Economy, Transitions - Growing Up or Was that Old/Older - JK Cosmos

Politicians, our reps in DC - how are they talking so much nothing that nothing is exactly what is accomplished? When did the electorate decide to watch tv and tweet & post on fb rather than work up a sweat about the inequities in the US of A? The economy and news about interest rates, jobs, professional development - gloom and doom. The 'talking heads' at both conservative and liberal news outlets; the written work the live news streams and television - shout at the masses - the economy has tanked!

Has it? Has the United States relinguished leadership & power to China, to the Middle East - to what flavor are the media junkies serving today? Where are the reports based on facts and figures? How can the average Joe & Jane learn more about the realities they face? It may seem that the main street Americans are too busy trying to keep body and soul together. They are. It may seem that the middle class, now sliding to poor, has more significant plans, to find that better job, to pay off college costs with their children, to figure out how to keep the house, manage the car bills and to top it off, medical insurance.

And the question becomes, what are the leaders doing? How are we, the people, to view the world now with banks manipulating and continuing to soak up the monetary resources. The banks, who required funding and more funding, greedy and ever-taking from the working class. Prosecuting those responsible for the fall-out would seem reasonable and fair, where are the prosecutors and where is the anger of the people paying the bill on those mis-steps of the very wealthy; bankers and politicians.

And so we think about lobbyists and the powerful hiring more powerful - the few who advocate and dance the dance of those few in control and charming, conniving and manipulating the weaker or perhaps the weakest - the politicians, with eyes on the prize of being re-elected and the money that will accomplish that - not the one vote from consitutuents; but rather the super funds and treasury overload of the conglomerates and the lobbyists that reward that vote, that stall, that back to committee motion.

Is this the bargain? Are we seeing the fruits of our labor? Has the world gone crazy or is this the end-game? Growing up has become a painful reality for most baby boomers. Growing older has not been the peace and loove child of the sixties. The promises of youthful activism and hard-work, studies and volunteerism has lead to what? And that is the rub, the total undenialable and caustic rub...

There are some, a very few, who do not believe the news. The minoirty of the people believe in and for something more. What do they believe in & for while the news people drone on about the negative the downsliding...They believe that America is the greatest nation in the world. They believe that America can and will lead on and move forward. They believe that despite reports and newscasts, the US of A can prosper and the people can aspire to do and be whomever they want and dream to be. For the most part, the they are citizens from elsewhere, the newly minted Unites State citizen, and hurrah for them. The rest of us should and need to listen closely. The rest of us need to stop talking and to take a 'pause' to regroup and to carry on..afterall we are Americans and know that the United States is the greatest nation in the world!

Thanks Tony for reminding me! Well-said!

June lst & another decade. - JK Cosmos

Took my brother, Steven, & his partner, Jim, to Logan Express yesterday as they headed out for Paris. Poignant and sweet recollections, when not in the too far past, my brother & I went to Paris. Young, jubilant and joyful, high expectations and easy going travels. It was an adventure. The journey to Paris, as young Americans, taught us to say we were from Canada, to avoid the 'hot politics' and hate for US that was prevalent at the time. 

Traveling without issues and to just live in the moment was the plan. And, for me, it worked. It worked well, in part, as I bought a pair of French jeans, washed out and tight with a flair at the bottom. I also found platform sandals, about three inches high and black and strappy. Thinking about walking around the city on new platforms, never crossed my mind. And finally, to blend in with Parisians, I found a very red and very slick lipstick and cut my hair from shoulder length flip kinda preppy look to a short, layered model, maybe actress look. It worked and Paris was fabulous and the time spent drifting and being on a small green chair at the Jardins de Tuileries couldn't be written much better than the reality.

Another decade and pinning for France, and more to it; for Paris.

Swan Lake/Black Swan-Paris 1973 Boston 2011

Swan Lake/Black Swan–Paris-Boston(1973/2010) J.K. Cosmos

Ballet, the energy and tension & pure physicality of it, astonishing! The love of ballet began early on and continued in earnest during my formative years and beyond. Providentially, I was in Paris for the foremost dance of Nureyev and Madam Fontaine. The venue, the Louvre, and the setting only in France, laid out the evening on a warm, clear, starry backdrop with the performance of ‘Swan Lake’ the preferred production.
On this night, at this place despite the ‘aha’ moments and fleeting energy of ballerinas fluttering about and the music commanding an audience response; on this night Nureyev dropped Madam Fontaine with a resounding and most dramatic thud. Some were not sure if it was a purposeful drop of the prima ballerina or was it part of the production or was he being such an egotist that he literally dropped her on her dainty and yes, aging behind. After all, this was the last performance for Madam and her retirement was well-known to the arts and creative community.
The morning newspapers cleared up any confusion with articles and commentaries on the ‘drop’ being mean-spirited and by clear intent of Monsieur Nureyev. Horrific in the world of dance! The production, the visuals, the rhythmic movement of the swan/ballet resonates still for me. My emotions high and close clearly mirrored my youth and idealism. The Swan Lake with themes of love and betrayal whispered in my ear the things that I knew were true. The dancers, beautiful and agile, confirmed my knowing that the world was beautiful and lovely. Oh, so lovely.

Response on Conflict in Egypt

Friends have written about religion as the cause of the strife in Egypt. My response was requested and the following is a brief one:

Ralph, not sure if I agree with your analysis, but I respect all of it. There are also Coptic Orthodox Christians in Egypt. My understanding is that Islam is a religion of peace, that is viewed as extreme when the politics are added to the mix. I am not an expert..., nor have I attended services, as you have..I just feel that most people want similar lives, as you mention without harassement & with respect. I wish I had an answer or path to that end, without violence. I think peaceful resistance and demonstrations should work, if the army & police would stand down and not engage with the people. Politicians should listen and do better.

On a global level, changes have to happen to be more just and fair; to give all people a chance at what they deserve, a life which includes a job, a home...I think it goes beyond religion, now. People in the US and Europe are also marginalized and wanting. Egypt is one major part of the beginning of a reaction. I think, not just the middle east, but some European nations, such as Greece, France, Great Britain and Ireland have -rioted and have demonstrations against banks and the government in the recent past and continue to do so. They oppose changing the retirement age and cutbacks on benefits earned. They oppose the backlash of the decades of fiscal irresponsibility. Balancing the budget need not be to the detriment of the middle class, does it? Greed of the upper class and those in power should not benefit on the backs of the working people. Restructuring shouldn't mean the wealthy continue to benefit and prosper while the majority are unemployed, and unable to live their lives with any sense of humanity and without hope.