The Voice of Reason

More Important Reasons to Support Hillary...

In my opinion, the populace of this wonderful country have an unfortunate history of short attention spans and even worse short term memory loss. We loose interest quickly and forget frequently. Fortunately, we now live in an age where the majority of us can have access to facts and figures with lightening quick speed if we so desire, or remember, to do so. It is with that spirit that I now post the following chart graphic as a refreshing memory that we all would do well to reacquaint ourselves with...



Just look at all of that glorious red, white, and blue. Unfortunately, there is much more red than blue, but that points out a significant point. It shows that over the last 40 plus years, the only time that we had a budget surplus was when we had Clintons in the White House! The starkness of the contrast of surplus vs. deficit is alarming is it not? Now, remember this folks!

First, let me state that there is a good reason that I say "Clintons" in the White House and that is because Hillary Clinton was highly involved in the Clinton presidency, and she and Bill are the closest of political partners. That is a fact. President Bill Clinton himself has stated as much in countless interviews as have other key members of his administration and White House staffers. Hillary was hands on. Remember how outraged conservatives were when she had an office for herself placed in the West Wing? She didn't do that so that she could have a special place to think about fancy party gowns, debate new hairstyles, and daydream about lipstick.



It's also important to remember that we also had during the 8 years of peace and prosperity under the Clintons a president that understood the transition from an industrial to a post-industrial world, and could carry out the responsible domestic and international policies to thrive in that world. The U.S. was respected throughout the world, and we had the strongest economy in our nation's history, with record gains in economic growth (116 straight months of economic growth at an average rate of 4.0 percent per year), job creation (22.5 million new jobs), income (median family income up nearly 15%), home ownership, and a historic drop in poverty (down 15%), all while overcoming the budget deficit and putting our country in the black.

Anyone now old enough to vote in this country that is not mentally incapacitated in someway can remember how great things were under a Clinton White House.

Edwards and Obama are downright wrong to imply that Hillary is part of the problem that only "change" can fix and they know it. Even if you combined the experience of the two of them together, they still would not, and could not, have the knowledge base and true experience that Hillary has after spending 8 years playing a very important role in getting this country back on track in the 1990s. It happened then and it needs to happen now! Now - more than ever.

So, the next time you hear the tired "change" mantra coming from Obama and Edwards, pick up your recent history books and reopen your mind.

By the way, there are 79 days to the first day of Spring


© Steve took it

Thanks to Hillary's Bloggers wonder post of "Four Reasons I Support Hillary" (especially enlightening for all of you parents out there) for turning me on to the chart and more.

Welcome 08

Like zillions of other bloggers, I couldn't let this day go without a visit to the Sprouseart blog. Before I get into any serious blogging however, I have to state how uncanny it is that while I sit here in our little place on the Delaware shore, outside the weather is wonderfully sunny with a crisp blue sky and an air temperature of a rather balmy 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Uncanny, really. You know, mid-Atlantic coast, Winter, January.


(photo © stellaretriever)

I was curious as to what the norm temperature for Jan. 1st is here in this part of Delaware (the nation's second smallest state). I went to my new favorite weather spot, www.wunderground.com, where I discovered that the average high for this area on this day is 45 degrees and the low 26. That means that usually on this date in this area, the temperature normally hovers somewhere between those two numbers.

Today must be a weather oddity, but a welcome one for myself. It was so lovely that I even had the front door open. However, that changed not long after a repulsive, massive, black fly entered my home making a b-line to the kitchen followed by an obnoxious, whiny, blood-sucking mosquito making a b-line to my right ankle. But, for the brief amount of time that I had had the door open, it was lovely. I sat quietly in my chair, closed my eyes, and took in the gentle breeze that comes our way courtesy of the Atlantic just about a mile up the road (it worked wonders for the sinister hangover that I awoke with this morning after, my body's retribution for a wild New Year's Eve party at our friend Michael's lovely home). The neighbor across the street was wordlessly washing his car. The only sound from the process were the soft splish-splash of his foam covered sponge entering in and out of a bucket of water. In some tree nearby a bird was chirping out a sweet tiny song. It was mixed with the distant sound of a laughing children mixed with the playful yip yap of some far away dog. It was, in fact, a lovely way to begin the new year. Sitting quietly, eyes closed, and just listening...

Now, I received a comment from my wonderful friend of 25 years, Kathryn, about one of my earlier posts regarding Obama.
Now, normally, I share the same stance as the astute Iowan who placed this sign upon their door...



But, Kathryn is a dear friend, and I want to respond to some of her valid points, in my own way..

Kathryn states:

"I think Obama has more experience "watching houses" than you are giving him credit for"

My response:

Really? I just don't see this. Obama hasn't even finished out his first term as a US Senator (though to be fair he did serve one term as a Illinois State Senator representing the 13th District in the south side neighborhood of Hyde Park in Chicago from 1996 - 02). In my opinion, that's just not good footing to begin a presidential bid. He also ran for the Senator ship unopposed for the majority of the race until the Republicans sent in Keyes, which, was frankly only done so as a token candidate with no chance in hell of wining. Here's an excerpt from a posting on www.democrats.org

In 2000 Obama was advised by fellow Democratic state senator, Donne Trotter (one of the good guys), to run against incumbent Democratic US Representative Bobby Rush (one of the questionable guys). Obama, despite a sizeable chunk of out-of-district financing, was thoroughly trounced in the primaries.

In the 2004 Senate contest, one-term Republican incumbent Peter Fitzgerald announced he would not seek re-election. The seat was to be challenged on the Democratic side by multimillionaire businessman Blair Hull (the odds on favorite), Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes, and State Senator Obama. Hull's campaign stalled due to accusations of domestic abuse. Hynes bored folks to tears and his financing was questioned. Obama won the nomination. After gaining his party's nomination Republican Jack Ryan was forced to drop out of the race when unproven sexual allegations were made public. The Republicans bussed in Allen Keyes so the seat would not go unopposed, but to no avail.

I believe this bit of history is worth bringing up because Obama has only faced one serious challenge in his political career, against Rush. All the rest have been gimmies. Obama has run a successful campaign so far, but he has by no means had his feet put to the fire. Someone needs to do it soon to see how he reacts.

So, in my opinion, not only do I find that posting completely valid on terms of him running a winnable election, I also truly believe that serving one term as a state Senator and being in the middle of his tenure as a US Senatorship gives him enough experience to take on the massive challenges facing this country right now. Compare any unbiased biographies of Clinton and Obama and hands down Clinton's years of experience being in the political arena ( 12 hands on years as first lady of Arkansa, 8 hands on years as First Lady of the country, and her tenure as a US Senator from New York) outweighs Obama's by far.

Kathryn states:

"I don't see the passive aggressive either. He simply says this is the time for him to run. Being a parent, I get where he is coming from. We have made some decisions like that in our own lives - OK I have not run for president... But we have done things that have been very disruptive to our life and our children’s life knowing that for us it was now or never."

My response:

Frankly, I think you have misinterpreted this. There is a big difference between - this is the time to run - and - if you don't vote for me, then I'll never run again. Now, I saw him in at least 3 interviews after his wife initially made that remark (passive/aggressive) and when asked whether he really wouldn't do so, he coyly avoided the answer ( passive/aggressive, and in my opinion, really an immature move, something that someone with more experience wouldn't have gone with). Plus, it's important to realize that all of this items are controlled by the candidates campaign team themselves. Michelle Obama made the comment in an upcoming edition of Vanity Fair magazine. All of these moves are calculated. It's the response that they're never sure about until it occurs. I think that the underlying message here was "now or never" but not in a nice way, more like a spoiled kid way, and frankly, I think it backfired on them, as you can see that they certainly aren't working the comment now just a few short days later.

Kathryn states:

"As to the Clinton's, frankly the country could do without the divisive drama they seem to attract. I know plenty of pain in the ass republicans who say they could get behind Obama. Isn't that what our country needs -somebody we can all look to again to LEAD? Maybe the right approach is to get rid of all of the "experience" and get people in government who will actually fix the problems instead of stir up the water some more."

My response:

I'm really surprised by this. First, in my opinion the "divisive drama" that you refer to is almost always stirred up by angry right wing republicans and the conservative media. Also, have you forgotten how wonderful things were under the Clinton administration? I don't know about you, but when THEY were in charge of the country, I was making quite a bit of steady money, I had great health insurance, I actually had some substantial savings and was able to think about retirement plans, drove a nice car powered by affordable gas and lived in a lovely home in a major city in the US where I never worried about being blown up when I would get on the metro. I have none of those things in my life now. Not a one. Should I continue with the words BALANCED BUDGET? How about strong (now undone) environmental protection laws? A more balanced Supreme Court? You imply that Clinton "will stir up the water some more"? Where is that coming from? I respectively suggest that you do some research into what great things really occurred in this country the last time the Clintons were in the White House and then rethink your response. Also, it's important to remember that Hilary wasn't just a pretty face picking out dinner china and trying on hats, she was one of the most hands on First Lady ever. You see, my whole issue with Obama is about experience. So when I read about it possibly being the time to "get rid of all of the "experience" and get people in government who will actually fix the problems" I cringe. I wouldn't ever even think about boarding a passenger jet piloted by someone with no flying experience, so why would I ever even think that I would want someone with no experience running this country at such a desperate time?!

Now when I read that you know several "pain in the ass republicans who say they could get behind Obama" I've heard talk from and have seen just as many whose mouth waters at the idea of there being a Democratic presidential candidate who happens to be an African-American with the name of Barack Hussein Obama simply because they think it's the only way they could get another Republican in the White House. Now, I don't feel that way and I don't like that way of thinking either, but unfortunately, but there are many. many folks out there ready to pounce upon that, and trust me, they will, if he becomes the candidate. Republicans are scared at the idea of Clinton, because she knows the game and knows it well. Again - experience. Also, they have been under so much scrutiny over the years by the Republican hate machine that there simply are no more dark corners to shine lights on any longer. And even if they did manage to find something or the other, the Clinton's would know exactly how to deal with it. They're like teflon, and that's exactly what we need in the White House. Again, the republicans know this and they do not want her to be the candidate. So, the next time you hear these pain in the ass repugnantcans, mention their desire to get behind Obama, you may want to consider their motivation. I think they see him as new juicy meat that they can't wait to get their teeth into. Obama has never had to deal with anything like that, Hillary has done so many times, and she still keeps wining ( she would have never been able to have won her US Senator seat, twice mind you, without republican support).

So, there is my wordy diatribe on why I am supporting Hillary Clinton, to me, it's all about proven experience. I think if more people sat down and calmly without bias went over all of the history of the candidates, they would find Clinton the absolute best candidate in the running by far. Anti-Hillary democrats need to ask themselves quite honestly what exactly is it about here that they are basing their dislike in. It's surprising how so many can't come up with a decent answer based in fact.

On that not, let me be clear that I don't dislike Obama at all, and will whole-heartedly support him if he becomes the candidate simply because we can not afford to have another one of these in the White House....



But I won't feel very confidant about it and that disillusions me greatly. I honestly don't think that he is ready for the job yet. In 8 years, absolutely, but now, the way things are? No, send the neophytes back to school and bring in the pros, because we're going to need them.

Now, major hugs and kisses, and buckets of my never ending love to you and yours Kat and my sincerest wish for a happy, healthy, peaceful and successful new year. In fact, I want to wish that to all of my readers out there. All 12 of you. Or maybe 9. I don't know.

By the way, only 80 more days to the first day of Spring.


photo © sante.boschianpest

Times Square and New Year's Eve

Place a message on a bit of confetti for New Year's Eve in Times Square....

http://www.zoomerang.com/recipient/survey.zgi?p=WEB227AC5GHEXV

Clinton leads in Iowa

This is a nice way for me to start the day...
According to the latest Reuters/C-Span/Zogby poll released today, Clinton is in the lead. You can read more about it by following the link here.

Clinton leads in Iowa

Early Spring?

Oddly enough, it's a balmy 58 degrees with rain and thunder here at the Delaware shore this morning. Of course, that's not the norm for December 29th.

I make no secret of the fact that I am a huge Hillary fan...



I don't know how much more of this buffoon



the country or the world can take.

The main reason that I'm not supporting Obama is his real lack of experience which he, and the media frankly, keep trying to downplay. It's important right now. Extremely important.

Now, this may be a weak analogy, but here goes anyway. Say I were to go away for a couple of weeks, and I had to choose between two people to watch my home and tend to my cats while I was away. Basically, I'm handing over power of my little world to someone temporarily and I have to be able to TRUST them to make the right decisions about my home while I'm away.

One potential house sitter has had quite a bit of EXPERIENCE house sitting and taking care of other people's pets. They're more mature with a no-nonsense attitude and have a long track record of house sitting and house sitting well. The other potential sitter has very little or no experience house sitting. He is a good speaker and certainly charismatic, but he keeps insisting that what I need is a change of the "old" ways. When I ask him about experience, he simply keeps stating that I should trust him to do the best job, simply because he has a fresh approach, or so he says, at house sitting. He wants me to simply trust in this fresh approach and not ask too many questions.

In fact, when I start to show a bit of indecision, rather than speak to me more about problem solving and practical experience as the first potential house sitter does, he informs me in a passive aggressive manner that if I don't choose him that I will never have another opportunity to do so, because if I don't pick him now, he will never make himself available to house sit for me again. Ever.
(Click here to read what I'm referring to)

Now, I don't know about you, but that last comment by the potential house sitter would have been viewed as childish and immature. Guess who I'm going to pick to house sit? Now what if the house that were speaking about is the White House and we're speaking about the next 4 to 8 years? And what if you were handing over control of such house with a massive sever storm brewing outside? Hmmmm...

Maybe it's not such a bad analogy after all.

Tee Hee

Winter humor...

At least I'm staying busy in the studio...

I have never been as out of the Christmas spirit as I have been this year. Ever. The economy is so miserable, despite what the Idiot In Chief says,



that we have decided not to celebrate the holiday this year. No tree, no lights, no gifts. Nothing. I'm OK with that. Of course, everyone will say that the holiday isn't about gifts. But, frankly, that's mostly bullshit. It's totally about giving and getting gifts. It's massive consumerism. If I hear one more person ask me if "I've got all my shopping done yet" I may go running and screaming into the path of the next bus. Ask yourself how many times you've been asked that, have asked that yourself, or have overheard others asking that question and then tell yourself that Xmas (at least here in the States) isn't about consumerism.

A recent friend of mine,who happens to be a wonderful artist, made a brilliant table top sculpture work that she showed me the other day. It consisted of Santa Claus being crucified on a cross. It was amazingly realistic. She told me that it was a statement about the consumerism of Christmas and I thought it was brilliant.

Of course, I no longer consider myself to be a Christian , so the whole religious aspect isn't there for me in any case at this time of year. But, I was raised a Catholic, so I do appreciate the beauty of the story of Xmas in an artistic sense at least.

What I do enjoy however are the lights. For the last few years I've considered myself a spiritualist who celebrates the "season of light". You don't need gifts for that. And also, it isn't about me getting gifts, it's about me being able to give them. Which, this year I can not. That's what sucks for me on a personal level because I love picking out special things for special people. Since I can't give gifts this year, I don't want anyone to give any to me.

So, what have I been doing rather than shopping and throwing money at a tree? I've been painting! That I love year round. And who knows, maybe someone will actually buy one or two of my works before the holiday which may tempt me to put up a light or two.

Here are my last two works. By the way, these are an AMAZING bargain at $350 each. But, desperate times you know....


"Unchanged"
acrylic, faux-finished color fields, ephemeral and vintage photographic mixed-media collage on canvas.
6" x 12"
2007
© Michael Sprouse


"What Kind of Star?"
acrylic, faux-finished color fields, ephemeral and vintage photographic mixed-media collage on canvas.
6" x 12"
2007
© Michael Sprouse

Is Traditional Painting Dead?

So, I've been up since about 5:15 AM. Frankly, that isn't unusual for me. But it didn't help my morning to run across this little article online. Check out the ( in my opinion) CRAP that was chosen for this "MYARTSPACE NEW YORK, NEW YORK 2007 COMPETITION" by clicking here... http://www.myartspace.com/contestresults/nyny07/

Now, let me get the record straight here - I didn't enter the competition, so this isn't a question of bitter grapes. This is, in my opinion, a case of "the emperor's not wearing any clothes". It never ceases to amaze me how many no talents there are out there that consider themselves to be "artists" simply because they love calling themselves that and are smitten with the "idea" of being an artist ( I've met countless numbers of them). Plus, the fact that there is always a cadre of artistically brain dead, overtly intellectualized, smug "in the know" cultural elitist ready to proclaim anything art (and purchase such) in order to keep this puerile movement afloat blows my mind!

You know, I've always found that the more you have to convince someone that something is something other than what it appears to be upon initial review, the more you need to re-examine it yourself (if it walks like a duck...).

Enough already!

Fading Monday....

It's the end of a rather long and uneventful Monday. Well, perhaps not uneventful, just not as enjoyable as the previous weekend. I'll have quite a bit to fill up this week however with meetings and studio work. Here's the last work that I finished this afternoon. It's titled "What Kind of Star"


"What Kind Of Star"
acrylic, faux-finished color fields, ephemeral and vintage photographic mixed-media collage on canvas.
6" x 12"
2007
© Michael Sprouse


So, the day wasn't unproductive by any means. But, by the time I drove the little over 2 hour drive in from the beach this AM, I just seemed a bit out of it - somewhat behind the schedule a bit. Though, the only schedule that I use is one of my own being that I am self-employed. It did seem though that by the time I made and took part in the phone calls that were on my list, read and send the emails, run errands in, around, and away from the house, the day had passed like morning fog.

In any event, perhaps I'll find the time to finish my new work that I started this afternoon after finishing the one above.

In Memorium: Dan Fogelberg

I was a huge fan of his music in the 70's and 80's and was just singing a song of his when I was working in the studio the other day. His songs and voice were so touching and heart felt. Many of them held, and still do, a very special inner-personal meaning for me. That will change somehow, I think, now that he is no longer of this plane. I had no idea that he was ill so this came as quite a surprise to me as I'm sure it will to others. A true loss on many levels...


In Memorium:
Dan Fogelberg
August 31, 1951 - December 16, 2007

Ugh...can one get by on 4 hours of sleep...

I just got my internet access back after not having such since last Sunday morning. I've also have been sleeping for only about 4 to 5 hours a night for the last week or so. Who says hallucinations can't be fun?!
At least I have been a very busy boy in the studio....



Recently completed work incorporating, acrylic paint, faux-finished color fields, ephemeral and vintage photographic mixed-media collage on canvas. Click on image until large version appears for detail.
"Pleasant Doors"
6" x 12"
2007
© Michael Sprouse

Hey, as of last week, you can now find my original works at this very hip place in Philadelphia...
Philadelphia Home Art Garden aka P.H.A.G.

Friday morning trash trucks

One of my favorite ways to be awakened on an icy early winter Friday morning is by the sounds of the giant foul smelling trash trucks rumbling up your street at 6:00 AM. This lovely sensation is only heightened by the sudden barren realization that you forgot to place your trash and recyclables by the curb the previous evening before going out with your friends to share many bottles of wine over dinner. It's fun to fling yourself out of a warm cozy bed with a fuzzy, wine colored, brain in the pre-dawn dark desperately grabbing at whatever warm things happen to be within hands reach as you try to side step the screeching cats in order to make your way out into the frostbitten morning so as to drag a behemouth of a garbage scented trash can to the curb.

At least I now get to drive with my friend Jerry to the beach so as to be able to perform in my friend's Improv Murder Mystery Troupe tonight. Right now, I'm dreading it, but the money is good. Perhaps I just need to re-adjust my attitude about the whole thing.



Ciao for now,
M

Still staying busy...

For now, at least, even quick, little posts must be better than none. Here's a new work that I completed yesterday...



And here is something totally tasteless, yet dripping with wonderful sarcastic and caustic British humour.

Busy paint boy...

Whew, I am a busy paint boy today. In fact, I have been a busy paint boy ever since arriving back from Italy. I don't have the time I want now to place a decent post here this morning as I am leaving in an hour for a job which will be followed up at 12:30 with a meeting with an interior designer who wants me to work on 2 murals. Not to mention my other artistic commissions and projects. But, I'm happy as a clam about all of it, and as my dear departed mother always used to say, "it's better than digging a ditch".

Here's one of my latest works (not the latest however as I haven't photographed that one yet).



"Young Folks"
6" x 12"
acrylic with vintage ephemeral &
photographic collage
2007
©Michael Sprouse

Back with a powerful video...

I've been a very busy boy to say the least...
Italy was phenomenal.
Thanksgiving was lovely.
And Henry Rollins is awe inspiring...

Off to Italy

I'm flying off to Rome today...how exciting!!

New season, new hairstyle

Hasn't it been a zillion days since my last visit here? Well, it's of little consequence. I find that the majority of visits here are from folks looking for images anyway. I've had an amazing last 18ish days since my last post. I can't, or won't, spend time documenting it all here, but it's been thought provoking to say the least. With that said, I'm off to Italy on Thursday and won't be back for about 2 weeks. How exciting. It's possible that I may be able to update this blog during my trip. If it is, well, then you'll know that I was able to do so. Here is a photo taken today. It's a new season, and I have a new hairstyle to go along with it. Enjoy.

In Memoriam...

In Memoriam...
Luciano Pavarotti
October 12, 1935 – September 6, 2007

Thus ends the holiday weeekend

Ah...the end of another Labor Day weekend as the sun rises on Tuesday morning. We spent the weekend entertaining one of our dearest friends (whom we affectionately call "doll-lips " most of the time - though the debate as to who first created the nickname - George or myself - rages on.) I will refer to her here as DL. Dl brought her new beau with her to the beach for George and I to meet for the first time. We all hit it off easily and had a great time.

Of course, we spent the weekend overindulging in food and drink - but we had a blast doing it. The weather was pristine (and it still is). This works out well for my ride back to NJ in a couple of hours. I'll hit the ground running there as I have one of my dearest friends coming to visit on Thursday morning for a long weekend and I have much to do between now and then. Amazingly, he and I have been friends for over 35 years. His wonderful and beautiful mother died earlier this year. She and I were close and he is brining a portion of her ashes for us to sprinkle into the ocean together.

I finally was able to watch "Pan's Labyrinth" last night with George and was mesmerized. In fact, it ended up being a weekend of "finally was able tos" or close to it, for myself. We were "finally able to" meet DL's new beau. I was finally able to finish reading the biography of Katherine Hepburn that I purchased and wrote about here almost a year ago ( you should read the book only if you are interested in the deconstruction and demythification of the classic Hepburn story). I took a bike ride with George and finally made it to the top of the great dune ( not having done so before not because of the ride but because we had never taken that route) where there is a spectacular view of the ocean. It's the largest and highest dune between Cape Cod and Lake Hatteras.


( you can see it here to the left in this wee photo)

I also waxed my car Monday afternoon. I enjoyed the process and it occurred to me while I was doing it that I haven't waxed a car for about 20 something years. I always find it worth pondering when thoughts like that arise. You're doing something benign like helping your brother to wax your father's car in the summer of 1983 and you forget about it until the next time you find yourself engaged in that action and it's 24 years later. It's a different time and place true, and space for that matter - but you're mentally brought back in time briefly. It's as if you have one foot in the past and one in the present. Fascinating.



By the way - Pan's Labyrinth is truly an amazing and beautiful film.

Now - I'm still waking up so I'm moving back to my coffee. More later.