a little sunburnt

Downtown Baltimore with apple

Helen and I, and her family went to the beach yesterday near Assateague islands. It was my first experience on an ocean front beach with real sounds and big waves. I did attempt to take on a wave ot two, only to be thrown about. Let's just say I now know what it feels like to be washed up on a beach.

Did anyone see the youtube debates? I thought it was a welcoming change of debate forum, and I'm excited to upload my own questions for the Republican youtube debates in September. It's too bad viewers couldn't vote on which ones the politicians would have to answer.

I believe that most politicians are so removed from the common folk that the fail to fight for what really matters to americans. I.E Healthcare reform. The politician all have excellent heathcare so I'm sure they've never been faced with that fear of a medical bill. I read in Newsweek an article titled "The Down and Out Tour" by Jonathon Darman which highlights John Edwards recent poverty tour. Apparently he lives in a 28,000 square foot home and recently sported a 400$ haircut. Hmmmm.....even though his poverty tour is noble, is certainly hard to connect 100% if you are living the priveledged life.

A Plein Air painting

I've been finding the challenge of painting outdoors exhilarating. The challenge of getting to a spot, visualizing the scene, and painting within nature is addicting. And it brings a change from my studio routine.

When I was painting this scene by a nearby school a group of summer school kids spotted me. It wasn't long before I heard sounds of "Hey Mr Witte!!" I substitute teach at this school on occasion and I have become fairly known in the neighborhood by all the elementary children. Soon I had group gathered around me. It reminded of my college days of being an airbrush artist amusement park back in Iowa . You had some pressure and a lot of curious onlookers.

The painting needs some tweaks, but not to bad.

July 4th

Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.

Instead of venturing inot the 4th of July crowds at the in DC, Helen and I opted to go see the movie Sicko, by Michael Moore. The movie is an enlightening, enraging, and a humurous look at the HMO industry. Micheal Moore examines the "socialized systems of Canada, France, Great Britian and Cuba. These systems aren't perfect, but they work and entitle all of its citizens the basic human right of health care. When you see patient "dumping", those individuals who are of lower class and no health care, you realize the criminality in our health care system. And the film is funny when it points out the garbage rhetoric that comes from the HMO industry attempting to scare us all into thinking we will morph into some kind of imprisoning socialistic society if we go to an accessible health care system. Basically, simply put the HMO industry is corrupt and attempting to make as much money as it can.

Honestly, I don't know how anyone can work for company whom offer bonuses based on denying claims or dropping coverage suddenly to individuals who have "discovered" and undisclosed health problem that is found after your extensive background checks.

Do yourself a favor and see this film. More info on the subject here