Observations of Planet Earth

Tags

Barack Obama, fertility drugs, fundamentalism, gay rights, multiple births, octuplets, Oval Office, Presidency, religion, Ted Haggard

Okay, you have all heard of the woman in California who gave birth to eight babies right? I guess that was not a record, but we can hope the human body cannot hold many more than that.

Now, before I start, let me make this clear. I don’t object to multiple births, even those induced by fertility drugs. I understand the desire on the part of some to have children, and thus the use of drugs to help in that process when the old fashioned ways don’t work. I even understand the “moral” decision not to reduce the number of fertilized eggs that implant successfully.

But here, I draw the line! The lady in question, I learned today, has already given birth to SIX kids, she is single,  and lives with her parents. A photo of the family home suggests that they are not rich.

What is wrong with this picture? I don’t object certainly to single women deciding to have children. I don’t object as I said to fertility drugs in general.  But please!!!! This was not a decision made out of necessity, as the only means by which this woman could have children. She has them, a six pack in fact. She apparently refused, after being told she had a kazillion implanted in her uterus that she would not participate in removing any of them.

Who is paying for all this? There were some forty-six doctors and nurses involved, she was hospitalized for weeks beforehand. Of course she will no doubt depend on donations of time, money and product to get along for years to come. She will sell her story, documentaries, movie deals and so on to finance this litter. The kids will never get the  type of attention they deserve.

My question: are their absolutely no guidelines used by the participating doctors before such procedures are approved? This whole thing seems unnecessary and frankly self indulgent in the extreme. What do you think?

I actually sympathize with Ted Haggard. I didn’t at first, when it all came to light that he was strangling the banana while being “massaged” by the gay call guy and doing the drugs.

I was even less sympathetic when a few months later, he declared himself cured and was ready to resume the pulpit and and lucrative lifestyle.

Ted is again making the circuit of the talk-shows, promoting his documentary aired I believe on HBO. (tell me if you saw it) The guy does seem genuinely honest at last. While not wanting to be labeled as gay, he doesn’t even deny now that there may be more men coming forward to chat about his “indiscretions.” He says he doesn’t expect to return to preaching.

I can’t fault a guy who says he and his wife have patched up their 30-year marriage. I mean, among heteros, sex is of huge important to some, and almost none to others. Although I suspect Haggard is truly gay, sex may not be THE most important part of his life. He and his wife have every right to declare that on balance they wish to continue their marriage. And I can’t fault the guy for thinking this religion believes gay behavior wrong, although I most strenuously disagree.

It seems he has the right to make his life the best for him. He’s not required, as some suggest, to “come out” and admit his homosexuality. Perhaps he is predominately bisexual, or mostly hetero with “tendencies.”

Whatever, if he and his family are happy with the arrangement, who am I to complain. As long as he isn’t claiming he’s been “cured” and he doesn’t seem to be, it’s none of my business.

Sex is a complicated affair and we all have our unique arrangements with spouses, significant others, or partners however described. And as long as he don’t preach what he don’t practice, I’m okay with Ted. How bout you?

It appears our new President likes to work in his shirt sleeves in the Oval Office.

Now, this may come as seem like an “okay, so what, kind of thing” but oh no, the national press was absolutely captivated by this.

It was on every major news outlet yesterday. And not just the photograph, but commentary too. You’d have thought he showed up nude or something. They claimed he was being “casual” though with that strangled piece of tie around the neck, I’d hardly call it casual. All that is missing is the jacket, and don’t most men like to keep the back from getting all wrinkly from sitting in a chair?

Apparently, I was way off my noggin. This is important chit as they say. For you see, Mr. has been Prez, Dubya, ALWAYS wore his jacket and moreover, insisted that everyone else do likewise, even on Saturdays!

And we of course, all know how well that administration went! It seems that Bush and his commandos thought that Bill Clinton who appeared in the sacred location occasionally in t-shirt and baseball cap, was most unseemly in their considered elitist mentality. They insisted that a return to the proper bowing and scraping to the “office” was required.

Which all goes to say that the accouterments of office don’t make the man, and it is unwise to attribute worship qualities to a room or office.

Worse yet, I’m told, Mr. Obama has committed a worse faux pas. He actually said the following words after a meeting with his Joint Chiefs of Staff: “We kinda lost track of time.”  Yikes, the sticklers for protocol and schedules fairly fainted. The Prez must stay on schedule!!!!!

I’m fairly happy to see my chief exec without his jacket. Now if he would only get those sleeves rolled up, I can feel even more comfortable that he is on the right track. So how many of you are reading this all dressed in business ready? Huh? Opinionnate away readers!

Dick and Jane and Spot

Tags

Bush, Presidency

Karl Rove says it’s true, and well, that ought to be enough for anybody right? I mean, if he says so, it’s so. The fact that this Bushonian universe is about to wink out of existence on January 20, is of no consequence. The law is the law until the 20th, and truth is relative as they all say.

You wonder just what in the hell I mean doncha? Well, okay. Peruse the Internet journalism far and wide and all the talk is about Karl’s article in the Wall Street Journal yesterday. As if we ever thought otherwise! It seems he needed to remind us that Chimpy our impish almost gone Prez is a real reader. But you knew that no doubt.

It seems that our boy genius Karl, chief architect of winning elections, now debunked, tells us that he and created wonder boy Georgie Porgie have been engaged in a yearly reading contest. Karl of course, wins them, but chimpy doesn’t do badly at all, reading upwards of 95 real bound books in the last year of the game. Yeppers, real books I say, written by real writers.

Now if that has set your mind to reeling, I shouldn’t wonder. We were under the impression that said Bush in charge was not a reader per se, but rather enjoyed having the bulk of his information handed to him verbally. We are told that parades of aides and others sycophants sauntered into the egg shaped womb of Bush decision and daily regurgitated their “news” much as a mother bird sticks her beak down the throat of her chatty kiddoes belching up the tasty morsels of whatever bug or worm was recently ingested.

Not so, not so says our Rovian explainer. Bush can read right well all by his self, and can, without a great deal of help, actually figure out the meaning of said sentences and learn a thing or two all, as I said, by his self without even Cliff notes. Yes, you heard it here, and I only report the truth as, well as is given me!

I hazard to say, this must be taken with a grain of salt, but only  a grain as it were. We are, even by Bushonian definition, deep in the tar pits of revisionist history now, with plenty of Bush hangers on pounding the pavement attempting to prove their worth to kith and kin as they seek new employment. It is to their benefit to make the bumbling primate appear erudite as it were.

“Is it not true, sir, that you willingly spent eight years working for a person (and I use that term ever so loosely) who is wont to use books as doorstops and kindling for the White House fireplace?” “Nay, nay, tis a lie, ” they screech, “I remember distinctly seeing him with a book in hand, and one or two close by on a table. I snuck a peek once, and indeed, embossed on the inside cover was “To George, from Mother.”

“What kind of book was it, sir?” “Why Dick was on the cover, and I recall a dog. It must no doubt been a biography of Nixon featuring Checkers the friendly dog. Hmmm, I don’t know who Jane was, but I’m sure she was on the cover too. Indeed, I think I get the picture.

If it pleases the prince of dull to think he’s a reader, by all means, let the delusion go on. Nobody cares Georgie, we just are counting down the last days. Perhaps you might contact the NYTimes Sunday Magazine. They might have an opening for a book reviewer.  Seein’ as how you, ya know, read all the time. Pity you took up the hobby so late in life.

Chimpy Ain’t Responsible

Tags

George Bush, Presidency

I admit, I haven’t watched any of the Bush/Gibson interview. I understand there are more planned with all the major news outlets. Perhaps, just perhaps somebody will have the chutzpah to ask the tough questions and actually follow up. Gibson can’t or won’t.

Mostly I am so very tired of Chimpy that I find it hard to even listen to him anymore. I pepper his speeches with a vitriolic and constant barrage of responses. And sadly, the fool cannot hear me, and so it’s a waste. So mostly I’ve avoided watching, but for the news bites I see here and there.

Nothing much seems that have changed. Bush is still incapable of putting a sentence together that is grammatically proper. It seems to have gotten worse over the years. It seems as well that he is still a master of saying things then when deconstructed actually make no sense. He was not “prepared for war” he admits, but then, the “modern presidency is now fraught with “unexpected happenings.” So not really his fault that he didn’t do such a good job.

Listening to the tidbits here and there, one sees rather clearly that Dubya still takes no responsibility for anything that went wrong. The Iraq war was the result of bad intelligence, but he takes no responsibility for it at all, and is “sorry I guess, that it was wrong! I guess indeed! He is sorry about the financial crisis, but you know that most of this started before he took the throne.

A quote will suffice to illustrate both his responsibility to the financial crisis and his utter inability to speak normal English:

“You know, I’m the President during this period of time, but I think when the history of this period is written, people will realize a lot of the decisions that were made on Wall Street took place over a decade or so, before I arrived in President, during I arrived in President.”

It should come as great consolation to the rest of us, as we’ve struggled with war dead and financial ruin, not to speak of the actual destruction of our homes through floods and hurricanes, to know that our commander in ineptitude enjoyed himself thoroughly during these long bleak years of darkness:

I think they’d be surprised at how our team has worked so closely together. Some days we’re not so happy, some days happy; every day has been pretty joyous, though — that when you have a purpose in life, that no matter what it may look like from afar, that we’re a highly motivated group of people that are honored to serve.

So glad to know you were joyous so much of the time there Chimpy. We weren’t but then, heck I can understand how much fun it must be riding on Air Force One and seeing them run the sirens as you speed around town oblivious to traffic. And not to mention coming home to endless food choices prepared by world class chefs. Not bad chimpy. I can see why you are so joyous. Laura not the best cook? I’m sure you can hire one with all the riches you guys have accumulated over your years of excess for the rich!

Perhaps the kicker of all time is his response on how he will be judged.

I hope they feel that this is a guy that came, didn’t sell his soul for politics, had to make some tough decisions, and did so in a principled way. . . .

You betcha Chimpy. I shall always remember you as principled. And shockingly, I would have sworn you had no soul, thanks for telling me otherwise. Funny, but I would have sworn you didn’t. I guess I’m just not able to see things as you do, speaking as you do with God on a regular basis and getting his okay.

I must say, many comics are honing their skills in other areas of endeavor now. I mean, all that material now gone! No more chimpy to kick around any more. Nope, just sane intelligent people back at the helm again. How boring is that! Maybe boring Chimpy, but some of us feel a sense of relief. We may live through the next administration. It was always touch and go with you. Good luck, and don’t let the door hit ya in the pants now you Hades bound idiot!

Meanwhile we are told, Bush supporters of the Rovian kind are busily making the rounds of the talk shows and any place else where people might listen, all intend of shoring up the legacy of the soon to be departed Prez in chief. Rewriting history is more like it. As I have said before, I don’t know whom they hope to convince. The scholarly community is not likely to be swayed, and voters don’ t really matter any more. It gives them all something to do I guess, and no doubt they are personally aware that their names will be mentioned in the ugly truth letting that will some begin in earnest.

Short Takes on the Day 11/11/08

Tags

Election 2008, gay rights, Presidency, terrorism, Veterans, War

AlterNet‘s Penny Coleman, offers a sobering analysis of the state of our military and its response to our burgeoning suicide rates. This is one of those dirty little secrets we don’t talk much about. Yet our veterans are killing themselves in increasingly large numbers. When will we do something about it? More than 6,000 die every year.

It seems that Filipino veterans who fought for the US in WWII were promised full benefits as veterans of the US. That promise was revoked in 1946 by Congress. There are still Filipino veterans who are waiting. Read about this in American Street.

If you didn’t see Keith Olbermann last night, you missed one hell of a commentary on Proposition 8. I would deeply recommend that you drop by the link and download the video. It was superb in every way. Part of it is transcribed for those who want the short version. Thanks to Crooks & Liars for the link.

No doubt you have read of Barack and Michelle’s visit to the White House yesterday. You have never, (I promise you) got a description of it the way the indomitable DistributorCap DC can do it. Don’t miss the laugh fest.

This picture is all over the Internet. But the caption is directly from Hullabaloo. Stop by and read a great blog on all things political.

Obama meets with dangerous world leader without preconditions

Just on a side note, please note that the person in charge of the cleaning and such is very very anal retentive. See how all the chair legs and table legs all line up in perfection. Whoa, seriously anal dude.

If you are interested in how Bill Ayres viewed all the swirling controversy about him, you can bop on over to In These Times and read his thoughts. The man was seriously threatened as you might assume by the usual flaky folks.

Short Takes on the Day 11/07/08

Tags

Barack Obama, Catholics, chocolate, Democrats, dessert, Election 2008, GOP, Joe Lieberman, John McCain, Neo-cons, pie, Presidency, Sarah Palin, voters

I keep toying with the idea of doing a “How McCain lost” post. And yet I think it’s too near in time to events to be quite ready. In the meantime MYDD has an excellent synopsis of the Palin factor that is worth looking at. It wraps up the choice quite well in my opinion. Take a look and judge for yourself.

Don’t miss the dressing down that Michelle Malkin gives her fellow Rethugs over their nasty drubbing of all things Palin. I mean poor Sarah, who had so much integrity! So much character! Yes, lying is a virtue Michelle and mean spirited race baiting is a clear sign of a good person. It’s fun reading from none other than that flag ship of truth and justice the National Review. Don’t miss the laugh.

Professor at Harvard, Orlando Patterson, in the NYTimes, offers an analysis of Obama’s climb to the Presidency. He places it in the prospective of history, our constitutional mandate, and the rise of minorities. It’s good reading. He cautions that Mr. Obama is not necessarily the Second coming, but a direct result of several earlier events.

Attackerman has a great post on the Neo-Cons and their search for a new “host.” Randy Schuenemann lost his job as chief of McCain’s national security team a week before the election. That they managed to keep this from leaking is a tribute, since they kept very little else inside the campaign. Schuenemann had the gall to choose Palin over McCain and was leaking to the Weekly Standard apparently. It’s all juicy, and does suggest that that the Neo-Cons are ready to descend upon the unknowing Ms. Palin and attempt to use her as they used Dubya to do their bidding. It does require a dim wit and Sarah would appear to fit that bill rather well. American Street has a similar post here.

Mona at The Art of the Possible, talks about the neo-con phenom and how the Republicans cannot get foreign policy right until they purge themselves of the likes of Kristol and Barnes and others of that Foxy ilk. Her analysis relies on Brad R. from Sadly No. You should check out the link and read it. It’s serious and well done.

Joe Lieberman met with Harry Reid yesterday. I’m told that Reid offered Lieberman a sub committee chairmanship and loss of his present Homeland Security Committee chairmanship. He would be allowed to continue caucusing with the Dems. Lieberman turned that down we understand. According to The Washington Independent, word still is that Reid at leans leans to stripping him from his chairmanship. I think it should be done. Endorsing McCain on security issues is one thing. Campaigning, giving an address at the RNC convention, and speaking in favor of Palin and helping to fuel the fires of Obama’s “socialist, Muslim” connections is quite another. Lieberman went way to far and the Dems need to cut him loose.

Episcopal Cafe has a good report on the Catholic vote this year. Roman Catholics for the most part did not buy into the “non-negotiables” of abortion and gay marriage as calling for a McCain vote. They voted their economic interests pretty much as everyone else did. Similarly, there is a nice post by Bishop Gene Robinson on his meeting with Obama.

This seemed quite appropriate:

Downward facing dog?

Hey, its November with Thanksgiving on the way. And so you have all the excuses in the world to make something utterly yummy and caloric. Try Chocolate Cinnamon Cream Pie! Oh, doesn’t it sound good? Check out the recipe at Epicurious.

And that about does it for today! Enjoy!

Short Takes on the Day 11/06/08

Tags

appetizers, Archaeology, cake, chocolate, Desserts, Election 2008, fundamentalism, gay rights, gender, GOP, History, McCain, Pork, Presidency, psychology, race, religion, voting

Well, I’ve been saving a few articles I have run across during my convalescence. As we alluded to last week, the post election press is full of the usual Obama transition elements, but much more fun is the crazy world of Republican politics. The fur is beginning to fly as predicted between Sarah and the McCain campaign operatives. As well, we find the beginnings of the super fight brewing between the moderate wing of the GOP and the reactionary wingnut right. Months of fun are to follow!

Religious Dispatches reports that the much touted and predicted death of the Religious Right is highly exaggerated. In fact, what we will witness seems to be a fight among them for control of the movement. The more moderate faction will attempt to work with the Obama administration, the more wingnuttery will vie for control and try to direct the GOP in an even more conservative mode. Read their analysis.

I am always fascinated with any article that purports to dissect people from a psychological point of view. This article from The Daily Beast suggests that at least subconsciously, McCain deliberately made decisions that would guarantee his defeat. This was not conscious but was subconsciously his way of destroying the people who had destroyed his campaign in 2000. I don’t know if its correct, but I very much have always assumed that much that drove Dubya was tied to his need to prove himself to daddy. I think McCain has issues that stem from his successful father and grandfather and his relative failure as a Navy man. Additionally I think his POW time has a huge impact on him psychologically that was dangerous in it’s possibilities. Read this article and make up your own mind.

Another great post at Religious Dispatches about what role race, gender and religion played in this election. I found the analysis quite thorough and if this subject interests you, I’m sure you will find something worthwhile in the reading.

As we welcome a new president in, Britannica Blog has a fun little post on other presidents and some of the quirky things they said and did. Did you know for instance that John Adams swam nude regularly in the Potomac? See? Now go get that perfect water cooler tidbit that you so desire to dazzle your coworkers with. Also good for the kids to use in that next book report! LOL.

History News Network probes the issue of race and it’s impact on the election. Their review of polling information provides some important conclusions that we should all reflect upon. Most important the so-called “Bradley” effect seems to have been debunked as erroneous.

As someone who is more often critical of the Vatican than otherwise, I am pleased to report that Vatican officials are returning the head of a sculpture to Greece for inclusion in it’s proper place in the Parthenon. The head will be on loan for a year, and may be renewed. As some may be aware, the topic of antiquity pieces being returned to their lawful owners is hot news around the archaeology world. Reportedly, the Vatican possesses at least two other pieces of the Parthenon which may also be turned over to Greece. In any event, it’s a fascinating subject. Visit Rogueclassicism for the details.

Oh chocolate sets my heart a singing as you well know. Baking Delights has a lovely chocolate lava cake to offer you palate. I tried one recipe for these which failed rather badly, so I’m interested to try it again when my back allows a little more time in the kitchen. Enjoy.

Since the holidays are now close upon us, I thought I would include this rather interesting recipe for empanadas which are a popular finger food in Spain and Portugal. These are pork curried empanadas and they just sounded great. If you are having a party and want something really elegant but not too hard to make, you might want to take a look. Simply Recipes also suggests that you can vary the filling and spices of course.

Okay, some of us deal with snow during the winter. And those of us who have been raised in that hellish environment know snow, you know what I mean? Well the Angry African sends us a hysterical piece on a novice and snow. He happily waves at the snow plow who covered up all his clean sidewalk and troops out to start shoveling again. You can imagine how long his love affair with snow lasted! Enjoy this piece, but be prepared to laugh a lot, or cry, if it sounds all too familiar. I was nearly screaming with laughter, and pain as my back started spasming from my guffaws! Stop this!

Although we scored a huge victory in Barack Obama’s presidency, we faired badly in California with Prop 8, the ban on gay marriage. I am sickened as are many by this development, one we thought was not possible only a few short weeks ago. But all is still not lost. Read AlterNet‘s report on the what the lawyers say about the legality of the new ban.

Well, enough for today. Enjoy the reads, I’ve already found some for tomorrow that will wow your socks off! LOL.

Short Takes on the Day 10/11/08

Tags

Afghanistan, cake, Desserts, Election 2008, fruit, gay rights, Iraq, McCain, Presidency, Sarah Palin, War

I’m just pleased as punch to announce that the Connecticut Supreme Court has legalized same-sex marriage. This is so wonderful, and I think presages the failure of Prop 8 in California in a few weeks. I must confess that I am nearly as happy at the thought of the gnashing of teeth that is going on in the wingnuttery land of right wing evangelical discourse. Perhaps you folks might move to Alaska. From what I have seen, you might be right welcome there, or again, perhaps not. I’d not want to lay money on the re-election prospects of the disgraced Sarah Palin.

Well darn, another adage bites the dust. The apple does indeed fall far from the tree. Christopher Buckley, son of the famous conservative, may he rest in peace, William F. Buckley, is endorsing> > > > BARACK OBAMA!!! Slip by Break the Terror and read the details of his statement, which is worth the trip I tell ya.

Epicurious  has a lovely fall dessert. Pumpkin-Apple Streusel Cake.  It sounds heavenly. Just right for those days you spend outside in the clean fall air. A soup and salad and this for dessert would be just about perfect. Take a look and add it to your file.

Garrison Keillor  is a dude I can never get enough of. If you are the same, then link ’em up and move ’em out. He suggests that anyone still undecided today on this election can’t be persuaded by the use of English.  And I suspect he is right. Anybody realize that the mobs that now attend McCain’s mob scenes rallies, are huge turn off to the independents? I mean embarrassing to see walking talking human being calling Obama an Arab and a Muslim. Too bad they don’t have the courage to admit the obvious. I am a Racist would be the correct statement no?

Michael Tomasky  reports that General Petraeus at a recent Heritage Foundation luncheon, said some things that sound an awful lot like what Obama has been saying,  and an awful lot not like what McCain keeps trying to sell. This might play well in the last debate scheduled for next week. We shall see.

A very nice piece at the History News Network   on the Vice Presidency. It is my contention, and certainly that of many experts that an unacceptable VP candidate is more than enough reason to vote against the ticket. There have been way too many VP’s who have gained the main office through the death of the President. We cannot take a chance on a utter neophyte gaining the office. She would be at the total control of people we have not elected, and goodness knows who they might be. Sarah’s past practice has been to elevate unqualified high school classmates to positions of state power in Alaska. Anyone want the civics teacher as the Secretary of State?