IT’S ALL ABOUT POLITICS NOW & #22
May 31, 2006
It seems were really beginning to get with the POLITICAL game now. Hillary Clinton kicked off her re-election bid (and pre-presidential election fund raiser) to the Senate. She wow’d em in Buffalo.
The Republicans meanwhile, found a scapegoat to challenge Hillary for the Senate: doubtful that you’ve heard of Yonkers Mayor John Spencer. Don’t worry about checking him out, he’s not going anywhere.
While all the fuss was going on in New York, Governor Pataki was in Iowa. So, what’s a governor from new York doing in Iowa, besides a commencement address? Yep, just checking the political soil for ‘08.
While he contends that he’s not running for any office, just to save the world from global warming, Al Gore had a few un-kind words for Bush and his administration, “They are a renegade band of rightwing extremists“. Whatever.
It seems that every politician was kicking off their race, kicking their opponent in the groin, or ticking off all the reasons you should listen to them- and contribute. Houston was an exception this day though. Everything had to take a back seat because #22 was back in the fold.
And get this. # 22 will pitch his first game in the Majors on June 22, and his salary is a pro-rated share of $22 million. Sounds like a pretty lucky number- 22!
WE’ RE HEADED TO SUMMER!
May 31, 2006
If you live in Houston, Texas, the next five months. maybe four if we are lucky, are when you wish you lived somewhere else. I am sure there are some that like to sweat, lay around the pool, head to the beach, and pay high utility bills. I’m not one of them.
Being a “Northerner” most of my life, it wasn’t until after July Fourth that we began to think of what we called the “Dog Days Of Summer“. It was a period primarily from July 15 to Aug. 15, if we got lucky. But, in Houston, they can start as early as mid May and end as late as mid October.
The stock market usually comes to a slow grind as well. If there are no big movers or shakers, the market will usually trade in a range. The Dow, being more than 300 points off where it started January 1st, doesn’t have a lot of promise for the next three months.
We could be living in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, or Phoenix, Arizona. But, come to think of it, there’s no humidity in Phoenix. Forecast for Tuesday is 101, but the humidity is only 12%. Who’d ever thought a vacation to Phoenix in June would sound good? Okay then, how about Toronto? Forecast for Tuesday is mostly sunny, high of 67, low of 57
THREE, 800 POUND GORILLAS
May 30, 2006
Stuff has hit that proverbial fan- on Wall Street. Another blood-letting in the market place. The Dow tanken another 184 points and the experts say they don’t get it. Really!
Well, do you think that the Federal debt which has climbed 50% in six years has anything to do with it? The $5.6 TRILLION in 1999 is now $8.3 TRILLION in 2006. After a while it’s just chips at Las Vegas; however, the visitors are running the tables, and I am not sure the “house” has enough to pay off.
Yes, we can keep printing money, and a lot faster than we used to. However, since the US$ has dropped 98% of it’s value in the last 90 years (ever since the Fed was created in 1913 to protect the US$), maybe the continued printing of money can’t be a sustainable plan.
Maybe our annual trade deficit has something to do with the ugly mood. In 2004 our trade deficit was $666 BILLION. In 2005, it was $782 BILLION. And my bet is that 2006 will be higher yet. How long will the other nations continue to extend us CREDIT with MONEY that is worth less and less each year?
My guess is not much longer.
And many other nations are being hit by the economic crush of the last three weeks as well. BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) was looked upon as an emerging economic giant. But they have fallen on hard times as well. The stock markets of the four in order are off 8%, 17%, 14%, and 11%.
I’ve just mentioned three 800 pound gorillas that are jumping up and down on the US markets. And, they are all systemic problems that won’t go away any time soon. And I don’t see anyone big enough or with enough courage to do anything about them!
A DAY TO REMEMBER!
May 29, 2006
Ever since May 5, 1868, we have been remembering our fallen in times of war: mainly our young sons and daughters.
It has been said that in times of peace, sons bury their fathers, but in times of war, fathers bury their sons. Who knows the actual death count? They are individually known by the fathers, mothers, and spouses of those that left and never returned.
What I do know is that as we enjoy our cook outs, mini vacations, time with family and friends, and varied entertainment, we are truly a blessed people: a blessed nation. We are that because we are a nation established under the principles of Almighty God who sent His Son, Jesus Christ into the world, that we might live beyond this natural life. And while we’re here in these natural shells we call our bodies, we’re to prosper mightly as well.
For those that lay in hospital beds with unimaginable wounds, for those who are being rehabilitated back into the work force with great handicaps, and for those who are no longer with us in this world, may God’s grace have been on you. And may it follow you into and throughout all eterity.
I remember you!
WANT SOME ASTONISHING TRUTH?
May 29, 2006
Let’s pull a Jack Nicholson before I begin and ask, “Can you handle the truth“?
Som much of our life is dictated and directed by things we hold as truth, wich are nit. There have been so many things that I have awakened to late in life that simply blew me away. After learning the truth I had to say to myself, why did you believe that crap all your life?
It’s all the negative press out of Iraq that I want to address. If someone is killed, like the recent CBS personnel, we hear about it for days. Every time someone is killed in Iraq the press is prompt to report it. But, can you handle the TRUTH?
Well then, did you know that there are 27 violent deaths per 100,000 people in Iraq? Bet you didn’t! And I bet you, like me, and like the press generally, have no clue what that means comparitively. It would be wrong to compare the New Orleans pre-Katrina death rate because it was the worst in America: twice Iraq!
Yep, there were 53.1 violent deaths per 100,000 people in New Orleans. And, you would be safer in Iraq than five other U.S. cities. Washington D.C. now heads the list since so many have fled New Orleans. D.C. with 45 violent deaths per 100,000. Detroit is second with 41.8, Baltimore third with 37.7, followed by Atlanta and St. Louis.
Hard to believe isn’t it?
Most truth is!
MORE BAD FRENCH WHINE!
May 29, 2006
Well, well, well! The big man of Europe took one on the chin: a big one too. As CNN reported, “French President Jacques Chirac has acknowledged his country’s rejection of the EU Constitution, a result that throws a wrench into the political future of 25 European nations.” Talk about an understatement!
Oh for the days of two years ago when one got all those “feel goods” by trashing George Bush. It was so much easier when all you had to do was call upon national pride and patriotism, and smash-mouth talking down the USA. But this is now, and that was then.
It looks like 56% of the French have voted down the acceptance of the new Constitution. So, what does this mean for a United Europe? Will the Euro continue to fall? Will Chirac have to tone down his egotistic persona? Surely not!
But it does seriously raise the question, where does the European Union go now? More importantly, what does Jacques do? He has spent a decade pushing European unity as an alternative to U.S. imperialism. It will be interesting to see how all of Europe, as well as Chirac, respond to this challenge.
REMEMBERING ARLINGTON CEMETERY
May 28, 2006
If I could choose a place to be today, it would be where Bush ceremonially places a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier- Arlington cemetery.
If you’ve not been there before, there’s no way that I can describe the sacredness of a place where so many people have been buried- that died a violent death. One can get lost for hours just walking through green hill after shaded lawn, reading tomb stones with names long forgotten. People who fought in wars long forgotten and great, great grand sons and daughters who will visit this shrine and stop for a moment to thank those who gave their lives that we might live.
As we Americans enjoy this Memorial Day, more than a hundred thousand of our mostly young citizens, risk their lives every hour. And worst of all, how unfortunate that our president had to sign into a law today the “Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act“. How sad that a church in Topeka, Kansas, made up mostly of relatives took it upon themeselves to harass family members at funerals of those killed in war.
A reminder though as we enjoy this holiday, not all of our enemies are across the pond. A great sickness and powerful for lives among us.
A BRIEF COMMENT ON NOTHING!
May 27, 2006
I was bored. For the first time in a long, long time, I have to agree with the critics. The Da Vinci Code was boring, slow, and I almost dozed off a couple of times.
I was expecting a lot more out of Tom Hanks, a very good actor. However, the role he played and the way Ron Howard directed the movie, there was little opportunity for Tom to demonstrate his skills.
And it was way too long!
Onced again, I think hyper-sensitive and hysterical Christians (talk about an oxymoronic phrase) helped Ron Howard make a lot of money off the movie. Why anyone would stand outside a movie theatre and protest this movie baffles me.
Once again, it’s a MOVIE and it’s FICTION. To that I can also add that it’s a bad movie that will go down as one of the top grossing movies world wide thanks to all the Christian hype.
On to the next big hype!
IT QUACKS LIKE A FILIBUSTER?
May 26, 2006
Tuesday, fourteen so-called centrist Senators (seven Democrats and seven Republicans) foiled Senate Majority Leader, Frist, plans. Oh yes, and a lot of the president’s plans as well.
Less than forty eight hours later the Democrats are stalling the nomination of Bolton. The Republicans tried to must the needed 60 votes to avoid a delay on Boltons nomination, but they fell four votes short (56-44).
Just when John McCain thought he had taken the power away from Frist with his “deal-making”, it just might turn out to favor Frist. There may be fourteen guys in the middle; however, there are forty three guys on either side of them and they are light years apart.
So, where do we go from here? Is there going to be peace in the Senate chambers? I doubt it. Will the compromise deal to kill the “nuclear option” hold. I doubt it even more. Politicians are politicians and ducks? Well, they do quack you know.
HEADED TO THE SUMMER
May 26, 2006
You may have noticed some changes to the web site, and more are on the way as we do some mid year revisions to this site- and actually all of our sites. We’re adding enhancements that will help direct traffic to us. I’ll be recommending books that deal with topics that I am posting, etc.
But, on to the summer!
Construction workers closed down Congress as what they were doing sounded like somone shooting in the Rayburn Bldg garage. I wished we would have thought about it earlier. Someone needs to shut down the Senate that passed a bill which over the next ten years will cost the American taxpayer more than $500 BILLION dollars to fund.
I am confident that the House will not wink. After all they face elections this fall while two-thirds of the Senate does not. You know we’re in trouble when Republicans are joined by Ted Kennedy in a bill. The Hosue is much closer to the “conscience” of America. And don’t expect an agreement of the Conference Comittee in a few weeks: maybe never.
Hopefully the three day week away will let a more sane approach to immigration settle in. I doubt if anything can make George Galloway look half way civilized after his crazed comments yesterday.
Anyway may you and yours have a safe and sane three day holiday, and I’ll be writing a couple times in those three days: probably from my back yard- unless it rains of course.
PS. After Monday, you can wear white.
ROVE vs. CARVILLE IN 2008?
May 25, 2006
We’re three and a half years away from electing a new President of these United States, but we’re only eighteen months from when the horses will be ushered into the gates. Presidential races in America are now two year campaigns.
There have been dozens of speculations as to who the Republicans will put on the track to run against Hillary. I am sure that there will not be a repeat of the 2004 campaign where the Democrats had nine horses in the race, with one dropping out each month. It’s obvious that Kerry and his running mate, Edwards, would like to run again, but not with each other.
Most pundits would say that each will give it a go as long as they can hoping to secure the number two spot- on Hillary’s ticket. Is there anyone who doubts Hillary has her sights on being back in the White House? The only question is who will the Republicans put in play.
One of the most interesting conspiracy theories to come into play is not Condi vs Hillary, but Laura vs. Hillary. Laura? Laura who? The Laura that is now taking many high profiles trips and public appearances: Laura Bush.
But, if we do in fact have such a match up, the battle would not be as much about two women running as to the two political mavens that would be directing their campaigns and their speech writers. And while I highly doubt Laura-Hillary, a Karl Rove vs James Carville, behind the scenes, campaign shoot out would be more than exciting.
LEARNING LESSONS THE HARD WAY
May 25, 2006
Experiences change us all and hopefully we are left BETTER and not BITTER as a result of our encounters with life. War is an even more costly tutor.
Both Bad Boyz (Bush & Blair) admitted finally to the many mistakes that were made in Iraq in a news conference today. Bush said that he regretted the tough cowboy talk of “bring it on” and other statements that played well before his conservative base, but didn’t sit well with the rest of the world.
And then there were things like flying and landing a plane on an aircraft carrier and proclaiming “Mission Accomplished” Ahh, we all can tell of things that we wished we could take back. So many things we’d like to “do over”. As Bush wishes he could do things differently in Iraq, Clinton wishes he could have not met Monica. Carter wishes he would have handled the hostage crisis differently.
How about you?
Every now and then you can roll a 4 the hard way, if you know what I mean. There is a reason for the high odds though- the gamble is a tough one. Sometimes it’s just better to play the PASS line. At least I’ve learned that from Vegas and other lessons along the way.
TO SHOOT OR NOT TO SHOOT?
May 24, 2006
Is that really the question? If we can’t figure out how to keep single engine planes out of the D.C. fly zone, how in the world are we going to keep the serious guys with big planes, or rockets, away from the Bush White House?
Last week we saw sound byte after sound byte with people running down the driveway, away from the Capitol. VP Cheney was hurried into the basement of the White House. Why? A small single engine plane with a novice pilot had entered the no fly zone. And couldn’t we have figured out who and what it was before instigating an evacuation? Authorities knew what kind of plane it was. Jets scrambled, the plane was forced to the ground, and America was once more safe. Really!
NORAD spent something like one million dollars to set up a laser system that could track planes. One problem. The lasers don’t work if it’s a cloudy day. Opps.
So, do we revert to shooting the planes out of the sky? I can’t believe there is talk about that. And so you shoot a plane down and it crashes into an office building or busy intersection, killing dozens and doing hundreds of millions of dollars of damage. When it comes to the no fly zone, I say make it also a no shoot zone.
CONGRESSIONAL SCANDAL de JOUR
May 24, 2006
Well let’s see who is being investigated by whom and why. The Democrats are finding that throwing the first rock just might not work in the ‘06 fall elections. I know that the wheels of justice grind slowly, but we’re in need of a whole new defintion for slow.
Is the grand jury still investigating Democratic Congresswoman (Cynthia McKinney) from Georgia on assaulting a police officer? It’s been what- going on two months now? We all know that Democratic Congressman William Jefferson is under investigation for allegedly taking a $100,000 pay off and stuffing it in his freezer. But that was last year. How long does it take to file a charge?
Nancy Pelosi has distanced herself from McKinney and has asked Jefferson to resign from his committee spot. I mean if this keeps up the “Republican culture of corruption” the Democrats want to run on, may not work. You think?
And just when you think it’s the end of the news cycle day, here comes a report and a denial just as fast that Republican Hastert is not under investigation. Will anyone remember the NOT? You don’t suppose ABCNews had any bias in starting the rumor do you?
It makes a person wonder why another nation would want to embrace our system doesn’t it. It certainly makes it harder to pretend we have the high moral ground: in America or anywhere else in the world.
Stay tuned for Thursday’s scandal.
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