Thursday, May 26, 2011

The GOP was once "The Gallant Old Party."

That is hardly true today.

The GOP is simply bizarre and always has been.

Lincoln from the time he was young was a great man.  No one could deny that, but, the year he was elected there were four candidates running for office, each from a different party.

When President Lincoln won the White House he did so with 40% of the vote.  The other 60% was divided between the three other parties.

Think about it.

Lincoln was elected with 40% of the vote and the Republican Base, even today, never reaches greater than 35% in any poll, while the Democratic Party is always a solid 46%-47% of the electorate. 

Odd. 

If there weren't four parties running for the office of President that year, we may not have had a President Lincoln.  After he won office he was brought to Washington, DC under a false name to insure his safety.

The longing for abolishment of slavery dates back to the beginning of the USA as thirteen colonies.

George Washington so much found distain in slavery that he once attempted to sell all his land but the one where his home was built to emanciate his slaves.  He was not able to carry out the emanciation of his slaves because enough sufficient renters and buyers for his land were unavailable.

Abraham Lincoln was the 'manifest destiny' of the words and desires of President George Washington, whom is attributed to say:

Not only do I pray for it, on the score of human dignity, but I can clearly forsee that nothing but the rooting out of slavery can perpetuate the existence of our union, by consolidating it in a common bond of principle.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, attributed, John Bernard's Retrospections of America

Here is some trivia that isn't trivial.

The first elected Republican to office was Abraham Lincoln.

President Obama was sworn into office on the Lincoln Bible.

There were three children born in the White House.  Not one was a Republican.

The first child born in the White House was James Madison Randolph, son of Martha Jefferson Randolph, daughter of Thomas Jefferson.

Esther Cleveland, second child of President Stephen Grover Cleveland and Frances Cornelia Folsom, was the second child of a president born in the White House. She was born on September 9, 1893, during Clevelands second stint in the White House.

Patrick Bouvier Kennedy was the last child of a United States President to be born during his father's time in office. He was born on August 7, 1963 and only lived two days. Patrick was the youngest child of President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy and brother to Caroline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr. He was born five and a half weeks prematurely by emergency caesarean section at the Otis Air Force Base Hospital in Bourne, Massachusetts. A funeral Mass was held on August 10, 1963 and his body was finally laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. (JFK and Jacqueline Kennedy also had a stillborn daughter, Arabella, born in 1956, when JFK was still a senator.)

Sarah Palin's Fire in the Belly...



...is every Right Wing Extremists Fire in the Belly. It is another Anti-Abortion gab at women.

My Fire in the Belly is...





...over 200 death and at least that many missing !  When are the politics of the USA going to 'GET REAL?'

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Sarah Palin probably isn't running for office, but, only for President.

 


If I thought she was sincere for one minute I would have expected her to consider running as an Independent, but, if that is the case she won't finance herself. Additionally, if she sincerely has an interest in actually serving in the Presidency, she should reflect on her interview with Charles Gibson of ABC News.(click title to entry - thank yoiu)   This is the interview she failed so poorly in when she stated Russia could be seen from Alaska, that her record on energy was a leg up for the USA and her 'mavericky' tendencies is what 'the mood' of America is looking for.  


If Sarah hasn't improved her credentials over 2008, which she hasn't, she has even left government all together and pre-maturely besides; then she could never be serious about a campaign.  This reeks of Rove more than anything else, whom is stumped about how to bring the Chrisitan Conservatives and money on board.  Can 'The Party" actually do without her?

Sarah Palin launching multi-city tour amid 2012 buzz  (click here)

CNN
1:31 p.m. CDT, May 26, 2011

...CNN has learned that Palin has quietly laid the groundwork for a nationwide tour, beginning this weekend in the nation's capital, that will once again thrust her into the national spotlight as she decides whether to seek the GOP nomination....

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No one is more happy for the Democrats and their new House member than me, but, I also believe House Minority Leader is correct in being prudent about the topic of Medicare.

The Democrats have a challenge to prove to the American people they have the best idea for reducing the American National Debt.  That includes the knowledge that increases in the cost of living adjustment to SSI has not increased from the third quarter of 2008.  That is due to the economy, but, also indicates there are changes in the economy that can be factored into the budget regarding federal spending where COLA applies.

This is also an opportunity to 'fine tune' any spending that is disadvantageous to Medicare payments such as drug costs.  But, more importantly, rather than discussing how the 'spending side' of the National Debt has to be addressed, first the TAX RATIO of income to citizens and businesses has to be adjusted to pay down that debt.  Under the previous administration there were huge tax breaks for the wealthy that has created no new jobs, nor stimulated the economy to generate jobs, that is a disadvantage to the nation and it should be viewed as a 'gift' rather than an income at a time when the nation is still at war and paying billions to support troops.

I don't know how any House Member can look themselves in the mirror, yet alone their constituencies, and ask Senior Citizens on fixed incomes to pay more for their health care while the wealthiest citizens in the country have more than they need to plan for their futures, so long as Wall Street doesn't take another tumble and then where will they be when that all goes south again.  I sincerely believe to protect Medicare and the future of investment for those that don't need Medicare we need very competent people in the new consumer bureau. 

I don't see why Medicare is viewed as unsustainable.  We are not going to be at war forever, unless one is a Republican, and the solvency of all the entitlement programs can be extended once the military costs are reduced as we bring troops home and close down massive spending.  Some of that spending was questionably entered into by engaging in an unnecessary war with little to no benefits to the USA of any kind.  Even the Halliburton oil fields are not bringing relief to the American Consumer. 

War is not suppose to be forever, but, Medicare is.  Somebody's priorities are very, very misguided.

Democrat Wins Special Election for NY House Seat  (click here for video discussion and angry town hall with Tea Party House Representative regarding Medicare)
...Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul defeated Republican state Assemblywoman Jane Corwin, capturing 47 percent of the vote to 43 percent for Corwin, to win the seat in the 26th Congressional District. A wealthy tea party candidate, Jack Davis, took 9 percent....


Pelosi Downplays Potential Impact Of Medicare On 2012 (click title to entry - thank you)

Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 12:43PM

By Philip Bunnell

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) urged Democrats today not to read too much into the impact House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) Medicare plan may have had on the special election held in New York’s 26th district.

“This is an issue that emerged in this district,” Pelosi told reporters during her weekly briefing. But, she said, “every race is a different one.”...

The law states, for decades, employers are not suppose to hire illegal immigrants. But, they have and it is time for that practice to end.

Arizona immigration bill woes: Carmen Trejo, 34, of Phoenix, cries after learning the outcome of the Arizona state senate vote on a new immigration bill Monday, April 19, 2010, in Phoenix. Arizona lawmakers approved a sweeping immigration bill Monday intended to ramp up law enforcement efforts even as critics complained it could lead to racial profiling and other abuse. The state Senate voted 17-11, with two not voting, nearly along party lines. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

 
There have been issues of Racial Profiling in Arizona.  But, what is more fascinating is the fact that illegal immigration has become a real profit for some American law enforcement officers that tried to HIDE behind EXTREMIST positions.  There is an entire American culture surrounding illegal immigration that does not lend itself well to laws.  And where is all this corruption?  Oh, Arizona.  Where too many laws are frowned upon as GOVERNMENT INTRUSION.  I see.

Tea Party Sheriff’s Officers Busted For Drugs, Human Trafficking  (click here)

May 25, 2011 10:41 am

ARIZONA - The group mostly moved heroin, according to investigators, and officials suspect each of the arrested sheriff’s employees played a crucial role in moving the drugs and hiding the illicit profits. Authorities say the ring moved about $56,000 worth of heroin a week through the Valley.

“The fight against drugs, illegal immigration and human trafficking is important not only to me but the citizens of Arizona,” Sheriff Joe Arpaio said. “That a deputy sheriff would provide information and associate with these drug and human traffickers is despicable.”

Stopping the employement of illegal immigrants will begin to end the problem, but, where free lancing drug activities propagate its support, the problem will never end if the root causes aren't dealt with, including corruption and crime in the USA and lack of quality of life in Mexico.

Supreme Court sustains Ariz. employer sanctions law  (click title to entry - thank you)

...By a 5-3 vote, the court rejected arguments from a coalition of business and civil rights groups, including the Chamber of Commerce and ACLU, that the Arizona law conflicts with overriding federal immigration policy and could lead to race discrimination....

A sad note about Joplin.

I was reviewing the aerial pictures at The New York Times (click title to entry - thank you) and it appears as though the 'debris field' is very wide.  I know there are people searching for 'the missing.'  The tragic reality is that they could be anywhere or nowhere.  In one case, there was a car found of someone missing, that doesn't mean they are in that vicinity, but, it is definately prudent to start looking there.  I state this in hopes 'the searching' can be expedited rather than stunted by narrower points of view in hopes of finding 'the living.'

I remind much of the area is not 'hooked up' necessarily to media or communication to facilitate 'reporting' of any finding in the debris field.

Bosnia war crimes suspect held (click title to entry for video - thank you)

Serbian President Boris Tadic announces, in Belgrade, the arrest of war crimes suspect Radko Mladic.

...Gen Mladic, 69, was found in a village in northern Serbia where had been living under an assumed name.

He faces charges over the massacre of at least 7,500 Bosnian Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica in 1995.

He was the most prominent Bosnian war crimes suspect at large since the arrest of Radovan Karadzic in 2008....

NATO is delighted the new government is doing so well.  On a timeline of history the governments in that region are in their infant stages and able to carry out intelligence to capture notorious criminals.  Well done by all.

Analysis  (on same epage as article above - thank you)


It is hard to overstate the importance of this arrest here in Serbia. Many people feel the destiny of their country was held hostage by Ratko Mladic. Their hopes of joining the EU were ruled out by Brussels while Mladic was at large....

Did Obama handle Libya’s no-fly zone the right way?


A:  82.08% - Yes

B.  17.92% - No

An unscientific poll from "US News and World Report." (click title to entry - thank you)

Is it time for the Libyan Rebels to call it a victory and seek power sharing agreements with Eastern Libya?

As President Obama vows (click title to entry - thank you)  'We will not relent until the shadow of tyranny is lifted', Gaddafi's Prime Minister offers Nato a ceasefire, amnesty for rebels, reconciliation, constitutional government – and an exit strategy.

...The Independent has obtained a copy of a letter from the country's Prime Minister, Al-Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi, being sent to a number of foreign governments. It proposes an immediate ceasefire to be monitored by the United Nations and the African Union, unconditional talks with the opposition, amnesty for both sides in the conflict, and the drafting of a new constitution....

Currently, in Egypt, former President Mubarak is charged with deaths to unarmed protesters.  If the people of Libya want to iron out their differences in a power sharing agreement the court systems could begin the process of examining the history of Colonel Gaddafi and any abuses against the people of that country.  It may be the best of removing Gaddafi without risking more innocent lives.  The Colonel has lost a son and if he is the same man he was decades ago when he lost other family to USA air strikes then he is more than willing to resolve the war.

I believe the proposal should be evaluated for its merits and I am confident the Gadaffi government is expecting a reply with conditions as an accestance of their proposal.  The United Nation's Security Council should determine whether it is more prudent to leave Gadaffi to the people of Libya or demand his arrest to the International Courts.  There are issues regarding international assaults that cannot be ignored by any proposal by the current government, but, in the same instance there are innocent people in western Libya that have fought and sacrificed for liberty from their oppressive circumstances.  I do not believe the rebels should be punished for the international crimes of Gaddafi.

This is the UNISYS Water Vapor satellite of the USA currently. The 'stangnant' air system is still there but diminished. (click title to entry fpr 12 hour loop - thank you)

UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite of USA
May 26, 2011
1230:13z

Below is the UNISYS North and West Hemispheric Water Vapor satellite.  There is a huge air mass pushing in from the Pacific.  But, the eastward movment of the air mass is completely blunted by the stalled dynamics in the Atlantic.  That Atlantic air mass is essentially in the same location as two days ago. 

The air coming from the Paicific is warmer air so that will not meet up as much turbulence as there has been, but, the solar energy is still going to heat things up.  On loop of the hemispheric satellite the frigid air is mostly sequestered to the north over Canada.  (click here for 12 hour loop)  There is a vortex forming south of Alaska that will result in cold air distribution to lower latitudes, but, that is not an immediate concern.  Three is also an intense high pressure over the Gulf of Mexico, when it starts to dissipate there will be 'added' moisture from the South American Tropical Rainforests to the dry interior of the continent.  It isn't hurricane season yet, but, there is a spontaneous tropical wave that appeared briefly south of Mexico in the Pacific.


UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite of north and west hemisphere
May 26, 2011
1230:13z

This is somewhat a similar scenario to Japan's nuclear disaster, but, this time with an F5 tornado.

The back up generator to St. John's Hospital was removed from it's location when the tornado struck the hospital and patients died from that cause alone.

In many instances, events such as these cause government and private institutions a pause to ask the question 'Are we safe enough to withstand...?".

That is a good question and should be asked especially with 'aging infrastructure.'  This was no one's fault.  It was a tragedy of every dimension, but, it was no one's fault in planning for every possible utility failure.  When the back up generator was installed I am quite confident it was more than sufficient to supply the hospital SHOULD THE ELECTRICITY FAIL FROM A TORNADO.  No one ever thought for one minute this hospital was going to be asked to withstand a tornado over a half mile wide with winds over 200 mph.  That dynamic was never planned for and I am not sure it can be.  These building were never asked to withstand a Climate Crisis.

...St. John's Regional Medical Center's backup generator was sucked out of the building by the twister's 200 mph winds, leaving the hospital without power while workers scrambled to evacuate 183 patients to neighboring hospital facilities, which they did within 90 minutes.

Though St. John's emergency preparedness plan was able to protect the vast majority of patients and hospital workers, their critical loss of power raises questions for other medical facilities in Tornado Alley....

One way to avoid these disasters is to recognize there are limits to the degree Earth can produce damaging events and call in scientists to construction plans to explain the degree at which materials (tensil strength and design) are stressed during these events.  Engineers plans  for what government demands of them to plan for, including housing units.  If engineers and designers were required to examine the dynamics of Earth Produced Damage at the extremes they would comply and write important plans for such disasters.