News from the Great Beyond

For your Presidential Debate pleasure...

Ahhh, politics.  That's something I have avoided like the plague for the last couple of years - but with the presidential election looming, and being back in the habit of blogging and blog-reading, guess I'm caught up and forced to form an opinion again.

I've been collecting a few good links here and there and will probably do a round-up soon, but this should be shared before it's too late:

Presidential Debate Bingo (or Lingo, as the artist calls it) - which strongly brings to mind the corporate "BS Bingo" for use during deathly boring meetings.  If you're watching the debates tonight, print out your cards and be ready to play along...  As for me, I think I'll find something more interesting to do.

(Hat tip to the Drawn! Illustration and Cartooning blog - check them out if you have an interest in visual arts!)

Well, She Asked!

I made a quick run to the post office before lunch today to mail some books for PaperBackSwap - I was hungry, and very much looking forward to stopping by Panda Express for some Orange Flavored Chicken to reward myself for not procrastinating the post office chore, so I made a point of hurrying to my car and not looking at the large woman in the flowered skirt sitting at a card table near the front door, obviously collecting petition signatures.

I was really hoping to avoid her entirely, actually.  I had no idea what her petition was for, but nine times out of ten the petition is going to be for something that I have no desire to sign, and I was really jonesing for that Orange Flavored Chicken... and so I suppose I was a bit rude when I heard that piercing voice calling out to me "Ma'am?  Ma'am!!!!"  I stopped - car keys in hand, mere feet away from my car door.

She asked me, loudly and pointedly, as if this was going to get me to walk over to her table and sign my name on her clipboard - obviously she wasn't thinking about Orange Flavored Chicken herself, or she'd have known better - "How do you feel about raising the minimum wage?"

I had no intention of getting into a discussion of economics with this W-O-U-S ("Women of unusual size?  I don't believe they exist!"), so I curtly shot back "I don't think it's a good idea," and took another couple of steps toward that beckoning car door... but she had another question.

"How do you feel about making Arizona a non-smoking state?"  Blink.  I assume by that she means outlawing smoking in all public areas statewide.  You know, I'm not a smoker, and sometimes cigarette smoke does irritate my allergies and such... but as I have probably mentioned before, I have some definite libertarian leanings, and this is one of those topics I prefer not to legislate to death.  And so I paused briefly to collect my wits and said the first thing that came to my mind.

"Ya know, I really don't care all that much."

I'm sure she was quite put out.  I didn't bother to gauge her reaction - Panda was calling, who can resist? - but I have no doubt she will be lamenting my lack of social consciousness later on with her activist friends.

Whatever lady, you asked.

I finally found something to post about!

A number of center-right and conservative bloggers have created a petition to endorse true reform in the wake of shenanigans in D.C. that may or may not have (read: probably did) involved Tom Delay and others.  N.Z. Bear over at The Truth Laid Bear has the petition for all to see, and specifically they welcome the entry of Arizona's own John Shadegg into the race to replace Delay.  I agree with them heartily, as I don't really think the others in the running stand a chance of reforming much of anything that's wrong with Congress right now.

Shadegg has held the seat of Policy Chairman for his party and is probably the most acquainted with their future plans, not to mention being committed to making reforms that others don't even mention in passing much less throw their support behind.  Of course, the fact that he's from Arizona is a plus, but by no means is this just throwing my support to the local boy.

If you're a blogger who wants to sign the petition yourself, follow me over to TTLB and leave a comment -or- trackback it from your own post like I've done with this one.

(See, Songstress, I did post something again someday like I said I would! ;)  I'm hoping this is the start of me blogging again, seeing as how my last post was 9 months ago and I'd like the next one to be a bit sooner than that.)

Musings... on Mary Mapes, Oil Companies, and S3x on Television

On the radio this morning, I heard a snippet of an interview with an "unrepentant" Mary Mapes - you remember her, the now-fired producer of the 60 Minutes segment that ruined Dan Rather's career and put the blogosphere squarely in the spotlight?

Mapes apparently is under the impression that using "unsubstantiated" documents to back up a potentially scandalous story involving a sitting president mere weeks before the election is perfectly OK, and it's the responsibility of those who dispute their authenticity to prove them to be forgeries.

From the WorldNetDaily report on her ABC interview (emphasis mine):

Mapes tells ABC News she is continuing to investigate the source of the controversial documents. But she insists she had no journalistic obligation to prove their authenticity before the "60 Minutes II" report.

"I don't think that's the standard," she says.

Forget the fact that the guys at PowerLineBlog came as close as humanly possible to proving the documents to be forged, without being able to provide forensic evidence of who actually created them... Those who defend the remote possibility that they were literally authentic are stretching the bounds of reality. 

Sure, the typeface that looks so much like Microsoft Word's default Times New Roman font in 12 point may have existed and been available in some expensive typesetting machines in the 1970's... and the Texas National Guard office may have had access to one... and someone might have used it to create a document that was done completely out of the standard format for military correspondence at the time... But remember Occam's Razor, folks.  Go for the simplest explanation - they're fake. 

What Mapes and those who defend her hang their hat on is that they believe the information contained in the documents is accurate, so whatever possible explanation that someone can dream up for all the discrepancies in format and typeface has to suffice because they must be real.  And because she believes they are real, it's up to someone else to prove that they're not.

Statements like that are why Mary Mapes will never again work for a credible news organization.  Nobody who wants to have any shred of public trust would risk having her do research.

Next...

Let me get this right out on the table up front.  The vast majority of Americans would agree that gas prices suck right now.  And by association, the costs of other goods and services are rising because everyone is stuck with these nasty gas prices.  Our power company is trying to get a 20% rate increase right now, primarily because of the rising cost of energy - and I think that totally sucks.  However, this Senate hearing where they're making the oil companies defend their right to make a profit?  Wrong, wrong, wrong.

Yes, everyone is feeling the pinch of energy prices, and especially the poorer folks among us.  But oil companies are in the business of providing a product and they, like everyone else in a capitalist society, have a right to turn a profit from providing that product.  Sure, the numbers we're talking about are staggeringly huge - billions and billions of dollars.  When you look at it percentage-wise, it's not outlandish at all. 

ConocoPhillips pulled down a 7.7 percent profit margin in the third quarter.  If you think 7.7 percent is too much, perhaps you think the federal government should regulate what percentage of profit a company is allowed to make? 

Maybe it's just me, but I find that a frightening prospect.  That's just too much government control over our lives.  Hubby-head and I don't own our own business at this time in our lives, but we've considered that as a future option.  If the government is allowed to meddle in private industry to that extent - capping a profit percentage, for instance - I'd hesitate to start a company.  Sure, maybe they'd start with oil companies and other providers that they can justify regulating because of public need... but there's always that slippery slope looming ahead, and I've read Atlas Shrugged - have you?

I guess what I'm saying is that, while I would dearly love to have gas prices back down under $2.00 a gallon (or $1.50 a gallon - imagine that!) I would stop short of demanding the government take action to make that happen.  Call me a libertarian if you wish, I won't mind. 

Next...

Study Says There Is More S3x on TV.

In other news, the Pope is Catholic.

You know, if people didn't watch it, the networks wouldn't air it.  And that's a fact, Jack.

What's on your mind today?

Things I'd Like to Say

To Hugo Chavez:  Stuff it.  If the United States really wanted you assassinated, you'd be long dead by now, dude.

To whoever created Starbucks' Gingerbread syrup:  I hope they gave you a big raise.  You rock.

To the Democrats in the United States Senate:  What do you hope to accomplish by insisting on yet another investigation of things that are long since done?  If you "discover" that President Bush did willfully mislead the American people (as so many of your liberal wacko cheerleaders have been shouting for years now), it is still not a prudent course of action to pull out of Iraq immediately.  Do you think that a very public witch-hunt with nasty recriminations all around would actually be good for this country, especially at a time like this when our enemies are looking for weaknesses and cheering at our misfortunes?  What is more important to you, strengthening our country or smearing the Republicans?  Do I even have to ask?

To Rodney Olsen, of the Journey blog: Happy Two Years, dear sir.  I appreciate all the comments you have left here - and the links you've given me.  I especially appreciate the time I mentioned my friend Pablo and I had wanted to coin a new phrase, and you tried to help us get it off the ground by mentioning it on your radio program.  You, also, rock.

To the mainstream media: I understand about the whole freedom of the press thing, really I do.  But you are perfectly able to censor yourselves, and when it comes to leaked items that have national security implications, you should.

To my friend Judy, who had surgery today on her thyroid:  We'll be praying for you that the results are negative.  And we'll be by to see you this evening.  Get well, sister.  Have I mentioned lately, you rock?

To the Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives:  Now you're getting there...  Automatic United States citizenship by virtue of being born in this country is a fabulous idea.  Unfortunately, it's being exploited by those who break the laws of this country to enter illegally in order to give birth here.  The fact that the term "anchor babies" exists means something is broken with the system and it needs to be fixed.

To the dude at the Sprint Store last night:  I know you lied to me about not being able to order the phone I wanted in the color I wanted.  If I'd had the presence of mind to take down your name I would call your supervisor and have you busted for it.  Terrible customer service, dude.

To CoWorkerK and FormerBossMan: I know I unwittingly opened the door to an office discussion of religion and politics yesterday afternoon, which I profoundly regret.  I chose not to chip in my two cents because I don't think such discussions are appropriate for the workplace, especially where there is vehement disagreement.  One thing I would love to point out to you is that the phrase "wall of separation between church and state" appears in a letter written by Thomas Jefferson - only one of our founding Fathers - and does not necessarily infer that all of the Framers intended for there to be a bilateral separation between religion and government.  In fact, the actual language of the First Amendment is quite the opposite.  Congress is restricted from making laws establishing an "official state religion" or prohibiting the free exercise of religion.  Your opposition to President Bush's "faith-based initiatives" program is silly.  Why not allow government money to help support religious organizations that provide the same social services that secular organizations provide?  The job needs to be done either way, and if the religious organizations can help get it done efficiently, so much the better.  No individual religion is singled out.  In no way does this "establish" a particular religion.  What. Ever.

To my mom:  Although I acknowledged it in other ways, I also wanted to wish you a public happy birthday (if belated by several days) on the blog.  I love you!  And, you rock!

To my loyal readers: Many apologies for being more quiet than usual lately.  I'm definitely in a "down" phase as far as the blogging hobby goes.  I promise I'll try to post at least once a week if y'all promise not to abandon me entirely.  The more comments I get, the more I feel loved and missed and the more I want to communicate with you guys.  *hint hint*  You, most of all, rock.

Everything That's On My Mind - Thursday Stream-of-Consciousness Edition

Over at mountaineer musings, the lovely and talented SarahK has decided that she really dislikes her job.  In fact, she really dislikes public accounting, which she's been doing for a while now.  So, not only is she quitting her job, she's taking the rest of the year off to plan her wedding (all hail Frank J.!) and work on the IMAO podcast and such.  There are days when I am envious of her short-timer status. 

But then, I'm making a concerted effort right now to pay off bills and get ready to sell our condo and buy a more suitable place... Working toward the day when I too can afford to say "You know what?  I don't like this job." and go do something else.  Like what?  Baking cakes, perhaps.  Or doing voiceovers - something my radio and theatre training would be useful for.

Yesterday I was all set to post a rant about politics - my view of the proper role of the federal government, state and local governments, as well as charities and free enterprise... but I got busy at work and lost the drive to put my thoughts down on virtual paper.

Sometimes I'm interested in politics, and sometimes it just annoys me.  Today, for instance, CoWorkerK was about to launch into a full-blown rant of his own about the fact that Halliburton has already gotten some of the rebuilding work in New Orleans.  I pondered for a moment jumping in to remind him that President Clinton awarded no-bid contracts to Halliburton for work in Kosovo as well, but then I thought "eh, what good will it do?"  It'll just irritate him, and personally I prefer not to get into political and religious arguments with the people I work with.  If they are interested in having a civil conversation or debate, that's one thing - but if they're angry and spoiling for a fight, I'm staying out of it.  So I went back to my PCO review, and he got distracted looking at a brochure for some conference or another.  Sometimes I feel disingenuous about letting him ramble about whatever anti-Bush bent he's on that day, figuring he assumes I agree with him.  I've just found that the vitriolic Bush haters won't be swayed by whatever argument you can present, and if you have to continue to deal with them on a regular basis, it's easier to keep the peace by not responding at all.

I saw a Ford Exorbitant on the road this morning with my license plate.  OK, it's not mine.  It was one of the two possible vanity plates that I would have wanted, if I was willing to shell out even more money to the State of Arizona when registering my car - which I'm not, by the way, because they charge too much as it is.  But the plate I saw this morning was my first choice of vanity plates:  "L8 AGN".  My second choice, also as a punctuality-challenged individual, would be "L8SUSUL".  (A little more of a challenge to decipher... let me know if you can't guess it.)

Ohh, my pecs.  I had my first trip back to the gym yesterday.  I took it easy on myself with the weights, using less resistance than I remember using last year, although with a few more reps (broken into two sets).  I think it was the military press that did me in.  Dang, lifting my coffee cup to my mouth hurts muscles I didn't know I used for that particular activity.  I got in a good 30 minutes of cardio, between the recumbent bike and the treadmill.  Heart rate to 149+ for most of that.  I would have gone back this morning for more cardio, but Hubby and I were out late conspiring with some of our friends from church on pranks we could play.  When we get our heads together, we can be positively evil.  I'll share after the plans are carried out - don't want to tip our hand too soon here.  In any event, we didn't intend to be out as late as we were, but the discussion continued out into the parking lot and past 11:00 PM.  I was in no shape to get out of bed at 4:45 AM.

Aaaaaanyway, enough of the rambling.  What's on your mind today?

Janet the Political Animal

My jesting references to her as "The Ambiguously Lesbian Governor" aside, there are things about Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano that really rub me the wrong way.  One of them is her tendency to do things that a) don't make sense, b) shouldn't be done, or c) accomplish little to nothing, all to score political points. 

Case in point, her hardcore push to rename Squaw Peak as "Piestewa Peak" (and State Route 51 as "Piestewa Freeway") mere days after the death of Lori Piestewa, instead of waiting the federally required 5 years.  This was a case of political expediency all the way, trying to appease the small but vocal group of Native Americans who were offended by the word "squaw" while at the same time scoring points with numerous voters who would be pleased at the thought of honoring a Native American, a woman, or a fallen member of the military.

Or her recent declaration of a state of emergency along Arizona's southern border due to the immigration problem, all the while working with her Attorney General to extract the teeth from voter-approved Proposition 200 that would have severely limited, if not entirely eliminated, most state and local taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal aliens.  She makes a lot of noise about the federal government not doing their job on border control, but refuses to sign legislation that would make our state less attractive as a permanent home for illegal immigrants.

Janet's latest "sound and fury, signifying nothing" maneuver is to "do something" about gas prices:

With crude oil and gasoline prices roaring to record levels, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano issued an executive order late Monday increasing state inspections of gas stations.

The governor is calling upon the Arizona Department of Weights & Measures to increase its service station inspections to make sure consumers are getting fuel purchases at the correct price and quantity.

"With gas prices as high as they are, and only headed upward, we need to do as much as we can to ensure that motorists are getting every penny of gas and diesel they pay for," said Napolitano. "Ensuring that pumps are accurate, especially when Arizonans are struggling with these prices, is critical."

Is it just me, or is it painfully obvious that she's just trying to play for political points with those (just nearly everyone these days) who are complaining loudly about the soaring cost of gasoline?

Here's a question, for which I have no answer.  If I were a journalist, I'd be asking the Department of Weights and Measures what percentage of gas station inspections turn up pumps that are overcharging consumers, and how much the average overcharge is per tank of gas.  And then I'd ask how many additional manhours at what hourly rate it's going to take to carry out the governor's order.  Increasing inspections at gas stations may end up costing the taxpayers more money than it saves.  I wonder if anyone even considered that possibility, or if the governor and her staff just went for the maximum PR move.

Way to go, Janet.  You're really doing something for Arizona now.

Mixed Messages: Political Bumper Stickers Edition

Spotted on the back of a truck along my way to work this week:

I can't be the only one who's confused by this.

An Open Mind

I just read a fabulous blog post.  The kind of post that gives me hope that we in this country can overcome the bitter partisan divide of this past election... the kind of post that makes me think that just maybe, we're going to be able to get back to rational discourse and doing what's best for the country, instead of stuff like this:  (Hat tip to David at Not Perfection)

I can't believe the Iraqis are buying into this 'democracy' bulls***. They have to know that the Americans don't want them to have power, because they know that Bush is in this for the oil, and now that he finally has it he's not going to let it go. This election is a charade. The fact is that the Iraqis have suffered during the past two years more than any people on earth at the hands of the American gestapo. Maybe they're afraid and felt they had to vote. That's the only way I can explain it to myself.

No, that's the sort of thing I've been running across for far too long.  That, or people who are so burned out on politics that they just don't want to think about it anymore.

What I just read is like a breath of fresh air.  Jeff is a self-admitted knee-jerk liberal who has begun to question the left as much as he has questioned the right, and so he went to the polls on Sunday to see some of the Iraqi voters and hear their stories for himself.  His conclusion:

I can't tell the difference between the good guys and the bad guys, and I want a clear cut mandate, some lines to believe along. But there aren't any. There's just right and wrong and following your heart of hearts. And for the first time in my life, I can say that I was wrong to be compulsively critical of the current administration without seeking my own truth.

Some clear wrongs rise from this morass like an evil swamp monster, reeking of decay and crawling with filthy insect larvae. Puppeting a belief for social or financial gain, wihtout seeking the truth within one’s heart is real, real wrong. The level of discourse in Amaerica has plummeted to a name-calling ping-pong match with a turd for a ball. It doesn’t matter how wicked the serve is, both sides are still smacking a bunch of s*** around. Just like Ann Coulter and the Protest Warriors, those "F*** Bush" signs hurt America and all that it stands for. Even though I don't know what it stands for anymore...but I am so glad those people can vote.

Strong language alert, for those who are easily offended, if you choose to read the rest... but I have to say I have a lot of respect for this guy, who allowed himself to question his preconceived notions and admit to himself - and the rest of us - that the truth might just be different than he thought.

There are many on the right who will need to do the same... here's hoping we can be as honest with ourselves as Jeff.

(Hat tip to Beth at She Who Will Be Obeyed... this was definitely worth reading.)

I Shop at a Republican Supermarket.

(Hat tip to Pietro at The SmarterCop...)

I'm also using a "red" insurance company and my Hubby-head drives a "red" truck.

Check out this website - aimed at bolstering support for corporations that donate to the Democratic party...  We Republicans can use this information if we are so inclined as well.  For instance, next time you have a choice in your airline carrier, you can check the list to make sure you're on a carrier that supports your political affiliations - if you care.

Oh, and I knew there was a reason I didn't like the Arizona Cardinals... but go, Suns!