Massage

I just had my first massage in years...oh my do I miss it.

Now with a full-time job and money I can afford to shell out...this will become a staple.

IT'S OVER!

Breaking News from MSNBC! On the night Olbermann gets the cable-first interview with McLelland, there's late breaking news that supersedes that "news."

House Democrat leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate leader Harry Reid had issued a statement saying the Democrat nominee will be known this time next week "give or take a few days."

This tell me, this sucker is over. There will be TREMENDOUS pressure on Clinton to finally capitulate. Smart move considering Harrold Ickes' resume.

Ickes has been to a few DNC conventions and ruined the convention through some crafty procedural moves, this is possibly why Clinton has kept him on.

This is a strong move by party leadership to end this thing. They may not have the muscle to make it happen, but they are finally beginning to speak up.

Love the flawed Clinton's, but the best my girl Hill can do now is jam herself into the number 2 spot. Here's hoping it doesn't get fugly.

On McClellan...

Scott McClellan...oh, Scotty.

Here's the thing about Presidential Press Secretaries (PPS), it virtually always been this way. PPS are by the very definition of the job, not supposed to tell the public everything, and to push the President's agenda.

This is why we are supposed to have a media who:

A: Is well-funded.

B. Has a freaking backbone.

C: Is fair and impartial to any party in power.

This is why I support the British system where the Prime Minister has to haul his/her ass before the House and answer direct questions from the members. There needs to be, somehow, a system built into the job description of the President that forces him/her to answer the media and/or one of the houses of Congress every six months or so.

But, back to McClellan. Clearly, the guy is a weasel. But, was Pierre Salinger a weasel during the Cuban Missile Crisis? It's a fine line to draw.

While McClellan is the weasel, and while you may not totally buy his "I was in the dark!" defense, at least he has become a credible source for saying what most people already suspected.

There's a huge difference between people assuming X, and then knowing X.

For decades, people assumed based on some solid circumstantial evidence that Pete Rose bet on baseball games he managed. This evidence led to Rose being banned from ANY professional baseball activities for life. This was despite YEARS of flat-out, angry denials of the fact by Rose himself, effectively turning these denials into a money making source of income for himself. And, for years pundits in baseball/sports made the point that IF Rose just came out and finally did a mea culpa and admitted he had, in fact, bet on baseball games, he would be forgiven because "America likes to forgive."

I remember thinking that was total bull, and after so many decades of denials, Rose finally admitting he had done would lead to a backlash of people saying..."DUH! What the freak took you so long!" Finally, in January of 2004, Rose finally capitulated and admitted he had INDEED bet on baseball games he managed. Moreover, in March of 2007 Rose went further during a radio interview noting that he bet on the Reds "every night" while he was manager of the team.

Rose got HAMMERED. He was never and will never be allowed to get back into baseball while he still alive, if at all.

It's the subtle point here, that while you may suspect with strong circumstantial evidence, the key is when you have the person coming out and saying, "Yeah, I did it."

Arguably, this McClellan book isn't near that admission by Bush, Cheney, Rove, or even Rumsfeld. But, it's the MOST damning evidence we now have from a long-time Dubya loyalist who realized/realizes he was sent down a river, thigh high in shit, with no paddle, no anchor, no sail, headed straight for a shitfall at 200 feet down.

As daft as little Dana Perino seems in her role as the current PPS, I wonder what she's feeling this week as she sees what's happening. Moreover, I wonder besides the 4 principals named above (plus Powell who's too much the soldier, and Karen Hughes), who else will come out in the next 3-5 years with a book that is so biting, and will have so much credibility of what really took place in those dark halls of the West Wing.

P.S. (late addition @ 9:00pm EST) While the right will claim McClellan is being bruised and beaten by the right-wing scheme machine (trademark: Rachel Maddow), claiming he has made/will make a fortune on this book deal keep this in mind from former Nixon man John Dean: He notes how Scotty will likely be slammed with several subpoena's that will require him to hire high-priced lawyers who know how to battle such tactics, while will inevitably cause his "fortune" to be spent on lawyers.

Texas non-stunner?

In a surprising move today, the Texas Supreme Court upholds the lower court ruling that the children in the polygamist sect must be returned. Perhaps, since it is freaking Texas, I shouldn't be so surprised. But, here's the key graft of the story that is simply stunning to my sensibilities:

"Under Texas law, children can be taken from their parents if there's a danger to their physical safety, an urgent need for protection and if officials made a reasonable effort to keep the children in their homes. The high court agreed with the appellate court that the seizures fell short of that standard." (bold emphasis added)

What part of rape, even if it's only statutory rape, is not considered a danger to a young woman's physical safety???

Not to mention that apparently, the sect adults could mentally abuse their children to the point where the children readily give in when demanded to have sex with a 45 year old man at the age of say...9. The rubes in Texas clearly, don't get the effect of mental and emotional abuse/coercion at that young age.

How pathetic Texas. You should be ashamed as a "state."

Lieber-Schmuck Factor

So, uh...just how much of a schmuck is Joe Lieberman? Apparently, enough of a schmuck to STILL be supporting Reverend/Pastor John (they're all the same anyway) Hagee.

This after the tape uncovered of Hagee disparaging "the Jews," and saying Hitler was sent from "God" to "be a hunter of the Jews" and forcibly send the Jews back to Israel.

Brilliant, Joe. Just what I'd expect from a dope such as yourself.

The Pollack

The terrific director/actor Sydney Pollack died earlier today. Sad day. Great filmmaker.

The Segretti-Rove Chain

Donald Henry Segretti was/is a minor footnote in the history of the Watergate Scandal that brought down a sitting US President.

However, Segretti wrote (or at least was involved in) two famous notes in his life, both proved deadly for Democrats.

A. One was a faked letter on Democratic presidential candidate Edmund Muskie's letterhead falsely alleging that U.S. Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson, a fellow Democrat, had had an illegitimate child with a 17-year-old.

B. The other letter written in 1972, known now as the infamous "Canuck Letter," was published in the Manchester Union-Leader. The letter claimed that Muskie had made disparaging remarks about French-Canadians—a remark likely to injure Muskie's support among the French-Canadian population in northern New England. And, it was intended to weaken and destroy the Muskie Campaign for President. It proved successful with some help from Muskie himself imploding over a baloney letter.

Back in '72, the Nixon campaign was afraid of Muskie, and wanted to face McGovern, whom they believed to be a weaker candidate. Therefore, they did all the could to get McGovern on the ballot, and they succeeded.

So, why am I bringing up a campaign from way back in '72? To report on an interesting connection I hadn't known about, and perhaps the media didn't know back in 2000, not to mention today.

In 1972, Segretti had a himself a protege it seems. A young Karl Rove.

Perhaps Rove had a reason for being chosen by Segretti; In the fall of 1970, Rove used a false identity to enter the campaign office of Democrat Alan J. Dixon, who was running for Treasurer of Illinois. He stole 1000 sheets of paper with campaign letterhead, printed fake campaign rally fliers promising "free beer, free food, girls and a good time for nothing."

If you recall back during the S. Carolina primary 2000, when it seemed Dubya had no chance and McCain was finally beginning to overtake him, an anonymous letter surfaced claiming that John had some sort of illegitimate black baby. The media at the time, quickly tied it to the Dubya campaign, but they never went as far as they could have or perhaps should have and connected the ties of Watergate as a noose around the neck of Rove and Dubya's campaign.

For the record, one could assume Rove would never leave the Bush dynasty. He had been hand-picked, been saved by former president George H. W. Bush back in 1973 at the College Republican's National Convention: Rove's opponent was Robert Edgeworth of Michigan (the other major candidate, Terry Dolan of California, dropped out, supporting Edgeworth). A number of states had sent two competing delegates, because Rove and his supporters had made credentials challenges at state and regional conventions. For example, after the Midwest regional convention, Rove forces had produced a version of the Midwestern College Republicans constitution which differed significantly from the constitution that the Edgeworth forces were using, in order to justify the unseating of the Edgeworth delegates on procedural grounds.[7] including delegations, such as Ohio and Missouri, which had been certified earlier by Rove himself. In the end, there were two votes, conducted by two convention chairs, and two winners — Rove and Edgeworth, each of whom delivered an acceptance speech. After the convention, both Edgeworth and Rove appealed to Republican National Committee Chairman George H. W. Bush, each contending that he was the new College Republican chairman.

It wasn't until three weeks after an "investigation" by daddy Bush, that H.W. chose Rove to be chairman of the College Republicans. As National Chairman of the College Republicans, Rove introduced Bush to the infamous Lee Atwater...which, H.W. came to trust and Atwater rose to prominence, sealing his fate to meet-up with H.W. years later in 1988.

The whole, long-winded point of this post is to establish this 3 decade long arch of Republican treachery and back-room dealings that have, despite a Republican President resigning in utter disgrace, kept the Republican party in power. Watching the fantastic movie, "All the President's Men," really hits home this theme. The Repos have the money in big business, and they have the war interests in the Pentagon. What do the Democrats have? Exactly what you see in the movie previously referenced: the truth and the struggle to get powerful people of good will to speak out against power despite their best interests. But, watching that movie recalls how hard the truth was to get to, and how hard Woodward and Bernstein had to fight to get their story published in the Washington Post when NO ONE was believe them. No other media outlet was covering the story because they didn't "buy it."

The old adage, "the truth will set you free" is cute, it's pollyanna-ish. But, in the end, you need to know HOW to play dirty to beat dirty, or at least to get dirty exposed.

Obama in bed with Commonwealth Edison Energy?

I referenced earlier in this blog that while we Dems will have many a fun, field days with the sham that is John McCain and his problems with corporate money...I noted Obama has some skeletons as well.

This is why the devil you know (Hill) may be better than the devil you don't (Obama).

Apparently, this is one example of Obama's problem. David Axelrod may have 'xplaining to do.

I'm just saying...

Puerto Rico?...eh...what?

I have YET to hear any rational argument explaining why there is a Puerto Rico primary for the Dems. Last time I checked, Puerto Rico is NOT a state of the country.

I has no vote in the Selectoral College...and I would hope their vote tally is not counted in the "popular vote" totals of elections past.

This is moronic. The whole delegate process is moronic. When the Selectoral College is an all-or-nothing adventure, the Dems should make their primary in much the same way. You either win and carry the state or you don't; Because if you get 455 votes in the general in the state of Montana, and you opponent get 456 votes...you're fucked.

Moreover, this caucus stuff is crap. Voting is inherently a private matter, and it should remain so. To force people to make their vote known to neighbors is highly unfair. Didn't we all learn about the bad effects of peer pressure, and the idea of "group think" that doomed the Challenger Space Shuttle?

Challenger crashed because 17 monkeys in a room met about the o-rings and determined they were okay, while one of those monkeys didn't think so. He felt the silent pressure to not say anything and not "jeopardize the mission." That mindset led to a brilliant mission...oh yeah, but people DIED...whoops! OUR BAD!

P.S. Call me crazy, but Hillary spoke the truth. Politically she never should have said it, and she has irreparably harmed her candidacy. She's toasted. But, keep in mind this woman has been running for President for two years. Bitch is tired. Let's cut her some slack. Sometimes speaking the truth can be the most deadly of sins. She committed it, cut her a break.

Normally, I'd applaud...

ANY veto-proof legislation from Dubya's crayon. But, this is not the case. I'm sick and tired of farmers getting subsidies.

Raise the prices of food people. Just like gas...we have got to realize we are going to need to spend more for shit we consume.

$40 billion of this overall $290 billion is directly going to farmers. I don't pretend to know the in's and out's of farm subsidies, but it's clear we need to start doing something to address this problem. This is ridiculous.

The best part of this bill is the mistake the Dems made when they passed the bill that will only help to continue to perpetuate the myth...err...the fact...that the Dems are moronic pussies who can't get their shit together and can't get shit done.

Omitted from the $290 billion was a small amount of money to address a growing global hunger crisis. The Democrats only realized the mistake on Wednesday, just before the House voted to override Bush's veto.

Absolutely brilliant. So, the Dems stuck it to the man and got a shoved a massive $290 billion farm bill up Dubya's ass, while WHOOPS yeah...we screwed the hungry. Our bad!

This is the kind of shit that is being replayed on FoxSnooze and makes the Dems look weak, stupid, and unable to deliver on promises for the poor they so gallantly and eloquently speak for.

This event will NOT help Obama in the Appalachian region of the country with white farmers who are quite possibly, inherently racist. This, is an abomination.

Hill options

Possible options for Hill if/when she is finally eliminated from the race:

1. A long Senate career in the vein of Sen. Ted Kennedy.
2. Run again for President at some later date.
3. Run for Governor of New York (the replacement for Spitzer is already t-o-a-s-t).
4. Take a VP nomination nod this year, or perhaps after another failed Presidential run, at a later date.
5. Perhaps the most intriguing option I've heard was written by James Andrew Miller on the editorial page of yesterday's Washington Post (5/21/08); Make a deal with Obama to step aside in exchange not for the VP nod, but for a promise of the first Supreme Court nomination upon Justice Ginsberg's retirement. Ginsberg will retire shortly after the next President, she's been holding on for dear life since Dubya was selected in 2000.

I don't know if the writer of the editorial has any inside information; I'd be shocked if they did. This seems like a less likely option that Hill would accept, though it would fit her skillset. I think she wants to be more public, and the Court is too solitary an insular for her. Moreover, the "glass ceiling" has already been broken on the court by Ginsberg and O'Connor.

Reason Why Texas Blows # 4,820

Are you kidding me?!?!

I hope this goes to the Texas State Supreme Court and they overturn this appeals court ruling. Per this AP story: Court rules the Texas state's seizure of kids from the polygamist sect went over the line.

Key graph: "The Third Court of Appeals in Austin said the state failed to show the youngsters were in any immediate danger, the only grounds in Texas law for taking children from their parents without court action."

So, I suppose immediate danger wouldn't include the potential possibility of being raped. How crazy is that shit?!?!

This is an unbelievable ruling, that cannot stand. It just cannot.

Cold sores

It's a sign of the times. With the HPV virus running rampant around...everytime I see someone with some sore around their mouth I think "HPV carrier." It wouldn't bother me, except when I go get food for take-out...then it freaks me out!

Call me a prude , but I wish to NOT get sick.

Webb

Not 3 minutes ago, Sen. Jim Webb (D-Virginia) did a segment on one of my fave shows: Countdown with Keith Olbermann.

Webb has apparently been discouraging Obama and/or Clinton from choosing him as a potential VP nominee. Olbermann pressed very lightly on this and Webb didn't come out and say he was doing such a thing. Therefore, I don't think if he was asked, he would ultimately turn it down...though, it may take some convincing.

Otherwise, during the segment, Webb showed why he might be THEE pick. He comes across as a straight-shooter, while still having some ability to duck a query he choses not to completely answer (see previous paragraph). Moreover, he came across as serious, but also disarmingly cordial and...showed some humor.

Back that up with a load of gravitas he clearly displays, and while I haven't seen any of his debates when he was running for Senate, he strikes me as a load to handle in a debate. The fact alone that within months of his first day in office, it was known that after Dubya asked him about his child who is in Iraq in a somewhat joking manner, Webb had all he could do not to cold-cock the fucker.

Every time I see him on television, he is impressive to me. And if he doesn't get chosen as the VP nod...I see a possible Presidential candidate in the future. Although, his humility may, just may, require him to be chosen as the VP candidate because he doesn't strike me as having the interest in running. But, I'm sure that could change.

P.S. Per Olbermann, the pastor McCain was begging for his endorsement, Rev. John Hagee...apparently auido has been found where this knucklehead, Jesus-lover said Hitler was sent by God to make the Jews move to Israel...that is freakin' hilarious...and brilliant. Great choice McCain, even your friend ex-Sen. Chuck Hagel is starting to doubt your sanity.

The WRONG message to send

I can handle paying more money for a flight, I can handle getting bumped/delayed a bit while airlines screw with an antiquated air traffic control system.

I can handle all those because requiring more money for a flight will diminish the number of people flying and it will make it all that more comfy.

I can handle having my schedule tinkered a bit because with some airlines decreasing capacity, and flights...this should lead to less crowded airspace and smoother leaving on-time departures and less schedule issues.

What I cannot handle, what annoys me possibly more than ANYTHING on a plane, almost as much as a crying baby (but, even then a baby doesn't know better) is the constant flood of asshats who carry suitcases that I could freaking sleep in...ONTO the plane and take up a solid chunk of space, cause getting the gate closed to be delayed, etc, etc.

American Airlines and others are beginning to charge big money for checked bags...see the story here. This practice of making people pay for checking their bags will only cause more people to carry all thier shit onto the plane, taking forever to get through security, and a chronic slowing down of the boarding process. Not to mention screwing over those who pack reasonably and follow the fucking rules.

More bullshit policies from the airline industry. No doubt, I will get an IM from my friend in the industry giving me "the" rationale for why this makes sense. But, geez...this blows.

Dynasty: The beginning of the end

Approx. 4 hours ago, America and those of us in New England got the bad news: The last of a dynasty is going to lose his life, likely within a calendar year.

Edward "Ted" Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor following some seizures this past weekend at the Kennedy compound on the Cape in Hyannis.

Of all American political families, the Kennedy's have been thee family. After both JFK and Bobby were taken from American life FAR, FAR too soon, Ted carried the liberal torch throughout the decades.

A malignant brain tumor is BAD news, especially following some seizures. This likely means the tumor is big enough that operation is untenable, and chemotherapy may only buy himself some time. I've hear stories that those who get this diagnosis usually go fairly quickly...within a year, so I don't look forward to the day I come home to the even worse news that our days of the Kennedy's is over.

There will still be Kathleen Kennedy-Townsend around, the sister, but her career is virtually nonexistent. America will lose a stalwart, and a dynasty. Hope you don't go out in too much pain Ted.

? to Ponder #4

Odd question to ponder, this I assure you:

But, as a late 20 year old...should I still seek medical attention if I have a 4 hour erection and didn't take Cialis or Viagra? Or can I still call my local hooker and skip the ER trip? Hell, the hooker or even high-priced escort would be freaking cheaper.

Bush again fumbles the meaning of a word

"Appeasement" is largely considered to be something like: "to yield or concede to the belligerent demands of (a nation, group, person, etc.) in a conciliatory effort, sometimes at the expense of justice or other principles."

To just sit down and TALK with another leader such as the whack-job in Iran, may be a very subtle form of appeasement because the UK and France (I believe) are both opposed to even talking to him at this point.

On this point, good grief, I don't totally disagree with Bush and say Obama must not just meet with Iran's whacko without some serious ground rules.

However, what does Bush call it when he met with the President of China in 2003 and in 2006? Perhaps a bad example, but my point is made...badly.

To just talk about something CAN mean you are meeting at the expense of a previously set principle, but Bush is being a jerk in this case.

Final note, former President Carter...shut the heck up. Obama doesn't need your help, he doesn't want your help at this juncture. To open your mouth will make Obama look weak because you were such a shitty President.

Watching this should be fun!

McCain is such a fat, old, white easy target...the shit is starting to hit the fan. As I noted, the Hill-Obama race only allowed McCain to sit pretty and show how much trouble he's having raising cash. It did nothing to hurt the case against McCain.

While Obama is attacked for the possibility of even whispering sweet nothings to the mad-man in Iran, McCain conveniently decides to run his campaign by hiring FOREIGN AGENTS of other governments!!

Ahhh, it's SO easy, it really shouldn't be so simple.

McCain in 200 had a somewhat reasonable cover as a Campaign Finance Reform candidate...but that bus has dun skidded off the road and down a dark, deep, crevice from which it will never return. For in the intervening 8 years...McCain has been bathing his cancer-ridden old ass with lobbyist cash.

The destruction of this sleezeball will be epic.

Montsanto

"When you get a chance, look up the relationship between Bill and Hillary Clinton and Monsanto, and what Monsanto has done to farmers and to our food supply, with the full support, and even the personal assistance of the Clinton's.

It should be plastered all over front pages everywhere -- it is that ugly and corrupt."

This quote taken directly from my comments section on the post about my political principles as made by my friend Heartlandish.

I don't intend to dig this up at all. I know enough about Monsanto to dislike them immensely. I don't doubt that Bill & Hill have many bad relationships along these lines. Just like I don't doubt the McCain's have many of the similar relationships. Any big-name D.C. power-player is going to have skeletons.

I accept Hill with all he warts because she knows how to play within the system. Again, you have to fight the system from within, it's far too tough to fight from the outside when you have NO support from your body politic who doesn't give a damn because their too busy checking out the latest Britney Spears meltdown, the latest news on the Michael "Jacko" Jackson Never-a virgin again-Land Ranch, the latest American Idol contest.

To think a man such as Obama, who has risen SO far, SO fast, doesn't have nasty relationships of his own is not only a folly, it's pure utopian-ism. I'm not saying my friend Heartlandish is such a utopian type person, she strikes me like an intelligent type (tho, she does read this drivel...that could be cause for concern!). I can't remember what the pundit was referring to; it's wasn't Tony Rezko, it wasn't the crazy Reverend...but there was some other dirt briefly mentioned by a pundit a few weeks ago that said if it gets really looked at, could be seriously damaging to Obama.

Nonetheless, they all have dirt on their hands and until we clean up the system, and candidate who gets THIS close to landing the Presidency is going to have that dirt. Sad, but true.

Late Merger News?

No, not a business merger. But, as a subdued Clinton campaign winds down and takes in the view they saw today in Oregon, with the Obama mass rally (my goodness those pictures are telling)...there is late-breaking rumors tonight of the merger beginning between the fund raising camps between Hill and Obama.

I don't think this means Obama is taking Hill on the ticket, I think it's Hill doing exactly what I figured she would...she's going to go out classy and give Obama all she can.

The VP nomination sweepstakes have begun. I laughed a few days ago when Drudge had up the possibility of an Obama/Edwards ticket, and I laughed out loud again when a pundit (don't remember who) suggested Edwards was the perfect counter to Obama. I think Edwards, who I spotted watching C-SPAN late one night in 2002 and fell in love with immediately, made his play for VP many months ago on both sides and was given nothing...as he should have been.

He's not getting the VP nod, nor does he make the perfect compliment to Obama. Yes, he's white. Yes, he's Southern. But, he's also a former loser, and a man who chose not to re-run for his Senate seat in N.C. because he knew he's lose. The last thing we need is two of the most liberal senators on the ticket going against a McCain and who know's who.

This SHOULD be a gimme election, but Dems can ill-afford to be greedy because we habitually campaign like pussies.

All the potential nominee's I've heard for McCain don't scare me short of possibly Gov. Crist of Florida who could help him carry that swing state. Powell scares the fuck out of me, as I noted previously on this blog, but I don't think Powell has the balls...plus, one could argue he's too close to Bush.

Obama's choices seem interesting, and are composed of white men. Sam Nunn is a boring choice and new one I've recently heard. I continue to hear Gov. of Ohio Ted Strickland, and the fantastic Jim Webb. The pollsters will be up nights figuring out if Strickland can carry the "retard, scared of black people, white man" vote for Obama in Ohio.

The scariest thing in this election, to me, is the that dumb, white-man vote. I just don't trust young people to RELIABLY come out and vote en mass for Obama despite what we've seen. Finally, with news tonight that McCain intends to "rely heavily" on RNC money and thus, ads he doesn't have to put his face or voice to, that worries me.

P.S. Ironic thought. While I had no initial reaction to Lieberman when nominated, I came to hate Liberman as Gore's choice in 2000, and I never bought campaign stuff with Liberman's name on it. I still hate the Jew. I don't hate Jews, I love John Stewart. I just happen to hate this particular Jew. I hate him not because of any specific policy, but because he became a diarrhea "God" name-dropper, which made me ill. The sickening thought is that, had Gore been allowed to be in office as he was elected to be, and won re-election as he likely would have, we'd be seeing an incumbent Liber-puke in this race. *Shudder*

Waiting to Exhale

After going through the first two rounds of the NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics have narrowly escaped winning both rounds. They won every home game, taking both series' to a deciding game 7. Next up, is the Eastern Conference Finals and the hated Detroit Pistons. Another 7 game series may be in store, but the C's MUST win a road game for once in this blooming series.

I have hope my C's can get it done. I predict C's in 7, but wouldn't be shocked if the Pistons took 'em out.

Go C's!!!!

P.S. Paul Pierce is the man.

The McLaughlin Group

This is one of the two network shows I watch frequently (along with the much aforementioned, 60 Minutes).

About 2 months ago...the blond, airhead, moron Monica Crowley replaced Tony Blankley. I though Tony had gone on vacation and she was there temporarily.

Well, I was dead wrong. I don't know why Blankley, the former Gingrich aide and conservative Republican (obviously), was released from the show. I don't know if he voluntarily left seeking more cash, as he has popped up frequently on CNN or MSNBC (I can't remember where I've seen him, tho I'm likely to go with MSNBC since I rarely watch CNN for reasons noted previously in this blog)...but I want him back.

Ok, so perhaps Crowley isn't a total airhead...but she's driving me mad. Get Tony back John...oy.

Americans good at ducking civic responsibilities

This is part of the reason the people in this country annoy the hell out of me. For starters: If you call yourself an "independent voter"...go fuck yourself. I'm sick and tired of hearing voters say, "Oh, I'm independent." To me that's code for one thing: "I'm such a jackass I can't possibiy be bothered to REALLY take part in the American Experience, in the American Civic Duty of Pride."

Are you kidding me?! Seriously?! The only people that are worse are those asshats who tell pollsters they are "undecided" 2 weeks before election day. If you truly are "undecided" do yourself, and the rest of America a favor and stay the heck home. If your so stupid as to no know who your going to vote for 2 weeks before an election, your a moron who is clearly NOT paying any attention to the race at hand and have no serious interest in what could be better for our country.

My other big annoyance is highlighted by this story in the Chicago Tribune. Every few years, you are called upon to take a part in the jury selection process...the very foundation of law and order that this nation was founded on...and you bitch about it like it's a chore. You shouldn't be annoyed...you should be proud, you should be thankful that you get the chance to fucking participate.

You poor bastard, how shitty for you. Every 3-4 years you are asked to spend 1-2 days in possible jury pools where most people don't get selected. Boo-freaking-hooo...grow up! I have been called to service once, and I was excited about the prospect. I was kicked off the jury by the defense council before the case began because someone in my family had been sued after a car crash, and this case happened to involved a suit following a car crash.

Our men and women are volunteering in a freaking under-funded war, and you are bitching about a few days of jury duty??? Where the fuck do you get off???!!!

Shut up and grow a pair America. You should be thrilled you are ASKED for your fucking opinion. Ask the people in the Congo, in China, in North Korea, in Iran how much they'd like to volunteer an opinion to their power structure.

If you bitch about jury duty, I hope you get picked with the longest possible case that drags out for 5 years just to fuck you in the ass because you clearly deserve it. Geez people!!! GET OVER YOURSELVES!!!!

Christians are absurd - Reason #45,825

A San Diego Christian group is now offended by the new retro look of the Starbucks cups. I'm offended that they are offended. You don't see any nipples, and even if you did...they are just a drawing of boobs, which you should recognize because you are a bunch of boobs.

Of all the things to concern your "stewardship" with...you pick this? A cartoon drawing of a semi-naked woman? Grow up and shut up you boobs.

Mark Dice, founder of the group, said in a news release. "...It's extremely poor taste, and the company might as well call themselves 'Slutbucks'."

Ha, ha, ha......ehhhhh......not. What a maroon! How lame. Oh yeah...here's the link to the "story."

I don't apologize in this case

Headline and Story: "NOVI, Mich. — A decision has not yet been made on possible disciplinary action against a Novi magistrate who suggested to an underage drinker that he commit suicide.

Novi District Court Judge Brian MacKenzie said Wednesday his office still is looking into comments made April 10 by Judith Holtz.

Holtz had told Michael Robert Dickey of Farmington Hills that it would be cheaper, faster and less painful for the people who cared about him if he took his own life.

Court transcripts obtained by WXYZ-TV in Detroit show Holtz suggested Dickey jump from the roof of his house or slash his wrists as she chastised the 20-year-old for a third charge involving alcohol. He was being sentenced for being a minor in possession.

The Associated Press left telephone messages at Holtz's office and Dickey's home on Wednesday."

I have had NO ONE die I know of, no one hit by a drunk driver...so this isn't my personal vendetta. But, I agree with the sentiments of this judge. I think this moronic 20 year old asshat should kill himself, because he's clearly too stupid to GET IT. Moreover, if you drink to excess and drive....you too should do all us sober drivers a favor...go kill yourselves?

Too harsh? Yeah, well stop drinking you jackass. My sentiments aren't nearly as harsh as the effects drunk drivers have had on families around this country. Bite me.

My 3 Principles of Political Philosophy

My political philosophy in a nutshell, follows three main principles:

1. The purpose of business is to make money. It's not to "serve" their customers, that's Pollyanna-ish crap.

2. The purpose of government is to serve its constituency.

3. Therefore, one inherently must believe in government before business.

Both options can become corrput, bloated, and red-tape heavy, but the purpose is the key.

No organization who's goal is to make money at all costs, can be a good steward of what is truly best for American's in the long run.

P.S. It took me many years to develop and explain my political philosophy in such a concise way. As noted in the byline of this blog, I am often verbose when writing. I could crank out a 10 page paper in a few hours if you gave me a choice of topic, or a topic that really grabbed me. Sometimes it can be fluff, but usually it's hard-hitting and research-based. But, when I developed these principles, even I was astounded how clear and concise my mindset and worldview was/is.

Proof Hill's argument, while possibly nasty, is sound

Per an ABC News story and the "Exit Polls" in today's W. Virginia primary, we have this lovely nugget, proving there indeed are racist bastards in this country. Not that we needed real proof of this fact, mind you.

Key graft: "Two in 10 whites said the race of the candidate was a factor in their vote, second only to Mississippi. And only a third of those voters said they'd support Obama as the nominee against John McCain..."

Sad, not stunning.

"Spygate"...*snore*

Being in New England, and thus Patriot country, I listen to a good chunk of sports talk radio because as a BoSox fan, a Celtics fan, and a semi-Bruins fan (I despise the way the Eastern Conference largely plays hockey...I prefer a more wide-open game found in Europe) that's where I often gets nuggets of information on my teams since I don't read the Boston Globe (It's largely a piece of junk).

In the middle of the off-season, all the talk is about the "Spygate" fiasco involving the Patriots and the other NFL teams. While I personally loathe the man because of his blatant sore-loser qualities, no one can argue the football brain inside the skull of one Bill Belichick. Generally speaking I don't watch the NFL on Sundays anymore because I don't care for the team, and we are always stuck with the Patriots in this market (as it should be). We are also frequently stuck with other bad teams who I could care less about, so there's no reason for me to watch. Born and raised in the midwest, and as a Bears fan, I follow and prefer more NFC football...tho the best player in the league LaDainian Tomlinson does reside in the AFC.

Way too much background there...so who cares about that. My point is that I have no reason to argue in favor of any position the Patriots and/or Belichick have, has, or will take. Let me be clear (love that Larry Craig line): I am sick and tired of this damn scandal because it's ruining my commute as the talk radio nitwits blabber about this topic. Much John Kerry vacillating going on there.

No matter, this story deserved to be covered especially when there is a possibility of fraud. Go to Vegas and see the TONS of money that changes hands via betting.

My amusement and disappointment really kicks in when I consider the NBA, and how well Stern has BURIED his bigger problem. The fact that reporters have let that story go is frankly, appalling. I've written about this before on this blog, but the fact that an NBA referee was possibly changing the outcomes of games, including a controversial playoff game, via calling early fouls...is FAR more damning of the gambling industry and how there is always a possibility that people are using the system for massive monetary gain. David Stern, the Commissioner of the NBA, has done a masterful job of burying this story, to the point that he quietly dumped information saying virtually ALL of his refs were gambling in Vegas (while, not on NBA games, this is still a huge problem in my view)...with not even a peep of noise from the sport reporting or business reporting community.

When parental accountability goes WAY to far

Brian Gegner is in jail. Why? Let's play the multiple choice game. Did he:

A. Cheat on his taxes.

B. Fuck a whore.

C. Beat his children.

D. His daughter didn't pass her GED exam.

E. He got busted for a DUI.

If you guessed D, you'd be right!!! *Ding, ding, ding*

Here's the story. It seems clear this is not this man's fault, and to put a guy in jail because his daughter isn't passing all portions of her GED (she's passed all but one section) is beyond the pale.

I trumpet parental responsibility ad-nauseum on this blog, but this is NOT what I have in mind. His daughter, is currently 18, but it seems as if this started back when she was 16? Which, doesn't make any sense because I don't think you'd be taking ANY GED test before 17.

In any case, a good teacher with any background information on the adolescent brain can tell you one thing...adolescents frequently are irrational due to all the stuff going on in their bodies. Moreover, other than during infancy, this is the most active time for the brain and determining how it develops. It's such the case that you cannot argue with teens in a rational sense sometimes. Their brain isn't capable of thinking rationally, and this may be how Brittany got her dad into the jam he's now in. This guy may even lose his job over this...yeah, because a dead beat parent with No job will REALLY teach them to pass that math GED section.

*Yawn* What a maroon!

Yes-I have an elitest, smug attitude

Hill has made some observations about Obama's support base, most notably perhaps though, her own base of support as it stands currently.

Hillary has made comments suggesting her support is from low-income, working white people. Let's be clear here: While accurate, they are on some channels being described as elitest and racist.

Hill has mentioned/noted the idea that her support is coming from low-income white voters who are somewhat afraid to vote for a black candidate. While, this may be stereotyping, and I know my blog-friend in Hoosier-land hates when I do this, it is by and large an accurate representation of the facts in what we are seeing in the votes.

Low income white voters who didn't go to college are not as book smart as the elitest crowd. They don't swim in the same pond (literally or figuratively) as black people. This is because there are no black people there.

People who go to college and get an education tend to vote for more liberal policies, and are more friendly to other people not because there is a secret magic fairy dust we all get upon our graduation from said college, it's because by going to college you are usually confronted to re-examine your worldview and see things how they may not be outside of Po-dunksville, USA.

It may be a smug, elitest view to say that low income white people who didn't go to college aren't voting for Obama because of his skin color, but it's largely true. Don't send or cite poll numbers on the comments either people. We all know polls are bunk. Again, white people who wouldn't vote for a black candidate are not exactly willing to be identified even if it is an anonymous poll.

Obama is getting the black American vote for much the same reason. He's black. Black people can be and may be as racist as white people when it comes to this thing. To deny there is any possibility that a good portion of the black community is voting for Obama simply because of his skin color, is not only naive, but it's preposterous.

Back in September 2003, I read a fascinating article by the conservative commentator David Brooks in that months issue of The Atlantic Monthly. I'm not saying his entire article is unimpeachable, but he makes some fantastic points. His essential premise is that people like being with people who are like themselves. We give lip service to the idea of diversity, but we often bristle when asked to change our lives to deal with diversity in a fundamental way.

His article spoke to the very reason I moved from Hoosier-ville to New England. Indiana's social politics don't fit me, their politics don't fit me, their religiosity doesn't fit me, in fact...all those things made me ill living in that damn state for over 20 years. I believe in Democratic values, and higher taxes, and helping those who are less fortunate, and I like my good basic liberal ideals...thus I moved to New England...willingly and lovingly. I'm going on living here several years now, and you couldn't pay me twice my salary to get me to move back to Indiana. This is partly why I supported the idea of Affirmative Action, though how to implement that has always been a struggle for me to solve because like the Supreme Court, I think quotas are baloney. People need to be forced to work with people of other cultures until the societal norms recognize the good differences between people.

Finally, it may be an elitest view, but I think there is something better about people of my ilk who have some perspective on the world. It's a smarmy, asinine thing to say...I'll admit. But, those who have a larger contextual base from which to see the world and see how larger pieces and smaller pieces come together, are indeed better people to decide an election than a white male, living in Small Town, America who hasn't left the state or taken some college classes that address a larger view of the world.

Teacher's lack of rights? - Part Thrice

Here we go again. I know, I know, those few frequent readers must be saying...can't he move on??!!

And clearly, the answer would be...no.

Second-grade teacher Marie Jarry and her husband recently won $5,000. Wow! Congrats to them you say? Well, perhaps not.

She won the 5G's on Howard Stern's show. Hold it right there, I know what you are thinking. She didn't get naked, she was in a bikini. It was a hot wife, ugly guy contest, which this couple won. She made some comments about their sex life it seems as well.

I'm confused as to how this woman going on Stern's show, dressed in a bikini, and perhaps making some sexual comments about her husband, is going to hurt her ability to effectively teach her students the curriculum. Are parents in this district letting their children hear the Stern show, and perhaps one of her second graders hear her voice and perk up?...I certainly doubt that any parent would let their second grader listen to Stern.

This is an even worse case than Tiffany's. At least there you could make the argument that high schoolers could be objectifying her while they are sitting in class, thinking about her wearing that bikini on the fishing tour she did or whatever. There is no second grader who is going to be distracted by this.

I doubt she would be allowed to go on again and compete in the same contest twice, Stern is usually looking for new women with every contest. But, even if she went on a few times more in the next 2-3 years, the students she was teaching at second grade won't be able to listen to Stern if parents are doing their job until perhaps middle school. By then, Jerry would probably be too old to be doing that stuff anymore, and those students would have a good laugh about their second grade teacher.

I recently found out my third grade teacher had an affair, got divorced, and then started banging the principal of her school, and ended up having to transfer before they went all out public while waiting for his divorce to go through. This has no bearing on how good or bad a teacher she is/was.

Let teachers go people. Start doing your freaking job as parents, and then come talk to me. Try playing and talking to your second grader instead of using the DVD player and/or video game player as a freaking babysitter. If I happen to go on the air and tell Stern i love fucking my wife in the ass, that has no bearing on my ability to effectively teach phonics the next day at school (unless I can't sit still during my small group lesson because my ass is sore, then you may just have a point).

In fact, research has shown that frequent sex with a partner is good for one's health, it makes us happier clearly not just because of the hot sex, but because of the emotional connection we'd have to our partner.

So, Connecticut, give this woman her job back with a 5% pay raise...and then go to the cafeteria, grab a fork, and shove it in your eye socket for me...hmmm k? Geez.

P.S. An update on the story about Tiffany who lost her job after taking on another job to support her recently divorced ass and kids...she's apparently deciding whether to pose for Playboy. Take the money while you can get it girl! At a rate of $25,000 per photo...you have to do that for the boys...college savings account watch that money grow, while buying low in this down market.

Sexual Puritanism BS

One of the few literary works I read in high school I actually like was "The Scarlet Letter."

I despise Shakespeare, Thoreau is putrid, and Emerson?...sad, sad, drivel.

Anyhoo. Onward.

I liked the SL because it exposed the Sexual Puritan bullshit rules that still haunt this damn country (another lovely side effect of "religion"). The real tragedy of not legalizing sex workers, was hit home a week ago when Deborah Jeane Palfrey HUNG herself after being convicted of supplying women to powerful men in D.C.

Among them, as we know of, Sen. David Vitter (R-LA). But, therein lies the key. This is the most prominent name we KNOW OF. Here's the link to the story informing those who care that Vitter has been officially taken off the proverbial hook.

The real tragedy is this woman was humiliated in public, referred to many names that will not be dignified by this blogger, while those who allowed her business to thrive (the powerful men in D.C.) continue to quietly travel the highways and byways of the Nation's Capital with narry a whisper.

I'm not sorry for this view. If you take down, if you assassinate the character of ONE woman, it is PARAMOUNT that you take down and release the names of all people on her client list.

Vitter's trying/has saved his marriage, his family, which I support if his wife has at least some backbone (eg: he's sleeping with the dog on the couch). But, this type of B.S. cannot stand.

The irony of the law that tripped up Palfrey and the powerful Ex.-Gov. Spitzer is the money laundering aspect to that statute. The very nature of the statute is regressive. It hurts poor people who would need to do money laundering to keep their "business" in place, while rich, white, powerful men cash their fat government check (or cash a campaign check) to pay for sex.

They way they continue to prosecute this "crime" is a gross injustice in equity, and I'm sorry that Palfrey felt the need to kill herself before she was marched to prison. I can only hope, somehow, somewhere that client list lies. I hope somehow, someway, someone gets a publisher to release it, or leaks it to the press, OR if all else fails...drop it to the "Internets." Last resort, someone publish it themselves...and release it in hard copy for sale to people for 1 penny.

Deborah, it is a shame that our country didn't have the balls, have the strength to stand up, take notice, stop snickering like school girls, and REALLY look at the details of your case. Finally, I apologize.

Heigl looking to "pull a Caruso"

The "pull a Caruso" line is all mine, totally original. At least, I've never heard anyone else calling it that.

What's the IT to which I am referring? Simple answer.

According to MSNBC's Scoop columnist, Heigl is looking to get out of her "Grey's Anantomy" contract. My understanding is that this is a great show for network television (I don't watch much network tv beyond 60 Mins). It pulls great ratings, and Heigl herself after some hit movies, demanded and then GOT a pay raise.

"Pulling a Caruso" refers to the phenomenon when a good tv star on a fantastic tv show gets too big for their britches and begins to think they can carry a movie.

David Caruso, played Detective John Kelly on the fantastic first season of NYPD Blue. He jumped ship from that show about 3-4 episodes into season two because he felt he was a big enough star that he could do movies...which, he couldn't. Every movie he chose flopped. Now, Caruso plays Detective Horacio Kane on CSI: Miami. Basically, Caruso found he can play a great lead in a cop drama on television.

As the Scoop notes, Heigl isn't quite "pulling a Caruso" here, but I think she's pushing too soon. She has been in some fantastic niche movies, some including an ensemble cast that have allowed her to be in the movie and perform believably while gaining that solid experience. I think it will benefit her in the long run to finish her current hefty contract, and continue to do a movie a year or so to build her skills and her brand.

Don't make the Caruso mistake. Don't "pull a Caruso."

Kramer vs. Kramer

In 1979, Dustin Hoffman and the impeccable Meryl Streep starred in this classic movie. Because Netflix can do it better than I, here is their short summary: "Ted (Hoffman) is a career-driven yuppie until he finds out his wife (Streep) is leaving him and their 6-year-old son. Ted soon finds that he loves being a full-time parent, but then his wife reappears to reclaim the boy."

I watched this a few years ago. Despite my feminist leanings, this is one area where I think some women have an unfair advantage over men. By and large, I think women are given far to much latitude in staking a claim at their children (and/or money) when they may not be the best ones to raise them.

This movie depicts a classic example of how the everyday man who is unfairly treated by the very court that is sworn to be impartial, when there is no impartiality within the jurisprudence in this area of the law.

I don't understand how some women...see Britney Spears...are entitled to child support payments from the men they willing have sex with, have a baby with...when she makes a bazillion dollars per year. I think men in this case are unfairly targeted and screwed out of their money, and I'm almost thinking we should have some type of cap per child that monetary payments could be set at (perhaps there already is, and I'm unaware of this). K-Fed is clearly no darling gentleman, but I think he should be largely absolved of any payments to Britney (unless you make him put money in a college fund that is untouchable by the kid or Brit) and should be granted vast rights when considering custody. Brit is bat shit crazy, yo.

The jurisprudence from my legal class memory talks about payments are meant to provide a possibility for the woman to maintain her current standard of living. I'm sorry but if a wife named Sally, who resides in a $3 million mansion in S. California, divorces her husband after screwing the pool boy, she should not be entitled to payments to equate her living situation in such a fashion.

She doesn't NEED to live in a $3 million mansion, thus, the man whom she is divorcing shouldn't be financially screwed when he didn't do anything wrong but fall in love with this twit, have a spawn, and then get cheated on. Especially when he's the one who likely bought said mansion in the first place...it's his farking house.

These types of judgments that are occurring in the law are, I believe, one of the reasons there are so many single men just looking to "play the field." We men may be blockheads, but we also have seen our friends, or acquaintances get royally screwed by the courts when they are not allowed to see their children, and are hit in the financial pocket.

I'm not saying some women don't deserve their money when it's clear a man has cheated on his family; He deserves the proverbial sink to be thrown at his dome. But, there is a clear inequity within the current law structure that I think women benefit from.

However, let me also say that I DO NOT discount the idea that most men would rather not have the kids, and I do not discount that it's a TREMENDOUSLY hard job to raise a kid properly. Hell, I've written many a posts on how the average American family is failing our educational system and our students.

In any case, this is a fantastic movie that will make you empathize greatly with the Hoffman character and see what happens to him when his wife just suddenly disappears, and then reappears demanding her children and some money to boot.

Obama KO's Hill

This race is over folks. Only winning Indiana by the skin of her teeth, where Republicans were quite possibly voting for her in droves, is a killer.

The only question now is: How will she go out? Will she try to parlay that into the VP nod? I hope not, Obama as i mentioned in previous post waaaaaay back should pick Sen. Jim Webb.

No matter what though, Hillary's long battle, her long campaign is all but over.

Go out in class Hill.

Clinton/Obama Redux

Early returns are in...looks like it will be ANOTHER split night for the Democratic Nomination.

If it rolls like I think it will...Hill wins my home shit-state...Indiana.

Obama wins N. Carolina. Not a surprise.

But, I think this hurt's Hill's argument because just like Obama won in Colorado, and the Dems have NO shot of winning that in the general, the ability for Indiana Republican Whack-Jobs to cross over and vote for Hillary because they're still scared of black people...is damning. No way the Dems win in the general in November, so I don't see this as much of anything for Hillary.

That said, Obama's camp thought he'd win Indiana by 5 points in February because it's a border state to his home state. How foolish were they? Indiana and Illinois, while next door to each other, are miles apart politically.

"King" Jaaaaaaaaaaames

After an UGLY performance in the first round of the NBA playoffs against the vaunted (*cough, cough*) ATL Hawks, the best team during the regular season, my Boston Celtics, begin their series tonight against "King" LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavs.

Watching these playoff games reminds me of why I quit watching the NBA:

1. Minimum basketball fundamentals are showcased throughout the league. Most of today's NBA players are horrible when it comes to the basic fundamentals of the game. For years my favorite player in the league has been one man: Tim Duncan. He is a big man who does all the footwork, isn't flashy, doesn't get all the endorsements because he's a quiet guy. Yet, he has led his team year after year into the playoffs, while winning 3 championships in the past 5 years.

2. Minimal passing/more of a one on one game. The game has become a game of give the ball to your "star," clear the middle of the court and have your best player take on the other teams best player to see who beats who. This has resulted in less team basketball.

3. The by-product of number 2 is that after said player "goes to the hole" (that's hoop for you neophytes) and draws any contact of a feather's force or more...they invariably act like they have been shot in the heart by an arrow from Robin Hood's bow. There is way too much acting in the NBA product, and I think they should start giving out Oscar's each year to the best actors every year.

Having said all that, I am rooting for my Celtics. To show what a baseball junkie I am, I will not stick with my C's....I will flip back and forth to the Boston Red Sox game currently playing.

More about the derby

All the reasons were explain in the previous post as to why I think animal racing of any type should be outlawed completely. The reasons I sight in the previous post, are enough for me to make that call. But, this is a kicker...

Apparently, as heard on a radio show I podcast...not only do they train/breed these horses to race, where they have big bodies with those tiny little legs...but, they also shoot up the animals before the race with a drug that essentially doesn't allow them to feel pain.

This could explain why Belles ran to her death in the derby...after breaking the ankles, she didn't feel the pain due to it being "shot up."

Look, I have some concerns when players in sports do it, but in the case of people, they knowingly have the free will to take or not take the shot.

This practice with the horses is also only allowed in America, and is not allowed in other horse-racing countries like the UK.

This addition, only adds to the brutality of the sport. Oy!

The Kentucky Derby

Some of the same stereotypes about why I abhor golf, are included in this asinine definition of a "sport."

I think people who follow horse (or dog) racing should shot. Literally. This is not a sport, it's the enslavement of an animal for man's pure satisfaction and enjoyment.

It's not that much different than the animal against animal fights done way back when, not to mention the Mike Vick fiasco. Sure, these animals aren't mauling each other with their teeth, and trying to kill one another...but it's still not far off.

Just like in golf, a sport dominated for years by rich, white, old, men who had their secret little clubs (eg: Augusta National), so is the activity of horse racing.

There is big money in raising, grooming, training horses to run, and there's much bigger money if you manage to land a winner of a race with the likes of Kentucky (1/3 of the Triple Crown). Huge money, in fact, despite the fact that no Kentucky Derby winner has gone on to father/mother a horse that wins the event in the years following.

But, this is the real tragedy of horse racing. It's bad enough horses are enslaved to rich, white men with buckets full o' cash, it's bad enough they are essentially forced to run, but what happened during today's race is the prime reason this "sport" is no sport at all, and it should be outlawed immediately.

A horse, Eight Belles, had to euthanized...errrr....freaking killed...on the track, after breaking both her ankles. If that's not bad enough, it's apparently possible that this poor horse ran the majority of the race and finished in second place with said broken ankles. To even say this is a possibility, shows how barbaric this "sport" is.

To breed, train, and run a horse that is willing to run through a race with possibly two broken ankles (so, broken she had to be whacked on the track) demonstrates how enslaved these animals are.

I'm not a PETA guy. I think PETA often goes way over the line in some of their advocacy, but this is just horrific.

Illegals

Wonder..is it slightly, severely, or a non-issue: Anytime I see a latino walking about...especially buying lotto tickets, that I ponder the possible likelihood that they are, in fact, an illegal?

I only ask because the calculation is consistently on my mind.

LBJ

I've never been a fan of JBJ. But, some new tapes recorded by him in the Oval Office, while on the phone with various people of note in his day, when he was President were released yesterday.

Most of the newly released tapes appear to center around the year 1968, the year Johnson decided not to seek re-election and four days later, MLK Jr. was assassinated.

The most interesting thing I read in this story I linked above is this little one sentence paragraph:

"At home, he was battered by rising anxieties about inflation and demands for tax increases and spending cuts from Congress."

This is the America I long for. This is the America I believe in. Where sacrifice was shared by all, and American's demanded that everyone pitch in for the greater good.

The starkness of that singular line, in a nondescript story, about some tapes recorded 4 decades ago...rings in my soul...and it pains me so.

Clemens Laugher

As heard on local radio show, in the Johnny Carson with his envelope style:

Response: A retainer.

Stimulus: Name something that Roger needed to obtain Mindy McCready and Rusty Hardin.


OUCH! Brutal, but hilarious. I'll have a more substantive post on The Rocket in a while. I'm still digesting what is possibly the biggest downfall of one of my childhood sports icons.

Teacher's lack of rights? - Part Deux

As I first noted in this post....

and in this second post....

Teachers have no rights, and it's a low, down, dirty shame. Seriously...oy!

Example Here: Headline: Port St. Lucie teacher gets fired for having breasts...okay, not quite, but close.

30 year old, H. School Biology Teacher, and mother of 3 young boys, Tiffany Sheperd, recently got a d-i-v-o-r-c-e. Three weeks ago she got a second job, which I SHOULD note many of our young teacher's do even though they have no kids because a beginning teacher's salary isn't exactly winning the lottery (which, I am okay with as I'm not in this for the money, but we all have to pay bills). Shockingly, this responsible woman realized she didn't have the money to support these boys, so she found a way to supplement her income. She supplemented it to the tune of making $600 in two days. This is roughly equivalent to what she makes in a week.

How'd she supplement her income? Become an escort? Become a stripper? Neither of those.

She basically got a job as a bar maid on a beach. That wasn't exactly her job, but her job was to go out dishing with dudes, fetch them sandwiches when they were hungry, and a beer when they were thirsty. Oh yeah, and wear a bikini that many young women would wear on a typical beach.

Okay, okay...that's not the full story. All disclosure, it sounds like she's missed a ridiculous number of days, 20 it says in the story (she must have built up sick and/or personal days from previous years of employment), and I'm not buying her migraine story. If she has migraines, I don't think she'd be out in the bright sun on a fishing boat, so let's hope she wasn't out fishing on one of those "migraine" sick days.

But, look, if she's earned the days...they should give them to her. If her son is legitimately sick, then they would have no reason to fire her...that'd be partly a discrimination thing I believe.

I think it's telling that they are not letting her finish the year...if it was strictly an issue where they wanted to move on because they didn't like the job she was doing, they wouldn't finish paying her salary and hire a long-term substitute. Moreover, if they didn't like how she was teaching...they would let her know and try to correct the problem, and that would be an indictment on the administration if they let her continue teaching for two years, while they thought was doing a bad job at teaching a subject, thus jeopardizing the education of their students. So, I don't fully by that this was an issue of the quality of her work, it may have been an issue on the quality of her breast cup size.

Yes, she teaches in a high school. Yes, it's possible she would end up taking out a dad of one of her students on one of these fishing days. Yes, there are apparently pictures of her on this fishing companies website, but the pictures are no worse than that same high schooler going to his local beach, seeing his teacher in a hot bikini and snapping a picture. Are we going to stop allowing teachers to wear bikini's on beaches now?

Clearly, she's not a candidate for Florida's "Teacher of the Year" Program. But, she needed to take care of her family when she got the d-i-v-o-r-c-e and she took steps to ensure their financial viability. I think this is a responsible thing for a parent to do. And the school should be more supportive because I'm certain she no longer has health insurance coverage for her boys, which makes things only worse. They should have tried to work with her more.

Baby Boomers Sticking It to the MAN...the MAN being their children

Interesting article, or press report here. According to Census data in Canada, younger people continue to be screwed by Baby Boomers. The generation that went through the 60s, felt tremendous guilt for doing so, became radicalized religious, sex-deprived, right-winger, moralists...who consistently claim they want their children to have it better than they did...continue to belie their own words through their actions.

Middle managers, and corporate executives, often in that Baby Boomer age, continue to hog all the wealth, demand tax cuts for their SUVs, and continue to support this ridiculous idea of a "War on Drugs" (while keeping alcohol, mind you)...keep giving their peers offspring shitty jobs at shitty pay.

A key graft: "Across all age groups, median salaries for full-time workers have changed little in 25 years. Workers today make, on average, a mere $53 more than they did in 1980, when adjusted for inflation..."

So, all that work, all that moralizing has lead to a whopping $53 more a year for doing the same type of job, if not more so because people are now expected to work from home, deal with e-mail, etc, etc. Thanks a ton there BB's.

The BB's are anathema to me. I loathe them despite having a mother whom I dearly love and adore, and I owe a lot. I mostly abhor their sexual and drug politics.

Clearly the Generation X & Yers are not the hardest working generation, and we can be very ego-centric, but you raised us. The BBs need to let go of their phobias, and give people a fair wage...my goodness.