HAPPY NEW YEAR 12.31.06

So you have stopped into the Enigma Cafe, I have tidied and moved the chairs and tables over to the walls. There is Champagne chilling in buckets on the Counter and the Fondue pots are steaming, and there is Dimsun arriving any second. And I decided to get a little dressed up. And I have rented a Juke Box for the night , so below is some of the Music for the night. Tomorrow I have time to write Something Insightful. But tonight we are going to Dance this damn year out......Happy New Year to All of You....

*{ If you have a Tune Request I will post....Slowdancing will start after MN ]

First Slow Dance...Midnight...

john lennon - imagine



PEACE...I LOVE YOU ALL.....

Slow Dance #2

Marvin Gaye - What's Going On

Slow Dance #2

Slow Dance #3

Ray Charles - Let it be

Slow Dance #4

ONE -- U2 & Mary J Blige

Slow song #3

Slow Dance #5

ROSEMARY CLOONEY: The Christmas Song

This is so beautiful...almost better than Nat King Cole...And it is great to slow dance to....

The Commitments - Mustang Sally

Boogie Shoes

My shoes are ready to dance are You??

Joe Cocker - You can leave your hat on

Joe Cocker & The Mad Dog & Englishmen The Letter

Joe kicking ass...wow...great footage...

BUCK FUSH 12.31.06

TODAY IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT 3000 MILITARY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN IRAQ.
Mr.Bush, did anyone tell you , while you were "clearing brush"?
Shame on you.
Impeach & Imprison.
We are going to Nixonize you and your buddies , you shithead.

And to the MEDIA, we need you to do your damn job , Bloggers can't do it all.
We need you to show the COFFINS and the FUNERALS NOW...and instead of interviewing Busheads,
start interviewing families.....the grieving families.

( And also start showing the Iraqi Numbers too)

The Funeral Review at the Enigma Cafe.....( and it ain't pretty)

I was not going to blog...really. I was taking a break...Really.
Now that being said.... Please know I mean NO Disrespect to the Dead....
I really don't....Really.

*^*^*^*^* ACT ONE OF FUNERAL-RAMA ^*^*^*^*^*^*
So the First Funeral Was James Brown the Godfather of Soul Mid Saturday Afternoon...I was surfing around and expected to see either more Hanging Updates or Ford Procession Updates ( which begs me to ask How Many times can they show the Limos on the tarmac ?...ok, don't ask....).

**** I need to clarify my son and I got hooked on watching these funerals during last couple of years, the Reagon Funeral with his son Ron blasting Bush a new one was Priceless, and then the Rosa Parks Funeral- one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. The other one that my son and I actually even taped was Coretta Scott King. It is about Honor, and how we as a people are forgetting how to Honor Who we are...or What we have lost. Now that it is Clear, there is a shortage of Honor in one of these Funerals- you can guess Which ....****

Now this was the oddest thing I have ever seen, for the most part, not a bad funeral, lots of really good music, and Al Sharpton speaking his mind. ( Michael Jackson still creeps me out I confess). Now the part that left a dent on my brain, all week we learned that the James Family does not well, "like" his wife of the past five years, Tomi Rae, matter of fact , they are disputing that she is even his wife. Now that being said. She Somehow worked her way to the stage...and then when she got there she leaned way over the casket, like she was going to climb in it or drench him with tears, lurching like a hungry vulture, it was like some kind of Scary Opera, Such Effect.

Now WHY it made The Never Before Funeral List...So there she is leaning over, looking like the Scorned Lover ( that she is) and Looking Postively Stricken, and PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE started BOOING HER AND YELLING THINGS AT HER. I have been to a fair number of funerals ( part of being a nurse). So She Who is Scorned looks up and out at the Audience with a look that would or could Kill, and then she plucks a Rose from the closest Mammoth Arrangement...and then she struts off with an Attitude and Swagger that singed the stage....I swear there was smoke in her trail.

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Okay Now Evening dawns and It is time for the Ford Show. So the Ford Caravan finally arrives in the Rotunda, my son is humming the "Convoy" song, and they show the beautiful Lit Stairway that the Mourners and the Casket is going to be Lifted up...and I am sitting there thinking , wow, that is a Whole Lot of Steps. ( Son pipes up " oh, look the Stairway to Heaven). I however could almost hear the Rocky music in my head. ( And yes, I even looked for it on YouTube). I could picture Young Bodies Leaping up the steps, but I could also picture Old Statesmen falling down the stairs. ( Oh, come on it was FORD"S Funeral, we could have had Chevy there giving Lessons for heavens sakes). So my son says "Wow, talk about Cruel Irony , Did they have to have the Stairs cause it 's Ford's Funeral- that seems kind of tacky."

So we both chuckled, but the cameras start showing the Geezer Contention gingerly creeping and crawling out of the cars, and 6-6 says" So are they going to make all of them do the stairs ? wow, Hope someone packed a defibrillator". We laughed and ate more chips.

Then they show everyone filing into the Rotunda, it's lovely somber, but with a bit of a chill. I sit and wonder if Woodward is there, and how many old GOP "Dignataries" HEARD the Ford-Now-that -I-am-dead- Screw -you-Bush-you-done-Iraq -wrong -tape ? I would say by watching the Frosty Reunion- Quite a Few Heard the Esteemed Tape. Rummy is nowhere to be seen ( something about Storms Delayed his arrival) and then Cheney looks bothered and inconvenienced, like a man that ran out of hemmorhoid cream on a Mexican Vacation. Cheney is susposed to be "attending" to Betty, he glances her way every now and then , as cozy as row 3 on the Greyhound Bus to Dayton. Cheney and his own wife did not speak to each other at all , or make eye contact.

Now before the "Festivities" get roaring along, Everyone has risen, or is already standing, and it doesn't look like there are any chairs. ( Kind of a Rummy Funeral I guess ?). And then there is some kind of singing, but over behind Betty you can see some kind of Scuffle and Scurrying going on. 6-6 says," Oh shit one of geezers bit the dust- that is a bad omen". So we surf the channels and sure enough all of them are trying to get different angles on it. Commentator; " Oh we don't have to worry,Senator Frist is there, He's a Doctor." Son: "OMG. That's it- for sure he's a goner, poor guy, Gee I hope Someone call 911."

( Now I apologize but this is gallows humor- he has grown up with nothing but nurses about, and at 15 what do you expect? Tea and Sympathy?. Truth be told as of VERY late Saturday Night, we know little, except that it was Congressman William Broomfield, and he was taken by ambulance to the hospital on Oxygen looking very pale , and pasty, and not very good. Poor Guy. The film of him getting put in the ambo was cut from other channels but we caught it on cspan.).

Now about Betty Ford, this is the Pearls and Swine part of the Program.. What a lady ,so regal, even in her tiny stature she diminishes all around her. She has Bearing, or my grandmom would say " Presence". She has Class. And even in grief she was tall and proud, majestic really, navigating through those shark infested GOP "Mourners". She barely acknowledged the Swine. At one point on her way to the casket for her evening Goodbye, she gracefully manuvered out of Cheney's Grasp and worked her way to her son, like a woman swimming to shore. She never even gave Cheney a sideglance or any eye contact. It was stunning.

And when she was about to go into the Rotunda, the Military Brass ALL saluted her- it was very beautiful. I was really moved by That and I kept wondering if that was about Ford being in the Navy, or More about what he said about Iraq. Either way ...

( BTW there was No Daddy Bush and No Junior either, JR must still be down there at the Ranch clearing Brush, "Southern Comfort" syle.)

So there were the Obligatory Pomp and Circumstance Speeches, except it was their delivery that was so striking. ( We actually made popcorn for this part-it was worth it). Ted-where-is-my-damn-bridge-to-nowhere Stevens can not read a eulogy, that was a hoot, his delivery must have been from years of watching Bush. I have seen my cat fight her way out of a wet paper bag with more dignity. The we had Denny-I-Need-another-Whopper- Hastert, both he and Stevens sounded so Peevish and Petulent, so dispairingly annoyed with having to say Something ( when they know they can kiss their but -we- should -still- have- the- power- asses goodbye). They were like kids that arrive late to a Birthday party and the gift bags are all gone, and they still have to stay and pretend to have manners.There was a good bit of rather irritated Drivel about how Ford was a "Healer", and a "Rock", and "he kept the Country together through Dark Times" ( ahem, that means Another Time of Criminal Corruption ). How "HIS PARDON Basically Saved America from worst Crisis and Destiny". ( Enigma spewed Dr.Pepper and popcorn out her nose at about this point, while yelling "Oh, Kiss my ass" at the TV). Then there was some kind of crap about "Forward" and Forgiveness". ( and I heard alot of coughing in the Rotunda too). I wished I had been there I would have coughed "Bullshit:".

Okay I confess I did not Listen to ALL of it, I did suffer the Hastert and Stevens Acts, but the dog had to poop, so Cheney's Time seemed the best time to go take care of that. So yes, I missed Cheney, but I did see him start, standing at the podium looked inconvenienced. ( As a waitress I have seen that "Will someone please bring the godamn check " look a 1000 times. ). All three speeches had an Icey Edge, ominous, almost threatening....and yet the Commentators kept saying how "honoring" the eulogies were. I guess I only heard The Edge not the Empty Words.

See I see it this way, WE NEVER HEALED FROM WATERGATE AND THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THESE GODAWFUL CRIMINALS IN THE WHITEHOUSE RIGHT NOW...CAUSE IF FORD HADN'T PARDONED NIXON, IT WOULD BE A WHOLE DIFFERENT HISTORY WE ARE LIVING RIGHT NOW.
( Hey my blog is Watergate Summer- did you think I would let this "Oh What a Hero Crap" slide ???)

GLOBAL WARNING ON THE FRONT BURNER....or was it back burner ?

An Inconvenient Truth part 1




Happy New Year..We should all watch This before Another Manhatten Sized Chunk falls off Canada....BTW I read about the Falling Chunk over at Crooks and Liars, NOT on MSM...

And Lucky found this Link, FREE , yes FOLKS !!!! FREE Inconvenient Truth....wow....

HAPPY NEW YEAR 12.30.06

Many Folks are celebrating New Years tonight....there will be Parties to celebrate the End of an Amazing Year.....
The Enigma Cafe will remain open, I never close up, a Big Fog has rolled in by the Lake, so I am making cookies and Dimsun....The TV is on, there is a Break from the Ford-a-Saddami Show...CNN is airing the Funeral of James Brown, for that I am grateful. Reverand Al Sharpton is Saying It.Later tonight I will be posting some Music to honor the end of this year 2006. Take care of Yourselves and be Safe.

* Thank you DK for this beautiful New Yorker Cover*
** Tomorrow will be the final Post for 2006..Stay Tuned.**

Saturday Night Music 12.30.06

You get what you Give....Dear Mr.Bush...we New Radicals are going to give you a Helluva a Year....

THE LAST FRIDAY 12.29.06...Namaste.

As I sit here blogging it is very late Thursday Night, the Clouds hang low over Lake Erie. My dog and cat are both asleep, exhausted after fighting over the Country Crock Container for 30 minutes. Who knew it was such a Perfect Pet Toy ? An absolute buttery delight. Well, atleast their coats will look so nice now. ( Last night it was a Mountain Dew box, but they grew bored with it.) I have cleaned up the Kitchen and am laying here trying to decide why this Buttery smell makes me so hungry. I think I will have to make Biscuits and tea and call it a night...( or it might be Diet Coke and Lime Tostitos.).

I know many places are Closed for the Holidays , or are on shortened Hours. But the Enigma Cafe is Open as usual. This is the Last Friday of this Year so I am quiet, just wiping the counters reflectively and thinking of the past year. I have posted some extra special Treats below, two wonderful artists and soothing music, and even some Hubble space shots that are spine tingling. I have tried to give you all a Reprieve from the Saddam-i-Ford Weekend. Thank you all for coming to the Cafe this year.Namaste.

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For a year I have tried to nurture those that stop in the Enigma Cafe. I often end my comments "Namaste". People have asked What that means. So I have posted a link, click the title ( please read the Uses). it is used in many cultures and is used as a greeting that gently lets others know that they are accepted and embraced spiritually . For me when I say it , it is said with Empathy , that I carry you in my heart, that my Spirit is at one with your Spirit, meaning that We are All One. For me I learned about it working after the Tsunami ...but that is a story for yet another day. Peace, Light and Love.

Gustav Klimt 's Exhibit

Gustav Klimt




Beautiful art and music .... He loved women and knew how to paint them....His paintings have the golden touch...

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT....

STEP ON BOARD

This is Called Revelations.... beautiful ...haunting...

[ click the title for more goodies ]

A trip to the Art Gallery ....Friday 12.29.06

A trip to the Gallery...today Leonardo Da Vinci and some Claude Monteverde....
Have Children ? Bring them in , these are beautiful Paintings...They should see the Classics.
Enjoy.

2007 is Almost Here, What do you want in the New Year...

Goo Goo Dolls:Better Days




New Year is Coming....What do you want?

More Thursday Night Music 12.28.06

Goo Goo Dolls - Slide



What the Song Slide Is Really about.....Beautiful guitar...and Strangely beautiful story behind the song ( extra plus song has ELMO in the Intro)

JOHN EDWARDS ANNOUNCES HIS 2008 PRESIDENCY CAMPAIGN ON YOUTUBE

Tomorrow Begins Today



John Edwards sent out this YouTube last night, and is announcing his 2008 Presidential Run from New Orleans. In this short little YouTube he talks about Real Issues, Katrina and What it did and What it Left Behind, about Poverty, about Iraq and McCains' Dumbass Surge and Splurge Iraq Plan ( my words not his), and POVERTY, and he is Real. I have mentioned here for monthes WHAT my dream ticket is...and you know it..but go watch This YouTube, let's Get This Started......

Christmas is over.....And that worries me.

Okay so Christmas is over. Am I the only one is worried that the King is having the Other Little Evil Elves down to the Ranch, to discuss Iraq ? He couldn't meet with his Staff up in at the WhiteHouse to talk about Iraq ? Why ? Just Like Summer of 2002 he met with Rummy down at the Ranch and talked about it, then swaggered out in the August Heat and lied to reporters about it.
I worry....are they sitting there in that damn trailer Now talking about Iran the same way. Becuase if they were talking about Iraq they could do that in DC.

I also worry that the King will try to Do Something before January 20th, when all the power is susposed to shift. He definently looked peevvish and preturbed at the podium when he had to give "Oh, he was a good guy , but he 's gone now MrFord" speech. ( No offense but you think Dubya would have the sense to Value a Pardoning President.) He definently looked Very Inconvenienced.

Of Course he isn't happy , becuase No One is Enthused or Embracing his Surge and Splurge Plan in Iraq. Which is unfortunate, becuase how can he sell the Draft he has up his sleeve if No One is Patriotic Enough ? Or worried about Terra?

And I said this below, I find it really really odd that Rummy and Dick who were such friends with Ford did not come out and say a word about him. Were they just too "busy" in their undisclosed locations ? Or are they huddled in a Bunker or cave somewhere looking at the Iran maps?



*the snowmen and the elves were stolen from Somewhere, so I send out this thanks & an apology*

Okay..this does indeed rankle my hide....

Okay, Mr Ford has been dead less than 24 hours and the media has beaten it to death digging up all available Icons from the Bygone Polyester Era to basically cannonize this basically average human ( sorry for the snark,but really)....And Interesting that not a Single Bushland Crony that served in that administration has come forward to spew an eloquent eulogy , No Rummy ( from his Slave Loving St.Micheals home), No Unca Dick from an undisclosed location ( IE. Aspen Colorado), no Kiss-my-Vietnam-ass Kissinger, and shockingly no Daddy- CIA- Bush....hmmmm, WHAT is that about ,eh?

The Media should be given a Tango Prize, they managed to neatly sidestep ALL of the Major Issues, NIXON, and THE PARDON AND THE DRAFT AND THE VIETNAM WAR.....I am so glad that The Propaganda Machine didn't break down after the Elections...What a relief !!!...

Consider this an Open Thread..Bring on your best Snark...Not feeling Inspired enough ?
Hmmmm, Better read below....

Wednesday Night Music 12.27.06

Listen to the wind Blowing , Down Comes the Night....Break the Silence.....

Bring Them Home!

Since the Media FORGOT to mention Iraq all day, or the families at Christmastime....Let me help them out here....Ava Lowery is talented, her work is here....

Yar Matey....There's bit'o' Pirate in All of Us

BUT They do sure be telling Lies and Curse them....and their swarthy lot...Now go over to Spadoman's ( he is on the Blogroll)



He said we need to Dress Like True Pirates to come to his Party, so What do you think ?

Have you been over to Spadoman's? He has brought on the Priates, yar how we do love the pirates here at the Enigma Cafe, the Yar the Swabby Decks and the Cabin Boys...Now where did I put my Parrot ? and my Patch? and my Peg leg ?

Yup...I am going to be Grace O"Malley at his Party....soon as ...well you get the drift Matey...see you there...

Gerald Ford has passed.....12.26.06

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He died on the day after Christmas, he was 93, and had been the oldest living President after Reagon died. He was our Accidental President, sworn in August 9th, 1974. He was our Accidental President, chosen by Fate and Nixon's misfortunes. He was a good man, a Father , a Husband, and an Eagle Scout, and he also was a lawyer and served his Country in the Navy during World War II. He also was almost recruited by two professional Football teams, that is pretty amazing that it was not more publicized. The White House Kids page doesn't even mention it , or that he was in the Navy. ( the White House Gov Bio Pages have undergone alot of revison aka editing these past 6 years really odd).

He was a Congressman's Congressman for over 20 years serving the state of Michigian, respected and loved in DC , before he was appointed VP. He was appointed VP because Spiro Agnew made Mistakes, and got caught and had to resign. Then monthes later Ford became president, again appointed, by Nixon. He was sworn in on August 9th, 1974. And a month later he Pardoned Nixon quietly on a Sunday Morning. He also made a less than glamorous run at being elected Presidency, which culminated in losing to a Peanut Farmer named Carter in 1976. His wife battled breast cancer while he was president, and then later alcoholism and an addiction to prescription pills. It was quite a big deal that they were forthcoming and brave about these battles, and that without the Fords Rehab programs would not be where they are today. Their family helped make it acceptable to admit addiction and ask for help, that is quite an accomplishment.

He was one of the more loved Republican Presidents, even though he dealt with the wind-down of Vietnam ( again missing from the WH Website), and also with oil/gas shortage issues, as well as Inflation/Recession issues, and other economic factors.Most of these issues including Watergate and Vietnam are not really covered on the Whitehouse site anymore. Ford was a true Conservative, he would never have voted for tax cuts for the Rich.There was none of this Religous NeoCon Let's Do it For God crap that we have suffered for 5 years. He also used his veto to attempt to protect The Deficit from worsening, during a time that it could have spiraled. He also did make diplomatic efforts and outreach to countries of concern ( ie China and Russia). He was not a great president, he was a good president....and I still believe that he was better than Nixon. He did do his best to Serve, and Protect the Constitution. I don't think we can say that about this Current Nightmare of a President.


***** Enigma Foot Note *****
So tonight Keith Olbermann came on tonight and announced Ford was gone, My first thought was oh, Good, that will ruin Bush' s Drinking oh, I mean "Working"( ahem )"Vacation" in Crawford....and then I set my cynicism aside. Or atleast I tried to.

Now I have to say, because I came of age during this Era, the Watergate Era, I was very hard on President Ford. I felt sorry for him in many ways, he stumbled into office, first VP , and then being appointed President. And yet I also cried bitterly when he was sworn in. For me after a year of collecting newpaper clippings and watching ALL of the Hearings , I was devastated that Nixon resigned.( Nixon resigned and his poll numbers were still above 35% BTW. So back then , not everyone thought he would.) I knew when Ford was sworn in that Nixon would go off scott free...and not face any charges or penalties.It was August 9th, 1974. An anniversary of a Nuclear Horror from WWII. And then yes, Ford did pardon Nixon, and that was indeed a dark day.Ford even later won a Profile in Courage Award for the Pardon. And yes, in many ways it hung over Ford like a black cloud. He was encumbered by what he did, even though he thought he did it for the Right Reasons. He thought the Country needed to move forward. But sadly it just added to the Aura of Conspiracy that already plagued the Country. And yes, I never forgot that....or perhaps Forgave him.

Even later when he ran for Presidency he made some gaffs and some small mistakes, and it was odd back then the reporters had balls, and asked questions like "Are you intelligent enough" ( What a hoot- can you imagine Some, Hell, Any reporter asking George Bush that???). ( Yes, it was Brokaw that asked that question).

And today he died, and all I could think was how ironic that he died on Festivus, the fake Holiday that was created on Sienfeld, the day of Airing Grievances.....and I was struck by the irony...his entire Presidency , 3 years was plagued with people carrying the greivance that Nixon Got Off, and it was his fault. And the House and the Senate never quite respected him....It hung like a Shadow over the White House in the 1970's....

Yet I know that he would not have Bombed a Country , he would not ever have supported a Orchestrated Manuver like Shock and Awe, or hung a banner that said Mission Accomplished, and certainly not pranced on a Flight Deck in a uniform he should not have worn. He was a Republican from a Bygone Era, not this era. He actually had Integrity.

SOMEWHERE...over the Rainbow...12.26.06

So It has been a Tumultous year in so many ways....
and I have been reflecting on ALL that has happened and What it Means, and What Next.
I would love to sit down here at The Cafe and chew on it with my friend Java. But Java is all the way in Indonesia.
So we joke , that he is Over the Rainbow. Because in many ways he is beyond my Hope and Dreams,
but I know one day I will get There to see him in his Home.
But whenever I hear this song I think of him.....so tonight this is for him
sitting in his home with rain falling on the banana plants and rice cooking....
His lover by his side and cats at his feet....

All of us have People that we care about and think about.....
May they be safe in our thoughts....
warmer still in our Dreams.

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Dorothy asks Toto "There must be some place where there is no Trouble ??"
You notice that Toto doesn't answer.

Wizard Of Oz - Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Godfather of Soul has left the Building...

James Brown - I Feel Good

James Brown, Godfather of Soul, died today on Christmas at 73, hospitalized with pneumonia. The Pompadour, the hoarse raspy vocals, the styling smoothness of he electric gliding legs across the floor....There will be no other James Brown. He was beyond original, he had magic. I somehow think the dramatic part of him would have thought it appropriate that he died on Christmas.....

More Dedications to the Godfather....

Lenny Kravitz/ James Brown - Papa's got a brand new bag

Papa's Got a Brand New Bag........this song is SOoooooooo Hot...

Christmas Eve at the Enigma Cafe

It is Christmas Eve a little after sunset. Santa is sitting over in a Booth by the window, he ordered some coffee (2 sugars and cream) and some apple pie ( with chedder cheese, turns out he is not an alomode man).
This is a short post, I will blog more later. No Snow here by the Great Lake Erie tonight. But I have my Virgin Eggnog and Frank is crooning as I sit here by the Fireplace waiting for cookies to finish baking.And at 8pm I will go make my to-die-for Christmas eve Spaghetti and garlic bread , it is tradition. There is wrapping paper strewn about, our lovely cat Xena is engrossed, playing with gluesticks and batteries ( both I am sure are cat friendly). The dog is asleep in front of my little fireplace, she has laid claim to that warm spot and she is not giving it up.My son is in the other room wrapping up my present, and I am pretending not to know what it is.

All is as it should be.

This is my very best Christmas in a very long time and I am so grateful to all of you for being such a wonderful part of this past year, all of you helped make the Enigma Cafe a place to gather, storm the castle & battle the Evil Regime, cry,console, laugh, cuss, and share. All of you have brought so much to this community, you are an amazing group of people.I carry all of you in my heart and send you Light and Love. E Pluribus Unum is real.

I am praying for Peace and praying that we can end this Iraq Mess soon and bring the Troops Home. The top three videos are dedicated to VETS, the Military far from home, and their families....and to all of us fighting to end the Criminal Regime in the Whitehouse, to bring Peace for one and all.

Namaste.

**** If there is a special song you would like added to the montage below, please let me know, I would be happy to post.****

Enigma's Favorite Christmas Song...

Judy Garland - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

My absolute Favorite song it is so True, we will Muddle through...if the Fates allow.....and Next year may ALL of our troubles be miles away.

Bring the Troops Home

I'll Be Home for Christmas

Josh Groban sings....We need to bring the Troops Home. Let's Turn on the Lovelight...

*** Thanks to Cosmic Messenger for reminding me to repost this***

Heather sends a Song to her Big Brother Shaun In Iraq

Heather Martin - When Are You Coming Home

This is Heather Martin, her brother is serving in Iraq, she is 6 and her mother wrote this song. It will break your heart. Let's Bring Them Home....as soon as Possible.

Mimi's Christmas Song.....( s song for Flo)

Nat King Cole - Christmas Song

Thank you Mimi for teaching me the meaning of Christmas, may you be barefoot on those lush Heavenly Greens.

The King Sings....

Elvis - I'll Be Home For Christmas (picture compilation)

The Video is not great, but the song is the Best and the King just melts me. ( although the Micheal Buble song is pretty damn perfect)

Catwoman Purrrrs a Song to Santa.....

Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby

Oh, Santa might be a little late if he stops by Catwoman's place...Thanks to Scootmaroo for this Honey of a video...

Saturday Nogging & Blogging....12.23.06

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"But one may profit in knowledge and even insight, but for the hearts release, one must treasure the friends, that is the meaning and the essence, that is the goal of living life."
Unknown


So Today is Saturday the 23rd.
I will be in and out today wrapping presents, drinking nog and extricating The Cat from The Tree.Today is more Music....and Cheer..and Peace. Love and Nog to you all...
Hugs to all as well...
Hug the One You are With....

I am still looking for that Mistletoe darnit.....
I am hoping The Cat didn't drag it under then bed...
Again.

Stop In and have a sit, tell us what You Want For Christmas.....


( Pssssst....Someone left some beautiful cookies on the counter...I have a hunch someone sent them over from the Smashing Party over at the Gay Agenda....you must go visit Lola when you have the chance.Mel is judging The Contest I am sure she will keep us posted on the Results)

Prayers at Christmas for a Friend....12.23.06

"Through a looking glass of a thousand stars,
Heavenly angels watch over us and bless us unaware".
Leland Thomas

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Christmas is a Time of Hope, Faith and Love.
Sadly there is a Messege down below on the Comments from our dear Blogger Friend Anon-Paranoid,
Anon-P. of America Weeps , AP's sister is gravely ill. Please join us as we send in Prayers
and Light to this fine blogger and family as they face this battle.
(If you wish to leave thoughts and blessings for AP, please do so below AP will see them.)
Namaste.

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"Hope is the thing without feathers,
That perches in the soul,
and sings the tune without words,
And never stops at all."
Emily Dickinson

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Bing Sings Silent Night.....

Bing Crosby - Silent Night

( well it was this or John Tesh...) One More Good Night Christmas Tune....Peace.

We send this one out to Mel, living in the Northwest....Bing was from Tacoma- he craved Snow...there just was not much in Tacoma...and really not many White Christmases.

We also send this out to Cosmic Messenger another Northwester ( I think).
And to Divajood, because she is a"Caroling" over at her place too.

Another Christmas Goodie, Lucky to Have...

Charlie Brown Christmas

THE WHOLE WONDERFUL THING ;-)

( thank you Lucky.... I went and got you almond croiisants - just for you ;-)

( I added it to the Blog Saturday 23am but , it had to be with this collection-
Bing, Elvis, Bowie...just seemed right)

A Bit of Romance...

Johnny Cash, June Carter - Christmas 1981




This is a Classic, filmed in Scotland, has bagpipes...and these two crooning to each other. Don't think you believe in True Love- watch these two, it will make you a True Believer....and June is smoking hot....and the Man in Black can not stop touching her with his eyes.

I also send this song out to Mr & Mrs Spado, Mr &Mrs Dada,Mr&Mrs DK, and Mr&Mrs POP.....and all who still believe...

(((So here is a bit-o-Romance sent out to DK - who should have won that contest over at GA...hehe....enjoy...Scottish Boy Scout?- is there really such a thing????Yar , think not matey...there not be nuf 'scotch in the pin'))

I'll be Home for Christmas....(by a darling unknown)

I'll Be Home for Christmas




We don't know his name, but he looks like a Homesick sleep deprived grad student ..but we love his version....It is so sweet.
And he said Hey to his Mom...sigh

Please do....

Judy Garland - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Another Silent Night

Enya- Silent Night

PT Cruiser sent this in Sat afternoon, and I have to Post. Sorry but I think it is better than Bing- but I will let you all choose.

Thank you PT and Freeway Blogger....We'll send folks your way Caroling

What Song is this ?

Greensleeves


I am confused I thought this was What Child is This? oh, well...
Either way I am dedicating this lovely song to Peacechick Mary...Stop by her Place.

( you know if one is typing in sleep deprived state and mis-types that dedicating word-
like gets the "d' mixed up with "f"....suddenly something so nice gets turned into something so well...rude...which it was like that for a little while- my apologies)

Peace One and ALL....

FRIDAY DECEMBER 12.22.06 AND CHRISTMAS BLOGGING

A note to Readers, the next couple of days will be a bit cluttered, kind of like what the cat did to the wrapping paper. An assortment of Memories , Photos, Cards, Reciepes and Music scattered across the floor. I will try as best possible to post some songs in the Morning and some more in the eve and some Stories and Thoughtpieces during the day. My theme is PEACE.

( I need a break from the Emperor and his foolishness, and maybe you are do too....)

So please enjoy the Friday Morning Songs, there is some majestic Handel's Messiah, soulful Nat King Cole, Elvis (of course),Bing and Bowie (yes) and even Seasame Street ( Bert and Ernie). And after dinner there will be more tunes.

And as you wrap present, sip nog, or trim your tree ....remember...
Time is a Gift....

Sesame Street - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

the king - elvis presley - silver bells

Elvis - I'll Be Home For Christmas (picture compilation)

John Williams conducts Handel's Messiah

Another Version of the Messiah...

G'Nite....peace.namaste.

Amen! from Handel's Messiah

Inspired from videos from Coffee Messiah and Lucky...

Goodnite from the Enigma Cafe. Peace.

Nat King Cole - Christmas Song

Bedtime Christmas Song ( moved up from below)...Mimi whereever you are I hope this song reaches you...

ANOTHER CHRISTMAS TUNE

Little Drummer Boy

Bowie meets Bing...Still Lucky sent this over and it is a gem...Peace on Earth...

CHRISTMAS MUSIC FOR SOLSTICE EVE....enjoy.

Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra - White Christmas


Frank and Bing...who needs Snow ?
( Now these guys should not be nogging alone )
May your days be Merry and bright.

THE CHRISTMAS SHOES

In an earlier post I wrote about my Grandmother, Florence. I still miss her, and she has been gone for 20 years.
She died when she was 71, I was a young bride, a nurse living in Vermont when she died. I was a child of 1960's and she was a big piece of my Growing Up Years. I learned Everything from her.(You can read my post from last year if you clink the title).
I placed this post between her two favorite Christmas songs.

She was Many Things.
Unconditional Love.
Love Notes in Pockets.
Juicy fruit and Peppermint lifesavers.
"White Shoulders perfume"
Silk not Cotten. Cashmere sweaters.
Linen Suits and Italian Shoes.
Yelow roses with dew.
Beautiful smokey grey eyes.
Wavey Auburn hair that had copper highlights in the sun.
Slowdancing with my Grandad...Nat King Cole and Johnny Mathis.
Moonlight Sinata and Pachabel and Handel.
Beautiful White goatskin golf shoes, with lavender trim.

She loved golf, getting up early and walking the greens. She never got good at golf, she was not the most competitive person, she enjoyed being outside with friends. She had emphysema and they moved to Florida for her health, where they also played golf to help her lungs. She would end up battling Breast and Lung Cancer.

In the 1980's I did my best to help her battle her Cancers and then helped her find Hospice Care. In November 21 years ago I went to see her and take my new Husband ( my sweet Ex) and we joked about the Ice in Vermont and having to walk up and down icey streets to the Hospital to work. She joked that her golf shoes would work well, that the spikes would do fine on the ice. I didn't think anything of it, until later, much later when Christmas 1987 came and I recived a package. I was happy to see it looked like a shoebox. It was Christmas eve. Flo and I had always shared shoes, I wear 10AAA, not a normal shoe size, but the same size as my elegant sophistcated grandmother, and when she got tired of different shoes she would send them my way. That cold icey December day on the Front steps of my apartment building and realized that she had sent me shoes, feeling warm and loved in that moment, just like I had numerous times. Then I opend the box and saw the beautiful white leather shoes, and also felt my heart sink because I knew that She was Gone. It was my Very Best present, I knew that as I sat there crying on the icey steps in the Vermont Snow.

Sadly she died Christmas Eve. A part of me is so sad that she died that close to Christmas, her Favorite Holiday. She loved Christmas, she collected cards and gifts year round. ( Which meant as kids we spent alot of time rooting through her house Searching for the Stash Spots). She had sent out her packages as usual, so she did not think she would not be here. She was battling lung and breast cancer, and she was in Hospice Care at the time. But I know she thought she still had a little time.
She sent Ted my grandad out to the store and she passed. He was so heartbroken. I really believe that it was too hard for her to say goodbye to him, to let him go. And yet a part of me has never let her go either.

Once you have had such a grandmother you can not help but believe in Angels. On Earth and in Heaven.

The Cristmas Song-Nat King Cole

One of the best Christmas Songs Ever....well maybe...

A LETTER TO THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA

TO CNN AND MSNBC SEE THE BALLS IN THE BOX HERE ? THERE IS A MESSEGE FOR YOU.....SEE THE DEMENTED LEADER BELOW.....





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Wed. afternoon 3pm

TO THE MEDIA, GROW SOME....FIND SOME.

BE COURAGEOUS, BE BRAVE, TELL THE GODAMNED TRUTH. BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

I have to write this, I am horrified to see the Media start to hump the President's Demented Agenda to give his GI Joe plan more Sacrificial Flesh. Please find your Journalistic Integrity and know this, you too have sons and daughters that can be sent in harms way and FOR WHAT ?

In recent polls 71 to 75% of Americans, WE THE PEOPLE are AGAINST THE WAR IN IRAQ AND IN STAYING THERE, MUCH LESS SENDING TROOPS. We believe that OUR OCCUPATION there is adding to the escalation of Violence and Unrest in this region of Civil War.

THE DELUSIONAL KING WANTS MORE TROOPS...CAN YOU SPELL D-R-A-F-T????

7:30 Pm Tuesday : BREAKING NEWS: THE PRESIDENT HAS LOST HIS MIND.

So the King has been prancing about peevishly pounding the podium this week, demanding he get his way, get his "Victory" in Iraq. He went and met with the Beribboned Military Leaders last week, and today it leaked out that they actually do NOT want to send more troops. Contrary to what Tony the Snowman was spewing today at his press briefing, the Real Brass do not want to send more troops to cope with the "Elevated Insurgency". The King of Denial still can not say CIVIL WAR, fearless prick that he is.

I hate to say this, but I am hoping and praying that we have the Military Brass stand up to this Prick of a Leader and stand up for our Troops and their families. I am NOT sending my son there because it is a FAILED POLICY...IT IS A FUCKING MESS THAT THE PRESIDENT MADE, NOT YOU, NOT ME, AND NOT THE MILITARY LEADERS.

So tonight the Peevish King has sent an emergency order ( cough... imperial demand) to the new Defense Secretary Gates to expand the troops. McHaffrey is on Hardball and he wisely pointed out that this is NOT WISE to send more troops into this quagmire of a mess.Mr.Bush wants MORE "troops on the ground", yet truth be told Mr. Bush we didn't and don't have enough troops HERE in OUR COUNTRY. When Katrina happened there were ONLY 400 on the Guard in NOLA, and not enough in then WHOLE Hurricane Hit region.EVERY Emergency that has happened in the United States has been a Magnified Collosal Nightmare because Almost ALL of our Guard are over in the sands of Iraq.If anything he has taken ALL of Our Protection and Troops that are susposed to be NATIONAL , meaning for OUR People. I am hoping and praying that the Military of this Country stand up for the People, and stand up to this Leader who is hurting this Country.

This Petulent King is about to hand Americans a Big Nightmare of a Christmas Present and about to Punish the Americans for dishonoring his Insanity when we voted against his Regime on November 7th, 2006. People better get ready- becuase come January , about the time that Dick has to testify in Scooters Trial , the President is going to attempt to re-invigorate his fictious War of Terra....And mark my words he will damn well try to do it BEFORE the New Congress and House are sworn in.

LET'S GET THE TROOPS HOME....NOW

This is a Song for the Troops and their Families. Please lets do What we can to bring them Home. Now. If it takes Phone Calls, Emails, and Sitdowns, Work Strikes, Protests...Whatever it takes.


I'll Be Home for Christmas

REAL PEOPLE DIE FOR WHAT IS REAL:REMEMBER THAT MR.BUSH

Are you moved by this ?
It is beautiful, and the story behind it is too.
Maine Florist brought Honor back to thousands of Military Families.
If you want to participate and help this fine cause, you can clink on the Title.
( hint: it requires that you do your Christmas shopping with LL Bean.)

SANTA 'S SLEIGH BELLS : Tale Number One

{ epilogue: Can not blog on political issues all the time, it is Christmas...}

Over at the Morning Martini POP posted the Question Best and Worst Christmas Gifts...or memories.
I sat and pondered this and realized that most my Christmas Memories have to do with Children, my son or other people's children. Here are some snippets of Christmas Memories....

STORY NUMBER ONE: SANTA AND HIS SLEIGH.

As a nurse working in Vermont in the 1980's I first came to realize how fragile the Myth of Santa Claus is, and that parents work feverishly attempting to keep the magic alive. I was working Pediatrics and we still had a fairly full floor and it was two days before Christmas. I went and asked my neighbor Diane who was a mom and a 1st grade Teacher, "So how do I help the parents at Christmas". She looked puzzled and said " What do you mean ? ". I said " Well, the kids are already starting to ask HOW Santa will find them. And we keep saying oh, he will find you, in his sleigh, but they are not totally buying it. She jumped up and ran to the other room and came back with sleigh bells, 8 of them on a big leather strap. She laughed , said that they had been on sale at the Von Trapp Lodge, "Totally useless, but I bet they sound just like Santa???!!!".

So Christmas Eve I crept up and down the darkened hallway a little after 11pm and gently jiggled the bells. Mike the respiratory therapist came with me and every now and then would bellow in a jolly voice, " Whoa Donner, Whoa Blitzen", and "HoHOHOHOHOho"...... Midnight I drove home wondering if anyone heard Santa on his sleigh back in my own neighborhood.

So I got home to my little Vermont Small Town Street,( and yes, it was Main Street) and I told my EX, MrNurse what I did and showed him The Bells, and he said, "Well, we have a bunch of little Skeptics on this street too, maybe we need to Bring Santa's Sleigh here too." So we snuck out into the Crisp Vermont night, and it was bitter cold, icey weather.And we went to most of the houses on our street that had kids and gently shook the bells and HoHohHo'd.

We had only one real Toubled Yard, and that was a yard where Mr.Nurse slipped on some ice, and fell on his behind, and there was a Bit of a Clatter and Bit of Cussing, Bit oh, WHAT is the Matter...and then a bit of the Enigma laughing so hard she almost fell.

We came back home and made some Christmas hot drinks and felt very satisfied with our Santa Efforts. We also knew full well that the kids might not have heard the bells, but we had hope.

The next day we got a full report from the neighborhood, and the little girl and her sisters, 5 girls, who lived next to the Icey Incident, " "It was so amazing, We heard Santa, and NOT just his bells, we heard him laughing and then we heard him fall and then we heard him cussing, and it sounded like he had an Elf helper with him. I didn't know Santa could cuss like THAT."

For many years I tried to carry on this odd little tradition , as needed. Even for my own son the bells came out a few times.
This year my son wants to help with the Bells.

THE DICK IS GOING TO BE ON THE WITNESS STAND

The VicePresident has been notified that he will be called as a Witness in the Criminal Leak Trial of Scooter Libby. He is the FIRST Vice President to be called as a Witness in a Criminal Trial in the History of the Untied States. Are we Proud yet ?

( In the meantime go ahead have a beer....I will bring the Pretzels...gee I hope no one chokes.)

LINCOLN DAY AT THE ENIGMA CAFE.....

One of my Favorite Presidents is President Lincoln.Mr.Lincoln read and the bible and prayed for his Country. One of his favorite sayings was from Proverbs, "Where there is no vision, the People Perish." I can only wonder what he would have thought of Mr.Bush's Mess in Iraq.

Another time when Methodists were visiting the White House and they attempted to comfort him by saying ,"We will prevail, because God is on our side." President Lincoln wisely asked them, "The question should always be, but are are we on His side?". He would never have claimed that His God made him bomb or harm another country.

He said of War, " War is most terrible and this of ours in it's magnitude and duration is one of the most terrible the world has ever known. " He said this about the Civil War, but I think perhaps it could be said about the War in Iraq.

He also said" A house divided against itself can not stand".

( Maybe someone can share that wisdom with the Uniter, the Divider, the Decider, the King....)

Please feel free to share some Lincoln Wisdom here....

IMPEACHMENT MONDAY....

Bill Maher: Impeach Bush

IMPEACH AND IMPRISON....
(Bill hands Joe his ass on a paperplate..)

I decided that this weekend was lovely...a little break from the grind...nice music, nice trip to the galleries, and then friends stopping by the coffee shop.
BUT it doesn't stop the King from his egomaniacal path of destruction....
so I am calling this Impeachment Monday...
Impeach and Imprison....
and End the Occupation.

MUSIC FOR IMPEACHMENT MONDAY:COUNTRY JOE

COUNTRY JOE - Sends a Messege to MrBush

This song is a strong messege for The-draft-dodging-son-of-a-Bush....Footage is so haunting...BRING THE TROOPS HOME & END THE OCCUPATION...
BLOOD FOR OIL ?
NOT IN MY NAME.

* Click the Title of the post to go to Joe's website*

MONDAY MUSIC FOR A RAINY DAY BY THE LAKE

Al Stewart - On the Border (live)


This song seems so long ago, and in a way it is. It precedes MTV and iPods and
all of those wonders.I had this song in my head as I walked my dog in the rain and fog by Lake Erie last night. It felt more like an evening in the Northwest ( Puget Sound) than Winter by the Great Lakes.

"Let the Rain kiss you.
Let the Rain beat upon your head,
With silver liquid drops.
Let the rain sing you a lullaby."
Langston Hughes.

The People that the King Abandoned : We the People

People Are Strange


Norman Rockwell's Paintings.
My son requested, because they are his favorite.
He loves that they are snapshots of real people.
Norman Rockwell painted thousands of paintings,321 Covers for the
Saturday Evening Post over 47 years.
My son said that the Paintings remind him of the Christmas Story movie-
I think he is on to something.
I know that Rockwell painted the people he saw everyday, real faces of
Stockbridge Massachusetts....
He painted US...The People.

( and sadly he painted Presidents, see if you can find any in this slide show.)

And now for Something Completely Different....and interesting.

National Geographic: Extreme Healing


So National Geographic is Podcasting and teaching us in short little vinyettes.
This piece teaches about Rain Deforestation, and Shamanism....
So Interesting.....enjoy.

FRIDAY EVENING AT THE ENIGMA CAFE

It has been a long week for most. Storms have ripped through the Northwest leaving many without heat and electricity. I lived in the Northwest for over 16 years, I don't ever remember winds raging over a 100 MPH in December. So we send warm thoughts their way. ( Light a Candle for Mel- I fear she is sitting in the dark). And on the DC Front Senator Johnson has suffered a brain hemmorhage and delicate dangerous surgery, please send your prayers and light to this man and his family. We also lost Peter Boyle this week, a fine actor with wit and wisdom. I won't be able to watch Young Frankenstien again without missing him and kleenex next to the popcorn. And of course Dennis Kucinich announced his next run for Presidency, and I know he is doing it to keep People Focused on Iraq, and for that I am grateful.

I am wrestling with Christmas Blues, so tonight I am posting the Enigma Cafe Hopper Gallery Special. It is a gallery of three YouTube Hopper treasures.Two are Hopper's Finest set to music, and the third video is Video that is a Hopper Painting Come to Life. All three are soul soothing on a cold damp Friday night.( I call this Gallery Reclinering).

I have also posted a small goodbye to Shithead Rummy and a short Film dedicated to our Delusional King. Earlier in the week if you scroll back I have posted some posts about Iraqit Civilian Deaths that are disturbing but enlightening. Blogs that I am reading tonight for some extra comfort are Morning Martini, Mel, Cosmic Messenger,PoetryMan,Dada, Peacechick,Grand Poobah,Gay Agenda, Fred,Newsguy and Spadoman all have Special Goodies up this week.( and all are over on the blogroll) So have a nice sit and some coffee..... Let me warm you up.

Edward Hopper

Edward Hopper on a Tropical Celtic Breeze

Edward Hopper


This is another interesting Gallery Post. I love Edward Hopper, the Cafe Regulars here know that as I use his art on my posts quite often. I even like to visualize the Enigma Cafe looking like his smokey Nighthawks painting, that has a bit of a Bogart Movie quality.....I love how he uses both Light and Dark. I also love that he often used his wife in his paintings, there is something soft and sentimental but Real about her.He paints people and places in a way that gently embraces Loneliness. The painting of the Hotel, looks very similiar to the Decrepid Dilapitated Rooming house I managed with my son in California 2 years ago, in kind of a romantic rundown way. Sadly the Clown painting gave him awful nightmares when he was little ( he only saw it once in a museum- that was enough). And I strongly identify with the woman sitting on the bed looking out the window....She is Lost in Thought....Oh, if Only She had had a Blog.

*** The music is by an unfamiliar band but very welldone, the KNIFE.**

Hopper's "Morning Sun " Comes to Life

Morning sun

DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON THE WAY OUT RUMMY

DEAR RUMMY,
So today you left your post at the Pentagon, and there was the obligatory Good Bye Ceremony. No ticker tape for you and your inflated ego and delusional granduer. The Petulent King gave yet another "What a Good Man who did Hard Work " Speech, which I am sure is now tattooed on my inner ear. There was no contrition or remorse on your scowling face as your vien continued to pulse on your sallow forehead. You even mugged coyly pretending to embrace a humble demeanor. You Shameful Man you lack decency and a soul. May your rotting carcass of a soul have a miserable retirement, until your War Crimes Trials begin.. You are not fit to lick a boot much less deserve a salute from Our Fine Men and Women of the Services, and the Vets that have served us well. Skippy the Military Squirrel thinks your Nuts ( and he is an expert).

PRETENDING TO BE KING, IT'S HARD WORK...

This is a YouTube video that shows a Court Jester adorning himself with the King's Robes. He is Foolish and Pompous, he might remind us of our own King.

This Video is made by a Vancouver Film School Student. I am reccommending their
Videos for the weekend- they are inspirational and so creative, and there are many on You Tube.

The "King" gave out his Medals of Freedom again, I will have an update later tonight.
( and yes, it will be rude).

Being A King - Vancouver Film School (VFS)

NUMBERS DON'T LIE, PEOPLE DO , How Many Civilians Have Died In Iraq ?

110,000 ?
No.


220,000 ?
No.


330,000 ?
No.


440,000
No.


550,000 ?
No.


650,000 ?
Probally.....

That means that atleast SIX stadiums full of dead ....imagine....

Read the post below to learn more, these numbers are based on LANCET study by done by Researchers from John Hopkins.
( The Rose Bowl of Pasadena is estimated to hold 110,000 people. It is estimated that 650,000 have died in Iraq, 650,000 civilians have died since March 2003 to July 2006.It may even be actually a higher number).

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I will post Links at the end so that you can read the actual Report and the Stat Websites, also above is an actual link to the Lancet report. I will also add the Mort Links to the Blogroll over on the side. Below is the post that I wrote as I took notes as I watched the Hearings on CSPAN on Sunday nite, it is a hearing that was led by Dennis Kucinich and held with the authors/researchers from Hopkins of the Lancet Study. There was very little press in the room, maybe four reporters. NO other government officials other than Representitive Kucinich. Juan Cole was also on the panel to help educate about History and Culture of the Region. The notes are in the post below and are a bit rough, but clear in their messege.

NOTES ARE BEING EDITED,WILL BE UP TOMORROW 12-14-06.thanks.

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It is now Wednesday afternoon December 13th, 2006.
Mr.Bush is about to give some kind of little blowhard delusional speech at the Pentagon.He has appeared at the podium He has some freshly laundered Military Fellows in the background, as usual he likes to be propped with anyone in uniforms. And to feed the Crow part of himself there are the obligatory number with shiny objects pinned to their chests.My son noted that there are more than 4, he says that is a bad sign, that means Bush is going to make an announcement about Troop Increases.Bush is susposed to be over at the Pentagon listening to them about Iraq. I find that rather insane considering IF he had listened to Anyone all along he would not be there now susposedly seeking "advice" and seeking "strategy" to fight "extremists" and "radicals". Mr.Bush is looking like a 3 day Drunk at 2am being shown the door. He is stuttering and stumbling over his words, talking about his need for Victory and That Defeat is Unacceptable. He has again humped out 9-11. The Beribboned Men look like they have places they would rather be. Within two questions Bush is petulent and flustered. I find myself wondering if this is what Press Conferences with Hitler were like in the Final Days. Did the Press feel like they were tapdancing through a Dimentia Minefield ? BUSH NEVER EVER MENTIONS WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING TO THE PEOPLE IN IRAQ, THAT BLOOD IS FLOWING IN THE STREETS DAILY. THAT THERE IS A CIVIL WAR GOING ON THAT CAN NOT BE UNDERSCORED BY A DELUSIONAL ILLITERATE FALSE LEADER.

Bush keeps getting Iran and Iraq mixed up in the Speech, I guess the Southern Comfort is leaking into this speech. He also has mentioned that he has had talks with his" friend the king". At first I was puzzled, what king ? Then I realized that he meant the King of Saudi Arabia. He has not a clue WHO is Shiite or who is Sunni, he does not know the region, the culture or history, or the complicated religous fabric. HIS IGNORANCE IS CAUSING PEOPLE TO DIE DAILY.

THE KING'S LISTENING TOUR

So the King is susposedly on a" Listening Tour". I have no idea what that means, I picture him hiding in some back room listening to his iPod. So WHO is he "listening to"? More of his father's friends ? More Pentagon armchair Stratego players ? What and WHO? That is what I want to know. Now that his Numbers have hit a new Alltime Stink level ( 71% AGAINST the war, 32% approval rating of his "job" ), This I do know he should be listening to The PEOPLE.....

AND Fucking King that he is, he has said that he won't make any decisions about Iraq until after the New Year.
( Of course we also know Laura is still reading him the Iraq Report at bedtime with his cookies and Bourbon...)

So here is the Question if he came to your Town and held a Town Meeting ( no not the Contrived Propaganda Crap Meeting he usually holds- but a real In his face tell him like it is Meeting).

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE HIM TO KNOW ?
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL HIM ?

I DEDICATE MY SLEEPLESS NIGHTS TO VAN GOGH......

Starry Nights and Sunlit Days


This is the beautiful song dedicated to Van Gogh set to his paintings, it is soothing
and thought provoking. ( Music Don McClean) I like to think that VanGogh would have appreciated YouTube.

Share it with your kids...your loved ones.

( If you want to know WHY I can't sleep....read about the Lancet Study below).

REPORT ON CIVILIAN CASUALITIES IN IRAQ:LANCET STUDY

CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING ON THE LANCET STUDY OF 650,000 EXCESS DEATHES.
This report is available on CSPAN, there was a panel discussion /congressional
hearings on the Lancet report. ( LINK on Title is IRAQ BODY COUNT -CIVILIAN)

*** Please see other post: "Numbers don't lie , People do", and see link to title
and that links to teh Lancet Study itself. ****

( On Sunday nite I watched the Lancet Hearings,
cried, and threw up. I also took notes.... I lack the heart to rewrite the notes
at this point- but I do want to make sure they are available. This week I will tidy them up for all two of my readers.)

The CSPAN Hearing is based on Hopkins Resarch on Deathes in Iraq March 2003 until Aug 2006-
the number is 655,000 dead based on the research of Les Roberts and Gilbert Burnham, and
Senator Kucinich and Ron Paul held a hearing- Basement of Senate building- no one really there-
just about six press people- public not there- does not look like it was well publicized.
Juan Cole from University of Michigan was there- to address questions and concerns about
Middle East History. It was originally on Monday Dec11, 2006 on CSPAN 2.
**(The Next day Kucinich announced his run for pres. I do think it is related to his concerns
over Iraq..)

(1) SENATOR KUCINICH LED THIS PANEL and Hearing, Juan Cole was on Panel
and the two investigators from Hopkins that worked on the Lancet study.
Les Roberts and Gilbert Burnham. and there were 4-6 press, and no
other audience, it was held in the basement of the Senate Building.
It was set up to review the Lancet study and three years of research.

(2) These surveillance/measureing methods have all been used in War Zones:
Bosnia, Afganistan,Kosovo and the Congo, Orignially Dr.Berkal tried to collect
the day and work with Jay Garner.

(3)Dr.Gilbert Burnham co-author explained how the studies were done,
in a conflict situation it is very difficult to do cluster studies, but that is
what is done , although it is more difficult to do with GPS
the way W.H.O. reccomends. They are not just trying to measure
death- they and mortality in given populations, they are also trying to
measure health needs, birth rates,pregnency, disease, malnutrition, but
samplings of any of these is very difficult in areas where thiere is such violence.

(4) Methodlolgy might indeed be flawed, due to flawed sampling or other
effectors of inaccuracy- but they are thinking that now the flaw is not getting all
the bodies proplery counted, not that they over counted or numbers were too high.
The estimates for flaw- taking into error account- would lower range at the most
conservative to 390,000, but with new numbers or estimates or measuring tools it
is .may be closer to 950,000.
*** 3000 for Oct 2006 alone.
Deathes are indeed rising. Not all bodies are counted.If bodies are
not identified and no death certificates are given- they are not always counted.
Death rates march 2003 - Aug 2006 - est 655,000.

(5) 601,000 DUE TO VIOLENCE,
DEATH DUE TO ILLNESS, NUTRITION, COLLAPSE OF PUBLIC HEALTH
AND HEALTH CARE, SHORTAGE OF MEDICINE, AND SECURITY
AT HOSPITALS, FLIGHT OF WORKERS, LACK OF CLEAN WATER,FRESH FOOD.
45,000 ESTIMATE.

(6) DR.JUAN COLE , HISTORIAN U OF MICHIGAN EXPLAINED HOW THESE STATS CAN SHOW/DEMONSTRATE
THAT THESE NUMBERS AND CRITERIA CAN INDEED INDICATE
A CIVIL WAR OR EVEN GREATER CIVIL CONFLICT.THESE ARE SIGNIFIGANT.
GUREILLA AND MILITIA MOVEMENTS, COULD BE DUE TO HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT-%60- VERY HIGH.
VERY HIGH RATE OF DEATH AMOUNG YOUNG MEN.
WOMEN ARE FLEEING- TO SYRIA AND JORDAN ( PROSTITUTION)
KUCHINICH ASKED HOW MANY ORPHANS ( AL- CHECK HUMAN RIGHTS AND UNICEF, cause these numbers are not known)

(7) THESE NUMBERS OF DISPLACED PEOPLE ARE SHIFTING EACH MONTH-
100-200,000 MONTH- DR.B stated. This also means that migration numbers
will make it difficult to track people.

(8) JUAN COLE ASKED ABOUT WORKFORCE-
HE TALKED ABOUT DESTRUCTION OF ECONOMY.
USUSALLY WOMEN WOULD- BUT THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN
DUE TO CULTURAL GENDER SEGREGATION, AND ALSO SECURITY.
BUT IT COULD EFFECT RECOVERY AND REDEVELOPEMENT.
INSTABILITY AND SECURITY IS EFFECTING NEIGHBORHOODS AND NOT JUST WORK
ZONES.SOCIAL FABRIC IS TORN.VICIOUS CYCLE OF VIOLENCE.
MORALE IS DESTROYED, NOW MEDICAL STUDENTS ARE TRYING TO CARRY ON
MEDICAL CARE. SOME OF THE HOSPITALS HAVE ONLY HANDFULS OF DOCTORS,
MANY HAVE FLED- AND ARE NOW DRIVING TAXI'S IN EGYPT AND
JORDAN.

(9) STUDY HAS BEEN DONE NOW TWICE 2004 AND 2006.
STUDY IS NOT COMPLETE AND ACCURATE BECAUSE OF
LACK OF SECURITY.
THEY WOULD LIKE TO STUDY HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS AND MIGRATORY PATTERNS.
AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO STUDY THE LONGTERM EFFECTS.

(10) LES ROBERTS MENTIONED THE "CONTRITION" - THAT GREAT HARM TO ANOTHER
POPULATION AND PEOPLE COULD BE STUDIED, PENTAGON HAS NEVER EVER GIVEN
ANY ESTIMATES OR SUMMARIES OF TRUE COLLATERAL AND CIVILIAN DAMAGE.
HE SPEAKS WITH FEELING AND TRUE CARING OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THESE PEOPLE
AND HOW THEY HAVE BEEN HARMED.

(11) BODIES ARE FOUND EXECUTED, AND THEY HAVE BEEN TORTURED, WITH DRILLS,
AND CHEMICALS AND WORSE, AND THEN THEY ARE EXECUTED.
THIS IS VIOLENCE THAT CAN NOT BE IGNORED.
THIS IS WHAT A CIVIL WAR LOOKS LIKE.
DENIAL IS JUST GOING TO LEAD TO MORE DEATH.
( COMMENT WE DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR DEBATES ON SEMANTICS-
PEOPLE ARE BEING SLAUGHERED IN THEIR OWN HOMELAND- TRYING TO
PROTECT THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS).

(12) THIS IS NOT AL QUEDA IT IS CIVIL WAR. said Juan Cole
WE HAVE COMMITTED CLEOCIDE ( LOOK UP THIS WORD).
JUAN COLE ASKED WHAT WILL VICTORY LOOK LIKE ?
THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE OUR TROOPS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.

(13) "TRUTH AND RECONCILATION IS IMPORTANT" SENATOR K.
RON PAUL ALSO WORKED ON SPONSERING THIS EVENT, HE IS
ALSO A DOCTOR. HE WROTE A LETTER ABOUT THE PAIN AND SUFFERING
AND THE CONSEQUENCES THAT HAVE BEEN INCURRED TO THIS POPULATION.
100,000 VETS AND SOLDIERS HAVE BEEN DAMAGED IN THIS WAR HE WROTE
IN HIS STATEMENT.

WATCH THE WHOLE THING, AND ESPECIALLY THE CLOSING STATEMENTS
IT WILL MOVE YOU. OBITUARIES ARE NOT JUST ABOUT NUMBERS,
THEY ARE ABOUT PEOPLE.
*^*^*^*^*^*
Enigma's closing thoughts.....
How many grave yards will that fill ?
There are not enough morgues....
655,000 is alot of people.
Stadiums vs cemetaries.....
6 people in the damn room and NO other elected officials other than Kucinich...
fuck.

"GOD'S GRACE IS LOST AND THE DEVIL IS PROUD"

Dave Matthews Band - American Baby



This song has amazing lyrics...
Shows a Picture of the Whitehouse...
talks about the Walls come crumbling down....
that we have Lost Our Way....

"God's Grace is Lost and the Devil is Proud"

Mr.Bush these are the People that you should be listening to....
Look at their Faces and in their Eyes....
It is time to End the Iraq Occupation....

TRUTH ? better late than never?

One from the Heart

THIS MAN SPEAKS THE TRUTH- 34 SECONDS OF TRUTH- ALL OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS SHOULD BE SPEAKING THE TRUTH....truth that is late....is it too late ?

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT AND BEAUTIFUL

Art of Monet


The person who made this is a genius. They remembered how wonderful it is to combine music and art, Fine Art. When my son was a baby I used to walk to art galleries with him. I showed him all kinds of art, modern, abstract, Impressionism. His favorite was Hopper.
He was a baby, but later when he was 11 and I showed him a Hopper card from a friend, he said he remembered seeing the Hopper exhibit.I was stunned, but I didn't question him on it.I used to go the galleries and have a Walkman with double headphones.I like to think
in my heart that it didn't cause brain damage.....

Remember to share Art and Music with your children....Their Souls need it.
All of Our Souls Need it.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT....

The Passenger


A FELLA WITH A CAMERA AND IMAGINATION.....enjoy..
( this guy is channeling Hitchcock)

WHY I DON'T DATE....for now.

MY GOATS DANCE AND SING VOL-8


NOW ......
I know some folks think I need to date...that I am a Hermit...the Penthouse Hermit....that I need to "Get Out".
( I have my doubts...)

Although I know from reading Craigs List that there is Nothing out there ......
And Now that I have seen Papadizi....
I know that I am fine.
just fine.....

HONORING LENNON...and Peace.

Tonight is the 26th Anniversary of one of our greatest geniuses being slain.

**( This post is being reposted from last December 2005. Please see the Song that is posted tonight as well. I am sitting doing exactly what I was doing a year ago, watching CSPAN as the House has late night Vote, and I am blogging, praying for a better Future.I am eating cookie dough and drinking eggnog, and of course seeking inspiration over on YouTube, and of course I found some Lennon there....Good night Bloggers.)**

For me there are certain times of the year when I am filled with Loss, this is one of them. ( The Deathes of MLK, RFK and JFK are the other hallowed dark days). I can not help but remember these Brave Souls and ponder what might have been. I remember the night that Lennon was shot like it was yesterday. I came home from working late as a waitress, my outfit stained with lobster and butter. ( I held a number of jobs through nursing school- but lifeguarding and waitressing would pay most bills).

It was bitter cold, and I was rushing up the stairs to my walkup on the third floor. I was singing White Christmas too loud and off key. I was carrying a bag of Christmas supplies for a little Midnight get together I had planned to have with neighbors, Creme De Menthe, Baileys' Irish Creme, And Egg Nog, and cookie dough. I came up the stairs and I could hear muffled crying. I turned the landing to my apartment and found my neighbor Micheal sitting on the stairs crying, his head down buried in his fisherman knit sweater.
I stopped dead, I stopped too fast and dropped my bag. Only the Baileys broke. I had known Micheal for many years, and I had never seen him cry, even when his stepdad died.
What? I asked. He just said 'Lennon". WTF???? I thought I heard wrong. He explained it had just happened.
We both sat for quite a bit staring at the puddle helplessly seeping out of the bag.
We went inside and watched TV, and it didn't change a thing.
It didn't take away the reality and it didn't provide any comfort.
We stayed up the rest of the night, and sat on my fire escape with as many would fit. People showed up who I didn't know neighbors and strangers, it didn't matter. The Grief bound us in the moonlit night.

We lit candles and sang Beatles songs until 4am. And played Double Fantasy relentlessly on my record player. The Cops that came to tell us to be quiet ended up sitting on the Fire Escape and doing shots of Creme De Menthe. ( They weren't bad singers). There was no Kleenex , only a role of Charmin passed around.
For the rest of my days on a Cold night when I smell candles burning and Creme de Menthe I think of Lennon and hear IMAGINE being sung off key.

Maybe tonight we need to remember Lennon for a little while and oh, I can't help but think of the Music he would have written about This Mess of A War and this Administration and religousity wrapped crap, from the Patriot Act to Gitmo. He would have kept us humming and singing , Thinking too much and Protesting more. And it's 25 years and we are back we started. Tonight again there will be candles lit at the Enigma Cafe.

Imagine All The People......

*************************
Since I can't sing....some Quotes from Lennon.

[1] The More I see , the Less I Know.

[2] Reality leaves alot to the Imagination.

[3] Possession isn't nine-tenths of the law, it's nine-tenths of the Problem.

[4] My role in society , or any artists or poets role is to try and express what we all feel. Not to tell people how to feel. Not as a Preacher, not as a leader, but as reflection of us all.

[5] Our Society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're all being run by maniacs for manical ends and I think I am liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's whats insane about it.

[6]Love is a Promise, Love is a souvenir once given, never forgtten. Never let it dissappear.

* Date Corrected: since I originally ran post on Dec 6th, Some other lovely tributes: The Defeatists, Snarky the Badtux Penguin, and This Ol' Brit's ....

Please also see the YouTube song above ....I keep thinking that John would have loved Youtube- don't you think ? Please see the great YouTube below.
Original Quotes are still on this post...as poignant as ever. Peace.

Honoring John Lennon...War..and Christmas

Happy Xmas - John Lennon


Dear Mr.Bush,
You have failed as a leader. You have created Ill Will and Hell in the Middle East. You need to Bring the Troops Home NOW and let the Iraqis have their Country back. You and your warmongering friends are War Criminals. Innocent People and Soldiers should never have to Die for Lies.

BEST CHRISTMAS STORY First Week December 12.8.06( The Ralphie Awards)

So we all are slogging through the Christmas Holidays.
Here by the Great Lakes it is 16 friggin degrees and besides jobhunting with a vengence and a Scrooge attitude I have been searching the Blogs for heartwarming stories. I decided that every week now until Christmas I am going to award a Ralphie Award for the Best Christmas Story. One that is like a Great Big Hug that makes your heart sing .....even when it is 16 degrees.

(just click the title and you will reach Pissed Off Patricia over at Morning Martini and her Cat Fred posted this great story on Friday December 8th, "Friday Story Time with Fred the Cat. Be sure to have Kleenex and nog ready, and stop by and give her a Hug, she is a wonderful Bloggeress and this story is What Christmas is all about.)

**( The Ralphie Award is of course based on the classic movie the Christmas Story, and the art is of course Norman Rockwell.)**

AND THE POODLE CAME TO THE WHITEHOUSE...

**** [ Click the title above to read about the BBC reporter that caused the King's Pissy Outburst and watch the clip, and read Rick's great write up. He has also nicely linked the Blog of the BBC reporter Nick Robinson, and it has great insights and comments that are worth the read ]****

So today Mr.Blair came to the Whitehouse and the King and the Poodle held a Press Conference. It was more than the usual Press Conference. The Poodle seemed extremely nervous and stuttery and twitchy, like perhaps his panties were in a twist. He kept looking about nervously, like he had lost a mate at the pub. And the King was petulent and peevish as usual about the Mess in Iraq, and kept trying to divert Iraq Scrutiny to the We-Have-to-be-very-scared-of-Iran topic. But the British Reporters are smarter than that, and were ready to Ask Real Questions. The King was more than irritated and tried swinging the Fear Mongering Mallet and missed the Mark, then tried to pretend he has "feelings" for the VET Families ( cough -gag- contrived compassion didn't play well on the Brits). My Son pointed out that his Cowboy Arrogance was floundering today. I don't think we can take two more years of this, I think Bush is dangerous and unstable. Reporters did try to ask about the Iraq Report and he claimed that he had "read" it ( hmm, I didn 't know it had pictures, Laura must have been up late reading it to him with his milk and cookies). It was very obvious that he could care less about what these Friends of His Father have presented and investigated. I have not read it yet, but I intend to read it, and I did watch the Hearings today. The Point is that Iraq is a Disaster and ALL Solutions and Analysis should be given serious scrutiny, because there is too much blood being spilled daily.

And in the meantime I am hoping that Supoena Power is being fully explored and pursued with great Enthusiasm about Iraq. Because my concern is that Iran is next on Mr.Bush's Delusional Diversion Target List.

PERSON OF THE YEAR

( Okay it is NOT Going to be Bush.....but....)

So every year TIME chooses Person of the Year. It is susposed to be someone that has contributed to the year, creating change.
WHO will it be this year ? Will it be someone that makes us feel inspired ? Someone that brought Hope ? Will it be someone that makes us examine our counscience ?

So WHO do you think it will be ?

Here are Enigma 's Top Choices:

(1) KEITH OLBERMANN ( you all knew that was coming)

(2) Al Gore ( for the Inconvenient Truth)

(3) Micheal J. Fox


Friday Night December 8th Updates: Contributions from the Coffee Counter Crowd:
Bill Moyers, Nancy Pelosi ( not everyone), BLOGGERS ( yeah),YouTube Starters ( son), The GOP Corrupted ( Bus Stop Gossip)