I give up, no I don't!

2009-01-16T23:35:00.000-08:00

Things to Come

US Airways has a pilot who is not only a hero, but a magician. When I trained as a flight attendant for CO Air in EWR, the unspoken joke was that no one would ever survive a water landing. Jetliners are made of aluminum, while strong, landing in water scoops water into the engines, and that pulls back on the wings, other (underneath) shock hit make the airliner break or fracture and result in a situation where there is no option. Landing in sub zero or even 41 degree water? Death at best.

The floating wings of fuel were what kept those who made it out afloat, dry, and warm (as opposed to freezing).

They ALL lived. A friend of mine in NYC hopes this is a good start to the Presidency of Obama.
This is a year of hope. No one would ever expect that an airliner would come down in freezing water and have everyone live, but it HAPPENED. I hesitate in my own mind to cave in and think it is a miracle.....but it IS. A Miracle. The wings should've shorn off. They didn't. They provided the relative warmth of a place to stand until help arrived. It saved lives. Lest we forget.

Obama and taking Oath

Yes it will be a wonderful day. A momentious and memorable one. Next day.

The problems facing Obama are daunting at best. The very foundations of our economic systerm are at jeapordy. It's not so much the people who overextended themselves so much, but those gluttons who allowed it to occur, knowing in full what they were perpetuating.

The erosion of faith in our system is fading. We need help--- bad. Any new idea is a good one.
Most are worn down. Israel is baitng Iran. Are we still there for them given our circumstances?

Idealogically, sure thing. Realistically, can we afford yet another 'front on terror'? We are in two wars that most Americans have become tired of. Bush himself on the way out, admitted mistakes. Perhaps logistically it was behoofing to him to not admit Iraq was a mistake, but he in essence admits it was.

Obama has some big shoes he may not be able to fill. He is my guy, but the given events even may be too big for him.

I honestly hope not. I really want him to succeed. This has only just begun.....

2009-01-07T21:25:00.000-08:00

So much, so long no blog...

To capsulize as best I can (which isn't very good).

Israel --- WWA = War Weary Americans

Basically trying to justify a disproportionate death rate in the Gaza Strip is a great P.R. move. WRONG.

This past few years and especially this past year has been nothing but bad news for most Americans. Now comes this?! How are we supposed to digest this?

Death toll is Gaza is 660 including 215 women and 98 children. Read: 313 innocents. Out of 660 this is just under half (313)! And I heard on the radio today that Israel "Is doing the best they can to make sure the civilian casualty level is kept as low and as safe as possible". Who the fuck are they kidding? This is a humanitarian tragedy. In proportion to the Israelis who have been affected even over a long period of time, this is far out of proportion and for a people borne of 'suffering' almost macarbreonic (macabre + Ironic). My own word yes. Not being light here, but just can't find the words to describe this injustice and illogical and lopsided use of force. While one side flings bombs aimlessly, the side that is supposed to have the wherewithal to use it, doesn't!

The overkill is nothing short of appalling. People are tired and war weary in the US. After all, we have two wars we're fighting now, and one of our "strongest allies" in the Mid East decides to pull at stunt like this in the middle of a very obvious power transition in the United States. It seems like a hideous and unwanted stunt to most Americans...including me.

This is a cheap trick and no one is buying it. The death toll in Gaza far outweighs that in Israel.

We're not anti-Israel, we're tired. We have been in Iraq far longer than WWII, and with the exception of the outgoing President, most here do not define the Iraqi incursion against terrorism as a 'success'. It involved the same dynamics. David vs. Goliath, supposed to be a 'slam dunk'---cut to now. It wasn't.

500+ dead in Gaza and we're all supposed to believe that a similar troop invasion mistake that the US made in Iraq is going to squash terrorists? We already know first hand that this so-called failed tactic is useless. Failed=useless. Yet the Israelis are more than anxious to repeat our mistakes? Or are they baiting Iran during the transition in a bid to get a first run bombing session going on in Iran before Bush swears out of office--at least officially. Bait Iran, get a reaction, then get a shot at them once they do one thing to protect themselves. I am not for Iran taking control of the region either, but hitting the Gaza Strip as a ploy is sickening. If you wanted Iran just go THERE! Whomever thought of this should be hung upside down by their balls or boobs. This is sooo fucking annoying in it's stupidity.

All this is so transparent to even a casual person who keeps up on current affairs.

Is Israel baiting Iran in hopes of getting Iran involved into a world stage in this stage of transition? One has to wonder. After all Iran has called for Israel's destruction and Israel is chomping at the bit to get at the budding Iranian nuclear program....something that an Obama administration will look down upon.

One thing for sure now is that Israel is suffering a poor image crisis and it seems to be getting worse after every Israeli who or prominent American Jew who has never ever found fault in anything Israel does (Rabbi Marvin Hier/Durshowitz, et., al.) take the mic and do what they've been doing....forever it seems. The Hier's and Durshowitz's are voices we've heard over and over, and hardly are the objective viewpoint most Americans want to hear. We're not stupid. Get us someone who has told Israel at one time or another that yes, they can make mistakes too! How is it that no one can seemingly wrap themselves around THAT flag! Arrrrggh!

Its a tired message for a war weary world and it is not RESONATING. People are tired of these armed conflicts that could possibly involve a much larger context. This, at a time when the world is fully preoccupied with their own very personal financial problems. Can a worse time for this shit be picked? Is it me?

A Wall. A line in the sand. The US has tried these things. On the Mexico border and in Iraq and Afghanistan. Both have been failures. Why the Israeli offensive against a known terrorist group should yield different results is indeed an unrealistic and fanciful thought. We had those too at one time.....now we know better. It's time Israel did.

We're tired, and broke.

2008-12-01T12:14:00.000-08:00

Mumbai and Terror in US?

My response to this article about a supposed plan to put US troops in domestic cities to prevent terrorism from occurring.

Is this nebulous "War on Terror" solvable with more troops on US soil?

I've always thought that was the National Guards job, the police and swat teams, etc. Is seeing the military on every corner with an AK 47 going to be a new way of life? The terrorists are a sneaky bunch (as was demonstrated in Mumbai). While a bunch of quite visible armed troops standing around is impressive, terrorists seem to have figured out covert ways to coordinate their complicated plans without officials knowing. Putting more US troops on the ground will help, but the so-called feared terrorist "incident(s)" should be prevented.

Someone mentioned Posse Commitatus which is a valid concern because we've become a knee jerk reaction society. Just when is the line crossed and a military entity is called in vs. the city police? Who makes that decision, based on what?

During the early part of the war on terror wasn't it a UK military unit that ran into a subway and killed a Brazilian man, thinking he was a Middle Easterner terrorist? What did that solve or prevent? There were incidents after his murder.

Are we just along for the ride or do we have a say in these things?

The last time US troops were used (I believe) was for a CIVIL disturbance.
Is that the real reason? Military presence on the ground sounds like it will do little to no good to PREVENT these things from happening.

Dare I say, intelligence, not troops is key to this idealogical war. As we get closer to the terrorists they change from Afghanistan, to Pakistan and now taking runs into India. This seems like an intelligence, not ground troop issue to me.

But then, what do I know?

2008-11-26T00:28:00.001-08:00

The World Today

Here is an article about my local area and the things we worry about here in Santa Monica, CA.

Dog Danget! We can't have freeloading fatasses farting away their fat on our 4th Street center island median! This is our territory! All 20 of us and 200 of them.

Here is the article, and then my viewpoint on this.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/us/25santamonica.html?em

Now my viewpoint as an email to some friends and family.

hese are the things we worry about in "Uncle Steve's" neighborhood......
Stephen Martin to dad, David, Jeffrey, Fran, John, Lauren, Linda, Mark, Monica, robert, Robert, Scott, steve, Steve, Sven
show details 12:21 AM (11 minutes ago)

Reply

Read this article and my own comments as this is an area about 4 blocks away from me. I can't believe this is even a real issue here but it is. BTW I voted for Bobby Shriver good people those Shrivers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/us/25santamonica.html?em

I run up and down those stairs sometimes. But I rarely notice the trainers with their people on that lawn.
I usually am looking straight ahead when all of them pause and notice me athletically making the straightaway
as I dash down the stairway at ever increasing speeds!!!!!!.....Only to stop after I've exceeded the heart to body ratio and have
exceeded human speed expectations and all time records!

LA and Detroit are different places. Only in Santa Monica does doing sit ups on the end of a quiet street where there is barely any traffic gets you some kind of ticket. More trainers are using that spot. Brooke Burkes husband David Charvet is a trainer (actor) type that has clients there. He used to be on Baywatch. I've stretched out in that area and it is not as bad as the article makes it out to be. It's not a big health club out there. Most of the people are staring at me anyway so it doesn't matter. Besides I'm gassy a lot when I first get galloping along so I don't notice the commotion.

These things are the THINGS THAT MATTER PEOPLE!!!!!!

2008-11-14T11:41:00.000-08:00

Obama's Election did not start this mess
Bailout of Auto Industry

Lately it seems that the conservative pundits who are still smarting over McCain's loss
have resorted to blaming everything under the moon to this "Marxist" and "Socialist" soon to be President Barack Obama.

I was getting my haircut the other day, and this woman walked into the salon. She looked like a big toe. She was heavy, had a not too attractive face and just was a big (literally) big loudmouth. She went on and on about how Obama is going to make this a socialist or Marxist nation. I didn't say anything, as it was more interesting for me to listen to this heavily weighted hind quartered heffer basically fart out of her mouth.

It occurred to me that some actually have misplaced their reality. In their minds, it is BECAUSE of the elections, we have found ourselves in the situation we are in both domestically and internationally. Her rant is about 8 years late, but looking into her baggy eyes, I could see getting into a political discussion with this woman would've been an exercise of futility.

When I left the salon she was talking about her last attempt to get mounted. (A date.)

Back to the point I was making. I find it so parochial that people have it in their heads now that since the election, Obama has been blamed for so much, and he HASN'T EVEN BEEN SWORN IN YET! He doesn't take oath until January. Wake up people, the mess we are in took years to create, and will take a few years (at least) to pull out of.

Bailouts/Assistance Packages/Help...et. al.

When I have to agree with the Republicans, it pains me dearly. It is in this regard I agree we cannot postpone the pain of ineptitude, inefficiency, indifference in a free market economy. First it was the financial sector which crashed and burned because number crunchers on Wall Street became so fixated on meeting loan quotas and inviting people to join the real estate party that was 'never going to end'. People who actually bought homes to live in are not the ones to blame. It was the rampant speculators. Some made money in the market. A person I am familiar with bought his home in the mid 90's here in Southern California for approximately $185,000. He and his excited nurse/wife decided to sell when their home reached $350,000. With the extra $165,000 they pulled up stakes in LA and moved to another CA. hotspot, Sacramento. They bought and sold at the "right time(s)".

Perhaps their home in Sacramento has depreciated substantially. I don't know what became of he and his wife and family after they left LA. But even not being speculators, it is hard for me to imagine that he is not affected by this downturn in one way or another. Did they refinance like a closer acquaintance of mine, and start using their home as a piggy bank?

Is he like the droves who couldn't afford a home that could not resist the tug of the real estate agents who put ideas into their heads, like "NO MONEY DOWN, ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE GETS YOU IN, YOUR HOME WILL APPRECIATE ALONG WITH THE LOAN TERMS..forever and ever. So many bought that. Literally.

I could have. But then I was suspicious of the whole real estate movement of the early 2000's. Why would one buy at a time when home prices were escalating so steeply? Wasn't that a sellers market? So why would a buyer get so hard in the pants during a sellers market? I didn't get that. Oh, I had a friend who asked me why am I not buying. I was made to feel silly. "How much money are you going to have to retire on?" And, "You know your home will appreciate more and more, and then you can refinance again, and use the profits...blah blah blah..." His house has fallen in value since he purchased it. I'm not sure how his job is doing since as an IT person his job could easily be outsourced to India or elsewhere. Looking up his addy on Zillow, I noticed it was suspiciously overpriced in comparison to the other homes in his entire area. Methinks he CONTACTED Zillow because he still believes this was a good decision. He bought no money down, Adjustable rate mortgage. He hasn't called me back lately. Usually he has alot to say.

Another friend refinanced. She did so on terrible terms...she just didn't know it at the time. When a $3,000.00 tax bill showed up unexpectedly in her mailbox one day, she knew she had been duped. She marched down to the B of A office to find the man who helped her refinanced. She was told he was no longer with B of A. When she pleaded her case to them they lent her their ear but little else. The loan was a done deal, and that was that she was told. Nothing could be done. She had used her "line of credit" to survive since she has found it also necessary to lease a 2008 Mercedes, and recently lost her job.

I have not bought a home even when "everyone else" was doing it and it was the "right time". I didn't refinance a debt to get my dreams on borrowed money. I was very fiscally responsible and actually SAVED and INVESTED. Right now, I don't need a bailout. I have cash on hand, and even with these crazy markets have managed to keep my boat from taking on too much water.

I'm a big nobody. I don't have a degree in finance, nor do I claim to have magical powers. My only known magical power (that I am aware of) is common sense.

All this to explain why I am against bailouts. Bailouts to me is an artificial resuscitation of carelessness, greed, or lack of foresight. It does nothing to change underlying problems. It forces the government to print out more money, which almost always results in inflationary pressures.
The only thing keeping inflation in check, I believe is the low cost of fuel, making goods and products cheaper...for now.

But bailouts do nothing to change the underlying causes of what is supposed to weed out the weak during an economic shakedown. This has become evident when you look at the AIG jaunts to spas and resorts EVEN AFTER the government has promised them money to help them. But nothing in the internal culture has changed. So we artificially resuscitate them so they can do the same thing 10 years from now?

Homeowners who read/or didn't read their loan paperwork before signing it are being taught a lesson. Something too good to be true usually is. Duh. That one is as old as the fucking hills. They got conned. But should those who didn't get themselves into a funky fix be the one's to bail them out? Who's going to bail me out for signing up to a rip off Health Insurer who sent me bills for "fees" and other costs that weren't spelled out to me?!!

I want a bailout. I want to recoup medical costs that weren't explained to me in the fine print when I bought my policy. But I know it's not going to happen in this lifetime, and I don't EXPECT it either, cause I know that's life kid.

Now comes the big three. It pains me to see my hometown going down the tubes like this. But the big three have been long been slow, inefficient, and unwilling or unable to adapt to change in a way that the Japanese and even the Koreans have done. Toyota already has a hydrogen vehicle ready to go. Why doesn't Detroit have the equivalent of the Toyota Prius already on the road? No, not an SUV, a passenger hybrid. Let me know, my dad has been looking for one now for two years to no avail. He's a retired teamster. He still drives a Saturn, but wants an American passenger hybrid. Can't find one. Do we reward Detroit for this idiocy for not keeping up with Toyota? Do I get rewarded at work for inefficiency, non performance and ignoring the market place? Why should they? Is not the goal of the free market economy to have competition, weeding out those who can't compete? Who is the real Marxist here then, Obama or Henry Paulson who crafted this whole notion of bailouts.

This leads me to a personal quandary. I personally know people, family and friends in the Detroit area that are hurting. If the auto industry fails, or we allow it to, what becomes of those who rely indirectly on the auto industry to fuel adjacent jobs, industries, and other economic posts of Detroit? What will the loss of millions of dollars in tax revenues do to the entire S.E. region of Michigan? It is already terrible, the only thing for people to do, would be to move. But to where? What is the next industry that will promise the American Dream to the unskilled but eager labor force?

I think our country is in for a long term readjustment of our general standard of living. Although people will be eager to blame the new administration, it is the current outgoing administration that will leave the footprint on this turning point for America and Americans.
As much as I don't want to believe we are in for a long, hard ride with stops and starts, I think that is what we are going to get.

2008-11-03T11:40:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow

Today's post is in response to this article in today's New York Times:

The Reagan era is officially dead. The Republicans haven't changed with the times and are paying the price. They've allowed the extreme right and Christian conservatives to set the hateful and intolerant tone. That was seen during one of McCain's famous town hall meetings when an elderly woman mentioned that Obama was an Arab. McCain to his credit, told the lady, "No, ma'am. He's a decent family man [and] citizen.." Obama was cited incorrectly as a terrorist, Muslim, and constantly as 'the other'. This started disenfranchising Republicans like Fazal Fazlin, Andy Gomez, and Colin Powell..amongst others.

Just where did these people get their information from? I believe it is because of this tone, many Americans were troubled by this movement which was taking hold (and is still in place) within factions with the Republican party. What about those of us who are not, white, conservative, Christian, wealthy, or are Muslim? Isn't this supposed to be a nation for all? What about the Muslim Americans who have given their lives during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars? How do people forget this? Why don't they know these things?

The tone of these town hall meetings had become threatening with the fear, hate and ignorance all cultivated and manufactured by the extreme right wing.
This kind of divisiveness and ignorance was implied and encouraged by McCain's supporters via e mails, flyers, or AM talk radio shows, and a certain news network which has become the implied newsletter for the Republicans. Many of the ill informed comments from these terrible town hall meetings were lifted talking points of this wholly irresponsible identity that fancies itself as a news network.

It is as outdated as Karl Rove. It doesn't serve our nation well to allow a political discourse to degrade into a Jerry Springer type fracas. Obama is obviously able to capitalize on, and speak to issues that will make a difference. It's the important, tangibles like the economy, healthcare, and the inclusive nature that has always been America that Obama speaks to. McCain said he wouldn't go dirty, but was the first to do so.

Not only does America want to see America reborn as a symbol of hope and freedom for all, but so does the world. I was in Australia during the 2004 election when Bush was re-elected. Everyone in the Darlinghurst area of Sydney was in shock as I was when we picked up the morning paper. I was in a taxi the moment it was announced, and the taxi driver was glum, and people calling into the AM talk radio show that was on in the taxi were asking "What is wrong with those Americans"? I thought about moving there.

Obama drew tens of thousands in Berlin. Are they a city in America? Even they crave a true leader for America after the last eight years of decrepit judgement and perceptions. Because of the botched up nature of the 2000 elections and the controversial 2004 election millions of eyes will be watching not only in America, but in the rest of the world.

2008-10-16T08:27:00.000-07:00

Joe the Plumber Isn't
Wall Street goes Sucky Suckee Pooée

Madonna The Divorcée

Joe the Plumber

Let's get this goofball out of the way first. McCain mentioned him and berated Obama's plan to "spread the wealth". He sneered at the very mention of spreading the wealth in of all times, the current state of our economic spiral. McCain even went so far to say in a very mocking, sarcastic tone, "spread the wealth"--as if he was talking about the worst thing imaginable. It was at that point, I imagined myself and my friends in the same room, and had we been in the same room, we would've looked at each other in disbelief. "Did he just say what I heard him say?" I could not believe he spoke of "spreading the wealth" like it was the anathema to making our economy better. Or did he just mean it was a stupid idea? That was one of those "I can't believe he said that the way he said that" moments. It is because our economy is so top heavy we are having contractions and a hard labor. Does he still believe in the trickle down theory? What is his economic theory? I'm sure it's big business oriented and facing in the same direction we've already been in. We didn't fall into this hole because consumers were spending money that they had SAVED. It was because to keep up they borrowed (heavily) to keep up with the Jones and couldn't pay it back. The American dream of owning a house has caught on fire for many. If the American dream has suddenly been erased by a new and uncertain future is spreading the wealth to get the economy rolling again such a terrible thought? WTF?

It turns out "Joe the Plumber" isn't a licensed plumber. He works for a plumbing concern in Toledo, Ohio and with all the shameless innuendo compared Obama with Sammy Davis Jr. He's voted Republican in the past and is not in the $250,000.00 tax bracket. I too hope to make $250,000 someday maybe 2 million to 500 million a year, but for the time being, I'm not there. I am not concerned about it at the moment since there are so many REAL LIFE issues to deal with NOW. He admits he's still got a lot to learn about the plumbing business. Joe Plumber in all his unintentional ignorance is unfortunately not uncommon in the Republican party. They get all their news from talk radio and FOX. Yep, you betcha. Oh and this Joe owes $1,000 in back taxes. This from a man who told Obama, "I'm getting ready to buy a company that makes $250,000 to $280,000 a year. And apparently if his gross receipts were $250,000 and not his taxable income, he would be eligible for a tax cut under Obama's plan. Joe the plumber sounds like a dreamer and I don't want to take that away from him. I'm sure there will be more to come....

Uptight McCain

If he had a pencil last night, John McCain would've broken it whilst flashing his tightly clenched smile. And no it wasn't your imagination, we didn't get any magic bullets from either candidates on the topic of the moment: how to control the spiral that is the economy these days.

As the debate wound up, I flipped to FOX, CNBC, CNN, and PBS to get the round up. You know, the talking heads that analyze each grimace, movement, eye contact and talking point. When I turned to FOX, Brit Hume was talking about how McCain did.. I wasn't listening. Instead I was focused on the news ticker which was drabbing on about Ayers....STILL. I noticed Barack and his wife left the venue, and McCain stayed and spoke on with supporters in the audience. Unlike his quick exit from the town hall meeting (with regular folk) he stuck around this debate. But he was dwarfed by the venue (large auditorium) and as the camera pulled back lost in the crowd. FOX tried to stay on him, but it wasn't a town hall, and Joe The Plumber was nowhere to be seen. It looked like he was talking to "his people", you know the "just like us" monied crowd. No average Joe's in this audience....even Hillary was there. Dare I repeat no average Joe's were there?

A commentator on PBS noted that neither candidate came up with a magic bullet as to how to solve the current economic ailment. I thought it would be commendable and extraordinary to have a President with more than what has been proposed (Rescue Package..etc.). ANYONE with the crystal ball/magic bullet for this situation please stand up and head straight to the front of any room. We need you to referee the coin toss casino known as Wall Street.

Instead the candidates spoke primarily about taxes, healthcare, Judicial appointments, Ayers, and a few other familiar talking points. To this viewer, style precluded substance. I know all their talking points by now. So I was impressed by Obama looking into the camera and talking to the viewers instead of the moderator or McCain. McCain at some points during the debate seemed like he could barely contain himself. He had this uptight clenched teeth smile and had he had a blood pressure monitor on, the meter would've cracked and shorted out....so positive and transparent was this terrible angst/pent up anger. The only time he seemed to look into the camera was when he was caught blinking and being uptight. As for Obama, he kept his cool. I thought his smiling during McCain's explanations could have been misconstrued as dismissive, but no more dismissive than McCain not making any effort to even look at Obama during the first debate.

What was also interesting is how well Obama was prepared. This being the last debate could've very well been "Joe the Plumbers" first and only time to see any the debates, and Obama spoke to those people. What occurred to me was what I thought was repetitive last night very well could've been someone's first and only time to hear Obama's talking points. Obama spoke to the camera and went over his plans again as if it was the first time. Given the current state of affairs, and how little people devote to these things, he very well could've gotten someone the first time last night. On the topic of repetitiveness then I guess it would be up the the eyes of the beholder. What was repetitive to me was new news to someone else.

When the topic of abortion came up, McCain (once again) distorted Obama's stance on late term abortion apparently forgetting that Obama was sitting across from him and would be allowed to explain WHY (regard to the woman's health) he opposed the particular bill that McCain mentioned. It made sense. And to many women to whom Roe vs. Wade is just not about abortion, but the right of a woman to decide about who does what to her body..Woman's Rights, and I think Obama came out ahead. Many adult women today grew up with that right to decide and take it for granted. To rescind the right of choice would create major problems when the nation doesn't need any more than it has. The earlier debates got high ratings, but many people do wait until the last debate since to many things right now are overwhelming and a news diet is in order.

Oh, and McCain thinks Sarah Palin would make a great President should something happen to him. To that....*ahem* TOPIC CHANGE! I can't even start there. We all know that answer...YOUR'RE ROOTIN TOOTIN RIGHT! wink wink.

Fall of Wall?

Wall Street dropped 730 points Wednesday only to rise 401 points on Thursday. What our comeback will look like is up for debate. The consensus is generally gloomy...dare I say there is opportunity for those who were/still are waiting on the sidelines? I think right now there is a lot of confusion fueling the tightening of purses and wallets, further creating the self fulfilling prophecy of deep recession.

I think many of us are in fear, uncertain how the reorganization of the credit and banking industries will trickle down to each of us. To be certain, this is a big reorganization of our economy never seen before. Everybody knows that. No one wanted to blow the whistle on the big loan, banking and credit party. October 16th, 20o7 the Dow closed at 14,164 today it closed at 8,979. The whistle has blown -- on it's own. The Fed has been pumping money to pump up the stock markets all year. The big rescue plan came later. Our economy is so large, that the effects are only starting to be felt. Just how far it will go is anyone's guess. My point is, I am not a guru. But we have had economic twists and turns before and have come through them. When I moved to NYC in 1986 Manhattan was on the brink of bankruptcy. It was all doom and gloom. It was supposed to be the end of New York. Now even with our depressed economy, a two bedroom apartment on the Westside will still cost about $900,000. Two bedrooms. And it's still there.

Our nation's news stations are great at sensationalizing and pulling in the ratings.
It rains in LA, and we are under STORMWATCH! Everything is BREAKING NEWS.
It's Yellow Journalism all over again. MATT DRUDGE. So all things considered the news has been very good at scaring the daylights out of people for sure.

I remember hard times in the 70's. My parents struggling to make ends meet...and we passed through that. And I remember just after 9-11 feeling angry. But we've passed through that crisis as well. We still carry on. The point is our human nature is survival. We adapt and change to survive. We must. I know we will be just fine. In the meantime it's heaven for us bottom feeders. There are many underpriced viable companies out there. Homes will become more affordable to those who have waited and lo and behold...saved. The broken greed of Wall Street will be replaced by a government bureaucracy and will change the way business is done, but hopefully in the future we will be spared the kind of thumpdown we are now faced with. I think there are many under valued companies and inflation hopefully will tempered by lower energy costs. Call me Pollyanna the Plumber...the gay plumber. WEEEEEE!
Let me go to Wall Street with some pixie dust and my magic wand....no seriously--

Life will be different...but it will go on.

NEXT!

Madonna Divorce (this is chewing gum for the brain)

In yet another transformation from a British married woman to a turned out single American, Madonna and Guy Richie are divorcing. I used to like Madonna, then she turned into this big bitch and got lost into it. The icing on the cake for me was "Truth of Dare" (yes I know it was a long time ago) when she treated her old friend from Michigan like shit. For the sake of Abraham and Issac, her own brother turned against her! Wrote a book about it. She, in turn cut him off. Meowww

When I liked her, I liked her a lot. Being from Michigan and knowing which Detroit suburb she came from, I knew her picking out food from garbage cans was all BS and part of her gritty persona. Like her, I knew the Motor City as home but unlike her I was from the 'other side' of the tracks. Years ago, I remember her performing at a gay club (Menjo's) and passed on it. It was just too crowded and I really thought at the time that there was nothing remarkable about her or her voice. Even then, she had become one of those Gay icons that the boys flocked too like white on rice. I was wrong. I wish I had gone in to see her perform: "Burning Up For Your Love"....and all her other gay dance songs. I didn't want to deal with parking, crowds, and some singer who was going to be a nobody in two months.

I was wrong.

When I moved to New York, I walked the same East Village streets she did, and actually lived in one of the buildings she lived in on the Upper West Side. Once, while walking down West 59th, I noticed paparazzi running down 59th toward Central Park West towards the Plaza.
I ran with them (1 block) to see who they were going to photograph...this little thing (5'1"?) gets out of a limo and enters on the side door to the Plaza. It was her. Remarkably small. All that energy in such a small woman?! Back then '87? A Madonna sighting was gold. But I was often put off by her pissy demeanor in articles and onstage. I remember her coffee table book where she spread her lips (bottom ones) while straddling over a mirror. That didn't make me like her more.

Fast forward to 1993/Los Angeles/Kabbalah Center Robertson Blvd. Beverly Hills)

I was dating a guy who worked very closely with Sandra Bernhard. He was really into the Kabbalah and I was really into him. He introduced me to this mystic way of thinking and I was hooked. Then SHE made it famous. SHE put her stamp on it and it really took off. Then it became 'trendy' and not secret anymore. As much as I liked it/the teachings/beliefs I was put off at how readily the Kabbalah Center was able to make celebrities their spokemodels of this and felt it was being compromised. Suddenly it felt like a trinket. Not special to me. Lost my interest in it because of her.

I heard Rabbi Berg speak once before it was taken over by celebrities, and then I left it unfinished. I was done with anything that superficial. Madge popped her head serendipitously into Kabbalah. Oh well.

So why do I care about her divorce? In one sense she revolts me by her crass and shallow view of the world that she has more or less conquered. One thing I always hear about when I talk about her is how "shrewd" she is, etc. They don't say, oh so sexy. Or what a voice/ or great actress!

It always is about her perceived entertainer and business acumen. Some even say her divorce was timed around her NEXT TOUR for the free publicity! I wish I could be that cold and calculating but even for all that money, to me it wouldn't be worth it in the end. It makes me wonder how happy this icon can be with a failing marriage, her past confidant and brother turning her into the public by writing a book about her. Sandra Bernhard hated on her in the past. What bridge doesn't Madge unscrew from both ends? Now that's a Maverick....the name of her failed record company. Nice to know she's human.

2008-09-27T09:33:00.000-07:00

The Debate that almost wasn't (A Cognitive Perspective)

Well it did happen after all. I watched it. For the most part it was a rehash of the candidates differences on Iraq, tax codes, healthcare, and differences in opinion that were reflective of the basic party differences that are already well known, (i.e. the "surge" was a success"), etc. Creating bigger government, McCain wanting to tax healthcare benefits, etc. So the observation then turns to the more esoteric that is behavioral patterns post and during the debate.

The biggest issue was whether the debate was going to happen in the first place. That the debate even occurred in the first place was a minor miracle given McCain's earlier decision to sit it out under the premise of working out a bailout for the current financial crisis. McCain had proclaimed that he was going to stay in Washington D.C. and work on the financial bailout package that had already started without him. I found this decision erratic given it was to be the first Presidential debate, and many were anxious to see what the candidates positions are on crucial issues. Does this forebode a turbulent and unpredictable nature? His debacle of behavior leading up to the debate had me questioning his character and style of leadership. Will he be just as erratic if he is elected as President? Probably. He's 72 and obviously set in his ways.

I was also puzzled at why McCain could not look at Obama. He never once faced him, (that I could see) nor did he look Obama in the eye to address him on several key issues. Was this a total distain or dismissal of Obama as a candidate? Even on the TV show "Judge Judy" she implores people she finds not so forthcoming to look her in the eyes. John McCain could not look at Barack Obama during the debate. I find this curious as he was debating Obama and made several pointed remarks (many misconstrued) toward Obama. Tax increases on businesses was one. McCain accused Obama of tax increases on businesses. Obama quickly pointed out businesses via McCain have created loopholes to have one of the LOWEST tax rates in the WORLD. When Obama cited that the invasion of Iraq was a miscalculation of strategy and tactic, McCain could not look at Obama. And so it went on through the entire debate. The entire debate. This is odd behavior if you ask me. His 'oddness' is becoming par for the course. Like hiding Sarah Palin was a good idea....uh, no it wasn't. Exhibit A. Her interview with Katie Couric. OMG. Giving her the benefit of the doubt, I'm sure it was because she was nervous....I mean I really hope that's what it was for crying out loud she was awful.

I also didn't understand the reasoning behind McCain's raving reviews of the Iraq surge. He accused Obama of "not wanting to fund troops in Iraq" and the "surge was a success". What he left out is that Obama wouldn't sign onto bill that did not have a withdrawl timetable. Since the surge is supposedly a success, why not have a realistic and phased time table withdrawal plan? Surge = success should mean we can start pulling out of Iraq now and focus on Afghanistan/Pakistan No? Then why no timetable? I didn't understand McCain's logic that the surge was a success, and therin lies my caveats with this man. Let's face it, the surge was not a success, the Iraq mission is in flux because we have become referees in Iraq between the Sunni and the Shia, and Iran has become more of an influence in the region because of the invasion. You can't have it both ways, say the surge was a success, but we have no timetable for withdrawal. Mission NOT accomplished if we have no hope of leaving. John McCain cannot have it both ways. Once again, I'm not following his unhitched logic.

Most of the 9/11 hijackers were Saudi, not Iraqi, and at the time of the invasion of Iraq, the Al Qaeda stronghold was, and still is Afghanistan, and now parts of Pakistan. WMD not Al Qaeda was the crux of the Bush administration rationale to invade Iraq, not Al Qaeda. It was the first time the US invaded what was a sovereign nation despite appeals from the UN. All these facts are lost on McCain.

One of the most overlooked points that further illustrates my point was when Jim Lehrer repeatedly pressed both candidates about the banking crisis and how that would affect each candidates plans for the future, McCain uttered quickly that his solution would be a what appeared to be an overall "spending freeze"---period. I found this a very disturbing answer as he did not qualify his answer as Obama did. Obama said that there would be certain plans he would like that would have to be pared down. McCain's slapdash answer was par for the course as was his decision to choose Sarah Palin, and the decision to almost postpone the first debate.

A Pattern of Behavior

There is a pattern here. It's quite obvious that McCain is experienced and knowledgeable on several key points. In my opinion, he hasn't demonstrated clear well thought out rational thoughts--he's more of a slap dash kind of thinker. He used the word "Liberal" and described Obama as "far left". Once more I'm confused. McCain is not a neo con. That is why he is more or less the Republican's "substitute" second string candidate. He is not as far away from Obama as he would lead the public to believe in relation to those in his party who were pushing for the more conservative Mitt Romney. It his very position of a moderately conservative Republican with a female running mate that he is exploiting to win over the Hillary voters. As clear as a diamond, yet McCain for the sake of showboating wanted to appear like a conservative's conservative on camera for the sake of the debate. His shrewdness in doing so was very impressive as misleading as he was.

When it came to the extremely important issue of healthcare, I also found him lacking meaningful substance to fix what is widely acknowledged to be a broken system. Taxing healthcare benefits would help your average American? How? McCain complained that a national healthcare option would create a bigger government. By default, the government at the present moment is becoming one of the most biggest tax and spend governments...ever, under the Republicans due to the current financial crisis. Is it not municipal agencies that provide us with protection (police), help us in a medical emergency (fire/ambulance companies), and social security and medicare?

Healthcare

As Obama pointed out, our current healthcare system is producing a financial drag on our economy. Deductibles and premiums are rising. Americans pay more for prescriptions than any other country. It is undermining any economic turn around (should there be any).

People are spending more on healthcare or insurance and less on consumer goods. People without insurance are effectively being pulled into endless debt and bankruptcy and most of them are the potential 95% of people that would a get a tax cut under Obama. This would most assuredly stimulate the economy if they are not spending money feeding what is an overpriced, unfair, and broken healthcare system. McCain fell short of a real long term solution, although I'm sure he pleased many of his wealthy lobbyists and special interest buddies.

Take me for instance. I pay $351 a month for private health care insurance which comes out to $4212 yearly. Even with this insurance, a 2007 accident with my deductible and other 'non covered' expenses and 'fees' costed me $3,500. The injury and subsequent operation (with insurance) has costed me $7,712.00. I would have preferred to purchase a new vehicle, a new couch, things for my apartment. What about those without insurance who have declared bankruptcy? What is now being pulled out of our free market consumer economy for healthcare is staggering. And it's a bureaucratic and financial nightmare. If McCain as a fiscal genius and serious about his new 'change in Washington' mantra, he would rework his healthcare proposal. Otherwise he's blowing smoke.

If we are to become a truly globally competitive nation, then let's become more like the nations that take care of their own, and are currently doing it without the private interests invading the right of each person to have the choice of private or public healthcare. It's a broken system, and to say you are now going to tax healthcare benefits and blow it out sideways like it's a given is cruel and heartless. I can't respect anyone who doesn't know the average American's reality.

What McCain has in camera shrewdness, he lacks in camera candor. He is a politician's politician. Many of his statements last night were purposely leaving out crucial details of his real stance on key issues.

Underscoring the whole evening was that the debate almost wasn't, because of John McCain.

If the true nature of a person is revealed in times of crisis, then John McCain is erratic and unpredictable. He is unsuited as President, but makes an excellent Senator.

2008-09-24T16:16:00.000-07:00

(John McCain + Sarah Palin) = MCPAIN

I just found out about this verbally from a friend. I had to see it to believe it. As a candidate for President, it is John McCain’s DUTY to honor his pledge as candidate and face the issues in what was supposed to be the much anticipated first debate. This election has generated so much anticipation MILLIONS were looking forward to the first debate. I think John McCain is seriously miscalculating the electorate, including his own constituency.

When he became a sitting Senator (like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton) and decided to join the race, one would think it was implicit that he continue his normal responsibilities along with running as candidate.

Since we are a country in crisis supposedly looking forward, I find his decision a peculiar one as Americans thirst for our next leader and require the knowledge to move ahead. This decision, along with his choosing of Sarah Palin as his VP running mate now has me convinced he does not have the kind of decision making qualities that this country requires. The debacle that was a photo opportunity illustrated much more than their reticence to expose her, or allow her to talk to the press. This blunder only exposed her inability to think on her feet and allow (what has been a free press so far) to ask our potential Vice President some questions. It is still our right? No?

On top of this, he is also the candidate who just a few weeks ago proclaimed that “the fundamentals of our economy are strong”. Now, in a complete turn around he ducks out of an extremely important debate opportunity to prove his point. He has now lost his opportunity to explain how he came to such conclusions. How anyone at this point could possibly believe this imbecile could be the President is beyond my ability to understand. I am in disbelief and anger. He’s running from his own record and it’s OBVIOUS.

Today I was going to volunteer at a Obama Campaign office. I feel like McCain is doing the work for me via this inexplicable dodging of the first Presidential debate. I will still volunteer because I am angrier than ever that a candidate for President would actually stoop this low. He’s going to lose people on this one. He is showing he will be business as usual vis a vi President George W. Bush.

2008-09-15T16:29:00.000-07:00

Trust, our Financial and Media Institutions

Today the dow dropped 504 points the most since 9/11. The warning signs have been there for some time and the eventual unfolding had been more or less alluded to if you were observant.

Listening to Michael Savage on TV radio (insomnia) -- not because of this, I had to say I agreed with him with the issue of accountability and trust. How the heads of Merrill Lynch and Lehman's and those responsible should have every asset seized. I say to offset this crisis no "golden parachutes" filled with a depreciating greenbacks for them because of their actions. Savage couldn't understand why people were so seemingly nervous but complacent about the changing landscape of American finance and the future. Savage also ranted (I agreed) why there weren't people protesting this institutionally created made possible by the 2004 Bush deregulation's on Wall Street. What is the White House or Treasury Secretary going to do to hold those accountable for this nightmare fiasco? I think over the weekend when I had mentioned it to your basic 'guy or gal on the street' many are unaware of just how unusual it was for the government to step in and take over Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. If you want to drop a big news story, do it on a weekend...when most people are diverted. It seems to be de riguer these days to do this.

Most simply really do not know how in a worse case scenario, we get a quasi Socialized system as the government HAS to step in now in their behalf if more irresponsibility blooms after this mess is over. Did B of A acquire Merrill for $50 billion, along with Countrywide to give itself a higher profile should things go south in the future? Then the government would have to bail them out, no? Yes? I believe some interviewed for an article about the acquistion wondered why B of A would do this. A gamble as long as those $40 billion in real estate investments are sound...but is seems like a big gamble. How does it plan to shore up it's capital? Enquiring minds want to know.

That brings me to institutions and the fragile notions of trust. Trust in the media to give us the truth, to educate us on what is going on (really going on), and trust that the people we place in leadership positions are really going to look after our best interests. In journalism that is THEIR JOB. Savage, like myself is wonder just who is responsible for this mess? What are their names? This certainly didn't develop overnight, and it won't end their either. Fed Chief Paulson alluded to that by saying that the worst will be behind us AFTER we go further down --the next 4-6 months when foreclosures peak and even after. Ok.

We are in a recession and it will be interesting to see what other financial houses are to follow.

Greenspan is calling this a 'once in a century event' (depression?) Savage who is also a fan of Jim Cramer who predicted this so famously in his "Meltdown Episode" was wondering which Presidential candidate will benefit most from this. I don't think you can say everything is fine and dandy right now as John McCain is quoted as saying just a few weeks back. And I don't know if I trust him as he represents an establishment which is proving to be snaky and out for themselves at the expense of all.

How each news station covers it is different. The same thing is happening yet if you turn to Fox Network they handle it differently than CNN, who handles it differently than CNBC, who definitely will handle this differently than PBS. That is also with the newspapers. The Wall Street Journal (a Rupert Murdoch newspaper) had an article that seemed hopeful, but nary a mention of the bad real estate investments, loans, etc., while the New York Times did mention the issue.

It makes me wonder just how much the press is used to distract us, entertain us into diversion, or pacify us 'for our own good', even though as we see, reality can only be postponed for only so long. My short term worry is that Ike with the damage it caused in Houston will raise gas prices and make the small guy consumer profile stretched out again as not only gas prices rise but so does the prices of EVERYTHING, because it takes fuel to get it to and fro.

I'm questioning the true nature of our society and the pillars of trust in our establishments.

How could this be happening in a nation such as ours? All along we place our trust and hope in those who seek power positions and especially in news, finance and government to a large degree we have no choice but to place our trust in them that they will make the right decisions and those decisions would be for the best interest of all, and unfortunately this appears not to be the case. Ratings are the end all be all for the news networks, and it has shaped the way news is handled these days.

And in government we the people are being made to feel as if WE ARE the public servants and we answer to elected officials...if they care to. Being a public official and feeling it is not necessary to speak to the press is not an executive privilege, it is an executive obligation to do so. I know a lot of back door deals go on, but what about the big stuff? Why isn't Bush talking about this meltdown? I don't get it. I think he did a press conference, but nothing substantial was raised considering the scale of todays events.

And the unusual Sunday trading session (9-14-08) was done in private. Only a few were allowed to participate. What else is done in private? What other things are we not being told about that are being done? In a way I don't care as long as it works, but thinking about how the whole things came to pass to actually be executed as a secret trading session makes me wonder about other things. I guess extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary actions.

This is not just a banking and financial crisis. It is a crisis of faith in the value system of American Government and it's institutions. No it's not a perfect system, but what has happened over the weekend and how it's being handled by the Treasury, the Administration, and told by the various news outlets is telling indeed. And cause for concern.

Not all of us are cattle. My 401k has been parked since December and in due time it will go back to where is was at very attractive pricing. I'm just waiting for the shakeout to unravel.

There are many perspectives, some hopeful, some very bleak, at best we're in for a ride the next 4-6 months. This mess didn't happen overnight, and neither will it clear overnight. It has come home to roost, and will roost until late 2009. Fuck.

2008-09-14T01:51:00.000-07:00

Ike Hitting Houston instead of Turner
Palin's Past (NYT)

Call me "Chicken Little" but about five days days ago I thought I should predict that Ike would hit Houston. Was certain it would, but didn't bother to blog and now I feel like it would've been "cool" to have predicted that even though warnings were toward the South Texas coast.

Have to stop this tendency not to blog and to express my thoughts more when I feel what I feel. When I saw the computer models going South of Houston I knew deep down they were wrong. I knew Houston/Galveston area was going to get hit, but didn't post. I did that with Katrina but left it in draft mode and came back days later....and it meant nothing, and this means nothing except that I think so far it doesn't look like the "worst case scenario" although the damage was "extensive". Good. But I feel for the people of the Houston area who were affected and have to try to bring their lives back together around this. Hang in there. The older people who are going through this my heart goes out to you. Pray and be patient, and things will get better.

Hopefully our government and volunteers and maybe someone from the COMMUNITY ORGANIZER ilk, you know the kind of people who work for their community for next to nothing can come and help you. After all, you wait for the government, and before you know it, you have trailers stockpiled in Miss. or somewhere like that and nothing is done that really helps people.....maybe it's because they are bailing out the big financial houses. Sitting on the sidelines here in terms of national gas prices because the things that seemingly provoked sudden rises in crude and processed gas no longer seem as strong. Maybe it was SPECULATION after all that raised prices to the point we feel almost happy to pay $3.65 instead of $4.79 a gallon for gas.

Call it "training". But anything over $3 a gallon is what it is if indeed the outcome is more than the income, and gas represents more than what it used to.

Weekend Meeting

This Friday there was a big secret meeting with Treasury Paulson in attendance as well as some banking heads (who were not identified) along with officials from the Lehman Brothers Investment Company. They were discussing the financials of LBros. No bueno. Same ole same old. At this point, after the US Treasury has endured the S&L bailout, the flooding of funds on several occasions in the last year or so of billions into the markets to keep them from tumbling, and years ago the rescue of Chrysler.....not to mention the unprecedented billion if not trillion dollar money fan to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, can the Treasury continue to write I.O.U notes in the form of US dollar bills to a private equity firm? Even if it is the name of saving us from ourselves? I know Rupert Murdoch must think it's a great idea, but now we are getting to a brass tack situation. We are where the rubber meets the road.

When the Fed rescues these "quasi" governmental Fannie and Freddies's then they are basically taking custodial rights over these companies which in essence become new 'agencies' albeit failed and flawed. To allow the decision makers who allowed these companies to become derelict in their duties to simply up and walk away without penalty is absolutely CRIMINAL. Those who allowed the waters of greed and irresponsibility should be penalized in proportion to their wealth. In other words, DEATH BY POVERTY. After all, think of all the thousands of lives effected and RUINED by the heads of Freddie and Fannie. They are a financial 'hurricane' if you will. It doesn't happen quickly. You see it approaching, you have warning. Whether you do something or not depends on you, but in the end who rescues you? Case closed. Don't want to hear arguments....there really are none when you think about it. After all if you didn't evacuate and evaluate correctly just how much sympathy do you honestly think you will conjure...now really.

The governmental intervention besides being a base for a new reality TV show should mean something and that something is this....this for that. In other words, we rescue you, then some of those "profits" from those rising and mostly unexpected or thickly veiled terms that are hitting those who did refi's or loans should be taken by the government and redirected into the bailout or 'assistance' program. The governmental control and thus be retroactive to a certain degree and overseen by the Treasury to insure that the American taxpayer doesn't have to be unfairly burdened by those who are dumb, and those who are dumber. I don't want to have to be fiscally responsible and live within my means and fall victim to a chisler, and a ding dong, and have the US Treasury or the IRS make me responsible for the gile, gullibility, and greed of everyone who went ahead and made adult mistakes with childlike minds. That is not my problem. PAY YOUR OWN FUCKIN BILLS! Poor homeowners? Sorry I don't have sympathy if those who got conned signed their lives away without reviewing their paperwork. Surely those loans had interest rates and profit margins that will allow a bailout without the taxpayer and responsible people being taken out of the lubrication mode of the economy and into a
mode of suspension due to reasons beyond their own control. With me? If not oh well....

Palin's Past

Sarah "Petticoat Junction" Palin never fails to amaze, and this NYTimes article points that out to the personal adventures of Sarah the Seductress.

Lest we fall prey to her "librarian cum stripper" as Joy Behar did say on Larry King then we need to know who this person is and how she functions. Read the NYTimes link and if you want, by all means tell me what you think. I love when people get back to me. Refrain from the stupid liberal and faggot stuff because unless you have a factual point to make, you get skipped. A. I know I'm a Liberal and B. A homo, so move on, and get to the point. Let's not waste time here while we're on Earth together, let me have it, and I'll let you have it too! Agree? Great!

In short, she really is a version of Elle Mae Clampett as I pointed out in my previous post.
The yearbook of her high school serving as a 'who's who' for government appointments? While this is no unheard of, she's no longer in Wasalla, AK....SHE FUCK'IN RUNNING AS VP!

I am as uncomfortable with her style as I am with Cheney. Secretive. Under the radar. Well we've been there and done that already.

Oh, and she denied the New York Times an interview?

Really now? So who's next? BBC, WSJ, FOX, MSNBC. She running for office. She needs all the PR she can get and she can't take an interview with the New York Times? She did (after a week and 1/2) after being introduced with ABC, but it was with Charles Gibson and she did ok...but if she has nothing to hide and can speak eloquently and extemporaneously like so many greats have done and will do, WHY NOT?!

Part of being President is being human indeed. But since you are a public servant being PAID by taxpayers to run the US, it is also to be accountable for your actions. If you cannot speak for your past actions, you must answer to that. Simple. If one cannot answer I guess these days the M.O is to not answer and expect it to "go away" but Governor Mrs. Sarah Palin has got to realize certainly by now her life has changed and this is just the beginning of her journey.

So,
Why did she appoint a high school classmate to a $95,000 a year appointment (Franci Havemeister) to a State Division of Agriculture based on her "love for cows?". Absolutely a decision crying out for a make over! Screaming.

So,

Why can't the NYTimes interview this candidate? According to the NYTimes (one of the last privately non corporation owned newspapers left in our Great Nation), she could not or would not interview with them. We have now gone through 8 YEARS of no answers and accountability from this Administration. Is THIS anyway to start? FOX works for you until a certain point, then you HAVE TO ANSWER the press. I don't have a press pass, and this woman should thank G_D....in tongue and out!

Personally I find her behavior toward the press so far wholly unacceptable. Not because I am a Democrat, but because I am the child of citizens of these United States of America who's Grandparents came to these shores in search of something better than what they left. One side left the corruption and poverty of Mexico, the other leaped from the potato famine of Ireland from Canada. From there they became children of the US who raised me to respect the concept and belief's of one Nation under G_d, indivisible but not unquestionable, with LIBERTY and JUSTICE for ALL....including THOSE who would call themselves PRESIDENT or VICE-PRESIDENT and shape the future of those who would live within our nation and those who aspire to follow our traditions.

I would expect anyone. I mean anyone. Running for any public office to be able to think on their feet. After the recent recounting of the horrors of 9-11 (which we all remember) I am proud of Barack Obama's stance on terror, going after the terrorists, and what we ALL HAVE to do. In order to make this country work, we can't pretend this is not a NATIONAL DISASTER, we have to participate in our system.

Not Voting

Don't complain if you don't vote! If you don't vote, then STFU (SHUT THE FUCK UP).
After 2004, I don't personally want to hear it. We are in rut of sorts....vote for change. I don't want to hear 'fake' voters say they voted, because I honestly believe if most people voted, we absolutely will have something different on our hands, and you will be required more than ever to be part of this exciting time. There is no way this country can make it without it's greatest resource.....our people. Our diversity and the strength of all the different races, colors, brain sizes, leg sizes, body sizes, bones, sarcasm, humor, foolery, sloth, sex , drug abuse, teenism, alcoholism, ghetto, white trash, Universities, best and brightest health professionals, (we DO have the best in the US!), teachers, firemen, policemen, nurses, doctors, service industry professionals, service industry NON professionals, transport workers (airline, ship, train, bus), manufacturers, talent (the US has the highest standard in the world--gurl you better sing well in person as you do in your CD!), consumer choices......G_d knows we have the best....and worst of everything here in the US. Come and compete if you dare and that is what many of our forebearers did. All of our ancestors who have been here for even a few generations have gone through it INCLUDING MY OWN.

To have someone who is ignoring the press is inexcusable and to me unacceptable.

Sarah Palin, if you're ready for the big time then act like it, otherwise, stand aside. You can only rehearse so much or operate in secrecy until you create a sense of ineffectually. Now is your time and thus far, you are failing those of us who would care to elect an effectual Vice President.

2008-09-07T00:30:00.000-07:00

"Petticoat Junction" comes back to Prime Time.....(Black Gold Texas Tea....and the GOP)

Obama's Community Organizing Takes a back Seat (Where he presumably BELONGS?)

IS PALIN A RACIST? CAN I BE SEXIST?

Watching the recent Republican Convention made me wanting for more of the razzle and dazzle and star power that the Democratic Convention had. There was basically a stage with a huge LCD screen portraying our American flag in all it's grand glory. But the true star power was lacking and it didn't quite have the "ommph" that the entertainment that the DNC had, but let's face it, there wasn't the kind of diversity and creativity that the DNC has, so it was pretty white-bread and (yawn) boring.

But we got to meet Sarah Palin, and what a job she had. An underdog. A nobody. Rolled out at the last minute and for one of the biggest jobs of the world. A world which seemingly wants to challenge the US as the "Last Great Superpower". The world is eager to see the US emerge as a new superpower of hope vs. the regimes of Russia and the ever oppressive China. We get a rootin tootin Moose soccer hunting mama named Sarah Palin. Annie get your gun! Skirt instead of pantsuit (Hillary) or Prairie dress with puffy bloomers underneath...but we got the picture.

As much as I would like to embrace her because she made sure some twisted state trooper (who she happened to know --- not unusual in small-town Alaska) got out of a position of power. They say it was the way she did it that was out of line, but this trooper and his actions of tasering his own son makes me wonder what I would've done given the same circumstances.

I didn't like Palin's denigration of Barack Obama's "community organizing" efforts. She denigrated it as if it was a joke. Is helping people who cannot help themselves a joke in a country such as ours? It is a fact that many major urban areas have long had these circumstances. What is it about Palin that doesn't understand that? Oh, I forgot, she's from Alaska. She might as well be from Neptune, (at least when it comes to understanding the scope of these matters) in cities with more than 5,000 people. Incidentally most Americans (80%) live in major urban areas and are familiar with things that Palin can't seem to "imagine". How pathetic and absolutely derelict that they even consider such a rookie. Even I feel I have more perspective than this "Elly May Clampett" that suddenly foisted herself onstage with good intent but bad preparation even with all she's "been through". Her sitting across from Putin? I can't imagine. We've had Jethro (Bush) doing it for 8 years now and he's been duped by Putin while Georgia was being invaded during the dazzling opening ceremonies of the China Olympics. Can't we afford more idiots? No. Showing Bush and Putin having small talk while this was going on totally afforded us an opportunity to feel our government really isn't quite up on things...unless we're not "getting something" we should. Doubt those oil pipes running through Georgia mean much....to anyone. Nah! Where was Condoleezza Rice Hathaway to verbally assuage the Russians at least into thinking about not taking over so much of what they were going to take over. She's so good at verbally assuaging things one wonders if she maybe could work in the entertainment field instead and get the Dixie Chicks to perform a live concert on the front lawn of the White House LIVE! With the proceeds of the concert going to Greenpeace. Nah.

Obama has a law degree, and after all he could've pursued much more profitable routes of making a living, but he devoted HIS TIME to the people of the South Side of Chicago. Without people like him they have no one. That his public service amazed Sarah Palin is sad and depressing. What he did would be considered a resume builder in certain law firms. He performed pro bono work on behalf of people who needed it the most, and the vitriol of wonderment was coming from a woman from Alaska who ran a town of 7,025 which lies 42 miles North of Anchorage. Does she really understand the value of what we was doing when he didn't have to? Obviously not, and I find her wiring disturbing given the current economic conditions.

Palin was quaint and patronizing. A woman far removed from the lower 48 states, minimizing the efforts of a man with a law degree (beauty pageant degrees don't count), who went into his troubled large urban community and tried to better it, while she did her soccer mom duties, rallied for the large oil interests and apparently has no idea what is happening over the hood of the 'soccer mom' car she is driving down the presumably unclogged roads of Alaska. How utterly depressing and uninspiring. She can keep her lens crafter glasses and bake good Alaskan Apple pies, but is VP the job she should be vying for? Am I being sexist? Ok then that makes us even since she has been accused of being a racist.

It's as if the Republicans decided to introduce the Chrysler K Car Version of VP to the table and that answer was Sarah Palin. And they have succeeded. The K car was to be the answer to Chrysler's future as a company, BACK IN THE 70'S (and it failed ROYALLY), so let's proceed with a Thomas Paine Common Sense and agree that this political foresight is blurred vision at best no matter how attractive the custom frames are.

America is 4 countries. One rich and one poor. One urban one rural. That is the true problem and it's gotten worse. Ours is not unique. Other countries face the same dilemma's but since this is the US election coming out, let's face it. There's a lot of pandering to the average Joe as if he lives in a cornfield, but most of us are slogging along in big cities and see the ill's first hand. As much as I would love to tour Denali National Park, my reality is the 10 and 405 freeways driving behind others chasing the American Dream which seems farther away than ever. A "bargain" home in a "marginal" area even in this depressed market (peeling paint, bars on the windows, and questionable characters with no employ) is about $300,000.0o in LA.

Who were the Republican's talking to during their rah rah convention? I would really like to know. They trashed the media "elites". I'm certainly not one of them. I don't get paid to write. I just do it. I drive a 14 year old car. I live in a 1 bedroom apt. (near the Ocean), but don't call me an elite. I'm not. I know a fair amount of people in financial trouble and the whole rah rah Republican attitude was like watching a telecast from outer space.

I know of many people who are doing what they are supposed to do, pay their bills as best they can on DEPRECIATING HOURS and wages. They pay more for health care, gas, groceries, their refinances were not properly explained to them so they are being hit with big tax hits and totally irresponsible fiscal behaviors that would not be allowed in other countries. To maintain stability we must change the tax codes so that those who benefitted from the profit of these shady practices PAY THEIR TAXES on the profits to support those hit by unfair or deceptive loan practices. It was announced the US government is stepping in to bail out Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac. As a working person I'm beginning to wonder if I made a mistake by being fiscally responsible by not buying a home up and beyond my affordability so I could be "bailed out".

Face the music people, we can't keep borrowing forever, soon the bill and it's interest is due. Just look to the budget crisis facing California and you see where eternal borrowing comes home to roost. It's just not pretty when your Governator proposes putting ALL state workers on minimum wage. He never mentioned a pay cut for himself. It was like GM's announcement in July. No more insurance starting in 2009 for the pensioners, job cuts galore, but the geniuses that made the decisions that drove the company into the ground...well they're just fine thank you.

This elitist Corporate culture is why we may face civil unrest and further sentiment that will drive down the economy when it still has a hope (I think) of being salvaged. I am a reader of many economic letters and privy to others, and the lump sum equation is the US is headed to a "major doldrum of global proportions" which is Greenspanism is a way of saying the future looks ugly. The CEO pay which takes so much from workers is never addressed even though in many ways it is exactly what is taking away from so much that lubricates an economy. It's too top heavy AND IT'S SHOWING.

Any Republican Candidate(s) who get on a stage and in front of an American flag of all things, proclaim how great things are without even acknowledging the Bush/McCain "Legacy" have short term memory that is so selective it must be deceptive. They and those who believe the same are not to be trusted.

2008-07-03T07:07:00.000-07:00

Geez it's been a while

Haven't blogged lately because of personal issues. A lot has happened, and much to talk about. The price of gas has been a hot topic. A barrel of oil has topped $145 today punching a hole through a psychological ceiling that experts say will now allow it to climb higher to $150 maybe even $200 a barrel.

Funny thing is, we are offered excuses on how many developing countries we now have to compete with for this precious black gold, or Texas Tea. The other funny thing is their surely seems to be a whole of it to sell at a high price. Remember back in the 70's when we really didn't have enough to go around? Well times surely have changed. There's plenty of gas to sell at $4.60 to $5.60 a gallon. No shortage of gas to SELL. Kinda makes you think huh?

David Letterman I think really put it succinctly when he had that asshole Scott McClellan "I lied to your face and now buy my book about it" on his show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTUb8Hmw5rw

David Letterman talks about Haliburton, and the great oil annuities Cheney and Bush have to look forward to. Could it be true our oilman President is making good on promises to all his oilmen buddies and copadres who make Texas tea? Surely it can't be just a coincidence that all this cashing in comes as Bush rides into the sunset of his presidency. Was his visit to Saudi Arabia to ask them to increase output merely symbolic? Duh...Uh huh.

Instead of them having us by the balls, wouldn't it be nice to change the tables and start switching to other energy alternatives? How very moonpie of me to suggest such things, but we do have the technology, so why can't we get off our lazy asses and DO IT. The big three US automakers have hybrid technology, so why for god's sakes has it taken so long for them to adapt. Toyota already has A PRODUCTION READY fuel cell car. And it is quite snazzy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlyYWQ8_Mzc

The backround music has to go, but it's a very marketable passenger car even if it wasn't a fuel cell vehicle. What do the big three have? Nothing. My father (who was a teamster) wants to get a hybrid. A passenger hybrid. He can't find one. He has to resort to a Toyota. All the US hybrids are SUVs for now.

Then there's that Presidential Race

I feel like we've been there and back. My man is Obama. I don't hide it, I've been for him for some time. I'm not buying that McCain is going to get all the Clinton women votes. What is curious is how fatigued I think the press has gotten about reporting the candidates differences.
For the media, it was Obama vs. Clinton. Now that we have the two real candidates, gas prices, flooding and other day to day happenings have overshadowed that we have an election coming up in four months. I really believe McCain is an old school Bushie who is doing his best to hide his true colors until November when he can come out of his "closet". He has even hired Bush style people to shake up and stir what has been a ho hum campaign.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/03/us/politics/03manage.html?hp

Obama and Clinton as bitter as their rivalry was, are trying to show a unified front and they need to. So much was made of their run against one another, changing the tide will be a job in of itself. To her credit, Hillary is working hard to do that. And McCain doesn't seem to be courting her "people". With a premeditated planned attack on Iran, (via the Bush administration) perhaps McCain will scare us into voting for him as a proxy for the continuance of the Bush years. Wouldn't that be SPECIAL? More of the same old shit. Just what the country needs. As Letterman put it, does the President really care about US? Or the US?

How the fuck are we going to afford a THIRD WAR? This is sheer lunacy. To top it off, Russsia has had about enough of this Bush Bullshit and is taking a stand against any notions of invading yet a third nation under the same false pretext of the first two. They see US oil corps finally getting the green light to set up shop in Iraq.

And no, gas and energy won't get cheaper because of it. They'll just be more gas to sell at the higher prices that already exist. No they don't care about us. So, let's throw them out. Sometimes I really wonder about the future of this country. It's like the Jay Leno man on the street interviews where he finds (does he try hard?) people that are so clueless and dumb.

oh well....it's off to breakfast

2008-06-03T22:45:00.000-07:00

Hillary's "Responsibility" and her role in "History"
Barack Walks a Tightrope

Clearly there was a winner and a 'loser' tonight. To say they are both 'winners' is 'cute' but not accurate for there was one winner last night in the Democratic nomination and his name is Barack Obama.

Hillary's true responsibility of leadership is showing how much she cares about America and how much she cares about the Democratic party and all the work she has done towards all the work that has to be done for Americans who are increasingly involved with this election process.

"Denver, Denver, Denver" was evoked by the Hillary supporters who showed up to support their candidate who lost. I can honestly say, I would've done the same. But then I'm not Hillary Clinton. I'm the average Joe Schmoe. She put up a good fight, is an outstanding individual as a Democrat I personally would like her on my side, but imagining her as VP is almost impossible. It would be like putting your in laws to live in a guest house. Yucky poo poo.

Hillary, if she is a true dyed in the wool Democrat needs to show HER TRUE COLORS. Yes, you fought the good fight, you're one of "us" (really), but don't extend the differences by making it worse. By extending this to a personal level, you deny the Democratic party the higher level it seeks to achieve. I respect her for her all the work she's done and her husband (as President) but to expect this animosity to dissipate like magic is childlike. We're all on the same side, and you fought the good fight, and we still all like you and your charming husband Bill, but to not absorb that something new is in the air a terrible error of judgment and observation. Pretending is what got us in this hot mess to begin with, people know that.

EXAMPLE:

2 days ago I went to an IHOP near my home. The same waitress and waiters for the most part. This time, one of the most long time, most friendly waitresses was not there. I asked a waiter where she was. She was at home on anti depressants. No kidding, this smiling, girl, someone probably from the Midwest as me, was out of work. Why? Her 2 sons were in Iraq. She apparently cannot take the stress of both of them being there. Perhaps that explains why my own co worker who's son was on "extended duty" aged 10 years and then has not been seen for a long, long (10 month) time. What are we doing to these people?

Republicans are loving this and that is proof positive

McCain Talking about "Change"

I find it ironic that a man who has served so much time in Washington suddenly has a fresh perspective on "Change". What could someone so entrenched in this broken system of government offer on change? He's been alligned with that "End Time" freak Hagee and he's like an old storage unit so out of touch with reality 200 megabites of RAM for internet is just FINE!
Get my drift? If you don't then don't bother. Haven't you dealt with these types on the job? It's like "HELP!" With no help.

more to come......................

2008-05-20T15:08:00.000-07:00

Hillary's Responsibility

Right now, according to CNN, 1/3rd of the Democratic voters who are voting for Hillary in Kentucky are not going to vote for Obama in the fall.

I think every card that can be used has been used by Clinton. She's affected the Southern twang of the South while standing on someone's porch in Kentucky. She reminds me of Madonna with her affected British accent. It's strange when she does that, but I think she's trying to relate to people in a folksy common folk kind of way.

Today, woman voters are upset and one said on TV that she would vote for Ross Perot if Obama gets the Democratic nomination. And now, apparently 1/3rd of Hillary voters (men and women)are saying won't vote for Obama in the fall. Great, thank you for sealing our fate into the hands of George Bush III a la John McCain. Short thinking fools. But then it would explain the thought process that put us in the mess we're in now? In our electoral process thinking ahead would be helpful instead of thinking behind. In November when these people do not show up to the polls, what does that say about American's as a people? I don't hear Republicans saying they won't vote for McCain even though he wasn't their idea of a first choice. This is Democrats against DEMOCRATS! The Republican's are loving this...we're doing all their work. I love it when someone else does all the work too. Sigh.

I'm an Obama supporter. I would've voted for Hillary if she had won the nomination, so why are Clinton supporters so adamant on scaring people into voting for Hillary by proclaiming he will not get their support NO MATTER what the outcome of this primary is? And how does Hillary plan on repairing the damage that is being done once we start the next process of this election? If Obama cannot placate Hillary's supporters, maybe then Hillary can. Will she stand up to that challenge? She will have that opportunity no doubt, but whether or not she takes it seems to be a "maybe" proposition right now. What does Hillary NEED in order to stop all this nonsense?

This of all elections is hardly an election to do a boycott of. There is too much at stake for everyone. Today I heard that many voters felt that the press was being unfair to Hillary because she's a woman. I disagree. I don't like her desperate approach nor do I think someone who would allow this to happen to their own party is suitable for the executive office as President...the fact she is a woman is incidental to me. My shock is based on her behavior during this process. She's a woman alright, the wrong woman for this job. The right woman would've known when to quit this nonsense and not create such deep fissures. If a man pulled the same tricks and got everyone off track, I wouldn't like him either. That's why I didn't vote for Bush in 2004.

If Clinton doesn't get that landslide she was hoping for in Kentucky, then she really should just give it a rest and focus on bringing the Democratic party back together. Right now people can't see it, but I know once this primary is over, I have faith that Hillary will do the right thing, and do whatever is within her power to bring the Democrats back together. Politics being what it is, and with the bad blood running thick, some kind of deal may be needed. I think she deserves it, she has persevered despite all odds, and to that I give her something money certainly can't buy, an accolade. It's when she does what she needs to do next, she'll get another thing that I think she would really like---more respect and support than she's ever dreamed possible. A famous quote by Thomas Carlyle: "Instead of saying that man (kind) is the creature of circumstance, it would be nearer the mark to say that man is the architect of circumstance."

The Obama constituents are different. As I mentioned earlier, I would vote for Hillary had she won this. I think most Obama supporters are the same as I in regard to Hillary. No hurt feelings here, and I would like to see Hillary get a post in the Obama cabinet.

Democratic Party....please don't mess this one up.

2008-05-12T09:40:00.000-07:00

Hilarious Hillary's Great Adventure
Distain for McCain

Today West Virginia will predictably crown their new Mountain Mama Hillary Clinton as their choice for Presidential candidate. The demographics are there. It sits nicely between two other Hillary friendly states (Pennsylvania and Ohio). It's filled with the white (96%), working class voters that Hillary has spoken to in recent days via USA today's now infamous quote about how she's "connecting" with working class white voters in a way that Obama most certainly can't, because presumably because he's black. This is a depressing strategy in terms of what it means down the road for the Democratic party. She may be starting something she won't be around to repair.

Her failure was to realize that many whites do support Obama. Obama in fact is half white and was raised by a white mother. This at first was THE sticking point for many blacks to begin with. Remember the "he's not black enough" people? It's as if Hillary has rebirthed the Republican Golden calf of "Willie Brown" all over again, this time remaking it in the form of Barack Obama. What does this say about such a woman? Ok, lest this become an issue of whether or not this is an attack on the rising of Venus, what does this say about THE PERSON? If indeed the true test of a person's character is indeed shown in times of desperation and crisis, this is not a good reflection upon her. It's downright depressing.

Based on this behavior, NO I don't want HER answering the phone at 3:30am...God knows what she would say and do. If she's acting like this now...you finish my thought.

How much is she thinking about the future of the chances for the Democrats if she in desperation she starts reaching for the race card, in of all things the DEMOCRATIC Party?!

What is she thinking?

The Democratic Party has long been a bastion for Women, Men, Gays, Liberals, Unionists, Hollywood types, Thinkers, and White AND Black working class people. Basically the same people who have been ignored for the past 8 years. Actually, starting with the Regan administration back in the 80's...but I don't want to burden your mind with too much people I know most people don't really like thinking too much. It makes me wonder who the Republicans really stand for if they lose this one?
Last time around it was the Rich who roused the Fearful for support.

Spring time Skating Party Anyone?

Right now with all the focus on Hilarity and Obama, McCain is skating through longer and longer without his record being examined. His ties to "end times" pastor John Hagee. McCain has already laid down the gauntlet by already saying that Obama is a "favorite" with the Hamas party of the Palestinians.

That's odd, I didn't know Hamas was allowed to vote in the US. You can be a US born 78 year old woman from the US and not be allowed to vote. We'll have no voter fraud here my dear man!

He's already setting up the stage for our 100 year war with Hamas and their ilk. Look at your son's and grandson's and be nice to them, for if McCain indeed does get his way, we're in this for the next 100 years. This has indeed been his Achilles Heel with members of some of those in his own Republican party.

By marginalizing Obama, he does the same to former President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter.

Since we have two wars going on (without much personal sacrifice I might add) , then why not stoke the fires some more? Why should we engage in actual talks with the enemy when it might actually work? We can engage them vs. "US" in war forever and ever...now that sounds nice doesn't it? But is it really an answer given the realities of our current situation(s) in Iraq and Afghanistan?

Being half Irish, I was always intrigued but as a child never understood what was going on in Ireland with all their "troubles" between the Irish Catholics and Protestants. In my neighborhood growing up, we never even cared about these things. There were so many other different types of people around the last thing on our minds was whether someone was Protestant or Catholic. But growing up, I always remember hearing on the news the fighting, killing, and general mayhem and "terrorism" in Northern Ireland. How being Irish wasn't good enough in Northern Ireland, you were judged on what religion you belonged to. To me, growing up and seeing this right after the Detroit riots, I couldn't understand why this was such a big deal, but to them it was. It seemed like it was going to be a never ending conflict.

But it's over.

They negotiated and are power sharing their way to peace. Will these kind of solutions be possible in our current world political climate under a McCain Presidency? Doesn't sound like it. Not at all. But we're none the more educated on these issues or McCain as a whole because it seems now all we can do is focus on whether or not Obama or Hillary will become the new "American Idol", and I'm not being glib...I write to you from Los Angeles.

A show which has drawn hundreds of young viewers in past years, for the first time has seen a decline in viewership at the same time we are seeing more and more young people becoming involved with our political process. A coincidence? I think not. It's good news. No it's not because of the writers strike, and all the bullshit going on behind the scenes. Viewers do not care about those things. It's what is happening in real life politics which is capturing young people.

It is May 12th, 2008. The election is in 6 months. Let's not squander this golden opportunity with and Obama vs. Hillary fight. It's time to bite the bullet, realize that Obama and Edwards is the ticket, for the media to catch onto that idea and for the Democratic party to go for the big win in November. It's time for John McCain's "Springtime Skate Party" to end.

2008-03-23T23:50:00.000-07:00

Obama's Race Speech
Higher Cost of Livin

Giving something the Clinton's could never compete with, Obama Barack spoke about race, his race for the White House and his physical being and how his views differed with that of his lighter skinned almost white looking Pastor, Jeremiah Wright. He offered himself as an example as the future of America, the hope of what our founding fathers foresaw, and the futility of burrowing ourselves in past impressions or fears of moving forward. And, at the same time I think he knows there are enough people who still believe themselves to be Democrats that would go Republican in fear that a "black man" would not stand a chance to become the next president. Nevermind he was brought up in a mostly white world, by a white grandmother. He' "looks" black enough to be black, but not black enough for some blacks because his ancestors came over voluntarily, much unlike the ancestors of his wife. This was an important distinction for him to make. It may be lost of whites, maybe not, but he's from a different direction than that of your typical Black American. So while his speech was to bring together Democrats (White and Black) I think it was also to bring together those blacks who still are wondering what to make of the man who is the son of immigrants....and not slaves. And to bring together those who are immigrants but being treated as slaves...because they are being paid off the books, but allowed to pay taxes, buy homes, participate in the economy and in some cases vote. And for those of us who are the children and /or grandchildren of those aforementioned people. We know what they went through. We know the stories, and it is not the "black experience", nor it is the white experience, but is most certainly one that thousands of of can relate to. Very clever. I think genuine, and not something the Clinton's could possibly even relate to if only on the most superficial of levels, and thank God they didn't try. It would've looked silly.

My own mind could not stop thinking he was doing something rather preemptive for his candidacy. Whether it may be against Hillary or against McCain, the issue of race had to be addressed. What he did was brave, for if he did not do it now, he would have been relegated to doing it much later so why not get it over with?

Who could forget the Republican "Welfare Queen" ad's of the eighties? Or the "Willie Horton" ad's of the 1980's before "Mexicans" had been invented as the new enemy to be 'reckoned"
with? Instead of dealing with why we had the so-called Welfare queens to begin with, the de facto question was why were there so many black people on welfare? This, despite in sheer numbers there are far more whites on welfare? But don't expect our "news stations" to point that out.

Now comes in the "new enemy". The "illegal Alien". Given a title that is reminiscent of someone who has landed on a mothership from some other planet, when in fact they crossed over a creek next door. Bill O' Reilly makes me ashamed to be of part of his Northern European back round as they supposedly have some kind of upper hand on intellectualism and truthiness. We ignore a third world nation next to us which has been sending us people for generations and now suddenly it's front and center at a time when large big business has made it apparent they have no interest in maintaining living wages for Americans anymore. So what is the story here? Immigration? Or the fact that India and China are where quality jobs are going, and while every kitchen seems to have Mexican dishwasher, we make this seem to be the job that is "being stolen". Trust me, the good jobs are not going to the Busboy or the dishwasher, but shipped overseas. In some cases they are being given to Mexicans/or Illegal Aliens, but you need to look at the businessmen doing it, not those who have been forced to do whatever it is they need to do to survive. This is where Obama has hit a point with the Latino community.

Long have we struggled to achieve the American Dream. But somehow even those who have been here (a few of us) are relegated to a sub standard class of American life. Even those who have spent their entire lives here, and may be mixed with European/White races....like Obama has. WE ARE America. In the spirit of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights of our Founding Fathers who also were escaping persecution, I too am escaping the restrictions of my ancestors.

I, like Obama have White, and Black and (unlike him) Latino ancestors. I unlike Obama look more Italian or Spanish. But nevertheless, I relate to his experience. Him growing up in Hawaii (which is one of the most integrated states of all) gives me confidence in his ability to see beyond someone who is white, brown, black, yellow or green and, as in the words of Martin Luther King, can judge a person not by the color of their skin, but the "content of their character". And in these times, it seems more important that ever to find a man, a person, who can do that. I nodded my head so many times during Obama's so-called race speech I got dizzy.....(not really) but the point is he had many.

One of his most poignant point was how segregated we are on Sundays. I am proud to say I am part of a religious group that doesn't fit that mold. We have people born Christian, Jew, Muslim, and Buddist. White, Black, and everything in between, (which incidentally is what I am more used to anyway), but I have to remark that no matter how segregated we are on Sundays, we have six other days we interact successfully. My honest hope is I think his hope. That somehow we can find a way to be truly American, and to become one. Our experience is unique. Our lives interacting with one another is like no other. The blending that has occurred here in America is not only beautiful, but it gives us greater power like no other. We have the best combinations of everything here and to squander the next election on race would be a waste of time and effort. Let us concentrate on those things we have in common, those things we all want for our children and the inclusive things that bring us together rather than the petty differences that can keep us squabbing until time eternity.

We've had Henry Ford, Leonard Bernstein, Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy, and Albert Einstein to name a few. Why oh why do we squander our time on wasteful thoughts when there is so much important work to be done? So much has been done in America....and much more is due our way if we just let it happen and just believe it can. Si se Puede. Yes we can.

It should not sound cheap. Any message of hope for the future should be grabbed, harnessed and held onto so tight we can't let go. Fear is what is will hold us back if we let fear based thinking rule our thought process. This country was FOUNDED on taking a chance, and to not do that again is to waste a precious opportunity.

Cost of Living

Yes it's going up. Recently in the .99 cent store about 3 months ago I noticed something strange. The 1 dozen eggs had now been bascially chopped in half and now 6 eggs instead of 12 were going for 99 cents. Now I like going to nice stores too, and I tried Pavillions for eggs, (and milk). Standing next to a woman, I was comparing egg prices. Doing something not common in our area (communicating) we both started "talking" and it soon became apparent, that, yes, EGGS and MILK were going up. This was THREE months ago. Enter oil barrel slam down on per barrel costs.

Now, if myself and this "stranger" who are more than likely living less than a mile from one another are noticing this change....what is happening in the rest of America? Mid America? How are people feeding FAMILIES? TALK TO ME PEOPLE. How the fuck are you doing it? I really am interested.

Oil was up to $104/$105 per barrel this week and my personal prediction is that before Bush leaves office, oil will hit $115 to $120 per barrel. This will mean higher transport costs to the grocer which will be transported to who???? You and I. It's already happening. How are families doing it? I want to hear from you. With kids, gas, and food, how are you reshaping your budgets and what tips do you have? ANY tips will be welcome. I'm interested in helping anyone out via this blog. Talk to me. Talk to US.

2008-03-02T12:03:00.000-08:00

Hillary vs. Obama the days Before Texas & Ohio

Hillary is has been getting some good pushes today by G.E via (Saturday Night Live) and the Tribune Corp. (Latimes). Her skit on SNL was good natured enough and she appears to have taken to be running as the presumed underdog of the week.

What Barack's camp has not forgotten is how Hillary tends to win in the larger states (CA., NY., Fla., NJ.) so I believe Barack is not going to be an assumed winner. I think it will be close as these are larger states with more variation in the general populace. So in response to Hillary's presumed free publicity, his response has been to reach deep into his pockets to spend his own money to deflect from Hillary's apparent "machine". That is, if you are to believe one of the only 'family owned' newspapers left in the U.S., that is the New York Times.

Marginalizing "US"

As if it needed repeating, now those who would vote for Obama are being marginalized as "cult worshippers" or thinking we're voting for a "rock star". I have an acquaintance who is still a hard core Hillary supporter and can't see beneath her exterior. For the record, (and my family will attest) I have never "worshipped" or have ever owned a poster of ANYONE. The only person I would never question is God. Even when (and if) Obama is sworn into office, his journey will have only begun. After all, look at what he is inheriting:

-Higher energy costs
-Rising inflation
-Falling US dollar (good vs. bad)
-Fallout from unregulated corporations (bad loans, lack of competition)
-Rising homelessness and debts
-Healthcare reform
-The Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
-The fall of the middle class, and the destitution of the working poor.
-Middle East (Israel) conflicts
-and more...

Whatever. But don't call me a cultist, I am a realist. I am a concerned American, and I don't like what has been overtly displayed let alone what I see between the lines, and I don't think I'm unique either. I'm not naive enough to say that there are those who voted for Obama that are easily swayed, on the flip side, don't underestimate us either. We're here, and we're watching....closely. The worst thing you can do is underestimate us, and when you do it ticks us off.

Part of me wants to tune this all out. Part of me wants to believe that Obama can make all the wrongs turn right in 4 years, but the realist in me knows how long it takes to even chew a chunky piece of meat let alone swallow it. But given the choices, I think we need a clean slate--such disrepair our nation is in. Ahmadinejad is visiting Iraq, and Israel is starting a new campaign against Hamas in Gaza when they haven't even effectively closed unresolved dispute that occurred with Hamas in Northern Israel/Southern Lebanon . Welcome to the world. So much for telling me I'm being swayed by some kind of "rock star".....

2008-02-21T22:54:00.000-08:00

Hillary loses her Air

Unfortunately for those two I see the dream team as Prez Obama and Vice Prez Clinton.
Just Saying.....ya know. She has some Mojo he has not, and he has something she doesn't. Would that not be the ULTIMATE reality show?

2008-02-19T23:41:00.000-08:00

ABC Decides that Obama is a "Cult" as opposed to a "Movement"

Watching the so-called news show "Nightline" I'm watching a news video article by David Wright (moderated by a talking head who calls himself Terry Moran) and I can barely believe my eyes. They (corporate media) are marginalizing Barack as some kind of "rock star" or worse yet "cult" as opposed to seeing him for what he really is. Worse yet, there is some person who claims to be a proponent of Obama who says he doesn't care what Obama is saying, but he's just caught up in Obama Mania. Yeah riggght.

If this is corporate media's attempt to marginalize what most people are actually feeling then good luck. The topping on the cake was this wide eyed idiot who was saying into the camera that "it didn't matter what Obama was saying, it was just his energy" or some drivel like that. Nonsense. Trying to pose those of us who support Obama as wide eyed perky swooning teens. Uh, that's certainly not me.

Barack is not some kind of freakish "happening" or "cult". He is an attempt to remake our country into what it was originally intended to be. A new perspective devoid of corporate greed (which I suppose the ABC/Walt Disney juggernaut) would probably see as a viable threat--resulting in this so called "news report called Nightline." I guess given Terry Moran's perspective, looking at todays governance, we are currently under some kind of "cult" of leadership which has taken the nation out from under the people and have handed it over to corporations and special interests....now THERE's a cult if I've ever seen one. Why doesn't he do a story on that? Why does that kind of reporting always has to fall to the hands of PBS? The same news organization that Bush tried so hard to shut down by drastically reducing their funding. He thought they were biased because so much of their reporting could never be found anywhere else and some people do watch it. I guess he quivered at the thought.

Barack is as much a rock star as any popular candidate we've haven't seen the likes of in four decades or so. To marginalize him so is to disrespect the will and the people of America. So much of this country has been given to corporate America that nothing is left for working or middle class Americans. Barack is about changing that. I would imagine that is more than a Terry Moran, or an idiot paid to say gibberish such as "Oh I don't care what Barack says.....I'm just so fuckin captivated"....yeah right sure. Instead of finding a common sense person, they find a grown man swooning like a school girl. Yep that's me. That's how I act. COME FUCKING ON. Give me a break.

The truth is this country is fucked up beyond words. Corporate interests including Walt Disney Holdings and ABC et. al. have taken this country into the proverbial toilet. No amount of corporate propaganda is going to make people look around them and take the TV/Propaganda reality and change it into otherwise.

Am I supposed to think that Barack is some kind of pop star aberration? Or is there a chance we can believe him and his wife when they say they represent a change from the way "business" is being done in American government free of special interests and lobbyists? Can I get a pension when I retire? Can I have health care? Can the poor feed their children again? Why has so much been taken and so much ignored in this supposedly great nation?

Hillary never mentioned "change" or movement into a different direction until she lost Iowa and realized just how the reality outside the Washington beltway differed from her preconceived notions of how she and her husband and the Bush family and many people in Washington have decided this is the way America should be?

Short of a revolution Obama is the best thing to happen to America in a long time and they better thank their lucky stars it's happening via elections and not an out and out revolution...and I'm not kidding. I think that the state of the Union is much worse that popular media would have us believe and the reason I know is because I'm talking to people to actually are living it...not those in the Ivory towers of media and story telling with spokes models as news 'presenters'. I was born and raised in what once was the City of Detroit. Oh, it's still there. I go there to visit family and friends. But it is in the swirl of the air around the abandoned homes, the Michigan Central Train depot, and the huge River Rouge Steel plant turned MUSEUM, you feel (in your soul) the vibrancy is gone and there is nothing left to replace it. Parts of Detroit are converting back to fields. Abandoned homes set on fire demolished and nothing but the air and wild plants left in it's place. I've stood in an area known as Corktown on a street called Bagley under the shadow of the old Michigan Central Train depot and the experience was surreal. It was so quiet. Hear a needle drop quiet. Is that what passes as a 'recession' or 'depression' or worse yet do we not have a name for this because people don't want to look it's so painful? The people there still have pride, but not much else. Not what they should have.

Since the labor movement in America is all but DOA and most working and middle class Americans worry about their own fucking futures, perhaps it's about time that "news" organizations like ABC take into consideration that all these Obama votes didn't materialize because of their rosy forecasts and constant waxing all things Hillary and Romney. The two almost orgasmic corporate duo. Quite the opposite.

Instead of the ultimate corporate wet dream of a win win situation of Hillary and and paid spokesmodel Mitt Romney we get Barak and McCain...not the two original Romulus and Remus of either party or popular mind control makers we call "TV".

Obama is a message to the system that we truly are in a state of emergency in our nation. No longer can Corporate America shape the minds of your "typical" American working or what would be considered the remnants of the working class. There is unrest in America which transcends race....it's economics and jobs. One thing you will find in the poorest of the poor as well as the wealthiest of the wealthy, is that race is not a factor in these communities...money puts people there, or lack thereof. I work in Beverly Hills, CA., live in Santa Monica, CA. and have family in Detroit, so I believe I have a little perspective on this. In America it is money not race which is your primary determinant. It's what you're judged by, and how many judge themselves. Chasing the dream is what has gotten many into the sub prime hole they're in. Think about it.

What has happened to the middle class and working classes (which is a majority of the nation) has united black/white/male/female/latino/short/fat..you name it. People are fed up.

Give us no unions, no fair wages, send our jobs overseas, give the tax breaks to the wealthy, take away our health care and what the fuck do you expect? A vote for Senator Hillary who's connected by the hip to someone who has the nerve to practically BECOME our next President via his WIFE? What kind of country are we expecting if this is the best we can do? More of the same of what? Barack has stated that he will take special interests and corporate interest out of American government. It's too rampant and is driving this nation down. I guess Hillary underestimated that and thought her mojo was golden.

For those who think the so-called "Regan Democrats" will defect to McCain. Wait until the final elections and all McCain's dirt comes out. How conservative he is, and how (via his conservatism) how BACKWARD his thinking is. He'd be just fine.....it it were 1985!

If I want to step into a time machine and take a few step backwards, I'll encourage Republican people to vote for McCain. But all that conservatism from the likes of Rush Limbaugh is dead. Rush TRASHED McCain (and so did many other heavy duty right wingers) but their outdated howls weren't heard. Perhaps they should make note of this. People voted otherwise. So much for their sway.

I done ranting....I need to hit the celebrity gossip pages to make me feel good.

2008-02-13T15:18:00.000-08:00

Is America Ready for a Black President?
The real Power of the Woman
Who counts in the Primaries? (Fla. and MI.)

Well here we are. 3rd week into February and now it appears Obama is a front runner for the dems. Lest we forget Hillary keeps winning the largest states, Obama does have a momentum that was unforeseen *ahem* by the conventional wisdom types. But as we move ahead and the big states of Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania loom ahead, the pundits are all tossing about the question (as I'm sure are many Democratic strategists) is whether or not America is ready for a black President?

I guess if Hillary was in the lead, the issue would be whether or not America was ready or not for a woman in the White House and a First husband, who, in all reality, let's face it, wouldn't be the one deciding on china patterns. I guess they would have to leave it up to some flamboyant homosexual interior designer (I'm gay so stop it!). I would have to hire one too...I think.

Well with this in mind, IS America ready for a half black President? Remember white people, Barak is not black enuf for some black people and they have come out and said it. While others marvel at the fact that this is actually becoming something..to well, marvel at.

The thirst for a change to real leadership is so striking that I believe most of us know that experience in the beltway and all those large corporate connections is what we are TRYING to get RID of. The country is currently run by large corporate interests and little is being done to change that. The labor movement (which most of America belong to in one way or another) has been smashed like a fly against a window screen. Have you ever swatted a fly and it died for a little bit, but then dammit all, it gets up and starts buzzing around? One can only hope.

People have started to belittle Obama for his lack of experience, but it is in his new perspective that we can see a crack of hope. Given the present state of the Nation, there is little to be gained by bragging you have been a big part of the last twenty years in an Executive capacity in governmental affairs. The Billary machine is nothing new...unfortunately for them.

As Amy Winehouse's song goes, let's get "Back to Black". Love that girl. What blacks fear about him is why whites can embrace him, and that is his quandary. Blacks fear that a half black man who grew up in Honolulu and not on the streets of Detroit (like I did) or Philly or Chicago, Atlanta, you name it...won't understand the so-called Black Experience. But is not Obama the beginning of the true creation of what America has prided itself on? That is, the Melting Pot. As a creation of the same, I am perplexed when people are alienated by it. After all this IS what we've been striving for isn't it? Is it too soon? I think not. Past due for many of us....white, black or otherwise.

My country tis of thee, America the Beautiful, land of the free. Free to go and do what we want. Whether black, white, yellow, or brown. It has taken blacks (not just Obama) but many out of what some consider the True Black Experience in America....ironically that has been the hope all along. So Black America has to decide what it wants. White America seems ready to embrace him. I believe because he represents a straight shooting, outspoken, articulate man, who is ready to push the envelope against conventional wisdom, and in many ways already has.

Behind Every Great Man Is....

The fear of black America is that it's too good to be true to be real or maybe Obama isn't how they originally envisioned it. Since he is half white, and doesn't talk 'like a brotha', others have a difficult time thinking he may be able to relate to them...but they are forgetting....his wife. Behind every great man there usually is a strong woman, and if you're looking for an example of a strong black woman who is the example of the American Dream cum reality, look no farther than Michelle La Vaughn Robinson Obama. If that isn't the name of a sista, then I don't know what is. From Chicago....the South Side. Hello. If you want to hear a woman of substance than hear this. If you look at the rest of that page on YouTube there's more.

Michigan and Florida Don't Count?!

What the fuck? Seriously. When my home state of Michigan moved their primary up, everyone thought it was a ploy (which it was) to get Michigan out there in the forefront. After all, we all know each and every primary season, it's Iowa. A state where people stand in different areas of a room, or hall, whatever and that is how they do it. Whatever. No one in MI. knew that this manipulation would cost the Democrats in Michigan their say in the primary. Everyone knew and who cared to show up who was for Obama ended up writing in "uncommitted" a la Sex in the City. The conventional wisdom was that if you voted 'uncommitted' you were voting against Billary. That's why 40% actually WROTE IN uncommitted. Now step in Julian Bond.

The truth is this...I don't think the Democrats in Michigan and Florida had ANY idea what was occurring under their very noses when it happened. Al Sharpton seems to think they did...they didn't. Most people in both these delegate heavy states are too busy actually working for a living to absorb the impact of these back room type mechanizations. Now that they are seeing that their votes may not count, I think it is egregious to assume that they will sit happy with it.
Sharpton (who is obviously in bed with the Clintons) needs to take his wide black ass to Michigan and try to tell people in my home town, why THEY DON'T COUNT.

Better yet, go into the City of Detroit and tell them. He should be ashamed of himself representing the interests of black people and yet at the same time doing his best at making sure HIS OWN interests are taken care of. You can deny, but you can't stop what people want, and they want their fucking votes counted. Period. End of story. End the games and get to business. Let the people know they count. Better yet, schedule him in a room of black women Democrats in Detroit, and let's see it live. You tell them why you think they don't count and see what happens. Bet he'll chicken out. Bock bock bock!!!!

2008-01-28T21:44:00.000-08:00

Antonin Rezko = Small schmuck
Walmart = Biggest employer in US

During the Democratic debates, the Rezko name made it's first appearance between the 2 lawyers cum Presidential candidates Clinton vs. Obama. Instead of my usual long winded rants, I'm gonna be short and to the point. Start....

Antonin Rezko is apparently a slimebag. Not such a great man. But in comparison to Walmart, he's a small chump. Hardly the LARGEST PRIVATE EMPLOYER IN THE US.

Golly gee...I wonder who (between the two) has a bigger influence on the American economy?

Think.

Hillary Clinton apparently sat on the board of Walmart which more or less I'm sure influenced her votes when it came to legislation involving work rules, health insurance, and all the nasty things American business would have us believe are moot issues when they are front and center....Whoops! They're not! Okay now that our mediation is over on this I'm over and out.
Oh, and Btw, I think the Kennedy's made my life with my father so much easier by endorsing Obama. After all, it wasn't like they were endorsing Billary and Co. There are certain truth's and one of them is that the Bush-Clinton-Bush corporate hold is getting stale. It's tired.
Everyone knows it, and short of a new American Revolution, a radical political change is needed. Otherwise we are seriously facing certain civil unrest given the glaring inequalities of today's society and prospects. Plus the war. We really need change, or a new thinker.....

Period.

over and out

2008-01-26T08:06:00.000-08:00

Heath Ledger (RIP)
Waiting for my Check

It was strange going to one of my favorite sites and seeing a young actor like Heath Ledger with screaming headlines pronounced dead this past Tuesday. It was surreal and strange given his age.
Many doctors these days are routinely prescribing anti anxiety drugs, sleeping pills, etc. Hundreds and thousands in the US take them, some pop them like candy. Perhaps if any good is to come out of this, it will be what is considered "too much" because some have a hard time discerning when that line is crossed. I've heard of people taking Valium and having a few drinks to 'take the edge off'.

I don't think what he did was intentional. I don't know, but I think many are unaware of what it could take to make a toxic mixture similar to what Ledger ingested. Many flirt with it not knowing they could be flirting with death, respiratory and heart stoppage, etc. It was a shock, and it's sad. I saw him once and didn't think it was him. He was walking by, and I caught a glance and I have to say I saw in his eyes an introvert but at the same time a restless soul. Tortured soul perhaps? Not sure, it's not necessarily my business anyway, but I see A LOT of people and not many of them cause me to pause like that. He did.

I also have suffered from anxiety and insomnia. My first Ambien knocked me out. My last one was like taking an M&M. Nothing. Of course that was over the course of a few years. I don't think doctors or our medical system these days want to really know WHY you can't sleep and treat the underlying depression/fear/anxiety. They just want to send you on your way with a prescription. And the patient agrees and goes off with the 'answer' in a bottle when really the answer is somewhere in your head.

Waiting for my Check

On Sunday night (1-20-08) financial meltdowns were occurring in Asia and then in the European stock exchanges. Had the US had trading on what was then Martin Luther King's birthday, the prediction was that the markets would've had a potential to drop 400 pts. or so matching the meltdown(s) going on overseas. The Federal Reserve stepped in and had an emergency meeting and cut interest rates in order to avert a slowdown. Whew! That was close. The general consensus this week was that it indeed helped for the time being. But some are calling the move a slapdash response to a much deeper and long term bugaboo. The DJI went down, up and down again finishing the week +0.9%....could've been much worse. Thank God for Martin Luther King Day....thanks for giving us some elbow room Dr. King.

Later in the week in a troublesome show of unity, Congress and the President agreed on an aid package for Americans to give them checks and businesses some tax breaks to help strengthen our economy. Since I'm not a big business and work for a medium sized company, I'm looking forward to my check for $600.00.

I guess I'll get it sometime in June. It would cover two months of my private health care costs,
help me fill my gas tank up about 15 times or so, would help with 1 months rent. It's not bad at all. Something is better than nothing. But this is a 'little people' thing. Big businesses have so many multi million dollar loopholes and voodoo dances around the US tax code the big fish are still getting away--so it seems. I (and millions like myself) do not have that. Putting more money into my pocket would involve allowing me to take home more money with EACH paycheck and not just some 1 lump sum check. The underlying problem is that the upper 10% of our nations wealthy and corporations have tax loopholes and keep the money to themselves. That's a lot of money. Even one of America's richest and most savvy men, Warren Buffet has commented on the issue.

It's a Common Sense Thomas Paine-esque conundrum. Do not our politicians see the dearth of immoral behavior when it comes to disparities between what they do for corporations vs. the common citizen? Why are we the ones begging when we've made these large corporations what they are today? Corporations don't share their tax cuts, they keep it. And the heads of US Corporations reward themselves with salaries that defy economic reasoning. So while they send jobs overseas, to Mexico, and anywhere but in the US, and while they seize on the American Dream and make unsavory loans to people desperate for it, they're the ones getting the tax cuts, and we're the ones getting what is a quick fix paycheck. It certainly isn't a long term solution by any stretch of the imagination. The large corporate pay/tax inequities do not just harm the average worker, but they harm the long term prognosis of the nation.

With that in mind, it becomes less important about what Ben Bernanke or Bush says or does, and more important how the current ethic and moral codes of corporations are eroding our economy. How is it comprehensible on not only a moral and ethical level, but for the health of our national economy as a whole when a CEO can make $102,000 an hour?

developing.......

2008-01-17T15:13:00.000-08:00

Listening to Tony Blair
Dow Drops Again
Obama and Osama who is the real Muslim?

A few nights ago, Monday 1/14/08 I attended a speech that Tony Blair gave at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles. He spoke of globalization, the future of Israel, terrorism, world immigration issues and ultimately, ideologies. People on blogs ruminate how they would handle this or that, but actually hearing from a man who put his head on his pillow at night who's job it was to come up with an answer was illuminating.

The forum was sponsored by the University of Judaism, now known as the Whizin Institute. On one hand Blair said that the current war of ideologies could not be won militarily. That is the ideologies or Democracy vs. Muslim extremism. But he did mutter the words, "Stay the course" which prompted applause in some parts of the auditorium, and paralysis of disbelief in other areas of the auditorium. What he did outline was the difficulty in quantifying the war in terms of dealing and negotiating with those who do not share the same ideas of Democracy as the Westernized world does. He did however associate Iraq and Al Qaeda which once again inspired applause with some, and paralysis and jaw slacking with others. Like me.

The US was sold on the Iraq war because of WMD's. The intelligence that linked Al Qaeda with Iraq and WMD's has long since proved inaccurate. After all the shock and awe, we were treated with the Iraqi version of an empty FEMA trailer that was the supposed powerhouse of chemical weaponry production. An empty trailer was all we got. The equivalent of "I invaded Iraq but all I got was this Lousy Tee shirt". ...."and this empty FEMA trailer filmed in sepia green"....."and I want you to believe this is where all the devil chemicals were being made".....etc. etc. so on and so forth.

Tony Blair failed to connect the dots. For some in the audience, that was enough. But to many of us it wasn't. He still failed to prove his pie in the sky place of justification for the war in Iraq. Once again, we heard from a world leader with good intentions, but badly executed form.

To the credit of the Rabbi who did the Q&A with Blair, he did not cut the corners on the questions as Blair did (to me) with his answers. The Republican, Right wing Jews who clapped at every utterance of Israel got on the nerves of any moderate or Liberal whether Jew or non Jew alike. The Rabbi (I can't remember his name!) who interviewed Blair was a good interviewer and did not hesitate to ask the questions that needed to be asked, but Blair as a lame duck Prime Minister did nothing to add anything new other than to "stay the course".

Stay the course. I muttered that aloud after Blair said it, and the right wing throng next to me clapped enthusiastically, and myself and the others just sat, hands folded. "Stay the course" is as stale as the asparagus 'flower' from the .99 cent store that is for some reason retaining it's life in the back of my fridge despite my total lack of attention....for it makes me gassy...just like "stay the course" does in the Busharistic/Blair sense. We're going nowhere with that. It's no longer a theory, but a proven fact. Perhaps I will cook the asparagus flower and suffer through it's predictable nocturnal gas explosion as a symbolic sacrifice to rid myself of old strategies in favor of new ones. The passing of the sulfuric and methane gases a metaphor of some of Tony Blair's failed concepts.

The thorny issues of "right of return" and the demographic anxieties of Israel should they allow it for the Palestinians were all addressed, as were the issues of terrorism and groups like Hamas. What I got out of it was this....Americans cherish Democracy even if in these times our own Democracy and way of life is at stake. If indeed this is a quandary, then it is one we need to look at and address. But the key now is HOW it is addressed. HOW we handle insurgencies that would sooner see our heads on a skewer. Shock and awe...underestimating the intelligence of our so-called enemies, hasn't worked. At new approach must be found. We need to be real about the situation and just let it all hang out. It is better to know how much your neighbor thinks and does more than what he says. For it is actions and thoughts that speak louder than words, and that goes for BOTH SIDES. As far as the US is concerned, I don't know if the war on terror could ever be won militarily (as Blair stated). Wars of ideologies cannot be won with force, but only coercion and sympathy...and we are so far away from both--on both sides. So a military answer will only work so far.

Right now globalization is causing mass migrations to Europe and to the US on a huge scale. Blair addressed this if only superficially. Our economies are changing on a scale not realized in the past. In the past, it was a city, town, province. Now it is whole nations that feel the effects of globalization, and people move accordingly, because they can. In the days of old, prior to jet travel or prior to paid relocations, it was a big move for people from one region of the world to another. Now it seems everything and anything is possible. The only restraint is the will of the individual and in some third world nations nothing can hold them back. This is the new reality, and it effects every person living in a first world nation....as we have all witnessed. The US has the impression that this is a new phenomena but it's been going on now for generations. The European continent is experiencing many of the same quandaries as the US. The world is moving around as never before, and changes happen much quicker than they used to in an economic and labor sense.

Dow Drops Again

Today the Dow dropped 307 points. It landed today at 12,159. When I bailed out on 12/26/07 it was 13,585. What happened? Listen to the news...not just the US news, but all the news.

The writing's been on the wall since last year. Jim Kramer's (infallible) melt down. Ok he isn't the guru he claims to be, but he's got his hand on the pulse the main vein of this phallic bull. While he might repulse at that thought, he seems to have his hand and mind on the (bull market) mentality. And Bulls, quite rightly do have balls and junk-under-the-trunk.

Not too long ago, I was such a loser. I am a renter. I didn't own a home. How was I going to retire without the ever present higher appraisal of a home that was going to go "up, up, up...." it was a veritable forever party with fervor.
My own sister who does home mortgages for B of A was telling me to become a "real estate agent"...how ironic. A real estate agent. Instead of a "fantasy estate agent"....especially here in California. Closet sized condos going for $400-$500,000. Did I see the writing on the wall? Yes. Should you hate me? No, cause I made money on this market. Hate me because I'm beautiful, but not because I'm NOT stupid.

Another acquaintance was telling me to buy a home because he bought one NO MONEY DOWN, on an adjustable rate mortgage..when the interest rates were at an ALL TIME LOW. Gee willikeers, if interest rates are at an all time LOW, then where do they go from there....probably up. And if I have an adjustable rate mortgage, then where will my interest rate go? Where else is it going to go? Down? Record low?

Of course the rates went up. If it was at a record low, where else was it going to go?

That's now while the bloodbath is happening. NOW is the time to buy from all the idiots who bought when housing prices were at all time highs. Droves of huyers bought in a sellers market. No wonder shows like "Flip that house" were so popular. Not only could you realize the American Dream, but you could do it over and over and over again...at least for a short time. It was good while it lasted.

Osama, vs. Obama

Yesterday I had an experience with my Midwestern father that I've had before. We disagree on a political issue and I hear a click. As in hang up. I call back and he hangs up again. The disagreement? Barack Obama Is he a Muslim? My dad (Michigan senior) is convinced he IS. My father (up until now--I believe) has always kept up on current affairs. As a child we got BOTH the Detroit News and Free Press when Detroit was still large enough to support two dailies. We were a news reading family. But now in his older years, much of his information is antedoctal coming from e mails, conversations at the senior center and from organizations like FOX news.

What is up with this Midwestern (hinterland) misguidance? Speaking for my own father who faithfully attends to his pinochle Wednesdays at his senior center, this is truly is solid belief. So much so, he hangs up on me just as he did when I was trying to explain to him the Obama is clearly a Christian, he angrily told me how wrong I was and how I "needed to do more homework". Click. Done. Phone call over.

My sister expressed the same apprehension about Obama. It's not pc to actually say this is why you wouldn't vote for him, but you could whisper it in personal conversations to others. I guess it might of been the same type of whispering when it was revealed that John Kerry in all his Irishness, was really Jewish in genealogy.

A truly American home grown ironic progress is made. No one seems to be thinking about his blackness as much as his supposed Muslim connections. Who threw that into the pot anyway? Was it Fox Noise?

When Michigan moved up their primary and sacrificed the Democratic relevancy ironically in an attempt to increase its relevancy, suddenly ideas that had no bearing in truth were sanctified by the non coverage of said primary--(Michigan). It was referred to as the "one state recession" just before the 1,000 point dow drop in these past few weeks. Magically, now recession's have state borders....uh..no.

What we got was Mitt Romney's win. I grew up in Michigan (I'm no spring chix) and my dad did as well and none of us can ever recall a mention of Romney's Mormanastic ways. Triple wives anyone, double dipped in prohibitionist sauces? With a dribble of polygamy? Cummy cummy me sweet dearest.....who knew? We didn't. I don't think the voters care much about Romney's Mormonism, as much as how good he looks and his families history in MI.

The trouble is, the so called news network known as Fox had stories about Obama attending a Medrassa as a child They did their damage, and now it is important for Obama to hammer home the message of who he really is to the badly misinformed. They're real, my dad my sister are a few who believe this, but more than likely there are the misinformed in DROVES. I had no idea how strongly that fallacy had taken hold until my father and I spoke....what else is out there I wonder?

The true "fairytale" in America these days is getting America educated by a more responsible and trustworthy press.

2008-01-10T20:41:00.000-08:00

Hillary's Win and Tears
Fallacy Report: Michigan is a "1 state recession"

Tears aside, (is that the only way a female can win?) Hillary wins New Hampshire. My aspiration is that mommies who are tucking in their daughters to bed this evening let them know that in the real world tears from females work only so much.

Had Obama "cried" it would have only worked so much. If you want to play with the big boys, don't cry, just do. Crying and tearing up gets you only so far. In the middle of a crucial international negotiation a woman crying might lead to some sympathy, but ultimately it will only be seen as a sign of weakness, certainly not a sign of strength.

Okay, okay ok! So Hilary showed her "human" side for a "change". For the life of me, despite her husbands hijinks and infidelities I cannot remember another time in the tough and rumble that she resorted to emotion, but there she was...showing emotion. She is human and she is sensitive....nice things for a president. But what wasn't widely reported was that the person who asked the provocative question that started her crying voted for Obama.

I think Hillary is a strong woman, but being the first woman President in an International arena dealing with countries that more or less do not accept women as anywhere as strong as men; it is not a good omen to send a crying woman to them as President of the US. If I made the rules it would be different. It would be more humane, and we could do that. But with the nations that we are dealing with now specifically, it is a shortcoming to send someone prone to tears, and especially so a female. A Janet Reno would be far more desirable than a touchy feeley type....they would not "comprendo" at all. This is something we have to accept whether we like it or not. The US election plays out worldwide whether most Americans believe it or not. It is not just being covered here in the US, but it is being covered in every nation. So stop thinking it's something we get to see here. Other countries which are fixated on what we do next, or what we do are fixated on our process and the elections......especially after we re-elected George W. Bush to preside over the decline of our nation during 2004 to present times.

I was in a taxi cab in Sydney Australia when the election results of the US were announced. A taxi driver told me that the US had re-elected George W. Bush as our President. Callers into the AM radio station in Sydney were as outraged as any AM station in a so-called blue state would be. I told the taxi driver he might've well have punched me in the stomach. My only regret now is that I didn't overstay my tourist visa. I was in fellow kindred spirits.

In the red states, it was "go go go" for the war in Iraq, and for everything George Bush stood for. Dismantling our Constitution, no problem. Taking away the unions or organized labor, no problem. Being pro big PIG business and anti middle class -- no PROBLEM! You had aspiring Republican upper class types who really were working class blokes, aspiring to be the big shots in our economy shooting themselves in the foot. They were trying to flip to larger homes, bigger mortgages, being sold on the "next big thing", okay with Bush. Now those times are over. They realize they've been had. The ones that still believe are only fooling themselves. We're in a big shithole. Bush doesn't care. No one does. Oh, and by the way, don't be late with your last payment, and oh, your interest rate is going up because you were late. Get the drift?
This is what you right wing conservative fuckers voted for.

It took four entire years of young American blood being senselessly shed for the "red" states to "get it". It took four entire years of rotating troops to realize it is not fair to do that to any human being. If we are in a war, then all of us should've been asked to sacrifice...and never was it asked of us...and never GIVEN....what a commentary ON OUR SOCIETY THAT WE WOULD DO THIS. How could we do this to our own? Next time you're shopping, looking at clothes, buying 'extra' things for your kids, spending 'extra' to show off to your friends...think of the kids/young men and women in Iraq and what they are doing for you and your kids....if you can bring yourself to even that modicum of consciousness...methinks most Americans are so stupid they can't. Proof? Today, Now. No one seems to care....you ask them, you get lip service...that IS ALL YOU GET. No personal sacrifice WHAT-SO-EVER. Many actually believe they're too "good" for miliary service. Go to an upscale shopping center for real answers. Working and middle class people tend to be more loyal. Hmmmmm.......

One of my biggest qualms about Americans is why no one ever suggested that perhaps it was time we all pitched in to help our men and women in combat. Some good hearted and patriotic Americans did just that. But they were the exceptions, and not the rule. While I am not for the war itself, I am for the soldiers and their families. I can understand how frustrated they are trying to fulfill the requirements of the government yet deal with the American public, (especially those who are for the war) but refuse to send their own sons and daughters of age to fulfill the mission in the Middle East. I don't understand the disparity between talk and action either. Put your "money where your mouth is" is a nice saying, but we can't even get them to volunteer, let alone put money but anywhere else but their OWN POCKETS. My heart goes out to the men and women in combat who are faithfully doing the job our government is asking them to do, but asks nothing to those stateside of the same age who still go shopping at the mall, or casually know about what our young men and women are going through without asking them to sacrifice maybe a few minutes each day to participate or otherwise be aware of the current situation you are in. My prayers, thoughts, and hopes that you come home soon are with you. Hang in there. Not enough is being done to get you back!

How pathetically sad and so futile.

Michigan "1 State Recession" Fallacy

Who the fuck came up with this notion that Michigan is in a 1 state recession? Just when was this brainchild going to share this with the rest of the nation? Oh, plulezze. The economy of Michigan ENDS at the Indiana, Ohio border by some magical hocus pocus kind of formula the rest of us are only now becoming aware of....

All my family is in Michigan and just for the record, they've been in a recession it seems for the PAST YEAR AND A HALF. Why is it when the campaigns start focusing on Michigan does it suddenly become OK to recognize that Michigan is in a "depression" NOT "recession"? Oops!
Did I say depression?

I am furious the way our national press distorts the facts. Lest we forget our national press is all corporately run and may be afraid of losing their best 'sponsors', but that doesn't mean that Michigan hasn't been suffering from a huge loss of jobs since the mid '80's.

The whole notion that Romney has Michigan "all tied up" is pure fallacy and ignorance that Michigan at one time was the industrial powerhouse of the auto industry. The union jobs that once offered security, pensions, and assurance of a middle class lifestyle have all been eroded with the acquiesce of each and every Republican administration starting with the ever befuddled Ronald Reagan. He was as confused about what he was doing at the end as he was in the beginning. Respect aside, he lost all of mine when he decided that workers no longer required protection starting with the air traffic controllers. Once he dismantled them, to the Republicans, (and all those that would follow in their pathetic footsteps in an effort to dismantle our country) he saw no limit. God rest his soul....no matter how far down and hot it may be feeling these days.

It was the beginning of the end for the middle classes. Protection was taken away and abetted with AM talk show hosts like Rush Limbaugh. Who can forget all those losers who faithfully wore their ill fitting suits and ties in an attempt to look like their (pill popping---oxycontin--unbeknownst to them) host of the most? They called themselves ditto heads. It was all so silly....and all so dangerous. In that simple time, so much serious damage was done. American labor was seen as greedy and lazy and big business was seen as the savior. Now white collar and working people alike are at the mercy of those who would shape our minds to believe otherwise.

And now, here we are in 2008. We're supposed to believe Michigan is a "1 state" recession" with unannounced economic borders we've never been made aware of by the corporate press until now. Dream on America. Until we get someone with hard balls, someone who doesn't cry or break down under pressure, someone who can truly handle the mess we are in BOTH domestically and internationally, then the deep shit we are already in will just get worse. It's
bad for a reason, now is time for medicine, not more of the same.

Maybe Britney Spears can serve as a metaphor of our National Bi-Polar Disorder....and we think SHE's crazy. What does that say about us?

2008-01-05T00:29:00.001-08:00

Note:
This post is a re-read of a previous post (From 12-31-07 ENJOY!)

Read: I LIKE OBAMA - A LOT!

The "Bush-Clinton" Dynastic

Between 1989 (when George H. Bush was elected) and the present we've had either a Bush or a Clinton in the white house. If we elect Hillary to serve until 2012 we will have had either a Bush or a Clinton in what is considered the most powerful political office for 23 YEARS! Lest we forget George H. Bush served as the Vice President under Reagan starting in 1981....so the Bush/Clinton "Dynasty" as it were would then have had it's influence in the white house for 31 years! Perhaps this explains Bill Clinton's cozy relationship with George H. Bush. Basically political cousins in a "mixed family" kind of way. I don't know if I'm ready for this 'dynasty' to keep going that long. Our little red wagon of a country has loose wheels....maybe it's time for a new little red wagon. Or preferably a red wagon hybrid.

Sean Penn who I admire is throwing himself behind Dennis Kucinich -- who has been marginalized most likely because TV networks always view voters as "Little House on the Prarie" types. They think we're all dumbed out by religion and we want to hear words like "main street", "town square", etc. Sean Penn is refreshing in his observations of today's political environment. I have to agree with him. Americans (those who even bother to vote) are rather light in the head. They like cute, sexy, witty, snappy soundbites. A presidential candi-"date" as it were. Someone they might slip under the sheets with after a few too many convincing commercials.

Fear Driven America

We're craving change (true change).....but challenging conventional 'wisdom' that is the way America is fed their 'knowledge' and you are biting off one big chunk. Many are also fearful of true change and the unexpected challenges of defending our Constitution and democracy. Remember how the footloose and fanciful Karl Rove had the Bush campaign orchestrate the concept that if we elected someone other than Bush, the 'terrorists' would seize the opportunity to get any newbie prez and go to town? The housewife vote was all about our nations 'safety'. Now look at where we're at...more scared than ever. Karl Rove is gone, but has anyone checked under the floorboards?

But with our two party system and electoral college (which still hasn't changed despite all the calls to change it) given all of Sean Penn's own observations, the unfortunate thing right now is I don't know if Kucinich would be 'cute' 'sexy' or 'hot' enough to win against a 'sexy' or 'shiny' Republican. When I saw Mitt Romney, I wanted to see what he looked like naked....and then he opened his mouth. Not my kind of candi-"date". I'm sorry Mitt, but it's when you said you were Republican, and the gawd awful shit that came out of your mouth. What century did you walk in from? Methinks "sexiness aside, that John McCain is the 'Man'. The rest of them are shit. Romney and Giuliani are WEAK, as in WEAK! W-E-A-K. WEAK. Man has no useful answers when he is asked from the press. Totally a waste of time at this point...by the time New Hampshire is over with, this will be clearly evident despite what he thinks might happen for him in Florida.

Remember how Al Gore had to fight the same (as Kucinich) challenge and lost? He just wasn't seen as vibrant enough at the time. "AL BORE". Most Americans abhor thinking too much I find. Then he did his movie, became an American star...and hopefully will stick around in some capacity should we do as they did in Australia and get rid of the conservative constitutional deconstructionistas. Australia recently voted out ultra conservative John Howard (a Bush ally), and Howard even lost his local seat so hated he was! Perhaps this may be an omen for Bush. Perhaps? Right...it's a sure thing. Slam dunk as it were.

Obama and Race

Not black enough for blacks, and possibly not white enough for whites, and apparently his blood is "too new" for the likes of Andrew Young. I think it's shameful that a so-called civil rights "Icon" who marched with Martin Luther King is taking our nations first viable black candidate and proclaiming that a Caucasian (Bill Clinton) is "every bit as black" as Obama....but he says he was joking....and then goes onto justify his belief. He may have a point, but what I find interesting in the black community is their assessment of Obamas "blackness" or lack thereof. The lack of experience is one thing to debate, but to say Obama is not black is to ignore the obvious. Finally when the dream of the American melting pot finally is occurring, you have this so called icon questioning it's effects. I have African blood in me, and am most definitely not black enough to be considered black, but when I ask more black people who criticize the 'blackness' of a well spoken, educated black man I am compelled to ask them just what is a black man "supposed" to be like? You're not going to get a regula 'round the way' (old phrase) brotha voted in as a president. Whites don't go for that. As old as he is, you would think Andrew Young would know better. If Obama is inexperienced that's one thing, but don't tell me or any other 'white' person that Obama isn't black. Now Nicole Ritchie is another story......

Fresh New Blood

Remember in the old days when it was de rigueur for candidates to proclaim it was time for new blood? Suddenly everyone is leery of that when it seems to be exactly what we need. CNN's Lou Dobb's had a series called "Broken Government"which was outstanding. So let's keep regurgitating more of the same connected paid spokespersons for large industry and special interests and maybe things will change....just like things change all by themselves.....(NOT!). Wasn't it Einstein who said, "Insanity is repeating the same thing over and over yet expecting different results". Who the hell just wants more of the same shit that we already have? Oprah has thrown her considerable but well proportioned weight behind Obama which in itself is impressive. Should the fact that he hasn't been tainted by 'the process' hurt or help him? That remains to be seen.

Romney and Religion

While I disagree with Mitt Romney's political views, I find it almost a replay of John Kennedy that someone from a different faith has to take to the airwaves to show he's viable despite his Mormonism. The Republicans have banked so long on evangelicals for support that Romney has to attempt to show evangelicals "he's one of them", when really he's not. But when you have a party that doesn't use any mixers in the political cocktail and instead uses 1 part politics to 5 parts religion, this is what you get. His own party has painted him into the corner that he has to explain himself out of. So his religion is important because so many people really don't understand Mormons because they really don't exist for many East of the Rockies. Fear of the unknown and what he might try to do as a Mormon in power is far more of a learning curve for people. People including myself do not understand the Mormon faith and a President shouldn't mix politics and religion anyway.....but they do.

Fuckabee

Then we have another person of "faith"---Huckabee who advocated isolating AIDS patients and calling people like me "abhorrent" and "unnatural". Huckabee is a Southern Baptist preacher who suggests that Liz Taylor or Madonna hand out money from their own pockets instead of the government stepping in and funding AIDS research like it does for things like cancer, heart disease, etc. If he dared pick up a book by a gay man, he could read Randy Shilts book, "And the band played on" to see the 'effectiveness' of such thinking. While our own CDC had to use makeshift laboratory devices to do research, France took the lead and consequentially became key in the medical forefront.

The CDC was using hand made foil contraptions and hand made lab items because the Regan administration's "lack of interest" (SEE 'CHARLIE WILSONS WAR-the movie) - in what was considered just a gay man's disease. Do we really want to step any further back in time as nation as we already have? Instead he should be chastising the Republican lawmakers on his side of the fence that secretly are toe tapping and IM'ing themselves into other men's pants while at the same time using their political powers to pass laws against themselves....er....I mean gay homos erectuses.

My only concern is that Huckabee's "GOD" has as much mercy on him as he would show others as he is a born sinner. I (and my religion) do not believe we have to be born "again" or "saved" and I don't think our President should make that part of some unwritten prerequisite as well. We should be all one, and something about this man concerns me. Catholics and Jews, and others who do not fall under this religious umbrella of faith suddenly have to wonder why a man of Presidential aspirations feels the need to make everyone feel obligated to vote for a man under such convictions. After all, isn't being born 'once' OK? If for some reason we aren't born again, what in heavens name should that have to do with being "President"? If you are elected to a Federal office should you not be open to all beliefs and ideas as America is so diverse and dynamic a nation?

2007-12-31T07:43:00.000-08:00

Death of Bhutto
US Caucuses / Primaries

Take a look at the videos below and you tell me. Did Bhutto die because she hit her head on a lever, or did she hit her head on a lever due to the force of an explosion, or did she die of gunfire or both?

These videos (from Live Leak) shows footage ...you begin to see how absurd the Pakistanis Interior Ministry explanation of her cause of death is.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=cc5_1199082040

and:

http://www.liveleak.com/player.swf?token=a0c_1199095252

Oh, and the bystanders who were maimed....well this was a result of them falling to the ground so violently, that their arm and limbs were broken. How clumsy of them! The blood on the ground is because they fell so solidly to the hard surface those stupid fools. This "official" and pathetic explanation her death is an assault on simple common sense. No mention of gunfire, or an explosive device. The Pakistani government's official explanation should be accompanied by a government revision on universal truths in order to be understood. A redo of the force of gravity perhaps...while they're at it they can rename the planets.

What is troubling about the explanation, and that it is sown from the fabric of the Musharraf 's military regime/operation is that it in effect is denying the true cause of death. This in itself lays to question where Musharraf's true ambitions lie. Where does Musharraf's true allegiances lead to? When Bush visited him in March '06 Musharraf proclaimed that he was for democracy, but this came from a military ruler who was supposed to give up his position as army chief by the end of 2004....but didn't, and shows no signs of giving up anything any time too soon. If he is acting on behalf of the Pakistani people for their own good, should he not allow them a fair election in which they can vote? A non rigged, fair process. I guess not if it costs him his position.

His first power grab was on Saturday Nov. 3rd when he declared a state of emergency, took control of television and radio, and arrested his opposition. He has resisted change by arresting his opposition, taking control of TV and radio, arresting a Supreme court judge who said the state of emergency was illegal, and now with the OBVIOUS assassination of Bhutto, --Musharraf has already drawn his line in the sand with George Bush. If then Musharraf wasn't responsible then clearly there was all signs pointing that terrorist factions are in a power struggle with Musharraf...whose government has lost all credibility with their pathetic explanation of Bhutto's death.

If Pakistan holds their Jan. 8th elections, then Musharraf knows he will lose. He won't let it happen. Unless there is international pressure and support and (as we all know) and a demand of a fair third party (UN?) accurate account of election results, there is no telling how rigged an election in Pakistan will be. There will have to be international oversight of this whole process since it has already been tainted from the beginning and because of the stake involved in this nuclear armed nation with terrorist factions. If the election is delayed by Musharraf it should only be under such conditions if he is indeed interested in "Democracy" as he stated 3/3/06 when Bush came to visit him. I don't think he is interested in a fair election, giving up power, or Democracy. He needs to go. There needs to be a change in Pakistan and the UN/US/and world powers must come together to make sure it happens.

The only risk here is that a result like Hamas had in their parliament victory in Jan '06. Once the people vote and it is a fair one, it must be respected by all sides, no matter what the outcome. Otherwise the legitimacy of the government will always be questioned.

Iowa Caucus

I was talking to a friend about this on this New Years Day, and didn't realize how different the Iowa Caucus is in terms of how is is executed with people literally standing in different parts of the room (Democratic Caucus) to show their support for a certain candidate, vs. the Republican way, which still is different --in their own "funny"(surprise surprise)--way.

While the Republicans seem hell bent on electing some kind of new Deacon, Minister, or man of religious calling, the Democrats are addressing the real issues in a more 'down home' manner but with less focus on a religious bent. Only in the US do we have this strange mixture of religious vs. public servant way of evaluating our candidates. So much has involved talk about religion one has to wonder what Bloomberg will have to endure should he decide as a former Republican to enter into the race as an Independent. Now a Jew...what do do? And a Billionaire at that. Would he run as an Independent to win? Probably. But if he couldn't carry it, would he throw his votes to the Dems or the Republicans? My guess is that he could suck votes up for a Democrat only if he promises them his support if he makes second best....if he can't do this, then he's working for the Republican/Corporate elite....SOS...(same old shit). But anyone who "wants" him would have to give him something back...tit for tat...(same old shit). Maybe he shouldn't run.

All of the candidates (with the exception of the Obama's ) are millionaires. One has to marvel at the way they cater to the down-home nature of the Midwestern Iowans. The Iowans know better I'm sure. They don't forget for a minute that these are all out of town beltway types who swoop into town to bedazzle them and then run to New Hampshire and beyond. I know (being from the Midwest) they see right thru the veneer of all the talk, the slicked down home appeals, etc. While Iowa may be a crucial beginning state, I don't understand (except for the way they actually DO their Caucus) why so much attention is being kleg lit on IOWA with 5 electorial votes.

No matter how they vote, (or are allowed to change their minds--in the case of the Democrats)...besides being first, is Iowa really a barometer? When you think of electoral votes, well.....it appears no. But when you look at setting a starting precedent...well...yes.

I guess we're looking for a mood/momentum. Both parties. If an Iowan Democrat says Hillary, well then Hillary gets a boost from the gates. Same idea for Republicans.
We'll see which mindless Republican (redundant I know)...gets the nod from our friends in Iowa.

As a Democrat, I am still trying to sort out mood and a place like Iowa is as good as any I guess. And as a Democrat, I am curious who the frontrunner Republican candidate will be. But after Iowa it all fades away. Just like all the talk about replacing the electoral college each and every time we have an election, and instead of the popular vote, we're stuck with the "all or nothing" electoral college...which I think all can agree SUCKS. I'm all for each vote counting. Don't give a whole state away to someone who's not won the popular vote. If you tell me my vote counts, then make it count. Why don't we have a candidate throwing that old baby into the bathwater? Or as Carol Burnett did in one famous skit...into the trash container...(it was a non-political sketch).

After all, California has 55 electoral votes....the most in the entire country. I'm sure the world stage has more razzle and dazzle to test our current president as well as those who would be one.

2007-12-08T08:30:00.000-08:00

Thoughts at Large......

I haven't posted anything for some time because of a series of personal battles. But that's life. Sometimes you have to break your leg to realize how fucked up your head is. Strange but true.

I've been following the presidential candidates (Democrat and Republicans) and still don't know who my favorite is. Since I vote Democrat, I do like Obama. A few posts back I thought I liked Hillary..because she has Bill beside her. But I like many Americans want to see real and substantive change because of the precariousness of our nation and what has happened during the last 8 years. The most pressing issue up and above the candidates is the preservation of democracy and the restoration of what used to be considered Constitutional rights....you know things that made America....America. We are becoming an increasingly economically stratified nation. Our health care system is turning third world. The banking and lending systems are corrupted. And the labor movement is becoming defunct. All are terrible signs for the future. Part of almost every major US cities have areas resembling 3rd world nations. We need someone who is not a corporate spokesmodel and our free press reassembled with full protections of the law. Habeas corpus which is a foundation of our legal system has to be reinstated. Bush has created an utter mess of this nation and history will judge this man as one of the absolute worst presidents ever. Everything that Franklin Roosevelt gave us with the "New Deal" has been dismantled with potential domestic consequences as things continue to get worse for the working and middle classes. And everyone is standing around, trying to buy the American dream without reading the fine print and now taking a number at their local bankruptcy court. It turns out all those slick commercials on HDTV don't explain the ever so hard to comprehend "fine print".

Since I vote Democrat, I'm listening to all of them. I really was for Hillary because of her experience, but I'm anxious for some new blood. New ways.

The "Bush-Clinton" Dynastic

Between 1989 (when George H. Bush was elected) and the present we've had either a Bush or a Clinton in the white house. If we elect Hillary to serve until 2012 we will have had either a Bush or a Clinton in what is considered the most powerful political office for 23 YEARS! Lest we forget George H. Bush served as the Vice President under Reagan starting in 1981....so the Bush/Clinton "Dynasty" as it were would then have had it's influence in the white house for 31 years! Perhaps this explains Bill Clinton's cozy relationship with George H. Bush. Basically political cousins in a "mixed family" kind of way. I don't if I'm ready for this 'dynasty' to keep going that long. Our little red wagon of a country has loose wheels....maybe it's time for a new little red wagon. Or preferably a red wagon hybrid.

Sean Penn who I admire is throwing himself behind Dennis Kucinich -- who has been marginalized most likely because TV networks always view voters as "Little House on the Prarie" types. They think we're all dumbed out by religion and we want to hear words like "main street", "town square", etc. Sean Penn is refreshing in his observations of today's political environment. I have to agree with him. Americans (those who even bother to vote) are rather light in the head. They like cute, sexy, witty, snappy soundbites. A presidential candi-"date" as it were. Someone they might slip under the sheets with after a few too many convincing commercials.

Fear Driven America

We're craving change (true change).....but challenging conventional 'wisdom' that is the way America is fed their 'knowledge' and you are biting off one big chunk. Many are also fearful of true change and the unexpected challenges of defending our Constitution and democracy. Remember how the footloose and fanciful Karl Rove had the Bush campaign orchestrate the concept that if we elected someone other than Bush, the 'terrorists' would seize the opportunity to get any newbie prez and go to town? The housewife vote was all about our nations 'safety'. Now look at where we're at...more scared than ever. Karl Rove is gone, but has anyone checked under the floorboards?

But with our two party system and electoral college (which still hasn't changed despite all the calls to change it) given all of Sean Penn's own observations, the unfortunate thing right now is I don't know if Kucinich would be 'cute' 'sexy' or 'hot' enough to win against a 'sexy' or 'shiny' Republican. When I saw Mitt Romney, I wanted to see what he looked like naked....and then he opened his mouth. Not my kind of candi-"date". I'm sorry Mitt, but it's when you said you were Republican, and the gawd awful shit that came out of your mouth. What century did you walk in from?

Remember how Al Gore had to fight the same challenge and lost? He just wasn't seen as vibrant enough at the time. "AL BORE". Most Americans abhor thinking too much I find. Then he did his movie, became an American star...and hopefully will stick around in some capacity should we do as they did in Australia and get rid of the conservative constitutional deconstructionistas. Australia recently voted out ultra conservative John Howard (a Bush ally), and Howard even lost his local seat so hated he was! Perhaps this may be an omen for Bush.

Obama and Race

Not black enough for blacks, and possibly not white enough for whites, and apparently his blood is "too new" for the likes of Andrew Young. I think it's shameful that a so-called civil rights "Icon" who marched with Martin Luther King is taking our nations first viable black candidate and proclaiming that a Caucasian (Bill Clinton) is "every bit as black" as Obama....but he says he was joking....and then goes onto justify his belief. He may have a point, but what I find interesting in the black community is their assessment of Obamas "blackness" or lack thereof. The lack of experience is one thing to debate, but to say Obama is not black is to ignore the obvious. Finally when the dream of the American melting pot finally is occurring, you have this so called icon questioning it's effects. I have African blood in me, and am most definitely not black enough to be considered black, but when I ask more black people who criticize the 'blackness' of a well spoken, educated black man I am compelled to ask them just what is a black man "supposed" to be like? You're not going to get a regula 'round the way' (old phrase) brotha voted in as a president. Whites don't go for that. As old as he is, you would think Andrew Young would know better. If Obama is inexperienced that's one thing, but don't tell me or any other 'white' person that Obama isn't black. Now Nicole Ritchie is another story......

Fresh New Blood

Remember in the old days when it was de rigueur for candidates to proclaim it was time for new blood? Suddenly everyone is leery of that when it seems to be exactly what we need. CNN's Lou Dobb's had a series called "Broken Government"which was outstanding. So let's keep regurgitating more of the same connected paid spokespersons for large industry and special interests and maybe things will change....just like things change all by themselves.....(NOT!). Wasn't it Einstein who said, "Insanity is repeating the same thing over and over yet expecting different results". Who the hell just wants more of the same shit that we already have? Oprah has thrown her considerable but well proportioned weight behind Obama which in itself is impressive. Should the fact that he hasn't been tainted by 'the process' hurt or help him? That remains to be seen.

Romney and Religion

While I disagree with Mitt Romney's political views, I find it almost a replay of John Kennedy that someone from a different faith has to take to the airwaves to show he's viable despite his Mormonism. The Republicans have banked so long on evangelicals for support that Romney has to attempt to show evangelicals "he's one of them", when really he's not. But when you have a party that doesn't use any mixers in the political cocktail and instead uses 1 part politics to 5 parts religion, this is what you get. His own party has painted him into the corner that he has to explain himself out of. So his religion is important because so many people really don't understand Mormons because they really don't exist for many East of the Rockies. Fear of the unknown and what he might try to do as a Mormon in power is far more of a learning curve for people. People including myself do not understand the Mormon faith and a President shouldn't mix politics and religion anyway.....but they do.

Fuckabee

Then we have another person of "faith"---Huckabee who advocated isolating AIDS patients and calling people like me "abhorrent" and "unnatural". Huckabee is a Southern Baptist preacher who suggests that Liz Taylor or Madonna hand out money from their own pockets instead of the government stepping in and funding AIDS research like it does for things like cancer, heart disease, etc. If he dared pick up a book by a gay man, he could read Randy Shilts book, "And the band played on" to see the 'effectiveness' of such thinking. While our own CDC had to use makeshift laboratory devices to do research, France took the lead and consequentially became key in the medical forefront.

The CDC was using hand made foil contraptions and hand made lab items because the Regan administration's "lack of interest" in what was considered just a gay man's disease. Do we really want to step any further back in time as nation as we already have? Instead he should be chastising the Republican lawmakers on his side of the fence that secretly are toe tapping and IM'ing themselves into other men's pants while at the same time using their political powers to pass laws against themselves....er....I mean gay homos erectuses.

Empty Eyes Empty Head

And big loser Tancredo should just hang it up now. In the large Cuban bastion of Miami, Tancredo (obviously not with his finger on the pulse here) boycotted the Spanish language debate in of all places heavily Cuban/Republican Miami. I could see him skipping out on a Spanish debate in a more Democratic and Puerto Rican New York, but Miami? Is he retarded?

With a name that ends in a vowel, you would think this son of a immigrant would know better if he had a more savvy approach, but I guess he just doesn't care. I understand his point, and myself believe that ALL immigrants should learn English and speak it. But I'm not running for political office. Is he forgetting he's not the only choice? Miami is hardly Hootersville, USA. Spanish is a LANGUAGE not a nationality. Something tells me he can barely contain his racist undercurrents.

I'm half Latino and don't speak Spanish but would at least make an appearance for strategy reasons. But he just couldn't bring himself to do it. The more I read about Tancredo I realize how small his world must be. Close the borders, deport illegal aliens, round people up (by appearances?), focusing all this energy on illegal immigration and creating xenophobia all the while our dollar is dropping and America needs to get back all the friends and respect it lost by the invasion of Iraq.

Now England is declaring the Iraq war is over and I'm sure are sending their troops back home and Tancredo would have you believe illegal immigration is the biggest problem in the world today. I wonder how many county hospitals have closed in his state? How many home foreclosures? What KIND of jobs are being created in his state? Mostly service sector jobs? How do people pay home mortgages and car notes with low paying jobs? Is everything to him related to illegal immigration, or government fumbling or the non oversight of the mortgage industry? Looking at his pictures, I see the wide empty eyes....and I can see straight through his head and the road leads to no where.

It hasn't narrowed down enough yet to go over everyone...but the Republican's are all such sorry sacks of shit. Waiting for some real fireworks to start.......

2007-11-23T08:02:00.000-08:00

New Post Coming soon.......

2007-09-26T07:12:00.000-07:00

Ahmadinejad Shows World Crisis in Leadership

The recent UN speech my Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was depressing to say the least. His trademark smirk, suit coat open, no tie and inability to answer questions have been his trademarks. He comes to New York carrying himself as if he were a king, and acts and sounds like an ass.

All I could think of after his speech is "That he showed his ass to the world today". Indeed George Bush has met his match, and that too is very depressing as well.

As much as Bush and Ahmadinejad would love to throw gays in the oven and deny it ever happened, I find it very interesting we are more or less becoming the crux and highlight of the illumination of his stupidity.

Bush and Rove besides creating a boogeyman for the '04 elections also used the gay marriage issue as a "wedge" between those Christian Conservative voters he's relied so heavily on and everyone else (big city voters). So I find it ironic that now in '07 we sit, watching sheer ignorance albeit in a different person, and we laugh at him too--we voted the other one into Presidency.

That the country wants to laugh at Ahmadinejad's ignorance is fine with me. What really is depressing here is how alike they are in their fundamental thinking processes. Given their power and scope of power, I find this disturbing given the theater of world events.

How could a country like Israel ever sit down with the likes of this man? No wonder Jews and people like myself who have spoken directly to survivors of the Holocaust be disturbed this fool was allowed a forum at a respected university. It was a blessing to see Ahmadinejad reveal his true colors and lack of rational understanding for the world to see.

What the world needs in leadership is not someone pretty, not someone with catchy soundbites, not someone in politics who wraps himself in veils of religion, but a true thinker.
Someone who knows that gays aren't the devil, and are convicted enough in their own beliefs that they should be offering voters in '08 some positive reasons to vote---not scare or anger them into their vote dragging this whole country down in the process.

How many other so-called "leaders" of nations are so ignorant? Is this the real root of today's diplomatic ruts? Ahmadinejad's ignorance and stupidity is as appalling and depressing as George Bush's. Once again gays come to Bush's rescue. Not as part of the administration (at least officially), but as a PR tool. Used divisively in '04 and used to coagulate opinion against Ahmadinejad in '07. We can't seem to win for losing. When we're not being marginalized by Bush, then it's Ahmadinejad....these "world leaders".

2007-09-20T20:14:00.000-07:00

NASDAQ gets OWNED
OJ's MO
Bernanke's Lowers Fed Rate 1 Day after Greenspan's Book
Bad Nooses

Today apparently Dubai bought a full 20% of the US Nasdaq market. And then went ahead and purchased another 20% of the London Stock Exchange. Not surprising considering the falling dollar and the deals to be had....(in addition to new rules and regulations to prevent such terrible things like people with a shitload of money who want to invest in our markets). Dubai was ready to buy interests in our ports, but because of our current Xenophobia of anything 'Middle Eastern' that doesn't have to do with Israel, we can't fathom the fact that in a free market society that a US friendly nation in the Middle East wants anything to do with U.S. -- as in the US. Ok, we nixed the port deal, but now we have hand wringing over this new development, and we have to decide if we are to be part of a new "world order" how far we can tolerate it. Dubai and the people there are somewhat miffed at the failed US port deal, but we are truly going going into a free market economy, we must educate the American public about Westernized Middle Eastern countries and non-Westernized countries. Because they are Arab, but not Jewish, and discriminating due to the Arab influence is "Arab" anti antisemitism.

No wonder Billionaire Bloomberg is for it, but Congressman Charles Schumer is against it. We need any boost we can get when the Euro is 1.40 to the dollar, and the pound is now 2 for 1, and Saudi Arabia is thinking about reevaluating their currency away from the dollar.....(which is falling like a rock) do most Americans care? No. Of course they don't. That's perhaps why Greenspan thinks perhaps paying math teachers more would get Americans thinking at par with their global counterparts. *ahem* Free market society = sometimes we have to be 'bottom' and not 'tops'.

OJ's MO

Recently the NEW OJ's case with him had tongues wagging. He broke into a memorabilia collection room and basically waved a gun, roughed some people up, and wanted his "shit back". Shit that was making him some more cash to hide from the Goldman's whos son was slashed to death along with Nicole Simpson by a killer who is apparently still on the loose in Brentwood California even though a similar crime of the same nature and of the same heinous nature has yet to be committed by the "killer on the loose" that let OJ go. Deep thought for those clueless OJ jury members who found him innocent and then hit the book circuit to distance themselves from their own stupendous stupidity.

I was at work talking crap about this case, and one of his fringe supporters (I guess) told me that I should consider that maybe he had someone else do the murder of his wife and Ron Goldman. Then I thought about the current situation and thought how Simpson's MO (Method of Operation) --- which is what most criminals follow-- was the same. Simpson has 'buddies' with him who he brought to help him. Low life hanger's on who were earning points to some cash rewards (since the state of Florida has some apparently shady rules) that allows those who have judgments against them to have a place to hide cash money, non reportable income.

But when you think about this case in Las Vegas, and the LA murder case we see a similarity in MO. His MO is to get people to help him. Ron Goldman was a young, healthy man, Nicole Simpson was hardly an invalid when she was murdered....he had help, just like he did this time around. The REAL OJ can be heard talking, ordering people around, brandishing a gun, and acting and talking like a street thug. Point proven. This man will do anything to get his way, and like a true psychopath doesn't care how his way happens....it has to happen his way. He's a public person, has a history (that everyone knows about) but went ahead and did this. LA juries may have been manipulated by the late Johnnie Cochran, but Las Vegas juries (given his past) may not be so impressionable. He can smile, pose, and be playful, but the real OJ is clearly audible on the tape, and it is the way he went about getting his "shit back" that was unlawful and should result in real jail time. The lawful way would've been to sue, not go gun toting into the trade show. What the OJ "supporter" did not want to hear is what they said aloud. "I think someone helped him and he didn't actually do it"....makes sense, especially considering how he did this as a group effort so someone else could take the fall. That's his MO. What a pussy. Put your friends up as a shill, and hope for the best. Maybe a less star struck Las Vegas jury can look at the facts of a case and think their way LOGICALLY through the evidence.

Bernanke LOWERS Interest rates 1 day After Guru Greenspans Book

I'm not an ass kisser. Never have been, never will be. What's the fucking point? To make someone else feel good in the hopes you'll get a few pegs up at the expense of the whole? I guess for quite a few people that trip is worth it. I have too much integrity to go there. I guess it's my shortfall.

1 day after Alan Greenspan's book came out which he admits he was criticized for keeping interest rates too low for too long, (causing the current housing bubble) current fed chairman Bernanke lowered interest rates on the heels of

(A.) Greenspan's assessment of the long term run, and (B.) How Greenspan was verbally tasered after being told he created the current "frothiness" of the housing bubble by keeping interest rates artificially low. Greenspan admitted (i.e covered his ass) by admitting he kept interest rates low maybe for too long and this lead to the current housing bubble.

My take on this is that Bernanke is following Bush's orders (just like Greenspan said he DIDN'T) and is passing along the current financial house of cards to the next presidential successor, much like the Iraq quagmire. Wow, what a surprise. Failed Republican policy being passed on. Does the buck stop here? Apparently not when the Canadian dollar becomes par with the US note and the Euro sits @ $1.40 and the pound is 2 for 1. I guess NAFTA is working for the big business groups and those uneducated working class right wingers who had no idea who and what they were voted for 3 years ago. Much like our failed diplomacy I think sooner or later we'll reap the fruit of failed economic long term planning. The billionaires at the top can really care less, unless they are trying to convince you how to vote for them. Looks like low wage telemarketer jobs in India and the manufacturing jobs in China can come back to the States now. We're a bargain. So much so, Dubai bought 20% of Nasdaq, and then went to buy 28% of the London Stock exchange. Such a deal!

I blogged about the failed Dubai port deal. Dubai is a progressive Arab nation, but the fact that they are Arab makes many Americans uncomfortable because we've been making them the big boogeyman after 9-11. Arab/Muslim = BAD GUYS. A very ignorant view, but considering how little time most Americans have these days to read the news and educate themselves about the world, it's not surprising to me the reactions. As uncomfortable as it may seem to be in a 'global economy' part of the process is having foreign investment. No one seems to be uncomfortable with the Chinese trade deficit. We take it for granted. It's time we take becoming global for granted. We can't be players and xenophobes at the same time. We need more math and geography lessons.

Bad Nooses

Yesterday was somewhat of a blur for me on the news front. One thing I did wake up to was a large civil rights rally for the "Jena 6" in Louisiana. Then I had to do some running around. But returning back home I was intrigued about what had been going on yesterday in Jena. I have mixed emotions about what is happening down there. On one hand, you hear of a tree that only whites were supposed to be able to stand under. Strange. But considering the summer in the sultry south, I guess it would be considered prime real estate in a schoolyard scenario. High school students have their clicks. Blacks, geeks, black geeks, whites, white burn outs, white and black jocks, etc. so on.

I think what is really being exposed is the exasperation of the black community when it comes to how justice is dished out. In interviews with whites, it seemed they were confused about the reaction of blacks who "were coming in from outside". They were sincere in their empathy for the black students who were going on trial as adults for assault, but as Caucasians were not relating to the point of the protesters. They just wanted Jena to be left alone and thought the whole thing was being blown out of proportion. They did not want to absorb the judicial and legal hoops that the prosecution had to jump to in order to get juveniles tried as adults, and the "attempted murder" charge resulting from a schoolyard fight. Some even thought the noose was a "practical joke" and everything was being taken too seriously. Lost on them was the fact that if it had been the other way around, white kids assaulting and beating a black man, (part of the Deep South history) the charges would've been kept more than likely to a bare minimum. You can see it in the white people's eyes, they just don't understand what all the black 'outsiders' are upset about, and they are sincere in their ignorance and lack of empathy for anything not them.

That is probably the most aggravating part for black people. As one protester put it, “If you can figure out how to make a school yard fight into an attempted murder charge, I’m sure you can figure out how to make stringing nooses into a hate crime.” --(New York Times).

While their is no excuse for aggravated assault, the racial context was going to be ignored, but that was before word got out and young black people and their parents, (many of whom probably have similar experiences of sort) decided to make it a cause celebre and make a point that these subtle overtones are not so subtle after all.

The Jena 6 incident is a metaphor of race in America. The old overt racism of the past has largely disappeared and has been replaced by a more subtle and almost subconscious way of looking at things. When Natalie Holloway disappeared, the nation took notice. Then a flow of missing black and brown, male and not so young pretty and blond faces of the missing started flowing into the news. Why didn't they get notice when they went missing? This kind of thing isn't lost on black America even though whites consider it "whining" when blacks bring it up.

Oh "that again"...."when will you people get over it". It's sincere ignorance and apathy.

The ignorance and apathy which is sincere is the frustrating part. Changing it is the challenge.

2007-09-13T19:03:00.000-07:00

Bush: Forever and ever.....

Tonight's speech by President Bush was more of the same and predictable in terms of what can be expected of such a man. Not much. I'm beginning to think that maybe Bush should've stuck to sitting on one of his tractors in Crawford instead of on our faces during the last four years. I watched his speech and and listened closely. Nothing new from this simpleton. Basically we've dug ourselves into a hole we cannot really dig ourselves out of. Nary a mention of all false intelligence used to justify the Iraqi war, (i.e. aluminum tubes, test tubes, or trailers filled with, well---nothing). No weapons of mass destruction. No chemical surprises. No imminent danger. Instead what we got was the same rhetoric we've become accustomed to for the last four years of the "conflict" we started in Iraq. As abhorrent as 9-11 was, I almost wish (for Bush) that the hijackers WERE IRAQI'S, so his speech could have coherency at even the most base level, but I guess that would be asking too much. Something that has a logical coherency. But then why would we want that? It just doesn't play well in Peoria.

For me the lowest point of the speech was when he cited a letter from a family from my home state (Michigan) who stated that they still supported the war even though their son who was in the NATIONAL GUARD died while serving in Iraq. Lost on President Bush was the fact that the National Guard was used to make up for recruitment shortfalls in the Army. I don't think the original intent was for the National Guard meant to serve extended service duty overseas. As dedicated as the Guardsman was, he never was supposed to be in the position our supposed Commander in Chief put him into. And that he died serving his country doing something he wanted to do does nevertheless does not dismiss the fact that he was put outside of the original realm of what he signed up to do in the first place. Sure the Guard can be called to fill in for the Army, but Bush knew better than to initiate a draft....that would get his supporters angry because then they would have to send their own kids, and as Bush himself can attest to, that's something NO ONE wants to do.

That the fact that his orders came from a man (Bush) who JOINED the National Guard to avoid going overseas to Vietman in his generation is maddening to say the least. Everyone knows it...it's not a secret. That includes his purported AWOL status. His politically connected poppi was there to protect him. What about the young men and women who joined the National Guard as a way of moving out of the ghetto or inner cities? They have long served stateside in emergencies like the Watts and Detroit race riots of the 60's. The guard was called for natural disasters like hurricane Katrina...however late they were summoned. And the National Guard was also a place where young men and women of the poor and working classes had a chance to try to change their lives and serve their country. They could do so without joining the full time forces and still fulfill their domestic responsibilities. While they are a branch of the US military, I believe they were cunningly used in a way most of them had never imagined. Where are their connections? Who cares about them and their misappropriation? Who is there to speak for them? Apparently no one, or so it seems... American's really need their heads examined, because if this is how we treat our own we're not all that. We're not who we think we are. This to me, is the most absolutely disgusting in as much as the way to treat our own troops..... and that now includes the NATIONAL GUARD since Bush himself has cited a note from the family of a fallen National Guard Soldier. Let's not forget that he did that tonight...this is not a side note. I think it is a valid point of contention given his history as it does undermine his Presidential point of view (if you want to call it that). I don't think this bodes well for returning members of the armed forces. We've already heard the VA horror stories...let's not hear them again or forget those who are there now once all the parades and flag waving stops.

Then there was the whole open ended admonition that we are in Iraq "until the mission is complete" from a man who proclaimed our mission was accomplished 3 years ago. We've created a situation for the next President (Democrat or Republican) which is perplexing and confounding AT BEST. What mission? To catch Osama Bin Laden? To catch every boogeyman who hates us? Why can't we make sure Bush is not allowed to retire from the mess (with no opportunity to create further havoc) by making sure he is forced to fix what he fucked up in the first place? He should be bound from any other service (private or public) in any capacity other than to be an advisor to someone that he is required to report to until this conflict is resolved. His ability to make up new rules is unprecedented. He's taken the US Constitution apart in an unprecedented manner, so why don't we do likewise? I propose a new position for him that does not allow him to any private enterprise or retire whatsoever until he fixes what he's broken. A political Guantamoesque for Bush and all his ilk...including all his advisors who have since bailed out of any responsibility by tucking in their balls and running to lucrative private enterprise. (Wolfolwitz, Bremer, Rumsfeld, Tenet, Karl Rove ...etc.)

BTW Wolfowitz says he's too busy running the world bank when he's asked to comment on the Iraq invasion. I don't he comprehends the extent of what he started, or simply still has his head in the sand. At any rate, the architect of the war in Iraq now runs the world bank...my my he must be paid well. Given his track record, minimum wage would be too much. Doesn't that suck? Is that fair? The man who started the whole thing in Bush's head is now running the world bank and has distanced himself from the very quagmire he orchestrated. Unbelievable. History and God (if he even really believes in one) will show him no mercy. I hope he has a great life because Karma's a bitch.

Is it a surprise they are all pussies? Or worse yet misguided heretics giving speeches for profit? Is that what we had guiding us toward the mess we are in now? They owe us, and they owe us deeply. If not with their own lives. They need to be placed in the green zone and help us figure this out. Let them architect the solution. Instead they run and hide, and in Rumsfeld's case remain surprisingly righteous despite evidence to the contrary. I take that back, lets not.

On the other hand, we cannot ignore what now has been created in Iraq. Because of us, Al qaeda has now gained a foothold in hairy kairy Iraq. Just recently, an important Sunni ally was assassinated in a direct show to Bush that his mission HAS NOT been accomplished...quite the opposite. As much as I despise his missteps and ding dong moves, this cannot be ignored. We've got a problem now we cannot just walk away from. In doing so we leave many innocents stuck in what could be a deadly situation that we created. We indeed are in a quagmire. We're dammed if we do, and we're dammed if we don't. Indeed we will be there for a long time given the players and the disarray in the region. Kids from the US in a place where their are no genies or carpet rides..only hell on earth.

I guess since Bush is on the way out, the question is this: If by chance a Democrat gets in charge in 08, what do they do? How serious do we take the threat from Iran? To hear Bush and Cheney (hawks) tell it, we're in for another attack, but then how much do we believe from those who've put us into a precarious situation by missteps and political maneuvering of inconvenient truths and intelligence? The same people who would have us believe we are on the prepuce of disaster were also the same one's who declared "Mission Accomplished" in 2003? And who can forget all that great intelligence about aluminum tubes and poisonous chemical trailers that got us into this whole mess to begin with? Do we still believe the fear tactics now? The constant invocation of 9-11? Or do we move ahead? And if we move ahead, how do we do it while maintaining dignity and force so that all the efforts of the people who have fought for us were not in vain? Osama bin Laden is still very much alive and has taken to dying his beard and talking about home mortgages. Who knew?

I personally don't believe Karl Rove is gone from the advisor front. I believe he flutters in the backround due to his own scandal ducking, but never for a minute do I believe he is not advising the president on the next step.

Do we believe what Bush said tonight despite all that he has been wrong about up until this point? How serious do we take him and his fear mongering for support of the war? His lies, or missteps if you will have me doubting the validity of most of his points tonight.

After all, hasn't he been off before?

Mission Accomplished, y'all...."bring it on!"

My prediction is that once again Bush has has underestimated the forces that be in that region and they will be hungry to test his reticent attitude by forcing his hand in the region before he leaves office. He may be tested in a way he least expects by a very cunning leader in Iran. He's (and we) are by no means out of the woods yet. Russia is developing new weapons and recently dissolved their government. I believe the geopolitical fallout has only just begun. American's hate tucking in their tail and running away from conflict, so may be some hard medicine to swallow....but not only are American's judging themselves, but so is the world and therein lies the bump.

2007-08-31T16:14:00.000-07:00

Senator Larry Craig Bathroom FAQ

I must admit, I get a big chuckle out of conservative right wingers who are the pillars of their community, and the big shock when a married man is caught messing around with other men. But not just a chuckle. I learned a few things too!

Myth 1 "This is what all gays guys must be up to" Answer (False)

No, most gay guys enjoy their own beds enough however in any group (gay or straight) you will find the fringe element who goes out for public sex for the simple thrill factor. Women do not understand this, but for some men, it's nothing about "What's Love got to Do With It" and more so "Let's get It On". Most men have experienced being in a situation like this. It's awkward, and if you're gay, rather interesting in a bad boy way, but in the end, I personally would never feel comfortable enough to be in any kind of mood for arousal in a busy airport bathroom. If I want gay sex with a straight guy, I can think of way better places because they're there! Both the places and the guys. Like my place! I was not or have ever been a bath house kind of person. Some gays think I'm hung up on it, but it's too much for me. Call me a 'conservative gay'--- uh, forgetabbouit.

Myth 2 Sen. Larry Craig is gay (False)

I personally as a card carrying homo do not believe Larry Craig is a lavender wearing , Madonna loving homosexual. I think he is probably happy with his wife who never learned how to give him the proper head job which will send men flying to Pluto and back....see, most women have never had a penis (this gives gay Penis lovers a huge advantage). Most women do not know how to properly give great head. Its called "blow job" because it can be kind of a job...but lovers of blow jobs consider it a labor of love. Now I don't know what Sen. Craig's hands were going to do once they scaled the bottom of the stall door, but I can only imagine he wanted to worship a phallus larger than his.

Myth 3 Most Gays Know what this is All About (False)

Relates very closely with Myth 1 (see above). I am gay. I had no idea about the tapping of the foot, moving it closer...etc. I am just like everyone else on this one. Tap tap tap, what the fuck is that? Moving your foot to touch another person's foot. Now I have to confess, I am one of the horniest people I know...(well sorta)...and if I have to take a professional dump, I don't want feet moving touching my feet while I am trying to take a serious and sincere evacuation. There is nothing remotely interesting to me sexually when I am in mid push to excrete what appears to be a lump of approximately 5 lbs. I just want to concentrate, and I'm not horny. You have to be hanging out in a bathroom if you are keeping track of 'potentially available' play friends. The foot tapping thing, and the moving of the foot would've made me feel that perhaps someone might try to rob me since I'm sitting on the pot with my pants down. Can you think of a more vunerable position? Maybe I've spent too much time in big cities to think this is something to make you "horny" in a conservative senator from MN. kind of way. The smell of shit. Yeah right....nasty!!!!!!!

Myth 4: Straight Men don't do this! (False)

Yes they do. I've had plenty. To be true logically (remember I'm a 'Thinking Fag')--read my bio | the sentence would have to read, "Most straight men don't do this" with the supposition being "Some straight men do". This is probably something that should be No. 1. Most straight men do not do this. They are not interested in other men, and have no desire to be with another man, etc. But for my purposes, I have to disagree. My personal experience is that most men are sexual beings, and for us, it is the physical urge to ejaculate that can become an overwhelming physiological urge that transcends logic and rational thought. My point is that some straight men do this, and they do it not because they are gay (in the sense of popular culture) but in the sense that they need a release and they find like minded men on the net (in many cases) and with a like minded man, they engage in sexual play that may or may not be reminiscent of when they were first discovering what their penis was. Now, without making myself look like a big whore, I have to say I've had several experiences in this arena. Married, unmarried, girlfriends, no girlfriends, but invariably they all identified as straight. The guy who gives me a regular BJ in my area doesn't think he's gay. I don't care either, but he gives myself and many men in the area great head on a rotating basis. All of them (except myself) identifying as straight. He just wants to give head. None of us are falling in love here...we're just expressing a sexual and physical urge that becomes so overwhelming that we have an unwritten contract that this stays between us, and I'm cool if you're cool. We're all like minded and no one is getting hurt..that is...telling anyone of significance about it. Some men are still having very difficult times dealing with this, (I've seen the self hating) and some of us are just getting what we need with (NSA-"No Strings Attached")...I guess we are pigs. Not all straight guys do this, but as a gay person I've have many straight guys go down on me in an expert fashion...but I'm in love with the feeling and they're in love with...." An ex acquaintance of mine is now living with a girl and going to be engaged. I remember what he liked doing to me. She's in for a treat.

Myth 5: All gay men are creepy---even me? Well.......

Well, I must admit, I can see the origins of this....Dr. Smith (Lost in Space), Gov. James MCgreevey, Richard Simmons, Tom Cruise and Elton John and Paul Lynne...and my male musings, but it's simply not true. The MOST VISIBLE CREEPY GAYS are creepy of course! Andy Dick, Jeff Gannon, (was Phil Spector a woman hater to the 10th degree?--and not gay?), Bobby Trendy, and where would be be without the 70's work-out-short-wearer Richard Simmons!
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Creepy, creepy, creepy...more so than in a Paul Abdul way let me tellya! I know I sound rather sexual, but for a single gay guy, I'm not anywhere near as active as some closeted straights who are far more aggressive in their quest for same sex scenarios. I don't have to be aggressive like that. For me, unlike the straight guys, time is not of the essence...you are. (If you're straight male). You NEED to get it OVER with. I have time baby....

Fact is some gay men and women are so main stream and boring that it makes me realize just how colorful and dynamic my straight parents were! oxoxoxoxoxo

Frequently asked Questions:

"Carrie" from Akron writes: Dear IGUNOD, (too lazy to type!)
My boyfriend "Dan" says he touched a guy once and the guy used to give him oral. But he has always really acted and appeared straight. He actually tells me how much he hates gays...is what you're saying really true or possible? I find you gay people are always trying to recruit. Stop trying to portray a lifestyle choice not bible friendly!"

IGUNOD -- "I Give up, no I don't!" *Me* Answers:

Since I've had Dan, I'll let you know this. We had an understanding. It was mutual. He stayed over one morning and I woke up to find him on my couch..."up". Curiousity got the best of me, and I touched him. He didn't object, instead responded. He liked, me liked..but I can tell he never was at home with it. We did this several times after. He seemed to get a thrill out of it since I brought him to completion several times. And the more I did, the more he wanted...more. When he finally touched me, he really started hating himsself and excused himself by saying, "I don't want to start something I can't finish". That was it. I knew this was something he liked doing, but this ex semi professional baseball player was calling foul on anything real. He still calls me sometimes touching himself while talking to me about touching me.

ACTUAL QUESTION!: CAN YOU TELL WHEN A GUY IS ON THE "DL?" (DOWNLOW)

No. If you could, we would have all the Larry Craigs' in the world listed on some crazy neocon webpage.

(Q)"I'm a big dumbass, but now that I've read down this far after reading what you wrote about men with men (without the homosexual part involved), how do I find out about what you are talking about?

(A) Click on this link and LISTEN!

(Q) Why don't straight women do the same thing?

(A) Many straight men are praying for the day they do.

(Q) Where do you meet these guys?

(A) I would have to say mostly online....but off line in real life as well. The gym. Not a bar person. I've met guys on the beach, at work, and of course from online. One guy recently told me it was new to him, but being online gave him anonymity, and 'discreet' choices. None of us are looking for love. We're looking for this sexually liberating fantasy that is wholly hedonistic...and no one gets hurt. When two men are together, the most base reflexes take over and it is purely an act of pleasure.....after all, what else can become of it? So pleasure becomes the only goal. Not sexuality, not family, not even societal mores, just pure pleasure for the sake of it...each respecting each other's boundaries. Sometimes it's over as quick as it started, but it's never unsatisfactory.

(Q) Oh my God how gross!

(A) You read down this far?! Generally, if I'm grossed out about something I don't read into it, I'm simply NOT interested. I back off and leave it alone. If you can read this far, and still be interested don't blame the messenger, think about why you read what you did. This is MY REALITY and I can't change it. I'm not tripping on it either. I don't bug these guys and they don't bug me. When it's over it's over. Done. Finito. I don't want calls and drama. I and they have an unwritten contract that states we respect each others "real lives" and that is off limits.
If someones says, don't call, then don't call...you don't feel sad. You know what the deal is. Not all men are pigs but most are. That's why I don't date men, I just use them.

2007-07-24T17:18:00.001-07:00

Thoughts at Large....

Too lazy for laundry today....so much so, in fact 3 big ass laundry bags sit in my vee-hick-cull waiting to be "warshed".

When I think of years gone by, I do remember my grandmother having one of those "hand wringers" you would use to squeeze the water out of the clothes before you "hung them out to dry". Now the only thing we hang out to dry are people we don't much care for. And "hand wringing" has given way to none whatsoever, whether it be guilt over moral selections or other ethical crossroads. Our society seems to have effectively whittled away at the whole idea of hand wringing. Either you're right or you're wrong.....period.

With this in mind, is it any mystery why I simply don't give in and just do the damn laundry...????? No.

Poor Lindsay

My niece is about her age and I know this is the age where younger people start running wild. I did myself (left home at 23) and never looked back. I ran wild through the canyons of NYC, and learned much about people in the process. Some of the learing took until later, but I was never equipped quite fully enough to deal with the realities of true human nature. The results were not so great. I was brought up to believe in true virtue. Goodness of the heart. Your word, your name, actually had value, especially if you showed others you stuck by both. Another words, integrity.

Sometimes I have lacked what most take for granted....ethics...and have done not so great things to nice people. Nothing criminal, but definitely hurtful. I gloated about these "victories" of my own private Idaho. I kept the victories to myself because I knew they were what they were. Never an angel, I have never sought to Judge others by my own guidelines, but what I was TAUGHT was right. And what I was taught was on the conservative side...if that is even believable. I grew up with a conservative old school mother and a very liberal father. My very conservative mother (who wasn't a drinker or smoker) died when she retired at 65. My anti-conservative father (who drank and smoked) most of his adult life is still going strong. Weak knees, but who's counting? He's got his pension, my mother's life savings, and
Union style health insurance, if anything should befall him.

I don't.

Now I Digress (This IS "Thoughts at Large")

In my last post, I did mention "Sicko" and all the things I thought the movie did a great job with, etc. I look at my father, his security, and look at myself, and most of my fellow co-patriots and wonder what is become of us?

There are many single mothers, single fathers, single people period, who either pay for insurance that is insufficient for
"custodial care", or don't even want to think of it. It's a threatening landscape for the future...it's not like our parents (like mine who had the "pension"). Pensions for companies are not cost effective and are borrowed from, sometimes with complete and utterly disastrous effects. I took an early retirement from my last job. My pension was borrowed from with not so describable parameters. Earlier while driving today I passed by a homeless intake center....just outside, I saw a middle aged white couple who stood out. Sober, white, and sitting on the curb, they were at the moment I saw them, out on the street. Not the usual contingency. This was, after all white people, and not only that, they really didn't look like they belonged there...even to me. Remember I got my initial life training on the streets of NYC at the tender age of 23...so I know what a junkie looks like, I know what a drunk looks like, and these were neither. It was disconcerting...not because they were white, but because they really didn't look like they would be in that situation. It was strange, but I did like most, kept my lane, and continued forward to breakfast. I guess I'll never know the story of those who I saw outside the homeless intake...after all, it really was just another morning.

Democratic Debates...

I haven't seen them yet, but if we have to start separating people then let's do it now. I haven't been that impressed by anything Hillary Clinton has to say so far. I've been more impressed by Bill. I think CNN's YouTube debate was a great idea because it allowed the American public to be the silly fall guy...no points off for "ridiculous" questions. It wasn't a trained press corps, it was just regular people (those who are savvy enough to use YouTube) and ask their questions.

From what I heard (before Lindsay Lohan got arrested) was that Obama was the winner. I guess he shoots from the hip and him being a black (half black) man---helped him cut through some of the usual rhetoric. How? You can't be a black man, want the black vote, want the urban vote, (most of the USA is urban) and not have a handle on how people think "outside the belt". I haven't watched the debate in full yet, but Matt Drudge, (the Gay, Jewish, Conservative news blogger and--presumably Log Cabin member) had an informal poll on his site and Obama was voted the winner by people hitting his site. So I guess he must've said stuff that hit people at home.

I love when Obama gets it from the blacks that he's not "black enough". As if. In America, whether or not we like to realize it, he IS BLACK---people! It doesn't matter if you are half white, grew up in a white area, "talk white", etc. If you even have hair like his, skin, nose and lips like his, you are black...not the people like me that trace their lineage back to Africa, but look white! ;)

What IS Black Anyway?

Recently, my family participated in the National Geographic Genome Study in an effort to find out our ancient roots. What we found was unexpected on one side (Latin) and the other side was totally in line.

The white side is mostly from the British Isles, specifically Ireland. This was proved in the gene test. I was the one who did it, and I paid for my test, my sisters test, and one on the way (a cousin). Even though many Latins would think I am fully Latin looking enough to speak Spanish, I carry a gene from my father which was measured to be 90% Irish. So, my dad was proud, but it was the results of my fair haired sister which raised more questions than answers.

My sister is fair, and when she was younger considered the "whitest" of the bunch. When it came time to go to the park, my mom realized, (much to my sisters chagrin), that she would not be able to play so much in the sun as her siblings....she was very fair. She had to sit under a tree (remember what I said about old school?) to avoid a painful sunburn and hours of crying. We made fun of her while we played in the sun...and got darker and I guess "blacker". Once my mom did complain to me that I spent too much time in the sun...going to the beach on Lake St. Clair.

Her DNA results (on my moms side) showed our origins came from N. Africa. Most likely was infused into our gene pool through slave trade btw the Americas, Europe and Africa even before "back in the day". This was going to roots we had never heard about. And yes, in fact, it is an ancient ancestor, but Africa was never supposed to be in the picture. But then, we never knew the whole picture due to poverty, and quite possibly (at this point) slavery. Slaves married up. Black people in Latin America still exist, but in some countries you cannot but help to notice the disparity which exists until this day in the black communities. I've been to Brazil, which has a population much like the US in terms of diversity, and most (if not all) the upper class is almost exclusively white.

So what makes a black man or woman? Is it how black you are or what you've experienced as a person in your own skin? Those who say he's not "black enough" seem to ignore his portrayal on the national scale. He's "the black guy". He would be the "First Black President". Wake up black America, this is your hope, either you grab it, or lose it. It's the first chance, and the guy has something pertinent to say. Why chime in with the "He's not BLACK ENOUGH" crap instead of trying to listen to what he offers? Do you think you're going to get that from someone else? And if you do, do you think it is sincere? If someone effects a "down home" accent during a speech is that all it takes to win your simple ass? Plulezze!

Ask yourself.

And if you're white, he's half white. He talks white, he literally is half white. Does it really make a difference that he is half black? In a country with a large population of black and brown people, do you not think this puts you at a long term disadvantage? To dismiss someone due to race only is a sad statement on the intellectual fabric of our failing nation. I guess underfunding schools and overfunding wars is a great strategy for raising human cattle.

2007-07-03T15:29:00.001-07:00

Strange Place This America....

Yesterday after leaving the movie "Sicko" and feeling like shit had been rubbed into my face already, I heard the news that President Bush had sought clemency for Scooter Libby. Flush from the feeling I'm just one hospital stay from imminent disaster, I took the news at first with astonishment, then with an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness that this nation has gone awry. Then I proceeded to the Britannia pub and spoke to a girl who told me her horror story and her near death experience (not of the crossing over kind) but because her HMO was fucking around with her.

She had sustained serious head trauma due to a skateboarding accident. 2/3rds of her brain were seriously injured. She was to remain at best in a vegetative state but her parents and friends pushed the greedy health care providers to do the job they actually want you to pay them for: HEALTH CARE. It was because she had advocates for her while she could not do for herself, that she and I were enjoying a pint and it appears to me she is fully recovered from something she could've died of. It was strange talking to a living, breathing miracle after seeing "Sicko", but she too had her story...and managed to live through the American Health care "system". We all have our disappointments and triumphs but I had nothing for admiration for this survivor. As I saw in the film, not everyone makes it, and patient dumping, while new to those who see the film isn't that new. One of the hospitals in the movie, the Martin Luther King-Drew Medical Center had a patient die in the emergency room a few weeks before the movie "Sicko" even made it's debut. Any country that is trying to wean it's populace onto the managed health care system needs to look at the US and the terrible way we treat our own. What does this say about America and it's people? It was extremely disturbing to see an elderly woman dumped onto skid row like trash. Just another day in LA. It's not only scary, it's an outrage.

See the movie and you will see what you probably already know...American's have substandard medical care, and we pay the most for it. If you don't see the movie, then get a dildo, shove it up your ass (without lubricant) and you'll get the gist. I'm quite serious. If you don't see this movie, you might as well get a dildo and shove it up your ass, because if you don't do it, sooner or later your HMO or county hospital will. Unless you're "rich" and can "afford" to pay your own health care. Then you're just stuck with 2/3 of the bill....and that's only if you've paid your expensive yearly deductions or premiums.

Clemency for Scooter

It couldn't get any better save for the fact that Scooter Libby is not a blond, ditzy celebutante. Scooter need not worry about TMZ or the National Enquirer blocking the gate of his estate because he's just not that "sexy". He's not hitting Hyde (but hiding), he tells white lies, and he has the very preppy moniker "Scooter". I can see the fine china, the well coiffed head, the smell of wine and perfume, diamonds dripping from womens wrists and necks, and then there's "Kitty", Joe "Skippy", and "Scooter" Libby. How absolutely cute. "Our people".

Personally it was all about the timing as I have mentioned before. I had just left Sicko, and now I was hearing that Scooter was off the hook. The President thought that the court convicting him of lying to a grand jury and the sentence of 30 months was "excessive". Really.

I don't know this man, don't really care about him, but what I do care about is the fragile principle of trust that has eroded between the Executive Office in this nation and the rest of the country including the governmental Judicial branch that Libby tried to obstruct and deceive. I have long thought this nation lacked a true, eloquent, discretionary and educated man and now I have been proved right. One thing money cannot buy is legitimacy and popular support. Oh sure, you can feed us a national newsletter like "Fox News" that basically functions as an administrative newsletter of sorts, but trust, leadership, discretion, and intelligence are apparently lofty and elusive goals. One would expect the President of the largest economy in the world to act more responsible, but this administration seems hellbent on dividing the people of this nation in more ways that I ever thought I would see in a lifetime.

If someone told me years ago that we would have a miscount in a state that would require court intervention I would've scoffed at them. "Not in America" would this ever happen. I said that in Mexico while in Mexico City talking to some people in a bar. They had just had an election in Mexico, and there was confusion over the final results. I told the people down there (this was in the late eighties) that if anything like that would happen in the United States there would be protests, unrest, etc. There was a miscount, it became a circus, and with George Bush's brother as governor of the state having a miscount, who's counting anyway. It happened here.

If someone told me years ago that a news reporter would be jailed by the government for not revealing their source as a student of journalism and a news junkie, I would've assumed that protections of the 1st amendment was a built in protection. I was wrong. Miller served 85 days in jail. For being a reporter and for revealing the truth. She didn't have President Bush using his powers indiscriminately for her own purposes to excuse her for being jailed for doing her job.

If someone told me years ago that in my adulthood, the US would invade a middle eastern nation like Iraq, I would not have believed it either. Sure things change. But Baghdad was a mysterious place with people who flew around on magic carpets. It was "Midnight at the Oasis" type thing with genie's, Persian rugs, and live chickens for sale at the market. But our relevance in that area has always been to what is becoming one of the few allies we can really count on, and that is Israel. The crater that is now a symbol of 9-11 is something I would've never fathomed. Our response to it is beyond my wildest nightmares.

Speaking of Spin....

We've taken something that had people feeling sorry for U.S., and now we've turned it into a corporate occupation of a sovereign nation. Sadam Hussein was a terrible ruler. Taking him out was the best thing this war accomplished. I guess privatizing the resources of the country and doling them out to people is the best we're ever going to get. Fuck the people living there, let's just get whatever we can salvage. In the meantime we ask ourselves, "Just the justification of the war justify the ends?" The spin on this since the beginning was the ilk of silly things like "Mission Accomplished" and "Sectarian Violence" (vs. Civil war). Tony Snow has become the new tough talking spinner though as hard as he tries, he's not fooling anyone. We all know what his job is. He's there to make what Bush is doing "digestible". He's the guy they hire to make you feel good while someone is standing on your neck. "You're doing fine, we're just standing on your neck...don't worry, in two hours we give you a one minute break. It's not so bad". Really.

I guess earlier today a reporter who was fed up chided Snow for insulting our intelligence. While Bush holes up in Crawford or Kennebunkport we are rest assured that yes indeed he is insulting our intelligence and doesn't care. Bush, Rove, Cheney and Co. are going for the lowest common denominators in their inadequate efforts to spin the press into their direction. What they fail to realize is that more and more people are attuned to this presidency and their erosion of liberty. The very foundation that this nation has always been know for is being taken away before our very eyes.
We are no longer the heroes, but we are despised. I guess one could argue that getting to the top is never pretty, but have you seen some inner cities lately? Are we at the top? Can a nation that dumps people onto the street be considered "the top"? Just who do we think we are? As a nation, we've given up to just keep our heads above water, and through our own fault, we have failed to care about one another and which direction we are headed. It's much more serious than most people care to fathom at the moment. After all, after work, you need to A.) Care for your parent B.) go to another job, C.) Run errands at a grocery store where none of the workers have heath benefits anymore D.) Go home and watch "Fox" so you can be scared about positive change and where nut cases like Ann Coultier are given a soapbox...with no counterpoint. Just crazy Ann Coultier. Period. As in she's always on one.

Those middle of the night, furtive motions going up and down under the sheets are you and I being jacked off by an inarticulate, inept, short sighted, and insufficient President. And no it doesn't feel good because it's some creep doing all the creepy stuff. "Just don't touch me!"

When Bush does things to undermine faith in his office and what we trust him to do as a leader, surely he must know (with or without this blog that no one apparently reads) that he is undermining himself. If he doesn't care, he should. He has another year to go, and as he well knows by now....a lot can happen in a year. Election or no election, this president has done more to tear apart a nation so needing cohesiveness that his suitability needs to be re-evaluated by both parties. Perhaps this realization is why he seems to have abandoned rational thought. Our president has set a precedent on just how bad things can get. If someone had told me years ago this is the world I would be living in, I would've never believed it.

2007-06-25T15:29:00.000-07:00

Thoughts at large on June 25th, 2007.....

As I sit here whimsically looking out the window and drinking my "Arrogant Bastard Brew" I think about the things going on in the world that I have no control over, and I sip...

Paris Hilton is going on Larry King once they let her out of the clink. She's gonna talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, about her damn Twin Towers stint. I was over this whole thing after my last post (which was about two weeks ago). Now are we going to be subjected to more of what simply amounts as an ego masturbation session for Paris on Larry King? "What did you learn Paris?"... Paris: "My commodity/brand of myself is way more sucessfull than in my wildest dreams Larry"....I can hear the bullshit already, so that's why I'm not watching it.

The Iraq War

The news is still the same. More casualties, Sunni and Shia tit for tat killings and murders of the civilian population (as does happen in a civil war)...and yet another round of rotations for troops who for the sake of the future should not be rotated yet another time for a dubious war with no likely end at this point in a realistic sense. This whole idea of being in a war without the whole country in sacrifice but with privately paid "contractors" being used to shore up the difference in who really sacrifices. I saw a kid (around 21 or so) walking along the 405 fwy not too far from the VA Center. He was on the right shoulder of the Northbound lane walking southbound...as if it was the most normal things in the world he could be doing.

Was this person an Iraq head injury soldier leaving the VA Hospital and just released with no where to go? The new generation of "Vets" who became synonymous with "dysfunctional"? It was strange and fascinating all at once. I wondered if I had just witnessed one of the thousands of unseen casualties of the war. Men and women coming back barely functional after 2, 3, or four rotations into the "theater". Or was he just another homeless person? I will never know, although I don't think my elaborate guess is too far off.

Sicko - Can't wait.

I'm counting down the days I can see Sicko. I've experienced a (**breaking**)

2007-06-07T16:46:00.001-07:00

Paris Hilton Leaves Jail Early
Dow Plunges...

Today Ms. Hilton left jail under controversial circumstances, or so it would appear. According to what is becoming a more and more fabulous website (TMZ) Hilton left because she was becoming suicidal. This was done without the approval of the judge in the matter who specifically in his sentencing of her violation of probation ruled that s he not serve any type of variation including home grown type jail time (which would presumably include deliveries by Pink Dot, Pizza Hut, and Asakuma.)

For Sheriff Lee Baca to step in on behalf of Hilton is exceptional. I cannot recall any other circumstance where he has taken it upon himself to over rule a Judge's decision and take police powers to a whole new level. This is a dangerous precedent to set. At what point is the Sheriff not accountable to a judge's ruling and is given power to do what would be considered an over ride of the Judicial branch, which the enforcement branch of county government is supposed to uphold and not over ride. Only a Judge or Prosecutor should be allowed such discretionary decision making....not a Sheriff.

I felt kind of sorry for the big bitch Paris during the MTV music awards. Sarah Silverman was making her her "prison bitch" for the night and was basically giving her a big bitch smack to the delight and entertainment of the audience. But behind all this I see her parents pulling all the strings they can. Sheriff Lee Baca is always around fund raisers (representing the city) and Beverly Hills gala's. Unbeknown to the rest of the nation, in LA we have a secondary tier of people who support those with money and influence and I'm sure Baca is familiar with Paris' parents. This kind of favor, with this kind of press however was ill timed and illuminates the ever present problem in LA of class and race. Remember "Crash"? Oh, did you think that was just a movie?

Earlier today the Reverend Al Sharpton had a few choice words for the early release of Paris.
Of course he said it had something to do with race...but it also had to do something with money as well. If you hit the link above, you will see it was written by John Gibson who mentions the O.J. case which was another example of what is becoming known as "L.A. Justice", an oxymoronic statement. I don't know if it is so much about race as it is about money. The O.J case proved it. O.J. ran in white circles, associated with mostly white people and lived in a mostly white neighborhood. That was until he murdered his wife. He hired a black attorney, Johnny Cochran spoke to the black community, (the jurors were both black and white) and suddenly O.J. was "black" again...but with a high powered attorney because he was a celebrity with money. A regular black man would've still been in jail doing the time as I write this.

Not to stray from the point, but the point is this..it is about celebrity and money. In LA that balance is off kilter, and now here we go again in the case of Paris Hilton and her early release.
The law is supposed to be fair and just FOR EVERYONE, and to pull a stunt like this at a time when we've seen our constitutional rights erode is saying to the average person, "we don't care about you". The law is different for rich people. It does matter how much money you have. That is not what our system is ever supposed to present to a populace that considers itself democratic. Sending the signal that working men and women are denied the same rights as the rich is inviting a precedent for civil unrest in the future when a slick attorney decides to use the "Hilton excuse" as a precedent for their client. Why not? Why should it be different for you and I? Are we not entitled to the same justice? Ask yourself that before you sympathize with a women who made sure the blacked out windows of her Escalade were down so people could see her weeping as she was served her just desserts as her driver pulled her into the correctional institution that the judge had ordered her to serve time in.

Now on to more cheerier topics....the Dow Jones has fallen a few hundred points this week....

I have to say I saw it coming...I felt, well, as they say in stock trading lingo..."jittery" on Sunday night. I saw that things were really riding high these past few months with some ebbing here and tiding there and finally I felt a need to release. To release my stuff and sit on the side. So Sunday night I threw my hat in, and backed out and did as they say in the trading biz, "took my profits". I didn't know that the trading in China was in a frenzy and some Typhoon was closing in on Oman...which presumably could've provided yet another excuse for the oil companies to raise crude prices yet again. So I backed off, but kept some stuff going that usually sits pretty when the market isn't so much. Boy oh boy am I glad I did it. I'm not gloating so much as patting myself on the back (and this is just for me folks) because I had that "hunch" thing. That gut feeling that people are always telling you to follow. I do that. I've done it before with the markets, and while it isn't an exact science, I try to keep emotion out of it...balance the options and move from there. I'm never too safe because since I don't have a pension like my father does, and the one I have from a major airline is being tampered with, it is up to me to try to make something for myself to enjoy what I hope will be a comfortable but never boring "retirement"....although the thought of sitting around playing euchre or pinochle like my dad does isn't really "me". I'm blessed he has what he has, and that saves me from worrying about money, but that doesn't mean I'm in clear sailing territory. So I'm trying to pave my own way for the future, and it's a tricky son of a bitch.

We've seen the Dow hit 13,756,69 (interday) on June 1st with a record closing high of 13,676.32 on June 4th. Today (June 7th) the Dow closed at 13,266.73...falling 409 points in 6 days! But it is becoming increasingly hard to quantify these fluctuations as more and more Americans become infatuated with trading and selling. Many boomer are doing the same as I and are putting their money where they shop and drop and trying to do their own forecasts for the future. It's an inexact science I am finding since many of the so-called experts with ties to the markets have self interest which block them from giving truly honest assessments with the exeptions of a few. Find your own since it take work to weed out the good from the bad..don't expect me to spoon feed anything for free anytime soon. Ask your "expert". I'm a big no one, and I prefer it that way...but in the meantime it's going good, but I think the economy in the US while strong, may take a hit from stagnant wages and the over leveraged housing market and the fall out thereof.

We've been riding on a big run up on the Dow and this correction probably will go on for a while even going down to the 13,100 or 12,800 range at the lowest. I remember not too long ago 11,000 was the milestone and 13,756 was practically unimaginable. No "expert" was even "going there" but we did. So much for "experts".

It's a reassurance so far that energy costs while high are stabilizing, but the US workforce is taking a beating. Unskilled labor and the middle class are going through what I believe will be a permanent transition to conditions conducive to more organized labor movements such as in Europe.

Michael Moore's "Sicko" I think will become a watershed issue for the presidential elections. For an illness to take someone from middle class to destitution is criminal. No civilized nation that envisions itself as a premiere world class 1st world nation should allow it's citizens to suffer under such conditions. If so, is that nation truly a 1st world nation? How so? We need to redefine ourselves on how well we take care of one another. In so many other countries, they look after their own, but in America, in large cities we have the homeless, the uninsured, those of less mental capabilities out (literally) on the streets. And we call ourselves a "world power"? Other so called "less than" nations do a far better job at looking out for their own. We really have to do something about this to make America something to be proud of. I've traveled all over the world, and I have a certain perspective to know that with all we have here, it really should be better.....

Link

2007-05-31T21:58:00.000-07:00

Weighing in on Rosie's Departure from The View
The DUI "Epidemic" in America
The Dow Jones Record Highs--How much longer sustainable??
How Corporate Media Affects Mood in regard to Iraq
American Idol Crowns a Predictable New Winner, and the Florence Ballard gets shoved to the side......and one of the Judge's cracks up---again.

Wow, it's been a long time since I've been able to sit my fine, beautifully shaped ass to the computer to blog. I've been busy, out of town, tied up, tied down etc., so without further ado, let me cut to the chase and weigh in on whatever it is I feel like at the present moment. I'm a fast typist, for those who think I spend forever and a day doing this.....well, you're wrong.

After several run ins with the bubble brained Elizabeth Hasselbeck, Rosie O'Donnell finally has had it with "The View". I guess she took offense to believing that somehow they stood behind her no matter what she said, but finding out it was to the contrary must've been too much to take, so she quit. Rosie was a breath of fresh air to the View and will be missed. She was very similar to Joy Behar, but Joy isn't one to butt heads. In all honesty I have to admit given the almost childlike observations of Elizabeth, Rosie probably bit her tongue to the point of bleeding until she simply could not take it anymore. Rosie was absolutely correct in her observation that Elizabeth has a (and I am being generous) "simplistic" Fox-news view of the world which is the crux of what is making America a joke with the rest of the world. We've forgotten about Bin Laden and have immersed ourselves with Iraq chasing around an enemy which has been fermented by the very actions of our own nation's so called "War on Terror" which was engineered by a certain Paul Wolfowitz who has since gone on to be dismissed by THE WORLD BANK, for misdeeds and wrongdoings. After flunking out as the Deputy Secretary of Defense for the United States, he has gone on the flunk out as the head of the World Bank.

Hmmmmm. This f****r was one of the architects of the "War on Terror" and now this? What the hell was Bush thinking? Why don't we get Joe Francis out of his jail cell and appoint him as the Deputy Secretary of Defense? Is there not a way to bring Wolfowitz back to fix what he broke in the first place? To hold him not accountable for the mess he created is criminal. After all, the World Bank dismissed him for wrongdoings, perhaps this can be held as evidence for reasons to penalize him and his apparent mis-appointment for false pretense for engaging our nation in a war which was based on self serving logic (since self serving logic is what is pattern seems to be at this point.) Given the tally of the young men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our nation, the gravity of this observation should be subject to a thorough investigation. NO stone should go unturned into what was going through this man's mind when he orchestrated the current quagmire we are engaged in (for years to come). When he was asked about this while as head of the World Bank, he dismissed the question because he stated his new duties as World Bank Head were keeping him so preoccupied as to not allow him a sufficient comment.

Terror, quite frankly exists in our own country, let alone those overseas. If we are truly to engage in a true and exhaustive "War on Terror" we must then address those countries we have not yet invaded. The flawed logic of the war on terror is transparent until you speak to someone of the ilk of Elizabeth Hasselbeck. May I suggest that Elizabeth find someone of age in her family who is eligible for military duty and urge them to enlist in our current war on terror by joining the Marines or the Army since those are the units which are currently suffering a shortage of new recruits, forcing them to send war amputee's back to duty.

There is a shortage in the armed forces and if Fox news is getting the high ratings that it appears they are, then why hasn't there been an influx of patriotic young men and women flocking to join the armed forces to help their brothers and sisters in arms? I personally am getting sick of hearing how high Fox is in the ratings, yet on the flip side, hearing how our armed forces are having a hard time recruiting new soldiers to help the "War on Terror". If this is indeed a true sentiment drummed out over and over again on the government newsletter called "Fox News", then where are all the new eager recruits? Where are Elizabeth Hasselbeck's relatives of age? She should be encouraging them, because every day she delays her own young relatives to become involved, Al Qaeda has no problem recruiting their own.
This goes for Bill O' Reilly, Glenn Beck, and the biggest conservative shrew of them all, the scare crowed haired Ann Coulter. I never hear any of them sacrificing their own. They want others to do their bidding. They will talk about illegal immigration before they talk about personal sacrifice. Doing a shell game to avoid the real topic is their specialty. My word to them: Just wait until these third and forth rotation men and women come home. My guess is that they will have some very choice words for the comfortably seated "gung ho" types like yourselves. Selling books while they watch children die. You all should be ashamed of yourselves.....but you can't fathom that in your own indulgences of self.

DUI Epidemics 2006-2007

Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Daniel Baldwin, Ty Pennington, Nicole Ritchie, Greasy Bear Brandon Davis, Mel Gibson, Nick Nolte, Ray Liotta, Vivia Fox, Lakers owner Jerry Buss, HBO's Chris Albrecht, Nick Carter, Singer Eve, Tracy Morgan, Comedian Rip Torn, US Airways CEO Doug Parker.........

And these are the just famous? What is going on? Are more people drinking and driving? Or have the states realized just how profitable fining and prosecuting a DUI can be under the guise of protecting the public from someone who has just reached the limit? I'm no fan of Paris Hilton, but a .08 is sissy play in my book. You're buzzed, but contrary to what is supposedly public standard she isn't able to drive....I disagree. .08 is barely buzzed. It's a glass of wine (or two) which is not a hard thing to find in a place like Beverly Hills during lunch time. If this is indeed the threshold of understanding, then perhaps all establishments should be banned from serving alcohol unless it is limited to one drink per hour per customer....period. This stuff is up there with the speeding and red light cameras. Just one more way for states to pull in revenues from motorists. BIG TIME. Sure it's wrong to drink and drive, but don't compare me to Suzy Q when I have 50 pounds on some chick who can only handle 1 drink to every 4 or 5 of mine. It's a definite cash cow for law enforcement and the states, and I would challenge anyone who says it's not to compare the numbers of DUI arrests from just a few years ago to now. The fines states are making from these DUI's far outstrips the tax made on selling the liquor. Almost everyone over 35 remembers when this wasn't the emphasis and there was not an appreciable amount of DUI incidents to justify this over reaction and emphasis on arrests. This is a huge windfall and it's not going to go away. A cost effective alternative market exists for those who like to indulge but not suffer the lopsided consequences of just one too many. Someone who is impaired needs to be pulled over, but the states have become overzealous on what is now appearing to be a huge cash cow in terms of fines and costs for something that in many cases are overblown fines. My blog, my opinion.

Dow Jones....High...for how long????

I've personally have been enjoying this overrun, but I am wondering how long it can go on.
With the dollar at such a low, it does point to US goods and services being attractive to overseas interests.

Andrea Mitchell's husband, Alan Greenspan is no longer making utterances that make the market pause with phrases like "frothiness" and "irrational exuberance" so now we have to rely on his successor (Bernanke) to utter something to give us something to get excited or jumpy nervous as when Greenspan did. Maybe it was the hype of the press, I don't know. But we have a depression in the Midwest, a housing bubble basically everywhere, billions of dollars going to the Iraq war, and a housing debt owned by China....not to mention the trade deficit. But let's not rock the boat when things are going good eh? Besides, the dollar is low, and US goods are cheap right now...what do I know?

I'm not done yet.....more to come....stay tuned.....

Link

2007-05-06T08:18:00.000-07:00

Bush Hates Hate crime Legislation

Just after the military brass have told gays they are not so bad anymore so they can now serve in the military, President George Bush is threatening to veto legislation passed by Congress that would protect gay people from the hate crimes which would protect the very people that Bush himself has an open loathing for. Not all states address the issue of hate crimes against gay people, and since this is a reality, why should the gay person killed/attacked in Missouri not get the same justice/rights as a gay person in New York or California?

Some states already address the issue, this would make it also a federal offense which in essence would make protection more uniform throughout the nation. Bush opposes the bill stating the old yarn that gays don't need "special protection" and are opposed to creating two new "minority groups", i.e. gays and transgendered people. You know, the girly boys who didn't know how to fight who turned into girly men who still don't know how to fight.

In some parts of the nation, people like gays or effeminate men or "women trying to be like men" are targets of groups/people that simply do not like gay people and will go to great lengths to prove themselves. Girly men can't help themselves no matter how hard they try, and Butch women can't help it either. Believe me, I watch them and think the same things, but they are who they are, and it is their own natural behavior which makes them targets of beatings and worse yet murder. There are those of us who can fight, but most straight people will figure that out, and go ahead and pick on the "gayest" of the gays. Ever notice gay bashings always involve more than one man? Usually it's anywhere from two to five straight men for every one gay guy who gets attacked or murdered. How does this act of violence not qualify as a hate crime in the windmills of the George Bush mind?

While those who profess to be the "religious" Right claim that their right to condemn gays will be impeded, that will not be the case. Their right to proclaim gays an 'abomination' and to have protesters at veteran funerals with "God Hates Fags" signs will go on uninterrupted under this bill--fear not!

With the President seeing members of his own party defect to Obama, one would think he would try to shore up any pittance of support he could get, that including those who are gay republicans (still don't get that). Why the Log Cabin simply hasn't been put up for sale still boggles my mind.

I'm beginning to wonder if Bush is really quite "there" (you know). He's pandering to this evangelical minority which is certainly not a majority of this nation. Gays believe in God too, but most Americans want to believe in a forgiving and loving God, not a crusading, judgmental hellcat--wildcat of a God. In a nation that is supposed to be a Federal and not religious entity, Bush leaves much to be desired even on the basest of what our founding fathers had envisioned.

He still insists on sending other children's young people to the crisis in Iraq, on second, third and (fourth?) tours of duty. To a war with no apparent end since there is no definitive battle front in a country that has turned into the Middle East version of the wild west. The "enemy" we are fighting there has capitalized on this and is using it. They have gone underground and don't wear uniforms.

All the original architects of the Iraq war have defected to other pursuits. Paul Wolfowitz is now embroiling the same talents he had as Deputy Secretary of Defense into his position over at the World bank as it's President.

And all the others, they've moved on...some still in power, but the mojo is gone. Bush is so out of step with the times MY head is beginning to hurt for HIM.

To close, I'm frustrated with this President, the path he has led us down, and what this administration has done with minorities and gays. Just as he has turned the other way in his dealings with Iraq, he is turning away from hate crime legislation passed by both the House and Senate and is promising to exercise veto power in a most hateful way, that is the one of President of the United States. I guess to expect George Bush to aspire to a higher plane of thought is an exercise of futility at this point.

2007-04-26T10:05:00.000-07:00

VTech Gun Massacre

Last night I got into a debate with an old friend of mine regarding gun control and lack there of. The horror inflicted on the murdered students in Blacksburg, Va., made me start thinking about the cycle of these events. There is always shock and outrage about the murders, who the killer was/is, and what the motivation was. Then the same old ensuing talk about gun control laws and how they have to be changed, etc. Then nothing happens. Everyone 'forgets' (more or less) and then two years down the line, or in this case just one week later, another gun toting nut case with a score to settle murders more innocent people, and so the cycle goes.

I thought to myself "maybe I should have a gun". Things happen to nice people while they are minding their own business all the time. In this country we still haven't seemed to have reached a consensus about what to do about this. In the meantime, while we watch police powers strengthened, it seems that criminal powers aren't left far behind in the domestic arms race. How do we monitor just who is allowed to have a gun? No one seems to care enough anything about it, and no Presidential candidate to my knowledge has said anything meaningful about gun control in light of this incident, and that to me makes the idea of purchasing a gun for my own protection more of a realistic solution to our governments inactivity on this issue.

In light of all things terrible that terrorists could use in their favor, doesn't this seem to be a huge gaping hole in American domestic gun control policy? We've been wire tapped, the media seems taken over by corporations, we soon will need to provide a passport to go to/from the US to Canada or Mexico. But fear not the neighborhood wack job who could get a gun and go onto a busy campus and just shoot shoot shoot away. I have to admit, when I first heard the story break I did wonder of a terrorist had exploited this hole in American logic.

I brought up the issue with a few people and found most law abiding people do not want everyone having a gun, (even though that's what the NRA thinks a great solution would be). The people I spoke with were honest in their sincerity about their own use of a gun in a heated moment when the mind takes a break from rationality. We've all had those moments. You might kick something, have a heated argument, drive fast, experience angst...but never does one go grab a gun and go on a rampage. But the two people I spoke with honestly didn't want themselves to have a gun in fear of what they may erroneously use it for. In one case, while speaking in a restaurant booth, I expressed my comfort with guns. My dad had a rifle and a few handguns and he would empty them and we would clean them. I didn't fear them. Once we went out to the country and did target practice with one of the rifles. My friend up the street and his dad and brothers hunted deer as does my brother in law. They all had a respect for guns. I wondered aloud what would've been prevented had those security people at Virginia Tech or if a student had a gun on them, how many lives could've been saved.
As we were leaving the booth, I could see curious stares coming from people who had heard our conversation next to us. It was almost as if bringing up the issue provoked these concerned stares. Or maybe they agreed? Who knows? But just bringing this issue up gets people worked up, and deservedly so, (thank God). But no one is DOING anything about it.

But if we gave everyone a gun, how many more problems would ensue? Thousands at least.
Not everyone thinks on their feet or with a stable mind. So instead of dealing with this issue, take note: watch it slowly fade away after the memorials into the sunset of senseless murders past. It's seems to me the more realistically we press the issue, the more questions it raises and the one constitutional right which hasn't been taken away yet remains ironically the most troublesome "right". The right to bear arms I guess has a more personal meaning than all the other "rights" we've had signed off by our President. I guess we're all too busy "re financing" our "sub prime" mortages to care. Or perhaps we've been sidestepped looking for an affordable place to live or purchase gas to fuel our cars. In any case, Americans have been apathetic on this issue and it is costing lives. I guess my answer is to go and get a gun.

Link

2007-04-15T17:50:00.000-07:00

Imus--The Professional Offender

Don Imus to me was alternatively funny, but most of the time one of those boorish morning motormouths hired to drub up ratings by rattling people driving on their way to work. Like much of the "entertainment" in America, he was a hired smart ass supposedly witty and "outrageous". It was his job. His cheap shots and veiled racism meant chuckles in the car on the way to work and high ratings. Imus was annoying to me like Howard Stern. I never knew how serious to take them, so I didn't listen to them. Imus cloaked himself as a true American with his cowboy hat and country music, so I guess he felt he had special white permission to offend as part of his profession. So he did, and he became very popular. One thing Imus couldn't stop was a line being drawn by the women and blacks, and especially black women.

Unfortunately, the reality is Don Imus has been doing this and getting away with it for years. Bob Herbert in the New York Times outlines a piece he was going to write about Imus and how 'jittery' CBS became once they learned he was doing so.

I spoke to a woman at work (who is black) and she thought what he said was wrong, but added "nappy headed ho's is so old school". "Who even uses that anymore? Black woman style, straighten and weave their hair...nappy...that reminds me of that Stevie Wonder song when he said he was a nappy headed boy"...and Stevie Wonder is no spring chicken.

I believe America is in far a too fragile state to allow unchecked racism over our airwaves. To allow the Bill O' Reilly's of the world to use "wetback", and the Ann Coulter's to use "faggot", while Imus chimes in with his hateful garbage, is very dangerous given our changing country, and the economic inequalities that our country is in denial about.

Katrina was a disaster, but the true disaster existed before the hurricane hit, it's just that no one cared. Katrina opened up just how unequal our society still is for large portions of black America. Detroit (my hometown) will never get hit by a hurricane, but it has several areas that resemble a 9th ward, (as do many American cities). By pretending it's alright to offend black people and people of color we are potentially opening up a Pandora's box of people who only feel marginally accepted to begin with. And to allow white people to wrap themselves up in symbols Americana while offending Americans of color is not exactly the smartest thing to do in these times.

After Tuesdays tax deadline, those people of color who will most likely represent those in the highest brackets for foreclosure will start walking away from their American dream. Do we really want to exacerbate a situation in our nation when our trying times will require us to be more united than ever? After sending soldiers over to Iraq for their third tours of duty, a draft may become necessary, and if history is any guide, most likely we will be drawing many young people from our society to fight in a war thousands of miles away. While most will be the white majority that is this nation, a large proportion will be black and brown men and women.

We can't degrade collegiate woman athletes of color when they are trying to win. Let's not take that from them, or from anyone who's trying to make the most of what life in America is supposed to be about. To do so is non productive, and is conducive to civil unrest in an unsettled and uncertain nation. It just happens when people have had enough. Do we really need to stir the pot? Or could we start giving pot away to settle things down?

Bye bye Imus, I never really knew you, but you look about retirement age anyhow. I think you thought you were a lot more popular than you really were. The low note you left on was well deserved. Congratulations.

Link

2007-04-10T09:15:00.000-07:00

Nappy Headed Ho's

Don Imus' remark about black women basketball players being "nappy headed hoes" is one of several remarks he's said along the years which has gotten him ratings and attention. Only this time, people are really taking him to task on his remarks. I don't really listen to him, all I know is that I've heard of him in this context before and yes, it's probably time he retires. Disparaging anyone because of their race is wholly unacceptable. If they let him go for two weeks, then his punishment serves as mere window dressing. Imus has always had controversial racial skits and hasn't been called on it. I have a hunch he's really a racist, and like many white Americans, still secretly reads the Gay, Black, Jew, and Mexican jokes and get's a good sincere belly laugh. He just went ahead and said what was really on his mind. I guess he figures he'll always have a job, and he'll be just fine. Let's hope he's wrong about that as well. Freedom of speech is one thing, but invectives and hate that does nothing but incite outrage isn't "entertainment". In the genre of Shock jock radio hosts, this passes as entertainment. What is scary about a lot of these guys is that most of them establish they are "regular Joes" and uniformly will wax about things patriotic before they go and pick on "things not white America". It's a formula, so predictable I get bored listening to it because I know what to expect. Imus is overdue for a dressing down or dismissal.

There has already been a swelling of support from his fellow shock jocks. It's the whole "Geez Gilligan, how did you get us into this mess?" Tongue in cheek fellowship amongst the people who've been allowed to be "controversial" for ratings. They claim freedom of speech, and indeed their own survival is garnered from saying off the cuff, non politically correct observations that are racist /sexist/ discriminatory statements thinly veiled as 'humor'. We're already being told to "lighten up" as if this is something we shouldn't take so seriously. What many of these irresponsible broadcasters fail to realize is that impressionable minds listen to them. To a certain degree even humor has to take on the responsibility of a fragmented American society. To pour more salt into a fizzure is an invitation to disaster. It will be interesting to watch them sqirm some and try to work around this. People like Howard Stern are chomping at the bit....just don't diss the Jews! Howard doesn't like that unless he's the one doing it, but don't be a gentile and say anti semitic jokes....Oh no, that's a DIFFERENT story!
Pluleezze.

Trying to figure out what the "next big thing" is going to be. Resistance seems to be building and organizing in Iraq faster than the US can adapt. Soldiers being sent over early, tours extended. One wonders how much longer we band aid this battle. No solutions, only more of the same.

The Danielynn Saga draws closer to and End

Finally in the world of snaky lawyers and Anna Nicole Smith or (ANS) for those yet uninitiated
to the lettered acronym, it has been determined that Howard K. Stern is NOT the father. Wait! Maybe that's why he was against having the DNA test in the first place! It is 99.9% certain that Larry Birkhead is the dad. He be the baby's daddy, and all this without Maury Povitch raising a finger to help. We've all known this to be the case, it's just been so long getting any type of maneuvering (thanks to Stern) out of the way. I was a little worried that the Bahamian courts were going to go the way of complication, but that was avoided. Now we can all go back to worrying about Britney, Lindsay and Sanjaya. Let's not forget Phil Spector's trial is looming and quite possibly another wacky hairstyle. Oh I guess that is part of the fun.

Now the press will turn to Birkhead and following him around. Interviews with past girlfriends, and (maybe boyfriends) will have us craving even more to take our minds off of things like this never ending war on terror and our deteriorating standard of living, but hey, that's what these things are about. Keeping us hopped up on gossip. It's our crack. Getting out of ourselves and into the lives and problems of the "famous". The rich. The more miserable they are, the better we feel about ourselves. Because while they're partying and ODing we're slaving away at regular jobs, doing boring things, and well....they're not. It will be interesting to see what they do with Birkhead.

Link

2007-03-29T07:44:00.000-07:00

Sanjaya Stays and so does Bush

I'm seeing some striking parallels between reality show "The Whitehouse" and "American Idol".

www.votefortheworst.com obviously had it's fingers in the last election's cookie jar.

The pre-weight-loss-Jack-Osbournish looking Chris Sligh gets the boot. Honestly, unless Haley comes out next week with no top on...or a hook in her voice that differentiates her, then she's gotta go. Sanjaya is far too fun to kick around and he's creating his own interest because he's soo different. Most everyone thinks he's gay, and at 17 years old, still living at home, Sanjaya apparently disagrees. Devoid of heterosexual markings, he gives us more reasons to believe he is gay with his constant hair changing modes. He's even gayer than Ryan Secreast who, next to Sanjaya actually seems butch!

All this is such a nice divergence from issues abroad. On "The Whitehouse" show we have President Bush turning his back on the House and Senate. You know those people we pick to represent us in Washington. He doesn't want to listen to them, and has chosen to ignore any of the checks and balances that are in place presumably for the good of the whole. But then, does anyone of the ilk of Bush really care about us "commoners"? As the fabric of the nation continues to decline, from the top we are seeing it's acquiesce. It's okay to be elitist. It's okay to be exclusive. In order for their to be haves, WE HAVE TO have those "have nots". If we don't we must create some. The whole American economic system of checks and balances is becoming dangerously flawed. We have placed too much value in a leadership which is taking us to the precipice of decline. The decision making of the executive branch needs checks and balances more than ever. "Let's take a stroll in Baghdad!" As if.

Everything favors Corporations and the very rich. Commercialism has imbued Americans with a material idealism which is becoming more elusive each year for millions who have bought into the "borrow for today to pay for tomorrow" mentality....interest rates and changing terms be dammed...live for the moment. Millions have already purchased their first generation flat screen TV's unaware that a better, even more clearer option would later be available. It's the 1080p and they are working on an even more clearer one. Suckers all.

Millions went ahead and bought into the idea that home ownership is the true American dream only to see that they bought into the hype. The idea of deregulation of banking and utilities is finally being realized, but no one seems educated enough to care. Deregulation was never meant to be good for the whole, but only a few. American's swarmed over the housing market when prices were high and red hot (good for sellers) and while it's true some made money, the industry suckered many into thinking they had invites to a party that would go on forever. Ignorance is a nightmare. Wouldn't the economy be better off overall if we weren't such a nation of debtors?

Iran

With the nation so tied up in Iraq how can we afford Iran? Iran has more of a military complex and has more people than Iraq. With Saudi Arabia calling our occupation in Iraq "illegal" are Americans the "illegal aliens" in Iraq?

Link

2007-03-28T12:45:00.000-07:00

Rundown for today---

My self imposed sanction against American Idol has forced me to watch it only on YouTube.
Tonight Haley should go. Sanjaya is far to bad to let go of now. I can't stay away from this national karaoke contest.

Bush's veto against Congress and the Senate will backfire on him (like everything else).
My heart and prayers go to Tony Snow and his family.

I believe America is facing looming political, economic, and domestic crisis's.

With that in mind, have a great day!

Link

2007-03-25T23:52:00.000-07:00

I couldn't have Said It BETTER myself!

2007-03-21T23:25:00.000-07:00

American Idol --- Giving us reasons not to watch the show

Stephanie Edwards was kicked off while Sanjaya and Haley get to go on. Simon always drones on about how this is a talent competition, but while FOX may be trying to get viewers to watch a couple reality train wrecks to go on to the finals, I refuse to watch. I skip the show frequently because of this, and I'm not sure the ratings (at least the way Nielsen does them--diaries and all) reflects what real viewers like me do. I watch the freaks in the beginning and then the the better singers going into the finals.

I was sucked into it, and now with this stupid non explainable voting, will not watch it until the finals. If doing the illogical is what American Idol wants to do to drum up ratings then all they need to do is look at our current administration to see how that concept backfires. Keeping Sanjaya and Haley in is already giving me a headache and I'm writing the show off. I'll read the results online as to not suffer the waste of time, the endless commercials and the stupidity of it all.
It is supposed to draw us closer to understand the reason some good people don't make it and the some of the shitty people stay, but I for one am thinking it's best to sit it out, record or watch other shows and not waste time on it until the final few. Fuck this show and how it's done. I've heard others say it, so now it's my turn. Fuck American Idol and they're stupid "controversial formula" for getting people to watch. I'm over it. I guess expecting more from a network like FOX was expecting too much in the first place. Fox's news department is a joke, and now they prove positive that the joke is on the viewers. BTW, I don't think calling in makes any difference in the voting. They will vow up and down it does, but the fact you pay should give you pause. You can pay all you want, but they have to do what they have to do to keep your interest....even if it is keeping the competition visually "interesting" and not fair.

I'm tuning out on this farce. I hate seeing Stephanie lose out to others so much farther down the rung than she. Fox's ratings are high, but every season they fuck it up and alienate viewers like myself who take only a passing interest and then see this...and we just tune out....back to politics for me.
nuff said. bye.
Link

2007-03-21T08:49:00.000-07:00

American Idol Season 6 For those of you who missed it!

Melinda is in a class by herself and is already proving to be a winner. She's got depth, soul, and something within that comes out in her voice. American Idol is perfect for her as she is not your average commercially produced singer. Like Elliot Yamin, she' s not the hottest thing on the block, but personally when I want to hear them sing, I want to hear them, not the magic created from a canned studio voice. Go Melinda GO! I always want to hear more from her after she's done. She sparkles when she talks, she's magic when she sings.

I know is not politically correct, but we have to separate the black girls from the white ones and this is my blog, so I'll do whatever I feel like. They perform differently and the singing choices/styles are different.

Lakisha was good. Her performance though lacked the soul Melinda always seems to have. I thought of the 007 franchise and agree with Simon that the song was old for her, but she sounded just like the beginning song in a movie. Who could not agree? Aren't diamonds forever? Singing careers are definitely not. I like Lakisha's voice but boy oh boy, does she have her job cut out in this competition. She sounded like the person who sang "Goldfinger". She made me want to do a jewel heist.

Jordan was good enough, but no where good as good as Melinda and to me tied with Lakisha. She's 17 but sings beyond her age. It is amazing to think of what lies ahead for this one. She definitely has the looks to sell music. She needs to drop about 10-15 lbs. Then forget it, she's off to the races with what she wants to do.

Stephanie was "pitchy". I call it off key on some of her notes. She's a great singer, but I think she knows the person to beat is Melinda and I think she may be feeling the pressure to perform well. Her voice last night was very reminiscent to Beyonnce, and we already have one of those. Watch the link, close your eyes and "Listen". If she changed her look to longer hair it would be a more polished look for her. With her talent, and body, a change in her hairstyle might draw more attention to her. She's not heavy and has a great voice.

White Girls

Gina Glocksen I like her (she's very 80's). Keeping in mind the aforementioned, she has the unfortunate timing to be in the competition with professional style singers. I like her spirit, and her ability to energize the audience, but she's halfway up the hill with others who are closer to the top.

Haley turned on her leggy sex appeal and won points with Simon. Simon didn't hold it against her either, because she's realized that is one of her strong points so she used it. I "got" her 60's British invasion shtick. She's fun, but I don't think she'll make it to the end. She sings like so many others. She's a great singer---but American Idol is the cream of the crop and I don't think she's the cream of the crop. But songs on sale now are made by a lot of people in this mold.

The Guys

Blake Lewis is one of my favorite male performers. He's sexy, and I like how he doesn't lose himself and his own style. His song choice was good last night I wanted to hear more of his be bop mouth stuff in the song even though his British Invasion coach, Peter Noone was too out of generation/genre to understand it's appeal here in America. I've seen this show in Australia, and the Americans are top level even in this kind of competition. Blake and Chris Richardson and basically tied with one another, but behind Melinda depending on who's voting.

Chris Richardson is up there with everyone else. I love his voice as well. He is extremely talented. One thing that is distracting to his looks. Get rid of the peach fuzz. Some people say he's Chris Timberlake....but he's talented. In the male category, with talent and looks, I say Blake and Chris could definitely sell some records. I like Blake's urban style more, but then that's my flava.

Phil Stacey is also fun like Haley was. With the exception of Sanjaya, who in this competition at this point isn't? I like his energy and he seems like he could do a great concert. I wouldn't mind see him at a club gig if he was performing while American Idol was here in LA. It would sell out though...(hint hint). If he's not really bald, he needs to grow some hair out. I disagree with Simon's assessment last night. A lot of Simon's comments change if people change their looks. They've got to sell music. A bald white guy may not sell as much as a Chris or Blake.
I don't think the American Idol franchise wants a bust like they had with Taylor Hicks. But then Taylor Hicks was a bit full of himself wasn't he?

Chris Sligh has the potential to be a one hit wonder. Remember Chris Cross "Sailing"? Unfortunately is audio and video is canny and grainy on this link. He's good enough, but
not good enough. Every time I look at him I think "Jack Osbourne". He just doesn't do "it" whatever "it" is. Part of the competition is sex appeal. This guys got a great voice, but he's very forgettable in the looks department. After Sanjaya leaves, I think either Chris Sligh, Haley or Gina's going to go. That is....unless there is an upset and Sanjaya stays.

Sanjaya What more can be said? I felt last night he was trying desperately to be something he isn't. One of them was a singer. It was as if he was trying to be loud, macho and tough and it was not believable at all. He has a good voice and he's talented, but he's out of his league on this show. "I think the little girls face says it all" Simon quipped. Perhaps the producers of the show planted this unstable emotional girl in the audience to recapture the crying, screaming hysterical girls that used to be waiting for the Beatles to deplane in the 60's. Keeping Sanjaya on may upset a lot of people and their confidence in the show....but it would build controversy.
Sanjaya sucks and while he does have a great singing voice he needs to do some growing up and decide what to do with his life.

Signing off to go get the mothership started......

Link

2007-03-19T08:39:00.000-07:00

Bush's Speech -- Nothing New

This morning, a mournful Bush gave us nothing new in terms of direction on the war in Iraq.
He pointed out the victories of the Iraq war, removal of Sadam Hussein, free elections in Iraq,
and the preempting of future terrorist attacks on America. Once again he invoked the notion that 9-11 and Iraq are somehow intertwined however no direct evidence of this has ever been laid out on it's own for a real analysis just for the sake of it. The information turned out to be false from those with self seeking ulterior motives.

Condolezza Rice admitted we were short on troops. Recently I've noticed stateside she has not been saying as much as she did during the first three years as one of the "Booster Club" or cheerleaders in saying just about anything to justify the war or lack of troops. I know she recently did a world tour. I am unaware of any new changes that resulted, but then we can't expect miracles when they're really needed.

This is like a bad run of the American Idol show where all the good singers were kicked off early on, and we're left with a roster of singers of dubious talent. As Simon would say, "I've seen better in hotel lounges or on a cruise ship...or even in an amusement park....."

Call me strange...but as Bush was speaking, I was sitting here with my morning cup of coffee, (It was 8:35am PDT) and I as I watched him speak, his words faded and became a droning back round sound. I saw the books behind him. "The facade of knowledge", I thought. The top of the fireplace and the regal Grecian look it had and then the man speaking. The man speaking was speaking on behalf of corporate America. Lobbyists who have lawyers with corporate ties do most of the thinking for him. Maybe that is why after his speech to mark the fourth year of US involvement in Iraq, Bush turned and walked away from the camera. He did not want to take questions that he couldn't answer, or perhaps can't answer because he knows what we already know and he knows we already know what he knows. I'm surprised after the speech they didn't just turn all the lights off so he could just disappear in the darkness. Let the press fumble their way out in the darkness...they should be used to it by now anyway.

While we weren't paying attention, Americans who should have someone of the people--have a spokesperson from corporate America as their President. If I were a reporter. I would've asked the President to pull one of the books off the shelf, and please read a paragraph from any of them. Then I would've asked him to summarize when the paragraph said....just for fun. Of course he would've refused...but I wondered to myself if this "spokesperson" for corporate America could really do it. Gone are the days of a President's imbued with ethics. Gone are the days when a President would be worthy of a backdrop that may be done from his real collection of books and ideas. When you look at the decisions, including decisions regarding Iraq and domestic policies they reek of corporate ethics, ways and means.

I imagine the only 'books' Bush reads are glossy ones from Yacht brokers and golf havens.

Tax cuts? Lop most of them to corporations. Give most tax cuts to the upper 2% of Americans. Cut social programs. Avoid domestic issues like health care and homelessness. Have a privatized military (Haliburton/Blackwater/Vinell Corp.) to help out the 'commoners' who were told they were defending the country from "terrorism" when in fact they are fighting for an oil grab. Thousands of American jobs have been exported. And so now goes the biggest private no bid contractor in the war on terror. Haliburton is moving it's headquarters from Texas to Dubai. Am I the only one wondering when this lunacy will come to an end?

I cannot recall any war in America's past where we invaded a country using private contractors. What does this do to the morale of the soldiers who volunteered? Does it not undermine the purpose of having a volunteer force? No wonder the armed forces are having such a difficult time recruiting people. They've offered citizenship to "illegal aliens" (as long as they fight), and now are saying "don't ask don't tell" was flawed after using "gay marriage" and hatred against gays as a wedge issue during the last campaign.

With all the new variables in play minus all things a traditional war would have: a 'battle front', easily identifiable enemy, enemy fronts and clear cut alliances; is this war winnable using traditional military methods? A clear cut example follows.

Our country's own battle for independence was won because the British soldiers fought differently than the Americans. The pomp and uniform of the British soldiers did them in.
They stuck out like a sore thumb and they made themselves easy targets for the Americans who employed what was then considered non traditional means of fighting the enemy. There are also other similarities...this article from Wikipedia (which by the way has undergone assault because it is the first democratic collection of knowledge--which is a threat to those who would have us believe what they want us to believe)

This article about the Revolutionary war is how the British lost to America--see the parallels that the US has with Iraq:

Historical assessment

Historians have often sought to explain why Britain lost a war which few at the time expected them to lose. Britain had several military advantages at the outset: vastly superior naval power, a professional military by the standards of the day, and far greater financial resources. Furthermore, the Americans often faced shortages of military supplies and had a traditional distrust of central government and standing armies which made the maintenance of a national military force extremely difficult.^[23]

On the other hand, the British had significant military disadvantages. Distance was a major problem: most troops and supplies had to be shipped across the Atlantic Ocean. The British usually had logistical problems whenever they operated away from port cities, while the Americans had local sources of manpower and food and were more familiar with (and acclimated to) the territory. Additionally, ocean travel meant that British communications were always about two months out of date: by the time British generals in America received their orders from London, the military situation had usually changed.^[24]

Suppressing a rebellion in America also posed other problems. Since the colonies covered a large area and had not been united before the war, there was no central area of strategic importance. In Europe, the capture of a capital often meant the end of a war; in America, when the British seized cities such as New York and Philadelphia, the war continued unabated. Furthermore, the large size of the colonies meant that the British lacked the manpower to control them by force. Once any area had been occupied, troops had to be kept there or the Revolutionaries would regain control, and these troops were thus unavailable for further offensive operations. The British had sufficient troops to defeat the Americans on the battlefield but not enough to simultaneously occupy the colonies. This manpower shortage became critical after French and Spanish entry into the war, because British troops had to be dispersed in several theaters, where previously they had been concentrated in America.^[25]

Sound familiar? Iraq was never one nation united to begin with, and now we fight a war in a far flung territory with insurgents popping in and out of the picture. We calm Basara...it's quiet for a few weeks, then the insurgents come back. We do the same in Baghdad (7 million people strong) and it's the same.

I guess the question is how we define victory in Iraq? If it has nothing to do with what we're being told then I understand this mornings "speech" much more clearly. It just doesn't make sense any other way.

"Judge a man by not what he does with his private parts in private, but what he does with his public parts in private" -- Pant Pant (Me)

I give up....I guess I don't.

Link

2007-03-03T07:56:00.000-08:00

Ann Coulter - The Consummate Shrew

Devoid of any factual ammunition against Democratic hopeful John Edwards, she referred to him as a "faggot". Perhaps she misses basking in the conservative limelight since her last book, so she's stirring up the flames of hatred again in a bid for relevance.

How seriously should we take this woman? I wonder how the "Log Cabin" types feel about once again being marginalized by their own party? Here, we have roomful of Republicans sitting banquet style on CSPAN, and nervously laughing, then giving her applause once she wraps it up. Any bigoted or hate speech in this type of forum met with applause is a dangerous signal to send to the rest of the nation. Why should it stop at "faggot"? After them, then let's pick on the niggers, Jews, and as we get closer to the election, whip up a frenzy with those spics (as we always do!).

She most certainly does represent a voice in this country. But does the Republican party want to be known for this? Who's next? David Duke? At a time when we need people to come together, Ann Coulter serves as nothing but a distraction to the real issues like health care, the economy, and our ongoing failure in Iraq. Aren't there better, more eloquent speakers for the Republican party? Oh she got her "brand name" out there, yet once again, but for all the wrong reasons. This is a case where not all publicity is good publicity. I don't want to use my originally intended words (all pejorative) that I had for her. I want to be above "the cattle" in this one.

What disturbs me so much is lack of a responsible Republican speaking out against her remarks and the applause in the room after her remark. She is divisive and non constructive.
Her hate speech in that forum is totally unacceptable and saps away at the image of Republicans. I wonder what Coulter thinks of Dick Cheney's daughter? Some should ask her...but most certainly she would do her crystal meth like fast talk and side step off that one...rest assured.

Link

2007-02-22T10:26:00.000-08:00

DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA
Bury Anna!
What Britney and Bush have in Common

Watching the Anna Nicole Smith courtroom drama the last few days has kept me riveted to the television far longer than I normally am. Vergie Arthur's attorney just collapsed, and one of the attorneys from LA dropped a shit bomb in court. And I thought I was crazy. These are highly paid attorneys and this is a judge who is attempting to make a decision in regard to where Anna Nicole Smith's body gets buried.

In the meantime, the various attorneys (representing different interests --- obviously) are trying to draw in their clients best interests....while the judge tries to keep the fire lit under their asses since the "body is decomposing more rapidly than expected". Yeech!

When Howard K. Stern and Anna Nicole Smith moved themselves to the Bahama's it was indeed an attempt to get away from the complicated US laws, rules and regulations in anticipation I'm sure of the windfall they both expected from the pending settlement resulting from her marriage to J. Howard Marshall. After winning in the Supreme Court, they jetted off to the Bahamas to take in the warm, turquoise waters, white sand beaches, peaceful sunsets, methadone, (shipped in from LA), and eventually the settlement. It didn't happen that way.

Note: you know you've got a methadone problem when you store it by the quart full in the fridge next to the Slim Fast. When I go down the memory lane of people I've been in contact who fancied themselves as "recreational users" of drugs, when in actuality they were hard core addicts, I cannot recall something that extreme. Maybe I haven't been around the "right" people.

What is on trial here is the legitimacy of the court system in the US. Watching the Judge, I have to say while he is rather long winded, I think what he is trying to do, (albeit in a drawn out fanciful fashion) is give every side a chance to speak their piece. We all want to see Danielynn go with the most appropriate care giver and that would be in this instance, her biological father. Everyone knows that. Howard K. Stern was Smith's atty during her divorce and settlement proceedings during their relationship. This was established early on in the Ft. Lauderdale proceedings. He says he is in good standing with the California Bar.

Why then, did he not remove himself from the case due to conflict of interest matters when his relationship developed from a client/lawyer relationship into a personal/sexual relationship?

That fine line was knowingly crossed by Stern, and it was then, if he was a rational, stable thinking sober individual, he should've handed the case to another attorney to avoid any conflict of interest issues. To me, they are screaming out.

Paternity

In regard to the little girl. Drop the money issue and exercise some good common sense.

Let's pretend this is a little girl from the Bahamas is your niece. She is in the custody of a man who was present when your nephew died of a methadone overdose the same day your little niece was born. Later, that same individual was present when your sister died from the same drug. These drugs (and others) were procured under that man's (Howard Stern) name and it appears this man helped administer these drugs to both your sister and your nephew. Although you're not sure of it, one thing you are sure of...he does not appear to be a safe, stable influence for her safety and welfare. After all, what's with the drug deaths of two of the most closest people she would've known in her life? Why do some of drugs that your sister was known to take have his name on them?

Would you want your niece to be around/with or anywhere near this man? Would you not at least try to attempt to wrestle her out of his hands for her own well being? I know I would.

Now if it were you or I, let's be honest. Most of this would be over with. Keeping in line with his character and demonstrated behavioral characteristics, I suppose the most un-fatherly type of man, someone like Stern, would be begging for relatives to take this kid off his hands. This drug enabling person would want to get back to his career, maybe go to rehab for himself, and give the girl to someone who is more maternal or would and could take care of the child. He would probably be the first to submit himself to a DNA test to prove HE'S NOT the father!

What we have here is an $88 million dollar settlement. Whomever gets custody of this child in for a big windfall. The stakes are totally different.

Now bring on the duel attorney teams, and the flamboyant courtroom judge. The case in Florida is about Anna Nicole's corpse and where to put it, but the attorney's are using it as a precedent for establishing jurisdiction and cause for paternity. Frankly, I find myself riveted to the story. Since Stern has claims he has nothing to hide (even though he won't do a DNA paternity test), does his commitment ceremony in the Bahamas make him the most appropriate parental choice? His lack of judgment and the circumstances surrounding both the deaths of Anna Nicole and Daniel make me worry that Danielynn might be his number three. Even though Virgie and Anna didn't get along, I understand why her mother is coming forward--to save her granddaughter's life perhaps? In reality it's probably both, but in the eyes of the law, the "real" father has more of a link to this girl than the grandparent(s).

Is Larry Birkhead a more appropriate father? Who knows? But I honestly don't think a man like Stern could be or would be. Once the glow of the media fades away, and Anna Nicole's daughter is placed with the appropriate parent she needs something money can't buy. That is unconditional love. She will need structure and discipline. True love for a child shouldn't come from the knowledge of a monetary settlement. It can come from a biological parent who will have more of a bond with that child. If someone knocked on my door with that child, I can honestly say I would not be an appropriate parent (and I don't have a script for methadone).

The amount of money involved in this case is a major distraction.

I already feel sorry for this baby. Her mother was taking methadone while pregnant? How could Stern allow such a thing if it's true? Something terrible was going on while she was pregnant and Stern was most definitely around.

Britney and Bush

Run, run, run as fast as you can until there is no more running to be done.

People run from the truth all the time. People will pick up and move and try a new start, in a new state, with new friends and in new surroundings to avoid what's in their head. I think in most people's lives, there will come a time when they have to confront something that's bigger than they are. When you do hit that point, it is very humbling indeed to admit that this "something" (whatever it may be) is really bigger, stronger or more cunning and trickier than you could ever be. It's frustrating as hell, but once you give in to it...you move on. You live life not fighting a battle that you'll never win even if you believe with all your heart and might you can. Some battles are not winnable.

Anna Nicole lost hers, so did John Belushi, Chris Farley, Florence Ballard, Joey Steffano, Marilyn Monroe and a boatload of others...but then too there were

Adolf Hitler (thank God), the Japanese who bombed Pearl Harbor, Communism in Russia, the Aztecs, the Mexicans at the Alamo, Native Hawaiians and Queen Lili'oukalani.

It becomes a matter of when, not if you give into forces that you cannot control. Some would call this surrender, some call this smart living. When you are attacked, it is human nature to fight back. We survive because of this base instinct. The instinct of self preservation. But when continue to fight back against something larger and more cunning than we are, it is futile. When we fight back against something we think we understand, (but really don't) we want to fight back harder and more forceful.

There is always some type of personal price to be paid. Sometimes monetary as well when we cause damage along the way to innocents who inadvertently step into our way. Monetary damages can always be paid, the personal costs sometimes cannot.

The key is knowing when to give in. I've had to do it and it is humbling but bittersweet. Sad actually, but one constant in life is truth. If it was easy, everyone would have it.

I believe that the element and knowing when, makes the winners out of the "losers".
True victory is winning quietly and in the end you become more cunning and aware.
Iraq did not invade the US. We invaded them. 9-11 was invoked as the reason for invasion on several occasions, but 9 of the 15 hijackers were Saudi nationals.

Now that we disturbed the region, do we stay and mix it up with a larger power and keep fighting more forceful? I think the reason we went into Iraq is here.

I guess there's no making sense when the reason behind the war sidesteps the truth. Now it is American's who have to accept what was really behind the so called rationalization for war against Iraq. It ain't pretty.

2007-02-13T22:45:00.000-08:00

Omar Sharif's Racist Rant gets Overlooked at LAtimes

Apparently it is in the opinion of Justice Richard Stone, and D.A. District Attorney Jane Robison that referring to someone by their ethnic origin (in a demeaning and derogatory manner) while slapping them in the face is something that can be completely overlooked when rendering a judgment on Omar Sharif's recent no contest plea to a misdemeanor battery charge.

Nary a mention of the racial overtones in "writer" Peter Hong's article about the whole affair. For this incident.

Sharif, (who didn't leave Egypt--because he didn't have to), is going to have to scrounge up $100 and attend a mandatory 15 anger management counseling sessions. How this was going to be completed and executed I guess would be online since the LAtimes article clearly states Sharif lives primarily in Egypt and France and "visits LA less often than once a year".

So realistically think about it his punishment.

Sharif had asked the judge to hear the case "via satellite"--- why would anyone expect someone so pompous and arrogant to actually care to finish "anger management classes" which in this case are insufficient. In a matter of regular misdemeanor battery, this would be a proper judgment, but when racial overtones enter into a case, I think more than just "anger management" classes are in order. I hope they cover "Race Relations in the USA" while they are discovering a way for Sharif to control his temper.

Maybe in Egypt it's okay to hit the help and call refer to them in vitriol that refers to their country of origin, but in the US, it's NOT OKAY. The article in the LAtimes and the judgment totally ignores the racial overtones in the case. What if Sharif had said, "you stupid Black man", or "you dumb Jew". Applying the same logic set to Sharif's actions outside of Mastro restaurant that night, how is it allowable for him to demonstrate this type of behavior, and make this type of statement to a Mexican American man? Perhaps we would hear more about the story and it would get more play in the media. But since it is about a man of Mexican origin who is a valet parking cars, apparently a different set of journalistic and civil rules are in effect.

What does this really say? In a city with such a huge Mexican/Mexican American population is this what our Judicial Branch of government thinks of it's own citizens? (Mayor included). I don't understand the logical/judicial/journalistic disparities if one takes Sharif's statement and then applies it to another group for comparison sake. No one in the press had a hard time taking Mel Gibson to task when he made his disparaging comments about the Jews...I guess had he kept it to the Mexicans then it would've been a much "quieter" case. While Gibson's comments about the Jews were much more inflammatory, they were very much a part of the story.

What bothers me about this is the LAtimes article, which doesn't even mention that Sharif said anything towards Mexicans (which he did), the the measly $100 fine, and his 15 "mandatory anger management" counseling sessions. By ignoring the racial overtone of Sharif's actions that evening, it is sending out a negative signal that perhaps Omar Sharif's comments hold merit, and therefore are not worth mentioning in the Judgment or reporting of the incident. The man who was hit and made to feel less than a man in front of his co workers and other patrons of Mastro that evening I believe should be awarded a compensatory sum. I think the Judge made a mistake by ignoring that matter and Peter Hong's article proves it by also totally ignoring an important component in this case. The silence on racial issue in both the news coverage and the judgment is disturbing to me in what it says in a de facto sense.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dehumanization

2007-02-08T11:14:00.000-08:00

RIP Anna Nicole Smith
Haggard is "Totally Straight"
Rag Tag American Health care (Personal Story)

Yesterday I was on my crackberry (blackberry) at the Soup Plantation in Brentwood when I got the news whilst in mid chomp on on a salad. Anna Nicole Smith was dead. The finality of the banner headline on "The Drudge Report", hit me like a wall of bricks. I do not know her personally, but when someone's life has been played so publicly for so long now, the knowledge of their death is almost like hearing that a friend (or the friend of a friend) has passed away.

I let out a gasp, and went to the story. Right away, like most people I'm sure, I thought "drugs", and "tragic". I went to TMZ, and CNN to learn more. There wasn't much new info on those other sites, just periodic updates about details surrounding her admittance and transport to the hospital, where she was found, etc. But for the very reason her life and her problems have been on television, I know deep down without having to have it spelled out to me, that she probably died detoxing or overdosing. I just said good bye to a friend on Saturday night, and lately I think I should think more about how I take care of myself. Anna Nicole was beautiful when she was sober and could pull herself together---I saw her in person several times both blasted and sober. She had the sickness of addiction, and she just didn't get to it before it got her. Just terrible. And that supposed husband of hers I think was enabling her and it has already been discovered had administered her son's lethal drug of methadone. I questioned that in an earlier blog, but no one seems to wanted to have put the obvious intact.

Now, wild claims and a media circus appears to have pushed recent Iraq war and the North Korean nuke deals to the rear of the common junk drawer of the news world. I'll admit, I want to know too!

Recently America seems to me addicted to drug and alcohol addicted celebrities and their follys. Remember watching Anna Nicole stumble about on her "E" Entertainment show? Bossing around the ever fabulous Bobby Trendy, fussing about, and generally being herself (drug or alcohol induced) as she was. Now the issue will be who is the legal father who will lay claim to her only surviving child, Dannie Lynn.

The welfare of this little girl should be first and foremost, and since the death of her son and of herself were under the auspices of Howard K. Stern, I have to wonder if he would be the best person to have custody of this child for the child's own welfare. Howard K. Stern supposedly administered the morphine that killed Daniel, and now I'm sure he was hardly unaware that Anna Nicole Smith didn't have a substance abuse problem, and I'm sure took part in enabling it. Just the pictures of him alone do not remind me of a respectable attorney let alone a respectable and responsible person. His shady character alone is reason enough to get that baby out of the Bahama's and into the custody of someone who doesn't have the habit of being with or around people when they die.

Nancy Grace step in here please! You know you can take Howard K. Stern down southern style!
I'm not a fan of her "guilty before proven innocent" charge she takes towards the "interviewees" on her show, but in this case I must digress. I don't think Stern has the balls to go against Nancy and I don't like him in charge of a child that is not his. If it is his child then why are those damn DNA paternity tests being danced around? Do the damn test.

It's Official, Ted Haggard is TOTALLY STRAIGHT!

Ted Haggard has been burping and farting more, and apparently sits on the couch and scratches his balls when he feels like it if we are to believe this article proclaiming that Haggard's divergence into the gay realm was a 'temporary thing'. It was only when he craved cock and crystal meth he took a walk on the "wild side", other than that, he's just another normal married man....now wait a minute....

Now if this man wanted to be with another, no one would give a rats ass hadn't he been a self proclaimed arbiter of morals as the President of the National Association of Evangelicals. Evangelicals believe explicitly that gays/homosexuals and homo acts are vile, wicked, unspeakable, and Satanic. Conservative Gay Republicans like Tom Foley, Ted (the top) Haggard, and Mary Cheney just aren't supposed to exist in these circles.
Even Vice President Dick Cheney couldn't bring himself to speak of his lesbian daughter's pregnancy with her lesbian lover...so vile, embarrassing and presumably disgusting the "gay thing" is. He even chastised Wolf Blitzer when Blitzer dared ask how Cheney's daughter was doing. You would've thought Wolf Blizter had asked the VP how many times he passes stool on a per quarterly basis. Strange reaction I say.

When Bill Maher outed Ken Melman and promised more to come and it didn't, I can only guess it is because the Republicans need closeted gays more than ever.

Health Care in America

Yes folks, this is what it's come to in our great nation. In Los Angeles, it has been documented that hospitals literally are dumping people onto the streets and making a get away for it, because they don't know what else to do with them. I recently had a hands on experience with the medical establishment via a friend of mine who just died of cancer last Saturday.

He called me in late October complaining of high fevers "sometimes" at night. Then the fevers became a regular thing and he was feeling more often under the weather than not. After getting a few affairs in order, (he was selling his business), he asked me if I could drive him to the emergency room Nov. 13th. That day began a four month odyssey that culminated in his death on Saturday February 3rd.

The ER at Cedars Sinai was an eyeopener. Tip: DO NOT WAIT UNTIL MONDAY TO VISIT AN EMERGENCY ROOM. Monday is the busiest day bar none. I saw a lady with a failing liver, (she was yellow) a woman sitting about 10 feet from us complained about how her staples were coming out in her back area. Myself, my friend, and anyone who wasn't about to drop a baby sat in the ER for 6 hours! Someone who was with the hospital told me that with the closing of some of the county hospitals, the ER's of larger care facilities are now getting overwhelmed with people literally walking in off the streets. The waiting room was a study of haves and the have-nots.

The lady with the bad liver was Persian (Iranian). She came at the urging of her daugher. They were all well dressed and in speaking with them, I learned the daughter's husband was a doctor at Cedars. She sat with the rest of us. There was a heavy set black lady, not well educated or well spoken in the Obama Barack sense of being, but she was saying that staples in her back were causing extreme pain, and she felt like they were coming loose. She waited as well. Another woman came in, had her lesbian friend with her, she was in a wheelchair and in some kind of pain. Another couple came in, husband and wife, (latino)--and the wife was in some kind of miserable state reminiscent of the flu. I just stared at her in all her misery and made a mental note to keep washing my hands whenever possible.

Hours later, my friend was admitted. But wait, not so fast. There wasn't a bed yet. We sat in the ER nurses station for another few hours. By this point, my friend was starting to feel nauseous and I had to run to get a pan for him to throw up in. All the nurses were busy and had I not been with him, he would've thrown up on himself. When I jumped up to get the pan I had to interrupt a male nurse tending to another patient. He just handed me the pan, and I suddenly felt like I had a new job a Cedars! I couldn't believe it, but this was the reality of what I was experiencing. It was a plethora of sensory overload. Blue lights, nurses with this look of being overworked. All in all they did all they could do, but it was obvious this was a busy hospital and had I not been with my friend, he would've suffered more not being able to have at least a dignified wait until a bed became available. All the time his damn cell phone was ringing because he was just into closing a sale on his business. By the time I left him that day, I was spent. Heavy in the heart as well. Never before had I seen him this sick before and I was shaken by his condition and the whole experience. Knowing he was HIV positive scared me. I just dropped off a friend and left him in the ER, and he looked like a bag man. Never the mind he was selling a business (successful) and had sold his condo 1 year ago for a handsome Southern California profit. He looked like a bag man complete with paperwork and notes he needed that had been quickly stuffed inside grocery store bags. I drove home in a mental haze.

That was November 13th. On Friday, November 17th, the "bad flu" I thought he had turned out to be cancer. I arrived at the hospital to comfort him. As these things go, with adult gay men, we escape our small towns, our conservative families and surroundings and head to the big city. He had done this (Meridian, MS.), just as I had done (MI.). Being thousands of miles away from family, there was no one there except a close friend he was living with and myself.
I knew that night, after finding out he had cancer, I had to be there with him. He admitted to me that he was scared. I told him so was I. I told him how I thought it was a bad flu and how this whole situation was a sidewinder and I couldn't believe it. His momma could not be there, and his family could not be there. So I just stood in for them that night and stayed with him until he was able to fall asleep. After he fell asleep, I snuck out of the building, got to my car and cried. I knew this was not going to end well.

The realities of the American Health Care "System" soon came around room 4812. Having experienced the death of my mother and a cousin to cancer, I unfortunately have some experience at knowing what to look for, and what starts to happen, and the bad stuff was happening. All this occurred in the span of just a few months. He had good times, and some rough patches...but after three weeks in the hospital, my friend was insisting he could go home and do the remainder of his treatment at home...this despite the fact that Blue Cross of California did not cover his "custodial care", meaning they would/could send a nurse to give him a shot, but he was on his own in terms of his day to day needs...i.e. changing diapers, going to the bathroom, bathing. So even though I knew he really shouldn't leave the hospital, my friend was rallying to go home, the hospital was more than happy to free up a bed, and my Christmas present to him was rolling him out of that hospital, even if it was for a few precious moments.

When I wheeled him out, deep down I knew he was coming back. But he was so happy to be getting out. Into the normal world again. Out of a sterile hospital room, and back into a regular home environment. The hospital got a bed back, and my friend had a few days (his last) of freedom. It turned out to be a disaster.

The person he was living with was naive to exactly how much care S needed. S was getting more and more forgetful and less ambulatory. He forgot to take medicines at the regular times, and he started keeping long lists of things for the person who was trying to take care of him. It was all in vain. He ended up back at Cedars. His doctors said for him to come back. They called me at work to see if I could leave work, but that wasn't possible. He went back into the ER, waited again just as he had before (six hours) and was admitted in the middle of the night. Time unknown. He was by himself. This time he was in for good. Visiting friends (such as myself) made a difference. Hospital nursing staff take note when concerned family members/friends are stalking about. One thing I realized is that my friend S didn't have many friends who were introverted. That came in handy at the huge ass Cedars. I wondered how people who do not have unofficial "advocates" fend for themselves. One nurse was insisting he
wanted apple juice and tried to force it on him when he had been asking for a pill to be crushed because he couldn't swallow due to swollen lymph nodes. She kept on saying "apple juice". After I hit the ceiling, I noticed our nurses got more efficient. What about those who can't speak up for themselves. I shudder at the thought.

All this stuff for a few reasons. One is that everything is wrong with America's health care "system". A major hospital bounced my friend home long before he was supposed to be there and just because the patient and his friend (me) wanted it, didn't mean it should've been done, but it was because there aren't enough beds at any hospital for the caseloads they area getting.

And my very point about those who do not have family, friends or advocates to help them.
Hospitals in LA dump them on skid row, colostomy bag and gown. Literally dumping them onto the streets. Is this America? The world saw Katrina, maybe they should see this as well.

I need to get a hold of "The Secret"--- stat!

2007-01-27T09:55:00.000-08:00

My State Of The Union Address
A Vote for Hillary is a Vote for Bill

What struck me most odd about the reaction to President Bush's State of the Union address was how well choreographed it was. All the standing up, sitting down, clapping, blinking, text messaging, and covert lozenger gulping....and yes the simultaneous glass of water sipping demonstrated by Dick Cheney and George Bush. Indeed when it came to the meat of the matter it was definitely style over substance.

He spoke of a proposal to aid "the American worker" contributions from business to the employees becomes part of their taxable income.

Now apparently some people will be stuck if their company provided health insurance is more than the $7,500.00 deductible allowed for an individuals and the $15,000 for families. So the more an employer spends on your health insurance, the less it benefits the individual worker. What we're trying to be force fed here is that insurance is the responsibility of the individual, not the businesses. In yet another veiled big business hand job, George Bush delivered his lines brilliantly, but a plan which would encourage yet more corporate indifference, people would get stuck paying for their own health care out of pocket. I honestly don't see how this plan would help the millions who have no insurance or are under insured. "Let them eat cake" is what Marie Antoinette always said! Yes, we've come to that.

There was nothing specific I recall was mentioned about controlling drug or health care costs, or reining in the health care industry. In vintage George Bush, this had nothing to do with the American worker. It was another ploy, (which has already been tried) to foist "the American worker" out onto the minefield of individual health care plans. If you are older or have a pre-existing condition, bend over cause you're gonna get it without the lube. Health Care "providers" really want to have nothing to do with you, or worse yet you'll end up paying more than before or as the classical middle class story goes....you'll either have to be poverty stricken and deal with a county or state run system, or you'll be working lots of extra hours to pay for your "insurance"----whatever that means these days..exhibit A *Katrina*.

This is like the doctor grabbing your balls and asking you to cough so you don't notice when he cuts them off.

Ethanol Hope for the Future?

In a nod to Ethanol (and himself) Bush reiterated his long often mantra of liquidly relieving ourselves of our oil addiction and switching it to something else. Never mind, at this very moment we have huge SUV's blazing the urban trails, most with one person behind the wheel. In my neighborhood it is always some small skinny lady on a cell phone not paying attention to her driving. There are no back country roads or large families to justify using those over sized status symbols. In most cases it is unchecked conspicuous consumption simply for the sake of it. Gone are the mandates of the 1970's that relegated automakers to make smaller more fuel efficient vehicles after the oil crisis of that time. I remember being told by a school teacher at that time we'd be out of oil by now. He also told us we were going to be metric as well. But automakers were mandated to produce smaller cars, which were already being made more efficiently overseas. Note the unintended consequence there! Trying to be someone driving a Toyota in Detroit back in the 70's meant you were taking your life into your hands. Tow trucks wouldn't get you or help you if you needed it. Detroit sucked at making small cars. Gas was saved, time went on, BIG cars became vogue again. Bush's response during his state of the Union, was once again asking nothing of Americans. As a society we don't seem to want to sacrifice shit for the sake of a whole, and that may be our downfall. While we're sending "other peoples" kids to Iraq, we make sure our own get to school in an SUV. No one appears to see the irony of it all, or worse yet seem to care about actually doing something about it.

Bush never mentioned other alternative means of energy (Solar, Wind or Hydro) or tax breaks for them. Corn Ethanol will just serve to lubricate the oil industry even further and really isn't the panacea that other alternatives could be.

So once again it is the oil industry that gets the Presidential Hand Job resulting in a few gushers I'm sure! Using more ethanol additives in gas would indeed reduce raw oil consumption, but because ethanol is not as efficient as gasoline, it require more frequent refills. Ahhhhh.......I think I'm coming!

No concessions on Iraq

Bush is going to position navy carriers around Iran to send a strong message that we mean business. There's been a lot of brouhaha regarding the 21,000 troops and the positioning of naval carriers, but no analysis of just what the envisioned scenario will most logically be. Lots of dirty looks across the aisle. A sense that something has to be done, but no open talk about
the U.S., Israeli, Sunni stance vs. the Iranian/Shia stance in this region. And probably because no one want to raise a voice to close any possibility of diplomacy. This is a region that plays political "chicken" with their enemies. None of Iran's neighbors want to see it have nuclear weapon capabilities. Where do they fit in on this "plan"?

If we are to send troops to Baghdad they most certainly would be seen as aligned mostly with the Sunni sector of the population given the administration's stance on Iran and it's mostly Shia population and leadership. But even the Sunni do not want us in their way. If it's trouble in the Middle East, it's usually allied with forces sympathetic to Shia cause. Unrest in Lebanon? It's Shia backed Hezbollah. Could it be we are anticipating more regional cooperation in this "theater" of military interest? Could the many layers of confusion in this part of the world be uncovered by the sand? Is it oil?

Did we go into Iraq as a grab for oil and to destabilize OPEC? I think so.

Does Iran want Iraq for it's oil under the guise of religion? Yes, and Bush doesn't care what Congress says or does. It is about oil. China has the bomb, Russia had the bomb aimed at us about the time I was being born, and Pakistan and India have the bomb. Russia has supplied Iran with extra arms...this is probably to reinforce it's oil club should there be a showdown.

Frankly, I get a headache thinking about all the variables and what they mean, but we all have something to stay tuned into. When the Presidents State of the Union Address beats "American Idol" in the sheer numbers, you know that maybe Americans are finally ready to pay attention to what is happening, and yet may happen in this very troubled region. Perhaps we are entering into a new period of a New American awareness of things abroad.

The irony is that both Bush and Ahmadinejad are both suffering low ratings in each of their perspective countries. How utterly and oddly spectacular if we could have a pay per view and let them slug it out to settle it between them. But this is the real world and it can't happen that way....no, the rest of us get to go into the slog and by decree "fight for the common good" and of course, it's because God is on both of our sides (depending which side you decide to be on).
While terror cannot go unchecked why is it always the US who bears the brunt? I think many are finally getting uncomfortable enough to pay attention and I hope it's not too late.

Clarion call for Civilian Service

I'm still not sure what to make of this one, but while Bush's idea sounds good, there are no appropriations or specifics as to how a Civilian Service would be implemented or executed. It sounds exciting but how do you know you don't sign on the dotted line one day, and then wind up in the Green Zone toting a gun? Upon further investigation, this too looks like it was part of the "presentation" and perhaps the "awe" since his speech didn't shock. I guess that's a good thing....the last thing we need stateside is "shock".

Election 2008

Democrats haven't stooped to this yet, but remember a vote for Hilary is a vote for Bill too!

One for the Road.....
The reason closet cases are always the worst ones when it comes to fag bashing..

2007-01-12T17:14:00.000-08:00

Sacrifice--the New Word that Dare speak it's Name

A few nights back George Bush announced that he would be increasing troop levels in Iraq by 20,000. For those keeping track, it was repeated (ad nauseam) that something more like 300,000 were needed to get the job right in Iraq. There are approximately 131,000 soldiers in Iraq. Adding new blood would give us 152,000. To what end? Act as referees?

In a Sunni vs. Shia world (Iraq) are our troops going to be seen as siding with a certain faction if they are placed in a position where a military action results in dead Sunni or Shia? Given the insufficient numbers, most certainly there have got to be insurgents coming in from both Syria and Iran. This is simple common sense. The days of "shock and awe" are long past. Now that reality has set in, and the troop numbers realistically show we would need far more than what President Bush is proposing and more SACRAFICE might be needed, Americans change their rah rah attitude regarding the war. What has struck me about this war is how blissfully unaware many Americans are about the reality in Iraq. A realistic assessment appears here.

Even with Bush's proposed troop level increase of 21,000, we would have a total of 152,000 soldiers in Iraq when 500,000 would be needed to "get the job done right". That's still a whopping 348,000 short of what 2% of the population of Iraq is and what troops levels should be. 348,000 soldiers short if we are to believe that George Bush is sincere about winning this war of ideologies.

Knowing what we know now, Americans are taking note. We know Iraq is a loose nation divided, with Shia and Sunni insurgents. All the branches of the military are having a hard time recruiting able soldiers. There has been a lot of talk of how some of the military branches are loosening up their requirements so more can qualify to go and fight this war. If we truely are to make a decisive move, then we need more bodies, we need the draft. Now it gets serious.

If George Bush crunches the numbers and gets real with himself, he will realize the only way to true victory is to pull Americans out of their indifference and impose a way to get the numbers that are needed....but he won't. My only guess is because he knows how impossibly difficult it would be to get the same Americans who were so fervently for the war ---to actually fight in it, or to get their own children to fight in it. His woefully inadequate 'compromise' is to send an insufficient number of soldiers to Iraq and try to get the job done on a wing and a prayer..or so it most certainly seems.

Conservative Gay news blogger Matt Drudge made it a point to link to this New York Post article.

What is more conniving, low blow-ish and tasteless? Convincing others to sacrifice their own sons, daughters and loved ones for a lost cause or calling someone on it? I don't think Boxer was out of line at all. She expresses a sentiment that is spreading across America. Just to what end are we doing this for? Why is it okay to propose to send "other" peoples children to Iraq? Rice didn't respond that she may personally know or be related to someone who is going to Iraq which made Boxer's point all the more poignant and true. A different retort from Rice might have shuttered Boxer's point, but Rice had nothing new to add at that point.

The trashy Post calls Boxer's comments "mindless". Is it really mindless to actually take into consideration what is being asked of Americans when those who do the bidding have no personal blood on the line? How mindless is it to propose a "surge" which President Bush himself has readily admitted will spill more American blood in Iraq? Are we supposed to be comfortable with this? In this case it's who is asking for this great sacrifice and who is actually DOING it. Two polar opposites on the social economic ladder. I guess no one is supposed to notice.

2007-01-02T01:32:00.000-08:00

My Letter to the New York Times (That will never hit the paper--that's why I blog)

Re: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/02/opinion/02shalikashvili.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

How convenient it is now to be so accepting of gays now that the US Military is running short of "eager" and "willing" troops---at a time when increased troop deployment is becoming such a lynch pin to success in Iraq. At a time when the dirty word "Draft" is making the rounds prodding ordinary Americans to take notice that they may actually be called to duty for their nation...or their children. War is starting to be a scary thing now that real sacrifice is becoming a potential part of the picture. We're at 3,000 soldiers and counting, and President Bush is proposing a rise in troop levels.

Now that we have everyone's attention about how serious the situation in the Middle East is, and President Bush wants to increase troop levels, we seem to be arriving at a new level of perspective. One of a sort of new "inclusiveness" How absolutely interesting considering the timing of it all.

When gay people were more than willing to serve, it was the Clinton Administration and gay people who endured accusations that openly gay people serving in the military would somehow corrupt the "morale" of the troops. In a non-war situation, no one cared about war, they were obsessed with the the so-called corrupt nature of gay people. We were hated, we were not wanted, we were not "needed" and were discarded even if we cared to serve. It was as if Americans were presented a picture of the most unlikely set of gays (drag queens) running to the recruitment office to enlist in the armed forces---the most ridiculous scenario ever
imagined....but somehow made real by those who assumed "authority" in these United States of America. This still confounds me to no end. But this is the picture presented to most Americans. It was not of the gays already quietly doing their duty. Not of dedicated people quietly living their lives, and serving their country just as any "normal" American would do. Humbly doing whatever would be required under the worst of circumstances. And unfortunately in some cases, dying for a nation that didn't much care for them.

Despite the dedication of the regular run of the mill gay folk, we were all made to feel like "the others". Especially by the the Republican Party. We weren't wanted, and "Don't ask don't tell" was what we had to settle for. "Don't be who you are". Just go ahead and risk your life for your country and you'll be just fine. How utterly inspiring! Yet gay people managed to serve because they believed in what our country stands for--Civil Liberties. After all, isn't what this we've all been taught since grade school?

Now that the tables are turned, it seems to me that the suddenly gay people are being shown an acceptance that only 8 or so years ago was unthinkable. How is this?

Could it be perhaps that people who work with, are related to, or personally know gay people are numb to the fact that maybe a soldier or two or three or more may be gay? Or was it the TV show "Will & Grace" that made everyone feel warm and fuzzy about gays in regular life, let alone the rigors that the military might inflict upon those gays who are more delicate than the others? Contrary to popular belief, gays ARE NOT one big happy family. We have the same religious, racial, political, and social economic differences that everyone else has.

Could it be that gay people are capable of anything else than being gay? We are your neighbors, your brothers, your sisters, your cousins, your Uncles or Aunts, and fellow countrymen and women. We're not just your waiters, hair dressers, reality home make over people. We're also your plumbers, roofers, electricians, mechanics, mathematicians, assembly line workers, janitors, and fire/policemen & women. Just as concerned about America as you are...and just as capable and strong and dedicated as anyone else would be. Just as affected as you are about the direction this country is headed? It's a shame that should be a surprise.

Worse yet, could it be that the country is so hard up for new blood, soldiers and bodies to send to Iraq that they are lowering their standards to include any capable being what-so-ever even if they happen to be "gay"? What is it?

America, do you want us or not? Make up your f****ing minds!

2006-12-31T08:28:00.000-08:00

Saddam Good Riddance
Gerald Ford was a Brilliant Man
Michael Jackson Kisses a grown man--dead
Lets Ring in 2007!

It's hard to feel anything but relief at the death of a man who planted the seeds of resentment that currently fuels the fire in Baghdad for our US troops. It's no wonder Bush took a nap while Saddam was finally being extinguished. I am for the death penalty here in the states. I also believe in a woman's right to choose. Unlike neo conservatives who believe there is no logical way to connect these two things, I do. I think life does not begin at conception and when it does begin by no means is the result always desirable. Exhibit A.) Saddam Hussein.

The reason I bring this up is because so frequently when the death penalty is being debated, I find it so amusing that some of the most fervent believers of the death penalty are the same people who are rabidly against a woman's right to choose. While this is lost on most, I have always noted such. American society has things so twisted.

Society might have been spared Saddam had his mother had the right to choose let alone a right to drive, vote, or have an opinion on anything.

He made a mistake by keeping the Shia down, placing his country in an 8 year war against Iran.

It's somewhat ironic that the country executing this man initiated the war with his country, and also now must deal with the same nation he dealt with also on unstable terms. Bush is proposing sending more troops, while US troops in Iraq seem to be relagated to the sidelines and do not see the point. From some of the articles I've been reading, the troops are fearful of becoming Shia / Sunni "referee's" as opposed to "peacekeepers". How would more troops make the situation any more different than it is now? How do the added troops create impartiality?

Gerald Ford, it appears is/was also opposed adding more troops. If we are to change the course, then maybe it's not fresh blood needed, but perhaps good old fashioned common sense. Forgive me for my crimson but lest we forget how grim the situation is.

Oh where oh where is the next celebrity sidetrack? The DUI, the public miscue, something to take the mainstream media where it is the most comfortable....selling news instead of telling news. Breaking story anyone?

The Godfather of Soul has left the premises...
James Brown Funeral

Ahh the life and death of showbiz and celebrity. 9,000 people show up and so does Michael Jackson. Brown's wife attempts a song, "Hold On, I'm Coming" and she gets booed. Why, I don't know. Michael Jackson shows up, kisses James Brown, and everyone in the black community forgives and forgets all those dirty allegations because "He was acquitted".

Not because he and the mother of the accused molester weren't tried side by side as they should have been. You can thank the Santa Barbara prosecutors office for that bungle. No, he was acquitted from being a creepy, ghost like, strange, baby dangling, bleached out, wine feeding child molester. Right, and are we still calling Madonna a virgin? OH people puleeze!

Michael Jackson got two things done at the James Brown funeral. He paid his respects because a part of me knows that James Brown paved the way for other men entertainers with pressed hair and wigs, and Michael Jackson is savvy enough to know how the black community can't resist sentimentality especially when it's someone on the verge of a comeback in Vegas. Physically, Michael Jackson is whiter than President Bush at this point. I think people were just being polite and respect Jackson as an entertainer.....but as a person? I'm not sure about that. Michael Jackson and OJ "come home" when they're in trouble I've noticed....and people take them back. Perhaps the black community is more forgiving than whites are. We tend to hang or electrocute our nemesis types.

Happy New Year! 2007

Just for fun, I'm going to look into my crystal ball and make some predictions:

Nicole Ritchie will gain weight.
"Breaking News" will be replaced by "Red Hot Shattering Update"
The dollar will drop, and the Euro will be par with the UK sterling
India and China will outsource jobs to the US
American Idol will have some scandal with a finalist or two
Without explaination, Rosie O'Donnell will dump girlfriend Kelli for the Donald
Baby Suri will continue to look more and more like her parents
to be continued....(maybe)....

2006-12-11T18:06:00.000-08:00

Palestine "Peace not Apartheid"

Jimmy Carter's book, "Palestine, Peace not Apartheid" is raising some ire with Jewish right wing types who see the book and his opinion as "Anti Semitic". Carter, who takes a stance against Israel's treatment of Palestinians is vilified by the those who would have him silenced. Unfortunately for them, the United States is not a Jewish state, nor it is a Christian State or an Islamic State. We have, (much to the consternation of our current President) a Federal State. We are not a state founded on a specific religion although Christianity was the underlying principal. We are a Federal Judeo-Christian and soon to be Federal Judeo-Christian-Islamic-non religious entity. Our incursion into Iraq will force us to acknowledge the Muslims among us.

Most of us know this, but are too busy to really care, until it's time to talk Israel.

We have no choice. We are not a nation run by some type of omnipresent
religious rule, but one run by rules free of religious persecution and constriction--things held dear by the writers of our Bill of Rights and Constitution..not the writers of the Torah, Koran, or the Bible.

If any review of our ally Israel is to be labeled Anti Semitic, then what do we call criticism of Israel? Is not Israel subject to the same standards and measures as other world states? It seems anytime someone brings up the topic of examining domestic policies of Israel that are at odds with "conventional wisdom" they are told they are Anti Semitic. What? As if the Jewish state exists without problems or issues.

How many Americans are aware that Palestinians drive around with different colored license plates so they are easily identified? Apartheid anyone? Can you imagine a rule like this for Mexican Americans, or Greek Americans in the US? It's unthinkable. Walls built on Palestinian land in front of churches---keeping those who would worship there out.

http://archive.salon.com/news/feature/2000/11/03/israeli_a

In his book, Carter puts to the forefront the thorniest of issues regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians. His work on the Middle East peace process have earned him a Nobel Peace prize in 2002, so despite all the protests from those who would not allow his book (if they had their way) perhaps we should listen to him and what he thinks given his experience.

http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2002/

In a land of "truthiness" where each side is just as vociferous and righteous more knowledge and light cast upon the living situation of the Palestinians can't hurt the peace process. Some have said that Carter is being Anti Semitic. I disagree. How many future generations must endure bombings, bloodshed, and unfriendly neighbors? Flushing out what is actually going on between the Israeli's, the Arab Israelis, and the Palestinians can only help promote peace in a region that could benefit from it for future generations.

As for the recent Iranian conference to determine if the Holocaust ever happened I think it is in bad taste and revisionist to suggest otherwise. I heard David Duke on Wolf Blitzer/CNN and I don't think this conference did anything but generate more hatred against "perpetuations" regarding Jews and the Holocaust. While Duke is correct that many news organizations are owned by people of Jewish descent, many are not. Rupert Murdoch comes to mind....and he owns FOX. Yeeech! I think the so called conference had a superficial agenda of it's own. While it cannot be denied there is a powerful Jewish lobby in America, I don't understand why I would/should believe someone who even 30 years ago was a member of the KKK. Forgive and forget someone who was a member of a hate group? Does he still harbor those sentiments? Who knows? He'll say no on TV, but if he gets into one of those small tents and cell phones with cameras are turned off, what does he really think, and why should anyone believe anything he says?

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

Iraq's Civil War

There I said it. NBC says it's so, so now little ole me is saying ....THE WAR IN IRAQ IS A CIVIL WAR. Oxymoronistic isn't it? Tony Snow insists it's an Iraqi Sectarian Conflict, but semantics aside, everyone can agree it's quite broken over there. If anything, complete chaos. No matter what you call it, Iraq's President met with the Iranian President. This occured after so much hell was breaking loose the US appointed government had to impose a curfew, which postponed the event.

www.washingtontimes.com/world/20061128-120350-4705r.htm

The Answer to the Iraqi War

I have it. Want it? Here it is. First both sides must prepare to engage themselves in using similar forms and symbols if they are to communicate. The Bush Administration is showing
almost a schizophrenic way of thinking about Iraq. On one hand many conservative right wing "stay the course types" will avoid using that exact phrase, however they believe that there are Sectarian (Theologically based) conflicts occurring within a Democratically elected government. They fail to see that in a federalized system (such as the one our founding fathers envisioned for the US., religion plays a role in society, but isn't a branch of government. In Iraq, the people and understanding of democracy MUST take in theocracy. Therein lies the
hitch and the well meaning but inappropriate democracy we have now bestowed on the Iraqi people. People who are half a world away, and who think differently and perceive the role of government in a different manner.

My question to Tony Snow is this, if the Iraqi's are indeed a US style Democracy, then how is it we are proposing to divide the country along religious lines? If it is a free and Democratic society, then how is it that lines within communities and carnage is occurring strictly along religious divisions within the Muslim faith? Who in America knew what a Shia or Sunni was 3 years ago?

Perceiving that the Iraqi's think like we do in America is one of the reasons we are in such a situation. While Bush would like us to believe that we gave everyone purple thumbs and they voted and now it's thug vs. thug, it is a wildly different concept of democracy in Iraq and how to enact it that is creating the chaos.

We have to acknowledge that Iraqi's have to be able to incorporate a style of democracy that would not necessarily work in a Western nation. One that take in religion as a branch of government. I think they've tried this, but we've failed because our administration insists on telling it like it isn't. We're in denial about just how messed up it is. We're in denial about how many soldiers we really need in Iraq, we're in denial of how deep into it we are, and we are also in denial that in Iraq this is not perceived as a war of countries, but this is perceived as a war of Ideology.

We're called "Crusaders". The Hawks in the Bush administration see the situation as one of radical theologically driven terrorists creating havoc...(Muslims) in Western nations and with US supporters in the region. It's almost as if we're recreating the situation that existed in 750 AD when Muslims were predominant in all of the Middle East and parts of Europe, and we should be afraid very afraid. Images of this come to mind:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Califate_750.jpg

I took to reading this article about the history of Islam and became engaged into it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam#History

The last paragraphs sums up what I think the Bush administration is trying to do. Since it is a theological division, and Sunni's far outnumber the Shia, let's start talking to Sunni nations.
Iran has taken the lead by 'cutting in' and talking to Iraq minus the US.

Given the rhetoric coming from both the US and the Iranian leaders, it becomes clear.

We invaded the wrong country.

2006-11-22T10:25:00.000-08:00

Thoughts at large....

Michael Richards Nigger rant. I don't think he needs to apologize, now anything he says is just making it worse. On the flip side, this has done wonders for his "ca-REAR". He's an ass, and an ass he shall remain.

Iraq and the United States are dancing on the dance floor, Iran says "I'm cutting in", and starts dancing with Iraq. The United States stands there, mouth agape.

Zune? What's that?

ATL police shoot 92 year old woman. Is this what we can expect when people who have the right to bear arms are subject to warantless search and seizure? The old woman was protecting herself from what she believed to be intruders. I would suppose others would do the same.
Remember Homeland Security, our nation is armed. Did they not watch the house for illicit activities?

Videophones.....quiet justice in everyone's hand, or intrusive papparrazi style junk?
I don't think "TMZ" would've had anything with the story without 'the recording'.

2006-11-18T09:41:00.000-08:00

So much has happened

It's been a while since I've blogged. Have had so much to go through lately. Relapsed into drinking again. There. I said it.

I've covered this base before. Got into Frey's book. Told it all let it hang out, and then went back to blogging about things I like the best, entertainment and current affairs, but sometimes life has other things in store. Plus the PC I had would crash (blue screen) after I would compose several paragraphs. At the ripe old age of 6, (a peasly 6 years!) My P.C. with the Windows ME platform was crashing, Microsoft said would be no longer supporting what has been reviewed as the worst platform they've produced, and they were rolling out Vista. My 512 MB of RAM, coupled with Microsoft abandoning it's Window's ME customer support, plus with issues like my CD/DVD rom drive opening and closing on it's own, had me wondering about a more secure platform, like an Apple. So I got an iMac mini. It has the new Intel Duel Core processor, 1.83ghz chip and I now have 1 GB of RAM.

Fuck you Microsoft. Now I can blog and maybe add video in the future. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed writing to myself (blogging) until it was effectively taken away. With all this homeland security business going on, and the fact that I never have been in love with the current administrations policies (like many others apparently), you sometimes wonder if you're under 'surveillance'. Frankly I have nothing to hide except exercising my free speech and thought.

The bottle snuck up and came at me gradually. No dramatic breakdowns, arrests, collapses, etc.
If you AA meeting you see some people that are there because of court order, and some who are there as interlopers (I didn't know it before), and some who really are your garden variety alcoholics. I'm not the type of person who will drink if I know I have to go to work, or while at work. I can't work if I drink. I keep the two separate because I know once I drink, I'm not having just one. "Let's go out for a beer". Right. A beer. One beer. Oh really?

For me, (and many others) there's no such thing as 'one drink' or a glass of wine. In my area there's a wine bar where I can pony up and try exotic wines from point beyond. I do enjoy wine. It doesn't enjoy me. I don't know how many other people go through this, but after three or four glasses, (basically a bottle) I can be okay. But I wake up in the middle of the night shaking and filled with nervous energy. Is the answer to run out to the store and get some more..? I hear for some it is. But for me, it's not the answer. I pop a Xanax. Yes, I do.

It's a vicious cycle. It (along with the computer problems) kept me from blogging for a while.
I let it all hang out here for others who may read this, and think they are alone with the problem. We're human, no one is perfect, and if you relate to my experience, then you are not the only one. I went to an AA Meeting yesterday, and heard many things I related to, including a lady who said she thought she had 5 years of sobriety because although she did not drink for 5 years, 4 years of the same time period she would calm her nerves by smoking weed. You see that was her secret from the AA people. When she was taking a cake, (a symbolic thing AA people do for another sober year) a cake meant as a five year cake, she admitted to her sponsor that she had been smoking weed for the last 4 years. So in the front of an entire meeting on her supposed 5 year birthday, she fessed up, and took a 1 year cake. I had to ask myself,
"Am I that brave?" That lady had guts. A lot of people would spin around and go ahead and lie, or take the cake and cut and run. She told the meeting, they congratulated her, and now she has 14 years. AA isn't for sissies. I find most of them have horror stories far worse than mine.

So there. I finally posted. Now back to the world at hand...my crystal ball tells me:

Tom Kat gets married with much fanfare, and the baby is starting to look more and more like the two of them.

The Dems in Congress are now experiencing their own internal differences while Bush sits back and watches them with glee.

Iraq will become second fiddle to Iran. By reversing policies and making deals with Syria and Jordan, our troop focus will now be on Iran. I heard the Presidents Saturday statement and got the feeling one thing him and the democrats can agree on is a phase out in Iraq, with more emphasis on Iran. The troops already there don't have to go far. Some of the rhetoric coming from Israel and Iran towards one another is rather disturbing. And then there's N. Korea.

While their much ballyhooed missile test flopped into the sea, N. Korea is bent on having nuclear capabilities. One of the things that the President said that resonated with me is these despots with nuclear arms is not a good thing, not only for the U.S. but for regions in those areas, and of course the world. Do we wait until the next N. Korean missile test, and the missile falls closer to Honolulu or Los Angeles? I know Iran's Shahab3 missile could make it to Tel Aviv. So, do we do as "they say" or face "repercussions", or do we hope they rationalize as we do, even though we do not share the same goals or ideas? It's a strange place this world.

I think that's why "Dancing With the Stars" was so popular. And maybe, just maybe I sought a Jeanie in the bottle to make it all go away, and it didn't. We all need an escape. I just need to find a more real and healthier one.

2006-10-20T19:46:00.000-07:00

Been SO BUSY!
Iraq vs. US or U.S.
Korea Stomps their feet

For those of you who actually have the patience to follow this thing.....god bless. Most of you don't, so who gives a fuck?

Been so busy lately.

2006-09-21T15:32:00.000-07:00

Hugo Chavez and Prez of Iran Visit US

How interesting it was yesterday to see Hugo Chavez and Prez A. of Iran give
speeches denoucing the US on our own soil. While we debate freedom of speech in our own country, these heads of states of nations that would sooner see our leader die, are right here, right now, on our soil voicing their concerns.

Would Our President be allowed the same access to the media if he was either in Iran or Venezuela? Would the press be so constricted on covering him only "certain reporters" would be allowed to participate?

I doubt it. It is almost unthinkable in a theocracy like Iran that Bush would have the same coverage as his nemesis was able to garner here. That's if, and only if Iran were to garner him the forum. Same with Venezuela.

But before I diverge, lest we forget the freedoms of the press that have been taken away here in the US. We've had a New York Times reporter jailed for not revealing her sources (to protect them and to ultimatly serve a the purpose of allowing those on the "other side" to feel free to share). So, do we really sit on a higher moral ground in our nation? Our impotent press dare not speak of touchy subjects. They are so busy with the commodity of news they forget to ask the questions that mean the most. What was the deal in regard to asking the Prez of Iran about the Pope, and if that was causing friction btw Chavez and The Iranian President. Nary a mention of the Pope's inability to honestly say "I'm sorry" was mentioned to the Iranian Prez. WHY??????
Nothing about it seemed to be mentioned. Although one would think maybe this could be a sore issue btwn the 2. Nada. No mention of this. Why?

I think in his interview with Chavez a few hard core questions perhaps about "democracy" vs. "theocracy" would have been in order. Exactly to whom's
"rules" would the Iranian president have American's live under? His or Allah? Would there even be a choice like we are used to? Who is this man, coming into our free nation, putting down our President when no such behavior would be allowed in his own nation?

At the same time we are a society dealing with wiretapping, intrusions on our assumed rights vis a vie the Constitution, sucking it in, all the whilst our Constitional rights are eroded. So are we really a society in a position to judge, when we can't take a stand against changing what the founding fathers held dear? We don't we won't. We're too busy at the moment. When will we get free time for the things that make a difference for our kids. What world are they going to live in based on our inaction and indifference? Why is this such a difficult issue?

2006-09-20T10:01:00.001-07:00

Iraq War Endgame

I'm depressed when I think about it, but the endgame here this:

Bush needs to take control of the situation, and instead of filling the airwaves with pat phrases like "cut and run" vs. draft and fight, let's start dealing with reality.

Iraq is in a civil war. The Pentagon has stopped releasing the daily civilian death toll in Iraq because the numbers are unprecedented--this according to the newest reports.

The Iranian President and the American President both spoke at the UN yesterday and said the predictable things we expected them to. One thing that is for certain, they disagree. Iran is demonstrating more control over that region and in certain provinces of Iraq. The Iraqi president has done nothing to quell the death toll casualties in the region, and the "Iraqi Government" has a US trained militia which been rendered impotent by huge defections/drop outs.

The "Draft" Word

No one dare utter this word, especially before November. Especially since we got the "Everyday American" (no time for the news or newspapers) happy since we were able to lower gas prices in the run up to November. And wait, we got ABC to do a special on 9-11 that was bascially a great lead in to the President's speech (which coincidentally enough) occured during the airing, choreghraphed in a sutle yet flattering way.

Actions do speak louder than words

What we get from our President are ideological musings and a distorted view of the obvious. Why this President remains so committed to this region without asking ALL Americans to chip in is becoming tiresome. Mistakes have been admitted to in the past. Why not now? If not now when? If not when , then why? Why do we have to pretend along with the President that everything is okay in Iraq when it clearly isn't? This sillyness along with the troop and cilivian deaths in that region all the while our supposed arch enemy Iran makes siginificant inroads is a huge American sore that ranks higher than the stumbling and bumbling after Katrina.

Are American lives that cheap that we have soldiers dying until the powerplay and elections are figured out? Shame on Americans for having their eyes wide shut. I've given up.