Republican Hypocrisy.... again

As Puggingham Palace moves on to its next iteration, whatever that may be, I had to post a slam about my least favorite group in the world, Right Wing Hate Filled Rich Ass Hypocritical... ok blood pressure is up so here it is:

Unemployed 0 Rich 1

Everytime the Tea Drinkers fart, it is front page news. But the conservative controlled media here and the timid liberals keep this from being seen

Just one question? How can you people sleep at night?

Coupl'a Things XXXV

1) I note with now more pity than outrage that The Pope Formerly known as Cardinal Ratslinger calls abortion and same-sex marriage two of the most “insidious and dangerous” threats facing the world today.

Never mind about war, famine, disease, poverty, priests fucking children for sport and that little problem of terrorism. Of course the Catholic Empire can not do anything about the above and in many ways has been the leading cause of much of it throughout history. So the mighty, god ordained Vicar of Christ, picks a couple of issues of which he can not find a shred of evidence that they have caused more harm than war. Really, is same sex marriage all THAT insidious, or are you just pissed, Pope Nazi XVI, that you can't get married to your sweetie, Cardinal Fang?

There are more people in the world than not who feel the Roman Catholic Empire is among the most “insidious and dangerous” threats facing the world today.

Kick this fucker to the curb.

2) On a lighter note, I can only wonder about the chain of errors that occurred within the US Postal Service that resulted in a letter from a business to Chicago addressed to a business in Salem, New Hampshire appearing in my mail box.

3) Bad day for nudity in Missouri. Despite record unemployment, a state budget cutting essential services, a justice system out of control and myriad of other problems, the legislature led by Matt "Needs to Get Laid" Bartle R-La La Land, banned nudity from strip joints and basically makes it so difficult for them to operate that most will shut down. What will all the poor single moms and college slut ladies do now? What will all the married dads, drunk boys and truckers do for entertainment?

4) No wonder I drink too much.

And These People want to Rule America?

As seen in the KC Star. Further proof that Republicans have have lost their mind.

A new national Louis Harris poll finds that a majority of Republicans believe that President Obama is a Muslim, while 45 percent agree with the so-called "Birthers" that the president was "not born in the United States."

The poll of 2,230 Americans, taken during last weekend's health care showdown in the House of Representatives, shows how successful Obama's opponents have been in demonizing the 44th president.

Full results are expected tomorrow, but preliminary findings were released in The Daily Beast by John Avlon, whose book "Wingnuts" details the hyper-partisanship that has swept America since 2008.

According to the poll, 57 percent of Republicans, and 32 percent of Americans overall, believe that Barack Obama is a Muslim. The opinion comes despite Obama's description in his bestseller, "The Audacity of Hope", of his adoption of the Christian faith.

The poll found that 45 percent of Republicans, and 25 percent in the overall survey, agree with Birthers that Obama was "not born in the United States and so is not eligible to be president."Even Fox News pundits, notably Bill O'Reilly, have dismissed the Birthers' claims. The state of Hawaii produced Obama's birth certificate during the 2008 campaign.

Another eye-opening finding: 38 percent of Republicans, and 20 percent of Americans overall, agree that Obama is "doing many things Hitler did."

And 24 percent of Republicans, and 14 percent overall, agree that Obama "may be the antiChrist."

The poll found that voters lacking a college education are much more likely to agree with more extreme myths and rumors about the 44th president.

In a more conventional opinion - echoing charges from some House Republicans during the health care reform debate - 67 percent of Republicans believe Obama is a socialist, an opinion held by 40 percent of those surveyed.

Hypocrisy In Action

In the hypocrisy award for the month, former Alaska Governor, quitter and current media clown Sarah Palin admitted that she used to get her treatment in Canada's single-payer system.

"We used to hustle over the border for health care we received in Canada, and I think now, isn't that ironic?" CBS news link.

Ironic in that she has compared the attempt to reform the US healthcare system as a socialist, Orwellian program that would force people to stand in front of "death panels".

Hypocritical bitch.

Playing Catch Up

1) This week just flew by, which can be good or bad, depending on how you feel about life in general. As for me, it seems to just be careening forward. I mean really, here it is almost 15th of March, St Patrick's day is almost here, Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend, the snow is all melted (even the big bank of snow in the church parking lot next door, gone over night earlier this week) and green is starting to peek out of the cold, brown ground. Since the weather is a tad warmer and rain has replaced the snow, I have been out and about, as have many of my colleagues and thus I have been derelict in my blogging duties. Allow me to do a bit of catch up.

Monday found me at my usual haunt of Bistro 303 enjoying the wonderful $5 hamburgers and the usual crowd of regulars. Steve, Amy, John and I enjoyed gossiping, greeting our friends, harassing the owners and drinking a lot of vodka. Tuesday, Bruce and I ventured to the new Hamburger Mary's for $1 tacos and cheap margaritas. We downed several of the above while musing on life's foibles and mishaps.

I was staying in Wednesday, but a call brought me out and I met a friend for "a drink". 5 Martinis later, I made it home somehow.

Thursday found me back at Hamburger Mary's for AIDS Walk KC charity bingo. I actually won a game and got some fabulous prizes. Of course I won the first game so my prizes were less than those that followed, but I was certainly happy as I never seem to win at much. It was all for a good cause and Amy and I had a lot of fun, good food (you know... I have been to Hamburger Mary's 3 times and I have never had a hamburger there yet) and drinks. We know most, if not all the staff there, so it is like a 3rd home.

Tonight? I am done in. Sort of like my old travel days when I had go out to eat and drink every night and then stay home all weekend and do laundry and vegetate. That is the plan.

2) I neglected, distracted by all my revelry, to do a review of last weekend's Kansas City Symphony concert. Michael Stern was in town to conduct George Crumb's "A Haunted Landscape", in my opinion his most successful orchestral work, Beethoven Piano Concerto #1 with Robert Levin, Piano and ending with the Copland Symphony # 3. Crumb's soundscape was indeed haunting and quite well played by the symphony and the huge percussion array. As Crumb writes, "A Haunted Landscape is not programmatic in any sense. The title reflects my feeling that certain places on planet Earth are imbued with an aura of mystery... Places can inspire feelings of reverence or of brooding menace (like the deserted battlefields of ancient wars)." Ghostly sounds intermingled with haunting wisps of melody, battle calls, ancient rhythms and chants. Quite evocative and well received by the audience.

Robert Levin gave a robust and brisk performance of the sunny Beethoven 1st. Levin tore into the extended cadenzas with gusto. Not even a ringing cell phone could mar the brilliant first movement. Although Levin paused to comment "if you would please, at least, use a tune that fits the cadenza."

The Copland 3rd is not one of my favorites and I, along with my friend Megan, find it interesting that the gay, communist Copland is always the grand old man and father figure of the "Great American Symphony." That accolade belongs alternately to the Harris 3rd or the Mennin 3rd, depending on my mood. Quite a fine performance, but I was not persuaded that it is all that great.

We have a symphony break for a while, with the orchestra occupied with "Rigoletto" and some pops things.

3) The "Coffee Party" is taking off. A challenge to the screaming, anti tax and ultra right wing "Tea Party', the Coffee P Party has a commendable goal: The Coffee Party Movement gives voice to Americans who want to see cooperation in government. We recognize that the federal government is not the enemy of the people, but the expression of our collective will, and that we must participate in the democratic process in order to address the challenges that we face as Americans. As voters and grassroots volunteers, we will support leaders who work toward positive solutions, and hold accountable those who obstruct them."

Join with me.

4) The Washington Post has a great article from a journalist, calling out FUX News for its shameful lack of journalistic standards and blatant lies propagated by this Fake News channel:

Howard Raines: Why don't honest journalists take on Fox News?

5) Finally, RIP to a great lady, Miss Belle, Bruce's 17 year old black Persian cat. Belle went to the great Rainbow Bridge on Thursday.

Coupl'a Things XXXI

1) Leave it to the BBC to have a thoughtful, non screaming, and well reasoned piece on why Americans seem to have a love affair with politicians who do not have their interests in mind.

Why do People Vote Against Their Own Interests?

It reminds me of a story by George Mc Govern who lost the US Senate seat from South Dakota in 1980. He was campaigning, so the story goes, outside a grocery store. A lady came up to him and said she was not going to vote for him any longer as he voted to "give our canal away". That of course was the Panama Canal which is in a sovereign country of course. He noted later that she paid for her food with food stamps, a program he rescued and expanded despite Republican attempts to stop it. He knew he was doomed.

So a stupid electorate, reared on 60 second, feel good sound bites, continues to run a great nation into the ground.

2) Speaking of politics, a person wrote in to the KC Star recently and proposed that since the politicians were now free to solicit corporate sponsorships, they should take a cue from sports figures (the writer used NASCAR drivers, one of the best examples) and wear their corporate sponsor logos on their jackets. Makes perfect sense to me.

3) Since I have dredged up the specter and sleeze of American politics, I think I will go drink now and try to forget that Sarah Palin is out there plotting something.

And maybe fantasize Obama grows some balls.

Lincoln Was Correct

Poor Abraham Lincoln, he must be revolving in his grave. With the Supreme Court's right wingers giving corporations unlimited power to buy elections, those with out connections to big oil, insurance or banks will find it tough to compete with the slick ads plastered everywhere. Thus Lincoln's stirring words at Gettysburg now ring hollow. "Government of the people, by the people and for the people", has perished from at least this part of earth.

Also read what Lincoln (who was a Republican mind you, but nothing like those today) had to say about corporations:

"I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me, and causes me to tremble for the safety of our country. Corporations have been enthroned, an era of corruption will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people, until wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the republic is destroyed."

Prophetic.

Thanks a Lot

AS the US continues to spiral into terminal stupidity, the state of Massachusetts replaced an icon with a moron.

We can expect more of the same.

In a Bad Mood

On this 13th of December, 2009 I hereby declare I am now 100% apolitical. I hate Democrats, Republicans, independents, Joe Lieberman, Sarah Palin, the idiot mayor of Kansas City, and all others but Jolie Justus, the hard toiling but ultimately frustrated State Senator from our district.

The mere fact that the US Congress can not see the fact that people need health care and talk real reform down over what it might cost while we waste trillions of dollars and thousands of lives on war is pathetic. How do these mothers sleep at night? Oh that is right, they are taken care of and are rich and powerful. Fuck the rest.

I am glad, however, that the health care deal is going down in flames. It is worthless; forcing people to buy likely lousy insurance, making the insurance companies richer as they continue to collect premiums and still manage to deny payments. Without a public option, it is worthless crap. Come on, fellow citizens, the rest of the world takes better care of their people and they have not slid into fascist states, espouse communism or worse. Frankly, they are laughing at us, but the "leaders" still think our system is the best. The pansy Congress has not the courage to say "let's move forward", because well... the bribes were nice and I do have re-election coming up, can't do anything to piss anyone off.

Oh,by the way idiots, listen... we are already paying for insurance big time. Not through a tax, but through high prices and bankruptcies as companies struggle and fold trying to pay for health benefits.

This rudderless, sinking bulk of a country is fucked beyond all belief. Our industries are shadows of their past; no one wants to buy US autos, Boeing can't get its new plane off the ground, everything is made overseas. We are a nation consigned to selling hamburgers to each other.

Discourse is at rock bottom. Most nations would be proud to have their president receive a Nobel Peace Prize, the US thinks Obama's is silly and undeserved.

So I am just saying fuck it with the rest of you, sitting at home getting drunk and hopefully becoming a burden to you all.

I sort of agree with Obama's former pastor Jeremiah Wright, God Damn America.

I think he already has.

Life and Health

Some are all gaga over the US House voting to approve a massive overhaul of healthcare. I applaud them and the lone Republican who decided that it was time.

But I am a realist.

I sadly think it will be for naught. The Senate will flounder as the right wings of both parties would rather spend $ on war and death than life and health so they can feel big about themselves.

Would be wonderful, but in this polarized, rudderless nation I don't think much of anything will be accomplished soon.

I would love to be proved wrong.

Coupl'a Things XXIV

1) I have ESP, or if nothing else an uncanny knack of fantasizing the future. After reading an article yesterday about the impending Nobel Peace Prize announcement, I thought to myself "I bet they give it to Obama...nah... but wouldn't that set the Obama haters on fire." I imagined Rush, Faux News, and all the right wing loons just imploding. It was a momentary chuckle and fantasy as my mind went on to absorb other stimuli.

And I'll be damned it happened.

Now, tell me, why can't my fantasies of winning the mega lottery, finding a rich, handsome boyfriend that adores the ground I walk on or an end to silliness and hate come true?

Oh well, Congrats Mr. President

2) It does not take a Nobel Prize winning scientific mind to note that having a car makes you fat and lazy. The bike sits unused, the walking is less. Trips to Gayfresh are more frequent and those to the Poor People's Market have dwindled. I even took the car to Gomer's for a vodka run (well, it was raining...).

I must do better.

3) Looks like Facebook has had a meltdown this AM.

4) I am cleaning out again. Yesterday I went to my storage unit up the street. In order to have a bit of space to store junk, seasonal items and mementos, I rent a large closet at a storage facility for an increasingly large sum of money each month. Although it is close and convenient, I visit the place only a couple times a year.

Upon entering the facility, I wound my way to my assigned space only to find the lock changed. I went to the lady at the desk who appeared baffled by the whole thing too. She opened it for me and I proceeded to get what I needed. She said she would look into the thing. As I rummaged, a rustle and noise directed my attention to a suitcase, whereupon I discovered Mickey Mouse had set up housekeeping.

Arrrrrgh.

The lady at the office was now a bit more sullen when I arrived. She gleefully pointed out that in April I had paid my bill 7 days late and that necessitated them securing the unit. Questioning why they had to destroy my lock and just not put a second lock on the unit (there is a place to do so) led to the usual "it is policy" answer.

So, one customer lost. Outside of that one indiscretion, I had paid on time for 3 years.

Stuff is being tossed, given away on Freecycle and stuffed into corners. Even I, who prides himself on downsizing, still has more crap than one should have.

5) The pickled okra is looking good in its tight jar. I am resisting temptation.

A New Rise

While sorting through some of my old books, I came across my old copy of William Shirer's classic book "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich", still today considered the definitive story of the Nazi era in Germany. I did not read the whole thing cover to cover again, but I did pick chapters here and there to review, mostly from the rise era.

It scared me to death.

For you see, I found frightening parallels between the rise of the right wing fanatic Adolf Hitler during Germany's greatest economic and political crisis and the USA's summer of discontent. Well trained and motivated hooligans are making a living going around comparing Obama and Democrats to Hitler. The most disturbing, and insane, images are these young (should I go so far as say Brownshirts or Hitler Youth???? maybe) instigators holding signs with Obama's image disfigured to look like Hitler.

These poor schleps can't even get history right. Hitler cared not a wink about people, especially poor, we all know that. If there is a Nazi movement in the US, it is from the right, not the left.

In 1930, Germany was a defeated, economically challenged disaster. The once proud nation was reeling. No longer a world power, no longer a leader, ashamed, crushed. Germans, looking around at their world, saw immigrants and people not like themselves coming in and taking jobs, making money, gaining power. Political leadership was corrupt, old fashioned and totally inept.

In the last decade, the US has faced similar, but hardly exact challenges, but similar enough to give one pause. The US is battered by a fast changing world economy, American industrial icons like General Motors, Chrysler, Boeing, General Electric, Kodak, I could name more, are no longer world leaders, usurped by Asia, Europe and even Latin America.

Just as many Germans were concerned over foreign and Jewish ownership of business and feared a take over, a flood of immigrant and threats at home by terrorists have shaken many Americans. My GOD! Even the Supreme Court has a Latina and a black man ("Uncle Tom" though he may be) trying to destroy the Constitution. Many right wing publications, commentators and religious leaders are quick to scream that "True Christian Americans" are under attack. The "birther" idiocy... is that just a cover to make sure no "Muslim named, African" can ever become president again? The term "Pure Aryan Stock" ring a bell, anyone?

Our airwaves have been taken over by a right wing propaganda machine that spits out such abuse at its opponents and weaves so many fear mongering lies that would give Nazi Propaganda Minster Joseph Goebbels a hard on. The truth is what we tell you, spouts the "Völkischer Beobachter" (for the uninformed, the Nazi Party Paper from 1920-1945) and Fox News (the American Right Wing voice since 1996). Lies become truth, and once debunked, they are kept alive by attacking those who dare to challenge.

The USA is a frustrated country. Frustrated and irate at a government that lied and led the country into an unwinnable and unpopular war. Coffers drained, military might stifled, prestige bruised. It is frustrated by its inept and cruel handling of disastrous hurricane Katrina and its victims. The last administration presided over an historic economic collapse, while the new one went on a spending spree leading to the inevitable crushing debt.

Then today Senate Repub leaders came to Kansas City for "Closed Town Hall Meeting" What the FUCK is that?? Oh yes, A Republican town hall, where all the like minded agree on everything the leaders say. In this meeting, Rep Sen Mc Connell of KY said it was time to start over on healthcare. Sure Sen. McConnell wants to start over on health care. The current versions won't protect the mega profits of the insurance industry that is bankrolling his re-election campaigns and those of his friends. To the tune of 2 million plus In Mc Connell's case.

Isn't is amazing that they can have a "closed door town hall" and think they are getting a "fair and balanced" set of opinions? Oops, I forgot, "fair and balanced" means only the right gets to express an opinion. And the Repub's idea of bi-partisanship is 'do it our way or else we'll whine about it to Rush Limbaugh."

Or have you eliminated.

Coming True

I predicted this. Whoever succeeded G.W. Bush would have a tough time dealing with a country more fucked up than it has been since the 1930s. With an economy in shambles, wars still raging in Iraq and more seriously in Afghanistan, the healthcare debate bogged down with lies and fear mongering, the US is facing massive challenges. I harbored a secret thought that maybe it would be good for Mc Cain to win and then fall flat on his face, thus nailing the right wing coffin shut for good. But I was afraid he would not serve a full term and then we would have a bigger mess in the form of the Alaskan nutcase, Ms. Palin.

It almost seems that the success of the now right wing controlled Republican Party is in direct ratio to the stupidity of the American voter. Believe the lies. Believe the "American Dream", whatever that is, and for sure "me first".

The success of the Republican Party is in direct ratio to the stupidity of the American voter. Believe the lie. Believe the American dream. Make up stories, scream it over your airwaves (something like 66% of Republicans think Fox News is 100% accurate and unbiased) bully, hinder, lie, lie some more, take money from your wealthy clients and businesses (conflict of interest anyone??) and be sure the haves have and the have nots are told they are just fine as they are.

But the Dems are getting on my nerves as well. We live in an era where "Profiles in Courage" (John F. Kennedy's (well, maybe his book, that is a story in and of itself) classic book about politicians who stood up for what was right and fair despite criticism and personal defeat) has become "Profiles in Poll Numbers". I just don't get it. 60 Dems, 40 Repubs in the Senate, Democratic majority in the house, and a few Republicans and failed nutcases (Palin, Limbaugh, Cheney, Blunt) are calling the shots. As Rachel Madow put it, when describing the Democrats wishy washy cave in to the right, "I have seen overbred teacup poodles that are better at dealing with sudden loud noises."

Then there is Barney... Way go to man!



Thankfully someone puts down these clowns and tells it like it is. Sadly, Barney is not President. I think Obama is floundering, badly. Meaningful healthcare reform is dead, Iraq and Afghanistan will rage on, the economy will sputter on and off.

The Repubs got us in the mess, and as it was in the Depression, they will throw bricks at every attempt to clean it up. But unlike the 30s, politicians are not as civil.

Win at all costs, keep your numbers up and damn the people.

Hey Kids!!

You can have your VERY OWN counterfeit, bogus and oh so obviously fake Kenyan Birth Certificate!!

Kenyan Birth Certificate

I got mine...




It is free, it is easy and it is Birther Approved!

Civil Discourse

...has gone the way of the dodo bird and the Pontiac Bonneville. Kaput, extinct, deleted, discontinued.

I guess it began in earnest in the Clinton era when a liberal leaning President dared to poke the haves of society with health care reform and gays in the military. That seemed to rock their world to the core, shaking their very core values of "me, mine and more for me". Clinton paid for his sins by having his very life and Presidency ruined by malicious, jealous that he could still get a blow job, "investigators" who really found nothing and spent the country into oblivion making a few lawyers rich but proving little. The skepticism over Bush's two victories, the morass of Iraq and Afghanistan and the "you are either with me or against me" mentality of the last administration further fractured the country.

Patriot = agree with Bush and the wars.
Traitor = anyone who disagreed or criticized.
Idiot = anyone agreeing with Bush
Idiot = anyone who didn't

The color gray was washed from the palate of conversation, dark black and shocking white were all that remained.

The advent of online additions of newspapers has brought with it the concept of instant comments, letters to the editor without a stamp and paper. Sometimes the comments are interesting, most of the time they show the still widening divide.

Most of the time they show the "haves" losing their touch with reality.

Re this comment:

"When that "Democrat" digs in my pocket, instead of cutting spending (ala Cali), to take money for "taxes", when you Dipsh*ts, voted for him. You right! What happen to we are only going to tax 250k, 175k, 150k! This SAYS MIDDLE CLASS. Nuttinclown, what do you classify as middle class! Some "middle class" are making a choice of gas in the gas or food on the table! A tax when we are discussing taking over healthcare, clunkers for cars, a failed stimulus program, is absurd! It just shows how out of touch CONgress and this President are. Is It's funny you bring the race card in, I just take as you thinking "stupidly", and go about your business."

This in response to an article in the KC Star about University of Mo scientists working to control an alien plant species (spotted knotweed) that is threatening to take over cropland.

When discourse gets this silly and polluted, all possibility of compromise or progress is out the window. I read another article that Members of Congress, mostly Democrats, are facing organized hostile crowds at "Town Meetings" shouting the lies of the FUX news lovers, Birthers and other loons. As much as I thought, and still think, Ronald Regan was a fool, he had the class and style to actually have regular card games and informal evenings with his nemesis Tip O'neil. Imagine Bush and Pelosi at a BBQ? Not hardly.

Sadly, this ranting and raving what goes for TV news commentary and "reporting" in 2009. No wonder my TV sets dark. No wonder we miss Walter Concrite. No wonder there is no social progress. The haves, who make the most noise and can buy the most power, get what they want.

The beauty is the US is a free country and all loons of all stripes have the ability to speak their mind. But when the discourse comes down to name calling, lies, innuendo and deceit, we all lose.

Especially the powerless.

Obama and Pride

June... busting out all over, days getting hotter and longer, hay fever, pools open, Gay Pride month.

For the first time since the good old Clinton Days, a President of the United States has proclaimed June as Gay, Bi and Transgender Pride Month. Obama did it yesterday June 1.

Some excerpts:

LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities.

My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security.

Certainly it is a refreshing change of pace from the Bush Dark Ages when the month and the GLBT community was ignored completely. Not since Bill Clinton have we had a President proclaim GLBT Pride Month. Sadly, as was with Clinton, the words are stirring but they are words, and as we know, words sometime ring hollow.

You see, Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT) is still military policy. The brass cry about lack of trained linguists and translators hampering their "war on terror". Yet they adhere to DADT and let valuable personnel go, simply because they are gay. The insidious Defense Of Marriage Act is still here, defending marriage against loving same sex couples but not contributing one iota to the staggering divorce rate and sham marriages of opposite sex marraiges. He was non committal about the original Proposition 8, saying he didn't really agree with it, but did agree a marriage is between a man and a woman. Was his lack of commitment a signal to the Black community that it was ok to vote against it? I did not see Obama jump for joy when marriage equality won historic victories in Iowa, Vermont and Maine. He was silent when Proposition 8 was upheld. Does he not realize that the same logic could lead to California stripping the Constitutional rights of Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, Left Handed people, or any other group the people decide.

Obama is walking the "safe" middle, and in doing so is not gaining ground anywhere. I guess I should be happy he didn't ignore it completely or even come out against GLBT Pride. I am getting old, I am getting impatient, I am tired of hypocrisy. It is time for bold action domestically. The US can mobilize and go to war in an instant. Taking care of our own.... that is just too much trouble. Obama, you made history simply by being elected. While you have the chance, really make history. Reform health care, enact GLBT rights, end the war.... that would be real "Hope".

Tea Bagging Republicans

And of course all the gay boys and sex perverts just love the concept of a "tea bagging" Republican. If you have to ask, then you'll miss the whole point..

Having said that, I just wish I knew what has caused these teabaggers to boil over. I see basically see insanity, paranoia, hypocrisy, sour grapes and me me me. None of the tea party hosts provides details as to what spending should be cut. But of course we all know they want to cut "welfare", "pork", any Democrat initiative and anything not good for them. For God sakes do not cut their Medicare or Social Security. They scream about the banking and auto industry mess and forget who caused it. As with the spending cuts, I haven't heard a single viable alternative to the bank and auto bailouts. All I see is a bunch of angry, misinformed people brandishing slogans that don't reflect reality or even make much sense

Anger is not policy.

Fox News, Corporate Sponsor of these "parties", has been featuring and encouraging these "grassroots" events for the past two weeks. Ok..where were the teabaggers when Bush was throwing tax dollars and lives away in Iraq? Where were they when Bush was sinisterly using Americans' tax dollars for secret torture and domestic surveillance? Where were they when the deficit soared to pay for this folly?

Label these "parties" for what they really are, right wing extremists taking hypocrisy to new heights.

Republican Hypocricy.... it Goes On

The Party of NO! People with full benefits deny it to children without.

How do these idiots sleep at night?

Coupl'a Things XIV

1) To Attorney General Eric Holder, who is whining about Americans being "cowards" in discussing race. What a self serving little rant. Race has been talked to death, frankly, few societies have ever had has frank and open discussions. Why not move on to more pressing justice issues? Gay and Lesbian rights, the overwhelming use of the death penalty, more people incarcerated than in all of the countries of the European Union, treatment of the mentally ill as criminals, reasonable sex offender laws, reintegration of inmates, prosecutorial misconduct and the over all feeling among many that the justice system takes care of its own and functions to make government money and to advance lawyers' and politicians' careers?

These have to be addressed and are not talked about at all.

2) Speaking of money makers, KC has installed its first red light cameras. I now avoid 39th and SW Trafficway like the plague. Police are thrilled, more donut time.

3) RIP, Wendy Richard, better known as Miss Brahms from the long running British comedy show Are You Being Served?. Richard was 65 and died after a year long cancer battle. She was a fixture of British TV, also starring in the long running "East Enders" show. She was most known across the pond for her role as the cheeky Miss Brahms, the Junior clerk in the ladies department at Grace Brothers on AYBS.

Music to Ones Ears

It was the day after the inauguration of President Obama, January 2009. An old man approached the White House Gate from across Pennsylvania Avenue where he'd been sitting on a park bench. He spoke to the Marine guard at the gate and said, "I'd like to go in and meet with President Bush, please." The Marine politely but sternly said "Sir, Mr. Bush no longer is president and does not reside here." The old man said "OK, thank you" and walked away.

The next morning, the old man sat on the same bench and then got up and approached the gate where the same Marine was standing guard. "I'd like to go in and meet with President Bush, please", said the old man. The Marine told him, "as I told you yesterday, sir, Mr. Bush is no longer president and does not live in the White House any more." "OK, thank you" said the man as he walked away.

On that Friday, the old man once again approached the same Marine: "I'd like to go in and meet with President Bush, please." The Marine was exasperated. "Sir, as I have told you twice before, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer lives in the White House. Do you understand that??"

"Oh I understand you completely", said the old man, "I just love hearing you say it."