Shame

I listen to C-Span a lot, which I suppose makes me a Wonkette, and my favorite is Washington Journal. Although it's on from one a.m. HST, and I prefer sleep since I get up at 6am for work, it started when I couldn't sleep and turned on the TV to keep from replaying how tired I would be. Now when I wake up it's the first place I go.

I mention this because at first I listened to the call-ins because I couldn't figure out how George Bush had any support. It was so clear to me that he was leading us down a really awful path. He was tromping on Democracy at home in order - he said - to bring it to the Middle East. Okay, sure that was an easy lie, it was oil, and Halliburton, and UAR buddies and all the rest of the war machine corporations. Plus, he's just a wannabe cowboy. Raised with money, hell-raiser at Yale, alcoholic they cleaned up to enter politics. Who supported him, and why?

Those who now call in and say, "Yes, mistakes were made, but...." Ya think? Mistakes that cost our servicemen and women their lives, a divided country, trillions of dollars spent to destroy a country and our reputation. Katrina is almost a bigger shame. Because that's within our border. Our citizens. The waste and fraud and stupidity and incompetence can all fall at his doorstep. They keep calling him the commander-in-chief. Had the national guard been on standby in Louisiana instead of in Iraq, lives would have been saved.

Of course the dam failed because of years of neglect from pretty much everyone, but the cleanup is all this Admin. FEMA was a throwaway, of no interest, so they put in a low level supporter with zero experience. A good fall guy. Lots of good fall guys for this Administration. And still they support him.

Have people gone stupid? Just to protect themselves from gay rights? That right wing group, afraid of what a few gays can do are willing to support a man who probably has zero interest in gays one way or another, but panders to them to get elected. That was the swing vote. Sure, his swagger looked tough after 9-11, we were scared, easier to believe he knew what he was doing. But what's the excuse now?

His approval rating is at 30%. And still he serves. He cost Tony Blair his job. He put us into so much debt it will be a decisive factors for years.

I still wonder why anyone at all supports him.

onward and upward

I'm feeling really good right now. It's not that I wish all the evils that have befallen the Bush Admin - and now the Justice Report says FBI overstepped, the same month they fired attorneys because they could. This group is just a gang of thugs. Libby found guilty. So what if he was a scapegoat, doesn't make him innocent. Sure he tried to use his a puppy dog expression to win sympathy but he's really the runt of the litter. In other words, the country is paying attention. What looked like strength was really bullying. Karl Rove is not a political genius, he's simply a mathematician who counted electoral votes and then picked the state for the showdown. Another Bush state. And Daddy's supreme court. Then start a War because that's the fastest way to get you rich and pay back those who helped put you in office.

Whoops, some cynicism crept into that. Hard to avoid. I feel we as a country are now listening and debating and righting our ship of state. But it's also one reason I don't like Hillary. The Clinton juggernaut has all the makings of left wing thugs. The win at all cost mentality may work but the cost keeps mounting, the dike begins to spring holes faster than can be repaired.

But for now, this beautiful Saturday morning in Hawaii, I'm listening to the score of Gladiator, it's amazing music, and did my yoga and am feeling as good physically as I have in a long time. I've been careful about diet, as much organic as I can find, fresh not processed, cutting portions - more later if I must but not all at once. Vitamins, sleep, diet, exercise - hey, it works. Not a quick fix, I've been slogging along to varying degrees of success for quite a while now but as I age, and bits of creaky creep into joints, I had to clean up my act.

I savor the moment. As an added bonus I got a chunk of change back from taxes on my Prius I got last year, my political statement on wheels. Life is good. I wish you all the same. Make a decision to go forward, one step at a time.

From the Desk of Patrick J. Fitzgerald: GUILTY..!

From the Desk of Patrick J. Fitzgerald: GUILTY..!

All Things Must End

No, not me. I learned to blog From the Desk of Patrick J. Fitzgerald and while he may move on to other things I hope to keep my voice up. Blogs are a great thing. Everyone who wants to gets a say. What is more important to democracy.

Today the person who kept up the PJF blog announced his retirement. It's understandable. It was so well done, so comprehensive that it sucked up whatever air he (or she) had. I find it hard to imagine anything more interesting out there but probably there's plenty. Life doesn't end because one foolish and corrupt member of the current Admin is found guilty on 4 of 5 counts. (Or as Stephen Colbert, my other idol put it, "Innocent of One Charge!")

So to any of you who wander in from the PJF blog, maybe wanting to be a PJFlygirl, welcome. Come back. I posted my email. We're all still out there, there is plenty more to do, keeping an eye on government never stops because the players all think they can get away with it. Power corrupts, and no one ever learns it's actually the cover-up that brings them down.

Onward and upward, to all of us. A Merry Fitzmas toast to us all, whoever we are.

Handicapping is fun

Everyone else seems to be weighing in on the 2008 election and who's hot and who's not. So here goes.....
Hillary Clinton - I'm just tired of her. Too many incarnations. Something. Standing by her pig of a husband - mind you I thought he was a pretty good president, but the moral fiber of rope. She said she wasn't just standing by her man like Tammy Wynette and then she stood by her man, but even Tammy Wynette got out of that one to her cheatin' George Jones. But more than that, the secret health care initiative that busted because it came out like a burst dam scaring everybody. Bad. Aren't we all furious at George W. for his secrecy vis a vis Iraq? I think she's a good Senator, but when you get too ambitious you get too programmed and forget why you're running in the first place. She's reached that level, she's got a plan - the good news - but it's whatever the polls show - the bad news. Plus she rammed Obama because of what David Geffen said. Hey, he's a gay billionaire, beholden to no one, he can say what he wants.

Barack Obama - I live in Hawaii, and grew up - age 7 to 15 - in Kansas. I feel like we're practically related. Then again, most people after listening to him, feel that way. He touches everyone. Sure, not so many specifics - but the Bush Admin is nothing if not specific and look where that got us - and maybe not so much experience - I repeat, the Bush Admin.... you know the rest. But he's bound to make some blunders along the way, being a newbie and honest, and I've watched - and worked for - many shining stars that flamed out. But I wish him well, for all our sakes.

Bill Richardson - a personal fave. Experienced in the good way, but having actually done the work. Solid, steady, hard-working, what the real America is, or thinks she is anyway. He's even Hispanic, should be that growing - and growing - group into the polls for him. We can do far worse than another Bill, President Richardson. Let the movement start here! (okay, he started it, but I can be a groundswell.)

John Edwards - he's just not connecting. He has all the right moves, a perfect family story, a good guy, wonderful wife, and maybe that's the problem, he's too good, thinks running for president is like student council. If it were a Richardson/Edwards ticket, the winner would be America. Except for the far right. They're only happy if no one has any fun or common sense.

John McCain- sold his soul to the Devil Bush. Or more accurately Karl Rove, who told him he'd be in his corner if he lockstepped the prez on Iraq. Because McCain's change over was just that fast, deal made. Perception if not reality. But I don't see Rove in his corner, already reneged and barely started. What, he's holding back until Giuliani trounces him?

Rudy Giuliani - loved him as prosecutor, a good figurehead after 9-11, tough, in charge, but his personal life makes Bill Clinton look chaste. That baggage will need a freight car to haul. Plus, they jumped on Howard Dean for one excitable whoop. Rudy's temper is lengendary, he won't be able to stop it.

The others? They're just there for the fun of it. Oh sure, they dream big, and some are decent beings, especially Joe Biden, but mostly it's an open field and they figure why not, get some name recognition, try again or earn big bucks on speaking trail, or lobbying. Besides, you get all those secret service people, and advance people, you get driven and fussed over, hey we should all get to run for prez, it's exhausting but great fun.

McCain speaks with forked tongue

I agree completely with Senator McCain, that Donald Rumsfeld is the worst defense secretary in the history of the world. His skill is as a political infighter not battle. But his recent incompetence overcame even his skill at that.
However, Senator, this appears to be a bit of jumping on the bandwagon, trashing the man after he's gone, disappeared from sight. I would respect you a lot more if you had done it while he was actually committing these atrocities. After the fact does no one any good and makes you look like a cowardly bully who stands back and yells, "Me, too!"
And as to your calling on sending more troops, that's just the other side of incompetence. Too few to get the job done early on, and too many after it's too late. The reverse had a chance of success, and it's way past military action now. Bush waged war to prove his balls were bigger than his father's; are you now wanting it to prove your goverment should have sent more troops to Vietnam and saved POWs?
War is nasty, no one wins. Sometimes there really is no choice, but usually it's a political reason and it has to do with oil and profit. And trying to rally a base to become president.

So now Google owns the world

So after a few false attempts I moved my blog over to Google. It was some trouble, reading more stuff, and I wrote a perfectly nice introduction then during preview I accidentally closed it and lost my very first blog on Google. I was perfectly happy before, now I'm not, because I have to write it all over again and I've forgotten how I said it. Besides, I liked what I said and it was several paragraphs and if I have to spend more time, then I'll become a blogger without a life. Usually you get a box that says are you sure you want to lose everything, but I didn't, so I did.

Change can be good or it can be a nuisance. It's usually the latter. Because those who force it upon us, like Blogspot, are at the top of the chain and don't think of the little things. I debated even sticking with it, why bother, if I had to start over, go somewhere else, but in the end I fell into step, it seemed easier. And would have been if not closing the window to return to previous page rather than click back arrow hadn't lost it all.

A cozy blog versus a snippy one. All because I HAVE TO change to Google or go away. Not their fault, they didn't MAKE me click the wrong arrow, they just made me read pages of stuff to be sure I wasn't agreeing to something weird. Just more marketing. They can probably check my web browsing, send me "personalized" messages to buy and join and otherwise limit my span. Some days I think the Internet hasn't expanded our horizons, just given marketers better ammunition to blindside us.

I no sooner got Windows XP on my computer than here comes Vista. Is it better? Sure, if you're a budding movie maker or can't take less than a thousand pictures of your kid to throw out there, so that he/she's famous just for eating. Do we all want Paris Hilton as a child? Ooops, pardon, she's more famous for not eating.

I'm going to go read a book. My web life is being sold and used for the purpose of others gaining wealth. But my easy chair is mine alone.

An exciting election

Sure, it's supposed to be too early and lots can and will happen to change the dynamics but the rich field of candidates should excite everyone. I mentioned Obama previously but I'm also excited about Bill Richardson and John Edwards will hopefully do well. He was saddled by Kerry's lack of clear insight last time, and his own inexperience against Cheney, but may now have the maturity needed. I would still go with Richardson, the most experienced in the field.

As for Clinton, I know she's the fave, but frankly she's been all over the map re the War. She has many fine qualities, not least of which of first really formidable female candidate, but that's not enough. Ultimately I doubt she will prevail, she just dooesn't have that comfort zone personality voters lean toward.

The depth of the field, adding Joe Biden, is awesome. Biden is definitely a class act but I don't think he can go all the way. But the dialog ought to be the best we've ever had in an election cycle.

I hate to say it, but maybe we needed Bush to bottom out so we could wake up and pay attention. I thought I was going to throw a heavy object at the television when in his state of union address he said we had to get the deficit under control. You mean the deficit you created? That reminded me of the definition of chutzpah - a guy kills his parents then asks the court for mercy because he's an orphan.

Barack in 2008

In Hawaii, Barack is a native son. He may be a Senator from Illinois but he was raised here, we made him. Okay, his family too - and what a near-perfect melting pot, that says more about America and our future. So for a whole bunch of reasons he will elevate the dialogue and the stakes in the 2008 election.

Maybe it's time for a grownup to run - and hopefully win.

HAU'ILI MAKAHIKI HOU

'Tis the New Year and Nancy Pelosi has - gasp - a plan, something we haven't seen in Washington in a while. While it may not all pan out and there's a ways to go, it's so refreshing to see grownups at the helm.

Bush's so-called "plan" seems to be, "Hell, it didn't work before, so let's do it again!" If more troops were the answer, why not do that a year ago, or three?

So I am chuffed to begin a new year on such a hopeful note. Voters tend to get the government they deserve and it finally seems they're paying attention. A cowboy at the helm may remind us of our wild and woolly days - great fun in the movies but not so great in actuality. Our Founding Fathers were intellectuals who took their responsibility very seriously. I don't know if this group is up to those standards but at least they are trying to restore some order after years of chaos.

Is it always the Dems that have to clean up after Repubs or does it just seem that way?

GOBBLE GOBBLE

So much to be thankful for this year, family is well, and Dems in Congress. To approach the holiday season in a spirit of hope is a fine thing.

Of course there is Darfur, and other troubled spots, a war that will be tough to extricate, but maybe just maybe we are ready to spread real democracy around the globe, not the war machine spoils we have now.

It's hokey but it might work, if once each day we all have a positive thought and an action to bring peace to all.

Yipppee

The Ship of State has finally righted itself. The voters have shown that while they generally prefer to stick with the familiar, when enough is enough, it's over! So while George Bush put us in Iraq with lies of bringing democracy to the Middle East, and trying to quash it at home, the majority of us said that's not what this country is about.

Watching Bush practically take credit for the new bipartianship was cheesy, but then again, he's always been about spin rather than substance.

Sure, plenty of work to do, lots of muck to clean, but like after a really great spring rain, it just smells good.

Congratulations to the voters, for paying attention. It's a cliche, but true, politicians work for us. When they forget that, it's over. And a special raspberry to Tom DeLay who thought he could guarantee Republican victories by gerrymandering districts - you're a poster boy for everything that went wrong. Bully boys like you are just stupid.

How good it feels when the system works.

10 SURE-FIRE WAYS TO SOLVE THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION PROBLEM

1. Become a vegetarian. The meat packing industry hires many illegal immigrants, not because they want to break the law but because hey, it’s tough finding folks willing to chop up dead animals all day long. Those that enjoy it are usually behind bars. Anyone who has a career choice, won’t. And if you drink milk, the average cow prefers a 5am and 5pm daily routine. Otherwise they explode and who’s going to clean it up, which brings us to the next solution.

2. Plant a garden. Remember the farm workers? We felt so noble boycotting lettuce to get them fair treatment. How’s that working out? We treat them so well they all want to come. So if you really want them to leave, stop buying fresh produce and grow your own! Start a community garden and get to know your neighbors! Make a chart, showing whose day it is to weed the damn thing. Serious fines and punishment for those who shirk. This is serious, folks, there are 12 million, all of whom have jobs, every little bit helps.

3. Clean your own house. Maids used to be black. Since blacks used to be slaves, it was a step up. We called them mammies. We sucked as human beings. Now that illegals do it, we give them a tiny bed, a broken TV, 14 hour workdays with ½ day off occasionally, all for $50 a week and tell them how lucky they are to have a job. But they’re in America and know if they can learn the ropes they can secretly give you the finger and move on. Who can say, “Take this job and shove it” in Spanish?

4. Raise your own kids. See above.

5. Mow you own lawn. Remember that? Kids and yardwork and Saturday spelled America. Now there are parents afraid to alienate their kids by giving them chores. Ever see a guy with a leaf blower that wasn’t Hispanic? Anyone over 40 remembers raking the damn things and seeing how unfair life could be when the wind blew it back. Back in the day, Japanese did it, now they own half of us.

6. Wash your own car. Remember Saturdays with Dad and the hose and water fights when he wasn’t looking? Check out a car wash, 40 guys running around on a hot day just to bang your mirror sideways. Washing a car is just not fun when there are so many video games and so little time – that’s why your teenagers disappear with their iPod, Sidekick and cell – which mysteriously doesn’t work when you try to find them.

7. Live in a smaller house. Studies show construction is one of the largest employers of illegal immigrants, again not to break the law but hey, that’s a tough job. Sure you get a great bod, and hit on women, but you can do that much better in an air conditioned gym with a personal trainer and custom juice blend. Do you absolutely need 9 bedrooms and 6 baths? McMansions need lots of McLaborers.

8. No fast food. This one will take care of itself because you won’t be tempted to do takeout once your garden is up and running All those tasty lettuce leaves, extra-large penis-shaped zucchini and seasonal cukes will make you forget In-n-Out burgers.

9. Pay more taxes. More taxes beget more police to get down and dirty on those pesky perps who clog our beloved freeways sans license and insurance. You may have less money in your pocket but you’ll be home to eat dinner with the kids as traffic flow improves. Also, insurance scams will disappear once there are enough officers to investigate every accident. PS - A caveat. You in LA should only do cocaine at home, because the city will be lousy with cops looking for erratic drivers. They may racial profile but they won’t ignore crossing 4 lanes twice in 90 seconds.

10. Buy Mexican. Issue all Social Security checks in pesos. Millions of baby boomers are retiring. 12 million of them, in fact. An even steven exchange. All those service industry workers can return home to their families to take care of them. Bonus: No more feeble parents around, sucking up our time and energy. Money goes so much further south of the border. Really, it's a two-fer. Illegals return home for the new jobs, we lose non-productive geriatrics. Then our country will again resemble the vast open spaces like our founding fathers intended.

And here are the ten reasons why we will never resolve the issue:

1. The US Government considers it foreign aid.
2. People need someone to blame for whatever they’re upset about and ILLEGAL immigration is a one-size-fits-all bitchfest.
3. We pay more. Until they can live well there, they will come here.
4. The business community saves a bundle. Sure, they say they can’t find anyone to take the job, but what they mean is that legal employees have become ungrateful and greedy, demanding all those pesky extras, like health care, safe working environment, days off and pensions.
5. All their friends are here.
6. We can’t solve our own societal issues like crooked politicians, crime and poverty, let alone resolve theirs.
7. Restaurants would institute a surcharge, like shipping companies when oil prices go up. The cost of eating out would be so prohibitive we’d all have to go to Mexico for our food.
8. Schools may complain about kids who don’t speak English but they get extra money to teach them. Cops, lawyers, translators, mom & pop stores, car thieves, will lose their jobs.
9. The housing bubble won’t just burst it will explode if 12 million people leave. (One plus: Those gouging landlords who charge $500 week for a ratty mattress in a room with 8 others, good riddance.)
10. The US still consumes massive quantities of illegal substances and they still come from south of the border. Get rid of drugs and our economy collapses – prisons, lawyers, trials, lawyers, bodyguards and sellers of yachts, Mercedes’ and everything else paid for in cash by drug lords. Not to mention all the things we replace because it was stolen by someone feeding a habit.


Bottom line – Get over it. Illegal immigration is what politicians talk about when they want to divert attention from their real screw-ups. It’s a gift to business without resolving issues like minimum wage and health care. Everyone who buys produce or meat, or buys a house or uses a gardener is a contributor to the problem. The nasty dirty truth is we want all those illegals to do the work at substandard rates; we just don’t want to see them. And with an estimated 12 million, that’s getting tougher.

Is Stupid Catching?

Re Rep Foley
How can an elected official be so stupid as to put suggestive material in an email. Emails never go away.

And yet for over a year - that we know of - he has gotten away with it. Does no one in Washington care about decency?

So quit griping about the press, they seem to be the only ones paying attention.

Oh, and Dennis Hastert is JUST NOW disgusted by behavior he's known about for over a year. Yes, the timing has all the stink of politics, but had the oversight committee - oh, there isn't one? - sure didn't nip it in the bud.

Rule of thumb - if you want to be a pervert, try not to run for office. Although this guy ain't a newbie, so someone knew.

Clean your damn house, Repubs. You'd still be in power after November elections if you just had a teeny bit of common sense.

Election season is upon us

I hope everyone is getting out the vote. It's time to hold the Bush Administration accountable for their ongoing incompetence, not just the War in Iraq although that is by far the most egregious misuse of power in a long time by our government, but if anyone who watched Hurricane Katrina repairs a year later and votes for incumbents, shame on you. YOUR GOVERNMENT FAILED YOU, TAKE ACTION.

What next?

I'm beginning to think the Bush Administration, having failed in one attempt at War, are now having another whack at it.

This is like a compulsive gambler who, having lost the mortgage payment decides to raise the stake and gamble even more money he doesn't have in order to regain his money, thereby adding even more debt until it begins to erode everything.

Round and round and round we go...

You are driving in a car at a constant speed. On your left

side is a valley and on your right side is a fire engine

traveling at the same speed as you.



In front of you is a giant galloping pig which is the same size

as your car, and you cannot overtake it. Behind you is a

helicopter flying at ground level. Both the giant pig and

the helicopter are also traveling at the same speed as you.



What must you do to safely get out of this highly dangerous

situation?



Get off the children's Merry-Go-Round, you're drunk.


DRIVE SAFELY - IT'S FOURTH OF JULY
Our nation's birthday.

As we age, we wisdom....

I seem to be void of original thoughts these days but others have stepped up to fill my void.

Check out these pearls of wisdom.

http://www.frontiernet.net/~jlbeam/specials/life/life.htm

Is it just me or....

are the Dems finally getting some gumption? They seem to be finally finding a voice, and beginning to own security issues and speak with authority. Jack Murtha, Russ Feingold, Nancy Pelosi, Loretta Chavez, and others are beginning to sound like Democrats not afraid-of-Bush weenies.

They're not there yet, in terms of reaching the voters in November. As of now, the Repubs may be voted out but not because Dems are voted in. In other words, it's better for all if people vote FOR not AGAINST.

Keep up the good work but stay focused on solutions not name-calling. It's what we can do that's right, not what they did that's wrong. Everyone who is listening knows that already, they know of the scandals and failures and lies. What voters want is integrity.

These boots are made for walkin'....

...and smashing all the faces of all public servants who serve themselves not the public. A good kick in the gonads not a bad idea either.

Every day it seems someone else "resigns" which is between "denies" and apologizes" before the noose tightens. They are finding out that crime really doesn't pay. You'd think they'd learn. No matter how much you earn while on the take, the lawyers will eat it up keeping you out of jail.

Hey, maybe it's all a plot by the lawyers! Get Bush into office, then wait and watch, knowing that sooner or later that disgustingly immoral group will put all your kids and your grandkids and their grandkids through college from the billable hours while they pretend everything they did was for the good of something or other.

Poetic justice.