A love letter to NPR

One of the best parts of my day is just after I wake up.  I wander to the kitchen and make some coffee with the radio tuned to 91.7 FM.  That's our local NPR station.  I love getting my brain going with such quality information.

NPR does good reporting on so many things.  I have learned about new psychological research, which I included in my class. I have learned about scientific breakthroughs, world politics, artists, films, books and writers.  I read things I would never have read, watch things I would never have watched, and even eat things I would never have eaten. Case in point: a number of years ago, I tried the infamous Pepto-Bismol pink cranberry relish that Susan Stamberg extols each year at this time. It has become a staple of our Thanksgiving feast.

This morning I heard Tina Brown of The Daily Beast/ Newsweek on Morning Edition. She talked about articles by Peggy Noonan and David Brooks, two well-known Republican writers.  Most of you who will read this know that I am firmly on the opposite side of the aisle.  However, because of the appearance on NPR, I was willing to give them a chance.  In fact, I read both columns and they are great, not just good.  I had to think and accommodate new information and opinions.  This is a good thing.

Wherever you are, find the closest NPR station and listen.  There is only the bias provided by actual facts and there is so much more than that.  You can also expect to be entertained and moved and challenged. Let this happen and enjoy the experience.

Thanks for reading.  I'll try to do better next time.

Stupid people and other Arizona politicians

Jan Brewer is an idiot.  Once upon a time on this blog I defended her actions.  That was before the wildly racist SB1070 and her fictional account of the border debate with the federal government. Then she decided to overstep her Constitutional authority to remove an independent from the Arizona redistricting commission.  Now that she has finally been stopped (by an entirely Republican Supreme Court), she is playing dumb and denying that she knows why her arbitrary action was overturned.

Yes, Jan Brewer is an idiot.  We need to recall her, just like we recalled Russell "The White Supremacist" Pearce. There is no room for racists in public office. And there is no room for stupid people.

Random stuff on a random day

I finished writing music for the new Mass responses and prayers.  I hope they work out. After spending a lot of time with the new texts, I'm really not sure why a lot of these changes needed to be made.

The Lions are the first team since at least 1950 to win three games in which they trailed by 17 or more points.

Today Tony Stewart won the closest NASCAR championship race in history.  It reminded me of the great 1992 race which Alan Kulwicki won. (BTW, if we had been operating under today's Chase rules, Kyle Petty would have been champion that year.)

The idiots who booed Michelle Obama at the race are the people who give rednecks a bad name.  Most of those in attendance were cheering her appearance on behalf of Veterans and the families of deployed service members. Apparently the moron contingent who were booing are not in support of our military.

My wife is the best person I know.

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving with the whole, gigantic, extended family.  And also a little nervous.

Thanks for reading.  I'll try to do better next time.