Quote of the day--on the Iraq War and the lies that took us to it

"I hate to lose, don't you? But the fact is, we lost the very day we invaded a sovereign nation that posed absolutely no threat to us and had nothing to do with 9/11. We lost lives (more than 4,400 of ours, hundreds of thousands of theirs), we lost limbs (a total of 35,000 troops came back with various wounds and disabilities and God knows how many more with mental problems). We lost the money our grandchildren were supposed to live on. And we lost our soul, who we were, what we stood for as a once-great country -- lost it all. Can we now ask for redemption -- for forgiveness? Can we be... 'America' again?" --Michael Moore Link to original post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-moore/never-forget-bad-wars-are_b_718337.html#

The gross unfairness and imbalance of corporations

A headline today points out one of the many inherent unfairnesses and imbalances created by the constantly-demanded profits of corporations. Here it is: FedEx 1Q profit doubles; will cut 1,700 jobs It's insane. They double their profit for the first quarter of this year but they slash jobs by 1700. Here's another insanity--these same corporations that do this still expect the great unwashed masses out here to buy and use their products and services. How can we do that, if we get pay cuts or, worse, fired or "let go"? When it used to be "mom and pop" businesses, people realized there were business cycles and we all lived with them. But now, in the modern, corporate world, these same corporations constantly demand profits and, worse, increases in profits, resulting in situations like this where, sure the business not only made money but made twice as much, during the quarter, as it did earlier. But that's not enough. It's never enough. So what do they do? Fire people. They "make them unemployed". It's ugly. It's incongruous. It makes no sense. And yes, I know I'm looking at a smaller, one-quarter of the year picture but the point is still very valid. This is a smaller microcosm of what happens in our corporate culture, in the broader view, absolutely. The trouble is, without a full collapse of Western society, there's no way to stop this process, either. The corporations will keep demanding ever-larger profits and, to make matters worse exponentially, they will also keep merging with other companies and devouring each other, which makes for less jobs due to duplication of work, once those companies do combine. In short, to summarize--we're screwed, you and I. Good luck out there today. Try to enjoy the weather. Link to original story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100916/ap_on_bi_ge/us_earns_fedex

Quote of the day--on religion and superstition

“To me,there’s no real difference between a fortune teller or a fortune cookie and any of the organized religions. They’re all equally valid or invalid, really. And equally helpful.” --Woody Allen.

Link to original post: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/movies/15woody.html?_r=1&WT.mc_id=MO-SM-E-FB-SM-LIN-WAF-091510-NYT-NA&WT.mc_ev=click

Middle East peace?

I virtually always have two feelings or opinions about any mention of Middle East peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. My first thought is that I'm hopeful. My second is that I doubt the talk of the moment will come to anything. I got proof of the second thought this morning when I saw the following two headlines, apparently released almost simultaneously: 1) Clinton says Israel and Palestinians are serious about peace. And the frustrating, pessimistic, second one?: Israeli aircraft strike Gaza as leaders convene. It seems "Militants launched mortar shells into Israel and Israeli jets bombed targets in Gaza on Wednesday, just as Israeli and Palestinian leaders held peace talks in Jerusalem with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton." Nice. Right at the beginning of "peace talks." Mind you, there are bound to be people on both sides of the negotiations who don't want these peace talks to even go forward, let alone be fruitful, I recognize that, but it's just, as I said, frustrating that they'll go to these lengths, at the beginning of the talks, to spoil and short-circuit them. Hope for peace, y'all. Links to original stories: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100915/ap_on_re_mi_ea/mideast_talks

Stabbed Dean at Penn Valley

So by now you've probably seen how this young "anarchist" stabbed a Dean in the neck over at Penn Valley Community College yesterday. What a waste. Pretty bizarre. I see today how he's been charged with "two counts of first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action". My question? Why wasn't he charged with attempted murder? It seems as though it fits the crime. Wouldn't that be a heavier, more severe but still appropriate charge? Just asking. If there are any law students out there, let me know your input. Link: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/09/14/2224279/self-described-radical.html

How not to do a robbery

Did you read or hear about the two twenty-year-olds who robbed a Brink's truck of a whole passel of money--and then went on a buying binge? Check it out: Law enforcement said they received an anonymous tip that identified Colston and Jones as two of the robbers. According to the affidavit, the caller said Colston and Jones had spent $2,500 at Worlds of Fun, Independence Center and that Jones had just bought a Dodge Charger. Yikes. How stupid. You'd have thought they never saw a movie before. Apparently someone had to tell these two rocket scientists you DON'T all of a sudden take a bunch of friends to Worlds of Fun and drop 2,500 bucks on them and you DON'T go on a big shopping trip at the local mall and, finally, you DON'T run out and buy a new car--in cash, to boot. Someone needed to describe to these two clowns what "laying low" and "felony" mean. Oh, and want to hear a hoot? "According to the allegations..." one of the accused "...told officers that he “cut yards” to obtain the money. Right. I'm sure. Apparently, they were turned in by a phone tip. I'm thinking a "friend" turned them in--whaddya' think? One of the things that got me about this story, though, is that all the media outlets--the Star, KCUR 89.3 FM and KMBC TV news, to name three--all spell out how much was taken from the Brink's truck. That was a really irresponsible and stupid advertisement to other idiots out there in the world--and there are far too many of them, we know--that these trucks carry boodles of money. Yes, we kind of took that for granted but who knew you could get that much? And telling the world about it seems kind of crazy. You watch, there's probably at least two guys out there in town who think "We can do that---and get away with it." If I'm Brink's, I'm thinking, "Thanks a lot, guys." Link to original story; http://www.kmbc.com/news/24994343/detail.html http://www.kansascity.com/2010/09/13/2221696/two-men-face-federal-charges-in.html

The difference between the Royals and Chiefs

Both are professional sports teams, of course--one in Major League Baseball, the other in the National Football League. Both have stadiums on the East side of the metropolitan Kansas City area. Both played their respective games in town yesterday. But the similarities seem to end there. The real difference between these two local sports teams is that the Chiefs football team is owned and run by a family and organization that knows and loves their football game--and wants to win. The other one is owned by a penny-pinching retail family and chain. Links: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/09/13/2221984/lightning-strikes-chiefs-make.html http://www.kansascity.com/2010/09/13/2221607/as-3-royals-1-monday-sept-13.html

Quote of the day--on Republicans, the Tea Party, leadership and the national debt

“If the Republicans get control and don’t get serious about [the budget], and I know Obama can still veto anything, the Tea Party movement will be very unhappy in 2012.” Link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/dailybeast/20100914/ts_dailybeast/9903_teapartybacklashloomsforrepublicansoverbudget;_ylt=AjsFxvgl1CubErLxqlPv9IVllpd4;_ylu=X3oDMTUwZzY0ajBzBGFzc2V0Ay9zL2RhaWx5YmVhc3QvMjAxMDA5MTQvdHNfZGFpbHliZWFzdC85OTAzX3RlYXBhcnR5YmFja2xhc2hsb29tc2ZvcnJlcHVibGljYW5zb3ZlcmJ1ZGdldARjY29kZQNtb3N0cG9wdWxhcgRjcG9zAzcEcG9zAzcEc2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yaWVzBHNsawNob3dyZXB1YmxpY2E-

Kudos to the Star on report on militias

The Kansas City Star has an excellent article online today about the new Right wing militias and how they're trying to polish their images. It seems "They conduct blood drives, collect coats for the needy, denounce racism and condemn violence against the government..." but, all the while, also "...it is not difficult to find anti-government paranoia, conspiracy theories and several recent threats of violence, such as the nine Hutaree militia members in Michigan who were charged in March with plotting to attack authorities." It's a good read and an important one to know what's going on both locally and nationwide. What I'd like to know is, can't we all just calm down, not be so emotional and work together, as Americans, like we did in the past? It seems not. Check this beauty out: "The Kansas State Militia draws members from across the state, including the Kansas City area, Garrison said. Like the Missouri Militia, it also puts a heavy emphasis on weapons and gear. Members are required to own a semiautomatic 'battle rifle' with 500 rounds of ammunition, a pistol belt, two canteens and a backpack with four days’ rations for quick response. They also must have at least a 90-day supply of food. It seems we want to put on camoflauge and look for enemies within our midst and hate people of color and/or Muslims, etc., etc., instead or working together on our problems. Again, loosely paraphrasing Rodney King, "can't we all just get along?" Link to original story: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/09/11/2216133/new-breed-of-militias-puts-on.html

The corporation vs. you and me, yet again--or still

There's a terrific article on the front page of the Star today (sorry, Tony), telling of Enterprise Rent-a-Car (one corporation) teaming up General Motors (another corporation) to take safety airbags out of 60,000 of their cars, in order to save money. It's figured they saved $175.00 per car (at 60,000 cars that ends up being $10,500,000.00, by the way--a tidy little sum of money). But at what cost did they save this money? And of course the answer is, they saved it at the expense of the safety of their clients, the renters of these cars while they owned them, but, eventually, at the expense of the people who bought these cars. What's additionally unconscionable about this--because that's what this is, unconscionable--is that Enterprise, when selling these cars didn't notify possible purchasers of the cars that what is otherwise standard on these new cars for safety would not be included. Eventually, Enterprise was successfully sued to release this information--they had to be forced--and the solution offered was that "everyone who owns one a $100 voucher that can be used for reting or buying something else from Enterprise." So on top of being made less safe so they could save millions of dollars, they add an insult of this voucher so you can do more business with them. Incredible. What chutzpah. This, then, points out, once again, why we need government. If there weren't government--first, the justice system, so the corporation could be sued and then the legislative branch so laws could be passed against this kind of thing--we wouldn't be able to have any redress to this ouotrageous unfairness and inequity. "Free market Capitalism"? No, no thank you. Corporations have proven themselves, time and again, that they are for themselves, first, last and foremost. Too often, they've shown they'll put even their own clients at risk if it means they can make more money. What we need right now, unfortunately, is a law from Congress making this kind of deletion of what would otherwise be standard safety equipment, illegal. And they've brought it on themselves. Link to original story: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/09/11/2216137/settlement-nears-over-missing.html

Quote of the day--on equality in America

"This country stands for the proposition that all men and women are created equal, that they have certain inalienable rights. And what that means is that if you could build a church on a site, you could build a synagogue on a site, if you could build a Hindu temple on a site, then you should be able to build a mosque on the site." --President Obama; You know what else that means? That should mean that, since we've always thought that in the United States "all mean and women are created equal", that two consenting adults, if they want to commit to one another, should also be equal and given full rights as afforded to any and every other American in this country. Here's hoping that's exactly what that means one day soon. One day very soon. Link to original post: https://mail.google.com/mail/?hl=en&shva=1#inbox/12affd9ac1477e3d

Quote of the day--If Republicans regain Congress this Fall

From Paul Krugman at The New York Times today: It’s hard to overstate how destructive the economic ideas offered earlier this week by John Boehner, the House minority leader, would be if put into practice. Basically, he proposes two things: large tax cuts for the wealthy that would increase the budget deficit while doing little to support the economy, and sharp spending cuts that would depress the economy while doing little to improve budget prospects. Fewer jobs and bigger deficits — the perfect combination. More broadly, if Republicans regain power, they will surely do what they did during the Bush years: they won’t seriously try to address the economy’s troubles; they’ll just use those troubles as an excuse to push the usual agenda, including Social Security privatization. They’ll also surely try to repeal health reform, which would be another twofer, reducing economic security even as it increases long-term deficits. Return the "Party of No" Republicans back to power in either the House or Senate? And why? Because they don't have a plan for the economy--which they don't--and because going backward is a good idea? Oh, heck no. Link to original post: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/10/opinion/10krugman.html

Good news/bad news, Kansas City

The good news first: our metropolitan area is going to get a LOT of national attention this Monday, when first the Kansas City Royals baseball team plays at the stadium at 2:10 against the Oakland A's (you know, the former Kansas City team). Go, Royals! Then, that will empty out at about, oh, RUSH HOUR, so, at 6:30 the gates at Arrowhead Stadium will open for a 9:15 kickoff for the Kansas City Chiefs football team can play the San Diego Chargers. Yowza. That's a wholelotta' sports, a wholelotta' national media attention and--bad news--a wholelotta' crazy automobile traffic on one side of town, all at about the same time. Guarantee: it's gonna' be some kind of crazy over there. Heads up, Kansas City--here it comes. With patience, we'll all do fine. (But guess who works out East, by the stadiums? I think I'll leave work early, to get away from all that craziness.) Here's hoping this perfect weather holds. Have a great weekend, y'all. Link:http://www.kansascity.com/2010/09/10/2214548/mondays-rare-double-stadium-events.html

Roy Blunt: Truly the very worst of Washington

Let's vote this clown out, people. And have a great weekend, y'all.

The really important thing to remember about 9/11

Let's keep in mind today that 9/11 wouldn't have happened if now Former Pres. Geo. W. Bush would have read--and reacted to--his Daily Presidential Briefing, which stated that Osama Bin Laden was planning an airplane attack on New York. But then, hey, we didn't have a responsible president for 8 years, did we? He just sucked up to corporations, the wealthy and "Big Oil" all that time, short-changing us, the American people, instead. THAT'S the important thing to remember this day, just after the sacrifices of the 9/11 families and the people who rescued--and tried to--the victims of these attacks. Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bin_Ladin_Determined_To_Strike_in_US http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2006/06/20/911pdb

Don't look now but the health insurance companies are going to screw us--again

This is rich. This is perfect for the health insurance companies. I see online just now how the health insurance companies are going to A) raise their rates yet again and B) blame it on the health insurance reform that just got passed this year in Congress. Man, that is a beauty. That is so maniacally wonderful for them so they can get higher rates and profits but also so they can say "I told you so" and blame this President and Congress for trying to pass meaningful, helpful health care reform in this country. Wow. Machiavelli would be proud. This rate hike totally serves their purposes. It can put more pressure on President Obama and the Democrats AND it gives political ammunition and "talking points" to the health care industry's best friends--the Republicans. I can hear them now, going on Fox "News" saying how it's all the President's and this Congress' fault for doing it--and for doing it without them. Baby, that is some cynical, callous, beautiful moves. You can't get too much more cynical or devious than that without out-and-out killing someone. Link to original post: http://finance.yahoo.com/insurance/article/110602/health-insurers-plan-hikes?mod=insurance-health

Wanna see a political meteor streak across the sky?

I find this hard to believe but apparently According to Chad Willems, a political advisor to (Arizona Sheriff Joe) Arpaio, his boss "enjoys being sheriff, but he has been asked by and urged by so many people" to mount a presidential pursuit. He told CNN that "thousands of people call and write or email him each week saying 'Run for president, run for president.'" Holy cow. You gotta' be kidding me. People want this grandstanding clown to run for President of the United States. Please. Bring it on. Maybe he can run with Sarah "the Quitter" Palin or Glenn "the Cryer" Beck or Bobby "Kenneth the Page" Jindal or some such matchup. It would be perfect. I can't imagine any candidacy that would catch fire and die as quickly as any of these, with Joe Arpaio tagging along, would. As if that isn't enough, check this out: Statements made in the past by Arpaio suggest he sees himself carrying significant political clout. Earlier this year, in squashing speculation that he might run for Governor in the Grand Canyon State, the Arizona sheriff said, "I don't want to be egotistical, but I could be the governor if I ran... My polls are very high. I got the money. I got the polls. I got the support." And, Apraio recently said that he considers his endorsement cred to be stronger than that of home state GOP Sen. John McCain. Last month, the Arizona sheriff suggested President Obama consult his advice on the issue of illegal immigration. What an ego this guy has. As usual lately, with US politics, I don't know if I can simply be amused and laugh or if I need to, instead, study the stupidity. Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/09/arizona-sheriff-joe-arpai_1_n_710411.html

The latest on Afghanistan and President Karzai

Did you see this? The latest news out of Afghanistan is that President Karzai now wants to "impose rules restricting international involvement in anti-corruption investigations." One of his underlings also said the following: "The management will be Afghan, and the decision-makers will be Afghan, and the investigators will be Afghan," Mohammad Umer Daudzai, Karzai's chief of staff, said in a telephone interview Wednesday. Foreign advisers, most of whom work for the U.S. Justice Department, will be limited to "training and coaching, but not decision-making," he said. And then Karzai will put in his own, hand-picked staff for the agencies, too, I'll wager and they'll share the take. If it were any place but Afghanistan, you can understand why a leader would want to maintain internal control and not let outsiders in. But this is Afghanistan and Hamid Karzai is overseeing millions and billions of American tax dollars flooding into his country, because of this stupid war there. Last month he fired the corruption investigator. The guy was getting too close to the truth. I have said here before and I will say again, Afghan President Hamid Karzai is fleecing his own country by stealing from us, from the US right now. No one's talking about it in our government because they don't want to undermine the average person's support for the war. But years from now, we'll find out this thief took millions of dollars, at least, for himself, his family and friends and supporters, before he left office and that country. He's likely making like a bandit right now, as long as the American dollars flow in. We deserve to know what's going on over there--we can handle the truth--and we need to push this guy to do the right thing for his own people and for us, too. Link to original stories: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/08/AR2010090805935.html?hpid=topnews; http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/29/world/asia/29afghan.html

Could this be the shooting in town that finally gets people to react?

This may be it. This may, possibly, be the event that gets the mayor, Mrs. Mayor, the City Council, City Hall and the community and church leaders to finally, finally wake up and react to shootings, "drive-bys", murders and killings in the area. Breaking news today: Man Killed At KC Bus Stop-- Area Packed With Lunch Crowd, Convention Goers A man was killed at a Kansas City bus stop early Thursday afternoon, police said. The shooting happened at 12:28 p.m. The bus stop is at 12th Street and Brooklyn Avenue. Police department spokeswoman Stacey Graves said the man died at the scene. Police tell KMBC's Micheal Mahoney that the man was in his 30s. Mahoney reported the shooting has all the hallmarks of a targeted killing at one of Kansas City's best known corners. A Gates BBQ restaurant and a popular soul food restaurant are at the intersection, which was packed with lunch goers. Among those in the area at the time of the shooting were convention goers from a national Baptist convention in Kansas City. Marlayne Henderson was inside her hair salon when she heard the gun's roar. "It sounded like the Fourth of July. That's what it sounded like," she said. "It was so heavy we could feel the vibrations and we were inside the shop! And that's about 100 yards away." Police said someone in a gray or silver car fired the shots at the man. The initial investigation indicates that at least 11 shots were fired in an area no bigger than a closet. Maybe, just maybe people will do something now. If this doesn't do it, I don't know what will. But then I thought they would have before now. Especially and specifically Mr. and Mrs. Mayor and the City Council. Link to original story: http://www.kmbc.com/news/24942664/detail.html

How do you fight the insanity and ignorance of a suicide bomber?

There's a story out today from Russia (I guess that's what we're calling that place that collapsed) that some suicide bomber struck there with a vengeance: Suicide attack in Russia kills 17, wounds over 130 By SERGEI VENYAVSKY, Associated Press Writer; ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia – A suicide car bomber hit the central market of a major city in Russia's North Caucasus on Thursday, killing at least 17 and wounding more than 130 people in one of the worst attacks in the volatile region in years, officials said...At least 17 people, including the suicide bomber, were killed and 133 were wounded in the explosion, said Alexander Pogorely of the Emergency Situations Ministry's branch in southern Russia. He said 98 of the injured were hospitalized, many in grave condition. So they strike like this in Iraq and Iran and through the Middle East and other parts of Southeast Asia and we have our military and tanks and jet airplanes and bombs but tell me--how do you fight the ignorance and insanity of someone who can and will blow him/her self up (mostly "hims") for what they see as a "worthy cause"? How do you deal with that? How do you get people educated enough, quickly enough that they don't do this to their fellow countrymen, to their own local neighborhood/city/country? What did this guy expect to achieve, in this instance? Is he part of a larger group, pushing for some change? Fighting this mindset seems virtually impossible. Link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100909/ap_on_re_eu/eu_russia_caucasus_violence/print

More brilliance from the Iraq War

I was just given more reasons to bang my head against a wall when I saw this: After destroying Iraq's army, US retrains former foe by Jacques Clement; Ten years ago the military machinations of Saddam Hussein were a security obsession for the United States, but American forces in Iraq now aim to make the army of their former foe stronger than ever. The US army has the right to self-defence and has already used it, despite Washington's declaration that "combat operations" are officially over, but the bulk of America's military might is now focused on a training mission. US money has paid for hundreds of workshops at Iraqi military bases, in the wake of the American-led invasion that ousted Saddam from power in 2003, part of the estimated trillion dollars that has been spent on operations here. Just one example of the stupidity of the George W. Bush's administration, in handling this war they chose and created: US training of local forces started in 2004, just months after the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), the post-invasion governing body headed by American diplomat Paul Bremer and charged with running the country, disbanded the Iraqi army. Although the army was suspected as a refuge for Saddam's allies, its break-up is seen as one of the CPA's biggest mistakes as it made tens of thousands of armed men unemployed and left Iraq's borders unguarded, allowing insurgents to pour in and wreak havoc in subsequent years. Then, Lieutenant General Michael Barbero, the deputy commander for Operation New Dawn said this: "In December 2011, I am convinced the ISF will be fully capable of internal security," Barbero said, noting that the Iraqi navy will protect coastlines and oil platforms. "But they will not have the capability to provide air sovereignty, to fully protect the skies over Iraq, because they will lack a multi-role fighter," he added. Now, it also sounds like we've set ourselves up to be the supplier (read: salesperson) of the Iraqis for the fighter jets our corporations can supply. Hopefully they'll never use them on us, right? Once again, I'd like to take a moment to thank Former President George W. Bush and Former Vice President Dick Cheney and that administration for the ignorance, tragedy and waste that is and was this Iraq War. It can't be said enough. I will never forget. Link to original post: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100909/wl_mideast_afp/iraqusmilitarytraining/print

Even Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck are against this Qu'ran burning, for pity's sake

Let's see, the President, the Pope, US Attorney General Eric Holder, General David Petraeus and even Angelina Jolie, for pity's sake, have all come out publicly against these religious nutcases in Florida (I won't name them--I don't want to give them more publicity) having a "Qu'ran burning" down there on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks in this country. Now, we have none other than right-wing looney and Former Alaska Governor Sarah "The Quitter" Palin and Fox "News" emotional mouthpiece Glenn Beck saying the same thing--that burning this Muslim holy book of theirs, in protest, is a patently bad idea. If you have Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck telling you it's goofy, you KNOW it's crazy and wrong. Here's hoping cooler--and more intelligent--heads prevail. Links to posts: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/7992618/Muslim-world-pressures-Obama-to-stop-Koran-burning.html; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-08/vatican-calls-u-s-pastor-s-proposed-koran-burning-outrageous-and-grave-.html; http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/09/08/national/main6844703.shtml; http://articles.cnn.com/2010-09-06/us/florida.quran.burning_1_planned-quran-burning-dove-world-outreach-center-islam-and-muslims?_s=PM:US; http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-20015813-10391698.html; http://www.csmonitor.com/From-the-news-wires/2010/0908/Angelina-Jolie-condemns-planned-Koran-burning; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/08/sarah-palin-burning-quran-antithetical_n_709877.html; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/08/pakistani-ambassador-glenn-beck-quran_n_709621.html

Legislators for life?

When Charlie Rangel got charged with possible violations of House rules recently in Washington, it occurred to me--and I brought it up here--that, for pity's sake, he's 80 years old, why can't he just pack it in and go home? I mean, sure, he'd miss the power and the perks and maybe even the money, too, but at 80 years old, aren't you due, Charlie, for heading to the hacienda? Do you have to be a selfish, self-centered old goat and stay in the office virtually forever? Do you not think your constituents and, heck, possibly even the country couldn't be served by you stepping down and letting someone younger--say, 60??--with more energy and hopefully, ideas--get in there and do the job? Then I saw Sunday, in The Kansas City Star, in a Steve Kraske column, where our very own Ike Skelton has served 17 terms. Holy cow. Seventeen terms?? Again, is it not time to freaking step down?? And why do we, as voters, do this? Why do we keep voting these same people into office, time and again? Are we that lazy in the voting booth? Is that what it comes down to? It seems the answer is yes. Let's vote these old dudes out and get fresh blood, ideas and energy in there. Let's make this a better city/state/country to be in. Here's hoping.

Good for the country--the Republicans don't want this

Great economic news out today: The number of people signing up for unemployment benefits dropped to the lowest level in two months, an encouraging sign that companies aren't resorting to deeper layoffs even as the economy has lost momentum. The Labor Department reported Thursday that new claims for unemployment aid plunged last week by a seasonally adjusted 27,000 to 451,000. Economists had predicted a much smaller decline of just 2,000. In a second hopeful sign, the government said the trade deficit narrowed significantly in July as exports climbed to the highest level in nearly two years. The narrower gap reflected big gains in exports of U.S.-made airplanes and other manufactured goods. Imports declined. Together, the two reports eased fears that the economy might slide back into recession. But the thing is, good as these are for the country, it's not what Republicans want to hear right now. Anything good for the country is bad for them--bad for their election chances this Fall. I'll say again, anything good for President Obama--and so, the country--is not wanted by the Republicans until at least 2012, if not 2016. The Republicans are scared to death of having this President and his party--the Democrats--strong and in power even for a few more campaign cycles, let alone for the next decade or two or three, as happened after FDR took us through the Great Depression. The "Party of No"--the Republicans--is not the "Party of Ideas". They may not know what they'll do if returned to power but they do know what they don't want. Link to original story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100909/ap_on_bi_go_ec_fi/us_economy

Quote of the day--for Tony at TKC and the folks at the Star

From The Huffington Post today: Arthur Sulzberger: 'We Will Stop Printing The New York Times Sometime In The Future': The publisher of the New York Times acknowledged Wednesday that the newspaper will go out of print — eventually. "We will stop printing the New York Times sometime in the future, date TBD," Arthur Sulzberger told an audience at a London media summit Wednesday. Sulzberger's statement came in response to a prediction that the newspaper would go out-of-print by 2015. "This sounds obvious, but it's a big deal," Business Insider founder Henry Blodget wrote. "The economics of the online news business will not support the infrastructure or newsroom that the printed paper supports. Unless the New York Times Company can come up with a miracle new digital revenue stream, therefore, it will eventually have to be restructured and downsized (or sold to a deep-pocketed Sydney Harmon-type [sic] who runs it at a loss out of love)." Early next year, the newspaper will introduce a metered-model paywall to its website, which Sulzberger said "has the benefit of allowing our millions of readers who come to us through search engine to still find our content." I would think the editors and leaders at The Kansas City Star, along with the employees, would be paying attention to this story, especially after this week's additional layoffs. The future is now, it seems. At least at the Times, they're being realistic about where newspapers are headed. Link to original post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/09/arthur-sulzberger-we-will_n_710251.html

Considering Brush Creek (Or is it "Flush Creek"?)

With the celebrated and totally fun "Waterfire" coming up again this month at Brush Creek, it seems a good time to examine it a bit. First thing, let's admit that it's not so much a clean waterway for our enjoyment, as citizens of the city--it's a drainage for who knows what. Years ago, my daughter and I would spend one evening per week walking the Plaza and so, of course, Brush Creek. One evening, as we were on one of those walks, we noticed a couple of things about the Creek. The first thing we noticed was that it was running black all of a sudden. On further examination, there was a drainage pipe a bit West of the waterfall drop that was oozing out some thick black goo. The second thing we noticed was that it was having the effect of killing everything in the creek. The last thing we noticed was that two city Water Department crew members were there, taking it all in. I have regretted, ever since, not asking them what in the world was happening and where that pipe led to, besides Mission Hills. It was at that time I realized, again, that Brush Creek is just really drainage. Which brings me to my query. That is, I'd love to know the history of the thing. But what I want to know is the technical history of it--why it's set up like it is and why we haven't done anything about it, to clean it up. It shouldn't be the sewer that it apparently is. Thank goodness it doesn't stink (that much). Now, there's a more recent development that I don't think is getting any attention. That is, just East of Cleveland, on Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard (the former Van Brunt to you and me), an island has sprung up in the middle of the creek. True. An island. I've been watching it form since last Winter. It began as just muck and mire that built up, over time, from upstream. But it congealed, formed a mass rather like mud, anchored and now has grown grass, I think, or some weeds all over it. It looks as though it was meant to be there. That and along the banks of the creek, further down, the same stuff is forming more along the shores, narrowing the channel. My point in bringing this up? One, to point it out. It seems no one has that I've seen. Two, I bring it up because I think the city should, once and for all, clean up Brush Creek and the sooner the better. The city--the people and the government, both--should get behind this and do it, if we can afford it. If we can't afford it right now, at least do a study to see what it would take to clean it up--what it would take technically and then what it would take financially so, one day, hopefully, we could do just that--clean up and then enjoy our precious "Flush Creek".

In case you hadn't seen the local "Backin' Up Song" video

Whoever did it looks as though he or she may have a career in front of them. Have a great Thursday, everybody.

George W. Bush on Muslims, Islam

Since no one's going to listen to President Obama on the issue of Islam because, after all, he's not really "one of us", right? And his middle name is "Hussein". Following is what "Conservative" (except when it came to spending money), Right-wing, Republican Former President George W. Bush had to say about Muslims and Islam: .."The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. That's not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace. These terrorists don't represent peace. They represent evil and war. When we think of Islam we think of a faith that brings comfort to a billion people around the world...America counts millions of Muslims amongst our citizens, and Muslims make an incredibly valuable contribution to our country. Muslims are doctors, lawyers, law professors, members of the military, entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, moms and dads. And they need to be treated with respect. In our anger and emotion, our fellow Americans must treat each other with respect."... ..."Women who cover their heads in this country must feel comfortable going outside their homes. Moms who wear cover must be not intimidated in America. That's not the America I know. That's not the America I value...That should not and that will not stand in America. Those who feel like they can intimidate our fellow citizens to take out their anger don't represent the best of America, they represent the worst of humankind, and they should be ashamed of that kind of behavior." So could we please not burn their holy book and incite the emotional insanity around the world? Could we be "accepting" and "tolerant" like we always told ourselves we were? Link to original post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andy-ostroy/what-i-miss-about-george-_b_707063.html

The real Roy Blunt keeps standing up

Congressman Roy Blunt deserves to be retired for so many reasons. This is just one more. Let's get him and all Blunt family members out of government and end this family dynasty. They've fed off the American taxpayer trough far too long.

Roy Blunt on Medicare

Medicare and Medicaid, along with Social Security, have proven themselves to work for decades. Sure, they need solutions now but this is just to be clear--Roy Blunt is against Medicare and says as much here. Go do your work, voters. Let's get this clown out of office.