Declarations of Pride

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MoveOn Ad...Enough Already!
2007-09-27 23:01:00
I am dumbfounded by the lack of sincerity and focus in our Congress. That they should fall for Bush's ploy and false defense of General Betrayus. Yes...That's right.I said it! I agree with the ad!I say one manipulation of the military for purely political reasons deserves another! The only problem here is that Bush-baby doesn't like it when others play with his toys. So he gets all upset, calls a press conference and calls the other kids on the playground names. Throwing accusations at them like stones at the kids minding their own business on the slide.Petraeus is unclear as to his mission for America. He either thinks, or has been ordered by the Commander in Chief, to ignore his duty to the nation and our Democracy, in favor of the pushing the political agenda of the President. That is not his job, and is a clear indication of his betrayal of the nation he is charged to protect. Moreover...Freedom of speech is our MOST BASIC right in this nation. In fact, it is one of t...
More About: Move , Moveon , Ready

Is Rational Thought Dead?
2007-09-26 18:20:00
I think the "dumbing" down of America is complete.The question is whether we will ever be able to return to a place in this nation where critical thought rules our decisions and opinions, rather than rumor, conjecture, or speculation?I am not sure if this will ever happen, but it kills me to hear so many people who are thought to be otherwise intelligent, be so woefully out of touch with America, the party they pledge allegiance too, and the political system that protects, defames, defends, demoralizes , enables, disables, and spies for and against them.Yes, our Constitutional system is the best, and even at it's best it's not perfect...But it would be closer to perfect if those that participated in it actually understood it, and used their brains to question both the system and those who are actively involved in it.Instead we have devolved into an impatient nation, wedded to the crawl. A nation of citizens to lazy to read a newspaper. A nation of drones glued to a TV and enthra...
More About: Thought , Dead , Rational

PA House Hearings: HB1400 -- Adding "Sexual Orientation"
2007-09-24 20:59:00
Public Hearings have been scheduled for HB1400.This Pennsylvania bill will add civil rights protection from discrimination based on characteristics of "sexual orientation" and "gender identity or expression."I still don't know why any further discussion or debate is needed in America over any language that fights to destroy all discrimination within this nation.Well, that's just me I guess.Write to your PA House Rep, and let he or she know that you are expecting their full support for this civil rights measure. Remind them, as necessary, than any voting missteps they make now just might cost them the election next year. Simply put, remind them that you are watching.Kudos to "A Big Fat Slob" for the the tip off on this important piece of civil rights legislation in Pennsylvania.
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Wal-mart: "Rolling Back" a Slogan
2007-09-24 19:20:00
Yep, Wal-mart has stopped rolling back prices so that that customers can "Save Money. Live Better."What a load of crap. This is the corporate equivalent of the GOP name game. A place where "No Child Left Behind," "Global Climate Change," and "Mission Accomplished" sound like they mean one thing, when they mean something entirely different. It's a slight of hand trick where your intelligence is questioned and trumped by assumptions you make without using the brains you were born with to question the world around you.This is a land of assumptions, and those that fall into them -- Making an "ass" of you and me.Wal-mart is evil, and ditching the "Always Low Prices" mantra is nothing more than an admission that the prices might have been "low" but not always, or in every situation.I live in a town blessed with two Wal-marts. One on either side of the town. Yes, they sucked the life out of local business. Yes, they drew the local economy to their doors. But NO...The prices weren...
More About: Mart , Wal-Mart , Back , Wal Mart , Slogan

A Question of Current TV
2007-09-17 22:28:00
Did anyone else think that perhaps Mr Gore's new channel, Current TV, might just be the official launching site of his Presidential campaign?His little "acceptance" speech, and moment of Red Carpet banter sure did sound like a guy thinking of running. More importantly, it sounded like Gore running as Gore...The guy that was too stiff cuffed to win when it mattered.I want him to run for the White House. I really do. But....I want him to be more natural, and less "prepared" or it seems to me he shouldn't bother at all.FYI...All things being considered, I currently believe that Hillary will get the nod. I think she will then draw Barrack to be her VP, and that my friends, will be that. They should win by a considerable landslide.And, by the way, I am fine with those roles being reversed.I want change, but not only change...I want it with the added bonus of breaking the gender and race lines at the Executive branch. Either combo will accomplish that goal, and put a smile on this...
More About: Question , Hillary Clinton , Al Gore

Universal Health Care...The Catch Phrase No One Will Pay For
2007-09-17 20:19:00
I am forever mystified by this nation and her cravings that run at complete odds with one another.Yet another example is the socialized medicine that Americans always claim to want, but are never willing to pay for. They (proponents) always site the nations around the globe that have universal/gov't coverage of health care, and then draw the conclusion that the "richest nation" in the world is a place of disgrace for not having accomplished similar benefits for her citizens.These proponents always leave out a key component, and the main reason you never hear Rethugs talking about it...Money!I am truly pessimistic of any candidate that offers these types of plans without coming forward and fully disclosing how such a system would be paid for. Taxes MUST be raised to guarantee medical coverage to every American. It's a very simple proposition, and the key component that all those "other" covered nations have in common.So...How on Earth will any of these plans fly in the richest, ...
More About: Health , Health Care , Hillary Clinton , John Edwards , Care

I'm BAAAACK!
2007-09-13 23:03:00
I know it has been an insanely long time since I paid any attention to my blog, but that is all about to change. As primary season prepares to heat-up, I am sure to have some opinions, facts, and general ranting that I will need to share.Please forgive the break. I could get into why, but that would take require another blog entirely.;-)

Executive Order or Royal Decree...Rhetorical Tricks Matter Not!
2007-07-19 20:07:00
The "leader of the free world" decided yesterday as our "elected" King to pass a new "Executive Order" which one commenter on Pissed on Politics referred to as a "Royal Decree."I say it's six of one, half a dozen of another.Bottom line, in the vaguest of terms the Chief Executive has declared it reasonable and within his jurisdiction to seize the property and assets of any person or entity that interferes with the "stabilization of Iraq."I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, find that, due to the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States posed by acts of violence threatening the peace and stability of Iraq and undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq and to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people, it is in the interests of the United States to take additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13303 of May 22, 2...
More About: Tricks , Matter

A Call To Duty; To Country -- A Letter to Arlen Specter
2007-07-18 21:13:00
I know I have been deathly quite lately, but the silence is now broken!I can no longer stomach the partisan ploys and rhetorical dances of the GOP!This is especially true when I consider that my own Senator -- Arlen Specter -- Stood up and was counted among those that wish to filibuster future and further debate, votes, and mentions of Iraq and the withdrawal of our troops.This nation is so disconnected from this war!Those are our kids dying on those dunes in Iraq! A generation is being destroyed and maimed for a failed policy built on lies, and consecrated with the blood of our fighting men & women.This is the saddest moment for me in this long struggle with a corrupt and power swollen Executive Branch. What must President Bush do to be challenged by his own party, and those of the Congress at large? Does no one see the future where the precedences he has set will only lead to greater corruptions of our democracy and the descent of this nation into a Dictatorship? Does no one ...
More About: Country , Letter , Alberto Gonzales , Call

Tagged! Two Times No Less!
2007-06-25 23:38:00
Thanks to my friends Philybits & Left in Aboite for tagging me...As I hate to disappoint...Here we go...1. All right, here are the rules.2. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.3. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.4. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.5. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names. Don?t forget to leave them a comment telling them they?re tagged, and to read your blog.I am a huge 80's music buff...My favorite bands are Level 42, New Order, and the Pet Shop Boys.What fag wouldn't love Anne Rice and the combined chronicles of the Vampires & Witches?I worship Kieth Olbermann...And can't understand why any otherwise intelligent American believes the words of Rush or O'Reilley?I am loyal to a fault!I can usually tell if I am being lied to.Did I mention 80's Music? What about Scritti Polliti, ABC, Bananaram...
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Visualized Earmarks: State-by-State
2007-06-22 18:47:00
I found this today on the Sunlight Foundation home page, and thought many of you would find it very interesting. These earmarks are from 2005, but still...If you want to see government waste in appalling visual detail, just click the link above.Very interesting indeed.
More About: State , Earmarks , Mark , Stat , Marks

Weddings are to Marriage, as Balls are to Christmas Trees
2007-06-22 17:56:00
Like multi-colored lights, themed ornaments, and glass balls, the decorations on the tree serve no real function without the tree. The tree gives them a foundation; a purpose for their collective pretty display. Without the tree, the decorations are but random spots of pretty on the ground.Same is true of marriage. Without the legal foundation of a marriage, a wedding is but so much pretty stuff cast on the floor of a church, a reception hall, or another building. The ceremony is secondary to every part of marriage. In our modern age, marriage is a legal construct that protects love, family, and property. The love...The wedding...And the rest are merely incidental to the legality of the wedding. It protects those things, it is not those things in and of itself.Having just celebrated our 15 year anniversary, we are often asked "Why don't you go to Massachusetts and get married?"The answer to this seems so simple to me.Why would we?I don't need a ceremony to celebrate a love...
More About: Christmas , Marriage , Weddings , Trees , Balls

2008 -- A year of Historical Change
2007-06-20 18:06:00
I don't know about you, but I am really excited by the prospects of 2008!First...We will finally be rid of President Bush & Co!But...Potentially more exciting than that, is the prospect of either a woman or an African American as President!Say what you will about either candidate, the reality is that if either were to win the White House, it would be a HUGE step forward in equality in America.For once it would show a majority voters putting "their money where their mouths are" or better yet...Their votes where their American identity lies.It would be a tremendous responsibility, opportunity, and victory for "the land of the free" to see a here to fore abused minority take the reigns of this nation. Think not only of the international message, but the potential champion this person could become for equality in a nation that mostly only follows the notion of equal rights, and not the reality of them.I for one am very eager to see this play out, and hope that one of them goes the...
More About: Hillary Clinton , Change , Historical , Hist , Tori

To Holsinger: I didn't know I was sick
2007-06-01 19:20:00
OMG!Bush is nominating Dr James Holsinger for Surgeon General!Why the hell does Bush hate gay people so much?!This nominee for those of you that don't know is involved in the effort to "cure gays."That's right! The Worst-President-Ever has once again drawn a target on our backs, and appears in his twisted "compassion" to wish to cure us!Calhoun, a United Methodist pastor, noted that Holsinger and his wife, Barbara, were members of Lexington's First United Methodist Church, which asked them to set out and start a new congregation.They founded Hope Springs Community Church in a warehouse at 1109 Versailles Road. Calhoun called it a socially diverse congregation with a "very vital recovery ministry." It serves the homeless and those with addictions to drugs, alcohol and sex; and it has a Spanish-language Hispanic congregation with its own pastor."It's built around compassion for people who struggle with a lot of issues," he said.Hope Springs also ministers to people who no longer ...
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Marriage: Religious Myth VS Legal Facts
2007-05-30 18:34:00
First of all, let us be clear, the idea of romance in marriage is new. It is quaint. And it is irrelevant to the discussion of this legal & civil contract. Laws and the government care little about love, and who loves whom...Again, until recently. Therein lays the need for discussion. We live in a land drowning in her own Puritan heritage while swimming joyfully in a selective recollection of faith and marriage and a blinding ignorance of the rules of law.The Church, no matter which you choose, is nothing more than a window dressing on a legal contact. You can go to any religious organization to request a wedding (notice not marriage) ceremony. That organization can, and often does, at its own discretion either accept your request or deny it. That's because churches deal with parishioners of like beliefs. Governments deal with citizens and equality. Faith speaks of equality, but really the selectively faithful aren't into equality for anything other than the lip-service it provide...
More About: Marriage , Facts , Legal , Arri , Religious

I Get Letters! RNC Propoganda Machine Letters!
2007-05-15 00:59:00
I have in the past received letters of propaganda, and I suppose fundraising inspiration from the RNC. On two occasions I got letters from Dumbya himself (complete with dartboard pics of him with Laura). This newest letter is brought to us by Robert M. Duncan, the new Chairman of the RNC. This letter screams of desperation and fear-based speculation...His rhetoric boarders on hysteria in my opinion.This is what we are up against:"Today, we face a new threat from insidious forces intent on destroying the best of our civilization and culture -- forces at work in our classrooms, our courts, and in the halls of our federal government."(Warning...The letter is long and might make your head explode!)Mr. Duncan continues:Please read my letter. Let me tell you what you can do, today, to help launch a new campaign to defeat these forces -- and assure America will win the future.Now that we are sufficiently intrigued and afraid, let's get to the letter:Dear Fellow American,How much would...
More About: Global Warming , Terrorism , Taxes , Social Security , Machine

United We Stand...The Divider Will Fall
2007-05-11 00:35:00
The fact of the matter is that the "Decider" is also our greatest divider.He has carefully calculated his maneuvers to keep us from being what we were born to be : the United States of America. The only job he has worked diligently on is his efforts to keep us afraid of terrorists and of each other. He has feverishly ripped at the Constitution for our so-called "protection."This reminds me of someone who recently said that "America is not just a place, not just a powerful nation, it's an idea." I concur and add that it's a damn good idea; or at least it was.The "idea" of this nation was created with wisdom, caution, and just intentions. America was built of experience abroad; in intolerant lands of religious persecution. Our founders learned from mistakes that were taught them at great expense as they fled their home lands; and these trials, tribulations, and soul breaking pains are what formed the American idea.America is an idea that like the latest musical craze is suppose...
More About: Will , Fall , Stand , The D

Tony Blair...Buh-Bye!
2007-05-10 18:15:00
Bush's best bud abroad is stepping down.So he "can spend more time with his family;" no doubt.That may be a bit unfair of me. I know that Tony Blair did some wonderful things for Great Britain, but his blind validations of the Bush Administration on Iraq were reprehensible at the least, and as history may judge, unforgivable lies that lead to the deaths of thousands."Hand on heart, I did what I thought was right," Blair told party workers and supporters at Trimdon Labour Club in his Sedgefield constituency in northern England. "I may have been wrong, but that's your call. But believe one thing if nothing else. I did what I thought was right for our country."Following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, it was right, Blair said, to "stand shoulder to shoulder with our oldest ally, and I did so out of belief."Attention President Bush...The "Coalition of the Willing" is down a player. What'cha gonna do now?
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IMPEACH! It's Just One Phone Call Away!
2007-05-02 21:49:00
I just made the call to Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office.I called on her, actually it was more of a message to her, to start the process of impeaching Bush & Cheney. There is a very dangerous set of precedences that will be forever set in our constitutional process if this President & his administration are allowed to casually walk out of office and leave the mess for the next in line.Our system of laws charges the legislative branch of government with the duty and responsibility of holding the Executive branch in check. Included in those checks are the real tools to return balance to the system. Impeach ment is a specific tool that was designed to keep the Executive branch from becoming something akin to a monarchy or a totalitarian state. Well, as we are well on our way to some tragic cross of the two, it is time to prosecute this administration for their crimes against America. It is time to demand what is ours to demand...Justice!And I did just that today by calling Speak...
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State College -- A Community of Cheap-skates!
2007-05-02 20:58:00
If you haven't heard, the State College Area School district is embroiled in a battle for a new high school.It will be expensive.And that is the reason so many in the community object to it.They have told us it's because of the size (big schools are bad), or the security (rumor has it the man who said that has a kid who bombed a trashcan on the property years ago), or that education will suffer so other way.Bottom line -- The wealthiest people in this community, who's children have long passed through the state college school system don't want to pay higher taxes!This is ONLY an issue of MONEY! Anyone that says otherwise is a lying bastard with a hidden agenda that is so obvious as to cause raucous laughter at every BS assertion and theory!Our school board deserves an award for putting up with such great harassment at the hands of the State College elite. Think on it people...Why else would members of the board run for reelection in this cycle, unless they were 100% certain in...
More About: Community , Skat , Cheap

Pam Ruest -- VOTE for Centre County's New Judge!
2007-05-02 20:47:00
Pam Ruest is the only judicial candidate that matters in the coming election cycle for Centre county. She is running for Judge , and in my considered opinion is the only candidate worthy of the job.Pam has proven herself a critically involved member of the community at large. She has served on the board of the AIDS Project, was President of the board of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, and President of the board of Mid-Penn Legal Services. Her commitment to community is matched only by her commitment to the ethical and diligent pursuit of the law. She is the only candidate with 20+ years of broad based legal experience, and that puts her clearly at the top of the heap in Centre Count y !She will get my vote. She will get my partners vote.I hope that she will get your vote too?!
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Bush Defunds War And Appears on American Idol
2007-05-02 18:22:00
What a way to celebrate his now infamous "Mission Accomplished."The questions I want to know the answers to are few.1 -- Do any American s really believe President Bush when he tries to: a -- Blame the Democrats for his failed Iraq policy? b -- Claim the Democrats are not funding his war in Iraq? c -- Iraq and 9/11 have anything to do with one another before he attacked Iraq w/o cause? d -- Tell us the terrorists "will mark their calenders" if we give them a withdrawal date?2 -- How many were outraged that on the same day he preempted TV to justify his veto of the Iraq spending bill, he and Laura found the time to appear on American Idol ?3 -- How many Americans were paying attention to the words he and Laura spoke? (Words of compassion for the poor both here and abroad that the Bush Administration has ignored!)4 -- Does he not see that all the money "raised" on Idol could have gone to the rest of the worlds poor, if he (Bush) had done his job in pr...
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PSU: Blue-White Weekend To Turn Burgundy and Orange
2007-04-20 23:41:00
As a show of support to those dead or grieving at VA Tech, Penn State had decided to paint the long standing tradition of the spring scrimmage ("The Blue - White Game") the colors of Virgina Tech.Complete with colored T-shirts to show solidarity.I liked this idea at first, especially as I learned it grew from a humble Face-book group, but that was quickly turned sour for me as I saw hordes of students and alumni in line for specially designed T-shirts.Then it became something akin to the "support our troops" magnets for me. A place where good intentions turn commercial, and forever become tainted with insincerity. It's something like a misguided group think. Where pressure to conform will out weigh genuine feelings of compassion. I know there will be plenty here tomorrow that will be sincere in their feelings for the lost of one of our alum and 32 others at VA Tech. But inasmuch as I know that, I am sure there will be an equal, and I bet greater, number that have those T-shirt...
More About: Orange , Weekend , Week

$400 Haircut?!
2007-04-18 21:41:00
I hate to tell you this Mr. Edwards, but if you are paying Joseph Torrenueva of Beverly Hills, Calif $400 to cut you hair; you are being ripped off!Don't get me wrong, you are not an ugly guy, but for $400 you should come out of that salon the most beautiful man on the planet, and that's just not what is happening.Your image couldn't be more ordinary man on the street, and for that you don't need a $400 haircut!You are being robbed! Any barber in the US could give you that plain-jane hairdo for $20 bucks or less...INCLUDING TIP!I don't judge you for this, or care much as to the cost, I just don't think you are getting what you are paying for; and I hate for anyone to be taken advantage of.NOTE: Does anyone else find it interesting that this is news worthy? Especially with more blood shed in Iraq, fresh burials at Virginia Tech, and GONZO-zales still in the hot seat? Way to go Main Stream Media -- You sure broke a big and important story with this one!
More About: Hair , Haircut

SARS -- "Sudden Asian Racism Syndrome"
2007-04-18 21:36:00
I have to give credit to Margaret Cho for that phrase, but it was the first thing that occurred to me when they revealed the identity of the shooter from Virginia Tech.It seems to me only a matter of time before the rednecks blame this on the Korean Americans at large. It seems the only natural and obvious progression in our backwards nation. A place where you can easily blame a race, before you dare blame a gun for a death.It's gross.I have great sympathy for any Asian s in this nation right now, because I am sure lots of them are getting strange, dirty looks from white people today.
More About: Racism , Syndrome

When Guns Go Wrong...PSU Grad Killed @ VATech
2007-04-18 00:02:00
I find it amazing how this nation can go gun crazy so quickly!Many of the bodies of the slain in Virginia, including a Penn State grad working on his masters, hadn't even been given time to cool; and the spin, defense, and ranting of the gun crazies started in earnest.Lest we forget, it's not the guns that kill people, it's people that kill people.I can hardly wait for the 2nd Amendment bullshit...Oh never mind...Senator "I wanna be Dubya" McCain started that ball rolling yesterday!And then we have President McChimpy-face rushing with Laura for a photo-op in Virginia. When will this man realize he no longer needs to campaign?! I didn't watch that at all for fear he would try to somehow link Iraq, the "War on Terror," or something equally appalling to this tragic event.Bottom line, a very troubled individual was able to easily obtain weapons of mass destruction in America and then use them against others in a very calculated and callus manner. This troubled man was known to be...
More About: Guns , Wrong , Kill , Killed

If "Ignorance is Bliss," then...
2007-04-09 20:13:00
My father, and the 30+ % of Bush supporters must be some of the happiest MoFo's on the planet!I got this hideous email from my Dad, who I am embarrassed to admit, was proud he forwarded it to everyone in his address book. I just don't know how I can be related to someone so clearly misguided in his patriotism, and willing to defend his ignorance of America with a flag and the frothy fervor of Santorum? It makes me so very sad. Especially when I know that in his heart, he really does know better and that he is a tremendously kind and forgiving person. If only his gentle soul were balanced by a knowledge that there is more to America than "Red, White & Blue.""I am sorry but after hearing they want to sing the National Anthem in Spanish - enough is enough. No where did they sing it in Italian, Japanese, Polish, Irish (Celtic), German, Portuguese, Greek, French, or any other language because of immigration. It was written by Francis Scott Key and should be sung word for word the ...
More About: Nora , Ignorance , Then

The Plague
2007-04-07 00:58:00
I am sorry for being such a remiss writer, reporter and commenter. I have been stricken by the most hateful sinus infection. The headaches are crazy, and runny nose is a river.I am miserable, but I will be back soon and stronger than ever.FYI...I may be sick, but it won't dampen my contempt for Bush! Worry not...The anger flows more freely than my sinuses!Hope to return to you all for real next week.Thanks for checking in on me.

WE ARE....Rene Portland Resigned Today!
2007-03-22 21:21:00
WOW!I can't wait to find out the reason for this!!!Could she have finally gotten pushed out of her closet by all her secrets, lies, and lesbian hate?
More About: Today , Port , Signed , Portland , Resign

Santorum to Contribute to FOX Noise
2007-03-19 19:57:00
Santorum just won't give up on his insanity tour.Now FOX is passing the mic to him, and this time they are going to pay him to Froth!O'reilley must have a stiffy!
More About: Contribute , Noise , Sant , Bute , Tribute