How to Feel Old

In a bar conversation, I said that Obama needs to be "more LBJ", and a young lady who was part of the discussion said "what's an LBJ?'. She thought I meant something like a "PBJ', but with an "L" instead of peanut butter. Maybe "liverwurst".
It made me feel old.

My Congress Waffle

My congresswoman, Ann Kirkpatrick, is a really nice person. I mean that; I've talked with her many times, and she's always warm and genuine. That said, she's also rather useless. Some "highlights" from her town hall in Holbrook (which I didn't attend):

A crowd of about 150 was relatively subdued Thursday night as U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Flagstaff, took questions on health care reform at a Holbrook high school.

Questions about cost remained among the top issues, both for the crowd and for Kirkpatrick, who said she didn't know the proposed cost, but that she couldn't support a proposal that would increase the national debt or add taxes on small businesses.

"Cost is a big concern of mine and we don't have a complete answer," Kirkpatrick said.

In questions after, she declined to give any measures she might support to fund better health care for veterans and children -- two changes she said she wanted.

Kirkpatrick responded that she was "skeptical of government"

-- What about a government-provided insurance option?

Kirkpatrick: She supports it. "It appears that what we need is some sort of baseline and standard to control costs."

Kirkpatrick: Yes. "I think that people should be able to go to the doctor if they want to. What do you think?"

Mostly, Kirkpatrick stuck to some of the same points she made in a telephone conference with the public last month: People with pre-existing conditions should be covered, the reformed health system should be "uniquely American," fraud and abuse in Medicare should be eliminated and there should be no time limit for passing legislation.

"We may not always agree on everything," she said, "but at least you'll know where I stand."

http://www.azdailysun.com/articles/2009/09/04/news/20090904_front_203083.txt

(emphasis mine)
Yes, Ann, I guess we do know where you stand. You support the "marshmallow" plan. And you like puppies.
Here's my basic problem with Ann: she doesn't have a strong position on anything. On health care, she's a typical wishy-washy Democrat, unwilling to fight for real reform. She'll support the "vaguely positive", as long as she doesn't offend anybody by doing so.
Don't get me wrong; she's a big improvement over the corrupt and evil Rick Renzi, who she replaced. But she is a clear example of what is wrong with our Democrats in congress.

September's First Boobie

Happy Friday!

Odds or Ends

Stuff in my life:
Arguing with my local "libertarian", who doesn't want government "control". But he does want all those things that government actually does. He actually said "we need a better health care system" and "we don't need government messing with health care" in the same 2 minute conversation. He had no answers, except "no government". He's actually a nice guy, but we don't quite see the same world.
When the last person you had a sexual relationship with calls and says "I may have an STD", and you can't quite remember if you may have forgotten a condom once, it's nice to hear "the test came back negative".
My friends "T" and "S", who I wished a 'Happy Anniversary' last week (I performed the wedding), were celebrating in Cabo San Lucas. Somebody called "Jimena" crashed the party, but they are fine, and having fun by helping the locals (they're like that).
The next person who offers me "holistic" health advice for my shoulder is going to get punched (the left is still solid). I've looked at the MRI. The labrum is inflamed from over work. I need to back off and let it heal. All your herbs and reicki and "healing hands" are very nice. But it's still a matter of time, and me holding myself back.
That's what's on my mind. What's on yours?

Biden States the Obvious

The Vice-President talks about health care (finally):

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Vice President Joe Biden promised Thursday that President Obama will delve into specifics when he tackles health care reform in a highly anticipated speech to a joint session of Congress next week.

"I think the prospects for success are high," he said. "We're going to get something substantial ... [but] it's going to be an awful lot of screaming and hollering before we get there."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/03/health.care/index.html?eref=rss_politics&iref=polticker

(emphasis mine)

Uh, Joe; we've had a lot of "screaming and hollering" already. What we need is a clear, solid plan.
I have been wondering where Biden was in the health care reform effort. The main blockade is the Senate, where Mr. Biden has a long history and a lot of connections. He would seem to be in the best position to act as "arm-twister-in-chief" for the administration. But until now, I'd heard nothing from him. That doesn't mean that he hasn't been active behind the scenes, but I've seen no evidence that he has.
If we're really going to get meaningful health care reform, the administration is going to have to use every tool they have to push it through. A little more "LBJ" and less "Jimmy Carter".

Justice Stevens Planning to Retire?

Pure speculation, but it looks like Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens may be set to retire after this court term. As the oldest Justice at 89, it wouldn't be that much of a surprise. The cause of the speculation is that Stevens has hired fewer clerks than he usually would:

WASHINGTON — Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens has hired fewer law clerks than usual, generating speculation that the leader of the court's liberals will retire next year.

If Stevens does step down, he would give President Barack Obama his second high court opening in two years. Obama chose Justice Sonia Sotomayor for the court when Justice David Souter announced his retirement in May.

Souter's failure to hire clerks was the first signal that he was contemplating leaving the court.

Stevens, 89, joined the court in 1975 and is the second-oldest justice in the court's history, after Oliver Wendell Holmes. He is the seventh-longest-serving justice, with more than 33 years and eight months on the court.

In response to a question from The Associated Press, Stevens confirmed through a court spokeswoman Tuesday that he has hired only one clerk for the term that begins in October 2010. He is among several justices who typically have hired all four clerks for the following year by now. Information about this advance hiring is not released by the court but is regularly published by some legal blogs.

Stevens did not say whether he plans to hire his full allotment of clerks or whether he will leave the court at the conclusion of the term that begins next month. Retired justices are allowed to hire one clerk.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jp9jrwkjig6vQnONc-Zyk9lChX8wD9AF1GS02

One of the major factors in my support for Obama over McCain was Supreme Court appointments. While Obama's replacement for Stevens wouldn't alter the courts balance (still 5-4 conservative), a McCain appointee would further skew the court to the right. Knowing that there would be openings on the court (although Souter's retirement was less expected) due to Stevens age and Ruth Bader-Ginsburg's cancer (although she's stated her intent to remain on the bench), I saw it as imperative to have a Dem as President. I'm not all that happy with Obama, but I'm much more comfortable with him making appointments than McCain. That would have been scary.

A Paucity of Posts

Sorry that I haven't posted much lately. It's because...

Well, I have no good excuse. I haven't been that busy, and there are plenty of issues to rant about.

But I can't figure out what I want to say. The political discourse has become so absurd that a logical response is almost pointless and impossible.

Somehow, providing health care to Americans has become a threat our freedom. The rethugs are protecting our right to die if we're not profitable, because providing treatment to poor people will kill Grandma. Or something like that. (here are the five biggest lies)

Torture is a good solid American value, as long as it's done to Muslims. And prosecuting crimes after the fact (how do you prosecute them before the fact?) must be politically motivated.

Spending trillions on wars is good fiscal policy, but investing in a better America will increase the deficit.

Screaming and waving guns are good Christian acts, but "love your neighbor" doesn't apply if your neighbor loves the wrong way.

Obama is the new "Hitler", whereas shrub and the Cheney never tried to expand government authority (except for our own good).

And on and on...

It was all so much easier during the shrub administration. I knew exactly what I was ranting against. But the Obama administration has acted like a soggy waffle, and the right wing is full blown batshit crazy (but still taken seriously). Common sense is nearing extinction, along with reasoned debate. Facts and logic have become irrelevant.

Lately, when I have the urge to add my 1.5 cents to the discourse, I end up overwhelmed with a sense of "why bother?" The folks who agree with me already know, and the rest aren't going to listen. It's rather frustrating.

Hopefully I'll regain some motivation soon. I still have plenty of opinions. But my current feeling is:

Dan Schorr

Turned 93 today. And he's still working.

The Boobie Points Up

Must be Friday. This Boobie is looking up.

Finally, Republicans Have A Good Idea

OK, I'm kidding. But it's their idea, so it's their issue. The Republican National Committee has sent out a "2009 Future of American Health Survey." Question #4 reads:

"It has been suggested that the government could use voter registration to determine a person's political affiliation, prompting fears that GOP voters might be discriminated against for medical treatment in a Democrat-imposed health care rationing system. Does this possibility concern you?"

This is why I wouldn't be allowed to serve on any "death panel". My first question would be "are you stupid?" If the answer was "yes", I'd probably let you die. And if you believe this kind of crap, you are stupid. Ergo...

Edward M. Kennedy (1932-2009)

A lion has left us.

We knew his time left was short when he was too ill to attend services for his sister, Eunice, but the sad inevitable reality of his death is still painful. He was an institution in the senate, and his legacy includes almost every piece of major legislation in the past 47 years. His brothers may have been more dynamic, but in the long run Ted may have had the greatest impact on history. Unlike his brothers, whose lives were tragically cut short, Ted's influence spanned decades. His death marks an end of an era; the "Kennedy Democrats".

He leaves behind one major piece of unfinished business. The best way to honor the memory of Ted Kennedy will be to pass a health care bill that will truly help ALL Americans.

RIP, Senator.

Happy Anniversary

To my friends "T" and "S", who I married 8 years ago today (I was the 'minister', and, yes, I am an ordained minister).

That was one bigtime party.

I haven't worn a tie since.

Why? Oh! Why?

Sometimes I wonder. Other times I don't.

Why do people oppose themselves?

Ruins.

We've done it before, and we can do it again.

Music

You can listen to this: VBR M3U
(Stockholm Syndrome, Boulder, 7/16/09)
for those who don't know.

You Can't Choose Your Family

As I was drinking my morning coffee, I got a call from my youngest sister (my siblings are both younger sisters) about an old photo. Then the conversation turned political. My youngest sister is a classic right-wing Christian Fundamentalist. She really believes that Obama is a Kenyan Muslim who's trying do destroy America. Really....she believes this.
I'm not a huge Obama fan. I think he's better than McCain, but he's still a corporatist.
But....wow....my little sister believes that Obama is trying to "destroy" America.
My sister doesn't have health 'insurance', and has multiple health issues (she's a 45 year-old women), but she really doesn't want "government run" health care. So, she has "no health care".
Huh?
When I read these arguments, I get confused. You have NO health care, but you don't want "the government" to provide any help? Are you stupid?
My sister shouldn't fall for this. She isn't stupid (hell, she scores 40 points higher than I do on IQ test's), but she might be brainwashed.
My question for my (few) readers is this:
How do you handle crazy siblings?

Notice

If you've noticed this blog, well, THANK YOU!.

Over the Ridge

Former "Homeland Security" (what an Orwellian name) director Tom Ridge is the latest of shrubs enablers to right a 'tell all' book, revealing what many of us knew: They were incredibly corrupt and dishonest. Ridge reveals the politicization of those entertaining color coded alerts:


(graphic from Dependable Renegade)

In the book, Ridge says he was never invited to attend National Security Council meetings, was “blindsided” by the FBI in morning Oval Office meetings because the agency withheld critical information from him, his urgings to block Michael Brown from being named head of the emergency agency blamed for the Hurricane Katrina disaster went ignored, and most shocking of all, Ridge says he was pushed to raise the security alert on the eve of President Bush’s re-election, something he saw as politically motivated and worth resigning over.

As with Colin Powell, John Ashcroft, and others, Ridge seems to be seeking some redemption for his sins, along with a big chunk of cash. Sorry, I'm not buying it. Nor am I willing to forgive you. If you had a shred of decency, you'd have done the honorable thing when it mattered and blown the whistle then. Admitting the truth five years (and many thousand deaths) later merely shows that you're a cheap corrupt tool. Unless you're on trial with the rest of the shrubies, I have no interest in anything you have to say.

A Nice Boobie

A nice looking Boobie makes us smile most every Friday.

Clarity

From The Onion:

WASHINGTON—After months of committee meetings and hundreds of hours of heated debate, the United States Congress remained deadlocked this week over the best possible way to deny Americans health care.

"Both parties understand that the current system is broken," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters Monday. "But what we can't seem to agree upon is how to best keep it broken, while still ensuring that no elected official takes any political risk whatsoever. It’s a very complicated issue."

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/congress_deadlocked_over_how_to?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Yup.
"the time for action has passed. now is the time for senseless bickering"

On A Lighter Note

The last few posts haven't been fun, so it's time for this:

Huge Capybara Eating a Popsicle
A Capybarra eating a popsicle. Try it.
(I don't post videos, but I will link to some)