Why Keystone?

I am not ignoring the definite damage that the CO2 from a tar sand pipeline will spew into our environment. I am not minimizing the devastation that can be caused by an oil spill or leaks to the aquifer and the soil. I understand that jobs coming from keystone will be minimum wage and temporary. TransCanada will be bringing in their current highly paid full time employees. We recognize that refineries on the Gulf Coast are located in foreign trade zones, which means TC can export Canadian oil to the world market without paying U.S. taxes. We acknowledge that the pipeline will result in gasoline price increases for the mid-west and tar sands will be exported not for US use. We discovered that the speaker of the US House of representatives is personally invested in companies involved in Keystone. Finally, we know that TC could not even give us the manufacturing of the pipes. The pipes were made in India. If they could have assembled the pipeline elsewhere like lego’s and sat it down in the US, I think they would have. We have more to learn, yet we do not minimize, nor ignore, we recognize, understand, and acknowledge XL is bad for the US…why are we still discussing it?

Congratulations To New York

I am so happy for New York State. As a Californian I was arrogant enough to believe that we would be the first the populist states. I am not belittling the accomplishments of any of the previous 6 states that got it done the right way. I guess it's a east/west thing. Not really. I will say that there were a lot of people this past pride week-end that were pumped about getting involved in the fight. I went to events in Sacramento, San Francisco and San Jose the folks were excited about the issue...again.
In my humble opinion we failed on three fronts money, Utah and god. Pro prop 8 spent a ton of money from Utah spreading lies. They scared the uninformed into believing churches would forced to marry same sex couples. Businesses would be closed, schools would have have to teach homo-cation, chaos would prevail.

Glenn Beck's Incendiary Angst Is Dangerously Close to Having a Body Count

Darwin Awards Lite

If you've never had the priveldge of reading the "Darwin Awards" go out quickly and get your copy, or, just go to http://bit.ly/dkIeZ6. The one thing that makes me feel better is that the awards are from around the globe. The little ditties below were e-mailed to me and I thought I'd share my chuckle.


IDIOT SIGHTING
When my husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it. We went to the service
department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock
the driver side door. As I watched from the passenger side,
I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that
it was unlocked. 'Hey,' I announced to
the technician, 'it's open!' His reply: 'I know.
I already got that side.'
This was at the Ford dealership in Canton, MS




IDIOT SIGHTING:

We had to have the garage door repaired. The Sears repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a 'large' enough motor on the opener. I thought for a minute,
and said that we had the largest one Sears made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower. He shook his head and said, 'Lady, you need a 1/4 horsepower.' I responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4. He said, 'NO, it's not.' Four is larger than two.' We haven't used Sears repair since.

IDIOT SIGHTING:
My daughter and I went through the McDonald's take-out window and I gave the clerk a $5 bill. Our total was $4.25, so I also handed her a quarter. She said, 'You gave me too much money.' I said, 'Yes I know, but this way you can just give me a dollar bill back. She sighed and went to get the manager, who asked me to repeat my request. I did so, and he handed me back the quarter, and said 'We're sorry but we could not do that kind of thing.' The clerk then proceeded to give me back $1 and 75 cents in change.
Do not confuse the clerks at McD's.



IDIOT SIGHTING :
I live in a semi rural area. We recently had a new neighbor call the local township administrative office to request the removal of the DEER CROSSING sign on our road. The reason: 'Too many deer are being hit by cars out here! I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore.'
>From Kingman , KS




IDIOT SIGHTING IN FOOD SERVICE :
My daughter went to a local Taco Bell
and ordered a taco. She asked the person behind
the counter for 'minimal lettuce..'
He said he was sorry,
but they only had iceburg lettuce.
-- From Kansas City




IDIOT SIGHTING:
I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked, 'Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?' To which I replied, 'If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?' He smiled knowingly and nodded,
'That's why we ask.'
Happened in Birmingham , Ala.



IDIOT SIGHTING :
The stoplight on the corner buzzes when it's safe to cross the street. I was crossing with an intellectually challenged coworker of mine. She asked if I knew what the buzzer was for. I explained that it signals blind people when the light is red. Appalled, she responded, 'What on earth are blind people doing driving?!'
She's a probation officer in Wichita , KS



IDIOT SIGHTING :
At a good-bye luncheon for an old and dear coworker who was leaving the company due to 'downsizing,' our manager commented cheerfully, 'This is fun. We should do this more often.' Not another word was spoken.
We all just looked at each other with that deer-in-the-headlights stare.
This was a lunch at Texas Instruments.

;
IDIOT SIGHTING :
I work with an individual who plugged her power strip back into itself and for the sake of her life, couldn't understand why her system would not turn on.
A deputy with the Dallas County Sheriff's office, no less.




How would you pronounce this child's name?

"Le-a"

Leah?? NO
Lee - A?? NOPE
Lay - a?? NO
Lei?? Guess Again.
This child attends a school in Kansas City, Mo. Her mother is irate because everyone is getting her name wrong. It's pronounced "Ledasha", When the Mother was asked about the pronunciation of the name, she said, "the dash don't be silent."

Bill Donohue: 'There's A Connection Between Homosexuality And Sexual Abuse Of Minors'

NOTE: Written in April 2010, but I left it in draft (oops). Still current

The rationale in his comments escape me no matter where I search in my personal psyche.
It has been proven numerous times, in numerous studies and interviews that pedophilia is a control issue as most sex crimes are. It does not matter if the harmed child is prepubescent or post-pubescent, the adult is in control. Saying the harmed child is post-pubescent therefore the priest was a homosexual not a pedophile, does not lessen the impact of the action.
Let's ask those 200 deaf children Father Murphy defiled if it matters. How about the children males and females Father Shanley robbed of their childhood in Boston. Let's ask the victims of Father Stephen Faletti, Father John Degnan, Bishop Anthony O’Connell, Father Gerry Howard, Father Kevin Clohessy, and the list goes on.
I have to further wonder at this rationale. If they are homosexual, why is it okay to have them remain in robes if the church is so adverse to homosexuality?
I know that the Catholic church is not the only church with a pedophile problem, but thier irritating piousness and size garners them the most attention The catholic church is the largest religious profitable non-profit conglomerate in the world. The Vatican is a country for gods sake; pun intended.

Ain't Even Trying To Hear It

Recently I've been called stubborn, a block head, unyielding, and obstinate all in a loving way by people I truly care about. You know who you are and I love ya. We all know the truth about ourselves often come from those close to us but not in this case. In this case I am right...for me.

The issue is why I REFUSE to watch Fox "news".
I do not watch Fox "news"
I do not want to watch Fox "news"
I do not need to watch Fox "news"
I do not intend to watch Fox "news"
It comes down to, I do not consider the bilge propagated by Fox employees "news". They hired Sara Palin as an analyst for goodness sake. I can't take them seriously. Even an op-ed must contain facts which support the opinion. This, for me, is the difference between Fox "news" and MSNBC, and less so CNN.
MSNBC is more like local news on steroids, more stimulating on the political front. While I do not always agree with MSNBC, or CNN, my personal research has found them more in-dept and factual and less sensational than Fox.

Oddly enough, I hear the Fox noise without even tuning in. Beck, Hannity, O'Rielly and to some extent, Limbaugh seep into conversations around me. I get phone calls, e-mails, tweets etc. from folks pissed off about something a Fox head said. Why would I seek out the vitriol coming from these corporate tongs? Why would I pay to be insulted? Why would I support a company that totally hates me and everything I believe? I use the list of sponsors that dropped Glenn Beck as a buying guide (http://bit.ly/a3nX8o). Put another way, I hate war movies, why would I go see "Hurt Locker?" It's more than not wanting to subject myself to the idiocy, the hyperbole or the lies, it's the truth void and re-writing history. I ask myself why listen when I know I'll get angry, throw something, use some colorful verbiage and resolve nothing. Why seek out aggravation with no pay off? It isn't like they're saying anything of import or substance.
To my pals: You are all bright people who think for yourselves, stand firm in your belief and let me do the same. I won't watch Fox, period. Call me :)

LISTEN TO AN AUDIO

Abbott and Costello had it going on in this explanation of American politics. Clear as mud.

LISTEN TO AN AUDIO

Right(s) Out of a Chicken's Ass

Sipsey from "Fried Green Tomatoes: "Oh it don't make no kind of sense. Big ol' ox like Grady won't sit next to a colored child. But he eats eggs- shoot right outta chicken's ass!"

Simple but, clear. Succinct yet apropos. How many of us have heard a grandmother, grandfather or senior mutter something so simple, yet right on point? Seems pretty clear to me. My Dad use to remark how slaves were used in the kitchen, as mid-wives and nanny's. He wondered why it was okay to put slaves in the kitchen where all sorts of things could be done to food, or imagine the damage that could be done to children in the care of a pissed off slave.
All the teabagger racially tinged cries of taking the country back makes me wonder back to where, when, why and, from whom? Wonder what the indigenous people have to say?
Maybe they mean back when the government was not involved in providing protections from ourselves. Back before women and minorities were protected or covered by social security or unemployment insurance? Back when there was no such thing as equal pay or equality except for old rich white men. Or back when children were not covered by labor laws. Maybe back when there was no medicare or medicaid. Back before the EPA developed standards for water and air quality? Back when women could not own property and were treated as property? Back when child abuse was a common day occurrence? Back when boys went to school and girls stayed home?
Does this seem ass backwards for a country that deems itself a world leader. A country that sits in judgment on how other countries treat their citizenry? A country that prides itself in being on the cutting edge. I call it arrogance. Sounds to me like they are not fighting to regain perceived loss of rights, but instead, an extension of rights to a greater majority. Consequently, the teabagger platform is strengthening the rights of Corporate America.
Corporate America should be the target of all this anger, yet it is corporate America that is reaping the benefits right out of a chicken's ass. The Boston tea party may have had grounds in equal representation, but it was also directed at big businesses such as the East India Tea Companies monopoly. Look at the recent failure of the drug import bill. Can the drug import bill be compared to tea imports in 1773? Why should Americans pay twice as much for medication developed in the US by American companies? Look at the tax breaks given companies moving jobs overseas. What about the huge farm subsidies? Do teabaggers realize that if anyone is getting in between them and their doctor, it is big pharma and the insurance companies. Should we revisit NAFTA? Have you walked through a Target or Walgreen and looked at labels? (I do not shop Wal-Mart but imagine they're worse). Have you called a customer service number lately and asked where they are located? What about the recent SCOTUS decision giving citizen rights to big business?
Get corporate America out of the kitchen and away from our children. Stop shooting eggs out your ass. Stop the corporate welfare.

Repug Hypocracy

Unpatriotic: Special Comment by my 72-year-old friend By GottaLaff

Rick Warren Strikes Again

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Out Damn Spot and Take Palin With You

Why are we still discussing Palin? What is so interesting or news worthy about this person? Since the election in November 2008 she televised the brutal murder of turkeys, had several televised word wars with her daughters boy friend and David Letterman, she quit her job, supported losing GOP candidates when she didn't even know what they supported, parroted GOP talking points, put her name on a book someone else wrote, whined, shifted blame and signed autographs. As they say, "Where's the beef?"
I just don't get it. Any thoughts she's had were given to her by her "advisers." She's being used and she doesn't even realize. Palin is an empty vessel being filled by the Dick Armeys of the GOP. She knows nothing of national politics and her catch phrase is "cut taxes so businesses can keep what they earn." That top down economics worked so well in the past, right? Palin would be another Dubya. Dubya was manipulated before elected, and throughout most of his administration. I would guess Palin and Dubya have about the same IQ, low end of the gene pool. What substantive thoughts has she contributed to ANY debate? What has she offered to health care reform, Afghanistan, Iraq, the national debt, (except the tax thing and that's a worn out 45 rpm), education, poverty, global warming or diplomacy. The whole drill baby drill thing was wrong on so many levels. Fortunately President Obama has not, so far, given into that way of thinking.
I just really don't get the media attention. Kill the spot light, turn the mic off and please leave us in the dark. I do not want to go through the next three years hearing the soapbox opera life of Palin, really, I don't. If she declares her candidacy or does something SUBSTANTIVE then okay. Personally she is a distraction, an annoyance, the chicken head eating freak in the circus, a mosquito in my ear, a train wreck I don't want to hear about until it happens. Out damn spot. Who in the media is bold enough to pour the stain remover on her smear?

Green 960 - KKGN

Green 960 - KKGN

Mormons In the Front

I have no love for religion and that is vividly obvious to anyone that knows me. That said, I can honestly say some more than other religions I find more reprehensible than others. Contrary to what might be inferred by the title of this piece, Mormon's are not out in front on my overall list of loathsome religions,but they are on this issue.
I've pretty much ignored LDS unless it knocks on my door or approaches me in any other way. I worked for a Mormon once, we had issues. I don't think it was because he was Mormon, he was a prick of the natural order, so it came naturally. He was a little pinched face guy with facial features I'd get caught up in instead of listening. He'd open his mouth to speak, but nothing came out for a good 10-15 seconds. His mouth and eye brows would do these contortions. It was almost like watching really fast time lapse photography. Odd. I remember my mother always taking out of state visitors up to see the Mormon church in the hills. I never understood why that was an attraction since we could never go inside, and our church was Baptist. I look up there occasionally now and I still hate the place, high above the flat lands on a hill it stands. A beacon to,...what?
Elder Oaks’ is attempting to draw an analogy between those that suffered during the civil rights movement, and those supporting prop 8. According to Oaks, those supporting prop 8 were fired, intimidated and boycotted because they were opponents of prop 8. He does say that the intimidation received by Blacks was worse. By inference I'm assuming he meant "comparable" as in lynchings, rapes, bombed churches, fire hoses, dogs, and locked up in prison suffered by Blacks and supporters. Needless to say, I disagree. One of us misses the point.
I believe the right to marry who you choose is a civil right. I do not believe the two issues can be compared. The movements, the emotion, the ingrained humanity, the foundation for the opposition and resulting impact can not be compared.
Oaks' limits his supposition to the alleged "intimidation" received by opponents of prop 8. Again, I totally disagree. "Intimidated" with boycott, a business has a choice. "Intimidated with being fired, there is a choice and legal avenues. Intimidation did not kill 4 little girls in that church. Intimidation did not lynch thousands of Blacks, or drag them to their death, or burn their homes, or sic 90 pound dogs on women and children, or hose them with fire hoses. That is not intimidation, that is death by racism. Blacks had no choice, no rights, no safety net, no protection or no where to turn. Backlash from this issue can not be compared to the back lashes whipped Blacks suffered. Perhaps Oaks is saying the intimidation is born of homophobia? Blacks had no choice, they were Black and would remain Black regardless of ANY law.
Oaks' comments still does not put the Mormon church at the top of my all time list, but it goes to the front of the line on this issue. As with most religious zealots, Oaks missed the point. I will say in deference to the front runner on my list, the Catholic church was very active during the civil rights movement but they are also confused over prop 8. I've never seen an LDS member on a civil rights picket line. Maybe I missed it.

The Booger Lobby

I hate lobbyist, and lobbying. Why are they booger? They are boogers because they are sticky and no matter how hard you flick them they still stick. Do not misunderstand me, this disdain I have for lobbying IS NOT restricted to the right, it includes lobbyist on the left. "One Person, One vote" is the election mandate in this country. Lobbyist erode the process.

I don't know about you, but I can not and would not pay my congressional representatives as incentive to do what is right. I have attended rallies, gone door to door, given seniors rides to the polls, donated what money I could afford, worked late into the night to get them elected. Why should I have to "lobby" them to do what they promised, what I elected them to do? So no matter how hard I work to get them elected, all it takes is a big fat check to void my efforts.

An organization or business is not and individual regardless of what the SCOTUS may decide. By allowing businesses to have influence in Congress via lobbying, legislation is diluted to profit. The people, the voters, the people paying their salaries, the people living with the consequences, are further minimized in the Democratic process. This is the process we've hung onto and faulted others for not allowing to prosper within their boarders. We have invaded other countries and criticized them for not being Democratic. How can we criticize foreign elections or processes when ours is so manipulated by greed and the the dollar. One Person, One Vote.
The current Health Insurance reform debate is a prime example of the mutilation of the system by lobbyist. http://bit.ly/vl3Co

What do health insurers believe campaign contributions will net them in Congress' health care reform debate? http://bit.ly/10UuC1

Put Down the Pen, Raise the Sword

Many, including myself, have faulted President Obama for being too pragmatic. We've wondered about his insistence on including the naysayers, racist, and harbingers of hate in discussions of public policy. Personally, I have chided myself often for over thinking issues to ad nauseam and as a manager of others, sometimes it works to my detriment.
Democrats won the election right? Democrats currently hold both houses and the Presidency, right? For the first 6 years of his administration, Dubya's house had at it's peak a +31 advantage in Congress and a +10 advantage in the Senate. Legislation passed during those years include:
The Invasion of Iraq; The patriot Act; No Child Left Behind; Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001; The Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003; The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act; The Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004; The Medicare Prescription Drug (billion dollar baby), Improvement, and Modernization Act; The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act; and, established The Department of Homeland Security in 2002.
After the 2006 election the 110th Congress, Democrats went up 233/202 in the House and 51/49 in the Senate. Long story short, no, the republicans continued on their march to rightsideville. The only mentionable legislation was the U.S Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007. This bill had more riders on it than a major city transit bus.
After 2008 election the Democrats gained even more seats and went up 256/177 in the House, and 60/40 in the Senate. Now we're going to get some legislation more citizen friendly...right? Eh, somewhat.
My point is, when Republicans are in control of both houses and the White House, the rich prosper. Democrats in control of all three,...the rich prosper. Am I getting frustrated, yes. Are others getting frustrated, yes. Have I given up, not completely, but I have weakened. Maybe the Democrats need a Newt Gingrich in the Senate because my faith in Harry Reid is fading.
I sometimes wonder if it is just too early in his administration to get frustrated with Obama and Congress, but the ripples in the sand propel me forward. I've worked on campaigns in the pass, but not as hard as I did for Obama (after I decided to support him over Hillary).
I understand and accept his desire to work for peace, and to have an inclusive administration. I recognize the need to work with the opposition and make concessions in an effort to gain ground on the many issues facing the US. I get it, really, I do. Oh, wait, what has he gained from the right? Well, let's see they demanded concessions on TARP, and the budget, he conceded, they voted against him anyway. The health care debate has about driven me insane with the backstabbing and posturing. One day republicans like Chuck Grassley are willing to work with Democrats, the next day he's regurgitating the death panel lie. Yet, Obama turns around and publicly thanks Grassley for his cooperation. I appreciate Obama' efforts to work with the republicans, really, but that change is not going to happen. After eight years of Dubya pushing through legislation, invading countries, stomping on citizen rights and just being a jerk, I appreciate Obama because he has attempted to work with the opposition. Really, I appreciate the effort, but the result is they are not willing and I agree with Bill Maher (http://bit.ly/Ww9zL). I would like to see him bitch slap a couple of the bluedogs and smack Bachus around a little. Tell the republicans to either help row or get off the damn ship. Work from the bully pulpit to push health care reform. Take tips from Dubya and push legislation through for the good of the country. I appreciate that he thinks things through and doesn't have knee jerk reactions as Dubya did. My appreciation and many like me have limits.

I say, put down the pen and raise the sword. I would not at all be surprised if Obama is a one term president, not by the vote but by design. I think he has an agenda and he has given himself 4 years. While that opinion would be sad, it would not surprise me to see the Democrats struggling to find a replacement.

Race not Reason

Inhofe: I'll Vote Against Reform Without Reading Bill
http://tiny.cc/bXJ32

Rex Rammell, Idaho GOPer, Jokes About Hunting Obama
http://tiny.cc/SiWmi

Race-Based Protests Directed At Obama Continue To Rise
http://tiny.cc/61RdH

Secret Service Interviewed Pastor Who Prays For Obama's Death
http://tiny.cc/CAbvx


These are just four of the most recent headlines that are proving to be very disturbing, yet constant over the past 8 months. There have been worse comparing our President to Nazi's, socialist, communists, Satan, and the anti-Christ. He's been accused of building his own army, planning to kill old people, not being a citizen, being a Muslim, being a racist and destroying America. The biggie for some is he's planning to take away their guns and put insurance companies out of business and eliminate medicare.
Is all this hate because he is Black? Are all these lies rooted in the deep racist neighborhoods that had been laying dormant all these years? Will this country ever be rid of race based politics? Since when was it acceptable for a gubernatorial candidate to joke about hunting the President with a gun? Why is it okay for a US Senator to publicly say he was going to vote a bill down without reading it simply because media says he should? This is the same media that supports deathers, birthers, teabaggers, and gun toters. This is the same media that has the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, and Glen Beck. Sad

What Today's Klan Looks Like

I was wondering if we knew this

KKK Photos: What Today's Klan Looks Like

Are we seeing more of this because of the Internet? Is there really a resurgence as some say because of President Obama? Did Blacks get uppity, or step out of their place by electing a Black man?

Maddow v. Buchanan v SCOTUS

I wonder who hasn't seen this video, and why not.
The Political Carnival: VIDEO: Maddow v. Buchanan on Sotomayor hearings, race. 2 words: No contest.

I was going to rant and rave about all the inconsistencies and bold face lies in Pat's racist ramblings, then figured I was better than that. What I will say is that in my research I found that Blacks have fought valiantly in EVERY war this country was involved in, including Normandy. Blacks were slaves when the US constitution was written and not even considered citizens, yet they fought for this country.
It was not that Pat ignored these facts, but that others out there not as intelligent as, not as influential, not as recognized believe his rantings, and for that I say shame on Pat, shame on America. All the work of the civil rights movement is being ignored. All the advances, points made are being buried in hateful rantings of a failed 2x Presidential candidate.
This is not the first time Pat's rantings has uncovered more of his racist views. While huffing for his book "State of Emergency" he said, " I'd like the country I grew up in. It was a good country. I lived in Washington D.C. - 400,000 black folks, 400,000 white folks, in a country 89 or 90 percent whites. I like that country." When asked if that was the way he wanted to keep it, he said no. He went on to say that people should not alter the composition without consulting the American people. While I am not sure how that would work in today's society, I am quite sure it would be a demagoguery mess.
Affirmative has been and will continue t be an issue in this country. What Pat fails to accept, not recognize but accept is Sotomayor may have been a AA baby, but she epitomizes the reason why a hand up is sometimes necessary. If schools, resources, teachers, books, classrooms, are not on equal ground, a student given a little assistance can go a long way. Grants, scholarships, work study programs are available only to so many students. Even then, the challenges facing minority students are not on equal ground with white conterparts. Yes things have improved, but if in 2009, there are still those that feel all is right with our educational system, shame on America. In the time of cutbacks, schools taking a 10% cut in some districts, does not have the same impact as in another district. In this, I do not mean white versus black, but with and without.