The end of a year

I find that this has been a year of ups and downs. Job going over seas. Worked a job that I would have been better suited to when I was twenty. Lost that job when worked ran low and boss started to have fits. Working temp. That has been an eye opener. Finally working steady. Have had a Calling will be starting school either in the spring or fall. Looks like fall right now. But thats OK. All in good time.

Am about to go and enjoy some Coven punch maybe I'll put the recipe for it out later. Right now I am looking towards what should be an interesting year. hope you Gentile Reader are having as a good time and Hope you will be here in the coming year.

Blesses Be All

The First out of the Gate is...

The former Senator Edwards, As every one knows by now he has come out strong and heavy. the real question is will he be able to sustain this energy. Yes, he is first out. Being first out of the gate does not guarantee anything. In fact it almost guarantees a long hard battle.

His platform is one that has the Fox and other conservative wailing. Trying to decry oohh he just Kerry's shadows. Some how I don't really think so. He has by coming out now is showing a certain amount of genius. Yes, all the candidates are going to run on similar themes. However, he was the first to state it in his campaign.

At this point I am willing to bet that Sen. Clinton is having kittens. I think she was hoping that Sen. Obama would be her only headache at least as far as democrats were concerned. And perhaps that Gov. Vilsack. Now she has to contend with someone that comes to the table with an already made base.

He could sweep in to the White House with either Sen. Obama or the Gov. Vilsack as his running mate. Though I am willing to predict that among the democrats its going to be a close run between Edward, Vilsack, and Obama. Forget Sen. Clinton she will be the noise the right will be making.

Currently I think that I can safely predict that the best choices for the democratic party will be one of these three men in one combination or another. Sen. Clinton will have by the time the democratic party selects its Presidential hopeful, it will have sideline Sen. Clinton. The dragon will have to be placated after all. So watch as the three aforementioned gentlemen try and make peace with her.


"We all must take responsibility and take action now to:
Provide moral leadership in the world
Strengthen our middle class and end poverty
Guarantee universal health care for every American
Lead the fight against global warming
Get America and other countries off our addiction to oil "

I took the above off his website directly. This makes for great rhetoric. I hope he really is intending to do more than addressing these issues. We need to do these things we need a person who can at least fight to see that the ball gets started to rolling. Will I vote for this man? At this time I am more inclined to wait and see how this campaign season goes. Cause it sure does look interesting and will be entertaining.

There is only on more thing that I will add to this blog. Out of all the candidates presently in the field. I find that John Edwards who come across as being people. That is being some one that can be related to as a person and thought as being human. Not just as another pol throwing his name in to the hat.

My thoughts on Gerald Ford

Yes, Gentile Reader I know that I should have blogged this days ago.

I remember that he was a good man the last of what the republican party once was. Gerald Ford was a man that knew what was good in a tumultuous time. He was a person who neither sought nor wanted to be Vice President nor President. He stepped up and did all that was asked. Including taking the fall for his party. If there is anything that can be said for this man it is thus. He was the right man at the right time in history. We all were blessed to have him in our midst.

Iran And North Korea

What do these two nations have in common? Both have and are nuclear powers. Both have the been voted unanimously to have sanctions imposed on them. And both interestingly are defiant. The only difference is there politics one is an Islamic dictatorship and the other pretends to be a communist nation. Politics do make strange bed fellows and this must be one of the strangest.

Where North Korea is impoverished Iran is actually quite well off. Benefit of oil. Selling it to both Soviet Russia and now Russia. As well as to China from time to time. Iran has pursued nuclear power since 1979 when the Islamic regime came to power. This is an old issue that has been quietly percolating since that time.

But now the U.N. has decided to do something. Sanctions. Iran and North Korea believe that this is a joke. I wonder is this something that is a new thinking on the part of such countries that have in the past supported and even encouraged these nations to pursue nuclear power. That in spite of what the U.S. has maintained. Such nations with nuclear capabilities can only lead to destabilizing the regions that they are in. As well as being a threat to the rest of the world.

Today it appears the U. N. and the rest of the world are finally waking up to this ongoing threat. Amazingly the U.N has taken steps to recognize that threat by imposing Sanctions. This is a good start. Though what will be the next step is now being debated. Iran and North Korea will be defiant in the hopes that history will repeat. The U.N. makes a lot of noise. Then forgets and everything returns to what it was.

Maybe before 9/11. But today both Russia and China are voting along with the rest of the security council. Something that has not been done since The Korean war. Yes, the sanctions against Iran came after some tough notations. However, it is still important that these sanctions still have bite. Which is still far better than some of the sanctions that have been imposed in the past.

The Bush Administration had wanted tougher sanctions. The U.N. is not about to do that. Not yet anyways. Personally I think that Both China and Russia are finally coming around to the idea that nations like Iran and North Korea that have nuclear capabilities are a larger threat than at first thought. Yes, it made sense to use these countries as way to tweak the U.S. nose. Now a new day is a dawning.

A day that has China reevaluating what North Korea means to China and how willing they are to allow a nuclear nation that close to its borders. Both Iran and North Korea have shown that they are willing to to use any means to achieve an agenda. That could include the use of nuclear weapons. Both are willing to use terrorism as a weapon. Both use rhetoric that can be disturbing. As it is not all rhetoric that has been demonstrated from time to time.

So cheers to the U.N. for stepping up. And to both China and Russia for finally recognizing that Iran and North Korea need to be stopped before a tragedy occurs.

And the winner is?

Not any one here that's for sure. Iraq war is going do well that hey why don't we.....expand the military!!! Never mind the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force are all saying the same thing. Our politicians unable to go up with a viable solution to Iraq, have decided to do the most insane thing they could think of. Well the second most.

The Generals are all saying the same thing. Don't do this. We don't want to add more troops in Iraq. What does Our Dear Leader President Bush want to do? Three guess and the first two wont count. That's right Gentile Reader. Unable to think of anything else. Leaving this mess with any dignity is not even an option. What is left? Send more troops.

Oh the Army is stretched thin. My oh My. Well we can up the recruitment. After all loyal Americans are just frothing at the mouth to go over there and shoot those people. Never mind what that lefty, err that is that fine conservative, Fox station is saying.

What is so unforgivable is that some democrats are actually proposing this same thing along similar lines. What is it with politicians? America is sick of fighting a war that should be over. Iraqs problem is now more about fighting a civil war. We tried to set up a government that would be as close to democracy as could be managed.

The Iraqis are voicing their disapproval of this idea. No matter what our intention were. It is obvious now that Iran and Syria were going to be spoil sports. So what do we do? Invade these countries? There is as a solution out there. What it might be I don't really know. However, I do know that increasing our Military is not the answer.

Unless of course President Bush is thinking of invading another country. Like say North Korea?
The Talks are going no where as predictable. Yes it slow going even under the best conditions. These are not those conditions. But as always Kims diplomats are playing the usual game of holding to the line; We have them and not giving them up.

So are these new incoming troops, if there is any, really going to Iraq? It does make one wonder. Personally I think that One: no politician has any real idea what to do with Iraq. And two: Kim Jong Il had better watch himself especially if we do expand our military.

North Korea is being bold

But just how bold will it be? Yes North Korea is saying it will attend the talks. I am willing to believe that N.Korea is betting that the US will cave. A risky bet. But then Kim has learned a lot over the years. One is always be bold. Never back down till necessary. Then only until the moment is past. Then ignore any agreement previously made. Going back to what ever the original plan was.

The talks in themselves cost North Korea nothing. Kim gets to sound off how everyone is being miserable to him and his impoverished country. expect to see that rhetoric as the negotiations to unfreeze the bank accounts. Also watch as Kim seemingly will give a little only to demand greater from The US, Japan, Russia and South Korea. Kim is a lot of things, but stupid he is not. The only real question is how long until the war?

Though Kim Jong Il has indicated that he will not give up the new toys. He really has no reason to do that in any case. Short of invading and starting the war back up. I don't really think there is a way at this point to convince or even give the North Koreans a compelling argument to dismantle their program at this time.

However I do take some hope that the talks might slow down this march to war. Maybe we can find an answer that will finally pull this madman back from a very deadly brink. I do think that until Kim is gone we are going to have that war.

North Korea - The next war?

The above link will take you to the article in the Australian paper. The up coming round of talks with this highly volatile regime is about to commence. Only is this round just a step in a what is increasingly becoming a justification to going to war? Kim Jong Ill is not about to stop his countries nuclear program. Washington and now even China are very concerned.

Chinas pronouncement that N. Korea is

"The important meeting of the central committee of the Communist Party three months ago proclaimed that a nuclear North Korea was a formidable challenge to China's "core interests" - a phrase previously used only about Taiwan independence."

Is telling in the most severe way. China has made a misstep in it balancing act of keeping the west at bay. Their catspaw has now become a dagger at their throat as well. With the threat of losing power and influence in Asia as a result. Something Beijing is not going to accept with good grace.

At the end of the day will China accept their catspaw now having some real muscle? Knowing that Kim Jong Ill has the chance to use nuclear toys. It really is more than rhetoric with Kim and Beijing know that fact as well. So it really is not a if question. It becomes a when and where question. The only other question would be how near the US will Kim strike? Or would it be China?

Thats where Beijing worries the most. If N. Korea strikes a Asian target. Asia as a whole will hold China responsible. Even if that target is South Korea. Remember that the Korean war is still active. It is in a perpetual cease fire. The war can resume at any time, in theory. So is Kim Jong Ill looking to restart the war his father left? that is a very good question.

However I think he is really is making a desperate move to keep what is increasingly unstable condition at home. Yes, he is still very much in charge, but for how long? Even a people who have existed under the iron fisted regime like North Korea have revolted. Something that Kim Jong Ill is very aware of. South Korea must look real inviting to a lot of his citizens. China with its own booming economy must look like almost paradise. The rumors that Asia as a whole is making money and doing well has to be worrying the Leader of North Korea.

In a fit of madness North Korea has decided to pursue this march to war. Believing that the US will not attack or even retaliate at this time. My thinking is the Kim will attend this six party meeting if for no other reason than to buy him more time. Knowing that our elections are only two years away and a new US Administration will be in the White House. A new Administration that might not be so willing to go to war.

That decision may not be Washington's to make. Rather it might be Beijing.

President Bush is still not in tune to the reality

Well Gentile Reader How do you like that? Hmm? Our Dear Leader President Bush is a still thinking he is going to get his way no matter what it takes. The Iraq Commission was not as well thought out as any of us would have liked, but it was a beginning. Not a catch all. Though the way its told from some quarters one would presume that very thing.

President Bush in a masterful or Rove maneuver has locked it till after the Democrats come in to the majority in the Houses. This way he does not alienate any more of his party. Though that really is not the reason. The more likely reason is that one must choose your field of battle carefully. Something President Bush might have given more thought before running into Iraq. But thats blood under the bridge.

No he is still trying to "stay the course". No matter how many bodies of our young that must fill the body bags. Our allies are leaving this coming year. The British are ready to go at any time. Thanks to this fool in the White House we are going to be left holding the bag. Or body bag.

Take a look at the war and tell me that we are even fighting the same war that our enemies are fighting. Iraqis want us out. The the Iraqi government needs us there to prop them up. Its Saigon all over. I am old enough to remember the last helicopter leaving Saigon. Is that what we are eventually going to have again?

Another memory of the last helicopter leaving an embattled captital city? While the enemy fighter pour in to the city killing and throwing the government out. Instituting their own brand of government.

Lets face it, those people in Iraq don't want us there. We are seen as invaders. Not as liberators, not as a people who are helping them. If the Iraqi people truely wanted us there, do you think the civil war would be raging? Would the killing be going on to such an extreme if the Iraqi people as a majority wanted us there? What the US and Britain and our other allies tried to help establish?

Lets be honest the Iraqi people have spoken. Those people are not willing to end the violence whether we are there or not. We are fighting the insurgents. Meanwhile the Iraqis are fighting a civil war.

President Bush is clueless as usual. And the Gentile Reader brings us back to the Iraq Study Group. Because the commision doesn't seem to be any more connected to the reality of Iraq. One proposal is to engage in talk with the same two nations that are fueling this civil war.

We either admit that a civil war is raging or we bury our heads in the Iraq sand. It seems President Bush as well as the politicians in Washington, DC seem to think that if no one say the those deadly words to much maybe the Iraqis will end the fighting and every one will get a long.

My guess is that we will be burying a lot more of our young people, while our leaders argue about reality. Be prepared for that scene of a last helicopter leaving an embattled capital. I hope I am wrong, but unless President Bush and Congress figure this out. That helicopter is going to be the reality.

A few things of Note

Gates has been nominated. Good. Don't envy the man his job. The second time he has had to come in and clean up some Else's mess. Hope he can do it. A military that has watched a lot of career officer go down when they couldn't stomach the insanity of Mr. Rumsfeld. A white house that seems to live in a world all to its self.

But that world is coming apart. Yes, Our Dear Leader is taking advantage of the vagueness of the Iraq Report. To whit: No time table saying just when our troops are to leave Iraq. That gives him just enough room to turn this debacle around and proclaim he "can stay the course." .

But thats what he wants. leave office and dump this tragedy in some else's lap. How sweet for him.

But on to other news. Caught Rev. Al Sharpton the other day one news or other. Not making any more sense now than he ever did. That was until he call Condoleezza Rice an Uncle Tom. Now there was something I haven't heard since I was a kid in New York. Even then it wasn't something that every one recognized.

Mostly He made himself look foolish. Please yes Condaleezza Rice is the white House Tool. She knows it and accepts it. But does that make her an Uncle Tom? If so what does that make Henry Kissinger when he was Secretary of State for Former President Nixon?

The White at the time of the Nixon Administration wasn't as prone to the stupidities we see today, But seriously he had to go where his boss said and do the impossible. He is a Jew and having to get the Arabs to sit down and talk with him was a small triumph all its own.

Today Ms. Rice has built a trust with the world leaders that most are willing to sit down and talk with her before they are willing to talk to President Bush.

And pardon me for begging the question but, does that make her an Uncle Tom? Maybe yes. Most likely no. Why? Really two reasons. One is that she understands the President that Colin Powell never could. Our Dear Leader President Bush makes the decisions. Right or wrong he is the one that in the end is going to do what he wants and no one is going to tell him differently.

I find that Donald Rumsfeld leaving was the most self serving exit that I have had witness in a long time. Please, a memo? Saying that there should be a new direction? Well he does have to leave in a way that he can be employed in the future. Being known as Bushes right hand may not look so good on a resume.

Now the recommendation from the Baker commission. Has a lot of good ideas and some off the wall ones. First it is a bad idea to talk to Iran. Never mind Syria. At this point Iran is hoping to repeat what it did to us in 1979. Lets get to the real point of this Iran is our enemy. It has never made any bones about that.

Engaging them in a dialog about Iraq is insane. So what is the solution? A hard difficult one. One is face the facts that the Iraqi people are embracing those people across the borders. By recognizing that we can fight this war in much saner way. Iran and Syria has stuck their nose where it doesn't belong. So how do we spank them?

The sad truth is I don't believe we can. The way this war has been mismanaged is criminal. It will be a long time before we will be able to do anything. The only alternative is to expand the war. There can be no real way around this. At this point Iran will once more sneer in our faces and once more be able to laugh at the foolish Americans.

Its a shameful day Gentle Reader when you know the enemy, having fought in one war that has gone no where only to find that we missed the real enemy by one country. Only now do we as a Nation find that an old enemy has been the one laughing at us as we fought one war. When in reality it was an entirely different war.

To late now. Continuing the war now will get more young people killed. and not much more than that.

Iraq Civil War? looks like more are finally saying it

But more specifically Colin Powell has broken ranks and said what was happening add in the scholars are already calling the war in Iraq a civil war. Now President Bush is having a hard time with his own party. When he asked a certain Senator elect about his son. The reply was less than President Bush liked.

A sharp rebuke did nothing to deter this freshman Senator from coldly answering.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/29/webb.bush.ap/index.html Now Gentile Reader I am wondering if your own party is basically telling you that its time to get out of an already unpopular war. More importantly a war that has now dissolved into a civil war. Would not one with the sense that Deity granted a retarded ant would not that tell you that it's time to go?

But apparently President Bush still wants to buck the odds. At least as of today. What tomorrow may bring is another thing. Maybe someone will knock some sense into President Bush. Though I think Colin Powell has done all the knocking that really needs to be.

Lets face it when Mr. Powell makes a statement people listen. If a man of his intelligence is saying what is already happening is, well happening. Does this not say a great deal about the war in general? Yes in the end it is one man, one opinion. But oh Gentile Reader what an opinion.

Lets hope President Bush sees the sense and starts finding a way out. Or at least asks for help in formulating the exit strategy

Iraq Civil War?

Hmm well according to the online dictionary it is "a war between opposing groups within a country" and according to my "The American Century Dictionary" it s definition is "war between citizens of the same country". Now while I am welling to concede that not all the participants are not all Iraq civilians. But even our Civil War attracted a number of adventurers.

So where does this leave us? With A White House in deep denial that they have lost any kind of control on the ground. Fueled no doubt by ours and the British willingness to want to resolve this mess in a more timely matter.

Simple English, we all want out. We all want it to happen now. Unfortunately by expressing that thought with the likely action for carrying it out. The various factions, who no doubt are supported in part in Iran and likely Syria, have ramped up the violence to an almost crescendo.

However this does leave us with a knotty problem that must be resolved. To whit: Will the present Iraqi government stand after we leave? The short answer is... Not too likely.

And that has a lot of people here in Washington D.C. and London worried. For perhaps very good reasons. The least of which both the British and we Americans toppled a legitimate regime. Please lets not get in to why Saddam had to go. The fact remains he headed the legitimate government of Iraq up until we walked in threw the bum out.

However we are now, at the least morally, responsible for the Iraqi Government at present. So we must some how tell this new government that it is time to stand on their own. As well as love us after we leave.

We have accomplished the first part. At least as far as the insurgents are concerned. But the real question is; Will these people love after we have left? I hope they do, but lets face it the ongoing Civil War and that Gentle Reader is what is happening in Iraq. That perhaps has been happening for a long time. Only now we are having to face the fact we have allowed ourselves be lied to. We have bought the whole "those people who opposed the now Legitimate Iraqi Government were foreign fighter from Syria, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere" sop.

Now we as a people are having to face the truth. Those people that are opposing the Iraqi government are the Iraqis themselves. Yes, there have been some foreign fighter mixed in. However as we have all been aware of. Might have found it hard to accept is that its the people themselves expressing a desire to change a government to their liking.

A civil war. Some, perhaps a significant minority, Likes the closeness that Washington and London would afford them. Unfortunately until the Iraqi people as majority decide that they want a government that is friendly to the "west" we may have a government that will emerge that will despise us and the "west".

The question is not whether it is a civil war. It is. The real question should we have invaded? The short answer seems to be coming down on the side of no we should not have gone in there no matter who was in charge.

History will in 50 or a hundred years will decide on this. But for now we will deal with a civil war that this Administration refuses to acknowledge. In might even be a denial of Dr. Seussian proportions.

A Conservative Supreme Court

Just did to Our Dear Leader President Bush something that would have been unthinkable when Supreme justice Roberts was seated and when Sandra day O'Connor left. Pres. Bush was able to seat yet another Conservative Justice. Liberals every where wore sack cloth and lamented the end of an era where there was just enough liberal thought on the Supreme Court to be view with suspicion on the conservatives side.

After all it was "liberal" court that had enacted the Roe vs Wade. My oh my it looks like President Bush wont be able to continue without getting impeached. You may ask how?

The Supreme Court just handed President Bush the strongest rebuke yet. Forget the Democrats taking Both Houses people. We The People had our say. It did give our Dear Leader a momentary pause. But then it was just going to be business as usual after all The America an public hadn't turned him out.

With the broad powers at his finger tips There was no way he could be impeached. Even the new Speaker to be wasn't about to try and that. So believing he was bullet proof and with the various Spy programs in place he still had a free hand. Right?

Wrong and oh so wrong. To whit the military tribunal in the words of the majority of justices
"Majority quote: "We conclude that the military commission convened to try Hamdan lacks power to proceed because its structure and procedures violate both the (Uniform Code of Military Justice) and the Geneva Conventions." -- Justice John Paul Stevens"

Though one Justice remembered who was his boss. That being Justice Clarence Thomas.
Minority quote: "Our duty to defer to the executive's military and foreign policy judgment is at its zenith; it does not countenance the kind of second-guessing the court repeatedly engages in today." -- Justice Clarence Thomas.

So not all is lost. There exists possibly three Justices that might side with Our Dear Leader President Bush. And if the Supreme Justice Roberts can be brought to heel. Why this fiasco might get turned around on a different argument, but don't count on it.

The Majority opinion has made it clear that this Administration has over stepped its bounds and should be reined in. Now President Bush little team of bright minds will have to figure out a legal way to circumnavigate both the Geneva Convention. Oh wait we don't really believe in that so problem there. The U.C.M.J. ? The military will do what it is told. Maybe. Under Herr Rumsfeld it would have been an almost certainty.

Today the Generals might just tell President Bush to take a hike. Well not in those words, but close enough.

If you bother to read down the list of cases. The Justices did not, I repeat did not, strike down Roe vs Wade. From the list it would be apparent that the Supreme Court is doing the same business with maybe nodding ever so slightly in the favor of state and the individual.

As in the case of the assisted Suicide that Oregon made legal the Justices found for the state. A sharp rebuke to the Attorney General. Though there was some losses for sure Evidently our free speech is not protected while in the work place. So mind what you say....

But in all it is what I would call a Supreme Court that might be a little to the right, but is still handing down Judgment that tries to be within the law and Constitution.

PETA

Well as I was looking around to for something a little more amusing and perhaps to get away from the war and how it is spirally out of control. Gee, I guess that will be blamed on the democrats for having the audacity for taking the houses away from the republicans. Anyways I came across this little tidbit for every ones amusement.

http://ap.peninsulaclarion.com/pstories/state/ak/20061124/123340858.shtml this from a paper in Alaska. Now mind I have nothing against a person who truly believes in what he or she is doing. Even if it is some where out on the fringes. But PETA. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is a bunch of nuts who see things in one way.

Here is their URL http://www.peta.org/ . Now why would I blog about this? Well when this esteem organization can not even do anything as mundane as a little research before sparking a response.

No instead they will believe that every one is out to be cruel and as inhumane to our furry little friends. Why do a little research that would show that instead of using actual animals that *gasp* have humans taking their place. Further research might show that the church might use a plastic baby doll. Plastic. My gosh the inhumanity of subjecting a plastic object in such extreme weather that Alaska is prone to.

But no PETA would rather go after this Church for the audacity of using a human instead of an animal. What an animal might be harmed if a human stand in for the poor dumb beast? If that is the argument; is it any wonder that the whole organization is a farce. Please, if it wasn't for Pamela Anderson support this collection of left wingnuts would still be a small social club going no where fast.

Lets face it. The role of Ms. Anderson with in PETA has only given this bunch of luneys national exposer and taught them how to operate more on a national and perhaps international stage. What she obviously didn't do was add any real sense to those people. Though I guess for a person who purportedly has enough plastic to make a a good size salad bowl it was all she could do. One wonders if a little of that plastic went to her mind as well. Though I haven't heard a word on the ethical treatment for the extinct dinosaurs from this organization.

I guess it didn't make the grade or the mil. If I could find anything nice to say about this organization I would the first to trumpet it. However for the all the supposed good that is done in the name of this organization it is with the idea of ending the pet trade and effectively shutting down the entire farming, ranching, and the related industries.

Those people would have us all eating a vegetarian/Vegan diet. With no thought as to what the rest of us want. No much like a religious fanatic, those people who are PETA would impose a way of life and politics on the rest of us for our own good. And for the good of all the animals.

Never let it be said that I am advocating that PETA be shut down. I am not. I say let them talk all they want. Demonstrate at hospitals, and grocery stores. Yes, stand up and be heard. Send those letters to Churches who allow humans to stand in for the animals at nativity scenes. It is the American way to be as foolish as one wants to be.

The Draft??

First let me apologize to you Gentile Readers. I have been sick and not feeling all that well. I still am sick, but now it is more of an old fashion head cold.


Now on to the main body I saw the whole idea of a draft earlier this week and really wanted to blog this.

Question does the idea that democrats taking both at the beginning of the year making the Democratic Party a little crazy? I can not think of anything more insane than instituting a draft.
While a 44 I am hardly eligible for any draft it wouldn't by necessity affect me. But I do remember the draft. I remember the older guys worrying if they would go to 'Nam. And later if another war might be in the offing.

Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel is out of his ever loving mind if he thinks a draft would keep any administration from going to war. The mere mention of a draft is likely to ruffle a lot of feathers.

He actually believes that if politicians sons can be drafted that this would give pause to any thought to a war. Deferments would kick in. Lets be honest here. No politician is going to let their lilJohnny go marching off to war. No lilJohnnys time will be spent in some ivy league university or collage.

If not there then dear daddy and mumsy will find the dear apple of their eye somewhere nice and safe. declaring that it is in the national interest that lilJonny should be allowed a deferment to help their dear friend get elected or some such tomfoolery.

Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel has got know that. Fortunately Incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi has put the kibosh to this nonsense

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/20/rangel.draft/index.html

The above link gives the death knell to this piece of nonsense.

Though this actually might be begging the question. Is this what we have to forward to? The Democrats proposing legislation that is so counter intuitive and outlandish that even their own party wont support it? Personally I sure hope not.

Who idea was this?

Our Dear Leader President Bush has traveled all the way to Vietnam. A country he studiously avoided when in the Air Guard. Yes, Amazingly he went that far to... Shoot himself in the foot. He came with a lot of hope and promises to the Vietnamese government. He stated that his bill to normalize relations with Vietnam was in the bag. He smiled and shook hands as Congress. A still Republican Congress. Voted it down. Not even a line party vote, very much expected to materialize on the day of the vote. It didn't happen.

There was an American president facing an enemy that we had fought to a stand still. We won every battle against those people and still lost the war. Those people laughed at us for almost thirty years. Laughed at the foolish Americans that came to set right what the people of this land did not want. That being democracy that was going to be. A U.N. Charter said there was going to a North and South Vietnam.

Well the people of both 'Nam's spoke. They wanted to be a people and so they were. Thirty odd years later an American President with goodies in a bag ready to spread Capitalism to those people that seem so ready for it. But ahh once more Vietnam has proven to be more than an American president can handle. Only this time it was an American Congress telling an American President that the Americans are not ready to normalize any relations with those people.

WTO be damned We here in America will decide when and if we will trade with any one. Its about time that idea starts to get across to these trading partners. Its long past time to reassess our role in that organization.

So now some people will be called on the carpet, but gently. O so gently after all the President does not need an open rebellion on his hands. No not a good thing.

But this President is not content with just having egg on his face. No he has to draw parallels with the war we lost to those people. While the allusions were apt it should have been delivered else where.. Actually anywhere would have been better. South Korea at the very least.

Yes a place where the American people said fighting a war that wasn't going any where and doing nothing but filling body bags with our then young people. Yes, interesting parallels but one that should never have been made in Vietnam.

And to add insult to the injury though mostly through his own arrogance and pride he has to deal with the blow to his ego.. Former President Clinton was cheered by those people a lot more warmly. Former president Clinton was accorded an almost rock star status. President Bush will return to an increasingly embattled White House who's own party is almost ready to revolt.

Its only a few weeks from the November 7th. Its going to be a lonnnggg 2 years.

Some foolishness..

OK people we have a real live firewalker here . He is going to tell you wimin how it be. Yea he gonna bring the GOOD BOOK ta Y'ALL!!

Yes he is going to instruct people to abstain from sex. Cause that will prevent unwanted pregnancies and help prevent such things as AIDS, stds, and gingivitis. One would think that what has already failed repeatedly and demonstrably. One would conclude that instead of trying to get people to stop having sex, one would explore how to make sex safer.

And that people is having a coherent sex education program. One that teaches what all the boy and girl parts are for and where all those bits are located. Just when it look like such program is about succeed, or has shown some success, do these bloody fools come in with all they're foolishness of abstinence crap.

Well Our Dear Leader President Bush had to appease the his Wingnut Fundamentalist fool christians. So now as a consequence young woman who need sound advice are going to be treated instead to these nut cases take on why abortions are bad. Oh don't get me wrong there will be sound medical diagnosis.

It will be the counseling that comes afterward that will be bias. How many people are going to listen and follow. How many woman are going to swallow their drivel.

I am Pro Choice. Do I like abortion. No.

Will I deny a woman to that choice. Brother I am here to tell you that is not even a choice I can make for some one else. One way or the other. Ask some one why they are really against abortion. and after correcting the obvious inflated, erroneous statistics, and more than obvious exaggerations. After all that presuming you can get that far. The real reason comes out. It's religious. Surprised? I should hope not gentle reader. It's really not that those people really try to hide it any more. Why should they?

After all a friend in the White House is better than any nine justices on any given day. Roe versus Wade bedamned all those people want to do is tell you how you should believe. And worship as they tell you.

The agenda is right there. For all to see. Why do you think those people of the Fundamentalist movement are going to do if the day comes when the nation embraces a more christian outlook?
Well people what are you going to do. I will write to my Senators and Representative and let them know of my dismay at this persons appointment.

What about you?

Conservatives are a strange breed

Conservatives voted for the Dem's as much as Liberals did. Judging from the number of so called Evangelicals that said their votes went to the democrats, one would conclude that they knew what they were voting for. But as in all things once the hoopla wore off the reality is slowly seeping in. "The oh shit we did what?" effect.

Yes, the Democrats for now hold both houses. That is the Dem's will right up until the good Sen. Joe Lieberman declares for the Republican Party. He says he is a Independent Democrat. But that wont last. The Dem's will try and come to terms with this maverick. But he has made his views known and will make doing business iffy at best and harder at worst.

But that is really a side note. The reality is that now the Dem's have the power to affect things. Conservatives who normally vote a Republican ticket are wishing they had not been so quick to spank the Republican Party for the errors of an American President who happens to belong to the same Party.

My only question to such Conservatives. Did you really think that the Republican Party would let another Republican run his/her place? Or if you really wanted spank the Republican Party. Here is an idea.

Vote for the so called third parties. Hey for you libertarians vote for the Libertarian or independent candidates, and nothing says that you independents couldn't have done the same. there was a place for any one to vote for a write in candidates. And there was a few "third" party candidates on ballots across the nation. But nope you conservatives voted for the Dem's. So now some of you are crying in your bourbon and scotch.

My heart bleeds. Well now we will see if the Democratic Party has changed at all. Though I personally think what we will see is a White House embattled and being a lame duck. Blaming the lack of cooperation on the Democrats for temerity of trying to follow through on their agenda.

Nothing will have changed. The beltway will continue and we the voting public will get screwed. Don't worry about things you poor lost conservatives. Two years from now you will have the chance to vote your precious republicans back in... Or maybe, just maybe, vote a third party ticket. Wouldn't that be a kick in the teeth. The Libertarians that has been waiting in the wings lo these many years suddenly finding itself in the beltway in a meaningful way? Or a flood of Independent Candidates? It would be a near historical first.

But what do I know I am just a Moderate Liberal who is a by the by a Libertarian...

Presidential Elections candidates are already to get started

But which ones would run. More importantly which pols will run. I don't have an answer to either questions. However I do have an idea as to who would be stronger, or weaker, candidates.

This is in no particular order.

Senator McCain: is a good true moderate. And would make for a good Reagan like candidate for the right.

Senator Hillary Clinton: Pulease. If the dems run this person I can about guarantee a loss. And not because she is a woman. She is too far to the left. And very few people would be able to buy a centrist stand from her.

Sen. Barack Obama: "a political phenomena" as described on CNN. However he does not come with any real baggage. Is moderate liberal. With a very good idea of what it means to be centrist and able to work with either party.

Senator John Kerry: Another dark horse. He should really think about some other job in the DNC.

Senator John Edwards: A good possibility, but can he overcome being associated with John Kerry?

Governor Tom Vilsack: A strong possibility. He comes to the table of proving he is not a raise and spend democrat. Check out the web page
http://www.governor.state.ia.us/bios/vilsack_bio.html This Governor certainly has the right stuff. Deeds talk louder than any rhetoric. And his deeds talk very loudly.

Former Mayor of New York Giuliani: Certainly stepped up to the plate on Sept. 11. But is that enough to make an effective run at the White House? Personally, I don't think so.

Governor Pataki: He is kidding right? Lets face it his Presidential campaigns were never all that effective at any point in time. Don't really think he will run an effective campaign this time either.

Sen. Joe Lieberman: Now he would make for an interesting candidate. Vilified by the democrats. His party is forced to swallow an awful truth. His constituency love him and don't care whether he is a democrate or not. Worse yet, they have to work with him after winning a huge victory. That swept both democrats would be fair haired boy and the republican candidate right out. Is that enough to make a run for the White House? I personally don't know. There is one thing for sure. He would give color to this election season.

I threw the good Senator Lieberman for chuckles. He has not thrown his name into the hat that I am aware of at this time. However he would give pause to some of the people on this list.

But aside from the aforementioned Senator that would seem to be the cast of characters that are either thinking, or people who have floated their names, as possible candidates at this point in time.

The first Muslim goes to Washington.

I love this Country. Say what you want, but every once in a while we Americans actually can rise above petty, and not so petty, differences. In this case Minneapolis, Minnesota has shown the way by electing a man who's religion has declared the U.S.A. its enemy.

Only is the religion or the people of that religion. The answer from Minnesota is that it is not the religion, but the people who we are fighting. And reading over the article raises some very interesting questions about this man. He is liberal and pro choice. WOW!!

How many other followers of Islam feel this way? And more importantly will these moderate/liberal Muslims find a voice? What does this say about the war? I think we as a nation might want to rethink what our attitude towards Islam.

Yes, those people in the middle east are Islamic. Yes, It is true that their Imans and clerics in general seem to be running the majority of this war. But are we really looking at a people that are expressing their beliefs in a violent manner or a people that are using their beliefs to justify a war against the U.S. .

If you live in Minneapolis that answer is seems to be more the latter than the former. Take note people this is a win for more than the democrats. Its a win for America. Once more Americans were able to discern a man from his religion. Lets face it, that took some doing. How many mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and loved ones with family members in Iraq and Afghanistan looked at the man and voted for him realizing his religion was not the issue.

Now if we can see that and start fighting those people as an enemy who disguises a political agenda as a religion. That maybe the hardest thing for us to do.

Now here is a couple of Items that I thought was interesting

the first is that Dear old Rush Limbaugh is now saying that he was only doing a job he didn't really have a heart for. Ok quick question for this fine gentleman. Who do you think you are kidding? Is this how conservatives act? Well the ship is sinking and instead of pointing it out you just go along until the ship has sunk?

I know as a liberal I will just as quickly point at what a liberal is doing wrong as fast as I would a conservative. But as a conservative your not allowed to criticize your party? How does that work? Judging from the elections I would imagine not well. but here is the link

http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_110806/content/rush_on_a_roll.guest.html

Where he is trying to justify his actions in defending a party that he claims he saw heading for disaster. Personally, it comes across as being a little self serving and cowardice.

The other is one if the republican base stayed home then there really is a lot more liberals democrats and independents than there are republicans. as this article suggests that the turn out rate was at forty percent.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061109/ap_on_el_ge/eln_turnout_7

So, I have to wonder at Tom Delay. Is he really going to suggest that sixty percent are republicans. That all these sixty percent stayed home? That takes some doing. You would have to be conspiracy nut to buy into that idea. Seriously, though is Tom DeLay going to make that argument? If so I would have to either question his sanity or be extremely worried about the power of being able to get sixty percent of the voting public to not to show up on election day.

AND THE DEMOCRATS WIN!!!

Yes, I know I should have posted last night, But really wanted to see how things worked out. We saw the end of this republican rule. President Bush will be a little less smug and wont be smirking quite so much.

First let me wish Mr Rick Santorum well in whatever he decides to do in Virginia. Let this be a lesson to our politicians here in Pennsylvania. Why did Mr. Santorum lose? Simply he forgot who he was representing. Down here in the Valley we really don't expect our politicians to be perfect. We do expect them to maintain a residence here in Pennsylvania. We also expect them to work for us and not be taking photo ops with the bigwigs in Washington. While the fantasy of being able to do that as a President may have played through his head. The reality is that he was in Washington to do a job. One he continuously failed to do properly.

Please do note that we sent Representative Dent back to Congress and he is republican. So what was the difference? Aside from what I have already written. The real difference is that instead of playing to a national audience he talked to the voters in his district in a meaningful way.

While Mr Santorum may, or may not, have a dream of running for the Presidency. Which is fine if he does. Just don't always expect your constituency to back that dream. The folks back here want our Representatives and Senators to represent us. Which is what Representative Dent and Senator Spector have done.

On to other things. What does all this mean to me. Well, I expect this Congress to start to get a handle on Iraq. On the economy, as well as bringing business back to America.

Note I do not expect nor is there a real expectation that this Congress will accomplish all these things. Just start the ball rolling and keep the momentum up till either after the Presidential elections. I would like to see something come to fruition of course. The real question will President Bush really work with this Democratic Congress?

Will the President try and force his agenda in spite of the losses? He might. He has nothing to lose certainly. He has taken a healthy rebuke from the American people. Though He is still rumbling that his policy concerning Iraq is not going to change.

Typical. Really it is. Young people are dieing over there for this man ego. He really, I would guess can't shake the feeling that he should run the war and that congress should now just leave it alone. He is going to find out that this is only a beginning. The war will come to an end.

Whether it is with him or not. I expect that he will be spanked more than once. Isn't it interesting that now that they are not in power that suddenly the idea of working together suddenly becomes attractive again. Sacrificing Rumsfeld to the alter of political necessity is only a begining.

Mr. DeLay has voiced that the democrats didn't win. The republican party lost. Uhuh. Mr. DeLay that means that the Democrats WON. And there was just as many republican as conservatives in that line yesterday. More than a few voiced what a disappointment that republican party had become. Most let drop that their vote was going to the democrats. And for the most part that was true. Note we, here in Pennsylvania, did send Rep. Dent back. If your base stayed home. Then how did this man get elected?

No, the American public is sick of republican parties running roughshod over everyone. The democrats won. Take it like an adult and live with it.

But as always today the democrats have won. Tommorow may have a different answer.

Illegal Aliens

What I am going to write will piss off a lot of Liberals.. So be it...


My personal thought on this question is really easy.. If are here in the U.S. illegally.. YOU go back to YOUR country. Not difficult. Not hard to understand

I went to church Sunday and while I didn't get a chance to listen to all of what this person had to say on this subject. What I did hear made me sick. He was standing there defending Illegal aliens right to stay here in this country. While I didn't have a chance to talk to him. If he comes back I will.

Illegal aliens do not have any rights. NONE! Yes we grant them due process, but that's a privilege. However how do we take care of this problem? Here is my idea.

First we make it easy for a person to return to his/her home country. A cut rate flight or bus ticket. What ever. The returning aliens signs a document that he/she will not return to this country. However we catch you living and working here. We confiscate everything that you have here. Bank accounts , belonging, ect. We then send you home penniless.

Any, and I mean ANY, business caught or found to have hired this person get fined with a strong possibility of seeing the owners or CEO's with any executives found culpable gets to go to jail. It doesn't take rocket science to see what happens when enough people going back to the home country penniless as opposed to those who are returning to their home country with their money. Equally, It doesn't take to much smarts to see how fast businesses changing they're hiring practices as they're bottom line is affected by hiring illegal aliens.

As for that tripe that Illegals do the work that Americans refuse to do? I grew up around farms. I have dug ditches, I have cleaned toilets. I worked in textile mills. I saw women who had worked in a mill for twenty years making $8.00 an hour. They were all Americans or were here in this country legally.

Americans have a good idea what our time is worth. We also know when an employer is jerking us around. An illegal alien put themselves in positions were they can be taken advantage of and exploited. Americans will always stand up for our rights. That people is where these outlaw companies can't stand. You work me for 12 hour straight; 6 or seven days straight. You better have my overtime in that check.

Yes several outlaw companies come to mind and I will name the biggest one here.. Walmart. Walmart would love to see a guest worker program. Get rid of those pesky Americans and they're muttering about work environment and wages. Believe me people Walmart and others like them will shove honest working people out of the market. Unless we agree to a return to a simpler time. Your grandfathers or great grandparents might remember.

Boss man says thats the way it is.. Then thats the way it is. No way to argue or fight. No real way to end the exploitation of the working class at that point. Life is hard enough. Lets not make it harder. Send these illegal aliens back to their home country.

The day draws near

Tomorrow we all hopefully be Voting. I will be voting for the candidates that I see as being a more of a hope to a brighter future. OK I am Voting to see the last of dear Santorum. Yes, I will be Voting a mainly Liberal Dem ticket. Surprised? I should hope not. Lets face it The republicans have done nothing, but be overbearing.

How many times do we need to see a Smug smirking President that should be trying to end the Iraq war. A republican party that rubber stamped and steamed rolled over any one that dared to say different.

Well with any luck we will take that smirk off his face and make him a little less smug. No its time for this President to learn that we the people are sick of his "stay the course" with our dead young people paying for that slogan.

Enough is enough lets end this sicking war. A war that we do not need to fight. A war that we should have left well enough alone. No we can fight the terrorists in other ways, but not invading a country that had nothing to do with those people.

The republicans has proved how they manage our country. Marginalize the opposition and make sure everyone on their side is on the same page. Smugly inform everyone that they are working on a problem. At the same time telling the public that we don't need to know how something is done. Yes, we live in a represented republic which does allow for some latitude on the Governments part. But not that much and assuredly Not that smugly.

We the public demand transparency. Regardless of what any official says about National Security issues. Use that excuse too many times. Well, you have what we have here. A breakdown in trust. Never high to begin with. Now less than ever.

If you are Voting for your republican candidate. Well I wish you luck. However your team is going down this time. As I pointed out in an earlier blog. You can't have change with out working at it. Thats where are today. A concerted effort to change things. I wonder, Patrick do you still come here?

Voting

Well this year is shaping up to be a season for the history books. An election that both sides are trying to gain the a majority or keep said a majority in Congress. But you have to wonder what were they thinking. When the electronic voting booths started to be sold. This issue is not new. It was known from the beginning. Private companies that are not going to give up proprietary codes. Even for verification of making sure that the counts were accurate.

What kind of stupidity is this? Did everyone leave their brains at the door? Yes, we all wanted to upgrade the Voting Booths. Especially in the wake of Florida and the infamous hanging chads BS. I guess the thinking is that by some miracle the issue with proprietary codes would be resolved.

And the sky rains gumdrops out of candy cotton clouds. The last I knew there is no candy cotton clouds nor does it rain gumdrops. We are still stuck with a problem that no one took the time to find a better solution for this issue.

But now the hard part. It was mandated in most areas and most counties were told flat they had to upgrade to the electronic voting booths in spite of these issues. So now both parties are going to scream the day after elections. One or even both of the major parties, a lot of third party, and independent candidates are going to question the validity of the votes counted.
With the issue of proprietary codes add to the the fact these codes are owned by foreign companies. Gentile Reader, I don't know about you, but I am afraid.

Afraid not who will ultimately will be gain a majority in Congress. Not even afraid of how close an election will be in these races. My fear is comes from trusting a company that has no real oversight telling the American public that their machines are accurate and that we must trust them.

Trust them? Why? What good reason should we? They wouldn't even come on Lou Dobbs show for crying out loud. Nothing to reassure the public that they are professionals and that all safeguards are in place to assure a fair elections. Safeguards? oh one company employees will be on hand if help is needed. Fair elections not even as we define it. Nothing. Just a lot of questions with no real answers. Just the assurance that their machines when used properly will yield proper results concerning elections.

Is that a good enough reason? Assurances with no way to verify or even check on their machines? Machines shown that a determined hacker can, and most likely will hack in, to move a vote in a certain direction. And worse can not even be traced or detected on some these monstrosities?

Was, or is there, an alternative solution? I sure hope that there is one out there. Because we as a people are in trouble if there is not one..

Tis the Voting Season

and what is dancing in the heads of democrats? Why, they think they will have Congress and the republican will be weeping. Ahh how sweet the dream. The republicans have a wins dancing in their heads as they pull out victories that those Ole' poll say can't happen.

But in all this who is going to really win. Well kiddies I don't think its me or you. No judging from the rhetoric what we have here is shaping into a war with Congress and the White House.

Even if the republicans win. You can bet there will be more line party votes. The warning will have been sounded the American public is getting rather sick of this. War, Economy that favors the rich, the Oil Companies making obscene profits, and a White House that says trust me all the while taking our rights and liberties in the name of a war that could have been done by now if we hadn't ran into Iraq.

So what will happen if the democrats win? Why we might have the first impeachment in the
21st century. Well it might be tried, but I don't see it working. However Bush will have to swallow his pride and work with the now "liberal" Congress. That wont be easy as big of an ego as this President has. Especially will be difficult will be the fact the first bills to cross his desk he will almost have to veto.

That people will be the test. As the now democratic controlled Congress will attempt to override the Presidents veto. If the Democrats can pull that off the President will be in real trouble. However I don't see that happening. Too much politics.

But I want you to notice something here. In both Congress's who has both forgotten. Why you and I. Oh they will talk about how they care for the unwashed masses and there will be great speeches with a lot of rhetoric proclaiming how it will benefit us all.

The reality is people none of it really will. Too many fingers are in the pie. From the pharmaceutical companies to the oil corporations to Corporate America.. Throw in the religious right. Where does that leave us? Stuck in the middle. I have said this before I will say it again. Its time we started to Vote in the so called third parties.

We as the people have got to start to see these people for what they are. Politicians in the pocket of every special interest group that comes with money and perks. Has any one noticed that the so called reform bill dealing with the special interest has not changed the beltway?

It's still business as usual. A few adjustments in doing business call something another thing. What do yo know? Nothing changed.

So lets see how a White House enjoys fighting a Congress that is not going to cooperate. A Congress with an embattled President. History shows that this will end badly for all concern.
No matter which party gets control of the Congress nothing in the next two years are going to be pleasant or even nice.

Let the games begin....

Almost that time to Vote again

Yes gentile readers it will be that time to see if we want the democrats or we keep the republicans. What has either party to offer Americans at large? Not much that I can see. Yes they both are saying and doing all they can to get us to vote for them and their party.

But have you noticed that neither party has had anything like original thought? Has it escaped your notice that all they have done is create and maintain a state of tension that has nothing to do with what it is, if elected, are willing to do?

Yes I know we have the phased withdraw, but now Pres. Bush is sounding like he might go along with this if either party is in control. Which is a signal for the republicans they can at least broach the topic of a withdraw of some some sort.

But lets face it what has either party really talked about? Judging from the ads here I would say that it is about fear. Fear that the other party will control one or both houses. Fear that present party will keep the majority. Fear that something bad will happen if one party or the other might do something radical. Really?

I think I can safely say that nothing radical is going to be done by either party. No Gentile reader I think I can say that the only thing will happen is that nothing really will be done. Why is a good question.

The answer is simple. Both parties have gotten fat on living off of us. They really don't see each other as competition as much as a relative that wont go away. Where are the so called third parties? They are out there ignored and swept aside. Some of the original thought can still be found among them. Occasionally you will find one party or the other cooping that thought and acting as though it had come up with it.

Corporate America wont give air time. Unless it is really a slow news day. It really has to be a slow news day for that to occur. No so what are they left to websites that for the most part only the faithful go to. Ask yourself this when was a third party candidate had as much air time or even print space as the republican or even democrats?

The few independents seem to be in bed with either the democrat party or the republican. Personally, I think its time we as a nation started to take a look at these other parties and see what they have to offer. Or do you think the two parties have been serving you well?

I can guarantee that they can not be any worse than what we have now.

Why gay, lesbian, and bi are citizens with full rights

or should be. But they are not. No, according to the neo-cons and some conservatives Gay people should not marry. But why? That would be the question. Why is this fear of a marriage between two people who are in love. That divorce will be just as high as among "gays" as it is among hetero population.

Still is that a good enough reason? Are we as a nation saying that a segment of our population should not marry because they might divorce? Or is it we might have to retool our divorce laws? Something by the way is always an on going project. So what would a divorce law look like under these conditions. I guess a more gender neutral language would be called for. Assuredly not that big of a deal. Certainly not one that should could keep a segment of our population that does contribute to the American society as a whole from excerising a right.

So what changes that could be so bad that would make people who are on the whole want to deny a segment of our society their rights? I have yet to hear a rational reason. Aside from a religious convictions, there really doesn't seem to be any.

If religious convictions is all there is standing between two people who happen to be of the same gender from marrying. Let me say this; that the day will come when two people of the same gender will marry, it will be celebrated and seen as no deferent than any other marriage.

The religious conviction argument has never won any political argument in this country. That argument was offered as a reason to deny woman and the afro-american the Vote. As well as keeping both from full participating in this society.

So I ask any who would dare. Answer me this. Aside from a religious conviction. What reason is there that would keep to people of the same gender from marrying?

Well now who would have thunk of it

Could it be true? I ask you.. Could the ol stay the course and damn them torpedes Bush actually going to dance the Washington Two Step. Well I don't know about you but it looks like the question on how do you make an unmovable object move has been answered.

Yes, threaten him with his party deserting him and with the real likelihood of the opposition party gaining the majority and what do ya know? It can rattle even ol' "We will stay the course". Over 2000 of our troops and Goddess knows how many British, and our other allies troops dead. And still it was "We Shall Stay The Course".

Nothing seemed to phase him it would seem. Any question to rethink or even adjust tactics to the changing situation on the ground was met with same sneering contempt. None were spared even his own party members could catch it if the question was even proposed.

Now that November is around the corner and suddenly, My Gosh maybe we can have a timetable? Possibly ending a bloodbath that should never have been. A failed policy that continues to careen from disaster to body count.

Iran is now stronger in the region thanks to this policy and most likely become a true nuclear threat in the next few years. Yes, invasion of Iraq was a real good idea. As much as I hated Saddam. I totally hate the idea of these true fanatics becoming a real threat.

Is it any wonder that the republican politicians are running for cover? They can discuss the slowly lowering of gas prices all they want. An economy that favors the rich is not exactly a talking point. And lets face it the illegal aliens are going to have to dealt with in a rational manner. A guest worker program would only work if they were trying to enter the country and not already here.

Lets build a fence is more of a boondoggle than a response to stemming the flow of illegals coming in to America. But then that seems to be the only other solution that this administration has come up with.

So in the face of this? What was President Bush going to do? Why we can change direction on the war in Iraq. A phased or even a timed withdraw from the country suddenly looks real inviting. I don't know how it will be orchestrated, but it will be interesting and maybe even entertaining. Lets see if this President can do the Washington Two Step like so many of his predecessors.

Satanists

Satanist hate 'em or love 'em but they are all around. What is a satanist? Well back in the fourteenth century a pope declared that all Pagans were to be satanists. Flash to the 21st century an on going sustaining revival of the Pagan religion.

What are the Satanists to do? Well back in the 1960's when all things looked possible and The Pagan religion was mostly either Wicca, Hindu, or a small but growing other Pagan religions.
The satanists must have been amused. How long have they been fighting or at least pissing the christain church off? Years at least, centuries at best. Now comes a folk who had been around in one form or another suddenly finding that people were honestly curious and wanting to know about the Gods before there was christianity, islam, or even judaism.

But ahh these good people were just trying to gain acceptance as a legal legitimate religion. As the years went by the movement has grown. Legitimized in courts as a legal religion in just about the world around. But what about the satanists? hmm?

These rebels from the christian church have sought to gain acceptance in to the pagan religion. Yes they like to think they are pagans, but are they?

My answer is no. No because they are in reality christians in rebellion. Their cause is different from the Pagan cause. Pagans are beginning to be recognized as standing with the major religions of the world. Is it really necessary to accept satanists in to the fold? After all what should satanist be working towards.

My thought would be to gain an acceptance? into the christain church. The UU would possibly take them in. Though I would push that we accept them as satanists and not as pagan.

I do wonder how the more conservative even the liberal churches as a whole would look on that.

How would the christain church, as a whole, transform itself as the rebels bring their point of views to the body? For some christians this would be unthinkable, perhaps even to a majority. However christianity with it adherence to only the light would suddenly have to recognize the darker side of their religion. How would the christain church adjust to all this? It does make one wonder.

Pagans worships the Gods and Goddesses. A satanist is a christain in rebellion.

For further reading on this subject please go here http://www.neopagan.net/SatanicAdventure.html

Today In America

Well judging from the response on some of the boards and forums that I visit. Seems to be almost down party lines as far as I can see has been fairly positive. We liberals moderate or otherwise look at this in horror. Meanwhile the republican and most conservatives see this as being a good thing.

Is this going to be enough for the republicans to retain their majority? We'll see in November.
Its a sad day when a group of people who sees only what they want.

One poster thought it was a good idea as it would start rounding up illegal aliens. While I do agree we need to send any one here in this country illegally back to their host country. However are we that ready to give up our rights under the Constitution that easily?

My only ray of hope is that not all consevatives do not see this law as being good. I can only hope that more of the conservatives would see this law being the travesty that it is. But I will take 'not good' as a good sign as well.

What a sad day in America

I was going to talk about N. Korea, but then this came up.

As most of you know that President Bush, That S. O. B. that he is, finally got what he has wanted all along. Yes people, we can expect that he will use his new powers well. The SS, That is the Secret Service not to be confuse yet with the gestapo, will be able to round up more 14 year old girls like the one in Florida.

Yes, but now they can declare them enemy combatants and so much for their rights, or.. ours for that matter. This war on terror sure seems to be coming from the White House more than any place else. Yes, we can all rest well in bed knowing that even as I write this little tirade that after I post it some blasted government flunky will be flagging it.

Tell me folks are you really safer? I don't think so. Will the Supreme Court over turn any of this bilge? Good question. Ordinarily I would say it would die a nasty death with the Presidents ears ringing in rebuke. However most of this travesty will most likely stand.

Every one does understand it is up to our Dear Leader as to how the Geneva Convention is interpreted? From case to case. The CIA, NSA, FBI, SS and any one who tortu- I'm sorry vigorously interrogates suspects, are all going to take direction from the good office of the President.

Yes, Today I was ~real~ proud to be an American. Its not every day you watch you country take another step towards that police state. Course with republicans knowing their time was limited figured on getting this through before the namby pamby liberals start forcing this mess in to anything like a sane route that just might lead to peace.

Peace wont happen and Bush will make sure that this bloody war continues in to the Presidential elections. The terrorists are not going any where either. They, the terrorists, will continue to plague us and rejoice in the fact that they have brought a great nation to the brink of becoming a police state. Thus proving that they were always right... WHAT a sad day.

I can only hope that in fifty or a hundred years when this is history that our decedents can forgive us. What a legacy we are leaving. When we are threatened we turn into a police state. Thats the legacy we are leaving people. How long will it be I wonder when speaking out like this becomes truely illegal? I do wonder and shudder at the prospect......Do you???

Today

My son birthday is this weekend and yes I am one proud daddy. I really love to see my son growing into the person that I can see in him.

On to less in important things. News was the same retread of this whole week. Though I think the Sen. McCain put the first nails in to Sen. Clinton presidential aspirations. When the opposition encourages you to do something; Its a good bet that it isn't because they really think you have a chance.

Like I said a retread. Bush and company doing the Washington two step with regards to the ongoing corruption trials and Iraq. Though Presdent Bush is standing firm with the Speaker of the House Hastert(sp?) . Yes, he really loves his losers. I guess they make a lot more loyal yes men. Cause Goddess knows that Colin Powel was trying to bring a little sense to the white house.

Well I hope your day was better. I know mine will be tomorrow or rather later today.

North Korea

Ahh yess North Korea. What would China do with out Kim Jong Il hmm. Ever wonder why this impoverished nation that sits next to the a very large country that could walk over it. Yet what does this nation target as its main enemy. Why the USA of course. Why cause in a strange way we are a better bet. Invade, we will rebuild the country. Providing we and the Chinese leave anything worth rebuilding.

But until that day Beijing find N. Korea a good way to test the waters so to speak. Only problem is that dear old Kim is starting to believe he can actually stand up to the world. With this nuclear test he has made a good number of people in Beijing very nervous. With the talk of China actually hinting, Hint generally means that there is a good chance that it might happen, that they, China, will go with and might encourage sanctions.

China has always sat on N. Korea and allowed Kim to jump up and down and make a lot of noise for them. But could it be that China didn't orchestrate this little show? An interesting question. Those old men in Beijing like to feel that they are the ultimate leaders in Asia. Not always true, but hey its a sweet fantasy.

But now there one true friend that could be counted on to upset the US has gone and told Beijing to take a leap. Will there be sanctions? It really depends if Kim, that child molesting freak, can be brought to heel. China is a lot of things, but even their patience can be tested. Kim Jong Il is doing just that. It a very dangerous game he has embarked on.

Yes, our forces are over extended, but the rest of the world is getting a little tired of this tin pot dictator declaring that he will do anything that strikes his fancy. China really doesn't want anything to interfere with the upcoming Olympics. A war would most definitely do that.

Well even a good dog can go sour occasionally. Kim is starting to look that way. But watch close. If the sanctions go through watch as Kim gets replaced. It will look like an entirely like an internal matter. Reality is China will be pulling the strings as they always have. Kim might want to remember that China is the reason he is still in business.

My advice to Kim stand down son. Start showing your Chinese bosses some respect cause your about two steps from being on the receiving end of a palace coup.

Inconvient truths

Ahhh yes, lets us talk about what an inconvenience a small truth can be. Inconvenient truths can be found in just about everything the human race has attempted or has done. Obvious inconvenient truth Pres. Bush lied about wmd.. Or rather wanted to believe WMD were in place. Doesn't matter either way the result is the same a making of an inconvient truth.

An inconvenient truth for christians is that their own theologians/historians are not even sure if Jesus was crucified or if it was a torture stake. Does it really matter? Certainly not me. It does matter to a lot of good people who want to believe that the bible is accurate and whole.

An inconvenient truth Gerald Gardner made up Wicca in an erroneous belief that the Pagan religion was dying and that he had stumbled across the last remaining bits of it. Working from Margret Murrays very flawed theory he set out to preserve the Pagan religion the best he knew how.

Another of those inconvenient truths came out this last week. The republican party set the fox to watch the... lets try this; It was like letting the mouse guard the...

Anyways the republican party had an ooppsie of all times. Yes, we can all watch as the republican party tries, desparately to put distance and time between this miscreant and their failure to oust him sooner.

Will this actually cost the GOP the house. November will tell. Though I think another inconvenient truth is being forgotten here. And that is the republican party was already on the run.

From that other inconvenient truth. They have backed the President to the hilt. Have backed him right up until the elections. But what says, you the republican conservative, the democrates in all this. Ahh let us not forget the other party. Should they not have smoked this rabid wolf that was after the sheep? Possibly, but then we must confront the inescapable fact the republican party has kept the democrats out as much as possible. Another inescapable truth is that when this war started to go sour and it looked like they had been led down the prim rose path it was the democrats who wanted to end this nightmare in a sane and perhaps sensible manner.

But Pres. Bush has made that option almost impossible. Lets not forget another inconvenient truth. When the republican party has wanted to appease the President. It was done strictly down the party lines just about every time.

So this whole mess is now up to the republicans to show their true strength. Now the incumbent want to run on the issues. Really is that any wiser? Though a good idea if a little late. But then the inconvenient truth is still there. Each of these worthies have and will back the present administration.

Let us remember that as we pull the levers. So, yes remember who has led us into a war that didn't need to be fought. A war that is costing our young people their lives. As you pull that lever remember where a lot of jobs have gone, what the price of gas is today under their ever so good leadership.

Yes, let us remember those very inconvenient truths.

Well it looks like I am back

So why the long haitus? Have been busy; first my job like so many others went over seas. Yes, nice to know globalization is working for someone.

On the Foley scandal. The Republican party have shot themselves in the foot well enough. Second If you are conservtive then you will be voting regardless. At least I hope you do. If you still think that the republican party still has any real meaning. Think again. niether the republican nor the democrat parties have anything orginal to say. Personally, I will vote for the third party ticket. *sigh* none is running in my district. So I will vote against that blasted Santorum and Dent.

Let me be clear on this subject. The republican party does not now nor have they ever cared about the middle class. Their actions speak clearly on this subject. Are you any better off today? If so congratulations you must be one of pershing lucky few. However for the majority of us it just isn't so.

I can say that because I have observed it in action. Where is all this prosperity that fox news and other talking heads go on about? Well it sure isn't for the working classes. As I watched jobs go across the seas and south of the border. When did it become a crime to want a living wage?

Well, my guess is about the same time we elected the republican party as the majority in Congress. And now people we must decide as a whole whether we should keep these persons in their present jobs.

My answer is no. No, because their failed gunboat policy, didn't we learn anything from the nineteensixties? My guess is no.

No because of the on going polerization of politics. No because since when did we as a nation decide that the christain church should have this much power? This is a secular nation. Note that word.

Lets face it the experiment of allowing the republican party to have a majority has been a disaster. This experiment has cost our young people their lives. Our President has done everything to alianate our allies. He has refused to see that Iraq has done nothing other than strenghthen Iran and bring them more friends.

Gas prices going through the roof as the oil companies shrug and says that is what the market will bear. Yes, lets face it the only people who have benefited from this experiment has been the rich.

My solution, is simple. Vote in the third parties. Libertarian, the Green party and yes even the Constitional party. Lets vote in for the parties that might have an orginal thought. Lets face it niether the Republican nor the Democratic has had anything close to orginal thinking in a lot of years.

You could say that I am back and a little more teed off...
Have a nice day