Update Darfur: Grim

The human rights emergency that is taking place in Darfur has not changed since the peace accord was signed. Here is an excerpt from the Save Darfur website.

It's been more than three weeks since a Darfur peace accord was signed, bringing hope for an end to the genocide in Sudan's western territory. Since then the news has been terrible. The two rebel factions that refused to sign the peace deal have continued to snub it. Violence between rebel factions has generated blood-curdling attacks on civilians. Human Rights Watch has reported fresh evidence of atrocities committed by government-backed Janjaweed death squads across the border in Chad. The cash-strapped U.N. World Food Program has been forced to reduce the already meager rations it distributes to 6 million Sudanese, including 3 million in Darfur. And Sudan's government has waffled on the crucial question of whether it will allow in an expanded peacekeeping force, without which violence, hunger and mass death are likely to continue.

Please visit their site (link above or to your right under "Links")to read the article in its entirety.

Politically Speaking

From the Think Progress website:

QUESTION: Can I just ask you one other follow-up on Karl about Secretary Snow? When the president was asked, when he was standing next to Prime Minister Blair and millions of people were watching, he’s telling the American people that: I have got no indication the secretary’s going to resign…

SNOW: No, He has not talked to me about resignation. I mean, it was very carefully worded. But again, what you didn’t want to have, I think, is at a period of time when you haven’t finished doing your clearances for the person you want to fill that position, you don’t want to have chaos in the markets. It was…

As I suspected, President Bush is very deliberate in his choice of vocabulary when misleading the American people. Thank you Mr. Snow for the confirmation. You're doing a heck of a job, Snowie.

If You Don't Have Anything Nice to Say....

To illustrate the obvious contempt that Bush has for the press, he hires this guy as his chief domestic adviser, who had this to say about reporters that are embedded in Iraq:

Karl Zinsmeister, the new chief domestic adviser to President Bush, while embedded as a reporter with the 82nd Airborne in Kuwait in 2003, declared that "many of the journalists observable in this war theater are bursting with knee-jerk suspicions and antagonisms for the warriors all around them. A significant number are whiny and appallingly soft."

Zinsmeister, editor-in-chief of the American Enterprise Institute's magazine, wrote the article for the National Review, and it appeared on March 28, 2003. He was appointed to the top adviser post last week.

In another article, this one at the American Enterprise Institute's Web site on June 20, 2005, Zinsmeister, after another period as an embed, wrote, "What the establishment media covering Iraq have utterly failed to make clear today is this central reality: With the exception of periodic flare-ups in isolated corners, our struggle in Iraq as warfare is over....Contrary to the impression given by most newspaper headlines, the United States has won the day in Iraq.... the battle of Iraq is no longer one of war fighting—but of policing and politics."

This guy's got some set of balls criticizing these reporters when they're literally dying by the dozens over there to get the story. What a huge prick!

Once again I have to give kudos to Helen Thomas for this mornings White House press briefing. Why? Cause she kicked Tony Snow's ass on this issue, that's why! Oh, Helen...I really do love ya lady! Please come to L.A. so I can buy you dinner.

The Constitution (A.K.A. The Punching Bag)

The first amendment took another beating today when the Supreme Court delivered a one-two punch to government employees. It seems that their employers are justified in retaliatory actions against whistle blowers. Now when government employees discover wrongdoing at their place of employment, they have to choose between doing the right thing or face the wrath of the big cheese, which could include losing their job. Aside from the fact that the ruling sets up the scenario for corruption to run rampant, what would become of the would-be whistle blower if it is discovered through an investigation that they had prior knowledge of wrongdoing? Would they then be held accountable for not spilling the beans sooner? Should an employee have to make such a choice? That's a really crappy place to stick someone.

Kudos to Justices John Paul Stevens, David H. Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen G. Breyer for recognizing that.

Justices Set Limits on Public Employees' Speech Rights

Bringing News From the Front

I was stunned today when my husband looked up from his laptop and informed me that 74 reporters have lost their lives since the start of the Iraq war (I refuse to call it the war on terror). So I did a little digging around on the net myself and found that 96 journalists and media assistants have been killed since March, 2003. My God! From what I could find, 63 journalists died during the Vietnam war.

So the next time you hear someone from this administration try to blame your lack of support for this war on your being too informed by what you see on TV, such as this quote from Bush:

" 'No question that the Iraq war has, you know, created a sense of consternation here in America,' Bush said. 'I mean, when you turn on your TV screen and see innocent people die day in and day out, it affects the mentality of our country.' He added: 'I can understand why the American people are troubled by the war in Iraq. I understand that. But I also believe the sacrifice is worth it and it's necessary.' "

Remember that journalists are dying, literally, to bring you the news.

96 journalists and media assistants killed

You Should Know Better By Now

No amount of therapy is going to help erase the image that has been seared onto my brain after reading this:

Doctors said sexually transmitted diseases among senior citizens are running rampant at a popular Central Florida retirement community, according to a Local 6 News report.

..."All I can repeat are the things I have heard which are things like, 'Should I bring the little blue pills over tonight?'" community singles group president Richard Matwyshen said.

Let's put aside the horror of what ultimately is picturing your grandparents doing "it"; the story illustrates that wisdom does not always come with age. STD's do not discriminate and "no glove no love" should be your motto at 80 same as it is at 20 years old. The aging process does not eliminate those nasty little boogers that invade your bloodstream when you were a young verile young man or a smokin' hot young woman. Now they're just elderly virus's...come on now ya heathen's! Remember yourselves! Excuse me while I go beat my head against a rock.

Barbies, Bratz, and Pussycat Dolls...Oh My!

Hasbro Inc. has pulled its idea to manufacture "Pussycat Doll" dolls. Now, as a woman and a mother, I agree that they are completely inappropriate for young girls, even teenage girls (but what teen plays with dolls?), but it is the parents responsibility to purchase appropriate toys for their children, period. Toy manufacturers can produce and market whatever toys they wish too; parents don't have to buy them. Apparently that is just too much for some parents, as I read in an article here:

Many parents still feel burdened by the task of shielding their children from such messages, but Monique Tilford, acting executive director of The Center for a New American Dream in Takoma Park, Md., says she expects more decisions like the Hasbro one. She says companies are lowering the bar so far that an outcry will follow, she says, and that groups like hers are coming together, on both the right and the left, to take collective action.

They feel burdened? Excuse me, but that is part of your job description as a parent. Just as it is your job to keep your children from eating fast food everday, or watching inappropriate programs on television. You hold the purse strings. If you feel that something, whatever it is, is inappropriate for your child, then don't supply them with it. Don't hold other people accountable for what you are responsible for. If your child pouts because (s)he can't have the latest gizmo or happy meal, tough. Let them pout. Yeah, it sucks to deal with it, but tough shit. Exert some parental control and, also, use it as an opportunity to educate your child on why a particular something isn't appropriate for children.

Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

Former Enron exec's Ken Lay and Jeffrey Skilling were convicted of fraud and conspiracy today.

HOUSTON (AP) - Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling were convicted of conspiracy and fraud Thursday by a federal jury that laid blame for one of the biggest business scandals in U.S. history squarely on Enron Corp.'s two former top executives.

Jurors found that the once-wealthy and powerful corporate chiefs repeatedly lied to cover up accounting tricks and business failures that led to its 2001 demise. The collapse wiped out more than $60 billion in market value, almost $2.1 billion in pension plans and 5,600 jobs.

They'll probably get a presidential pardon before Bush leaves office, but for today, they're convicted felons. G'night. Mwuah!

Lay, Skilling Convicted in Enron Collapse

Photo Caption Contest

Okay, you won't win anything and your talent for turning a catchy phrase won't be seen by many, but amuse me anyway. I'll start with my own and you may add yours in the comment section. Enjoy! Here's mine:

"That's okay. The Statue of Liberty was becoming so passe anyway. As a matter of fact we're gonna tear it down tomorrow since it's no longer considered a patriotic landmark."

Link

Thanks Be To God

Now that I know what is on Hillary Clinton's iPod (and apparently, she's got everything in there), I can die. Well, right after discovering that meaning of life thingy.

Hard hitting journalism there fellas...hard hitting.


Sen. Clinton Reveals Her iPod Playlist

Back in His Comfort Zone...Spinning

Bill O'Reilly doesn't seem to "geddit" that one compliment (brought on by actually having to face someone outside of the safety of his own show) does not erase years of public smack talking. He can't comprehend why Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks wasn't overcome by the warm-fuzzies and desire to be Bill's new BFF just because he complimented her on her performance at a Time Magazine event. Ms. Maines isn't part of your over 80 demographic Bill, and see's through the bullshit you spew. He dedicated his "Talking Points Memo" last night to his typical finger wagging of all things left. Typical, indeed.

News Hounds

Shooting the Messenger

I guess the citizens of the United States are finding out more information than they are supposed to be privy too. And in typical ass-backwards fashion for the Bush administration, they'll go after the journalists themselves instead of those engaging in the illegal activity.

WASHINGTON - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Sunday he believes journalists can be prosecuted for publishing classified information, citing an obligation to national security.

The nation's top law enforcer also said the government will not hesitate to track telephone calls made by reporters as part of a criminal leak investigation, but officials would not do so routinely and randomly.

"There are some statutes on the book which, if you read the language carefully, would seem to indicate that that is a possibility," Gonzales said, referring to prosecutions. "We have an obligation to enforce those laws. We have an obligation to ensure that our national security is protected."

.....{snip}...But he added that the First Amendment right of a free press should not be absolute when it comes to national security. If the government's probe into the NSA leak turns up criminal activity, prosecutors have an "obligation to enforce the law."

Nothing like a little good ol' fashioned intimidation to put the kibosh on freedom of the press. I wonder how many other Constitutional amendments will be violated before this administration runs its course? Any takers?

Attorney Gen.: Reporters Can Be Prosecuted

Magdalene & Jesus Sittin' in a Tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G

The Da Vinci Code grossed $224 million in it's opening weekend, worldwide. And that was WITH the controversy and criticism. So suck that fundies! Newsflash...it's just a movie.

Da Vinci Code

Nudity? Priceless

Our senate is hard at work, passing laws that impose stiffer fines on networks that air inappropriate material between 6am and 10pm. Of course that doesn't apply to cable, so I 'spose that Fox "News" Channel will be free from $325,000 per violation penalites. So when people like David Asman guest host Your World With Neil Covuto on FNC, they will still be able to bring us the hard hitting stories such as "Porn to Run",complete with split screen visual aids, during daylight hours. That would be 4pm eastern to be exact. In other words, if you want to keep your children from catching long glimpses of material that is unsuitable for them, don't watch Fox News.

They'll tell you all about teacher's who've seduced their students, and show you scantily clad pictures of the adult women. They'll inform you that there just might be a serial killer on the loose in Florida during spring break, and they'll make sure you get to see video of the half naked beach goers dropping it like it's hot. With extreme close ups, no less. Bill O'Reilly talked all about how we need to protect our children from seeing images such as the infamous orgy scene on the CBS program Without a Trace, that aired just minutes before 10pm, while he made sure that we did see the scene over and over again while wagging his finger in CBS's face; all at 5pm PST.

Of course, all the hooplah started after Ms. Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction during the 2004 Super Bowl half time show...which Fox News still airs to this day whenever the subject of the FCC comes up. So in case you've missed all the smut, tune in to FNC to get your daily dose! They're now free to do so while scolding the networks to keep it clean.

Now, I've got nothing against nudity (it's the hypocrisy that gets me). I think we should be more like the European's and be a little less, um, prude when it comes to the naked human form. In fact, lets just do everything naked. That way it won't be so shocking. We'll start fining networks for covering up. On second thought, scratch that. Not everyone can pull off the universal public nudity. Even though it would save me a ton of dough on trying to keep up with the current fashions, I'd like to avoid the unavoidable offending man boobs, and of course, the FUPA (Fat Upper Pu$$y Ass)...more commonly known as "Butt in the Front". Let's just keep that shit all dressed up. Okay?

**An aside: I must give credit to my sister in law for coining the term FUPA, along with her friend Puck...yeah, that Puck.**


Senate Votes Hike in Indecency Fines

Give a Mom a Break

How would your skills as a mother be characterized if camera's and paparazzi recorded every moment of your life? Like the time your child let go of your hand and darted out into the parking lot. Or the time your toddler climbed an fell out of his/her crib? Before you even knew it was something your toddler could do? What about the time you were carrying your infant and you tripped, losing your balance? Oh, and what about that day out by the pool when your toddler's head dipped below the water's surface when you turned your head for a fraction of a second to brush the bee off of your arm? And any mother knows, that if your infant falls asleep in his/her carseat, their head slumps over one way or the other, many times, despite your best efforts to keep them propped up.

What would the media say about you? I think it's disgraceful the way they are out to peg Britney Spears as an incompetent mother. Give her a break already. Most mother's, if not all, have had moments similar to Ms. Spears'; only we weren't caught on tape.

Britney Spears

Just a Note

I had to set up the word verification for comments because the spambot bitch spammed me all to hell. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Proceed.

It's the Difference That Divides Us

I imagine, when you get right down to it, everyone, right-wingers and lefties alike, want the same end result for our country. Mainly freedom, democracy, an in-tact Constitution, guaranteed rights, safety for our citizens and for those of other nations, a booming economy, respect throughout the world, a balanced budget, etc. We just have different ideas about how to acheive that goal. Liberals believe it should be done within the law, through diplomacy, and perhaps changing our current practice of foreign policy. While right-wingers believe it is just hunky dory to achieve these goals by skirting the law, dismantling the Constitution, encroachment on our rights, and screaming quite loudly and wielding a big, honkin' stick.

The road to corporate fascism is paved with bad intentions. We've become a nation that engages in the very practices that we claim to abhor; such as allowing torture of suspected enemies, giving up freedom for freedom's sake, foresaking law in the name of national security, and nation building (there's more, I'm short on time).

Perhaps I'm wrong. Maybe that is what right-wingers want afterall. That could be why they are so determined to villify liberals, who only want our country and government to return to its recognizable form. One that we can be proud of. One that is respected and admired. One that follows the rule of law. We've become a bully nation and frankly, no one respects a bully. Do you really believe that the ends justifies the means?

Target Stores + Dixie Chicks = Aneurysm for O'Reilly

Boy, would I love to be a fly on the wall when Bill O'Reilly discovers that Target stores are promoting the upcoming Dixie Chicks tour by offering its customers a chance to buy tickets before general sales start, when they buy the new album "Taking the Long Way". Target Stores were on O'Reilly's shit list during the holidays, with regards to Bill's imaginary "war on Christmas". This may send him into a spittle flying tail spin. I wanna watch.

Target and Dixie Chicks

Welcome

It seems that I've picked up a handful of regular readers here at my little bloggy blog in the past few weeks. I wanted to take a moment to say howdy, and thanks for taking the time to read what I've got to say; whether it's because you agree with me or you're here because you like the fact that I make that angry vein bulge in your forehead. Please feel free to leave comments...I'll do my best to answer them.

Again, welcome! *waving hello*

Comedy of Errors

It would seem that two Southwest Airline planes bound for Rhode Island were unable to land just before midnight and turned back, because they claim, there was no one in the control tower. There are so many things wrong with the following story, that I thought I'd rant about it.

First of all, the article states that the control tower at T.F. Green Airport closes at midnight. In order for someone to stay on, the airline has to request it. Southwest claims they made the request; T.F. Green claims they did not. Now, here's my observation...the article does not claim that the airline was running behind schedule, so I imagine it is safe to assume that the tickets were sold with midnight arrival times to the passengers. This would be a scheduled arrival and not something that should come as a surprise to the T.F. Green control tower. What would be the purpose of even needing to request the staff to stay on? And if the plane was scheduled to arrive just before midnight, but the control tower's whistle doesn't blow until midnight, then where were the staff? Did they go home early?

Moving on.... the passengers. Oh, cry me a freakin' river people! You were inconvenienced. Get the hell over it already! They were so angry about the diversion that they called the channel 10 news. Who does that?!? Then they cried that they were treated like cattle...oh, boo fricken' hoo. Again, you were inconvenienced. Welcome to traveling folks! It's riddled with irritating setbacks. One woman was upset that her child had been in the same diaper since 1:15am. In my estimation that means that she had only one diaper on her when she debarked, which she wrapped around the child's ass at 1:15. Well, who's fault is that? You are traveling woman! Be prepared for cripe's sake! Then she bellyached that it took them (I assume the terminal staff)"forever" to bring her hot water to mix the baby's formula. Um. Was there something wrong with the sink in the bathroom?

The airline plans to issue a letter of apology to each passenger. Somehow, I get the feeling that will not be satisfactory for this group.

Spicoli the Terror Czar

Now here's a movie I'm looking forward to seeing. Richard "Your government has failed you, I've failed you" Clarke's (swoon! heart flutter) book "Against All Enemies" will be a movie, directed by Oscar winner, Paul Haggis (Crash/ Million Dollar Baby) and starring Oscar winner, Sean Penn (double swoon!). Sean Penn has been convincing and brilliant in every movie he's been in, and I can't wait to see him as one of my favorite political people.

Penn to Play Clarke in Movie

Not Our Idea of a Family

I had to rub my eyes and read the following just one more time because I thought for sure they had deceived me. What I had read couldn't possibly be true!

BLACK JACK, Mo. (AP) - The city council has rejected a measure allowing unmarried couples with multiple children to live together, and the mayor said those who fall into that category could soon face eviction.

Olivia Shelltrack and Fondrey Loving were denied an occupancy permit after moving into a home in this St. Louis suburb because they have three children and are not married.

The town's planning and zoning commission proposed a change in the law, but the measure was rejected Tuesday by the city council in a 5-3 vote.
The current ordinance prohibits more than three people from living together unless they are related by "blood, marriage or adoption." The defeated measure would have changed the definition of a family to include unmarried couples with two or more children.

Mayor Norman McCourt declined to be interviewed but said in a statement that those who do not meet the town's definition of family could soon face eviction.

What kind of jacked up, ass backwards town is this? So if it is an unmarried couple without children, they're cool, but throw kids into the mix and they're suddenly not zone-worthy? I guess that also rules out having more than one roommate? Sorry kids, you're going to have to figure out some other way to afford the rent. Obviously I don't have to ask about unwed couples with children; the town is perfectly willing to throw them out on the street. It's really more than just a shame that this town has written a law that discriminates, recognizes that it does, continues to vote in favor of it, and refuse to ammend it.

It would seem that this town is breaking federal law. From the US Department of Justice:

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability by housing providers, such as landlords and real estate companies as well as other entities, such as municipalities, banks or other lending institutions, and homeowners insurance companies.

Ruh-Roh!

Clear as Mud

Now BellSouth and Verizon are claiming that the NSA did not request, nor did they provide domestic phone records of their clients to the NSA. Report HERE:

NEW YORK - Verizon Communications Inc. on Tuesday joined fellow phone company BellSouth in denying key points of a USA Today story that said the companies had provided records of millions of phone calls to the government. Verizon has not provided customer call data to the National Security Agency, nor had it been asked to do so, the company said in an e-mailed statement. The statement came a day after Atlanta-based BellSouth Corp. made a similar denial.

So that leaves the question of just where and how the NSA is getting this list? And just who did the telecommunications corporations provide the information too? They were very careful to say that they didn't supply it directly to the NSA. Especially since Steven J. Hadley confirms that they are, in fact, compiling a list. Story HERE:

The NSA and the White House have refused to discuss the specifics of that report, but President Bush's national security advisor, Stephen J. Hadley, appeared to confirm the broad outlines of such an NSA database.

He told CBS' "Face the Nation" that the USA Today report "does not claim that the government was listening to domestic phone calls. It does not claim that names were passed, that addresses were passed, that content was passed. It's really about calling records … who was called when, and how long did they talk?"

Hadley said appropriate members of Congress had been fully briefed, and he described such programs as lawful and necessary to protect the United States from terrorism. He repeatedly refused to discuss details of NSA actions.

(all bold emphasis mine)
Wouldn't the truth be a refreshing change, instead of having to wade through a ton of bullshit in order to discover a half-truth? Yeah, I know...I know, that's just crazy talk!

Pass the Dutchie on the Left Hand Side

What is the difference between a cancer patient smoking weed, or taking a prescription synthetic form to aleviate symptoms of chemotherapy? Stumped? Pharmaceutical companies do no profit from the former. That is all about to change and you'll most likely see your daily Viagra/Cialis/Levitra commercials replaced by those for Cesamet. I'm sure the commercial spots will prompt you to "ask your doctor about Cesamet". Side effects include euphoria, drowsiness, vertigo and dry mouth. What? No munchies? Maybe they're on to something!

Synthetic Marijuana Returning to Market

Make the most of the hemp
seed and sow it everywhere.
•George Washington

Oh, that founding father RULED!

An Inconvenient Democracy

The NSA is keeping tabs on every domestic phone call made in our country. In all of the defense of this administrations NSA illegal activities, no one has denied that what they've done is, in fact, illegal. What those who defend it do, is, tell us how it was necessary that they break the law, and that what they did and are doing, is for our own good. The only large telecommunications company not to give into the bully tactics of this administration, is Qwest. From the USA TODAY article:

The NSA told Qwest that other government agencies, including the FBI, CIA and DEA, also might have access to the database, the sources said. As a matter of practice, the NSA regularly shares its information — known as "product" in intelligence circles — with other intelligence groups. Even so, Qwest's lawyers were troubled by the expansiveness of the NSA request, the sources said.

The NSA, which needed Qwest's participation to completely cover the country, pushed back hard.

Trying to put pressure on Qwest, NSA representatives pointedly told Qwest that it was the lone holdout among the big telecommunications companies. It also tried appealing to Qwest's patriotic side: In one meeting, an NSA representative suggested that Qwest's refusal to contribute to the database could compromise national security, one person recalled.

In addition, the agency suggested that Qwest's foot-dragging might affect its ability to get future classified work with the government. Like other big telecommunications companies, Qwest already had classified contracts and hoped to get more.

Unable to get comfortable with what NSA was proposing, Qwest's lawyers asked NSA to take its proposal to the FISA court. According to the sources, the agency refused.

The NSA's explanation did little to satisfy Qwest's lawyers. "They told (Qwest) they didn't want to do that because FISA might not agree with them," one person recalled. For similar reasons, this person said, NSA rejected Qwest's suggestion of getting a letter of authorization from the U.S. attorney general's office. A second person confirmed this version of events.

In June 2002, Nacchio resigned amid allegations that he had misled investors about Qwest's financial health. But Qwest's legal questions about the NSA request remained.

Unable to reach agreement, Nacchio's successor, Richard Notebaert, finally pulled the plug on the NSA talks in late 2004, the sources said.

Yeah, those pesky, inconvenient courts are funny that way in that they don't agree with illegal activity. Kudos to Qwest for not breaking the law even under the threats from this administration.

USA TODAY

Sticks and Stones

Right-wingers are the first to label those on the left as hateful. If it is hateful to refuse to support an administration that takes a crap on our Constitution, trumps up and fabricates intelligence to send our troops to war, cripples the agencies designed to protect and/or aid us by padding them with unqualified cronies, squandered our good standing and reputation throughout the world, and sending the national debt soaring through the roof...I really could go on and on, but I do have a life outside of this blog...if it is hateful to speak out against the aforementioned, then great! I'm hateful. The disgust I feel and express didn't send our troops to Iraq, it didn't get anyone killed, it didn't get innocent Iraqi's killed, it didn't leave people stranded in the wake of Katrina, it didn't raise our national debt to $30K per person, it didn't violate any of our civil liberties that we are supposed to enjoy under our constitution, and the disgust that I feel and express didn't break any laws.

Get real! The hateful people are those who are in power, right now, and those who put them there. We are a nation of laws; a statement that right-wingers scream from the rooftops when the subject of illegal immigration pops up, and yet, they are the first to excuse this administration for trampling on the laws that protect our civil liberties. They are the first to exclaim that they have no problem with government intrusion into their private lives because they've got nothing to hide. They willingly and almost eagerly give up their freedoms, even if those freedoms are taken from them illegally, all in the name of the "war on terror". They are selective about which laws they think this nation should abide by.

It is the hatefulness of the right that re-elected this administration in '04, either in support of his disastrous policies or out of spite to stick it to the liberals. In your orgasmic zeal to spite us, you betrayed the very principles that this nation was founded on. Then you have the unmitigated gall to call liberals hateful when all we've done is attempt to hold this administration accountable for it's actions, and call a spade a spade.

Right-wingers can go on calling us liberals hateful; it's no skin off my nose. I can rest my head at night knowing that I in no way endorsed this administration or its policies, ill conceived, illegal, or otherwise. My conscience is clear. It's not hateful to tell someone they're wrong, when they're wrong. It's just truth...so suck it up.

If you believe in your convictions then it shouldn't matter one iota what anyone has to say about it, right?

Quote of the Day

Here's a great quote for the day, authored by blogger, Bob Cesca, over at The Huffington Post.

"It's been made perfectly clear that a staggering number of Americans -- mostly Bush Apologists -- would prefer to have a powerful and omniscient government intruding upon their basic freedoms in order to smoke out the toe monsters lurking under their collective bed."

That was great! *golf clap*

Screw Freedom America Wants Its Wubby

Queen of Denial

Laura Bush doesn't believe the low numbers her husband has recieved in the most recent polls. Her defense is the positive way that people respond to him and herself when they take their little trips around the country. I think a certain someone has forgotten that those who attend the Bush gatherings sign loyalty oaths. So, like duh! Of course the people they come into contact with have a positive opinion of President Bush...and here I thought she was a smart woman.

"I don't really believe those polls (well then that's all settled!). I travel around the country. I see people, I see their responses to my husband (the responses I want to see anyway). I see their response to me," she said. (who would have a beef with you?)

"As I travel around the United States, I see a lot of appreciation for him. A lot of people come up to me and say, 'Stay the course'."

Many recent polls have put Bush's job approval rating below 35 percent. One, the Harris poll, published last Friday, measured his approval at 29 percent, the first time any survey has put his support below the 30 percent mark. Two other polls published last week put his job approval at 31 percent.

In a separate interview on ABC's "This Week," Laura Bush said her husband's popularity was suffering because the country had been through a difficult year.

We've had a very, very difficult year, starting with the hurricane last September, but already because of the terrorist attack in 2001 (nice touch) and then the war on terror since then," she said. "He's the one that has to make the hard decisions (because he's the decider). And, of course, they don't please everyone (because he's the decider)."

All BOLD emphasis mine.

Denial is a fun place to visit but I don't reccomend staying there for more than a weekend.

Laura Bush doesn't believe bad polls on husband

Ode To A Holiday

It's Mother's Day. Another one of those holiday's that prompt me to feel obligated to do something for someone. Yeah, I know, it's for my mom, but why do I need a designated day to make her feel special? Wouldn't it seem more genuine if I were to present her with an unexpected gift to say "Thank You, I love you", on some random day? And yes, I had a wonderful time with my son in his kindergarten class on Friday. We ate sugary snacks, colored pictures together, and the children sang songs for all of us mom's...well, all of us except for one student who's mom was noticeably absent from the festivities. I felt so bad for him. Sure the teacher went out of her way to give him some extra attention, but hey, it ain't his mom. His grandmother showed up about half way through the shindig; again, not the same thing.

When you're a married woman, Mother's Day doesn't stop with just your own mother. I have to make sure that my mother in law is taken care of, because many grown, married men expect their wives to attend to such things (as do the mother's in law). Then there are step mother's, grandmother's, throw in a couple of aunt's, and maybe a sister or two and before you know it, it's like Christmas around here. You're looking at your credit card bill with horror at the end of the month, wondering what ever happened to just sending a card to someone.

Then there is the guilt if you don't call your mom soon enough. I've encountered this problem twice in adulthood. Once with my mother in law, and once with my own mother. This guilt consumes you when they...call you first. Some of you know what I'm talking about. You feel about this big, and the first thing out of your mouth is, "I was just going to call you!", which sounds just as false as it probably is.

I'll be having my own mother over for dinner tonight. It's easier that way and scads more enjoyable than trying to get a table at some overpriced brunch in some wannabe hoity toity restaurant somewhere, trying to have a good time when all you can think about is getting the hell away from all of those people; or waiting endlessly for our turn in the pedicure chair because every other mother and daughter team decided that today would be the perfect day to give their feet some special attention. "Would you like a flower painted on your toenail?"..."No thanks, just get me out of here pronto!". Just what is it about strangers handling your feet that makes for a bonding experience anyway?

I don't want a designated day for my children to have to worship and show their appreciation for me. They should do that everyday, dammit! All three of them were ripped from my loins; two of them without an epidural...they better kiss the ground I walk on! Why is there all of this pressure to make sure that we all take the time to appreciate the one's we love? You either do or you don't and creating a holiday doesn't mean that the one's doing the appreciation bestowing actually appreciate the person being bestowed upon. Some of them do, some of them don't, and the one's that don't are doing it because they feel they have too. And the one's that genuinely do already take the time to make those gestures throughout the year. So the only thing this holiday does for the genuine appreciators is add extra pressure on them to do even more appreciating. See? Who needs it?

My feelings are similar with regards to Valentine's Day. If I'm still blogging at that time, I'll be back to rant about that then.

Throw A Dawg A Bone, Leave A Dawg Alone

According to our homeowner's association newsletter that we recieved this week, there are some serious issues that must be attended too immediately! If these problems aren't resolved, I just don't know what will become of the neighborhood. According to them, there is a severe dog barking issue afoot, and, no one is paying attention to rectifying this problem. It seems that neighborhood dogs are, well, they're barking. I know...I know, what is this world coming to, you ask? Dogs that bark? Say it isn't so! I've lived here for over 9 years, and I've not encountered this anomaly. I've heard the ocassional woof here and there, but nothing worth noting in a newsletter. They go on to state that, if notified, they will send the security patrol to the offending home to witness it first hand. If a strange man approaches my home, guess what will happen? My dog will bark (gasp!), because, well...she's a dog. That's what they do when strangers approach the house.

In addition to the "dogs-that-bark" issue, it seems that because our trash pick up day was switched from Mondays to Fridays, that this is something that has sent the association into a dither. Why? Because, and I quote, "some people don't take their cans back in immediately and they might be left out on the weekend." (shock! horror!)...You see the seriousness of this, don't you? Trash cans! In a neighborhood! Oh goodness.

One last (but surely not least) item on their finger-wagging newsletter, was basketball hoop apparat-i cluttering up the driveways or sidewalks. I know what an eyesore it is for a neighborhood to appear as if families like to play a good old fashioned game of H-O-R-S-E together. Newcomers would definetely get the wrong idea about these families. They PLAY? Together? Often? What is the world coming too? "Oh, God! Not "happy families!", they will cry. "I'll not be buying my home in that family oriented neighborhood anytime soon! That'll show those families!", they'll wail.

Paint your shutters, bring in your garbage cans, lose that basketball hoop, park your car in your garage for heaven's sake...and for the love of God, shut that pooch up already! What do you think this is? Your neighborhood?

Clueless Coulter Strikes Again

While surfing the net I happened to check out Ann Coulter's website. I see the hate filled darling of the right is still advocating violence. That's good. I probably wouldn't have known what to do with myself if she had suddenly changed her evil ways. She's really all bent out of shape that the former Taliban spokesman turned Yale student hasn't had the snot beat out of him yet; by, white supremacist, skin heads no less.

Why hasn't the former spokesman for the Taliban matriculating at Yale been beaten even more senseless than he already is? According to Hollywood, this nation is a cauldron of ethnic hatreds positively brimming with violent skinheads. Where are the skinheads when you need them? What does a girl have to do to get an angry, club- and torch-wielding mob on its feet? ~ Coulter

I also don't know why she looks to Hollywood as her source, but whatever. Anyway, her real problem is with the conservatives. She want's to know where they've misplaced their backbone? Awww...the poor widdle conservatives getting beaten up by the big, bad Democrats; what with their investigations and indictments and what have you. My, my...did those Democrats have the nerve to call you a criminal when you're a, um, a criminal? Awwww....the conservatives hold all the power in the house, senate, and the white house and they're just so misunderstood.

Hey! Ya know what would be scads of fun? Someone, oh, let's say, a journalist (you know, the next time she's on a news program, which is like all the time) should ask her about her voting habits. THAT would be a hoot! I wonder what her answer would be? She's such a hypocrite. Scolding her peers for not standing up to those who accuse them, when she lacks the backbone to do the same.

If you're interested in the Alleged Felonious Voting Adventures in Palm Beach With Ann Coulter, check out the The Brad Blog. It rules!

I also love how she's ruled herself out of what she describes as "patriotic American's", by this statement she makes here:

Patriotic Americans don't have to become dangerous psychotics like liberals, but they could at least act like men.

Considering the label "dangerous psychotic" suits her so well. You may refer to my archives for some of her psychotic quotes, or, outbursts if you will. It could be Tourettes Syndrome, but I think it's more likely a case of Neoconitis. I'm afraid there's no cure.

Ann Coulter Dot Com

Like A Lead Balloon

That was swift. I predicted a week for GWB's numbers to slip a little more, but, turn me upside down and paint me blue! Only 24 hours after I typed those words, he went from a 31% approval rating to a 29%. That's not just fast; that's super motor fast.

Wall Street Journal

Monarchy In The USA

It's official: The executive branch of the United States can do whatever it wants too. Why? Because they say so. What is it they say? It's for our own good. Trust them; they've been right about so many things so far (note tongue planted firmly in cheek). What about Congress, you ask? What, are you freakin' crazy? Congress? We don't need no stinking Congress!

I bet in high school, you were taught that Congress writes our laws and the President signs them. Awwww...aren't you cute. No. That's so yesterday. Now, Congress writes laws, the President signs them AND issues a signing statement, essentially vetoing the parts of the law he doesn't dig. That includes stating that he reserves the right to torture when he feels it's in the best interest of the country and stripping you of your civil liberties when he signed the Patriot Act. He stood there and publicly declared, "We don't torture" and, "civil liberties will be protected by a series of new amendments", then when the public wasn't looking, he said PSYCH!

I know past presidents have issued signing statements as well (before you republicans start jumping all over my shit). Jackon, Lincoln, and Truman used them to question the constitutionality of provisions in a bill. Here's where you start saying "hmmmm". Ronald Reagan used them about 70 times, Bush I about 150, and Clinton 105. You're wondering how many times GWB has issued them, aren't you? Over 700 times. S-E-V-E-N H-U-N-D-R-E-D TIMES!!! And he still has over 2 1/2 years to go! Just keep that in mind the next time he's paying lip service to the value of spreading democracy around the globe.

Security Issue Kills Domestic Spying Probe

Catch Me, I'm Fallin'

Ack! 31%...that is the president's approval rating! Oh, man that number sucks (for him)! And just who the hell are these assclowns that approve? What does this guy have to do to lose your support? I'll tell you who they are. These are the people that believe that if they don't support every ill conceived idea that is spawned in his pea brain, then they're undermining the troops in Iraq. You know, the Hannity watchers. I got news for you people; you're idiots. I mean, really, now you're just being stubborn. You know who you are too...I saw your W'04 sticker on the back window of your mini-van just this past Saturday. I talked to you as we walked back to our cars after our kids got their T-Ball pictures taken, then laughed to myself when I saw the badge of honor you placed on your car. I thought to myself, "Now there's a die-hard dumbass", and, "Isn't he embarrassed? I would have so been scraping that off of my bumper at least by 38%"!

GWB's Pathetic Numbers

Coincidence?

What with Father/Daughter Purity Ball's all the rage today...oh, in case you aren't familiar, here's the 'purity pledge':

I, (daughter’s name)’s father, choose before God to cover my daughter as her authority and protection in the area of purity. I will be pure in my own life as a man, husband and father. I will be a man of integrity and accountability as I lead, guide and pray over my daughter and as the high priest in my home. This covering will be used by God to influence generations to come.

Creepy? You bet. And am I the only one who invisions Rafiki from The Lion King when reading the words 'high priest'? Now that you've read the pledge, please take note of this recent news article:

During the past decade, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of teenagers and young adults engaging in oral sex and, less commonly, having anal intercourse, according to data from STD clinics in Baltimore, Maryland.

I'm so laughing right now.

So Many Ways To Say He Doesn't Care

What the white house needs is to rip out the plumbing and invest in a complete re-piping, and putting new curtains on the windows won't do anything to solve that problem. The public just ain't buying the staff change effort to boost the public's confidence in this administration. The general public doesn't give a crap if it is Scott McClellan or Tony Snow who shovels bullshit out by the truck load to us, and the fact that this administation thinks that it somehow does speaks volumes about their opinion of the intelligence of the American people.

The recent poll numbers indicate that the American people aren't impressed with the "shake up" in the white house. People are starting to wake up and aren't as easily fooled. If you keep insisting on a course but it presents no results, at least not the results that people are looking for, eventually they'll stop believing in you.

I'm not at all surprised by the numbers considering what Bush thinks about his job as president. President of the United States. It is the highest level one person can achieve in their political career. Parents dream of their children growing up to obtain this position. Imagine, for a moment, the opportunities that present themselves just by being in that position. Imagine all of the influential people you would meet, functions you would attend, countries you would visit.... are you picturing it? Now ask yourself, what would be the best moment you could experience as POTUS? Are you picturing it? Was it....

"I would say the best moment of all was when I caught a 7.5 pound (3.402 kilos) perch in my lake," he told the newspaper in an interview published on Sunday.

That's what George W. Bush's answer was when asked what his best moment was in more than five years in office.

So it's no wonder that his poll numbers are so low. I don't think it's so much that he's completely incompetent as a president; it's more that he just doesn't give a shit about his job.

Bush Perch Quote

Measles, Mumps, Chicken Pox, Oh My!

My children will most likely never suffer through chicken pox like I did, just as I never had to suffer through mumps or measles like my parents did, or polio like my grandparents generation did. So it baffles me that the new age types of my generation would willingly forego immunizations against such diseases for their children. I can understand it if you don't have health insurance and you can't afford it so you take your chances, but to leave your child open to being highly susceptible just because you discovered homeopathy or some shit is beyond me.

Cases of measles and mumps are breaking out in Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska. All I can say is....what did you expect?

Nebraska


Kansas


Iowa

Did They Find Captain Morgan?

Um...ew. I'm filing this under "Things That Make You Go, Barf". Sometimes I read something that just makes me wanna hurl, and this was one of them. My own words can't do it justice, so I'll leave you with the story itself.

Hungarian builders who drank their way to the bottom of a huge barrel of rum while renovating a house got a nasty surprise when a pickled corpse tumbled out of the empty barrel, a police magazine website reported.

According to online magazine www.zsaru.hu, workers in Szeged in the south of Hungary tried to move the barrel after they had drained it, only to find it was surprisingly heavy and were shocked when the body of a naked man fell out.

The website said that the body of the man had been shipped back from Jamaica 20 years ago by his wife in the barrel of rum in order to avoid the cost and paperwork of an official return.

According to the website, workers said the rum in the 300-liter barrel had a "special taste" so they even decanted a few bottles of the liquor to take home.

The wife has since died and the man was buried in a proper grave.

Cheers! LeChaim! Over the lips and past the gums, look out tummy here it comes!

Hungary workers get shock at bottom of rum barrel

Can I Get An Ahmen?

President Bush calls the United States a "Nation of Prayer". Oy Vey. He say's that wherever he goes, folks are always telling him how they are praying for him. Jesus Christ. He say's that it's impossible to tell the history of our nation without telling the story of people who pray. Good God.

I have a prayer. Hello God, it's me, Melanie. Oh Lord, please answer my prayer? I pray that George W. Bush will offer his resignation. Along with the rest of his administration; for the good of our nation, for the safety of our armed forces...and most importantly, for my sanity. We need a do-over.

Bush Calls U.S. a Nation of Prayer

Open Mouth, Insert Irresponsible Foot

I really do not think it is possible for me to put into words just how much I loathe Bill O'Reilly. He is the king dookie stain on cable news. I finally had to stop watching his joke of a television program, The O'Rielly Factor with the catchy little "The spin stops here" (who are you kidding with that? Really?) because even though it occassionaly served as inspiration for my rants on my blog, it just wasn't worth the high blood pressure listening to the irrisponsible comments being spewed forth from his irrisponsible mouth (the one located on his smug face). But every once in a while I come across something this skid mark has said that just compels me to respond.

Bill O'Reilly, you should be ashamed of yourself, questioning the motives of the activists and celebrities that have donated their own time to bring attention to the dire situation in Darfur. What have you done to garner attention to the cause sir? What has your show done? What have you done personally? Have you donated your time? Have you been there? Have you aired segment upon segment on your show to bring this very urgent matter to the attention of the people? Seeing as how you have your OWN show, wouldn't it be fitting for you to put your money where your mouth is? I get that you believe there is a war on Christmas, and I can't count how many hours you dedicated to THAT worthy mission; how about dedicating yourself to something a little more substantial? Perhaps it is "the color", sir, that has you turning a blind eye.

"On the peace front, most of those demonstrators believe the USA is a flawed country and so is Israel, and it's our fault there's terrorism in the world. On Darfur, the intentions are better, but there's a hard left base here as well. It may have something to do with color. Surely the Marsh Arabs in Iraq slaughtered by Saddam did not get George Clooney's attention. Even so, the slaughter in Darfur must be stopped and President Bush should take the lead in this case. So many questions; so little time. And that's a memo."

You're despicable.

Media Matters: O'Reilly

Abierto? Cerrado

About the only Spanish I picked up from Sesame Street as a kid. It's a beautiful, hot, clear skied, sunny day here in Southern California; no rain in the forecast...so I decide to finally get my car washed because, between you and me, I hardly recognize it anymore. Poor neglected thing. Imagine my surprise when I pull up to the local car wash, expecting it to be swarming with traffic, and wondering if I should wait until after I pick my kids up from school because sometimes it can take longer than expected, and....(cue High Noon music and throw some tumbleweeds in for effect)...empty. Closed. No entry. A ghost town. Cerrado.

What was I thinking? How could I forget? It's the May Walk Out day to support the immigration cause. I don't know how I possibly let it slip my mind, considering it dominated the news all weekend (it literally did). Did anyone know that there was a rally in D.C. this weekend to bring attention to the wholsale slaughtering of an entire race of people taking place in Darfur? It would be hard to know since it barely got a mention in the news because it was much more newsworthy to pontificate and supposition about whether or not this walk out would hurt or bolster the support for the immigrants....but I digress.

I did find it interesting, since the opponents of the immigrant movement seem to think that U.S. citizens would be happy to do some of the jobs that our Hispanic compadres are willing to do, that there wasn't one cringo lined up at the car wash to do that job. They must have known, unless they forgot like me, that those jobs would be available to them today, of all days. Where were the folks clammoring to get the job done? To get paid? Oh whitey were art thou?

Hmmm...they must have forgotten. Yeah, that's it.