Since this page is changed on
a regular basis, you will want
to return soon.
You Are Un-American If You . . .
. . drive a car down a public road – made possible as a result of public taxes - with said car sporting a bumper sticker that reads, “Stop Socialism.”
. . . (again) - and not too bright!
Comment of The Month!
“When science and the Bible differ, science has obviously misinterpreted its data.”
Henry Morris
(Institute for Creation Research)
Question of the month!
It is reported that Sen. Mitch McConnell (R), KY, has a Toyota. Was it recalled?
Quote In Our Time
“I do have one big regret. I left Harvard with no real awareness of the awful
inequities in the world – the appalling disparities of health and wealth
and opportunity that condemn millions to lives of despair.”
Bill Gates
Are those Olympic rings tarnished?
Did you know WWII Nazi U-boats had Olympic rings decorating their submarines’ coning towers? And it was Hitler’s “spinmeisters” that came-up with the Olympic torch relay for the 1936 Olympic Games in Munich. (The relay now is the property of Coca Cola.)
And, did you know that Juan Antonio Samaranch was president of the International Olympic Committee from 1980 to 2001? This is the same Juan Antonio Samaranch who was a prominent fascist during the 37-year blood-letting dictatorship of General Franco after Juan deserted the regular Spanish army. (He even married Franco’s daughter, Carmen!) This is the same Juan Antonio Samaranch who lived high on the historical “hog!” For example, it is said that Samaranch took helicopters to commute to work. When on the road, IOC president Samaranch is reported to have occupied only the best hotel suites.
As we said, Samaranch – who is said to have appointed 84 of the current 111 IOC members - retired in 2001 but his protégé’ Jacques Rogge’ took over and continues in the post of president of the IOC to this day. Rogee’s son Philippe is the current delegation leader of the Belgium Olympic Committee. (It was Rogge’ who is said to have swung a secret deal with the Chinese allowing censorship of Internet press coverage during the Beijing Olympic games.)
All of this came to light as a result of the Salt Lake City Olympic Games scandal where it was alleged that Salt Lake City had traded money and sex in exchange for being named a “host city.”
One thing for sure, billions of dollars have been made off amateur sports!
This Month’s Moments of Hypocrisy
It has to be the NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION. The NRA lobby has proved to be one of the most effective lobbies in Washington. When hasn’t the NRA done its best to promote the sale of guns! When have you heard any Republican Congressman speak-out against guns? You hear that old bromide, “Guns don’t kill, people kill!” Sure! We all know that guns were designed to roast weenies!
The NRA’s Executive Director, Wayne LaPierre is reputedly paid an annual salary of approximately $675,834.99 and benefits of approximately $275.00 These figures are more than double what the President of the United States is paid. In order to get Wayne his financial package, it requires 35,000 NRA memberships. LaPierre has many times been seen seated at the head table of Republican Party functions. (Incidentally, it is the NRA who has ostensibly endorsed Rick Perry (R) TX. for re-election as governor of that big state. Rick’s campaign will be also “blessed” with Sayrah Palen’s presence).
Who, in their right mind, would want Wayne LaPierre seated at their head meeting table? For the sake of comparison, we print the following tabulation representing a recent year. This tabulation discloses just how effective the NRA has been by counting the human beings that were literally murdered with guns:
Austria 18 Spain 60
Australia 27 Germany 194
England/Wales 59 The United States 10,177
If America had as many deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq as it has experienced with gun deaths of its own citizenry, the public-outcry would find a WWII air raid siren sounding more like a harmonica solo in a coat closet – with the door closed.
When hasn’t the NRA lamented the “rights” of “sportsmen” to own guns for hunting? If you call shooting the daylights out of one of God’s furry creatures “a sport,” then so be it. This devious lament has proved to be detrimental to many Americans. Incidentally, Five Deferment Dick Cheney wasn’t much of a testimonial to the fine artof hunting – was he? It appears that the NRA was one of Dubya Bush’s best friends. Now, if only the NRA can show Five Deferment Dick how to shoot, the paint will dry on that morbid picture!
The gun nuts will inevitably cite their 2nd Amendment Rights but it is the U. S. Constitution’s 9th Amendment that – for some strange reason - never gets mentioned - since it is this amendment that declares the Constitution’s 2nd amendment null and void if . . . ! Don’t take our word for it - read it for your self. Incidentally, would the much touted 2nd Amendment Rights apply to the massive shipments of guns from the United States to Mexico - to help the flourishing South American drug trade?
When a man wantonly destroys one of the works of man, we call him a ‘vandal.’
When he destroys one of the works of God, we call him a ‘sportsman.’. . . Joseph Wood Krutch
Albert Einstein Society Nominees!
Massachusetts let it be known that the two party system is over – and we have a third party. Those gleeful Republicans out there – including Golf Cart John (Boehner) of Ohio – quit your gloating since Brown sure as the dickens isn’t guaranteed a permanent seat in Congress. In fact, it appears that no longer will any member of Congress consider his/her seat as permanent. That third party is comprised of Independent voters.
Many TV pundits avow – “The people of Massachusetts are sending a message – they don’t like the way Washington in running!”
We Ask: - “Since neither candidate was running for re-election, are the people of Massachusetts willing to put a male model - photographed in the buff for COSMOPOLITAN magazine, with no laudable record of service for his country but drives a little black truck and can quote Red Sox statistics – into office because they didn’t like the way Washington was running things?
Many have said: “The tea-bag party played a big role in getting Scott Brown elected into the U. S. Senate.”
We saw: It was on TV where one leading member of the ‘Tea Baggers’ emphatically stated that “government was too big!”Where have we heard that before? Never mind that many of us have seen our national population double! When asked by a TV anchor – as to what department he – a Big Daddy of the Tea Baggers - would cut to effectuate a smaller government – the tea bagger fell silent then said, “education.” The mere thought of tea-baggers should scare you! (Have you ever seen anything other than a white face at a tea party demonstration?)
One “political consultant” said: “Martha Coakley ran a bad political campaign.”
We opine: That “consultant” was too nice. We say that Coakley’s campaign was just plain stupid! We certainly won’t belie the fact that “ignorance” played a big role in this election – just as it has in most past elections.
And our Supreme Court qualifies for an Albert Einstein Society Nomination. Chief Justice John Roberts voted with Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy’s - a Reagan nominee – argument vastly increasing the power of big business and unions to influence government decisions and/or elections. Chief Justice Roberts was nominated by Dubya Bush – as well as Associate Justice Samuel Alito whose mouth runs even during a State of the Union Address! Those Supreme Court Associate Justices that dissented were led by John Paul Stevens, followed with Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor. The Supreme Court decision literally makes it possible for foreign governments to make decisions for America. We have domestic lobbies and now we will have foreign lobbies. But one example, although fossil burning fuels are definitely on the way out, it is not inconceivable that governments – such as Saudi Arabia – will perform highly effective lobbying to the bitter end. Lobbyists will become even a bigger problem for America. With the latest Supreme Court decision, those problems will explode! Again, the Supreme Court decision opens the door for foreign governments to step-in and have a big hand in running America. Oh! And let’s not forget, it was the Supreme Court that brought us Dubya Bush! Now that’s tells you more than you really need to know!
As outlined, it ended in a 5 to 4 decision – the Republicans prevailed. Of course Antonin Scalia was all for it. Scalia is the same Supreme Court member that said – some years back on live TV in front of a posh D. C. restaurant during Dubya Bush’s inaugural week activities – in response to a reporter’s question “where are you going?” Scalia responded, “I’m just following the crowd.” Imagine, a Supreme Court member that admits he’s “just following the crowd.” For the American citizen, political bias should never- but never - exist on the “High Bench,” but it does.
In a way, this should make Dell Computer of Austin, Texas – happy. It is said that not only did they – Dell - contribute a major percentage of their political contributions budget to Dubya Bush’s re-election campaign, they also are said to have cut a check for $250,000.00 for inaugural week activities – the same week that Scalia was, “…just following the crowd.” This sure doesn’t say much for Dell’s corporate wisdom! Yet, it does say a lot for fancy “danc’n!”
Dumb Bunny Award!
It appears that Rush Limbaugh is a consistent qualifier for this dubious award. In the same pot, stir-in Pat Robertson. Limbaugh said that the Haitian tragedy was ideal for Obama – it was – to paraphrase Limbaugh – “burnishing Obama’s image for the blacks” This is the same Rush that admitted – on TV - to being a prescription drug addict and was accused of doctor shopping for the stuff. It is said that “Flap Jaw Rush” was said he have a good - therefore expensive - lawyer. Incidentally, what a dubious compliment to have your name on a bumper sticker that reads, “Flush Rush.”
Then, who can miss The Rev. Pat Robertson’s charges that God was punishing the Haitians for their past pact with the devil? We don’t think that God is going cause an earth quake around any of Pat’s empire - including the diamond mines - since Pat avows that he is a man of God! Why does this clown continue to be given tax exempt status? The truly sad note is, there are many Americans that take both Limbaugh and Robertson seriously.
He actually said it!
“God told me to strike at al Qaida and I struck them, and then he instructed me to strike at Saddam, which I did, and now I am determined to solve the problem in the Middle East. If you help me I will act, and if not, the elections will come and I will have to focus on them.”
Geo. W. Bush….our unforgettable 43rd President of the Untied States
Willard just loves blue!
Here’s a classic example of “abuse.” And it is “abuses” that create many of our most unpopular social dictates.
Recently while watching cable TV, our removable bridge-work literally clattered to the floor when we viewed a special on “Mega-Yachts.” One couple had a yacht so big – forty feet wide with a secret sliding mirrored door into the owner’s suite – it was an ocean-going vessel. The yacht owner’s wife gave the TV camera crew a tour of this multi-million dollar floating extravaganza. The yacht even boasted a wood-burning fireplace in the owner’s suite. The mantle piece of the yacht’s fireplace was rendered in a genuine lapis lazuli veined marble – “…available from only one quarry in Italy.” The owner’s stateroom also had custom carpeting with blue accents and matching drapes over the mega-yacht’s portholes. According to the yacht’s female tour guide, she stated that her yacht owning husband Willard, “just loves Blue.” (That best explains why Willard is said to have watched AVATOR ten times so far this month in the yacht’s movie theater.) Move over Bill and Melinda Gates.
We believe it was Henry Ford Sr. who once said something to the effect that, “Wealth is not how much money you have, rather, it is how many lives does your money enrich?” And we still have thousands of human beings who are desperate for a job and there of thousands of human beings that don’t know what it is to go to bed at night with a full stomach. Regardless, “Willard just loves blue!” This is a good example of the fact that money does not necessarily connote brains or a set of sound social values. To many, helping a fellow human-being is down and out can be called “socialism.”
And it seems that most abuses involve self-indulgence. Cell ‘phones will be a definite consideration. Admittedly, a veritable chasm exists - on the scale of materialism - between cell ‘phones and mega-yachts. Yet, the area of “social abuse” easily bridges that chasm.
Who’s at fault?
If you vote by party as opposed to qualifications, then you must share some of the fault. A good example is, how often have you heard vociferous complaints about Congressional representation? These clowns didn’t get into office via Immaculate Conception. These characters are chasing the dollar with verve and give lobbyists special attention since it is the lobbyists that contribute big chunks of money to many Congressional political campaigns.
We have been content with being told what we wanted to hear and we have been content to vote along party affiliations convincing ourselves that we were doing the right thing. We have come woefully short as being informed voters. If we devoted only a fraction of the time we devote to professional sports to checking political qualifications, we would have a nation that would go down in history as being the envy of the world for centuries to come.
As but one example, when you read a poll that says SayRah Palen is he 2nd most admired woman in America, you have to realize this country is filled with a lot of empty heads – lamentably, too many times it is empty partisan heads. If we are to survive as a nation, we are going to have to start getting some non-partisan smarts!
It is discouraging to hear and see people complain about the “slow pace” Obama is taking to get things humming again in America! It is so absurd to expect any one Administration to correct that which took decades to create with heavy emphasis on “de-regulation.” In fact, de-regulation can easily be traced back to the Reagan Administration. And does anybody remember Phil Gramm? This one-time Senator has been on or near the scene of “de-regulation” on a consistent basis. Phil was also a big daddy in a big de-regulated banking empire. Gramm’s wife – Wendy - reportedly serves on the board of a major pharmaceutical house. It appears as if dollars are chasing dollars! Incidentally, “Philsy” was – at one time – the pride of Texas!
Like it or not, you get rid of the middle class and you stand a good chance to experience the eventuality loss of everything! If there is any impatience, that impatience should be with ourselves – impatience for not having done the right thing in the first place. It appears that there is going to be a real show-down between the human “flood lights” and “the burned-out porch lights.” What political party sat on its hands when America burned?
Say it isn’t so!
The State of Florida is a good example of party first syndrome! The Republican Party is running Bill McCollum – current State Attorney General - for Governor of Florida! But then, nothing coming-out of Florida should surprise you. It appears that Bill McCollum is running for the throne overseeing orange peels, lemon seeds and a lot of grey hair. Conversely, the Democrats are running Alex Sink for the office of Governor of Florida. Ms. Sink is currently the Chief Financial Officer for that state.
Let’s start with McCollum who epitomizes the words “career politician.” When hasn’t he been on the public dole? It was in the 1990’s that McCollum – then a Representative in Congress - paid a top congressional aide $50,000 in “consulting fees” to work on his – McCollum’s – re-election campaign. That same aide also received a salary of $85,500 at the same time while serving as a key staff member in McCollum’s office. Who paid for all this? The American taxpayers – naturally! McCollum is said to have been aware of the Iran-Contra scandal at a time when such awareness was illegal. This is called, “endorsement through silence.”
McCollum also served – with zeal - on the Presidential Impeachment Committee – when Clinton’s zipper problems were publicized! (Since this out and out witch-hunt, Bill Clinton has done more to assuage a suffering world in a month’s time than McCollum has done in his life time.) During this same time frame, McCollum has been documented taking many junkets including trips to Germany, Las Vegas, Puerto Rico, etc. which were paid for by private interests.
When running for the office of Florida’s Attorney General, McCollum opined on TV camera - that he got his ethics on the family farm. One wag commented that “McCollum’s family farm was the smallest farm in the world!” Based on past office holders, McCollum is qualified to run for the Governorship of Florida. These are sad but true observations.
Then, there is Alex Sink! As we said, Ms. Sink is currently Chief Financial Officer for the State of Florida. She has worked for a living most of her life in the banking industry. She’s highly qualified for the job of Florida’s Governor which – in a way - means she really doesn’t qualify!
Sink has not doubled-dipped into the taxpayers’ pocket books. Nor has Alex Sink served on any impeachment committees. And there is no record of Alex Sink having taken junkets with private interests picking-up the tabs. It appears that Sink has established an ethical presence without the benefit of a family farm.
The sad side of all of this, the Republican Party nominated McCollum for the Florida governorship knowing his background. Not to know McCollum’s background would be out and out party dereliction. The Democrats have already won this round since it is obvious that the Republican Party has been openly content to put citizen welfare on the back burner – again!
Then and Now!
THEN: Remember Linda Tripp? Linda one was a busy girl. She was a friend of Monica Lewinski and is said to have recorded Monica’s phone conversations with then President Bill Clinton. Linda then peddled the tapes to the right-wing Clinton haters - reportedly led by Richard Melon Scaithe of Pittsburgh - and then finally managed to hand those steamy tapes over to the Office of the Independent Counsel headed by Kenneth Starr. (There’s a good example of jumping from the frying pan into a fire.) It has been reported that Ms. Tripp even offered advice as to why Monica should not dry-clean her blue dress with those naughty, naughty white stains on it!
NOW: Records disclose that Linda sued the Department of Defense – where she once worked – and was given $595,000.00 in exchange for dropping two lawsuits she had filed against the Pentagon claiming “invasion” of her privacy! Now there’s a contradiction if you have ever run across one!
It seems that Linda has since made more than one appeal for funds on her website – claiming that she was on the verge of poverty. In the meantime, she is “barely surviving” by residing in the town of Middleburg, Virginia which is said to be home to such luminaries as Robert Duvall and Liz Taylor! Oh wow! Right now, we don’t know if the Pentagon is hiring.
Down with Acorn?
Remember the much ballyhooed visit by James O’Keefe impersonating a pimp who - with his friend Hannah Giles masquerading as a prostitute - entered a Baltimore ACORN office in an attempt to discredit the organization? It seems that the awful ACORN had the audacity to register poor people to vote! That’s absurd! Now it seems that the State of Maryland has filed suit against O’Keefe for recording the incident – audibly and visually - without the ACORN employee’s knowledge. O’Keefe referred to this as “good journalism.” Move over Edward R. Murrow!
To pour more gasoline on this conflagration, it now appears that O’Keefe – with a small coterie of confederates – attempted to tamper with the telephones in the New Orleans office of Senator Landrieu! This latest caper has many Republicans fleeing the good ship “S. S. Friends” like so many self-respecting rats leaving any sinking boat. Is it possible that Fox News will treat this incident with the same relish as it gave the original0 ACORN office pimp and hooker visitation? (This just has to be fair and balanced reporting.)
Don’t despair! There IS an element of hypocrisy here for sure! KBR, SAIC, United Technologies, L-3 Communications, BAE Systems, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, Boeing and Lockheed Martin are the top recipients of government contracts totaling tens of billions of dollar! Although every one of these organizations has been found guilty of misconduct, Pentagon contract monies keep rolling-in. Acorn – which gets so few government monies the amounts received can’t even appear on the government’s financial radar comparison charts – has never have been found guilty of any misconduct. Yet, ACORN does a great job of registering poor people to vote so it just makes sense to shut them down!
“Down with ACORN” is a lousy example of representation of The People and an even lousier example of a political party that has a mixed-up set of priorities!
This is bested only by one time Republican Representative from Ohio, Bob Ney who in a fit of pique - resulting from France not wanting any part of the Iraq war – was instrumental in renaming French Fires, Freedom Fries in the food operations under the Capitol’s dome! Incidentally Bob is said to have since served 30 months in prison for his activities relating to the Abrhamoff scandal. We have received no word as to whether the prison cafeteria serves French fries or not. And too, it is said that Bob also liked his sauce! Ney was referred-to as “a functioning alcoholic.” Since prisons don’t’ have a reputation for cocktail lounges, it is not unreasonable to assume that Bob Ney walked-out those infamous gates of incarceration - flanked by those omnipresent guard towers - sober.
“Where is Al Gore?”
That’s the question reputedly posed by the family of the estimable(?) Senator James Inhofe, (R), OK. (Senator Inhofe has repeatedly opined that global warming was a hoax!)
It seems that the Inhofe clan built a quasi igloo during Washington D. C.’s recent snow storm and posed the question, “Where is Al Gore?” On the very same date of the Inhofe family’s proclamation of a question, it was reported that Al Gore was seen driving a dump truck filled with snow – destined for the Olympic ski slopes north of Vancouver, Canada. Another report avowed that Gore was seen strolling on a south Florida beach - wearing a hooded parka - walking a shivering dog attired in a red, white and blue turtle neck sweater.
One thing for sure, Al wasn’t chomping-down on whale blubber inside the D. C. Inhofe igloo!
They Say, We Say
*TS: I have watched Dick Morris on Fox News. Do you have any input on his background?
Lorie . . . Rochester
WS: At one time, Morris was consultant to President Clinton. In fact, it is said that the White House tracked-down Morris to a hotel room. Later, it was determined that Morris was naked in bed with a prostitute the latter of which wasn’t even attired in the historical stiletto heels – when the room ‘phone jangled. It seems the President wanted to talk with Dick. The prostitute was treated to hearing the voice of the president – thanks to naked Dick. It is also reported that the IRS filed a $1.5 million tax lien against Morris. Add-up all this and put him on Fox News, you are treated to a combination that makes sense. We have heard that he has since divorced.
*TS: According to TV reports, Representative Parker Griffith (D-R ) AL,
has long left the Democratic Party to become a Republican. What is your opinion on this?
Elmer . . . Mishawaka
WS: We think the Democratic Party should consider this “switch” as an early 2010 Christmas gift. Based strictly on what we have seen on TV, CRICSCO ® should have been slathered under Parker’s feet by the Democratic Party when making that “switch.”
*TS: Is it true that Henry Paulson – Dubya Bush’s
Secretary of the Treasury – was once paid the biggest salary in the world?
Sarah . . . Eugene
WS: It has been reported that what you asked, is true. They say that Henry was paid more than $1-bil a year salary when employed by Goldman Sachs! For the sake of argument, let’s say that “Hank” was ONLY paid $1-bil per annum. That comes to a paltry $273,972.60 a day. Imagine, making enough money in one hour to buy a lifetime supply of Twinkies®! Compare this blatant excess to people who are starving!
*TS: So many castigate Tiger Woods yet celebrate former President,
Bill Clinton for the same behavior. Isn’t this racism?
Martha . . . Sheboygan
WS: If you call the taxpayers being stuck with more than a $100-mil bill to “celebrate former President, Bill Clinton” your interpretation of the word “celebrate” differs from ours. To question the presence of “racism,” is really stretching things far – mighty far. And too, no political parties are involved in a witch hunt when it involved Tiger and his zipper.
*TS: Do you remember any particular contradiction in Washington?
Delbert . . . Muncie
WS: There is a “whopper!” For starters, let’s turn to the name “ Paul Wolfowitz”, former Deputy Secretary of Defense. The man is said to have no military record. The next best one is Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R) Georgia. We could find no military record for Saxby. Yet, it was Saxby Chambliss that loudly denounced former Senator Max Cleland (D) Ga., for being unpatriotic in spite of the fact that Cleland left half his body on the battlefields of Viet Nam. There’s more! Sen. Richard Burr (R), NC - who is a ranking member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee - has never served in the military. We don’t think Burr even has as a Boy Scout merit badge. Sad but true, Washington is riddled with contradictions.
*TS: Don’t you think some of our “entertainment luminaries” are a bit over-paid?
Sarah . . . Canton
WS: You can usually gauge the route a country is taking by observing what that country turns to for entertainment. When many in the “carnival folk” ilk get paid more than the “thinkers” we’re headed for big, big trouble!
*TS: Is Wall Street tightening its belt?
WS: Surely you jest! Recently a banker’s summit was held in Swiss ski resort. The theme of the summit was - in essence - to present a more friendly face to the consumer! Many attendees attended via their private jets. Let’s face it, commercial airlines just don’t serve decent food and when they do, it’s not on gold rimmed china nor do they serve vintage wines in Waterford stemware.
TS: Did Sen. Bayh’s (D), IN, refusal to run for the U. S. Senate again surprise you?
Norman . . . Indianapolis
WS: Not really. Bayh extolled at great lengths regarding the “gridlock” in Washington. Since he was openly a “health care reform foot dragger,” had a wife that reportedly sat on the board of a big pharmaceutical house, this all was to be expected. We are seeing a big citizen rebellion resulting from lousy representation.
Next Commentary!
Then & Now: Whatever happened to the “great” Congressman Wilbur Mills
and his alleged mistress, Fanne Foxe (from Argentina)?
Was President Obama in the lion’s den?
The $100,000.000.00 bonus!
Albert Einstein Society Nominees again lets you
know how your government is working for you.
Zipper, zipper, whose got the zipper?
Bumper sticker of the month!
We wouldn’t dream of not including This month’s moments of hypocrisy!
Let’s face it, hypocrisy in Washington is described as “germ warfare”
in other parts of the world!
Previous Blogs
01-15-10
02-18-10
(Should you have any comments relating to the foregoing commentary, you can contact me at efrick@edfrickauthor.com Compliments are ecstatically welcomed!) |
