Third Saturday Seminar, Session 4
Politics and the Economy, “The Way Forward”*

(Are we hearing, or making, wakeup calls?)
Populist Anger and Economic Stressors
Curt Gibby

December 12, 2009 (2nd Saturday), 9:30 am til 12:00 noon as usual.
Room B-102, Lone Star College – Montgomery
3200 College Park Drive – Conroe, TX – 77384 – 936.273.7000

We will discuss points made during  two recent “NOW” Episodes. http://www.pbs.org/now/
As usual you are encouraged to preview the material on the Internet.

These are the links to the actual episodes (24 min each) and their transcripts.  These two interviewees make some clear and challenging statements.  We’ll be interested in what you have to say as we discuss them
David Brancaccio talks to political author and columnist David Sirota about populist anger, the Obama administration’s successes and failures, and how the recent election results foreshadow the state of politics in 2010.  http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/545/index.html  transcript at http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/545/transcript.html

and
Elizabeth Warren on the Economy. Stocks are up, but so is unemployment. What’s wrong with this economic picture and what’s being done about it?
This episode of NOW gets answers and insight from Harvard professor Elizabeth Warren, who’s been heading up the congressional panel overseeing how the bailout money is being spent. NOW Senior Correspondent Maria Hinojosa talks with Warren about how we got to this point, and where we go from here.
 http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/546/index.html  transcript at http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/546/transcript.html
*the way forward   (Definition) 
  Something that would have a positive influence on life at this moment
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=the+way+forward

CURRENT EVENTS: We will start out, as usual, with “Current Events:”
In the following you will find links to two Saturday Night Live videos spoofing all two of the current events mentioned.

Obama has decided what our course of action will be in Afghanistan.   Mark “May, 2011” on your calendars.  It is or could be, the time our troops start to leave Afghanistan, or, the time  the Generals and the Administration “test the water” to see what we and they are ready to do.  Or, the date could mean absolutely nothing.  (Which, by now,  should not be a surprise to Americans).

For those who are inveterate rubber-neckers whenever they see an automobile accident, you must be getting a work out trying to keep up with the Tiger Woods Chronicles.  This morning when I checker the bimbo count was up to 10, 3 are anonymous?  Elin’s mother went to the hospital for a should rest.  I don’t blame her. http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/clips/tiger-woods-accident/1182383/

And

Michaele and Tareq Salahi, two prominent con artists,  were able, despite not being on the invitation list, to get into the White House prior to last Tuesday’s state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and mingled for some time before the real invitees sat down for dinner. Before that, however, the Salahis were able to meet U.S. President Barack Obama — the White House released photographic evidence of that encounter — and have pictures taken with other officials, including Vice President Joe Biden. (UPI.COM)   Should they be thrown in federal prison or be given an award for pointing out the weakness, obvious though it was, in White House Gala Security provisions? 

On one of our first “dates”  the girl who became my wife and I conducted a security penetration (a “ZULU-FIVE-OSCAR”) of a Navy Ship by mingling with the crowd on the pier across from the target vessel awaiting the return of another Navy ship from a WestPac Cruise and then pretending to be pregnant and in distress to get into the ships sick bay… it was easy.
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/clips/obama-afghanistan-cold-open/1182362/

And finally, the reformers in Iran continue to put pressure the corrupt establishment at considerable risk to themselves.  Please keep them in your prayers.

A Public Service Announcement:
Lucie Blue Tremblay Sings at the Millbend Coffee House Saturday Evening Dec 12th at 8 PM
Reserve Tickets and get directions at http://millbend.org/   or call (281) 350-3052 or (936) 273-0610.
French Canadian singer/songwriter Lucie Blue Tremblay is one of Canada’s finest vocalists, as well as an accomplished musician and phenomenal songwriter.  Her music is intensely personal, sometimes sweet and clear, at others earthy and unrestrained.  But she is always reaching out to her audience with great warmth and enthusiasm, sharing the passion and wonder that love and music have brought to her life.  Her music is beautiful and inspiring, and it speaks of the breadth of emotions common to us all as we seek to be in touch with our spirit and at home in our world.  Northwoods Flute Choir will open the concert performing holiday favorites from the Nutcracker Suite and other entertaining selectionsAbout The Third Saturday Seminar:
This is the 4th meeting of the Third Saturday Seminar for
the 2009-2010 season. We run from September to June.

Started in January 2000, We are about personal empowerment through
demystification. Our subject matter is broad but it always tries to be
about understanding ourselves and others better; and, having fun.

The Third Saturday Seminar (TSS) is sponsored by the Academy of
Lifelong Learning (ALL) Program at Lone Star College – Montgomery http://www.lonestar.edu/all-montgomery.htm

There is no fee for ALL members to attend TSS. You can find the ALL FALL Schedule at: http://www.lonestar.edu/departments/ce/Allfallschedule.pdf (See below for what I know about the spring Semester. The Third Saturday in January is the 16th. but consider the following, lets call it TBD )
College Re-opens Monday, January 4, 2010
ALL Open House/Social Saturday, January 23, 2010 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. in Bldg A Commons
ALL Classes begin week of January 25, 2009
Watch the website and your mailbox for upcoming schedule of 2010 classes!

Course Information – 
Meets mostly on Third Saturdays in Room B-102

For information about Lone Star College Montgomery : http://montgomery.lonestar.edu/

Maps:
Watch out for the Construction. I am told that Building B will become dedicated to the Nursing program. We may be orphans for a while. Stay Tuned.
http://map-it.woodstock.edu/map_pdf/B_floor_1.pdf
http://www.lonestar.edu/maps-montgomery.htm
http://www.lonestar.edu/maps.htm

As usual, if anything in this notice doesn’t work or make sense (It is midnight somewhere), please let me know so I can warn the others.  If the spelling and syntax seems more fractured than usual, chalk it up to the fact I am (still, still) breaking in a new laptop computer (or, perhaps it’s the other way
around.) Down with Vista!! Bill Gates is a nebbish! Windows 7? Give me a break!

Hope to see you Saturday. If not, Happy Holidays! Will your Christmas (or whatever) be white?

Best regards,

Curt Gibby
Director, Third Saturday Seminar
Box 73207
Houston, Tx 77273

fax 281-288-8230
gcgconsult (at) n-star.com
http://www.northstarinst.org/TSS/
(REALLY OUT OF DATE)Don’t (be) panic(ed)!