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Opinion
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- Written by: Nelson Strasser
I accuse President Obama of being, at least in part, responsible for the deaths of an estimated 300 Egyptians who were killed while peacefully asking their government for a “redress of grievances. But first, I want to clear up some confusion about where Obama stands on the political spectrum.
Some folks accuse Obama of being a “leftist” or a “socialist.” However, if you go to YouTube and listen to the 1956 Inaugural Address of Republican President Dwight David Eisenhower, you will find that President Obama is to the right of Ike. In fact, Eisenhower warned of the danger of “The Military Industrial Complex.” Obama is the Military Industrial Complex. In the current “resource” wars that we are fighting, Obama is sending our boys to die to secure the oil supply for the ever thirsty energy sector of our economy.
Now, back to Egypt: There is no doubt that we prefer democracy in Egypt, but where democracy conflicts with stability, stability trumps principle every time. Obama knows that Mubarak must go, but he also knows, that when you begin change, you never know how things are going to end up. And, we don’t want an Egypt with a power structure that won’t be amenable to our interests. So, Obama calls for restraint, but acquiesces to brutal repression.
Obama could have stopped the needless deaths because, “he who pays the piper, calls the tune.” We have two billion reasons to pressure them to show restraint. And, in addition, the United States is very close with the Egyptian military. The argument could be made that our power is limited in Egypt and that we could only influence the Egyptian Government. However, when the United States has wanted regime change in the past, even when the regime was democratically elected, such as in Chile, Guatemala, and Iran, we had no qualms about exercising our power to achieve that goal.
When Obama offered us change, I guess he meant that if we elected him, we would have a president with black skin instead of white skin, because aside from that, I don’t see much difference. He directs an empire of endless war. His first chief of staff came from the financial sector, and his current one as well. He has rescued the rich and let the poor and much of the middle class flounder in an economic morass not of their making.
Yes, I accuse you Mr. President. I ask you to step down. Realistically, however, I must admit that you have one thing going for you: The American people are docile sheep compared to the Egyptians.
Nelson Strasser lives in Kelseyville, Calif.
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- Written by: Bea Moulton
Thank you, Lake County, for another fabulous, fun fundraiser.
The Rotary Club of Middletown’s 19th annual Crab Feast and Auctions was once again a rousing success. The many auction items were original, varied and interesting, and folks were as generous as ever. We truly live in a great community where even a recession hasn’t dampened our giving spirit.
Special thanks to our major sponsor, Calpine Corp., and to our other sponsors: Catholic Charities Lake County Programs, Clover Lake Dairy, Fox Marble & Granite, the Hoberg Family, LaTrease’s Sassy Scissors, Pat and Jon Meyer, Middletown Animal Hospital, Morgan Lane Real Estate, Elisabeth Rusth, St. Helena Hospital-Clearlake, U.S. Coast Guard Auxilliary, Westamerica Bank and the Perkins-Whitney Family. Rick Hamilton’s RAH Signs showed off our sponsors, and David Neft set up our sound system and offered himself as an auction item.
Thanks also to Tri-Counties Bank for the credit card terminal and savings bond, to Hardester’s Market for the grand grand door prize, and to Karen Jones and her Floral Design Class for the nautical themed floral centerpieces.
Special recognition goes to Karen Turcotte of EcoArts of Lake County for the ever-growing decorations, her auction donation and her two 12-hour days of working with a smile and a song.
The high school worker bees of the Interact Club at Middletown High School deserved their tips totaling $660, which they plan to donate to worthy causes. They all worked hard, worked smart and gave great customer service.
For some photos, go to our Facebook page listed as Rotary Club of Middletown CA.
We would also like to thank our local media for their coverage: Middletown’s finest newspaper, the Times Star, and the Record-Bee, the Clearlake Observer, and Lake County News online. Getting the word out with their coverage helps so much and is appreciated.
So thanks to all who participated and supported the effort. The good you did helps us do good throughout the year supporting local and international projects and programs.
Bea Moulton is president for 2009-11 of the Rotary Club of Middletown, Calif.
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- Written by: Debi Freeland
On the beautiful moonlit night of Thursday, Jan. 20, I attended Robert Boccabella's champagne reception and opening, celebrating his new Lakeport location for Business Design Services.
Wow – this guy knows presentation and details! Imagine strings of clear votive candles reflecting on all of the window sills. At the reception desk, a zig-zag pattern of the same votives greeted the guests where the sign-in book was with an elegant glass to leave business cards in.
In the main room, on the large, oval glass meeting table, were three clear rectangular boxes; each box stood as tall as the string of votives inside of them. The spaces in between were filled with rock ice for a “fire and ice” effect.
As the evening progressed, so did the ice – lingering and, then, melting away just as slowly as the people oohing and awing over Lakeport's newest business, located at 195 S. Main St. (in front of Ralph's Shoe Repair) at the corner of Armstrong.
Tastefully placed food was strewn like works of art. I did a double take of the mountainous section of buttery Peccarino cheese that was laying on its side with its fuzzy imprinted logo on the outside.
Just like a landslide, at the bottom of the road (a black lacquered porcelain tile), bite-sized boulders awaited the constant flow of traffic ... Everything from black licorice jelly bears to flattened filets of Kour Thai Satay chicken-breasts-on-a-stick (with glass bowls of the most creamy peanut sauce), sushi, marinated button mushrooms, dolmas, veggies and more exotic cheeses abounded.
Not until that day had I ever eaten creamy, white cheese laced with dainty swirls of cooked, spiced apples. Another cheese had a hint of sage while another had prosciutto rolled inside of it.
Event design and production was by “In The Appropriate Style,” Ms. Zoe Tummillo, event coordinator. Wearing a dark double-breasted suit with gold buttons and a crisp, red shirt and dark tie under his jacket, Robert stood erect greeting with a warm smile while pouring Freixenet champagne and sparkling water into the guest's fluted glasses.
Three laptops were placed in different rooms to run slide shows of some of Robert's design installations. Simple, no-clutter designs of stunning office spaces and reception areas, elegant hotel rooms, and even a church said “this man has exceptional vision and style.”
What you might not expect from such an accomplished man is his very kind and gentle mannerism. At his core is the love of his family, friends and life itself. I'm so glad I went to this very memorable event. Thank you, Robert!
Debi Freeland lives in Kelseyville, Calif.
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- Written by: Jacque Felber and Ruth Witzel
The Middletown Seventh-day Adventist Church would like to thank all of the following for your part in making the Middletown Health Fair a success.
Thanks go to: The Live Well Clinic, Doug Ammon, Phil Jacobson and Leanne Costello; Adventist Health and the medical staff, Carol Bevins, Kevin Cole, David and Theresa Schmitz, Linda Schultz, Debra DeHart, Denise Dixon The Garden, Valerie and Steve Tennison; Earth Goods, Patrick; Reach Out, Veronica Mc Gee and Irma Lopez; The Middletown Pathfinder Club, Mike Cline, Charlie, Linda and Goodwin, Evan and Ruth Witzel, Denise Benner, Taylor Goodwin, Alaura Royce, Jeromy Abram, Rebbeca Bevins; Harvester's Market (Middletown); Clearlake Grocery Outlet; Jazzercise, Beth Rudiger, Shaylah, Hunt, Kerry Griffin; Angwin College Market; The Kid's Booth staff, Karlie Dixon, Hallie Dixon, Sydney and Cade Browning; also a big help, Joe Felber, Steve Dixon, Edna and Erin Day.
Middletown Time Star, Record-Bee, Lake County News, The Observer, you help make it all happen.
A huge thanks also to our wonderful community that came and experienced the awesome health features of medical testing, health screening, health advice, exercise, kid activities, food, free bottled water and smoothies, fueled with plenty of fun and friendship.
What a joy it is to see so many members or our church and community come together for spiritual, mental and physical healing.
Jacque Felber and Ruth Witzel are with the Middletown Seventh-day Adventist Church in Middletown, Calif.