Republicans or Democrats…Who is to Blame?

I decided to actually watch CNN tonight to hear what all the pundits had to say about the bailout failing to pass.  Let’s just say my head hurts now.  Before I even get into the Dems and Repubs, it’s amazing to me that we only hear one side of this argument.  Everything on the news is how the bailout just has to be passed and it was a major mistake not to pass it.  What about the other side?  

I even heard these morons say that yes the bailout is horrible but we just have to pass it.  We do?  Can’t we pass something else?  Don’t we have the power to rewrite bills or make new bills that may work better?  I seem to remember reading that in Government Class.  CNN completely ignored the other side of the argument in all their newscasts tonight.   It’s like I’m listening to the state run news network just repeating the talking points handed to them by the administration…strange feeling.  This is the United States of America, right?

Ok, now on to Congress…Now let me see, I’ll start with the Repubs blaming Pelosi’s speech (her Speech!) for the bill not passing. Seriously? 

• Did your feelings get hurt?  How old are you idiots? 
• Just once, just once, I would love to hear the Republicans take responsibility for their actions.  Guys you failed to get the votes to pass this bill.  End of story. 
• They BLAMED THE SPEECH!  They continue to just amaze me.

Ok now I’m going to rip the Dems…so any Democrats out there who can’t take it then you better look away.

• Pelosi why do you still have a job?  Every day that you wake up do you look in the mirror and just ask yourself if you can screw up as bad as you did the day before?
• Did the Dems blame the Repubs for not getting enough votes?  They said that they got their fair share and the Republicans didn’t get theirs.  Are your legs broken?  Get off your asses and go get more votes if you believe in this thing so much.  WTF?  That’s the weakest argument I’ve ever heard…oh wait.  They blamed THE SPEECH!

So CNN went on to say that the house Republicans who voted against the bill were putting their re-elections ahead of the country.  But, then they went on to say that 90% of the calls into those same Repubs offices have been against the bailout.  Don’t they work for those people?  Aren’t they supposed to represent them?  I’m so sick of this crap about putting the country ahead of everything else…this is not the Soviet Union!  You are free to have differing views here in this country.  In fact, it’s healthy and natural. 

The majority of American people do not support this bill and the congress who represents them voted it down. So what’s the problem?  If it’s so important then explain it to the people of this country and stop trying to scare them into supporting it.  I mean, I know that’s Bush’s only motivational tactic but someone in congress should be able to do something.  How about those two idiots running for President?  Maybe they could explain it to the American people.  I’m pretty sure that’s how this whole thing called government was supposed to work.

And does anyone, anyone have a problem with the Democrats in Congress lining up behind President Bush on this? 

I know this post is long but I got one more thing to say.  Where is Dick Cheney?  Where do you think his money is?  Dubai?

Russian Propaganda

At least the BBC understands that everything the Bush Administration and Saakashvili spit out is far from the truth. 

The Bush administration appears to be trying to turn a failed military operation by Georgia into a successful diplomatic operation against Russia.

It is doing so by presenting the Russian actions as aggression and playing down the Georgian attack into South Ossetia on 7 August, which triggered the Russian operation.

I would guess that at least 90% of Americans think that Russia started this whole thing.  And John McCain is a moron if he truly believes the crap he says.

The Republican presidential hopeful Senator John McCain also sees in this conflict an opportunity to put Russia in the dock, declaring: “We are all Georgians now.”

We are not Georgians you fool.  We are Americans.  Most of our population has no idea where Georgia is and have no idea about the history of this conflict.  And isn’t it interesting that one country who has a long painful history with Russia finds very little fault in the Russians. 

Germany, at least, has been notably reluctant to find fault with Russia

Obama if you truly want to bring about change in this country, this would be a good opportunity.  Help wake people up in this country. 

The Georgia Fallout

You just can’t make things like this up:

The United States and Poland reached a long-stalled deal on Thursday to place an American missile defense base on Polish territory, in the strongest reaction so far to Russia’s military operation in Georgia.

What the hell is the US doing?  They couldn’t be more obvious.  Let’s see a deal that has been stalled for 18 months is all of a sudden agreed to after Georgia attacks the breakaway provinces and Russia responds. 

Why are we picking a fight with Russia?  And if you think this isn’t a big deal then let this soak in:

But the deal reflected growing alarm in countries like Poland, once a conquered Soviet client state, about a newly rich and powerful Russia’s intentions in its former cold war sphere of power. In fact, negotiations dragged on for 18 months — but were completed only as old memories and new fears surfaced in recent days.

Those fears were codified to some degree in what Polish and American officials characterized as unusual aspects of the final deal: that at least temporarily American soldiers would staff air defense sites in Poland oriented toward Russia, and that the United States would be obliged to defend Poland in case of an attack with greater speed than required under NATO, of which Poland is a member.

We are agreeing to protect Poland even moreso than our NATO allies???  What???  Who cares about Poland?   And who created those old Cold War fears?  Russia did not roll their tanks into Georgia unprovoked. 

How long before Russia sets up their own missile defense system in Cuba or Venezuela?  It wouldn’t be any different than what we are doing over there?  This is really maddening.  And the people of this country are just sitting and watching Bush drive us back into an arms race and worst case, another Cold War.

Georgia and Russia

Georgia began an offensive to regain control over South Ossetia late Thursday with heavy shelling and air strikes that ravaged South Ossetia’s provincial capital of Tskhinvali.

This is really a fascinating story and stunning no less.  Forget all the crap that McCain is spewing and the rest of the politicians are saying.   This is a very complicated region without easy answers and everyone can make a claim to the land.  Of course everyone wants the natural resources and the pipeline.  But, the one thing I think everyone should be asking is this:

Who Gave The Order for Georgia to Attack South Ossetia? 

That is the question I want someone in the West to ask.  Someone should have asked McCain.  There is no way that the Georgian President Saakashvili ordered this without consulting the US.  And if you think there is then just realize the following:

• We sold them their weapons and we are selling them more
• They want to join NATO and we are their biggest supporter
• We have been training their military

So you really think after all this that they would attack without telling President Bush?  And when the Olympics are starting?  Now, if they didn’t…which I find impossible to believe…then we should be angry with them and it would be a slap in the face after all we have done to get them into NATO. 

But, they had to of given us the heads up on their attack.  So, we gave the OK for them to attack South Ossetia at the same time the Olympics were set to begin?  Does that make us crazy?  I think there’s a good case for that.   I just can’t figure out why Bush and Co. thought this made sense.  Why provoke Russia at this time?  They had to know that Russia would destroy Georgia after this and we are in no position to influence Russia at this point and public opinion is focused on the Olympics so it’s too difficult to rely on the humanitarian angle to stop the fighting.

Russia is going to do whatever it wants to do at this point which will include destroying as much of Georgia’s military equipment as possible (which we sold to them) and letting the rest of the world know that they can still flex their muscles. 

I just wish an American Journalist would ask that question:  Did the US know that Georgia was going to attack? and if we did, why did we give the OK?  As stupid as Bush and Co. have been, I just am shocked with this latest move.

Quick Update to this:

I think Reuters has a good story posted on this. 

To some NATO and EU diplomats, the crisis has vindicated their resistance to U.S. efforts to shoe-horn Georgia into the alliance under President George W. Bush’s “freedom agenda”.

“Thank heavens we didn’t take them in,” a senior envoy of one of the skeptical European states said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

As members, the Georgians could have invoked NATO’s Article V mutual defence clause, requiring nations to come to the assistance of an ally under attack.

“No one in NATO wants to be dragged into a war in the Caucasus because of Saakashvili’s miscalculation,” the diplomat said, adding that the Georgian president had been “badly advised” in sending troops into South Ossetia.

Just think about that last sentence and the words:  “Badly Advised”…

Quick NCAA Tournament Thoughts

If you are an NBA homer or just want to get jazzed up then check out Rosen’s article on how the NBA is sooo much better than NCAA.  Of course Rosen is just talking out of his ass so who cares.  College Basketball is much better than the NBA and this year’s tourney has been great so far. 

My quick thoughts:

• A & M…soo close.  I can’t believe chunky Love hit that last fade-away. 
• Who knew Del Curry’s son could shoot?  Shocking, right?  How many will he put up today?
• I hate the Lopez brothers.  I don’t know why.  It’s like a cross between Noah and Neitzel.   And why do they have girls names?  I know there has to be some explanation but Robin and Brook?  Can’t root for you guys. 
• The Longhorns are in trouble if Augustin gets into foul trouble.  They don’t have anyone to handle the ball other than him.  Mason and Abrams try but they can’t handle the pressure. 
• I am so happy Duke lost.  I wish they would have lost in the first round.  I hate all Duke players past and present.  Enjoy watching the rest of the tournament. 
• Why do I hate Duke so much?  Who cares, they suck.
• Lose Arkansas.  Please Lose today.  I hate the beard. 
• Tough loss UCONN.  AJ can play and that loss cost you a chance to move on.  and busted everyone’s bracket.
• Memphis’ defense is still bad and UT Arlington couldn’t have played any better.  It’s amazing that they kept it that close without hitting 3 pointers.  That’s usually what keeps small schools in the game but UTA did it by going inside. 
• Ian Eagle.  Ian freaking Eagle.  So close.  Can we get “Chappy Sinclair” for one game?  Is that too much to ask?

Where are your Balls Mark Cuban?

I’ve never been a huge fan of Mark Cuban.  I liked what he did for the Mavericks but I never gave him the “god-like” status that some did.  He’s done some great things for the Mavericks and some really stupid things.  I’ve met the guy and talked to him and let’s just say there are things about him that I don’t admire.  If there was “ego porn” then “Big Cubes” would be in high demand. 

This would fall under that category.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has instituted a new policy banning full-time bloggers from the team’s locker room, drawing an official protest from The Dallas Morning News, which employs the only writer so far banned.In an e-mail sent to Cuban on Monday, Bob Yates, deputy managing editor/sports of The Morning News, wrote that the policy “is a veiled attempt at retribution” against Morning News reporter Tim MacMahon, who has been blogging about the Mavericks since 2006.

And to be fair….I think Tim MacMahon is a terrible writer.  But I wouldn’t ban him.  I think Cuban is feeling the pressure and knows that the Kidd trade is not going to bring the Mavs a championship.  He also knows that Avery is in over his head and coaches in the same way as Scott Skiles.  He wears on players and after the first season and a half…it’s over.  Here’s the Mavs take:

 The Mavericks’ new policy denies locker room access to writers whose “primary purpose is to blog.” The policy states that the team does “not have enough room in the locker room, nor enough media passes to fairly accommodate everyone.”

They stole a page from Fox News.  Remember when Fox used the same excuse to bar Ron Paul from the debate?  Not the best organization to pattern yourself after. 

Hey Mark, do us all a favor and let the bloggers (well blogger) back in.  Take your criticism like an adult and stop the childish games that have clouded your ownership of the Mavs.  Your positive energy is what set the Mavs on a path to winning and it would be nice to see a little more of that and less politics.  It’s just basketball…lighten up.

Tony Romo is Dating a LadyBoy

Well maybe not but if he was this is what would happen:

1. Romo would figure out that he was dating a LadyBoy but refuse to address it in the media.  
2. Babe Laufenberg, Dale Hanson, Randy Galloway and Steve Dennis would all lead a campaign defending him saying it was impossible for Romo to know his girlfriend was a guy. 
3. Mickey Spagnola would then say he hasn’t heard anything about it from Valley Ranch and that it’s just all speculation at this point which is totally unfair, so until he hears it from his Daddy Jerry it must be untrue. 
4. Then Skip Bayless would go on ESPN and say that Romo is in fact Troy Aikman’s lover and has been since Troy’s rookie year.   Then Skip would deny that he ever said it and that he has too much credibility to start a rumor like that. 
5. Emmitt Smith, Shannon Sharpe and Terry Bradshaw would all give their opinions but it would take 2 to 3 weeks to actually decipher what they said.  
6. Deion and Michael Irvin would talk about how god saved them from their ladyboy addictions.  Deion would then pat himself on the back. 
7. Tiki Barber would smile at the camera and say nothing of real importance while Jerome Bettis laughs uncontrollably. 

Randomness

I don’t know how else to put it.  Some interesting things today.

1. Inflation – Maybe we should take Ron Paul a little more seriously when he talks about the dollar.   Highest in 26 years and the other Republicans say the economy is “sound”.  Sure guys.
2. Kenneth Davis? – Sloppy reporting from Fox News.  I saw this the other day and thought for sure it would have been fixed by now.  It’s “Keith Davis” morons!
3. Beer to the Rescue – Beer fights cancer!  Please let this be true…please.
4. Cloned Food Safe to Eat – Sure FDA.  Sure.  I mean you guys are never wrong about this stuff.  Vioxx sound good to anyone, right now?  How much money was spent by lobbyist to get this one approved?   
5. Let’s sell them Weapons! – Major Arms deal to Saudi Arabia.  I mean they are our friends…as long as the royal family is in charge and of course the Saudi people just love them.  What happens when the royal family gets kicked out (think the Shah of Iran) and those weapons are still there?  cough.  “blowback”
6. Was it a Prank? – How stupid does Fox News look now?  I mean that was their big question at their debate.  Hey Brit, you think the Navy made the right call now?  Maybe just maybe we should do some investigation before we jump on these things.  Alas, it’s only war…death…lives…money.
7. Goodbye  Dennis – NBC wants Kucinich out of the debate.  If they are running, can we hear them speak?  It’s only January.
8. California is Broke – not good as it’s economy if measured would be like the 7th or 8th largest in the world
9. Greenspan’s New Job – hmm, hired by a Hedge Fund that shorted the subprime Market and made billions.  In my opinion, that’s not glaring information as anyone with half a brain knew that giving loans to people who historically were not good at paying back debt was sure to backfire, eventually.
10. More Troops to Afghanistan – Really?  More?  How long is this going to last?  Any other nations sending troops?  Nope.  Then why are we?  If they aren’t worried about it then should we? 
11. Let’s Be careful out there - And lastly, if you want some laughs or maybe it’s too bad to laugh.  Watch some Youtube clips of “cop rock”.  I can’t fathom how that show got out of the focus groups and onto TV.

Sad but Interesting Story

ESPN gets a lot of bad press in the blog world but this is a very interesting story about the death of Tony Harris in Brazil.

Last night, he thought he was dead for sure. This morning, a plan begins to form. He asks Brent Merritt, a friend from Seattle who played here, to call the team. He follows up with an e-mail, asking Brent to call back if he doesn’t hear from him. Ask to speak to me, he instructs. But then a thought enters his head: What if the team has someone pretend to be him? What would Brent do? He needs a test. Yes, a test. That’s it. So he gives Brent a password of sorts. Ask the person claiming to be me what the name of my dog is. If he doesn’t say Enya, then it ain’t me.

Two US Sailors dead in Ghana

Horrible news…but I just wanted to point out something from the AP report.

The cause of death was unknown and was being investigated by Ghanaian authorities in cooperation with U.S. Navy officials, the Navy said in a statement.

“Currently there is no suggestion of foul play,” Lieutenant Patrick Foughty, a spokesman for the U.S. Navy Sixth Fleet, told Reuters by telephone from Naples, Italy.

Oh sure, I mean two sailors dying in the same room in Ghana…no reason to suggest foul play.  Let’s see…the US is there to help fight the drug trade and two sailors end up dead in a hotel room together?  And this AP reporter let Lt. Foughty get away with saying “we don’t suspect foul play?”  What do you suspect?  They died of natural causes? 

Anyone else notice how AP reports are getting worse and worse?