Bill Frist now facing two investigations
Senate Majority Leader allegedly disobeyed blind trust rules
Oh, aren’t you simply shocked? Who would have thought that the good doctor would have ever done something like this?
Duh…
Sitting President rigs 2 elections… Delay sells votes… Now Frist in an investment scandal…
This is getting old, but it’s apparently all just fine for sleepwalking Americans. They would rather impeach a President for lying about cheating on his wife. That is certainly more of a threat to our democracy, don’t ya think?
Sunday, September 25, 2005
No More Feds
Military to Bush: U.S. needs search-rescue plan
Officials tell president national coordination needed for disasters, attacks
Hmmmm…. Really? You don’t say…
What the heck have you been doing with the billions of dollars that you’ve been stealing from us for the past 5 decades or more to fund agencies like FEMA? No, we don’t need national coordination from the federal government. The people need to tell the Feds to back off and create our own plan. The Feds have had more than enough time and money to do the right thing. We’ve seen how that works. No more B.S. from the Feds. It’s time for the citizenry to take matters into our own hands. Let’s get groups like the Red Cross, The Salvation Army, National Guard, local police and fire departments, etc. to form a “think tank” to create a plan that will work for everyone. If the Feds try to get there hands in it, just tell them to go dig a hole and stay there. We don’t them. When we needed there help, they weren’t there. They have sent the message loud and clear. WE CAN NOT DEPEND ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR HELP IN TIMES OF GREAT NEED. Your eyes are open, but are you awake yet, America?
Officials tell president national coordination needed for disasters, attacks
Hmmmm…. Really? You don’t say…
What the heck have you been doing with the billions of dollars that you’ve been stealing from us for the past 5 decades or more to fund agencies like FEMA? No, we don’t need national coordination from the federal government. The people need to tell the Feds to back off and create our own plan. The Feds have had more than enough time and money to do the right thing. We’ve seen how that works. No more B.S. from the Feds. It’s time for the citizenry to take matters into our own hands. Let’s get groups like the Red Cross, The Salvation Army, National Guard, local police and fire departments, etc. to form a “think tank” to create a plan that will work for everyone. If the Feds try to get there hands in it, just tell them to go dig a hole and stay there. We don’t them. When we needed there help, they weren’t there. They have sent the message loud and clear. WE CAN NOT DEPEND ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR HELP IN TIMES OF GREAT NEED. Your eyes are open, but are you awake yet, America?
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
The Wolves of L'Equipe
L'Equipe’s editor is a joke. Saying that the publication would have behaved the same toward a French rider is just ludicrous. Is he saying that NO French rider has EVER used performance enhancing drugs? If that is not what he is saying, then why have there been no accusations of French riders made by his paper. The French sports press needs to grow up. They need to “get over” the fact that an American has defeated cancer and become the most prolific cyclist in the history of the sport. I don’t want Lance to come out of retirement. His children deserve that he keep his promise to them. However, there is a part of me that wishes he would win not just 1 more Tour de France, but 3 more – you know, really wipe it in their faces. Of course, for him it would mean even more voracious feeding frenzies by the wolves of L’Equipe. The decision is Lance’s, but if he asked for my vote…
Let the wolves starve.
Let the wolves starve.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
A Response From My Father-in-law
I want to share an email message that I received from my father-in-law in response to an article that I sent him from Truthout.org. The article was http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/090305Y.shtml.
--Email begins--
It's tough. One really has to feel for the folks who for whatever reason remained in New Orleans. The bulk were old, infirm, hospitalized or poor; a few were foolish. None should be sentenced to what they got. It's very discouraging when the product doesn't match the promise; better to make no promise at all, whether it be disaster preparedness or preparations for war. An old college buddy (probably the closest person I have to a brother) expressed the same concerns about this storm. I've attached his note along with my reply to him below. It reflects my level of frustration:
"Right on, *friend’s name*! From my own past experience with disasters, a response of 4 to 5 days is the industry standard...for Russia, for Armenia and for Indonesia. And throughout the world, even back to the Titanic, how well you fare is directly related to your socio-economic status, not your race.
In the Titanic, for example, the death rate amongst the 3rd class passengers was a multiple of that of the first class passengers. We haven't changed much, it appears. It is also clear from previous experience that how a population does during that inevitable 5 day wait is totally dependent on local resources and the ability of people to help themselves and the others around them.
It was also known at all levels of government, years BEFORE the hurricane, in New Orleans there would be about 125,000 people who COULD not evacuate for reasons of infirmity or poverty. Nothing was in the "plan" for them!
The discouraging thing is that all of the "disaster planning" proved to be a scam...a waste of millions of tax dollars. We have done no better with planning and ample warning than the third world has done with no resources and no warning. Our societal priorities are also clear; we focus on those who can best help themselves while turning our backs or giving low priority to those known to be the most vulnerable.
But you're absolutely correct. The response represents a total failure of government at the local, state and national level! But, please remember, this failure has been brought to you by the same administration that did the planning for the Iraq invasion. Furthermore, they were as surprised and helpless to stop looting in Baghdad as they are in New Orleans. So, how could we have expected more?
Those who voted for this administration should fall down on their knees and pray for forgiveness! Those who didn't vote at all should rot in Hades, in a long gas line, strapped in an SUV that gets 5 mpg!!
End of lecture #2!”
--Email ends—
My father-in-law is obviously a man of intellect and great conviction. He is a world renowned Pediatric Nephrologist with many accolades bestowed upon him. The title he wears most proudly, however, is “PePa,” the nickname given him by his grandchildren.
--Email begins--
It's tough. One really has to feel for the folks who for whatever reason remained in New Orleans. The bulk were old, infirm, hospitalized or poor; a few were foolish. None should be sentenced to what they got. It's very discouraging when the product doesn't match the promise; better to make no promise at all, whether it be disaster preparedness or preparations for war. An old college buddy (probably the closest person I have to a brother) expressed the same concerns about this storm. I've attached his note along with my reply to him below. It reflects my level of frustration:
"Right on, *friend’s name*! From my own past experience with disasters, a response of 4 to 5 days is the industry standard...for Russia, for Armenia and for Indonesia. And throughout the world, even back to the Titanic, how well you fare is directly related to your socio-economic status, not your race.
In the Titanic, for example, the death rate amongst the 3rd class passengers was a multiple of that of the first class passengers. We haven't changed much, it appears. It is also clear from previous experience that how a population does during that inevitable 5 day wait is totally dependent on local resources and the ability of people to help themselves and the others around them.
It was also known at all levels of government, years BEFORE the hurricane, in New Orleans there would be about 125,000 people who COULD not evacuate for reasons of infirmity or poverty. Nothing was in the "plan" for them!
The discouraging thing is that all of the "disaster planning" proved to be a scam...a waste of millions of tax dollars. We have done no better with planning and ample warning than the third world has done with no resources and no warning. Our societal priorities are also clear; we focus on those who can best help themselves while turning our backs or giving low priority to those known to be the most vulnerable.
But you're absolutely correct. The response represents a total failure of government at the local, state and national level! But, please remember, this failure has been brought to you by the same administration that did the planning for the Iraq invasion. Furthermore, they were as surprised and helpless to stop looting in Baghdad as they are in New Orleans. So, how could we have expected more?
Those who voted for this administration should fall down on their knees and pray for forgiveness! Those who didn't vote at all should rot in Hades, in a long gas line, strapped in an SUV that gets 5 mpg!!
End of lecture #2!”
--Email ends—
My father-in-law is obviously a man of intellect and great conviction. He is a world renowned Pediatric Nephrologist with many accolades bestowed upon him. The title he wears most proudly, however, is “PePa,” the nickname given him by his grandchildren.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Why?
WHY?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9156612/
Why was this allowed to happen? Why are so many of our people suffering? This is not some 3rd World nation in the throes of civil war. This is the wealthiest nation on earth. We have more billionaires than all other nations combined. Now, we also have a catastrophe. Our people – and they are OUR people – are suffering and dying for NO reason. This disaster is the fault of government. FEMA and other agencies were completely incompetent in their preparations for this storm. They have had decades to prepare for this and have sucked our tax dollars into “projects” that were supposed to protect OUR people when a storm like Katrina came along. Where did those dollars go? Where are OUR National Guard troops when they are needed here at home? They are in Iraq fighting against an unknown enemy for Bush’s oil cronies.
Why? Why do we continue to let this man lead OUR government? Why do we continue to accept his arrogant, nonchalant excuses for not taking care of OUR people? Please stop sleepwalking AMERICA!! Bush HAS TO GO! NOW!! Wake up and smell the stench that he is leaving behind, or soon the rotting flesh you smell might be your own.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9156612/
Why was this allowed to happen? Why are so many of our people suffering? This is not some 3rd World nation in the throes of civil war. This is the wealthiest nation on earth. We have more billionaires than all other nations combined. Now, we also have a catastrophe. Our people – and they are OUR people – are suffering and dying for NO reason. This disaster is the fault of government. FEMA and other agencies were completely incompetent in their preparations for this storm. They have had decades to prepare for this and have sucked our tax dollars into “projects” that were supposed to protect OUR people when a storm like Katrina came along. Where did those dollars go? Where are OUR National Guard troops when they are needed here at home? They are in Iraq fighting against an unknown enemy for Bush’s oil cronies.
Why? Why do we continue to let this man lead OUR government? Why do we continue to accept his arrogant, nonchalant excuses for not taking care of OUR people? Please stop sleepwalking AMERICA!! Bush HAS TO GO! NOW!! Wake up and smell the stench that he is leaving behind, or soon the rotting flesh you smell might be your own.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
t r u t h o u t - US Poverty Rate Rises Increasing Ranks of Poor Whites
More and more proof of the failures of the Rove/Bush/Cheney Whitehouse...
It just keeps on coming. The evidence that "trickle down economics" does not work was provided to us during the Reagan years. So, why did they try it again? hmmm.... I don't know... because could they could? Steal 2 elections - push through your policies - make your cronies richer - leave to bask in the payoffs of your obedience to the corporations. Sounds like a plan.
It just keeps on coming. The evidence that "trickle down economics" does not work was provided to us during the Reagan years. So, why did they try it again? hmmm.... I don't know... because could they could? Steal 2 elections - push through your policies - make your cronies richer - leave to bask in the payoffs of your obedience to the corporations. Sounds like a plan.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Columnist George Will is an Idiot - More Profits Before Lives
In discussing oil prices on a Sunday news talk show recently, columnist Mr. George Will made some very stupid arguments about the rising price of gasoline and fuel oil. The same arguments have been made before by the Rethuglicans. However, this time the arguments were from of the right wing's intellectual elite, and it truly irked me. He was using terms like "inflationary dollars" and "real dollars" - you know, the terms you hear when someone wants you to stop complaining about the reaming they are giving you while you fill up their Mercedes with another 30 gallons of gasoline. Well, I have some words for Mr. Will and the rest of the conservative clan who think that it's just fine that gasonline is at an all-time high.
Fact, gasoline prices have doubled in past 10 years while wages for the average American worker have increased less than 20 percent. Those are REAL dollars, George - the dollars paid by working class Americans to feed their families, send their children to college, take care of Mom & Dad, and keep their 3 year old vehicle on the road. The REAL problem as I see it, is that folks like you, Mr. Will, don't know what REAL dollars are because you don't earn them nor spend them. Come sit down to dinner with us, Mr. Will. We'll feed you a meal paid for with Real dollars, prepared in our Real kitchen with our REAL hands. See what it's like to spend an evening with a family that just got slammed with the news that the largest income to the home is going to end in a month, meaning that we will have to either put Mom & Dad in a retirement care facility or stop paying for our oldest daughter's college tuition. These are the REAL choices being faced by REAL people, Mr. Will. We only wish that we had inflationary dollars to play with.
Fact, gasoline prices have doubled in past 10 years while wages for the average American worker have increased less than 20 percent. Those are REAL dollars, George - the dollars paid by working class Americans to feed their families, send their children to college, take care of Mom & Dad, and keep their 3 year old vehicle on the road. The REAL problem as I see it, is that folks like you, Mr. Will, don't know what REAL dollars are because you don't earn them nor spend them. Come sit down to dinner with us, Mr. Will. We'll feed you a meal paid for with Real dollars, prepared in our Real kitchen with our REAL hands. See what it's like to spend an evening with a family that just got slammed with the news that the largest income to the home is going to end in a month, meaning that we will have to either put Mom & Dad in a retirement care facility or stop paying for our oldest daughter's college tuition. These are the REAL choices being faced by REAL people, Mr. Will. We only wish that we had inflationary dollars to play with.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Where Are The Blue Skies?
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A few days ago, I mentioned to my wife that I haven't seen a blue sky this summer. It's been all haze and humidity. Just a fluke in the weather? Possibly, but I don't think so. The past 4 summers have be been notably hotter and certainly more humid. Central Pennsylvania is beginning to feel like a Rain Forest - minus the rain. So, what's up? Are we having a reverse "El Nino" effect? The evidence suggests not. The summers are becoming increasingly hotter and more humid. Record high temperatures are combined with skies that are covered with a grey/white haze that lingers from dawn until dusk. Even the thunderstorms that used to clear away the humidity and be followed by clear skies no longer bring relief. (See the above photo for an idea of what our skies looked like 5 years ago.)
My guess as to the cause of this unbearable heatwave? I think the EPA has been told to lay off polluters - plain and simple. Asthma attacks are increasing at an alarming rate. The need for portable oxygen tanks among the elderly has skyrocketed. Chronic sinus and bronchial problems have also risen dramatically. This is enough evidence for me that something is amiss in the atmosphere, but I want some hard evidence. The only way I know to collect such evidence is to do an air quality study. Normally, I would complain to local officials and attempt to get them to sanction such a study. However, I do not trust any government entity to provide truthful information about most things, especially if the truth would implicate big business or government itself. I am, therefore, looking into the costs of having an air quality study done at my own expense. I really have no idea what it will cost, but I suspect that I will need to convince some friends to help with the expenses. If I am able to have the study done, you can be certain that the results will be posted here. Wish me luck!
Monday, August 15, 2005
CNN Suspends Novak
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http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050805/ap_on_en_tv/tv_cnn_novak
IT'S ABOUT FREAKIN' TIME!
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050805/ap_on_en_tv/tv_cnn_novak
IT'S ABOUT FREAKIN' TIME!
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Man Released From Prison on DNA Evidence After 26 Years
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http://www.innocenceproject.org/case/display_profile.php?id=164
Our system of justice is broken. If you do not believe it, check out the Innocence Project's website and see how many people have been wrongly accused, tried and jailed because of ambitious District Attorneys and lazy police officers who want to have an arrest at an easy target's expense.
http://www.innocenceproject.org/case/display_profile.php?id=164
Our system of justice is broken. If you do not believe it, check out the Innocence Project's website and see how many people have been wrongly accused, tried and jailed because of ambitious District Attorneys and lazy police officers who want to have an arrest at an easy target's expense.
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