I am not a parent so I can't grasp what these parents and the community of Newtown, Connecticut are going through. As a human being I am just sad and my heart aches for the pain that has been caused. Twenty-six dead. Twenty of them first graders, children who had not lived long enough to deserve anything but our patience and love. All wiped out because Adam Lanza took several assault weapons from his mom, killed her, and then preceded to walk to Sandy Hook Elementary and began his assault on innocence. We probably will never really know why. I have no words for what happened. I wish I did.
What I do have is anger. This just happens to often and in almost every case it seems to involve weapons of war. Not defense, not even hunting but weapons specifically designed for soldiers at war and thanks to the efforts of the NRA and the Republicans, have someone become classified as needed for home use. Weapons of war do not belong in any home. I know, Fox News and the Republicans will say "Now is not the time." Which is bullshit. They have no problem throwing random darts at the board and blaming movies, TV, video games and anything else they can make up on the fly. We have no idea what interests Lanza had to even hazard a guess on his motivations. If they have time to spew their theories, if many of them can hop on Fox News and decide the solution is to turn teachers into armed guards, then now is most definitely the time to talk about getting these weapons of war out of the hands of civilians and only in the hands of those trained to use them only at times specified by our nation's interest.
Showing posts with label Barack Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barack Obama. Show all posts
Monday, December 17, 2012
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
Linkfest - America Votes
Lego Legend of Zelda Hylian Shield
Hit the link for 7 images of this beautiful and detailed shield built by Remi. Makes you wish that Lego would get the license and release a version of their own. (via Brothers Brick)
Obama Re-Elected
Tuesday Barack Obama was re-elected as President of the United States. He won by a comfortable margin taking 5 out of 6 battleground states (Florida too close to call). He also won the popular vote by a fairly typical margin of around 51% to 49%. Basically it was a repeat of 2008. Despite what the pundits may say, really the DC status quo has been maintained. As a result the gridlock and difficulty in getting anything done will continue. The GOP retained the House and the Democrats still have the Senate by about the same margin so sadly the filibuster will continue to be used to death requiring 60 votes to get anything done.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Linkfest - Romney Gaffes Again
Romney: 47% of Country are Lazy FreeloadersIn a video (link above) authenticated by Mother Jones, Mitt Romney said "...there are 47 percent who are with [Obama], who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. ...my job is not to worry about those people." In short, Romney said anyone who votes for Obama is a lazy freeloading victim. Last I checked, I have not freeloaded, worked full time since I was 16 and fortunately have not been a victim of anything except my own stupidity. The amazing thing is Romney held a rushed press conference where he stood by his comments brushing them off as "not elegantly stated" begging the question of the what elegant version sounds like. Amazing that for a man that can flip flop on any issue depending on what direction the wind is blowing takes stance of refusing to back down no matter what once embarrassed by a mistake. George W Bush behaved that way too often damaging results.
While that was one of the worse, those were not all of the ill-conceived, rich people matter most, comments from the governor. His belief that only the rich don't pay taxes isn't really true, turns out a whole lot of American's across the entire tax bracket spectrum have successfully gamed the system to pay no income tax (emphasis on income as that doesn't include all kinds of other taxes that pretty much everyone pays daily). He going to close their loopholes? Probably not. His disdain for anyone that isn't rich should not be surprising when he admitted in an interview that "middle income is $200,000 to $250,000 and less." The Census Bureau pegs the real median household income at $50,000. Remember his definition when he says he will cut taxes for the middle class because he really means the rich version of middle class and 99% of us are not in the category.
Thursday, September 08, 2011
Links of the Week - Politics
GOP Explained by an Ex-GOPer
Hit the link for an effective explanation of just how far gone the Republican Party is now. Despite their frequent claimed love of Ronald Reagan, not even he could get a vote in today's GOP. For example he committed the horror of raising taxes 11 times. This change of party first, business second, America last and what is motivating it was brilliantly broke down by Mike Lofgren, who was a Republican Congressional staffer for 16 years. He pretty much hits the nail on the head on not only how corrupt the GOP has become but why the weak Democrats are ineffective at countering them.
25 CEOs Who Made More Than Companies Paid in Taxes
One of the great cons (of many) that the GOP has pulled over the last year is successfully lying that taxes influence business more than any other factor. That because of taxes, business choose not invest in themselves, to grow, to try to perform better. The logic makes no sense but people follow it anyway. Even though 11 years of tax cuts have proven it doesn't work. It’s not even hypothetical anyone. Eleven years of tax cuts sold to create jobs and all that has occurred is 2 recessions, minimal job growth, smaller middle class, and the rich being richer for doing nothing. Yet the idiots still believe. Between the tax cuts and loops holes it has now reached the point where most CEOs now make more money than their companies pay in taxes (most pay $0). It is now past pathetic. Yet if anyone is experts at being pathetic, it is teabaggers and their ilk. Anyway hit the link for details.
Hit the link for an effective explanation of just how far gone the Republican Party is now. Despite their frequent claimed love of Ronald Reagan, not even he could get a vote in today's GOP. For example he committed the horror of raising taxes 11 times. This change of party first, business second, America last and what is motivating it was brilliantly broke down by Mike Lofgren, who was a Republican Congressional staffer for 16 years. He pretty much hits the nail on the head on not only how corrupt the GOP has become but why the weak Democrats are ineffective at countering them.
25 CEOs Who Made More Than Companies Paid in Taxes
One of the great cons (of many) that the GOP has pulled over the last year is successfully lying that taxes influence business more than any other factor. That because of taxes, business choose not invest in themselves, to grow, to try to perform better. The logic makes no sense but people follow it anyway. Even though 11 years of tax cuts have proven it doesn't work. It’s not even hypothetical anyone. Eleven years of tax cuts sold to create jobs and all that has occurred is 2 recessions, minimal job growth, smaller middle class, and the rich being richer for doing nothing. Yet the idiots still believe. Between the tax cuts and loops holes it has now reached the point where most CEOs now make more money than their companies pay in taxes (most pay $0). It is now past pathetic. Yet if anyone is experts at being pathetic, it is teabaggers and their ilk. Anyway hit the link for details.
Monday, May 02, 2011
Links of the Day - Dead Osama Edition
Osama bin Laden Dead
After nearly 10 years, the architect of 9/11 is finally dead. The Al Qaeda leader was killed by US soldiers after his hiding place, a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, was discovered. The body was confirmed to be his via DNA results. The body itself was dumped at sea as no country wanted to "host" the body since it would likely grab unwanted attention. President Obama gave a speech at 11:35PM EST confirming the kill. Approximately 5 seconds later the GOP began work on trying to spin the event as a success for Bush Jr. and how Obama was riding on his coattails. Spontaneous celebrations began in front of White House and ground zero and reportedly elsewhere as people celebrated his death. Europe's leadership was pleased with his death and quick to remind everyone that the terrorist threats will continue. Sadly that is all too true for as many terrorists that might have had their will broken by this death, probably just as many have a new martyr to rally around.
After nearly 10 years, the architect of 9/11 is finally dead. The Al Qaeda leader was killed by US soldiers after his hiding place, a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, was discovered. The body was confirmed to be his via DNA results. The body itself was dumped at sea as no country wanted to "host" the body since it would likely grab unwanted attention. President Obama gave a speech at 11:35PM EST confirming the kill. Approximately 5 seconds later the GOP began work on trying to spin the event as a success for Bush Jr. and how Obama was riding on his coattails. Spontaneous celebrations began in front of White House and ground zero and reportedly elsewhere as people celebrated his death. Europe's leadership was pleased with his death and quick to remind everyone that the terrorist threats will continue. Sadly that is all too true for as many terrorists that might have had their will broken by this death, probably just as many have a new martyr to rally around.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Links of the Week
Obama's Speech on Libya
Today President Obama gave a speech on the US's involvement in the quest for freedom in Libya (transcript at link). I still have not wrapped my head around on what I think of our participation in trying to eliminate Gaddafi who is yet another of Ronald Reagan era puppets that have come to bite us on the rear along with Hussein, Osama, and pretty much every other conflict from the last 30 years. When was the last time Republicans made a major nationwide impacting decision that didn't turn out to be wrong in hindsight? Yeah I can't remember one either. The idea of the US truly fighting for freedom is a nice change of pace considering in most cases we have either been trying to force freedom on others or simply preserving the oil flow. On the other hand, we are still fighting two other Republican created wars that seem to have no real end in sight and even if Obama has an exit plan (another nice change of pace), a third front just seems to be two too many. We are committed, I hope it works but the line should stop at us providing soldiers on the ground or helping in the rebuilding effort. At this point if the "rebels" cannot take the country by convincing the military to join them, it becomes a moot point as the US simply cannot afford to take on a unified Libya. Sure we could beat them, very easily but as we already learned with Iraq and Afghanistan, defining when victory has actually occurred is a murky line that we can't seem to identify.
Most Corporations Don't Pay Taxes
Right now Republicans are continuing the argument that if we do everything we can to make rich people and corporations happy, they just might be kind enough to create jobs for the rest of us. This belief extends to profits where 2/3 of US corporations doesn’t pay taxes and in fact often get paid by tax papers for simply existing. An example, from the Daily Show, is GE which made $14.2 billion in profits and was paid $3.2 billion in tax benefits. Yet we should give up more. Sure we have been making them happy for more than 30 years with constant drops in taxes, eliminating regulations, and so much more. Rich Republicans are demanding we ignore that the average American's income has remained stagnant for 30 years while the rich has grown over 500%. Ignore that corporations are showing the largest jump in profits since 1950 and most are not only showing record profits but have a lot of cash banked. Instead they say everyone that isn't part of the top 2% should give up more. Education, labor rights, more taxes, anything and everything that can be given should be given to corporations. Heck we are even giving up our jobs so they can be done overseas but according to Republicans we are just not doing enough. Sure corporations are doing outstanding by cutting jobs and letting Republicans feed the meme but this year will be different! We just have to give up more! And come this time next year what will the Republicans be saying when the job market is about the same for the third year in a row? Yep, we have not given up enough. Just like they have been saying for the last 30 years. When will people get it, the Republican Party has only one agenda - make the rich richer, to hell with the rest.
Today President Obama gave a speech on the US's involvement in the quest for freedom in Libya (transcript at link). I still have not wrapped my head around on what I think of our participation in trying to eliminate Gaddafi who is yet another of Ronald Reagan era puppets that have come to bite us on the rear along with Hussein, Osama, and pretty much every other conflict from the last 30 years. When was the last time Republicans made a major nationwide impacting decision that didn't turn out to be wrong in hindsight? Yeah I can't remember one either. The idea of the US truly fighting for freedom is a nice change of pace considering in most cases we have either been trying to force freedom on others or simply preserving the oil flow. On the other hand, we are still fighting two other Republican created wars that seem to have no real end in sight and even if Obama has an exit plan (another nice change of pace), a third front just seems to be two too many. We are committed, I hope it works but the line should stop at us providing soldiers on the ground or helping in the rebuilding effort. At this point if the "rebels" cannot take the country by convincing the military to join them, it becomes a moot point as the US simply cannot afford to take on a unified Libya. Sure we could beat them, very easily but as we already learned with Iraq and Afghanistan, defining when victory has actually occurred is a murky line that we can't seem to identify.
Most Corporations Don't Pay Taxes
Right now Republicans are continuing the argument that if we do everything we can to make rich people and corporations happy, they just might be kind enough to create jobs for the rest of us. This belief extends to profits where 2/3 of US corporations doesn’t pay taxes and in fact often get paid by tax papers for simply existing. An example, from the Daily Show, is GE which made $14.2 billion in profits and was paid $3.2 billion in tax benefits. Yet we should give up more. Sure we have been making them happy for more than 30 years with constant drops in taxes, eliminating regulations, and so much more. Rich Republicans are demanding we ignore that the average American's income has remained stagnant for 30 years while the rich has grown over 500%. Ignore that corporations are showing the largest jump in profits since 1950 and most are not only showing record profits but have a lot of cash banked. Instead they say everyone that isn't part of the top 2% should give up more. Education, labor rights, more taxes, anything and everything that can be given should be given to corporations. Heck we are even giving up our jobs so they can be done overseas but according to Republicans we are just not doing enough. Sure corporations are doing outstanding by cutting jobs and letting Republicans feed the meme but this year will be different! We just have to give up more! And come this time next year what will the Republicans be saying when the job market is about the same for the third year in a row? Yep, we have not given up enough. Just like they have been saying for the last 30 years. When will people get it, the Republican Party has only one agenda - make the rich richer, to hell with the rest.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Links of the Day
Obama Signs Guantanamo Bay Closing and Torture Ban Orders - On his second day in office, Obama carried out a campaign promise to close the detention center within a year so sadly it will not be immediate. It’s sad that executive orders are needed for such common sense policies.
Judge: No 1:1 Relation in Pirating - For years now, the RIAA fundamental rule when decrying lost sales and problems with pirating is to assume a one to one relationship. There numbers, there legal briefings, quite literally everything is based on the assumption that a pirated copy equals one lost sale. This of course makes absolutely no sense logically speaking and finally a federal judge realized this in USA vs. Dove decision. This doesn't immediately effect current cases but could effect the RIAA's attempt at restitution and maybe (but doubtfully) help educate reporters who breathlessly repeat RIAA sponsored studies to "prove" what the poor innocent victims they are, rather then having an effect business model.
Inauguration Day Satellite Images - Click the link, with Zoom features to see a satellite view of Washington, DC area during Inauguration Day. Thanks to the crowd, it’s pretty spectacular to see.
Palin Whines Some More - Once again, the quest for special treatment while pretending she isn't asking for it, Sarah Palin complains that the press is being mean to her kids. The source this time is news that her daughter and husband to be dropped out of high school. Palin's reply is a) its none of our business and b) they are in correspondence school. For a) Palin has not problem trotting her family in front of the cameras and bring them to interviews when it appears to help her. If you don't want the scrutiny don't put them in front of the cameras to begin with. Also, her family views, no abortion, no sex before marriage, abstinence only education makes her daughter situation relevant considering her child is an excellent example of why those beliefs are naive at best. As for b) it is pretty clear those kids dropped out and are getting GEDs, another sign that Palin's politics are not based in reality.
Alba vs. O'Reilly - The lovely Jessica Alba handled O'Reilly attack team with grace with she just laid it out like it is. That Bill O'Reilly is an a-hole.
81st Oscar Nominations -The nominations are out; Benjamin Button got most and will win most. Heath Ledger is a lock for post mortem Oscar in the Supporting Actor Nomination. Wall-E will win best animated movie. I am sure there will be a single surprise over a see of predictability but frankly I just don't care.
Judge: No 1:1 Relation in Pirating - For years now, the RIAA fundamental rule when decrying lost sales and problems with pirating is to assume a one to one relationship. There numbers, there legal briefings, quite literally everything is based on the assumption that a pirated copy equals one lost sale. This of course makes absolutely no sense logically speaking and finally a federal judge realized this in USA vs. Dove decision. This doesn't immediately effect current cases but could effect the RIAA's attempt at restitution and maybe (but doubtfully) help educate reporters who breathlessly repeat RIAA sponsored studies to "prove" what the poor innocent victims they are, rather then having an effect business model.
Inauguration Day Satellite Images - Click the link, with Zoom features to see a satellite view of Washington, DC area during Inauguration Day. Thanks to the crowd, it’s pretty spectacular to see.Palin Whines Some More - Once again, the quest for special treatment while pretending she isn't asking for it, Sarah Palin complains that the press is being mean to her kids. The source this time is news that her daughter and husband to be dropped out of high school. Palin's reply is a) its none of our business and b) they are in correspondence school. For a) Palin has not problem trotting her family in front of the cameras and bring them to interviews when it appears to help her. If you don't want the scrutiny don't put them in front of the cameras to begin with. Also, her family views, no abortion, no sex before marriage, abstinence only education makes her daughter situation relevant considering her child is an excellent example of why those beliefs are naive at best. As for b) it is pretty clear those kids dropped out and are getting GEDs, another sign that Palin's politics are not based in reality.
Alba vs. O'Reilly - The lovely Jessica Alba handled O'Reilly attack team with grace with she just laid it out like it is. That Bill O'Reilly is an a-hole.
81st Oscar Nominations -The nominations are out; Benjamin Button got most and will win most. Heath Ledger is a lock for post mortem Oscar in the Supporting Actor Nomination. Wall-E will win best animated movie. I am sure there will be a single surprise over a see of predictability but frankly I just don't care.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inauguration Day for President Barack Obama
It is finally over. President Bush's administration is no more, off to right his memoirs and explain why his ability to avoid introspection and have doubt is why he is a great leader.
As a final goodbye, here is Keith Olbermann summarizing the disastrous Bush legacy in eight minutes. A series of disasters not even the big business he spent eight years catering too.
Those are the problems that Bush helped create. Now the world seems to converge in Washington, DC to not watch the end of those horrible eight years but instead to celebrate another step made in the American Dream and to look to the future. President Barack Obama. He may not be able to fix our problems for a while, if ever, but he brings something to the table that we have not had for eight long years - hope. Fear was Bush and the Republicans’ favorite tool and hope is Obama's as his acceptance speech and the cheers illustrate.
As a final goodbye, here is Keith Olbermann summarizing the disastrous Bush legacy in eight minutes. A series of disasters not even the big business he spent eight years catering too.
Those are the problems that Bush helped create. Now the world seems to converge in Washington, DC to not watch the end of those horrible eight years but instead to celebrate another step made in the American Dream and to look to the future. President Barack Obama. He may not be able to fix our problems for a while, if ever, but he brings something to the table that we have not had for eight long years - hope. Fear was Bush and the Republicans’ favorite tool and hope is Obama's as his acceptance speech and the cheers illustrate.
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