August 15, 2008
The Obamanable (sic) Sleaze Monster
Greetings to my remaining (woefully) neglected readers! Is that ((crickets)) I hear? (heh)
Ok, I have emerged from semi-retirement (from blogging, not working for a living or even writing, since I am rewriting a one-act play I hope will be produced off-Broadway next year; wish me luck!) to comment on a newly released book on Barack Obama entitled Obama Nation by Jerome Corsi, the co-author of a similarly defamatory (and debunked) propaganda piece on John Kerry in 2004, as well as other crackpot treatises too silly to mention. Corsi’s new fish wrapping, which premiered #1 on the NY Times best-seller list this week, is ludicrously touted as:
Meticulously researched and documented, THE OBAMA NATION is the definitive source for information on why and how Barack Obama must be defeated—not by invective and general attacks, but by detailed arguments that are well-researched and fact-based.
One of many reasons this promotional blurb is funny is the premise that this birdcage lining isn’t simply rehashed “invective” and “general attacks” on Obama, mostly specious, many proven false, and all irrelevant to the salient question of who among the candidates for president (Obama, McCain, or various third- and fourth-party fringe nominees) would best lead this nation after eight years of economic, foreign-relations and Constitutional disaster.
What do we know about Jerome Corsi? I’m ashamed to admit he’s a native of Cleveland, a graduate of an esteemed University (Case Western) and a PhD from Harvard, his newest nemesis’s alma mater. Corsi was no slouch as a student, but his current “scholarship” leaves a lot to be desired. According to many unflattering reviews of his book, the “over 700 footnotes” that comprise his references are often links to dubious right-wing blogs, or to his own material, which I believe would be rejected by any good sixth grade teacher, never mind a publishing house like Simon & Schuster. But wait! His editor was none other than Cheney groupie-right-wingnut-pundit Mary Matalin. That ‘splains it.
Mr. Corsi is an admitted practicing Catholic (which is a Christian denomination; you know, followers of Jesus Christ, the guy who promoted "peace" and "love thy neighbor" and "turn the other cheek", the last time I checked) but referred to the late Pope John Paul II as “senile”, and bases most of his fear-mongering about Obama on the unsubstantiated allegations that Obama is closely tied with Islamic radicals because his natural father and step-father were nominal Muslims. The idea that religion (whether practiced or eschewed) should continue to be a pseudo-issue in this campaign is getting more and more ridiculous. After all, look what a so-called recovered-alcoholic born-again Christian has done to this country. I rest my case.
And speaking of recovered alcoholics, Mr. Corsi told Larry King (The Unthawed) that Obama’s statement that he hasn’t used drugs since he was 20 is unverifiable because “self-reporting, by people who have used drugs, as to when they stopped is inherently unreliable.”
So, using that logic, are we to believe that Dubya is still drinking? (The least of my concerns.) Or that the millions of Baby Boomers who stopped getting high when they starting investing their weed money into mutual funds are still closet dopers? Come on. Seriously! Either Corsi is incredibly ignorant about drugs, or he’s deliberately playing to the great unwashed masses of bigoted buffoons who wouldn’t vote for Obama in any case because he’s black, he’s “arrogant” (read: uppity), he’s “elitist”, or because he’s the boogey man Muslim about to turn our republic over to the islamofascists. (By the way, does that word make any sense? Do the coiners of such non-words even know the meanings?)
Interestingly (at least to me), Mr. Corsi was a frequent commenter on the forum, Free Republic in 2004. Remember we were introduced to the Freepers back during the Peterson case, when some of their typically vituperative members brought politics into my blog and later became Mutts? Ahh, yes. The good old days. I loved being attacked by Freepers like Jeanne (Valerie) Paredes (aka Just Amazed) when she warned me that she would be my “worst nightmare” while claiming the moral high ground in issues of childrearing, internet privacy and integrity. Yes, this is the same kook who sent the cops to my house when I revealed her identity on Usenet after one of the many people she offended online gave me the goods on her. But, I digress. This is simply a good example of the kind of nutcases who comprise Corsi’s constituency. Other frothing maniacs that come to mind are Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, and Glenn Beck – another “recovered” alcoholic who is probably still going on benders, if you believe in The World According to Corsi.
One can hope that thoughtful readers, voters and the literate among us will reject this wholesale nonsense and demand issue-based debate in our elections. Yes, one can hope. Meanwhile, I cannot compose a better fisk than the one Obama’s campaign has devised here:
Good thing I am not actually running for Vice President. It would be a full-time job pointing out the countless false accusations made against me by bigoted, misogynist, xenophobic, sanctimonious, mendacious hypocrites. Oh, wait…never mind.
Posted by lorelei at 07:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)July 09, 2008
The Honeymoon's Over
Little did I know how prescient I was a few months ago when I posted my entry on "Yeats and Tyrrany." This opinion could not be more relevant than after today's senate session.
Today the senate passed the horrible FISA bill (where Barack Obama suddenly and inexplicably switched from vehement opposition to telecom immunity and warrantless wiretapping to voting AYE on this egregious violation of the Fourth Amendment; a switch I theorize has more to do with his attending the recent Bilderberg conference in Virginia this past June 6-8 [don your tin foil hats] than it does with moving to some illusive "middle" politically, but that's another entry for another day), and in response, I have joined this organization:
I tried everything in my power to change Senator Obama's mind, including threatening to stop contributing to his campaign (I know, big deal, but still), writing letters to his campaign, posting on the "Stop FISA" blog on his website, and even praying for whatever it was worth that he would come to his senses, all to no avail.
My shock and outrage at his vote is only exceeded by my disillusionment. I guess I should have known better, but I was caught up in the fantasy (like millions of others) believing someone could make a difference in Washington.
Silly me. Like a bride who finds out on her wedding night that the chivalrous, charming sailor she married is actually Bluebeard. Arrgh.
As many of you know, I was an active supporter for the Obama campaign for the past 5 months in many ways: I volunteered in Cleveland for the Ohio primary and got out the vote during truly horrible late winter weather in early March. I donated regularly, albeit modestly, but in proportion to my resources. I invested more time and money in the Obama campaign than any other campaign in my life and would have continued to donate time, talent and treasure for the general election. I wore Obama t-shirts, wrote entries on my blog about supporting him, hung a framed poster of him on my bedroom wall, preached the Obama message, and would have been considered by everyone who knows me an “Obamaniac.”
But first and foremost, aside from any political labels, I am an idealist and a vehement protector of the US Constitution and will fight for its restoration and oppose any legislation or presidential signing statements that violate its fundamental tenets. Fortunately, my Congressman is Dennis Kucinich and, whatever you may think of him, he at least is an active and consistent protector of the Constitution. God bless him and Senator Sherrod Brown, who voted NAY today.
I'm not just a nouveaux fan or former Clinton supporter (I never supported her and I hope she is not on the short list for Veep) who has just begun to pay attention to politics because of the celebrity aura of Senator Obama or the fact that he is my age, or that he seems like the most outside of outsiders when most of us are sick of the corrupt politics in Washington. Frankly, if most of my friends and I had our druthers, it would be “Everybody Out Of The Pool!” The current Democratic leadership is a sham, and proved criminally so today.
In the not so distant past, Senator Obama voiced his opposition to retroactive immunity to the telecommunications companies that violated the law when agreeing to assist the Bush administration in its questionable wiretapping and data mining project. Rather than go into all the major policy issues that stink to high Heaven with Bush & Co., I feel very strongly that Senator Obama should have voted “NAY” on principle on the so-called “compromise” FISA legislation.
His “NAY” vote would have been symbolic. The Senate didn't need his vote for this bill to pass; it may yet be struck down by the Supreme Court someday soon just as the suspension of Habeas Corpus was in a recent 5-4 decision. There may be, as John Dean suggested, gaps in the bill that provide for criminal prosecution that Senator Obama would pursue when elected President. Regardless of these potential outcomes, Senator Obama should simply have voted “NAY” to protect his reputation, to allay the fears of his loyal constituency that he is caving to political pressure, and because this legislation is WRONG.
So, like a jilted lover, I am scorned and furious. FURIOUS! My romance with Obama is kaput. If I vote for him in November it will be a decision based on "the best of two evils", which is a tragic ending to what could have been a Fine Romance.
Posted by lorelei at 06:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (33)June 04, 2008
The Perfect Veep Candidate
Now that Barack Obama has clinched the Democratic nomination, the time has come for him to choose a running mate. Although, Ol’ Piano Legs just won’t say die, contrary to ubiquitous media reports, she will not be on the short or long list for Obama’s Vice President for several reasons:
1. Michelle Obama probably put the kibosh on that idea long ago with something along the lines of “I’m not lettin’ that woman run my house and I sure don’t want Bubba lurking around!" (Or something worse.)
2. Hill and her ilk have done a lot of damage for the party in the last few months, and nobody has that short a memory.
3. The Dems don’t need her to unify the party. They could win with Alfred E. Newman on the ticket. Which leads me to my new brilliant idea: I think I should be the running mate.
Yes, me.
I would make a great, old-fashioned Vice President, kind of like Dan Quayle, but a better speller. I’m too lazy to want to run the country from Darth Cheney’s (soon to be former) bunker, I’d enjoy travelling, I pack light, I like meeting new people, I have lots of black to wear to funerals, I won’t upstage Mrs. Obama The First Lady, Nathan and Lauren could play with her daughters (they are close in age), perhaps Nathan may even marry one of them someday (which would make a great story), and my position on the ticket would bridge a few gaps. For example:
- The whole “elite” myth would be dispelled, since I am average middle class (and unashamed to reveal my tax returns for the past 20 years). I feed my kids Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and I live on Fritos. I’m a mediocre tennis player. I don’t have an Ivy League education. I don’t have a law degree. My baseball team never won a World Series. Nobody could accuse me of being “elite.”
- I come from a Republican city but I worked for the Democratic Party and then became an Independent. All bases covered!
- I'm a 3rd and 4th Generation American and my ancestors represent the backbone of our country: entrepreneurs, builders, people who make the factories run, steel processors, etc. We are ‘merkin through and through.
- I have a really ethnic name that sounds Hispanic. Most of the people voting won’t know I’m NOT Hispanic. I think the bumper stickers can say, “Obama/Serrano Olé!"
- I could attract the single moms, drunks, recovered drunks, addicts and badly married with my interesting history. After these past Republican primaries, nobody with a couple of marriages need worry about running for office.
- As a lapsed Catholic, one-time Lutheran, occasional church-attendee, and familiar with Bible verses, I might close the gap on that fringe religious group. I could go to lots of different churches as Veep and explore all the religions of the country and keep a blog.
- Speaking of Veep blogs, having been an avid blogger once, I could blog the Vice Presidency! A Virtual Veep!
- Since my personal history is already documented on the “Internets,” there will be no skeletons in the closet for Karl Rove to haunt me with. Besides, you know what I’d say to Karl Rove.
- They want CHANGE in Washington, new blood, heck, I’ve never even visited the place!
You must agree that my arguments are sound. I think I’ll propose them to David Axelrod.
Posted by lorelei at 06:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (16)March 18, 2008
Choosing to Run at This Moment
Note to the "Anonymous" Obama basher who continues to perpetrate trash on this site - I know who you are and I'm really disappointed that you are choosing to spam my blog. Please stop. None of that spaghetti will stick. It reminds me of the defense case Mark Geragos invented for Scott Peterson: lies, innuendo, unsubstantiated or distorted events and relationships, gypsies, tramps and thieves.
Perhaps you who are so afraid of change or so afraid of a black man being president of this country need to look at yourselves and examine your prejudices, insecurities and belief systems. You may find that the problem is you.
Posted by lorelei at 05:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (17)February 25, 2008
Obamavangelist
UPDATE: In regard to Obama's middle name, I think the Obama campaign should make a pun of it:
Who's Sayin' Obama? We're Sayin' Obama!
Long time readers know that when I get involved in a cause, I invest fully. For me, it's all or nothing; although in the case of the current (seemingly endless) presidential primary campaign, it was much easier for me to express what I didn't like than what I favored.
Not anymore.
Six months ago, if you had told me that Senator Barack Obama would be the frontrunner or, gasp, even the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate by late February, I would have disregarded your idea as preposterous. I was an unbeliever, disillusioned almost completely that any real change could occur after the Democrats' majority win in November (for which I stayed up watching the returns on television until the wee hours) proved to be impotent and irrelevant. What faith could I have in another Democratic candidate? What faith could I have in the American people after five, six years of their chronic apathy?
Oh, me of little faith.
Obama snuck up on me, slowly winning me over with his idealism, his sincerity, his well-crafted (and often original) speeches delivered in an artful rhythmic cadence that flawlessly lent itself to music, that inspired hope, wonder, optimism; a message that inspired art.
As a writer, he knows words matter. Of course words matter. Wasn't it written "In the beginning was the Word?" We know as students of history that words become actions that change the world. The energy upon which the Obama wave is riding is unstoppable now. Not because it's based on false hope or vainglorious chimera, but because it's based on desire: a nearly universal need for change.
At a Clinton rally in Youngstown recently, one of the union presidents had this to say about the Obama supporters:
"Give me a break! I've got news for all the latte-drinking, Prius- driving, Birkenstock-wearing, trust fund babies crowding in to hear him speak! This guy won't last a round against the Republican attack machine. He's a poet, not a fighter."
Funny thing, I have only ever had a latte twice in my life, and both this month. I enjoyed a cinnamon dulce latte to warm up at lunch during one of the several very cold days we had recently. I prefer my coffee unsweetened and without cream. For the record, I have never owned a pair of Birkenstocks and may not even recognize them if I see them (versus a knockoff), and I am only slightly ashamed (but not terribly) that I know nothing of popular culture beyond Disney, and would not know an American Idol from Billy Idol. I would like to have a hybrid car someday, but I believe it is even more economical to keep the car I own for as long as possible.
I'm sure I share that misfit demographic with many an Obamavangelist, a Clinton supporter or a few million Republicans.
After seven-plus years of bloody war, I guess it never occurred to the Clinton Camp that a poet is just what we need right now. And what good has all this so-called "experience" brought us? How much experience do the current Senators and Congresspersons in Washington collectively claim? What have they accomplished? Frankly, I think most of the "experienced" members of Congress should be fired. Adios. Out of the pool.
Ralph Nader announced his candidacy yesterday like a fallen satellite. Why? Who’s behind this nonsense? I’m the FIRST person in line to promote a third party candidacy, a viable third party or fourth party. I have been a big advocate of multi-parties since I was but a junior political scientist back in 1984. But, now? What good does a third party candidacy, designed to ultimately take votes from the Democrats, serve at this point?.
In some ways, Obama's is a third party. Hillary represents the weak, capitulating, spineless Democrats, McCain the losing Republicans and the Old Guard (good riddance), and Obama the clean slate of a new progressive party.
Can we change Washington? I've been telling you for years that you have all the power. I'm volunteering to get out the vote here in Ohio next week. Do your part.
Posted by lorelei at 07:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (41)January 16, 2008
More Bushwacking
Paranoid, much? LINK
Please support Congressman Wexler's demands for impeachment hearings:
Posted by lorelei at 08:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (43)December 12, 2007
The Dead Zone of the Republican Presidential Candidates
After watching a few excerpts of various debates and reading many articles about the Republican candidates for president, I sometimes think I have woken up in the middle of a Stephen King horror novel, particularly The Dead Zone.
Most of you may remember that story (a good book, bad movie and worse television series) where a school teacher, Johnny Smith, suffers a head injury in a car accident, lapses into a coma for five years, and awakens with clairvoyant powers. One of his visions involves a corrupt politician whom he decides to assassinate rather than risk his prediction of nuclear disaster.
Not that any of the Republican candidates would use a child as a bullet shield like the character in the book (although Giuliani might), but another more bizarre group of caricatures would be hard to gather:
- An aging, forgettable, slothful, dimwitted actor with a trophy wife whose new "role" is as avuncular, compassionate-conservative Reagan for the new millennium.
- The demented military hero who has been Dubya’s sock puppet (despite Karl Rove’s vicious defamation campaign that derailed his candidacy in 2000) and war apologist for the past five years; the only issue on which he has maintained any consistency is what constitutes “torture”, having been a victim of torture himself.
- Then we have the front-running Kennedy-wannabe who essentially threw the conservative platform under the bus when running for governor of Massachusetts, likened his sons’ campaigning for him to serving in Iraq, blends the already blurry line between church and state, and left his poor dog in a carrier on the roof of a car during family vacations.
- Speaking of religion (and how can we not?), there is the crazy preacher who lost 200 pounds or something (gave up Twinkies for God, I guess) who has a checkered history with releasing murderers and claims to have a mandate from God (oh, great, like Dubya) to be president.
- Who could overlook the loose cannon libertarian doctor from Texas who doesn’t believe government should be involved in anything (so why is he in Washington?), who’s got some great ideas and energetic supporters all over the Web, and is by far the most amusing to watch, but he hasn’t a snake’s chance in hell of winning the nomination.
- Then there’s the anti-Christ: thrice-married, dress-wearing, mobbed-up whackjob Ghouliani. If he wins the nomination (which I doubt, but you never know these days) and, heaven help us, the election, I will be on a plane to Costa Rica faster than you can say “Nine Eleven.”
Even Stephen King would have been hard-pressed to come up with this skeleton crew.
December 05, 2007
Outrageous! Intolerable!
This was Joe Biden's characterization of the Bush administration's saber-rattling for the past year (over faux nuclear threats from Iran) during the NPR debate in Iowa yesterday. Of course Bush and his cronies have known every detail about Iran's nuclear technology before and since its suspension of weapons development in 2003.
Despite the Commander-in-Chief's chronic, blithering incompetency, I believe the CIA knows what color Ahmadinejad's bodyguard's boxers are right now. Hopefully that is not politically incorrect. Not that I really care.
There were other good quotes I noted after listening to the podcast of the debate, including:
MIKE GRAVEL: These brave people in the intelligence community just drop kicked the president...and boxed him in!
BARACK OBAMA: [To the president] Don't let facts get in the way of your ideology!
JOE BIDEN: Iran is not a nuclear threat. This march to war has been going on a long time, ever since the "Axis of Evil" speech. And the Senate did not stop him!
JOE BIDEN: Language matters! This is not a "rush to war," because that implies there is going to be a slow march to war. There should be NO WAR. There is no justification for war!
You go, Joe!
HILLARY CLINTON: They [undocumented workers] probably made some of the beds in our hotel rooms last night!
And here is Lewis Black for some comic relief:
Yes, I now can embed videos on the blob. Yay!
Posted by lorelei at 04:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (39)December 04, 2007
Obama's Mama Must Be Proud
I have been shaking my head all morning at Hillary’s web site article (and the backlash in the press) where she criticizes Barack Obama’s essay in third grade (and his “Kindergarten musings”) about becoming president and how that refutes his denials that he hasn’t been planning to run for years. I mean, seriously. Can you imagine what they’d dig up about me? Or 90% of other Americans? Good grief. This is why I can never run for public office.
I can see the headlines, now: “Loretta's opponent's campaign discovers that the frontrunner spent the better part of her primary school years in the hallway copying out her spelling words as a punishment for being disruptive in class and defaced her religion book with snarky captions over Lord Jesus' head.” Yes, that would go over really big with the Christian Coalition.
I can't help laughing about Obama’s Kindergarten musings, because one of the funny stories in the family repertoire involves Lauren’s Kindergarten graduation. Each of the graduates in the small, private school of ten students (all girls) was asked what she planned to do when she grew up. One wanted to be a veterinarian, one a doctor, one a firefighter, the usual stuff, and when the teacher asked Lauren, Lauren said, “I want to work at Blockbuster!” When the teacher asked why, Lauren said, “Because then I’d get to watch movies all day!”
Of course we laughed and still laugh about it today. But, if Lauren had said, “I want to be President of the United States!” I would have said, “Yeah, Baby!”
Why can’t my kid say that? Obama’s mama must be so proud. Really.
Posted by lorelei at 08:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (20)August 12, 2007
Operation Straight Up - Not My OSU
While browsing my favorite news sites, blogs and assorted byways in cyberspace, I came across an article about an evangelical celebrity group called “Operation Straight Up” (with the deceptively collegiate acronym “OSU”). Normally, I would dismiss OSU as simply another harmless religious organization with an ambitious (albeit disturbing) mission to bring the “gospel” to the troops:
“Until Every Soldier Hears the Truth!”The mission of OSU Tour: Provide faith-based entertainment to our military creating a lasting impact while using celebrities, NASCAR, professional sports figures, musical artists, and Hollywood actors to share the message of Jesus Christ and the hope that only comes from God, resulting in changed lives. Join us today in addressing the issues of divorce, addictions, pornography, suicide and the fatherless within our military. OSU Tour is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
I may not support this mission (or NASCAR, for that matter), but as a lover of freedom of speech, assembly and religious beliefs, I defend any organization’s right to have it. After all, “making disciples of all nations” has been the battle cry of Christians since day one. Hey, whatever rows your boat ashore, Michael.
My outrage over this matter, outrage powerful enough to roust me out of semi-retirement to bring this to my readers’ attention, is the fact that OSU is endorsed, supported (that means our tax dollars, folks) and enabled by the Department of Defense.
OSU is one of “more than 275” non-profit organizations affiliated with “America Supports You,” a DoD program:
AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU“dedicated to connecting members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families with individuals, groups, and businesses from the community who want to support and encourage our military men and women… These groups provide a multitude of services, including financial assistance, sending care packages and letters, and helping our wounded warriors.
I know, I know, I shouldn’t be surprised that the DoD under Evangelical-Rapture-Obsessed-Armageddon-Advancing George W. Bush would promote the vastly hypocritical morality of fundamentalist Christianity on the battlefield; nor should I be disillusioned that the First Amendment is routinely thwarted for this warped and erroneous mindset to justify our occupation of a Muslim country (or any Muslim country of your choice, just throw a dart in that direction, that’s where we are going next), but I am nevertheless outraged. I can’t help it. It’s one of my pet peeves.
My ire was somewhat mollified when I found Jonathan Spinks’ (founder of OSU) web site:
I could spend hours editing and “fisking” this moronic dreck. But, why bother? Mr. Spinks is clearly an idiot; maybe even a dangerous idiot. But the fact that he and his “celebrity” pals combined are not smarter than a fifth grader gave me some reassurance. That, and the dismal reports that OSU's amateurish video game based on the “Left Behind” series, in which the heroes convert or pick off “enemies of Jesus", has been panned by every gamer who sampled it. I’m sure Jesus would be thrilled.
I suppose I could rally my own troops to contact their Congress members to object to this flagrant violation of the Constitution, but what’s the point? I doubt the mission of OSU will be successful, and I’m pretty certain the “Rapture” isn’t coming any time soon. Pay your VISA bills, friends. And, while you’re at it, please sign a petition to impeach these freaks, would you?
Posted by lorelei at 01:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (53)August 02, 2007
Iraq or Infrastructure?
BRIDGE COLLAPSE IN MINNESOTA - a report on the vulnerability of the bridge that recently collapsed.
This is just one of many examples of the "guns or butter" question. Here in the "homeland" where our "security" is vigilantly "protected" by illegal wiretapping, inadequate inspections of cargo, and false alarms about cheese looking like explosives, and billions (trillions?) of our tax dollars are going to support an illegal occupation, our involvement in which we were duped by lies, our infrastructure is disintegrating.
Have you had enough yet?
Posted by lorelei at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (25)July 05, 2007
Of Yeats and Tyranny
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all convictions, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
~ William Butler Yeats, "The Second Coming"
In the past few days, I have spent several hours reading commentary from various bloggers, journalists and pundits about the political ramifications of President Bush's commutation of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby's prison sentence. This is not the kind of trial I normally follow, although I was mildly amused (but not surprised) by its devisiveness. I didn't pay very close attention to the Libby case, having considered it (in my cynical, post-rabbit-hole mindset) a sideshow of yet another patsy taking the fall for his handlers.
I am far too jaded to be outraged by the inconsistency of The Law as it applies to the rich and powerful. (Yawn. What else is new?) Nevertheless, I couldn't help but be reminded of the above stanza from Yeats' "The Second Coming," where the poet describes, nearly a century ago, a similar tragic desperation.
There is a reason we study great poetry; not to confound college freshmen or appear erudite and philosophical. No; we read it because it is relevant. We remember it because it is timeless.
The center - our country's core existence based on laws rather than men - is not holding. The continued deconstruction of our purpose as a nation has reached critical mass. We are in the last stages of surrendering our sacred beliefs, our very natures, to a tyrrany. Some would argue we have already surrendered and simply are too obtuse to realize it.
There is only one solution: Everybody out of the pool. That means everybody - a clean sweep. Every incumbant in every race for every state, no matter what party affiliation, needs to be removed. If that takes six years, so be it. Every member of congress, every cabinet officer of the administration (past and present), every political appointee in every department - fired, removed, voted out.
Meanwhile, those still holding office until we can replace them must do their jobs. If they don't do their jobs, impeach them, indict them, imprison them (without commutation or pardon) for any crimes they committed while in office.
Pretty simple. But, we don't have the guts to do this. We are cowards. We are sheep being led to the slaughter. We are lazy and fat and uninformed. We lack the "passionate intensity"; we fear ridicule and disdain. We silently mutter our protests and hope for the best, all the while holding the keys to the kingdom.
Like Dorothy in Oz, we have always had the means to go home. The question is, will we tap our ruby slippers?
Posted by lorelei at 11:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (24)November 07, 2006
Get Out and Vote!
I woke up with a start this morning, chest tight, alert but tired, anticipating with part dread, part hope, that the outcome of today’s election would be the beginning of a revolution. After the sickening shock in 2000, and the crushing concession in 2004, if things don’t go well today, I might have to fall on my proverbial sword or move to Costa Rica.
I was going to volunteer for various “Get Out the Vote” campaigns, but the Democratic organizations annoyed me almost as much as the stories about Republican robo-calls (of which I was spared, since I don’t have a landline), or the smutty political ads that spread like mold in a frat house refrigerator. Frankly, I’m disgusted with both parties, and I hope that all the incumbents lose. I realize that this would create a temporary paralysis in Congress, but it wouldn't be any worse than the current moral, intellectual, and incompetent cesspool that is our government.
When I vote today, it will be on a touch-screen machine. Yes, this paranoid tin-foil-hat-wearing kook will watch for any anomalies in my choices, just in case. But, there won’t be any long lines or disenfranchised voters in Pleasantville. We’ll probably get working units and low turnout, since this is an affluent, white bread Republican community. I will vote Democratic for the State offices like governor, attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer. I would prefer to vote Libertarian or Green, but I don’t want that evildoer, election-fixer, Ken Blackwell to benefit from those votes.
I’ll deviate from the “Throw the Bums Out” mission in one race only, and reelect Dennis Kucinich, because he voted against the war in Iraq, against the Patriot Act, and because he always responds to my letters. I’ll vote for Sherrod Brown against that weasel, Mike DeWine, and against Issues 18 and 5 which involve punishing the congregation of the Church of the Holy Smokes. Pick on someone else, for crying out loud! Ohio has a state issue that would raise the minimum wage, for which I’ll vote (our state minimum wage is lower than the national average). And there’s a casino issue that doesn’t affect me one way or the other, so I may abstain.
As far as judges and other races, I’ll default with my usual voting tactic: when in doubt, vote for the woman; if there is more than one woman, vote against the incumbent. It’s a very simple system. Locally, I’m not worried about who is steering the ship. We have a woman mayor (for the first time in history) who was appointed after our former mayor was involved in a nepotism scandal. Yes, even here in Pleasantville we have graft and corruption! But, she’s not up for reelection until next year. I think she’s a Republican, but I’ll put a sign in my yard for her. See, I can be fair and balanced, too.
Since I have so many names and addresses, I get to vote three or four times today. (JUST KIDDING! I wish.) Seriously, wouldn’t it be great if voting was transferable, like a coupon for a free Frosty? If you don’t want to use your vote today, can I use it?
Part II - The Photo Essay:
One lone volunteer willing to stand out in the drizzle to promote Issue #122, which allows liquor sales before 1 pm on Sunday. I told him I'd vote for it. What the heck, let the congregation have their booze Sunday mornings at the Church of the Holy Drunkard.
Innocent looking, isn't it?
Eight (8) voting machines, no lines, but I did have to show ID for the first time, thanks to evildoer Blackwell.
The sparkly new Diebold machines.
After you vote, your abstention votes show up in pink. You have to click on this again to get them to process.
To verify your result, you can check the paper documentation that prints inside the machine. You can't tear it off like a receipt, though. Mine appeard to correspond accurately with my votes.
Posted by lorelei at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (151)October 19, 2006
Iraq for Sale
If you don't watch another video before the election, don't miss this one. This should serve to anger just about everyone from every political flavor. As taxpayers, we should be outraged that our hard-earned money is being squandered without oversight. For those with loved ones in the military, you will be outraged that our troops are treated like second-class citizens and subjected to perils beyond the normal course of war. Parents whose kids are being recruited; women whose husbands are being taken advantage of and put in danger for profit should be incensed. Business owners and their employees should be outraged that so many contracts are going to so few companies.
I don't care who you are, this movie is going to make you really, really angry.
By the way, if you don't boycott WalMart already, this documentary should convince you:
I've shopped at WalMart fewer than five times in my life, so they won't miss me.
Posted by lorelei at 09:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (23)October 14, 2006
Why I Like Sherrod Brown
Bearing in mind the adage that “All politics is local,” let’s look at the Ohio Senate race between Congressman Sherrod Brown and incumbent Senator Mike DeWine. My endorsement for Brown doesn’t deviate entirely from my “Throw the Bums Out” campaign, since DeWine has held the office for two terms and deserves to be fired for being nothing more than a sock puppet for the Republican party. Brown has taken some very unpopular stances in Congress, including voting against NAFTA, the Patriot Act and invading Iraq. For those gutsy votes alone, he deserves my support. Unlike the majority of useless rubber stamps, he was actually representing his constituency: what a concept!
Sherrod Brown is one of those rare, genuine career politicians who embodies the spirit of public service. He was elected in his twenties as the youngest member of the Ohio House of Representatives during the Rhodes Regime when the position was a low-paying part-time job with the minority party. As Secretary of State during the Celeste administration, he ran one of the most effective, incorruptible departments in the past 25 years; which, if you know anything about the history of Ohio’s government, is saying a lot. I met Brown on several occasions, socialized with some of his staff, and participated in a number of “get out the vote” activities where Brown was right in the thick of it with the proverbial rolled-up sleeves. His youthful looks and gravelly voice remind you of a character from the old sitcom “Happy Days.” He’s always been in tune with the needs of his district, from the working class disenfranchised by the failing steel industry to the burgeoning population of elderly with critical issues involving Social Security and Medicare. Sherrod is the kind of neighbor you would trust picking up your mail and keeping an eye on your house when you went on vacation. He’d probably cut your lawn, too.
Brown and DeWine debated on “Meet the Press” a few weeks ago and more recently in Toledo with a panel of Ohio newspaper journalists. The recurring issues are the war in Iraq, each candidate’s voting and attendance record, the so-called “war on terror”, and the Ohio economy. Those of us in Ohio have seen thousands of jobs vanish, manufacturing and industry drying up, college tuition rise, wages stagnate, health care costs soar, and young taxpayers fleeing the state in droves. (I don’t think they’re leaving because of the weather.) Brown has consistently voted against increased defense spending, increases in the “intelligence agencies” that failed us so miserably on 9/11, tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, domestic wiretapping, torturing prisoners of war, and renewing the unconstitutional Patriot Act. I would have voted exactly the same way. I don't care what party he's with, we need this man in the Senate!
I think instead of Brown defending his voting record and soft-pedaling his opinion that US troops should have been out of Iraq by now, he should stand his ground. His job is to represent the interests of his constituency, not those of defense contractors and oil companies, the only entities currently benefiting from the occupation. Brown shouldn’t lose sight of what has endeared him to the voters throughout the years: his integrity – an endangered commodity in Washington these days.
Posted by lorelei at 12:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)October 11, 2006
Divided We Fall - Reprise
For united we stand, divided we fall
And if our backs should ever be against the wall
We'll be together, together, you and I
~Brotherhood of Man
Religion, ethnicity, politics, sports teams, property, clans, socioeconmics, and countless other aspects of modern life serve to divide people. We are a culture embroiled in competition and rivalry and are programmed to pick a side from the earliest childhood games. Because of this universal fixation with “winning” and “being right,” it is natural that when people are most frightened by diminishing control of their environment, they seek divisive conflict to gain some superficial comfort.
By making our fellow citizens adversaries, we are playing right into the hands of the callous conquerors, who would like nothing more than for us to continue to scuffle over “red states” and “blue states,” rehash the 2000 and 2004 elections ad nauseum, and focus our attention on the minutiae of differences between the “parties” and philosophies while they add fuel to the bonfires of the pep rallies and beat the drums of war.
Why can’t we, instead, agree to disagree about certain issues and find common ground that will connect us in our desire to protect our nation from the constant barrage of injustices, violations, and rampant lies that are leading to the disintegration of these “United” States? There are many important issues at stake here with which we can concur such as:
- Protecting and defending the Constitution and its Bill of Rights.
- Demanding accountability from our elected officials that includes fiscal, moral, legal and ethical responsibilities that they have sworn to protect and serve.
- Leaving our children and grandchildren clean air and water, a sound education system, and opportunities to be whatever they want to be.
- Questioning the practices of banks, businesses, government bodies and organizations that are siphoning and squandering our resources and wealth, and creating the greatest class divisions in our nation’s history.
- Boycotting an ineffective Press and its sponsors for disseminating vast distortions, disinformation, outright lies that serve to spread racism, sexism, chauvinism, intolerance and fear.
Their “Agenda” is to divide and conquer simultaneously at home and abroad, and they are doing a bang-up job of it with our permission, if not our blessing. We must resist this by changing our focus from the inconsequential differences between us to the greater perils of this insidious strategy. What once seemed a vital concern will soon become utterly irrelevant once we are all prisoners. There is only one hill worth dying on, and that’s the one on which we defend our freedoms.
Reminder: Throw the bums out - it's one month until election day!
Posted by lorelei at 09:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (31)October 05, 2006
Take Back America
Good midi – jazz piano version – click on the little radio button to play or download and play.
I was going to write a song parody today to spoof the Foley Follies and other distractions that are playing on mainstream media and talk radio, but I suddenly stopped finding it amusing. Dennis Hastert, current (and likely outbound) Speaker of the House announced this afternoon that he was not going to step down after reports that he and other House leadership knew about Foley’s propensity to flirt inappropriately with Congressional pages via instant messages, emails and other communications. So be it. I think Hastert will go down with the ship next month when the voters do one of two things: vote out all the incumbents (the “Throw the Bums Out” movement), or elect mostly Democratic candidates to reclaim the majority in the House and Senate. In either case, Hastert will lose his position as Speaker. We can only hope he loses his reelection bid as well.
Media is seizing on the Foley story because, let’s face it, sex sells and sex with underage boys sells even better. We suffered through months of the sordid Clinton-Lewinsky scandal and embarrassing impeachment proceedings presided by another adulterer (Henry Hyde) that made the Republicans look like even bigger hypocrites than the Democrats. The current finger-pointing and sanctimonious outrage is laughable.
What’s not laughable is that Congress just passed two pieces of legislation that we hope will eventually be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court: the “torture” bill that disregards the Geneva Convention, and the domestic surveillance act. Moments after those horrendous laws were approved, the Foley follies hit the front page. Coincidence? No such thing in politics. This pathetic side show is designed to pander to the sweaty masses who are too lazy or stupid to realize what is happening with salient issues like the war in Iraq, the continuing erosion of our constitutional rights, massive trade deficits, crushing national debt, and daily revelations that the administration lied not only about Hussein’s possession of weapons of mass destruction, but what they knew prior to September 11 about al Qaeda and the plan to attack America.
Fortunately, there are several movements at the grass roots level that are keeping these issues on the forefront. Today, a nationwide walk out called “The World Can’t Wait” occurred in cities across America. Did the mainstream media cover it? I hope so, but I doubt this important event would trump “Foleygate.” The message is clear: we need to take back America from this fascist regime and restore our laws and freedoms, and stop this insanity before there is nothing to defend anymore. God help us.
Posted by lorelei at 08:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (69)