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June 26 My Letter To My Two US Senators about HR 2454
Dear Senator, HR2454, no matter how well intentioned, has become an out of control monster threatening to ravage the United States of America in it's path worse than any natural disaster or act of terrorism could. Nevermind the jobs lost, businesses forced out of our country and the extra taxes that I will be forced to make at the expense of my family. The 3:00am amendment of 309 pages added to this bill on the day of the Congressional vote shows the reprehensible and cowardly ways that your parties leadership chooses to operate. Do you condone this way operating our Government? Will I see you posting a memo on your website stating your disgust at such an end run on Americans? Please consider us, the Americans who voted you into office, the Americans who work hard everyday just to make ends meet, the Americans with young children who have to one day explain how we mortgaged their future for the inflated ego of the party in power who thought they were better than the constituents that put them there. We need green jobs, we need alternative energy and we need to leave fossil fuels behind in the past with poodle skirts and five cent candy bars. But Senator, this is not the bill to do it with right now. Lets get our country back on it's feet first and then we can tackle this massive job of changing the face of America the right way. Sincerely, John Elkin April 03 Catching up.I have been trying to put together this huge entry about all the things that are going on right now in our country, but the speed at which the Obama administration travels and events are revealed makes for constant editing and changes. I want to get something posted so in the age of Facebook and Twitter I thought I would bullet point thoughts, ideas and accusations as they come to me during the course of today, April 2nd, 2009. It’s cheesy I know, but if I don’t get things down quickly I will never be able to update my sorely out of date blog.
That’s it for now, but stay tuned, this blog is getting revitalized. January 29 Random Thoughts…In these first few days of the Obama Presidency I have a few things rambling around in my head that I want to get down while they are fresh in my mind. I may expand on any or all of these later. 1. If you look back on history this economy has to go into inflation sooner or later. This isn’t a slam against Obama, the mold was set for this long before he took office, but it’s his problem now. 2. Stimulus packages do not work, it’s another vehicle for government pork. $4.19 Billion is going to his ACORN under the guise of “neighborhood stabilization programs” (this civilian army he wants to build). Less than 12 cents per dollar is going to anything even close to stimulus for the economy. 3. Afghanistan is where Obama wants to take the war on terror. A place custom made for guerilla warfare. Afghanistan has been the downfall of several large Nations and when Obama realizes this and cuts and runs the effect on the innocent Afghan people will be the same or worse than that of the south Vietnamese. 4. If Obama can pass his Stimulus Package without a single Republican vote why did he reach out to them for a vote of confidence? Because he needs to spread the blame when it fails to both sides of the aisle. 5. The media says that Obama’s Inauguration broke all the records. Then why does the ratings show that they were beaten by American Idol? Why didn’t any look back at past Inaugurations and see that Ronald Reagan’s first Inauguration got a higher rating? It was the most expensive by far ($150 Million versus Bush’s $40 Million which was criticized by the media at the time as wasteful spending) and I will admit there were probably more people there than for any before it. 6. At www.ideapalooza.com some genius made a Barack Obama Promise Tracker! He outlines all 895 campaign promises he made culled from reading every single campaign speech (over 2000 pages) and setting up the mother of all spreadsheets. It is free and downloadable but you have register for the site. 7. So far the Obama cabinet, that he promised would have people of good character on and will be Lobbyist free has a tax cheat and three Lobbyists on it. I am sure more will follow soon… October 28 Real Change Comes From You, Not a Republican or a DemocratThere are three hundred million people in this great country of ours, six of which are running for President. Six? Yes, there are actually six choices of people to run our country for the next four years. I bet you could only name two; and you are not alone. How many political parties are there in the United States? Fifty-two. How far off were you? Of those fifty-two parties there are obviously the big two, followed by three recognized third parties; Libertarian, Constitution and Green. After that are 34 recognized parties that are fighting for recognition and even after that there are 13 more parties that have never fielded a candidate for any office but are nonetheless organized. Each one believes that they hold the key to America’s future and are the better solution to our major problems today.
With all this diversity and all these ideals out there why, time and time again do we fall into this two party system that dominates the American political scene? People are labeled simply Republican or Democrat, Conservative or Progressive, Right Wing or Left Wing. No shades of gray as far as these parties and the popular media are concerned. In reality there are actually fifty-two shades of gray that will never be recognized until the American voter decides to get educated about his or her choices for not only the office of President, but all political offices from Senator to City Council member to local school boards. Our Founding Father’s if they can see us now are surely disappointed with our narrow scope of options and the abuse of power they left in our care. They left us options to change as the country changed and that change is needed now.
First the Electoral College must be dismantled and a popular vote count must be recognized so that every legal voter can feel that his or her vote truly counts. This would require the twelfth amendment of the Constitution to be repealed, which it can be.
Second the people must study and recognize third party candidates, some of whom could be the best person for the job. The stalemate of the two parties clogging the arteries of freedoms beating heart must be made to realize that the freedom of the people and their individual liberties, along with the freedom of individual states to do as they see fit is what was envisioned for the Founding Father’s children’s-children.
The Declaration of Independence stresses the Right of Revolution, the right of the people to change the government if it becomes too oppressive or destructive. Most take this part of the Declaration to mean that we have the right to vote out those that would abuse the power endowed to us. Thomas Jefferson, influenced by the French Revolution, sought to avoid the bloodshed and the Reign of Terror that ran throughout France as it changed from an absolute Monarchy to a system of Nationalism and inalienable rights. Here is the actual text from the Declaration:
“That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
To that end we must admit that the recent actions of the Government which has many times gone against the wishes of their constituents in matters such as the recent bailout of financial institutions, electoral changes that essentially silence the voice of the third parties in the matter of inclusion in Presidential debates and recent proposals of losses of personal freedoms such as the Fairness Doctrine currently being reviewed in Congress.
The case has merit but would most certainly be oppressed by the current form of Government. In that case the mode for bringing about change starts with you the voter. Take the time to learn about all your options, talk to friends and neighbors about bringing about change. Not the change touted by the Democrat Party and it’s candidate, his and his party’s plans are not for a steering of the ship back toward liberty and freedom. Neither is the Republican platform the way for this Government to return to its originally intended purpose. Learn about Bob Barr, Ralph Nader, Charles Baldwin and Cynthia Ann McKinney. The beginnings of real change lies in your hands, it always has. October 24 Even a blind man can see this coming
Everywhere you look the media has declared this election over with Barack Hussein Obama's commanding 9 point lead in the polls. I hate to tell the media this, but at this point four years ago John "Honey, buy me a Presidency" Kerry had a ten point lead and Bush came back to Washington to completely screw up everything he missed the first four years. So I'm choosing to not listen to the media and the polls because, clearly, whoever wins this mess; and let me state that the term "win" isn't necessarily correct for the man who inherits the country from the previous Dictator; is in for a lot of problems and unpopularity. I know that no matter who wins Now, should we sit idly by and just take it? John McCain is a Maverick! Barack Hussein Obama wants to tax the rich! I don't think so because HE IS RICH, Nancy Pelosi is RICH and you think they want to tax themselves? Barack Hussein Obama made $4.2 Million last year, which is just a tad above the magic $250,000 number he banters about. It looks like he may not even be a US Citizen, but that won't stop the political machine. You should see what they do to keep third party candidates off ballots in some states even though they abide by every rule and the Democraps and Republican'ts who are late filing their papers get to make the rules. No matter what, get used to this I can talk and write and scream from the mountain tops about Bob Barr This is not an impossible task
October 06 OVERLOAD!!!
I have to be real honest, it isn't that I haven't been able to blog lately, it's simply that there is so much damn stuff going on lately I cannot keep my mind pinned on one item for any length of time! It has to be like what Disneyland is to pedophiles.
Can you even grasp everything that is happening to us in this country right now?
Not to mention this...
And unfortunately there is always the overseas stuff
At times like this I wonder about the great minds of our country's history and what they would think about our current predicaments. Jefferson, Adams, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Kennedy, Reagan, Sam Kinison Now, because we don't have enough to keep tabs on as taxpayers we learn that Kalifornia needs 7 Billion Dollars of OUR hard earned money to stay afloat! You have to expect that if this gets through there will be 49 more requests just like it within days. What's the matter Arnie, can't you solve this problem by maybe donating your royalties from Kindergarten Cop? I better there has to, oh lets see how many people voted in the last Kalifornia Gubernatorial Election? Oh yes, here it is, 1,200. Yup I bet that's 1,200 people who wish they could have that vote back again. Thanks Arnold for ideas like drivers licenses for illegal's. What's next, work-release programs for death row?
With material like this how's a small time Libertarian blogger supposed to keep up? And the hots just keep on coming! Lets not forget these items that seem to have slipped the public notice and yet are still big problems for many in these United Socialist States of America...
In the long run I guess I'll just have to pace myself and see how a few things shake out. That is if the Super Collider doesn't suck the earth into a black hole, government doesn't just start selling off large chunks of the west coast to China (or have China foreclose on all the money we owe them), some terrorist group doesn't hit us again with dirty bombs or worse, O.J. doesn't write a book from prison... and don't even get me started on this...
September 09 Just in case the world ends...
Sometime in the middle of night tonight the $320 Million Dollar Large Hadron Collider will start up and according to the European Organization for Nuclear Research, known as CERN it poses no threat to life here on earth. Problem is that the study that announces this thing is safe, came from CERN.
So, if sometime tonight a small black forms in a laboratory in Switzerland and we all wink out of existence I'd just like to tell my friends and family that I love you all.
You knew it was too good to be true!
I received this from Libertarian Headquarters. Of course any sane person knows that there is little anyone can do to stop the two party system from breaking laws and making a mockery of everything the Founding Fathers stood for. Nice group of candidates we have isn't it?
Here is the letter I received: Last night, I received a response from the Texas Secretary of State's office to my request for the certification papers submitted by the Texas Republicans and Democrats that would place Barack Obama, John McCain and their running mates on the ballot. Their certification papers were due to the state on August 26th at 5 pm. The law is explicit on the matter. The names of the candidates for president and vice president are due by the deadline. After reviewing the documents, it is clear that both the Republican and Democrat presidential tickets missed the deadlines and, according to Texas state law, should not be on the ballot in Texas. If you want to see for yourself and download the documents, click here. Regardless of McCain and Obama's failure to meet the statutory deadline, the Texas Secretary of State seems poised to certify the ballot with their names on it. They've even updated their official candidate listing to include McCain/Palin and Obama/Biden after we first made this public (and John McCain announced Palin as his running mate). While Republicans and Democrats look to easily slide by in Texas regardless of the law, in both West Virginia and Maine, we are facing an opposite set of circumstances. I've told you about West Virginia but we are also going through this similar battle in the state of Maine. In Maine, a contractor for the Libertarian Party was in the process of turning in signatures and we've been told that the Secretary of State actually sent a letter to town clerks instructing them not to accept the petitions during what historically has been a grace period beyond the early deadline. It's no surprise to us that this is happening but it's still not easy to accept. It's been clear that if you are running for office as a Republican or a Democrat, you are somehow above the law. If you are a Libertarian or independent, you not only have to abide by the letter of the law but you have to be prepared when the law is twisted and turned to be used against you. When I brought this up last week, I said that we would be taking a stand in Texas. We're doing that and now I ask you to stand with us. Last night, our campaign manager, Russell Verney, submitted a very clear letter to the Texas Secretary of State. In the letter, Russ stated: The Democratic Party, and Mr. Obama and the Republican Party and Mr. McCain blatantly ignored the Texas statutory deadline. Therefore, the Libertarian candidate for president, Bob Barr, as represented by his principal campaign committee, Bob Barr 2008, demands that your office keep the names of Barack Obama, Joe Biden, John McCain and Sarah Palin off the Texas general election ballot. Failure of the Secretary of State to comply with Texas law will result in serious legal consequences. In the event that the Secretary of State's office in Texas does not comply with its own law, we are prepared to file suit, however this battle will just be the beginning. On top of the additional and large legal expenses that we are likely to incur, we are going to have to divert campaign resources to deal with the media that is just starting to carry this story . . . but not in a positive manner. Here's the New York Times this morning painting Bob Barr as a troublemaker, interfering with the election and even the economy: What would happen if Mr. Barr prevailed? It is very hard to see how Senator McCain could get 270 electoral votes without getting the 34 from Texas. Could we end up with a messier election than we had in 2000? Would the Supreme Court again get to pick the man who will pick the court's members? Would all this thoroughly alarm foreign investors, whose sales could damage stock and bond prices while the fight was on? No, it won't happen. At least we can hope it won't. It is a matter of principle that we make this stand. It will not be easy and it may not be pleasant but it must be done. August 27 Texas is ours!!Barr Only Presidential Candidate on Texas Ballot
Republicans, Democrats miss deadline to file presidential candidates in Texas
Atlanta, GA - Bob Barr is slated to be the only presidential candidate on the ballot in Texas after Republicans and Democrats missed the Aug. 26 deadline to file in the state. "Unless the state of Texas violates their own election laws, Congressman Barr will be the only presidential candidate on the ballot," says Russell Verney, campaign manager for the Barr Campaign and the former campaign manager for Ross Perot. "Texas law makes no exceptions for missing deadlines."
The Texas Secretary of State Web site shows only Bob Barr as the official candidate for president in Texas.
"We know all about deadlines," says Verney. "We are up against them constantly in our fight to get on the ballot across the nation. When we miss deadlines, we get no second chances. This is a great example of how unreasonable deadlines chill democracy."
"Republicans and Democrats make certain that third party candidates are held to ballot access laws, no matter how absurd or unreasonable," says Verney. "Therefore, Republicans and Democrats should be held to the same standards." August 21 Never so important as now!
I wanted to get this out before the candidates announce their vice-presidential running mates. In my opinion the choice of a running mate has never been as important as this one. In our life time or possibly the history of this great country! My reason is, as always, logical. For John McCain his choice needs to be the right person, not only someone who will balance him out and make him a more bearable choice for Democrats who cannot believe the schmuck their party let win the nomination but simply because McCain is quite old. He's 72 and the Presidency is becoming a younger mans game, just look at Clinton and Bush and how they have aged. I would say not since Reagan have we been at a higher risk of having a President drop to the floor and assume room temperature for natural causes. Barack Obama needs to find a capable leader who can unite a country after his assassination. Let us face facts people, a black President, the first one anyway is the single biggest target for more "special interest" groups than at any time in our nation's history. I am not saying I want to see it happen, I would never take steps to make it happen and I hope I am wrong (I like to call this my secret service disclaimer); but c'mon.... honestly! Haven't you thought about it being a reality for even a moment? Furthermore, this guy is shady, hangs out with some questionable people and has some pretty whack views of life in America and don't get me started about his wife. Did you know that 65% of Americans polled think that these are the two worst choices we've been offered in 200+ years? It's true. Did you know that Barack Obama is giving John McCain grief about owning seven houses? Did you know that Barack Obama owns seven houses, and that at least two were obtained under shady deals from shady people? Did you know McCain wants to leave our fighting men in Iraq for 50 to 100 years, whatever it takes? Are you wondering if your vote will come down to "Who will hurt America less?" Did you know there are other candidates running for President than these two flawed, bought men? Check it out. Me? I can honestly tell you right now that I do not know who I am voting for this election. It's true, as dyed in the wool Libertarian as I am I don't know if Bob Barr and Wayne Root are the answer. Did I contribute to their campaign? Yes, $10.00, I will disclose that, it was to help get us on all 50 ballots. I look at Obama and I see change, big change... forced change, maybe in the form of re-education camps, and no help to the economy. In McCain I see more war, more big oil pandering and no help to the economy. My own Libertarian Party is in a bit of upheaval right now with some Republicans trying to use the party to funnel votes to McCain. This is a tough one folks. July 29 Two Goofy Bastards Walk Into A Convention... ...and want to be President! It would almost be a great joke if it wasn't for the simple fact that we have awakened to a nightmare where we may have to choose which evil we can live with for the next four to eight years; and then even after that I bet we find ourselves right back in the same position. I thought the last election was bad, these two make the last Presidential election look like Abraham Lincoln versus George Washington, how could you lose?
Essentially, that is what the Presidency has become; a loyalty to the party, not the country. I firmly believe that few people governing this country on every level be it city or state or federal government actually enter politics thinking about our what America was founded on and what Jefferson and Adams and Washington had in mind when they undertook the most dangerous of jobs, that of obtaining freedom. Once again, after looking through various materials, websites, newspaper articles and blogs I can honestly tell you that I would rather vote for a houseplant than these two. Here are some interesting little tidbits that I have found that are verifiable as facts:
How can anyone who honestly knows what Liberty means vote for either of these two? We either vote for a third Bush term, or we get the tar taxed out of us. Nice choice, huh? Obama says we need to be completely fossil fuel free in five years. Mr. Obama? What will aircraft do? There are no aircraft capable of carrying large numbers of people that can fly with fossil fuel. You want to see the economy collapse? Take away the airlines and put in electric buses and trains. No more overnight air UPS or Fed Ex, we would go backwards in US Postal delivery times. McCain says he won't cater to the religious right, but now he is listing them as supporters. The religious right is the single scariest challenge to personal freedoms, even worse than the Gestapo, errrr I mean Dept of Homeland Security. Now is when you start looking seriously at third parties that might fit your ideals. Now is when you look at Independents and Libertarians and Peace & Freedom candidates. Are they sure to be the best bet? No. As devout a Libertarian as I am I will guarantee you that I will be voting for Libertarians, Republicans and Democrats in November. Sometimes you need a good balance of people to make things right. You, reading this now, it all starts with you. Drop your party lines, expand your mind and your horizons, read the writings of the Founding Fathers and remind yourself that American is now in the hands of two political parties that are essentially private entities and answer to no-one. They run the media, both sides of it. They spout their own beneficial propaganda to keep you snowed about what really is going on. They will do anything to oppress third parties so that they can keep playing their power games and running your life. Shouldn't you decide what is good for you? July 22 You knew I had to get to this eventually
Now, lawmakers quietly are talking about raising fuel taxes by a dime from the current 18.4 cents a gallon on gasoline and 24.3 cents on diesel fuel. Yeah, I had to read it a few times myself. SURPRISE!!! What an arrogant bunch of elitist jack-offs we have in congress! How many times do these idiots think they can go to the well before it runs dry?! I have news for congress, my wallet is a freakin' desert! I don't have any more to give and neither do many people I know. And yet in all this the oil companies are still not taxed a higher percentage for obscene profits! These jackasses in congress need to spend a week or two living on $12 an hour in a sub 500 square foot apartment trying to commute to work with $4+ per gallon gasoline and trying feed a family on what they can afford at the grocery store. Would that help? Probably not, they would just make more government programs to "HELP" us. Yeah, that's what we freakin' need!
Way to go congress! I salute you If even one of you out of touch, spoiled, oblivious bags of wind even thinks of voting for this gas tax you should be not only voted out but have your citizenship revoked and sent to live in a third world country with nothing but a sharp stick and a loin cloth and forced to make it on your own. That is the way we occasionally feel after one of your "great ideas", which is nothing but a large steamy coil... July 21 Ground Zero renamed Ground Zero due to activity level
There is something happening in New York City that is really starting to piss me off. Well, more to the point there is something NOT happening in New York City that is pissing me off! According to Time Magazine every part of the reconstruction is over budget and behind schedule. Over 100 contractors and subcontractors are trying to do their jobs while being overseen by; are you ready for this? 19 public agencies! Add to that feuding bureaucrats, litigious developers and overzealous regulators and you have…. well… New York City!
Even 9/11 advocacy groups are to blame; they halt work over small details about how to honor the victims. I have bad news people, and this might sound harsh, but that boat sailed a long time ago. The best way to honor them would have been to start construction a year plus one day after the attacks to show that you cannot keep America down. But obviously you can; it only takes 19 public agencies and politically correct touchy-feely advocacy groups. You have to honor the victims, obviously, what happened on that site will forever be woven into the thoughts of those on that site and a vivid memory to all who lived through it whether on television or in person. My vote, if I had one, would be for a small garden with a path through it and benches throughout. A monument in the middle made from recycled pieces of the old World Trade Center made into art. But that won’t happen because then you would have to have the U.S. Department of Agriculture involved for the garden; the Endowment for the Arts would want to be involved with the artwork. Maybe we should leave a big hole in the ground as a reminder to what government can do for you. That unfortunately would be the worst thing you could do for the victims, something has to stand there, something bigger and better, power-tripping city agencies and shady contractors Know what I cannot help but think about? They did a nice little garden in Central Park for this guy. I feel bad though for people who will work there with one eye on their spreadsheets and another out the nearest window looking for any threat. This shouldn’t surprise me of all people, and I am not, however I am outraged that it has happened. I am amazed that higher governmental agencies have not stepped in to hurry things along. Guess they are all too busy winning that war in Iraq and trying to figure out how to start a new one with Iran before the polls close in November.
July 12 Where's George?
Now some of you would say that he has just signed that new surveillance bill tha basically provides legal immunity to telecommunication companies who take part in the government's surveillance program. Before signing the bill in the White House, Bush told audience that the legislation is a landmark that is "vital to the security of our people." Who's people? Republican fat cats?
Since the Democratic nominations heated up and since have been decided it's like this guy has, as the military term goes, gone R.O.A.D (retired on active duty) on us, all of us. Maybe I shouldn't be complaining but I have a sinking feeling that he's gone underground trying to plan some final great monument to his tenure as guardian of the religous right's version of the American way. Can you just just hear this guy now? Listen...
Could it get worse? Sure, he could try and make air travel safer because the American public hasn't been profiled and humiliated enough by these guys
So where is George Bush? And what could be going through his mind? In some good news for us Libertarian minded people, Bob Barr is climbing in the polls to a certified 6%. If he can get to 10% he would have to be allowed in the debates with the Republican POW and the Manufactured in America Democrat who hasn't accomplished much except firing his religous leader of choice. So people, if a polling company calls or e-mails and asks, throw some Libertarian love our way and give our party a chance to be heard because this picture alone should scare the hell out of any intelligent person...
July 04 What happened with the signers?Every 4th of July I like to go find this on the internet and read it again. I like to remind myself of the high ideals this country was founded on and the struggle that was eventually won, and then I mourn the loss of much of what this country was founded on.
Indulge me take a read....
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they?
Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.
Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.
Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.
Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education.
They had security, but they valued liberty more.Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged:
"For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor". They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot of what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't just fight the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government! Some of us take these liberties so much for granted.....we shouldn't. So, take a couple of minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots... June 27 George Carlin 1937-20081937-2008
I heard about the death of comedian George Carlin pretty quickly after it happened while scanning through cnn.com. I was sad about it, I always am when someone who entertains me will no longer becoming up with any new material. Luckily George has probably one of the most extensive libraries of material between old albums I have enjoyed
Carlin's death also made me reflect back on the great comics we have lost that will also no longer be contributing new material.
There were the great ones who steadily honed their craft over a span of years
There were also the ones that left tragically
Here is a collection of some of my favorite quotes from George Carlin:
At a formal dinner party, the person nearest death should always be seated closest to the bathroom.
Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.
If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little.
May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house.
The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.
When you're born you get a ticket to the freak show. When you're born in America, you get a front row seat.
In the news today police fired warning shots over the heads of protesters; killing 20 people on the second floor.
I could use up a ton more bandwith for all the ones I just like, but these I think are representative of the man's wit and wisdom. I find it hard to feel sad for him, he lived his life and did it well; lived to a good age and given his earlier excesses I think that is more of an accomplishment than people think. Really it comes down to his genius. I consider myself an observe of the human condition, it has said so on this blog for a long time, however if I am an observer then George Carlin was the ultimate Jedi Knight of observers of the human condition. It is hard to say who could replace his edginess but for me it was the voice or voices he used and then tone and inflection with which he delivered his wisdom to the waiting world.
I will now return you to my regularly scheduled political rants....
June 19 Your vote is not nessessarily "your vote"Here is a picture of the man...
Well now it seems to me that 210 years later these motives and ideals are obsolete. There have been many attempts in the Senate to replace the Electoral College with a popular vote system however I have read over and over that the constitution is very hard to amend and previous attempts were abandoned for one reason or another. So it's too hard? What in the heck do we elect these people for? To do hard things, to govern the country, make sensible laws and keep changing the constitution just as our Founding Fathers envisioned us doing! They set up a process for it, they expected the world and the country to change and we don't want to do because it is too hard?
What if this guy thought his job was too hard?
What if this guy thought his job was too hard?
What if this guy thought his job was too hard?
I think you get my point.
If you are a Democrat you are already quite aware that your vote means absolutely nothing in the Primary elections, so I think that's just a fabulous way to treat voters you need in the big election. If you are a Republican then you know if it is too close to call the Supreme Court will give it to you anyway. So what, exactly are we voting for?
Well, for one thing the great majority of electoral voters do vote the way the majority of their district or state votes. Secondly our right to vote is written in the blood spilled at countless battlefields the world over by fine young men and women who gave all so that we can vote, speak out and write witty blogs that may bring a smirk to the poor Secret Service or FBI employee who tracks all of us. However, in the long run it is a terrible outdated and flawed system. Today's internet connected world means that property owners and students alike are more informed and educated than the average people of 1797. Still I wonder sometime as I punch the card for Candidate A or B that it's just something to do to make me feel like I am helping democracy, kind of like when I let me little boy carry in a grocery from the car, it's not much of a help to me in the grand scheme of things but he thinks he changing my world.
Some states help you, the voter, by passing laws against a "faithless elector", which is a person that for usually personal reasons chooses to vote differently than the voters in his district directed. There have been 158 instances of this happening, and yet only 24 states have any laws to ensure your vote counts. It should be noted that no faithless elector has changed the outcome of an election to date. My point is to take the problem away completely and make election winners based solely on public ballot count. It would also save the government money dismantling this system and going with the popular vote. It also opens the door for America to beome more than a two party system, which is probably why no one has bothered to do it from the Senate or the House.
Life could be much simpler if government would let us run own lives and do what our Founding Fathers
June 05 A winner by knockout in the 15th round is....This guy....
So, being an undecided voter I started listening to speeches by Barack Obama. He talks about all the right things, puts his emphysis on the right words and delivers a pretty fair speech to be honest. Then he stops talking and what do I hear come over the speaker system but his theme song for the campaign. It is a song written by this guy...
Obama has a slogan or two, his main is "Vote for Change". Did he read my blog entry from February 15, 2007? Here's a link just in case you forgot.
What I am glad about is he see's my side of governmental wishy washiness, so lets ban the paper dollar and vote for change!
His other slogan is "Yes We Can!". I'm a parent of a nearly three year old boy, when I hear those words this is my first and only thought..
I think what we have learned here is that Barack Obama relates on the same level as toddlers.
Listen, I think it is great that he has won the nomination, I am all for woman and americans of all colors to go as far as their abilities will let them. He obviously has good people around him that help him appeal to non-blacks too and they do that by not allowing stereotypes to creep into the campaign and clog up the machine.
Barack Obama is from Illinois, that is where he is a Senator from, which I think is great because before whenever I thought about Illnois and black people all I could come up with was these people...
Well, my research continues into the right candidate for me so that I do not feel like I am just voting for the lesser of two weasels
May 13 Hiatus Over! November Is Coming, let loose the dogs of war.I know I have not had a blog entry since before the New Year and some of you may in fact be in shock getting a notification that I actually posted something here again. However, it's political season boys and girls and that, as you can imagine, has my dander up, it grinds my gears, it gets my panties in a bunch and it ruffles my tail-feathers. It is difficult for me these past months to stay silent while the Democrats bicker and bitch about each other more than the Republicans. Conversely, the Republicans continue to run amok thinking that they are in fact running the country and have everything under control while every single indicator, including the prices in the grocery stores, points to something wicked this way comes unseen since the 1970's. All this in an election year and NO ONE IS BOTHERING TO CHALLENGE THE PRICE OF OIL AND GASOLINE AND DIESEL! Can you afford $50+ fill ups? I cannot!
Before I delve into the quagmire of elections and third party politics I would like to make mention of some fine hours spent this past spring watching the HBO mini-series, John Adams. Kudos to the Producers, writers and actors for capturing the feeling and flavor of what this country is supposed to be based upon. Every office holding politician should be made to watch this at least twice. How far off the mark have we landed as a country? Yes, times change and things are not the same as in 1776 through 1802, but can you believe how we have not just moved beyond those ideals, but udderly abandon them? Paul Giamatti deserves every acting award available to him for his portrayal of one of our founding Fathers..
Lets look at our Presidential choices shall we?
You'd think that aspiring Presidential candidates would avoid making the Nazi salute at all costs, wouldn't ya?
I did like Obama hosting Hollywood Squares through, it showed his cheesy game show host side...
Well those look like two fine choices for a Democratic candidate, don't they? Why I bet in the southern states they think these two look like a nice couple... in some whack-job's crossaires. What were they thinking at the DNC during planning meetings? Let's give the country a choice, two completely unknown commodities as President, a woman and an African American! Look how well Geraldine Ferraro worked for them with Walter "My personality is the same as overcooked pasta" Mondale. However, I will admit, Hillary is no Ferraro, I kind of liked Ferraro.
Now lets walk over to the other side of the street for the Republican Party's choice for the next out of touch old man. Why looky here, it's this guy...
I can see this guy stepping into the White House and being as big, no wait, maybe a bigger lame duck than Bush is now. From his own web site:
"Economic policy is not just some academic exercise, and we in Washington are not just passive spectators." How true. You're the CAUSE of our problems! If you know we are in trouble why did you let Bush keep going unchecked? If you know we are in trouble why did you wait until your candidacy to mention it to, oh, let's see... anyone?!? I don't think this guy has what it takes to stand up to his own party and make policy to actually the disfunctional, broken mechanism that is the US economy. You see folks, the Republican party is the same people with McCain as it is with Bush. Yes, Bush is as intelligent as a sack of hammers, but he's just the front guy, the face, what is wrong with the last eight years is still in place whether this guy wins or Bush makes a law allowing him a bonus term because he just hates to give up flying on Air Force One.
Now it's quiz time. Do you know what happened today that would make me start blogging again? This guy announced he would seek the Libertarian Party nomination for the 2008 farce known as the Presidential elections.
I like Bob Barr's picture, he is better looking than the bookcase behind him and the power tie is awesome. My point should be, don't vote for looks, that got us Clinton the First and what wouldn't we all do to erase those eight years?
Bob Barr is a former six term Republican Congressman who has been quite conservative in the past. This worries me a little and I will be watching for definate un-Libertarian-like things creeping into his campaign. What things? Well how about legistlating against women and their right to do with their own bodies what they want? Or about increasing government size one iota. He has one thing going for him, the Republicans fear him because his potential of 3% of the vote could swing the election to Barillary Clintama. Democrats hate him because he was a Republican and those people are brainwashed early on to hate a Republican even if they are not anymore. But I have a sneaking suspicion he is still one, and I will be watching him closely.
For those that have wondered, I do not vote a straight party ticket and neither should you. I study all the candidates, no matter how big a whack-o they seem, heck, some of the whackos are pretty darned entertaining to read. I vote for whoever is best suited for the job, and sometimes that person is a Donkey and sometimes that person is an Elephant and the Libertarian is the whacko. No party is immune.
Stay tuned, the road to November will be aggrevating and boring and we'll all get tired of the commercials and we'll scowl at the idiot in the other lane with the other party's nominee plastered across his bumper, but I will promise you this, it will not be without humor. I will see to that.
Coming soon....
December 13 Your Tax Dollars At Rest
Thanks to my favorite Certified Public Accounts I have found out this little jewel of information that effects about everyone. Your Congress, you know, the guys in the big white domed building, have not as yet passed the 2008 tax laws, and the earliest this will happen will be December 21st if it passes and if Zippy the Wonder Slug at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue decides to sign it. What does this mean to you and me? It means that the IRS has announced, quietly, that it will not start processing your returns until February 18th, which in Washington D.C. talk means probably about March 1st.
So don't make any plans for a speedy dash for the cash by getting your 1040's and your Schedule E's in first, they will sit in a warehouse unattended until the IRS is ready to start handling them. But what if you E-File? Then you're really screwed, because the announcement seems to translate into them not opening servers until whatver date they are ready to start processing. Or they could sit in a database stored with millions of others and we all better hope that recently graduated M.I.T. kid with a face full of zits doesn't hit the purge button instead of enter.
Personally, I can envision this as being a disaster of epic proportion, imagine the federal tax processing center in Utah with hundreds of FEMA trailers parked around it, and in each trailer boxes and boxes of homeless tax returns with no place to get processed.
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