U.S. Corporate Censorship of Al Jazeera

While the citizens of Egypt are in the streets struggling to turn their country from a dictatorship into a democracy, we have observed the dictator's struggle to maintain power by trying to silence the social networks, the internet itself, and Al Jazeera, a major international news organisation.  Fortunately many democracies from around the world, including the United States, have decried these efforts at censorship and the free exchange of information.


The irony, unfortunately, is that while Americans decry the censorship in Egypt, the corporate cable companies in the United States have done the same by refusing to carry Al Jazeera on their networks.  "Other than in a handful of pockets across the U.S. - including Ohio, Vermont and Washington, D.C. - cable carriers do not give viewers the choice of watching Al Jazeera." (HP,1/31/2011)


Fortunately Buckeye Cablevision in Northwest Ohio is apparently more committed to a free press than many of the other US corporate cable providers. We in Toledo have been able to tune in to Al Jazeera along with Canadian Broadcasting Company, the British Broadcasting Company, National Public Radio, as well as the usual commercial news networks. I have been watching Al Jazeera in English periodically the last two years because they cover stories from around the world, stories that are never reported in the Western media.


Perhaps the corporate cable companies' xenophobic attempt to"protect" us from Al Jazeera  results from the Bush era when his administration was furious that Al Jazeera was reporting inconvenient truths about the Invasion of Iraq.  Since Al Jazeera is similar to other networks like BBC and CBC in that it is owned by the government of Qatar which has no control over content, the Bush administration was not able to apply pressure.


Jeff Jarvis, the president of Al Jazeera in English wrote, "It is downright un-American to still refuse to carry it.  Vital, world-changing news is occurring in the Middle East and no one-not the xenophobic or celebrity-obsessed or cut-to-the-bone American media-can bring the perspective, insight, and on-the-scene reporting Al Jazeera English can."


It appears to me that this situation suggests a problem with the power we allow corporate media companies to wield. Al Jazeera is staffed by outstanding journalists from around the world; and although they make a concerted effort to refrain from allowing an editorial perspective in their reporting, their coverage is being denied  to most of the US. On the other hand, Fox News which was voted the least reliable network in the US is being carried on all cable providers that I am know of.


If we as a country are serious about democracy and the Bill of Rights, we have to demand that these corporate giants have to adhere to our basic principles of fairness. If that does not fit their corporate philosophy, they should be denied their licenses.

Eliminate WFW, Not SS

 Although congressman Eric Cantor, John Boehner, and conservative Republicans are again calling for cuts in Social Security as a way to reduce the federal deficit, it is abundantly clear that either they do not understand Social Security or they are trying to misrepresent it.


Social Security is not adding to the deficit, it is paid through the payroll tax, and it raises more money than it pays out and is projected to do so for another couple of decades. The salaries and perks of Congress add to the deficit, Social Security does not. Also, these guys fail to point out that over the years Congress has raided the Social Security Fund to finance a plethora of  projects. If the fund had not been used for these other pet projects, the Social Security System would continue to have a surplus well into the future. 


Other actions of Congress have added to the federal deficit. Tax cuts for billionaires. Agriculture subsidies. Bush's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Subsidies for big oil companies. Bailing out Wall Street. Defense contracts for weapons and services the military does not want or need. These are the real deficit makers.


And, as Senator Bernie Sanders points out, if we want to make Social Security solvent well into the foreseeable  future, all we need to do is remove the income cap on SS. There is no reason a billionaire pays the same as the guy who makes a hundred and six thousand dollars.


 Before Congress talks about attacking Social Security which will run a surplus for decades, they need to eliminate welfare for the wealthy--billionaire tax cuts, agricultural subsidies, big oil subsidies, and defense contracts for worthless weapon systems. These are the items that are increasing the deficit. Until they start working on these items, they are just blowing smoke.

Kasich: "I don't need your people."

Gov. Kasich

Although Gov. Kasich's office is trying to spin his derogatory remark, everyone knows he was referring to blacks. That was the only possible meaning given the context.


When he became governor of Ohio, Kasich warned us: "If you're not on the bus, we'll run over you with the bus." He forgot to mention:  if you are black, you go to the back of the bus


It would be interesting to learn what other people His Arrogance doesn't need. It would be fair to say he doesn't need Latinos. That brown skin reminds him of blacks. And of course, he doesn't need any gays, they make him nervous. Obviously lesbians need not apply; they have two strikes against them.The same applies to Arabs. Some have dark skin, and then there is that religious thing. One can never be too careful. You never know which Muslim is a terrorist. He's made it clear he doesn't need public employees and their damned unions, but then who is going to the real work? He may have to keep some of those people.


Basically His Arrogance needs white Anglo-Saxon Protestant males. We know he needs his Wall Street buddies from failed Lehman Brothers, at least the white males. He needs bankers and financiers to handle the citizens' money since they did such a great job in the build-up to the Great Recession. He definitely needs businessmen to cherry-pick and privatize the best (most profitable) of government services.


At least Ohioans know where they stand --  in the middle of 1962, the last time the state had a lily white cabinet.

Brown-skinned Anti-war Socialist?

Whom did you expect?
from: prosebeforehos.com

Justice Clarence Thomas Violates Disclosure Law

Clarence Thomas and Wife, Virginia

Just a few days after Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas tried to explain why he and another justice, Antonin Scalia, attended a private meeting sponsored by Charles and David Koch (John Birch Society and Tea Party funders), we now learn that for six years Thomas  has failed to disclose, as required by law, his wife's employment.


He said he misunderstood the directions, and thus did not disclose that she worked for conservative organisations with interests in the landmark Citizens United Case. This controversial 5-4 ruling allows corporations and unions to donate undisclosed amounts to political campaigns.


As it turns out, Mrs. Thomas worked for the Heritage Foundation, a conservative policy group  from 2003 to 2007 and was paid $686,589. Although her salary is unknown, she was also employed by conservative Hillsdale College (Michigan). In 2009 she was involved in the founding of another conservative organization, Liberty Central, a group that opposes President Obama's policies. An "unknown" contributor donated $550,000.


In spite of this, Justice Thomas marked the box indicating "no spousal income." 


Where did he think $686,589 come from? The tooth fairy? How can a Supreme Court Justice not understand "spousal income"?  Can the rest of us break the law and claim "misunderstanding" as an excuse? Is this not an impeachable offense? Why are the law-and-order Republicans not calling for him to resign? Why are the major media not headlining this story? "SCOTUS Justice Breaks Disclosure Law" would be on the front pages in most democracies around the world, but not here. 


One has to wonder what the reaction might be if Justice Sonia Sotomayor had filed false disclosure papers.

Headlines that Bespeak the Obvious

Almost everyday most of us come upon newspaper headlines that are not news. Everyone knew this information or anticipated this information, but the media feel compelled to inform us of the obvious. Their mission is to educate us, the "unwashed masses."

Please consider these recent examples:

1. "Israeli panel clears military in ship raid."

2. "Limbaugh blasts Obama's speech."

3. "Kate Middleton quits her day job."

4. "Airlines fly less, charge more."

5. "Justices Thomas and Scalia have ties to conservative groups."

6. "Obama to stand by Social Security."
7. "Cheney needs a new heart."
8. "Rahm Emanuel uses the F.... word."
9. "Financial crisis was avoidable."
10. "Bush, Rove broke the law."
11. "National Rifle Association favors online ammo sales."
12. "Businesses give billions to House GOP leaders."
13. "Bachmann could not take her eyes off the teleprompter."
14. "Lieberman confused about WMD."
15. "Afghanistan is becoming a 'quagmire.'"
16. "Racism still exists in the US."
17. "Fox News is the least trusted network."
18. "Sleeping with pets can be harmful."
19. "McCain confused by DADT."
20. "Tea Party is reincarnation of John Birch Society."


Please note that I did not make any direct reference to John Kasich, John Boehner, Eric Cantor, or Sarah Palin. I'm saving those headlines for another time. 

NFL: Another Arcane Rule

In the Green Bay Packers vs. the Chicago Bears championship playoff game (1/23/2010), many of us learned of an obscure NFL rule that says if a team like Chicago brings in their third quarterback before the fourth quarter, they cannot bring back the other two quarterbacks who have already played.


The question is: WHY?


The question is: Why cannot a coach use his roster of players as he sees fit?


The NFL is in danger of becoming like the USGA which has so many silly rules that their own officials have to get out a book to check the definition of a sand trap.

GOP: Repeal Your Own Government Health Care

This past week the Republicans and a few Democrats voted to repeal the new health insurance reform law for Americans. By so doing they voted:
-to raise insurance premiums.
-to take away prescription drug benefits
-to allow insurance companies to cut off coverage to those with pre-existing conditions.


But those cuts did not apply to the health insurance that they receive as members of congress! They will continue to receive health insurance provided by the American taxpayer.


Although we should be acclimated to GOP hypocrisy by now, they continue push the envelope even further.

Calendar Malfunction in Governor's Office

Governor Kasich's Proclamation

According to the above Proclamation signed by John Kasich, Ohio is going to celebrate Martin Luther King Day on March 17th this year. Yes you are correct, March 17 is St. Patrick's Day. But don't be too hard on our governor for not paying attention. Since he has no African-Americans in his cabinet of 22 (the 1st time in Ohio since 1962), he honestly does know the date of  MLK's birthday. Or maybe Ohio under Kasich is going to have a new calendar. Perhaps we could celebrate July 4th on Thanksgiving day. Fireworks and turkeys! Maybe New Year's Day could be celebrated on Memorial Day. Champagne, noise makers, and wreaths! Imagine the possibilities. And where is it written that Ohio has to celebrate July 4th on the 4th day of July. We can assert our "States'Rights."

Kasich's Budget for Ohio?

art work from dispatchpolitics.com

During the gubernatorial campaign, candidate Kasich managed not to tell us how he was going to balance the State of Ohio's budget.Now that he is governor, he still has not revealed his magical methods of accounting for a $8 billion projected deficit. All that we know is that his expanded staff will receive up to 35 % more than Strickland's staff. He has talked about privatizing the liquor control agency and the turnpike commission. He thinks it would be a good idea to eliminate collective bargaining for public employees. At one point he talked about eliminating the sales tax, but apparently has back-tracked on that brilliant idea.


Not to bring up an inconvenient truth, but Wall Street John campaigned on creating jobs. Obviously he is now talking about eliminating jobs, particularly jobs of public employees who actually do the real work of government.


Obviously Mr. Kasich has not confided in me and never will; but since we have little information from him, I am stepping in to predict  how his budget will account for the projected $8 billion dollar deficit. I will begin with the cutbacks.


Possible Budget  Cuts:


1. State public employees are an expensive drag on our state's economy. We will  fire 15% of these public service employees. We know the crime rate will increase and fire insurance will cost more, but that's not our problem.


2. We will halt all state expenditures on the infrastructure, unless. of course, the contractor donated  the required amount to the Republican party in the last election. You know who you are; not to worry.


3. Education? By all means we are spending too much money on our future. We need to reduce this spending on all levels, kindergarten through university. We cannot invest in long-range projects like this. We need to privatize education, and cut costs. We cannot afford to spend money on these snotty-nosed kids like our parents' generation did  for us. These are hard times; we need to take care of ourselves.


4. We need to privatize the Ohio Highway Patrol and Ohio's prison system. Perhaps we can turn those responsibilities over to Blackwater Inc. (renamed, Xe). Since they did such a "bang-up" job in Iraq, they can do a number on Ohio.


5. Following Arizona's lead, we will have to eliminate Medicaid payments for transplants of the heart, liver, lung, pancreas, and bone marrow. True, as in Arizona, some poor people will die because of this, but we can't afford these transplants.


6. We need to eliminate the Ohio Environmental Agency. The industries can regulate themselves. Furthermore, we may be able to attract new polluters, er I mean responsible businesses to Ohio.


7. All 74 state parks need to be closed and employees laid off. Who needs state parks? Perhaps if they are closed, families will attend invest-owned amusement parks like Cedar Point in greater numbers. Wall Street likes that.


8. The Ohio National Guard needs to be drastically reduced. There are no no natural or man-made disasters predicted to occur in the next two years.


9. The Department of Agriculture's food safety staff will be cut in half. Not to worry; the huge food conglomerates will guarantee the safety of our food, just like they have in the past.


10. And it goes without saying, state funding for libraries has to be eliminated. And in addition libraries are unfair competition for private corporations like Barnes and Noble, video stores, and internet cafes. We can't have that.


Possible New Sources of Income (not taxes, mind you):


1. Fees for driver's licenses, boat licences, trailer licenses, hunting licenses, fishing licenses, and any other license issued by the state of Ohio will be tripled. Stop complaining,  you are lucky to have a boat, fishing rod,  shotgun, and a dog -- oops, too bad we do not have a state dog license.


2. Beginning as soon as the budget is passed, the following will apply to rest areas along state and interstate highways: parking meters will charge $1.00 per every fifteen minutes. So do your business and get out of there. The pay toilets will cost $1.00 per ten minutes -- so again do your business and get out of there. Need we remind you, time is money.  Urinals will be 50 cents per ten minutes. Ladies, sorry about the discrepancy, but you have to admit urinals are more efficient. If you have a complaint, take it up with your Creator.


3. Of course, because of the above noted cutbacks, the cost of tuition at all state colleges and universities will increase by $2000 a year. Again, don't complain to the governor;  if you had earned a scholarship, you would not have to worry about it.


4. The utility companies will collect $5.00 a month from consumers in order to pay the salaries of PUCO members and staff. Although they will  rubber-stamp whatever the utilities ask for, it remains a fact: someone has to pay their salaries. (I need to get me one of those jobs.)


5.For years, Ontario has been transporting its garbage to Michigan and dumping it in landfills and paying Michigan to do so. Well, now Michigan has become uppity and refuses to take any more Canadian garbage. This is the perfect opportunity for Ohio. We will take the Canadian garbage and the many, many loons they will spend to keep Ontario safe and clean. We call it "turning-lemons-into-lemonade." But that's just the beginning, we could do the same with Indiana's, Kentucky's, West Virginia's and Pennsylvania's garbage.
And then there is toxic and nuclear waste. Ohio could become wealthy on being the area's landfill. You have to love uncontrolled capitalism!


As I said and everyone knows,  I have no idea of  what the governor is going to do, and I hope he makes my predictions seem as ludicrous as they are.

A Song for Our Grandchildren

This song is from another age and time - all you 
grandparents will remember, but I hope it will 
speak to our grandchildren as well.





Joan Baez singing

Forever Young (written by Bob Dylan)

May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

Rich Rodriguez: Bitter or Benevolent?

Rich Rodriguez

Early in January, 2011, the University of Michigan fired its head football coach, Rich Rodriguez, after three disappointing seasons. Since then, Brady Hoke, the San Diego State coach, was hired to replace him. 

In the search process, much was made of Michigan looking for a "Michigan man" -- indicating Rodriguez was not. There were comments that Rich and his wife never "fit in" and did not understand and appreciate the "Michigan Tradition." But, let's face it, the bottom line was his teams were not winning. I suspect if he had fielded winning teams, had defeated Ohio State at least once, had a winning record in the Big 10, had not been humiliated by Mississippi State on New Year's day, he would have "fit in" and be preparing for the next season.

 

Yesterday (1/15/2011) a Salvation Army store in Wayne, Michigan, auctioned off a dozen garbage bags of Wolverine clothing (approximately 400 items) donated by Rich Rodriquez. In spite of bad weather the auction was a big success, and the store which has been struggling raised an undisclosed amount of  much-needed money. Mr. Rodriguez who made the donation last Monday did not attend the auction.

Since he has not commented on the topic, the question arises: was he bitter or benevolent? Was he simply making a donation to help out a charitable organization? Or was he sending a message to the University Community that he wants to rid himself of anything that is maze and blue? Is he expressing his  unhappiness with the way the university handled his firing? For  example, the timing of his firing saved the university approximately $2 million and therefore cost him $2 million.

What's your opinion? Bitter or benevolent? Leave a comment.  

The Founding Fathers and "Arms"

Glock 19 9mm with 33 Round Magazine

Jared L Loughner is accused of using a Glock 19 in last week's shooting spree in which 6 were killed and 13 were wounded. This light weight, easily concealed, semiautomatic handgun ($500) has " become one of the best selling pistols in America."(NYT,12/15/10) In fact Representative Gabrielle Giffords owns one.

The one pictured above contains a 33 round magazine. Loughner allegedly emptied such a magazine and was trying to reload a second one when  he was subdued by bystanders who took the second magazine from him. One can only guess how many more might  have been killed or wounded had they not taken heroic action. From the view of Arizona law, the assailant had done nothing illegal until he opened fire at the representative, her staff and bystanders.

The problem is this:  a Glock with a magazine of 33 rounds is a killing machine. It is, as Paul Helmke  of the Brady Campaign says, "not suited for hunting or personal protection. What it's good for is killing and injuring a lot of people quickly."

The question is: why are semiautomatics with large magazines legal?  The assailant in this case could have shot one or two victims with any handgun, but he would not have killed six and wounded thirteen. Why do we legalize such a weapon -- a weapon designed for mass slaughter? Conservatives frequently want to examine the intent of the Founding Fathers. Does anyone think those men, in writing the Second Amendment, ever imagined such a weapon? And if one is going to extrapolate the meaning of  "Arms" as used in that amendment, where does it stop?  Should I therefore be allowed to own a Bradley Tank, a SAM missile launcher, a nuclear weapon, a chemical or biological weapon?  


It is a giant leap from a musket or Kentucky Long Rifle to a Glock 19 capable of firing 33 bullets in a matter of seconds.

Having a debate about civil political discourse is fine, but a debate about the legality of semiautomatic weapons is more important. 

Lego Creation of the Horseshoe

What one can do with over a million legos and a 1000 hours? 


This is what Paul Janssen did.


See more photos at: www.mocpages.com

A Modest Proposal

State of the Union Speech 2010

In the aftermath of the Tucson killings and the attempted assassination of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Senator Mark Udall (D Colorado) has suggested that during the State of The Union speech (January 25th) Democrats and Republicans sit together rather than dividing up according to party affiliation. He thinks that such action would act as a symbol of unity and remind the rest of the world that we are all Americans in spite of our political differences. He said the current custom of having the parties on opposite sides of the House is "a negative symbol of the divisions in Congress." All of us remember the images of half the audience applauding wildly while the other half is is sitting on their hands frowning.


Such a suggestion seems to make much sense in light of all the talk about dialing back the vitriolic speech and  the metaphors suggesting violence. At such a time, one would think a symbol of unity is what our country needs. 


Unfortunately Senator Udall's suggestion will be dismissed. 


Consider what has happened since the massacre on Saturday. Two days after the tragedy, the media rhetoric and political punditry was as divisive as ever. Also, rather than accompanying the President and members of Congress to a Wednesday evening memorial service for the Tucson victims, Speaker of the House Boehner turned down the President's invitation to go with him on Air Force One in order to attend a political fund raiser - a cocktail party. Apparently he or his base fears any sign of unity. And then as an example of incivility there is the memory of last year's speech being interrupted by a Republican congressman heckling  the President from his seat on the house floor. 


 For that segment of the Republican Party, it's not The United States of America;  it is Our Divided States of America.

The Arrogance of John Kasich

Ohio's Governor-elect, John Kasich

In these days prior to John Kasich becoming the governor of Ohio,  he has talked about cutting the payroll for public employees and eliminating  the  public bargaining agreements for public employees, meaning teachers, policemen, firemen, garbage collectors, highway department workers, health workers,  and all those who provide an actual public service. After all, he is a fiscal conservative, and he wants to reduce the cost of government.


As of today we know what he means. He wants to lay off workers and curtail wages for those people who actually do the work of the State of Ohio, but on the other hand he wants to raise the salaries of his staff (many of whom  happen to be his buddies) thirty or more percent above those of Governor Strickland's staff.


Why are we surprised? He learned his lessons well on Wall Street with Lehman Brothers.


I'm not sure the voters of Ohio knew what they were getting when they elected him. Who can blame them. He ran a campaign on creating jobs and reducing spending, but refused to elaborate on how he was going to do that. Now we know his plan: screw the public employees on the front line, the ones who do real work and reward the well-connected who think they are entitled


As The Cleveland Leader explains: "Ohio Governor-Elect John Kasich learned some valuable lessons while working on Wall Street - how to steal from the poor to give to the rich. This time, the rich include his top advisers and staff. While the rest of Ohio struggles with unemployment and Kasich threatens to kill public sector jobs and unions, he's proposing to increase the salaries of his staff, which includes many of his good friends."


And, as The Leader continues: "But it gets worse. Not only is Kasich bumping up the pay of existing positions, he's also creating brand new positions to make sure that his buddies are taken care of. For example, he created the position of Special Assistant to the Governor with a salary of $145,000 per year for his long-time friend, Jai Chabria."


By the way, this is also the same person who wanted to be take the oath of office in private without the press. So much for the transparency of his administration.

.

Reasons Republicans Want to Read U.S. Constitution Aloud in the House

One would have thought the Republicans would want to roll up their sleeves and get to work now that they control the U.S. House of Representatives. Not so. They wanted to spend their first full day at work in 2011 by reading the U.S. Constitution aloud to each other.Yesterday they took an oath to uphold the Constitution. (Well most of them did; two Republican congressmen from Texas missed taking their oath because they were attending a fundraiser. First things first.) But the question is:  are they suggesting they took an oath yesterday to uphold a document they had not read?  Most of us plebeians would have thought  we should read the document before taking the oath. But that's us, stupid plebeians that we are. They take the oath and read the document the next day.

No matter, they spent the day reading it aloud to each other, and inquiring minds are asking; why? Here is a list of some of the possible answers:

1. because some of them cannot read.

2. because they didn't know what else to do until Happy Hour.

3. because some slept through their eighth-grade government class and don't know what it says.

4. because they needed to kill time until the lobbyists provide them with an agenda for this session.

5. because they did not want John Boehner to confuse the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence as he has done in the past.

6. because many of them thought the Constitution was established to promote the interests of large corporations. It must have been a shock to read that one of the purposes was "to promote the general Welfare."

7. because they forgot the 14th Amendment reads, "all person born or naturalized in the United States, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside." (What? Those Latino babies will be voters?)

8. because they needed time to fill out  the forms to claim their free Federal Congressional Health Insurance.

9. because they needed time to devise ways of repealing health benefits for 40 million Americans.

10. because, after two years of obstructionism, they don't know what governing means.

Not to be forgotten, they want to reduce the federal budget; but how much of taxpayer money did they spend today reading the Constitution to each other? You don't want to know.

Republicans: "Our health insurance is none of your business!"

Congress's Secret Health Care Plan

While they are talking about eliminating President Obama's Health Care program, the Republican Congressmen voted to conceal from the public whether or not an individual congressman was accepting Federal Health Insurance for themselves. This occurred the same day House Speaker Boehner in his first speech talked about the need for greater transparency in the House.


As Congressman Isreal (D.NY) commented on MSNBC's "Hardball": "This is a very straightforward amendment that we offered, that, if you're going to take government-sponsored health care and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, simply disclose. Let your constituents know that you are taking that government health care. Every single Republican voted to hide their health care while many of them are pledging to repeal it for their constituents."


Since six Republicans had already disclosed that they were not taking the insurance, we are left with the conclusion that all the rest are accepting it, but they do not want us to know they are. How convenient.


Did the American people really think that Republican hypocrisy would end after they had a majority?

1st Day: Boehner and GOP Back Off On Campaign Promises

Pledge to America - broken

Yesterday John Boehner and his Republican congressmen take over the House of Representatives and immediately began backtracking on their campaign promises.


During the campaign in a publicity stunt called "Pledge to America," John and his buddies told us:  "we can save $100 billion dollars a year. That’s $1 trillion over the next ten years.” They repeated this throughout the campaign.


Now that they are in power, they have a different story, "The actual cuts put forward could be 'substantially less' than $50 billion, a House Republican aide said, because the fiscal year will be halfway through by the time Republicans get a chance to affect spending."


House budget chief, Republican Paul Ryan, told NBC's 'Today' program a Republican campaign promise to cut $100 billion in spending this year had been 'compromised' by the momentum of spending already under way.


 "(Reuters) - "Republicans scaled back plans for deep cuts in government spending as they took power in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, diluting a key promise that helped them to victory in November's election."

You Might Be a Tea Party Follower, If....

American Tea Party 

You might be a Tea Party follower,

if you named your daughter Bristol.

if you claim to be an Independent and have never voted for a Democrat.

if you have never gone hunting, but belong to the NRA.

if you do go hunting and your game of choice is caribou.

if you have an autographed copy of Going Rogue.

if you actually read parts of the book.

if you believe Sarah Palin actually wrote the book.

if you fear immigrants.

if you"dabbled into witchcraft."

if you think tax cuts for billionaires are going to reduce the federal budget.

You might be a Tea Party follower,

if you refer to Mexican-Americans as "spics."

if you loved the GOP's "Southern Strategy."

if you, Chilean Dictator, Augusto Pinochet, and Sharon Angle want to privatize Social Security.

if you think Supreme Court Justice, Clarence Thomas, is a stellar justice.

if you spend weekends as a Nazi re-enactor.

if you and Christine O'Donnell do not realize the1st Amendment provides for separation of Church and State. 

if you and Sonny Thomas of Tea Party Express think Muslim Americans worship a "monkey god." 

if you do think U.S. Senators should not be elected by the people of their state.

if one of your first dates "occurred on a satanic altar"  ala Christene O'Donnell.

if you can see Russia from your kitchen window.

You might be a Tea Party follower,

if you believe Fox News is "fair and balanced."

if you think Texas should secede from the United States and become a sovereign state.

if you agree that corporations and labor unions are really persons just like yourself.

if you agree with Sharon Angle that a 13-yr-old rape-incest victim should make a "lemon situation into lemonade."

if you and Rand Paul agree that a private business owner should be allowed to discriminate.

if you read George W. Bush's Decision Points and bought his story.
if you and Jan Brewer, Arizona governor, think police should be able to detain anyone who does not have proof of their immigration status with them.
if you think political donations should be secret.
if you are an old, white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant male.


If ten or more of the 30 conditions above apply to you, you are probably a Tea Party Follower
If  fifteen or more apply, you are a Tea Party Disciple.
If twenty or more apply, you are a Tea Party Leader.
If twenty five or more apply, you are a Palin "Family Member" (but not in the family's last will and testament).

Me and My Kindle

"Kendra"

Since I received my Kindle a year ago as a Christmas present, I have grown quite fond of her. We spend time  together on a daily basis, some days an inordinate amount of time. She has become a part of my life. I am not sure how I survived without her. When I visit my doctor or dentist, she is my companion. During this past summer, we were frequently found together in the shade of a large oak tree. In fact she assuages the rage I feel while watching a football game embedded among one million commercials.


In the autumn we traveled together to Hilton Head where we spent several hours a day on the sunny beach. Within the next year we plan to go to Paris and spend time together in the "City of Lights." Although I have a fear of flying, she is quite adept at distracting me from my certainty that we are going to drop from the sky like a wounded duck.


And of course I go to bed with her every night, and I must admit, some fondling occurs.


Oh, by the way, her name is Kendra, and she has a black leather cover -- what I mean is she wears a black leather dress  She, on the other hand,  is white, sleek, smooth to the touch and easy to behold. Although I have nothing against those who are curvaceous and buxomly, I like the fact that she is flat and rectangular.


Sometimes she becomes tired and worn out, but always recovers after a shot of "juice."




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