Friday, February 25, 2005
The Cowboy in Europe
Sigh. Bush went through Europe like a bull in a china shop, barely containing his school yard bully attitude. Apparently, according to Slate, Bush Listened to Europe - Now watch him ignore all the advice he got . It was sad enough to see Bush chortle while speaking, or looking really pissed off when meeting world leaders who did not agree with him, but his sanctimonious attitude, and lack of manners were probably enough to set Europeans off again. Now Europeans are great people, and they see through Bush's facade, why don't we? In a recent trip to Europe, our German cab driver in Ahrweiler, became extremely talkative and friendly when he found we were not voting for Bush, then he proceeded not only to give us a U.S. civics lesson but also discussed economic policy, international trade policies, and that the Iraq war was not a way to stop international terrorism. Which brings us to the U.S. educational system...do you think you could have such an informed discussion with any person off the street here? Jay Leno's Jay walking proves that we are poorly educated and can't see beyond our own noses. Back to Bush again, like the Jay walkers, he can't see beyond the end of his nose and can't reason worth a hill of beans. Sigh. Please work to take back our country from this would-be dictator.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Molly Ivins | Screw the Children
t r u t h o u t - Molly Ivins | Screw the Children Bush the "compassionate conservative"? Baloney. A "Christian" man? Whatever happened to whatever you do to the least of these my bretheren you do to me? (To paraphrase the Bible). Seems he likes to forget anyone but his corporate cronies.
Companies Fight to Ensure Coverage for Erectile Drugs
The New York Times > Washington > Companies Fight to Ensure Coverage for Erectile Drugs
Go figure. Apparently its drastically important for elderly males to have their Viagra. Meanwhile in states such as Texas, our illustrious legislators are promoting a bill to allow pharmacists and pharmacies the right to refuse to fill prescriptions for emergency contraception and birth control.
In many cases, birth control pills are not covered under insurance plans. Evidently that's not a problem to the men (and some ignorant women) in Austin or inside the beltway. Why should men have "lifestyle" help, when these same men are the first ones (often) to legislate away women's family planning choices?
Mr. Legislator, if you can't get it up, oh sad too bad. Women deserve family planning options first and foremost.
Go figure. Apparently its drastically important for elderly males to have their Viagra. Meanwhile in states such as Texas, our illustrious legislators are promoting a bill to allow pharmacists and pharmacies the right to refuse to fill prescriptions for emergency contraception and birth control.
In many cases, birth control pills are not covered under insurance plans. Evidently that's not a problem to the men (and some ignorant women) in Austin or inside the beltway. Why should men have "lifestyle" help, when these same men are the first ones (often) to legislate away women's family planning choices?
Mr. Legislator, if you can't get it up, oh sad too bad. Women deserve family planning options first and foremost.
Editor's Cut from The Nation Magazine
This Editor's Cut article was a total surprise to me. I had never heard for Church Folks for a Better America. So, I read a bit more about them through the links provided in this article. The Martin Luther King quote "A time comes when silence is betrayal" heads up their website. Their peace message and anti-torture stance are worth learning about.
Borsellino: In a troubled world his faith is restored
DesMoinesRegister.com article, sent by a friend, worth sharing.
Negroponte former participant in Iran Contra affair now appointed to what!
As usual, the story behind Negroponte's appointment escapes our sanitized media. As I sit at home with a temp of 101, and the flu (despite the fact that I had a flu shot) I could not help myself, and had to drag myself to my computer to catch up on emails, blogs, etc. It could be considered an addiction, I suppose, but I think my need to check the news, the blogs, etc is driven more by a nagging worry that our bully President, his cabinent and lackeys will come up with another way to scare the American public into believing more horse hockey.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
When does an attorney become a terrorist?
The Nation | Comment | The Lynne Stewart Trial | David Cole I found this article extremely interesting. I was shocked to hear that Ms. Stewart and her paralegal and I believe on other staffer from her office were convicted as terrorists. And Martha Stewart really seriously affected Wall St? Baloney. Isn't it odd that only women are being convicted and sent up the river. What about the men of Enron? They hurt thousands of people who invested and lost their shirts. Oh gosh, that could be another reason not to privatize social security. The big bad crooks always get away, and the women and powerless become the scapegoats.
Free Lynne Stewart!
Free Lynne Stewart!
Susan Ives regarding the Eyes Wide Open exhibit in San Antono
MySA.com: Susan Ives
Ms. Ives gets it, she really gets it. I only wish I could be that eloquent. As I noted in an earlier post, this exhibit is truly as important as "The Wall" the Vietnam memorial. War is costly, and we should not take those costs lightly.
Ms. Ives gets it, she really gets it. I only wish I could be that eloquent. As I noted in an earlier post, this exhibit is truly as important as "The Wall" the Vietnam memorial. War is costly, and we should not take those costs lightly.
President Bush Clueless....again
Reprise of my post on the Kendallian:
Recent Bush quote: "Uniquely American isn't it? I mean, that is fantastic that you're doing that. Get any sleep?"
That was said in response to a divorced mother of 3 (in Omaha, NE), who worked three jobs to make ends meet. I am sure Bush thought the "get any sleep" line was just hilarious. Bush, who never held a real job, never had to figure out how to make ends meet and who probably doesn't know that beans and cornbread make a complete protein, thus stretching those food dollars, had the unmitigated gall to answer this woman flippantly. It must be good to be king (George).
Recent Bush quote: "Uniquely American isn't it? I mean, that is fantastic that you're doing that. Get any sleep?"
That was said in response to a divorced mother of 3 (in Omaha, NE), who worked three jobs to make ends meet. I am sure Bush thought the "get any sleep" line was just hilarious. Bush, who never held a real job, never had to figure out how to make ends meet and who probably doesn't know that beans and cornbread make a complete protein, thus stretching those food dollars, had the unmitigated gall to answer this woman flippantly. It must be good to be king (George).
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Bush selling social security down the river, and baby boomers with it
After reading many articles on Bush's proposed social security reforms, I can see just how well those of us who are not wealthy will be totally, utterly screwed. It amazes me that people actually believe his reforms are a good idea; but he did sell a large majority of Americans on the WMD's in Iraq, which were never there. Why it does not occur to these same people the social security "imminent danger" he speaks of is about as genuine as the WMD's in Iraq totally mystifies me.
Then of course, he speaks in generalities, and makes it sound so good. "Your" money, "your account," "ownership." Only the skeptics among us, evidently, think to look beyond the overblown statements.
There are several issues to explore:
AARP Bulletin Feb 2005 noted the following: privatized Bombed in Britain privatization In the article they note that more money was being lost by taxes diverted to public accounts than the government would have paid out. Surprisingly, the UK is looking at the American Social Security System as a model for the revamping of their program.
Another important fact: Rep. Bill Thomas R-Calif, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee recently brought up the idea of adjusting benefits by gender and race. This will only hurt women and minorities. Many women stay at home for a period of time either caring for their children or elderly parents, and thus put less into social security over a life time than their male counterparts. Stay at home Moms put nothing in at all, and of course will be impacted even more by this adjustment. Since Republicans and the Christian right are so gung ho for stay at home Mom's why penalize them for doing so?
All in all, it's like buying a used car, without a warranty. Bush is trying to sell us a lemon.
Then of course, he speaks in generalities, and makes it sound so good. "Your" money, "your account," "ownership." Only the skeptics among us, evidently, think to look beyond the overblown statements.
There are several issues to explore:
AARP Bulletin Feb 2005 noted the following: privatized Bombed in Britain privatization In the article they note that more money was being lost by taxes diverted to public accounts than the government would have paid out. Surprisingly, the UK is looking at the American Social Security System as a model for the revamping of their program.
Another important fact: Rep. Bill Thomas R-Calif, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee recently brought up the idea of adjusting benefits by gender and race. This will only hurt women and minorities. Many women stay at home for a period of time either caring for their children or elderly parents, and thus put less into social security over a life time than their male counterparts. Stay at home Moms put nothing in at all, and of course will be impacted even more by this adjustment. Since Republicans and the Christian right are so gung ho for stay at home Mom's why penalize them for doing so?
All in all, it's like buying a used car, without a warranty. Bush is trying to sell us a lemon.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Eyes Wide Open
Eyes Wide Open
An exhibit traveling the USA, sponsored by the American Friends Service Committe. See the website: http://www.afsc.org.
My thoughts after volunteering at the event:
To those of you who missed the Eyes Wide Open exhibit at St. Mary’s Feb 11-13, you missed a powerful exhibit. Boots, shoes and hats were laid out to represent the U.S. military, Iraqi civilians and civilian contractors (all nationalities) killed in Iraq. The exhibit was a picture of the cost of war; a memorial to those who have died and a place to mourn those losses.
Try to picture 1,457 U. S. military dead, you can't. View the boots lined up, then you can. Boots and shoes are personal items. Picturing those personal items puts the numbers in proportion. The cost of war is larger than you imagine. The lines of empty boots, hats and shoes puts it in perspective.
Mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters, came to view the boots representing their family members. They left pictures, pins, flowers, and expressed their sorrow. At this event I met two mothers and one father, whose sons were killed in Iraq. Their strength and courage was amazing to behold, and I am grateful that I got to meet them. They know the cost of war, on a personal level.
An exhibit traveling the USA, sponsored by the American Friends Service Committe. See the website: http://www.afsc.org.
My thoughts after volunteering at the event:
To those of you who missed the Eyes Wide Open exhibit at St. Mary’s Feb 11-13, you missed a powerful exhibit. Boots, shoes and hats were laid out to represent the U.S. military, Iraqi civilians and civilian contractors (all nationalities) killed in Iraq. The exhibit was a picture of the cost of war; a memorial to those who have died and a place to mourn those losses.
Try to picture 1,457 U. S. military dead, you can't. View the boots lined up, then you can. Boots and shoes are personal items. Picturing those personal items puts the numbers in proportion. The cost of war is larger than you imagine. The lines of empty boots, hats and shoes puts it in perspective.
Mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters, came to view the boots representing their family members. They left pictures, pins, flowers, and expressed their sorrow. At this event I met two mothers and one father, whose sons were killed in Iraq. Their strength and courage was amazing to behold, and I am grateful that I got to meet them. They know the cost of war, on a personal level.
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