Adoring Crowd

Why I Support Abortion Rights

2012-02-10T19:44:00.000-07:00

Before Roe was decided, there was a clear moral case, that overpowered the learned moralities of a deeply religious country. It was the morality of girls getting “in trouble” and they and sometimes their parents doing desperate things to fix that trouble. In a country still up to it eyeballs in Victorian era mores over sex and marriage.
It was the morality of the cold bite of reality, from reading too many accounts in the local paper of all sorts of half assed often dangerous efforts to abort fetuses from the unmarried pregnant female. I can remember reading accounts as a teenager, of death from botched abortion attempts, or back alley bootleg abortionists, ending in young girl bleeding out as a result.
So Roe was decided, even if by legal scholars claims of poorly decided, by legal norms of constitutional law. It didn’t matter, as the bulk of the citizens quietly and loudly demanded relief to make abortions legal. And many of them pretty religious, but also with a keen sense for social problems that are self inflicted.
There were those in the minority, a distinct minority who would not under any circumstances relent in their objections to legal abortions. They are still around today, and most all are evangelical Christians, or politicians seeking electoral favor with these people.
I doubt any moral argument would change the minds of these absolutist moralists, and they will continue to undermine abortion rights. And even though it’s been 4 decades, a majority of the public can recall, or learn second hand, of the lack of morality involved with forcing young women into taking actions that too often killed of mangled their bodies and minds. This is all I need to know to support abortion rights, that and the fact I don’t have a uterus, and if I did, it wouldn’t belong to the state.

What the Republican Party Owes America

2012-01-25T21:34:00.002-07:00

The wingnuts owe us a lot of things, first among them, is an apology for having fucked up our country so badly. But my sense is they have become untethered from the realities of maintaining the minimum threshold of responsiveness to the electorate, that is spinning out of control some more with each new day. The crackup is near, and granted the public gives the white man party a lot more rope than the party of those “others”, there is still a limit to that leeway.
So I just try to remind myself of the axiom, no pain , no gain, and we are just going to have to suffer the results of the GOP crackup, the contrast of which couldn’t have been clearer than with Obama’s SOTU address last night. The people have a clear choice, and there is not a lot more to be done about it until they make that choice, other than what dems are currently doing.
I say let the cash and crazy fly its freek flag high, and call it a public service message from wingnut hell, and if the citizens of this country want an insane corporate run existence, well, that is just how it will be. Or, they can see what is happening, and become willing to support the only remedy of putting the shredder to the concept of money as guaranteed free speech, to make the constitutional change to put that whacked out theory to rest, and beyond the reach of wingnut judges.

2012-01-20T19:31:00.001-07:00

The potential GOP candidates that could
have come without spoilage, are sitting this one out. Not wanting to be
tarnished with the ugly to come, directed at Barack Obama and in
general. In addition to, I suspect at this stage, a recognition of
unspoken high respect for his political skills.

It is a setting of the table for a leap of political realignment I
predicted yesterday, that was begun in 2006, and briefly stalled in
2010. That portends to extend past the current economic straights, with a
strong ideological undertow, created by the GOP
itself. And the failure of its 30 year conservative movement. What we
are seeing is the last bright burning of hyper dogma from the party, a
dying convulsion leading to brief re animation. Brought on by pride and
entitlement longstanding and run amuck.

There may well be some more last gasp convulsions before the worm
turns, but it must turn, because the current carcass of a movement has
nothing to offer but pure negative politicking on whatever the target of
the day is.

But soon there will be no place else to hide, and the gooper
braintrust will have to act to salvage something to create another
avenue to power. And it cannot include the tea party manifesto of
destruction and hatred. And must include the fact that the American Pie
must be shared by all.

So long as something drastic and bad does not happen to the economy
or something else, we are on the Newtsters last chance rocket ship to
irrelevant Hell. The GOP won’t vanish into the ethers, but it must reconstitute, and beyond the usual jingoistic bullshit.

I'm Not Dead

2011-11-25T15:09:00.000-07:00

But will be going off the grid for a while, for any one that happens to stumble onto this little blog, and cares. Happy Holidays to all, and don't take no wooden nickells

Annie Lennox - Why

2011-11-21T20:36:00.000-07:00

Petruta Küpper - Once upon a time in the west (Romanian Girl)

2011-11-02T15:58:00.000-06:00

TO SIA

2011-10-31T22:32:00.000-06:00

I read your comment and messed up my reply, and had to delete the post. I always enjoy hearing from you SIA, and so does Charlie, just waved a paw.

What Do Most Voters Want?

2011-10-26T09:18:00.002-06:00

They want what they have wanted for
the past 70 years, a solid middle class life with some financial and job
security. They don’t care that corps make a killing, long as they get
that white picket fence largely without the worry of job loss.

Politics to them is a necessary evil, and right now they are paying
attention more than usual because they are fiscally afraid. The problem
with your fantasies is that you don’t focus on the core problem, and
that is money in politics. In large amounts. Any third party is going to
have to navigate that course, and even more so with CU.

Most of The dems in office realize the problem and would be willing
to fix it, if they had the numbers of progressive types to vote for the
radical change that is needed. There is no one in the GOP
that wants anything to change, lest it be for mo money for them and
their friends. So, until money is out of politics, or by deprivations,
the large majority of voters put the progressives in charge, these folks
have to play that game to get elected in the first place. That is why
something like OWS has so much potential, not
as a entity for an alternative to politics, but as a source of
information coming from ordinary people, bypassing the filters and
special interests the system is riddled with. Democrats of good intent
will respond as such, but they follow the people, because there are no
heroes in politics. Only people who want something, and people who want
something else. Idealism is a good thing when married to practical
reality. Otherwise, it is just fancy navel gazing.

Wichita Lineman (Live Goodtime Hour) - Glen Campbell

2011-10-21T16:38:00.000-06:00

Glen Campbell - By The Time I Get To Phoenix

2011-10-21T16:37:00.000-06:00

Adele - Someone Like You Album Version

2011-09-21T16:57:00.000-06:00

The Doobie Brothers 1996 #6-South City Midnight Lady

2011-09-17T16:52:00.000-06:00

2011-09-15T21:27:00.001-06:00

Desert Sunset SW New Mexico

2011-09-15T19:47:00.001-06:00

2011-09-15T18:49:00.001-06:00

The Last Waltz - Van Morrison - Caravan

2011-09-07T12:20:00.000-06:00

Steely Dan - DOCTOR WU

2011-09-07T06:24:00.000-06:00

Things As They Are

2011-09-06T18:33:00.001-06:00

We been outsourcing our jobs in the flat earth eyes of dreamers, and maybe they just ain’t here anymore. Especially the manufacturing jobs our current middle class is built on.

I suspect it means we are in for some required contraction of both our productivity overall, and the middle class lifestyle we have been used to.
For decades we have done nothing but increase the bottom line of corps, under the Reagan trickle down bullshit, and that has been firmly woven into our big money politics, (and about to go completely insane under the new world of CU.
This was the case when Barack Obama took office, and it will continue to remain until politicians reinstate a balance of supply and demand that works for everyone. We can toss some more cash on the dwindling fires of greed, for a short burst of economic life, but it will just burn for a while. And not correct the underlying fucked up mentality and corrupted matrix of our econ engine.

When the people are standing in line for a bus ride to standing in line at the soup line, then maybe, big maybe, something might change. Or if the country becomes infected with some kind of alien life form, a virus of unknown origins that makes us smarterer.
The people have to realize what is wrong, and who is willing to fix it for the greater good,and give them the power to make the needed changes within the confines of our separations of power. Too many can’t see past their bigoted nose to accomplish that, others are just plain fucking stooped. But there is always hope, until there isn’t any, and we are way on down the primrose path to ruin.

People forget. When Obama arrived, we were on the doorstep of dystopian bliss that was three decades in the making. We didn’t go inside, but we have one foot in, and the other slipping.

I have a good idea in the meantime. Why don’t we bash Barack Obama to a political pulp, so maybe he will toughen up and use his omnipotence to save us from ourselves. Or, we can try to win the next election. And build the kind of support needed to make that happen. And take it from there.
I’m walking the dog. I have no illusions. Just a blue sky.

Leon Russell Me And Baby Jane

2011-09-06T17:16:00.000-06:00

This Is How It's Done

2011-09-04T19:40:00.001-06:00

Just wanted to link to a couple of blog post gems at a little blog called The People's View. This blog is one of several up and coming unapologetic Obama supporting blogs. Pretty much the way this blog and it's bloggers are. All two of us. Though Annie has been away for some time, she is right now in the process of moving to Khazakstan, like on the other side of the planet. But emailed me before she left stating she plans to start posting again when she settles in.

PPACA: Stimulus, Jobs, and Cost Control

So That Ignorance Won't Be The Reason Why "Progressives" Are Throwing The President Under The Bus

Led Zeppelin - Going To California

2011-09-04T16:12:00.000-06:00

Dirty Work - Steely Dan

2011-09-03T16:56:00.000-06:00

Charlie the Wonder Dog

2011-08-30T21:06:00.001-06:00

1970 Allman brothers Duane on guitar

2011-08-27T15:44:00.000-06:00

A thought for those lost who cannot be replaced - RIP Duane Allman

Republicans, Democrats, and Messaging

2011-08-26T21:25:00.001-06:00

Wingnuts build impressive lies and equally impressive is their mind
numbing and relentless repetition of those lies. Don’t confuse that with
“messaging”. It is not that. It is simply being an organized and
energetic liar, which the teevee cameras love, cause it usually creates
drama. When a hapless liberal shows up to counter the fascinating lie
with the drab dreary facts and truth which actually is “messaging”, the
difference in reactions to the creative lie as compared with the fixed
nature of truth, can be to misidentify what dems are doing and should
do.

It is simply an act of faith, that the consumers of political speech
will somehow someday put more value on dull facts, than on the sensation
that crafted lies can bring. I don’t want dems and liberals to parrot
the wingnut style of campaigning, which all of it is these days,
campaigning. Dems aren’t perfect, and it wouldn’t be a bad idea that
they streamline the facts into snappy soundbites, but I don’t profess to
have a clue what that would be.

Once again. The problem is not primarily dem messaging, nor even the dubious media. IMO. The problem lies within the voting citizenry in this country, and a high level of shallow complacency to selfish mendacity to outright racial tribalism. The only antidote for this condition is experiencing pain and with it the gain of useful knowledge. This is only my opinion, and subject to being completely wrong.

Thoughts On Libya, the U.S. and Military Intervention

2011-08-22T16:39:00.000-06:00

It is true that we don't understand many areas of the world, that is why we support a United Nations Charter that was created in part to filter out the bullshit, hopefully, to answer those questions, and if need be, act as a unit to prevent imminent humanitarian disasters, when all the stars line up, and most the parties agree with the Casus Belli and if it is logistically possible.

For one of the few times in recent, or even distant memory, it looks like UN lived up to it's full purpose, and we took part to a large degree as just one more country contributing to that mission.

I do get the aversion to warfare, what I don't get is the lack of perspective employed by many liberals, to a particular and unique situation, such as Libya. It feels like a time trap for some, always boomeranging back to 2003, Bush, and Iraq.

Short of doing nothing, Libya was the anti Iraq. As I see it.

As far as the money goes, it was and is a pittance that we have spent, as compared to about any military action I can think of. We can afford it, in lieu of watching a massacre in Benghazi on CNN, that didn't have to be.

As for the future, it is never set, for anything or anybody. Sometimes, You just do what needs doing today and let the future be where it is.

The GOP Big Idea For Helping America

2011-08-21T12:38:00.000-06:00

I think the wingnuts are pathologially fixated on one single thing
right now, and that is to get rid of Obama. Everything they do, is not
weighed for it’s sanity, or it’s effect of doing good for the country.
It is all about getting Obama out of the WH, and Obama knows it. He says
left, they say right. He says up, they say down, and so on. It is why
he can offer them about anything, up to and including, actually all they
want, and they cannot help themselves but to refuse it.

The are completely bumfucked how he got HCR past them and their loose
affiliates on the left, ditto for The Stimulus, DADT, and the rest.
Obama has them so psyched out right now, he could probably announce a
new national project, like bringing Reagan back from the dead, and the
senate wingnuts would filibuster it. And the moron pro left bounces off
the same wall taking every bit of stimuli for nothing more than at face
value.

Boehner hollers “98%” and the firebaggers holler back, hell yea.

I need Quaaludes, lots of Quaaludes

How To Move An Overton Window

2011-08-18T21:35:00.001-06:00

I have some good news. An example of the only way dems will ever
move the Overton Window in their direction again, after 3 decades of it
moving right, because that is what the public wanted. Rhetoric by
liberals to convince the voters does not work well because it is about
doing something, or government doing something via works, on the ground,
in their community. That they can see, feel, and touch. Something that
improves their lives.

They listen to republicans, because republicans want to do nothing,
and doing nothing can be expressed in only a few soundbites at a time,
with messages directed to the primal fear center of the human mind, and
come as nothing but lies. Because it is uncomplicated, doing nothing.

Things like this, in my little burg in bumfuck, NM, are happening
all around the country, unseen, except locally, or maybe statewide, but
not part of the national political conversation. or, has ObamaCare
reached out and touched you? If not, no worry, it will, eventually? And
no rhetoric required, other than to say this was done by democrats.

The question now is, like the new electric car plants going up from
the Stimulus money, and a bunch of other long term progressive
initiatives will carry on, even past Obama’s term, even if it turns out
to be one. it will be a legacy to be proud of, for an ungrateful nation.

Were it to be, those taking the time on blogs, and elsewhere in the
pol speech arena, that those concerned liberals would spend their days
touting successes like where I live, rather than spank the pol monkey
with myopic eyes of simple minds addicted to defeat.

Obama - Liberal or Not?

2011-08-18T20:42:00.000-06:00

Any fair reading of what Obama has accomplished with actual
legislation, he is one of the most liberal pols in our history. The so
called left of a few bloggers, are confusing pragmatism in governance,
and the certainty of compromise in a democracy, with some kind of
ideological failure by Obama. And hanging on every utterance for any
sign of betrayal, without any regard to the art of politics as a debate
with the other half of the country that votes republican. And nary a
second of focus on the greatest reality of all. What ends up getting
passed, compromised for sure, but also most certainly liberal progress
as the real meaning of ‘progressive’
There is a reason why Obama imposed concentrated federal regulation
for the first time on the health insurance agency. That reason is
success, albeit short of the ideal, but success just the same for moving
the country leftward. Why do you thing that zero republicans voted for
the ACA, and have nearly lost their minds trying to destroy it, even if it means destroying the world economy. Hint, because the ACA was nothing republican, and everything democrat and pragmatic liberal.

Obama To Give Major Speeche On Jobs Program

2011-08-17T08:01:00.001-06:00

AP) WASHINGTON — Seeking a jolt for the economy, President Barack Obama
will lay out new ideas for speeding up job growth and helping the
struggling poor and middle class in a major speech in early September, a
senior administration official told The Associated Press.

The
president's plan is likely to contain tax cuts, jobs-boosting
infrastructure ideas and steps that would specifically help the
long-term unemployed. The official emphasized that all of Obama's
proposals would be fresh ones, not a rehash of plans he has pitched for
many weeks and still supports, including his "infrastructure bank" idea
to finance construction jobs.

2011-08-14T20:45:00.000-06:00

Democratic Base Solidly Behind Obama

A new CNN/Opinion Research poll
finds President Obama's base is behind him with 70% of Democrats saying
they'd like to see Obama as their party's presidential nominee next
year.

Notes pollster Keating Holland: "In 1994, only 57% of Democrats wanted
the party to renominate Bill Clinton, and he went on to win the
nomination and a second term two years later."

Obama's Supposed Failed Stimulus Bill

2011-08-12T21:26:00.000-06:00

About that disappointing stimulus bill and the long term financing of progressive causes, I keep preaching about. And Obama’s doing shit for the environment.

I know President Obama is supposed to be an awful disappointment to environmentalists because he doesn’t talk enough about climate change, just like he’s an awful disappointment to progressives because he doesn’t say enough nasty things about bankers. But people who actually care about what Presidents do, as opposed to how they talk, might be interested in Obama’s trip to Michigan on Thursday. He’s visiting a factory that builds batteries for electric vehicles, a factory that exists for three reasons: 1. Because Obama saved the U.S. auto industry. 2. Because Obama has ratcheted up fuel-efficiency standards, boosting demand for green vehicles. 3. Because Obama created a U.S. advanced battery industry from scratch.

Anyway, the pathetically tiny stimulus included an unprecedented $90 billion for clean-energy investments, including unprecedented investments in wind, solar and geothermal energy, biorefineries, the smart grid, electric vehicles, and factories to manufacture all that green stuff in the U.S. The most radical investment was probably a $2.4 billion grant program that helped finance 30 factories building advanced batteries and components, including $300 million for Johnson Controls, which had to match the government dollars with private dollars.

Pink - Babe I'm Gonna Leave You - Live in Australia 2009 DVD - Funhouse ...

2011-08-11T15:46:00.000-06:00

Child In Time - Deep Purple

2011-08-06T16:58:00.000-06:00

Neil Young - Cortez The Killer

2011-08-06T16:54:00.000-06:00

Barenaked Ladies - Brian Wilson (Video)

2011-08-04T22:38:00.000-06:00

The Band Perry - If I Die Young

2011-07-13T21:48:00.000-06:00

"Pachelbel´s Canon in D" for Classical Guitar

2011-06-03T20:18:00.000-06:00

Johann Pachelbel Canon in D Best Version

2011-05-29T18:20:00.000-06:00

Dave Matthews Band - Folsom Field - All Along the Watchtower

2011-05-23T19:05:00.000-06:00

NEIL YOUNG : BIRMINGHAM 1987 : CORTEZ THE KILLER .

2011-05-23T18:49:00.000-06:00

Thoughts On Class Warfare

2011-05-20T22:03:00.001-06:00

It is more than just a class war, it is also regional and deeply
philosophical pertaining to basic world views that has it’s roots in
white supremacy. This is why the concepts of class struggles and
fighting for financial class self interest is trumped by deeply formed
and held beliefs of race entitlement and rejection of equal protection
under the law, along a whole host of other problems the south and others
hold for the basic tenets written into our founding document.

We fought a civil war over race and slavery, but the civil war goes
on still in spirit with race, the place of religion in our governance,
and a laundry list of other grievances held for generations. The high
functioning class war doesn’t rate at the top of that pile of dubious
intent currently, but as bank accounts dwindle and the shit sandwiches
get bigger from the plutocrats to their nativistic foot soldiers, it
will rise up toward the top of the white man’s to do list, and they turn
their rage back on the money grubbers. it is hard to hold onto notions
of birthright, when the stomach is empty.

The ruling rich class has mostly kept their greed in check to not go
past such a fail safe point with the middle class, at least since TGD,
that is only a creation of numbers, and is by itself colorblind. It
seems by the day, that whatever such inhibitions the plutocrats have had
on the matter, are being discarded in favor of all out class warfare,
that will show not much mercy to white conservatives, any more than
anyone else.

The Uninhibited Wingnuts

2011-05-18T21:12:00.001-06:00

They will for that reason, and just as much, because it is exciting
and new, different, bold, with the kind of charisma possible when not
constrained from telling lies . Which it is, a lie, Ryan’s claim this
will rescue America and create prosperity for anyone but a few, and
freedom to have that lie tool in your pol box opens up all sorts of
opportunity to enthrall with fiction, full of imagined colorful dots
that do not and never will connect.

All dems got is the drab confines of telling the truth and talking
about what the real Jesus would do hanging out with lepers and tending
their troubles, that most always involves being paid for with higher
taxes, that even the most self described good moral American with any
affluence will recoil from, even if they tell pollsters the opposite.

Dems win by persistently telling the truth, in all it’s icky
drabness, and maintaining the faith that sooner or later, justice gets
served in this democracy, in spite of all the obstacles and their boring
blather about responsibility and paying for shit. And that justice is
almost always late, but it usually arrives here battered and bruised, in
the land of the free.

I support dems, warts and all, even if the Les Nessman in our national political sitcom

The Role of Government For the Pragmatic Liberal

2011-05-18T21:08:00.000-06:00

I am for government doing for people what they cannot do for themselves/ to include policies that promote the general welfare of the nation. There are many examples of this, and some are debatable for sure
But as a democracy pragmatist, antidotes for those things that have historically bedeviled democracies. And foremost. creating and maintaining a favorable political climate conducive to a thriving and potent middle class.
This is the chief antidote against autocracy, and is really not ideological, or shouldn’t be. It is recognizing structural dangers to longevity for any democracy, and can take many forms, some of which are found in the above list, or that could be achieved in a more efficient and equitable way for all concerned. The details of which are worked out through our legislative and political processes. A commission is just a blueprint, and suggestion, and that is all it is for any consequence. Though I acknowledge it can sometimes be a political cover to do some really bad stuff. I do not see that in this case, for a report that doesn’t become viable unless 14 of 18 commission votes in the affirmative makes it so.
And I am for creating a healthy business sector as well, so long as it exists for the betterment of the greater good, ie middle class, but also balanced with conditions made viable for competition and growth, and profit on a reasonable basis.
It should be obvious that the past 30 years have left the republic in a state of unbalance favoring the wealthy class at the detriment of the middle and lower ones, where the lower ones should always have a net to catch them from falling through the cracks of a compassionate society, that I will not take no for an answer to, at the very least.
The details of this arrangement, or balance of parts is always up for debate, and usually arrived at by people much smarter than me

2011-04-30T21:05:00.001-06:00

Every politician in our society is “corporate” to one degree or another, even Bernie Sanders. We live in a hyper capitalist society pretty much top to bottom. It is a question of how we treat those among us with the least, and those who can’t otherwise help themselves. A liberal is simply someone who values this as a worthy and righteous goal of government to do these things folks can’t do for themselves, and to try and defuse the natural tendency of wealth to beget more wealth at he hands of the wealthy. And to use that financial wealth to wield political power for that singular purpose . But being a corporatist in a capitalist society is no sin in and of itself, as most of our jobs and means to create lives is corporate based.

Dems have let us down only to the extent the voting public has made their choices to side up with right wing greed delivered from the greedy politicians they put into power. And most of that has come from addiction to unlimited credit, at the expense of real capital based economy.

Citizens United guarantees this will become much worse, before it has any chance of getting better. imo

Race and the Professional Left

2011-04-23T21:58:00.001-06:00

If you'd asked me when GWB was president, I likely would have said it may be some about race. If you'd asked me a year into Obama's presidency, I might have said it was maybe more than some about race,. Now, the more I delve into politics and each new day of Obama's presidency, I am getting to the point, if not already there, that it is damn near ALL about race, in one way or another. With class warfare as the wrapping for it all. At least with electoral and governing politics.

The only folks it may not be in that order are the unlikely plutocrats, who only see green, though they surely do send out their culture warriors fixated on black and white and brown etc....

I can't help but think the pro lefters are growing more anti Obama, with more unhinged perceptions of what he has accomplished by comparison to other dem presidents, because each day they see his black face in the WH, is another day of growing discomfort confronting their own prejudice in conflict with their high notions of liberal existence. Whilst not as virulent as the right wing racism, is still racism..

It is the biggest threat to his reelection, I suspect. Not only from firebaggers, but a lot of other Americans uncomfortable having race placed so prominently in their lives with a black president. It will be a contest, whether that discomfort turns to acceptance and some measured enlightenment for potential Obama voters, or too many of them just say fuck it, I want a white face looking at me from the WH. No matter what other factors exist that are rational and beg to differ

Your Easter Weekend Moment of Wingnut Zen

2011-04-23T14:49:00.001-06:00

Arthur C Brooks, (I can always spot a wingnut knob slob for the rich, when they use a middle initial) whinges over Obama's rhetoric and proposal to tax rich people. Otherwise known as people with extra cash to tax/ He states the yadda yadda yadda, we got one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world, but neglects to tell us we also have the biggest and most tax loopholes in the world favoring the wealthy, who often as not, end up paying exactly zero in income tax, even with ginormous profits.

He goes on from there about all the fairness crying foul, and the death of jobs, yadda yadda yadda, from actually making rich people pay more taxes, trickle down blowharding. But someone forgot to edit the Freudian slips of truthiness, that sometimes leak out onto the pages of national publications like the Washington Post Opinion Pages.

blah blah blah. The leadup as the regular class warfare canard leveled at liberals and a dem president. The high brow intellectual pooh poohing emo libtards in favor of the cold steel trap mind fu logic of the adults in the room. Wingnuts of course. Then we finally get to the truth, to be handled or not.

While conservatives have criticized the economic principles and class-baiting cadences of Obama’s budget rhetoric, no one has answered his fundamental charge that the Ryan plan is unfair. Conservatives have long stayed away from fairness debates, preferring to build unemotional arguments on the right angles of economic efficiency. This is a lost opportunity. Advocates for limited government can win the fairness argument in a walk.

Badda bing. The fairness phobia. It's all republican, pure and simple. Or, as my grandpappy used to say. "grab hold yer wallet when a wingnut starts talking about fairness"

Your Moment In Wingnut Zen

2011-04-21T22:39:00.001-06:00

On his radio program yesterday, Bryan Fischer explained that the only real difference between liberals and Islamic radicals was that "so far [liberals] haven't taken to killing people." But other than that, they are pretty much the same because both groups hate America, freedom, and God:

And the only difference between a lump of shit and a republican is that one has taken to killing people.

Smells like teen spirit - Scala & Kolacny Brothers

2011-04-21T22:09:00.000-06:00

Barber, Samuel - Agnus Dei (Adagio for Strings), Choir of Tr

2011-04-21T21:03:00.000-06:00

White Liberal Racism

2011-04-21T20:51:00.000-06:00

General Stuck

It really isn’t surprising to me that so many republicans
choose to believe Obama wasn’t born here. It is a proxy for the
perpetual horror that for the first time, a US president doesn’t look
like them. For the nativist level of these folks mindset and existence,
it is only a short distance to believe any kind of nonsense for
affirmation of deeper beliefs and fears.

It is also an article of mistrust of the most basic kind of Obama not
being one of them. I really don’t get so angry at that as I do the more
subtle racism and racial anxiety coming from my fellow white liberals.
It is again, I think, a basic trust issue, but is more related to
finding a scapegoat for their childlike expectations for more pure
liberal results from Obama’s governance and it’s legislative products.

The thing that really pisses me off about white liberal racism, is
the apparent license they feel to get personal with their criticism of
Obama. The “pussy” thing/ Or “capitulator” and general emasculation
rhetoric coming from some corners. Stuff you did not hear with their
criticism of Bill Clinton.

Thoughts On the Recent Obama Signing Statement Concerning His "Csars"

2011-04-16T18:39:00.001-06:00

Of course, Congress cannot use it’s power of the purse to prevent the
president from carrying out his constitutional duties. The problem is
at this level we are dealing with foundational concepts of separations
of powers between the branches. And it has long been the case, that the
only way to get a clear ruling in a murky case like this, between
congress express plenary, or total power of the purse to run the
government, is through judicial branch, And they long loathed to
intervene and define these foundational powers of the other branches.
Especially on something this minor.

Bush, like everything else he did, took this sometimes low level
butting heads of congress and the executive branches way past any thing
that has occurred before, or at least recently, to violating every law
he didn’t like with signing statements, and also those in effect when he
took office.

The question of whether candidate Obama flip flopped from his promise
to not make SS’s like Bush. Well, yes, he did in this case. But context
and perspective relevant to the period before Bush when such matters
were fairly minor tiffs with congress, does matter. Candidate Obama, as
all candidates makes promises in the pol heat of the moment on the
campaign trail. Flip flopping on this one doesn’t bother me much, and is
not a need for a huge constitutional crisis, or a condemnation of Obama
for something that has happened for a long time before Bush on such a
minor political point made by the wingnuts passing this silly provision.

Looking For Volunteer Readers and Posters

2011-04-14T22:27:00.000-06:00

If anyone is interested in reading regular posts from myself from a perspective of basic Obotism, though with reasoned and factual dissent, please leave a message. I have trouble writing stuff just as a diary that no one will read. But if there are at least 8 or 10 regular readers I will start posting regularly. Similarly, if anyone is interested in being a thread poster here, let me know and we can talk about it;

Troll free with a ban button for malignant asshole posters.

Florence And The Machine - Dog Days Are Over

2011-03-21T15:25:00.000-06:00

2011-02-17T18:42:00.001-07:00

The Reagan tax cuts let them keep more of their money, so they stopped withholding their productivity.

Nope, like the old saying Chuck Colson had hanging on his office wall. Grab Them By the Balls and Their Hearts and Minds Will Follow

Of course he was referring to Vietnam pacification strategies, but tack on 30 years of supply side Reaganesque wingnut economic philosophy mainlined into the American bloodstream, and you can tack onto Colson’s missive, American worker productivity.

There is little remnant left of the balancing equation of Supply and Demand in our so called free market system. The game is rigged to uber collusion and price fixing from unbound monopoly into one big corporate control hub at Plutocrat Central Command.

Or, why? was it coincidence that after a GOP victory and capture of the House of Reps, shortly thereafter Oil prices shoot up as speculators can relax again, after 2 years of the fidgets and self control from the uncertainty of an all Dem run government.

Now the GOP protectors own a piece of government control and can stop any dem tampering with the gawds of profit powers that be. So all of a sudden, any excuse is good enough to ramp up the speculation of boogymen threatening oil supplies, though the same boogymen have always been there. Just the same since Obama’s election and control of both chambers of congress.

The game is rigged from the top, and now the SCOTUS has driven the final nail into the coffin of promoting the general welfare with it’s Citizens United abomination, and all the other abominations to follow for creation of the new order our Corporatocracy, sweeping away all the commietard blather and promises of reform and their blasphemous “demand side” heresy for a share of the pie from anxious peasants in waiting.

There will be three classes in the new pair-a-dime. The Rich, the Poor, and the Security Class confiscating all the stray pitchforks and lanterns.

Poll on GOP Threat To Cut Off Funding For Health Care Reform Law

2011-02-14T08:33:00.001-07:00

Typical intellectual lazy American voter, and imo, the prime root of most of our problems. Not only about issues, but about a healthy functioning democracy, that too many think is guaranteed to run smooth for eternity.

Nearly every results of polls is fully dependent on how the question is asked about issues. If the asker does not include potential consequences of a particular issue action, the default position is to reward GOP talking points, that voters also by default prefer. Mostly because wingnuts are white like them, and know the magic words to please these rubes.

In this particular poll on health care, even the dimmest voter can sense disaster of not funding the law, but really not to the fullest extent of that disaster, or the results would have been 100 percent opposed. But you can never expect the 28 percenters to answer in any other way than death to liberals, whatever the issue, and whatever the consequences of smiting the policies of their eternal enemy.

This is a center left country on issues, and a center right country on electoral politics. The tribal instinct is that strong in a society that has not experienced serious enough pain, yet, from GOP governance. Obama kept us out of the abyss for economics, and generally, the public thinks it was republicans pointing out his death panels that is responsible and spending from a bill that was actually pre paid for. So we go merrily on, clueless and lazy, and believing crazy people still have the remedy to it all.

More Thoughts On the Conservative Movement

2011-02-13T20:33:00.001-07:00

I think it’s a sign of desperation plugged into the eternal stupidity and butthurt of conservatives. What do they have to show for the rise and fall of the vaunted conservative movement? The brain dead tea party reactionaries? flying about the room like punctured balloons, and making no sense to the right wing intelligentsia other than affording temporary political survival . They had their day in the sun and playtime for their ideas in real time governating. And it all flopped like it was destined to, from shoving conservative square pegs into a round liberal democracy. Just won’t work.

So wizards like Mecmegan et al sit around all day with a ton of resentment and not much else between their ears for a revival alternative to the rage virus tea tards, who likely scare them as much as us, with their matches and cans of gasoline, and shaky current allegiance to the GOP.

They couldn’t cut the mustard straight up in power, so now they pine to rig the game another way, by forcing themselves and their bullshit into academia, to change the game itself visa vi indoctrination of young minds in their formative state. Not unlike the creationists and homeschoolers circumventing science and all that un godly anti(white) American propaganda. It is all about power, and how to get it and hold it. It is what they must have. The rest is negotiable for that singular purpose.

Navel Gaze on Political Movements

2011-02-13T13:49:00.001-07:00

It is why I distrust all political “movements” in this country. At some point, almost always, it becomes about the movers themselves, and not about a better country and world. And has a way of alienating dissent and moderation in service to pragmatic results of adjusted viewpoints.

When that happens, it always fails to produce a usable product for the people it was originally meant for, in this case, the average American.

And when there is failure of this movement, almost always, pathological self parody ensues and loads of butthurt resentment fill that void of governing failure of vaunted movement philosophy. We are seeing it in real time in the conservative world with tea baggers and increasing demands for purity of thought. opponent demonization and hyperfearmongering from the disappointed. The wingnut version of this is far more dangerous than the liberal version, imho. Though the liberal version is bad enough.

Time to Start Blogging Again

2011-02-11T19:28:00.001-07:00

Lot's of stuff going on, and we are getting ready to enter the wingnut jihad on killing HCR, and some epic stupidity as a result. Stay tuned.

Dion - "Abraham, Martin & John" (1968)

2011-01-17T17:47:00.000-07:00

The Birth of Skynet?

2011-01-16T20:45:00.001-07:00

A fascinating turn of events in the efforts to stop or slow down Iran's efforts to create a nuclear bomb. Without firing a single shot.

Over the past two years, according to intelligence and military experts familiar with its operations, Dimona has taken on a new, equally secret role — as a critical testing ground in a joint American and Israeli effort to undermine Iran’s efforts to make a bomb of its own.

Behind Dimona’s barbed wire, the experts say, Israel has spun nuclear centrifuges virtually identical to Iran’s at Natanz, where Iranian scientists are struggling to enrich uranium. They say Dimona tested the effectiveness of the Stuxnet computer worm, a destructive program that appears to have wiped out roughly a fifth of Iran’s nuclear centrifuges and helped delay, though not destroy, Tehran’s ability to make its first nuclear arms.

So it appears the worm was partially successful, in at least delaying Iran enriching enough uranium to have the ingredients to make a bomb.

In recent days, the retiring chief of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, Meir Dagan, and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton separately announced that they believed Iran’s efforts had been set back by several years. Mrs. Clinton cited American-led sanctions, which have hurt Iran’s ability to buy components and do business around the world.

While I am glad it worked to delay Iran's nuclear capability, it doesn't take a computer genius to wonder about the long term effects on global computer networks as we march wildly into the digital age. This was the first such weapon, and it is a weapon, albeit with ones and zeroes in a virtual world. But that virtual world is more and more running the real world, and such things could, and likely will be used for more evil design.

The attacks were not fully successful: Some parts of Iran’s operations ground to a halt, while others survived, according to the reports of international nuclear inspectors. Nor is it clear the attacks are over: Some experts who have examined the code believe it contains the seeds for yet more versions and assaults.

“It’s like a playbook,” said Ralph Langner, an independent computer security expert in Hamburg, Germany, who was among the first to decode Stuxnet. “Anyone who looks at it carefully can build something like it.” Mr. Langner is among the experts who expressed fear that the attack had legitimized a new form of industrial warfare, one to which the United States is also highly vulnerable.

Christina Perri - Jar of Hearts Official Video

2010-12-28T18:31:00.000-07:00

The Other Party

2010-12-28T17:24:00.001-07:00

Democrats are “the other” party in this country and always start out the gate behind the republicans. Americans much prefer, the idea of having republicans run the government. And when they turn that idea into reality, and vote the GOP into power, then another reality takes up competition with “that ideal” as the leading faces that look mostly like there faces, faces that have studied the magic words the majority wants to hear to complete the fantasy. A fantasy that quickly turns into a governing nightmare, that becomes real when the well scrubbed populace realize somebody is stealing from them, in all sorts of creative ways.

And it is not by accident, that seemingly, and accurately, the only times democrats have the opportunity to get elected and gain power, is when the patriotic republican fantasy turns everything to shit via the round peg in square hole approach of conservative ideology deployed to govern a liberal democracy. And during the confusion, the hucksters and charlatans make off with the loot for their plutocrat employers, and when the dust settles, Barrack Obama gets elected president, and Nancy Pelosi makes Speaker of the Peoples House and the country cries for help from that “other party”.

For awhile, and sometimes a short while, like with the 2010 election, when patience runs thin once more with that “other party” and the worried minds of the average voter opens itself to the old lies and memes, and eyes turn to that “other party” with it’s faces of color and lack of magic words, and doubts of trust make a return, and the cycle of reconnection to the familiar begins all over again.

The good news is, this is slowly but surely changing in this country, and the election of Obama proves that. But it is in fits and spurts, and the clock is ticking.

Season's Greetings

2010-12-24T08:13:00.001-07:00

Merry Christmas all, and a Happy New Year.

Van Morrison - Sometimes we cry - live with Chris Farlowe

2010-12-16T12:03:00.000-07:00

"more" Wikileaks

2010-12-03T09:59:00.001-07:00

As I have always maintained, I am full square for leakers and publishers to bring to light of day, government lawbreaking and general malfeasance regardless of the source. And in any case would likely become an urban guerrilla if the government were to take punitive or other coercive methods against our news providers to prevent them from publishing the Assange Files.

But I have no time for anyone leaking classified info for the sole general purpose that they don’t like the US and want to harm it in any way they can. And I believe that the government can request any time they want, that Amazon, a private company to consider the situation and decide to not publish these ill gotten files. It happens all the time, even for serious and substantial leaks, the government requesting news folks to not publish this or that material, and new papers make their own judgments in the cause of public service, versus malicious intent, and sometimes do not publish classified materials.

The point is, there is a line where stealing and publishing such material serves the public good, or it does not and causes, or could case malicious harm.

wikileak

2010-11-29T23:21:00.001-07:00

The thing about the nexus of what actually ends up happening in governance, and the details of the processes that led to the creation of that reality in governing, for me is only as important as is my agreement with that policy. Republicans have an entirely different set of values and preferences.

I want to see how a lie is formed when shit happens that doesn’t make sense, like with the entire Iraq misadventure. A wingnut may want to know if Obama had a seance to contact the collectivist spirit of Karl Marx for instruction on how to pass “gubmint run healthcare”.

The point is that secrets are only malevolent as what they lead to, and their essence mitigated by things we can see with out own eyes that is relative to ideology and personal values.

I think the state department leaks of cables, and government workings, not matched up with a suspicion of a specific bad policy is at best a flailing “attack” on my country and authority in general. Leak to me the decision making and interactions that lead to torture becoming the official American policy with detailed infrastructure to carry it out. Give me names and address of those making illicit plans that made mockery out of the law. I am not interested in the scattershot fire of foreign anarchists and America haters, especially in the arena of the single agency we have that can promote peace in the world. The US State Department.

I do hope Assange and company gives us the inside skinny on the banksters, it will be a downpayment toward forgiving the bullshit released so far.

Dolphins Funning With Funhouse Mirror

2010-11-27T14:15:00.001-07:00

Liberal Heroes?

2010-11-23T17:09:00.001-07:00

Why can’t progressives have their own George Bush or Ronald Reagan?

Progressives often stand in awe of the ability of Republicans to communicate their message in simple stories. Usually that begrudging admiration is focused on the ability of conservatives to so effectively make progressives the villain. To the extent that progressives have even attempted to use narrative, their efforts have often zeroed in on how to return the favor by demonizing Republicans

Liberals and progressives cannot have such heroes, because they are fickle and think independently. That has it’s drawbacks for sure, but if we weren’t like that, we would be republicans, and Obama would get credit for what he has accomplished. With Libs/progs, not even the perfect gets a pass, if it did in fact exist. We want things, always. It is a matter of personal nature, that doesn’t end until it’s time for the long drink of embalming fluid.

I think this is a good thing, all things considered. Without it, social evolution is not possible. But it is not painless.

AMY DA LAURA

2010-11-21T20:03:00.000-07:00

The Messenger

2010-11-21T18:32:00.000-07:00

I am watching a movie on SHOtime about two soldiers informing families that their children and spouses have died in war. The movie is intense and brutal. It makes me think how insulated the majority of Americans are related to the realities of war. Ex-President Bush is on TV and in the press hocking his book. No mention of the fact that he sent Americans to war without cause. Because, again, the realities of that decision do not matter. Guess what, men and women have died. Men and women have suffered life-long injuries that you and I cannot imagine, but injuries that have consequences for them and their families. But the fact that decisions have consequences, and the decision to invade Iraq without just cause, has had profound consequences for many American families is lost in the narrative that surrounds Bush and his supposed come back. Is Obama tough enough? Was Bush so incredibly patriotic that sending soldiers to war without cause is proof of his patriotism? It is so bizarre and twisted, and emblematic of today's discourse.

My life -- Kitty Part 3

2010-11-12T20:40:00.000-07:00

My day starts at 7:00am sitting on the floor with cat food Yuk in my hand, begging my beloved kitty to eat. I plead and plead, finding I go between telling her she is so loved and I want her to live longer to I hate you and if you don't want to eat, than I will kill you myself.

With each choice -- she rejects several -- I finally get her to eat a bit of one. At that point, I have yuk in my fingers and yuk on the floor. Her brother is walking back and forth knowing that if she doesn't eat, he will reap the benefits of what she has rejected.

Then I email our vet -- love the guy because he gave me his email. I tell him that if we can't solve this soon, I will go through several cases of wine and probably a bottle or two of scotch.

We are caught in a loop. She has a thyroid issue -- hyperthyroidism -- that has to be under control before we can deal with her eating issue -- which is more related to needing a good dental intervention. She does try to eat, but something in her mouth hurts, so when she tries to chew, she stops, her paw touches her mouth, she gets frustrated and stops.

However, apparently, they can't put her under to do the dental cleaning until the thyroid issue is controlled, which means she has to eat. She can't eat because something in her mouth hurts.

Finally tonight I figured out that if I mush her food -- making it easier for her to eat if she doesn't have to chew -- she eats a little. For how long, I don't know.

I truly love this little girl, and it kills me that she has taken to climbing in my lap, just like she did as a kitten but hasn't done for a few years and looks to me as if to say -- figure this out, take care of me, and please, please, do it quickly.

Smrda my kitty, part 2

2010-11-11T16:21:00.000-07:00

Well for a week or so, Smrda was doing better. I managed to put the thyroid medicine in ear -- relatively easy, and she was eating again. However, last Sunday she stopped eating. Wednesday I took her back to the vet. We decided to take her off the medicine, and they gave her an appetite stimulant to get her to eat. Wednesday night she happily ate, still only out of my hand.

Well, today she stopped eating again. I tried giving the apetite stimulant in her food, but since she's not eating that tactic didn't work. Then I decided to try and squirt some in her mouth. Always difficult with her when there is only one person, but she is not an easy cat.

Anyway, while chasing her through the house, I managed to spill the remaining stimulant on the kitchen floor and to squirt myself instead of her.

So I figure in about 20 minutes I will be eating several pizzas, a steak, two hamburgers and probably a cake. The good news is that at least one of us will be eating!

:-(

Mental Health Break - The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan

2010-11-10T12:29:00.000-07:00

Mental Health Break - The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan

Pretty awesome!

The Doors - The end

2010-11-07T19:57:00.000-07:00

What we do for our darling pets

2010-11-03T17:26:00.000-06:00

A break from political crap. Smrda our kitty who was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism is doing better. We were caught in a loop -- she went to the vet for teeth issues, but we found out that she has this condition that could kill her if not treated -- it could lead to heart failure. We can't treat the teeth until we get the thyroid under control. This has meant daily squirts of liquid in her mouth. But, as anyone who has a cat knows, even daily squirts in the mouth can be difficult and painful for the squirtee. And, Smrda does have a few anger issues. So the procedure was that I held her and her paws while my husband squirted. I became the bloodied one.

Unfortunately, as usual, my husband is off on one of his 5 week trips. No way could I hold her and squirt. So our vet -- who is one of the most awesome people ever -- gave me some cream to put in her ear daily. So far, not too bad. Once got her head instead of the ear and once got her butt.

But, we still have the eating issue. We took her to the vet initially because she seemed to have problems eating -- this from a cat who once was 20lbs. Clearly a tooth or gum issue.

We have to wait a month before we can give her a teeth cleaning. Our vet didn't want to put her under until we dealt with other issues.

Well, our darling Princess, with the anger issues, has decided that she CAN eat, but only if I put the wet, yuk food in my hand. No eating out of cans or bowels for her. Only my hand. So every morning and every evening, I sit on the floor, with wet, yuk food in my hand, and she happily eats and eats and eats.

I now have prunes for hands -- to get the smell out I have been washing my hand with dish soap. If I could put my hand in the dishwasher I would.

All for love.....

Paula Cole-Where have all the cowboys gone

2010-11-01T18:34:00.000-06:00

Dumber Than Spit

2010-10-20T17:55:00.001-06:00

Catch Sarah signing a US Flag, desecration NO NO. And are these motherfuckers dumb, or what? Jeebus.

The Right Hand Threatens the Left One

2010-10-20T14:41:00.001-06:00

More tea party patriot fun. While the big whig wingers plot to steal elections with unlimited secret cash, the white trash wing keeps up their end with racist threats to those registering minorities to vote.

A group trying to register voters in Houston received threats and emails containing racist slurs after being targeted by a local tea party group accusing it of "voter fraud."

In emails obtained by TPM, the group Houston Votes was accused of being "a bunch of white guilt ridden assholes, NIGGERS and greasy mexican spics," "fraudulent Marxist pigs," and "American hating A-holes."

Nope, those white real Americans ain't racist, dontcha know.

via TPM

And So It Begins

2010-10-20T13:27:00.001-06:00

via- NYT'S

As the consequences of the SCOTUS Citizens United begin to form into into organized cadres of rich interests to buy our elections and power, this years meager increases into Dark Money politicking will seem like child's play. The plutocrat's will begin having secret meetings in none other than playground of the rich and powerful Palm Springs, CA, to divvy up the cash for all sorts of seedy, and completely secretive operations to defeat democrats beginning in the presidential race of 2012.

A secretive network of Republican donors is heading to the Palm Springs area for a long weekend in January, but it will not be to relax after a hard-fought election — it will be to plan for the next one.

Not surprising that The Koch industries will be leading the pack for undermining 70 years of progressive initiatives from environmental protections to the social safety net. It is what the SCOTUS wingnuts planned when they equated money with speech, to outflank liberals and dems projected demographics gains into the future, fairly near future. It will be The Robber Barons part Deuxe and the bullshit will flow like manna from hell.

Koch Industries, the longtime underwriter of libertarian causes from the Cato Institute in Washington to the ballot initiative that would suspend California’s landmark law capping greenhouse gases, is planning a confidential meeting at the Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa to, as an invitation says, “develop strategies to counter the most severe threats facing our free society and outline a vision of how we can foster a renewal of American free enterprise and prosperity.”

Awwe yes, that American standard of "American Free Enterprise and Prosperity". Sounds pretty, doesn't it. But between the lines are more BP oil spills, dirtier air and drinking water, and global warming on steroids. And that is just arena. If you thought politicians were bought and paid for now, it will get much much worse, the pandering to corps for campaign cash, and the ever elusive quid pro quo will overtake any and all efforts to contain it. The goal posts will be moved to another planet, as campaign cash, and it's strings attached, will jigger around every politician who seeks reelection like so many plutocrat puppets. It is going to get very ugly, and along with our enormous problems already caused largely from corporate money in politics will run the profit train right over this country and especially the middle class. Which after all is the only stalwart against full frontal oligarchy. Goodbye American, nice to have known you.

The Kochs also seek to cultivate Americans’ growing concern about the growth of government: at the most recent meeting, in Aspen, Colo., in June, some of the wealthiest people in America listened to a presentation on “a vision of how we can retain the moral high ground and make the new case for liberty and smaller government that appeals to all Americans, rich and poor.”

The Barnum and Bailey approach for suckers born every minute. With the boilerplate "appeals to ALL Americans, rich and poor. A plan that has worked out so well, the country is broke, and those lucky enough to have a job, and stuck with stagnated wages while big corps have seen record profits for the past two or more decades.

Yeh, Annie's Kitty Is Going To Be Okay

2010-10-19T20:03:00.000-06:00

From her comment on Balloon Juice

My cat came back from the doctors, and it is her thyroid. I feel like shit because we did not recognize the signs earlier. It seems that as cats approach 12 years it is not uncommon to develop thyroid problems. If caught early, the condition is curable.

Yipee!!
Good news indeed!!!

Great News From the Institute For A Meaningful Apocalypse!!

2010-10-19T07:05:00.001-06:00

America's favorite wingnut shows us all how we can make a buck on the coming Obama Holocaust, first horde all your Gold, and, by golly, eat pretty good also too.

If you ever find yourself in a post-nuclear holocaust environment and come across people eating beef stroganoff, odds are they'll be Glenn Beck fans.

You may have heard about Beck's relationship with Goldline International, which urges people to buy gold and stay safe from the supposed inevitable devaluing of the dollar. Now meet Food Insurance, which sells survival kits of freeze-dried food and other items to help people live from two weeks to 12 months, depending on the plan purchased (and post-apocalyptic conditions). Beck has promoted the company's products, is featured prominently on the company's website, and a banner ad for the company, bearing Beck's image, was spotted on his website Monday.

via TPM

Country On the Brink

2010-10-18T17:41:00.001-06:00

Here we are, only 2 weeks out from another mid term election, and no one really knows how it will turn out. The CW from polling points to a republican landslide. But how can that be? Only two years ago the country resoundingly showed the door to the GOP, that left the country bankrupt, mired in two unpopular wars, one conducted for no rational reason, and now voters say they plan to hand back congress to the wingnuts. It is a disconnect that has pretty much sent me into the don't give a shit mode, that I truly hope will make me look silly on election day, when democrats retain the majorities in congress. I don't pretend to know what is going on in this country right now, as we have witnessed one of the most productive legislative sessions in the nations history, passing universal health care reform, we are down to 50 thousand troops in Iraq, and headed for the door there. There is the unpopular now war in Afghanistan, and a temporary escalation, but with an expiration date of next summer where we will begin to leave there.

I know the old adage "It's the economy stupid", and that has certainly been a mixed bag for Obama and dems. Staving off a depression collapse we were teetering on just two years ago. Though we are not experiencing a quick bounce back from that severe downturn, we are also not standing in soup lines. I don't know what to think of the American voter, and it's attention span of a grasshopper, and seemingly bottomless pit of willingness to believe the most vapid lies of the Republicans, who have nearly completely abandoned any effort to participate in governing the past 2 years. And have not proposed any new ideas past the ones that led to the current mess we are in. Offering nothing much but conspiracy theories about our first black president, often crossing the line into rank racism.

It is a sad state of affairs for sure, and the activist left seems to be the right wings best ally, validating some of the worst bad faith critiques from the right, and even offering some of their own. Our politics right now just makes me ill, and blogging about them a painful chore that is more like howling at the moon for some sanity and perspective. I have resigned myself to voting and other than that just watching what happens in this apparent crumbling democracy. Seems too late to save to me. Hope I am wrong about that.

America's True History of Religious Tolerance

2010-10-17T11:48:00.000-06:00

America's True History of Religious Tolerance

Good article. Great for a lazy Sunday afternoon and as a reminder that despite their attempts to supress sound scholarship and replace it with their version of religious truth and conservative worldviews, good stuff is still out there.

JK Wedding Entrance Dance

2010-10-16T20:53:00.000-06:00

Pavarotti "nessun dorma"

2010-10-16T20:44:00.000-06:00

KT Tunstall - I Want You Back (Jackson 5 cover)

2010-10-16T18:24:00.000-06:00

Samuel Barber: Agnus Dei (Adagio for strings) Choral version

2010-10-16T17:50:00.000-06:00

John Hiatt - Have A Little Faith

2010-10-15T19:29:00.000-06:00

You Want to See Something Really Scary?

2010-10-15T16:56:00.001-06:00

I don't know a lot about the internal workings of the religious right culture, and I do believe it is a separate culture with it's own constitution of sorts being the bibles, or it's interpretation by various nuts. I have been keeping tabs when I can on the Dominionist Movement as it attempts to weedle into what we would consider the status quo of the religious right. And from everything I've learned about them, makes the current godbotherers look like second tate dweebs in the radical religious department. Even folks like the late Jerry Falwell and the remnants of his Moral Majority that lingers on, cannot match their crazy ideology.

These people are truly scary, much more than any Sharia Law taking over being the current right wing hysteria. They are true believers in every sense of that term, and violence is part and parcel to their belief system. And come as close to any, a messianic fervor that is uncompromising and total in it's fundamental view of Christianity and The Bible.

via RWW

C. Peter Wagner is widely regarded as the man responsible for the New Apostolic Reformation which gave rise to the self-proclaimed prophets and apostles like Lou Engle, Cindy Jacobs, Jim Garlow, Lance Wallnau, Rick Joyner, Chuck Pierce, and the other Dominionist/7 Mountain advocates who are slowly working their way into the Religious Right mainstream.

For months, I have been trying to hammer home the point that when these activists refer to themselves as "prophets" and "apostles" on par with Jesus, they mean that literally.

And just to drive home that point, here is audio of Wagner speaking during the Generals International webcast earlier this month as he explains how, through the Holy Spirit, people like himself can perform miracles that outshine even Jesus Christ himself:

They are actually, not only a fanatical believers in God, but take that further of actually being God, or His Apostles of sorts. It is vaguely similar to the Tea Party whackadoos taking over the GOP, and seems to also be southern based. A truly theocratic mindset, possibly being in control of something like 80 millions Evangelicals in this country, who are currently floundering around looking for leadership, with an already proven record of following that suitable leader without much question. It is a distillation of sorts, to the essence of fundamental religious belief, that already ranks The US Constitution running second to The Bible. I don't think it is a far reach to see them merge or meld with the tea party faithful, and become a powerful and frightening political force in this country.

Cool Cats

2010-10-14T14:41:00.000-06:00

The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan

This was a joke, right?

2010-10-12T19:57:00.000-06:00

From the Washington Post, an editorial by Tony Perkin, conservative Christian head of the Family Research Council entitled "Christian compassion requires the truth about harms of homosexuality."

Writes the wise Mr. Perkins:

"Where bullying has occurred, the blame should be placed on the bullies themselves--not on organizations within society who clearly oppose bullying. I suspect that few, if any, such bullies are people who regularly attend church, and I would not be surprised if most of the "bullies" did not have the positive benefit of both an active mom and dad in their lives. Religious faith and a return to traditional family values are more likely to be a solution to the problem of bullying than a cause."

Where to begin? First, Tony, you cite no evidence to your claim that bullies do not attend church and do not come from traditional families, with moms and dads. Second, where do children usually get messages about hate and bigotry? Often from listening to their moms and dads rail about "the gays," "the blacks" "the Jews" "the Muslims,"and any other group not to their liking. Just watch any tea party rally, most attended by moms and dads who represent "traditional family values," and especially observe how many bring their children. And, regarding churches, how many Sundays do Ministers preach against gays, single parents, feminists, progressives, and any other group they believe is stealing their converts. No messages of hate are ever preached in churches under the guise of Christian love. Right. I love how Tony sneaks a return to traditional family values in the message.

Then, dear Tony goes on to say:

"However, homosexual activist groups like GLSEN....are exploiting these tragedies to push their agenda of demanding not only tolerance of homosexual individuals, but active affirmation of homosexual conduct and their efforts to redefine the family."

Tony, Tony, Tony. It warms my heart to know that conservative Christian groups NEVER try to exploit tragedies to push their agenda....The fact is that conservative Christian groups will use any circumstance to exploit their agenda...Does anyone remember the non-controversy of store employees wishing people Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas? Conservative Christian groups excel at exploiting most circumstances to push their agenda. Conservative Christians as the ultimate "victim" has too commonly become part of the American narrative.

As for GLSEN efforts to redefine the family -- guess what Tony, the family already has been redefined. It started when interracial couples married, against the preaching of many conservative Christian churches, who used the Bible to promote the separation of races. It continues with same-sex families, where parents want to raise their children free from hatred and bigotry. It continues in single parent homes, where mothers and fathers also want to raise their children in loving and tolerant environments.

To assume that "bullies" only are the product of life outside "traditional families" and "traditional family values," to me is one of the worst forms of hatred and bigotry. To assume that children from "non-traditonal" homes cannot learn moral and ethical practices denies how often traditional families have produced children who are violent and intolerant.

Morons

2010-10-10T18:01:00.000-06:00

Morons, morons, morons. The Virginia tea party just held its "convention" this past weekend. They really don't know what they are for and what they are against. Having Ginie Thomas a featured speaker -- a woman who will receive government provided health care for life, while her affirmative action husband has his government provided job for life -- railing against big government, entitlements, and the Kenyan President's socialist agenda. And, then giving sweet Ginie money to support her "liberty" foundation, which means she can enjoy a perfectly worry free life, while these morons help pay for it....

And, then cheering for Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, an advocate of using the power of government and tax payer funds to attack scholars, whose scholarship he opposes. Mr. Cuccinelli believes it is okay to use the power of his office to pursue a personal agenda. Way to go small government. Yes, let's have the government approve all scholarship, and we can then sit back and watch China, India, and other countries move forward with green technology, while we go back to horse drawn wagons, and horse drawn carriages for the rich. Yes, let's use the power of the government to put "creation science" in all science classes, while tossing evolution to the wind. That should surely produce an informed next generation of scientists and doctors ready to prescribe prayer in place of medical science. At that point, we won't have to worry about health care or health insurance, because those with resources will go abroad for sound medical services, and those without resources will just die.

The Littlest Werewolf

2010-10-09T13:08:00.000-06:00

Hold On Just One Minute

2010-10-04T20:10:00.000-06:00

Democrats Close the Gap

A new Rasmussen survey shows Republicans leading Democrats in the generic congressional ballot by just three points, 45% to 42% -- the smallest gap between parties in roughly a year.

It is a testament to our volatile politics these days, we have Rasmussen, a notorious GOP leaning polster showing democrats doing better, and Gallup still has some likely voter scenarios showing them doing badly.

Rasmussen, in my experience, is a very good polster in the last month or so before an election, when their reputation is on the line for being close to the final outcome. Not so much other times, when they give republicans better and dubious numbers.

So I will take this as a good sign that democrats are deciding in larger numbers to go vote. Probably for several reasons, but I suspect, from all the press and polling claiming the repubs will win back congress. They will still lose seat, no matter, but maybe not a wipeout shifting control of congress, or one chamber to the wingnuts.

Christine Odonnell's "I"m not a witch ad"

2010-10-04T19:57:00.000-06:00

I am starting to like this woman. Not for the US Senate, but for the comic self parody for someone so young.

Donald Duck Meets Glenn Beck in Right Wing Radio Duck

2010-10-04T12:57:00.000-06:00

via Rawstory

Hate Takes a Holiday

2010-10-03T19:39:00.000-06:00

TPM PHOTO GALLERIES
Progressives Gather For One Nation Under Blue Skies

Rin Tin Charlie

2010-10-03T19:25:00.001-06:00

It's All About the Bidness

2010-09-27T06:50:00.001-06:00

A new trend is starting of cities and counties contracting to private companies to run formerly public libraries. Ordinary citizens are rebelling at the practice in several California cities, and others around the country. fearful that a trusted source of community cohesion is being coopted by the profit model.

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — A private company in Maryland has taken over public libraries in ailing cities in California, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas, growing into the country’s fifth-largest library system.

Can a municipal service like a library hold so central a place that it should be entrusted to a profit-driven contractor only as a last resort — and maybe not even then?

It should be obvious that yes, a service like a library is held so central to a place it should not be entrusted to a profit-driven contractor. There are several reasons why this is a bad idea, and among them is certainly a sense of community free from the competitive wrangling people do during their work lives. But much more obvious is the library being a source, and sometimes a primary source of objective information, free from possible, or probable ideological corruption of information. Which is rampant and increasing as conservation alternate realities are on the rise to install right wing dogma in government and about everywhere else. Such as the war on science and substituting religious concepts and morality that are bible based and highly subjective. The smearing of the science of evolution is a prime example of this.

But mostly for me, it is the ethos of capitalism and profit worship above all else, in service to wealth and power becoming the first value leading this country into fear and ignorance of other values, such as art and literature and the like, that is most alarming. This God of Profit almost always is followed by other right wing misinformation contrived to dumb down our national reality and discourse, and needs to remain in the realm of the economic rather than allowed to infect the realm of broad knowledge and objective information.

“A lot of libraries are atrocious,” Mr. Pezzanite said. “Their policies are all about job security. That’s why the profession is nervous about us. You can go to a library for 35 years and never have to do anything and then have your retirement. We’re not running our company that way. You come to us, you’re going to have to work.”

Of course, it is the disease of liberal laziness as the culprit, polluting our precious bodily fluids, and if the pointy heads would get a real job then libraries could become what they should be. Just another source of business jesus keeping folks in line.

It's all about the code. The right wing code.