Just finished reading Walt Disney's Bio

Book Review:

Walt Disney, The Triumph of the American Imagination.

By, Neal Gabler, 2006

Disney one of my all time heroes.  How he morphed Mickey Mouse into feature length animations and ended up with Disneyland and more.  From disappointment to celebrations then over and over again.  Fastidious, demanding, and married to his work.  Dedicated to the child in all of us. Walt Disney was a true American legend

Disneyland 1957 and by coincidence, I sat next to Walt Disney while riding the Main Street Trolley.  All be it only for about 90-seconds.  I was absolutely speechless and stared straight ahead.  See my journal, Okie Without Borders and arrow to “Me and Walt Disney.”  In the OWB archives.

Go to:

http://www.chuckayers.com/okie

Is it not time to move on David?

Have you been watching David Letterman lately?  I suppose I would consider myself a casual viewer of the Letterman show.  Maybe watching once or twice a week.  But, nothing likes the wall-to-wall watching of the Johnny Carson Show back in the 1970s and 80s.

Johnny Carson was affable, unpretentious, funny in a Midwestern way, and a bit naughty.  A true human being who knew his shortcomings.  Almost like a sophisticated Andy Griffith but without the southern twang.

Never the less, David Letterman is a different story and Just too sarcastic and full of himself.  Not realizing how much he repeats his old threadbare jokes.  You can easily see the wheels falling off the Letterman late night show.  Indicating at least to me he either needs a very long vacation or forced retirement.  It is oh so obvious he is bored silly.  Well, more like bored stupid.  And, maybe by now, brain dead.

However, I do not care for Jay Leno.  He too has run the full length of the stadium and needs to turn in his team’s playbook.  And soon.  If it weren’t for Jay’s funny pointed chin, he would be completely humorless.

Over the past few nights Letterman has been offering out the same jokes with a small rearrangement of verbs and adjectives.  How long does he have to go on about Michele Bachmann’s name and hairstyle?  Once is enough.  And, how can he make continuous jokes about hurricane Irene?  A horrific event that killed dozens.  Anyway, I don’t remember over the past few nights ever laughing at any of his repetitious jokes.  His monologue is almost like he is not using his writer’s jokes but just winging it.  Dozing off into a coma.  It’s the same old same old Bla Bla Bla.  Worthless prattle. 

Yes Ladies and Gentlemen, good old David is ready for the permanent pasture.  A condo in Florida perhaps.  He just needs a good hosing down and sent on an endless cruise to the moon.  Please David, go away.  I’d rather watch old MASH episodes.  Johnny Johnny, please come back.

An editorial worth sharing

6 ways to create jobs without swelling the deficit By Jennifer M. Granholm and Daniel G. Mulhern This Labor Day, we lament the cruel oxymoron of the "jobless recovery," an economy made anemic because its structure has irreversibly changed through globalization. America has lost 42,000 factories since 2001. We are witnessing the biggest foundational change to our nation's economy since the beginning of the industrial age. Our global competitors are aggressively courting and winning the jobs of multinational corporations. So, let's shake the blanket and throw out the old theories. Here are six steps to create jobs without adding to the deficit: 1 Give global companies, which have parked over $1 trillion in earnings offshore to avoid U.S. corporate taxes, incentives to "repatriate" those foreign earnings. Lower the corporate income tax on a one-time basis to 15%. Then -- and this is the important part -- direct the potential $150 billion in tax revenue from those repatriated earnings to job creation. How? 2 Put half of those proceeds toward a blockbuster "Jobs Race to the Top," modeled on the highly effective Education Race to the Top. The education "race" had states doing back-flips to compete for federal dollars. Let's do the same for job creation in emerging global sectors such as robotics, nanotechnology, clean energy, defense technology and advanced manufacturing. Require cash-hungry states to collaborate with the private sector to compete for grants or no-interest loans. For example, in Michigan we created a cluster of advanced battery companies to build the guts of the electric vehicle. The 18 companies now making batteries in Michigan are projected to create 63,000 jobs -- all because we partnered with businesses in the competition for federal Department of Energy advanced battery grants. A robust national Jobs Race would empower states, bust bureaucracies and create scores of private sector jobs. 3 Invest the remaining proceeds toward capitalizing an infrastructure bank, broadly defined -- construction for roads, bridges, technology, grid upgrades, schools. Make the loans low- or no-interest initially, bureaucracy-free, and require partnerships with lending institutions. Make sure the taxpayers get paid back over time. 4 Lower the nation's corporate tax rate from 35% to 25%, and pay for it by streamlining the tax code and eliminating loopholes. 5 Modernize our unemployment and workforce training systems. In Germany, government helps employers pay for work during recessions, preventing layoffs and helping workers stay employed when orders are slow. Germany has a robust apprenticeship program to give young workers hands-on advanced manufacturing experience. America can adapt this model, which has helped Germany remain an industrial powerhouse even during the recession. 6 Adopt a federal clean energy standard to proclaim to clean energy businesses -- which can locate anywhere -- that a market exists here for their products. If the U.S. adopted a goal of acquiring 80% of our energy from "clean" sources by 2035, clean-tech businesses would flock here. In industrial countries, the renewable energy sector has seen growth of 630% since 2004. Investments in clean-tech companies, which totaled $243 billion worldwide last year, have created over a million new jobs in less than a decade. But the bulk of those investments and jobs are going to China and Germany because they created a market by committing to energy security. We must, too. And it wouldn't cost one dime from the U.S. Treasury to adopt a national clean energy standard. Non-partisan proposals like these would help "crack the code" of job creation without adding to the deficit. Most important, they would create jobs for millions of unemployed Americans. Labor Day is the best time to get to work. Jennifer M. Granholm, the former governor of Michigan, and Daniel G. Mulhern are co-authors of A Governor's Story: The Fight for Jobs and America's Economic Future, to be released in September.

Just as any craziness and fun, all things must come to an end.

Writing this blog in deed doesn’t exempt me from life’s serious side.  I do have some assumed responsibilities you know.  Just as any household, domestic work must continue.  After all, I am a rational, responsible adult.  I think.

Most of all, my wife is coming home from her Colorado fling and I must reassemble the living area.  Vacuuming, dish washing, toilet cleaning, bed making, etc.  You know the drills.  Must make the home look as if no one had ever been here.  Which actually is the case but a few things have gotten disheveled and tossed about.  Spilled coffee here.  Crunched potato chips there.  The usual reckless bachelor marauding about the bungalow.  So, must get busy.

Goodbye Mr. Banker. Goodbye Mr. Wall Street. Can't afford the risk. I'll go it alone.

We are now in an era what I call a “Stow it under your mattress” economy.  Many folks who were burned by the past recession and who lost significant amounts of money in the stock market, funds, and annuities are now putting their cash in low interest CD’s or under their mattress.  Both grow about the same.  I wouldn’t be surprised if some mattress maker sell a box spring and mattress with a vault inside.  Now, if they could only put an ATM in there as well.

But my point is a huge amount of personal money is away from investments and Wall Street.  Away from risk.  Hidden and safe.  However, not growing.  And I’m sure that’s the way the smaller investor wants it to be.  Money holders more in control of his or her own money.

Therefore, Wall Street and banking is finding this “tight to the vest” approach as the new normal.  And most likely will be this way for years to come.  Less spend and investing and more sitting tight on personal money.  “Got burnt in 2007.”

I too recently have cashed out some funds and place it in a credit union CD account.  Just feel better about that.  I no longer trust Wall Street and big banks.  After what others and I have witnessed in the past couple of years I certainly feel I can manage my money better than the typical money managers.  Surmising that the big money people really had no interest in the safety of my investment.  But only interested in making money off my money.  Keeping the rewards to themselves while others and I suffer the losses.  But I was told over and over to stay in the market for the long run and most likely my money might grow again.  Yeah sure.  While my money sits long term in some mismanaged fund, day traders and in and out traders are using my money as leverage to spike the market, take a profit, and bale out.  Leaving me holding an empty moneybag. 

Nope.  “No thank you any more!  I’ll manage my own money.”

I know it was just last week those guys were shouting Jobs jobs jobs.

Remember a few weeks ago the shouting from the Republican Party about jobs?  Once again they forgot what they were doing.  Now, it back to Washington after Labor Day and dismantling the Obama administration. 

Starting with road blocking EPA laws.  Our own US Rep Sullivan is going to introduce a bill that will slow down or de-fund the EPA.  Putting you and me at risk from environmental hazards.  Is this proactive?  It more like preposterous.  It’s pure nincompoopism.

Also Eric Cantor wants to dismantle NLRB laws in order to thwart the unions.  Specifically the machinist union at Boeing. 

But anyway, the Republicans are not doing what they had agreed to do at the outset of their current congressional term.  Again, they were haranguing and harping on jobs and clearly that is not what they are doing.  They’re back to nincompooping.  Hollering a hollow cause. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, can you not see their motives.  They act instead on behalf of big money.  Big oil.  Big gas.  Well, maybe they’ve been eating too many beans.

While many people are still out of work, the Republicans are still playing games.  Time is wasting and they need to get busy creating jobs.  Please write or call your congressman and ask them to knuckle down and find America a job.

"We gotta defeat Obama because he has big funny ears.

Our lovely governor here in Oklahoma Mary Faloin was recently talking in public with the current front-runner in the Republican presidential marathon.  She told Rick Perry she too wants very much to defeat Obama.  Certainly a noble cause for the Republican Party.  However, she and Ricky have no discernable alternative program to really help America.  America in its present job and economic crisis.

So far, I have not heard a workable policy or program to sell to the American voter come this next presidential election in 2012.  Except for “Defeat Obama.” 

Nonetheless, the Republicans are avoiding issues that Americans are most concerned about.  Do republicans have thoughts about programs that could answer the nagging questions of “where will jobs come from.”?  How do we pay down the deficit?  How can we make health care and pharmaceuticals more affordable for all Americans?  How can we secure Social Security and Medicare?  How do we clean up the environment?  How do we make this part of the world more secure?  What to do with Afghanistan?  And the list is endless.  But I don’t hear any of these concerns being discussed by Republican presidential hopefuls.  Why.

All I hear is “we gotta get rid of Obama.  He’s evil and a socialist.  He wants to turn America into one big federal camp.  Besides he has big funny ears and doesn’t look like us.” 

And if the truth were to be known, it’s more about control instead of good government.  The take back America part is the issue of just returning control back to the Republicans.  Never mind the welfare of America.  Its purpose is Just for being the party in charge.  No other rational reason.  Well except, Obama is funny looking and doesn’t look like “Us.”  So you can draw the conclusion here yourself. 

Mr. Smith, Dr. Jeckle, and Mr. Hyde.

How do we explain the metamorphic process that occurs in a person recently elected to congress?  How does Mr. Smith goes to Washington suddenly evolve into Darth Vader?  What chemistry changes in his or her brain?  Is it drugs?  Alcohol?  Facebook?  Being away from home too long?  What is it?

I’m puzzled how elected representatives from our home districts morphs from a “champion for the people,” into a stammering glassy eyed automatons when returning back from Washington.  Mostly staring into space and droning on about most nothing.  All the while avoiding answering most constituent’s questions straight out.  Thus, necessitating hand picking one’s town hall audience.  “Please no difficult questions.  Mr. Smith is under great pressure and is about to suffer a breakdown.  Treat him gently please.”

All the while we voters have no representation in Washington.  The noble congressman has turned into a drooling, prattling receiver of many monetary gifts from major corporations.  Therefore becoming a paid lobbyist himself.  Not only do we constituents have to deal with and worry about lobbyists influencing our gentle Mr. Smith, now we have to fight Mr. Smith who also is a paid representative and lobbyist of a big corporation as well.  Bought and paid for.  Indicating big money really talks.  Actually Money barks and bites.

Do you remember the story of Doctor Jeckle and Mr. Hyde?  Dr. Jeckle made up in his chemistry lab this magic serum and when ingested turn him in to a hyperventilating, red-eyed knuckle dragging monster.  Remember?  Pretty much the same as our Mr. Smith after returning from Washington.  Well then.  Maybe Dr. Jeckle could formulate a serum that would reverse the process.  Hopefully returning Darth Vader back to Mr. Smith.  Do you think this could work?  Well, maybe not.  But a good idea anyway.

I thought I was reclaiming my Okie heiritage.

I sometimes wonder why I had moved to Oklahoma.  And I make that statement because I’m not sure if it was our best choice.  I do know cost of living was much less here than our other choices.  Choices like any of the Pacific coastal states.

Never the less, I felt we were lead here to assume the role as Missionaries for the savage Oklahoman.  Doing our duty to make Oklahoma a better place to live.  Giving the redneck hope and raising the intelligence factor a few notches.  After all, education in Oklahoma is a low priority. 

But don’t tell that to any of the public school teachers.  Actually schoolteachers here are trying there very best to educate but seem to meet formidable opposition from local and state politicians.  Politicians acting on behalf of controlling “For Profit” religionist.  Plus pushback from the terminally ignorant and math and science education-phobics.  People who thing ignorance is easier to manage than having to always think.  As in critical thinking.

Then there’s my other theory.  I was sent to Oklahoma as the result of my bad behavior.  Yes, as punishment.  Much similar to the British sending reprobates and the lazy to Australia.  I must have done something most reprehensible.  So, I am paying for my crimes.  You my son will spend eternity as a Blue believer in a Red State.  No probation.  No early release.  No review for parole.  You are in for life.”

So, here I am.  Stuck.  No hope for escape.  So, I’ll have to just make the best of it.  Where’s my watermelon?

From my Okie Without Borders journal. Growing up Okie in L A.

Well, there was just one more thing to do after our summer vacation and before Labor Day weekend came.  Back in the early 1950s prior to returning to school we Okie kids were always rounded up like a flock of red chickens, loaded into our family’s Ford, and mindlessly driven to Sears and Roebucks.  Sears near the L A River in East Los Angeles. 

Nonetheless, We were taken there for our annual fall fashion-shopping fling.  And I casually say that width my tongue planted firmly in my Okie boy cheek.  Never the less, yes, our back to school autumn outfitting.  And, I just might add, moments for all to cherish.  It’s not easy to forget early life suffering events.

Back to school shopping was a unexplainable Okie event.  But first, just to clarify and give perspective, Sears in our little East L A town was nestled neatly in to the blue collar Boyle Heights neighborhood at Olympic and Soto Street.  Just north of the famous Vernon meat packing district and the Union Pacific rail switching yards.  One of my favorite parts of town.  You can smell it before you can see it.

But anyway, The Sears building was a 10-story white art deco L A ancient icon that housed the Sears west coast catalogue distribution center and retail outlet.  And by the way is now on a historical registry.  But continuing on, it was aesthetically surrounded by more Sears’s big box warehouses and huge crowded parking lots.  A place where I had later worked during my college years.  One Christmas in the toy warehouse and one summer in the shoe warehouse.  Boy what fun!  I just couldn’t escape the place.

Never the less, on occasion on a rare clear and smogless 1950s day, the tower could be seen four miles away from our little adobe home.  That is if you walk down to Olympic Boulevard and looked west.  However, if you look west these days on Olympic, you almost might see the traffic light a block away.  Yes, the smog has gotten worse.

Now, if the Chamber of Commerce were to describe the East L A Sears tower, it would go like this:  A whitewashed building overlooking the majestic and mostly empty L A concrete river.  The little known backdoor to the near downtown Los Angeles manufacturing and warehouse district.  Come witness the splendor of this ten-story white squarish retail mountain.  In the 1950s, the Sears tower was one of the tallests building in all of L A (for whatever that’s worth).

But back to my school shopping story.  Our annual shopping spree would start something like this; Son!  Put that down!  Don’t touch anything.  Don’t touch that either.  I told you to stop handling everything with your reckless hands.  Go over and stand by your dad

Now the end result of all this crazed madness would end up in buying a few incidental school items.  Finally purchasing a pair of Roebuck jeans, some striped T-shirts, a pair of black sneakers, one pair brown lace-up Sunday shoes, and a less than satisfying hasty visit to the popcorn and peanut counter. 

Now, it was at this juncture where the real story starts.  It was at the Sears candy and nut counter, where dozens of parents and their busy chattering children crowded.  You could sense the anticipation.  Parent and child alike squeezed around the warm lighted glass displays nut bins.  We small kids would be pressing noses and fingers against the warm salty display glass hoping for the best.  However, at the peanut counter was where we Okie kids learned our mathematical fractions and division.  Plus some sociological protocol.  Why bother going back to school when mathematics and sociology 101 were right there at the cash register?  And, for sure, mathematics that didn’t work in my favor.

“One-quarter pound roasted peanuts please,” my mom would mumble to the person behind the display counter.  I’m almost certain she had never ever bought a whole pound of anything.  Especially a whole bag of expensive roasted peanuts.  Well, they seemed expensive to me.  I would have to collect three-dozen pop bottles to pay for such a purchase. 

Now, here’s where the mathematics worked against me.  Someone might ask, how do four starving Okie kids share a quarter pound of roasted peanuts?  Well, did you ever see four squealing piglets rooting at a feeding trough?  First come.  First serve.  All in a pecking order.  And, naturally, me being the youngest, I was last to dip in my smallish hand resulting in major disappointment.  Barely coming up with a fraction of a fraction of the salted roasted peanuts.  Most likely, one tiny peanut morsel.  Once again proving nice guys always finish last.  Certainly a study in family dynamics.  If not statistical probability.

So, we would take our back-to-school treasures stuffed hastily into Sears brown paper sacks and head for the family car parked way out in the furthest parking space.   Then all we kids would noisily climb up in the back seat and claim our rightful places.  I would be shoved to the middle, doors would slam, and we all headed back to our little East L A adobe home.  Often wondering why it took so much time to buy so little.

Oh well.  There is back to school to think about.  Another new schools year and another new teacher.  In the fourth grade it was Mrs. Gregory.  A slim trim fifty something smiling mostly kind woman.  Certainly a great softball pitcher.  Obviously interested in we recalcitrant children.  Why?  I do not know. Nonetheless, I liked her and she treated we kids well.  But anyway, I hope the year goes fast.  Come on Christmas!  Can’t wait for that Sears Christmas catalogue.  Come on Santa.