David Brooks today writes that the Obama administration is very focused on winning—advocating legislation that passes—but in doing so is surrendering to our incompotent Congress. He then cites Stimulus, Carbon Emission & Health Care legislation that has been jammed full of pork and special interest favors that grease it through Congress.
Is this true? I don’t read bills, so I have no idea. If it is, however, that is pathetic. Obama needs to somehow step up and try to change Congress and achieve truly worthwhile legislation.
My mom has started getting her grandkids together every summer in Ligonier, PA for Camp Grahamcracker. The older ones go to camp every day and all six generally have a great time.
The best part of the whole thing is how close all six in age and, by spending time with another, they’re getting to be more siblings than cousins. We want to keep this up & even expand to other cousins.
It was also great to be back in the mellow, leafy hills of Western Pennsylvania. I showed up for the end of the week. Every night after the kids went to bed Kita and I sat on the porch and watched a light show of fireflies.
Then one night as we drove home down a hill, in the valley before us was (from bottom to top) 1) fields, 2) trees, 3) clouds (over a stream running through the valley), 4) wooded hillside, 5) setting sun, and then 6) the moon.
Here’s a picture of it (though it only does limited justice):
Thanks to Mom, Bill, Kita, Patsy, Sean & Yalin for making it happen!
On NPR.org there’s a video of a mini-concert in NPR’s offices, featuring The Avett Brothers and their new song, “Laundry Room.”
Video is not embeddable, so you’ll just have to follow this link to watch. You should, it’s awsome. I love how these guys sing out with every ounce of energy in their beings.
I’ve always loved the Guillemots and their track “Trains to Brazil” ever since Everett introduced them to Mike and me. So much sentiment bleeding through the song.
I really like this acoustic version of the song too. And I’ve finally found a reasonable (i.e. not too difficult) version of the chords, so now I’m going to try to learn it and see if it sounds good.
