What? Did you say "Buy"??

Too late to sell, but afraid to hold on to a sinking ship? They keep telling us not to sell our stocks and mutual fund shares, but people keep selling. Does this contribute to the stock market fall or is it just fear that keeps the slippery slope slippery? I think it will be years before the answer is found. All conventional thinking is out. Leaders in the US, Great Britain, and Europe are still throwing more money at the bank and credit industry. Is this going to work or will our governments only get into deeper trouble...

I hope we bounce back soon. Is it time to think about buying? After all, they have always said to buy low. How low will we go? Aye, there's the rub. No one knows.

The financial crisis has stressed us all. I think we are only skimming the surface. We need honest leadership. Greed and selfishness has to be banished before we can begin to recoup. I hope a financial leader will come forth and bring confidence and recovery back to the markets of the world.

Palin???

Sarah Palin...a big question mark for the John McCain campaign. Yes, she is a "Maverick" like McCain; yes, she is a very likable person (a soccer-mom, if you will) and yes, she is a well respected governor of the state of Alaska. I have tried to find fault with her personally, tried to dislike her; but I can't.

However, I still question McCain's judgement in picking her as his running mate and a potential second in command of our country. What was he thinking?? or was he thinking?? Is this VP pick an example of his leadership style?? Sort of "Shoot first, and ask questions later" approach to governing?? I don't like it.

For someone who has had years, and I do mean years, to select a vice-president running mate, why did he pick an unknown...unknown not only to the USA in general, but also unknown to him as well? Why take a chance like this? Desperation comes to mind, but also ignorance of what we need in the White House, manipulation of the Republican base, and arrogance in thinking he could control her every move until elected.

McCain needed a Cheerleader and he got one. I don't care how much the Republican Party spent on her hair, clothes, and make-up. What I do care about is her reckless name-calling and labeling of Barack Obama and the Democratic Party. Palin was hired to do the dirty work of McCain...that keeps his hands clean. And McCain also has a fall guy to blame when things don't work out.

We all vote for various reasons and philosophies, but I hope when you do get in that election booth, you consider not only the policies our parties represent, but also the manner in which they are presented. Vote for the person you feel will make the best President and Vice-President for our country and who will represent us best in the world arena.

What's wrong with me?

I just got back from a nice vacation. I felt great as long as I was away from home... seeing and experiencing new things. But as soon as I got back home, Wham! my Fall seasonal allergies kicked in again, and I feel terrible... can't breathe, sore throat, and tired. Life is not fair.

I also hated going back to work. I wish I had a job I enjoyed more, but it is hard to start over, especially in these hard economic times. I need to weigh the pros and cons; do I exist to work, or do I work to exist? Can I live on less? Will I miss my "family" at work? Can I make a shift in lifestyle?

Questions to ponder...

Maybe I'm just feeling the blues, a letdown after my vacation days. Whatever it is, I have some serious thinking to do.

Fear of unknown, uncertainty

The fear of the unknown and the uncertainty of the past few days may be taking it's toll. The mental stress of the financial crisis can overwhelm us if we dwell on it.

President Bush was very reassuring in his address to the nation yesterday morning concerning the money markets. He is right when he says we can and we will get through these problems. It is fear that has caused the stock prices to bounce and wobble. It may take awhile, but we will recover.

We sometimes have to let go of things for a while, so we can gain perspective of what is important. The mind and body have to recoup and renew, so that they can have the strength and energy to start all over again.

Take time this week-end to enjoy the things you do have; relax with friends... gather with family... get some exercise... clear your mind... maybe even get out and do a little fishing.

Do whatever it takes for you to get some mental and physical R&R so that you can face the issues of the upcoming week with a fresh out look and attitude.

Yes, We Can

Yes, we can. A simple enough statement. Can we go forward after the election and turn our nation around?

















At the Curb
Presidential Debate
Nashville, TN
October 7, 2008

More from Nashville, TN

Thanks to Nashville Metro Police for keeping the peace at the Curb...



Stop the War...






Green Power...












At the Curb
Presidential Debate
Nashville, TN
October 7, 2008

Outside the Presidential Debate: 2008 Nashville

There was a block party on Belmont Boulevard before the October 7th, Presidential Debate. Protesters, neighbors, students, and curious onlookers gathered outside the Curb Center at Belmont University. It was a festive atmosphere with everyone looking forward to watching the debate at local watering holes or at homes nearby. A good time was had by all...at the Curb.

Belmont Presidential Debate 2008

The Presidential debate of October 7th, 2008 has come and gone. The debate was uneventful to say the least; but what happened after the debate was over, tells me more about the candidates than anything else.

While McCain feels he has "won" Tennessee and doesn't need to expend any more energy on gaining votes,(TN has voted Republican the last few Presidential elections) he missed a good chance to work the crowd of Tennessee voters. He shook a few hands and left the stage.

Obama stayed as long as the secret service would allow... shaking hands, thanking everyone, posing for pictures, signing autographs. This is what will be remembered.

Even though the media gave Obama a slight edge in "winning" the debate, he definitely won some undecided votes by his openness and willingness to meet the public and acknowledge their hard work in preparing for it. After all, Belmont University and the people of Nashville and Tennessee, did sponsor the debate and gave countless hours and spent tons of money to be the sponsor. Granted the sponsors do benefit from the publicity, tourism, etc. Plus it is an honor to be selected as a debate site. Tennesseans can be proud of their efforts.

Thrift and Generosity

I have been reading a book named "Thrift and Generosity..The Joy of Giving" by John M. Templeton Jr., MD. This is a book we all should be reading. In these uncertain times of stress and financial turmoil, the wisdom of saving and of giving may seen an oxymoron, but this book puts everything in perspective. Good advise. Good read.

I especially liked the words of wisdom taken from The Bible, The Talmud, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Kahlil Gibran and others.

Sometimes the words of old tell it best.

We should take time to consider how our actions and attitudes influence the world in which we live.

"One man gives freely, yet gains evermore;
Another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
A generous man will prosper;
He who refreshes others, will himself be refreshed."

Poetry from Proverbs 11:24-25.

Financial crisis or Pork crisis...Oink!

I am totally disgusted with the "Bailout" and our Washington, DC leaders. Allowing all the pork barrel spending to be tacked on to the Bailout bill, demonstrates the lack of conscience of our entire Senate and the disrespect they feel for us all. I thought we had a crisis. Apparently this crisis is not important enough to allow a prudent discussion of the problems facing our banking, credit lending and insurance institutions without including the wants and desires of the lobbyists and special interest groups. Fear and drama have been used to corral the American people into the pen; however, the porkers are the only winners. The average American citizen will pay for the "pork" as well as the "crisis." Oink! Oink!