Posts

Conservative Republicans doing what they do bestJustice Kennedy under attackEthics Impasse - Tom DeLay From today's Washington Post:"Not to be outdone, lawyer-author Edwin Vieira told the gathering that Kennedy should be impeached because his philosophy, evidenced in his opinion striking down an anti-sodomy statute, "upholds Marxist, Leninist, satanic principles drawn from foreign law."Justice Kennedy"NOW THAT Congress is back in town, it's time to fix the impasse that has turned the House of Representatives into an ethics-free zone. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) has said he wants to meet with the ethics committee to rebut what he calls "fiction and innuendo" about his travel and other activities. But, thanks in large part to Mr. DeLay, the ethics committee isn't functioning. It's frozen because the five Democrats on the evenly divided panel have, understandably, balked at operating under rules dictated by the House GOP majority, contrary to the panel's bipartisan tradition."Tom DeLay"As falls Wichita, so falls Wichita Falls"---Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays

Not a regular viewer, almost by chance I caught this excellent program last night on KQED, San Francisco---the local PBS station. The documentary film leaves viewers with the certain feeling that the bigots and fanatics are in the minority; they will not prevail.Those who do not live in Northern California, can access KQED.com to watch clips of the film. Will Durst hosted it, supported by a very able team.Following from KQED.com, San Francisco.Sylvia Guerrero mother of Gwen Araujo"What would you do if hate hit your town? All too frequently we hear stories of hate violence from vandalism to harassment to murder. Most of us would like to do something. And the good news is — we do. Not In Our Town, Northern California, looks at five communities over a five year period as they take action when their neighbors are targets of bigotry.Intolerance and hate come in many forms, but the models of response and prevention share a common theme. This urgent and hopeful documentary not only chronicles the pain of the victims of hate violence, but offers new ways for community leaders and ordinary citizens to band together when hate happens here.""THE PROGRAMNot In Our Town, Northern California: When Hate Happens Here looks at five communities dealing with deadly hate violence over a five-year period. Together, the stories reveal that whether the motivation is racism, anti-Semitism, or crimes motivated by gender or sexual orientation, hate is the same. But Californians are finding innovative ways to respond when hate happens here.From the state capital to the center of San Francisco, from the shadow of Mt. Shasta to the suburbs of Silicon Valley, community leaders and ordinary citizens have found new ways to see through controversy and difference to create a safe place for all residents.After a transgender teen is killed by local youth in the Silicon Valley suburb of Newark, high school students, residents and civic leaders struggle to deal with a brutal and preventable crime; Sacramento mobilizes after the worst anti-Semitic arson attacks in the California capital's history; Redding citizens find new strength in diversity after a prominent gay couple is murdered; the Shasta County town of Anderson joins forces to make their values clear when a cross is burned on an African-American family's lawn; and the San Francisco Public Library turns the mutilation of gay-themed books into an opportunity for creative community action. "KVIE-6, Sacramento -- Thu, April 21, 2005, 10pmKTEH-54, San Jose -- Thu, April 28, 2005, 10pmKRCB-22, Rohnert Park -- Tue, April 12, 2005, 9pmKIXE-9, Chico -- Tue, April 12, 2005, 8pm"

The Dalesway - Ilkley to Bowness-on-Windermere (James Herriot Country) They have right of way I took UAL flight from San Francisco to Heathrow, transferred to a Manchester flight, caught a train (right at the airport) for Ilkley--the town where I began my walk on Dalesway. At Ilkley, I spent the night at Riverside Hotel on the bank of River Wharfe, a few hundred yards from the Old Bridge--the starting point. The weather was kind. It rained the week before my walk and the week after I completed it. But during the six days when I walked on the trail there were just a few sprinkles. For a major part of the distance, The Dalesway follows rivers--River Wharfe and then Lune, Kent, and Dee. Day 1: Ilkley to Burnsall (Coniston) Old Bridge at Ilkley The signpost at the Old Bridge reads "Bowness 73 miles" (at Bowness the sign reads "Ilkley 81 miles"!). With detours I estimated that I walked about 90 miles. Left Ilkley soon after a hearty breakfast. The breakfasts at B&B's were always good; I cannot say the same about dinners. For lunch I carried sandwiches prepared by the B&B or stopped at one of the local pubs. A few miles down the trail, near Bolton Pritory, I met two guys (Ken and Ivan) from Sheffield who were doing the walk to raise funds for a local charity. We walked most of the Dalesway together the next five days although, except at Bowston, we did not stay at the same B&B. Ruins of Bolton Priory The history of Bolton Priory, goes back to the 12th century. The Black Canons of the Order of St. Augustine sheltered here at Bolton, where they pursued a life of service and worship. Today, the Priory Church still serves the local community as a place of worship. Ken and Ivan near Bolton Priory Field of wild garlic After reaching Burnsall we stopped for a few pints and then parted company. Ivan and Ken went on to Grassington, about four miles further, while I checked in at the B&B where I was booked. Day 2: Burnsall to Low Raisegill (15.5 miles, more like 18) Near Kettlewell The plan was to rendevouz with Ken and Ivan at Grassington next morning at 10:00. However, I overslept and missed the deadline. By keeping a fast pace I was able to catch up with them near Kettlewell. Ken had ankle problem and that slowed them down. Lunch break at Kettlewell With Ken near Buckden Stopped for lunch and a few pints at Kettlewell and then on to the trail. On the way to Buckden we met Tom and Sheila Morris from Nottingham and walked together. A year later Tom and Sheila visited San Francisco. JHL and I took them for a walk through the Marina to Fort Point. Ken and Ivan were booked at an inn in Buckden while my lodging was at Low Raisegill, five miles further. We planned to meet on the trail next morning but I didn't see them until I got to Dentdale. The travel company's instructions were incorrect about the location of the B&B. So, instead of a left turn I turned right, crossed the bridge at Hubberholme and walked for almost a mile and a half before I found someone to ask about my destination. Turned around and went all the way back past Hubberholme to Low Raisegill Farm. I was pretty beat up by the time I got there and had no energy to walk back to the well-known George Inn for drinks after I had my shower. Day 3: Low Raisesgill to Dentdale via Pennine Watershed (13 miles) Low Raisegill Farm B&B Dent Head Viaduct The most demanding day of the walk as I traversed the High Moor, past Langstrothdale, Yockenthwaite and Oughtershaw Hall. I would not like to do it on an overcast, rainy day. Very bleak landscape. The Cam House was a welcome sight because I knew that the hard part was coming to an end. Didn't see Ken and Ivan although there were other walkers following the route. A tough day. There was not that much of an altitude gain but there were numerous patches of boggy peat which required considerable extra walking. Could not be completely avoided. All the walkers had mud up to their knees when we reached Dentdale. On top of the moor the Pennine Way crosses Dalesway at Cam High Road built by the Romans in 1st Century AD. The view of massive Dent Head Viaduct appeared soon. The popular scenic train ride between Settle and Carlisle passes over the Dent Head Viaduct. Met Ivan and Ken in the evening at the Sportsman's Inn. Ken was limping; his ankle problem had gotten worse. The Sportsman's Inn served good food and beer. We were there until closing time and then staggered to bed. Day 4: Dentdale to Sedbergh (11 miles) Patches of heather on the hills Narrow footbridge over River Dee A pleasant day. We stopped for lunch alongside River Lune and continued on to Sedbergh. Sedbergh School is attended by children of well-to-do families. Not quite Eaton or Harrow, it has a reputation of being one of the top public schools. Saw students playing cricket which reminded me of the time when I was an active participant in the game. Again, at Sedbergh we got together in the evening for drinks. I had dinner with the owners of the B&B. Day 5: Sedbergh to Bowston (16 miles) Holme Croft B&B, Sedbergh Near Crook of Lune Bridge Long day. Scenic, mostly flat. All of us were booked at Kent Dene B&B, managed by Joan and Russell Jamieson. It was the best among the B&B's. Great pasta; unlimited red wine; and wonderful hosts. After dinner, Russell Jamieson drove us to town to try the local brews. Day 6: Bowston to Bowness-on-Windermere Joan Jamieson,Ivan,Ken,Russell Jamieson After a delicious breakfast we left Bowston with heavy hearts. Felt as though we were leaving friends we had known for a long time. Joan Jamieson bidding us goodbye Russell and Joan now live on the island of Crete (Greece). They bought a farm house and fixed it up. Happy--gardening, learning Greek and folk-dancing. Last leg, nearing Bowness-on-Windermere Ken's ankle problem had gotten worse. I carried his pack to Bowness. Arrived at Bowness before noon. My hotel was just a couple of hundred yards from the end of the trail. I invited Ken and Ivan for a pint before they left for city center to meet Ivan's son who was going to drive them back to Sheffield. End of Dalesway Fairfield Hotel, Bowness-on-Windermere After spending the night at Bowness-on-Windermere I took a train to Newcastle to meet relatives who lived in Sunderland. After a few days it was time to head for home. Train from Newcastle to Manchester; flight from Manchester to Heathrow; and then Heathrow to San Francisco. It was a good trip. As it always does, the view of San Francisco Bay warmed the cockles of my heart as the plane prepared to make the final approach for landing. Footnotes: The trip was booked through a British company that specializes in walking tours. It provided maps, guide book, route instructions, and made arrangements at B&Bs for overnight stay during the walk. I found The Dalesway Companion by Paul Hannon to be much better, easier to follow, than the guide book (The Dalesway by Anthony Burton) provided by the travel company. Why? ".....the universal desire to see a little bit further, before the surrender to old age and the blank certitude of death." ---Graham Greene (1904-1991)

Movie theaters being targeted by creationistsA report on adolescents and oral sexFrom The New York Times, 3/19/04:A New Screen Test for Imax: It's the Bible vs. the VolcanoBy CORNELIA DEANThe fight over evolution has reached the big, big screen.Several Imax theaters, including some in science museums, are refusing to show movies that mention the subject - or the Big Bang or the geology of the earth - fearing protests from people who object to films that contradict biblical descriptions of the origin of Earth and its creatures.The number of theaters rejecting such films is small, people in the industry say - perhaps a dozen or fewer, most in the South. But because only a few dozen Imax theaters routinely show science documentaries, the decisions of a few can have a big impact on a film's bottom line - or a producer's decision to make a documentary in the first place.People who follow trends at commercial and institutional Imax theaters say that in recent years, religious controversy has adversely affected the distribution of a number of films, including "Cosmic Voyage," which depicts the universe in dimensions running from the scale of subatomic particles to clusters of galaxies; "Galápagos," about the islands where Darwin theorized about evolution; and "Volcanoes of the Deep Sea," an underwater epic about the bizarre creatures that flourish in the hot, sulfurous emanations from vents in the ocean floor.Oral Sex and AdolescentsInteresting findings announced by the University of California, San Francisco."[Health News] Washington, April 4: Adolescents think that oral sex is safer for their health and emotions than vaginal sex and they are also more likely to try oral sex in future, according to a UCSF study published in the April 2005 issue of Pediatrics.“These findings suggest that adults should discuss more than one type of sexual practice when they counsel teens,” said Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD, associate professor of adolescent medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).A survey of 580 ethnically diverse Northern California ninth-graders showed that these young teens considered oral sex to be significantly less risky to their health than vaginal sex. The adolescents believed that oral sex also was less likely to have negative social and emotional aftermaths such as getting into trouble, guilt, or having a fight with the partner.Teens also considered oral sex less of a threat to their values and beliefs. They found oral sex more acceptable than vaginal sex for people their own age, when the partners are dating each other.Around one-fifth of the ninth graders being studied reported that they had tried oral sex, compared to 13.5 per cent who said they had vaginal sex. Almost one-third said they intended to begin with oral sex within the next six months, compared to 26.2 percent who intended to stick to vaginal sex.“The fact that young adolescents around age 14 are having or considering oral sex and consider it safer and more acceptable than vaginal sex is important information for parents, health care providers and others who work with youth. When we counsel adolescents about the risks and benefits associated with sex, we need to understand how they perceive it among themselves. Guidelines for adolescent health care call for physicians and other health providers to discuss sex and other risky behaviors during regular medical checkups. Those sessions are one opportunity to work with adolescents on the topic of risks and preventive measures with oral sex as well as vaginal and anal sex.” Halpern-Felsher said . "The mandarins of morality are sure to to come out with guns blazing but that is not likely to deter the adolescents.

End of the Story?No, not by a long shot. Despite the polls,that were overwhelmingly against them, the zealots are continuing with their campaign to keep the issue alive and do whatever they can to prevent people from having a choice about making an end of life decision."Matters of Life"Hendrik Hertzberg's comments in The New Yorker (4/4/05) were written a few days before the death of Terri Schiavo. Here is an excerpt."..................Without them, there would have been no show--and, more likely, no televised vigils outside her hospice, no cries of 'murder' from Tom DeLay, the egregious House Majority Leader, no midnight special session of the House and Senate; no calling Dr. Frist for a snap video diagnosis; no visuals of President Bush returning from Texas to land on the White House south lawn, striding dramatically across the grass as if it were the deck of an aircraft carrier."Hertzberg-Matters of LifeRemember the president on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln ("Mission accomplished", May 1,2003) ? Always good at milking photo opportunities.

An accidental findI knew of Ann Patchet. Her "Bel Canto" was selected for reading by the book group to which my friend JHL belongs. She liked it but I never got around to reading it.Ann Patchet was not on my mind when I came across "Truth & Beauty" (published by Harper-Collins) while browsing the non-fiction shelves of new books in the local libary. Perhaps it is a book that would appeal more to women readers than to men. I thought it was great. The synopsis from the book jacket is copied below."What happens when the person who is your family is someone you aren't bound to by blood? What happens when the person you promise to love and to honor for the rest of your life is not your lover, but your best friend? In Truth & Beauty, her frank and startlingly intimate first work of non- fiction, Ann Patchett shines a fresh, revealing light on the world of women's friendships and shows us what it means to stand together. Ann Patchett and Lucy Grealy met in college in 1981, and, after enrolling in the Iowa Writers' Workshop, began a friendship that would be as defining to both of their lives as their work was. In her critically acclaimed and hugely successful memoir, Autobiography of a Face , Lucy Grealy wrote about losing part of her jaw to childhood cancer, the years of chemotherapy and radiation, and then the endless reconstructive surgeries. In Truth & Beauty, the story isn't Lucy's life or Ann's life, but the parts of their lives they shared. This is a portrait of unwavering commitment that spans twenty years, from the long, cold winters of the Midwest, to surgical wards, to book parties in New York. Through love, fame, drugs, and despair, this book shows us what it means to be part of two lives that are intertwined.This is a tender, brutal book about loving a person we cannot save. It is about loyalty, and about being lifted up by the sheer effervescence of someone who knew how to live life to the fullest. ""Nothing lasts, and yet nothing passes, eitherAnd nothing passes just because nothing lasts."---Philip Roth, The Human Stain (quoted by Ann Patchet in Truth & Beauty)

Judiciary under attack"We will look at an arrogant, out-of-control, unaccountable judiciary that thumbed their nose at Congress and the president.Thus thundered the honest, straight arrow, unblemished House Majority Leader Tom Delay (R), AKA the Exterminator.The full story in The Washington Post.Tom DeLay

A Bach cantata, lost for decades, discovered in Japan by Joshua RifkinThe Wedding Cantata, BWV216, was composed by Bach in 1728. Not the original but the copied version found by Rifkin has been has been authenticated by a team of experts. "The eight rediscovered pages consist almost uniquely of vocal pieces in German for soprano and alto, with the seven movements lasting for a total of between 20 and 25 minutes."And more BachLorraine Hunt LiebersonThere is a superb recording of Bach's BWV82 (Ich habe geung) by the great American mezzo-soprano Lorraine Hunt Lieberson who has been compared to the late Maria Callas. The CD also includes BWV199 (Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut).Label:NonesuchThe Orchestra of Emmanuel Music, conducted by Craig SmithThe Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ)Blues on Bach, The MJQJohn Lewis, Piano & HarpsichordMilt Jackson. VibraharpPercy Heath, BassConnie Kay, Drums & PercussionIn one of their rare forays into classical music the MJQ adapted Bach's music and produced a gem. Originally recorded in 1974, the album was reporduced in CD format by Atlantic Records in 1990.Great artists, all of them. I remember an evening when I had the pleasure of watching and listening to Milt (Bags) Jackson in a small jazz club. A friend and I drove up to the now defunct Keystone Corner in San Francisco. A handsome man with acquiline face, in Milt Jackson's hands the mallets seemed to move almost effortlessly over the keys. Austere in style, he was not a showman; he didn't need to be.It was during the period when the group (formed in 1952) had disbanded. They came together a few years later but the magic was gone. He played "I'll Remember April" and "Delauney's Dilemma", among others.If I am not mistaken, Percy Heath (born 1923) is the only surviving member of MJQ.Jacques Loussier TrioThe French pianist Jacques Loussier also recorded great interpretation of Bach in jazz.Telarc CD:The Best of Play BachJacques Loussier,PianoVincent Charbonnier, BassAndre Arpino, DrumsThe first day of April. Stay away from cruel jokes.

From The Guardian,UK, 3/31/05:"US spy agencies were "dead wrong" in "almost all" of their pre-war judgments about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) capability, a commission appointed by the US president said in a final report today.The damning report described the failures as "major" and also revealed that US intelligence still knew "disturbingly little" about the weapons programmes in other potentially dangerous nations. "Iraqi Children dying of malnutrition (BBC) "Malnutrition rates in children under five have almost doubled since the US-led invasion - to nearly 8% by the end of last year, it says."The silent daily massacre by hunger is a form of murder," Mr Ziegler said. "It must be battled and eliminated."Links:Iraq-WMDBBC-Iraqi Children

Spirit of John Ashcroft thriving in IndianaCounty officials in Bartholomew County, Indiana, have ordered removal of cement statues, including copies of Venus de Milo and Michelangelo's David, from the yard of a local business because they are "obscene under Indiana law".Like our former attorney general, the officials in Bartholomew County seem to suffer from monumental hang-up about the human body without clothes on.Obscene Statues"Indecency, vulgarity, obscenity- these are strictly confined to man; he invented them. Among the higher animals there is no trace of them."---Mark Twain(American humorist, writer and lecturer. 1835-1910)