Sunday, January 06, 2008

PAY ATTENTION!


I’m going to preface this post by saying that anyone who reads what I’m about to write and would really like to give me a piece of their mind but doesn’t want their comments published on my blog, I invite you to send me a personal response to my email address at gene.sullivan@cox.net.

The idea of posting some Anti-Bush bumper sticker quotes came to me after I posted a Bush Countdown Clock on my blog earlier today. Almost immediately after I posted the clock, I decided to remove it, for various reason. Primarily because I decided I didn’t want a permanent element of my blog dedicated to this function for the length of time left for this administration. But I must admit that there was a tinge of conviction that I was being disrespectful of the office of President.

I am a reasonably patriotic American and I do feel that the office of President does command a high level of respect; however, I am absolutely convinced, to my core, that our current administration is rotten to it’s core! What the Bush administration has done to our national reputation is appalling. And like the bumper sticker says, “If you are not outraged, you are not paying attention!”

I have several friends now that live abroad that I communicate with on a regular basis (thanks to the internet) and what I keep hearing from almost every single one of them is that the rest of the world now sees the United States of America as hateful, tyrant, selfish, and torturous.

Unfortunately I don’t believe that the world’s opinion has been shaped by our countries terrible behavior over the last six years. But rather, it’s because of the 2004 election and the associated public support our country had for Bush and his policies. In the past when our government screwed up, folks in other countries would give us the benefit of the doubt, and they were often proved correct: American’s would not tolerate tyranny on their watch But under Bush, the American people explicitly embraced tyranny on their own behalf by re-electing him, thus revealing a hateful side of our national character that we had not revealed quite so clearly before. The difference in our standing in the world now is that we have showed the world that the American people are in fact capable of these things I mention: hate, tyranny, selfishness, torture, etc. I guess in truth, you really can’t blame Bush, he didn’t re-elect himself.

Which brings me to the meat of my message. Folks, we need a change. And we need a change which provides us someone that can help restore America’s reputation in the world. Someone that will promote our interests, while ensuring security and advancing our values.

Our world is facing colossal global problems during the next presidential term (climate change, poverty, disease, and terrorism) that will require us to be strong and engaging. Make certain friend, that you are paying attention and that the person you support can fit the bill!

Okay, let me have it… really give it to me! www.gene.sullivan@cox.net

Thursday, January 03, 2008

I'm Exhausted...

...but I have to punch out something. I can't blow a New Year's Resolution in only three days. I had a full body massage this a.m. and worked for 10 hours right afterwards. UGH! So needless to say, I'm really tired.

More tomorrow....

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Bo's goin' to Yellowstone!






















I'm happy to announce that Bo was offered a summer job at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming! He's supposed to report in at Gardiner, MT on June 4th. We're very excited for him!

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

"Let's Make This The Best Year Ever!"

There's a phrase that we regularly say at work that goes like this, “Let’s make this the best night ever!” It’s a phrase that's always spoken with just a slight hint of sarcasm. But it's a phrase that never ceases to put a smile on the face of those within ear shot. I hear it almost every day. It’s a phrase often quoted after one is greeted with an unpleasant task; or upon arrival on a day when traffic is unusually high. But it's a phrase that gives us hope that we can arrive at the end of the day still with a smile on our face.

My challenge to you today, “Let’s make this the best year ever!” Towards that effort, let me offer a few ways to deal with the things that may come your way and try and steal away peace of mind and happiness this year:

1. Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

2. Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

3. Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

4. Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.

5. If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

6. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

7. It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply be kind to others.

8. Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

9. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

10. Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

11. The second mouse gets the cheese.

12. When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

13. Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

14. You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

15. Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

16. We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box..

17. A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Have an awesome year, the best ever!