So, finally we have come to the final count down for the Bush Administration. It has been a long and very damaging eight years. The Constitution has been denigrated and called just a piece of paper. Wars have been started with lies. People have been tortured. Spying on citizens has become a normal course of action. The good of the majority has been subjected to the whim of the few.
But now, we have begun to see that the light at the end of tunnel is not in fact, a train. Like most, I hope for the best possible outcome. But, I also realize that the man we have chosen us to lead us out of the wilderness, is a man. With all of the problems that are inherent in the species.
We know already that he is a great orator. He may turn out to be a great leader. That is my most fervent hope. For the problems he faces are great. And, they are many. With more arriving, seemingly by the day.
The world's climate is headed for a very questionable future from the hands of man. It only remains to be seen how bad it will be. We are mired in a war of choice in Iraq. Afghanistan is drawing us in and there will certainly be more deaths for all in that place. The US, as well as the world economy is crashing like the Hindenburg. Our health care system is anything but. Peak Oil is bearing down upon us, with seeming scant notice by the populace at large. In part fueled by bullshit shoveled ever so heavily by our own government and big oil.
Those of course aren't all of the problems, but it's a pretty good starting list. I have already stated that I believe him to be entirely human. So, do I want him to be in any way ordinary? Not a chance. Just to bring the country out the other end of his Presidency marginally improved will take a Herculean effort.
Indeed, we have seen over these past years, what mediocrity, ineptitude, deception and cronyism can do for us. It has taken us from world leader, to nearly third world. From surplus, to indebtedness that will haunt our Grandchildren. From beacon to the world, to one to be mistrusted and feared. Not a great legacy.
Now. In this time. We are in need of true leadership. We are in need of someone with character, who will not shrink from telling us the truth. Who will expect from us our measure of sacrifice. Who will be tireless and fearless in the face of his/our daunting tasks in the days, months and years ahead.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Rick Warren
It's not uncommon, nay, it is expected, that when a newly elected President begins actually naming names for posts in the government, that there will be some dissent among the Party faithful.
Yesterday, PE Obama named Rick Warren to pray at his Inauguration. What ensued was a shitstorm. Mr. Warren is a known homophobe. Not exactly a plus among the Democratic rank and file. Not among the blogosphere. And, specifically, not among the GLBT group and their many supporters.
As one might expect, there was a truckload of diaries posted almost immediately. Some, of the death to the infidels type. But, most of the WTF variety. And, I must say, the latter are of the type that were of most interest to me.
Very few of the diaries had anything to do with praying. For a goodly many of us, praying is tantamount to the childhood game of wishing upon a star. Rather, they were based upon Mr. Warren's homophobic thinking. An always amusing, but very sick stance, to me. Love thy neighbor. Except if he/she is a GLBT, a Muslim, or (insert group).
We may in time know the reason for this WTF choice. It should be interesting, whatever it is. Suffice to say, that my own thinking is very straightforward on this matter. The guy's name should never have come up. For any reason. That being said, I voted for PE Obama to make the choices. He made his. Time to move on.
Yesterday, PE Obama named Rick Warren to pray at his Inauguration. What ensued was a shitstorm. Mr. Warren is a known homophobe. Not exactly a plus among the Democratic rank and file. Not among the blogosphere. And, specifically, not among the GLBT group and their many supporters.
As one might expect, there was a truckload of diaries posted almost immediately. Some, of the death to the infidels type. But, most of the WTF variety. And, I must say, the latter are of the type that were of most interest to me.
Very few of the diaries had anything to do with praying. For a goodly many of us, praying is tantamount to the childhood game of wishing upon a star. Rather, they were based upon Mr. Warren's homophobic thinking. An always amusing, but very sick stance, to me. Love thy neighbor. Except if he/she is a GLBT, a Muslim, or (insert group).
We may in time know the reason for this WTF choice. It should be interesting, whatever it is. Suffice to say, that my own thinking is very straightforward on this matter. The guy's name should never have come up. For any reason. That being said, I voted for PE Obama to make the choices. He made his. Time to move on.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Mitchell Wade
Mitchell Wade, in case you need some help remembering, is the CEO of MZM. His company held defense contracts with the U.S. Government. He was also convicted of bribing former Congressman "Duke" Cunningham, of San Diego, CA.
Now it turns out, that Mr. Wade, in order to try and reduce his sentence, has been cooperating with the Feds. How much cooperating? Well, let's see here. There are, after much discussion, now five members, or former members, of Congress being actively investigated.
Sure is a slow process. One might think that after getting Mr. Cunningham put away, it would be pretty quick work to get to the others. Not so. Mr. Cunningham, who was sentenced on 03/03/06, to 8 years and 4 months, was, it appears, the low hanging fruit. And, it was only after Mr. Wade was selected to spend some quality time in the U.S. Penal System, that these discussion began.
So, when do we get to find out who these five people are? No one is saying. At least at the moment. It seems as though we will have to wait a little longer to find out who else will have the opportunity to vacation within the confines of the University of Federal Prison.
It may be slow, but it seems to be working. We can only hope that with a new Administration, such activity will begin to pick up speed. And, I hope like hell, people like Tom DeLay, are losing sleep, as more and more light is shone down upon them.
Now it turns out, that Mr. Wade, in order to try and reduce his sentence, has been cooperating with the Feds. How much cooperating? Well, let's see here. There are, after much discussion, now five members, or former members, of Congress being actively investigated.
Sure is a slow process. One might think that after getting Mr. Cunningham put away, it would be pretty quick work to get to the others. Not so. Mr. Cunningham, who was sentenced on 03/03/06, to 8 years and 4 months, was, it appears, the low hanging fruit. And, it was only after Mr. Wade was selected to spend some quality time in the U.S. Penal System, that these discussion began.
So, when do we get to find out who these five people are? No one is saying. At least at the moment. It seems as though we will have to wait a little longer to find out who else will have the opportunity to vacation within the confines of the University of Federal Prison.
It may be slow, but it seems to be working. We can only hope that with a new Administration, such activity will begin to pick up speed. And, I hope like hell, people like Tom DeLay, are losing sleep, as more and more light is shone down upon them.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Caviar
We have, over the past eight years, been fed bullshit, masquerading as caviar. We have been told, as recently as during the Presidential debates, by Mr. McCain, that the economy was doing great. His pal, Mr. Bush, agreed wholeheartedly, saying that the fundamentals of the economy were sound.
We "Support the Troops." You can hear it, still, dribbling from the lips of those who have done so little. First, they sent them into a war for oil. Based entirely upon, giving it the best spin possible, cherry picked evidence. They had no plan post Baghdad. They didn't provide the necessary equipment for those whom they had placed in harms way. When those troops came back they were shunted off to places where they could easily be ignored. The story of those placed at Walter Reed is instructive.
Last week, we were told that many of those who had been in the Gulf War in the early nineties were/are sickened. How many? How about 1 in 4. Twenty-five percent of those who were sent to the Gulf by GHWB, are afflicted by Gulf War Syndrome. The VA, for years, denied that any such thing existed. Refusing to care for those who had served. Until of course they were found to be shredding files of those who would be given care.
One would expect much better of this country. Especially, those in power who put those troops into the situation in the first place. But, even with the information in the previous paragraph, it gets worse. At any one time during the year, there are between 500,000 and a million homeless veterans in the United States. When they were asked to serve, they went without hesitation. When they need help, they are given the underside of a bridge.
A very large contingency of the GOP is quite vocal about reproductive rights. They block the doors of Abortion clinics. They will smile smugly, when damage is done to one of those clinics. And, many, really don't mind all that much when the medical staff at one of these places is murdered in the name of the Rights of the Unborn. With that in mind, there would be, the utmost attention given to those who are then born. No matter their circumstance.
Oh, if that were only true. What we have instead, is 700,000 children who went hungry in the United States in 2007. Add the adults and we have 36.2 Million who struggled with hunger. But, let us forget the adults. If we can. And, return to the children. Why, if children are so important, would there be any child who could/would not have enough to eat.
For that answer, please return to the first sentence, of the first paragraph of this diary. What is so injurious, is that those of us who were fed that bullshit, either believed it, or did nothing about what we knew were lies.
With a new President. With a new Congress. With a mandate from the people. A real mandate. And, not the idiocy presented to us by Mr. Bush. We can hope that together. As a nation. We can begin the process of caring for those who we know are the most vulnerable. And, in the most need of care.
We "Support the Troops." You can hear it, still, dribbling from the lips of those who have done so little. First, they sent them into a war for oil. Based entirely upon, giving it the best spin possible, cherry picked evidence. They had no plan post Baghdad. They didn't provide the necessary equipment for those whom they had placed in harms way. When those troops came back they were shunted off to places where they could easily be ignored. The story of those placed at Walter Reed is instructive.
Last week, we were told that many of those who had been in the Gulf War in the early nineties were/are sickened. How many? How about 1 in 4. Twenty-five percent of those who were sent to the Gulf by GHWB, are afflicted by Gulf War Syndrome. The VA, for years, denied that any such thing existed. Refusing to care for those who had served. Until of course they were found to be shredding files of those who would be given care.
One would expect much better of this country. Especially, those in power who put those troops into the situation in the first place. But, even with the information in the previous paragraph, it gets worse. At any one time during the year, there are between 500,000 and a million homeless veterans in the United States. When they were asked to serve, they went without hesitation. When they need help, they are given the underside of a bridge.
A very large contingency of the GOP is quite vocal about reproductive rights. They block the doors of Abortion clinics. They will smile smugly, when damage is done to one of those clinics. And, many, really don't mind all that much when the medical staff at one of these places is murdered in the name of the Rights of the Unborn. With that in mind, there would be, the utmost attention given to those who are then born. No matter their circumstance.
Oh, if that were only true. What we have instead, is 700,000 children who went hungry in the United States in 2007. Add the adults and we have 36.2 Million who struggled with hunger. But, let us forget the adults. If we can. And, return to the children. Why, if children are so important, would there be any child who could/would not have enough to eat.
For that answer, please return to the first sentence, of the first paragraph of this diary. What is so injurious, is that those of us who were fed that bullshit, either believed it, or did nothing about what we knew were lies.
With a new President. With a new Congress. With a mandate from the people. A real mandate. And, not the idiocy presented to us by Mr. Bush. We can hope that together. As a nation. We can begin the process of caring for those who we know are the most vulnerable. And, in the most need of care.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Mandate Center Left
As of today, there still seems to be lot of blather in the traditional media, and specifically the other side of the political spectrum, on how the US, is a center right nation. Let us save a lot of wasted time, effort and energy here, and call that thought for what it really is. Namely, bullshit.
Center right? No. This election was a repudiation of the right and it's politics and policies. There was a clear (as opposed to Bush) mandate for a move to the left. And, just so we know what left and right mean here, right means corporate, left means people.
To make the case, lets look at some interesting numbers, shall we? Of those who were surveyed, 64% believed that government should guarantee health care for all. For this item, self identified Republicans say that universal health care coverage should be a right for all Americans. What they mean of course, is US citizens. Since Americans would be all on the continent. So, lets just speak for ourselves here.
How about some other numbers? A full 73% of agree that large corporations pay too little taxes. Sounds a lot like redistribution of wealth there. What about that Republican whine that talking with the enemy is weak and traitorous? Well, 67% favor more diplomacy with our enemies. Was that just the Commie wing? No, just your typical center left US citizen.
Lastly, let us look in on the sex part of the left/right divide. Nearly two-thirds of US citizens agree with Roe v Wade. What with all of the noise from the Wurlitzer, one might think that the whole country, except for a few Democrats (Communists) favored such a thing. And what about gay marriage? Well, 58% of those queried, oppose an Amendment to the Constitution that would ban gay marriage.
On that last point, let us be clear. The LDS and their money stopped the gay marriage movement in California. That is very unfortunate for a lot of people. However, it will not be the final word. This will come up again. And, next time, there will be better organization, better planning and much better execution in this matter. Whether the christian wrong, in all it's iterations, likes it or not, this will come to pass.
Just for the hell of it. And, because I can, I think I'll throw in a couple of other items, number wise. A full 78% agree that investing in clean energy is important to revitalizing our economy. And, for ;the deniers of the world, 57% support reducing global warming pollution.
Center right? Not a chance in hell. The way forward (read progressive/liberal) is to move the country once again down the humane path of the center left. After the disaster that was the Bush era, it is time to clean our house of the pests and filth. It is time to air out and let the sun shine throughout.
Welcome back, US citizenry. To the center left.
Center right? No. This election was a repudiation of the right and it's politics and policies. There was a clear (as opposed to Bush) mandate for a move to the left. And, just so we know what left and right mean here, right means corporate, left means people.
To make the case, lets look at some interesting numbers, shall we? Of those who were surveyed, 64% believed that government should guarantee health care for all. For this item, self identified Republicans say that universal health care coverage should be a right for all Americans. What they mean of course, is US citizens. Since Americans would be all on the continent. So, lets just speak for ourselves here.
How about some other numbers? A full 73% of agree that large corporations pay too little taxes. Sounds a lot like redistribution of wealth there. What about that Republican whine that talking with the enemy is weak and traitorous? Well, 67% favor more diplomacy with our enemies. Was that just the Commie wing? No, just your typical center left US citizen.
Lastly, let us look in on the sex part of the left/right divide. Nearly two-thirds of US citizens agree with Roe v Wade. What with all of the noise from the Wurlitzer, one might think that the whole country, except for a few Democrats (Communists) favored such a thing. And what about gay marriage? Well, 58% of those queried, oppose an Amendment to the Constitution that would ban gay marriage.
On that last point, let us be clear. The LDS and their money stopped the gay marriage movement in California. That is very unfortunate for a lot of people. However, it will not be the final word. This will come up again. And, next time, there will be better organization, better planning and much better execution in this matter. Whether the christian wrong, in all it's iterations, likes it or not, this will come to pass.
Just for the hell of it. And, because I can, I think I'll throw in a couple of other items, number wise. A full 78% agree that investing in clean energy is important to revitalizing our economy. And, for ;the deniers of the world, 57% support reducing global warming pollution.
Center right? Not a chance in hell. The way forward (read progressive/liberal) is to move the country once again down the humane path of the center left. After the disaster that was the Bush era, it is time to clean our house of the pests and filth. It is time to air out and let the sun shine throughout.
Welcome back, US citizenry. To the center left.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Mr. President Elect, Barack Obama
What we witnessed, in the election of Mr. Barack Obama yesterday, is nothing short of one of the most historic events in the history of the United States of America. A person of color, not only won the election, but won it in what can be called no less than a mandate.
Mr. President. You won the race for the Presidency not because you were black. But, despite it. Your opponent, who used dog whistles, innuendos, and sometimes outright racism to thwart your advance, instead failed miserably.
Mr. President. Although your opponent tried to paint you as inexperienced, it was you who maintained the steady hand when the economy went into a tailspin. The man of experience ran around flapping his arms and showing his complete lack of ability to lead. You asked questions an looked for a solution.
Mr. President. During the race, your opponent, who claimed the military/POW cloak as his own, showed his utter disregard for Veterans by voting against the New GI Bill. By continuing to back the failed Iraq policy. And, by making every effort to distance himself from those who will be forever scarred by that policy.
These are just a few of the reasons we now have the privilege of calling you Mr. President Elect. Is it my fervent hope and deepest desire that you succeed in your new venture. For all of us have a stake in it's outcome.
Mr. President. You won the race for the Presidency not because you were black. But, despite it. Your opponent, who used dog whistles, innuendos, and sometimes outright racism to thwart your advance, instead failed miserably.
Mr. President. Although your opponent tried to paint you as inexperienced, it was you who maintained the steady hand when the economy went into a tailspin. The man of experience ran around flapping his arms and showing his complete lack of ability to lead. You asked questions an looked for a solution.
Mr. President. During the race, your opponent, who claimed the military/POW cloak as his own, showed his utter disregard for Veterans by voting against the New GI Bill. By continuing to back the failed Iraq policy. And, by making every effort to distance himself from those who will be forever scarred by that policy.
These are just a few of the reasons we now have the privilege of calling you Mr. President Elect. Is it my fervent hope and deepest desire that you succeed in your new venture. For all of us have a stake in it's outcome.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Life As a Rat
There is an old saying about rats jumping from a sinking ship. And, most of us have a pretty good idea of what that looks like. But, at this very moment, we have the opportunity to see it as it will one day appear in encyclopedia's and dictionaries.
Today, the latest and greatest of the rat's did a swan dive from the good ship S.S. McCain. It turned out to be the Number 2 on that ship, Ms. Palin. Now that in and of itself should be no surprise to anyone who has watched the movement aboard the ship since Ms. Palin was selected for her post.
There have been the common ongoing leaks to the press, the backstabbing, the resume's sent out from people at the top. But, this one was clearly way past what one would expect from any #2. Except, Ms. Palin.
That she is ambitious is a given. That could be said of anyone who enters the game. That is an opportunitst we know from her dealings in Alaska, long before she became the GOPVP candidate. That she ould stab people in the back to move ahead, we also know from her previous performance. That she would take it to the national stage and pull it out in the most crucial time of the election cycle is absolutely astounding.
Ms. Palin made it clear today that if the S.S. McCain/Palin goes down in '08, she, Ms. Palin, will be part of the '12 Presidential election cycle, because she wasn't doing this for naught. Never mind that this she is one of the most mismanaged, ill-conceived ideas ever to be brought to any American Presidential election. She has thrown Mr. McCain under the bus, and in fact is now driving said bus.
Ms. Palin. You are in fact a Rat. And I, for on, am ever so hopeful that you do loose yourself from the anvils which are at this moment being tied to your feet, and go to the top of the Republican Party. I hope that you do in fact take charge of what is now known to be a corrupt and useless idiology. Because, that would almost single handedly make it possible for the Democratic Party to take this country back where it belongs. To a place where we are looked at as a nation of good ideas and ideals. And, not the biggest fish in the cesspool that we are now in due to the Republican Party.
Life as a rat ain't all it's cracked up to be, Ms. Palin. Is it.
Today, the latest and greatest of the rat's did a swan dive from the good ship S.S. McCain. It turned out to be the Number 2 on that ship, Ms. Palin. Now that in and of itself should be no surprise to anyone who has watched the movement aboard the ship since Ms. Palin was selected for her post.
There have been the common ongoing leaks to the press, the backstabbing, the resume's sent out from people at the top. But, this one was clearly way past what one would expect from any #2. Except, Ms. Palin.
That she is ambitious is a given. That could be said of anyone who enters the game. That is an opportunitst we know from her dealings in Alaska, long before she became the GOPVP candidate. That she ould stab people in the back to move ahead, we also know from her previous performance. That she would take it to the national stage and pull it out in the most crucial time of the election cycle is absolutely astounding.
Ms. Palin made it clear today that if the S.S. McCain/Palin goes down in '08, she, Ms. Palin, will be part of the '12 Presidential election cycle, because she wasn't doing this for naught. Never mind that this she is one of the most mismanaged, ill-conceived ideas ever to be brought to any American Presidential election. She has thrown Mr. McCain under the bus, and in fact is now driving said bus.
Ms. Palin. You are in fact a Rat. And I, for on, am ever so hopeful that you do loose yourself from the anvils which are at this moment being tied to your feet, and go to the top of the Republican Party. I hope that you do in fact take charge of what is now known to be a corrupt and useless idiology. Because, that would almost single handedly make it possible for the Democratic Party to take this country back where it belongs. To a place where we are looked at as a nation of good ideas and ideals. And, not the biggest fish in the cesspool that we are now in due to the Republican Party.
Life as a rat ain't all it's cracked up to be, Ms. Palin. Is it.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Corporate Socialism
We have been told, for the past months, that we needed to bail out (insert industry) because if we didn't the world would collapse around us and we would all die. Pretty dramatic. And, if you're standing there watching the economy implode, it also sounds pretty credible. What the hell do we do next?
Then, out of the intertubes comes this little gem from Rachel Beck and Joe Bel Bruno. "Despite the Wall Street meltdown, the nation's biggest bans are preparing to pay their workers as much as last year or more, including bonuses tied to personal and company performance."
WTF? A couple of things jump out here. First, the same as last year? Second, based on performance? How in the hell do you reconcile those two? Why would a business who is collapsing be paying employees at any level anything like last years salary? Or, if the bonuses, (bonuses?) are to be paid on performance, why aren't the employees paying the company?
Now this should be obvious. Even if you're a dyed in the wool Friedman capitalist. When the Government (read you and I) bales out a company, it is corporate socialism. If we bought the company, then why in the hell are we paying people for work they did not do?
Let's start with socialism. At this very moment, Mr. McCain and Ms. Palin are screaming at the top of their lungs that Mr. Obama is a socialist. By the way. In my world, that is a good thing. Yet, they have given away billions to corporations of all sorts in the way of tax breaks and the like, to make them viable. How in the hell is that not socialism?
The second sentence is for me, what he thing is all about. The bastard's cheated and lied and stole from other people. You don't pay such people. You incarcerate them. For those who are of the Republican Reich wing variety, ya put the fuckers in jail.
We may be able to pull ourselves out of this mess. But, I for one, am going to start planning my exit strategy. There is on-going discussion in this family about farmland. It is beginning to appear as though the time is drawing near for us all to start bringing those discussions to a close and act upon them.
Then, out of the intertubes comes this little gem from Rachel Beck and Joe Bel Bruno. "Despite the Wall Street meltdown, the nation's biggest bans are preparing to pay their workers as much as last year or more, including bonuses tied to personal and company performance."
WTF? A couple of things jump out here. First, the same as last year? Second, based on performance? How in the hell do you reconcile those two? Why would a business who is collapsing be paying employees at any level anything like last years salary? Or, if the bonuses, (bonuses?) are to be paid on performance, why aren't the employees paying the company?
Now this should be obvious. Even if you're a dyed in the wool Friedman capitalist. When the Government (read you and I) bales out a company, it is corporate socialism. If we bought the company, then why in the hell are we paying people for work they did not do?
Let's start with socialism. At this very moment, Mr. McCain and Ms. Palin are screaming at the top of their lungs that Mr. Obama is a socialist. By the way. In my world, that is a good thing. Yet, they have given away billions to corporations of all sorts in the way of tax breaks and the like, to make them viable. How in the hell is that not socialism?
The second sentence is for me, what he thing is all about. The bastard's cheated and lied and stole from other people. You don't pay such people. You incarcerate them. For those who are of the Republican Reich wing variety, ya put the fuckers in jail.
We may be able to pull ourselves out of this mess. But, I for one, am going to start planning my exit strategy. There is on-going discussion in this family about farmland. It is beginning to appear as though the time is drawing near for us all to start bringing those discussions to a close and act upon them.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
I Cast My Ballot
Yesterday, as it was the first day of early voting in Texas, I cast my ballot. Significant? Perhaps not to many. To me? You bet your sweet ass. In the claimed home state of George W. Bush, I cast my ballot for the next President of the United States, Mr. Obama. A Democrat. That is delicious to me.
After suffering through the worst Presidency in the history of the nation, I, among many others, have begun the process of dragging this country back from the abyss. It will be a long and arduous road we take. It will require that we include those who earlier had cast us aside as traitors and unAmerican. It will require that we sacrifice and compromise. Most of all, it will take time.
There is much to be done here. We must end the occupation of the sovereign nation of Iraq. We must begin to rebuild our economy. And, follow by rebuilding our wealth. We must return our Constitution to it's place as the guiding document for the nation. And, most of all rebuilding our faith in our nation and it's leaders.
Under those headings there are a host of items to be dealt with. Torture, spying on our own citizens, reduction of the Patriot Act to something reasonable, perhaps the demolition of the Homeland Security Agency. These are just a few, of course. But, it gives us an idea of what we have to deal with over the next many years.
So, yesterday, I cast my ballot for the next President of the United States. Mr. Barack Hussein Obama. Please get yourself and all of those around you to the polls. This election matters. Cast your ballot.
After suffering through the worst Presidency in the history of the nation, I, among many others, have begun the process of dragging this country back from the abyss. It will be a long and arduous road we take. It will require that we include those who earlier had cast us aside as traitors and unAmerican. It will require that we sacrifice and compromise. Most of all, it will take time.
There is much to be done here. We must end the occupation of the sovereign nation of Iraq. We must begin to rebuild our economy. And, follow by rebuilding our wealth. We must return our Constitution to it's place as the guiding document for the nation. And, most of all rebuilding our faith in our nation and it's leaders.
Under those headings there are a host of items to be dealt with. Torture, spying on our own citizens, reduction of the Patriot Act to something reasonable, perhaps the demolition of the Homeland Security Agency. These are just a few, of course. But, it gives us an idea of what we have to deal with over the next many years.
So, yesterday, I cast my ballot for the next President of the United States. Mr. Barack Hussein Obama. Please get yourself and all of those around you to the polls. This election matters. Cast your ballot.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Whining
Whining, that age old way of trying to put the blame somewhere else, is alive and well within the confines of the Republican Party. We were just treated to it this afternoon by Mr. McCain, Whiner-in-Chief.
Earlier today, Mr. John Lewis, a Representative in US House, and one of the last remaining giants of the Civil Rights Era, made his displeasure of the racist tactics of the McCain/Palin campaign known.
Within a very short time Mr. McCain was whining about how Mr. Obama should do something about Mr. Lewis and his remarks. And, that they needed to stay focused on the issues. This after the blatant racism and bigotry we have heard loud and long from the McCain/Palin campaign. Mr. Obama was ready and stood up. He said that some of what Mr. Lewis said, he didn't agree with. However, he also said that Mr. Lewis was correct in calling the behavior of the right wing for what is was. On top of that, he also said that what needed to be done, was to make sure that all took the high road.
Now, not to many who live in the real world believe that the McCain/Palin camp will make any move toward the high road. They are losing badly in the polls and are rapidly losing the time to catch up. They are going to use every low end (Rovian) thing they can find to try and avoid talking about issues. And, remain instead, focused on character assassination and bigotry.
This offers Mr. Obama an excellent chance to just wait for it to happen, then point out very quickly and loudly, that Mr. McCain is not keeping his word about staying focused on the issues facing the nation.
So, tomorrow, I am willing to bet there is going to be a whole lot of whining from the McCain/Palin camp, in an effort to change the subject. Can't wait for it to happen and see how Mr. Obama responds. If he remains cool and focused, which is the way he has approached the whole campaign thus far, he will easily parry the whining and put McCain and company into an even less tenable situation than the one they face today.
Whining, as I said, is just a part of the Republican Party. How it is handled by Mr. Obama and the Democratic Party, will make a big difference in what we hear over the next 24 days.
Earlier today, Mr. John Lewis, a Representative in US House, and one of the last remaining giants of the Civil Rights Era, made his displeasure of the racist tactics of the McCain/Palin campaign known.
Within a very short time Mr. McCain was whining about how Mr. Obama should do something about Mr. Lewis and his remarks. And, that they needed to stay focused on the issues. This after the blatant racism and bigotry we have heard loud and long from the McCain/Palin campaign. Mr. Obama was ready and stood up. He said that some of what Mr. Lewis said, he didn't agree with. However, he also said that Mr. Lewis was correct in calling the behavior of the right wing for what is was. On top of that, he also said that what needed to be done, was to make sure that all took the high road.
Now, not to many who live in the real world believe that the McCain/Palin camp will make any move toward the high road. They are losing badly in the polls and are rapidly losing the time to catch up. They are going to use every low end (Rovian) thing they can find to try and avoid talking about issues. And, remain instead, focused on character assassination and bigotry.
This offers Mr. Obama an excellent chance to just wait for it to happen, then point out very quickly and loudly, that Mr. McCain is not keeping his word about staying focused on the issues facing the nation.
So, tomorrow, I am willing to bet there is going to be a whole lot of whining from the McCain/Palin camp, in an effort to change the subject. Can't wait for it to happen and see how Mr. Obama responds. If he remains cool and focused, which is the way he has approached the whole campaign thus far, he will easily parry the whining and put McCain and company into an even less tenable situation than the one they face today.
Whining, as I said, is just a part of the Republican Party. How it is handled by Mr. Obama and the Democratic Party, will make a big difference in what we hear over the next 24 days.
Friday, October 10, 2008
McCain/Palin Proctological Data Mining
Most of us in this country already know who the next President of the United States will be. On Jan 20, 2009, Mr. Obama will become POTUS #44. However, in the mean time we must slog through what is left of the McCain/Palin campaign.
Over the course of the past few days, the M/P campaign has taken to old tried and true Republican Party way of doing things. Race baiting, character assassination, fear mongering, and the ever popular and oh so common lying.
Tonight we had two interesting items pop up on screen. First, Mr. McCain had to try and walk back a group of supporters on the Obama as terrorist and all round bad guy theme. He was booed by his own people. Second came word from Alaska that Ms. Palin had indeed broken the law in firing the guy she (and the First Dude, Todd) were pressuring to fire their x brother-in-law, a State Police Officer.
As concerns the race baiting and the like? Keep screaming AYERS and ACORN. It's working. Keep it up. Of course that is pure bullshit, but we'll just keep that a secret between us.
The biggest problem with that sort of behavior, obviously, is that one of the wrong wing nuts may in fact take it upon him/herself and assassinate Mr. Obama or one of his many followers. There is in fact, a history of that sort of thing happening in this country. And, Mr. McCain knows damned well that to be true and further knows that he would be the one responsible. Thus the half-assed attempt at backing down his group of nuts.
The best line I have heard or seen in the past week is one that comes from Maureen Dowd. She is a Republican Party backer, and usually tows the line pretty closely. Ms. Dowd's line? "They are not big enough for the moment." That, in a nutshell, says what is most obvious to most of us.
The McCain/Palin ticket is pathetically and hopelessly off course. With nothing but the same old shit left over from the failure that has been the past eight years.
These people have their head's up their asses and can't find a light switch.
Over the course of the past few days, the M/P campaign has taken to old tried and true Republican Party way of doing things. Race baiting, character assassination, fear mongering, and the ever popular and oh so common lying.
Tonight we had two interesting items pop up on screen. First, Mr. McCain had to try and walk back a group of supporters on the Obama as terrorist and all round bad guy theme. He was booed by his own people. Second came word from Alaska that Ms. Palin had indeed broken the law in firing the guy she (and the First Dude, Todd) were pressuring to fire their x brother-in-law, a State Police Officer.
As concerns the race baiting and the like? Keep screaming AYERS and ACORN. It's working. Keep it up. Of course that is pure bullshit, but we'll just keep that a secret between us.
The biggest problem with that sort of behavior, obviously, is that one of the wrong wing nuts may in fact take it upon him/herself and assassinate Mr. Obama or one of his many followers. There is in fact, a history of that sort of thing happening in this country. And, Mr. McCain knows damned well that to be true and further knows that he would be the one responsible. Thus the half-assed attempt at backing down his group of nuts.
The best line I have heard or seen in the past week is one that comes from Maureen Dowd. She is a Republican Party backer, and usually tows the line pretty closely. Ms. Dowd's line? "They are not big enough for the moment." That, in a nutshell, says what is most obvious to most of us.
The McCain/Palin ticket is pathetically and hopelessly off course. With nothing but the same old shit left over from the failure that has been the past eight years.
These people have their head's up their asses and can't find a light switch.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Thirty Days
We are now down to the last 30 days of the '08 Presidential election cycle. We have seen some machinations of the polls over the summer, but it now appears that most of us have decided how this will play out.
Today we got an indication of how the McCain/Palin campaign will spend their last thirty days. It will be character assassination. It will be ennuendo. It will be the neocon's at their finest. It began today with Ms. Palin going back to the old, tired and now destroyed, except for the 30%, connection to Mr. Ayers. The connection took place when Mr. Obama was eight fucking years old. Pretty damned pathetic.
Mr. Obama, on the other hand. Simply stated that all of the noise that will come out of the right wing wurlitzer will be of no consequence. That what is important is health care, which hasn't been meaningfully addressed since '94. That those who have, and continue to suffer due to a lack of decent coverge will soon begin to see a change.
With pundits on the right now beginning to sound the death nell of the McCain/Palin campaign for the Presidency, it all now comes down to just how much of a legacy Mr. McCain will leave behind. If, as he has indicated, it will be negativity from here out, then it seems pretty clear how he will be treated historically. As a self-proclaimed maverick who never was. As a fraud who was influenced by lobbyists. Who took everything not nailed down, from his country. And, never repaid.
He has made hay over the years of his time as a POW. He, to this day, uses it as a ploy to gather unto himself the riches be believes are owed him. Now, everyone admits that he was/is owed a debt of gratitude for that. However, when the chance was given him to step up and help his fellow veterans, he turned them down.
That act, in my mind, made him a fraud of the worst kind. It took away every bit of credibility he had remaining. After a life spent at the trough, his words, of the American public. He voted against the New GI bill, bought by Senator Webb of Virginia.
So, here we are. Thirty days from the election to right our Ship of State, that has been so badly damaged by the Republican Party over the past few decades. It is now time to reflect on what has been said and done. On promises made. On the dreams that have been offered by the competing campaigns.
My decision is made. We must put the Obama/Biden ticket into office and give them all of the support we can. For indeed, they will no doubt need it.
Today we got an indication of how the McCain/Palin campaign will spend their last thirty days. It will be character assassination. It will be ennuendo. It will be the neocon's at their finest. It began today with Ms. Palin going back to the old, tired and now destroyed, except for the 30%, connection to Mr. Ayers. The connection took place when Mr. Obama was eight fucking years old. Pretty damned pathetic.
Mr. Obama, on the other hand. Simply stated that all of the noise that will come out of the right wing wurlitzer will be of no consequence. That what is important is health care, which hasn't been meaningfully addressed since '94. That those who have, and continue to suffer due to a lack of decent coverge will soon begin to see a change.
With pundits on the right now beginning to sound the death nell of the McCain/Palin campaign for the Presidency, it all now comes down to just how much of a legacy Mr. McCain will leave behind. If, as he has indicated, it will be negativity from here out, then it seems pretty clear how he will be treated historically. As a self-proclaimed maverick who never was. As a fraud who was influenced by lobbyists. Who took everything not nailed down, from his country. And, never repaid.
He has made hay over the years of his time as a POW. He, to this day, uses it as a ploy to gather unto himself the riches be believes are owed him. Now, everyone admits that he was/is owed a debt of gratitude for that. However, when the chance was given him to step up and help his fellow veterans, he turned them down.
That act, in my mind, made him a fraud of the worst kind. It took away every bit of credibility he had remaining. After a life spent at the trough, his words, of the American public. He voted against the New GI bill, bought by Senator Webb of Virginia.
So, here we are. Thirty days from the election to right our Ship of State, that has been so badly damaged by the Republican Party over the past few decades. It is now time to reflect on what has been said and done. On promises made. On the dreams that have been offered by the competing campaigns.
My decision is made. We must put the Obama/Biden ticket into office and give them all of the support we can. For indeed, they will no doubt need it.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Biden vs other
Well. Alright then. She came, she decided not to answer the questions asked by the moderator, and gave us exactly what we thought was there. A lot of bullshit, with no substance.
Anyone who believes that Ms. Palin won that debate, in any substantive way, had the sound off. She had only talking points which had been drilled into her. Nothing more. Which of course is why she refused to answer the questions of the moderator.
One of the times when she actually answered a question, she made it plain that she thought the VP should be given expanded powers. This after eight years of Mr. Cheney. That thought alone should drive every independent voter into the Democratic Party. Added to that was her belief that Mr. Cheney's only mistake was shooting his pal in the face. Not sure if she just doesn't know what happened in the country, or if she has drunk the kool-aid so long that she actually thinks that Mr. Cheney was/is one of the good guys.
We'll see how this all plays out over the next couple of days. But, it doesn't look like there was any damage done to either party. And, paraphrasing Ms. Maddow, the trajectories of the two parties will remain about as they have been. That would be, Mr. Obama's upward, and Mr. McCain's downward.
If ever there ever was a time to get involved in the political process, this should be a clarion call to every US citizen. For, the idea of Ms. Palin being anywhere near the levers of power are absolutely frightening. And, indeed she would be a 72 year old man's heartbeat away.
Anyone who believes that Ms. Palin won that debate, in any substantive way, had the sound off. She had only talking points which had been drilled into her. Nothing more. Which of course is why she refused to answer the questions of the moderator.
One of the times when she actually answered a question, she made it plain that she thought the VP should be given expanded powers. This after eight years of Mr. Cheney. That thought alone should drive every independent voter into the Democratic Party. Added to that was her belief that Mr. Cheney's only mistake was shooting his pal in the face. Not sure if she just doesn't know what happened in the country, or if she has drunk the kool-aid so long that she actually thinks that Mr. Cheney was/is one of the good guys.
We'll see how this all plays out over the next couple of days. But, it doesn't look like there was any damage done to either party. And, paraphrasing Ms. Maddow, the trajectories of the two parties will remain about as they have been. That would be, Mr. Obama's upward, and Mr. McCain's downward.
If ever there ever was a time to get involved in the political process, this should be a clarion call to every US citizen. For, the idea of Ms. Palin being anywhere near the levers of power are absolutely frightening. And, indeed she would be a 72 year old man's heartbeat away.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Military voter's
So, who is receiving more of the money donated by the troops? Mr. McCain? Or, Mr. Obama? This of course is a trick question. During the debate last Friday night, we were treated to a story by Mr. McCain about how he was invited to a re-enlistment ceremony in Iraq. Now, for those of us who have been in the military, and specifically those of us who are veterans, that a large number re-up in the zone is not really a news item.
There are a couple of reasons that stand head and shoulders above all others for this action. The first is that you get a bonus for re-enlisting in the zone. Second, your bonus is tax free. Now right off the top, that is a big deal. If you are a lower grade enlisted man/woman you aren't being fairly compensated for your effort in the first place. So, that money becomes a very important item.
The answer to the question at the top is, if you've not been paying attention to such matters, is Mr. Obama. This may not portend a preponderance of military votes directed to Mr. Obama during this Presidential election cycle. However, it does indicate a higher number of those engaged in the political goings on within the military are his supporters.
So, nice try there Mr. McCain. As with most of what you say, it's just more bullshit, stacked on top of a very large manure pile.
There are a couple of reasons that stand head and shoulders above all others for this action. The first is that you get a bonus for re-enlisting in the zone. Second, your bonus is tax free. Now right off the top, that is a big deal. If you are a lower grade enlisted man/woman you aren't being fairly compensated for your effort in the first place. So, that money becomes a very important item.
The answer to the question at the top is, if you've not been paying attention to such matters, is Mr. Obama. This may not portend a preponderance of military votes directed to Mr. Obama during this Presidential election cycle. However, it does indicate a higher number of those engaged in the political goings on within the military are his supporters.
So, nice try there Mr. McCain. As with most of what you say, it's just more bullshit, stacked on top of a very large manure pile.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Republican Party Platform
"We do not support government bailouts of private institutions."
Of course, very damned few ever really read the platform of any party. But, since Mr. Bush and his group have decided to pull a play from the old "Shock Doctrine" play book, it should be brought to the attention of others.
One of the bullshit lines of the Republican Party is how the Democrat's are Socialists in blue clothing. So, who exactly is the Socialist Party here? Secretary Paulson claims that we must with great haste, spend $700 billion of taxpayer money to bail out those who made very poor business...make that gambling decisions and lost their asses.
There should of course be none of that socialist shit about helping out the consumers. For people making millions by setting up and running ponzi schemes though, there should be every available used to mitigate any possible loss.
In addition, Mr. Paulson wants to assist those who haven't had any losses. And, wants to bring in foreign banks doing business in the United States. So, banks who did well would be able to step up to the public trough and eat to their hearts content.
There is, as of tonight, some who are calling for more time to consider our options and perhaps come up with some better ideas on how to handle the present situation. Of interest here is one Republican Senator of note. Senator Shelby is calling bullshit on the whole mess, the plan and the people trying to foist it upon the taxpayers. I may never again agree with Senator Shelby. But, this time, there is no doubt whatsoever that we are politically aligned by our revulsion of this whole fiasco.
With so many people losing their homes and our tax base dwindling. It seems to me that one of the things to be done is the opposite of what the Bush cabal is offering as our best option. How about we fund those who are about to lose their homes? Keep them in their homes and paying taxes. Albeit much less than was indicated by the original loan. The cost will be about the same.
And, this time, let those who profited so handsomely from selling bullshit loans, figure out how to save their own sorry asses.
Of course, very damned few ever really read the platform of any party. But, since Mr. Bush and his group have decided to pull a play from the old "Shock Doctrine" play book, it should be brought to the attention of others.
One of the bullshit lines of the Republican Party is how the Democrat's are Socialists in blue clothing. So, who exactly is the Socialist Party here? Secretary Paulson claims that we must with great haste, spend $700 billion of taxpayer money to bail out those who made very poor business...make that gambling decisions and lost their asses.
There should of course be none of that socialist shit about helping out the consumers. For people making millions by setting up and running ponzi schemes though, there should be every available used to mitigate any possible loss.
In addition, Mr. Paulson wants to assist those who haven't had any losses. And, wants to bring in foreign banks doing business in the United States. So, banks who did well would be able to step up to the public trough and eat to their hearts content.
There is, as of tonight, some who are calling for more time to consider our options and perhaps come up with some better ideas on how to handle the present situation. Of interest here is one Republican Senator of note. Senator Shelby is calling bullshit on the whole mess, the plan and the people trying to foist it upon the taxpayers. I may never again agree with Senator Shelby. But, this time, there is no doubt whatsoever that we are politically aligned by our revulsion of this whole fiasco.
With so many people losing their homes and our tax base dwindling. It seems to me that one of the things to be done is the opposite of what the Bush cabal is offering as our best option. How about we fund those who are about to lose their homes? Keep them in their homes and paying taxes. Albeit much less than was indicated by the original loan. The cost will be about the same.
And, this time, let those who profited so handsomely from selling bullshit loans, figure out how to save their own sorry asses.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
$700 Billion
It is thus decided. Secretary Paulson can spend up to $700 billion of the taxpayers money. And, no one can review, or make changes to the final decision. In addition, there is nothing to be done about the action after the fact.
Capitalist Socialism. That is where we stand. We the taxpayers are not only on the hook for a trillion dollars worth of unnecessary war, we now we are going to be handed the bill to bailout those who gambled and lost. The war is brought to us by Halliburton, KBR and an assortment of others who have profited handsomely. We have paid Dick Cheney and his ilk with our blood and treasure. Now, for the elite, and this would of course be Mr. McCain and company, we get to give them a lot of money for being the very worst of businessmen and women.
It is going to be very interesting to hear politicians of every stripe step up and proclaim that this was in the best interest of the country. Tomorrow should offer us the finest in spinning from left, right and everywhere in between. They will come before us and claim with straight faces that this was the best course available and it took great courage to make this momentous decision. They may in fact be right. I sure as hell don't know. But, what I see is $700 billion of taxpayer money being given to those who caused the problem in the first place. We are going to reward crooks for malfeasance and ineptitude. And, there isn't one damned thing we can do about it. Right or wrong.
$700 Billion.
Capitalist Socialism. That is where we stand. We the taxpayers are not only on the hook for a trillion dollars worth of unnecessary war, we now we are going to be handed the bill to bailout those who gambled and lost. The war is brought to us by Halliburton, KBR and an assortment of others who have profited handsomely. We have paid Dick Cheney and his ilk with our blood and treasure. Now, for the elite, and this would of course be Mr. McCain and company, we get to give them a lot of money for being the very worst of businessmen and women.
It is going to be very interesting to hear politicians of every stripe step up and proclaim that this was in the best interest of the country. Tomorrow should offer us the finest in spinning from left, right and everywhere in between. They will come before us and claim with straight faces that this was the best course available and it took great courage to make this momentous decision. They may in fact be right. I sure as hell don't know. But, what I see is $700 billion of taxpayer money being given to those who caused the problem in the first place. We are going to reward crooks for malfeasance and ineptitude. And, there isn't one damned thing we can do about it. Right or wrong.
$700 Billion.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Lehman, Merrill, et. al.
Some great fun on Wall Street this morning. Lehman has filed bankruptcy, Merrill would have except for a quick sale of itself to Bank of America. And, AIG is begging for cash and may in the end follow along after Lehman or Merrill.
So, I'm just wondering here, after decades of corporations before citizens politics. Particularly the last eight. After more give aways than can be counted to companies large and small, for any reason whatsoever. How is it that that we are watching a collapse in the financial markets? Certainly it couldn't be that it was all bullshit, sold as golden apples? Perhaps now would be a good time to ask Mr. McCain's financial guru? Or, better yet. Let's ask Mr. McCain, that giant among men who feels he is the best the country has to offer in good judgement. Hmmm...Graham, Palin...kind of a losing proposition looks like to me.
This is likely not the end of all the mess we are watching. It is entirely likely that what we are seeing is the beginning of the downsizing of Wall Street. And, by extension, the downsizing of the United States. Unless, and until, we get our fiscal house in order, this country is going to be the model for the rest of the world in what not to do to govern a country.
So, I'm just wondering here, after decades of corporations before citizens politics. Particularly the last eight. After more give aways than can be counted to companies large and small, for any reason whatsoever. How is it that that we are watching a collapse in the financial markets? Certainly it couldn't be that it was all bullshit, sold as golden apples? Perhaps now would be a good time to ask Mr. McCain's financial guru? Or, better yet. Let's ask Mr. McCain, that giant among men who feels he is the best the country has to offer in good judgement. Hmmm...Graham, Palin...kind of a losing proposition looks like to me.
This is likely not the end of all the mess we are watching. It is entirely likely that what we are seeing is the beginning of the downsizing of Wall Street. And, by extension, the downsizing of the United States. Unless, and until, we get our fiscal house in order, this country is going to be the model for the rest of the world in what not to do to govern a country.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Lying
It absolutely confounds me how the Republican Party can continue to fool so many people. How can a party that has made one it's tenents, lying about anything and everything, hold onto such a huge number of voters?
There seems to be no subject that they will not lie about. Whether it is Mr. Obama's record, his background or his childhood. Whether its global warming, economics or support for the troops. It seems that the lie is preferred to any form of the truth.
It may just be that they have no truth to tell. No new ideas. Nothing positive to focu on. So, rather than admit that they are going to just follow along with whatever policy was put in place before them, they focus on the negative. And, lie.
That may be it. But, why in the world would people who have been so thoroughly duped over the last eight years be willing to extend their support for more of the same? We have lost our standing in the world as a perveyor of peace and goodwill. Our military has been used and abused until it is near the point of collapse. The economy is in shambles. So...?
There seems to be no subject that they will not lie about. Whether it is Mr. Obama's record, his background or his childhood. Whether its global warming, economics or support for the troops. It seems that the lie is preferred to any form of the truth.
It may just be that they have no truth to tell. No new ideas. Nothing positive to focu on. So, rather than admit that they are going to just follow along with whatever policy was put in place before them, they focus on the negative. And, lie.
That may be it. But, why in the world would people who have been so thoroughly duped over the last eight years be willing to extend their support for more of the same? We have lost our standing in the world as a perveyor of peace and goodwill. Our military has been used and abused until it is near the point of collapse. The economy is in shambles. So...?
Monday, September 08, 2008
Energy and Focus
It seems that over the last week or so, those in the trenches have lost some of their energy and focus. I don't mean that everyone has gone off to play video games and drink beer. What I mean is that too many have been paying too much attention to the Ms. Palin situation unfolding. It is important if you are a pundit and your livelihood depends on such crap. Or, if you happen to work for the Obama campaign and one of your issues is handling the circus that is Ms. Palin.
For the rest of us however, it seems to me that our energy and focus needs to be on making sure we get everyone who is available to vote, registered. That we are knocking on every door in the United States, to make sure that all who can, do. That if we can, we are putting our money into the campaign coffer.
Mr. Obama has a paid staff to take care of those things that we just really can't do a damned thing about. We need to make sure that we have our energy and focus where it is needed. We need to make sure that the day after the election, we have made The Change that we so desperately need and want.
For the rest of us however, it seems to me that our energy and focus needs to be on making sure we get everyone who is available to vote, registered. That we are knocking on every door in the United States, to make sure that all who can, do. That if we can, we are putting our money into the campaign coffer.
Mr. Obama has a paid staff to take care of those things that we just really can't do a damned thing about. We need to make sure that we have our energy and focus where it is needed. We need to make sure that the day after the election, we have made The Change that we so desperately need and want.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Conventions. Over. Finally.
So, the Democrats held their convention. And now the Republicans have had their convention. It's finally time to get down to the election. Since, as is generally the case, nothing of import happens until after the summer is over and people get back home and start paying attention. Too bad, of course. A lot of very cool things have happened over the summer that were worthy of attention. Mr. Obama took the Democratic nomination from Ms. Clinton. Mr. McCain, once written off, is now the nominee for the Republicans.
Mr. Obama chose as his running mate Mr. Biden, a Senator of several decades and a foreign policy expert. Mr. McCain has chosen as his running mate, uuhhh...Ms. Palin, the 20 month Governor of Alaska. Who, previously was a mayor of a town of less than 10,000.
Next there will be the debates. Two between the two at the top of the ticket, and one by the VP choices. This is going to provide a lot of fun for everyone. Mr. Obama is a writer and orator. Mr. McCain is a mumbling, fumbling old fool. By the time the VP debate takes place, the Democrat's should have long since taken the muzzle off of Mr. Biden and...I'm not sure I want to see that.
The election itself is, in my estimation, the anticlimax of the whole election cycle. I fully expect Mr. Obama to win in a landslide. But, win he will. And, the United States will begin crawling back to a place of prominence and leadership in the world.
Mr. Obama chose as his running mate Mr. Biden, a Senator of several decades and a foreign policy expert. Mr. McCain has chosen as his running mate, uuhhh...Ms. Palin, the 20 month Governor of Alaska. Who, previously was a mayor of a town of less than 10,000.
Next there will be the debates. Two between the two at the top of the ticket, and one by the VP choices. This is going to provide a lot of fun for everyone. Mr. Obama is a writer and orator. Mr. McCain is a mumbling, fumbling old fool. By the time the VP debate takes place, the Democrat's should have long since taken the muzzle off of Mr. Biden and...I'm not sure I want to see that.
The election itself is, in my estimation, the anticlimax of the whole election cycle. I fully expect Mr. Obama to win in a landslide. But, win he will. And, the United States will begin crawling back to a place of prominence and leadership in the world.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Mr. McCain's choices
Just back from a trip around the western states. Motorcycle performed flawlessly. Had the stuff good trips are made of. Heat, chill, dry, wet, windy and altogether wonderful trip.
Saw Mr. Obama's acceptance speech. The man can write his ass off. And, even better, he is an orator extrordinaire. That was really something to see and hear. When even Mr. Buchanan, the old racist, pays compliments, you have witnessed something that you will see and hear very few times in a lifetime.
So now there is this choice of Mr. McCain of Ms. Palin as his running mate. Uhh, right. Talk about your questionable choices. Mr. McCain has so far curtailed an interview that was to be done on CNN because they questioned his judgement on his selection. Last I checked that was the role of the press. Not that they have been very good at it the last eight years, but now is okay for me. Then we find out she was questioned by the vetting committee the day before the selection. Obviously a lot of information was gathered and a lot of vetting done. Let's put that CNN question back on the table.
The hot head that Mr. McCain is, he should be on fire by the time the debates are over and done with. Which means, as politely as I can put it, after he has been eviscerated by Mr. Obama in front of the entire world. He lacks every bit of judgement necessary to be a leader in the world we face. He selects a VP running mate because he he has t take a great risk if he has any chance of winning. After it becomes apparent that he has stepped in bigger shit than crashing five planes, he whines to his base that the media isn't being nice to him and his choice.
Not sure how Ms. Palin will play tonight in front of a national audience. But, it should prove to be interesting. In the end, however, I think it will be much ado about nothing. Which is what I think she offers the world at large.
Oh. And, this just in. An open mic puts Ms. Noonan on record as calling her selection a bullshit choice and signifying the end of the presidential race. Between the statements of Ms. Noonan and Mr. Murphy over an open mic when they thought they had gone to commercial, it's just one more view from inside the Republican Party. They see the choices of Mr. McCain and his, amd Mr. Bush's Party continuing what is going to be a long process of unwinding.
Welcome to the world of reality, Grand Old Party.
Saw Mr. Obama's acceptance speech. The man can write his ass off. And, even better, he is an orator extrordinaire. That was really something to see and hear. When even Mr. Buchanan, the old racist, pays compliments, you have witnessed something that you will see and hear very few times in a lifetime.
So now there is this choice of Mr. McCain of Ms. Palin as his running mate. Uhh, right. Talk about your questionable choices. Mr. McCain has so far curtailed an interview that was to be done on CNN because they questioned his judgement on his selection. Last I checked that was the role of the press. Not that they have been very good at it the last eight years, but now is okay for me. Then we find out she was questioned by the vetting committee the day before the selection. Obviously a lot of information was gathered and a lot of vetting done. Let's put that CNN question back on the table.
The hot head that Mr. McCain is, he should be on fire by the time the debates are over and done with. Which means, as politely as I can put it, after he has been eviscerated by Mr. Obama in front of the entire world. He lacks every bit of judgement necessary to be a leader in the world we face. He selects a VP running mate because he he has t take a great risk if he has any chance of winning. After it becomes apparent that he has stepped in bigger shit than crashing five planes, he whines to his base that the media isn't being nice to him and his choice.
Not sure how Ms. Palin will play tonight in front of a national audience. But, it should prove to be interesting. In the end, however, I think it will be much ado about nothing. Which is what I think she offers the world at large.
Oh. And, this just in. An open mic puts Ms. Noonan on record as calling her selection a bullshit choice and signifying the end of the presidential race. Between the statements of Ms. Noonan and Mr. Murphy over an open mic when they thought they had gone to commercial, it's just one more view from inside the Republican Party. They see the choices of Mr. McCain and his, amd Mr. Bush's Party continuing what is going to be a long process of unwinding.
Welcome to the world of reality, Grand Old Party.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Mr. Obama's acceptance speech
Just got back from a motorcycle trip that took me over 6,000 miles and some absolutely spectacular scenery. From New Mexico, Yosemite Park, Northern Washington and Libby to Great Falls, MT. We should all go out and look at what this country is made of, it's worth a whole lot more than it costs monitarily.
Unless you just arrived from being dead for several days, you know that the Democratic Party held it's convention in Denver, CO the past several days with the acceptance speech of Mr. Obama delivered at Envesco Field last night before 84,000 people. Not to mention the other 38, ooo, ooo of us who eavesdropped by way of television.
It is my opinion that the speech delivered last night was one of the best political speeches we have heard in the last couple of generations. The man writes a lot of his own speeches and is without a doubt one of the great orator's of our time. Reverend King and Ms. Barbara Jordan would be extremely proud of the speech that came from Envesco last night.
Today we got what was supposed to be some sort of attention grab by the camp of Mr. McCain. He chose as his running mate, the Governor of Alaska, Ms. Palin. What it demonstrated, however, was that the lack of good judgement shown over time by Mr. McCain is alive and well. Four years ago, the woman was the Mayor of a small town, who while holding that position placed a $20 million dollar horse collar on the place. The cost for a sports complex. She should work well for the extreme right wing. Thank you Mr. McCain.
Speaking of disaster, the debates should be extremely entertaining for Democrat's, who have endured the worst of all outcomes the past two Presidential election cycles. Watching the evisceration of the two Republican sacrificial lambs is going to go a long way toward rebuilding the spirits of the Democratic Party faithful. Not only have they got Mr. Obama as the leader of the Party, but Mr. Biden, who, when unleashed will be a whole lot of fun to watch. The differences between Modern Man and the Neanderthal's is going to make for one helluva an entertaining fall.
YES!! WE!! CAN!!
Unless you just arrived from being dead for several days, you know that the Democratic Party held it's convention in Denver, CO the past several days with the acceptance speech of Mr. Obama delivered at Envesco Field last night before 84,000 people. Not to mention the other 38, ooo, ooo of us who eavesdropped by way of television.
It is my opinion that the speech delivered last night was one of the best political speeches we have heard in the last couple of generations. The man writes a lot of his own speeches and is without a doubt one of the great orator's of our time. Reverend King and Ms. Barbara Jordan would be extremely proud of the speech that came from Envesco last night.
Today we got what was supposed to be some sort of attention grab by the camp of Mr. McCain. He chose as his running mate, the Governor of Alaska, Ms. Palin. What it demonstrated, however, was that the lack of good judgement shown over time by Mr. McCain is alive and well. Four years ago, the woman was the Mayor of a small town, who while holding that position placed a $20 million dollar horse collar on the place. The cost for a sports complex. She should work well for the extreme right wing. Thank you Mr. McCain.
Speaking of disaster, the debates should be extremely entertaining for Democrat's, who have endured the worst of all outcomes the past two Presidential election cycles. Watching the evisceration of the two Republican sacrificial lambs is going to go a long way toward rebuilding the spirits of the Democratic Party faithful. Not only have they got Mr. Obama as the leader of the Party, but Mr. Biden, who, when unleashed will be a whole lot of fun to watch. The differences between Modern Man and the Neanderthal's is going to make for one helluva an entertaining fall.
YES!! WE!! CAN!!
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Paris Hilton?
Anybody notice a cool sea breeze today? If you are politically inclined, of course the answer is hell no. As a matter of fact, it is getting a whole lot hotter as the days wear on.
Mr. Obama seems to have come out of the always a nice guy shell. Today after the tire pressure fiasco that is a great symbol of Mr. McCain's chole cam pain, Mr. Obama came down on him from several heights. Making fun of his flip-flopping on whether maintaining the proper tire pressure is a good idea, he brought examples of others backing the position. NASCAR, AAA, and of course every driver in the world. Whether you call it backstepping, flipping, or flopping, it was about as fast a dance as we've seen in a long time.
But, I must say, the Gold, today, goes to Paris Hilton. The piece she released bitch slapping Mr. McCain was well written, well delivered, and funny. The woman doesn't generally measure on my Interest 'O Meter, but this unexpected little gem is worth watching.
Definitely a good day for the Obama camp. Let's hope that they now flood the landscape for the next three months. It's almost over, friends. YES!WE!CAN!
Mr. Obama seems to have come out of the always a nice guy shell. Today after the tire pressure fiasco that is a great symbol of Mr. McCain's chole cam pain, Mr. Obama came down on him from several heights. Making fun of his flip-flopping on whether maintaining the proper tire pressure is a good idea, he brought examples of others backing the position. NASCAR, AAA, and of course every driver in the world. Whether you call it backstepping, flipping, or flopping, it was about as fast a dance as we've seen in a long time.
But, I must say, the Gold, today, goes to Paris Hilton. The piece she released bitch slapping Mr. McCain was well written, well delivered, and funny. The woman doesn't generally measure on my Interest 'O Meter, but this unexpected little gem is worth watching.
Definitely a good day for the Obama camp. Let's hope that they now flood the landscape for the next three months. It's almost over, friends. YES!WE!CAN!
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Crap on a cracker
Abstinence-only. That's what I call crap on a cracker. But, RB, I'm told, that's what parents want taught in their schools. Allowing that there may possibly be one iota of truth to the statement, let's take a little look at some of what parents want. Seventy-one (71) percent of all parents believe that teens need to know that they can obtain birth control pills from family planning clinics without permission from a parent. Eighty-three (83) percent want youth to know how to put on a condom.
That may not tell some folks anything. But, it tells me that as parents, they don't want their kids out fucking everything that walks or approximates that. However, they realize that sex is a primal instinct. And, just like other animals, our children will, for the most part, be out there participating.
Abstinence-only. More, crap on a cracker. Abstinence-only education delays sexual initiation and reduces teen pregnancy. A federally-funded evaluation shows us that abstinence-only education is not effective at delaying the initiation of sexual activity or in reducing teen pregnancy.
The whole of the abstinence-only meme was pushed along by the Bush Administration to give some red meat to the Christian right wing of the Republican Party. And, given plenty of air and ink by the traditional media. Did they ever really believe that it would work? Can't say for sure. But, probably not.
Abstinence-only. Yet, more crap on a cracker. Abstinence-only-until-marriage programs reflect American values. Even among those who abstained from sex until age 20 or older, eighty-one (81) percent reported having had premarital sex. That tells me that whoever is behind selling this bullshit doesn't have a clue about American values. And, they sure as hell don't know anything about biology.
Don't suppose there is any ideology driven programs being perpetrated upon our children and grandchildren by the Bush cabal, eh? Certainly, they wouldn't let the nuttiest of the wingnuts dictate a program so important to our very future? Or, would they?
Abstinence-only. Oh for Christ's sake. Another example of crap on a cracker. Virginity pledges delay the onset of sexual activity and protect teens from STI's (sexually transmitted infection (HIV, Gonnorhea, human papalomavirus). Let's see here. Hmmmm. Study says, sexual activity among pledgers was delayed by 18 months. And, those who took the pledge were 1/3 less likely to use to use contraception when they finally did succumb to their animal instincts.
So. What did we find out from this little exercise? That Abstinence-only. Or, crap on a cracker, is just exactly that. Shit. It's a complete fabrication of the truth. It does not lower the STI count. It does not reduce pregnancy. And, it leaves our children fumbling in the dark. So to speak. We know that it is a complete failure. And, it only cost us 1.5 billion dollars. And, of course, the miseducation of thousands of our children and grandchildren. Crap on a cracker.
That may not tell some folks anything. But, it tells me that as parents, they don't want their kids out fucking everything that walks or approximates that. However, they realize that sex is a primal instinct. And, just like other animals, our children will, for the most part, be out there participating.
Abstinence-only. More, crap on a cracker. Abstinence-only education delays sexual initiation and reduces teen pregnancy. A federally-funded evaluation shows us that abstinence-only education is not effective at delaying the initiation of sexual activity or in reducing teen pregnancy.
The whole of the abstinence-only meme was pushed along by the Bush Administration to give some red meat to the Christian right wing of the Republican Party. And, given plenty of air and ink by the traditional media. Did they ever really believe that it would work? Can't say for sure. But, probably not.
Abstinence-only. Yet, more crap on a cracker. Abstinence-only-until-marriage programs reflect American values. Even among those who abstained from sex until age 20 or older, eighty-one (81) percent reported having had premarital sex. That tells me that whoever is behind selling this bullshit doesn't have a clue about American values. And, they sure as hell don't know anything about biology.
Don't suppose there is any ideology driven programs being perpetrated upon our children and grandchildren by the Bush cabal, eh? Certainly, they wouldn't let the nuttiest of the wingnuts dictate a program so important to our very future? Or, would they?
Abstinence-only. Oh for Christ's sake. Another example of crap on a cracker. Virginity pledges delay the onset of sexual activity and protect teens from STI's (sexually transmitted infection (HIV, Gonnorhea, human papalomavirus). Let's see here. Hmmmm. Study says, sexual activity among pledgers was delayed by 18 months. And, those who took the pledge were 1/3 less likely to use to use contraception when they finally did succumb to their animal instincts.
So. What did we find out from this little exercise? That Abstinence-only. Or, crap on a cracker, is just exactly that. Shit. It's a complete fabrication of the truth. It does not lower the STI count. It does not reduce pregnancy. And, it leaves our children fumbling in the dark. So to speak. We know that it is a complete failure. And, it only cost us 1.5 billion dollars. And, of course, the miseducation of thousands of our children and grandchildren. Crap on a cracker.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Lemming Fever
Like a herd of lemmings, the citizens of the US are once again following the siren call of those who would spread bullshit. In this case its all about oil.
The last time lemming fever broke out, we ended up in Iraq. This time the leaders of this mess want people to believe that we can drill our way out of our energy problems. Of course, this is no more true than it was that there were WMD in Iraq. They are lieing. Their own Energy Department has told them so. Everyone who knows anything about oil, and isn't working for an oil company, has told them so. Still they appear all over the traditional media selling the drill meme.
So here's what I can't figure. They all know that climate change is real. They know that man has caused the majority of the problem. They know that burning fossil fuel is what drives the climate change issue. Yet, they (those who have picked up lemming fever) are falling in line behind the criminals who want more drilling for yet more fossil fuel.
So, just what have those advising against the drill meme said about all of this? First, if drilling started today, it would be several years before any of that oil, if its there, would appear at the pumps. Second, when that oil comes to market, if it were all kept here in the US, it would bring prices down about a nickel. Third, if all of that oil were to arrive at the pumps at the same time, it would give us a year or so worth of fuel. Fourth, all of that fuel would likely be put on the international market, where the oil companies could make the most money. Fifth, we would, for all the money spent, be no nearer to cleaning the atmosphere of the filth we have put into it. Sixth, we would have squandered precious time and resources getting to an energy plan that, at it's heart, would provide sustainable energy at the same cost. Minus the pollutants brought to us by fossil fuel.
So, here we are. Watching the march of the lemmings. All of those afflicted with lemming fever racing headlong for the cliff. And, what are we to do? First, it seems to me that we do something to reduce the lemming fever. We face bullshit with truth at every level and with every person we meet. Second, we blog swarm the issue. Force the traditional media to pick it up and present it truthfully to the public at large. Third, we promote those who have the biggest guns. Matt Simmons, theoilddrum, and all the rest who have the expertise and knowledge to face down big oil. For the truth is, big oil has big money. And, they will promote their bullshit about drilling our way out of our energy problems as long as they can. See tobacco companies for reference material. Fourth, blog, blog and blog.
The last time lemming fever broke out, we ended up in Iraq. This time the leaders of this mess want people to believe that we can drill our way out of our energy problems. Of course, this is no more true than it was that there were WMD in Iraq. They are lieing. Their own Energy Department has told them so. Everyone who knows anything about oil, and isn't working for an oil company, has told them so. Still they appear all over the traditional media selling the drill meme.
So here's what I can't figure. They all know that climate change is real. They know that man has caused the majority of the problem. They know that burning fossil fuel is what drives the climate change issue. Yet, they (those who have picked up lemming fever) are falling in line behind the criminals who want more drilling for yet more fossil fuel.
So, just what have those advising against the drill meme said about all of this? First, if drilling started today, it would be several years before any of that oil, if its there, would appear at the pumps. Second, when that oil comes to market, if it were all kept here in the US, it would bring prices down about a nickel. Third, if all of that oil were to arrive at the pumps at the same time, it would give us a year or so worth of fuel. Fourth, all of that fuel would likely be put on the international market, where the oil companies could make the most money. Fifth, we would, for all the money spent, be no nearer to cleaning the atmosphere of the filth we have put into it. Sixth, we would have squandered precious time and resources getting to an energy plan that, at it's heart, would provide sustainable energy at the same cost. Minus the pollutants brought to us by fossil fuel.
So, here we are. Watching the march of the lemmings. All of those afflicted with lemming fever racing headlong for the cliff. And, what are we to do? First, it seems to me that we do something to reduce the lemming fever. We face bullshit with truth at every level and with every person we meet. Second, we blog swarm the issue. Force the traditional media to pick it up and present it truthfully to the public at large. Third, we promote those who have the biggest guns. Matt Simmons, theoilddrum, and all the rest who have the expertise and knowledge to face down big oil. For the truth is, big oil has big money. And, they will promote their bullshit about drilling our way out of our energy problems as long as they can. See tobacco companies for reference material. Fourth, blog, blog and blog.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Big Oil Lobbyists
John. John. John. It seems it takes relatively little to buy Mr. McCain in'08. A couple of million will suffice.
It seems that the big oil lobbyists have stood up for Mr. McCain, and that was enough, along with some cash, of course, to do the trick. Mr. McCain is now entirely on-board with drilling anywhere, anytime, as long as it produces. Cash, that is.
It was known, at one time, that Mr. McCain was against drilling off the coasts and in Alaska, since the offing was small and there was too much possibility of damage to the environment. Twenty nine big oil lobbyists came to Mr. McCain and provided new information, mostly in large bill, and what do you know. Mr. McCain is now in the drill our way out of the problem camp.
It should not surprise anyone that this has come to pass. Mr. McCain, it has become apparent, is willing to sell anything and everything, including his scruples, if in fact he had any left, to win a political race. Many of us have known this for some time. However, the big oil lobbyists have made it entirely clear to anyone interested in knowing.
So, what happens now? We the liberals, that would be me, are going to stay on this monkey until he crawls away to Arizona to one of his wife's houses and goes permanently into retirement.
Mr. McCain, what big oil lobbyists can buy. For the obvious reason, Mr. McCain is for sale.
It seems that the big oil lobbyists have stood up for Mr. McCain, and that was enough, along with some cash, of course, to do the trick. Mr. McCain is now entirely on-board with drilling anywhere, anytime, as long as it produces. Cash, that is.
It was known, at one time, that Mr. McCain was against drilling off the coasts and in Alaska, since the offing was small and there was too much possibility of damage to the environment. Twenty nine big oil lobbyists came to Mr. McCain and provided new information, mostly in large bill, and what do you know. Mr. McCain is now in the drill our way out of the problem camp.
It should not surprise anyone that this has come to pass. Mr. McCain, it has become apparent, is willing to sell anything and everything, including his scruples, if in fact he had any left, to win a political race. Many of us have known this for some time. However, the big oil lobbyists have made it entirely clear to anyone interested in knowing.
So, what happens now? We the liberals, that would be me, are going to stay on this monkey until he crawls away to Arizona to one of his wife's houses and goes permanently into retirement.
Mr. McCain, what big oil lobbyists can buy. For the obvious reason, Mr. McCain is for sale.
Mr.McCain:Anti-troops/veterans
Mr. McCain, the anti-troop/veterans candidate, has given us a very good view of the slime that will be eminating from his cam pain until November. His release of the ad questioning Mr. Obama's integrity and concern for the troops, foreshadows what we can expect from that camp. The ad, as we chave come to expect from Republican candidates, is filled with falsehoods and innuendo. The "Swiftboating" that was used against Mr. Kerryin '04 has a new coat of paint and has set sail.
The problem that faces Mr. MCain, is his oh so available voting record in the U.S. Senate. As concerns the troops, Mr. McCain has, at very best, a dismal record of support. And, he seems to believe that somehow no one will ever find and bring into the public eye this pathetic record. Its as if he and his cam pain staff somehow see Mr. McCain's being a veteran as equating to support for the troops/veterans.
It doesn't work that way folks. When you, over the course of many years, vote against better health care for our toops/veterans. When you don't even show up when a vote is before the Senate to give todays veterans the same level of support you were given via a new GI Bill, that puts you in the anti-troops/veterans camp.
The problem that faces Mr. MCain, is his oh so available voting record in the U.S. Senate. As concerns the troops, Mr. McCain has, at very best, a dismal record of support. And, he seems to believe that somehow no one will ever find and bring into the public eye this pathetic record. Its as if he and his cam pain staff somehow see Mr. McCain's being a veteran as equating to support for the troops/veterans.
It doesn't work that way folks. When you, over the course of many years, vote against better health care for our toops/veterans. When you don't even show up when a vote is before the Senate to give todays veterans the same level of support you were given via a new GI Bill, that puts you in the anti-troops/veterans camp.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Humour
There is always something of humour available for those who seek it. Yesterday we had Mr. Obama speaking to 200,000 in Germany. People with signs and screaming, USA, USA, USA. What a magnificent sight to see after the past eight years of scorn and rapprochement from those same people. The US standing once again before the world as a leader, someone to emulate.
On the other hand, we had Mr. McCain hanging around in a sausage restaurant in Ohio. Speaking to maybe 20 people. The only signs were those proclaiming the special of the day. People watching an old guy who has without doubt run his cam pain clear off into the weeds. A very clear picture of someone who believes that Iraq was in our best interest. That we should make every attempt to drill our way out of our energy problems. That the people who have lost their homes and are suffering from an economy in the toilet, are a bunch of whiners.
Contrasting the two we have the young, charismatic leader. And, the guy who hasn't a clue where the border of Iran and Pakistan are. Or, that a nation who's name he call out hasn't existed for several decades.
Maybe what this is isn't really humour at all. Maybe its just a pathetic take on a Greek tragedy.
On the other hand, we had Mr. McCain hanging around in a sausage restaurant in Ohio. Speaking to maybe 20 people. The only signs were those proclaiming the special of the day. People watching an old guy who has without doubt run his cam pain clear off into the weeds. A very clear picture of someone who believes that Iraq was in our best interest. That we should make every attempt to drill our way out of our energy problems. That the people who have lost their homes and are suffering from an economy in the toilet, are a bunch of whiners.
Contrasting the two we have the young, charismatic leader. And, the guy who hasn't a clue where the border of Iran and Pakistan are. Or, that a nation who's name he call out hasn't existed for several decades.
Maybe what this is isn't really humour at all. Maybe its just a pathetic take on a Greek tragedy.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Whiner's
So, while the future President of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama, is overseas wowing the US troops, leaders of foreign countries and the people located therein. Mr. McCain (whiner) remains at home whining his sorry ass off about what Mr. Obama is doing and saying. It doesn't matter too much, as he becomes less and less relevant to the political landscape. But, the traditional media is still carrying water for the Republican Party, CBS in a big way at the moment.
Last night we heard from KO on MSNBC, that CBS had removed a sentence from a paragraph that appeared during an interview that whiner had with Ms. Couric. Now, in all honesty, no one expects much from Ms. Couric, and we won't get it. But, those who would alter a statement by one of those running for the Presidency of the country, because it would make him look bad, are bordering on the edge of criminality.
Not sure what is going to be said about it all today by the McCain camp. But, I can easily imagine a whole helluva lot of whining. Because, after all, thats about all they have going for them. They have nothing but the Bush plan to offer the American people for the next four years. Thus the whining.
Whine On.
Last night we heard from KO on MSNBC, that CBS had removed a sentence from a paragraph that appeared during an interview that whiner had with Ms. Couric. Now, in all honesty, no one expects much from Ms. Couric, and we won't get it. But, those who would alter a statement by one of those running for the Presidency of the country, because it would make him look bad, are bordering on the edge of criminality.
Not sure what is going to be said about it all today by the McCain camp. But, I can easily imagine a whole helluva lot of whining. Because, after all, thats about all they have going for them. They have nothing but the Bush plan to offer the American people for the next four years. Thus the whining.
Whine On.
Netroots Nation '08 (my view)
So that was Netroots Nation '08. Interesting at many, many levels. And, useful at all of those levels, also.
Skinny, fat, tall, short, intellectual and me. All in one place for the purpose of interacting on our favorite subjects. Politics to be sure, since that is the nature of the beast. But, within that very large area, a whole host of topics to delved into.
Science was a large part of the equation, since it impacts so many facets of our day to day lives. And, I must say, those people know well their subjects. But, they know a helluva lot more than just their personal little slice. They are able to hold forth on a whole range of subjects from evolutionary biology to the atmosphere and from geology to atronomy.
However, I must say, the most interesting things to me concerned the real things that we can and should be doing for our planet and it's temperature. The best discussion I was involved in came after one of the science panels. It involved one ASiegel who is a regular on DKOS and is a principal with Energize America. The discussion covered several subjects, but the one that intrigued me most was the one that involved school buses and changing the environmental problems that plague schools.
The first idea is that school buses must be turned green. We did in fact see one of the dozen buses being tested throughout the country. This one happened to reside in Austin and thus was easy for us to get ahold of. Since they run most of the year and spend a lot of time sitting, the premise is that they would be one of the easier ways to cut down on energy use. And, the selling point, they would cut down on the amount of pollutants reaching our children every day.
The second is that heating and cooling could be a lot more efficient in most of the schools we have open right now. One idea I thought intrigueing was the one of planting on the rooftops. It would have immeiate impact on both heating and cooling, and could be used to, at least part of the time, be used to grow food for the young occupants.
Was I impressed with NN '08? You bet your ass. It was well put together and well presented. It brought about 4,000 political boggers together into one place and offered them the chance to learn and give their opinions to a whole group of like minded people. Is that a big deal? See the answser to the first question in this paragraph. This now the main stream media. This is becoming how the world is to gain information about the surrounding world. The traditional media becomes more and more fox like and irrelevant. Does this really matter? We all certainly believe it does. And, our candidates, who are more and more aligning with us believe it to.
Can't wait for NN '09 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Skinny, fat, tall, short, intellectual and me. All in one place for the purpose of interacting on our favorite subjects. Politics to be sure, since that is the nature of the beast. But, within that very large area, a whole host of topics to delved into.
Science was a large part of the equation, since it impacts so many facets of our day to day lives. And, I must say, those people know well their subjects. But, they know a helluva lot more than just their personal little slice. They are able to hold forth on a whole range of subjects from evolutionary biology to the atmosphere and from geology to atronomy.
However, I must say, the most interesting things to me concerned the real things that we can and should be doing for our planet and it's temperature. The best discussion I was involved in came after one of the science panels. It involved one ASiegel who is a regular on DKOS and is a principal with Energize America. The discussion covered several subjects, but the one that intrigued me most was the one that involved school buses and changing the environmental problems that plague schools.
The first idea is that school buses must be turned green. We did in fact see one of the dozen buses being tested throughout the country. This one happened to reside in Austin and thus was easy for us to get ahold of. Since they run most of the year and spend a lot of time sitting, the premise is that they would be one of the easier ways to cut down on energy use. And, the selling point, they would cut down on the amount of pollutants reaching our children every day.
The second is that heating and cooling could be a lot more efficient in most of the schools we have open right now. One idea I thought intrigueing was the one of planting on the rooftops. It would have immeiate impact on both heating and cooling, and could be used to, at least part of the time, be used to grow food for the young occupants.
Was I impressed with NN '08? You bet your ass. It was well put together and well presented. It brought about 4,000 political boggers together into one place and offered them the chance to learn and give their opinions to a whole group of like minded people. Is that a big deal? See the answser to the first question in this paragraph. This now the main stream media. This is becoming how the world is to gain information about the surrounding world. The traditional media becomes more and more fox like and irrelevant. Does this really matter? We all certainly believe it does. And, our candidates, who are more and more aligning with us believe it to.
Can't wait for NN '09 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Decisions
My intention is to restart my postings. There are many reasons for the grand hiatus, however, they are of no real import to anyone but myself.
This first post is about personal stuff. The first item is this, if you are male, and near or inside the middle age area, pay attention. Last Monday I had reason to travel. My back ached, all of the major muscle groups ached, and all of my joints ached. Monday night I was up to pee every two hours from 8 til 2. This nonsense continued throughout the week. Last night I noticed that it was getting uncomfortable to sit. The issue was a vague pain just behind the scrotum (ball sack). This morning it was decided that it is an enlarged Prostate. Antibiotics for 14 days. No big deal. But, it gave me reason to think about he number of times I have heard others say that you should pay attention and have those vague pains checked out immediately. I will be paying more attention, sooner.
Oldest brother, Bill, died at the end of September. The original ten are now down to six. The old boy was in his mid 80's and had lost any real quality of life that was remaining over the previous year. Very tough on his family, as he was always the big tough Marine who could and did take care of everything. But, they also understood that he was better off by far.
Brother-in-law, Joe, died just after Christmas. Went up to Arkansas and spent time with nephew Bud and his son Joseph. They lost mother, grandmother Eunice two years ago. Been a tough couple of years.
While that was going on, got word from youngest sister, Laura, that her gall bladder had been removed, adhesions pulled loose (previous ovarian ca surgery) and a small hole torn in the small intestine (adhesion's) repaired. So, went from burial to wound packing, cooking and whatevering.
We have arrived at the point where enough white papers have been released that we know where Presidential candidates stand on issues. If we have been diligent, we have read these paper's and have aligned ourselves with the respective candidate.
In my case, that is John Edwards. He, like any other, does not hold all of the issues that I find important, sacrosanct. However, he aligns most closely with my views. It must be stated that of all of the candidates involved, Kucinich would be my favorite. However, he doesn't have the backing, in any respect that will propel him to the WH. Thus my choice of JRE.
Further, it should be obvious from the above, that no matter who the candidate for the Democratic Party is, I will vote for that person. Since they are light years above anything that the Republican Party could/would offer.
This first post is about personal stuff. The first item is this, if you are male, and near or inside the middle age area, pay attention. Last Monday I had reason to travel. My back ached, all of the major muscle groups ached, and all of my joints ached. Monday night I was up to pee every two hours from 8 til 2. This nonsense continued throughout the week. Last night I noticed that it was getting uncomfortable to sit. The issue was a vague pain just behind the scrotum (ball sack). This morning it was decided that it is an enlarged Prostate. Antibiotics for 14 days. No big deal. But, it gave me reason to think about he number of times I have heard others say that you should pay attention and have those vague pains checked out immediately. I will be paying more attention, sooner.
Oldest brother, Bill, died at the end of September. The original ten are now down to six. The old boy was in his mid 80's and had lost any real quality of life that was remaining over the previous year. Very tough on his family, as he was always the big tough Marine who could and did take care of everything. But, they also understood that he was better off by far.
Brother-in-law, Joe, died just after Christmas. Went up to Arkansas and spent time with nephew Bud and his son Joseph. They lost mother, grandmother Eunice two years ago. Been a tough couple of years.
While that was going on, got word from youngest sister, Laura, that her gall bladder had been removed, adhesions pulled loose (previous ovarian ca surgery) and a small hole torn in the small intestine (adhesion's) repaired. So, went from burial to wound packing, cooking and whatevering.
We have arrived at the point where enough white papers have been released that we know where Presidential candidates stand on issues. If we have been diligent, we have read these paper's and have aligned ourselves with the respective candidate.
In my case, that is John Edwards. He, like any other, does not hold all of the issues that I find important, sacrosanct. However, he aligns most closely with my views. It must be stated that of all of the candidates involved, Kucinich would be my favorite. However, he doesn't have the backing, in any respect that will propel him to the WH. Thus my choice of JRE.
Further, it should be obvious from the above, that no matter who the candidate for the Democratic Party is, I will vote for that person. Since they are light years above anything that the Republican Party could/would offer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)