After five years, I found this blog again.
I will try to do my relevant posts.
But, what happened to my poems both in English and Portuguese.
I will try to write something every month.
Love to all, Joanna

Dear Friends and Family:

I have been trying to send you XMAS wishes by e-mail, but yahoo seems to have crashed.

So, am resorting to the blog spot in hopes that you will see that I did think of you.  Some of you may have received my greetings by mail, some are still to be written.  Having insisted on handwriting every greeting, it may be July before I am done.  

The day here is beautiful, sun is shining upon the glittering snow everywhere.  Nature seems to be rejoicing at the memory of this day some 2000 years ago.  Is it not amazing how this one day truly changed the world?

I hope your own day reflects the message of hope and joy that this birthday celebration portrays.  May 2009 be a year of love and peace.

Love,

Joanna 

Sarah Palin and the Alaska Independence Party

Both Sarah Palin and her husband have been visibly active in events organized by Alaska Independence Party, a Party, which openly advocates overthrowing the US Government and creating an independent nation of Alaska.  While I do understand Alaska's desire to secede, I do not understand Sarah Palin's faulting Barack Obama for sitting on the Board of a Conservative Foundation alongside a now respected university professor, who, at a time when Obama was eight years old, belonged to a radical political party.  Yet, Ms. Palin participated in the Convention of Alaska Independence Party as late as four years ago, fully cognizant of what that Party is all about.  She was there to support the Party and not to repudiate it as you might expect from an elected political figure.  So, once again as for association with radicals, whose is more genuine?  You have got it,  Ms. Palin wins hands down.  Need I say more? 

Sarah Palin: Our Little Miss Sunshine

As all who saw the film know, there is nothing wrong with Miss Sunshine except she can't dance. Her dancing is so bad that even her family does not want her to stage it.  When she insists, they all get on the stage with her to conceal how really bad she is.    Similarly, there is nothing wrong with Ms. Palin (although some may debate this statement vigorously), except she can't be VEEP. Even her family knows that.  But, she, like Miss Sunshine is totally unaware of it.  She will never understand everyone's grateful cheers at her defeat.   So, on to defeat, smooth sailing, pretty miss. 

Outrageous Debate Performance by McCain

A dismally racist and condescending performance by McCain was intended to conceal his lack of preparation and of any coherent program.  Democrats should demand an apology.  How many times did he say Senator Obama does not understand or doesn't get it?  Obama gets it alright:  the war in Iraq was and still is a monumental mistake. 

 In front of our very eyes McCain continually misrepresented Obama's statements. For a while I was not sure if he had lost it or if it was an intentional misleading strategy.  To give him the benefit of the doubt:  I imagine the latter, but I seriously wonder about whether it really is the former.

And then that constant appeal to personal acquaintance and paternalism.  "I know the veterans and they know I will take care of them."  "Thank you, Daddy.  Bbut, where have you been for the past five years?  Why have we not heard in the Senate your impassioned pleas on behalf of us veterans, your personal proteges?"

And, speaking of monumental not so diplomatic public insults:  Putin is undoubtedly glowing tonight at the sight of the letters KGB spelled in his eyes.  I hope Mc Cain understands that.

Candidate McCain's Health

Candidate McCain needs to be completely transparent regarding his health, if, for not other reason, to silence all the rumors circulating about his impending health disaster.  What is there to fear:  if his medical record confirms he is as healthy as he claims, we all win; if, however, it turns out he has serious health problems, as stealthily claimed by his doctors, then we the voters deserve to know to make an informed decision. 

McCain's Rescue--a risky political maneuver

While claiming not to be political, candidate McCain inserted partisan politics into his bravado rescue efforts.  It is a bit disingenuous to say "I'll save you from the very disaster that I myself was instrumental in engineering."  McCain should concentrate on running his political campaign. We need to get to know him better.  What better opportunity than the debates?  Come on, now, Wall Street crisis is not a war like situation that demands drastic measures.  Do the responsible thing, Senator McCain, do the  debate!  Tell us what you would do to avoid such a crisis in the future.