It finally became clear that the major reason I find the media so disquieting is that they treat the news like the previews to an exciting serial. There is rarely a finish, inevitable for most of the stories since there is no end to war, the recession, a bad economy, and fights among those who think they are empowered or are angling to become so.
Today, an anniversary of the Berlin Wall being brought down, brought out history as well as today's state of the world. Korea is fighting with itself; Pakistan is where Al Qaeda is but we can't fight there so we are fighting Bin Laden in Afghanistan, though we know he is not there and no one admits why we really ARE there still..
The Republican party is in danger of splitting itself off into two parts. (I remember my Latin telling me that 'All Gaul was divided into three parts!_The Republicans sure have gall. (gall 1 (gôl)n. 1. See bile. 2. a. Bitterness of feeling; rancor. b. Something bitter to endure: the gall of defeat.
3. Outrageous insolence; effrontery.) The few moderate Republicans still in existence are finally rising up and realizing that their party has been hijacked by total impostors though they haven't yet figured out what to do about it after eight years of just rubber-stamping Bush.
The Catholic Church is not staying out of Washington and politics; it is trying to dictate how the rest of us should conduct our lives. So much for separation of church and state. The Pro-Lifers (at least for life that has not yet started) are trying to dictate their way to doing away with Roe v Wade.
Members of the House are trying to legislate a group of new overseers to banks and the amount of 'bonus' they can dole out. I suppose it should be filed under 'Better late than never' that they notice how banks have been robbing the public and shareholders for so many years.
We need to figure out a new definition for Independent voters since Bernie Sanders and Joe Lieberman seem not to fit under the same umbrella. My block to remembering Lieberman's name was cleared when I finally was able to associate him to Quisling.
Rupert Murdoch had an employee who reports that Murdoch hired people to destroy Obama's presidency and make him a failure. This is the kind of man we allow to control so much of the media brainwashing on Fox stations and the rest of Rupert's media empire. We are, and have been for two of Bush's terms in office, experiencing a governmental malfunction. It will take more than hair pins and duct tape to put things back together.
The state of the world used to be anxiety provoking. Now it seems just another unbelievable soap opera. The desire to fast forward through the commercials is now felt through the entire show.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
LOBBYING THE HOUSE BY CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFUSES ME
Everything in politics today seems to strike me like a fingernail scraping on a blackboard. We are supposed to be a government which keeps a separation between church and state. This seems hardly the case when Catholic Bishops are allowed to lobby the House of Representatives on a bill that ends up essentially voiding a law. Abortion has been made legal in the USA for many years now. An unwanted pregnancy would bring an unwanted child into the world. In the best interests of the child one might consider that abortion might be a reasonable solution for one whose religion is not insulted by that choice. Why then, should the law be negated by people who have no religious interest in the choice of non-Catholics.
If one is to believe comments by people who have read the bill, it would even prevent women from paying for their own abortions. It is difficult to believe that people would try to sneak in language that would reverse Roe v Wade. It is further my understanding that the Church has agreed not to involve itself in politics and reversal of laws. Will someone please tell me our government has not been hijacked to that degree by people who are given credence but are, in fact, not a part of our government and should not be advocating violating the Constitution. What am I missing here?
While this may seem a non-sequitor, will someone update me on the current status of the octuplets? Is the government in any way involved in their current care? If it is, then why can't women have the choice to abort and keep the government out of the child's further care
If one is to believe comments by people who have read the bill, it would even prevent women from paying for their own abortions. It is difficult to believe that people would try to sneak in language that would reverse Roe v Wade. It is further my understanding that the Church has agreed not to involve itself in politics and reversal of laws. Will someone please tell me our government has not been hijacked to that degree by people who are given credence but are, in fact, not a part of our government and should not be advocating violating the Constitution. What am I missing here?
While this may seem a non-sequitor, will someone update me on the current status of the octuplets? Is the government in any way involved in their current care? If it is, then why can't women have the choice to abort and keep the government out of the child's further care
Monday, November 9, 2009
BEING THE FIRST TO DISCOVER, SEE, OR HEAR
Some people really love being on the forefront of things. I know people who sat in their cars for hours to be the first over a bridge. Well, this is a first sight of a rare small-eyed sting ray....2 1/2 meters across. 
It is the largest of the stingrays and extremely rare so that this is the first photograph of it.
Click here for the film. Click here for first pictures of the coral manta rays feasting by masses in a lagoon. You won't see this in your local aquarium.
For those of you interested in the details of survival, mating, and other biology facts, watch the third clip in that series.
It is the largest of the stingrays and extremely rare so that this is the first photograph of it. Click here for the film. Click here for first pictures of the coral manta rays feasting by masses in a lagoon. You won't see this in your local aquarium.
For those of you interested in the details of survival, mating, and other biology facts, watch the third clip in that series.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
REPUBLICANS PREFER TO KILL PEOPLE THAN JOBS
Boehner complains the HealthCare bill will cost too much and will kill jobs. There can be no other conclusion than to assume he believes it is better to continue to allow people to die for lack of health care than to suppress the greed of the fat cats who prefer excess profits to sparing their fellow mankind suffering and death.
Not all Democrats voted for the bill passed by House, suggesting that some of them can still vote their own conscience (or protect their election funding) than march lock step like the Republican robots.
This is only a beginning and a long way still from the goal post. Oddly, today I received a request from a telemarketer who said they were not asking for money but, rather, would pay $10 for my answering a questionnaire. Not surprisingly, when I truthfully answered that I was over 64 (thus likely on Medicare) I was thanked and told that the quota had been filled for my age group. Of course, why would the greedy private companies want an opinion from people on Medicare?
To hear what the BBC reported on the passing of the bill, click here. You will be forced to wait for the short commercial to finish, while wishing this was taped so you could fast-forward through it. However, the wise marketers who usurp those few seconds of your life make the commercials short.
Not all Democrats voted for the bill passed by House, suggesting that some of them can still vote their own conscience (or protect their election funding) than march lock step like the Republican robots.
This is only a beginning and a long way still from the goal post. Oddly, today I received a request from a telemarketer who said they were not asking for money but, rather, would pay $10 for my answering a questionnaire. Not surprisingly, when I truthfully answered that I was over 64 (thus likely on Medicare) I was thanked and told that the quota had been filled for my age group. Of course, why would the greedy private companies want an opinion from people on Medicare?
To hear what the BBC reported on the passing of the bill, click here. You will be forced to wait for the short commercial to finish, while wishing this was taped so you could fast-forward through it. However, the wise marketers who usurp those few seconds of your life make the commercials short.
IS ALL SPEECH FREE? NO, IT IS NOT!
Opinions are free. Plotting to overthrow the government, as well as I recall, gets capital punishment. It seems to me that many don't realize they are crossing a very serious line. I can't help but wonder who is minding the store on this. Is no one paying attention who is in a position to legally put a stop to this treasonous oratory?
Actually it may be wise for the non-Republicans to let the Republican party continue on its road to self-destruction as it seems the direction it is currently headed. But I can't help wonder what it says about the citizen's who feel differently. If not legally prohibited, it is certainly morally prohibited to neglect to warn authorities if someone is threatening suicide. Limbaugh is not making a threat to personally take action to cause Obama to fail. However, Michelle Bachman is urging people to take up arms against the government and win it back for the 'people'. Does the 'people' in that context mean those few who think as she does? If that is the case, isn't the way it is usually done is to debate, work towards speaking out then coming up with new and better ideas shared? How can a party who allowed our Constitution to be ignored for eight years, with no solutions to prevent the resulting chaos, presume to be critical of the new broom properly chosen by a democratic process and majority that IS offering new ideas and changes?
Apparently these vicious political critics forget that someone is filming and saving what they say, bringing it out for entertainment after the politician denies ever having said the 'whatever.' The database used for instant retrieval even from speeches made many years ago is wondrous. The snake oil salesman can no longer take your money and run off to a town where you can't find him.
Actually it may be wise for the non-Republicans to let the Republican party continue on its road to self-destruction as it seems the direction it is currently headed. But I can't help wonder what it says about the citizen's who feel differently. If not legally prohibited, it is certainly morally prohibited to neglect to warn authorities if someone is threatening suicide. Limbaugh is not making a threat to personally take action to cause Obama to fail. However, Michelle Bachman is urging people to take up arms against the government and win it back for the 'people'. Does the 'people' in that context mean those few who think as she does? If that is the case, isn't the way it is usually done is to debate, work towards speaking out then coming up with new and better ideas shared? How can a party who allowed our Constitution to be ignored for eight years, with no solutions to prevent the resulting chaos, presume to be critical of the new broom properly chosen by a democratic process and majority that IS offering new ideas and changes?
Apparently these vicious political critics forget that someone is filming and saving what they say, bringing it out for entertainment after the politician denies ever having said the 'whatever.' The database used for instant retrieval even from speeches made many years ago is wondrous. The snake oil salesman can no longer take your money and run off to a town where you can't find him.
Friday, November 6, 2009
HEARD ON THE MEDIA AND IN MY HEAD
Re: tragedy shooting at Ft. Hood 11/5/09, : 'Ambulances were driving by, their sirens flashing.' delivered by an adorable young blonde newscaster.
On capturing soldiers, "Put up your hands and throw down your arms." by another newscaster a while ago as he described soldiers capturing enemies.
John Boehner, who should know better, quoted (11/5) in a speech to Michelle Bachman's motley group: waving a folded up copy of, he said, the Constitution, and proceeded to quote from it...but, in fact was quoting from the preamble of the Declaration of Independence, as did another speaker, pontificating that the Constitution which starts 'We the people....' also from the Declaration of Independence. We certainly do not need politicians who cannot differentiate between the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution...nor do we need them in leadership positions as House Minority Leader and loud mouth.
Michelle Bachman was quoting a long dead politician as saying we need a revolution every now and again. Unless I misunderstood what I learned in government classes, this is a no-no and rather subject to punishment...plotting to overthrow the government. Am I mistaken or was a law passed to change this, too, when my back was turned? Click here to learn how people lobby for your total destruction in the name of your salvation. She makes a strong plea, "Everyone needs to come to Washington tomorrow." That request really makes a lot of sense, doesn't it. As much as all the rest of the nonsense she purports to be truth!
For many years I have maintained that political jobs should not be voted on by people who have no idea what it takes to do the job, but rather, there should be tests and standards to be passed, just like any other meaningful job. The government should look at its Bible as having been written at a time when today's world could not have been anticipated, just as the Holy Bible no longer relates to the current real world though many people like to read into it whatever they want it to say.
On capturing soldiers, "Put up your hands and throw down your arms." by another newscaster a while ago as he described soldiers capturing enemies.
John Boehner, who should know better, quoted (11/5) in a speech to Michelle Bachman's motley group: waving a folded up copy of, he said, the Constitution, and proceeded to quote from it...but, in fact was quoting from the preamble of the Declaration of Independence, as did another speaker, pontificating that the Constitution which starts 'We the people....' also from the Declaration of Independence. We certainly do not need politicians who cannot differentiate between the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution...nor do we need them in leadership positions as House Minority Leader and loud mouth.
Michelle Bachman was quoting a long dead politician as saying we need a revolution every now and again. Unless I misunderstood what I learned in government classes, this is a no-no and rather subject to punishment...plotting to overthrow the government. Am I mistaken or was a law passed to change this, too, when my back was turned? Click here to learn how people lobby for your total destruction in the name of your salvation. She makes a strong plea, "Everyone needs to come to Washington tomorrow." That request really makes a lot of sense, doesn't it. As much as all the rest of the nonsense she purports to be truth!
For many years I have maintained that political jobs should not be voted on by people who have no idea what it takes to do the job, but rather, there should be tests and standards to be passed, just like any other meaningful job. The government should look at its Bible as having been written at a time when today's world could not have been anticipated, just as the Holy Bible no longer relates to the current real world though many people like to read into it whatever they want it to say.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NOT AGREEING AND BEING DISAGREEABLE
I've often wondered how one gets to be considered disagreeable. (dis·a·gree·a·ble (ds-gr-bl) adj. 1. Not to one's liking; unpleasant or offensive. 2. Having a quarrelsome, bad-tempered manner.) If one assumes that agreeable is the opposite, it should fit this definition: "Main Entry: agree·able Pronunciation: \ə-ˈgrē-ə-bəl\ Function: adjective Date: 14th century
1 : pleasing to the mind or senses especially as according well with one's tastes or needs
2 : ready or willing to agree or consent
That I have always felt different than most of the people around me stems from my inability to fit into either of those two definitions. Like the song made popular by Frank Sinatra, I Did It My Way and still do. However, I do not accept that my manner is bad-tempered or quarrelsome. I just see the world through a multi-faceted percept, perhaps like through the eyes of a housefly. Having sincerely tried to think like I was taught by my parents failed on too many points to discuss. When I was young I would be told that I acted older than my age, then patted on my head. (I always tagged along with older sibs). Now that I am old, I'm told I do not act my age; now younger. When that polar switch got made is lost to me. The polls that ask if you are 64 and older as the last age category mentioned make far more sense to me. There is something comforting about that span...64 to forever or oblivion, whichever comes first.
Politics and Religion have too often presented me with illogical logic. Does no one outside of New Jersey just accept that Obama won only his own election and didn't lose Corzine's because Corzine was just a BAD governor who lost it himself. The people of New Jersey were not voting against the Democratic party; they were voting against Governor Corzine. His ratings, before Obama ever made the mistake of trying to salvage a governor's vote, were low, a clear indication that the New Jersians just didn't think he was doing a good job for them.
I'm an Independent voter, which translates to: I do not vote with a party, I vote for ideas that I think will work and for people I think might be able to get them to work. When either party gets out of hand, a cleaner house is needed and individuals brought back to reality. It seems that Washington insulates too many politicians from the real world and they cease to know what their constituents want and get overwhelmed with the fear that they will alienate people and not get re-elected. They forget they were not sent to Washington to run the country but to vote to run it as they are advised by the majority of their constituents. Hanging on to your safe future on the job may be important but should not be at the top of the priority list.
When the talking heads come up with their wildest speculations, it always surprises me that they rarely have done their homework and gotten the answers they give from a more proper source than their own fantasies. I'm presuming that the media is taking the cheap way out, just as the reality shows did, and cast their performers to keep the Nielsens as high as possible. After all, massive viewings bring ad money, not quality shows that the masses don't appreciate...leave those for Public Television, right?
1 : pleasing to the mind or senses especially as according well with one's tastes or needs
2 : ready or willing to agree or consent
That I have always felt different than most of the people around me stems from my inability to fit into either of those two definitions. Like the song made popular by Frank Sinatra, I Did It My Way and still do. However, I do not accept that my manner is bad-tempered or quarrelsome. I just see the world through a multi-faceted percept, perhaps like through the eyes of a housefly. Having sincerely tried to think like I was taught by my parents failed on too many points to discuss. When I was young I would be told that I acted older than my age, then patted on my head. (I always tagged along with older sibs). Now that I am old, I'm told I do not act my age; now younger. When that polar switch got made is lost to me. The polls that ask if you are 64 and older as the last age category mentioned make far more sense to me. There is something comforting about that span...64 to forever or oblivion, whichever comes first.
Politics and Religion have too often presented me with illogical logic. Does no one outside of New Jersey just accept that Obama won only his own election and didn't lose Corzine's because Corzine was just a BAD governor who lost it himself. The people of New Jersey were not voting against the Democratic party; they were voting against Governor Corzine. His ratings, before Obama ever made the mistake of trying to salvage a governor's vote, were low, a clear indication that the New Jersians just didn't think he was doing a good job for them.
I'm an Independent voter, which translates to: I do not vote with a party, I vote for ideas that I think will work and for people I think might be able to get them to work. When either party gets out of hand, a cleaner house is needed and individuals brought back to reality. It seems that Washington insulates too many politicians from the real world and they cease to know what their constituents want and get overwhelmed with the fear that they will alienate people and not get re-elected. They forget they were not sent to Washington to run the country but to vote to run it as they are advised by the majority of their constituents. Hanging on to your safe future on the job may be important but should not be at the top of the priority list.
When the talking heads come up with their wildest speculations, it always surprises me that they rarely have done their homework and gotten the answers they give from a more proper source than their own fantasies. I'm presuming that the media is taking the cheap way out, just as the reality shows did, and cast their performers to keep the Nielsens as high as possible. After all, massive viewings bring ad money, not quality shows that the masses don't appreciate...leave those for Public Television, right?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
