Fox News is being called a lot of things: Fox Noise, Fux News etc.
Well there is definitely one thing you can't call them, & that's News.
In their latest "fair & balanced", "we report, you decide" sham, Fox gave air time to the failed former Director of FEMA, Mike Brown. You remember him? He worked under the failed former President W.
This loony piece of excrement went on an unfounded (other then the fact that "righties" really hate Obama) rant blaming the current administration for the current oil spill in the Gulf. The secret agenda of President Obama & his Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel was to politicize the disaster & use it to "bankrupt the coal industry"(direct quote). Loony went on to accuse Obama of everything except donning scuba gear & blowing up the oil rig himself.
Calling this a rant is being charitable. This mother was almost foaming at the mouth while he spewed his hatred for Obama.
Side bar: Chris Matthews of MSNBC later that day had loony Brown on to repeat these allegations. One of Matthews self promoting commercials states, that he, Chris Matthews gets to the truth & won't let guests get away with any crap, coz "he will call them out" Watching that interview was a lesson in how not to do your journalistic job. Christ, Larry King would have done a more credible interview. Maybe Matthews was off his game due to disbelief over the pure bullshit & hatred coming out of Brown's pie hole.
Side Bar #2: Politically, I lean a tad ,a smidge, a jot, a whit left of center. That makes me, according to certain elements in this country, "A liberal".
On most social issues that is probably true. If not wanting intrusion from the government or others into my or anyone's private life (including the bedroom), then I'm a liberal. However, I'm so fiscally conservative that I make $crooge McDuck look like a spendthrift. I don't want to continue wasting tax dollers on failed programs designed to help someone "get a leg up". Win or lose, let us live our lives.
After watching the Brown carnival & the actual lack of any challenge to this hatred, I'm so ticked off, that I hereby now declare myself, a full fledged, 100% died- in-the-wool liberal. In the words of President Geo. W. Bush,"Thanks Brownie, you're doing a heckava job".
Side bar#3: To all the hate spewing "righties", Beck, Limbaugh, Brown, Bachmann, Colter, Ingraham, Fox News & others of their ilk... in the words of the great American John Stewart, " Go fuck yourself".

Quake & Shakes

Iranian cleric Hojatoleslam Kazem Sedighi last week claimed "Many women who do not dress modestly ... lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society, which (consequently) increases earthquakes,"
Thus far,in 2010 according to the USGS (US Geological Survey) , there have been 5273 earthquakes recorded worldwide.
Are breasts credited for these quakes? If so, do you count them individually,
or by set(pair)? One boob = one quake. Two boobs = 1 quake.
Throughout my life, there have been many times that the mere sight of a pair of breasts have caused my earth to move.
If this theory is to be given any credence, then we must add Segdghi to the list of boob related (inspired) quakes. With his statement, he must certainly be added to the roster of biggest boobs.
One or two more nature/breast related thoughts. Are the Northern Lights now referred to as "areola borealis"? Are tornadoes now to be called "tittie twisters"?

The Santa Clara County California supervisors have banned restaurants from giving away toys with kids' meals in a bid to control childhood obesity.
According to CNN, this applies to meals that have 500 or more calories (burger, fries, shake). Can you say "Happy Meal".
I don't mind government intervention in our lives (FTC, FDA, EPA etc.). These agencies were established to serve as watchdogs to protect the citizens from being steamrolled by unscrupulous corporations who, lets charitable say, don't always have the citizens safety or best interests in mind. (I do object to their recent lack of enforcement).
However, where the frak do these Sana Clara asswipes get off telling us what to feed our kids or ourselves? If their concern is so noble, then provide college education, quality housing, high paying jobs etc for the citizenry for free. All of the above have been proven to enhance a better quality of life. Government can't get into the role of "parenting" through half-hearted or select intervention. If you want to be my Dad & Mom, that's fine. I need the keys to the Mercedes Saturday. Can I have more Grey Poupon with my Kobe Steak? If not, that makes for a very unhappy citizen & a very unhappy meal.

Achtung Buckeroo

Well Reich fans, looks like the brown shirts have secured a toehold in our 48th state (admitted to the union on Feb. 14,1912).
Arizona has enacted a bill that is at best unconstitutional. The new immigration bill SB1070 in part requires that all immigrants carry documentation verifying their immigration status. It also stipulates that police officers have the authority to ask to see the information from any individual that is deemed “suspicious” or when there is “reasonable suspicion” that the person may not be legally in the country.
The Arizonan House have also passed a "Birther Bill." Senate

Bill 1024, passed with the minimum 31 votes, all from Republicans. The bill would require the Arizona Secretary of State to verify the citizenship of U.S. presidential candidates. Show me your papers.
With apologies to Cole Porter's "Don't fence Me In"
"Oh, give me land, lots of land
Under starry skies above,
Just Lock Them Up.
Let me ride through the wild open
Country that I love,
Just Lock Them Up.
Let me be by myself in the evening breeze-
Listen to the murmer of the cottonwood trees,
Send me off forever, but I ask you please,
Just Lock Them Up."
I don't pretend to understand all the ramifications illegals have on the economy of Arizona or the other issues involved. I do understand that you don't pass laws that are targeting a specific race for whatever reasons in the USA. Home of the brave, land of the free. Adolf tried it. Now Arizona.
Who's next? I'll tell you, if you show me your papers.

This & That & The Other Part 2

This: A couple weeks back Nebraska Governor Heineman (R) signed a bill requiring a mental evaluation exam prior to an abortion. Let's go one step further for Nebraska. A mental evaluation exam prior to breeding. Are you going to be a fit parent? A step yet further. An inclusive mental evaluation exam for the residents of Nebraska. You must have some diminished capacity if you want to continue living in Nebraska.

That: Net neutrality has become a major issue since early April 2010 when a Washington DC appeals court overturned the FCC's ruling against Comcast's "network management".
Comcast, Time Warner & the other big boys of net providers are against any net neutrality. They're not against free speech, it's just that it's gonna cost you depending upon how much free speech you want to use.
There are plans to institute tier levels similar to cable rates, (basic, basic plus, silver, premium etc.) depending what & how many websites the user wants access to. Point of reference: This sounds just a bit like the battle between China & Google regarding net access & content.
One of the major arguments against net neutrality comes from the proponents of the "free market system". How's that working out for America?
Has any system been more abused than the free market system?
Wall street(nuff said), Corporate America(outsourcing), NAFTA (900,000+
jobs lost).
Some of the proponents for net neutrality are Google, Yahoo, EBAY, Amazon, Microsoft & others. These fellows have very deep pockets. When the inevitable law suits are filed over the final decision, my money (meager that it is) goes with the Google etc.
With apologies to Stephen Colbert"s truthiness.
My new word: Netrality: The act of having unlimited access & use of the internet without additional costs or censorship from internet service providers.
One more thing. Why does the USA have such slow internet speed compared to the rest of the world? Is it a Corporate plot? Stay tuned.

The Other: Baseball movies. Tis the season for Baseball. So in keeping with the season, a minor rant & opinion. It seems that for whatever reason, this time of year sportscasters feel compelled to compile a list of their favorite Baseball movies. Inevitably, "Bull Durham" or "Field of Dreams" top those lists. Not being a sportscaster , I'm just as qualified to submit my list of my favorite Baseball movies that seem to be ignored.
1. Long Gone (1987)
William Petersen, Virginia Madsen
A classic comedy with a bit of social commentary about at minor league ball club down south during the 50' & the behind the scenes machinations of ownership & the introduction of a black ballplayer to the lineup. Great scene involving the Klan. Plus, Virginia Madsen (playing Dixie Lee Boxx) nude scene.
2. It Happens Every Spring (1949)
Ray Milland, Paul Douglas, Jean Peters
Another comedy. This one deals with a college prof who by accident discovers a liquid that repels wood. The obvious application. Rub it on a baseball. Prof becomes major league star pitcher for St. Louis leading them to World series while picthing under an alias to protect the dignity of the Alma Mater.
3. Angels in the Outfield (1951)
Paul Douglas, Janet Leigh, Keenan Wynn James Whitmore (voice of angel),
Pittsburgh Pirates suck & are stuck in the cellar. Paul Douglas makes a deal to cleanup his foul mouthed hot tempered act.
Side note: Douglas actually cusses up a storm in the movie, the soundtrack is purposely distorted during his rants.
Pirates start to win etc. Douglas' sanity called into question due his belief of heavenly intervention. Keenan Wynn is superb as smug play by play announcer.

As always, these are my takes on the world around me. But what the hell do I know? Pay attention, there is a final exam.

Nuclear Option

There has been a lot of talk the last couple of weeks regarding the "nuclear option" as it pertains to the United States Senate.
Per Wikipedia's definition: "In U.S. politics, the nuclear option allows the United State Senate to reinterpret a procedural rule by invoking the constitutional requirement that the will of the majority be effective. This option allows a simple majority to override precedent and end a filibuster or other delaying tactic."
This would be used regarding the attempt to finalize President Obamas' health care bill.
The Republicans are all in a tizzy over the prospect that the Democrats would use this option to circumvent constitutional procedures. They are outraged. They would never use this option.
The effen hypocrites.
This maneuver was prominent in 2005 , when Bill Frist Tennessee Republican wanted to use it against the dems during George W. Bush's
second term.
Both parties have used this threat as a bargaining chip to stall the passage of bills or for cabinet & judicial nominations.
Either way you see it, both parties are involved in a pissing contest while nothing gets done to help America get back on its feet.
My solution would be a different type of "nuclear option" for congress if they continue to disregard the reasons they were elected into office. I believe that reason was to serve the people.
How about we drop the big one atop the congressional building.
Now that's a real "nuclear option." (sarcastically speaking)

The Buck Stops Here

Troy Alan Reinke plead guilty. The accused poacher plead guilty to three charges & was sentenced to 1 yr in the grey bar hotel, stripped of hunting privileges for 5 yrs, pay court costs & pay $2000 in fines.
This jackhole was accused of illegally possessing an eight point trophy buck along with two other deer. Plea bargained to lesser charges, (originally facing 16 counts of illegal hunting) he was allowed to cop a plea.
The head of the Mn Deer Hunters Assoc. called it "a slap on the wrist."
The street value of the eight point rack would have been valued at over $100,000.
Reinke still a says he didn't kill the buck, he found it . If true, he should have reported the "find" to the DNR instead of planning to sell the prized rack (apologies to the late Jayne Mansfield) to a local sporting goods store.
Originally claiming that he shot the buck with a bow & arrow, he changed his story. The deer was shot killed with a bullet out of season.
The manager of the state DNR said " the judicial system worked"
Hold on a second.
I'm not a hunter. Have no desire to. There are too many unbalanced people out there with guns as it is. (Them not me.)
Regarding losing his hunting privileges for 5 yrs. I'm quite sure that after serving his time, this upright citizen can be trusted not to hunt for the the 5 yrs. He sure has shown his high regard for the law so far.
If this rack is valued at $100,000, isn't this considered a gross misdemeanor? One freaking year for a high stakes crime.
Score one for the judicial system my backside.
Bambi & Thumper must be aghast at the travesty.
Hopefully, while in the slammer, someone will make Reinke their personal Bambi & go all Thumper up his ass for the duration.

King of the Wild Frontier

Fess Parker died This last Thursday At age 85. To millions of boomers & their parents, he was & ever will be "Davy Crockett"
Mr. Parker was the star in the 50's mini series produced by Walt Disney for his weekly TV show Disneyland. Used to promote Disney's new attraction Frontierland at his new theme park, it quickly transcended all if any expectations. Whether it was the cold war times that fit the need for an American hero, or just riding the crest of that new innovation called television, Davy Crockett became the first craze designed just for boomers.
I was one of the many that owned a coonskin cap (actually rabbit skin) & a Davy Crockett t-shirt. For Christmas I got a "Davy Crockett at The Alamo" playset. This was one of many tin litho sets manufactured by Marx Toys. Clothing, books, toy rifles & records (theme from Davy Crockett spent 6 weeks as #1 on the charts) were everywhere. I still have a Davy Crockett ceramic cup.If you haven't guessed by now, Davy Crockett was the "King of the Wild Frontier" & the king of merchandising.
My dad was hospitalized at this time for quite awhile & died from cancer soon after. Maybe it was being in a female dominated home or I needed a father figure type in my life, but at the time, Fess Parker in the persona of Davy Crockett filled the void for a 6 yr old. (Freud,table for one)
Another boomer "hero" has passed along with a little bit of gentler times.