A new milestone and Dubya

Now the death toll is 9/11 times two. Death toll of American men and women in Afghanistan and Iraq has reached 2973, the same number killed at twin-tower on 9/11. Iraqi civilian death is in thousands and no one even talks about that. “Macho” attitude of Dubya and his cronies got us in a mess. Their arrogance doesn’t allow them to see their mistake. So, no course changes. Yet, they think that’s their strength and others are soft.

Now our fear-mongering president is “blitzing” with new rhetoric to keep his party in power. Is he afraid that if his cronies lose, he may face “impeachment” music? The Iranian President said things in the UN and to the press that might not be totally untrue. The Venezuelan President said things that were in bad taste, but again there might be some truth in it. Truth hurts and truth is bitter at times. Has this administration been fair and just to all the people, all the nations?

This administration diverts attention from serious domestic issues like health care, social security, deficit, poor Katrina victims and so on. The self-proclaimed “uniter” has become the greatest divider of our people and our world by playing on fear, emotions (same sex marriage, abortion, religion, etc. which do not put food on table), and flag waving. Because of this administration we have lost respect and credibility in the eyes of the world. The world saw the ugly pictures of Abu Ghraib and Gitmo. The world witnessed helplessly America allow destruction of Lebanon. Thank the framers of our constitution that Dubya has only two more years. I hope these past few years have been an eye opener for the people.

Back to down town

On Friday, September 8 we packed. On 11th I was in my new office at 1100 Louisiana, down town Houston on the 14th floor unpacking. I have a beautiful view through my window, but have time only to stare at my other "Window" with my fingers on the key board. Someone asked me if I was getting a bigger office (than the place we moved from). Bigger office, big title, personal secretary, blah, blah, blah. What egos people are made of! Like some one said in a movie, rather “show me the money” for what I am worth.

Down Town: It was like a home coming after 5 years. It was sad, yet nostalgic to pass by the Enron building at 1400 Smith Street where I had worked for many years. The place wasn’t humming with energy like it used to. Exxon building 26th floor, Pennzoil building, 1 Allen Center, 3 Allen Center, Texas Commerce Tower 58th floor – I worked in all those buildings over the years. I used to jog on the trails by the Buffalo Bayou. Many Marathon runs, 10 K Rodeo runs, 20 Ks, Jingle Bell runs I ran through the city streets in the past. I used to see people feeding the pigeons at the park with the Reflection Pond in front of the city hall. I saw down town skyline change in the last three decades. There is Metro rail now. Buffalo Bayou has been cleaned up and spruced up for an evening walk. The Enron Field has become the Minute Maid Park where Astros play. There are many city dwellers living in lofts. City streets have been renovated. There are fewer beggars and homeless people (perhaps the City Government forced them to hide). I still saw one or two beggars or mental patients digging through trash cans, a sad revelation of human tragedy in a shiny, affluent city called the Space City.

I recognize the city, yet I feel like a stranger. There is a whole new generation of younger work force. I look for my old acquaintances during lunch break, but none to be found. The Enron army has scattered all over the earth and perhaps lying low to make a few more dollars to make up for the losses. Perhaps many have retired. Perhaps many have gray hair like mine. Perhaps a few even passed away quietly. It is my downtown, but I feel like Rip Van Winkle in this jungle of high rises, city dwellers, and young folks with pretty smiles trying to conquer the world

Many facets of our lives:

Sometimes we are happy and sometimes we are not. Our daughter just got three kittens and she is happy about it. When our cat Tigger had a stroke, we were all down and depressed. Some one had sent me an urgent email recently asking to call. There was depression related to relationship. I just got back from a funeral. The surviving spouse had swollen eyes from the tears she shed. My niece in California had a simple, private ceremony to feed solid food to her 6-month old for the first time and it was a happy occasion. My wife just had a ceiling fan hung in her study and she should be a little happier; one more of her to-do is done. Tomorrow is Labor Day holiday in these United States. The workers toiling to survive may not have much to cheer. However, for others it’s barbeque time, time to shop, or do nothing and be happy.

Happiness and sorrow are like two sides of a coin. Perhaps only the saints reach that plane of eternal happiness. We must learn to live with these facets knowing that none of these are permanent.