Rand Paul For President!

Tags

Glenn Beck, GOP, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Rand Paul, tea People, wacko media

Uh, NO!

Perhaps the most amusing moment during Hillary Clinton’s testimony before Congress yesterday, was her encounter with the weird Randal. Son of the famous Ron Paul, the Libertarian who whines that nobody gives him his props as a serious candidate, Randal represents the fair state of Kentucky, where of course, his stable mate is Mitch “the Turtle” McConnell.

Now Randal has delusions of being president. He plans to carry the GOP banner in 2016, after fending off the likes of Bobby Jindal and Marco Rubio, two who can at least claim foreign-ness as a bonus point. Randal can only claim stupid (his under understanding of the Constitution is rather stellar), with a strong dose of crazy mixed in.

Yesterday, Randal tried to go toe to toe with Hillary. And he hitched up his jammies and told Hillary that well you can read it for yourself:

I think that ultimately with your leaving you accept responsibility for the worst culpability for the worst tragedy since 9/11. And I really mean that. Had I been president at the time and I found that you did not read the cables from Benghazi, you did read the cables from Ambassador Stevens, I would have relieved you of your post. I think it’s inexcusable.

Of course, I was hoping for something utterly dry like, “Well, on so many levels, Senator, we are assured that THAT won’t be happening!” But she is a diplomat after all.

Worst tragedy since 9/11? Wow, that leaves out Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, Aurora, Sandy Hook, and a half-dozen tornadoes I can think of. It leaves out the fairly senseless deaths of all those killed in Iraq and probably a goodly number of those killed in Afghanistan.

When you go for the killer punch Senator, it’s so tempting to make something so much bigger than it really is. When you are on national TV and all, and have an ego as big as Texas and have delusions of being POTUS, yourself.

You’re an idiot. Go sit in the corner and suck your thumb Randal.

¿

Johnny S. McCain promised us that he had a lot of questions he wanted answers to. He didn’t ask any. He just pontificated. The old war-horse who never met a war he didn’t want to send somebody’s kids to fight (so they could enjoy all the fun he had), claims that Ambassador Stevens told him personally that security was not up to snuff in Benghazi. Whom did he tell?

No one as far as anyone can ascertain. And how about those Republican holds on funds for security in Libya and other places? John had nothing to say about that either.

Same old Johnny. Just a lot of angry old complaints that amount to “I woulda been a better President than him, I would have!”

Old record, John, and it’s beginning to skip. I think the record is scratched.

¿

I loves me some conspiracies.

So good with a nice cup of hot chocolate.

Nobody is better at the game of conspiracy hunting that that dear boy Glenn (where went my fame?) Beck.

Beck, if you didn’t know, runs that rag The Blaze, which is on the sleaze factor one point up and over from WorldNetDaily, and one point down and over from the other twin  bunker Breitbart, home of the Breitbots, which is an oxymoron, cuz nobody there is in any way deserving of the adjective “bright”.

Beck having found no fun in Texas, is back in the Big Apple trying to re-invent himself. And since Glenn is all about conspiracies, his latest is something of a tongue-twister. So hold on to your hats, private parts, or the porcelain throne as it fits your predilections.

Beck suggests that we must rid ourselves of all those OLD Conspiracies, they being the birther issues, and the Sandy Hook conspiracy. Sandy Hook conspiracy your gasp? What is that about? Oh, didn’t you hear? The Obama administration did Sandy Hook. Killed those little kids just to use it as a focus for taking away your guns! Boy, now it makes sense right?

Oh.

Well, Beck, says, whoa, you know, how many people would have to be involved in such a plan–to shoot up a school, and all that? No, that’s CRAZY!

Beck says, that all these conspiracy theories are just things that Obama USES to deflect your attention so that you don’t see the REAL conspiracies. I know, I know. Let me start that again. Slowly.

The crazy theories exist out there in the ether. And Obama grabs onto them, and feeds them surreptitiously to keep your conspiracy-lovin’ noggin occupied. All the while, the REAL conspiracy is going on behind your back. You know the one I mean–all the NEW WORLD ORDER ILLUMINATI DRACONIAN PLANS BY THE CAPITALIST-HATING, FASCIST/SOCIALIST/COMMUNIST/ LOVIN’ O-B-A-M-A.

Glad you know the truth? I bet you are. Shine up that AK-15, cuz baby you are gonna be using it soon against those black helicopters headin’ your way.

Don’t believe me? Think I made it up? Ha!

So, now that your mind is functionally unable to do anything else but count dust bunnies under the bed, I’ll leave you dear reader until tomorrow.

Or, leave an incoherent, but pithy, and funny, if at all possible, comment.

Related articles

• Glenn Beck to Devote Whole Show To ‘Debunking Conspiracy Theories About Sandy Hook’ (sgtreport.com)
• GOP Senator Pushes Gun-Running Conspiracy Theory During Benghazi Hearing (thinkprogress.org)
• Video: Sen. Rand Paul Goes On A Condescending Rant Towards Hillary Clinton At Benghazi Hearing (sensico.wordpress.com)
• Hillary Clinton 69, Rand Paul 10 (thehill.com)

A Little Depp Will Do Me

Tags

Chuck Grassley, Hillary Clinton, Mel Gibson, psychology, Sean Hannity, Ted Nugent, u-turnisms

So sue me. It’s rainy and dark and I have to go into town for some shopping and a church meeting. Tomorrow we have another appointment at the VA. I’m grouchy, so I got me some eye candy to brighten my day. Sighhhhh, oh that most certainly is delicious looking.  And before you open you mouth, the Contrarian is free to post his pics of  (the list is extensive, but mainly reflects excessive delight in the  butts of several well known and not so well known nymphets around the viewing dial) various women he casts a discerning eye for.

I continue to be busy. Alas, not always busy with things I  desire to do, but what’s new with that? Housework is a mean mistress, always managing to rear her ugly dusty paws on a too regular basis. I mean why can we just step outside while it sucks itself clean? Who is working on this? Somebody must be–imagine the  payoff on that patent?

I have received two more books for review. I guess I’m being convincing in my requests these days. I’m near finished with one and will hopefully post a review no later than next Monday. You may wonder why all my reviews are positive? Well, quite simple really. I usually know something about the book or a lot about the author before hand, and I choose what I WANT to read. I can’t live long enough to read crap I don’t like. So it stands to reason, I’m usually right in picking something I can rave about. I will tell you when I don’t, you can be sure. Should that happen.

I’ve been getting a kick out of thinking that we all have rather selective memories. Our Senator, Chuck Grassley, only a year or so ago, maybe a bit more was claiming that filibustering was “unconstitutional.” Now with a new Supreme Court nominee looming, it’s looking more constitutional all the time. Gotta do it ya know, no choice. Wrong takes a u-turn.

It seems most of us are forgetful of the fact that much of what we now say is recorded for all time. So when we say the exact opposite, it comes back to bite us. But we do it anyhow, not realizing that a large number of people have nothing but time to search the archives of public discourse and find those embarrassing tidbits of u-turnisms. (I am claiming that I just coined that word, so do give credit when you use it.)

I read another example this morning. Seems our aging matinee idol of the wagging finger, Sean Self-Righteous Hannity has oopsed a u-turnism. He has been berating entertainment blogger Perez Hilton who asked that embarrassing question to that bimbo contestant from California.  Oh, how dare he call Ms. Prejean a “bi*ch! I might well agree. But Sean in his holier-than-everybody on Planet Earth, went on, and on, and on, about how saying such a degrading thing to ANY woman was unforgivable, just terrible and sooo very wrong. Again, we might agree, but…..

It seems that during the T-baggy thingie, one Ted Nugent (aging rock star and big mouth extraordinaire) called Hillary Clinton a “worthless bi*ch” in front of Hannity, and not an eye was batted. Even when called on it later back on his show, he claimed Ted was his personal friend and would continue to appear on his show. So much for calling a woman something unforgivable!

I have to laugh, and I often do when I go to a particular forum. They have a section devoted to Politics 2009 which of course is nothing else much but a place for a ton of nearly insane right wingers to run around waving their arms and crying “the sky is falling” and having vapors attacks, and wringing their hands and preparing for Armageddon. All because a black man who is a dirty Democrat is running the show in Washington. Mostly because he is ungodly and evil and actually may be the anti-Christ.

They have a huge number of forums actually, some quite good, and occasionally you can meet some intelligent people and have interesting conversations. I can’t remember which one had a discussion of  Mel Gibson.

Personally, I don’t pay attention to him. He’s a anti-Semite as far as I’m concerned so I don’t view his work. Beyond that, I find only amusement in his claimed ultra conservative religious beliefs and how he’s dealing with that given his marital woes. As much as I’ve garnered at this point is that his wife (long suffering as I understand her to be)  has filed for divorce, and he has been, for some time living with his girlfriend who is divorced herself and may be pregnant.

As the story has developed on the forum thread, a number of supporters have reminded everyone that “we don’t know his heart” and it’s “up to God to judge.” They keep talking about how if he is living as brother and sister with the girlfriend he is still in good graces with the Church. (Yep, and of course pigs still fly after midnight we all know.) This in full u-turnism from their about face when they talk about various Democrats who happen to be divorced. They are just “adulterers.”

Mores to the point, a woman who declares her clear personal knowledge that “I belong to the only church started by Jesus Christ, and you wouldn’t have a bible if it weren’t for us” is busy u-turning. This same woman who routinely tells everyone of every denomination, even her own, that they are far from pious, faithful, and knowledgeable, is haranguing everyone on the Gibson thread with “ye who is without sin cast the first stone.” “Are you without sin????? ” she rants.  I’m sure she doesn’t see the  u-turnism.

I have no doubt at all that we are all pretty much guilty of this. Our lens get so dirty that we can’t see the u-turn arrow. We somehow see our about face as different than the other instance. It’s good when we are called on it. It reminds us that we all bring our prejudices to the table. Me too. So remind me when I stumble.

Anyway, I’m going to get back to Johnny. I’ll never u-turn on you buddy. No way!

Conventional Thoughts

Tags

Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Brian Schweitzer, Democrats, Election 2008, Hillary Clinton, Mark Warner

She hit it out of the ballpark! It was brilliant, touching, uplifting, and aggressivHillary did what everyone knew she could, and most knew she would. She left no doubt that she was behind Barack Obama. “No way, no how, No McCain!”

We watched via MSNBC, mostly because I was interested to see what Rachael Maddow might have to say. Sadly that was pretty much a bust, given the venue, outdoors with a “peanut” gallery of boos and yeahs depending on who was speaking. It was not worth the effort.

The speech however, was breathtaking and had everyone on the edge of their seats, and many in tears. In the most dramatic moments, she lined up all the reasons she had run for President. And then said, “And for all these reasons, I’m supporting Barack Obama.” More specifically, she challenged any recalcitrant follower with: ” Did you just vote for me?” The implication was clear, if you voted for her policies, then there was only one answer, vote for Barack as the only candidate who conceivably could carry them out.

She finished with a flurry, referring to McCain/Bush as  aptly meeting in Minneapolis/St. Paul, for like the twin towers, they were so alike it was hard to tell them apart. She ended with reference to Harriet Tubman: “When you hear the dogs, keep running, when you see the torches, keep running, when you hear the voices, keep running, keep running, if you want freedom, keep running.” And then she made it even more clear. “The fate of our country depends on it.”

Of course, Fox-Idiot land had its own take: Bill Kristol, self-styled author of the Iraq war, which undoubted gives him huge credit as a savvy person, said “Hillary gave the most minimalist speech she could get away with.” Mort Kondraky echoed this. By the morning Foxy was dragging out “body language” experts to analyze the correct height of Hillary’s eyebrows to determine if she really meant what she said.

Even MSNBC by morning had run out of accolades and was trying desperately to manufacture some sort of theory that would give them a topic of conversation until the next legitimate piece of real information came across their desk. Lots of speculation now as to whether Hillary and Bill REALLY mean their endorsement, or whether they are just doing enough to get by. Lots of speculation as to whether they are already underway to prepare for 2012. Speculation, is in the end all it is.

Of course, even more speculation about what Bill will do tonight. My thoughts are simply this. Politicos are ego driven animals. Bill has to know he rather severely damaged his credibility among many of his supporters. His personal issues with not being given enough credit for the 90’s by the Obama campaign has worn thin with voters. He started making mistakes in North Carolina and has made enough since then to make many of us shake our heads in dismay.

Thus, I think that Bill will be very conscious that his legacy hangs in the balance here. Any suggestion that he or Hillary did less than they could in hopes that Obama would fail, will essentially destroy any chance she might otherwise have should that happen. He will, I believe, do his best to top his wife in throwing his full weight behind Barack’s campaign. To do less, will brand him forever as a sore loser and a man interested only in the Cult of Bill.

We might do well in actually listening to “Hillary” supporters who said two things I recall last evening. The first was that the media seemed to be making a much bigger thing out of all this divisiveness than they were actually seeing or experiencing themselves. Secondly, those who were interviewed after the speech were solidly moved to Obama by Hillary’s words. Enough said on the topic.

As to the other participants last night. Mark Warner gave the keynote address. It was an excellent speech, touching all the points required, but it lacked any real pizazz. It was delivered in a dull fashion. This was predicted by Carville who knows Warner well, and says that he doesn’t have that flair. He correctly said that the speech would be excellent in every respect but not a foot stomper. Warner is running for the Senate from Virginia, and thus could not hammer Republicans hard since he needs them as voters to gain the Senate seat. He did contrast effectively McCain’s stances versus Obama’s, but with little rancor or meanness.

Warner’s best moment was in shaming the Bush administration. Following 9/11 when every American was willing to sacrifice for the country in any way at all, here was the time, Warner claimed, that Bush could have asked America to move away from dependence on foreign oil. We could have begun then, and every American would have looked for ways to help. Instead, Bush led America down the path of useless war. Bush, Warner claimed, didn’t believe in the American people enough. By implication our oil crisis today is the result.

The best of the “other speeches” was given by Montana Governor, Brian Schweitzer’s speech was terrific. Homesy and slightly “Rodney Dangerfieldish” in presentation, it went over well, and had them laughing and shouting in the aisles. Even President Clinton was seen to be laughing and clapping enthusiastically. I thought he overshadowed Warner’s more quiet and thoughtful presentation. In reality, the Montana Governor gave the real “keynote” address. He tied McCain and Bush together at the hip and called their oil interests the “petro dictators” which was met with a roar of approval.

All in all, I think the night was a great success. I look for the drama to build again tonight as both Bill Clinton and Joe Biden take the stage. All is being readied for the big event. So far, I think that Howard Dean and Barack Obama’s teams have done a stellar job.

Two asides: At or near the end of Hillary’s speech, Bill Clinton could be clearly seen mouthing: “I love you, I love you, I love you.” And– I’m told that at the Twin Towers, in Minneapolis/St. Paul, overlooking the Republican Convention site, is a new billboard just erected today–George and Johnny in the famous embrace, with the words “This is change?” I love it!!!!!!!

Cut the Crap McCain

Tags

Election 2008, Hillary Clinton, McCain, PUMA

You really have to laugh in some respects. Republican mouth pieces desperately trying to take the shine off Obama’s pick of Joe Biden. Finding very little to tear down Biden about, they turned to the usual smoke and mirrors ploy of distraction.

In what amounts to “doing mischief” according to the likes of George Stephanopolous, McCainites have turned to trying to drive a wedge between Democrats by using Hillary Clinton. Rudi, I was mayor during 9/11 Giuliani, calls the Biden pick a choice of “weakness” since Hillary was “clearly” the strong choice. “If he wanted to win the election, he would have picked Hillary,” the New York panderer tells us. Oh yeah, Obama, clearly chose Biden because he desires to lose. How moronic is that?

What follows is simply silly. GOP’ers in their insanity think we will be persuaded with ads that ask the question, “Why wasn’t she chosen?” and worst yet, a silly “former Hillary backer” who has switched to Johnny. Oh yeah, sure, Sidney, that’s a wise one indeed.

One is beginning to conclude that John’s handlers are just humoring him that they are running his campaign to win. Clearly they aren’t. First lets start with PUMA. Anachronism for Party Unity My Ass, this lovely organization was started by a Republican. That should tell you about all you need to know.

A recent big “conference” of PUMA members had to be moved to a new venue because it couldn’t sign up but 60 people to attend!Fox of course has these so-called Clinton supporters on regularly. I think it’s all a bunch of hooey myself. I think these are mostly neo-con nut cases pretending to be Hillary supporters in an attempted “dirty tricks” attack. This is how desperate things have become in the McShame campaign.

No rational Clinton supporter would ever vote for John McCain. Why? Because Clinton’s positions of the issues are the antithesis of McCain’s on most every issue. McCain is as we have noted before unalterably in favor of ending a woman’s right to choose. He has voted against virtually EVERY bill that deals with maintaining a woman’s right to control her own body. That alone is enough.

As I recall, McCain also was against the bill offered to correct the horrible decision of SCOTUS wherein a woman paid less than a man was barred from suing if she didn’t uncover the cheating within 180 days of her employment.

There is no reason therefore that a rational woman would back McCain. Any woman who claims she is doing so out of spite and anger because Clinton didn’t get the nomination is admitting that she supported Clinton ONLY because she was a woman. I submit that we don’t need women like that in our ranks. She is welcome to transfer her allegiance to McCain. They thrive apparently on that kind of vile pandering ethics free support.

When news “analysts” suggest that three in ten “Hillary” supporters are still not willing to vote for Obama, my advice is beware. Saying you are a Hillary supporter does not make you one. And we have in the past seen plenty of seamy, near-criminal, and criminal dirty tricks played by Republicans when they become desperate. I think this is just another example of one.

PUMA, by and large commands no real respect or numbers that I can document. I would pay them no mind, and I would pretty much ignore most media coverage of them. It’s just a ruse. No self-respecting Democrat would cut off their nose to spite their face in this way. It’s simply absurd. Just another attempt by John Sidney, and his never ending whine, “it’s my right to be president!! *stomp, stomp*. It’s my right I tell ya. I deserve it! I do. I do.”

Tracks up the Hill

Tags

abstinence, Barack Obama, death penalty, economy, Election 2008, energy, environment, Family values, FISA, fundamentalism, Hillary Clinton, Iowa, Iraq, John McCain, Justice Department, lobbyists, Media, Military contracts, Oil, SCOTUS, Zimbabwe

“Self Portrait, Interlocking Fingers #19, by John Coplan, 2000.

Ah, a busy morning and so we should just get to it, time is running!

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Let’s start with a good story about the media’s failure to alert us on the cause of this war of choice in Iraq. Remember, they said, whatever it was about it was certainly not about oil. As we are now learning, and what some of us have always said, it was and is all about oil. Sorry to keep saying it, but it’s a truth that needs to be shouted around the land until everyone understands. Read Alternet‘s fine piece by Tom Engelhardt.

I find it amusing and frankly a little sad that a story I brought to you maybe two months ago is finally making it to the mainstream media. Congressional hearings regarding the ridiculous contracts issued to a 21-year old shyster for weaponry in Afghanistanhave finally turned on the lights of the media. Congress people are overtly shocked, and of course the military just blinks in confusion. “Why no, Mr. Waxman, no one has been fired.” It seem like an idea that has never crossed their useless minds.

Just a couple of days ago, we mentioned a new look at affirmative action directed at the poor in general instead of just a racial group. I don’t think this is what was in mind. It seems the Bushites, (oh this is nothing new of course) have been busily trying to stack the justice department with new recruits who are appropriately conservative both politically and ideologically. Of course, this grows out of the scandal of last year involving the firing of a number of Attorneys General of various places for not instituting prosecutions of Democrats as demanded by Bush and his minor-minded minions. Remember that many of the do-wrongers were from that bastion of Christian honesty, Liberty University run by the late Jerry Falwell. Thanks Blue Girl Red State.

Family values is kinda quiet as a topic this year. Probably because Old McBush has some issues  that he probably would rather not have delved into too deeply. But I am constantly assaulted by the wingnut right with claims that there has been this deep and awful downturn in morality. And of course, back when “we were kids” things were ever so much different. Were they really? According to Britannica Blog, the answer would be NO. Promiscuity and out-of-wedlock children have been with us since time began pretty much, and mostly no body was all that concerned about it. Follow the link and read more.

I’ve been fairly ambivalent about a Obama/Clinton ticketfrankly, and thought there was little likelihood that it would happen. Arguments are being made however, that are more and more convincing that this is the safest way to go. It is I assume the ticket McMac and his hardy harbingers of hateful harangues wish least to see. I am concerned that McStupid will find a willing ear among just too many by playing the fear card. Ezra Klein has a good post, read it and see what you think.

It is undeniable that the “surge” in Iraq has had success in reducing violence. But exactly what kind of reduction is it? Mostly, at best, American troop level increases and new policies there are responsible for 1/4 of the new peacefulness. The rest is due to other factors which may change quickly and at a moment’s notice. Read another post from Ezra Klein for the explanation.

If I Ran the Zoohas a letter to “Cathy” explaining rather succinctly why a vote for McCain is simply wrong headed. I thought it said it all rather well, and figured you might like the talking points set down for you to use as you need with neighbors, co-workers, family and well anyone else you get a chance to convince.

I always hit the feed update on Inside Iraq with mixed feelings. I know I’m not likely to find a story that has any joy in it. And today, well, it’s no better. I hate these stories yet I insist you need to read them. You need to see what exactly it is like living in this war-torn region. Mostly you need to accept that this is your responsibility. It is our responsibility. We did this. We allowed this. We gave a jerk four more years to do four more years of this. Are we going to give another jerk another four years to do this?

Remember the other day I gave you the votes of Iowa congressmen who voted in the house in favor of that “compromised” FISA bill? Well wouldn’t you just know. It seems that Boswell and others who voted for it, shockingly are the highest receivers of telecom campaign contributions. Shame on him and all others who again put the public interest after their own greedy re-election interests. Thanks to Iowa Independent, we got this story.

Some question the Obama decision to campaign on a 50-state strategy. They see little reason to waste resources in states that he cannot possibly carry. However, first and foremost, the electoral map is changing, and assumptions cannot be drawn quite so simply as one might suspect. Moreover this requires McCain to respond and deplete his resources in places he would not ordinarily have to spend in. Most important, there are tons of very important local races that can be helped by Obama and may change in the long term the dynamics of that state’s political stance. Read about the strategy at MyDD.

I find it odd, but welcome that lately Maureen Dowd and I have been on the same page. She makes a fun and very pointed argument againstthe Karl Rove mentality to try to demonize Barack Obama with the elitist label.Such will patently not work it seems to me and Ms. Dowd. See what you think.

It’s not unusual, we do this all the time. We did it in Dafur, we did it in Myanmar, we will undoubted do it again in Zimbabwe. What is it we will do? NOTHING. Other than a “dear me, you are terrible. This  has got to stop. Mercy me, I may faint. ” It’s disgusting, it’s absurd, but we (internationally or otherwise) will do nothing. We have a long history of propping up dictatorships, as long as they are stable and don’t interfere with our plans you see.

Well SCOTUS is doing some good stuff lately. They have struck down a state law allowing for the state murder of a man convicted of child rape. Heinous as such a crime is, the Court refused to extend the death penalty to anything other than murder. The case came out of Louisiana. You can read further details at this Reuter’s link.

Of course Bush and his joined at the hip granddad, old Johnny Mac are both calling fordrilling for oil off everybody’s shore line these days. Of course it will have zero impact on the price of gas and they know that. But it does sound good no? The Salon tells us the real story and why it is environmentally dangerous and politically unwise.

It’s Wednesday and that means Susan Posner has another of her insightful posts on Fundamentalist issues. Don’t miss her. Some very interesting topics today, including the weird state of Texas, Latino evangelicals, and more.

Oh, and just so you have no question. Johnny McBush is shouting for that off-shore drilling now, and well, could it be? Oh yes it could be, and it is. The Macster is beholden to big oil interests to the tune of 1MILLION dollars so far in campaign contributions. Worse yet of course is the fact that his lobbyist bloated campaign is also chock full  of what? lobbyists who have lobbied for big oil. Read it at The Nation. And could it get worse? McMyster claims he actually knows off-shore drilling won’t garner any real help in the short term, but he claims it will be psychologically helpful! He said the same about the tax break at the gas pump thing too. No real help. Sorry dope, but I would like some real help, let me worry about my psychological state, thank you.

Everyone is talking about the skyrocketing prices of everything, especially food. The media, in it’s best, “we care about you” tradition is giving us all kinds of helpful hints on how to save (working five jobs is the only solution I see). Yet little time is spent on the real issue. how did this happen. If we are ever to get out of a hole of repeating the same mistakes, it might be very important to learn how we got here. Hint: look at where we buy our food! Read the story about Argentina in The New Republic.

See, this is what I don’t get. You have independent evidence that a program has zero effect on its target, and you continue funding it. That is what has happened in our knuckle headed Congress once again. Although it is proven by studies that abstinence only “sex” education doesn’t have ANY impact on kids sexual behavior, Congress has passed more funding for it in a Medicare spending bill. This when nearly 1/2 of all the states have already opted out of the program BECAUSE IT DOESN’T WORK, and another two are planning to. And there have been congressional hearings on this already. Don’t these fools even read anymore? Sad report from the Washington Independent.

We are starting to be a big fan of Michael Hart at Urantian SoJourn. He is witty, and dead on much of the time. Read his amusing and pointed remarks today in the post entitled “Dicking around at Dickapedia.” It’s about the third or fourth one down from the top on the main page. Still can’t activate any single posts.

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“An intellectual is a person who has discovered something more interesting than sex.” Aldous Huxley

“You have to know how to accept rejection and reject acceptance.” Ray Bradbury

“All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind.” Aristotle

“If I had to live my life again, I’d make the same mistakes, only sooner.” Tallulah Bankhead

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It’s been very difficult for the firefighters to get things under control because the vegetation up in Northern California where the fires are is about 40% marijuana plants. So the poor crews, they’re supposed to be bringing in supplies, but they keep bringing in Doritos and chocolate milk shakes. And it’s not helping. Jimmy Kimmel

Don Imus claims his so-called racial remark about suspended Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones was just a sarcastic comment about the unfair treatment of blacks in the criminal justice system. This guy is so desperate, he was spotted after the show wearing an Afro wig and begging a black person to call him a “nappy-headed host.” Paul Seaburn

Regarding all the recent floods and overflowing levees: FEMA announced they are going to do much better this time, and by the end of this week plenty of food and rescue supplies will definitely arrive in New Orleans. – Janice Hough, Palo Alto, Calif.

John McCain says that if elected president, he will give a $300 million prize to anyone who can design a new car battery. McCain can get a new type of battery invented because he’s the guy that came up with the idea of not cranking the car up at the start. Craig Ferguson

Brown out from Sumps, Sumping

Tags

Barack Obama, Bush, Democrats, economy, Election 2008, Gitmo, GOP, Hillary Clinton, immigration, Iowa, Iran, Iraq, John McCain, lobbyists, Middle East, oil companies, Palestine, race, voting

Called “Narcissus” this was done by Paul Politis in 1989, one of his first works.

Well, normally my art offerings have nothing to do with what follows, but today is different. After another torrential downpour that went on most of yesterday with major lightening, thunder and near 6:30 pm, actual sirens going off, I went to the basement to retrieve some ground beef. Of course i didn’t get far down the steps before I realized that things were floating. The sump pump had given up the ghost as it were, and a good foot of water was in the basement. Thankfully, another sump which won’t stop, but runs perfectly fine, could be hooked up, and a good 6 inches has so far departed.

The Contrarian hopes that a day of no rain may improve the lane so he doesn’t have to really tax the Bronco. Another sump is required of course, and that may not be as easy as one might assume. Given the terrible conditions everywhere, sumps may be hard to find. The Contrarian can rig this one to the light switch at the top of the stairs which allow us to periodically turn it on and then off manually. It’s thus not as bad as others find themselves. I take some comfort in that.

Other than that, the weekend was okay. We of course planted a huge amount on Saturday. I have no idea how much will be wiped out by the latest deluge. You can only do what you can do, the rest is simply beyond our control. We are all in the same boat so to speak, and our situation is very much better than some. According to a friend, the Wapsi is expected to cause flooding in Troy near the levels of 1999, and that means that he is scrambling to remove his tractors and other valuables to high ground. The Contrarian is unable to offer any help today. If he picks up a sump early tomorrow, he will surely offer his help to Steve who lives on a flood plain area a few miles from us.

Best we turn to the news of the day, and take our minds off our own worries.

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We open with Afternet and a post about the differences between Obama and McCain. Now I assume that that is obvious to most, and surely I’ve been pointing out very regularly the failings, in my not so humble opinion, of Mr. McShame. Once McCain might have been a maverick. Once, I actually admired the man. No longer is that true as I have watched him regress and lose all claim to any honorable high ground by his clear desire to place his personal desire for the Presidency before any desire to actually serve the citizens of this country. Frank Rich from the NYTimes weighs in.

There are stories about this issue from time to time. As more and more states go to forms of electronic voting, more and more concerns come to the fore about the possibilities of a computer glitch or worse yet, out right sabotage that gives the election to the candidate not voted for by the majority.Alternet posts a story about their involvement in attempting to help insure fair elections  and how you can help.  

Bill Moyers Journal  offers us a discussion by Kathleen Hall Jamieson and Ron Walters on race and the upcoming election. What part will it play and how will the media react? You can both read their complete comments and also read the comments left by readers. Always fascinating and informative.

Blue Girl Red State  sends us a nice report out of beleaguered Mason City, which sadly is a good deal under water due to flooding. I hadn’t heard that report frankly from the local Cedar Rapids News 9. They may still be scrambling because they got pushed off the air for several hours from lightening or something yesterday early evening.

And in another post, she gives us the opening strategy of Obama as he begins the national campaign. A 50-state strategy is apparently envisioned. There is no “giving” in on any state it seems, and frankly we certainly are in favor of everyone having a part of the fun. Believe me, this has been the most thrilling of cycles, even though at the end, it got quite tiresome. Everyone should know first hand of Iowa’s misery every four years, even if not for as long.

Everyone is scrambling to be the one that picks the VEEP for our two candidates. Who will get it right, who wrong? But in the end, does it matter a lot? Mostly know, unless you are Dubya, way in over your head and with no desire to even read the paper. Then it matters a lot, since you apparently just turn it over to a mad man named Cheney and bask in the glory of your Presidencyship. Brittanica Blog  has some of the lesser known VEEP’s of history and their take on the marvelous job.

Essential Estrogen  gives us a nice post on Rep. Bruce Braley, who will be up for re-election in the first district and Rep. Tom Latham, up in the 4th.The issue is immigration, and it lays out their respective positions clearly I think. We hope Becky Greenwald beats Latham of course, and we hope Braley retains his seat. Lathamis clearly I think out of step with the state and country on this issue. You decide of course what you think.

If I Ran the Zoo  has a nice analysis of McCain and his so-far, love affair with his press adherents. They have given him a nice pass on a number of issues. Is it likely to continue through the general election? Nope, at least that is Aimai’s conclusion. I thought the analysis was good and I thought the post was well researched.

Inside Iraq gives us the lowdown on the various militias operating inside the country, and their stated purpose. It’s getting to look more and more like Afghanistan to me at least. Another post reports on the drought conditions there and increasing price of food. Problems there seem to come in buckets. It’s just so sad.

Strap on your interstellar traveling helmet. We are entering the crazy wacky world of the NRO. Doug Heye actually thinks Republicoots can garner the black vote!Yep, just actively go after it, start with inviting one home to dinner!  Oh and speak about black issues but remember “speak directly TO black voters, even if they are only serving the meal! (Oh I a

dded that in.) Also visit them in their native habitat. And three, criticize Obama! Yep, that’s it folks, I can see the voter registration changing over as we speak. Oh the pity this sludge of a online mag rag doesn’t allow comments. The writer of this dopey article is none other than a campaign worker for Jesse Helms. Enough said.

The man who brought you this gem: “The internet is not like a dump truck, it’s like a series of tubes,” Ted Stevens from Alaska, seems in trouble. Polls show that he is now behind his Democratic opponent. The dude who wanted a bridge to no where and is implicated in other money scandals may be losing his seat. Oh the fun of this is making me dance the happy dance. Thanks to MyDD for the story.

Fareed Zakaria  gets to talking about  the economy and how we can begin to fix this mess.Echoing the McSame meister, I don’t know a lot about economics so I don’t know how valid Mr. Zakaria’s remarks are,  but I find his analysis on other issues, especially the Middle East excellent, so I’m listening to what he is saying. See what you think.

More news about the debacle that was John McCain the other night in his “green” speech, the backdrop not the subject. It was simply horrid by   everyone’s account, even the most serious conservatives were simply appalled at it. What is going on with the McBush campaign? You’ll never guess who’s doing the whining. Old Billy Boy Kristol himself, never ever a McCain backer, but forced to beg and plead for him now. He offers his words of “wingnut wisdom”.

Paul Krugman  has a fine post on the deracialization of America  as we move ever closer to an Obama presidency. It’s not Obama who is transforming the landscape, but the landscape that has changed that has enabled Obama to emerge. It’s a great and wonderful thing this America. I love her one minute for her shining example and want to kick her in the butt the next.  Krugman claims Bill Clinton had something to do with changing that landscape. See what you think.

Meanwhile, Palestinians worry that Obama’s appearance at AIPAC bodes more business as usual for Palestine.The fact that this conference happened mere days after Obama secured the nomination, and that he appeared speaking on behalf of Israel troubles them quite obviously. I don’t think this changes anything at all frankly. I believe that Obama is firmly committed to changing Middle East policy to one that reflects a more fair and equitable concern for all the players, not simply a “we got your back” whatever you do stance of the past. Read this post and a large number of comments at Raising Yousuf and Noor.

Kevin Drum sees it as a no-win situation for McShame. Damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t as they say. A meeting to try to heal the wounds and get some help from social conservatives went badly, and though McMac needs the evangelicals, if he moves to them, he loses the independents. If he doesn’t, he loses too. Tough position, but one I am loving. I expect McBushwill devolve into a criticism machine with lots and lots of negativity. That won’t work either, but it will show off his bitterness to a T. Political Animal is the source.

I’m sorry, but the blogosphere has not a lot else by McCain stuff today. This one looks at this famous temper and wonders how will he keep it in check. I doubt he can do that, and urge the usual knee jerk words be used  a lot. Calling him dishonorable seems to be the best one. I think he becomes near homicidal at that reference. This one is from the Politico. The problem is McCain is the one missing no opportunity to take below the belt shots at Obama, so he brings this on himself. I for one hope he continues and shows himself off to be exactly what he has become, embittered, crotchety, and simply mean. He’s nursing an eight year hate  against Bush, that for his own political fortunes, he’s refused to uncork. Nobody will accept his doing so now on Obama.

Obama declares that he will impose a windfall profits tax on oil companies in an effort to ease the pain at the pump we are all experiencing. I saw today that prices are now topping $4 bucks a gallon. which is about half and then some from what folks in western Europe are paying. Japan pays in the middle at $6+ a gallon. We are and always have done a good deal better. Still, the damage it is doing to all Americans is incalculable, or should I say just the opposite as we all have to start making serious changes in our lifestyles. We started shopping monthly a year ago to lessen our 20+ mile trip to CR.

Not another one? It seems McCain’s campaign may have another lobbyist problem! I mean what is going on here? McCain, who believes that we need a new get tough with Russia policy (remember he might favor kicking them out of the Big 8 thinking that isolation is helpful :O), has on his election staff one Randy Scheunamenn who operates as his National security advisor. But, Mr. S. is apparently in the employ of certain Eastern Europeans who pay him to take just that kind of position. Apparently he is no longer in the employ of various Eastern nations, two of which he has already gotten into NATO, and others he was working for. This happened earlier this year. But suspicious since McCain is also for adding more Eastern Europeans to NATO. It smells as most things now do in the McBush campaign. Much thanks to the Salon for the heads up. And at least one group has now filed suit against McCain with the  FEC for questions about his mixing of lobbyists and campaign personnel.

The Bushites continue to push forward the despicable show that are the Guantanamo trials. The fact that we don’t arise as a people to reject this type of worst of the dictators mode of doing business is simply appalling in and of itself. Ray Hanania reports for the Huffington Post. Our complicity is obvious since we don’t speak up and reject this vile behavior done in our names. There is simply no moral high ground from which to preach what you no longer practice.

I don’t know anyone who has given anything but praise for Hillary Clinton’s withdrawl speech. It was utterly brilliant according to some, and a  real boost to the Obama campaign. I don’t expect that there will be many who will vote the opposition as  some sort of protest. It would be so illogical and so counter productive. Tom Hayden (that Tom Hayden?) for The Nation gives a nice run down of what she said and why it matters.

Isn’t science just grand? A team ofCalTec scientists has discovered the boredon, a minute particle. I’d put on my glasses and walk don’t run to learn more if I were you.

I believe I posted last week a link to an article suggesting thatBushites were busily working out details for a possible air strike against Iran.Rumors were abounding. More evidence of that comes from Israel papers who report that Omert is privately claiming that such a strike is immanent, and what he urged upon Dubya when they met recently. This is scary stuff indeed. Think Progress has the story.

Our about to be departed Prez is taking one of those bye bye tours soon. It seems the Germans at least are going to take the opportunity to tell Dubya what they really think of him and his cowboy diplomacy. It ain’t pretty folks but it is largely true, at least to this citizen. Read what German papers say will be said.

 Michael Hart at Urantian Sojourn  has another of his most witty entries today. Entitled, “Bad Friday?”  it is sure to put a smile on your face. You might want to scroll down one more and see the Southwestern response to McCain’s candidacy as well. Bad Friday is about 3 posts down, give or take, but on the main page.

If you wonder how Europe views our election and want to see how they would vote, Vox Nova  has the answer. I’m not sure McCain would like this much, he loses by a landslide everywhere.

Oh by the way, John McCain has a new blog, located at http://johnmccain.comcase you are interested. I signed up in order to leave a pithy comment, but of course like all else in John McCain’s world, it doesn’t work. They actually said, when I attempted to complete their 6 different web page sign up process, we don’t have time to deal with you right now. Come back. That was just an attempt to leave a silly comment. LOL.

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“I’ve done the calculation and your chances of winning the lottery are identical whether you play or not.” Fran Lebowitz

“Just because your voice reaches halfway around the world doesn’t mean you are wiser than when it reached only to the end of the bar.” Edward R. Murrow

“Illegitimacy is something we should talk about in terms of not having it.” Dan Quayle

“If I could drop dead right now, I’d be the happiest man alive.” Samual Goldwyn

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Many readers of Philadelphia newspapers were fooled by a fake ad for a new airline called Derrie-Air, which purportedly charges passengers by the pound. No one was more disappointed than a group of supermodels who thought they’d be flying to Paris for under 10 bucks.

The leader of Germany’s Social Democrats party broke with Germany’s custom of staying out of foreign politics and endorsed Barack Obama for U.S. president. This came as a big disappointment to John McCain, who thought marrying a blonde in the beer business would get him the German endorsement. – Paul Seaburn, Spring, Texas

Ed McMahon faces foreclosure on his Hollywood home. His lender wouldn’t accept his latest payment offer in the mail. “You may have won $10,000,000 from Publishers Clearinghouse.” – Alan Ray, Stockton, Calif.

Music legend Bob Dylan, who’s maybe the most respected person in all of music, told the Times of London today that he supports Barack Obama. Or at least they think that’s what he said. He may have been trying to book a flight to Omaha. So we may never know for sure.  Jimmy Kimmel

A high school in Ohio passed out over 300 diplomas last week. And on the diploma, the word education was spelled wrong. Yeah. Officials say the misprint should not harm the reputation of George W. Bush High School. Conan O’Brien

While in Denmark on a concert tour of Scandinavia, Bob Dylan announced he’s endorsing Barack Obama for president. Well, we think that’s what he said. He also could have been endorsing a local restaurant serving baked okra and pheasant. Paul Seaburn

Drunk on an Apple

Tags

American History, Arabs, Archaeology, Barack Obama, Bush, cake, Catholicism, dessert, Election 2008, embroidery, farming, fruit, History, ice cream, immigration, Iraq, Italy, John McCain, Latino, Lebanon, Media, Medici, Myanmar, paleontology, quilting, Rumsfeld, torture, Truman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This a sculpture from the Louvre and is called Hermes a la sandale. It is a Roman replica by Lysippus of a Greek piece now lost. It is of Hermes, tying his sandal while listening to his father Zeus. The head is too small for the body and the tree stump under the leg is not part of the original work.

It’s gloomy and overcast with sprinklings of rain now and then. It’s thoroughly depressing and the Contrarian is simply beside himself with disgust at  his Iowa which has turned so nasty to us all this year. I fear that spring will escape us with nary a pleasantry. I can count perhaps on one hand the number of nice days we have had. The water just seems to sit everywhere with no where to go any more. It’s just impossible to work outside.

Given that scenario, I’ve done little today but pack up some things in the kitchen that I want to throw out. I find that if I don’t use things with in a year, then I probably don’t need them. Five extra carafes for coffee would suggest I don’t need at least four of them. LOL. Dinner is leftover meatloaf with gravy and biscuits, a veggie of some sort and probably a salad. I baked a loaf of bread. Whoopee what a day. Oh and we had three orioles at the feeder today. They love the apple. They go mad. I wonder if they get drunk or something?

If you are interested in new blogs, you might want to check out the sidebar, I’ve added a few over the last few days, mostly in history, politics and columnists I believe.

On to the news:

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This is one of those stories that slip through the cracks. Last week I reported on the release of a journalist Sami al Haj who had been detained for six years and then released without charges from Gitmo. It seems  al Haji’s arrest was not a fluke, but part of a pattern of intimidation launched primarily at Al Jazeera. Bombings, shootings and arrests are commonly used against them, all because the Bushites don’t like their reporting. Read about it from Amy Goodman at Alternet.

Today is the anniversary of President Harry Truman’s birth. American Presidents Blog has a nice piece on his trip to Europe in 1945, before the full end of all hostilities in WWII. Truman traveled by ship to Europe for a meeting with the allies, Britain and  the Soviets. This must havebeen some kind of surreal experience for Truman, given that Roosevelt had just died. Lots of links to his library and a day to day log of his trip.

A couple of things are really on my nerves today. One is Myanmar. Tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands are at risk of dying in what was formerly called Burma. Supplies are available, but the ruling junta refuses most of it because they are afraid of being toppled by aide workers and I guess the supplies themselves. I’m saying that I think the UN ought to just invade the country with a world force and take them down and save the people. This is genocide of a new flavor. It cannot go on. It is a crime against humanity. Read more at Blue Girl, Red State.

More and more people are talking about the “dream ticket”again. The one with both Democratic candidates. It would be Obama/Clinton of course. I can imagine Obama is not so happy about this, Clinton may be more so, given the bottom line now. I think it might be a worthwhile idea. I’ll vote for Obama in any case, but I think this could do a lot to heal some wounds. Britannica blog has an opinion on the issue, and it’s worth listening to.

C’est La Vie has a lovely tribute to mothers everywhere. The post consists of questions answered by second graders about what mothers are. It’s the usual chuckling and tender sweet post that you might want to send along to mothers you know and love.

Ben and Jerry  Cherry Garcia’s Ice cream. Okay. You want the recipe? I got it for you, or Copycat Restaurant Recipes does. Go and take a look. This is an odd one, no cooking before hand, and it has raw eggs, so be forewarned. I’m not a bit scared of eggs so I think it’s one I’ll try when it warms up a bit if it ever does.

Feeling stitchy has a nice little tutorial on embellishing things with embroidery. I tended to think of the usual things, pillowcases, and such, but her ideas definitely showed me a broader view of what can be done. Take a look and see if you get some ideas!

Warm Rhubarb compote with Walnut coconut crunch sounds especially nice on a day like this. Gloomy and cool and wet, begs for comfort food, and this recipe from Epicurious is sure to do just that–comfort you. A tad on the foo foo side with the ingredients, but I think you can substitute some of the high end ones easily enough.

I Just had to show you this one from Inspired by antique quilts. This is a quilt I have always wanted to make, but it is one that takes forever to make, years in fact. I have always wanted to make it using no duplicate fabrics at all. She has limited herself to no duplicates in every 100 piece block. The achievement is just mind boggling, and I really am going to start. My stash of fabric is not nearly as big as hers, no doubt, and it will never be, but I can start, and her 100 different pieces per block is a great idea! Recently when I was doing my craft room and working with my fabric, I made a special point of saving in a plastic bag all the tiny scraps that are just perfect for this kind of thing. I hear people send small scraps of their stash to others in a give-around and the end result is called a “friendship” quilt.

A new farm bill has been approved and is being sent to Dubya. He’s going to veto it of course. Tom Harkin is pretty ticked off, and so will Iowa farmers be. I guess the GOP has written off Iowa this election cycle. We are gonna be a blue state once again!

The Medici, that great Italian family from Florence, saved the day, helping to bring Europe out the of the Dark Ages. Remember, they weren’t quite as dark as portrayed. Both Arabs, Jews and Christians did much during those years to advance science, and preserve history. But the Medici’s no doubt had a great impact on art, science and culture as they pushed forth into the Renaissance. Read more about the family and its impact at Live Science.

Paul Krugman has some very thoughtful observations aboutthe impending Obama candidacy. I tend to agree with him. Most important is his statement that the various polls that seem to suggest that John McCain has a chance are wildly wrong, and common at this point in the cycle. They do not reflect in any way what will happen in November. Better predictors are all highly in favor of the Democrats. Read his post and see if you agree.

Things seem to be deteriorating in Beirut, Lebanon. Hezbollah seems in control of  parts of Beirut, and a civil war is threatening. More bad news for the beleaguered Middle East. Of course the usual charges of who’s the bad guy abound. The link by the way has little additional information. This link from the Washington Independent has a bit more.

Louis Bayard has a review of Tony Horwitz’s new book, “A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World.” It will, so Mr. Bayard says, tell you a bit of a different story about the settling of America. Not quite the flag waving stuff from high school. The bottom line, much of what you think you know is flat out wrong.

Do you know where the earliest human settlement in the Americas is? Americas should give you a hint its not in the US. It’s in Chile, and is somewhere in the vicinity of 14,000 years old. It is now believe that they migrated across the Bering Straits, and the date has been moved back to 16,000 years ago.

This is certainly discouraging. There are Catholic fanatics in the US, and they are no better than the wingnuts of the ultra reactionary right of other Christian denominations. One of the worst places for fairness is in Minnesota where a reactionary archdiocese holds sway. Recently a professor of Minnesota was denied the right to speak at a local parish adult education class on the issue of torture, simply because he is pro-choice on abortion. Such religious censorship is to be condemned wherever it raises its ugly head. His full remarks are included in the link. Talk to Action brings the story our way. This is how it starts folks. Misguided people under the shield of religion start to trample upon the rights of others.

I errrrr, did mention that I love chocolate? Once or twice maybe? I thought this recipe for a chocolate cake sounded decadent as heck and delicious sounding. It is done in pesky grams but remember the old site has the converter for you to use. I love the idea of the jam under the frosting. I’m gonna try this one. Dark Chocolate Layer Cake.

Jim Crow is back. Yes, given that we have new folks to hate with impunity, things are starting to get tough for Latinos in this country, especially now we find in Georgia. Resurgence of the KKK, and a plethora of all new Hate groups are thriving. They are breaking down doors and terrifying populations, often of US citizens of Latino descent. I am again, sickened by this type of thing. We are, through religion and political rhetoric, finding it all too easy to hate people who are not “like us” again.

Remember way back when Rumsfeld claimed that more troops weren’t sent to Iraq because the “generals didn’t ask for them?” Well, of course, most of us assumed he was lying to cover up his own incompetence, and guess what? Turns out we were dead on right. He lied. What’s new?

Urantia Sojourn has a good post on the Rev. Wright controversy and the fact that hopefully the intense spotlight will now shift to John McCain and his unholy alliance with Hagee and also Parsley another wingnut of similar flavor. McCain of course has lots of ties to the weird right, including Copeland who is now under investigation by our own Sen. Grassley for his interesting bookkeeping techniques. I’ve taken you to the main site, because for reasons I have no clue to, I can’t bring up the individu posts, they just don’t highlight or give me the hand. It’s the second post from the top.

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“No wise man ever wished to be younger.”  Jonathan Swift

“Autobiography is an unrivaled vehicle for telling the truth about other people.” Philip Guedella

“There’s a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.”  Steven Wright

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New excuses to: I’d love to but…..

I’m teaching my cat to sing.

I have constipation.

I have to tape the official Boy George fan club meeting tonight on the TV.

my orange juice box said concentrate.

I’m having my ingrown toenail removed. Wanna see?

I gotta go walk my turtle.

I have to iron my sheets.

it’s evil.

my mom said I have to rub her feet tonight.

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This weekend at the Bush family ranch, one of President Bush’s daughters will be getting married. And I thought this was cute. The groom went to President Bush and asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage. And President Bush said, “Well, it’s O.K. with me, but you got to run it by Cheney.” David Letterman

John McCain’s wife was recently overheard saying that they own eight or nine homes. Yeah, McCain’s wife denied this, however, and stated, “What I said is I’ve tried to put him in a home eight or nine times.” Conan O’Brien

A new poll came out today. It says conservatives like Rush Limbaugh are happier than liberals. Although it might not be happiness. In Limbaugh’s case, it might just be the OxyContin kicking in. Chris Ferguson

Say what you will about George Bush: He has driven us into an economic hole, making us less attractive as an immigration destination, thereby raising the quality of life for those of us still stuck here. – Will Durst