Why I love the East Side

Well, ok, I'm not really on the east side of L.A -- rather the east side of the West Side of L.A. Those who live here call it the east side and those who really live on the east side, mock us. Oh, well.

In any case, I haven't been to these regular events, but I can't wait to start dropping in.

It's right across the street from that fabulous new Vietnamese place, Gingergrass and just steps away from one of the coolest and best staffed record stores in L.A., Rockaway.

And I can walk or ride my bike to all in a matter of minutes. I likey!

Super

Funny.

When is it time to end a life?

...and who makes that decision? If somebody is chronically ill and deteriorating, not able to care for themself or even speak or communicate, who knows what the right course of action is?

The family?

The hospital?

It would seem that the family would be more likely to let emotional attachments interfere with seemingly logical actions, while a hospital may let economics interfere with compasionate actions.

As sicker and sicker people are kept alive, where does society draw the line and who is the final arbiter of that line?

My friend Gary in Boston is representing a family going through such a crisis.

Personally, when my stepfather was dying, I found most of the so-called healthcare workers at the hospital where he died to be careless and uncaring, it would not surprise me at all that a hospital would opt for the course which would cost them less money and free up a bed. That said, if a family member of mine lay in a coma, unable to communicate, deteriorating with no hope of survival, I would be inclined to let them go as peacefully as possible.

Any thoughts?

Torture at Home?

Not that the heinous crimes committed in Iraq by Americans wasn't bad enough, it now seems more evident that the same type of behavior -rightly condemned by the rest of the civilized world, including the US when it happens in foreign countries - is happening here.

Read about it then speak out.

Roofer

With the biblical rains continuing, our old casita is taking a bit of a pounding. On early Saturday morning - 2ish - I awoke to a l eak...on my head. The bed was moved instantly and the leak has moved gruadually...and gotten larger. And, naturally, no roofers returned any calls today during the brief break between deluges.

So...can anyone recommend a good southern california roofer? Please? Or an a good arc builder?

Republican Goals

An epiphany, really.

I think I've come up with a simple summary:

Republicans will do anything, including pandering to the right wing crazies and religious nuts, in order to remain in power for the purpose of dismantling all programs that strive to level the playing field so that they may derive additional benefits for only themselves and he members of the upper class.

It truly is class warfare and at some point the classes that are war is being raged on will awaken and it will not be pretty.

More on Jeff Gannon

Don't know if I'm even getting his name right, but again, here's why it matters and it matters a lot.

Who is John Negroponte?

The unsurpising choice to be the new Intelligence Chief.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Why Jeff Gannon or Whatever His Name is Matters

Just. Read. It.

Americablog.

Yes

Below is a shameless plug.
I. Have. No. Shame.

American Idol

The judges have narrowed the list of contestants from 100,000 to 24, and now it's up to us.

Check out the site and get to know some these people who are like you and me except for the fatc that one of them (at least) will become an American Idol.

Polls

Are you surprised when major national polls all of a sudden show huge movement...usually for Republicans?

Stop being confused. Look into their methodology. Maybe, just maybe, the huge jump can be explained by a poll that doesn't quite always take a fair sampling.

Don't believe me? Gallup was kind enough to help Steve Soto out.

It's time to stop taking things at face value.

Fingering Syria

Given the current US administration's track record, one has to wonder what its motives are in immediately identifying Syria as the likely culprit behind the assassination in Lebanon.

Everything that these people do everywhere in the world is suspect. Don't let them away with anything.

Always question.

What the...

Some things just defy description.

Ossie Davis R.I.P.

A great tree has fallen.

Howard Dean

Here's his speech. Read it and feel more empowered to change the direction this country is heading in. Or don't read it, and accept some of the responsibility for the further decline of the US.

Howard Dean

Is the new leader of the DNC.

If you're happy and you know it, give a little love.

He (and democrats) are going to face a lot of ridicule and hostility from the repuglicans.

Fight back.

Writing Smack

Having had to write a staggering amount of smack in my life, I do commiserate when I see fresh new enforced smack offered up by somebody not me. So, like Hunter, if I ever do meet the poor soul who had to write this correction in the L.A. Times, I, too, will gladly buy him/her a beer.

Attention Must Be Paid

Arthur Miller. R.I.P.

Go read David Mamet's obit.http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/13/opinion/13Mamet.html?

Nothing more need be said.

Think You're Poor?

Think Again. The big picture is if you're reading this, you are:

1. very much alone

2. not poor