Swirling The Drain?

I haven't caught the news today especially. Are the Republicans still swirling the drain? I hope so, although I'd like to have a slightly wider drain installed so they would go down it once and for all.

I see the contest in Minnesota is still being delayed, stretched out by that champion of democracy, Norm Coleman. Now he apparently wishes that the election could be nullified, then presumably the voters would get another chance to reject him. He's come a long way from wringing his hands the day after the election that the voters' precious tax dollars would be wasted by prolonging the contest, that is, when Al Franken appeared to be behind.

It looks like Coleman doesn't care about the precious tax dollars now, or anything, except prolonging the inevitable to simply cause mischief with the Senate. This is a guy we definitely need a wider drain for, and plenty of Liquid Plumbr to rinse down after him to make sure he's gone for good.

That's all I know today. So if The Party Of No has carried on with any of their usual idiotic shenanigans, I either don't know about it or don't remember.

I did see an interesting article somewhere early this morning about the Club For Growth. I haven't paid attention to this. But they seem to be an advocacy group for stricter conservative toeing of the line in the party, leading to some insults and hard feelings among the remaining five or six moderate Republicans still in the party. Some of the Republican senators, as I recall, wishes the Club For Growth would target Democrats more.

No, no, that wouldn't work. Keep eating your own. We'll let the Democrats in this scenario be the two little goats in the Billy Goats Gruff story. And when the trollish Club For Growth comes out from under the bridge, we can say, "We're so small and scrawny. Wait for my bigger brother. He makes a much better meal." Of course our Big Brother, from the Bush years, you see, represents the Republicans.

Oh, in the story the third brother butts the troll off the bridge. But in this case we want the troll to eat the Big Brother, then feel regret and dive to his own death, landing in a flaming heap at the bottom of a very sharp rocked ravine.

Or to keep with my original image, we will widen the drain for them as well, put after them about 10 gallons of Drano, and they'll be gone. No fuss, no muss.

President Obama's 100th Day

Wow, time really flies when you have a competent president!

I don't know what all President Obama has done in his 100 days. I've been halfway paying attention and halfway not. Most of the things I've heard have sounded good, appropriate, and decent.

The biggest thing he's done is to replace that stinking George W. Bush. Every day is a day to celebrate that Bush's criminal administration has finally gone down the toilet where it belongs. I just pity the poor guys at the sewage plant who have to process that crap. Because it's a bunch and it's rancid.

That Obama is our man in the White House is still like something too good to be true. But I've pinched myself red and by golly, he's still there as big as life!

Long live President Obama! By the way, he's already got my vote in 2012!

Arlen The Democrat

I've never cared much for Arlen Specter over the years. But this is his day. He could do worse things than become a Democrat. I just hope he's still a Democrat tomorrow.

What I always think of when I think of him is someone who acts like he's going to stand up for what's right, then something happens and he backs down. Very shifting. Becoming a Democrat, as much as I like the move, is really the same basic thing. He's a Republican, then he's not.

Welcome to the party. But please try to have some actual Democratic sensibilities. I think it's pretty obvious he made the switch because he was likely to lose the next election. Self-preservation is wonderful, just not always something to celebrate in and of itself.

The Nation Of Texas Looks For Foreign Aid

President Rick Perry of Texas, who recently seceded from the Union, knowing they could do better on their own without the oppressive hand of the United States government, is requesting foreign aid from the United States to help with the swine flu pandemic.

He said, "We will continue to work with our local, state and federal health officials to ensure public safety is protected." What state? What federal? You wanted to be on your own. What better time than a full blown crisis to show what you can do on your own?

It's reported that half the Republicans in Texas want to secede from the United States. How interesting to see them crawling back now.

Pork And Bans

This is terrible. Now there's bans on pork products, all because of the swine flu outbreaks that have happened.

Mutual Of Omaha Vs. Oprah

The Mutual of Omaha company owns the phrase "an aha moment." And took legal action against Oprah for using it on her show.

Isn't that a phrase we've been saying for years? I really don't know. It's not one I use, that I can recall; I'm not saying I never have and I'm not saying I ever will. I don't want to be sued for everyday talking.

Oops, I hope there's nothing in that last paragraph that someone has copyrighted, except me by virtue of writing it here. It's just "Everyday Talking." Someone probably owns that phrase, and look, I used it unknowingly. Hope it's not Mutual of Omaha, since it looks like they don't take kindly to people saying things, ordinary words.

Maybe the rock group "Aha" ought to sue Mutual of Omaha. But they might send Marlin Perkins out to subdue them with a tranquilizer dart. And carry them in from the savanna.

Republicans Wanted To Investigate Clinton

To say Republicans wanted to investigate Clinton is to state a truism. Can you remember a single thing the Republicans did in the Clinton years but investigate Clinton? They did nothing else.

But then even after his presidency they wanted to have an investigation into the Marc Rich pardon and who knows what all else? Remember they wasted eight years and some $40 million investigating some small potatoes land deal he and Hillary were involved in.

Now, though, of course, they think investigations of past administrations, such as the obvious crimes of the Bush administration, are a no no, something that must not be done lest there be the slightest hint of partisanship.

Bah. The Republicans must know by now where they can shove their constant carping.

They allowed and covered up for actual, full blown crimes in the Bush years. These things need to be checked into, and anyone found guilty must be held accountable.

Torture

I'm amazed at the Republicans justifying torture now, after all those years telling us, "America does not torture." It turns out now, Yes, we do, and God bless us. They were more than happy to lie about it at the time and now more than happy to admit it, although of course with a justification. Then, it was a matter of getting away with it. Now, they can claim they "kept us safe."

Bah. I'm thinking of the phrase, "Not in my name." This is not one of those things where the ends justify the means. This is a nasty little something called Crimes Against Humanity. At some point we need to realize our "exceptionalism" isn't so exceptional; it's the same old crimes.

When you don't have any good ethical standard, there's no reason for anyone to follow the law. When we're in war, there's no reason whatsoever for our enemies to refrain from torturing us, if we approve it for them. We were complaining when the Iraqi guys were lopping off heads there for a while. What right did we have to complain? After all, our standard is this, whatever it takes in the moment that you perceive might do you some good now or in the time to come is allowed. Those guys cutting off heads could justify it, too, on those nebulous grounds.

The way I've always thought of America -- and I guess this would be where the "exceptionalism" comes in -- is that we're exceptionally good. We don't do what terrorists do. We don't do what Nazis do. We have standards. We follow the law. We're the guys in the white hats. But George W. Bush's administration followed a different standard. Like devils. And that's what the Republicans are still standing up for.

Republicans Not Hurting Obama

It was great to read an article today at Politico about how all the Republican sniping at President Obama isn't really affecting him that much. He remains popular and they remain dismally unpopular.

Now we have all the crud coming out about the torturous years of the Bush administration (unfortunately in more senses of the word than the fact that we suffered him). They literally tortured people, repeatedly, and in the worst possible way. The Bush administration was populated by out and out criminals. So that can't help the Republicans' reputation any, since they're still rah-rah'ing Bush for "keeping us safe."

I saw a video of someone who was doing some of this rah-rah'ing. And David Sirota was the antagonist against her. She wouldn't answer the question, "Did Bush keep us safe on 9/11?" David asked it repeatedly. It was hilarious, although maddening. He kept us safe, she said, for "nine years." Since his presidency was only eight years, I guess he got a running start sometime in 1999. It's like saying my doctor's an excellent doctor, except that one day when he accidentally cut off my legs.

Her big excuse for 9/11 was mind blowing, that Bush had only been president for a few months, therefore it wasn't any responsibility of his. Which, think about it, brings up the question, Why are the Republicans continually dumping on Obama? Since he's only been president a few months. Actually by 9/11 Bush was president close to eight months. So that means Obama should have around another five months without Republican opposition, because he's not really responsible yet.

Ha! Can you imagine the Republicans' response if 9/11 happened on Obama's watch? Not eight months in, but now, or back on January 21. They'd have his hide! I mean look at what they do now. If he wears brown shoes, they should've been black. They were literally criticizing him for his clothes, whether he wears a jacket in the Oval Office. Sheesh. Or Michelle, no sleeves.

It's good to know that these pests, the Republicans, aren't doing any serious damage.

And by the way, their recent carping about Obama shaking Hugo Chavez' hand ... I'm more upset when he shakes the Republicans' hands. The ones in Congress and the media are out and out treasonous.

Cheney - Blah II

Someone wrote at Daily Kos that any time Cheney talks that's a good thing for the Democrats, because he's such a hated guy. As long as we have a true war criminal (and a scumbag to boot) as one of the official voices for the Republican party, that makes them look bad and that's good for us.

So I guess I can hold my nose and say, "Speak, Dick, speak!"

We all remember that Cheney was always truth-challenged. But now he said he formally asked the CIA to release certain documents and the CIA says he didn't. He must be remembering the old days when he simply did it himself. Wow, how do we get these truly disgusting people in our government? We need to do background checks on these people. Basically if you want the job, you're suspect.

The Republicans have a sorry lot speaking up for them these days. Glen Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Bobby Jindal, Cheney, Karl Rove. Speak, boys, speak! None of them is any good ... and people know it.

Cheney - Blah!

You remember Cheney, the ex-vice president and current scumbag extraordinaire? The guy's out of office but that doesn't stop him from doing his level best to muck up the world some more. Of course he doesn't have a shred of dignity, but with his post vice-presidency he's delving into minus points territory.

When he was veep, we had no idea where the idiot was. Now that he's out of office, he's up with the morning sun and basically blocking our view. His dark shadow dims every day. And what's he got to say for himself? Nothing much for himself. But he keeps close tabs on President Obama, and guess what, he doesn't like anything Obama does. That's kind of weird for a guy who ran a warmongering, criminal enterprise while he was in office. It seems like someone like that would at least have enough self-interest to keep his yap shut now.

I'd keep my yap shut if I were him, because of course Obama has enough goods on Cheney to lock him away for life, however short that may be, since he about keeled over from heart troubles 10 years ago. Sheesh.

OK, what terrible thing has Obama done now? Pull Dick's string. Hear Dick speak. Speak, Dick, speak. On second thought, please spare us, moron.

Oh, OK, what's he got to say this time? He's criticizing Obama (yawn) for daring to shake the hand of Hugo Chavez. That's going to make us weak, going to make our enemies think we're pushovers, make .... oh, who cares?

After all, thanks to Cheney's idiotic policies while in office, we haven't got the luxury right this minute of going to war with everyone in the world. Maybe we need to give peace a chance, if that's OK with the war criminals. I say put Cheney on trial. Give him a fair trial. And when the guilty verdict comes in, let the penalty fit the crimes.

Then go after his underling, George W. Bush. He's probably just as guilty. Ignorance is no excuse, right?

Shut Up, Republican Moron

President Obama did the exact right thing in being a nice guy at this meeting of leaders from the western hemisphere. Including Hugo Chavez.

But you know who he probably shouldn't meet with, some of his Republican critics. Who basically spend everyday simply looking for something to nitpick. Here's our loser of the day:

Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) told CNN today that it was "irresponsible" for Obama to be seen "laughing and joking" with the Venezuelan president.

Good grief. You believe in gun rights, right? Shoot me now. This is getting ridiculous.

Yes, maybe Chavez isn't the world's greatest guy. But if we can't engage other people around the world without the Republicans nitpicking and scolding, please, what do these jackals think diplomacy is exactly? You don't need diplomacy only for your friends. In fact, it seems obvious you need it more for those who might not be your friends. Sheesh.

If Obama can be a nice guy, that's being diplomatic. What would Ensign (this jerk) want him to do, spit in Chavez' face?

Anyway, saying Chavez isn't the world's greatest guy isn't to say he's all bad. Remember, he did call George W. Bush "the devil" that one time. He was right on that score. Although it would've been helpful if he'd've added a few choice adjectives, like "George W. Bush is a low down, deceiving, skunk of a devil" or something colorful like that. Just to make it more accurate.

Sarah Palin Is Pro-Choice

From the Washington Post:

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin told an antiabortion audience in Indiana on Thursday night that, "for a fleeting moment," she considered having an abortion after learning that her son Trig would have Down syndrome.

The experience, she added, "now lets me understand a woman's, a girl's temptation to maybe try to make it all go away."

Instead she decided to "walk the walk," saying, "I had just enough faith to know that my trying to change the circumstances wasn't any answer."

Even if it's just for "a fleeting moment" and she decided to "walk the walk," that means Sarah Palin is pro-choice plain and simple.

Same Sex Marriage And The GOP

I see there's a guy -- what's his name? Schmidt or something. He worked for John McCain -- who thinks the GOP ought to embrace same-sex marriage and champion it no matter what religious groups say.

I've thought the same thing about the Republicans, that if they knew what they were doing they'd do this very thing. And some of the same reasons, this guy gives. Such as "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," you know, as inalienable rights. But especially from what I always heard growing up in a Republican household, that the government shouldn't be in your business all the time. That if it's something we could do on our own better than the government, then it's our business to do it, and this meant personal liberties, how to run your life, etc.

In a way I'm very liberal. And in a way I'm very conservative. I'm a Democrat because I think the Democrats are the actual conservatives, in the sense of conserving our liberties and way of life better. They make plenty of mistakes but they're more into conserving the Constitution and the social fabric of the nation. I'm definitely conservative on this point, that by and large what we do ought to be our business. Notice I said "by and large," because it's not "anything goes." We still need someone to say your freedom to punch your fist stops just before my nose.

It's funny that I grew up in a Republican household. I remember being gung ho, hoping Nixon would win in 1968. That's what the family wanted. But by 1972 I was for George McGovern.

Something my parents said several times, and not exactly apropos to this topic, was this, "Any government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take it all away." Yeah, so what? The government is always going to be big enough to bull their way around if that's what they want to do. You notice they have a military? But I don't really need the government to give me everything I want. Because I can get out there and scrape for that. Just step back and leave well enough alone.

But I don't want poor people dying on the sidewalk. Or health care to be such a mess that people are bankrupt just because they get sick. Common sense government is best, apart from the special interests. George Bush had no idea about that, of course. President Obama has a lot better handle on it.