Please Run Dick Run

I was Wondering:
I'm not really sure why, but for some reason I have a stick up my butt about Dick Cheney lately. I take that back, I know why, he won't go away and shut up. He has been on every major network and some Montana radio show, professing the need for torture. No not "enhanced interrogation technique's", it was torture. When you slam a person's head against a wall, stick them in small spaces and water board them, that is torture. When you perform these tasks in demand for your perceived correct answer to a question, that is enhanced torture.
There is simply no doubt in my mind that the INVASION of Iraq was planned, and the search for WMD's was a really sloppy cover up for that invasion.

A little background into...Darth Dick

Briefly, what we know. Dick received 5 deferments from military service while at the same time supporting the Vietnam war. He said he had other obligations like going to school and getting his wife pregnant.
In 1969 he was on WH staff during the Ford administration as a assistant to Donald Duck Rumsfeld. He later was WH Chief of Staff and campaign manager for Ford.

In 1976 Dick was elected to the Wyoming House of representatives and served 5 terms and went on to serve as the minority whip. Dream on Eric Cantor.
Serving only two months as Whip, HW Bush selected him as Secretary of Defense from 1989 to 1993. In Early 1990 Halliburton was awarded a contract from then, Secretary Dick to study the privatisation of routine army functions. Then Halliburton was awarded the contract to perform the work on which they had conducted the visibility study, sharp huh? What's even more enlightening into the dark Dick recesses, is that during this time as Secretary of Defense, he cut the defense budget, but gave boatloads of money to Halliburton and other private companies. http://tinyurl.com/o6le7x which led him to the next two post. Also see http://tinyurl.com/dguq5
From 1993 to 1995 Dick worked for the American Enterprise Institute. Now it gets fun, AEI is a think tank dedicated to "to defend the principles and improve the institutions of American freedom and capitalism. Other notables affiliated with AEI include Newt Gingrich, Paul Wolfowitz and John Bolton. AEI is the opposite of the Brookings Institute. Where Brookings stated mission is focused on the society in general and socio economic growth and enhancement, AEI is focused on capitalism and making money. Maybe this was where Dick was truly schooled to be a profiteer.
From 1995 to 2000 Dick was chairman and CEO of Halliburton a fortune 500 company involved in oil and gas equipment and services. You figure that was the least they could do after being awarded that fat ass government contract from Secretary Dick. He resigned in July 2000 to remove any conflict of interest issues,...right. Via deferred salary and stock, Dick continued to get checks from Halliburton even after returning to the WH. Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR), was a subsidiary of Hallibuton until April 2007. KBR is the number one engineering and construction in support of our troops in the middle east. KBR was also responsible for the death of Sgt. Ryan Maseth. Maseth was electrocuted in the shower in 2007. An investigation of KBR's work found 18 soldiers had been electrocuted in the shower due to faulty wiring and improper grounding by KBR.
In early 2000 GW Bush (Dubya) asked Dick to head his VP search team, little did they know. For the second time Dick pulled off a major coup, he pretty much selected himself as the VP candidate.
After 9/11 Dick was true to form. He was secretive, evasive and demanding. It was during this period that Dick started developing the forth branch on the government, the Dick Branch. His staff refused to file required reports with the National Archives and Records Administration, he spent a lot of time in the offices of the CIA even going so far as to have his own office there. Dick refused to release documents, citing his executive privilege. He had the Vice Presidents home on the grounds of US National Observatory blurred out on google earth so it could not be seen. He went Howard Hughes on the world. His secrets had secrets. In 2007 it was discovered that at least 9 torture tapes were destroyed under Dicks direction.
Abu Zubaidah was captured in Pakistan in March 2002. Dubya, Dick and Donald Duck lauded Abu as a leader, part of the inner circle, a trainer, a recruiter, a planner, everything but the big Kahuna himself, Osama. Turns out, Abu was a clerk. Prior to being tortured by the CIA, the FBI got Abu, to give them Khalid Sheikh Mohammed 9/11 planner captured in Pakistan in March 2003, and Jose Padilla, the dirty bomber or smuck, you decide http://tinyurl.com/2h3cl5. The FBI aided Abu in his recovery from gunshot wounds received during his capture, and used civilized questioning techniques.
In early 2002 the CIA took over the interrogation. The FBI agents were told that torture was approved at the highest level of the WH, including Alberto Gonzales, then the Attorney General. The FBI shit in the woods, but no one heard, and they were told to back off. The company brought in two profit seeking Psychologists, James Elmer Mitchell and Bruce Jessen to devise a torture plan. Neither nimnut had prior experience in torture but convinced Dubya and Dick that they could severe captives from their personalities and scare them to death. Oh, it did not hurt that these nimnuts were bragging about being paid $1000 a day tax free by the CIA. By this time the most important thing was to cover up the fact that the US had INVADED Iraq for no reason. There were no WMD's. Several witnesses have said that the interrogations seem to focus more on linking 9/11 to Iraq and consequently Al-Qaeda . http://tinyurl.com/c6kdfh; http://tinyurl.com/ps6hgc; http://tinyurl.com/dypjpx
Here's part of one of the memo's authorizing torture written by Jay Bybee currently a Federal Judge. The memo is dated 8/02. by then, Abu had already been waterboarded 83 times. What is the saying about closing the gate after the horses are out. KSM was water boarded 183 times.
http://tinyurl.com/dyxpmo
Who was directing this behind the scenes, Dick. Reports indicate that Dick even told Eygpt to step up their interrogation (torture) of Ibn al-Sheikh al-Libi. Dick and Rummy lead the pack on torture, the invasion ,the secrecy, the manipulation of public fear and Dubya. As much as I dislike Dubya, I think he was a patsy. Dick directed OLC to make it happen just like he did with the US attorney firings, and Valarie Plame. He said jump, people asked how high. He used nimnuts like Gonzales and Scooter Libby to do his bidding's. His dissatisfaction with Dubya for not pardoning Libby was very telling indeed. Recently Dick was asked if Dubya knew about the torture, he hesitated then said, "I assume, I'm sure he knew. He was the president," hell Joe Bob I'm convinced.
Five deferments, AEI, Chief of Staff, minority whip, secretary of defense, Halliburton and VP. I see a conscious deliberate calculated course to where he really wanted to be. In power but behind the curtain. Fear, greed and secrecy were his beacons, power was his sword. The American people lived in fear all through 2002 and 2003 because we were being told by our leaders that the boogie man had hit our shores once, and were planning to hit it again. We were attacked in our homeland by Al Q, Saddam Hussein and they had WMD's in Iraq. We had had police mandated curfews in some of the larger cities due to riots or protests, but nothing like this. There were camouflage painted huge Hummers parked on streets, at bridges and monuments, national guardsman on alert, and color coded alerts. People from mid-eastern countries were beaten, treated horrendously and looked at with hate. Now he's back and stirring up that same fear and hate in an attempt to validate his hate of America.

It has been said that America is a melting pot. Not so, America is stir fry that tastes better when all the ingredients and seasonings are blended together. Where, Blacks, Whites, Asian, Hispanics, Jews, Buddhist, Atheists, Agnostic, Pagans, Christians, Muslims, gays, and non gays, all present a culinary delight for those choosing to partake.

What really turns my stomach is that I know that none of these people will ever spend a moment behind bars. None of these people will honor the American people with retribution. Some may lose a little money, prestige maybe a job opportunity, but nothing compared to what they have done to this country. Some will get pardoned, some we'll never see again but none will pay appropriately. So, I say run Darth Dick run. Run away to an undisclosed location never to be seen again. Please

Bad Day

I was Wondering why today was really a horrible day for news. Three things in the headlines gave me head ache.

President Obama absolved CIA officers from prosecution for harsh, painful interrogation of terror suspects. I thought when he released the Bush memos on interrogation, that the country would get some satisfaction and justice against Bush officials, ah, tis not to be. John Yoo and Jay Bybee did the job they were paid for. Once again the law is twisted and manipulated to accomplish something beyond the scope and America looks bad to the world. We are not perfect, but when we mutilate our own laws and twist to our benefit the mountain of morals we sit so high on, we loose as a nation. Two thoughts came to mind when I heard this; Gerald Ford pardoning Richard Nixon and Lieutenant Willaim Calley after My Lai. Dark days in US history both. Nixon lied, stole and out right abused power beyond thought and got pardoned. Calley was convicted for premeditated murder of over 100 vietnamese and spent 3 1/2 years under house arrest. Over 500 women, children, elderly and infants were maimed, raped and slaughtered at his command. Calley said he was following orders. He's free now.

The second issue for me was that President Obama decided to let lapse the U.S. assault weapons ban but will step up enforcement of laws banning the transfer of such guns across the border.
Obama said during the campaign that he would seek renewal of the ban. Word is such a move would be unpopular in politically key U.S. states and among Republicans as well as some conservative Democrats. I would like to gather in a room all the of the relatives of the 14 people in Binghamton, the 5 people in LA, 6 in Carthage, 11 in Samsome the 4 police officers in Oakland and the 3 police officers in Pittsburgh. I would like these same politicians to exlain to these people why it is not politcally convient to restrict assault weapons. I would like them to explain why the NRA is a powerful lobby that has them all by the short hairs. I would like them to expalin to the slain officers children that the constitution says Americans have the right to have and bear arms for self defense, but none of these deaths were acts of self defense. I would like them to explain to these same children and wives that their loved ones are in a better place. All of these deaths took place within a month in the United States of America. Jiverly Wong in Binghamton fired 98 times. Gun control, is an issue to be addressed.

The third and final piece that set me off on the road to heart burn today was just prior to leaving office Bush signed drilling leases for drilling along the coast in California. President Obama is said to be considering the leases. Some of us still cringe at the 1969 oil spill off of the California coast. Between migrating whales, seabirds, crabs, and fish along the western coast, not to mention the beaches and peoples lives drilling will impact with increased shipping. The proximity to, how many major faults running up and down the lanes should be enough make anyone shiver if they could see beyond the dollar signs. What does make me feel pretty good is the the governors of all three west coast states are fighting the drilling.

am/pm showers

I was Wondering:
I was having drinks with some folks last night and the subject of morning versus night time showers generated a very lively discussion. There were moments of levity, one caustic comment, several humorous antidotes and lots of hygiene hyperbole.

My preference is a morning shower. I like starting the day feeling clean, moisturized and refreshed. At night I brush my teeth so little germ condos don't construct in my mouth as a result of my daily debauchery of culinary delights. I wash my face at night and use moisturizing lotion because I have notoriously dry skin. My Dad use to say if I jumped in the ocean, I'd absorb most of the water. No chance of that idiom coming true because I can not swim, and I've almost drown twice in my life. I love playing in water as long as I can stand up, but at 4'11" that limits where I can indulge.

Once a week I love putting on fresh jammies and crawling into a fresh set of sheets, so on that one night (usually a Saturday), I shower at night. Most everyone at the table thought I blew my morning shower theory because of that one nighttime shower. If I don't work on Saturdays, I physically do something like cleaning, grocery shopping, going out and about. Sunday is my day to imitate a slug and truthfully, I may not shower on Sunday, so my Saturday night shower and clean sheets are really indulgent and necessary.

On the other side of this stimulating discussion was night time showers washes away all the germs, dry skin cells and yuk of the day. Most floating dust particles are dead skin cells, right? Put that way, it really does sound kind of disgusting, right? Appealing to the hedonistic part of me, the night folks did point out a night shower is so very relaxing and conducive to a better nights sleep. But, the more I thought about the various ways I can "relax" before going to sleep, well, let's just say I was not convinced.

So, morning shower to start the day off fresh, night shower to wash off the day? I guess what ever works for you.

Independent Party Animal Symbol

I was wondering why there wasn't a symbol or totem for the Independent Party? I wondered about the origins of the symbols for the two major political parties in the US, the donkey and the elephant.. It turns out they were both figments of the imagination of cartoonist Thomas Nast in 1874. Thank goodness the original Whig party no longer exist, can you imagine the cartoons today. Abe Lincoln was a Whig leader in Illinois. In 2008 the Modern Whig Party was born. What made this group interesting to me was that most of it's leaders were ex-vets. I decided all by myself, I might add, that there should be an animal totem for the Independent Party.

Even more interesting to me is that Native Americans believe the Elephant stands for; strength, power, affection, loyalty, royalty, and wisdom,...makes ya think. Never mind that the elephant is not even indigenous to America. Reports are that Nast chose the elephant because of it's size, intelligence, strength, and dignity. Nast was a republican. The democrats simply said the elephant depicted the republicans as impossibly large, foolish and bloated.

There is no Native American symbolic meaning for the donkey, just the horse, which just ain't the same. There is a reference in a Chinese sex novel, "Jin Ping Mei" regarding the donkey but we are not going there. Donkeys on the other hand are known for their stubbornness, foolishness, loudness and unintelligent behavior. It's said that after being called a "jackass" so often by the republicans, Andrew Jackson decided to accept the donkey as his symbol. For a time the democratic party used the rooster as it's symbol. I found references from the Celtics to several far eastern communities that as a totem, the rooster symbolises pride, honesty, courage and vigilance.

The Modern Whig Party uses a red, white and blue owl. The owl is associated with wisdom, truth, patience. I am not sure what animal the original Whig party used if any.

The Independent/Independence Party

The word, "Independent" has been used over the years to come to mean not democratic or republican. If there were to be totem or symbol it would have to encompass ideologies ranging from the extreme left to the extreme right. There is the American Independent Party, America's Independent Party, The Independence Party of New York and Minnesota, and the Independent Green Party of Virginia just to name a few. Third parties are more often than not formed by some really pissed off individuals wanting to make a statement separate from one of the major parties. These parties frequently are formed in response to specific "Base" issues such as, taxes, abortion, immigration, gun control, on-going issues all. For example, the original Whig party separated out due to their belief that Congress should reign supreme over the executive branch and supported economic protectionism. The Libertarian party formed in 1971, believe in total individual liberty. Libertarians are pro-drug legalization, pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, pro-home schooling, and anti-gun control. They support total economic freedom and are anti-welfare, anti-government regulation of business, anti-minimum wage, anti-income tax, but are very pro-free trade. Go figure.

In 2000 The Independence Party split off from the Reform Party over "Base" issues and huge ego's. A fine time was had by Ross Perot, Jessie Ventura and toward it's demise, Pat Buchanan. Now if that is not an example of democracy at it's finest, one does not exist. A billionaire obsessed with protectionism and taxes, an ex-wrestler concerned with social issues and a religion based extreme right winger concerned with power.
I guess an Independent symbol would have to be something wise, strong, large, independent, patient, truthful, proud, dignified, intelligent, loyal, courageous and vigilant. I should not forget patriotic. Patriotism is the one attribute that every party claims. Hmm, animals don't know that.

What Conservatism means to ...

I wonder at ; what conservatism means to Jonathan Krohn a 13 year old. Jon boy gave a 10 minute speech at CPAC outlining his 4 points of conservatism. Respect for the Constitution; Respect for life; Small government; and Personal responsibility. Now Jon boy got rattled about some Democratic filibuster 6 years ago and decided he had something to say. He wrote a book called, "Define Conservatism." Jon boy is also involved in theater, has a dog and was voted " Atlanta's Most Talented Child" in 2006. Jon is nicely rounded for his age and I give him kudos's for his accomplishments. I read his blog and little Jon boy has lots to say based on his 6 years of activism and slanted opinions. I really think he has reason to be proud of himself and so does he. He definitely is no Joe the plumber or Sarah Palin and we'll have a new president by the time he is eligible to vote.


It is not his accomplishments I take issue with, it is his ownership of some mighty fine principles. Now I have not read Jon boys book, nor do I intend to. He did make the following statement during an interview:


"A lot of people say to me, 'oh, you're a Republican.' And I say, 'No, I'm a conservative.' I'm a Republican when I support candidates. When I talk about the party I'm affiliated with I'm a Republican. But when it comes to what I am, I'm a conservative."


I've read that statement several times and I keep coming up with different conclusions. I guess you can be a republican without being conservative, conversely, can you be a liberal conservative.? I love political pegging, don't you? What I do see, is Jon boy is conservative leaning toward republican bilge. To accommodate Jon boy, I shall refer to this view as the conpublicans


1) Respect of the Constitution - Richard Nixon was the one that said 'if the president does it, it is not illegal. Dick was suppose to be a conpublican. Conservative values can find home in a Democratic platform. The difference historically is that Dem conservative values effect a larger portion of society. The Constitution has never been as raped, pillaged, ignored or bastardised under any administration as it was under GW Bush, and Ronald Reagan, with Dick a close third. If by respecting the Constitution Jon boy means following it to the letter, and allowing the process to work, then, no, conpublicans have not met the standard. Respecting the constituition means allowing the checks and balances set forth in the subject document to work. Using signing papers to gut a constitutionally established law or bill is not showing respect. Bush ignored military rules and regulations, affirmative-action provisions, requirements that Congress be told about immigration services problems, ''whistle-blower" protections for nuclear regulatory officials, and safeguards against political interference in federally funded research. Under no circumstances or interpretation does the constitution allow for the disregard as shown by the Bush and Cheney regime. The Constitution sets forth the sestablisment of three branches of government, not four to increase the power base of a deranged VP. Now we find out they destroyed 92 tapes of interrogations involving torture. Karl Rove has consistently ignored Federal subpoenas regarding his role in firing those that did not agree, illegal wiretaps on citizens, the numerous signing papers expanding not only his authority but Cheney as well. Grade F


2) Respect for Life - I think this means to take ownership of the anti-abortion view the conpublicans have taken. I refuse to call it pro-life because I am pro-life and pro-choice, and it IS a women's right. To say that conpublicans are respectful of all human kind is just ludicrous and to say they respect all life, is absolutely not true so it must be the abortion issue. It certainly does not mean the conpublicans respect the lives of those they are suppose to represent. Among the laws Bush said he can ignore are military rules and regulations, affirmative-action provisions, requirements that Congress be told about immigration services problems, ''whistle-blower" protections for nuclear regulatory officials, and safeguards against political interference in federally funded research. These are not the actions of a person that respects anything but himself. Grade - F


3)Small government - Government should not be the all knowing, all seeing benevolent creator and sustenance of life as we know it. I do not believe that is what democrats want, nor is it what the people expect. However, we do expect, no, demand better support from our government than received after Katrina. There are 15 departments in the administration not including EPA, OMB, Drug Control and Trade. The last two to be added were done so by republican presidents Reagan, Vet affairs 1989, and Bush, Homeland security 2002. The purpose of these offices and of our government is to provide for a safe well maintained prosperous land on which we dwell. The size does not matter as much as the efficiency as has been proven time and time again. When contracts are awarded to private companies the over site must be flawless. When services are provided they must be provided to deserving citizens. When laws are enacted they must apply to all. When the health and welfare of the citizen takes second place to profit for the few, it must be stopped. If these things can be done with fewer departments, then so be it, but do not cut out the heart of the middle class and poor to support the life styles of the rich. This is what conservative values have done in the past, it does not mean that this is what being conservative should be. The GOVERNMENT, (democrats and republicans) destroyed the financial regulations, and over sites which exacerbated the current crisis, it is only fair the government help clean it up. People loss retirement funds and had nothing to do with the housing market, where would the conpublicans put them? McCain wanted to privatize social security and invest SS money in that same failed market. Everyday citizens loss jobs and money. Everyday citizens not directly involved in the failure of this country have been caught in the middle of politicians and wall street. Conservatives want to cut taxes of the rich to help the poor. Learn from the past, Reaganomics did not work! It was greed plan and simple and history should not be re-written to the satisfaction of either party. Grade - F

4)Personal Responsibility - Expecting government assistance during times of duress is not weak, or irresponsible, nor does that mean you are a slacker. Most people just want to be given equal footing, respect, opportunities, equal facilities, education, health care and civil rights protected equality. Generally, people do not want the government in their business. Trite but true, folks don't want a hand out, but some may need a hand up. Get off the soap box conpublicans, you are wrong. I wonder, by conpublican standards, what is acceptable to expect from your government? Grade F

Jon boy's 4 points can be attributed to both major parties and Independents. The Constitution is a living breathing document that has grown and matured over the years, but it is still our guiding document and must remain respected. The checks and balances between the three branches must remain in tack and not be blatantly manipulated as by the recent white house occupants. All three parties may respect life, but choose to display that concern in diametrically opposing methods; one from the top down, the other from the bottom up. One party manipulates and the other massages. Small government can be achieved by either party, but efficient, honest government should be the issue. Finally, Personal responsibility, or lack thereof is an issue on both sides and up the middle. Even now the Dems and Repugs are vollying back and forth on who's fault the crash was, who did what and who was responsible. End game, they both were along with greed, irresponsible baks, and consumers. This is one cake large enough so everyone involed gets a slice. Those not partaking in the greed feast, those not buying homes, not investing, but losing homes, jobs, income...those are the victims. Who will take responsibility for them?

wonder

I wonder : Why do most republicans refuse to acknowledge the advances of science? It just occurred to me, well, not just; but within the last year this phenomenon has gobsmacked me. According to mainly Evangelical GOP'ers there is no global warming, dinosaurs either did not exist, or existed at the same time as early man, there is no environmental impact on anything we as a people do and they, accept "intelligent design". Now quickly, I should say I do not agree with ID, but I do comprehend the religious rights refusal to even acknowledge empirical data. Note, I said I comprehend, not understand. Simply put, if an issue presents empirical date, it must be proven or observed, and most religious tenants are neither; ergo an easy cannon to ignore by those consumed by religious zealotry. To believe the polar ice caps are melting because it is within earth's life cycle, or is natural is to ignore thousands of years of empirical, proven and observable data. This fear of science is so bizarre to me considering how accepting we are of science based everyday conveniences, like flying. I do not believe that ALL republicans, or ALL Evangelical republicans wear blinders, just the loudest one's.

This is Henrietta, named after Henrietta Swan Leavitt (July 4, 1868 – December 12, 1921). While working at the Harvard College Observatory cataloging the brightness of variable stars from photographic plates, Henrietta discovered the pattern of luminosity in stars. Her discovery, later recognized as the 'Period-luminosity relationship' She published her findings in 1908 showing that there is a simple relationship between the brightness of the variable and their periods of brightness. This relationship provided an important yardstick for measuring distances in the Universe. Two other notables about Henrietta; she was deaf, and, women were not even allowed to use telescopes at the time.

Anyway, my Henrietta is a Meade etx125 ec Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope sans UHTC or SmartFinder. Small enough to be pretty mobile but with a 1900mm focal length and a 127mm apeture, we do just fine. Great for photography day or night.

This is Demi in her cab. Demi has been with me since 2002 and she is a great roomy. She has a small hand-held telescope from Discovery Channel around her neck but you can't see it. She is sitting in the back seat of my trunk right now because her cab is in my sisters garage. She is seat belted in so she is safe.