I want buy a mug in ofa store, but I have a problem: I live in Italy, so, I don't understand what I must do.. Can I pay with euro money? Can I buy something in ofa store? Can merchandise come here, in Italy?
Thanks to everybody!!!
The phrase ‘only in America would this be possible’ is often said in gratitude by immigrants born into a class system or Americans born into poverty when they are acknowledged as leading citizens, and asked to share their story. These iconic stories of ’success earned, as it should be’ re-tell us that the American Dream lives & we are still ‘the land of opportunity’. America’s founding documents declare that in our country there are no positions at birth that impede great achievements, but instead a bill of guaranteed rights to a life of equally available opportunities. An immigrant born into a hierarchy can work hard in our country’s free-market system and earn not just money but stature and respect in the business community. He can earn his citizenship as well. Success in business is calculated impersonally, by summing assets, material value & profit margins. Community respect & admiration are accorded for hard work, self-reliance & dedication. A child born into poverty can learn the value of education & utilize public resources to earn not just scholastic achievement, but a position at the highest level in any field or practice imagined. She or he is accorded esteem as a living example that many great Americans share humble beginnings. Personal success rising from disadvantaged circumstances can be of purely personal value or, like the immigrant, measured by material wealth. The immigrant begins by selling oranges from a cart & becomes a billionaire, inventing a wildly popular orange beverage. The kid raised on food stamps begins with an education in organizing skills & becomes President of the United States of America. The latter forgoes fortune because the opportunities granted in this nation are priceless & the chance to serve its people is an honor. Only in America, both would say, would this be possible. Neither path to success or measure of achievement is applicable to the other endeavor. We experience a deeper national pride in the latter story of success; against all odds the scrappy individual finds opportunities he is told his country provides, he prevails with determination, confidence, ambition & courage. It is the story of Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Carnegie, and Oprah Winfrey and has the potential power, with no financial equal, to shift societal priorities & redefine the core values of a nation. Both kinds of success are encouraged in America because we begin with the belief we are created equal, with certain inalienable rights including the pursuit of a subjectively defined happiness. We all agree that America is uniquely blessed and characterized by these ideals. We do not all agree that all success is measured financially, and yet we all know some things should not be subject to free-market unlimited profit taking.
That said, I don’t agree that those who oppose healthcare insurance reform stand for nothing, or simply say “NO” on this issue. They are adamant in their commitment to principles that Americans hold dear. The principles the opposition stands FOR is the fundamental flaw in their argument against the reform of healthcare insurance practices. They are vociferously FOR protecting free-market capitalism, FOR supply & demand pricing, FOR drug company ‘agreements’ protecting pricing and patents* and FOR principles of capitalism in which money is exchanged for goods by agreement of both parties, without coercion or threat of physical force. What the opposition is FOR is not applicable to, or remotely related to a successful healthcare system. It’s a red-herring.
We have allowed healthcare insurers to cut coverage, reject quality over cost, cap pay-outs, dump ill human beings & fix prices for profit, so they can remaincompetitive with each other. Our sickness, our illnesses, & our treatments suck-up their profits. Ipso facto, our health and well-being are costly and the item of least concern to a profit-driven health insurance business. It was a mistake to allow the health of the nation’s citizens to be the basis for business opportunity, and a mistake to allow it to continue. Congressional opposition to reform howls about Socialism galloping over American economic principles, as if this mistaken application has squatter’s rights to the territory of healthcare insurance; the health of citizens be damned.
Private and public grade schools, universities, churches, the US Military and firefighters are not listed on the stock market because their success is not measured financially, for good reason. Those who oppose reform know this, and either know this is the flaw in their argument or are hereby notified. Healthcare insurance reform is necessary to correct an oversight. We let for-profit practices substitute for quality health care and did not foresee the need to project the unintended consequences of these misapplied practices & their inappropriate measures of success.
Of this we can be certain: no insurer will be denied treatment or die because their pay-out is capped, due to insurance reform. This is a pre-existing condition that is draining our economy, and we must treat it as it should be treated, for the health of our nation. A malignant cancer does not check your stock portfolio, your place in history or your financial assets before it proliferates in your body. Senator Kennedy knew this. He received the care of the world’s finest doctors, his suffering was eased & he benefited from experimental treatments that defied his initial prognosis for survival. We are all thankful for this, but Senator Kennedy publicly lamented that he received the finest treatment because he was born Edward Moore Kennedy, of wealth and fame, & had excellent government subsidized healthcare coverage. He said it as often as he could over 14 months: everyone should be treated with the quality care that he was treated. Everyone is created equal. Our founders wrote it as creed, and the Kennedy family worked for, stood for and lived for that principle. An oft-used pronouncement by many who oppose reform rings very true here, to we who support reform: every life is precious.
August 28, 2009
Senator Dianne FeinsteinUnited States Senate331 Hart Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Feinstein:We are at a turning point in American history and you have the rarest of opportunities to take your place in this rich history.
Will you vigorously and openly support President Obama’s efforts for a public option in health care reform, or will you take the path of weaker, lesser human beings and cave into the lies and distortions being trumpeted hysterically from every media outlet the Republicans and Big Health and Big Pharm. can access?
Millions of Americans who are ready and financially ready to retire would do so if they had access to affordable health care. This would open up millions of employment opportunities for unemployed and underemployed Americans. When Americans no longer fear being bankrupted by exorbitant medical costs, they will do what Americans secure in their jobs and secure in their ability to pay their bills have always done: spend on necessities and other consumer goods, thereby stimulating our economic recovery in the healthiest and most effective way.
With recently strengthened consumer credit and banking regulations, no longer will working Americans fear having all they have worked for and saved for wiped out as a result of immoral, and what used to be illegal, financial manipulations. But more needs to be done.
Affordable government sponsored universal health care for all Americans, paid for by the contributions of all working Americans, can be a reality. You have an opportunity to assume an active leadership role in implementing legislation to this effect.
As a constituent, I urge you to speak out strongly, clearly, and quickly on what I believe is the most important issue of our lifetime.
I am one of the fortunate ones whose employer, upon my retirement, covered my health care premiums, at obscene rates, until I become officially a medicare recipient on September 1, 2009. As you know, my Medicare is not free. But the cost is fair and reasonable and the care is excellent. What a shame and a pity that all Americans do not have such an opportunity.
Your vote on the Iraq war can be understood considering the magnitude of the campaign of lies and deception promulgated by the previous administration. But this time the lies and deception are easily exposed. I assure you that when this issue is resolved with universal single-payer health care made available to all Americans, and the huge benefits to our country and our society as a whole begin to be realized, those who failed to champion the cause because of fear, lack of integrity, or personal financial or political gain will be forever be remembered for the spineless charlatans they proved to be.
Who will be the heroes?
There is a program on The History Channel, Medal of Honor, that chronicles the actions that many soldiers took while under intense pressure and enemy fire to earn our country’s highest military honor. Acting unselfishly and without regard for their personal safety, they took the least desirable or personally beneficial course of action, and instead did “the right thing.”
You, too, are under hostile fire. Lead the charge for a public health care option for all Americans now! Regardless of the result, you will be forever proud and honored for having done “the right thing.”
Sincerely,
MJM
In Italy, last week, one person won 147 millions of euros at "lotto"..
it's an big big big amount!! I think they are too much money, maybe, if you win 147 millions, you will find reason, you will ruin yourself
I'm so sad for ted's dead..it was an great person, with him, it go away the kennedy dynasty.
It's terrible the kennedy's history....john, bob, john jr, and now, ted..
Maybe, the great people, they are fated to do an ugly dead, they are fated to have an ugly end..
they are so great, so beautiful in their life, and so bad in their dead...
Here is a link to a CNN Poll on Obama and health care. These stations pay attention! and DO news stories on the stats:
http://reportcard.cnn.com/
Let's all get together and give our President an A+ !
How great it is to have a working President who is putting his all into the job for all of us.
Get Voting!
Having been involved in grassroots animal welfare/rescue/rights for 20+ years, I was one of those people who eagerly and anxiously awaited news on what Barack and Michelle were going to do in regards to adopting a puppy for Sasha and Malia. I was a lead dog, if you will, in pushing the idea that they should adopt a rescue and preferably a shelter dog. I was heartened by Barack's comments that HE really wanted to get a rough and tumble shelter dog. But! as usual I was careful to not just hear what I wanted to hear. I was acutely aware of the other issues President Obama laid out when discussing the new family member.
First, during the campaign, Barack always stated that he had promised the girls a puppy. A puppy. P.U.P.P.Y. Right off the bat, we knew this was going to rule out a whole lot of rescue dogs who tend to be older. This is fair enough for young girls getting their first dog. I got a puppy as a kid, too. There's something about being young and getting a young animal. You can relate to it. And you can grow up together. By the time I was 30, I started liking the idea of adopting adult dogs. They come pre-trained and you miss all that puppy teething, high energy bother.
Secondly, and really importantly, Malia has allergies, so her parents wanted to be sure she had a pet she could be close to and comfortable with. I won't argue whether or not hypo-allergenic breeds truly exist. Let's just agree that some breeds cause less allergic reactions than others. I know, for instance, that I am allergic to some cats. Not many. But occasionally I run across one that just makes me miserable. Anyway, this issue was a key issue in selection of the dog and rightly so. Consider if they chose a dog to find out later that it made Malia sick. One of three things would happen here and none of them good: Malia would have to suck it up and be miserable OR the dog would just have to not spend time with the family when Malia was present OR the dog would have to find a new home. This is a scenario that is not uncommon and all too often the dog ends up in a shelter or a back yard. (In fact, I know animals that were left behind in Katrina because a family member in the evacuation vehicle was allergic.)
Now, because of my involvement with the animal community and my involvement with the Obama campaign, people who are unhappy with the choice of Bo have felt it necessary to take this issue up with me and I have received a range of reactions from "I'm very disappointed" to "Obama broke another promise and killed a shelter dog". Well. As one who was calling for them to adopt a shelter dog, I understand a little disappointment. But I got over that pretty quickly. Look. The little guy, in my mind, IS a rescue. He didn't fit in with his first family, so he ended up with THE First Family. I hear all sorts of conspiracy theories about how this is a set up and the dog was really bred for the Obamas. I don't really buy that, but even if it were true... to harp on that would be to miss our opportunity as members of the animal welfare community. We can scream about conspiracy because we wanted a different outcome or because it feels good, but what message then are we sending when we have the platform to send a message... that this person most of our country really admires tricked us all so he could get a purebred... and if you're going to emulate him, well, then it's your turn to fake a need to get a purebred?
OR shall we point out to people the many things the first family did right in adopting a dog?
They planned ahead and waited to adopt until the family had time to train it and take care of it. They prepared the children for the responsibility that they all would need to share as they welcomed a new family member into their home. They did their research and found a breed that would suit their needs... regarding allergy issues, trainability, disposition, personality, space requirements and energy levels. They didn't go shopping around to breeders, but instead adopted an already 6 month old dog - which means half its puppihood has already passed. And they found the dog through a friend with whom they have a really close personal connection... and who has health issues of his own such that he may not be around for too long.
The standard put on this president for adopting a dog is beyond anything any other president has had to live up to pet-wise. He never promised to adopt a shelter dog, he said he hoped to get one. He advocated against puppy mills and by all accounts, this dog is not from a puppy mill. It appears to be from a responsible breeder. I won't argue whether or not responsible breeders truly exist. We will never get rid of "breeds" altogether. Dog people are forever going to like certain breeds or even need them for utilitarian purposes.
The pet overpopulation problem is not caused by breeders or breed lovers or President Obama. It is caused by unmanaged stray populations, puppy mills, irresponsible breeders and owners who do not spay/neuter their pets for reasons ranging from ignorance to laziness. Period. Dogs and cats are euthanized in the hundreds of thousands in this country because people don't know about the existing holocaust, or don't care, or because they let their animals roam freely thus allowing them to reproduce indescriminantly or land themselves with the dog catcher (which "displaces" whatever dog was previously in that kennel... a euphemism for euthanasia).
The Obamas did their due diligence and did the best they could... and didn't do half bad, I think. Give them a break. They are first time pet owners. They will learn more as they go. Like we all have had to do.
Let's shine a light on all the things they did RIGHT. Let's use this as a teaching moment instead of yet another time that the animal rights folks look like crazy zealots. I've lost enough battles and animals to know the pain of the trade. I face it everyday. But I won't blame our president for that. His family got a second hand dog that won't make their daughter sneeze or itch and made a donation to the Washington Humane Society. End of.
Welcome to your new home, Bo. May you live long and know great love.
Now let's let the president get back to solving this whole war/economy/environment thing... wherein human and non-human animals suffer and die everyday.
Is it not great to wake up knowing we have a President who is working hard for US??
Finally! today we hear about the rail system getting much needed attention.
Any of you old enough to remember when we could travel nearly anywhere by train?
The airline lobbyists put a stop to our trains! What a great system we had- and now to bring it into this century is exciting.
We are in the top part of Arizona - in the believe it or not - I would have to drive to Flagstaff, AZ, get on an AmTrac and go to California in oder to go East! Really! Even though the train comes right back through Flagstaff a person must buy a ticket to California to head the other direction. Strange.
Bet this gets sorted also.
Everytime I come here and see long blue nonsense post- I post! Please join me! Do not answer me, make a post of your own in support of our great and wonderful new President who has a brain and uses it!
Do not answer the Blue Meanies- POST and keep it up.
Thank you Mr. President for making us proud once again!
I think that in Italy we need change; but there isn't any person which can bring change.
there isn't any politcal person which is onesty, coherent, loyal.
Now we have Berlusconi, the man who said: "Obama is young, beautiful, and suntanned".
when his collaborators don't write him the speech, he say only idiocys!
now I think: I mustn't do belive that change is possible or, in the future, also in Italy will come one political person such as Obama?
Before leaving office Bush gave to AIG - now it is up to President Obama to clean that mess up also. Bush left America in a horrid state! Bush gave to all his rich buddies everything they wanted, no bid contracts, billions of dollars and an America with few legal rights.
Let us all support President Obama in his mighty quest to turn this country around.
What is a Savannah’s Temperament Like?
Savannah Cats have very loving and outgoing personalities. They are highly intelligent cats and learn quickly. Most of them love to explore the outside on a leash, or being in the house and playing Fetch. Others retrieve their toys or follow their favorite person like a little dog through the house. A Savannah expects to be a family member that is involved in every activity, rather than being just a usual house pet.
They definitely love water and have surprised us often with a spontaneous visit in the running shower.
Do Savannahs Get Along Well With Other Pets or Children?
Savannahs are very adaptive cats. They get along with well-behaved and respectful children and if your current cat or dog is social, your new Savannah will most likely end up sleeping in the same bed.
bred in the USA TOO !
A1 SavannahsMartin & Kathrin StuckiPonca City, Oklahoma, USA - Raymond, New Hampshire, USA
Email: a1savannahs@yahoo.com
Cattery Phone: 580 718 0011
Wir sprechen Deutsch, - hablamos español, -nous parlons francais
How much fun this is to see the Republicans be so puzzled! Gee! you mean hate and letting large corporations run everything did not work??? It all fell onto their heads and now where do they go?? All they are doing is naysaying everything about our President! That's all ya' got. LOL We all had to put up with arrogant nasty Republicans for to darned long. Change has come...and look at them run.
and how great is it to see children in the White House again! Wow! America is coming back to her roots of self help and getting along, and yes, love...caring for our poorest and our elderly...the marks that a great nation makes on the Earth.
I am so excited to present a song that I composed, "Change We Can Believe In"! It was inspired by President-Elect Barack Obama's campaign theme, and will be sung at the Inauguration Choral Festival in Washington, DC in January 2009. I have taught it to 2 high school choirs in Chicago, IL: Morgan Park HS (who is invited to the Inauguration Choral Festival), and to King College Prep (my alma mater-class of 1974). What a privilege it is to give back to the community, and my hope is that this song will encourage the singers, as well as the listeners, to pursue a more excellent way.
Here is the link to Morgan Park choir: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=755vrFw4vSo They are singing to the cd instrumental track.
There is a live version, with me on the piano, as sung by King College Prep: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S3XLqKAJh8
We here in Las Vegas are watching the wildfires in L.A. and are so sad that so many of you have lost their homes. Is there anything we can do?
Can we organize a food, clothing or personal necessities drive for you? Is there a church or charity taking donations? Do you need cages and/or food for animals? We're pretty good at organizing here so just let us know how we can help and we'll coordinate a drive to help you.
If we don't all practice what the campaign taught us, we have learned nothing.
