I watched snippets of the Conservative Action Conference that took place a few days ago. It's where Ann Coulter was applauded for calling John Edwards "faggot." I don't know why C-SPAN covered such an event but I'm glad it did, because everyone in America should see what the conservatives are talking about when they get together. All their presidential candidates attended and spoke at this CPAC. Of course, there are many shades of conservatism and GOPers, but, really, does that rhetoric (and advocated policies) represent the majority of the right wing and its voters?

As usually, the straw man--the biased liberal media that ..dominates everything--got a beating at this conference, but you should hear what the conservatives' brightest stars have been saying. Those views aren't limited to a private conference, but are peddled daily on talk radio (where conservatives dominate), mainstream radio and TV, cable channels, and newspapers.

Actually, I do want to see the progressives exposing more of the garbage spewed by icons of the right, like Coulter, Malkin, Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Hannity, just to name a handful. Any public official, any candidate, any aspirant for elective office who shares these views must be exposed and must be made accountable. Why, we should give such talk more exposure, take it outside their conservative enclaves and present it to the rest of the country. Let's see whether such views are indeed accepted by most Americans.

20 August 2006
Bush & Company In Same League With a $5 Tarot Card Reader!

But Some Deceptions Are More Harmful Than Others.
Things that elate me last a very long time in my memory. Unfortunately, things that bother me--like when I'm told big lies--also stick around in my mind, as if they're labeled "enemy combatants" and held for an indefinite period of time! So, when the other day, the US's war in Iraq surpassed our involvement in WW2 [1,241 days, from 12/1941 to 5/1945], then some painful memories surfaced! Let's reminisce together. This is what BushCo's regime told the nation:

"I don't know how long the war will last... it could last 6 days, 6 weeks, I doubt 6 months!" US Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, 2/7/03. "I think it'll go relatively quickly... in weeks rather than in months." and, "I think we'll be greeted as liberators!" US Vice-President, Dick Cheney, 3/16/03.

If someone asked you to name a country today that can arrest people, torture them, keep them incarcerated without a charge for an indefinite time, without legal representation, without any contact to the outside world, where that country's citizens could be spied upon without any legal warrant, then which country would it come to mind? That government would also argue that the courts have no jurisdiction or that questioning its actions would "weaken the country" and that the "state secrets doctrine" should prevent judicial review!

The media (infotainment) headlines the arrest in the Ramsey case and burries this most important decision by a federal judge to declare Bush's warrantless eavesdropping as unconstitutional. But in my estimate, the Ramsey case doesn't merrit national attention when we have other serious matters to deal with and should have a national discussion on.

It's pissing me off, but I'm not surprised that the Democratic establishment (you know, the DC regulars) is pulling for the incumbent senator. Even Bill Clinton came out to campaign for Joe! The funny thing is that the party is more committed to Lieberman than he is to the party!

Actually I don't remember of another candidate that has so many endorsement ranging from William F Buckley (helped him in 1988 against Weicker) to Bill Clinton. Even the androgynous Ann Coulter fancies Joe! The President gives him hugs and kisses! In return, Joe kisses the Cons asses! Now, should we "convict" Joe as guilty by association? Of course we should!

It's time to get serious about putting the lunatic fringe in its place: the margins of our society where it belongs! I don't expect any reasonable response to this from the conservatives--after all reason is not their strong suit--but the longer we remain silent the more confusion there is. Having close-minded conservatives spew their incoherencies doesn't provide us with "another side" to an issue, just plenty of cacophony! So to all of you who have the brain of Ann Coulter and the character of Barbara Bush* (the elder) listen up:

There is a lot of hot air around lately. Scientists tell us that 2006 (first half) has been the warmest ever for the US, but what do they really know? The expression, boy it's hot as hell today, uttered by people a couple thousand years ago doesn't really tell us how hot it was or their definition of hell was the same as ours today! OK, maybe global temps were precipitously rising when Jesus was walking this Earth. Maybe that's why he talked about Rapture [that's the end of the world for those who don't know] occurring within the life time of his followers! If Jesus was wrong on this, the scientists can be wrong about everything! Our planet [or maybe it's not a planet after all but the center of the universe instead!] has gone through cycles before and all has pretty much adjusted fine.

We often refer to America as the land of opportunity. Talk to everyone who's made it and he'll tell you that it is so. No surprise there. I don't know if it's easier to make it today than it was in the "good ol' days", but I do know one way to improve your lot is through education. Statistically--you know those numbers that reveal what happens to most people--more Americans are working longer hours, have less job security, are more likely to be uninsured, and they can earn 73% more money over a working lifetime if they have a higher education degree!

As of July 1st, the cost of attending college got more expensive. OK, everything gets more expensive over time, but the question is whether the new pricing system of and the access to higher ed will prevent people from earning a degree. I assume if the economic pressures on the individual and the family become greater this task would also become harder. Actual family income has fallen. Sure certain consumer items have become cheaper, but the cost of living as relating to the money people make has been rising faster than their earning power.

The American flag stands for freedom which includes dissent! At least this is how we liberals think of a national symbol that deserves respect because of what it represents!

Senator Specter (R-PA) and his cohorts argued that a Flag Desecration amendment would honor the veterans! Hmmm. Wouldn't it be better to honor them by making sure they have the proper body armor & equipment before they're deployed in battle? Wouldn't it be better to extend health insurance to the National Guardsmen after they return home from service? Wouldn't our fighting men & women be better off if the country kept its promises to them? Finally, wouldn't we show a practical respect for the flag if we made sure that the men & women who fly it in the battlefield are not sacrificed because of false pretences in a war based on a pack of lies?