We had stop off at Walmart on an errand and as we were going in, I noticed a pair of women outside doing a petition to cut taxes. I didn't say anything, neither did Darby. But I just shook my head and went into the store. And I was a very good boy until we came out of the store.
That's when one of the women asked if we were registered voters. Darby said yes and kept moving (actually directing me) to our car because she knew what was going to happen if she got my attention. The woman than asked if we would be interested in paying lower taxes and that was the end of me being a good boy....
I politely walked over there and asked her what this was about.
She pointed to the back of her clipboard and there are three bills that they want to get petitioned to scale back the taxes we pay.
Maybe this woman hasn't bothered to read the headlines of late or maybe she doesn't care -- but fortunately for all three of us standing around her table, I'm pretty up on the news and ramifications of such a thing. I asked her if she knew that the state was in bad financial shape at the moment.
That's when she pointed again to the back of her clipboard saying that this wouldn't go into effect until 2011.
2011?
What difference is it going to make if it's 2011, 2012, or 2020?
I explained to her that I'm all for paying lower taxes, but at the cost of getting rid of programs and laying off overworked employees who have already been asked to sacrifice -- and then I said:
"You do realize that prisons are going to let their inmates out if there's no funding, surely you don't think that would be a good idea, do you?"
"No, that wouldn't be good." she said in the most meekish of tones.
Which is really the point. If we're going to cut state revenues then essential programs are already being targeted. Essential services would have to be cut. Are we comfortable with a maxed police department - which in some cities can barely keep up with the log of stuff because they are so overwhelmed. Are we comfortable by over extending our fire deparments in the same stroke of the brush?
What gets me is that these folks have no concept for how things get paid to do projects in this nation. Our roads, our bridges, our new pipelines, not to mention the core of the education system is largely funded by local and state government money. At a time when these agencies and institutions are having a very difficult time resolving their budget crises -- do we really want them to break in half, go bankrupt or diminish to the point of negative returns?
The states getting most of the headlines these days are California and Michigan. California is on the brink of bankruptcy and Michigan has over 18% unemployment and 22% drop of revenue. The governor of Michigan has said that the government will have to shutdown because it does not have enough money to stay open.
Which is EXACTLY what has been done to Colorado state workers for the last 5+ years in the form of substantial cuts, furloughs and mandatory time off. You never hear about it though because they can't say anything on their behalf. So as a matter of principle -- I felt compelled to address the issue and hopefully educate.
Unfortunately I don't believe it mattered. Darby mentioned how she was placating me - and deep down I knew that. But if you're going to invite people into the discussion, you may want to be prepared for what may come up.
I don't know how many people signed her petition -- I only saw a small handful of signatures on one page, but I hope some folks do stop, think and consider both ends of the debate before affixing their signature to something that could be potentially damaging in the long run.
Does Colorado really want to look like California in 3 years?
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Teflon Thinking....
The polls conducted this past week are nothing short of incredibly ... stupid.
Fifteen percent of Republicans polled DO NOT believe that Medicare is a government program. Fifteen percent! When you take the other health care reform myths that are out there - the Republicans have been biting at things hook, line and sinker. The poll took into consideration where these folks get their news from ....
....Fox News of course.
Which ties into an amateur video we found recently where they interviewed people outside the Grand Junction town hall -- where they are adamant that Fox News is fair and balanced.
Unbelievable.
But the other night we watched the Rachel Maddow show when she had Bill Maher on. I must say, Bill is spot on with why Republicans continue to think the garbage that is being dished out to them. Even in the face of fact after fact -- they continue to tow the conservative anchor with them.
Bill's rationale? Republican-minded folks aren't interested in facts, they're interested in things that FEEL RIGHT. For example:
- No weapons of mass destruction
- No connection between Iraq and Al Qaeda
- Even an admittance that the charges of WMD were trumped up
- Even disavowing every soul that tried to lend credibility to the discussion
- Even discounting and dismissing those specialists who are leaders in their field
- Even blatantly ignoring the incredible interrogation techniques by Saddam's CIA handler
You STILL have Republicans who are adamantly CONVINCED that not only was there a link between Saddam and Bin Laden, but there were weapons of mass destruction when there was absolutely nothing found before or after.
Even when confronted with indisputable facts -- Republicans insist on siding with "what feels right" because they can't stand to be wrong. It's not in their programming. Bush couldn't admit it. Cheney never will, nor will Rove. And in the eyes of the punditry like Hannity and Limbaugh, it's gospel. Every talking point feeds their insatiable appetite because if it comes from their puppet-master of choice - then "by golly, it has to be true."
Republicans simply can't accept how far out of touch they are - and yet - they insist the sky is green and the grass is blue because someone told them so. I guess that's why there's such a diverse way of thinking in the liberal side of things because we are smarter and don't need to be hand-fed the talking points that come from a self-absorbed entertainer. We are free-thinkers with a lot of different ideas and for that - we're able to make smarter decisions rooted in reality than trying to trump up some ridiculous lie such as Palin's "death panels."
With as many lies that the Republicans weave -- it's no surprise to me to hear about Tom Ridge's claim that he was pressured to elevate the threat level at key times during the 2004 Presidential race. Of course the Bush fellas deny such a thing happened - but then this is coming from the same troupe that said that there was a link between Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein.
Yeah - wash your hand with THAT bar of soap Republicans....
*sighs*
I fail to see how having such a disconnect with the truth gets Republicans anywhere. The "feel good" candy they're biting down on - is bound to disappear someday. But I guess those who keep selling snake oil to their Republican base has that challenge of how else to manipulate their party.
Who knows - maybe they'll start saying we're due for an invasion from the Klingon Empire.....
Fifteen percent of Republicans polled DO NOT believe that Medicare is a government program. Fifteen percent! When you take the other health care reform myths that are out there - the Republicans have been biting at things hook, line and sinker. The poll took into consideration where these folks get their news from ....
....Fox News of course.
Which ties into an amateur video we found recently where they interviewed people outside the Grand Junction town hall -- where they are adamant that Fox News is fair and balanced.
Unbelievable.
But the other night we watched the Rachel Maddow show when she had Bill Maher on. I must say, Bill is spot on with why Republicans continue to think the garbage that is being dished out to them. Even in the face of fact after fact -- they continue to tow the conservative anchor with them.
Bill's rationale? Republican-minded folks aren't interested in facts, they're interested in things that FEEL RIGHT. For example:
- No weapons of mass destruction
- No connection between Iraq and Al Qaeda
- Even an admittance that the charges of WMD were trumped up
- Even disavowing every soul that tried to lend credibility to the discussion
- Even discounting and dismissing those specialists who are leaders in their field
- Even blatantly ignoring the incredible interrogation techniques by Saddam's CIA handler
You STILL have Republicans who are adamantly CONVINCED that not only was there a link between Saddam and Bin Laden, but there were weapons of mass destruction when there was absolutely nothing found before or after.
Even when confronted with indisputable facts -- Republicans insist on siding with "what feels right" because they can't stand to be wrong. It's not in their programming. Bush couldn't admit it. Cheney never will, nor will Rove. And in the eyes of the punditry like Hannity and Limbaugh, it's gospel. Every talking point feeds their insatiable appetite because if it comes from their puppet-master of choice - then "by golly, it has to be true."
Republicans simply can't accept how far out of touch they are - and yet - they insist the sky is green and the grass is blue because someone told them so. I guess that's why there's such a diverse way of thinking in the liberal side of things because we are smarter and don't need to be hand-fed the talking points that come from a self-absorbed entertainer. We are free-thinkers with a lot of different ideas and for that - we're able to make smarter decisions rooted in reality than trying to trump up some ridiculous lie such as Palin's "death panels."
With as many lies that the Republicans weave -- it's no surprise to me to hear about Tom Ridge's claim that he was pressured to elevate the threat level at key times during the 2004 Presidential race. Of course the Bush fellas deny such a thing happened - but then this is coming from the same troupe that said that there was a link between Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein.
Yeah - wash your hand with THAT bar of soap Republicans....
*sighs*
I fail to see how having such a disconnect with the truth gets Republicans anywhere. The "feel good" candy they're biting down on - is bound to disappear someday. But I guess those who keep selling snake oil to their Republican base has that challenge of how else to manipulate their party.
Who knows - maybe they'll start saying we're due for an invasion from the Klingon Empire.....
Saturday, August 08, 2009
The Erosion of America
This isn't a nation I recognize.
In a selfish pit of "me" - we've emerged into a society that makes it all about the profit. We've lost our humanity as a nation.
So - when I hear about our "patriots" that go to our town hall meetings only to incite discourse, it reminds me again at how pathetic we are as a nation when it comes to doing things that matter.
On a solitary issue alone - universal health care - I don't think I have to wonder how low we can go:
- We've got comparisons to Hitler
- We've got fear mongering
- We've got distortions of truth
- We've got outright lies
So it shouldn't come as a surprise that once again - the Republican party is leading a personal crusade on the issue of health care. When you combine the putrid nature of the health insurance lobby - with the Republican shills -- well, we have an entire different level of immorality.
That's why it's painful to watch the erosion of America.
The really sad part is: America was ready for change.
But what completely boggles the mind is how the uneducated, uninformed and those that insist on perpetuating the boldface lies and distortions - insist on seeing through to Rush Limbaugh's promise that he hopes that Obama fails.
When you have such acid in your bloodstream, it's beyond comprehension exactly what your feeble view of the United States should be. Perhaps if this collective of mindless twits had the audacity to have an honest discussion about their contribution to the erosion of America - then maybe they could stop for a second and realize that what they are doing is hurting our country.
That's never going to happen though.
Not when the likes of Limbaugh, Beck, Dobbs and every other hateful soul out there believes that politics is above everything. When you have that kind of soulless mentality working on your behalf -- who needs terrorists?
In a selfish pit of "me" - we've emerged into a society that makes it all about the profit. We've lost our humanity as a nation.
So - when I hear about our "patriots" that go to our town hall meetings only to incite discourse, it reminds me again at how pathetic we are as a nation when it comes to doing things that matter.
On a solitary issue alone - universal health care - I don't think I have to wonder how low we can go:
- We've got comparisons to Hitler
- We've got fear mongering
- We've got distortions of truth
- We've got outright lies
So it shouldn't come as a surprise that once again - the Republican party is leading a personal crusade on the issue of health care. When you combine the putrid nature of the health insurance lobby - with the Republican shills -- well, we have an entire different level of immorality.
That's why it's painful to watch the erosion of America.
The really sad part is: America was ready for change.
But what completely boggles the mind is how the uneducated, uninformed and those that insist on perpetuating the boldface lies and distortions - insist on seeing through to Rush Limbaugh's promise that he hopes that Obama fails.
When you have such acid in your bloodstream, it's beyond comprehension exactly what your feeble view of the United States should be. Perhaps if this collective of mindless twits had the audacity to have an honest discussion about their contribution to the erosion of America - then maybe they could stop for a second and realize that what they are doing is hurting our country.
That's never going to happen though.
Not when the likes of Limbaugh, Beck, Dobbs and every other hateful soul out there believes that politics is above everything. When you have that kind of soulless mentality working on your behalf -- who needs terrorists?
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Wanda Sykes.....
I love the White House Correspondence Dinners... For one - it brings a small moment of levity in times where levity might not be possible. For two - it's almost like a Washington Roast ... with all the fixings. We loved it when Colbert was there (and the "scaled back performance" of Rich Little the year after) ... and the hilarity that comes with it.
Now tonight, we watched it on MSNBC - which is always slammed for being so liberal-left on things -- and the wrap up afterwards would leave one to believe that they just watched something on Fox News... Which is fine - I don't have any problem with anyone really coming out and saying that Wanda said something inappropriate or wrong....
....but then I have to start thinking of all the right wing trash that constantly attacks the democrats and liberals IN THE EXACT SAME LIGHT .... oh - the pity that the Republicans are being (mockingly) "victimized" despite being unable to wash their own hands in their same mud....
And the likes of Pat Buchannan being mysteriously quiet about ... yet condemning Wanda's performance was being "over the top...." Right Pat -- call a spade a spade for once.
What Wanda did is bring out and expose the Republican hypocrisy for what it is. It's okay to chant "kill Obama" from the crowd, but you can't wish for some flamboyant talk show host's kidney to fail......
What Wanda did - was to expose the Republicans by handing them a mirror. Look at yourself - and see how ugly you make your party out to be. Wanda slapped the right side of the aisle in the same petulant stroke they've been dishing out for the last two years. In my humble opinion - the Republicans deserved to be seered tonight and their flaws need to be exposed for what they are.
If the Republicans can't handle what they dish out -- then maybe they need to find a different soup line....
Now tonight, we watched it on MSNBC - which is always slammed for being so liberal-left on things -- and the wrap up afterwards would leave one to believe that they just watched something on Fox News... Which is fine - I don't have any problem with anyone really coming out and saying that Wanda said something inappropriate or wrong....
....but then I have to start thinking of all the right wing trash that constantly attacks the democrats and liberals IN THE EXACT SAME LIGHT .... oh - the pity that the Republicans are being (mockingly) "victimized" despite being unable to wash their own hands in their same mud....
And the likes of Pat Buchannan being mysteriously quiet about ... yet condemning Wanda's performance was being "over the top...." Right Pat -- call a spade a spade for once.
What Wanda did is bring out and expose the Republican hypocrisy for what it is. It's okay to chant "kill Obama" from the crowd, but you can't wish for some flamboyant talk show host's kidney to fail......
What Wanda did - was to expose the Republicans by handing them a mirror. Look at yourself - and see how ugly you make your party out to be. Wanda slapped the right side of the aisle in the same petulant stroke they've been dishing out for the last two years. In my humble opinion - the Republicans deserved to be seered tonight and their flaws need to be exposed for what they are.
If the Republicans can't handle what they dish out -- then maybe they need to find a different soup line....
Friday, January 30, 2009
The End of Racism...
I caught a couple quick hits from sources that proclaimed after the inauguration of the first African American President that "racism is finally over."
When I first heard that bit -- I contemplated for about 4 seconds and then shock my head in disbelief. While there's a LOT to be said for the first African American President, we are still a very long ways off by officially calling racism over. One definitive clear sign was the whole "Barack, the magic negro" insensitive race-laden fiasco that they tried to pass it off like it was some kind of "joke." Well, I didn't laugh then, nor do I laugh now. Nor do 99% of African Americans that would find that little "parody" to be funny.
That's where the wheels start coming off the whole "racism is finally over" bit. Merely achieving "the first African American President" or being the "first African American (insert job title here)" has absolutely no relevance on the levels of by which we can accurately measure racism in this country.
That said - the election and inauguration of President Obama does remove one more barrier, one more obstacle. It truly is a momentous occasion given our incredibly violent and morally reprehensible racial history over the tenure of our country. From slavery to the White House - we've made progress, wonderful progress. But we still see racial divides when it comes to our neighbors, our court system, our schools, our society.
But in the era of personal responsibility, President Obama is a beacon that social change doesn't come from the outside in -- but from the inside out. Thus he is calling out every American - not just black, white, brown or red - to be better. To do better. To work better. To learn better. To make better decisions. To be responsible. To care. To take pride. To take come together for a common goal of being better.
It's still a color issue in this country when minority children still have a difficult time getting the education they need to make it in society. It's not always the school's fault - because most all of this starts at home, with our families and inside ourselves. Because we are in control of our destinies. We need to embrace what we can do - and continue to remove the obstacles and barriers that have held this country back from greatness.
The inauguration of President Obama was a first and very necessary step on that path - and we've come a long way, but we still have a ways to go.
When I first heard that bit -- I contemplated for about 4 seconds and then shock my head in disbelief. While there's a LOT to be said for the first African American President, we are still a very long ways off by officially calling racism over. One definitive clear sign was the whole "Barack, the magic negro" insensitive race-laden fiasco that they tried to pass it off like it was some kind of "joke." Well, I didn't laugh then, nor do I laugh now. Nor do 99% of African Americans that would find that little "parody" to be funny.
That's where the wheels start coming off the whole "racism is finally over" bit. Merely achieving "the first African American President" or being the "first African American (insert job title here)" has absolutely no relevance on the levels of by which we can accurately measure racism in this country.
That said - the election and inauguration of President Obama does remove one more barrier, one more obstacle. It truly is a momentous occasion given our incredibly violent and morally reprehensible racial history over the tenure of our country. From slavery to the White House - we've made progress, wonderful progress. But we still see racial divides when it comes to our neighbors, our court system, our schools, our society.
But in the era of personal responsibility, President Obama is a beacon that social change doesn't come from the outside in -- but from the inside out. Thus he is calling out every American - not just black, white, brown or red - to be better. To do better. To work better. To learn better. To make better decisions. To be responsible. To care. To take pride. To take come together for a common goal of being better.
It's still a color issue in this country when minority children still have a difficult time getting the education they need to make it in society. It's not always the school's fault - because most all of this starts at home, with our families and inside ourselves. Because we are in control of our destinies. We need to embrace what we can do - and continue to remove the obstacles and barriers that have held this country back from greatness.
The inauguration of President Obama was a first and very necessary step on that path - and we've come a long way, but we still have a ways to go.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
The Dawn of a New Era
This past week - we witnessed history.
This past Tuesday, both Darby and I got up early so that we could watch the celebrations festivities all day long. We weren't disappointed. The TV remained on until the President and the First Lady finally called it a night - returning to their new home and the beginning of what is destined to become the change that America has been demanding.
Our credibility took a major step forward to being restored.
What President Obama accomplished during the first week of his brief tenure was to help restore our international credibility that had been victimized and abandoned by the previous administration. We returned to our core principles established by our founding fathers and restored our place as what a civilized society actually looks like.
In the midst of this transformation, we witnessed a President who articulated the structure of what he wants to do, how he intends to get it done while shoring up support from both sides of the aisle to try and make it happen. A true case for bi-partisanship -- and signs that the GOP will be nothing more than petty obstructionists as our lingering crises worsen.
So much for that ol' republican mantra: "Country First" ....
For those that continue express their disdain and pompous arrogance -- wishing for President Obama to fail -- let's just say that those folks continue to spout their poisonous perspective on deaf ears. The majority of Americans, by an overwhelming margin -- are ignoring the naysayers, hypocrites and punditry. That's because they can finally understand that the venomous hatred they have been ingesting all of these years has finally been weened from their bodies.
Change is finally upon us -- and the majority of Americans are very thankful that it's arrived.
So when President Obama made his case to the GOP by uttering the simple two word phrase: "I won" -- it wasn't because he was showing off or being flippant. That's what we would've expected from the last administration. No. President Obama was sending the GOP a clear message: "The American people have spoken - and they want change now."
But the task and list facing this new administration is incredibly long. The inefficiency and corruption widely ignored by the Bush administration is going to take a very long time to undo. But we have a President who is not only keen on making a difference, but he's getting traction to getting things done.
A completely refreshing change after just a mere 5 days in office.
We have a man of vision...
A man of dedication and ...
A man who is willing, able, realistic and energetic about the problems he's facing.
This country has been in complete neglect for the last 8 years -- and it's going to take a lot more than a can of paint to fix her. Those that blindly supported and followed the previous administration as it irresponsibly led this country to the pit we're finding ourselves -- maybe it's time for you to seriously reconsider the company you're keeping, or the punditry you keep subscribing to -- as they are the complicitors to this disaster. Simply subscribing to the bottom denomination is not what this country needs. I don't care how plain spoken or how much you identify with your candidate of choice -- we need someone smart, competent and has a healthy sense of morality.
The air has been changed America -- may the new dawn emerge better than what we've endured the last 8 years.
This past Tuesday, both Darby and I got up early so that we could watch the celebrations festivities all day long. We weren't disappointed. The TV remained on until the President and the First Lady finally called it a night - returning to their new home and the beginning of what is destined to become the change that America has been demanding.
Our credibility took a major step forward to being restored.
What President Obama accomplished during the first week of his brief tenure was to help restore our international credibility that had been victimized and abandoned by the previous administration. We returned to our core principles established by our founding fathers and restored our place as what a civilized society actually looks like.
In the midst of this transformation, we witnessed a President who articulated the structure of what he wants to do, how he intends to get it done while shoring up support from both sides of the aisle to try and make it happen. A true case for bi-partisanship -- and signs that the GOP will be nothing more than petty obstructionists as our lingering crises worsen.
So much for that ol' republican mantra: "Country First" ....
For those that continue express their disdain and pompous arrogance -- wishing for President Obama to fail -- let's just say that those folks continue to spout their poisonous perspective on deaf ears. The majority of Americans, by an overwhelming margin -- are ignoring the naysayers, hypocrites and punditry. That's because they can finally understand that the venomous hatred they have been ingesting all of these years has finally been weened from their bodies.
Change is finally upon us -- and the majority of Americans are very thankful that it's arrived.
So when President Obama made his case to the GOP by uttering the simple two word phrase: "I won" -- it wasn't because he was showing off or being flippant. That's what we would've expected from the last administration. No. President Obama was sending the GOP a clear message: "The American people have spoken - and they want change now."
But the task and list facing this new administration is incredibly long. The inefficiency and corruption widely ignored by the Bush administration is going to take a very long time to undo. But we have a President who is not only keen on making a difference, but he's getting traction to getting things done.
A completely refreshing change after just a mere 5 days in office.
We have a man of vision...
A man of dedication and ...
A man who is willing, able, realistic and energetic about the problems he's facing.
This country has been in complete neglect for the last 8 years -- and it's going to take a lot more than a can of paint to fix her. Those that blindly supported and followed the previous administration as it irresponsibly led this country to the pit we're finding ourselves -- maybe it's time for you to seriously reconsider the company you're keeping, or the punditry you keep subscribing to -- as they are the complicitors to this disaster. Simply subscribing to the bottom denomination is not what this country needs. I don't care how plain spoken or how much you identify with your candidate of choice -- we need someone smart, competent and has a healthy sense of morality.
The air has been changed America -- may the new dawn emerge better than what we've endured the last 8 years.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Free Speech -- quashed....
I was reading an article online tonight that made be cringe a bit. Apparently a student authored an email or some other posting wherein she expressed her displeasure about a decision made by her administrators on a project. The administrators ultimately stripped her of her position as school secretary -- and forbade her to include her name on the ballot for the next school year. The student was ultimately elected as a "write-in" candidate, but administrators forbade her from accepting office.
The Burlington School district lauds the Judges ruling as this case has been going on for the last two years.
The question of whether or not the student authored the posting on campus or not -- was summarily dismissed by the Judge because of today's technology that can immediately notify people when postings are made. (huh?)
Whether the student had any merit to her "douche bag" comment or not -- doesn't make any difference. The right to free speech is not singled out whether or not it was a right of popular opinion or not. In fact, our freedom of speech protects us to say as we want, what we want, however we want -- regardless of its popularity, its vulgarity or its content.
If the opinion was housed on school servers, websites, boards and the like -- then administrators are within their right to remove such postings that are inviolate of the terms and use agreement. But if the student did it from home -- then the school appears to be in violation of her 1st amendment constitutional rights.
The Burlington School district lauds the Judges ruling as this case has been going on for the last two years.
The question of whether or not the student authored the posting on campus or not -- was summarily dismissed by the Judge because of today's technology that can immediately notify people when postings are made. (huh?)
Whether the student had any merit to her "douche bag" comment or not -- doesn't make any difference. The right to free speech is not singled out whether or not it was a right of popular opinion or not. In fact, our freedom of speech protects us to say as we want, what we want, however we want -- regardless of its popularity, its vulgarity or its content.
If the opinion was housed on school servers, websites, boards and the like -- then administrators are within their right to remove such postings that are inviolate of the terms and use agreement. But if the student did it from home -- then the school appears to be in violation of her 1st amendment constitutional rights.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
"Mr Burris, party of one, your seat is ready..."
What in the hell are Democrats thinking?!?
They put on one theatrical showing at the Capitol by denying Burris the Illinois seat -- and then the next DAY they say now they're going to seat him. The overreaching argument made by Diane Feinstein is nothing short of laughable. Believing that the Burris situation would underscore every other gubernatorial appointment is incredibly out of the context of the charges and possible impeachment facing Blagojevich and the "highest bidder" scheme he allegedly was focused on. Diane -- to the best of my knowledge, no other governor is under such scrutiny linked to a Senate seat -- so your argument falls flatly in the face of reason.
This is crazy!!
Admittedly - I haven't done my homework on Mr. Burris' background, but from my twitter friend @verucablue's impressionable statement Roland simply isn't fit the bill and doesn't sound like the best person for the vacant Senate seat. So I had to ask "why him?" and the answer came back to me lightning fast: because no one else wanted a tainted seat like this.
It's the equivalent of playing political Russian Roulette -- because the likelihood of Blagojevich being removed from office is incredibly great. Thus anyone who accepted the appointment is also going to be tainted.
The defense of Mr. Burris relies in the "letter of the law" which is accurate. There are no current mechanisms to deny the likes of Blagojevich (or any other governor by the sounds of it) to appoint someone while under criminal investigation for selling a U.S. Senate seat. The "letter of the law" doesn't have any immediate remedy to stop Blagojevich from appointing anyone he saw fit. The only remedy would be weeks or months away as the Illinois state house and senate are proceeding with their impeachment proceedings for the embattled governor.
It's a gaping hole in the Illinois Constitution that I suspect will be remedied at some point in the coming year. Because if there's no mechanism in place to stop a Governor from invoking some very wild ideas while looking at his political death-clock.
I do believe that Blagojevich will be removed from office and any recognizable form of his political career will effectively be over ... but the repercussions of his actions will remain in place. If in fact Mr. Burris was pulled from the mid-to-lower deck of qualified applicants to serve the people of Illinois -- then it's the people of Illinois who have every reason to be upset.
The issue isn't about race, but whether or not the best qualified person is in the position to do the best possible job for the people of Illinois. It's a stain that will remain on him for the rest of his political career. Mr. Burris doesn't seem like the best option for Illinois as much as he was possibly their only option with the tainted mess Blagojevich has made here.
They put on one theatrical showing at the Capitol by denying Burris the Illinois seat -- and then the next DAY they say now they're going to seat him. The overreaching argument made by Diane Feinstein is nothing short of laughable. Believing that the Burris situation would underscore every other gubernatorial appointment is incredibly out of the context of the charges and possible impeachment facing Blagojevich and the "highest bidder" scheme he allegedly was focused on. Diane -- to the best of my knowledge, no other governor is under such scrutiny linked to a Senate seat -- so your argument falls flatly in the face of reason.
This is crazy!!
Admittedly - I haven't done my homework on Mr. Burris' background, but from my twitter friend @verucablue's impressionable statement Roland simply isn't fit the bill and doesn't sound like the best person for the vacant Senate seat. So I had to ask "why him?" and the answer came back to me lightning fast: because no one else wanted a tainted seat like this.
It's the equivalent of playing political Russian Roulette -- because the likelihood of Blagojevich being removed from office is incredibly great. Thus anyone who accepted the appointment is also going to be tainted.
The defense of Mr. Burris relies in the "letter of the law" which is accurate. There are no current mechanisms to deny the likes of Blagojevich (or any other governor by the sounds of it) to appoint someone while under criminal investigation for selling a U.S. Senate seat. The "letter of the law" doesn't have any immediate remedy to stop Blagojevich from appointing anyone he saw fit. The only remedy would be weeks or months away as the Illinois state house and senate are proceeding with their impeachment proceedings for the embattled governor.
It's a gaping hole in the Illinois Constitution that I suspect will be remedied at some point in the coming year. Because if there's no mechanism in place to stop a Governor from invoking some very wild ideas while looking at his political death-clock.
I do believe that Blagojevich will be removed from office and any recognizable form of his political career will effectively be over ... but the repercussions of his actions will remain in place. If in fact Mr. Burris was pulled from the mid-to-lower deck of qualified applicants to serve the people of Illinois -- then it's the people of Illinois who have every reason to be upset.
The issue isn't about race, but whether or not the best qualified person is in the position to do the best possible job for the people of Illinois. It's a stain that will remain on him for the rest of his political career. Mr. Burris doesn't seem like the best option for Illinois as much as he was possibly their only option with the tainted mess Blagojevich has made here.
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