Once again Bush’s lips are moving so he must be lying. In the State of the Union message he told the American people and Congress that he wanted Congress to allow US troops to transfer their unused educational benefits to their family members. Then he received an ovation with, "Our military families serve our nation, they inspire our nation, and tonight our nation honors them."
Well, the budget he submitted to Congress contains no such provision and no funding for such an initiative. It would cost an estimated $1 to $2 billion a year, a paltry sum in a $3.1 trillion budget, but it’s not included. Must not benefit enough defense contractors?
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Friday, February 08, 2008
Ann Coulter Makes Racial & Gay-Baiting Jokes AGAIN!
Sometimes it time for a celebrity to leave the public stage. Britney Spears might seem the obvious candidate but I would suggest Ann Coulter is more deserving of the hook. In a recent speech at the Young American Foundation, part of the Conservative Political Action Conference she once again used gender/gay -baiting jokes about John Edwards and then delivered this whopper. Coulter said that the best thing that had ever happened to the campaign of “B. Hussein Obama” was when he was born “half black.”
Ann, your 15 minutes of fame was up years ago. Time to go away!
Ann, your 15 minutes of fame was up years ago. Time to go away!
Condi Rice Touted For VP - Told You So!
I hate to be an "I told you so" guy, but hey, "I told you so!" Looks like there is an alleged grass-roots effort to get Condi Rice on the ticket. Duh! I stated in my blog over a year ago that McCain had cut some kind of deal with the GOP and the White House and he would end up being the candidate. I also predicted that Condi Rice would be tapped for VP to blunt the possibilities of either and Obama or Clinton candidacy. ( Though I did think Cheney would leave and Condi would be seated as incumbent VP...we'll see!)
Well here it comes. "Think Condi ‘08" has cranked up and is touting her qualities for a running mate. Watch that convention and you will most likely see that happen. There were obviously deals made about the time McCain started looking more like Bush II. Now President Bush is endorsing him at the CPAC convention. Mark my words!
Well here it comes. "Think Condi ‘08" has cranked up and is touting her qualities for a running mate. Watch that convention and you will most likely see that happen. There were obviously deals made about the time McCain started looking more like Bush II. Now President Bush is endorsing him at the CPAC convention. Mark my words!
Writer's Strike Nearing a Conclusion?
I saw a report that some sociologists are expecing a mini-baby boom from the void left by the Writer's Guild strike. Without TV, many American's are turning to other entertainment.... Now the strike looks like it may have a resolution soon, in the meantime, you can either make your own fun in the bedroom or watch one of the very funny TV commercials that are part of the "Speechless" campaign.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Blogs! Anybody Seen Osama Bin Laden's MySpace Page?
Next I guess I will find Kim Jung Il's Myspace Page!
It's true, and the CIA is reading it regularly according to a new report. Seems our country's spooks have found a gold mine in blogs and MySpace pages as well as YouTube postings that are actually valuable for intelligence. And you thought YouTube was only good to watch kids break bones on skateboards!
Taking a gander at Ahmadinejad's blog I was surprised how conversational it is. Very much lke the kind of thing I might write, minus the Islamic propaganda.
Take this sincere Christmas Greeting from the Iranian President:
For those not familliar with the teaching of Islam, Jesus is actually a recognized prophet and venerated by the Prophet Mohamed (peace be upon him).
So now we can get day to day updates directly from the leader of a country that really considers us an enemy. What wonders the internet has brought us?
It's true, and the CIA is reading it regularly according to a new report. Seems our country's spooks have found a gold mine in blogs and MySpace pages as well as YouTube postings that are actually valuable for intelligence. And you thought YouTube was only good to watch kids break bones on skateboards!
Taking a gander at Ahmadinejad's blog I was surprised how conversational it is. Very much lke the kind of thing I might write, minus the Islamic propaganda.
Take this sincere Christmas Greeting from the Iranian President:
My sincere congratulations to everyone for the Glorious and Auspicious Birthday of Divine Prophet - confirmed and authenticated by Gabriel, the angel of Divine revelation - the Obedient of Almighty God,Jesus Christ, the Messiah (peace be upon Him)
He was a messenger of peace, devotion and love based upon monotheism and justice. He was raised in His Mother’s hand – Virgin Mary (peace be upon her) – that Almighty God stood her as impeccable and exalted her above the women of the world. The Mother and the Son that in the Divine Sight are reputable and prestigious. And they are positioned by God – The All Wise- at a sublime level.
For those not familliar with the teaching of Islam, Jesus is actually a recognized prophet and venerated by the Prophet Mohamed (peace be upon him).
So now we can get day to day updates directly from the leader of a country that really considers us an enemy. What wonders the internet has brought us?
Brintey Slips Out Of Hospital - On The Run!
Britney Spears managed to get released from the hospital, over the objections of her father who had conservatorship over her and her doctor’s advice. Say what? How can that happen?
Meanwhile, Spears is convoying around Hollywood with a parade of Paparazzi following her and police running interference wherever possible. Personally, I think this can only end badly and morbid as it is, I expect a notice of her death or attempted suicide soon.
The train wreck that is Britney Spears just won’t stop and damn it, I can’t stop watching it!
Meanwhile, Spears is convoying around Hollywood with a parade of Paparazzi following her and police running interference wherever possible. Personally, I think this can only end badly and morbid as it is, I expect a notice of her death or attempted suicide soon.
The train wreck that is Britney Spears just won’t stop and damn it, I can’t stop watching it!
Romney Drops Out!
Unless you are a Mike Huckabee fan, the GOP primary race is pretty much over for you. Mitt Romney is expected to announce he is dropping out today. That leaves McCain to bolster his forces and get ready for an all out attack on whoever gets the Democratic nod.
McCain has become a polarizing force in the GOP and everyone from the talk show hate mongers to right-wing evangelicals are denouncing him. What remains of the Republican base is pretty unenthusiastic about McCain and for Democrats that’s a good thing. Now time to get busy and get a candidate that can inspire a movement to take back the White House for Democrats!
McCain has become a polarizing force in the GOP and everyone from the talk show hate mongers to right-wing evangelicals are denouncing him. What remains of the Republican base is pretty unenthusiastic about McCain and for Democrats that’s a good thing. Now time to get busy and get a candidate that can inspire a movement to take back the White House for Democrats!
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Conan O'Brien vs. Jon Stewart vs. Stephen Colbert - Tag Team Match!
Oh yea, it's silly, but damn these guys look like they are having so much fun!
The GOP Message? 4 More Years Of Bush!
If you liked Bush, you'll love McCain! Thanks to the folks at the Center for American Progress for this great video.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Maryland Lawmakers Debate Ending Civil Marriage
Finally someone has really found the question in the Gay Marriage Debate. The real question is not whether GLBT people should be allowed to marry; the question should be is there a valid reason for the government to sanction marriage of any kind?
The Maryland General Assembly has seen the issue this way and has a bill pending that would eliminate all civil marriage and replace it with recognized domestic partnerships. The term marriage would be left to the religious sector where it belongs and the RDPs would be the construct for all legal purposes. Consider it a separation of church and state issue. Marriage is a religious institution and Domestic Partnerships can function for tax and other legal purposes.
This kind of law makes debates about “gay marriage” toothless. After all, the state gives equal rights to all its citizens and it’s up to churches to perform marriage ceremonies. This move will no doubt enrage many folks on the right, but to me it makes complete sense. It keeps the government out of the religious institution of marriage completely. Couples can be joined in a civil union and still receive all the rights of a married couple without the need for a religious ceremony.
For a gay or lesbian couple to get “married” they would first get a civil ceremony and then find a friendly church. This gets the government out of the marriage business and that seems a good idea to me.
The Maryland General Assembly has seen the issue this way and has a bill pending that would eliminate all civil marriage and replace it with recognized domestic partnerships. The term marriage would be left to the religious sector where it belongs and the RDPs would be the construct for all legal purposes. Consider it a separation of church and state issue. Marriage is a religious institution and Domestic Partnerships can function for tax and other legal purposes.
This kind of law makes debates about “gay marriage” toothless. After all, the state gives equal rights to all its citizens and it’s up to churches to perform marriage ceremonies. This move will no doubt enrage many folks on the right, but to me it makes complete sense. It keeps the government out of the religious institution of marriage completely. Couples can be joined in a civil union and still receive all the rights of a married couple without the need for a religious ceremony.
For a gay or lesbian couple to get “married” they would first get a civil ceremony and then find a friendly church. This gets the government out of the marriage business and that seems a good idea to me.
Mellencamp Asks McCain to Stop Using His Songs
I have a peculiar connection to John Mellencamp. You see my partner is from a small town in Indiana called Columbus, and his grandparents were from the nearby town of Seymore, Indiana. Seymore was made famous in John Mellencamp’s song “Small Town”. In fact Mellencamp is from Seymore, so you can see the conection.
Mr. Mellencamp’s songs are known as Heartland Rock and as such are popular with politicians looking for theme songs. Unfortunately, those politicians apparently don’t listen to the lyrics, because “Small Town” is decisively populist in it’s lyrics and in fact, Mr. Mellencamp is a Democrat. That fact escaped John McCain when his campaign decided to use the music behind several commercials and campaign videos. McCain uses “Our Country” and “Pink Houses” at his rallies. And now John Mellencamp has asked him to stop.
So far no word from the McCain group, but I suspect they will listen closer to the lyrics next time.
Here are the lyrics to “Our Country”, they sure sound like something a Democrat would sing not a Republican.
Mr. Mellencamp’s songs are known as Heartland Rock and as such are popular with politicians looking for theme songs. Unfortunately, those politicians apparently don’t listen to the lyrics, because “Small Town” is decisively populist in it’s lyrics and in fact, Mr. Mellencamp is a Democrat. That fact escaped John McCain when his campaign decided to use the music behind several commercials and campaign videos. McCain uses “Our Country” and “Pink Houses” at his rallies. And now John Mellencamp has asked him to stop.
So far no word from the McCain group, but I suspect they will listen closer to the lyrics next time.
Here are the lyrics to “Our Country”, they sure sound like something a Democrat would sing not a Republican.
Bush Administration Continues To Lie About Health Care
If his lips are moving he must be lying. That’s my take on almost anyone from the White House including “The Decider”. The latest travesty of truth comes when a White House spokes-lackey, OMB Director Jim Nussl who told reporter that the new budget which cuts money from Medicare and Medicaid (over $200 billion in the next 5 years) won’t be noticed by recipients. Say what?
He even had the cajones to follow that statement with the additional lie that, “We have the best health care in the world. And our seniors especially get great health care.” Amazing! I guess these guys figure if they say it enough times it will be true? According to the World Health Organization our health care system ranks 37th out of 191 countries.
A note to President Bush: Please explain to me how cutting money from healthcare can make it better? I want studies and figures, not “beliefs”.
He even had the cajones to follow that statement with the additional lie that, “We have the best health care in the world. And our seniors especially get great health care.” Amazing! I guess these guys figure if they say it enough times it will be true? According to the World Health Organization our health care system ranks 37th out of 191 countries.
A note to President Bush: Please explain to me how cutting money from healthcare can make it better? I want studies and figures, not “beliefs”.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Bush "Break The Bank" Budget - No Money For Poor Kids, Billions For War!
I was staggered by the budget proposal from President Bush this week. Not so much because of the sheer size of it, but because of where the priorities lay. But first off, the $3.1 trillion dollars is an immense amount, something inconceivable when you try to envision it.
Imagine a stack of one dollar bills just high enough to equal Bush’s war budget of $687.9 billion and you have a stack over 45,570 miles high! That’s just for defense and war spending. The rest of the budget again runs into the inconceivable territory.
According to the White House, and this is in Bush’s own words, “Thanks to the hard work of the American people and spending discipline in Washington, we are now on a path to balance the budget by 2012,” he says, “Our formula for achieving a balanced budget is simple: Create the conditions for economic growth, keep taxes low and spend taxpayer dollars wisely or not at all.”
So just where in this record breaking budget is the wise spending? Well for a start he wants to eliminate social programs including 47 in the Department of Education alone as well as significant cuts in Medicare and Medicaid. Conversely his defense spending when adjusted for inflation is the highest since World War II.
Just where is that balanced budget going to come from? Most likely from the sweat and tears of middle class and poor Americans. Meanwhile, he is encouraging making the tax cuts he put in place to benefit the richest Americans permanent. If there was ever a case of “balancing the budget on the backs of the poor” this budget is it.
Luckily the Democratic controlled congress is not responding well to the news.
Democrats are likely to push for increased spending on social programs, and fewer tax breaks for corporations and wealthy individuals. I certainly hope they succeed, otherwise we will all be watching the country’s wealth funnel directly into the pockets of the rich, without even a paltry few social programs benefiting the average American.
Imagine a stack of one dollar bills just high enough to equal Bush’s war budget of $687.9 billion and you have a stack over 45,570 miles high! That’s just for defense and war spending. The rest of the budget again runs into the inconceivable territory.
According to the White House, and this is in Bush’s own words, “Thanks to the hard work of the American people and spending discipline in Washington, we are now on a path to balance the budget by 2012,” he says, “Our formula for achieving a balanced budget is simple: Create the conditions for economic growth, keep taxes low and spend taxpayer dollars wisely or not at all.”
So just where in this record breaking budget is the wise spending? Well for a start he wants to eliminate social programs including 47 in the Department of Education alone as well as significant cuts in Medicare and Medicaid. Conversely his defense spending when adjusted for inflation is the highest since World War II.
Just where is that balanced budget going to come from? Most likely from the sweat and tears of middle class and poor Americans. Meanwhile, he is encouraging making the tax cuts he put in place to benefit the richest Americans permanent. If there was ever a case of “balancing the budget on the backs of the poor” this budget is it.
Luckily the Democratic controlled congress is not responding well to the news.
Democrats are likely to push for increased spending on social programs, and fewer tax breaks for corporations and wealthy individuals. I certainly hope they succeed, otherwise we will all be watching the country’s wealth funnel directly into the pockets of the rich, without even a paltry few social programs benefiting the average American.
Sex Workers Make More At GOP Conventions
As Denver sex workers gear up for the Democratic Convention , they are lamenting the fact that the Republicans are not coming to town. Apparently, the GOP spends much more on sex and sex related businesses than Democratic Conventioneers. Another example of those “family values” at work!
A San Francisco based sex worker who will travel to Denver for the convention said, "It would be a lot better for the sex workers if it was the Republican convention. We get a lot more business. I don't know if they're just frustrated because of the family values agenda.”
A San Francisco based sex worker who will travel to Denver for the convention said, "It would be a lot better for the sex workers if it was the Republican convention. We get a lot more business. I don't know if they're just frustrated because of the family values agenda.”
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Vermont Town Wants Arrest Warrants for Bush & Cheney
Vermont is really quite different from the rest of the United States, and hat’s a good thing. Now it seems the city that gave the world "Breast Fest" is taking action against the Bush Administration. In March citizens of Brattleboro will vote on an initiative that will make it illegal for President George Bush or Dick Cheney to enter their city. The bill includes an "arrest on sight:" clause for war crimes.
Sometimes I think folks in Vermont are wacky, but other times I really think they have the right idea. This is one of those times. Meanwhile I am going out an buying a can of genuine Vermont Maple Syrup!
Sometimes I think folks in Vermont are wacky, but other times I really think they have the right idea. This is one of those times. Meanwhile I am going out an buying a can of genuine Vermont Maple Syrup!
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