in my skull and now is the time to unveil the beginning of my personal Scourge of the Earth list:

Telemarketers, all of them. But especially those from other countries whose English is unintelligible and whose intro is completely bogus -- I want the phone to ring only with calls from people I know and care about!

Credit card companies who put so-called "security" ahead of customer service -- such as Citibank who:

1. Instituted a whole series of security questions geared for Gen X not moi.
2. Instituted a phone password -- having nothing to do with account entry -- and when I had no idea what this was, treated me like the enemy.
3 Cut off my credit in the middle of an international cruise -- because I didn't tell them beforehand that I was going!

Charities, even worthy charities, who once we donate then bombard us with pleas for more, more more. I feel like adding a line to any donation, ONE-TIME ONLY, DO NOT CONTACT!

The near-impossibility of getting off the mailing list of unwanted or never-asked-for catalogs. Maybe if the postal service didn't oblige all the junk mailers, they could be profitable.

Joe Arpaio, Arizona's prize asshole-called-sheriff who up to now has preened over his many and varied inhumane, uncivil and unconstitutional methods. These include such things as an inmate tent city that he called the Concentration Camp; inmates being made to wear pink underwear, as well as being fed just 2 meals a day. And in the real world, he championed his racial profiling, which a US Justice Department expert concluded was the worst pattern of racial profiling in U.S. history.

But just now it's all catching up with this misguided idiot, as his "closest allies have been forced from power or severed support" and critics are putting pressure on the US Department of Justice to bring criminal charges again him. Read Sheriff Joe's World Crumbles

Trying my best to remain
Positively Carolan

Racial Injustice

2012-04-07T21:40:36Z

In answer to an online survey about Trayvon Martin’s killing:

1. Does Florida needs better laws?
2. Does more need to be known about the case?
3. Was it racial injustice?

Yes, of course Florida needs to can their insane law!
But my prime answer was number 3, as I wrote online:

Get real -- it's obvious, a tall skinny black kid in a "gated" community -- he doesn't belong HERE -- let's gut him!

Absolutely disgusting that someone like Zimmerman can own a gun, can conceal it & keep on prowling for victims!

Trying to stay positive,
Carolan

Hands off Medicare & all good healthcare!

2012-03-26T19:19:45Z

My comment after signing Left Action's petition against the idea of dumping Medicare:

It is way past time for Republicans in Congress to understand that thinking and feeling is alive and well with the majority of American citizens of every color, gender and income level. Give up your stupid obstructionism – that time is over!

Thanking Martin Sheen for his wonderfully passionate video on the subject:

Yes, "President Bartlett," you gave us bright rays of sunshine while on TV and the abominable Dubya was in the White House. Thank you so very much, Martin Sheen!

And then the US Supreme Court in action:

Let's hope the reigning right-leaning gentlemen get the point that there must be a large number of healthy folks in the pool of the insured in order for medical insurance to be affordable.

It won't work for people to simply wait until they get sick and then cry "wolf."

Positively
Carolan

"It's Past Time to Protect Children Not Guns"

2012-03-24T18:04:06Z

I couldn't agree more with Marian Wright Edelman! In her Huffington Post piece she cites the Children’s Defense Fund new report, Protect Children, Not Guns 2012, dedicated to the memory of Trayvon Martin and the thousands of children and teenagers killed by guns in America, including the 5,740 children killed in 2008 and 2009 (according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)

This was more than the U.S. military personnel killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan (5,013)!

And Wright Edelman asks where is the outrage over every single one of the children and teens killed by guns? Too many by gun slinging Americans unrestrained by common sense gun control laws. Not to mention the "shoot first" results of Florida's brilliant idea that allowed the cold-blooded murder of Trayvon Martin. A law signed by Jeb Bush, who -- please remember -- still hankers after the US Presidency!!

Black children and teens accounted for 45% of all child/teen gun deaths in 2008-2009 but were only 15% of the total child population!

Read it all. And demand intelligent gun and vigilante prohibitions!
Carolan

Race, Guns, Florida Law: Lethal Mix

2012-03-24T00:48:46Z

"A collision of race, guns and Florida law" headlined the L.A. Times story today about the murder of innocent looking/behaving 17-year-old African-American Trayvon Martin. Murder by a chunky 28-year-old Hispanic "neighborhood watch" volunteer. The eager-beaver volunteer claims self defense, which if you read the facts, is a total crock.

Amid this backdrop I watched a documentary on HBO about Harry Belafonte that was so affecting because we heard the wonderful music he gave us but also got how hard he has worked all of his 80 years to try to conquer racism. He sadly admits that hasn't happened but is dedicated to keeping on. "Yes I'm an optimist," he says. "With optimism there is hope!"

However, today it's difficult to hold onto even undying optimism under the weight of disgust of blatant racism played out to the tune of an imbecilic law in Florida that may just allow anyone to kill another human with impunity.

In a separate article, describing how a rant on the situation by a female university student resulted in her being hustled into a police car, Professor Boyce Watkins summed up: "I don't excuse what Jonatha Carr did, and she should be punished. But punishing her without incarcerating the man who executed Trayvon Martin is yet another reminder of the polite oppression we've been forced to endure for the last 400 years. It's time for something to change, and it's time for that change to come by any means necessary."

Yes, indeed!
Carolan

"Game Change"

2012-03-11T05:02:46Z

We already know a lot of what went on in the 2008 Republican Presidential campaign because much of it played out on television and other media. But HBO's 2-hour special not only fills in some blanks but shows what I believe is the absolute most important point of all:

First, after Sarah Palin tanked in big interviews, the John McCain staffers understood that she had an incredible lack of knowledge --- not just of the scope of the job she was running for but of geography, history, finance, government, etc.

Next, Steve Schmidt, the guy whose idea it was to bring her in, admitted she was not capable of learning what she needed to know about many topics to be able to answer all the questions intelligently in the scheduled debate with Democratic Candidate Joe Biden.

So he came up with a plan -- just give her mini-speeches to memorize!

It didn't matter that she knew NOTHING. It didn't matter what the question was.
She was ready with some lovely prepared statement!

And, indeed, in one way it worked. She sounded like she knew what she was talking about in that debate.

However, there was a flip side. From that moment on, she believed she had no shortcomings, nothing to learn, nobody to answer to.

And that's when she became dangerous ...

Imagine what she would have wrought had she actually been the US V-P!
And think what she has done ever since -- sought out publicity wherever she could find it, told blatant lies about infinite numbers of things, been one of the most divisive figures ever.

And, think about this -- I once wrote that if she had been a dumpy/frumpy woman, she would have been written off as a know-nothing dodo. Period, end of report.

Positively,
Carolan

Rush Limbaugh: Nothing but Disgusting!

2012-03-05T23:46:07Z

The only thing to say is this:

An apology from Limbaugh is worth SHIT! He is a loudmouth fat bigoted and misogynistic white man who cannot face the fact that he's NOT king of any world and never will be!

It's wonderful that women of all stripes can band together and that good companies with good advertising got outa Dodge!

Positively,
Carolan

The Best Teacher Ever

2012-03-01T04:08:48Z

When I first stepped into Journalism as a Beaverton Hi sophomore, I had no idea who taught the class nor what would be required nor, indeed, how far-reaching the results would be …

I really don’t remember the very beginning, but after all these years I still have my textbook (High-School Journalism, Macmillan, 1949), and among its many handwritten notes is this: IN CASE OF FIRE, SAVE THIS BOOK!

I do know that I loved every minute of not one, not two, but three years of Journalism – the last taken with no credit – and that Amarette Barnes was Journalism Teacher Extraordinaire! Amazingly, she impressed upon us that she was teaching us so that we could go to work for a metropolitan daily directly out of high school. And while today that sounds silly, it was indeed true then.

What I accomplished under her tutelage was the most words in print, the first ever female student body reporter, feature editor of the school paper, assistant editor of the yearbook. And my biggest story (the first high school boys off to the Korean War due to activation of their National Guard unit) printed exactly as written in the Beaverton city paper.

And of course over the years I have turned out infinite newsletters, letters-to-the-editor, e-mails and other correspondence, a couple non-fiction books, a novel, websites, blogs, flyers, brochures, scientific articles.

In later years Amarette and I communicated. I thanked her profusely for teaching me so well. She demurred, saying that she just opened the door for me. In any case, I like to think I’m her best success, since many of her students became professionals after college, while I may be the only one who did it with no degree.

Amarette Barnes told us stories about beginning her career teaching in a one-room schoolhouse, came to BHS in 1929, taught there for 41 years and then kept active as a community volunteer. She passed in 2002 at 97.

With such positive memories,
Carolan

Debating Contraception & More

2012-02-28T03:17:44Z

When are they going to GET it? This men-only Congressional Committee, led by Darrell Issa, one of the biggest California dunderheads ever, debating contraception on the lowest possible road? With Joe Walsh even headlined saying, "Birth Control Debate Not About Women."

Yes, the current leading Republican candidate for the Presidency of the United States bleats his opinions again public schools, against sex for any reason other than reproduction and against women working for wages.

And the Republicans trying to eliminate funding for breast cancer screenings for low income women plus now believing it is their decision what should be done with women's reproductive systems.

Well, guys, we are NEVER going back to what you dumb white men view as the "good old days" -- when you had all the power and wielded it in the most egregious manner possible. Accept it and learn the meaning and benefits of equality -- male-female, black-white!

And, I ask you, readers, why on earth would ANY bright woman -- registered Republican or other persuasion -- vote for ANY of these Prehistoric Male Animals for ANY office in the land?!

Positively,
Carolan

Andrea Mitchell -- we speak with you!

2012-02-16T22:48:42Z

Andrea Mitchell asked what she should have said in response to a moronic assertion of Santorum's big bucks backer Foster Friess.

The assertion: "Back in my days, they used Bayer aspirin for contraceptives. The gals put it between their knees, and it wasn't that costly."

Suggested response: "It is pathetic that the biggest mouths on the right are old white men who are deathly afraid that their horrendous historic hold on the world is gone."

Friess and they mistakenly believe that if they keep pounding and hounding factions as varied as the female gender, the unborn, the unemployed, the impoverished and everyone of any color except white, they can regain control.

They believe all it takes is bludgeoning their betters while championing those with no functioning brains -- i.e., every 2012 Republican Presidential candidate -- and cuddling up to all those corporations now deemed persons. (Idiocy courtesy of a right wing Supreme Court!)

Get with the program, Mr. Friess -- your master-slave relationship days are gone! Our activities in our bedrooms are none of your business. Our bodies are our own property. And health care is an important role of government, not to be messed with by you or the Supreme Court!

Yes, Andrea and I and millions of others -- women and men, black, white, pink or purple -- have had enough!

Positively,
Carolan

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