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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

$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.

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.

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...?

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.

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. 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.

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!!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Definition of BUSHIT

Bush has offered Democrats conciliatory words. Actually saw that phrase in a article about the Democratic retreat being held this week-end. That is without a doubt fits the definition of the word BUSHIT. Noone in the world that I inhabit believes for an instant that the asshole can/bould be conciliatroy to Democrats about anything.

His plan is to delay and obfuscate. He will do anything to keep the Senate from stopping his war. So any possibility that he is telling the truth, to any degree whatsoever, meets the definition of the word BUSHIT.

We know the man to be a liar in every respect. He cares not at all what the Senate thinks, what the House thinks, or for that matter what the citizens of this country think. He is committed to continueing his war, dismantling Social Security and anything else that calls for government spending. Except of course the military, credits to his rich buddies and large corporate entities. Guess those last two are redundancies. Anything to the contrary is BUSHIT.

"With Saddam Hussein's execution, the only person who didn't lie about WMD was hanging from the end of a rope." John R. Cobarruvias, Houston, TX

Farewell, MOLLY IVINS

Iran

There has been a flurry of articles and comments on the possibility of the US attacking Iran. There had been some few articles with speculation what with the deployment of war ships being put into place around Iran, but not much more until very recently. Suddenly there is speculation all over the blogosphere. Not much in the msm as one would expect, but it is beginning to filter through.

Of course from the Wankosphere there is denial and obfuscation. That too is to be expected. They've been at it now for six long, painful years. But of late, some few are beginning to say what needs to be said. Keith Olberman is the leader. He has been right on and unrelenting in his exposure of all that is rotten in the Bush Administration, GOP, FOX (Faux) News, and all of their miniondom.

Now there is a report that there are military types inside Iran doing the work they are trained to do. They are not my focus. Rather, the corrupt Administration that has placed them there, at the risk of igniting a regional conflict are my focus. These are people with no regard for human life. These are people who have no interest in the results of their actions. These are not responsible adults, but petulant, spoiled children who should be grounded. FOR LIFE.

As of today, I am squarely in the camp of those who would vote to Impeach. As late as yesterday I was one who was against this action. Not because I thought it was a bad idea. But, because there didn't seem to be the votes to take it to fruition. Count me out of that camp. This asshole needs to be sent back to Crawford, TX. No...wait...I don't want that useless fuck in my state. How about down to South America where he is buying property? Yea. That's it.

As for Iran, they have not intention of attacking the US. Getting their asses bombed out of power isn't what they have in mind. Unless, and until they make such a move, stay the fuck away from there.

Is there nuclear program a problem? Hell yes it's a problem. It's a problem that the US has nuclear weapons. But, that shouldn't make them the focus of an attack. We just gave India information for their nuclear program. And, they don't belong to the group of those nations who has signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty. So, why are we pissing with them?

Only to distract us friends. Only to distract us.


This from the Financial Times of London:
"US officials have previously told the Financial Times that they deem it their right to pursue terrorists wherever they are." Emphasis mine.

New Way Forward

The President of the US, has stated, in his Saturday address, that if anyone doesn't like his plan (New Way Forward) they need to come up with one of their own. So, let's see how that plays. John Murtha came up with a plan last year. That must have been missed in all of that voting uproar. The Iran Study Group thought it might be a good idea to discuss the whole thing with those who live nearby and are most apt to be involved in a conflagration that would widen. They suggested a New Way Forward. Must have been busy with cocktails. Joe Biden has put one forward. Maybe that one was missed what with all of the swearing in of Congress and all that that entails.

Oh, Oh, I know one teacher!!!!!! What about Russ Feingold and the don't get involved in the first place idea? Must have missed that, what with all the rest of those fine gentlemen voting to make it a go.

What a crock of shit. He didn't listen then, he's not listening now. He doesn't give a fat fuck what anybody thinks. He wants war and it doesn't matter who thinks otherwise. He is going to have his war. And, if the people need a distraction, then how about we lob a few into Iran and get their attention?

This guy is sick fucking psychopath. He needs to be removed from office to protect the rest of the world.

That would be my New Way Forward.

What do you think so far?

Death by Poverty

According to UNICEF 30,000 children die due to poverty per day. That would make for nearly 11, 000,000 deaths per year. Is there anyone on this planet who can justify this in any way? It is absolutely astonishing to me that we can allow such a thing to happen with the food reserves we have. Would it be tough to accomplish? Of course it would. Someone has to pay the farmers for their product. It has to be distributed. That is no easy task. But, could it be done? No doubt about it.

We spend trillions on wars, bridges to nowhere, and tax write offs to the top 1%. We waste billions on face lifts, beauty creams, and high priced tennis shoes. Yet 30,000 children die because of poverty. That is not only shameful, it is a crime. It is murder.

It's only 3,000. We have to sacrifice.

Sleep?

President Bush says he is sleeping better than people might think. Actually, no one is surprised at all. Everyone knows the man has no conscience, otherwise he would have resigned in disgrace several years ago.

But just to recap: Katrina, Abu Graihb, Guantanamo, habeus corpus, rendition, and lest we should forget, Iraq and the cut-and-run policy in Afganistan.

Yes indeed the man must be sleeping like a baby. Or, perhaps like a complete inhuman ass-hole. Hard to say which...not really. His lack of humanity, stuck in the frat boy stage, run up the Jesus flag, to cover up his complete lack of understanding of anything approaching adult thinking just seems so...uh...right wing.

This fool and his cabal are thrilled to point out that the trade deficit fell to 58.9 BILLION dollars in October. Could someone please explain to me how in the fuck you can be happy by falling in the hole by only 58.9 BILLION dollars?

ISG Report

Sure glad all of those well known folks who were for the war to start with did a study and found that the whole thing is an abject failure. However, there was no bottom line as far as I am concerned. Pick up your rifles and go home. How in the hell could they spend six months looking at this thing and come to any other conclusion?

Now, to be sure, they all have credentials that carry a whole lot more weight than mine. But at the end of the day, they have 79 suggestions. Some good, before the war started. All of them now, in my estimation, are no more than just a way for the entrenched power types to set up there next power move. So much bullshit. It was if those dying had no real meaning at all. And, for them, that may be true. Since none of them have loved ones in harm's way.

So what does it all get us? Bush say's he's going to take the suggestions seriously. Seriously? The guy hasn't got a fuckin' clue what seriously is all about. He absolutely believes that his policy decisions will be vindicated. He, even at this late date, has no idea that he is the worst President this country has ever had, and that he has made in every case, the worst possible choices for this country. So, seriously? No way on this warming planet.

As for his pronouncement on this study? He's waiting on several more studies now underway to see what they have to offer. And his chief advisor, Andrew Card? Bush know's more about this subject than anyone on the panel selected. Now they can just go home and shut the fuck up. Of course that is what we would expect from these arrogant, thieving, lying, stealing, bloviating assholes.

So. What have we here? A study by ultimate insider's with relevance near the nil line, to be ignored by the Idiot-in-Chief. Even those few things which might make any real difference, like talking with Syria and Iran, are out of the question. Boy, I'm sure glad we took the time, effort, and money to do that.

Another Talking Point

For several years now there has been this Republican talking point which concerns medical-malpractice lawsuits. The crux of the complaint has been that with all of the frivolous lawsuits filed against innocent medical types, has driven up there cost of doing business (read insurance) as well as killing their profits. Sending them either to practice their craft in some far flung place, or given it up all together.

So, I was quite surprised to find that an article in the New England Journal of Medicine said that although doctors do indeed pay high malpractice-insurance premiums and that it was true that litigation is expensive for all parties, those who win such lawsuits are exceedingly rare. And, are far outnumbered by those cases in which a patient is injured by medical error and goes uncompensated.

Insurance money went to those who had been injured rather than those who had made baseless claims. This, they said, suggested that "moves to combat frivolous litigations will have a limited effect on total costs."

Plaintiffs, said the study, lost four-fifths of the lawsuits that actually went to trial. About 85% of all cases were settled out of court.

Perhaps looking at the Scandanavian model would be of more use than blaming the victim. In that model, special courts abitrate medical disputes.

Yet another Republican talking point takes a shit. Wonder why the MSM didn't spread the word on that one?

A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to relegion. - Aristotle

Republican Questions

So there are rumblings from the Bush minions (Republican Party) about what the Democratic Party plan for Iraq will be. Just a thought. Kiss my ass. You all have had 5 years to get this straight and you are still clueless. So, while we are busy making ready to take over BOTH Houses of Congress, feel free to SHUT THE FUCK UP.

None of you had balls enough to tell Bush he had the country bogged down in Viet Iraq, and now you've got all kinds of motor mouthing going on. How about while the Democrat's are readying things, you go about trying to figure out who is going to jail next, or who is going to lose their seat in the next election? Maybe delouse the offices before you go? Get rid of the telephone numbers for the Pages? Replace the hard drive's in your computer's? I'm sure you have many things to do before moving day.

And, since you couldn't figure out how to govern in the last ten years, how about you take a good long vacation somewhere? Maybe Iraq? You know, to show your support for the troops? Since you didn't bother to fully fund the VA, maybe a band-aid or, jeez, body armor, or something?

Oh, yes. One more thing. Before you wretch the next mouthful of bile on the American public in the form of some other stupid question (yes there is such a thing as a stupid question)? Please feel free to reread the last few words of the 1st paragraph.

And, have a nice day. heh.

Bipartisanship

President Bush has promised a new era of bipartisanship. And, we can all agree that this would be the most sensible approach to governing for the next two years.

The same day the pronouncement of bipartisanship was issued however, two other items hit the wires. First, Bush submitted for nomination, the name of John Bolton to be US Ambassador to the UN. Rather odd, since the first attempt to get the UN hater's name through the process failed. And, now there is a Democratic majority. And, Lincoln Chaffee (R) R.I., has made it clear he will not support the nomination. Second, Bush made it plain that he was going to move forward on legislation to authorize a domestic surveillance program. That would be the one wherein the government is ok'd to spy on it's citizens.

Although I am not always on-board with Joe Biden, this statment worked for me: Bush is only going to learn by getting "HARSH DOSES OF REALITY, REPEATEDLY ADMINISTERED." Or, as Frank Cesca believes, a big 'ol cup of SHUT THE FUCK UP!!

I've got your bipartisanship danglin' dude. You don't set the agenda anymore. You are now as irrelevant as you should have been from the very beginning. Now everyone will get the opportunity to watch as you and your band of thugs slither back under your collective rocks.

Change

A change has come to our shores. A change in control of the Congress of the US. Not just A change, but a big, big change. Both Houses of Congress are now controlled by the Democratic Party. That would be the Party of Liberals, Progressives, and all manner of people and thinkers on the left end of the dial.

Although most of them appear pretty far to the right in my world, they beat the shit out of the cabal that has been in place for the last six years. Admittedly, I am a Socialist. That sets my agenda for change. I think such minimal things as a living wage, universal health care, functional and uncorrupt unions, reproductive rights, gay marriage, and habeus corpus, just to name a few, should be at the top of all Progressives list for change. However, I understand that this change agenda will take some time. Hopefully, as little as a decade, according to Kos.

We have watched as this treacherous regime has made every effort to gut our Constitution and change this from a Republic to a Fascist style state. Fortunately, we the people, have caught them in time to begin the rollback of the crazy assed changes they were trying to implement in order to fulfill their plan. Now we must make every endeavor to make sure they can never succeed at such an attempt again.

Change is good. If, and only if, the change is for the good of the people. It cannot be to ensure that those in power, whoever they are, remain in power regardless of the will of those they are elected to represent.

To the Republicans. We just made a change because of arrogance and your fucking tin ear. To the Democrats. We will hold you just as accountable as we did the Republicans. To any who shall be involved in governing of the masses. We will be watching. And, if we see you becoming less than we demand, we will make a change.



Minimum number of different US Government Agencies that mine the personal data of citizens: 42.

BUSHIT!!

So Bush says there is no "Stay the Course" anywhere to be seen. That he's never been for "Stay the Course" and it's not all about that.

So then he does the lame Rose Garden act where he says: "...objective remains the same..." and "Our goals are unchanging."

All but the 28-30% who have absolutely drowned themselves in the Kool-Aid know that he has not just said it, but has said it over and over and over again. Not just him, his puppet minder, Cheney has said it over and over again as well.

Can't hide the truth guy's. You're on tape, on every channel on the planet saying "Stay the Course," over and over and over again. And, now you say it never happened, we never said that, and if we did, we didn't really mean it.

OK so let's take you at your word. Not really. But, just for a minute. So, you're not for "Stay the Course" and so you're for what? What is the plan? What is it you have finally decided to do? Because clearly whatever you have done up to now has been a dismal failure. October was the deadliest month in the last two years, so there is no quibbling about whether your previous idea (not "Stay the Course") was working or not. What is it?

Latest idea? We may need to send more troops. This one is not only presented by Bush, but by John McCain. OK. So where in the fuck are you going to get the troops, boys? We are now down to scrounging around for troops at every level. How do we know? They have lowered the standards for cannon fodder because they weren't getting enough of them so sign the paper. Take them out of Korea? Maybe not. There are some up in Germany? And, let's see...uhhhh...ummm...shit. Nope, no extra troops around anywhere as far as the eye can see.

You can change the wording, but you can't change the plan. Because you don't have one. You never had one going in and you don't have one now. Rearranging chairs on the deck of the Titanic won't help anymore. No one believes you. Except for the 28-30% we mentioned previously. And, they can't help you.

Since I have already voted, let me tell you something. The end times have arrived. You are going to be relegated to the dust bin of history where you belong. You are the worst President this country has ever had and hopefully, will ever have. And, it is now time for you to slink back under the rock your daddy probably provided for you.

BUSHIT!!

Support

Just read an article by maggiemae over at Dailykos. The article was based on a story run in the San Diego Union on Oct,13,2006, written by Rick Rogers, Staff Writer. The title of the article he wrote was "Helping the hungry on base." http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20061013/news_7m13bread.html

The story related how 100's of young enlisted men's wives are going to the Military Outreach Ministry folks at Camp Pendleton and Miramar Marine Corps Air Station and getting food from their food stores.

The people he's talking about are the 18-25 year old women with 1-3 kids, who's husband's are in Iraq doing the bidding of the Bush Administration for the 3rd, 4th, or 5th time. They are the wives of the E1-5's who do the grunt work (cannon fodder) in any war.

These would be the guy's who are the subject of the Yellow Ribbon, and dress red on Friday campaigns. The Yellow Ribbon generally has "Support the Troops" printed on it and is slapped on the back of a vehicle to make sure that the neighbors all understand how the owner feels. Except that they don't mean a fucking thing. They don't help the troops in any meaningful way at all. Thus the women at the food band sort of places trying to keep their families fed while their husbands/wives are being slaughtered for not a single good reason.

So, for all of those who seem to feel that they are supporting the troops, how about trying to support them in some meaningful way? How about paying them enough to feed their families? How about doing something to assist the wives/husbands/children left behind while they are off being maimed in Afganistan or Iraq? When they do come home how about making sure they get the health care and financial support they need to rehabilitate themselves, if they can?

Haven't researched this story any further, but it seems to me that if this is happening in San Diego, it is probably happening in other parts of the country.

Ways to help.
Military Outreach Ministry at Camp Pendleton - (760)908-7043
Military Outreach Ministries at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station - (619)843-8964
Check locally if you're near a military base.

ASDFG

Lieberman has stated that nothing will change unless "Democrats" change their ways and make nice with the Republicans.
What a fuckin' wanker. What he really means is that they should all capitulate to Shrub...like he did. I'm glad the asshole left the party to run as an Independent. It just takes him further down the road to his real roots. He's a Republican.
And, no we won't miss the son-of-bitch.
What we need to do now is pour money into Connecticut and Ned Lamont's campaign.

Smithsonian

Of all the traveling I have done, this trip was the best one I've had. During this trip, I was able to spend four days wandering the Smithsonian. Every American should have the opportunity to see at least part of this collection. It is rich in the truest sense of the word. Each time the memory comes back to me, my favorite exibit changes. The National Air and Space Museum was certainly worth two visits, but then again, so was the Museum of Natural History. And then there is the US History Museum, filled with memorabilia which is uplifting, humbling and frightening, all in one building.
There will be a return engagement for this trip, and I hope that it will not be long in the making. There are still several building I didn't even get to visit, due to remodeling. And, several buildings off the mall that I would still like to see.

North Korea

It seems quite interesting, this slow dance that North Korea is involved in with the rest of the world, but specifically the US. It is now confirmed that they did in fact test a nuclear device. After which they again reiterated their desire to talk with the US one-on-one. The US said that they would not participate in that kind of negotiation, but only in the previous six nation configuration.
The US then pressed ahead, with Japan and several other nations, to agree to sanctions against North Korea. North Korea had previously said that they would consider any such actions an act of war.
Sanctions now in place, North Korea has said that it considers the sanctions an act of war and that they will conduct another nuclear device test. It seems likely that they do indeed have enough material to conduct at least one more test, and perhaps many.
The sanctions themselves may or may not be what the US really wants, since China has agreed that they will stop and search North Korean ships, but will not confiscate any materials, legal or otherwise found aboard those vessels. Other nations have not stated whether or not they will actually make any confiscations. But it certainly seems that this could force an escalation of the situation in a rather short time.
We already know that due to the Bush Administration's approach, this matter has been exacerbated. What we don't know is how far they are willing to push this issue of not negotiating one-on-one. Based upon past performance, one can only hope that wiser folks will soon be on the scene to force a rather more rational approach.
It is my opinion that North Korea is in a very sad state. There is no doubt that they cannot feed their own populace, which is why they had been receiving large amounts of outside food aid. Sanctions rarely, if ever, work. See Cuba for an example of how irrational they are. And, if North Korea sees itself as being forced into a corner, I have no doubt that they will make strike out. This is not in anyone's best interest. At some point, the populace, which has been starved and beaten into submission for 50+ years, will themselves take action and end the regime. This action which is now being taken, cannot in my opinion serve the better good.



If the Republican Pary cannot protect the Page's who are in their midst, how in the hell can you expect them to protect the nation?

Mr. Foley

I have followed this story from it's inception. Not because of the obvious wrong done by Mr. Foley, but because of the too obvious attempt to cover the whole thing by Republican leadership. These folks believed that power was so important, that they not only covered the crime, but put pressure on Mr. Foley to remain in his seat so as to help them maintain control of the House.

Power is intoxicating all agree. But, to put children in harm's way to maintain it is a sick proposition. Everyone knows that the leadership of the Republican Party is bankrupt...except for the 30% who wouldn't care if they beheaded people on tv. But, to allow such a crime to take place and cover for it, while at the same time screaming about the sin's of the Democrat's is pathetic in the extreme.

When the story first burst on the scene, Mr. Foley, within a day of finding out that ABC News would report the story, resigned. At that time, it was assumed that no one inside the beltway had knowledge of the incidents that were reported. However, within a few hours of his resignation, there were conflicting stories coming from the leadership of the Republican Party. Not only were folks trying to minimize the thing, but several players, Hastert, Reynolds, Shimkus and Alexander were starting to point fingers.

By Saturday it had become obvious to any who cared to read what was being written that the stories weren't lining up. And, by Sunday the cover-up was plain to see. With a little effort, I have followed the story and created a timeline to watch it all. By now, the story has stretched back to 2000/2001. And, there is the possibility that it could reach back as far as 1995.

In the meantime, another story has emerged. This one concerning Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-AZ. It seems that he may have taken a camping trip with a couple of pages. This prior to him confronting Foley in 2000 about sending e-mails to a page that had made him uncomfortable. Now if this mess was known about in 2000 why didn't it become widely known? Easy to speculate, but the truth seems to be coming out fast enough that it's wasted. After all, it was during the initial flurry that Kolbe made it known that he had spoken with Foley in 2000. Then within a couple of days, he is being investigated for the camping story.

With three Republicans already gone (DeLay, Ney and Foley), two under the lights (Kolbe and Wheldon) and at least three waiting in the que, there could be a lot of excitement still to come...before the elections ever arrive.

There is no excuse for voting Republican, unless you own a coal mine or an oil well.

How Far?

It sickens me to have to consider How Far we have gone down the path leading to being the Evil Empire. It doesn't take a genius to see the markers along the path. Stolen elections, secret prisons, torture and removal of haebus corpus are not only obvious, they are lauded by the regime in power. They point at these things and tell the population that they need to be in great fear because the bad guys are very different from days of old. That these tactics are needed because they are the only way to deal with these horrible creatures.

The most troubling issue for me, is that people actually believe such nonsense. There have always been bad guys in the world. And, they have perpetrated horrible actions upon the populace both near and far. Ghengis Khan, Hitler, Idi Amin, and Pol Pot certainly have to rank high on any list of evil doers. But How Far do we go in diminishing ourselves to deal with these people?

It looks to me as though we, collectively, have decided that the old Constitution just isn't worth the effort any longer. That the high ideals that brought that document and this nation into being and sustained us for 200+ years is no longer relevant in our world. That the lowest common denominator should be our calling. And, that torture and suspending our rights is ok in the name of protecting ourselves from whatever evils.

Paraphrasing Ben Franklin, those would give up their freedom for security, deserve neither. I hope for our sake we have not gone That Far.

Milestone

Today it was announced that 2500 young people have been killed in Iraq. What a fucking milestone that is. The new shill for Bushco, Tony Snow, claimed it was "just a number." I wonder if he knows any of the parents or other loved ones of any of those numbers.

What wasn't announced along side the number killed, was mention of those who have been maimed and wounded. It's over 18,000.

Between the two numbers, which Bushites claim are low compared to other conflicts, there are a helluva lot of family members and friends whose lives have been altered in very significant ways forever.

Comparing numbers in this manner is a sad and gruesome way of expressing importance. It isn't a contest mother fucker's. It's a goddam occupation of another country, perpetrated on those young people, and the 10's of thousands of Iraqi's killed and maimed so far, by liars.

Maxine to Bush
Wipe your mouth, there's still some bullshit around your lips.

Differences

For those who may not be able to tell the differences between the parties.

Do you really think humans have nothing to do with global warming?
Do you really think that science shouldn't be taught properly in school?
Do you think that women shouldn't be able to control their own destinies?
Do you really want some Republican telling you who you can and can't have sex with?
Do you really think that immigrants have been wrong for this country since 1607?
Do you really think that people should be listening in on your phone calls?
Do you really think that the President can/should ignore whatever laws he want to?
Do you really think that parmacists should decide which perscriptions should/should not be filled for you because they don't like them?

"...Democrats are looking out for the interests of working class families and the integrity of tax supported science agencies, whereas Republicans deem corporate profits, tax cuts for billionaires, and the campaign contributions that flow from industry lobbyists more important than the health and safety of We the People." Darksyde

Today is one of those days when those who have been done unto get to take some solace in watching those who lorded it over them come crashing back to earth. Today, Ken Lay and Jeffrey Skilling of Enron, were found guilty on all charges brought against them in the collapse of that company.

The collapse of the company was a calamity. What it did to the people working under the umbrella of Enron was much more. It was criminal.

Those who had worked hard for years to make a good life for themselves in retirement found out in a matter of days that they had absolutely nothing. And, while they were being encouraged to dump all the money they had into the company, Ken and Jeff were busy selling huge lots of stock.

So, this afternoon, when I heard Ken going on about how Godly he was, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of a God this man hangs with. A perverted son-of-a-bitch there can be no doubt. And, of course for those of us who are athiest to start with, the bastard was just mouthing bullshit in the same way he did while he was running Enron into the ground.

Ken and Jeff will no doubt do their time in a cushy prison somewhere in the hills of New York. But, we can all take comfort in knowing that they'll likely die on the concrete floor of a prison cell, surrounded by their cell mates.

My only fear is that their buddy George will pardon them and they'll ride off into the sunset with whatever of their fortunes remains intact. And, I certainly would not put it past him, since they are of the same ilk.

Borders

It is truely a mess. There are people who are impoverished trying desperately to get into this country to try and build a better life for themselves and their progeny. There are lots of people pointing fingers and laying blame. Most of which is not useful. So, shut the fuck up.

The fact of the matter is, the problem would not exist if the people streaming across the borders weren't hired to do the jobs that they do. Cleaning houses, picking produce, construction and meat and poultry processing. I hear lots of rhetoric about how they all by god should be rounded up and deported immediately. Businesses, those who support G.W. specifically, aren't about to let that happen anytime soon. They depend on cheap labor to keep profits up, all the while keeping labor costs as low as possible. If all of those who are doing those jobs were to be suddenly deported, those who would demand higher wages would take their place and the cost of doing business, not to mention the cost of those products, would rise sharply.

That of course would lead to whining and moaning about how much everything costs. Well wake the hell up people. We have had cheap food for a very long time. If we are willing to pay more for the food we eat, then by all means lets get started at the deporting game. However, if you like that cheap food, you'd better shut your goddam mouths and push Bushco to actually hire the Border Patrol Agents they promised to hire last December. To refresh your memories, Bush promised last December that we would be hiring 10,000 Agents over the next five years. Then of course came time to pay for them and he wasn't forthcoming with the cash. So instead, we will be hiring about 210. Anything pop out at you here?

Now he decides since the political winds are blowing up his ass and freezing him to death, that the National Guard is the way to go. Put them into desk jobs and let the Border Patrol do it's job. What are the Governor's of those border states saying? All oppose the idea. Error, Perry does what he is told. So he will go along. However, the others are waving a red flag. And, there is this little matter of hurricane season looming in the background promising to suck the National Gaurd another direction. And, lest we forget, there is the little Iraq thing that takes up a lot of their time and effort.

Got an idea George. Put up the money and hire the Border Patrol folks we need to stem the tide. Kick your buddies who are hiring all of the immigrants in the ass and hold them accountable for their actions. Fine them in amounts that will make it unwise to hire them. It's called leadership George. Even though you have never shown any inclination in that department, this might be a real good time.

Bye, Tom

After reporting yesterday (04/04/06) that he would not continue his pursuit of the House seat he has held for 22 years, Tom started laying blame for his problems. It's those damned liberals. They're focusing on him and not on the issues.

From Bill Press: "It wasn't pressure from liberals that forced Delay to hang it up. It was his own greed, arrogance, hypocrisy - and criminality - that finally caught up with him."

One of Tom's best lines was one overheard in a DC restaurant, cigar clamped between teeth, "I am the Federal Government." Yes, he of the Abramoff scandal, the religious right-wing pandering, rule breaking, and ethics committee sanctioning, he was the Federal Government. And, lest any should think otherwise, just because he is gone, does not mean that the culture of corruption suddenly collapses and the Republican Party becomes as pure as the driven snow. No, there is still all that Tom created waiting for the next several shoes to drop.

Hard to tell what comes next for Tom, although he is leaving his home in Texas for his home in DC, so we know that consulting in some form is on the way. But, that may just be trying to make money to keep his lawyers on board for his continueing legal troubles both in Texas and DC.

Bye, Tom.

Another Neocon Shell Game

The Bush administration wants military retirees to pay more for health care. This idea has been rejected before. So why bring it up again? It's part of the shell game that the neocon's play.

The idea is to steer military retiree's away from TRICARE (military healthcare) and toward health plans their current employers sponser. That would take the burden off the Pentagon.

At the same time, state and local gornernments, as well as private employer's, are asking these same individuals to use TRICARE so as to avoid having to pay insurance premiums for them. Sound like a kind of shell game to you?

The Chairman of the House Armed Services military personnel subcommittee, questions the projections given by the Pentagon of a $14.8 billion savings over five years. He says their projections assume that all of those retiree's will move to the private employer's insurance during that five year plan. Of course, like all of the other projections made by this Administration, one needs to be highly skeptical at best.

Senator Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, that great humanitarian, has said that he'd be willing to pay a little more once he retires from the Air Force Reserves. Well just fuckin goody for you Senator. A retired officer's pension, plus a Senator's pension, you should just about be able to make it you goddamn idiot. It isn't about the officer corps asshat. It's about the enlisted members who do the real work in the military and suffer the greatest loss for the the least pay and are continually shit on by dick's like you.

For Graham to say to Rumsfeld that "You're having to choose beween health care premiums, guns, bullets, airplanes and ships" is absolutely ridiculous. Not that that would stop him from saying it. Maybe get the fuck out of Iraq? How about a few dollars savings there?

So what are we talking about in dollars? The current amount payed for health care for a family, under TRICARE is $460. Under the new plan, depending upon rank at the time of retirement, it would jump to between $650 and $1,400.

Again, it is not about the officer corps. It is about retired E-6's who are working as taxi driver's and just trying to make it from month to month. This is another example of Supporting the Troops folks.

It's 2006. Time for this country to correct it's downward spiral. And stop playing these shell games.

Another Bush Legacy

President Bush left a helluva healthcare legacy for his adopted state of Texas. The ex-cheerleader from Yale made a real issue during his initial campaign about how much he had done for the poor children of the state. Well here is the bottom line on that. A full 21% of the children of the state of Texas lack health coverage.

Giving billions of the taxpayers money to overblown corporations like Halliburton and Exxon is great for him and his pals, but those who really need the help...fuck'um. It is possible we're gonna do the deal with the government of Dubai for the port handling, that should make a bunch of rich people very happy. But food stamps for the most vulnerable among us? Not on your life.

This guy really seems to believe he's going to have a great legacy as one of the US's great leaders. Let's see, the neocon's got him to start a war in Iraq, there's the little Katrina thing, and then there's the Abramoff deal. And, who can forget the outing of CIA Agent Valerie Plame. Yup, this guy is gonna have one shiny legacy. Everything he touchs turns to shit. Problem is, his daddy and friends can usually bail him out. This time the whole world is at risk because of this idiot puppet of the neo-conservatives.

Bird Flu

Last week a case of Bird Flu (Avian H5N1) was detected in a cat in Germany. This the latest case of the flu passing from one species to another. Rather than run down the street screaming that the flu is coming, it seems to me that it should be an idicator to stay focused on this problem.

As we saw with the Katrina affair in New Orleans, the government is smugly telling us that everything is being done and to "trust them" that they will protect us. That, my friends, is Bushit. They have begun stockpiling Tamiflu in case there is a pandemic. Tamiflu has been shown not to have much affect on the H5N1 strain of Avian flu. There now. Don't you feel better?

In fact, we are not safe at all. In fact, we don't even know how it is being spread. Some believe it is the migratory birds, and there is certainly some evidence to indicate that it is. However, there is also the possibility that the danger is being spread by chickens in the free market. People who are taking their chickens to market in the next town, or further afield, and spreading the disease that way.

All of the people who have contracted the disease thus far have been farmers who handle chickens. That would mean that only those who come into contact, and it would at this moment seem constant contact, would be vulnerable. However, we also know that the virus, being opportunistic, will mutate and may at sometime in the near future become spreadable from human to human.

Something else about this virus, so far. The seemingly strong, mid teens to mid thirties, have been attacked at a much higher rate than would be expected. In fact, the very young (0-12) and the very old are usually the ones to be most affected by influenza. But that may simply mean that those so far taken by the virus are the ones closest to it and may not tell us anything about how it will work if and when it makes the jump.

Man, do I feel safe. And, with the good job they've done so far, how could I not feel safe?