I read this story and as I was about to post my thoughts. Until I read Engadget’s spin. I liked their's so here it is:
So you’re cruising along, in your GPS-equipped SUV, taking your dear wife back home to Reno. The trusty onscreen guide instructs you to “turn right” and you follow its typically reliable instructions. At what point in the next three days of plowing deeper and deeper into snow-covered Oregon do you start suspecting that maybe something is amiss? Alright, so this isn’t quite on par with others driving buses into low-clearance tunnels, dipping their cars into rivers, or jamming heavy load trucks into unsuitably tight farm lanes. But we don’t discriminate here, all instances of idiotic GPS dependency deserve their moment in the sun, so here’s to Mr. John Rhoads and his tastefully named wife, Mrs. Starry Bush-Rhoads, who are now safe and sound after their phone pinged out its coordinates to emergency services when it began losing signal.
Link
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Airport Security?
Former CIA agent Robert Baer: "You can search voting records or property lists on the Internet much quicker than the FBI can find out if someone is a bad guy on their own lists."
The Department of Homeland Security has spent more then 40 billion to strengthen our aviation security system, but have failed to put in the most important recommendations from the 9/11 commission report. One of the most important and obvious failures is they have yet to implement an effective way to match passengers names to terrorist watch lists.
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian accused of trying to ignite an explosive device on a flight 253, was one of about 550,000 on a terrorist watch-list maintained by the National Counter-terrorism Center. There needs to be a system that would alert the aviation security of the potential threat.
I think it is very naïve to think that we can develop a system that would keep us total safe from terrorism, but the goal should be to constantly enhance our technology. One major problem is the bureaucracy in Washington is not taking the appropriate steps to safe guard the United States Citizens. It is times like these that we need to put all politics aside and work towards solid solutions.
The Department of Homeland Security has spent more then 40 billion to strengthen our aviation security system, but have failed to put in the most important recommendations from the 9/11 commission report. One of the most important and obvious failures is they have yet to implement an effective way to match passengers names to terrorist watch lists.
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian accused of trying to ignite an explosive device on a flight 253, was one of about 550,000 on a terrorist watch-list maintained by the National Counter-terrorism Center. There needs to be a system that would alert the aviation security of the potential threat.
I think it is very naïve to think that we can develop a system that would keep us total safe from terrorism, but the goal should be to constantly enhance our technology. One major problem is the bureaucracy in Washington is not taking the appropriate steps to safe guard the United States Citizens. It is times like these that we need to put all politics aside and work towards solid solutions.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Banking Act
"We need to rebuild the wall of Glass-Steagall so banks will stop diverting resources to Wall Street speculation and get back to more business lending to main street," Maria Cantwell
I would like to applaud Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and John McCain (R-AZ) for introducing legislation to rebuild Glass-Steagall. Banks need to stop diverting resources to Wall Street and act more like banks. “If enacted, the bill would mean that J.P. Morgan Chase Co. would have to give up the Bear Stearns trading operations it acquired earlier in the year, or separate its Chase retail-banking arm.”
They will be trying to restore this legislation that, was imposed in the wake of the Great Depression, put a wall between commercial banking and investment banking and insurance. In 1999, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act passed by a huge majority in Congress and was signed by Bill Clinton which led to a lot of deregulation. This is what caused the Great Depression and what caused what ever you want to call this era (some say recession some say depression) we are in today? This is very important not only to pass this bill but to offer more regulations to the institutions that have bankrupted us.
Let’s hold them accountable. President Barack Obama argued on the campaign trail that Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, which repealed part of the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933, led to deregulation that helped cause the crisis. Now with this bill being proposed the White House has been quiet on this issue. Those who have spoken have said that these firms have already merged their banking and investment activates and it would be too difficult to separate them now. Hold them accountable write your congressman. Write your Senator. Write the President. Tell them to support this bill. Be a part of the Democratic system that we hold so dear. Tell them that we can’t let this fiasco happen again. Businesses should never be too big to fail!!!
I would like to applaud Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and John McCain (R-AZ) for introducing legislation to rebuild Glass-Steagall. Banks need to stop diverting resources to Wall Street and act more like banks. “If enacted, the bill would mean that J.P. Morgan Chase Co. would have to give up the Bear Stearns trading operations it acquired earlier in the year, or separate its Chase retail-banking arm.”
They will be trying to restore this legislation that, was imposed in the wake of the Great Depression, put a wall between commercial banking and investment banking and insurance. In 1999, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act passed by a huge majority in Congress and was signed by Bill Clinton which led to a lot of deregulation. This is what caused the Great Depression and what caused what ever you want to call this era (some say recession some say depression) we are in today? This is very important not only to pass this bill but to offer more regulations to the institutions that have bankrupted us.
Let’s hold them accountable. President Barack Obama argued on the campaign trail that Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, which repealed part of the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933, led to deregulation that helped cause the crisis. Now with this bill being proposed the White House has been quiet on this issue. Those who have spoken have said that these firms have already merged their banking and investment activates and it would be too difficult to separate them now. Hold them accountable write your congressman. Write your Senator. Write the President. Tell them to support this bill. Be a part of the Democratic system that we hold so dear. Tell them that we can’t let this fiasco happen again. Businesses should never be too big to fail!!!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Health Care Bill
The health care bill has become a joke and needs to be scraped. President Obama is trying to pass any bill just to claim a victory. The Republicans are trying to water it down to nothing so they can claim victory and Joe Lieberman is even blocking clauses that he believes in, like allowing 55 year olds to but into Medicare. Lieberman said he would vote for that and when they tried to appease him he said he wouldn’t vote for that. Somewhere along the way these Politian’s forgot one small detail, the people. Any “victory” at this point would be a Pyrrhic victory, because this bill will not help the people. That’s why I think we need to start from scratch and hold each of our representatives accountable.
I am in favor of a one payer system but without at least a public option there is no reform. Reform would benefit the people, not the insurance companies and not the politicians that these insurance companies own. The reform that the insurance companies want is to mandate that every citizen has to purchase insurance. That would help there investors on wall street, but that will not guarantee that prices will go down, they will most certainly go up because there is no reason to lower their prices. What ever happened to cutting the cost? In many of the discussions about healthcare reform, it has been said over and over that we need to lower cost. We need to lower premiums. How do we do this when the industry creates their prices? Without any competition they have no incentive to lower prices. This is evident by the soaring cost of insurance that goes up annually.
Now I’m not economics major, but I know if you give a drug addict some money there is a good chance that money will be used to buy drugs. There is no difference better these corporations and a drug addict. They are both doing what they need to do. What this drug is making them do. The only thing that will stop them is intervention. We can’t keep giving these power hungry industries blank checks and hope that they grow a conscience. This is lunacy and until we stop it this same blatant disregard for human life will prevail.
I am in favor of a one payer system but without at least a public option there is no reform. Reform would benefit the people, not the insurance companies and not the politicians that these insurance companies own. The reform that the insurance companies want is to mandate that every citizen has to purchase insurance. That would help there investors on wall street, but that will not guarantee that prices will go down, they will most certainly go up because there is no reason to lower their prices. What ever happened to cutting the cost? In many of the discussions about healthcare reform, it has been said over and over that we need to lower cost. We need to lower premiums. How do we do this when the industry creates their prices? Without any competition they have no incentive to lower prices. This is evident by the soaring cost of insurance that goes up annually.
Now I’m not economics major, but I know if you give a drug addict some money there is a good chance that money will be used to buy drugs. There is no difference better these corporations and a drug addict. They are both doing what they need to do. What this drug is making them do. The only thing that will stop them is intervention. We can’t keep giving these power hungry industries blank checks and hope that they grow a conscience. This is lunacy and until we stop it this same blatant disregard for human life will prevail.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Fox News: Fair and Balanced
It is a shame that this "news" organization is still on the air. They need to fire the entire staff and start from scratch. Once again they get caught fudging their story. This time they took a poll and changed the numbers to equal 120 percent. Way to Fact check watch:
And Bill O’Reilly’s no fact zone lies and says Obama’s approval rates are the lowest ever. Bill Clintons approval ratings were 36 percent after only 5 months into his Presidency while Gerald Fords approval ratings was 37 in 4 months. A little Journalism would help Billy. Do some!
Fox news at its best. The dumbing down of America
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And Bill O’Reilly’s no fact zone lies and says Obama’s approval rates are the lowest ever. Bill Clintons approval ratings were 36 percent after only 5 months into his Presidency while Gerald Fords approval ratings was 37 in 4 months. A little Journalism would help Billy. Do some!
Fox news at its best. The dumbing down of America
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Liberty and Justice for some.
Today the New York State Senate voted down a bill that would legalize gay marriage. I don’t understand what the big deal is honestly. If two people want to get married why should we stand in the way? I have to admit I don’t know a lot of gay people but I know a few and I don’t see how and why they are treated any differently then any body else. We can’t help or change our genetics any more then we can stop the sun from rising. To say you are doomed in life because of the way you were born, is the same bigoted mind state that helps nations oppress people through out history.
Being gay isn’t a choice. I am a firm believer in that. I didn’t wake up an say, hey I’m going to be heterosexual. I was born this way. I challenge any one to say they woke up and decided to be attracted to someone. I knew at an early age that I liked girls from as far as I can remember. And the few gay people that I have talked to say they had their feels, albeit most tried to suppress it because of religion and society constraints. I can’t imagine any one putting themselves in a situation to be discriminated against on purpose. Why would someone choose to be bullied, spit on, and made to be an outcast on purpose?
“I've always tried to analyze things because I want to be lawyer,” Will said. “I really don't feel that there's currently liberty and justice for all.”
This was said by a 10 year old who disagreed with the treatment of gays in this country so he decided not to stand for the pledge. I applaud this kid who made a decision not to dignify this hypocrisy. I didn’t stand for the pledge in school either. It didn’t make the headlines back then shows you how times have changed. This is what brave people do, they stand up for what they believe. I hate discrimination. And I am appalled by people that discriminate. That is way I didn’t stand the and thats why I'm taking a stand now. I will never take an oath or pledge of hypocrisy. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t gay. What matters is we have no right to tell someone how they should live their lives.
The vote was 38-24. All 30 Republicans voted against. The latest polls show 51 in favor and 42 opposed. New York politics at it’s best.
To Be Continued…..
Being gay isn’t a choice. I am a firm believer in that. I didn’t wake up an say, hey I’m going to be heterosexual. I was born this way. I challenge any one to say they woke up and decided to be attracted to someone. I knew at an early age that I liked girls from as far as I can remember. And the few gay people that I have talked to say they had their feels, albeit most tried to suppress it because of religion and society constraints. I can’t imagine any one putting themselves in a situation to be discriminated against on purpose. Why would someone choose to be bullied, spit on, and made to be an outcast on purpose?
“I've always tried to analyze things because I want to be lawyer,” Will said. “I really don't feel that there's currently liberty and justice for all.”
This was said by a 10 year old who disagreed with the treatment of gays in this country so he decided not to stand for the pledge. I applaud this kid who made a decision not to dignify this hypocrisy. I didn’t stand for the pledge in school either. It didn’t make the headlines back then shows you how times have changed. This is what brave people do, they stand up for what they believe. I hate discrimination. And I am appalled by people that discriminate. That is way I didn’t stand the and thats why I'm taking a stand now. I will never take an oath or pledge of hypocrisy. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t gay. What matters is we have no right to tell someone how they should live their lives.
The vote was 38-24. All 30 Republicans voted against. The latest polls show 51 in favor and 42 opposed. New York politics at it’s best.
To Be Continued…..
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
I just don't know
Unlike Dick Cheney’s absurd assessment, I appreciate the length of time it took to come to this decision. President Obama listened to many opinions and made a decision. His decision was to send 30,000 more troops in to Afghanistan to “win” this war. With the Generals praise of the President, I think it would be safe to say that he listened to their expertise and made his decision based on their knowledge. That’s shows sound judgment when it comes to winning a war. And it has pissed off both the right and the left so it sounds good to me.
But after further review I didn’t see a good out come in Afghanistan. This is the third poorest country in the world so you can’t expect the inhabitants to be educated enough to govern themselves. Even though the Democrats are good at throwing money at a problem this will not work here. So what do they mean when they say “win” and how do we “win”? These are the questions that nobody has an answer to. Even if we are successful at pushing the Taliban and Al Qaeda out, then what? We can’t educate the whole country, we can’t build their infrastructure, and we can’t even train them to build an army. So how long will it take to “win” and after we are gone then what? Some other group will come in use fear and take over. Say old story just different oppressors.
But after further review I didn’t see a good out come in Afghanistan. This is the third poorest country in the world so you can’t expect the inhabitants to be educated enough to govern themselves. Even though the Democrats are good at throwing money at a problem this will not work here. So what do they mean when they say “win” and how do we “win”? These are the questions that nobody has an answer to. Even if we are successful at pushing the Taliban and Al Qaeda out, then what? We can’t educate the whole country, we can’t build their infrastructure, and we can’t even train them to build an army. So how long will it take to “win” and after we are gone then what? Some other group will come in use fear and take over. Say old story just different oppressors.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Tea Baggers show there true colors
Chicago Tea Party Patriots sent out a flyer to encourage attendance at the event, saying Lipinski had “sold us out!” by voting “to pass socialized medicine.”
This is what we have become? A nation so consumed in our own lives that we have no compassion for anyone else’s life. Laughing and heckling a grieving woman. Even if I agreed with your cause they lost me with your delivery. Do any of the idiots realize how ridiculous it is to laugh at someone who is grieving a loss? How can people that are against abortion laugh at the loss of a child? Hypocritical! Look its ok to disagree but this is over the top.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
I would hate to sit next to this guy
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Before the Mother came the Child
Before Rosa Parks made history by refusing to give up her seat on a bus, Claudette Colvin a 15 year old high school student did the same thing. She refused to give up her seat to a white women and was arrested. This sparked outrage in the community and planted the seeds that would birth the civil rights movement. Though her name doesn’t appear in any history books, her strength and ability to keep her story a secret were key elements to the success of the movement. Now her story can be told thanks to the persistence of Phillip Hoose in his work “Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice,” published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
How do we claim to be a free nation when our choices consist of left or right, blue or red, Conservative or Liberal? How can we consider these choices when our options are picked for us? In every election people get excited to vote. Excited because they get to put their man or woman in office, but is that really their man or women? Is that the person you would pick if there were more options? Would there be more accountability if there were more competition?
I know I’ve listed a lot of questions but these questions need answers. Both parties are scared to death when a viable third party gets to run. That is why in most districts it is so hard to get on the ballot. The politicians (both Democrat and Republican) work very hard not to allow their lively hoods to be tested by chance. So they act like they are, for the people, like they feel your pain. The problem is these parties don’t represent the people. These are life long politicians that are living under the umbrella of the elite, protected and shielded from the people they are suppose to be serving.
We can do better. We must do better. As the divide between the rich and poor grows exponentially the middle class is disappearing. This represents the biggest problems for us as a people and as a country. We can not afford to let these same ole politicians with these same ole ideas to keep destroying the country. Help me in supporting a third party. I feel we need a strong third party to get new ideas in and to scare these guys into action. We need more reasonable conversation not screaming from the left and the right. These are the only people being heard, not because they have any thing good to say, only because they scream the loudest. It’s not he who screams loudest. Let’s change this now!
Who ever your elected official is, up to President Obama, reach out to them, lets them know your feelings and concerns. If they don’t follow through get them out of there. They work for us bank bailouts and things of that nature should not be tolerated. Let’s become more proactive and hold all the elected officials accountable.
I know I’ve listed a lot of questions but these questions need answers. Both parties are scared to death when a viable third party gets to run. That is why in most districts it is so hard to get on the ballot. The politicians (both Democrat and Republican) work very hard not to allow their lively hoods to be tested by chance. So they act like they are, for the people, like they feel your pain. The problem is these parties don’t represent the people. These are life long politicians that are living under the umbrella of the elite, protected and shielded from the people they are suppose to be serving.
We can do better. We must do better. As the divide between the rich and poor grows exponentially the middle class is disappearing. This represents the biggest problems for us as a people and as a country. We can not afford to let these same ole politicians with these same ole ideas to keep destroying the country. Help me in supporting a third party. I feel we need a strong third party to get new ideas in and to scare these guys into action. We need more reasonable conversation not screaming from the left and the right. These are the only people being heard, not because they have any thing good to say, only because they scream the loudest. It’s not he who screams loudest. Let’s change this now!
Who ever your elected official is, up to President Obama, reach out to them, lets them know your feelings and concerns. If they don’t follow through get them out of there. They work for us bank bailouts and things of that nature should not be tolerated. Let’s become more proactive and hold all the elected officials accountable.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
OH NO THE TERRORIST ARE COMING!!!!!
Can the Republicans find one sane person to speak on their behalf? How is it that the most idiotic statements keep coming out of their mouths? Then they blame the media for bashing them. There are so many logical arguments to be made about the Obama administration, but they have to reach for the farthest most ridiculous talking points. Like this crazy guy Rep. John Shadegg of Arizona who uses babies as props to discuss healthcare.
Now,this guy is taking on Bloomberg. " Well, Mayor, how are you going to feel when it's your daughter that's kidnapped at school by a terrorist?” Really, is that the best explanation you have against trying a man accused of terrorism? What about Aimal Kasi sentenced 1998 for the 1993 deaths of CIA agents or the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, four people were tried and convicted in 1994. Shall I go on? The ridiculous nature of this and other dumbfounded statement is they are believed. I'm sure there are people that really believe he was talking on the little babies behalf. Maybe he should go back to quoting babies and leave policies to the grownups.
Now,this guy is taking on Bloomberg. " Well, Mayor, how are you going to feel when it's your daughter that's kidnapped at school by a terrorist?” Really, is that the best explanation you have against trying a man accused of terrorism? What about Aimal Kasi sentenced 1998 for the 1993 deaths of CIA agents or the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, four people were tried and convicted in 1994. Shall I go on? The ridiculous nature of this and other dumbfounded statement is they are believed. I'm sure there are people that really believe he was talking on the little babies behalf. Maybe he should go back to quoting babies and leave policies to the grownups.
Monday, November 16, 2009
In an interview, Representative Bill Pascrell Jr., Democrat of New Jersey, said: “I regret that the language was the same. I did not know it was.” He said he got his statement from his staff and “did not know where they got the information from.”
The New York Times: In House, Many Spoke With One Voice: Lobbyists’
Where is the accountability? How does a Lobbyist get his words into Congressional Record and Representatives not be held accountable.
Representatives that don’t know where they are getting their information from should not use that information. This is where “We the people” need to take a stand. We need to stop listening to the politicians and make them listen to us. We need to hold them accountable and make them realize that representative means they serve us. This goes to show you Republicans and Democrats are all cut from the same cloth.
The New York Times: In House, Many Spoke With One Voice: Lobbyists’
Where is the accountability? How does a Lobbyist get his words into Congressional Record and Representatives not be held accountable.
Representatives that don’t know where they are getting their information from should not use that information. This is where “We the people” need to take a stand. We need to stop listening to the politicians and make them listen to us. We need to hold them accountable and make them realize that representative means they serve us. This goes to show you Republicans and Democrats are all cut from the same cloth.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
It is time
It is time to stop waffling and take action in Israel. This is where the greatest threat lies for the US. Because of the United States blind alliance to an oppressive, criminal state of Israel it has put us all at risk. The Muslim nations don’t hate us because of our freedoms; they don’t hate us because of our perversions, they hate us because of our involvement in this illegitimate state. It is time to right the wrong. Israel is running out of allies, with the public outburst in Turkey. Turkey’s government has taken an about face. Turkey has long been Israel’s biggest ally in the Mideast it has played the part of mediator in that region. With them gone Israel is in a bad state. Now, if the US joined in and put more pressure on Israel we could see real change in the region. A Jewish State doesn’t benefit anyone. It will only continue the violence.
What really baffles me is Israel wants to be acknowledged as a Jewish State, which would mean that everyone else (Palestinian or Christian) would be a second class citizen. Why would the US (who always talks about freedoms) back an oppressive state hell bent on keeping everyone that isn’t Jewish as a second class citizen? Any time anybody questions Israel they are called anti-Semitic or if they happen to be Jewish they are called self hating Jews. This is asinine, it is possible to disagree with someone without be a bigot, but how could a bigot call someone else a bigot and think that there words carry more weight than the person they are calling a bigot. Israel was a stark supporter of apartheid in South Africa (what a shock) and now they have their own (albeit different) apartheid.
The United States has always been involved in other countries polices, it is time to get really involved in this one. If the US wants to police the world then start with Israel. The argument for Israel is always the same “they have a right to defend themselves” that is true if that is what they are doing, but it’s not and we know it. What they are doing is criminal. They could stop this atrocity if they wanted to, but they don't want too. They have no business in the West Bank or Gaza so get out. But they have a right to defend themselves, really in territory that they are not supposed to be in. Would they need to defend themselves if they weren’t constantly breaking international laws? The World Court, the UN and the international Court of Justice has said they are breaking laws and what happens the US always backs them. I want people to grasp this concept. These criminals have been occupying these territories since 1967. They do not want peace that died with Rabin. The Politicians won't try what he tried so it's up to the world (and yes the US too) to intervene, but that will not happen. And you wonder why they hate us.
What really baffles me is Israel wants to be acknowledged as a Jewish State, which would mean that everyone else (Palestinian or Christian) would be a second class citizen. Why would the US (who always talks about freedoms) back an oppressive state hell bent on keeping everyone that isn’t Jewish as a second class citizen? Any time anybody questions Israel they are called anti-Semitic or if they happen to be Jewish they are called self hating Jews. This is asinine, it is possible to disagree with someone without be a bigot, but how could a bigot call someone else a bigot and think that there words carry more weight than the person they are calling a bigot. Israel was a stark supporter of apartheid in South Africa (what a shock) and now they have their own (albeit different) apartheid.
The United States has always been involved in other countries polices, it is time to get really involved in this one. If the US wants to police the world then start with Israel. The argument for Israel is always the same “they have a right to defend themselves” that is true if that is what they are doing, but it’s not and we know it. What they are doing is criminal. They could stop this atrocity if they wanted to, but they don't want too. They have no business in the West Bank or Gaza so get out. But they have a right to defend themselves, really in territory that they are not supposed to be in. Would they need to defend themselves if they weren’t constantly breaking international laws? The World Court, the UN and the international Court of Justice has said they are breaking laws and what happens the US always backs them. I want people to grasp this concept. These criminals have been occupying these territories since 1967. They do not want peace that died with Rabin. The Politicians won't try what he tried so it's up to the world (and yes the US too) to intervene, but that will not happen. And you wonder why they hate us.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Stewart Does a great Glenn Beck
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Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Give me a break!
This is one of the most ridiculous stories I have ever read. Morehouse institutes a dress code and people became outraged! Here are some of the rules: No hats indoors, No pajamas in public, No cross dressing of any kind. Really! What an out rage! Just who do they think they are! What are they trying to do draw a line between the appropriate and not appropriate! I am out raged that an institution of higher learning cares enough to expect a classroom to be a classroom and not a play ground for buffoons and clowns. I am out raged that a university is trying to take adolescents and form them into someone that is viable to the work place. I am out raged that the university is stepping in a playing the part of the parent in preparing these very young and naïve men for the tough challenges that await them. Give me a break!
Morehouse, unlike most universities, expect their students to act in an appropriate manner and they expect their students to uphold the traditions of the community. They believe in holding their students to a high standard and expect them to hold themselves to a higher standard. Wearing a do-rag with baggy pants and your underwear showing is not appropriate at any level of intelligent behavior. It shows sloppiness and sloppiness breeds inefficiency. And please give me a break, of all the people saying that it is taking away from your individualism, because everyone is doing it. You can’t go any where with someone’s pants hanging off their butt and if everyone is doing it how can it be an individual thing? Trust me that’s not being an individual that being part of and idiot movement. Even in the NBA they have to adhere to a dress code, because they are representing the NBA. I’m not even going to touch the cross dressers. That in itself is troubling.
Don’t fool yourselves there are to many people walking around with degrees that didn’t get the proper training to do the job. Part of your training is proper edicate and now they are working in retail.
Morehouse, unlike most universities, expect their students to act in an appropriate manner and they expect their students to uphold the traditions of the community. They believe in holding their students to a high standard and expect them to hold themselves to a higher standard. Wearing a do-rag with baggy pants and your underwear showing is not appropriate at any level of intelligent behavior. It shows sloppiness and sloppiness breeds inefficiency. And please give me a break, of all the people saying that it is taking away from your individualism, because everyone is doing it. You can’t go any where with someone’s pants hanging off their butt and if everyone is doing it how can it be an individual thing? Trust me that’s not being an individual that being part of and idiot movement. Even in the NBA they have to adhere to a dress code, because they are representing the NBA. I’m not even going to touch the cross dressers. That in itself is troubling.
Don’t fool yourselves there are to many people walking around with degrees that didn’t get the proper training to do the job. Part of your training is proper edicate and now they are working in retail.
Public Option or no reform
Maybe it's me, but I just don't get it. The Health care industry has had a monopoly on the industry for too long; it’s time for a change. How do we put a price on a human life? This shouldn’t even be a debate, but it is because of the inherit stupidity of people. Most of the people arguing against a public option they would benefit from. That’s pretty dumb. The rest of the people arguing against it have never had a problem with health insurers yet (with the emphasis on yet) so they think they are immune. Well I hate to break your bubble but the word insured isn’t going to mean anything if we do not get a public option. We will see and hear of more and more people with insurance being denied coverage.
Health reform without a public option is not an option. The public option is essential to have any viable health reform. The health companies played their hand, they said that prices will go up. Why don't we believe them? There is no reason not to believe them they have all the cards in the deck, so they can play and hand they want too. The only way to control prices is to have the option to go to someone cheaper or to someone who is providing the service you are paying for. Right now millions of Americans are paying into their insurance, feeling good about their insurance with-out a care in the world. But when they get sick, go to the doctor and the insurance company drops them or will not cover the cost of what they need, then they will be screaming foul. But it will be too late, for there will be no one listening.
Now, I have heard and I'm sure you have too, the ramblings of Palin and Limbaugh and the rest of the crazy so called conservatives talking about death panels, Socialism, Communism, Fascism (YAWN) Nazis well you get the point. It is so easy to yell nonsense when you don’t have an argument for the proposed bill. Then you have the religious right who only care about abortion, it doesn’t matter how many people die without health insurance at least they couldn’t get an abortion. If we want to have an intellectual conversation some jack ass will yell abortion and we are back at square one.
Now back to the matter at hand. We need an option to protect the people from the insurance cartels that are conspiring to keep us owning them. There only consern is there bottom line. So I ask you what is more important a human life or money? We no what the insurance companies think, but what do you think? I think we have three options: Do nothing, Health reform with a public option or regulate the hell out of them. I know how much Republicans love the word, regulate so I think that one is out. The bottom line is I believe we shouldn't have to choose if wewant to live. We shouldn’t have to want to be healthy. We shouldn’t have to want anything that has to do with health; health care should be accessible to everyone.
Health reform without a public option is not an option. The public option is essential to have any viable health reform. The health companies played their hand, they said that prices will go up. Why don't we believe them? There is no reason not to believe them they have all the cards in the deck, so they can play and hand they want too. The only way to control prices is to have the option to go to someone cheaper or to someone who is providing the service you are paying for. Right now millions of Americans are paying into their insurance, feeling good about their insurance with-out a care in the world. But when they get sick, go to the doctor and the insurance company drops them or will not cover the cost of what they need, then they will be screaming foul. But it will be too late, for there will be no one listening.
Now, I have heard and I'm sure you have too, the ramblings of Palin and Limbaugh and the rest of the crazy so called conservatives talking about death panels, Socialism, Communism, Fascism (YAWN) Nazis well you get the point. It is so easy to yell nonsense when you don’t have an argument for the proposed bill. Then you have the religious right who only care about abortion, it doesn’t matter how many people die without health insurance at least they couldn’t get an abortion. If we want to have an intellectual conversation some jack ass will yell abortion and we are back at square one.
Now back to the matter at hand. We need an option to protect the people from the insurance cartels that are conspiring to keep us owning them. There only consern is there bottom line. So I ask you what is more important a human life or money? We no what the insurance companies think, but what do you think? I think we have three options: Do nothing, Health reform with a public option or regulate the hell out of them. I know how much Republicans love the word, regulate so I think that one is out. The bottom line is I believe we shouldn't have to choose if wewant to live. We shouldn’t have to want to be healthy. We shouldn’t have to want anything that has to do with health; health care should be accessible to everyone.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
OH the Irony!
This is very ironic that a man who once said "the NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons." whose racist beliefs know no bounds, would attempt to buy into the first integrated team in the modern NFL, the St. Louis Rams. Just a few weeks ago Limbaugh was talking about segregating school buses, now he wants to be associated with a sport where there are more blacks then whites. I can see it now segregated bathrooms, segregated buses, colored’s only drinking fountains. Oh well I’m sure he will come up with some more garbage. On a brighter note at least he knows where to find the best drugs to supply his team.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Obama's War
Afghanistan can make or break Obama’s Presidency and I don’t think there is an easy solution. Let’s face it, if he orders troops out and we have another terrorist attack, he will be the President that was soft and didn’t protect us. And if he stays and it drags out, which it will, he will loss the public’s confidence. So politically he is in a quagmire.
With the Right yelling send more troops into Afghanistan and the left saying bring an end to the wars, it seems he should be caught in the middle, correct! Nope. Not even close, Obama first of all isn’t a Liberal and he isn’t thinking about leaving. So get ready for a long stay. As Defense Secretary Roberts Gates said "We are not leaving Afghanistan" before a meeting with key members of Congress. Obama’s reasoning for inviting select members of Congress (both Democrats and Republicans) was to get their support for the new strategy in Afghanistan. If Obama had any intentions of and exit strategy he would have invited Russ Feingold or Bernie Sanders two men who have called for an end to this war.
Russ Feingold, senator from Wisconsin, is on the Intelligence Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee and he wasn’t asked to attend? I find it interesting that the President wouldn’t invite a man that might have some important incite as to how we can end this debacle. Instead of the change that we need it’s ironic that Obama is limiting his dialogue with the status quo.
Here is my problem with this war and the Iraqi war. The terrorist have no home. When asked about Afghanistan national security adviser James Jones said "The good news that Americans should feel at least good about in Afghanistan is that the al Qaeda presence is very diminished," He went on to say, the maximum estimate of al Qaeda militants operating in Afghanistan was "less than 100 ... No bases. No buildings to launch attacks on either us or our allies."
So this is what we need 40,000 more troops for. I think not, what we need to do is let the Iraq government and the Afghani governments take back their countries. Build better relations with the people of these regions. Open up fair trade in the region. Keep our military and the intelligence agencies strong so we do not let our guard down again.
With the Right yelling send more troops into Afghanistan and the left saying bring an end to the wars, it seems he should be caught in the middle, correct! Nope. Not even close, Obama first of all isn’t a Liberal and he isn’t thinking about leaving. So get ready for a long stay. As Defense Secretary Roberts Gates said "We are not leaving Afghanistan" before a meeting with key members of Congress. Obama’s reasoning for inviting select members of Congress (both Democrats and Republicans) was to get their support for the new strategy in Afghanistan. If Obama had any intentions of and exit strategy he would have invited Russ Feingold or Bernie Sanders two men who have called for an end to this war.
Russ Feingold, senator from Wisconsin, is on the Intelligence Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee and he wasn’t asked to attend? I find it interesting that the President wouldn’t invite a man that might have some important incite as to how we can end this debacle. Instead of the change that we need it’s ironic that Obama is limiting his dialogue with the status quo.
Here is my problem with this war and the Iraqi war. The terrorist have no home. When asked about Afghanistan national security adviser James Jones said "The good news that Americans should feel at least good about in Afghanistan is that the al Qaeda presence is very diminished," He went on to say, the maximum estimate of al Qaeda militants operating in Afghanistan was "less than 100 ... No bases. No buildings to launch attacks on either us or our allies."
So this is what we need 40,000 more troops for. I think not, what we need to do is let the Iraq government and the Afghani governments take back their countries. Build better relations with the people of these regions. Open up fair trade in the region. Keep our military and the intelligence agencies strong so we do not let our guard down again.
Message from Congressman Israel
This is a letter from my Congressman, I think it is very important to reach out to our elected officials to let them know what we are thinking.
Dear:
Knowing of your interest in the environment, I thought you would be interested in my recent efforts regarding Long Island Sound.
As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am proud to have passed $15 million in funding for the preservation and protection of Long Island's greatest asset, the Sound.
Protecting the Sound has been one of my top priorities in Congress--not simply for aesthetic or environmental reasons, but also because the Sound contributes more than $8 billion to our region every year through fishing, recreation, and tourism.
Below, please find a copy of an article recently published in Newsday on this topic.
Newsday: More funding urged for Long Island Sound cleanup
October 6, 2009
WASHINGTON - More money, better coordination and a more involved public are needed to continue the restoration of Long Island Sound, officials and advocates told a House panel Tuesday.
Cleanup efforts so far have resulted in decreasing discharges of nitrogen, toxic contaminants and pathogens into the Sound, said Mark Tedesco, head of the Long Island Sound Office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
But, he said, storm-water pollution, sea-level rises and warming temperatures continue to be problems - resulting in summer shutdowns of beaches and fishing - that will require money and coordination of efforts in the region.
Tedesco presented that snapshot of the Sound's condition and recommendations on its restoration to the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, as the panel took stock of federal law and the Long Island Sound Study.
Money continues to be a key issue, especially as states face tightened budgets.
Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southhampton), a subcommittee member, asked about the outlook for state funding in Connecticut and New York.
"Connecticut is quite committed to clean water even in these tight times," said Connecticut Environmental Protection Commissioner Amey Marrella, noting it had $145 million in bond issues this year for sewage plant fixes and updates.
Peter Scully, LI director of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, said there is no indication the state "is going to back away from funding for Long Island Sound." But he said, "I can't really say what the situation will be like in the days and weeks ahead."
Scully urged the federal government to step up its funding.
The House has appropriated $15 million for the Sound, the largest amount ever, said Bishop, who credited Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington), an Appropriations Committee member.
But the Senate appropriated just $3 million, the same as last year. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, both New York Democrats, are urging the Senate-House conference committee to raise the final amount to $15 million.
Adrienne Esposito of the nonprofit Citizens Campaign for the Environment told lawmakers year-to-year budgeting has become a "roadblock" to long-term projects because of uncertainty about funding. She recommended a three- to five-year budget.
She also stressed the need for a broad public campaign to inform people of steps to take to help the Sound.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to do so again on any matter of concern. You can also visit my website (http://house.gov/israel) to learn more about the issues important to you and to sign up for my e-mail updates.
Sincerely,
STEVE ISRAEL
Member of Congress
Dear:
Knowing of your interest in the environment, I thought you would be interested in my recent efforts regarding Long Island Sound.
As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am proud to have passed $15 million in funding for the preservation and protection of Long Island's greatest asset, the Sound.
Protecting the Sound has been one of my top priorities in Congress--not simply for aesthetic or environmental reasons, but also because the Sound contributes more than $8 billion to our region every year through fishing, recreation, and tourism.
Below, please find a copy of an article recently published in Newsday on this topic.
Newsday: More funding urged for Long Island Sound cleanup
October 6, 2009
WASHINGTON - More money, better coordination and a more involved public are needed to continue the restoration of Long Island Sound, officials and advocates told a House panel Tuesday.
Cleanup efforts so far have resulted in decreasing discharges of nitrogen, toxic contaminants and pathogens into the Sound, said Mark Tedesco, head of the Long Island Sound Office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
But, he said, storm-water pollution, sea-level rises and warming temperatures continue to be problems - resulting in summer shutdowns of beaches and fishing - that will require money and coordination of efforts in the region.
Tedesco presented that snapshot of the Sound's condition and recommendations on its restoration to the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, as the panel took stock of federal law and the Long Island Sound Study.
Money continues to be a key issue, especially as states face tightened budgets.
Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southhampton), a subcommittee member, asked about the outlook for state funding in Connecticut and New York.
"Connecticut is quite committed to clean water even in these tight times," said Connecticut Environmental Protection Commissioner Amey Marrella, noting it had $145 million in bond issues this year for sewage plant fixes and updates.
Peter Scully, LI director of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, said there is no indication the state "is going to back away from funding for Long Island Sound." But he said, "I can't really say what the situation will be like in the days and weeks ahead."
Scully urged the federal government to step up its funding.
The House has appropriated $15 million for the Sound, the largest amount ever, said Bishop, who credited Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington), an Appropriations Committee member.
But the Senate appropriated just $3 million, the same as last year. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, both New York Democrats, are urging the Senate-House conference committee to raise the final amount to $15 million.
Adrienne Esposito of the nonprofit Citizens Campaign for the Environment told lawmakers year-to-year budgeting has become a "roadblock" to long-term projects because of uncertainty about funding. She recommended a three- to five-year budget.
She also stressed the need for a broad public campaign to inform people of steps to take to help the Sound.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to do so again on any matter of concern. You can also visit my website (http://house.gov/israel) to learn more about the issues important to you and to sign up for my e-mail updates.
Sincerely,
STEVE ISRAEL
Member of Congress
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
It's not hard to see through the garbage
The climate of hate that we have seen coming out in these town hall meetings and rallies is nothing new. This is the outcry of people who are disillusioned with the political system but don’t know where to put the anger. The pundits and the media who are driving this hate vehicle have to take a long look into history to see they need to shift their rhetoric or a disaster will happen. Hate conquers nothing and in a time where people are hurting it is easy to delve into their subconscious and pull all of the deep seated hatred out. This is the America we live in; as the rich get richer they keep the common folk at each others throats with racist innuendo.
The real fight is, and has always been, the haves and the have-nots but people with racists’ views can’t see past their own inefficiencies. If they could, they would see that the same people they claim to hate are fighting the same fight, just trying to survive. If they could look past this, they would see the same people that are feeding them this garbage are nothing like them. Their fight is to stay in power and to use any means fair and unfair to trick us into fighting amongst our selves.
In a very good Oped peace by Thomas L. Friedman he helps equate some of his experiences with the hate mongering that is going on right now. This should have been an eye opener to people who haven’t seen what hate talk can do. Violent talk leads to violent actions and all you need is one nut to act on this talk.
While I’m on the subject about nuts, who ever gave Michael Steele their vote is a nut. This guy called Friedman a nut for writing this article. Now while he has a right to his opinion where is his stance on the nuts that are making threats to the President? Where was his criticism of the nut that ran a poll on face book asking if Obama should be assassinated? Where is criticism of his our party for bringing these racial overtone and images to their rallies? I will tell you where, the same place his man hood is, in Rush Limbaugh’s pocket. Here is a man who cried racism when someone allegedly throw a Oreo on the stage when he was having a debate. This is his definition of racism, but he can’t find the time to say to his base maybe the witch doctor or the magazine with Obama in the cross hairs might be a little racist.
Here is a guy who time after time puts his foot in his mouth. But I’m a helpful guy so I’m going to help Michael out.
In his words "Greenland, which is now covered in ice, it was once called Greenland for a reason, right?" Wrong global warming is real and no Michael using Greenland for your argument is a poor choice.
The threat to the President is real.
And racism does exist and neither party should be using racism as a political tool, but when you see it Michael you have an obligation to try to calm it. This is your party. These are your people and there is no need to have political or policy differences marred with racism.
The real fight is, and has always been, the haves and the have-nots but people with racists’ views can’t see past their own inefficiencies. If they could, they would see that the same people they claim to hate are fighting the same fight, just trying to survive. If they could look past this, they would see the same people that are feeding them this garbage are nothing like them. Their fight is to stay in power and to use any means fair and unfair to trick us into fighting amongst our selves.
In a very good Oped peace by Thomas L. Friedman he helps equate some of his experiences with the hate mongering that is going on right now. This should have been an eye opener to people who haven’t seen what hate talk can do. Violent talk leads to violent actions and all you need is one nut to act on this talk.
While I’m on the subject about nuts, who ever gave Michael Steele their vote is a nut. This guy called Friedman a nut for writing this article. Now while he has a right to his opinion where is his stance on the nuts that are making threats to the President? Where was his criticism of the nut that ran a poll on face book asking if Obama should be assassinated? Where is criticism of his our party for bringing these racial overtone and images to their rallies? I will tell you where, the same place his man hood is, in Rush Limbaugh’s pocket. Here is a man who cried racism when someone allegedly throw a Oreo on the stage when he was having a debate. This is his definition of racism, but he can’t find the time to say to his base maybe the witch doctor or the magazine with Obama in the cross hairs might be a little racist.
Here is a guy who time after time puts his foot in his mouth. But I’m a helpful guy so I’m going to help Michael out.
In his words "Greenland, which is now covered in ice, it was once called Greenland for a reason, right?" Wrong global warming is real and no Michael using Greenland for your argument is a poor choice.
The threat to the President is real.
And racism does exist and neither party should be using racism as a political tool, but when you see it Michael you have an obligation to try to calm it. This is your party. These are your people and there is no need to have political or policy differences marred with racism.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Welcome to my blog. Today I read an article in the New York Times that talked about the white house looking at adding harsher sanctions to Iran. So I began thinking about a few things. What is the purpose? What is the goal? Will these sanctions achieve their goals?
The only way to quantify this is to look at like cases. So let’s examine Iraq. Clearly the sanctions, handed down by UN, did nothing to help topple the regime in Iraq other wise we wouldn’t be in a war now. Plus it helped create more resentment with in the country because an estimated 500,000 children died because of these sanctions.How will this be any different in Iran?
In all countries there are propaganda machines that help the leaders push their agendas. In Iran these sanctions will help the regime be shown that their hardships are being caused by the US and the regime will get the people to rally behind that. This is the way terrorism is born. "The Sept. 11 commission reported it has found no "collaborative relationship" between Iraq and al Qaeda." There were no terrorist in Iraq until we invaded.
The only way to quantify this is to look at like cases. So let’s examine Iraq. Clearly the sanctions, handed down by UN, did nothing to help topple the regime in Iraq other wise we wouldn’t be in a war now. Plus it helped create more resentment with in the country because an estimated 500,000 children died because of these sanctions.How will this be any different in Iran?
In all countries there are propaganda machines that help the leaders push their agendas. In Iran these sanctions will help the regime be shown that their hardships are being caused by the US and the regime will get the people to rally behind that. This is the way terrorism is born. "The Sept. 11 commission reported it has found no "collaborative relationship" between Iraq and al Qaeda." There were no terrorist in Iraq until we invaded.
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