Yeah, so...um...FUCK MAN! I saw a monster last night...in my own back-fucking-yard!
As many of you know, there as been quite a lot of rain off and on around these parts...actually, you may not know. There has been quite a lot of rain around these parts lately. We are not talking days of light to medium rain either, but rather seconds of full hurricane rain followed by hours of peaceful calm. The weather has been schizophrenic beyond belief. It is as if the schizophrenia of the weather has developed schizophrenia: awesome cool breezes on Monday followed by importation of Hell's atmosphere on Tuesday. Goto sleep without AC because it is cold outside only to awaken in a sweat-soaked sauna that was once your bed kind of weather. Anyway, weather like we have been having has been known to drive wildlife from the wilds into the comfy confines of suburbia, and that happened last night.
11 o'clock last night, I am happily watching my News Radio Third Season DVD set when my cats begin acting strange. Considering how strange my cats are normally, this "strange behavior" would include them huddling together, pacing by the sliding glass door, standing on hind legs, meowing non-stop to one another, and trying to open my back door. They did not hiss at each other once which told me there was a common enemy in my back yard. This is normally one of the neighborhood cats trying to claim the awesome cat-friendly tree in my backyard as theirs, a common occurrence, but not tonight. No, tonight I saw a monster.
The tree shook as it dug its way out of the thick brush surrounding the palm. I saw its head first and thought "that is a small possum" as it continued its climb, and it kept coming and coming and coming. Grey with black eyes and tiny ears and a bald tail: this was the biggest fucking rat I have ever seen in my life! It dwarfed my cats in comparison.
I stood there frozen in fear as the beast climbed out of the brush and made its way to the cement wall dividing my area from my neighbors. It stared at me and I at it; neither of us sure what we were supposed to do next and petrified of one another. The tension was broken by my neighbor taking their garbage outside which attracted this gargantuan rat to their property and allowed my legs to finally carry me back inside.
A quick and paniced search of my house soon followed for anything and any place that could help that beast get into my house. I looked in closets in dire fear of finding a hole because that would mean no sleep that night. Luckily, I found nothing, but I still have no clue what the fuck I am supposed to do now. My cats love going outside, but if that beast has laid claim to my home, what do I do?
Friday, May 07, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Today in Arizona
A recent plan by the state of Arizona to use dragons to guard the border has hit an unforeseen snag. While the plan enacted last week and signed by the Governor clearly states that the large mythical reptiles must be used to secure the border from illegal aliens, it never clarifies the type of dragon to be used and this discrepancy has opened a bidding war all over the world.
The state of Arizona had originally planned on using a few dragons on loan from Disneyland in nearby California, but recent budget problems in both states caused Arizona to open the bidding the the world.
China was the first to enter a bid. The Asian country, with its long history of dragons as well as their advanced production and cheap labor certainly placed them in the lead, but many members of the Tea Party questioned the use of Chinese dragons and sought instead to use British dragons. Parental Advisory groups also questioned the use of Chinese dragons due mainly to the amount of lead found in them.
After having it pointed out to the Tea Party that 99% of the British dragons were killed during the Middle Ages, the thought of Spanish dragons from Madrid did come up and was quickly ruled out due to fear of them siding with their Hispanic brothers.
While it was reported earlier today that an offer from Komodo was being considered, Senator McCain told Lemming News just a few minutes ago that it was impracticable to use them due to the language barrier: they don't seem to have one.
Until the state is able to satisfy both this strange new law and the various warring bigots within their borders, they must continue with the current plan of using Giant Sand Worms from the planet Dune to patrol the vast desert.
The state of Arizona had originally planned on using a few dragons on loan from Disneyland in nearby California, but recent budget problems in both states caused Arizona to open the bidding the the world.
China was the first to enter a bid. The Asian country, with its long history of dragons as well as their advanced production and cheap labor certainly placed them in the lead, but many members of the Tea Party questioned the use of Chinese dragons and sought instead to use British dragons. Parental Advisory groups also questioned the use of Chinese dragons due mainly to the amount of lead found in them.
After having it pointed out to the Tea Party that 99% of the British dragons were killed during the Middle Ages, the thought of Spanish dragons from Madrid did come up and was quickly ruled out due to fear of them siding with their Hispanic brothers.
While it was reported earlier today that an offer from Komodo was being considered, Senator McCain told Lemming News just a few minutes ago that it was impracticable to use them due to the language barrier: they don't seem to have one.
Until the state is able to satisfy both this strange new law and the various warring bigots within their borders, they must continue with the current plan of using Giant Sand Worms from the planet Dune to patrol the vast desert.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
I Just Don't Know Anymore...
I just don't know what to do. I am not being understood by anyone with anything I say and it is getting worse. Either I am stupid or the world is, but there is a gap between what I say and what others hear. When they say they don't follow me, I try explaining it another way only to be accused of repeating myself. And it is not limited just to verbal communication; my written words are often misunderstood as well. I would continue ranting about it here, but I know it will not be understood so there is little point.
Friday, March 26, 2010
One Step Closer to the Edge and We're About to Break
We have gone beyond the breaking point where a middle ground is a minefield. Both sides of American politics have placed themselves in "defense mode," each sighting the behavior of the other as justification for their own acts. When did we replace the adults in Washington with dolts?
I spent 1994-2008 pissed off at the Republicans and gave my support to the Democrats because of the "hope and change" they offered. I should have known better after the 2006 elections when we, as a nation, gave the Democrats Congress because they promised to end the war and, instead, pushed Health Care Reform. I should have known better, but I didn't. I voted not only for Obama for President, but basically went straight down the ticket electing every person with a "D" behind their name in hopes of ending Republican Tyranny. How was I to know it wasn't a Partisan Tyranny at all we were dealing with, but more of a general "I know what is best" type of hubris?
During the RNC Reign of Terror, we had what was, at the time, the largest expansion of government in history without so much as a cry. We invaded two countries on flimsy evidence and there was a roaring silence. Spending was out of control and the only thing the DNC could be bothered to combat during these years was Bush's picks for the Supreme Court.
When opposition to the RNC goals was brought up, the person saying it was accused of having no better ideas; of just hating the President; of being a sore loser; of being an obstructionist just to be one. The RNC suggested changing the rules of the Senate to combat these lone few voices of reason. We, the American people, watched this and remembered in 2006. What we didn't know is that the playbook was going to remain in place.
After the DNC takeover and promise of change, when opposition to the DNC goals was brought up, the person saying it was accused of having no better ideas; of just hating the President; of being a sore loser; of being an obstructionist just to be one. The DNC has even suggested changing the rules of the Senate to combat these voices. The only difference is that the RNC is far better organized than the DNC could ever be and that is due to the make up of Conservatives vs Liberals and the Conservatives will always be better organized.
Look at the two groups, Conservatives and Liberals, and think for a moment what their central theme is. Conservatives seek to conserve; to remain the same; to be cautious. It is therefore very easy for a group of Conservatives to look at something and agree on what must be done.
Liberals, on the other hand, do not have the single goal of Conservatives outside of change, but change to what? Liberals will all see something, most will agree it needs changing, and then come up with as many plans for change as there are Liberals looking at the problem. Today's crop of Liberals are not burdened by this problem; they have adopted a "group-think" mentality. They are not acting like Liberals at all, but have taken the Bush Playbook and are running with it page for page.
Why am I saying all this? Simple really. I am hoping, begging, pleading, praying, and any other form of coercion for a viable third party option that is more central in the way most Americans are. We have repeatedly voiced our concerns and voted our interests, but the parties have goals of their own and we do not factor into those plans.
I spent 1994-2008 pissed off at the Republicans and gave my support to the Democrats because of the "hope and change" they offered. I should have known better after the 2006 elections when we, as a nation, gave the Democrats Congress because they promised to end the war and, instead, pushed Health Care Reform. I should have known better, but I didn't. I voted not only for Obama for President, but basically went straight down the ticket electing every person with a "D" behind their name in hopes of ending Republican Tyranny. How was I to know it wasn't a Partisan Tyranny at all we were dealing with, but more of a general "I know what is best" type of hubris?
During the RNC Reign of Terror, we had what was, at the time, the largest expansion of government in history without so much as a cry. We invaded two countries on flimsy evidence and there was a roaring silence. Spending was out of control and the only thing the DNC could be bothered to combat during these years was Bush's picks for the Supreme Court.
When opposition to the RNC goals was brought up, the person saying it was accused of having no better ideas; of just hating the President; of being a sore loser; of being an obstructionist just to be one. The RNC suggested changing the rules of the Senate to combat these lone few voices of reason. We, the American people, watched this and remembered in 2006. What we didn't know is that the playbook was going to remain in place.
After the DNC takeover and promise of change, when opposition to the DNC goals was brought up, the person saying it was accused of having no better ideas; of just hating the President; of being a sore loser; of being an obstructionist just to be one. The DNC has even suggested changing the rules of the Senate to combat these voices. The only difference is that the RNC is far better organized than the DNC could ever be and that is due to the make up of Conservatives vs Liberals and the Conservatives will always be better organized.
Look at the two groups, Conservatives and Liberals, and think for a moment what their central theme is. Conservatives seek to conserve; to remain the same; to be cautious. It is therefore very easy for a group of Conservatives to look at something and agree on what must be done.
Liberals, on the other hand, do not have the single goal of Conservatives outside of change, but change to what? Liberals will all see something, most will agree it needs changing, and then come up with as many plans for change as there are Liberals looking at the problem. Today's crop of Liberals are not burdened by this problem; they have adopted a "group-think" mentality. They are not acting like Liberals at all, but have taken the Bush Playbook and are running with it page for page.
Why am I saying all this? Simple really. I am hoping, begging, pleading, praying, and any other form of coercion for a viable third party option that is more central in the way most Americans are. We have repeatedly voiced our concerns and voted our interests, but the parties have goals of their own and we do not factor into those plans.
Monday, March 22, 2010
A Bit of a Rant
The Health Care Bill passed the House today by a very close vote and, unless some unforeseen even like alien contact or G-d's return occurs, it should pass the Senate as well. Did the Democrats pull out every nasty trick they could think of to get it to pass? Yes. Did they bully those within their party who wouldn't go along? Most certainly. Did they behave exactly like Republicans did after Bush beat Kerry? You bet. Can the Republicans be upset about it? Not at all, for you reap what you sow.
For the record, I did not support this bill. I found myself in the “Dennis K/ Michael Moore” camp of “this is a bad bill,” but did not agree with their follow through of “therefore we must vote for it to support the President.” Look at it like this: is voting for a bad bill because you like the President really any better than voting against it because you hate him? Is Dennis' vote to support Obama any better than a GOP'er who actually likes the bill, but would vote against it to bring Obama down? Doesn't the bill count for anything because the bill will be with us long after Obama is no longer President.
None of my opinions on the Health Care Bill, or how the Democrats are ruling matters or factors into my opinion on the GOP however. While I agreed with the “why” of it, I will admit the DNC roadblocked Bush as much as humanly possible. Most of the time, they were correct, but I did find myself wondering why many times at their actions; particularly after Kerry lost. I honestly cannot believe that 100% of Bush's judge nominees were evil and corrupt. The same goes for the bill. I cannot believe 100% of the Republicans did not find this bill worthy of modification rather than death.
Further more, I am so beyond pissed off at McCain today announcing:
"There will be no cooperation for the rest of the year...They have poisoned the well in what they've done and how they've done it."
Then there is also Michael Steele's calling of it Armageddon
I cannot agree with this blind obstruction in the name of obstruction and hyperbole to fool the naive.
When I voted for Obama, I was voting in Change because I was sick of this "business as usual" nonsensical inaction from Washington that has plagued my entire life. It seems the only time they ever move, it is in the wrong direction and the only time they agree is when we are getting screwed.
I have spent the last year and a half or so pissed at the Democrats for behaving like Neocons. I have complained to anyone who will listen that the DNC is pushing the Health Care Bill in the exact same manner that the RNC pushed the Patriot Act and the War in Iraq: there is no time for debate; question the loyalties of those opposed; point out that the other side has no plan; call them "obstructionist" and accuse them of acting out of a blind hate for the President. And what does the GOP do after a defeat equal to the passing of said Patriot Act? They circle the wagons and pull out all the Democrat tricks they spent 2002-2006 telling us were un-American. The fact that the Democrats brought up the idea of a Nuclear Option and nobody blinked an eye of hypocrisy really makes me worry for the short term memory of our nation.
Maybe I am naive in what I think America is and the job of our politicians. I always believed that the House represents the people of a state, the Senate represents the state as a whole, and the President represents the country. Somewhere along the road, the parties took over the people, the state, and the country and now the House represents the Party; the Senate represents the Party; and the President speaks for the Party; damned the people.
I do not mind the bill passed, but I mind GREATLY the behavior of the leaders of BOTH SIDES in this fight and am more pissed right now at the Republicans for threatening to do everything they just got done condemning.
For the record, I did not support this bill. I found myself in the “Dennis K/ Michael Moore” camp of “this is a bad bill,” but did not agree with their follow through of “therefore we must vote for it to support the President.” Look at it like this: is voting for a bad bill because you like the President really any better than voting against it because you hate him? Is Dennis' vote to support Obama any better than a GOP'er who actually likes the bill, but would vote against it to bring Obama down? Doesn't the bill count for anything because the bill will be with us long after Obama is no longer President.
None of my opinions on the Health Care Bill, or how the Democrats are ruling matters or factors into my opinion on the GOP however. While I agreed with the “why” of it, I will admit the DNC roadblocked Bush as much as humanly possible. Most of the time, they were correct, but I did find myself wondering why many times at their actions; particularly after Kerry lost. I honestly cannot believe that 100% of Bush's judge nominees were evil and corrupt. The same goes for the bill. I cannot believe 100% of the Republicans did not find this bill worthy of modification rather than death.
Further more, I am so beyond pissed off at McCain today announcing:
Then there is also Michael Steele's calling of it Armageddon
I cannot agree with this blind obstruction in the name of obstruction and hyperbole to fool the naive.
When I voted for Obama, I was voting in Change because I was sick of this "business as usual" nonsensical inaction from Washington that has plagued my entire life. It seems the only time they ever move, it is in the wrong direction and the only time they agree is when we are getting screwed.
I have spent the last year and a half or so pissed at the Democrats for behaving like Neocons. I have complained to anyone who will listen that the DNC is pushing the Health Care Bill in the exact same manner that the RNC pushed the Patriot Act and the War in Iraq: there is no time for debate; question the loyalties of those opposed; point out that the other side has no plan; call them "obstructionist" and accuse them of acting out of a blind hate for the President. And what does the GOP do after a defeat equal to the passing of said Patriot Act? They circle the wagons and pull out all the Democrat tricks they spent 2002-2006 telling us were un-American. The fact that the Democrats brought up the idea of a Nuclear Option and nobody blinked an eye of hypocrisy really makes me worry for the short term memory of our nation.
Maybe I am naive in what I think America is and the job of our politicians. I always believed that the House represents the people of a state, the Senate represents the state as a whole, and the President represents the country. Somewhere along the road, the parties took over the people, the state, and the country and now the House represents the Party; the Senate represents the Party; and the President speaks for the Party; damned the people.
I do not mind the bill passed, but I mind GREATLY the behavior of the leaders of BOTH SIDES in this fight and am more pissed right now at the Republicans for threatening to do everything they just got done condemning.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same
The Washington Post is reporting today that Nancy Pelosi is planning on having the House vote on "a more popular package of fixes to the Senate bill" and then use an obscure rule known as "deem and pass" to skip the Senate voting on the changes and having the President sign it into law. This is a great plan, except for one small minor problem; it is that "G-ddamned piece of paper" as Bush once put it: the Constitution. Sadly, even Obama doesn't know this is un-Constiutional: "I don't know about the politics, but I know what's the right thing to do."
The matter of the House and Senate passing different versions of the same bill has been brought up before the Supreme Court a few times already, so I do have them backing me up on my opinion for the record.
The first time was in 1998 in the case "Clinton v. City of New York" where it was ruled that "(1) a bill containing its exact text was approved by a majority of the Members of the House of Representatives; (2) the Senate approved precisely the same text; and (3) that text was signed into law by the President." The Constitution explicitly requires that each of those three steps be taken before a bill may "become a law."
Notice how Clinton v. City of New York repeatedly uses the term "exact text?" If one word changes during the path a Bill takes to become law, it MUST start the process over. This was reaffirmed in 2007 with "PUBLIC CITIZEN,
Petitioner, v. CLERK, U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" where it was ruled that "Pursuant to this bicameralism requirement, a bill must be passed in identical form by both chambers before it can become a law."
The one thing that sets America apart from other countries is the fact that we are dedicated to the rule of law; that we never let the "Tyranny of the Majority" run wild over the minority; that all are equal in the eyes of the law.Nancy Pelosi's insisting that her being able to amend the Senate Bill and have that mean that both house agree without the Senate ever seeing those changes is unconstitutional and the courts have already ruled on this more than once. Obama's encouraging of this action is beyond disgusting to me as I voted for "Hope and Change" and we already had a President for no respect for the rule of law.
The matter of the House and Senate passing different versions of the same bill has been brought up before the Supreme Court a few times already, so I do have them backing me up on my opinion for the record.
The first time was in 1998 in the case "Clinton v. City of New York" where it was ruled that "(1) a bill containing its exact text was approved by a majority of the Members of the House of Representatives; (2) the Senate approved precisely the same text; and (3) that text was signed into law by the President." The Constitution explicitly requires that each of those three steps be taken before a bill may "become a law."
Notice how Clinton v. City of New York repeatedly uses the term "exact text?" If one word changes during the path a Bill takes to become law, it MUST start the process over. This was reaffirmed in 2007 with "PUBLIC CITIZEN,
Petitioner, v. CLERK, U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" where it was ruled that "Pursuant to this bicameralism requirement, a bill must be passed in identical form by both chambers before it can become a law."
The one thing that sets America apart from other countries is the fact that we are dedicated to the rule of law; that we never let the "Tyranny of the Majority" run wild over the minority; that all are equal in the eyes of the law.Nancy Pelosi's insisting that her being able to amend the Senate Bill and have that mean that both house agree without the Senate ever seeing those changes is unconstitutional and the courts have already ruled on this more than once. Obama's encouraging of this action is beyond disgusting to me as I voted for "Hope and Change" and we already had a President for no respect for the rule of law.
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