weekender...

Top Ten Country & Western Songs...




10. I Hate Every Bone In Her Body But Mine

9. Never Gone To Bed With an Ugly Woman But I Woke Up With a Few

8. If The Phone Don't Ring ... You'll Know It's Me

7. I've Missed You ... But My Aim's Improvin'

6. Wouldn't Take Her To A Dogfight 'Cause I'm Scared She'd Win

5. I'm So Miserable Without You It's Like You're Still Here

4. My Wife Ran Off With My Best Friend And I Miss Him

3. She Took My Ring and Gave Me the Finger

2. She's Lookin' Better with Every Beer


And The Number One Country & Western Song Is ...


1. It's Hard To Kiss The Lips At Night That Chewed My Ass Out All Day


ummm, i don't know where Maxx is,
but Tom is a big C & W fan
and loved these.
especially #3...

i'll have to send these to my friend Jim he dances with the Windy City Cowboys.

yeehawwwwwwwww...

women's tennis...

this may come across as a bit misogynistic, but i've been watching the first round play of the French Open since 6 am or so. i have always wondered why most of the women, especially Serena and her sister, have to grunt so loud every time they hit the ball.

some of the men do it too, but not as loud, it seems.

i wonder if they're loud in bed?

they need to be careful at Wimbledon. a woman in England may go to jail because she was cited a third time for having sex that was too loud!

i'm not making that up; check it out yourself -

British woman arrested over noisy sex

shut up, Maxx!
there's a reason i don't have the sound on
when you're in a post...

Memorial Day...

the official start of summer activities; the first BBQ on the patio for the season; the beginning of travel season.

more important, the remembrance of all the women and men, living and dead, who served to protect us over the decades.

my father and my uncles served in WWII; my cousin served in Korea; many of my friends served in Vietnam and some of them are still there.

i've been surrounded by wars my entire life. i am, however, a pacifist - totally. i do not even believe that a government has the right to take a human life.

yet, i do understand that there are times when people and nations have to defend themselves. there are others in the world who do not believe in the concept of peace; there are groups who believe that to get what they want they must resort to violence and murder; and there are zealots who are convinced that their way is the only way to do things.

but, i strive, at least for myself, to push for the humanity of the world.

yesterday afternoon, i saw what i can only describe as the most haunting and believable argument against war - the opera Owen Wingrave by Benjamin Britten. commissioned by the BBC, it was first performed in 1970, at the height of the Vietnam Conflict. an irony that did not escape notice.

the story is about a young British aristocrat whose family was military backbone of Great Britain. after much thought, Owen comes to believe that war and violence has to stop, or at least the glorification of it. his family is distraught, not because of his stand but because of the disgrace it brings to them. his grandfather, Sir Phillip, disinherits him, his betrothed rejects him, his aunt repels him. Owen stays resolute.

he is branded a coward; he denies he lacks courage. his mentor and teacher of war tactics, Mr. Coyle, comes to realize he has more courage than most others and is torn.

of course, Owen dies at the end, but not how you would think. the original short story by Henry James and the opera are also a ghost story. the ghosts are woven in because they are Owen's ancestors.

it may seem ironic to talk about someone opposed to war as a way of honoring Memorial Day, but there are different kinds of heroes. one of Owen's lines in the opera is most prophetic and is actually by one of England's greatest war heroes: The Duke of Wellington

"Next to a battle lost, the greatest misery is a battle gained."

the opera also points out the irony that wars are fought to gain peace, a fact not lost on the character of Owen.

in the end, we must remember those who have served us. it is a dichotomy that is inescapable in the world.

Benjamin Britten also wrote a piece that was both a tribute to those who had fought and died in WWII and also something that remembered the horror of war and conflict. his War Requiem is one of the greatest musical compositions of the 20th century. i include below the last part of the Libera me what Britten called "Let us sleep now" in dedication to all those who served us.

monday morning mayhem...

Why Athletes don't have regular jobs...

1. Chicago Cubs Outfielder Andre Dawson on being a role model: "I wan' all dem kids to do what I do, to look up to me. I wan' all the kids to copulate me."

2. New Orleans Saint RB George Rogers when asked about the upcoming season: "I want to rush for 1,000 or 1,500 yards, whichever comes first."

3. And, upon hearing Joe Jacobi of the 'Skins say: "I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl," Matt Millen of the Raiders said: "To win, I'd run over Joe's Mom, too."

4. Torrin Polk, University of Houston receiver, on his coach, John Jenkins: "He treats us like men. He lets us wear earrings."

5. Football commentator and former player Joe Theismann, 1996: "Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."

6. Senior basketball player at the University of Pittsburgh : "I'm going to
graduate on time, no matter how long it takes." (now that is beautiful)

7. Bill Peterson, a Florida State footb all coach: "You guys line up alphabetically by height."And, "You guys pair up in groups of three, and then line up in a circle."

8. Boxing promoter Dan Duva on Mike Tyson going to prison: "Why would anyone expect him to come out smarter? He went to prison for three years, not Princeton ."

9. Stu Grimson, Chicago Blackhawks left wing, explaining why he keeps a color photo of himself above is locker: "That's so when I forget how to spell my name, I can still find my clothes."

10. Lou Duva, veteran boxing trainer, on the Spartan training regime of heavyweight Andrew Golota: "He's a guy who gets up at six o'clock in the morning, regardless of what time it is."

11. Chuck Nevitt , North Carolina State basketball player, explaining to Coach Jim Valvano why he appeared nervous at practice: "My sister's expecting a baby, and I don't know if I'm going to be an uncle or an aunt." (I wonder if his IQ ever hit room temperature in January)

12. Frank Layden, Utah Jazz president, on a former player: "I told him, 'Son, what is it with you? Is it ignorance or apathy?' He said, 'Coach, I don't know and I don't care.'"

13. Shelby Metcalf, basketball coach at Texas A&M, recounting what he told a player who received four F's and one D : "Son, looks to me like you're spending too much time on one subject."

14. Amarillo High School and Oiler coach Bum Phillips when asked by Bob Costas why he takes his wife on all the road trips, Phillips responded: "Because she is too darn ugly to kiss good-bye.


i don't know if regular jobs should be the real point. i'm wondering more about the fact that all these guys have college educations!

something didn't work...




Maxx couldn't get passed #8
but i forced him to read #14.
he wants to know if there was a divorce
or at least a restraining order...

Bush and Obama and Cheeeeney...

i really have been wondering for the last several days if there has been communication between George Bush and Barack Obama over everything going on. seems like the question has been answered by Mr. Obama himself:

In an interview with C-SPAN that will air in entirety at 10.a.m. Saturday, President Barack Obama acknowledged having had conversations with Bush since leaving office, though he insisted on abiding by "a general policy of keeping confidence with your predecessor."

Obama Has Talked With Bush Since Inauguration
Sam Stein, Huffington Post
May 23, 2009

personally, i thought that it was a certainty that they have been talking. i also believe that Obama probably has been talking to George H.W., Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter. i also speculate that George W. has been counseled by his father, George H.W. on how to respond or, rather, how not to respond to Cheeney's mutterings.

there is much talk that Mr. Bush and Cheeeeney were at odds towards the end of Bush's term in office. Bush himself said it was time to close Gitmo; Mr. Cheeeney has been continuing his talk to keep it open. something is obviously not right here.

now comes word that Mr. Cheeeney is hawking a book deal - Cheney Seeks Book Deal on Bush Years and More, New York Times, 5/22/09 - and the last few weeks of Cheeeeney's actions and behaviour seem to be even more self-aggrandizing as some have come to explain one reason for his whirlwind jaunt. it's almost a book tour being done BEFORE the book is published.

actually, no publisher has even bought the book yet.

not to worry there. someone is just waiting on the chance to jump on that. that person wants to make a lot of money. Mr. Cheeeeney seems to be investing on his reputation more than anything else.

well, he doesn't need the money. does he?

a misnomer...

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

United States Constitution
Bill of Rights

over the years we have heard this cry of free speech being constricted from the religious zealots more than any other group.

just within the last few weeks we have heard it invoked with things like the Miss California brouhaha and by NOM. they believe that their inherent right of free speech is being denied, but more important, they believe they actually have this right because of the First Amendment cited above.

they need to read the amendment very carefully. it DOES NOT say that they have the right to say anything that they want. it says

Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech

it is very clear. the amendment is establishing the prohibition of Congress to pass laws prohibiting the freedom of speech. however, it does not give anyone the right to say whatever they want, true or not.

as a matter of fact, SCOTUS has time and again upheld the decisions of employers, organizations, the general public, etc. in restricting what people can say.

the quintessential argument for this is the Schenck Case, heard by SCOTUS in 1919. it is widely known for the phrase "shouting fire in a crowded theater", itself a misnomer because it is misquoted often. the actual ruling says:

The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man falsely shouting fire in a theater and causing a panic. [...] The question in every case is whether the words used are used in such circumstances and are of such a nature as to create a clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils that Congress has a right to prevent.

i put the key word in bold - falsely.

the Schenck case itself is very interesting. it dealt with the distribution of flyers during WWI opposing the draft. the Court unanimously held that this was a condition that dealt with a clear and present danger to the U.S. - it's right to protect itself.

the Court decision was subsequently overturned by itself in Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969). It held that government cannot punish inflammatory speech unless it is directed to inciting and likely to incite imminent lawless action. [Wikipedia]

this case dealt with a KKK member who was convicted of alleged activities and speech that could cause a clear and present danger since one of the entities he spoke against was the U.S. government.

the 1969 decision changed the test from clear and present danger to "imminent lawless action". it is the bellweather still used by the courts today.

again, though, the Court is upholding the idea that people cannot say whatever they want, if it is going to cause larger problems or dangers. only now there has to be proof of imminent danger. shouting fire in a crowded theater would still be a problem, if it is false.

so, did Miss California border on causing imminent lawless action? no, but here is her problem. she was under contract to an business run by a private concern. hence, she was really under the restrictions of that corporation. she could, in fact, be censored by the organization if she broke her contract with them. [she was by the California subsidiary but not he national.]

her right of free speech was in no way infringed upon by Congress. too often people use the First Amendment to indicate that they can say whatever they want, whenever they want. it doesn't. it says that Congress cannot pass a law infringing upon free speech. the courts say there has to be some reason for the speech that will not cause an imminent danger.

obfuscating obfuscations...

the video from Rachel Maddow's show last night really speaks for itself. it's not just as obfuscation, it's pure hypocrisy.




and they call themselves christian!

i worry for Mr. Dias on appearing on Rachel's show.

anyone want to bet he is punished in some way? suspended? kicked out?

no bets? didn't think so...

weekender...

First Celebrity Dies of Swine Flu ...

And we all know who the carrier is...

have you no shame, Maxx?
this is serious.
an icon has...
fallen in the dump?

the former vice-president...

i love the way that Chris Matthews pronounces his name - Cheeney.

just listening to the excerpts from his speechifying today at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank [an oxyomoron?] i wish the man would just go away.

i realize that i'm a small cog in the wheel of Republicans and Democrats who wish the same thing.

Cheeney is so over the top he borders on mental. that anyone can believe that it is right to harm another person for any reason is beyond me.

he says that he saved thousands of lives with this actions; he says the safety of the U.S. was strengthened because of his actions; and he believes that what he did is forgivable.

it's not.

he is diminished in his humanity and he has diminished the humanity of the country.

if he were a priest, i'd use the line i've used in several previous posts - here...

Rwoerge, Rwi rwant rwone...

Autoblog has this video with Jay Leno up on it today about the Aptera 2e electric car. at first glance, it reminded me of George and Astro Jetson. after watching this video, Astro and i think we want one just because...

SCOTUS 5-4 ruling on detainee abuse...

Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, writing for the majority in the 5-to-4 decision, said a lawsuit filed by the man, Javaid Iqbal, must be dismissed at a preliminary stage because he failed to allege a plausible link between the officials’ conduct and the abuses he said he had suffered.

Justices Turn Back Ex-Detainee’s Suit Over Prison Abuses
New York Times, May 18, 2009

not a surprise. i think we should continue to see this over the next several years, at least.

Mr. Bush and the wingers made sure of that by nominating and pushing through the likes of Roberts, Scalia, etc who are much younger than previous courts. The only promise of change would come if one of these people dies or resigns. we can't count on any one of them resigning, but death certainly is a viable option.

Mr. Obama has indicated that he wants to nominate a woman to replace Justice Souter. I think that a great idea. however, the nutters have already mobilized and put together their battle plan against anyone he nominates:

WASHINGTON — If President Obama nominates Judge Diane P. Wood to the Supreme Court, conservatives plan to attack her as an “outspoken” supporter of “abortion, including partial-birth abortion.”

If he nominates Judge Sonia Sotomayor, they plan to accuse her of being “willing to expand constitutional rights beyond the text of the Constitution.”

And if he nominates Kathleen M. Sullivan, a law professor at Stanford, they plan to denounce her as a “prominent supporter of homosexual marriage.”

Preparing to oppose the confirmation of Mr. Obama’s eventual choice to succeed Justice David H. Souter, who is retiring, conservative groups are working together to stockpile ammunition. Ten memorandums summarizing their research, obtained by The New York Times, provide a window onto how they hope to frame the coming debate.

Conservatives Map Strategies on Court Fight
New York Times, May 16, 2009

at this point, i would bet that they would oppose Jesus if he were the nominee, especially with Republican Leader Steele saying they don't want anyone who shows empathy. [see today's Washington Times: GOP Gearing Up to Assail Nominee]

i'm not sure they could find anyone more empathetic than Jesus. JC even forgave lepers and prostitutes. [maybe that's why the David Vitter's and other repubs are okay about using their services? i've not thought of that before.]

so, i think it is going to be a long time before the makeup of SCOTUS really makes a turn. the only outside change would be if Justice Kennedy retires. HE is the usual swing vote on all of the 5-4 decisions for the last several years. only if he leaves early will the swing be towards the center or left.

monday morning mayhem...

looking for your wife...

Two guys, one old and one young, are pushing their carts around Lowe's Building Supply when they collide.

The old guy says to the young guy, "Sorry about that. I'm looking for my wife, and I guess I wasn't paying attention to where I was going.

"The young guy says, "That's OK. It's a coincidence. I'm looking for my wife, too. I can't find her and I'm getting a little desperate."

The old guy says, "Well, maybe we can help each other. What does your wife look like?"

The young guy says, "Well, she is 24 yrs old, tall, with blonde hair, blue eyes, long legs, big boobs, and she's wearing very tight white shorts, a halter top and no bra. What does your wife look like?"

The old guy says..., "Doesn't matter --- let's look for yours.

Hey, Mom...

So, there I was . . . just relaxing in front of the T.V. when the kids yelled,

'Hey Mom, come see the kittens!'

oh, my...


Negative people...

This is something to think about when negative people are doing their best to rain on your parade.

Remember this story the next time someone who knows nothing and cares less tries to make your life miserable.

A woman was at her hairdresser's getting her hair styled for a trip to Rome with her husband.. She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser, who responded:

"Rome ? Why would anyone want to go there? It's crowded and dirty. You're crazy to go to Rome So, how are you getting there?"

"We're taking Continental," was the reply. "We got a great rate!"

"Continental?" exclaimed the hairdresser. "That's a terrible airline. Their planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly, and they're always late. So, where are you staying in Rome?"

"We'll be at this exclusive little place over on Rome's Tiber River called Teste."

"Don't go any further. I know that place. Everybody thinks its gonna be something special and exclusive, but it's really a dump."

"We're going to go to see the Vatican and maybe get to see the Pope."

"That's rich," laughed the hairdresser. "You and a million other people trying to see him. He'll look the size of an ant. Good luck on this lousy trip of yours. You're going to need it."

A month later, the woman again came in for a hairdo. The hairdresser asked her about her trip to Rome .

"It was wonderful," explained the woman, "not only were we on time in one of Continental's brand new planes, but it was overbooked and they bumped us up to first class. The food and wine were wonderful, and I had a handsome 28-year-old steward who waited on me hand and foot. And the hotel was great! They'd just finished a $5 million remodeling job, and now it's a jewel, the finest hotel in the city. They, too, were overbooked, so they apologized and gave us their owner's suite at no extra charge!"

"Well," muttered the hairdresser, "that's all well and good, but I know you didn't get to see the Pope."

"Actually, we were quite lucky, because as we toured the Vatican, a Swiss Guard tapped me on the shoulder, and explained that the Pope likes to meet some of the visitors, and if I'd be so kind as to step into his private room and wait, the Pope would personally greet me. Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pope walked through the door and shook my hand! I knelt down and he spoke a few words to me."

"Oh, really! What'd he say?"

He asked: "Who f***ed up your hair?"



Maxx thinks these are the funniest one he's ever heard.
well, at least for this year...

great website and right to the point...

if you're not familiar with Listverse: The Universe of Lists, you should be. it's list of just about everything and it's brilliant. they include everything from history to food to politics to spooky sports curses to... you name it. you can also sign up for a daily list that they send to your email inbox.

this is today's emailed list:

10 Cases of Conservative Hypocrisy

here's just one from today's list and its #1 -

1 Strom Thurmond



Hypocrisy: Blocking Civil Rights for His Own Child

When South Carolina Gov. Strom Thurmond ran for president in 1948 on the Dixiecrat ticket, he vowed to bar blacks from white schools, restaurants, and even some occupations. But at the same time he was preaching segregation, he was secretly financing the business administration degree of Essie Mae Washington, a black coed at the all-black South Carolina State College. Why? Because it is widely believed that Ms. Washington is his daughter. By supporting a black woman he supposedly sired, Thurmond considered himself remaining loyal to a Southern Gentleman’s code that required white boys, who often learned about sex “on the colored side of town,” to take care of any children they fathered. To his very death, Thurmond never confirmed nor denied Ms. Washington as his daughter, even when the headline: “SEN. THURMOND IS UNPRINCIPLED — WITH COLORED OFFSPRING — WHILE PARADING AS A DEVOUT SEGREGATIONIST” ran in the Edgefield Advertiser, where Ms. Washington went to school.

obfuscating obfuscations...

Keith Olbermann's new segment - WTF - appropriately named. if you haven't caught any of them yet, his piece on Prejean was the opening shot and it's taken off from there.

hopefully, he'll hit this one from today's NYT this week. it's a doozie...

Nothing is simple if you’re Harry Reid. This week the Senate was working on a consumer rights bill for credit card holders when Tom Coburn, an Oklahoma Republican, suddenly proposed an amendment to allow people to carry loaded guns in national parks

Guns, Geysers and Mr. Reid
by Gail Collins
May 16, 2009

what's that Visa/Mastercard commercial?

oh, yeah...

bringing your gun to the Tetons?
priceless...

weekender (bonus)...

got this after later this afternoon, and thought you might need it's advise for the weekend...


A man with a winking problem is applying for a position as a sales representative for a large firm. The interviewer looks over his papers and says,

"This is phenomenal. You've graduated from the best schools; your recommendations are wonderful, and your experience is unparalleled. Normally, we'd hire you without a second thought. However, a sales representative has a highly visible position, and we're afraid that your constant winking will scare off potential customers. I'm sorry.... We can't hire you."



"But wait," the man says. "If I take two aspirin, I'll stop winking!"

"Really? Great! Show me!"

So the applicant reaches into his jacket pocket and begins pulling out all sorts of condoms: red condoms, blue condoms, ribbed condoms, flavored condoms; finally, at the bottom, he finds a packet of aspirin. He tears it open, swallows the pills, and stops winking.

"Well," said the interviewer, "that's all well and good, but this is a respectable company, and we will not have our employees womanizing all over the country!"

"Womanizing? What do you mean? I'm a happily married man!"

"Well then, how do you explain all these condoms?"

"Oh, that," he sighed. "Have you ever walked into a pharmacy, winking, and asked for aspirin?"


Maxx wasn't expecting that one...
pretty damn funny though.

weekender...

Some American adventure tourists signed up for a guided expedition across the Sahara desert. Upon arriving at their starting point they were surprised to find that the entire journey was to be via camel.

They explained to the expedition leader how they were under the impression the trip was to be taken in four wheel drive vehicles.

"No no," said Ohmar, "There is no vehicle made that can survive the route we are taking across the desert. Only camels can make this trip and even they require special preparation"

"What kind of special preparation?" asked an American

"Well first I let the camel drink his fill of cool water and then just as he's taking his last sip I take these two bricks and slam them together on his nuts. The camel instantly sucks up another ten gallons of water... enough for him to survive the long
journey"

"My god," exclaimed the American, "that must really hurt"

"Not really," replied Ohmar, "only if I catch my fingers between the bricks"


ouch...

i don't think i'm going to take a camel trip when i'm in Egypt this September, and, if i see any bricks, i'm going to run like helll...



really, Maxx,
have you no sympathy?

monday morning mayhem...

IF MY BODY WERE A CAR...

If my body were a car, this is the time I would be thinking about trading it in for a newer model. I've got bumps and dents and scratches in my finish and my paint job is getting a little dull ... But that's not the worst of it.

My headlights are out of focus and it's especially hard to see things up close.

My traction is not as graceful as it once was. I slip and slide and skid and bump into things even in the best of weather.

My whitewalls are stained with varicose veins.

It takes me hours to reach my maximum speed. My fuel rate burns inefficiently.

But here's the worst of it --



Almost every time I sneeze, cough or laugh.....
either my radiator leaks or my exhaust backfires.


it sucks to feel that way on a Monday...


i suppose it could be worse -

AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE

A gorgeous young redhead goes into the doctor's office and said that her body hurt wherever she touched it.

"Impossible!" says the doctor. "Show me."

The redhead took her finger, pushed on her left breast and screamed, then she pushed her elbow and screamed even more. She pushed her knee and screamed; likewise she pushed her ankle and screamed. Everywhere she touched made her scream.

The doctor said, "You're not really a redhead, are you?

"Well, no," she said. "I'm actually a blonde."

"I thought so! " the doctor said. "Your finger is broken."



shameless, Maxx, shameless...

another thing Mr. Vitter needs to keep zipped up...

Hurricane season begins June 1, and yet the Federal Emergency Management Agency still has no new director. Two months ago, President Obama nominated Craig Fugate, the state emergency chief who excelled in Florida. The choice was hailed widely, on both sides of the aisle, as ideal. But Mr. Fugate is being held hostage in the Senate by David Vitter of Louisiana.

Doin’ a Heck of a Job, Senator,
Editorial, New York Times
May 9, 2009

always at the people's expense. isn't politics republican-style fun?

i feel less safe...

after seeing this...






no other comment.

weekender

if you're going out this weekend, remember...

ALWAYS twirl once in front of the mirror before walking out the door -

though i bet she made a lot of people smile.

he's only laughing because he doesn't have to worry
about things like this.


Shut up, Maxx!

litany against fear...

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

Litany against fear
Bene Gesserit incantation
from Dune by Frank Herbert

i thought of this when i was posting a comment on Pam's House Blend to an article about the right wingers being all aflutter about the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Bill about which i have previously posted.

one of the things i have always observed is that the louder people oppose or deride something, the more it seems that they are running from something that they fear.

fear underlies so much of the ills and problems we see all around us, and rather than embracing it we run away and avoid it. what we are missing are the lessons that we could learn from facing it.

i always end my emails with a little saying i used when i was working with kids -

there is nothing wrong, only things that are missing...

i would quite often hear adults say that a kid had issues or was just bad or was slow. there were a myriad of prognostications i would hear. all of them made it seem that there was something wrong with the kid.

what i always discovered is that there was some piece of information that we didn't know; something that happened in the past of which we weren't aware; or a story that was made up and the child learned to believe it.

i would also find this to be true in almost all of the management situations i was in with adults. their reluctance was never defined, their doubt was never uttered, or their insecurity revolving aroung change never was stated. it was the same thing. there was always something that was missing; something i didn't know; or something i could not quite put my finger on.

when i found out what it was that was missing, i would always go, "ohhhhhhhh!" and everything was suddenly crystal clear. the missing piece made everything fall into place.

so i always looked for that thing that was missing. i still do.

behind all of it i always found fear. it is debilitating and i still fall into it myself. it is my/our nature.

it explains a lot and leaves a lot unanswered. but remember - there is always something missing...

on "do away with ALL special rights"...

i guess i was a day ahead of others. [check out the previous post]

Bob Cesca over at Huffington Post wrote this today:

Here's the thing, though. Hannity, Limbaugh, King and 166 House Republicans are decidedly against the hate crimes bill. The legislation, as passed by the House, specifically defines hate crimes as being "motivated by prejudice based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim." Again, Hannity, King and the rest are absolutely opposed to this.

So while the Republicans have vocally and repeatedly expressed their position against "protecting pedophiles," it can be said -- and, quoting King, "it's a matter of record" -- that they're also against protecting women, racial minorities, ethnic minorities, religious people and disabled people, among others.

Republican Political Hackery and the Hate Crimes Bill
Bob Cesca, Huffington Post

one of the arguments that i heard today was to an amendment that was added to the bill by a Republican representative from Iowa to include veterans. the problem with this amendment to the bill would invalidate the entire piece of legislation. and i'm sure the republicans knew this. of course, the other outrageous thing this representative said was that the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Bill (S 909 IS*) protects pedophiles when it actually is very specific in its scope. [i'm one of those people who actually reads bills and does not rely on what others write or say alone.]

the actual focus of the bill is to protect people from

(2) OFFENSES INVOLVING ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, OR DISABILITY...*

(emphases in bold added)

with the exception of religion, no one falling into the other categories has any control over who/what they are and that is why they are part of these groups.

well, there is my previous argument in a nutshell. people choose to be part of a religion. they may be born christian or a follower of Islam but they can opt to change it. they can also decide to become an atheist or select Lutheranism as their basis of belief or non-belief.

why should they have special protections?


as to the idea that is prevalent in the hate-speech of the media specialists like Savage, Beck, Limbaugh, Dobson, etc. who say that it will prevent preachers from speaking in the pulpit according to their beliefs of lgbtq Senate Bill 909 is very specific in its language.

(3) CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS- Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit any constitutionally protected speech, expressive conduct or activities (regardless of whether compelled by, or central to, a system of religious belief), including the exercise of religion protected by the First Amendment and peaceful picketing or demonstration. The Constitution does not protect speech, conduct or activities consisting of planning for, conspiring to commit, or committing an act of violence.

(4) FREE EXPRESSION- Nothing in this Act shall be construed to allow prosecution based solely upon an individual's expression of racial, religious, political, or other beliefs or solely upon an individual's membership in a group advocating or espousing such beliefs.

in addition, another point of the bill is to assist local and state police with investigating and prosecuting hate crimes especially in place that do not have local provisions for these crimes. it also provides grant monies to local authorities to help defray cost in investigations and prosecutions as well as direct support from FBI, Secret Service, etc.


AND, before i get slammed about the veterans part: i strongly support and stand by the men and women who are or were in the services. i actively support VoteVets and SLDN. i did not use them in the amendment; the repubs did and i would bet on purpose because they knew it would invalidate and make unconstitutional the entire bill.

so..., who do you think is really not supporting veterans? to shamelessly employ a group that the country owes so much to for their service in protecting us is beyond ignominy. it borders on traitorous, IMHO. the servicemembers put their lives on the line to make certain that i have the freedoms that the Constitution guarantees. except, being lgbtq, i don't have all of those entitlements. the repubs and the nutters see to that.

i would be very much in favor of enacting a special law to insure the rights and benefits of veterans. AND while i'm at it... why DON'T all veterans have those rights? more fodder for the right-wing composter.

my point again is if any amendment should be added to the bill or removed from the body of the bill it should be to eliminate religion.

as i said in the previous post -

oh wait, Dobson, Falwell and all the other blather-mouths are saying that christianity is under attack. they would think this to be one more foray into that battle.

i still think it would be a good start...

(*link to S 909 IS as introduce in the Senate)

do away with ALL special rights...

one of the biggest arguments that the right uses against the fight for equal protection is that it bestows special privileges on a specific group of people. they don't believe that is necessary.

well, then they should be marching and preaching and screaming to reverse ALL laws that pretend to place special protections on ALL groups.

let's see. there is a law that gives equal protection to religious people.

that's a good place to start. in their logic, if special laws are not needed, then who needs this one.

oh wait, Dobson, Falwell and all the other blather-mouths are saying that christianity is under attack. they would think this to be one more foray into that battle.

oh well. gotta start somewhere...

i haven't been taking much seriously, i guess...

i just was reviewing the last couple of weeks of posts. they've really been all monday morning mayhem's, weekender's and other funny stuff. (Zeus and Jupiter know we could use some laughs now-a-days.)

it's not that i haven't been reading the news, watching Obermann, Maddow & Maher, or haunting blog sites. i have been.

i have my daily round of news starting with "Morning Joe", reading the Chicago Sun-Times & the online New York Times: Global Edition, going to Andrew Sullivan's Daily Dish, following "Pam's House Blend", and watching ABC World News

actually, now that i think about what i just wrote, it is because i'm reading all of those things. they are filled with obfuscations.

they're depressing.

it's just one struggle after another and the more i read the more i realize that none of these things are real. they are all man-made.

AND then conflagrated and fanned by the media into bigger and bigger nonsense.

take the Miss California thing or the Joe the Plumber brouhaha. both of them have run over by two hours their fifteen minutes of fame, and it really should be called shame not fame. they've embarrassed themselves and they don't even know it!

so she's got fake boobs. so she posed for risque photos. so she gave an insane reasoning for posing - I'm a model. I pose

so he won't let his kids go near queers. so he pops up at strange Republican doings. so he wants to run for Congress.

they can do whatever they want. as the saying goes, It's a free country. if they want to made fools of themselves, let them.

neither one of these schmucks would be around the news today if the news didn't keep them there.

we are in a state of flux today. the United States, for the previous eight years can be compared to sixth grade girls. (i hate sixth grade girls!) they fight constantly because, well, because they look at each other funny.

Tsar George took us to war because Saddam looked at him funny (well, actually his father).

sixth grade girls stab each other for this. they then lie and cheat and torture everyone around them. they come up with logical reasoning for why they did what they did, and it's all legitimate in their reasoning.

the Tsar fabricated homeland security issues and reasons why his lackies didn't have to follow the law of the land, hedged on torture, and put the entire country into greater risk.

now, we are becoming seventh grade girls. we've come into a period of calm after a brief summer recess and are falling into a more realistic sense of need and led by a man who remains calm, cool and collected.

the only problem i have is that every once in a while those sixth grade girl habits will pop up when least expected.

AND seventh grade girls do something sixth grade girls don't - they keep their mouths shut and don't let you know what's really going on with them.

that scares me.

so, i'm going to keep making funnies and once in a while pointing out and commenting on obfuscations. i might be raging inside but what good will it do to vent it all. my story has always been, "No one ever listens to me. So why should I bother?" it's a safe place for me to be. believe me. really safe.

and i will listen to what Maxx has to say and laugh along with him. he laughs all of the time. maybe he's got the right idea...



you go Maxx...
have another glass of gin.
oh, sorry. Bombay Sapphire...

i think i'll join him.


[i know. my cynicism is on my sleeve right now. really on BOTH sleeves, in my pocket, out on the front lawn...]

monday morning mayhem...

shit! it's Monday...




the Irish have it...


Y'know" said the Scotsman, "I still prefer the pubs back home. In Glasgow there's a little bar called McTavish's. Now the landlord there goes out of his way for the locals so much that when you buy four drinks he will buy the fifth drink for you"

"Well" said the Englishman, "at my local, The Red Lion, the barman there will buy you your third drink after you buy the first two."

"Ahhhhh, that's nothing," said the Irishman. "Back home in Dublin there's Ryan's Bar. Now the moment you set foot in the place they'll buy you a drink, then another, all the drinks you like. Then when you've had enough drinks they'll take you upstairs and see that you get laid. All on the house."

The Englishman and Scotsman immediately scorn the Irishman's claims but he swears every word is true."Well," asked the Englishman, "did this actually happen to you?"

"Not me meself, personally, no," said the Irishman. "But it did happen to me sister."


Jane and Arlene...


Jane and Arlene are outside their nursing home, having a drink and a smoke, when it starts to rain. Jane pulls out a condom, cuts off the end, puts it over her cigarette, and continues smoking.

Arlene: What in the hell is that?

Jane: A condom. This way my cigarette doesn't get wet.

Arlene: Where did you get it?

Jane: You can get them at any pharmacy.

The next day, Arlene hobbles herself into the local pharmacy and announces to the pharmacist that she wants a box of condoms.

The pharmacist, obviously embarrassed, looks at her kind of strangely (she is after all, over 80 years of age), but very delicately asks what brand of condom she prefers.

"Doesn't matter Sonny, as long as it fits on a Camel."

The pharmacist fainted.


which reminds me...


i was watching the weather this weekend...



and coming up from the midsection...



Maxx happy...



he's still got gin in him.
wait til you see him later.
no. you really don't want to...

weekender...

got to get ready for the weekend's festivities? here are some helpful hints...

make sure your hair gets done...





if you have to find directions, be certain to use...





doing Chinese? be careful...






take pictures, but read the camera directions first...



Queen of the Blondes...
(yes, i know. this is really a blond joke!)


don't forget to take the dog out...




something tells me he's related to Maxx


and be sure to stay safe...






now that you have all of this great advice, have a good time...

if you can...


and remember - gin does makes everything better...




Maxx started the weekend early.
what else is new?
and he better stay away from my MacBook
or no more Sapphire.
cheap stuff for him only...

he hates cheap gin!