Friday Thoughts

Ok, it's Wednesday through Friday thoughts from the news. It's raining in paradise, nearly 2 feet of new snow in the mountains, and the St. Patrick's day weekend, with a mass for peace and a parade. What's not to like inspite of the rain and cold?

Ok, the news.

What's with George? He still keeps citing his faith as a basis for his foreign policy. After seven-plus years as President and he hasn't learned international diplomacy doesn't include sticking your religious bias in the mix with other nations? He said in a recent speech to a Christian group his decision to remove Saddham Hussein was the right one because he beleived it. The war in Iraq wasn't about removing Saddham Hussein but the WMD's, connection he had with Al Qaeda, and 9/11. Bush and cohorts lied then and now he's, as usual, rearranging the truth to fit his faith.

No one disagrees Saddham was a bad guy, but there were then and still are more worse dictators and far worse than Saddham, but we didn't depose them with an invasion and occupation of their country. Is George really so blind he can't see the reality and truth of his decisions, that we've totally destroyed a country and nation and we've ruined our reputation in the world worse than any president in history?

George is one of those people, standing and preaching on street corners, you just want to get past and not hear them. Except the fear he commands the world's strongest and deadliest military, and he not afraid to us it as we've seen. What's next Iran?

But what's scarier than this is that his administration in their last year is doing more harm to everything in our government they can possibly do, especially if it helps industry and corporations. And it's not limited to rewriting regulations, but allowing exploraton in wilderness areas, reducing enforcement of pollution requirements, not prosecutinig corporate fraud and abuse, staffing agencies with political right wingers, not prosecuting civil rights cases, and on and on. And on and on. His administration is more dangerous in the last year than the previous seven.

It will take the next president at least two years to find everything he and his administration has done, and another two to four years to change it right, and our lifetime to recover.

Earmarks. Well, it seems George has actually done a good thing, but for the wrong reasons. While the Republicans allowed more earmarks in Congressional appropriations bills in the last 7 years than all the all the Congress sessions before, with George's approval and signature, he suddenly decided the Democrats can't control themselves, even after they reduced earmarks by 46% in one year. He wanted 50% and is angry at 46%?

Well, Congress is slowly deciding to actually make them public and embedded in appropriations bills than in attached letters and reports. Gee, honesty in Congress. What a concept. And under Democratic control too. Take note George, it wasn't your republicans but your opponents that did what you now condemn.

China. The US drops China from the list of the top ten human rights abusers. Gee, it's a surprise? We want better relations with them so we ignore their civil and human rights abuses to their own people? Even the State Department recognizes China's record is still "poor", they're willing to turn a blind eye in the name of political exediency?

Congress. They don't trust the American people to know. To know what they know. To know what they're doing in our name. To know what they'll decide what's best for us. Gee, I feel like a protected kid? But wait, they're our Congress. Yes, our Congress we elected to represent us and keep us informed. For the fifth time since 1825 and the first in 25 years they're holding private sessions.

Why do I get the impression we're slowly turning into a nation where the power elite want to become more and more secret except when they want to be elected by us, the very people they're supposed to represent. And they say they trust rating with the people is lower than the President's. Gee, seems right to me. George is one stupid idiot, Congress is 535 bumbling idiots. Which is worse?

Ozone. While the scientists argue for more restrictive ozone limits, lower than the existing limit, the EPA, under pressure from the White House, is raising the limit. And even when the Justice Department says it's illegal, the EPA is still pushing forward with the changes. When we need tighter regulations and lower limits on ozone, George doesn't think it's right. Gee, I wonder if he'll feel safe from skin cancer cutting brush at his crawford ranch? Or does he only think it effects the penguins at the poles?

This one I love. Those ianything devices are being embedded with computer viruses, introduced in the manufacture of them for the US companies. And for now it's accidental or inadvertent, or so they say. Like those digital photo frames. So, do you really trust what you connect to your computer?

Southwest Airlines. Removing 38 jets from service as their company was found to have inadequate inspection, service and repair work records on many of their planes, the CEO says, "We're sorry." What don't you know it's not about the customers, but about the corporate profit, and if they can save on service, they will, and the FAA doesn't have the staff to monitor the airlines. Why is that?

Will you think about the plane you travel on next time, wondering when it was last inspected, serviced, and if necessary, repaired, or will you think about if they decided to forego some inspections, service and repairs to save a little more money per management's decision? Will you feel safe and trust the airline?

Enough said for a week. Hey, it's the St. Patrick's Day weekend and day (next Tuesday). Enjoy life as the Irish do. What's not to like about a few good Irish beers at a pub with friends? Ok, just watch yourself going home.