It has been suggested by some that what gays want is the "psychic benefit of being able to say they are married." How wrong. Here is a short list of benefits and privileges that come with marriage, from the government and from businesses. [Note that if gay marriages are legally recognized, businesses will not be able to discriminate against them … Read More
President Confused
As reported here and elsewhere, Bush is finally going to announce his support for the Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. McClellan, briefing reporters at the White House, said the president wants to end "growing confusion" that has arisen from court decisions in Massachusetts, and San Francisco’s permitting more than 3,000 same sex unions. "The president believes it is important to … Read More
Oscar 2004 Public Service
Some people care — others don’t care at all — and still others care only to the extent that they might win the office pool. It is to this third group that I offer these predictions. I’ve won my office pool 3 out of the last 5 years, tied for second once, and a disturbing 6th in 2000 (roughly 25-30 … Read More
R.I.P. Moral Majority?
Daily Kos blogger DHinMI has interesting thoughts on social conservatism in America. Just look at the record. Since the early 1990’s the Supreme Court has upheld both Roe v Wade and the use of affirmative action in college admissions, and it struck down state sodomy laws. More children attend day care than ever. More women work out of the home … Read More
Nader to Reveal Decision Sunday on NBC
Oh, Lord. Just what Bush (and maybe more than a few Deaniacs?) is praying for. Ralph Nader will announce Sunday whether he will make another run for the White House, but all signs indicate the consumer advocate plans to jump into the race as an independent. Read about it here.
Greg Crist Embarrassment Watch
Yeah, I didn’t know who he is either. It turns out he’s the spokesmen for the House Republican Conference. Here’s what he’s quoted as saying recently: "Democrats are practicing a questionable form of politics in attacking something that is law." Boneheaded or what? Gee, I guess that means Republicans can’t attack abortion, or re-define the legal definition of marriage for … Read More
The Eggheads Speak . . .
In my view, this is pretty bad. The Union of Concerned Scientists has released a report entitled: "Scientific Integrity in Policymaking: An Investigation Into The Bush Administration’s Misuse of Science". The report concludes: 1. There is a well-established pattern of suppression and distortion of scientific findings by high-ranking Bush administration political appointees across numerous federal agencies. These actions have consequences … Read More
Something for the Tinfoil Hat Crowd . . .
If I were still ten, I would be all over this story. Now I’m just amused. Especially at the idea that somewhere on this planet, as I type this, there is somebody gloating because his authoritative work — ""A History of Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Oral Health" — was referenced in today’s Washington Post. The Post story notes the 50th anniversary … Read More
Fun With Anagrams
Bush’s campaign Slogan: "Steady Leadership in a Time of Change" Rearranging the letters of gives us (among many others): Megadeath and hyperfine socialites.Sleepyhead or significant meathead.Speedily, nation’s magic featherhead.I’m a hypertense, death-dealing fiasco.I am a disheartened pig-face. Honestly!I am a healthy, depressing defecation.I am a tone-deaf, highly-paid erectness.I am a deathless deafening hypocrite.He is the friendly scapegoat idea man.Death penalty … Read More
Helen in the Pool
I thought she retired, but I guess not. You gotta love it when Helen (Thomas) is in the (White House) press pool. Feisty ol’ broad. Catch this exchange between her and White House press secretary Scott McClellan, from this morning. Q: Did the President ever have to take time off from Guard duty to do community service? Scott McClellan: To … Read More
On The Lighter Side . . .
"Barbie and Ken splitting after 43 years; Mattel reports that dolls will remain friends" reports MSNBC After 43 years as one of the world’s prettiest pairs, the perfect plastic couple is breaking up. The couple’s “business manager,” Russell Arons, vice president of marketing at Mattel, said that Barbie and Ken “feel it’s time to spend some quality time — apart.” … Read More
GAO: DOD Paying Billions to Tax Cheats
WASHINGTON – The Department of Defense paid billions of dollars in 2002 to more than 27,000 contractors that owed $3 billion in unpaid taxes, according to a draft copy of a General Accounting Office investigation obtained by NBC News. Full story here. I know I’m just, you know, a relative nobody, but . . . isn’t the solution obvious??? Either … Read More
What Are We Talking About Here?
This is the proposed amendment banning gay marriages: Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution or the constitution of any State, nor state or federal law, shall be construed to require that marital status or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon unmarried couples or groups. Personally, … Read More
Release of Bush’s Records
Do they not GET it? The White House just released some Bush/National Guard records. As far as I can tell from the news reports, the documents are: (1) Point summaries — which show that was given credit for certain training periods. These are not new documents. Heck, I’VE even seen them. They only show that he was given credit . … Read More
Bush Busted In (Yet) Another Lie
During his interview with "Meet the Press"’s Tim Russert, Bush said: If you look at the appropriations bills that were passed under my watch, in the last year of President Clinton, discretionary spending was up 15 percent, and ours have steadily declined. There are a couple of lies here. First of all, in the last year of President Clinton, discretionary … Read More