Prayers for the Families of those on Continental #3407

It's been difficult to sleep with this sinus infection and cold, but my discomfort cannot compare to the nightmare it must be for Continental #3407, which crashed around 10:30 tonight near Buffalo, NY. All of the crew and passengers were killed as it crashed into a house and fuel sent a rage of fire throughout the plane. One witness thought the plane was on fire before it crashed.

Power lines to the neighborhood had to be cut because of the spread of fire. It's now getting cold, and there is ice on the ground.

Here's a link to a NYT report for further reading.

Prayers to those who perished in that plane accident.

Jeff Merkley is a Tonic for Working Families

Jeff Merkley of Oregon voted for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act today. He's proud of his vote to help working families. From his press office today:

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act invests billions in upgrading our nation’s transportation infrastructure, promoting the development and production of green energy, and repairing public buildings to immediately create or save jobs. The legislation will also cut taxes for 95 percent of workers and their families, including tax credits of $500 per worker or $1000 per family.

A third component of the bill provides vital funding for states to prevent state layoffs and ensure the continuation of important health, education and housing services. While this portion had been reduced under a compromise negotiated last week, Senator Merkley yesterday wrote to the chairs of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees urging them to restore much of the funding for states and school construction during negotiations with the House in order to help states stave off catastrophic service cuts or tax hikes.

“We can and should make improvements so that it is even more effective and provides more help to states to preserve jobs and services, and I’ll be working with leaders in the Senate to make that happen,” said Merkley. In his letter, Merkley also pushed to increase funding in the final bill for green energy initiatives.

Nice to Hear a President Who Can Speak Intelligently

My cold has kept me at home and I have a bug on top of it. So, I'm watching more teevee.

While I don't like the plans (or lack of them) by the Treasury Department, I do like a president who can articulate his ideas for change. Quite a contrast to former President Shrub.

I also like it that the WH liveblogged the TH in FL today. And Kudos to Obama for calling on the Huffington Post reporter last night at his first presser (I don't like the reporter personally because of what he wrote about JRE) which means some blogs are considered legit media.

Colds Do Not Agree with Me

Someone at work said that once we got warmer climes, we might get colds.

Yep, and I have one now. Hope to control it, but it's with me. And while I diary little posts, I'm near the bed and teevee.

No, they didn’t, and no, it isn’t.

Paul Krugman nails it on the Recovery Package.

No arguments from me.

People of Faith Celebrate FTM Week

From the UU's (in which I am one of them and proud to be):



Freedom to Marry website

Don't Divorce My Friends

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Too many people want to be married anywhere in the US. Let's give everyone that love and legal freedom I have. I have that right as a heterosexual and married person.

Today kicks off 2009 Freedom to Marry Week. You'll be hearing more from BW. If you have a FB account, please add your voice to this cause. I believe in equality in general, but we have start somewhere--and with me, it started with ERA in the 1970's.

It's called being a progressive, which I am.

Harvey Milk said, "My name is Harvey Milk and I'm Here to Recruit You."



In this decade and for this century--and more--I'm here to recruit anyone to espouse legal rights for marriage to anyone who is 18 or over and wants to commit freely. No state, especially by vote, has the right to take away my friends' love and commitment to one another.

Yeah, I'm into family values in that sense.