Sunday, August 31, 2008
Have No Fear McSame is Here
"ST. PAUL, Minn. - Likely GOP presidential nominee John McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, are traveling to Mississippi on Sunday to check on people getting prepared for Hurricane Gustav. [...]
Aides say McCain and his wife Cindy will join Palin in traveling to Jackson, Miss., Sunday at the invitation of Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour because of concerns about people threatened by the storm [...]
The McCains and Palin will receive a briefing at the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency — a permanent operations center monitoring hurricane response"
Aides say McCain and his wife Cindy will join Palin in traveling to Jackson, Miss., Sunday at the invitation of Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour because of concerns about people threatened by the storm [...]
The McCains and Palin will receive a briefing at the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency — a permanent operations center monitoring hurricane response"
Bush and Dick
I just heard on MSNBC that bush and dick won't be attending the RNC. Good news for the Republicans not to have these two unpopular people there. It also makes it look like these two scum actually give a damn, which of course any thinking person knows isn't true.
A commentator on MSNBC just called it a "blessing" for McCain.
A commentator on MSNBC just called it a "blessing" for McCain.
An Open Letter to God, from Michael Moore
Mike's Letter
Sunday, August 31st, 2008An Open Letter to God, from Michael Moore
Dear God,
The other night, the Rev. James Dobson's ministry asked all believers to pray for a storm on Thursday night so that the Obama acceptance speech outdoors in Denver would have to be canceled.
I see that You have answered Rev. Dobson's prayers -- except the storm You have sent to earth is not over Denver, but on its way to New Orleans! In fact, You have scheduled it to hit Louisiana at exactly the moment that George W. Bush is to deliver his speech at the Republican National Convention.
Now, heavenly Father, we all know You have a great sense of humor and impeccable timing. To send a hurricane on the third anniversary of the Katrina disaster AND right at the beginning of the Republican Convention was, at first blush, a stroke of divine irony. I don't blame You, I know You're angry that the Republicans tried to blame YOU for Katrina by calling it an "Act of God" -- when the truth was that the hurricane itself caused few casualties in New Orleans. Over a thousand people died because of the mistakes and neglect caused by humans, not You.
Some of us tried to help after Katrina hit, while Bush ate cake with McCain and twiddled his thumbs. I closed my office in New York and sent my entire staff down to New Orleans to help. I asked people on my website to contribute to the relief effort I organized -- and I ended up sending over two million dollars in donations, food, water, and supplies (collected from thousands of fans) to New Orleans while Bush's FEMA ice trucks were still driving around Maine three weeks later.
But this past Thursday night, the Washington Post reported that the Republicans had begun making plans to possibly postpone the convention. The AP had reported that there were no shelters set up in New Orleans for this storm, and that the levee repairs have not been adequate. In other words, as the great Ronald Reagan would say, "There you go again!"
So the last thing John McCain and the Republicans needed was to have a split-screen on TVs across America: one side with Bush and McCain partying in St. Paul, and on the other side of the screen, live footage of their Republican administration screwing up once again while New Orleans drowns.
So, yes, You have scared the Jesus, Mary and Joseph out of them, and more than a few million of your followers tip their hats to You.
But now it appears that You haven't been having just a little fun with Bush & Co. It appears that Hurricane Gustav is truly heading to New Orleans and the Gulf coast. We hear You, O Lord, loud and clear, just as we did when Rev. Falwell said You made 9/11 happen because of all those gays and abortions. We beseech You, O Merciful One, not to punish us again as Pat Robertson said You did by giving us Katrina because of America's "wholesale slaughter of unborn children." His sentiments were echoed by other Republicans in 2005.
So this is my plea to you: Don't do this to Louisiana again. The Republicans got your message. They are scrambling and doing the best they can to get planes, trains and buses to New Orleans so that everyone can get out. They haven't sent the entire Louisiana National Guard to Iraq this time -- they are already patrolling the city streets. And, in a nod to I don't know what, Bush's head of FEMA has named a man to help manage the federal government's response. His name is W. Michael Moore. I kid you not, heavenly Father. They have sent a man with both my name AND W's to help save the Gulf Coast.
So please God, let the storm die out at sea. It's done enough damage already. If you do this one favor for me, I promise not to invoke your name again. I'll leave that to the followers of Rev. Dobson and to those gathering this week in St. Paul.
Your faithful servant and former seminarian,
Michael MooreMMFlint@aol.comMichaelMoore.com
P.S. To all of God's fellow children who are reading this, the city of New Orleans has not yet recovered from Katrina. Please click here for a list of things you can do to help our brothers and sisters on the Gulf Coast. And, if you do live along the Gulf Coast, please take all necessary safety precautions immediately.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?id=229Generated on: Sunday 31st of August 2008 10:24:56 AM
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Sunday, August 31st, 2008An Open Letter to God, from Michael Moore
Dear God,
The other night, the Rev. James Dobson's ministry asked all believers to pray for a storm on Thursday night so that the Obama acceptance speech outdoors in Denver would have to be canceled.
I see that You have answered Rev. Dobson's prayers -- except the storm You have sent to earth is not over Denver, but on its way to New Orleans! In fact, You have scheduled it to hit Louisiana at exactly the moment that George W. Bush is to deliver his speech at the Republican National Convention.
Now, heavenly Father, we all know You have a great sense of humor and impeccable timing. To send a hurricane on the third anniversary of the Katrina disaster AND right at the beginning of the Republican Convention was, at first blush, a stroke of divine irony. I don't blame You, I know You're angry that the Republicans tried to blame YOU for Katrina by calling it an "Act of God" -- when the truth was that the hurricane itself caused few casualties in New Orleans. Over a thousand people died because of the mistakes and neglect caused by humans, not You.
Some of us tried to help after Katrina hit, while Bush ate cake with McCain and twiddled his thumbs. I closed my office in New York and sent my entire staff down to New Orleans to help. I asked people on my website to contribute to the relief effort I organized -- and I ended up sending over two million dollars in donations, food, water, and supplies (collected from thousands of fans) to New Orleans while Bush's FEMA ice trucks were still driving around Maine three weeks later.
But this past Thursday night, the Washington Post reported that the Republicans had begun making plans to possibly postpone the convention. The AP had reported that there were no shelters set up in New Orleans for this storm, and that the levee repairs have not been adequate. In other words, as the great Ronald Reagan would say, "There you go again!"
So the last thing John McCain and the Republicans needed was to have a split-screen on TVs across America: one side with Bush and McCain partying in St. Paul, and on the other side of the screen, live footage of their Republican administration screwing up once again while New Orleans drowns.
So, yes, You have scared the Jesus, Mary and Joseph out of them, and more than a few million of your followers tip their hats to You.
But now it appears that You haven't been having just a little fun with Bush & Co. It appears that Hurricane Gustav is truly heading to New Orleans and the Gulf coast. We hear You, O Lord, loud and clear, just as we did when Rev. Falwell said You made 9/11 happen because of all those gays and abortions. We beseech You, O Merciful One, not to punish us again as Pat Robertson said You did by giving us Katrina because of America's "wholesale slaughter of unborn children." His sentiments were echoed by other Republicans in 2005.
So this is my plea to you: Don't do this to Louisiana again. The Republicans got your message. They are scrambling and doing the best they can to get planes, trains and buses to New Orleans so that everyone can get out. They haven't sent the entire Louisiana National Guard to Iraq this time -- they are already patrolling the city streets. And, in a nod to I don't know what, Bush's head of FEMA has named a man to help manage the federal government's response. His name is W. Michael Moore. I kid you not, heavenly Father. They have sent a man with both my name AND W's to help save the Gulf Coast.
So please God, let the storm die out at sea. It's done enough damage already. If you do this one favor for me, I promise not to invoke your name again. I'll leave that to the followers of Rev. Dobson and to those gathering this week in St. Paul.
Your faithful servant and former seminarian,
Michael MooreMMFlint@aol.comMichaelMoore.com
P.S. To all of God's fellow children who are reading this, the city of New Orleans has not yet recovered from Katrina. Please click here for a list of things you can do to help our brothers and sisters on the Gulf Coast. And, if you do live along the Gulf Coast, please take all necessary safety precautions immediately.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?id=229Generated on: Sunday 31st of August 2008 10:24:56 AM
Site Created by Plank
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Limbaugh
This is from The Daily Kos:
John McCain has a tough decision to make. Will he denounce Rush Limbaugh and the Republican National Committee? Limbaugh for his incredible insensitivity in using the issue of Sarah Palin's son having Down Syndrome to attack Barack Obama, and the RNC for thinking that it had potential.
Conservative radio commentator Rush Limbaugh boosted Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's pro-life position and mocked Barack Obama on his radio show yesterday with a make-believe riff in which Obama asked Palin "When you found out your baby would be born with Down syndrome, did you consider killing it before or after the due date?"
Limbaugh's "humor" caught the fancy of the Republican National Committee, which, in an internal e-mail, proposed using the bit in a YouTube clip.
The e-mail, which was sent to RNC Communications Director Danny Diaz, and mistakenly to a Tribune reporter, was titled "wow...good YouTube potential..."
Will McCain denounce this? Or is this just another thing that he "can't control"?
John McCain has a tough decision to make. Will he denounce Rush Limbaugh and the Republican National Committee? Limbaugh for his incredible insensitivity in using the issue of Sarah Palin's son having Down Syndrome to attack Barack Obama, and the RNC for thinking that it had potential.
Conservative radio commentator Rush Limbaugh boosted Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's pro-life position and mocked Barack Obama on his radio show yesterday with a make-believe riff in which Obama asked Palin "When you found out your baby would be born with Down syndrome, did you consider killing it before or after the due date?"
Limbaugh's "humor" caught the fancy of the Republican National Committee, which, in an internal e-mail, proposed using the bit in a YouTube clip.
The e-mail, which was sent to RNC Communications Director Danny Diaz, and mistakenly to a Tribune reporter, was titled "wow...good YouTube potential..."
Will McCain denounce this? Or is this just another thing that he "can't control"?
Let them eat cake
Seeing this picture reminded me of something that I had forgotten. After Katrina hit New Orleans, all that was on TV and the Internet for a week were pictures of people waiting for help at the Convention Center, the Superdome, and on rooftops. Everyday I thought they would be rescued but everyday it was the same. No help came. This went on for almost a week. I remember wanting to talk to some of my friends and we talked about having dinner together but none of us felt like it was right to go out to eat when people so close to us were in this deplorable situation. I don't personally know anyone who wasn't terribly upset by the scenes we witnessed daily on the news and the overall mood was similar to the mood after 911. When help finally came and buses of people poured into our city I was so relieved and proud of what our mayor, Bill White had done, opening the Astrodome and the Convention Center for New Orleans residents. And I was so proud of all the volunteers who gave time and money to help these people.
Unfortunately, the 2 people in this picture didn't feel the same way. McCain celebrated his birthday with Bush both grinning like they didn't have a care in the world, which I guess they didn't. This was right in the middle of the Katrina crisis on August 29th. Bush has no conscience. For a long time I thought McCain was an honorable person. Now I think they both represent the very worst in our society and I don't want them representing me or my country any longer.
Bad choice for women
Here is a statement from Kim Gandy, NOW PAC Chair on Sarah Palin:
"Sen. John McCain's choice of Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate is a cynical effort to appeal to disappointed Hillary Clinton voters and get them to vote, ultimately, against their own self-interest.
Gov. Palin may be the second woman vice-presidential candidate on a major party ticket, but she is not the right woman. Sadly, she is a woman who opposes women's rights, just like John McCain.
The fact that Palin is a mother of five who has a 4-month-old baby, a woman who is juggling work and family responsibilities, will speak to many women. But will Palin speak FOR women? Based on her record and her stated positions, the answer is clearly No.
In a gubernatorial debate, Palin stated emphatically that her opposition to abortion was so great, so total, that even if her teenage daughter was impregnated by a rapist, she would "choose life" -- meaning apparently that she would not permit her daughter to have an abortion.
Palin also had to withdraw her appointment of a top public safety commissioner who had been reprimanded for sexual harassment, although Palin had been warned about his background through letters by the sexual harassment complainant.
What McCain does not understand is that women supported Hillary Clinton not just because she was a woman, but because she was a champion on their issues. They will surely not find Sarah Palin to be an advocate for women.
Sen. Joe Biden is the VP candidate who appeals to women, with his authorship and championing of landmark domestic violence legislation, support for pay equity, and advocacy for women around the world.
Finally, as the chair of NOW's Political Action Committee, I am frequently asked whether NOW supports women candidates just because they are women. This gives me an opportunity to once again answer that question with an emphatic 'No.' We recognize the importance of having women's rights supporters at every level but, like Sarah Palin, not every woman supports women's rights."
"Sen. John McCain's choice of Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate is a cynical effort to appeal to disappointed Hillary Clinton voters and get them to vote, ultimately, against their own self-interest.
Gov. Palin may be the second woman vice-presidential candidate on a major party ticket, but she is not the right woman. Sadly, she is a woman who opposes women's rights, just like John McCain.
The fact that Palin is a mother of five who has a 4-month-old baby, a woman who is juggling work and family responsibilities, will speak to many women. But will Palin speak FOR women? Based on her record and her stated positions, the answer is clearly No.
In a gubernatorial debate, Palin stated emphatically that her opposition to abortion was so great, so total, that even if her teenage daughter was impregnated by a rapist, she would "choose life" -- meaning apparently that she would not permit her daughter to have an abortion.
Palin also had to withdraw her appointment of a top public safety commissioner who had been reprimanded for sexual harassment, although Palin had been warned about his background through letters by the sexual harassment complainant.
What McCain does not understand is that women supported Hillary Clinton not just because she was a woman, but because she was a champion on their issues. They will surely not find Sarah Palin to be an advocate for women.
Sen. Joe Biden is the VP candidate who appeals to women, with his authorship and championing of landmark domestic violence legislation, support for pay equity, and advocacy for women around the world.
Finally, as the chair of NOW's Political Action Committee, I am frequently asked whether NOW supports women candidates just because they are women. This gives me an opportunity to once again answer that question with an emphatic 'No.' We recognize the importance of having women's rights supporters at every level but, like Sarah Palin, not every woman supports women's rights."
Bad choice for the environment
Here is a statement by Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund:
“Senator McCain’s choice for a running mate is beyond belief. By choosing Sarah Palin, McCain has clearly made a decision to continue the Bush legacy of destructive environmental policies.
Sarah Palin, whose husband works for BP (formerly British Petroleum), has repeatedly put special interests first when it comes to the environment. In her scant two years as governor, she has lobbied aggressively to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling, pushed for more drilling off of Alaska’s coasts, and put special interests above science. Ms. Palin has made it clear through her actions that she is unwilling to do even as much as the Bush administration to address the impacts of global warming. Her most recent effort has been to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the polar bear from the endangered species list, putting Big Oil before sound science. As unbelievable as this may sound, this actually puts her to the right of the Bush administration.
This is Senator McCain’s first significant choice in building his executive team and it’s a bad one. It has to raise serious doubts in the minds of voters about John McCain’s commitment to conservation, to addressing the impacts of global warming and to ensuring our country ends its dependency on oil.”
“Senator McCain’s choice for a running mate is beyond belief. By choosing Sarah Palin, McCain has clearly made a decision to continue the Bush legacy of destructive environmental policies.
Sarah Palin, whose husband works for BP (formerly British Petroleum), has repeatedly put special interests first when it comes to the environment. In her scant two years as governor, she has lobbied aggressively to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling, pushed for more drilling off of Alaska’s coasts, and put special interests above science. Ms. Palin has made it clear through her actions that she is unwilling to do even as much as the Bush administration to address the impacts of global warming. Her most recent effort has been to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the polar bear from the endangered species list, putting Big Oil before sound science. As unbelievable as this may sound, this actually puts her to the right of the Bush administration.
This is Senator McCain’s first significant choice in building his executive team and it’s a bad one. It has to raise serious doubts in the minds of voters about John McCain’s commitment to conservation, to addressing the impacts of global warming and to ensuring our country ends its dependency on oil.”
Friday, August 29, 2008
Katrina
Last week Focus on the Family, the conservative "Christian" group asked people to pray for a "swamp the intersections rain" during Obama's speech at the DNC. Either they didn't pray hard enough or God was enjoying the speech as much as the 84,000 people at Invesco or the 38 million TV viewers at home because the weather was beautiful. It looks like a major hurricane will hit somewhere on the Gulf Coast sometime during the Republican Convention, however. At the very least, it should draw attention to the failures of the republican led administration during Katrina. On August 29th, 2003, Bush and McCain were eating cake while New Orleans drowned. Who can forget the pictures of the people in New Orleans waiting for help while Bush and his friends played. New Orleans is still waiting for help.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
4 more months!
Biden's speech last night left no doubt in my mind that he is the right choice for VP. I am so looking forward to having 2 intelligent and truly good people in charge of our country. It doesn't hurt that they are both really nice to look at either. If I never see bush, dick, or the two skanky bush twins again it will be too soon.
A friend of mine sent me several pictures of bush at the Olympics looking drunk. I've thought for a while now that he must be drinking again. What else could explain his weird behavior and his incoherent speech. Even for him, it's been bad. I'm sure everyone around him knows and we will probably hear about it once he is out of office, like we heard about Reagan and his Alzheimer's after he left office. I also wonder if Laura will divorce him. I would love to read her tell-all book but I'm sure they will buy her off the way they bought off Neil's wife.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The "Good" War
The United Nations announced that a minimum of 90 civilians were killed in air strikes by the United States last Friday in the Herat Province in Afghanistan. The US first denied that any civilians were killed, then said that 25 militants and 5 civilians were killed, then after expressing regret blamed the Taliban for "placing civilian in harm's way." Afghan Minister Nematulla Shahrani challenged the US to provide proof of Taliban presence in the area of the attack.
It's very hard to find anything in the news about this war, or about this country. We should not have invaded Afghanistan anymore than we should have invaded Iraq
Millions of people have died or had their lives destroyed because of the policies and lies of the current administration. The majority of the democrats in office have done little to stop him and the media does little to hold anyone accountable.
I have no idea how long it will take us to get out of these wars and I don't think we will ever be able to repair the damage we have done to these countries even if we stay for 10 or more years. Our presence is doing more harm than good and it's time to tell our leaders to get out now.
It's very hard to find anything in the news about this war, or about this country. We should not have invaded Afghanistan anymore than we should have invaded Iraq
Millions of people have died or had their lives destroyed because of the policies and lies of the current administration. The majority of the democrats in office have done little to stop him and the media does little to hold anyone accountable.
I have no idea how long it will take us to get out of these wars and I don't think we will ever be able to repair the damage we have done to these countries even if we stay for 10 or more years. Our presence is doing more harm than good and it's time to tell our leaders to get out now.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Bark for Obama
I just ordered this cute shirt from www.zazzle.com
A while back I did a blog on the candidate's pets. Here is an update.
Joe Biden's family has a cat.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
I'm really pleased with Obama's choice of Biden as his VP. While I think Hillary would have been a wonderful President or VP there would have been too much drama with BC's continuing bad behavior. Hillary supporters who are looking for someone to blame for her failure to obtain the nomination or to be offered the VP spot should look no further than her husband. He did more damage to her campaign than anyone else. BC was a wonderful president and the work he is doing with his foundation is also wonderful. I just wish he could have put his wife first for once in his life and helped her instead of hurting her during her campaign. The same goes for Edwards.
I have no idea whether anyone can undo the damage Bush has done to our country or to the rest of the world but if anyone can it's the democrats, not McCain.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Here is a fun and informative quiz from World of Good I scored an 8 out of 10. The web site is cool too with discussions and information about fair trade and ethical commerce.
http://www.smartcartquiz.com/index.php
http://www.smartcartquiz.com/index.php
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
This is from an AP article about McCain's VP contenders:
"His top contenders are said to include Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Less traditional choices mentioned include former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, an abortion-rights supporter, and Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Democratic vice presidential prick in 2000 who now is an independent."
Thanks to Salon and Keith Olbermann for reporting this great typo.
KO also announced on his show tonight that Rachael Maddow will be getting her own show on MSNBC in September. She is a frequent guest and occasional host on Countdown and has her own show on Air America. Her show will follow Countdown so now I can look forward to 2 hours of real news and liberal political commentary. This makes me happy!
"His top contenders are said to include Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Less traditional choices mentioned include former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, an abortion-rights supporter, and Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Democratic vice presidential prick in 2000 who now is an independent."
Thanks to Salon and Keith Olbermann for reporting this great typo.
KO also announced on his show tonight that Rachael Maddow will be getting her own show on MSNBC in September. She is a frequent guest and occasional host on Countdown and has her own show on Air America. Her show will follow Countdown so now I can look forward to 2 hours of real news and liberal political commentary. This makes me happy!
Gun Toting Teachers
Teachers and staff in the Harrold Independent School District, a small school district 150 miles northeast of Ft. Worth near the OK border, will now be allowed to carry concealed handguns on campus. This is supposed to deter and protect against school shootings. Rick Perry (Gov. Goodhair) thinks this is a good thing and could save lives.
This is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard, even for Texas. Where are the teachers going to keep these weapons, in their desks where kids can get to them when they forget to lock them up? What if they wear the gun and some kid takes it from them? Teachers are not trained in law enforcement. Hire security guards if it's that bad.
Goodhair is as big an idiot as his predecessor for supporting this.
This is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard, even for Texas. Where are the teachers going to keep these weapons, in their desks where kids can get to them when they forget to lock them up? What if they wear the gun and some kid takes it from them? Teachers are not trained in law enforcement. Hire security guards if it's that bad.
Goodhair is as big an idiot as his predecessor for supporting this.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
A new survey of 1,000 drivers by FindLaw.com found that 48% of 18 to 24 year olds text while driving. Four states already ban texting and driving and 33 are trying to pass laws to ban this. Even if it's not banned in your state, if you get in an accident while texting you can be charged with negligent or reckless conduct and have your license suspended. I wish they would do the same thing with cell phones. West University recently passed and ordinance banning cell phone use in school zones.
In other news, the authors of the Left Behind series, Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins have said that Obama is not the antichrist. LaHaye said: "I can see by the language he uses why people think he could be the antichrist, but from my reading of scripture, he doesn't meet the criteria. There is no indication in the Bible that the antichrist will be an American." Well that is sure a relief. If anyone is the "antichrist" or if I believed in the "antichrist" imho it would probably be bush or dick.
If you d
on't live in Houston you may not have read about the Osteen trial. It's the most exciting thing since the cheerleader hit mom trial or the kill your cheating spouse by running him over several times with your Mercedes trial. In 2005, Victoria Osteen got into a little fight with a flight attendant when the flight attendant couldn't or wouldn't clean up a spill VO found on her first class seat. The flight was delayed 2 hours and the Osteen's were eventually removed from or left the plane willingly, depending on who you believe. VO also paid a $3,000 fine to the FAA. The flight attendant sued VO because the incident had given her hemorrhoids (?) and had caused her to lose her faith (this a bad thing?)
Yesterday, the jury found for VO, and Joel Osteen praised and thanked God (because we all know this is the kind of thing that God takes an interest in). A friend of mine is grateful it's over so she won't have to see VO's eyebrows on TV anymore.
In other news, the authors of the Left Behind series, Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins have said that Obama is not the antichrist. LaHaye said: "I can see by the language he uses why people think he could be the antichrist, but from my reading of scripture, he doesn't meet the criteria. There is no indication in the Bible that the antichrist will be an American." Well that is sure a relief. If anyone is the "antichrist" or if I believed in the "antichrist" imho it would probably be bush or dick.
If you d
on't live in Houston you may not have read about the Osteen trial. It's the most exciting thing since the cheerleader hit mom trial or the kill your cheating spouse by running him over several times with your Mercedes trial. In 2005, Victoria Osteen got into a little fight with a flight attendant when the flight attendant couldn't or wouldn't clean up a spill VO found on her first class seat. The flight was delayed 2 hours and the Osteen's were eventually removed from or left the plane willingly, depending on who you believe. VO also paid a $3,000 fine to the FAA. The flight attendant sued VO because the incident had given her hemorrhoids (?) and had caused her to lose her faith (this a bad thing?)Yesterday, the jury found for VO, and Joel Osteen praised and thanked God (because we all know this is the kind of thing that God takes an interest in). A friend of mine is grateful it's over so she won't have to see VO's eyebrows on TV anymore.
Monday, August 11, 2008
I know Hawaii is a state, but...
I have always liked Cokie Roberts because she comes from an old democratic family in Louisiana. Her dad, Hale Boggs was House Majority Leader until he died in 1972 and then her mom Lindy Boggs served as a representative until 1991.
That being said, yesterday, she criticized Obama for taking his family on a vacation to Hawaii which in her words "does not make any sense whatsoever." She then went on to say "I know his grandmother lives in Hawaii and I know Hawaii is a state, but it has the look of him going off to some sort of foreign, exotic place. He should be in Myrtle Beach, and, you know, if he's going to take a vacation at this time."
How does it not make sense for Obama to visit his grandmother and sister in the state where he was born? Why would anyone be so stupid to criticise him for taking his family to Hawaii on a vacation? Why would Myrtle Beach have been a more appropriate spot? Is South Carolina more American than Hawaii? This is the kind of bs I expect to hear from the McCain campaign because they can't come up with anything better but not from Cokie Roberts.
Here's a link to another article on Obama's elitist vacation: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/oliver-willis/barack-obama-joins-25-mil_b_118078.html
And here is another link complete with pictures of some indigenous people Obama encountered on his exotic vacation: http://www.bloglines.com/preview?siteid=2312710&itemid=15946
That being said, yesterday, she criticized Obama for taking his family on a vacation to Hawaii which in her words "does not make any sense whatsoever." She then went on to say "I know his grandmother lives in Hawaii and I know Hawaii is a state, but it has the look of him going off to some sort of foreign, exotic place. He should be in Myrtle Beach, and, you know, if he's going to take a vacation at this time."
How does it not make sense for Obama to visit his grandmother and sister in the state where he was born? Why would anyone be so stupid to criticise him for taking his family to Hawaii on a vacation? Why would Myrtle Beach have been a more appropriate spot? Is South Carolina more American than Hawaii? This is the kind of bs I expect to hear from the McCain campaign because they can't come up with anything better but not from Cokie Roberts.
Here's a link to another article on Obama's elitist vacation: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/oliver-willis/barack-obama-joins-25-mil_b_118078.html
And here is another link complete with pictures of some indigenous people Obama encountered on his exotic vacation: http://www.bloglines.com/preview?siteid=2312710&itemid=15946
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Yawn
Biology Letters published a study this week that found that when a human yawns, their dog will probably yawn too, a sign of empathy. What puzzles the people who did this study is that dogs lack a sense of self, something deemed necessary in understanding the feelings of others, which would cause contagious yawning. One of the authors of the study said "dogs are not only reading and responding but may be sharing feelings with humans."
I tried this with my dogs and Sparky and Gracie both yawned after I did. I had to yawn twice before they did though. Ginger and Rosie never yawned no matter how many times I tried.
I tried this with my dogs and Sparky and Gracie both yawned after I did. I had to yawn twice before they did though. Ginger and Rosie never yawned no matter how many times I tried.
Here is the abstract from the study:
"This study is the first to demonstrate that human yawns are possibly contagious to domestic dogs (Canis familiaris). Twenty-nine dogs observed a human yawning or making control mouth movements. Twenty-one dogs yawned when they observed a human yawning, but control mouth movements did not elicit yawning from any of them. The presence of contagious yawning in dogs suggests that this phenomenon is not specific to primate species and may indicate that dogs possess the capacity for a rudimentary form of empathy. Since yawning is known to modulate the levels of arousal, yawn contagion may help coordinate dog–human interaction and communication. Understanding the mechanism as well as the function of contagious yawning between humans and dogs requires more detailed investigation."
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Children's Literature
Syracuse University has an exhibit at the E.S. Bird Library called Raising Rebels: An Exhibition of Radical Children's Literature. The exhibit includes biographies of radical activists as well as books with feminist, pacifist and radical themes. I was a little surprised to see 2 books by Leo Lionni in the exhibit, Frederick, and Swimmy. I used to read these books to my daughter when she was young. They are under the section: Imagination in the Service of Cooperation, Equality, and Peace.
You can read about this really interesting exhibit at their web site and look at digitized images of the book covers.
Markos Moulitsas
Markos Moulitsas, founder and editor of Daily Kos, which is the most widely read political blog in the world, will be speaking at an event sponsored by The Progressive Forum on Monday, September 22 at the Wortham Center. Tickets start at only $11.00 and can be purchased here:
http://www.progressiveforumhouston.org/
http://www.progressiveforumhouston.org/
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Public Libraries
Here is a link to an entry on The Daily Kos entitled Public Libraries: there when you need them-- and you might
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/8/4/222420/9176
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/8/4/222420/9176
Elephants on Parade
13 lifesize topiary elephants are touring the UK to bring attention to the plight of the Asian Elephant. The elephants are wearing blankets designed by many top fashing designers including Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Diane von Furstenberg.
More pictures can be found here:http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gallery/2008/aug/06/fashion.ethicalfashion?lightbox=1
The campaign was organized by Elephant Family.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Paris Responds to McCain Ad
I just saw a Paris Hilton video on Countdown where she responds to McCain's ad. She actually comes across a lot smarter than McCain and the ad is certainly better than anything his campaign has put out. She has a better energy plan too.
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/64ad536a6d
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/64ad536a6d
Monday, August 4, 2008
Fred Phelps
Fred Phelps' church, Westboro Baptist, in Topeka Kansas had a fire that caused $10,000 worth of damage. They think it was intentionally set.
This is the church whose members picket military funerals blaming the deaths of the soldiers on our tolerance of homosexuality. Some of the signs they carry say things like: Thank God for IED's, Fag sin=9-11, Thank God for dead soldiers, and Fags die, God laughs.
So is God now punishing Fred Phelps and his "church" for his beliefs and actions? Did God intentionally set the fire?
Jerry Falwell blamed Katrina on pagans, abortionists, feminists, gays, and lesbians. Apparently God is pissed because these people are turning America into a secular country.
John Hagee said basically the same thing.
I know I don't like it when people try to speak for me or tell people how I feel or what I think. I wonder if God feels the same way.
This is the church whose members picket military funerals blaming the deaths of the soldiers on our tolerance of homosexuality. Some of the signs they carry say things like: Thank God for IED's, Fag sin=9-11, Thank God for dead soldiers, and Fags die, God laughs.
So is God now punishing Fred Phelps and his "church" for his beliefs and actions? Did God intentionally set the fire?
Jerry Falwell blamed Katrina on pagans, abortionists, feminists, gays, and lesbians. Apparently God is pissed because these people are turning America into a secular country.
John Hagee said basically the same thing.
I know I don't like it when people try to speak for me or tell people how I feel or what I think. I wonder if God feels the same way.
Barack Obama’s Birthday
Today is Barack Obama's 47th birthday. Follow this link and find out what you might win if you donate something by midnight tonight: Barack Obama’s Birthday
Posted using ShareThis
Posted using ShareThis
I made the cake with The Generator Blog http://generatorblog.blogspot.com/
Saturday, August 2, 2008
After hearing Stephen Abram (Stephen's Lighthouse)http://stephenslighthouse.sirsidynix.com/ speak at the Library 2.0 workshop I attended a week ago, I was convinced that I should sign up for one of the social networking sites although I can't remember why. Yesterday Facebook showed up as number 106 on the blog Stuff White People Like http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/ That was all the convincing I needed and last night I signed up for my own account. I haven't added much to it in the way of personal information but I'm there. I searched my niece Erin and asked her to be my friend but haven't heard back. She may still be in Madagascar or she may have too many friends already.
Friday, August 1, 2008
The Daily Kos has some maps on the state of the presidential race based on the latest poll numbers: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/8/1/12401/40833
Calle Vienna has an interesting post on the McCain ad that compares Obama to Paris and Britney: http://michilines.wordpress.com/
It seems that the Hiltons are not very happy about Paris appearing in the ad as they are big McCain supporters. Poor McCain can't seem to get anything right.
Obama is proposing a $1,000 emergency rebate check funded by a windfalls profit tax on big oil. I wonder how long it will take McCain to steal this idea.
Calle Vienna has an interesting post on the McCain ad that compares Obama to Paris and Britney: http://michilines.wordpress.com/
It seems that the Hiltons are not very happy about Paris appearing in the ad as they are big McCain supporters. Poor McCain can't seem to get anything right.
Obama is proposing a $1,000 emergency rebate check funded by a windfalls profit tax on big oil. I wonder how long it will take McCain to steal this idea.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Houston Hide From the Wind
The city has a pretty neat tool on their website for predicting wind during a hurricane based on zip codes. When I looked at my zip it told me that the maximum sustained wind would be under 50 mph and that I am not in an evacuation zone. It also give the maximum sustained wind for 6 hurricanes going back to 1900.
http://www.houstonhidefromthewind.org/
http://www.houstonhidefromthewind.org/
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
There is a wonderful interview with Barack and Michelle Obama in People magazine. Here is the link: http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20214569_1,00.html
I am so looking forward to having this wonderful family in the White House.
The picture is from People magazine.
Monday, July 28, 2008
"Mr. President, we will be forever in your debt"
When bush took office in 2001 he inherited a budget surplus of 128 billion. When he leaves office he will leave a 428 billion dollar deficit. Representative Rahm Emanuel took a jab at bush when he said "Mr President, we will be forever in your debt."
When are people going to wake up and stop electing these idiot republicans? Every time one of them gets in they screw up the economy and the country and then a democrat has to come in and fix it. Bush has screwed the country so bad this time even Obama may not be able to fix it. But of course he will be blamed. Obama is already being blamed by the McCain camp for high gasoline prices.
When are people going to wake up and stop electing these idiot republicans? Every time one of them gets in they screw up the economy and the country and then a democrat has to come in and fix it. Bush has screwed the country so bad this time even Obama may not be able to fix it. But of course he will be blamed. Obama is already being blamed by the McCain camp for high gasoline prices.
HGTV's Design Star
Last night was the finale of HGTV's Design Star. The two finalists Jennifer and Matt were sent to New Orleans to design rooms for 2 families whose homes were destroyed by Katrina. Viewers get to vote on the winning design. I liked them both but am leaning towards Matt.
The best part of the show came at the end when the St. Augustine marching band, The Purple Knights, marched up the street playing When the Saints Go Marching In. The St. Augustine band is the best High School marching band in New Orleans and probably the best in the United States. Seeing them march was always the best part of any Mardi Gras Parade and I'm glad they're still around.
The best part of the show came at the end when the St. Augustine marching band, The Purple Knights, marched up the street playing When the Saints Go Marching In. The St. Augustine band is the best High School marching band in New Orleans and probably the best in the United States. Seeing them march was always the best part of any Mardi Gras Parade and I'm glad they're still around.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Kitirik
When I was growing up in Houston in the 1950's one of my favorite shows on TV was Kitirik's Carousel. The show was on Channel 13, KTRK. They came up with the name by putting the letter i in between the station's letters (KiTiRiK). Kitirik's real name was Bunny Orsak and she was 23 when she got the job in 1954. Her mother made her cat costume. The show had a studio audience but if it was your birthday you got to go on stage and meet her. I absolutely loved her and when I was 5 I got to be on the show. Here is a picture from that day, one that I will never forget. I also found some other pictures of her that I've included.
Here is a link to an article about the show: http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=resources/inside_station/station_info&id=3300775
Friday, July 25, 2008
If you haven't seen Obama's speech in Germany here is a link: http://my.barackobama.com/berlinvideo
I had seen little snippets on the news but this morning on C-SPAN I was able to see almost the entire speech. He spoke in front of a crowd of over 200,000 people, many waving American flags, none of them burning. I didn't think the US would ever recover from bush, at least in my lifetime, but after seeing the response to Obama in Europe I feel very optimistic.
I had seen little snippets on the news but this morning on C-SPAN I was able to see almost the entire speech. He spoke in front of a crowd of over 200,000 people, many waving American flags, none of them burning. I didn't think the US would ever recover from bush, at least in my lifetime, but after seeing the response to Obama in Europe I feel very optimistic.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Chicken Fat in Lay's Potato Crisps
I had to stop at Randalls on my way home yesterday afternoon and because I was hungry decided to get a bag of chips. Because of my diet I decided to get the Baked Lay's BBQ crisps. I didn't look at the label. When I got home I did look at the label and discovered chicken fat as one of the ingredients. Why on earth do potato chips/crisps have chicken fat? Fortunately I hadn't opened the bag so I can return them. That's why I shop at Whole Foods. I never buy something there and later discover some animal product hidden in the list of ingredients.
McCain's Flip-Flops
1) Was against the Bush tax cuts; now is for making them permanent and even bigger.
2) Was against the GI Bill; now is for the GI Bill.
3) Was for immigration reform; now is against immigration reform - and repudiated his own prior position on immigration reform.
4) Opposed the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill - which had his name on it.
5) Was for gay marriage, and then opposed gay marriage.
6) Was for Roe v. Wade, then was against Roe v. Wade; then for it, sort of; then against it, sort of.
7) Was for storing nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain; then was against it.
8) In 2000 was for military action against rogue states; now is against it, EXCEPT for Iran….which he sings about bombing and says it's good to sell them cigarettes so we can kill them.
9) Negotiating with North Korea; was against it; then for it, especially when Bush did it.
10) Negotiating with Castro's Cuba - in 2000 was for it, now against it.
11) No negotiating with terrorists except when Colin Powell went to Syria in 2002 and when, in 2006, said we'd eventually have to deal with Hamas.
12) Unilateral military action against terrorists in Pakistan - against it when Obama said it was good; for it when Bush did it in the spring of 2008.
13) Warrantless wiretaps - against them 6 months ago; for them now.
14) Torturing detainees - always against it; since he was tortured he should know. Now, in favor of torturing detainees.
15) Perpetual detention of detainees - bad a few years ago, good now.
16) Iraq - the right course in 2004; stay the course in 2005 and now he was always against the flawed strategy - especially when Rumsfeld was there.
17) Estate tax - for it in 2006; against it now.
18) 2004 - for privatizing Social Security; 2008 against privatizing Social.
19) February 2008 promised a balanced budget in 4 years. April 2008 said it will take 8 years. June 2008…..back to 4 years. [And, since he is now for the Bush tax cuts, balancing the budget EVER will be impossible.]
20) In 2008 - first glad to look at oil windfall profits tax; then it's a bad idea - Jimmy Carter's bad idea.
21) In 2000 - no new offshore oil drilling; now, just very recently, it's a great idea.
22) In 2000 - attacked Bush fundraising leaders; in 2006 had some of the same people co-chair his own fundraisers.
23) In 2000 - Jerry Falwell was an "agent of intolerance"; in 2006 McCain delivered the commencement address at Falwell's Liberty University and in 2008 McCain was big buddies with Rev. Hagee and Pastor Parsley.
24) Opposed and voted against the Martin Luther King holiday; now says he was for it.
25) 1986 - opposed South African divestment to attack apartheid; June 2008, praised it.
26) In 2000 - defended South Carolina's Confederate flag as a symbol of heritage; in 2002 said it should come down and it was an "act of political cowardice to not take it down."
27) 2000 - against teaching creationism in schools; 2005 - alternatives to evolution should be taught.
This is from the Ed Schultz website. Thanks to LibraryLioness8 for sending me the link. http://www.wegoted.com/news/detail.asp?newsID=268
2) Was against the GI Bill; now is for the GI Bill.
3) Was for immigration reform; now is against immigration reform - and repudiated his own prior position on immigration reform.
4) Opposed the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill - which had his name on it.
5) Was for gay marriage, and then opposed gay marriage.
6) Was for Roe v. Wade, then was against Roe v. Wade; then for it, sort of; then against it, sort of.
7) Was for storing nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain; then was against it.
8) In 2000 was for military action against rogue states; now is against it, EXCEPT for Iran….which he sings about bombing and says it's good to sell them cigarettes so we can kill them.
9) Negotiating with North Korea; was against it; then for it, especially when Bush did it.
10) Negotiating with Castro's Cuba - in 2000 was for it, now against it.
11) No negotiating with terrorists except when Colin Powell went to Syria in 2002 and when, in 2006, said we'd eventually have to deal with Hamas.
12) Unilateral military action against terrorists in Pakistan - against it when Obama said it was good; for it when Bush did it in the spring of 2008.
13) Warrantless wiretaps - against them 6 months ago; for them now.
14) Torturing detainees - always against it; since he was tortured he should know. Now, in favor of torturing detainees.
15) Perpetual detention of detainees - bad a few years ago, good now.
16) Iraq - the right course in 2004; stay the course in 2005 and now he was always against the flawed strategy - especially when Rumsfeld was there.
17) Estate tax - for it in 2006; against it now.
18) 2004 - for privatizing Social Security; 2008 against privatizing Social.
19) February 2008 promised a balanced budget in 4 years. April 2008 said it will take 8 years. June 2008…..back to 4 years. [And, since he is now for the Bush tax cuts, balancing the budget EVER will be impossible.]
20) In 2008 - first glad to look at oil windfall profits tax; then it's a bad idea - Jimmy Carter's bad idea.
21) In 2000 - no new offshore oil drilling; now, just very recently, it's a great idea.
22) In 2000 - attacked Bush fundraising leaders; in 2006 had some of the same people co-chair his own fundraisers.
23) In 2000 - Jerry Falwell was an "agent of intolerance"; in 2006 McCain delivered the commencement address at Falwell's Liberty University and in 2008 McCain was big buddies with Rev. Hagee and Pastor Parsley.
24) Opposed and voted against the Martin Luther King holiday; now says he was for it.
25) 1986 - opposed South African divestment to attack apartheid; June 2008, praised it.
26) In 2000 - defended South Carolina's Confederate flag as a symbol of heritage; in 2002 said it should come down and it was an "act of political cowardice to not take it down."
27) 2000 - against teaching creationism in schools; 2005 - alternatives to evolution should be taught.
This is from the Ed Schultz website. Thanks to LibraryLioness8 for sending me the link. http://www.wegoted.com/news/detail.asp?newsID=268
Monday, July 21, 2008
The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder
Former LA prosecutor and author Vincent Bugliosi has written a new book called The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder. In it he makes the case for trying Bush for the deaths of 4,000+ American soldiers because he took the United States into a war with Iraq under false pretenses. HCPL has this book on order.
Vincent Bugliosi is probably best known for his successful prosecution of Charles Manson and his "family" for the murders of actress Sharon Tate and six others in 1969.
He later wrote a bestselling book, Helter Skelter, about the trial. He is also the author of the book Outrage about the O.J. Simpson trial and a book The Betrayal of America: How the Supreme Court Undermined the Constitution and Chose our President, as well as several other books.
Vincent Bugliosi is probably best known for his successful prosecution of Charles Manson and his "family" for the murders of actress Sharon Tate and six others in 1969.
He later wrote a bestselling book, Helter Skelter, about the trial. He is also the author of the book Outrage about the O.J. Simpson trial and a book The Betrayal of America: How the Supreme Court Undermined the Constitution and Chose our President, as well as several other books.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Walk Score
Walk Score http://www.walkscore.com/rankings/ehas rated San Francisco, New York, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Seattle, Washington D.C., Long Beach California, Los Angeles and Portland Oregon as the top 10 most walkable cities in the U.S. There is also a place where you can look up how your neighborhood scores. Houston is number 26 on the list if you live in Montrose, River Oaks, or downtown. I live between River Oaks and Montrose and this wasn't a big surprise. If I didn't have to work I could easily live without a car. My area is becoming more and more urban everyday with lots of shops and restaurants in easy walking distance of my home.
Corrupting Young Minds (with books) in the Library
Here is a link to something I read on The Shifted Librarian . It says a lot of the same things Stephen Abram said at the Library 2.0 workshop last week.
http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/07/17/corrupting-young-minds-with-books-in-the-library.html
http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/07/17/corrupting-young-minds-with-books-in-the-library.html
From The Daily Kos
The McCain campaign must be really desperate. In an attempt to distance McCain from Bush, they are not only attacking Bush but now saying that Obama is like Bush. From a foreign policy advisor for the McCain campaign: "I think the American people have had enough of inflexibility and stubbornness in national security policy...We cannot afford to replace one administration that refused for too long to acknowledge failure in Iraq with a candidate that refuses to acknowledge success in Iraq. "
And if that wasn't enough, on Friday at a fundraiser, McCain announced details of Obama's trip to Iraq "I believe that either today or tomorrow, and I'm not privy to his schedule, Sen. Obama will be landing in Iraq with some other senators."
Details like this are always kept secret for security reasons. DUH.
Friday, July 18, 2008
The Incredible Shrinking Technical Services Department
While other libraries across the country are experiencing budget and staff cuts, the technical services area at HCPL is experiencing another kind of loss. In the last 2 years we have lost about 150 lbs., or, the equivalent of one person in weight!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Tony Snow
This is by Richard and is from the American Leftist blog http://amleft.blogspot.com/ He says exactly what I wanted to say but didn't have the nerve to.
"Over the weekend, I heard that Tony Snow, Bush's former press secretary and FOX News commentator, had died from cancer. Is it such a terrible thing to note that his major achievement was propagandizing for the killing of Iraqis, and then, after we started doing it, perpetually justifying it? He maligned those who questioned the conflict as traitors and defeatists. He was a stereotypical example of a sort of perverse professionalism whereby anything that promotes your career, no matter its consequences for others, is considered smart, hardnosed and admirable. One would like to believe that his death induced some reflection about what it means to lose a loved one amongst his friends and family, a flash of recognition that the Iraqis that he so cynically exploited experience death as painfully as them. Perhaps, they even felt discomfort at the attention his death received while Iraqis, for the most part, have died anonymously. But I doubt it."
"Over the weekend, I heard that Tony Snow, Bush's former press secretary and FOX News commentator, had died from cancer. Is it such a terrible thing to note that his major achievement was propagandizing for the killing of Iraqis, and then, after we started doing it, perpetually justifying it? He maligned those who questioned the conflict as traitors and defeatists. He was a stereotypical example of a sort of perverse professionalism whereby anything that promotes your career, no matter its consequences for others, is considered smart, hardnosed and admirable. One would like to believe that his death induced some reflection about what it means to lose a loved one amongst his friends and family, a flash of recognition that the Iraqis that he so cynically exploited experience death as painfully as them. Perhaps, they even felt discomfort at the attention his death received while Iraqis, for the most part, have died anonymously. But I doubt it."
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
I've been trying really hard this summer to keep my electric bill low and it's paying off. Yesterday I got my bill and it was $90. Last month it was $85. I keep the thermostat at 79 and use fans and most of the time the house is comfortable. When I finish my last dog walk in the evening I usually take a cold shower to cool off and that helps. Last night Channel 11 did a report on electricity and said that Texans pays 2x what other states pay for electricity. I would really like to know why. It's supposeed to be in the high 90's all weekend with no rain so I'm sure even keeping the house 79 will require a lot of AC but as long as I can keep the bill under $150 I'll be happy.
Friday, July 11, 2008
On July 9, in an interview with The Washington Times, Phil Gramm, one of John McCain's top economic advisors had this to say about the economy "You've heard of mental depression; this is a mental recession," and "We have sort of become a nation of whiners, you just hear this constant whining, complaining about a loss of competitiveness, America in decline."
The DNC is referring to him as "Out of Touch Much, Phil" and McCain is distancing himself from his comments. I don't think McCain is evil like the Bush family but I do think he is totally out of touch with working class Americans. If one of his top advisors doesn't see a problem with the economy I don't see how McCain and his advisors can be expected to fix the problem if elected. It's also very insensitive to have a member of your family run up a 750,000 AMEX bill as Cindy McCain did in a one month period earlier this year, at a time when so many people are suffering from soaring oil prices, the loss of their homes from the mortgage crisis and the loss of jobs. I know it's her money and she can spend it any way she chooses but it just seems pretty insensitive to me.
Another top advisor and possible running mate for McCain, "Victory Chairman" Carly Fiorini, is also causing trouble for McCain. At a press breakfast recently she questioned why insurance companies cover Viagra but not birth-control medications and said twice, for emphasis, that "those women would like a choice." According to NARAL, McCain has voted 22 times against family planning. Included in this is his vote against a proposal that would require insurance companies to cover the cost of contraception. He doesn't seem to remember anything about this however. Look at this YouTube video to see his reaction when questioned about this. It almost makes you feel sorry for him in the same way you might feel sorry for an aging parent or grandparent who is losing his or her memory.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkQDbfF4RqA
The DNC is referring to him as "Out of Touch Much, Phil" and McCain is distancing himself from his comments. I don't think McCain is evil like the Bush family but I do think he is totally out of touch with working class Americans. If one of his top advisors doesn't see a problem with the economy I don't see how McCain and his advisors can be expected to fix the problem if elected. It's also very insensitive to have a member of your family run up a 750,000 AMEX bill as Cindy McCain did in a one month period earlier this year, at a time when so many people are suffering from soaring oil prices, the loss of their homes from the mortgage crisis and the loss of jobs. I know it's her money and she can spend it any way she chooses but it just seems pretty insensitive to me.
Another top advisor and possible running mate for McCain, "Victory Chairman" Carly Fiorini, is also causing trouble for McCain. At a press breakfast recently she questioned why insurance companies cover Viagra but not birth-control medications and said twice, for emphasis, that "those women would like a choice." According to NARAL, McCain has voted 22 times against family planning. Included in this is his vote against a proposal that would require insurance companies to cover the cost of contraception. He doesn't seem to remember anything about this however. Look at this YouTube video to see his reaction when questioned about this. It almost makes you feel sorry for him in the same way you might feel sorry for an aging parent or grandparent who is losing his or her memory.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkQDbfF4RqA
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Pets and the Presidential Election
I did a blog a few months ago about all the presidential candidate's pets. At the time, Obama had none and McCain had the most (24). New polls show that pet owners prefer McCain over Obama 42 to 37 percent. Obama leads McCain in homes that don't have pets 48 to 34 percent. I usually prefer pet owners over non pet owners but have made an exception in Obama's case. What I would really prefer is a person who has lots of animals and doesn't eat any. Kucinich is the only politician I know who falls in that category.
The good news is that Obama has promised to get a dog after the election is over. Because one of his daughters has an allergy to dog dander, their choice of dogs is limited to a few. The AKC has recommended 5 different breeds and has a place on their web site where you can vote on which one you prefer for the Obama family. Here is a link:
http://www.akc.org/poll/special/presidential.cfm
The good news is that Obama has promised to get a dog after the election is over. Because one of his daughters has an allergy to dog dander, their choice of dogs is limited to a few. The AKC has recommended 5 different breeds and has a place on their web site where you can vote on which one you prefer for the Obama family. Here is a link:
http://www.akc.org/poll/special/presidential.cfm
Another reason to move to Canada
According to a study by the Climate Change Risk Report, Canada is the country that is best prepared to deal with the effects of climate change. The study looked at 168 countries and determined which countries were the best and worst in terms of dealing with changes brought on by climate change, rather than countries that will be the most affected by climate change.
Canada is number one followed by Ireland, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. The US is number 11 followed by the UK.
8 of the 10 most vulnerable countries are in Africa with the Comoros Islands number 1 followed by Somalia and Burundi. 5 non-African countries in the top 20 are Yemen, Afghanistan, Haiti, Pakistan, and Nepal.
Factors looked at in determining the ratings were: the economy; natural resources and ecosystems; poverty, development and health; agriculture; population, settlement and infrastructure; and, institutions, governance and social capital.
The Comoros and Chad also scored lowest on the report's index of CO2 emmissions which means that the countries most likely to suffer were also the countries the least likely to have caused the problems. How typical.
Canada is number one followed by Ireland, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. The US is number 11 followed by the UK.
8 of the 10 most vulnerable countries are in Africa with the Comoros Islands number 1 followed by Somalia and Burundi. 5 non-African countries in the top 20 are Yemen, Afghanistan, Haiti, Pakistan, and Nepal.
Factors looked at in determining the ratings were: the economy; natural resources and ecosystems; poverty, development and health; agriculture; population, settlement and infrastructure; and, institutions, governance and social capital.
The Comoros and Chad also scored lowest on the report's index of CO2 emmissions which means that the countries most likely to suffer were also the countries the least likely to have caused the problems. How typical.
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