Impeach!! Impeach!! Impeach what??

I came across a website this morning that called for the impeachment of President Bush.. Well - all of this is fine and dandy until we start looking at the chain of command here: Impeach Bush we get Cheney... Not exactly the best #2 position one would hope for -- but even if we removed the top two ... then we get into the Republican leadership..

So - let's not get too saucy with the whole impeachment movement because it would take several cycles before finding someone both sides would be agreeable towards....

Therefore, I can't agree that Bush needs to be impeached -- why not??

Because if you're really serious about changing the leadership of this country, you have to move the barometer -- which is a lot harder than merely replacing the guy who's HOLDING the barometer.. Just like the weather: the constant shift of barometric pressure happens over a span of time, measured in microsteps, thousand's of an inch -- and this is how we can effectively shift the public's opinion about how this administration is guiding us..

Having said this, the Republicans are doing a fine job imploding on their own without any real help here.. So while the radio heads at Air America and other shows continually apply pressure on their listeners to be angry about it - I'm erring on the side of caution on this one.. Because we're still a deeply divided country and that carries a substantial problem when you're trying to sway public opinion..

I read a flurry of posts regarding something that was said in a forum awhile back -- that illustrates the wanton blindness that the Republican followers have when confronted toe-to-toe with a Democrat ranter.. It's scary and it accomplishes nothing.. The Blindman continues to push blindly into the thorny bush while the Ranter yells and screams at him..

It ... accomplishes ... nothing ...

And here's where I get off the Democrat train - because up until now there hasn't been any sort of push to further any sort of tangible agenda that people could latch on to.. The Democrats are so involved with attack, attack attack -- it's really no question when they don't garner any support..

So another lesson for the Democratic Party: if you're going to scream, then don't expect to win a lot of support from the other side.. You've got to assume that there's very little middle ground here and you've got to start winning the public image war.. This is where the Republicans beat you in 2000 and in 2004..

Improve the image.. Hammer the message and quit the yak yak attacks.. Persuade with intelligent, sound opinions.. The Republicans will continue to implode because they have nothing else better to do.. Their time has come and it's happening now..

The Democrats are missing out on an opportunity - and that's why I don't always sign on to what they are doing because they don't get it.. But until someone steps forward and says: "hey, we gotta change" then the Dems are always going to be in the child seat in the car.....

Drop the impeachment talk - and let's start giving the American people a logical argument for the real life problems that are happening today....

Bush Knew

A powerful and seemingly accurate portrayal of a President in crisis:

http://www.takebackthemedia.com/true911.html

Posturing...

The mud continues to sling from both sides..

It's amazing..

The majority of Americans question our motives in Iraq.. Democrats are calling for a timetable.. Bush said basically: we'll leave when we leave..

*sighs*

Congressman John Murtha of Pennsylvania reiterated a logical resolve when he said that the removal of US forces sends a strong signal to the Iraqi people that we have no interest in occupying their country.. Bush's assertion that we needed to stay until the Iraqi security was able protect themselves from the insurgents..

Okay - Murtha's comments make a lot of sense really..

Because as the Iraqi people are made aware that we are not looking to occupy their country -- then maybe there will be enough incentive to stand up for themselves..

See?? That makes sense..

But for Bush to agree with that - it would mean that his "ace in the hole" is gone.. Because without the war on terror - this President has NO clue how to govern without the war on terror; because this President knows ONLY how to govern with a war on terror in the background..

That's one thing that I wanted to mention..

Then there's Bush's reaction to the comments that Murtha is just like Michael "Fahrenheit 9/11" Moore.. Most notably was this quote:

"People should feel comfortable expressing their opinions about Iraq,"

Whoa -- wait a second..

We *CAN* have differing opinions about Iraq without feeling as though we are anti-American?? Wow.. Times really have changed..

Let's not forget that it wasn't that long ago that this administration came out and claimed that Democrats were wanting to re-write history.. Wow..

We'll see how long this lasts..

Re-writing history??

George Bush is now slamming the critics of the war saying that it's an attempt to re-write history...

Well George, it would've been helpful if the truth came out so history didn't have to be re-written.....

We're moving to Pennsylvania

Finally..

The people of Dover, Pennsylvania used their common sense, rather than succumbing to the pundits who believe in "Intelligent Design.."

For those that think that term sounds familiar, but they don't know why - it's the belief that the universe is so complex, we're unable to figure it out - hence, God must've done it....

Now let's think about that just a little closer..

Pat Robertson wants Intelligent Design to be taught in schools to basically offer that when it can't be explained, God must've done it.. But hold on Pat.. All of the physicists that explored the concept of the electron actually benefited you directly because, without this exploration there would be no power, no television and hence, no 700 Club..

So let's consider that there are some things that we can't explain.. I'm cool with that.. Scientists are cool with that.. Because there is the commonly held belief that our understanding evolves with time, with education, with experience.. When we consider that everyone in the world believed the earth was flat -- it took the courage of Aristotle to say: "no, I believe the earth is round.." This is compelling because by holding onto the belief so tightly -- it restricts our ability to explore and the better understand our own existence..

Which I guess is the key considering that Pat Robertson and others like him have no desire for science to better explain where we came from and why.. That's why "Intelligent Design" seem to be a popular one for those that believe that we should not explain everything in the universe because it would dramatically affect the biblical writings which is supposed to be the "end all" of everything..

Unfortunately, no amount of praying would have helped the flood victims in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.. Unfortunately for "Intelligent Design" - science eventually has to intervene so that we can institute as many preventive measures as possible to secure the safety and well being of our society.. This is key because of the necessity of science in our lives to help combat drought conditions, social-economic planning, building and infrastructure -- not to mention seeking new alternative fuels, invention and inspiration.. On a global scale, science seeks answers that may someday help alleviate or lessen the effect of earthquakes, floods, hurricanes - not to mention epidemics like that continually evolve..

So..

If we stop exploring..

If we stop dreaming..

If we stop trying to find answers..

We will succumb..

And it will be then that Pat Robertson's prophesy will finally come true: "I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover: If there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God. You just rejected him from your city."

Spoken from someone who has ordained that feminism encourages women to "kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians."

Guess what Pat - sometimes the letter of the book is not as important as the spirit in which it was written.. So far, your Intelligent Design agenda isn't looking very smart right now..

Kudos to the folks in Dover, Pennsylvania for making a stand and by doing the smart thing..

Wait - what - hold on...

A recent study shows that there is more sex on TV than there was in 1998..

Now hold on a second..

Think this through..

We have a group of people, a family foundation, who actually sits with a bean counter to chart how much sex is on TV..

Now how screwed up is that??

Oh - wait - a little under-reported factoid I learned this week that there are conflicting studies suggesting that video-game violence is actually going *down* even with all of these video games out there.. So if violence is actually going down - contrary to the pundits who believe that video-game violence promotes the youth of today from committing crime..

Oh - wait - that goes against the sterilization of America that groups like the Kaiser Family Foundation because we need to think alike, be alike, and live alike..

So what does sex have to do with it?? Because if kids see it, they will want to do it... But wait - kids don't have to see it on Desperate Housewives in order to do it... They are going to do it regardless if Teri Hatcher is doing it - so I'm thinking "what's the big diff??" It's not as though there has been a pregnancy BOOM since 1998..

Look, kids are going to get pregnant if they have unprotected sex.. End of story..

And if adults are offended by the content -- guess what -- it's called "change the channel.." A novel concept invigorated in the 1950's when the advent of the television spread across the U.S.. The little clicker works much the same way -- and if the Kaiser Family Foundation can't figure out how to run the little clicker - then they have no right to conduct a study on the merits and demerits of the programming that is coming out..

Because it still comes down to a right to choose.. And that's what gets lost in the study.. Because if the FAMILY Foundation can't teach the FAMILY on the merits of making good programming choices for their FAMILY to watch, then I really don't care that there is an increase in sex scenes, because I CAN make that choice myself... More importantly, I AM responsible enough to make that choice so that I live a nice moral life - without the blessing of the Family Foundation and it's idiotic study..

It always amazes me that groups like this make it a societal problem when it's an individual's responsibility in the upbringing on one's family.. Moreover, it wants to intercede in the lives of everyone to make their message: "Kids who have repeated exposure to sexual content become sexually active at an earlier age." Wow, my first-immediate-knee-jerk reaction was: "in all of this talk about values and family, where are the parents and why did this go undetected on their radar screens??" Oh wait - it's not the PARENT's fault, it's ABC, NBC and Fox's fault....

But what this report fails to mention is that SEX - IS - EVERYWHERE.. There's sex in the music that your children purchase from WalMart, there's depictions of sex in most famous art works, there's sex in movies, in videos, on DVD's.. Sex is mentioned in video games, it's being taught in schools, sex is even being discussed in church on Sundays.. It's online, in magazines, in our newspapers, on the radio, on our billboards, in our advertisements and in almost every aspect of our day to day activities.. Where are those bean counters when they walk to get their latte from Starbucks??

So my point is: why aren't they attacking Cosmo?? Why aren't they going after the church for the Christmas services?? Why aren't they trying to re-write the school's curriculums, blowing up libraries, ripping text books, banning CD's, burning DVD's and breaking art pieces.. Why not make a law prohibiting sex at all??

Because if I can't screw like the Kaiser Family Foundation wants me to, then I should be sent to jail because of it.. Because the Kaiser Family Foundation obviously knows the life I should lead better than I do...

Huh??

"We Do Not Torture..."

....um.... Abu Ghraib??

News Nuggets and commenture

The French

(and with apologies to Bill Maher)

"New Rule": France can no longer claim that Americans are too lazy to react to anything. It seems that it has taken 11 straight nights of civil disobedience, destruction, and anarchy before President Jacques Chirac *finally* believes it was finally time to say something against the rioting that – at last figures – resulted in "nearly 1,300 [ablazed] vehicles and torched businesses, school and symbols of French authority..."

Now – what bothers me the most about this little ditty is the fact there has been no official word from his staff – aside from a brief statement made by Chirac’s spokesman…

Wow – I think the French have been reading too much "My Pet Goat" that seems to dull their lax response to 11 straight nights of chaos and disruption…


The Brownie Effect

Any doubt that this administration lacks the fortitude to putting the right personnel in the right positions can be quickly addressed by the recent Michael Brown emails that are currently circulating.. Indeed, someone who clearly showed no compassion, action, or competence seems to be a standard put out by this administration.. Disappointment is only filled with the expectation that this government lacks any foresight in their nominations and placements..

And to believe that we’re just supposed to expect Bush to be making good, rationale decisions about his choices for the courts?? C’mon... Bush just isn’t good at hiring people – that job should be left to someone else ... oh wait – unless you’re "owed" or something like that for helping out his elections or his administration in some way…


The Rove

Maybe the lights are finally shining where they needed to be.. Hopefully my earlier prediction that nothing would happen to the man in the Teflon suit – yet, I realize we’re still within the process.. If in fact this is a small sign of things to come, then I will continue to hope and pray that this is a signal of things shifting towards the middle once more.. Almost anything would be preferred than the direction this administration has taken us..


The Greedy

Oh – the surprise that gas prices have fell on average of 23 cents ever since both sides of the political aisle threatened hearings over collusion and price gouging on the heels of record breaking profits….


The Democrats grow a backbone...

In a move that many are heralding as "finally," Harry Reid, a Democrat from Nevada – recently invoked a rare "Rule 21" wherein the Senate was emptied so that they could discuss the ongoing investigation about the 9/11 mistakes made by this administration.. The question remains if it was "too little, too late" or whether it was truly the only available time to invoke such an act given that this administration has been torpedoed repeatedly lately..

Still - I like the move, I just hope we can save the ship before it takes on a lot more water...

FINALLY - a war he can win!! (the flu war)

I'm not even sure where to begin with this one -- but Bush is announcing his "strategy" to battle the flu....

For one, I didn't know we needed a flu-strategy and for two - why is Bush announcing a strategy when it's believed to be a world-wide pandemic??

Why isn't the UN, the Red Cross and other world health organizations being apart of this "strategy??"

Oh - wait -- I understand it now.. Bush has earmarked $6.5 billion for the "preparations.." Or as it's also known as: "the pharmaceutical company preparations.."

And this is what I don't like..

This Administration is so completely interwoven with all of its special interests: the pharmaceuticals, the petroleum industry, the military complex, the church -- that they are governing this nation based on those that stand to benefit the most..

Do we need a strategy?? My answer comes with a question: "why don't we have a strategy already??"

9/11, Katrina, now a flu pandemic ... we seem to have a President that likes to spend a lot of time planning and not much doing.. It's sad and sorry..