Is anyone watching this week?

Are you all ok with me turning this forum over to cbayer? I haven't been on here that much lately and feel like I'm not really being a "host". I am still traveling however ... will be in Florida next (leaving Friday). If there are no objections I am going to just remove myself and let her run it

Oped in the NYT this weekend re "living with less": http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/opinion/sunday/living-with-less-a-lot-less.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

I had read the original article over the weekend so when Starry Messenger posted this critique yesterday I was thrilled: http://gawker.com/5989989/it-would-be-great-if-millionaires-would-not-lecture-us-on-living-with-less

It Would Be Great if Millionaires Would Not Lecture Us on ‘Living With Less’
Hamilton Nolan

There is something about achieving great financial success that seduces people into believing that they are life coaches. This problem seems particularly endemic to the tech millionaire set. You are not simply Some Fucking Guy Who Sold Your Internet Company For a Lot of Money; you are a lifestyle guru, with many important and penetrating insight about How to Live that must be shared with the common people.

We would humbly request that this stop.

Meet Graham Hill. Graham Hill became a multimillionaire at a very young age when he sold his internet company in 1998. Good for him. We would not be telling you about Graham Hill at all, except for the fact that he wrote a remarkable op-ed in the New York Times Sunday Review yesterday in which he instructs you, the common man, on the virtues of "Living With Less." He bases this prescription on the wisdom he has learned on his own personal journey, from millionaire with a big house and many material possessions to millionaire with a smaller house and fewer material possessions, but just as many liquid assets. And what did it take for this millionaire to learn that his 3,600-square-foot Seattle home, personal shopper, and cars and furniture and other expensive baubles just weren't worth it? ...

The interesting part for me was sharing it on my own Facebook wall to see the if anyone would read it and how they would respond. The "likes" I received were from folks who are in low-paying service jobs here, or live abroad. There is so much propaganda in this country that encourages everyone to idolize the rich (and not question the discrepancy) that I was thrilled to see any response at all.

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EL UNIVERSAL
Tuesday March 05, 2013 06:29 PM
Hugo Chávez Frías, the President of Venezuela, died after waging a long battle against cancer, treated in Havana since the middle of 2011. The president had traveled to Cuba in the final stage on December 8, 2012, two months after his fourth re-election to undergo his fourth surgery.

In his last public appearance, he designated Nicolás Maduro, the current Vice-President, his heir apparent.

Chávez Frías disclosed his illness also from Cuba, in June 2011.

I made reservations for April when they dropped to $89 each way (another FL trip), but those flights went fast as you can imagine. Then they lowered some of flights to $59 each way. Check it out!

not sure if this has been posted here on DU. Saw it on Facebook this morning ...

He and Emily got married this weekend -



Their baby girl Riley Elizabeth -

Warning: if you don't like curse words just go to www.BarackObama.com

But this site is amusing: http://yourfuckingpollingplace.com/

I printed this out for my husband this morning when he asked where to vote & he was chuckling on his way out the door ...

Not sure if cartoons are welcome in this forum, but I thought many here would appreciate the message.

Personally I took $$$ from my household budget and sent donations online to Red Cross and Umcor (Methodist group that sent trained volunteers to help the Red Cross). I will likely donate to some local animal shelters as well. I feel fortunate to be able to help.

There is a big need and a mix of secular/religious groups that are helping with the relief effort. If a million people are able to give $10 to the Red Cross it obviously adds up. And does a whole lot more than Romney's cans of peas. Also, blood is needed. I know many folks are strapped for cash but a blood donation is something many can do without donating a penny.

Here is a great article from ABC News with some of the orgs that are involved in the effort:

If you aren't able to personally provide shelter and supplies to those affected by Hurricane Sandy, it doesn't mean you can't help at all. There are many organizations along the East Coast that are providing shelter, food and other supplies to victims of superstorm Sandy.

One way to help is by donating to the Red Cross. All donations will provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by the storm. To donate, visit www.redcross.org, call 800-Red-Cross or text the word "Redcross" to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Nearly 100 Red Cross blood drives were canceled because of Sandy, so blood supplies are low in the areas affected the most. The Red Cross asks that those who can donate to schedule an appointment to give blood. The New York Blood Center is urging people to donate blood for those in the New York/New Jersey area. To donate, call 800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org.

much more here: http://abcnews.go.com/US/hurricane-sandy-victims/story?id=17598687#.UJEaIYYieSo

Queens in particular took a big hit (flooding/fires):