Tuesday Nite in Lagging Economy

Entering the beautiful Brazilian Restaurant, more than ready for the "rodeiza" of Brazilian foods, we were surprised that at 6 PM on a Tuesday evening, the restaurant already had an hour and half wait list.
WHAT?
We were actually stunned ~ no room in the sprawling place on a Tuesday night, early hour, in an expensive per person minimum here in the middle of the well advertised lagging economy~ ??? Where is this lagging economy? Do you think we are all out spending what we have before it is taxed away and redistributed?

The Chesapeake Cheese Cake Factory had a long wait list as well. The Sports Bar Restaurant offered seats only at the bar~ like we wanted to be within full view of the blaring TV's~ we returned to wait for a seafood dinner at the Cheese Cake Factory. There were entire families out waiting for tables. Could they be expecting redistribution soon?

And More Comments~

June,

I enjoyed reading the email comments on your blog concerning the election.

I just finished a book last night "The Given Day" by Dennis Lehane. This work of fiction takes place after the First World War in Boston and involves immigrants and Black people whose lives intermingle. It was the perfect book to read right now at this election as it involves political corruption and race relations. I highly recommend it.

A Reader

The following are a few emails received about Tom's Blog

June:
Tommy was very eloquent in his thoughts on the Obama win. I'm glad you are edging your thoughts towards his perspective and you removed your (what must have been).... "counterpoint." Tommy's sentiment echoes duplicates mine, only his writing is much more uplifting.

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The blog that I took down stated in part...:
"Miraculously we have made it through the election with all liberal friendships intact. Yes, we threw bombs at each other, but neither gave an inch on our views. The election came and went, and the liberals won.

It is reported that he received votes from 40% of the American population...40% of Americans voted for Socialism and I bet most didn't even know it or know what it is at all. ~

I received an email about the meaning of socialism from a Russian descendant...

here it is...

"He may want to redistribute wealth and power some but he is far from socialist. Having spent a significant amount of time in the former Soviet Union, I know socialism firsthand (everyone gets the same wages, all homes, land, and buildings are owned by the state). Some forms of market socialism are already in place in the US (especially production and distribution of agriculture)."


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Another email~

June: Sounds like we'll get a little Obama-drama after all!
AP - "Barack Obama is signaling a shift in tactics and temperament as he moves from candidate to president-elect, picking sharp-elbowed Washington insiders for top posts. His choice Thursday for White House chief of staff — Rahm Emanuel, a fiery partisan who doesn't mind breaking glass and hurting feelings — is a significant departure from the soft-spoken, low-key aides that "No-Drama Obama" has surrounded himself with during his campaign."

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Another email came from Wetumpkia, Alabama~
Saundra H. named a long list of changes she has seen in her 70 years of life. The last being a black President.
Living in the Heart of Dixie, she saw it all.

June, I am amazed to think back to all that has transpired in my lifetime.

"White" and "Colored" signs over public water fountains and restrooms; separate schools; separate movies, clubs, separate areas on a public bus, separate floors in a hospital and separate areas pf a town to live. Now, we have a black President.
I enjoy your blog very much.
This election was too important to not include words in a personal blog. It is very personal. I think we are about to see a few more changes that will be very personal to everyone, black and white.
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THIS ON TOPPED THEM ALL~

June,
What's all this mention of color of Obama's skin? I thought to SEE/NOTICE or MENTION color was racist and not politically correct. Now, looks as if he has again segregated the races. What do you think?
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Brilliant Words From a Brilliant Mind on Politics (My Brother)

Many McCain voters have expressed great disappointment and even bitterness about the outcome of our presidential election.

Thoughtful reflection leads me to be neither disappointed nor bitter - but optimistic.

Several thoughts come to mind:

1. My spirits are raised and I am more optimistic about the future of our country now than I would have been if we had a different outcome. I am gratified to see how much the hopes and aspirations of so many have been raised by Obama's vision and his ability to articulate it - even though there are certain areas where I disagree with his specifics - And the almost universal welcoming of the results by other nations also raises my hopes for better international relations.

2. My respect for McCain increased when I saw the graciousness and positive tone of his concession speech. A great man indeed - and he would have made a much better president that GW - but the time wasn't right for him 8 years ago and Bush's failed leadership made it impossible for any Republican to win this time around - even without the financial melt-down.

3. Looking back on it, you have to respect Obama's leadership in planning and skillfully executing a truly outstanding and obviously very successful presidential campaign. Moreover, because of item 2 above - the democratic candidate was destined to win - so his greater achievement was not defeating McCain, but in defeating Hillary for the nomination.

4. This can be viewed as a classic, hard-fought battle between the "Haves" and the "Have-Nots" (increase taxes on those earning over $200K/yr - and decrease everyone else's taxes) and the Have-Nots won. In a democracy, it is imperative that the Have-Nots win from time-to-time, else gap between rich and poor continues to increase to a point where the poor rise up against the rich, blood is shed and anarchy prevails. It is clear to me those of us who earn over $200K/yr should be willing to endure the hardships of giving up just a bit of our largess - whether it be hard-earned or inherited.

5. I believe we are in the process of reinventing ourselves and re-defining our country... Like we did under FDR's leadership to bring us out of the great depression in the 1930's and win WW2 and like we did again (to a somewhat lesser degree) in the early 1980 under Ronald Regan's leadership when we strengthened our economy and won the cold war ...

6. Well, the cold war is over and whether we like it or not, we are now engaged in a religious/philosophical war with the world of Islam (mainly extremists - but tacitly supported by the mainstream) - where our enemy's main weapon is terrorist tactics - primarily suicide bombers. They are taught from birth to hate us and even more to hate and fear the freedom we enjoy.

7. We are also continuing an energy-consumption binge while our enemy (the Islamic world) is in control of our primary source of energy... Now, there is a problem for our new leader... The solution will not be easy and will take time. (sacrifice,even?)

8. We all need to rally behind our new leader and hope he can lead us out of a difficult situation. We are going to see some major changes - can you argue that they are not needed? Some of them, we won't like - who wants to pay higher taxes?!... Change is inevitable.. we all need to learn to live with the new reality - not by lowering our standards or our expectations, but by raising them - That is what Obama has already done for more that half of the American people... Quite an accomplishment, I would say - and we all need to jump on "the bandwagon of optimism" ... Don't be bitter... Don't be a cry-baby... Be an American!

Tom Richards
(disclaimer -
thoughts expressed by Tom Richards are his own and not necessarily shared by Rush Limbaugh)

Post Remvoed

Apologize for taking down the post that seems many are looking for.
Out of respect for my liberal friends who sent informative and passionate responses, I decided my views didn't need to be aired ~

HOWEVER, I thank all of you for you wonderful somments and support.
Based on the popularity of that post, perhaps I should/could become an analysis. I do tend to call a spade a spade.
It is wonderful to have the freedom to write and speak our thoughts.

Many of my emails were so, so thoughtful. I would LOVE TO BLOG parts of so many...if any of you would like for me to add your email responses for all to see, please just let me know.

June

Republican Thoughts Post Election

Republicans are waking up with positive thoughts today.

1. Maybe it will be good for the Liberals to show Conservatives how it is suppose to work.

2. Maybe the average guy on the street will become more involved and pay attention to Politics.

Last and what most Republicans might be most thankful for...
3. It isn't Hillary.

Memories of my Granny Richards

I wonder what memories my grandchildren will take with them as they grow older.

My memories of my Granny are so precious to me.

She lived on the family farm which fell from Plantation status after the Civil War and became a wonderland for me as a child.

I remember her long cotton dresses and black high top boots she wore. Her long black hair was graying ~I would watch her braid and wrap neatly atop her head.

Her everyday dresses were topped with a generous apron which doubled as a basket when she pulled up the bottom to receive apples or eggs.

I went with her everywhere and cherished everyday I had with her.

She cooked over a wood burning stove and drew water from the well which was on a large porch just outside her kitchen door.

Her wood stove had a reservoir for water, therefore, she always had hot water for dishes or tea.

I loved my Granny more than anyone on this earth.
She was my idol.

I remember so much~seemingly every minute I had with her.

How was I to know~ we were living in a history that was on the edge of extinction.

I lost her and the world she lived in when I was only nine~

Swiftly the world changed.

Technology moved in and changed my world.

Now, I am a granny.

Last night we took the children to Washington Harbor ~

The Grand Chapiteau

The Plateau at Washington National Harbor.

We enjoyed the
Cirque Du Soleil
"KOOZA"

A giant leap from gathering eggs with my Granny.

No photos were allowed, but I just couldn't resist.
Six year old Carolyn crawled into my lap the last hour and wrapped her feet around my legs to anchor herself as she melted into sleep.
Her brother make it all the way to the end.
Another midnight evening for us.
~YAWN~