Monday, July 31, 2006

Key Republican breaks with Bush on Mideast

Chuck Hagel Nebraska, of course! Well, there HE goes again! What right does HE have to go against the NEO-CON Bush administration???

I'll tell you what right he has.... He is a veteran of the Vietnam war. He knows the horrors of war... unlike Bush, who "flew jets over Houston" as his military experience.

I feel we need some of Chuck's good decent midwestern common sense in our country's leadership!

Romney's healthcare plan says everybody pays...

Hmmm... If I'm required to have insurance and have to pay for it, will I be guaranteed access??? Is there a pool I can join, where I can get AFFORDABLE coverage??? There is NO WAY people will pay outrageous premiums if they can't afford them. I have the feeling my premium would be way up there with several P.E.C.'s (Pre Existing Conditions).

I hate to pass this all off to my employer. I think health costs would drop if we could cover most of the uninsured. Forcing people to go out and get insurance will only work if there are affordable options.

Governor apologizes for calling Big Dig 'tar baby'

Perhaps he should have called it a Rube Goldberg! It's a mess! It would have been one thing to have a couple of leaks. But when large chunks of ceiling (or whatever it was) come falling down and killing people, then it is unacceptable!

As far as Gov. Mitt Romney is concerned, I hope he does not pick up steam as a presidential candidate. I'll let the remark about a tar baby slide!

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Small ones pleez!

I don't like to catch big fish! Yes, they are fun to land, but when it comes to cleaning them, a small one will do! I'd rather catch a couple of smaller ones than one big one. Haven't caught any large rainbows this year, however I was given one. Nice fish! Those are ones that can be a little bigger as they are easy to clean!

The QUEER Nation!

I'm sitting here musing over the Balkanization of the world! This ethnic group, THAT ethnic group, this religion, THAT religion, etc. etc. etc....

Well, I'm NOT giving up U.S. citizenship... However, I am also citizen in another Nation. One without boundries or restriction. All you need to belong is to be gay and have access to the Internet! They are all my Brothers and Sisters and as such, my loyalties come to them, first! As long as you are loyal to THIS nation, I will put you first!

Being practical, however, we must have physical citizenship in a particular country. It helps with stuff like passports and benefits, ets. I also feel that Western countries are generally the best defenders of the Queer Nation. Yet I am sad when Israeli or American bombs kill some of my fellow countrymen in Lebanon or Iraq. Remember, we are everywhere!

Joining the Marines!

Senator McCain's son Jimmy, that is. It is hoped that father, IF he is elected president, will have some caution when deploying troops. I've always contended that we need someone who has seen the horrors of war and knows what he (or she) is getting us into, as Pres of the U.S. .

I don't believe ANY of the Neo-Cons who direct the Bush administration's war efforts have any combat experience. What a shame!

P.s. : This is NOT necessarily an endorsement for the Senator, however we could do a LOT worse!

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

One thing NOT to go bargain basement on!!!

Is eye surgery! That's one of the procedures where the cost is "up front". I wouldn't mess with my eyes! It doesn't mean that you can't get a better deal. I'm just saying that you'd better shop for quality before price.

Health care dispute may send patients searching for new care ...

This doesn't affect me directly. But you are pretty much hostage of who your employer chooses for health insurance AND whomever they are contracted with.

What comes to mind with me in "searching for new care" is what they call Health Tourism. There are wonderful world class hospitals, which would put many of ours to shame, in places like Thailand and the Philippines. This is not to say that every hospital in those countries is like that; only the ones that cater to foreiners... Since the insurance won't pay the bill for dental implants, maybe I need to take a trip??? Then again, maybe it would not save any money, considering the cost of tickets.

Without sounding too much like a Republican, healthcare needs to become more consumer driven! I do believe that some of the more basic screenings, preventive services and clinics should be socialized. Maybe they should also have some catastrophic coverage. Then the rest of it should have clear pricing for whatever you are getting. The more the consumer gets involved, the lower the price will be and the better the service. Right now, you've got to go through a whole bunch of rigamarole for a price quote. Simple things like a chest x ray, should be published on the facility's website (assuming they have one).

I hear that you can stay in luxurious accommodations and get the most current procedures done by Board Certified surgeons and doctors when you go to the right hospital in Thailand. You've got to pay for everything, of course. But without all the added crap and charges made necessary by the cost of doing business in the U.S., not to mention bureaucracy, the bill is much lower overseas.

I also would like to recommend looking at alternative medicine practitioners. At least with them, the pricing is usually up front!

Dobson parades his ex-gay folks...

I have to laugh at this... I keep thinking of all the married (to a woman) men I know who want a relationship with another man. What do I call them? Ex-straights?

If only human sexuality were that simple! My hypothesis is that every man and woman has a little bit of both in them. You can't convince me that just about every man has not "checked out" another man a locker room. To most, the draw of boobs and a vagina outweighs any desire they might feel at the moment.

Then there are those who are caught in the middle. I think the catch-all phrase is bisexual. There are a lot of men (and women) who have had relations with both genders. It is certainly a lot more acceptable to have a heterosexual relationship (i.e. marriage), because you have vastly greater social support. You can even go to Dobson's F.O.F. if you wish!

This is not to diminish anyone in a long-term relationship outside the norm. They have obviously demonstrated the strength to follow their hearts and not social pressure! And when it comes to those whom Dobson likes to parade around. I'm not condeming them; if they have it in their hearts to change, then more power to them!!!

There is no standard "one size fits all", when it comes to human sexuality. There are a LOT of gray areas and variences. I believe that (as much as I hate to see it happen) I am in the process of becoming a non-sexual. I think I missed my calling: I should have become a priest or a monk! I've learned to respect women, but I prefere being around those of my own gender!

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Catfish are not all that innocent!

I think they know what they are doing. I've had 'em carefully nibble off the worms from the hook. So when they do get hooked, it is like me eating french fries or a Big Mac at McDonalds. I know it is gonna clog up my arteries sooner or later, yet I keep on eating. I'm not all that innocent, either. Just stupid!

The taking of innocent life?

Those words were heard in the background at work, Bush referring to stem cells. Abbey said: "What about all the innocent lives taken in the War???" Good point. Look, as I've stated, all this (embryonic) stem cell stuff might not pan out. But embryos in a fertility clinic hold little value to me. Do you think they are being valued when the excess ones are being thrown away???

Frankly, I am more concerned about the life of a catfish I take. Wish there were a way to stop 'em from moving. It gives me the creeps and there is no way you can konk one out, like you can a trout.


I DO believe that ripping a fetus from the womb of a mother is generally wrong. But I DO NOT at all link this with an embryo in a petri dish. I also DO NOT even remotely compare giving a rape victem some emergency contraception to abortion. There is too much exteraneous crap getting dragged into this debate!!!

Also, I am befuddled by a society that puts so much empahasis on this stuff, but when you are like a middle-aged homeless person, you are considered throw away. And let us not forget the "innocent life" being taken in Israel and Lebanon. I'll bet their deaths are a lot more painful and traumatic than the excess material being thrown away!!!

NO full scale ground invasion...

Yes, you'd better think before acting. I think if Israel just does a limited encursion, then it has more potential to get over without major escalation. Of course they'd better do a good job clearing out Hez strongholds. They know about invading and occupying lands as do we (now). It's a long and costly process. They were there for 18 years before. I think them going back in is like us re-entering Vietnam!

Saturday, July 22, 2006

And afterwards?

A thousand years? That's a pretty short timeframe in the history of mankind. What happens after that?

The only ones who are happy...

Appear to be some Evangelical Christians believing that Biblical Prophecy is about to be fulfilled. At least they should see the suffering and feel sorry for those who are terrified and in misery.

Geez folks, I can't say if the end of the World is at hand or if the Book of Revelations is being played out. I just take the attitude that you live each day at a time and be thankful for that.

Whatever is in the Bible is not all that clear as to exactly what will happen. If it comes to total destruction, well yes, I hope that Jesus returns and along with him comes a thousand years of peace. I hope that even if I am not one of the lucky ones who gets saved, that the truly good people (of whatever faith) get to inherit peace.

If that scenario does not play out, maybe it will all come to a head and mankind will suddenly wake up and realize what they are doing to themselves. Perhaps it will take something really awful for people to wake up.

Peace!

Friday, July 21, 2006

Will it DO ANY GOOD!

I have every confidence in Israel's ability to wage war. And they are good with rescuing hostages, as well. But influencing people and making freinds, well that's a different story.

I believe Hezbollah deliberately hides their rockets in civillian areas so that there will be casualties caused by Israeli strikes. It is necessary for them to bomb large sections of Beiruit in order to get to suspected terrorist strongholds. As the Lebanese flee into Syria, they are greeted by Hezbollah flags. Prior to this, there was a significant portion of them that disliked Hezbollah. Now, the Hez is getting more recruits!

It was like a year ago that there was optimism with the Syrian pullout. Now everything (pardon my expression) has turned to shit! Condi Rice is taking her sweet ass time to go over there. I guess this is so there can be more destruction by the two parties, in the hopes that Israel will destroy the Hez. I think they'll put a dent in their military supplies, for sure. But there will be plenty of fresh recruits, with all the people whose homes have been bombed.

It is a no-win situation.

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Republicans unveil $100 million school voucher plan...

I try to be open-minded about this. Hmmm, it is an election year... I'm not against the concept if it can be shown that it won't damage the public schools. But I think voucher like stuff is best handled by the states. They are the ones that should decide how to handle these programs. O.k., it is possible that the feds need chip in some money, but different locations have different needs.

I doubt that this or the renewed interest in a marriage amendment has anything to do with the real problems encountered. They are just trying to fire up their "conservative" (religious conservative) base. I hope it fires up the rest of us to vote against 'em.

Bush's first veto

It's just the Stem Cell bill, nothing earth shattering. I think scientists will do experiments regardless of what the government pays for. Probably countries like Korea, Japan or China will be the ones that make the great advances in this field. Then again, maybe it will amount to nothing. We'll never know unless we try.

Senator Frist supports the bill. And he is a physician. He is also one of those "pro life" people. At least he is smart enough to know the difference between some cells grown in a lab and a fetus in a mother's womb. No one I've heard is talking about performing any kind of abortion to harvest cells.

I 'spose Bushie is just trying to pay his political debts to the Christian Right. I'm looking forward to the public loosing interest in them!!! It's not necessary to be a conservative to be a Christian! As for Mr. Bush, well he has more important things to deal with than this!~

"They need to stop this shit!"

Those are the words of Bush when he thought he was off camera. I agree! He was talking about Syria and Hezbollah, I think. Throw in Iran, as well.

Governments and people around the world need to do a lot of things! As the leader of the "free world", the U.S. has a responsibility to help guide the world in the right direction. Does it look like we are doing this? I don't think so!

Sunday, July 16, 2006

The OVEN outside...

I type this in RED, because it is HOT out there... Nice and cool in here! 90 is fine, but 100 is too HOT! It's like 107 in Lewellen, Nebraska!

Thursday, July 13, 2006

All Hell breaks out!!!

I won't dwell on the Middle East today. It doesn't look too good! I've been deliberately changing the channel. A short while ago, things were looking up in Lebanon, with Syria pulling out. Yet I guess the Hezbollah guerrillas are still active. I just feel sorry for the innocent Lebanese caught in the middle. That would have been a Mediterranean country I would have liked to visit in calmer times...

Coors arrested for DUI

I'm NOT going to slam the guy or make a sarcastic joke about it. Despite being conservative republicans, they are a pretty decent family. Coors has made great strides in programs for it's GLBT employees and even offered some kind of domestic partner benefits for their employees. I wish I could work for Coors!

Now, as far as voting for Pete Coors in the last election, well NO, I did not as indicated in many previous posts. I've spoken about the unbalanced congress and that is the primary reason I voted for Ken Salazar. But I can separate the man's politics from his personal life.

Pete should probably be forced to do some public service announcements against drunk driving. But I'm not going to sit here and slam him, as I have driven drunk before. Many times! I don't drink that much or go to bars anymore, and I hope to NEVER drive drunk or impaired again. It's been years, actually since I've drank and driven. I still can't condom the man, however. We all make stupid mistakes!

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

White House: Detainees entitled to Geneva Convention protections...

This is what they should have done all along! I never liked the "Enemy Combatant" label. Even though, yes, they are not necessarily from a country that recognizes the Geneva Convention, we should still treat them well. Remember the Golden Rule: "Treat others as you would have them treat you!" And, yes, there have been some cases where Western hostages actually have been treated o.k. and then released. Most have not, of course, but this is just the kind of animal we are dealing with. Why do we have to stoop to their level???

Monday, July 10, 2006

A flurry of activity...

The Colorado State Legislature has been busy! It looks like the Democrats and Republicans will hash out some sort of compromize on illegal immigration. I'm still not satisfied with most of it! There is little done to really verify one's status.

It is an argument bound to be politicized, for sure! I'm sure if the Republicans got their way and it went on the fall ballot, it would pass. Overwhelmingly! That is, assuming the illegal aliens don't start walking into polling places, having falsely registered as U.S. citizens! I think it is a safe bet they won't!

On another note, I'm glad 12 year old girls won't be able to get married!

Sunday, July 09, 2006

The end of cowboy diplomacy...

I wish it was the END of his term... I wish the cowboy was gone! I suppose he still has work to do: getting the REST of the world to hate us...

Owens rips Dems on Immigration....

This is one issue where I could side with the Gov. Don't even mess with it if you can not VERIFY with certanty that someone is here legally! Affidavit's are no good! And those people who are getting driver's licenses need to prove their legality as well!

As far as it being a legislative bill or a voter referendum, I don't care. It needs to be effective! Get the job done!

4 GIs charged in Iraq rape-slaying case....

This stuff makes me sick! The people who commited these acts have committed treason! Sure, they should get to the bottom of it and verify if the charges have merrit. But if it is true, it only harms our cause!

Let us get a disclaimer out of the way: The acts of a few do not speak for the majority of fine servicepeople! These few have let the majority down. It only makes life tougher for everyone else.

One can only hope that people in Iraq can also see the good deeds being done, and are fair-minded enough to keep this in perspective...

Monday, July 03, 2006

The ONLY four countries left...

China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and, yes, the United States are the only countries who still permit the death penalty. My cousin bragged about all those who were put to death in Texas a couple of years ago. Seven hundred some odd people.

Some people have committed crimes SO awful that I believe we should still do it. But that certainly does not apply to Iran. I think they put people to death for being gay (if they are caught in the act) in Iran. I don't believe that the death penalty is any kind of a deterrent in this country. Justice, maybe, but nothing more. People are out of their minds when they do these crimes and they are NOT thinking about the consequences for them.

For some of these child rapist/murderers/predators who do the really heinous acts, I can see of NO other punishment that fits. But it would be better to identify repeat offenders and keep them under surveillance so the crimes could be prevented.

I get a kick out of all these right wing Christians who are so gung ho on the death penalty. I can't really see any way around "THOU SHALL NOT KILL" in the Bible. Then again, as long as I don't have to do it....

Smoking Ban expected to cut tax revinues...

Well, GO FIGURE! I don't care! The only problem is my friend, Steve, who is a chain smoker... The only place he can smoke now is his car. He ALWAYS drives!!!! It would be a big fight for me to get to drive. When it's ten below zero, those windows will be open! Even at that, I start coughing! Gawd, I HATE cigarettes. He'd better think about how much I adore him to put up with that!

I'm sure Jerry would still be alive if he quit smoking.

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Calderon vs. Orbrador...

Ooooh boy! Here we go...Voters in deeply divided Mexico go to the polls! Will pro-Fox ally Felipe Calderone hold on to power or will Leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Orbrador champion the poor to win. With all these people pouring across the border, one has to wonder if the pro- NAFTA, pro capitalist policies are working... Latin America is slipping towards Socialism!

I can't speak for Mexico and it's corrupt government, but perhaps we should look inward to our policies with them. Have American corporations who have set up shop in Mexico acted responsibly??? Is NAFTA really helping or is it hurting??? Strict Socialism stifles the empowerment and creativity of the individual, for sure! But unbridled Capitalism leads to exploitation and greed. There is a happy medium between the two!

I give the inept Bush administration a D- in dealing with Mexico. This is all from a fancy pantsy ex- Governor from a border state that speaks a few words of Spanish... Big deal!