The Portal to Boomeranger World

Supreme Court Judge Sotomayor (Boomer Icon) Judge Sonya Sotomayor to ascend the high court bench,Brings Us Towards A More Perfect Union

Purple, green, polka dotted or what ever, I am so glad Judge Sonya Sotomayor was confirmed  today as only the third woman EVER! to sit on the Supreme Court. Her seating represents, as President Obama noted--that our nation is moving towards a more perfect union. I think often about The Constitution and its language--the pursuit of happiness, about which I have written, and towards a more perfect union. I love the action and volition that is implied in the language. That each of us citizens is offered the possibility to gain a state of happiness by what we choose and how we conduct ourselves. And that our nation as a whole moves towards a more perfect union. That union makes a happier, more productive, peaceful and satisfying national life by our collective choices. We have just moved forward today. Congratulations to us and to U.S. And congratulations to Judge Sotomayor.

See this article for a round up discussion:

A Latina on Top Court

Now playing: Slate V, a video-only site from the world's leading online magazine. Visit Slate V at www.slatev.com

By Daniel Politi

Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, at 6:55 AM ET The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal's world-wide newsbox lead with the Senate confirming Sonia Sotomayor as the first Hispanic justice on the Supreme Court. After three days of debate, the final vote, 68-31, was largely along party lines, although nine Republicans did cross over and vote for Sotomayor's confirmation. The White House went into celebratory mode, and President Obama hailed her confirmation as "breaking yet another barrier and moving us yet another step closer to a more perfect union." Chief Justice John Roberts will swear in the Supreme Court's newest member Saturday morning.

USAT says the White House celebration was tempered by the fact that "the vote was not nearly as bipartisan as Obama had sought." But the LAT says that, ultimately, more Republicans voted for her than was expected. The WSJ declares it was a victory for the White House that senators voted within the timetable that the administration had requested. The WP highlights that Sotomayor got more votes against her than Roberts but fewer than President George W. Bush's other nominee, Samuel Alito. Republicans also tried to claim a victory of their own, stating that during the hearings, Sotomayor and Democratic senators spoke against the idea that empathy is an important qualification to serve on the nation's highest court. "It will now be harder to nominate activist judges," Sen. Jeff Sessions, the top Republican on the judiciary committee, said.

To continue reading, click here.  Daniel Politi writes "Today's Papers" for Slate. He can be reached at todayspapers@slate.com.

Donald Tang: A Man Moved by Love

How Love Can Shape a Boomer's Life

My Country Series books

I came across Donald Tang, a trailing edge boomer, because I am starting to work on a new book, the first in our new www.thimbleberrypress.com My Country series intended for middle school social studies classes.  (In the works also in this series is Vol II. My Country: Haiti, which will be in English, Creole and French with a companion Draw on Culture Activity and Coloring book.)

I was noodling around the internet, since almost all my China research materials and books are in NJ and the local library in Calumet, Michigan has 6 books on China, the most recent of which was published in 1984. I found my way to the Asia Society of So Cal site and discovered Donald Tang who is now its Chairman. This quote from a 2007 speech really grabbed my attention:

He Came for Love

Following the woman he loved from China to America, here are his words:

And I want to use this occasion to thank my girlfriend of 28 years, my wife of 23 years, the girl who stood by my side since I was 14--if I have done one thing right in my life it has to be my choice of a partner in love, my partner in life, my partner in giving, Thank you, Jean. And for giving me the greatest gifts of all, our daughters Rosemarie and Elaine.

For many of us, the kids are what inspire and motivate us to make a difference--because they are the future, they are what we are living for, not only in India, in China and but everywhere in the world. They are our legacy.

Wow! here is a man after my own heart--that love can and should be the greatest motivator. So let me add to my list in a former post about the GNH (Gross National Happiness)and so on with GNL (Gross National Love), GNE (Gross National Ease), and GNHR (Gross National Harmony). How amazing it would be if we measured our world on these metrics...

The article below is from a year or so ago and he is now embarking on new projects that will bring Chinese culture and language to the US! I have worked so long on these projects that  I am thrilled with some one of his skill, talent and heart undertaking such a project. And that kids are at its core--well, kudos, Mr. Tang.

So enjoy this profile of Donald Tang...

(Read More:)

Laughter, Longevity and Whoopi

Thinking about Whoopi

Just thinking about Whoopi Goldberg Whoopi Goldberg makes me laugh. Way back when--in the 70's, Whoopi played Town Hall in NYc and I nearly peed myself laughing so hard.

 

One of her most memorable acts was a a Valley Girl. She took a man's white shirt, buttoned it around her head and Voila! there was a tossing mane of blond hair. OMG!

That Town Hall show moved to Broadway in 1984 under the direction of Mike Nichols and launched Whoopi in to stardom.

Lo, all these years later, all I have to do is see a white shirt and I cackle!