From NOW on PBS this evening(2/17/06)

The main story was related to the practice of "earmarking" bills in the process of passing them. This allows lawmakers to appropriate obscene amounts of pork barrel funds for pet projects without any effective oversight.
Of note, Sen. Bill Frist(powerful Republican, self-styled hero and presidential hopeful) inserted a provision into a bill that(in broad language) basically protects the pharmaceutical industry from any and all lawsuits. This is an alternate form of earmarking. Interestingly, Mr. Frist has received $270,000 in political funding from the drug lobby.
While I'm enumerating Mr. Frist's virtues, it should be remembered that he was one of the prime posturers in the path of Mark Sciavo's efforts, on his wife's behalf to shuffle off her mortal coil.
These things bear remembering come election time.
Ankh

At Least 10 Killed in Libya Cartoon Riot

Y'know, it strikes me(and this is decidedly unPC) that if we keep publishing cartoons, all of the radicalized, militant Islamists will eventually kill themselves off.................................without need for further intervention.
Ankh

Oh.......................this is rich;^)

Sorry, I tried the link thing............................bad kharma. Check out any news service.
Dick Cheney peppered one of his hunting buddies with buckshot whilst quail hunting.
D'Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Picture Sid Caesar's vintage skit of the spazzy hunter waving a shotgun about. Knowing the victim will be okay permits a hearty belly laugh:^)
Such comic relief from the Bush administration is all too rare.
Ankh

The flogging continues.................

Ariel Sharon is this generation's Generalissimo Francisco Franco. What a terrible fate, when nationalistic reverence and the embodiment of a national identity unite to negate individual and familial suffering.
Some politico/medical mouthpiece declared that the surgery was routine. Done every day in hospitals worldwide. True, but about as truthful as Dubya saying to good citizens in the hinterlands at a town meeting a couple of years ago that all wiretapping indulged in by the administration required(and had) federal warrants. But I digress. I'll bet the price of a new snowblower that Sharon infarcted his bowel. This is an emergency that(if not caught and remedied quickly) is invariably fatal. Indeed, it's frequently fatal even when it's caught fairly early in its course.
The point of all this is that it's not Sharon's welfare that hangs in the balance. His personal welfare is moot. It's the welfare of the current Israeli power structure that's on life support.
My thoughts are with Ariel Sharon and his family.
Ankh

Rain sucks!............miscellaneous musings

"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience." Susan St. James

The administration's(and in particular, Rumsfeld's) vilification of Venezuela's Hugo Chavez and Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is eerily reminiscent of their prewar treatment of Saddam Hussein. Will we finally withdraw from Iraq only to turn our bellicose attention to Venezuela? Is Bush's (covert) plan to wean us from our addiction to Middle East oil ultimately a smokescreen for toppling another detractor and seizing his (considerable) oil reserves? I'm only a little more sanguine about our posturing toward Iran. The thought of tactical nukes in the hands of Islamic fundamentalists is terrifying. Hell, look what WE did with them, and we're civilized(no Truman bashing intended).

Mortality was buzzing about my brain at work last night. Not the overt, traumatic kind. The quiet, sucker-punch kind. I'm caring for a late, middle-aged person who, since November has been dealing with a particularly malignant brain tumor. Salt-of-the-earth kind of human. Vital, active, loving, intact family(a rarity in my line of work). This will likely be fatal within a few months. How does one reconcile that? Even from my there-but-for-the-grace-of-God-go-I vantage point, after 20+ years, I can't.

Hook me up Ne'er(or any of you other silent souls),
Ankh

Addendum: How'd we(the U.S. of A.) manage to stay out of the fray over the violently disputed cartoons caricaturing the Prophet Muhammad? I must side with muslims in general on this one. It's no less irresponsible, offensive or wrong than flying the swastika, the rebel colors or any other White Power drivel. It's incitement in the guise of freedom of speech. With freedom comes responsibility.

Local/global

Oi mates!;
As conceived, this blog's intent was to discuss local as well as global politics. We never seem to have anything to say about local stuff, and while I admit I'm much less well versed in local than global matters, I sometimes feel I should be better acquainted with local matters.
Perhaps it's the deniability factor. It's much easier to say "there's nothing I can do about the situation in the Middle East." Because if I whine about my local school board, or the York city stadium issue, there really is something I can do about that. I can easily get involved in local politics. But ya know what?, my limited involvement with politics(YAMBA board and committee involvement at work) has shown me that I'm not good at politics. I tend to say what I think(which is a liability) and when there's more talk than action(when action is needed), I get really frustrated.
Rationalization? Copout? Yeah, perhaps, but there are already too many bad pols.
Additionally, local issues seem so obtuse, so much less important to my life. What effect would the stadium issue have on me? Or the Lauxmont issue? Or whether York city gets its garbage picked up once a week?
Punditry has its detractors too, but it's a lot more fun and a lot less frustrating;^)
Ankh

As ye sow...........................

"Bush said it was "a shameful act" for someone to have leaked details to the media. " (From Yahoo News)

I guess it's a matter of perspective. I view it as a patriotic act. This remark relates to his authorization of wiretapping and other spying activities without oversight or confirmation by any other branch of govenment.

"I am doing what you expect me to do,"...............................(From Yahoo News)

Obviously he wasn't speaking to at least 50% of the American public.............the 50%, or so who DIDN'T vote for him. I count myself in that vast group. I admit to a fatalistic view of how things would play out following his election. I knew in my heart that bad things would happen. Bad things of historic proportions. Sadly, my expectations have been fulfilled. Do his clandestine activities rise to the level of impeachability? If so, what would that mean? America has a history of acting without fully considering the consequences(see: Iraq/Saddam). We're not alone in this geopolitical hubris. No politician or government can grasp the nuanced complexity of the international geopolitical landscape, and yet all try to.
Sorry, I realize this is scattershot. I'm asking a lot of questions and not necessarily rendering coherent opinions. Kind of illustrative of my take on the state of the nation at this juncture.
Ankh

Minority Report

Excellent previous post Ne'er. Welcome back and congrats for having survived the gauntlet. What was your favorite beer?
I trust we've all seen the eponymous movie and remember the premise. It is my opinion that the U.S. Government currently operates under those same principles vis-a-vis terrorists and terrorism. These pre-emptive operating principles are at legal and ethical odds with the precepts on which this country was founded.
With a few notable exceptions, European governments are much more mature in their handling of situations involving terrorists and terrorism. I believe that terrorist entities, be they dictatorial governments or individuals must be allowed to declare themselves to some demonstrable degree before we bring force to bear. Would I be willing to place myself or my loved ones in harm's way for this cause?..................................That's a qualified "NO". No, but I accept and can live with a degree of unpredictability in life. In a war with no boundaries, we are all combatants. If we are willing, as a country to countenance our young men and women being IED fodder, then we should, by extension be willing to risk domestic violence in order to allow our enemies to declare themselves. We had no legitimate casus belli for invading Iraq. The degree to which we are risk averse in this arena is untenable. We want clean wars. Surgical strikes. Ignorable covert ops. These are all basically oxymorons.
Ankh

stuff

Despite my weak grasp of personalities, I just wanted to mention a hilarious interview I saw last(Sleepless in Craley)night. The talk show belongs to the guy who used to play the boss on The Drew Carey Show. He was interviewing Maureen Dowd, the columnist. Brilliant repartee on subjects ranging from Dubya to feminism to male orgasms.
I like Maureen Dowd, but it struck me as I watched her................she's basically Ann(she whose name must not be spoken)Coulter's Democratic mentor.
Are we slow for news and opinions, or is it just the Christmas Rush?
Ankh

Three-peat? I don't think so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry y'all;
I'm a little late with this. Seems Jeb "Florida is your's bro' ;^)" Bush is considering a run for the White House. Thankfully not this next term. Don't have a pulse on how rank and file Republicans feel about the prospect, but they should feel scared............very scared about what their party has to offer them. With a rogue's gallery including Santorum and Frist, and a cheering section manned by Pat Robertson, they look to be in for a rocky ride for the next few years. Can the Dems get their feces compacted and in chronological order enough to capitalize on this opportunity? I despair. Whither go we?
Ankh

The slings and arrows...............observations.

"It's not the large things that send a man to the madhouse, "Charles Bukowski has written. "No, it's the continuing series of small tragedies . . . a shoelace that snaps, with no time left."

I was recently reading a synopsis of a book about Abraham Lincoln's melancholic tendencies and came across the preceding quote. Perfectly encapsulates how life wears us down.
God is in the details.
The Devil is in the details.
Don't sweat the petty stuff.
Pay attention to the details and the big things will take care of themselves.

"The notes, I can play. They are easy. But the spaces between the notes, ah, that's where the artistry resides." Artur Schnabel, pianist/composer.

It's the spaces between life's notes that frequently trip me up. On rare occasions, I handle them with great virtuosity and I cherish those times. But more often than not, I come up empty handed and fulfill the "stupid male" stereotype I hear touted at work all the time by my more harpy-ish female coworkers.
I'm in a rather black frame at the moment. Must..............ride...............bike...........MORE!
Peace, out,
Ankh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House is not amused by The Onion, a newspaper that often spoofs the Bush administration, and has asked it to stop using the presidential seal on its Web site.
The seal was still on the Web site www.theonion.com on Tuesday at the spot where
President George W. Bush's weekly radio address is parodied.
With headlines like "Bush To Appoint Someone To Be In Charge Of Country" and "Bush Subconsciously Sizes Up Spain For Invasion," The Onion is popular with readers looking for a little laughter with their politics.
White House spokesman Trent Duffy said people who work in the executive mansion do have a sense of humor, but not when it comes to breaking regulations.
"When any official sign or seal is being used inappropriately the party is notified," Duffy said.
"You cannot pick and choose where to enforce that rule. It's important that the seal or any White House insignia not be used inappropriately," he said.
Duffy said while he does not personally read The Onion, he admitted knowing others in the White House who do. "Like everyone else, we like a good laugh."
Scott Dikkers, editor-in-chief of the satirical newspaper, said its lawyer disagrees with the White House assessment.
"I've been seeing the presidential seal used in comedy programs most of my life and to my knowledge none of them have been asked not to use it by the White House," Dikkers said.
"I would advise them to look for that other guy Osama (bin Laden) ... rather than comedians. I don't think we pose much of a threat," Dikkers said.

Hey all;
The last line says it all. I'm gonna be decidedly impolitic.......................FUCK 'EM IF THEY CAN'T TAKE A JOKE! When did the White House insignia become a sacred object? Can you say, First Amendment?!
Ankh

Winning Powerball Family in Seclusion

Sounds like the guy has his head screwed on straight. If my wife and I woulda won? mmmmm, it would really be hard not to go apeshit on buying a few bikes and electronic doo-dads. Other then that, I'd have fun making sure all my relatives were taken care of.

Wilma winds intensify to 175 mph as it becomes possibly worst storm ever

Newsday.com: Wilma winds intensify to 175 mph as it becomes possibly worst storm ever

Those who forget history........................

Nothing too coherent here, just some ruminations. A coworker's daughter(freshman-HS) interviewed me last evening concerning my memories of the Iran/Contra Affair. In preparation, I read a synopsis on http://wikipedia and followed links where my curiosity led. Oh, what a tangled web we weave.............................:^(
Then, later, I happened on a documentary about the Vietnam War. More specifically, the Nixon Vietnamization policy that resulted in incursions into Laos and Cambodia, the carpet bombing of Cambodia which indiscriminately killed hundreds of thousands of Cambodian civilians, our perverse support of the Khmer Rouge which allowed them to kill over a million more of their countrymen/women/children.
Emma Lazarus' words(http://thenewcolossus) at Liberty's feet are obscured by the blood spilt in our efforts to proselytize "democracy" to the world. In general, I am not proud to be an American.
Ankh

Sanctimonium co-opting U2's good name

Santorum's press secretary, Robert Traynham, said Thursday that the decision by the Senate's third-ranking Republican to hold a fundraiser during Sunday's Philadelphia show is based on his "deep respect and admiration for Bono and their work together over the last few years to fight the global spread of
HIV' name=c1> SEARCHNews News Photos Images Web' name=c3> HIV-AIDS
Hey Gen'lmen;
How galling it must be(as an artist) to have anyone, for any reason co-opt your artistic endeavor for political gain. But to have it be someone of Sanctimonium's ilk would make me want to vomit. The axiom, "politics make strange bedfellows" is particularly apropos here. If he hasn't actually said it, Sanctimonium surely believes HIV is god's(notice the lower case, because only a "small g" god would behave in such a manner) divine retribution against gays. The devil is in the details..........................and in the deals we make to effect change in the world around us.
Ankh

Thoughts and outrage III

"The down side of capitalism" or "strange bedfellows".
When did we lose control of our government? As a business savvy entity, WalMart is a ferocious negotiator. It uses its huge bargaining power as a tool to force its vendors to lower prices. Now, it makes sense that the U.S. government which represents 20% of the GNP of the U.S. economy should be in a killer position to negotiate best prices when making deals with subcontractors. Yet, when the last Medicare bill was passed, the government somehow caved to the drug lobby, rather than dictating the terms government drug purchasing policy. Consequently, we pay billions more dollars for prescription drugs than we might.
Or look at the companies which are subcontracting to the government to provide services in the Persian Gulf, and yes, now New Orleans(and soon Galveston). These contracts were awarded through no competition bids...........................go fuck yourself Mr. Cheney;^)
Now to the oil refiners who suddenly discovered several years ago that they could increase profits by depressing production. They have been steadily decreasing production even as demand has risen. Recently, the government stepped in to stop the closure of a refinery. Actual oil reserves and OPEC machinations have little effect on the daily price of petroleum products in the U.S.
In many critical ways, our government no longer supports us.
Ankh

Kurt Vonnegut's list

LIBERAL CRAP I NEVER WANT TO HEAR AGAIN
Give us this day our daily bread. Oh sure.
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those wh trespass against us.Nobody better trespass against me. I'll tell you that.
Blessed are the meek.
Blessed are the merciful. You mean we can't use torture?
Blessed are the peacemakers. Jane Fonda?
Love your enemies - Arabs?
Ye cannot serve God and Mammon. The hell I can't! Look at the Reverand Pat Robertson. And He is as happy as a pig in s**t.

The Daily Show

Omigod!;
I finally got to watch the show this A.M. Content was good. The great part was the special guest. Just a little preamble here. We've been cleaning out some stored stuff recently. Among the refuse, a few boxes of my old books. Notable authors include Kurt Vonnegut and Jerzy Kosinski.
Jon's guest was Kurt Vonnegut. I worshipped this man in my adolescence. As Jon said, he opened my forming mind to a whole world of thought I would not otherwise have encountered. Vonnegut loosed his lacerating wit on the current administration and gave a synopsis of the history of democracy in the U.S. that appears to be serving as an abbreviated framework for its nascence in Iraq......to include: after the first 100 years, you have to let your slaves go free. After 150 years, you have to let your women vote. There must be a period of genocide and ethnic cleansing and so on. Wickedly funny stuff rimmed with sadness.
He had a list of "liberal crap" to read which they didn't have time for, which Stewart said would be posted on the website under Vonnegut's name. I plan to check it out.
G'day all,
Ankh

Thoughts and outrage II

Why is it that the only economically painful thing we are willing to do, as a nation, is wage war? We will spend anything to try to prevent the loss of even one life on the battle field. And nothing to try to prevent deaths from predictable disasters.

Contingency plans for dealing with a "Katrina" type disaster were formulated over twenty years ago. Too economically painful. Not politically comfortable, so we suffer what, in hindsight we now know we could have prevented or mitigated.
During the gas crunch of the '70s, we started to realize that we must develop alternate energy sources. But.................................too economically painful. So we suffer the consequences of our continued dependence on a dwindling energy source: pollution, global warming, terrorism.
Locally, I'm an optimist. I'm raising two good kids. I work to make my community better. I have a good marriage and I think I'm basically a good person.
Globally, I'm more pessimistic. There is a widening gap between the "haves" and the "have nots". I'm not totally comfortable being in the "have" camp. Our bad habits and lack of courage will ultimately lead to our demise................................only in generations too far removed for me to contemplate. Complacency is still morally affordable for me, sadly.
Ankh