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Torn Between Two Goals

I agree with the Bush administration when they say catching or accounting for Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden will just be a matter of time. And I hope they can do just that and bring some closure to the Iraq conflict and perhaps some accountability for the terrible events of 9/11.

Saying this also brings about the sad realization that upon their arrest or at least on finding them, possibly already dead – Bush will have won the election.

Our public has a very short and simplistic memory and if Bush and his administration can stand on a stage with a backdrop printed with some new phrase of the day, say” Winning the War on Terrorism” and make the announcement of the capture of Hussein and Bin Laden, well then, Democrats can just go home. It will be many years before they can ever take power.

So, what can we do about it?
I certainly support the efforts to hold Bin Laden and Al Quaeda accountable for 9/11. And the decision on Hussein has already been made, he has been removed from power and the only way to bring some real resolution to that conflict is to arrest Hussein and hold him accountable for the list of offenses we used to invade his country.
But I dread another four years of Bush in the White House. As congressional and senate Republicans get stronger and stronger, Bush will have a self-imagined mandate upon reelection to really begin sweeping changes on the nation.
This guy is the most right wing conservative fundamentalist Christian President we have ever seen. He is also absolutly sure he has all the answers and has been chosen by God to lead our nation.
Upon reelection, when he doesn’t have to tip toe around the Florida/Gore election issues to get his ideas across, Bush will have carte blanche to really make some changes.
If you do not fit the economic or social mold of the right wing Conservative Christian philosophy, beware.
The next 10 or 15 years will be difficult and frustrating and you may no longer recognize your nation. It will take that long, or longer, to change the issues regarding reproductive rights, gay rights, environment, taxes, social and welfare policies.

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On The Seventh Day – No Rest

Finishing up day seven of a seven day shift. Ugh!
Good news – I am now working on the Western Union account. A lot less tedious, it seems, then the auction payments account.
Good news – This is my last day as a temp with Prime Source. I go on as a full time employee at Finali Corp starting tomorrow.
A small raise, some benefits and some paid time off.
So I got that going for me. Which is nice.
I have a ton of stuff to post and talk about. Perhaps tomorrow.

Reading With Colors

I was cruising around on Google the other day and I found a relic from my past that I had been looking for for a long time.
Words in Color was a reading program that our school district in Moffat County, Colorado used for a years and years to teach reading to the elementary school children. A few months or so ago, I was talking to my sister and another childhood friend about this wacky program of posters and phonics and colorized letters and how we all felt it gave us good reading and comprehension skills.
And apparently it does. There are case studies of the program and it is stil quite popular in England, France and Japan as part of an early reading education program.
And for just $55.00 I can get a set of the posters, so perhaps a purchase and some wall decorating is in my future.

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And this is why Bush will win in 2004

“A third of the American public believes U.S. forces have found weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, according to a recent poll. Twenty-two percent said Iraq actually used chemical or biological weapons.”

  • War poll uncovers fact gap
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    Do You Know The Way?

    So, on Friday, I was to attend a wedding for Kevin Lang, a good friend from Nextel days. I swapped shifts with a guy from work and took Friday and Saturday off in order to attend the wedding and do something for my sister’s birthday on Satuday.
    The plan seemed simple enough that it just might work.
    But there were ominous signs along the way that the day was doomed.
    I started off running a few errands. I needed a mounting post bolt for my camera tripod and decided to hunt down this used camera store that is always advertising on the radio. I looked up the address in the yellow pages and then headed out.
    Driving down Hampden into Englewood, I quickly discovered that perhaps this could get sticky. Hampden turns into US 285 and I needed to figure out how to get onto the frontage road.
    Voila, a sign pointing me back to Hampden. I took a turn and then a wrong turn and the next thing I know I am lost in the scenic tiny burgh of Sheridan, home to ALL the tow trucks and impound lots in the Denver area, apparently. Up a few blocks, down a few blocks and – Ah ha! my way out – but no, still in Sheridan. I drove north, thinking I would pop out somewhere familiar.
    Finally I find a major through street and begin to head west again, hitting Federal. I turn south and wait for about 18 hours at a light as I try to make a left hand turn.
    Left hand turns have become like the plague. You try and try to avoid them but eventually, they come around and you must dive in, wait in line and make the turn. They truly are evil.
    Anyway, I am finally on West Hampden in Englewood. I get to the camera store, buy my part and for some unknown reason, place my credit card in my shirt pocket and head back home. The ride back was uneventful.
    Now it is a few hours later. I try ironing a shirt for the wedding, but the iron is on the fritz and chunks of rust pour out of it, onto a freshly laundered white shirt. Crap. I dig through the closet, find another shirt and take a moment to clean and prep the iron.
    Whew. I dress, affixing a new bow tie, polish up the cowboy boots, toss on a western jacket, grab my cowboy hat and head out. Looking like a musician playing in a Mexican Wedding band – a deliberate look to entertain the Bride and Groom.
    I decide to pull into the grocery store to get a card and a gift envelope for some wedding dough. Waiting line to check out I realize I don’t have my Visa card – it is in my shirt pocket – Double crap.
    I leave the cards and head back out of the store to the car and run home to retrieve my credit card. I am going to need funds for the wedding bar, I was certain.
    Now time is short and I must leave for the wedding. I will deal with the card and stuff later.
    I drive up Speer Boulevard to the wedding, but in my credit card frenzy, I had left the invitation with the address on the coffee table back home.
    I had a general idea of where I was going and had time on my side so I figured I would just wing it.
    Another bad traffic move.
    Lost in north Denver, dressed like an extra from The Three Amigos , but unable to speak Spanish, I opted to drive around like an old man and just look for the Victorian Bed and Breakfast Mansion and the wedding party.
    No luck. Block after block I drove. Finally, with time running out, I pull into to a laundrymat to see if anyone can give me directions. They just stared. I convinced them to loan me a phone book. I would look up the address and be off.
    But the Lumber Baron Inn doesn’t list its address in the phone book. Just a phone number. I memorize it and look for a phone.
    But in this blue collar, Spanish-speaking neighborhood, the pay phones are few to none.
    I wait in line behind some guy on the only phone I can find. Time has run out. I am officially late. I dial and get a message and then some directions and more importantly, all I ever needed, the cross streets.
    I am three blocks away.
    I get to the wedding, park and walk in. I am now 30 minutes late.
    The ceremony is already over. No Catholic wedding this. A few I dos, and they were done.
    I was forgiven by the groom and bride and sat to eat. The reception and dancing that followed were uneventful and quite pleasant.
    I decide to leave a bit early, as the party is breaking up and going downtown. Knowing my driving record for the day, I decide to leave before I get drunk and real problems follow.
    I drive out but am forced at Federal to turn right. The folks up here in this part of town are smart enough to forbid the egregious left hand turn. But that is what I need! I head north and then turn onto 38th and head back to south Denver, thinking I will take Park Ave.instead of Speer and all will be fine.
    But I get trapped in traffic and cant’ get into the lane that pours onto Broadway.
    Instead I am now continuing down 21st street into the not-so-charming-after-dark Clement Park neighborhood and the housing projects. Lost again I turn around and find my way onto Broadway and finally home.
    Many lessons.
    1. Take your directions when traveling to a wedding.
    2. Perhaps full vintage western garb is not the best outfit to wear when trying to get a stranger to give you directions.
    3. Never put your credit card in you shirt pocket.
    4. Left hand turns are evil, but often necessary procedures.
    5. Maybe I should rethink the decision not to replace my cell phone.

    I have gotten lost enough to last a good while.

    And Let Us Never Forget Grover!

    During any holiday or gift giving season, try and remember to support that star of all stars, Grover, a star among stars, who has had his ups and downs and deserves a little sumpin’ sumpin’ from all his devoted fans from days gone by. A behind the scenes, true Hollywood story of the rise and fall of a Muppet super star. ( Best if you use the VH1 guy’s voice in your head when you read this.)

    Friday Fives

    Friday Fives

    1. What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to do, but never have?
    Travel much, much more and especially in Asia and East. Never been there and would love to go. I have a hankering for a vacation in Vietnam or something like that. I see the whole thing as a cross between Anthony Bordain and Calvin Trillin.
    2. When someone asks your opinion about a new haircut/outfit/etc, are you always honest?
    I guess it depends on who is asking. But with fashion I am fairly forgiving. With guys it is usually the truth and with women I play to the niceties. That’s right, I am always looking out for the ladies.
    3. Have you ever found out something about a friend and then wished you hadn’t? What happened?
    She was a good friend and a roommate and parts of a relationship she was secretly encouraging became known. The friendship dissolved and I haven’t even heard from her in several years.
    4. If you could live in any fictional world (from a book/movie/game/etc.) which would it be and why?
    Gatsby’s West Egg. Not the star, just one of the rich jet setters at the beach house for a weekend party.
    5. What’s one talent/skill you don’t have but always wanted?
    ESP. I want ESP. I think I would dig knowing what is going to happen before it happens. And I promise, I would NOT use the skill for good.

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    Are We Missing Something Here?

    While the rest of the media tut tuts the New York Times over the Jason Blair non story story, there is some real news that is going unreported. The very fact that Weapons of Mass Destruction (the official reason we went to war in Iraq) can’t be found and the intelligence gathered to make the decision doesn’t exist either may make the Bush arguments and testimonies before Congress, the American people and the world an impeachable offense. Many folks are starting to say so out loud. Nothing will come of it before the 2004 election in November (Congress will cover its own ass before it decides to act on a Constitutional crisis), but it could work to cripple a second term for Bush were he to be re-elected.

    Former White House Counsel to Nixon, John Dean, seems to think a case can be made against the current White House administration for impeachment, if no Weapons of Mass Destruction turn up in Iraq.

    Bush watcher Paul Krugman seems to think a case for impeachment could be made, but won’t because the media and the public don’t care.

    Salon, with its customary flair, has a few articles on the spin doctoring of WMD and how the Bush regime could topple over the issue if the truth ever gets out.

    And a search under Google News directory shows that the concern is growing as more and more alternative press stories turn up the heat on this issue.

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    Supremes Update

    Apparently, in what is seen as a signal, the Supreme Court has started setting its agenda for September and thus will probably not have any resignations or retirements during their summer hiatus, surprising many in Washington, some who were eager for a fight over the next Supreme Court Justice.

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    Tax Relief, Of Sorts

    Don’t get too excited by the rumblings in the House of Representatives over the proposed “fix” to the tax bill addressing those low income families left behind on the 2003 tax bill. House Majority Leader Tom Delay (R-TX) will let the the House Ways and Means committee address adding the earned income tax credit to the bill, but not until he has a chance to “fix” some of the bill that the Senate has sent over.
    Delay has publicly scolded lawmakers for even considering extending any increase in the earned income tax credit to the lowest wage earners in this country, saying to Democrats, ” If they want the child tax credit, they ought to be able to have it in a package that actually gives tax relief, creates jobs and helps the economy grow,” DeLay said. DeLay supports hundreds of billions of dollars in new tax cuts, but has argued that families that don’t pay taxes shouldn’t get the refundable tax credit.
    The Senate revisited the bill last week after taking substantial heat from Democrats and other interest groups when it was discovered the tax bill deliberately left out tax relief to families and 12 million children in the lowest tax brackets.
    Delay said the House will look at the Senate’s bill but promises to change it significantly to ensure his vision of substantial tax relief for the highest income brackets stays in place. According to CNN, Delay scolded White House Press Secretary Ari Fleisher, who hinted the White House supports the bill, saying, the last I time I checked, he doesn’t have a vote.”
    CNN also reports that DeLay said the House would not take up the Senate bill without changing it.
    “It ain’t gonna happen,” he said.
    This man makes Newt Gingrich look like Mother Theresa.