Did anyone else see that there were 91,000 tons of ice cubes that was intended to cool food, medicine and sweltering victims of Katrina was hustled all over the southern states with the truck drivers being directed from one place to another and unable to unload the ice where the victims could use it.
About a week after Katrina, FEMA ordered 211 million pounds of ice. Officials eventually realized that much ice was overkill and managed to cancel some of the orders. Still the 182 million pounds actually supplied turned out to be far more than could be delivered to victims.
A lot of this ice overkill sat in trucks for over a week after being directed from one place to another with the drivers getting double pay. Finally out of about 150 trucks, three of them were sent to North Carolina. Even though they were making big bucks, the truckers were perplexed by the government’s apparent bungling.
On September 17, some of the trucks were directed to unload the ice into a government rented storage freezer in Nebraska. Others unloaded in other states. Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine expressed astonishment that many truckloads of ice had ended up in her state, 1,600 miles from the Hurricane Katrina damage zone.
All the time the truckers were hauling this ice back and forth, their coolers were running 24/7 to keep the ice from melting. This was at a cost of thousands of dollars which was passed on to all of us.
“I don’t think that’s a federal government responsibility to provide ice to keep my hamburger meat in my freezer or refrigerator fresh” said Mike Brown, former FEMA director.
It is estimated that there were 4,000 trucks involved in this movement of ice cubes. This ice (non) delivery costs you an me $100 million.
I think it would be nice if sometimes a person in charge would spend the publics money as if it was his own.
The California Curmudgeon
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Friday, September 30, 2005
JUDGES ON LIFE-SUPPORT
Isn’t it about time that we stopped giving Supreme Court judges a lifetime job? The president doesn’t even get that. No one gets that.
Germany has a 12-year limit for its high court judges. France, Italy and Spain have a nine-year term for their judges. Other nations such as Israel and Australia kick their judges out when they reach 70 years of age. Canada shows them the door at 75. Beyond judicial term limits and a mandatory retirement age, it’s also worth considering multiple appointing authorities.
In France, Germany and Italy, no single person or institution has a monopoly on appointments to the constitutional court. In Spain, four judges are appointed by the upper house, four by the lower house, two by the government, and two by a Judges Council.
This seems so much more progressive than us giving our judges lifetime appointments.
I’d say ten years for the judge, maybe twelve, but that’s it. Then we bring in some new blood. Some new thinking.
Even our judges on the U.S. Court of Federal claims are limited to 15-year terms. Members of the Federal Reserve Board, who are shielded from politics because they oversee the nation’s economy, serve 14-year terms, with their chairman appointed for a four-year term.
I think maybe this thing about our high court judges being appointed for life may have come from the fact that during the first 20 years, Supreme Court justices averaged 13 years of service. This is an acceptable figure. Later it went up to 26 years. That is when something should have been done; something changed.
I think everyone should be accountable to someone, but a person with a lifetime job is accountable to no one. During their later years, they can develop weird ideas, but these ideas must still be accepted as gospel.
This is not how this country should be run. We must get the Supreme Court judges away from politics and back to where they can concentrate only on the constitutionality of cases brought before them.
The California Curmudgeon.
Germany has a 12-year limit for its high court judges. France, Italy and Spain have a nine-year term for their judges. Other nations such as Israel and Australia kick their judges out when they reach 70 years of age. Canada shows them the door at 75. Beyond judicial term limits and a mandatory retirement age, it’s also worth considering multiple appointing authorities.
In France, Germany and Italy, no single person or institution has a monopoly on appointments to the constitutional court. In Spain, four judges are appointed by the upper house, four by the lower house, two by the government, and two by a Judges Council.
This seems so much more progressive than us giving our judges lifetime appointments.
I’d say ten years for the judge, maybe twelve, but that’s it. Then we bring in some new blood. Some new thinking.
Even our judges on the U.S. Court of Federal claims are limited to 15-year terms. Members of the Federal Reserve Board, who are shielded from politics because they oversee the nation’s economy, serve 14-year terms, with their chairman appointed for a four-year term.
I think maybe this thing about our high court judges being appointed for life may have come from the fact that during the first 20 years, Supreme Court justices averaged 13 years of service. This is an acceptable figure. Later it went up to 26 years. That is when something should have been done; something changed.
I think everyone should be accountable to someone, but a person with a lifetime job is accountable to no one. During their later years, they can develop weird ideas, but these ideas must still be accepted as gospel.
This is not how this country should be run. We must get the Supreme Court judges away from politics and back to where they can concentrate only on the constitutionality of cases brought before them.
The California Curmudgeon.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
THE CRUISES TO NOWHERE
On September 1, as tens of thousands of desperate Louisianans packed the New Orleans Superdome and convention center, FEMA was out buying 10,000 berths on full-service cruise ships. They gave Carnival Cruise Lines $236 million for a six month lease on three ships. These ships remain half empty as they bob in the Mississippi River and Mobile Bay.
If the ships were at capacity, with 7,116 evacuees, for six months, the price per evacuee would total $1,275 a week.
A seven-day Caribbean cruise out of Galveston normally costs around $599 a person, and that would include entertainment and the cost of actually making the ship move.
So actually, the government would have saved money if they had just sent all the evacuees on a six-month luxurious cruise.
The California Curmudgeon
A lot of this rant was stolen from Jonathan Weisman of the Washington Post.
If the ships were at capacity, with 7,116 evacuees, for six months, the price per evacuee would total $1,275 a week.
A seven-day Caribbean cruise out of Galveston normally costs around $599 a person, and that would include entertainment and the cost of actually making the ship move.
So actually, the government would have saved money if they had just sent all the evacuees on a six-month luxurious cruise.
The California Curmudgeon
A lot of this rant was stolen from Jonathan Weisman of the Washington Post.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
CONGRESS TO THE RESCUE
The estimated cost of full reconstruction of the Gulf Coast region is $200 billion unless, of course, Halliburton has cost-overruns).
Our glorious Congress rides to the rescue of the Gulf States by cutting into the lean and ignoring the fat.
Instead of cutting back on the tax cuts for the wealthest one-percent of the country (which would save us an estimated $327 billion), they have chosen to cut back on vital national services (programs for the people).
They plan to cut:
$225 billion from Medicare (the last-resort health insurance program for the very poor).
$200 billion from Medicare (the health care safety net for the elderly and the disabled).
$25 billion from the Centers for Disease Control.
$6.7 billion from school lunches for poor children.
$7.5 billion from programs to fight global AIDS.
$5.5 billion to eliminate all funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
$4.8 billion to eliminate all funding for the Safe and Drug-Free schools program.
$3.6 billion to eliminate the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities.
$8.5 billion to eliminate all subsidized loans to graduate students.
$2.5 billion from Amtrak.
$2.5 billion to eliminate the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative.
$417 million to eliminate the Minority Business Development Agency.
They call this plan "Operation Offset". This plan is not about "offsetting" or rebuilding, it's about exploiting this crisis to push their longstanding goals for America. And this goal is, as conservative movement leader Grover Norquist puts it "to get government down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub".
I think I hear the water running now.
The California Curmudgeon.
Our glorious Congress rides to the rescue of the Gulf States by cutting into the lean and ignoring the fat.
Instead of cutting back on the tax cuts for the wealthest one-percent of the country (which would save us an estimated $327 billion), they have chosen to cut back on vital national services (programs for the people).
They plan to cut:
$225 billion from Medicare (the last-resort health insurance program for the very poor).
$200 billion from Medicare (the health care safety net for the elderly and the disabled).
$25 billion from the Centers for Disease Control.
$6.7 billion from school lunches for poor children.
$7.5 billion from programs to fight global AIDS.
$5.5 billion to eliminate all funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
$4.8 billion to eliminate all funding for the Safe and Drug-Free schools program.
$3.6 billion to eliminate the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities.
$8.5 billion to eliminate all subsidized loans to graduate students.
$2.5 billion from Amtrak.
$2.5 billion to eliminate the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative.
$417 million to eliminate the Minority Business Development Agency.
They call this plan "Operation Offset". This plan is not about "offsetting" or rebuilding, it's about exploiting this crisis to push their longstanding goals for America. And this goal is, as conservative movement leader Grover Norquist puts it "to get government down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub".
I think I hear the water running now.
The California Curmudgeon.
BUSH WELCOMES GREED WITH AN EXECUTIVE ORDER
Katrina destroyed much of the Gulf States and now the repairs must begin. But even in these times of strife Bush “Politics of Greed” rears its ugly head.
First, there were “no bid” contracts given to Halliburton and Bechtel. Then Bush signed an executive order taking away the “prevailing wage” standards for construction workers who will be hired to rebuild the Gulf Coast.
This means that these people who are struggling to get back on their feet, after being knocked down and losing everything in the hurricane, will not be paid the “prevailing wage” for the job they do. It’s all about greed, folks. Less for the worker, more for the contractor.
At least nine times in the past decade, right-wing extremists in the Republican Party tried to get Congress to repeal or undermine the law that requires federal contractors to pay the “prevailing wage” for the region in which they are working. None of the efforts succeeded until now. The extremists in the Bush administration have taken advantage of Katrina to do what they could not do otherwise.
When is this government “of the people, by the people and for the people” going to be for the people?
The California Curmudgeon.
First, there were “no bid” contracts given to Halliburton and Bechtel. Then Bush signed an executive order taking away the “prevailing wage” standards for construction workers who will be hired to rebuild the Gulf Coast.
This means that these people who are struggling to get back on their feet, after being knocked down and losing everything in the hurricane, will not be paid the “prevailing wage” for the job they do. It’s all about greed, folks. Less for the worker, more for the contractor.
At least nine times in the past decade, right-wing extremists in the Republican Party tried to get Congress to repeal or undermine the law that requires federal contractors to pay the “prevailing wage” for the region in which they are working. None of the efforts succeeded until now. The extremists in the Bush administration have taken advantage of Katrina to do what they could not do otherwise.
When is this government “of the people, by the people and for the people” going to be for the people?
The California Curmudgeon.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
THE "HAMMER" TO THE SLAMMER
Well, it looks like ol’ Bill Frist got his tit caught in a wringer trying to use inside information with his blind trust.
He sold all his stock, as well as those of his wife and kids two weeks before his parent’s company, HCA came out with a disappointing earnings report. Now that couldn’t be considered insider trading, could it?
Even though Martha Stewart was convicted of the same thing, it’s my bet that Frist will come up with some excuse and walk.
There seems to be two sets of rules governing us. Those for Bush and his friends and those for the rest of us.
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I want to see Billy boy with an ankle bracelet.
The California Curmedgeon
He sold all his stock, as well as those of his wife and kids two weeks before his parent’s company, HCA came out with a disappointing earnings report. Now that couldn’t be considered insider trading, could it?
Even though Martha Stewart was convicted of the same thing, it’s my bet that Frist will come up with some excuse and walk.
There seems to be two sets of rules governing us. Those for Bush and his friends and those for the rest of us.
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I want to see Billy boy with an ankle bracelet.
The California Curmedgeon
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
THE GREENSPAN MAN
I have always thought that Alan Greenspan was not the man for the job. I was not aware of when or how he was appointed, but I remember being very disappointed when our then president Clinton appointed him to serve another term.
Little did I know that I was right and he should have been put out of office many years ago.
He is the most Ideological Fed chairman since the 1930s. He enlisted himself and the awesome governing powers of the central bank in advancing the “reform” agenda of the Republican right.
He crossed the line of neutrality when he prodded Congress and the public to accept the right’s larger goals. The money guys gained domination over the “real economy” of production and work. The consequences imposed on society are often described as “the tyranny of the bottom line”.
He endorsed Bush’s massive, regressive tax cuts and gratuitously embraced the GOP plan to deform Social Security by turning over its trillions to the private investment houses.
The so-called “independent” Federal Reserve should not be sticking its nose into party politics. This ideological shift by the Greenspan Fed is more extreme than generally recognized. Greeenspan seems now to be acting as an errand boy for the special interest crowd.
When Greenspan retires next year, you can expect waves of adulation for his extraordinary eighteen-year reign over the American economy.
Senate minority leader, Harry Reid had a different idea of his reign “I’m not a big Greenspan fan. I think he’s one of the biggest political hacks we have in Washington”
When the adulation fades and people begin to understand the full weight of Greenspan’s legacy, they should be able to see that Reid had it right.
Greenspan was a political hack and I was right all along.
The California Curmudgeon
Much of this commentary was stolen from William Greider
Little did I know that I was right and he should have been put out of office many years ago.
He is the most Ideological Fed chairman since the 1930s. He enlisted himself and the awesome governing powers of the central bank in advancing the “reform” agenda of the Republican right.
He crossed the line of neutrality when he prodded Congress and the public to accept the right’s larger goals. The money guys gained domination over the “real economy” of production and work. The consequences imposed on society are often described as “the tyranny of the bottom line”.
He endorsed Bush’s massive, regressive tax cuts and gratuitously embraced the GOP plan to deform Social Security by turning over its trillions to the private investment houses.
The so-called “independent” Federal Reserve should not be sticking its nose into party politics. This ideological shift by the Greenspan Fed is more extreme than generally recognized. Greeenspan seems now to be acting as an errand boy for the special interest crowd.
When Greenspan retires next year, you can expect waves of adulation for his extraordinary eighteen-year reign over the American economy.
Senate minority leader, Harry Reid had a different idea of his reign “I’m not a big Greenspan fan. I think he’s one of the biggest political hacks we have in Washington”
When the adulation fades and people begin to understand the full weight of Greenspan’s legacy, they should be able to see that Reid had it right.
Greenspan was a political hack and I was right all along.
The California Curmudgeon
Much of this commentary was stolen from William Greider
Saturday, September 03, 2005
BIG OIL vs TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE GULF STATES
Have you ever seen gas prices go up any faster than they are right now? The oil companies use any excuse they can think of to raise the price of gasoline. Some Arab stubs his toe and the price goes up a couple cents -- a small refinery goes off line for several hours and the price goes up some more cents or OPEC thinks that it should get more money for their oil and the price goes up a dollar.
OPEC raises the price of crude oil 10 cents on a 42 gallon barrel and the price at the pump goes up 10 cents a gallon (a barrel of crude yields 19.7 gallons of gasoline).
Sometimes it seems to me that I am the only one to equate the fast-rising price of gas with the obscene profits of the oil companies. Everyone seems surprised that the oil companies are able to make any profit because the high cost of a barrel of oil.
The California Curmudgeon
OPEC raises the price of crude oil 10 cents on a 42 gallon barrel and the price at the pump goes up 10 cents a gallon (a barrel of crude yields 19.7 gallons of gasoline).
Sometimes it seems to me that I am the only one to equate the fast-rising price of gas with the obscene profits of the oil companies. Everyone seems surprised that the oil companies are able to make any profit because the high cost of a barrel of oil.
The California Curmudgeon
Friday, September 02, 2005
BUSH AND HIS LIGHTNING FAST RESPONSE TO NEW ORLEANS
Just like he did when told of the attacks of 9/11, Bush sprang into action only two days after being told of the destruction of New Orleans. He gave up two of his 38 vacation days to rush to the aid of the survivors of the hurricane Katrina, but first he stopped in San Diego to party with his business friends.
After all the glad-handing with some of his "base" in San Diego, Air Force One flew him to Louisianna where he had the pilot descend a bit so he could catch a quick look at the disaster. Then it was back to the safety of the White House and his many handlers.
I guess his handlers convinced him to at least show his face in New Orleans -- make a couple of speeches, shake a few hands, tell the people that he will be thinking of them. They didn't tell Bush to admit that he had, just two years ago, cut $71.2 million from the budget of the New Orleans Corps of Engineers which was a 44% reduction.
I don't imagine that they told him to admit that even though Clinton set some tough policies on wetlands, he not only repealed those policies, he also ordered federal agencies to stop protecting as many as 20 million acres of wetlands.
Despite all of the cover-up and the spin doctors working overtime, maybe this time the chickens will come home to roost.
Some times "what goes around, comes around" just takes longer than other times.
The California Curmudgeon
After all the glad-handing with some of his "base" in San Diego, Air Force One flew him to Louisianna where he had the pilot descend a bit so he could catch a quick look at the disaster. Then it was back to the safety of the White House and his many handlers.
I guess his handlers convinced him to at least show his face in New Orleans -- make a couple of speeches, shake a few hands, tell the people that he will be thinking of them. They didn't tell Bush to admit that he had, just two years ago, cut $71.2 million from the budget of the New Orleans Corps of Engineers which was a 44% reduction.
I don't imagine that they told him to admit that even though Clinton set some tough policies on wetlands, he not only repealed those policies, he also ordered federal agencies to stop protecting as many as 20 million acres of wetlands.
Despite all of the cover-up and the spin doctors working overtime, maybe this time the chickens will come home to roost.
Some times "what goes around, comes around" just takes longer than other times.
The California Curmudgeon
Saturday, August 27, 2005
THE GOOD AND EVIL OF THE BUSH MIND
The defining moment of George Bush’s life was after we were attacked on September 11, 2001. This was the glory of Bush. He has cited these attacks as a reason for everything he has wanted to do.
He has used it as the reason for creating Homeland Security and the Patriot Act and the taking of many of our freedoms. In all of his speeches, the theme is the same: the terrorists are out there and the terrorists are going to get us -- unless we get them first. In his last two speeches, he cited these attacks 5 times in his VFW speech and 4 times in the Idaho speech. His speeches always tell of overwhelming threats. We are a world embroiled in the first war of the 21st century – war, a word that peppers every statement he makes.
In the vision of Bush, we are fighting a war between two clear-cut sides – one good and one evil. This is a war where there are only two choices – you are either for Good or you are for Evil -- there is no middle ground.
In the President's world, there is just them, the enemy, aka the terrorists, and us, the people who spread freedom to the rest of the world. While the terrorists skulk in the shadows, we spread freedom and freedom is no passive thing. It confronts, defeats, prevails, and conquers.
This has worked for him (ever since he finally got out of his chair at that school after hearing of the 9/11 tragedy and then quit flitting around the country in Air Force One) and he is not about to drop it.
But it seems that many Americans are no longer seeing the world as Bush is seeing it. They are beginning to ask questions. But this doesn’t affect Bush’s vision.
He doesn’t see the problems in Iraq. He doesn’t see that the country is lacking electricity, oil, jobs, a constitution and now has an Islamic government that is more allied to Iran than to America. These details don’t matter to our president and his one-track mind.
He will stay the course no matter where it takes us.
The California Curmudgeon
He has used it as the reason for creating Homeland Security and the Patriot Act and the taking of many of our freedoms. In all of his speeches, the theme is the same: the terrorists are out there and the terrorists are going to get us -- unless we get them first. In his last two speeches, he cited these attacks 5 times in his VFW speech and 4 times in the Idaho speech. His speeches always tell of overwhelming threats. We are a world embroiled in the first war of the 21st century – war, a word that peppers every statement he makes.
In the vision of Bush, we are fighting a war between two clear-cut sides – one good and one evil. This is a war where there are only two choices – you are either for Good or you are for Evil -- there is no middle ground.
In the President's world, there is just them, the enemy, aka the terrorists, and us, the people who spread freedom to the rest of the world. While the terrorists skulk in the shadows, we spread freedom and freedom is no passive thing. It confronts, defeats, prevails, and conquers.
This has worked for him (ever since he finally got out of his chair at that school after hearing of the 9/11 tragedy and then quit flitting around the country in Air Force One) and he is not about to drop it.
But it seems that many Americans are no longer seeing the world as Bush is seeing it. They are beginning to ask questions. But this doesn’t affect Bush’s vision.
He doesn’t see the problems in Iraq. He doesn’t see that the country is lacking electricity, oil, jobs, a constitution and now has an Islamic government that is more allied to Iran than to America. These details don’t matter to our president and his one-track mind.
He will stay the course no matter where it takes us.
The California Curmudgeon
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
PAT ROBERTSON AND RAMBO
Stealing a phrase from bill Maher ...
NEW RULES
Pat Robertson can never again appear on TV without his keeper.
The California Curmudgeon
HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT
I would have no problem voting for a female Democrat for president. I think a woman in the Oval Office might possibly bring us from the brink of tirany back to a kinder and more gentle America. I believe that it is time for us to stop testing our testosterone and get back to the America I grew up in -- the Norman Rockwell America.
Now here comes the "but" (there always has to be a "but") -- I don't think 2008 is the right time for a woman to run for president. With our disorganized Democratic party, it will be hard enough to take back the presidency without the added burden of trying to get the first woman elected president.
I know that this might be Hillary's only chance, but I think it is more important for the Democrats to regain the presidency than it is to try and elect the first woman to the highest office.
Unless something drastic happens (like average citizens regaining their senses), the fight for the Office of the President will be a nasty, hard-fought battle in 2008.
If she runs, I will vote for her, but I hope she doesn't.
The California Curmudgeon
Now here comes the "but" (there always has to be a "but") -- I don't think 2008 is the right time for a woman to run for president. With our disorganized Democratic party, it will be hard enough to take back the presidency without the added burden of trying to get the first woman elected president.
I know that this might be Hillary's only chance, but I think it is more important for the Democrats to regain the presidency than it is to try and elect the first woman to the highest office.
Unless something drastic happens (like average citizens regaining their senses), the fight for the Office of the President will be a nasty, hard-fought battle in 2008.
If she runs, I will vote for her, but I hope she doesn't.
The California Curmudgeon
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
I don't understand all the debate about illegal immigrants getting driver's licenses, going on welfare, enrolling in schools or doing any of the other things we seem to have granted them.
I don't understand this mainly because I can't get past the "Illegal" part. If they are in this country illegally, they are criminals. And as such, should not be allowed any of the rights Americans or legal immigrants enjoy.
On May 12th, Senators Edward Kennedy and John McCain Teamed up to introduce a bipartisan immigration reform bill that would allow some of the estimated 10-12 million illegal immigrants in the United States to get legal jobs and eventual citizenship. The legislation is nothing more than amnesty for those who have disregarded our laws.
Here's a novel thought -- why doesn't the Mexican government work to increase the living conditions in Mexico? They have everything we have -- they have ground where they can grow vegetables to eat. they have ranches where cattle are grown and they have factories that could be turning out stuff people wanted instead of the junk that is now made.
If this were to happen there would be no worry about protecting our borders, just like we have no worry about the Canadians invading the United States.
The California Curmudgeon
I don't understand this mainly because I can't get past the "Illegal" part. If they are in this country illegally, they are criminals. And as such, should not be allowed any of the rights Americans or legal immigrants enjoy.
On May 12th, Senators Edward Kennedy and John McCain Teamed up to introduce a bipartisan immigration reform bill that would allow some of the estimated 10-12 million illegal immigrants in the United States to get legal jobs and eventual citizenship. The legislation is nothing more than amnesty for those who have disregarded our laws.
Here's a novel thought -- why doesn't the Mexican government work to increase the living conditions in Mexico? They have everything we have -- they have ground where they can grow vegetables to eat. they have ranches where cattle are grown and they have factories that could be turning out stuff people wanted instead of the junk that is now made.
If this were to happen there would be no worry about protecting our borders, just like we have no worry about the Canadians invading the United States.
The California Curmudgeon
Saturday, August 20, 2005
THE NON-PATRIOT ACT
The Patriot Act was rushed through Congress 45 days after the 9/11 attacks. It is 342 pages long and more confusing than a Chinese crossword puzzle.
Somehow I can't believe that this written act was put together in only 45 days. This had to have been prepared in advance and waiting for the right opportunity to put it into play.
Bush and his bunch scoffed at concerns that these laws could be used to go after their political enemies, but some of this administration's biggest enemies seem to be us. So instead of putting all their energies toward rooting out al Qaeda cells in the U.S., the government's hitmen have been going after "enemies" such as GreenPeace, the ACLU, anti-war protestors and those Americans whose only crime is speaking out against Bushes' policies. These groups are engaged in peaceful and totally lawful and totally American First Amendment activities.
The administration says that they are not trying to stifle any free-speech rights, but are merely trying to prevent any disruptive demonstrations. This country was built on disruptive demonstrations. Disruptive demonstrations are at the core of our democracy. They are what made us what we are today -- a free country.
With little baby steps, the Bush administration is taking away our right to demonstrate. No longer can demonstrators get close to any event where Bush is to be present. They are shuffled off to some remote location out of sight and earshot of the great president Bush.
"In a democracy, dissent is an act of faith. Like medicine, the test of its value is not in its taste, but its effects" -- Senator J. William Fulbright -
Our selected president is kept in an information-free bubble so that no one can see that the emperor has no clothes.
The California Curmudgeon
Somehow I can't believe that this written act was put together in only 45 days. This had to have been prepared in advance and waiting for the right opportunity to put it into play.
Bush and his bunch scoffed at concerns that these laws could be used to go after their political enemies, but some of this administration's biggest enemies seem to be us. So instead of putting all their energies toward rooting out al Qaeda cells in the U.S., the government's hitmen have been going after "enemies" such as GreenPeace, the ACLU, anti-war protestors and those Americans whose only crime is speaking out against Bushes' policies. These groups are engaged in peaceful and totally lawful and totally American First Amendment activities.
The administration says that they are not trying to stifle any free-speech rights, but are merely trying to prevent any disruptive demonstrations. This country was built on disruptive demonstrations. Disruptive demonstrations are at the core of our democracy. They are what made us what we are today -- a free country.
With little baby steps, the Bush administration is taking away our right to demonstrate. No longer can demonstrators get close to any event where Bush is to be present. They are shuffled off to some remote location out of sight and earshot of the great president Bush.
"In a democracy, dissent is an act of faith. Like medicine, the test of its value is not in its taste, but its effects" -- Senator J. William Fulbright -
Our selected president is kept in an information-free bubble so that no one can see that the emperor has no clothes.
The California Curmudgeon
UNINTELLIGENT DESIGN
Every nationality seems to have their own true God. No matter what their religion, all religious people believe that their God is the only God. Only the name has changed to protect the religious. Some call their Supreme Being God while others call theirs Allah or Buddha or Pele or some other name. The ancient Greeks had many Gods (no one size fits all there).
Now first off, I believe that man created God in his own image, not the other way around. Even though I was baptized a Catholic, I have been God's little acher for many years and I can't believe all the supposedly intelligent and successful people who seem to check all their intelligence at the church door and accept all that is told to them without any thought or reason except faith.
Not only is the Religious Right taking over the country, we now have our selected president saying that Intelligent Design is a view of creation that challenges established scientific thinking and promotes the idea that an unseen force is behind the development of humanity.
How in the world is faith-based Intelligent Design challenging scientific theory, facts that are as provable as the theory of gravity?
Intelligent Design is not science, it is not even a field of study. It's a belief system. Science has been wrong at times, but when they are, they reevaluate the new data and accommodate this new set of facts which is tested and retested many times before they call it a theory (the scientific definition of a theory is not the same as that of a layman. A theory to a scientist is a set of provable facts that have been tested against all other data and still holds true). The believers in Intelligent Design have never been troubled by any additional facts. They never change their minds based on new evidence. They base all their beliefs on faith.
How can anyone believe there is a Supreme Being who watches over each and everyone of the six and a half billion people in the world; listens to every prayer and really cares who wins a football game?
Not me, but then I am --
The California Curmudgeon
Now first off, I believe that man created God in his own image, not the other way around. Even though I was baptized a Catholic, I have been God's little acher for many years and I can't believe all the supposedly intelligent and successful people who seem to check all their intelligence at the church door and accept all that is told to them without any thought or reason except faith.
Not only is the Religious Right taking over the country, we now have our selected president saying that Intelligent Design is a view of creation that challenges established scientific thinking and promotes the idea that an unseen force is behind the development of humanity.
How in the world is faith-based Intelligent Design challenging scientific theory, facts that are as provable as the theory of gravity?
Intelligent Design is not science, it is not even a field of study. It's a belief system. Science has been wrong at times, but when they are, they reevaluate the new data and accommodate this new set of facts which is tested and retested many times before they call it a theory (the scientific definition of a theory is not the same as that of a layman. A theory to a scientist is a set of provable facts that have been tested against all other data and still holds true). The believers in Intelligent Design have never been troubled by any additional facts. They never change their minds based on new evidence. They base all their beliefs on faith.
How can anyone believe there is a Supreme Being who watches over each and everyone of the six and a half billion people in the world; listens to every prayer and really cares who wins a football game?
Not me, but then I am --
The California Curmudgeon
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
A BUSH IN THE HAND IS BETTER THAN A BUSH AS PRESIDENT.
When in the hell are we going to impeach George W. Bush?
Clinton was impeached for screwing around with a girl. Bush has been screwing the country ever since he got in office.
He lied that Iraq was to blame for the 9/11 attacks.
He lied about Iraq having WMD.
He lied when he said he knew exactly where they were.
He lied when he said Iraq was trying to buy yellow cake uranium.
He lied when he changed the reasons for our invading Iraq 3 or 4 times.
He made energy policy by using energy company advisors.
He made oil policy by using oil company advisors.
He gave big tax cuts to the very, very wealthy and piled up a huge national debt.
He apparently has no respect for the fighting men as he:
has not given them the proper equipment to do their job.
makes them stay long past their allotted time.
cuts their veteran benefits once they get back home.
never attends any of their funerals.
He issued a blackout on the photographing of coffins coming back home because war has a dark side that he didn't want the public to see.
He keeps banker's hours at the White House. Nine to Five with time out for a nap.
The world is in deep doo-doo and Bush goes on a five week vacation to fix fences and clear brush.
He has spent 27% of his presidency on vacation.
He hasn't signed the Non-Proliferatian Treaty.
He condones torture by allowing our agents to send prisoners to other countries that really know how to put someone on the rack.
He used the "emergency" vacation appointment to appoint Bolton as UN Ambassador.
He is running the most secretive government in the history of the United States.
He is more loyal to his cronies than he is to his country.
Even though Karl Rove outed a CIA agent (a felony bordering on treason), Bush will never fire him (that would be like Charlie McCarthy firing Edgar Bergen).
In almost all cases, Bush refuses to release public documents to the public.
He will not meet with Cindy Sheehan, a grieving mother, to answer the question of why her son had to die and for what nobel cause.
He is trying to turn this country into religious country not unlike Iraq, Iran or Afganisthan.
And anyone who disagrees with any of his decisions is unpatriotic.
I guess that would include me. I am -
The California Curmudgeon
Clinton was impeached for screwing around with a girl. Bush has been screwing the country ever since he got in office.
He lied that Iraq was to blame for the 9/11 attacks.
He lied about Iraq having WMD.
He lied when he said he knew exactly where they were.
He lied when he said Iraq was trying to buy yellow cake uranium.
He lied when he changed the reasons for our invading Iraq 3 or 4 times.
He made energy policy by using energy company advisors.
He made oil policy by using oil company advisors.
He gave big tax cuts to the very, very wealthy and piled up a huge national debt.
He apparently has no respect for the fighting men as he:
has not given them the proper equipment to do their job.
makes them stay long past their allotted time.
cuts their veteran benefits once they get back home.
never attends any of their funerals.
He issued a blackout on the photographing of coffins coming back home because war has a dark side that he didn't want the public to see.
He keeps banker's hours at the White House. Nine to Five with time out for a nap.
The world is in deep doo-doo and Bush goes on a five week vacation to fix fences and clear brush.
He has spent 27% of his presidency on vacation.
He hasn't signed the Non-Proliferatian Treaty.
He condones torture by allowing our agents to send prisoners to other countries that really know how to put someone on the rack.
He used the "emergency" vacation appointment to appoint Bolton as UN Ambassador.
He is running the most secretive government in the history of the United States.
He is more loyal to his cronies than he is to his country.
Even though Karl Rove outed a CIA agent (a felony bordering on treason), Bush will never fire him (that would be like Charlie McCarthy firing Edgar Bergen).
In almost all cases, Bush refuses to release public documents to the public.
He will not meet with Cindy Sheehan, a grieving mother, to answer the question of why her son had to die and for what nobel cause.
He is trying to turn this country into religious country not unlike Iraq, Iran or Afganisthan.
And anyone who disagrees with any of his decisions is unpatriotic.
I guess that would include me. I am -
The California Curmudgeon
Saturday, August 13, 2005
TO MEET OR NOT TO MEET ...
I hope that Mike Thompson doesn't mind my using his cartoon.It would seem that Cindy Sheehan has Bush between Iraq and a hard place. If he meets with her, she will ask him some very hard questions and if he doesn't meet with her he will lose all credibility.
That is what would happen in the real world, but we are in Bush's World of "no resposibility". And in this world, he will not face her and attempt to answer her questions, but will instead ignore her completely on his way back to Washington D.C. and the media will make no comment about it. The press will follow Bush and Cindy will be as forgotten as the original reason for attacking Iraq.
The California Curmudgeon
A BELLY FULL OF PORK
Even though in 2002 Bush came out with a war against congressional pork, he just signed into law a $286 billion transportation measure that contains a record 6,371 pet projects inserted by members of Congress from both parties.
Hundreds of million of our tax dollars will be channeled to programs that have nothing to do with alleviating congestion or helping the efficiency of transportation.
Instead, it is putting $24 billion into all of these pet projects (that is nearly nine percent of the total spending) that congressmen can take back to their people and get reelected because they did truely "bring home the bacon".
These pet projects supports such things as $2.3 million for the beautification of the Ronald Reagan Freeway in California -- $6 million for graffiti elimination in New York -- $4 million on the National Packard Museum in Warren, Ohio and the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan -- $2.4 million for a Red River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Louisiana and $1.2 million to install lighting and steps and to equip an interpretative facility at the Blue Ridge Music Center and many, many more that have nothing to do with transportation.
Your transportation dollars at work.
The California Curmudgeon
Hundreds of million of our tax dollars will be channeled to programs that have nothing to do with alleviating congestion or helping the efficiency of transportation.
Instead, it is putting $24 billion into all of these pet projects (that is nearly nine percent of the total spending) that congressmen can take back to their people and get reelected because they did truely "bring home the bacon".
These pet projects supports such things as $2.3 million for the beautification of the Ronald Reagan Freeway in California -- $6 million for graffiti elimination in New York -- $4 million on the National Packard Museum in Warren, Ohio and the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan -- $2.4 million for a Red River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Louisiana and $1.2 million to install lighting and steps and to equip an interpretative facility at the Blue Ridge Music Center and many, many more that have nothing to do with transportation.
Your transportation dollars at work.
The California Curmudgeon
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
THE WAR HAS BEEN WON
It seems that the "war on terror" has been won. At least, the Bush Bunch has decided that it is no longer a "war". It has been down-graded to a "struggle".
This "struggle" that has taken well over 1,800 of our young boys' lives is now called "The Global Struggle Against Violent Extremism". Isn't that precious?
Our boys face devastating attacks and bombings every day. They are coming home in boxes and on crutches and all that Bush choses to do is redo the slogan.
The California Curmudgeon
This "struggle" that has taken well over 1,800 of our young boys' lives is now called "The Global Struggle Against Violent Extremism". Isn't that precious?
Our boys face devastating attacks and bombings every day. They are coming home in boxes and on crutches and all that Bush choses to do is redo the slogan.
The California Curmudgeon
OUR HOLY NATION
If the Religious-Right takes over our nation and declares that the Bible is the only truth, will we really be so different from the Muslim nations with their Holy Quaran?
The California Curmudgeon
The California Curmudgeon
THE FAITH-BASED SUPREME COURT
Some Democrats have implied the John Roberts' personal faith could somehow interfere with his judicial responsibilities and they would like to question him about it.
But the Republicans say that religion should not enter into the questioning. They feel that they shouldn't have to explain their religious convictions to anyone.
If religion is as unimportant to the Rebublicans as they say, how would they vote if Bush had nominated an atheist to the Supreme Court?
The California Curmudgeon
But the Republicans say that religion should not enter into the questioning. They feel that they shouldn't have to explain their religious convictions to anyone.
If religion is as unimportant to the Rebublicans as they say, how would they vote if Bush had nominated an atheist to the Supreme Court?
The California Curmudgeon
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
OUR EMPLOYEES, THE POLITICIANS
Am I the only one who is tired of hearing that the politicians works for us?
Where else would you see the politicians riding around in limos while the "boss" has to take public transit?
Where else would you see the politicians setting their own hours while the "boss" has to work 8 hours a day to pay these employees?
And vacation time, that's another thing. The politicians take a week off for every holiday and several months off during the rest of the year. And how many days does the "boss" get to take in a year? Five weeks, tops.
And when the politicians go on vacation, they don't even have to pay for the trip. There is always someone who is willing to pick up the tab for a favor or two. The "bosses" get to take their vacation at some cheap place because they have to pay for it themselves.
And no matter what their job, the "bosses" are pretty much restricted from taking kickbacks. If they did, you know they would be fired, but the politicians never get fired.
Now don't you think that if we really were the bosses over the politicians that we would be the ones riding in the limos and smoking those five dollar cigars?
The California Curmudgeon
Where else would you see the politicians riding around in limos while the "boss" has to take public transit?
Where else would you see the politicians setting their own hours while the "boss" has to work 8 hours a day to pay these employees?
And vacation time, that's another thing. The politicians take a week off for every holiday and several months off during the rest of the year. And how many days does the "boss" get to take in a year? Five weeks, tops.
And when the politicians go on vacation, they don't even have to pay for the trip. There is always someone who is willing to pick up the tab for a favor or two. The "bosses" get to take their vacation at some cheap place because they have to pay for it themselves.
And no matter what their job, the "bosses" are pretty much restricted from taking kickbacks. If they did, you know they would be fired, but the politicians never get fired.
Now don't you think that if we really were the bosses over the politicians that we would be the ones riding in the limos and smoking those five dollar cigars?
The California Curmudgeon
BUSH AND THE ENERGY BILL
Well, it seems that Bush has done it to us again. He just signed the new Energy Bill that gives billions in tax breaks to the big oil companies and does nothing to reduce the nation's dependency on foreign oil.
The bill's price tag - $12.3 billion over 10 years - is twice what the White House had first proposed. The bill is basically a gift to energy companies and does nothing to promote remewable energy.
Whether in the Oval Office or on vacation at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, Bush will never miss a chance to stick it to the average citizen.
The way things are going, Bush will not be happy until the wealthy have all the money and the rest of us have nothing.
But I wonder if they have ever thought that after this happens, there will be no one to buy their products. No one to buy their cars, oil, computers, houses, stocks, electricty, gasoline, etc. And plants will close.
The people will no longer live, they will exist.
The California Curmudgeon
The bill's price tag - $12.3 billion over 10 years - is twice what the White House had first proposed. The bill is basically a gift to energy companies and does nothing to promote remewable energy.
Whether in the Oval Office or on vacation at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, Bush will never miss a chance to stick it to the average citizen.
The way things are going, Bush will not be happy until the wealthy have all the money and the rest of us have nothing.
But I wonder if they have ever thought that after this happens, there will be no one to buy their products. No one to buy their cars, oil, computers, houses, stocks, electricty, gasoline, etc. And plants will close.
The people will no longer live, they will exist.
The California Curmudgeon
Thursday, July 28, 2005
TO TORTURE OR NOT TO TORTURE ...
A day or two ago the head of the Iranian judiciary issued an order banning the use of torture and other abuses
"Any torture to extract a confession is banned and the confessions extracted through torture are not legitimate and legal," Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi's order to the police, judges and intelligence officials says. The 15-point directive says the "blindfolding, restraining, pestering and insulting of detainees must be avoided during arrest, interrogation and investigation".
Around the same time, President Bush issued an Executive Order authorizing the use of inhumane interrogation methods against detainees in Iraq. The Executive Order states that the President directly authorized interrogation techniques including sleep deprivation, stress positions, the use of military dogs, and "sensory deprivation through the use of hoods, etc.
Aren't we supposed to be the good guys?
The California Curmudgeon.
"Any torture to extract a confession is banned and the confessions extracted through torture are not legitimate and legal," Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi's order to the police, judges and intelligence officials says. The 15-point directive says the "blindfolding, restraining, pestering and insulting of detainees must be avoided during arrest, interrogation and investigation".
Around the same time, President Bush issued an Executive Order authorizing the use of inhumane interrogation methods against detainees in Iraq. The Executive Order states that the President directly authorized interrogation techniques including sleep deprivation, stress positions, the use of military dogs, and "sensory deprivation through the use of hoods, etc.
Aren't we supposed to be the good guys?
The California Curmudgeon.
PRIORITIES BE DAMNED
I read this morning that the Senate put aside a defense bill of $491 billion dollars in troop funding to work an a really critical issue -- giving gun manufacturers and sellers sweeping immunity from lawsuits (this is something no other industry has).
In a speech to the Senate, Bill Frist said "Domestic gun industry might collapse under the weight of law suits and the nation would become dependent on foreign sources of weapons for our troops" He also said some other funny things.
I wonder if he is aware that the United States is the largest arms manufacturer and dealer in the world and we will sell these arms to anyone with a buck.
If the insurgents of Iraq want some new arms, check it out. We might not give them a big discount, but by golly we will sell them any arms they might need.
War profiteering is the name of the game, and the bottom line is the only thing.
The California Curmudgeon.
In a speech to the Senate, Bill Frist said "Domestic gun industry might collapse under the weight of law suits and the nation would become dependent on foreign sources of weapons for our troops" He also said some other funny things.
I wonder if he is aware that the United States is the largest arms manufacturer and dealer in the world and we will sell these arms to anyone with a buck.
If the insurgents of Iraq want some new arms, check it out. We might not give them a big discount, but by golly we will sell them any arms they might need.
War profiteering is the name of the game, and the bottom line is the only thing.
The California Curmudgeon.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
KARL ROVE: THE FIRES OF DAMNATION
It seems that Karl Rove has once again emerged from the "Cave of Darkness" this time to be seen as a possible felon for lying to the Grand Jury. As Alice, of another story, said "this gets curiouser and curiouser"
Not only has Karl Rove outed an undercover CIA agent, he has now lied to the Grand Jury (I know these are not fact yet, but neither was a lot of the shit they said about Clinton).
Regardless of what he said earlier, Bush is now reniging on his previous statement that he would fire anyone involved in the outing of Valerie Plame.
He now says that if anyone is proved to have outed the CIA agent and they are convicted of lying, and his spin doctors cannot reverse public opinion, then he might possibly look into the matter and make his decision then (or words to the effect). Hey, the Republicans can do this.
I always thought that Rove being fired would have little or no effect on the administration because I am sure he would be ruling from his "Cave of Darkness" somewhere deep within the confines of the White House.
Of course, that's just my opinion, but I am probably right.
The California Curmudgeon
Not only has Karl Rove outed an undercover CIA agent, he has now lied to the Grand Jury (I know these are not fact yet, but neither was a lot of the shit they said about Clinton).
Regardless of what he said earlier, Bush is now reniging on his previous statement that he would fire anyone involved in the outing of Valerie Plame.
He now says that if anyone is proved to have outed the CIA agent and they are convicted of lying, and his spin doctors cannot reverse public opinion, then he might possibly look into the matter and make his decision then (or words to the effect). Hey, the Republicans can do this.
I always thought that Rove being fired would have little or no effect on the administration because I am sure he would be ruling from his "Cave of Darkness" somewhere deep within the confines of the White House.
Of course, that's just my opinion, but I am probably right.
The California Curmudgeon
THE TARNISHING OF THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
I know this is a little late, but I just heard about it. I must have had my head buried in the sand, but I did not know that George W. Bush had been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2004 (along with Tony Blair). They were nominated for going to war with Iraq (I wonder if I kick the shit out of the little kid across the street if I can be nominated next year).
Here are one and a half of the architects of the Iraq war being nominated for the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. They were nominated by Jan Simonsen, an independent member of Norway's Parliament who said "they got rid of a dictator and made the world more safe". He made no mention of the lack of WMD nor the many, many lies we were told to take us into the war, nor of soldiers and the untold number of civilians killed. Instead he said "Bush and Blair definitely still deserve it".
Other nominees included: Pope John Paul II; the European Union (to mark its expansion to include former East bloc states); the Salvation Army; former Czech president Vaclav Havel; former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic and former Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler;
Incidently, the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize was won by Wangari Maathai of Kenya "for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace"
I guess smarter heads did prevail.
The California Curmudgeon
Here are one and a half of the architects of the Iraq war being nominated for the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. They were nominated by Jan Simonsen, an independent member of Norway's Parliament who said "they got rid of a dictator and made the world more safe". He made no mention of the lack of WMD nor the many, many lies we were told to take us into the war, nor of soldiers and the untold number of civilians killed. Instead he said "Bush and Blair definitely still deserve it".
Other nominees included: Pope John Paul II; the European Union (to mark its expansion to include former East bloc states); the Salvation Army; former Czech president Vaclav Havel; former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic and former Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler;
Incidently, the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize was won by Wangari Maathai of Kenya "for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace"
I guess smarter heads did prevail.
The California Curmudgeon
Saturday, July 23, 2005
THE YOUNG AND THE OLD
Here are two quotes from my local newspaper. I don't think I have to say much more except that I'll bet this STILL doesn't include the Bush twins or anyone else connected to the administration or Congress.
"KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Fierce fighting in recent months has devastated the ranks of the Taliban, prompting the rebels to recruit children and force some families to provide one son to fight with them, a U.S. commander said Saturday."
"The U.S. Army, stung by recruiting shortfalls caused by the Iraq war, has raised the maximum age for new recruits for the part-time Army Reserve and National Guard by five years to 39, officials said on Monday. The Army said the move, a three-year experiment, will add about 22 million people to the pool of those eligible to serve, from about 60 million now."
The California Curmudgeon
"KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Fierce fighting in recent months has devastated the ranks of the Taliban, prompting the rebels to recruit children and force some families to provide one son to fight with them, a U.S. commander said Saturday."
"The U.S. Army, stung by recruiting shortfalls caused by the Iraq war, has raised the maximum age for new recruits for the part-time Army Reserve and National Guard by five years to 39, officials said on Monday. The Army said the move, a three-year experiment, will add about 22 million people to the pool of those eligible to serve, from about 60 million now."
The California Curmudgeon
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
SHIFTING THE COURT TO THE RIGHT
Bush met with a few of the Democrats recently supposedly to get their input about their choice of the next justice of the Supreme Court. Once again he had a chance to prove to the citizens of United States that he was, as he promised during his campaign, a uniter, not a divider. We are still waiting for that miracle as he has now nominated John G. Roberts, a staunch conservative to sit on the bench, with no regard to the minority's request of seeking a person more in the middle.
I both heard and read that Bush was shifting the court to the right. Am I the only one who thinks the court is now so far to the right that if it were tilted any more, all the justices'would slide off the right end?
The California Curmudgeon
I both heard and read that Bush was shifting the court to the right. Am I the only one who thinks the court is now so far to the right that if it were tilted any more, all the justices'would slide off the right end?
The California Curmudgeon
JUSTICE FOR LIFE
Why are Supreme Court justices appointed to the bench for life? The president doesn't even get that long of a term (thank God for that!).
Where else could you find a better deal than a lifetime appointment to a job? You wouldn't have to worry about ever being fired. You wouldn't have to worry about doing your job to the best of your abilities. You wouldn't even have to try and please your boss. All you would have to do is show up and not die.
Have you seen the ages and longevity of our current justices?
Rehnquist is 80 and has been there for 33 years.
Stevens is 84 and has been thee for 30 years.
Scalia is 68 and has been thee for 19 years.
Kennedy is 68 and has been thee for 17 years.
Souter is 65 and has been thee for 15 years.
Thomas is 56 and has been thee for 14 years.
Ginsburg is 71 and has been thee for 12 years.
Breyer is 66 and has been thee for 11 years.
I know you can't discriminate because of age, but would you honestly hire any one of these people if they came to you for a job? And yet they are making the laws of our country.
I'm sure it will never change, but I do wonder why not.
The California Curmudgeon.
Where else could you find a better deal than a lifetime appointment to a job? You wouldn't have to worry about ever being fired. You wouldn't have to worry about doing your job to the best of your abilities. You wouldn't even have to try and please your boss. All you would have to do is show up and not die.
Have you seen the ages and longevity of our current justices?
Rehnquist is 80 and has been there for 33 years.
Stevens is 84 and has been thee for 30 years.
Scalia is 68 and has been thee for 19 years.
Kennedy is 68 and has been thee for 17 years.
Souter is 65 and has been thee for 15 years.
Thomas is 56 and has been thee for 14 years.
Ginsburg is 71 and has been thee for 12 years.
Breyer is 66 and has been thee for 11 years.
I know you can't discriminate because of age, but would you honestly hire any one of these people if they came to you for a job? And yet they are making the laws of our country.
I'm sure it will never change, but I do wonder why not.
The California Curmudgeon.
Monday, July 18, 2005
PORK BARREL BABIES OF CONGRESS
In our Sunday paper there was a front page article about where the war money goes. This old cynic was completely astounded by the figures.
In 2003, $48.9 billion went to the military and $6.6 billion went to Reconstruction, Foreign assistance and Training. In 2004, $77.9 billion went to the military and $20.1 billion was used for RF&T. Now in 2005, we have $62.9 billion going to the military and $1.8 billion for RF&T.
My first thought, when I read these figures was Where in the hell is all the money for the military going? The administration certainly isn't breaking the budget providing proper equipment to our soldiers.
Most of the soldier's pay is accounted for in the regular budget(they are being paid whether they are in Iraq or Korea or here at home), so that shouldn't add anything additional cost to our Iraq "occupation". Certainly there are more bullets and bombs being used, but billions and billions of dollars worth? And still the tanks have no under armor.
Then tonight on "60 Minutes" I saw where some of this war money was going. It was going to Pork Barrel Projects of the Congress. While they are telling us to support the troops, they are bent over the war money trough and grabbing as much as they can without even a thought to the soldier overseas.
According to "60 Minutes", Congress routinely hides pet projects in defense bills and by law these cannot be cut from the bills.
So all this money that is needed to upgrade the equipment in Iraq is being spent by these flag-waving Congressional members for their projects such as: a biathlon jogging track in Alaska, a brown tree snake eradication program in Hawaii, a parade grounds maintenance contract for a military base closed many years ago and a Lewis and Clark Centennial Celebration. In Congress, it's Business as Usual.
I don't think that those pet projects are more important than providing our boys in Iraq with the proper equipment.
The California Curmudgeon
In 2003, $48.9 billion went to the military and $6.6 billion went to Reconstruction, Foreign assistance and Training. In 2004, $77.9 billion went to the military and $20.1 billion was used for RF&T. Now in 2005, we have $62.9 billion going to the military and $1.8 billion for RF&T.
My first thought, when I read these figures was Where in the hell is all the money for the military going? The administration certainly isn't breaking the budget providing proper equipment to our soldiers.
Most of the soldier's pay is accounted for in the regular budget(they are being paid whether they are in Iraq or Korea or here at home), so that shouldn't add anything additional cost to our Iraq "occupation". Certainly there are more bullets and bombs being used, but billions and billions of dollars worth? And still the tanks have no under armor.
Then tonight on "60 Minutes" I saw where some of this war money was going. It was going to Pork Barrel Projects of the Congress. While they are telling us to support the troops, they are bent over the war money trough and grabbing as much as they can without even a thought to the soldier overseas.
According to "60 Minutes", Congress routinely hides pet projects in defense bills and by law these cannot be cut from the bills.
So all this money that is needed to upgrade the equipment in Iraq is being spent by these flag-waving Congressional members for their projects such as: a biathlon jogging track in Alaska, a brown tree snake eradication program in Hawaii, a parade grounds maintenance contract for a military base closed many years ago and a Lewis and Clark Centennial Celebration. In Congress, it's Business as Usual.
I don't think that those pet projects are more important than providing our boys in Iraq with the proper equipment.
The California Curmudgeon
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
ROVE AND THE WORD "TREASON"
I don't expect much to come of it, but Karl Rove has definitely got his tit caught in a wringer. And I hope Bush is not far behind.
On February 10, 2004 Bush said "If there is a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is ... If the person has violated the law, that person will be taken care of."
And true to his word, Bush is indeed taking care of Rove. Just today he came out in full support of his Deputy Chief of Staff with the White House saying that President Bush continues to have confidence in Karl Rove.I guess that means that he won't be fired like Bush said in June of 2004 when he answered "Yes" to a question asking him if he would fire anyone who had leaked the agent's name. Rove says that he didn't leak Valerie Plame's name, he refered to her as the wife of Joseph C. Wilson IV. (who knows how many people would fit that description?)
And while we are on the subject, what happened with Robert Novak? Judith Miller has been sent to jail, Matthew Cooper took the easy way out and once again Robert Novak is not mentioned.
In case you have had your head buried in the sand (which sometimes I think is the best way to get through the day) you will remember that Robert Novak was the one who outed Valerie Plame in his column. He outed her in print, yet no one is getting on his case. The proof that he did this is right there in his column. I think that's treason, but at the very least it has to be a felony.
Not only should both Rove and Novak be fired, but they should also be forceded to stand trial for the crime.
The California Curmudgeon
On February 10, 2004 Bush said "If there is a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is ... If the person has violated the law, that person will be taken care of."
And true to his word, Bush is indeed taking care of Rove. Just today he came out in full support of his Deputy Chief of Staff with the White House saying that President Bush continues to have confidence in Karl Rove.I guess that means that he won't be fired like Bush said in June of 2004 when he answered "Yes" to a question asking him if he would fire anyone who had leaked the agent's name. Rove says that he didn't leak Valerie Plame's name, he refered to her as the wife of Joseph C. Wilson IV. (who knows how many people would fit that description?)
And while we are on the subject, what happened with Robert Novak? Judith Miller has been sent to jail, Matthew Cooper took the easy way out and once again Robert Novak is not mentioned.
In case you have had your head buried in the sand (which sometimes I think is the best way to get through the day) you will remember that Robert Novak was the one who outed Valerie Plame in his column. He outed her in print, yet no one is getting on his case. The proof that he did this is right there in his column. I think that's treason, but at the very least it has to be a felony.
Not only should both Rove and Novak be fired, but they should also be forceded to stand trial for the crime.
The California Curmudgeon
BLUE COLLAR WORKERS AND BUSH
Can anyone tell me why any blue collar worker, who is in his right mind, would support Bush?
I read letters from people in the "letters to the editor" section who defend Bush like he was their savior. Now I am not sure of these people's financial condition, but judging from the area the letters came from I believe I can safely conclude that these people are not in what Bush likes to call "his base", in fact, I would venture to say that these people don't have a pot or a window.
Why are these people who are not on Bushs' "A" list so steadfastly behind him? Bush takes from them to give to his cronies and they still love him.
I just cannot understand it.
The California Curmudgeon.
I read letters from people in the "letters to the editor" section who defend Bush like he was their savior. Now I am not sure of these people's financial condition, but judging from the area the letters came from I believe I can safely conclude that these people are not in what Bush likes to call "his base", in fact, I would venture to say that these people don't have a pot or a window.
Why are these people who are not on Bushs' "A" list so steadfastly behind him? Bush takes from them to give to his cronies and they still love him.
I just cannot understand it.
The California Curmudgeon.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
ARE A NOMINEE'S VIEWS FAIR GAME?
Are a Nominee's Views Fair Game?
That was the title of an article that I read today. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Are a Nominee's views really important when choosing a new justice? What else is there? It's the only thing they bring to the table.
True, their personal views wouldn't be important if they ruled only on the constitutionality of each issue brought before them, but we all know that is not how they rule. If that was the criteria they used, then it wouldn't make any difference if they were a hard-nosed neocon or a bleeding-heart liberal.
The California Curmedgeon
That was the title of an article that I read today. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Are a Nominee's views really important when choosing a new justice? What else is there? It's the only thing they bring to the table.
True, their personal views wouldn't be important if they ruled only on the constitutionality of each issue brought before them, but we all know that is not how they rule. If that was the criteria they used, then it wouldn't make any difference if they were a hard-nosed neocon or a bleeding-heart liberal.
The California Curmedgeon
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
THE WUSSIE DEMOCRATS
With Sandra Day O’Connor stepping down, I thought the Democrats would be making plans to block any extreme right-wing judge from taking the bench, but now I read that due to the compromise they made with the Republicans on May 23, they aren’t allowed to filibuster any undesirable nominee except for “Extreme Circumstances”.
According to the Repubs, being extremely right wing and standing against most things Americans hold dear, does not constitute “Extreme Circumstances”. A filibuster can only be justified on questions of personal ethics or character.
Senator Lindsey O. Graham R-S.C. said “Ideological attacks are not an ‘Extreme Circumstance’. To me, it would have to be a character problem, an ethics problem, some allegation about the qualifications of the person, not an ideological bent”.
David DiMartino, spokesman for Democratic Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, quickly responded with his own attack “(We) would agree that ideology is not an “Extreme Circumstance” unless you get to the extreme of either side”.
Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas said that he would not question a nominee about his views about abortion, affirmative action or similar matters.
If putting a judge with far-right leanings on the highest bench in the land where this judge will be handing down constitutional decisions for many years to come, isn’t “Extreme Circumstances”, I don’t know what is. But it looks like the Demos could once again roll over and play dead because they were told, by the Repubs, they couldn’t do anything.
When did the Democrats forget how to stand up and fight?
The California Curmudgeon.
According to the Repubs, being extremely right wing and standing against most things Americans hold dear, does not constitute “Extreme Circumstances”. A filibuster can only be justified on questions of personal ethics or character.
Senator Lindsey O. Graham R-S.C. said “Ideological attacks are not an ‘Extreme Circumstance’. To me, it would have to be a character problem, an ethics problem, some allegation about the qualifications of the person, not an ideological bent”.
David DiMartino, spokesman for Democratic Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, quickly responded with his own attack “(We) would agree that ideology is not an “Extreme Circumstance” unless you get to the extreme of either side”.
Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas said that he would not question a nominee about his views about abortion, affirmative action or similar matters.
If putting a judge with far-right leanings on the highest bench in the land where this judge will be handing down constitutional decisions for many years to come, isn’t “Extreme Circumstances”, I don’t know what is. But it looks like the Demos could once again roll over and play dead because they were told, by the Repubs, they couldn’t do anything.
When did the Democrats forget how to stand up and fight?
The California Curmudgeon.
Monday, July 04, 2005
PATRIOTISM
On this Fourth of July it seems fitting to address patriotism versus anti-patriotism. First of all I think we must define patriotism.
Is it blindly following the president no matter what he does and defending his actions against any and all critics? Is it being against anyone who does not fit in this patriotic mold that the administration has formed and calling them anti-American? Is it being in favor of an illegal war even though we were taken into it with lies on top of lies? Is it saying that you support the troops, but are in favor of not sending them enough armor-covered vehicles, or reducing their benefits for fighting in the war? Is it waving the flag?
Or is it standing up to the government against its war policies – against its power grab – against its uncontrollable greed? Is it wanting to put “bring the boys back home” as a top priority? Is it wanting to bring the Constitution back to life? Is it wanting a government “of the people, by the people and for the people” instead of one that shifts the cost of government onto the shoulders of the poor and middle class? Is it standing by silently, doing nothing while our beloved country becomes a bully to all the world, rejecting allies in favor of Empire building?
The Bush America of today bears little resemblance to the America of my youth. The America of my youth was a kinder and more loving America. Even then we had massive power, but we didn’t use it nor did we threaten to use it. Some called us the Sleeping Giant. We were an America that wanted to be liked by everyone.
The dictionary says patriotism is “devoted love, support and defense of one’s country; national loyalty”.
Back in those days of my youth, we ALL had that kind of patriotism. And when we were attacked in 1941 by the Japanese, we all went to war. Movie actors put their careers on hold and joined the service. Senators and their sons enlisted, as did the rest of America. Those who couldn’t serve did their share at home. Everyone was in that fight.
In that war we were all behind our government.
The California Curmudgeon.
Is it blindly following the president no matter what he does and defending his actions against any and all critics? Is it being against anyone who does not fit in this patriotic mold that the administration has formed and calling them anti-American? Is it being in favor of an illegal war even though we were taken into it with lies on top of lies? Is it saying that you support the troops, but are in favor of not sending them enough armor-covered vehicles, or reducing their benefits for fighting in the war? Is it waving the flag?
Or is it standing up to the government against its war policies – against its power grab – against its uncontrollable greed? Is it wanting to put “bring the boys back home” as a top priority? Is it wanting to bring the Constitution back to life? Is it wanting a government “of the people, by the people and for the people” instead of one that shifts the cost of government onto the shoulders of the poor and middle class? Is it standing by silently, doing nothing while our beloved country becomes a bully to all the world, rejecting allies in favor of Empire building?
The Bush America of today bears little resemblance to the America of my youth. The America of my youth was a kinder and more loving America. Even then we had massive power, but we didn’t use it nor did we threaten to use it. Some called us the Sleeping Giant. We were an America that wanted to be liked by everyone.
The dictionary says patriotism is “devoted love, support and defense of one’s country; national loyalty”.
Back in those days of my youth, we ALL had that kind of patriotism. And when we were attacked in 1941 by the Japanese, we all went to war. Movie actors put their careers on hold and joined the service. Senators and their sons enlisted, as did the rest of America. Those who couldn’t serve did their share at home. Everyone was in that fight.
In that war we were all behind our government.
The California Curmudgeon.
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
What ever happened to investigative reporting?
During the Watergate scandal, Bob Woodard and Carl Bernstein followed through on every lead and eventually brought down the corrupt "I am not a crook" President Nixon. But today there is no such thing as investigative reporting.
Apparently newspapers and radio and television now all seem to take the easy way out and report whatever the government wants them to report. There is no investigative reporting anymore.
How much ink (as they say in the biz) have you seen about the outing of the CIA, agent Valerie Plame or the many cases of Halliburton's scandalous overcharging of the U.S. government or Bush's pre-screened townhall meetings or the Downing Street Memos or the ongoing lack of armor on the vehicles in Iraq or whatever happened to Osama bin Laden or why doesn't the government seem to care about domestic policies or why the education of our children doesn't seem important anymore or why the country is being controlled by the religious right or why our jobs are being shipped overseas or why our dollar is falling faster than a rock tied to a stone or lying about the reasons for going to war or the fast count we got on both elections or why Bush wants to make more atomic bombs or why the administration disbelieves the studies on global warming or ...
There are smoking guns lying all around, but no one seems interested in following up on any of them.
But you must remember: President Clinton was impeached for kissing a girl and making her cry.
The California Curmudgeon
During the Watergate scandal, Bob Woodard and Carl Bernstein followed through on every lead and eventually brought down the corrupt "I am not a crook" President Nixon. But today there is no such thing as investigative reporting.
Apparently newspapers and radio and television now all seem to take the easy way out and report whatever the government wants them to report. There is no investigative reporting anymore.
How much ink (as they say in the biz) have you seen about the outing of the CIA, agent Valerie Plame or the many cases of Halliburton's scandalous overcharging of the U.S. government or Bush's pre-screened townhall meetings or the Downing Street Memos or the ongoing lack of armor on the vehicles in Iraq or whatever happened to Osama bin Laden or why doesn't the government seem to care about domestic policies or why the education of our children doesn't seem important anymore or why the country is being controlled by the religious right or why our jobs are being shipped overseas or why our dollar is falling faster than a rock tied to a stone or lying about the reasons for going to war or the fast count we got on both elections or why Bush wants to make more atomic bombs or why the administration disbelieves the studies on global warming or ...
There are smoking guns lying all around, but no one seems interested in following up on any of them.
But you must remember: President Clinton was impeached for kissing a girl and making her cry.
The California Curmudgeon
Sunday, July 03, 2005
SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR
Now that Sandra Day O'Connor has resigned from the court, this gives Bush a great opportunity to show that he a uniter and not a divider. Will he pick someone who will please the right and still be acceptable to the left or will he "stay the course" and go to the right as far as possible? We all know which road he will take, don't we?
He will most certainly appoint someone who is to the right of O'Connor so there will be no danger of the new judge being a swing vote. And then with five of the nine judges backing him on everything, Bush will have all three branches of government in his pocket along with all the media. This will give him almost dictatorial powers.
Having five judges voting as one huge conservative monster, what will happen to abortion right, civil liberties and the government's regulatory powers?
I always thought the duty of the Supreme Court was to determine the constitutionality of each subject brought before them, deciding only on the basis of constitutionality without any regard to the political leanings of the judges.
With five right-leaning judges on the high bench, the only question will be "WWGD?" Indeed, what would George do?
The California Curmudgeon
He will most certainly appoint someone who is to the right of O'Connor so there will be no danger of the new judge being a swing vote. And then with five of the nine judges backing him on everything, Bush will have all three branches of government in his pocket along with all the media. This will give him almost dictatorial powers.
Having five judges voting as one huge conservative monster, what will happen to abortion right, civil liberties and the government's regulatory powers?
I always thought the duty of the Supreme Court was to determine the constitutionality of each subject brought before them, deciding only on the basis of constitutionality without any regard to the political leanings of the judges.
With five right-leaning judges on the high bench, the only question will be "WWGD?" Indeed, what would George do?
The California Curmudgeon
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