Thursday, May 14, 2009

Bill Clinton: Cheney should stick to target practice « - Blogs from CNN.com

CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive - Bill Clinton: Cheney should stick to target practice « - Blogs from CNN.com

And Clinton should stick to interns.

Low. Hanging. Fruit. I pluck it.

Palin Ties Miss California to Obama & Clinton - The Note


Palin Ties Miss California to Obama & Clinton - The Note


The elephant in the room that nobody speaks of. Plenty of Americans don't support gay marriage, and if you are a politician of the democrat persuasion; don't worry about losing votes. After all, who will those gay men and women vote for if not you? Certainly not the republicans. They're evil, you know? So if you're a democrat talk a good game during primaries knowing that no real changes will have to be made which might cost votes later. Like Charlie Brown knows that Lucy will just jerk the football away at the last second but hoping that she won't. Even Andrew Sullivan is starting to see the light.
With Clinton, we were the means to raise money. With Bush, we were the means to
leverage votes by exploiting bigotry. Obama seemed
in the campaign to promise
something else.
Again, at the risk of being an asshole, I told you so. Well, not Andrew Sullivan, but anyone who would listen. By the way, who is exploiting bigotry here? Democrats know gays generally don't vote republican. Knowing that the gay vote is safe the politicians know they won't have to take any unpopular action. Who would have thought that we would look back on Ronald Reagan favorably when remembering the Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA) and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell?" Yet Clinton signed the DOMA and as a result of his "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, the number of gay soldiers kicked out doubled. Yet Clinton tried to trumpet himself as some beacon of light to the gay.

A gay coworker (the most misogynistic person I know) still has a man-crush on Hillary and has never been an Obama Man. When Bush came into office at least he was honest about what he intended to do about gay rights: nothing. And nothing is what he did. As advertised. Now BH Obama is in office and all during the presidential campaign season talked a great talk about how things would change with him as president, and how they would be for the better. Conveniently those who supported him disregarded word that he was personally opposed to gay marriage the way republicans ignored GW Bush's penchant for spending (other people's) money.
So who is the worst of these three people: WJ Clinton, GW Bush, or BH Obama? At least Bush wasn't a hypocrite and as far as I can tell didn't make things worse for the gay. Clinton did make things worse for the gay, and Obama looks to do nothing in defiance of his own promises. So rail on all you like about the eeevil republicans; at least we don't make things worse for the gay.

So if measured objectively, Ronald Reagan, Herbert Bush, William Clinton, George Bush, and Barack Obama seem to have the same beliefs about right for the gay. The same ones shared by Sarah Palin and our new Miss USA. Just don't say that out loud.

BHO Signals A Change To Illegal Drug Policy

White House Czar Calls for End to 'War on Drugs' - WSJ.com

The Obama administration is likely to deal with drugs as a matter of public health rather than criminal justice alone, with treatment's role growing relative to incarceration, Mr. Kerlikowske said.

Well, why not? We don't even wage war against enemies anymore; just "overseas contingency operations." Seriously though, the whole War On Drugs has been going on forever, and as far as I know, drugs aren't any harder to get today than they were back in the 1980s. Legalizing the growing, possession, and use, of marijuana would be a wonderful start. Its time to stop pretending that smoking dope will somehow all by itself ruin the life of anyone.

I wish I could remember who wrote it, but recently another blogger noticed that the last three presidents all smoked pot and look how they turned out.

See, I don't think BHO is wrong about everything.

Rep. Shadegg Dismisses Rush Limbaugh As Just ‘A Television Personality’

Think Progress » Rep. Shadegg Dismisses Rush Limbaugh As Just ‘A Television Personality’

Like many of my lefty friends, Shadegg doesn't seem to know much about who he criticizes. News flash, hombre: Limbaugh is a radio personality. Its no wonder that modern republicanism is drowning in a sea of mediocrity.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

The CIA is Non-Partisan (sorta)

Democrats: CIA is out to get us - Manu Raju - POLITICO.com

So now that democrats are taking the same CIA leaking-document beating that GW Bush did these last many years, it's "interesting." And "out to get us?" Boy that sounds weak.

The CIA has long been on the receiving end of harsh rebukes from Congress — on intelligence failures leading up to the war in Iraq, on secret prisons abroad and on the harsh interrogation techniques used on terrorism suspects. But with the release of records showing that it briefed members of Congress along the way, the CIA has effectively put lawmakers on the defensive.

No shit, Sherlock. How can seasoned politicians and congress-critters feign surprise that the CIA refuses to let itself be made a fool of without documents embarassing to the politicians getting leaked? It was all glee and chortles when it was Chimpy McFlightsuit taking the heat, but Pelosi seems to have lost her sense of humor. Sucks to be you.

Barack Obama and Miss America Agree











So Miss America (Carrie Prejean) and Barack Obama have the same view on gay marriage. Anyone who didn't already know this hasn't been paying attention these last few years. Perhaps those who now exhibit outrage at the beliefs of this relatively inoffensive young girl thought that BHO was just lying, pandering to those who also didn't believe in gay marriage. News flash for y'all: he wasn't lying. BHO doesn't believe in gay marriage. He has made no move to recind "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," although with just his signature he could end enforcement of the policy. You got what you voted for.
Myself, I'm all for letting anyone get married who wants to. A man to a woman, a man to a man, a woman to a man, two men to a woman, three women to each other, I don't really care. I'm also all in favor of letting "practicing" and openly gay people serve unfettered military careers. Believing otherwise isn't compatible with a philosophy that values freedom and liberty. However in a free nation everyone should also be allowed to have their own opinions, even Miss America. Even BHO.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Apparently Clarence Thomas Isn't Black (enough) To Support Leah Sears

Friendship With Conservative Thomas Complicates Supreme Court Chances for Georgia's Sears - washingtonpost.com

I can't say that I always have agreed with Clarence Thomas, or that I would ever agree with
Leah Sears, but their long-time friendship should be a favorable marker for each. Its also saddening to hear "black leaders" talk about how great it will be to finally get a black person in the US Supreme Court. Because you know, Thomas isn't really black. You know, he doesn't vote the way "real" black people vote. Tyrone Brooks seems to represent that opinion well.
State Rep. Tyrone Brooks, president of the Georgia Association of Black Elected
Officials, also begged off. "I would have been a hypocrite to go up there, skin
and grin, smile and shake hands," he said. His deep disdain for Thomas trumped
pride in Sears's accomplishment. "[I] don't think we have any black people on
the Supreme Court. It's not just the pigmentation of skin. It is philosophy, and
even though Justice Thomas has our skin, he really does not vote the way African
Americans would have him vote."

He seems to think that judges should make decisions based on something other than laws. Maybe my doctor will operate on my knee based on something other than medical training too. Sounds like a great idea. Maybe policemen should also perform their job without looking to the law to guide their actions. Who needs objective standards and binding laws anyway? Because Thomas doesn't vote the way Tyrone Brooks thinks he should not only is Thomas a traitor, he loses his race. The temerity: Thomas identifies more with his citizenship than his melanin. Though unsaid since Brooks doesn't see Thomas as black I'd guess he classifies Thomas as "white." You know, the enemy. Ugh. So much for hope and change.

T.I. Goes To Prison (Finally)

T.I.: Responsibility Is A Lifestyle: It's Time to Bury Da Beef

T.I. is headed to prison for a year, for "being in the possession of illegal firearms." Actually he was convicted of possessing machine guns and silencers unlawfully, and possession of firearms in general. Machine guns and silencers can legally be purchased in the United States, but are highly-regulated and subject to many, many restrictions. Having these items without going through the proper procedures is a federal crime. Additionally, convicted felons cannot possess any firearms legally.
Anyway, T.I. (aka Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr.) as he is about to begin his prison term, says

I made some bad decisions. I broke the law and will accept my punishment. With
deep reflection about where my life was headed, I have begun the process of
redemption, and decided that before I go to prison, I want to speak to young
people about responsibility as a lifestyle.

Laudable sentiments, certainly. Then this;
I hope that through my mistakes, young people can begin to learn, as I did, that
we have to put our guns down and start to give our guns back. It pains me inside
to hear about so many of our people dying because of gun violence. Just in the
past weeks, a 13-year old boy was shot in the head in Harlem, a 17- and a
19-year old were murdered in a double homicide in Queens and a 15-year-old was
chased, beaten, shot and burned in Chicago.

Hey, T.I., how about this? Maybe hoodlums should stop shooting people in the head. Its not like handguns get that restless feeling that says they could use some more drugs, or get upset other guns are moving into their territory, or get jealous because the other gun gets to go to the rifle range instead. People do the deed of shooting other people in the head. People do not die from gun violence. People die from people violence. Many of my friends are gun owners and I can't say that any have shot others in the head or otherwise.
T.I. is going to prison because he is a convicted felon who bought machine guns and silencers. He will get to spend much quality time with people who don't need guns to do violent deeds. T.I. got off light, anyway. Federal sentencing guidelines are much harsher than twelve months for this crime, more like 57 months. Nice talking about taking responsibility after getting a sweetheart deal.

RIP; Herbert F. Kornfeld Dead at 34

White-On-White Violence Claims Life Of Accounts Receivable Supervisor The Onion - America's Finest News Source

A sad day for middle management thugs everywhere.  It' hard out there.

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

National Journalists Take A Lunch Break

Obama, Biden raise some Hell Burgers - White House- msnbc.com:

Another in a series of in-depth mainstream media investigative reports. President Obama was driven to Virginia today, with Vice-President Joe Biden to get lunch.
Anyone who says that the national press are poodles for Obama just have to read the news to discover differently. This is important stuff, people. This is what they talked about in journalism school. This is the fourth estate.

Democrats wallow in a 'culture of corruption'

Democrats wallow in a 'culture of corruption' - Los Angeles Times

The headline speaks for itself. Look, it took the National Enquirer to do actual journalistic investigation to expose John Edwards' misdeeds even as he ran for the presidency. What objective evidence is there that the national media is willing to look into political corruption unless said politician's name precedes an (R)?
The money quote is the first sentence;
Some days you have to ask yourself, my God, what if these people were Republicans?

No way, really? I really can't bear to write any more.

Sunday, May 03, 2009

Hard-Hitting Journalism Takes A Walk, Softball Journalism Goes To Work

Obamas take a walk, holding hands in the evening

With the wallowing economy, two wars, enormous corporate bankruptcies, pandemic threats, brewing eternal house and senate corruption scandals, its great to know that our mainstream media is on top of things. Asking the hard questions, holding feet to fires, and staying detached from the powerful elite they counterbalance. Any word on what shoes Michelle was wearing?
As Glenn Reynolds would say, "The country is in the best of hands."

Friday, May 01, 2009

Is Favre Retired, And Are you Tired Of Hearing This?

Brad Childress: Vikings will likely discuss Favre - NFL - SI.com

I have to admit that while professional sports are perhaps different than other jobs, they are still jobs. If some fool wanted to pay high-market rates for my services ($6-10 million plus) then why on earth wouldn't I take it? Who ever heard anyone ask if a nurse was worried about spoiling their legacy if they accepted a promotion, or questioned the wisdom of a trucker whose old company laid him off accepting a job with another trucking outfit? If Brett Favre wants to play football and the Vikings (or another team) wants him, then by all means, Brett: tear it up.
If Favre does go to the Vikings, and they beat Green Bay then Ted Thompson (the GBPs general manager) will look like an enormous douchebag for running him out of town. If he plays poorly then Thompson will be vindicated. However, anyone who questions the wisdom of a 39 year-old man accepting a highly-paid job offer for work which he is well-qualified, well that's just nuts. If my employer puts me out to pasture then why the hell wouldn't I take great offer from someone else if I still wanted to work?
I've been playing rugby for over 20 years now and I know I'm not the player I was ten years ago. I'm willing to be a backup and occasional starter now because as much as I love playing rugby I like the people I play with just as much. A generic rugby team is a pretty good bunch of guys and so is, I'd guess a generic professional football team.
So Brett, go ahead and play for whomever you like. Just don't expect Green Bay to cut you any slack.

What is Genius?

Op-Ed Columnist - Genius - The Modern View - NYTimes.com

Genius is not about being, rather becoming. That at least is what some researchers believe. The idea is that a certain flair or talent is only enough to ante into the game whose payoff is genius. To achieve the prize requires countless hours of metaphorically backbreaking labor with guidance along the way to stay focused and on track. The old perspiration/inspiration ratio I suppose.
The point is, keep working at what you love, learn as much as you can about it, and find a expert to watch over and guide you. Once one masters an art/craft/skill then and only then can the present boundaries of the possible be stretched and expanded.
So, get to work.