Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Barry:

This time of year brings out some melancholy for me along with some joy.

My very close relative is in her last days and it's hard to witness the decay and the pain.

I would hope that all my relatives would support each other, but self centerdness and attorneys rule the day.

The Caliifornia Community College System - the place where hundreds of thousands of people in every conceivable situation try to find a foothold on the American Dream - is rationing classes because the cash is just not there. No more welcome to the USA, now it's just get ready to get some money by transferring to university in two years flat or get out. Tough luck for vocational programs and immigrants. Read it here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/12/24/MN3U1MD0L6.DTL&tsp=1

Some 50 million Americans are mired in poverty and misery. Some 25 million are unemployed or underemployed.

Some of the rich among us actively work to increase that number while they grow obscenely richer. Our American experiment was founded in hope and respect. I think it was Ben Franklin who replied when asked what kind of government the Constitutional Convention had given the country, replied: "A republic, if you can keep it".

But, finally we all get it and we are walking the streets and we are really p..o..'d, but very polite. But Barry, we are not going away. We insist on transparent processes and we will not accept corruption and back room deals. The future looks like a better place because of that.

Middle East regimes are tottering because their subjects would rather die than take the conditions. Talk about Hope and Change, that's where it is, Barry.

UPDATE YEMEN 12.28.11

Yemeni crowds are showing us a method by surrounding an agency until the corrupt manager leaves.

Read here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/12/28/international/i034241S48.DTL

"There's somethin happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear" Barry. [Buffalo Springfield]

You are at the top of the system, but that system WILL change; it will change. I just hope that only a few more people die to make the change.

Keep your eyes and ears open; be prepared.

My parents grew up in the Great Depression. That's the time where many families were torn apart by poverty, violence and despair.

My parents would choose a time or event and decide to be happy, regardless of how they felt or what was happening. For that time and in that place, they enjoyed their life.

Take a moment and enjoy your life. Your kids will grow up and your situation will change. But, life is what happens while you're waiting for the next event.

Listen to Fats Domino sing Jingle Bells and have a glass of champagne with Michele. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKpihFvJpY8

Your pal,