Maureen Speaks For Me

Here's Mo on Bo.

Less Spocky and more Rocky covers it nicely.

Lighthouse Keeper.

'A Battle of Wills'

Here's Harold Myerson's Salon article comparing George Will, Traditional Conservative, to William Kristol, Neoconservative.

That's what I'm sayin'.

Myerson concludes that George Will is a quaint relic in Republican circles.

My view is that the Neocons will have their way in those circles so long as Republicans of all stripes are willing to do anything and say anything to bring Obama down.

Should Obama reverse course in Afghanistan, as George Will, urges, he would be vilified as a wimp on terrorism and national security.

The American people are not supportive of a long term effort in Afghanistan, according to most polls, but neither are they worked up about it in the face of loss of jobs, health care costs and all the domestic problems we face.

And as long as there is no draft only the families of volunteers are worried for their relatives in uniform. And as long as the Pentagon's hiring of soldier of fortune private firms to replace support troops in combat zones goes unchallenged, the American public is not likely to rise up against war in Afghanistan any time soon.

We seem to have been raising a private army to fight along side our volunteer armed forces. I wonder where they fall in the chain of command of which the president is Commander-in-Chief.

The Neocons like it the way it is. There are plenty of former soldiers, security guards and other aggressive kinds of people to fill the ranks of the private security firms. The pay is good and fighting bad guys with deadly weapons suits their lifestyle and world view.

The Cat's Meow of Cartoons

Enjoy. thanks to Kevin Drum at Mother Jones.com. As one of two staff members for two cats in our home I say this is a classic.

Lighthouse Keeper

Two Links to Blog Posts on Afghanistan

Here's a link to a private citizen's analysis of our folly in Afghanistan. He is a blogger friend of mine, at The Old New Englander.

And here's a link from a reputed Marine general on the same topic, as posted by Col. Pat Lang on his blog, Sic Semper Tyrannis.

Read 'em and weep. I wish we could reshuffle the cards and deal an all new hand.

Lighthouse Keeper

A Brief History of a House

Here is a moving story about Iraq as experienced by a house.

Lighthouse Keeper

Stages of Grieving

David Sirota articulates here what I've sadly come to acknowledge.

Elizabeth Kubler Ross gave us The Five Stages of Grieving. It is an incremental, slow, sometimes halting process. I haven't got to the final stage, Acceptance, yet, and am stuck somewhere between Stage 2, Anger and Stage 4, Depression. I've clearly passed Stage 1, Denial, and don't remember much about Stage 3, Bargaining, except I tried to be patient with Obama, though less patient with Congress.

I listened to my Obama loyalist friends who have been more patient than I, that he's only been president for(name the number of months of your choice) and that it takes a lot of time to turn the Queen Mary around in her berth. But the captain and his crew have not even loosened the dock lines. They are not trying to turn things around. We've still got Bush's secrecy, detention and rendition policies in place. Like W, Obama is rewriting laws with signing statements, to cite a few things that we were told would change.

I am one of those who has felt stabbed in the back by Obama and the Democrat Party. They are guilty of false advertising, bait and switch behavior, if not outright fraud and dishonesty.

Neocons are still able to get war funding passed, the Pentagon is still able to keep the president in line. The military/industrial complex still lives and controls The War Department.(The Defense Department is a euphemism). We are doubling down in Afghanistan to keep the unending, by definition, war on terror going.

As I wrote during the campaign, I hoped for, but didn't really expect that we'd see much if any change in DC, regardless of who won the White House and held majorities in both houses of Congress.

Still I hoped.

But it's pretty clear that just as many Democrat as Republican Senators and Representatives compromise their integrity with acceptance of huge campaign contributions from vested interests; defense, energy, health insurance, finance, auto, etc.. These are vested interests in the status quo located all around the country and around the globe.

Here's Ralph Lopez at Truthout on this point. He cites a 1976 Supreme Court decision which equated money with freedom of speech. He makes the pithy statement that it granted the right to buy your own Congressman, but not expressly mine too.

So the wars roll on, we're still in a Great Recession, unemployment is almost 10%( and that doesn't include people who could work, but have stopped looking for work), nothing substantive is getting done about climate change, the outlook for real improvement in health care is bleak, the financial tycoons are laughing all the way to the plush offices in their banks, the so-called financial regulators are themselves reined in by those they are supposed to regulate, nuclear proliferation seems inevitable, immigration reform isn't even talked about now; and that's just for starters.

It's business as usual in D.C. Follow the money. Them's what has, gets. The more things change, the more they stay the same. So what else is new?, hope for the best but prepare for the worst, and any and all other sayings and shibboleths that come to mind.

Do we just resign ourselves to total and complete cynicism and Depression, Stage 4 or do we find solace in the line from Desiderata, 'No doubt the Universe is unfolding as it should', Stage 5, Acceptance?

The Lighthouse is still on; a beacon to the adrift and illumination for the washed ashore.

Lighthouse Keeper

'The Status Quo Sanctification and Extension Act'

Here's David Brooks on having a magical hour to advise President Obama.

He seems to be ignoring the partisan/ bipartisan aspect of the fight, focusing more on the vested interests in the status quo. Though by implication the politicians in the pockets of the vested interests are included as adversaries of change.

Brooks is known as a Conservative columnist. Conservatives are generally uncomfortable with change unless it is truly incremental. In this column Brooks is recommending the fundamental, not the incremental. However the fundamental view of things is also a Conservative principle, as in getting back the fundamentals of blocking and tackling.

I would have preferred that he use the analogy of the forest and the trees, the big picture versus the fundamental, incremental components.

As a student of personality theory espoused by Carl Jung, I'm aware that only about a fourth of the human population is comfortable with the big picture approach. The other three fourths are uncomfortable with major change, which is what Obama, with audacity, hoped to accomplish.

Perhaps Obama has gone incremental in hopes of passing something, anything; like "The Status Quo Sanctification and Extension Act" as Brooks calls it.

Lighthouse Keeper

Public Fire Fighting, Policing, but not Public Health Care?

Here's Nicholas Kristof's straight forward and sensible talk on health care reform.

I doubt that any sensible American would want to go back to private companies hired as fire departments, or as police departments. Nicholas Kristof tells us why we made these needs public services.

The corruption and poor service that led to these becoming public services is rampant in the private companies which insure health care.

It's way past time for making health care a public service, paid for by tax dollars, just as fire fighters and police are paid by tax dollars. The government doesn't do the fire fighting and policing, it hires people who are good at doing those things.

Government does not do the health care provided by Medicare, it pays those who are good at it.

Perhaps we are a socialistic society to the extent that we make some services like fire fighting and policing public services. We should not be scared off of doing just that with health care by those private companies who know their profits would suffer, when they could no longer use corrupt and discriminatory practices to cause human suffering.

Follow the money.

Lighthouse Keeper

American Militarism

Please read this essay by a retired Lt. Colonel. It might surprise you and hopefully disturb you, the essay itself that is, not its author.

I also recommend that you book mark TomDispatch.com. Tom Engelhardt is a mature voice of reason.

Lighthouse Keeper

'Bush's Third Term'

Here's a piece which rings true to me.

Two years ago I wrote that I doubt we will see much if any change in policy regardless of who wins the White House. Sadly, I was correct.

Lighthouse Keeper

What Gives?

What gives? is the rhetorical question Charles Blow asks in his Saturday Times column.

There's no accounting for what people think. The stats that Blow shows us don't appear to add up, logically at least.

Check it out.

Lighthouse Keeper

Oh Go, Oh Go, Emmanuel

Not long ago I wondered here where the tough guy Emmanuel was, not seeing him as using his toughness to get health care reform passed.

Well, here is the answer to that question, sorry to say.

I had not been aware that the Blue Dogs are Emmanuel's people. I've been blaming Obama for not being tough enough on them, but if they're protected by the Chief of Staff I have to admit now to thinking that Obama is naive.

Or is there a method to his madness?

Lighthouse Keeper

Mental Health Break

Do yourself a favor by reading Nicholas Kristof's column in today's Sunday Times.

It is a perfectly delightful essay on a very important topic.

I also highly recommend Tom Friedman's piece in today's Times about Nature and Africa. It is enlightening and also about what's been lost in the age of technology. Read it here.

Lighthouse Keeper

Frank Rich Says It All

Here's Frank Rich's Sunday Times piece warning Obama that if he fails to beat back the right wing fringe it will be his own fault.

This week has seen a large number of progressive leaning journalists take on Obama for not living up to the campaign rhetoric, and not realizing that his pandering to right wing fringe nuts, and right wing pot boilers in Congress is making him appear to be a weak kneed appeaser.

Many of us who supported Obama for president have yet to see the president we voted for.

Lighthouse Keeper

Mark Shields Adds His Challenge to Obama

It's beginning to look like piling on. Finally progressive/liberal columnists are speaking truth to power.

Here is Mark Shields' contribution.

Obama must listen and learn.

Lighthouse Keeper

And Another; Charles Blow Chiding Obama

Here's Charles Blow's criticism of Obama on his health care reform stance.

I wasn't aware how many columnists agreed with me:-)

Lighthouse Keeper

Bob Herbert Also Speaks For Me

Here's Bob Herbert's column in today's Times, also taking Obama to task for neither leading nor listening.

It's all about the anxiety Mr. President.

Lighthouse Keeper

Open Thread; War and Warring, Tell Me What You Think

Much has been written lately about wars and warring.

The expanding number of adjectives used to attach labels to wars rivals even the actual number of wars at any given time and place.

We read that wars can be appraised as if they were no more important as a question of value than the objects on Antiques Road Show.

Labels of War extant in the Main Stream Media, include, but are not limited to, choice, preventive, defensive, necessity, to name just a few used to justify war.

Obama, for whom I voted, has recently applied the label "war of necessity", to justify our military and expanding presence and it's almost daily change in strategy and tactics in Afghanistan.

What's wrong with this picture?

Lighthouse Keeper

Gene Robinson Also Speaks For Me

Here's Eugene Robinson's appraisal of Obama in today's WaPo.

Like Paul Krugman he is spot on with his analysis. "A little more passion, please".

Lighthouse Keeper

Krugman Speaks For Me

Here's Paul Krugman spot on column in today's Times, upbraiding Obama for all the right reasons.

So far I haven't seen the president I voted for.

Lighthouse Keeper

Barney Frank's Treatment of an Idiot

MA Rep Barney Frank helped me today.

I've felt frustrated with not knowing how to respond to those who make statements and claims which, when subjected to a factual and historical account can only be categorized as ridiculous

Some make them because they are recruited to make them, some make them because they are frustrated with loss of jobs and the income of those jobs, and some make them out of ignorance and blind allegiance to those who manipulate them in their distress to lash out and shout down those who have been elected to represent them.

Barney Frank's response to a woman who likened health care reform to Nazi Germany's final solution is most instructive. Sarcasm was called for and he did it well in ridiculing the woman. "On what planet do you spend most of your time?" he asked.

Lighthouse Keeper

Snake Eyes

Here's a piece which exposes Senator Charles Grassely, R-IO for what he really is; a purely partisan political hack.

Note that he said that he would not vote for reform even if it had all the provisions he wants, though he insists that he's still trying to get a bipartisan bill. Why would anyone feel the need to continue courting him as a supporter of reform? He is clearly intent on defeating it for purely political purposes; to damage Obama and embarrass the Democrats.

The GOPhers are not negotiating, they are campaigning for 2010 and 2012.

John Kyl made it easy yesterday when he said Republicans wouldn't support a health care reform measure. That takes the Dems and Obama off the hook of trying to get a bipartisan bill done.

All they have to do when accused of freezing out Republicans, which will happen, is throw down the gauntlet by simply quoting these clearly obstructionist and partisan statements.

Lighthouse Keeper

The Afghan Neocon Agenda

Here's Pat Lang's welcome and needed view of what's really going on, and not going on, in the AFG/PAK war.

It's a continuing Neocon propaganda war. Unfortunately Obama has drunk their Kool Aid just like all presidents since Ike.

The genius of the Bush administration was its success in convincing gullible Americans that a Global War on Terrorism was justified. It essentially provides an ongoing blanket and standing cover for any military operation anywhere and any time.

The Neocon "scum" as Colonel Pat Lang labelled them on this blog, Sic Semper Tyrannis, understand that arms manufacturers are huge employers and huge campaign contributors to politicians, open to being bought to support all kinds of arms and armaments, even those the Pentagon says it doesn't need nor want.

Lighthouse Keeper

Daschle Down and Dirty

Here's a piece outing Tom Daschle as an obviously corrupt politician, now lobbyist.

It's dispiriting to realize that a politician you thought might be fairly clean is actually very dirty.

Something very Faustian about this.

Lighthouse Keeper

Off the Bipartisan Hook

Here's a piece which should relieve Obama and all Dems from any obligation to find a bipartisan solution to health care reform. John Kyl says there is no solution.

OK. Now Obama and Dems do what you were elected to do. Get this thing done. Blue Dog Dems get on board and remember how you got elected and by whom. If you have any integrity left at all, do this in spite of being bribed by those who don't want reform.

Lighthouse Keeper

A Cartoon Worth a Thousand Words

Here's Dan Wasserman's cartoon in today's Boston Globe.

It speaks for itself.

Lighthouse Keeper

Gene Robinson; Always On Target

Washington Post columnist Gene Robinson says that we elected Obama to be a great president, not an expedient one.

He also says that Obama should remind the Blue Dog Dems who is president and who is not.

These are just two of the many important points in this very direct column on health care reform.

Lighthouse Keeper

Republican Intelligence: An Oxymoron

Here are some sad statistics. The link takes you to HuffingtonPost.com, but please click on the Plum Line link to get the whole story.

What does this tell us about the level of intelligence of those who make up the GOPher base?

Add to this the public comments by people like Orin Hatch and Chuck Grassley, who are supposed to know better, and mix it in with the witches brew conjured up by the Limbaugh, Gingrich, Palin, Hannity, Beck cabal and you've got the most toxic of stews imaginable being served up as nourishment to the public.

As a small business executive I used to be a Republican when it meant holding responsible, truly conservative and non-interference- in- other- countries principals.

They're called Neoconservatives today, because the Neo, or New part they've foisted on America has shifted the polarity of the party 180 degrees.

They left me and millions of others who are deeply offended by their world view. I still hold the same principles, but now find myself more philosophically comfortable with Democrats. I vote as an Independent.

The Republican Party has become a very weird mix of highly intelligent liars and the mentally challenged who eat up that toxic stew, even though it's not in their financial, nor health interests to do so.

Polls like this one shine the Lighthouse Beacon on just how dark a view of America they, the liars and the gullible, have.

Lighthouse Keeper

Another James Carroll Gem

Carroll does it again. Read it here.

President Obama's Op-Ed on Health Care Reform

Here's the president's op-ed in today's Times.

All citizens should read it. Not all citizens read the Times. This posting is a small attempt to put it in front of a few more. If you blog, or discuss please post about it and/or tell your friends about it.

It's important.

Lighthouse Keeper

'Mad Men' II

Here's another treatment of the past fifty years. Also a good read, written by Timothy Egan in today's Times.

Lighthouse Keeper

'Mad Men'

Here's Frank Rich's column in today's Times. It's about the past fifty years in America, and it's a great and sobering read.

Lighthouse Keeper graduated college in 1959, and it's fascinating to hear it called, "the year everything changed".

It sure was.

Lighthouse Keeper

Will The Real Death Panelists Please Stand Up?

Here's an interesting and revealing piece by Joe Conason at Truthdig. He cites specifics, statistics and facts that thousands die each year due to insufficient or no health care, and/or benefits being denied them by their insurance companies.

Talk about irony! Talk about hypocrisy!

Obama should take this information to Town Hall Meetings.

Lighthouse Keeper

Return of the Militias: Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid

Update Below:


Here's a report which is truly frightening. Perhaps the most frightening part of it is the reality that elected politicians like Bachmann, DeMint and Perry are fanning the flames of racial hatred.

It's become all too obvious that Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin have as their agenda the bringing down of Barack Obama, perhaps for mostly political, ideological reasons. However, they stop at nothing in trying to accomplish that goal, including inciting racist militias.

These are the people who practice and promote racism, by calling those they hate racists, Nazis, Marxists, Socialists, etc.. These charged words are all transparent substitutes for the N-word which most of us don't want to write or speak.

They understand how to stir up the emotions of those who are incensed that a black man is occupying the White House.

Update: Here's another frightening example of hate speech which could get someone(s) killed.

Lighthouse Keeper

My Guy Shield

Here's a wonderful tribute to Eunice Kennedy Shriver, with a LOL preamble about presidential siblings.

Lighthouse Keeper

You Better Believe It!

Here's a piece which speaks for me about the level of stupidity we are again having our noses rubbed in.

How did they all find their way to Town Hall Meetings?

They must have been given connect- the- numbered- dots maps, courtesy of health insurance companies, big pharma and health care lobbyists.

Lighthouse Keeper

'Whose Religion Is This Anyway?'

I'm a big fan of Gershom Gorenberg, an Israeli Orthodox Jew, who writes against the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory.

Here's an insightful piece by him on the problem of confusing identities in his country.

Lighthouse Keeper

"Biking Out of Iraq"

Here's an unvarnished piece about the Neocon sponsored war in Iraq. It's a fine compilation of the distortions, lies and cover ups foisted on Americans and the world for the past six plus years, and which are likely to continue with no discernable end in sight.

The author is Tom Engelhardt, of TomDispatch.com.

His blog should be checked out regularly by anyone who's felt betrayed
by Bush/Cheney and the Neocon cabal and their cozy relationship with the Pentagon and the military/industrial complex.

Lighthouse Keeper

Helen Says It All

Here's the latest post from Margaret and Helen.

I've been ranting about the object of her ire for weeks, and she said it all in just one post.

Do yourself a favor and read this in full. It's a fabulous mental health break.

Lighthouse Keeper

Obama, Please Tell Us What The Wars in Pakistan and Afghanistan Are About.

William Pfaff asks the president to tell us what the wars are about.

Here's his Truthdig piece.

I don't know what Obama might say, but these wars, like all wars since 1945, have been and are about Neocons and their Pentagon friends making huge profits.

The military/industrial complex is real. I try not to use the word "conspiracy" because it leaves one open to ridicule for believing that there's an enemy behind every tree. But clearly these people have their own agenda, and it's war baby, war all the time and anywhere.

Mr. Pfaff astutely points out that the Taliban are no threat to us. It's also true that if Al Qaeda loses its safe haven in one country they infiltrate another; Somalia maybe?

Afghanistan has nothing the US needs, though there's a rumor that the mountains are full of copper ore.

Neocons always need a practice field on which to try out their newest killing machines, using disposable soldiers.

That's what the wars are about.

Lighthouse Keeper

Wanted: More Whistleblowers

Here's a piece on Truthout about a former insurance exec blowing the whistle on insurance companies for fomenting the town hall turmoil.

Recently a former health care exec outed his industry in a similar fashion.

Trouble is the mobs don't read Truthout. They mainline Fox News Venom.

Lighthouse Keeper

"Generating More Heat Than LIght"

I just got around to watching my TiVo recording of Brooks and Shields on last Friday's News Hour.

On the topic of the disruption of Health Care Reform Town Hall Meetings, Mark Shields earned honors for Best Insight of the Day when he observed that the disruptions are "generating more heat than light".

Those who are shouting down, and threatening politicians who are holding these August "recess" meetings as a way of sponsoring rational debate, so far are succeeding in changing the focus and coverage in the media to the disruptions and away from the important health care issues.

Those who are financing the travel and attendance at these forums, generally understood and known to be people who are fearful that their health care gravy train will be derailed if genuine reform is passed, are playing to the basest of human instincts of those who are most easily manipulated into saying outlandish and outrageous things via emotional outburst.

One has only to acknowledge and consider the actual and recorded rantings at these meetings by those who rely on the government managed and financed health care program called Medicare to keep them out of financial bankruptcy, that "the government should keep its hands off Medicare".

Charles Blow's column in last Saturday's Times captures the essence of this frightful phenomenon when he wrote, "Belligerence is the currency of the intellectually bankrupt". His column is worth a full read.

There is a sub culture which is easily inflamed when reminded that a black man is occupying the White House. Those who have the most to lose if health care reform happens are cynically playing to the basest of human instincts of that intellectually bankrupt sub culture, hoping to derail the democratic process of reasonable debate.


Lighthouse Keeper

Needed: Inconvenient Citizens

Here's a great wake-up piece on what coal and oil companies are doing to obstruct any and all who have the timidity to challenge their right to make huge profits by poisoning our planet.

The title of this post refers to a statement in the essay that it will take enough people who are willing to engage in civil disobedience to obstruct the extraction of coal, and burning of coal to become sufficiently "inconvenient" to get anything done by legislation.

The obvious example is the civil rights movement led by Dr. King. It took that very inconvenient civil disobedience to get action in Washington to end legal segregation.

In 18th century France the cry was "aux barricades!" Dr. King showed us that civil disobedience is the non violent way to "get-er-done".

Lighthouse Keeper

Snake In The Grassley

Here's today's worst hypocrite in the world.

Sen. Charles Grassley, thought of by Obama as a supportive Republican, told a crowd in his home state that the government could pull the plug on Grandma.

This is inexcusable behavior, even for a partisan snake like Grassley.

One can only hope that most of the public isn't buying this crap, and that
Senators and Congressmen will have the guts to bring Obama a decent
health care reform bill.

Lighthouse Keeper

Substituting for the N-Word

Here's another article exposing the racist element of the town hall meeting mobs.

This article "wonders" if calling Obama a Socialist might be a rather transparent substitute for the N-word.

The vitriol and venom spewing from these rabble rousers is too reminiscent of Southern White Segregationist hate speech to ignore.

Like Limbaugh's using the Nazi N-word as a substitute for the other N-word, it's despicable.

There is a sub culture, especially in the South, which simply can't deal with a black man occupying the White House. By the first amendment it's all legal, until one spark ignites a conflagration which leads to physical harm.

As Charles Blow wrote in last Saturday's Times, "Belligerence is the currency of the intellectually bankrupt". The most striking clue to the accuracy of that statement is the line being repeated by members of these mobs, 'Keep the guvmint's hands off my Medicare!'

The cynicism of the right wing nut jobs and mafia style lobbyists behind this obviously orchestrated country- wide movement is staggering.

Lighthouse Keeper

Gene Robinson Dragging Health Care Into The Lighthouse Beacon

This column by Gene Robinson in today's WaPo is likely to generate as much heat as light.

He acknowledges that health care reform needs to take into account expensive and often unnecessary, if not useless, tests and procedures, and that a substantial number of those tests and procedures are performed at or near the end of life.

Palin, Limbaugh, Gingrich et al are likely to jump all over this, by extracting from the column the words and phrases they can use to say, we told you so. They will no doubt ignore Robinson's point that conflating this argument with the argument for covering all citizens could doom health care reform again.

Lighthouse Keeper

Perpetual War

Here's an essay on the cost of perpetual war in Afghanistan. It's worth a full read.

Lighthouse Keeper

The Wit of Mark Shields

Here's this week's contribution to the discussion by Mark Shields. He's on my top ten list of journalists, and I'm not sure who the sixth to tenth are.

Lighthouse Keeper

Charles Blow Nails It

Here's Charles Blow's column in today's Times. He's on target with his observation that those who favor health care reform are standing on the sidelines, while those opposed are hollering, shouting down and disrupting meetings which are designed for rational debate.

But Blow makes a really powerful point with his truly elegant statement, "Belligerence is the currency of the intellectually bankrupt".

He goes on to add, "Trapped in their vacuum of ideas, too many Republicans continue to display an astounding ability to believe utter nonsense, even when faced with facts that contradict it," and the GOP "is not a party of Einsteins".

There is a sub culture which simply can't deal with a black man occupying the White House. Limbaugh went way over the top when he called Democrats Nazis, substituting one charged N word for the other charged N word.

These hooligans are of the same sub culture as those who claim that Obama was not born in the USA. It is racism, pure and simple.

Gail Collins, in her column in today's Times, makes the point that perhaps the public will reject the hooligans, and we should arrange many more town hall meetings, and give the list to Limbaugh. I hope she's correct.

Lighthouse Keeper

Krugman Gets It

Here's Paul Krugman's column in today's Times.

The telling message is that the mobs are reacting less to what
Obama is doing and saying than to what he is.

Some people just can't deal with a black man occupying the White House.
They are the sub culture dregs our of society, and are being manipulated
by health care interest groups to block health care reform which would
revoke their license to steal.

Lighthouse Keeper

"It's 1963 Again"

Here's Col. Patrick Lang's view of Afghanistan.

He is one of a very few who talk straight about that place.

It might have been Col. Lang who wrote recently that Afghanistan is Vietnam
for slow learners.

Lighthouse Keeper

Playing to the Dregs at the Bottom of the Barrel

Here's a cartoon that would be hysterical were it not so sadly true.

The GOPhers are playing to the bottom of the barrel public, with success. It's at that level that racism is still very real. Some people simply can't deal with a black man in the White House.

Check out the results of a Daily Kos poll which measures the responses to Obama's birthplace question by Party and by Region of the Country. Wait till you see the numbers for Republicans in the South. Scary shit.

"Deliverance", the movie, is a true slice of the South, if not a true story. I lived there for far too many years.

Lighthouse Keeper

A Tale of Two (Lost) Cities

This is a rather long piece, but it needs to be read.

It's about the unthinkable which has to be thought.

Lighthouse Keeper

Ike's Warning Unheeded

Here's an expose' of the military/industrial complex which Ike warned us about in 1961.

Like that warning this expose' will go unheeded as well.

Congress: what a crock, what a sham!! It's no wonder the public is so cynical about government and politicians. They have a license to steal.

Lighthouse Keeper

Afghanistan Truth

Here's an Afghan woman's truth. Hat tip to Old Dude for bringing it into the lighthouse beacon.

I'm very sorry to say that I have come to the conclusion that Obama is drinking the Neocon Kool Aid just like recent presidents.

There will have to be another war somewhere to take the place of Afghanistan/Pakistan before we get out of that one; and getting out is likely to be another delusion. It's about American imperialism. I refer you to the recent essay by Chalmers Johnson on TomDispatch.com.

Lighthouse Keeper

Healthcare Facts and Realities

Here's Paul Krugman's excellent straight talk about health care and the government.

In his column in the Times today he throws the lighthouse beacon on how government has been making the private insurance system work for a long time, by keeping the insurance companies reasonably honest.

Lighthouse Keeper

Essay on American Imperialism

Here's a sobering review of American imperialism as measured by hundreds of military bases in a large number of countries.

At what financial and moral cost?

Chalmers Johnson tells us here.

Lighthouse Keeper

Kevin Drum Shines The Lighthouse Beacon On The Shadows

Kevin Drum exposes the strange but understandable discrepancy between seniors' opinion of Medicare and those still too young to participate in it.

Medicare is the quintessential example of a government run health care option. It's terrific and it's a bargain compared to the premiums charged for private insurance.

What's going on in the shadows is a whole lot of lying and hollering by right wing politicians that Medicare is terrible and expensive. Those still too young to participate hear the lies so often they seem to believe it, based on surveys of both groups.

Kevin Drum of Mother Jones states the statistical facts.

Disclosure: I've had Medicate for seven years now, and all my experiences have been positive. I do carry a private supplemental policy. That premium and the Medicare premium together still compare very favorably with the cost of a private insurance plan.

Lighthouse Keeper

Mental Health Break

I'd come to understand and make peace with not living forever. But this story has the power to alter my views on death and dying:-)

Let's hear it for evolution. Wonder how the Creationists will deal with this.

Lighthouse Keeper

Sad and Maddening

This report is just plain sad and maddening for those of us who were elated with the Dem gains in the House and Senate last fall.

What good is a 60 vote majority when the party which claims to have the 60 votes forms a circular firing squad? When is Obama going to start cracking heads?

I got tapped out making contributions to Obama's campaign in hopes that he would be a real leader of his own party. So far, not so much.

Lighthouse Keeper

Best Congress Money Can Buy

Here's a report signalling the death of the public option for health care, a death financed by health insurance companies.

So much for democracy. It's death has been bought and paid for too. It's actual executioners though are those who claim to be public servants, our much corrupted bunch of Senators and Representatives, the best Congress money can buy.

Lighthouse Keeper

Hot Topic

Here's a sobering view of Obama's priorities. It seems that the Pentagon budget will continue to dwarf the budget for dealing with climate change .

This, in spite of the increasing evidence that climate change will result in great instabilities world wide, a truly universal security threat.

Recommended reading:

"Resource Wars", by Michael Klare, Henry Holt and Company, New York, 2001

Lighthouse Keeper

No Laughing Matter

This truly is frightening. Steve Benen of Washington Monthly exposes the truly sick propaganda coming from the right.

Lighthouse Keeper

No Laughing Matter

This truly is frightening. Steve Benen of Washington Monthly exposes the truly sick propaganda coming from the right, scaring people into thinking that health care reform would give the government say over how you wish to end your life.

I mean how low can they go? Apparently a lot lower than I would have thought, even a few weeks ago.

The GOPHERS have morphed into a political party which appeals to the most ignorant, and therefore most vulnerable of our citizens. That's their strategy to get back in power. It has nothing to do with what's good for the country. It's just a ruse to claw their way back into power.

If that actually works, god forbid, the strategy will change as necessary. There are no principles to be upheld, just lies to be told as needed.

Lighthouse Keeper

"Keep Your Government Hands Off My Medicare"

Now here's a piece which documents the ignorance of so many. Were it not so sad and frightening it would be hilarious.

Lighthouse Keeper

A Pundit Defends Her Opposition To National Health Care

Here's an essay by Megan McArdle, found at The Daily Dish, which grabbed my attention initially because the author entitled her piece, Why I'm Against---. That was an indication that the author was prepared to make a case based on considered judgment, using logic or values, and not simply because she has an ideological agenda.

I started to read it, and found that I wanted to save it, or savor it, but at the same time share it with readers of this blog, in hopes that you will read it and comment, while I'm not able to spend the necessary time to do so right now.

It didn't hurt that she began the defense of her position by displaying a good sense of humor. Lord knows we need more of that.

Lighthouse Keeper

Juan Cole on the 'Dangers' in Pakistan

The Middle East expert Juan Cole writes here about the long history of Western empire types exaggerating the danger of the Pakistani tribal threats to the security of the West.

Lighthouse Keeper is certain that this pattern of warnings comes from those in whose interest it is to make war somewhere, all the time.

Try to follow the money trail in the world view of the military/industrial complex.

Obama apparently has to be included in those who hold such a world view.

How terribly disappointing that is.

Lighthouse Keeper

Netanyahu and Christian Zionists

Here's MJ Rosenberg's instructive piece on what Netanyahu is trying to do when he cozies up to Pastor Hagee whose Christianist group supports a complete Jewish return to the Holy Land

That agenda includes support for expanding settlements on Palestinian land in the West Bank and expanded occupation of Palestinian land in general.

This far right wing Christian fringe believes that the Bible is literally true. The so-called End Times requires that all Jews in the Diaspora are back in the Holy Land, and then the Anti-Christ, the Second Coming of Jesus, and all things related to the Apocalypse, can and will happen.

It wouldn't be a good time to be a Jew.

They deserve each other, Netanyahu and Hagee that is.

Lighthouse Keeper

Removing All Doubt

Here's a piece which removes all doubt about the suspicion that cynical, law dodging, pork stuffing members of Congress are still having their way with our money.

Old Dude, you got it right.

Lighthouse Keeper

Gun Laws

Here's more evidence that politicians will support a very stupid and even dangerous bill if they think they'll be turned out by their constituents if they don't .

Note Harry Reid's vote, as a clear example.

This is a kind of follow up to my earlier post about the trouble with democracy.

Lighthouse Keeper

A Must Read For Our Times

Here's an essay which looks at our military/industrial complex, our self vision as a people, our acceptance to being governed, or ruled, by those who project, plan for and execute serial wars, and how these things have changed in only the last sixty years.

It's a view from 40,000 feet, a sorely needed perspective, which offers a chance to see the big picture which those who promote serial war work to obscure with their constant fear mongering.

This author doesn't just call out "Neocon scum", to quote Col. Patrick Lang on his blog, Sic Semper Tyrannis. President Obama and SecDef Robert Gates are also caught in the beam of the Lighthouse, as are most of our ruling and powerful politicians since WW II.

It should be a must read for our times.

It's heartening to know that such thinkers and writers like David Bromwich still exist, though each tends to be a Voice Crying in the Wilderness. I hope you will share this near and far.

Lighthouse Keeper

In The Pocket

Here's the Ann Telnaes animated cartoon depicting the health care industry power to block health care reform.

A new meaning for "deep pockets".

Lighthouse Keeper

Friedman on Afghanistan

Here's Tom Friedman's assessment of our Afghanistan newly adopted baby.

It's a realistic appraisal, which makes me even surer that we should not be allowed to adopt such babies.

Lighthouse Keeper

The Problem With Democracy

The Old Saw is that democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others which have been tried.

Cutting to the chase, it's likely that democracy's appeal is tied to the wishful thinking that we all define Nirvana in the same way, when in reality it's like herding cats.

Today's makeup in Congress is the classic example which proves the point. Democrats, as acknowledged as a "party", have voting control in both the House and the Senate. But they are quarreling among themselves, and, left to their own devices, they will shoot themselves in the foot, proving that they can't stand prosperity.

It's likely sad but true, as Old Dude commented on my recent post about Roger Cohen, that Dems have used stimulus money for pet projects, and it's not obvious that they resulted in the desperately needed increase in jobs.

That's democracy at work, a system which recognizes and permits, even encourages all kinds of people to ask for, demand and get what they want, the big picture be damned.

If you've ever attended a small town meeting where everyone has his or her say, you've seen a microcosm of a democracy at work.

This is at best frustrating.

However, the larger threat is from the big moneyed lobbies who own the Congress. Politicians like their jobs. (What a job! Good pay, best health care system ever devised, which they want to deny their constituents, a work place where bloviation and pontification is expected, etc.. ) Trouble is they have have to be elected and re-elected to get and keep those jobs. That's why they sell themselves to the lobbies, who in return for big campaign donations, expect unwavering support for the lobby's agenda.

It seems ownership is spread around. The financial lobby kills regulation against it's excesses, big pharma and big insurance get obfuscation against health care reform, the military/industrial complex gets support for its war making toys, the NRA gets support for it's arm the nation agenda.(Did you see that TN now allows patrons of bars to pack heat, loaded guns? Madness!!!)

Total democracy is chaos, as in small town meetings. Representative democracy is organized chaos, as in the system the founding fathers envisioned. Patronage democracy, that which we have now, where follow the money is the clue to what is and isn't done, is oligarchy, bordering on monopoly. This is what we got when we eschewed monarchy. George Bush almost got us back to that.

It's not about governing, it's about ruling.

Chose your poison.

Lighthouse Keeper

More Roger Cohen Wisdom

Here's Roger Cohen's latest Times column on Iran.

Because I find it sad but true, and because his message needs to be read by as many people as possible, I'm providing a link in the hope that even one or two people might find it here, who might not find it at the New York Times.


Lighthouse Keeper

Drum Roll Please

Here's Kevin Drum's excellent summary of how the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

Kevin, formerly blogging for Washington Monthly, is now doing his very good thing at Mother Jones. Check it out.

Lighthouse Keeper

James Carroll, The Bible and Climate Change

Here's a most unique argument for taking climate change seriously.

The columnist, author and theological critic, James Carroll, uses his knowledge of religion and the Bible to awaken us to the reality that an apocalyptic world view is inhibiting us from caring for our own home planet.

Lighthouse Keeper

The Alice In Wonderland Upside Down World of Fox News

Here's a Washington Monthly piece quoting Peter Orszag, the president's budget guy, talking to Chris Wallace.

Right off the bat it appears that Wallace opposes doctors making health care decisions.

Hello?

Isn't that why I consult a doc when I'm sick? Isn't that what doctors do, what they are for?

Unbelievable.

Lighthouse Keeper

Obama Digs In

Here's M.J. Rosenberg's Friday post at Israel Policy Forum.

We should be grateful that such people speak out this way.

Lighthouse Keeper

Obama Get Tough

Here's Mark Shields' column on the need for Obama to "splain" to the waffling Dems what loyalty means, and the consequences of being disloyal.

Republicans fall in line. Dems fall all over each other.

Lighthouse Keeper

Mental Health Break

If you don't read anything else today, please read this roast of Walter Cronkite by Art Buchwald, on the eve of Cronkite's retirement as CBS News anchor.

Lighthouse Keeper

Stumbling Over Self Made Obstacles

Thanks to Steve Benen of The Washington Monthly for focusing the Lighthouse on the intellectual inconsistency exhibited by Senator Tom Coburn, MD in challenging Judge Sotomayor.

Please read about it here, and be sure to read the comments left on Benen's post. It will give you an idea of why I rarely leave a comment. It has to do with company kept.

Lighthouse Keeper's personal observation: When one closes the mind's eye to further illumination, one flails around in the dark, and often stumbles into self made obstacles.

Remember that you read that here.

Lighthouse Keeper

Sotomayor's Dilemma According to Ellen Goodman

Here's a really pithy piece from Ellen Goodman on gender and race issues being addressed in the confirmation hearings.

It's a good read.

Lighthouse Keeper

Heeeeeeeeeer's Roger!

My favorite columnist, Roger Cohen, has a delightful piece in today's Times. Ordinarily his subject matter is mostly of a political nature.

In this piece his subject matter is of a natural nature.

Enjoy.

Lighthouse Keeper

'YOU WON!'

Steve Benen took the words right out of my mouth. His piece today in the Washington Monthly reminds the Dems that elections have consequences, and provides a great illustration to back it up.

He concludes by telling the Dems "You won".

I've almost been screaming that from Cape Cod to DC for weeks now. What's this bipartisan shit kemosabe? ( I have no idea how to spell what Tonto called the Lone Ranger, but here's my phonetic stab at it.)

Quite A Surprise From David Brooks

Here's a column which I really didn't expect to read.


Lighthouse Keeper

Even If It's Broke

Here's a piece which I wasn't surprised to read, though it took smart people to draw it to my attention and to yours.

Social Security Numbers, in our age of sophisticated computers and computer users, are not safe in the sense that they were deemed to be safe when the system was created, when the concept of a computer existed only in minds like Einstein's and at the Institute For Advanced Study at Princeton.

Like dangerous intersections it's likely that no action to prevent this highly predictable, waiting to happen accident, will be taken until many people are seriously hurt.

There's a kind of perverse logic to this, as Mr. Spock might say.

Those who study personality preferences are aware that three out of four people, though they complain about the way things are in their lives, are skeptical, even cynical, about sudden and major change. When three out of four people agree on anything, it's not surprising that they dismiss the differing view of the fourth person.

This preference, if not instinct, gives rise to sayings like, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water", and "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

The minority view which is summarily dismissed is likely to be taken more seriously by the majority only when necessity rears its ugly head. Then they congratulate themselves by spouting the old shibboleth about necessity being the mother of invention, as if they suddenly want to identify with those who have advocated change.

Predictable and even predicted accidents occur at dangerous intersections, which are re-engineered only after a tragic accident.

Protection against stealing identities through the cracking of the Social Security Number assignment system code will ultimately have to be addressed and dealt with.

Sadly it's not likely to even be addressed any time soon, though many of us have already received notices from our credit card banks that our accounts have been cancelled due to a breach in their own security systems, and that we have to jump through the hoops of their arcane IT language without any training.

Sometimes, and more often than not, it takes far too much time for the public to tell their elected officials to take action, long after those who took the trouble to investigate alerted us to the danger.

Lighthouse Keeper

A Most Unusual and Moving Journal Entry

Here's Roger Cohen's column in the Times, 7/6/09.

Mr. Cohen is an unusual man, strong of mind and empathic of spirit.

He has written numerous columns on and from Iran over the past several months.

Before the so-called election he was writing about the democratic spirit in its people. He was also writing about the decent life Iran's Jews were enjoying. He was anticipating good results from the election.

Since the theocracy stole the election and crushed the resistance Mr. Cohen has been disconsolate. This particular piece is a most unusual entry by a journalist in his journal and which he has shared with the rest of us.

Leanderthal

Tagged By Kat

http://thethirstymuse.blogspot.com/2008/02/tagged-by-kat.html#links

Click on this link to have some fun.

Sports and the Laws of Nature

Perhaps it's my imagination, but I'm beginning to see a pattern developing on the topic of Spygate, the NE Patriots' admission that they violated league rules about taping opponents.

Here are some examples:

Senator Arlan Spector might meet with the NFL commissioner soon; reports that players from other teams in the Pro Bowl were happy to see the Patriots lose; comments about Belichick's "boorish" behavior in running onto the field before time ran out, to get to the locker room and away from the media; he being called a poor sport.

In the uncivilized world of Nature it's called the law of the jungle. Split off and isolate a wounded prey and move in for the kill.

I seriously doubt that we would be seeing hints of this kind if the Patriots had won the Super Bowl.

I post this only as an observation, and without judgment.

Patriots and the World Series

Josh Marshall of TPM tells Mitt that the Patriots haven't won the World Series since Yastrzemski was quarterback.

Good Grief.

Name this Tune

Sometimes it's hard to encapsulate what one thinks and feels with just a few simple words, as in a Title. I've tried to find some words that jumped to mind when I decided to write what I think and feel about this particular thing. I've struggled to find a title for it other than thing, but without success.

And so I ask you, dear readers, to suggest a name for this post.

A few weeks ago Hillary appointed Sandy Berger to her team of campaign advisers. If I'm not mistaken Berger is a former member of President Clinton's cabinet, whose security clearance was suspended when it came to light that he played fast and loose with his access to secure information.

I wrote about it then expecting that Hillary would be pilloried for rewarding a crony. I said then that I took no pleasure in writing about this, worried that the Dems can still snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. I continue to be fearful that the GOP will somehow snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

To my astonishment more than my consternation her opponents gave her a free pass. On the surface it seemed to be a slam dunk for the GOPhers, or at least her Dem opponents.

Is it possible that a sense of decency, even forgiveness, surfaced and embraced Hillary's detractors?

Personally, Sandy Burger doesn't come across to me as a criminal or burglar, and I suspect that he made a stupid mistake; perhaps even deluding himself that he would be admired and rewarded for his assiduous pursuit of stuff he thought his patrons desired. Perhaps he believed that by having access to and using secure stuff he was just working harder, working at home, demonstrating his dedication and loyalty to those he thought, however naively, held in mind the best interests of the people, the country and the Constitution.

The name, Sandy Berger, has disappeared from the scene, at least to the extent that one might look for his name in the Main Stream Media or what I call the Fifth Estate, the Web Log Media.

I have no quarrel with Sandy Berger. I am neither his advocate nor detractor.

And I am not pointing my accusatory finger at either political party.

My quarrel is with the so-called Main Stream Media. The problem with that kind of quarrel is that it is about tilting with windmills, as Don Quixote demonstrated and so taught us.

I am no longer surprised by the MSM compliant, if not hinged heel, whoreish behavior.

I'm concerned about what forces are at work when information which most of us would call significant, disappears from both our view and hearing?

The Hillary/Burger thing is likely not all that significant. But the simple fact that it got suppressed so quickly and easily, without anyone complaining and drawing attention to what happened, scares the shit out of me.

Kilroy-60

I just saw that Kilroy-60 provided a link to my blog on his Carnival post at Gonzo-Fear and Loathing.

This is to thank him for that and also to tell all that he is a really neat guy. I tend to think well of folks who think well of me.

Lighthouse Keeper

Hillary and Berger

A week ago I thought Hillary would be pilloried for the addition to her team of Sandy Berger.
A tsunami that didn't develop.

Frankly I'm at least surprised. Neither party's candidates did anything with it. It had a brief life on Fox News, but then nothing.

In my earlier blog I wrote that it gave me no pleasure to write about it; and that anything the Dems do to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory is at least worriesome.

I must have missed something. If anyone reads this and knows what I don't I hope you will enlighten me.

Lighthouse Keeper

Hillary and the Company She Keeps

Hillary might have really blown it. The news that she's put Sandy Berger on her team will no doubt result in howls and hollers from the right. Frankly, I believe she deserves the opprobrium. Sandy Berger is known as one who made illegal use of documents, and has had his security clearance suspended. Clinton's judgement will be and should be suspect in putting him on her team.

Even if she now relieves him of any position and influence on her campaign, and makes a public statement to that effect, the damage is done.

I take no pleasure in my view on this. I prefer Obama, but anything the Dems do which can result in snatching defeat from the jaws of victory is at least disheartening.

Lighthouse Keeper

Helen Thomas Speaks for Me

Helen Thomas of Hearst Newspapers has a piece dated Oct 4 which can be found on Truthout.org

It's called The Democrats Who Enable Bush. She points to the three Dem front runners dodging a question about what they will do by the end of their first term to get us out of Iraq.

She sites Pelosi as knuckling under to political pressure by deleting from a funding bill language that would have required Bush to get approval from Congress for action against Iran.

She concludes by asking the question: "So where do the voters go who are sick of the Iraq debacle?"

I'm one of those voters.

Lighthouse Keeper

As Good As It Gets, For Now

How many nights does one go to bed having witnessed the Red Sox winning in the ninth, the second game of the ALDS, resulting in their leading that series 2-0; and also witnessing the Yankee's losing in extra innings in their ALDS, falling behind 0-2?



Lighthouse Keeper

"Conservative": From Admiration to Scorn; Adjective to Noun

David Brooks, New York Times columnist, has a piece in the Times today entitled The Republican Collapse.

He observes how the Republican party has moved from what he calls Republican by Temperament to Republican by Creed.

He writes about what he sees as the changes in the GOP which led to my own decision to change my voter registration from Republican to Independent.



The first definition of the word "conservative" in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is "preservative".

Enough said tonight. Stay tuned.

Lighthouse Keeper

For Shame!

Mikhail Gorbachev spoke to a group in Kentucky last night in which he said "The World is facing a global political crisis". He made his comments to the Global Issues Forum at the Kentucky Center for the Arts, arguing that today's leaders need to reach mutual understandings about issues rather than using force to impose their will on one another.

Here we have a former top dog of the Communist Party, head of the former USSR, who is a Nobel Peace Prize winner. It's at least embarrassing, if not horrifying, to admit that this man is to be admired, and our own President is thought by many, including this writer, to be a shameless war criminal.

What, Me Worry? Take it Easy!

My own take on what's going on in the campaign for president is that no one, not the candidates nor their supporters, should feel either good or bad, upbeat or downbeat at this point in the so-called race.

Consider who is excited and involved at this point. Is it the voting public? I doubt it. Not yet. So why is the media so full of campaign "news"?

As usual, if you don't understand something follow the money. Who is making money at this point in the "race". It's those who want us to get worked up about the "race" right now. The candidates themselves, to bring in contributions, and the Main Stream Media, the same folks who hyped the news to get us worked up about the "threat" from Iraq, and now want to get us worked up about the "threat" from Iran.

No, I'm not claiming a conspiracy unless you believe that competition for the almighty dollar is a conspiracy. The key word here is "competition". If there is anything in common among all the players in the Main Stream Media it is the market, the public, the audience, the consumers of news, the buyers of newspapers, magazines, and newsletters, and their counterparts who go to the Internet for their news.

The media wants to sell us their conveyances of news, whether it's newspapers, magazines, newsletters or websites. They know that controversy, shock, horror and fear grab the attention of the public. "Extra, extra; read all about it" was not about obits, weddings and recipes.

But Tim Russert, George Steph', Chris Mathews, Chris Wallace, Bob Shieffer, Hannity and Colmes, Bill O'Reilly, et al are doing what they can to hype the start and first turn of the race, the first few games of the baseball, football, basketball, etc. seasons because they have to, to make money for their employers. They like to point to polls which are supposed to indicate the public's preferences. But the real polls they pay attention to are the TV ratings of their programs, the size of their subscriber base and the number of "hits" on their websites.

This time around the campaign for president started shortly after the last one. Instead of having three plus years of government by and for the people, we have one year or less, and three years or more of campaigning for the next election. As a result we are denied the chance to evaluate those in power on their actual performance over several years, and instead we are inundated by their claims of competence, ideology, experience and negative statements and accusations against those of their own political party. Then they expect the public to forget all of that and rally around just one of them as the savior.

Is it any wonder that the public is dubious, if not cynical at this stage of the game, or more accurately, this stage of the season. Not everyone in Red Sox Nation is charged up from March to October. Most folks get involved, if and when they do, toward the end of the regular season, and into the playoffs. That's when they pay attention.

The Red Sox led the American League East Division by 12 games early on in the season, and 14 plus games over the hated Yankees. They ended up winning the division by two games, but it felt closer than that. One of the Dems seems to have an early and reportedly insurmountable lead in the Democrat division or league in the game of politics. May it will be a wire to wire win, but it's too early to tell.

The real "Deciders" aren't yet paying attention. It's a bit early to proclaim victory. We haven't even got to political mid season and the All Star Game yet.

Lighthouse Keeper