Current Events - A Tale of Two Cities

Pictures of L.A. post Laker's Championship and Tehran post stolen election from The Society for the Advancement of Dave.

Current Events - Going Green

In support of the people of Iran.

Robots - In the news

Excellent photo collection of real life robots.

Via The Boston Globe.

Rant - Politics makes me a cranky droid

Live in a rural area? Enjoy your phone service and electricity? Thank a democrat for the Rural Telephone Act (Harry Truman) and the Rural Electrification Act (Franklin D. Roosevelt).

Are you a farmer? Thank a democrat for the Farm Loan Bank Act (Woodrow Wilson), the Federal Crop Loan Act (Franklin D. Roosevelt) and the Farm Loan Housing Act (Harry Truman).

Like to work less than 12 hours a day for a dollar an hour? Thank a democrat for the 8 Hour Workday and Overtime Act (Franklin D. Roosevelt) and the Minimum Wage Law (Franklin D. Roosevelt).

Ever been fired from a job? Thank a democrat for the Unemployment Compensation Law (Franklin D. Roosevelt).

Ever had to take off from work to care for a sick family member? Thank a democrat for the Family and Medical Leave Act (Bill Clinton).

Are you a woman? Thank a democrat for the Women's Suffrage Amendment (Woodrow Wilson).

Ever go to college with financial aid? Thank a democrat for the Student Loan Reform Act (Bill Clinton), the GI Bill of Rights (Franklin D. Roosevelt), the Student Loan Reform Act (Bill Clinton) and the Guaranteed Student Loan Program (Lyndon Johnson).

Planning on getting old? Thank a democrat for the Social Security Administration (Franklin D. Roosevelt), the Older Americans Act (Lyndon Johnson), Medicare (Lyndon Johnson) and Medicaid (Lyndon Johnson).

Like illegal and immoral wars, over priced oil, corruption, scandals, cronyism, ineffective policies? Hate science? Prefer to keep "those people" out of your neighborhood? Like seeing America's name dragged through the mud? Thank a republican for the last 7 1/2 years.

Relax, you say, the markets will take care of it.

So, you believe Giant Global Corporation, Inc. would take care of you if you needed time to spend with a sick child? They wouldn't fire you and replace you with someone cheaper?

You think they would make sure your retirement is comfortable? *cough Enron cough*

You think AT&T would have put in phone lines to north central Kansas if they didn't have to? Screw 'em. Make 'em move to the city?

Do you think farmers would be able to plant crops you and yours eat if they had a bad harvest last year because of a drought or a hail storm?

What about your grandmother who scrimped and saved for decades and ends up spending all her life savings on a nursing home? Should she have to wait to go to the ER if she's sick? Serves her right for living so long?

How about your kids? Should they have to rely on your paying for college? Can you put them through four years without federal input?

What about people who are not as lucky to be as wise with their money as you? Maybe they didn't get born into oil money, should they be forced to stay in the lower class? Should we build walls around your house to keep them from stealing your stuff or worse? Maybe we can use them as an alternative fuel source, perhaps?

I hate that there's government waste. I hate that there are moochers off the government teat. I hate that we have decided to turn our backs on our citizens so we can line Halliburton and Blackwater and BP's pockets. But what I hate more are the people who have a smug attitude that anyone who needs a hand up, no matter what their circumstances may be, is a lesser quality person. $10 Billion a month can go along way to rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure. $10 Billion a month can go a long way to putting people to work on that infrastructure. $10 Billion dollars a month can go a long way to helping sick kids get well so they can contribute to our greater good. $10 Billion a month can go a long way to educating our kids and getting us back on top of the planet as the smartest, best prepared people here.

We have wasted the last 7 1/2 years ignoring problems here at home, while we invade and rebuild somewhere else. It's not right.

This fear of Democrats tax and spending us into a paupers grave seems to be misdirected. Do the research yourself.

The Democrats way just works better.

Politics - Unsurprising...

Of course Senators Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback would vote for cloture on the telecom immunity bill. They have NEVER held respect for the constitution.

Cowards and traitors.

Politics - It's real simple you congressional morons!

Article I, section 9 of the U.S. Constitution

The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

(No capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.) (Section in parentheses clarified by the 16th Amendment.)

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State.

Politics - It's the end of the Constitution as we know it

Dennis Moore (D - Kansas) has officially lost my endorsement for ANYTHING he ever runs for again.

He has thrown in with 292 other traitors to the Constitution of the United States in approving retroactive immunity for George W. Bush and the giant telecom corporations.

May they all rot in hell.

Current events - A defining moment

America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past. Our time to bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for the country we love.

The journey will be difficult. The road will be long. I face this challenge with profound humility, and knowledge of my own limitations. But I also face it with limitless faith in the capacity of the American people. Because if we are willing to work for it, and fight for it, and believe in it, then I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick and good jobs to the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal; this was the moment when we ended a war and secured our nation and restored our image as the last, best hope on Earth. This was the moment - this was the time - when we came together to remake this great nation so that it may always reflect our very best selves, and our highest ideals.

Barack Obama, June 4, 2008

A Picture Share - What Bill is thinking...

"I should have let Ted Kennedy drive her home from my first inauguration."

Politics - Bitter?

You are goddamned right I am.

And If you aren't... you haven't been paying attention.

Politics - A basic primer

What Every American Should Know About the Middle East

Politics - Tax & Spend Republicans

Since 1938 the Democrats have held the White house for 35 years, the Republicans for 34. Over that time the national debt has increased at an average annual rate of 8.7%. In years Democrats were in the White House there was an average increase of 8.3%. In years the Republicans ran the White House the debt increased an average 9.7% per year. Those averages aren’t that far apart, but they do show a bias toward more borrowing by Republicans than Democrats even including World War II.

If you look at the 59-year record of debt since the end of WWII, starting with Truman’s term, the difference between the two parties’ contributions to our national debt level change considerably. Since 1946, Democratic presidents increased the national debt an average of only 3.2% per year. The Republican presidents stay at an average increase of 9.7% per year. Republican Presidents out borrowed and spent Democratic presidents by a three to one ratio. Putting that in very real terms; for every dollar a Democratic president has raised the national debt in the past 59 years Republican presidents have raised the debt by $2.99.

Politics - Why I will be caucusing for Barak Obama tonight

Clinton vs. Obama.

They share a lot of the same views on policy. In fact, their platforms are nearly identical.

So it comes down to character and integrity.

Obama wins that walking away.

The major reason I'm caucusing for Obama tonight is that he won't bring in the baggage that Hillara has.

The right loathes her. There is no faster way to get under a 'publicans skin than to mention her name. (Ok, maybe Gore, but I digress.) You want to see McCain in the WH and four more years of embarrassing foreign affairs gaffs and pointless wars? Then nominate Hillara. She'll bond the fractured GOP together so fast it'll make Super Glue look like bubble gum.

Even the religious right will overlook McCains less than conservative voting record to keep her out of the White House.

Aside from that, Obama is competent, literate, well liked abroad and can recover some of the damage our reputation has taken under this administrations holy war. We need that. We need our friends and allies to know who we really are. We need to restore the presidency to an office of hope. Not one of divisive politics as usual.

Hillara and Obama don't differ that much on policy stands. (I supported Kucinich early on because he DID differ from everyone.) Now it's about who can lead us out of the fucking mess Dubya/Cheney/Rice/Wolfowitz/Libby/Rumsfield and all the other PNAC ass-wipes got us into.

Then there's the whole lobbyists thing:

Clinton took in $823,087 from registered lobbyists and members of their firms in 2007 and the second-biggest recipient was McCain, who took in $416,321, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a Washington-based group which tracks political giving. Barack Obama, Clinton's rival for the Democratic nomination, doesn't take money from registered lobbyists, although he received $86,282 from employees of firms that lobby, according to the center.

Politics - Reality check

2008 budget dollars for
Military spending = 717 Billion (67%)
Non-military = 358 Billion (33%)

China spends 65 Billion a year on their military.
(Granted, that's 2004 dollars and I'm sure not 100% accurate. But still, it's got to be close.)

Priorities.

Thanks, Priest!

Priest Holmes, possibly the best running back that has ever played for Kansas City is, at this hour, announcing his retirement.

Since joining the Chiefs as an unrestricted free agent in 2001, Holmes averaged a league-high 130.0 scrimmage yards per game and ranked second in the NFL by averaging 93.4 rushing yards per game. Holmes scored 83 touchdowns since 2001-05, the second-highest total in the NFL during that time span. He scored 62 rushing touchdowns from 2002-04, the second-best three-year total in NFL history. Holmes owns a host of Chiefs single-season records, including marks for points (162 in 2003), receptions by a running back (74 in 2003) and yards from scrimmage (2,287 in 2002).

He was a blast to watch.

A side note to Shawne Merriman: DIAF, you roided out puke stain.

Books - Oh my god! You killed Chewie!

You bastard!

One of my favorite authors, R.A. Salvatore will be in K.C. this week signing his new book.

Think I'll go by and hold up a sign that reads, "No Chewbacca, No Peace!"

Current events - More anger over a newspaper ad than over a lie into war

Lt. John Kerry, Navy - Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart(3)

Capt. Max Cleland, Army - Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart

Gen. Wesley Clark, Army - Legion of Merit(4), Silver Star, Bronze Star(2), Purple Heart

Capt. John McCain, Navy - Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart

Lt. James Webb, Marines - Navy Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star(2), Purple Heart(2)

Each of these men, at one point or another, have had their military records attacked.
In many cases by many of the same people decrying the MoveOn attack on Gen. Petraeus.

Current events - Run the ball! Run it!

From the Kansas City Star :

Fight forces lockdown at Jackson County Jail

A brawl led to the lockdown of the Jackson County Jail Sunday night, according to media reports.
The fight apparently broke out over the Chiefs game, inmates’ relatives told reporters. It was unclear if anyone was seriously hurt, or how long the jail was locked down.
Jail officials declined to comment early Monday morning.

LOL.

I bet it was when they called a pass to the corner of the end zone on 3rd and short!

Current events - A tale of two services

The army:


The navy:

Current events - FISA and you.

Complicated? No!

Here's the short version...

ALBERTO GONZALES, liar, loyal Bushie and attorney general of the Corporate States of America, can listen to your phone calls and read your email with NO judicial or congressional oversight.

And your democratic majority in congress said it was just fine and dandy with them!

See? Simple.