Friday, December 12, 2008

Depressing Times

I know that I'm not alone in my feelings of frustration and depression. Seems like everyone around me has similar feelings. Yeah, it's the economy...but there is a sense that the worst is still to come. Folks I know who're in good jobs are nervous-budget cuts and layoffs on their horizons. Folks like me who're looking for jobs are getting increasingly desperate. And the government 'bailout' plan is offering us nothing. While I have mixed feelings about the proposed auto bailout, at least it would help some folks keep their jobs. The 14.5 billion price tag may sound like a lot, but compared to the 700 billion bank bailout (which doesn't seem to have helped anyone but the rich 'investor' class) it almost looks like a bargain.
Of course the senate rethuglicans had to kill it...might help some union workers...they don't give money to most rethug senators...screw them. The final vote of 52-35 (35 being the rethugs) shot it down.
Sometimes I wonder how the rethugs ever win. I mean, how many times do they get to kick working class people before the people strike back? After almost 8 years of shrub and crew's demolition of the American dream, you would think that they would at least try to pretend to care, but they don't.
We try to hang our hopes on the knowledge that Obama's coming, and that he'll change things for the better. God, I hope so. But I'm not optimistic. The mess has gotten too damn big for any 'quick fix' and a lot of suffering will pass before a real turnaround can take effect.
Or maybe my mood is just because it's December. I have seasonal affective disorder, and I tend to get depressed this time of year.
Nah, it's not just me.

Boobies for Fridays

A fine looking pair of masked Boobies for your viewing pleasure.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Would You Buy A Used Senate Seat From This Governor?

Stories of corrupt polititions are a common thread throughout the history of America, but some are more blatent than others. Today's story of Illinois Gov. Blagojevich's (try spell-checking that) attempted sale of Obama's senate seat will soon be the stuff of legend:




A 76-page FBI affidavit alleges that Blagojevich was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps during the last month conspiring to sell or trade Illinois’ U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama for financial and other personal benefits for himself and his wife.
Uhm, Gov., when you campaigned as a "reformer" to replace a corrupt governor, you might have thought that people would pay attention; and that "re-forming" corruption didn't mean moving it into your own pockets. Slimeball!




Side note to local readers: Sad to note the passing of Gene "magic" Tucker, the rose man of downtown. While his health had been failing for quite a while, his heart was still there for all. We'll miss you, Gene.