Johnny One Notes

I am not at work today - a blissful snow day. I have unfortunately been watching too many hours of MSNBC and have seen an endless stream of ghastly Republican House members whining about the stimulus package. They say there are not enough taxcutstaxcutstaxcuts. That is apparently all they have to say about anything. They stand in a gaggle, a rather repulsive collection of aging white guys, each one coming up to the camera to say his piece, to be then substituted for another aging white guy saying exactly the same thing. Yeah, and weren't tax cuts that predominately helped the rich a terrific idea and did our economy loads of good. Don't they realize that they are small in numbers and rapidly disappearing? Why on earth is MSNBC taking them remotely seriously? To quote W, something I never thought I would do, Who cares what you think?

Panic

http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2009/jan/26/0126_wings/

There is some panic in the food world about the impending shortage of chicken wings, which are in high demand for next weekend's Superbowl. This is a strange but apparently true story. When did chicken wings become so key to the Superbowl experience? I guess I am grumpy because the Superbore fields two teams that no one in my family cares about, except I am sure that my son in law hates one team more (he is very passionate in his sports beliefs), but I am not sure which one.

Paterson't revenge

I have been silent, basically from post inaugural bliss. Not that we had front row seats, in fact we were near the foot of the Washington Monument. It was quite extraordinary to be with 2 million + happy people in freezing weather. My bliss has been shattered by the spectacle of Patterson's appointment of a Blue Dog 100% NRA Rating Democrat to the Senate. The process made the Delaware appointment of a place holder for Beau a dignified event. Paterson treated Caroline Kennedy very shabbily. I'm not saying that she should have been awarded the seat because of her family name, but she should at least be treated with dignity given what her family has endured. When she said she was interested, I was very surprised because of her well publicized love of privacy, not to mention knowing what sharks the NY press can be, not against someone like Bush, of course, but someone who seems human and not a cyborg construct of a politician. Who knows, she might have been a fine Senator, certainly the competion is not that swift - just think of Jim Bunning, Strom Thurmond, and not to mention NY's own Afonse D'amato. I would imagine that there are many NY Dems who are fuming, although I did read the old Chucky is thrilled, but then of course he might like a neophyte who has little star power of her own, so he can guide her through the shoals of DC life. I must admit I don't really understand all the labyrinthian motivations of NY polls.

It sure will be nice to not have W to kick around anymore

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/01/11/bushes-interview/

Has this been the longest period between an election and inauguration ever? Maybe it the spectacle of W trying to argue that he was a great president. When I read the headline, Bush 41 got choked up when describing his son's legacy, choked up is right, we are all choking on his presidency. But that is not what he meant. Apparently, he went on to say, That no president has been so tested... Now, that is completely absurd. Uhh, WW I, WW II, uhhh the Civil War, just to name a few events were rather significant tests. Maybe he was the president when tested, found most lacking. Hearing W trying to defend his response to Katrina, saying that if he had gone to New Orleans, it would have taken troops away from rescuing 10,000 people from rooftops. First, 10,000 people were not rescued from rooftops, and who was suggesting that he go there? No one, what people wanted was for HELP to go to New Orleans, not him. The spectacle of the people of a major city in the US hungry, thirsty, desperate, miserable, etc. while the government did little or nothing was shocking. Some how TV reporters and there crews made it to NO, why couldn't government help? Oh that's right, Republicans don't beleive in government.

Bipartisanship?

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/06/republican-senator-blasts-nominee-for-attorney-general/

I know Barack loves bipartisanship, but at every point Republicans demonstrate that they could care less. After all, there are different rules for Republicans, just look at the Minnesota Senate Race. What was the Bush margin in Florida? About 250 votes than Franken's margin in Minnesota, and in this election, the votes were actually re-counted, and as you can see, I am not over it and never will be. Republican shennanigans and Democratic spinelessness have cost our country dearly. The Republicans think that bipartisanship means do what they want. If the dems questioned a Bush appointment, they are anti-patriot obstructionists, but Repugs show no such qualms. Ole' Arlen is getting fired up to oppose Eric Holder. Now Specter is supposedly a more "liberal" Republican, but his voting record sure doesn't prove it. Time and time again, he attempts to show how thoughtful he is, but then does exactly what his puppet masters dictate. What a tool. I hope he is crushed in his next election. I think what the Repugs are not understanding, is that the American people really want Barack to succeed. They do not want politics as usual because they realize that their lives are actually affected by what happens in Washinton. For Republicans, it is all politics because they feel that it is their sacred duty to cling to what power they have, no matter what the cost. After all, they don't really believe in government, do they?

Salute, please

http://washingtonindependent.com/23827/dianne-feinstein-not-too-pleased-with-panetta-pick
I read that Leon Panetta is being appointed to head the CIA. Diane Feinstein and Jay Rockefeller are not pleased. Now, that is good news. I was initially surprised by the appointment of Panetta, but this makes me think it might be a good one. Jay Rockefeller has been terrible, and I doubt that Diane will be much better. I think that it was very bad form for ole Diane to complain in public. In public all she should say right now is, "Yes sir. How much, sir. Whatever you say, sir." Why do the dems feel that the time to develop a spine is when a dem is elected president. Where have those two been the past eight years? On their knees, that's where.

The Hornets Nest of the Middle East

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/03/AR2009010300320_2.html?nav=rss_email/components

Israel has started a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip. I can't but believe that this is a really bad idea. I do not think it is possible to eliminate Hamas by force and indiscriminate bombing of civilian targets, The article in the WAPO said that the Israelis are dropping leaflets telling people to evacuate; however, there is no place to evacuate - they can't leave, and every part of the Gaza Strip is being bombed. The vacuum in world leadership is exacting a terrible price. Sarkozy is flying to Israel to try to negotiate a cease fire. Where is the Doltish Dauphin? Why he must be on vacation. In some ways it might be good that he is paying no attention - things do seem to get worse when he gets big ideas.

The AP at it again

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090101/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_temporary_home;_ylt=AmGmFSv.oWi87ayKzh_YnOis0NUE

This is a very snarky AP piece about the where the Obama's are staying while they wait to be able to occupy Blair House and then the White House. The article mentions that the house the Obama's vacationed in is worth 9 million dollars. Hmmm... every other mean article has described it as an 8 million dollar home. The AP piece then goes on the describe how luxe the Hay Adams is, even mentioning in a slightly condescending tone that hypoallergenic bedding is available, because "Malia has allergies." But nowhere does it raise any kind of issue or criticism of the fact that the Bushies have leased out Blair House. And how do they expect the O's to vacation with the security concerns, not to mention the number of secret service agents needed. What kind of hotel do they expect them to stay in? The O's are not trying to take over the White House early, they being responsible parents, want to have their children start school at the beginning of the semester. But being a responsible parent sure isn't George's way. I seem to remember some golf/cruise taken when Jenna was having her appendix out.