AMERICAN ANGST

I have told many stories of having casual conversations with republicans; I can do no less since I live in conservative country. Many I get along with fine, since it's not hard to recognize when I'm being baited. That sly little twinkle in their eye as they look forward to trapping the lone liberal, I kind of enjoy their happiness. We dance around the issues, as these conversations are normally accompanied with plenty of libations at hand, and for the most part we get along. Believe it or not, I can agree with many of their ideas; though not in the manner they would like. 

If they want to talk about strong family values, I'm with them and we can talk about the glorious strong ties that develop between family members. When they want to talk about getting ahead in life by hard work, again I can agree that productivity can create a healthy community. I understand the thought of taking responsibility for one's actions. 

But of course the separation begins in these discussions by adding to the conservative mantra a few simple thoughts. Strong families are to be supported even if not formed by the conservative's view of traditional marriage. Committed personal relationships are to be encouraged to enhance the community, not divide it. Those who are able to produce should possibly do so, those who are not able should not be penalized. Taking responsibility for an action is desirable, unless the action is caused by events outside of one's control.

We possibly all agree on the one major problem with today's conservatism, and that is its partnership with fundamentalist religious organizations. If you're an atheist conservative, I would think that would be a problem for you as well. 

The only desired outcome for fundamentalist conservatives derives from the hope of inserting religion into every aspect of the public sphere.

It is becoming easier to insert religion into politics without mentioning religion, and I think that is where conservative politicians are excelling. A recent conversation with the Tea Party's President Janis Lane in Mississippi is a great example. The content of the conversation makes it clear what drives these people.

Here are a few of Janis Lane's thoughts on abortion and women in politics:

Lane: "I do not agree with the federal government supporting killing a preborn human. A child is a child from the moment of conception. The argument is: They've done it before, they'll always do it. That's probably true. My point is a nation should not support or condone the killing of anybody. Then you'll come around with what about capital punishment. Well, you know what, if you're on death row, you're an adult and you made a choice to be there. An innocent child in the womb does not have a right to make a decision because they haven't been born, yet. We're taking that right away from that child."

This is a christian based argument, though never stated as such. Next god starts creeping into the conversation, and of course the thoughts get slightly more unrealistic. Emphasis mine.

Lane: "Our country might have been better off if it was still just men voting. There is nothing worse than a bunch of mean, hateful women. They are diabolical in how than can skewer a person. I do not see that in men. The whole time I worked, I'd much rather have a male boss than a female boss. Double-minded, you never can trust them."

"Because women have the right to vote, I am active, because I want to make sure there is some sanity for women in the political world. It is up to the Christian rednecks and patriots to stand up for our country. Everyone has the right to vote now that's 18 or over (who is) a legal citizen, and every person that's 18 and over and a legal citizen should be active in local politics so they can make a change locally, make a change on the state level and make a change in Washington, D.C."

Because she has a right that she herself says she shouldn't have, she's active in politics, because she has a right she shouldn't have. Hurts, doesn't it?

Coming to the Supreme Court of The United States soon will be whether the Defense of Marriage Act - DOMA - is constitutional. Another religious mandate that is trying hard to become a secular law. In New York, a federal appeals court ruled that the DOMA is unconstitutional. 

Though that is a ruling based in reality, our Supreme Court has been taken over by religious zealots, so who knows what nonsense they may fabricate.

As long as reason is not the law of the land the insanity will continue. Unfortunately, reality keeps ruining the conservative plan aimed at forming a functional theocracy.

A latest Gallup poll shows the unemployment rate is continuing to drop; that the September numbers were not wildly understated. What will Mitt do now?

Ask me if I'm better off than four years ago and I would have to respond with a resounding yes. Ask if better job opportunities are available, in my small area of family and friends, again a resounding yes.

Did anyone enjoy the DOW sitting at 7,949 at the end of George W. Bush's reign of terror? I wondered at first where all that money went but as time went on I realized the rich didn't lose a penny and the rest of America was raped. 

As far as I can tell, from the mostly failed attempts at getting rid of poor and minority voters, the mostly failed attempts at restricting poll hours and reducing early voting periods, conservatives know their only chance of winning is to keep people from voting that may not agree with their agenda. 

In Virginia they've found an easy way, just throw out completed voter registrations if you don't want them voting. 

The Green Party Candidate, Jill Stein, was arrested yet again and held for eight hours after she tried to enter the presidential debate site. Though I possibly wouldn't vote for a third party candidate, it is annoying that I'm not allowed to hear them speak. 

For those Independent voters who are still trying to make up their minds, here's Amy Goodman and three third party candidates who were not allowed to participate in the debates. They answer the same questions as Obama and Romney answered In the second debate.

GOD'S GREATEST

The first story is tragic to those of us who don't favor the death penalty, but is also extremely interesting since god once again is the culprit.

In Florida, their Supreme Court has ruled that the state can execute a 64 year old paranoid schizophrenic. This goes against the Supreme Court of the United States. The fascinating part is their reasoning.

John Errol Ferguson, the man to be executed, claims he is the "Prince of God." He has many delusions of grandeur all related to his god fantasy. The reasoning that allows the state to execute him is that he is not delusional since his thoughts are not "significantly different than beliefs other Christians may hold."

I guess by saying the condemned is suffering from a disease, they would be implying that all christians are suffering from the same disease; we can't have that now, can we? 

As far as I can tell, a U.S. district judge has stopped this for the moment.

If he is not executed because he is delusional, then in the minds of the court, are all christians delusional? Well, I would think since they've already decided that he's not much different than other christians, then yes. Would that mean anyone involved in a death penalty crime could claim he was delusional because in his mind god was prompting his actions? Well, if he's not executed, then no more death penalty.

I really don't know what to think about this one.

The Secular Coalition grades the presidential candidates. No big surprises here, Romney get an "F" and Obama barely makes the grade with a "C."

Dinesh D'Souza finds himself in a jam. This is the gentleman who wants to save marriage from gays and lesbians, and made the so-called "documentary" that cast Obama in a very unsavory light, apparently has a mistress.

Oh joy.

The lady in question, Denise Odie Joseph II, shares his views on marriage and divorce. The one thing I enjoy about the holier than thou crowd is that they never fail to get caught. 

The catholic church has decided to enter the politics of the day by donating a million dollars to fight those of us who insist on equal rights under the law. They are spending over a million dollars in three states to stop the legalization of same sex marriage, and in another state that is considering amending their constitution by defining what a marriage is.

The catholic church is now the number one religious institution opposing same sex marriage, even though the majority of catholics are okay with the thought. Kind of like politics, the people don't get to decide.

The Texas cheerleaders seem to have won for now. In an earlier edition of the Planet I brought up a story about how these ladies write biblical verses on banners to encourage their team. At least for the rest of the year they may continue to proselytize like any other Sunday morning quack you'd like to mention.

The judge, Steven Thomas, was appointed by their god loving governor Rick Perry. I'm not surprised.

WICKED WOMEN

Nothing really wicked, only the normal anti-woman campaigns.

In Texas, they've figured out how to get rid of Planned Parenthood. They will be launching a new state-funded Women's Health Program that will ban abortion providing affiliates from getting any funding. The program also has a clause that states if the program is legally challenged, and the Planned Parenthood ban is found against the law, the state will will shut down the Women's Health Program completely. Bye bye health care ladies.

Kind of tired of this news, it's the same every week. Why it does not stop is because the conservatives we've elected to represent us only represent god and corporations, nothing more.

Take for instance one of my favorite nonsensical tea party representatives, the Honorable Joe Walsh from Illinois. Here we go, comments from the fatally ignorant:

"There is no such exception as life of the mother."

His thought there is that modern science and technology, which he derides when it contradicts him, will save the day.

According to him, “With modern technology and science, you can’t find one instance,” of an abortion necessary to save a mothers life. He's barely leading Tammy Duckworth in recent polls for the upcoming election, yet he talks total bull. If he's leading Tammy, that means conservatives are eating what he's defecating, and it's not a very tasty morsel.

Doctors immediately contradicted the man, but the followers will never hear about it.

Another young lady is demonized by the right. During the last Presidential Debate Katherine Fenton asked a question about equal pay. An "anonymous" blog on Free Beacon basically did a Fluke on her. She's a slutty, boozing, whore you know.

Conservatives are basically saying, "Do you ladies not know your place yet? Get back in the kitchen and make me a sandwich!"

FINAL FIX

A slight conundrum; how do I handle a visit from my duly elected representative from Michigan's 3rd district without alienating newly made friends?

In the last few months I've decided to spend some of my spare cash in my local town. I pay to play guitar with an excellent guitarist who owns a quaint little studio where he also gives art lessons. I've become a regular at a small bar/restaurant instead of going to the city for entertainment. I've started eating at the only place in town that has a veggie burger I can knock down, and there lies the problem.

Knowing and friending the small business owners in the local area seemed to be a good way of not only making new friends, but also getting involved in the community. I have an unsubstantiated feeling that those business owners have quite a bit of sway in the town as well, and I have a desire to talk about my concerns to them. 

Regardless, the little coffee shop that has the very important veggie burger, is hosting Justin Amash, said representative from my district, this Tuesday. The lady who owns the business I've had several conversations with, though none concerning politics, and have enjoyed those talks. I like her, yet Amash is a fool in my eyes. I get a little excited at times about my politics. In 2004 I aggressively protested Cheney's visit to a local restaurant, I've never eaten there since; doubt if that guys stench will ever leave the place.

I would rather not be like that this time.

So, do I show up on Tuesday morning armed for battle and show them how much more wittier I am than they? Do I show up and drink coffee, keep quiet and puke later? Or do I stay away from the place altogether? Tuesday is the day I spend in town, drinking coffee and having a meal, then guitar playing with the local master, then drinking and messing with the conservatives.

I've really enjoyed that day, until now.

American Angst

The big news is that the Supreme Court of the United States upheld the individual mandate which is the central piece of the legislation. Basically the entire law was upheld except that states can now opt out of medicaid expansion; that was not a part of the original legislation. 

The expected answers from the conservative governed states is that they are happy they can opt out of expanding medicaid and not be penalized for doing so. The expanded medicaid coverage would allow non-elderly individuals with incomes up to 133 percent of the poverty line to receive health benefits. This would cover another 16 million citizens by 2019. 

Silly conservatives. The federal government would pay 100 percent of the expansion for the first three years and then slowly go down to 90 percent of the cost by 2020 and every year after. Sounds like the cost/benefit ratio for individual states would be good thing, unless you are a Republican.

Mitt Romney's campaign is still saying they'll repeal the law, but if they lose this election they might as well give up on the thought. The benefits of the act will by then be effecting millions of Americans, and they will not want to give those benefits away.

No need to point out the states that are claiming they will opt out. If it is conservative led, citizens will be denied that basic human need; health care.

In a bright moment for FOX and CNN, both reported that the ACA had been overturned by the Supreme Court causing ten minutes of insanity from politicians and talking heads. 

Chief Justice John Roberts has been taking a lot of flack for his decision, by those that are supposedly on his side. No good deed goes unpunished in GOPville. It would seem a victory for conservatives in at least one point. Roberts has gutted the Commerce Clause, which in the long run is something conservatives will embrace.

The Supreme Court has been busy. This week they also struck down most of Arizona's immigration laws. Unfortunately they approved the part that allows officers of the law to check the immigration status of anyone they pull over. Still racial profiling to me. 

The court also upheld their Citizen's United case by overturning Montana's long standing "copper kings" law. There was hope that Montana's rejection of Citizen's United might bring the case back up for review; no joy there.

The tea party controlled house voted to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt for giving them everything they asked for. Though possibly not as important as the ACA ruling, it is the oddest political story I've seen in a long time. The history behind the pursuit of Holder by conservatives is one long strange road; think NRA and supposed crazy conspiracies by the left to use the issue for gun control.

Education Enemies

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney stated last Wednesday that students should get as much education as "they can afford." Since he supports the Paul Ryan budget plan to cut Pell grants, and he supports profit driven education, students would be wise to be out in force coming election day. If you're poor, you will always be poor since you will not have access to higher education. 

Another defeat for education was the extension of the student loan interest rate. Though it kept the rates from doubling, it will add 20 billion dollars worth of debt for students. Starting this week all federally subsidized student loans will be charged interest. It used to be that no interest was accrued on loans while in school or for a 6 month grace period after finishing. 

This didn't accomplish the goal.

God's Greatest

American Family Association's pundit Bryan Fischer went all in with his latest rant. If you care about the environment, Satan is behind you. Gay rights and abortion, all the devil's doing. Apparently this is a weekly thing for him now, his last rant was that by allowing gay couple to have families we are all supporting child abuse.

Jan Michelson is upset that nuns are riding around on a bus protesting the Paul Ryan budget. His solution? Drag them off the bus and pistol whip them. Shows the lack of respect christian conservatives have for women, even women believers are fair game.

Nuns, get your guns.

Wicked Women

In Mississippi a new law that requires abortion providers to be certified OB/GYNS and have privileges at the local hospital will apparently shut down the last remaining clinic in the state. 

Starting today in South Dakota, a new law comes into effect that will require doctors to ascertain whether she has been coerced into having an abortion, or if she is at risk of psychological disorders. Happily a federal judged blocked much of the law. No 72 hour waiting period and no visits to anti-abortion clinics.

In New Hampshire, Governor John Lynch vetoed a bill preventing late term abortions. That veto has been overturned by the legislature and will become law. Governor Lynch stated there was already a federal law on the books about late term abortions, but the legislative bodies disagreed. Now if a woman's life is in danger from her pregnancy, two doctors must concur that there is a danger. 

In Florida, a woman is being allowed to sue over denial of contraception. The lady was raped. A doctor gave her two emergency contraception pills, but when she filed the report on the rape, officers found out she was wanted. She was put in jail and her items confiscated, including the other pill that she was supposed to take. The next morning she asked for the pill, the guard refused claiming it was a matter of conscience. 

Planet Politics

I will not being doing planet politics very often. I do not think I have the understanding that a native of a certain country would have on local news and politics. 

So, to all of our members who live around the world, if you have a story of interest you'd like to publish, I'd be happy to edit the article and add it to this blog. Language and grammer I will help with, and I will make sure it represents your thoughts correctly.

Thank you!

Neal's Nook

Hate

Clenched fists and tight lips

Squinting bloody eyes, brows furrowed in rage

Slurs at your fingertips, frothing at the mouth

Spittle mixed with words, you can’t wait to get out

The passion is fed

Red, red, red; from birth to death

Corded sinews, heaving chests

Until life’s fire is entirely spent

Keep the blood; boiling

Keep sowing the seeds

Keep the discord; flowing

Hate needs to feed

It’s a living hell, a physical torment

Frozen in agony, hair stands on end

Living heat finally cooled

Living fools, better off dead

Frame the words, in quaint terms

Forge the tool, never let it cool

So called leaders, conservative hate

Definitely the feeders, we are unable to sate

Keep the blood; boiling

Keep sowing the seeds

Keep the discord; flowing

hate needs to feed

Your brothers and sisters, your neighbors and friends

Your list gets bigger, it will never end

So called leaders, conservative cronies

Definitely the feeders, we are unable to sate

A conspiracy born, baseless rumors spread

Keeping dull minds fed, blood runs red

Rile them up, spit in their faces

who do you hate, who must go next

Keep the blood; boiling

Keep sowing the seeds

Keep the discord; flowing

hate needs to feed

Angry America

The two big stories this week revolve around the leaking of classified national security information, whether it was deliberate or not, and the recall election in Wisconsin.

The "leak" is a perfect example of political asshattery. The argument revolves around whether this was a deliberate political move by the current administration. Senator McCain states that the leaks came from the "highest levels" at the White House and wants a independent investigation. President Obama says the accusations are offensive and wrong.

What the problem is with the debate, is that it doesn't discuss the information that was leaked. 

The real discussion should center on the use of drones itself. Right now we are working on developing drones the size of insects and birds. More of our weapons will be unmanned in the future, and it would seem that the discussion should center on the morality of their use. The power to kill from a distance with no immediate threat to one's life changes the whole game. What power that is. To inflict harm and terror to a populace while sitting in safety. Computers run drones, hackers run computers; there is so much that is, or could be, wrong here.

How about policing your own populace with this technology?  

Wisconsin's Governor Walker keeps his job for now. Outspending the democratic challenger eight to one, there wasn't much chance for the challenger. Some thoughts on the election claimed that what Walker and the republican party managed to do was build up resentment in the white blue collar worker vote against those who are better off than they. That and the fact that in Wisconsin's government there is a higher percentage of minorities in the workforce than in private jobs. Smaller government gets rid of the problem. Nice race card.

Voters are a fickle lot. Walker had a 58% disapproval rating, women were the target of anti-health laws and the state prosecutor is still looking at Walker for illegal activities. Still, the conservatives win. Some say it wasn't money, just good old divisive politics.

Everyone is the enemy.

This recall failure will effect politics this year. In Michigan, the recall effort for Governor Snyder was cancelled, due to lack of interest and not being able to build enthusiasm after Wisconsin's loss. 

The Presidential race has evolved into your basic slugfest. Every possible word that can be taken out of context is pounced on by the opposition. Every action, no matter how trivial, is exhorted into media headlines. 

Romney discusses what a poor leader Obama is, yet never lets us know any of his specific plans. What we know from recent statements is that Romney will repeal health care and will remove those awful subsidies. You might think that energy and agriculture to name a couple, would be his targets, but remember Romney is conservative. He would rather get rid of those awful art and amtrak subsidies; transportation and enjoyment are not on the list of approved benefactors.

Americans have failed to cultivate an intelligent democracy.

Planet Politics

Syria continues the onslaught on its own citizenry. On Thursday, United Nation monitors were not allowed access to the small town of Qubeir. When they were granted access on Friday they found scattered body parts and blood. Apparently the delayed access made it possible for a quick coverup. 

Brutal massacres are a part of Syria's history, and with Russia trying to maintain a foothold in the middle east, like China, nothing will be done to stop this horror. Another genocide because people do not matter to power. 

Egypt's runoff election will take place this coming weekend. Activists are planning to spoil their voting ballots in an effort to show whoever may win how many oppose the new ruler. Talk about not wanting a "military or religious fascist state" has met with some enthusiasm, but most of the problems deal with what is thought of as vote rigging in the May elections where those favored by the populace were tossed out of the final runoff. 

I don't think the civil unrest will stop after the election.

Iraq is still not enjoying civil unrest. at least 23 were killed by a car bomb on Monday, retaliation followed. Power sharing in ruling Iraq is the desire, so sunnis are killing shiites; if that makes any sense. Religion killing the religious. 

More good news in the constant killing department, the Azerbaijan-Armenia border is seeing some of the worst violence in years; we kill a few of yours, you kill a few of us. 

Britain celebrated the 60 year reign of the queen, and for some reason Americans love what they fought to escape. It's amazing how much time the media spends on this.

The Organization of American States is under attack by Bolivian President Evo Morales and Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa. They would like to reform the Human Rights Commission. Apparently the commission has identified those two with human rights abuses. Imagine that.

Puberty Police

The old and the new, starting with the old. 

In Michigan, a high school senior had sex with his freshman girlfriend. Age of consent is 16, he is now a sex offender. He received a one year prison sentence and three years of probation. After serving his sentence he resumed the relationship with the young lady that he loves, and received another five to fifteen years for violating his probation.

There seems to be a growing number of mothers who are not happy with the sex offender laws that make their sons and and daughters criminals for having consensual sex.

In St. Charles, MN, a graduation rehearsal at the local high school enjoyed some controversy. All of the seniors were given breathalyzer tests. In what appears to have been a trend for years now, school age children are taught that basic rights do not apply to them.

We go too far in the harassment of our country's youth. In Texas, Diane Tran spent a night in jail for missing too many days of school. Diane works two full time jobs since her parents had split and moved out of town. She is an honor student.

More and more teens are being charged as adults when it comes to crime.

Wicked Women

For some reason, women are the enemy.

This week the GOP house approved a Homeland Security spending bill. Weird included provision, no abortions for illegal immigrant detainees. According to Immigration officials, no abortions have ever been provided.

Why are women wicked? Apparently they are having abortions based on the sex of their child. The GOP controlled House failed to pass a bill that would make it a federal crime to abort a pregnancy because of a child's sex. They brought this bill up to attempt to switch the war on women theme that democrats have been using. Conservatives say the real war on women is allowing a fetus to be aborted based on the possible child being female. 

The Christian based groups are fighting back. Live Action, a supposed youth led pro-life movement, has video of a Planned Parenthood counselor dealing with a woman who only wants an abortion if the child is female. Of course the video is cut to make it look as bad as possible and we can't tell what really occurred unless we had the complete video.

Planned Parenthood fired the counselor, who they state was new. Others claim the video is a hack job.

The problem with sex based abortion bans is that it promotes racism. Since those occurrences happen in mostly Asian societies, Asians in the states would be looked at critically when wanting a legal procedure. Then there's the possibility of criminalizing doctors, since he's supposed to report any "hint" that it may be a sex based abortion or go to jail.

Though anecdotal, I have never heard of anyone being disappointed with the sex of a child in this country. I guess there may be some, but I don't see this as a major threat to women. 

God's Goofballs

Adriana found this gem. The same gentleman that burned a copy of the quran that set off three days of violence in Afghanistan has an effigy of President Obama hanging from a rope on the church's front lawn. The Secret Service will investigate, but since the gentleman in question is a man of god, I'm sure he'll be given a slap on the wrist at most. 

David Barton, the man who would rewrite American history in god's name, thinks that the poor are not spending enough time reading the bible. If they read the bible they would understand hard work. Interesting, another attempt to correlate god's blessings with wealth.

Tony Perkins is highly upset with this tourism video, it appears that somewhere in the video a man touches another. He says the video highlights same sex attractions. I say Tony is looking for some attention.

Education Enemies

One story stands out this week. Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant states that we should have prayer in school. That way we could let people know that there is a god, and let students know that that god cares about them. 

In Michigan religion is once again on the prowl. This weeks intrusion into education is a passed bill that is headed for the Governor's approval. Part of the bill states that a counselor's personal beliefs comes first, not the child needing guidance. 

Then there's this weird story. A teacher at Fresno's Hamilton School hands out an assignment that centers on the theme of drawing a "Help Wanted" poster for soldiers involved in the crusade. The winner's drawing is one of Jesus with a caption of "I want you to kill all the infidels." The drawing is posted in the main lobby where everyone sees it entering or leaving the building.

Final Fixation

Social networking sites attract different people with different agendas, and this one is no different. Twice we've had this REPORT CEENON blog posted on this site. I'm all for discussing new thoughts, but I have no use for a blog where comments are moderated. 

For me, this is like some preacher jumping on the site advocating whatever nonsense he believes in, and not allowing anyone to disagree. It should never be allowed. It infringes on the basic premise of a social network; one is not a network.

Only cowards moderate comments. They are afraid of critical thinking, of basic commentary, of questions that perhaps they can't answer.

May we say goodbye to the foolishness, or is this something our members want to see?