Which I did again today. Last two, I hope, and then maybe new ones and some pizza next week.
Anyway, just about the time I was about ready to give up on OpEdNews.com, I find this lurking down near the bottom of the page. This is great stuff and somebody should have said it this way, way sooner. Give it a look:
Article at http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/diarypage.php?did=8358How Did 'Investor Satisfaction' Ever Get to be a Taxpayer Priority?
After the mortgage crisis, Fannie and Freddie falling flat, Wall street rescues and everyday bank failures, I keep wondering, who is going to bail out the bail-outers? Someone should remind the Fed that they can't just keep printing money forever and that their Chinese Master Card will run dry some day soon. According ot the news this morning, Exxon/Mobil and Shell Oil made about $24B profit between them just in the last quarter. Maybe we should borrow the money from them?
Life goes on in Texas.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Theatre of the absurd
I swear, I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Every day that I think that things cannot become any more absurd, outlandish, ridiculous or inconceivable, but then I read something like this.
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/07/30/doj-ig-gonzales-‘said-he-wasnt-aware-of-what-was-going-on’-in-his-agency/"DOJ IG: Gonzales ‘said he wasn’t aware of what was going on’ in his agency."
My guess is that you will never, ever hear this story, per se, from the likes of Katie Couric, or NBC or CNN (and surely NEVER from Fox Noise), but here it is. How do you admit to yourself, to your fellows and to the observing world, that your US AG didn't know at all what was going on and and still doesn't get it? And this guy is still walking around on the streets of America?
I am simply flabbergasted.
Life goes on in Texas.
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/07/30/doj-ig-gonzales-‘said-he-wasnt-aware-of-what-was-going-on’-in-his-agency/"DOJ IG: Gonzales ‘said he wasn’t aware of what was going on’ in his agency."
My guess is that you will never, ever hear this story, per se, from the likes of Katie Couric, or NBC or CNN (and surely NEVER from Fox Noise), but here it is. How do you admit to yourself, to your fellows and to the observing world, that your US AG didn't know at all what was going on and and still doesn't get it? And this guy is still walking around on the streets of America?
I am simply flabbergasted.
Life goes on in Texas.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Must be Tuesday
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25916299/ READ THIS
I know: Here he goes again! However:
What I think is that it is completely ridiculous that the MSM has decided to plaster the indictment of the this aging AK senator all over the front page of everything they can find (I know: he probably is as guilty as sin) while
-Almost nobody reported on the eventually-non-impeachment debacle that took place on Capitol Hill last week. That was a first rate fiasco because nobody in Congress has any balls;
-After ghastly revelations about DOJ improprieties and another Monica whats-her-name and Gonzales malfeasance, no one in the WH press corps has asked Dana Perino one question about it in two days of press conferences;
-No one has seen fit to mention that the total number of US personnel killed in our two wars has now surpassed 4300 people;
-I have read three separate stories about female US military personnel who have been raped, tortured and killed by either our own servicemen or independent contractors;
-I have seen only ONE story about the fact that Blackwater has recieved millions of dollars in SBA loans to finance their mercenary work.
Anyone who is unwilling to admit that things are really screwed up should re-evaluate their outlook on life.
Life Goes On in Texas.
I know: Here he goes again! However:
What I think is that it is completely ridiculous that the MSM has decided to plaster the indictment of the this aging AK senator all over the front page of everything they can find (I know: he probably is as guilty as sin) while
-Almost nobody reported on the eventually-non-impeachment debacle that took place on Capitol Hill last week. That was a first rate fiasco because nobody in Congress has any balls;
-After ghastly revelations about DOJ improprieties and another Monica whats-her-name and Gonzales malfeasance, no one in the WH press corps has asked Dana Perino one question about it in two days of press conferences;
-No one has seen fit to mention that the total number of US personnel killed in our two wars has now surpassed 4300 people;
-I have read three separate stories about female US military personnel who have been raped, tortured and killed by either our own servicemen or independent contractors;
-I have seen only ONE story about the fact that Blackwater has recieved millions of dollars in SBA loans to finance their mercenary work.
Anyone who is unwilling to admit that things are really screwed up should re-evaluate their outlook on life.
Life Goes On in Texas.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Funny: Today they are "discussing" impeachment
There are frequent discussions about "envy" of various sorts, like penis envy, fashion envy, and so on. But today I have a serious case of "writer's envy". While the bloggers and the independent news sources are feverishly chasing down the latest "non-statements" about impeachment in the hearings(they can't use the word and can't call Bush a liar?), Eugene Robinson offered this cogent and eloquent commentary about the Obama/Berlin event that poured acid rain on McCain's trip to the grocery store (Did you see the clip on the Daily Show, where the applesauce fell all over the floor at McCain's feet? It was a priceless Mastercard moment.) Here's Mr. Robinson:
The Dream Campaign Goes to Berlin
While John McCain pouted in obscurity, Barack Obama capped off a whirlwind tour with a commanding performance on the world stage.
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20080724_the_dream_campaign_comes_to_berlin/
I want to write like this when I grow up.
The Dream Campaign Goes to Berlin
While John McCain pouted in obscurity, Barack Obama capped off a whirlwind tour with a commanding performance on the world stage.
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20080724_the_dream_campaign_comes_to_berlin/
I want to write like this when I grow up.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Testing the Waters
While sitting in a waiting room this morning, while someone tried to fix my truck, I encountered two elderly ladies (caucasian) and posed a question to them. I said I reported some for the AARP on political affairs and the eldlerly (I do) and asked what they thought about the current presidential race and the candidates.
The first lady declined to make any comment at all. Her lips were sealed. She seemed horrified that I would even ask.
The second lady, a retired veteran of the US Air Force, was quick to say that McCain was "seasoned, experienced, knew the 'buttholes' in Washington and could lead us through our problems".
"That other guy", she said, was "a great 'oratator', a smooth talker and very persuasive. In fact he could probably talk you into anything." She was also adamant about his lack of experience, but defended his charm.
She concluded, "I don't like McCain but I'm gonna vote for him. Besides, that other guy, if he gets the job, won't live long enough to do anything, anyway."
Then I found out it would cost $1074.00 to fix my truck.
The first lady declined to make any comment at all. Her lips were sealed. She seemed horrified that I would even ask.
The second lady, a retired veteran of the US Air Force, was quick to say that McCain was "seasoned, experienced, knew the 'buttholes' in Washington and could lead us through our problems".
"That other guy", she said, was "a great 'oratator', a smooth talker and very persuasive. In fact he could probably talk you into anything." She was also adamant about his lack of experience, but defended his charm.
She concluded, "I don't like McCain but I'm gonna vote for him. Besides, that other guy, if he gets the job, won't live long enough to do anything, anyway."
Then I found out it would cost $1074.00 to fix my truck.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Too much for a Friday night
Special Edition of Sawdusttx
Set your clocks back: it is 1984!!!!! George Orwell lives!!! Doublespeak has arrived!!!!
7/18/2008: Tonight this was reported in a story on MSNBC.com:
"The two leaders agreed that improvements in security should allow for the negotiations "to include a general time horizon for meeting aspirational goals, such as the resumption of Iraqi security control in their cities and provinces and the further reduction of U.S. combat forces from Iraq," the White House said. "
The bold and italics are mine. This article attempts to make clear that these two leaders are trying to make clear (????) that a general time horizon is not a time schedule for a troop withdrawl. Got that? Well, I know what it is NOT, but just what in the world is it, exactly? And who, exactly do these two leaders think they are leading?
And would someone please tell me WHAT THE HELL an aspirational goal is? I thought aspirating was something you did into a mask in the hospital.
What few marbles were rolling around on the floor of the Executive Branch have been lost completely. I have said it before on this blog and I will say it again:
The government thinks we are stupid and we let them get away with it!
Set your clocks back: it is 1984!!!!! George Orwell lives!!! Doublespeak has arrived!!!!
7/18/2008: Tonight this was reported in a story on MSNBC.com:
"The two leaders agreed that improvements in security should allow for the negotiations "to include a general time horizon for meeting aspirational goals, such as the resumption of Iraqi security control in their cities and provinces and the further reduction of U.S. combat forces from Iraq," the White House said. "
The bold and italics are mine. This article attempts to make clear that these two leaders are trying to make clear (????) that a general time horizon is not a time schedule for a troop withdrawl. Got that? Well, I know what it is NOT, but just what in the world is it, exactly? And who, exactly do these two leaders think they are leading?
And would someone please tell me WHAT THE HELL an aspirational goal is? I thought aspirating was something you did into a mask in the hospital.
What few marbles were rolling around on the floor of the Executive Branch have been lost completely. I have said it before on this blog and I will say it again:
The government thinks we are stupid and we let them get away with it!
Monday, July 14, 2008
I wish I was at the Pool
Flip-Flops are For Kids
I do not remember when the term “flip-flop” started being used in general conversation, but I’m sure it was about the time the rubbery, sandal-type, thong thingies showed up as swimwear attributes.. I have no idea where the name came from, or who might have coined it, but presumably it came from the sound the soles make as you walk across poolside concrete: flip-flop, flip-flop. I know the phrase has also been used to describe the actions of a fish out of water, going flip-flop frantically, as it tries to get back into sea.
I have never owned a pair of flip-flops and never worn any. And I have never helped a fish back into the water, but the flip-flop metaphor is in use nearly everywhere the media covers politics today, and it is time for some usage correction and an apology. To be blunt, I’m sick of hearing and seeing it.
The term “flip-flop” has become an extremely derogatory one. After John Kerry’s campaign, it has been used widely to describe the way in which a politician seems to abruptly modified his or her position on an issue. This invariably brings about massive consternation from the politico’s former supporters on the previous position and a great hoopla generally ensues. Then matters usually get out of hand for few hours, until someone else makes an even bigger faux pas.
Over the weekend, I heard (of all people) Gov. Scharzenegger state (after blasting Bush on climate change: a flip-flop for a Republican) that if a politician, “after 20 or so years in a warm, comfortable place “ (or words to that effect) realizes that relevant conditions and factors have changed enough to warrant a reasonable change of mind, that is a “good thing” (or words to that effect). He went on to say that if the current presidential candidates find themselves facing that option, it is to their credit for having the resolve to modify their stance.
However, we should remember two things. First, politicians make this position-altering maneuver more frequently during campaigns than they do after being elected. Post-campaign changes are rare, but not unheard of. Don’t forget that George W. made any number of position promises (before he started signing signing statements) before the election, only to wind up immutably sticking with “stay the course” for almost eight years. He has done this despite raging public furor during much of the same time. Like myself, I guess George doesn’t own any flip-flops, either.
Secondly, politicians do not actually flip-flop. They simply slide, smoothly and craftily, but not entirely unnoticed, with linguistic fluidity, from the left to the right or the right to the left. Along the way they graze over and sometimes acknowledge the middle. But they do not go instantaneously from black to white. Although many of them would like to convince us they have the ability, they are not magicians. And despite their bluster and magnanimous claims, they are incapable of moving mountains. They may slide and slither, talk in vague metaphors and exaggerate, pontificate and try to reverse trends, but they do not flip-flop. They are not capable of anything so spectacular or complete. And let’s not forget, as politicians seem to most often, that usually a fish that flops too much on the beach soon dies of exhaustion and is eventually swept away by the tide.
We should abandon this phrase when talking politics. It is inaccurate. Flip-flop is a poolside noise, a cheap rubbery piece of footwear, the dying effort of a floundered fish. But politicians cannot do it as adroitly as is widely reported in the media. The frequent media use of flip-flop should be discontinued. And an apology is due to whoever invented the silly things for so horribly maligning their image in the public rhetoric. Flip-flops are for kids and for adults who wish they still were. Flip-flops are a cultural convenience: politicians are not.
Life goes on in Texas
P.S. After I wrote this, I realized that I should have mentioned that flip-flops can be bought at Wal-Mart and politicians can be had anywhere. And I think both are made in China.
I do not remember when the term “flip-flop” started being used in general conversation, but I’m sure it was about the time the rubbery, sandal-type, thong thingies showed up as swimwear attributes.. I have no idea where the name came from, or who might have coined it, but presumably it came from the sound the soles make as you walk across poolside concrete: flip-flop, flip-flop. I know the phrase has also been used to describe the actions of a fish out of water, going flip-flop frantically, as it tries to get back into sea.
I have never owned a pair of flip-flops and never worn any. And I have never helped a fish back into the water, but the flip-flop metaphor is in use nearly everywhere the media covers politics today, and it is time for some usage correction and an apology. To be blunt, I’m sick of hearing and seeing it.
The term “flip-flop” has become an extremely derogatory one. After John Kerry’s campaign, it has been used widely to describe the way in which a politician seems to abruptly modified his or her position on an issue. This invariably brings about massive consternation from the politico’s former supporters on the previous position and a great hoopla generally ensues. Then matters usually get out of hand for few hours, until someone else makes an even bigger faux pas.
Over the weekend, I heard (of all people) Gov. Scharzenegger state (after blasting Bush on climate change: a flip-flop for a Republican) that if a politician, “after 20 or so years in a warm, comfortable place “ (or words to that effect) realizes that relevant conditions and factors have changed enough to warrant a reasonable change of mind, that is a “good thing” (or words to that effect). He went on to say that if the current presidential candidates find themselves facing that option, it is to their credit for having the resolve to modify their stance.
However, we should remember two things. First, politicians make this position-altering maneuver more frequently during campaigns than they do after being elected. Post-campaign changes are rare, but not unheard of. Don’t forget that George W. made any number of position promises (before he started signing signing statements) before the election, only to wind up immutably sticking with “stay the course” for almost eight years. He has done this despite raging public furor during much of the same time. Like myself, I guess George doesn’t own any flip-flops, either.
Secondly, politicians do not actually flip-flop. They simply slide, smoothly and craftily, but not entirely unnoticed, with linguistic fluidity, from the left to the right or the right to the left. Along the way they graze over and sometimes acknowledge the middle. But they do not go instantaneously from black to white. Although many of them would like to convince us they have the ability, they are not magicians. And despite their bluster and magnanimous claims, they are incapable of moving mountains. They may slide and slither, talk in vague metaphors and exaggerate, pontificate and try to reverse trends, but they do not flip-flop. They are not capable of anything so spectacular or complete. And let’s not forget, as politicians seem to most often, that usually a fish that flops too much on the beach soon dies of exhaustion and is eventually swept away by the tide.
We should abandon this phrase when talking politics. It is inaccurate. Flip-flop is a poolside noise, a cheap rubbery piece of footwear, the dying effort of a floundered fish. But politicians cannot do it as adroitly as is widely reported in the media. The frequent media use of flip-flop should be discontinued. And an apology is due to whoever invented the silly things for so horribly maligning their image in the public rhetoric. Flip-flops are for kids and for adults who wish they still were. Flip-flops are a cultural convenience: politicians are not.
Life goes on in Texas
P.S. After I wrote this, I realized that I should have mentioned that flip-flops can be bought at Wal-Mart and politicians can be had anywhere. And I think both are made in China.
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