Yeah, same to you, Joel. You have been away, haven't you. I figured you to have been lurking rather than posting. Anything to share about your immediate activities?

I hate politics, despise most politicians and major political parties, and resent partisan political websites. So I can't help you on Herr Arnold Watching (otherwise known as HAWing.)

I've stopped in here now and again for a very quick looksee. I was working at a five-month contract in the summer and fall, and doing some fencing and building on my place in my spare time.

Right now I'm in the middle of a huge task involving switching our home and home office over to Mac (OS-X) from 14 years of Windows & PCs.

I feel good about it, but there have been data-transfer challenges on top of the learning curve around new software, procedures, habits, terminology, and all of that!

Bye for now,

J.

Joel,

your best bet might be a google news alert. He recently made a speech that left virtually the entire senate with their hands in their laps while the rest of the audience applauded. The first time I've felt in any way hopeful about him.

Ryan

The ultimate threat is the removal of gerrymandering as a means of job security for the legislature. The legislature didn't applaud that nor the threats to cinch down the budget process. While Tom Delay, a leader of the House, is redistricting Dems out of Texas and supporting the same process in other jurisdictions, Arnold wants to march in the other direction in California.

exterminator vs terminator?

:-)

Good synopsis or charactization.

BTW I forgot to mention that as a good Republican, the Governator will not raise taxes, will borrow to cover some of the deficit, and try to destroy the pension system of public service employees, including teachers. Public service unions are the sacred cows of Cal. Democrats.

I dislike the borrowing. As for the rest, cut away, even schools. As someone once quipped, "We tried ignorance and now it wants a raise."

Ryan

From up here in Canada, it seems such a strange phenomenon - actors (or wrestlers) who become governors or even presidents.

I'm surprised no one knows of a decent Web site devoted to following this career from an inquiring and possibly critical perspective. HAW!

J.

I saw such a site once Joel. It included some rather risque photos from a critical perspective. It also had a critical look at his politics. If I remember, the site was linked by some other site, so I can't imagine finding it again.

Wrestlers, huh? Strange & ridiculous at the same time, imo.

Good luck with your Mac. I switched to a Mac 2 years ago & haven't regetted it. I'd never go back.

Althea, too bad you can't remember.

As we look at the U.S. from Canada, the clout of celebrity and the entertainment industry seems amazing.

I don't put it beyond the realm of possibility that a popular actor can accomplish something good if he makes it into political office. But I do wonder whether a lot of people will look at his administration uncritically because they are charmed by him personally.

It's said that your Ronald Reagan constantly relied on his advisors because he was not personally politically astute - he just had to be a good public persona. And so people had to live with what his advisors came up with in terms of policy.

I'm in no position to bash Arnold, but I'd like to think that some Californians and others are focussed on what decisions and policies he's making and what direction he's taking. But probably people get their information from many different sources (radio, TV, papers, Web sites) and do not discuss it on any one site.

J.

I put the term arnold watch into Google and hit the "I feel lucky" button and got this.

Seems to be a blog devoted to Ahnold and his exploits

Here is a link that might be useful: Arnold watch

Thanks, Marshall.

J.

Lucy... Something's amiss. Can't remember what I was responding to last (to Marshall), but I should have thanked you for the link. I haven't been back here to re-read the thread until now.

I've checked in at the Arnold-watch site several times. So, belated 'thanks'.

J.