A DESCRIPTION OF A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

REPUBLICANS:   The ultra-conservative SCOTUS; Citizens United; ALEC; the unethical Clarence Thomas; the Kochs; the GOP field of candidates; GOP governors; the do-nothing (on purpose) GOP-controlled House; GOP and its class warfare; voter suppression; union-busting; verbally trashing working Americans; denigrating teachers; cutting vital, life-saving services to those most vulnerable; verbally declaring war on President Obama; hating anyone who is not "Christian, white and of European descent"; not understanding the Constitution; not giving a damn about the Constitution except for the 2nd Amendment; no interest in creating jobs; no understanding of how diplomacy works; making this country into an oligarchy; wanting to kill immigrants via an electrified fence; deporting children of immigrants who know no other country-even though they are U.S. citizens; raising taxes on all but the top 1%; eliminating protections for the workplace, the environment, workers, and citizens in general by eliminating the EPA, HHS, HUD, Dept. of Education, etc; downsizing or eliminating services for veterans.

I'm sure I've left out many more parts of the definition.  Please feel free to add to this Republican terrorist list!

MAC - Remembering

My heart is broken.  I feel as if I've lost a friend.  How weird is that?  I did not know Steve Jobs personally.  But I was introduced to the early Macintosh at the radio station where I worked, WNLC, in Connecticut. It was my first experience with a computer.  It was cute, easy to use and did stuff that had me "o-o-o-o-ing and ahhhhh-ing" every time I hit the keyboard.  I loved it.

When it came time for me to buy my own personal computer, I was drawn to the Mac.  However, "friends" told me there wasn't enough software, I would have trouble getting programs for it and I would be better off with the "other" kind.  So, against my better judgment, I bought the "other" kind.  And I was stuck with it for way too long.  Just over three years ago I got my MacBook Pro.  I fell in love with it the moment I opened the box.  I still had to use a PC for business so I was using both, the Mac and the PC, sitting side by side.  The more I used the Mac, the more I disliked the PC.  There was no comparison between the two.  The PC became the bane of my existence.  I never could stand the dreaded warning screens, the corrupted files, all the things that went wrong.  With my Mac, I never had those problems.  A year ago, I finally was able to get everything off the PC I needed to save, and close it down.  Getting it out of my home office was exhilarating, freeing.  During the last three years I bought my husband an iMac, even though he still has to use a PC for some of the programs he uses which are not written for a Mac.

We are both "Mac" people now.  I love my Mac, I love the Apple store, I love my Apple geniuses, I love my iPod, I love my iPhone and soon I will love my iPad.

I'm going to miss Steve Jobs, for the incredible innovator that he was, for the wonderful products he brought to the world and for bringing change to the way the world works.

Andy, the curmudgeon

So, Andy Rooney is hanging it up.  Who will be the next curmudgeon?  Maybe I should apply for the job.  His annoyances all made sense to me!  He spoke his mind, succinctly, penetratingly sharp, sarcastic and with a sharp wit. He'll be missed. 

I like to write what's on my mind.  It would be better if I could get paid for it, though.  Now, how do I download an application?????????

MEDITATE TO RELIEVE STRESS? NOT SO MUCH!

Many believe meditation is a good way to alleviate stress.  Sitting in a comfortable place, a quiet place, in a comfortable position, wearing comfortable clothes, no one else around you, attempting to free your mind of troubling thoughts.........the elements of stress that make you crazy day in and day out.

It's hard for me to sit quietly for very long, let alone try to empty my mind of all thoughts in an effort to get to that "quiet place" of peace and tranquility.  I've tried it.  I get all comfy and quiet.  It takes tremendous  effort to even begin to clear the mind.  So, while I believe I'm not thinking of anything in particular, my mind starts the conversation with, "I'm clearing my head.  That's good.  Now what?"  Then, as I let my mind wander, the questions, like headlines, start creeping in.

"Why do Republicans, especially those running for POTUS, hate democracy?" 

"Why do they want to cut the heart out of what the United States of America stands for?"

"Why do they go after every program that helps the middle class and the poor and cut the guts out of it while protecting their enormously rich friends?"

"Why do they bow down to their corporate masters."

"Why do they tout their Christian faith and use it as a jackhammer on those who don't believe as they do?"

"Why do they want to bring this country to its knees?"

"Why do they hate women?"

"Why don't they believe in actual facts?"

"Why don't they believe in science?"

"Why do they rewrite history?"

"Why don't they have any critical thinking skills?"

"Why didn't they pay attention in school?"

"Why don't they speak in sentences that are intelligible?"

"Why do they distort the truth or repeat outright lies?"

"Why do they want to bring this country back to the 18th century?"

"Why do they want to dismantle everything that protects United States citizens from corporations who wish to pollute the earth, our food, our air and our minds?"

"Why do they not understand that they are turning a democracy into an oligarchy?

"Why don't they get it that the only thing they work with is hate?"

Unfortunately, I know the answers and most of you do, too.

Meditate to get stress-free?  Not so much!



 

GOPTP Amusing? Not so much

Besides the absolute revulsion I feel about Republicans and Tea Party nuts (especially the mushbrains running for POTUS), I find them almost amusing.  They all seem to be falling over each other, trying to slash one another at the knees, trying to one-up every statement made and kowtowing to their corporate money masters.  Not one has an independent idea, plan of action or coherent thought that differentiates them from the pack.  And the so-called Tea Party is not a party at all.  It is the Moral Majority, a part of the GOP, resurrected, only worse. 

My revulsion is obvious:  I hate that they want to make the United States a white, Christian oligarchy (government run by a group, in this case, wealthy money-grubbing white Christian men).  I hate that they want to enrich the rich (and thereby themselves because they know how to grovel so well) while kicking the middle class and the poor in the gut, ripping their hearts out and throwing them away like so much trash, all the while professing how patriotic they are.

Republicans and their Tea Party faction are the most unpatriotic, un-American, group of morons that ever has existed on the face of the earth.  They match the exact definition of Fascists.  The current crop are the most power-hungry, illiterate, contemptible, miserly, heartless, money-grubbing, group of piss-ants ever.  They should be banned from living................................................................... here in the United States.  They all represent the Idi Amins of the United States.  They are no different.   Any victory by any of them would make this country the Saudi Arabia/Uganda/Taliban country of the western hemisphere. 

The amusing part?  Every time they open their mouths, out drops words, thoughts and facts that are so mangled, misinformed, wrong, incoherent and dopey that I can't do anything else but snicker, scratch my head and wonder that the GOPTP offers these buffoons as the best they have.

MY REPLY TO BONER (BOEHNER)

If I was President, I would have told Boehner the following:

Listen, you bought and paid for orange-faced son of a bitch:  You and your Republican/Tea Party henchmen are nothing but a bunch of lying idiots who know little about what the American people are going through.  You scream through your spittle offering nothing but unintelligible, incomprehensible drivel.  You offer nothing but lies, lies you hear from your idiot moron talking heads on Fox & right wing talk radio. 

Everyone wants to cut this country's expenditures but you can't cut the life out of the American people while keeping your corporate masters wealthy.

You can't slash what you call "entitlements" when people have paid into those with their hard-earned money all their lives.

You can't slash money from public education without condemning low income kids to a life of poverty because they can't afford  charter schools.  You can't make educating America's children a privately run enterprise because it will then become a throwback to segregationist schools.

Your union-busting will just insure that the average working American gets paid as little as those in third world countries. 

You can't keep giving millionaires and billionaires more rights than the average American.  They are, indeed,  job creators but NOT IN THIS COUNTRY.  Your corporate masters have slashed jobs by the thousands in the U.S. and sent them overseas.  That means your corporate masters are the cause of high unemployment in this country.

Corporations and all big business enjoy tax loopholes....... for what?  They line their pockets with billions in profits which they don't ply back into the economy.

You can't cut the deficit on the backs of the workers in this country by cutting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid while still allowing your corporate masters to wallow in their tax cuts, not pay ANY taxes and enjoy tax loopholes.

You can't keep screaming for cuts when your precious Reagan raised the debt ceiling 18 times, the idiot G. W. Bush raised it 7 times to pay for 2 wars and tax cuts for the wealthy.  Republicans got us into this mess and you blame me?  Fuck you.  I inherited this pile of crap and you do nothing but kick it in my face?  Fuck you.

You can't keep screaming for less government while sticking your nose into people's private lives and cramming your Christian jihadist beliefs down everyone's throat.

I'm sick and tired of people calling this a Christian nation when it is a nation of diverse beliefs.

Republicans and the Tea Party are made up of racist, homophobic, xenophobic assholes who don't give a crap about anyone other than themselves and their very narrow-minded agenda to make this into an all-white, Christian nation run by their corporate masters and worked by slave labor.

Congressional Republicans have no intention to do what's right for the citizens of this country, only to do whatever it takes to keep them in office and make obscene amounts of money while there.

The people have had enough of Republican voodoo where you turn established facts into lies, you place your very narrow-minded social agenda above the welfare of all Americans, you spew hatred of anyone and anything who does not believe what you believe, you stomp on the rights established by the Constitution while professing to want to adhere to it.  It's obvious you never read it with any understanding of it.

You deny women their rights.  You deny a great deal of the US population the right to the pursuit of happiness if they are LGBT.  You deny much to a lot of the population if they don't think as you do.

You Republicans haven't got a clue what a real democracy is.  You are taking this country back to the 17th century. 

The United States, once the most wonderful country in the world, is descending into an oligarchy and because of Republican hooliganism, will become the Saudi Arabia of western civilization.

Boehner, get a grip on reality.  You and your ilk won't be tolerated much longer.  You and your Republican friends are the bane of everyone's existence and you will be excised out of being in no time.  Now cut the theatrics and the lies, try to find your brains and get your wealthy friends, you know those head fund managers, to pay what they owe so we can get on with governing this country in an equitable, egalitarian, unbiased, unprejudiced and intelligent way.
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WHAT SHAPES YOU?

I was a nondescript student, average, without a favorite subject in school.  In the early years I was good at math but then it became hard and didn't hold my interest.  I loved, loved, loved to read.  I read everything I could get my hands on.  My dad would send me to the corner store to buy the newspaper.  Then we both settled down with it, me on the floor, my dad in his favorite chair and we'd share the paper, section by section.  The only part I didn't read was the classified section. Many times we would discuss what was in the news.  My trips to the library were often and I would come home with as many books as the librarian would allow me to have.  I tried my hand at writing poems but a fifth grade teacher made fun of my attempt and that stifled my enthusiasm quite abruptly.

I took a test in junior high to see where my strengths and interests were headed and the test came back....inconclusive.  Several of my classmates, though, were strong in several areas.  I wonder if any of them pursued whatever the test results showed.

High school was unremarkable and mundane for me.  After  high school I commuted to a state college about 30 miles away from where I lived.  Wasn't crazy about commuting but since I needed to pay my own way through I didn't complain.  But damn, I got a really good education there and became an elementary school teacher.  I found that I absolutely loved teaching and enjoyed the classroom experience.  I loved seeing kids' faces light up when they understood a lesson or did something well because they worked hard.  I loved making them happy to be coming into my classroom because they always knew exciting things would happen there.

During my childhood I watched my parents struggling to make a living.  My dad worked several jobs: he was a master antique dealer, he worked part time in a liquor store and part time as a butcher.  My mom worked as an executive secretary for a non-profit, you know, the kind of place with no benefits and pay at almost the lowest level. But I saw her give her time and energy doing good works and random acts of kindness, almost on a daily basis.  I watched my parents being good human beings, looking out for others, doing for others, going out of their way for others.

I worked several jobs to get me through college: salesperson, club leader, camp counselor.  It never occurred to me that this was too much, along with my commuting to school, classes, studying & homework.  I had seen my parents doing many jobs and this was what was normal in my household.

My mother wrote the most hilarious letters to me when my husband and I moved all the way across the country.  We wrote back and forth constantly and, thank goodness, I kept all her letters.  Her wit and wisdom still rings true to this day.  Her writing was inspiring and I wrote what I thought were wonderful letters back. No email or internet then.  Writing was our connection and something we both enjoyed immensely.

In between all of this my mother saw to it that I took piano lessons, ballet lessons, tap lessons, swim lessons and yes, finger-painting lessons.  Creativity became part of my life.

So, with that kind of a background I appeared in semi-professional variety shows, I appeared in a play at college, I became an elementary teacher, I became a radio news broadcaster and reporter, I became a radio talk show host, hosting  a show with new guests every day and a show for teens to call in and talk about anything, I became a law office manager and a legal assistant.  And now I still read voraciously, I volunteer, I take photos, and I blog because that writing gene kicked in again.

What shapes any individual?  Your entire background shapes what you can become or what you have become, whether because of it or in spite of it.  You make yourself into what you are with the tools you've been given and if you're very lucky you use those tools to shape a life worth living.
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RANDOM THOUGHTS #1 ('cause there'll be more)

I actually love living here in Arizona.  The beauty of the state borders on incomparable.  The Arizona sunsets are glorious to behold. For someone who loves to capture natural beauty with her camera, this is a photographer's paradise.

The politics in this state, however, makes my skin crawl.  The nastiness and viciousness with which the legislators in this state attack the working class is beyond nuts.  Stomping on the rights of the weak is despicable.

It would be nice to have a governor who exhibits at least a modicum of intelligence.  Alas, Arizona does not have one.

My husband and I have surrounded ourselves with some of the nicest people since moving here.  We've been very fortunate in making friends with some very wonderful, kind, intelligent, caring, erudite, funny and loving people in all the places we have lived.  And having moved 16 times in 45 years, that's a lot.

Dogs are the most comforting four-legged creatures on the face of the earth.  I just look at the faces of my two beauties and my heart melts, my wrinkles disappear, my soul soars, my face breaks out in a huge smile and the giggles bubble up like a sprinkler gone wild!  Looking at my wonderful husband elicits the same reaction!!!!!

There are days when I read my Twitter timeline and I am enlightened, educated, exasperated, angered, and heartened.  There are an awful lot of people out there who are erudite, really intelligent, caring, active, sharing, progressive, enterprising, & engaging.  It's good for the mind.

I have much to be thankful for, not the least of which is pretty good health.  I wish everyone could enjoy good health.

For all the bad crap the U. S. is going through now, everything is cyclical.  The numb nuts and whack jobs won't prevail for very long (and you know who THEY are... hint:  begins with R.)  The sane group will always win in the end.  Amen.

©

A WEEK TO REFRESH THE SOUL

Just spent a little more than a week visiting family and friends on the east coast.  Having virtually no access  to a computer and much of my email, I decided I wasn't going to listen to the news on TV, either.  What a glorious week it was.  I didn't get outraged, my blood pressure remained normal and there were no political discussions of any kind.  All our friends are bright, intelligent non-Republicans anyway.  We do have some bright, intelligent registered Independent friends, too.  But Republicans?  Who would want to associate with that ilk? It would be like stepping into a pail of swill.

Every once in a while it is a good thing to turn off the garbage emanating from everywhere, kick back and just enjoy the genuine friendship and love humans have for life, family, friends and the serenity of the gorgeous landscapes appearing before us.  I have been rejuvenated and almost feel ready to jump into the fray of everyday life once again.

I did manage to take so many beautiful photos during that time to remind me of our week of bliss.  That should hold me for a while. 

Let's See Now.........

Let's see now:

Newt Gingrich is not really a "professor" as shown on his official bio. He has simply guest-lectured at something called National Defense University and to show their gratitude, they gave him an honorary title and a certificate.  He also" taught" at  West Georgia College.  True professors usually have advanced degrees in specialized fields, teach full courses, administer exams, issue grades, hold office hours, etc.  Lecturing is not the same.  Ergo, he is not a professor.  Another Republican lying and padding a resume.
And he and his wife had an almost 1 million dollar line of credit at Tiffany's?  This is a fiscal conservative who says he and his wife are frugal????


The GOP war on women:  defunding Planned Parenthood negatively affects women's health; replacing Medicare with vouchers for seniors negatively affects senior women who live longer than men; stamping out collective bargaining affects women more because the majority of teachers in the U.S. are women; abortion limits affect women, mostly poor women.  If this isn't a war on women, what is?

The conservative-laced Supreme Court screwed women workers. No surprise there.

Clarence Thomas, a closed-mouth, ultra-conservative on the Supreme Court, is ethically challenged to the extreme.  He needs to get off that bench now!

Romney says federal disaster relief is "immoral."  But he took a huge chunk of it for his state of Massachusetts several years in a row.  Hypocrite!

Tim Pawlenty wants to be POTUS but he left his state of Minnesota with a HUGE deficit. Nice going TPaw!

The Republican-controlled House has offered not a single jobs bill since they took over.  Not one.  Where TF are the jobs, Republicans?????

Social Security is NOT an entitlement.  Look at your f*$# paychecks.  Do they have a deduction for SS?  Then you PAID for it!

But wait, there's more.....................  oh crap!

Hello, Anonymous.......

I really chuckle when I get a comment from the ubiquitous Anonymous, the one who hides behind that moniker, never having the guts to identify him/herself. The latest comment, about my last piece, was that it was vitriolic.  Well, yes.  But none of it is untrue.  So when I point some stuff out, I apparently hit a nerve.  I'm not lying when I point out things but I am, obviously, on the other side.  I have a right to write things as I see them.  I blog because sometimes I want to vent against so many of the, yes, vitriolic rantings of the Republicans and Tea Party against ANYTHING associated with Democrats and their ideas.  When there has not been one statement by Republicans that could be construed as bipartisan or shown to be willing to work with the other side, why should I cut them any slack?  From the moment President Obama took the oath of office, the Republicans and Tea Party people have been offensive, vile, hateful, disrespectful, shown downright contempt at not only the President but his wife, as well.   Anything I say about the Republicans and Tea Party is relatively gracious in contrast.  Personally, I think Republicans and Tea Party members are not patriots or good citizens since what they really want to do is break up these UNITED STATES.

So, Anonymous, why don't you write your own blog and get this crap off your chest.  You do have that right, as do I.  But I am glad I've gotten under your skin.

The Unbalanced and Unhinged, so, naturally..........

Michelle Bachmann utters the most nonsensical and false statements just about all of the time.  And naturally, she thinks she is qualified to be the POTUS.

Sarah Palin is an egotistical, money-grubbing dumb ass idiot who can't speak English correctly, can't put a coherent sentence together, has no critical thinking skills and is a quitter par excellence.  And naturally, she thinks she is qualified to be the POTUS.

Rick Santorum utters absurdities (see the John McCain quote & founding fathers quote), he is strongly ultra conservative, against same sex marriage, abortion, he has ethics issues and not  much name recognition, except in a derisive way.  So, naturally, he thinks he's qualified to be the POTUS.

Herman Cain:  who is he?  Headed Godfather's Pizza (never heard of it) and speaks ill of almost everything and everyone (see the Muslim remark), sabotaged Clinton's health care plan.  He is a Tea party favorite.  And, naturally, thinks he is qualified to be the POTUS.

Tim Pawlenty wants to screw seniors by gutting Medicare a la Paul Ryan's plan.  He is a ho hum conservative candidate with all the baggage against anything that could be labeled forward thinking who doesn't seem to spark any interest.  So, naturally he thinks he's qualified to be the POTUS.

Mitt Romney:  He passed health care reform in Massachusetts.  Now, he back peddles from that very successful program.  He thinks Obama has failed America when, in fact, the Republicans and George W. Bush in particular, screwed this country into the ground.  He is a flip flopper with a good haircut.  So, naturally he thinks he's qualified to be the POTUS.

Newt Gingrich:  Holy shit, this piece of vile work who espouses family values while flailing his penis through to a third wife while condemning the same behavior in others and expects perfect behavior from Democrats thinks he is qualified to be the POTUS???

My point is this:  The Republicans are fielding the most bizarre, over-the-edge, unintelligent,  self-serving, abnormal, freaky candidates, not one of them concerned with the welfare of the average citizen but only concerned with their corporate masters.  They are willing to yank funds from education, seniors, health care from U. S. veterans, help for weather-ravaged states, etc. in order to keep their corporate friends and lobbyists rolling in obscene amounts of money....you know, the ones who pile money into their re-election campaign war chests.   Not one of these understands how the average American lives, from paycheck to paycheck, struggling with their health care, struggling just to survive, blaming this recession on Obama instead of where the fault really belongs...on George W. Bush who turned out to be just a toady to those who manipulated his strings.

This is the best the Republicans can do?  This is the best the Republicans have?  A crew of loony, demented screwballs!

The best thing that Republicans and TP people do?  Repeat the shitty sound bites without understanding what their handlers feed them.  They can't answer legitimate questions from the public or news organizations because they can't think on their feet.  They give the same stock answers to every question no matter how it is asked.  It doesn't matter who you listen to, the words are all the same.  They are like a group of Stepford wives.  And if any one of them succeeds, the U.S. will become Pakistan, Russia or China in the wink of an eye.

Death by Drowning-Too Many Children

I can't wrap my head around the fact that even though the swim season has not officially started here in Arizona, 8 children have already died from drowning.  I couldn't even finish reading a huge article in the Arizona Republic about the problem.  It is heartbreaking to think that 21 children died last year, 20 in 2009 and 17 the year before.

How do these tragedies happen?  A parent is distracted for just a few seconds; a child sees the pool and finds a way to get to it; pool barriers are not in place.  In one instance a child crawled through the doggie door even though the door was smaller than he was.  Even when all precautions are taken:  self-latching gates, a 5-6 foot fence, doors that swing away from the pool - even with all these, children can find a way to get to the pool if they're determined.

I can't imagine their grief or the colossal sense of guilt & self-condemnation parents or caregivers are left with.  All the "what ifs" in the world will not make that intense pain in their hearts go away, ever.  My heart goes out to all of them.  They never expected this, never saw it coming, never in a million years thought they would suffer such heartache.  The death of a child by drowning in an event that could have been prevented is beyond comprehension.  My stomach is churning even as I write this.

According to the Arizona Republic's article, here are some ways to prevent drowning:
  *Adult supervision around the pool-
  *Pool barricades such as a fence which can be locked-
  *Lifesaving devices should be within arm's reach, like flotation devices and/or a pole-
  *Make sure doggie doors are locked and barricaded from direct access to pools-
  *Teach your children to swim at an early age-
  *And NEVER, EVER leave a child without eye contact near a pool, lake, pond, canal
  or any source of water...and that means bathtubs and toilets, too!

It is bad enough to read about these tragic stories.  It is so much worse to be the subject of them.  Please keep your eyes and ears on all children around any kind of water.  Keep them safe.  Please.

THIS IS WHAT I KNOW

This is what I know:

I was an elementary school teacher.  I did not get paid the big bucks!  I cared tremendously about the kids I taught.  During the course of my teaching career, I bought many, many schoolroom supplies,  I arranged for haircuts, snacks, and tutoring during my lunch time and after school, bought some new clothes for kids who literally were wearing pj's with a sweatshirt over them.  I did not get paid the big bucks!  What I did was prepare a new generation with knowledge, aspirations, a sense of community, a willingness to work hard and, I hope, the will to succeed at whatever they wanted to do in life.  I did not get paid the big bucks!  I did get paid in the satisfaction that "my kids" got the best I had and thrived.  And I did not get paid the big bucks everyone thinks teachers get.  They get paid way too little for what they are entrusted to do!

Likewise police officers and firefighters.  They lay their lives on the line for yours.  They should be paid way more than CEOs who do nothing more than push some papers, bark some commands, play golf and expect to be paid millions for screwing the public.  See Big Oil companies.

I, like many others, do not believe oil companies need government subsidies nor do they believe the CEOs who argue for them need or deserve the millions they are paid.  And for Big Oil executives to plead their case before Congress is disgusting.  They show just how out of touch with the human race they are, the greedy bastards.

Nor do I believe that making Medicare into a voucher program is a good thing.  Seventy, eighty and ninety year old people don't want to shop around for health insurance which will end up costing them so much more than the amount of the voucher. You don't actually think the health insurance companies are going to offer all the services seniors need at a reasonable price, do you?  And people eligible for Medicare sign up for it the minute they are able.  I was so happy to stop paying almost $1500 per month for my husband and me to get less and less coverage each year.  Seniors cannot wait to get rid of their private health insurance premiums: they pay too much for too little.

The low tax bracket that millionaires enjoy now does not translate to creating jobs.  What it does mean is that these rich creeps simply put their millions into off-shore accounts.  They buy more "stuff."  They don't create jobs.  They need to pay their fair share of taxes instead of enjoying the myriad tax loopholes which allows them to pay nothing.  Raise that tax bracket.  They'll never even notice it.

Being poor is not a disease nor is it brought on by laziness.  To think that way means you have your head up your ass!

All kinds of people have lost their jobs, from laborers to educators to business people.  They are not lazy if they haven't found a job to replace what they had.  Anyone who thinks that has his/her head up his/her ass!

No federal funds pay for abortion.  Defunding Planned Parenthood means millions of poor people, women especially, now have nowhere to go for preventive medical care. PP provided breast cancer screenings, pap tests, tests for testicular cancer, prenatal care, general health care.  It is disgusting for state legislatures/governors to take away the only place where it was affordable for so many people to get health care.

This I know:  Republicans are dragging this country back to the 18th century, taking away women's rights, slashing the Constitution into shreds by negating several parts of it (i.e. the 4th amendment), wanting this country to be Christian and white, denigrating all others through lies and innuendo, and generally making this country into a second class oligarchy.  We will be looking more and more like Soviet Russia was.

This I know:  Republicans make me feel ashamed of my country because they exhibit such viciousness and stupidity.  Republicans are two-faced hypocrites.  Republicans hate so many people who are not like them.  Republicans do not do things for or believe in the best interests of the United States.

This I know:  Republicans need to be reprogrammed!

Republican NON-Accomplishments

Let's see.  Republicans have done or proposed the following:

The GOP House passed a bill limiting ability of drilling foes to mount legal challenges on environmental grounds.  Big Oil is giddy with delight & probably paid for this.

The GOP House won't get rid of tax cuts for Big Oil even though those companies have made billions and trillions in profit.

The GOP House wants to gut Medicare/Medicaid & toss over 44 million low-income families into the ranks of the uninsured.  But, it will keep its own very inclusive health insurance, paid for by the taxpayers. 

The GOP House wants to gut Social Security so retirees can slip into the bowels of homelessness and soup kitchens.

The GOP House wants to gut public education in this country and privatize it.  Then only the rich will be able to send their kids to the schools of their choice and poorer parents will have to turn cartwheels to try to get a decent education for their kids. Private or charter schools don't have to comply with state laws and don't have to admit students they may deem ah, "to not fit in."   They have made sure that teachers are looked upon with disdain and labeled "glorified babysitters" thereby cementing the idea that Republicans are actually quite stupid.

In several states, Republicans have torn away the rights of women over their own bodies.

Republicans got the United States in a bogus war, causing the deaths of thousands and thousands of its citizens FOR NOTHING!

The current crop of presidential wannabees drip viciousness, unintelligent garbage, ideas on how to screw working people.

Republican presidential candidates have a warped sense of what the United States is all about.

Republicans haven't done the following:

Created any jobs.  Created any jobs.  Created any jobs.  Created any jobs.

Republicans are a terrible joke.

THERE IS NO DOUBT

There is absolutely no doubt as to who was responsible for the death of Osama Bin Laden.  All the credit goes to President Barack Obama, the intelligence community and the Navy SEALS who risked their lives to physically carry out their mission. 

Make no mistake, had the mission not gone as well as it did, President Obama would have been blamed.  He put himself on the line, his reputation, his credibility, his presidential "chops" as it were.  George W. Bush would not have made this call, not only because he didn't have the guts but additionally, he had no interest in the pursuit of the most wanted terrorist in the world.  He said so in 2002 and later.

So, it was up to the grown-up, the adult in the White house to make good on his promise.  President Obama is exceedingly intelligent, diligent, perceptive and able to make the decisions necessary for the good of the citizens of this nation.  He is an exemplary, outstanding President who has restored honor and character to the office after eight years of unscrupulousness.

I am very thankful and proud that Barack Obama is my President.

How refreshing

While having a manicure this morning and, yes, a rare pedicure, several young ladies came in to have their nails done for their prom.  As I watched them, all animated in conversation, I thought back to when I was their age.  My g-d, I never looked as good in high school as these kids do.  They were all slender, tanned, not a blemish on a face, gorgeous hair.  In shorts and tee shirts, they were all beautiful.

I had a chance to study their faces, their expressions, their body language, their voices.  These were young ladies, well-mannered, soft-spoken, easy to see that they all liked each other, respectful of those who provided the services they wanted and easily interacted with me during a short, humorous conversation.

I may not have looked as good way back then, but I do remember being soft-spoken, well-mannered, and respectful.  It was a good way to start my day.

It never stops......

Stuff like this makes me wish Republicans would just vanish from the face of the earth:

"Foster Children Would Be Allowed To Get Clothing Only From Second - hand Stores" - from the Michigan Messenger.  Like these kids don't already have self esteem issues.

The King of Michigan, Rick Snyder does away with your elected officials...martial law?  Poor Benton Harbor....your citizens have no rights, your votes mean nothing, you mean nothing.

The rug-headed D. Trump wouldn't recognize truth if it was right in front of his ugly face.  He exaggerates. Okay,  let's call it what it is:  he lies. And he won't run because that little item about financial disclosure.......... well, he's not going to produce anything about THAT!  For more on Trump, this is a great article:
http://www.arcamax.com/politics/joeconason/s-873397

Pending legislation in Michigan would make it a crime for teachers to even speak of striking?  Ah, freedom of speech?  The Constitution?  WTF???

Christine O'Donnell, that flake from Delaware, blames a computer for mistakes in her fundraising reports.  No matter that a HUMAN has to hit the keys...it was the computer's fault???

 "Potential GOP presidential candidates racing to show they have what it takes" . This was on Huffpost.  None of them have brains so what the hell are they going to show????

Let's see.  Rethuglicans, under the little Bush, raised the debt ceiling several times to pay for unfunded mandates. Now, they don't want to play?

Why is it they are thumbing down everything they thumbed up on the little Bush's watch?  They're deceivers, liars, phonies, and sanctimonious assholes.  They have lost their sanity, you know... the ability to think and behave in a normal and rational manner.  They exhibit no sound mental health.  If only we could capture them all and wrap them in strait-jackets!  

They May Have Citizens United But We Have Netizens United | The Nation

They May Have Citizens United But We Have Netizens United | The Nation

I couldn't have said it better myself.

MY HEAD HASN'T EXPLODED.........YET!

My head is exploding.  I am on Facebook and Twitter and follow so many progressive and liberal blogs, tweets and sites that every day I am bombarded with articles about all the "dreck" the 'Rethugs' spit out.  I listen to progressive radio, especially in the car, and wonder how I haven't yet wrapped myself around a pole listening to what all those right wing nuts are up to.  I'm trying to figure out how to squelch the vomit impulse I feel when I read or listen to their craziness.  I go on some websites of the right and leave quickly to head to the bathroom.

I write to my Senators and Representatives and let them have it on issues, I sign petitions with sites like MoveOn, etc.  I blog and tweet my head off.  I am slowly getting followers from the enemy camp so I must be getting under someone's skin!  My AZ politicians do not speak for me, do not represent me.....at all.  It's as if I have no voice.

If only I could find SOME common ground with the other side.  But it is absolutely incredible that there isn't one thing I agree with them on except a need to reduce the federal budget.  But their Draconian approach to everything is beyond the pale.

Why is it the Rethugs want to take away only from the poor, the working class, the frail, the aged, the children, the sick, the veterans, the college kids, education.  What have they taken away from the rich?  What?  They keep throwing money and tax breaks at corporations.  And none of them have created the jobs the Rethugs keep saying those tax breaks will do.  None!

They are slithering snakes in the grass with addlepated brains, hell bent on bringing to its knees anyone or anything that does not look, or think like them.  If they, those crazy Rethugs, ever get their way, this will be a White, Christian nation reminiscent of the 18th century and the rest of the world will shun the U.S.

MORE WTF

Chase Bank blames (D) Dick Durbin for losing Disney Dream Reward Dollars.  They offer you these stupid rewards, you think you're getting something and Chase rakes in big bucks in other fees to cover those measly rewards.

Trump gets a weekly guest spot on Faux (Fox).  So, he desperately needs the money? .... and the exposure?  Idiots seem to seek the limelight.  Trump is good at that.  Maybe this is an April Fool's joke.  Trump's the fool.

Glenn Beck says Trump makes him uncomfortable.  Maybe he thinks Trump will replace him as the resident crazy on Faux???

Tea Partiers:  Yoo hoo, Tea Partiers:  This country belongs to the First People, the ones you call Indians.  It doesn't belong to you.  You stole it!  You can't have it back.  It was never yours to begin with, you bunch of thieves!  You are the illegal aliens.

More to come.....................

WTF

Florida governor, Rick Scott, is decimating funds for the disabled.  And right after he signs that order, he'll appear at a Special Olympics photo-op!  What a Judas!  A real hypocrite.  And a big time swindler, in my opinion.

The House GOP "leadership" chastises a Democrat for using the word, 'uterus' on the House floor--in case there are children in the gallery.  18th century prudes.

Indiana State lawmaker, Eric Turner, says women could claim rape or incest in order to get an abortion.  He's a diabolical asshole, in my opinion.

Mitch McConnell labeling Chuck Schumer as extreme has obviously entered the realm of dementia.  He is an old fart with a plastic-looking face.

Ben Quayle's attempt at humor just makes him sound even more of a puppet than originally thought.  Probably hasn't yet learned how to spell, either.

Donald Trump suggests Pres. Obama's birth certificate could say he is a Muslum.  Trump was kooky before.  Now he's a certified nut job.

There is a Corporate Conspiracy to take over this country and rule it as an oligarchy.  Don't believe it?  Just ask the Kock brothers (sorry, that should be Koch) and  their moneyed friends, especially those companies making billions in profits and NOT PAYING ANY TAXES.  Having billions of dollars isn't enough.  They want more...... and more.....and more.  Greedy bastards!

Tea party people don't just want smaller government, they want NO government, except when it comes to legislating women's rights (so they have none) and kicking the middle and working class in the gut.  Tea party politics=3rd world country.

Sigh.  I could write more, but you get the idea.

Teachers should be extolled, not castigated!

Why do so many people think teachers have 8 to 12 weeks of "vacation" each year?  Do they really think teachers are taking it easy and enjoying a relaxing time away from their jobs? 

They work more than 8 hours a day, taking home work to correct, myriad reports to write, calls made or written progress reports sent to their students' parents, updating teaching plans.  During their so-called free time they schedule and take additional continuing education at personal cost (many times they are mandatory) to better serve their students. 

During the school year they deal with a dearth of school supplies which they then purchase with their own money and do not get reimbursed.  They are confronted with dilapidated buildings.  They are confronted with parents who don't care much about their kids but blame the teacher with any and all shortcomings their children display.  Teachers become caregivers when their pupils come in hungry so their teachers buy them food. Teachers have to watch out for obvious signs of abuse which has to be reported.  Teachers try to keep the kids safe during school.  They do this and so much more while maintaining a family household with all that that entails.

And they get paid, per hour, less than most people pay their babysitters!

Teachers are shaping the minds of the future of this country.  If you don't think teaching is THE MOST important job in this country, you're nuts!

Where is the humanity???

Humanity:  philanthropy, kindness, consideration, sympathy, benevolence, charity, goodness, generosity, tolerance, compassion, humaneness.

Every day I am amazed at the craziness I read about in the paper, on the Internet or hear on TV.  I just can't wrap my mind round the fact that the Arizona House of Representatives gave approval for a $5 million appropriation to the sheriff  of Pinal County for border security supplies.  And they just cannot find $1.4 million to fund life-saving transplants for the 30 or so patients on a list here in Arizona.  Democrats in the House tried to divert the funds to that coverage but the Republican-controlled House rejected it, thus insuring that these patients got further along on their road to death!

I scratch my head in complete bewilderment at their total lack of humanity.  It leads me to want to hope that someone in their families will need a transplant.  But, then again, their insurance, paid for by Arizona taxpayers, fund their transplants!

Where is the humanity?

A gentle prod for 'Death Panel'

A gentle prod for 'Death Panel'

WELCOME TO LIBYA, U.S.A.

Republicans:  give tax breaks to big corporations who are stinking with money;

gut collective bargaining for public employees like teachers, fire fighters, police officers, EMTs, thereby cutting their salaries to near poverty levels in this economy;

defund Planned Parenthood so more women will be forced to get back alley abortions, be denied pre-natal care or screening for breast and cervical cancer, men won't be able to get screened for testicular cancer, testing and treatment for stds;  no menopause treatments or vasectomies;

cut off poor people from health care in the hopes that they die off;

gut the EPA so corporations can pollute and kill the environment, thus killing people;

allow everyone to have guns without background checks so lunatics can have a field day shooting anyone they don't like;

pass laws making everyone who isn't a white Christian carry papers with them to prove they are citizens; and make doctors, teachers, grocery clerks, store owners etc, have to ask for those papers before providing any services to anyone;

get rid of Hispanics, the poor, the young, the old;

gut funding for education, health care, Medicare; PBS,

In effect, Republicans (white, Christian assholes) want to cleanse the United States of everyone who does not agree with their backward, religiously intolerant, money-grabbing agenda.

Where the f@#$k did these sons of bitches come from?  A pox on all their mothers for ever giving birth to so many freaks.

They are super stupid, creepy,  crooks, morons, repugnant, morally corrupt, repulsive, loathsome, vile, offensive, appalling and atrocious.  And that's just the nicest things I can say about them.

“Even if you’ve never been a member of a Union, YOU BENEFIT everyday from what Unions have done.”

“Even if you’ve never been a member of a Union, YOU BENEFIT everyday from what Unions have done.”

What Have the Republicants Accomplished in the last 30 years?

Well, let's see.  Reagan raised taxes 11 times and he raised the deficit to an all time high.  Reagan turned our status from a creditor nation to a debtor nation.  Remember Iran-Contra during Reagan's reign and the wholesale firing of the air traffic controllers and the declaration that ketchup is a vegetable?  Reagan did not ever submit a balanced budget; the highest unemployment rate during his terms was 9.8% and stayed that way for a few years.  Trickle-down?  How'd that work for you?

Then there is G.W. Bush: How about the tax cuts for the wealthy, the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan in a nonsensical war ("Mission Accomplished"), the screwing with the Constitution under Bush by stripping liberties, warrantless wiretapping, invasion of privacy.  The Bush administration kept us safe except for 9/11, Katrina's wipeout of New Orleans was a shining example of Republican help ("Brownie, you're doin' a heck of a job!").  Bin Laden is still around ("We're going to hunt him down like a dog.")

The Repugs promise everything under the sun but never deliver.  There hasn't been anything they've actually accomplished in the last 30 years that they can point to as having been really good for the middle, working class of this nation. 

Why go on?  Repugs accomplishments:  0, nada, nothing, zero, bubkes.

Some opinionated musings

Palin enrages me.  And so do her followers.  I just cannot wrap my mind around the fact that ANY credence is given to what slurps out of her mouth.  In my opinion, she is so utterly stupid, so lacking in basic intelligence, has no understanding of world affairs, hasn't got a clue as to what the word diplomacy means, is so creepy, so dangerous in her influence and so undeserving of the publicity she gets.  She has NO redeeming value.

So, Rep. Jeff Flake will now run for Sen. Kyle's seat.  Just what we need: another flake in Congress!

Republicants love to shout out about their love for their country.  Usually, they mean the United States of America, as in One Nation, under G-d.  But here in Arizona, the legislators want to pick and choose which parts of the Constitution and Federal laws they will discard in favor of their own interpretation.  To any normally intelligent person, that means they want to secede from the UNITED States of America.  Secede means to break away from, split with, separate, disaffiliate with.  Yup, that's what the AZ legislators want to do.  They do not have a clue what it would mean to go it alone.  Is AZ going to decide it's own foreign policy?  Who to trade with?  How to pay for all the stuff the Feds do now (like infrastructure?)  What an idiotic bunch we have running this state (again, my opinion.)

If you have really legitimate gripes, a civil discourse is in order.  But when Republicants and the Tea party people get all blustery and scream actual lies and spew (proven) false information they have been fed, the gripes get lost in the vomit of their mudslinging, the lies get repeated until the minds of the lesser intelligent begin to believe (and we, apparently, do have more of the lesser intelligent among the ranks of the Right, in my opinion) and their cacophony of voices drowns out the rational,  common-sense, prudent and practical who are the rest of us.  So, it must be that "he who screams the loudest gets to make the rules of the game (and to hell with everyone else.")

Republicants:  We want less government.  We don't want the government to tell us what to do.  But we're going to make damn sure women don't have control over their own bodies via rape or abortion.  We'll make sure sick people will just have to die if they can't afford those huge health insurance premiums.  We'll make sure our kids have the worst education in the world because we don't want to fund public eduction.  We'll make sure Social Security and Medicare will be decimated so the old folks will die off.  We'll support the big corporations who shovel money into our hands while they send all the jobs overseas because the rich, you know, they've been discriminated against! Job creation?  We're too busy sticking our noses into everyone's private business and sucking up to Big Business. Health care....hell, no..., everyone for himself. 

Am I being too harsh here?  Not by a long shot.

The End of a Generation

My Aunt Ethel would have been 102 years old in April.  She passed away a few days ago, the last of the oldest generation on my mother's side of the family. Aunt Ethel had been married to my mother's brother, Morris, or as we affectionately called him, Uncle Mossie. 

My mother and all her siblings have been long gone but Aunt Ethel remained, an avid tennis, golf and bridge player, active in and savvy about politics, energized by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who all adored her, a vibrant individual who played basketball in high school, climbed the Great Wall of China when it was opened for American travel and snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

I have great memories of the wonderful times we spent at her house which was always filled with wonderful food, games in the back yard, Passover seders, and so many 4th of July parties to celebrate Uncle Mossie's Independence Day birthday.

Her passing now makes my cousins and me part of the family's oldest generation.  It's a sobering thought but Aunt Ethel's example of a life well lived should provide inspiration to do the same.

Aunt Ethel, you will be sorely missed but the loving memories will sustain us.

Some recent headlines

Gingrich:  EPA should be eliminated (Why don't we just let the polluters do what they want?)

George Allen says "Macaca" was a made up word, not racist (Who is he kidding?)

Mike Lee of Utah wants federal disaster relief funds after saying states should be responsible for disaster relief. (Typical Republican HYPOCRITE)

Palin critic threatened with assassination (Her personal DEATH PANEL)

Tea Party Darling (Michele Bachmann) Called a Balloon Head (& with good reason)

 

MLK & CIVIL RIGHTS

Civil: (1) of or relating to ordinary citizens and their concerns as opposed to military or religious matters.  (2) courteous, polite, well-mannered

 
Martin Luther King is probably crying in his grave because of the current climate in America.  We are no longer a civil nation.  We have degenerated into an abysmal collection of hate-spewing, vitriolic rhetoric that is tearing this country apart.

What lessons were we supposed to learn from our parents? Standards and principles of behavior, decency, honesty, the difference between right and wrong, understanding, tolerance, kindness, justice, charity, generosity, and respect.....NOT vindictiveness, hatred, contempt, hostility, lying, and murderous, accusatory and hateful language.

On this day of remembrance, we must, as a nation, understand that everyone's opinion has value, realize we are all equal and just stop the language of hate.  Please!!!!

TUCSON TRAGEDY

What is there to say?  After all the bluster, finger-pointing, accusations and heated rhetoric surrounding the tragic events in Tucson on Saturday, it's time to step back, shake my head and try to be sane and logical about this situation.

A moderate Democrat and several others were gunned down by a maniac. The accusations hurled against the violent metaphors and rhetoric spewing from talk radio on the right and certain politicos were not misguided.  While those responsible for such incendiary talk may not be directly involved, they must take some responsibility for insinuating the results that occurred.  Putting cross hairs on a map with someone's name; saying someone should be killed; intimating that those who don't agree with you are not patriotic and are un-American, indicating a "second amendment solution" etc. are beyond the pale of intelligent discourse.

Whether or not the shooter proves to be a bona fide lunatic with severe mental problems, the fact remains that somewhere, somehow a seed was planted which produced the Tucson devastation.  It means every one of us must understand that once words leave our mouths, they cannot be taken back, they can be taken literally, they can prove to be lethal. 

While Democrats and Republicans, both, have hurled hateful words at each other, the Republicans have honed that practice into their specialty.  Their words are more vitriolic, menacing, outlandish, and hateful then ever before.  They have shown little respect for others' opinions when differing from their own.  Even after the tragedy they back peddle about things they have said, assailing Democrats and liberals as the ones who are responsible.  Many Republicans/conservatives are just unable to accept that they may be even partly responsible.  They are outlandish in their lies, belligerent, militant, confrontational, trigger-happy suck-ups who are venal to the core.

So, I tried to be sane and logical and I failed.  I just can't get my head around the asinine remarks coming from the Right, no acknowledgment of the possibility of a mea culpa, only finger-pointing to and blaming the Left.  Republicans are not the stuff of which this country should be made.  They are too self-centered, narrow-minded and parochial.

We MUST learn from this tragedy that unless we become more tolerant of others' views as having merit, learn how to compromise, help those who need it while bolstering our educational system, health care system and economy without the prejudice that is so prevalent, we are doomed as a nation.

Dead birds and fish

Can't resist:

Those dead birds and fish in Arkansas?  They all committed suicide because the republicans are coming!

GIVING TZEDAKAH (Donating to charity)

The idea of buying multiple gifts with unbridled abandon for everyone you know (it seems) during the holiday season has made the season a reason for joy....for business owners who hope you won't catch on to the profusion and confusion of deals which may or may not be justifiable when you are faced with the resulting bills later on.

It seems to me a better way to deal with gift-giving (which shouldn't be the main activity of the holidays, but is) would be to use the time, money and energy to giving where it will do the most good, namely giving to those who are less fortunate than we are.

There are hundreds of ways and places to donate money, goods, or your time.   And there are honorable ways to make the donations.  I wince at those who donate but encompass the surrounding publicity.

And so I offer, by way of my nephew Stew, the following:

 

The 12th century Jewish "sage" Maimonedes published a guidleline called the "Eight Levels of Tzedakah", the higher the level the holier the act.

The eight levels are (in ascending order of "holiness"):

8. When donations are given grudgingly.

7. When one gives less than he/she should, but does so cheerfully.
...
6. When one gives directly to the poor upon being asked.

5. When one gives directly to the poor without being asked.

4. When the recipient is aware of the donor's identity, but the donor does not know the identity of the recipient.

3. When the donor is aware of the recipient's identity, but the recipient is unaware of the source.

2. When the donor and recipient are unknown to each other.

1. The highest form of charity is to help sustain a person before they become impoverished by offering a substantial gift in a dignified manner, or by extending a suitable loan, or by helping them find employment or establish themselves in business so as to make it unnecessary for them to become dependent on others.

Think about it as you give to those less fortunate this year.

republicants are the real illegal aliens

The Dream Act failed, the First Responders Health Care  (Zadroga Bill) is stalled but the &#@kin' Republicans got their tax cut bill for the wealthy through.  How the electorate who voted for these absolute creeps can sleep at night or live with themselves is beyond comprehension.  It defies understanding.

Boehner gives as a reason to stall the bill (paraphrasing here):  It's too much work to accomplish between now and the week between Christmas and New Year's.  We have to let our staffs enjoy the Christian holiday period.

So, I hope the firefighters and police take a vote whether to respond to fires and/or break-ins at all your houses and decide that they need their time to celebrate the holiday and take off for a week.  Fend for yourselves, republicants.

And the Dream Act?  The specious labeling of it as "amnesty" is just another sleazy way of NOT DOING THE RIGHT THING!  Maybe all republicants should be deported.  After all, your ancestors were all illegal aliens!

The mothers of republicants must be spinning in their graves at what they have wrought!

Definition of republicants:  sleazebags needing power to feel important and looking backward to the 18th century for guidance; also, cold, heartless piss ants who hate anything and anyone not like them or thinking like them; found on the right side of the aisle in the US Congress with their hands out and leaning heavily into bundles of lobbyist money.

ME VS. THEM

I am diametrically opposed to most everything Republicans believe.  Because of that, they would label me anti-American, unpatriotic, not worthy of having representation in government by those who believe as I do.  They insist that their beliefs are the only true beliefs and those who do not embrace their view of government, religion or the world are socialists, communists, anarchists, atheists and any other "ists" they can throw into the mix.  They rail against everything I believe and insist I live my life as they would dictate. And so, I have come to not merely dislike them, but they have fostered a seething hatred of them and their view of me.  They have invaded the media with their virulent mouthings backed by little or no intelligence and a totally misguided view of life.

This deep hatred of all things different (religion, skin color, sexual orientation, political bent, etc) is shared by most Republicans and TP's (not all*.) (*There are actually some Republicans I have a great deal of respect for but they are few and far between.)  They have declared war on people of color, Hispanics, the poor, the middle class, the children, the elderly,  the sick and women.  They seek to monetarily enhance the corporations, the rich (read that as rich White people), their own politicians, and Big Pharma; to protect the military so we can muscle our way into other countries FOR NO REASON (unless they have oil), gun-toting lunatics, race-baiting nuts, fact-twisting megalomaniacal, vicious, contemptible talking heads masquerading as news people, etc. 

My beliefs as a liberal are no less important than they think their conservative views are.  They label a liberal-sponsored agenda with the most pejorative words simply because they don't agree with those ideas. The viciousness exhibited by Republicans and the like during the last election cycle and, indeed, from as soon as Barack Obama was elected was so blatant, it really made this country look like a second class nation.   So then, I contend that a conservative-sponsored agenda would bring this country down to its knees. If the Republicans get their way, it will be business as usual:  they will have their hands out to corporations, lobbyists, the rich, etc. They will tell you what you can and cannot do in the privacy of your own home, how to worship (They keep saying this is a Christian nation), they will rewrite history to suit their narrow view of life.

As a liberal, I believe in helping the downtrodden, the poor and the sick; in educating our young people (not depleting education funding),  protecting our shores, protecting our environment, health care for everyone, keeping religion as a private affair and out of the public domain, in having tolerance, showing empathy and sensitivity, acting with kindness and concern toward all living things, in personal freedom, in the Dream Act, repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, job creation, no discrimination, etc.  Republicans simply don't.  Shame on them.

Democrats did a lot of good

Even though the Democrats did not do well in the mid-term elections, they did a lot of good for the country.  A lot of ordinary, uninsured Americans will be guaranteed some kind of health care security they did not have before.  "If you have your health you have everything" will mean a lot more, except, of course, here in Arizona where the legislature cut off funding for life-saving transplants.  And even the TARP bailout, nasty as it seemed, averted another depression reminiscent of 1929.  They provided money so that families could be there when their fallen soldiers returned to US soil; provided more money for Veterans' Affairs to improve services;  ended Bush era "enhanced interrogation methods"; tax cuts for small business, etc.  The list goes on and on.  The Democrats and even some Republicans had to do some very unpopular stuff, also, in order to avert a complete collapse of the economy.  But voters just didn't see it that way.  Too dense, maybe?  Just not informed enough to understand?  Easier to listen to biting, untrue sound bites and think those were the salient points?  Yes, all of those.

And now, the Republicans want less government subsidies, except when it comes to farms, corporations, Medicare, etc.  They can't have it both ways but expect to.  The next Congress should be the circus of all circuses, proving once again that the less intelligent among us still reign!

TALKING FROM BOTH SIDES OF THEIR MOUTHS

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.........

Headlines from Huffpost:

"The anti-spending politicians who rake in farm subsidies":

"Tea Party senator-elect hires LOBBYIST to lead staff":

"John McCain tries to clarify wife's DADT reversal"
I guess Cindy McCain cannot speak for herself:

"Virginia Thomas steps down from tea party group Liberty Central"

The Stepford wives are back in line!!!!

"Neo Nazis rally in support of Arizona's SB1070 immigration bill":

 "McConnell backs earmark moratorium after requesting nearly $1 BILLION in pork"

 "John Ensign secured earmark nearing $1million from health care reform he opposed"

Republicans are this country's worst enemies.  Cut every service that helps ordinary Americans, cut money for every social service, cut money for public education, cut money for health care, but pour money into corporations, pour money into the military, start illegal and unnecessary wars to keep the military in business, send other people's children to war to get killed, squash human rights, make sure this country takes a gigantic step backward into the 18th century, treat women as chattel, lie about everything and deny everything, even in the face of absolute proof.

Ah, the Republican party.......a very large group now to be known as the dregs of the earth.

This country will get what they paid for.

EVERYTHING PALES

Absolutely everything fades into the background, waaaaay back, when one hears the words:   "This is Dr. ____________'s office.  We have the results of your __________ and would like to discuss it with you."  The anxiety rush and the urge to vomit is overwhelming.

That was over a week ago.  I am now breathing a lot easier.  But the experience of hearing those words really brought a lot of things right back into focus.  The saying "If you have your health you have everything," never rang so true.  Politics, jobs, world news, all outside interests, incidents, and experiences do not mean a thing when the question of your own mortality comes into being.

I see the world a bit differently now, just because of the scare.  But, that's probably a good thing.  I've been pro-active when it comes to my health.  Now, I am more so.  I offer the usual caveats about eating right and exercising but I add that knowing them and not doing anything with that knowledge is foolhardy.  We have only one life.  Make it a good one.

THE DEEP BOTTOMLESS PIT OF STUPIDITY

It just leaves me speechless!  I can't begin to understand the deep bottomless pit of stupidity these people have jumped into. I'm talking about the tea party and their new coloring book for kids shown here:

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/09/30/tea-party-coloring-book/. 

The information in the book is brought to you by idiots who never understood what they read about the original Boston Tea Party.  But why let the real facts get in the way.  Their mantra seems to be:  "Don't bother me with facts.  My mind's already made up."  And this crap is being peddled to kids, as in "indoctrination."  And for only $3.59!

There used to be reasonable, intelligent republicans (the word doesn't deserve a capital.)  That was a loooooooooog time ago.  These people have disappeared, replaced by screaming people spouting sound bites that they do not understand, garnered from vicious, vindictive, power-hungry, medieval-thinking nutcases who want to drag this country back into the 18th century socially but very eager to crawl over the backs of the average citizen to get back in power and stomp their boots on the necks of those who disagree with them.  They are eager to change the Constitution to suit their own needs and to hell with everyone else.  They just make me want to vomit.

There, that made me feel better..... for a moment. 

Eva Cassidy - Imagine - by John Lennon

Eva Cassidy had a most extraorodinary voice.  I found this on YouTube and just had to share it.  This very gifted singer was taken from us much too soon.

CRIME DOWN, ECONOMY UP - WHAT ARE REPUBS TO DO?

Recent statistics have shown that violent crime is down considerably here in Arizona, way down.  Forget those headless bodies strewn all over the desert the unelected governor rants about.  Forget the rantings of the soon-to-be octogenarian, mindless AZ senator who thinks Arizona is the crime capital of the country.  Such news shows the complete worthlessness of these two who spit out moronic fear-mongering 'facts' as if they were  truth.  Falsehoods are in fashion in Arizona politics.  Put out the lies, let them do their work and brush off the real truths as nothing more than political jockeying.  Republicans wouldn't know TRUTH if it bit them in the ass!

The economy is showing signs of life.  Recent reports show an upswing.  It is gradual but it is happening.  So......... Republicans will take credit for it although it is patently absurd to think there is any way they can prove their involvement, or they will deny that it is actually happening and will trash it every chance they get.

Republicans are the party of "Anti" everything (except business and war), the party of dissent, criticism, pessimism, cynicism, with nothing positive to offer.  How they continue to exist is beyond comprehension.

I HAVE LOST MY PRIDE IN AMERICA

I cringe when I think of America now.  I cringe because people here are either insanely stupid, vicious, crackpots, intolerant, half-witted, boneheaded, easily led, unable to think critically, asinine, and/or dense.  After 8 years of this country being trashed and stomped to the ground by contemptuous Republicans  whose only thoughts were to lie us into war,  trample the rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution, make sure Big Business and Big Pharma got as much money as possible while screwing the average person, and generally sinking the country into  a deep recession, the electorate is replete with imbeciles screaming that it's all the fault of Democrats because these massive problems haven't all been fixed already.

What, in god's name, do they want?  Like little spoiled brats these crazies are screaming, "I want it now!"  "I want everything to be fixed NOW!"  Like schoolyard bullies, they scream because things aren't going their way.  They keep screaming, "You lie" while they have perfected that action.  They deny, deny and deny even when the truth shows them lying.  They ignore the magnitude of the previous administrations screw-ups and blame them all on everyone else.  They are caustic, acerbic, sneering and derisive while offering absolutely nothing but screaming nasty epithets at anyone and anything that doesn't agree with them.

Republicans offer nothing but the same old tired crap.  They want to enrich their friends and keep the average American down.  They say things out of both sides of their collective mouths.  Their party is full of certifiable nuts.  They are the exact opposite of what this country is supposed to stand for:  freedom, democracy, tolerance.  And this group of crazies gets the most coverage through the MSM!  It's disgusting that they even exist.

Reasoned discourse has no place in their party.  They're against so many things that they have become the party of "Anti,"  anti-everything, unresponsive to the needs of the nation, damaging to the reputation of America as it is meant to be.

Republicans:  Take your balls and bats and go home and leave the fixing up of your mess to the grownup Democrats.

STUPIDITY & EMBARRASSMENT HAVE MANY NAMES...

Conservatives (read Republicans) are out of touch with humanity.  They don't give a damn about reasonable health care for everyone; they don't care about adequately funding education.  They want to cut every service to people who desperately need some help to survive just so the rich can have their tax breaks.  These are people who steal from the poor to give to the rich.  These are people who want a lot less government unless it has something to do with same-sex marriage, abortion or whatever the hell it is that people are doing in their bedrooms, then they want to stick their noses in WHERE THEY DON'T BELONG!

This state of Arizona is replete with people whose collective IQ is less than my age!  The unelected governor is a total embarrassment.  She has no command of the English language, she speaks poorly and appears to have no critical thinking skills.  She is a coward when it comes to answering questions.  She lies about things and when she gets caught and is asked about such things, she disappears behind closed doors.  She picks and chooses what she will answer.  Obviously she hasn't got the brains to think on her feet.  How can someone like Jan Brewer even think she is bright enough to get Arizona out of the mess it's in when she does not have the skills to think things through?

It is beyond comprehension that people actually would vote for such an unintelligent person.  She and Sarah Palin are cut from the same cloth:  2 individuals who have nothing substantive to offer except sound bites snatched from those really vicious radio beasties; 2 individuals who have no understanding of the complex issues facing the state and the country and who only repeat the crap they hear from the Conservative waste buckets.  Jan Brewer doesn't have a clue about how to improve the fortunes of Arizona.  God help this state if she is actually elected to the position of Governor for a full term.

At one time, Republicans had reasonable positions regarding fiscal issues and there was room to compromise for the good of the country.  Now, Republicans do not give a damn about the good of the country.  All they care about is trashing Democrats at every turn, thwarting anything and everything Democrats try to do even if it is a good thing for the country.  They are power hungry and want to crush all opposition.  They paint their opposition with scathing, vitriolic, and derisive words.  They do it viciously.  They want this country to be declared a Christian nation.  They want religious law to take precedence over the Constitution.  Tolerance and freedom are no longer in their vocabulary.  If they get their way this nation will be nothing but a third world country which will eventually erupt into class warfare.

POLITICAL ADS - UGH!

Ah, the political idiots are out in force now.  The political "VOTE FOR ME" ads are polluting the airwaves with the most ridiculous claims.  Time after time, the talking heads say "I'm a businessman & have created thousands of jobs."  If all these guys running here in AZ created thousands of jobs why is unemployment here so high?

They promise to absolutely get things done.  "I will create jobs," "I will bring in more business,"  "I will see that the border is secure," "I will cut spending," "I will fund education, police, fire, health care, seniors, etc. and "I will........... (put in your favorite promise.)  They say these things as if each candidate, singlehandedly, will accomplish all these things. 

These people don't understand that they only get one vote, they have to play the political games and those games don't provide for independent thinking, they are supposed to read and understand all the issues, their own parties are so fractured, consensus is just not possible.

They can promise all they want.  That doesn't mean diddly.  Everyone promises but no one  states what or how they would attempt to "fix" the problem.  There is nothing to base a vote on because they all are hesitant to state what their positions are other than the stupid sound bites that get quoted..... nothing substantive.   And they are so intent on tearing down their opponents, all ads have been grossly negative.  Each one has done or said really nutty, questionable, or stupid things in their past and all of it is brought up by their opponents.  It's enough to make one vomit.  And so I mute the sound because I just cannot listen to the drivel.

HUH?

Why does anyone give a crap what that noodle brain, Hasselbeck, has to say?  In my opinion, she has dead meat for brains and no qualifications for commenting on anything other than her ability to eat bugs on a realty show.  Other than that, she has no background from which to offer anything other than her opinion.  And critical thinking skills do not come easily to her, if at all. Thousands of others have incredibley educated and professional backgrounds which would bring some intelligence to this program.  How come this little dipstick was chosen for the job?

Hmmmmmmmm, some of these comments could be directly applied to the quitter from Alaska!!!

WHY IS IT OKAY?

The two states I have lived in the longest were Massachusetts and Connecticut. As nutty as they were, the politicians in those states couldn't hold a candle to the asinine politicians here in Arizona.  When did treachery, sneakiness, deceit and just plain nastiness become the mantra by which this state is governed?  When did it become okay to lie and deceive with made-up facts?  Why is it okay to have people who didn't pay attention in their English classes and can't speak properly govern anyone?  Why is it okay to have people, who don't really seem to be able to hide their bigotry, in office where they can do much harm?  Why is it okay to have people in office who seem to have no idea what critical thinking skills are?  Why is it okay to parrot sound bites and expect everyone else to think you know what the hell you're talking about?  When did the word, compromise, become a derogatory term?

Why does it bother me so?  I suppose it bothers me because I come from a place where fairness, common courtesy, intelligence, compromise, integrity, honesty, compassion, understanding and a willingness to seek common ground were part of my upbringing.  I see very little of that here, in Arizona politics.  And those traits are sorely needed in dealing with the myriad problems facing everyone.


Do I have a solution?  Maybe requiring an intelligence test and sensitivity training for all potential candidates might be a start!

BREWER: YOU LIE!

Jan Brewer, the unelected governor of Arizona, has been quoted as stating that most illegal immigrants crossing into the state are being used to bring drugs across the border.  She says they're ostensibly coming to look for work but end up being used as drug smugglers by the drug rings.

 She was quoted as saying: "I believe today, under the circumstances that we're facing, that the majority of the illegal trespassers that are coming into the state of Arizona are under the direction and control of organized drug cartels and they are bringing drugs in."

The fact that she has absolutely no facts to back up this claim does not deter her from spewing out such nonsense.

Brewer:  YOU LIE!

THE CREEPY GOP

The GOP shoots down benefits for the jobless.  That bill would have provided aid to states, preserving jobs among other things.  In Arizona, over 400,000 of the unemployed will not get any unemployment compensation.  So where does that leave them?  Starving & unable to provide anything for their families.  The GOP has rocks for where their hearts should be.  Of course, they're hoping the economy will stay crappy so they can blame it on the Dems and get them out of office.  The country was in such great shape when the GOP was in.  God, I don't want to go back to that time when we had a moron for President and corruption was the GOP game.

The GOP mantra seems to be:  "I got mine.  F*@#k you."  God, I wish they would all just cease to exist.  They offer nothing to humanity.

I know.  You want me to tell you how I really feel.  I'm just getting warmed up.

A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP

What is wrong with comprehensive immigration reform?  Why is no one connected with Arizona government talking about it?  That includes the state legislators, the non-elected governor, our Congressional representatives and the 2 senators, especially the one who wants to build the "danged fence."  That fence....reminiscent of East Berlin?

The enforcement-only mentality here is overwhelming.  That's probably because most of those listed above think that the majority of illegal immigrants are here to bring drugs, to extort people and terrorize families, populate drop houses and such.  This is a lie that has legs. 

Never mind that the majority of illegal immigrants are here to work, that many came on legal work visas and just never left.  The majority of them are here for a better life, not for any nefarious reason.

Why not consider, really consider a way for those illegally here who work hard, actually pay taxes through sales taxes or social security taxes if they have a fake card (money which they will never get back) to qualify for residency by satisfying certain qualifications.  It may take a few years but if they knew they could eventually become legal without the horrific fear of being kicked out of the country they have resided in, most if not all would gladly do so to stay in the country that has enabled them to be gainfully employed, make a living, provide for their families and contribute to the rich heritage that is the United States.

MANUTE BOL

Manute Bol:  humanitarian, role model, full of goodness, a perfect example of Tikkun Olam-repairing the world, a class act, totally unselfish and the definition of how humankind should be and act.  After all this, he was an NBA basketball player who was fun to watch.

He did more good than most people will ever understand.

May he rest in peace. 

I'm just sayin'

"Indian Couple Electrocuted By Bride's Family for Marrying Out of Caste"
 "New Mexico Congressional Candidate Wants Landmines Along the US-Mexico Border"
"Dead Heiress Leaves Massive Fortune to Her DOGS"
"Ex-Congressman..Prayed Multiple Times a Day, Sang Hymns, Yet Still Had Affair with Staffer"
"GOP Congressional Candidate Floats Oil Spill Conspiracy Theory--Maybe They Wanted It to Leak"
"Diane Kruger Almost Suffocated by Super Tight Dress"


Just reading HEADLINES can make one dizzy, burst out laughing, scratch one's head in wonder, cluck tongues at the absurdity or horrifying aspect of words meant to capture attention.

The headlines above are just a few I've come across in the last day or two.  They just about clear up the mystery of what is taught in creative writing classes!

BLAME WHO????

Last time I checked, President Obama, by education and profession, is/was an attorney/constitutional law professor/community activist/politician.  Nowhere in his biography do I read anything about him having a degree in chemistry, physics, oil engineering or the like.

So why is the public turning on him, in particular, for not stopping the spewing of oil in the Gulf?  He does not have the expertise to single-handedly bring it to an end.  And apparently, those who should have the knowledge and expertise, can't do it either.

Arguably, he is in the seat where the buck is supposed to stop.  And, I have no doubt, President Obama is consulting with everyone who knows or should know how to rein in this horrible situation.  He is not sitting idly by hoping this will resolve itself.  And he's not telling anyone associated with this disaster that "they are doing a heck of a job."

So, all you public motormouths out there blaming him for not being God, you don't know what is going on out of the media's eyes, you don't know what other things are being investigated, you (most of you) don't have degrees in oil engineering.  Stop shooting off your mouths and placing the blame where it doesn't belong.  Look to that oil company, BP, to place the ENTIRE blame, go after them and all those who are on their side (some are Republican politicians) and try to react with intelligence and common sense instead of stupid, uninformed gut reactions.

Fashion? Really????

I like to write about different things and express my opinion or just make observations.  I don't know how blogs get noticed by other than friends to whom I sent my blog web site.  I blog about politics, current events, things that strike me funny or absurd (lots of that here.)

A few days ago I received an email from someone who found my blog, liked the content and design and invited me to be part of beta testing on her site which just opened, a place to discuss............... fashion!     Fashion!  Holy crap, I couldn't be less interested in fashion, of all things.

With everything going on in the world, I can't imagine my thoughts wrapping around which heels go with which dress!  I will say this, though.  People here in the Valley of the Sun seem to be obsessed with not only fashion but botox, teeth whitening, teeth straightening, body image, the latest fashion and makeup, who goes to which club, who is seen with whom, who has the latest bauble, what is the latest fashion trend, where to buy the stuff, etc.  There are so many ads for everything I've mentioned that I'm sure those ads are paying enough to keep newspapers running.

And, it's not just newspapers.  The local Phoenix Magazine has more ads for dentists (new smiles), cosmetic surgery, lap-band procedures, skin rejuvenation, facial contouring, spas, weight control, etc...... well you get my point. 

This is the place for the "beautiful people" to get more beautiful.  Apparently, no one is perfect enough.  There is always room for more improvement.  I guess if you're living in the Valley of the Sun where poolside entertainment is year round, one must look fab-u-lous, mustn't one????

Sheeeesh!  I throw on a tee shirt, crops and sandals and I'm happy!  I shudder when I have to throw on a dress.  Thank goodness it's not very often.

I'll stick to blogging about what interests me and fashion isn't on that list.

THE GAZA BLOCKADE

Once again the world has stomped its feet on the face of Israel with the false allegation that Israel was the aggressor against a defenseless humanitarian flotilla.  In reality, the flotilla was a calculated attack by Hamas to provoke Israel into the action she took.  Hamas' action was designed to break the blockade, cause the confrontation, make it look as if Israel attacked a defenseless group of humanitarians.

Israel bends over backwards to make sure tons and tons of food and supplies reach the people in the Gaza Strip.  The naval blockade is necessary for the safety and survival of Israel.

This confrontation is the sole fault and responsibility of the flotilla organizers.  It's just astounding that the world blames Israel for everything and cannot see craziness perpetuated by Israel's enemies, whose sole purpose is to annihilate the State of Israel off the face of the earth.

Why does the world back the insanity, viciousness and violence of the Arab world?  Until those condemning Israel see and experience the danger that is Hamas and the rest of the Arab world, they will never understand that Israel must survive and continue to flourish.

MEMORIAL DAY 2010

It's Memorial Day.  No matter how you feel about war or the military, it still is important to give thanks and support to the troops for doing what they do, in the worst of conditions while being in harm's way.

And it's important to reflect on all those family members who have gone before us, remember them and the loving memories they left us.  Strive to do loving acts of kindness and to make the world a better place to honor their memories.

SB1070-AGAIN-OR IS IT STILL?

Still trying to make heads or tails out of the damn thing.  It's wording is so convoluted, it seems to have been designed to be the most ambiguously vague, muddled piece of legal mumbo jumbo ever produced by a legislative body.

One needs a Constitutional expert to interpret this piece of rhetorical garbage just to begin to understand it.  Every time I read it, I see something else it could mean.  It's like a salad bar:  pick the parts you want to attack because there are plenty to go around. 

If law enforcement would do its job and go after the businesses that hire illegal immigrants, that may stem the tide.  But those illegal immigrants who are already here, working, with families, already established and paying taxes should be walking the road to legalization.  Pass the Dream Act providing legal status for their children who come of age and have lived here most of their lives.

There are ways to ameliorate the problem but this bill is too garbled and threatening to work.

To be continued..................... maybe!

SB1070

The Arizona Republic published the entire text of Arizona's Immigration Law, SB1070 (including HB 2162, which amended it.)  It took 4 full pages to print it.  Both 1070 and 2162 amended the existing law and the Republic marked the new passages.  The Republic also had University of Arizona law professor Gabriel Chin help explain some of the law's legal issues.  I am slugging my way through the reading and so far much of the state's law mimics Federal law.

 So, after trying to understand the yada, yada, yada of this bill and deciding not to tear my hair out over it, I searched for a more sane voice who had already written what I thought was a much better explanation of the key parts.  Therefore, I direct your attention to the following by Ray Suarez who writes on the Huffington Post: 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ray-suarez/sb1070-and-the-immigratio_b_578857.html

TIME TO UNLOAD on SB 1070

SB 1070:  A mean-spirited piece of legislation that does absolutely nothing to address the real problem.  Those who will be caught in this immigrant net will mostly be the hard-working illegal immigrants who are trying to provide a life for themselves and their families.  What it won't do is catch the coyotes, drug smugglers and murderous kidnappers who are the real threat to border states.  Those miserable excuses for human beings are not likely to be looking for day labor jobs, nor are they hanging around in those houses where they keep their 'captives' locked up while terrorizing their families to come up with money.  Catching them takes real hard detective work which, apparently, is not what law enforcement does here in this state.  It's just easier to grab the waiters, gardeners and such off the street.

The real problem is the corrupt government of Mexico which isn't doing enough to insure that its citizens have the kinds of jobs that pay a living wage so their citizens don't have to cross into the US for jobs.  And those jobs are ones that most Americans really don't want to do....not for the wages being paid to the immigrants.

Why not go after the companies who hire the immigrants for such low wages?  Because then these companies will outsource what they do to keep from paying minimum wage.  Arizona has a law to go after companies who hire illegals.  They haven't done it.

And of the 12 million illegals in the country, over 5 million are here on expired visas.  Who's going after them?

And, if there wasn't such a HUGE market for drugs in the US, who would the drug cartels sell to here?  And if the US (read Arizona) didn't sell guns to every idiot who wants one without an ID and permit, maybe not as many guns would be available to the creeps and morons who think robbing, kidnapping and killing is a nice business to go into!

Having said this, boycotting Arizona is a really stupid thing to do.  While it may get a point across, it will really hurt those people who can ill afford it, the ones who have to work just to survive.  It won't hurt the moronic legislators who crafted this fr****king bill.

One more thing:  That creep, McCain, is running again on securing the border.  He wants the border fence built.  Who is going to pay for it?  There are over 20,000 Border Patrol agents patrolling the border.  Maybe if they stood shoulder to shoulder we could have a "human fence!"

To be continued..................