Tikkun Olam

(nablopomo day 8) Why are we still dependent on Arab oil? According to the USGS (hat tip Hezbos ), we have vast potential oil reserves of our own--possibly billions of barrels worth!  Our economy is in shambles, jobs are scarce and more are being depleted weekly--companies are still laying people off, closing positions and curtailing spending. Wouldn't it make sense to begin drilling right here in the United States? An expanded oil industry would create many more jobs and boost the economy.  At the same time, we could be exploring alternative energy sources and increasing research and development.  And last but certainly not least, we wouldn't be filling OPEC coffers with money which could be fueling terrorists.

I took it upon myself  to participate in NaBloPoMo (again) , which is that silly little acronym for Na tional Bl og Po sting Mo nth. Which means I will have to post on a daily basis, which I never would have undertaken had I been working.  So you can sufficiently surmise that my work project (temporary, for approximately one month) has ended.  This past Tuesday, mid-day, to be exact.  I have thus returned to the ranks of the unemployed, looking for work again. Meanwhile , I have been searching sites for an apartment for my son and his family, since he told me he was actively looking.  I placed an ad on Janglo, am searching Homeless (isn't that a great name for an apartment hunting site?) and other places.  So if you are familiar with southeast Jerusalem (Talpiyot, Abu Tor, Arnona, Katamon, Baka, etc.) and know of something nice--it has to be nice --(3-4 rooms, under 3,000 NIS/month), please comment or email me.  If it meets his criteria, I'll pass i...

Sometime a week and a half ago--finally--after some technical glitches which caused me not to receive any emails about it--I was notified that another temporary project (can't say what) was starting up in May, and would I be interested in participating again.  I said 'yes' and grabbed at the opportunity.  Now, I haven't had the time nor energy to post since I began working last Monday. Yes, work is good, but you know how it is--after a long time of unemployment, you get used to going to bed at all hours and getting up when it's not even morning anymore...sometimes (thank goodness, not too often)! There's no structure to your day: you (uh, that's me) sit at your PC and surf the 'net, reading article after article, watching videos on YouTube, answering emails and thinking about blogging (sometimes actually posting a post).  You get there--to your PC that is--at around 10 a.m., if you're lucky to have awakened before noon--and you sit there in your ...

My husband and I were panicking, because our extended unemployment benefits were about to expire , and the new emergency bill was stalled in the Senate, because of Senator Jim Bunning (R., Kentucky) who filibustered against it. He ended his filibuster yesterday, and the Senate voted to pass the bill (I received this information first--believe it or not--just a short while ago from my cousin N. in Israel!) I understand there is a huge government deficit, but cutting unemployment benefits is not the way to reduce it. A better idea would be for the government to call in some of the stimulus money sent to bail out the big corporations, and to stipulate that these stimulus packages may not be used for huge bonuses and company perks such as spas and massages. And this is what could happen to us (G-d forbid) or to anyone without a job , if unemployment benefits are curtailed: Justin Julian is one the 1 million people who are desperate for Congress to take action next week. If they don...

I am having a great time just participating in the chat room, virtually 'meeting' other bloggers by watching the live webcast and chatting with other bloggers. I am seeing bloggers whose blogs I read, and I wish there were some way we could have video set-ups for each chat-room member so if we choose, we could see and be seen (anonymity, be gone!). Right now, different bloggers are being introduced, while the general hevre went to have dinner (I ran to get my oatmeal breakfast & more coffee)! Benji Lovitt of What War Zone is about to to a stand-up; they are all coming back from dinner now... Benji is funny, no question about it. Stand up comedy is serious business, and it is TOUGH. Will try to update this as it is happening (Jameel, thanks for setting a precedent!); it is 8:03 p.m. Israel time, and Benji is into his act: talking about the funnyness (is that a word?) of the Hebrew language for olim chadashim... Ron Dermer speaking now--discussing the changing paradigm o...