Out of Service

I will not be posting for a couple days while I attend a retreat at Manresa. Stay tuned.

Answer this before you drill in ANWR

If President Bush is really sincere about his statement that drilling for oil will lower gas prices he should send out an olive branch. I know hell would freeze over sooner than W offering a compromise. The olive branch I suggest is to fully disclose all reports regarding Dick "Wild Shot" Cheney's National Energy Policy Development Group (NEPDG). The group started in the early months of 2001, right after Bush's presidency began. At that time oil was $20 a barrel. NEPDG was made up of world energy executives and producers. We will never know all that was discussed or decided by this group because Wild Shot had the record sealed. The sealing was challenged all the way to Supreme Court. The Supreme Court narrowly ruled in favor of Cheney. Some say the decision was made when Cheney took his pal Justice Scalia on a duck hunting trip at a exclusive oil company lodge in South Louisiana. No one knows exactly why the record needed to be sealed, but I am a little suspicious of the findings especially since the members of the group have done quite well. Oil has risen to $140 a barrel following the adjournment of the group. Well, one key member of the group didn't do to well - that would be former Enron CEO Kenneth Lay. He is really former now. Now are you suspicious of this group? You should be! Go ahead W, let us see what your self serving oil executives came up with during the NEPDG! Give us citizens the answer and drill away.

Tuesday Humor - Red State Update

From my buddies who were sucked into the GOP by the Wealthy Conspirators.

What Others Are Saying About Louisiana

I found this comment in the Los Angeles Times yesterday.

An evolved form of creationism

Just in case you thought this country had finally decided to teach science according to the precepts of science, here comes Louisiana with another stab at wedging creationism/intelligent design/teachers' own random thoughts into the mix.

According to Education Week, Gov. Bobby Jindal signed the misnamed Louisiana Science Education Act, which says that teachers must use the material from standard science textbooks — but should feel free, at the same time, to "supplement" those with self-chosen materials that examine scientific theories "in an objective manner," objective meaning something like, "Here's what's wrong with evolution." The law, by not mandating the instruction of creationism, might prove more difficult to challenge in court, at least until some teacher's idea of objective supplemental material clashes with a parent's demand for straight, unadulterated science instruction.

Considering Louisiana schools' low performance on national tests, which makes California look not so bad by comparison, you'd think legislators would be worrying about getting these kids ready for jobs and college instead of monkeying around with science instruction.

Posted by Karin Klein on July 24, 2008 in Schools | Permalink

A Well Respected Oilman Says More Drilling Will Not Help

One of President Bush's key supporters in the 2004 campaign is saying Bush and McCain's plan to drill our way to lower gas prices is foolish. T. Boone Pickens, the man who played a key roll in derailing John Kerry's presidential bid, says it will not work. Pickens is the multi billionaire who made his fortune as an independent oilman in Texas. He also is man who helped his oil pal George Bush by paying for the Swift Boat ads against John Kerry. Now he has turned against his pals and vowed to spend $58 million of his own money to prove the Republican plan to drill our way to lower prices is phony and misleading. Pickens' ads contradict a McCain ad saying Obama's failure to vote for coastal and ANWR drilling is the cause of $4 per gallon gas.

Pickens' answer is to invest $10 billion dollars into the worlds largest wind turbine farm in Texas. He believes there is enough harnessable wind energy in the US to eliminate the need of natural gas in generating electricity. His plan would then be to convert the unused natural gas in liquid form to be used in transportation. This would greatly reduce our dependency on foreign oil. THE PLAN

I do find it odd that an oilman is running away from the product the built his fortune and pushing a developing alternative energy program. Is he sincere or is some type of ploy? Comment on your thoughts. We shall see how this develops.

Here is one of Pickens' ads.

Tuesday Humor

One of my favorite fast foods is a Whopper. However, I rarely go to Burger King because the service is so poor. I feel as if I need to thank the order taker for bothering to take my order. Then I pray they get it right. I found this skit on YouTube.

They'll Take Money From Anyone

In past writings I have been critical of several individuals from which McCain has sought support. One of my goals of this blog has been fair and accurate reporting. Today I point out a potential problem for the Obama campaign.

Yesterday, Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean was in town garnering support for Obama. The event which was covered by The Advocate, Baton Rouge's local paper. Today's front page shows a picture of Dean taking a contribution from George Eames, Jr. Eames is the former NAACP leader who was very divisive. He was known for giving damaging and inaccurate press releases then leaving others to fight the battle. Eames has no credibility in this community. Eames is also a convicted sex offender. He was convicted of a sex offense involving inappropriate conduct with a minor in his van at a Baton Rouge park. Does the Obama campaign really want to be seen taking money from this guy?

Global Economy Is Part Of Gas Price Culprit

American businesses helped create the energy shortage when they started outsourcing services and manufacturing goods abroad. Within the last decade, China and India have seen a boom to their middle class. It was created when their citizens started earning money from jobs that once belonged to Americans. Chinese and Indian citizens are now taking that money and buying cars. Accordingly, these two countries importation of oil has greatly increased. In essence, oil resources that Americans relied on are now being diverted to other countries. This creates a deficit of oil and deficits cause the prices to go up. Just as one can not borrow his way out of debt, we can not drill our way to lower prices.

I am not opposed to drilling in ANWR or along coastlines. However, I warn my readers not to expect this to solve our high fuel cost problem. It takes five to ten years to bring an area into production, so their is no immediate relief by opening these areas up. Furthermore, I don't want to hear any proponents of this "great idea" bitching about an oil rig blocking the view from their million dollar condo. Americans standing up and refusing to do business with companies who outsource and consuming less gas in the US would be a quicker relief.

The quickest relief to high prices is to not pay them. It's a tough pill to swallow, but Americans need to change their habits. Stop making unnecessary trips such as a family with multiple cars going to the same event in separate vehicles. Gas prices are effected by inventories of gasoline. Parked cars help in two ways. They keep gasoline in inventory and money in owners pockets.

Gas Saving Tips

Here’s to you Mr. Hair Salon Bikini Wax Technician.

As promised in yesterday's article, I found a copy. Several years ago, I proposed this as part of the Bud Light Real Men of Genius ads.

Here’s to you Mr. Hair Salon Bikini Wax Technician.

You’re the envy of all straight men.

You see more different trim in day than most men see in a lifetime.

{Background guy: He is so damned lucky }

It’s baffling as to why women who insist on having sex in the dark would spread themselves in front of you Mr. Bikini Wax Technician.

{Background guy: You can touch, just don't penetrate}

Men all over wonder why one pulled pubic hair can put the skids on intercourse, but you get to pull all of her pubic hairs with not so much a scream.

{Background guy: I know if she is a true blond}

Your motto is “crop it straight” as no hair should be left to peak as she flaunts her stuff on the beach.

{Background guy:She can spread those legs on the beach towel}

Not every man gets to spread hot gooey liquid on the crotches of 32 different women each day, so this Bud’s for you Mr. Bikini Wax Technician.

{Background guy: He's talking about wax}

By OWO
January 16, 2004

America's Beer Falls Victim to the Global Economy

I guess most of you have heard the big news in business this week, Anheuser-Busch has been purchased by InBev, a Belgium beer giant. Yep, America's #1 beer, Budweiser, is now owned by a foreign brewery. On hearing the news I must say I was pissed. Why hasn't President Bush and Congress stepped up to stop this non-sense? Foreigners brewing our Budweiser is worse than when the company which managed all of our ports was going to be sold to terrorist. I was going to show their butts and stop drinking my Bud Lites and those new BL Limes my brother in law just got me hooked on. I wasn't sure whether I would switch to Coors or Miller, but one thing I knew was that the Mockler family could kiss their revenues of my 12 pack every few weeks good-bye. I am also in a dilemma as whether or not to delete the 80 versions of Bud Lite's Real Men of Genius radio ads on my Ipod.

Then I did some research. I found out Budweiser was just another beer until they got into aggressive marketing. In the old days they would pay for a bar's liquor license if they sold Budweiser on tap. In the 1950's, they were the first to market their product by sponsoring prime time shows like the Jackie Gleason Show. They even payed Frank Sinatra $750,000 to sponsor his TV show. Then beginning in the 70's, they aggressively entered the sports arena's. That is said to have taken them to the top.

According to an article on Salon.com by Edward McClellend, Budweiser originally was not that good of a beer when compared to others.

"Adolphus Busch, the dynasty's founder, called his beer 'dot schlop' and drank wine instead. During taste tests, St. Louis drinkers spat it back over the bar. But if the Busches didn't believe in their product, they believed in their business plan."

This aggressive marketing put a number of small American beer companies out of business or if they were lucky forced them to sell to Budweiser or rivals Miller and Coors.

Maybe I should not be so upset. I must have become caught up in the marketing as I grew older because I recall it was Miller Pony's and Schlitz Malt Liquor that got through the stress of 11th grade math. Also, I just realized I now mostly drink imported red wine. I prefer Chianti (Italian) Crianza (Spanish) red and if I am broke, Yellow Tail (Australian). I reallly don't care that much for American wines.

Furthermore, I wrote a version of Real Men of Genius, but Budweiser did not accept it. Now I really don't care about the sale of America's beer.

PS - If I can dig up a copy of Mr. Bikini Wax Technician, I will post it so you can decide if it should have been turned into a radio spot. Perhaps I should resubmit it to InBev.

Bush on Crazy Gas Prices

Democrats Need to Clean House

It appears the Democratic Party has better chance of winning the White House this election than in last two elections. Party leaders could increase their chances by doing some housecleaning within the party. Housecleaning would go a long ways in winning the votes of the undecided and moderate voters. The party would also show credibility at a time when the GOP is divided and loosing credibility.

The Democratic Party should no longer allow the Rev. Jesse Jackson to have any role in Democratic Party functions. Rev. Jackson is divisive and has a reputation of running his mouth and leaving others the cleanup his mess. The party has done a good job of keeping a muzzle on Jackson - at least until last week when he proved he needs to be permanently muzzled. On July 9th, Jackson was commenting off mic (or at least he thought) about Obama's faith based program while appearing at a Fox News Studio. In a whispered conversion to another guest regarding Obama Jackson stated that he would "like to cut his nuts off" because Jackson felt Obama talked down to black people. In researching this article, I found a press release from Jackson's own son, Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr., concerning his dad's remark.

"I'm deeply outraged and disappointed in Reverend Jackson's reckless statements about Senator Barack Obama. His divisive and demeaning comments about the presumptive Democratic nominee -- and I believe the next president of the United States -- contradict his inspiring and courageous career.

"Instead of tearing others down, Barack Obama wants to build the country up and bring people together so that we can move forward, together -- as one nation. The remarks like those uttered on Fox by Revered [sic] Jackson do not advance the campaign's cause of building a more perfect Union.

"Revered [sic] Jackson is my dad and I'll always love him. He should know how hard that I've worked for the last year and a half as a national co-chair of Barack Obama's presidential campaign. So, I thoroughly reject and repudiate his ugly rhetoric. He should keep hope alive and any personal attacks and insults to himself."

Is he a reverend or a revered?

Below is a video clip from a MSNBC news report of the off mic comment.



Remember, a number of years ago, Jackson referred to Jews as "Hymies" during his own presidential campaign. There is no room for this type of talk from a person of Jackson's political standing let alone a preacher. I find it hard to understand why the Democrats continue to give credibility to Jackson.

The Democratic Party leaders should also disown Congressman William Jefferson of New Orleans. I do note (and believe) a person is innocent until proven guilty. However, Jefferson is under indictment and a damning amount of information has been released concerning the allegations. How many of my law abiding readers keep $10,000 cash in their freezer? Don't forget the questionable act involved at least $10,000 cash. A member of Congress should be held to a higher standard. Most public officials are suspended or asked to step down once the are indicted. The Democratic leadership could gain a tremendous amount of credibility by forcing Jefferson to step down or resign from the Party.

Simple Rules of Happyness

One day a farmer left the corral gate open and his donkey wandered out and fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.

Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.

Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.

Live simply and appreciate what you have.

Give more.

Expect less

NOW .......

Enough of that crap. The donkey later came back, and bit the farmer who had tried to bury him.
The gash from the bite got infected and the farmer eventually died in agony from septic shock.

MORAL FROM TODAY'S LESSON:

When you do something wrong, and try to cover your ass, it always comes back to bite you.

Author Unknown

RED STATE UPDATE

Here's what a couple GOP faithfulls have to say about the olympics. At least someone shares my enthusiasm about the womens beach volleyball team. Do you think these "good ole boys" have been paying attention to OWO?

Big Apple Bound

Myself and Thinks He's Wise are off to New York City today to take in some baseball and a little father son bonding. It'll be a one day trip. We will catch an afternoon game in Yankee Stadium, then a Mets game in the evening. I am hoping to get in some free sightseeing by asking the pilot to make a couple low level passes of the city. Same goes for our connecting flight in Washington, DC. Perhaps I can get him to buzz the Whitehouse. We will see how that goes.

I soooo can't wait for the 2008 Olympics

Talk about one hot chic! Ummm! Dara Torres is sure to be a winner. Swimming may have passed up beach volleyball as my favorite summer Olympic sport.

The New Colossus

It thought this writing would be appropriate on the weekend holiday for the Fourth of July. However, I must give my Priest credit for planting the idea for this posting. He mentioned it in his Homily this morning. The New Colossus is inscribed on a plaque inside the Statute of Liberty.

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

As I reflected on these words, I wondered if Americans have forgotten these words when we condemn those who enter our country in hopes of earning a living by doing chores that no Americans are willing to do. It seems everyone condemns them, but is willing to make an exception when their labors result in a savings to themselves. Condemn them if you like, but I am certain these are the very people Jesus would be associated with.

Call me an evil liberal if you like. I sang patriotic songs and enjoyed Bar-b-que every meal of the long weekend. I am proud to be an American.

Jindal's Gun Problem

Jindal has been caught a second time speaking out of both sides of his mouth. This one is going to cost him. In May, he received a top award from the NRA for his gun owner rights initiatives. In keeping with Jindal's campaign promises to observe gun owners rights, the Louisiana Legislators passed a law prohibiting companies from banning employees from having guns in their locked cars parked in company parking lots. You must remember Louisiana is known as sportsman's paradise. We like to hunt before or after work. What can be so wrong with loading up the car for a weekend of hunting and leaving from work for the camp? Well a host of business and chemical lobby groups is worried our hunters are going to go wacko and shoot up the plant. They are pressuring the Boy Wonder to veto the law. Now Jindal has got himself in another predicament. Go a against a campaign promise to the people and sign the law into effect or go with the big money supporters and veto the bill.

In OWO's opinion, Jindal should sign the law into existence. Business and industry should let their employees keep guns locked up in their cars in the parking lot. Business and Industry groups are trying to save money by regulating law abiding citizens. After all, law abiders are the cheapest to regulate. Chemical plants have armed (or should be armed) security at the gate who search employees for copper and other items, so you think they could prevent guns from coming into the workplace. Another option would be to quit treating employees like shit and have less worry about a wacko employee.

Jindal sided with the voters in the Legislator pay raise issue. Let's see who the Boy Wonder sides with here.

Declaration of Independence

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation,

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Hey "W" take a look at this!

Bill of Rights

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Amendment X The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

Breaking News!!!! Please Help!!

Louisiana political pundit CB Forgotson has started a special fundraiser for our legislators who have just had their ability to support their families pulled out from under them by the swish of Gov. Jindal's veto pen. If you would like to help with the special fundraiser called Feed the Lawmakers watch the video.

The Chinese Torture Test

Yesterday the New York Times reported:

The military trainers who came to Guantanamo Bay in December 2002 based an entire interrogation class on a chart showing the effects of “coercive management techniques” for possible use on prisoners, including “sleep deprivation,” “prolonged constraint,” and “exposure.”

What the trainers did not say, and may not have known, was that their chart had been copied verbatim from a 1957 Air Force study of Chinese Communist techniques used during the Korean War to obtain confessions, many of them false, from American prisoners.

Link to Article

So we are using almost 50 year old communist techniques that were determined to produce false confessions? I wonder how many of those terror alerts and warnings that have caused fear and stress were based on false confessions? During those 50 years, Americans were appalled and angered by the Chinese torture techniques that were used against our soldiers. Are these once condemned acts now American policy?

It appears that we have gone from a nation respected for its protection of human rights to a country that practices torture and rendition. Bush has chosen to defend our country with methods that are ineffective and evil, instead of holding our country to high the principles that make it worth defending. This comes from an administration whose campaign was based on moral Christian beliefs. I doubt Jesus would approve of these tactics.

Next week when I go through the TSA airport security gauntlet, I will wonder if humiliating passengers is really necessary to fight terrorism or is it a method of putting fear into voters?

We passed 100 hits yesterday

Yesterday was a milestone. We passed 100 views on the hit meter - in less than a month. Thank you to all who have taken time to view the site. It is a work in progress. I added a subscription link, but am not sure how well it works. Let me know if you subscribed, but have not been getting email alerts. I may need to fire that service and find another one. I am debating adding advertising to the site, it would be nice to have someone provide income - or at least offset the expenses. I am researching to make sure I sign up with a legitimate advertising site. We need some comments to move me into Googles recommended blogs spots. My site meter shows a number of hits from cities which I do not know anyone. My first inclination is that Google is sending searchers of "Great Political Writings" or "Hot Sexy Man" to my site. What do you think? I suppose the unknown hits could also be from agencies Internal Affairs section. So in case my days are numbered, thanks to all of you who have visited my site.

I am starting to get excited about the 2008 Summer Olympics