March 31, 2015

OK folks, I need some answers.

First of all, why the rabbits, with chocolate eggs? Was Hey-Zeus involved in some biological experiments which hatched into chocolate bunnies?

Second, if Hey-Zeus really existed (ahem), if he was nailed to a plank, AND if he died, why did he wait three days to come back? Was that some sort of zombie concoction he was given? Night of the Living Dead, BCE? And after he came back, why the hell did he leave once again?

Third, if if that upstairs fairy tale dude had a son that he sent on to this flat earth, who the hell was the mother? What ever happened to her? Come to think of it, if this god dude had a son, and if he was never married, isn't Hey-Zeus illegitimate?

Lastly, if all these magical thingies were taking place in the muddled east, how the hell did a north-central town like Avignon, WAY across Pond Med, become party central for what eventually became the RC church? I understand that the booze and wine were great, and that the hookers were unbelievably attractive, but why the move? And why did they next go to the Big V in Rome?

If any of my questions offend your religion, well, I'll just quote Mike Pence and make it all bitter.

March 28, 2015

On being blocked . . .

I suppose I can understand a bit. Our presence scares and angers people, although far fewer here than on other sites. Too many people had their brains washed and rinsed in some religious rite or wrong, too many deal with the world with fear -a fear installed and instilled, even stoked by wrongheaded ministers, preachers, rabbis, imams, and priests.

Some folks take those lessons to heart, and in the process, lose something special. They lose the ability to think rationally first, emotionally last. They feel that by spitting or attacking women seeking medical care, that somehow they prove themselves to their god. What exactly, I haven't a clue. They go after atheists, agnostics, humanists because they fear what our ideas do to their kids. They come here to create strife, because they feel it is their godly duty.

Just what sort of god teaches those kinds of lessons?

March 23, 2015

I have met Obama,

And he are us, with all apologies to Pogo.

I have looked over several news aggregators, responses to comments mine, and various diaries pointing out the harder, clearer and easier to follow line that he has drawn. And I gotta say, I really like Obama.exe, Ver. 2.0.

A couple of things at play, in no particular order.

1. There is no Rahmbo telling progressives to "Fuck off."
2. Obama's staff noticed that when he takes a principled stance, he wins. And when he reaches across the aisle, they pour acid on his hand, stab him in the back, and go back on their word.
3. His unexpected leadership acts have thoroughly confused and confounded the GOP, which expected even more aisle crossing efforts. It has led directly to fratricide inside of the GOP, a blood-letting that has only begun.
4. His last electoral victory has freed him from artificial constraints.

Anyway, I think he is doing great, both domestically AND in foreign affairs, making the GOP look even more inept and irrational.

March 5, 2015

Police Car Slams into Animal Clinic in Springdale

Source: CBS Local

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Slippery roads caused a big problem for a police officer in Springdale Thursday morning.
The officer’s cruiser slid on some ice, which sent the car across a parking lot and into the side of a veterinarian’s office.
The gaping hole that was left behind is now boarded up and the vet clinic is open for business.

Read more: http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/05/police-car-slams-into-animal-hospital-in-springdale/

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The police then issued citations against the Animal Clinic for improper lane usage, illegal cell phone use, operating without a seat belt, and resisting arrest.

They even served the citations with a SWAT team, since the SWATs had been unused for too long.

March 5, 2015

Most recent polls have Chuy Garcia tied with Rahm Emanuel for Chicago's mayoral race.

When you think about it, it is amazing. On one side there are hollywood millions pumped into the campaign of a nasty, arrogant, dismissive, and ruthless guy who danced ballet and served with Israel's IDF. He made his first big impact in national politics by convincing a relatively unknown Arkansas Governor that money was not just an important part of campaigning, it was the only thing. In return, Clinton put him in ever higher positions. Rahmbo was instrumental in getting NAFTA drafted and passed. He also repeatedly, with many confirmed reports of the pleasure he took in doing so, told liberals and progressives to get fucked.

Rahm spent a reported $15,000,000, hogging the airways, pushing messaging on T&V, radio, and newspapers, and mailings to voters than can be measured by the kiloton per voter.

On the other side, you have an educated, polite, pleasant and very smart guy who, despite snarky and sneaky attacks by Rahmbo, is no novice when it comes to politics. He sat on the Chicago City Council, he was elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners, and he is currently the floor leader of the Board. You don't get there by being a flyweight facing Mohammed Ali.

Chuy spent about 1.3 million, coming into the race quite late (due to another favorite to oppose Rahm, who would have run but her for diagnosis of brain tumors.)

The idea that they are tied is shocking, but pleasing. But that is a trusted indie poll that has been pretty accurate throughout its history. Polls purchased by Rahm show him ahead by 2-3 points, just at the margin of error. Even those results are striking and should cause Rahm to be checking his undies for telltale skidmarks.

From today's Crains Chicago Business, a relatively conservative, pro-business magazine:

"Garcia, experienced as an alderman, state senator and now county commissioner, is a genuinely amiable, personable guy. The worst thing opponents have to say is he's too professorial and perhaps too nice to be mayor of Chicago. In contrast, even Mayor Rahm Emanuel's best friends recognize that likeability is hardly his long suit. Obama candidly calls him "hardheaded" in a commercial.

"So a relatively unknown candidate, outspent $15 million to $1.3 million, makes history by forcing the incumbent into a runoff. There were numerous policy differences with Emanuel, but I believe that after being introduced to a wider public, Garcia's likeability factor came into play."
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150304/OPINION/150309909/cant-buy-them-love-the-likeability-factor-in-chicagos-mayoral-race

I predict a couple of things.

1. Despite putting his heavy presidential thumb on the primary scales, Obama will be sure to stay away from the run-off election. There is too much to lose locally, and his presence is no guarantee that Rahmbo will benefit from his active support.

2. The grass roots funding for Chuy is shocking local political observers. Some of it is anti-Rahm, some of it is pro-Chuy, and some appears to be a block of people who are tired of what has been happening to this wonderful city. Watch for grass roots funding to have a large impact on the election. (Which is good for Chuy, since he doesn't have millions coming in from the West Coasters)

3. Get ready to record some of the attack ads from Rahm. Rahm has always been a "take no prisoners" type of jerk, but this time he actually faces a popular opponent and may lose. Like a cornered, rabid dog, his basest and most common instinct will be to strike, and strike hard.

How Chuy responds to the lies that Rahm will be sure to throw at him will be the key to this election. That, and the fact that people may tire of just how abusive Rahm will be towards the end.

The election is April 7th. If you are a progressive, if you want to donate (PLEASE!), go here:
http://www.chicagoforchuy.com/index.html
or here:
https://secure.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/38787

March 3, 2015

Religion is dying in the USA

http://www.pewforum.org/2012/10/09/nones-on-the-rise/

A Pew research study finds that 22% of Americans, especially younger adults, now claim no official religious beliefs, the second largest group in the country, after Protestsnts (48%).

This is great news. Of course, the media darlings who love them a huckster or a Palin, or any president who closes any speech with "God bless America," might be taken aback by this. Too bad.

This shows that there still is hope for the country's future.

I believe

That I will celebrate!

March 2, 2015

I donated to Jesus Chuy Garcia. Have you?

February 25, 2015

What a run-off means for Rahm Emanual

It means he better change his shorts, cuz no matter how you cut it, it ain't purdy.

Colon, his top supporter in the Council lost. Two other close supporters are in run-offs, too. Suarez, Alderman AND Deputy Mayor for Rahm, (who ruled the Council with an iron fist) has a run-off.

For Rahm to fail to crack 50% means that his many millions did not help. It means that Obama's Netanyahu-like visit on the eve of the election did not help. (Hint to Obama - Stay out of this local race if you don't want to get splattered with the upcoming mud fight). It means that many people stayed home because they did not want to go and vote for Rahm. It means that Rahm has pretty much peaked, and is in serious trouble in the April election. It also means the Bruce Rauner's closest mayoral friend in the state may not be there after April.

February 24, 2015

Rauner - buyers' remorse?

I have buddies in both municipal, court, and police & sheriffs' offices. Despite my warnings and gentle proddings, a surprising majority of them decided to vote against Gov. Quinn and allowed Bruce "Scott" Rauner to buy the governorship.

Those who I have seen since the state of the onion message have been uniformly depressed by their decisions, especially since they are the ones who will suffer the most.

The problem Rauner has is that both houses of government are against him on most major issues. The problem that the Democrats have is that a governor still has some powers that will create strife and trouble.

Wisconsin, our lovely neighbor to the north, has suffered another decline in average wages, now $800 less than Indiana, which is far lower than Illinois. Rauner's plan is to follow the Wankerstan approach and demolish labor as a political or lobbying force.

Then again, Quinn pretty much ran a campaign as though it was designed by the DNC. No specifics, no answers, just "I'm not as bad as the other guy."

February 13, 2015

Gov. Kitzhaber just resigned.

Source: NYT

Not unexpected, but still too bad.

Read more: Link to source