The Real State of the Union

“This week the Republican Party hopes to escape its immediate past. . . .They hope that the party's corruption scandal will be forgotten and that the names Tom DeLay and Jack Abramoff will become as unmentionable in their world as Lord Voldemort's is in Harry Potter's. . . . The words from last year he [President Bush] wants to wipe out of the political lexicon include ‘Brownie,’ ‘Katrina,’ ‘heck of a job’ and ‘Social Security privatization.
But there is an uncomfortable bit of business left over from the Republican disaster year of 2005 that will test the seriousness of the party's supposed commitment to change. The cut-the-poor, help-the-big-interests federal budget passed last year needs final ratification in the House. The vote could take place as soon as tomorrow.
Let's be clear: Anyone who votes for this fiscal mess will be standing for the bad old ways of doing business in Washington. Those who do so will have no claim to being ‘reformers.’”
Excerpt from Where's the Budget Outrage? Op-Ed In The Washington Post By E. J. Dionne Jr.

Not to be cynical, but I tend to agree with Code Pink’s The People's State of the Union: “This year, both Groundhog Day and the State of the Union Address fell on the same day. As Air America Radio pointed out, 'It is an ironic juxtaposition: one involves a meaningless ritual in which we look to a creature of little intelligence for prognostication, and the other involves a groundhog.'”

See, Don't confuse me with the facts. and

* Four years after 9/11, Osama Bin Laden remains on the loose and Al Qaeda remains a potent force among millions of Muslims
* The threat of terrorism has actually increased, largely as a result of the unnecessary invasion of Iraq
* In the process of our struggle against insurgents and terrorists, we are in danger of losing the very principles we are fighting for as revelations of torture undercut America's moral strength and leadership
* More than 45 million Americans lack access to health insurance
* Despite over thirty years of warning, this nation still has no policy to lead us to energy independence
* The emergence of what appears to be a culture of corruption reaching from lobbyists, through the Republican leadership in Congress, and into the White House itself

The policies followed by your Administration since 9/11 -- the belligerent tone, the unilateralism, and the excessive reliance on military force -- are not making us safer; they are increasing the dangers we face abroad and distracting us from the most important challenges here at home.

Is This Really “About His Now-forgotten Social Security Plan” Or His Idiotic Medicare Drug Bill

"Bush Explains Medicare Drug Bill — Verbatim Quote
WOMAN IN AUDIENCE: 'I don't really understand. How is it the new plan going to fix the problem?'
Verbatim response: PRESIDENT BUSH:
'Because the — all which is on the table begins to address the big cost drivers. For example, how benefits are calculated, for example, is on the table. Whether or not benefits rise based upon wage increases or price increases There's a series of parts of the formula that are being considered. And when you couple that, those different cost drivers, affecting those — changing those with personal accounts, the idea is to get what has been promised more likely to be — or closer delivered to that has been promised. Does that make any sense to you? It's kind of muddled. Look, there's a series of things that cause the — like, for example, benefits are calculated based upon the increase of wages, as opposed to the increase of prices. Some have suggested that we calculate — the benefits will rise based upon inflation, supposed to wage increases. There is a reform that would help solve the red if that were put into effect. In other words, how fast benefits grow, how fast the promised benefits grow, if those — if that growth is affected, it will help on the red.'"
Snopes says this is true, however, Al Kamen in his column Misdirection at the White House says:
“This new liberal smear is grossly unfair and inaccurate. Granted, the exchange itself comes directly from a White House transcript. But it was a question about his now-forgotten Social Security plan. Also, it's from an event in Tampa back in February 2005. Finally, it has absolutely nothing to do with Medicare or health care."
I agree with Mr. Kamen that we should accurately describe which particular administration program contrived to deny aid to our elderly President Bush doesn’t understand and can’t explain at the moment. (Though it may not matter, See, Don't confuse me with the facts.) However, whichever program he was talking about, it is still true that the president understands only what the insurance and drug lobbies tell him.

Offaly Wins the 1981 All Ireland Hurling Title Again

In yesterday’s replay on Setanta Sports Offaly again won the 1981 All Ireland Hurling championship, and by the same score- Offaly 2-12; Galway 0-15.
LAMENT FOR PAT CARROLL
[Air-The Rocks of Bawn]
All across the Faithful County
Deep sadness fills the air
Where once the blazing bonfire burned
Now heads are bowed in prayer
A red haired hurler sleeps tonight
With the Gaels from yesteryear
While friend and foe, remembering
Shed many a manly tear. . . .

32 of 70 Trapped Canadian Miners Rescued

St. Barbara thanks for the 32. Please keep working to save the rest.

SLEEP WELL TONIGHT, YOUR C.I.A. IS AWAKE-SORT OF.

Who did we kill?
The CIA has been circulating the wrong photo of Abu Khabab al-Masri "for more than a year in the search for one of its most-wanted terrorists. . . . Pakistani officials said last week he was one of two senior members of al-Qaida killed in a U.S. airstrike on a village near the Afghan border. . . .The photo has been replaced on a U.S. government Web site with a silhouette." The one they posted is here.
See, U.S. posts wrong photo of ‘al-Qaida operative’ After year and a half, wrong man's photo removed from wanted page By Lisa Myers

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOBBY

Sorry I'm late but as you have said:
But Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
In proving foresight may be vain;
The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft agley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!

As you’re probably aware, we partied hearty for you at the MacGraham’s ahead of time, and there will be many more celebrations over the next several days. Have a good one. Here's some haggis for you.

Note to those with wee ones concerning haggis. “Because of the saturated fat and salt in haggis it's not desirable for children to have it more than once a week.”

THIS JUST IN-Cousin Jim’s Beloved just keeps the hits coming. This time it is one of discovery rather than creation, and a timely one it is. While searching the library for rare texts, she found a previously unknown and unpublished poem of the Bard’s. Being no fool, she got the Burns estate to give her a copyright, but she and the estate have given me the exclusive right to publish it. Read, enjoy, and learn.

MONSTER THINGUM

(This being the true and actual account of Laird Burns’
one and only encounter with modern technology.)

To the shops I took me self.
Spied the thing upon the shelf.
Rams it had and gigabyten.
Just the thing me needs for writin’.
Buy the thing, says I!

Oh what wondrous things it could do,
And for weeks I typed the day through.
Poems I wrote and ode to lousen
With the skill of that wee mousen.
Oh such delight had I!

And the wonders of the website!
There I wiled away each good night.
Got me feeling oh so sassy,
Specially those with fair young lassies.
Yes, oh yes, cried I!

Then sick it got with worm and virus.
Asked me self why did I buy this?
Spam I got and advertisin’,
So the thing I start despisin.
Fye on you, says I!

Then the monster turned upon me,
Like a ghost a man cannot see.
Password failure, windows crashin,
And “fatal error” message flashin.
Why oh why, yelled I!

And all my work... the monster ate it!
So I set me heart to hate it!
All the while me teeth be gnashin’,
Down the burn I sent it crashin!
Die you monster. Die!

Lads and lassies listen hard.
Take this wisdom from the Bard.
If it’s writin that you’ll be doin’,
With computers don’t be screwin.
Take pen in hand, says I!

Spying Spin Sameold Side Show?

“Don't call it domestic spying, they say. It's a terrorist surveillance program. . . .“Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., . . . wants to see addressed at his committee's Feb. 6 hearing: Why did the White House not ask Congress for changes to a 1978 foreign surveillance law? Why didn't the administration go to an established intelligence court to get approval for the monitoring? Will the White House consider doing that now?”

From, Analysis: White House Tries to Spin Spying By KATHERINE SHRADER

Valuing the Sanctity of Life And Stuff

This is no Fuk King Kwok. ""At no point are we not going to value the sanctity of life. We would resuscitate him."
Prison spokesperson Vernell Crittendon, on a request by Clarence Ray Allen, California's oldest death-row inmate, to let him die if he went into cardiac arrest before his execution. The situation didn't arise. Allen was executed, as planned, at the age of 76."

African Slave Descendents Trace History in Ghana


Abortion: The wrong regret. "I wondered what being sorry had to do with criminalizing a woman's choice. Are they sorry that their child would not have health care, or a decent place to live? . . ."


What? Boys are different? The Trouble With Boys

Fair To President Bush

Pictures like these are fair as are the ones here.
When George Met Jack "The President's memory may soon be unhappily refreshed.”
Publishing Bush-Abramoff Photos Verboten
Photos With Lobbyist Are 'Not Relevant,' Bush Says
Majority Believe White House Should Release Abramoff Records
Bush Admits Their Existence, but Downplays Their Significance

"Criticize me all you want, but don't circumcise me anymore!"

"Friedman hasn't lost his outrageous edge: His current campaign television ad features the new Kinky Friedman 'talking action figure' taking questions at a press conference. 'Criticize me all you want, but don't circumcise me anymore!' declares the doll.
On the other hand he appears sincerely fed up with what he characterizes as the fat-cat, do-nothing elected officials who have made a mockery of Texas pride.
'As my spiritual adviser Billy Joe Shaver says," the real-life Friedman proclaims, 'you can lead a politician to water, but you can't make him think.'" Candid candidate-Kinky Friedman-This man wants to be your gov'ner. Seriously. Star-Telegram Jan. 1, 2006

“Kinky Friedman has raised three times as much campaign money in his independent bid for governor as the two top Democratic candidates combined.” - Dallas Morning Wednesday, 18 January 2006

Thanks to Nephew Mike for this update.

From Patti

From Molly Ivins:
"The MINUTE someone impugns your patriotism for opposing this war, turn on them like a snarling dog and explain what loving your country really means. That, or you could just piss on them elegantly, as Rep. John Murtha did."

Help The Bush Administration Stamp Out Pornography Such As This

If you’re on the wrong side of this issue, I suggest that you confess. I confess, that in my weaker times, I think the DOJ's energy could be better spent catching criminals or killing Muslims.
I also highly recommend, to the righteous and the unwarshed, You've Got Confessions By Jessica Bennett. The Postcard Secrets link is worth following to see the slide show. See also, PostSecret.

Thank Gawd For Big Gummit

John Ashcroft was severely criticized for spending $8000 for drapes to cover up the exposed breast of The Spirit of Justice in the Hall of Justice. He was right to do so.
A study has shown that youngsters exposed to likenesses of female breasts such as these are prone to develop fetishes.

The effect is sure to be even worse if exposure is to a live female breast.











That's why ole Virgil is thankful that the DOJ is still trying to stop nekidness.

Two W.Va. Miners Missing After Fire

We call on you again St. Barbara. We know that you do all that you can, but that you need us to put pressure on those who can prevent these tragedies and make the mines safer.
As a patron saint not just of miners, but all people open for explosions, please remember our young folks and all in harm's way too. God knows you're getting no help from our government or "the enemy."

Chewing Off Our Limbs-Right On Patti

"Many of us began chewing off our limbs as we watched the Alito hearings. This is not necessary. If you have a hand left, pick up the phone and call your senator. "

UNFAIR TO PRESIDENT BUSH?

UNFAIR TO PRESIDENT NIXON?

[Remember when most Republicans weren't fundamentalist pseudo-Christians? Nixon supported a broad environmental program and reduced tensions with China and the U.S.S.R.
An Equation for Our Times is available for sale at This Modern World]
President Bush is ignorant but not stupid according to someone who knows someone who knows him. If he is either stupid or ignorant, it is possible that he is not a liar.
When he says things, during the campaign and after, indicating that the administration must go before a judge and get a court order to do a wiretap he may just be ignorant. He may not be running the country and just didn’t know that the eavesdropping was happening. He may or may not know that he is not running the country. If he is neither stupid nor ignorant, pictures like these are unfair as are the ones here.
Here's what some folks think about the situation in general. One American Woman's Thoughts on the 2004 Presidential Election
and Bright Shining Lies, Blistering Truth
and This Modern World

"Abortionist of Arkansas" is "One of Those Rare Folks Who Actually Respects Women"

I received this e-mail from G:
My GF in NW Ark. sent me this link. http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=1495429
It's an article about my old doctor. He delivered both of my kids and was my doctor for 10 years. He's one of those rare folks who actually respects women.
G.

Right or wrong, Dr. Harrison is a fine, courageous, compassionate, man.

I have trouble with the abortion issue. Here are the arguments as I see them.

Abortion Should Not Be Criminalized
1. The theological argument as to when life begins is unanswerable and is something that should be left the individual and the gummit should stay out of it.
2. The gummit should not make choices about what a woman does with her body.
3. If abortion is criminalized many women will die as before because of “coat hanger” abortions.
4. If abortion is criminalized only the poor will be denied safe abortions.
5. A woman, especially one who has been a victim of rape or incest, or a frightened teenager who has nowhere to turn should not be labeled a criminal or sent to prison.
6. The social, emotional and economic costs of unwanted children are staggering.

Abortion Should Be Criminalized
1. Life begins at conception just like some people think that the Bible says it does.
2. The gummit should prevent murder of children.
3. If abortion is criminalized women will not die from “coat hanger” abortions if they obey the law.
4. The poor should get a job.
5. A frightened teenager can turn to her parents and if they are not available, to God. She was old enough to have sex, and she should accept the consequences even if it was with her father. The adrenalin rush triggered by fear causes hormonal changes that block the ability of rape victims to conceive. See, Shock Doc, Judge Stir Storm. Anyone who kills a baby under any circumstances should be labeled a criminal or sent to prison.
6. The social, emotional and economic costs of killing children are staggering. Women often have severe psychological problems after abortions and regret their decisions. Also, keeping the population down is bad for bidness. Babies provide jobs for social workers, school teachers, police etc. As they grow up to become consumers and help insure economic growth.

Any Decent Judge (or Congressperson) Would Have Held Alito In Contempt

The type of gamesmanship that Alito showed irritates me even when it's from a talking head apologist for a particular party on a T.V. shows about politics. It infuriates me when that's all we get from a judicial nominee. What we know is that he's wanted to "warm a seat" on the Supreme Court for a long time. (See picture) He wants it badly enough to compromise his integrity and that of the process. Anyone who wants to be a judge that badly shouldn’t be one. He and the senate committee are at fault.
“The Alito hearings have produced little of substance. No wonder critics are questioning the system.” Read 'Em and Weep

“For Crying Out Loud-Was Alito's wife weeping over the sinister facts of Alito's record? Perhaps she was weeping from the certain prospect of back-room abortions, women's rights rolled back 50 years, the loss of affirmative action, or the fact that the sexist, racist Princeton club is no more; or maybe, she was weeping about the prospect of Bush's free-wheeling power.”

“He has responded to many questions over the course of these hearings but he has adequately answered far too few of them." Patrick Leahy Here’s what we do know. Alito vs. Roberts, Word by Word

Allowing the Defendant to Pick Judge? -- Alito

Oberlin Rugby Rhinos Selected Best 2005 Sports Team-Edge Out Rebels & Longhorns

The Rhinos, who receive no reward other than to play the game they love, went undefeated. This scrappy bunch also has a social conscience. Some of these brave lasses posed semi-nude for a 2006 calendar to challenge the way people think about women playing a traditionally male-dominated sport. They even wrote a mission statement for the rugby calendar which reads in part:
“In a society that brands female competitive sports athletes as masculine, this calendar parodies the standard beauty myth, by juxtaposing the concept of the seductive and submissive pinup with images of women who assert themselves not only as strong athletes, but also as empowered women.”
This calendar is really well done. The photos, taken by Anna Beeke, are excellent. Each one has something to do with rugby and has a message and a humorous caption. See sample pictures from the calendar and other team photos.
To order, and you’ll be glad you did, click here. All proceeds go to support the team.

Finishing second, are the Cork Rebels who won their second consecutive All Ireland Hurling championship. The Rebs would have probably finish first if they’d had the gumption to pose nude for a good cause. The lasses of the Cork Camogie team also won the All Ireland championship. Maybe they’ll take on the cause next year.

Third are the Texas Longhorns who won the American college football title. Their last undisputed championship was in 1969 with an all white team. They added a black player the next year, but everyone assumed, there would never be a black quarterback. Well, guess what?

Sputnik Monroe-A Real Hero-"220 pounds of twisted steele and sex appeal"

Sputnik Monroe "bribed a door attendant to miscount the number of African Americans admitted. Soon, there was no place else to sit but in the white section. Whether fans were black or white, promoters could see nothing but green, and with little fanfare, seating at Ellis Auditorium was integrated. Later, he tag-teamed with an African American, Norvell Austin. Many fans said it was the first time they ever saw a black wrestler in the ring. "