Sen. Harry Reid has not called me to ask for my opinion about Sen. Joe Lieberman's lack of support for health care reform. When Sen. Reid gave Lieberman Chair of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, Lieberman assured Reid that he would support the Democratic legislation. However, Lieberman is ready to break his word. Reid needs to call Lieberman into his office and give it to him straight---If he doesn't vote for the health care reform bills, he will no longer be a chairman of any committee.
Here are some telephone numbers for Lieberman:
Connecticut
(860) 549-8463 Voice
(800) 225-5605 In CT
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-4041 Voice
(202) 224-9750 Fax
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Police Dog Recovering
On August 23rd, Officer Mike Schiele, of the Zanesville Police Department, and his police dog, Bosco, were shot. Officer Schiele is recovering. Bosco continues therapy at the OSU Vet Hospital.
Dispatch:
...Speaking yesterday after dropping off Bosco for therapy, Zanesville Police Officer Mike Schiele again credited the dog with saving his life on the night of the shooting. Schiele was shot once in the leg.
Dispatch:
...Speaking yesterday after dropping off Bosco for therapy, Zanesville Police Officer Mike Schiele again credited the dog with saving his life on the night of the shooting. Schiele was shot once in the leg.
He said Bosco no longer will work on the street, but the department is keeping him to make public appearances and raise awareness of the city's canine program. Schiele said a recent donation of almost $10,000 from Value City Furniture will pay for Bosco's replacement, a German shepherd named Tino.
Schiele said that is only one example of the outpouring of public support the unit received after the shooting. He said the department collected more than $22,000 in donations within a couple weeks of the incident....
If you'd like to see Bosco receiving rehabilitation therapy, watch the video provided by the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine: (from 10-13-09) http://vet.osu.edu/5577.htm You can watch other videos which show the progress Bosco has made since being shot. Additional pictures and information can be read here.
If you are interested to contributing to Bosco's medical treatment, visit BucksforBosco.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Time to Go
Washington Post:
A series of powerful bombs killed eight American soldiers and an interpreter in southern Afghanistan Tuesday morning, according to U.S. military officials.....
It is time to pull our young men and women out of Afghanistan. Vice President Joe Biden suggested that we transition into an air war with missiles instead of using troops on the ground. This makes a whole lot more sense than continuing the plan used by the Bush administration.
President Obama needs our support and prayers as he makes decisions about the troops. I just hope he brings them all home.
**** One of our family members has the H1N1 flu. She was diagnosed by a physician yesterday.
While our country deals with the this flu, the Republican Party of "NO!" is holding up the nomination of our U.S. Surgeon General. We are experiencing an epidemic throughout our nation, but the GOP wants to play games with your health. Contact Sen. Mitch McConnell to let him know that by holding up the nomination for the U.S. Surgeon General he is endangering our lives:
Sen. Mitch McConnell
Washington Office
361-A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
A series of powerful bombs killed eight American soldiers and an interpreter in southern Afghanistan Tuesday morning, according to U.S. military officials.....
It is time to pull our young men and women out of Afghanistan. Vice President Joe Biden suggested that we transition into an air war with missiles instead of using troops on the ground. This makes a whole lot more sense than continuing the plan used by the Bush administration.
President Obama needs our support and prayers as he makes decisions about the troops. I just hope he brings them all home.
**** One of our family members has the H1N1 flu. She was diagnosed by a physician yesterday.
While our country deals with the this flu, the Republican Party of "NO!" is holding up the nomination of our U.S. Surgeon General. We are experiencing an epidemic throughout our nation, but the GOP wants to play games with your health. Contact Sen. Mitch McConnell to let him know that by holding up the nomination for the U.S. Surgeon General he is endangering our lives:
Sen. Mitch McConnell
Washington Office
361-A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2541
Fax: (202) 224-2499
Monday, October 26, 2009
Grades for Effort
Do you remember when you were in elementary school and there were grades for effort? I'd like to give grades for effort for some politicians.
F = for the Bush administration's efforts on a concluding report on Afghanistan:
RawStory:
The Bush administration spent only one hour on a report on Afghanistan before handing the issue over to the incoming Obama administration, a former Clinton-era White House chief of staff says....
....Podesta painted a picture of a hypocritical Bush administration that itself "dithered" over Afghanistan decisions, and -- according to Podesta -- spent only one hour preparing a report for the handover of the Afghanistan issue to the Obama administration....
Pathetic. Obviously, the fact that American lives were hanging in the balance did not sway the Bushies to put more effort into their report.
A = Gov. Ted Strickland for his effort to help those areas suffering most in the state and region.
Washington Post:
F = for the Bush administration's efforts on a concluding report on Afghanistan:
RawStory:
The Bush administration spent only one hour on a report on Afghanistan before handing the issue over to the incoming Obama administration, a former Clinton-era White House chief of staff says....
....Podesta painted a picture of a hypocritical Bush administration that itself "dithered" over Afghanistan decisions, and -- according to Podesta -- spent only one hour preparing a report for the handover of the Afghanistan issue to the Obama administration....
Pathetic. Obviously, the fact that American lives were hanging in the balance did not sway the Bushies to put more effort into their report.
A = Gov. Ted Strickland for his effort to help those areas suffering most in the state and region.
Washington Post:
...The annual Appalachian Regional Commission conference, held in Athens, Ohio, will focus this week on giving the struggling area a big role in the push for more use of sources such as solar and wind, bringing so-called "green jobs" with it.
"The economy throughout the region is struggling," said Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, a native of Appalachia. "There are huge opportunities available that can be of great benefit to the region."
Nearly 400 people representing a range of interests are expected to participate, including investors, community activists and industry experts, said commission spokesman Louis Segesvary....
Strickland is doing something to move the region toward growth. It is much better to try than to do nothing at all.
Friday, October 23, 2009
The Republican Plan
The DSCC has revealed the GOP plan (You Tube):
>>> Did you catch former Vice President Dick Cheney's latest rage against the Obama administration? I never agree with Cheney. His recent speech continued to tout his support of the enhanced techniques he supported for enemy combatants. Cheney appeared ill. He was stooped over a podium and breathing heavily. Despite the fact that he looked sick, he still continues his campaign of hatred against President Obama. For additional information, see Raw Story.
*** Soupy Sales has died.
The Washington Post:
Soupy Sales, the rubber-faced comedian whose anything-for-a-chuckle career was built on 20,000 pies to the face and 5,000 live TV appearances across a half-century of laughs, has died. He was 83.....
...The comic's pie-throwing schtick became his trademark, and celebrities lined up to take one on the chin alongside Sales. During the early 1960s, stars such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Curtis and Shirley MacLaine received their just desserts side-by-side with the comedian on his television show....
...His greatest success came in New York with "The Soupy Sales Show" - an ostensible children's show that had little to do with Captain Kangaroo and other kiddie fare. Sales' manic, improvisational style also attracted an older audience that responded to his envelope-pushing antics....
Soupy Sales was a very funny, funny man. When we were young, my brother and I watched him every chance we got.
>>> Did you catch former Vice President Dick Cheney's latest rage against the Obama administration? I never agree with Cheney. His recent speech continued to tout his support of the enhanced techniques he supported for enemy combatants. Cheney appeared ill. He was stooped over a podium and breathing heavily. Despite the fact that he looked sick, he still continues his campaign of hatred against President Obama. For additional information, see Raw Story.
*** Soupy Sales has died.
The Washington Post:
Soupy Sales, the rubber-faced comedian whose anything-for-a-chuckle career was built on 20,000 pies to the face and 5,000 live TV appearances across a half-century of laughs, has died. He was 83.....
...The comic's pie-throwing schtick became his trademark, and celebrities lined up to take one on the chin alongside Sales. During the early 1960s, stars such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Curtis and Shirley MacLaine received their just desserts side-by-side with the comedian on his television show....
...His greatest success came in New York with "The Soupy Sales Show" - an ostensible children's show that had little to do with Captain Kangaroo and other kiddie fare. Sales' manic, improvisational style also attracted an older audience that responded to his envelope-pushing antics....
Soupy Sales was a very funny, funny man. When we were young, my brother and I watched him every chance we got.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Why?
Why would anyone vote AGAINST a bill titled "Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009" with what we know about AIDS and medical care? I know that you are asking yourself for the names of the backward-thinking people in the House of Representatives that voted "NO!" in Roll Call Vote 793. Ask no more!
Below are the names of the 9 Republicans that voted against the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009.
Clerk of the House of Representatives:
Brady (TX).....Phone: (202) 225-4901
Broun (GA).....Phone: (202) 225-4101
Duncan...........Phone: (202) 225-5435
Flake...............Phone: (202) 225-2635
Foxx...........Phone: (202) 225-2071
Gohmert.......Phone: (202) 225-3035
Lummis .......Phone: (202) 225-2311
Paul..............Phone: (202) 225-2831
Poe (TX).......Phone: (202) 225-6565
I've included the office telephone numbers of these Republican "no-mongers" so you can call and offer your opinion about their vote against this important legislation. Isn't it amazing that these same people continue to vote against bills that are so vital?
Below are the names of the 9 Republicans that voted against the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009.
Clerk of the House of Representatives:
Brady (TX).....Phone: (202) 225-4901
Broun (GA).....Phone: (202) 225-4101
Duncan...........Phone: (202) 225-5435
Flake...............Phone: (202) 225-2635
Foxx...........Phone: (202) 225-2071
Gohmert.......Phone: (202) 225-3035
Lummis .......Phone: (202) 225-2311
Paul..............Phone: (202) 225-2831
Poe (TX).......Phone: (202) 225-6565
I've included the office telephone numbers of these Republican "no-mongers" so you can call and offer your opinion about their vote against this important legislation. Isn't it amazing that these same people continue to vote against bills that are so vital?
Careful Deliberations
President Obama is taking his time in making a decision on whether to increase troops numbers in Afghanistan. I agree with President Obama's strategy. He is dealing with the lives of our men and women in uniform, and he feels the awesome responsibility of his decisions. It took our former President months to decide to send more troops to Iraq. We need to let the President hear from the experts and formulate the best plan.
Meanwhile, John Boehner, Republican leader, is carrying on like a schoolyard bully. According to the Hill, Boehner wants the President to hurry up and and send troops now. Right now. But the Boehner strategy is not about what is the right plan, it is about setting up the President to have his Vietnam. Boehner and the Republicans want this administration to get mired into Afghanistan for a long term, no win war. Boehner doesn't care about our troops and their morale. He just wants to make this current administration fail.
Boehner should take heart. The Republican Party seems to be heading in the direction of the dinosaurs. ABCNews has the results of a recent poll.
ABCNews:
....Only 20% of Americans call themselves Republicans -- the lowest in 26 years. Only 19% trust Republicans in Congress to make the right decisions for the country's future -- compared to 49% trust in Obama.....
Nice going, Republicans!
Meanwhile, John Boehner, Republican leader, is carrying on like a schoolyard bully. According to the Hill, Boehner wants the President to hurry up and and send troops now. Right now. But the Boehner strategy is not about what is the right plan, it is about setting up the President to have his Vietnam. Boehner and the Republicans want this administration to get mired into Afghanistan for a long term, no win war. Boehner doesn't care about our troops and their morale. He just wants to make this current administration fail.
Boehner should take heart. The Republican Party seems to be heading in the direction of the dinosaurs. ABCNews has the results of a recent poll.
ABCNews:
....Only 20% of Americans call themselves Republicans -- the lowest in 26 years. Only 19% trust Republicans in Congress to make the right decisions for the country's future -- compared to 49% trust in Obama.....
Nice going, Republicans!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The Spielman Family
* If you follow Ohio State sports, you know something about Stephanie and Chris Spielman. Today's Dispatch explains the long journey that the Spielman family has had because of Stephanie Spielman's continuing battle with cancer.
Dispatch:
Dispatch:
...Stefanie Spielman, his high-school sweetheart, had turned 30 when she did a self-examination of her breasts and found a lemon-sized lump.
The cancer has returned again....
....After his wife's diagnosis, Chris put his NFL career on hold and shaved his head in support of her battle.....
Please keep Stephanie, Chris, and their family in your prayers.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Friday....
You almost have to wonder what is different in the air and water that feeds into Fox News that make their talking heads speak such utter nonsense. Eric Etheridge's opinion piece at the NY Times:
Whoa! The "Bush Recovery"????????????? Cavuto has clearly gone over the edge. However, seeing as how Fox News is the mouthpiece of the far right wing of the Republican Party, this is to be expected. The righties continue to re-write history to favor their point of view and their political heroes like George W. Bush.
>>>Ouch! Bloomberg:
Bank of America Corp. Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Lewis won’t receive a salary or bonus for 2009, a decision based on advice from U.S. government pay supervisor Kenneth Feinberg....
...Lewis, 62, came under fire this year from regulators and investors for not disclosing losses and bonuses at Merrill Lynch & Co. before shareholders voted to approve the purchase of the world’s biggest broker in December. That sparked investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Congress and attorneys general in New York, North Carolina and Ohio....
Now Lewis will feel like the average person who has lost his/her income.
>>>> Go Buckeyes!!!! Go Phillies!!!!
The Dow crossed 10,000 Wednesday (and held that level Thursday, closing at 10,062). Thursday morning, Goldman Sachs announced a quarterly profit of $3.19 billion. Neither number would have seemed believable a year ago, but now that these results are in, what do they say about the state of the economy? Also, who should get the credit, and what on-going academic feuds can Dow 10,000 be a datapoint for?
Let’s address the last two first. Michael Tomasky was watching Fox yesterday when he heard Neil Cavuto note Dow 10,000 and ask a guest whether this was the “Bush recovery.”
Cavuto, to be fair, asked whether that wasn’t “a bit of a stretch,” but his guest, a man named Jim LaCamp[sic], said (I’m sure purely coincidentally!) that it wasn’t really a stretch at all....
Whoa! The "Bush Recovery"????????????? Cavuto has clearly gone over the edge. However, seeing as how Fox News is the mouthpiece of the far right wing of the Republican Party, this is to be expected. The righties continue to re-write history to favor their point of view and their political heroes like George W. Bush.
>>>Ouch! Bloomberg:
Bank of America Corp. Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Lewis won’t receive a salary or bonus for 2009, a decision based on advice from U.S. government pay supervisor Kenneth Feinberg....
...Lewis, 62, came under fire this year from regulators and investors for not disclosing losses and bonuses at Merrill Lynch & Co. before shareholders voted to approve the purchase of the world’s biggest broker in December. That sparked investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Congress and attorneys general in New York, North Carolina and Ohio....
Now Lewis will feel like the average person who has lost his/her income.
>>>> Go Buckeyes!!!! Go Phillies!!!!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Today's Topics
It looks like there are some cracks in the Republican Party. With teabaggers targeting some Republican leaders that they feel are not conservative enough, some GOP elected officials are feeling a little uncomfortable with members of their own party.
Americablog:
Ouch!
**** Last night Jon Stewart eviscerated Republicans who voiced their opposition to Sen. Franken's amendment. Franken's amendment sought to hold back funding to companies that have covered up gang rapes in Iraq.
Americablog:
The teabaggers are turning their sights on Republicans. And, I learned via my friend, Alvin in South Carolina, that one big target is Lindsey Graham. They seem to think Lindsey is too squishy:
The 75-minute forum filled several sections of Furman University's Timmons Arena and attracted demonstrators, critics with handheld cameras, shouts of "traitor" and "Sotomayor" - and a smattering of supporters......
.......One man told Graham he had "betrayed" conservatism and made a "pact with the devil" by working with Democrats, and asked when Graham would switch parties....
.......One man told Graham he had "betrayed" conservatism and made a "pact with the devil" by working with Democrats, and asked when Graham would switch parties....
Ouch!
**** Last night Jon Stewart eviscerated Republicans who voiced their opposition to Sen. Franken's amendment. Franken's amendment sought to hold back funding to companies that have covered up gang rapes in Iraq.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Lack of Interest in Kasich?
The Examiner.com has a story about Mike Huckabee's recent trip to Ohio to support Republican candidate for Ohio Governor, John Kasich:
....Kasich and Huckabee, sitting on stools and not wearing ties, spoke to a gathering of more than 100 mostly young people, who came to listen and ask questions about what the former nine-term congressman....
Stop right there! ".....a gathering of more than 100 mostly young people...."???????? You mean to say that Kasich could only get a little more than 100 people to come to his special event with Huckabee??? Obviously, the writer of the article spent a few minutes actually counting the number of people in the audience. Besides, those young people I see in the picture appear to have a lot of bald heads.
....Kasich and Huckabee, sitting on stools and not wearing ties, spoke to a gathering of more than 100 mostly young people, who came to listen and ask questions about what the former nine-term congressman....
Stop right there! ".....a gathering of more than 100 mostly young people...."???????? You mean to say that Kasich could only get a little more than 100 people to come to his special event with Huckabee??? Obviously, the writer of the article spent a few minutes actually counting the number of people in the audience. Besides, those young people I see in the picture appear to have a lot of bald heads.
....Showing he is still hip, Kasich ended the event asking any grandmas out there to "tweet" their grandchildren about the event to "show they are hip."
"If we can accomplish what we want," he said, "it will really be cool!".....
"Hip"?????? Wow! Kasich's "hip" slang will impress absolutely no one! Kasich may have been able to relate to people back in the day, but it seems like Ohioans aren't really interested if he can only draw 100 people with a headliner like Huckabee.
Face it. Kasich's ties to the failed Wall Street firm, Lehman Brothers, really makes me suspicious of anything he says or plans to do. By the way, is he still serving on business boards that pay him money to be on their board of directors? Has he resigned any of those positions yet?
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Give Me A Break!
The ugly neo-cons have reared their pathetic, bloodthirsty, war-mongering faces again.
IPSnews.com:
Just days after the Nobel Committee in Oslo awarded Barack Obama its coveted peace prize, two of Washington's most prominent foreign policy hawks launched a new group and ad campaign designed to depict the president as weak and defend the more aggressive policies of his predecessor, George W. Bush.
The new group, Keep America Safe, was co-founded by neo-conservative heavyweight William Kristol, who also edits The Weekly Standard; and Elisabeth (Liz) Cheney, the outspoken daughter of Bush's vice president, Dick Cheney, who is believed to harbour political ambitions of her own.
"Amidst the great challenges to America's security and prosperity, the current administration too often seems uncertain, wishful, irresolute, and unwilling to stand up for America, our allies and our interests," according to the mission statement of the new group, whose third founder-director, Debra Burlingame, is also co-founder of 9/11 Families for a Safe and Strong America.....
This follows these same right wingers claiming that President Obama is taking too much time deciding whether to send more troops to Afghanistan. (Note: President George W. Bush took months to decide about his troop surge in Iraq.) Liz Cheney has also said that President Obama is taking too much vacation time. Hello, Liz! Are you out of your mind???? Let me refresh your short memory.
CBS NEWS (January 16, 2009):
....According to CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller, today's trip marks Mr. Bush's 149th visit to the presidential retreat. The planned three-day stay, during which the president is being joined by family and former and current aides, will bring his total time spent at Camp David to all or part of 487 days.
Yes, that's 487 days. And Camp David is not even where the president has spent the most time when not at the White House: Knoller reports that Mr. Bush has made 77 visits to his ranch in Crawford during his presidency, and spent all or part of 490 days there.
Liz Cheney, Kristol, and the rest of the extreme right war lovers had their vacation-loving Texan in the White House for eight loooooooonnnnnngggg years. Now President Obama and the entire country is cleaning up the mess left by Bush-Cheney and the neo-cons. Give us all a break!
IPSnews.com:
Just days after the Nobel Committee in Oslo awarded Barack Obama its coveted peace prize, two of Washington's most prominent foreign policy hawks launched a new group and ad campaign designed to depict the president as weak and defend the more aggressive policies of his predecessor, George W. Bush.
The new group, Keep America Safe, was co-founded by neo-conservative heavyweight William Kristol, who also edits The Weekly Standard; and Elisabeth (Liz) Cheney, the outspoken daughter of Bush's vice president, Dick Cheney, who is believed to harbour political ambitions of her own.
"Amidst the great challenges to America's security and prosperity, the current administration too often seems uncertain, wishful, irresolute, and unwilling to stand up for America, our allies and our interests," according to the mission statement of the new group, whose third founder-director, Debra Burlingame, is also co-founder of 9/11 Families for a Safe and Strong America.....
This follows these same right wingers claiming that President Obama is taking too much time deciding whether to send more troops to Afghanistan. (Note: President George W. Bush took months to decide about his troop surge in Iraq.) Liz Cheney has also said that President Obama is taking too much vacation time. Hello, Liz! Are you out of your mind???? Let me refresh your short memory.
CBS NEWS (January 16, 2009):
....According to CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller, today's trip marks Mr. Bush's 149th visit to the presidential retreat. The planned three-day stay, during which the president is being joined by family and former and current aides, will bring his total time spent at Camp David to all or part of 487 days.
Yes, that's 487 days. And Camp David is not even where the president has spent the most time when not at the White House: Knoller reports that Mr. Bush has made 77 visits to his ranch in Crawford during his presidency, and spent all or part of 490 days there.
Liz Cheney, Kristol, and the rest of the extreme right war lovers had their vacation-loving Texan in the White House for eight loooooooonnnnnngggg years. Now President Obama and the entire country is cleaning up the mess left by Bush-Cheney and the neo-cons. Give us all a break!
Monday, October 12, 2009
It is Time
A picture by Abby Bennethum and posted at NBC Philadelphia shows the sacrifice that American military families face everyday:
It is time to bring all our troops home.
* Here is some good news. Bloomberg:
I sincerely hope that this happens soon. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has gone on far too long.
It is time to bring all our troops home.
* Here is some good news. Bloomberg:
President Barack Obama told the largest U.S. gay-rights group that he’ll work with Congress and the Pentagon to end the policy that forbids openly gay men and women from serving in the military.
“I will end ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’” Obama said in an address last night to at the Human Rights Campaign national dinner. “That’s my commitment to you.”
The president gave no timetable for acting and said he realized many in the audience “don’t believe progress has come fast enough.” He said they would look back at his time in office and be able to say that “we put a stop against discrimination whether in the office or in the battlefield.”
I sincerely hope that this happens soon. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has gone on far too long.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
No to Rush
There is a new Facebook Group------
NFL FANS AGAINST RUSH LIMBAUGH OWNING THE ST LOUIS RAMS.
There has been lots of talk about Rush Limbaugh purchasing the St. Louis Rams. Over the years, Limbaugh has been out there with his racism and sexism. Would the NFL owners want to add more problems to the league? What if a Limbaugh-owned team was boycotted by players, fans, and advertisers?
The Nation has an article, The NFL Must Flush Rush:
National Football League owners could be on the verge of a catastrophic error in judgment. In a league that is 70 percent African-American, an unapologetic racist is in talks to buy a team. Yes, Rush Limbaugh, along with St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts, is close to buying the St. Louis Rams. In 2003 Limbaugh infamously lasted less than a month as an NFL commentator on ESPN after saying the Philadelphia Eagles' Donavon McNabb was overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed......
Here is a quote by Limbaugh included in the article---
...We didn't have slavery in this country for over 100 years because it was a bad thing. Quite the opposite: slavery built the South. I'm not saying we should bring it back; I'm just saying it had its merits. For one thing, the streets were safer after dark....
...And finally, in a league made up of predominately African-American athletes, how can you have an owner who says, "[Black people] are 12 percent of the population. Who the hell cares?"....
I don't think that the NFL can afford a Limbaugh-owned team.
NFL FANS AGAINST RUSH LIMBAUGH OWNING THE ST LOUIS RAMS.
There has been lots of talk about Rush Limbaugh purchasing the St. Louis Rams. Over the years, Limbaugh has been out there with his racism and sexism. Would the NFL owners want to add more problems to the league? What if a Limbaugh-owned team was boycotted by players, fans, and advertisers?
The Nation has an article, The NFL Must Flush Rush:
National Football League owners could be on the verge of a catastrophic error in judgment. In a league that is 70 percent African-American, an unapologetic racist is in talks to buy a team. Yes, Rush Limbaugh, along with St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts, is close to buying the St. Louis Rams. In 2003 Limbaugh infamously lasted less than a month as an NFL commentator on ESPN after saying the Philadelphia Eagles' Donavon McNabb was overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed......
Here is a quote by Limbaugh included in the article---
...We didn't have slavery in this country for over 100 years because it was a bad thing. Quite the opposite: slavery built the South. I'm not saying we should bring it back; I'm just saying it had its merits. For one thing, the streets were safer after dark....
...And finally, in a league made up of predominately African-American athletes, how can you have an owner who says, "[Black people] are 12 percent of the population. Who the hell cares?"....
I don't think that the NFL can afford a Limbaugh-owned team.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Why did 30 Republicans vote against a bill to help rape victims?
Raw Story:
Political commentators are accusing Senate Republicans of hypocrisy -- and even outright support of rape -- after thirty of them voted against a measure to de-fund military contractors who prevent rape victims from seeking justice.
Shame on all of these Republicans. You may want to contact your senator if his name appears above. If something happened to your wife or daughter, would you want the offending companies to continue to be rewarded by U.S. tax money?
Political commentators are accusing Senate Republicans of hypocrisy -- and even outright support of rape -- after thirty of them voted against a measure to de-fund military contractors who prevent rape victims from seeking justice.
Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) introduced an amendment to a defense appropriations bill that would prevent the federal government from funding contractors whose employee contracts prevent workers from pursuing allegations of rape against co-workers.
The measure passed the Senate by a vote of 68 to 30, with all 30 'no' votes being cast by Republicans. Notably, 10 Senate Republicans voted for the measure, including all four female Republican senators....
I know you are asking yourself which Republican Senators voted against this bill. Here are the names of the 30 Republicans who voted against Senate Amendment 2588----
| Question: | |||
| Vote Number: | 308 | Vote Date: | October 6, 2009, 04:37 PM |
| Required For Majority: | 1/2 | Vote Result: | Amendment Agreed to |
| Amendment Number: | S.Amdt. 2588 to H.R. 3326 (Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010) | ||
NAYs ---30 | ||
| Alexander (R-TN) Barrasso (R-WY) Bond (R-MO) Brownback (R-KS) Bunning (R-KY) Burr (R-NC) Chambliss (R-GA) Coburn (R-OK) Cochran (R-MS) Corker (R-TN) | Cornyn (R-TX) Crapo (R-ID) DeMint (R-SC) Ensign (R-NV) Enzi (R-WY) Graham (R-SC) Gregg (R-NH) Inhofe (R-OK) Isakson (R-GA) Johanns (R-NE) | Kyl (R-AZ) McCain (R-AZ) McConnell (R-KY) Risch (R-ID) Roberts (R-KS) Sessions (R-AL) Shelby (R-AL) Thune (R-SD) Vitter (R-LA) Wicker (R-MS) |
Shame on all of these Republicans. You may want to contact your senator if his name appears above. If something happened to your wife or daughter, would you want the offending companies to continue to be rewarded by U.S. tax money?
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
The Good and the Ugly
* Finally, some good news from the Cleveland Browns!
USA Today:
The Browns have traded receiver Braylon Edwards to the Jets for a package of players....
See ya, Braylon. Don't let the door....
* Ugly stuff: Someone I know got a letter from the Club For Growth encouraging them to ask for a refund from Sen. Arlen Specter's campaign fund since Specter became a Democrat. Here is part of the Chris Cocola's Club for Growth's letter:
Enclosed in the packet from the Club for Growth are sample letters and e-mails that can be sent to Specter's campaign to request the refund.
The person who received this letter had contributed to Specter's campaign, but was NOT a member of the Club for Growth. Apparently, the Federal Election Commission gave them permission to contact some of Specter's donors. Somehow this seems like an invasion of privacy to have your name, address, and contribution information given to a group like the Club for Growth or any group.
By the way, here is part of the letter that the Club for Growth wants former Specter contributors to send to his campaign:
Apparently, the Club for Growth is spending a lot of money to push people to ask for refunds from Specter. Are they trying to punish him for abandoning them?
USA Today:
The Browns have traded receiver Braylon Edwards to the Jets for a package of players....
See ya, Braylon. Don't let the door....
* Ugly stuff: Someone I know got a letter from the Club For Growth encouraging them to ask for a refund from Sen. Arlen Specter's campaign fund since Specter became a Democrat. Here is part of the Chris Cocola's Club for Growth's letter:
....As you probably know, in April, Sen. Specter announced that he would run for U.S. Senate as a Democrat.
However, you may not know that Sen. Specter's campaign has a policy of offering a refund to any donor unhappy with his switch to the Democratic Party....
...Senator Specter recently announced that he will only process refund requests received
by October 15....
However, you may not know that Sen. Specter's campaign has a policy of offering a refund to any donor unhappy with his switch to the Democratic Party....
...Senator Specter recently announced that he will only process refund requests received
by October 15....
Enclosed in the packet from the Club for Growth are sample letters and e-mails that can be sent to Specter's campaign to request the refund.
The person who received this letter had contributed to Specter's campaign, but was NOT a member of the Club for Growth. Apparently, the Federal Election Commission gave them permission to contact some of Specter's donors. Somehow this seems like an invasion of privacy to have your name, address, and contribution information given to a group like the Club for Growth or any group.
By the way, here is part of the letter that the Club for Growth wants former Specter contributors to send to his campaign:
....I donated to the Citizens for Arlen Specter Committee prior to the Senator's party switch....
....I am unhappy with his party switch and request a refund....
....I am unhappy with his party switch and request a refund....
Apparently, the Club for Growth is spending a lot of money to push people to ask for refunds from Specter. Are they trying to punish him for abandoning them?
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Why are some Republicans like Neanderthals?
How can we forget how the Republicans tried to derail the nomination of Judge Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court? After all, she is a woman and of Latino heritage. I'm sure that members of the GOP were shocked. Shocked.
Republicans have used racist, sexist terms, while gleefully supporting people like Limbaugh and Beck who continue to use these disgusting words every single day. It is no surprise that the Republicans, who still believe that we are living in the 1940's, have used many terrible words against Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. It is no wonder that women stay away from the white, male-dominated GOP.
NRCC:
Someone needs to ask the NRCC where is Pelosi's place? Last time I checked, we were a democracy where everyone's opinion counts. As an elected official, Pelosi should be part of the discussion. Do Republicans believe that because Pelosi is a woman that she doesn't belong in a discussion about Afghanistan? Do Republicans believe that a woman should not be the Speaker of the House?
Why are some Republicans like Neanderthals?
Republicans have used racist, sexist terms, while gleefully supporting people like Limbaugh and Beck who continue to use these disgusting words every single day. It is no surprise that the Republicans, who still believe that we are living in the 1940's, have used many terrible words against Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. It is no wonder that women stay away from the white, male-dominated GOP.
NRCC:
....“General Pelosi has no problem sacrificing her own credibility as the Obama administration and liberals in Congress attempt to walk back a strategy they strongly advocated just months ago,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Nancy Pelosi continues to make party politics a higher priority than our national security. Rather than listening to a four-star general’s assessments on Afghanistan, General Pelosi somehow believes she is better suited to craft our country’s military policy.”
Someone needs to ask the NRCC where is Pelosi's place? Last time I checked, we were a democracy where everyone's opinion counts. As an elected official, Pelosi should be part of the discussion. Do Republicans believe that because Pelosi is a woman that she doesn't belong in a discussion about Afghanistan? Do Republicans believe that a woman should not be the Speaker of the House?
Why are some Republicans like Neanderthals?
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Are you one medical procedure away from bankruptcy?
A neighbor made a good point the other day when he said, "Most Americans are one medical procedure away from bankruptcy." The more we talked about his statement, the more it made sense. If you have health insurance, and are in good health, you probably have been satisfied with your insurance.
However, what if...
....you had a heart attack and your spouse had to argue on the phone for hours about your coverage?
....you needed chemotherapy, but the chemo suggested by your oncologist is considered "experimental" by your insurance, and therefore, not covered?
....after 20 years of coverage by the same health insurance company, your insurance carrier has decided that your newly diagnosed disease will not be covered because they've decided you have a "pre-existing condition" that they've just discovered.
Things happen every single day. If you think that health reform doesn't pertain to you, you are lying to yourself.
Last night we attended a benefit for the Vicki Speakman Memorial Fund. The benefit is called "Celebrate" and one of the performers was Colin Gawel. Here is a You Tube link to Colin Gawel's song, "Chemotherapy":
If health reform doesn't happen this year, will your health coverage cost more next year? Will the CEO of your insurance company celebrate if there is no public option because he/she can continue to get millions of dollars in bonuses for the claims that are denied? Are you one medical procedure away from bankruptcy?
However, what if...
....you had a heart attack and your spouse had to argue on the phone for hours about your coverage?
....you needed chemotherapy, but the chemo suggested by your oncologist is considered "experimental" by your insurance, and therefore, not covered?
....after 20 years of coverage by the same health insurance company, your insurance carrier has decided that your newly diagnosed disease will not be covered because they've decided you have a "pre-existing condition" that they've just discovered.
Things happen every single day. If you think that health reform doesn't pertain to you, you are lying to yourself.
Last night we attended a benefit for the Vicki Speakman Memorial Fund. The benefit is called "Celebrate" and one of the performers was Colin Gawel. Here is a You Tube link to Colin Gawel's song, "Chemotherapy":
If health reform doesn't happen this year, will your health coverage cost more next year? Will the CEO of your insurance company celebrate if there is no public option because he/she can continue to get millions of dollars in bonuses for the claims that are denied? Are you one medical procedure away from bankruptcy?
Sunday in Ohio
**** Rachel Maddow is on Meet the Press today. That is the only reason I watched the program.
>> Would you buy any product endorsed by Sarah Palin?
The Hill:
This would be a gamble for any lipstick manufacturing. I personally would not buy any lipstick endorsed by Sarah Palin. As a matter of fact, any manufacturer that would hire Palin would probably get boycotted by lots of women---including me!
* If you've ever traveled in Europe, you know that people use high speed trains a lot. Using trains to travel seems to be very beneficial in Europe. Building and expanding passenger train travel would create jobs and new businesses. Why are we waiting to get the job done here?
>> Would you buy any product endorsed by Sarah Palin?
The Hill:
Here's a fun item from the NY Post's Page Six: Sarah Palin is apparently looking for a cosmetics endorsement deal, trying to "capitalize on her 'lipstick on a pit bull' catchphrase."
This would certainly help defray those legal expenses. But if the rumor is true, it would indicate that Palin isn't serious about a 2012 campaign.....This would be a gamble for any lipstick manufacturing. I personally would not buy any lipstick endorsed by Sarah Palin. As a matter of fact, any manufacturer that would hire Palin would probably get boycotted by lots of women---including me!
* If you've ever traveled in Europe, you know that people use high speed trains a lot. Using trains to travel seems to be very beneficial in Europe. Building and expanding passenger train travel would create jobs and new businesses. Why are we waiting to get the job done here?
Friday, October 02, 2009
Before John Boehner opens his mouth again....
.....someone needs to ask him what he has personally done to create jobs and fix health care.
When word got around Washington, DC, that President Obama was going to Copenhagen to campaign for the 2012 Olympics in Chicago, Boehner, minority leader of the "NO-monger" Republican Party had something to say.
MSNBC quotes Boehner: "While the President is in Copenhagen tomorrow, the American people are going to wake up and find out that hundreds and thousands more Americans have lost their job. The Administration's trillion dollar stimulus plan clearly isn't working."
When George W. Bush was President, exactly how many times did Boehner complain when Bush traveled somewhere? According to CBS News (January 16, 2009):
George W. Bush is today making his final visit to Camp David as president.
He will likely miss the place: According to CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller, today's trip marks Mr. Bush's 149th visit to the presidential retreat. The planned three-day stay, during which the president is being joined by family and former and current aides, will bring his total time spent at Camp David to all or part of 487 days.
Yes, that's 487 days. And Camp David is not even where the president has spent the most time when not at the White House: Knoller reports that Mr. Bush has made 77 visits to his ranch in Crawford during his presidency, and spent all or part of 490 days there.
I think that Boehner needs to close his mouth and think before he speaks. Bush spent 977 on vacation in 8 years in office. 977 DAYS! That is nearly 3 years of his 8 year term was spent on vacation!
John Boehner and the Republicans have done NOTHING to get this economy moving again except vote "NO!" on job-creating, health care-fixing legislation. The Republicans have not yet produced a health care plan. The GOP's only plan seems to be to oppose the Obama and Democratic plans. While Republicans sit on their hands, they gain nothing. Yet they have the audacity to think that the American people will flock back to the Republican Party!!!!
When word got around Washington, DC, that President Obama was going to Copenhagen to campaign for the 2012 Olympics in Chicago, Boehner, minority leader of the "NO-monger" Republican Party had something to say.
MSNBC quotes Boehner: "While the President is in Copenhagen tomorrow, the American people are going to wake up and find out that hundreds and thousands more Americans have lost their job. The Administration's trillion dollar stimulus plan clearly isn't working."
When George W. Bush was President, exactly how many times did Boehner complain when Bush traveled somewhere? According to CBS News (January 16, 2009):
George W. Bush is today making his final visit to Camp David as president.
He will likely miss the place: According to CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller, today's trip marks Mr. Bush's 149th visit to the presidential retreat. The planned three-day stay, during which the president is being joined by family and former and current aides, will bring his total time spent at Camp David to all or part of 487 days.
Yes, that's 487 days. And Camp David is not even where the president has spent the most time when not at the White House: Knoller reports that Mr. Bush has made 77 visits to his ranch in Crawford during his presidency, and spent all or part of 490 days there.
I think that Boehner needs to close his mouth and think before he speaks. Bush spent 977 on vacation in 8 years in office. 977 DAYS! That is nearly 3 years of his 8 year term was spent on vacation!
John Boehner and the Republicans have done NOTHING to get this economy moving again except vote "NO!" on job-creating, health care-fixing legislation. The Republicans have not yet produced a health care plan. The GOP's only plan seems to be to oppose the Obama and Democratic plans. While Republicans sit on their hands, they gain nothing. Yet they have the audacity to think that the American people will flock back to the Republican Party!!!!
Republicans = "No-mongers"
* U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) is in the news again for some recent comments.
The Hill:
The now-infamous Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) unleashed another verbal tirade against Republicans on Thursday, calling the party a "lie factory" that hoped only to stall the healthcare debate.....
...."America is sick of you, Republican Party; you're a lie factory, that's all you do," he told MSNBC on Thursday. "Why don't you work together with the Democrats to solve America's problems instead of making stuff up?"
* What kind of credibility does Sen. George Voinovich have with regard to any legislation on clean air and clean water? Why has Voinovich continued to be a "no-monger" as far as protecting our environment? Voinovich has made it a career of opposing a host of legislation to protect the environment. As a matter of fact, in April 2000, Voinovich was awarded "Clean Air Villain of the Month" by the Clean Air Trust.
In December 2003, Voinovich was given a score of 11% by the League of Conservation Voters for his work on behalf of environmental issues.
Hopefully, the person who is elected to take his seat will be on the side of clean air and protecting the environment.
The Hill:
The now-infamous Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) unleashed another verbal tirade against Republicans on Thursday, calling the party a "lie factory" that hoped only to stall the healthcare debate.....
...."America is sick of you, Republican Party; you're a lie factory, that's all you do," he told MSNBC on Thursday. "Why don't you work together with the Democrats to solve America's problems instead of making stuff up?"
Grayson then called the party a bunch of "no-mongers," and he chided GOP lawmakers for failing to come up with their own healthcare plan in the 48 hours since he first attacked their strategy.....
I like that term "no-mongers" and plan to use it to describe the GOP.
* What kind of credibility does Sen. George Voinovich have with regard to any legislation on clean air and clean water? Why has Voinovich continued to be a "no-monger" as far as protecting our environment? Voinovich has made it a career of opposing a host of legislation to protect the environment. As a matter of fact, in April 2000, Voinovich was awarded "Clean Air Villain of the Month" by the Clean Air Trust.
In December 2003, Voinovich was given a score of 11% by the League of Conservation Voters for his work on behalf of environmental issues.
Hopefully, the person who is elected to take his seat will be on the side of clean air and protecting the environment.
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