Thoughts from Bill Maher

Did you happen to catch Bill Maher's closing bit the other night? This is great!:


"Mr. President, this job can't be fun for you any more. There's no more money to spend--you used up all of that. You can't start another war because you used up the army. And now, darn the luck, the rest of your term has become the Bush family nightmare: helping poor people. Listen to your Mom. The cupboard's bare, the credit cards maxed out. No one's speaking to you. Mission accomplished.

Now it's time to do what you've always done best: lose interest and walk away. Like you did with your military service and the oil company and the baseball team. It's time. Time to move on and try the next fantasy job. How about cowboy or space man?

Now I know what you're saying: there's so many other things that you as President could involve yourself in. Please don't. I know, I know. There's a lot left to do. There's a war with Venezuela. Eliminating the sales tax on yachts. Turning the space program over to the church. And Social Security to Fannie Mae. Giving embryos the vote.

But, Sir, none of that is going to happen now. Why? Because you govern like Billy Joel drives. You've performed so poorly I'm surprised that you haven't given yourself a medal. You're a catastrophe that walks like a man. Herbert Hoover was a shitty president, but even he never conceded an entire city to rising water and snakes.

On your watch, we've lost almost all of our allies, the surplus, our airliners, two trade centers, a piece of the Pentagon and the City of New Orleans. Maybe you're just not lucky. I'm not saying you don't love this country. I'm just wondering how much worse it could be if you were on the other side.

So, yes, God does speak to you. What he is saying is: 'Take a hint. '"

What's Happening...

I've been checking out the other blogs and came across this great little video:

Click here to watch video

It's just a few minutes long and well worth your time.

I've also noticed a trend lately; there seem to be more desperate right-wing blogs out there. I say "desperate" because previously the right-wing blogs seemed to be of the "nanny, nanny, boo, boo, we won, you lost" variety. Now the blogs come across like pleas from a sinking ship; neocons lashing out at anyone who criticizes their fearless leader. I'm taking this as a good sign.

Think Blue!

Health Care

I took a few days off from blogging...I spent the other day in the emergency room with Maddog. Just dizzy spells, nothing serious; her doctor sent her to the emergency room just to be safe. But it got me to thinking of the millions of Americans who have no health insurance. The Republicans don't want to pay for health care for poor people, but don't they realize they are already paying?

One look around any emergency room waiting area will tell you--the working poor go to the emergency room when they are sick. The hospital will not turn them away just because they can't pay; the hospital will just charge it to the insurance carriers of the people who can pay, through higher costs.

If you don't believe me, just check your statement the next time you go to a hospital. You (or your insurance) are paying $2.00 for a single Tylenol; $20 for a pillow (that you are only renting! You don't even take it home with you!) $5 or more for bandages, and on and on...

When the indigent don't pay, the costs for everyone else goes up; if the costs to the insurance carriers go up, your premiums go up. So don't kid yourself; you are already paying for their health insurance. National health care would be cheaper in the long run, don't you think?

Short Memories

Let's not let the Katrina fiascos crowd out other problems with the current administration. Remember Karl Rove? The Downing St Memo? Non-existent WMDs? I realize there is so much crap coming out of Washington that we have a hard time focusing, but come election time let's not forget all these other boneheaded moves made by the ignoramuses in office.

Hey! I think I just realized why Bush has so many optimistic supporters! With so much crap coming from the White House, his supporters must be looking for a pony in there!

Just for fun--go to Google and type in "failure" and click "I'm feeling lucky" (NOT Google Search) and see what comes up!

Word Of The Day

Ignoramuses - The Bush Administration

Bush's Leadership

I am so tired of hearing from the neocons about how Bush is a great leader because he has the “courage of his convictions” and once he takes a stand, he can’t be swayed. Why do they consider this a positive trait? Isn’t that supreme rigidity?

I think of this analogy—Bush wants to take a road trip south. He has a map, and plans to follow the map all the way. What he doesn’t know when he starts out on the trip is that the road has been washed out (perhaps by Katrina.) A sane person, once receiving this information, would modify their route to avoid the washout; Bush, on the other hand, would continue to follow his map, no matter what, and drive directly off the edge of the washed out road. Once he takes a stand, he can’t be swayed.

We need a Democratic leader with vision, charisma, and the ability to assimilate information rapidly and make decisions on the fly. I’m tired of following Bush off the end of cliffs.

Word of the Day:

Oxymoron - Bush leadership

Another Birthday (not mine)

Happy birthday Chrysti--and anyone else having a birthday today!

We are having a get-together for Maddog's birthday tonight; her birthday isn't until Tuesday, but the weekend usually works out better for celebrating.

I'm supposed to go dancing later on tonight, but not with Maddog; she doesn't dance. I love to dance. Sometimes I think I'm getting too old to go dancing; then I hear they have dances at the senior center. Of course, their dances start at 6:30 so they can be in bed by 10. We're not even going out until after that. I'm railing against getting old; I'm going dancing.

Word of the Day

Conviviality - What we will have this evening!

Pugs and Pets

We have pugs. Or rather, three pugs let us live with them. You know right away whether you are a pug person or not—the pug people have squealed in delight and are now looking for pictures. The non-pug people probably aren’t still reading.

To please the pug people, here is a picture of our precious trio:


From left to right: Weezer, Rosie & Petunia. This was taken back when Petunia was plump; since we discovered she has diabetes, she has been on a restricted diet. She is still the biggest of the trio, but much more svelte.


We also have two cats, Scooter and Bandit. Scooter is shy and delicate; Bandit thinks he is a pug. I don’t have a picture of the two of them together, since Scooter also thinks Bandit is a pug and doesn’t want anything to do with any of them.

We also have a cockatiel named Wild Baby. She and Bandit posed together so I’ve included that picture.


I debated as to whether to include a picture of Scooter; she usually doesn’t let you see her until you’ve been to visit many times. But since you are still reading, I guess you are entitled…



This is Scooter







I may talk about my pets from time to time, so I thought you should meet them.

Word Of The Day

Onomatopoeic – Weezer’s name.

Maddog

My girlfriend, my life-partner, my life…is a Luddite. Not only does she not read this blog, she doesn’t even know I have a blog; in fact, I’m pretty certain she doesn’t know what a blog is.

I tell you that because I may talk about her here from time to time, and as long as you don’t tell her what I say, she will never know.

Today’s Word of the Day:

Luddite - My girlfriend MADDOG.

Closet Democrat

As a lesbian serving in the military, I knew how to stay closeted for self-preservation; it was the only way I could continue serving my country for twenty years. But since my retirement eleven years ago, I have been “out and proud” as they say. I don’t think about it much; I don’t broadcast that I’m gay, but if asked, I’ll answer truthfully. I have not experienced any overt discrimination.

My democratic leanings are another story. All my friends know I’m a Democrat, but I keep my political leanings to myself when out in public. I don’t think even my friends know I’m not “out” as a left-wing liberal. My mother knows, and we argue about it constantly. The gay thing she’s gotten used to; but a left-wing liberal? A Democrat! How could I?

My business associates are, for the most part, Right-wing Republican Neo-Cons and proud of it. I keep quiet so we can continue to do business. I confess, I’m a coward. But we all gotta eat, right?

To be fair, most of them probably don’t even know I’m gay. But I think they would handle that news easier than knowing I voted for Kerry.

Anyway, on National Coming Out Day, I’m thinking of wearing my blue “think Dem” bracelet to my business meeting. Wish me luck.

Today's Word of the Day

Ignominiously - how the hurricane victims were treated by the government. Once again, if you want the dictionary definition, look it up! (The link is in the sidebar.)

Word of the Day

I have often been accused of using big words when little words will do. Since I like using big words, I have decided to add a "Word of the Day" feature to my blogs. I will provide my own definition; however, I have added a link to Dictionary.com in the sidebar for those of you who would like to know the accepted definition. You are welcome to submit your own words for inclusion.

Today's Words of the Day:

OMNISCIENT - What Bush thinks he is.

IMBECILE - What I think Bush is.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday Bonnie, John & Lynn...and anyone else having a birthday today! ;-)

Roberts Hearings

John Roberts used a baseball analogy to describe how he sees his role as a Supreme Court Judge. He says his job is to call balls and strikes, not to pitch or hit. Lets hope that means he won't disturb settled law (e.g. Roe v. Wade.)

I think the left ought to let this one slide, since he probably won't be any further right than the man he is replacing. However, the replacement for Sandra Day O'Connor is now back in the air; let's concentrate on finding a suitable (i.e. woman centrist) replacement for her.

Disaster Predicted - Oct 2004

For those who believed Bush when he said that no one could have predicted that the levees in New Orleans would fail, check out this article from the Oct '04 issue of National Geographic:

National Geographic

Oh, that's right! Bush doesn't read!

ADS

I get tickled by the ads that run alongside this blog; while I was railing against Bush and his ilk, the ads were all geared toward Young Republicans! I can hardly wait to see what shows up next to my bible bashing!

Religion

This is a tough subject; people get so emotionally involved in their religion. Each thinks that theirs is the ONE TRUE Religion. If this sounds like you, I have a few questions for you…

How do you know?

What if you’re wrong?

I was raised Roman Catholic. Attended Catholic schools from kindergarten through eighth grade. I was always in trouble with the nuns for asking questions; in particular, the above two questions. We were taught that God is omniscient; which means, basically that He knows everything. Well, if God knows everything, why hasn’t He figured out how to talk to us directly? Why all the hocus-pocus? And if Jesus Christ died for our sins, why are we still considered sinners? Did he just die for the sins of the people born before him, or for everybody? If he died for my sins already, why do you care if I’m gay? And if the whole purpose of religion is to get you into heaven after you die, why do you want me to go to heaven with you? You don’t even like me! You should be happy I’m not going.

I don’t believe in Hell, and Heaven sounds boring. So quit worrying about my immortal soul and worry about your answers to my questions.

The thing is, I do believe in God, or, at least, some spiritual something outside (or inside) myself. I believe because I pray, and my prayers get answered. (Although, sometimes, I must admit, the answer is “no.”)

What I don’t believe in is the Bible. Or rather, the infallibility of the Bible; I don’t believe God wrote it. I just don’t think God would have made so many mistakes. I do believe the Bible is a collection of books written by people who wanted to introduce God into the lives of their fellow human beings. So in that respect, I do believe the Bible was inspired by God; God was the inspiration for the writers. But, if the Bible is the be-all and end-all that you believe, why are there so many different versions? I’m not talking about different translations, ( of which there are many) but different versions. I know the Douay version of the Bible used by Catholics has a different number of books in it than the Protestant version. What happened? Didn’t like some of what you read?

And don't tell me to read the Bible; I have read it--cover to cover, even the "begets." So don’t quote the Bible to me to prove you are right, or I'll quote you another passage that will prove you wrong. Find another way to make your argument if you want to convince me.

FEMA

I’ve been reading blogs from the right side of the aisle. The main thought about FEMA is that its only job is to coordinate volunteers on the ground, not to actually do anything unless specifically requested, and only if the catastrophe crosses state lines.

I’m not sure I agree with that assessment, but even if it’s true…how do they explain all the muck-ups in misdirected help? For example, FEMA told Charleston, SC to prepare to receive 300 evacuees coming in by plane. Charleston set up shelters, gathered supplies and volunteers, took buses to the airport…and waited. No plane showed up; FEMA had sent the plane to Charleston, WV!

In Jefferson Parish, Wal-Mart loaded three trucks with food and water to send to New Orleans. FEMA, which controlled access to New Orleans, turned them back.

In New Orleans, A Coast Guard ship offered 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel to local officials, but FEMA ordered it to rescind the offer.

Volunteers from Lafayette, La., with 500 boats, headed for New Orleans to aid in rescue efforts, but FEMA turned them back.

Firefighters from Houston, Maryland, Pennsylvania and other places were turned away by FEMA and not allowed to help.

The horror stories go on and on. I’m confused…is this what FEMA was set up to do? If that is the case, do us a favor: when the big earthquake hits Memphis, don’t put FEMA in charge.

Family Matters

I received an email from my 22 yr old niece today; she is in NYC on a two-week vacation. I'm not sure how to take this news; after all, she has been promising to come visit me here in Memphis from her home in Atlanta for about two years now.

I sarcastically tell her that I can see as how it is cheaper, easier, quicker to visit New York! that to visit Memphis, but secretly I envy her. I envy her youth, her adventurous spirit, her complete freedom to just take off and go to New York for two weeks.

She wants to start up a correspondence via email; I think that is wonderful. We last corresponded regularly when she was six or seven, and I was travelling around the world courtesy of Uncle Sam. I like to think she inherited a little bit of her sense of adventure from me.

I'm also hoping that by spending a little time in NY, she will see the world through a different lens than the ultra right-wing conservative Christian lens her parents have shown her. (Her mother, my youngest sister, publishes a Christian newspaper.)

I wish her luck.

Difference between Dems and Reps

I have lived as a democrat in the midst of republicans for most of my life. I grew up in white suburbia, attended private school, and spent 20 years in the military; I now own my own small business and once again live in white suburbia. As a formerly closeted lesbian, I have "passed" as republican on many occasions, so I know the rhetoric--what they tell each other when they think they are with "their kind."

It really comes down to one word--MONEY. Republicans have it, and want to keep it. To them, that means fewer government progams that cost tax dollars. I'm talking about your average, everyday moderate Republican now; not your extremist Rush Limbaugh-type or even your right-wing religious fanatics, but the everyday, working, raising a family, go to church sometimes, law-abiding Republican. There are lots of them, really.

They believe (I'm talking of the ones I know, and I know plenty) in personal responsibility--that you should help people who cannot help themselves, but don't expect them to help people who won't help themselves. And these Republicans see the difference. That's why they'll donate money to Tsunami victims but balk at helping drug addicts.

That's also why there are such mixed emotions about New Orleans. They'll help the ones who had sense to get out, but lost everything. They are not so keen to help the ones who could have gotten out, but didn't. They also think the state of Louisiana should have done more for New Orleans before expecting the rest of the country to bail them out (federal assistance means tax dollars, which means more money out of their pockets.)

They believe the job of the federal government is to provide military to protect us from foreign enemies. That's it. Leave the rest to the state and local governments.

So when an average Republican says no Roe v. Wade, they mean no federal money should be spent on abortions. When they say no equal opportunity or no gay rights, they mean we have enough laws already, don't spend any more money on any more programs.

They are not bad people; they are just selfish. They worked hard for their money (or, in some cases, their parents did) and they really don't want to share, unless they get to choose whom to share with. They think of enforced sharing as socialism, and government-controlled sharing as communism.

Just keep this stuff in mind when you can't believe your own mother voted for George Bush.

Laura Bush in MS

Laura Bush showed up at a school and shelter in DeSoto County, MS today, presumably for a photo op to show her "concern" for the hurricane victims. What many folks may not know is that DeSoto county is a suburb of Memphis TN and is about six hours drive north of any hurricane damage.

I don't buy her act; she may as well have visited a shelter in suburban Maryland.

Katrina Aftermath

My thoughts today (and for the last week) are on Katrina and the aftermath. I've noticed it is always the ones who screwed up who say "now is not the time for finger-pointing."

So perhaps the City of New Orleans should have done more beforehand to get the people out; but once that didn't happen, where was FEMA? And why were they turning away water and buses at the Superdome after anarchy broke out? And how does this buck NOT stop squarely on Bush's desk? Why is it we can help those needy on the other side of the world, but not right here at home? And why are the right-wingers blaming the victims?

Here in Memphis we hear the stories of the evacuees; most I have met here in the white suburbs are other white suburbanites; they had the means and motivation to pack their things in their SUV's and get while the gettin' was good. All is lost. Many will find a job here, have put their kids in school, and will wait for their insurance checks to come in.

But what about the poor? Those who had nothing to begin with, and even less now? I can't believe Bush's mama had the nerve to say they are better off in the Houston Astrodome! Is she kidding? It is obvious that no one in her family even knows one actual poor person (let alone experienced poverty in any generation.) How could one think that being herded like cattle in one room with 15,000 other people could be better that having your own family and your own things around you in your own space, even if it is rented, or even public housing?

Why is it the Christian Conservatives think God is rewarding them by making them rich and punishing the poor people by making them poor? Since when was Christ a proponent of the rich? It seems to me that Christianity teaches exactly the opposite! Anyway, that's a topic for another blog. Type atcha later.

Under Constuction

This is my new blog, where I can rant and rave about all the things my friends are sick of listening to. Just my personal opinions, of course, but I feel I'll explode if I don't express them.

Stay tuned...