And now comes JOOMLA! - Read this Post !

As I try to follow some of the more techie items that blast on to the internet scene from time to time, there is the occasional joy of finding a truly useful and important program or utility that changes the way I choose to work on the internet.

Blogging (and ActiveRain) was one such discovery. I could submit content written in article form to my blog and the system would insert the content into a pre-defined webpage with existing format and other information. It is like magic. I do not have to concern myself with HTML programming or any of the other little miracles of web page creation.

Well fasten your seat belt. I am finally waking up to the way the process works and how I can use it myself for my own business or personal projects. The world wide web was the 20th century equivalent of the Gutenberg Printing Press.

Welcome to the 21^st Century

The blog host, whether Blogger, Wordpress or Active Rain, is what is called a content management system (CMS) and it provides the magical environment that we all use to post the droppings of our mind to the world outside with no more than a text editor at our end of the line. Pretty amazing stuff.

But what if you could have your own CMS environment on your web host that would permit you to create complex websites without programming knowledge and little or no HTML. With the ease of submitting a blog article you can create business information pages – create menu structures for navigation – use consistent page templates for appearance or use different templates for different sections of your site. Add or delete content, modify organization, insert graphic or media content. Create an open site or permit users to register for access or create a combination where the public views public content but must register (and give name and verified email) to view the good stuff.

This is the most powerful and important tool that I have written about since I began personal and business blogging. It is not new – I am just catching up. Personal CMS systems are available and in many cases they are virtually FREE. You pay for your web hosting account, but the software that makes the magic happen is open source and available without cost. If you communicate for a living and are responsible for web sites for your business – this is the hottest ticket since the invention of orange juice. Trust me on this.

Like so many people, I have found that becoming a teacher is a real way to learn. As an adjunct professor (read as “part-time”) for Stetson University in Florida, I was exposed to an educational content delivery system called Blackboard – a commercial product. As I began to create course content, I looked for a way to build course material on my computer without connecting to the University systems. I discovered Moodle. Very comparable to Blackboard but, again, FREE. I found that I could install Moodle on my web hosting provider and I had my own on-line educational course provider system. I can create interactive courses for business training or education and control my own on line content on my own site. More on Moodle another day.

The next step in the evolutionwas the realization that Moodle and Blackboard were, like the blogging platforms, content management environments. I began to search for tools that would fit my business model whether it be real estate, direct sales, or supporting political candidates.

And the star of the show – wait for it…

Joomla! is an open source content management system which can be installed on your computer or at your internet hosting provider. (You may prefer to develope your application on your home computer then publish to your hosting provider - using Joomla!) Not only is it free, it is available for automatic installation and hosting at many of the ISP and IPP companies. I happen to use Go-Daddy to host this application and with the appropriate hosting account JOOMLA! can be installed and operating in Windows or Linux.

Content creation, security, user registration and management, and a host of other functions are easy and reliable. And, since JOOMLA! is open source and in wide spread use – the third party extensions that have been created by users and developers all over the world are amazing. Need an application for scheduling banquet rooms – its out there. Shopping cart applications for E-commerce – its out there. Free extensions – free templates – its out there. And did I mention that it is free?

As I mentioned, this is not new. I am just waking up to its existence. Joomla! is in wide distribution and developers are creating their own Joomla! based solutions and sharing their extensions with the Joomla! community. The power of this application is multiplied by the easy availability of application specific extensions and templates.

I am setting up a modest demonstration site for my own purposes as I explore the power of the system and consider how to apply the technology to my particular set of interests. www.webted.info is the temporary address. The site is really under construction and will change or will be unavailable at times while I am working on it. I have not yet implemented any registration requirements (but I do have a long weekend ahead…) so you are welcome to see how my mind is working (or not..) lately. Insert standard work in progress disclaimer >here<. You get my drift.

There are other CMS systems available. As a beginning user, I thought JOOMLA! suited my needs. As I get into the program further, I am not disappointed. It is the concept of the CMS environment being at the core of web site management and database integration on a scalable system that excited me. This is wonderful technology that is powerful and cost effective.

Check out JOOMLA! at www.joomla.org. Search for JOOMLA! related content and tutorials on You-Tube and other sources.

All of our business, political and personal ventures center around the communication of ideas. Welcome to my world.

Enjoy – you will thank me later.

Independence Day 2009

For several years in these pages I have greeted the Fourth of July and other patriotic holidays with versions of the Gettysburg Address or the Declaration of Independence or other memories that I thought were appropriate for the day. This year, it is time to remind all of us that Freedom is not Free. We – as our fathers before us and our children who come after us - must pay the heavy cost of Freedon – over and over again in each generation to protect what has been achieved for the citizens of the United States.

It is my experience that when politics drives decisions of national security, that young men and women of this Country die. I am watching the withdrawal of American forces from front line assignments in the major population centers of Iraq. It is a first and perhaps necessary step in transferring the responsibility for Iraq’s security to the Iraqi people and their government. But I hope we are not going to lose the momentum and progress for a safe and secure Iraq and a safer and more secure world that our military forces paid dearly for for the past seven years.

When I watch the current administration and the Congress waffle in the face of history and follow foreign and domestic policies that, in my view, may not protect our personal and national interests, I hope that President Obama understands the terrible weight that he carries on his shoulders for our future and that of the world. This is not a masters thesis or academic exercise. This is the real world.

On June 28, 1966, I entered the US Army for there years of military service. A year later, on the same date, my closest friend died in an unremarkable rice paddy in a remote and, to many, unimportant country called Viet Nam that school kids today can’t even find on a map. HIs name is recorded on a granite wall in Washington DC (Panel 22E Line 076) He was loved by his family and friends and is still remembered in vibrant living colors by those who knew him . I hope we remember our obligation to all of the fallen heroes that have paid with their lives to keep us (and US) free to live in this remarkable country. It is truly said that those who do not remember history and learn from it are likely to repeat it.

This is a music clip that I have featured previously. The story line is simple and powerful. The images are from World War II, Korea, Viet Nam and present day and are familiar to me. Our flag flies high over our Country – particularly on the Fourth of July. Do not forget how we got here and the price that has been paid by others on our behalf.

I have seen several versions of this video. This one is my favorite. The musical artist is John Ondrasik, the song is Freedom Never Cries.

For this Fourth of July and many more to come – May God bless America.

(video is 4 min 23 sec – its worth it)

My source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzmmQ74LzjU

Michael Jackson 1958-2009

It was a day with an active news cycle with serious events around the world and the usual political conflict in Washington. 

But the world stopped for a great many people with the afternoon announcement that Michael Jackson was dead at the age of 50.

In the US, Michael’s star had dimmed somewhat with scandal and endless news coverage of personal charges which were never proven.  But in the late 70’s and 80’s there was no bigger presence in the music world than Michael Jackson.  And the rest of the world still revered Michael as the “King of Pop” music.

As a child star from the age of 3 through decades of song and dance, there was only one Michael Jackson.  One of the last concerts that I attended personally was a Michael Jackson concert in Jacksonville, Florida.  It would be hard to describe the connection Michael had with the stadium crowd.  It was an amazing experience. 

Michael Jackson was a innovative and creative force in Pop Music.  Others tried to copy his style, but he was the original.  He was a great singer and entertainer – but an amazing dancer.  Nobody moved like Michael Jackson.  His costumes, the Glove, the Moonwalk and the 13 minute Thriller video are milestones in pop culture around the world.

I gave some thought of which Michael Jackson video to feature as a tribute to his genius – Billie Jean, Beat it, Thriller or a host of others.  No.  Will You be There fits the occasion.  The theme was used for the Free Willie movie but this clip of the song, I believe, catches the universal appeal that was Michael Jackson and is my choice to remember Michael and to send him Home. (just over 6 min)

My Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvYygjcMDdQ

 

 

Africa (the song) performed by a Remarkable Jazz Choir

The internet is full of fun and unexpected treasures to be discovered from time to time. This one comes to me from the Kim Komando site. Kim is a computer advisor with her own nationally syndicated radio program and a series of web sites and email newsletters filled with uncommonly good advice.

Kim also features a Video of the Day in one of her newsletters. Today she included a you-tube clip of an enchanting remake of “Africa” originally sung by the 1980’s rock band ToTo. The original song was nearly left out of the Toto IV album because the band had become almost tired of it in rehearsals and it was very different from the normal sound of the band with unusual instrumental and percussion tracks. But the song hit #1 on the Billboard charts in February 1983 and became the most recognizable song from the band and was featured in all the bands tours until their eventual break up in 2008.

This video version is performed by Perpetuum Jazille – a Slovenian a cappella jazz choir (?!!) with 40– 50 members. The video opens with the band recreating an African rain storm with their hands (and occasional thunder from their feet). You will enjoy the show. (approx 6 min 17 sec). A group since 1983, Perpetuum Jazille is the only Slovenian jazz choir. (Slovenia is located between Austria and Croatia in Eastern Europe). They have four albums (none available on Amazon – I am working on a European order). They have several of their songs streaming on their MySpace page. No instruments here – all effects and percussion are voice.

Enjoy

My source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05ip-N0H1Ig

And now a word from our Sponsor

I am interested in this post both in the content of the message and also in the medium chosen to present the message.

Many of my readers know that I have an interest in the electrolized water processing systems by Enagic USA which produce Kangen Water (a trademark of Enagic).  The systems produce various waters with multiple purposes with variable pH levels from 2.5 (strong acidic) to 11.5 (strong alkaline) with drinking waters form 8.5 to 9.5 pH readings.  The three potential health benefits of the drinking water include alkaline pH level, strong antioxident, and micro clustering of the water – all the result of the filtering and processing by electrolysis. I have described the system in our Age Management Group here on www.ActiveRain.com/groups/agemanagement.

I created a video today for the Kangen Water systems to be used in  video email messages to prospects via talk Fusion and also on Facebook and Twitter.  Although I use www.RealEstateShows.com for real estate property tours, this application needed something a bit more hip and faster paced.  So I turned to www.animoto.com to produce the following clip.  You will see why if you view the video.  (less than two minutes) 

The purpose of this clip is to attract the attention of the prospect to get him or her to come to a product demonstration meeting.  It was important to present an image of health benefits without giving too much information about the product so as to stimulate the prospects interest – without giving enough information that he would decline to attend the meeting.  So it is not a problem if the viewer cannot read everything in the fast paced clip – it may cause him to look at the clip again (all to the good).  More specific information and opportunity for questions comes at the full presentation meeting.

So while I am always talking about the benefits of Kangen Water, here my point is that we have different tools and technologies available to us to present our message and sometimes the choice of which tool to use helps us deliver our message to our prospects. 

Enjoy (1 min 47 sec)

My source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCizQN4Ckxs

 

Newt and the Road Ahead

Those who have read my posts in the past know that I am an unabashed fan of Republicans like Dick Cheney and Newt Gingrich.  My position was never more clear than in the recent juxtaposition of President Obama’s speech on national security with the same day speech on the same topic by Vice-President Cheney.

More recently we have a major policy address by Newt Gingrich at the 2009 GOP Congressional Dinner. 

Newt begins his presentation with the simple declaration that he is not a citizen of the world – placing him in sharp contract with President Obama.  He then presents a 56 minute (clip below) road map to American economic recovery and Republican victories in 2010 and 2012.  He draws on Lincoln as the first Republican President and Ronald Reagan and others as he presents his typical 12 step solutions. 

Newt asserts that national security is the primary goal, but states that the economy and education are, at their heart, national security issues.  Politically, Newt claims that the Democrat objective is not national security – it is power and paying off their political allies.  And Republican resurgence is necessary in 2010 and 2012.  But more important is the basic truth that America must be able to compete in the global economy with India and China if we are to maintain our position of leadership in the world.  To Newt, competing with India and China is a greater challenge than our Cold War struggle with the Soviet Union. 

It is no small task.  We must reform litigation, regulation, taxation, education, health, energy and infrastructure in order to accomplish economic recovery and pre-eminence in the world economy.

Below is the Gingrich speech in its entirety.  It is a 56 minute clip, but important to hear.  A transcript of the entire speech is available <here>. Newt remains one of the finest strategic thinkers in the Country and in the Republican Party.  And he commands a room when he speaks as well as anyone I have seen.

Enjoy.

My source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1XaQ7tz8uM

 

 

 

 

 

Vice President Cheney for the Defense

On Thursday, May 21, we were treated to a remarkable event.  President Obama presented his view on certain national security issues, speaking from the National Archives with the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence on display behind him.  Following the President’s speech, Vice President Dick Cheney spoke at the American Enterprise Institute (Mr Cheney is on the Board of Trustees) with his view of current national security issues from his perspective as a participant in the Bush Administration process on these same issues.

The press was somewhat in awe of this event (and yes, I was watching Fox News).  The more rhapsodic commentators talked about this Clash of the Titans but the best description was that “this was the debate we wanted to hear last year in the election”.  But Candidate Obama was, at that time, acting like a moderate and Candidate McCain was not to be accused of being a conservative.  Now we have a far left liberal revealed in President Obama speaking on his own policies – and a strong, un-apologetic conservative in Mr Cheney speaking on his policies during the Bush administration. 

It was great political theater.  But it was also more than that.  In my view, the problem with many of the Bush policies was not bad policy, it was a failure by the administration to explain and sell the policies to the public (having the press in the opposition camp didn’t help either). Now we have Mr Cheney offering a strong presentation in defense of the policies that he feels kept our nation safe at home following the attacks of 9/11.  I believe that Mr Cheney is speaking out because of the Democrat threats to prosecute Bush administration officials.  But, whatever the reason, I am pleased to have the Vice President speaking out at last. 

Mr Cheney pulls no punches.  He describes what was done, why it was done, what the authority was for the actions and what the result was.  It would be a rare prosecuting attorney who could have stated a better case.  There is no apology.  He supported the policies at the time and he supports the policies now. 

Those who have read my posts will already be aware that I am a fan of the Vice President.  So I have a bias here.  I believe that Dick Cheney has been a remarkable and valuable public servant under both Bush Presidencies – as wartime Secretary of Defense under one and wartime Vice President under the other.  He performed his oath of office to defend the Constitution from all threats, foreign and domestic, with dedication and excellence.  And I believe this speech is an outstanding example of this man’s performance under difficult circumstances.

I will attempt to embed his speech in its entirety.  The blogging platforms where I publish have very different ways of handling embedded files – so I hope this is successful.  If there is any problem with the embedded player, click on my source to see the file on my source page.  The speech is 35 minutes – but worth every minute. 

My source: http://www.blogcatalog.com/search.frame.php?term=dick+cheney.+cheney+aei+speech&id=9c821378bdff087720fca9926faf2c11

 

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

 

Florida Senate Race - 2010

Florida has an open Senate Seat in 2010 with the announced retirement of Senator Martinez.  Our Governor, Charlie Crist, has announced his candidacy – but I find myself very impressed with another candidate – Marco Rubio of West Miami.  Marco received high marks as the Speaker of the Florida House, perhaps the highest legislative office in Florida – but has never been elected to a state wide office. 

Governor Crist’s high polling numbers state wide (something of a mystery to me) are the reason that Crist is the choice of the smart money.  I recognize the importance of keeping the seat in the Republican family, but I would like to elect a conservative to the Senate from Florida.  On that question, I believe Marco’s credentials are more impressive.

What follows is a video of Marco Rubio, Speaker of the Florida House, in his farewell address to the legislature at the conclusion of his term of office as Speaker. 

The clip is 7.5 minutes and is worth a listen. 

My Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yc-qRFpAM4

On this Memorial Day - Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

From time to time on appropriate national days of remembrance, I like to repeat the words of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.  I am always struck by the simple truth and beauty of Lincoln’s words and by the fact that at the time of the dedication of the Soldiers National Cemetery at the Gettysburg battlefield, which was the occasion for the address, the final result of the Civil War was not yet clear.  Mr. Lincoln knew that the Battle of Gettysburg had been a significant victory for the federal forces – but the war was not over yet and he knew how terrible the cost of war had been and how close the conflict remained. 

The address was given November 19, 1863, almost five months after the battle. Like today, the public reaction was divided according to party lines.  I doubt that our current political system could agree on the Sermon on the Mount. 

But President Lincoln’s words have endured.  After Lincoln’s death, Senator Charles Sumner in his eulogy for the slain President commented with foresight that “the battle itself was less important than the speech.”

We are today besieged, as Lincoln was, by forces which threaten to tear this nation apart.  Political divisions, uncertainty and the echos of war are all around us.  But we must all agree that our freedom has a price that has been paid by others on our behalf and that we owe our way of life to the men and women who have proudly worn the uniforms of our military forces and have sacrificed their lives so that we could enjoy the freedoms provided by our society.

President Abraham Lincoln – his Gettysburg Address:

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

 

A NIght on the Town with the President

President Obama attended the White House Correspondents Dinner Saturday and demonstrated that he may have better comedy writers available than the Republicans, what with his Hollywood ties and such.  He directed jokes at the Republicans, the Vice President, his cabinet and at himself.  A few that I remember – possibly paraphrased by my memory…

• Mothers Day is a tough holiday for Rahm Emmanuel.  He is not used to saying the word “day” after the word “Mother”
• David Axelrod has been with the President for a number of years.  I recall talking with him before the campaign saying that they could do wonderful things together.  Axelrod replied, saying what so many partners are saying these days, “Let’s go to Iowa and make it official”.
• The President spoke of Michael Steel, in the audience, reminding him that the Republican Party does not qualify for a government bailout.
• The President has been busy in the first 100 days.  After all, no other President has named three Secretaries of Commerce in that time period.
• Just last week, Car and Driver named Mr Obama as Auto Executive of the Year.
• The President appreciated Larry Summers attending the dinner – as it is 7 hours past his bed time.
• The administration has also grown the Democratic Party with energy and bringing in fresh, young, new faces… like Arlen Spector.
• In the next hundred days, we will design, build and open a library dedicated to my first hundred days.  In the next hundred days, I will learn to go off the teleprompter.  Joe Biden will learn to stay ON the teleprompter. 
• As change is occurring, and change is difficult, I have brought a new friend to the White House – warm and cuddly – he must be kept on a tight leash, however, as ne has a tendency to run off on the wrong direction and get into trouble… but enough about Joe Biden. 
• I believe that my next 100 days will be so successful, I will be able to complete them in 72 days.
• Thomas Jefferson stated that if he had to choose between government without the press or the press without government, he would know to choose the latter – of course he die not have the cable news news networks to contend with. 

So thank you Mr. President for the good humor for the evening and the thought that you are having dinner and we, the taxpayers, are not picking up the check.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax and Spend - Doom and Gloom

In discussing the social liberal tendencies of Jack Kemp with our friends in another post, we seemed to be moving to an area of disagreement.

Ronald Reagan used a simple analogy to describe a tax and spend liberal - he compared them to the alimentary canal of an infant - a happy appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other. He did not say that liberals did not like children nor did he deny the needs of a child for food.  

I would not disagree with President Obama that there are legitimate needs and social imbalances that should be addressed in our society.  But we have different views of the role of government and the priority of those needs and in the manner that they should be addressed.  These are questions about which reasonable men may disagree.  

Under the current administration, our government is, in my view, writing checks that, again in my view, we cannot pay.  And President Obama is not backing away from or delaying any of his agenda items which suggests that he will continue to write these checks in the near term without having a plan to pay for them.  As China and the Middle East stop buying our government debt, and while the President continues to run the printing presses at Treasury and at the Federal Reserve, the impact on our economy and our currency is likely to be unpleasant for generations to come.  

Further, the President has, in my view, used the pressing nature of our economic difficulties to pass into law a number of, shall we say, unrelated programs which relate more to the far left political agenda than to the emergency - which suggests a level of intellectual dishonesty that I find disquieting.  

I fear that the time will come in the short term that many, liberal or not, including the Jack Kemps, if any remain, will stand with me to condemn the lack of fiscal responsibility of this President and will seek to unwind the actions of this administration without regard for the “good” intentions that drove him.  We are less than 10% into the term of this administration.  I hope that I am wrong in my assessment.  But my concern is that the light at the end of the tunnel, in the words of the cliche, is an oncoming train and we do not have long to wait to begin to evaluate the actions that have been put in place in terms of their social and economic cost in addition to their claim of benefit.

We’ll see said the zen master.

Part of the Reagan Revolution is Gone

I don’t normally pay much attention to sports figures but a 13 year professional football Quarterback has died.  His Name is Jack Kemp.

Jack Kemp is also a remarkable figure in American politics – which explains my interest. 

Jack Kemp served in Congress from New York from 1971 to 1989.  He became an early proponent of supply side tax cuts.  A fiscal conservative, he championed liberal social causes – but usually incentive based programs rather than welfare/giveaways.  He described himself as a “bleeding heart conservative”.  In addition to supply side tax programs, Kemp innovated with Enterprise Zones – a proactive plan for the inner cities.  Kemp was extremely influential during the Reagan administration for his economic plans,  and was partly responsible for Reagan’s successes.

Kemp was also Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Bush 41 from 1989 to 1993.  In 1996, Kemp was the Republican candidate for Vice-President on the ticket with Bob Dole.  Dole-Kemp, something of a political odd couple, lost to Bill Clinton.

Jack Kemp has continued to be active and to address his social and economic concerns.  He died at his Bethesda, MD, home last Saturday at the age of 73 after a long illness.  He is survived by his wife, two children,  17 grandchildren and a grateful nation.

 

 

 

Obama to pick successor to Justice Souter

I had a chance to watch part of the news briefing today at the White House where the President entered, startling the reporters who were sleeping through Press Secretary Gibbs presentation.

President Obama announced that he had spoken directly with Justice Souter, after receiving his letter of resignation effective at the end of the current term of the Court, and he could now officially confirm the resignation of the Justice.

As the President spoke of Justice Souter, he praised the Justice for his legal philosophy, his view of the limited role of the judiciary and his refusal to pursue a political agenda from the Bench.  But when he spoke of the qualities he would seek in a replacement, his focus was different – discussing the importance of understanding how the decisions of the Court impact ordinary citizens.  It is my view that while praising Souter for not being an activist judge – he then described the qualities of judicial activism as the values he will seek. 

It has been my experience that the Justices who have served in elected political office outside of the judiciary tend to be more sensitive to the role of the people in the process and may come closer to the values that the President mentioned.  Justices Souter and O’Connor both had that political background – and it may have served them well on the Court.

The other impression I had of the President and his merry men in the briefing room was that they showed unrestrained glee that they were going to have a chance to appoint a new Justice of the Supreme Court.  I thought that was a bit shabby since we are seeing the end of a distinguished career of public service from David Souter.  I did not always agree with Justice Souter’s legal opinions – but I respected his position on the Court and his public service on the Court and in his previous positions.  I thought a little more decorum in the announcement would have been nice.  I think if I were one of the other Justices remaining on the Court, I would be hiring food tasters for the next few years. 

The President will be able to get his pick for the Court approved by the Senate, with 60 Senators on the Democrat side.  I hope and recommend that he should seek out a qualified jurist who is left leaning, but not an ideologue.  He should seek to gain favor with the Republicans with a moderate to left leaning appointment to build political capital for the next one.  Probably a woman and/or a minority, but not someone who wouldn’t fit into Souter’s shoes and ideology. 

We’ll see said the zen-master.

Supreme Court Justice David Souter to Retire

President Obama will have his first opportunity to appoint an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court soon.  Justice David Souter is expected to announce that he will retire at the end of the current term of the Court this summer.

Justice Souter, 69, who was appointed in 1990 by Republican President George H. W. Bush, is considered to be one of the four liberal leaning Justices of the Court. 

Justice Souter served as Attorney General for his home state of New Hampshire, as a Superior Court Judge and State Supreme Court Justice in New Hampshire.  He was appointed as a Federal Appellate Judge (DC Circuit) in 1990 and as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in the same year.

He will be eligible to sit as a Senior Judge on Federal Appellate Courts after his retirement if he wishes to do so.  Currently, the only other living retired Associate Justice is Sandra Day O’Connor.

Justice Souter’s decision to retire is a bit surprising to me.  He is one of the younger members of the Court.  Justice Stevens, 89, Justice Ginsburg, 76, had been mentioned as possible candidates for retirement during President Obama’s term.  Justices Scalia, 73 and Kennedy, 72, are also older than Souter. 

Since Justice Souter is already considered to be liberal in his decisions and views, it would seem that President Obama’s first pick will not influence the make-up of the Court significantly.  But it will give us an opportunity to see how his mind works in the process.  There is certainly an opportunity to put an additional woman or minority Justice in place. 

It also appears with Senator Spector’s defection from the Republicans and the likely placement of Al Franken as Senator from Minnesota in the near future that the Democrats will have a filibuster-proof majority of 60 in the Senate. 

Justice Souter has served as Associate Justice for 18 years and is known to prefer life in his native New Hampshire to life in Washington DC. 

 

Actress Bea Arthur Silent at Last

I note with sadness the passing of actress and comedy star, Bea Arthur, at age 86. 

Ms Arthur came from the stage (Tony Award Winner) to television in a comedy role in All in the Family opposite Archie Bunker (Caroll O’Connor).

She reprised her character in the spin-off series, Maude, from 1972 to 1978, winning a Best Actress Emmy. 

She returned with her husky voice and acerbic wit in The Golden Girls, another hit series  from 1985 through 1992 in which Arthur and her costars all won Emmy Awards. 

As the years go by, I have noticed my own aging by the loss of comedy legends who have died along the way after providing me with generations of entertainment and laughs.  In this world we live in, I can use all the smiles and laughter I can get.  I enjoyed Bea Arthur on camera for her characters’ sarcasm and her heart.  I will miss her. 

Those of you who recognize her work will remember the comedy – so I will present a brief clip of her performing a musical number as many of you may not realize she was also a Tony winning stage performer.

My source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhSIKdfxbSs&feature=related

 

 

Florida Growth has Slowed

The Lakeland Ledger newspaper reports that for the first time since World War II, more people moved out of Florida than moved into the state from the domestic US for the twelve months from July 2007 to July 2008. 

Population continued slow growth as foreign immigrants added 77,000 to the inbound figures during the time period. 

The article talks about 9.5% unemployment in Florida and how the national housing slump has stopped folks up North from selling their homes so they could move to Florida. 

But the article does not address – nor is the state addressing – what I believe to be more serious problems.  In addition to the fall in home values in Florida and the high foreclosure rates, there are two other issues which I believe contribute to the population drain:  home insurance costs and real property taxes.

Four major hurricanes hit Florida in 2004 (including 3 that hit my home area of Central Florida).  Several major insurance companies were hurt, but that appears to be the result of inadequate re-insurance planning by the companies.  In any case the insurance rates in Florida for homeowners has gone up and has become a burden for Florida residents.

Second, although Florida has no state income tax, the real property taxes which support the state and local governments and such services as education have increased.  As usual the politicians at state and local levels have not been willing to give up any tax revenues.  In fairness to the politicians – the voters want lower taxes but do not want to give up any services.

The economy will recover.  Florida still offers a climate and lifestyle that many find attractive.  The housing markets will recover.  But the insurance and property tax issues will need to be solved, or we will not return to the previous growth rates. 

 

Tennessee Ernie Ford Classic song revisited

I have heard the audio – but here is the video.  Much too good to pass up.  From the conservative point of view, this is where we are going. 

Enjoy (about two minutes)