JUST BLOWIN' OFF STEAM

SOLVING THE CIVIL DISCOURSE OVER CIVIL UNIONS

2009-03-21T16:31:00.000-07:00

The answer is simple. Every couple (any adult couple, straight or gay) is eligible for a civil union, which will be a legal contract issued by the state governments and will include all 1,049 legal benefits now enjoyed only by heterosexual married couples (1,049 as listed by the GAO in 1997).
Those wishing to get "married" before their God are perfectly free to do so, under the rules and restrictions of their particular religion and place of worship. These "marriages" will be deemed religious ceremonies, and as such, not recognized by the federal or state governments, any more than a briss or baptism carries any particular legal standing. Separation of church and state.
Under these rules, government agencies will no longer be issuing so called "marriage licenses," which were misnamed anyway. They were simply permission to enter into a civil union. Those of a religious bent seem to revere the term "marriage." They can still do so without worrying about gays being "married." Gay couples will be proclaimed as legally entering into a civil union, just as their straight counterparts, and perfectly free to look for religious organisations who will facilitate a ceremony for them to proclaim their mutual love and devotion before God.

CONTROLLING BEHAVIORS THROUGH LEGISLATION AND TAXATION

2009-03-21T16:29:00.000-07:00

Researched through many sources, including the collective works of Walter Williams, and George Mason University.
Imagine a country where the government regularly checks the waistlines of citizens over age 40. Anyone deemed too fat would be required to undergo diet counseling. Those who fail to lose sufficient weight could face further “reeducation” and their communities subject to stiff fines.Is this some nightmarish dystopia?
No, this is contemporary Japan.The Japanese government argues that it must regulate citizens’ lifestyles because it is paying their health costs. This highlights one of the greatly underappreciated dangers of “universal healthcare.” Any government that attempts to guarantee healthcare must also control its costs. The inevitable next step will be to seek to control citizens’ health and their behavior. Hence, Americans should beware that if we adopt universal healthcare, we also risk creating a “nanny state on steroids” antithetical to core American principles.Other countries with universal healthcare are already restricting individual freedoms in the name of controlling health costs. For example, the British government has banned some television ads for eggs on the grounds that they were promoting an unhealthy lifestyle.
In 2007, New Zealand banned Richie Trezise, a Welsh submarine cable specialist, from entering the country on the grounds that his obesity would “impose significant costs … on New Zealand’s health or special education services.” Richie later lost weight and was allowed to immigrate.
Taxation as a tool to discourage unhealthy behaviors is as popular as ever. Taxation has historically been used effectively to control the consumption of alcohol and tobacco products through federal, state, and local taxes. Despite the addictive nature of tobacco products, studies indicate that tobacco consumption declines an average of 4% for every 10% increase in price. An upcoming Obama "sintax" will add $1 to the purchase of a pack of smokes, and this comes from a closet smoker, ironic at the very least. Not ironic enough for you? The very congress members given the power to regulate our collective behaviors can smoke in their congressional offices, while the general public cannot even smoke closer than 200 feet of an entrance to a public building in California.
Needless to say, the smoking nazi's have done an amazing job on curbing their control on smoking. And it has built their confidence to take on other industries as well. Clearly if one wanted to drastically reduce or eliminate public consumption of any product, one has only to tax it to the point of it not being affordable.
Building on these results, 17 states and the U.S. District of Columbia have placed specific taxes (either through sales or excise taxes) on foods and/or beverages of low nutritional value. The idea is that these taxes will provide a strong disincentive for individuals against purchasing and ingesting these products, resulting in a reduction in obesity counts. For those who still choose to purchase these products, tax revenues from sales could be used to fund healthy eating or obesity prevention campaigns. California's 7.25% sales tax on soft drinks, for example, generates about U.S. $218 million in general revenues annually.
But it won't stop there, threats of sanction or government regulation may force complete industries to self-regulate. Consider the 2006 voluntary agreement signed by soft drink giants Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Cadbury Schweppes, to remove high-calorie sodas from schools by 2009. A 2003 lawsuit filed in California against the U.S. multi-conglomerate Kraft Foods sought to prevent the marketing and selling of Oreo brand cookies, which contained trans fats, to children in the state. The lawsuit was dropped when Kraft announced that it was working to reduce trans fat in its cookies and agreed to cease all in-school marketing.
Another bullet in the gun of the lifestyle police? Zoning laws. Local zoning laws in the U. S. can be used to create a healthier retail food market through several different themes, including (1) rezoning residential areas to restrict development to restaurants that do not serve "fast-food;" (2) providing incentives for developers to offer health food stores among commercial options; and (3) requiring fast food restaurants to offer a minimum number of healthy choices. Zoning laws can justify (1) outright bans of fast food establishments, such as San Francisco's (California) prohibition of "formula retail uses" in a historic neighborhood district, and (2) restrictions, such as the city of Detroit's (Michigan) policy that certain fast food restaurants may not be built within 500 feet of a school.
Is this crazy enough? Take a seat. Lifestyle Nazis aren’t settling on just obesity, they’re targeting meat consumption. Dr. Neal Barnard, president of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, says, “It’s time we looked at holding the meat producers and fast-food outlets legally responsible. Meat consumption is just as dangerous to public health as tobacco use.” Doing their part to ban meat consumption, professors at law schools such as Harvard, Rutgers, and Georgetown are teaching “animal law” courses. Animals are seen as plaintiffs. Law professors are gearing up by studying old slavery statutes that authorized legal nonpersons to bring lawsuits. Possibly, before long, we might see chickens, cows, pigs, and other critters appearing as plaintiffs in court suing for crimes against animals.
It’s easy to dismiss these people “as only wanting to help” or as having only “limited goals.” Nonsense. These people want to control our behaviors, and take away our individual right to choose. Not all at once, incrementally, like they did on the tobacco industry. Confiscating rights in large chunks creates too much resistance. They started with no smoking on airplanes, to the point where you cannot smoke at all in public in Calabasas, California.
Many of us mistakenly label these people “nannies,” an inappropriate term for those who’d use the coercive, brutal powers of government to impose their values on others. More fitting labels are: tyrants, totalitarians, and yes, Nazis.

OUR ECONOMY AND THE CULTURE OF FEAR

2009-01-13T17:09:00.000-08:00

"Joy cometh in the morning" scripture says. And as much as we all would like it to be true, we know that we are in for some very tough times ahead. For the American workforce, we may have yet to see its darkest hour.
Statistics released Friday indicates that 524,000 jobs were lost in December, and the unemployment rate is currently at 7.2%, a 16 year high. In 2007, 15 million Americans were out of work at one time or another. But this takes into account people changing jobs, or taking a brief sabbatical before taking a new job. This measures a so call "rolling unemployment." The difference now is that 11.1 million Americans are unemployed at this very moment (50% up from last year), and this number is expected to increase up to a conservative estimate of 8% by mid year.
And as staggering as these numbers are, they barely scratch the surface of the current economic stagnation. The so called "total unemployment" figures takes into account those wishing full time work, but taking part time work because that is what is available. Over 13.5% of the American workforce is officially classified, either voluntarily or not, as a "part time" employee, which by law means they cannot work in excess of 29 hours per week. These workers are not guaranteed any benefits, generally have the worst schedules, the lowest pay scales, and have as a side benefit; very little to no employment security. Clearly, these are the ones to go should additional cuts be deemed necessary.
As corporations struggle to survive in this economic environment, some employers are taking the chance to sever ties with their perceived "bottom performers," and this is a good thing, a good first step. This is a healthy thing for corporations, and American business as a whole. Call it a downsizing, a force reduction, or layoffs, the emphasis is on making the workforce healthier, and this is an ongoing process every year for many well run corporations. These reductions are usually slight, and cause the least amount of employee upheaval within the workforce environment. These reductions are accompanied with management directions to "do more with less" or "work smarter, not harder," colloquialisms meant to justify not replacing the departing employees.
Step two in troubling times are to cut back, or eliminate employee incentive programs, eliminate yearly bonuses, eliminating overtime, curtailing employee events (picnics, after hour meetings, weekend out of town management functions, and the like), and to freeze hiring and wage increases. All prudent measures, to be sure, and accomplished with little or no fanfare, or employee blow back. However, most corporations are not finding these measures to be adequate in remain financially viable. Many are reclassifying their employees from a full time, guaranteed forty hour status, to a reduced full time status, and cutting their hours. In fact, the average American worker is now averaging only 33.3 hours per week. This too is a positive step, as it spreads the loss over all of your hourly workforce, and may eliminate the need for closures and layoffs.
However, for many corporations, these measures were not enough. Massive store closures and force reductions are so common place they hardly make page one of our local newspapers any more. Clearly, the leadership of these corporations are facing drastic measures in order to remain "healthy." The steps for a business in financial turmoil are as basic as economics 101. They must drain their inventories and reduce payroll, and we are seeing this with many retailers at present. Obviously, in making their corporations healthier (or at least staying alive), there is a devastating effect on the slowing down of the economy. No new jobs are created, corporations are not purchasing for, or anticipating growth, and the American work force tightens its grip on what resources they do have. The phrase 'disposable income" is all but a distant memory for most Americans at present. These lead to further slow downs in production, reductions in overall sales, and increases in unemployment. Our steps to stay afloat individually are proving cataclysmic to the very economic environment we so desperately need to stay financially viable.
And these are just the hard numbers. What also should be discussed is the effect this is having on the employee and management environment and cultures at present. To be clear, any former positive corporate mantra, or business statement has been replaced by six simple words, "at least I have a job." And this is true from the stock rooms, to the board rooms.
Management, formerly the ones responsible for spreading the positive messages and visions of hope and growth for the corporation, are becoming eerily silent. Their minds and attitudes have been stricken by the "emotion contagion" of the times as well. All reports of other corporations demises have created a culture of fear and paranoia among the healthy corporations, which may lead to overly drastic measures.
For management, this means a rapid willingness to commit "corporate anorexia," a sudden and drastic downsizing meant to stay healthy, which could have far reaching effects on the corporation, most of them unhealthy. This is understandable, as in these financial times, no one wants to add any risk to their dinner plates. The irony being that their rush to risk aversion comes at a time when creativity and optimism is needed most in the workplace.
For the workers themselves, most are in desperate fear of unemployment. Nights are spent reassessing their household budgets, and running the numbers involved if the worst happens, and they become one of the statistics as well. And in this climate of fear, their performance at work deteriorates.
The current culture of fear and anxiety creates a cognitive distortion, and hinders their abilities to concentrate and process information. And while their performances erode, the rumor mill flourishes with every cut, actual or anticipated. Paranoia for their personal futures abounds, and any healthy candor in communication quickly fades away. New ideas are quickly squelched, or not offered at all as corporations are loathe to consider investing in any new program, even when it is aimed at increasing revenues.
Clearly, these times call for the American worker to "keep their heads down, don't rock the boat, and stay under the radar," and this is of course, is as understandable as it is inevitable. But when this paradigm shift in attitude infects the board rooms of America, we insure that the financial obstacles of today will last even longer into 2009, and possibly beyond. I have seen the economic enemy, and to a certain extent, it is us.
I for one, do not see the Obama stimulus package doing much to increase economic confidence whatsoever. As much as I would welcome an extra $1500.00 from the government, as much as an extra $300.00 for employer job creation might sound good in total, the cumulative effects will be slight, indeed. What we need is to remember who we are, and what we can accomplish together. We need to get our swagger back, our collective confidences recharged, and move forward. And yes, we need to spend....but not frivolously. Spend.....on things that are necessary, and produced domestically. Spend........our times not living in fear, but with an appreciation for what we do have, and what we can still acquire. And, spend.....our efforts towards helping others, and asking what you can do to help your fellow man. We will get through this, sooner or later. The choice is largely up to us.

LIFE PLANNING 101

2008-11-21T05:51:00.000-08:00

I have spent my career (and life) in management or supervision in one form or another, and in the course of counseling the many employees under my charge, have boiled down my personal philosophy for living down to four basic questions. I think if the young people of today truly put some time into these questions, they might just see the big picture that will unlock their futures.

Who are you?
Who do you want to be?
How will you get there?
What mark do you want to leave on the world?

Who are you? Be honest with yourself, if with no other. Truly who are you? Write it down. The beauty, the scars, the hurts and the fears. Take a personal inventory. Write it down. This is the embarking point for your journey called life. You in no way are stuck here. It really doesn't matter where you start, it's where you are when you quit that matters.

Who do you want to be? Not only what you want to be, or what you want to do, or what you want to own, but who do you want to be? If you are lucky, you have some good role models in your life to emulate. But be your own self, be the best YOU you can possibly be. What, and who you are right now is not the end of it. You can improve and aspire, and change. The only people who are the sum total of their finished personal devlopement and growth, and ultimately, their realistic full potential, are those who have quit. Those who gave up. Those who stopped dreaming and yearning, and those who have allowed themselves to grow cynical. Those who stopped believing that with effort and a modicum of planning, dreams can come true at any age.

How will you get there? Chart a specific course. Very specific. Write it down. Winners plan, and make things happen. Lesser achievers sit back and allow things to happen. Losers wonder what happened. Create a personal road map to guide you along the way. List the people who can help you, the resources you can utilize, the places you need to be, and the education you will need to be ready for the opportunity. This is a living document; amend, delete, add to, and improve it as you grow in maturity and wisdom. There are many paths in life that will take you through your journey. You must keep referring to your map and chart your progress, and look at the direction you are header. Sometimes you might half to take a step back or two, to go forward in the right direction, and that's OK. It's not where you are, it's where you are going that matters.

There it is. Simplistic yes, but effective as a first step for any young person to begin to begin to decipher who they will fit in, or lead, or be in life. A quick, motivational tool that can be used at nearly any age. I will stop here. I have had my employees create personal philosophies, and business credos to help their self awareness; but for now, just four simple, yet complex life questions.

Be sure to put it on paper, and reread it over and over. Say it out loud. And believe. Believe, and aspire, and reach for the heavens.....and never, ever, give up. Dreams do come true, once you stop dreaming, and start doing.

THE AUDACITY OF AN OBAMA DEFEAT

2008-10-25T11:41:00.000-07:00

We are rapidly coming to the end of a history making electoral process, one which has been marked by hotly competitive contests not only between candidates, but candidates who represent entire factions of the American electorate; gender, race, age and social status.
Never before in the nation's history has a Presidential campaign season been so defined by dirty politics, race baiting, economic class warfare, the manipulation by a continuing biased press corps, the evolving role of the blogosphere (and the thousands of voices it has created, and legitimized to a certain extent), and an ever increasing sense that the Presidency can be bought and paid for.
In looking back on the 2008 election, historians and will certainly focus on and examine every nuance of the process from Iowa to the swearing in ceremony. In the words of William Bennett, "they will have to cut down two forests just to have enough paper to write about this amazing campaign cycle."
As of this writing, depending on which polling data you might prefer, Barack Obama seems to be enjoying the benefit of a double digit lead nationally, and an almost deathlike stranglehold on the electoral process, in which the nation is carved into red, blue and battleground states. Clearly, many political pundits are expecting, and near guaranteeing an Obama/Biden win November 4th, a huge increasing in democratic seats in the House, and a possibility of the liberals gaining enough Senate seats to be filibuster proof (60).
So, having said all of that, what if the inconceivable happens? What if the John McCain and Sarah Palin ticket somehow resurrects itself in the next two weeks and wins the election?
Let’s start with Philly Daily News columnist Fatima Ali, who wrote: "If McCain wins, look for a full-fledged race and class war, fueled by a deflated and depressed country, soaring crime, homelessness and economic despair."
I see more, coupled with this, we may see an already fractious nation split in a thousand different ways; urban vs. heartland, rich vs. poor, liberal vs. conservative and the "Joe plumbers" of the country vs. the educated elitists.
It isn't just me. Let's take a look at what James Carville said to Anderson Cooper after the last debate: "Now let me be clear here, if Obama goes in this race with a 5- point lead and losing this election, the consequences are—bull, man. I mean I don’t think that’s going to happen, but I think David it’s a point to bring up. But you stop and contemplate this country if Obama goes in and he has a consistent five point lead and loses the election, it would be very, very, very dramatic out there.“Very, very dramatic out there,” seeming to mean “urban black people taking to the streets in protest, one thing leading to another, and all hell breaking loose. A bigoted, racist comment / interpretation? Yes. Truth is, there will be demonstrations everywhere, especially in the poorer, more urban areas and inner-cities.
David Corbin, a politics professor at The King’s College, contends there is potential for public riots the night of or after the election, if Obama’s lead in the polls does not translate into victory.“I don’t think that’s something that we’ve looked at very closely, and I think that this could be a powder keg here as we get towards that day, given that Senator Obama is an African-American and given that there might be some backlash if he actually loses,” Corbin explains.
Not looked at? Not so, say many senior members of urban police forces, who are gearing up for every possibility. Law enforcement officials say the intense public interest and historic nature of the vote could lead to violent outbreaks if people are unhappy with the results, encounter problems casting their ballots or suspect voting irregularities. Police departments say they cannot rule out disorder and are mobilising extra forces and putting SWAT teams on standby.In Oakland, near San Francisco, police will have tactical squads, SWAT teams and officers trained in riot control on standby. "We always try to prepare for the worst," said Oakland police department spokesman Jeff Thomason.
Right-wing websites and blogs have been fuelling speculation about election unrest with unconfirmed reports of an online petition that pledges "civil disobedience" if Mr McCain wins.Meanwhile, in a blog posting entitled 'A McCain "Win" Will Be Theft, Resistance Is Planned', David Swanson, Washington director of Democrats.com and a board member of Progressive Democrats of America, writes: "If your television declares John McCain the president elect on the evening of November 4th, your television will be lying."You should immediately pick up your pre-packed bags and head straight to the White House in Washington, DC, which we will surround and shut down until this attempt at a third illegitimate presidency is reversed."We may be there for days or weeks or months. But we must be there. We must be there by the millions. We must show each other, and the nation, and the world that we have had enough, that we will not stand for one more stolen election, that we will not give in to fear, lies, theft, and intimidation."Mr Carville told The Hill that "a lot of Democrats would have a great deal of angst and anger," if Mr Obama lost. He predicted that on November 4, "the voting system all around the country is going to be very stressed because there's going to be enormous turnout."
Many will see a McCain victory as proof positive of a racist America, a nation so mired in racial hatred that it took them almost two hundred years to create a civil rights act. A nation with an electoral process so biased, so rigged against anyone other than a white man, that the so called "Bradley Effect," will hereafter be know as the "Bradley Promise." A system so slanted that it validates the race baiting sermons of Reverend Wright, the anti-everything rantings of Louis Farrakhan, and will almost certainly guarantee a large portion of the disenchanted black voters, currently engaged to a large extent, will divorce themselves of the entire political process.
Am I one of many over dramatising the potentials in a defeat of the Obama nation? I don't think so. This is more than the crushing of the hopes and fears of a large group of Americans. This is about faith in our nation, faith in the legitimacy of the election process and the crushing of yet another Black leader in our lifetime. A leader who has instilled a sense of hope and change in the hearts of half of our nation, especially minorities. Especially Black America.
What happens if McCain, an established example of old school white dominance, wins? It will mean to many that "the man" has won again, and blacks have been put back in their place, yet again.
What will a McCain victory mean in two weeks? It will put a racial spotlight on everything in this nation; a nation currently just scratching the surface of the effects from the dismal failure of an eight year Bush Presidency. An nothing, absolutely nothing inflames a political situation in this nation than economic strife.
Am I calling for wide spread riots, enforcement of curfews in our cities, news reports of cops in riot gear seemingly out of control on our streets as they beat back angry crowds of demonstrators? All I am saying is the possibility exists. And all too recent memories of this Los Angeles based blogger bares it out.
And that is the world...."The World According to Kimba."

THE POLITICAL MALAISE OF THE AMERICAN ELECTORATE

2008-09-14T08:53:00.000-07:00

There was a long period in American history when elections were waged on economic issues powerful enough to define the two major parties and divide the public. These issues stemmed from Americans' deepest hopes and fears, and had the power to cement their loyalty to a party and draw them to the polls.

As the economic issue weakened, a large set of less comprehensive issues emerged. Civil rights, street crime, school prayer, and welfare dependency were among the earliest of these issues, which were followed by others including abortion, the environment, education, and global trade. All were important, but they intersected with each other in confounding ways. And none had the reach or the endurance of the economic issue. The emergence of the so called religious right have changed this somewhat, as religious conservatives may completely base their Presidential votes based one two issues, and two issues alone....abortion rights and gay marriages.

During any given election cycle, there is a myriad of small to medium sized issues being debated, but the issues were too crosscutting and too numerous for either party to combine them in a way that could easily satisfy a following.

By the 1970s, self-described independents accounted for a third of the electorate. People also found it increasingly difficult to think and talk about the parties. Americans were better educated than they had been in the 1950s, but they had a harder time saying what the parties represented. In the 1950s, less than one in ten had nothing to say when asked in polls what they liked and disliked about the parties. By the 1970s, three in ten had nothing to say. This has brought on a large spectrum of platforms and beliefs in the republican party alone, from the Religious conservatives at the far right, to the moderate conservatives at the left of their party. In order to attract the support necessary for election (and more and more, that means independent voters), it is very common for a candidate to soften, or abandon their core principles altogether and go running to the political center. No more proof of this is needed than the creation of the term "flip flop," which is widely bandied about in today's media.

Americans who today have a party loyalty and an awareness of the parties have a voting rate more than twice that of those who call themselves independents and who cannot find words with which to describe the parties. The change in party politics helps to explain why, disproportionately, the decline in participation has been concentrated among Americans of low income. Although a class bias in turnout has been a persistent feature of U.S. elections, the gap has widened to a chasm. The voting rate among those at the bottom of the income ladder is only half that of those at the top. And as their willingness to actually vote recedes, so does their political power, thus politicians today need only pay a momentary lip service to the issues which are crippling them, and resulting in a feeling of despair, and a lack of hope.

The change in party politics also helps to explain why candidates now have trouble crafting messages that voters find compelling. Candidates have never had so many communication weapons at their disposal, yet they have never found it so hard to frame their message. Campaign messages today are strikingly different in the wide range of issues they address, the contradictions they contain, the speed with which they turn over, and the small percentage of voters with whom they resonate. But how do you craft a platform and message, let alone a public perception of a candidate given the 30 second demands of today's media availability, and the anemic attention span and political tolerance of the American electorate?

Today's quick sound byte mentality also feeds the very poison that infects American politics today, the propagation of half-truths and lies in order to frame a public opinion of a candidate, no matter how untrue or factually baseless it may prove to be. Witness the complete failure of the Obama campaign to dispel the rumors surrounding him up to today that he is a practicing Muslim.

And, as this political culture we have so skillfully crafted over the course of the last five generations perpetuates itself, more and more voters will abandon the political party system, feel increasingly more disenfranchised from the system, which will perpetuate in lower and lower turnout.

It has been statistically proven that the changing demographic of the American voters is such that we may have only 6 or 7 additional Presidential primaries in which the majorities are comprised of whites. Needless to say, any future hopes of either party for a sustainable future depends entirely on the recruiting and including of minority members, and the Democrats have perennially succeeded to do so.

However, will this changing demographic so radically alter each party that we may be heading towards a three or four party system such as in Great Britain? I hope so. For as with diversity comes an inability of the two major parties to dominate, and in fact, drown out any hopes of a tertiary party's hope for mainstream attention by the media, as now demonstrated by our public debating process.

Now more than at any time in our history, we need to reexamine our entire political process, and the manner in which we elect our representatives at every level. And that means media communication, the electoral college, the manner in which we register new voters, right down to the process we use to cast votes. We simply cannot go any longer with a disinterested, apathetic electorate, which will almost certainly be a breeding ground for political corruption, lies, and half-truths. This is more than a call to correct our political process, it is a call to cure the symptoms that may adversely change our democratic system itself, if you care.

WHEN IT COMES TO SHAWN: HOW LOW CAN TMZ GO?

2008-09-01T07:31:00.000-07:00

This is yet another hate filled article from the bastards at TMZ.com, a web site completely made up of people who are total wastes of human flesh. In this case, they take a wonderful person like Olympic gold metal gymnast Shawn Johnson, and publicize the fact she bares a slight (and I do mean slight) resemblance to the puppet Topo Gigio. Completely unfair, and not clever, or amusing. I am very happy to say that once they put this on their web site, thousands of readers sent e-mails of protest to TMZ, and they pulled it from their site.

But they couldn't stop there. They had to continue their barrage of hate against Shawn, for this Ortega taco television commercial. Admittedly a low budget production with questionable copy for these superstar athletes to recite. However, for TMZ to go after 16 year old Shawn for the unfortunate script ("it makes my taco pop"), and in such a profane and vulgar way is despicable.
Shawn Johnson has done nothing to you but put the face on the Beijing Olympics, with displays of sportsmanship and dedication to her sport. She is the all-American girl of the Olympics, and for a web site to make such efforts to tear down one of the few true heroes for our children is reprehensible, and uncalled for. We need to reward our children's heroes, not tear them down. Shawn Johnson stands for something sorely missing in our world today, someone with character and morals. Someone parents would be proud their children chose to emulate. With all of the unfortunate child stars on the scene today worthy of your attention, please leave Ms. Johnson alone. She doesn't deserve it, and neither does the nation who fell in love with her this Olympic season. Let's hope Shawn finds what her earrings represent....peace.

10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT McCAIN

2008-04-19T12:45:00.000-07:00

John McCain voted against establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Now he says his position has "evolved," yet he's continued to oppose key civil rights laws.
According to Bloomberg News, McCain is more hawkish than Bush on Iraq, Russia and China. Conservative columnist Pat Buchanan says McCain "will make Cheney look like Gandhi."
His reputation is built on his opposition to torture, but McCain voted against a bill to ban waterboarding, and then applauded President Bush for vetoing that ban.
McCain opposes a woman's right to choose. He said, "I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned."
The Children's Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children. He voted against the children's health care bill last year, then defended Bush's veto of the bill.
He's one of the richest people in a Senate filled with millionaires. The Associated Press reports he and his wife own at least eight homes! Yet McCain says the solution to the housing crisis is for people facing foreclosure to get a "second job" and skip their vacations.
Many of McCain's fellow Republican senators say he's too reckless to be commander in chief. One Republican senator said: "The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He's erratic. He's hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me."
McCain talks a lot about taking on special interests, but his campaign manager and top advisers are actually lobbyists. The government watchdog group Public Citizen says McCain has 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign, more than any of the other presidential candidates.
McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years. The pastor McCain calls his "spiritual guide," Rod Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a "false religion." McCain sought the political support of right-wing preacher John Hagee, who believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church "the Antichrist" and a "false cult."
He positions himself as pro-environment, but he scored a 0—yes, zero—from the League of Conservation Voters last year.

2008-02-08T18:59:00.000-08:00

2007: ANOTHER BLESSED YEAR

2008-01-05T14:19:00.000-08:00

Our annual "Clambake on the Beach" camping trip

Yes, we know....those aren't clams

Our annual "New Years Day sushi "party

MANAGING TO SURVIVE THE RETAIL WORLD

2007-12-24T10:13:00.000-08:00

My life, and welcome to it.....

NO APOLOGIES

2007-12-23T21:20:00.000-08:00

I am a liberal.

I make no apologies about it, although over the last 8 years, I certainly get the idea I should. I have always had conservatives spout off the bromide, "If you are under 25, and aren't liberal, you don't have a heart. If you are over 25 and aren't a conservative, then you don't have a brain." Unconvincing logic, to say the least.

I am a liberal.

Liberals are for peace, through strength. Through diplomacy. Through intelligence, not a half cocked, no plan, personal agenda at what ever the cost. I know it was about the oil, so....where is it? We should be wading in oil by now. I know it wasn't about Hussein, there are plenty of dictators worse than him you could topple.

I am a liberal.

Liberals are for helping others. I just don't mind, I like it. I like that my money goes to social programs. I would like to think my tax dollars go to house a homeless person, and feed someones family, or help them get into college. I like knowing S-chip helps families get their kids the health insurance they need, and can't afford.

I am a liberal.

Liberals think there is a nobility in helping others. Does it make the recipients of the financial help weak? They probably already are, I guess, but let them join the club. We all are weak in a way...we all have faced disfortune in some manner or another. We have all needed help at some time or another. I wish I could remember the biblical quote...something like "he who does for the lesser of them, does unto me," or something like that.

That is what it means to be liberal.

I heard Ron Paul today say he voted against Katrina funds because why should the government step into a situation involving people who voluntarily lived in that area prone to flooding and hurricanes? Why reward them? That is what it means to be a conservative. No social programs, no charity, smaller government, cut spending, blah, blah, blah.

I am a liberal.

Liberals know there are people out there desperately in need. The government has to help them. They are Americans for God sakes...or does that mean anything to you?

Conservatives talk all day long about terrorism, radical Islam and illegal immigration, but the only ones they really talk about keeping out are Mexicans. Bigotry at its finest. You see the liberals encompass every race, every creed, and every color. We are the party of the people. All the people, even the ones who need help.

I am a liberal.

Don't worry, we won't spend as much as you morons have over the last seven years. You just won't like who we spend it on. You'll spend billions killing people, but cry like babies over the millions we want to spend on a social program.

I am a liberal.............. with no apologies whatsoever.

2007-12-07T17:45:00.001-08:00

click here for the link

TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE

2007-12-01T17:51:00.000-08:00

ONLY BEATING OREGON AND USC WILL SAVE YOU THIS TIME

2007-11-19T14:03:00.000-08:00

Should he stay, or should he go?

To the right is defensive coordinator De Wayne Walker pointing the way, and I agree.

Karl Dorrell must be fired in order to salvage a football program on its last legs with its losing record, and inept play calls(and I do mean inept....he has been criticized by television commenter's for his wacky decisions over and over). Three QB's have gone down, and I don't care. He must go. We are UCLA, and we demand at least respectability.

Many worry about our ability to recruit without him. I worry about our ability to recruit WITH him. Cut your loses, bite the bullet, and make a move for the future. Not an easy thing for me to write, after all, he is basically a neighbor, but your 15 minutes are over. Good bye, and good luck.

TWO EASY WINS BECOMES A NIGHTMARE WEEKEND FOR LOS ANGELES

2007-10-07T07:18:00.000-07:00

The Bruins, desperately in need of a non-conference win (remember the shellacking we got against Utah?), looked forward to dominating the hapless (5 losses in a row) and offenseless (dead last in rushing yardage in all of the Division I schools) team from the Notre Dame boys school. However, the injury to their starting QB Cowan, stupic penalties taken, and some truly inept play calls (passing with a 4th and 1 from midfield?) insured that the Bruins, which fell from the Top Twenty ranked schools before their demise in Utah, will never be seen again. I can only hope that even with another win against USC this year, our head coach, and anyone calling offensive plays this year, will be sent packing. And this is not easy to say, as our Coach is actually a neighbor of mine (well at least a couple of miles away). Sorry coach...see you at Starbucks. I do appreciate the tackling technique shown in the picture above, and to be fair, the defense is much improved this year...when they aren't incurring penalties.

It had to happen sometime...but to the 41 point underdog Stanford Cardinals? Game replay tapes have shown the USC Trojans were largely defeated due to the Stanford teams repeated eye gouging of our beloved Trojans in the eyes with their slide rules.

NEVER FORGOTTEN: IN TRIBUTE SIX YEARS LATER

2007-09-08T10:19:00.000-07:00

SENATOR CRAIG...PERVERT, GAY HOMOPHOBE, AND A VICTIM OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY? GIVE ME A BREAK!!!

2007-09-01T17:46:00.000-07:00

Once again, the Fox news "journalists" have tried to blame the actions of the conservatives...you guessed it, on the Godless dogma, the party of sin, the Democrats. Get a fucking clue, folks. Do you really think we positioned a cop in stall number four in the Minneapolis Airport in the hopes a Senator would stop by and try to engage in homosexual sex acts in a public stall?

Fox news (Hannity, Prager, et al)....wastes of human flesh.

YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN?

2007-08-11T08:26:00.000-07:00

The pictures to the right are of Arlington, Vermont, famous for maple sugar, being the former home of Norman Rockwell, and the birthplace of yours truly. This time of the year, we have the social event of the year, Norman's Attic, a yearly neighborhood tag and home made products fair. They line their booths on main street on a blue skied, lazy 70 degree day, and the town comes to life. How I wish could be there today. This is the blurb from the neighboring (we do not have a truly local paper) newspaper, the Bennington Banner....

ARLINGTON - The Manchester and the Mountains Regional Chamber of Commerce is calling for residents, local organizations, crafters, merchants, antique dealers and tag sale rs to participate in the 13th Annual Norman's Attic Craft Fair and Community Wide Tag Sale. The event will take place on Saturday, Aug. 11 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Arlington, the long-time home of Norman Rockwell.

I say that my hometown does not have a newspaper, and in fact we still do not. In fact, we still do not have many things in my hometown that you are accustomed to. Crime and bigotry, for example. A police department is another thing we don't have. In the rare times we need one, we pay the Manchester, or Bennington police department to come over. We don't have a fire department like you may have---ours is all volunteer. How about a traffic jam? None in Arlington. In fact, to this day, they still do not even have a traffic light, only stop signs.

Add to this leaves that explode once a year, snow that is absolutely beautiful for the first week of winter (and a genuine pain in the ass the rest of the time), friendly, genuine people, and wildlife....deer, fish and clean, pure streams, and you get a small picture of my hometown. Did I mention covered bridges? Yep, we got em, and I grew up playing on them.

So, cancel your trip to Europe or Hawaii this year, and chart a course for Vermont this year. Vermont, the fourteenth state (we were a part of the thirteenth as well), a place where you can smile and start up a conversation with anyone and get a conversation and a smile in return. Vermont, a place where the pace slows down, but the energy never does. Vermont, a place where you can still leave your doors unlocked and sleep comfortably. Vermont, the Green Mountain state is a state of mind as well. Nobody visits Vermont and goes away unchanged. Vermont, the way life used to be, and still is for the lucky few that still reside there.

PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE QUESTION: WHO IS NOT WEARING A CHEAP TOUPEE?

2007-08-05T19:25:00.000-07:00

TERROR ALERTS

2007-08-05T16:40:00.000-07:00

The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats and have raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved." Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." Londoners have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies all but ran out. Terrorists themselves have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to "A Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was during the great fire of 1666.
Also, the French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher levels in France are "Surrender" and "Collaborate." The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.
It's not only the English and French that are on a heightened level of alert. Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."
The Germans also increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbor" and "Lose."
Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual, and the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.
As for the Spanish, they are extremely excited to see their new submarines ready for deployment. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.

HAPPY 139TH BIRTHDAY TODAY

2007-07-28T09:52:00.000-07:00

The 14th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified on July 28, 1868, and granted citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States,” which included former slaves recently freed. In addition, it forbids states from denying any person "life, liberty or property, without due process of law" or to "deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of its laws.” By directly mentioning the role of the states, the 14th Amendment greatly expanded the protection of civil rights to all Americans and is cited in more litigation than any other amendment.

AN HONEST LOOK ABOUT DISHONESTY

2007-07-27T15:24:00.000-07:00

For me, my favorite was Gary Cooper, who always portrayed quiet, gentle men who would go to the ends of the earth to protect his own, and would rather die than sacrifice his scruples. These were the days when men were men. These traits seemed to rub off on the American public as well. Honesty was the way of the world, and a lie was a lie was a liar. Class and dignity reigned supreme.

They were gentler, and much safer times. My brothers and I would take off from the house on foot, and would spend the day at the park, or wherever. My parents never worried about us. The world was a safe place. No molesters, no perverts, no exhibitionists, just decent folks.

My parents taught us the old fashioned Vermont values, including Sunday school every week at the local Baptist church.Once I found a wallet full of money. To be honest, we had just moved out from Vermont, and we could have used the money. Probably a lot more than the owner. But, my father insisted, and we turned in the wallet to the local police department. Given that same situation today, I suspect most children would take the money, and throw the rest away. The temptation would be too great. No moral dilemma here.

Recent times have completely reversed the trends established by our ancestors. Look at the last decade alone. Clinton lied about his affair, then lied about it under oath, for which he was impeached, but remains a hero in the hearts of many people today. Today's professional baseball players, who once grew up idolizing heroes like Willie Mays and Lou Gehrig, now attempt (and succeed) in getting into the record books with performance enhancing chemicals. Hardly any penalty or stigma for them. As a matter of fact, Barry Bonds is fast becoming the all time home run leader. No penalty, only rewards, for what really amounts to nothing more than cheating.

You hear whispers of cheating in all pro sports nowadays. Football, baseball, hockey, hell even Lance Armstrong, and he was just riding a damn bike for gawd sakes. No penalty, no stigma.Which bares out this question.

When did it become socially acceptable to lie, cheat and steal?

When did it become OK in the hearts and minds of Americans today?

Martha Stewart goes to prison for stock fraud, and immediately goes back to her billion dollar career. No hard feelings Martha. No mea culpa necessary. Mark Foley, house committee chairman for the caucus on missing and exploited children, just forced to resign for sending perverted messages to very young, basically children. No shock, no horror. He is undoubtedly negotiating a book deal as we speak. I wonder who will play him on the Lifetime movie of his exploits?

Children today are growing up as empty, ignorant shells of human beings, to a large extent. Their education is so poor, they can't even spell the name of the teacher they slept with last night. This emptiness will be filled up. Oft times, it will be with drugs and alcohol. Some will seek comfort and social acceptance with adolescent sex to fill the void.

And how can they grow up correctly? They have absolutely no role models to emulate. Just Madonna with her metal cone shaped bra, and others of her ilk shaking their bodies in front of the camera as if there was a strippers pole and a crowd of dollar bill fisted marines on leave. I won't even go into todays music, and the examples these "artists" set for the youth of today.

The media doesn't help. TV today is filled with sex and violence. Even programming on childrens networks have to be monitored closely for content. Disney, once the standard bearer for decency, has even crossed the line.Smart, prudent parents attempt to shield their children from this world. They expect their sons to wear their hats frontwards, and call adults "mam" or "sir." They raise their daughters to be little women, not like the girls out in the world today, wearing skin tight sweat bottoms with messages across their asses. They approve of their friends and associates beforehand. More than likely, they must foot the bill for a private school in order to accomplish this.

Now, I don't want to bring back scarlet letters or anything, but with the penalties for misbehavior so low, and any sense of standards increasingly non-existent, something surely has to give. Will we ever see a renaissance of old fashioned morals return? Not in my lifetime I am afraid.

Surely everyone must admit that each subsequent generation is less and less adept at teaching their children about character, honesty and morals, let alone manners. As we become more and more tolerant of offensive behaviors, the line of simple decency doesn't get blurred, it gets wiped away. And with it, the crime rate goes up, and simple comon sense values goes away.

In my day, my parents sweated bullets over the prospect of my smoking pot, or drinking (which I did, of course, after all it was the seventies). Parents today actually seek out doctors who will give their children medication. After all, my child has OCD, or attention deficit syndrome, or whatever the latest crock of shit the medical and pharmaceutical industries are shelling out to us.

Where did all these new fangled diseases come from? Where did all of these perverts and child molesters come from? Were they in hiding during my childhood, or are we breeding genetically defective people now days? Are the lines becoming blurred? Is their even a line drawn anymore? Is what was outrageous behavior before suddently acceptable? It is all up to us, and our parenting skills, I am afraid.

So if your child exhibits poor manners, if they grow up ignorant to the concept of right and wrong, if their behavior is so egregious your parents and grandparents are left spinning in their graves, don't blame the media, or anyone else for their development.

You see, for the most part, the enemy is you.

DEFINATELY NOT "NO HARM, NO FOUL"

2007-07-20T22:12:00.000-07:00

NBA referee Tim Donaghy is at the center of an FBI organized-crime probe after he allegedly made bets on basketball games, some of which he was officiating, the Post has learned. Donaghy, a 13-year veteran of the NBA, resigned from the NBA two weeks ago. The investigation, ongoing for the past year, focused on allegations that Donaghy, 40, was making calls to affect the point spread so that he and mobster cronies could cash in on large bests. The bets involved thousands of dollars and occurred during the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seven seasons. Donaghy knows of the investigation, originally reported on by the Post, and is planning on turning himself into officials next week.

Is anything sacred in sports anymore? Baseball bats "juiced up", athletes taking steroids and performance enhancing drugs, and referees with gambling problems falling under mob influences, and calling games to guarantee wins on bets totalling into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Now you know why the Pete Rose situation has been handled in such a manner, and he will never, ever be back into major league baseball. This is the worst possible scenario for any organized sport. Click on the links to the New York Post, whose investigative reporters cracked this story wide open.

CAN'T PARIS GET SOME REFUGE?

2007-07-04T06:14:00.001-07:00

You have to love American ingenuity and entrepreneurship. Hollywood Star Trash.com makes a living sifting through the trash of the famous and auctioning the findings on e-Bay. Here are some examples allegedly found in one Paris Hilton's trash. Gourmet dog food cans (empty) went for $305 each. Sold full, the uber-doggie food goes for $35 a case of 12.

A coke can went for $51, and a used toothbrush went for $305.00. One can only hope the buyer will display it as opposed to re-using in it some sick perverted fantasy.

Ahh you have to be an American to understand the buying habits of crazed fans on E-Bay. Imagine, no privacy when you go out, no privacy when you stay in, and now, people are rifling through your trash and making good money to do it. No wonder this little princess is so screwed up.

By the way, the web site also displays the used pack of Zig Zags below for future auction, a shock considering Paris vehemently denied doing drugs on Larry King last week. But this is Hollywood, where everything is a fantasy.

One can only speculate what will be sold on the web site next week.

Don't laugh, I would bid on Sarah Paulson's dental floss, but that is just my sick perversion.

Like you don't have any?

GOD, I MISS NEW ENGLAND

2007-07-02T07:12:00.000-07:00

Maine residents, in the great New England tradition, formed a welcoming committee for

King George I and II, and President Putin as well.

A SAD FAIRWELL TO INTELLIGENT TELEVISION

2007-06-30T08:35:00.000-07:00

So, we have viewed the last episode of the much ballyhooed and anticipated Aaron Sorkin teledrama, Studio 60, Live on the Sunset Strip.

But it marked not only the end of a comedy / drama effort by an incredible cast and crew, it marked in large part, the end of an era. The end of intelligent television programming as we once knew it.

As we witnessed Sorkin closing up loose ends in its finale (the birth and adoption of Amanda Peets baby and the much anticipated reconciliation of Matthew Perry and the incredible Sarah Paulson), we were treated to promos from NBC's latest edition, "The Singing Bee," a show which seeks to put an endless parade of no talent contestants through the rigorous paces of trying to remember the lyrics of musical standards.

I will miss this show terribly. The crisp writing, the engaging banter amongst its many capable and engaging characters, and the humor, mixed into story lines which sought to start a public discourse on many social issues of the day. This show, a true rarity these days, sought to be more than the usual pablum designed as filler in between its commercials.

Truth be told, I never did watch this show at its original time slot, the pathetic Monday night at 10pm slot. I, like most of its faithful viewers Tivo's the show for viewing at a more suitable time. In fact, this show was the most Tivo'd show of the this, or any other television season.

There was, if not a public outcry, at least an Internet outcry to keep this show on for another season. Yes, it must have been expensive ( $2 1/2 million as opposed to $600,000 for crap like 1 in 100). You cannot assemble a cast such as this one and go cheap. Perry, Whitford, Stephen Weber, and Sarah Paulson among others.

In cancelling this show, NBC has succumb to the country's low expectations for television broadcasting. OK, so you make a lot of money with the game / reality, low budget, no writing staff, no actors, drivel it produces endlessly.

But by lowering the bar, by producing television geared to the unintelligent masses, you have successfully dumbed down the television public even lower than ever.

And for that, you have proved what FOX network has already proved.

YOU ARE INDEED, DUMBER THAN A FIFTH GRADER.

Shame on you, and the sponsors who are more geared towards making money than making something of their collective talents. Of refusing to elevate a once proud art form.

Of taking the low road in all that you do.

You screwed this show with your ridiculous hype prior to its airing, and the pathetic time slot you gave it. It is almost as if you wanted intelligent television to die off.

You got what you wanted. Congratulations.

FORMER PNAC FOUNDER LIBBY TOLD A FIBBY

2007-06-16T09:19:00.000-07:00

Lewis Libby
Born August 22, 1950 (1950-08-22) (age 56) New Haven, Connecticut
Charge(s)

Obstruction of justice

False statements

Perjury
Penalty 30 Months in prison and a $250,000 fine
Occupation former Lawyer

former Chief of staff to the Vice President

Along with Donald Rumsfeld, Condoleezza Rice, and Wolfowitz, Libby became part of a network of neo-conservatives who[m] many know as the 'Vulcans' – Mr. Bush's core national security team."

While he was still a managing partner of Dechert Price & Rhoads, Libby was a signatory to the "Statement of Principles" of the Project for the New American Century (PNAC) . He joined Wolfowitz, PNAC co-founders William Kristol, Robert Kagan, and other "Project Participants" in developing the PNAC's September 2000 report entitled, "Rebuilding America's Defenses: Strategy, Forces, and Resources for a New Century". As quoted in Paul Reynolds' BBC News report, David Rothkopf states:
Their [The Project for the New American Century's] signal enterprise was the invasion of Iraq and their failure to produce results is clear. Precisely the opposite has happened. The US use of force has been seen as doing wrong and as inflaming a region that has been less than susceptible to democracy. Their plan has fallen on hard times. There were flaws in the conception and horrendously bad execution. The neo-cons have been undone by their own ideas and the incompetence of the Bush administration."

In 2003 and 2004, intense speculation about Libby centered on the possibility that he may have been the administration official who "leaked" the identity of Valerie Plame Wilson, a CIA employee whose identity was classified. This was a punishment from the Bush administration, who were very upset with Plame's husband, J. Wilson, who confirmed, and made very public the complete falsehood spoken when the Bush administration claimed that Iraq was attempting to secure nuclear "yellowcake" from the country of Niger. Of course, Wilson was only the third in succession of experts who confirmed the lie, which was told in a vain attempt to justify the invasion, and resulting war in Iraq, a war which has fanned the flames of terrorism, and positioned our country in a failing civil war, spend untold billions of dollars, and killed over 3,000 U.S. troops, not to mention the thousand upon thousands of Iraqi's.

Pursuant to the grand jury investigation, Libby told FBI investigators that he first heard of Plame's CIA employment from journalist Tim Russert and that he had forgotten that Vice President Dick Cheney had already told him that information. The indictments charge that all of these alleged statements of Libby's were false, in that Libby had numerous conversations about Plame's CIA employment before speaking to Russert; Russert did not tell Libby about Plame's CIA employment; Libby knew for a certainty that Plame was employed by the CIA; and Libby told reporters that Plame worked for the CIA without any disclaimer that he did not know whether this was true or not. The "false statements" charges in the Libby indictment stem from its allegation that he made these claims to the FBI; the "perjury" charges, from the allegation that he repeated these claims to the grand jury; and the "obstruction" charge, from the allegation that Libby made these statements in an effort to prevent Fitzgerald's grand jury investigation from uncovering the truth.

Noting that "Libby is the first sitting White House official to be indicted in 130 years," CNN News also reported that "At the beginning of Thursday's hearing, Walton told the court that he had received 'harassing' and 'hateful' messages. 'In the interest of full disclosure, I have received a number of harassing, angry and mean-spirited phone calls and messages. Some wishing bad things on me and my family," the judge said. 'Those types of things will have no impact. ... I initially threw them away, but then there were more, some that were more hateful,' Walton said. 'They are being kept."

Libby is also named as a party in an on-going civil suit that Valerie E. Wilson and her husband, former Ambassador Joseph C. Wilson, have brought against Libby, Vice President Cheney, President Bush's Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove, and former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage.

BETTING ON OUR FUTURES

2007-06-02T16:43:00.000-07:00

2008 Presidential Race

Imagine a service which tracks the Presidential races and lays down a betting line for the election. Click on the link above to see the history, and current betting lines, however, here is how it works. The price is how much you have to lay out to receive $100.00 if your candidate wins the National election. The change indicates if the "stock" is rising, or falling. As you can see, Intrade is calling it Hillary by quite a margin so far. personally, I think I may lay out the price on Al Gore, who seems to be quite the bargain. How's that for an "Inconvenient Truth?"

Current Market Value Per Candidate

Candidate... Party.. ..Price .....Change
Hillary Clinton ......D..... .....37.00..... -0.500
Barack Obama ......D..... .....17.30..... -1.700
Fred Thompson ....R ..........12.60..... -1.400
Rudy Giuliani ........R..... .....12.50..... .+0.000
John McCain .........R ..........10.10..... .-0.900
Mitt Romney ........R.............9.80 .......+0.100
Al Gore ..................D.............7.90 .......-0.700
John Edwards....... D ...........3.90 .......+0.100
Mark Warner ........D ...........0.50 .......+0.000

2007-05-30T14:54:00.000-07:00

THOUGHTS ON IRAQ FROM AN ULTRA-DOVE

2007-05-27T18:57:00.000-07:00

I am not a fan of this war. Came out against it well before we sent you in. I thought Karl Blix and the U.N. inspections were going fine. Hadn't found anything. And Hussein seemed to be (finally) cooperating. No connection to 911, no connections to Bin Laden. In fact, Iraq had less connections to the Bin Laden family than our own President. Why put our troops at risk?

Well, Cheney and his stuffed shirt (King George II) insisted and I hoped for the best. And the projections were we would cut through this hapless country like a hot knife through butter. And it seemed we did. You made it through to Fallujah very quickly, and with little resistance or fanfare. I knew when Cheney said you would be welcomed as liberators, conjuring up visions of France at the end of WWII, well, I knew that was political bullshit. I knew. You were in for a long hard battle.

Yet you went in, and took care of business. The massive arsenal of bombs softened them up but good. Then the country started filling up with radical religious fighters, and they fought back. The kind of Vietnamese ground war we simply do not excel in. On their turf. On their terms. With not much of a plan. Clearly, this wasn't a war at all. The so called "War on Terror" was another p.r. scam. This wasn't one army against us, it was small pacts of resistance fighters / terrorists making small deadly stands and scurrying away.

You found, tried and executed Saddam Hussein, but it made no difference at all. He was as powerless as the statue of him you pulled down to the ground amid the cheering masses of Iraqi's. He was as powerless as the U.N. inspectors said he was. For a moment there, we thought you were making headway.

And you risked your lives for a country in civil war, a region that grew to hate us more and more, and for your home country that didn't appreciate the war, didn't understand why we (you) were there, and did not want you there at all. Your country looked at the increasing death tolls and wanted to end this madness.

And why not? The good, peaceloving Iraqi's got the hell out of there if and when they could. Those were the people you were fighting for, scared chickens running out of town hoping you would restore order so they could come back. And after all, was there ever going to be peace in the Middle East? Not for centuries has there been peacein the region. What idiot would possible think we could bring democracy to them and peace would ensue?

Unfortunately from the very start we didn't have the kind of weapons, or even adequate type of vehicles for you, and I am sorry about that. Armored trucks without armor. Troops comprised of rookies, troops comprised of weekend warriors, but you looked out for them. Couldn't even get much of a force from other countries. See, they hated our leader. Refused to help, so there you were, holding the bag. Going it alone.

Trouble was, you didn't know the friends from the foes. Just like Vietnam. Only, we couldn't go in and kill everything that moved in Vietnam. Had to be more selective. Had to send you door to door looking for terrorists, and terrorists don't wear name badges.

We put you into hell, and when it was your time to come back, we told you to stay. And stay. And stay a little longer. Reservists without a fucking clue, scared to fucking death playing a

kill or be killed game they had no experience in.

We didn't give you much of a break, did we? Then the terrorists started playing dirty. Suicide bombers, we called them. Crazy mother fuckers who strapped bombs to themselves, or in their vehicles and detonated them next to you, killing our people, your comrades. Stupid bastards who actually thought they were killing for their god. They would be rewarded for it in heaven. And it worked. They killed a whole lot of your troops. Hard to fight a war against people who will go to that extreme, isn't it?

Now, the majority of this country is against the war. Not against you, we love you. No, we hate the administration, hate the war and we want you back home out of harms way. And as soon as possible. So we played the only cards we had in our hand. Threaten to withhold the cash. We weren't really going to do it, but it was the only way we could try and force a date for you to come home. A Don Quitote-ish gesture to vent our anger and frustration, knowing full well we don't have enough votes to override a veto.

But let me tell you, we are sorry. We are sorry, we think you are heroes, and we can't wait to welcome you home as soon as possible. And as safely as possible. So, thanks from the biggest liberal you will ever know. Thanks for your tireless efforts, for your bravery, and for risking it all for your country.

God bless. I hope you see you all home very, very soon.

So, on this Memorial Day, may it be a day, yet another day,

you are able to stay out of harms way.

It may seem we are against you, but rest assured, we are for you.

And for your ability to reunite with your loved ones very soon.

And in one piece.

STATUTE(S) OF LIMITATIONS?

2007-05-13T09:27:00.000-07:00

We knew this was a good thing, but in the process,

what has it done to this?

HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE MEMORIAL DAY 2007

WHAT YOU CAN GET FOR 13.5 MILLION

2007-05-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

Jeb Bush, the president's brother and former governor of Florida, is up for election Thursday

as a director of troubled hospital chain Tenet Healthcare.

Assuming he's waved through, his pay in his first year would come to nearly $37,000 a day.
This is the same Tenet that had to pay $900 million to Uncle Sam last summer to settle charges that it had overbilled Medicare and Medicaid over many years.
Nine hundred million dollars.
The U.S. attorneys announcing the settlement accused the company of "fraud" and trying to "manipulate and cheat the system."
Mike Leavitt, the Health and Human Services Secretary appointed by Jeb's brother George, said the company had "fraudulently abused the Medicare program."
It's also the same Tenet that just paid $80. million to the IRS after an audit found it owed back taxes going back as far as 1995. The company recently had to restate nearly five years of earnings statements after an investigation into its books.
And this is just the big stuff.

Tenet's recent public filings read like a police blotter. One of its clinics in South Carolina performed 436 open heart operations without certification. The company is being sued in California by staff claiming they were systematically short-changed on pay and overtime, in breach of the state's labor code. Three former Tenet staff members, at a New Orleans hospital it owned, are under investigation for allegedly euthanizing four patients following Hurricane Katrina.

ANOTHER CHANCE SQUANDERED

2007-05-06T07:35:00.000-07:00

The truth has come out in regards to the world outpouring of support, and offers of aid from the world community. Reports are that the Bush administration either spurned, or refuse to collect on the many generous offers that would have helped out the Katrina victims, especially since the administrations lack of support / FEMA ineptitude left so many of them high and dry. Despite Bush administration assurances that international aid offers will be kept free of politics, Cold War tensions seemed to freeze out help from Cuba, and pride froze out many of the rest of the offers, many of which were very, very generous.

One such instance was the offer of cruise ships to be used as emergency hospitals and clinics. The administration said no, then hired Princess cruises to do the exact same thing that was previously offered for free from other countries. Many, including Bill Maher on "Real Time," have speculated that the administration said no so that Princess cruises could get massive revenues for the effort, and thus receive a return on their political contribution investment with the Bush administration. I would like to believe this is untrue, but day in and day out, we get reports of how this administration is capable of anything, legal, or borderline illegal.

Cuba, a long time sufferer from an ignorant cold war that dates back to the Kennedy administration and the Bay of Pigs incident, generously (and inexplicably) offered medical help, namely, to send some 1,600 medics, field hospitals and 83 tons of medical supplies to ease the humanitarian disaster. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack asserted that the Cuban medical brigade would probably not be needed since there has been a “robust response from the American medical community.” We now know that help was, indeed, not on the way. The administration largely sat back and let the largely African-American victims of this tragedy twist in the wind. At the time, White House spokesman Scott McClellan scorned the Cuban proposal. When asked if the president would consider accepting the Cuban help, “When it comes to Cuba,” said McClellan, “we have one message for Fidel Castro: He needs to offer the people of Cuba their freedom.” No, that is not political at all.

Another Bush lie surfaces from the murky depths of their incompetence.

Was this a golden opportunity to resume more rational relations with a neighbor? Yes, they are a communist country. Yes, they do not have our sense of human rights. Hell, not even we have that same sense anymore. Since 1960, we have built up this ridiculous cold war with Cuba, and for what? We have seen in Russia that communism is not a threat to us. We (Bush administration) have even made it impossible for Cuban Americans to legally go to Cuba and see their families there. What does this accomplish? More stupidity from the administration that couldn't shoot straight.

Attempts at normalcy have been made. Carter's visit in 2002, the Elian Gonzales case where Clinton did not block his return to Cuba, which was applauded by Cuba, the exportation of US food to Cuban citizens in 2001, and other attempts.

This cold war is ridiculous, and could have ended with their offer of Katrina relief. We should have relations with Cuba. We should allow travel to and from Cuba. We should set up an embassy and work with the Cuban government, which is weak with reports of the condition of Fidel Castro. We should allow all U.S. exports into Cuba (except weapons of course), and imports of their products. we should have allowed American investment into Cuba. From some of my Cuban friends accounts, this country is rich in resources and is a beautiful, beautiful coast line rich country. A perfect vacation spot not far away from Florida in fact.

We should stop being stupid. We are only hurting ourselves, our Cuban American citizens, and the Cuban citizens themselves.

Isn't it time we reached out to all countries with normal communications. Isn't it time we stop trying to force our particular brand of government on others?

Isn't it time we stop letting our arrogance and ignorant pride hurt and penalize our own people?

THE GRINCH WHO STOLE OUR IDENTITY

2007-05-05T10:31:00.000-07:00

We've arrived at the war, as I said that we would.
And war is a thing that does every boy good!
We will sleep in the trenches and go without supper
To make the world safe for New York; Side Upper.
And we'll shoot every traitor and all out-of-towners
Who side with these bibulous Middle East Frowners!
Any questions?
Sir, This war makes no sense.This does seem quite dense.
Would it kill our defense, if this war was past-tense?
We've crashed in the desert! There's no help in sight.
So why are you here teaching children to fight?
So here is my sword. And here is my hat.
We're going home! And that, sir, is that!
It's a minefield out there! We must stay the course!
For which Bush and Cheney show no remorse
Sir, I think what I think. Now get out of my way!
Halt soldier, you liberal, you must obey!
But listen
Would you stay, if I let Congress have their way?
I will fire Don Rummy, and put good food in your tummy
Spam and fried chicken, of this I am certain
The food must be good, it comes from Dick Cheney's Halliburton
So stay the course, if only for two years
I told you the Iraqi's will lead the cheers
We took out Saddam, and that is no joke
Stay with me, stay with me, now find me a rope

NEW STUDY SHEADS NEW LIGHT ON HOMOSEXUALITY

2007-05-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

A controversial Harvard (not) study has just been released smashing many previously held perceptions about homosexuals, and the homosexual community. Here are some of their findings....

After exhaustive research, scientists have concluded that homosexuals are actually human beings. Carbon based creatures in fact; needing and capable of creating love, kindness, acts of charity, and random acts of positive and giving behaviors previously thought to be performed solely by heterosexuals. Who knew?

Homosexuals do not seek to adopt children in order to train, mold and increase the ranks of fellow homosexuals. As radical as it sounds, it turns out homosexuals have the same loving and nurturing inner nature as real human beings (as opposed to the openly gay, have mass sex orgies in the streets, freaks we once knew). Further studies have shown that an adopted child by homosexuals are actually not automatically going to turn out gay. Apparently, research has shown that a large majority of homosexuality is innate, and not necessarily a learned proclivity. Guess I'll drop that class. Too bad, I was getting an "A' in "How to avoid becoming a homosexual 101."

Lastly, although religious leaders of all faiths have held the opinion that when committing bigotry, hatred and perpetrating hate crimes against all homosexuals was in the name of "doing God's works", biblical research has actually proven that our God is, in fact a loving God, and probably would look down on someone causing pain and ridicule of an entire group of people not only born out of his image, but a group of people he loved so dearly that he sent down his only begotten son to save them, and grant absolution of their individual sins, no matter what they may be.

PROJECT IMPLICIT

2007-04-26T15:17:00.000-07:00

https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/demo/selectatest.jsp

Try this Harvard test / study on whether or not you are a bigot, politically, racially, by religion, by weight, by disabilities, etc. You night just learn something about yourself.

2007-04-22T18:52:00.000-07:00

BACK WHEN THE COURSE WAS GREEN AND ALL THE PLAYERS WERE WHITE

2007-04-05T07:49:00.000-07:00

1997, it seems so far away, and then again, it seems like yesterday. The Masters golf tournament, the premier professional golf tournament actually turns 10 this year, 10AT to be accurate, 10 years after Tiger.

Played each year at the Augusta country club, the venue is arguably the last bastion of open golf racism and served to symbolize all that was wrong with the old south. Only Augusta held onto its racist policies much longer than anywhere. Blacks (and women) were not allowed to join, or play. So nothing gave the country more pleasure than seeing one Tiger Woods come into Augusta and win year after year. 1997 marked the first time Mr. Woods won the tournament, and slipped on the traditional green champions jacket.

Each year the winner of the tournament determines the menu for the yearly champions dinner held the following year. All previous champions are invited to break bread, and relive old times in a traditional ceremony of past champions only. Nothing illustrates the feelings and sentiment of the old guard of golfers than Fuzzy Zoeller's remarks when asked what he thought Tiger would put on next years menu. He replied "I don't know, I just hope it is not fried chicken."

Although innocent in nature, Mr. Zoeller's remark (and many of his oft quoted remarks), meant only to elicit humor, underscored the resentment at not only the multi-racial Mr. Woods victory, but the prospect of many of his future anticipated victories. His talents scared many of the old golfing guard, and rightly so. He is a virtuoso with a golf club in his very, very talented hands.

What many fans did not understand at the times were the galleries comments of racial slurs and epithets while Mr. Woods worked the golf courses he played during his rookie year. He never went public in these regards, preferring to remain a class act, a predisposition passed down from a tough, Green Beret father. The times have changed (thankfully), and the Masters lives on. And all those of a non-white heritage have one more hero to look up to, one Tiger Woods, a young man who took the baton passed down to him from all those who stood before him, and carved his way around the lush grounds that is the Augusta country club.

PASSOVER DAY

2007-04-02T14:56:00.000-07:00

There are those that celebrate Passover, an important Jewish holiday, celebrated with a long drawn out celebration culminating with the eating of bitter herbs and dried out brisket. I have attended many such passover Seders, as they are known, with my family, pretending that this is what Passover truly is. But get real, would you?

I will tell you what Passover means to me. Passover actually occurs when the next highest career progression position comes along. I apply, I get numerous interviews (including the "final" interview, somehow symbolizing that I am on a short, short, short list of candidates), and I get passed over.

Now that I think about it, there actually ARE some similarities between the Jewish practice of celebrating Passover, and my dogmatic employers passing me over for promotion. For one thing, my employers must atone for their sin of passing me over. Thankfully, Rosh Hashana is right around the corner.

My employers have rejected me the last three times I have tried for promotion, thus my carcass is now as dry and tough as an actual beef brisket. In fact, they have busted my matzo balls time and time again, and that is chicken shit. Finally, I can only assume that in order to eventually come to the conclusion of passing me over, they obviously partook in the annual smoking of bitter herbs. Throw in a few prayers, and some old ladies whose usage of lipstick clearly surpasses the actual shapes of their lips, and you got it....Passover.

Happy Holiday, and good Shabbos.

GATOR MEAT

2007-03-31T20:32:00.000-07:00

Once again, the Florida Gator big men did in the UCLA Bruins in their second consecutive bid for a national championship. Let's face it fellow Bruins, we do not match up with them at all. And I mean at all. At point guard, both teams have excellent defensive players who take each other out of the game.

Throw in some truly stupid fouls (especially the first reach in foul by Afflalo), some to be expected fouls, and a curious decision by Ben Howland to allow Afflalo the opportunity to grab his third foul by the half, and the writing was on the wall. Josh Shipp tried to take over, but he was a one man team by then. Collison saw no good looks, Rolle saw zero good looks (but threw some up there anyway), and our three big men could do nothing offensively, especially Moya (no offensive star anyway), who was also saddled with three fouls. M Bah Moute, although certainly a plus for our team this year, failed to recapture the high hopes we had for him following our run two years ago.

On the positive side, we emptied out the bench somewhat and saw some imprending talent for next year. We will see what high school phenom center Mr. Love can add to our team next year as well. The nucleus will still be there, sans Mr. Afflalo, who should squeeze in as a first round NBA pick.

Should be a very interesting year next year, with all positions except possibly point guard up for grabs. And Westbrook may make that interesting. All in all, another exceptional year, another enjoyable, pride filled year. But, the Pac 10 has many, many returning players, especially for USC, and in the states of Oregon and Washington, not to mention Arizona, who may have the best recruiting year of anyone. I cannot wait for next year. Go bruins!!

NOSTALGIA

2007-03-25T18:36:00.000-07:00

Ahh, to go back to those much simpler times!!

They really were much better days, weren't they?

CLCIK YOUR HEELS AND YOU CAN GO BACK TO KANSAS

2007-03-24T19:37:00.000-07:00

What a game!! Fast paced, tough defense, 6 players with a combined 28 steals. And we won. Number two UCLA vs. Kansas, the number one seed. We took it to them and we got em'.

Was it just me, or were there more hacks than at a lung cancer clinic? Obviously, the refs were letting them play, for the most part, although we had some unfair quick fouls leveled against us. But we survive and are going to Georgia. The final four for the second straight year.

Our opponent? Hopefully Oregon, who we know well, and match up better against, although we did take a loss against them in the regular conference play. If not Oregon, then Florida, the team that beat us (and I mean pulled down our britches and beat us) in the finals last year. That would mean looking at the ugliest man in college basketball, possibly ever, for 60 minutes, Mr. Noah. But, whatever. One game at a time. Two games left.

Will we be outplayed? Possibly, we lost some really stupid games this year, especially to teams ranked in the 50 to 100 range.

Will we be out coached? No way. At first, I thought Howland was out of his mind letting us run the court in a fast paced tempo. But we did OK. Yes, we won, but we just did OK. Aaron went off for the first time in the tourney, and he will stay hot for the duration. But, we took some stupid shots (Luc from the three point line), and Darren had a total of seven, count them seven turnovers, way too much, even against a well executed press.

But for now, we won, we are headed for the final four, and it is ever so cool to be a Bruin right now.

WE ARE GOING TO LOVE THIS GUY

2007-03-19T06:46:00.000-07:00

Kevin Love, the 6'10", 255 lb. Oregonian center has completed his high school basketball career as the top vote getter for the prestigious Naismith high school basketball player of the year.

Kevin averaged over 33 points per game in his senior year, to go along with his 17 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks per game.

Need more? How about averaging 41% from the 3 point line, and he can actually make an occasional free throw, averaging over 81%.

But the best news about Mr. Love? The Santa Monica native has signed a letter of intent to attend U.C.L.A. next year.

It just isn't fair is it? The Bruins, still rollin' along this year in the March Madness tourney, finished second in the nation last year (got creamed by Florida in the final), and was frequently ranked #1 in the nation this year. Next year we will be even stronger, especially if no one goes early for the NBA draft, a likely possibility, especially in the case of one Mr. Afflalo, who would go in the first round, but hang out with us one more year, alright? If you do, you could be in, say, 3 straight finals?

THE GLASS CEILING

2007-03-18T06:15:00.000-07:00

I have been trying for years now to take the next step in my career. This position would take my single store managerial excellence into multiple store supervision. A position I know I am well suited for. I am unquestionably, the best manager in the corporation (a position widely held in the corporate ranks). This is not false bravado, it has been told to me from my immediate supervisor up through the corporate ranks to VP's as well. But, as I have been told over and over, the next step is not just decided on whom the best manager in their location is.

The selection process is as following. All applicants must first meet all selection criteria (normally 15 to 20 applicants each time). The "first cut" is decided by a homework assignment, normally a written report on an in-depth analysis on a given topic. This is where I truly excel. Over the past two years, the corporation has had three openings at this level. I have passed the first cut each time. Many, many do not (normally 6 to 10 do).

Next, the first cut survivors receive an interview with high level managers, normally involving an hour long grilling on all possible topics and issues. Although nerve wracking, I make my points, give my opinions, and succeed. Out of the three times I have applied, I have been selected as a finalist all three times. The survivors are a very short list of known winners, and applicants that the questioners know can do the job. This normally comes down to 3 or 4 applicants. A very high honor to be sure. To attain this status, you are among the elite in the corporation.

The final cut survivors are invited downtown for another hour+ long grilling, based on more intense questions, questions raise from the homework assignment you have produced, and questions involving the very issues that are plaguing the corporation today. Very tough, very serious stuff. The results of the final interview, along with other performance related factors, are what decide who gets the coveted position.

In all three of my attempts, I have excelled at every level. When I attend corporate wide managers meetings, I am known throughout as a three time finalist, a member of the elite "short list" for greatness, yet I do not get the carrot. Those finalists that do not get the position receive another interview explaining exactly what they need to improve on, and why they fell short this time.

The reasoning behind my not getting the position for the third straight time is a human failing that I have. A personality flaw that I am unsure can be learned, can be developed. Hell, I am not even sure it should be a pre-requisite for the position.

I have been told (and somewhat agree) that I lack a "command presence." I lack the ethereal ability, the aura, the persona, the personal cache, if you will, to walk into a room, and have everyone there know I am the man, without saying a word. Some people definitely have it. Clinton has it, Ollie North has it, most military leaders, .......... no, most leaders have it, in some shape or fashion. Most just seem to be born with it.

And therein lies my dilemma. Can I develop that trait? Can this be taught? Obviously I was not born with it. There is no doubt that the success I have attained in 24 years with the corporation could not have been accomplished without a certain leadership style. But, I concentrate more on development, than leadership. I treat people like people, with human dignity, rather than a "human resource." Let's face it, I may just be too soft for the position. No one is going to fear me upon first glance. I am, for good or bad, the guy who can help you through, can develop your skills and performance to where they need to be to reach the expected standard. I do not do it by instilling fear. I do it with mutual self respect, and hard work. I build confidence and knowledge, I never tear down, and try to make my subordinates fear me, or hate me. This is probably a career death blow, but I have news for everyone out there, my way works. My way works, and yours does not. Fear of condemnation, fear of demotion, fear of losing your job strips at the human psyche, and is undermining. How does this work for you? It doesn't. My way works, and yours doesn't. Get over it, and redefine what makes a true leader in your eyes.

LEFT WING EXTREMISM

2007-03-17T10:14:00.000-07:00

Joe Klein, a very influential political essayist for such publications as TIME magazine and the New Yorker, as well as the author of "Primary Colors", an "anonymous" best seller, he later admitted writing, has published his definition of a "left wing extremist." Interesting reading. Thanks to "Talking Points Memo" blog for bringing this about. They are linked below, and I would whole heartedly recommend you visit the blog daily, it is fast becoming one of the most important avenues for the news (and the truth) out there in the blogosphere, in my opinion.

A left-wing extremist exhibits many, but not necessarily all, of the following attributes:
--believes the United States is a fundamentally negative force in the world.
--believes that American imperialism is the primary cause of Islamic radicalism.
--believes that the decision to go to war in Iraq was not an individual case of monumental stupidity, but a consequence of America’s fundamental imperialistic nature.
--tends to blame America for the failures of others—i.e. the failure of our NATO allies to fulfill their responsibilities in Afghanistan.
--doesn’t believe that capitalism, carefully regulated and progressively taxed, is the best liberal idea in human history.
--believes American society is fundamentally unfair (as opposed to having unfair aspects that need improvement).
--believes that eternal problems like crime and poverty are the primarily the fault of society.
--believes that America isn’t really a democracy.
--believes that corporations are fundamentally evil.
--believes in a corporate conspiracy that controls the world.
--is intolerant of good ideas when they come from conservative sources.
--dismissively mocks people of faith, especially those who are opposed to abortion and gay marriage.
--regularly uses harsh, vulgar, intolerant language to attack moderates or conservatives.

You can read more of Mr. Klein's article in the blog "Talking Points Memo", linked below.
I read it everyday, and I hope you will as well.
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/horsesmouth
/2007/03/joe_klein_defin.php

THEY LISTENED

2007-03-15T19:44:00.000-07:00

Bruins trounce Weber State 70 - 42

Sorry I had to do that to you guys, but you needed waking up. You read, you got fired up, and you hammered them in the FIRST half. Got up by a ton, then sat the starters for the fourth quarter. Nice job. Don't get cocky now. That was a freebie. Go out and work next game, whether it is Gonzaga or Indiana. What the post. Give them nothing but long range jumpers. Then crash the boards. Second team, when you come up against the press, don't terminate your dribbles so fast. Then all you got is making an outrageous pass against a double team. Dribble out of it, or pass immediately before it gets too sticky. Kudos to Afflalo for the comeback game of the season, and Darren, way to work!!

And don't even think about VMI beating Duke.

You probably weren't going to play them anyway.

Besides, the only thing worse than playing Duke, is playing the team that beat Duke

Good job guys, hit the showers.

DEAD MEN WALKING

2007-03-12T17:30:00.000-07:00

I hope the UCLA basketball team reads this. I have been a die hard Bruin fan since the early 1970's. Live and die with every game. Grew up before Jabbar and Walton, when we still put up a banner or two. I love the tradition. I love the campus, and the school.

But I have witnessed the end of a great year. The last two games you have really looked like shit in the first halves, and although you can come back on Washington and state that way, you are in the tourney for gawd sakes. What the pattern of behavior for stinking up the place in the first halves?

Show some fire for Christ's sake. Dive for a ball once in awhile. Play tough under the hoop and block out. And learn how to shoot a fucking free throw. You are playing a team , Weber State, that isn't a stiff. They can beat you when you are playing decent, and right now, you aren't even playing decent. You cannot take any game for granted now. Do or die. For your, AND my college basketball season. You see, if my Bruins aren't in the dance, then I ain't dancin' either. Don't make me turn on the spoiled, selfish ball hogs of the NBA.

You can go all the way, you guys. Only Florida, Memphis and Ohio State are in your league when you are rollin'. Blast Weber State out of the friggin' building, and reclaim some of your long lost swagger. You got Duke coming up and OK, forget I wrote that. You just have Weber State....Weber State...Weber State, and absolutely nothing else. Go Bruins!!!

WE SHOULD DEMAND A RECOUNT

2007-03-03T04:57:00.000-08:00

U.C.L.A. is the men's basketball champion of the PAC 10 for the second year in a row. They have survived in the strongest conference in the nation, and is, pound for pound, the best team in the nation, bar none. And they are improving with every game. They have the best two guard system in the country, not to mention the best coaching staff. Their only losses this year have come at the hands of ranked teams; Stanford, Oregon and West Virginia. They have wins against Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Texas A & M and Michigan, all perennial power houses.

Yet, the sports writers have ranked them number two in favor of Ohio State. Ohio State? Their losses have come to the hands of Wisconsin, Florida and North Carolina. Otherwise they have played no one. No one. Come tournament time, we will see who is number one. I do know one thing, if Ohio State played every team in the PAC 10, they would have experienced more losses than Wall Street this week. Ohio State...give us a break.

Saturday, 1:42pm

No sooner do I puff out my chest and strut my UCLA swagger, than our Bruins go into Washington and patty cake another first half. This time they cannot come back from the depths of defeat. What was surprizing was our offensive performance. They just couldn't hit their asses with two hand fulls of fish hooks today. A ten point victory that was never, ever close, from a team that couldn't fill our jock straps. Shake it off, gentlemen, although our seeding is going to suffer, and we just inherited a much tougher third and fourth round opponent. We still believe in you.

DEAL OR NO DEAL?

2007-02-20T17:49:00.000-08:00

Just in case you missed it, the Aaron Sorkin (West Wing) drama, "Studio 60, Live on The Sunset Strip" was officially replaced by something called "The Black Donnoly's" (or something like that).

"Studio" aired its last first run episode last night, and may not appear again, and that is a real shame. Smart dialogue, intriguing characters and real human drama topics made this show one of the best on TV that almost no one watched.

Actually, it is the most TIVO'd show of the new season, suggesting a time slot change was in order. Unfortunately not to NBC, which preferred to keep its stellar 10pm lineup of Law and Order(s): ad nauseous and Night line:titillation intact.

What can you expect from the broadcasting network who saturates the airwaves with mind-numbing game shows and insipid "news" shows, who document the criminal and sleazy dregs of society. There used to be journalism. There used to be studio execs who actually cared more about their craft, and elevating society through their programming, instead of going after the easy buck.

Yes, this show had flaws, mostly with its casting. Sorkin's casting was a blatant homage to all those who appeared on The West Wing. Way too much, especially with Mr. Whitford, who phoned in his role, to be sure. But, he did cast Matthew Perry, who is spot on, and consistently stretching his talents in the drama field.

This show will appear again, probably as part of a Studio 60 Marathon on Bravo. When it does, please watch it. By the third hour, you will be hooked. If not, turn over to the Game Show Network, there is a housewife from Toluca Lake going for a gazillion dollars on Wheel of Stupid.

TV owes its audience programming worthy of its public. Yes, reality TV sells, but shouldn't we demand some real honest to goodness acting once in a while? How about a little talent sprinkled in between the game shows and lowbrow pablum? Society (especially its youth) does have a tendency to emulate what is on its airwaves. Is this really the legacy you want to build for yourselves? Take some pride and allow a quality show to build an audience. Keep Studio 60 on the air.

THE CREAM PUFFED AND PUFFED

2007-02-10T12:35:00.000-08:00

I live and die by UCLA Basketball. Almost nothing brings me more pleasure than a big Bruin win, in any sport. Having said that, nothing brings me more anxeity than watching them lose, especially to road teams they should slaughter.

This was the case today, as they keep up their first half doldrums, and go down by 19 points in the second half. Miraculously, they come back from this huge deficit (not uncommon of these upstart Bruins). All this without our playmaker, and leader on the floor, Mr. Collison.

Yes, we lost by a nickel (mostly due to a couple of shots not falling, and the usual bricked free throws). But, if we are to survive in the tournament, we need to stop cream puffin' the first halves. Making an occasional free throw wouldn't hurt either.

You are still my team, always will be. And, oh by the way, coaches in polo shirts are for football. You are the next to step into Mr. Wooden's shoes. Dress like it.

THE INTERVIEW

2007-02-10T05:54:00.000-08:00

Tuesday is the day for me. Another interview for a position in the corporate world I highly covet. This is my third interview for the third opening in the department, the third time I have applied, written letters of interest, submitted resumes (to a corporation I have worked for since 1984), written preliminary written reports to gain a finalist status, and finally, getting one last interview as a member of the "short list."

I know what they want to hear, I just can't say it. Shouldn't have to, it is not how I feel. Shouldn't have to act at all. After 24 years, I am the unquestioned best at what I do in the corporation. My way works, for lack of better phraseology. After two and a half centuries of employment with the same corporation, they certainly know who I am, and my basic philosophies. It would be ludicrous to put on a show now. They should see right through it. But others have, and the last two times, I have been passed over for outstanding interviewers. They said what they wanted to hear.

But, when taking the high road and truly representing who I am, and how I get things done (with an outstanding tract record), lessens the chances to get promoted, is it highly moral, or just plain stupid?

I believe in candor with my supervisor(s). In a closed door session, I believe that we should brainstorm ideas and develop innovative new ways of combating our business obstacles. I am not naive, however. I know, that at the end of the day, my vision must be their vision. It is my job to sell their vision, and execute their stated direction and focus. But, in the corporate world, is it possible to stretch the envelope, and be a free thinker, and survive?

THE BUTTERFINGER BOWL

2007-02-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

OK, so I incorrectly predicted the actual score of the game (see previous post below). The actual score was 29-17. Pretty close. What I did predict was the Chicago Bear offense collapsing, and the Colts QB shining.

For all of the hype about the two coaches of the game, did even one of them prepare with "wet football" drills? Indy must have seen Chicago Bear game tape showing how they always go for the strip. Satellite images should have at least hinted at rain. There were an embarassing amount of turnovers on both teams, especially from Chicago. Heck, Grossman actually bobbled the snap, then bobbled it again trying to pick the damn thing up.

All in all, a great game, and a fun game to watch.

And for once, the best team won.

THE MAN DESPIRATELY IN NEED OF A HEIMLICH MANUEVER

2007-02-02T18:11:00.000-08:00

Super Bowl Prediction:

Grossman performs true to form, the Colts defense continues its out of body experience, and Manning shows the world he is the best quarterback in football.

Indianapolis 27, Chicago 20

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

2007-01-26T19:35:00.000-08:00

THE SCOURGE OF THE SURGE

2007-01-07T09:48:00.000-08:00

Whether for or against, the U.S. will be sending in an additional 20,000 to 30,000 troops shortly into war torn Iraq, and chiefly into Baghdad itself. This will be accomplished by accelerating the deployment of some troops, along with extending all others stays of service.

Obviously this will cause a short term improvement, and reduction in the violence that continues, and continues to escalate since day one. For years now, Bush has indicated that he would only increase the number of troops in Iraq if the military commanders asked for them. They have not. This is the primary result of the urging of Bush's new advisors (his old ones have left with their tails between their legs), neo-cons Kagan (West Point) and Keane (former Army vice chief of staff). This is not the first "surge" we have tried. "Operation Forward Together" failed miserably in October.

How is this being treated on the hill? Even Lugar and Spector aren't jumping on the neo-con bandwagon, and Chuck Hagel has been quoted in Time as saying, "It's a surge-folly". What ever your take on the surge, it is obviously the last stand of a President desperate to right a sinking political ship, and save the historic impression / legacy, that his Presidency was unique in its complete inaptitude.

The only questions remain...Who will leave first...The troops in Iraq, or George from the Oval Office? Of course it will be George, then this entire mess he has created will be someone else's problem.

PHOTO CAPTION CONTEST

2007-01-03T09:50:00.000-08:00

JANUARY CAPTION CONTEST

Please offer up any suggestions you may have for a photo caption to this wonderful picture by clicking the word "comments" at the bottom of this posting.

I must admit I take particular pleasure in seeing these two Bush brothers laugh and cahort while all hell is breaking loose around them. They seem particularly pleased with themselves....or, they are just off the wagon.

All entries will be greatfully accepted. The winner will receive the ultimate right to elect (or not) the second brother to a national position in a very short time.

MY 2006 MAN OF THE YEAR

2006-12-23T19:41:00.000-08:00

In a year filled with leaders and celebrities who constantly disappoint and embarrass, this man has exceeded all expectations.

Stepping in to the shoes and hallowed traditions of arguably the greatest coach in the history of sport, this man has made a plan, stuck to it, and has achieved success beyond anyone's (certainly all Bruin fans) hopes and dreams.

Tough but fair, he came to us from Pittsburgh of all places. Steel town, and he is. A supreme leader and motivator. This is the man who can, and may just take us to the promised land.

My 2006 Man of the Year,
Coach Ben Howland of the UCLA Bruins.

TOP TEN LOSERS IN 2006

2006-12-23T15:17:00.000-08:00

CAN YOU NAME THESE NEWSMAKERS IN 2006?

Who will be number ten?

Stay tuned, we still have a few days of stupid left in 2006.

A TIMELY HOLIDAY WISH

2006-12-15T20:37:00.000-08:00

HAPPY

CHANUKAH

TO ALL !!!

I cannot think of a better time to celebrate a time when oil was scarce, and a miracle was needed.

God bless you and yours.

I bid you peace and goodwill towards all men.

THE LATEST PRESIDENTIAL POLL

2006-12-13T16:57:00.000-08:00

According to the latest poll, it's Mc Cain 14 percentage points over Hillary,

and Hillary 6 points over Mitt Romney.

My question is, HOW ON EARTH DID SHE BECOME SO UNIVERSALLY HATED?

She served as First Lady without complaints. She has been done an admirable job as a first time Senator from upstate New York, and opinion held on a bi-partisan basis.

She is / was part of the Clinton administration, and certainly her husband has no popularity problems.

BUT LOOK AT THE PICTURE ABOVE FROM THE TIMES.

Could they have found a less flattering picture of her anywhere?

The two gentlemen are pictured in a positive. attractive manner.

She can't even get a break from even the most liberal of media outlets.

If you have the answer, please click on the word "comment" and voice your opinion.

"LETS JUST TURN THE PAGE ON THIS ONE"

2006-12-09T10:47:00.000-08:00

The 9 week investigation has concluded in regards to the Foley scandal on Capital hill. The House Ethics committee, in all its glory, has found that "no rules were broken, and there was no evidence in a systematic cover-up" in the Mark Foley misconduct, which culminated in his resignation.

Rep. Foley was found to be actively sending sexually explicit messages to teenage house pages, as well as twice trying to gain entry to the page residence after curfew, once while alledgedly intoxicated. The committee did find that "there was some evidence that political considerations played a role" in why numerous complaints and notifications went unheeded. The committee could not however, "determine conlusively why officals did nothing" to protect the teenagers, who were serving internships in service of the Representatives. This comes after they were aware of a pattern of behavior that spanned as much as ten years.

Although "no rules were broken" and the committee took basically no actions, the committee did find that the House members were found to be "willingly ignorant" of Rep. Foley's preditory behavior. Ignorant, yes. Willingly, absolutely. This was the biggest joke on Capital hill. Rep. Foley served as the chairman for the committee on missing and exploited children, for God sakes. How much more of an irony do they need?

This is but one of five separate GOP resignations following scandals which have been rocking Washington since 2005. Their wanton disregard for the safety of teenage children, and complete lack of morals are proof positive that this personna of the GOP being the party of the religious right is a complete sham, established to garner the votes of the various religious organizations, who followed the lies like ignorant sheep.

For the committee to come to this conclusion is the ultimate Rumsfeldian act of hubris ever. What is worse? A child molesting preditor actively seeking relations with underaged boys, or the representatives on the Hill (of both parties) who willingly enabled this behavior with their silence? Whether it was to save the political seat, or stop his homosexuality from becoming public, the Representatives failed in their duties to protect these teenagers from an admitted sexual predator. This from a body of public servants who are paid to protect an entire nation?

No rules were broken? Lets start with pedophilia being against the law, attempted or successful. Lets continue with a rule against anyone engaging in a cover up of repeated attempts to break the law. Lets end with an ethics committee not afraid of the political fallout involved in coming to a sane and just decision. Lets end with the "outing" of all those with prior knowledge, and their complete and total disregard for the safety of minors, who were entrusted in their care. Lets end with someone, anyone on the Hill that is man enough to stand up for what is right, for what they know is ethical and moral. This is a bellweather decision, not only on Rep. Foley, but our entire collection of scared sheep legislators that are too scared to fight for anything, even the basest of moral dilemmas.

ABOUT WHAT WE WERE "COUNTING" ON

2006-12-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

The results of the 2005 census for the SFV (Southern Calif.) are in.
Statistics of interest are as follows:

Total population: 1.74 million (the 5th largest city in the U.S.,

behind NY, LA, Chicago & Houston

Median incone: $51,700.00 (72,000 household less than $15,000)

Average price of a home: $524,800.00 (ave. rental $978.00 mo.)

59% are native US born 41% are foreign born

43% White 42% Latino 10% Asian 4% African American

26.1% are under the age of 18 59% are 18 to 59 yrs old 10.7% are over 65 yrs old

73% have a High School diploma or better 27.3% have a BA/BS degree or better

59% speak english in the home 41% prefer to speak another language (in their homes)

(+-3% ERROR RATE)

some unoffical data in The World According to Kimba:

33% do not know how to drive

80% of these drive with a cell phone to their ears

40% have some form of "body art"

12% of these are located proudly an inch above their butt crack

Only 3% wear colored socks with shorts (Florida 68%)

18% wear sunglasses everywhere, in any weather, even indoors

90% describe distances in terms of freeway minutes

43% actually believe their homes are worth what they are selling for

7% engage in sexual activity repugnant to the rest of the nation / world

85% of Valley residents have lost their virginities

100% families financial overextended trying to keep up with the Jones'

SHOULD WE BE IMPRESSED, SIR?

2006-12-08T05:48:00.000-08:00

December 07, 2006

Quote of the Day

"Some reports are issued and just gather dust. And truth of the matter is, a lot of reports in Washington are never read by anybody.

To show you how important this one is, I read it."--

President Bush, at a press conference, on the Iraq Study Group report.

NOW THEY HAVE W.M.D.'S

2006-12-07T17:01:00.000-08:00

Pictured above is the weapon of choice in Iraq. The 9M32 STRELA-2 is a first-generation man-portable, shoulder-fired short-range anti-aircraft missile system, intended for destruction of both subsonic and supersonic air targets (fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, UAV) in ground and low altitudes. It is a one man weapon, which has a heat seeking guidance system. It is operated by one person, and is relatively lightweight at 4 1/2 kilograms. It has a range of up to 5000 meters, and can project a missle at speeds upwards of 580 m/s.

Today, the AP is reporting donations from wealthy Saudi Arabians (a Sunni bastion), have been ongoing to fund the outmanned, and out represented Sunni factions in Iraq, much of which has been going to the purchase weapons such as these.

Here is a quote from AP...

"In one recent case, an Iraqi official said $25 million in Saudi money went to a top Iraqi Sunni cleric and was used to buy weapons, including Strela, a Russian shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missile. The missiles were purchased from someone in Romania, apparently through the black market, he said. "

"Overall, the Iraqi officials said, money has been pouring into Iraq from oil-rich Saudi Arabia, a Sunni bastion, since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq toppled the Sunni-controlled regime of Saddam Hussein in 2003. "

So, where do we go from here?

Is a "civil war" between Saudi Arabia and Iran (Shia based) going to destroy Iraq?

As the nation who eventually went with the "devil it knew" (Hussein) , and turned its backs on the Sunnis, while they were gassed and pummeled by our US made Blackhawk helicopters , going to suddenly back Saudia Arabia, which means the same Sunni nation it allowed to be destroyed? Can we back the Shia, which in essense would be partnering up with Iran?

We have created, or at least forced the hands of two incredibly powerful nations to respond. How long will they sit dormant (at least in public)?

The irony is, U.S. energy gluttony has made these two nations incredibly rich.

Will the chickens come home to roost, or will two rich and powerful Middle Eastern nations such as these allow themselves to get dragged into the Iraqi situation?

It seems to be a chessgame for now.

But, rest assured, Saudi Arabia will not let Iran (the Shia nation) take control of Iraq, period.

THANKS FOR THE BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

2006-12-03T10:04:00.000-08:00

Thanks everyone for the cards and calls of congratulations on my 50th birthday.

Among the incredible shower of gifts, came the one to the left, a special gift from my physician.

WE ROSE UP FROM THE ASHES

2006-12-02T22:53:00.000-08:00

UCLA 13 USC 9

First the elections, now this. Can this year get any better? Everyone is asking if anybody in the football world saw this coming. None of the football analysts did. But someone did. Notre Dame, who was lucky to get out with their lives (and a "W") last month against us. The simple fact is, we are not a .500 ball club. We are a top 20 team with a JV coach.

RELIGIOUS OR POLITICAL CONVICTIONS?

2006-12-01T18:56:00.000-08:00

As Governor Bayh from Massachusetts considers a run for the 2008 presidential race, the news organizations and blogs are all over the fact that the Governor is a Mormon. "Is the country ready for a Mormon President?"

President Kennedy was asked the same basic question about being Roman Catholic. And we all know about the run from Joe Lieberman, who is Jewish by faith, and heritage. We even have a Moslem in our next term legislative body.

We, as a nation need to stop painting a picture of our candidates with a religious persuasion brush. Even more so, we need to stop asking about our leaders religious persuasions to stop every politician from going through these inevitable charades of pretending to be church goers. It is ludicrous to think that every senator and representative in American is religious. In my mind, it has absolutely no bearing on the measure of a candidate at all.

George W. claims to be a regular church goer. And look how many deaths he is responsible for?

IRAQ'S INEVITABLE CONCLUSION

2006-11-29T17:16:00.000-08:00

Civil war is now admittedly raging in Iraq. Even Colin Powell has finally come out and admitted it. Three factions fighting each other, and all of them willing to kill us.

The certain winner in all of this will be the Shias. They have the power, the majority, the militias to defend themselves, and they have a leader, Muqtada Al-Sadr, the son of a cleric, Muhammad Al-Sadr, who was killed in 1999. He is why they call one of their largest cities Sadr City. Al-Sadr is anti-American through and through. Has been from the very start.

He wants two things, which he will eventually get. He wants the U.S. out, as soon as possible. And he wants to take over Baghdad immediately, even if it means committing genocide on all Shia in the city. The majority of the country will come around to his leadership, with the Shias moving north.

The only thing in the U.S. favor is the surrounding countries sere this eventual conclusion, and are going to have to step in. Will they arm the Sunni's? Will they make a martyr out of Al-Sadr?

One thing is for sure, no neighboring country can afford to sit back and watch anymore. They see that Bush has ruined Iraq, and set the Middle East on a collision course with disaster. No one, Iran, Jordan, Yemin, Eqypt, or Saudi Arabia likes the way these cards are playing themselves out. And every American death, past and especially in the future, is testimony to the complete ignorance of the Bush administration.

While Bush and Cheney bury their heads in the sand, Colin Powell seems to have a firm grasp on the situation, like it or not. In my mind, he is the one person to put in charge of the situation. He has the respect of other leaders, and at least is not afraid of the truth. His focus is on coming to an Iraqi solution, not an American solution.

THE FIRST GUY THAT STEPS UP, OWNS IT

2006-11-26T17:18:00.000-08:00

The world has been waiting for someone to step up and try and calm the Middle East, and like it or not, here he is. "He" is Jordan's King Abdullah. Could be a lot worse.

Here are a few paragraphs of what he is saying, or click on the link for the full text.

Jordan's King Abdullah said Sunday the problems in the Middle East go beyond the war in Iraq and that much of the region soon could become engulfed in violence unless the central issues are addressed quickly.

"We could possibly imagine going into 2007 and having three civil wars on our hands," he said, citing conflicts in Iraq, Lebanon and the decades-long strife between the Palestinians and Israelis.

"Therefore, it is time that we really take a strong step forward as part of the international community and make sure we avert the Middle East from a tremendous crisis that I fear, and I see could possibly happen in 2007," he said.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?c=JPArticle&cid=1162378486068&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

JAMES BAKER: BUSHWHACKED AGAIN

2006-11-25T19:29:00.000-08:00

He is one of our very best and most experienced elder statesmen of our country.
Ran the Presidential campaigns for Presidents George Bush Sr., Ford and Reagan. Served as chief of staff under Presidents Bush and Reagan. Also served as Secretary of State under Pres. Bush (Sr.), and Secretary of the Treasury under Pres. Reagan. He recently served as personal envoy of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

He received his share of criticism in his days, but came away with the reputation of a "Teflon man," someone who never seemed to have anything stick to him. So when he was appointed to head the committee advising President G.W. Bush on the situation in Iraq, it was a natural choice. The committee has been meeting for quite sometime now.

Baker, never one to mince words, was asked if we would ever achieve a "military victory" in Iraq. Here is the quote from Baker:

If you mean by "military victory" an Iraqi government that can be established and whose writ runs across the whole country, that gets the civil war under control and sectarian violence under control in a time period that the political processes of the democracies will support, I don't believe that is possible.

Sobering words, aren't they? Over the course of his political career, Baker has been asked to step in and handle the dirty work for many a GOP President, but this job tops them all. Can any committee come up with a plausible solution for a war that has brought Iraq to a (seemingly) inevitable civil war, encouraged terrorism throughout the region, and divided our country so badly the President's approval rating hovers around the 30 percentiles?

I believe it was a writer for Slate magazine that coined the phrase, "James Baker: Presidential Janitor." Well this time he has inherited a mess no one man can clean up. A mess? This is a Hazmat spill of epic proportions.

You had better order some more Teflon, my friend. But no pressure. Lebanon is on its last legs. The Palestinians are as cranky as ever. Iraq is in the middle of a civil war, and the motorcade of the Iraqi chief was just stoned by his own people. Iraqis are armed to the teeth for self protection. Gaza is heating up again, and Iran wants to help when we get out. We are sinking headfirst into a unwinable quagmire of violence and economic dispair.

History will show that by refusing to wait until the U.N. inspectors finished their jobs, President Bush has made the single biggest error of any modern-day President, the reprocussions of which may extend over the course of the next century. Our days of being the only super-power are over. Our days of being the healthiest economy are over. Unfortunately, the Bush administrations days are not over. And, they have one more son.

My opinion?

Get someone they respect into the Middle east (Bush, Sr. and Clinton? Baker? Powell?, Kissinger?, etc.--hell, send them all if you want) and get close to the King of Jordan, the only ruler making sense. He could help if he wanted to.

Get over it, any refusal to at least meet with the heads of Syria and Iran will not be looked at kindly by the rest of the world. What can it possibly hurt? If 60 Minutes can talk to him, you can too.

Keep Sec. of State Rice out of the region (for god sakes, do you really think any country in the region respects the opinion of a woman? It is wrong, but get a clue).

Pull back troops out of the hotspots and let them go at it (after giving the innocent civilians a chance to leave with a decent time frame warning).

Monitor the borders only, & let any Middle Eastern country willing to, go into the hot spots and regain control.

Stop all rebuilding efforts immediately.

Stop all non-military funding today, period.

Give the everyone a time frame for full American troop withdrawal (just move them to Jordan, Israel, Afghanistan and Turkey). If Saudi Arabia and Jordan doen't step in, all hell breaks loose, and that is something no one wants, especially an OPEC nation.

A VERY DISFUNCTIONAL THANKSGIVING FAMILY DINNER

2006-11-23T05:16:00.000-08:00

As we all gather with family and friends today at Thanksgiving, give thanks that we are not sitting around the dinner table with this disfunctional family, who I'll call "The Powderkegs."

Iraq: A new born child who will never survive without their Daddy (U.S.) there to protect them. A country divided by three factions just waiting for their chance for a full on civil war. For now, the baby is happy just to eat what is served them by the daddy. But is displaying many temper tantrums.

Iran: An older, and stronger brother waiting for their chance to seize the Middle East by nuclear storm. He will eat what comes their way, but secretly covet your food, and are making plans to get some next year. He offers to make the toasts, but no blessings.

Lebanon: A sick, ailing little brother on his death bed. The recent assassination of their cabinet minister suggests we may want to call the Priest to administer last rites. He is too sick to eat. Recently come away a loser of a savage attack from another brother, which has left him bitter and despondant. Served up a disproportional serving of squash.

Afghanistan: The bipolar devilish middle child. Out of control despite a strong babysitter (U.S.) watching. They eat well, but need to be spoon fed. Is itching to start a food fight. Harboring many friends in their household capable of doing great harm. These friends frequently stuff themselves full of explosives. Says the right things, but actions speak louder than their words.

Saudi Arabia: A very strong, rich uncle who just sits in an easy chair watching TV while all hell breaks out around him. He is, at least for now, carving the turkey and serving the meal. Secretly gave money to very bad distant relatives, who did many others great harm over the years.

Jordan: Another uncle quietly taking the money. Pretends to like everyone. Secretly hates and distrusts everyone. He eats, he drinks, he even passes everything to who ever is sitting next to him. He is entrusted with saying the blessing before dinner.

Syria: A very powerful sister who is flexing her muscles publicly. Pulling many strings quietly in the background. They are too busy sizing up the members of the family table to eat. She is the most likely to steal the silverware.

Israel: A brother with a very powerful father who protects them. Too busy kvetching and bitching to see that the entire table hates them, and if the family gangs up on them, they could be out of the family. Everyone else passes the side dishes to them, after spitting in them. Supplies all of the whine to the dinner. Will eat the turkey, but none of the ham. Given a very small piece of the dinner table.

Pakistan and India: Strong older brother figures. Distant neighbors. Could help bring order to the table. Developing a very nice arsenal of carving tools, but true power is economic, not nuclear. Too busy to come to dinner.

Russia, China, Egypt: Very strong distant uncles who have been invited to dinner, but has, as of yet, refused every invitation.

U.S.: Not related. Matriarchal interloper. Good intentioned, but unwelcome dinner guest. Had grandiose plans of bringing peace to the table, but is being torn apart because of it. Many want to grab our wine and go home, but chaos would surely ensue. Had hopes of making valuable family connections in order to get cheaper turkey, which is abundant in the Powderkeg household. Despite many scars, disharmony continues at the table.

Will there ever be peace at this Thanksgiving table? Most of the guests not only want brother Israel kicked out of the dinner, they want them to leave in body bags.

Will the uncles get involved? Will the interloper leave the table and let them fight it out? No, they can't. They are into the main courses, and it is far too late to leave the dinner. Naively believed the dessert course would be finished by now.

NANCY PELOSI: GOP'S NEW WHIPPING "BOY"

2006-11-22T16:42:00.000-08:00

Takes a look at the quotes coming out of the neo-cons now.........They seem to be uniting in their hatred of Speaker Pelosi, after we held our tongue (and noses) over Dennis Hastert.

Echoing recent attacks by conservatives on House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Republican pollster Frank Luntz stated, "I always use the line for Nancy Pelosi, 'You get one shot at a facelift. If it doesn't work the first time, let it go.' "

Hannity & Colmes co-host Sean Hannity sought to encourage Republican voters and candidates to ensure a Republican victory in the November elections by proclaiming that "there are things in life worth fighting and dying for, and one of 'em is making sure" that Pelosi "doesn't become the speaker."

On KSFO's Lee Rodgers & Melanie Morgan Program, Morgan said, "We've got a bull's-eye painted on her big, wide laughing eyes," referring to House Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
"It's time to put the bull's-eye" on Pelosi. Morgan also asserted that there are "700 days to start pushing conservative values and to start hitting back at the Democrats and slap the crap out of 'em," and referred to Pelosi as "Nancy McNasty." Morgan also said, "I am putting together my down-and-dirty book on Ms. Pelosi, getting a book proposal, and boy, do I have some good dirt on her."

[Former House Majority Leader] Tom DeLay [R-TX] says that Nancy Pelosi is "the number one target".

Since the Democratic Party won control of both the House and the Senate, the media have focused on such issues as Pelosi's choice of attire and whether being female will affect her ability to lead. MSNBC anchor Contessa Brewer wondered if Pelosi's "personal feelings [were] getting in the way of effective leadership" -- a problem she suggested would not surface in "men-run leadership posts" -- and whether men were "more capable of taking personality clashes."

THAT'S DIRTY, HARRY

2006-11-22T14:04:00.000-08:00

The degree to which the new Democratic leadership on Capitol Hill despises Vice President Dick Cheney is a big plus for President Bush.

Consider why incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid scrapped an idea to impeach Bush: "Two words: Dick Cheney," he says, joking that it would vault the veep into the Oval Office.

Hello? Why not go after Cheney first? He has more skeletons in his closet than Six Feet Under.

JUST BE A MAN AND OWN IT

2006-11-21T16:45:00.000-08:00

NEWSFLASH: You cannot say the "N" word four times and deny being a racist.

Michael, do not claim to be an alcoholic, drug addict, or abused as a child. You are a bigot. Own it.

"It just fired out of me." Where have we heard this before? Wasn't it another celebrity racist rant?

Guess who's hanging upside down with a fork in them now? TMZ.com has the link to his performance and apology / explanation / well, the apoology was another performance, but look for it if you must.

A GLIMMER OF HOPE

2006-11-19T14:09:00.000-08:00

A glimmer of hope. A definate step in the right direction. Hell, after these past six years, I welcome even a spark, a nuance, even a microscopic morsel of hope. The elections are over, and maybe, maybe things will turn around.

The man to the right gives me hope. He's Rep. Reid. He is the new House Majority Leader. He's a real SOB. Harry don't play. While Senate majority leader Pelosi digs a line in the sand almost big enough to bury her, Harry is out saying things like this...

"It's not a time to get even with the Republicans; it is a time to treat them the way they didn't treat us," and then he announces (with Pelosi), that they will open the House - Senate conference committees to the media. Lets make the pork public. Let's do things out in the open.

He says "We may actually have to work Saturdays (an obvious dig on the GOP Tuesday - Thursday work schedule). And he follows with "This is going to be a free-for-all, we are going to come out of the chambers covered in mud and with plenty of bruises."

We to the left, deserve this moment in the sunshine. We have stood by in horror at what this country has been doing the last few years. Our deficit is gone, gone deep into the red. We are at war, with no end in sight, and all of our options look pretty bad right now, either for us, or the Iraqi people.

Jack Abramhoff pretty well owned all of Washington. He called the practice of ear marking bills "The Favor Mill" , (I put that in all caps because he's writing his book in prison right about now). Corruption in general is at an all time high. Crooks, liars, thieves and yes, attempted molesters.

So, if I seem a little too happy and a little too smug, you'll have to forgive me. We needed a little hope, and a little check and balances won't hurt either. Now get out of the way, and let us get to work. This isn't the first time we had to come in and save a Bush administration from itself.

(Just a glimmer of hope...can you imagine...

32% of the country still approve of the administration?)

NOT ON MY CHRISTMAS LIST, THANKS

2006-11-19T06:13:00.000-08:00

AN ISSUE OF COMPETANCY?

2006-11-18T11:42:00.000-08:00

While addressing a large audience recently, the VP, commenting on the past election, Cheney indicated that, from his perspective, little has changed. He drew applause when he denounced a federal court in Michigan for striking down the Bush administration's program of monitoring terrorism suspects' phone calls without a warrant. Cheney called the ruling, which has been stayed and is under appeal, "an indefensible act of judicial overreaching," and he said the court was "tying the hands" of the president in the conduct of war.

"This is a matter entirely outside the competence of the judiciary," Cheney said. Although courts do have a say on matters that touch on foreign affairs, the vice president said, the surveillance program deserves deference from the judicial branch.

When asked his personal views about the "constitution", the VP remarked, I feel fine, outside of a little gas here and there, and lately, my heart is only used for pumping blood." Reports that the VP will start a Vegas style lounge act after his term runs out, are apparently untrue. "It is merely a coincidence that I look like a bad Edward G. Robinson impersonator."

NOTHIN' SAYS LOVIN' LIKE SOMETHING IN A NUCLEAR OVEN

2006-11-18T09:28:00.000-08:00

India on Friday cautiously welcomed the US Senate's approval to President George W Bush's plan for nuclear cooperation between the two countries that would allow the United States to send nuclear technology and fuel to India.

In a calibrated response to the Senate's approval, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi separately told delegates at the HT Leadership Summit that Delhi welcomed the step forward but suggested that it was still too early to celebrate. "We are still a long way to go before nuclear cooperation between India and United States becomes a living reality," Singh said, noting that there were aspects in the two bills that were "not identical". Singh stressed that the final version of the deal should be in line with "mutual commitments" made in last year's agreement, a point that Congress president Sonia Gandhi too had articulated during a Q&A session at the Summit earlier in the day.

Last ditch opposition to the India-US civil nuclear cooperation deal was overwhelmingly rejected, with the US Senate voting 85-12 on Thursday in favour of ending the atomic apartheid against India. Tellingly, each of the six “killer” amendments proposed to the bill, which Delhi had said would compel it to reject the nuclear deal, was easily defeated.

Senator Joe Biden, Democratic co-sponsor of the bill, stressed that the deal was part of the trend begun by former president Bill Clinton and accelerated by Bush. “When we pass this bill, America will be a giant step closer to approving a major shift in US-Indian relations.

HOMOPHOBIA LOSES IN SO. AFRICA

2006-11-18T06:31:00.000-08:00

South Africa approves gay marriage
Religious groups oppose the legislation

South Africa has become the first African country to legalise gay marriage after the nation's parliament approved the legislation. A total of 230 MPs voted for the civil union bill after a stormy debate at the parliament in Cape Town, while another 41 opposed the measure and three abstained.

The bill, which allows for civil unions to be solemnised by way of either a marriage or a civil partnership, has been widely opposed by religious groups, conservatives and traditionalists. The government has said the new legislation forms part of a wider commitment to battle discrimination.

"We need to fight and resist all forms of discrimination and prejudice, including homophobia," Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the home affairs minister, said before the vote on Tuesday. The measure was also warmly welcomed as an historic step by the Joint Working Group, a national network of 17 gay, bisexual and transgender organisations.

"The [bill] signals a rejection of previous attempts to render lesbian and gay people as second-class citizens," Fikile Vilakazi, the group's spokesman, said in a statement. "It demonstrates powerfully the commitment of our lawmakers to ensuring that all human beings are treated with dignity."

THE GRINCH WHO STOLE OUR IDENTITY

2006-11-17T21:27:00.000-08:00

We've arrived at the war, as I said that we would.

And war is a thing that does every boy good!

We will sleep in the trenches and go without supper

To make the world safe for New York; Side Upper.

And we'll shoot every traitor and all out-of-towners

Who side with these bibulous Middle East Frowners!

Any questions?

Sir, This war makes no sense.This does seem quite dense.

Would it kill our defense, if this war was past-tense?

We've crashed in the desert! There's no help in sight.

So why are you here teaching children to fight?

So here is my sword. And here is my hat.

We're going home! And that, sir, is that!

It's a minefield out there! We must stay the course!

For which Bush and Cheney show no remorse

Sir, I think what I think. Now get out of my way!

Halt soldier, you liberal, you must obey!

But listen

Would you stay, if I let Congress have their way?

I will fire Don Rummy, and put good food in your tummy

Spam and fried chicken, of this I am certain

The food must be good, it comes from Dick Cheney's Halliburton

So stay the course, if only for two years

I told you the Iraqi's will lead the cheers

We took out Saddam, and that is no joke

Stay with me, stay with me, now find me a rope

WHY NO "HASTA LA VISTA BABY" TO ARNOLD?

2006-11-16T10:04:00.000-08:00

While other conservatives were falling from the political spectrum like bricks, why does this man survive? Obviously, the past election was a referendum on the President and the war in Iraq. We know that. This is a cyclical period which could have been predicted. Will it be a "transitional period" as Karl Rove has described, or a continued push towards the left of center, only time (specifically two years) will tell.

However, it must be noted that while Arnold easily gained reelection, he did not, as many conservatives did, attempt to distance themselves away from the administration. He actually showed an almost unconditional love and support for President Bush, and came away relatively unscathed.

Was this actor cum politician actually a "litmus test" for candidates to come, specifically in 2008? On first glance, Schwarzenegger appears to be a non-partisan "reach across the aisle and get things accomplished" centralist. In actuality, he leans all over the place. Conservative in many viewpoints, yet socially liberal when it comes to all matters fiscal. He ran on a platform which included many spending programs, specifically on infrastructure and social programs, which where unmistakably liberal in nature.

Initially thought to be a joke, much like Governor Ventura years ago, Arnold actually is garnering a modicum of support from both parties. Needless to say, the vote counts indicate that the voters of California concur. Could it remotely be possible for a man like this to actually be considered a viable contender for the top federal slots in government? If he were native born...well, let's not even go there. One thing for sure, Arnold is a survivor, a survivor with surprising staying power.

THE LAME DUCK CONGRESS

2006-11-12T07:05:00.000-08:00

The election is over, and the rhetoric begins. President Bush is talking about how much he is looking forward to working with the next congress to face what he called "the great issues facing America." He has said his team will "respect the results" of the last election, and the voter mandate.

This may be all well and true. He may have the best intentions of making the best of the carnage his party experienced in the past election. But, lets be honest. His immediate (two months) agenda is to ram-rod through congress anything he will not be able to get passed once the Dems get in.

In my opinion, priority one will be the approval of his new Secretary of defense. Number two will be approval of a bill that will legalize his illegal wiretapping program, and destroy the present law that limits the President's abilities to abuse his power in this fashion. This is the bill co-authored by Arlen Spector and VP Cheney. This bill in my opinion, is an extremely ill advised effort to overturn the controls placed on executive powers after Vietnam and Watergate. The administration is seeking to turn back the clock, and build upon their success they achieved in this area with the Military Commissions Act.

Number three will be to keep the federal money flowing.

The rest, time permitting is an odd assortment of issues. He has talked frequently about "bipartisan energy legislation." He wants to grant Vietnam's entrance to the WTO. He wants to reaffirm John Bolton as Ambassador to the United Nations, but this will involve much debate, and it would be foolish to waste any of his remaining time left on this.

He is also looking for approval of a deal to sell India civilian nuclear technology, despite their unwillingness to abide by the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. I personally agree with this one. India will get the technology from somewhere, it should be from us, or more appropriately, the US. Obviously, we need better relations with India, Pakistan and China in the region. Lets do it.

All in all, the next two months will be a very busy and interesting time on Capitol hill. The voters will be a mixture of re-elected officials side by side with newly unemployed legislators. The wounds are still fresh from the recent elections. Some of the elections were fierce and hottly contested. Some were downright ugly.

For the sake of the nation, I hope the lame duck congress can prudently decide what should be discussed and acted on for the next two months, and what should be delayed until the next full Congress is in session. With the completion of the election, the positioning of congressional leaders for a possible bid for the White House has started in full swing. Let's keep our eyes on the ball, folks, and do what is right for the nation. Let's hope they set aside the inclination to keep their jobs, in favor of doing their jobs.

THE DEMOCRATIC "TO DO" LISTS

2006-11-11T22:29:00.000-08:00

Whether it was a true election or referendum on the current administration, the Dems are in, and here is my version of what they are putting in their Day Timer to-do listings (not in any order of importance). Whether they want to engage the President early on, or wait for him to be unemployed, only time will tell. I predict they go in quietly and test the waters, and at least pretend to reach across the aisle.

Elect a Democratic President in 2008

Iraq Troop Withdrawal

Congressional Oversight

Bolton

Patriot Act and Wiretapping Reform

Immigration Reform

Middle Class Tax Reform

National Security

Gun Control

Affordable Universal Health Care

Minimum Wage

Medicare Prescription Drug Bill

The Deficit

Fair Trade Agreements

Investigations, Subpoenas, then more Investigations

RAISING MC CAIN

2006-11-11T06:14:00.000-08:00

No sooner has the mid-term elections results come in, but the leading Republican Presidential candidate has stepped forward. This is no shock, he has already been aligning and posturing himself for candidacy. He has been raising money, and in the guise of supporting Republican candidates for the past election, gotten his name, and face out in Iowa, New Hampshire and many other primary states.

Let there be no doubt, this is one formidable candidate. War hero, by anyone's standards. A POW in Vietnam, beat that Kerry. Known for his independent stature, he will go from a "reach across the aisle" Bi-partisan, to an absolute "Bush hugger."

What Mc Cain does have, besides his chameleon like persona, is an enviable record of introducing legislation that hits all of the "hot spots." Besides the amendments listed below are many resolutions on the environment, and especially in the areas of Indian affairs (he is after all the senator from Arizona). Here are some of the proposals Mc Cain has brought to the Senate floor.

S.1151 : A bill to provide for a program to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States
S.1114 : A bill to establish minimum drug testing standards for major professional sports leagues.
S.1033 : A bill to improve border security and immigration.
S.1379 : A bill to provide increased rail transportation security.
S.2128 : A bill to provide greater transparency with respect to lobbying activities, and for other purposes.
S.2265 : A bill to provide greater accountability of taxpayers' dollars by curtailing congressional earmarking, and for other purposes.
S.AMDT.1150 to H.R.2360 To increase the number of border patrol agents consistent with the number authorized in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004
S.AMDT.1556 to S.1042 To prohibit cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment of persons under the custody or control of the United States Government.
S.AMDT.1557 to S.1042 To provide for uniform standards for the interrogation of persons under the detention of the Department of Defense.
S.516 : A bill to advance and strengthen democracy globally through peaceful means and to assist foreign countries to implement democratic forms of government, to strengthen respect for individual freedom, religious freedom, and human rights in foreign countries
S.342 : A bill to provide for a program of scientific research on abrupt climate change, to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States

Senator John McCain is Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services; and Member and former Chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs.

See what I mean? A very formidable candidate. Watch his actions now that he is in the minority party of congress. He will move to the center, and work with key Democratic leaders for reform, and, oh yes, photo ops. My prediction? He moves to the center, positions himself as the top Republican candidate for 2008, and although he becomes a "watered down" version of himself, will prove to be the one and only man that can be stomached by the ultra right, and the extreme left.

THE RETURN OF CONGRESSIONAL OVERSITE

2006-11-10T13:37:00.000-08:00

Rep. Ike Skelton knows what he will do in one of his first acts as chairman of the Armed Services Committee in the Democratic-led House: resurrect the subcommittee on oversight and investigations panel was disbanded by the Republicans after they won control of Congress in 1994.

What arrogance it took to disband this critical subcommittee, a key component to the congressional checks and balance power. Calls for investigations on Halliburton and the "no bid" contracts, the lack of adequate equipment for our troops, and other pressing issues slipped completely under the radar by the Republican controlled houses of Congress.

Although I certainly hope the Democratic leaders do not get "punch drunk" and issue subpoenas all over the place, certainly some investigations are mandated. Criminal wastes of our money allocated to major Iraq war suppliers, loss of personal freedoms, including surveillance without warrants, these are the tips of the iceberg. The following quote says it all...

"This could be remembered as a historically unique period in which an administration got immunity from Congress to engage in errors with impunity," said Charles Tiefer, a University of Baltimore law professor and a former House counsel.

WAS HE THE REAL PROBLEM, OR JUST BEING THROWN UNDER THE BUS?

2006-11-08T18:39:00.000-08:00

I am as shocked as anybody about today's turn of events. After a virtual parade of experts (including many, many military leaders) calling for Rumsfeld's firing, "W' finally listened? Or, is this a kneejerk reaction to the elections yesterday? Possibly this is merely an olive branch sent across the aisle, in an attempt to avoid the near certain House hearings on oversight for the war in Iraq?

Who do you blame? The Secretary of Defense who followed administrations orders on how to fight a war that was planned well before the President's election to the Oval Office, or the architect of it all, the man who continually told the nation to "stay the course in Iraq."

All those thinking this resignation will do anything to change policy in Iraq, signify by saying "Aye." Say what you want about the man, he did get all of our citizens looking up the meaning of "hubriS."

If only our President could have somehow summoned up enough intelligence to nomnate Colin Powell, instead of a marginal Ex-CIA chief, we might just back on the right track.

THE BELIEFS OF ALL REPUBLICANS

2006-11-07T20:14:00.000-08:00

I wish I knew who to thank for this, it has been making the rounds on e-mails everywhere.
Can you make these leaps of faith? If you can, then maybe you're a Republican.
1. Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.
2. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him, and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.
3. Trade with Cuba is wrong because it is a Communist country, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to the spirit of international harmony.
4. The United States should withdraw from the United Nations, but our highest national priority is winning support for the U.N. resolution against Iran.
5 A woman can't be trusted to make decisions about her own body, but multi-national corporations should be able to make decisions that affect millions of people and the environment without fear of being regulated.
6. The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches, while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.
7. If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.
8. The best way to fight terrorism is to belittle our long-time allies, then demand their cooperation and money.
9. Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy, but providing health care to all Americans is socialism. We're better off supporting the HMOs and insurance companies because they have the best interests of the public at heart.
10. Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.
11. A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense. However, a president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.
12. Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.
13. The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's driving record and oil investments are none of our business.
14. Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery.
15. "Executive Privilege" should be extended to every Republican ever born, about to be born, or who might be born (in perpetuity.)
16. What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the '80s is irrelevant.
17. When a hunter shoots his friend and blames him for wearing an orange vest similar to those worn by the quail, we should believe him

THE VERDICT IS IN

2006-11-05T09:57:00.000-08:00

The verdict is in: guilty of various crimes against humanity, and his own people.

The sentence: Death by hanging.

I realize that I am a bit paranoid about these things, but is the timing a little strange, coming a mere days from an election the Neo-coms are so nervous about?

Will this in fact, give the Republicans the ratings boost they need to keep control of the House and Senate?

Or, like Hussein, are their political "deaths" imminent?

"W", ARE YOU LISTENING?

2006-11-04T12:43:00.000-08:00

Richard Perle, former chairman of the Pentagon's Defense Policy Board Advisory Committee, speaking to Vanity Fair magazine (see link below)....

"The levels of brutality that we've seen are truly horrifying, and I have to say, I underestimated the depravity," Perle says now, adding that total defeat—an American withdrawal that leaves Iraq as an anarchic "failed state"—is not yet inevitable but is becoming more likely. "And then," says Perle, "you'll get all the mayhem that the world is capable of creating."

According to Perle, who left the Defense Policy Board in 2004, this unfolding catastrophe has a central cause: devastating dysfunction within the administration of President George W. Bush. Perle says, "The decisions did not get made that should have been. They didn't get made in a timely fashion, and the differences were argued out endlessly.… At the end of the day, you have to hold the president responsible.… I don't think he realized the extent of the opposition within his own administration, and the disloyalty."

Perle goes so far as to say that, if he had his time over, he would not have advocated an invasion of Iraq: "I think if I had been delphic, and had seen where we are today, and people had said, 'Should we go into Iraq?,' I think now I probably would have said, 'No, let's consider other strategies for dealing with the thing that concerns us most, which is Saddam supplying weapons of mass destruction to terrorists.' … I don't say that because I no longer believe that Saddam had the capability to produce weapons of mass destruction, or that he was not in contact with terrorists. I believe those two premises were both correct. Could we have managed that threat by means other than a direct military intervention? Well, maybe we could have."

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2006/12/neocons200612

THE NEO-CONS ALWAYS HAVE A FALLBACK POSITION

2006-11-04T11:28:00.000-08:00

I am absolutely sick to death of every Republican pointing at Bill Clinton for exploits by their party members, which clearly are much worse, and shouldn't even be named in the same breathe with what President Clinton did. Yes, Clinton denied it under oath, in a "weasly" kind of way. But he played around with a grown adult. Yes, it was immoral, yes, it betrayed his marriage to his wife. No, he was not the first, or the last to have an extra marital affair while sitting in the White House.

You be the judge (and jury).......

A Philadelphia Inquirer article characterized an admitted affair between Rep. Don Sherwood (R)and a "woman in her 20s" as "Clintonian," even though the affair was reportedly exposed as a result of allegations that Sherwood had "repeatedly choked and "attempted to strangle" his former mistress.

Moral Majority Coalition founder and chairman Rev. Jerry Falwell declared that the scandal surrounding former Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) is "not going to discourage any evangelicals I know from voting" because "we lived through Bill Clinton, and this situation with Foley is minuscule in comparison." Foley allegedly sent sexually explicit Internet communications to underage former House pages, while former President Bill Clinton had an affair with an adult.

Wonderful, the chairman of the Moral Majority Coalition downplaying an attempt to seduce underage children. What is this world coming to, when the religious leaders come to the defense of someone like this. I won't even go into the Catholic Priest situations. How about recent news that Rev. Haggard solicited the company of a gay prostitute and used him to purchase
methamphetamine — a drug used in some gay circles to heighten sexual sensation. Oh, but it is OK, he said he "was tempted", but never used the drug, and only hired the gay prostitute for "massages."

GLENDALE, CALIF. BANS SMOKING

2006-11-04T09:55:00.000-08:00

This is the great seal of the city of Glendale, California. A somewhat sleepy town nestled up onto the Angeles mountains, and spreading towards the city of Los Angeles. Known for the behemoth Glendale Galleria mall, it also boasts Brand Blvd., a collection of small shops that actually promote walking. Yes, walking in California! Its population boasts a predominantly Armenian population, known for their bakeries, fine dining, and hospitality.

Years ago, Glendale had adopted a ban on smoking that is rapidly becoming a heated city council battle. Like many Southern California townships, they voted to ban smoking. What is unlike any other local government, their ban was on the smoke created by restaurants cooking their meats on an outdoor grill.

You see, in recent weeks, the question of outdoor grilling has become a divisive political issue in Glendale. The city, which is 40% Armenian, elected an Armenian majority, three out of the five members to the City Council last year, and part of their agenda was to allow restaurants to grill outdoors. But they have been unable so far to win the four votes needed for passage. Obviously, this is something Armenian consider a slap at their culture.

The city's ordinance prohibits all outdoor commercial activity without a special permit and officials have concluded that outdoor grills fall under the rules. The city has received complaints from residents about the smoke from food being grilled outside banquet halls."Would you like to smell other peoples' food all day long?" asked longtime resident Nancy Campbell. "We were all OK stopping smoking in a lot of public places."

There a lot of fights that genuinely need fighting. This one just makes a laughing stock out of the entire city. The city council despirately needs to look up the word "freedom." Limit the hours of outdoor grilling, limit the days to the weekend, but let small business people alone to run their businesses and make a living. The only "smoke" being blown, is the ugly stench of their petty bigotry. The old time residents of Glendale are merely fighting back against an ever expanding Armenian population. Another 11% of the polulation, and the Armenians' will control the council anyway. Better to make a consiliatory jesture now, than suffer their retaliatory wrath later.

AN HONEST LOOK AT OUR DISHONESTY

2006-11-03T15:24:00.000-08:00

When I was a mere lad, my father and I would watch old movies together. Well, not exactly together, my spot was in front of the tv, in case my father would want the sound lowered, or the channel changed (no remotes back then...what a concept!!).

We would watch John Wayne, Spencer Tracy, Clark Gable, James Stewart and Gary Cooper movies. All portrayed men, gentlemen most of the times, characters with honor, and morals and principles. They reflected their times, and served as role models to all those who watched their collective works. For me, my favorite was Gary Cooper, who always portrayed quiet, gentle men who would go to the ends of the earth to protect his own, and would rather die than sacrifice his scruples. These were the days when men were men. These traits seemed to rub off on the American public as well. Honesty was the way of the world, and a lie was a lie was a liar. Class and dignity reigned supreme.

They were gentler, and much safer times. My brothers and I would take off from the house on foot, and would spend the day at the park, or wherever. My parents never worried about us. The world was a safe place. No molesters, no perverts, no exhibitionists, just decent folks. My parents taught us the old fashioned Vermont values, including Sunday school every week at the local Baptist church.

Once I found a wallet full of money. To be honest, we had just moved out from Vermont, and we could have used the money. Probably a lot more than the owner. But, my father insisted, and we turned in the wallet to the local police department. Given that same situation today, I suspect most children would take the money, and throw the rest away. The temptation would be too great. No moral dilemma here.

Recent times have completely reversed the trends established by our ancestors. Look at the last decade alone. Clinton lied about his affair, then lied about it under oath, for which he was impeached, but remains a hero in the hearts of many people today. Today's professional baseball players, who once grew up idolizing heroes like Willie Mays and Lou Gehrig, now attempt (and succeed) in getting into the record books with performance enhancing chemicals. Hardly any penalty or stigma for them. As a matter of fact, Barry Bonds is fast becoming the all time home run leader. No penalty, only rewards, for what really amounts to nothing more than cheating. You hear whispers of cheating in all pro sports nowadays. Football, baseball, hockey, hell even Lance Armstrong, and he was just riding a damn bike for gawd sakes. No penalty, no stigma.

Which bares out this question. When did it become socially acceptable to lie, cheat and steal? When did it become OK in the hearts and minds of Americans today? Martha Stewart goes to prison for stock fraud, and immediately goes back to her billion dollar career. No hard feelings Martha. No mea culpa necessary.

Mark Foley, house committee chairman for the caucus on missing and exploited children, just forced to resign for sending perverted messages to very young, basically children. No shock, no horror. He is undoubtedly negotiating a book deal as we speak. I wonder who will play him on the Lifetime movie of his exploits?

Children today are growing up as empty, ignorant shells of human beings, to a large extent. Their education is so poor, they can't even spell the name of the teacher they slept with last night. This emptiness will be filled up. Oft times, it will be with drugs and alcohol. Some will seek comfort and social acceptance with adolescent sex to fill the void.

And how can they grow up correctly? They have absolutely no role models to emulate. Just Madonna with her metal cone shaped bra, and others of her ilk shaking their bodies in front of the camera as if there was a strippers pole and a crowd of dollar bill fisted marines on leave. I won't even go into todays music, and the examples these "artists" set for the youth of today.

The media doesn't help. TV today is filled with sex and violence. Even programming on childrens networks have to be monitored closely for content. Disney, once the standard bearer for decency, has even crossed the line.

Smart, prudent parents attempt to shield their children from this world. They expect their sons to wear their hats frontwards, and call adults "mam" or "sir." They raise their daughters to be little women, not like the girls out in the world today, wearing skin tight sweat bottoms with messages across their asses. They approve of their friends and associates beforehand. More than likely, they must foot the bill for a private school in order to accomplish this.

Now, I don't want to bring back scarlet letters or anything, but with the penalties for misbehavior so low, and any sense of standards increasingly non-existent, something surely has to give. Will we ever see a renaissance of old fashioned morals return? Not in my lifetime I am afraid.

Surely everyone must admit that each subsequent generation is less and less adept at teaching their children about character, honesty and morals, let alone manners. As we become more and more tolerant of offensive behaviors, the line of simple decency doesn't get blurred, it gets wiped away. And with it, the crime rate goes up, and simple comon sense values goes away.

In my day, my parents sweated bullets over the prospect of my smoking pot, or drinking (which I did, of course, after all it was the seventies). Parents today actually seek out doctors who will give their children medication. After all, my child has OCD, or attention deficit syndrome, or whatever the latest crock of shit the medical and pharmaceutical industries are shelling out to us.

Where did all these new fangled diseases come from? Where did all of these perverts and child molesters come from? Were they in hiding during my childhood, or are we breeding genetically defective people now days? Are the lines becoming blurred? Is their even a line drawn anymore? Is what was outrageous behavior before suddently acceptable? It is all up to us, and our parenting skills, I am afraid.

So if your child exhibits poor manners, if they grow up ignorant to the concept of right and wrong, if their behavior is so egregious your parents and grandparents are left spinning in their graves, don't blame the media, or anyone else for their development. You see, for the most part, the enemy is you.

THE HALLOWEEN MYSTIQUE

2006-11-01T18:20:00.000-08:00

I suppose I was a strange child. I always was smarter, quieter and more secretive than most children my age. And that was OK. Hell, that was a blessing to my parents, who also had two other children, normally running around the house making more noise than an entire day care center. My father practically needed a second job just to replace everything they broke. All in all, we had pretty boring, unspectacular childhoods, completely feeling loved and somewhat well adjusted.

But, there was one troubling issue in my family. Halloween. Even as a very young boy, I chose not to participate. Ever. Fought like hell when my parents demanded my trying "tricking and / or treating." Never did it, never will. Especially as an adult. What could possibly more inane than grown ups playing "dress up" one night a year.

Ditto for spectacularly carved pumpkins and house decorations. Never mind the idiots and morons who not only dress up their house pets in costumes, take digital pictures, then post them on You Tube.

I am not a complete stiff. I do politely offer candy to the assorted children who come knocking on the door. The endless parade of kids, one after another for untold hours. God I dread the parade. After a few hours, I am sorry, but the front lights are going off, and leave me the hell alone. I am not an absolute party pooper, I just hold all those who celebrate in this manner in complete disdain. I see no purpose in it. I see no pleasure in it.

Just for the record, Halloween is not a "holiday." It doesn't rate high enough for it. No one can even justify its existence. So, if you have a Halloween party, please do not invite me. I will not show. If you have kids, I will give you until 7 or 8pm, then the lights go out. If this is something you enjoy, go with it. But, please leave me out.

THE ALMIGHTY ARROGANCE OF AMERICA

2006-10-28T19:15:00.000-07:00

The American flag. Makes everyone proud, doesn't it? A sacred symbol of the progress of the "world's greatest democracy", the "grand experiment." So revered, so coveted by its citizens that we tied up sessions of congress on debates for a law against burning it. But what was a once proud symbol, and a once proud nation has lost its luster, lost its meaning in recent years.

What does our flag, and ultimately our country, stand for these days? Are we truly the greatest, or are we leaning on the courage and ingenuity of generations past in order to justify our bold speak, our arrogance, allowing us to flaunt that once proud flag in the faces of the world?

Yes, we run around, chest puffed out, claiming to be the greatest, the only "super power" left standing. We, as a nation still have the swagger of the returning American G.I's from World War II. But we don't liberate any more. We invade and attempt to force on that countries people a system of democracy that has seen better days back home.

We have created more anti-American sentiment than at any time in our history. We look in horror at the number of countries who currently have nuclear bombs (9), and are actively seeking to stop the other 40 who are recently, openly developing them. And why? The answer is out of fear. Fear that a nation might invade them and force their beliefs and principles upon them. They fear us. We have become like them. We swoop down and invade countries, we hold what we call "enemy combatants", give them zero rights to defend themselves, hold them in secret prisons and torture them. Yes, we torture. The VP actually defended the practice in print (and then turned around and denied it). Does he believe in torture? It's a "no brainer."

We are governed by an administration that is particularly adept at one thing, and one thing only. Making us fear. Fear terrorists. Fear getting on a plane. Fear having your phone wiretapped. Fear being named an "enemy combatant" and having your rights of habeas corpus taken away. Personal freedoms attacked and stripped away. Checks and balances of governmental power eroding.

Our country is a shell of what it used to be. Our people are involved in a class war. The haves' and have nots. A social and political way of life so entrenched in money and power that the poor and middle class have little or no chance of improving their standings. A country run by the haves, a class of people only interested in two things; getting more, and making sure you don't.

We used to be the leader in technology and invention, now the vast majority of our citizens are barely literate. Our nation, who developed vaccines that save lives from polio and HIV/AIDS everyday, is comprised of citizens who can't afford health care, and are one major illness from bankruptcy and homelessness.

Our once proud nation was once a leader in the entertainment, the arts and music. We now export sex and smut and violence, in our movies, and our music. We have replaced Jackie Gleason with Jack-EZ. We used to produce wonderful movies and plays. We were the gold standard. Now, our air waves are full of recycled English game shows and reality shows.

We are a nation of overblown, obese adults, hellbent on passing on the legacy to our children. We are the ultimate nation of overindulgence, in energy and all things luxury.

We produce nothing anymore. We farm out everything, and import it. Our balance of trade is appalling. The last decent thing we invented was the "Flobee" hair cutter and the morning after pill.

We used to be known for our statesmen, our leaders who did the right things, leveled with our electorate and answered to their consciences. We now have a two party system dedicated to keeping their jobs, rather than doing their jobs. We have less backbones in Washington than a jellyfish convention. We have strict partisanship, and a "tit for tat" voting system on the hill. We have hidden fine print in every piece of legislation, which frequently means billions of dollars in pork to get anything done. We used to hear the truth, and believe in our elected representatives. Now, we doubt if our votes are even counted. Two straight presidential elections with the filthy odor of election fraud. We have more people vote someone off "American Idol" than vote for their next leaders. Public ignorance and apathy is our new way of life.

We are lied to so often, it doesn't even make the front page of the newspaper. We are so used to being lied to, that when it was uncovered that the present administration deliberately sold us a pack of lies, a "bill of goods" in order to declare an unjust war, there was no public outrage, no public outcry, no marching in the streets.

We arrogantly think we are capable of saving two countries, and keeping their mutual neighbor in check, while our own citizens are left to beg for help during a national disaster? Katrina relief never was about FEMA, or anything else but the color of the skins of the citizens who needed the help the most. Racism is alive and well in America. So is discrimination. We have a majority of the country, the so called "religous right", who actively flaunt their mutual hated of gays, and the rights they should be accorded in our Bill of Rights. If one group of people is not free in America, then no one is free. The constitution is not selective. It was for a long time, after all it wasn't until 1965 that we could even pass the Voter Rights Bill.

If that wasn't enough, we have a lobbyist who was so deeply entrenced into our government he actually made 485 different visits to our leaders in Washington, including the White House itself. We have had the senator in charge of the caucus on missing and exploited children, lose his job for the perverted e-mailed messages he was sending to the very, very young congressional pages.

We are a debtor nation. A nation in debt up to its eyeballs to China, Japan and the Middle East. My gosh, we even owe money to Mexico for God sakes. A country we have forgiven debts to over and over in the past, a country who we now are in debt to.

I do not take particular pleasure in saying these things. I want to be proud once again. I want to look up to our leaders with the same confidence my parents did decades long ago. These are troubling times, for sure. But we can pull out of them, given the right leaders. It will take time, but we can, and I believe will, reverse the 6, soon to be 8 year spiral of decay, and despair we are experiencing under the incompetent leadership of Bush and Cheney.

But only if the American people wakes up. Only if they get involved in what is going on. Only if they start to reverse the prevailing Washington mindset that the American people are nothing more than ignorant sheep.

This next election will decide. Are we going to become the once proud nation we were, and are capable of being again? Or will we continue to flounder, to sink in an immoral cravasse that we will be incapable of extricating ourselves from?

I am but one man. A common man at that. In many, many ways, a member of the "have not's."
But I use this technology, and the rights I enjoy under our Bill of Rights (including the first amendment), to rise up and shout to my fellow citizens in protest. Please join me. Dear God, please, please wake up. Wake up before it is too late.