Is that a shrub in your pocket...
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Twofer
So, pretty much as expected, President Obama nominated Sonia Sotomayor to be the next Supreme Court Justice. Republicans, of course, are overjoyed to have an actual person to express their rage (in the same way that dogs express their anal glands, only not as pretty) over. They’re calling her a “Harriet Miers” pick, and Pat Buchanan says she’s “not very bright” (I suspect the actual quote was more like “dumb spic”). This, despite the fact that she graduated Summa Cum Laude (and #2 in her class) from Princeton, and received her J.D. from Yale Law School in 1979 (where she was an editor at the Yale Law Journal).
She worked as an Assistant DA in New York City (I think she was the one between Jill Hennessey and Angie Harmon - which conjures up an interesting image in my brain), and was nominated to the U.S. District Court by that bleeding heart liberal, George H. W. Bush, and then by Bill Clinton to the U.S. Court of Appeals (and was under consideration for the Supreme Court in 2005, when dubya eventually picked Sammy Alito).
She’s no Clarence Thomas, that’s for sure.
But never mind all that. The reason I’m backing Sonia is because her brother the doctor, Juan, lives here. And when she visits, she takes his kids out for a bite to eat and a movie a Carousel Mall. Case closed. I just hope I can manage to avoid hearing most of the hate and venom that’s going to be spewed forth over the next few months. It’s so tiresome. You really can’t get a more middle of the road pick. Republicans want another Fat Tony Scalia, but tough shit. Personally, I want another Ruth Bader Ginsburg (or Maxine Waters).
I watched the Marc Maron/Colin Firth (I don’t actually know who he is, but I gather he’s famous) interview yesterday, and was shamed into ordering a couple pounds of Fair Trade coffee. Sure, it’s more than twice as expensive (not counting the $7 shipping) as what I buy locally, but it helps assuage my liberal guilt. And if an apparently famous person tells me I should do something, I try and do it. Hopefully the coffee at least won’t suck.
Speaking of famous people, Brooke Shields has announced that she lost her virginity at 22 (and regrets not doing it sooner). Really? Is this information we’re supposed to feel entitled to (or care about)? Brooke, please. No offense, but unless you have video, I don’t really care. And, as long as we’re sharing, I regret not losing mine when I was in third grade. I’m not quite sure I actually had all the details down at that time (I pretty much had had my side of things worked out though), but I sure did lust after our student teacher, Miss Le Freight 
(talk about summa cum loudly). It’s a shame that hot teachers having sex with minors wasn’t fashionable back in my day.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
We're #1
If you don’t follow lacrosse, well, you missed one hell of a game yesterday. Otherwise, not much else going on, other than trying to reconcile myself to the idea of going back to work again today. Not that I really mind going to work, but there’s something about a three-day weekend that makes it tough to go back again (especially when you haven’t had an “extra” day off in, well, in longer than I can remember; not since New Years Day, I think).
A court decision on Prop 8 is expected in California today. That won’t end things, of course. If the homo-haters don’t get their way, they’ll take it all the way to the Supreme Court. And gay rights supporters will put a proposition on the ballot in 2010 or 2012. I’m hopeful that the gay marriage legislation introduced in NY will make it though the State Senate. It’s already passed the Assembly, but it’ll need a east a few Republican votes in the Senate. It’d be nice to see the NY State legislature do something I can be proud of for a change. Their cowardice goes all the way back to 1776 when they abstained (twice) from the vote for independence. Way to take a stand.
Speaking of taking a stand, SEIU is taking one against CA Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and President Barack Obama, as a new series of ads are set to run Wednesday. This is because the Obama Administration, in what is becoming a rather frequent occurrence, has decided to cave in to pressure from the right.
When Schwarzenegger decided to cut pay for home health care workers and cut $750 billion healthcare programs for the poor, the Obama administration threatened to withhold $6.8 billion in federal stimulus funds unless the California legislature revoked the wage cut. But then the right got all pissy, and Obama caved in. I wonder if this is the same strategy Obama will use in dealing with the North Koreans? Not that that would necessarily a bad thing.
Turns out that North Koreans saber rattling and missile launching has caused the value of the Japanese Yen and US dollar to increase. Go figure. If a World War breaks out, we could be back in black in no time. Or at least on a permanent 3-day weekend.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day
Ah, Memorial Day, when politicians pretend to honor the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform, and then continue to treat them like the disposable pawns of global corporate interests. Never mind not sending them to their deaths halfway around the world for no good reason, and forget about giving them the proper equipment to keep them as safe as possible. We aren’t even willing to give them shower facilities that won’t electrocute them (note to the no-bid contractors out there: electricity and water is not a good mix).
Memorial Day is also the day when those of us who haven’t lost any loved ones in the military have barbecues, plant flowers, maybe visit the graves of our parents, catch a fighter jet flyover or two (this will be the last year for that here, as our National Guard unit will soon be trading in its F-16s for unmanned drones), and basically kick back and enjoy a day off. Oh, and watch the NCAA Division I lacrosse championship game, of course.
Just in case you didn’t think the “Democrats” suck, Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson (a “Democrat”) threatened to join the Republicans in filibustering “Democratic” President Obama’s Supreme Court pick (uh, when he actually picks somebody). Pretty funny shit, huh?
I find it rather ironic, personally. You may recall that, during the Alito nomination process, Obama was pressured into voting against cloture, though before the vote he declared that it was a bad idea, wouldn’t work, and he would vote for cloture in any subsequent vote. Now his own party is threatening him with a filibuster to be certain he doesn’t nominate a progressive. Not that he will, of course. He’ll appoint some middle of the road “safe” pick that will be vilified by the Republicans and their media lackeys as a godless Communist, and then turn around and bit us all in the ass after her confirmation.
This is why Harry Reid has to go. He’s a worthless piece of crap, and needs to be replaced. The Democrats need a Majority Leader that will run the Senate with an iron fist. Ben Nelson’s office should be moved to a janitor’s closet in the basement of the Senate Office Building.
But, that won’t happen. Not with spineless Harry at the con.
Oh well, have a happy Memorial Day. And let’s go Orange!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Have a Cuppa Tea
If you didn’t catch Bill Moyers’ show on single-payer healthcare last night, you can view it online. One of my favorite parts was video of a 2003 speech by a certain Illinois State Senator who claimed to favor a single-payer healthcare system. We might not be able to do it right away, he said, because we had to do three things first: take back the White House, take back the US Senate, and take back the US House of Representatives.
Gee, if only we could do all that, single-payer advocates would at least get a seat at the table alongside the insurance industry lobbyists. Right?
I don’t know who that 2003 Illinois State Senator was, but I sure wish he was still around today. We could use him.
In the meantime, if you’re not feeling well, don’t fret. No need for healthcare or insurance. Just have a cuppa tea.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Sarah's Comin'!
We just need to get through today, and then the big Memorial Day weekend (celebrated big-time in Waterloo, NY, officially designated the “birthplace” of Memorial Day by LBJ in 1966, though it’s one of a couple dozen communities to claim the distinction), which seems like it’s coming a lot earlier than usual, will be upon us. Not that I’m complaining; it’s been a long time since I’ve had a day off.
Memorial Day weekend, of course, means the Lacrosse Final Four, which is a big deal to me, at least, and to the 100,000 or so folks who’ll be heading to Boston this weekend. Sunday is “Brews, Blues, and BBQ,” emceed by Dan “Elwood” Akroyd, with performers including John L. Hooker Jr., The Radiators, Edgar Winter, Roomful of Blues, and The Blind Boys of Alabama. Sadly missed will be local blues legend Roosevelt Dean, who lost a lengthy battle with cancer last month.
For those of you don’t know (and why would you), former Secretary of State William Seward (we’re going way back, here, to Abe Lincoln and Andrew Johnson) lived most of his adult life in Auburn, NY. Seward, you may recall (if you were paying attention in school), arranged for the purchase of Alaska from Russia (which you can still see from Alaska, from what I understand) in 1867. Seward’s Folly? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
This is somewhat convoluted, so try and stay with me here. Alaska became the 49th State 50 years ago, in January, 1959. Every year, Auburn has its Founder’s Day, and this year, they’re celebrating the Alaskan statehood anniversary (rather than celebrating Auburn’s founding in 1793; I guess once you’ve celebrated the Underground Railroad and the fake inventor of baseball a couple dozen times, you have to get creative). So, naturally, Sarah Palin is coming to Auburn on June 6th to take part in the celebration. Yes, the home of Harriet Tubman and Abner Doubleday will now be sullied by the presence of Sarah Palin.
Activities scheduled for the Governor no doubt include tours of the Bass Pro Shop and Auburn’s maximum security prison (a rather impressive looking fortress - complete with guard towers and gun turrets - right in the middle of the “city”). Attica gets all the publicity, but the Auburn Penn is really bad ass, so Sarah should love it. And perhaps they’ll cap the visit off with a trip to the Auburn zoo to shoot some wolves.
I’m kidding, of course; Auburn doesn’t have a zoo.
Anyways, not only does Barbara Boxer send me e-mails, now her son, Doug, is writing to me too. Yesterday he wrote,
It’s been an incredible few months since the progressive majority you helped deliver to President Obama last November has been in session.
Really? There’s a progressive majority? So why the frack aren’t we closing Gitmo, ending military commissions, prosecuting torturers, enacting singlepayer healthcare (speaking of healthcare, tonight on Bill Moyers, Bill has “Heathcare NOT Warfare” co-chair Donna Smith (you may remember her from “Sicko;” she and her husband had to move into their daughter’s basement after - despite being fully insured - they lost everything due to illness and surgeries) of the California Nurses Association on to talk about how our broken system is hurting ordinary Americans, plus physicians Sidney Wolfe of Public Citizen and David Himmelstein of Physicians for a National Health Program are on to discuss the political and logistical feasibility of enacting a single-payer system during these economic times, and within a government bought and paid for by lobbyists. 9:00 EDT on PBS, check you local listings, or read more and join the discussion), and investigating the people who lied us into war (among other things)? Oh and why isn’t Al Franken the junior Senator from Minnesota?
Speaking of Al, his son wrote to me yesterday, too, asking me to wish his dad a happy 58th birthday, and donate $58 to his campaign (or whatever it is you call when you win an election but still have to keep campaigning in the courts). Happy Birthday, Al! Hey, one out of two aint bad.
OK, now let’s get this day over with.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Fooled Again?
Yesterday really blew, wind-wise. We didn’t lose power where I work, but when I came home for lunch, I found the clocks blinking, so I reckon the power was out there. Siggy doesn’t like storms, and even high winds scare the hell out of him. Power failures, too. Especially when the UPS in my office downstairs (where he hangs out during the day) and the one in Granny’s office upstairs start beeping. He must’ve been terrified yesterday, and when I got home at lunch, I found that he’d managed to lock himself in the tiny little bathroom off the kitchen (it’s literally too small for him to stand in if he keeps his tail straight). I don’t know how long he was trapped in there, but the whole room was full of dog slobber. Poor boy. Then, when I got home after work, I realized one of our circuit breakers had tripped, so my UPS was dead (and Sedition Radio was off the air). It’s always something.
Arkansas GOP cracker Kim Hendren has apologized for the way he referred to that Jew Senator of mine. Not that being a Jew Senator is a bad thing, of course. Just not something you see much in Arkansas, I guess, where they have good, Christian family values like Andy Griffith and whatnot. I wonder if Hendren knows Jesus was a Jew? Better not tell him - his head might explode. Jesus can tell him all about it come Judgment Day.
With the decision to not release the prisoner abuse photos, the revival of military commissions, the reluctance to prosecute torturers, and the removal of protections for polar bears and gray wolves, I’m experiencing a bit of déjà vu these days. I always thought it was a good thing that the Bushies were so stupid, or they could have been really dangerous. I hope the new boss isn’t just a smarter version of the old boss.
Speaking of the new boss, did anybody else find his comments at yesterday’s town hall meeting kind of condescending?
Now, this brings to the last principle, and so this touches on your point, and that is, why not do a single-payer system. (Applause.) Got the little single-payer advocates up here. (Applause.) All right.
Little single-payer advocates? Like, the cute little morons who just don’t understand how the big boys play? He did go on to say…
If I were starting a system from scratch, then I think that the idea of moving towards a single-payer system could very well make sense. That’s the kind of system that you have in most industrialized countries around the world.
But we just can’t have the audacity to hope for something like that in this country, I’m afraid - even if it “could very well make sense.” Or not. Oh, well, he still is supposedly going to insist on having a public component. Unless he changes his mind, of course (think, telecom immunity, torture photos, military commissions…).
Don’t worry, though, Dick Cheney isn’t running the White House again (honest). And Rush Limbaugh isn’t running the Republicans, either.
Speaking of brave American hero Rush Limbaugh - who has had the guts to take on tough foes like Parkinson's patients, the spectacularly impotent Michael Steele, and a pilonidal cyst that kept him from killin' gooks and winning the Vietnam War singlehandedly - has now found a new battle. He's taking on John McCain's 97-yr old mother. Go get her, Rush. Though I wouldn't take any bets on you outliving her, you piece of shit brainwashed Nazi coward.
Oh well, I’m running late, here. Have a good Friday.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Hump Day
I got an e-mail yesterday from Democrats.org, telling me to “stand with” President Obama on healthcare, and touting the “historic” agreement by the healthcare industry to reduce costs. Yeah. They’ve agreed to “voluntarily” reduce costs (gee, maybe the financial services industry will agree to voluntarily regulate itself, too) by $2 trillion over 10 years (so health care will cost an estimated $31 trillion instead of an estimated $33 trillion). We’ll know they’re doing this, because they’ll tell us they are (congratulations! Your premium only went up 3%, but it would have gone up 6% if we weren’t doing such a great job. Honest, you can trust us - we’re the insurance company!).
Unfortunately, I know how the insurance industry cuts costs - they just cut what they're willing to pay (they'll cut payments by, say, 5%, increase their profits by 4%, and tout the 1% "savings" they've passed along to you). And then the uninsured either make up the difference, or get pushed off to public hospitals (who get ever-reduced Medicaid reimbursement, but don't have the option of refusing patients). Of course, in order for you to save that 1%, we either have to raise taxes by 5%, or let people die in the street (my money is on "let 'em die in the street"). Yep, it's gonna be great.
Speaking of e-mails from people I don’t know, I got one from Barbara Boxer yesterday, too. She was pleading with me to contact the White House to push for the appointment of a woman as the next Supreme Court Justice. And that’s OK, as far as it goes. We need more women in government.
What she didn't urge me to do, however, was push for a progressive woman who would respect the Constitution, individual rights (like my right not to be spied on, tortured, or thrown into a prison forever with no right to see the evidence against me), and the rule of law (such as pressing to investigate and prosecute those who ordered and carried out torture).
I guess Barb’s e-mail would have had more of an impression on me if I hadn’t seen Fahrenheit 9/11, with Representatives from the Congressional Black Caucus coming forward one at a time objecting to the illegal appointment of George W. Bush as President, and begging for one - just one - Senator to stand with them. Senators like Barbara Boxer, who remained silent and are at least in part responsible for what happened over the ensuing eight years (oh, I know, Boxer found a little courage after the 2004 election, and joined in the objection to Ohio’s electoral votes. Too little, too late. She missed the boat in 2000, and 2004 was just a dog and pony show).
The problem is, I want more than a woman, Barb. I want one who’ll do what you didn’t have the guts to do. What nobody - male or female, particularly in the Senate - seemed to have the guts to do while Bush was president, and still don’t have the balls to do now that he’s gone. All while his despicable hatchet man Dick Cheney goes on the teevee taunting the Obama Administration, and just daring somebody to do something about it.
Maybe they should have sent that e-mail from Maxine Waters instead. Come to think of it, maybe I'll contact the White House and insist that Obama appoint Maxine or Stephanie Tubbs Jones to SCOTUS. I'd like to see them kick Clarence Thomas' ass when he pulls that Coke can shit.
And now for the important stuff: Donald Trump and Carrie Boobjob coming up on the Today Show. Can we officially be done with this now?
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
A Token of My Extreme
I don’t really know if Michael Steele ever had his shit, but if he did, he appears to have completely lost it now. It’s amazing how low the Republicans will stoop in order to get a token in place to have something to show to the media. First they anoint token female Sarah Palin as savior and future of their party. There are plenty of smart republican women out there, but they chose a moron instead (I assume that’s because smart women scare the hell out of Republicans). They obviously had a much more difficult time finding a token black guy, because there are fewer black Republicans than there are black Alaskans (note, I made that up, and while I don’t know whether or not it’s an accurate statement, it’s certainly a truthy one). Of course, I’m pretty sure a smart black guy scares Republicans even more than a smart woman, which is why Republicans would rather have had Hillary Clinton as President than Barack Obama (plus I think most of them have mommy fetishes that she could have fulfilled - completing the trilogy of Republican sex fantasies that includes chicks with dicks - transgender author Ann Coulter - and Asian schoolgirls Michelle Malkin).
In other news, Al Franken took one more step toward assuming office and beginning his 5-year term as Minnesota Senator. Just a few months of arguments before the MN Supreme Court, and then an appeal to SCOTUS remain (and then perhaps a new election). I’m not sure if all US Senate terms from MN are going to be 5 years from now on or not. I reckon we’re saving money on paying staff and salaries, though (I wonder if the pay is retroactive).
Meredith Viera just pimped the “big story” coming up on the Today Show, and it’s some pretty important stuff. Apparently new topless photos have emerged of everybody’s favorite twit, Miss California, Carrie What’shername. Though from what they just flashed on my screen, it appears she was wearing black electrical tape or something. Sadly, I don’t have time to watch the show (let alone do a Google image search).
I really don’t get what the big deal is with her. A bimbo with fake boobs from California that appears to be dumber than a box of rocks? That doesn’t strike me as being terribly unique. And as far as her being championed by the anti gay marriage crowd, I don’t know what that’s about either. I mean, she said “no offense to anybody, but I’m into opposite marriage.” So, OK, she’s entitled to whatever opinion that little walnut of a brain can muster up, but that didn’t exactly sound like the sort of venomous bile that would get the wingnuts all moist and dewy.
Leave it to Republicans. They can’t even get a token bleach blond bimbo right.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Rush to Judgment
Poor Rush Limbaugh. It seems Wanda Sykes was mean to him at the big White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
“Rush Limbaugh said he hopes this administration fails,” Sykes said. “So you’re saying, ‘I hope America fails’, you’re, like, ‘I don’t care about people losing their homes, their jobs, our soldiers in Iraq’. He just wants the country to fail. To me, that’s treason He’s not saying anything differently than what Osama bin Laden is saying. You know, you might want to look into this, sir, because I think Rush Limbaugh was the 20th hijacker. But he was just so strung out on OxyContin he missed his flight.”
Sykes then said, “Rush Limbaugh, I hope the country fails, I hope his kidneys fail, how about that? He needs a good waterboarding, that’s what he needs.”
The serious DC pundits think this horrible treatment - I mean, she called him a traitor 
- of the head of the Republican Party will taint the whole dinner. Which is accurate, I guess, ‘cuz when I hear “taint,” I think of Limbaugh (ironically, when I think if “Limbaugh,” I think “asshole.” All in the same neighborhood, I guess).
Geez,Wanda, can’t you show Rush the same respect he showed Barack the Magic Negro, Michael J Fox, and prescription drug laws?
A coalition of trade groups is purportedly banding together with the Obama Administration to put lipstick on the US Healthcare pig, hoping to fool us all into to believing that the “for profit” model of healthcare that has brought us personal bankruptcies, denied claims, patient dumping, and huge profits for the medical-pharmaceutical-insurance industrial complex is still the best way to go. They claim they “could” save more than $2 trillion over the next decade. No doubt this means they’ll find more ingenious ways to deny care and make it more difficult for patients to get the care they need. And of course more dumping of patients into public hospitals facing budget cuts from state and local governments (or just putting them into cabs and dumping them in front of the nearest homeless shelter). Pardon me if I’m not sufficiently enthused.
VP Joe Biden was in town this weekend to give the commencement address at Syracuse University. A great time to be graduating and looking for a job. Joe also visited a local elementary school (the one where his first wife taught while Joe was going to Law School) while he was in town. The kids had written him a letter inviting him, and he was kind enough to stop by.
In more news nobody cares about, it was a good weekend lacrosse-wise here. Both the Onondaga Community College mens and womens teams won their National Junior College Championship games, and all the other local college teams advanced in their tournaments.
I didn’t get to see the Star Trek movie this weekend, but a lot of other people seem to have, as it was #1 at the box office, raking in over two and a half times more than the previous Star Trek best (Star Trek: First Contact).
Matt Lauer is pimping Dick Cheney on the Today Show. I guess that’s my clue to get ready for work.
I know this is an oldie, but what the hell….
Friday, May 08, 2009
Boldly Going - to the Movies
Today’s a big day for the geeks (like me) out there. Bigger than “odd day” and, yes, even bigger than “square root day.” It’s the day that the new Star Trek movie (creatively titled, “Star Trek,” I believe) opens nationwide. It’s the first Star Trek movie since Star Trek Nemesis was released about six and a half years ago, and it’s actually getting good reviews from critics and Trekkers alike. Unfortunately, I don’t like to go to movies alone, and with my wife gone, I doubt I’ll be going to see it. Then again, I may have to make an exception.
Not much else going on, really. Sam the Plumber is threatening to leave the GOP. 
What, they haven’t been kissing his ass enough? If Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin leave, the Republican Party (which seems like a contradiction in terms to me) might have a chance at a resurgence.
Speaking of hypocrite Republicans and movies, Kirby Dick’s Outrage gets a wider stance release today. Among those “outed” in the film are California’s David Dreier, Kevin’s Gov, Charlie Crist, former RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman, ex-Louisiana Congressman Jim McCrery, former New York City Mayor Ed Koch and ex-Idaho Sen. Larry Craig. Not a whole lot of surprises there. My only regret is that Kirby isn’t bald and nicknamed “Curly.” Oh well.
Speaking of hypocrites, they’re making a big deal out of a “second” topless photo of everybody’s favorite California bimbo - Carrie what’s her name - after she said there was only one. To be fair, this really is basically the same photo, just from the other side. It also doesn’t count as topless. Now there’s speculation that Carrie will lose the Miss California crown. Let me get this straight: an institution that exploits women, parades them around in bikinis, and pays for a boob job is going to strip this kid of her crown because she had some pretty mild photos taken of herself?
The person who plays the fictional character that the Republicans base their Homeland Security policy on - Keifer Sutherland - has turned himself in for head butting and breaking the nose of a fashion designer (to be fair, there was a ticking bomb in Keifer’s head). Personally, I think Republicans ought to base their policies on Sutherland’s character in Lost Boys instead. I mean, can you think of a better match with Republicans than juvenile delinquent vampires?
In keeping with the whole hypocrisy thing, the Today Show idiots (especially Matt Lauer) were gushing over the reopening of the Statue of Liberty crown, this morning. Matt was close to weeping with patriotism as he discussed what the statue “means to people all over the world.” All I could think of was they ought to put a hood over its head and strip its gown off. Then maybe we’d get a better feel for what the “whole world” thinks these days.
Oh well, time to head off for another day. Sure seems lonely around here.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Odd Day
The Vatican newspaper has reviewed the new Ron Howard/Tom Hanks movie, “Angels and Demons,” and, while calling it historically inaccurate, also called it “harmless entertainment…that sparks curiosity and is also, maybe, a bit of fun.” The US elects a black guy as president, Americans reject the Swine Flu scare as media hype, and the Vatican “gets” that a movie is just a movie? Did I wake up in a parallel universe or something?
Today is “odd day” - one of only six days this century that feature three consecutive odd numbers in the date: 05/07/09. Of course, the year is actually 2009, so it isn’t really consecutive. A “real” odd day would have been January 3rd, in the year five. But math geeks don’t have a lot to get excited about, so we’ll let ‘em have the day today.
Another major local employer is on the ropes, with word that Crucible Steel is filing for Chapter 11. The good news is there aren’t many local employers - let alone “major” ones - left to close around here. When SU and the local hospitals close their doors, we’ll know we’re screwed.
Happy Birthday to 21-yr old Chanel of Port Jeff, NY. Chanel is (supposedly) the world’s oldest living dog.
Let’s hear it for Senator Ben Nelson (DINO-NE), who says he’ll oppose giving people the option of public healthcare, because it would be so much better than private insurance, that it would hurt the insurance companies. Yes, Senator, we must protect the sacred insurance institution at all costs. This is why we needed to have Arlen Specter jump ship and swim over to the Democrat’s big tent, because when Repubicans act like scumbags, it sucks, but when Democrats do it, it’s a good thing. Or something.
Oh well, we’ll always have those memories of Salma Hayek’s “romantic African honeymoon” to fall back on. They can’t take that away from us.
Speaking of romance - or lack thereof - da wife leaves for Minnesota today, to go visit the kids and grandkids. Since I started a new job back in February (same place, but in a bit of an odd technicality involving working for the State vs. the SUNY Research Foundation, I was considered an “off the street” new employee, forcing a criminal background check and piss test - both of which I found highly insulting), I lost all my vacation time (got paid for it, at least), and don’t have enough built back up to make it past next Wednesday. So, the critters and I will be spending the next couple of weeks alone, which I, frankly, am not looking forward to.
As my dad once told my mom after 40 or so years of marriage, “I’ve gotten pretty used to you by now.”
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Sexto de Mayo
Congratulations to NBA Hall of Famer and former Detroit Piston Dave Bing for winning the mayoral special election in Detroit yesterday (not that mayor of Detroit is a great gig at this point in time; it’s almost as tough as coach of the Lions). Bing played his college ball at, um, let me see, I have it in my notes here somewhere….
It was nice to see the Democrats smack down Arlen Specter yesterday (at least a little bit). All the idiot had to do was keep his mouth shut and keep voting to stick a knife in the backs of working people, and they’d have let him slide. But openly hoping for the MN Supreme Court to overturn the election of Al Franken was going just a tad too far. Let’s hope Sestak kicks his ass in the primary (though it looks as if Tom Ridge might be tough to beat in the general).
Bank of America needs about $34 billion, apparently. I wouldn’t care, except that happens to be my bank. It’s not my fault, though. I opened my account there with my paper route money, when “there” was Syracuse Savings Bank (back in those days “savings” banks weren’t allowed to offer checking accounts - at least, not in NY; checking was for “commercial” banks only). Eventually they got bought out by Norstar. Norstar got bought by Fleet, and then Fleet got bought by Bank of America. I really should move everything to my Credit Union, but I have all these damn automatic payment thingies set up, and it would be a big pain the ass. I’ll just wait ’til BOA pisses it all away, and then I won’t have to worry about it.
Besides, once the Islamic extremists get hold of Pakistan’s nukes, we may all have bigger things to worry about.
Not to mention the coming Apocalypse in 2012.
Speaking of better things to worry about, local schools that closed due to the Swine Flu panic asked the State if they could slide on the 180-days in session rule, and not make up the days they missed. The State said “no,” and, miraculously, schools slated to be closed until at least next week are suddenly back in session today (much to the relief of “uniquely American” parents who work two or three jobs and need the child care). It’s almost as if sanity is poised to prevail in this country, and we can get back to the important stories on the Today Show (like the face transplant lady and John Edwards’ affair and alleged “love child”).
Speaking of the Today Show, memo to Matt Lauer: this does not constitute a “nude photo.” 
Though apparently Carrie Prejan is a bottle blonde. I don’t know about you, but I find that shocking.
Dyed hair and fake boobs; what would Jesus say?
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Fifth of May
Today is the day Marc Maron’s new CD - a 2-CD set entitled “Final Engagement” - comes out. Unfortunately, if you didn’t pre-order it, it looks like it’s already sold out. It’s back ordered at Amazon and CD Universe, anyway. I didn’t see it on the Zune Marketplace, and I don’t know if it’s on iTunes (master marketer that he is - and I mean that as a compliment - there’s no mention of it on Marc’s website). You can read the liner notes at Punchline.
“Christianity Today” gave us a glimpse into just how far Christianity has turned from the teachings of - what’s his name again? - oh, Jesus Christ, by granting a lengthy interview to Joe the Plumber. Amongst the words of wisdom from Big Joe:
I’ve had some friends that are actually homosexual. And, I mean, they know where I stand, and they know that I wouldn’t have them anywhere near my children.
Gee, what a surprise. Somebody that looks like Jeff Gannon has “friends” that are homosexual, but he wouldn’t let them near his kids. I think dudes you hook with in the men’s room are more “acquaintances” than “friends” there Joe. But I reckon you’d know better then me. Oh, and gawd bless ya, fer sure.
The good news is that Joe won’t be running for office until God tells him to. The bad news is I’m not sure how good these people are at distinguishing between the different voices in their heads.
Matt Lauer just informed me that nude photos of Carrie Prejean (before the fake, Jesus-approved boobs, presumably) have now surfaced. I need URLs Matty-boy! I don’t have time to do a Google search.
It’s Cinco de Mayo, so go out and drink a fifth or two.
Oh well, off to work.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Schike Schike Schweine
I had an extremely disturbing moment this morning. Got up as I usually do, and proceeded to head for the bathroom with my animal entourage - the dogs trailing dutifully behind, and the cats swirling figure eights between my legs in a desperate plot to kill me. I made it to my destination unscathed, only to wonder what in god’s name would possess Granny to hang a poster of Khalid Sheik Mohammed on our bathroom wall. I must admit, the realization that I was wearing a white t-shirt and looking into the mirror was quite horrifying. This was no way to start the work week.
Hey, how ’bout that Harry Reid, huh? That man really knows how to run the Senate with an iron fist, and he negotiates like a professional. Next time I buy a car, I want him on hand to try and get me sticker price. Of course, I refer to his brilliant move in bringing aboard Arlen Specter, and agreeing to get Specter re-elected to the Senate as a Democrat and grant him full seniority, while Specter agreed to do whatever he damn well pleases. I have no idea why Democrats should try and save Specter’s ass. If he’s going to keep voting with the Republicans, then let the asshole lose in a Republican primary to some wingnut who’ll get is clocked cleaned by Joe Sestak in the general. Now Sestak will need to blow a bundle of money to defeat Specter in a Democratic primary. How the hell the folks in PA can keep electing somebody who doesn’t support working people or public healthcare is beyond me.
Speaking of healthcare, another local school is closed for a week because one kid had the dreaded Swine Flu. Oy. Last I saw, there were 809 confirmed cases worldwide. Out of 6.7 billion or so people, that amounts to about .000012%. Of course, in the US, the numbers are far scarier - about .000064%.
Be afraid, people; be very afraid. And be vigilant. Somewhere out there, there’s a pig with your name on it.
They say the first symptom is starting to look like Khalid Sheik Mohammed.
Friday, May 01, 2009
May Day!
Today marks the official close of the New York State Golden Snowball competition, where Syracuse, Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, and Binghamton vie to see who got the most snow during the past season. As usual, Syracuse takes home the trophy with 149.6 inches (nearly four feet ahead of second place Rochester). Not that we’re necessarily done with snow for the year, of course.
President Obama gets a crack at appointing a Supreme Court Justice, with word that David Souter will be stepping down at the end of the current term. I’d much rather see Fat Tony or Clarence the Clown retire first, but those asses will probably outlive me. Still, it’ll be interesting to see who Obama appoints (I’m personally rooting for Angela Davis; she’s not a lawyer, but so what?), and how much of a hassle the Republicans give him. Anybody wanna bet against the filibuster becoming an acceptable practice regarding judicial appointments again?
As part of the new NYS budget, the excise tax on wine is going up by 30 cents a gallon today, meaning a box of Granny’s favorite wine will jump by 40 cents or so. The excise tax on beer will also increase by 3 cents a gallon (as if it wasn’t already too damn expensive).
Back to regular work today, after four days of training. Too bad, I was kind of getting used to going in an hour later and actually taking an hour for lunch. Seems a shame to go in for one day; by the time I water my plants and sort through my e-mail, it’ll be time to go home again.
May Day! Workers Unite!
