"Gridlock? It may feel that way. But that's not the story of the 111th Congress..."
According to Jim Abrams of the Associated Press, in his article of October 17, 2010,
"... the session of Congress now drawing to a close was the most productive in nearly half a century."
"Congress passed an $814 billion economic stimulus package soon after President Barack Obama took office, tapping a staggering sum of money to avoid a full-blown depression (emphasis added). "
"The two other landmark acts of this session were the health care overhaul, a giant step toward universal coverage that had eluded presidents back to Franklin Roosevelt if not Teddy Roosevelt, and the Wall Street accountability act.
Obama has also signed into law at least a dozen other pieces of legislation of significance. They include:
_Making college loans more affordable.
_The Cash for Clunkers program that helped rejuvenate the auto industry.
_New consumer protections for credit card users.
_Making it easier for women to challenge pay discrimination.
_Increasing federal regulation of tobacco products.
_Cracking down on waste in Pentagon weapons acquisition.
_Making attacks based on sexual orientation a federal hate crime.
_Giving businesses tax incentives to hire unemployed workers.
_Tax credits for first-time homeowners. "
As we approach the upcoming election, take a moment to reflect on all that has been accomplished.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Congratulations to the People of Germany!
It was twenty years ago, October 3, 1990, that the details of Germany's unification were finalized. Now, after twenty years of hard work, Germany's story is a true success story!
Berlin, the Capitol of Germany, where we have lived for the past month, will be the main place to celebrate this anniversary. It promises to be a BIG party, but also with serious speeches and discussions, a bit of looking back and a lot of looking forward. We are a bit sad to miss the party but it is rather a personal celebration for the people of Berlin.
This anniversary is also the opportunity to remember November 9, 1989, when Berliners joyfully participated in the breaching of the Wall, the Mauer, that had separated the people in East Berlin from those in West Berlin since 1961. The removal of the wall was just the beginning of the Friedliche Revolution, the 'Peaceful Revolution' in East Germany. The SED government of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) was unwilling to abandon its absolute claim to power and it took demonstrations and negotiations to convince them that the times had changed. On March 18, 1990, the first free ballot in the GDR was held and people voted overwhelmingly in favor of the "Alliance for Germany" the party that promised rapid reunification.
Then the work began to negotiate the unification agreement between East and West Germany and, amazingly, to us, a separate agreement between East and West Germany and the WWII Allies: Britain, USA, France and Russia!
Indeed, our congratulations go out to all Germans, as they take stock of how far they have come since October 3, 1990. After all, twenty years is not long in the history of this country but, perhaps these last twenty years have been Germany's best. Willy Brandt, former Chancellor of Germany and former Mayor of Berlin said, "Now what belongs together is growing together again!"
During these twenty years the Germans have radically transformed their country. So, we wish them a great and joyous celebration.
Berlin, the Capitol of Germany, where we have lived for the past month, will be the main place to celebrate this anniversary. It promises to be a BIG party, but also with serious speeches and discussions, a bit of looking back and a lot of looking forward. We are a bit sad to miss the party but it is rather a personal celebration for the people of Berlin.
This anniversary is also the opportunity to remember November 9, 1989, when Berliners joyfully participated in the breaching of the Wall, the Mauer, that had separated the people in East Berlin from those in West Berlin since 1961. The removal of the wall was just the beginning of the Friedliche Revolution, the 'Peaceful Revolution' in East Germany. The SED government of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) was unwilling to abandon its absolute claim to power and it took demonstrations and negotiations to convince them that the times had changed. On March 18, 1990, the first free ballot in the GDR was held and people voted overwhelmingly in favor of the "Alliance for Germany" the party that promised rapid reunification.
Then the work began to negotiate the unification agreement between East and West Germany and, amazingly, to us, a separate agreement between East and West Germany and the WWII Allies: Britain, USA, France and Russia!
Indeed, our congratulations go out to all Germans, as they take stock of how far they have come since October 3, 1990. After all, twenty years is not long in the history of this country but, perhaps these last twenty years have been Germany's best. Willy Brandt, former Chancellor of Germany and former Mayor of Berlin said, "Now what belongs together is growing together again!"
During these twenty years the Germans have radically transformed their country. So, we wish them a great and joyous celebration.
Rare Earth - Earthquakes around the Planet #2
More from Pat Boland in Christchurch, NZ....
Hi Susan and Blair
Great to hear from you and delighted that you are continuing to enjoy your trip and the variety of experiences that you have been lucky enough to partake of.
We are, as a city and individually, working through the issues of the earthquake's aftermath with its continuing aftershocks of varying dimensions. There was quite a grunty one of over four this morning at 6.30 am which set properties a shaking once again. Fortunately Tess and I were up on the hills taking our morning constitutional so missed its impact for which we were grateful. One the other hand even the stronger ones are becoming so familiar that one is tending to take a que sera sera attitude now.
After the first shocks everyone was coming to grips with their problems, checking on friends and family, and what the overall situation was in reality. This took a short time to sink in and then it was all hands to the grindstone to help wherever possible. The citizens of Christchurch came together willingly to help in any way they could and many long hours were spent in manning such areas as civil defense, fire service, police and ambulance services, etc. by trained personnel and volunteers, while others including school children and tertiary students were out in the devastated areas assisting families to clear their properties and houses from the liquefaction, i.e. basically sludge, that rose to the surface and did so much damage breaking water and sewerage systems, causing huge fissures up to over a metre in depth in roads and properties, cracking house foundations and flooding homes and sections. Relief centres for those forced from their homes were quickly set up and volunteers brought food, gave comfort where possible, and generally helped in any way they could.
There has also been destruction to central city business areas and heritage buildings with facades falling and stock destroyed. In many cases shop keepers have taken in fellow retailers who have lost their shops either in the short or long term and combined shopping outlets are being set up. A lovely sight to see a little hairdressing salon operating in conjunction with a florist shop. What a nice aroma you would be able to enjoy while having your hair cut.
Now the third phase with reality setting in, and where do we go from here. It appears that over one hundred thousand homes have been affected though many with only superficial cracks to internal and external walls etc., movement on foundations, loss of chattels or most of all falling chimneys causing damage to the houses on the way down.
Claims are being made and assessors working overtime to provide reports so repair work can proceed. But it is understood that in certain of the worst hit areas all the houses will be pulled down, if possible the land will be stabilized and houses rebuilt a process that could take years and put huge pressure on services for a long time to come.
BUT there was no loss of life and it was only a small percentage of the city that was destroyed. IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE.
This is I am afraid a little pessimistic. It is not all doom and gloom for everyone, and those of us who have been so lucky as to escape basically unscathed, certainly acknowledge their good fortune and do what we can to help those less blessed.
Pat Boland
Christchurch, New Zealand
September 23, 2010
Hi Susan and Blair
Great to hear from you and delighted that you are continuing to enjoy your trip and the variety of experiences that you have been lucky enough to partake of.
We are, as a city and individually, working through the issues of the earthquake's aftermath with its continuing aftershocks of varying dimensions. There was quite a grunty one of over four this morning at 6.30 am which set properties a shaking once again. Fortunately Tess and I were up on the hills taking our morning constitutional so missed its impact for which we were grateful. One the other hand even the stronger ones are becoming so familiar that one is tending to take a que sera sera attitude now.
After the first shocks everyone was coming to grips with their problems, checking on friends and family, and what the overall situation was in reality. This took a short time to sink in and then it was all hands to the grindstone to help wherever possible. The citizens of Christchurch came together willingly to help in any way they could and many long hours were spent in manning such areas as civil defense, fire service, police and ambulance services, etc. by trained personnel and volunteers, while others including school children and tertiary students were out in the devastated areas assisting families to clear their properties and houses from the liquefaction, i.e. basically sludge, that rose to the surface and did so much damage breaking water and sewerage systems, causing huge fissures up to over a metre in depth in roads and properties, cracking house foundations and flooding homes and sections. Relief centres for those forced from their homes were quickly set up and volunteers brought food, gave comfort where possible, and generally helped in any way they could.
There has also been destruction to central city business areas and heritage buildings with facades falling and stock destroyed. In many cases shop keepers have taken in fellow retailers who have lost their shops either in the short or long term and combined shopping outlets are being set up. A lovely sight to see a little hairdressing salon operating in conjunction with a florist shop. What a nice aroma you would be able to enjoy while having your hair cut.
Now the third phase with reality setting in, and where do we go from here. It appears that over one hundred thousand homes have been affected though many with only superficial cracks to internal and external walls etc., movement on foundations, loss of chattels or most of all falling chimneys causing damage to the houses on the way down.
Claims are being made and assessors working overtime to provide reports so repair work can proceed. But it is understood that in certain of the worst hit areas all the houses will be pulled down, if possible the land will be stabilized and houses rebuilt a process that could take years and put huge pressure on services for a long time to come.
BUT there was no loss of life and it was only a small percentage of the city that was destroyed. IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE.
This is I am afraid a little pessimistic. It is not all doom and gloom for everyone, and those of us who have been so lucky as to escape basically unscathed, certainly acknowledge their good fortune and do what we can to help those less blessed.
Pat Boland
Christchurch, New Zealand
September 23, 2010
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