Dune Messiah

"Spill Baby Spill!" :-(

2010-05-20T19:40:00.001-05:00

I, too, sing America.

2010-05-17T08:50:00.002-05:00

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.

Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.
Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--

I, too, am America.

Langston Hughes wrote this poem in 1926.

H/T Crooks and Liars.

Public Schools Are Better.

2010-05-07T21:51:00.000-05:00

Here is the link where I read that.

Here is a bit of what this study had to say (click on it to read the actual study):

"To summarize the most important findings once demographic and location differences were controlled:
• Public schools significantly out-scored Catholic schools (by over 7 points in 4th grade, and almost 4 points in 8th grade).
• Of all private school types studied, Lutheran schools performed the best. 4th grade scores in Lutheran schools were roughly 4 points lower than in comparable public schools, but were (a statistically insignificant) 1 point higher at the 8th grade.
• The fastest growing segment of the private school sector, conservative Christian schools, were also the lowest performing, trailing public schools by more than 10 points at grades 4 and 8.
• Charter schools scored a significant 4.4 points lower than non-charter public schools in 4th grade, but scored (a statistically insignificant) 2.4 points higher in 8th grade."

Aida - The Gods Love Nubia

2009-09-28T10:12:00.004-05:00

This one is for my cutie pie daughter Nubia. The lyrics for "The Gods Love Nubia" from the Opera Aida.

Take me in my dreams recurring

Cheerful as a childhood dance

Into one more taste of freedom

One more longing backward glance

In the sway of somber music

I shall never, never understand

Let me slip into the sweeter

Chorus of that other land

The Gods love Nubia, the beautiful, the golden

The radiant, the fertile, the gentle and the blessed

The pain of Nubia is only of the moment

The desolate, the suffering, the plundered, the oppressed

The Gods love Nubia, the glorious creation

The songs roll sweetly across the the harvest plain

The tears of Nubia, a passing aberration

They wash into the river and are never cried again

The Gods love Nubia, we have to keep believing

The scattered and divided, we are still it's heart

The fall of Nubia, ephemeral and fleeting

The spirit always burning though the flesh is torn apart

Why the "Liberal Media" idea is a Lie. Example #0124

2009-02-07T06:38:00.001-06:00

Think Progress » REPORT: GOP Lawmakers Outnumber Dem Lawmakers By Almost 2 To 1 In Cable News Stimulus Debate Again

...had not paid attention till now

2009-02-04T08:10:00.000-06:00

Sinead O'connor
Feel So Different lyrics
(Sinead O'Connor)

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change
Courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know the difference

I am not like I was before
I thought that nothing would change me
I was not listening anymore
Still you continued to affect me

I was not thinking anymore
Although I said I still was
I'd said "I don't want anymore"
Because of bad experience

But now I feel so different
I feel so different
I feel so different

I have not seen freedom before
And I did not expect to
Don't let me forget now I'm here
Help me to help you to behold you

I started off with many friends
And we spent a long time talking
I thought they meant every word they said
But like everyone else they were stalling

And now they seem so different
They seem so different
They seem so different

I should have hatred for you
But I do not have any
And I have always loved you
Oh you have taught me plenty

The whole time I'd never seen
All you had spread before me
The whole time I'd never seen
All I'd need was inside me

Now I feel so different
I feel so different
I feel so different

I feel so different
I feel so different

...mmh...

2009-02-02T08:29:00.000-06:00

Our names are labels, plainly printed on the bottled essence of our past behavior. ~Logan Pearsall Smith

Desired Things - Desiderata

2009-01-16T14:58:00.000-06:00

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

--- Max Ehrmann, 1927

Phenomenal Woman By Maya Angelou

2008-11-12T13:43:00.003-06:00

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Maya Angelou

Do'h!!! Stupid Machine...

2008-10-02T08:56:00.000-05:00

Poem Without Ends

2008-09-26T10:01:00.003-05:00

One cannot take the beginning out of the air
saying 'It is the time: the hour is here.'
The process is continuous as wind,
the bird observed, not rising, but in flight,
unrealized, in motion in the mind.

The end of everything is similar, never
actually happening, but always over.
The agony, the bent head, only tell
that already in the heart the innocent evening
is thick with all the ferment of farewell.

Alastair Reid

WTF!!! She Is Messed Up... Its Not Lipstick On This Pig, Its Blood!

2008-09-15T09:01:00.003-05:00

Pig With Lipstick or... Lyin' Sarah Palin?

2008-09-11T09:00:00.002-05:00

H/T TPM

Family Values... Hookers and Blow Style!!!

2008-09-02T09:28:00.002-05:00

Hey I thought they were all filling sand bags...

Poll: Obama Faring Poorly Among Racists

2008-08-18T08:05:00.003-05:00

Bigots Oppose Barack by 1000-1 Margin

In a potentially ominous sign for the presumptive Democratic nominee, a new poll shows Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill) trailing far behind G.O.P. standard bearer Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz) among voters who identify themselves as racists.

Pundits and pollsters alike have wondered about the role racists might play in the 2008 presidential contest, but the new survey released today was the first concrete attempt to take the pulse of this key voting bloc.

The poll, conducted by Duh Magazine, suggests that Mr. Obama faces an uphill battle in his effort to win the votes of dyed-in-the-wool bigots.

"We wanted to know, why isn't Barack Obama closing the deal among racists?" said Charles Plugh, editor-in-chief of Duh. "The answer seems to be, because he's black."

In a head-to-head match-up, likely bigots chose Sen. McCain over Sen. Obama by a margin of one thousand to one, with a majority of racists saying they "strongly disagree" with Sen. Obama's decision not to be white.

Asked under what conditions they would conceivably vote for a black presidential candidate, 95% of racists responded, "Only if he was running against someone from a group I hated even more, such as Arabs."

Duh editor Plugh says the poll indicates that Sen. Obama "has his work cut out for him" if he is going to make up lost ground among racists.

"Sen. Obama made a choice at the beginning of this campaign to run as a black man," Mr. Plugh said. "He could change his position on that, but racists might see that as too little, too late."

H/T Andy Borowitz

Fiscal Conservative Or Tax And Spend Liberal... Up Is Down And Red Is Blue.

2008-08-08T08:42:00.002-05:00

Saint McCain's Got Cute Friends... Well Some People Think Katie Couric is Cute.

2008-07-28T15:16:00.003-05:00

Here is the video that should prove to McCain that somebody does love him. Who else would show the level of care it takes to throw out the only news worthy part of the interview. You know the part where McCain shows how little he understands about the Iraq War (his supposed strong point), and erases his actual answer with his answer to another question. Got that... McCain totally screwed up and pretty much lets us know how ignorant he is on this war thingy, and CBS replaces his real answer to the question with an answer to another question. Yes, well how nice. How nice of CBS for covering such a major gaffe. Otherwise I may have been informed, and well who the hell wants that.

Obama Better Just Stay In Europe...

2008-07-28T12:42:00.003-05:00

Because McCain's got a new ad and, well its over. We will go back and look at this couple of minutes and remember how McCain rose like a Phoenix from the ashes to give Bush a 3rd term. Hello Canada.

H/T Wonkette

Why I Like Rachel Maddow...

2008-07-22T21:23:00.003-05:00

Its all good, but getting to minute 2:08 was a treat.

Ximena Sariñana

2008-07-10T16:52:00.002-05:00

This I Want To Go To...

2008-06-03T09:22:00.003-05:00

C'MON SPURS!!!!!!

2008-05-29T20:32:00.004-05:00

Spurs up 33 to 18

Photo from AP Photo by Eric Gay

...and now... Geraldo Rivera: "Secretary Chertoff, Call Off These Raids"

2008-05-28T09:06:00.001-05:00

These completely overdone costume dramas are targeting cowering economic refugees just trying to feed their families. They would be ridiculed as overkill and posturing by any real soldier or cop.

read more | digg story

U.S. Allowed Chinese to Interrogate and Abuse Gitmo Prisoner

2008-05-21T21:29:00.002-05:00

What have we allowed these clowns to do in our name. How many steps down have these last 8 years taken us. Torture the lowest of all Family Values.

read more | digg story

Two Commercials... one of them sucks...

2008-05-21T20:59:00.002-05:00

First the Republican:

Now the Democrat:

Declaration of Helsinki

2008-05-19T19:13:00.006-05:00

"Bush's FDA has just announced that it is going to scrap American participation in the Declaration of Helsinki -- the major international accord on ethical principles guiding physicians and other participants in medical research on human subjects. This isn't a decision involving mere medical bureaucracy -- it in fact clears the way for ethics-free drug testing, especially beyond American borders, and it means people will die, sometimes horribly."

H/T Orcinus... go here.

Back By My Demand... ABBA!

2008-05-16T13:51:00.000-05:00

Here is a bit of background to prepare you for the awesomeness, yes awesomeness of this video. From Wikipedia:

The Battle of Waterloo, fought on June 18, was Napoleon Bonaparte's last battle. His defeat put a final end to his rule as Emperor of France.

The Dinosaur gets the Tip Of The Hat.

On Appeasement...

2008-05-15T21:26:00.002-05:00

Why Is Gasoline So Expensive?

2008-05-04T21:45:00.003-05:00

The rise in the price of oil in recent years involves four components:

— The effects of supply and demand. Exxon Mobil senior vice president Stephen Simon testified the supply-demand equilibrium is at “somewhere around $50-55 a barrel” — about half the current price.

– The weaker dollar. Since 2001, “the dollar has lost 45% of its value” against the euro. In 2003 one gallon of gas in the U.S. cost $1.50 and 1.50 Euro. Today’s $3.60 gallon of gas costs only 2.25 Euro.

– Geopolitical risk. Since 2003, the United States has been committed to a three-trillion-dollar war in Iraq, the heart of the turbulent oil-producing world. Furthermore, the burning of oil is continuing to increase global warming, “one of the greatest national security challenges ever faced.”

– Speculation. “Investors have looked to commodities not only as a hedge against inflation but as a hedge against the tumbling greenback.

H/T Think Progres's Wonk Room.

see also Energy Information Administration

This I Want To Go To...

2008-05-01T13:36:00.002-05:00

This Makes Me Bitter... Actually, Its Scary

2008-04-29T09:57:00.004-05:00

Photoshop: NOW FOR ALL YOUR WARMAKING NEEDS!!!

Professor William Beeman at the University of Minnesota passed along a note today from "a colleague with a U.S. security clearance" about the mysterious Syrian site targeted in a Sept. 6 Israeli airstrike.

The note raises more questions about the evidence shown last week by U.S. intelligence officials to lawmakers in the House and Senate.

The author of the note pinpoints irregularities about the photographs. Beeman's source alleges that the CIA "enhanced" some of the images. For example he cites this image:

...go here to see the pictures and more commentary.

The Shock Doctrine : The Rise of Disaster Capitalism

2008-04-28T21:41:00.003-05:00

Just got the book... here is her column. More soon... Que envidia Osvaldo.

This I Want To Go To... Naomi Klein in Chile

2008-04-28T13:31:00.004-05:00

Choosing War: The Decision to Invade Iraq and Its Aftermath

2008-04-18T08:41:00.003-05:00

New report from Institute for National Strategic Studies National Defense University. Here is a bit from the author. I guess the War in Iraq is a perfect representation of the abilities of the Worst President Ever.

About the Author Dr. Joseph J. Collins has been Professor of National Security Strategy at the National War College since 2004. Prior to this assignment, he served for 3 years as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Stability Operations. From 1998 to 2001, Dr. Collins was a Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where he researched economic sanctions, national security policy, and homeland security. In 1998, after nearly 28 years of military service, Dr. Collins retired from the U.S. Army as a colonel. His many publications include books and articles on war in Afghanistan, Operation Desert Storm, military culture, defense transformation, homeland defense, and the way ahead in Iraq.
Dr. Collins holds a bachelor’s degree from Fordham University and two master’s degrees and a doctorate in political science from Columbia University. In 2004, he was awarded the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, its highest civilian award.

This Makes Me Bitter... Burger King Penny Pinching Pricks

2008-04-18T08:16:00.003-05:00

Telling Burger King to pay an extra penny for tomatoes and provide a decent wage to migrant workers would hardly bankrupt the company. Indeed, it would cost Burger King only $250,000 a year. At Goldman Sachs, that sort of money shouldn’t be too hard to find. In 2006, the bonuses of the top 12 Goldman Sachs executives exceeded $200 million — more than twice as much money as all of the roughly 10,000 tomato pickers in southern Florida earned that year. Now Mr. Blankfein should find a way to share some of his company’s good fortune with the workers at the bottom of the food chain.

H/T Victor M

“Namah Shivayah”

2008-04-17T10:40:00.000-05:00

H/T Howie Klein

"A Solitary War: A Diplomat's Chronicle of the Iraq War and Its Lessons"

2008-03-26T08:43:00.004-05:00

Fom the Washinton Post...

The rough-and-tumble diplomatic strategy has generated lasting "bitterness" and "deep mistrust" in Washington's relations with allies in Europe, Latin America and elsewhere, wrote Heraldo Muñoz, Chile's ambassador to the United Nations, in his book "A Solitary War: A Diplomat's Chronicle of the Iraq War and Its Lessons," set for publication next month.

Obama's Important Speech

2008-03-19T16:55:00.001-05:00

Rumors Of His Tolerance Were Highly Exagerated

2008-01-18T21:14:00.000-06:00

Mitt Romney Defends Himself Against Allegations Of Tolerance

Don't Piss Jimmy Off

2008-01-11T10:17:00.000-06:00

I Got What America Needs Right Here

Sometimes I'm a little stupid, maybe, a little slow in the head, so I'm wondering if you can help me get something straight....

This I Want To Go To...

2007-11-16T15:24:00.000-06:00

SAN ANTONIO, November 15 - Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi will join U.S. Reps. Ciro Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, Charles Gonzalez, D-San Antonio, Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, and San Antonio officials Saturday to discuss the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) bill.

The bill aims to cover children who are currently eligible for benefits under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) but do not receive coverage due to insufficient federal funding. It would provide health insurance to 10 million children, including 966,406 in the state of Texas.

The event, scheduled for 12:30 PM on November 17th, will take place at Milam Park in San Antonio.

She's a Lady. Wououououou... she's a Lady.

H/T to San Antonio Young Democrats.

This I Want To Hear... Why Is So Much Money Missing?

2007-11-12T23:56:00.000-06:00

It's official: embattled State Department Inspector General Howard "Cookie" Krongard will finally testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Wednesday.

Krongard, for the uninitiated, is the IG voted most likely to... not investigate waste, fraud and abuse. In September, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), the oversight committee chairman, accused him of scuttling investigations into corruption in State activities and contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Matters got worse when Krongard's subordinates told Waxman that his aides threatened retaliation against them for going public. Condoleezza Rice promised that Krongard would answer the charges. The FBI got involved. It's a whole to-do.

By Spencer Ackerman - November 12, 2007, 11:56AM

Where is our money! This is the guy who was supposed to look after us. C-SPAN will have it.

H/T to the Muckraker.

Let Me Tell You Something About The Irish... or how to interview Bush

2007-11-11T10:34:00.000-06:00

They can interview better than American reporters...

H/T to Agitprop

Col. Steven A. Boylan, the Public Affairs Officer and Fire Pants Wearer

2007-11-01T07:15:00.000-05:00

A bizarre, unsolicited e-mail from Gen. Petraeus' spokesman

THIS IS A GREAT STORY!!! It starts here, then here. (just click thru the ad)

Man this one is good H/T to Glenn Greenwald.

On Homework... The Preamble

2007-10-25T07:27:00.000-05:00

Here you go Sonny Boy... I hope it helps you remember the Preamble of the Constitution.

On Schools... They Fix The Budget With A Tax On The Poor

2007-10-18T18:27:00.000-05:00

I don't know but I think the poor in this school district will definitely feel these large fees. How is this different from a huge tax hike.

On Abortion... New Study

2007-10-18T07:59:00.000-05:00

ABORTION DECLINES WORLDWIDE,
FALLS MOST WHERE ABORTION IS BROADLY LEGAL

Eastern Europe Sees Most Significant Decline,
First Global Review Since 1995 Shows

Unsafe Abortion Remains a Major Global Health Challenge

H/T to Cristina and the Guttmacher Institute.

Speaker Pelosi on Childrens Health Insurance

2007-10-16T19:10:00.000-05:00

Speaker Nancy Pelosi:
“I’m reminded of the Bible tonight, and I speak with all of the sincerity and all of the hope to President Bush in the hope that he will change his mind. To dig deeply into his heart and think about the children in America who don’t have healthcare. Because if not, I think that the President is giving new meaning to the words, ’suffer, little children.’ Suffer, little children, if your parents can’t afford health insurance. But they’re working hard and they’re not on Medicaid, but you will suffer because they’re struggling to give you the best possible future. Suffer, little children if your family has played by the rules and they’ve come to this country and you are here as a legal immigrant, because if you are sick, you will not get healthcare unless your parents can afford private insurance. Suffer, little children if you are sick, because you haven’t had the proper nutrition, the proper prevention, the proper early intervention to your affliction, and you should go directly to the emergency room. But until you can get into that emergency room with enough of a serious illness, you will suffer. That’s just not right.”

Override The Veto on SCHIP

2007-10-16T18:53:00.000-05:00

Here are a few reasons to stand up to the bad decisioner...

Newspapers Across the Country Call for Override of President’s Veto of Bipartisan Children’s Health Insurance Bill
October 5th, 2007 by Office of the Speaker
“Misleading Spin on Children’s Health”
New York Times - October 5, 2007

“Trying to justify his ideologically driven veto of a bill to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, President Bush and his staff have fired a barrage of misinformation about this valuable program. Before the House votes on whether to override the veto, all members — especially those from Mr. Bush’s party who say they are concerned about millions of uninsured children — must look behind the rhetoric…Mr. Bush’s primary rationales for his veto tend to disintegrate when examined closely…Like so many other things that Mr. Bush has gotten disastrously wrong, he’d already made up his mind and had no interest in listening to others’ arguments. Now it is up to Congress to show Mr. Bush that such blind partisanship will not be rewarded. For the sake of America’s children, lawmakers must override the veto.”

“In America, it’s a sad day for children’s health care”
San Antonio Express-News - October 5, 2007

“Despite repeated calls from both parties, President Bush on Wednesday chose to use the fourth veto of his presidency to spike a proposed expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. It’s a bad move that leaves millions of kids without insurance and promotes a penny-wise and pound-foolish fiscal approach…This is no left-of-center proposal. Significant numbers of Republicans backed the bill, and a broad range of organizations support it — the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, America’s Health Insurance Plans and the Healthcare Leadership, which represents insurers, hospitals, pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies…This veto is bad public policy. The Democrats and Republicans who supported an expansion of the program should keep working on this one.”

“Reverse Bush’s veto on SCHIP”
Denver Post - October 5, 2007

“The U.S. House of Representatives should vote to override President Bush’s veto of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as SCHIP, when it takes up the issue Oct. 18. We urge all members of Colorado’s congressional delegation, which has so far divided along party lines on SCHIP, to vote to override this misguided veto. A bill ensuring that poor American children have access to basic health care is not a proper venue for political games.”

“This president’s veto deserves an override”
Seattle Times - October 5, 2007

“The bipartisan spirit that created the children’s health insurance program a decade ago ought to be rekindled to override a presidential veto of an expansion…The States Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is universally supported for providing health coverage for children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private health insurance….Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle get this. Why Bush doesn’t is a question raised by prominent Republicans such as Sens. Orrin Hatch of Utah, Charles Grassley of Iowa and Pat Roberts of Kansas…An override vote is set for Oct. 18. Between now and then, Republican holdouts ought to ask themselves if they really want to follow Bush off the cliff on this one.”

“Foes of health-care bill let down the children”
Kansas City Star - October 5, 2007

“U.S. Rep. Sam Graves has turned to red herrings and scare tactics to justify his callousness toward ill children whose families cannot afford to take them to a doctor. The Missouri 6th District Republican went against most public opinion and the majority of Congress when he voted to deny medical coverage to low-income children through the State Children’s Health Insurance Program…Cheers for lawmakers who will vote to override in the face of unreasonable opposition from the president and some in his party.”

“Switching sides: Cannon, Bishop should change votes on CHIP”
Salt Lake Tribune - October 5, 2007

“It’s a rare moment when the individual votes of Utah’s congressional representatives can make a decisive difference for people who are in need. The upcoming vote to override President Bush’s veto of a bipartisan bill to expand the Children’s Health Insurance Program is one of those rare opportunities. So far, the majority of our congressional delegation has been on the wrong side, the president’s side, of this issue. But they have a chance to redeem themselves, to stand up and tell The Decider he decided wrong, and they should grab it. Their first responsibility is to Utah’s children, not to a lame-duck president who rarely gets it right.”

“Override veto: Expand kids’ health insurance”
Des Moines Register - October 5, 2007

“Bush simply didn’t want to compromise on this issue. And he doesn’t have to. At this point in his presidency, he has little to lose. His approval ratings are low, and he’s not running for re-election. However, members of Congress will face the voters again. Any members who don’t vote to override the veto should be held accountable by voters in the next election…The vast majority of Americans support providing health care to this country’s children. Congress should reflect that sentiment. Those who fail to represent the interests of the people have no place in Washington - and no business using the taxpayer-funded plans that members of Congress enjoy.”

“A bad veto on children’s insurance”
Minneapolis Star-Tribune - October 5, 2007

“Children’s advocates staged a vigil at the office of Rep. Michele Bachmann Wednesday night, urging her to defy President Bush in the big showdown that developed this week over children’s health insurance. We don’t always applaud political theater, but in this case the advocates are right. The number of uninsured children in the United States is a national disgrace, and the bill that Congress produced last week was a sensible, cost-effective answer. Bachmann and Rep. John Kline, the only no votes in the Minnesota delegation, should switch sides and support a veto override… The larger puzzle in this debate is why every other advanced nation can give its children health insurance while spending far less than Americans do. SCHIP has been a practical, effective step toward solving that puzzle, and it deserves better than a presidential veto.”

“Let’s cover the children”
Boston Globe - October 5, 2007

“No one can accuse Utah Senator Orrin Hatch of being an exponent of big government, but he realizes that the children’s health insurance program he co-sponsored in 1997 needs to be expanded. Because of Republicans like him, the bill that would cover an additional 3.8 million youngsters has enough support in the Senate to override President Bush’s indefensible veto. With a push by the bill’s coalition of backers, it will also get the 15 to 20 votes needed to override the veto in the House…If the House fails to override the veto, Speaker Nancy Pelosi plans to send the bill through again. But the first override vote isn’t until Oct. 18, plenty of time for the American Medical Association, the American Cancer Society, the association of America’s Health Insurance Plans, and all the other groups supporting S-Chip to persuade 15 to 20 representatives to join the 265 who have already voted for the bill. As Hatch said this week, it’s ‘the morally right thing to do.’”

“Abandon Bush on SCHIP veto”
Olympian (Washington State) - October 5, 2007

“Congress should move swiftly to override President Bush’s veto of a bill to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)…SCHIP has been a success. It provides medical coverage for more than 6.6 million youngsters, helping to reduce by one-third the number of low-income children lacking health coverage…The bill approved in the House and Senate would have covered another 3.8 million children by 2012 by boosting SCHIP funding $35 billion over the next five years…But Bush said “no.” He offered instead to boost funding by $5 billion over five years, an increase that the Congressional Budget Office said is only 36 percent of what’s needed to maintain current program levels. What Republican Congressman in his or her right mind would want to see Bush prevail on this issue?”

“Bush errs with veto”
Bradenton Herald (Fla.) - October 5, 2007

“It’s unfortunate that Bush played politics with children’s health, primarily children from low-income families that can ill-afford coverage…The political fallout of the veto will be heavy.”

“A veto to overturn”
Roanoke Times - October 5, 2007

“President Bush this week wielded his veto power for only the fourth time in his presidency — to deny health care coverage to almost 4 million uninsured children. Now he wants to talk compromise with the bill’s backers. There should be no compromise. The expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program is good legislation that passed both houses of Congress with strong bipartisan support.”

“Torpedoed SCHIP”
Savannah Morning News (Ga.) - October 5, 2007

“Adequate medical insurance for the nation’s children is an investment in a healthy populace that will pay dividends in improved educational outcomes and greater productivity in the long-term. Too bad that President Bush doesn’t understand. His veto Wednesday of a bipartisan bill that would have improved the lives of an estimated 10 million children and their families was a bad decision. Pray that Congress overrides it.”

“President’s rhetoric doesn’t justify veto on bill”
Ashville Citizen-Times (NC) - October 5, 2007

“The reasons President Bush gave for vetoing a bill that would expand a popular health insurance program for low-income children exaggerated the program’s reach and were disingenuous at best, given the administration’s own poor record regarding fiscal responsibility…When considering the facts, as opposed to the president’s misleading rhetoric, it’s hard to justify not backing a bill that helps low-income children grow into healthy adults.”

“Override the veto: SCHIP program isn’t perfect, but it does work”
Patriot News (Penn.) - October 5, 2007

“One thing you can say about SCHIP is that it works. It isn’t perfect, but the good it does far outweighs the negatives. We urge Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation to speak with one voice and help override the president’s veto.

H/T to Speaker of The House Nancy Pelosi, and check out her blog at The Gavel.

Nobel Peace

2007-10-12T07:26:00.000-05:00

Daddy... What's Wrong With The Elephant?

2007-10-05T12:30:00.000-05:00

Sonny boy, dont get scared. Its just that the elephant has a wide stance. They created the elephant sodomizing the 2008 in honor of Senator Larry Craig since they will be holding the convention in his state. They only treat him like he was not a human being because they know their base is very very intolerant. But you see sonny boy, in the pit of their heart they love him. That's why they created a logo that was so perfecly portrayed the Senators Wide Stance. You may also notice that the elephant also appears partially decapitated, that is just another allusion to Mr. Craigs loosing all of his committe assignments for a misdemeanor. In a nutshell its just a hidden message from his Family Values friends.

Its Cheney's World We Just Live In It... Pt. Onion

2007-10-04T07:46:00.000-05:00

New Heart Device Allows Cheney To Experience Love

WASHINGTON, DC —"He broke free from the straps that secured him to the bed as he normally does after heart surgery. But then he hugged me," Cheney's cardiologist said.

Well Thank You So Much Mr. Greenspan

2007-09-17T08:04:00.000-05:00

...I can only imagine the courage it took to come out with your conclusion that the Iraq War is about oil. Yes the way you kept your opinions secret until its too late is classic. Here are the the words from his new book:

"I am saddened that it is politically inconvenient to acknowledge what everyone knows: the Iraq war is largely about oil."

Thanks for the heads up... heck of a job Greenie.

Must Post...

2007-09-11T18:53:00.000-05:00

Hi blog... its been a while.

10 REASONS TO IMPEACH GOVERNOR RICK PERRY

2007-08-21T06:50:00.000-05:00

Here is a list of attrocities from our Governor. I must confess that I kind of agreed with him on the HPV vaccine mandate (#9 below).

Just Ten Good Reasons To Impeach Mr. Veto

In fact, Perry Vetoed 49 bills passed in the 2007 legislative session, after the legislature went home, so he could not be overridden. Mr. Veto would probably argue that he restrained himself from the record he set in 2001, when he vetoed 82 bills, more than any governor in any single legislative session in Texas history since reconstruction. According to Paul Burka of the Texas Monthly, 17 of this year’s Perry vetoes were simply to get back at legislators who crossed him on his precious mega-special interest driven Trans-Texas Corridor and HPV vaccine mandate.

1. In 2003, Perry and Mike Krusee (R-Round Rock) snookered their legislative colleagues by pushing through legislation for the Trans-Texas Corridor and freeway-to-tollway conversions, that few understood. The Governor, Krusee, Texas Transportation Commissioner, Ric Williamson, and a few others continue to force what the public simply will not accept. And a revolving door in Austin goes round and round. Our favorite example is Dan Shelley, a high powered lobbyist for CINTRA (the Spanish toll road consortium), who wound up working in the Governor’s office writing transportation legislation.

2. Vetoing the first Corridor/Toll moratorium bill (HB 1892), then deforming the second moratorium bill (SB 792) taking from ordinary Texans a clear, unadulterated shot at a 30 month moratorium on the Governor’s universally hated plan to build the massive Trans-Texas Corridor and his freeway-to-tollway privatization boondoggles. (Don't worry, folks -- this fight is far from over, as Texans are gearing up to give the Governor the political hell-on-earth he so deserves to put a stop to this.)

3. Vetoing eminent domain reform designed to protect private property rights and to stop the taking of over 1 million acres of prime farm and ranchland -- for the Trans-Texas Corridor -- the largest land seizure in United States history.

4. Calling three special sessions on mid-census redistricting, disenfranchising not only Democratic voters, but the state’s growing numbers of independent voters whose voting power is diminished when “swing” districts are eliminated. The redistricting violated the Voting Rights Act, campaign finance laws and necessitated huge expenditures of taxpayer dollars in endless lawsuits and legal maneuvers. (In the end, what did we get -- the downfall of DeLay, the revolt against Speaker Craddick -- still underway, and the people’s movement for Perry’s impeachment! But scoundrels never learn.)

5. Perry’s small business franchise tax, which has increased taxes for many small businesses by a ten-fold average! (This is no joke, folks -- straight from the National Federation of Independent Businesses.)

6. Vetoing no less than 2 bills and one appropriations rider to help the beleaguered Community College System, including $150 million health insurance for the community college employees, while admonishing the colleges to “follow state law”. Why doesn’t the Governor do the same thing by curbing his veto fetish?

7. Unbelievably vetoing a bill banning diesel-fueled school buses idling to curb bus emissions exposing children to fine particles that can trigger asthma attacks. This bill had widespread support, no voiced opposition (including the Governor’s office) and was drawn upon an initiative by the President!

8. Selling out consumer protection for homeowners by stacking the Texas Residential Construction Commission with appointees from the construction industry. For example, Perry took $690,000 from homebuilder Bob Perry (Perry Homes -- no relation) and appointed Perry Homes attorney, John Krush to the Commission. Former Comptroller Carole Strayhorn thought it was such a joke that she called for the abolition of the commission and welcomed a legal challenge by the Attorney General.

9. Mandating Texas girls be vaccinated against the HPV virus, before entering the 6th grade (to which the legislature gave the full Nelson, pinning Perry to the mat, undoing this Merck Pharmaceuticals special interest driven deed!) It turned out that Perry had received campaign money from Merck, as did much of the legislature, and his former chief of staff, Mike Toomey, is a lobbyist for Merck.

10. A series of vetoes put the Perry poison pen to bipartisan criminal justice reform that would slow the pace of incarceration and provide for alternative funding mechanisms. Meanwhile prison guards remain some of the worst paid workers in the state and, as a result, the state prisons are dangerously under guarded. (In fact, we hear the Governor thinks prison guards should be paid minimum wage for the privilege of putting their lives on the line every day.)

(H/T Independent Texans)

Texas State Board of Education Chairman Ron McLeroy

2007-08-18T16:40:00.000-05:00

WHY DOESN'T HE QUIT!?!?!?! Yes, its genuine embarrassment I feel that this tool is the CHAIRMAN OF THE TEXAS BOARD OF EDUCATION. Parents hear this: He gets to make decisions on your children's education curriculum. Well just read his the transcripts of his speech to xxxxx church, or listen to it (its better to read then listen).

Busy now will update with the links.

Live Blogging the Fantasy Football Draft

2007-08-18T12:55:00.001-05:00

Keepers: Westbrook and Chad Johnson.

I love you sweetie... I miss you.

Its Cheney's World We Just Live In It... Pt. II

2007-08-16T07:09:00.000-05:00

To paraphrase Saint McCain... "bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran". Yes Cheney wants to bomb Iran for some reason. The easy thing to say is that Iranis are going into Iraq and attacking our soldiers.

Well here's a bit of facts that show how Iran is involved:

Now you might say:
"Dune you are sooo wrong, Iran is not even on that chart"

...you may even point out that according to your graph reading skills Saudi Arabia is definitely spanking Iran in their efforts to give credence to Dick "Shooter" Cheney's blood lust.

Yes you may say that...

...and then you would remind me how 28 of the 19 terrorists that hit the towers were from Saudi Arabia and that 0 of the 19 were from Iraq.

This is where I would stop you and question your patriotism and call you a coward cut and runner who hates Jesus, and I would win the debate.

Then without another thought I would passively allow this administration run by people who did their best to not serve in the armed forces brake our armed forces over a country that never attacked us.

One last thing: What the hell Italy? I'm boycotting the Olive Garden for 2 weeks. HospItaliano my ass, why is your name in that chart. I thought you were part of the mighty coalition.

On Drawing...

2007-08-12T20:55:00.000-05:00

I've been checking out the Animation Archive's $100,000.00 animation drawing course. It seems to pretty straight forward and you can post your progress on your blog to have feedback.

I'm always doodling but have always wanted to be able to draw at least decently. So I'm going to give this a try and will update the progress.

Its Cheney's World We Just Live In It... Pt. I

2007-08-10T22:11:00.000-05:00

Here is another story that makes little sense. We are selling 20,000,000,000.00 Dollars worth of advanced weapons to countries all over the Middle East.

Who makes these deals?!?

Well here are some bits from the McClatchy Story.

...it would include selling Saudi Arabia advanced weapons known as Joint Direct Attack Munitions, or JDAMs. JDAMs convert simple gravity bombs into accurate "smart" weapons.

Israel protested the proposed sale when word of it first leaked in April.

SO...

Israel has asked for access to the Air Force's most advanced fighter jet, the F-22 Raptor, and its stealth technology, which makes the aircraft more difficult to see on radar.

...

The weapons sales, however, are almost certain to be criticized by democracy and human rights advocates.

Dear Mr. Cheney, please count me in as a critizee, who doesn't like what he sees.

Constant H/T to the McClatchy Gang. When do you guys bring a newspaper into San Antonio?

On Iraq... The Contractors

2007-08-08T20:17:00.000-05:00

Military officials estimate that 125,000 contractors are working in the country, nearly the number of American troops. The figures on those who carry guns vary widely, depending on the source, but seem to settle on about 20,000. As of June 30, government figures show, 1,001 contractors had died in Iraq since the start of the war.

This I Want To Go To...

2007-08-08T16:50:00.000-05:00

A reminder for you all:

The San Antonio chapter of Drinking Liberally will gather at The Cove, 606 W. Cypress, starting around 6 pm on Thursday, August 9. The Cove is located just west of San Pedro, where Cypress runs into Fredericksburg.

Thanks to Bill Livermore for the reminder.

What is Drinking Liberally you ask... its the only way I drink.

This I Want To Go To...

2007-07-31T07:58:00.000-05:00

Balcones Heights Jazz Festival
THE AMPHITHEATRE AT CROSSROADS MALL
4522 Fredericksburg Road
This Friday August 3rd @ 7:00pm
Opening Act: Henry Brun & The Latin Playerz
Headliner: Warren Hill
FOR MORE INFORMATION: (210) 732-0055

Do You Know The Joke About The Village In Texas Missing Its Idiot?

2007-07-27T20:10:00.000-05:00

Well that village is not San Antonio, Texas. This is home to business man John Hagee of Cornerstone Something or Other, he calls it a church to screw America its share of taxes. Sadly this stain of a man has a huge audience who fund his Tom Cruise level crazy beliefs.
Oh, and whoever signed me up to Hagee's trash newsletter, two things: 1 - Funny; 2 - Scary.
So without further Delay, here is Max "ChickeHawk Slayer" Blumenthal again:

...in case you were wondering the idiot is not actually missing, some say he got elected to high public office.

Study: Iraqis May Experience Sadness When Friends, Relatives Die

2007-07-25T23:12:00.000-05:00

I like The Onion, it is consistently funny. But this piece is BRUTAL.

Some of the ouch:

Iraqis have often been observed weeping and wailing in apparent anguish, but the study offers evidence indicating this may not be exclusively an outward expression of anger or a desire for revenge. It also provocatively suggests that this grief can possess an American-like personal quality, and is not simply a tribal lamentation ritual.

...and

"We are, in truth, still a long way from determining if Iraqis are exhibiting actual, U.S.-grade sadness," Mayo Clinic neuropsychologist Norman Blum said. "At present, we see no reason for the popular press to report on Iraqi emotions as if they are real."

...it feels like even the clowns are disgusted with us and they can barely conceal their contempt.

Why are we in Iraq?

Generation Chickenhawk: With The College Republicans

2007-07-25T19:36:00.000-05:00

This is an instant classic. Maximum H/T to Max Blumenthal.

Chertoffs Intestines Overworked Due to Malfunctioning Brain

2007-07-21T08:27:00.000-05:00

I think the "gut" statement from our Homeland Security Knight nails the level of excellence in the Presidents Appointments. With Michael Chertoff and Judge John D. Bates as this weeks proof that Mr. Bush is dangerously incompetent.

(h/t to the AnimationArchive for the pic)

Who is Jonh D. Bates? Son he is a bad man...

2007-07-20T19:30:00.000-05:00

and he uses his power to corrupt our country, he hurts our country.

Judge Jonh D. Bates is a bad judge. I question his judging.

See here.

Live Blogging the Filibuster

2007-07-17T21:47:00.000-05:00

It is so telling how Lieberman always has to qualify his statements by saying "...and these are not the (Bush/Cheney)administrations numbers..."
Lieberman Loves War. Ok, thats not fair. Lieberman Loves THIS War... then why does he look so down? so droopy?

FILIBUSTER!!! finally

2007-07-16T19:13:00.000-05:00

Today I called Senator Harry Reid's Washington office, but his lines were jammed. Could not get thru. So all I had left was to call my Texas Senators, their staff picked up pretty quickly at both their San Antonio and Washington offices.

I had two concerns I wanted passed on to my Senators:

1-Vote yes on Senate Amendment 2022 (SB 2022) of H.R. 1585. This is the Habeas Corpus Restoration Act of 2007.

2-Please start speaking more about the war. I encouraged my senators to stop ending debate and go thru with what they are really doing, which is filibustering.

Its definitely what my two republican senators have been told to do, which is to stop legislation from getting thru the senate, any legislation. I dont think they actually wanted to filibuster the old fashioned way, but they made the bed.

Sadly I've become convinced that Cornyn and Hutchison never had any say in their votes involving the war. They were ruberstamps for the worst president ever. They cant take back their votes and now they don't have the guts to stand up to Cheney. Disappointing to see these two loyal Bushies not giving a damn about the damage done in our standing as a beacon of democracy, of human rights, of freedom.

I'm A Loaner

2007-07-16T07:59:00.000-05:00

I'm happy to have a positive update on the Kiva Microloans (see ad to the right). I've opted to help two businesses, one in Uruguay and one in Nigeria. Both have made their first repayment on time and they paid more than the minimum. I've been waiting to see how it worked before lending more money, so this is definitely a good sign. I have to say that it is very fulfilling to know that these very small businesses have been able to get a hand up from a growing community that has a bit of extra money. Also these poor entrepreneurs do not have to go thru their nations bank, who would not lend them the money anyway, or thru their friendly neighborhood loan shark, who would have to pre-break their kneecaps.

Osvaldo Romo and me. By O. Torres

2007-07-11T00:14:00.000-05:00

The following was written by Osvaldo Torres, my father by any definition of the word least of all that he is married to my mother (I was the luckiest kid with 2 moms and 2 dads). He has been an integral part of my life, made better by his proximity. I can say that a large part of the passion I feel to politics and justice are due to the words I heard from him in my childhood. I cannot pretend to understand what it may have been like for him and my mother to have an entity, a tyranny, that calls itself your government steal you and torture you.

Osvaldo Romo was the human vise that Pinochet used to brake the people of Chile. Here Osvaldo Torres remembers the now dead Osvaldo Romo, the primate that took his fellow Chileans and tortured them. Below is the link to the complete article and an attempt by me to translate the first 2 paragraphs.

Osvaldo Romo interrumpió en mi vida apuntándome con una metralleta AKA, la madrugada del 30 de enero de 1975. Sin orden de detención un comando de la DINA me arrestó junto a mi compañera Nubia Becker, mi amigo y dirigente socialista Eduardo Charme y Marcela Bravo. Dejaron aterrados a los dueños de casa y al hijo de Nubia, Hernán A. Jaramillo de sólo 4 años.

En Villa Grimaldi Romo se hizo cargo personalmente de torturarme junto a Krasnoff, el Teniente Pablo, el Troglo y toda esa fauna de funcionarios del Estado que cumplían con sus obligaciones. No fui el único, ni el más torturado por esos equipos; tuve la suerte de salir vivo.

Osvaldo Romo burst in into my life pointing an AKA machine gun, the dawn of the 30th of January of 1975. Without a detention order a commando of the DINA arrested me, my compañera Nubia Becker, my friend and socialist Eduardo Charme, and Marcela Bravo. They left terrified the owners of the house and the son of Nubia, Hernán A. Jaramillo of only 4 years.

In Villa Grimaldi Romo made sure to personally torture me next to Krasnoff, the Lieutenant Pablo, Troglo and all the fauna of civil employees of the State who only performed their duties. I was not the only one, nor the most tortured by that team; I had the luck to leave alive.

I do not like to think of people that I love having gone through such unfathomable terror. I do know that I am shamed by our potential for such inhumanity. That shame and the knowledge that torture lives is part of what drives me to get involved in, and keep an eye on our government that is still supposed to be ruled by us the people.

Additional reading here, and here.

A Repetitive Voice Can Sound Like a Chorus

2007-07-08T11:42:00.000-05:00

I think this study sheds light into why so many of us believe in all kinds of unbelievable/unproven stuff. From Saddam working with the 9/11 terrorists, to supernatural beings who spend their whole day keeping an eye on our behavior.
In a nutshell it makes the point that humans will confuse the repetition of an idea, no matter its basis in reality, as a widely held belief which gives it credence. Even if the repetition comes from only one source. Now that is pretty powerful if you think about it. Read the study here:

The present studies test these hypotheses and provide the first evidence that repetition of the same opinion gives rise to the impression that the opinion is widely shared, even if all the repetitions come from the same single communicator.

So remember: Dune Messiah is the best blog.
Dune Messiah is the best blog.
Dune Messiah is the best blog.
Dune Messiah is the best blog.
Dune Messiah is the best blog.

H/T to Ian Welsh

Deeper Moats Make Better Neighbors

2007-07-06T21:28:00.000-05:00

Yes our grand experiment in Irag now requires that MOATS be built to protect the citizens. F'ing MOATS!!! Freedom is on the march alright.
I wonder if Cheney's Halliburton has a moat division? Blackwater can provide the sharks with laser beams attached to their heads.
Go read it for yourself at the McClatchy Newspapers website.

On Ron Paul... again.

2007-07-05T22:17:00.001-05:00

I've been meaning to post these pics I took at the Obama thingy. What was up with these Ron Paul supporters trolling Obama's stop in San Antonio? I did not get the significance of the masks, and I'm not going to watch V for Vendetta to find out either. Oh don't forget the real Mr. Paul.

July Fourth Celebration at Woodlawn Lake

2007-07-03T22:27:00.000-05:00

July Fourth Celebration at Woodlawn Lake, 1103 Cincinnati. Parade lineup begins at 10 a.m. starts at 11 a.m. followed by entertainment in the park and fireworks at 9 p.m. No alcoholic beverages allowed. Free admission. Sponsored by the San Antonio Parks Foundation and the Parks and Recreation Department. 212-8423.
Update: San Antonio is officially a rain forest. The rain does not stop.

Moving Beyond Kyoto by Al Gore

2007-07-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

Do not read Al Gore's Op-Ed on the New York Times. Don't do it. If you do then you are part of the enviro-fascists who want to take away our freedoms. Why do you hate America?

"WE — the human species — have arrived at a moment of decision. It is unprecedented and even laughable for us to imagine that we could actually make a conscious choice as a species, but that is nevertheless the challenge that is before us.

Our home — Earth — is in danger. What is at risk of being destroyed is not the planet itself, but the conditions that have made it hospitable for human beings.

Without realizing the consequences of our actions, we have begun to put so much carbon dioxide into the thin shell of air surrounding our world that we have literally changed the heat balance between Earth and the Sun. If we don’t stop doing this pretty quickly, the average temperature will increase to levels humans have never known and put an end to the favorable climate balance on which our civilization depends."

Immigration: Getting the Facts Straight

2007-06-30T23:11:00.000-05:00

"What follows is an attempt to distinguish demonizing propaganda from reality."

This I Want To Go To... Sicko

2007-06-29T07:59:00.000-05:00

Here's where Sicko is playing near you this weekend:
Santikos Bijou at Crossroads
4522 Fredericksburg Road San Antonio, TX Phone: (210)737-0291
Friday: (11:00 AM), (1:50 PM), (4:40 PM), 7:30 PM, 10:20 PM
Saturday: (11:00 AM), (1:50 PM), (4:40 PM), 7:30 PM, 10:20 PM
Sunday: (11:00 AM), (1:50 PM), (4:40 PM), 7:30 PM, 10:20 PM

Crier Wire-Haters Drool-Coulter Is A Man

2007-06-28T19:56:00.000-05:00

Here is Catherine Crier of Court TV telling it like it is. I thank her for addressing the coulter/limbaugh/right-wing-hate-machine. I don't think I'll be watching Hardball for a while. It was sad to see Matthews lose so much credibility by giving her the hour.

Events: Botero Family Days

2007-06-27T22:10:00.000-05:00

Events: Botero Family Days
Sail into the world of artist and sculptor Fernando Botero.
Paint a portrait or still life inspired by Fernando Botero Learn about Botero's Colombian heritage and culture Make a Colombian musical instrument and play along.
Saturday, June 30
Cody @ 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All ages welcome · FREE · No Reservations Needed. The Botero Library Family Days are part of the city-wide celebration of Botero's work, with exhibits and programming May - July, 2007

Drinking Liberally San Antonio

2007-06-27T22:04:00.000-05:00

Quick reminder time: Drinking Liberally San Antonio will be meeting Thurs, June 28 at 6 pm at the Blue Star Brewery, 1414 S Alamo St (1st building on the right as you enter the Blue Star arts complex).

Obama In San Antonio

2007-06-25T20:54:00.000-05:00

My Wife, some friends, and I went to see Obama on Sunday. It was a great time, better than expected. The mood was festive, the dancers and drummers were on, and the crowd was cool. One of the most attractive parts of the event was the great diversity of people. Definitely something you wont see, unless totally orchestrated, from the family/war values side.

The music was quite good and so was the weather. The pre-Obama speakers were brief and engaging. A surprise to our group was Bruce Bowen introduced Obama. You cannot go wrong with a Spur on your side.

Then Obama took the stage and he did not lose any points on this crowd. His delivery is quite impressive, I can see how his campaign has garnered such a following. The whole speech went by in a flash. It never dragged and I bet he could have spoken for another hour and the crowd would have loved it.

Personally I came away more confident if he were the candidate. So I guess he scored with me. Although, I may just be a glutton for hope and positive speeches. I do know I'm sick of all the warmongering, and "they'll follow us here" bull.

I have seen Edwards and now Obama. I'm looking forward to Hillary coming in to town. Nobody has my vote yet, but my wife and I are leaning one way. Actually I was completely undecided and she had an opinion, so there you go.

The Structural Imbalance of Political Talk Radio

2007-06-24T09:23:00.000-05:00

Here is a good report:

Joint Report by The Center for American Progress and Free Press June 21, 2007; Updated June 22, 2007.

I think the key point is not whether Progressive Radio makes less money compared to Conservative Radio. They compete just fine if allowed to. It is that the radio stations are the property of a few mostly conservative owners who control the lions share of the stations and programming. Meaning that the free market of ideas is being controlled by a few idealogues.

(h/t to the AnimationArchive for the pic)

Barack Obama In San Antonio

2007-06-23T20:05:00.000-05:00

San Antonio Kickoff
Sunday, June 24
Doors Open at 12:45 pm; Program begins at 1:45pm
Lonestar Pavilion at Sunset Station
1174 Commerce Street

5 of us are going, so is my neighbor.

Sir Charles says things...

2007-06-22T23:01:00.001-05:00

"everybody knows the Republicans are screwed up" - Charles Barkley 2 minutes ago on Late Show with David Letterman
Update - oops it was a rerun... 'cause he just said Detroit was going to beat the Cavs, and Utah would beat the Spurs...

ABBA, Napoleon's Waterloo, a Crazy Dinosaur...

2007-06-21T09:52:00.001-05:00

Here is a bit of background to prepare you for the awesomeness, yes awesomeness of this video. From Wikipedia:

The Battle of Waterloo, fought on June 18, was Napoleon Bonaparte's last battle. His defeat put a final end to his rule as Emperor of France.

The Dinosaur gets the Tip Of The Hat.

On Vaccines...

2007-06-20T10:05:00.000-05:00

I have been wondering about shots. I was kind of freaked out when I learned about parents actually not vaccinating their kids for fear of autism. I don't know what to believe, but I do know this should be a pretty run of the mill problem for good science and honest research. I would expect that a pretty definitive conclusion could be made regarding any link to vaccines that autism may have.

Shot records have to be some of the most abundant records, surely enough to provide huge amounts data. Now make sure that you account for the changing criteria used to diagnose autism through the period being studied(my gut tells me this is the herring). Oh, don't forget to thoroughly discount all the other things that could be producing higher autism rates. Is there higher autism rates or higher rates of diagnosis?

Now its not that I don't believe there may be a link, and some people I respect say there is. One is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and others include the parents of children with autism. But I just cant shake the thought that parents are actually not immunizing their kids. It seems, I hate saying this... selfish. I guess what bothers me is the risk to the children who may not get the vaccine protection. I'd bet (if I had to) that this is probably worse than the possible risk of autism. Not just that but what about the rest of the population that is put at risk by non-vaccinated-Americans.

So then somebody else I respect, Michael Shermer, comes in with a great article from his Skeptic Magazine. As I had thought the Vaccine-Autism link may be a mirage that sadly plays on the fears of parents who may be blindsided by love and anguish over their children. The piece by Kennedy linked above is discussed on the Skeptic piece and I recommend reading both for all the angles that play on such a touchy subject.

Mercury Rising / Exposing the Vaccine-Autism Myth by Matthew P. Normand and Jesse Dallery

In this article we shall make five points concerning the relationship
between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism.
1. The dangers of mercury are well established, but this does not lead inexorably to a relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism.
2. A number of well controlled studies have failed to uncover any correlation between the delivery of the vaccines and the onset of autism.
3. Even if some correlation existed there are a number of possible explanations for the correlation that do not assume any causal relationship between the vaccine and autism.
4. Much attention has been given to a possible government cover up, which is certainly
of concern if true but is otherwise independent of the problems with the claims
of a link between thimerosal and autism.
5. The type of public hysteria manifested in the current controversy is not new and we would be well served to learn from similar controversies of recent times.

To make a short story long, I'll end with a bit of Shermers introduction to the story that kind of nails it for me:

Remember always that we are pattern-seeking primates who are especially adept at finding patterns with emotional meaning — in this case, the parents of autistic children are understandably seeking a causal link that provides them with an opportunity to right a wrong, in this case fixing the problem through changing the body’s chemistry, diet, nutrition, toxin load, etc. Sadly, it appears at this point that the causal vector(s) probably lie elsewhere.— Michael Shermer

On Books...

2007-06-18T21:36:00.000-05:00

I'm trying to list the books I've read. I think I like Sci-Fi a little too much. I've got to get some more classics in there. So many to list... its going to take a while to finish.

Oh yeah go listen to The New Monastics. (h/t PortInExile)

This I Want To Go To...

2007-06-18T07:35:00.000-05:00

Concerts Under the Stars
The San Antonio Botanical Garden presents its popular annual series "Concerts Under the Stars" every third Thursday of the month this summer. The cost is $5 per person, with members receiving complimentary entry as a benefit of membership.
Gates open at 6:00 pm and music starts at 7:00 pm. Concert-goers may bring lawn chairs and blankets but no outside food and drink. Beverages for purchase will include wine, beer, soft drinks and water.

On Ron Paul...

2007-06-17T15:44:00.000-05:00

I keep reading how Ron Paul is different from the other torture savants that are running on the family values side. But as the saying goes: ...buuut Wait There's More*... from orcinus, who I thank for his nonstop amazing writing.

"A more important point, though, that's overlooked in all this is that Ron Paul has made a career out of transmitting extremist beliefs, particularly far-right conspiracy theories about a looming "New World Order," into the mainstream of public discourse by reframing and repackaging them for wider consumption, mostly by studiously avoiding the more noxious and often racist elements of those beliefs. Along the way, he has built a long record of appearing before and lending the credibility of his office to a whole array of truly noxious organizations, and has a loyal following built in no small part on members of those groups."

*saying may not exist

Fathers Day For Peace

2007-06-17T10:53:00.001-05:00

This I Want To Go To...

2007-06-16T09:54:00.000-05:00

The Baroque World of Fernando BoteroMay 26 through August 19, 2007
...and for you parents:
Family Activity: The Rotund World of Fernando BoteroSaturday, July 14, 2 to 4 pmCowden Gallery. Free with museum and exhibition admission.
...at:
San Antonio Museum of Art; 200 West Jones Avenue; San Antonio, Texas 78215(210) 978-8100 info@samuseum.org

The Spurs Win and The...

2007-06-16T07:46:00.000-05:00

...World Rejoices. The best part of this story is that one of the smaller influence teams gets the most viewers around the world. I think the US will catch up to the rest of the world... San Antonio SPURS 2007 NBA Champions!

Here from the NBA:

THE FOLLOWING IS A BY-THE-NUMBERS LOOK AT WHAT WILL TAKE PLACE DURING THE NBA FINALS IN BOTH GAME CITIES:
Global Reach

A record 128 broadcasters (breaking last year’s all-time mark of 112) will provide coverage of The Finals in a record 46 languages, including Arabic for the first time.
More than 250 international media members from 23 countries and territories will cover The Finals.

36 international television and radio networks and Web sites will converge in the two game cities.

11 customized international NBA television shows will shoot behind the scenes at The Finals, up from 5 last year, including, among others, Hoopark (China, CCTV), NBA Lin Ju Li (China, GDTV-Guangdong), NBA Zhi Zao (China, 32 telecasters), NBA Magazine (NHK, Japan), NBA Jam (RPN, Philippines), Basketball Tonight (ESPN Star Sports Taiwan, Pan Asia), NBA Time and American Dream (Canal+, France), Espanoles NBA (Canal+ Spain) and NBA Timeout (US, AZN).

A record 9 international players will be competing, including the Spurs’ Tim Duncan (U.S. Virgin Islands), Francisco Elson (Netherlands), Manu Ginobili (Argentina), Fabricio Oberto (Argentina), Tony Parker (France) and Beno Udrih (Slovenia), and the Cavaliers’ Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Lithuania), Sasha Pavlovic (Montenegro) and Anderson Varejao (Brazil).

This I Want To Go To...

2007-06-14T07:42:00.000-05:00

Dear Dune,
Barack Obama will be in your area on Sunday, June 24th at 1:45 pm at the Lonestar Pavilion at Sunset Station for a San Antonio Kickoff event. Supporters throughout the region will be gathering to share their excitement and join our movement for change. Will you join Barack in San Antonio?

Purchase a ticket for the San Antonio Kickoff :

http://my.barackobama.com/sanantoniokickoff

Barack is bringing people together across the country, from all walks of life. I hope you will join us in San Antonio and become an important part of this special event.

Here are the details:

San Antonio Kickoff
Sunday, June 24
Doors Open at 12:45 pm; Program begins at 1:45pm
Lonestar Pavilion at Sunset Station
1174 Commerce Street

Purchase a ticket for the San Antonio Kickoff:

http://my.barackobama.com/sanantoniokickoff

We hope to see you in San Antonio,

Obama for America

“The Progressive Majority: Why a Conservative America Is a Myth”

2007-06-13T13:16:00.000-05:00

Yes!!! I'm not weird, and I have the study to prove it. Thank you study.

The issues covered in this report include the following:

The role of government - Americans support an active government that tackles problems, provides services, and aids those in need.

The economy - Americans support increasing the minimum wage and strong unions, and believe the wealthy and corporations don't pay their fair share of taxes.

Social issues - Americans support legal abortion and embryonic stem cell research; opinions on equal rights for women and gay Americans have grown dramatically more progressive in recent years.

Security - Americans support a progressive approach to national security, emphasizing strong alliances and diplomacy over the indiscriminate use of military force. On domestic security issues, progressive approaches to crime and gun control enjoy wide support.

The environment - By enormous margins, Americans favor strong environmental protections, a core progressive belief.

Energy - Americans support energy conservation and the development of alternative fuels.

Health care - Americans clearly favor universal coverage and are more than comfortable with government solutions to the health care problem.

In short, a look across the scope of American public opinion reveals a public that holds progressive positions and supports progressive solutions on economic issues, on social issues, on security issues - indeed, on nearly all the key issues confronting the country. For years, the conventional wisdom has maintained just the opposite, but the facts are impossible to ignore.

Drinking Liberally

2007-06-13T09:51:00.000-05:00

Drinking Liberally San Antonio will be holding forth at La Tuna Ice House and Grill, 100 Probandt St (1 block from S. Alamo, across the tracks from Blue Star) on Thursday, June 14 at 6:30 pm.

Roddy Stinson on the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)

2007-06-12T21:23:00.000-05:00

I guess they were in town, and Roddy had something to say:

Southern Baptists are convening; will any Christians be with them?

Here's a little nugget: "Mostly male, mostly white, self-styled 'anointed ones' who control the SBC and who by the force of their egocentric personalities and the threat of eternal damnation to anyone who opposes them rule and reign as surely — and at times as ruthlessly — as any religious cabal of the Middle Ages."

Another take on these walking hypocrisies can be found on the fine book by President Jimmy Carter: Our endangered values : America's moral crisis

These are the same guys I found out I detested even when they tell the truth.

Who Represents Me? Find Out, Because You Have To Keep An Eye On Your Employees

2007-06-11T07:29:00.000-05:00

1-800-459-1887 free call to congress, just ask for your Senator or Representative

George W. Bush, President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
mailto:comments@whitehouse.gov
mailto:vice_president@whitehouse.gov (Cheney's Email)

SENATOR KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4304
202-224-5922
202-224-0776 (FAX)
145 Duncan DriveSuite 120
San Antonio, Texas 78226
210-340-2885
210-349-6753 (FAX)

Senator John Cornyn
District Office
Washington DC
517 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Tel: 202-224-2934
Fax: 202-228-2856
South Central Texas/San Antonio
600 Navarro Suite 210
San Antonio, Texas 78205
Tel: 210-224-7485
Fax: 210-224-8569

Texas U.S. Representative
Congressional District 20--Congressman Charlie Gonzalez
District Address: 303 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3236
District Offices:
727 E. Durango Blvd., Ste B-124
San Antonio, TX 78206
Phone: (210) 472-6195

Texas Governor, Rick Perry
Citizen's Assistance Hotline: (800) 843-5789
Citizen's Opinion Hotline: (800) 252-9600
Citizen's Assistance and Opinion Hotline: (512) 463-1782
Office of the Governor Main Switchboard: (512) 463-2000
Office of the Governor Fax: (512) 463-1849
Mailing Address
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711-2428

Texas State Senator
Senate District 26--Senator Leticia Van de Putte
Capitol Office: EXT E1.704
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0126
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
District Address: 700 N. Saint Mary's St., Suite 1725
San Antonio TX 78205
Phone: (210) 733-6604
State District Offices

Texas State Representative
House District 116--Representative Trey Martinez Fischer
Capitol Office: EXT E2.722Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0616
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910Austin, TX 78768
District Address: 1910 Fredericksburg RoadSan Antonio TX 78201
Phone: (210) 737-7200

Texas State Board of Education Member
SBOE District 5--Mr. Ken Mercer
District Address: P.O. Box 781301
SAN ANTONIO TX 78278
Phone: (210) 355-2884

Happy Jesus Day from Gov. Bush

2007-06-10T15:29:00.001-05:00

...and to celebrate Today, the Day that our Holy appointed president, back when he was my Holy appointed Governor Signed that paper above declaring June 10, 2000, to be JESUS day. Here we have a musical celebration that seems to be making the rounds in Chile: