put on your seatbelts...

"these are difficult times.." is the oft-repeated sentence from the political survivors of the 2008 season of "The Big White House". With the last two remaining contestants, what remains is how does the jury (the people) vote. The fact that we cannot state it clearly still is a ringing endorsement of the jury!

In the meantime, lets see what's been going on lately .. the $700 billion bailout (which has ballooned to an official $840 billion, and unofficially is thought to go over a trillion) of the banking industry, bailout of the 3 automakers, who have been unable to sell their giant SUVs and other gas-guzzlers, because of the price of gas. Of course, you recall that in the beginning of 2001, Cheney helped introduce a measure where if you were to buy a heavy vehicle (a big SUV, a hummer, big pick-up truck etc- essentially Bush-Cheney voters.) you could essentially take a giant tax deduction. This was done to encourage the consumption of these gas-drinkers, and now treasury is being raided to rescue these irresponsible car makers that perpetuated the obscenity in the first place. $25 billion was the amount granted to them just earlier this month.

On a personal note, a lot of my friends are losing jobs. They have no idea where they are going next. Guys who used to make nearly $200,000 are looking for jobs that pay $85,000... or less.

you bet, " these are difficult times.." and what are you going to do about it?

Bogey-man..

Helms died today .. Make of it what you will.. I was not a big fan of his politics, he represented an America that was afraid of new things, new people, and the non-whitebread America that the country might become.. one thing that I do respect him for over all of today's "Beltway conservatives". He was genuine. He was representing what he truly believed .. which is not saying a lot...

talking points ..

I was at a pub the other day in what could be generally thought of as a liberal bastion .. in Rockville, Maryland. I was sitting, sipping a Marzen and minding my own business, when this middle-aged gray haired fellow sat next to me and I don't know how we got talking but we did .. and before long he was reading off a list of talking points .. Ugghh .. Limbaughesque..
The whole time he was claiming that he is actually a moderate Republican, and with that same pair of stupid lips was castigating Clinton for his "reprehensible" behavior while trying to say that the Iraq war was ... you know, moronic crap..
So, since I wanted to go back to my beer and the ball game on TV, I told him, he was right. That he has actually convinced me to vote for McCain. I further told him, that we should have Republicans for the next 4 terms for all I care (.. because by that time the country will more likely resemble some third-world Junta economy than this proud sea to shining sea platitude.. ) plus it will make them shut up !! Now, he was a little miffed at me - he said I was being condescending .. Uh??
So you know what - if you want to vote Republican, go the ***k ahead, I couldn't care. I am tired of this whole patriotism-flag-pin-waving-homophobic-xenophobic crap! Go ahead. Vote for McCain, see if I care !!! I've actually seen people living in slums, and defecate on the streets, eat from garbage dumps .. I think you are also entitled to such reality, and the Republicans can make it happen - Go ahead, vote for Rove, whatever ..

Some returning thoughts ..

Okay - Just as I thought it might happen -
Obama went to the left of Hillary to win the primary, and is now going to the Center for the general election.. this might be dangerous. Kerry tried this, and got his finger burnt.
I still think Obama might win, it will depend in large measure on who is the VP. General Clark?

our public health and education crisis ..

I have been reading a lot about public health lately. And in doing so, ran into this essay contest for children.
The entry I have here is winner in the 7th and 8th grade category. I had to stop reading when I got to this,

"Why is Public health so important?

Well, first of all, it plays a huge roll in our lives."

roll? Isn't that a factor in a more urgent public health crisis these days? childhood obesity? I am amazed a 7th or 8th grade student cannot spell the word correctly. You can thank 'phonics' for that!

Of course it gets better when you get to the end,

"Now you know all you need to know about public health. So the next time you discern it, you won’t over look it. Instead, you’ll recognize that it’s public health! "

I have no idea what that means! But she surely got an iPod for this essay, discern that! I know, I feel bad picking on a 7th/8th grader. But really, this is quite pathetic!

Not Responsible..

As I was driving into work today I saw this sign on the back of this truck carrying large rocks..

I bet the Bushies would love a sign like that. Not responsible for civil wars started by us by destabilizing your government. To be fair, that is something the western world in general has been doing for a long time, toppling regimes that end up in civil wars. Maybe that's what is meant by 'civilizing' the world one country at a time ..

Firing Range..

This whole crazy-man-goes-on-a-shooting-rampage nth sequel that we witnessed, and 24-hour networks spent, well, 24 hours covering was tragic. The usual knee-jerk reactions also happened as predicted. No, not from the liberals, but from the gun-runners regarding the 2nd amendment. The two favorite amendments, if you are a wingnut or Bushie (I know, tautology), are the 2nd and 5th. But, I digress!
If you are not left scratching your head about how a college student could walk into a pawn shop, put down 600 bucks and get a 9 mm glock and 50 rounds of ammo, and the shop owner is not remotely curious, then you are not thinking with your head. I am sorry!
NRA that wants to protect our rights to bear arms, because hunting is part of our family values, still cannot explain to me why a hunter (family that hunts together, .. ) would need an automatic handgun. I just don't see it. Now, the NRA's stand has been that letting the government regulate any weapon, even an AK-47, will make them come after my hunting gun is asinine. The fact is that in some states, like South Dakota, using automatic weapons to hunt is a misdemeanor! Why we can't regulate some weapons, while letting bear some that they use to go out to shoot unsuspecting animals, I don't understand.

"I've had enough" says Iacocca

When you start to lose corporate tycoons like Iacocca, you know that as a Republican administration your game's up. Here's an excerpt:

"Am I the only guy in this country who's fed up with what's happening? Where the hell is our outrage? We should be screaming bloody murder. We've got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind, and we can't even clean up after a hurricane much less build a hybrid car. But instead of getting mad, everyone sits around and nods their heads when the politicians say, "Stay the course."

Stay the course? You've got to be kidding. This is America, not the damned Titanic. I'll give you a sound bite: Throw the bums out!"

i mus' be jivin'...

I really did not want to waste any more space on the Imus thing, but I had to say a couple of things. I was one of those who tuned into Imus in the morning daily for about 10 minutes before some boorish commercial about re-doing my windows or roof tiles interrupted me. I used to tune in because typically some political figure or a well-known journalist would be discussing the political issues of the day. Other than those few minutes, most of the show was rather juvenile, with some impersonator, and Imus calling somebody fat and ugly. His comments for Bill and Hillary were particularly uncharitable. He had unkind things to say about a lot of public servants. This from a guy who made money "talking" when he was not snorting or shooting it up.
A lot has been said about his charitable ranch etc. I am not very impressed. How sure is one that it is not just some tax write-off? Good riddance Imus !