PG&E

Chronicle front page headline on December 31, 2011. "Miles of gas pipelines go unchecked". What gross incompetence and dereliction of duty. One stunning revelation after another concerning Pacific Gas and Electric Co. Will this company ever be brought to a level of competence that insures public safety? I feel sorry for the lower level employs that must deal with the public on a daily basis. They take the heat while their bosses relax at the country club.
The time for change has come.

Ike

Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.
Dwight D. Eisenhower



Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/d/dwight_d_eisenhower.html#ixzz1i3O8Gqk0

Iowa

The news is full of stuff about the Republican Iowa caucus. It occured to me that a better name may be Iowa ca-ca

The BLIVIT Award

I'm trying to decide who gets the BLIVIT AWARD in this year of 2011. A most difficult decision. For you to understand the award, you need to know what is a BLIVIT. Well, to put it in a somewhat polite manner, it's 10 pounds of s--t in a 5 pound bag. There are many entities that deserve this award, but there is only one per year, so who is most deserving? Who Most deserves the explosion that comes about due to mishandling of the BLIVIT? Could it be Mitt, whose name closely rhymes with the contents of a BLIVIT?

Lets go with Mitt. He's a twit. His name rhymes with ----!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, the Iraq war is over! Wow! Hotdog!! I'll tell you one thing that isn't over, and probably never will be over. That would be the stupidity that got us in the war in the first place. Have we learned anything? Not likely. How sad. How grim.

Tigers!

I saw a piece on the tv news about tigers. Reminded me of this famous poem.

THE TYGER (from Songs Of Experience)
By William Blake
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare sieze the fire?


And what shoulder, & what art.
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?


What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?


When the stars threw down their spears,
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?


Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?


1794

Newt

A newt is an aquatic amphibian of the family Salamandridae.

The above described newt is harmless. It's the capital N "Newt" that is dangerous. Adoption of it's "principles" can be hazardous to your political health.

BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First Class Mail

The news seems to say that there will be a slowdown in delivery time for first class mail. I'm sure that some businesses are already licking their chops at the prospect of charging penalties for late payment of bills. My response to those jerks is this: If it is at all possible, I will cease doing business with you if there is a penalty because of circumstances beyond my control. This is a 2 way street. The Post Office will be slow in getting your bill into my mail box, and slow in delivering my return mail. This is an unfortunate situation that you will have to live with.
I realize that there are busineses such as utilities that I can't cease doing business with, so they will have to adjust their accounting to deal with the slower turnaround time.
This will be no time for stupid behavior. We must all do our best to respond to a problem that is mainly out of our control.
Be patient. Be smart.

HERMAN THE VERMIN

I think I understand why Herman Cain was the first to ask for Secret Service protection. He will need the Secret Service present when he confesses his carnal sins to his wife.
Look out Herman! Here comes the rolling pin!

Repubby Favorites

are Newt, Mitt, and Herman. What a gang. This is indeed mutiple doofuss. Or is the plural of doofuss, doofii?
I remember Presidential races all the way back to 1940. Roosevelt versus Dewey.
These were real people. They each were very qualified to hold the office of President. The Republican party has gone mad. If they suceed, our country is doomed.

Florida governor signs welfare drug-screen measure

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-01/politics/florida.welfare.drug.testing_1_drug-testing-drug-screening-tanf?_s=PM:POLITICS

"Dope" is a synonym for being stupid or for street drugs. Some politicians want to drug test welfare recipients for drug use. I want to test politicians both for taking dope, and for being dopey. Obviously, there's no need to take drugs to be dopey. Many of these folks are dopey enough without any drugs, and some prove it with every utterance. I offer the Governor of Florida as proof.

MORE ON JACKELS

Or is it moron jackels?

Often I refer to and defer to Shakespeare when thinking about the Repubby candidates. Here is the word from Willie the Shake:
----------------------------------------------------------
"Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!(25)
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."

-------------------------------------------------------
There are many tales told by many idiots. Especially Republican idiots.

JACKELS

The current crop of Repubby candidates for President resemble a pack of butt sniffing jackels. Is this the best they can do? In all of my many years I have never seen such a gang of demagouges. A pox upon them all.

PEPPER SPRAY

The egregious and cruel pepper spraying of peacefully seated protesters at UC Davis could have been worse. The officer could have had his weapon in hand and killed someone. So, in this time of Thanksgiving, let us be thankful that none of the seated protesters suffered major harm. And, let us hope that in the future, all those who wear the badge and carry the gun are better trained in the techniques of monitoring and control of protests without use of excessive force.

MITT THE TWIT

Mitt, Mitt, he's a rwit. Got a brain made of shit.

A tip for the Dems

Dems, here's the name for Romney. MITT the TWIT. I would prefer a word that rhymes with twit, but it would offend some sensitive souls.

NEWT the GALOOT

Newt may be a smart man, but he is not a good person. If we allow him to become President, we may as well confer sainthood on Dirty Dicky Nixon.

WHAT KIND OF PIE

is occu pie?

MOVE YOUR MONEY

.
Many are moving their money out of the BIG BANKS into small local banks. I think this is a good idea not just to protest against the biggies, but as a way to help the economy in your locality.

I did this many years ago because the biggie I won't name (damn the stagecoach) was making mistakes with my account, and nothing I did seemed to alleviate the problem. Phone call after phone call to as high as the corporate vice-presidential leval did no good. I assumed that widespread incompetance ruled the bank, and there was no hope. I went in the bank, closed the account, walked across the street to a local bank and opened a new account. I have never regretted this move.

Right to Assemble

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.
------------------------------------------------------------------

The Oakland protestors are within their Constitutional right to assemble in protest. However, as a wise man once said, "My rights stop at the end of your nose".
Or was it "Your rights stop at the end of my nose". Whatever! I think the point has been made. Time to pack it up and give Oakland back to it's citizens. The cost will adversely effect city services to all the people.

THE IDIOT

Russian novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Did Fyodor anticipate Rick Perry?
As my mother said to me many times: "Fools names and fools faces are often found in public places".

Rick,hide your face. It reminds one of the north end of a southbound jackass.

RANKED CHOICE VOTING

Another way to say "stupid"

What has happened to "One man, one vote"?

Is it too late?

A great man, Dwight David Eisenhower said this in 1961.

"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist."

We didn't listen. Our country is going in the toilet. When will we ever learn?

The pain of Cain is mainly in the brain.

"The Cain Mutiny". How's that for a book title? Maybe followed by a movie.

But as usual, Shakespeare said it best in MACBETH.

a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

CAIN AD

When you have to explain an ad, it is a really DUMB ad. DUH!

Herman Cain says------------

Nine Nine Nine
I say:
Nein Nein Nein

is CAIN unAble?

Will there be a Genesis or will he make his Exodus? What do the Numbers say? Is it DuetoRomney?

RUBIO?

BOOBIO!

THE MUTT

Mitt the Mutt Rummy for President? Holy cow, Charlie Brown!! Can you imagine? Down what dark and dreary road is this country headed? Take me back to the days of my childhood when great men like Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave of themselves to save our country when it was in serious trouble.

WHO WILL SAVE US NOW?

"BIRTHER"

Some Repubbys are starting up the "birther" crap again. They know where Obama was born and that he is a natural born citizen of the United States. Let's face the truth here. It's all about RACE! If Barack Obama was John Smith, white guy Democrat, there would be no controversy. They absolutely HATE the thought that there is an Nword in the Oval Office. It makes them CRAZY!

Grow up dummies!

A PACK OF JACKALS

AKA Republican Presidential candidates.

The right to "OCCUPY"

THE CONSTITUTION

"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."

The "OCCUPY WALL ST." folks would seem to be on strong constitutional ground. Just keep it peaceful. Don't let mob mentality take over,

OPEN CARRY (letter to editor)

Open Carry
The Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States says:
"A well regulated MILITIA, being necessary to the security of a free STATE, the right of THE PEOPLE to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
For those of you that don't understand classic English, I have capitalized words and phrases to help you.
When our Country was founded and the Constituion was adopted, there were representatives from the States that were worried that too much power would be given to the central government. They wanted the right to form their owh army to defend themselves from an agressive and powerful Washington should that become necessary.
The "open carry" folks are NOT a militia as permitted by the Constitution. They are individuals that wish to show off their guns.

Obituary for Gadhafi

Ozymandias
By Percy Bysshe Shelley 1792–1822 Percy Bysshe Shelley

I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a shatter'd visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamp'd on these lifeless things,
The hand that mock'd them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains: round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.

Herman Cain

This fool wants to impose a national sales tax. How stupid. Anyone with any sense of economic logic knows that the sales tax is highly regressive. In other words, it hurts the poor very directly. This tax would be in addition to the existing local sales taxes. It would add to the cost of essential goods. It;s easy to see a sales tax as high as 15% and maybe as high as 20%, Or worse,
Of course it would be unconstitutional, but I would like to impose some sort of IQ test on those who want to run for high office.

HERMAN CAIN

Fools names and fools faces are often found in public places.

My Ride Chronicle Sunday the 16th

Re. the Ducati in "My Ride". Sunday the 16th. WOW! It brought back memories of long ago.
In 1954 I was in the Air Force and stationed in Japan. I owned a Japanese bike, a Mizuho 250cc twin. My buddy owned a 125cc Ducati, a REALLY cool bike! My bike with double the displacement of the Ducati could not keep up. The Ducati with a rider heavier than I would run away from me, laughing all the way!
It was a great time, never to be forgotten.

M. H. Page
284 Sequoia Ave.
South San Francisco, CA 94080
650-873-1480

MONKEY SEE----------------

Why is the Republican party so enamoured with Cain for President? May I be allowed to be rude and suggest that is is a case of "monkey see, monkey do?"

As an old saying goes, "they are up shit creek in an iron canoe without a paddle" and are desparate to the point of inanity.

I expect that if the Repubbys nominate Cain, the "Abel" Democrats will rise up and "slay" him.

Will it come to pass?

It says in the Bible:

"And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him."


Can we apply this to modern times and the Republican primary? Will Cain slay Rommney?

This is what the "Christians" of the far right devoutly wish for. Rommney of the "unchristian" Morman Church is an anathma to the "devout" Republican holier-than-thous who hope to take over the country, change the Constitution and create a holiocracy. Damn them and all they stand for.

A VISION

I have a vision. The vision is of a bus loaded to standing room only with Republicans who are opposed to spending money on critical infrastructure, especially old bridges. As they cross these bridges, pieces are falling off. The cracks in the roadway are opening wider. The rotten concrete and rusty steel are crumbling. I hear them praying. "Please Lord, don't let this bridge fail. Wait until the Democrat bus comes along."

FAT MAN

A great fat man. Jackie Gleason.
A jerk fat man. Chris Christie.

Calories do not a President make.

Chris Christie

To paraphrase: It's not over till the fat man runs. Let us hope the run is too steep for all that blubber.

TRAITOR

Re. Letter to the Editor, "Bad guy but bad precedent"
Mr. Palmer, this is the explaination. Al-Awlaki was a soldier in the army of the enemy, and a TRAITOR! The President is the Commander in Chief of the armed forces of the United States. If Mr. Al-Awlaki had been captured, I have no doubt that there would have been due process, a finding of guilt and then execution of sentence.
To paraphrase Shakespeare: "The evil that men do lives after them. The good is oft interred with theri bones. So let it be with Al-Awlaki." And good riddance!

Parry PERRY

Hit MITT

Sprain CAIN

Piss CHRIS

Maul PAUL

Quell MICHELE

Kick RICK

Cram GRAHAM

Scareth' SARAH

HELL IN RENO

Reno violence. What a shame.
Kathi and I were in Sparks NV at John Ascuaga's Nugget Saturday September 18 thru 21. It was quiet and peaceful. There were two beautifully restored and customized Harley-Davidson motorcycles displayed in the lobby that were much admired. We throughly enjoyed ourselves.
I truly hope that this senseless violence won't discourage people from going to Reno and having a enjoyable time. I know that my wife and I will go back again when we can afford it! We've been going there for many years. In fact, we were married there over 40 years ago. Reno is an important part of our life.

BRIDGE COLLAPSE

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I-35W_Mississippi_River_bridge

Do you want to drive on substandard bridges? If so, vote Republican. They are indeed a "Bridge over Troubled Waters". Or, troubled bridge over dangerous waters.

DEATH PENALTY

BIBLICAL COMMANDMENT" "THOU SHALT NOT KILL"

Why is it that the religious folks often invoke the COMMANDMENTS, but hypocritically honor them mostly in the breach?

For instance, the death penalty. The religious folks need to remember the Biblical quote, "Vengeance is Mine saith the Lord".

There have been many cases of innocent people being punished by the State with the death penalty. The justice system with all it's propensities for error should realize that state sanctioned killing may often be an egregious error that cannot in any way be rectified.

In a purely monetary sense, it often costs more to kill the convicted than it does to keep them in prison for life. May we say the the death penalty is not a fiscally responsible policy?

What to do, what to do?

THE ROMNEYS

Mitt romney is NOT his father George. Romney Sr. was a great man. Mitt is a twit.

THE KNOW NOTHINGS

"Of all the American political parties in the 19th century, perhaps none generated more controversy than the Know-Nothing Party, or the Know-Nothings. Officially known as the American Party, it actually emerged from secret societies opposed to immigrants coming to America.
Its shadowy beginnings, and popular nickname, led to it going down in history as something of a joke."

"Yet in their own time, the Know-Nothings made their presence known, and no one was laughing."
------------------------------------------------------------
Have they come back from the dead? I suspect they were never dead, except in the head. They seem to exemplify the Republican Party as we now know it. Knowing nothing is political sophistication in this time we live in. How sad!

Bachman

Bachman has a problem with mandatory preventive injections for children. She thinks they may contribute to mental retardation. Is she proof of her theory?

NEO-NAZI PARTY

AKA the "new" Republican Party. I have said this before and more and more I'm convinced that I am correct. To be fair, the "new party" is the TEA PARTY.They are pushing aside the old traditional Republicans, as they move to the extreme right, and I doubt that the oldtime Repubbys have the cojones to fight back.

R as in reasonable

Many years ago the "R" in reasonable was not so far removed from the "R" in Republican, once the party of President (former general) Dwight D Eisenhower. Now the "R" is as in far Rightist, an anathma to Republicans like Dwight David Eisenhower.
I was born in 1933, and grew up in the Roosevelt era. Another "R", and a reasonable man deticated to finding solutions to the great problems of the time. The reasonable "R" in the arena of politics seems to have gone away, Maybe forever.
The "R" on the political scene now is the Rick from Texass. A Republican, but not reasonable.

9/11. Unforseen Consequences

War has dire consequences. War has unforseen consequences. War that is "justified" is also war that is "unjustified". War that people believe is justified is unjustified evil to others. War that is undertaken to "free" others is often the diminishment of freedom to those who proscecute the war. The glory or war for some is the agony of war for many.

"When will they ever learn?"

THE AMERICAN DREAM

Politicians like to refer to the "American Dream". President Obama made reference to it in his speech to Congress on Thursday the 8th. I remember the American dream. Then came the nightmare of Vietnam, and the domination of the military over the civil sector. President Eisenhower warned us about this in his farewell address. We didn't listen. We are in financial trouble up to our necks and are sinking fast. Until we rein in the "military-industrial complex" that Eisenhower warned about,it will be a downward and endless spiral into financial and civil desolation.
History has warned us. Don't repeat the mistakes of the past.

SHOVEL READY PROJECTS

There is always talk about "shovel ready projects". In ancient history, or fable, the greatest one was Hercules cleaning the Augean Stables.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augeas

WELFARE OR WARFARE?

Is is possible that the high unemployment rate is as much a problem of overpopulation as it is the economic situation? We cannot continue to add more and more people to the population without an adverse reaction. To employ all these people will require "makework economics" that will eventually drain the strength from the economy.
During the great depression of the 1930's it came down to welfare or warfare. Tojo and Hitler took us from a welfare economy to a warfare economy.

Millions died.

Republican Party

The Republican Party has held this name for many long years. but it seems to me that they are no longer the party that once exemplified responsible conservatism. It is no longer the party of Dwight D. Eisenhower, who as General Eisenhower was important in the defeat of Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party in World War 2. Even Richard M. Nixon seems to be a most reasonable centrist as compared with the current list of possible Republican hopefuls.
In earlier times, Mitt Romney would have been a cinch to win,or at least to be a top contender for the Party's nomination as their candidate for President. What has happened? Now it seems that an unknown far rightist from Texas is the most likely candidate. As a country, where are we headed?
I worry for my Country. I hope the electorate can keep the vehicle of the body politic in the center of the road, and not veer off into the ditch of extremism.

FREE WORLD

It is said that the many candidates for President of the United States are running to be "leader of the free world". My question is, what does the "free world" think about some of the candidates. Does any rational person think that the free world wants Sarah Palin as their leader? Or several others I could mention.

I think not!

the Idiot

Fyodor Dostoyevsky wrote a story titled "THE IDIOT". Was he a prophet? Did he foresee "THE PALIN"?



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mitchell-bard/why-sarah-palins-north-ko_b_788647.html

HARDBALL!

President Obama is too much a "Mr. Nice Guy", and the Republicans are all to happy to take advantage of him. It's time to change, Mr. President. Hardball is the game, and you need to be the pitcher. A few brush back pitches, and if that doesn't work, throw the BEANBALL!

Dumber than a you-know-what

Speaking of Eric Cantor. You can fill in the "you know what". The Eric types make me glad that many.many years ago I left the State of Virginia. Beautiful state. Ugly politicians. SHAME!

BTW, the "you know what" has to do with a cartload of----------------, I can't say.

Mau Mau Gadhawful (you know who I mean)

When will we see the last of him? Why does evil flourish for so long, and the good die young?

ATF is DUH

Shakeup Linked to ATF "Fast and Furious" Scandal | Print |
Written by Jack Kenny
Wednesday, 31 August 2011 13:45
Two federal officials have been reassigned and a third has resigned in the wake of controversy over "Operation Fast and Furious," the controversial sting that is also known as the "Gunwalking Scandal." Kenneth Melson (pictured at left), acting director for the past 28 months of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, will become senior advisor on forensic science in the Justice Department's Office of Legal Programs, Attorney General Eric Holder announced Tuesday. U.S. Attorney for Arizona Dennis Burke, who approved the flawed operation that allowed weapons to be delivered to drug gangs, submitted his resignation to President Obama effective immediately. Emory Hurley, a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Phoenix who worked on the Fast and Furious investigation, has been reassigned from criminal cases to civil casework.
=============================================================================

The ATF, which is supposed to regulate firearms would seem to be the best friend of those who want to acquire guns and commit mayhem on the innocent. Maybe the alcohol they are supposed to regulate has invaded their brains and diminished their power of rational thought.

FOR KHADAFY

Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)
Ozymandias.

I met a Traveler from an antique land,
Who said, "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desart. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read,
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed:
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is OZYMANDIAS, King of Kings."
Look on my works ye Mighty, and despair!
No thing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that Colossal Wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.

ALL TIME GREATEST FILM

My vote is for CASABLANCA. No film I've ever seen can beat it. The cast, the story, the genius of the director. It just doesn't get any better. I think it was filmed as a WW2 potboiler. It is great art and will endure. A Michaelangelo of films.

A WORD TO THE FAR RIGHT

Unbridled capitalism can be as evil as unbridled communism. Extremes whether to the right or left are always to be avoided. Take the middle road, steady as she goes, and stay out of the ditch.

Bringing down the economy

There are some that think the Repubbys are intentionally damaging the economy so as to blame Obama and drive him out of office in the next election. I also have been of this mind for some time, and as time goes by, I'm more and more convinced that this is the case. SHAME!

If it is true that this sabotage is happening, I call it TREASON!

The people that want to run this country are of a type we have gone to war against in the past. I'm thinking of the Nazis and others of their ilk. If they gain the power they want, we may as well have lost WW2. I think of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and wonder what he would think of these far rightys and their agenda. We need a fighter like FDR and soon, or it may become BRAVE NEW WORLD. The great author, Aldous Huxley would understand the evil that we are presented with. And where, if we don't presevere and prevail, it may lead us.

THINK ABOUT IT!

Gov.Perry

is the ass in Texass. It is said that if you put both Dubya and Ricky in a room, just the two of them, Bush is the smart one. GOOD GRIEF!

THE IDIOTS PARADE

These far rightys such as Bachman, Perry, et al are making me sick. If they take over, we are in the political cesspool.
The great presidents of the past must be rolling over in their graves at the prospect of one of the idiots taking over.
FDR, where are you now? Come back!

GRAND OLD PARTY

The Republican Party calls itself the "Grand Old Party", aka GOP. The symbol or logo is the elephant. I think the elephant may be very appropriate,but not for the usual reasons. When we examine the mess left behind by the Bush Republicans, we begin to see a new picture of the elephant and why it's appropriate. Have you ever seen an elephant in a circus parade? The mess they leave that emenates from their behind is huge and requires a large shovel to pick up. This mess, aka s--t is pure Republicanism at it's stinkiing worst.

Washington Spending

I hear endless talk by various talking heads about "spending". No one want to cut "defense spending". I agree. What we should cut is OFFENSE Spending. This is what has gotten us into trouble for many years. Fighting stupid wars. Add up what we've blown on Vietnam and a succession of wars since then, including Iraq, and you have the picture of possible bankruptcy.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower in his farewell address warned us about the "Military Industrial Complex" gaining too much power. We didn't listen and we are in deep you know what. A hint. It stinks. We are getting closer and closer to becoming the worlds largest "banana republic". Do you suppose that Canada and Mexico will help out their poor neighbor?
Don't count on it.

BART

Chronicle front page headline: "BART showing its age with shutdown".
Am I surprised ? Not at all. In my many years experience as a maintenance mechanic, I am well aware of the managment class and their scorn for providing sufficient funds to keep equipment in top operating order. They ignore problems until they become critical, then scramble about looking for money to clean up the mess.
There's an old saying: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". However, if you wait until its broke it may be difficult to fix.
Sufficient funds to assure proper and ongoing maintenance are always a good investment.

HELICOPTORS

In the light of the recent helicoptor warship tragedy in Afghanistan, I offer this thought. It seems to me that they are too easy a target. Much like a low and slow flying duck against a hunter with a double barreled 12 gauge shotgun. The use of them as tactical weapons should be given more careful consideration.
Our soldiers are brave. Their leaders are fools.

STANDARD & POORS

Here's my opinion on S&P. The initials mean STUPID & PUTRID. Are any of them involved in insider trading? Should hard questions be asked of these people? I think so. Stomp and Pound.

STOP!!

A Chronicle headline I never expected to see: "S&P downgrades U.S. credti rating". What a disgrace! How could we have allowed this to happen? We are an our way to becomming a "banana republic". We are becoming that which we have held in scorn over many years.
There are no easy cures for this disaster,but I'll offer one that would be a good start. STOP FIGHTING STUPID WARS!

Later, the thought occured that if i handled my finances as poorly as the United States Government has, I would have a poor credit rating also. Thanks to my Secretary of the Treasury,(wife) my bills are paid like clockwork each and every month. We have no debt. If we do acquire debt, it is usually paid off early. This requires discipline, something very lacking in Washington DC. SHAME!

Latest news on credit rating. 8-8-11
"A critical editorial by China's state-run news agency on Saturday said that the United States must "cure its addiction to debts."

A Chronicle headline I never expected to see: "S&P downgrades U.S. credti rating". What a disgrace! How could we have allowed this to happen? We are an our way to becomming a "banana republic". We are becoming that which we have held in scorn over many years.
There are no easy cures for this disaster,but I'll offer one that would be a good start. STOP FIGHTING STUPID WARS!

Weak Economy

Obama is getting blamed by the Repubbys for the weak economy. Let us look at the lie. One big reason that the economy is weak is the business community is sitting on TRILLIONS of dollers. If they were patriotic leaders, they would be putting this money into the economy. But, they would rather wait until the Presidential election in hopes that it will defeat Obama. If that occurs,the money will flow. They call this patriotism? I call it the "evil than men do". It WILL live after them.

Gov. Perry of Texass

The sanctimonious and hypocritical Governor Perry is having a "prayer meeting" in a fifty thousand (maybe more) seat stadium in Texas. I would like to educate Gov. Hypocrite concerning what Jesus said about public prayer.
--------------------------------
Putting Prayer in Its Place
Jesus’ instruction on prayer in Matthew begins this way:

“Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:5-6).

----------------------------------

There you are Governor. Wake up and shut up.

CONGRESS

There is a term, "village idiot" to describe some poor soul who is not now or ever will be up to speed. It's time to make a singular into a plural as in village of idiots. AKA Congress.

TEA (turgid-effluent-aroma)

Lets call the Tea Party what it really is. The 21st Century version of the Nazi Party. Far to the right and damn the consequences. If they gain full power, look out!
Fortunately they haven't a leader who can take them to the next level of evil. If we allow that to happen, Mother Earth is in big trouble.

BERNANKE

The following is a post I wrote in November 2005.

Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke
It would appear that Ben Bernanke is on course for easy confirmation as Chairman of the Federal Reserve, replacing Alan Greenspan.

There can be no doubt of Dr.Bernanke's academic qualifications. However, his political and economic background as viewed in light of his time in the White House raises questions in my mind. As economic advisor to Bush, he was deeply involved in the ruinous economic and tax policy decisions that have diminished the middle class, created economic malaise, wiped out the surplus left by the previous administration and ballooned the National Debt.

In the best of all worlds, the job would be strictly non-partisan, and maybe the most qualified person would rise to the top. Many think, including me, that Robert Rubin would be the logical choice. Rubin was former head of Goldman-Sachs, and a consummate Wall Street professional. His economic and monetary qualifications are without question. Many commentators have said that Rubin was the best Secretary of the Treasury since Alexander Hamilton.

If Dr. Bernanke is unable to rise above his White House days, we may be in for serious trouble.

The link is to the National Debt clock. You should worry about this.
http://www.usdebtclock.org/

BALANCE THE BUDGET

How can we balance the Federal budget and bring the deficit under control? I have the answer, STOP fighting stupid wars. Now, isn't that easy. What is the matter with the dodo birds populating the banks of the Potomac River that they can't figure out this problem? It's so simple that even an old simpleton like me can arrive at a solution. Get with it Congress!

TEA Party

The letters T E A are an acronym and stand for Turgid Effluent Aroma. Hold your nose. Put on your wader boots if you visit Congress. Bring a gas mask.

Republican Deficient

We have this deficit problem because Republicans are deficient in common sense. It goes back to Dubya and his love of war that wasn't paid for. Now we have to pay.
Of course, the Dems are dumbs also. They went along. How sad.

Shakespeare knew Congress

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
========================
Willie the Shaker knew the story. Change never comes.

TEA PARTY OR tee party?

I suggest the TEA PARTY change their name to the TEE PARTY. As in golf. It seems to me that all they want to do is PUTTer around and DRIVE our country into the ROUGH. I can only hope that they miss the GREEN, lose their BALLS and our FLAG remains standing proud.

14th Amendment, Sec. 4

Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

More on Default

Or is it moron default?
If there is default, all members of Congress that are complicit sHould be charged with TREASON!

To Default, or not to Default

That is the question. Whether it is more ignoble for the United
States Government to default on debt and destroy the economy or to borrow more money,create more debt, and kick the can down the road for awhile longer. Or step up and do right!

We are, in deep DOO-DOO! Or, "what fools these mortals be".

Debt Ceiling

In the land of fools, the idiot is king.

CIVILIZATION?

I always thought Norway was a very civilized country. And I'm sure it is. Like so many countries that think they practice civilization, there is always a madman lurking in the shadows ready to commit horribly uncivilized acts, and bring doubt and grief to the citizens who are civilized and practice kindness to, and tolerance of their fellow citizens.

How sad. How grim. May there be peace in their souls and kindness in their hearts.

It is better to create than to learn! Creating is the essence of life.
Julius Caesar

Personal fortitude is the very essence of good living.
Mike Page

Just Thought I'd Ask

Is there intelligent life in the District of Columbia?

THE TEA PARTY

The rise in power of the so called "Tea Party" gives me great concern. Will they be subservient to the Republican Party, or will the reverse come to pass? Has it already come to pass?

There are times when I see a parallel between the rise of the Tea Party and the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany in the 1930's. Far to the right and an insaitiable thirst for power. I fear that if they gain power, they will use it to promote far rightist and evil policies, aka Germany in the 1930's

So there! I said it! You don't like it? Put it in your tea and drink it. And choke!

AT&T Boxes on San Francisco Sidewalks

Regarding the big "boxes" that will take up so much sidewalk space. It seems to me that if some people had been thinking, the boxes could have been tall and slender, standing ajacent to existing poles, and thereby having a much smaller 'footprint".
IMHO

MIGRAINE HEADACHE

If a President of the United States suffered from a severe and debilitating migraine headache he or she would be obligated to turn over power to the Vice-President as required by the 25th Amendment of the Constitution.
--------------------

The 25th Amendment section concerning this situation:
Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.

---------------------

Speaking as one who has known people who suffered from severe migraines, I know that competent mental function is severely diminished. We cannot have this condition in the oval office.

Are there any more great men?

I was born in 1933. Not long before I was born, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was sworn in as President of the United States. I didn't have a lot of awareness of FDR before World War 2, but after Pearl Harbor (which I well remember) the name Roosevelt was constantly in the news. And, because we entered the war in Europe, the name Winston Churchill became very well known. Two great men leading their allied nations in the war against Hitler and Tojo. How important were they in our victory? I believe they were very important.

J S Bach

Today, Sunday July 17th, My daughter Allison and I had the good fortune to attend a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach's Mass in B Minor by the American Bach Soloists in San Francisco. It was done to perfection, and if old Bach himself was listening in from on high, he surely would be pleased that what may be his greatest work was brought to life with love and virtuosity.
Did I say Bach's greatest work? No doubt of that, and it may be one of the greatest works ever to emanate from the the mind of man throughout all of history. How fortunate we are to bear witness to such great genius.

HEALTHCARE

Healthcare is called a basic human necessity, Maybe it should be a basic human right. If it is a "right", then there is a duty of each person to take better care of themselves. For instance, how can it be a right, if one smokes a pack or two of ciggies a day? Or overeats to the point of becoming grossly overweight?
A difficult situation. However, if we stop fighting stupid wars, there will be plenty of money for healthcare. THINK ABOUT IT!

Rhubarb Merdecock (rudolph murdoch)

and his strange and weird publishing empire. It is better to be blind than to torture your eyes and mind with the evil ramblings of this fool. May he and the Foxfools that kow-tow to him find the fast road to Hell, and the sooner the better,

al Queda

Leon Panetta says we are close to defeating al Qaeda. Sorry Leon, but I remember similiar talk about the Viet Cong many years ago. I'll bet that you remember Vietnam and the Viet Cong. They kicked our ass. Wake up dude!

MINNESOTA

Land of fools.

The financial nonsense the Republicans are proposing is both fiscal and moral irresponsibility. They are so stupid that they think wrecking the country's financial system will help them win the 2012 election. Is it possible they think the votors are so stupid thay won't know who wrecked the train? I never thought I would live so long that I would see and hear such evil emanate from a major political party. I remember when people thought the Communist party was a big danger to the country. Now it's the home grown yahoos that may bring us down.

THE WAY IT IS

Republican mantra: "MORE WAR, LESS TAXES"

I think the name of the TEA PARTY should be changed to THE McCARTHYITES.

Idiot !

The Southwest Airlines pilot who went on a sexist and homophobic rant with an open microphone should be fired for inconpetance. If this pilot is so inattentive to detail that he doesn't know the mic is open, how can he be trusted with an airliner and the lives of passengers? Irresponsibiity must have penalties.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS

To paraphrase Lewis Carroll:

War yesterday and war tomorrow but never war today.

WILL GOD BAIL OUT THE FOOLS IN HARRISBURG PA?

Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson announced that she will join Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders around the city in the three-day fast and prayer intended to help Harrisburg out of its financial crisis. According to the Patriot News, the event will seek to find a more cooperative spirit among governmental leaders in the city.

Harrisburg is currently struggling with nearly $300 million in debts after a floundering incinerator project swallowed much of the city’s budget. It was admitted to a state-run program for distressed municipalities in December, and a panel has warned that if the city does not reduce personnel costs and sell its assets, it could run out of money for payroll and other obligations.
==========================================================================

I will reiterate my Mother's admonishment. "God helps those who help themselves".

OK fools, get off your fat lazy asses and get to work, Forget the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. WORK! I assume you have heard the word "work", and have some idea of the meaning. If you are unable or unwilling to work, get out of town and let some people who do understand what it means to take over and fix the mess you have made.

FOX, the acronym

FOX (news?) is the acronym for Fatuous Old Xenophobe, aka Roger Ailes.

TEXAS

Rick Perry. An LBJ without a brain.

lesson

"Personal fortitude is the very essence of good living."

mp 1948

PULL UP YOUR PANTS

The silly fool that got on an airliner with his pants half down, and fully down when he took his seat, deserved to get the boot. There are certain levels of decent behaviour that are expected when in public.
When you are in your house, you do as you please. When you are in my house, you do as I please. Or leave.

BEWARE

Beware of Greeks bearing debts.

Weinergate

Has anyone noticed that Anthony Weiner and Tim Pawlenty look like they could be brothers? They may not be brothers, but they ARE both jerks.

TO STAY OR NOT TO STAY

Sorry Mr. Shakespeare.
To stay, or not to stay: that is the question.
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous behaviour.
and stay and suffer, or leave and grieve.
What ot do, Anthony, what to do.

A POST FROM 2005

Monday, November 30, 2009
BIN LADEN STILL FREE. "WHY" YOU ASK?
In December 2005 I wrote the following:

Where is bin Laden?
Does bin Laden have more propaganda value to Bush and Co. if he remains free and can be perceived as a major threat in the "War on Terror"?
I have long suspected that there were more reasons than meet the eye for the seeming abandonment of the war against the Taliban and bin Laden in Afghanistan.
To maintain a constant state of war, one's enemy must remain alive and healthy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2011
Now we know who had the cojones and smarts to go after bin Laden. And kill the Devil!

Sarah

In the news. A Pig on a Hog!

NEWT THE GALOOT

is such an insufferable jerk that I cannot imagine any rational individual contemplating him as President of the United States. May he hang by his bling, twisting slowly in his wind.

THE END IS COMING

Who knows when? Nobody knows when. Anyone that says they know is a damn fool. This is, as Shakespeare said, "Much Ado About Nothing".

THE RAPTURE (HORSEPUCKY)

The fools that believe they can read the Bible and determine when the end of the World is coming are sickos of the first order. What absolute nonsense. Hell would be too good a place for them. I expect that the Devil would agree with me.

"IN THE LAND OF FOOLS, THE IDIOT IS KING"

mp

RAPTURE

In the land of fools, the idiot is king.

Letter to the Editor SF Chronicle May 13

Teach your children
Chronicle headline May 11: "CSU tuition could skyrocket."
To this I say: Any country that can engage in constant warfare but cannot afford to educate their children is doomed to fail.

M.H. Page, South San Francisco



.

STUDY WAR NO MORE

Listen up folks. This is the way.


Study War No More
by Willie Dixon
Won't that be one mighty day
When we hear world leaders say
"We don't have to cry no more"
"We're givin' it up, we gonna let it all go"

Chorus:
Ain't gonna study, study war no more
Ain't gonna think, think war no more
Ain't gonna fight, fight war no more
We're givin' it up, we gonna let it go
We're givin' it up, we gonna let it go

We will take gun powder to have fun
Then get rid of the atom bomb
Something else that we can do
Get rid of all those rockets too

[chorus]

The money spent on bombs alone
Can build poor people a happy home
Something good we can do
You treat me like I treat you

No more starving in the nation
Everybody gets an education
Everytime a baby is born
We know he'll have him a happy home

[chorus]

No more sleeping in the street
We all happy whoever we meet
Then we all will shake their hand
And make this world a promised land.

INDY 500

Can you imagine that Trump-a-Rump was going to drive the pace car for the Indy 500? Somebody got wise and gave him the boot. They must have realized that The Donald couldn't drive on a track where you only turn left. He would have done about half a lap before he turned right and wiped out the field. Indy is saved! Glory hallelujah!!

TRUMP the RUMP

Trump the Rump is a total jackass. Pardon me Mr.Jackass for comparing a noble beast such as yourself to the ignoble jerk, The Donald. If by some impossible to imagine circumstance, such a fool should be elected President, we will be the laughing stock of the world.

MITT ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT?

Give me a break. If his Daddy hadn't been George W.Romney, a very successful businessman and saviour of Americah Motors, Mitt-boy would never have been heard of.
Let us as votors make sure he is never again heard of.

JUST MY OPINION

Regarding the article in the Chronicle on Sunday April 24, page A16, titled "Obama birth record available for all to see". The Republicans don't care about Obama's birth certificate. That has nothing to do with their hatred for him. Their hatred has everything to do with race. Lets get real here. If he was white there would be NO controversy.

Joe McCarthy Lives!

The Republicans loved Joe McCarthy. He made his name by beating up on people he called "communists". Hardly any of them were communists, but the reputations of many of them were ruined by "Tail gunner Joe". We have another would be politician/ Presidental candidate who is demogouging the issue of "birth". Maybe it's time to start a new rightwing political organization named the "John Birth Society" The looneys of the right will flock to join. I would join if I could be treasurer of the looney tuners. When the treasury reached 1 million bucks, I would write a check for the full amount and give it to President Obama. BTW, the name of the Joe McCarthy wannabe is Donald Trump.

Donald Trump
Fell on his rump
Now he's a grump.

ASLEEP ON THE JOB

There have been several reports in the news recently about Air Traffic Controllers falling asleep on the job. This is bad. However, this is what is worse. Having only one controller on the job. Suppose the one person on the job becomes ill? Maybe he dies. Then what? A plane crashes and how many more die? This policy is just plain stupid.
For those who think it isn't stupid I have this question. Would you fly on an airliner with just one pilot? No co-pilot? I think not.

REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT

an·ar·chy/ˈanərkē/Noun
1. A state of disorder due to absence or nonrecognition of authority.
2. Absence of government and absolute freedom of the individual, regarded as a political ideal.

When I hear the Repubbys talk about the kind of government they like, I am always reminded of the definition of "anarchy". However, it seems that they only complain about government when they are out of power. When they are in power, government and it's cost is always expanded. For proof of this, I offer the 8 years of Dubya "gummint", and the HUGE expansion of the National Debt."Gummint" is Texaastalk for "government". Mispronounced and stupid in concept and execution. Bush league for sure.

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Any member of Congress who votes for a Government shutdown should be arrested and tried for treason.

FOX NOOZ

FOX in this case in not a cute little animal that looks like a dog. Rather it is a rightwing "news" outfit that blathers BS. I say that the letters f-o-x stand for fatuous old xenophobes.

FREEDON OF RELIGION

THE CONSTITUTION of the United States
Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.

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
-----------------------------------------------------
I saw a piece on tv news concerning the building of a Muslim mosque in a redneck state. The yahoos are all up in arms over this terrible happening. Of course, they have never heard of the Constitution. Nor do they want to.

HAIKU FOR THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN

A NEW SUN RISING
ILLUMINATES MOUNT FUJI
SOON A BRIGHTER DAY

AN EVIL MAN

I want to be the first to say that Gadhafi is the Adolf Hitler of Morth Africa. May his fate be the same as Hitler's, only much sooner.

NUKE

My thought for the day concerning nuclear energy.

USE IT WISELY OR DIE

"The evil that men do-------"

Concerning nuclear power plants: As in all human endeavours, if there is a chance that something will go wrong, it most likely will. This thought has been lurking in the back of my mind from the earliest days of nuclear power.
I remember Hiroshima/Nagasaki, We got all of our news by radio and newspaper at that time. I remember those events. I was a paperboy. I was waiting with the other paperboys for the delivery truck bringing the newspapers for us to fold and deliver to our subscribers, I opened my bundle and the headlines screamed out at me concerning the destruction of Hiroshima by this new monster of a bomb. Incomprehensible! Beyond all belief. We didn't know at that moment that the war was almost at an end. Soon we would learn, and it was a great relief. Later came concern and fear. Concern and fear has never left. Maybe sublimated. Maybe ignored. Never purged from the subconscience.

DESTRUCTION IN JAPAN

Seeing on television the grim images of total destruction in Japan made me think of the old radio drama by Orson Welles,THE WAR OF THE WORLDS. The radio show was broadcast in 1938. My mother and grandmother were in a room with closed doors listening to the broadcast. It was done as a real event, and fooled millions into thinking it was true. My brother and I walked into the room where they were listening. We were immediately run out. I remember the grave faces of mother and grandma. I was only 5 years old. I still remember.
The next radio broadcast I remember was December 7th, 1941. That was real.


TRAPPED IN THE WRECKAGE
ARE THE SOULS OF THE PEOPLE
THEY WILL RISE AGAIN

DEAL WITH THE DEVIL

My thought for the day. Nuclear power is a deal with the Devil. The more we have to depend on it, the more we are in thrall to the Devil. Nuclear reaction is a miniature Hell. When it goes out of control,it is Hell on Earth. Will the day come when it cannot be controlled?
Is it not better to use less power and use it more wisely? Conserve and preserve.

"Radical" Islam

The fool, Congressman King of New York is going to hold "hearings" on the "radicalization" of Islam in the United States. What is with this jerk? Is causing trouble his reason to exist? And for sure, he will cause trouble.
I expect that if he is allowed to proceed, his hearings will do far more to radicalize the Muslims than any current events are doing. Lets face it. The VAST majority of Muslims who are citiaens of the United States ate loyal and patriotic. The fool King, if allowed, may do great damage to this. Loyal citizens will think since thay are being tarred by the brush of hatred, they may as well hate back.
Maybe this is what King wants. More hatred. More war. More death. More destruction.
Just what we need. Another Joe McCarthy.
WHEN------WILL------WE--------EVER--------LEARN?

THE WAY IT IS

In the hotel of life, the check-out time is never posted. MP

---therefore, send not to know for whom the bell tolls-- JD

---keep on truckin'--- Unknown

HYPOCRITES-APOSTATES-BLASPHEMERS

Everytime I hear a politician say, "What would Jesus do?", it rankles me no end. I would love to get in his face and say; "You have no idea what Jesus would do, and I'm sure you don't care what Jesus would do. You only invoke the name of Jesus to make a cheap political point in a feeble attempt impress the voters with your religiosity. Sir, I say that you are a hypocrite and a blasphemer. If there is a Hell, other than the one you are making here on on Earth, you will surely take up residence there in due time, but not soon enough for me."

PRESIDENT'S DAY

I heard a tv newscaster asking viewers to call in the name of their favorite President of the USA. My first thought was Franklin D.Roosevelt. FDR took office about a month before I was born. As I grew up. his name was in the news and in my mind from a very early age.

Roosevelt's leadership during the Great Depression, and then World War Two remains in my memory. We didn't know then how crippled he was, and how he must have suffered while carrying out his most difficult duties as a wartime president. And sadly, he died before seeing the end of the war.

FDR,RIP

Fareed Zakaria

For anyone interested in a very intelligent discussion of current events and world situations, I highly recommend the FAREED ZAKARIA GPS show, Sunday morning on CNN.

The good news
We got rid of Richard Nixon. The Egyptians got rid of Hosni Mubarak. All good things are possible.
(above piublished in the San Francisco Chronicle LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)

M.H. Page, South San Francisco



Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/02/11/ED6P1HM0EB.DTL#ixzz1DlJyoBHO

A JEFFERSONIAN MOMENT OF TRUTH

He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors.

Thomas Jefferson

SARAH PALIN

"She is More to be Pitied than Censured"

Thats all I have to say. I hope that is all I ever have to say, May she be like the Cheshire Cat, and vanish with naught left but the (foolish) grin.

The Pledge of Allegiance

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/02/04/EDDG1HIFU9.DTL


I respect Jane Kim's stand on reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. That is her right as guaranteed by the Constitution.
This is how I learned the Pledge as a child. "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stahds, One Nation, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all".
The phrase "under God" was added later as a sop to the religious right. It was part of their hope to change the United States from a secular state to a country with an official religion.
I gladly recite the Pledge as a citizen and a veteran when the occasion calls for it. However, I will not say "under God". The First Amendment guarantees me this right. Freedon of Religion is also freedom FROM religion.

MUBARAK

The jerk says he won't "run" in the next "election". However, if there isn't a "next election", does that mean he will attempt to stay in power? I think that this "speech" by Mubarak was just to buy time. If he can consolidate power with the military, there will be a slaughter of the citizens who are protesting.

I fear that we may be in a no win situation here. Will the time ever come when we can come home, stay home, mind our own business and stay out of trouble?

MUBARAK HAS GOT TO GO----------

----------, and if we are seen by the other countries and governments of that part of the world as not advocating his ouster, we will lose friends and make enemies.

Our mantra should be: "Power to the people and vanquish the dictators". Democracy is most often born in the fires of revolution. Our own history illustrates that. If we can help facitate Egypt's peaceful transition to democracy, it will show the rest of the world that we don't always support dictators. The worst thing we could do is an overt militeristic intervention.

Preach democracy and promote restraint.

UNFAIR GOVERNMENT REGULATION

Many of my brethren on the Right are disturbed by government interferenc into the activities of business. It doesn't seem to occur to them that business, like ordinary people,if left to their own devices will create mischief whether out of evil intent or just plain lazy ignorance.

I was inspired to compose this screed by the headline in the San Francisco Chronicle for Friday, January 28th, concerning Pacific Gas and Electric Co. "PIPELINE RECORDS HARD TO FIND". Hard to find indeed! Why would you keep criminal evidence where it's easy for government reguators to find it?

Laws and regulations are there to keep honest people honest. They are also there to punish the evildoers that cause honest people harm. PG&E top management has done harm to honest citizens by their sloppy quality control policies.

So my Righties, be glad that there is regulation of businesses that are involved in hazardous activities. It could be you that is saved from being blown to smithereens.

JOBS----JOBS----JOBS

There's much ado about jobs. Obama should do something about jobs. Congress should do something about jobs.
The people that can and should do something about jobs are the fat cats that are sitting on billions and trillions of dollars. They are hopeing Obama will fail and the Repubbys can win the next Presidential election. If that happens, the money will be released, and the Repubbys can claim credit for the boomong economy.
Evil is being done. The country is the looser.

ALL ARE EXPENDABLE

I hear lots of worry on the news concerning what will happen to Apple without Steve Jobs. Apple will continue on. Henry Ford died. Ford is still going strong after all the years since Henry left the scene.

PG&E GAS LINES

San Francisco Chronicle page 1 headline for January 16, 2011: "Gas lines pushed to limit".
Reading the article under the headline, I learned that 375 psi is the standard pressure for the lines and the "spike" is 400 psi. My question is this: What is the factor of safety in these lines? If 375 psi is the "safe" level, and 400 psi is the limit, then there is no factor of safety, I believe that a reasonable safety factor should allow at least a 3 times increase in pressure without causing any weakening of the line.
We need far more rigorous engineering standards for these gas lines. Public safety before profit.

EPITAPH FOR ARIZONA

Live by the gun. Die by the gun.

Amendment II
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

I am sure that our Founding Fathers had no intention that every raving lunatic should be able to aquire any sort of gun he or she should want. If I remember history, the intention was to allow each State to form a militia for self defence. Again, if I remember correctly, some of the delagates to the Constitutional Convention had concerns that too much power was being given to the Federal Government, and some balance should be struck.

Unfortunatly, the NRA, firearms manufacturers and other gun nut groups have convinced people that their interpretation of the Second Amendment is the correct one, and anyone that wants a gun should have one.

The Arizona horror should disabuse us of this falacious notion.

The new Senator Joe McCarthy

Congressman Darrell Issa of Southern California is on a campaign to discredit President Obama by spouting lie after lie. He has gone so far as to call the President "corrupt". He has denied saying that, but he was on camera and the evidence stands.
is the evil Joe McCarthy Darrell's hero and example?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_McCarthy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darrell_Issa