GwenElle's Comments (839)

“Please understand this elemental distinction: his marital problems are not our business. Filing a false report (a misdemeanor) and assault with a deadly weapon ( a felony) are violations of law. Violations of law are our business. This is a nation of laws (or so we are told).

In many states, domestic abuse is not the quaint crime of a bygone era in which it was the prerogative of the spouse to file charges. If laws (minor or serious) were broken, it is the responsibility of the police to investigate and of the prosecutor to bring charges. This process is fundamental to a nation based on laws and vitally important to a society that does not which to be held captive by the cult of celebrity.”

“I share your opinion on that. Found it offensive that a man who has made it a point to distance himself from the African American community to which he at least has a genetic connection would make such a remark. Guess it shows just how disconnected he truly is (and I don't mean racially).”

“I beg to differ. It is precisely for the reason that you state "he's an immensely talented man who is a master craftsman . . . " that the sharp eye of public accountability ( and tinny ear of gossip) is being applied to him. And should be. The perch of privilege, prestige, wealth and fame that the public's idolatry of his skills has afforded Tiger, comes with consequences. He must know and understand that the same rules apply to him that applies to the rest of us. And more importantly, we (the unrich and unfamous) must know, understand and insist on that. Failure to understand that is to undermine in subtle and insidious ways the very democratic principles that we so take for granted in this country.

I speak primarily from the point of view of whether a misdemeanor was performed in filing a false report to the police. But I also offer my comment in ridicule of the public attitudes and beliefs that accrue fame and wealth to individuals because we consider them to be "so immensely talented and masters of their craft (read the universe) that they should be or can be treated differently than the rest of us.

The sooner we end the cult of celebrity in this country the better off we all will be.”

“I agree with you that the marital difficulties of Tiger and his wife are not our business, but In a democratic society when the law is broken that is the public's business. If a false report was filed by Tiger or his wife, that is a crime, a misdemeanor.

Enforcing the law is the public business that we entrust the police to conduct (enforce), but we live in a society where the laws are not equally enforced. The rich and the famous often get breaks that the rest of us don't. That is ethically and often legally wrong. Public outrage is sometimes the only tool the public has to ensure that the authorities do their jobs. It is a way to remind them that in a nation of laws they are accountable to we the people, and that part of their oath to serve and to protect is to apply the same standards the rich, the famous and the connected that are applied to the rest of us.

As for the petty gossip surrounding an affair and marital woes, that is the ugly side of human nature. But so is the cult of celebrity that is partly responsible for the wealth and fame that Tiger and his wife enjoy. To employ a cliche, they can't have your cake and eat it too.”

“Surely you did not mean to imply that abuse is the best thing for this woman and her son? I am willing to believe that the "it" in your last sentence is simply a misplaced pronoun reference and that what you are in fact saying is that leaving the abuse is the best thing. Still, you confused me there for a minute.”

“Truly ironic isn't it? I am chuckling right along with you.”

“Odd comment by Clinton. Since when has healthcare reform not been politicized? In our society, and with the present level of thinking brought to the matter, how can it not be?

As long as we are talking about healthcare in terms of costs, we are talking economics and if we are talking economics then we are inevitably talking politics. And with politics in the mix, the kind of reform that is really needed will remain beyond our reach. We will remain prisoners of the same old institutions (the healthcare industry, our political system) and perceived solutions to our problems.

As someone with the soul of an iconoclast, I find talking reform and institutions in the same breath a dismaying non sequitur.

My idea of healthcare reform: each of us thinks and acts in terms of wellness rather than sickness, believes in health as the natural order of things rather than illness, and failing that, accepts the reality of our own mortality rather than respond reflexively to it with fear. Eventually, we achieve critical mass such that we relegate politics, politicians and their lobbying bedfellows to virtual irrelevance.

That's my pipe dream and I'm clinging to it!”

“Enjoyed the analysis; parallels the processes of human growth and transformation.

I am bit short on caffeine this morning (the brain is not exactly clicking on all cylinders), but the thought that clings to the few neurons that are active is that some systems just simply do not survive and nor should they. More *Great Empires* have died than have ever been resurrected (Egypt, Rome, Great Britain, et al). This soul-murdering economic system of ours needs to die. Currently, it seems that it is in the process of committing suicide. Except for the suffering that this rightful death causes, I say good riddance. I despise unnecessary suffering.

Ultimately, we humans will create responsive and viable economic systems based on something other than the accumulation of material wealth. That will come as an evolutionary rather than as a revolutionary act as you suggest. Evolved systems will reflect the state of our evolved consciousness.

In my vision of the world, spiritual wealth will be valued more than material wealth. In the meantime those of us who loathe the system as it is do our best to thwart, counter and deflect its soulless effects, all in an effort to keep our spirits in tact and to retain a modicum of human dignity.

(And if anyone is wondering . . . no, I am not religious.­)”

“No need for therapy. I am emotionally healthy enough thank you. I am also wise enough to know that I have about as much unexpressed anger as the next person. Much better to vent my spleen at meaningless football games and towards over-hyped, self-important sports teams than human beings. That is therapy enough. The functional equivalent of pounding a punching bag or banging pillows that some therapies advocate. And it's free. I don't even have to leave the comfort of my home.

But thanks for your concern. I am sure it runs deep.”

“Sorry I missed the entirety of the game. Had I seen it with my own eyes, I would have delighted even more than I do now in just hearing about Belichick and the Patriots infamous defeat.

Despite not seeing the game, I have read almost all of the comments on this thread and just have to weigh in. For those who are hailing this as a smart coaches decision I say bullstuff. If Belichick didn't have confidence in his defense to stop the Colts (Manning) from marching to a 80 or so yard touchdown because he considered the defense exhausted, how then is it wise or logical to risk turning the ball over to Peyton at your own 28 and then expecting what not only was a fatigued defense, but wouold now a demoralized one because they knew their coach did not have confidence in them?

In my opinion, this was an arrogant and boneheaded coaches decision. If not for his arrogance Belichick would have recognized it as such and punted the ball. Let your players play. Belichick made the game and its outcome about himself. He believed in himself more than he did in his team and that is bad coaching on every level.

Though I missed this one live, you can bet I'll be watching the inevitable rerun on the NFL channel. I'll watch just out of spite! The Patriots are just one of those teams that I love to hate.”

“I say again, Palin is really just that obtuse.”

“Yes, she does. Palin is really just that obtuse.”

“"He wasn't the best speaker", said one attendee. A perfect equation. He wasn't the best president either (to say the least).”

“And you just made me laugh out loud.”

“Sorry, but I think you are sounding condescending. In the basic sense of the word, genius simply means extraordinary ability. Artistic basically means to produce something skillfully, with taste and in a way that is aesthetically pleasing. I would say that Wilthshire's drawings more than meet those standards.

As for whether Wiltshire's works are *good art* as you say, I beg the question exactly who is the arbiter of that? A few decades ago, some art aficionados declared Andy Warhol's rendering of a Campbell Soup can creative genius. How does one account for that?

It's art to me if the work speaks to me in a manner that inspires joy, uplift and a sense of awe. When that happens, the soul has been touched. Clearly, for someone in the supposed-i­n-the-know­-art-world­, Warhol's soup can evoked such a response. For me, the soup can was and is just one big flabbergasting yawn.

Whatever explains Wiltshire's ability, it is clear that it is an expression of impulse that springs from within him. That's plenty enough artistry for me.”

“I find it quite impressive to be able to look at a subject once and reproduce it accurately in minute and photographic detail. Can you do it? Are you Michelangelo or Leonardo DaVinci reincarnated? What exactly is your particular genius?

The young man has a gift that is plain for most to see. Perhaps rather than ridiculing him, you'd do well to develop your own innate talents and share them with the world.”

“Thanks! Yes we can and yes we will!!”

“Clearly, you did not read my entire post.

My comment was directed at "we the people". What I meant and what I said is that there is a role for us to play in this fight and I was advocating that we assume it. In fact, the very point that I was making is that I am no longer willing to leave this as the President's fight or even the Congress' fight. It is our own.

If there is anyone in this country who is more anti-healthcare insurance industry, than I am, then I would like to meet them.”

“I hear you. I spent some time imagining McCain and Palin in office right now. Nightmare on Main Streets.”

“nirek, myy previous reply was to charleshugh. Evidently, I clicked the wrong Reply link.”

“I don't agree with what you cite as *easy victories*. I am, however, inclined to agree with you on his staffing choices. I don't know if the President needs someone with more executive experience, but he certainly could use more around him with less of a campaign mentality. This ill-advised public fight with Fox News is case in point of the bad advice that crew is giving him.

The Obama administration seems to have lost sight of jobs as the number one challenge facing Americans. Bill Clinton knew that jobs were the first priority. (But then again, Clinton didn't face the huge challenges that this President has faced in his very first year of office.)

There's time yet for President Obama to right the ship. I have not given up on him.”

“I beg to differ with your statement that all the article is doing is telling us "No we can't". Quindlen makes a reasonable argument for reasonableness and she challenges us to be the voters that we were when we voted nearly a year ago. Quindlen writes:

"So if the American people want the president to be more like the Barack Obama they elected, maybe they should start acting more like the voters who elected him, who forcibly and undeniably moved the political establishment to where it didn't want to go."

I agree with her.

It is safe to safe that too few of us are charging the halls of Congress with pitchforks in hand, demanding the kind of change that we want. I know that living in the republican­-dominated state of GA I feel somewhat disempowered. My two republican senators and my representative in Congress, Tom Price, (yes that Tom Price, cohort of Joe Wilson of 'You lie" infamy) certainly don't represent my point of view.

And so I seek out the national petition, advocate for a national movement and turn to organizations such as MoveOn.org to provide the ballast and to remind us who we were during the primaries and general election. It's time for us to become that again. Or was that all that we are?

This is our fight to win, not just the President's.”

“Though I am would like to see the President provide better leadership, I am not questioning his compassion, or empathy, as you call it. You don't leave a promising career in NY with a degree from Columbia University to work as a community organizer in the projects of Chicago if you lack empathy.

Time will tell if politics as usual will define him and his presidency. I am still holding out hope that won't be the case.”

“The truth is that this strain of virus is slow to grow and therefore to cultivate as a vaccine. The manufacturers can't make it grow any faster than it is willing to. This from an interview with a CDC official who was interviewed on NPR's All Things Considered last week (Thurs or Fri). Just visited the site but could not find a link for sourcing.

As for why some manufacturers are on schedule and others are not . . . just guessing, but some manufacturers could have simply started developing the vaccine earlier.”

“A public option only for those who don't have insurance is not good enough. Forcing Americans to gift the healthcare industry with our hard-earned dollars is not my idea of healthcare reform.”