Whatever I Want

OK, so maybe nobody cares. But if there’s just one person out there saying to him or herself, “Gee, why hasn’t Stuart posted anything lately?”, unlikely though that is, I feel I have to explain.

There are 3 main reasons I haven’t posted in a couple of weeks:

1. It’s the holiday season and like most people this time of the year I’m a little busier than usual.
2. The election’s over and we won (at least I hope we did). Not being a professional blogger I think I wore myself out a bit with the 3 or 4 posts a day run-up to the election. I’ll have to wait until after the New Year to start in on the Democrats in Congress.
3. I got a Nintendo Wii. More on that later.

I’m hoping to get back to at least one post a day after the New Year but for now I’ll try to post something a few times a week.

Thanks for reading!

First off, what is a grigri? According to Penn & Teller it’s a voodoo amulet that’s worn to bring good luck. They say everyone has one and one of the biggest is recycling. A good episode of Penn & Teller: Bullshit. I’m not sure it’ll stop me from recycling – even though I’m pretty sure they’re right. It just makes me feel like I’m doing something good.

In this weeks radio address President Bush said,

One freedom that defines our way of life is the freedom to choose our leaders at the ballot box. We saw that freedom earlier this week, when millions of Americans went to the polls to cast their votes for a new Congress. Whatever your opinion of the outcome, all Americans can take pride in the example our democracy sets for the world by holding elections even in a time of war. Our democratic institutions are a source of strength, and our trust in these institutions has made America the most powerful, prosperous, and stable nation in the world.

“… Americans can take pride in the example our democracy sets for the world by holding elections even in a time of war.” WTF!?! Did he really say that?? We held an election even in a time of war. I’m not an expert on elections worldwide, but is it common for countries to suspend their elections during a time of war? Maybe if the war is on your soil but this war is thousands of miles away. My mind is a little boggled. He must have considered the option if he’d mention it in his radio address.

I now feel even more grateful that the Democrats came out on top.

President Bush, even while asking his party to push through some last minute business, seems to be striking a conciliatory tone (Does he have a choice?). Donald Rumsfeld, failed manager of the failed war in Iraq, has been asked to step down. This may create a new direction for the war but based on what we’ve seen from Bush’s cabinet in the past, I doubt it.

Now the question is; will Cheney be next? It would make sense for Cheney to step down due to “health issues” allowing Bush to annoit a successor. Who will it be? Certainly not Senator McCain – always the bridesmaid…

With the big Democratic wins I can’t help but feel hope today.

I have hope that the Democrats will stick to their word as new Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, has stated and not pursue payback. I also hope that they will not be so caught up in being civil and appearing to take the higher road that they won’t look into the corruption that has occurred over the last 6 years; particularly where the war in Iraq is concerned. I hope that the Democrats can pursue some changes in the way government does business: campaign finance reform, cut out pork and last minute additions to bills, limit the influence of lobbyists – only a few items on a long list. I’m sure these are just pipedreams on my part but if they want to clean up Washington these are areas that need to be addressed. More importantly and of more urgency is the need to re-establish our erroded civil rights. This needs to be one of the top items on the Democrats’ “to-do” list.

I feel trepidation. Trepidation that, now that they’ve won, the Democrats have everything to lose. The Right isn’t gone, isn’t defeated (nor should it be). It has been temporarily weakened and that has given the Left the opportunity to step up and show the American people what it can do. If the Democrats can do a good job; can create a clear vision, can be honest and avoid scandal, they will be rewarded in the 2008 elections. If they can’t the Republicans will come back strong from their 2 year break.

I hope that Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid can steer their party effectively. I hope that they can uncover any corruption and punish those responsible. I hope they can create a clear vision that will benefit all Americans. I hope that they can reach across the aisle and create a sense of cooperation in Congress. I hope they can help to improve America’s standing in the world community. I hope they can work with this administration to create a solution for the war in Iraq and keep America and Americans safe from terrorism. Lots of hopes – we’ll have to wait and see.

Democrats made a strong showing in yesterday’s elections. They easily took control of the House and are likely to control the Senate as well.

There was less election trouble than I had anticipated but we’ll have to wait for the close Virginia and Montana Senate races to be completely tallied before we can close the book on election litigation. If we can count on their previous comments (ha ha) this should all wrap up neatly today.

To put the cherry on the sundae, it’s being announced that Donald Rumsfeld will step down as Secretary of Defense. Now if only Bush and Cheney would resign we’d be all set.

More later.

Even though I suspect that the results of this election may be mired in legal battles for weeks – with all the talk over the last couple of days about attempts to keep voters away from the polls I thought I’d post a few bits of info that I think might be helpful. Here’s a few steps to take to make sure you get to exercise your legal right to vote:

1. Find your polling place. If you receive a phone call telling you it’s changed, check it out for yourself. Go to the location listed on the website first.
2. Bring ID – a driver’s license, or state issued ID card. If you don’t have one of those bring whatever you have.
3. Going to a polling place to vote will not result in your arrest. If you believe that you are registered but they do not have your information the volunteers can usually point you to the correct polling place or you can check this website for more information.
4. Make sure you understand how to vote. If you need help ask the volunteers at your polling place. They’re there to help.
5. Mark your vote carefully. Make sure you vote for who you want and what you want. Check and double check before you make your selection. If you are not using an electronic machine, remember, you can ask for another ballot if you make a mistake.
6. Remember to carefully review your ballot before you turn it in or, if you’re using an electronic voting machine, before you finalize it. If you made a mistake go back and correct it or ask for another ballot.
7. If you have any problems voting ask for help from the volunteers. If they cannot help you to your satisfaction report the problem to your State’s Secretary of State. You can find contact information for them here (select your state under “Search by State”).

Remember, the best way to effect change in the government is by exercising your right to vote. So get out there!

League of Women Voters’ Vote411.org.

I find this story interesting because it encapsulates a lot of what’s wrong with America today.

If you’re not familiar with the story, Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, resigned his post on Thursday after allegation by a gay prostitute that he had been paid by Haggard for sex over the last 3 years and that he had witnessed Haggard doing methamphetamines on a couple of occasions. Haggard promptly took an “administrative leave” while an “independent” commission made up of church leaders will look into the allegations. Since then an email has surfaced that reports that there has “been some admission of indiscretion, not admission to all of the material that has been discussed, but there is an admission of some guilt.”

Oh the hypocrisy! Haggard, an out-spoken opponent of gay marriage admitting to “indiscretions” – funny how when they get caught it’s indiscretions and when other people do it, it’s a sin. The hypocrisy in the U.S. over the last 6 years is so thick you can cut it with a knife. The Republican party and their evangelical cronies have been copping a “do as we say, not as we do” attitude with the American people and, frankly, I’m sick of it. The sooner these right-wing religious nuts realize that they need to focus on themselves and not worry so much about trying to control the rest of us the better off we’ll all be.

Here’s a little quote from the NAE site about gay marriage:

Homosexual activity, like adulterous relationships, is clearly condemned in the Scriptures. In Leviticus 18:22 God declares the practice of homosexuality an abomination in His sight. In Romans 1:26-27 the practice of homosexuality is described as a degrading and unnatural passion. I Corinthians 6:9-10 identifies the practice of homosexuality as a sin that, if persisted in, brings grave consequences in this life and excludes one from the Kingdom of God.

Wow… what happens if you’re homosexual activity is also adulterous… it boggles the mind!

Update: Ted Haggard is the worst liar EVER!

Author Frank Schaeffer has announced he’s leaving the Republican party after receiving the following email message from Republican George Allen’s campaign supporters;

“First, it was the Catholic priests, then it was Mark Foley, and now Jim Webb, whose sleazy novels discuss sex between very young teenagers. … Hmmm, sounds like a perverted pedophile to me! Pass the word that we do not need any more pedophiles in office.”

Sleazy? Yes. Surprising in this political climate? Sadly, no. The bright side is that people of conviction on both sides of the political aisle are stepping forward and saying, “enough is enough.” They are turning their backs on divisive, partisan politics and moving to create an atmosphere of healing by their sheer force of will.

I know that I, to some degree, have fallen victim to the mire that we call politics today. I have found myself disliking (occasionally almost hating) some of the conservatives that trumpet their right-wing ideologies. I do attempt to remind myself that this cannot become “us” versus “them”. That there are good Republicans who want to do the right thing and, equally, that not every Democrat is principled and well-meaning. What I do revile is the current administration. This president who snuck himself into the White House under the guise of a “uniter” only to bring the most divisiveness yet seen in American politics.

This can’t be laid totally at George Bush’s feet. The Congress had begun to spin out of control during the Clinton administration. Republican’s getting in 1994 what surely must have seemed a long time coming to them – control of Congress. They came back with a vengeance and have pushed their agenda while marginalizing the Democrats (with some help from said Democrats) along the way.

The news media is also to blame in this sordid tale. Many seem to have forgotten the difference between news and commentary. It’s nearly impossible to get the simple facts anymore with having it spun in one direction or the other. If you’re listening to Rush Limbaugh or Keith Olbermann (sorry to mention you in the same sentence as Limbaugh, Keith) then you can know what to expect – commentary. But when Fox News claims to be fair and balanced with their news reporting – Edward R. Murrow must be rolling over in his grave. I only have this to say to the news media; Grow a pair.

Let’s hope that this movement of sorts can continue and politics can get back to what it should be; people with two different political philosophies working together to for the betterment of this great country.

Schaeffer story from The Dallas Morning News.

Just an informal poll here and, since my readership is somewhere around zero, it’s definitely not a representative sampling.

OK, election day is almost here. How do you plan on voting? Check the results from a month ago here. I know… only 10 votes. I’m hoping to get a couple more this time.

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