Nothing new till next year, but until then I assume most folks are making resolutions for the New Year?
Me? I’m not so in to the resolution thing, sure I could do the usual spiel: lose weight, volunteer more, save money, but I would just be lying to myself that I would actually do those things because I made some sort of list on an arbitrary day.
So instead of a resolution, I wanted to give a big thanks out to everyone out there for reading and commenting here on my little space on the big Internets. I am continually surprised and awed by the commitment that folks on all sides of the political spectrum have for this town. And I am continually humbled by the number of readers and commenters to this blog.
Thank you for making this blog a continuing dialogue on all things Alameda.
Happy New Year!
And Happy New Year to you and your family, Lauren! And also to everybody else reading this, except for those who either don’t celebrate the new year, or who celebrate the New Year on one of the other 364 days.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year
Many thanks also for somehow turning Alameda into a hotspot of blogging activity!
Comment by Dan W. — December 30, 2008 @ 10:19 am
Regardless of where you are on the political/Measure A/religious/financial spectrum, I would speculate that everyone would agree with the following statement: Alameda is a unique place.
Nowhere is that more true when it comes to non-traditional media coverage of local happenings. From the early pioneering work of Don Roberts to the emergence of numerous local blogs, I am truly grateful for hard work and dedication of those individuals. Because of their different point of views, I am better able to serve in my role as an elected official. In my opinion, public engagement in its many forms is the path to better quality of life for all of Alameda’s citizens.
Comment by Mike McMahon — December 30, 2008 @ 1:10 pm
Happy New Year to everyone! May it be a global year of robust recovery!
Comment by E T — December 30, 2008 @ 6:52 pm
#3. ditto. If a “year of robust recovery” is a bit premature or too optimistic, perhaps a year of positive transformation would be sufficient. No pain no gain, as they say.
Comment by Mark Irons — December 30, 2008 @ 8:04 pm
Rather than look forward to 2009 this blog writer suggests you use the change of the year to reflect back on 2008:
http://simplemom.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/reflection-qs-2008.pdf
Comment by Mike McMahon — December 31, 2008 @ 9:34 am
Last words for the year:
Somebody has done a lot of research for true sustainability… Check out the pattern at http://www.conservationeconomy.net
Happy New Year to all,
No matter if I agree with ya or not, I appreciate all who share their thoughts here. It’s participation that is needed. As Move-On says “Democracy is not a spectator sport”, so I thank all who participated here in 2008, especially those who honor and respect their own thoughts well enough to put their name to their opinions.
Comment by David Kirwin — December 31, 2008 @ 4:56 pm
On January 20th, with the historic inauguration of our 44th President, we will, as a nation have a new beginning. This year is the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, whose presidency was also at a time of great national angst and internal strife. The League of Women Voters, together with the Friends of the Alameda Free Library and the Library (the idea for doing this was our City Librarian’s, Jane Chisaki), is going to hold a free community wide-screen viewing of the inaugural events on the morning of the 20th in the Stafford Room at the main Library. Its a great chance for all of us to come together as a community to experience history.
The back garden gate will be open from 7:30 a.m. for those who wish to view the preliminaries; the actual swearing in will take place at about 8:50 am our time. We will continue to provide the experience (and light refreshments) until the parade is over.
No matter what our differences as to our politics or our opinions about issues of importance in our community, here is a chance to come together as one community to witness history.
Maybe it will lead to our achieving a greater appreciation for the humanity of those holding varying points of view and a new, more civil political process in Alameda in 2009!
Comment by Kate Quick — January 3, 2009 @ 10:07 am
What kind of cool aid you serving?
Comment by JD — January 3, 2009 @ 2:57 pm
The back gate plus the front gate’s open and there’s ladders all around the fence so come all you bail-outers climb on the pig with your knives ready to cut because “we need Pork” Says Obama !” We will give you pork” yells Nancy! “We want to be paid off” say the Unions and Lobbyists!” “We want to be included in the payoffs” say the MSM. “Obama looks like Santa Claus” says moveon.org “Let the Graft begin” say’s the Chicago Mob! “Who cares about the taxpayer”, says Harry Reid!
So come on all you islanders! Come celebrate the glorious new birth of our nation! Come together and watch Jane’s wide-screen in our new library. Come watch the new civil progress, come watch the hem-hawing while the wars continue, the poor are ignored, the sick remain sick, the schools go broke, the state bankrupt the Point fallow and the political process remains corrupt.
God damn, Mr. E, it really is a beautiful day :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X1AHJFEudA
Comment by JD — January 4, 2009 @ 11:01 am
Comment by JD — January 4, 2009 @ 11:08 am
JD – I think you missed the Point Plan
Comment by point planner — January 4, 2009 @ 3:15 pm
I guess the wish for civility was pretty short-lived. I think Mr. Obama said quite recently that we could disagree without being disagreeable, but I guess it is a lot more fun to be nasty for some.
I hope we will be joined on the 20th with those who want to share a sense of history in the making and a civil atmosphere to do that in.
Not to mention, Mr or Mrs or Ms JD that it is not Jane’s library but our community’s free library where all may come and seek education and enlightenment and enjoyment through free access to words and ideas. If JD is interested in the poor, this is one government institution, like free education, which gives unrestricted access to all, regardless of income or station in life and has been the source of free self-betterment for many – not to mention the source of ideas and ideals that foster democratic (small D) thought and action. Hardly in the realm of “Pork”!
Comment by Kate Quick — January 4, 2009 @ 9:33 pm
Yes, your wish for universal civility was doomed once you determined that anyone is “nasty” who disagrees with you.
Quick, Kate say why this 20th of January is any more historic than any other 20th of Jan after an election year? Surely you can’t believe the half and half race of the man has anything to do with his ability to occupy the office and defend the constitution.
Comment by John Donne — January 5, 2009 @ 8:50 am
post #13
A new year, a new troll.
Comment by John Pizaili — January 5, 2009 @ 12:55 pm
John P –
I feel I am in an unenviable position of defending someone I do not agree with. Certainly I am not so quick to condemn John D. as a ‘troll’ because in a real way, maybe he writes truth, or his version of it, just as Helen Souse probably believes what she writes too
.
Personally I think he is wrong, wrong, wrong in post #9, I have the hope that Obama will be signing for much less ‘pork’ than was approved under bush, and I expect much less will be approved by the House & Senate. I don’t think our economy can recuperate without a return to fiscal responsibility. I believe Obama’s ‘bailout’ plans will be different, but remember, he is still only one person in an enormous bureaucracy.
Why does Kate Q seem to be condoned to state people are ‘nasty’ if they don’t conform to her views, or respond only as she would like? Is that your version of civilly acceptable?
I think that is incredible!
Personally I think the election of Obama is historical in a way that I appreciate more than the equally ‘historical’ election of ‘lil bush by the courts in 2000. –I never thought I would see that happen either.
I am proud of our country for finally getting beyond ‘the race thing’ by electing a white/black mixed race person. Many have said that mixed race kids have the hardest time growing up because of a lack of acceptance by either race, and race is always part of a 1st impression with face to face or intros that include visual media. There are organizations that are specifically concerned with the issues of mixed race people. Again, I am glad that Americans, in an abundant majority, have been able to rise above the race issue to move the country in what I believe will be a better direction.
So maybe the ‘historical’ aspect of the election and swearing-in is more about the “renewed hope”,(get it Alameda?), in helping people rather than corporations, in elevating concerns for the planet rather than elevating the ‘bottom line’ of corporate polluters, caring for people’s health more than the concerns of the pharmaceuticals’ board of directors…
I am especially relieved to be represented by someone who at least has an educated command of the English language. I was horribly embarrassed by bush in so many ways.
I also hope President Obama, once installed as our country’s supreme commander, revokes all “arms for Israel funding” since they have broken the agreement to only use the arms we fund for them for defense, and in this light offenses is offense, and cannot be considered as “the best defense” or any other hogwash.
Comment by David Kirwin — January 5, 2009 @ 6:00 pm
It looks like the new year is already bringing exciting changes, including DK expanding his areas of expertise to include foreign policy.
I guess if he says we should cut off all military aid to Israel, we should.
Comment by Iranphobe — January 5, 2009 @ 9:15 pm
It was the tone and the choice of words that I characterized as nasty, ’cause it was, not the person, whom I do not know and would not choose to characterize in any way as that is both unkind and impolite.
Civil discourse would sound very different than the response that was made. One can hold differing views and discuss them without slandering, name-calling, using cynicism, confrontation or cursing, and get much further with one’s arguement. All the negative “stuff” just puts a lot of noise around what is being said and those whom you are trying to convince just turn you off as all they hear is the noise, not what the idea is that you wish to convey.
‘Nuf said on the subject.
Comment by Kate Quick — January 5, 2009 @ 9:51 pm
David, Quick’s racist (in all the positive way’s, but racist nonetheless) slobbering over Obama was written in a manner that assumes historical significance when, in fact, the only history being made this Jan 20th is after eight years of Bush we have another Clinton administration. That may be significant but regardless of what color the face of that administration is, it’s not of historical significance, in my view.
I baited Quick in 13 to say why she considered this Jan 20th historic but she chose to ignore the worm. It’s obvious why someone who has guilt feelings about race considers this Jan 20th more significant than any other Jan 20th but that’s it’s only significance. Your pride for “getting beyond the race thing” is ridiculous on its face.
As far as your horrible embarrassment is concerned, history is replete with inept English speakers, some made great presidents.
Sorry you had to defend me, ‘nuf said
Comment by John Donne — January 6, 2009 @ 9:33 am