Carol Gee's Blog

Carol Gee Commented on Afghanistan - a riddle wrapped in an emigma by Carol Gee

2009-10-11T11:57:07Z

Thanks en masse to the above comment writers for your reasoned dialogue. I learned a great deal that I did not know. It was a joy to follow, after I was away from my computer for much of the day yesterday.

Carol Gee Commented on Afghanistan - a riddle wrapped in an emigma by Carol Gee

2009-10-10T02:56:15Z

Fred you make a good and reasoned argument. I do remember what Taliban rule was like. Where we differ is how to go about achieving "the maintenance of reasonable stability as a temporizing measure." And I could make a reasoned moral argument for either staying or going. What tips the balance for me was the election. How can we deal with the level of corruption over the long term? You and I would both agree that it is a mess, huh? No wonder President Obama is taking such a long time to decide. Thanks, Fred.

Carol Gee Commented on Afghanistan - a riddle wrapped in an emigma by Carol Gee

2009-10-10T01:37:53Z

You have it right when you say that the majority of people do not want us there (occupying their country). The locals do not support what feels like foreign occupation to them. At least the Taliban and Viet Cong are KNOWN adversaries or oppressors to their fellow countrymen and women. Go figure.
And the locals loose, too. Our mistake is unwittingly getting involved with internal civil wars, in my humble opinion. And Iraq was the first country the U.S. ever invaded, unprovoked. And Vietnam had a bit of that, also though it was not as blatant.
There is a substantive difference between an insurgency and the quest of violent jihad as practiced by al Qaeda. We absolutely must very vigorously defend against that.
Thanks for your comment.

Carol Gee Commented on Afghanistan - a riddle wrapped in an emigma by Carol Gee

2009-10-10T01:21:31Z

Thanks, Lis. I get caught up in other stuff. And sometimes I feel shy about posting something when it is mundane.

Carol Gee Commented on Afghanistan - a riddle wrapped in an emigma by Carol Gee

2009-10-10T00:04:01Z

Thanks for your kind words about the writing quality. I, too am sick to death of the war(s). Bush had a chance at righteous self defense in Afghanistan; now it is too late. The train left the station for Iraq. I can't say that I feel bad that the Iraqis are coming to a grudging peace and a taste of budding democracy, but, God the cost was high. Maybe being a peace prize winner will give the president a push in the direction we want.
Peace to you, my friend.

Carol Gee Commented on Friday News: Fighting Back Crowds the Front Page by Carol Gee

2009-09-26T13:31:07Z

CVille Dem, it is always good to be missed. Regarding de-funding other miscreant contractors, someone will take this ACORN legislation to court as an unconstitutional "bill of attainder." I think Rachel Maddow is to be credited for this (it was one of the MSNBC pundits, anyway).
Kirk will do just fine. Did you see how much this appointment touched his heart?
Thanks for your thoughtful and on point comment.

Carol Gee Commented on Thoughts from the road: south-north--south truck trip by Carol Gee

2009-09-03T02:35:26Z

DD, you see behind my lines.
Thanks for adding your own economic report in the comment. I would guess that the stuff on your main freeway is just as homogenized as the stuff in Casper, Denver, Amarillo and south. But it is the "people doing the best they can" that gives every town its heart. I loved that paragraph.
Maybe I'll expand on these truck trip thoughts, if you'd like. Thanks for the suggestion and the kind words.

Carol Gee Commented on Segmented representation on health care reform by Carol Gee

2009-08-24T14:39:04Z

amike, thanks for your more than generous words. I appreciate being able to communicate what I want to. Of course, that's a lovely privilege, here at TPM, one I've cherished for a very long time.
I did not know why Baucus and Grassley were friends. And I, as a social worker ought to be sensitive to personal relationships as having much importance. Thanks for reminding me. And finally, we often learn great lessons from great films, huh?

Carol Gee Commented on Segmented representation on health care reform by Carol Gee

2009-08-23T21:19:05Z

DD, I love the photo, too. Thanks for letting me know that Reich had the original idea. Now I know I am on solid ground. Dobbs hasn't been on soldi ground for forever; can' watch him.
I envy your being represented by Democrats. Texas is still very Red, and too often an object of ridicule.
Thanks for your comment, my friend.

Carol Gee Commented on Segmented representation on health care reform by Carol Gee

2009-08-23T21:12:35Z

Hot tea sounds good. Make mine Constant Comment. Waiting is hard, but I think it will happen, mostly as we wish. And my wish is that Senator Kennedy lives to see it. Thanks for stopping by. :-)

Carol Gee Commented on The President's bully pulpit could be powerful -- Why not use it more? by Carol Gee

2009-08-22T01:31:30Z

DD, Howdy! Glad you liked the post. And I do sense that the strategy is very different than we have been used to for so long.
Bush never thought past the end of his nose. Obama has an amazing capacity for the long view. And I believe it will all be a memory before long, when a good piece of legislation gets passed. And that makes the Republicans just CRAZY, doesn't it? Thanks much and good to "see" you.

Carol Gee Commented on The President's bully pulpit could be powerful -- Why not use it more? by Carol Gee

2009-08-22T01:25:01Z

amike, thanks much for making the Alinsky connection. I had not thought of that wonderful trailblazer for a while. I had the pleasure of doing community work with a couple of Lutheran liberal pastors who had trained under S.A. They did the greatest good-cop/bad cop routine to gain influence with people in government. So, yes, it is a lovely joy to see an organizer as president.
I am also reminded of Bill Clinton's concept of community, responsibility, etc. I appreciate your support for this piece, and your thoughtful comments. I apologize for being "out of pocket" for a couple of days.

Carol Gee Commented on Frozen in place: when conciliation is a bad thing -- by Carol Gee

2009-08-15T15:23:59Z

Florence, thanks for your insightful observations. I was thinking just before I read your comment that this story has gotten crowded off the front page very quickly. As a matter of fact, I am about ready to be "over Cheney." He disturbs my peace of mind. And I don't have much room left to be disturbed, given all the destructive Right Wing crazies. As you say, the flow of health care reform is being impeded by those of us watching the Republican pile-ups of misinformation and rancor.
My intention is to spend more thoughts on sending good vibes President Obama's way. Peace :)

Carol Gee Commented on Frozen in place: when conciliation is a bad thing -- by Carol Gee

2009-08-14T13:25:39Z

Seashell, I don't feel it is ethical to "diagnose," without having seen and talked to the subject/client. But I can tell you the way I would go about it if I were to do so. I would look at their behaviors and listen to what they say for indicators. For example:
One's basic "world view" is that the world out there is either safe or dangerous. Narcissism (being the center of one's own universe) is a personality disorder characterized by difficulty with empathy for others, difficulty putting oneself in another's shoes. Borderline personality disorder is somewhat opposite, meaning that a person has difficulty with boundaries and does not know where he/she begins and ends as related to others. Paranoia is characterized by behaviors indicating beliefs that enemies are out to get them, are plotting against them, etc. Add psychosis to it and someone is hearing voices, having visions, cannot differentiate between reality and has irrational beliefs that someone is actually spying on them, following them, inhabiting their bodies, etc. Add in depression or anxiety disorder and you have a whole range of mental health challenges.
Thanks for your comments. Good to "see" you!

Carol Gee recommended In the Trenches (With You) ... by Josh Marshall

2009-08-03T14:56:44Z

Carol Gee Commented on Walter Cronkite -- Congruence by Carol Gee

2009-07-19T08:11:32Z

bluebell, what a yucky mental image. So true, so true. Thanks.

Carol Gee Commented on Walter Cronkite -- Congruence by Carol Gee

2009-07-19T08:09:30Z

wwstaebler, I had heard about Cronkite's kindness and even courtliness. Yours is a lovely story, and I appreciate your adding it here.