I Start Work Tomorrow

Hi Everyone,

Well, tomorrow will really be a big day for me. Tomorrow I go to work for the first time ever. I can't believe it. I was able to secure a job in probably the worst economy anyone's ever known, except for those of you old enough to remember the Great Depression. Anyway, I feel good since, beginning tomorrow, I will be earning a living of my own and no longer totally relying on my parents for money.

Where will I be working? From May to earlier this month, I pounded the pavement looking for any job openings. Most places had been full, or didn't have the resources to hire someone new. Then, earlier this month, I secured an interview with the employees of my college's bookstore. The interview was actually a lot easier than I expected. Instead of just me interviewing with a supervisor, there were four of us, and since they needed people to work for them, we were all hired. My employee orientation is tomorrow and lasts from 9 AM to 3:30 PM.

Really, I don't know what to expect. I've never worked anywhere before. I did some volunteer work for my church, but I didn't earn any money doing that. The jobs I do aren't so I can earn lots of money. Money is important to me, but it's not the only consideration for my job. I'd rather work at a job that I loved and earn just enough to live comfortably than earn a fortune at a job I couldn't stand. But I don't know what to expect tomorrow and truthfully, writing this, I've been a little bit nervous. What have been your experiences with your first jobs, and what things would you recommend I do? I'd like to hear your stories.

This is the Daily Reeder, Over&out.

The Cause Of, And Solution To, All Of Life's Problem's

Hi Everyone,

We all know that Barack Obama is big on unity. He has taken on a multitude of approaches. Know what the most recent one is? Bipartisanship? Meeting without preconditions? No. His approach utilized an age-old weapon in every man's arsenal. Homer Simpson called it "The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problem." I am talking, of course, of beer.

Remember how the last President was "the guy who you could have a beer with?" This was no doubt part of his appeal. Well, his successor has taken it to a whole new level. While the last President only used this as a hypothetical, this President has literally taken that approach to solving the latest controversy.

You may have heard about the Gates incident ("Gates-gate" is what it's being called now), where Henry Louis Gates returned to his home, to discover he had to jimmy his way into the door. A neighbor called the police, and after Gates produced proof of his residence there and his tenure at Harvard, backup was present, Gates got agitated, so they took him to the police department.

How did Barack Obama get involved in this? Well, as I reported last Thursday, the last question in his primetime press conference was about his take on the incident, since he had apparently known Gates well. Obama said that the Cambridge police officer in question, Sergeant Jim Crowley, had "acted stupidly" in the incident. The Cambridge police department and the union of police officers took offense at this, demanding an apology on behalf of all the nation's police officers.

So on Friday, Obama made a surprise appearance at the White House Press Briefing, with Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, to clear up the mess. He said in effect that he had talked to the officer in question, and that he had a lot of respect for Sergeant Crowley and the Cambridge Police Department. He said that he had made a poor choice of words, and that he thought this situation was a matter of two guys caught in a bad situation who acted wrongly. Then he mentioned that he invited Sergeant Crowley and Professor Gates to the White House for a beer some time this week.

It seems like that's what this was, a misunderstanding, a case of two guys trying to live their lives getting bent out of shape and handling a situation poorly. Gates had just returned from a two-week trip to China to discover that he couldn't get back into his home. Imagine getting back from a long trip, you're tired, and then you can't get back into your home. Wouldn't you be annoyed?

Crowley was responding to a 911 call. If you're a cop (and for anyone reading who works in the law enforcement business, you probably know what I mean) and you're responding to a 911 call, you've gotta be ready for anything. The guy could draw a shotgun or charge the officers. Cops are trained to be ready for any situation when they respond to a 911 call.

So anyway, on to this beer. There are times when a good cold beer can really be what you need. There are plenty of things you could use to ease tensions and resolve a situation. However, there are times, like when you come home from a long week of hard work (of which the President has ahd plenty and will have many more), when you just need a nice cold brewski. now that I'm done with this post, I think I'll grab one. Cheers!

This is the Daily Reeder, Over&out.

I Just Got A New Idea

Hi Everyone,

So here's the deal. Over the weekend, I saw the old movie Bob Roberts. The thing was written, directed by, and starring Tim Robbins. It's about some sleazy extreme-right-wing folk singer who has decided to run for the US Senate in Pennsylvania. Interestingly, neither the Republican nor the Democratic party is ever mentioned in the movie. It is set up as a faux-documentary, a mockumentary, like Best In Show, or Waiting For Guffman, only this is sort of sinister, rather than comical. In it, Roberts becomes this cult figure, whom people use to attack various elements of society, including drug users, non-christians, antiwar protesters, all the favorite targets of the culture war politicians. For a "mockumentary," it is stunningly close to real life.

So here's the idea I got when I watched it. Why doesn't someone, hell, why can't I, write a story about the anti-Bob Roberts figure. This would be a person who runs for the Senate who isn't motivated by hatred and suspicion and a thirst for power, but by the opposite. A desire for unity, peace, and a good higher than themselves. This person would exhibit a high degree of moral character, would be effective in challenging powerful corporate interests, and, importantly, giving people hope and unity, rather than fear and division. This would be the story of a person who, instead of trying to create an image of themselves as an ethical, moral person, would put their money where everyone's mouth is.

This is just an idea I had. I've had lots of ideas for stories over the years. Some have had some real potential, in my view, others have just sucked. Obviously, none have ever gained much traction. This is the first one I've ever disclosed to a wide audience of people. I've got sort of a creative flair, as this blog shows, and I've also got a passion for political and social justice. Some of my ideas have revolved around it. Now that I've put this one out there for you, some of you may help give this idea some steam. Some of you may even beat me to the punch in producing it. My hope with this idea is to inspire someone out there to act for peace, justice, and unity. Instead of warning, as was the intention of Bob Roberts, my intention here is to inspire.

One other movie I'd like to tell you about is something more recent, called Can Mr. Smith Get To Washington Anymore? Unlike Bob Roberts, it is an actual documentary. It documents the story of a man named Jeff Smith, who ran for the US Senate seat in Missouri in the 2004 general election. His is the Mr. Smith type story. He ran against a big political dynasty there, and made a significant impact on the Senate race there. It's a very worthwhile movie, and it really happened. So netflix it, or however you can find it, it's well worth your while to check it out. Anyway, this isn't the last you'll hear of my idea. I guarantee you that.

This is the Daily Reeder, Over&out.

Check Out These Guys, They're Hilarious!

Hi Everyone,



These are highlights from Stephanie Miller's radio show, with her pal and master impressionist Jim Ward, when their show was simulcast on MSNBC in May 2007. I wish I could have seen it. All I can tell you is, this guy is my new hero! Just check it out, it's hilarious! I'll be back soon with some more material.

This is the Daily Reeder, Over&out.

Which Direction Should I Take?

Hi Everyone,

Well, I have a decision to make, so I thought I'd discuss it with you. You probably noticed that almost all the posts here at the Daily Reeder are political, social, or religious and spiritual. Now and then I deviate from this theme, talking about some trip or break I took that I enjoyed. There was the time I took that huge trip across the country, which I attempted to chronicle here. However, since this blogger was using the computer most of the time, I didn't get much of a chance to do it, and I kept putting it off, and then it kind of fizzled out.

I choose this forum to talk about politics and religion, since they tell you "Don't talk about politics and religion," I choose to blog about it. However, talking and thinking about politics all the time cort of wears on you. I noticed that after a while blogging, I end up sort of worn out, tense, slightly irritated. Beyond that, I just think some diversity here would be in line. I will still do political commentary for the most part, but I feel like I should be more diverse in this blog. But, again, this is just me. What do you guys think I should do? I look forward to hearing your answers.

This is the Daily Reeder, Over&out.

A Brief Word on Health Care.

Hi Everyone,

Did any of you see the press conference President Obama gave last night? I heard parts of it on the radio. He answered questions from various news outlets. One woman even challenged him, and he answered in a straightforward way. That part was well done, in my view.

Some are calling the conference a disappointment, perhaps because they were expecting him to go into more detail. It would have been nice if he'd went into more detail about the plan, but seeing how it is incomplete, it is perhaps forgivable that specifics were lacking.

At the end, the President even answered a question about the Harvard professor who was arrested trying to get into his own home in Cambridge after returning from China. This was most likely because the Professor, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., was black, and they were curious to hear Obama's take on it. I'll tell you, Obama has approached race from an interesting angle. But that incident, and the side of our culture it reflects, is another topic for another day.

Anyway, I'll say a few words on healthcare, because it is such an important issue here. In most of the other countries, there is some sort of public apparatus for providing health care. It varies between, like, England, France, Germany, and Canada. Each country approaches it differently. However, in all those countries, health care is seen as an important right to be provided, rather than something to be exploited.

You'll hear those who oppose reform complain about a "government takeover." You're likely to hear this term a lot over the next week. What about the insurance companies, who routinely look for reasons not to cover you? If you have a preexisting condition, you're automatically out. Even those in good health find themselves paying more and more, and people are being driven into bankruptcy by the costs.

The number currently without health insurance (and try getting any kind of quality care without it) is currently 47 million or so, about 1 in 6 Americans. There are many more who get health care, but it isn't any good. The President is attempting to attack this issue and get, as he stated, "everyone insured." So what do opponents try to do? Look at the issue seriously and come back with a different approach?

No, no, no. These guys instead oppose any sort of option that would really keep insurance companies honest. They instead want to "kill" reform, as Bill Kristol stated. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) made their intentions clear when he said he wanted to stop Obama on this so that it would be "his waterloo." He hopes to derail health care reform so that he could "break him." Nothing about addressing all the people that are hurting, nothing about giving genuine care to those who need it. Just "break him" so we can get into power.

Sure, these guys offer platitudes about "freedom solutions," and other things. The Cato Institute released an ad that "supports reform without a government takeover." But really these guys only want to kill this plan so that they can "break" their opponent, the President. This hatred of anything to do with government, which goes far beyond a healthy skepticism, has really gone too far, and it needs to be addressed.

There needs to be a way for these insurance companies to be held responsible for the influence they've exerted, often at the expense of the rest of us. It seems that the question facing lawmakers now, is not liberal or conservative, it's whether you want all of us, the people, to have our needs addressed, and to hold the powerful responsible, or whether you want the few powerful to gain still more wealth and power, even as the rest of us languish and suffer. Rarely is this question truly addressed, but it is about to be addressed now.

This is just my view on the issue. If you have any view, story about health care experience, or something else you want to tell me about, leave a comment for me below. I'll have more for you soon. See ya guys!

This is the Daily Reeder, Over&out.

Saying Goodbye to Walter Cronkite

Hi Everyone,

Well, I guess you're all aware of today's anniversary. 40 years ago today, a group of three men landed on the moon and took one giant leap for mankind. I've heard interviews with the Apollo astronauts now talking about how they looked back at the Earth and found it remarkable to see how small it looked in the dark void of space. They talk now about how fragile the Earth is now, how many problems are plaguing it now, and we all need to keep it safe. Very interesting, very heartening, too.

Anyway, today, I come to pay tribute to a man whom you've probably heard about by now. Walter Cronkite, who was a legendary CBS TV reporter from World War II to the 80's, died last week at age 92. His reporting, of course, came long before my time. However, given some of the facts about his reporting versus the reporting of today, it gives me a lot more respect for him. He got his start reporting in World War II alongside Edward R. Murrow (another man whose reporting we could use today).

During the Vietnam War, he offered commentary that no one would think of today. He told the country that Vietnam had become a stalemate which could result in a "cosmic disaster," in the form of a nuclear war. He reported that what the Government and the Pentagon had told the people was not true. Today, on the other hand, NBC's David Gregory dismissed allegations that the media didn't do enough to question the Government before Iraq, Gregory said that it "isn't the news media's job to question the Government." Um, Dave, it is your job. I'm aware that when someone dies, people tend to remember the best things about someone, exaggerate them, and ignore the rest (cough, Michael Jackson). However, hearing this made me like Cronkite sooo much.

Fellow journalists, professionals and amateurs like me, have voiced great reverence for the late Walter Cronkite. Katie Couric commented noted that when he was in the anchor chair, if he was critical of a policy, it was much harder for an administration to pass it. That is something to be admired. Imagine a journalist who highlighted elements of a policy that didn't work for people, and then the administration had to fix it. Oh, what a wonderful day that would be. But I've gotta get out of my daydream. So you see why I've got quite a bit of respect for the late Mr. Cronkite.

So what has changed since Cronkite left the anchor chair? Well, for one thing, the media is very corporate dominated today. All the major media outlets are owned by about five huge corporations (Time Warner, Viacomm, and a few others). They depend on access to politicians, corporate figures, celebrities and such for their ratings and salaries. So if they publish something those in power don't like, they could very easily have their career and status pulled out from under them. Our culture has become geared so much toward "infotainment." The news media gives things such an in-your-face, UFC type feel, instead of the serious, slightly uncomfortable analysis that Walter gave when he blew the lid off what was going on in Vietnam, or that Edward R. Murrow gave when he stopped Joseph McCarthy in his tracks.

The news today is at the mercy of some very rich and powerful folks, on whom they depend for their fortunes and fame. But the people have been complicit in this, tuning in time and time again. Perhaps people are drawn to this infotainment culture because it's easier to swallow. If the media had to question our government, question those powerful CEO's, and whoever, people might figure out some uncomfortable things about our culture. Maybe our way of life is costing us a lot more than we realize. Maybe some serious reforms are in order. This would be a very painful thing to discover, especially for people who profit a great deal from this way of life.

But I refuse to give up hope. If nothing else, there is always hope. Maybe someday soon, another Walter Cronkite will emerge, and will use his status and fame not solely for their good, but for the good of the world. Perhaps he (or she) could use the reporting they do to persuade those with power to keep on the right course. Maybe that person would be guided by the spirit of Walter, just as Luke Skywalker was guided by the spirit of Obi-Wan. The world awaits. Anyway, Walter, for what it's worth, the Daily Reeder salutes you!

This is the Daily Reeder, Over&out.