The Repubs took a stand this week declaring they would let the government shutdown to force a defunding of Obamacare. A week passes...into two weeks...now the discussion has turned into being about spending cuts. Again? Last time the administration agreed to a $10 spending cut for every dollar appropriated and the Repubs, and Tea Baggers in particular, turned their nose up at it. They don't give a damn about spending cuts, but it makes a nice headline. Hey Boehner, this crack in the dam can't be smoothed over with "spending cuts" rhetoric. That hasn't happened for a while now folks.
Tonight top Repubs met with the President and they offered a 6 week extension, and he is apparently agreeable. He's in the driver's seat. Sure he'll agree. If he doesn't, the default becomes his fault. So he does, and holds fast on his position. I sure hope so, and the majority of Americans who re-elected him hope so too. Six weeks from now....getting close to Christmas, while President Obama is lighting the National Christmas Tree, the Repubs can threaten to default again if they like.
They can also keep the Government shut down too if they like. I feel bad for the people planning a vacation to DC in the next few months, but if they voted Repub, then they got what they voted for. Let's keep this sucker shut down Repubs! You're getting all kinds of great press for denying death benefits for fallen soldiers, and WWII vets having to force their way into National monuments. In fact Republicans have now fallen in the polls the deepest since Gallup has been taking polls!
Let's ride this sucker into next year, and maybe the Dems will kick your ass in the mid-terms. Thanks for making it easy. That's all I can say. Kick out the tea baggers now, while you still can!
The last time a small group of radicals tried to take over the government and hold the rest hostage occurred in Germany in the early 30's. We will not let it happen again.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Only a Gracious President Would Ask For Other Opinions.
President Obama was recently considering military strike action in Syria after the Syrian regime used chemical weapons against a hundred helpless men, women, and children. We had, after all, indicated time after time that this sort of thing would not be tolerated by America or the rest of the civilized world. Why just a false rumor about these sort of weapons drove us into Iraq and a 1.3 Trillion dollar debt, not to mention the thousands of our best a brightest spilling blood in that hellish desert.
The military and the President were considering surgical drone and air strikes to wreak havoc with the traditional Government's military and perhaps give the insurgents an leg up on what's happening there. No American boot would ever hit the soil. The President was ready, was close to pushing a plan through, and then.....what happened?
Well, of course the Republicans happened. Ever eager to second-guess and challenge the President on every move, and in an attempt to foil any effort he might undertake to do the right thing and look good for doing it in the end. John Boughner started declaring that Congress should be consulted before any military action could be taken. Really? Since when? Since a black man held the White House?
Military action has been routinely exercised by Presidents since time began and seldom has it raised an eyebrow. But of course they were white. But I digress. Anybody remember Reagan in Grenada? Clinton in Kosovo? Reagan in Panama, and that Fighter plane shoot-down in Libya? And there are others especially the Queen Mother of them all, Truman in Korea. Of course war was never declared in VietNam either, but I can't remember and am too lazy to look it up and see if Congress was consulted over that little skirmish in Southeast Asia that took 54,000 American lives.
I can't decide if Obama is turning to the Congress so that he can lay it at their feet and later (if it happens again) be able to say to them "I wanted to take action, but you didn't want to." Perhaps he will listen to a bill of goods the war weary American people have been sold - that we just can't afford to stand up for what's right anymore.
Not to say that the other side doesn't have legitimate questions. They do. Senator McCain asks "What is the end game?" That's fair. Spell it out Mr. President. What are we talking about here? A one-time thing? Will two strikes make enough of a statement? What exactly are we talking about here? Those are totally legitimate questions and should be answered before anybody could weigh in with an intelligent opinion. Whether they be a member of Congress or John Q. Public. The President has scheduled a national address on Tuesday night, presumably to do just that.
And there is a question about the intelligence we have concerning the chemical weapons used. Certainly the President has the best intelligence our agencies can provide and there are things about it that you and I will never know. But Mr. President, make sure the intelligence is good and share it then with the key players in Congress so that they can spread the word.
But in the end, Congress and the American People may say no. And then Mr. President, as you sit in the Oval Office late at night with the lights low, and you sit with only your own wisdom and knowledge and gut instincts that tell you to do the right thing (and I don't know what that is), are you up to the task? If you decide to go it alone, are you willing to take the jeers from the stands Jackie Robinson? Are you ready to be, what John Kennedy would earlier call a "Profile in Courage?"
Whatever the outcome, I don't envy you Mr. President. But then again, you asked for the most horrible job in the world.
The military and the President were considering surgical drone and air strikes to wreak havoc with the traditional Government's military and perhaps give the insurgents an leg up on what's happening there. No American boot would ever hit the soil. The President was ready, was close to pushing a plan through, and then.....what happened?
Well, of course the Republicans happened. Ever eager to second-guess and challenge the President on every move, and in an attempt to foil any effort he might undertake to do the right thing and look good for doing it in the end. John Boughner started declaring that Congress should be consulted before any military action could be taken. Really? Since when? Since a black man held the White House?
Military action has been routinely exercised by Presidents since time began and seldom has it raised an eyebrow. But of course they were white. But I digress. Anybody remember Reagan in Grenada? Clinton in Kosovo? Reagan in Panama, and that Fighter plane shoot-down in Libya? And there are others especially the Queen Mother of them all, Truman in Korea. Of course war was never declared in VietNam either, but I can't remember and am too lazy to look it up and see if Congress was consulted over that little skirmish in Southeast Asia that took 54,000 American lives.
I can't decide if Obama is turning to the Congress so that he can lay it at their feet and later (if it happens again) be able to say to them "I wanted to take action, but you didn't want to." Perhaps he will listen to a bill of goods the war weary American people have been sold - that we just can't afford to stand up for what's right anymore.
Not to say that the other side doesn't have legitimate questions. They do. Senator McCain asks "What is the end game?" That's fair. Spell it out Mr. President. What are we talking about here? A one-time thing? Will two strikes make enough of a statement? What exactly are we talking about here? Those are totally legitimate questions and should be answered before anybody could weigh in with an intelligent opinion. Whether they be a member of Congress or John Q. Public. The President has scheduled a national address on Tuesday night, presumably to do just that.
And there is a question about the intelligence we have concerning the chemical weapons used. Certainly the President has the best intelligence our agencies can provide and there are things about it that you and I will never know. But Mr. President, make sure the intelligence is good and share it then with the key players in Congress so that they can spread the word.
But in the end, Congress and the American People may say no. And then Mr. President, as you sit in the Oval Office late at night with the lights low, and you sit with only your own wisdom and knowledge and gut instincts that tell you to do the right thing (and I don't know what that is), are you up to the task? If you decide to go it alone, are you willing to take the jeers from the stands Jackie Robinson? Are you ready to be, what John Kennedy would earlier call a "Profile in Courage?"
Whatever the outcome, I don't envy you Mr. President. But then again, you asked for the most horrible job in the world.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Hmmm.
Now we find out "Progessive groups" were also picked on by the IRS, but this didn't make the mainstream media as much. So my FOX News friends are rejoicing....
Saturday, May 18, 2013
The IRS Scandal
The IRS have apparently been up to their old evil tricks again. Back in the Nixon era, the inmates running the asylum targeted people considered enemies of Nixon. And now these idiots are back trying to harass people they may not philosophically agree with. The IRS have been systematically focusing extra efforts scrutinizing any groups with extreme right-wing ideologies. Or so the head of the agency announced to Congressional Committees. The report was sent out in emails in February.
The President is outraged. He should be. Congress is outraged. They should be. John Boughner is outraged. He should be. We all should be. The IRS are the most evil wicked pieces of filth in the American political system.
Hey, because they were picking on groups I don't agree with doesn't matter. The IRS are scum and I don't trust any of them. Just remember friends, if they can do this to the right wing zealots today, they will do it to us clear thinking, level headed wonderful people tomorrow.
It is high time to take a real look at dismantling this disgusting agency.
The President is outraged. He should be. Congress is outraged. They should be. John Boughner is outraged. He should be. We all should be. The IRS are the most evil wicked pieces of filth in the American political system.
Hey, because they were picking on groups I don't agree with doesn't matter. The IRS are scum and I don't trust any of them. Just remember friends, if they can do this to the right wing zealots today, they will do it to us clear thinking, level headed wonderful people tomorrow.
It is high time to take a real look at dismantling this disgusting agency.
Friday, May 10, 2013
The Prophecy and the Politics
After the last Presidential election I was looking at a post made by the charming and lovable Bill Murgan. On this particular Facebook post his right wing sister was ranting on about how with Obama being re-elected meant the end of Western Civilization or some such thing, and I posted after her. I told her not to fret. Things will swing the other way again (in the very small area of moderate). I told her "The Repubs will talk Chris Christie into getting a gastric by-pass, he'll be slim and trim by election 2016, and he'll beat Hillary Clinton by a nose." This is a prediction I had been throwing around quite a bit amongst my friends, and any of the very angry people all around me at work who would listen. Bill's sister replied something to the effect of "You don't have to be snide" (that's a paraphrase), and I assured her I wasn't trying to be funny. I told her I was dead serious.
The other morning when it was announced that Chris Christie had gotten stomach weight loss surgery, my wife woke me up in disbelief. She said it was creepy how it was happening like I said it would. I spoke to Bill that day, and he remembered my prediction too. I even reminded Bill's sister and all she could say was that she only hoped the rest of my prediction would come true.
I saw this one coming from a million miles away. The Party knew they had a potential winner on their hands, but they knew a fat guy will not get elected in this Entertainment-Tonight-shallow-glamor-glitz world we live in. Now understand, even though this prediction is beginning to play out, there are a zillion (well maybe not a zillion, but many) variables that could arise to change the whole election landscape. The Dems might not run Hillary. Another Dem could dynamically charge out of the wilderness ala Barrack Obama. The right wing extremists of the Republican Party might put on enough pressure to push Jeb Bush into the spotlight. (Gosh I hope not.) But if the rest of my prediction does play out, I can live with Chris Christie. He is a moderate Republican and he can be reasonable and open to compromise. I would never vote for him, but I could easily see a slim President Christie winning over a majority of the American Public.
As for the Politics part of this post, let's talk about the President's stance on gun legislation. Most right wingers will not understand the rest of this post so you may as well go catch the next episode of "Duck Dynasty".
The President is pro Second Amendment. He is. But he has to react. He represents everybody, and that includes shooting victims. As I predicted, this too is all smoke and mirrors. So far, assault weapons are off the table, large clips are off the table, and about the only thing left is more extensive background checks. I will never understand how after the Newtown shootings when the President said that we should more vigorously enforce existing laws and have better background checks, the right started crying "He wants to take our guns!" But what he is saying now is much more clever than that. This is where it gets tricky. The President (and the First Lady) keep saying "This deserves a vote." "Contact your Congressmen and let them know this deserves a vote." But the deal is, President Obama knows that it will never pass a vote. He knows it. But for him, it's win-win. He showed the anti-gun people he wanted a vote, and then can blame the Repubs when it fails. This is politics at it's finest. These subtle nuances are a thing of beauty and a wonder to behold.
And in the end nothing will change, and politics roll along as usual.
The other morning when it was announced that Chris Christie had gotten stomach weight loss surgery, my wife woke me up in disbelief. She said it was creepy how it was happening like I said it would. I spoke to Bill that day, and he remembered my prediction too. I even reminded Bill's sister and all she could say was that she only hoped the rest of my prediction would come true.
I saw this one coming from a million miles away. The Party knew they had a potential winner on their hands, but they knew a fat guy will not get elected in this Entertainment-Tonight-shallow-glamor-glitz world we live in. Now understand, even though this prediction is beginning to play out, there are a zillion (well maybe not a zillion, but many) variables that could arise to change the whole election landscape. The Dems might not run Hillary. Another Dem could dynamically charge out of the wilderness ala Barrack Obama. The right wing extremists of the Republican Party might put on enough pressure to push Jeb Bush into the spotlight. (Gosh I hope not.) But if the rest of my prediction does play out, I can live with Chris Christie. He is a moderate Republican and he can be reasonable and open to compromise. I would never vote for him, but I could easily see a slim President Christie winning over a majority of the American Public.
As for the Politics part of this post, let's talk about the President's stance on gun legislation. Most right wingers will not understand the rest of this post so you may as well go catch the next episode of "Duck Dynasty".
The President is pro Second Amendment. He is. But he has to react. He represents everybody, and that includes shooting victims. As I predicted, this too is all smoke and mirrors. So far, assault weapons are off the table, large clips are off the table, and about the only thing left is more extensive background checks. I will never understand how after the Newtown shootings when the President said that we should more vigorously enforce existing laws and have better background checks, the right started crying "He wants to take our guns!" But what he is saying now is much more clever than that. This is where it gets tricky. The President (and the First Lady) keep saying "This deserves a vote." "Contact your Congressmen and let them know this deserves a vote." But the deal is, President Obama knows that it will never pass a vote. He knows it. But for him, it's win-win. He showed the anti-gun people he wanted a vote, and then can blame the Repubs when it fails. This is politics at it's finest. These subtle nuances are a thing of beauty and a wonder to behold.
And in the end nothing will change, and politics roll along as usual.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Now Is The Time Republicans to Ask the Tea Baggers to Leave
It is growing ever more apparent that it is time for the mainstream Republican Party to grow a pair and ask the right wing fanatics that joined the GOP for no reason other than to ride the coat-tails of credibility, to...well...exit. The Republican leaders are at the perfect junction to tell these folks to hit the bricks without losing much at the polls. In fact, it would undoubtedly be to the GOP's benefit three plus years from now.
I can't remember exactly when it was that any right wing flaky fanatical wing nut could label him/her self a Republican and put themselves on a ballot as being legitimate, but it happened. The Republican leadership allowed these folks to jump on the bandwagon, but it rapidly became apparent that might not have been the best course of action. They wanted a win more than they wanted to worry about who the winners were. And now that selfish choice is coming back to haunt them.
According to Tim Dickinson's insightful article in the March 28, 2013 Rolling Stone, although the GOP is trying hard to market themselves as "colorblind", and not "anti-government", the truth is becoming painfully more apparent, and in my opinion it is being primarily fueled by the right-wing fringe of the Party. Some Repubs are rethinking gay marriage, and some are even talking friendlier about immigration. But don't be fooled. These Tea Party nuts will never leave their perceived reactionary safety net.
I soon will write an open letter to John Boeghner begging him to dredge up some intestinal fortitude and kick these Tea Party bastards out into the street. It is early in the cycle and now is the time. All the initial hysteria will be gone from the fickle American public's mind by the 2014 elections, and most certainly in 2016. Let the Tea Party form their own party. It will be the joke of everyone.
The Republican Party has been held hostage long enough. The thing that gave the Tea Party any leverage at all is the GOP belief that if the Tea Party were to go solo, they would steal votes from the GOP thereby ensuring Democratic victories. If they move now that won't be true. The real Republicans have never bought into this dog and pony show. Let there be all the headlines and flurry of news activity. In two weeks the Tea Party will have the credibility legs of Pat Paulsen's Stag Party.
More to follow.........
I can't remember exactly when it was that any right wing flaky fanatical wing nut could label him/her self a Republican and put themselves on a ballot as being legitimate, but it happened. The Republican leadership allowed these folks to jump on the bandwagon, but it rapidly became apparent that might not have been the best course of action. They wanted a win more than they wanted to worry about who the winners were. And now that selfish choice is coming back to haunt them.
According to Tim Dickinson's insightful article in the March 28, 2013 Rolling Stone, although the GOP is trying hard to market themselves as "colorblind", and not "anti-government", the truth is becoming painfully more apparent, and in my opinion it is being primarily fueled by the right-wing fringe of the Party. Some Repubs are rethinking gay marriage, and some are even talking friendlier about immigration. But don't be fooled. These Tea Party nuts will never leave their perceived reactionary safety net.
I soon will write an open letter to John Boeghner begging him to dredge up some intestinal fortitude and kick these Tea Party bastards out into the street. It is early in the cycle and now is the time. All the initial hysteria will be gone from the fickle American public's mind by the 2014 elections, and most certainly in 2016. Let the Tea Party form their own party. It will be the joke of everyone.
The Republican Party has been held hostage long enough. The thing that gave the Tea Party any leverage at all is the GOP belief that if the Tea Party were to go solo, they would steal votes from the GOP thereby ensuring Democratic victories. If they move now that won't be true. The real Republicans have never bought into this dog and pony show. Let there be all the headlines and flurry of news activity. In two weeks the Tea Party will have the credibility legs of Pat Paulsen's Stag Party.
More to follow.........
Monday, April 8, 2013
I Predicted This to Friends...
As I predicted to friends after all the talk about gun control fired up after Newtown, it will be a dog and pony show for awhile, and then everything will pretty much go back to normal.
Whatever normal in this crazy world is.
So far, banning any assault weapons is off the table, banning high capacity clips is off the table, and extended background checks have developed a serious cough. This is a good thing. These would have all disgusted our Founding Fathers, who, for all their faults, were brilliant guys in my estimation.
The President, who I love, is slightly misguided in his attempts to be the President of everybody all the time. I applaud his efforts, but he recently made a statement about the rise in poll numbers of people who fear the government. He made a statement - "The government is us. We elect these people." With all due respect, not necessarily Mr. President. I did not elect one single police officer in my town. I didn't get to elect the city manager who hired all the "public safety" officers. I didn't elect any of the folks in our military. These are the folks our Founding Fathers wanted us to be willing and ABLE to take on.
I strongly believe our Founding Fathers of course could not envision where the technology of weaponry would take us, but wherever it goes, they expected us, as good citizens, to keep up.
We should never, ever, ever settle for less than what the cops have. Ever.
Whatever normal in this crazy world is.
So far, banning any assault weapons is off the table, banning high capacity clips is off the table, and extended background checks have developed a serious cough. This is a good thing. These would have all disgusted our Founding Fathers, who, for all their faults, were brilliant guys in my estimation.
The President, who I love, is slightly misguided in his attempts to be the President of everybody all the time. I applaud his efforts, but he recently made a statement about the rise in poll numbers of people who fear the government. He made a statement - "The government is us. We elect these people." With all due respect, not necessarily Mr. President. I did not elect one single police officer in my town. I didn't get to elect the city manager who hired all the "public safety" officers. I didn't elect any of the folks in our military. These are the folks our Founding Fathers wanted us to be willing and ABLE to take on.
I strongly believe our Founding Fathers of course could not envision where the technology of weaponry would take us, but wherever it goes, they expected us, as good citizens, to keep up.
We should never, ever, ever settle for less than what the cops have. Ever.
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