Wednesday, February 28, 2007

V on Unity 08 and Why Everything Sucks

Guest Blogger V hasn't sent me any rants in a while so I'm stealing a particularly good comment from my first Unity08 post and promoting it to the front page. Enjoy:
Good luck, Robb. I don't think it will work as it seems too contrived. But hey, it is an idea that is different from the status quo and for that reason alone it may have merit.

BTW, I am a bit puzzled by your defensiveness at being an independent. I honestly believe that no right thinking person could be completely aligned with either party in good conscience. I think you will agree that I am the most liberal person you know, and I don't automatically align with the Dems. The Dems are the better pick on many issues, but (sadly) thats really not saying much on many occasions. So I think independent is the ONLY way to go.

Getting back to the issue of rescuing the political system, the only true way to do that is to raise awareness in people. In a perverse way, we owe a lot to the Bush administration of the past 7 years for exposing, in the general public, the stunning level of ignorance of, and/or apathy towards, and/or even approval of, the outrageous rape of freedom and plundering of our coffers that these administrations have perpetrated. But heck even in the worst polls, about 30% of the people thought Bush was doing a "good job". 30 freaking percent. Thats 30% of the vote that will never align itself with intelligent governance or the country's good. The reasons for why this 30% thinks that way are immaterial for now (they are the keys to the long term, though). For now, the fact remains that an alarmingly large number of people are happy with the events of the past 7 years as orchestrated by W. And there's at least half as many more that are looking for some, any, even if feeble, reason to re-align themselves with the Decider. The governance of this country has been reduced to a Auburn vs Alabama or OSU vs Michigan mentality. You pick a side and support it fanatically. Even in the worst days of your franchise, you are strongly aligned to it and are waiting for a reason to believe that you were right all along.

Till we can stop that mentality from spilling over into politics, all other political approaches are just gimmicks.

Oh BTW, we need to get rid of the electoral college too.

Sorry to be such a Debbie Downer. [Editor's note: Bwa-bwaaa]

Later,

V.
Ah, freedom. That's the kind of rant that would get an immigrant deported in most others countries and more than likely soon will in this country too. (There are still almost two years left in the Bush Administration - they've gotta top them selves somehow!)

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Evening Chuckle: Make It Funky, Cadbury

What kind of Jack@$$ hires a butler out of the local Pennysaver?

Enjoy.

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Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Hagel in (Unity)08?

Nebraska (Go Huskers!) Senator Chuck Hagel is considering running for President and he seems to dig Unity08.

Hagel is too conservative for me but at least he has integrity.

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Monday, February 26, 2007

I'm a Unity '08 Delegate!


Now, I'm sure this will rankle many of the Democrats who primarily make up my readership. However, as I have repeatedly avowed on the site, I am not a Democrat. Nor am I a Republican. I am a center-left (most of the time) independent. I don't feel entirely comfortable with any label on me.

That is why I like Unity08.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Unity 08 movement, they aim to nominate one Republican and one Democrat as part of a unity Presidential ticket for the 2008 election. (There is also room for an Independent.) The point of this is to try to appeal to the moderate center of the United States that has been abandoned by the major political parties in favor of relatively small, single issue, polarized factions that have big $$$. (For more info on Unity08, see What We Believe and Our Goals.)

One of the ways that Unity08 is going to try and gain a broad appeal is by holding a virtual online convention to nominate the Unity ticket. That's what this is about:You will notice that I have added this button to my sidebar. It is linked to the Unity08 site so that you too can become a delegate. Anyone can be a delegate, not just party insiders or deep-pocketed donors.

So, if you are tired of people in South Carolina (Thanks for W, idiots!), Iowa (John Kerry? Are you #@&%ing serious?), and New Hampshire (New Hampshire? NEW HAMPSHIRE!?!) deciding for you which two white men you get to choose between, then head over to Unity08 and at least let the parties know that you are tired of being ignored!

I will vote for whomever I think will be the best person (nominated) to be President. (Can't imagine that being a Republican in the near future, btw. Happy Dems?) I will not feel beholden to vote for the Unity08 ticket unless I feel that they will be best for the country and neither should you. The point is to participate! You don't have to leave your party of choice (if you have one) to be a part of Unity08. But why limit your options? Hopefully, this will add more variety to the national debate.

I plan to cover any interesting Unity08 developments; so, if you are interested in learning more, this will be the place to watch. Or, for a more complete picture of Unity08, check out their site.

In the words of my brother, "Wake up, Robots!"

(Please feel free to use this space to discuss Unity08 or to pillory me for supporting it.)

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Want a Cigar? I'll Get It Nice and Juicy for Ya.


"I stopped smoking cigarettes. Isn't that something? I'm on to cigars now. I'm on a five-year plan. I eliminated cigarettes, then I go to cigars, then to pipes, then to chewing tobacco, then the nicotine gum."

Apparently, teenagers are now on Uncle Buck's five year plan. They are moving from cigarettes to cigars.

I can't wait for roaming gangs of ne'er-do-well teens terrorizing the elderly while chewing minty NicoretteTM

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Go Gore!

I just watched Al Gore on the Oscars.

I would be inclined to give him a chance if he decided to run for President again; mostly because he is the undisputed leader in the fight against global climate change, which I feel is the most important issue facing us today.

However, after seeing him speak tonight, I have a new reason:

It has been far too long since we had a big, fat, Taft-esque President.

Vote Tubby in '08!

Saturday, February 24, 2007

America: Not the Worst Country in the World

A British group has created an ad called "A World without America".

I don't agree with every assertion in the ad (Why would Arnold Schwarzenegger be President of Austria in 1989? And the Israeli thing is a bit glib.). However, it is nice to remind people that we aren't the cause of all of the world's problems.

Definitely worth a watch.

Friday, February 23, 2007

I Guess I Just Love the Brits This Week

Hard on the heels of Prince Harry being sent to Iraq and the announcement of the overall reduction of British forces in Iraq...

It seems that the British are considering sending more troops to everybody's favorite forgotten war, Afghanistan. Let's hope this helps beat back our real enemies, the resurgent Taliban and al-Queda in Afghanistan.

So, kudos to the Brits for making some bold (and correct) decisions. Of course, let's not forget that their participation in the Iraqi invasion helped legitimate the entire debacle but, hey, that's why pencils have erasers...or something like that.

Unelectable Candidate Drops Out of Presidential Race, Part III

To the list of Bill Frist and John Kerry, we can now add Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack.

This is a good decision by Vilsack. He wasn't even going to place in his own state.

On the bright side, Vilsack did get to go on the Daily Show.

Stay tuned for more news of people who obviously have no chance coming to their senses. (I'm talking to you, Reps Kucinich and Hunter. Come to think of it, maybe that will be the bizarro Unity'08 ticket.)

Thursday, February 22, 2007

At Least the Bristish Leaders Have Some Conviction

Can you imagine anyone named Bush or Cheney having the sack to do this:

Britain's Prince Harry will be shipped with his regiment to Iraq.

Not. Bloody. Likely.

Good for him. God bless.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

BTW

I got this from the end of "This Week with George Snuffleupagus". I just kept forgetting to post it. It was on Conan O'Brien last week:
"Yesterday, President Bush gave a speech warning Americans about the threat from Iran. Afterward, the President admitted he took an old Iraq speech and replaced all the q’s with n’s."

Do You Like Violence?

I'll kill you for saying you like violence!

Seriously though, no sense.

Why would you go looking for someone because you didn't like something they wrote on a blog? A blog for God's sake! If everybody did that, I would have Zimbabwe all over my @$$.

Not to mention the obvious hypocrisy (although, I guess I already did).

Well, now this guy can discuss his views on the war in Iraq with the guy who is pounding his @$$ in prison.

Enjoy.

Monday, February 19, 2007

Quick Question: State Department or Saudis?

Who do you trust more to accomplish a positive result in: Iran, Syria, and Palestine?

Condi or Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan?

I have no doubt who has more influence in the region and who has a more realistic world view. Unfortunately, the Saudis are looking out for the Saudis, not the US.

What do you think?

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Afghana-who?

As Bart Simpson once said, "There are no good wars, with the following exceptions: the American Revolution, World War II, and the Star Wars Trilogy." To that I would add the war in Afghanistan.

OK, maybe not good, but certainly justified. No moral ambiguities or questions about why we got into that war.

Remember 9/11? The folks who did that? That's who we're fighting.

It has been a criminal shame that we have neglected the ongoing conflict with a resurgent Taliban in favor of the President's misadventure in Iraq. So, I was glad to see this: Bush to Increase U.S. Forces in Afghanistan. More troops will actually make a difference in Afghanistan. Hopefully, we can keep from totally screwing up that mission as well.

Fortunately, NATO has the lead...and no one here really cares. So, NATO may actually be able to accomplish something without Bush cronies putting their incompetent fingerprints all over it.

Let's hope so.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Evening Chuckle: Blades of Glory

This is the trailer for the new Will Ferrell movie "Blades of Glory". Its about two rival figure skaters who are banned from skating but find a loophole that allows them to compete as a duo.

It also features my friend Ben Wilson as "Gary the Fox". Gary is, apparently, an ice-capades-esque character. (Here's the IMDB page for the movie. Scroll down to see Ben. He's right between Peggy Fleming and Scott Hamilton. So, that's something!)

Enjoy.

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Shoot. Me. Now.

Speaking of Barack Obama...

Apparently, Senator Obama was none to impressed with some of his colleagues when he first got to the Senate.
"Listening to a bloviating colleague at his first meeting of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Obama slipped a three-word note to a member of his staff: 'Shoot. Me. Now.'"
I wonder who that colleague could have been...

Governor Kaine's Got Some Sack!

I have to say, I like Tim Kaine but he's never really wowed me before.

Today is different, however.

Kaine is set to announce on Saturday that he will endorse Barack Obama for President.

This is a pretty bold move and a slap in the face to the Clinton establishment.

So, bravo Governor! (I'm leaning that way myself.)

[Obama '08]

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Ice Storm 2007!

Attention Virginia!

We are screwed.

That is all.

Friday, February 09, 2007

All Our Problems Are Solved!

Columnist Larry Elder has the answer to the Bush Administration's recalcitrance toward accepting the science of Global Warming:

Tell them Global Warming Turns People Gay!

Then we'll see some action! Action to avoid seeing hot man-on-man action that is!

[Thanks, Sam!]

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Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Climate Change Beatdown

Chris Mooney has a great write-up on today's Senate Commerce Committee's hearing on Climate Change Research and Scientific Integrity.

He also has links to the C-SPAN video which shows John Kerry acting like a Senator and beating the @$$ off of the Bush administration's acting Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) chairman (I'm sure he's well qualified for the post).

This is as genuine as I've ever seen Kerry. Not running for President clearly agrees with him.

Seriously though, this is so heartening to see. People in Congress actually taking climate change seriously. Hell, its good to see them taking science seriously again.

Thank God.

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Tuesday, February 06, 2007

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Tomorrow, February 7th, is the 7th Annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). This is a day that has been set aside to help raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic in the African American community which has been hit particularly hard by HIV. In 2005, African Americans made up 13% of the US population but accounted for 49% of the newly diagnosed cases of HIV.

AIDSinfo has compiled a list a resources related to this day on their own National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day page.

Check it out and please share with someone you know.

HIV in the African American population is an especially large issue for us in Northern Virginia as DC has a higher HIV infection rate than most sub-Saharan African countries!

So, please, spread the word. Knowledge can help defeat the scourge of HIV.

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Monday, February 05, 2007

Evening Chuckle: It Looks Like This Is My Lucky Day

Celebrity Jeopardy. The day is mine!

Enjoy!

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Sunday, February 04, 2007

Good for the Virginia Senate

And kudos to my State Senator Janet Howell for introducing SB1230 which passed the Senate unanimously.

This bill would make vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) required for girls in Virginia by the 6th grade.

This vaccine really is an excellent example of an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure. HPV causes most forms of cervical cancer. So, by getting a series of shots, these girls will avoid the horror of this type of cancer.

Fortunately, the Virginia Senate hasn't fallen victim to the backward thinking of Christian conservatives who oppose this vaccination. You see, HPV is a sexually transmitted virus so, apparently, trying to avoid its transmission by any other means than abstinence is bad.

To paraphrase one of my favorite quotes, If you oppose this vaccine, something is more important to you than saving lives.

Evening Chuckle: ATHF Trailer

Because of the idiotic response in Boston to the Aqua Teen Hunger Force movie promotion, I'm going to help promote it (plus, I love the show).

So, here is the trailer for the new movie (working title: Untitled Master Shake Project)

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Thursday, February 01, 2007

The Terrorists Are Winning

I'm a big fan of Boston. Two of my favorite bands, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and The Dropkick Murphys, hail from Boston. However, having said that and with apologies to the developmentally delayed, the people of Boston are frickin' retarded.

Why? There was a big scare in Boston over a marketing campaign for (one of my favorite shows) Aqua Teen Hunger Force that was mistaken for a terrorist threat.

The Cartoon Network put up these to promote the new Aqua Teen Hunger Force movie (I prefer to call it by its working title - "Untitled Master Shake Project"). They also put them up in 9 other major metropolitan areas around the country - where the people didn't freak the hell out.

Apparently, the good people of Boston can't handle a #&@%ing Lite-Brite.

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