Magnolia

Bush Bookends

The Bush administration now appears to have the two largest crimes of the century bookending his other crimes. The first, early on, was the largest, deadliest crime conducted on U.S. soil, and although the evidence was hauled away within weeks, Bush resisted any investigation for 441 days. As compared to the one day it took to form a federal investigation into how on Earth Janet Jackson's breast got exposed on national TV. The crime going down now would be the largest transfer of wealth in the history of the U.S. 1.1 Trillion dollars has already been shelled out to bailout AIP, Fanny, Fredie and other failing entities, and while another 700 Billion dollars has been put forth as the amount needed to insure confidence in the market, "there are those who say" it could be well over 1.7 Trillion.

Are we having fun yet?

Whether or not you think Mr. Cheney was in on the 9/11 planning, or that it was just coincidence that he was in charge of the massive war games going on that day training for the highjacking of airliners being flown into buildings ("How could anyone have predicted that?"), the Bush administration was all set to take advantage of such a blow. It proceeded to shred the constitution as the best possible means of fighting terror, that and going shopping.

To his credit, Bush was not responsible for the third largest crime of the last eight years. That award goes to Nancy Pelosi who has prevented any and all discussions of impeachment. Since this has, in effect nullified the ability of the congress to prevent the executive branch from abuse of power, it has also, in effect nullified the constitution.

All the while, democrats in congress voting to approve more money to kill people in Iraq just keep singing along.

Sorry I have nothing positive to say this week, other than hang in there and keep calling your congress members.

Light and Shadow

Amazing how quickly the shadow side of America can be brought into such sharp focus. We have a great opportunity right now to change the direction the train is going. Not just "stay the course." Not just slow it down, but turn it around. While striving for a higher standard, holding a vision of America returning to greatness, reversing and repairing the damage to Democracy the last eight years have wrought, we are continually distracted by the small mindedness of republicans who seem to value the worst of what America represents.

I was disgusted to hear a Vice Presidential candidate and a former mayor of NYC belittle the great contributions community organizers give wholeheartedly to the benefit of so many people. It's pure hypocrisy to utter such words at a convention whose motto is "Service."

So many times we've given in to such pettiness and negativity. Let's really be mavericks and try something different for a change. Let's be inspired to shift away from non-renewable energy, regardless of whether global warming is "man-made" or not. Let's be inspired to seek peaceful solutions to differences. Let's admit that there are some things that a well-run government can do much better than the "marketplace." Let's tell the truth and let the community be the "decider." Let's stick to our ideals. Compromise is one thing, but trying to be all things to all people just to get elected is going to cause problems down the road. In light of the storms that have hit the southern coast, can't we all agree that offshore drilling for oil there is still (and even more so with more frequent and more intense storms) a really bad idea?

With the storms that are clouding up the issues of this presidential campaign, we each need to hold up our own bright light. Get involved. Do something. Knock on doors. Here's a great campaign: Million Doors For Peace.

Retool | Reboot

Today, September 11 on the seventh anniversary of the disaster in NYC, I'm turning the direction of this particular blog to a new heading. While Weekly Press images will still be featured, my intention for the writing is to turn it to the larger thoughts that are driving the images, i.e. the world I live in.

The last seven years have been a strange dream, one that I think a majority of people might be quite comfortable with. At least it seems that way at times; comfortable enough not to change patterns and look for different solutions. There is another dream that I want to focus on, but first I have to point out the one I'd prefer to move away from: oil gluttony. All current strife seems to stem from the addiction to a substance that is in finite supply.

"Drill now" say the republicans. Not what I'd call a maverick proposal. It just prolongs the inevitable withdrawal symptoms while destroying more of our nest.

To help shift the focus away from that path to one that offers more than a glimmer of hope, I refer you to the Apollo Project and We Can Solve It. I'll be spending more time in the future at these sites. Maybe I'll see you there.

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#354

Source material: Wrapping paper, oil drill chart.


#353

Source material: Mystery object


#352

Source material: Mystery object
This is a companion piece to #351


#351

Source material: Mystery object, barcode
This is a companion piece to #352

Through a Glass Jar

#350
Source material: Landscape through glass jar.
This week, all three images are straight out of the camera, except for cropping and a little color modification. This one is also through a window, which is were the screen pattern comes from.


#349
Source material: Landscape through glass jar.


#348
Source material: Window reflected in dead bolt.
The misty quality of this image comes from a close-up of a dead bolt on a door. While the focal length to the door is so short it is completely blurred, the reflection of the window is relatively sharp.