Socks

Former First Cat Socks was euthanized on Friday. He was 19 or 20 years old and had been diagnosed with cancer. Socks was a stray who was adopted by Chelsea Clinton when her father was governor of Arkansas. When Clinton was elected president, Socks moved to the White House and was so popular the White House had to issue a statement asking reporters to leave him alone. Socks had his own fan club and was featured in many books including one written by Hillary Rodham Clinton called Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids' Letters to the First Pets. Not to be outdone by his family, Socks was involved in his own scandal when Indiana's Republican Representative, Dan Burton questioned the use of White House staff and postage to answer the many letters Socks received.

When the Clinton's left the White House, Socks went to live with Clinton's' secretary Betty Currie. She and Socks had become very attached over the years and she asked if she could keep him. In the last few years Socks made few public appearances choosing to enjoy the company of his family, his special home-made chicken dinners, and the occasional visit from his former family.

The Clinton's issued this statement: "Socks brought much happiness to Chelsea and us over the years, and enjoyment to kids and cat lovers everywhere. We're grateful for those memories, and we especially want to thank our good friend, Betty Currie, for taking such loving care of Socks for so many years."

I'm really pleased with Obama's choice of Biden as his VP. While I think Hillary would have been a wonderful President or VP there would have been too much drama with BC's continuing bad behavior. Hillary supporters who are looking for someone to blame for her failure to obtain the nomination or to be offered the VP spot should look no further than her husband. He did more damage to her campaign than anyone else. BC was a wonderful president and the work he is doing with his foundation is also wonderful. I just wish he could have put his wife first for once in his life and helped her instead of hurting her during her campaign. The same goes for Edwards.

I have no idea whether anyone can undo the damage Bush has done to our country or to the rest of the world but if anyone can it's the democrats, not McCain.

The unelectability of Hillary????

In an article in the Modesto Bee (11/30/07), novelist Mary Gordon is quoted as saying "I think no woman is electable in America, and particularly not Hillary because she is married to this guy whom everyone is libidinally attached to. I think there is unconscious sexual jealousy of her among women."
I guess that explains why Hillary is not my first choice. It's not her vote for the war in Iraq or any of her other positions I don't agree with, it's my jealousy of her relationship with Bill. Give me a break. If anything, her relationship to Bill makes me more inclined to support her candidacy. What thinking person wouldn't want Bill back in the White House even as First Whatever. The years of experience that Bill and Hillary bring to the office may be the only thing that can save us from the disastrous 8 years of W's regime.

Kiva

I discovered the website Kiva.org while reading a book just published by Bill Clinton. Here is a description of the program, known as microcredit, from their website: "Kiva lets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back." This idea comes from Bangladeshi banker and economist Muhammad Yunus who founded the Grameen Bank which loans small amounts of money to enterpreneurs too poor to qualify for traditional bank loans. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in 2006.
I like this program because you can give a small amount of money, as little as $25.00, and you can choose the receipient.
Please check out their website at http://www.kiva.org/
For more ideas on giving I highly recommend the new book by Bill Clinton: Giving: how each of us can change the world.
HCPL has many copies of the book and the audiobook.