Other people's posts

Propagandist Complains of Propaganda
How 90s of Them
Rove & Stephanopoulos

...playing for October-November...

In this special comment on President Bush’s surprise visit to Iraq “Countdown” host Keith Olbermann says President Bush is “playing us” on the state of the war in Iraq and when the troops will come home.

You wouldn't have known it if you watched the local news tonight . . .

... but it looks like full on civil war in Iraq. The Sunnis have left the Iraq government and as this story reports, the government has crumbled. I heard it on NPR in the car this evening and when I went to find it on the internet(s), it was rather hard to find. I will also comment on the fact that the reporter called them sonnies (as in your grandmother calling someone their son's son). But I digress. How the hell did this get buried?! For fuck-sake, we are now involved in a full blown civil war. "If we don't know our history we are bound to repeat it." Hello W, didn't the South denounce our government prior to the secession?

Michael Moore visits Cuba...your tax dollars investigate:

Classic--Michael Moore heads to Cuba as part of his healthcare system expose--soon to be released 'SiCKO'--and now the feds are investigating.

This is right up there with jailing Martha.
Let's let Jeffrey Skilling & George Bush off the hook for impacting people's lives and instead go after high-profile celebrities minding their own business.

Well, maybe Michael Moore makes a career out of NOT minding his own business, but at least he's not actually inflicting harm on others.

Some Thoughts on Work in the Current Era

...as inspired by the in-depth coverage of the Libby trial in the Mag this week.

I don't wanna play.
If a complex series of hidden rules, 'political baseball', and manipulation is how the system works--granted this particulary story focused on D.C. and our current government--I don't want to be a part.

We are taught to learn skills and even how to work with other people. But I don't recall ever learning how to 'play the game'. If it's so essential, why didn't someone say so--give some guidance; include in curricula, textbooks or teachings; or even mention in passing, "All these things you are learning don't mean anything if you don't know how to back-stab, manipulate, and CYA at all times."

So what, I think--am I left to drop out of society? Is this really how we are supposed to live our days--wondering how I might step on others to get where I want to be, or lie or use some lame excuse about why I should be excused, or worry about documenting everything I do or say?

Role models in our government? Please. Role models in business? Where?? Even on a personal level, locally, doesn't the world you work in seem to be loaded with 'politics'? Yeah, those hidden rules that we all hate so much but learn to follow and worry or talk or gossip ad naseum about them and their perpetrators. What happened to the 'give your word'-'Little House on the Prarie'-'Frog and Toad' ethics that I thought--and was taught--the world might be based on?!

Why bother to participate in this economy?!

Shut up and Sing - you'll win some Grammys!

"Heh-Heh" (To quote Natalie, quoting the Simpsons)

Vindication!!! You don't need to like country music, only freedom of speech (you know, one of the Bills of Rights) to feel proud to be an American tonight watching the Grammys. Way to go, Music World, for not only honoring the Dixie Chicks as musicians, but as Americans who refused to back down for having an opinion and stating it.

To anyone who's ever been told "Just go along with it" or "Cooperate", hear this: If you believe in your heart and soul that you have something to stand for, then don't make nice or back down. This country is a better place because of the people who didn't just "Shut up and Sing".

The State of our Union IS indeed strong - just ask Webb :)

Sorry for the delayed response...

Unfortunately, Shrub didn't give me enough to be as creative this year. The entire time, he looked truly stunned..."Oh my - thar's a woman behind me - AND she's not a Republican...I don't git it!" In fact, most of the night was that look.

My favorite thing about Tivo is the ability to pause and see the creatures on the screen make awkward faces...of course, Shrub & Cheney make them without Tivo, too. Cheney's look said "What the hell was I thinking when I took this job? This guy's an idoit!"

Shrub was fairly dry this year...although I almost lost it when he suggested an enormous tax CREDIT for health care - as if that fixes things - and then, the nerve to suggest one amount for singles and just double it for couples. HELLLLOOOOO...Health care for couples isn't twice what it is for singles. Seriously. Granted, families need more, but single parents need more than couples...oh, wait - there aren't single parents. What am I thinking. And I assume he only meant heterosexual couples. That had to be the most random, off the chart, out of left field suggestion. Thus the "I have no idear what Ium sayin' but sumboddy will liike it and forgit about IRack" look. Dumbass.

The BEST look of the night was Jim Webb's. He looked and sounded like a parent who'd had enough of their teen's bad behavior. Ahhh...he basically "bitch-slapped" Shrub. I love the "if he doesn't go the right way, we'll SHOW him the way." I don't think I've ever had such pleasure after listening to Shrub. If you didn't see it, READ IT...for sheer pleasure! :)

"The state of our union is strong"

I’m anxiously awaiting CLC’s state of the union overview because she is much funnier than I (remember last year’s review?). Here’s what I heard.

Fully fund the war. Balance the budget without raising taxes (I can only assume that means throwing women off welfare, oh and maybe stopping bridges to nowhere, maybe.) Subsidize private health insurance. Block grant public health insurance programs for the most needy. Privatize public education (you know, for the minority children).

Global climate change (not warming, change). Subsidize clean coal (such a thing exists?) and nucular (sic) power, oh, and throw a bone to those hippies who want wind and solar power. Reduce our dependence on oil much slower than the rest of the world (I think he said 20% in 20 years).

September 11th. Terrorist, terrorist, terrorist. Fully fund the war.

Stop AIDS in Africa by giving money to Pharma. (Those fags that get it here deserve to die.) Eliminate global poverty. Those morons who can’t pull themselves up by the bootstraps in the US should just live on the streets. Just look at the black guy in the gallery who is the shining example of who we should be. More gratuitous examples of people who can pull themselves up. Just look again in the gallery, heroes, all of them.

We’ve been through a lot together. (Yeah, it’s called the Bush administration). God bless.

Rangel on Bush

Employing the Otter Defense

Anyone who can compare a Tony Snow rant to a scene in Animal House is ok with me.

This afternoon's top stories on Google News

Bush's new plan for Iraq contains many elements tried before
"...Bush advisers also believe that Americans do not necessarily support an immediate withdrawal and might be willing to give the president the benefit of the doubt if he presents a feasible, detailed plan that points the way to an eventual U.S. drawdown..."

America Attacks
"...Unlike when you are fishing, you can't throw the minnows back into the sea afterwards, and the battle for Somalia is all about the minnows..."

ET, Phone Steve Jobs
"...In the press section, reporters actually gasped in awe a couple of times, or laughed at the delightful feats of technology Jobs was showing off..."

Flirt to Convert

We really must stop eating at chain restaurants on Sunday "after church". Overheard today....

-Theory that the "liberals" are hiding the WMD in Iraq just to make Bush look bad. Great relief was shared that now that Saddam was dead, the 9/11 nightmare is over.
- Home from college participants discuss their Missionary Dating activities. (Bummer that no one seemed to be dressed in appropriate attire.)
-Quizzing of young children on the geography of heaven.
- Discussion of the lies of "science". (Where are those Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster tracts when you need them?)

Store bought dip & potato chips...

One of these days folks are going to show up for a gathering at our house and discover a tub of store bought dip sitting next to an opened bag of potato chips. It is the running joke of Jeepboy & I who recognize how lucky we are to have found each other. If only one of us was over the top, we would likely drive the other one batty. Thanks to everyone who joined us to celebrate at our annual anniversary hoopla. Pictures are posted on the dog blog. Note: Drinking Grasscutter Punch may impact your ability to take good photos.