With the midterm elections only a week away, I've seen daily reports of the President on the campaign trail for this candidate or that candidate. He gives campaign speeches, etc. all over the country, at taxpayer expense of course.
The thought struck me today that when he was elected President, he became the President of the United States, not the President of the Republican Party. Regardless of his party affiliation, George Bush is the president of all Americans. As such he represents us all and has absolutely no business campaigning for anyone for any reason.
Why is the President allowed to campaign against the wishes of at least half of his electorate....the people he purports to represent? He should remain in D.C. and keep out of the races. They are none of his business but are rather the will of the people in action. By making partisan appearances and taking partisan positions, he undermines the very notion of a President for all the people of the country.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Negative Campaign Ads
I am so sick and tired of negative campaign ads. You would think that people running for office would want the voters to know their record, what they would try to do if elected, etc. Instead we get an almost endless supply of extremely negative attack ads which often have little more than the merest shred of truth in them. I truly question the intelligence of anyone who would let their opinion of a candidate be swayed by an advertisement by someone with a vested interest in making the other person look bad.
I see ads calling an opponent "the biggest spender in Congress" as if one person decides and spends money there. I see ads infering that a black politician is consorting with white prostitutes to play the race card in a southern state. I see ads in which the scenes in one candidate's novel are portrayed as his opinion of women in real life. I see national ads that portray one party's position as being nothing that is related to what that party actually is saying.
These ads have been getting worse and worse over the years. I would love to see the voters entirely reject any candidate who dares to run one. Tell me what your positions are. Tell me how they differ from those of your opponent (and be honest about your opponent's position). Tell me what you will try to do in congress, what committees you'd like to serve on, what your special interests are. Don't do dirty attacks on your opponent because you're not winning. Reach me through intelligent discourse, not though mud-slinging.
I see ads calling an opponent "the biggest spender in Congress" as if one person decides and spends money there. I see ads infering that a black politician is consorting with white prostitutes to play the race card in a southern state. I see ads in which the scenes in one candidate's novel are portrayed as his opinion of women in real life. I see national ads that portray one party's position as being nothing that is related to what that party actually is saying.
These ads have been getting worse and worse over the years. I would love to see the voters entirely reject any candidate who dares to run one. Tell me what your positions are. Tell me how they differ from those of your opponent (and be honest about your opponent's position). Tell me what you will try to do in congress, what committees you'd like to serve on, what your special interests are. Don't do dirty attacks on your opponent because you're not winning. Reach me through intelligent discourse, not though mud-slinging.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
The Busy Season
My busy season has already started. I am frantically trying to finish an afghan for my daughter's birthday in about two weeks. I'm making good progress by keeping myself to a strict production schedule that eats up to two hours a day. I should be able to finish it in plenty of time. The problem is that I can only work on it when she is not in the house so I keep a second project going at the same time.
The second project is a quilt for my son and his wife for Christmas. Of course it's not going to be finished by Christmas, but it should be far enough along for me to be able to send them a nice picture and a promise. It will be done in early Spring at latest. I have two of the thirty squares already finished. I love quilting and keep one going at all times. When this is done, I have two more, and four wall hangings to do.
Sometime this upcoming week I will get a kit for a beautiful blue knitted afghan. It has a snowflake design. It's reversible, so that will be pretty. It's going to be for my daughter's girlfriend. I will have to push hard to get it done in the five or six weeks I'll have to do it. I'll figure out what I have to finish in what time frame to make it happen so we'll see.
Because of all of this, my time for games and other things is restricted. I have not been writing much, though I have to get that to change. I am going to start (again) trying to write for an hour every morning as soon as I am up. That seems to work better than some other things.
For now, however, I'll chug along happily with my various projects and see where it gets me. I have one afghan square finished already this morning, and if Susan comes home soon (not very likely) I will still have this evening while she is out to do the other one. I only have to get two a day finished to hit my deadline. I have five done now and will have one more today. That leaves 11 more of this color. The other 18 are already finished.
The second project is a quilt for my son and his wife for Christmas. Of course it's not going to be finished by Christmas, but it should be far enough along for me to be able to send them a nice picture and a promise. It will be done in early Spring at latest. I have two of the thirty squares already finished. I love quilting and keep one going at all times. When this is done, I have two more, and four wall hangings to do.
Sometime this upcoming week I will get a kit for a beautiful blue knitted afghan. It has a snowflake design. It's reversible, so that will be pretty. It's going to be for my daughter's girlfriend. I will have to push hard to get it done in the five or six weeks I'll have to do it. I'll figure out what I have to finish in what time frame to make it happen so we'll see.
Because of all of this, my time for games and other things is restricted. I have not been writing much, though I have to get that to change. I am going to start (again) trying to write for an hour every morning as soon as I am up. That seems to work better than some other things.
For now, however, I'll chug along happily with my various projects and see where it gets me. I have one afghan square finished already this morning, and if Susan comes home soon (not very likely) I will still have this evening while she is out to do the other one. I only have to get two a day finished to hit my deadline. I have five done now and will have one more today. That leaves 11 more of this color. The other 18 are already finished.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Democratic Agenda
I have heard a lot of talk coming from the Republicans about how Democrats "have no plan" etc. However, after doing a bit of reading, I discover that they have put forth a rather definitive plan of what they would want to accomplish should they take control of the House and/or Senate in two weeks.
At the top of the agenda is legislation to increase the minimum wage, force drug companies to negotiate price on prescription drugs sold to Medicare recipients, implement all of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, end tax breaks for big oil, and increase spending for embrionic stem cell research. While it's not "stay the course" it's certainly a very ambitious agenda and if they can actually do even part of it, it will be remarkable and will be 100% more than the current congress has managed to accomplish.
Republicans say that the Democrats will increase taxes, but tht's just a scare tactic as is the call to impeach Bush. While a few Democrats might like to do that, most realize it's a waste of time that they will need to solidify their base and set themselves up with accomplishments going into the next presidential election. On taxation, the only thing I found they were going to propose is an overhaul of the alternative minimum tax, which is increasingly gouging into income of the middle class. Republicans have also called for doing this, but they have never actually proposed legislation to accomplish it.
Another thing that Republicans say is that Democrats will bog congress down with investigations. I cannot see how congress could possibly be less effective than it is now, but I agree with the areas where the Democrats want to conduct investigations. They want to focus on waste, fraud, and abuse in government contracts awarded for Iraq, Katrina, Homeland Security and other such huge handout programs. I would hope this homes in heavily on no-bid contacts to Bush and Cheney buddies. They are also saying they will investigate the reconstruction contracts in Iraq for war profiteering. These are good things, and the money that could be recovered in such investigations would more than pay for any new programs.
In effect, Democrats are saying they will actually try to accomplish something even if Republicans block it and Bush vetoes it. Since most of their agenda is important domestic things, it will sell well to the voters either way. Democrats will have to walk a very fine line this upcoming two years as their aim is not just regaining the House and possibly the Senate, but also defeating Republicans for the Presidency in two years. Personally, I honestly believe they will blow that one. Then again I am not convinced they will actually take the House or the Senate in two weeks. I do, however, hope that if they do they follow through to end much of the acrimony and fighting and actually try to accomplish something.
At the top of the agenda is legislation to increase the minimum wage, force drug companies to negotiate price on prescription drugs sold to Medicare recipients, implement all of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, end tax breaks for big oil, and increase spending for embrionic stem cell research. While it's not "stay the course" it's certainly a very ambitious agenda and if they can actually do even part of it, it will be remarkable and will be 100% more than the current congress has managed to accomplish.
Republicans say that the Democrats will increase taxes, but tht's just a scare tactic as is the call to impeach Bush. While a few Democrats might like to do that, most realize it's a waste of time that they will need to solidify their base and set themselves up with accomplishments going into the next presidential election. On taxation, the only thing I found they were going to propose is an overhaul of the alternative minimum tax, which is increasingly gouging into income of the middle class. Republicans have also called for doing this, but they have never actually proposed legislation to accomplish it.
Another thing that Republicans say is that Democrats will bog congress down with investigations. I cannot see how congress could possibly be less effective than it is now, but I agree with the areas where the Democrats want to conduct investigations. They want to focus on waste, fraud, and abuse in government contracts awarded for Iraq, Katrina, Homeland Security and other such huge handout programs. I would hope this homes in heavily on no-bid contacts to Bush and Cheney buddies. They are also saying they will investigate the reconstruction contracts in Iraq for war profiteering. These are good things, and the money that could be recovered in such investigations would more than pay for any new programs.
In effect, Democrats are saying they will actually try to accomplish something even if Republicans block it and Bush vetoes it. Since most of their agenda is important domestic things, it will sell well to the voters either way. Democrats will have to walk a very fine line this upcoming two years as their aim is not just regaining the House and possibly the Senate, but also defeating Republicans for the Presidency in two years. Personally, I honestly believe they will blow that one. Then again I am not convinced they will actually take the House or the Senate in two weeks. I do, however, hope that if they do they follow through to end much of the acrimony and fighting and actually try to accomplish something.
The Midterms
The political climate is heating up again as the midterm elections are only two weeks away. As usual there is political rhetoric and attack ads. What there isn't, as usual is any substantive action or call to action on the part of either party. We have the usual: "We can do better," talk, but given the total inaction on the part of this congress, I am not sure why anyone should believe them now just because there is an election.
I admit I'm disappointed. I had hoped maybe this could have been an election on issues and plans. What legislation will the Republicans or Democrats introduce in the new session to address even one of the major domestic issues in this country? Thus far the biggest news on that front is that Bush will stop using "stay the course," as a slogan for Iraq. No plan or anything for ending the conflict, but by god we are getting a new slogan. That's so reassuring. I hope he's not simly switching to "Well stand down as they stand up." Maybe something with more zip like: "Mission Accomplished!"
The Republicans are having heart failure over the thought of Nancy Pellosi as Speaker of the House if the Democrats win. There is even talk of a grassroots rebellion among Democrats against her candidacy. On the other hand, she has put forth an actual plan for her first few weeks in office that is impressive, even if it's impossible. Even if the Democrats win and step up to the plate in terms of advancing domestic legislation aimed at solving problems at home, the Republicans and the President will shoot it down in the interest of partisan politics.
I guess in the end that is what bothers me most about our current government. It's all about political power and acrimony and not anything about actually stepping up to the responsibilities of the job we elected them to do. I would sooner have one party or the other pushing a major agenda with which I basically disagreed than to do nothing. At least they would be trying to accomplish something aside from raising money, getting reelected, and kissing ass on big business and big donors.
The midterms are coming. Will it really make any difference at all which party wins?
I admit I'm disappointed. I had hoped maybe this could have been an election on issues and plans. What legislation will the Republicans or Democrats introduce in the new session to address even one of the major domestic issues in this country? Thus far the biggest news on that front is that Bush will stop using "stay the course," as a slogan for Iraq. No plan or anything for ending the conflict, but by god we are getting a new slogan. That's so reassuring. I hope he's not simly switching to "Well stand down as they stand up." Maybe something with more zip like: "Mission Accomplished!"
The Republicans are having heart failure over the thought of Nancy Pellosi as Speaker of the House if the Democrats win. There is even talk of a grassroots rebellion among Democrats against her candidacy. On the other hand, she has put forth an actual plan for her first few weeks in office that is impressive, even if it's impossible. Even if the Democrats win and step up to the plate in terms of advancing domestic legislation aimed at solving problems at home, the Republicans and the President will shoot it down in the interest of partisan politics.
I guess in the end that is what bothers me most about our current government. It's all about political power and acrimony and not anything about actually stepping up to the responsibilities of the job we elected them to do. I would sooner have one party or the other pushing a major agenda with which I basically disagreed than to do nothing. At least they would be trying to accomplish something aside from raising money, getting reelected, and kissing ass on big business and big donors.
The midterms are coming. Will it really make any difference at all which party wins?
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Addictions
Everyone has addictions of one sort or another, some are simply more universally acceptable than are others. Drugs, alcohol, excessive sex, and the like are examples of bad addictions. Books, learning, writing, and the like are examples of things that can be viewed as good addictions.
I was thinking about this this past week because I again indulged in my biggest addiction of all..buying books. I love books. I read them vociferously and I learn or am entertained. I also have a weakness for pens and blank books in which to record ideas. Tablets. I always have a lot of these things at hand scattered across the house and even in my purse or in the car. I am having to be more careful about the book addiction of late because I am now retired. I go to half price books more often and buy paperback as opposed to hardback for all but the more urgent offerings. I mean I won't wait a year for the newest Harry Potter book to be published in paperback, for instance.
That being said, however, I do buy more books than I should. It often takes me a while to read them all and I generally have a pile of 10 or more in my queue. I freely admit that I start getting really antsy, even anxious, if I am down to my last one or two books. I suppose as addictions go, this one, while expensive, is better than many other types of addictions. I guess this is a good thing because I cannot even imagine not having a pile of cool new books waiting to be cracked open and enjoyed.
Hmmmm.....I suppose hints to my relatives that gift cards to book stores make excellent birthday and Christmas presents might be in order.
I was thinking about this this past week because I again indulged in my biggest addiction of all..buying books. I love books. I read them vociferously and I learn or am entertained. I also have a weakness for pens and blank books in which to record ideas. Tablets. I always have a lot of these things at hand scattered across the house and even in my purse or in the car. I am having to be more careful about the book addiction of late because I am now retired. I go to half price books more often and buy paperback as opposed to hardback for all but the more urgent offerings. I mean I won't wait a year for the newest Harry Potter book to be published in paperback, for instance.
That being said, however, I do buy more books than I should. It often takes me a while to read them all and I generally have a pile of 10 or more in my queue. I freely admit that I start getting really antsy, even anxious, if I am down to my last one or two books. I suppose as addictions go, this one, while expensive, is better than many other types of addictions. I guess this is a good thing because I cannot even imagine not having a pile of cool new books waiting to be cracked open and enjoyed.
Hmmmm.....I suppose hints to my relatives that gift cards to book stores make excellent birthday and Christmas presents might be in order.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Getting Things Done
I seem to be off and on when it comes to getting things done. I never seem to get everything I want done no matter how hard I try.
This week I did manage to complete an afghan for myself for this winter, and also a quilt that my friend Arla and I made for a friend. She cuts and pieces and I quilt and bind. Neither likes the other's job much so it works out perfectly for me and things get done.
Today I went out and bought backing for my son's quilt, and will put the batting, backing, and top together today sometime and begin quilting that. I already know what I plan to do in terms of quilting it, so that helps.
I started an afghan for my daughter for her birthday. Will have a push a bit to get that one done by the 9th, but the saving grace is that it is done with really chunky yarn so a huge square is only 7 rows.
I've fallen down badly on my writing. I think I have a work-around for that and will see tomorrow morning. I decided to pull up whatever I was working on first thing before I even head to the kitchen to make coffee. Then I'll come back and write while the coffee is brewing and while I am sipping a couple of cups. It would be just another way to get my morning going on an up note.
On the up side of the writing, I did manage to rewrite and then edit my white paper on outsourcing and also to write the marketing letter. Today or tomorrow I'll select up to ten possible recipients and personalize each letter a bit for them, then send it out. I know it's a really good idea, but I need to be realistic in terms of anyone else seeing the possibilities. Then I shall move on to completing the outline and proposal for the book on teaching techies to write. I want to include a special chapter or two at the back concerning the problems of teaching non-native speakers to write at a professional level. I doubt it can be done to be honest, but I do know what it would take to do it if it were possible.
I need to do more to keep the house up. Just one or two things a day will make all the difference in the world when it comes to keeping on top of things. My daughter is doing better about picking up after herself and doing things too. At some point we will make a list of everything that needs to be done every week, divide it up, and then each person will do their share as they find the time.
I find it particularly ironic that now that I don't work any more I seem to be more busy than I ever was when I did.
This week I did manage to complete an afghan for myself for this winter, and also a quilt that my friend Arla and I made for a friend. She cuts and pieces and I quilt and bind. Neither likes the other's job much so it works out perfectly for me and things get done.
Today I went out and bought backing for my son's quilt, and will put the batting, backing, and top together today sometime and begin quilting that. I already know what I plan to do in terms of quilting it, so that helps.
I started an afghan for my daughter for her birthday. Will have a push a bit to get that one done by the 9th, but the saving grace is that it is done with really chunky yarn so a huge square is only 7 rows.
I've fallen down badly on my writing. I think I have a work-around for that and will see tomorrow morning. I decided to pull up whatever I was working on first thing before I even head to the kitchen to make coffee. Then I'll come back and write while the coffee is brewing and while I am sipping a couple of cups. It would be just another way to get my morning going on an up note.
On the up side of the writing, I did manage to rewrite and then edit my white paper on outsourcing and also to write the marketing letter. Today or tomorrow I'll select up to ten possible recipients and personalize each letter a bit for them, then send it out. I know it's a really good idea, but I need to be realistic in terms of anyone else seeing the possibilities. Then I shall move on to completing the outline and proposal for the book on teaching techies to write. I want to include a special chapter or two at the back concerning the problems of teaching non-native speakers to write at a professional level. I doubt it can be done to be honest, but I do know what it would take to do it if it were possible.
I need to do more to keep the house up. Just one or two things a day will make all the difference in the world when it comes to keeping on top of things. My daughter is doing better about picking up after herself and doing things too. At some point we will make a list of everything that needs to be done every week, divide it up, and then each person will do their share as they find the time.
I find it particularly ironic that now that I don't work any more I seem to be more busy than I ever was when I did.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
A changing world
I haven't posted for a few days; not because I don't have things to comment on, but rather because the world is getting a bit overwhelming. So much is happening, and none of it seems to be good. Here and there I see a glimmering of goodness, but for the most part the news is grim, both personally and in the world.
It's a bit less tense around my house on a personal level because my daughter's girlfriend is gone. I hope for good, but I doubt it. As a result my daughter is home more and is drinking less. These are both good things. She has even started cleaning house again and invited me to go with her for a pedicure on Saturday.
Politically the U.S. is a mess as we plunge toward the midterm elections. Scandal follows scandal with no letup and crisis follows crisis. The Foley scandal continues to roar on unabated. New things arise every day.
On the world stage the U.S. is proving itself to be ineffectual and no longer a power with whom to be reckoned. A paper tiger. Bush draws lines in the sand and other countries step across them with impunity, knowing we have neither the will or the resources to enforce our saber rattling and bluster. Iraq is getting to be a bigger mess by the day and now, rather than beginning to draw down troops by early next year as we were told, we're not told that it will be 2010 or later. Afghanistan is sliding away because there are insufficient troops there to stop the reinsurgency of the Taliban across the Pakistani border, and the Pakistanis have given them a free pass.
Yesterday it hit me how much the world has really changed. A small plane flew into a high rise in NY city. The first thing the news was broadcasting is that it probably wasn't a terrorist attack. I can remember when such a thought wouldn't have occurred to any of us.
I guess I am just feeling overwhelmed by all of the possibilities and all of the news. The one bright spot in all of this chaos is the reaction of the Amish community to the terrible massacre of its children by a nutjob with a gun. Members of that community actually attended the killer's funeral and have set up a fund for his children's schooling. That is such a fine example of living your faith and your beliefs rather than just talking about them. Members of the American religious right could do well to emulate these fine, caring people of faith.
It's a bit less tense around my house on a personal level because my daughter's girlfriend is gone. I hope for good, but I doubt it. As a result my daughter is home more and is drinking less. These are both good things. She has even started cleaning house again and invited me to go with her for a pedicure on Saturday.
Politically the U.S. is a mess as we plunge toward the midterm elections. Scandal follows scandal with no letup and crisis follows crisis. The Foley scandal continues to roar on unabated. New things arise every day.
On the world stage the U.S. is proving itself to be ineffectual and no longer a power with whom to be reckoned. A paper tiger. Bush draws lines in the sand and other countries step across them with impunity, knowing we have neither the will or the resources to enforce our saber rattling and bluster. Iraq is getting to be a bigger mess by the day and now, rather than beginning to draw down troops by early next year as we were told, we're not told that it will be 2010 or later. Afghanistan is sliding away because there are insufficient troops there to stop the reinsurgency of the Taliban across the Pakistani border, and the Pakistanis have given them a free pass.
Yesterday it hit me how much the world has really changed. A small plane flew into a high rise in NY city. The first thing the news was broadcasting is that it probably wasn't a terrorist attack. I can remember when such a thought wouldn't have occurred to any of us.
I guess I am just feeling overwhelmed by all of the possibilities and all of the news. The one bright spot in all of this chaos is the reaction of the Amish community to the terrible massacre of its children by a nutjob with a gun. Members of that community actually attended the killer's funeral and have set up a fund for his children's schooling. That is such a fine example of living your faith and your beliefs rather than just talking about them. Members of the American religious right could do well to emulate these fine, caring people of faith.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
What an awful week
This has truly been an awful week. The school shootings have left me feeling really shaken and wondering how murdering children somehow is seen as a solution to anything for any reason. It feels as if there is some sort of sickness growing among us that is disconnecting us all from our basic humanity.
Then we have the Washington scandals. The Foley thing is, in my opinion, just a symptom of the generalized corruption in D.C. now on both sides of the aisle. Those up there have long ago lost sight of what they are elected to do and why they are really there. I fear the only solution that they'll actually hear is to vote out all incumbents and continue to do so every two years until they get the message to start doing what they are there to do such as secure our borders, fix our tax code, fix the broken immigration system, balance the budget, reduce the debt, and start acting with fiscal responsiblity. The general public is sick and tired of this do-nothing congress where the biggest thing they think of as an accomplishment is voting in a huge tax cut to the top two-tenths of one percent of the taxpayers.
I'm eagerly awaiting my copy of Bob Woodward's new book State of Denial. Already the repercussions of what he says in there are shaking the country. First Ms. Rice flatly denies a critical briefing every happened, only to be forced to turn around two days later and admit it did happen then try to explain it away. The Administration, who touted Woodward's first two books on the Bush Presidency, is now trying to make it appear as if for some reason Woodward chose in this instance to abandon the journalistic care and integrity for which he's been known for over 30 years and has produced a pack of lies. Even the denials are couched in such a way as to make them laughable. The collective amnesia is amazing.
On the personal front things are very traumatic at home at present so I am exhausted and feeling out of sorts despite having a ton of important things to get done today. It's nearly 8:30 in the morning and I am not even ready to begin work.
In all it's been an awful week, and it's only Thursday.
Then we have the Washington scandals. The Foley thing is, in my opinion, just a symptom of the generalized corruption in D.C. now on both sides of the aisle. Those up there have long ago lost sight of what they are elected to do and why they are really there. I fear the only solution that they'll actually hear is to vote out all incumbents and continue to do so every two years until they get the message to start doing what they are there to do such as secure our borders, fix our tax code, fix the broken immigration system, balance the budget, reduce the debt, and start acting with fiscal responsiblity. The general public is sick and tired of this do-nothing congress where the biggest thing they think of as an accomplishment is voting in a huge tax cut to the top two-tenths of one percent of the taxpayers.
I'm eagerly awaiting my copy of Bob Woodward's new book State of Denial. Already the repercussions of what he says in there are shaking the country. First Ms. Rice flatly denies a critical briefing every happened, only to be forced to turn around two days later and admit it did happen then try to explain it away. The Administration, who touted Woodward's first two books on the Bush Presidency, is now trying to make it appear as if for some reason Woodward chose in this instance to abandon the journalistic care and integrity for which he's been known for over 30 years and has produced a pack of lies. Even the denials are couched in such a way as to make them laughable. The collective amnesia is amazing.
On the personal front things are very traumatic at home at present so I am exhausted and feeling out of sorts despite having a ton of important things to get done today. It's nearly 8:30 in the morning and I am not even ready to begin work.
In all it's been an awful week, and it's only Thursday.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Torture
The past few days I've been seriously disturbed at the discussions I am seeing regarding torture. This country is now so polarized that there are people arguing that if Bush wants to torture prisoners he should be allowed to, and arguing which tortures are ok and which are not.
It hasn't been that long ago when we (meaning the United States) were regarded as and also regarded ourselves as the good guys. We did things the right way because it was the right way. I guess in today's terminology you could say we had a moral compass. That seems to be entirely gone now, at least at a governmental level. In the past we would never have discussed what torture was acceptable because the answer would have been a resounding "none."
The current administration not only defends torture as something good, but our Attorney General wants acceptable torture methods defined as anything that doesn't cause organ failure or death. Using this definition, beatings, rapes, removing fingernails, shoving objects under fingernails, removing fingers and toes, castration (as long as blood loss is minimized) and any number of other horrors of the medieval torture chamber would be perfectly acceptable methods for U.S. interrogators to use.
Maybe it's just me, but this more than anything I can imagine, defines what is wrong with the current President and his cronies. What kind of people can even think torture justified? What is worse, according to statistics, upward of 80% of those we pick up and detain are innocent. They are people who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. That means that when we torture them for the critical information we think they have, they cannot stop the torture by giving in and telling us what we want to know. They don't know anything in the first place.
Finally, what about the long term psychological and physical effects of prolonged torture? Just because the person didn't suffer organ failure or die doesn't mean they didn't suffer and may continue to suffer for a lifetime. What sort of a nation are we turning into that this sort of atrocity could ever be considered OK and acceptable? How much deeper do we have to sink before the voters say "enough is enough" and attempt to bring back this country's honor?
It hasn't been that long ago when we (meaning the United States) were regarded as and also regarded ourselves as the good guys. We did things the right way because it was the right way. I guess in today's terminology you could say we had a moral compass. That seems to be entirely gone now, at least at a governmental level. In the past we would never have discussed what torture was acceptable because the answer would have been a resounding "none."
The current administration not only defends torture as something good, but our Attorney General wants acceptable torture methods defined as anything that doesn't cause organ failure or death. Using this definition, beatings, rapes, removing fingernails, shoving objects under fingernails, removing fingers and toes, castration (as long as blood loss is minimized) and any number of other horrors of the medieval torture chamber would be perfectly acceptable methods for U.S. interrogators to use.
Maybe it's just me, but this more than anything I can imagine, defines what is wrong with the current President and his cronies. What kind of people can even think torture justified? What is worse, according to statistics, upward of 80% of those we pick up and detain are innocent. They are people who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. That means that when we torture them for the critical information we think they have, they cannot stop the torture by giving in and telling us what we want to know. They don't know anything in the first place.
Finally, what about the long term psychological and physical effects of prolonged torture? Just because the person didn't suffer organ failure or die doesn't mean they didn't suffer and may continue to suffer for a lifetime. What sort of a nation are we turning into that this sort of atrocity could ever be considered OK and acceptable? How much deeper do we have to sink before the voters say "enough is enough" and attempt to bring back this country's honor?
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Update on NIC Report
The part they declassified on the report was sort of an Executive Summary and fully supports what people have been saying about the leaked portions of the report plus a bit. It's very well-balanced and acknowledges progress as well as failure.
The sections on Iraq are, however, chilling. Essentially they concluded that for the time we are dithering around and not winning in Iraq we are allowing the radical Islamists a breeding ground and recruiting tool they never had before. The conclusion was that inasmuch as we do not decisively win in Iraq so that the terrorists leave feeling they failed, we have fueled world terrorism.
The report concludes that Al-Quaida has been weakened, which is something we knew, but that it has also splintered and decentralized and that other groups have also been created with only philosophical rather than political ties to Al-Quaida. The report stresses that this makes them harder to find and harder to stop.
The positive conclusions were that the spread of democracy and the creation of governments where people have some say and don't view their government as corrupt and oppressive would go a long way toward defusing the root cause of terrorism. It points out that most Muslims do not want a Sharia state that the radicals envision. The downside to this is that many moderate Muslims are radicalized by our presence in the Middle East and our inability to stop or even curb the violence that started when we came into Iraq.
The overall tone of the report's conclusions are chilling. They are not generally positive nor do they seem to be suggesting a solution. I can see why Bush didn't want this report out. It's not that there is anything whatever in it that should have been classified. Classification should not be used solely because the conclusions reached in a report makes a current or past administration look bad, weak, and ineffective. That is apparently why this particular report was classified.
Republicans have been quick to point out the conclusion that says it is critical to controlling terrorism that we win in Iraq. This is true. What they neglect to mention is that had we never gone into Iraq and then decided not to win there, there would be no current focus and breeding ground for terrorists as there is today. To be fair, they might have found somewhere else, but to be honest that's not what happened. So yes, it's critical we win now that we're there, but the report leaves no doubt whatever that it would have been much better for the world had we never gone in there in the first place.
Personally I am not encouraged by the conclusions of the report. I am even more discouraged that the present government found it necessary to hide these conclusions from us pretending they somehow compromised national security, which they do not in any way do. The report itself is apparently 32 pages long. I am not sure if it is being declassified. I hope so.
The sections on Iraq are, however, chilling. Essentially they concluded that for the time we are dithering around and not winning in Iraq we are allowing the radical Islamists a breeding ground and recruiting tool they never had before. The conclusion was that inasmuch as we do not decisively win in Iraq so that the terrorists leave feeling they failed, we have fueled world terrorism.
The report concludes that Al-Quaida has been weakened, which is something we knew, but that it has also splintered and decentralized and that other groups have also been created with only philosophical rather than political ties to Al-Quaida. The report stresses that this makes them harder to find and harder to stop.
The positive conclusions were that the spread of democracy and the creation of governments where people have some say and don't view their government as corrupt and oppressive would go a long way toward defusing the root cause of terrorism. It points out that most Muslims do not want a Sharia state that the radicals envision. The downside to this is that many moderate Muslims are radicalized by our presence in the Middle East and our inability to stop or even curb the violence that started when we came into Iraq.
The overall tone of the report's conclusions are chilling. They are not generally positive nor do they seem to be suggesting a solution. I can see why Bush didn't want this report out. It's not that there is anything whatever in it that should have been classified. Classification should not be used solely because the conclusions reached in a report makes a current or past administration look bad, weak, and ineffective. That is apparently why this particular report was classified.
Republicans have been quick to point out the conclusion that says it is critical to controlling terrorism that we win in Iraq. This is true. What they neglect to mention is that had we never gone into Iraq and then decided not to win there, there would be no current focus and breeding ground for terrorists as there is today. To be fair, they might have found somewhere else, but to be honest that's not what happened. So yes, it's critical we win now that we're there, but the report leaves no doubt whatever that it would have been much better for the world had we never gone in there in the first place.
Personally I am not encouraged by the conclusions of the report. I am even more discouraged that the present government found it necessary to hide these conclusions from us pretending they somehow compromised national security, which they do not in any way do. The report itself is apparently 32 pages long. I am not sure if it is being declassified. I hope so.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
The Latest Security Leak
I am looking forward to the imminent release of the full text of the latest leaked security assessment. I've already seen Bush putting enormous spin on what the leaked portions actually say, though having read them, I don't see what he sees to be honest.
The President states that people are saying that the report claims that his handling of the Iraq war has increased the threat of terrorist attacks to Americans. Unless he's reading a different report than appeared in the NY Times, that's not what I am seeing at all. What the released portion of the report are saying is that the administrations invasion of Iraq and then total mishandling of the war have increased the world-wide threat of terrorism. By extension that could be read to include the U.S. but it was not specifically saying just the U.S.
John Negroponte is quoted as saying that the report is a comprehensive assessment that highlights the importance of Iraq on the future of global jihadism. This sounds like a very accurate assessment from my point of view. The eventual outcome of the war in Iraq undoubtedly will have an enormous impact on the future of global terrorism.
What Mr. Negroponte and the President fail to acknowledge, however, is that this is true only because we invaded in the first place and then totally mishandled the war itself from that point onward, while stubbornly sticking to a plan that has proven itself to be an utter and abysmal failure. The Iraq war and the resulting insurgency are now the main focus and the main recruiting tools for the new generation of Islamic extremists. Virtually everyone acknowledges that this is true.
What is also true is that this focus would not exist had we not invaded Iraq or if we had invaded with a clear and workable plan to actually win the war once we were there. It was critical that the administration be sufficiently nimble to change directions once we were there and it became apparent that the flowers on the streets beneath our feet and the eternal fawning gratitude were not going to materialize. On this the administration has failed miserably. Stay the Course and We'll Stand Down When the Iraqis Stand Up are not war plans. They're political slogans.
So unless the full report contains something of significance beyond what we have already been shown, the press assessments are correct. Thanks to Bush's missteps and inability and will to actually win the war in Iraq, we have provided the world's terrorists with a focus for recruiting more jihadists because they have a perfect training ground in Iraq, complete with Americans to murder. It is a moot point as to whether that will eventually prove out to mean that there is an increased terror threat in the U.S. Europe and the rest of the world also count when it comes to assessing the international threat level.
Personally, my assessment is that if you give International terrorism a focus for recruitment, eventually you have also ensured that no matter how much you work to avoid it, there will one day be more major attacks here. I will read the report when it's released and comment on it here.
The President states that people are saying that the report claims that his handling of the Iraq war has increased the threat of terrorist attacks to Americans. Unless he's reading a different report than appeared in the NY Times, that's not what I am seeing at all. What the released portion of the report are saying is that the administrations invasion of Iraq and then total mishandling of the war have increased the world-wide threat of terrorism. By extension that could be read to include the U.S. but it was not specifically saying just the U.S.
John Negroponte is quoted as saying that the report is a comprehensive assessment that highlights the importance of Iraq on the future of global jihadism. This sounds like a very accurate assessment from my point of view. The eventual outcome of the war in Iraq undoubtedly will have an enormous impact on the future of global terrorism.
What Mr. Negroponte and the President fail to acknowledge, however, is that this is true only because we invaded in the first place and then totally mishandled the war itself from that point onward, while stubbornly sticking to a plan that has proven itself to be an utter and abysmal failure. The Iraq war and the resulting insurgency are now the main focus and the main recruiting tools for the new generation of Islamic extremists. Virtually everyone acknowledges that this is true.
What is also true is that this focus would not exist had we not invaded Iraq or if we had invaded with a clear and workable plan to actually win the war once we were there. It was critical that the administration be sufficiently nimble to change directions once we were there and it became apparent that the flowers on the streets beneath our feet and the eternal fawning gratitude were not going to materialize. On this the administration has failed miserably. Stay the Course and We'll Stand Down When the Iraqis Stand Up are not war plans. They're political slogans.
So unless the full report contains something of significance beyond what we have already been shown, the press assessments are correct. Thanks to Bush's missteps and inability and will to actually win the war in Iraq, we have provided the world's terrorists with a focus for recruiting more jihadists because they have a perfect training ground in Iraq, complete with Americans to murder. It is a moot point as to whether that will eventually prove out to mean that there is an increased terror threat in the U.S. Europe and the rest of the world also count when it comes to assessing the international threat level.
Personally, my assessment is that if you give International terrorism a focus for recruitment, eventually you have also ensured that no matter how much you work to avoid it, there will one day be more major attacks here. I will read the report when it's released and comment on it here.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Interesting Last 24 Hours
The past 24 hours has been very interesting as in "May you live in interesting times." It started last night when my daughter decided to take her two dogs with her when she went with a friend to run a few errands. She came home about an hour later in hysterics, stopping just long enough to drop off one of the dogs.
Seems the other one. The male, was on his way to the vet after having jumped out of a moving car that was going about 30 mph and into traffic. Fortunately he didn't get hit by any of the cars behind them. He's a mess, but is extremely fortunate. He has no broken bones, no pulled tendons, and doesn't have a concussion. What he does have is some really nasty road rash and (though we cannot see any) bruises everywhere according to the vet. He's on antibiotics and pain pills for a few days.
Today I took care of him. He's barely able to walk he's limping so badly. He's sleeping a lot. Fortunately we have a wheelchair ramp at the front of the house so he can get down to do his business without using the stairs, which are clearly beyond him at the moment.
The second interesting thing was that last week I was listening to a talk radio show where I live. The host was talking politics and it reminded me of a piece I wrote here giving advice to the Democrats. So I sent a copy of it off to his show and promptly forgot about it.
Today I got a call from his producer, praising the piece not only for its contents but also for the quality of the writing. They wanted me to come on the show for a segment. This was quite cool. First he read what I had written, then he asked me quite a few questions. After that they opened up the phone lines. The entire segment lasted about an hour. I was nervous at first, but quickly relaxed and did ok. It was nice. I guess that's my 15 minutes of fame.
I told him that the DNC had ignored my message other than to begin innundating me with requests for money. He asked if they ever did respond that I share it with him, which I said I would do. He noted, however, that both of us will probably be chipping icicles in hell before that happens.
Seems the other one. The male, was on his way to the vet after having jumped out of a moving car that was going about 30 mph and into traffic. Fortunately he didn't get hit by any of the cars behind them. He's a mess, but is extremely fortunate. He has no broken bones, no pulled tendons, and doesn't have a concussion. What he does have is some really nasty road rash and (though we cannot see any) bruises everywhere according to the vet. He's on antibiotics and pain pills for a few days.
Today I took care of him. He's barely able to walk he's limping so badly. He's sleeping a lot. Fortunately we have a wheelchair ramp at the front of the house so he can get down to do his business without using the stairs, which are clearly beyond him at the moment.
The second interesting thing was that last week I was listening to a talk radio show where I live. The host was talking politics and it reminded me of a piece I wrote here giving advice to the Democrats. So I sent a copy of it off to his show and promptly forgot about it.
Today I got a call from his producer, praising the piece not only for its contents but also for the quality of the writing. They wanted me to come on the show for a segment. This was quite cool. First he read what I had written, then he asked me quite a few questions. After that they opened up the phone lines. The entire segment lasted about an hour. I was nervous at first, but quickly relaxed and did ok. It was nice. I guess that's my 15 minutes of fame.
I told him that the DNC had ignored my message other than to begin innundating me with requests for money. He asked if they ever did respond that I share it with him, which I said I would do. He noted, however, that both of us will probably be chipping icicles in hell before that happens.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
The Drums of War
In the back of my mind these days I hear the drums of war beginning to take up the beat once again. The administration is already building a case for going into Iran, either with what they call "surgical strikes" or with a full scale invasion.
I think somehow our illustrious leader imagines that we can go in and bomb one or two sites as the Israelis did in Libya and that will eliminate the Iranian nuclear program. From what I have read, we know of about two dozen nuclear sites of one sort or another in Iran. That undoubtedly means there are at least another dozen or so we don't have a clue about. The bottom line there is that we cannot actually get it all in one fell swoop.
In addition, the administration seems to believe that if they were to do this, that Iran would just roll over and play dead. That's not likely to happen with convenient targets (namely U.S. military) just over the open border in Iraq. The Iranian leader is a nutcase who believes we are coming up on the end of the world and that he wants to speed that up. This is the guy who considers it perfectly logical and sane to write dialogue on post it notes and toss them down a well and imagine that he is conversing with a long dead holy man. This is the guy we're depending on to act logically and sanely if we attack him.
There is every indication that much of what we're being fed by the administration currently is a crock, much along the lines of the WMD stockpiles and nuclear programs in Iraq before the war. The nuclear regulatory agency says that the Iranian program is years further behind than the US is claiming. So far on such matters, they haven't been wrong and we haven't been right even a single time. Much of what is being written these days also dwells on the fact that the Iranian people are not nearly as disaffected as the expatriate community would have us believe. That is the same as we discovered to our chagrin in Iraq as well.
With the midterms coming up and a presidential election only two years away, it wouldn't surprise me a bit if Bush picks another war just to see Republicans remain in power. I mean, they cannot point to anything they've done in the form of legislation that would make people want to keep them. So maybe embroiling us in yet another war would somehow do the trick. *sigh*
I think somehow our illustrious leader imagines that we can go in and bomb one or two sites as the Israelis did in Libya and that will eliminate the Iranian nuclear program. From what I have read, we know of about two dozen nuclear sites of one sort or another in Iran. That undoubtedly means there are at least another dozen or so we don't have a clue about. The bottom line there is that we cannot actually get it all in one fell swoop.
In addition, the administration seems to believe that if they were to do this, that Iran would just roll over and play dead. That's not likely to happen with convenient targets (namely U.S. military) just over the open border in Iraq. The Iranian leader is a nutcase who believes we are coming up on the end of the world and that he wants to speed that up. This is the guy who considers it perfectly logical and sane to write dialogue on post it notes and toss them down a well and imagine that he is conversing with a long dead holy man. This is the guy we're depending on to act logically and sanely if we attack him.
There is every indication that much of what we're being fed by the administration currently is a crock, much along the lines of the WMD stockpiles and nuclear programs in Iraq before the war. The nuclear regulatory agency says that the Iranian program is years further behind than the US is claiming. So far on such matters, they haven't been wrong and we haven't been right even a single time. Much of what is being written these days also dwells on the fact that the Iranian people are not nearly as disaffected as the expatriate community would have us believe. That is the same as we discovered to our chagrin in Iraq as well.
With the midterms coming up and a presidential election only two years away, it wouldn't surprise me a bit if Bush picks another war just to see Republicans remain in power. I mean, they cannot point to anything they've done in the form of legislation that would make people want to keep them. So maybe embroiling us in yet another war would somehow do the trick. *sigh*
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Family Wedding
I attended my youngest sister's wedding yesterday. Well, she's also my niece, but that's another story for another day. It was a nice wedding and was a day I am positive she felt would never actually come. She is 41 years old and has never been married. She's been in two extremely long-term relationships and has a 14 year old daughter from one of them. But she's never been married.
Yesterday two of her brothers marched her down the aisle, and my sister (her birth mother) gave her away. The ceremony itself was short and simple. Her new husband interrupted the ceremony several times to proclaim at the top of his voice that she was his best friend and how much he loved her. It was very touching. He also got down on his knees to put the ring on her finger. They were both horribly nervous and shaking by the time it was over and they were finally married.
Lisa looked pretty in her wedding dress. Her daughter was one of the bridesmaids. She looked happier than I ever remember seeing her. I made her promise me she's wait until I was at least ten miles away from the area before she threw the bouquet. One cannot be too careful.
The reception was nice, but I left fairly early. Large crowds and lots of noise get on my nerves. It was great to see my nephews and their wives and children there. However, the dogs were here alone outside, and with my catarracts I don't see as well at night as I used to, so I wanted to avoid driving after dark as much as I could. It was a long drive.
Susan stayed down there, but she and Tammy (as usual when they drink) got into a fight, so Tammy came back up here about 2:30 in the morning. I'm tired, having been awakened in the middle of the night. Given that I was here with the dogs alone, I didn't really get much sleep before then either, with them barking every time someone farted in this half of the county. Obviously, once awake I didn't get much sleep afterward either. Two nights of bad sleep now. Tonight will be three as Susan and Tammy are sure to get drunk and get into another screaming match.
Yesterday two of her brothers marched her down the aisle, and my sister (her birth mother) gave her away. The ceremony itself was short and simple. Her new husband interrupted the ceremony several times to proclaim at the top of his voice that she was his best friend and how much he loved her. It was very touching. He also got down on his knees to put the ring on her finger. They were both horribly nervous and shaking by the time it was over and they were finally married.
Lisa looked pretty in her wedding dress. Her daughter was one of the bridesmaids. She looked happier than I ever remember seeing her. I made her promise me she's wait until I was at least ten miles away from the area before she threw the bouquet. One cannot be too careful.
The reception was nice, but I left fairly early. Large crowds and lots of noise get on my nerves. It was great to see my nephews and their wives and children there. However, the dogs were here alone outside, and with my catarracts I don't see as well at night as I used to, so I wanted to avoid driving after dark as much as I could. It was a long drive.
Susan stayed down there, but she and Tammy (as usual when they drink) got into a fight, so Tammy came back up here about 2:30 in the morning. I'm tired, having been awakened in the middle of the night. Given that I was here with the dogs alone, I didn't really get much sleep before then either, with them barking every time someone farted in this half of the county. Obviously, once awake I didn't get much sleep afterward either. Two nights of bad sleep now. Tonight will be three as Susan and Tammy are sure to get drunk and get into another screaming match.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Hurt Feelings
My feelings are a bit hurt today. It has to do with my computer. About a month or so ago I mentioned I wanted to upgrade my memory. My daughter said she would check the memory to see what kind I did the upcoming weekend. She never did. I've mentioned her promise to her several times over the past month. She always says she'll do it, she never did, so I just stopped asking. Please understand it's not that I was unable to do it myself, but rather that I hate messing around inside computers, and she does it for a living.
What hurts is that she's always ready and available to help anyone else with their computer at a moment's notice. She will spend hours, and sometimes even a whole day working on her Dad's computer, her ex-husband's new girlfriend's computer, or those of total strangers she runs into in bars. She does it almost immediately and without hesitation. I have to ask and ask then she doesn't do it anyway. It makes me feel as if everyone else counts and I don't, I guess.
Of course there is an easy way around this, and it is the path I will take. I'll either do the work myself or I will pay to have it done in the future.
Yesterday I took the case off the computer and removed the memory stick. I decided that since I had no way of telling what I needed to know to get another one, I put the stick in a static sleeve and took it to the computer store with me. I got the new memory and came home. Then the fun began. I absolutely couldn't get the new memory into the computer. I struggled, scratched my hands up, broke nails, but no joy. Friends online gave me advice. I told Susan about it and she said she'd get it in when she got home.
She came home. No help. She ate dinner. No help afterward. Then she decided she had to go somewhere with her friend who needed help, while she saw me here struggling again to get the memory upgrade into the computer. I felt a bit like crying. She has time for everyone in the world but not five minutes for me. Yeah, I know, I'm feeling sorry for myself. But it does hurt.
Finally, when I was on the verge of simply giving up and returning the memory to the store the following morning, it clicked into place. I had done it by myself.
What leaves a bad taste in my mouth still is that I learned this morning that not only had I asked her, but her girlfriend has said something as had her ex-husband. They told her she should take a couple of minutes to help me out since I had wasted the better part of a day trying to do a job she could do in five minutes. There has to be a reason why she absolutely refuses to help me with anything. I just don't know what it is. It's not as if we have a bad relationship or anything. I just don't understand why. And yeah, being neglected and ignored doesn't feel good.
What hurts is that she's always ready and available to help anyone else with their computer at a moment's notice. She will spend hours, and sometimes even a whole day working on her Dad's computer, her ex-husband's new girlfriend's computer, or those of total strangers she runs into in bars. She does it almost immediately and without hesitation. I have to ask and ask then she doesn't do it anyway. It makes me feel as if everyone else counts and I don't, I guess.
Of course there is an easy way around this, and it is the path I will take. I'll either do the work myself or I will pay to have it done in the future.
Yesterday I took the case off the computer and removed the memory stick. I decided that since I had no way of telling what I needed to know to get another one, I put the stick in a static sleeve and took it to the computer store with me. I got the new memory and came home. Then the fun began. I absolutely couldn't get the new memory into the computer. I struggled, scratched my hands up, broke nails, but no joy. Friends online gave me advice. I told Susan about it and she said she'd get it in when she got home.
She came home. No help. She ate dinner. No help afterward. Then she decided she had to go somewhere with her friend who needed help, while she saw me here struggling again to get the memory upgrade into the computer. I felt a bit like crying. She has time for everyone in the world but not five minutes for me. Yeah, I know, I'm feeling sorry for myself. But it does hurt.
Finally, when I was on the verge of simply giving up and returning the memory to the store the following morning, it clicked into place. I had done it by myself.
What leaves a bad taste in my mouth still is that I learned this morning that not only had I asked her, but her girlfriend has said something as had her ex-husband. They told her she should take a couple of minutes to help me out since I had wasted the better part of a day trying to do a job she could do in five minutes. There has to be a reason why she absolutely refuses to help me with anything. I just don't know what it is. It's not as if we have a bad relationship or anything. I just don't understand why. And yeah, being neglected and ignored doesn't feel good.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
The Upcoming Midterms
I'm becoming much more interested in the upcoming midterms as the days pass. There appears to be a growing anti-incumbent sentiment based on the fact that the incumbents seem to be doing nothing but arguing, backbiting, etc. The American public wants to see work being done on critical domestic issues, and it's not being done.
This isn't a slam on either party individually, but on the entire political climate in this country collectively. Politicians in general have utterly lost sight of the fact they were elected to represent their constituents and to work on solving the nation's problems. They are not there to pander to special interests and big business, load budgets with pork, and take potshots at the opposing party.
My hope (and that's all it is at this point) is that the voters will go to the polls so utterly ticked off that they will toss out incumbents of both parties in record numbers. This would send a loud and clear message to those remaining to get off their dead butts and start doing the country's business or face the same fate themselves. I am totally sick and tired of do-nothing senators and representatives. I'm tired of the name calling and finger pointing.
Bush is the very worst of this bunch in that regard, but he's also gone in two years no matter what, so it doesn't matter. He talks a good game but actually does nothing but talk about it. He never provides the strong, decisive leadership necessary to make real significant changes.
Both sides need to pick issues important to them and then work with their opposite numbers to pass legislation and set the path toward solution of the issues. The issue itself is relatively unimportant as long as it's not just a lip-service issue such as flag burning, gay marriage, or one of the other non-issues that makes it appear to some people that congress is trying to "do something." I am talking real issues: Medicare, Social Security, Immigration, border security, reforming the tax code....something of this magnitude. And they must commit to not only talking about it but doing it. It might also be nice to fund the effort properly and put in safeguards so they're not just throwing money at the issue. Might also be nice to identify where cuts will be made to find the money.
In the end, I am really hoping the voters get off their hands and vote in record numbers and that a huge number of incumbents on both sides of the aisle are tossed out on their collective butts, thus sending a loud and clear message in the most forceful way possible that we expect this bunch of self-indulgent, pandering, self-important bunch of wastrels to start actually earning their pay.
This isn't a slam on either party individually, but on the entire political climate in this country collectively. Politicians in general have utterly lost sight of the fact they were elected to represent their constituents and to work on solving the nation's problems. They are not there to pander to special interests and big business, load budgets with pork, and take potshots at the opposing party.
My hope (and that's all it is at this point) is that the voters will go to the polls so utterly ticked off that they will toss out incumbents of both parties in record numbers. This would send a loud and clear message to those remaining to get off their dead butts and start doing the country's business or face the same fate themselves. I am totally sick and tired of do-nothing senators and representatives. I'm tired of the name calling and finger pointing.
Bush is the very worst of this bunch in that regard, but he's also gone in two years no matter what, so it doesn't matter. He talks a good game but actually does nothing but talk about it. He never provides the strong, decisive leadership necessary to make real significant changes.
Both sides need to pick issues important to them and then work with their opposite numbers to pass legislation and set the path toward solution of the issues. The issue itself is relatively unimportant as long as it's not just a lip-service issue such as flag burning, gay marriage, or one of the other non-issues that makes it appear to some people that congress is trying to "do something." I am talking real issues: Medicare, Social Security, Immigration, border security, reforming the tax code....something of this magnitude. And they must commit to not only talking about it but doing it. It might also be nice to fund the effort properly and put in safeguards so they're not just throwing money at the issue. Might also be nice to identify where cuts will be made to find the money.
In the end, I am really hoping the voters get off their hands and vote in record numbers and that a huge number of incumbents on both sides of the aisle are tossed out on their collective butts, thus sending a loud and clear message in the most forceful way possible that we expect this bunch of self-indulgent, pandering, self-important bunch of wastrels to start actually earning their pay.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
I Must Be Nuts
I honestly think I'm taking leave of my senses these days. I am actually looking forward to getting a puppy in December sometime. I am apparently going to have to go to other organizations, since the Golden Retriever club in my area has proven pretty cavelier and has not answered my request for information on breeders, etc.
I am not sure why the idea of a puppy appeals to me. Sure, I love puppies as much as the next person, but I am also aware that puppies have this really nasty habit of growing into dogs. And I am not all that particularly enchanted with dogs.
I guess perhaps because I am growing older, and spend so much of my time alone these days, maybe I am beginning to feel the need for some sort of companionship. I know I'm almost painfully lonely, and that is not going to change any time soon. That's as much a personal choice as it is circumstances, given my life and my experiences. I'm very severely pain adverse, and any human relationship is sure to bring even more pain than I have already suffered. I guess I am not prepared to deal with that.
I have been making lists and checking costs of dog ownership. Insurance for their health for instance. How utterly ironic that I cannot get affordable health insurance for myself before Medicare, but I can for a dog. I have researched toys, ways of aclimatizing Brisco, beds, cage training, and the ultimate obedience training at 12 weeks. I have a mental vision of the type of dog that I find acceptable, and obedient is the most important. I do not want to inflict a disaster such as Brisco on the world. I firmly believe that a trained and obedient dog that knows his/her place is a much happier dog as well.
So December creeps up on us and sometime during that month I will become the owner of a dog. I wonder if I'm prepared?
I am not sure why the idea of a puppy appeals to me. Sure, I love puppies as much as the next person, but I am also aware that puppies have this really nasty habit of growing into dogs. And I am not all that particularly enchanted with dogs.
I guess perhaps because I am growing older, and spend so much of my time alone these days, maybe I am beginning to feel the need for some sort of companionship. I know I'm almost painfully lonely, and that is not going to change any time soon. That's as much a personal choice as it is circumstances, given my life and my experiences. I'm very severely pain adverse, and any human relationship is sure to bring even more pain than I have already suffered. I guess I am not prepared to deal with that.
I have been making lists and checking costs of dog ownership. Insurance for their health for instance. How utterly ironic that I cannot get affordable health insurance for myself before Medicare, but I can for a dog. I have researched toys, ways of aclimatizing Brisco, beds, cage training, and the ultimate obedience training at 12 weeks. I have a mental vision of the type of dog that I find acceptable, and obedient is the most important. I do not want to inflict a disaster such as Brisco on the world. I firmly believe that a trained and obedient dog that knows his/her place is a much happier dog as well.
So December creeps up on us and sometime during that month I will become the owner of a dog. I wonder if I'm prepared?
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Ineresting Day
I found out today that my daughter plans to get me a golden retriever puppy for my birthday/christmas present (they're one week apart). One of her dogs will go with her husband when their divorce is final and that will leave one dog in the house. She really wants another dog, but also wants to do without the responsibility so she will give me the puppy I would enjoy and I get to see that it is trained, feed it, brush it, etc. Heck, I'm here all the time anyway so why not.
I am reading up on puppy training and all of that right now. We will go through formal obedience classes as soon as the dog is old enough. I won't have an untrained pita dog. I'll have to learn to trim claws, etc. It might be interesting. I understand this breed is very intelligent, obedient, and mild tempered. I intend to get a female since I like to scratch their tummies and you can't do that with a male.
Yesterday I found out that Susan can sign. Not universal sign but rather finger spelling. She said hello to a new neighbor's child and he signed at her. She spelled out that she could only do alphabet and asked his name. He was really thrilled. I was amazed watching her. She's really fast at it and the kid understood her right off. I think she may take a course in universal signing. I've always wanted to learn that. Don't know why but I have.
Susan has split up with her girlfriend again. This is the fifth or sixth time. It will be interesting to see how long it lasts this time. And then Susan's wallet disappeared. She thinks the girlfriend took it, but I don't. Susan was so roaring drunk that she could have dropped or put it virtually anywhere. I won't be a bit surprised if it just turns up in a laundry basket or something.
I swear I live in such interesting times. The Chinese curse sort of interesting times.
I am reading up on puppy training and all of that right now. We will go through formal obedience classes as soon as the dog is old enough. I won't have an untrained pita dog. I'll have to learn to trim claws, etc. It might be interesting. I understand this breed is very intelligent, obedient, and mild tempered. I intend to get a female since I like to scratch their tummies and you can't do that with a male.
Yesterday I found out that Susan can sign. Not universal sign but rather finger spelling. She said hello to a new neighbor's child and he signed at her. She spelled out that she could only do alphabet and asked his name. He was really thrilled. I was amazed watching her. She's really fast at it and the kid understood her right off. I think she may take a course in universal signing. I've always wanted to learn that. Don't know why but I have.
Susan has split up with her girlfriend again. This is the fifth or sixth time. It will be interesting to see how long it lasts this time. And then Susan's wallet disappeared. She thinks the girlfriend took it, but I don't. Susan was so roaring drunk that she could have dropped or put it virtually anywhere. I won't be a bit surprised if it just turns up in a laundry basket or something.
I swear I live in such interesting times. The Chinese curse sort of interesting times.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Words
I have noticed that people tend to stuff people into conveniently labeled little boxes, and become uncomfortable when someone doesn't fit or refuses to be categorized. For instance, I personally disapprove of George Bush's handling of the war, the economy, the budget, domestic issues and virtually everything else. When I say this, I am accused of "hating" Bush. When did we get to the point of equating political differences with hatred?
This has nothing to do with party lines. Many of my political views are also shared by mainstream Republicans. Many are shared by mainstream Democrats. I pride myself on being a person who decides issues based on facts not on what a particular party line dictates. I believe in a balanced budget and zero based budgeting, smaller government, cutting waste, etc. Those are largely Republican stands. I also believe in universal access to affordable health care, giving people a hand up when they fall on hard times, and in some regulation and/or oversight of big business since many in big business have proven themselves incapable of honesty without it. These are largely Democratic stands.
Yet people keep trying so very hard to push me into one of these stupid little boxes that says Republican or Democrat (I am neither), conservative or liberal (again, I am neither or both depending on the issue). Why is it we cannot accept that there are people who actually think for themselves? I approach each issue as a separate one and decide my stand when I view pros and cos, look at what others write, and then ultimately think about it and decide.
Even more alarming to the box police is the idea that you can actually change your mind and your views on a subject when the situation changes, more evidence is presented, or times change. In other words, some of us refuse to be locked into a position for life when the environment surrounding that position changes or we get more information. I consider it block-headed to cling to an outdated idea because you don't want to be seen as changing your mind. Why wouldn't you change it if new proof shows your old position was based on insufficient information and was, therefore, inaccurate? What is so wrong with saying, I learned more about it, so I changed my position based on the newer, more accurate information?
I see this as a part of the the general political hostility and incivility that reins today. People are so divided and so polarized that they cannot even hear what "the other side" says, much less accept that they are accurate. Recently I had a friend, who disapproves of nearly everything Bush does, but who also identifies himself as a Republican become insensed because I stated I didn't agree with things Bush is doing. Now mind you he doesn't approve of those same things either, but he actually said it was disrespecting the office of the presidency to disagree with what the president does/says. Since when?
This has nothing to do with party lines. Many of my political views are also shared by mainstream Republicans. Many are shared by mainstream Democrats. I pride myself on being a person who decides issues based on facts not on what a particular party line dictates. I believe in a balanced budget and zero based budgeting, smaller government, cutting waste, etc. Those are largely Republican stands. I also believe in universal access to affordable health care, giving people a hand up when they fall on hard times, and in some regulation and/or oversight of big business since many in big business have proven themselves incapable of honesty without it. These are largely Democratic stands.
Yet people keep trying so very hard to push me into one of these stupid little boxes that says Republican or Democrat (I am neither), conservative or liberal (again, I am neither or both depending on the issue). Why is it we cannot accept that there are people who actually think for themselves? I approach each issue as a separate one and decide my stand when I view pros and cos, look at what others write, and then ultimately think about it and decide.
Even more alarming to the box police is the idea that you can actually change your mind and your views on a subject when the situation changes, more evidence is presented, or times change. In other words, some of us refuse to be locked into a position for life when the environment surrounding that position changes or we get more information. I consider it block-headed to cling to an outdated idea because you don't want to be seen as changing your mind. Why wouldn't you change it if new proof shows your old position was based on insufficient information and was, therefore, inaccurate? What is so wrong with saying, I learned more about it, so I changed my position based on the newer, more accurate information?
I see this as a part of the the general political hostility and incivility that reins today. People are so divided and so polarized that they cannot even hear what "the other side" says, much less accept that they are accurate. Recently I had a friend, who disapproves of nearly everything Bush does, but who also identifies himself as a Republican become insensed because I stated I didn't agree with things Bush is doing. Now mind you he doesn't approve of those same things either, but he actually said it was disrespecting the office of the presidency to disagree with what the president does/says. Since when?
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