Have you heard of the voting day changes? I'm not sure why they changed things at the last minute. Confusion city!
Robert Byrd, longest-serving U.S. senator entered the hospital and unfortunately expired. Senator Byrd was one of the very few brave souls who stood up against ceding war making powers to Pres. George W. Bush. Byrd was against the Iraq war from the beginning. That was a difficult stand then because the Bush administration spread propaganda equating the Iraq war with the war on terrorism. In the oppressive atmosphere of the time, if you opposed invading Iraq, then you were seen as unpatriotic. I’ve admired Senator Byrd ever since his courageous stand. We’ve lost a good man!
"The president is hoping to secure power under the Constitution that no president has ever claimed before, never," Byrd said. "The Bush administration wants (the) president to have the power to launch this nation into war — without provocation and without clear evidence of an imminent attack on the United States. And we're going to be foolish enough to give it to him."
Former Vice President Dick Cheney was also recently hospitalized. It is said that he was the mastermind behind the unnecessary war against Iraq which took tens of thousands of innocent lives. Cheney also advocated torturous methods for extracting information form prisoners. Somehow he got away with it. Cheney was treated and released from the hospital. Devils don’t die easily.
Note: The United Nations former Secretary-General Kofi Annan has stated that the US led invasion of Iraq was an illegal act that contravened the US charter.
The Title is used comparatively speaking. I realized that Senior Byrd had a checkered past, and did some things that he would later greatly regret and apologize for.
Question - Who's in Charge of the New York State Senate?
Answer - The Stooges! Knuckleheads! Moe, Larry, and Curly.
Here is what has happened in a nutshell... Democrat Senators were in control until a coup two weeks ago. Two Democrat senators Pedro Espada Jr. and Monserrate switched to the Republican side. Reporters say independent upstate businessman Tom Golisano played a role in their coup. (At least he's leaving N.Y. State soon.) There was rumor of a physical altercation (fist fight?).
Democrats refused to acknowledge the Republican coup, and stopped going to the Senate meetings. The whole thing got kicked up to the courts.
The court decision was something like, ...Hey, knuckleheads, get your act together. YOU senators need to decide who is in charge. ..Around this time one of the Democrat defectors came back to the Demarcate side making it dead even.
This all happened on June 8th. It's been about two weeks since the coup, and basically the Senate has been shut down. Knuckleheads!
Gov. Paterson (Dem) stepped in and said that he will make the Knuckleheads show up even if he has to get the guards involved. One reporter noted that the Governor can make the senators show up , but can't make them vote. Yesterday senators showed up, but it was a two ring circus. "Parallel dueling" sessions were held with several senators talking at the same time.
The knuckleheads are more then an embarrassment to New York state and the U.S. They are selfish, greedy, and power hungry. You would think that after 9-11, The attack on America, that the government would grow up and come together for the sake of the country, but... NO! You would thing that during the greatest recession since the great depression that they would stop being so selfish, but ... NO! You would think that during a flu pandemic that may lead us into a depression. A flu that could mutate into something very deadly, that that they would stop being so selfish, but ... NO! The Senate as a whole is acting like The Three Stooges! Someone please clunk their heads together!!!
The British would never put up with this crap! Prime Minister Tony Blair had to leave office early because he lost favor in the eyes of the Brits. In Britain they realize that the government works for the people, and not the other way around. For some reason we in the U.S don't understand this basic concept and allow way too much crap.
My solution - FIRE ALL THE KNUCKLEHEADS (SENATORS)! Make them run for the senate again with a two week campaign, giving them and their opponents the same money to run on. Why not!? It's not like the N.Y. Senate will get anything done during that time period. Hopefully the people will figure out who the worst offenders are and vote them out. That way we will have a New York Senate that is a bit more for the people, and less like the Three Stooges.
To Contact Gov. David Paterson of N.Y. State CLICK HERE
Read about the Stooges, Um N.Y. State Senators ...
CBS - In New York, Senate "Coup" Takes Down Dems
Capital News 9 -
New York Times - Dueling Sessions Cast Doubt on Any Action by State Senate
Syracuse.com - Fate of same-sex marriage bill in NY State could come down to the vote of one man, Bronx Democrat Ruben Diaz.
NOTE: The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy act of the early to mid–20th century. They were named "Larry, Moe, and Curly" (Shemp replaced Curly later.) They often used slapstick, name calling, and physical comedy like poking each other in the eye. Moe often clunked the other two heads together calling them "Knuckleheads." They often fought each other, and portrayed themselves as stupid buffoons.
It's been a good week for the gay community as two more states pass laws to allow same-sex marriage, doubling the number.
The surprise came about a week ago when Iowa, a state in the heartland, changed its law. "The supreme court declared unconstitutional a law denying marriage for same-sex couples. New York-based advocacy group Lambda Legal filed the Iowa lawsuit."
"It's very important for people across the country,' says Lambda's Kevin Cathcart, "to realize this is not something that only happens on the East Coast or the West Coast, but that actually gay people actually have and deserve equal rights across the country."
Vermont just became the fourth state to allow same-sex marriage when its legislature overturned a veto by its governor.
Iowa and Vermont join, Massachusetts and Connecticut, to allow same-sex marriage in it's legislature.
"New Hampshire and New Jersey permit civil unions. California, Oregon and Washington allow domestic partnerships, which extend many of the benefits of marriage."
A recent CBS News poll found that 33% of Americans support same-sex marriage, an increase of 22% back in 2004. 41% of those under 45 support it while those over 65 show less support.
You may wonder if same sex marriage will ever be recognized by all 50 states?
"Even if public opinion keeps moving in the direction, it's sort of slowing-moving," says Joe Matthews of the New America Foundation. "It's not something that's going to happen in a couple of years. It's gonna take 10 years or 20 years before you see broad recognition of same-sex marriage."
"The day when the whole country embraces same-sex marriage may indeed be may be a long way off, David observes: Twenty-nine states have voted for a constitutional ban. And Californians recently voted to eliminate same sex marriages, though that vote is being contested in the courts."
New York states Gov. David Paterson recently said he plans to re-introduce legislation to make same-sex marriages legal in N.Y. YAHOO!
Paterson has been an outspoken supporter of marriage equality for same-sex couples. However, the Legislature bill would have to pass both houses. In 2007 former Gov. Spitzer's marriage bill stalled in the Senate. Now with the Senate in Democratic hands, gay-rights groups are more optimistic of the bill's passage this year.
Sources - CBS NEWS: Same-Sex Marriage Legalization Inevitable?
ithacajournal.com: Gov. Paterson to re-introduce same-sex marriage bill
Oh, President Bush! One last thing before you leave office. Did you ever answer Pink? Because many of her questions are mine too. And I've been really wondering....
Dear Mr. President by Pink
Dear Mr. President
Come take a walk with me
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly
What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep
What do you feel when you look in the mirror
Are you proud
How do you sleep while the rest of us cry
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye
How do you walk with your head held high
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why
Dear Mr. President
Were you a lonely boy
Are you a lonely boy
Are you a lonely boy
Are you a lonely boy
How can you say
No child is left behind
We're not dumb and we're not blind
They're all sitting in your cells
While you pave the road to hell
What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine
How do you sleep while the rest of us cry
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye
How do you walk with your head held high
Can you even look me in the eye
Let me tell you bout hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you bout hard work
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Let me tell you bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Let me tell you bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
You don't know nothin bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
Ohhh
How do you sleep at night
How do you walk with your head held high
Dear Mr. President
You'd never take a walk with me
would u
Lyrics
In 1984 Walter Mondale selected Geraldine Ferraro to be his running mate (VP). They lost to incumbent Pres. Reagan, and George H.W. Bush. Before Ferraro lost, there was such a feeling of hope, and elation. Women thought that they would make more inroads, be on more equal footing with men. We thought that things would be forever changed. But they weren't. Ferraro lost, and there were no changes. It was like nothing of significance ever happened. It would be almost 25 years before we had another chance. If you don't remember that. If you didn't feel elated, and hopeful. If perhaps you're to young to remember. Then with all due respect, you will not understand this post, or my feelings.
Last night Senator Obama became President elect, yet I didn't feel happy. In fact I feel a bit bitter, and marginalized. He could have taken women with him in his victory by choosing a female running mate, but he didn't. Hillary would have been the ideal running mate in my mind, but another woman would due. You're probably thinking that there weren't many women to choose from because there aren't many women in politics. Well, that's my point. Although women have made progress there still aren't as many women who hold high paying, (or power), jobs as men like lawyers, physicians, executives, and engineers. "Women and men are taxed at the same rate, but female workers are still paid only 77.8 cents for each dollar made by a man for the same job, according to the National Committee on Pay Equity...The vast majority of minimum-wage paying service jobs are still performed by women." We are the majority, slightly over 50% of the population, who are still being treated like a minority.
Last night and today I feel like I, (and women kind), have been kicked to the curb by a man. A black man, yes, but still a man. I feel marginalized. Was it one step forward and two steps back for women? Did Hillary & Palin make any lasting difference, or are we back to 1984?
I'm sure that in the months, and years ahead that I will be glad that Obama is my president. I voted for him, and have a similar beliefs. I will be thrilled when he brings our troops home from Iraq! I think that he will do a lot of good. But when I go to work I will see nurses who are predominately women, and doctors who are predominately men. I may be payed less then male CNA's. And my life will not be changed. He could have changed my life too, but he chose not to take me along for the ride.
So if I don't do cartwheels at this time. If I act a bit bitter over the next few days or so, you'll know why. To me this is a bitter/sweet victory, and I'm feeling the bitterness right now. Allow me to have my feelings. Allow me this moment. Please understand that I remember 1984.
I don't want to get into an argument. This is just how I feel. Thank you!
On the eve of the election Sen. Obama has lost the woman who helped raise him. His grandmother, "Madelyn Dunham, has died peacefully after a battle with cancer." Obama recently interrupted his election race to say goodbye to her in Hawaii. "Dunham helped raise Obama from the age of 10." Click here for more about Ms. Dunham's life.
My thoughts & prayers are with the Senior, and his family. Obviously this is a bitter/sweet time in the Senator's life. If your so inclined you can send a card, or an email to Obama here.
The photo is of Sen. Obama's grandparents, Stanley and Madelyn Dunham, on a park bench in New York City while he was a student at Columbia University.
sources: see links above
Originally I just wanted to post some photos of the pretty governor so that I could l@@k at her once more. Do you blame me? But wait! I caught wind of some headlines. In fact many newspapers are saying that she will run for President in 2012. Some even speculate Palin vs. Clinton in 20012. Two female Presidential contenders!? I'll be in estrogen heaven!
Palin in 2012? You betcha! She's the darling of social conservatives, a Republican rock star. She is still pulling thousand into McCain Rallies, but they're not coming to see him, she is the magnate.
The 44 year old, folksy, beauty has "electrified the Republican Party's conservative evangelical base -- its most reliable voting bloc."
"If they do in fact lose on Tuesday she becomes one of the central figures for 2012. Clearly, Palin is a star with the social conservatives but many of the country-club Republicans just find her completely unpalatable," said Matthew Wilson, a political scientist at Southern Methodist University in Dallas."
Does Palin want to be President? In her interview with Elizabeth Vargas of 20/20. Palin says, "I'm not doin' this for naught."
Gov. Palin lacks polish, and knowledge, as well as experience. After all she was plucked out of obscure Alaska, and placed on the campaign trail faster then she could field dress a moose. But don't worry Republicans. Your party will prepare her for 2012. "Historically, "Republicans tend to pick the next guy in line," and, "strangely enough," Palin is the next guy in line. She'll be well financed and is "perfectly positioned" to run the "anti-government, anti-Washington campaign" that Republicans will call for after four years of Barack Obama." I just hope that after she's polished that she still winks at the camera. I just love that!
Don't worry Republicans, she'll be back!
YouTube Video: Photos of Gov. Palin
Sources-
Reuters: Win or lose, Palin to be a political force
ABC: Transcript Excerpts from Vargas' Interview w/ Palin
Hey Rochester New York - Senator Hillary Clinton will be speaking at MCC (Monroe Community College) at 3:00 Today! It's a 'Get Out the Vote' rally in support of Democratic Congressional candidates Maffei, Massa and Kryzan. It's open to the public. It will be at MCC's Stabins Physical Education facility.
Source: R News
New 10
Ellen DeGeneres Urges Californians to Vote No on Prop. 8 (27 sec.)
Added Later: PFLAG: Explanation of Proposition 8
This happened here near Rochester, NY, in the suburb of Irondequoit. It made national news - MSNBC. They took the story from our local station WHEC-TV. This is the article condensed. Would you consider this a hate crime?...
Several Obama signs have been stolen from people's front lawns but what happened to a family in Irondequoit is a whole lot worse. They are the only black family on the street and their Obama sign was burned.
On John's (not his real name) front lawn was the burned metal frame of what was his Obama sign. Set on fire at night and for John, it brought back memories of attacks against African-Americans.
"They would terrorize good God-fearing Americans, usually black, by burning items - usually a cross on their lawns. I just see this as an act of domestic terrorism or something very similar to what the KKK used to do."
The street isn't a busy one, and the house is tucked away. On TV news they, said that there were several other Obama signs on the street, but this one was the only one burned.
"CNN Political Commentator David Gergen says he's worried about what might happen before the election. "There is this free floating sort of whipping around of anger that could lead to some violence. I think we're not far from that."
John says the burning of his political sign. "It made me feel as though an act of domestic terrorism has been delivered to my little part of the world, my very own property."
Irondequoit Police say they're going to investigate, although it's very tough to solve these crimes.
The local chapter of the ACLU said, in their opinion, this was a hate crime."
---------------------------------------
Folks, Sen. McCain, and Gov. Palin have been trying to link Obama to terrorism. Among other things they say that Obama was friends with a "terrorist" named William Ayers. Obama was a casual acquaintance with Ayers when he was 8 years old. Young Obama could hardly be held accountable for Ayers's behavior almost 40 years ago. There has been other instances. Please read this good article from the Associated Press: Congressman says McCain "sowing seeds of hatred. "Rep. John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat and veteran of the civil rights movement, says the negative tone of the Republican presidential campaign reminds him of the hateful atmosphere that segregationist Gov. George Wallace fostered in Alabama in the 1960s...During some rallies featuring McCain and Palin, supporters have shouted "traitor," "terrorist," "treason," "liar" and even "off with his head." With all these accusations against Obama I wouldn't be surprised if John's (the Irondequoit man) house was burned down! McCain really needs to stop implying that Obama is a terrorist, or this will soon lead to violence!
Please folks, read the facts on this...
FactCheck.org He Lied" About Bill Ayers? ..."McCain cranks out some false and misleading attacks on Obama's connection to a 1960s radical."
PolitiFact.com: A radical Ayers Allegation ..."This attack is false, but it's more than that – it's malicious. It unfairly tars not just Obama, but all the other prominent, well-respected Chicagoans who also volunteered their time to the foundation."
WashingtonpostFactChecker: Did Obama "lie" about Ayers? ..."The McCain campaign is distorting the Obama-Ayers relationship, and exaggerating their closeness. There is no evidence that Obama has "lied" about his dealings with Ayers. It would be more accurate to say that he "told the truth slowly," a regrettable but commonplace practice among politicians seeking to avoid embarrassing questions."
"Just in case Sarah Palin was planning a night out with her girlfriends to go see a Madonna concert, she’s not welcome! We’re sure it was on Sarah’s to-do list, seeing that it’s the busiest time in her life, and the election is a month away. But Madonna wants her to know that she’s been banned from coming to her shows.Read the rest at - Hollyscoop
Madge performed at the Meadowlands on Sunday and told the crowd: "Sarah Palin can’t come to my party. Sarah Palin can’t come to my show. It’s nothing personal. Here’s the sound of Sarah Palin’s husband’s snowmobile when it won’t start," followed by a loud screeching noise.
Wow. Madonna really needs ..."
The Joe Biden, Sarah Palin match is tonight folks. It's their one, and only match so don't miss these VP contenders. It should be a crackerjack of a fight! Do you think there will be a knock out?
In this corner presenting... Choo Choo Joe Biden -
"Joe Biden is a U.S. senator from Delaware, first elected in 1972. He was born in Scranton, Pa., in 1942 but now lives in Wilmington. He graduated from the University of Delaware and earned a law degree from Syracuse University. He made a brief run for president in 1988. Biden is married to Jill Tracy Jacobs Biden. He has three children. His first wife and a 13-month-old daughter were killed in an automobile accident in 1972. He withdrew from the presidential race on Jan. 3, 2008. He was announced Aug. 23, 2008, as Sen. Barack Obama's vice presidential nominee."
Where he stands on the issues.
How truthful has he been?
In depth biography.
In this corner presenting... Sarah Barracuda Palin -
"Sarah Palin is governor of Alaska. She was elected in 2006; her previous experience includes leading the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. She also served as the mayor and a councilwoman in Wasilla, Alaska."
Where she stands on the issues.
How truthful has she been?
In depth biography.
---------------------------------------------
Letterman's Top Ten from last night...
Top Ten "Things Overheard at Sarah Palin Debate Camp:"
10. "Let's practice your bewildered silence."
9. "Can you try saying 'yes' instead of 'you betcha'?"
8. "Hey, I can see Mexico from here!"
7. "Maybe we'll get lucky and there won't be any questions about Iraq, taxes or health care."
6. "We're screwed!"
5. "Can I just use that lipstick-pit bull thing again?"
4. "We have to wrap it up for the day -- McCain eats dinner at 4:30."
3. "Can we get Congress to bail us out of this debate?"
2. "John Edwards wants to know if you'd like some private tutoring in his van."
1. "Any way we can just get Tina Fey to do it?"
-------------------------------------------------
Not sure who your going to vote for?Take this cute, fun, quiz, and see which candidate your most in tune with. It over oversimplifies sometimes, and in doing so can be a bit inaccurate, but it will give you a general idea. It's a good tool for comparing candidates. Have fun. ;o)
Some good non partisan websites to check out the facts...
Fact Check
CNN: Controversy brews up around VP debate moderator IfillIf you didn't see Ms. Couric's interview with Gov. Palin your not the only one. A lot of people missed it including me. I don't think that it was advertised very well. The first time I heard about it was from a political reporter that said that she gave a "bad" interview. I've heard several similar comments since. After watching it on YouTube I think that it was a weak interview, worse then the ABC Gibson interview. But you can watch it, and judge for yourself. Hmm, maybe Sen. McCain should have asked Katie Couric to be his running mate. ;o) The second video includes an excerpt of an interview former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger had.
Don't forget to catch Thursday's vice presidential debate Sen. Joe Biden VS. Gov. Sarah Palin. It ought to be a good one folks!
Sarah Palin CBS Interviewed by Katie Couric Part 1 (8 min)
Palin / Couric interview Part 2 with Henry Kissinger (10 min)
Some News articles conserving this interview -
NY Times - A Question Reprised, but the Words Come None Too Easily
ABC News - Palin, Kissinger Split on Talks with Ahmadinejad
AP - Palin: US could face another Great Depression
Breaking News: It has been confirmed, Saturday Night Live's Tina Fey has been kidnapped by Gov. Sarah Palin. Palin who was dressed scantily in a bikini is holding Fey hostage in Alaska. Palin was seen holding a hockey stick aimed at Fey's head. For some reason Fey was forced to take off her blouse, and play the accordion. Fey who was force feed moose burgers was told they came from "Bullwinkle the Moose." (Moose is missing.) When asked why she was only wearing a bikini in -20 degree weather, Palin refreshed her lipstick, struck a pose, and said that she could see Russia from her window, and that they could see her. Her husband Todd was seen snowmobiling in circles behind her.
Palin originally asked V.P. Dick Cheney to kidnap her then changed her mind saying that Fey's face was to pretty to get riddled with buckshot. Cheney has been hiding in Alaska ever since his popularity reached negative numbers.
I want to talk to you about several items. -
First, my blog will have a new look...
You will notice several changes in my blog soon. I'm going to have more "toys" or wegits on my blog. I may have to change my template so I can neatly fit the wegits on my sidebar. I don't want my blog to look to messy, and it's already starting too. So it might have a new look soon.
Second, I will talk about a variety of subjects, not just politics...
I have had a lot of political posts lately. I feel that it is important for me to have a political voice here, but I also acknowledge that I have some blog readers from other countries who visit my blog often. I don't want to leave them out. Therefore, I will have more of a mixture of posts.
Third, I want to thank...
I want to thank those wonderful, faithful, readers from other countries for continuing to visit my blog, and for your recent comments, even though I have harped on U.S. politics. My thanks goes out to...
eastcoastlife (Singapore)
Lady Banana (London, UK)
Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow (New Zealand)
I also want to thank several other people. We may not see eye to eye on political matters, but you have listened me to express my beliefs, (in some cases on your blog), and still remain welcoming to me. And my thanks also to some others who have expressed their political views even though they normally don't. I'm glad that you have felt comfortable enough to express your views on my blog. My policy concerning this blog is that I welcome a variety of opinions as long as you are kind, courteous, and respectful of one another. My thanks goes out to...
Against the Grain
Hahn at Home
Lilly's Life
Momma Mia, Mea Culpa
shrimplate
Spiritual Brush Strokes
twofinches
I hope that I didn't leave anyone out. I hope you forgive me if I did.
Forth, your suggestions...
I'm busy these days and might not have a lot of time to blog. However, I was wondering if there is anything that you want me to write a post on? What would you like to hear? I can't guarantee that I will blog about it, but will consider it. I appreciate your input. ;o)
Photo credit
