M.A.D about Petrolium

Mutual Assured Destruction. Now there an oldie but a goody. We now face a similiar scenerio with Iran. People are always quick to talk about Iran's oil card in it's standoff over it's nuclear program. But you don't hear much about the gasoline card. Iran has to import much of it gasoline. It's sometimes forced to us rationing, and it's population would not tolerate interuptions for very long. My first thought is how Iran can be so strategically stupid? leaving itself so vulnerable? Then I looked at this country and thought .... Never Mind.

Go For It

An opportunity has presented itself that is such a gift to all those that truly despise the Bush Administration, that it almost seems as though it is a gift from a divine being.
As the facts come out in the Scooter Libby trial, it becomes obvious that The Office of the Vice President was directly involved in the outing of a CIA operative. Dick Cheney's office, it would seeem, initiated the operation and instructed Libby to carry it out.
The Democrats need to start a full scale investigation into possible violations of the Law related to this incident. The reason this is such a gift is because it gives opponents of this administration an opportunity to remove Cheney first. Bush would have to nominate a replacement that according to the 25th Amendment would have to be approved by the Democratic Congress. Once that step is completed, they can go after Bush.
Now I should say, I wouldn't do this. It would just get too messy and there is only two years left. But if someone felt it was necessary. I'd say go for it

My Theory of the Universe: The Big Rupture [THC]

Keeping in mind that it not unusual for a theory to become fact long after the theorist is dead. I would like to offer my theory on the origins and characteristics of the Universe.The Universe is shaped like a puddle. It expands in directions of least resistance. To understand this resistance we go back to the beginning. The Universe was not created by a Big Bang it was created by a Big Rupture, a point where matter flowed into a space inhabited by Dark Matter. Black holes or even possibly the theoretical worm hole are points where different branches of the puddle come into contact. The strong gravitational pull of the black hole is created when a branch encounter unusual resistance and breaks through to another branch and a vortex of matter is created at the point where the one branch flows into the branch with lesser resistance. Some might ask why we can not detect any of the contours of the puddle? One answer might be... the universe is really freakin' big. Could this theory be true? You Never Know.

REMINDER: [THC] STANDS FOR [THE HUMAN CONDITION]. THE POSTS ARE ONES WHERE MY MIND IS DRIFTING AND THOUGHTS FLOW IN AND OUT OF MY ........ WOW! TASTY CAKES.

Stand Back

There comes a time in the transformation of a nation when there is nothing you can do but stand back and hope that good people will rise up to their moment in time and bring about a new nation with new hopes and new dreams and a new peace.
So The question becomes where do we stand back to? Do we stand back by reducing to a smaller embeded training force? If you do that you might as well call them sacrificial lambs. They will be incredibly vulnerable to targeting by any number of groups. Groups that every day show evidence of increasing sophistication.
The the first step back should be to get out of the metropoliton areas. To put solders in the crossfire of a civil war, especial in an urban setting, show a complete devaluation of the lives of your soldiers. You don't support the troops by making them sitting ducks.
We do need to remain nearby if for no other reason then humanitarian. We will need to be prepared to accept and offer assistance to all refugees from the urban area. We must also try to minimize outside influence, but, in the end this is the struggle for a new Iraqi identity being fought by Iraqis and maybe we all need to just stand back.

A Reasonable First Step: Social Security

I made a suggestion sometime ago about a reasonable first step for Medicare, by letting small businesses buy into medicare to create a inflow of cash and increase the size of the pool with younger healthier workers. Now I have a couple of reasonable first steps for a failing Social Security System. First remove the cap on taxable income. There is no reason that Ross Perot has to pay S.S. taxes on only the first $90k. and nothing on the rest. Second, If your over 65yo and your income is over $200k, you don't get S.S. Why does Warren Buffit get a S.S. check? Something has to be done to sure up the system and someone will have to sacrifice, it might as well be those that can afford it.

Making a Stink

John Kerry may not always say it well, but he's usually pretty right on when he speaks on a subject. The Republican's are about to start a stink because John Kerry and many prominent leaders, from the Middle East, sat down at the World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland to have a mature conversation about many of the realities facing Iraq and The Middle East. [WATCH] The "mature" might be the part the conservatives find so adverse. At this forum John Kerry said "When we walk away from global warming, Kyoto, when we are irresponsibly slow in moving toward AIDS in Africa, when we don't advance and live up to our own rhetoric and standards, we set a terrible message of duplicity and hypocrisy" No wait that's not the quote, it was going to be the one but they all figured the words "duplicity and "hipocrisy" where too big. What did he say? was it this? "We need to do a better job of protecting our interests, because after all, that's what diplomacy is about," he said. "But you have to do it in a context of the reality, not your lens but the reality of those other cultures and histories.". No it wasn't that one. By the end of that one most concervatives have a constant hissing in there head, like a radio between channels. Ok I got it now. "So we have a crisis of confidence in the Middle East — in the world, really. I've never seen our country as isolated, as much as a sort of international pariah for a number of reasons as it is today." "pariah" now there's a word that will give you some miles on the conservative talk circut. A good biblical word. But there's more he also talk about the "unfortunate habit" of Americans to see the world "exclusively through an American lens." What at first clance is kind of a "uh daa" moment. Everyone, every culture, every nation does that. But the conservative drum beat calls it a "SLAP!" in the face to Americans. But the point I started this post and gave it the title I did was because I don't know where this idea came from of not critizing America when your on foreign soil came from, but I'm sorry, I am an American. I will speak my mind anywhere.... I can afford to go. Right now that would be about Pittsburgh. Anyway, as the Election Cycle begins when you hear the conservative noise machine granking up about who said what, go and find the text of what they said and compare it to what your hearing about what they said. It will help clear the stink.

Put on your Luntz Cap

Frank Luntz, is a highly regarded conservative wordsmith. Famous for such lines as "Clear Skies" or "Healthy Forrest" used by Bush Administration. While watching him on TV promoting his new book. I thought, How interesting, a conservative hero is a man who has made a living coming up with names for things they are not. Which implies an acknowledgement and conscience effort to deceive. Conservative always pick the strangest people to elevate to hero status. Almost everyone of the big names has a cloud of questionable ethics or morals over their heads. Look who some of the common "News Analysts" on the Fox News Channel. Newt Gingrich, G. Gordon Liddy, Oliver North, Henry Kissenger and the oddest one of all Dick Morris. A former Democrat turned Republican who got caught having an affair with a prostitute. I guess it probably some type of defense machanism. In any movement comes a sense of being under attack. A fallen leader is seen as a victim, unfairly persecuted. In simpler terms Denial, a little more complexly Denial with pushback. It would be like having Cardinal Law on Bill O'Reilly to discuss sexual preditors in Vermont. LIBBY TRIAL UPDATE: Can you believe anything that comes out of Dick Cheney's mouth? (see poll)

An "Invisible Hand" for Education

This an Idea I've had for a very long time. First I should start by saying I have always been against vouchers in the Public Education System. My only real experience with private schools growing up was some friends who went to Catholic School. So I always saw it as the catholic parents trying to get their money back.If I try to go to much into detail, I'll lose track and leave something out in the details, or, something will come on TV and I'll forget what I was even talking about. So I'm going to put this as short and sweet as possible. As I said I've thought about this for a long time and can get more into some of the nuts and bolts if someone would like to start a conversation. First, This only applies to pre-school- 8th grade. These are the years of basic foundation learning, the 3 R's. All government activity in these grades will be disbanded and assets liquidated. The Federal government will create, administer, and retain public record regarding test scores by Educator. The funding lines will stay intact with those fund being directed to an Education Trust fund, although alternate funding methods may be devised. From this trust fund, every child will be given a vocher worth $10,000.00. Now we switch perspective alittle. I am a fourth grade teacher or anyone with a valid Teaching Cerificate, Living in a small town, a suburban development or maybe an inner city block. In my basment or some other appropiate space I can establish a classrom. It must meet certain health and safety basic, probably similar to a day care.In my neighborhood there is 6 or ,7 4th and 5th graders. I would get 60 or 70 thousand dollar to run my business. We could throw in extra like tax deductions and credits for supplies and technology.Now the Federal government. It's sole job is administer stadardized testing. Scores will be stored in a blind data base where parents can access past scores to evaluate the teacher before deciding to place their child. The plus for teachers in this method is that the best teachers will be able to demand more money to fill the precious slots. Conversely teacher who routinely have students perform poorly will have trouble finding students and will be forced out of business. An "invisible hand" in education. if you will. Well that's pretty much it in a very broad summary. I mean it definitly a idea that has legs. You can just keep going. Like a small group of teachers could rent out and empty classroom at the old school, which is now an office/retail complex with a very lovely park, just outside, with ball fields and pretty good parking too!

First ? on Bush Health Plan

This is my first thought on Bush Heathcare Tax Deductions. Where does a family making $15k a year, without heath insurance get the $15k to buy health insurance before they quailify for their $15k tax deduction ...... 15 months later? To be continued...

Fair Game

A quick note about Mary Cheney and the mild uproar about Wolf Blitzer's question to the V.P. Cheney about the news of her pregnancy. Mary Cheney is a political figure. She worked on her father's campagn. She finally came out against the Gay Marriage Amendment... after the elections. She's been on talk shows. Therefore she is fair game. Also the comparison being thrown around about the press' treatment of Chelsea Clinton is ridiculous. Mary presents herself as an activist, Chelsea never did.

ODD OIL

The President's State of the Union Speech had the usual laundry list of sweet sounding goals and generic dreams. One issue that's rise to the level of inclusion in the speech, up there with things like the Enviroment, fiscal responsibility and The War, was an issue I have to admit I found a little odd. Bush's call to double the Strategic Oil Reserve. Now one reason for doing this could be Bush is planning to attack Iran, but you couldn't do that fast enough to work as a buffer to oil market shock. So I suspect the move is an attempt to put in place a floor to falling oil prices to protect the Oil Companies.

Libby A La Carte

Rove serves up Libby? Let the games begin!

A Question of Judgement

“The positive news is we appear to be making progress,” Not only does Dick Cheney say things that make you question his judgement. He does thing that require our Judgement. READ

Alternate Legacy

George Bush will be under incredible pressure to work with the Democratic Congress. He can not just stand in the way of the Dems with a stubborn veto pen. In his own mind he must create an alternate legacy. In historical term, the path that George Bush lead this country down has brought us to a place that is darker then the Founding Fathers could ever have imagined. He will have to be willing to face the truth that his current inner circle has not served him well and that he must make serious changes. Now he will never remove Dick Cheney. Cheney is his buffer, most people fear Dick Cheney as President alot more then George Bush. The big change he will need to make is to abandon the Neo-con reflex of my way or no way. much like another Neo-con reflex of "I don't agree with you so I won't talk to you.... unless you see things my way." Bush must free himself from that instinct and be willing sit down and work with the Congress. If he's to have any hope of creating an alternate legacy.

A Second Look

Over the last 6yrs we've have witnessed a Conservative fine tuned, hate filled, distort and destroy attack mechine. Now you don't reach this kind of precision coordination overnight. So let's turn back the clock and look to see where this mechine got it's ball bearings.Simple put the Clintons. When Hillary spoke of a "vast right wing conspiracy" it may not have been "vast" but it was a conspiracy and it was effective. For more on this I suggest Blinded by The Right by David Brock. It's also more proof that a gay conservative is a liberal who hasn't come out yet. (just kidding to my conservative gay brother out there). Where was I? I got to go back and look. hold on.... ok the Mechine.After the Clinton Presidency, freed up from political constraints, We've had an opportunity to see a side of Bill Clinton more clearly. The side that truly cares about people and who wants to use his great intellect to help people. So maybe as this Me chine begins to rev up for the '08 election We all need to give Hillary Clinton a second Look. To listen to her words, to read her speeches. Not to let the Mechine's exhaust cloud our view.

END OIL NOW!

Ending our dependence on oil would be the answer to so many of our big problems in the World. Global Warming, The need for our involvement in Middle East Politics, are just a couple. So here is my idea for one area we can act to move this goal forward..First gas will have a $.10/ gallon tax added to it. the next year will be .20. the next year .30 and so on. This
graduated tax gives everyone fair warning that the prices of oil base products are going to go up and you better
begin to adapt. Most likely industries will change the fastest especially where their bottom lines are concerned.Finally to offset the impact on lower incomes from undue hardship. The bottom 10% tax bracket will get a
$1000 increase in their personal deduction the next tax bracket, 25% gets $1000 less 25%. The next, 28% get
$1000 less 28%... and I think you get the idea ( they'll include a chart, unfortunately it will come with 15 pages of instruction on how to read it). The last tax bracket, they get nothing. mainly because it's my
plan and I can do what I want.The federal budget effect of this plan is not really the point here. Taxes are often used to influence human behavior in directions that the society as a whole has deemed worthy. So I have not even attempted to calculate it impact, but for all you number crunchesr out there..... ready...... GO! There is no reason We can not do this. We are capable of such greatness as a society. We just need to be determined to make it happen.

Surge of Blood

The coming Bush Surge, I fear, is going to be a blood bath. The insurgents know that we are in the final stages of our frustration, Bush is not only isolated internationally but in his own country and one last horrific push will push us out. Imagine what it's like for George Bush a couple years ago, conservative where asking is George Bush the "greatest President"? I remember seeing that on the bottom of the screen of the Neil Cavoto show. To now when the question is, how does a man retire to his ranch knowing that his decisions where responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands innocent lives?

Running Scared in '08

I think what truely terrifies Conservative is the prospect of a Hillary-Obama ticket in '08. Or else they wouln't be making such an effort to stir hostility between the two campiagns. The suggestions that the Clinton campaign started the talk about the Obama/Muslim connection is one example. Stop for a minute and ask yourself... Who does making a stink that Obama was a muslim as a child sound like? A Consevative or a Liberal?

Weapons of War

Gun Control. "oh no the libs going to take away my gun!" I definitely don't think we should take people's guns away, because if you get right down to it we may need them someday. Because to be honest the American people have shown a tendency towards... we'll call it... "questionable leadership".I think guns should be handled much like cars. You can own a gun but it must be registered. The owner Licensed and Insured. Insured because accidents happen to often and the owner must be responsible for his gun.But one think I hope many people would agree is that the US should not be exporting weapons of War. We have every right to conceive and create any weapon we please, except nuclear, in the name of self defense. But We have No right to be fueling Civil Wars, supplying Dictators directly or "indirectly", supplying weapons that end up in the hands of criminals, gangs or terrorists. Or worst of all used against Our own troops.BTW, on the registry thing, there should be a Registration fee. But we could probably offer an amnesty from that fee in the beginning. Anyway back on subject. The weapons we send around the world kill innocent people and foster and feed global unrest.

Blowing the Libby into pieces

After 6 years of the Bush Administration, you start to develop a sense for how they operate. Withhold, Distort and fabricate is pretty much standard operating procedure in dealing with information and intelligence, for that matter the English language. Clear Skies, Healthy Forrest are policy area examples. Iraq war is the Most profound, with the twisting and spinning of intelligence. Another M.O. is the search and destroy of political opposition. The Swift Boaters where so Karl Rove it's not even funny. Probably never be able to prove it, but it sure smells like him. As the pieces fall into place about the Scooter Libby case opening this week. Is it so hard to picture Cheney, Libby and Rove, The Father, Son and Holy Ghost of the White House, having an almost knee jerk reaction to criticism from Joe Wilson in the New York Times? And who they going to call when a dirty job needs to be done? Richard Armitage who just happens to be a confidential source of Robert Novak , The trial most likely will never get into this stuff. It will be narrowed down to, was it a lie? was it a mistake? who's to say? Maybe this is another area that needs to be investigated and documented.

International Ridicule

I think I have figured a way out of Iraq with the Dignity for all involved, well except for... George Bush needs to go before an emergancy session of the United Nations and say "My name is George W. Bush and I screwed up." at this point other crappy leaders will probably say "Hi George" but that's another post. After admitting his guilt he will then ask for help in bringing stability to Iraq with a large UN deployment. Some might ask how this leave the American people with Dignity? We maintain our Dignity because We were lied too and when We discovered the extend of the lies, We served up Our Leader for International Ridicule. And he should feel lucky We don't serve him up for War Crimes.

[THC] Bomb 'em with Books

What if We had spent $350 Billion for secular education schools in the Mid-East instead of a War?

Investigate and Document

The most important role the Democrats can play in defending Our Constitution, for the next 2 years it to investigete and document everything the Bush Administration has touch in the last 6 years. It important to note at this point I don't think impeachment is an option. The Republican majority in the '90's trivilized impechment by making it into a political witch hunt and when you get down to it, if we impech Bush...... we get Cheney. Maybe we need to get Cheney first....? Secret energy meetings? No-Bid contracts? Sorry it's hard not to get over excited when you smell blood in the water. We should investigate the War on Terror and it impact on Human and Civil Rights. The War in Iraq and the use of Intelligence, Private Contractors and contracting and a host of other sub-topics. Other area would be Presidential Signing Statements and their impact on law. But anyway it is most important that we have a full understanding of what has been done in Our name so we may learn from Our mistakes.

Subsidies Abuse

I was thinking the other day that if Bill Clinton and the Democrats had come to power and said We going to spend a half a trillion dollars over the next 5 years to give every American Universal Healthcare. The Republicans would have been bouncing of walls and those that supported it would be called socialists if not worse.
But to the point of this post. There are powerful forces in World that We The People must confront. We must be engaged and be prepared to with stand an onslaught of misinformation and intimidation. I'm not talking about the War on Terror, I'm talking about government subsidies of highly profitable and powerful industries.
The Oil and Drug Manufacturing Industries and Farm Subsidies has to be on our Taxpayer's Hit List also we need to look at Federal Land Leases and Minerial Right Royalties. In regard to the royalties. It's time for the American People to reap the benefits of our commonly owned resourses.

Curious oil

Does anyone find it suspicious that the one alternative fuel people are so gung ho about uses oil?

Oil Companies Strike Back?

It is important to remember as the Democrats begin to remove subsidies for oil companies. The Oil Companies will strike back with higher prices blaming them on the Democratic actions. But it is important we stick together and conserve and hang tough. decreased demand will bring prices back down. The Oil Industry does not use subsidies to keep prices low they use them to fatten bottom lines.

Presidential Free Speech

There is something not right about a sitting President communicating with the people of the country in an op-ed piece in a newspaper that people have to pay to read.
Not to mention the kind of tacky symbolism of that paper being the Wall Street Journel. The Corporate Republican Bible. But hey that just me.