November 27, 2005
Ramsey Clark, Saddam Hussein and the Media
As I went to my start page today, this Headline immediately caught my eye; US Attorney General to Assist Saddam Defense. Once you click on the link it states it is Former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark who had arrived in Iraq to assist the Saddam Defense. This started me reflecting on several issues. Why such a misleading headline? After reading the article, even more questions came to mind.
» Continue reading "Ramsey Clark, Saddam Hussein and the Media"Power in Small Numbers
Third parties and independent candidates for federal office, as well as half of the eligible voters in this country, utterly fail to recognize the power they hold in the palms of their hands. The power of just a small number of them to radically alter American politics as well as substantially, and significantly, reform American government is right there in front of them. Yet, so far, they have refused to see it and seize it for their own. Some who do see it, recoil from it. Is power in politics such a frightening thing? Perhaps, not for long.
» Continue reading "Power in Small Numbers"November 26, 2005
The Real Power of Government
There has been mention lately in the comments on these blog pages about what the government should be doing, can do and is constitutionally allowed to do. But underneath those discussions we need to understand what makes government different from other organizations. Private organizations like the Red Cross, the NAACP, MADD, the Salvation Army, Angie's List and the ACLU can all perform functions the citizens of a regional area need. Most things the government can do can be performed by similar privately ran organizations, so what is it that the government can do that these organizations can't? Simply put, the government is the only body that we have legally given the power of force over its citizens.
» Continue reading "The Real Power of Government"November 21, 2005
How many other Ruben Cantu's exist?
In my many years of being involved on message boards or blogs there are several topics that create a huge difference of opinion. The Death Penalty is one of those; every time it has been discussed at least one pro-Death Penalty person will state that the absence of proof of anyone who was innocent being executed somehow justifies the continuation of the Death Penalty. Ruben Cantu was executed for murder in Texas in 1993. It appears there is a strong likelihood he was innocent.
» Continue reading "How many other Ruben Cantu's exist?"November 16, 2005
Creating a VOID in D.C.
What would happen if voters in 2006, 2008 and even 2010 surprised the pundits, statisticians, and political parties with an unpredictably organized dumping of incumbents? In 2004, more than 90% of federal politicians were reelected. What would happen if in 2006, only 88% were reelected? And in 2008 only 70% were reelected? And in 2010, only 45% were reelected? Do you think the pundits, statisticians, and politicians would glean something worthwhile from such ballot results?
» Continue reading "Creating a VOID in D.C."November 13, 2005
In Defense of High Gas Prices
Last week saw another sad grandstanding display by our elected politicians. Trying to respond to the public clamor over high gas prices, the Senate dragged in executives from five major oil companies to demand answers. These hearings demonstrate a disturbing trend in our polity.
» Continue reading "In Defense of High Gas Prices"November 11, 2005
Time to Say Thank You.
Tomorrow morning, I'll drive out to the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery to visit my dad's grave site. My dad was a veteran of World War II and rests there with thousands of his comrades. As today is veteran's day, I wanted to write a small post of thanks to all who have served in the military and to those continuing to do so. The service these men and women perform is a remarkable gift to those of us who have benefited from their protection. I would like to say that we understand and appreciate the work, sacrifices, and benefits that have been provided to us by our soldiers. I'd like to say that we have been steadfast in our appreciation, recognition and reward for a job well done.
» Continue reading "Time to Say Thank You."November 10, 2005
Unintelligent Design
A new theory for the creation of the universe has been developed and subsequently named 'Unintelligent Design'. While the theory is new it is only slightly more recent than the increasingly discussed theory by the similar name 'Intelligent Design'. Followers of the new theory are hoping to petition school boards across the country to teach this theory alongside Evolution and Intelligent Design and are hoping that the supporters of other similar origin science theories support their right to be included in our children's educational curriculum.
» Continue reading "Unintelligent Design"November 07, 2005
Making Children Political Tools
This topic has been on my mind for several months now. Seeing children at various anti-war protests, children used to promote a white nationalist theme, children used to protest in New York, the withdrawl of settlements in Israel among other events that made me stop and pause. Last night however I saw what to me was my "straw breaking the camel's back moment." A book written for children ages 4-8 called "Liberals are hiding under my bed".
» Continue reading "Making Children Political Tools"November 02, 2005
Remembering Rosa
Yesterday Rosa Parks was laid to rest in her adopted home of Detroit Michigan. The service was a beautiful tribute to a lady that by virtue of a small gesture help change forever the way we look at each other. Most of us know the story. In early December of 1955, in Montgomery Alabama, Ms. Parks boarded the bus for home. Sitting in the segragated section, she was asked to give up her seat to a white man because the white section had filled up. Ms. Parks quietly refused and was arrested. She was convicted in a 30 minute trial of disorderly conduct and fined $14.00. Shortly thereafter, the Montgomery bus boycott was launched and among the organizers of that boycott was a young pastor named Martin Luther King.
Department of Justice?
Many people may feel that Irwin Schiff is an despicable man, spending decades pointing out a serious flaw in our income tax code that what individuals earn are wages, not income, and therefore not subject to current federal income tax laws. Others may feel that he is a hero for taking on the federal government in what they see as a major overstepping of federal power. Still others may not even know who Irwin Schiff is. But we should all agree that the 'justice' being handed down to him now by an overzealous Department of Justice is worse than anything done in Abu Grahib or Guantanamo, and it is being done to a 78 year old American Citizen.
» Continue reading "Department of Justice?"November 01, 2005
Enough Is Enough
The administration did a quick job of removing Saddam Hussain from power in Iraq with very little loss of life. For that, I commend them. However, the post invasion actions in Iraq have been, to put it mildly, embarrassing. Not only that, any attempt to win the hearts of the Iraqi people have failed at a high cost to the United States. If the Iraqi people supported our occupation, understanding their security would be improved by the additional security that we could provide, then perhaps it would be worth it. Helping a fledgling new democracy get their constitution and government in order. But we know the sad truth now that our approval there by the very people we are trying to help is at an all time low.
» Continue reading "Enough Is Enough"Alito is a Slam Dunk to be Confirmed
Appeals Court Judge Samuel Alito is obviously among the numerous candidates that fulfills the President's pledge to nominate someone in the mold of Justices Scalia and Thomas- the only question now is whether he will be confirmed. I think he answer to that is a slam-dunk- yes. During the Miers nomination debacle, many on the right blamed the Republicans in the gang of 14 for the choice, saying they made the nomination of a qualified conservative impossible. I think the Alito nomination will show that I was right to defend those reasonable Republicans that helped save the filibuster, and right wing defenders of the president were wrong to try to blame the terrible Miers nomination on the moderate Republicans in the Senate.
» Continue reading "Alito is a Slam Dunk to be Confirmed"
