CLOSE ELECTION MY ASS

Every cable news host and pundit has been predicting a close election this year. Poll after poll have placed the various Republican candidates in close proximity to, if not beating President Obama in a general election. Over the last three years, the American public has been barraged with vile heinous attacks directed against this sitting President, by Republicans seeking to take his place. For the last Month these same entities have spent most of their time pushing their religious beliefs, and Conservative agenda; while attempting to highjack women's control of their own bodies. President Obama has spent the last 3 years, attempting to bring the economy back from the dismal abyss that the last Republican President placed it in with two unwarranted wars, and an ill conceived tax break for Multi Millionaires. The economy is now showing great signs of recovery, no thanks to an obstructionist Republican Congress, that have blocked every Jobs plan proposed by President Obama. At this fragile time in the American economy, instead of proposing more job stimulus and eliminating unnecessary tax breaks to Multi millionaires and economy crippling tax loop holes for Corporations; Republicans have gone on a crusade against contraception. No new job bills have been offered by Republicans in three years, yet they have been able to speed anti abortion and anti gay legislation through the House and Senate of States that they control; quickly delivering them to eager Republican Governors desks in less than a week. Republicans cheerfully announced years ago, that their main goal was to insure that President Obama is not elected to a second term. Its has been painfully clear that they are willing to destroy the American economy to achieve this goal. The American public has been drastically underestimated by these would be leaders. We know that they are using these cultural and religious issues to deflect from the fact that they don't have a plan, or any idea how to get us out of this mess that they have created. Using high gas prices, or the high unemployment rates will not give them an edge over President Obama in the up coming elections, in fact it will only remind us of the effects of Republican Leadership. I believe that the American people will resoundingly reject the Republicans Conservative agenda, and re-elect President Barack Obama with a Mandate.

CATHOLIC RIGHT..EOUSNESS

There is a debate taking place today on Contraception in America. The Obama Administration has extended a law requiring employers to include contraception in women's health care coverage. This law is already in effect in 28 States and has been for some time now; without undue protest by any person or organization. Many of these states have an exemption for religious institution, some do not. The proposed extension by the Obama Administration honors the exemption, and give the religious institutions that were formerly left out the ability to stop providing contraception in their female employees health coverage. The Catholic Church has known about these existing regulations, and have not made an issue of them; despite their standing anti-contraception doctrine. This may or may not be due to the fact that 98% of Catholic women use or have used contraception, despite their churches doctrine. The Catholic Church have decided to make this a wedge issue during this election season. Conservatives, and opportunistic republican lawmakers have enthusiastically joined in. News pundits, catholic and non catholic have chimed in with their opinions, and have lit up the air waves with controversy. The Catholic Church believes that not only their religious institutions should be exempt, but also the many business ventures that they receive government funding for, such as schools, hospitals, etc. They define these businesses as charitable organizations. Conservative Presidential Primary Candidates have used this issue to lodge outrageous charges against President Obama, and to push their so called 'pro life' agenda forward. Among the new legislations proposed is a 'personhood amendment'. An amendment that would define life as being at conception, and would make abortions, and many forms of contraception a crime. President Obama in the spirit of cooperation if not in letter of law, have decided to adjust the legislation to require insurance carriers to pay for the contraception coverage mandated; relieving the church of possibly violating their "conscience?' The Catholic Church has not exercised good conscience when it came to the many acts of sexual violence against children in their parishes, by pedophile priest. They have routinely transferred offenders to other parishes, without warning parishioners. Where these wolves in sheep's clothing continued their heinous acts on other innocent children. I am no expert on Catholic doctrine, but I'm sure it does not condone these despicable acts. Yet the Catholic Church have not expressed a fraction of the concern shown in the contraception issue, to the issue of their Priest destroying young lives. Many have come to the aid of the Catholic Church on the contraception issue, saying that the government has no right to interfere with the teachings of their religion. Few have addressed the issue of one church, and one religion, dictating policy that effect people from many churches and religions (not to mention countless millions of non religious Americans).
The Catholic Church is arguing Separation of Church and State, and Religious freedom; while effectively forcing their beliefs on the government and intruding on the religious freedom of others.

SPOILS OF WAR

Lately there has been a wave of celebratory sentiment in the US. Osama Bin Laden Killed, the end of the Iraqi war, Libya liberated, and The NY Giants won the Superbowl. In St. Louis there was even a Celebratory Parade for the returned Iraqi War Vets. No one will deny that the true heroes of this time in our history, are the men and women who serve in the U.S. Military. They have well earned our respect and admiration, and deserve to be celebrated. Mayor Bloomberg in standing tradition, held a Ticker Tape Parade in honor of the World Champion Giants after their Superbowl Victory and came under attack by many for not having held a welcome home parade for the returned Iraq War Vets. He concisely explained that he had been in conference with representatives of the U.S. Defense Dept., and that they have decided that a parade for Iraqi War Vets would be premature and possibly harmful; given the fact that many of the U.S. Soldiers that have left Iraq were redeployed to Afghanistan; where we are still actively in combat with the Taliban. Some talking heads of Liberal and Conservative Media have had the arrogance to believe that they are better suited to decide whats good for U.S. war vets than the Pentagon or the Defense Department. They site some Veterans and Veterans Groups and use their opinions as cover for their own arrogance. Mayor Michael Bloomberg rightly (in my opinion) followed the Defense Departments recommendation, and should be praised for not seeking to gain temporary favor of the press and the public by haphazardly throwing an impromptu parade. Im not indicting the many fair minded and Patriotic Americans who agree that a parade should be held or even those who disagree with the Defense Dept. on when it should be held. My fight is with those who choose to crusade against The Defense Dept. and Mayor Bloomberg with pseudo patriotic rhetoric, those who use parades and flag waving to soothe their own conscience for never sacrificing anything for the betterment of their Country. They yell U.S.A!, America Love it or Leave it!, and other empty phrases; while leaving the fighting and dying to someone else. I know that the opinions of others have as much validity as my own despite the fact that I have served My Country, My State, My City, and My Community. No one opinion is greater than another. I recently asked the opinion of a few of my Friends and acquaintances about this subject, and the best response That I have received was from a former Marine and Twitter Buddy. T. Moriarty



Have the parade only after all combat troops are back on American soil to include all who fought, like a National Pride Day. When having this parade, the place of highest honor is usually the front. This spot should not be for the highest ranking officers, but rather reserved for the Soldiers whom have made the highest sacrifice; their lives . The surviving spouses with a picture of the fallen soldier in hand, or otherwise prominently displayed will hold the place of highest honor along with their children. This will help show to the American people the true cost of war. I think that if people start seeing the faces of the small children who have lost their mother and or father, they just might start to see the everlasting hidden effect that war has on families and the Nation. Next in the parade line will be those who have been wounded, lost limbs, and who have been permanently disfigured, marching along with their families. all other Soldiers will bring up the rear. This will show the American People that there are lasting effects of war on the Soldiers and the Soldiers families (whom have served in their own way) long after the last remnants of confetti are cleaned from the streets, and the public is safely tucked back into their usual routines. Any local or National Politicians in need of a photo opportunity are welcome to follow along. Hopefully then, the war hungry Conservatives who profess to be the vanguards of family values, will see the effects of war first hand, and will be less Gung Ho about entering into another war like Iraq. Then we will see their true family values.

TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN

REPOST FROM OCTOBER 25, 2009:
"HE WALKED THROUGH A VALLEY FILLED WITH DANGER. THOSE WHO WALKED BESIDE HIM CONSPIRED WITH THOSE WHO FOLLOWED CLOSELY BEHIND. WITH EVERY STEP THEY LONGED FOR THE PAST DAYS OF ROGUE LEADERS, AND OPPRESSIVE INSTITUTIONS; AT THE SAME TIME ACCUSING HIM OF THE DAMAGE DONE BY HIS PREDECESSOR. BUT HE WAS SMARTER THAN THEM ALL. DISPITE THEIR CONSTANT DISSENT AND OPPOSITION, HE LED THEM SAFELY THROUGH THE VALLEY AND INTO A LAND OF HOPE, PROMISE AND PROSPERITY. IT WAS AN UNFORGIVEABLE ACT, AND THEY HATED HIM FOR IT."

ALTHOUGH MANY ARE MORE INFORMED AND NOW TRUST PRESIDENT OBAMA WITH THE DIRECTION THAT HE IS TRYING TO TAKE THE COUNTRY, THE LEVEL OF HATE FROM THE OPPOSITION HAS ESCALATED BEYOND REASON. REPUBLICAN POLITICIANS HAVE OBSTRUCTED EVERY POLICY AND SEEDED THE HATE WITH RACIAL AND ECONOMIC DIVIDE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF EXTENDING THEIR OWN CAREERS, AND LINING THEIR OWN POCKETS. PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SUCCESSES LIKE RIDDING THE PLANET OF NOTORIOUS TERRORIST, SECURING HEALTH CARE FOR MOST AMERICANS, ENDING THE WAR IN IRAQ, ENDING DADT, DEFENDING SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE FROM AN ALL OUT ASSAULT BY THE OPPOSITION, SAVING THE AUTO INDUSTRY, BEING ONE OF ONLY FIVE PRESIDENTS TO OVERSEE A 60% GAIN IN THE DOW JONES SINCE TAKING OFFICE, CREATED NEARLY 4 MILLION JOBS, DEFENDING WOMENS RIGHTS, ENDING INSURANCE COMPANY ABUSES, ETC. ETC. HAVE BEEN DISCOUNTED, AND COUNTLESS LIES HAVE BEEN PERPETUATED AGAINST PRESIDENT OBAMA. THE LEVEL OF DISRESPECT TOLERATED AGAINST THIS PRESIDENT HAS DAMAGED THIS COUNTRY GREATLY, AND OUR STANDING ACROSS THE GLOBE HAS BEEN DENIGRATED BY THE INSANE DIALOGUE INITIATED BY THE "TEA PARTY" AND TEA PARTY PROPONENTS. I HAVE LITTLE DOUBT THAT AMERICANS OF GOOD CONSCIENCE WILL NOT ELECT A NEWT GINGRICH OR A MITT ROMNEY TO SINK US FURTHER INTO THE ABYSS. THEIR RHETORIC AND POLICIES ARE THE SAME.

WHERE DID THEY HIDE THE QUIET?

I went to the local Barnes and Noble for the second time this month to research Home Designs in the many magazines published today on the subject. Its seems that every time i visit this particular store i'm barraged with a never ending cycle of disruptions by one entity or another. The last time i was there the chief protagonists were special needs children running amuck throughout the store. Before you think of me as an insensitive monster, know that I love the fact that a book store is on their visit list; i just believe that special needs or not they should be properly supervised to insure that they don't bother other patrons. The disruptions of the latest visit couldn't have been planned better by the most twisted of screen writers. I reveled in the fact that I got there early and that the place was only occupied by a few people, but that sense of elation was short lived. Immediately after gathering my magazines and sitting down at a table isolated from foot traffic, a woman made a B line directly towards me; pushing past countless empty tables before dropping her personal bags noisily onto the table next to mine. She then proceeded to side step the clear path to the seat on the other side of the table, and she stood directly in front of me with her fat miss-shapened ass 1' away from my face while she slowly removed her coat scarf and sweater. I kept my composure and only left after she sat down and pulled out her cell phone. I left the second table after a young girl of 8 or 9 began to pace around the adjacent table with what sounded like tap shoes on a wooded floor. The strange thing is she was wearing what looked like sneakers and the floor was carpeted. I believe that she was wearing one of the brilliant new inventions marketed for children these days (shoes that make noise and light up with each step), just what the world needs most. The third and final location really took the proverbial cake. The disruptions started with the restocking lady dragging her plastic footstool back and forth across the same 2 feet of floor as she re-racked magazines that were left in the isles by the lazy and the privileged. The situation quickly progressed when another worker started running a vacuum cleaner in symphony with her scrapping stool noises over a no larger area of carpet in the same vicinity. If you believe it stopped there you're sadly mistaken. A cloaked and hooded 20 something 'Y.O.' man sat down beside me with music seeping out of his earbuds as he grunted out incoherent rap lyrics. The final straw came when a woman sat next to me, pulled out her cell phone and proceeded to order what seemed to be a membership to AARP. She gave and spelt out her name, complete address, birthdate, phone number, and a barrage of other personal information. She then made it clear that she wanted to pay by money order. My guess is the last phone call of this nature that she made left her without Credit. All the while abrasive music play loudly on the overhead speakers. Remember the day when an older lady with horn rimmed glasses went around shushing anyone who dared to raised their voice above a whisper with threats of expulsion, how I long for those days. I really don't expect a completely quiet environment free from verbal interaction between people, or the occasional quick and quiet cell phone call; but loud and abrasive disruptions as afore mentioned should be unacceptable by anyones standards. Next time I'll try Borders.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

I Just watched a smiling Barack Obama energetically exit Air Force One, and give a slap handshake and a hearty half hug to one of his staff members. It immediately dawned on me that America has a Black President. For all of you who are wondering what rock I was hiding under for the last few years, I offer up my long winded explanation. I spent a good part of my time the last few years campaigning for Barrack Obama, disseminating misinformation, and attempting to quell the fears of White Friends and Co-workers who felt threatened by the possibility of a Black President. Even bigger challenges where the fears of success by many African Americans and other people of color. You would not believe the amount of people who didn't hesitate to say that they would not vote for him for fear of him being assassinated. Those fears where well understood and quickly preyed upon by the opposition, who floated it in the air during much of the primaries as well as in the general election. My walls are adorned with pictures of Barack Obama, his family, and his inauguration, so how could it just hit me that we have the First Black President of the United States.
Michelle Obama Once stated that 'for the fist time she was truly proud of her Country' in reference of her husband election, many took immediate offense and denounced her as unpatriotic. I knew immediately what she felt and what she truly meant by this statement. I'm a lifetime Civil Servant. I've served my Community, City, State, and Country from my Youth and will continue to do so as long as life permits. I see no greater service than that to the general public. There are many flaws in this great American Society that go unchecked even when challenged. I've seen a level of greed and lack of empathy that surpassed criminality and crossed into the realm of evil, but throughout my limited 50 years of existence I've never come to a point where hopelessness prevailed. No matter how discourage I became by the actions of any group or individual, it would not take long before I was inspired by another group or individual. Although I screamed loudly and protested often, I've always loved my Country and my goals were always to make it better. The Election of President Barack Obama is the pinnacle of individuals and groups coming together and inspiring a nation. People from all walks of life in the most diverse nation in the world selecting a new direction for a great country that was rapidly loosing it way. Seeing past race, not succumbing to fear mongers, and navigating their way through a sea of malicious misinformation. In America will still have a seemingly growing racial and religious intolerance, as well as a propensity to blame those who suffer instead of the system that causes (or at least allows) their suffering. We blame home owners instead of bankers, the unemployed instead of corporations, and the sickly instead of insurance companies. These facts make the election of a Black President with a Muslim name all the more a great testament to the ability of the American people to overcome their own demons. The election of President Barack Obama was not a panacea, The challenges for the future are great and the opposition strong. Although we must still contend with a mass media the feeds us what we tend to crave (sensationalism and controversy), as well as politicians and pundits that put their careers above the well being of the entire Country; the great majority of the American People are intelligent and will continue to strive for the best America possible. The election of President Barack Obama is a big step in the right direction and should bring pride to the entire nation.
We must not forget these great feelings of pride and accomplishment, and never take for granted these milestones in achievement. We cannot rest on laurels, there will always be opposition to the development of this great nation (both external and internal); so the struggle to educate them must continue as we continue to be progressive in our endeavors.

Steven Slater, Jet Blue Flight Attendant, Jumps Down Emergency Chute

What rock did some of these commentors come from under, this is not a story about rude people, and a guy who couldn't take it any more. Rude Obnoxious People come a dime a dozen and are encountered by every one of us every single day to some degree or another. This is a story of an unstable individual Who was in a position to activate that same emergency slide tens of thousands of feet in the air, with hundreds of lives at stake. I fly Jet Blue almost exclusively and I am now concerned with how they screen their employees and what measures are taken to check their emotional stability on a regular basis. This is not some humurous, harmless story. It could have been a very tragic event. This Unstable Moron should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and then some. Its remarkable that people are willing to allow full body scans, strip searches, willing to be limited to a certain amount of lotion or shampoo, and remove their shoes in the interest of airport security; yet they treat this story as one mans triumph against rudeness. WAKEUP!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost