Chaos

Bush, GOP in Big Trouble

2006-04-07T07:01:00.000-02:00

Yahoo News

Once again, I know all these polls have to be taken with a grain of salt. But this new poll really makes me feel better about the people in this country. More and more of us are not buying the load that President Bush and the Republican party are trying to sell. One quote in particular caught my eye:

"These numbers are scary. We've lost every advantage we've ever had," GOP pollster
Tony Fabrizio said.

Hello?! Are you finally getting it? Most Americans do not like the way the government is being handled, or rather, manhandled. We're tired of the way things are going and, come November, we're not going to take it any more.

According to the article:

"A Democratic-led Congress could bury the last vestiges of Bush's legislative agenda and subject the administration to high-profile investigations of the Iraq war, the CIA leak case, warrantless eavesdropping and other matters."

It is long past time. I could throw a few other things in there that need to be investigated, but I'll let all this speak for itself. GOP, your days are numbered.

DeLay to Resign

2006-04-04T06:40:00.000-02:00

Yahoo News

At last-some good news out of Washington:

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Succumbing to scandal, former Majority Leader Tom Delay intends to resign from Congress within weeks, closing out a career that blended unflinching conservatism with a bare-knuckled political style.

Republican officials said Monday night they expect the Texan to quit his seat later this spring. He was first elected in 1984, and conceded he faced a difficult race for re-election.
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New Orleans Levee Repair Costs Triple

2006-03-31T07:02:00.000-02:00

Washington Post

Well, this is hardly surprising. Dismaying, but hardly surprising. President Bush himself promised that New Orleans would be rebuilt "bigger and better." Once again, he is reneging on a promise.

It seems those in charge of rebuilding the levees after Hurricane Katrina made a $6 billion dollar "mistake" when calculating the cost of building those levees to insurance standards. Now, that is one big "mistake"! The administration is also saying that, because of these increased costs, certain portions of the area may not have the improved levees.

This is just another example of how we are pouring so much money into war abroad that we do not have enough to care for our own citizens. So Louisiana and it's displaced citizens lose out.

Bush Censured?

2006-03-31T06:38:00.000-02:00

Yahoo News

I am ashamed of Democrats in this particular instance. After all their outcries and public criticism of President Bush, particularly about the NSA spying program, and now they do not stand behind an attempt to censure him for that very program! And what is their reason? The elections! These people have no backbone!

I commend those who are brave enough to stand up for what they believe is right in this case. This censure attempt probably will not pass. However, those who are behind it are letting their outrage over the President's tactics be known. Kudos to them!

Supreme Court on War Crimes

2006-03-28T17:45:00.000-02:00

Yahoo News

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Two years ago the Supreme Court ruled that "a state of war is not a blank check for the president when it comes to the rights of the nation's citizens."
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This is, apparently, news to the Bush administration, which wants to treat the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay any way they see fit, regardless of laws, or of the Supreme Court. This treatment of prisoners and attempts to avoid or rewrite the laws, is an outrage. As a citizen, I am, personally, ashamed of my country over this.

Victory for Bloggers

2006-03-28T07:00:00.000-02:00

Bloggers Unregulated

Good news for political bloggers everywhere!

Victory for Bloggers

2006-03-28T06:58:00.000-02:00

'http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/27/AR2006032701474.html?referrer=email&referrer=email">Bloggers Unregulated

Good news for political bloggers everywhere!

Kansas Gun Law

2006-03-24T12:13:00.000-02:00

Yahoo News"

Like some of the folks over at Gun Toting Liberal" I am all in favor of protecting our Constitutional right to bear arms. So the news that both the House and Senate of Kansas overrode Gov. Kathleen Sebelius's veto of a concealed weapons bill is welcome news. I feel it's a person's right to carry a weapon for protection.

War on Terror Will Last for Years

2006-03-24T06:47:00.000-02:00

Yahoo News

According to Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, the war on terror will require "years and years of vigilance." The truth is, it will never be over. Not in our lifetimes, not in our great-great-grandchildren's lifetimes.

Terrorism is rooted in human behavior and emotionalism. Just as there will always be people who commit crimes, there will always be those who will commit acts of terrorism.
Despite the Civil Rights Act; despite years of education on the subject, there are still those who are prejudiced. Terrorism is no different.

While we may not have considered ourselves actively involved in any war on terrorism until recently, it has always existed. Make no mistake. However things turn out in the Middle East, we will never be rid of terrorism.

Torture at Guantanamo? What Torture?

2006-03-23T07:08:00.000-02:00

Guantanamo Bay

The Pentagon should, at least, try to be consistent. First, they insist that no torture is going on at Guantanamo Bay. Now comes the news that the Pentagon:

"...may formally require military prosecutors to observe a U.N. convention against torture in their use of evidence during tribunals at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp."

All along the story has been that there is no torture happening at Guantanamo Bay and that, furthermore, the U.S. does not condone the practice of torture. How can any formal requirement that the military not use torture possibly be of any use now? Why should anything they say about this be believed, when they still will not allow U.N. representatives to interview prisoners?

Obviously, this is yet another political ploy to offer false reassurances. The U.S. fears further fallout from these atrocities.

So this is how some of our soldiers amuse themselves...

2006-03-22T07:00:00.000-02:00

Soldier Found Guilty of Abuse

As illustrated by this article, obviously, some of our heroes are not ready to be given responsibility for the lives of others. I'd hate to think MY life was in this guy's hands! Apparently, he thinks his position gives him the right to play games with other human beings.

Bush Administration's Trust Factor

2006-03-21T12:25:00.000-02:00

Washington Post

This is an excellent Washington Post article on one of the true problems within the Bush administration-the lack of trust which has resulted from misinformation and predictions which various members of the administration has made.

It has become very difficult to take their word on anything, much less take them seriously. This article points out some of the issues on which too-optimistic predictions have been made, as well as some information that turned out to be simply misleading.

A good read, no matter which side of the question you're on.

Does President Bush ever give a direct answer?

2006-03-20T17:43:00.000-02:00

Look Past Iraqi Bloodshed?

"...a man followed up with how he could restore confidence in U.S. leadership after several reasons for going to war with Iraq later proved false."

Bush's Answer:

"Like you, I mean, I asked that very same question: Where'd we go wrong on intelligence?" Bush said. He said he was working to improve intelligence gathering because "the credibility of our country is essential."

The question was how he would restore confidence? Improving intelligence gathering is very important but, as an answer to the question which was asked, it's like closing the barn door after the horse gets out.

I honestly don't think there is any way for the current administration to regain public confidence. Not only have they lost the confidence of many Americans, but others around the world.

War Enters Fourth Year

2006-03-20T06:05:00.000-02:00

Yahoo News

President Bush:

"We are implementing a strategy that will lead to victory in Iraq. And a victory in Iraq will make this country more secure and will help lay the foundation of peace for generations to come," he said.

Now, where have we heard this before? I believe I have heard similar things from President Bush on several occasions, most notably when we first declared war on Iraq. Implementing a strategy, having a plan-whatever. I no longer have any confidence in anything this man tells me. And it is becoming more and more evident that neither do a lot of other people, even those within his own party.

The Bush administration, as asserted by Veep Dick Cheney, continues to give an upbeat assessment on Iraq, and denies that it is in civil war. Washington Post

This, despite assertions to the contrary by Iraq's former prime minister, Ayad Allawi:

"We are losing a day as an average 50 to 60 people throughout the country, if not more," Allawi said on BBC's "Sunday AM" program. "If this is not civil war, then God knows what civil war is."

I have serious doubts about the Bush administration knowing more about the situation among the Iraqi people than its own former prime minister. Given the constantly falling support for this war, the administration has every reason to want to quell any thoughts of civil war.

And so, we enter the fourth year, seemingly no closer to the end than we were three years ago...

Iraqis' View of War

2006-03-17T11:25:00.000-02:00

Christian Science Monitor

This is an excellent article with quotes from members of an Iraqi family. They talk about their views on the Americans and the war in Iraq. Family members have different opinions on the war and the Americans. It gives some good insight on daily life in Iraq.

U.N., United States and Human Rights

2006-03-16T07:14:00.000-02:00

U.N. Votes to Creat New Human Rights Council

Excellent news to bring me back from vacation! I told you it would all still be here! Am I psychic or what?

Over the objections of the U.S. and three other nations, the U.N. has voted to create a new human rights council. Given current conditions at Guantanamo Bay and other U.S. prison camps, and that the U.S. has documented abuse and torture of people in Iraq, I think we are simply trying to cover ourselves.

Apparently, the major objection given by Washington for the new council is that they feel it would, too easily, allow countries with histories of torture and abuse to become members of the new council and undermine it from within. Hmm... There was the way we treated Native Americans, slavery, and the current issues with U.S. prison camps. That could include us!

I also found an interesting quote in this article:

**John R. Bolton, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and a staunch critic of the new council, said that though Washington opposed it, the United States will pledge support for making it "as strong and effective as it can be."

Those of us who opposed the war in Iraq, but support our troops have been constantly bashed for this, being told that we cannot support the troops without supporting the war. It seems that, now, Washington is taking the same position on the new council. Does this work for them, but not for us?

Chaos Takes a Holiday!

2006-03-11T07:33:00.000-02:00

Ah, if it were only true-if chaos could be called off and we could all relax for a while!

But the blog Chaos IS taking a break, from today until Thursday, March 16th, while I visit family. Hate to leave in the midst of all this political turmoil and social strife! But the bad(good?) thing is, it'll all still be here when I get back! The headlines will probably change a bit, but there'll still be plenty to talk about.

Everyone have fun, while I'm gone. In the meantime, I suggest you check out Liberty Just in Case for some good reading. Their link is on the right (as are their political views), but Mark and Matthew write good, intelligent posts.

See you later!

NSA Surveillance

2006-03-09T06:43:00.000-02:00

NSA

Some very good points are made in this Washington Post editorial about the NSA's surveillance program. Most notable is Congress' need to fully understand the program, and to set limitations on it.

Asian Cars Tops

2006-03-06T07:11:00.000-02:00

ConsumerReports

Asian cars won top honors in nearly all of Consumer Reports auto categories this year. My personal top auto picks have always been Toyota and Honda for their reliability. If Detroit wants consumers to buy American, they really need to work on reliability.

Oscar Winners

2006-03-06T06:48:00.000-02:00

WINNERS

Last night's Oscars didn't go the way I would have had them go, but then most awards shows never do! Although "Crash" was a great movie, I feel the Academy copped out by not giving the top award to "Brokeback Mountain." Underneath all the media hype "Brokeback" created was a truly great love story. Ang Lee was my pick for Best Director all the way.

Philip Seymour Hoffman WAS my personal pick for best actor. He gave us some insight into Truman Capote's motives and reasons for writing "In Cold Blood." My vote for best actress went to Judi Dench. She has given many fine performances and is long-overdue for recognition by the Academy. Reese Witherspoon gave a compelling performance as June Carter Cash, but I grew up watching the real June. I guess I just wasn't ready to see a portrayal by any actress. The same with Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash.

My personal picks in the supporting categories were Paul Giamatti and Frances McDormand. I'll be glad when Hollywood's love affair with George Clooney is over. He's a likeable guy and a decent actor, but I, personally, don't find many of his performances that fantastic.

The highlight of the evening for me was seeing the win for "March of the Penguins." This was one of the most fun and likeable movies I've seen in ages. It's win was well-deserved.

As for Jon Stewart's duties as host, I'll leave that one up to the individual. Some reports are already telling to to give up his "Daily Show" gig. I hope he never does, but I love Jon Stewart, so I don't think his hosting flopped, as some are saying.

Just my humble opinions.

Guantanamo Bay II

2006-03-04T07:53:00.001-02:00

LATimes

A federal judge has forced the government to turn over documents identifying Guantanamo Bay detainees. This is not nearly enough, but it's a step in the right direction. These prisoners have been held for years without being able to have their day in court. Many have not even had charges filed against them!

Is this what the U.S. is coming to? Has our fear so overwhelmed us that we no longer believe that some men have rights?

Bush job rating falls to all-time low: poll

2006-02-28T19:13:00.000-02:00

MuziNews

This hardly comes as a surprise, given all the negative press the Bush administration has received of late. Hopefully, this further weakens the Republican stronghold for the upcoming elections.

Personally, I think that, as Mark and Matthew over at Liberty Just In Case have pointed out, a lot of it is due to the Bush administrations poor communications. However, I'm not at all happy with pretty much everything the administration has done. Since the beginning of the war in Iraq, things seem to have gone downhill since.

From illegal wiretaps to the handling of Hurricane Katrina,to the poorly conceived (if well-intentioned) Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, this administration has proved itself to be ill-equipped to handle everything. At this point, I, and everyone else, can only hope that the next administration will do better.

Black Cat Saves Owner's Life

2006-02-28T07:20:00.000-02:00

LINK

A heartwarming story for cat lovers everywhere! Black cats unlucky? Not this one!

Wal-Mart's (Non) Healthcare Plan

2006-02-28T06:50:00.000-02:00

Wal-MartatAJ-C

It's truly a shame that it takes states passing new laws to make the World's Larges Retailer pay more attention to its employees' healthcare needs. It's abysmal how many Wal-Mart employees qualify for their states' Medicaid programs! Wal-Mart could have easily made healthcare plans available to more workers without its coming to this. Another fine example of corporate greed!

Wal-Mart's (Non) Healthcare Plan

2006-02-28T06:42:00.000-02:00

Roe v. Wade and Abortion

2006-02-25T10:58:00.000-02:00

South Dakota is poised to become the state with the most far-reaching ban on abortion. (LINK) The new law would make it a felony for doctors to perform any abortion except to save the life of a pregnant woman.

Now, the people who read my posts on this and other blogs, and know me as a liberal may be surprised, but I thoroughly agree with this law. I've long been an opponent of abortion. I feel it has been used by many women as an easy and relatively inexpensive method of birth control after-the-fact.

In a country where methods of preventing pregnancy are so inexpensive and so widely available, it is inexcusable to depend on a process like abortion to prevent the birth of unwanted children. I'm sure those of you who disagree will not hesitate to let me know.

Health Care Costs

2006-02-24T07:10:00.000-02:00

Government analysts are predicting that health care spending will double from 2005 predictions of $2 trillion to $4 trillion. (Analysts
They estimate that Americanswill be spending one out of every five dollars on health care.

The Bush administration has pushed health savings accounts(HSAs) with high-deductible insurance plans that go with them. They think that Americans will "become more thrifty consumers if they had to pay more of the upfront costs which occur with HSAs,"

Talk about mixed messages! Since when has this administration wanted us to be thrifty?1 They are constantly boasting about how much Americans are spending, and how well the economy is, supposedly, doing. Perhaps they should be careful what they ask for!

My position is still that there is a small percentage of the people out there who can afford to put money into HSAs. With the baby boomer population now moving toward retirement age, many of them still cannot afford to contribute to an HSA. Probably due, in large part, to the very spending which is being encouraged and boasted about. HSAs are not the cure-all for the price of health care in this country. It is time we recognized this and came up with a health care plan which takes care of all
Americans and controls the costs of health care in this country.

Reclassifying papers top-secret!?

2006-02-22T07:00:00.000-02:00

Here's something from the "Makes No Sense" files of the Bush Administration:

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US Removing Documents from Public Access
22 February 2006 Link

WASHINGTON: US intelligence agencies have been secretly removing from public access at the National Archives thousands of historical documents that were available for years, The New York Times reported yesterday.

The restoration of classified status to more than 55,000 previously declassified pages began in 1999, when the CIA and five other agencies objected to what they saw as a hasty release of sensitive information after a 1995 declassification order signed by President Bill Clinton, the Times said on its web site.

The secret programme accelerated after the Bush administration took office and especially after the September 11 attacks, according to archives records, the paper said.

It came to light after intelligence historian Matthew Aid noticed dozens of documents he had copied years ago had been withdrawn from the archives' open shelves, the Times said.

Under existing guidelines, government documents are supposed to be declassified after 25 years unless there is a particular reason to keep them secret.

Some historians say the programme is removing material that can do no conceivable harm to national security and note that some of the documents have been published by the government, the Times said.

Critics say it is part of a marked trend toward greater secrecy under the Bush administration, which has increased the pace of classifying documents, slowed declassification and discouraged the release of some material under the Freedom of Information Act, the paper said.

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One of the things I find particularly interesting about the Bush administration is that they are so good at keeping secrets. This story and the wiretapping are two obvious examples.

Why reclassify papers which have already been in the public domain, and why do it with such secrecty? According to Matthew Aid, an intelligence historian at the National Archives, "The stuff they pulled should never have been removed. Some of it is mundane, and some of it is outright ridiculous." (Link)

This administration seems to be constantly in the position of explaining its actions. So far, many of the explanations have been very unsatisfactory. What's the excuse for this one?

Guantanamo Bay

2006-02-18T09:52:00.000-02:00

On February 16, an independent panel of experts released their report on conditions at the US prison camp at Guantanamo Bay. (Report The report called for for the US to close the detention camp "without further delay" because it is, effectively, a torture camp where prisoners have no access to justice.
The panel cited photographic evidence showing detainees shackled, chained, and hooded. They said prisoners were beaten, stripped and shaved. Findings in the report were based on interviews with former detainees, public documents, media reports, and questions answered by the U.S. government.

Not surprisingly, the White House, through spokesman Scott McClellan, rejected the call to close the camp, sayingthe military treats all detainees humanely (?!). This, despite the photographic evidence to the contrary, and despite the fact that the Pentagon has acknowledged 10 cases of abuse or mistreatment at Guantanamo.

Now, obviously, media reports can be skewed in either direction. I don't think anyone will disagree with me there. And, just as obviously, former detainees are going to be biased. However, we have all seen plenty of examples of just how "humanely" the military treats detainees.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan states that he didn't necessarily agree with everything in the report, but he did support its opposition to people being held "in perpetuity" without being charged and prosecuted in a public court. "...the basic point that one cannot detain individuals in perpetuity and that charges have to be brought against them and be given a chance to explain themselves and prosecute a charge or release them I think is common under any legal system," Mr. Annan said.

The U.S. has labelled detainees at Guantanamo Bay "armed combatants" to give themselves the right to detain many of these people. The truth is that many of them have never taken up arms against the U.S. The war on terror does not fit the U.N. definitions of an armed conflict.

The U.S. asserts that this panel's findings are not based on first-hand knowledge or a visit to the detainment center itself. However, the U.S., in its invitation to only three of the five panel members to visit Guantanamo Bay, expressly refused to allow the panel to interview detainees, something that is a standard procedure in U.N. investigations of such facilities.

The U.S. is a member nation of the U.N. This administration is placing itself and the our country above the U.N. and violating the terms of the Geneva Convention, along with several other U.N. mandates in refusing to allow the U.N. access to these prisoners. Of course, this administration has not had a productive relationship with the United Nations.

This administration temporarily ceased negotiations with the countries taking part in the change of the World Court to the International Criminal Court. Essentially, the United States wants to be part of the International Criminal Court, but not to have the court's laws applied to this country. The administration has also refused to abide by the Geneva Convention and other applicable U.N. restrictions.

My question is, when will President Bush withdraw us from the U.N.? What gives us the right to be a part of the United Nations, yet not consider ourselves bound by its regulations? And the big question is, "If we have nothing to hide, why would we prevent the U.N. from interviewing our detainees?"

More Intelligent Design

2006-02-15T23:27:00.000-02:00

On Tuesday, February 14, the Ohio State Board of Education voted 11-4 to remove language critical of evolution from its science curriculum-specifically, the words "critical analysis." (Link State Board of Education member Martha Wise echoed my sentiments, exactly, by saying "...I believe there are two separate issues here. One is the teaching of good science. The other is the teaching of creationism, andI think that is important, too,but I think that should be taught in any other class or at church or at home, not in science class."

My daughteris a 15-year-old high school student, who is looking forward to going to a good college and into the field of archaeology. She has learned about creationism at church. Now, I have no problem with her or anyone else believing in creationism, but I don't believe it belongs in her science classes.

If parents truly want their children to learn about, and to believe in, creationism, they have church, Sunday school, and all the time they want at home, to teach them. Let our school systems teach science-the science which gives our children the type of education they need to succeed in college and in scientific careers.

Katrina-More Than One Disaster

2006-02-14T14:45:00.000-02:00

Hurricane Katrina, itself, has proved to be just the tip of a very large iceberg. It has proven that those people who are in charge of aiding us during domestic security threats-FEMA and Homeland Security-are anything other than prepared. And now, it has proven, once again, that there is no end to the greed of some people and, just what they will do for more money.

A House investigative report, which will be released on Wednesday, concludes that failures at all levels of government accounted for the response (or lack thereof) to Hurricane Katrina. Link
A House committee, made up of 11 Republican members, leveled responsibility at the White House, Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco, and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin. In brief, the report says that the White House was informed the levees had been breached on the day Katrina hit, though the administration says they did not find out until the next day. The report also says that a number of things, including late evacuation orders by state and local officials hindered relief efforts. In addition, FEMA's Expedited Assistance program failed to confirm the identities of over 1 million people who sought such assistance.

Basically, it all adds up to the fact that we are not prepared for domestic security threats. Given everything going on in the world today, this is extremely frightening. Now I realize that nearly everyone out there who's a Bush supporter will disagree with my holding his administration responsible for this. However, there is basically nowhere else to go. This administration created Homeland Security. It cannot be blamed on previous administrations, nor can we point to anything another administration did leading up to this. The simple fact is that, in its very first real test, Homeland Security failed. This department is badly needed, but not with its current leadership, and not if it is not prepared to handle the very situations for which it is responsible. In his 2007 budget, President Bush is proposing eliminating a number of federal aid programs which, the administration feels, are not doing the job they were created to do. Given the reports so far, I have yet to see a more dismal failure.

Now, away from the government response and on to those greedy, self-serving excuses for human beings, who have perpetrated fraud in the aftermath of Katrina. Among other things, auditors found that thousands used duplicate or invalid social security numbers to get duplicate assistance payments, or monies to which they were not entitled. Some applicants used numbers belonging to dead people They used fraudulent addresses.

Auditors also found instances where the electronic debit cards issued were used to pay for guns, jewelry, bail money and adult entertainment!

All I can say is, "I hope you are all proud of yourselves." Over 1000 people died in Hurricane Katrina. Many more thousands were left homeless. People lost spouses, parents, children and other loved ones in this disaster. Your fellow U.S. citizens (including myself) gave millions to help you to have a place to stay, and to rebuild your lives. Many gave, who really could not afford it themselves, but your plight had come into our living rooms and into our homes. We saw your suffering, and we could only imagine what you must be going through. And now, we too, have been defrauded. We gave out of the kindness of our hearts, only to be taken advantage of by those whom we sought to help.

I know that not all Katrina victims have done this. All you decent citizens who took your share and did use it for which it was intended, please forgive me. I know this is a case of the few taking advantage of the many. But this time, I do not feel cheated by the government, but by neighbors.

And this is something that is enough to make you think twice before giving aid the next time around.

Senate Hearings on NSA's Surveillance Program

2006-02-07T22:40:00.000-02:00

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales testified Monday in the congressional hearings into the National Security Agency's (NSA) surveillance program on terrorism. However, his testimony did not provide satisfactory answers to critics of the program-either Democrat or Republican.

Gonzales sidestepped most questions regarding the NSA's surveillance program, saying he was uncomfortable with discussingit, because public inquiry could tip off al-Qaida to intelligence tactics. He refused to give any specifics about when the program started or how many U.S. citizens had been targets of the operation.

Excuse me, but arent's public officials answerable to the citizens and their duly elected representatives? If anyone out there could explain it to me, I'd really like to know how it could harm the program to simply state a number when asked how many U.S. citizens were targeted. Evading such a question merely leaves us to assume that giving out the information would enrage citizens more than this program already has.

The tone of the hearings prompted Senator Patrick Leahy to remark, "Of course. I'm sorry, Attorney General. I forgot you can't answer any questions that might be relevant to this."

Not only Democrates, but Republicans also are concerned about the program. Several Republican senators-Mie DeWine(Ohio), Lindsey Graham(South Carolina), Sam Brownback(Kansas), and Arlen Spector(Pennsylvania)-voiced concerns, including why the administration could not have worked within the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act(FISA), and seek warrants for the wiretaps, or request expanded authority from Congress to conduct eavesdropping without warrants.

Gonzales' legal defense was that "...we didn't think we had to, quite frankly." He said that the president already had the power, under the Constitution and the use of force resolution passed immediately following 9/11.

Democrats were concerned about the slippery slope created by the NSA, which they said could allow the president to claim almost unlimited power to fight terrorists, with no checks from Congress. Gonzales replied that the president's powers "arenot limitless. Obviously, Congress has a role to play in time of war." Apparently, it wasn't so obvious, however. When questioned about limits on presidential power, he again sidestepped the question, refusing to give specifics.

Gonzales DID acknowledge that, although the administration considered eavesdropping without warrants on entirely domestic communications, they decided against it. He stated that, "This was a judgement made that this was the right balance between the security of our country and protecting the private interests of Americans."

Like both the Democratic and Republican senators who questioned Gonzales, I'd like to know why a program considered so vital to national security would not be used to track communications within the U.S.? Surely, members of al-Qaida communicate with each other within our country?

Unlike the Rolling Stones halftime performance at Super Bowl XL, Gonzales' answers gave no satisfaction. His vagueness and "non-answers" were designed, not only to prevent tipping off al-Qaida, but also not to further alienate the American public. Every sidestep, every avoidance, every vague answer given by this administration is designed to keep information on this program from citizens, who would only be further outraged by the extent to which this administration has infringed upon their rights.

In his speech immediately following 9/11, President Bush said that we must go on with our lives, that we should not allow ourselves to give in to fear, because to do so would be to give the terrorists exactly what they wanted. Since then, he has, apparently, forgotten those inspiring words. This program is further proof of how much we are willing to sacrifice in the name of fear.

The Rolling Stones at the Super Bowl

2006-02-05T11:25:00.000-02:00

Like millions of others, I'll be watching Superbowl XL, between the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburg Steelers, tonight. Also like millions of others, I'm not so much tuning in for the game itself as for the halftime performance.

I grew up listening to the artists performing tonight-Stevie Wonder doing the pregame show, Aretha Franklin doing the national anthem, and the one and only Rolling Stones performing the halftime show. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood, and Charlie Watts are living proof that people don't necessarily slow down as they get older. The average age of the Stones is 62.5. I hope I have that much energy when I get to be their ages!

Superbowl entertainment producer Don Mische, in comparing the performance of the Stones to that of Paul McCartney last year, has been quoting as saying. "There's more raw energy, more unpredictability. Anything can happen." This doesn't faze me when thinking about Mick & Co. It starts to amaze me, when I remember that these guys are around ten years younger than my 76-year-old father!

As a long-time Rolling Stones fan, beginning in the '60's, when my sister (who's six years older) graciously allowed me to listen in when she played the radio and records, I'm looking forward to tonight. Like a lot of others, I've grown up with the Stones. They're old friends now. Personally, I hope these guys never quit. I can't imagine life without them.

They're performing live with no taped backup tonight. I'm not worried about their performances. After all, who's had more practice than the Stones? There's only one thing I'm concerned about-wardrobe malfunctions!

Justice Samuel Alito

2006-02-04T17:30:00.000-02:00

In his first case on the Supreme Court, new justice Samuel Alito gave an indication that he would not simply follow his conservative colleagues. At issue was a Missouri case in which the state sought to lift a stay of execution, won from an appeals court earlier in the day. Inmate Michael Taylor, who is appealing his death sentence on the basis that lethal injection is cruel and unusual punishment, will now have his claim reviewed by an appeals court.

Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, along with Chief Justice John Roberts, supported lifting the stay. Justice Alito sided with the remaining five justices in turning down Missouri's request for a midnight execution.

Alito's move was a surpise to many. Liberals denounced Alito's confirmation, fearing that he would follow a straight, conservate path. Although I consider myself an independent, I, too, was one of those who opposed Alito's confirmation. His ruling in this case pleasantly surpised me. Now, I hope that myself and the others who opposed Alito's confirmation were wrong. I hope that Justice Alito continues to show that he is a man who weighs the evidence and makes his own decisions, rather than someone who follows a straight conservative path. His career will be interesting to follow.

State of the Union

2006-02-01T10:02:00.000-02:00

Following President Bush's State of the Union address last night, the state of the union can be summed up in one word-confused. Bush's speech was full of contradictions, mixed messages and vague promises. I have outlined some of them (in no particular order) below:

*Addiction to Oil*

According to Bush, the U.S. is "addicted to oil." I haven't noticed his concern about this addiction when his own company is the "dealer." I think the President needs to brush up on addiction. The economics and life-styles in this country are such that oil is a legitimate need-not an addiction. Those of us who don't live in areas with public transportation (and that's a lot of us) must depend on our cars to get to work, the grocery store, take our kids to school, etc. Many of us are dependent on either natural gas or propane to heat our homes. Neither private industry or the government have offered us alternatives which are viable, affordable and widely available. Until they do, we will need oil. It is not an "addiction" that we can be cured of, unless we have alternatives.

*Partisanship*

The president spoke of the need for Congress to "put aside their differences and work together on solutions." We have seen how both Bush and the Republicans expect bipartisanship to work. JUST DO IT OUR WAY. We're not listening to anything else.

*Education*

President Bush called for more public spending on basic science research and more money for education in math and science. He proposed an initiative to to train 70,000 high school teachers to lead advanced-placement math and science courses, and advocated bringing in math and science professionals to teach. This from a man who has cut education spending and refused to provide federal funds to help fund his own "No Child Left Behind" Act-which is working great. We can't leave anyone behind when we're not going anywhere. My daughter is in advanced-placement courses, and I can vouch for this.

*Healthcare*

The president gave healthcare barely a passing nod. His proposal for greater tax benefits for health savings accounts (which allow people to pay into such accounts tax-free) is great-for those who can afford to part with some of their hard-earned money to pay into these accounts. For those Americans who cannot afford it, this still leaves them out in the cold.

*Same Sex Marriage"

The President never used those words last night, but his message was clear. "Uphold traditional family values." I come from a pretty traditional family-mother, father, three children, a dog, and a cat. The values which I was taught are traditional. Love, honor and respect your spouse. Be sure your children are fed, clothed, educated, emotionally nurtured and grow up to be responsible and upstanding citizens. I know people personally who are in loving, committed, gay relationships who are doing the same. The president speaks of fighting for freedom for other countries and people at the same time he advocates allowing U.S. citizens to be denied a basic, fundamental right. Hypocrisy at its worst.

*War*

The President's views on this were clear. He fully expects the U.S. to be world police. His view of us making the world safe for freedom and democracy is a pretty view. However, he neglects to mention where we are to get the resources for this. Our military is stretched thin. We are facing budget deficits somewhere in the neighborhood of $400 billion. Where do we find anything more?

He also brought up some other interesting points about Iraq. He spoke of the rebuilding going on. Yet he neglected to mention the monies which have been embezzled by our own people. He spoke of the atrocities committed by Iraqi troops, including beheading and torture. Yet he neglected to mention similar tactics used by the U.S. military, including torture and the arrest and detention of Iraqi women as a device to capture their husbands.

Does the President really expect us to swallow this "the state of our union is strong" and "all is well" message? The most encouraging thing that I've seen about this country recently is that Americans are no longer willing to merely sit back and listen to our elected officials without question. They are no longer willing to let the country be run without their input. Perhaps, after 230 years, this country has matured.

Military Discharges

2006-01-26T07:00:00.000-02:00

It's about time we changed this archaic and discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that the U.S. military has on homosexuals.

On Wednesday, January 25, it was acknowledged, in a report compiled using information coming from the Pentagon, that, in the past 10 years around 350 members of the military have been discharged under this policy. It was further acknowledged that, since the policy came into being in 1994, around 9500 military personnel have been discharged due to the policy. This included trained officers and medical personnel. According to the information, the cost to replace these personnel would be around $200 million dollars!

We are a nation of hypocrites for allowing this to go on. The military has not been meeting recruiting levels. We are fighting two wars (whether we should be is an entirely different blog subject) and our military is stretched thin. And we discharge trained personnel because of their sexual orientation?! This is ridiculous.

The government tells us that one of the reasons we are in Iraq is to bring democracy and the same freedoms we (supposedly) have to the Iraqi people. America presents itself as the champion of democracy and freedom all over the world. Yet we still discriminate against our own citizen. Hypocrisy at its worst.

On the heels of this report, another report, commissioned by the Pentagon, revealed that our military is under "severe stress," "stretched thin," and, "almost at a breaking point." Immediately after the press revealed the contents of this unreleased report, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld stepped up to do damage control. Rumsfeld says that the comments in the report are either "out of date or misdirected." According to Rumsfeld, the military simply needs more "rebalancing."

The Pentagon is refuting its own contracted reports. The military is discharging its own trained personnel at a time when the military needs every person it can get. When will this administration get the idea that the American people don't simply take their word for everything without asking questions or being able to assess things for themselves?

Supreme Court Upholds Assisted Suicide

2006-01-17T10:29:00.000-02:00

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court did the American people proud by upholding Oregon's assisted suicide law. The Bush Administration's attempt to go after them was trumped.
This is as it should be.

A rational person has the right to choose to end his/her life. If it comes down to it, I do not want the government making that choice for me or any of my loved ones.

Two-and-a-half years ago, my family and I had to make the decision to take my mother off life support. At the time, she would have had (at most) another two weeks to live. Those two weeks would have been in constant pain and without her knowing or being able to talk with any of us. It was the most difficult and painful decision we will ever be required to make. But, before going in for surgery, my mother had always said that she did not want a life where she was unable to do things for herself-where someone else even had to assist when she went to the bathroom.

When life support was removed, she passed away peacefully, with all of her family around her and holding her hands. Is the government going to send anyone to hold my hand and help me through another few weeks or months of suffering when they deem it necessary to prolong my life? I don't think so.

Rather than live an extra six months, I would prefer to die in peace with my loved ones around me. Don't give me any government help with this decision. I am capable of making it myself.

Medicare Prescription Plans

2006-01-15T09:21:00.000-02:00

Well, after putting in long hours helping my father choose a Medicare prescription plan, we are now sitting back and holding our breath, waiting to see if his prescriptions will be filled without incident. After reading about the problems a lot of other people are having, I'm prepared for the worst.

In case anything goes wrong, I have my arsenal of phone numbers ready-his doctor, Medicare, Senators, Congressmen. It's absolutely absurd to have to be prepared to call Senators and Congressmen to get a prescription filled! However, that's what other people have had to do in some cases!

I find it amazing how carefully everyone prepared for Y2K and nothing happened. Now, they take something that COULD be fairly simple and straightforward, and turn it into this Chaos!

This should be turned into a show like Survivor. After all, staying alive in the wilderness is nothing compared to staying afloat in this jungle they have created! For a look at just some of the problems people are experiencing, here's a good link:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060115/ap_on_he_medicare_drugs

Immigration, Public Benefits and Employment in Georgia

2006-01-09T12:48:00.000-02:00

According to a poll conducted for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 61% of likely voters said it is "very important" that the Georgia Legislature deal with restricting state services to illegal immigrants. The 2006 Legislature convenes today,and immigration is expected to be an important issue.

Senator Chip Rogers, a Republican from Woodstock is, apparently, spearheading these efforts. Senator Rogers is sponsoring a bill requiring state agencies to verify legal residency of anyone seeking public benefits. This would include denying benefits such as public education and medical benefits to illegal immigrants.

While I agree that illegal immigration has become a problem in Georgia and the rest of the nation, I have one major problem with such legislation. How can anyone, in good conscience, deny education and medical care to children?

Children brought to this country are at the mercy of their parents' decisions. To deny them access to state-supported medical benefits is tantamount to a death sentence for many of these children. Children with serious health issues would not have access to regular medical checkups or to prescription medication.

Now, I realize that the intent of such legislation is to discourage their parents from coming to our fair(?) state in the first place. However, this will not prevent the illegal immigration of a certain number of people-people who may be in such dire circumstances in their own country that they see anything as an improvement. But to deny medical care to children who were brought to this state through no choice of their own is cruel.

There must be a better way.

Intelligent Design School

2006-01-06T10:09:00.000-02:00

I'm having a little trouble understanding all this uproar about teaching "intelligent design" in public schools.

There's a wonderful school where intelligent design is taught regularly without any conflict or problems. It's called Sunday School. I enjoyed many a Sunday there as a child. We had arts and crafts based on Bible subjects and read neat stories about the many happenings in the Bible.

Churches still have Sunday School. They also have Vacation Bible Schools and many have youth and study groups. If you want Intelligent Design and/or creationism taught to your children, send them. Better yet, take them there yourself. It's a traditional and enriching family outing. Reinforce the lessons taught in Sunday School throughout the week at your own home.

Intelligent Design has its own school. Let the public schools teach math, science, language arts and the other things for which they were designed. The bottom line is that, eventually, your children will take all the knowledge they have gained over the course of their lifetime and make their own decisions about what they believe. There's a good chance those beliefs will not agree (at least not fully) with yours. Prepare yourself for it.

Right now, let's let each school teach the subjects it is there to teach. It will eliminate a lot of chaos!

Immigration and Schools

2006-01-05T05:22:00.000-02:00

I am not against immigration. It makes perfect sense to me that someone would want to come to a country where they can earn more money and, hopefully, make a better life for themselves. That said, I'm not trying to get into the politics of immigration here. However, my daughter brought something to my attention today, which I found very disturbing.

My daughter is currently a freshman in high school. If I might be allowed to do a little bragging here (I am a mom, after all!), she is in advanced placement courses at her high school. She works hard and turns in every homework assignment and is planning to attend college to study archaeology.

During dinner tonight, we were discussing an article in our local paper on immigration. It was at this point that she brought up the subject that some of the students in her classes could not speak English or could speak very little English. She talked about one student in particular, who was in her health class.

Apparently, this student began the semester knowing no English. The student was not required to take any course tests. This student apparently attended class every day, understood very little, if any, of the lectures the teacher gave to the class, took no notes, and was not able to understand the textbook. However, at the end of the semester, this student received a passing grade.

I was appalled and became angry. To me, this seems unfair to each and every student in the class-to those students who do understand English and must do all their work in order to receive even a passing grade, and to the student who didn't understand a word of what was said or done in class and still received a passing grade!

This student is learning that s/he does not have to do the work in order to receive course credit and, later, a diploma. The other students are resenting the student who receives a passing grade without doing the required work, and wondering why they should have to do the required work if another student does not.

A lot is currently being said about immigration policies in this country and not allowing the children of illegal immigrants to attend public schools. I have no problem with these children attending school. However, I do think that giving passing grades to students who are incapable of understanding the instructors and doing the required work is ridiculous! The diploma they receive is worthless! And, in the meantime, other students are working very hard to make good grades and get into colleges.

I don't believe children should be allowed to attend school until they have, at least, a working knowledge of the language in which classes are taught. The irony of this is that my daughter has now taken two semesters of Spanish and was required to speak and read Spanish in order to pass the class!

More chaos in our world!

New Year, New Chaos

2006-01-02T14:20:00.000-02:00

'Twas the day after New Year, and all through the house...

CHAOS!

Business as usual. At least for our house. Probably for a lot of the world, too. I haven't picked up a newspaper so far this morning, so I have no idea what's going on in the rest of the world-yet. I'll find out soon, and that'll amount to at least one more post today.

That is, provided I can get through all the work to be done around here well enough to be able to sit down at the computer again today. There are still Christmas presents to put away, the tree and lights to take down, unpacking to be done (we spend Christmas with my father and just arrived home after a week away)...On top of all that, my daughter wants to go to the mall to spend her Christmas money! Already burning a hole in her pocket!

Christmas this year was both happy and sad. My mother passed away two a half years ago, so this was our third Christmas without her. That's always the sad part. I go to my father's house and cook Christmas dinner in her kitchen, using her utensils. I tell myself that it's a good thing-keeping up the tradition and using her things to do it, but it still makes me a little melancholy, in spite of the good things.

The best thing is that a lot of family is together. My favorite part of the holiday was Christmas Day at about 6:00 pm. Along with Richard (my partner of ten years), Sarah (my daughter), my father and myself, the house was filled with my brother and sister-in-law, my sister, my niece (who brought along her boyfriend and her two children), my nephew, and his girlfriend (who brought along her dog)! And, oh yes, my dad's cat-who was hiding behind the sofa, not sure whether to be more frightened of the dog or the mob of people there!

I was also able to visit several cousins, and an aunt and uncle whom I hadn't seen in a while. My father's house is a three hour drive from ours (which is practically nothing compared to the distances some people travel to see family, but can seem like a really long way sometimes). Probably the most worrisome thing about the holiday is packing up all the gifts, clothes and miscellaneous items into our van for the trip and worrying that I'm forgetting someone's Christmas gift! (Which has happened a couple of times!)

But, for all the chaos, I wouldn't miss Christmas with my family for anything. They anchor me. They provide a sense of continuity and belonging. For me, that's the most important part of Christmas.

But now-it's the New Year and I have to get busy with it. So, please excuse me while I unpack, take down Christmas lights, do dishes, etc. Hope your New Year is as busy as mine!

gaj