Dubya WAS Happy About Rita
Why wouldn't he be? The back-to-back hurricanes gave him the diversions he needed to escape the horrors of the mess he created in Iraq. The hurricanes also managed to provide the mainstream media with round-the-clock coverage, so the latest bombings and killings in Iraq made only second page. Also, the press had plenty to fill its air time to avoid televising the anti-war demonstration that took place this past weekend. No where did a mass gathering of somewhere between 150,000-200,000, maybe more, warrant the press coverage that it otherwise should have received. Upwards of one quarter of a million people attended and the press couldn't be bothered? How utterly lucky for the neocons. How utterly lucky for the dubya dummy.
He may be happy now, but it's only a matter of time. He cannot ignore the fact that he has a 30% approval rating right now. America hates the bastards. It's starting to look more and more like the democrats have a fighting chance to take Congress back in 2006. Now, that would make me happy.
Zinkadoodle Reflected
Is Dubya Happy About Rita?
I think that dubya is happy about Hurricane Rita. I really do. He royally fucked up during Katrina, and his rating tanked. Good, they should have. But, the sunnovabitch (and I mean that literally) has a second chance to get his ratings up. Mark my words, he's gonna do everything right this time around for the people in Rita's path.
Of course, I'm not sorry about that. The feds should do what's right. But, now that the feds, and FEMA, have a second chance, watch dubya NOW take all the credit.
You see, this was the plan. A real rovian plan. Dubya takes the credit for the Katrina fiasco, so that he can have the opportunity to do it right, and show that he is, in fact, a good leader. I bet they are thrilled that Rita is so close behind Katrina, while Katrina is still so fresh in everyone's minds. This is a real bonus. Dubya denied culpability at first for Katrina, but watch how fast he's gonna accept all the back slapping and ass patting over Rita.
I hope that those in Rita's path get the best of everything. I really do. It just makes me sick that dubya's ratings will likely go up as a result. Mark my words......
Pledge Deemed Unconstitutional
The courts have ruled that the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional. It's about time. I don't think that this ruling or this issue is of critical importance, given the rest of the issues that this planet is dealing with these days. But, given that it was ruled on, and I applaud the ruling, I feel compelled to express my sentiments on the issue.
The original pledge, written by Francis Bellamy on October 11, 1892, was “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Initially, it was marketed as a way to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus arriving in the Americas. Since then, per President Benjamin Harrison's proclamation, it has been a part of our collective patriotism, to be recited at schools, ball games, and other events. And changes were made along the way, including the addition of “under God.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pledge_of_allegiance
Separation of church and state is a standard by which we, as Americans, hold our democracy dear. It's in our Constitution's Bill of Rights, First Amendment, also known as the Establishment Clause, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” That seems pretty clear to me. In fact, not only are we protected from a state-sanctioned religion, but we are also protected from any religious practice at all, if we so choose. This separation is what guarantees that this country will never become a theocracy. We are lucky. We should be proud. Our Constitutional framers insured us a future of freedom of and from religion.
However, that freedom was led astray, albeit somewhat slightly, in 1954, as a reaction during the McCarthy era against the godlessness of the Soviet Union and communism. In their knee-jerking, they infused religion into our Pledge of Allegiance by adding the phrase “under God.” Additionally, they chose to add the phrase, “In God We Trust” on our money. Well, god only knows why that was important to them. I suppose it provided the double whammy of subtly infusing religion into our government while also supporting the notion that god supports capitalism. Seems kind of silly to me.
But, it's more than silly. On September 14, 2005, U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton ruled that requiring the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance illegal. The judge said he was bound by 2002 precedent of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The finding said that the words "one nation under God" violate the right to be "free from a coercive requirement to affirm God." In other words, it violates the Establishment Clause of the Constitution.
I applaud the ruling. Again, it's not the most pressing and urgent issue facing our nation or the world right now. But, it is important. Not only should the government not dictate any kind of religious preference, it should also be completely silent on the issue of religion entirely. We are a secular nation. It is not our government's place to presume the presence of a god. That is left to the exclusive right outlined in the Constitution for American citizens to determine for themselves, and to determine how and which and if such a god or a religion is important. It is one of our most treasured freedoms.
Zuki and Willi. They were buds. We both miss the Willibot. :-(
My broken ankle before it was casted.
Having a Broken Ankle
In essence, it sucks. I know there are worse things, but it still sucks.
I broke it when I was playing with my gigundo German Shepherd, Zuki. We were running around the yard, ducking, running, cutting, body slamming, etc. We always play like that. Anyway, she was running towards me, so I cut away from her. My ankle just seemed to collapse, at which point, Zuki slammed into me. It's kind of vague, but that's what I think happened. I hit the ground, and just laid there for a minute. I said, “Zuki, I'm in trouble.”
After calling a friend, who then called an ambulance, all being quite high drama, I was sent home with my leg in a posterior splint, diagnosed with a Grade 3 sprained ankle, and instructed to see an orthopedist as soon as possible. Which I did, the following day.
The orthopod confirmed the diagnosis, and told me to weight bear as tolerated, but to keep the posterior splint on. I continued to use the crutches, because walking with the splint is all but impossible. After a week and a half, I saw the orthopod again, who then ordered an MRI, because my ankle was not getting better, and I hurt in places that should not have hurt. The MRI came back positive for a talus neck fracture, a broken ankle. Apparently, it's not uncommon for non-displaced talus fractures to be misdiagnosed as sprains, because it's also not uncommon for them to not show on standard x-rays. Just my luck.
I now have a lovely blue short leg cast, with instructions to not bear any weight on my ankle until the cast is removed, hopefully in 3-4 weeks. Also apparently, talus fractures tend to have this lousy consequence of developing into avascular necrosis. However, non-displaced talus fractures are not very likely to go that route, and non-weight bearing is an assurance that it will heal without complications. The last thing I need is complications, so I'm being very compliant. Oh God, I hate crutches.
In fact, the worst thing now about having a broken ankle is using crutches. Everything is complicated by crutches. Have you ever walked on a sandy beach with crutches? Trust me, it's not advisable. Carrying coffee, cleaning the house, going to work, just getting from here to there is a major challenge. Crutches suck! My biggest fear from the crutches is developing a shoulder tendinitis that, in turn, develops into an adhesive capsulitis. I've been there. I've done that. It ain't pretty. It happened after I broke my foot in 1998, and walked on crutches for six weeks. That was worse than the broken foot. Much, much worse. I do not want a re-play.
One thing I'm not is stoic. I HATE THIS.
Artwork Sample from a photo of a dead tree
Patriotism?????
We, as a nation, have embarked down the very slippery slope of fascism. It starts rather insidiously as flag-waving patriotism, and before we know it, crosses the line to fascism. The surveilance, manipulation of the press, our country being run by corporate interests, investigations of library cards and book check-outs, censorship of the media, The list goes on...... Unfortunately, this country has its collective head up its collective ass, which is indicative of how good a job the Republicans are really doing.
The jingoists really cannot see past the benevolent hype that this administration is spewing, which obscurs the insidiousness of its malevolent reality. Surveilence of public places is one example. They use the excuse that it's to protect citizens from the criminal element of society, which may be one potential side effect of this activity. But, in reality, we are all being watched by these cameras. Maybe some cameras placed in strategic locations would be helpful to not necessarily protect anyone from a crime, but rather identify a perpetrator after a crime is committed. Cameras used at bodegas and small all-night stores or banks serve well in this regard, and maybe they can serve as a deterent. But, cameras in large malls where thousands of people are located or along city streets during daylight hours really serve only one purpose, that being to monitor our activities.
It's funny how the Patriot Act, which set up a plethora of personal intrusions, has really only been used to harass civilians who had nothing to do with terrorism. Has anyone been charged for terrorism under the provisions of the Patriot Act? No, people have just been rounded up and are now languishing in "holding" places, i.e. Guantanamo, or those being sent to other countries to be rendered, tortured by those countries who practice such without a legal system that would prevent such activity. These people are sent away without any charges against them. But, has anyone actually been convicted of terrorist activities? I don't know for sure, but I don't think so. The provisions of the Patriot Act are merely used to spy and harass citizens who don't toe the Republican "line".
One of the worst manifestations of fascism is the manipulation of the press. The Bush administration is spoon-feeding propaganda to news stations, packaged as real news, wherein the lazy news producers use the spin as real news. They are getting away with it, and we are in deep, deep trouble. Close-minded individuals who want so badly to believe it's all real news WILL believe it's all real, and they all rely on peoples' sense of patriotism and jingoist attitudes to carry the message. Fascism has taken hold.
Of all the 200 or more federal judges approved by Congress, only ten or so have been balked at by the Democratic minority. Only a few. But, the Republicans portray this as a Democratic conspiracy to bollix up the process, thereby not allowing anyone to get appointed. This is so misrepresentational of the issue, serving to merely deflect the real issue, that being objecting to nominees who are so extremist in their viewpoints, as to likely influence their legal judgments. In fact, it is only the few truly worst of the extremist nominees, and those with questionable credentals that the Democrats are fighting. As long as the Republicans spin it this way, it serves to demonize their opposition, the Democrats. This is exactly what the Republicans do, and which is so scary. They demonize their opposition. The Nazis did it in Germany, but took it to the extreme. Is this where we are going?
I don't hate all conservatives or Republicans. I really don't. I understand how some conservatives really do want to see fiscal responsibility, how they are looking at corporate interests as being the backbone of society. I don't agree, but I understand how some of them are really sincere in their concern for the betterment of the United States of America. But, what scares me is the fact that those who take it upon themselves to carry the Republican message of demonizing the opposition, portraying Democrats as the demise of this country, and actually buy into this lie. Those are the jingoistic fools who are really at the core of what is allowing this fascism to to take hold. It is small-minded, close-minded, and stupid. You know who you are. And I do fear you.
I fear that what you're doing and allowing to happen is so close to what occurred in Nazi Germany, absent the genocide here (yet). In fact, the Republican playbook, spelled out in the Patriot Act, is fashioned directly after the Nazi playbook.
Oh, patriotism........... how insidiously malevolent it can be.
On Not Raising Taxes
It astounds me when dubya proclaims, rather pointedly, and in the hopes that people will like him better than the less than 40% who like him today, that in spite of the huge federal spending program that will occur to clean up after Hurricane Katrina, he's not going to raise taxes. Huh????? How can this be, you ask? Well, it can
not be. He is a liar. It's typical dubya speak, pulling his speeches out of his ass (Rovian style) to dupe people. But, people are beginning to resent getting duped.
As for not raising taxes, great. Bloat the federal deficit. Place the costs on our grandchildren. We all know that the dubya dummies were not willing to fund education from our children's tax burdens. Nor health care or environmental superfund clean-ups. Hell no, not programs that really count for our future. Instead, he funds the Iraq debaucle, and now the Katrina clean-up with their money.
But, back to not rasing taxes. Not so great? Or, just a downright lie? Both, actually. In today's NYTimes, there are two articles that caught my eye. The first being basic medicare premiums are going up by 13%
Link . They are recouping some of their deficit from the backs of the elderly. How nice. The second article from the Times is about how homeowners are facing 4.3% rise in property taxes.
Link Abracadabra! Shazaaam! Money out your back pockets, folks. What you see here is any increases in salaries will be completely eaten up by costs just to maintain health care and keep your property out of the bank's hands.
A third back pocket "tax increase" is going to federal employees. Yes, boys and girls, the feds are going to pay an average of a 10% increase in their health insurance packages.
Link That's in addition to the 12% the feds got hammered with last year. OK, let's not stop there. It's no secret that college tuition hikes are exceeding the inflation rates. Just do a google search on "college tuition hikes". Article after article on this student misery. Drug costs continue to rise, giving pharaceutical companies record profits. Gasoline prices surge after Katrina disasters, but the government has no interest really in stemming the costs or price gouging. After all, taxes on gasoline prices are a percent of the cost per gallon. Yup. Yet another nasty little back pocket tax hike. Food costs because of the gasoline costs go up. Our heating bills will skyrocket this year. The costs go up and up and up. Our incomes can NOT keep up. The middle class is getting squeezed. The rich get richer. And the poor are even more stuck in poverty than before. In fact, the disparity between the rich and the poor is reaching record gaps. This is not a good thing. An article from the Christian Science Monitor
LinkDubya is an idiot. People who don't see that he's a lying sack of shit......... I'll just leave it at that.
Zuki, my dusty dog
Getting Started
This is my first post in bloggerville. Bloggerville is apparently a very, very big virtual place. Bloggerville is comprised of all blogs from all blog spots from everywhere. Therefore, I was reluctant to start my own blog, as I am not sure I can add to the vast wealth of information and excellent writings that I've found in Bloggerville. I am concerned that my blog, Dusty Doggie, will get lost in Bloggerville. It very well may. But, here goes.......
I have been posting to a site called www.joeuser.com I found the site because of my interest in computer skinning and my account with Stardock, the owner of JoeUser. But, JU is a bastion of reactionary rightwing, often racist, lowbrow postings, and frankly, I'm getting sick of them. There are a few there who I will always hold in the utmost respect (manopeace, myrrander, kingbee, etc.) but the rest can frankly go to hell. But, hell would be too good for them.
Am I being a bit harsh? Yeah. Harsh is what I need to be. If you go there and read some of the posts, you'll likely agree that harsh is really too kind for most of those lowlifes. My sister convinced me to start this blog, because she felt that I was wasting my time there. I think she's right, to some degree. But, I did and do get something out of posting there, amazingly enough. Most notably, I have been forced to research a lot of political points to counter their nonsense. The excercise has made me a better politial debater, as far as facts are concerned.
But, they don't like me there because I swear. OH NO!!! I have been referred to as a "potty mouth". How fucking juvenile is that? But, that really is beside the point. They could care less that I swear. They hate me because I'm a left wing, liberal, anti-dubya individual, and proud of it. They do not like liberals there, at all. In fact, they go out of their collective way to express to liberals what they think of them. I think they are a bunch of blinded, nationalistic jingos who don't know much about anything. I'm being way too kind. Enough of them. I am moving on.
I have this gigundo German Shepherd mix. She weighs in at over 100 pounds, she's beautiful, she's my buddy and she likes to sleep under the porch. She comes out and is horrifically dusty and dirty. Hence the title of this blog. I tried lots of other names, but they were all taken. Even "Dusty Dog". So, after lots of tries, they finally accepted "Dusty Doggie". Dusty Doggie it is. I have arrived. I am now officially a member of Bloggerville.
