A word to the senators that are taking money from the insurance industry, the quid pro quo being that you will vote against any legislation that may have some adverse effect on company revenue.
You should all consider the words of that consummate politician, Jesse Unruh onetime speaker of the California State Assembly. An important quote:
"If you can't drink a lobbyist's whiskey, take his money, sleep with his women and still vote against him in the morning, you don't belong in politics."
Now that is HARDBALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Edit on October 5.
So, the question is coming down to this: Are the Honorable Senators going to bow to K St. or do their duty to serve Main St. ?
The answer is coming soon.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Health Care Breaking News
"BREAKING NEWS: Senators Max Baucus (D-MT) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) just voted against the public health insurance option in the Senate Finance Committee. They were the deciding votes in the first of several times the Senate will take on this issue in the coming weeks."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
K St. wins again. The near 4 million bucks Baucus has taken from the insurance industry is paying off for his masters.
Wake up votors. You vote for people to represent you in Congress and they turn their backs on you. Shame!
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K St. wins again. The near 4 million bucks Baucus has taken from the insurance industry is paying off for his masters.
Wake up votors. You vote for people to represent you in Congress and they turn their backs on you. Shame!
The blood soaked land of Afghanistan
http://www.upiasia.com/Emerging_Threats/2009/09/29/McChrystal-report-sets-off-debate/UPI-10081254237531/
Quote from the article;
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, speaking to CNN's "State of the Union," disagreed with setting a timetable for exit from Afghanistan.
"(The) Taliban and al-Qaida, as far as they're concerned, defeated one superpower (the Soviet Union). For them to be seen to defeat a second, I think, would have catastrophic consequences in terms of energizing the extremist movement, al-Qaida recruitment, operations, fundraising, and so on. I think it would be a huge setback for the United States."
On troop additions, the secretary said, "Once we're confident we have the strategy right, then -- then we'll address the question of additional resources."
====================================
It is said that generals are always fighting the last war. which in this case would be Vietnam. In the most recent issue of THE NEW YORKER, there is an article about Richard Holbrooke, Obama's man in Afghanistan. He makes many references to his time in Vietnam. Should his advice be heeded? Will history tell another sad story of death and defeat? Stay tuned.
We are in the strange situation of having helped empower the Taliban to make trouble for the Russians, and now we are fighting them. "The evil that men do lives after them. The good is oft interred with there bones". Shakespeare. Will it be the blood and bones of our soldiers interred in the rocky landscape of Afghanistan, as it was with the Russians? We lost 50,000 plus troops in Vietnam, and were driven out. Will Afghanistan be different? I hope I'm wrong, but I find it difficult to imagine any good outcome to this misbegotten adventure.
Quote from the article;
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, speaking to CNN's "State of the Union," disagreed with setting a timetable for exit from Afghanistan.
"(The) Taliban and al-Qaida, as far as they're concerned, defeated one superpower (the Soviet Union). For them to be seen to defeat a second, I think, would have catastrophic consequences in terms of energizing the extremist movement, al-Qaida recruitment, operations, fundraising, and so on. I think it would be a huge setback for the United States."
On troop additions, the secretary said, "Once we're confident we have the strategy right, then -- then we'll address the question of additional resources."
====================================
It is said that generals are always fighting the last war. which in this case would be Vietnam. In the most recent issue of THE NEW YORKER, there is an article about Richard Holbrooke, Obama's man in Afghanistan. He makes many references to his time in Vietnam. Should his advice be heeded? Will history tell another sad story of death and defeat? Stay tuned.
We are in the strange situation of having helped empower the Taliban to make trouble for the Russians, and now we are fighting them. "The evil that men do lives after them. The good is oft interred with there bones". Shakespeare. Will it be the blood and bones of our soldiers interred in the rocky landscape of Afghanistan, as it was with the Russians? We lost 50,000 plus troops in Vietnam, and were driven out. Will Afghanistan be different? I hope I'm wrong, but I find it difficult to imagine any good outcome to this misbegotten adventure.
Friday, September 25, 2009
WHY THIS PROBLEM WITH IRAN?
Euripides (c. 485-406 B.C.), Phrixus, fragment 970: "The gods visit the sins of the fathers upon the children."
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
AFGHANISTAN
As Shakespeare said; "Lord, what fools these mortals be".
As Peter, Paul and Mary sang; "O when will they ever learn?"
As George Santayana said; "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
As Peter, Paul and Mary sang; "O when will they ever learn?"
As George Santayana said; "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
Monday, September 21, 2009
MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE
I was wondering if people who don't use medical care, but believe in faith healing will be exempt from mandatory insurance coverage based on the Constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion? I expect this question will arise.
How about we who are, as a matter of conscience, opposed to the seeming constant stupid wars we are engaged in? Do we get a break on our taxes?
I know, I know, stupid question. Sorry.
As Ebenezer Scrooge would say, "it reduces the surplus population". Good old Ebenezer, always looking on the bright side.
How about we who are, as a matter of conscience, opposed to the seeming constant stupid wars we are engaged in? Do we get a break on our taxes?
I know, I know, stupid question. Sorry.
As Ebenezer Scrooge would say, "it reduces the surplus population". Good old Ebenezer, always looking on the bright side.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
NO PUBLIC OPTION-----------------------------
---------------in the Baucus healthcare bill. There is a provision to force people to buy insurance or face a large fine. This sounds to me like a big windfall for the insurance industry. Who is Max working for? I think we all know the answer.
SHAME!!
SHAME!!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Senator Baucus--------------------------
----------------has proposed a healthcare bill that has no public option. I say this is not acceptable, and indicates that the Senator is deep in the pockets of the insurance lobby, as are so many on both sides of the aisle.
Sorry Senator, but if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck---------------, well you know the rest.
(edit later) Senator Baucus, CNN just announced that you, since 1989, have received from the insurance lobby near 4 million dollars. This was not charity. Value must be given for value received.
Sorry Senator, but if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck---------------, well you know the rest.
(edit later) Senator Baucus, CNN just announced that you, since 1989, have received from the insurance lobby near 4 million dollars. This was not charity. Value must be given for value received.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Joe Wilson gets Congressional Medal of Dishonor
Joe has been reprimanded by Congress for his behavior during President Obama's speech. Much of the debate before the vote concerned Wilson having apologized to the President, what more did they want?
Here is my take on the situation.
If I am a guest at a dinner party and I insult another guest, then my first duty is to apologize to the person I insulted. After that, I have a second duty, and that is to apologize to the host or hostess for my breach of decorum and the rules of etiquette.
Joe Wilson owed Congress an apology in addition to his apology to the President.
First we had Joe the Plumber. Now we have Joe the Congressman. Which one wins the title, DOFUSS OF THE YEAR?
Here is my take on the situation.
If I am a guest at a dinner party and I insult another guest, then my first duty is to apologize to the person I insulted. After that, I have a second duty, and that is to apologize to the host or hostess for my breach of decorum and the rules of etiquette.
Joe Wilson owed Congress an apology in addition to his apology to the President.
First we had Joe the Plumber. Now we have Joe the Congressman. Which one wins the title, DOFUSS OF THE YEAR?
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
GOVERNMENT
We are supposed to have "Government of the people, by the people, and for the people."
What we really have is government of the K St., by the K St., and for the K St.
The health insurance lobby is located on K St., along with many other assorted crooks. Wouldn't you love to know how much money your congressional rep gets from K St.?
Or would it make you sick? If it does make you sick, and your payment is late, you gonna die.
What we really have is government of the K St., by the K St., and for the K St.
The health insurance lobby is located on K St., along with many other assorted crooks. Wouldn't you love to know how much money your congressional rep gets from K St.?
Or would it make you sick? If it does make you sick, and your payment is late, you gonna die.
Monday, September 7, 2009
THE BAY BRIDGE
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
ARE WE REALLY STUPID?
Our war making history over the past near 50 years can be summed up in one word, "STUPID".
Start with Vietnam, a huge and cruelly stupid fiasco. What did we learn? Apparently nothing.
Then the Bushwhacky fools invaded Iraq. Now we are in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban, a group we helped to gain power when they were fighting and driving out the Russians.
What the hell are we doing on that side of the Earth causing trouble and killing people?
"When will we ever learn?" If it's not soon, we will be going the way of that once great power, the Holy Roman Empire.
War is inherently evil, and eventually evil is punished.
George Will, the conservative columnist titled a very recent column, "Time to Get Out of Afghanistan". If this old war lover says it's time to go, people better listen.
Later: On Hardball I hear the rediculous phrase, "hearts and minds" being used concerning Afghanistan. Are we really that stupid? Are we back to Vietnam? You don't win hearts and minds by blowing them up. "When will they ever learn?"
Start with Vietnam, a huge and cruelly stupid fiasco. What did we learn? Apparently nothing.
Then the Bushwhacky fools invaded Iraq. Now we are in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban, a group we helped to gain power when they were fighting and driving out the Russians.
What the hell are we doing on that side of the Earth causing trouble and killing people?
"When will we ever learn?" If it's not soon, we will be going the way of that once great power, the Holy Roman Empire.
War is inherently evil, and eventually evil is punished.
George Will, the conservative columnist titled a very recent column, "Time to Get Out of Afghanistan". If this old war lover says it's time to go, people better listen.
Later: On Hardball I hear the rediculous phrase, "hearts and minds" being used concerning Afghanistan. Are we really that stupid? Are we back to Vietnam? You don't win hearts and minds by blowing them up. "When will they ever learn?"
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