Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Guantanamo recidivists.
Friday, June 20, 2008
I'm a little surprised
Frankly, I'm some what surprised at the number of dems who voted for the abomination that is the FISA bill, not however that it passed.
Let's see: The chief of police comes to me and says that someone in my town is making meth and getting guns together, perhaps to shoot up the town while on their meth high. He asks me to break into every house in town so that he can be sure that is the case. After I break into every house I'm found out, but the state legislature passes a law that says that as long as the chief asks me to do it, it's ok. So I'm off the hook.
Ok, "I'm not here to say that the government is always right, but when the government tells you to do something, I'm sure you would all agree that I think you all recognize that is something you need to do," so says congressman Kit Bond and apparently the leaders of the Democrat (can I now use that nasty slur?) party.
So let's see the president, or prime minister, or primer, or Il Duce, or Fuhrer, or King tells me what to do and then I "need to do" it. Even though the law says otherwise. But in the end it turns out that the law is really only what the president, etc. says it is. Isn't that a text book definition of the totalitarian or fascist state?
Just askin'.
Let's see: The chief of police comes to me and says that someone in my town is making meth and getting guns together, perhaps to shoot up the town while on their meth high. He asks me to break into every house in town so that he can be sure that is the case. After I break into every house I'm found out, but the state legislature passes a law that says that as long as the chief asks me to do it, it's ok. So I'm off the hook.
Ok, "I'm not here to say that the government is always right, but when the government tells you to do something, I'm sure you would all agree that I think you all recognize that is something you need to do," so says congressman Kit Bond and apparently the leaders of the Democrat (can I now use that nasty slur?) party.
So let's see the president, or prime minister, or primer, or Il Duce, or Fuhrer, or King tells me what to do and then I "need to do" it. Even though the law says otherwise. But in the end it turns out that the law is really only what the president, etc. says it is. Isn't that a text book definition of the totalitarian or fascist state?
Just askin'.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
FISA Again
Once again it looks like the Democrats are prepared to cave on FISA and give blanket immunity to the phone companies who broke the law at the request of the administration. I do appreciate Digby's position, but it doesn't make me much happier.
I am beginning to think that we are in the same place the later Roman Republic was just before the Sula and Marius. Don't get me wrong, I don't think we are going to end up in a bloody civil war. On the other hand, I think that is because there is no one who is even close to getting power who believes in anything.
One of the interesting things is that the excuses and reasons given by the Democrats are simply not believable to anyone who cares. We see right through there statements. They are liars and care not for our country, but only for those who they consider are in their ruling class with them.
Giving the corporations legal immunity because they did what the president wanted even though that was against the law is the text book definition of fascist. A state run by the corporations and those they place in office to do their bidding.
Hey who needs the Fourth Amendment if you have nothing to hide. I guess those assholes in powdered wigs just couldn't understand how scared a few guys with box cutters can make us.
I am beginning to think that we are in the same place the later Roman Republic was just before the Sula and Marius. Don't get me wrong, I don't think we are going to end up in a bloody civil war. On the other hand, I think that is because there is no one who is even close to getting power who believes in anything.
One of the interesting things is that the excuses and reasons given by the Democrats are simply not believable to anyone who cares. We see right through there statements. They are liars and care not for our country, but only for those who they consider are in their ruling class with them.
Giving the corporations legal immunity because they did what the president wanted even though that was against the law is the text book definition of fascist. A state run by the corporations and those they place in office to do their bidding.
Hey who needs the Fourth Amendment if you have nothing to hide. I guess those assholes in powdered wigs just couldn't understand how scared a few guys with box cutters can make us.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Coming back from The Atlantic
I just drifted over the the Atlantic Monthly to read a Yglesias piece and stayed to read the comments.
Wow, the number of people who claim to be Clinton supporters who say they are now supporting McCain is quite weird given that McCain is the antithesis of Clinton. If they were ever really Clinton supporters to began with, of course.
It would, I think, be possible to convince oneself to vote for McCain because you think that Obama will do the same kind of job Carter did and ruin the Democratic party for another generation. McCain is then the lesser of two evils, because you expect that he will also screw things up and then Clinton.
But to try to argue that McCain now is your ideal, when it once was Clinton, that takes you into Bizaaro World. The arguments are all the same: Obama supporters use sexism and are really racists themselves. Obama stole the votes from Florida and Michigan. And finally, of course, Obama is unAmerican. Actually, they are all arguments that Obama didn't play fair in the primaries so now they are going to take their vote and go over to McCain. They tend to be a little light on the actual benefits of a McCain presidency.
They are just bitter. Their person was going to be the next president. Everybody knew it last year therefore she couldn't have lost fairly no matter what the facts are.
Inevitability is an ugly thing when it is crushed.
Wow, the number of people who claim to be Clinton supporters who say they are now supporting McCain is quite weird given that McCain is the antithesis of Clinton. If they were ever really Clinton supporters to began with, of course.
It would, I think, be possible to convince oneself to vote for McCain because you think that Obama will do the same kind of job Carter did and ruin the Democratic party for another generation. McCain is then the lesser of two evils, because you expect that he will also screw things up and then Clinton.
But to try to argue that McCain now is your ideal, when it once was Clinton, that takes you into Bizaaro World. The arguments are all the same: Obama supporters use sexism and are really racists themselves. Obama stole the votes from Florida and Michigan. And finally, of course, Obama is unAmerican. Actually, they are all arguments that Obama didn't play fair in the primaries so now they are going to take their vote and go over to McCain. They tend to be a little light on the actual benefits of a McCain presidency.
They are just bitter. Their person was going to be the next president. Everybody knew it last year therefore she couldn't have lost fairly no matter what the facts are.
Inevitability is an ugly thing when it is crushed.
Second Rate Benedict Arnolds
Within the last couple of weeks there have been several stories describing how strong and brave the Democratic leadership was last year. Those stories described the fight over Social Security. Nancy Poelsti and Steny Hoyer were right there in the fore front of those fighting to save Social Security. I thought those stories were unusual at this point. Now I know why they were out there.
Their purpose was to give the leadership cover when they caved on FISA and retroactive immunity to the telephone companies.
Given the firestorm that has exploded now that the rumors are out about the "compromise," apparently those "hero" stories didn't do what they were meant to do for our very own second rate Benedict Arnolds.
Them what pays the piper calls the tune I guess. Apparently just working and voting are no longer enough.
The interesting thing about this whole process is the way the leadership is trying to cover their collective asses: Work out a behind the scenes deal so that the leadership can vote the "right" way when the final bill comes up, but have the result fixed so that they appear to be on the losing side.
Interestingly enough this seems to be precisely what has managed to fool NARAL and HRC all along. You would think that people who make their living lobbying congress would understand what is happening ------- wouldn't you?
Hey why do you think that Obama and Clinton haven't spoken out about this? You don't suppose that they are in on it do you?
Their purpose was to give the leadership cover when they caved on FISA and retroactive immunity to the telephone companies.
Given the firestorm that has exploded now that the rumors are out about the "compromise," apparently those "hero" stories didn't do what they were meant to do for our very own second rate Benedict Arnolds.
Them what pays the piper calls the tune I guess. Apparently just working and voting are no longer enough.
The interesting thing about this whole process is the way the leadership is trying to cover their collective asses: Work out a behind the scenes deal so that the leadership can vote the "right" way when the final bill comes up, but have the result fixed so that they appear to be on the losing side.
Interestingly enough this seems to be precisely what has managed to fool NARAL and HRC all along. You would think that people who make their living lobbying congress would understand what is happening ------- wouldn't you?
Hey why do you think that Obama and Clinton haven't spoken out about this? You don't suppose that they are in on it do you?
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Second Thoughts
After I posted yesterday I started to think about it.
In the end it isn't right to jump on a dead guy for no reason, but if you say nice things or nothing (since silence gives consent) about a guy who helped dig the hole our country is in today, that isn't right either.
Let's face it: Russert's show was where Cheney went when he wanted to control the message. Russert banged the drum loudly for the war. Russert never spoke truth to power and allowed the right to lie on his show without correcting them or challenging them. Everyone who spoke to him spoke off record. He was no more a reporter than I am.
He was apparently not the worst of the lot. Brother what an epitaph.
In the end it isn't right to jump on a dead guy for no reason, but if you say nice things or nothing (since silence gives consent) about a guy who helped dig the hole our country is in today, that isn't right either.
Let's face it: Russert's show was where Cheney went when he wanted to control the message. Russert banged the drum loudly for the war. Russert never spoke truth to power and allowed the right to lie on his show without correcting them or challenging them. Everyone who spoke to him spoke off record. He was no more a reporter than I am.
He was apparently not the worst of the lot. Brother what an epitaph.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Welcome to my world
God two of the custody cases have blown up.
The first has occurred because my client has decided that the people we put the kids with are not able to care for them properly since her husband killed himself (probably by accident). The people are his relatives. It now turns out that the one guy hasn't worked in years and it is just a scam (according to my client) to get money. Of course, this wasn't mentioned in court or to me. So I've gotten like five calls this morning.
The gist is: "We've reported all the troubles to children's services, why won't they do anything?" The response is: "Welcome to my world."
The other case is out of town, but if possible even worse. The kid has serious psychological problems (including sexual issues) and is only about seven years old. The father has custody and won't cooperate with any counselor. Children's services won't take the kid. The mother can't take the kid cause her husband has abused the kid.
So essentially what we have here is full permanent employment for courts, state bureaucracies and attorneys.
The first has occurred because my client has decided that the people we put the kids with are not able to care for them properly since her husband killed himself (probably by accident). The people are his relatives. It now turns out that the one guy hasn't worked in years and it is just a scam (according to my client) to get money. Of course, this wasn't mentioned in court or to me. So I've gotten like five calls this morning.
The gist is: "We've reported all the troubles to children's services, why won't they do anything?" The response is: "Welcome to my world."
The other case is out of town, but if possible even worse. The kid has serious psychological problems (including sexual issues) and is only about seven years old. The father has custody and won't cooperate with any counselor. Children's services won't take the kid. The mother can't take the kid cause her husband has abused the kid.
So essentially what we have here is full permanent employment for courts, state bureaucracies and attorneys.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Threats
I've finally started to read Lapdogs by Eric Boehart. I've had it around for awhile. I was a gift and I have just not had the energy to pick it up because I thought that it would probably put me in a permanent pissed off state as long as it took to read it.
Well, at any rate I've finally started to read it and I'm only past the Introduction, but already I'm shocked and appalled. He points out the incredible willingness and ability of the far right to threaten and pull off boycotts if they don't like what a specific part of the MSM is reporting -- no matter how correct it is. Further, how this along with other things, tends to assist in forcing the MSM to report as the closet fascists want.
While reading that I all of a sudden thought about the recent Michelle Malkin threat to boycott Duncan Donuts over one of their shills wearing a black and white scarf (once again no link to her, cause I don't feel like it). The allegation being that it was a Palestinian scarf, even though the scarf was a paisley design, if one bothered to look closely obviously not Palestinian.
Did Malkin look stupid if one bothered to investigate. Sort of, but of course that wasn't the point. The point was to prove once again the kind of power these fascists have and how they can control what we are allowed to see, in even the least important part of our media, if they put their minds to it. In fact, it might even be better if what they were trying to do was stupid in a rational world. The point isn't the intelligence, the point is the raw power.
So by forcing Duncan Donuts to take off the offending ad, they simply showed anybody who might question it their real power. This is really good at a time with progressives (Obama/Clinton[?]) all over the news.
Well, at any rate I've finally started to read it and I'm only past the Introduction, but already I'm shocked and appalled. He points out the incredible willingness and ability of the far right to threaten and pull off boycotts if they don't like what a specific part of the MSM is reporting -- no matter how correct it is. Further, how this along with other things, tends to assist in forcing the MSM to report as the closet fascists want.
While reading that I all of a sudden thought about the recent Michelle Malkin threat to boycott Duncan Donuts over one of their shills wearing a black and white scarf (once again no link to her, cause I don't feel like it). The allegation being that it was a Palestinian scarf, even though the scarf was a paisley design, if one bothered to look closely obviously not Palestinian.
Did Malkin look stupid if one bothered to investigate. Sort of, but of course that wasn't the point. The point was to prove once again the kind of power these fascists have and how they can control what we are allowed to see, in even the least important part of our media, if they put their minds to it. In fact, it might even be better if what they were trying to do was stupid in a rational world. The point isn't the intelligence, the point is the raw power.
So by forcing Duncan Donuts to take off the offending ad, they simply showed anybody who might question it their real power. This is really good at a time with progressives (Obama/Clinton[?]) all over the news.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Me and the black power people
Well, I've been reading about these allegations about Michelle Obama speaking against "whitey" (sorry no links, if you haven't read about it you simply haven't been alive for the last couple of days). You know there are a couple of thoughts here:
First, nobody who goes by the name of Michelle can possibly be any sort of a black power type.
Second, (and I want to be perfectly clear here this has nothing to do with [First]) my connection with the black power movement is deep and significant. That is true even though it is difficult to believe that there is anyone whiter then me in the universe. I mean lets face it, I sun burn under florescent lights.
Once (keep this to yourselves) I used a urinal right next to Jesse Jackson when he was running for president. I was at an NLG convention where he spoke and I really had to go, so as soon as he was finished speaking I ran into the restroom (Why do you think they call it that? Oh well a question for another day).
Who should come into the restroom immediately after me but Jessie Jackson. He was of course accompanied by two white guys and one black guy who had sun glasses on and ear phones in one ear (that is not one ear together, but one ear each). He came up to the urinal right next to me.
Yes I did look, but I was much younger then. At any rate I had to sign certain documents and I am not at liberty to divulge more.
First, nobody who goes by the name of Michelle can possibly be any sort of a black power type.
Second, (and I want to be perfectly clear here this has nothing to do with [First]) my connection with the black power movement is deep and significant. That is true even though it is difficult to believe that there is anyone whiter then me in the universe. I mean lets face it, I sun burn under florescent lights.
Once (keep this to yourselves) I used a urinal right next to Jesse Jackson when he was running for president. I was at an NLG convention where he spoke and I really had to go, so as soon as he was finished speaking I ran into the restroom (Why do you think they call it that? Oh well a question for another day).
Who should come into the restroom immediately after me but Jessie Jackson. He was of course accompanied by two white guys and one black guy who had sun glasses on and ear phones in one ear (that is not one ear together, but one ear each). He came up to the urinal right next to me.
Yes I did look, but I was much younger then. At any rate I had to sign certain documents and I am not at liberty to divulge more.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
I'mmmmmmmmmmmm back (not that you care)
Well I've been preparing for this jury trial that I was positive was going to go (unlike most where you really don't expect them to happen, and they don't).
Well anyway my crazy client would not take the really good deal and we were going to go down to almost certain defeat, with him spending the next 18 months in prison. Of course, for him that would not have been a completely bad thing as he has spent 14 of the last 16 years in prison or jail and he is only 34.
At any rate the day before the trial I get a call from the prosecutor who tells me that his assistant is violently ill and can't do the trial. Further, it was clear that the prosecutor did not want to try it himself. (There are some benefits to living in a small town.)
So anyway my guy got credit for time served and was out yesterday evening. Possibly his first day free in three or four years. I am not sure that he was completely happy about that.
Now I can get on to more important things then some guys life.
Let's talk about Chaney and his insult to West Virginians. Well, I live very close to WV and I've got to say that if I were Chaney I wouldn't worry about that because most of them wouldn't be able to read about it any way.
Thank you, thank you. I'll be here insulting red necks for the next week.
Well anyway my crazy client would not take the really good deal and we were going to go down to almost certain defeat, with him spending the next 18 months in prison. Of course, for him that would not have been a completely bad thing as he has spent 14 of the last 16 years in prison or jail and he is only 34.
At any rate the day before the trial I get a call from the prosecutor who tells me that his assistant is violently ill and can't do the trial. Further, it was clear that the prosecutor did not want to try it himself. (There are some benefits to living in a small town.)
So anyway my guy got credit for time served and was out yesterday evening. Possibly his first day free in three or four years. I am not sure that he was completely happy about that.
Now I can get on to more important things then some guys life.
Let's talk about Chaney and his insult to West Virginians. Well, I live very close to WV and I've got to say that if I were Chaney I wouldn't worry about that because most of them wouldn't be able to read about it any way.
Thank you, thank you. I'll be here insulting red necks for the next week.
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