Blind Faith

In this mornings paper, I read that President Bush had been quoted as saying "We're winning" when he was asked how he felt about the progression of the war in Iraq. Whether this was either a snippet of text or the entire response, I'm really not sure. But either way his blatant disregard for the truth has, at this point, become nothing more than entertainment for myself and the majority of the American public who, at this point, would rather just pay the higher prices for gas than watch our boys get sent home in body bags. Enough is enough, they were fighting each other before we were there, and they'll be fighting each other far after we have left. I know I beat up on the political figures sometimes here, but honestly ... these people (yes, including presidential advisers) aren't dumb. So if average Joe's like us can see that we got ourselves into a military conflict that we just can't get out of, obviously the heavies in Washington know it too. So ... why the blind faith in our conquest to tame Iraq (and their oil supply)? On a side note, I'd rather have a Commander in Chief that threw a dart at dart board to resolve issues rather than continually lie to us. I have it narrowed down to two possibilities. 1. War is good for the economy (just imagine how bad it might be if we weren't at war) or 2. George W. Bush is finishing the work his father started to make Daddy proud. This one really seems more plausible once you think about it ... did Saddam try bump W's old man off and this is retaliation? Look at all the potential WMD's out there in the world ... and we go after Iraq?

See How The Stars Shine

Many celebrities use their fame and notoriety to gain public awareness on everything from starving nations to cruelty to animals. And many of them have no qualms about associating themselves with charitable organizations that use all proceeds generated to do good and much needed work in these areas. Good for them, I am a firm believer in that if every does a little bit, we can accomplish amazing things. But just today I read an article in which Michael J. Fox has been starring in political campaign ads to rally up support for candidates that are in favor of stem cell research. I understand due to his medical condition with Parkinson's disease, Mr. Fox feels the need to raise awareness about how a possible cure can be found ... but I really don't recall him being so adamant about it back in the mid 80's when he starred in Family Ties, or hitting up movie goers in the late 80's and early 90's during the debuts of his multiple movie releases. Nope, he passed up all those opportunities only to beat you over the head with information for the last couple years ... now that he has developed a condition in which that type of research could have been beneficial. How interesting.

Sure ... Right ... This Will Fix The Problem With Homeland Security

Only 18 months to go ... that's how long until the federal government implements the Real ID Act that individual states will be almost forced to adopt if they wish to keep receiving Uncle Sam's allowance. The act will require (in addition to the holder’s name, gender, date of birth and residential address) a digital photograph with "physical security features" to prevent fraud, and the ability to be accessed by "machine-readable technology". Machines for such readable technology will be similar across the country allowing any authority anywhere to immediately either confirm or refute the identity of the person presenting the ID. Privacy advocate groups feel this is nothing more than one giant step toward an Orwellian surveillance society in which the federal government can track our every move. Groups on the other side of the fence cite that such a program would enhance our homeland security and save millions in fraudulent identity scams. As I've said before, the terrorists have already won. We as a country are crumbling in on ourselves by making laws and rules that strip our nation's people of their rights in the name of "security". For crying out loud ... we can't even keep illegal immigrants out of this country, now this new nugget of identificational technology is going to magically solve our problems as to who is legitimately here in this country and who isn't? I'm reminded of a bumper sticker that was obviously a fire back at the popular "Imagine world peace" sticker that stated: "Forget world peace ... imagine using your turning signal!" A perfect world is a great goal, but let's start at the beginning rather than the end.

Political Poker Face

Sorry for the lack of postings lately, I've been fighting off the plague ... or so it felt like. But no need to send soup, although I'm sniffling and coughing, the double vision and shivers have cleared up so I guess I'm cresting the hill. The down time I've been experiencing lately afforded me the luxury of watching multiple news perspectives on the North Korea nuclear poker game that the world is watching for no other reason but than to see who can maintain the best poker face and bluff their way through the hand. An underground detonation deals out the pocket cards, and the promise of economic sanctions starts off the flop. The turn card came today when North Korea said it considered U.N. sanctions aimed at punishing the country for its nuclear test "a declaration of war". And the Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill fired the river card back when he stated that if North Korea did in fact detonate another nuclear test (as they have stated they will), such a test would force the international community "to respond very clearly". Now that we're all one up on each other twice, let's get to the truth of the matter and see the pocket cards. I'm willing to bet that although the U.S. has the better hand, we'll still come out of this kissing the rear ends of the North Koreans because we only like to pick on countries that can't fight back. Are the North Koreans a viable nuclear power ... who knows. But it will be a cold day in hell we invade that place because after all ... their WMD's (if nothing else) made a seismic impression and not a hypothetical impression.

How Many Times Have You Heard This One ... "It's Glandular."

Doctors are hopeful to soon perform scalpel free stomach surgery that uses a tube inserted through the mouth rather than the conventional incision, making the procedure safer and more tempting toward prospective candidates. I however have done an extensive amount of research in this particular topic and have come to the conclusion after many painstaking late nights of combing through endless data, that a much cheaper and far more practical solution to over eaters that just flat out refuse to exercise any amount of control as to what they devour has been right in front of us the whole time ... just have the doctor stitch their mouths shut.

G.I. Joe: A Real American Sissy

Not to be outdone, the military in the last year has hopped right on the politically correct bandwagon (or in this case APC) by forcing their drill sergeants to adopt "a more counseling" role rather than the traditional in your face, talk loud - talk often to get their attention. Experts claim that this approach has in fact reduced by almost 7 percent the number of recruits who wash out in the first 6 to 12 months of military life. I would only expect this new method of military training will soon yield the following basic training day: Every morning the new recruit will awake between 0500 - 0900 (whenever it is most comfortable for the G.I. to rise); The breakfast buffet will be served from 0600 - 1000 offering a wide variety of foods from around the world as well as a large host of on demand freshly squeezed juices; 1030 - 1230 all recruits are expected to show for physical training, but only will engage in such strenuous activity if they feel up to it ... if not, there's always tomorrow; 1230 - 1430 buffet lunch; 1430 - 1530 alone time with sarge to discuss his training methods and how you feel about them so he can become a better instructor and the recruit can effectively communicate his likes and dislikes about his treatment since he arrived at basic training; 1530 - 1800 target practice at the range ... but only if the recruit's personal feelings toward firearms are not compromised and his beliefs are not disrespected. If he is one to object to, or has an issue with, shooting any type of weapon, he may then go to his barracks to have some personal time to do with as he chooses; 1800 - 2000 ritzy catered dinner buffet; 2000 - 2200 nightly campfire sing along and swap meet with other soldiers; 2200 - 2215 fluff feather bed; 2215 - 2230 sarge comes in to tuck everyone in and read them a bedtime story; 2230 - 0500 sleep. Ladies and gentlemen, this is why the rest of the world laughs at us.

Reading, Writing, And AR-15s

In the wake of three school shooting incidents in the last two weeks, Rep. Frank Lasee (Wisconsin) plans to introduce legislation that will permit teachers, principals, administrators, and other school personnel to carry concealed weapons. Lasee stressed that the measure would hinge on school staff members getting strict training on the use of the weapons, and also some work would be needed on the law that currently bans guns on school property. Now ... I consider myself quite a second amendment supporter and enthusiast, but this really has to be nothing more than a reactionary response to the recent turn of events which is really nothing more than a handful of sick individuals. Think about it ... how many schools are in this country? And, how many of them have absolutely nothing happen everyday. The only reason people pick schools to open fire in is because of the fact it brings instant and guaranteed national notoriety ... nothing else. Rather than start our own little school club militia, why don't we keep the school faculty focused on what their intended purpose really is ... teaching children. Just look at the product of their work now, many high school graduates read at elementary school level and can't even perform basic mathematics ... and now they are considering arming teachers?

It's Not How Big The Information Is ... It's All In How You Use It

Condoleezza Rice offered a rebuttal at press conference today against the allegations recently printed in Bob Woodward's book "State of Denial", that during a July 10th meeting with then CIA chief George Tenet warnings of eminent terrorist attacks were ignored. "I don't know that this meeting took place, but what I really don't know, what I'm quite certain of, is that it was not a meeting in which I was told there was an impending attack and I refused to respond." Rice said ... what she's trying to say, I'm not really sure ... looks like political double talk to me. It never ceases to amaze how some people just have knack for speaking for long periods of time and saying absolutely nothing, leaving the rest of us just scratching our heads and parting with more questions than when we started. Although Dr. Rice may not actually recall whether or not this information was presented to her, it's a pretty safe bet she can remember where she got her hair cut around that same time ... hey, we all have priorities.