classicBacsik

The Islamo-Mexican Conspiracy Is Here!

Apparently, swine flu is a plot wherein Islamic terrorists infected Mexicans, then convince these same Mexicans that there were construction jobs in the US.  When the infected Mexicans flooded across the border, they spread swine flu among us.  This Media Matters video clip gives you the basic conspiracy plot via geniuses like Michael Savage and Glenn Beck.

It's just a way for these clowns to mask their prejudices.

For the record, the first swine flu cases in the US were white American kids from NY, from a christian school, who returned from spring break in Mexico with the flu.  Unfortunately, there are no good ways for a right wing nut job to spin that into discrimination and bias.

Although, cute blondes in dust masks are kinda sexy!!

How Are Jesus License Plates Selling in West Palm Beach??

I love these stories and I love ironic statements by politicians.  In response to a question of whether license plates with christian symbols, now available in Florida, violate the separation of church and state - Governor Crist said, 'if you don't want one, don't buy one'.

That's priceless.

How many times have progressives had a 'stay out of my personal life' conversation with conservatives where the progressive says, 'if you don't like it, don't get/buy/listen to what offends you'.

Most of the times when I've had that conversation, it was about a TV or radio program that some tight ass rightie objects to.  I wish I had a dollar for every time I told a rightie, 'turn the channel'.

Of course the christian license plates violate the church/state separation.  Undoubtedly, the State of Florida used public money and/or resources to make the plates - and regardless of what money they recover - they aren't offering other religious options. 

You're wrong, Governor Crist.

Now batting, number 60, Arlen Specter!

Arlen Specter defected to save his political skin, but his skin was threatened because the Republicans are clinging to an unpopular (i.e., ultra-conservative) ideology.  They're learning a hard lesson about denial.

It's no surprise that the right-wing portion of the Republican party, i.e., the only part of the Party that remains, is antagonistic and apocalyptic about Arlen Specter's defection to the Democrats.  Rush and his ilk say 'good riddance' because he hates anything moderate or in moderation.  Mitch McConnell thinks it's the end of the country as he knows it because it removes checks and balances from the Senate.

Tough break losers.

Most Republicans have still not accepted their political disfavor and isolation, and their reactions to this defection is another example of how little they grasp reality.  It's for the good of all of us that they stay in the dark and out of favor - at least until a lot of left wing cleanup can commence.

Historical swings are natural in democracy and we're in the throes of a swing to the left right now.  In a few years, the Democrats will enact something bold enough to turn a majority of moderate voters away from them.  It is then, and only then, that the Republicans will find an issue to rebound with.  Until then, enjoy the rantings and thank Arlen Specter for assisting the new progressive agenda.

Conspiracy Nut Gun Owners Strike Again

Another right wing nutcase irrationally protested the non-existent conspiracy to ban guns by using deadly force - with a gun (see the HuffPost story).  After beating his wife, he took out his conspiracy-driven rage on innocent gun range patrons. 

It's not terribly surprising that it happened in crazy-ass Florida, but it is a terrible loss of life for two deputies families.  He killed the deputies before being shot dead. 

On a daily basis, I get links from right-wing friends where claims are made that President Obama will take away everyone's guns. 

Even a smidge of intelligence would assure a person that the President alone cannot effect such laws and that most of Congress would have to be in on the conspiracy, but that doesn't stop my college educated friends from acting like Democrats will rip up the Constitution.  Hey, righties, you should worry about the rights in the Constitution that your bumbling President, Prince George, shit on over the last eight years.  Misplaced rage is becoming all the rage.

Reinstate the Superfund Tax, Mr. President.

The recent stimulus package passed by Congress and signed by the President included money to aid existing Superfund cleanups, especially orphan sites, to the tune of $600M. This NY Times article discusses the situation by highlighting an orphan site in NJ.

The next step is for Congress and the President to reinstate the defunct Superfund tax. Money from the tax would advance EPA's other missions of finding polluters, holding polluters accountable for their actions, and cleaning up sites. It will help relieve the financial burden from the taxpayers.

Opponents of the tax claim that it penalizes companies for the sins of the few who got away.  That's just too bad.  It should not be the citizen taxpayer who pays for these sins.  But, it's good to see stimulus money putting shovels in the ground for the good of everyone.

Republicans - Are You With Us or Against Us?

In yesterday's NY Times, Frank Rich, summed up the Republican intransigence about the stimulus package with that question about patriotism - Are you with us or against us?

Republicans are currently unpatriotic, by their own post-9/11 definition.  They're against us and they've lined up behind their fuhrer, Rush Limbaugh.

Since 9/11, Republicans were very vocal about how unpatriotic it was to question Little Georgie's every move.  Yet, the Republicans in the House voted unanimously, goose stepping all the way, against the Obama stimulus package.

It is clear that the Republican party has nothing to stand for at the moment, so they choose to stick with the same tired conservative mantras that treated them well for most of the last 25 years.  Sooner or later they will realize that that most recent conservative era is over - just ask John McBush how dragging out all of the tired mantras worked for him?!

Rush will make a lot of money in the next eight years by railing against the establishment.  His lemmings (the faithful 29%) will always 'rush' to hear his latest soothing rants, but it will do them no good in the new liberal America.  It's time for the other 29% to get aboard this train (as we all did after 9/11) and worked toward recovery instead of hoping it fails. 

From Hero to National Joke

Now There's a Recession!

During the financial crisis last week, Bush only came out of his bin Ladenesque cave (i.e., the White House) for two minutes  then 11 minutes to address the nation.  In the interim, he offered a plan that took up an entire 2 1/2 pages and asked for $700 billion.  Now, in a 14 minute speech, he says the entire economy could collapse and we could be in a deep recession.

Is this an attempt to save his economic legacy or feed his deregulation cronies with our money...or both???

Paulson Attempts to be Made King of the Economy

The bailout plan that Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson sent to Congress would give he and his cronies unlimited control over the use of the money and would deny any possible oversight.  Senator Chris Dodd has an alternative plan that requires oversight, accountability, and limits to executive pay.

Jason Linkins of the Huffington Post sums it up very nicely in this post.  He highlights a most egregious power grab scheme within the bailout proposal, i.e., these 32 words: Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.

Hopefully, the lack of political clout enjoyed by the White House will enable Congress to stand up and demand the Chris Dodd stipulations, including removal of the 32 words.  Senators Obama and McCain appear to be on board with a bailout plan that requires oversight and limited executive pay.

The Disingenuous Duo Strike Again!

This is from Governor MILF's interview with Charlie Gibson, who is Sarah Palin talking about here?

"Charlie, again, we've got to remember what the desire is in this nation at this time, It is for no more politics as usual and somebody's big, fat resume maybe that shows decades and decades in that Washington establishment, where, yes, they've had opportunities to meet heads of state."

If you guessed 'John McCain', I would have to give you partial credit. 

This little 30 second ditty from last year's Republican debates is quite amusing in it's own right.  McBush makes a clear distinction between his record and that of MAYOR Giuliani and GOVERNOR Mitt Romney while discussing his foreign policy experience.

No doubt it'll show up in a Democratic ad.  This shows, once again, that it's McBush first and country second.  He would endanger a country to win an election!

How about if we get the truth straight from the horse's mouth (btw, the horse's mouth reference is in no way a slur against McBush, the MILF, or any other Republican, living or dead!).  In just 11 seconds he admits that he's out of touch with the rest of us.

The Shrub, McBush, and Osama bin Laden - An October Surprise!

I want to expound on Keith Olbermann's comments on Countdown last night.  John W. McBush has been running around for almost a year claiming that he'd chase Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell and that he will catch him.  Here's the rub - if you know how to catch bin Laden, why won't you inform the current government of how to do it?

Practice what you preach, McBush.  You say that it's about country first, so stop blackmailing the electorate into making you President before you'll tell us how to catch him.

Osama bin Laden's death will be reported before the election and the Shrub will give partial credit to McBush and some phony intelligence that he provided.   In order to save some of his legacy, the Shrub will announce the October Surprise with McBush at his side.  It will have been crucial information that McBush passed along to the Shrub, presumably through his 'extensive' ties within the military while he was on a fact-finding tour of Afghanistan.

It won't matter how far fetched this story is, it will only matter that the message is: McBush will keep you safe.  Look for this circus on the White House lawn as soon as the lipstick comes off the pig that is Sarah Palin (aka The MILF).

The McBush Campaigns Wants Deference for the MILF

The McBush campaign pimps are being very careful with their prized money maker.  They are only planning to tramp her out for the big donors because that's where her extremist views are appreciated most.

But, are they really extreme views? No one has been able to ask her anything, so we don't really know for sure.  Perhaps the McBush campaign is slowly realizing that she is way too extreme for mainstream America?

To that end, the campaign announced that the MILF will meet with Charles Gibson of ABC at the end of the week.  However, the campaign demanded that the media treat her with respect and deference!!!

Are you kidding me? Will Putin treat her with deference? Will the Middle East leaders treat her with deference? Of course not.  There's a very real reason that they're avoiding letting us vet the MILF - they didn't do it properly!!!

The Shrill MILF and What She Prays For

The Shrill MILF video from this summer at her long-time Assembly of God church is certainly disturbing in one very scary way - re-igniting the religious fervor over Iraq as a Crusade.  The MILF says that the troops in Iraq are there to do God's bidding - actually, 'our national leaders are sending them out on a task from god'.  I'm not familiar with that particular god, but I don't understand how McBush could choose an unqualified, extremist candidate for VP. 

Oh, wait, HE DOESN'T GET IT!

This election is about change, not social issues.  The MILF is an extremist and her first real-life gaffe is coming soon.  Stay tuned.

McBush and the Shrilf Just Don't Get It!

After the dust settles, the Repugnicants will not like this speech by McBush tonight.  It was disjointed and poorly delivered, and it admitted fault for the last eight years. 

There was only passing reference to George W. Bush and only with the word, President, and it didn't look anywhere toward the future or any single problem facing most of us today.  McBush attempted to become the agent for change in this election by admitting the party's mistakes in great detail. 

McBush was told that he couldn't get his way and pick Lieberman as running mate because that wasn't conservative enough, so he took 15 minutes to vet the Shrilf to look like a conservative.  Similarly, he was told that this would be about change, so he took 15 minutes to write this speech and attempt to be the change agent.  Both forced decisions were necessary but fraught.

This election is not about the same, tired social conservatism wrapped in the prettier cover of the Shrilf or about a long-time Washington insider shedding his skin tonight - it is about real CHANGE and McBush and the Shrilf JUST DON'T GET IT!

McBush: Do As We Say, Not As We Do!

It's good 'ol Repugnican Family Values again tonight, and once again for the disingenuous duo, McBush and the MILF say one thing but do another. 

On Monday, the McBush team tried to bury the Bristol and the bastard child story, and then they told the world that the family should be left out of the equation.  We were told that the bastard's father's identity was closely guarded, so most of the world - particularly Democrats and Obama - stayed away.

YET THE REPUGNICANS COULDN'T HELP THEMSELVES, AND IN THE INTEREST OF FAMILY UNITY THEY ARE PARADING THIS HORNY LITTLE KID, LEVI JOHNSTON, TO THE CONVENTION AND OUT INTO THE BIGGEST MEDIA CIRCUS IN THE WORLD.

WHAT A COMPLETE CROCK OF SHIT. 

The Bastard's father is likely to be on his best behavior, but any stunned, confused look will only highlight the unnecessary pandering display we will see tonight.

Never mind the signs all over Minneapolis, for McBush it's 'Politics First'.

Devout Christian, Sarah Palin, Giggles At Mockery of Political Rival

This audio link is a heartless appearance by the MILF on an Alaskan radio show and it displays her egregious lack of christian concern for a female political opponent, Lyda Green (President of the Alaska Senate).  Like a giddy, little schoolgirl she revels in the mockery of a rival.

On a related note, the message from the Republicans about the MILF is: you're a sexist if you criticize the MILF's qualifications to be VP (I choose to use the moniker, MILF, in a positive, she's hot way.  Others may see it differently!).  Since the announcement of the MILF as John W. McBush's running mate, I have heard many Republican surrogates instantly revert to the 'sexist' card whenever someone challenges her qualifications. 

Will these same surrogates take offense to the MILF's giggling on behalf of Lyda Green and all women?  It's doubtful.

At one moment, the Republicans want us to look at her record and not her sex, but when a Democrat offers the opinion that her record is not sufficient for the Vice Presidency - sex becomes an issue.  Several female Republican congresswomen (e.g., Molinari) and a few Republican operatives (e.g., Bay Buchanan) have taken instant offense, as a woman, and on behalf of women everywhere.

The MILF is an Alaskan, a hunter, and a mooseburger eater.  If I declare that she is unqualified for the Vice Presidency, am I insulting those groups of people as well? Of course not.  This knee jerk response by Republicans is sexist in its own fashion because the respondents are not allowing someone to judge the MILF as a person.

McBush and the MILF Disingenuous about 'Bristol decided to keep the baby'

What? Another wholesome, Republican family is dealing with an unplanned, out of wedlock, pregnancy!!  Raging hormones don't seem to understand ideology.

It appears that the McBush campaign knew that, Bristol, the 17-year old daughter of the MILF-in-chief was 5 months pregnant, and she was not married.  They released this information today so as to avoid confusion in the media (not because Gustav was dominating the news).  But keep in mind, the irresponsible parents will be married soon - allegedly.

Unlike my right wing friends, I don't hold this information against anyone.  I don't care whether she keeps the baby and/or she marries the father.

Here's the big disconnect.  In the official press release, a McBush aide insisted a key point to keep in mind is that Bristol decided to keep the baby, and it's a decision "supported by her parents."

While those six words, 'Bristol decided to keep the baby' are factual and legally true - and we're thankful for that - they are disingenuous and off the mark.

Bristol's mother and her anti-choice ilk must remove these six words from any discussion about this bastard child.   Her rigid ideology forbids this option because, under their strict canons, she never really had a choice.  The MILF must be held accountable for these words uttered today, 'We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby...'

Either your pro-choice or your anti-choice! 

Interestingly, the head of the Alaska delegation to the Republican convention stated, in response to the news, that, 'life happens'.  This is the standard right wing response at times like these (remember Dan Quayle in 1988), but that doesn't square with their policies.  If you understand that 'life happens' and children don't always listen to their parents, then you must drop your antiquated policies and allow the rest of the 300 million Americans to enjoy the same freedom of choice.

The right wing and the McBush campaign must stop this disingenuous bull.  If you want to end 'choice' from all of our lives, then you can NEVER, EVER say those six words without losing all credibility on this issue. 

McBush and the MILF First; Country Second

Okay, this is what the Republicans wanted, so I'm giving it to them.  The perfect - we really care about people - photo op in advance of the storm tomorrow. 

Mississippi governor (and ex-RNC chair) Haley Barbour allegedly invited McBush and the MILF to Jackson for a 'briefing' (not to be confused with photo op) on the imminent storm.  Don't they look concerned and presidential???

Less than 24 hours from landfall, I'm sure that there is nothing better for the governor of Mississippi to be doing than escorting these three new BFFs around Jackson.  I'm sure that they couldn't have been briefed via conference call!!

McBush will be screaming 'Country First' for the next 65 days, but this photo op is really 'McCain First' when he shows up and has resources diverted to his photo op.  Don't forget that during the Iowa floods out of respect for the wishes of the governor of Iowa (no photo ops, please), Obama stayed away and McBush showed up.

McBush and the MILF: The Palin Pick is Irresponsible!

A crotchety old senator, with a penchant for beauty queens, is running for President.  The extreme wing of his party threatens a 3rd candidate will oppose him if he doesn't shore up his conservative credentials, so the crazy old senator selects an unqualified, but sexy, governor/mayor/hockey mom - who he's only met once - as his running mate.  They load into the campaign bus and the hilarity ensues.  See it this fall on the RNC network - McBush and the MILF. 

Hopefully it'll be cancelled after just eight weeks.

Full marks to Bill Maher for his hilarious moniker of the Republican ticket: the Maverick and the MILF!  But this blogger prefers not to distinguish John W. McBush as a maverick, ergo...the Republican ticket will be referred to herein as McBush and the MILF.  It would be funny if it weren't so serious. 

Sarah Palin is an amazingly irresponsible choice for VP.  When McBush is having surgery and Vice President MILF is in charge, and Vladimir Putin decides it's time to go into the Ukraine, do you want her to be answering the phone at 3am? Of course not.  Do you want her to be managing your military son or daughter? Of course not.  This is a reckless, clueless pick.

All day today, the Republican talking heads, in lauding the pick of Sarah Palin as McBush's running mate, are claiming that her executive experience trumps that of Barack Obama.

This is fundamentally unsound and foolish for three solid reasons:

1) If executive experience is the important factor and she's more qualified than Barack Obama, then she is also more qualified than John McBush;

2) George W. Shrub had executive experience; and

3) Barack Obama is a very intelligent student of the world.  He has studied local, national, and international issues his entire life.  He has been preparing for this job his entire life.

This story should not have to be told, but the Republicans will continue to hammer this experience message and the Democrats will continue to respond in some fashion in these three ways.  Hopefully.

The McBush Gimmick - Lightweight Sarah Palin

The happiest person in the world must be Dan Quayle.  At least Dan Quayle was a Senator with some national experience.

John McBush selected the governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, to be a heartbeat away from the most important job in the world.  She's been the mayor of a hamlet of 9,000 people, she been the governor of the 47th most populous state for 20 months, and she has recently said, 'I don't really know what's going on in Iraq because I've been concentrating on my state and my kids'.

Is this real?  This person should be the Vice President????

NO!  Of course not, this is ridiculous, desperate, and insulting.

Here's what a right wing, Republican talking head said about Sarah Palin's foreign policy experience.  This is truly all that they've got!!

A beauty contestant as a mate and as a running mate!  Thanks for giving America back to the Democrats and to the American people, John.

Unity: the Compelling Narrative is Complete!

The Democratic convention displayed a powerful consistent unity narrative from start to finish.  We saw an Obama (Michelle), two Clintons, and another Obama clearly demonstrate that the Democrats have one goal - defeat John McBush.  In the middle we got plenty of cohesion that spotlighted Joe Biden.  The four days flowed beautifully toward the knockout punch delivered by Barack.  It was fantastic political theater and a wonderfully ascendant narrative.

Many political pundits are calling the just completed Democratic national convention the most well orchestrated convention in history.  For me, it rivals the sense of cohesion I saw at both of Ronald Reagan's coronations.  One of the beautiful things about tonight is that it wasn't a royal coronation (like those of Reagan), it was a celebration of unity under Barack Obama.

Obama came onto the scene exploiting the non-war, unity niche.  We all realize that but for Hillary's one vote in 2002 to allow force against Iraq, she would be our candidate today.  Therefore, Obama has used his consistency call for unity, in the country as well as in his party, to get to this point.

I was ready for the 'why can't we all get along' speech but, for the first time in a while, we had a Democratic Presidential candidate who didn't step lightly around his opponent nor did he allow the Republicans to dictate the post convention spin (as they had throughout July and August).  Obama called McBush on his volatile temperament (you'll hear this word a lot), his lack of judgement, and his ideological ties to the Shrub.  He talked about his normal upbringing, and showed white America many images of his white family (mother and grandparents).  He referenced Martin Luther King glancingly, and only at the end of the speech. 

Barack Obama is qualified to be President and will roll through these last 67 days.

Troubies: Alice, Part 2

The most recent Troubie show (Troubadour Theater Company), Alice in One-Hit Wonderland, Part 2 was as good as it gets in Troubieland - it was freakin' funny!  Their wit and athleticism was solid as ever, and the whole effort was tighter than some recent shows.  This time, the story was about Alice Nelson (her last name was news to this 46 year old who grew up with the Brady Bunch) dreaming her way through Wonderland.  The one hit wonders (particularly Sunshine Day and the Humpty Dance) and the Brady Bunch episode references were great and timely to the story.

This may be the first Troubie performance with no penalty flags throw, and most of us who are veteran Troubie watchers would prefer more adlibbing (especially with Beth Kennedy getting so much stage time), but the cleverness of the story and the writing made this show extremely fun. 

The point of this entry is not to do a full review, it's merely to tell my fellow Los Angelenos to don your Burbankian garb and race to the Falcon Theater in Burbank as soon as possible.

Troubies - see you in September for the U2 show.

Russians Will Remain in Georgia and No One Can Stop Them

It seems that after signing the cease-fire agreement with Georgia, Russia has decided that the West (i.e., our blustering president and very busy military) has no teeth.  The proof is in the Russians' actions.  Russia will maintain 18 'observation posts' inside Georgia.

That's 'inside' Georgia.  Not inside South Ossetia and nowhere near the locations outlined in the cease-fire agreement (i.e., their pre-August 7th positions outside of South Ossetia).  The Russians realize that our skilled tactician of a President is just pissing into the wind when he threatens them with consequences.

With no one to stop them, where will the Russians go next?

Russia's Sphere of Influence Expanded

The successful cease fire in Georgia is welcomed news around the world.  No one wanted to see continued destruction over two tiny, rogue territories.  The boundary of Russian influence has now been redrawn at the Georgian and Ukrainian borders as well as any other Baltic or Caucasus states.

It's clear that President Saakashvili (pictured at left) made an enormous strategic blunder when he sent troops into South Ossetia.  It was probably unlikely that Russia would have pushed all the way to Tbilisi, but they moved into Georgian territory, and their superior military might and economic strength is a powerful signal to the West (we are considering Georgia and the Ukraine for NATO membership) that Russia will not sit by quietly as it's borders are encroached upon.

The agreement is an embarrassment for the Georgian President because the Georgians are proud of their heritage and they consider South Ossetia and Abkhazia historic parts of their country. 

Saakashvili's brash words that 'Russia has not heard the last of Georgia' is probably just posturing, his future as President is in serious doubt, and they will probably lean more toward Russia than the West in the near future.

The cease fire deal was negotiated by the French President, not by the US President.  This is because our international standing is so tarnished that the Shrub was reduced to posturing on the lawn of the White House, weakly threatening Russia with removal from the G8, instead of having the ability to militarily stand behind the Georgians.  The same Georgians that we promised to walk through their democratic experiment successfully.  Another democratic opportunity is probably lost and the war in Iraq is the reason.

Garbage as Fuel

We all remember the end of 'Back to the Future' when the Doc fills up his DeLorean with garbage.  Well, one of the areas of biofuel technology that must be watched is 'garbage as fuel'.  A recent New York Times article, Gassing Up With Garbage, solidly summarized the existing condition of the quest.

As with most venture capital projects, there is no agreed-upon timeline, for full-scale production, but the market is making the research and long-term viability spring to life.  Much of the garbage will be agricultural waste (see the photo of pine waste collected by the Forest Service). Garbage as fuel can be part of the mandated 36 billion gallons of biofuel by 2022 solution.

Perhaps the day will come when landfills will be mined for organics and the operators can get paid twice for our waste!

Liberal Bias. What Liberal Bias?

Like flag burning, gay bashing, and abortion - conservatives trot out the media's liberal bias every once in a while.  In places like Fox News it's a regular feature.  In the meantime, James Rainey writing for the LA Times nicely summarizes the results of a study conducted between the day that Hillary Clinton dropped out of the primary race and the day that Senator Obama left for the Middle East.  The result: Obama got more negative press than McBush!

The study, by The Center for Media and Public Affairs at George Mason University, was headed by Robert Lichter, someone who has historically endeared himself to conservatives, and confirms that Obama received more 'network' coverage than McBush, but the networks were negative to Obama 72% of the time and only 57% of the time to McBush.

From the LA Times article, Rainey notes - 'In 2006, conservative cable showmen Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly had Lichter, a onetime Fox News contributor, on their programs. They heralded his findings in the congressional midterm election: that the networks were giving far more positive coverage to the Democrats'.

I'm no fan of the networks, and I get exactly 0% of my news from them, but these numbers remind us that true journalism tries to be fair and balanced!  Fairness is one of those concepts that 'I know it when I see it!'

Smart Meters in the Home

A New York Times article about the energy efficiency of two towns in Britain, Hove and Brighton, highlighted a simple device that could significantly reduce our energy consumption - a smart meter.  The meter tells you how many watts of electricity you're using in your home at any given moment.  The ability to equate watt usage with energy costs becomes instantaneous and second nature, and prompts many people to become very vigilant. 

Here in Southern California, Southern Cal Edison, is in the process of providing these smart meters on a large scale.  This simple step in energy conservation will go a long way to reducing consumption, reducing greenhouse gases, and saving money!  It displays real-time information about watt usage and enables all family members to monitor their electricity usage.

A quick Google search will provide local information for your area of the country. 

W. Plays Politics with Offshore Drilling

The Shrub re-inserted himself into the 2008 campaign by lifting the presidential moratorium on offshore oil drilling (i.e., 3 to 200 miles from the coast).  "Now the ball is squarely in Congress' court," the Shrub stated. "Democratic leaders can show that they have finally heard the frustrations of the American people by matching the action I have taken today."

“Failure to act is unacceptable,” the president said, asserting that obstructionists in the Democratic-controlled Congress have been blocking progress on energy exploration and that “now, Americans are paying at the pump.”

What the Shrub is referring to is the congressional moratorium (established in 1982) that must be lifted for any offshore drilling to begin.  We have record high gas prices and its an election year, so many congresspeople will feel pressured to act, hence the Shrub's posturing.

Of course, any increased production from offshore drilling will take at least a decade to realize.  Many people, including our Governator and this writer, believe we should use this time and money to advance renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.

I ask you, Mr. Shrub, 'If offshore drilling were really the answer, how come you didn't lift this moratorium when your party controlled Congress?' 

If it was so important, action taken early in the decade would mean we'd be six or seven years closer to realizing production from offshore drilling and therefore, a reduction in gas prices.  However, lifting the moratorium earlier might have actually reduced prices, and that would have cut into the profits of his oil baron cronies.   The moratorium is only a political football and must be resisted at all costs. 

To Congress, including my surfer congressman, don't savage the ocean environment with this short-sighted plan, but keep pushing for alternative energy sources instead.

W = Waste!

It seems so simple.  W = Waste.  The City of San Francisco may vote to name a sewage treatment facility after our President.  A story in the LA Times today states that a facility in SF wants its name to reflect a shitty president!  At least his name will be attached to something!

Where do I sign?!

Wesley Clark Speaks a Truth about McBush

Wesley Clark made a simple point the other day that John W. McBush's experience in the military did not explicitly qualify him to be president (the comments are given below).  In their zeal to make news, some media outlets stated that Clark 'swift-boated' McBush. 

In fact, he merely made a point about serving in the military versus holding a position of responsibility for the lives of troops during war.  If Clark had been shortlisted for VP, the media will never let it happen now, and that's too bad.

Clark's comments:

BOB SCHIEFFER: How can you say that John McCain is untested and untried, General?

CLARK: Because in the matters of national security policy making, it's a matter of understanding risk. It's a matter of gauging your opponents and it's a matter of being held accountable.

John McCain's never done any of that in his official positions. I certainly honor his service as a prisoner of war. He was a hero to me and to hundreds of thousands and millions of others in the armed forces, as a prisoner of war. He has been a voice on the Senate Armed Services Committee. And he has traveled all over the world.

But he hasn't held executive responsibility. That large squadron in the Navy that he commanded—that wasn't a wartime squadron. He hasn't been there and ordered the bombs to fall. He hasn't seen what it's like when diplomats come in and say, I don't know whether we're going to be able to get this point through or not. Do you want to take the risk? What about your reputation? How do we handle this publicly? He hasn't made that calls, Bob.

SCHIEFFER: Well, General, maybe—could I just interrupt you?

CLARK: Sure.

SCHIEFFER: I have to say, Barack Obama has not had any of those experiences, either, nor has he ridden in a fighter plane and gotten shot down. I mean...

CLARK: Well, I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president.

Thanks, George Carlin

Some years ago I saw a George Carlin routine where he shamed golfers, because the golf course requires so many resources and is not open to everyone to enjoy.  It was not the first time that I disagreed with him but, I took this one very personal.  Suddenly, I wasn't in on the joke - I was the joke.  Inevitably, we all were the joke!

I loved George Carlin because he made me think about myself and my world. 

That was one of his many qualities - tell it like he saw it!  George was a keen, critical, and cranky observer of our world.  That's why I chose this recent 21st Century clip - Modern Man - to post here.  The taunting way that he delivered monologues like this reminded me just how silly we are in our everyday haste.  The pace of delivery of this monologue mirrors that frantic lifestyle and makes the mockery just that more appropriate. 

For exposing our idiosyncracies and making us think.  Thank you, George.

Gary Hart Talks About Hope in '08

I was a college student in 1984 and I was vehemently anti-Reagan, so it should be no surprise that I lept with both feet onto the Gary Hart bandwagon (even if he did resemble my buddy, Jim Seery!).  The fact that he made a critical mistake with a woman who wasn't his wife and got caught on a boat with the most unfortunate name, Monkey Business, was devastating, but not career ending.  This erudite and thoughtful guy has stepped up over the years to try to bring some progressive clarity to the rightward turn of the this country since 1980.

Last Wednesday, he published a light but thoughtful NY Times op-ed piece about cycle of American history.  It borrows from the Arthur Schlesinger, Jr's book, Cycles of American History (one of my favorites), and offers 2008 and Barack Obama as a possible new cycle.  We all know that we could use it!

The following paragraph from Mr. Hart's piece is fantastic in it's simple summary: "Senator Obama’s attempt to introduce the next American cycle should include, at minimum, three elements. National security requires a new, expanded, post-cold-war definition. America must transition from a consumer economy to a producing one. And the moral obligations of our stewardship of the planet must become paramount."

Let's hope!

Never Mind the Word 'Militias', Mr. Scalia!

The five conservatives on the Supreme Court once again opted for judicial activism instead of restraint.  So anxious to make a mark on individual rights when it fits their political agenda (unlike criminal rights, say) that they took up the 2nd amendment in order to be able to say that 'individuals have the right to bear arms' for self defense (the case was about owning guns in the District of Columbia and was originally filed and paid for by a gun rights activist).  There is no restriction on the types of guns DC residents can now possess.  Thank you for the Uzi, Mr. Scalia.

Loosely, judicial activism overrules laws and invalidates precedent while judicial restraint defers to exisitng law and precedent.  For all of the conservative uproar over activism on the bench and 'original intent', they say fit to make a political statement with this case.

Justice Scalia stated that the ruling was narrow and wouldn't affect certain types of gun restrictions (no rights for felons and mentally ill persons, etc.), but that won't stop the zealous gun owners from offering numerous challenges to any and all current restrictions (not to mention how right wing legislators will argue against new restrictions).  This means that another gun case will probably make it back in front of Mr. Original Intent before he dies on the bench - let's see if he invalidates existing laws the next time.

Federal Court tells Automakers: 'Calif Can Set Its Own Emissions Standards'

In the continuing saga of whether California, and 15 other states so far, can set their own emissions standards, a Federal Court gave a win to environmentalists and threw out a suit brought on by 10 automakers (see an LA Times article here).  The lawsuit was an attempt to block implementation of a California law.  The California law under question requires an average mileage rating of 41 mpg by 2015 (the recent federal law requires 37mpg by 2015).

In Monday's decision, the judge took what environmental lawyers described as an unusually strident tone in denying appeals by the automakers to delay implementation of the California law until 2017 in the event that a Clean Air Act waiver from the EPA was granted.

The judge also rejected the automakers' interpretation of a federal statute -- revolving around the word "or" -- that would make California's law unenforceable.

"The interpretation requested is without support in law, logic, or grammar," the judge wrote, denying all the motions filed by the auto industry and calling for the case to be wrapped up within 30 days.

Remember, California requested a waiver from the Clean Air Act in order to set their own emissions standards.  The EPA declined the waiver, for one of the few times in EPA history and its rationale has been shady, at best.

As a side note, Congress asked the EPA for documents related to the December 2007 Clean Air Act waiver denial be handed over in an investigation, but the White House refused and cited 'executive privilege'.  Really?  This issue is so hot to Bush that he has to hide behind executive privilege?

Thankfully, Bush's complete disregard for our environmental health will end next January.  Both Obama and McBush stated that they would grant the waiver.

The Little Guys of Solar May Lose

A New York Times article today outlines the growing pains of the nation's solar market.  When states, such as New Jersey and California, offer solar rebates they find that the rebate program lags too far behind to satisfy customers, the State, and small installers.

New Jersey's answer is to phase out the rebate program in favor of an energy credit market.  Larger companies would gain a distinct advantage and would force smaller companies out of business merely because of their size and access to capital.  They can purchase energy credits and/or gain credits through new installations.  Small companies will be squeezed out of this market because of their lack of working capital.

Large companies are already working with customers through power purchase agreements.  These agreements give customers lower rates on electricity and the installation company finances and owns the equipment. 

The agreements are a good plan for many residential customers and they will become more commonplace in years to come.  Energy credit markets are also inevitable.  The question remains: do we allow the small installers to survive in spite of these initiatives or are they fallout from the solar industry's growing pains?

I'm Voting Republican!

It's an amusing three minute video about what a vote for John W. McBush means: http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/

Much Respect for Hillary and Step One Toward Helping Obama

Hillary Clinton endorsed Barack Obama for president today.  It was a very good Step One toward Democratic unity for the next 5 months.  There are still some bitter Hillary supporters.  As a competitor and a fanatical sports follower, I understand the agony of defeat (notice a little shout out to the recently deceased Jim McKay!) that they feel, but they will come around in due time.  None of them will truly vot e for McBush. 

I realize that no concession speech is easy - even if it comes four days after the actual defeat.  But as we've discussed before, Hillary made her bowing out gracefully deal several weeks ago.  Now that she has wrapped her head around the loss, she will be an aggressive supporter of Senator Obama.  The next step is facilitating Obama's use of her resources. 

McBush and Illegal Wiretapping - More of the Same

Two articles on the front page of today's New York Times about Bush's lies and McCain's feelings about executive privilege arrive at the start of the Obama out-of-primary election season, and draw clear distinctions between the two candidates. 

First, the long delayed Senate Select Committee on Intelligence finally hit the streets and, like Scott McClellan's tattling, give us little more than we already knew.  The sad part of the report is that the committee does not recommend further action about the Bush administration lies leading up to the Iraq war, and thus we will have no further action. 

Second, with all of the well-known Bush lies we fully expect him to claim executive privilege in undertaking anything that he can't readily, and legally, sell to us.  In this matter, McBush would continue to circumvent the law whenever he deemed it in the nation's interest.  It was a McBush advisor who spilled the beans yesterday and the campaign did not refute them, even though they digress from previous McBush positions. 

The Republicans will always claim that Democrats are flip floppers and this year is no exception.  We see it every four years.  But, on the issue of illegal wiretapping of domestic spying on American citizens - Obama says 'he will uphold the law' and McBush panders to his conservative base and says 'no one is beyond suspicion'. 

This is a good starting point/talking point for the Obama campaign - McBush is trying to extend little George's reign for four more years.

Roe v. Wade's Importance in Election '08

In yesterday's New York Times, Dr. Waldo Fielding, wrote an informative and disturbing piece regarding the consequences of overturning Roe v. Wade.  Many of the horrors of the 'bad old days', before abortion was legal, are recounted.  They are based on Dr. Fielding's own experiences.  It is worth reading this piece to remind yourself about how important this issue is the health and well being of many, many women in this country.

It also casts a powerful light on this year's presidential election.  If John W. McBush is to be believed, then he will pander to the conservative wing of his party, and that pandering will include the appointment of judges willing to overturn Roe.  I think we've had quite enough of the right wing's idea of the courts. 

I'm not an advocate of single issue voting, but I urge everyone to calmly talk to their friends and family about the importance of balancing our federal courts by voting for Barack Obama.  The alternative is a legacy that McBush won't live long enough to feel the consequences of, but many of us will.

Is Hillary Ready to be a Team Player?

First, congratulations to Barack Obama and to our party for an amazing five months of primaries.

So far, so good with respects to the Democrats fence mending and cohesion, but I'm a little concerned.

The action in the 2008 Democratic primaries has played out as I predicted several weeks ago in this space, so this is no time for Hillary to get fickle.  She signed the deal to get repaid, and to gain some leverage within the party and the Senate beginning in the fall.  In return, she'll allow Barack to talk to long-time Clintonite, Wesley Clark, as a potential running mate, so why the 'strong' indication that she'd accept the VP nomination if it was offered to her?

Earlier tonight, MSNBC was reporting that a source, very close to the Clintons, said that she'd accept the nod.  Hillary, sweetie, the deal was that you'd garner some additional clout, pay your bills, and work hard in the fall for Barack.  We all knew that you were not getting the VP call because Bill and you will shatter the entire concept of change.  But, most importantly: you voted for the Iraq war!

Hillary has been brave and strong throughout this primary season, and she would make an excellent president, but it isn't going to happen.  She needs to re-read the deal that was signed after the NC primary,  tell all of her supporters that she's 100% behind Obama, take a well-earned vacation, and come out fighting for the team in September.

Thankfully, McBush Keeps Tacking to the Right

It comes as no surprise that the critical difference for the Republicans between Barack Obama and John W. McBush in this year's election will be 'experience'.  McBush will use his experience card.  Obama will use his relative distance from the Shrub and McBush keeps making points that help Obama. 

McBush spoke before the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) today and sharpened the his distinction - the US should not, and he will not, sit down at the table with our enemies, particulary Iran (Obama will speak to the AIPAC on Wednesday).

A Gallup poll shows that 59% of Americans believe we should be talking with our enemies, so this number should bear out in the general election (barring any major, aggressive actions by the likes of Iran). 

Obama's speech on Wednesday will be an important one, but we all know that, when push comes to shove, our Jewish friends who vote will vote overwhelmingly Democratic.  Even the staunchest, American Jewish protectors will realize that Obama's election does not imperil Israel's existence.

Finally, Florida and Michigan Pay the Price for Subversion

Senator Hillary Clinton and her supporters were driven back metaphorically by the members of the Democratic National Committee rules committee today (and driven away literally by the Washington rain) when the committee voted to seat all Florida and Michigan delegates, but to give them only half a vote (the picture is of a vocal Clinton supporter at the public portion of the meeting).  The final tally was a 24 delegate gain for Senator Clinton.  She is still roughly 176 delegates behind Senator Obama with only three primaries left.

Senator Clinton was in Dade County, Florida today invoking all kinds of civil injustices in order to draw potential parallels to her plight.  Let's remember, when the DNC decided that Florida and Michigan had broken party rules and moved their primaries forward, both Senators Obama and Clinton were fully behind it (Obama never put his name on the Michigan ballot).  She was the frontrunner in those days and has ever since tried to move the primary race goalposts.  Today's vote was her last hurrah in that regard.  She can't claim she won the popular vote or any other metric in the race.

After Tuesday's primaries, I'll hold my breath to see if she graciously calls it a race and starts working toward victory in November - as promised by she and her husband - by uniting the party over the summer.  Let's hope the price of her concession is not nomination as VP.  I'm cheering for Jim Webb or Wesley Clark.  Either one of these guys should be the nail in John W. McCain's presidential coffin.

Will 'Green Crude' (from algae) Create the Great Green Paradigm Shift?

A one year-old company in San Diego, Sapphire Energy, uses algae, sunlight, carbon dioxide, and non-potable water to make "green crude" that it contends is chemically equivalent to the light, sweet crude oil.

Chief Executive Jason Pyle said that the company's green crude could be processed in existing oil refineries and that the resulting fuels could power existing cars and trucks. It has the potential to be the great 'silver bullet' that creates the environmental paradigm shift that many people claim will be required to combat global warming.

Sapphire Energy expects to introduce its first fuels in three years and reach full commercial scale in five years.  While each acre of corn produces around 300 gallons of ethanol per year and an acre of soybeans around 60 gallons of biodiesel, EACH ACRE OF ALGAE THEORETICALLY CAN PRODUCE 5,000 GALLONS OF BIOFUEL EACH YEAR! 

The company's Chief Executive wouldn't cite the price tag for producing a barrel of green crude, but he described the expected cost as competitive with extracting oil from deep-water deposits and oil sands. In other words, it won't be cheap - but they expect it to be clean in the refining process and cleaner from the tailpipe. Independent studies on the content of its emissions are ongoing.

 

The company is privately owned and backed with funding from Wellcome Trust, and venture capital firms.  Sapphire's technology results from collaborations with Scripps Research Institute, UC San Diego, the University of Tulsa, and the DOE's Joint Genome Project.  Chief Executive, Jason Pyle, said the genome researchers helped the company pinpoint the kind of algae best suited to making oil.

 

There are plenty of companies working toward producing oil from algae. The idea isn't new, but interest and research have grown so significantly that websites such as Oilgae.com are devoted to the topic.

The McClellan book - 'So?'

Scott McClellan wrote a book criticizes the White House for, among other things, lying about the lead in the Iraq war.  In the immortal word of our slimey VP - 'so?'

If he had written a happy story about his blissful, right-wing life in the White House would Republicans buy the book? No.  Would any Democrats bother? Certainly not.  That left McClellan with one other option - tell everyone that Bush is a liar and Cheney is worse.  But seriously, so what?

Everyone on the planet knows that Bush lied about Iraq, that they covered up the Valerie Plame affair, and that they ran the White House as a continuous, partisan, political campaign.  We also know that this administration is filthy with scandal fleas.

I hope Scott is able to sell a few books to pundits and Democrats, and I hope he gets 15 minutes of mileage on the tak show circuit.  Perhaps it'll be enough money to keep him happy in his rocking chair for the rest of his life because why would anyone hire this guy?

Veterans might be Bushwacked on GI Bill

This administration (as well as John W. McCain) are shamelessly opposing the GI Bill, currently being worked through Congress, because the increase in higher education benefits might decrease enrollment (their warped view) and deny McCain (Bush 44) increased fodder for future wars.

Their rationale is based on a Congressional Budget Office prediction that re-enlistments would drop by 16% with the additional benefits, however, the same CBO predicts an INCREASE IN ENROLLMENT OF 16% BECAUSE OF THE BILL!

The good news for post-9/11 vets (with a minimum service of 3 years) is that the House has passed a veto proof bill (4 years of tuition at a public university) and the Senate bill was drafted by two Vietnam vets (Webb and Hagel).  This is just as generous as the post-WWII bill which is widely regarding as one of the most effective pieces of legislation in US history.  Call your Senators!

A Week Off for a Conference in Vegas

I took a week off from this blog space in order to spend five days last week in Vegas.  I can say, unequivocably, that I have grown to dislike the casino scene!  I like the liberties that Vegas provides, e.g., no curfews and smoking cigars in bars, but I get no joy from the gambling or the gambling culture.

I have represented my company at our trade show booth (ICSC conference) for the last three years.  This year's attendance was reasonable (not nearly as busy as the first year and much better than last year) and we got a few good leads.  

It is true that many people in Vegas seek out alternative entertainment from the gambling, but the majority sit and rot at various casino games; many of them look like they can't help themselves - it's a 'when in Rome' and a 'I don't know when I'll be back' mentality. 

The casino experience is rather pathetic and pretty much unavoidable.  I was able to spend time without the constant clatter of slots (incessant) and screaming craps players (infrequent given the odds against them) in interesting theme restaurants (i.e., margaritaville - of course! - and toby keith's).

I would love to join my buddies there in September, but my concept of fun in Vegas (hanging with friends and giggling) has strayed from their concept (stand glassy-eyed at a craps table), so once a year for this conference will be sufficient for me!

Okay, that's enough negativity; it's off my chest.  Subsequent posts will be more informative and interesting.

Kevin James: Right Wing Mouthpiece Jerk

How amazing was the loudmouth Kevin James' appearance on Chris Matthews' Hard Ball (see it here).  The new buzzword is 'appeasement' and Barack Obama is Neville Chamberlain.  That's how Kevin James was sent out in the world by the Republicans to tag Barack Obama in the wake of the Shrub's Knesset speech.  It signifies how deep into their bench of shills the Republicans have to go to get their talking points out to the world these days; James is clearly a minor leaguer who let his eagerness to get into the game ruin his big break.

This right wing mouthpiece jerk was caught like a deer in the headlights.  Chris Matthews correctly and firmly put him in his place and gave Obama the signature retort to all of this appeasement nonsense, 'every smart leader in history talks to their enemies.  only a weak leader appeases'. 

To be fair to poor little Kevin, his bio says that he was an entertainment lawyer.  Therefore, this isolated LA lawyer boy had no real chance against a national media figure.  He'll disappear from national view as quickly as he started, no doubt.

If you could shut up long enough to read this, Kevin, the Shrub has appeased the Iranians through his hubris in Iraq.  Shrub leaves office with his country and himself weaker in the eyes of the world - just like Neville Chamberlain did! 

Gay Marriage in California

With a somewhat surprising but welcome ruling yesterday, the California High Court  gave same sex couples the right to marry in California (as soon as mid-June).  For those of you arguing court activism (which it kind of is!), the 4-3 decision consisted of three pro votes by justices appointed by Republicans.  It has broad language to eliminate discrimination for sexual orientation in most California laws.  This ruling comes in advance of an-almost certain ballot initiative this November (the anti-gay marriage forces have enough signatures to get on the ballot).

The Governator, in his gradual but decisive slide to the left reiterated that he would uphold the ruling and would NOT support the ballot initiative in November (the initiative would amend the Ca. constitution to ban same sex marriage).  There is a strong 'domestic partners' law on the books in California, and the justices cited it in their ruling.  In addition, they noted a 60-year old law outlawing discrimination against interracial couples.

For the millions of Americans who continue to keep their heads in the sand on this issue, in much the same way that interracial prejudice was outlawed this ruling is another small step in the inevitable federal law banning sexual discrimination (actual year TBD).  For the good of our society, sometimes ignorance is defeated and the majority does NOT win.

Thank you, Mr. Worst President Ever

Today was a good day for Barack Obama.  Fresh off of John Edwards endorsement, he took the day off from campaigning and received a gift from our clueless President. 

The gift came in two forms: 1) as a not-so-veiled reference to Obama while the Shrub was speaking in front of the Israeli Knesset; and 2) his nonsense overshadowed John W. McCain's big speech on Iraq!

While marking the historic 60th anniversary of the state of Israel, Shrub likened 'some leader' to a Nazi appeaser in the US Senate (never mind that that Senator was a Republican!).  The concept was that Obama would appease the terrorists ('the false comfort of appeasement') by meeting with them.  His press secretary later said that it was not about Obama, but her credibility is as bad as Shrub's, so excuse me if I ignore Ms. Perino.

Are we clear about how ridiculous our President appears to the world? He marked a tremendous anniversary with a political dig against a politician who he 'isn't' even running against!  The gift is: now Obama can run against Shrub and make this point loud and clear - 'The worst president in history, who has made a collosal mess of the Middle East and still hasn't caught bin Ladin, disagrees with how I might handle the terrorist situation'. Can you see how that helps Obama - and it's not even his birthday!

It's conceivable that John W. McCain and the White House were in cahoots with the timing of events yesterday.  Though, I don't believe that Shrub's straw men are still working - it's his old tired 'soft about war' diatribe and the country is beyond that nonsense this year.

W. McCain (Bush 44) said that he believed the President was not referring to Obama, and his message to the world about his own Iraq policy (troops will still be there in Jan 2013) was drowned out.  Bush 44 took the 'soft on war' label once step further; he went on to liken the mysteriously-referenced person in Shrub's speech to the most infamous of appeasers, Neville Chamberlain (a conservative politician, by the way) in his response.  Bush 44 believes, like the Shrub, that power through might is the best course of action, and while that may sometimes be true (think Reagan in 1980), but this belies the current sentiment in the country where we're fighting two wars without any direction - why would he think we want another?  Peace and the ecomony are the buzzwords in '08, Mr. Bush 44.

Thank you, Mr. Worst President Ever.  We'll gladly put you front and center in this battle.

The Democrats Gleefully Plod Along Toward June 3

There are only three more weeks until the last Democratic primary and the coronation of Barack Obama as the presumptive nominee.  No one should begrudge Hillary for prancing around tonight in the wake of the West Virginia result.  Not after last week when, in the face of defeat, she bravely proclaimed that she still had a chance to win the nomination.  It would have been embarrassing for Obama if he lost last night to a non-candidate, so she did right by him and by the Democrats. 

Obama continues to concentrate on John W. McCain; McCain continues to concentrate on Obama; and Hillary continues to stay away from attacking Obama (while hoping for an October surprise before she cashes in).  It's a cozy little triumverate that will continue for three more weeks.  I'm sure there are still some pundits (and voters) who believe that she is sincere about winning, but most of us know that the deal has been struck.

As I've written before, Hillary's debts will be taken care of and she'll open the door for Obama to consider some of her allies as his VP candidates (e.g., Wesley Clark); there is no chance that she'll be on the ticket as VP.  All in the interest of party unity.