Book Announcement! 

A former neighbor of my mom's who became her friend and has kept up a friendship with me, even after mom's passing has written a book on the importance of grandparent kid friendships,

 "GrandFriendships,"       http://www.grandfriendships.com/  

a look at the joy and growth inherent in the relationships of children and  grandparents. 

For the many years that I have known her, Helene has been an advocate, not only for the importance of grand parenting in fully multi generational families, but even more importantly she has worked to increase opportunities of the kids and adults who may not have easy access to their own grandparents or grandkids. Now she is sharing what she has learned.

My take on this? 
The nature of the American nuclear family has sometimes isolated us more than has been healthy and we have not taken advantage of the opportunities and yes, needs in our own communities.  How much cost  and how much benefit would there be if your local day care center hired a few "old fogies" to play with the kids? And why do you hardly ever see kids being invited to adult need day care? These are just a few of the opportunities around us.  I think we are missing something that could easily be made better. But don't take my word for it, check it out for yourself! 

pat 

If you have been watching the administrations attempts to pass the new FISA bill you will probably wonder as i did why they keep claiming that the constitutional safeguards of check and balances and judicial oversight are incompatible with national security.

Of course, that's not the way they phase it. They basically claim that any restriction on the executive branch to spy whenever and however they want is the only way to spy.  Now we fought a revolution against King George III to get rid of such autocratic powers.  I don't know which is most disgusting, the Bush administration's blatant shouting fear, Fear, FEAR!, or their totally not even mentioning why they might think that creating proper oversight is an impossibility.  In reality we know it is only tyrants and dictators that never want oversight.

The Democratic house has passed a continuing resolution which would even keep the currant flawed version in effect during negotiations to protect telcos while not giving anyone sole carte blanch to destroy the rule of law that so many Americans fought to put in place.  And yes, there are provisions for emergencies in place, so all the Repub fear is a rather simplistic and stupid lie.

The jpg below is from a Repub fear ad urging  scared Americans to call the house and tell congress just how scared. they are. I suggest you take this to heart and call the house and tell them that you are indeed afraid of a unitary  executive Presidency that will not allow oversight from anyone.  Tell your house to vote  against the senate version of the Terror Surveillance Bill.

  (in case the jpg does not come through, the number is 202-225-3121.  They will just switch you to someone who you will register your opinion with and they will ask your zip code to know which congress critter to inform.  just takes a min.)

....................             
>From the Founding Fathers, the Bill of Rights . . . 

    Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States
     – Protection from unreasonable search and seizure.
    The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.