December 2004 Archives

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

- Theodore Roosevelt, on criticizing President Wilson during WWI - May 7th, 1918 - Kansas City Star

For some fool reason, we have plans to go to the Strip tonight. Us, and 300,000+ tourists. We're dumb.

This year ends on a mixed note. We have an administration slow, if ever, to respond to human tragedy. This must be based on the conservative view that the poor and downtrodden somehow deserve their fates and that the wealthy need not assist them. In any case, our contribution to the tsunami relief is up to $350 million due to the pressures of the world against our vacationing leader. Dramatic scenes of the devastation to the land there available here.

Other failures. Missile defense is still a sham. Violence in Iraq escalates. The fight to screw the American people on Social Security, tax "reform", and various civil rights will continue into next year.

With all that, let's hope for a better year nonetheless. To all those in danger across the world, our thoughts are with you. To the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, keep your heads down and come home soon. To those here at home, wherever that may be, Happy New Year and best wishes for a better tomorrow.

And Brenda and Brent, have a great wedding day from the both of us.

As the news of devastation comes in from South Asia (map), we sit here and wonder what we can do to help. If you can't stand the Red Cross because of their American missteps, and don't trust the UN so can't give to UNICEF, may we suggest OxFam? (More options here, courtesy of NPR. The Washington Post has a similar list, with some pointers on how to donate responsibly.)

The good news is that everyone we know from the region are safe, as are their families. This includes our real and virtual friends (I know some folks via the Star Wars club I'm in). Our thoughts and condolences, however, go out to all those who have lost someone or are affected by the tragedy.<

Meanwhile, back in Crawford, apparently the de facto capital of the United States (and when did THIS crap start?), the president sits back, rides his bike, and ignores the plight of millions. Literally all that is missing is the fiddle. (Incidentally, what the hell is with all this "clearing brush?" Who let the yard boy in charge of the country?)

This guy still acts as if he's running some Fortune 500 company instead of a global power. Your indifference and "calm" slaps the rest of the world in the face as apathy and disdain. If you truly want to drive a corporation instead of a nation into the ground, RUN, don't walk, away from your job. I'll even send you a Thank You card.

At least we aren't alone with the slow response. Europe has its own issues. Not that this should excuse our insufficient actions. Slate covers the cable news media coverage on the tragedy and, no surprise to me, CNN does far and above better reporting than those sleaze bags at FOXNews.

Just a few more snipes at the dictator-in-chief. Apparently, he doesn't even go to church. Yeah, that's right, Mr. Religion can't make time for church even though 30% of the time he's on vacation. You Republicans really know how to pick some stand-up guys. More info on how not to give to GOP-supporting companies. If we can't have open elections, let's hit them in their pocketbooks. Huffington on things to forget.

I am not going to dwell on all the bad that happens in this world for the next few days. Indeed, just one link today to a nice story about a Christmas tree in Iraq. If any troops over there has a nice story about that or any other incident that occurs in the coming days, please pass it along.

Otherwise, we'll be gone for the weekend visiting Leslie's family. Have a Merry Christmas or whatever holiday you either just have celebrated or have coming down the pipe. Take the time to enjoy the small things and time with your family. For you troops overseas, know that we are all thinking of you and hope you are safe.

Wait, I have to start with this quote first:

"I'm going to find somebody who knows something about intelligence.... and capable and honest and ready to do the job." - George W. Bush

We already tried that, but you rigged the election and scared the hell out of the country so you could "win" it.

Seriously, that made my day. Gomer.

Oh, have ten, um nine, new GMail addresses to pass out. Pop me an email if you want one.

Now, for the fun. Krista, my sister-in-law, sent this link along for you to deal with your holiday stress. Frankly, I think its worth a permanent bookmark. ShellyBean sent this snowman creation thing along, and yes, you are warned. She also sent this, which, while not seasonal, is still damn fun. And Leslie was asking the other day the question you all have on your minds: "Whatever happened to the Elf Bowling?" I found out. Enjoy.

This article asks, "why does Asia get all the cool gadgets?" Great question. A New York Times article on Firefox. A. Get Firefox. B. You do have that NYTimes login and password, right? If not, I'll post something concerning the default ones I've created.

We managed to achieve something Saddam Hussein never could in Iraq: we've crushed Christmas and turned it into a secret celebration. Lovely. More good news from your compassionate conservatives. And hey, thanks in part to their catering to billionaires, it is impossible for Americans to provide housing for their families on the minimum wage. Now THAT'S family values.

Speaking of values - or the lack thereof - this guy is waiting for the moralists to complain about the lack of ethics among Republicans. He'll be there awhile I imagine. A conservative minister as freaked about these guys as the rest of us. The case of art vs. the book burner types in the GOP. And the English ask a great question, namely why do we worry more about creating democracy in Iraq than in preserving it here in the West?

It took the deaths of over 1,200 American soldiers, sailors, and airmen in Iraq for our Defense Secretary to finally realize he works for the troops instead of some puppet president living in some fascist fantasy land. Actually, I wish I could just believe that last statement. It isn't even true. Rumsfeld still doesn't get what his job is.

Nonetheless, he has made public hay of deciding to sign the condolence letters the family of each fallen soldier receives. This, of course, is something he should have done to honor each victim of his falsely-conceived, lie-ridden, ill-planned, immoral waste of American lives. It is, literally, the least he can do for our troops.

Bonus article on how to get out of this mess the Bushites created. Plus one on the decrease of black recruits into the military. I see their point. I mean, why fight for a government that ignores your needs both as a civilian and as a soldier? This as the GOP squabbles over whether or not to endorse Rumsfeld and his disdain of the military he runs.

Kiption pointed this one out to me as he was watching The Daily Show. Apparently, the president, in a rush to fund any fringe flat-earth types that profess to be Christian, are teaching our children all kinds of false and outright ficticious info about sex. Here are some examples of the lies and mistruths:

• AIDS can be spread by sweat and tears (it can't)


• condoms fail 31 percent of the time (a federal study says 3 percent)


• abortion can lead to sterility and suicide (there's no proven link)


• 50 percent of all American teenage gay men are HIV positive (BS)


• touching somebody's genitals can get you pregnant (um, no)

Granted, abstinence is a policy I endorse for probably 90% of America, particularly Republicans; but if you don't give our kids a well-rounded education, they'll just be even more dumb than they already are thank to MTV and reality television programming. It has gotten bad enough for the American Medical Association to suggest pulling funding from these idiots.

In other education news, the daughter of the world's most reknowned abuser of the English language is going to be...an English teacher. This of course, comes as we find out the White House has a problem even spelling the word "challenges."

I've got some stuff on the Social Security Bankruptcy Plan, err, Reforms, but that'll just have to wait. We're trying to score tickets to the UNLV-OK State game so that's the evening's plan.

BTW, for those in the know, Leslie made her annual batches of pistachio bread and it is oh so good. You know where to send your hopeless pleas for a loaf for yourself.

Still awaiting word from official sources on those wounded Tuesday in an IED attack. Of the scant news out there, eight soldiers from 2nd Platoon were injured, one serious enough to be flown to Baghdad. Hopefully we'll know more as the day progresses. Here's hoping the wounds are minimal and that you will all recuperate soon. Hang in there guys.

A (slightly cleaned-up) PDF of the Star Courier story Dave Clarke has put up.

Note: A couple of things I've added on the sidebar. One is a link for you guys to get Firefox. The site stats show most of you still using Internet Explorer and you deserve better than that. The link below that is for Child's Play, a cause that gets kids in critical care wards toys so that they can get some joy out of an awful situation. It is run, and in its second year, by the guys at Penny Arcade. Help out if you can.

On with the post....

As part of the Bush's Global War on Freedom, apparently you can bequeath your art collection, fund it, but then have it found insufficient by a court of law. Granted, the collection needed better funding, but to move it to a sterile, bland environment? Come on.

In other art news, the twin conservative ideals of hiding knowledge of the human body and in attempting to whitewash slavery come together as Gov. James Douglas of Vermont attempts to move a reknowned pro-abolitionist sculpture from his desk because he doesn't want visiting children to see a nude statue...or some such crap. The GOP has come a long way since Lincoln...and all in the wrong direction.

With the economy going down the crapper, the government continues to screw students and plans to ignore the needs of the poor and elderly. I mean, why make the rich pay for the failed policies of a failed oil man? Let's beat on our most promising and most in need of help.

It is called separation of Church and State morons. Seriously, why don't we just give up the rule of law in Alabama? They just seem to want to go back to animal sacrifices and arbitrary rulings by bitter old men with no regard for the views of others.

Then again, they are not alone; but these folks at least have the semblance of a point. But don't feel bad for them. As Bill Moyers tells in covering the policy of ecological apocalypse, they are literally out to destroy the world.

If all this false religion is depressing you, head here for a chuckle. And pray no one starts taking the site seriously.

>Jim Hightower goes after the "patriots" whose idea of getting behind our troops is slapping a yellow sticker on their trunk and studiously ignoring the rationale and results from the war our troops are admirably slogging through. I may yet rant about those ribbons someday. I just can't ponder it without seething at the moment.

More on the media whitewash of the bad news from Iraq. Yes, good things are happening there as the result of our good citizen soldiers hard at work. However, weighed against a government policy that lies and condones corruption while ignoring the pleas for proper support, better management, and that little issue of ending the trend antagonizing the entire planet, the bad unfortunately outweighs the good. If America the government would just back America the people, we might be better off there.

Quick stories on the Orwellian Patriot Act II: Back in the Habit, that dunce Rumsfeld, corrupt Bush campaign members on trial, and one story about Rep. John Conyer's attempt to get to the bottom of the corrupt election process in Ohio. Good luck to him on that. If you wish to send an email to your senators and congressmen concerning this, you could try this site. Just don't let them sign you up for anything. I only offer the link up for convenience.

Title courtesy of a comment in Finding Neverland. Go watch it. 'Nuff said.

In the same humorous but thoughtful vein of Bush or Chimp, an artist created a work which caused his entire 60 piece exhibit to be closed down by a manager too afraid of freedom of expression. Censorship and all its evils are on the comeback. Soon you'll be able to sit in a living room full of legal assault rifles but will have to stash your copy of Huck Finn under the floorboards.

More troop abuse, including a soldier who lost part of his arm being billed for $6,000. Maybe, just maybe, you might consider what he's given up for his country and not quibble over whether he got a canteen back to Supply. Another six reservists are being court-martialed for using abandoned equipment. God forbid we punish resourcefulness when the guys don't have enough working equipment as it is. And now they are calling up 70-year old retirees. At least this officer is okay with putting the uniform back on. And another article on stop-loss and those it affects.

More bad morale news and signs of frustration. To make matters worse, one soldier tells of talking with Rumsfeld about the same armor shortage in September of 2003. Way to deal with that issue. Even McCain now has grown a pair and has expressed his lack of confidence in Rumsfeld. Um, you're about a month and a half too late pal. (Bonus: the transcript of Rumsfeld's town hall meeting and more proof that he doesn't understand what our soldier's are saying, and doesn't care to find out.)

An article on how to best measure our combat deaths in relation to past conflicts. Plus one on the impact of those losses at home. Plus one article about a soldier who chose to honor his marriage at the cost of his own body. I wish that one had turned out better.

Social issues that have been laying by the wayside. Apparently, according to the artists that make music, they aren't being affected much by illicit song downloads (survey and results). Plus, in a form of damage control, Michael Powell is trying to stop enforcement complaints of those stations brave (or stupid) enough to air Saving Private Ryan on Veteran's Day. Which would probably undermine the whole Bush Blackshirt Brigade who make up 99.8% of all indecency complaints in this country. Hey, don't trust me, read the article. And while you are at it, let's try to stop these morons from enforcing their narrow-minded value system on us. I'm not sure how, but I'm open to suggestion.

That's it for today. I'm not going to comment ad nauseum on Bush's corrupt cabinet shuffle or the lack of background checks because they aren't working in my best interests anyway. I will try to focus on other issues and maybe reinject some fun back into these posts - if the government would stop screwing up long enough for me to do so.

Why is it that Bush feels compelled to dress up in fatigues or something every time he visits the troops? Doesn't it occur to him that it must piss some of them off to remember that he got to quit his Guard service and go to an Ivy League school, whereas they keep getting stop-lossed into permanent military service? Hell, I shouldn't complain: at least he didn't try to serve them a fake turkey this time. (Bonus: he actually admitted the Iraqi troops we've trained are about as useless as every bit of anecdotal evidence I've heard and read. I mean, in as much as he'll ever admit to anything. Don't get too surprised.)

Damage control from the White House as Rumsfeld blundered into a scenario where he accidentally asked the opinion of an American soldier. Now come on, you guys have been ignoring the average citizen for your entire first term. Why screw up now when you had most of us beat into submission? (Update: Bush now claims, "We’re doing everything we possibly can to protect your loved ones." Besides being utter garbage, it's also a lie when you look at the planning of this entire war.)

In any case, some clarifications as to the Humvee issue everyone is talking about. One, the soldier probably got coached a little by a journalist. No, not the FoxNews yes-man kind; an actual reporter who can't ask this administration any real questions. So yeah, it was a practiced question. But hell, even the soldier's ex-wife believes it came from the heart. But he's not the only one who has voiced complaints. California Guardsmen consider themselves ill-trained as they prepare to go to Iraq.

To be fair, the military is responding as much as it can to the situation. As always, the fault - whether or not they admit it - lies with the politicians giving the orders and pulling the puppet (and purse) strings.

As for this situation, Rumsfeld thinks nothing of it, nor believes his you don't get "the Army you might want or wish to have" comment was insulting. But Senator Dodd from Connecticut does and probably a fair amount of the troops who heard that crap did as well. Too bad the military is too busy supressing soldiers' ability to speak openly and honestly. (Update: another article on the situation, detailing more complaints about service in Iraq and on how Rumsfeld is basically in total denial.)

Hackworth goes further and discusses the problems (and propaganda) the military is forced to use to justify substandard recruitment goals. Just for total clarification, Colonel Hackworth is for the troops, against the lies, and has been very blunt about his stance on this war as seen here in an article from last year (Go for the ad option as that's all I've got. Sorry.)

I gotta say, I initially thought all these vote rigging stories were a little far fetched. I mean, all year I've been hearing about how electronic voting machines could be hacked with little effort, that the companies who manufactured them were all in Bush's pocket. I guess I just didn't want to believe it. I admit my naivete.

Anyway, a story from Florida from a programmer who admits to creating a vote rigging code sequence for a Republican congressman. The sworn affidavit is here. BradBlog covers this and many, many more stories from across the nation. This disturbing tale from Ohio covers many "irregularities," among which include fairly large amounts of black voters who supposedly pulled the lever for the ultra-conservative, pretty much racist Constitutional Party. I don't have any research on this, but I imagine that to be as realistic as a large Jewish turnout for Hitler in the 1930s.

Senate Republicans are still out to stack the deck in their favor by making filibusters almost impossible. So much for freedom of speech. The race to kill the United Nations continues. By the way, now the fools are talking about "liberating" Cuba. Stop before you get us all killed. Or starved to death I guess. Is keeping food from people compassionate conservatism? And, surprise, the SATs are racially biased.

Remember when China was ripping us for our economy a few days ago? Now Russia is comparing us to a dictatorship. Look, these guys know what one of those looks like. Maybe you should reassess your world view a bit. Even the Vatican is worried about a backlash against all Christians because of some coke heads and draft dodgers who pretend to be Christians. Thanks a lot jerks.

More foreign affairs. According to the Pentagon, Muslim hate our policies (See? They can see through the lies. Why can't you?) but not our freedoms. The same report shows that we have lost the war to gain the "hearts and minds" of Iraq. They'd better watch it. Too much talking away from the Bush playbook will get the Pentagon gutted and replaced with incompetent yes men like the administration is already planning to do with the CIA. When getting a rousing intro from Canadian PM Paul Martin, trying desperately to patch our sour relations, Bush returns the favor by insulting, by all accounts I've read, every Canadian citizen by comparing their sacrifices in World War II to what he thinks they should be doing to back his idiotic war in Iraq.

Canadians did everything we should be doing and protested Bush every step of the way during his visit. So much so that the little chicken cancelled a visit to Parliament because he's too timid to hear what people really have to say. Speaking of recent protests, a little history on the protests in Chile and why Latin American countries have reason to hate us. Makes you wish we had the stones to protest an unfair election the way they are in the Ukraine.

Remember those bribes, erm, tax cuts we were given in lieu of civil rights awhile back? Apparently those are going to fund higher property taxes in cash-strapped states. But, you know, you can't blame the federal government for that because nothing is ever their fault.

Jim Hightower shows how, while all of us who oppose the war still support our troops, our administration has nothing but contempt for our fighting men and women. While men can buy Viagra by the boatload, the FDA doesn't think women should get the same access to sexual dysfunction medication. Methodists and Lutherans jump on the gay-bashing bandwagon. Bigots are re-energized and out threatening inter-racial couples. Can't wait until the bastards come to my door with their pitchforks and Klan hoods. Bad news on the environmental front that even Bush can't deny; though he can still avoid recognizing its existence.

More rats leaving a sinking ship, though John Snow is just getting the bum's rush. Yeah, all that talk about the loyalty Bush inspires seems so relevant now. Half his staff runs off and he's a paragon of virtue? Gimme a break.

There is so much more deception to cover but you've had enough for one day.

If you've never played StarCraft, you won't really get the headline today. Don't sweat it. In any case, Nancy Zerg managed to remove the cancer that is the smug Ken Jennings from Jeopardy!, thus allowing me to watch the show again. I was tipped off to a "close" Final Jeopardy and got to watch the downfall myself. I was giddy. And, as most of you know, that doesn't happen all that often.

Got busy working on a new template for the Galva Guard pages (and am still working on it) so was distracted from posting here. Not that much hasn't happened. Here are the high points (focus on the part where Congress would be allowed to read your tax returns for the hell of it - thanks to Nancy Pelosi for catching that GOP trick).

While you were busy working on your leftovers, fuzzy math endures at the White House. Bush's budget apparently excludes Social Security spending. Hmm, the biggest program the government runs and we're pretending it doesn't exist. Hey kids, did you believe Bush when he said he was gonna increase spending for Pell Grants? Well, he lied. He's reducing them. Guess the Ivy League didn't train him too well in math skills. But that's okay, because according to scientific research (yeah, scientists still practice in the US; they're just in hiding), lying is good exercise for your brain.

Speaking of dumb Americans, CBS released a horrific study related to how many people believe evolution - or some form of it - doesn't exist. These are the same trolls who want to kill science and keep our kids ignorant of how their bodies work. And apparently subject the rest of this country to their extreme right wing views. It's no wonder foreign exchange students don't want to come here anymore. I mean, Alabama still has a constitution endorsing racism, backed by the Christian Coalition no less. Their excuse is that they're not racist, they just don't like public education. Um, please go away.

At least one more conservative wonders what the hell happened to his party. Keep asking buddy, and take it back from the bigoted psychopaths when you can.

Financial news. The dollar's freefall has run off foreign investment. Our Treasury Secretary is mouthing platitudes instead of working on real problems. The cost of the 12 Days of Christmas has risen again.

Random stuff. The Federal Trade Commission wants to give access to the Do Not Call List so scumbag telemarketers can - well - call you. Give the idiots a message here. More on the Bush plan to destroy the CIA. Administration plans to not protect your privacy when it comes to chipping your passport. We can't find out what Cheney had for lunch but any punk in an airport standing thirty feet from you can know everything down to your blood type because the government doesn't give a damn about your safety. HAVE I THANKED YOU ALL FOR VOTING FOR THIS IDIOT YET?

Dennis Hastert takes partisan politics to a new level, saying no bill will pass the House if a Democrat sponsored it. Seig Heil baby. You can't even wear an anti-Bush shirt and get an education these days. Then again, all you'll be able to learn soon is that race mixing is bad; and so is treating other races as equals, so don't read Huck Finn. Or that abstinence implies that sex is evil and ignorance of your body is God's plan. Or maybe that creationism is proven science, though we won't be able to speak of science per se. By the way, the earth remains flat and at the center of the universe. Next week, we cover lunar eclipses and God's wrath.

Speaking of churches, not all of them have the right to tell you how wrong you are. The UCC, who believes everyone is worthy of God's love, is not allowed to broadcast ads on many networks that point out the hypocrisy of other churches because "we have a long policy of not accepting advocacy advertising" says one CBS exec. CBS, by the way, never stops to worry about creating, producing, and airing advocacy television shows that may offend people, but that must be me getting out of line.

Bush doubts the results of the Ukrainian election and thinks the will of the people should be heard. Now really, he should know more than anyone about fraud, rigging elections, and disenfranchising voters after stealing one election and consorting with voting machine manufacturers and election officials to "win" this latest one. More complaints, observations, and general stories about the election we should be out in the streets protesting. And surprise! It was the economy after all in most places that affected the election. Bread and circuses my friends.