Our Friend Murray-- Chapter 2

Our friend Murray scurried along the forest floor, eager to see where the day would take him. He looked around in all the different directions. He smelled the many fragrances of the forest. He touched with each of his eight legs a different place on the ground. He knew that he would be in for a treat today and he was delighted to be on the adventure.

A little while along his path he found himself among some tall grass. His eight legs stretched among the blades, each one alighting on a new blade of grass.

He couldn’t help but laugh at the fun he was having bouncing along, almost jumping, almost landing, never truly touching the dirt ground. Each leg connecting to the tips of the separate blades, keeping him above and beyond the reach of the floor, but not quite flying.

He giggled at this moment.

“Are you having fun down there Murray?”

“Oh, my yes.”

“Why does it make you laugh so?”

“Well, it feels as if I’m almost flying. I’m bouncing up and down on the grass so high with each of my legs hovering above the ground.”

“Aren’t you worried about losing your balance?”

“Well, you see, that’s part of the fun. I am certainly not completely balanced as it is right now. But that is why I am laughing.”

“I wouldn’t think being off balance would be a laughing matter.”

“Oh, but you see, it certainly can be. If I fall down, well, it is not that far. And I have already fallen so far down a high tree, so I know I will be alright. And the bouncing around is making me giddy with joy.”

“You can certainly be silly when you want to be.”

“Silly or not, I am enjoying myself and my moment here in the grass. I hardly see what could be the matter with that.”

“True, you are correct. I am glad you are having fun.”

“Oh, yes, I definitely am.”

And with that our friend Murray laughed some more and continued bounding among the high grass.

On one of the blades was a tiny dart frog, our friend Lionel the dart frog.

Our friend Murray, much bigger than Lionel, looked down at him with a big smile.

“Hello, how are you today?”

“I am doing well, but you have startled me.”

“Oh, do not be nervous.”

“Well, you are much larger than I.”

“Yes, and I could grab you if I wanted to and have you for a snack. But, do not worry, I will not today. I have already eaten my breakfast.”

“Oh, well, that is good to hear. Lucky for you too.”

“Lucky for me?”

“Oh, yes, you see, if you were to eat me, I would make you sick.”

“Why would you want to make me sick?”

“Why would you want to eat me?”

“Well, I certainly wouldn’t want to eat you if you were to make me sick.”

“And then that is why I would make you sick so that you would not eat me.”

“You are a very clever dart frog.”

“I am just myself, as natural as can be.”

“Ah, such a true and beautiful statement to make. I am also simply myself. Nothing more nor less.”

“So then we are who we are and where we are and living in this moment where we have come to meet each other. What shall happen next?”

“That is for life to decide, I suppose. For now, I shall continue to bounce along these blades of grass to see where the day will take me next.”

“And I shall continue to sit here on this blade and look out at the beauty of the day.”

And with that our friend Murray bounced off the blade that held our friend Lionel. The blade jiggled a bit and our friend Lionel had to hang on tight.

Just then, all the rustling of the blades had caused such a commotion that our friend Jim, the tiny aphid, bounced up high off another blade, and was on its way down to the ground. Our friend Lionel flicked out his tongue so far and quick. And before our friend Jim, the tiny aphid, had a chance to know what was happening to him, he was suddenly thrust inside our friend Lionel’s stomach.

Our friend Lionel did not know that he would meet our friend Jim, but the circumstances of the day, with our friend Murray bouncing by, had brought the two of them together naturally. And our friend Lionel was might pleased. He continued to sit alight the blade of grass and look out to the beautiful day. He was certainly open to whatever the day had in store for him.

amazing, heartening, astounding

Hollywood premiere

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no on prop 8 rally

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vote

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There are no real parts of the country and fake parts of the country. There are no pro-America parts of the country and anti-America parts of the country. We all love this country.

Our friend Murray-- Chapter 1

Our dear friend Murray- the- spider is waking up in the early morning just as our sun is also waking in the sky and waking up all living things.

“Good morning Murray.”

“Good morning.”

“How did you sleep?”

“Very well, yes, very well.”

“Where are you now?”

“Why, I am at home. Naturally.”

“And what are you going to do today?”

“I will do what comes naturally.”

“And where will you go today?”

“I will go wherever it is that life takes me today.”

“Naturally.”

“It is going to be a beautiful day.”

“Yes, it seems so.”

And with that, our dear friend Murray began the day by stretching his legs, each one separately, and with a little kick at the end of each stretch to remind himself of his own strength.

Murray was ready to see where the day would take him.

But first, a snack.

He walked along the web that was his home over to one of the sections where he held his morning breakfast. This morning he was to have a very yummy grasshopper delight.

Late the night before our friend Charlie- the- grasshopper had gotten caught. He had simply been jumping along his normal path in the woods and somehow, in the middle of the air, in the middle of his jump, something stopped him.

He thought, “How could I possibly be stuck in mid-air?” He did not understand.

And so he tried to jump again. But this second jump only made him more stuck in the middle of the air. And further jumping only continued this problem until he was clearly stuck for good. Until someone, somewhere heard his concerned cries and let him free. Or some other miracle would allow him to jump again.

Sadly for our friend Charlie, freedom was not coming for him. Only our friend Murray the spider was set on his way to help. But unfortunately for our friend Charlie, our friend Murray’s way of helping was of a different kind than Charlie was hoping.

So, as noted before, after the night of being stuck in mid-air was over and the sun woke the day, our friend Murray came over to our friend Charlie.

“Good morning Mr. Grasshopper.”

“Good morning, who are you?”

“Why, my name is Murray. I am here to help you.”

“Oh wonderful, for you see, I seem to be stuck here in the mid-air.”

“Yes, you came upon my web while you were jumping and you have become stuck in my home.”

“Oh, well, I see. I didn’t mean to intrude.”

“Oh, no, it is my fault. My home tends to attract and keep those who may not wish to intrude.”

“I do not understand.”

“You see, I long for visitors and they come by now and then and I enjoy their company.”

“Well, you’ll forgive me if I don’t stay but I find it rude that you would trap people to become your friends.”

“Oh, you are mistaken. I am not looking for just any friends to visit. I am looking for friendship of a different sort. I am here to take you to another place, one where you will help me be fulfilled.”

“I do not understand.”

Actually our friend Charlie was beginning to understand very clearly but was hoping he was wrong. Unfortunately for our friend Charlie his newfound insight was clear and correct and he was then and there shown the truth of his insight.

Our friend Murray grabbed hold of our friend Charlie, said to him, “I hope you will not mind but I must now do what comes naturally.”

“I believe that I do mind,” said an exasperated Charlie.

But as our friend Charlie squirmed, he was unsuccessful in stopping the natural order of things.

Our friend Murray was suddenly consumed with energy and life and a renewed feeling of strength. Murray was sad he had to lose his new friend Charlie, our friend Charlie the grasshopper, whom he had only just met. But our friend Murray- the- spider also knew that his mission each day was to simply keep living and being as natural to himself as he could be.

Living for him meant that he was to feed his body and soul just as others in our world feed their bodies and souls, with the nutrients needed to live.

And with that, our friend Murray was ready to begin his new day of adventure.

Murray set off to see where the day would take him today. As he walked further along the web that was his home, he happened upon the tree limb where his web was attached and began traveling down the limb to see what was there. As he traveled along the branch, he came upon a knot in the branch.

This knot was very large and bumpy. He reached around and around to keep hold of the branch and get around the knot, but unfortunately the knot was also slippery. When one of his eight legs began to slip, the others tried to quickly step in and hold tighter.

It all happened so quickly, but all eight legs came loose and the next thing he knew he was lying upside down on dry patch of dirt on the forest floor.

“Are you ok Murray?”

“Well, I do seem to be upside down. And I have fallen. But let me turn myself rightside up here. Oh yes, there, I am better now that I am rightside up.”

“It is always good to be rightside up, isn’t it?”

“Well, yes, it is usually better than being wrongside up. But now, let’s see where we are,” our friend Murray said as he dusted himself off. “We seem to have fallen onto the forest floor. My web is so high among the trees.”

“Perhaps you should begin the climb back up the tree.”

“Yes, but you see, it looks as if the wind blew me many different directions as I fell and I fear I am now in another part of the forest. I am unsure where I am now that I am down here and amongst so many trees. So it would appear that the day is taking me in a different direction than I had expected. Well, let’s see what is around here and where I am headed next.”

And with that, our friend Murray, began the new day in a new way he had not imagined. He was no longer in his home, but he knew that the world would provide, the day would be full, and his life would be stronger for it all.

the kansas city star (which has a bad history of endorsing the republicans including bush and ashcroft) came out for obama today! this is a major coup, with really strong language that leaves no doubt. (i bolded a few key sections)

Barack Obama for president

These are anxious times for Americans. A faltering banking system, plummeting stock prices, difficult conflicts abroad, huge federal deficits, rapidly escalating health expenses . . . the list of troubles seems to go on and on, and public faith in our national leaders and key institutions has suffered.

But the six issues highlighted below illustrate why we believe Sen. Barack Obama is the right person to lead the country forward. He is a man of strength, empathy, energy and intelligence.

The Illinois Democrat understands the challenges that await George Bush’s successor. A gifted public servant whose roots extend to his mother’s birthplace in Kansas, Obama has a rare ability to encourage hope among the dispirited and to inspire young people.

Obama’s sound judgment is reflected in his choice for a running mate. Sen. Joe Biden is a passionate advocate of ordinary Americans and a foreign-policy expert who would be prepared to assume the Oval Office on a moment’s notice.

Obama’s opponent, Sen. John McCain, was the strongest candidate in the Republican presidential field this year. He is a war hero who has shown courage in Washington as well, pushing legislative colleagues toward campaign finance reform and challenging wasteful spending.

But McCain has been a less impressive candidate this year than when he ran for president in 2000. Although claiming to be a change agent, he is following in Bush’s footsteps on everything from the war in Iraq to tax breaks that favor the wealthy over the middle class.

Despite his age and previous health problems, McCain chose a vice presidential candidate who is so clearly unqualified for high office that the thought of her stepping into the presidency is frightening.

That irresponsible decision casts serious doubt on McCain’s judgment at this point in his political career. And over the past eight years, Americans have come to know, all too well, the high price of carelessness and ineptitude in the White House.

Voting is a privilege that is envied by people in many nations. We urge all eligible Americans to exercise their right to vote on Nov. 4.

The world is watching and hoping Americans will choose a president who will reach out to allies. Obama will restore America’s reputation as a land of civil liberties, educational opportunities and good faith.

Obama’s ascendancy is a tribute both to him and to the ideal that the United States is a land of opportunity for all. His achievements are the result of hard work and merit. His election as America’s first biracial president would be a milestone in the nation’s long journey toward racial equality.

The Obama-Biden ticket offers the best hope of recovering from today’s economic difficulties, reclaiming leadership in the world and moving forward to a more promising future.

A vote for the future

Years of Washington blunders have left the United States struggling both at home and abroad. Both presidential candidates promise change, but Barack Obama is most likely to deliver:

•A stronger economy: Obama is best suited to lead the drive to reinvigorate the economy, repair gaps in financial regulations, make tax policies more equitable and provide help for Americans in need.

•A safer world: Obama realizes the need to shift more military resources from Iraq to Afghanistan, home of the 9/11 terrorists. He is also committed to closing dangerous gaps in homeland security.

•A healthier America: Obama believes access to health care is a right. He would make coverage more affordable to more citizens and stop insurers from penalizing people for getting sick.

•A new energy outlook: Obama wants to boost renewable energy and encourage more efficient vehicles, buildings and appliances. He doesn’t back excessive offshore oil drilling or a rush to build nuclear plants.

•U.S. leadership abroad: An Obama presidency offers hope for the U.S. to rebuild frayed alliances and gain respect in places like Germany (seen in photo). VP nominee Joe Biden brings strong foreign-policy credentials.

•A safeguard for liberties: Obama wants judges who won’t favor the strong at the expense of the weak. He offers hope for a Supreme Court that would reject excessive executive power and protect precious freedoms.

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Ellen Degeneres makes No on 8 ad -- and pays for it to air

for real

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i read a fascinating article in my doctor's office yesterday from time magazine about my home state of missouri and its new leanings towards obama. the main point of the article seems to be that my fellow missourians are beginning to care less and less about race and social wedge issues during this time of financial hardtimes and that they're fed up with republican politics. missouri is a bellweather state and really is on the edge right down the middle every election and every year. it can go either way. happily the polling and anedoctal stories seem to be swaying in the democrats favor right now, but we'll have to see what happens on election day to really know where missouri goes. i'm hoping and have my fingers crossed for my home state. and i know my people are out there trying to convince their friends and families and colleagues to vote democratic this year. thank you to everyone for doing your part. go democrats in missouri!

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marriage of emily and lindasusan

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just a taste: a few more bayon temple photos:


for now, more to come...

"John McCain: If your campaign does not stop equating Sen. Barack Obama with terrorism, questioning his patriotism and portraying Mr. Obama as "not one of us," I accuse you of deliberately feeding the most unhinged elements of our society the red meat of hate, and therefore of potentially instigating violence.

At a Sarah Palin rally, someone called out, "Kill him!" At one of your rallies, someone called out, "Terrorist!" Neither was answered or denounced by you or your running mate, as the crowd laughed and cheered. At your campaign event Wednesday in Bethlehem, Pa., the crowd was seething with hatred for the Democratic nominee - an attitude encouraged in speeches there by you, your running mate, your wife and the local Republican chairman.

Shame!

John McCain: In 2000, as a lifelong Republican, I worked to get you elected instead of George W. Bush. In return, you wrote an endorsement of one of my books about military service. You seemed to be a man who put principle ahead of mere political gain.

You have changed. You have a choice: Go down in history as a decent senator and an honorable military man with many successes, or go down in history as the latest abettor of right-wing extremist hate.

John McCain, you are no fool, and you understand the depths of hatred that surround the issue of race in this country. You also know that, post-9/11, to call someone a friend of a terrorist is a very serious matter. You also know we are a bitterly divided country on many other issues. You know that, sadly, in America, violence is always just a moment away. You know that there are plenty of crazy people out there.

Stop! Think! Your rallies are beginning to look, sound, feel and smell like lynch mobs.

John McCain, you're walking a perilous line. If you do not stand up for all that is good in America and declare that Senator Obama is a patriot, fit for office, and denounce your hate-filled supporters when they scream out "Terrorist" or "Kill him," history will hold you responsible for all that follows.

John McCain and Sarah Palin, you are playing with fire, and you know it. You are unleashing the monster of American hatred and prejudice, to the peril of all of us. You are doing this in wartime. You are doing this as our economy collapses. You are doing this in a country with a history of assassinations.

Change the atmosphere of your campaign. Talk about the issues at hand. Make your case. But stop stirring up the lunatic fringe of haters, or risk suffering the judgment of history and the loathing of the American people - forever.

We will hold you responsible."

Frank Schaeffer is the author of "Crazy for God: How I Grew Up as One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right, and Lived to Take All (or Almost All) of It Back."

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season 11!

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foreclosure-phil
keatingeconomics.com

people need to understand that what we are going through in this economy right now is the result of decades of republican deregulation policies and 'trickle-down' theories where nothing actually trickles down to anyone and stays up with the rich. and now everyone is hurting and our country's financial institutions are falling apart. and the republicans have nothing to say about it because they know they're unsound and unwise philosophies brought us to this brink.

it's time for a change. all the silly wedge issues of the past where they try to divide us from each other over social issues like abortion or homosexuality or gun rights or taxes, don't mean a thing if our entire nation falls down on the sword of republican economic failures.

it's time for a change. it's time to grow up, stop fighting amongst each other over petty issues, realize what we all have in common, and at stake, and vote for a new direction for our country and our own common interest, as well as our own self-interest!

think about the last 8 years:
terrorist attacks
the drowning of a major city, and many small ones
the 'you're on your own' philosophy
the economic collapse
the destruction of our reputation on the world stage
banks and savings and loans going under

this is all from a guy who everyone 'liked' because they could have a beer with him and he seemed like a nice guy.

well i don't want to have a beer with the president. i want the president to lead and shore up our country and make us strong again.

no more republican philosophy. no more republican wedge social issues. no more republican soundbytes. no more republicans.

obama and democrats november 4th.

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i've always loved trains... and now we have train metaphors:

courtesy of here

homer tries to vote for obama

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