It’s Not Left vs Right, It’s Right vs Wrong

Tags

economy, editorial, GOP, poor, race, rant, teaparty

A movement is arising.

It began with Occupy Wall  Street.

It arose with Moral Mondays in North Carolina.

It’s spreading.

Throughout the South.

It’s moving to Wisconsin, and there are murmurings in Missouri.

People are getting tired of being tired.

And it’s not Democrats although no doubt most are. It includes Republicans and Independents and people who have little to do with politics. It includes some business folk, but probably not so many as people who are working stiffs. And poor. Lots of the poor.

And they come to state legislatures and stand in silent witness that these bodies of Republican control are unjust and immoral.

Yes immoral.

Republican extremism known by the name of Tea Party, is an immoral wound in America and people are not going to take it any more.

Let us be clear. Like it or not, believe it or not, (and the extremists are very good at refusing to accept reality), big business (aka Koch brothers) organized and funded the Tea Party movement. Their intentions were not made known of course but their intentions are clear: reduce taxes on the rich, reduce corporate taxes, reduce regulation on business, and continue to subsidize business so we can continue to laud “free market economies” (which of course given all this are not even close to being free, but are protected by government itself) as the best thing on earth.

To the Tea Party they formed, the message went: your taxes are going to takers not makers. You have worked hard and deserve that money yourselves. All you need do is fund the military so we can continue to enforce our will of “right” on the world. We can create the jobs if you just do your part and give us a free hand. That’s what democracy is all about, that is capitalism. It’s the government and its incessant socialistic welfare mentality that is destroying this country.

Now some of the Tea Party are well-educated business types. They are tiny business operations for the most part, but they like to think of themselves as “entrepreneurs” which makes them sound like the Kochs, and Trumps and those kind. But most of the Tea Party consists of not very well-educated white aging men and their overly made up and coiffed wives who like that idea that more money should be in their hands and not going to “those” people. You know “those” people, the ones are required to called “black” now, when in the day it was fine to call them “N*****”? And all those Mexicans, which are still just Mexicans, even though plenty of “them” actually come from Guatemala and Nicaragua and other places called Latin America. And then there are those “Orientals” from the “Orient” since Asian is still not de rigueur in this culture, and it’s all one big country isn’t it? After all, Sarah thought Africa might be a country, right?

Then in the ultimate hypocrisy of all hypocrisies, there in a dose of “Christianity” to hide that racism/downright hatred underneath. “See, it’s not me, it’s God who has a problem with fags!” And if that makes them feel vulnerable, well, throw in a dose of the 2nd Amendment was made for you and me, and voila, we have a mess of a human being filled with self-righteous hate, little actual knowledge of the world, but a gun-defended arrogance to do everything but call it publicly what they call it privately.

But ordinary folks are getting tired. Ordinary decent people who don’t have to wave a bible around to know what is right and what is wrong. And they are tired of watching years of work being undone by barely literate Republican senate and house members who pass insane laws one after another, making it safe and right for white America to live in their fantasy of the “good ole days”.

So people are marching. And more of them march every week.

IN NORTH CAROLINA THE GOP HAS SINCE 2010:

1. Raised taxes on the lowest 80% of it’s citizens
2. Removed a tax credit on 900,000 working families
3. Enforced restrictive voter laws
4. Blocked increased Medicaid coverage for the poor
5. Cut Pre-Kindergarten funding
6. Cut unemployment benefits
7. Voted itself a right to intervene in abortion lawsuits
8. Repealed a law that allowed death row inmates to challenge their convictions on racial grounds
9. Increased the standards at abortion clinics to that of surgical centers and made it illegal to offer abortion coverage if you are a public health insurance company.
10. Offered no increase in base salary to school teachers even though they are paid at the lowest rate in the country.
11. Tenure is to be phased out and no salary increases are to be given for master’s degrees. Teachers aides are severely cut.

IN GEORGIA, THE GOP HAS:

1. Refused to grant increase in Medicaid coverage affecting some 600,000 Georgians and made it a crime to assist someone who is seeking ACA coverage.
2. Cut more than 7.6 BILLION dollars to public education over the last 10 years.
3. Restricted workers rights and benefits
4. Promoted more stand your ground and like gun legislation.
5. Cut unemployment benefits
6. Promoting enforcement of voter suppression laws.

When you go nation wide, the results are the same. GOP-led legislatures are doing the Koch’s bidding everywhere, often with bills written by the KOCH legislative arm, ALEC. Everywhere the tune is the same–lower taxes on the rich, cut out programs for the poor, all with the promise to Mr. and Mrs. White OLD people–this will all benefit you, we promise. Just wait for it.

Let me repeat. There is nothing Christian in any of this. People who are TEA PARTY adherents and claim they are Christian are lying. They are at best Christianists, people who use the bible and their own personal interpretation of it to hide behind while they endorse and argue for a denial of health care for the poor (they can use the emergency ward if they need to — duh who pays for that stupid?), a denial public education to the poor (let’s have vouchers, and the poor will end up with the poorest of poor systems but they had their “choice”), a denial of food, unemployment insurance (that breeds dependence and doesn’t teach work ethic–yeah hungry babies are eager to work), a denial of voting rights (everybody can get a voter ID–yeah except for the cost and the travel to a distance center, and oh yeah, lots of people can’t get a birth certificate any more because records are lost, but a gun permit is okay, but  student ID is not), a denial of basic rights to undocumented workers (since they steal our jobs–yeah we were wondering where you were in the bean fields yesterday and even the little one’s can pick can’t they?), a denial of fair wage (business can pay whatever it wants to, that’s the American way–along with child labor, and unsafe working conditions right?), and on and on…

They say all this and have the temerity, the audacity, the chutzpah, to suggest that Jesus would approve! Jesus hated government they say, and Jesus hated the minimum wage. Jesus loved guns and self-defense. Jesus is nothing more than a malleable dummy used while these vile gutless wonders shrink in horror at their own diseased and flesh eaten faces staring out from the dead sockets from which they look upon a world they hate as it slips from their nail-torn fingers.

Lord save me from the Christianists and though I don’t believe in Hell, but God, sometimes I wish there was one, for these puke excuses of humanity.

Other than that, I’m having a great Sunday.

Should You Ever Find Yourself Stopped By the Fuzz

Tags

crime, criminal law, police, race

Well, see, most of you won’t. Won’t find yourself stopped and “frisked” by the PO-lice. I am pretty sure of that. But some of you will.

And you will wonder why.

And you will know.

You were “walking or driving while black”, or brown. Pretty much stop and frisk laws don’t apply to driving. But the principle is still pretty much the same. Pretty much they don’t apply to white people. Pretty much they are really “stop and frisk that black/brown kid” laws.

And I should know.

I worked with this stuff for twenty years, “back in the day”. Yes, it goes back that far, in fact it goes back way far. To the early 60’s.

When crime was “rampant” and large cities were losing white folks due to “white flight”, and that was due to “crime” or so they thought. And so they thought they would get tough on crime.

Detroit, of which I am intimately familiar, did it with a unit called S.T.R.E.S.S. (Stop the Robberies, Enjoy Safe Streets). It was supposed to reduce crime. All it did was make the black community fear and hate the cops, and after a whole lot of black kids were shot to death, it was disbanded by newly elected black mayor Coleman Young.

S.T.R.E.S.S. had been brought to an end before I arrived, freshly washed behind the ears, full of the desire to stick it to the “pigs” and protect “the people” from militarist style policing.

But then there was stop and frisk. Stop and Frisk arose from a case called Terry v. Ohio. Now we can ignore the facts, and just state the rule: “if an officer comes upon a person who he reasonably believes is, has or is about to commit a crime, he may, IF he can point to specific and articulable facts from which it can reasonably be deduced that the person so confronted is armed and dangerous,  he may pat down the outer clothing of said person for the SOLE purpose of determining whether said person is carrying a weapon.” Whew. Got all that?

If he feels a weapon, he may retrieve it. Otherwise he may ask the person questions which may or may not allay his fears and concerns. The point of the frisk is solely for the officer or “bystanders” safety in the moment. The law was extended to an “area” around the individual to which he might “lunge” in an attempt to secure a weapon. (read glove box or sofa or other hiding spot).

Now that’s what the law says is legal.

And being a normal person, you assume that that is how it works.

If you believe that then you believe that doctors and nurses have no dirty little secrets about what goes on in hospitals, labs and operating rooms, and you trust the military to always follow the rules of war.

Some of you may be familiar with the Rules of Justice as enunciated by Alan Dershowitz, well-known professor of law and attorney:

I. ALMOST ALL CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS ARE , IN FACT, GUILTY.

II. ALL CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS, PROSECUTORS AND JUDGES UNDERSTAND AND BELIEVE RULE I.

III. IT IS EASIER TO CONVICT GUILTY DEFENDANTS BY VIOLATING THE CONSTITUTION THAN BY COMPLYING WITH IT, AND IN SOME CASES IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONVICT GUILTY DEFENDANTS WITHOUT VIOLATING THE CONSTITUTION.

IV. ALMOST ALL POLICE LIE ABOUT WHETHER THEY VIOLATED THE CONSTITUTION IN ORDER TO CONVICT GUILTY DEFENDANTS.

V. ALL PROSECUTORS, JUDGES AND DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ARE AWARE OF RULE IV.

VI. MANY PROSECUTORS IMPLICITLY ENCOURAGE POLICE TO LIE ABOUT WHETHER THEY VIOLATED THE CONSTITUTION IN ORDER TO CONVICT GUILTY DEFENDANTS.

VII. ALL JUDGES ARE AWARE OF RULE VI.

VIII. MOST TRIAL JUDGES PRETEND TO BELIEVE POLICE OFFICERS WHO THEY KNOW ARE LYING

IX. ALL APPELLATE JUDGES ARE AWARE OF RULE VIII, YET MANY PRETEND TO BELIEVE THE TRIAL JUDGES WHO PRETEND TO BELIEVE THE POLICE OFFICERS.

X. MOST JUDGES DISBELIEVE DEFENDANTS ABOUT WHETHER THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS HAVE BEEN VIOLATED, EVEN IF THEY ARE TELLING THE TRUTH.

XI. MOST JUDGES AND PROSECUTORS WOULD NOT KNOWINGLY CONVICT A DEFENDANT WHO THEY BELIEVE TO BE INNOCENT OF THE CRIME CHARGED (OR A CLOSELY RELATED CRIME).

XII. RULE XI DOES NOT APPLY TO MEMBERS OF ORGANIZED CRIME, DRUG DEALERS, CAREER CRIMINALS, OR POTENTIAL INFORMANTS.

XIII. NOBODY REALLY WANTS JUSTICE.

And that my friends is pretty close to being the utter truth. In big city courts, it’s mostly about moving the mountain of cases through the system in a reasonable order, such that the state supreme court doesn’t start getting on your back for “backlogs”. The entire plea-bargaining system is predicated on it–too many cases, not enough cells. Plead to something you did not do, get out of jail, OR insist on a trial, wait until next year and wait IN jail for it, and God help you if you lose, cuz them I’m gonna throw the damned book and the library it’s attached to at ya, and say hi to not getting out of prison before you’re a very old man.

That’s the system.

So, how is this stop and frisk actually done in practice you ask?

Well, it goes something like this:

1. Drive to area which is designated as “high crime” usually involving drugs.
2. Swoop in. Multiple police cars coming from all for directions works best.
3. Jump out and start chasing all the young black men you see.
4. Scream a lot, using the “f” word liberally.
5. Spread-eagle on any wall of any building all those corralled.
6. Search them all.
7. Go around the sidewalks picking up any dope you find lying around.
8. Arrest anyone who was “holding”. Give the “found” dope to anyone who is a big mouth.
9. At station, write a report that says something like:

“My partner and I, while on routine patrol in the vicinity of John R and Erskine, observed the defendant walking down the sidewalk. As we approached, he looked in our direction, then turned and walked briskly away. As he was walking, I saw a white folded up paper, which through previous experience, I suspected was cocaine, fall from his hand onto the sidewalk. We stopped the scout car, and my partner went toward the paper while I continued to follow the defendant on foot. My partner alerted me that it was suspected cocaine, and I detained the defendant and placed him under arrest.”

And that is what he will testify to in court, or as we now call it, testalie.

And the defendant will most often plead, though he was one of the loudmouths who didn’t have any dope, but was visiting his uncle’s house down the street, and was actually sitting on the porch when the police came in and ordered him off the porch. He told them they were harassing him for no reason and that he would sue. So he got to be “it” –the recipient of any contraband they could not obviously tie to any individual.

He will plead because the judge said he would entertain a motion to release him on personal bond if he copped, but alas if he wanted a trial (which he really does, being innocent and all), he won’t get one for five months and being a drug user presumably, poses such a risk to all, that he will have to remain in the county jail all that time. Oh, and due to the fact that he has no record,he will surely get probation most probably (I’m sure your lawyer already told you that) for a plea,  but if a jury convicts you, well then we will just have to see (the book is headed for your head).

And that is how justice is pretty much meted out in the mean streets of big city USA, and yeah, it’s all racial profiling, and worse, and nobody thinks it can be fixed, because nobody really cares.

All that crap Bloomberg has been spouting about “stop, question, frisk? Pure bull.

Are we clear?

Related articles

• Stop & Frisk (skyestats.wordpress.com)
• Judge Rules NYC Stop-and-Frisk Policy Unconstitutional (newsy.com)
• Stop And Frisk Is Criminal (dish.andrewsullivan.com)

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.

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.

~~~&&&~~~&&&~~~

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