On That Huge Powerball Jackpot Tonight

Once again, I am reminded of my two favorite quotes on millionaires.

"I am opposed to millionaires, but it would be dangerous to offer me the position." 

 --Mark Twain, US humorist, novelist, short story author, & wit (1835 - 1910)

and 

"I've never been a millionaire but I just know I'd be darling at it."

--Dorothy Parker US author, humorist, poet, & wit (1893 - 1967)

Good luck, y'all.  Have a great weekend. Regardless.

Link:  $900 Million Prize, 1 In 292 Million Odds — And A Few More Lottery Numbers

A great effort and foundation

You're familiar with the Playing For Change group maybe?



This organization has their own foundation and with it, they finance scholarships for young people's education, across the world.



If you're thinking about helping any organization this holiday season, you might consider them.

Happy holidays.

Links:   Playing for Change - Wikipedia

Playing for Change Foundation

Playing For Change Foundation - YouTube

KCPT hits a new low

I know they've been doing it for some time at KCPT--I don't know how long--but the fund raising they now do, DURING "The News Hour" is more than a bit galling. Somebody needed to say something about it, somewhere, even if nothing happens on it. I mentioned, earlier in the week here how bad it's gotten watching so many of their shows here lately. If you see that a singer is performing and you're familiar with their MO, you know you're going to get bombarded with requests to support them by buying some DVD or group of DVD's. If you like, need or want breaks from the TV for computer time or food or bathroom breaks, these shows and KCPT is the station for you. Link: http://kcpt.org

Today is World AIDS Day

We all need to know about this group and their work

I was just made aware of what is to me, a new organization and website that seems to do terrific work, showing what appears to be a direct and clear correlation between money elected officials receive and their voting records.

I know. Shocking, right?

But the fact is, they take raw, hard, reported data, put it in their computers and show direct paths from monetary contributions to our elected officials votes.

That's some great work.

Maybe, one day, with this kind of hard data, we can better get and keep control of our officials and government so the right and good things happen for the country, instead of just for corporations and the wealthy.

Hey, I can dream, can't I?

Molly Ivins would be pleased, rest her soul.

Anyway, the group is MAPLight and you can find them at MAPLight.org. (For what it's worth, I found it yesterday on The Huffington Post).

Knowledge being power, this is the kind of information we need so we can get back some power in this countr.

Following is from their site and tells of them and their work. Check it out.

Let's "follow the money", as the old saying goes, and hold and keep our representatives accountable to us.

Mission and Purpose

MAPLight.org, a groundbreaking public database, with offices located in Berkeley, California, illuminates the connection between campaign donations and legislative votes in unprecedented ways. Elected United States officials collect large sums of money to run their campaigns, and they often pay back campaign contributors with special access and favorable laws.

This common practice is contrary to the public interest, yet legal. MAPLight.org makes money/vote connections transparent, to help citizens hold their legislators accountable.

Nonprofit and Nonpartisan

MAPLight.org, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is nonpartisan. Contributions to MAPLight.org are tax-deductible as provided by law.

The Database
MAPLight.org combines three data sets:

•Bill texts and legislative voting records

•Supporting and opposing interests for each bill

•Campaign contribution data from the Center for Responsive Politics and the National

Institute on Money in State Politics

Combining this data makes visible key information that could never before be determined easily.