On Friday, the House of Representatives successfully passed a motion to extend unemployment benefits for millions of unemployed Americans.
Most noteworthy is the outcome of the voting: 231 House Democrats voted In Favor of the extension (and 20 Dems - who should definitely be voted out of office ASAP - voted Against it.).
As for House Republicans, a stunning 168 members of the party devoted to extending tax cuts for the wealthiest 2%, voted Against the extension.
Remarkably, there are signs that some semblance of human compassion still exists in the GOP... At least in a grand total of three Republican members who actually voted in Favor of the extension. (*I Salute You Three, Whoever You Are.).
Now, the measure moves on to the Senate for a vote.
The last time the Senate voted on the extension, the Senate's Republican members said what they pretty much always have said - at least since 2006 - namely, "No!".
It has become excruciatingly obvious that every last one of those heartless and callous GOP Senators is in acute need of the experience of being unemployed and cut off, too.
Here' a brief clip on the story from MSNBC's Countdown.
Enjoy!
L.
House Dems Approve Unemployment Benefits Extension For Millions
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Friday, December 03, 2010
WikiLeaks Gold: Afghanistan's Vice President Massoud Strolls Into UAE With $52 Million US CASH w/ No Explanation & KEEPS IT!
In all honesty, I felt rather annoyed - at least initially - when I heard about the most recent WikiLeaks document dump of thousands of U.S. State Department communications and many candid - yet far from complimentary (let alone "diplomatic") - descriptions of various world leaders - ones meant to remain confidential...
Annoyed, that is, Until... I heard the WikiLeak about this one incident:
Afghanistan's Vice President, Ahmed Zia Massoud, got nabbed as he was trying to enter the United Arab Emirates from Afghanistan...
I don't know how much luggage he had brought with him - if any - but, what I do know (thanks to this last WikiLeaks event) is that the man was carrying $52 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN CASH.
$52 Million U.S. Dollars in Cash the source or origin of which the VP couldn't or wouldn't reveal...
Nor could/would the VP explain where he was taking it (The tax shelter of Dubai, perhaps?).
* By the way -$52 Mill. CASH weighs over 1100lbs.
WORST OF ALL...
This Vice President of Afghanistan - which is one of the poorest countries in the world and one which the U.S. has been pouring $$Billions of Dollars into to re-build and restore - WAS ALLOWED TO KEEP IT!(?)
P.S. ~ Mr. Massoud now denies taking any money out of Afghanistan... Go Figure!
Check Out The Details in this brief clip from TRMS and from an article appearing in RAWA (the "Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan"):
TRMS Corruption In Afghanistan
RAWA
Annoyed, that is, Until... I heard the WikiLeak about this one incident:
Afghanistan's Vice President, Ahmed Zia Massoud, got nabbed as he was trying to enter the United Arab Emirates from Afghanistan...
I don't know how much luggage he had brought with him - if any - but, what I do know (thanks to this last WikiLeaks event) is that the man was carrying $52 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN CASH.
$52 Million U.S. Dollars in Cash the source or origin of which the VP couldn't or wouldn't reveal...
Nor could/would the VP explain where he was taking it (The tax shelter of Dubai, perhaps?).
* By the way -$52 Mill. CASH weighs over 1100lbs.
WORST OF ALL...
This Vice President of Afghanistan - which is one of the poorest countries in the world and one which the U.S. has been pouring $$Billions of Dollars into to re-build and restore - WAS ALLOWED TO KEEP IT!(?)
P.S. ~ Mr. Massoud now denies taking any money out of Afghanistan... Go Figure!
Check Out The Details in this brief clip from TRMS and from an article appearing in RAWA (the "Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan"):
TRMS Corruption In Afghanistan
RAWA
Senate Republicans Sink To Extortion: Threaten To Filibuster All Unless Dems Extend Bush Tax Cuts For Top 2%. *Ha Ha.Very Funny.
*News Flash* (At least it was according to Fox, etc.):
Senate Republicans - All 42 Of Them - Got In A Huddle On Thursday And Sent An Extortion Letter To Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid And All Senate Democrats.
The Letter Contained An Ominous Sounding Threat (At least according to fox, etc.):
If The Democrats Don't Vote For The GOP's #2 Pet Project: Extending G.W. Bush's 10-Yr. Tax Cuts For The Wealthiest 2% Of Americans, Then All 42 Signatories Would Blockade Any And All Legislation Which Comes Up For A Vote By Filibustering It!
(Cue the ominous music.)
(Gasp!) Holy Crap, Batman! What Ever Will The Senate Democrats Do?
Hmm... Probably Laugh... And Quite Hysterically, At That.
Here's a NEWS FLASH For All Of You 42 Republican('t) Senators:
You A**holes Have Been Filibustering Like It Was How You Drew Your Life's Breath.
Or, As If You Have Developed A Chronic And Acutely Severe Case Of Some Kind Of "Filibuster Tourette's Syndrome".
Every Damn Piece Of Legislation To Come Up For Vote In The Senate Since 2007 - When The Republican('t)s Became The Minority Party - Has Been Filibustered By Them - Regardless Of Who's Party Was Behind It Or Was Initially Behind It.
The Senate's Republicans Have Filibustered: Democratic Legislation, Republican('t) Legislation, The Health Care Bill, Wall Street Reform (Which They Now Want To Weaken/Revoke), Saving The American Auto Industry (Saved & Now Profitable, Thank You Very Much), Etc., Etc., Etc.... Ad Nauseum.
Oh... And One Last Thing:
We Will Not Forget That You Republican('t)s In Congress Have Been Intentionally Impersonating A Massive Monkey Wrench (Whilst Being Obscenely Overpaid To Do It) Within America's Legislative Branch Of Government - For At Least Three Years (and counting) Come Election Time! :P
Oh.... What Happened?
Well, The Good News Is This: The Senate Democrats called the Senate Republican('t)s on their moronic bluff.
HURRAY!
Here's a Great Clip from TRMS with a bit more of the details... Enjoy! (I certainly did.)
Peace,
L.
Democrats Call The GOP's Bluff
Senate Republicans - All 42 Of Them - Got In A Huddle On Thursday And Sent An Extortion Letter To Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid And All Senate Democrats.
The Letter Contained An Ominous Sounding Threat (At least according to fox, etc.):
If The Democrats Don't Vote For The GOP's #2 Pet Project: Extending G.W. Bush's 10-Yr. Tax Cuts For The Wealthiest 2% Of Americans, Then All 42 Signatories Would Blockade Any And All Legislation Which Comes Up For A Vote By Filibustering It!
(Cue the ominous music.)
(Gasp!) Holy Crap, Batman! What Ever Will The Senate Democrats Do?
Hmm... Probably Laugh... And Quite Hysterically, At That.
Here's a NEWS FLASH For All Of You 42 Republican('t) Senators:
You A**holes Have Been Filibustering Like It Was How You Drew Your Life's Breath.
Or, As If You Have Developed A Chronic And Acutely Severe Case Of Some Kind Of "Filibuster Tourette's Syndrome".
Every Damn Piece Of Legislation To Come Up For Vote In The Senate Since 2007 - When The Republican('t)s Became The Minority Party - Has Been Filibustered By Them - Regardless Of Who's Party Was Behind It Or Was Initially Behind It.
The Senate's Republicans Have Filibustered: Democratic Legislation, Republican('t) Legislation, The Health Care Bill, Wall Street Reform (Which They Now Want To Weaken/Revoke), Saving The American Auto Industry (Saved & Now Profitable, Thank You Very Much), Etc., Etc., Etc.... Ad Nauseum.
Oh... And One Last Thing:
We Will Not Forget That You Republican('t)s In Congress Have Been Intentionally Impersonating A Massive Monkey Wrench (Whilst Being Obscenely Overpaid To Do It) Within America's Legislative Branch Of Government - For At Least Three Years (and counting) Come Election Time! :P
Oh.... What Happened?
Well, The Good News Is This: The Senate Democrats called the Senate Republican('t)s on their moronic bluff.
HURRAY!
Here's a Great Clip from TRMS with a bit more of the details... Enjoy! (I certainly did.)
Peace,
L.
Democrats Call The GOP's Bluff
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Pentagon Releases Results Of Study On DADT/Urges Senate To Repeal NOW. No More Excuses, GOP Senators.
The Pentagon Has Released Results Of 10-Month Long Study Of Effects Of Ending “DADT” On Service Members.
115,000 troops answered the questionnaire as did several thousand spouses.
Results: Of those surveyed, 69% said they’d served with a gay service member. 92% said they were able to work together. 70% said allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would have positive, mixed or no effect. 30% had negative expectations – though many of them weren’t aware of having served alongside a gay service member.
Check out this clip from TRMS on the Pentagon’s Report and the statements of many GOP lawmakers prior to the study, saying that they wouldn’t vote to repeal until the results were back and the military brass supported doing so (Well, they’re baaaack,):
Enjoy!
Intransigent GOP Out Of Excuses On DADT.
The U.S. ban, known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was adopted in 1993 as some sort of compromise. It requires the military to expel gays and lesbians who are open about their sexual orientation or who have been “outed” – regardless of how long they have served, how many medals they have earned or what rank they have achieved.
According to the Pentagon, about 13,000 American service members have been discharged under the ban.
Question: In the face of two continuing wars in which our military have been forced to do repeated tours due to lack of personnel and considering the fact that there are several international hot-spots of military unrest – isn’t the fact that we have lost 13,000(and counting…) of our brave, devoted and patriotic service members a threat to our national security?
Meanwhile… throughout the rest of the World, 25 countries (incl. the U.K., Canada, Australia & Israel) allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in their militaries.
During their press conference, Sec’y of Defense Robert Gates, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair. Adm. Mike Mullen, Working Group co-chairs Defense Department General Counsel Jeh C. Johnson and Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, concluded the risk of repeal of DADT to overall military effectiveness is low. Sec’y Gates also urged Congress to achieve the repeal before the Courts overturn the policy.
*A Little Background: In 2006 (Before he campaigned for the Presidency and lost (sarah palin) to Barack Obama), Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was clear about his position on the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. McCain stated that he would support repealing DADT if our top military brass declared they agreed with implementing the change.
And I Quote:
“The day that the leadership of the military comes to me and says, ‘Senator, we ought to change the policy,’ then I think we ought to consider seriously changing it,”
- Senator John McCain, speaking in October 2006, to Iowa State University students.
And now, despite his own public statements like the quote above and despite all of the considerable effort, consideration and hard work put into this 10-month long study by America’s highest military leaders…
On Meet the Press, the reigning poster-boy for Sore-Losers, Arizona’s Republican(‘t) Senator John McCain told host David Gregory:
“I will listen, as I’ve said for years, to our military leaders and not a [study] that is leaked, as we know this town’s been good at that.”
What?! Dear Demented Senator McCain: The fact that some of the Pentagon Study’s findings were leaked… Does Not… I repeat… Does Not render said findings “flawed”. Nor does the fact that you feel that the majority of your constituents support the continued (and unconstitutional) discrimination of gays and lesbians.
Or, as said by Servicemembers Legal Defense Network executive director Aubrey Sarvis, in response to McCain’s remarks: “Sen. McCain is clearly out of touch, not only with the American people, but also the Pentagon and our troops,” “McCain seems to be saying he wants a do-over because he doesn’t like the findings and recommendations in the Pentagon report going to Secretary Gates.”
“In other words, McCain is telling the Pentagon: Keep working until you produce the outcome I’m looking for.”
HELLO? U.S. SENATE? Are You (Finally) Hearing This? Are You (Finally) Getting It? No More Excuses. The Question Has Been Asked And Answered. Please Honor And Respect Our Top Military Leaders, Our Fellow Americans and The U.S. Constitution And Vote To Repeal DADT, Now!
*And, SHAME ON Those GOP SENATORS who claimed to be “open-minded” about Repeal and said they were waiting for the release of The Report. (It’s Released.) You who – even now, despite what’s been said and done – are already overtaxing your Petty, Pathetic, Prejudiced, Unpatriotic & Pointy heads in a rush to come up with any baseless challenge you can to call into question the legitimacy of the Pentagon’s report and to try to impede DADT’s repeal.
Dear Anti-Repeal Senate Republicans: You do know what happened to your Ancestors, don’t you? You know whom I’m speaking of: I’m Talking About All Of Those Plodding Prehistoric Reptiles… The Ones That Were Infinitely Bigger, Much More Powerful & Way Badder Than You. Those Ancestors of Yours. Remember them? Yeah? Good. Well, Eventually, All Of Them Went Completely Extinct. Gone… Poof… Almost Like They Were Never There In The First Place… Well, ‘cept for some ol’ fossilized bones. And Guess What? Someday (Thankfully) So Will You.
Peace,
L.
115,000 troops answered the questionnaire as did several thousand spouses.
Results: Of those surveyed, 69% said they’d served with a gay service member. 92% said they were able to work together. 70% said allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would have positive, mixed or no effect. 30% had negative expectations – though many of them weren’t aware of having served alongside a gay service member.
Check out this clip from TRMS on the Pentagon’s Report and the statements of many GOP lawmakers prior to the study, saying that they wouldn’t vote to repeal until the results were back and the military brass supported doing so (Well, they’re baaaack,):
Enjoy!
Intransigent GOP Out Of Excuses On DADT.
The U.S. ban, known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was adopted in 1993 as some sort of compromise. It requires the military to expel gays and lesbians who are open about their sexual orientation or who have been “outed” – regardless of how long they have served, how many medals they have earned or what rank they have achieved.
According to the Pentagon, about 13,000 American service members have been discharged under the ban.
Question: In the face of two continuing wars in which our military have been forced to do repeated tours due to lack of personnel and considering the fact that there are several international hot-spots of military unrest – isn’t the fact that we have lost 13,000(and counting…) of our brave, devoted and patriotic service members a threat to our national security?
Meanwhile… throughout the rest of the World, 25 countries (incl. the U.K., Canada, Australia & Israel) allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in their militaries.
During their press conference, Sec’y of Defense Robert Gates, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair. Adm. Mike Mullen, Working Group co-chairs Defense Department General Counsel Jeh C. Johnson and Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, concluded the risk of repeal of DADT to overall military effectiveness is low. Sec’y Gates also urged Congress to achieve the repeal before the Courts overturn the policy.
*A Little Background: In 2006 (Before he campaigned for the Presidency and lost (sarah palin) to Barack Obama), Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was clear about his position on the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. McCain stated that he would support repealing DADT if our top military brass declared they agreed with implementing the change.
And I Quote:
“The day that the leadership of the military comes to me and says, ‘Senator, we ought to change the policy,’ then I think we ought to consider seriously changing it,”
- Senator John McCain, speaking in October 2006, to Iowa State University students.
And now, despite his own public statements like the quote above and despite all of the considerable effort, consideration and hard work put into this 10-month long study by America’s highest military leaders…
On Meet the Press, the reigning poster-boy for Sore-Losers, Arizona’s Republican(‘t) Senator John McCain told host David Gregory:
“I will listen, as I’ve said for years, to our military leaders and not a [study] that is leaked, as we know this town’s been good at that.”
What?! Dear Demented Senator McCain: The fact that some of the Pentagon Study’s findings were leaked… Does Not… I repeat… Does Not render said findings “flawed”. Nor does the fact that you feel that the majority of your constituents support the continued (and unconstitutional) discrimination of gays and lesbians.
Or, as said by Servicemembers Legal Defense Network executive director Aubrey Sarvis, in response to McCain’s remarks: “Sen. McCain is clearly out of touch, not only with the American people, but also the Pentagon and our troops,” “McCain seems to be saying he wants a do-over because he doesn’t like the findings and recommendations in the Pentagon report going to Secretary Gates.”
“In other words, McCain is telling the Pentagon: Keep working until you produce the outcome I’m looking for.”
HELLO? U.S. SENATE? Are You (Finally) Hearing This? Are You (Finally) Getting It? No More Excuses. The Question Has Been Asked And Answered. Please Honor And Respect Our Top Military Leaders, Our Fellow Americans and The U.S. Constitution And Vote To Repeal DADT, Now!
*And, SHAME ON Those GOP SENATORS who claimed to be “open-minded” about Repeal and said they were waiting for the release of The Report. (It’s Released.) You who – even now, despite what’s been said and done – are already overtaxing your Petty, Pathetic, Prejudiced, Unpatriotic & Pointy heads in a rush to come up with any baseless challenge you can to call into question the legitimacy of the Pentagon’s report and to try to impede DADT’s repeal.
Dear Anti-Repeal Senate Republicans: You do know what happened to your Ancestors, don’t you? You know whom I’m speaking of: I’m Talking About All Of Those Plodding Prehistoric Reptiles… The Ones That Were Infinitely Bigger, Much More Powerful & Way Badder Than You. Those Ancestors of Yours. Remember them? Yeah? Good. Well, Eventually, All Of Them Went Completely Extinct. Gone… Poof… Almost Like They Were Never There In The First Place… Well, ‘cept for some ol’ fossilized bones. And Guess What? Someday (Thankfully) So Will You.
Peace,
L.
Obama Meets With GOP Leadership. Results: Twilight Zone-y. Same Meeting/Different Planets (Sigh.)
In A Continuation Of Their Shamefully Juvenile, Disrespectful & Inexcusable Behavior (on the bright side: at least they're consistent), Leading Congressional Republicans Rudely Rejected The White House's 1st Invitation To Meet With President Obama Following The Mid-Term Elections. The full-of-themselves flakes made weak references to "having other plans", or being "simply too busy"... to accept the invitation and meet with The President Of The United States Of America.
Heck, if they're that shameless, why not make it a bit more interesting and say something like...
"So sorry, Mr. President. Unfortunately we've all already scheduled appointments to wash each other's cats on that day."?
Following Tuesday's (unfortunately closed door) 1st Meeting Between President Obama And Congressional GOP Leaders - In This, The Twilight Of The 111th Congress - Strangely Contradictory Comments About What Actually Transpired During The Meeting - Made By The Attendees, Themselves - (Quite Understandably) Resulted In Something Of A Flashback On TRMS To One Particular Episode Of Rod Serling's"The Twilight Zone" TV Series.
The Episode's Title? "To Serve Man".
(As in, "To Serve Man... With A Nice Chianti.".)
* Here's the link to the related clip of Tuesday's "The Rachel Maddow Show":
Enjoy!
Obama Meets With GOP Leadership
It's a remarkably accurate analogy. As well as a somewhat aggravating one.
Why? Because despite the fact that they all attended the same meeting. And, despite the fact that they all speak the same language... Somehow, President Obama's accounting of the meeting and the GOP leaders' accounting of the meeting... completely contradict each other
(Pardon me whilst I slowly and repeatedly bang my head against the wall.)
Perhaps I'll try something much more constructive/much less self-destructive...
An Open Letter To The President Of The United States Of America:
Dear President Obama:
I agree with you, completely. Cooperation Is Most-Definitely Preferable To Contentiousness.
But, with that said, Please Remember This Very Timely Definition: "Insanity... Is Doing The Same Thing Over & Over And Expecting Different Results."
Simply put, Mr. President: The "Party Of 'No'" Has It Out For You. They've Said So On Numerous Occasions...
Publically And On The Record. Comprende? Period. Paragraph. The End.
If I May Offer Some Advice...
If - At Any Point - Over The Next Two Years There Comes A Time When Any Of The Proponents Of The Grand Old Party Approaches You Wearing A Cheshire Grin And Extending Their Hand...
In all honesty, I would tell you to slam the nearest door on their hand and on the Trojan traitor it belongs to. (Sigh.)
But, barring that option (and, besides, why should you lower yourself to their level?)...
Whatever You Do... Don't Count On That Hand To Be Holding Or To Present You With An Olive Branch.
Mr. President, Please Stop Trying To Placate Them. They've Only Been Trying To Play You.
Please Cease All Consideration Of Making Concessions Or Trying To Bargain/Reason With Them.
They Don't Deserve It. They Don't Deserve Anything For Being The Epitome Of "Unreasonable".
Set all past, present and/or future pretense made by any of them of being "moderate" or an "ally" aside.
Surely, you would agree that, over the previous 18 months, they've proven (and proven repeatedly) that they aren't the least bit interested in participating in anything that can even remotely be perceived as "Bipartisan".
The GOP Leadership Wants/Seeks One Thing And One Thing Alone: To Destroy Your Presidency.
Their Actions Prove What We've Known To Be True: That The Short & Long-Term Goals Of The Republican Party Are Their One And Only Priority.
If Not, Then Passing Legislation - Like The Bill That Would Have Extended Unemployment Benefits Which Are Necessary To Put Food On The Tables And Keep A Roof Over The Heads Of Millions Of Americans ... A Bill Which The GOP Members Of Congress Didn't Hesitate To Kill - Or Doing Anything In The Best Interest Of America and The Majority of Americans... Would Be Apparent On Their "To Do List"... And Be Proven By Their Actions Toward That End.
Anything that the GOP leadership thinks might be perceived as being a Success of your Presidency is something to be targeted. Something they will do anything to impede/weaken/destroy. Up to and including legislation which was originally created, submitted and/or supported by their fellow Republicans.
The GOP has shown their True Colors. And, as it stands, the "Right" couldn't be more Wrong.
Mr. President: Please Trust and Know That The Majority Of Americans Are Behind You.
That the Majority Of Americans Support Allowing The Bush Tax Cuts For Billionaires & Multi-Millionaires To Expire.
It's Time For You To Get On The Offensive.
Simply Stand Before the American People And Tell Them The Truth.
All it takes to Destroy The GOP Leadership's Web Of Self- and Special Interest-Serving Lies Is The Truth/The Facts.
Please Don't Cave, Mr. President.
You Don't Have To.
We Don't Want You To.
~ Whew! I needed that! Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. L.~
Heck, if they're that shameless, why not make it a bit more interesting and say something like...
"So sorry, Mr. President. Unfortunately we've all already scheduled appointments to wash each other's cats on that day."?
Following Tuesday's (unfortunately closed door) 1st Meeting Between President Obama And Congressional GOP Leaders - In This, The Twilight Of The 111th Congress - Strangely Contradictory Comments About What Actually Transpired During The Meeting - Made By The Attendees, Themselves - (Quite Understandably) Resulted In Something Of A Flashback On TRMS To One Particular Episode Of Rod Serling's"The Twilight Zone" TV Series.
The Episode's Title? "To Serve Man".
(As in, "To Serve Man... With A Nice Chianti.".)
* Here's the link to the related clip of Tuesday's "The Rachel Maddow Show":
Enjoy!
Obama Meets With GOP Leadership
It's a remarkably accurate analogy. As well as a somewhat aggravating one.
Why? Because despite the fact that they all attended the same meeting. And, despite the fact that they all speak the same language... Somehow, President Obama's accounting of the meeting and the GOP leaders' accounting of the meeting... completely contradict each other
(Pardon me whilst I slowly and repeatedly bang my head against the wall.)
Perhaps I'll try something much more constructive/much less self-destructive...
An Open Letter To The President Of The United States Of America:
Dear President Obama:
I agree with you, completely. Cooperation Is Most-Definitely Preferable To Contentiousness.
But, with that said, Please Remember This Very Timely Definition: "Insanity... Is Doing The Same Thing Over & Over And Expecting Different Results."
Simply put, Mr. President: The "Party Of 'No'" Has It Out For You. They've Said So On Numerous Occasions...
Publically And On The Record. Comprende? Period. Paragraph. The End.
If I May Offer Some Advice...
If - At Any Point - Over The Next Two Years There Comes A Time When Any Of The Proponents Of The Grand Old Party Approaches You Wearing A Cheshire Grin And Extending Their Hand...
In all honesty, I would tell you to slam the nearest door on their hand and on the Trojan traitor it belongs to. (Sigh.)
But, barring that option (and, besides, why should you lower yourself to their level?)...
Whatever You Do... Don't Count On That Hand To Be Holding Or To Present You With An Olive Branch.
Mr. President, Please Stop Trying To Placate Them. They've Only Been Trying To Play You.
Please Cease All Consideration Of Making Concessions Or Trying To Bargain/Reason With Them.
They Don't Deserve It. They Don't Deserve Anything For Being The Epitome Of "Unreasonable".
Set all past, present and/or future pretense made by any of them of being "moderate" or an "ally" aside.
Surely, you would agree that, over the previous 18 months, they've proven (and proven repeatedly) that they aren't the least bit interested in participating in anything that can even remotely be perceived as "Bipartisan".
The GOP Leadership Wants/Seeks One Thing And One Thing Alone: To Destroy Your Presidency.
Their Actions Prove What We've Known To Be True: That The Short & Long-Term Goals Of The Republican Party Are Their One And Only Priority.
If Not, Then Passing Legislation - Like The Bill That Would Have Extended Unemployment Benefits Which Are Necessary To Put Food On The Tables And Keep A Roof Over The Heads Of Millions Of Americans ... A Bill Which The GOP Members Of Congress Didn't Hesitate To Kill - Or Doing Anything In The Best Interest Of America and The Majority of Americans... Would Be Apparent On Their "To Do List"... And Be Proven By Their Actions Toward That End.
Anything that the GOP leadership thinks might be perceived as being a Success of your Presidency is something to be targeted. Something they will do anything to impede/weaken/destroy. Up to and including legislation which was originally created, submitted and/or supported by their fellow Republicans.
The GOP has shown their True Colors. And, as it stands, the "Right" couldn't be more Wrong.
Mr. President: Please Trust and Know That The Majority Of Americans Are Behind You.
That the Majority Of Americans Support Allowing The Bush Tax Cuts For Billionaires & Multi-Millionaires To Expire.
It's Time For You To Get On The Offensive.
Simply Stand Before the American People And Tell Them The Truth.
All it takes to Destroy The GOP Leadership's Web Of Self- and Special Interest-Serving Lies Is The Truth/The Facts.
Please Don't Cave, Mr. President.
You Don't Have To.
We Don't Want You To.
~ Whew! I needed that! Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. L.~
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
American Media's Glaring Omission: What Do ICTS Int'l, the X-mas Day & Shoe Bombers & Israel Have In Common?
I'm presently recovering from a mild case of shock.
Well, actually, it's a significant case of shock.
The cause: A Bombshell of a News Story that I only stumbled across tonight. And, I do mean "stumbled". Stumbling is the only way anyone in the U.S. is going to find it. I'd have never found it in any of the usual places one depends for news. I only found it after following leads left when it was cited by third-parties.
*The Original Article: Israeli firm blasted for letting would-be plane bomber slip through is at Haaretz.com.
Hello? America's News Outlets? "Stop The Presses!"
For some reason - albeit, an inconceivable one - virtually all of America's Network TV and Print News Media Outlets have been blatantly ignoring what might be the Biggest News Story in Years.
Exemplary journalists do still exist - somewhere. Several actually did some serious digging into some recently-foiled airline bomber incidents. And, what these individuals uncovered is shocking, to say the least.
They confirmed that there are several definitive, strange and repeated connections between:
A.) Each of the aforementioned failed bombers (ie - The "X-mas"/"Underwear" bomber; Richard "Shoe-Bomber" Reid, etc.).
B.) ICTS International (an airport security firm and the developer of APS ("Advanced Passenger Screening"), which is the logarithm-based process used in airports across the U.S.A. (APS was rejected by the Israeli authorities)
ICTS International is also the airport security firm that - on multiple occasions and despite multiple red-flags - inexplicably allowed the would-be-bombers (incompetent as they were, too... thankfully.) pass through their own multi-layered security measures - unhindered - and onward to board airplanes.
And, C.) Israel.
Breaking nearly a year ago, this bombshell news story has actually been widely-reported across the globe - including Israel & Europe. But, there was just one incredibly Glaring Exception/Geographical News Blackout: The U.S.A.
Which happens to be exactly where those very same airport security/screening firms (the ones who've repeatedly displayed an inexcusable level of incompetence) are raking in enormous profits.
Huge profits being made - one could say - as a direct result of not only the evil intentions of the incompetent bombers - but, also as a result of the repeated failures of those very same airport security firms to provide adequate and effective airport security and prevent the men from ever setting foot on the planes.
Oh, and we must'nt forget the TSA's early gift to airline travelers. Those new TSA regulations requiring that all airline passengers either submit to being intimately-groped by latex-gloved strangers OR to being publicly-humiliated whilst being irradiated.
At least you have a Choice, right?
Door Number 1: Enduring a pervy pat-down. ~ Or ~ Door Number 2: A Fancy full-frontal/rear body x-ray/scan.
Psst ~ Did I mention that those same airport security firms also build and sell us their expensive x-ray scanners?
Hmmm... I smell a rat. And, this rat doesn't have anything explosive anywhere on his person.
*Please see The Haaretz.com Story & Share It. (It's a genuine news outlet. Not a tabloid.)
This story is important on its own merit. And also because - despite dropping a bomb and despite being beyond news-worthy - it's un-reported... not by the whole World... just by all of the national/local/TV/internet/cable News sources and journalists that Americans rely upon for important information.
Personally, I think that - basically - they can't All be this incompetent - at least not simultaneously.
So, what the heck is going on?
Thanks.
L.
Well, actually, it's a significant case of shock.
The cause: A Bombshell of a News Story that I only stumbled across tonight. And, I do mean "stumbled". Stumbling is the only way anyone in the U.S. is going to find it. I'd have never found it in any of the usual places one depends for news. I only found it after following leads left when it was cited by third-parties.
*The Original Article: Israeli firm blasted for letting would-be plane bomber slip through is at Haaretz.com.
Hello? America's News Outlets? "Stop The Presses!"
For some reason - albeit, an inconceivable one - virtually all of America's Network TV and Print News Media Outlets have been blatantly ignoring what might be the Biggest News Story in Years.
Exemplary journalists do still exist - somewhere. Several actually did some serious digging into some recently-foiled airline bomber incidents. And, what these individuals uncovered is shocking, to say the least.
They confirmed that there are several definitive, strange and repeated connections between:
A.) Each of the aforementioned failed bombers (ie - The "X-mas"/"Underwear" bomber; Richard "Shoe-Bomber" Reid, etc.).
B.) ICTS International (an airport security firm and the developer of APS ("Advanced Passenger Screening"), which is the logarithm-based process used in airports across the U.S.A. (APS was rejected by the Israeli authorities)
ICTS International is also the airport security firm that - on multiple occasions and despite multiple red-flags - inexplicably allowed the would-be-bombers (incompetent as they were, too... thankfully.) pass through their own multi-layered security measures - unhindered - and onward to board airplanes.
And, C.) Israel.
Breaking nearly a year ago, this bombshell news story has actually been widely-reported across the globe - including Israel & Europe. But, there was just one incredibly Glaring Exception/Geographical News Blackout: The U.S.A.
Which happens to be exactly where those very same airport security/screening firms (the ones who've repeatedly displayed an inexcusable level of incompetence) are raking in enormous profits.
Huge profits being made - one could say - as a direct result of not only the evil intentions of the incompetent bombers - but, also as a result of the repeated failures of those very same airport security firms to provide adequate and effective airport security and prevent the men from ever setting foot on the planes.
Oh, and we must'nt forget the TSA's early gift to airline travelers. Those new TSA regulations requiring that all airline passengers either submit to being intimately-groped by latex-gloved strangers OR to being publicly-humiliated whilst being irradiated.
At least you have a Choice, right?
Door Number 1: Enduring a pervy pat-down. ~ Or ~ Door Number 2: A Fancy full-frontal/rear body x-ray/scan.
Psst ~ Did I mention that those same airport security firms also build and sell us their expensive x-ray scanners?
Hmmm... I smell a rat. And, this rat doesn't have anything explosive anywhere on his person.
*Please see The Haaretz.com Story & Share It. (It's a genuine news outlet. Not a tabloid.)
This story is important on its own merit. And also because - despite dropping a bomb and despite being beyond news-worthy - it's un-reported... not by the whole World... just by all of the national/local/TV/internet/cable News sources and journalists that Americans rely upon for important information.
Personally, I think that - basically - they can't All be this incompetent - at least not simultaneously.
So, what the heck is going on?
Thanks.
L.
Monday, November 22, 2010
TSA Pat-Downs & Full-Body Scans Don't Make Us Safer. If They Did, Israel Would Be Using Them.
The Ha-Ha-Holidays are quickly approaching...
And, as in previous years - for generations - a mass human migration will be taking place. Well... perhaps it's more of a massive number of mini-migrations... as hundreds of thousands of people hit the road on a journey that will take them quite a distance from their Home-Sweet-Home.
For many, if not most, of these travelers this yearly sojourn has become something of a ritual... a "Family Tradition".
"Look on the bright side...", I say to myself. "Remember, you're one of the Lucky Ones. You don't have to do the unthinkable... Namely Flying what can only be described as the Way Too Friendly Skies."
For now, thanks to Frankenfear, abject paranoia and the complete absence of taking a deep breath and thinking the situation through logically and rationally, thousands of people who must take to the air to reach their holiday destinations are facing one particular facet of their upcoming trip with greater apprehension, discomfort and dread than those of us who only cringe as we read about what they must go through to do it.
I don't fly. Not during the holidays. Not ever. I haven't flown in ten years. And, boy, am I glad. As in doing The Snoopy Dance-kind of glad.
The TSA, in all of it's... well, it's not Wisdom... whatever it is. But, it's gotta be super uber-expensive.
Question: Am I the only one who thinks that somebody's gotta be getting a huge Christmas Kickback for unloading all of those Full-Body X-Ray Scanners?
Don't get me wrong, I'm all in favor of keeping air travel safe. Of keeping every kind of travel safe, in fact.
But, the new Status Quo of air travel in which: All airline passengers must either allow TSA personnel to get up close and ridiculously personal with their latex-gloved hands OR must undergo the humiliation of an allegedly "harmless" Full-Body X-Ray Scan. (According to the TSA. But I remember, quite vividly, the EPA declaring the air around Ground Zero "Safe to breathe. And, upon hearing that, thinking, "Wow! You EPA guys are Nuts!")
Question: If the Full-Body Scans are so "Harmless", then why is it that I've been taught to keep my Full-Mouth X-Rays (during which I'm covered with a Lead Vest and the hygienist leaves the room entirely) to a bare minimum?
Safety is - without question - of the utmost importance.
But, in forcing Americans to undergo these physical assaults and abject humiliations - when the practices don't and won't make us any safer - the TSA seems to have lost it's individual and collective mind.
And Americans should not be so quick to cave and allow the TSA or anyone else to cause us to lose our heads (and our personal privacy) in this manner. (The terrorists are probably laughing their heads off.)
How can we know for sure that these measures are utterly over-the-top and completely useless?
It's simple, really. All you do is look at countries whose people have been targets of terrorist attacks for decades.
Look at Israel, for example. Israel's under a constant threat of terrorist attack. It has been for generations. But, travelers through their airports don't get manhandled, poked, prodded, nor felt-up. Nor are they forced to undergo full-body x-ray scans.
And, guess what: No would-be bombers have infiltrated their planes.
What does Israel do to prevent airline attacks?
They Observe people. They Talk to people. And, sometimes, they Interview them.
That's pretty much it.
Israel's tried and true methods are Affordable, Simple, Non-Humiliating and (Best of All) They Are Effective.
Israel's methods do not require that airline passengers be groped... nor irradiated, for that matter.
Not only that, they start checking people out Before they enter the airport.
Gee, go figure...
And, as in previous years - for generations - a mass human migration will be taking place. Well... perhaps it's more of a massive number of mini-migrations... as hundreds of thousands of people hit the road on a journey that will take them quite a distance from their Home-Sweet-Home.
For many, if not most, of these travelers this yearly sojourn has become something of a ritual... a "Family Tradition".
"Look on the bright side...", I say to myself. "Remember, you're one of the Lucky Ones. You don't have to do the unthinkable... Namely Flying what can only be described as the Way Too Friendly Skies."
For now, thanks to Frankenfear, abject paranoia and the complete absence of taking a deep breath and thinking the situation through logically and rationally, thousands of people who must take to the air to reach their holiday destinations are facing one particular facet of their upcoming trip with greater apprehension, discomfort and dread than those of us who only cringe as we read about what they must go through to do it.
I don't fly. Not during the holidays. Not ever. I haven't flown in ten years. And, boy, am I glad. As in doing The Snoopy Dance-kind of glad.
The TSA, in all of it's... well, it's not Wisdom... whatever it is. But, it's gotta be super uber-expensive.
Question: Am I the only one who thinks that somebody's gotta be getting a huge Christmas Kickback for unloading all of those Full-Body X-Ray Scanners?
Don't get me wrong, I'm all in favor of keeping air travel safe. Of keeping every kind of travel safe, in fact.
But, the new Status Quo of air travel in which: All airline passengers must either allow TSA personnel to get up close and ridiculously personal with their latex-gloved hands OR must undergo the humiliation of an allegedly "harmless" Full-Body X-Ray Scan. (According to the TSA. But I remember, quite vividly, the EPA declaring the air around Ground Zero "Safe to breathe. And, upon hearing that, thinking, "Wow! You EPA guys are Nuts!")
Question: If the Full-Body Scans are so "Harmless", then why is it that I've been taught to keep my Full-Mouth X-Rays (during which I'm covered with a Lead Vest and the hygienist leaves the room entirely) to a bare minimum?
Safety is - without question - of the utmost importance.
But, in forcing Americans to undergo these physical assaults and abject humiliations - when the practices don't and won't make us any safer - the TSA seems to have lost it's individual and collective mind.
And Americans should not be so quick to cave and allow the TSA or anyone else to cause us to lose our heads (and our personal privacy) in this manner. (The terrorists are probably laughing their heads off.)
How can we know for sure that these measures are utterly over-the-top and completely useless?
It's simple, really. All you do is look at countries whose people have been targets of terrorist attacks for decades.
Look at Israel, for example. Israel's under a constant threat of terrorist attack. It has been for generations. But, travelers through their airports don't get manhandled, poked, prodded, nor felt-up. Nor are they forced to undergo full-body x-ray scans.
And, guess what: No would-be bombers have infiltrated their planes.
What does Israel do to prevent airline attacks?
They Observe people. They Talk to people. And, sometimes, they Interview them.
That's pretty much it.
Israel's tried and true methods are Affordable, Simple, Non-Humiliating and (Best of All) They Are Effective.
Israel's methods do not require that airline passengers be groped... nor irradiated, for that matter.
Not only that, they start checking people out Before they enter the airport.
Gee, go figure...
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Senator Kyl Nukes Obama's Push For US-Russia START Treaty
Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) just did his part to torpedo not only President Obama; but, also the President's efforts to "re-start" relations with Russia; whilst he simultaneously extended the ridiculous period during which America's National Security has been utterly left to chance.
How?
Well, instead of ratifying the new START Treaty (which returns American investigators to live/work 'on the ground' & observe/report on the numerous Russian nuclear sites), Senator Kyl (who only recently spoke on the urgency of the Treaty's renewal) now says that he and fellow GOP Senators will be serving the myopic goals of the GOP (trying to make Obama a one-term President), instead of serving the National Security of America.
Yep, the Senate's GOP members are just gonna twiddle their thumbs (just to thumb their noses at the President) until next year.
They're just going to keep on ignoring the screaming elephant in the room...
That postponing the vote on the Treaty (until its approval will be virtually impossible to get, at that) only does one thing: It only extends and increases the already serious risk that terrorists could acquire Russian-made nuclear materials.
Gee, thanks, Jon! :P
Here's a link to The Washington Post's article:
Kyl statement deals serious setback...
Friday, November 12, 2010
Dog vs Alligator... Good News From Florida!
Good News From Florida!
(Yes, I know ~ Believe it or Not.)
Dateline: Tampa, FL ~
The owner of an adorable Jack Russell terrier, named Lizbeth, is one of my Heroes.
If only for today - for One Heroic Act:
Lizbeth and her owner were walking by the river when an alligator lunged at the dog, grabbed her in its jaws and dragged her into the murky water.
The desperate owner then actually fired a hand-gun at the gator. When it let Lizbeth go, the owner pulled her unresponsive form from the water.
Not one to let the prehistoric reptilian remnant win, he performed CPR on Lizbeth and held her upside-down - attempting to drain water from her lungs.
Said "Good News"? Lizbeth then began to breathe on her own and is at the vet's.
The gator? Snared by a professional and taken far away from people and their dogs.
Hurray!
Enjoy!
Check it out:
Minnesota Morning: A Cornfield... A Combine... And... A Bear?
*Please Note: This one doesn't have a "Happy Ending"... at least, not for the bear.
Farmers operating a combine in a MN corn-field accidentally ran over a 300+ lb. black bear.
Authorities in MN say that bear sightings are rare this time of year, as bears are typically in hibernation.
Which begs the question: Why was this one in the cornfield?
Also: Why didn't the bear hear the combine approaching and run to safety?
(I've heard that they can run pretty fast.)
Perhaps it was already dead. Was it sick? Had it been shot by a hunter and died there?
As for the farmers...
One was quoted as saying:
"... Never had bear before, so I guess we'll see what it tastes like."
*Hmm... Well, I'm fairly sure that bears haven't had you before either, sir, so...
From: "My List Of Persons To Whom I Would Happily Do Grievous Bodily Harm To".
From: "My List Of Persons To Whom I Would Happily Do Grievous Bodily Harm To".
The person or persons who set a heavy cinder-block on this sweet dog's head...
... and then set the poor, chained and somewhat abandoned being on fire.
Police in North Carolina are searching for the perpetrator of this despicable daylight deed but, sadly, as of yet haven't much to go on.
I, for one, am hoping that at least one witness (or more) comes forward... Preferably with video evidence.
And for this incarnation of "Man's Best Friend" to fully recover.
L.
The person or persons who set a heavy cinder-block on this sweet dog's head...
... and then set the poor, chained and somewhat abandoned being on fire.
Police in North Carolina are searching for the perpetrator of this despicable daylight deed but, sadly, as of yet haven't much to go on.
I, for one, am hoping that at least one witness (or more) comes forward... Preferably with video evidence.
And for this incarnation of "Man's Best Friend" to fully recover.
L.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
It's Not A Simple Temper Tantrum, It's An Unequivocal Terrorist Threat
It's Not A Temper Tantrum, It's An Unequivocal Terrorist Threat:
"If Ballots Don't Work... Bullets Will."
Without exception, this is an utterly shocking statement.
No, wait. It's more than that. It's a direct threat of gun violence.
But, don't delude yourself that, surely, it was said by some long-dead outlaw from back in the "Wild West".
It isn't.
This direct and publicly-made threat of violence was spoken by a woman named Joyce Kaufman. Who is she? She's the Chief of Staff of newly-elected Congressman Allan West of Florida's 22nd Congressional District.
Specifically, Ms. Kaufman (a "conservative radio personality" in FL.) made this overt threat at a July 4th speaking engagement in Florida.
Gives New Meaning to the term "Sore Loser", doesn't it?
With supporters like Ms. Kaufman (now going to D.C.), I guess we should consider ourselves Lucky that Mr. West didn't lose the election...
Not.
Sound familiar? It should.
Why? Because Ms. Sharron Angle, the Republican Congressional candidate from Nevada, had made a very similar statement earlier this year. She said something (also at a public speaking engagement) about utilizing "... our Second Amendment remedies" if she and her supporters didn't achieve their goals through America's traditional, 200+ year old, Constitutional & Democratic means.
Considering the fact that Ms. Angle lost the election to Harry Reid, I kinda hope that someone is keeping tabs on her activities and those of her more looney-tunes supporters.
Dear Law Enforcement Officials/State Department/Justice Department/Homeland Security: Umm... I'm pretty sure that ol' Gitmo is still open - and has vacancies...
Here's a brief clip - with more of Ms. Kaufman's threats on video - from TRMS:
Enjoy! (I cringed.)
L.
"If Ballots Don't Work... Bullets Will."
Without exception, this is an utterly shocking statement.
No, wait. It's more than that. It's a direct threat of gun violence.
But, don't delude yourself that, surely, it was said by some long-dead outlaw from back in the "Wild West".
It isn't.
This direct and publicly-made threat of violence was spoken by a woman named Joyce Kaufman. Who is she? She's the Chief of Staff of newly-elected Congressman Allan West of Florida's 22nd Congressional District.
Specifically, Ms. Kaufman (a "conservative radio personality" in FL.) made this overt threat at a July 4th speaking engagement in Florida.
Gives New Meaning to the term "Sore Loser", doesn't it?
With supporters like Ms. Kaufman (now going to D.C.), I guess we should consider ourselves Lucky that Mr. West didn't lose the election...
Not.
Sound familiar? It should.
Why? Because Ms. Sharron Angle, the Republican Congressional candidate from Nevada, had made a very similar statement earlier this year. She said something (also at a public speaking engagement) about utilizing "... our Second Amendment remedies" if she and her supporters didn't achieve their goals through America's traditional, 200+ year old, Constitutional & Democratic means.
Considering the fact that Ms. Angle lost the election to Harry Reid, I kinda hope that someone is keeping tabs on her activities and those of her more looney-tunes supporters.
Dear Law Enforcement Officials/State Department/Justice Department/Homeland Security: Umm... I'm pretty sure that ol' Gitmo is still open - and has vacancies...
Here's a brief clip - with more of Ms. Kaufman's threats on video - from TRMS:
Enjoy! (I cringed.)
L.
Thursday, November 04, 2010
My Thoughts On The Mid-Term Results (& All Other Cases Where Countless People Voted As If They Were Insane)
Hurray ~ The Mid-Term Elections Are Over!!
(Ugh...) Where the heck are my meds?! :P
(Hey you - Where's that "Happy Face"? That's better. Cheerfully, now.)
"Cheerfully"? ...(Big Sigh.) You've gotta be kiddin' me...
(Come on. Big Smile.) "Big what?" Oh... O.K. Here goes:
D'ya know what I honestly think...
I think that - to a great extent - what we see with the results of the 2010 Mid-Terms and in every previous election where people were conned, yet again, into voting for oil-slick candidates who enjoyed lots of financial backing, but have simply no genuine interest in (nor measurable history of) doing what's right for America and most Americans (the wealthiest among us do not fit into the category of "most Americans")...
Is Exactly What We Deserve.
This is what do-gooders get for all of the incessant - albeit good-intentioned - interfering we do with Good Ol' (Older & Much Wiser) Mother Nature's (It Ain't Broke, So Don't Fix It) "Survival Of The Fittest" Law.
Yes, people... it's a little something called "Evolution".
I hear tell that God came up with it. The concept behind it was that it weeded out those members of each species who - for whatever reason(s) simply lacked the abilities, intelligence and basic common sense that is required to survive - if left to their own devices in the world. T'wasn't anything personal about it.. It made sense and it worked - for eons - making each species stronger and healthier as a whole.
Then, along comes humanity... and compassionate-minded people... and people terrified of getting sued by idiots who don't seem to comprehend that hot coffee is hot; knife/saw/ax blades are sharp; standing on the top rung of a ladder is unwise; riding on top of the roof of/in the bed of a truck at high speeds is dangerous; messing with wild animals is hazardous to your health; etc.
Going out of our way to Protect stupid, reckless, dangerous people from themselves and each other...
Simply is Not doing humanity any favors. In doing so, we've gummed up/thrown a monkey wrench/sabotaged the natural means of promoting the survival of our species at its healthiest.
The Results of doing so:
1.) Yeah, sure - We feel better about ourselves. We feel like we're being "Good" People... Like we're doing the "Right Thing". (I used to feel the same way.)
And, on the surface, perhaps we are.
But, in the long run... We are killing ourselves, slowly, very (and aggravatingly) slowly:
2.) We're drowning in an ocean of other (equally) well-meaning people who - sadly - aren't quite bright enough to keep a seat warm (or, at least, to know when they're being bamboozled, flim-flammed & lied to) and who - tragically, for us all - Vote.
(*Not a judgment. Just an objective and honest observation - albeit, perhaps not explained as well as I'd have liked.)
*On a Much Happier Note*
Hurray ~ Jerry Brown(D) was elected Governor of California (again)!
Governor Brown's opponent - the former head of eBay: Meg Whitman (R) - actually had spent @ $78 Million of her (apparently) endless fortune to both spin the Republican Base & to win the Republican Primary.
Then, Meg dropped another (mind-boggling) $70-80 Million trying to buy herself the Governor's Office.
Er, I mean... Trying to beat Good Ol' Jerry B.
Governor Brown's Sizable Trouncing Of & Victory Over (utilizing a vastly smaller "war chest") Meg's $160+ Millions proves that - at least in my Beloved California - voting Americans aren't as easily duped as in other places and - equally important - The Ones With The Most Money DON'T Always Win.
(Thanks Be.)
L.
(Ugh...) Where the heck are my meds?! :P
(Hey you - Where's that "Happy Face"? That's better. Cheerfully, now.)
"Cheerfully"? ...(Big Sigh.) You've gotta be kiddin' me...
(Come on. Big Smile.) "Big what?" Oh... O.K. Here goes:
D'ya know what I honestly think...
I think that - to a great extent - what we see with the results of the 2010 Mid-Terms and in every previous election where people were conned, yet again, into voting for oil-slick candidates who enjoyed lots of financial backing, but have simply no genuine interest in (nor measurable history of) doing what's right for America and most Americans (the wealthiest among us do not fit into the category of "most Americans")...
Is Exactly What We Deserve.
This is what do-gooders get for all of the incessant - albeit good-intentioned - interfering we do with Good Ol' (Older & Much Wiser) Mother Nature's (It Ain't Broke, So Don't Fix It) "Survival Of The Fittest" Law.
Yes, people... it's a little something called "Evolution".
I hear tell that God came up with it. The concept behind it was that it weeded out those members of each species who - for whatever reason(s) simply lacked the abilities, intelligence and basic common sense that is required to survive - if left to their own devices in the world. T'wasn't anything personal about it.. It made sense and it worked - for eons - making each species stronger and healthier as a whole.
Then, along comes humanity... and compassionate-minded people... and people terrified of getting sued by idiots who don't seem to comprehend that hot coffee is hot; knife/saw/ax blades are sharp; standing on the top rung of a ladder is unwise; riding on top of the roof of/in the bed of a truck at high speeds is dangerous; messing with wild animals is hazardous to your health; etc.
Going out of our way to Protect stupid, reckless, dangerous people from themselves and each other...
Simply is Not doing humanity any favors. In doing so, we've gummed up/thrown a monkey wrench/sabotaged the natural means of promoting the survival of our species at its healthiest.
The Results of doing so:
1.) Yeah, sure - We feel better about ourselves. We feel like we're being "Good" People... Like we're doing the "Right Thing". (I used to feel the same way.)
And, on the surface, perhaps we are.
But, in the long run... We are killing ourselves, slowly, very (and aggravatingly) slowly:
2.) We're drowning in an ocean of other (equally) well-meaning people who - sadly - aren't quite bright enough to keep a seat warm (or, at least, to know when they're being bamboozled, flim-flammed & lied to) and who - tragically, for us all - Vote.
(*Not a judgment. Just an objective and honest observation - albeit, perhaps not explained as well as I'd have liked.)
*On a Much Happier Note*
Hurray ~ Jerry Brown(D) was elected Governor of California (again)!
Governor Brown's opponent - the former head of eBay: Meg Whitman (R) - actually had spent @ $78 Million of her (apparently) endless fortune to both spin the Republican Base & to win the Republican Primary.
Then, Meg dropped another (mind-boggling) $70-80 Million trying to buy herself the Governor's Office.
Er, I mean... Trying to beat Good Ol' Jerry B.
Governor Brown's Sizable Trouncing Of & Victory Over (utilizing a vastly smaller "war chest") Meg's $160+ Millions proves that - at least in my Beloved California - voting Americans aren't as easily duped as in other places and - equally important - The Ones With The Most Money DON'T Always Win.
(Thanks Be.)
L.
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
MI Assistant AG Shirvell On His Own Cyber-Bullying Blog: "He acts like a gay Nazi." (Yes, he really said that.)
"How can you seek protection from crazy people?"
- Michigan Assistant Attorney General Andrew Shirvell during an interview on The Daily Show (Monday, November 1, 2010)
It's a very reasonable query. And, it's one which I'm sure most Americans can relate to. And, it's one to which I would respond: "That's a very good question, Andrew. How do you do that?
Especially when those crazy people...
A.) Run for public office?
B.) Receive enormous and untraceable campaign donations?
C.) And, scores of bamboozled people vote for them?"
(Sigh) But, I digress...
It's what Mr. Shirvell said during an interview on Monday night's The Daily Show that very nearly caused me to rupture a blood vessel...
He was being interviewed by TDS correspondent Jason Jones on the very serious and timely topic of cyber-bullying.
During the interview, Mr. Jones read an excerpt from "The Parent's Guide To Cyber-Bullying" (As published by the State Of Michigan Attorney General's Office):
Mr. Jones: "Cyber-Bullying is defined as 'Technology used to harass or embarrass.'"
And, what was Mr. Shirvell's responses to that definition (a definition taken, verbatim, from the Parents' Guide, mind you)?
Mr. Shirvill's 1st Response: "No, that's too broad of a definition."
(To which Mr. Jones informs Mr. Shirvill, "That's the State's definition.")
Mr. Shirvill's Next Response: "That's not the State's definition."
(At which point which Mr. Jones informs Mr. Shirvill that he has The Parents' Guide (which he's been holding the whole time) and raises the papers in each hand.
After which Mr. Shirvill begins looking like he's becoming uncomfortable...
But, not being the type of person who would ever want to admit to having made any error of any size...
(What influential attorney or Assistant AG would?) Mr. Shirvill goes on to declare:
"That (the definition given by Mr. Jones) was taken out of context."
(*Oh, before I forget to mention it: Mr. Shirvill is the Assistant Attorney General for the Great State of Michigan.)
Continuing in the same conversational tone, Mr. Jones points out that he's just reading the definition exactly as it's written in The Parents' Guide.
Now, the interview takes a completely unexpected turn and gets really interesting.
(It was just like watching a top-quality police drama... during one of those scenes where the lead detectives are interrogating a suspect... they not only know he's guilty - they also have all the evidence needed to convict him - regardless of whether he cooperates or not... that spectacular moment when the camera cuts to the suspect's face... and it hits him: He has nothing they want and he's going to prison.)
Mr. Shirvill's next two declarations spill out much faster than anything said said earlier. His voice rises, noticeably... and he begins shaking his head side-to-side - at an odd angle:
Mr. Shirvill: "I've done nothing immoral. And, I've done nothing illegal."
(How strange... Did anyone else hear an accusation being made?)
At this point, Mr. Jones holds up an image which had been posted on a blog of Mr. Shirvill's.
This particular blog, Chris Armstrong Watch, is one that Mr. Shirvill, himself, created with a single purpose in mind.
That purpose can be summed up in one brief definition: "Cyber-Bullying: Technology used to harass or embarrass."
Turns out, Mr. Shirvill has dedicated a great deal of his online time and effort to harassing and embarrassing Mr. Chris Armstrong, a student at the University of Michigan who had been elected to the position of "Student Body President".
And, why would the 30yr. old (and one might assume, busy?) Mr. Shirvill use his valuable time to harass the University of Michigan's Student Body President, you might ask?
Another very reasonable query...
The Answer:
Because he's gay, of course!
(Well, duh! According to Mr. Shirvill, being gay is "... diametrically-opposed to the natural order of things.")
The image Mr. Jones had presented was a Photoshop'd image of Mr. Armstrong... with the word "Resign" written in prominent black magic-marker across his face... along with the iconic and much-loved Rainbow Flag alongside his neck - here and now-defaced by Mr. Shirvill's personal superimposition of a large, black magic-marker Nazi swastika in a white circle at the flag's center and a black magic-marker arrow pointing from the flag to Mr. Armstrong's face.
When Mr. Jones questioned Mr. Shirvill on the morality of his creation (not a one-of, by any stretch of the imagination)... Mr. Shirvill deflected, "How is that immoral?" Mr. Jones began to reply, "Well, you're likening him to a...". (Mr. Jones, thankfully, didn't have to finish the statement, Mr. Shirvill was more than happy to do it for him, triumphantly):
Mr. Shirvill: "He's acting like a gay Nazi... yes." (Said while simultaneously nodding his own head - in agreement with himself.)
"... A Gay Nazi?"
Oh, Really?
Are you 100% Positive of that, Mr. Shirvill??
Mr. Shirvill: Not only are you a shamelessly-hateful, intolerant bigot...
One with a bizarre obsession/fixation on one male college student - at that...
But, you are also an accomplished imbecile:
A Quick History Lesson - Just For You:
"The Nazi campaign against homosexuality targeted the more than one million German men who, the state asserted, carried a "degeneracy" that threatened the "disciplined masculinity" of Germany. Denounced as "antisocial parasites" and as "enemies of the state," more than 100,000 men were arrested under a broadly interpreted law against homosexuality. Approximately 50,000 men served prison terms as convicted homosexuals, while an unknown number were institutionalized in mental hospitals. Others—perhaps hundreds—were castrated under court order or coercion. Analyses of fragmentary records suggest that between 5,000 and 15,000 homosexual men were imprisoned in concentration camps, where many died from starvation, disease, exhaustion, beatings, and murder." (From: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum)
"... gay Nazi."
You're a blithering idiot.
(Whew! O.K., Take a deep breath. Ahh. That's better.)
Here's the link to the episode and the (brief/funny/infuriating) interview (it's the 2nd segment of the show):
Enjoy! (I did, really.)
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 11/01/10 (*For unknown reasons, the link goes to the 11/02 episode. Just scroll down and click on Monday night's. Thanks!)
- Michigan Assistant Attorney General Andrew Shirvell during an interview on The Daily Show (Monday, November 1, 2010)
It's a very reasonable query. And, it's one which I'm sure most Americans can relate to. And, it's one to which I would respond: "That's a very good question, Andrew. How do you do that?
Especially when those crazy people...
A.) Run for public office?
B.) Receive enormous and untraceable campaign donations?
C.) And, scores of bamboozled people vote for them?"
(Sigh) But, I digress...
It's what Mr. Shirvell said during an interview on Monday night's The Daily Show that very nearly caused me to rupture a blood vessel...
He was being interviewed by TDS correspondent Jason Jones on the very serious and timely topic of cyber-bullying.
During the interview, Mr. Jones read an excerpt from "The Parent's Guide To Cyber-Bullying" (As published by the State Of Michigan Attorney General's Office):
Mr. Jones: "Cyber-Bullying is defined as 'Technology used to harass or embarrass.'"
And, what was Mr. Shirvell's responses to that definition (a definition taken, verbatim, from the Parents' Guide, mind you)?
Mr. Shirvill's 1st Response: "No, that's too broad of a definition."
(To which Mr. Jones informs Mr. Shirvill, "That's the State's definition.")
Mr. Shirvill's Next Response: "That's not the State's definition."
(At which point which Mr. Jones informs Mr. Shirvill that he has The Parents' Guide (which he's been holding the whole time) and raises the papers in each hand.
After which Mr. Shirvill begins looking like he's becoming uncomfortable...
But, not being the type of person who would ever want to admit to having made any error of any size...
(What influential attorney or Assistant AG would?) Mr. Shirvill goes on to declare:
"That (the definition given by Mr. Jones) was taken out of context."
(*Oh, before I forget to mention it: Mr. Shirvill is the Assistant Attorney General for the Great State of Michigan.)
Continuing in the same conversational tone, Mr. Jones points out that he's just reading the definition exactly as it's written in The Parents' Guide.
Now, the interview takes a completely unexpected turn and gets really interesting.
(It was just like watching a top-quality police drama... during one of those scenes where the lead detectives are interrogating a suspect... they not only know he's guilty - they also have all the evidence needed to convict him - regardless of whether he cooperates or not... that spectacular moment when the camera cuts to the suspect's face... and it hits him: He has nothing they want and he's going to prison.)
Mr. Shirvill's next two declarations spill out much faster than anything said said earlier. His voice rises, noticeably... and he begins shaking his head side-to-side - at an odd angle:
Mr. Shirvill: "I've done nothing immoral. And, I've done nothing illegal."
(How strange... Did anyone else hear an accusation being made?)
At this point, Mr. Jones holds up an image which had been posted on a blog of Mr. Shirvill's.
This particular blog, Chris Armstrong Watch, is one that Mr. Shirvill, himself, created with a single purpose in mind.
That purpose can be summed up in one brief definition: "Cyber-Bullying: Technology used to harass or embarrass."
Turns out, Mr. Shirvill has dedicated a great deal of his online time and effort to harassing and embarrassing Mr. Chris Armstrong, a student at the University of Michigan who had been elected to the position of "Student Body President".
And, why would the 30yr. old (and one might assume, busy?) Mr. Shirvill use his valuable time to harass the University of Michigan's Student Body President, you might ask?
Another very reasonable query...
The Answer:
Because he's gay, of course!
(Well, duh! According to Mr. Shirvill, being gay is "... diametrically-opposed to the natural order of things.")
The image Mr. Jones had presented was a Photoshop'd image of Mr. Armstrong... with the word "Resign" written in prominent black magic-marker across his face... along with the iconic and much-loved Rainbow Flag alongside his neck - here and now-defaced by Mr. Shirvill's personal superimposition of a large, black magic-marker Nazi swastika in a white circle at the flag's center and a black magic-marker arrow pointing from the flag to Mr. Armstrong's face.
When Mr. Jones questioned Mr. Shirvill on the morality of his creation (not a one-of, by any stretch of the imagination)... Mr. Shirvill deflected, "How is that immoral?" Mr. Jones began to reply, "Well, you're likening him to a...". (Mr. Jones, thankfully, didn't have to finish the statement, Mr. Shirvill was more than happy to do it for him, triumphantly):
Mr. Shirvill: "He's acting like a gay Nazi... yes." (Said while simultaneously nodding his own head - in agreement with himself.)
"... A Gay Nazi?"
Oh, Really?
Are you 100% Positive of that, Mr. Shirvill??
Mr. Shirvill: Not only are you a shamelessly-hateful, intolerant bigot...
One with a bizarre obsession/fixation on one male college student - at that...
But, you are also an accomplished imbecile:
A Quick History Lesson - Just For You:
"The Nazi campaign against homosexuality targeted the more than one million German men who, the state asserted, carried a "degeneracy" that threatened the "disciplined masculinity" of Germany. Denounced as "antisocial parasites" and as "enemies of the state," more than 100,000 men were arrested under a broadly interpreted law against homosexuality. Approximately 50,000 men served prison terms as convicted homosexuals, while an unknown number were institutionalized in mental hospitals. Others—perhaps hundreds—were castrated under court order or coercion. Analyses of fragmentary records suggest that between 5,000 and 15,000 homosexual men were imprisoned in concentration camps, where many died from starvation, disease, exhaustion, beatings, and murder." (From: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum)
"... gay Nazi."
You're a blithering idiot.
(Whew! O.K., Take a deep breath. Ahh. That's better.)
Here's the link to the episode and the (brief/funny/infuriating) interview (it's the 2nd segment of the show):
Enjoy! (I did, really.)
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 11/01/10 (*For unknown reasons, the link goes to the 11/02 episode. Just scroll down and click on Monday night's. Thanks!)
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
What The Heck Are Republicans Whining About?
What The Heck Are Republicans Whining About?
Over the last 21 months - less than a full 2 years into the Obama Administration...
The 111th (Democratic-majority) Congress has accomplished a significant amount of work that they should be proud of and for which they should be respected and admired.
The cries, cracks and complaints of the most-shrill of the small-in-number/full-of-bluster and (frequently) apoplectic critics of President Obama's Administration and this Democratic Congress... the ones who have repeatedly displayed their expertise in the art of taking audio/video clips completely out of context and then creating a crisis where none existed... the ones who have, quite inexplicably, been given a spot in front of a functioning tv camera and/or radio microphone... have been singularly-obsessed with this Congress' significant, positive and yet, somehow, controversial, banner legislation: Health-care reform, Financial regulation, the (successful) Economic Recovery Act, etc....
So caught up in their singular obsession, these perpetual panic button-pushers have completely overlooked a vast number of significant and effective pieces of legislation successfully-passed by this Congress. (Or, they didn't think they could be transformed into ranting-and-raving, ratings-boosting issues.)
Examples: Passage of several bills aimed at assisting all of our veterans, the 25 separate tax cuts passed, a land conservation bill (the most significant in 2 decades), the creation of the very first Consumer Financial Protection Agency, etc.
Another noteworthy and ignored fact: Contrary to the gloom-and-doom forecasts of: "The sky is falling! The sky is falling!" by the far right-wingers...
This Democratic Congress has actually reduced federal spending and reduced the deficit, too.
And yet, despite these and other accomplishments, if one tunes in to a network news program or talk show, one will consistently be presented with clips of people considered to be "in the know" who've made predictions that - after the final tally of votes in tomorrow's elections - Republicans will have won a number of seats in the House of Representatives and, perhaps, a few in the Senate.
If their predictions turn out to be correct, the change would be an unfortunate one for our country.
Even though it was the Bush Administration and its Republican Congress who were wielding their political power/influence over all of us a mere two years ago, it seems that many Americans are suffering from a very specific type of short-term memory loss. The barely two years gone two-term Bush Administration definitely wasn't eight years of "Happy Days Are Here Again" - unless, that is, you were one of the uber-wealthiest Americans gifted with big tax cuts.
Doesn't anyone remember those multiple tax cuts for the upper-echelon of wealthiest Americans (May they be allowed to Expire)?
How about those fictional findings fabricated and, repeatedly, shoved down our and the world's throats by Bush's war-mongers/profiteers as their justification for the utterly unprovoked multi-billion dollar Iraq War?
Of course, even before that happened, there was the (now-seemingly endless) Afghanistan War?
Or, don't any of those people recall a monstrosity/pile of bureaucratic crap Bush & Co. came up with called: "Medicare Pt. D"?
All of the above were obviously going to be mind-bogglingly expensive and, alas, not just at that point in time but, also, for the foreseeable future.)
Not only that... when it came time for the Bush Administration to present their budget... GWB's bean-counters were... ah, shall we say creative?
Like many members of the Bush Administration, these imaginative accountants were utterly unencumbered by commonly accepted concepts like "Reality" (and honesty, integrity, etc.). Without hesitation, they intentionally neglected to include the costs of the aforementioned, phenomenally-expensive items/actions. Why? Because doing so meant the amount of their deficit total would be much lower and - needless to say - completely inaccurate (their made-up total was, of course, many billions of dollars below the actual deficit total.)
(Sigh...) Regardless, I still hope for the best.
I have faith (hopefully not misplaced) that plenty of Americans, when standing alone in the voting booth, have enough good sense to differentiate between political bluster and basic facts.
Here's a Fun Fact:
Showing "The Right Stuff", certain members of the 111th Congress saw to it that important legislation - designed to be of long-lasting benefit for our country - was successfully passed. Not only that... they did so with the knowledge that, in the upcoming midterm elections, their Republican opponents would likely attack them for supporting that legislation and, in doing so, would possibly defeat them.
If actions speak louder than words, they showed themselves to be persons of considerable integrity, admirable character, backbone and that they were true patriots (rare traits in politicians).
They made a conscious decision to do what they'd been elected to do: They did what they knew to be in the best interest of Americans instead of doing what was in the best interest of prolonging their personal political careers. It's worth repeating: This type of personal sacrifice is extremely rare - especially in politics.
Call it "Policy Ahead Of Politics".
(*I encourage everyone to take a moment to remember what such a sacrifice looks like and what it entails. Because it's possible that, after tomorrow, we may not see it again for a while.)
What other accomplishments, you might ask?
Want a brief but detailed summary?
(No problem. I would, too.)
Take a look at this:
Over the last 21 months - less than a full 2 years into the Obama Administration...
The 111th (Democratic-majority) Congress has accomplished a significant amount of work that they should be proud of and for which they should be respected and admired.
The cries, cracks and complaints of the most-shrill of the small-in-number/full-of-bluster and (frequently) apoplectic critics of President Obama's Administration and this Democratic Congress... the ones who have repeatedly displayed their expertise in the art of taking audio/video clips completely out of context and then creating a crisis where none existed... the ones who have, quite inexplicably, been given a spot in front of a functioning tv camera and/or radio microphone... have been singularly-obsessed with this Congress' significant, positive and yet, somehow, controversial, banner legislation: Health-care reform, Financial regulation, the (successful) Economic Recovery Act, etc....
So caught up in their singular obsession, these perpetual panic button-pushers have completely overlooked a vast number of significant and effective pieces of legislation successfully-passed by this Congress. (Or, they didn't think they could be transformed into ranting-and-raving, ratings-boosting issues.)
Examples: Passage of several bills aimed at assisting all of our veterans, the 25 separate tax cuts passed, a land conservation bill (the most significant in 2 decades), the creation of the very first Consumer Financial Protection Agency, etc.
Another noteworthy and ignored fact: Contrary to the gloom-and-doom forecasts of: "The sky is falling! The sky is falling!" by the far right-wingers...
This Democratic Congress has actually reduced federal spending and reduced the deficit, too.
And yet, despite these and other accomplishments, if one tunes in to a network news program or talk show, one will consistently be presented with clips of people considered to be "in the know" who've made predictions that - after the final tally of votes in tomorrow's elections - Republicans will have won a number of seats in the House of Representatives and, perhaps, a few in the Senate.
If their predictions turn out to be correct, the change would be an unfortunate one for our country.
Even though it was the Bush Administration and its Republican Congress who were wielding their political power/influence over all of us a mere two years ago, it seems that many Americans are suffering from a very specific type of short-term memory loss. The barely two years gone two-term Bush Administration definitely wasn't eight years of "Happy Days Are Here Again" - unless, that is, you were one of the uber-wealthiest Americans gifted with big tax cuts.
Doesn't anyone remember those multiple tax cuts for the upper-echelon of wealthiest Americans (May they be allowed to Expire)?
How about those fictional findings fabricated and, repeatedly, shoved down our and the world's throats by Bush's war-mongers/profiteers as their justification for the utterly unprovoked multi-billion dollar Iraq War?
Of course, even before that happened, there was the (now-seemingly endless) Afghanistan War?
Or, don't any of those people recall a monstrosity/pile of bureaucratic crap Bush & Co. came up with called: "Medicare Pt. D"?
All of the above were obviously going to be mind-bogglingly expensive and, alas, not just at that point in time but, also, for the foreseeable future.)
Not only that... when it came time for the Bush Administration to present their budget... GWB's bean-counters were... ah, shall we say creative?
Like many members of the Bush Administration, these imaginative accountants were utterly unencumbered by commonly accepted concepts like "Reality" (and honesty, integrity, etc.). Without hesitation, they intentionally neglected to include the costs of the aforementioned, phenomenally-expensive items/actions. Why? Because doing so meant the amount of their deficit total would be much lower and - needless to say - completely inaccurate (their made-up total was, of course, many billions of dollars below the actual deficit total.)
(Sigh...) Regardless, I still hope for the best.
I have faith (hopefully not misplaced) that plenty of Americans, when standing alone in the voting booth, have enough good sense to differentiate between political bluster and basic facts.
Here's a Fun Fact:
Showing "The Right Stuff", certain members of the 111th Congress saw to it that important legislation - designed to be of long-lasting benefit for our country - was successfully passed. Not only that... they did so with the knowledge that, in the upcoming midterm elections, their Republican opponents would likely attack them for supporting that legislation and, in doing so, would possibly defeat them.
If actions speak louder than words, they showed themselves to be persons of considerable integrity, admirable character, backbone and that they were true patriots (rare traits in politicians).
They made a conscious decision to do what they'd been elected to do: They did what they knew to be in the best interest of Americans instead of doing what was in the best interest of prolonging their personal political careers. It's worth repeating: This type of personal sacrifice is extremely rare - especially in politics.
Call it "Policy Ahead Of Politics".
(*I encourage everyone to take a moment to remember what such a sacrifice looks like and what it entails. Because it's possible that, after tomorrow, we may not see it again for a while.)
What other accomplishments, you might ask?
Want a brief but detailed summary?
(No problem. I would, too.)
Take a look at this:
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Forget Literacy Tests For Voters. Require Constitutional Competency Tests For Candidates.
In February, former Colorado Congressman, Tom Tancredo, popped up at the national tea party gathering (one of those rallies with a bunch of "It's the Constitution, stupid." signs.) and advocated requiring citizens to take/pass a civic literacy test before being allowed to vote.
Hey, Tom... I have a much better idea.
And, my idea would be of significant benefit to all Americans: We should begin to require that every candidate who wants to campaign for public office in the United States take a test on a single, supremely important subject: The U.S. Constitution and the Constitutional Amendments.
Duh... It's a no-brainer!
Every candidate wanting to run for City Council, Mayor, Governor, Congress, etc. up to the President should have to prove they are the proud possessors of an in-depth understanding of our nation's founding document... the basis of our Democracy: The U.S. Constitution.
No Exceptions Allowed
No Excuses.
And, simply put... Failure = A Candidate Is Utterly Unqualified to hold public office.
Let's give it a little practice run...
How about we test the knowledge of some of the 2010 mid-term candidates on an easy item:
The First Amendment Of The U.S. Constitution.
Here goes...
Enjoy! (I did.)
Hey, Tom... I have a much better idea.
And, my idea would be of significant benefit to all Americans: We should begin to require that every candidate who wants to campaign for public office in the United States take a test on a single, supremely important subject: The U.S. Constitution and the Constitutional Amendments.
Duh... It's a no-brainer!
Every candidate wanting to run for City Council, Mayor, Governor, Congress, etc. up to the President should have to prove they are the proud possessors of an in-depth understanding of our nation's founding document... the basis of our Democracy: The U.S. Constitution.
No Exceptions Allowed
No Excuses.
And, simply put... Failure = A Candidate Is Utterly Unqualified to hold public office.
Let's give it a little practice run...
How about we test the knowledge of some of the 2010 mid-term candidates on an easy item:
The First Amendment Of The U.S. Constitution.
Here goes...
Enjoy! (I did.)
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Truth In Political Advertising? There Ought To Be A Law - Or Not. (Meanwhile, may I suggest FactChecker.org)
From: The "Sad But True" File:
Believe It Or Not ~ Despite The Fact That The Federal Government Instituted/Enforces Laws Meant To Protect Consumers From Being Duped By False Advertising Of Products... There aren't any federal laws which protect Americans from being duped by false advertising about political candidates.
One might, reasonably, think that creating/enforcing laws meant to protect American citizens from from being duped - via political ads which are chock full o' lies, half-truths and misrepresentations - into voting for those candidates whom are far from the best man/woman for the job... would be more important than protecting them from self-proclaimed "psychics" or dolls that don't do what is claimed in ads.
The concept is a "no-brainer"... or is it?
Turns out, the single reason there aren't any federally-instituted laws against false political ads and the few state-issued ones have been difficult to enforce is the First Amendment To The U.S. Constitution: - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. -
As I discovered on the political fact-finding site, FactChecker.org: TV stations are permitted to refuse ads from political groups for any reason. The same is not true of candidates - unless stations refuse ads from all of the candidates for a specific office. Accepting an ad from one candidate means that, legally, they must accept the ads from that candidates opponents. The only exceptions: for technical issues (too long or too brief to fit into commercial break-slots, or unacceptable recording quality) or for content considered "obscene." That a candidate’s ad is false is simply not a legally-protected justification for rejecting it.
"The very idea of self-government rests on the idea that voters — given enough uncensored information — can best decide who should be in power and who should not. So, free speech applies first and foremost to candidates. So, states have found it hard to enact laws against false political advertising — and even harder to make them work."
What does this mean to you, me and every other American voter? That, at least legally, it’s up to each of us to figure out who’s lying and who’s telling the Truth in the 2010 campaign and in every political campaign.
"Nobody said Democracy was supposed to be easy."
Helping Americans with this task is one of the primary duties of trustworthy news organizations. (Thankfully, our First Amendment guarantees a Free Press as well as Free Speech.)
FactCheck.org is one of those news organizations that works hard to help. They seek out, uncover and reveal for all to see what is True and what is False in political ads, emails and in statements made by politicians - irrespective of political party.
They take an in-depth look at the truth-in-political-advertising issue (including several court cases) in "False Ads: There Oughta Be A Law!... Or Maybe Not.".
Enjoy!
L.
Believe It Or Not ~ Despite The Fact That The Federal Government Instituted/Enforces Laws Meant To Protect Consumers From Being Duped By False Advertising Of Products... There aren't any federal laws which protect Americans from being duped by false advertising about political candidates.
One might, reasonably, think that creating/enforcing laws meant to protect American citizens from from being duped - via political ads which are chock full o' lies, half-truths and misrepresentations - into voting for those candidates whom are far from the best man/woman for the job... would be more important than protecting them from self-proclaimed "psychics" or dolls that don't do what is claimed in ads.
The concept is a "no-brainer"... or is it?
Turns out, the single reason there aren't any federally-instituted laws against false political ads and the few state-issued ones have been difficult to enforce is the First Amendment To The U.S. Constitution: - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. -
As I discovered on the political fact-finding site, FactChecker.org: TV stations are permitted to refuse ads from political groups for any reason. The same is not true of candidates - unless stations refuse ads from all of the candidates for a specific office. Accepting an ad from one candidate means that, legally, they must accept the ads from that candidates opponents. The only exceptions: for technical issues (too long or too brief to fit into commercial break-slots, or unacceptable recording quality) or for content considered "obscene." That a candidate’s ad is false is simply not a legally-protected justification for rejecting it.
"The very idea of self-government rests on the idea that voters — given enough uncensored information — can best decide who should be in power and who should not. So, free speech applies first and foremost to candidates. So, states have found it hard to enact laws against false political advertising — and even harder to make them work."
What does this mean to you, me and every other American voter? That, at least legally, it’s up to each of us to figure out who’s lying and who’s telling the Truth in the 2010 campaign and in every political campaign.
"Nobody said Democracy was supposed to be easy."
Helping Americans with this task is one of the primary duties of trustworthy news organizations. (Thankfully, our First Amendment guarantees a Free Press as well as Free Speech.)
FactCheck.org is one of those news organizations that works hard to help. They seek out, uncover and reveal for all to see what is True and what is False in political ads, emails and in statements made by politicians - irrespective of political party.
They take an in-depth look at the truth-in-political-advertising issue (including several court cases) in "False Ads: There Oughta Be A Law!... Or Maybe Not.".
Enjoy!
L.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Hello Readers! Ch-ch-changes...
Hello Readers!
Having just finished the latest Blog (Check it out, it's Great!) I made a point to update the page's entire look. Change is Good. I sincerely hope that you like the changes. Either way, please let me know whether or not you like the changes.
Thanks!
L.
Having just finished the latest Blog (Check it out, it's Great!) I made a point to update the page's entire look. Change is Good. I sincerely hope that you like the changes. Either way, please let me know whether or not you like the changes.
Thanks!
L.
Beltway Media Adopts GOP Narrative For 2010 Midterm Elections
When It Comes To The Question Of: Why Republicans Might Be Successful In Their Attempts To Take Both Congressional Seats And Other Political Offices From Democrats (Not that they actually will, mind you), The GOP Has Been Making Some Pretty Outrageous Claims:
The GOP has been and still is asking Americans to vote for Republican candidates for a multitude of reasons... And, not surprisingly, not one of these reasons is Truth- or Fact-based.
For Example:
This is:
The GOP has been and still is asking Americans to vote for Republican candidates for a multitude of reasons... And, not surprisingly, not one of these reasons is Truth- or Fact-based.
For Example:
This is:
The World According to the GOP Narrative and $GOP-Sponsored Media:
"Vote For Republicans, Because Republicans will Cut The Federal Deficit!"
No, Republicans will NOT do any such thing.
The Truth:
Extending All of the Bush Tax Cuts is A Goal Of The Republican Party. Extending the Bush Tax Cuts For The Wealthiest Of Uber-Wealthy Americans Will ADD $4 TRILLION$ To The Federal Deficit.
Or...
"Republicans Are Against Big Government!"
No, they aren't.
The Truth:
If Elected To Public Office, A Frightening Number of GOP Candidates Will FORCE Female Victims of RAPE and INCEST To Carry To Term and then Give Birth To The Offspring Of Their RAPISTS!
Or...
"The Republicans Strongly Opposed The Stimulus, Saying It Wouldn't Help The Economy!"
Yes, they did oppose it on those grounds, but...
The Truth:
If The GOP Was So Utterly Convinced That Stimulus Money Wouldn't Create Jobs Or Help The Economy...
Then, Why Did GOP Politicos Then Turn Around -Doing A Complete 180-Degree Turn - And Ask For Their Share Of Stimulus Funds... Stating In Their Requests That "... Funds Will Create Jobs/Stimulate Their Economy"?
Or...
"Republicans Opposed Health Reform/Obamacare!"
Yep, they screamed about it... on camera. And, sure, some GOP Showboats have even brought about a lawsuit try and to stop it.
The Truth:
Virginia's conservative Attorney General is one of those whom have brought a Lawsuit to attempt to stop National Health Reform...
So, Why is it that Virginia's Republican Governor is - simultaneously - trying to take credit for all the new Funding Virginia just received as a result of that same National Health Reform/Obamacare?
Or...
"Republican Candidates Represent Economic Populism/Republicans Are Against Wall St. Fat Cats!"
A Big, Fat Lie.
The Truth:
Pennsylvania's Republican Senate Candidate is Pat Toomey. Mr. Toomey's last job was as a WALL ST. DERIVATIVES TRADER.
Indiana's Republican Senate Candidate Dan Coats. Mr. Coats previously worked as a DC LOBBYIST.
Or...
"Republican Candidates Are Political Outsiders/Are People Just Like You & Me!"
Ahem... Bull Pucky.
The Truth:
GOP Candidates Sharron Angle, Ken Buck, Christine O'Donnell, Joe Miller, etc... Have all been Perennial Crank Republican Candidates.
In all honesty:
The Republican Candidate Line-Up is hilarious! In fact, they deserve their own "Reality Show". I'm sure that Fox would do it (Fox will do anything.) All they'd have to do is drop the current national crop of GOP candidates onto a deserted, tropical island and let them have at it... and each other.
I've even picked out the Perfect Title for the show...
Call the show "Survive This!"
They'd be a Laugh Riot...
If they weren't so freaky, frightening and financed to run for political office.
Sheeesh!
Enjoy this clip from TRMS (I did)!
L.
No, Republicans will NOT do any such thing.
The Truth:
Extending All of the Bush Tax Cuts is A Goal Of The Republican Party. Extending the Bush Tax Cuts For The Wealthiest Of Uber-Wealthy Americans Will ADD $4 TRILLION$ To The Federal Deficit.
Or...
"Republicans Are Against Big Government!"
No, they aren't.
The Truth:
If Elected To Public Office, A Frightening Number of GOP Candidates Will FORCE Female Victims of RAPE and INCEST To Carry To Term and then Give Birth To The Offspring Of Their RAPISTS!
Or...
"The Republicans Strongly Opposed The Stimulus, Saying It Wouldn't Help The Economy!"
Yes, they did oppose it on those grounds, but...
The Truth:
If The GOP Was So Utterly Convinced That Stimulus Money Wouldn't Create Jobs Or Help The Economy...
Then, Why Did GOP Politicos Then Turn Around -Doing A Complete 180-Degree Turn - And Ask For Their Share Of Stimulus Funds... Stating In Their Requests That "... Funds Will Create Jobs/Stimulate Their Economy"?
Or...
"Republicans Opposed Health Reform/Obamacare!"
Yep, they screamed about it... on camera. And, sure, some GOP Showboats have even brought about a lawsuit try and to stop it.
The Truth:
Virginia's conservative Attorney General is one of those whom have brought a Lawsuit to attempt to stop National Health Reform...
So, Why is it that Virginia's Republican Governor is - simultaneously - trying to take credit for all the new Funding Virginia just received as a result of that same National Health Reform/Obamacare?
Or...
"Republican Candidates Represent Economic Populism/Republicans Are Against Wall St. Fat Cats!"
A Big, Fat Lie.
The Truth:
Pennsylvania's Republican Senate Candidate is Pat Toomey. Mr. Toomey's last job was as a WALL ST. DERIVATIVES TRADER.
Indiana's Republican Senate Candidate Dan Coats. Mr. Coats previously worked as a DC LOBBYIST.
Or...
"Republican Candidates Are Political Outsiders/Are People Just Like You & Me!"
Ahem... Bull Pucky.
The Truth:
GOP Candidates Sharron Angle, Ken Buck, Christine O'Donnell, Joe Miller, etc... Have all been Perennial Crank Republican Candidates.
In all honesty:
The Republican Candidate Line-Up is hilarious! In fact, they deserve their own "Reality Show". I'm sure that Fox would do it (Fox will do anything.) All they'd have to do is drop the current national crop of GOP candidates onto a deserted, tropical island and let them have at it... and each other.
I've even picked out the Perfect Title for the show...
Call the show "Survive This!"
They'd be a Laugh Riot...
If they weren't so freaky, frightening and financed to run for political office.
Sheeesh!
Enjoy this clip from TRMS (I did)!
L.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
We All Vote. Whether Actively Or Passively. We All Vote. Please Be Active. Vote On Nov. 2, 2010
My Fellow Americans...
As Americans, we All Vote.
You might not realize it or even think so... but, even if you don't actually register to vote... even if you don't go to your local polling place and choose where to mark your ballot... You are voting...
In spite of your apparent apathy, discouragement or lack of active participation.
Whether or not to Vote Is Your Choice, of course...
But, honestly, wouldn't you prefer to participate in actively steering the ship... rather than simply being a buoy on the ocean?
Considering the Unenlightened, Democracy-Damaging and Utterly Stupid (J.Robert's) Supreme Court "Citizens United" Decision (which has - as predicted - opened the floodgates to allow Unlimited and Un-Traceable political ad campaign contributions)...
And, considering the significant number of crack-pots, kooks, wing-nut extremists & just plain utterly unqualified candidates who've thrown their hats into the political ring...
And, considering the fact that many of those sizable corporate "Citizens United" Decision benefactors - er, I mean anonymous Republican Big-Money Donors - see Nothing Wrong with throwing their considerable financial support behind the aforementioned extremists and unqualified candidates...
It Is Supremely Important That You Vote On November 2, 2010.
If You Are Registered To Vote - Bless You.
If Not, Please Get Registered (Deadlines may vary).
And Vote On Nov. 2nd.
*Here, in California, the deadline to Register is MONDAY, Oct. 18th.*
Thank You.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Psst... May I Interest You In Some Truly Bloody True Blood Clothing You Can Win!
Are You A True Blood Fan?
I Mean... A Real, Blood & Guts True Blood Fan?
Really?
No way - Me Too!
But ~ Are You Fan Enough To Wear A Bloody Gen-u-yne Article Of True Blood Clothing (& I do mean "Bloody") - Something Worn By One Of Our Favorite Living, Dead &/Or Undead This All Hallow's Eve?
Or... Whenever.
Well, Then... Here's The Link: http://store.hbo.com
Peep the pics, check off the items u like (for men & women) and then just Sign-up (email and a name) at HBO's True Blood Shop for a chance to win it.
And... What if you're (gasp!)... Not A Fan Of True Blood?
Well, Then... Just Bite Me. :P
I Mean... A Real, Blood & Guts True Blood Fan?
Really?
No way - Me Too!
But ~ Are You Fan Enough To Wear A Bloody Gen-u-yne Article Of True Blood Clothing (& I do mean "Bloody") - Something Worn By One Of Our Favorite Living, Dead &/Or Undead This All Hallow's Eve?
Or... Whenever.
Well, Then... Here's The Link: http://store.hbo.com
Peep the pics, check off the items u like (for men & women) and then just Sign-up (email and a name) at HBO's True Blood Shop for a chance to win it.
And... What if you're (gasp!)... Not A Fan Of True Blood?
Well, Then... Just Bite Me. :P
Monday, October 11, 2010
GOP Conservatives: "They're Afraid To Debate Us!" TRMS: "Let's Debate." GOP: "Er... Um, No."
There are numerous Conservative GOP candidates have gone to great extents to make their unhappiness with how they are covered on MSNBC, TRMS and Countdown known.
They complain, profusely, in fund-raising emails; they use them as a 'laugh line' in their stump speeches; they make the ludicrous claims: (courtesy of a Liz Cheney ad) "They (msnbc, et al) Are Afraid To Debate Us.".
These conservatives' cries of "foul" are utterly ludicrous for a very simple fact:
As an example: Despite having been repeatedly invited to appear in-person on TRMS and to have the opportunity to say, in their own words, what it is exactly that Rachel had (in their minds) gotten wrong about them - they've resolutely refused to do so.
And, to this day, they continue to refuse an open invitation.
So, I ask you, "Who, Exactly, Is Afraid Of Whom?".
Here's a brief yet fact-filled clip of Rachel explaining the blatant hypocrisy of their claims when one considers that they are the ones refusing to appear on the show. It also includes yet another warm, friendly, cheerful and open invitation from Rachel for any one of them to please come on the show to debate her.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
AMC's "The Walking Dead" 2nd Official Trailer (Premieres Oct. 31st)
Vampires... Shmampires... (cont'd)
Umm... Well... Er... Yeah... OK, fine.
In the spirit of complete disclosure, I'll admit that I'm a bit (no pun intended) of a Vampire Junkie - If it's an engrossing tale/show/movie that you can effortlessly sink your teeth into (I'm sorry... Couldn't resist).
That said...
I simply can't wait to see the highly-anticipated premiere of "The Walking Dead" on AMC.
*You can watch the newly-released second Official Trailer in this post.
Remember To Make A Note In Your Calendar/Add To Your "To Do" List:
*Sunday, October 31st.*
All Hallow's Eve (a.k.a. Halloween), of course!
Enjoy!
L.
Friday, October 01, 2010
GOP Leadership: "How are the mighty fallen..." Or: From Integrity To LCD
Oh, GOP Leadership...
What sad, regretful events we find ourselves witnesses to...
"How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle"
And, with each passing day, it is ever more surprising how much farther the (once) mighty fall/are willing to fling themselves.
The Congressional GOP Leadership - those select individuals who consistently showed themselves to be exceptional examples of "rising above" and whose words and actions showed the considerable amount of wisdom they'd cultivated and valued - even if it wasn't popular with those with... ah, flexible/pliable morals/character.
Those respected leaders whom the GOP membership looked to as Standard Bearers.
(Heck, even I had a great deal of respect for them.)
Those individuals who not only refused to participate in infantile mud-slinging and lame, low-down & dirty politics, but who condemned such petty behavior...
Those few who never "waffled"...
Have now, sadly, themselves crumbled, collapsed & caved...
Falling phenomenally fast from those hard-won and well-deserved positions of respect and trust...
Appearing to have now abandoned entirely, their life-long moral high-ground...
Only to join the rank and file of lost and misled...
The ones who - because they are suffering under the manipulations of petty politicians of questionable character for whom being low-down, dirty and mud-slinging is a celebratory achievement - are most in need of their formerly invaluable, experience-rich guidance...
They've now taken up the very same undignified behaviors which they themselves had recently and rightfully condemned: inappropriate and completely-off-the-point assertions and already-refuted innuendos... ones previously-acknowledged as laughable; ludicrous; ridiculous; desperate and utterly undignified...
In other words... the LCD.
Here's a brief clip from TRMS... which illustrates this unhappy transformation perfectly...
Enjoy (?)
What sad, regretful events we find ourselves witnesses to...
"How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle"
And, with each passing day, it is ever more surprising how much farther the (once) mighty fall/are willing to fling themselves.
The Congressional GOP Leadership - those select individuals who consistently showed themselves to be exceptional examples of "rising above" and whose words and actions showed the considerable amount of wisdom they'd cultivated and valued - even if it wasn't popular with those with... ah, flexible/pliable morals/character.
Those respected leaders whom the GOP membership looked to as Standard Bearers.
(Heck, even I had a great deal of respect for them.)
Those individuals who not only refused to participate in infantile mud-slinging and lame, low-down & dirty politics, but who condemned such petty behavior...
Those few who never "waffled"...
Have now, sadly, themselves crumbled, collapsed & caved...
Falling phenomenally fast from those hard-won and well-deserved positions of respect and trust...
Appearing to have now abandoned entirely, their life-long moral high-ground...
Only to join the rank and file of lost and misled...
The ones who - because they are suffering under the manipulations of petty politicians of questionable character for whom being low-down, dirty and mud-slinging is a celebratory achievement - are most in need of their formerly invaluable, experience-rich guidance...
They've now taken up the very same undignified behaviors which they themselves had recently and rightfully condemned: inappropriate and completely-off-the-point assertions and already-refuted innuendos... ones previously-acknowledged as laughable; ludicrous; ridiculous; desperate and utterly undignified...
In other words... the LCD.
Here's a brief clip from TRMS... which illustrates this unhappy transformation perfectly...
Enjoy (?)
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Twin Towers Memorial Lights Trap 10,000 Birds On 9th Anniversary
Regarding the 10,000 birds...
Worry not. Their entrapment was only temporary.
Thankfully, NYC Audubon & NYC Municipal Arts Society are aware of the serious danger the bright lights cause for the birds.
They turned off the lights for 20 minutes at a time a few times that night.
Whew!
That said, here's something that's a bit worrisome
(or, at the least, a wee bit nauseating):
Did You Know?...
"An estimated 90,000 birds Die each year after becoming disorientated by lights and crashing into skyscrapers in New York as they migrate south for the winter."
Ugh.
But, wait.
All is not lost, despite this staggering statistic.
"Owners of tower blocks (the Enlightened Owners, anyway) are increasingly switching off or dimming their lights to reduce the risks to birds."
Hurray.
I feel better already... How 'bout you?
If you'd like to check out the video and/or the associated article on the 10,000 Temporarily Trapped Birds... Please click on the link below.
Thanks!
Enjoy!
(From: www.telegraph.co.uk)
10,000 Birds Trapped In Twin Towers Memorial Lights
More than 10,000 confused birds were trapped by the beams of memorial lights switched on to mark the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York.
By Nick Allen in Los Angeles
Worry not. Their entrapment was only temporary.
Thankfully, NYC Audubon & NYC Municipal Arts Society are aware of the serious danger the bright lights cause for the birds.
They turned off the lights for 20 minutes at a time a few times that night.
Whew!
That said, here's something that's a bit worrisome
(or, at the least, a wee bit nauseating):
Did You Know?...
"An estimated 90,000 birds Die each year after becoming disorientated by lights and crashing into skyscrapers in New York as they migrate south for the winter."
Ugh.
But, wait.
All is not lost, despite this staggering statistic.
"Owners of tower blocks (the Enlightened Owners, anyway) are increasingly switching off or dimming their lights to reduce the risks to birds."
Hurray.
I feel better already... How 'bout you?
If you'd like to check out the video and/or the associated article on the 10,000 Temporarily Trapped Birds... Please click on the link below.
Thanks!
Enjoy!
(From: www.telegraph.co.uk)
10,000 Birds Trapped In Twin Towers Memorial Lights
More than 10,000 confused birds were trapped by the beams of memorial lights switched on to mark the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York.
By Nick Allen in Los Angeles
Thursday, September 09, 2010
US Judge Rules Don't Ask Don't Tell Unconstitutional; DADT; Gays In Foreign Militaries
And Justice For All...
Well... it's, at the least, another step in an enlightened and just direction.
U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips granted a request for an injunction halting the U.S. military's DADT ("Don't Ask. Don't Tell") policy on Thursday.
Judge Phillips "... said the law did not help military readiness, but had a "direct and deleterious effect" on the armed services.
The Obama administration has promised to introduce legislation repealing it.
That said...
The Obama Administration "has also announced that the repeal would not be
implemented until after the Pentagon completed a review of its impact on
the armed forces."
That last bit means that - both tragically and in the meanwhile - the U.S. military will be continuing to pursue its practice of forced expulsion of some of its best and brightest members.
This is unfair and unfortunate for not only everyone concerned, but for all of us, as a nation.
Here's the link to the full bbc.co.uk article...
US Judge Rules Military Ban On Gays 'Unconstitutional'
If you're interested in seeing the published results (in summary or whole) of a very recent independent survey (carried out by The Palm Center) of other nations whose military forces have transitioned into openly allowing gay and lesbian citizens to serve - a very enlightening report, to say the least - click on the link below...
Gays in Foreign Militaries 2010
February 23, 2010
Dr. Nathaniel Frank with Dr. Victoria Basham, Geo!rey Bateman, Dr. Aaron Belkin, Dr. Margot Canaday, Dr. Alan Okros, and Denise Scott
Enjoy!
Well... it's, at the least, another step in an enlightened and just direction.
U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips granted a request for an injunction halting the U.S. military's DADT ("Don't Ask. Don't Tell") policy on Thursday.
Judge Phillips "... said the law did not help military readiness, but had a "direct and deleterious effect" on the armed services.
The Obama administration has promised to introduce legislation repealing it.
That said...
The Obama Administration "has also announced that the repeal would not be
implemented until after the Pentagon completed a review of its impact on
the armed forces."
That last bit means that - both tragically and in the meanwhile - the U.S. military will be continuing to pursue its practice of forced expulsion of some of its best and brightest members.
This is unfair and unfortunate for not only everyone concerned, but for all of us, as a nation.
Here's the link to the full bbc.co.uk article...
US Judge Rules Military Ban On Gays 'Unconstitutional'
If you're interested in seeing the published results (in summary or whole) of a very recent independent survey (carried out by The Palm Center) of other nations whose military forces have transitioned into openly allowing gay and lesbian citizens to serve - a very enlightening report, to say the least - click on the link below...
Gays in Foreign Militaries 2010
February 23, 2010
Dr. Nathaniel Frank with Dr. Victoria Basham, Geo!rey Bateman, Dr. Aaron Belkin, Dr. Margot Canaday, Dr. Alan Okros, and Denise Scott
Enjoy!
Pastor Terry Jones; Quran-Burning; Human Stupidity vs National Security
When I first heard about the breathtakingly bigoted, jaw-droppingly ignorant twonk in Gainesville, Florida - You know the one: Ev(il)angelical pastor Terry Jones - and his announced plan to hold a "Koran Burning Day" on the ninth anniversary of the terror attacks which shook the nation to its core on September 11, 2001...
I was stunned - initially, anyway - at this otherwise unremarkable little man's utterly remarkable level of religious-intolerance, cultural incompetence and militant disregard for the potentially serious - if not deadly - effects of his proposed actions.
I've also been rather non-plussed at the expanding and exploding coverage of this small-minded man's misdirected hatred/ignorance as it grew from a "can you believe this stupidity" brief aside in a few news broadcasts into what it has now become: one of the main stories covered not only in national newscasts, but now global news.
Not only that...
In our most modern world of instantaneous global communication, as reports of the asinine intentions of this Southern pastor of a congregation of no more than 50 people have traveled across the globe and fanned the fanatical fires of the Christian vs Muslim religious war rhetoric of Muslim extremists into a growing firestorm, the story has now blossomed into a genuine national security issue for America and has increased the potential harm which threatens our men and women serving overseas - particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan - in the various branches of our military.
American officials have taken the significant increase in the level of such threats which would undoubtedly result in the wake of Jones' intended Quran-burning very seriously.
In public statements, "... President Obama, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and General David Petraeus, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, have warned that the burning of any Qurans could put at risk American soldiers fighting wars in predominantly Muslim countries." (From: npr.org.)
by Liz Halloran NPR.org
(Hint... Hint... Believe it or not, this whole carnival actually started with NPR... I kid you not.)
So, it's a very good read.
Enjoy!
I was stunned - initially, anyway - at this otherwise unremarkable little man's utterly remarkable level of religious-intolerance, cultural incompetence and militant disregard for the potentially serious - if not deadly - effects of his proposed actions.
I've also been rather non-plussed at the expanding and exploding coverage of this small-minded man's misdirected hatred/ignorance as it grew from a "can you believe this stupidity" brief aside in a few news broadcasts into what it has now become: one of the main stories covered not only in national newscasts, but now global news.
Not only that...
In our most modern world of instantaneous global communication, as reports of the asinine intentions of this Southern pastor of a congregation of no more than 50 people have traveled across the globe and fanned the fanatical fires of the Christian vs Muslim religious war rhetoric of Muslim extremists into a growing firestorm, the story has now blossomed into a genuine national security issue for America and has increased the potential harm which threatens our men and women serving overseas - particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan - in the various branches of our military.
American officials have taken the significant increase in the level of such threats which would undoubtedly result in the wake of Jones' intended Quran-burning very seriously.
In public statements, "... President Obama, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and General David Petraeus, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, have warned that the burning of any Qurans could put at risk American soldiers fighting wars in predominantly Muslim countries." (From: npr.org.)
On Thursday, President Obama, in an interview broadcast on ABC, described the pastor's proposed stunt as a "recruitment bonanza for al-Qaida."
A recently revealed sidenote: it has been revealed that the pea-brained pastor wrote something with the title Islam Is of the Devil - published last month.
Perhaps - in Jones' myopic mind, anyway - the planned Quran-burning was his idea of a "Shock-and-Awe" method of promoting his book.
I must admit... I was shocked... not only by the pastor's superior stupidity, but also by his unwavering resoluteness to - damn the torpedoes and everything/everyone else - show just how stupid one person can be... if they work really hard on it.
And, I'm even kinda awed that, in the wake of the growing international condemnation of his plans as well as reports on anti-Christian and Anti-American protests he's inspired, the pastor hasn't simply disappeared... although the media circus which now encircles him would definitely make that a bit of a challenge.
NPR.org provides an informative and detailed account of exactly how this excruciatingly-painful example of human stupidity was able to achieve the infinitely-undeserved (and, hopefully, soon to be ended) status of: Global News Story... whilst simultaneously (and quite militantly) shaping himself into the ideal "Anti-American Poster-Boy" For al-Qaida.... and becoming a One-Man Menace to American National Security...
by Liz Halloran NPR.org
(Hint... Hint... Believe it or not, this whole carnival actually started with NPR... I kid you not.)
So, it's a very good read.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Obama's Speech/Iraq War End - GOP Says Bush Owed Thanks
President Obama spoke from The Oval Office on Tuesday - marking the end of combat operations in Iraq.
There was one thing which - although it remained unmentioned - still managed to be the unavoidable and enormous elephant in the Oval Office...
In his address to the nation, President Obama did refer to former President Bush's role as the "decider" who had initiated the Iraq War, yet he concluded his speech without ever calling attention to the actions of the Bush Administration - including the seemingly endless string of blatant lies and and fact-free fear-mongering - used by that Administration to - at first - justify the invasion of Iraq and then, to justify maintaining a huge military presence and occupying the country. (The Bush Administration - especially Dick Cheney and GWB himself - proved on more than a few occasions that they had absolutely no qualms about standing before the national and world press and spinning further fabricated fish-tales as needed after the previous one was exposed.)
When Obama referred to his predecessor, he did so only briefly and without including the little tidbit about him being the same man who deserves to be, ultimately, the one person held responsible for every one of the 4400 dead Americans and countless civilian casualties which were a direct result of Bush's decision to go to war.
President Bush is ultimately responsible, as well, for the countless billions of American dollars which were poured into the Iraq war and/or lost to members of the corrupt leadership there... Billions of dollars which would have better served Americans and American interests if invested in education, job creation, infrastructure, etc. here at home.
In keeping his remarks about Bush brief, President Obama continued to prove his previously-stated interest of looking ahead, not behind.
So, even though he could have taken advantage of these issues, President Obama, instead, chose to take the high road.
Once again, President Obama showed that he - for one - has something called Integrity.
You'd think that such graciousness would be appreciated.
Not so.
Despite having been given this hugely-undeserved pass by the current President during a major public address being watched by millions...
Despite the fact that Obama made the conscious decision not kick Republicans when they're already down - something the GOP would never do if the situation were reversed - Senior GOP members of Congress simply couldn't leave it alone.
Apparently, they misinterpreted President Obama's show of integrity as a sign of weakness - which is understandable, as many of them lack integrity and wouldn't recognize such a valuable character trait even if it were right in front... well, where it was.
The GOP leadership's hot air-filled, self-deluded response to Obama abstaining from beating their dead elephant points to their utter inability to simply sit down, thank their lucky stars and shut the hell up - even if it's in their own best interest to do so.
John Boehner criticized Obama's earlier opposition to the Bush surge which led to this "result" - namely, the end of the war.
Mr. Boehner, I have three words for you: "No Exit Strategy".
And, John Boehner wasn't the only windbag who foolishly tried to draw political capital - in a situation where there was none to be gained.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch "Crazy Mac" McConnell (R-KY) also seemed to feel that former President Bush had in some way been slighted by Obama's omission of his "achievements".
McConnell was all fired up over his perception that President Bush hadn't received the credit due to him for his contributions to this moment and moved quickly to call everyone's attention to what Obama hadn't: namely that without Bush's tireless efforts to initiate the Iraq War, the end of combat operations in Iraq wouldn't have been possible.
McConnell stood in front of a microphone and cameras and said, "I think that we should be thankful that another President had the determination and the will to carry out the plan that made tonight's announcement possible.".
* In other words, what McConnell is saying is that if then-President Bush hadn't brought about the start of the Iraq War, then President Obama wouldn't have this great opportunity to be marking The End of it.
Wow.
The senior Congressional GOP leadership actually wants us to be thankful that President Bush started the Iraq War.
Really? You guys want a "Thank You"?
Well, OK...
Senator Boehner, Senator McConnell (and all others of like mind):
I freely offer my "Thank You, President George W. Bush, For Starting The Iraq War":
Thank You, former President Bush, for setting a global precedent - one which other nations may very well invoke in the future to justify their own military actions - in which a sitting head of state chooses - unilaterally - to initiate an utterly unprovoked bombing & full-scale military invasion of a sovereign nation - a nation which was of no immediate nor direct threat... and for justifying all of it with lie after lie after lie and for having no exit strategy.
Thank You. Thanks a lot.
It is my most sincere hope that you, sir, receive all the credit (and everything else) you deserve for all that you did to make the unprovoked Iraq War a bloody, deadly and hugely-expensive reality... which is now, thankfully, coming to an end.
There, Mitch... John... that pretty much covers it.
Peace.
L.
There was one thing which - although it remained unmentioned - still managed to be the unavoidable and enormous elephant in the Oval Office...
In his address to the nation, President Obama did refer to former President Bush's role as the "decider" who had initiated the Iraq War, yet he concluded his speech without ever calling attention to the actions of the Bush Administration - including the seemingly endless string of blatant lies and and fact-free fear-mongering - used by that Administration to - at first - justify the invasion of Iraq and then, to justify maintaining a huge military presence and occupying the country. (The Bush Administration - especially Dick Cheney and GWB himself - proved on more than a few occasions that they had absolutely no qualms about standing before the national and world press and spinning further fabricated fish-tales as needed after the previous one was exposed.)
When Obama referred to his predecessor, he did so only briefly and without including the little tidbit about him being the same man who deserves to be, ultimately, the one person held responsible for every one of the 4400 dead Americans and countless civilian casualties which were a direct result of Bush's decision to go to war.
President Bush is ultimately responsible, as well, for the countless billions of American dollars which were poured into the Iraq war and/or lost to members of the corrupt leadership there... Billions of dollars which would have better served Americans and American interests if invested in education, job creation, infrastructure, etc. here at home.
In keeping his remarks about Bush brief, President Obama continued to prove his previously-stated interest of looking ahead, not behind.
So, even though he could have taken advantage of these issues, President Obama, instead, chose to take the high road.
Once again, President Obama showed that he - for one - has something called Integrity.
You'd think that such graciousness would be appreciated.
Not so.
Despite having been given this hugely-undeserved pass by the current President during a major public address being watched by millions...
Despite the fact that Obama made the conscious decision not kick Republicans when they're already down - something the GOP would never do if the situation were reversed - Senior GOP members of Congress simply couldn't leave it alone.
Apparently, they misinterpreted President Obama's show of integrity as a sign of weakness - which is understandable, as many of them lack integrity and wouldn't recognize such a valuable character trait even if it were right in front... well, where it was.
The GOP leadership's hot air-filled, self-deluded response to Obama abstaining from beating their dead elephant points to their utter inability to simply sit down, thank their lucky stars and shut the hell up - even if it's in their own best interest to do so.
John Boehner criticized Obama's earlier opposition to the Bush surge which led to this "result" - namely, the end of the war.
Mr. Boehner, I have three words for you: "No Exit Strategy".
And, John Boehner wasn't the only windbag who foolishly tried to draw political capital - in a situation where there was none to be gained.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch "Crazy Mac" McConnell (R-KY) also seemed to feel that former President Bush had in some way been slighted by Obama's omission of his "achievements".
McConnell was all fired up over his perception that President Bush hadn't received the credit due to him for his contributions to this moment and moved quickly to call everyone's attention to what Obama hadn't: namely that without Bush's tireless efforts to initiate the Iraq War, the end of combat operations in Iraq wouldn't have been possible.
McConnell stood in front of a microphone and cameras and said, "I think that we should be thankful that another President had the determination and the will to carry out the plan that made tonight's announcement possible.".
* In other words, what McConnell is saying is that if then-President Bush hadn't brought about the start of the Iraq War, then President Obama wouldn't have this great opportunity to be marking The End of it.
Wow.
The senior Congressional GOP leadership actually wants us to be thankful that President Bush started the Iraq War.
Really? You guys want a "Thank You"?
Well, OK...
Senator Boehner, Senator McConnell (and all others of like mind):
I freely offer my "Thank You, President George W. Bush, For Starting The Iraq War":
Thank You, former President Bush, for setting a global precedent - one which other nations may very well invoke in the future to justify their own military actions - in which a sitting head of state chooses - unilaterally - to initiate an utterly unprovoked bombing & full-scale military invasion of a sovereign nation - a nation which was of no immediate nor direct threat... and for justifying all of it with lie after lie after lie and for having no exit strategy.
Thank You. Thanks a lot.
It is my most sincere hope that you, sir, receive all the credit (and everything else) you deserve for all that you did to make the unprovoked Iraq War a bloody, deadly and hugely-expensive reality... which is now, thankfully, coming to an end.
There, Mitch... John... that pretty much covers it.
Peace.
L.
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