Henbogle

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As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our founding fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience’s sake.

And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.

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What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

– Barack Hussein Obama, January 20, 2009

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Everyone has a voice. Let yours be heard. Vote.

According to Maureen Dowd in the NY Times, Sarah Palin’s recent hair, makeup, and wardrobe makeover cost upwards of $157,800.  What would you makeover with $157,800?

Here’s my fantasy list (note I’m not using the $ to pay down debt, i.e., mortgage, rather I’m pumping it into the local service economy where it will make a big impact.  Hey, it’s a fantasy!)

$15,000 for a new highly efficient heating system utilizing either geothermal or solar energy for part of the system

$15,000 for highly efficient replacement windows

$2,000 for additional attic insulation

$5000 to re-shingle the barn roof & replace the skylights

$8,000 to renovate primary bath

$1,500 for unheated greenhouse

$30,000 for more land from our neighbor (total pipe dream!)

$5,000 on preparing newly purchased land for an orchard and additional vegetable garden space

$3,000 new permanent-foundation chicken coop

$3,000 re-point woodstove chimney

$10,000 rebuild entire house foundation

$25,000 new fiber-cement siding & painting

$12,000 kitchen renovation (what the hell, I can’t think of what else to spend it on!)

$3300 brick pizza oven

$20,000 donation to the local food bank & local Habitat for Humanity chapter

ps: I thought about trading in my car for a hybrid, but the Prius, which I don’t like, only gets 46 mpg, where my ’03 manual transmission Pontiac Vibe gets 36 mpg and I LOVE it.  So, no new car until more fuel efficient cars are available.