interim report

Today officially marks President Obama's 100th day in office. Now that his administration has reached this milestone, it is time to assess what has transpired since his inaugural. We'll lead the discussion with Newsweek's Jonathan Alter's surmising the following:

Because no one ever marches for stimulus or a budget, maybe it's easier to assess Obama's achievements by thinking of the people on the receiving end. If you're a woman seeking pay equity, a child in need of health insurance, a nurse trying to avoid a layoff, a $25,000-a-year worker hoping for a tax credit, a passenger who would rather take the train, a group of parents trying to start a charter school, a homeowner facing foreclosure, a cancer researcher strapped for funding, a hiker looking for more wilderness, a small business tired of exorbitant federal loan fees, a historian trying to see some long-secret documents, a young person eager to take part in national service, a prisoner praying to avoid torture, then you got something tangible out of the president's debut.

oh and if you're still keeping score, he just scored his final cabinet appointment yesterday (former Kansas Governor, Kathleen Sebelius will head the department of Health and Human Services)

not bad -- right?

But folks, let's keep it funky for a minute. If not during his administration, definetely during the next administration -- Americans will be subject to paying higher taxes. You are a fool, if you think taxes won't be raised within the next 6 years. You might as well have stupid written on your forehead! And Americans should come to terms and accept the fact of keeping the economy afloat even if it's teetering on the edge was a price that has to be paid for sooner than later. There is no fuzzy math to finnagle the figures. that's my two-ok- more like 8 cents on that!

Tonight the President will address the American audience. My interest is piqued. Will he discuss waterboarding and segue to his position on torture? What about Detroit? Will he acknowledge Senator Arlen Specter's defection from the Republican Party and coyly express buh bye bipartisanship -- 'cuz he really doesn't have to tolerate republican recalcitrance anymore). Well, inquiring minds want to know --so tune in 8 p.m. est.(i think)

By the way he gets an A-.
If you asked me Sunday it would've been a B+, but the bump was given for the presidential coup exacted in the final hour. nice!

cheers,

Bellini

Havana, here I come...

not so fast...

I had to push my regular post for the euphoria I'm feeling right now. There's a good chance my ass can make it to Havana -- legally of course! If the Obama administration normalizes relations with Cuba -- Havana here I come.

Yesterday, I read that Obama Opens Door to Cuba, but only a Crack. ok folks, baby steps. You know maybe it's the innate hubris of being American, but I was 90 miles north of Cuba 10 years ago. And I kept wondering, why Uncle Sam was holding me back from crossing the Florida Straits. Hmmmph!

My quixiotic affair with Havana is serious, considering I've never been there. All the mystique and intrigue is palpable. And as an internationalist, I've been denied my proper rights -- at least I think so... Think about it, I am your Renaissance Woman (see bio at right) and Uncle Sam is jeopardizing my status. Not fair. But like I mentioned two weeks ago and Amaretto echoed yesterday -- life ain't fair!

Now, what's interesting is the haters are already spewing hate. So, I skimmed the Washington Post this morning and their article on Cuba discusses the coveted interest of US telecommunication firms to establish lines on the island. The article quoted a professor as stating, "The infrastructure that exists there today is lousy, and the Cuban people are paid in pesos, which is worth nothing...They are thinking about buying food first." This may all be true. But I betcha by golly wow -- if Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint, or T-Mobile come down there they will be inundated with new Cuban subscribers. Why, because it is the capitalistic way.

Let's school Mr. Professor on Capitalism 101
If you create a niche market and coerce the consumer to feel the product is indispensable--consequently the product is a necessity. And sure enough, look at the mobile phone phenomena. People can't live without a damn cell phone. If the choice is between a mobile phone and a land line, the mobile phone trumps a land line any day. Oh,and when homeless people get with the program, On D.C. Streets, Cellphone as Lifeline --it's a wrap. Unbelievable. People can't turn a blackberry off. So, I don't know what the guy was talking about, probably was a Cuban exile who may never forgive Castro... and maybe rightfully so...but please don't knock my hustle. I'm trying to get to Havana! dreamin' in the meantime...

cheers,

Bellini