Throw a Shoe at a Bush day?

Throw a Shoe at a Bush Day?

       On or around December 14, 2008, with a little over a month left in his term of office, Iraqi journalist Muntader al Zaidi threw two of his shoes at George W. Bush. Perhaps, similar to the British tradition of Guy Fawkes Day, in the near future, on the anniversari(e)(s) of this incident children will throw their shoes at a pinata or similar effigy of Bush or a backyard Bush, just be careful of hitting those in the vicinity of the leaves and branches. As for the President, Bush 2, arguably proof that plants do not think, with how callous and oblivious he is to the needs of others, he is damn lucky noone threw a steel-toe boot(s) at him.

      Undoubtably, a lot of people will be throwing Good Riddance to Bush Parties on January 20, 2009, Bush's last day to wreak havoc on our nation and its Constitution. For ideas, go to the blog: www.goodriddancebush.com. Perhaps you could start a tradition on that day of throwing your shoes at a nearby Bush. Just prepare to rake up the leaves afterward.

A Swiss Law that Makes No Sense

A Swiss Law That Makes No Sense:

            In the last week or so, in a referendum in Switzerland, Swiss voters approved a law making heroin legal. At the same time, voters declined to make marijuana legal. I'm no expert in this area, but legalizing heroin, an extremely addictive and dangerous drug, while keeping cannabis illegal is like condoning the use of arsenic while making caffeine illegal. I believe the rationale for making heroin legal was to cut down on illicit drug-ralated crime, but if people can shoot-up or whatever they do with heroin, not only the users will risk death, but if a user gets behind the wheel many of those who voted for this absurd law will likewise be at risk. As for marijuana, if alcohol, which can kill, destroy lives and can and does cause many problems is legal; and if tobacco, which kills hundreds of thousands per year and ruins the health of users and second-hand bystanders, why isn't pot legal, here and abroad?

Recession or Depression?

  Recession or Depression?

 

      Are we in a recession or a depression? When I listen to the news on the radio or television I often hear: "We may be heading into a recession?" Are they kidding us!? We have been in a recession for months, if not years due to Dubya Bush-enomics, the unnecessary and exorbitant war in Iraq, profligate spending by every level of government, the dangerous myth of  "trickle-down" or Supply Side economics, our over-dependence on imported fossil fuels, etc. If we are not in a depression we are damned close to it. Just about everyone I talk to or hear is complaining about their finances and the economy. I hope Obama has the cojones to change our country and its absurd health-care system and energy policy significantly. If the bugaboo of 'Socialism' is necessary to achieve a better nation, then so be it. Public libraries are a good example of where socialism works. Hopefully, soon "Single-Payer" health -care and insurance will be another. It works well for Canada and many parts of Europe.  Perhaps we are in the combination of a Depression and a Recession, a Re-pression. Of course, with George W. Bush still in charge, at least until January 20, 2009, we have been in  repression since 2001. 

    At Thanksgiving dinner a guest with diabetes came in for a brief visit. Due to health-insurance inequities and hard luck, she was once denied needed insulin because she was poor and she lacked adequate insurance. If something like that happens, it is about time to scrap our health-care system, even if greedy insurers suffer financially. 

Poetry: "Enron Crooks"

Poetry: "Enron Crooks"  [Originally posted in my poetry and short fiction blog : Monkeys with Typewriters Productions: http://www.monkeyswithtypewritersproductions.blogspot.com]

               Exploiting a loophole, they flouted the law.

               Deceiving the people, their character flaw.

               While we were distracted they stole all our money,

                Not even comics would call this crime funny.

                Many corporate marauders get off scot-free,

               'Cuz CEO crooks are more politically important than we.

               

Election Night Eve

Election Night Eve:

                   If you're still not convinced that Barack Obama is the most deserving of the U.S. Presidency contemplate the following: Obama plans to stop the war "responsibly". As long as Obama doesn't allow neo-con artists to make policy for him pre-emptive war may soon be just another American disgrace in the dustbin of history.

                Obama plans to emphasize alternative fuels more than fossil fuels

                Obama plans to improve our health-care system. Unfortunately, he doesn't advocate Single-Payer health-care, but with a political trifecta: Democratic President, filibuster-proof U.S. Senate majority and a House of Reps. majority maybe he'll change his mind.

                Obama is pro-choice so he own't use opposition to abortion as a Litmus test for judges, plus he won't likely make the Supreme Court into a Right-Wing Gestapo, which ignores the rights of the weak, the poor and the vulnerable. There are many other reasons to choose Obama/Biden over McCain/Palin, but I have run out of time.

Michelle Bachman's anti-American Speech

On Michelle Bachman's Anti-American Speech:

       

                 According to the Minnesota Independent newspaper and NPR news, in an interview with journalist Chris Matthews recently, U.S. Representative Michelle Bachman from Minnesota said, "...

 I wish the American media would take a great look at the views of the people in Congress and find out, are they pro-America or anti-America?"

 Also, in her opinion, Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama "may have anti-American views."  Who is she to decide what is pro-American or anti-American views?  

As a result of her speech, her Democratic rival in the upcoming election received a huge infusion of campaign contributions. If the election wasn't so close I would consider making a contribution to help defeat this right-wing harpy.  I'm sure she falsely believes that "pro-American" means having rigid, inflexible radical right-wing views.  McCarthyism and the very existence of the House Committee on UnAmerican Activity from 50+ years ago was not merely a blight and a huge disgrace in American history, but were ironically "Anti-American" themselves.   I sincerely hope that McCarthyism isn't coming back.             

Politically Subversive Poetry

Politically Subversive Poetry:  [Simul-posted on my other blog: http: monkeyswithtypewritersproductions.blogspot.com]

                    "I Pledge Allegiance to the U.S. Constitution"

                    I pledge allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, not the flag

                    Under Bush the Bill of Rights is burning like a rag

                    If burning flags becomes a crime

                    The first amendments not worth a dime

                    Bush's minions can't take dissent

                    To Iraq or Afghanistan our sons are sent

                     Let's put McCain's campaign to bed

                     'Til Right-wing thinking is buried and dead.

                     "Failin' with Sarah Palin"

                     With [Sarah] Palin [John] McCain is failin'

                      His campaign it ought to be bailin'

                     Democratic contributions keep mailin'

                     The 'Grand Old Party' is ailin'

                     So into the White House Obama should be sailin'

                     

                           

                          

Anti-Bush Poetry: "Friends and Foes"

Anti-Bush Poetry: "Friends and Foes"

              

                  You can never have too many friends,

                  Or too few foes.

                  It's time to change the status quo.

                  If trends recur there'll be much woe

                  Thank God Bush is about to go.

                  With Bush's term about to end,

                  His policies we need to mend.

                  Though we no longer have the dough,

                  End the war but take it slow.

    [The same poem appeared on my poetry and short fiction site: 

           http://www.monkeyswithtypewritersproductions.blogspot.com

        

"A Nightmare on Wall Street"

        "A Nightmare on Wall Street: Freddie Mac's Lack", 

     

       Little girls jump-roping in the fog: 

        1,2 Freddie's money is due

        3,4 Better close your store

        5,6 Need a Congressional fix

        7,8 Mortgage payment is late

        9,10 Never invest again.

         With apologies to Wes Craven (director of  "A Nightmare on Elm Street") our economy went from bad to worse seemingly overnight. Until recently both George W. Bush and John McCain have falsely or naively proclaimed that our economy was sound and "doing just fine". When I started this blog I knew the Bush2 adminstration's pernicious policies and insidious agendae were a recipe for disaster. I even anticipated that King George the incompetent might even cause a depression, but even I didn't think things would get this bad. Inept right-wing decisions, unethical, greedy and morally bankrupt sub-prime mortgage weasels, an unnecessary war in Iraq with a $10 billion a month price tag, etc. might very well result in an even greater Great Depression than the one in the 1920s. Its a shame just about every American citizen will suffer due to Wall Street greed and the hubris of conservative con artists at the highest levels of our government. Hopefully Congress can fix the situation before we go the way of ancient Rome, Atlantis and the Soviet Union.

                                                                       

My Take On Sarah Palin

Op/Ed.:  "My Take On Potential Veep Sarah Palin"

           It was a big surprise that Republican Presidential nominee John McCain chose a virtually unknown woman to be his pick as a running mate. It should come as no surprise though that this 44-year old former sportscaster, ex-beauty queen, current Alaska governor and dead-ringer for former Saturday Night Live alum Tina Fey is a die-hard extreme right-wing Stepford conservative con artist. Though her underage teen daughter got knocked up, she would deny women the right to choose their own reproductive destiny. Though she is enthusiastic about her son's imminent tour of duty in Iraq, she supports continuing this economy-draining, seemingly endless war. She supports unequitable tax-breaks for millionaires and billionaires. And, this self-described "barracuda" with lipstick and mom of a newborn with Down Syndrome, doesn't support eliminating the ultimate glaring errors of the Bush administration, that most of us are poorer than in the Clinton era and that at least 40 million Americans have no health insurance. I hope that women and disgruntled Hillary supporters will think twice before voting for McCain just because he chose a woman. Unless you or the economy have benefited from nearly eight years of Bush's malignant policies and agenda steer clear of this woman and McCain come November. On the bright side, at least Mitt Romney has no chance to become President any time soon.

            

True Ecoterrorists, Part 5

         "Will the Real Ecoterrorists Please Stand Up?", Part 5

       Government(s) also often fail to adequately regulate agricultural and gardening chemicals and pesticides and herbicides. Politicians tend to stall or urge further study  as an excuse to avoid working or spending money to clean up or attempt to eliminate environmental problems. They willingly often leave it up to future administrations, Congresses, and future generations to deal with such problems until they become harder and harder or even insurmountable to deal with.  For instance, according to the September 2008 edition of the newsletter The Hightower Lowdown, 2008 Republican Presidential candidate John McCain has opposed several bills this summer enabling "renewable energy entrepreneurs" to attain billions of dollars in  "tax credits" this summer , which might otherwise lead to advances in alternative energy technology to help wean us off or at least reduce our dependence on foreign oil and other polluting fuels. Perhaps such tax breaks could one day eliminate as I like to call 'the Infernal Combustion engine.' And surprise, surprise, the W. Bush administration denied new companies the ability to build "solar projects" on land he wants his Big Oil pals to be able to drill for more polluting oil. Such sun-powered ventures could have saved a lot of fuel. By the way, the Hightower Lowdown  at www.hightowerlowdown.org is an excellent source of how politicians in general and Bush Republicans in particular are not working in the best interest of the people.  The Washington Spectator at www.washingtonspectator.com  is another good source of information.

       At least in the example of being responsible toward the preservation and conservation of nature and the environment for the sake of future generations, our government is not working in the best interest of current and future generations by failing to act on most environmental problems or not doing enough. These ecological problems already affect our quality of life, the economy, our health, and the options and choices of all of us now and in the near and distant future; and will inevitably get worse over time if not sufficiently acted on. 

True Ecoterrorists, Part 4

 "Will the Real Ecoterrorists Please Stand Up?"

       The World Bank encourages irresponsible exploitation of rain forests and natural resources by, for instance, funding the highway (which never should have been built) through the Amazon Rain Forest and by allowing Multi-national Corporations to overexploit and over-expend pristine habitats around the world.

       Industry spews millions of tons of pollutants wafting into the air, not including the tons of what is dumped in lakes, rivers and oceans, and what is buried underground.

       The government, both in the U.S., all levels of government both here and abroad, are especially true Ecoterrorists, for instance, because they tend to allow too much pollution of all varieties plus too much devastation and development of important habitats and breeding grounds for the sake of short-term prosperity, or to benefit the so-called bottom line. Our government and others also tend to carelessly dispose of nuclear and chemical toxic waste. It also continues to condone and perpetuate the dangerous pursuit of more powerful and effective nuclear and biological or chemical weapons, which could destroy or devastate the entire planet.  (to be cont'd)

True Ecoterrorists, Part 3

       "Will the Real Ecoterrorists Please Stand Up?", Part 3

       Although certain individuals seem to be radically committed to preserving and conserving nature at all costs and sometimes commit questionable or even illegal acts, their actions do not justify the dismissal of all responsible foresighted people as kooks. Not only is the term Ecoterrorist an unjustified label and an insult to outdoorsmen and others who hope to conserve and preserve nature and the environment, as far as I'm concerned the label is totally misapplied.

As a matter of fact, as far as I'm concerned, those people in industry and government who dismiss and categorize all of those 'kooks' in environmental or nature-concerned groups as say, 'Ecoterrorists' or as detrimental to the American way of life are the real Ecoterrorists. This is true whether they be greedy real estate developers bringing us urban or suburban sprawl or government officials who continue to advocate the exploration and use of oil, coal and other fossil fuels in spite of their negative effect on the environment, wars and the funding of terrorists overseas from petroleum coffers.  For example, the timber industry wantonly destroys rain forests, our National Forests and the rich bounty of flora and fauna which exists there, not to mention causing pollution and climate change here and around the world (to be cont'd) 

 

True Ecoterrorists, Part 2

"Will the Real Ecoterrorists Please Stand Up?" cont'd

       If an article refers to someone who cares about nature as an environmentalist, for the most part the term would elicit a positive image. On the other hand, the use of the term 'Ecoterrorist' to describe and stereotype people who are committed to preserving and conserving nature and the environment in the face of both business and a government which is often hostile or resistant to taking responsibility for the long-term consequences of exploiting nature for the sake of mostly short-term prosperity or political expediency; elicits the image of criminals, misanthropes, or deranged or irrational individuals whose priorities are detrimental to the freedom and autonomy of the average working American. Although looking in the short-term it may seem a valid concern that so-called 'radical environmentalists' might foul up the U.S. economy if they get their way, in the long-run the exact opposite is true. Environmentalists are realistically concerned with acting now to deal with a problem that most influential people are willing to postpone until either the problem affects them directly; or by the time the current leaders are long-gone, the problem becomes too expensive or insurmountable to deal with effectively.  (to be cont'd)

True 'Ecoterrorists', Part 1

"Will the Real Ecoterrorists Please Stand Up?"

       During the nineteen eighties Animal Rights and Environmental groups sprang up and became a popular way to protest against the abuses and neglect by humanity, government(s), and industry against nature and the natural environment. Since several industries and corporations stood to lose face and lose business by becoming targets of public scorn or boycotts generated by Animal Rights and/or environmental groups, it is not surprising that industry and often the government began to fight back. A modern-day David and Goliath, only this time the bad guys are likely to prevail. In the subtle Public Relations battle waged by industry, the government, and corporations against the supposed threat posed by responsible individuals who care about the seemingly expendable natural environment such tactics as: filing Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation [SLAPP suits] to sabotage freedom of speech, freedom of expression, etc., and the coining of the label 'Ecoterrorist' to turn the public against those 'kooks' who dare to care about nature and the environment; which is all-too often considered exploitable and expendable be government(s), corporations, and industry who are overly concerned with keeping the Bottom Line in the Black no matter what the cost. (to be cont'd)

The Swiftboating Has Already Begun

"The Swiftboating Has Commenced"

       With the Democratic Convention finished and the Republican Convention in Minnesota about to begin the Right-wing attack and dirty tricks machine is already in overdrive spreading scurrilous lies and half-truths about Barack Obama.  You've got the usual subjects: Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and the National Rifle Association. Also, author Jerome R. Corsi of  Unfit for Command: Swift Boat Veterans Speak Out Against John Kerry fame has recently crawled out from under his rock to write the allegedly 'non-fiction' best-seller Obama Nation. I haven't read it and I don't plan to, but I know it's full of lies, half-truths and innuendoes. Surprisingly, even  "the New Yorker" has got into the act. In the July 21st issue, a cartoonist known as Barry Blitt  has drawn a cartoon which appeared on the cover of   "The New Yorker" entitled  "The Politics of Fear". It shows Barack Obama in Muslim attire and his wife as a gun-toting terrorist. I don't know what his politics are nor what his intentions are, but Mr. Blitt will reinforce in many potential voters minds the false and racist rumor that Obama is a Moslim and that either or both Barack and Michelle Obama don't love this country as much as supposedly  'Patriotic' Right-Wing Republicans.   

       I'm sure that the lying swiftboating has only just begun in this campaign, but John McCain and his supporters should know that what comes around goes around and payback can be a bitch. 

     Book to Read?:   I haven't read it yet, but I would recommend  The Prosecution of George W. Bush For Murder by Vincent Bugliosi. With a title like that it ought to be a best-seller. If I get around to reading it perhaps I will review it.

Did Bush's Policies Cause Russian Invasion?

       I don't claim to know the whole story and as I like to say, "I'm not always right, but I always write."  Anyway, it appears to be more than a coincidence that the George W. Bush/Dick Cheney administration's arrogant insistence on constructing a missile defense shield in former Soviet satellite Poland may have a direct bearing on Russia's renewed aggressive militarism in Georgia and a resurrection of the so-called Cold War. If Bush doesn't back off, or if Bush III (John McCain) is elected, this hubris in a dangerous area could result in a Hot War or even a nuclear exchange. Do we as a nation want or need this? It is bad enough he has shaken up the Hornet's Nest of the Middle East. Thankfully, the Bush administration has less than six months to go, but a lot more damage to our nation and the world can ensue in that time. God help us all!  

Hillary Supporters, Get Over It

"Hillary Supporters, Get Over It!"

       After Barack Obama defeated Hillary Clinton in the Democratic Presidential primaries, a small but perhaps significant contingent of mostly feminist die-hard Hillary supporters cried foul. To arguably, as they say, cut off their noses to spite their faces, many of these women have threatened to vote for presumptive Republican nominee John McCain although Mr. McCain's policies and ideology are at odds with their own agenda.  I hope they will see the light and at least consider going for Obama as our next Leader of the Free World. There are very minute differences between Obama and Hillary anyway, while Hillary and McCain's vision for America are pretty much like night and day.

      In the Boston Herald on Thursday August 14, 2008 Margery Eagan had a column about a group of Hillary supporters with the acronym of  "PUMA" or  "People United Mean Action" and a couple others. These women and other Hillary Supporters intend to raise a protest during the upcoming Democratic convention to try to make it so Hillary is nominated instead of Obama. I don't think they'll succeed and this action will only benefit the McCain campaign.

       I have long had misgivings about Hillary. Enough people detest the Clintons that a veritable "vast right-wing conspiracy" as Ms. Clinton called it relentlessly went out of the way to find and exploit a way to attempt to impeach her husband for minor sexual peccadilloes, while more than a decade later true Crimes and Misdemeanors by a Republican administration are condoned and ignored by a majority of Congress. If Hillary were nominated these same type of people would crawl out from under their rock to go all-out to defeat her. 

Book Review: "Perfectly Legal"

Book Review: Perfectly Legal: The Covert Campaign To Rig Our Tax System To Benefit The Super Rich- And Cheat Everybody Else by David Cay Johnson   2003 Penguin Group USA

        It should be pretty obvious how I feel about this topic. Tax expert and New York Times columnist David Cay Johnson has written a book that it would behoove every American who has ever complained about their taxes, has ever been audited, or has ever been worried about being audited by the dreaded IRS. Reading this book is likely to enrage you. For decades there has been a double-standard by which the very rich and the rest of us are treated by the IRS. If things made sense, the rich would pay their "fair share" and then some, but due to shady deals (tax shelters, etc.) and legalized bribery ( campaign contributions and corporate influence) the uber-rich are listened to by politicians of all stripes and all parties, while the rest of us are ignored. In case after case, the "political donor class" as the author refers to extremely wealthy and influential campaign contributors have the ear of those who make tax and financial policy so those who can't or don't pay these bribes needs and wants are unheeded. Needless to say, George W. Bush's and his potential G.O.P. successor John McCain's odious idea of  "permanent tax-breaks" for millionaires and billionaires is ruining the economy, screwing over the poor snd middle-class, and mortgaging the future of the young and future generations yet to be born. It is not only Republicans who support these policies. Democrats are just as guilty, but Obama is more likely to support a fairer system.    

       Johnson wrote a similar book within the last year or so, entitled: Free Lunch: How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (and Stick You With The Bill). I haven't read it yet, but it sounds well-worth reading.  

McCain Equals Bush

McCain = Bush:       

       In the August 2008 Edition of  The Hightower Lowdown  (  www.hightowerlowdown.org)

 there is a lot of information on presumptive Republican Presidential nominee John McCain and the people he associates with, like the rotten Phil Gramm. One little old lady named "Carol Kreck" protested against McCain with a sign which read: "McCain = Bush". It was a peaceful and quiet (but basically true)  statement of protest, but it ruffled G.O.P. feathers enough that she was detained by "the Secret Service", charged with "trespassing" (even though it was ordinarily a "public" area).  Due to the arrogance and hypocrisy McCain's been showing I'm half-way tempted to print up a bunch of  "McCain = Bush" t-shirts or bumper stickers. If I don't, I hope someone else does.

       Although I'm sure John McCain would deny being a Bush clone or the equivalent of a third term of Geo. W. Bush, McCain seems to embrace many, if not most of Bush's failed pernicious policies and insidious agendae. He supports pre-emptive war, the indefinite continuity of the disastrous and basically unwinnable war in Iraq, perpetuating unnecessary tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires which are hurting our economy and likely threatening our future prosperity, drilling for oil wherever and whenever we can, and allowing the oil industry to retain tax breaks while gasoline is still exorbitant, etc.

More on Kangaroo Court Conviction

     I forgot to mention that while convicted of several counts of  "supporting terrorism", Salim Hamden was acqitted on "three other" charges and  exonerated of a couple charges of  "conspiracy."[Commentary on  newspaper article "Military jury convicts bin Laden's ex-driver" by Mike Melia of the Associated Press which appeared in the Daily News Transcript on Thurs. 8/7/'08].

     I subscribe to two newsletters about politics: "The Hightower Lowdown" ,  www.hightowerlowdown.org   and  "The Washington Spectator",  www.washingtonspectator.org . In the July 1, 2008 issue of   "The Washington Spectator" was mentioned another unfortunate in Guantanamo Prison. His name is Murat Kurnaz.  I haven't read his book, but it seems well worth reading. It is entitled  Five Years of My Life: An Innocent Man in Guantanamo   

Kangaroo Court Finds ex-Osama Driver Guilty

   "Military Kangaroo Court Finds ex-Osama Bin Laden Driver Guilty"

(Editorial based on article "Military jury convicts bin Laden's ex-driver" by Mike Melia of the Associated Press which appeared in the Thursday August 7 edition of the Daily News Transcript.

       Salim Hamden, a former driver of Osama bin Laden and so-called 'Enemy Combatant' detained at Guantanamo Bay was tried in a military tribunal with six U.S. officer-soldier jurors sitting in judgment. He has the distinction of being the first enemy combatant to endure a  "war crimes trial" from Gitmo prison.

      I refer to this tribunal as a Kangaroo Court because a.: such "tribunals" were "designed to" result in "convictions"; b. Coercion and torture methods were used on this man such as interruption of rest and "solitary confinement." c. Worst of all, Hamden was denied such rights as "Miranda" warning and " a jury of his peers", plus the judge he stood before  allowed ordinarily (at least in a civilian trial) improper evidence such as  "secret testimony" and  "hearsay".  If Hamden is guilty perhaps he got what he deserved, but I suspect he is just a pawn and a convenient scapegoat.  For now, such injustice supposedly only happens to suspected terrorists, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if in the not-too-distant future peaceful protesters and  politically unpopular dissent(er)(s) will someday be treated similarly in a harsh and unsympathetic dystopic Bush-influenced justice system.

"Destroy and Deploy"

     Poetry:   "Destroy and Deploy"

       Destroy and Deploy,/ An American Boy/ Sent to Iraq./ A Republican ploy./ Guaranteed to Attack,/ He naively feels joy./ Dead as a Rock./ He came home in a box./ His parents still grieve./ Bush should not be believed... (tbc?)

Veep Cheney's Insensitivity to Disabled Vets and W. Bush's Stasi?

        In a recent news article, Vice President Dick Cheney was invited to speak before some permanently disabled and maimed veterans at a Disabled Veterans Convention. However, the invitation was rescinded due to Cheney's unreasonable and arrogant demands. The bleepin' veep demanded that these soldiers stay in the auditorium and listen to his entire speech. If they had to relieve themselves during his evil oration, tough!  From the auditorium it would be difficult to wheel these unfortunates to a bathroom in time before they'd likely soil themselves.  If Cheney ever goes to a Nursing Home I hope he is treated this way, but due to his political power and influence I doubt it would happen to him.

           George W. Bush's Stasi? :   In the movie  "The Lives of Others" the dreaded East German Stasi spied on German citizens for any reason and for no reason.  W. Bush's Dept. of Homeland Security and other Alphabet Soup secretive government agencies illicitly perform surveillance against not only terrorists, but also those who openly oppose the war in Iraq and dare to dissent against Bush's other disastrous and pernicious policies and insidious agendae. I endorse Obama as our next President, but shame on him for voting to give Bush virtual carte blanche to continue with his illicit and unconstitutional domestic spying program. Bush is certainly abusing his power, few in Congress dare to oppose him and you or I could be the next victim.

George W. Bush and the Beijing Olympics

It's been a long time since I've posted to this blog.  One thing is certain. I am personally boycotting the Beijing Summer Olympics and I hope that most everyone else here will do likewise.  The Chinese human rights record has always been appalling. Achieving the Olympics has done little to change that. If I were a member of the International Olympic Committee I would certainly vote to revoke the right of the Chinese to host the summer games based on their reprehensible regard for human rights before, during and after being awarded this Gold, Silver and Bronze opportunity to improve their reputation as ruthless totalitarian thugs. Speaking of ruthless totalitarian thugs, George W. Bush is attending the games, oblivious to what's going on in Red China. This should come as no surprise, given Bush's cavalier attitude toward human and just about every other kind of rights both here and abroad. (Extraordinary Renditions, Guantanamo Bay Prison, Abu Ghraib, etc.)