Twenty Something in the City: Sagacious Commentary

Posted by Lisa at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments

If Hillary Clinton wants to learn something about health for her universal health care campaign, perhaps she should visit Cagliari, Italy. Residents in the area say that they live stress free lives and that health efforts go beyond physical endeavors. This small Italian community is just another example, that simplicity has numerous advantages. Costa Rica, the Japanese island of Okinawa and Loma Linda, CA are other areas of the world that are home to the healthiest people.

Posted by Lisa at 3:55 PM | Permalink | Comments

When I was a little kid I carried a sketch book with me everywhere I went. I loved drawing cartoons and I was fascinated with animation. Last night, I was laying on my couch, having just finished off my toes with a coat of red polish, so that they would sparkle for my office Holiday party, when my ears perked up to the news that Joe Barbera had passed away. Sadly, the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer reported that Mr. Barbera had died at age 95 in Studio City, California.

As pioneers of animation, Mr. Barbera and his colleague, Bill Hanna, created countless American cartoon favorites. The Flintstones, Scooby-Doo, Tom and Jerry, The Jetsons, and Yogi Bear were all part of their magic. As an adult, it is still upsetting to me to think that these cartoons are only penciled drawings because as a child they were always so alive to me. Indeed this is what was so significant about Mr. Barbera’s contribution to the human spirit. He not only had a fantastic imagination but he also provided children and adults with ethical characters that were familiar and fun. Not only are these characters part of the Warner Brothers Family but they also are part of countless American families. They were the characters on our bed sheets that made us feel safe and the Saturday afternoon cartoons that made us laugh. I can only wish that Mr. Barbera is now in a place that is as warm and bright as the good times that he has brought to so many cartoon lovers like me.

I am still curious however, why was there only one girl Smurf?

Posted by Lisa at 9:54 PM | Permalink | Comments

The Iraq Study Group has released a report, which calls for an end to the US combat role in Iraq by 2008. CNN has stated that the report asks for an end to Bush’s “Stay-the- Course” strategy, or else our Iraqi foreign policy will be doomed to fail. The report also calls for the Administration to begin direct talks with Iran and Syria. Lee Hamilton who is Co-chair of the Iraq study group, stated, “You can’t look at this part of the world and pick and choose which countries you’re going to deal with.”
In my opinion, the only area where the report fell short was its title; “The Iraq Study Group Report.”

“Bush, You Are A Dumbass,” seems much more comprehensive and appropriate to me.

Bush, himself had the following to say about the report’s conclusions, “The country is tired of pure political bickering.” No, Mr. Bush, the country is simply just tired of you.

Posted by Lisa at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments

A typical Republican move, Mitt Romney has appointed a highly negative media strategist to help run his “possible” 2008 presidential campaign. One would think that he had learned something from the mistakes of his friend, Ms. Kerry Healey, whose negative campaign tactics recently failed her in her efforts to become governor of Massachusetts. Nonetheless, Mitt has selected Mr. Alex Castellanos to manage his campaign ads. Most Republicans agree that when you’re looking to create negative ads, Castellanos is your man. The Boston Globe has also reported that, Castellanos himself stated in a 1998 PBS broadcast that negative messages are the most effective.

In 1990 Castellanos aired a television ad for former senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina that criticized his challenger, Harvey Gantt. Gantt was a black man that supported racial quotas. The disingenuous ad depicted a pair of white hands ripping up a rejection letter from a job. The position had gone to a black man instead. At a time when a black man’s salary was on average roughly 49% lower than that of a white man’s salary, this ad was an insult to the black community. Castellanos should be ashamed of having used racist moves to manipulate the American public. The ad clearly misrepresented the historical significance of affirmative action.

Hasn’t America had enough negativity and scare tactics, Mitt? Your campaign isn’t even a reality yet, but as a Massachusetts resident I am already put off by it.

Posted by Lisa at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments

Soldiers lay down your guns for some upcoming peace, love, harmony and orgasms. Two peace activists from San Francisco, Donna Sheehan and Paul Reffell, are calling for a world wide anti-war demonstration on December 22. The couple is asking for people to stay inside on the first day of winter and make love! They want as many people as possible to have an orgasm on December 22, in an effort to focus on the beautiful feeling of peace.

Posted by Lisa at 10:05 AM | Permalink | Comments

Nancy Pelosi became the first woman Speaker of the House today! Democrats unanimously voted her in as she promised to wipe the House floors clean of corruption. The job is second in line of succession to the presidency. Minutes after her victory she endorsed Representative John Murtha of Pennsylvania to take the house majority spot.

“We made history and now we will make progress for the American people"

- Nancy Pelosi, minutes after becoming the first woman Speaker

Posted by Lisa at 8:59 AM | Permalink | Comments