Where did "Oregon" come from?

The origins of the name of my beloved state is a mystery.

The culprit found...

The Zune leap year bug.

My Zune is froze....

My Zune music player is froze on the opening screen today...and I'm not the only one! 

A conspiracy to get me to buy a new Zune?

Microsoft would not really do that, would they?

I bought Zunes for Jodie and Eric for Christmas... 

Laura..talk to us!

I've said it before; I think President Bush would do better if he let Laura talk to us instead of him.

I like her take the shoe throwing incident:

As "bad as the incident is," she said, it is an indication of progress. "It is a sign that Iraqis feel a lot freer to express themselves," she said.

I'm not a Bush fan, but I think his failure to articulate thoughts to us has magnified our negative thoughts of him.

We are free!

We were finally able to get out yesterday. Jet White started right up. We found the only handicapped space at the mall that was not a slush repository...or so it seemed.

We bought E a 19 in TV for his room. I did not realize it was hi def. We turned on a football game when we got home. The difference between analogue and hi def tv...like a pair of glasses...I could see the players whiskers!

I know what I want for my birthday!

White Christmas...

Christmas Eve was a quiet one at home for us.  Week two of being snowed in.  

We are getting creative in the meal department as we use up our groceries.  I mixed hamburger with baked beans.  I didn't have the pineapple to mix in like mom does.   Not bad...not the best.

We called mom and John after dinner.  We miss you...look forward to our makeup Christmas Eve...when the slush is gone.

We watched one of our favorite holiday movies, 'Jingle All the Way'.  Arnold, Sinbad, Phil Hartman...we watch it every year.

Santa was nice to us, thanks to our heavy dependence on internet shopping...and E and Jodie braving the Thanksgiving weekend crowds.  A color print out picture sufficed for one additional gift we plan to get for E...when we are no longer snowed in.

Mike and Vance drove the Suburban over to get us Christmas Day afternoon.  Tbey were amazed at the depth of the snow in our culdesac.   Mike, Va nce and E shoveled a path to the Suburban, then it was a group effort to get Jodie and I to the truck.

The five mile stretch of Birdsdale Ave., that separates us.  It was a bumpy ride.  Lots of packed snow.  Cars were slid off the road.  One older lady was in tears as she drove off after having been pushed out of the ditch by some good samaritans.

Turkey dinner was wonderful.  Being with family and friends was wonderful.  Sharing gifts was fun.  We gave my sister-in-law the book "PC's for Dummies" and a coupon for a day with a live computer dummy...yours truly.

Denise was nervous that Mike and I might be talking politics.  I was good.  I kept my "Dan Quale in a skirt" comments to myself.

One of the day`s highlights was seeing it snow so heavy at my in-laws' estate.  It was beautiful!  A genuine white Christmas...

Bread of Life...

...baked in Rhode Island. This is probably where my communion wafer comes from.

A fascinating story.

Snowzilla!

"He doesn't have any issues..."

But the city does...

Trying to get in the mood...

Snowed in....week two.

White Christmas Eve coming up...just the three of us...Jodie, E and myself.


Thank you WW:

Wheelie Catholic

A nice hat tip from a thoughtful and a very thoughtful and informative blog - Wheelie Catholic.

I like her mission statement:

A blog where issues concerning people with disabilities intersect with observations about life, encouraging prayerful efforts toward social justice and inclusion of people with disabilities

State of Emergency

Gresham, Oregon, was declared to be in a state of emergency this morning. Mayor Shane Bemus said that areas south of Powell Blvd. are inaccessible for emergency vehicles.

The Portland Metro area offices of Oregon Dept. Human Services are closed today. In my 19 years as a DHS employee, that has never happened before.

E just measured "a foot and seven inches" outside. That's 19 inches...if math is right...not sure anymore because whenever I help E with his math he get's it wrong!

Last week we had some snow and ice. Over the weekend we had freezing rain, which usually ushers in warmer air and an end to freezing temps, but now we have more snow.

Snow events here are brief and infrequent. Our region is not prepared for a prolonged snow storm.

This is the second week the Jodie and I have been snowed/iced in. I planned to be on vacation this week. I don't think we will be able to get Jodie into work this week. Regular rain to clear
this snow and ice out is not coming until this weekend.

We don't like barriers, and this weather is a big one for us!

You smell like a Whopper!

"Flame by BK".

Is this for real?

Not just US auto companies struggling

Toyota ready to post loss, first time in 71 years.

Born in April in a sheep feeding trough?

I like the cultural Christmas story that we have all come to know better, but this piece about five myths about Christmas puts it in perspective

Size ten stimulus

Demand for the "Bush shoe" is up...

The weather out there is frightful!

Intern JJ called last night and asked that I post on the church website that all services, classes and activities are closed Sunday...today.

It's understandable.  10 plus inches of snow, with freezing rain on top.  We would not have made it in, even without the freezing rain.  

We have a lot of members who live close to  church, and a lot of people who hail from other parts of the country where snow isn't a big deal.  

Freezing rain must have been the decider.

Today was supposed to be the children's Christmas production at church.  Such a high point of the season!  The kids understand the real meaning of the Christmas better than we adults do!  I'm always partial to the littlest boy with the loudest voice --- off key; or the little girl  who is never in the right place and is constantly being pulled back into the right place by the conductor, the parent, the kids...until everyone gives up and lets the free spirit be.

Hopefully this will be rescheduled...as well many other things...

We broke free...for two hours

Yesterday morning, Thursday, was the first morning of the week without ice.  We were surprised how clear it was.  The rain had really done its job.  There were traces of slushy ice on the ground, but it was negotiable.

The forecast called for artic temps to return at four in the afternoon.  Jodie and I work for the same agency, but different offices.  I decided to work from Jodie's office yesterday, since it is only a mile from our house.  We would just leave by three in the afternoon to avoid the "freeze."

E's school was canceled Monday and Wednesday this week.  School was open on Thursday.  Before we went to Jodie's office, we dropped E off at my in-laws.  He rides with cousin Vance to school.

As soon as we got to Jodie's office it began to snow.

Within an hour the snow had turned the streets white.  School closed.  An hour after that E, Vance, friend Marcus, and sis-in-law Denise were at Jodie's office to escort us home.  Vance and Marcus did a awesome job escorting myself and Jodie to our van.  E opened the door and started it up.  Denise drove it home for us.  Then, they went and got groceries for us.

Back home, Jodie and I felt silly.  We were trying to be responsible.  We hadn't been to work all week,  and we thought there was a big enough break in the weather to make it to our jobs. Denise said not to worry.

I don't remember there being such a long freezing spell here before.  Tomorrow, a huge storm is supposed to hit, bringing eight inches of snow.  It's not supposed to warm up until Christmas Eve.

Our offices are understanding of our mobility issues as it relates to not being able to get around on ice, but still, it is hard for us to accept.

True awareness

Lt. Governor David Onley of Ontario, who battled polio as a child, really gets what disability awareness is about:

Onley finished our meeting with an example he regularly gives in speeches, citing a man named Roger Crawford who was born with only partially developed hands and shortened arms yet went on to become a star tennis player and certified coach with the United States Tennis Association. 

Onley heard Crawford make a motivational speech and believes Crawford summed it up perfectly when he said, "The only difference between you and me is that you can see my handicap, but I can't see yours. We all have them. When people ask me how I've been able to overcome my physical handicaps, I tell them that I haven't overcome anything. I've simply learned what I cannot do - such as play the piano or eat with chopsticks - but more importantly, I've learned what I can do. Then I do what I can with all my heart and soul." 

Portland Arctic blas '08...

...in pictures.

Nice work Scott!

Losing billions...

Truly the biggest losers.

Watching it go...

A new online data system for PERS, (Public Employee Retirement System).

Now I'll be able to watch my diminishing retirement.

Troyproofing...

A wearable airbag?  I could use one!

Thanks Andrew.

Size 10 humor

Late night take on size 10.

Iced in!

It started snowing here on Sunday, just as the forcasters said.  It does not snow much here in the Portland area.  Usually we have one or two snow incidents a year, lasting just a couple days.

People who have moved here from areas that get more snow are surprised at how little snow it takes to paralyze the area.  The highlight of the "storms" we get around here is watching the local tv reporters shivering on the coldest overpasses around town.

Most people laugh at the overkill coverage these snow events get.  For Jodie and I, it's a real hassle!

Jodie uses crutches.  I don't use crutches (I do use a walker some of the time), but my balance, my unstable gait, oh, and the fact I slipped on ice and broke my arm a couple years ago - we don't do ice. 

We use to have a set of snow tires for our last vehicle, a minivan.   We stopped putting them on years ago when we realized that it does no good to be able to drive anywhere  in snow and ice if we can't even safely make it to and from our car!

When it's icy, we stay home.  It's safer for us, and for whoever would have to rescue us if we got stuck, or fell, or had an accident.  It kind of annoys us, as if it is a life situation where we have not overcome our disability.  We more or less accept is as a practical limitation.

Most of the time, wintry conditions that make us housebound lasts two or three days.  In January 2004 we missed four days of work because of a big snow event.  That is the longest time we have stayed home because of weather.

We stand to break that record this year.  It snowed last Sunday.   It has been below freezing since.  Today is Wednesday.  It snowed this morning, and rained this afternoon.  A night of rain would clear the slush out for us, but the temps are supposed to dip tonight, and arctic temps are returning.

A large snow event is supposed to hit Sunday into Monday and Tuesday!

Jodie and I don't know at this point whether we will be returning to work tomorrow, Friday, even into next week.

Jodie and I can do some work from home, and that really helps, but it still makes us feel funny being away from our offices so long.

Choosing a new flag for Oregon

To honor Oregon's upcomming 150th birthday, a contest was held to redesign the state flag.

Here are the top ten to choose from.

Initially I didn't like any of the choices.  It's hard to see how these graphics would look as a flag, but I am starting to like "I".

Building code vs. religious freedom

Interesting battle in Amish land.

The Amish are not the only group who would wish to declare religious freedom from building codes, but the Amish are pretty apart from the rest of us.

Yanks have a new pitcher?

Hee Hee...

SNL over the line

I realize nothing is too sacred for a SNL skit, but mocking a governor's disability isn't funny:

“The governor engages in humor all the time, and he can certainly take a joke,” Ms. Heller said in a statement. “However, this particular ‘Saturday Night Live’ skit unfortunately chose to ridicule people with physical disabilities and imply that disabled people are incapable of having jobs with serious responsibilities.

It's snowing!

Iraqi love to President Bush

Size 10!

Hijacked once more (Part 3)

This isn't the first time I had my websites highjacked.  One time it was a picture of Saddam with and anti-American slogan.  I thought "terrorism" at first, before I realised there are ten year old wise kids who can hack websites, for no other reason but for the fun of it.

Protecting websites is hard.  You can choose the security level of files and directories.  Overly secured impedes the function of the website; underly secured invites hackers.

Newer versions of Joomla come out frequently.  Updating a Joomla sites is daunting.  Anything that was custom on the previous site, chances are, are gone in the updated version.  I use to google for fixes, then dig through the php files to make them.

Failing to keep your Joomla websites updated leads to hacking.

Google Sites is a simple website program.  After a previous hacking of my domain, I moved my church's website over to Google Sites:

rlcpdx.org

And Jodie and I have our website at:

wittren.com

I like that I don't need to worry about updates.  Google handles all the technical stuff.  The downside is that the design options are limited, but at least it is "Troyproof"!

I felt like a failure the other night when I could not get my domain back up.  I wanted to give up and do no more websites.

But Pastor Roger wants his site back up, this time on Google Sites, so my webdesign work is not through...for now.

I hope Google Sites is hacker proof!

Hijacked once more (Part 2)

The other day, I received this email:

Dear Troy:

Your web hosting account for twittren.net has been deactivated (reason: terms of service violation).

Although your web site has been disabled, your data may still be available for
up to 15 days, after which it will be deleted.

If you feel this deactivation is in error, please contact customer support as
soon as possible.

Thank you,

I called to helpdesk.  He said there was "phishing" being done from my account.  That is (I think) using my account to wrongfully solicit information from others.  They saw a suspicious file someone had planted in my files.  I removed the file.  I looked for other files that looked suspicious.

I called back to ask if they could tell me what files were recently added.  They could not.  They had a list of contractors I could hire to help me.  I don't have money for that.

I found a phrase in one of my index files.  I googled it, and it was an Indonesian phrase, but I could not find it's meaning.

After I deleted a bunch of files and mysql databases, my domain still would not come up.  I called for istructions of how to reset my account.  My mid-fortynes, my "Troyishness", I  could not figure out what I needed to do.

I called and asked that my account cancelled.

Hijacked once more (Part 1)

My dreams of being a web designer suffered a setback this week.  When you make a website, you need to put it on a server where people can access it.  I rent space from a webhost for $6.95 a month.

I have been with this certain webhost for a number of years.  They were a highly rated webhost when I first started with them; now they aren't on the highly rated list.

I am not going to name them because they are refunding me for a half year of service,  which I think is a  big thing to do.

The last few years I have created a handful of websites.  I had one for my church, my son's football team, a chiropractor (who was busy and we never completed the site), and a pastor friend of mine who is starting a church.

I have use Joomla, a open source (free) content management system, to create websites.   I like putting the websites together - organizing and arranging the content, and finding the right modules and components (calendars, forms, etc...) to make the website fulfill it's purpose.

Joomla sites run with php files that work to store and access data onto a MYSQL database.  This is a "Troy" understanding of how things work.

Rights protected or abused?

Anonymous blog commenters shielded by Oregon ruling

Interesting ruling.  As a former journalism student, I believe in freedom of speech, but hurtful, unsubstantiated comments can be so hurtful.

Illinois governor "disabled"?

Give me a break!

The Illinois Constitution is vague enough that [Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan] could argue the governor's corruption charges are enough to be considered a "disability"—a condition typically associated with physical or mental issues (and).... temporarily or maybe permanently remove Blagojevich from office... from What's next for Blagojevich? Removal?

Choosing your religion

An interesting article about how we choose our religion:

I like this:

The great thing about being free-will agents is that we have the ability to choose what we believe and who we believe in. But you should use your intellect, as well as your faith. The brain and the heart are approximately 18 inches apart, but they should be used together in discovering and embracing faith.

Vance...at the buzzer....

Portland Christian played against Salem Academy last night at the Warner Pacific College gym...PC's home court. The girl's nicely avenged their loss to them at state last year with a 75-25 win.

Then it was the boy's turn. We were not looking good. Shots were not falling in. PC was down by 15 at half. They scrapped back.

In the final minute, nephew Vance Downey made his shots from the line.

The last second colided with eternity.

Vance at the three point line. He shoots. The ball hit the rim.

The buzzer blew.

The ball rolled outside the rim. It looked beyond return. It stayed there for a long time!

Some weird way, the ball came back up the rim and it rolled in.

PC wins...by 3!

Way to go Vance! Way to go PC!

I want this guys desk!

Vehicular furniture...cool new shop.

A web browser for African Americans

I was intrigued that an internet browser could be customized this way:

Blackbird Is A Custom Browser For African Americans Built On Top Of Mozilla

Take a break...

Waste a minute with this:

The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan (December 08, 2008) - Mental Health Break

Change the channel!

A very cool site to see Christmas shows from years ago....change the channel...see what you find:

A BeTaMaXMaS - Married With Children - Bundy Christmas Collection

House giveaway - game of skill or chance?

State foils man's attempt at house giveaway | KATU.com - Portland, Oregon | News

Newspapers are disappearing

As a student of journalism, it's strand to see newspapers going away.  

Tribune went private last December, paying more than $8 billion in a deal that put Samuel Zell, a real estate billionaire, in control of the company. It has struggled since then under the resulting debt, forcing deep cuts at newspapers like The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune and The Baltimore Sun. It also sold Newsday to raise cash.

I prefer to read news electronically now.  Bring the ads on Sunday...otherwise, put it on the web.  I thought subscriptions through readers like the kindle would be a way, but the profit for the newspaper looks small.

My idea, fwiw, is to package a local paper, a national paper, and whatever other "print" media together as a single affordable subscription, heavily ad based to make it affordable.  Let customers choose to receive it over the web, or to their kindle.  Let customers choose which day(s) a week they would want a "newspaper" version delivered.

Newspapers are dying.  I don't think our appetite for them is dying.  We just want them delivered in different format.

$140,000 flush...

...down the loo?

Flying with no arms

Neat story about the first pilot using her feet to fly.

She said: "I never say, 'I can't do that'. I just say, 'I haven't worked it out yet,'" said Jessica.

I love Neil Young...

I knew he had a son with cp; I did not know he had two.  And, I did not realize he had his own disabilities.

Very nice post, Kay.

I am a huge Neil Young fan.

Bringing the people to Obama

A nice story.

Very generous!

Selling out America

They own us:

For the Chinese, there were oblique criticisms that America's profligate ways had sent the global economy into a tailspin and threatened China's stability. Largely unspoken is the fact that the Chinese government has become the largest holder of U.S. Treasury securities, with about $600 billion of China's savings invested in American debt.

Darn those F-Cups...

Whiplash?

I'm getting a picture in my head...never mind.

International Persons with Disabilities Day

I have not heard of this celebration here in the States. I want to learn more about it so that I can use it to educate the Oregon Department of Human Services where I work.

Calif. Teacher Sells Ads On Math Tests

Ads on test to defray printing costs. Sign of the times....

 

 

Calif. Teacher Sells Ads On Math Tests

Auto industry - thinking about the kids

Uncertain future for auto industry children - CNN.com

Why didn't they focus on quality? Why don't they build more efficient cars? Why did the ceo's why company jets to DC? How can our overpriced industry ever compete with the rest of the world.

So many questions, so few answers.

American jobs...American kids...

Come on smart people out there!!

Blog diplomacy?

Internet helps foster communication between Iran and U.S. - International Herald Tribune

Too much saving hurts economy...

China's economy, in need of jump start, waits for citizens' fists to loosen - International Herald Tribune

Funny...we are taught to save. We don't really do much of that in the U.S..

Now there's a good example of why not to save?

Oregon state employees furlough?

I found this jewel in the Governor's new budget:

Further, I will ask all state employees to work with us to schedule unpaid time off as individual furlough days or in conjunction with closures of their offices for one day every three months. This is estimated to save $35 million in General Fund during the next biennium, while preserving pay rates and benefits for state employees.

My stepdad and sis-in-law have to take weeks off in their high tech companies...I, as a state employee, won't complain.

Let the schools decide

District will let schools make their own Christmas policies

I have long been a fan of letting schools celebrate everything. Kids should learn, and respect, what each other believes.

We adults like to complicate things.

Getting along

3 religions coexist peacefully in Tatarstan - International Herald Tribune

Tolerance is such a wonderful idea. Why is it so hard to find?

Tatarstan has found it

Another inspiration for me to start writing my book...

Author beats the odds to get into print - Christchurch News - The Press

Docs did not give my mom much hope for me when I was two either...

7 Wonders of the World of Disabilities

Do It Myself Blog - Glenda Watson Hyatt » 7 Wonders of the World of Disabilities

Interesting find....thanks Glenda!

Taking life to serious department

Zoo pulls Creation Museum promotion | mansfieldnewsjournal.com | Mansfield News Journal

Why does a simple promotional pact turn into a debate against religion?

Accommodations for Invisible Disabilities

American Chronicle | Disability Accommodations Required for Invisible Disabilities


I understand the need, but the burden on business seems high. I know, that's the same argument any accommodations get.

Accommodations ideas for MCS from JAN include:

Provide an office or workspace that has working windows.

Make certain the ventilation system is not distributing pollutants and use HEPA filters and air purification systems.

Maintain a work environment which is free of pollutants such as fragrances, toxic cleaning agents, pesticides, exhaust fumes, and tobacco smoke.

Provide adequate exhaust systems to remove fumes from copiers and similar office machines.

Provide pre-notification of events such as remodeling, painting, pesticide applications, floor waxing, and carpet shampooing; and allow for alternative work arrangements for those Disability Accommodationseople who may be sensitive to the chemical agents used in the above activities.

Use non-toxic building materials, furnishings, and supplies.

Your local paper from India?

It's becomming apparent that the list of jobs that can't be outsourced to India is dwindling.

But your local news being written half way around the world?

The end is near!

Genetic test to find out what sport junior should pursue?

New genetic test asks which sport a child was born to play - International Herald Tribune

E like baseball from the start. Age four, tee ball. Bat, glove - no idea what to do, but E and a team of preschoolers were figuring it out together. Abby hit the ball better than many of the boys. The garbage man's son did cartwheels in the outfield; he had way too much energy just to stand there. E did all he could to follow the coaches word. He liked baseball and continues playing to this day...and he is good at it.

Basketball for E started in the first grade. He played for the "Y". Dribbling the ball up and down the floor looks easy, but watching kids learn it is priceless. It's not that easy to start, but as they learn and practice, their moves become smoother and more natural.

Indoor soccer did not go well. A bunch of kindergartners running every which way. Confusion! Fun to watch, but E did not care for it.

Eric played football in the 3rd, 4th, and 6th grades. Football was hard for E. He does not like to get hit. Even so, E worked hard to succeed at it. He was a lineman and a kicker. He did well, but he just didn't like it. I liked the discipline of football - every player has a role, and every role needs to be executed for the team to have success. He skipped the fifth grade football. He was the one getting hit. We left the decision to him. He played football again in the 6th grade, but decided to take a pass on it this year.

The ugly part of kids sports is that kids want to have fun, but parents want their kid to be the best. The sports camps start at a young age anymore. We have striven to only have E participate in sports and sport camps when he wants to. Sometimes he is not sure, and we have to be "parents" and nudge them.

The thought of genetically testing kids to see what sport they would be best inclined for frightens me. I can see parents forcing their kids to do only that sport. I overheard a boy's father (E recently played baseball with him) say that his son played in two baseball leagues at once. Perhaps the boy liked it, but did he like it for himself, or for his parents?

The line is hard to figure out. Kids want to like what we like. Sometimes they will force themselves to "like" something to not disappoint us.

Trial and error seems to be the best way to figure out what your kid likes to do. The process of struggle and achievement teaches a valuable lesson of life. Genetic testing to circumvent such lesson seems like it could lead to disappointed parents and resentful kids.

Lesson from Down Under - child care collapse

Working parents finding decent child care for their kids at a price they can afford is a struggle.

It appears that Australia's government somehow helps parents afford day care by contracting with a private company, ABC Learning  Centers.  But now ABC is in trouble.

ABC has more debt now than they can repay.  The company cares for a quarter of Aussie kids in day care.   The government now must consider bailing them out.

The clamor is always to privatize government services as a was to improve effectiveness and save money -- a win-win.

Now the pendulum is swinging the other way.  Government stability trumps private boom and bust?

Caught driving with no arms

Interesting story out of China.

The police did not seem to know what to do with this guy steering with his knees.  He lost his arms in an industrial accident.

They arrested him, even though he says he drives safer now than when he had arms.

Bill for Senate?

I like this idea.  

Despite his faults, I always appreciated his smarts and his energy.  In this Dem rebirth, why let his talents  be wasted?

When you have to go...

...this dear lady was told 'Sorry'!

I hate when the word "accommodation" has the unwriten, but "we should understand", caveat "only when convenient."

She is on the hot list...

Sarah Palin is hotter than ever.

This would have been worth a stakeout

Mystery Piano

Bach on the lam?  Will we ever know?

Bush to blame?

I've been trying to explain to E that President Bush is not to blame for everything that has gone wrong in the past eight years, and then Leanard Pitts goes and writes this:

For my money, of all the things he has done that have damaged this nation -- we're talking lies and alibis, torture, the loss of American prestige, watching passively as New Orleans drowned, censoring science, politicizing the Justice Department, a ruinous war of choice in Iraq, spending with all the discipline of an 8-year-old in a candy store -- arguably the most damaging legacy this president leaves is that he has undermined truth itself. After eight years of Bush/Rove politics, we live now in a nation where fact doesn't mean a whole lot, where it is OK to believe the ''truth'' that serves your political ends and jettison any that does not.

Because these days, truth comes in two flavors. We have red truth and blue truth, but we are fresh out ofthe truth, the facts, unimpeachable and inarguable. Instead, Bush has overseen a government of legendary intellectual incoherence, where ideology is valued above competence, accountability is valued not at all and one is daily dared to believe the evidence of one's lying eyes. Bush seems to agree with Stephen Colbert: Reality has a liberal bias.

It happened again...

In 1989, I wrote a column for the Oregonian about a grandpa who took his two year old grandson, who had significant disabilities, for a ride in the car. Grandpa took the boys life and his own. For whatever reason, grandpa did not see much hope for the boy.

I was eight months old when doctors diagnosed me with cerebral palsy. Doctors did not know what hope to give my mom as to what my life would be like.

At first, when I read this story out of Wisconsin, I saw similarities with the story I wrote about in 1989. Instead of a grandpa taking the life of his two-year-old grandson and his own, this was a father taking the life of his twelve year old high needs, severely disabled son.

This has been a difficult post for me to write. Back in 1989 when I wrote about the grandpa and the two year old, I had a three inch news brief to go off. Without the internet around to let me dig, I made assumptions. The biggest was thinking that grandpa took his grandson's life and his own to save family and society the hassle. I related to the story that I was once that two year old with disabilities and an unsure future.

Before I write about Ryan and Kyle Dutter, I just want to say that I have no doubt the grandpa loved his grandson and wanted the best for him.

Ryan Dutter loved his son, Kyle. He created a website about his son.

Last week, the unthinkable happened in Madison. According to police, a father shot and killed his 12-year-old son, then himself. The father, Ryan Dutter, 36, was under financial strain after periods of unemployment and a bankruptcy filing. His son, Kyle, had severe disabilities that included autism.

There is much more to this story than I will ever grasp.  Unemployment, bankruptcy, and custody issues...not really our  business to consider.

Take a look at this page from the website Ryan made for Kyle.  It is a lengthy list of specialists who were caring for Kyle's needs:

Psychiatrist – (behaviors, issues still 
ongoing, but significantly better)
Endocrinologist- (puberty, monthly shot being 
administered to control heavy onset of 
puberty naturally produced at my age)
Ear-Nose-Throat-(drooling, minor surgery 
completed..no more drooling!!!)
Pediatrician- (now have one, and this one 
specializes in Autism)
Orthopedist-(Half leg braces for feet and legs 
being used to help me walk better)
Neurologist- (Seizures under control at 
present time)
Dentist- (minor surgery completed, all dental 
problems solved)
Sleep Study- (sleeps 14 hours a day with 
naps included, hoping to know if I am not 
obtaining REM sleep)
Occupational therapy- (helping him move, 
especially lower body so there is no falling or 
tripping.  Right foot is severely turned inward.  
This is in addition to his school therapies)
Rehabilitation M.D.-(Oversees coordination 
of all my care)

There are too many details about this tragedy that I don't feel qualified to comment on  any of the speicifics here.

In general, high needs kids should be the responsibility of society, the "village" if you will.  Too much or too little money should not prevent families from having a child's high needs met.

When I use to process applications for medical assistance for the state, I will never forget talking to a lady who had a teenage daughter with cerebral palsy.  Mom was a few bucks over income from qualifying for assistance.  I felt so bad that I apologized to the lady.  She was crying, but she said "It's not your fault, sir."  I still felt bad.

I know there is a reason for eligibility specialist who make these difficult decisions.   We don't have unlimited resources to cover all the needs that exist.  

If we can bankroll the Iraq war, Wall Street, Citibank, Detroit automakers (?), it seems to me that high needs kids and their families deserve more support from society -- medical coverage, 

case management, whatever support is needed.

Why don't we honor Kyle Dutter by making a law that provides support for high needs kids and their family regardless of their means?

We need a Kyle Dutter law.

Didn't Bush Sr. usher in the ADA?

Jr. is snubbing it:

The Americans with Disabilities Act would be weakened by permitting state and local governments to make only a fraction of their public facilities accessible to the handicapped.

Video game simulates disability

What a wonderful way to reach kids with the important awareness of the challenges we face as people with disabilities.

Teen girl...professional baseball?

She has a mean knuckleball.

"A" for presenting disability awareness to kids

Ubisoft game simulates disabilities « Sweet Perdition

Does Handigo The Game do everything I hope a virtual disability simulation would do? Of course not—for one thing, it represents blindness as darkness that lights up as the player navigates. But it’s an interesting first step, one that shows disability as a natural part of human experience. I hope the game is a harbinger of things to come.

I think it's a wonderful attempt to reach kids where they are at.

Prayers for this little Troy

Gran’s joy as the money pours in to help little Troy (From Worcester News)


Very cute little guy across the Pond...

"Charge it!" at the kettle

No cash? Colo. Salvation Army tests plastic at red kettles | Front page | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

CP'er completes the PGA tour

I'm not a huge follower of golf, but I always check in to see how Tiger is doing.

I missed this story:

Sky News: Wheelchair bound man completes PGA

Here is a video:




Here is his blog. Note the ongoing tally of number of sodas and number of falls.

I can really identify with DJ!

Miracles sometimes require a trip back to the drawing board

Six year old Mustafa has become a symbol of hope for Iraq here in the Northwest.

Four years ago his leg was blown of during fighting in Fallujah. A couple from Portland brought him here to get help.

Great people making a difference.

Badly injured Iraqi boy fit with artificial leg at Portland hospital - Breaking News From Oregon & Portland - Oregonlive.com

Iraq war; Third grade perspective

Thank you, Andrew:

The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan (November 14, 2008) - The Iraq War Debate

I was a teen when this happened

I did not fully understand then how this could happen, and I don't really understand it now:

Former temple followers move on, 30 years after Jonestown - USATODAY.com

Boys' day...

E is really into James Bond these days. We currently have the 007 movies OnDemand and he has seen several of them.

Last week, we got E's report card. Straight A's. To celebrate, he wanted to go see "Quantum of Solace". On the radio yesterday morning we heard a reviewer give the movie a thumbs down.

"I still want to see it, Dad."

Today, after the morning basketball camp, we went and saw it.

We both liked it. E nudged me a few times during the movie to let me know what different characters had done in previous Bond installments.

In the past I have gone to see "guy movies" with my friend Brad.

This was the first such movie E and I have taken in, just the two of us.

It was a big deal to him. It was a big deal to me.

'Solace' posts Bond's best opening - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety

You are not alone?

Billboard: "Don't believe in God? - You are not alone." : Local News : The Rocky Mountain News

The title seems strange to me. If you don' t believe in God, aren't we all alone?

Keeping the old guys happy...

Elderly Men Get Free Viagra In Mexico City - Health News Story - KPTV Portland

Richard Davis won suit against A&E

I am a fan of Richard Davis of the show ""Flip this House" (A&E) and now "Real Estate Pros" (TLC).

He won $4 mil in a lawsuit over compensation against the A&E network.

When is a new season coming?

Newspaper irony

I like reading Leonard Pitts' columns. He writes for the Miami Herald, but I use to read it in The Oregonian. Since I know longer have time or patience, and I stopped subscribing to, The Oregonian, I catch Leonard's column online, more specifically, as a RSS feed through Google Reader.

Herein lies a problem, the death of the local paper, according to Pitts' recent column. I read the column online, discussing how online news is killing the local newspaper. Irony.

I don't wish to see the local paper die, but reading papers online is much easier for me. I peruse the New York Times, The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and many others. Interesting headlines catch my eyes. Another thing I have against the paper newspaper is that the news is at least six hours old.

Here is news I can hardly believe, the eminent demise of the New York Times.

I know we need to put up with ads to support online news sites, but please stay away from the annoying popup ads, and the long intro screens that force you to watch or read an ad.

There probably is not the online ad revenue available to support the local newspaper staffs of the past. Then again, there are now bloggers on every corner to provide more localized news than ever before, if you know how to dig for it.

"It would be my honor to assist and support our new president and the new administration," said Palin...

Hmm...what could Obama have Palin do?

Obama's White House to reflect importance of Grandma

'First Granny' Readies For White House Move

Second and third graders...

Chanting threats against Obama...so said.

REXBURG, Idaho -- Elementary students chanted "assassinate Obama" on a school bus in eastern Idaho last week, an official with the Madison School District says.

District spokeswoman Janet Goodliffe says the second - and third-grade students were young and most of them didn't understand what the word "assassinate" meant when they chanted it in reference to President-elect Barack Obama.

Bush: 'I regret saying some things I shouldn't have said' - CNN.com

The human side of President Bush. I doubt his popularity numbers would be so low if we saw more of this humility:


Bush: 'I regret saying some things I shouldn't have said' - CNN.com:

"'I remember the conversation I had with my predecessor Bill Clinton,' Bush said. As a matter of fact, [I] called him yesterday and said, 'Bill, I'm getting ready to meet with the new president, and I remember how gracious you were to me. I hope I can be as gracious to President-elect Obama as you were to me.' ''"

Obama slurs at this school taken serious

Salem students punished for racial slurs | KATU.com - Portland, Oregon | News

I have trouble thinking that kids come up with this stuff alone. I wonder what they hear at home and in their circle of friends.

I know the frustration that the Republicans must feel right now. They lost...bad. The last eight years have been that way for me, when the Democrats could not find a message or a win.

Turning to slurs does not turn a loss into a win.

We need to remain faithful to our message and prayerful for our leaders.

We need to teach our kids to do the same.

Churches react to Obama win

From Houstonbelief.com: Some churches are sad, some are elated:

Reaction to an Obama presidency has been swift and voluminous in churches across America. Here's a sampling of sermons and marquees:

"Exiles in an Obama Nation" marquee of Gracewood Baptist Church, Southhaven, Mississippi.

"God, Help Us" marquee in front of United Methodist Church.

"God has vindicated the black folk. Too long we've been at the bottom of the totem pole, but he has vindicated us, hallelujah...Because when I look toward Washington, D.C., we got a new family coming in...and you know what? They look like us. Amen." Shirley Caesar, Gospel recording artist and pastor of Mount Calvary Word of Faith (Raleigh, North Carolina).

Water bombed?

Last Friday after work I was driving nortn on SE 148th, approaching Stark St. in Portland.  I heard a explosion, and my windshield was covered with water, as if a barrel of water had been shot it Jet White.

I was frightened by the noise and by the amount of water.

It was loud like a firecracker; very startling.  

It was a huge amount of water that came from the front, driver's side, and the direct hit was my front line of vision.

I saw police headed that direction when I turned off 148th, but then I saw police everywhere that night.

It had to be more than a water balloon.

Kids with a water cannon?   Were they trying to cause me to crash?  Any ideas?

How did she get there?

Missing Child, 1, Found Under Floorboards - Portland News Story - KPTV Portland

Obama facts...

This is fun:

Barack Obama: The 50 facts you might not know - Telegraph

A sober view of W

George W. Bush: A tale of two terms » The Journal

It is remarkable how quickly the Bush presidency unravelled. It is difficult to argue contrary to the failure hypothesis, but it is important to make a distinction between Bush’s first and second terms...

A sober view of W

George W. Bush: A tale of two terms » The Journal

It is remarkable how quickly the Bush presidency unravelled. It is difficult to argue contrary to the failure hypothesis, but it is important to make a distinction between Bush’s first and second terms...

Moderates after my heart

Arnold Schwarzenegger urges GOP to move beyond ideology - Los Angeles Times

Great sense of humor:

The governor deflected a question about whether McCain had displayed bad judgment in selecting Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska as his running mate.

He also said that California First Lady Maria Shriver, a Democrat and a member of the Kennedy family, had been running around their house since Tuesday with a cardboard cutout of President-elect Barack Obama, gloating over his victory.

Schwarzenegger, who joked about Obama's "scrawny" physique while campaigning with McCain, said he was "proud" to see the American people elect their first African American president.

"I was touched by it," he said. "Democrats and Republicans should do everything they can to help this man and his administration to be successful."

But he said rumors that he would leave his post as governor to work in the Obama administration were not valid.

Interesting way to buy a house...

Couple Raffles Off Michigan House - Money News Story - KPTV Portland

Dasani water from the Willamette

Cachet bottled water soon may come from Willamette - Breaking News From Oregon & Portland - Oregonlive.com

Locals know what happens to the Willamette when the storm drains overflow.

I won't ruin the Dasani experience for the rest of you.

Perfume disability?

MCS America ©: New Disability Accomodations Webpage for MCS, CFS, FM, and Fragrance Senstivity

Latest disability category: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

What happen to allergies?

"In the name of no father"

Interesting title to an article in the Gresham Outlook.

A T shirt they sport says "Your Friendly Neighborhood Atheist".

Morality does not depend on there being God, or a god.

I can see the attraction.  I am good because I am good, not because God is going to pound me if I am not good.

By equating religion to guilt, I suppose that not believing in God is freedom.

“As a Unitarian, I think we would not ridicule somebody else for their beliefs,” Knox says. “We’re humanitarian. We believe in compassion.”

Which is one reason why Tuppman, for example, says she’s never liked the Christian story of a loving God sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, nor for that matter, the doctrine of original sin, the idea humans are conceived in a state lacking holiness resulting from Adam and Eve’s fall.

“I didn’t ask to be born, and I thought why should I have guilt on top of it,” Tuppman says.

I don't have enough faith to believe that God does not exist.  I am not comfortable enough to believe that my own personal morality is all I need.

God loves me.  God loves you.  

I don't have enough faith to believe otherwise.

Happy 90th Billy!

Billy Graham turned 90 on Friday.

He is stepping down from his longstanding rol e as pastor to the President, but promises to pray for President elect Obama.

I would not have guessed that he is a registered democrat.

Newest entry to the toy hall of fame...

A stick?

E loves to whittle...I guess it makes sense.

Obama said the "D" word

He did not have to mention the disabled (yes, us!) in his acceptance speech, but he did:

"It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America."

Prayers for Obama

The Presidential Prayer Team:

I hope this link works for you. Prayer is part of my life...not as big as part as it should, I'm sure. St. Paul told us to pray for our leaders.

For the past 7(?) years, PPT has seemed pretty Republican. Gee, I wonder why?

Today's edition has congrats and prayers for president elect Obama from Billy Graham (happy 90th), Mike Huckabee, Colin Powell, Chuck Colson, Peggy Noonan, and Pope Benedict XVI.

I have talked with people who fear with me the "Kennedy" feel of this being too perfect...that something bad might happen.

One of E's classmates even had the gall to hope that someone "just gets it over."

Obama will fail if he is alone.

I have always prayed for President Bush. Please join me in praying for President Elect Obama...you are not alone...and you will succeed!

Disabled employees in the Air Force

Air Force disabled employees vital to mission

When I was a senior in high school, I was barraged with military recruitment mailings. I thought there should be military job opportunities for the disabled. I called. There was not.

I guess there is now...

Leonard Pitts: 'We' are finally part of `We the People'

Leonard Pitts: 'We' are finally part of `We the people'

Leonard says it so well:

There was something bittersweet in watching Michelle Obama lectured on American pride this year, in seeing African Americans asked to prove their Americanness when our ancestors were in this country before this country was. There was something in it that was hard to take, knowing that we have loved America when America did not love us, defended America when it would not defend us, believed in American ideals that were larger than skies, yet never large enough to include us.

We did this. For years unto centuries, we did this. Because our love for this country is deep and profound. And complicated and contradictory. And cynical and hard.

Now it has delivered us to this singular moment. Barack Obama is president-elect of the United States.

And we the people should be proud.

Obama elected 44th president - Decision '08- msnbc.com

Obama elected 44th president - Decision '08- msnbc.com


A dream come true.

Tears of joy and prayers of hope.

26 mile smile

Update on the New York marathon run by Nadine and Tyler McNeil.

EARLY FINISH Nadine McNeil, 42, who had a stroke when she was 8 and lost the use of her right arm and right leg, competed in the handcycle division of the marathon and finished in an unofficial time of 3 hours 54 minutes 59 seconds. Her 18-year-old son, Tyler, who is autistic, made his marathon debut, running a time of 5:07:48.

But McNeil missed her son’s finish. She said she thought his time would be about six hours, so she was nervously waiting in a finishers’ tent at 72nd Street and Central Park West. As she was about to head back to the finish line, Tyler arrived with his guide.

“My friends said he had a smile on his face for all 26 miles,” McNeil said. “I couldn’t be prouder of him. I would have been proud of him if he had run 50 feet and stopped.”

Portland delays disabled-parking decision

City delays disabled-parking decision

Tough issue. Needs of business versus needs of disabled.

Limiting disabled parking to four hours would help business.

We need a compromise. I worked in downtown Portland for 2 years. I took advantage of free parking using my disabled card.

Charge disabled workers a fee they can afford.

For disabled shoppers and visitors - sprinkle disabled spots around downtown. Pay once, lower the price, 4 hours.

Making anything free leads to abuse.

I know this is not the solution, but it is the kind of thinking we need to reach one.

First results...

BB's community manager beats MSM on breaking tiny but neat-o election news - Boing Boing

Barack's Grandma - Rest in Peace

Madelyn Dunham’s vote will count

I felt bad when I heard that Barack's grandma had passed today, the day before her beloved grandson's great day. A grandma's pride is hard to beat.

Athiests advertise

Ariane Sherine: All aboard the atheis1t bus campaign | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk

"There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life"

Interesting...they seem uncertain...

"Life is too short to be sad"

Volleyball player with epilepsy welcomed at CLU : Volleyball : Ventura County Star

"You go through times when you are very depressed, like when you have one seizure after another," said Hayes, who isn't allowed to drive because of her condition. "I have spent many times crying. But now that I am older, I have to understand there is something wrong with me, but life is too short to be sad."

Epilepsy is a hidden disability that, when a seizure happens, makes you the center of attention.

Openness and acceptance...wonderful story.

A perfect movie

Viet Nam News

A "nutty inventor" refusing to sell his inventions, opting to employ the disabled.

Inspires me!

Changes to the ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act will implement changes | www.azstarnet.com ®

I confess, I am not as educated on the Americans with Disabilities Act as I should be, but some of the changes are interesting:

• "Disability" will be defined as "Physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such impairment, or being regarded as having such impairment."
• "Physical" disability will be defined to include disfigurement, loss of function (reproductive, cardiovascular, skin disorders, endocrine system, urinary).
• "Major life activity" will be defined to include: walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, learning, performing manual tasks, sitting, standing, lifting, caring for oneself and working.
• A qualifying "mental disability" will include psychological disorder, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness and learning disabilities.
• The term "substantially limits" means "unable to perform a major life activity that the average person in the general population can perform."
• "Being regarded as having an impairment" has been defined to mean an "employee is subjected to an action illegal under the act" and "because of an actual or perceived physical or mental impairment" and "whether or not it limits a major life activity."
• "Major life functions" will include: eating, standing, lifting, bending, reading, concentrating, thinking and communicating.

Book that should never be written...

Compliments of Fark:

A car that flys?

I'll take one...

Flying car based on Ferrari 'could be reality within two years' - Telegraph

National Daily faces 21st century reality

I majored in Technical Journalism when I went to Oregon State University in the 80's. The internet was telnet, black and white screen, bulletin boards and email for geeks.

Whoever foresaw news "papers" becoming obsolete? But, here it is:

Monitor shifts from print to Web-based strategy

I am a news junky. I recently quit receiving home delivery of The Oregonian, opting only for the Sunday edition. On my desk I have a renewal bill for my local community newspaper, The Gresham Outlook. I read it online now. It is easier for me, with my disability, to navigate my way through the online version than through the paper version, but part of me hates to see the community "paper" go away.

Online news sites: please move away from login requirements. I want RSS feeds of my favorite columnists without that hassle!

Marathon for diabled mother and son

This Journey Began Before Starting Line - NYTimes.com

Nadine had a stroke at age eight, losing the use of her right arm and right leg. She uses a hand cycle, and uses duck tape to keep her right hand on the pedal.

Tyler, her son, is autistic and the love of Nadine's life. He has a severe speech delay. A hoopster, a special olympian, and now a marathon runner.

Nadine will be passing by Tyler tomorrow in the New York City Marathon.

Here's to Tyler's first marathon!

Should mentally disabled be allowed to vote?

GOP Thinks Mentally Disabled’s Votes Shouldn’t Count - World of Psychology

Analyzing a person's mental fitness to vote.

I don't thinks I'd pass the GOP's test.

I see a wild ride down that slick slope.

I was entertained

Check out this video from Cute Overload:

Leonard Pitts gets it right

The McCain fan who wasn't mugged | MiamiHerald.com

Ashley Todd's bizarre story fits into that paradigm of paranoia and white guilt as snugly as a jigsaw puzzle piece. Some of us wonder what motivated her, but I think we should be saving our curiosity for the people with the egg on their faces.

I don't care why she told that lie. I am curious why they were so ready to believe it.

Stem cell on ballot

On the Ballot Tuesday in Michigan, The New Face of an Old Dilemma - WSJ.com

As a Christian (if only a Lutheran):

God gave us brains

God gave us science

God gave us embryos

God is love

God gives us hope

So, where do I stand?

Happy Halloween from The Boss

Bruce Springsteen News: brucespringsteen.net

Does chocolate prevents cancer?

Top 5 Halloween Myths Debunked - Yahoo! News

I still don' know what they were thinking...

Growing Doubts on Palin Take a Toll, Poll Finds - NYTimes.com

Call Me Crazy

Lee Ann Womack, ever since I saw her sing "A Little Past Little Rock" on a country music awards show about 10 years ago, I have been a huge fan. She was very pregnant and had to be uncomfortable, but she delivered the song with style and grace.

Her singing is wonderful, but I think her song writing is genius.

Listen to her new album here - Call Me Crazy. It has really been pulling me out of a funk. Beautiful voice, beautiful lyrics. Sad, reaching the bottom, looking up.

"Either Way" is a haunting tune. A cheating husband..."I'm past the point I give a damn"..."you can go or stay, I won't love you either way." Pained honesty.

"Solitary thinkin'" has a bluesy country beat, so good for the soul.

I love her voice, and her lyrics are always a step above the rest. I really like "I Found it in you"--"everyone needs a reason to live..."

"If these walls could talk they'd pray" --- has there ever been a better line for a country song?

"Everything but quits" with George Strait. George has more country hits than anyone. Here is another one.

"The King of Broken Hearts" is classic country...could have come out 30 years ago.

"Live every moment as if it is the last one..." the chorus of "The story of My Life."

"Last Call" is the song on the charts...."I bet you're in a bar...because I'm always your last call."

Country music..."White man's blues"...Lee Ann is the queen.

A day away from work....

Yesterday Jodie and I stayed home from work. We had a guy from Sears come to fix the dryer, a crew come out to put new gutters on the house (the back gutter had fallen off), and I took Jet White in for a oil change.

Our rig needs a oil change every 10,000 miles. I had gone a bit over, and a red light was coming on...it worried me. The guys at Timberline Dodge treated me wonderful yesterday. One of my biggest frustrations with my disability is that people don't always take me to be an intelligent person by the way I carry myself.

Yesterday I was treated so well. They offered to get my scooter out of the van. I said that I didn't need it, but thanks. One of the guys walked me to the waiting room and asked if I needed anything. He even came back later to check on me.

I felt very respected.

Sitting in the waiting room, the tv was playing the 700 Club. The had a story about John McCain and his feverish last week pitch for the presidency. The lady I was sitting by broke the ice by saying we don't need 4 more years of what we had the last 8. She has a daughter in college who is studying psychology and wants to work with kids.

After she left, an older lady with white hair came into the waiting room. She pulled out a folded paper with the rectangle squares...her mail-in ballot. A guy from the shop came in and offered to turn the channel. I was so thankful to see that lame infomercial about buying foreclosed homes be turned off. The lady commented that she was not a fan of daytime tv. The guy asked me "What channel?" I said "2"...until I saw Martha...then I said "No, how about 8?" Regis & Kelly...much better.

I came home and the crew came to put up our new gutters. Jodie and I watched the season finale of "Madmen"...we are hooked on that show.

The new gutters look great with our new vinyl siding that we got a year ago. The dryer got fixed.

I spent the evening researching the differences between the three major stock indices - Dow Jones Industrial Average, the Nasdaq, and the S&P 500. I learned that the S&P is really a better indicator of how things are going because it is calculated on a percent basis, whereas the Dow is figured on a dollar basis. I am still learning. Wikinvest and Google Finance are two sites where I am learning a lot. I want to learn more aboout mutual funds.

I will never be a financial wizard. This stuff is more complicated than my brain can handle. It's just nice to learn as much as I can.

We know we're in trouble when...

...when Kuwait is in trouble:

Financial Storm Hits Gulf - WSJ.com

Electoral map is getting interesting...

The most honest electoral map I have seen...

Wassup?

Negative campaign ads

I heard this on NPR yesterday, a story about the guys who are the voices behind the negative campaign ads.

Very telling and humorous..."part of the democratic process"....and he's got two kids in college. Negative ads evokes more emotions than positive ads.

Worth a listen!

Sign of the times

This image of a Japaneese broker crying says so much.

Our eyes should go beyond our earthly treasure, yes, but we work hard and it hurts to see it whither.  A time for extra patience and kindness with each other.

Forget about the $400 haircut

I forgot about how the $400 haircut was the begining of the end to the Edwards campaign.  How will this affect Palin?

Palin...

Nice threads, but she needs a better tutor...and needs to stick to the script!

The second coming of W?

Disabled in Japan...getting to know disability

Access all areas: camping trip offers no-holds-barred insight into disability

Immersing disabled with non-disabled to learn and see what it's all about to be disabled.  Camping is a "little inconvenient" as the author says.  

There is a lot about me that you would learn about me if you were with me for 24 hours.  

I love my coffee.  All my coffee mugs have lids.  

I drink everything through a straw.  Coffee....beer...everything!

I kill too much time on the computer.  I can't button a shirt without a small buttoner tool, which I have misplaced.  

Buffets are hard for me...I just don't have good enough balance to carry a plate accross the room without spilling, and if I get a twinge in my back, forget it!   

This doesn't mean I can't do anything....I just do everything differently.

A couple gems from the article:

At Bar in the Dark, my first problem was how to get my beer safely into a glass without it overflowing. I settled for putting my grubby finger over the rim of the glass and waiting for it to get wet. I asked the barman, who was blind, what he does. He said he could tell when his glass was full by the weight.

And:

But the biggest change is in the mind-set of the able-bodied, he said.

"Able-bodied people in Japan are beginning to think of people with disabilities not just as 'the disabled,' but as human beings who can do something for society."

Palin breaking from McCain

Palin wants a federal ban of gay marriage; McCain wants the states to decide for themselves.

Looks to me that Palin is giving up on the old guy and looking to her own presidential run in four years.

"Smartest Guys in the Room" ?

The Enron debacle is eerily similar to the current Wall Street bailout.  Financial black magic, unbridled greed, all under the guise of deregulation.

The documentary, "Independent Lens" Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, is well worth watching.  I watched it via Google Video the other night.  Not for kids.  Suicide in the opening scene, and the "F" word (what they were doing to us) throughout.

I was particularly sad to see how happy our local Portland General Electric employees were when their stock were converted to Enron stock.

One of my heroes

A very big endorsement for Obama from a very big man.

I would have voted for Collin Powell if he ever survived the brutal nomination process.  A principled man, he was to straight forward to make it through that brutality.

I am very happy to see he will have a place in the Obama White House.

Best Dad? Best son!