I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

Just putting it in because I love the picture:

Oh crumbs, Sunflowers ... I had a hard time putting a link in because I am on the iPad.  If you find it at the NYT, can you put it in?  Otherwise I will repost when I can get to my desktop.  Thanks!

ETA: maybe copy and paste into your browser?

There's a war on poor people, not Christmas.  Heck our US Post Office put up a "Merry Christmas" sign on their window.  That's U.S., as in federal office.  In the meantime, those collecting food stamps are freeloaders and we should help the unemployed get jobs by kicking them off unemployment before they can find a job?  And forget the millions who cannot afford health insurance, let's worry about those few, with money, who are getting kicked off of their (not-so-well-insured-if-they-actually-got-sick) plans.

Loved the flashmob Chevy. Thank you.

You would think they would show some compassion. We are recovering from what economists call The Great Recession. People are unemployed for reasons way beyond their control. But, the right is oblivious to the fact that those folks can't just walk out and grab a job when the unemployment checks stop coming. Also, the reality that it's not just unemployed adults who are in jeopardy, but their innocent, and hungry, children, is apparently beyond their comprehension or worse. I am beyond disgust.

I just wanted to wish all of you wonderful ladies a happy, healthy New Year! And thank you, Sunflowers, for adding Athena's name to the stage iv thread of those dearly missed. I think of her so often... she will not be forgotten.

Love to all...

Rose.

Bren, so sorry you have gone through all that! So many people have, due to an economy crashed by Republicans, specifically Dubya. From my observations, when in power, Repubs destroy the economy, and then Dems clean it up. Under Obama, we're on the road to recovery, if only we can keep a Dem in the WH.

Bren -- I think that only those who have been let go from a job they enjoyed and were competent at, really understand how very difficult it is to find another job that even comes close to equating with their abilities.  It's akin to politicians raging against same sex marriage until one of their offspring "comes out", or a previously supporting NRA member whose child has just been gunned down in a school shooting.  It's all very well to cut off unemployment benefits when you and your own family members all have secure, well-paying jobs.....

That's what I find so disconcerting about conservatives -- they all seem to lack that empathy gene.  They simply can't see themselves in any situation other than the one they're in.  Romney's 47% remarks were a perfect example of how they view folks less fortunate than they.

We in Niagara were spared any lengthy freezing temps and the day after the ice storm, the trees "glistened" for a few hours and then the ice melted.  North shore of Lake Ontario has been a different matter but I think most of the ice has melted now.  But....while the temps today are a few degrees above freezing, they're due to dip down again tomorrow...winter...ugh!

Yorkie - you explain it so well.  If we were at 4% unemployment, I think that is considered "full employment" in the United States economy (or a number around there, though this varies by time period and age group).  People are sometimes unemployed by choice - changing jobs, pregnancy, moving, etc..  At 7%, we have another 3% who are victims of the current economy.  The economic theory surrounding these numbers is way over my knowledge base, but it comes down to there is not enough economic demand to supply jobs for those who want to work.

Why can't Republicans get that? Ugh.  The smart ones probably do, but they milk it for what it's worth, going along with the Reagan Welfare Queen meme.  Their masses suck it up.

Bren - I love Colin Kaepernick too (and a long time 49ers fan, though I might be considered a fair weather fan).  I've looked and looked and the 49er Cardinal? game won't be aired here in northern California.  Probably because it is at the same time as the Seahawk game and due to some weird Congressional drawing of boundaries, our local networks come from Oregon, here in Northern California and the PNW is the PNW and they will go Seahawks.  Well, I'm rooting for the Seahawks to lose (sorry GG) today so the 49ers clinch their division!

Hope all you ice people melt quickly!  Ice is  h o r r i b l e!!   Where we should have 3-4 feet, or more, of snow, we have none.  It is bare at 12,000 ft elevation on our mountain.  We are in a serious, but lovely drought.  51 degrees yesterday in my mountain.  The best horrible weather ever.

that's OK Kam. I'm rooting for the 49ers to lose... and, of course for the Seahawks to win

hahaha too true!

I am reading your posts from my sickbed.  A gift fom my beloved mother in law.  She still insists that she wasn't contagious.  Ha ha.   However, I did get to enjoy a lovely Christmas in our new home with family. My nephew's passing was with us but we have become experts at integrating those who have left us in our celebrations without a morbid focus.  

I have had the chance to finally finish "The Goldfinch".  I had put the book down so many times but was always drawn to have another go at it.  I am glad I did. It was well worth the time.  Donna Tarrt is definetly brilliant at her descriptive writing.  However, I think her talent would be appreciated more if she was able to edit some of it.  It is like eating a whole red velvet cake instead of one (or maybe two) pieces. 

Nevertheless, I have now downloaded her first book and will tackle it next.  

Happy New Year from Robert Reich

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K7hBTFML5g

Movement building time - definitely.

oops, eta:  pip, hope the bugs go away soon.  fell better for the New Year.

Sunny, I loved the piece.  Of course, Robert Reich is always excellent in his assessments of the economy.  I have as well continued to think less people forget things these days with the abundance of the do nothing party,actually doing nothing worthwhile, and with some truly astounding miss-steps and fiasco's perpetrated.  Benghazi ( though someone will try and push it still ) turns out to have been a waste of their time and efforts.  The efforts to destroy ACA have not worked, and the in-famous Cruze along with Paul who openly lie and distort without one ounce of shame or regret,though they are not the only ones, may find later that the goose in the over is way over-cooked.  There are hungry people now, and people who will no longer receive un-employment, thousands of immigrants who have a lot of relatives who aren't, and people who need Insurance.  Just a very long list of people who know  what truth looks like.  It may take time but truth comes out and puts so much in proper perspective. 

Jackie