Open memo to General Dempsey.

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Doug Wilson (click title to entry - thank you)


Dear General Dempsey,


Assistant Secretary Wilson did a wonderful job when appearing on "The Rachel Maddow Show" of addressing the DOD's reason to postpone the parade for Iraq War Veterans now that the war is over.


It hasn't changed my mind.


Assistant Secretary Wilson did his level best with magnificent reasons for the postponement.  He deserves his position and his retirement.


I find the decision by the DOD oppressive of the wishes of many American people that want to celebrate with parades the return of the soldiers now that the mission is over.


The Canyon of Heroes seemed so appropriate.  


The Iraq soldiers now in rotation to Afghanistan will have completed yet another mission to the pride of their country and we will celebrate them when they return, too.


I guess I just have an attitude. It happens. I guess I don't take orders well. We won't see eye to eye on much, sir.
  
I just see it coming.


Best regards,
Elisa Barrett

With very little time to continue the Payroll Tax Cut Debate, Speaker Boner opts for 'political hot spot' with the Catholic Church.

The House can't get serious work done. They simply can't get it done. The House rather a deadlock and attention to bring the President to supervise.  And then demean his efforts to assist. 


There is no hope for the current House.  So, if the Payroll Tax Credit won't get them the attention and 'wedge' they are looking for, the GOP is going to waste valuable time on politics and not the country.

...Congress (click here) has until Feb.29 to agree to extend the payroll tax cut, or the tax will rise 2 percentage points to the original rate of 6.2 percent. The president signed a two-month extension of the tax cut in December, as part of a deal that also extended unemployment insurance and avoided a reduction in Medicare fees for doctors.

Republicans are split on whether to extend the tax cut, although the party's congressional leaders say a deal will be reached....

There is actually far less time for the House to pass the extension.  The legislative days left in February is something like 6 days? 

What do the complaints of the Catholic Church have to do with the Payroll Tax Cut?

The House absolutely hates President Obama and his administration.  They just do.

GOP vows to reverse Obama birth control policy (click title to entry - thank you)

WASHINGTON—Republicans vowed Wednesday to reverse President Barack Obama's new policy on birth control, lambasting the requirement that religious schools and hospitals provide employees with free contraceptives as an "unambiguous attack on religious freedom in our country."

The White House pushed back in the face of a political firestorm, arguing that Obama was sensitive to the objections and looking for a way to allay the concerns. Democratic women lawmakers put up a united front in defending the administration.

"Women's health care should not depend on who the boss is," said Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky....


The GOP sees more importance in attempting a political wedge issue with Hispanics rather than solving the nation's problems.  


Oh, wait.  I forgot.  The Middle Class's economic strife is irrelevant to the GOP.  The only purpose the Middle Class has for the GOP is how best to manipulate any election's outcome.  


The GOP does not care about women's health and this is another example of it.  They do not believe in religious freedom and this is another example.  


FAITH is a SOFT TARGET and the political opportunity for the GOP is too great to pass up.  This isn't about faith.  It is about politics.


I understand the objections of the Vatican.  I understand it all too well.  If for one minute anyone believes this isn't about trying to effect American political outcomes, think again.  The Obama Administration has ended discrimination against Gays in the military.  Oh, the verbiage of the Catholic Church isn't political, but, the pressure is there, isn't it?


The Church is objecting to having to carry health insurance for women allowing birth control in its INSTITUTIONS.  The Church by its insistence of control over a populous that works within its institutions doesn't believe in conscience or the ability of women to discern their own adherence to morality.  Patriarchy.  The Catholic Church is patriarchal and according to their stance, women just don't know their place.


The Catholic Church in its 'stance' on the fact employees are not allowed to have contraception in their health insurance policies are calling women chattel.  

Karl Lagerfeld states the reason to vote for President Obama is Michelle.

Karl Lagerfeld Thinks Michelle Obama's Face is Magical (click title to entry - thank you)


February 7th, 2012 
By Brande Victorian
You never know what’s going to come out of fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld’s mouth, just like you never know what’s going to be said about the First Lady, but for once this situation is a win-win.

Turns out Karl is a huge fan of Michelle Obama, and he told the Metro World News in Paris so today, as he gave his thoughts on the hottest news stories. Here’s what he said:

“Yes he does [deserve to be re-elected], especially because of Mrs. Obama. I’m a big fan of Mrs. Obama – and her face, I think, is magical. He would not be there without her. Mrs. Obama is not a fashion statement, but she has other things to do. My favorite thing about Mrs Obama was when she was asked if her skirt was not too tight and she answered “Why you don’t like my big black a**?”* I want [Barack] Obama to win because there is nothing better anyway, and especially because of her.

I never voted in my life. I will never vote. I know too much about politics from what’s going on backstage. To vote you have to believe all that garbage that they promise you, and they can’t keep those promises. If someone gave me an Obama pin, I would just put it on.”

The Drought is extending past February, even with floods.

 I am quite sure the profound loss of quality of life in Texas, including cattle sales, crop losses, exploding sidewalks and slow moving trains over softened and potentially dangerous rails has given any moral person pause to realize the danger fossil fuels have placed on all of us.  The drought continues to expand throughout the country and Spring is coming.

A submerged Chevy Tahoe (click title to entry - thank you) sits submerged in high water in 
Dallas on Jan. 25, 2012. A woman was safely rescued from the vehicle.

Rick Santorum- Victory Speech - Conservatism is Alive and Well

Rick Santorum Faith Family & Freedom

We are back to "Go Die."


Why?


Because it was the Republicans that stated the private sector would overcome all the necessary demands.  That isn't what happened.


This is what happened with a President that knew what the problem was and did what he could through an Executive Order.  The obstructive Senate and dysfunctional House never got their emphasis on the problem so much as the politics to end Obama Executive Orders.


The actions of Republicans exactly like Mr. Santorum and Mr. Santorum himself caused expensive refashioned patented pharmaceuticals to exist while abandoning the drugs that worked and went to generic status.


This is what Big Pharma gets you, a child begging for medications that are affordable to his young peers.


By Lara Salahi
October 31, 2011


While many advocates say President Obama's executive order (click here) to reduce a dire shortage of life-saving hospital medications is an essential step, others say the order is not enough to stop price gouging by some pharmaceutical companies.


Essential cancer drugs have arguably taken the hardest hit. Hospitals have reported the worst shortage in nearly a decade of chemotherapy agents like doxorubicin. Drugs for heart patients, some antibiotics, and intravenous drugs have also been hard for hospitals to find.


The new order instructs the Food and Drug Administration to broaden reporting of potential drug shortages, expedite regulatory reviews that can help prevent shortages, and examine whether potential shortages have led to price gouging. The drug shortage has compromised or delayed care for some patients and may have led to otherwise preventable deaths....


The Federal Government has to regulate the health care industry.  We have seen this crisis and the fact health insurance companies abandoned by their members at the time of their greatest need.  This while Wall Street has been seeing record profits.  


When the private industry is left to 'remedy' and 'mediate' the needs of the American people THEY FAIL.  President Obama is the most important President in the modern era to return empowering the electorate and not Wall Street to decide how they are best cared for.


Cancer patients and other consumers may find scarce prescription drugs more available under a plan unveiled Monday. (click title to entry - thank you)


President Obama signed an executive order instructing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take actions to help reduce prescription-drug shortages.


There have been more than 200 prescription-drug shortages reported so far this year, the FDA says. The most common shortages have involved cancer drugs, anesthetics used for patients undergoing surgery, as well as drugs for emergency medicine and electrolytes needed for patients on IV feeding.


MORE: Drug shortages set to reach record levels


"We have also seen shortages of injectable drugs used for blood pressure and shortages involving Adderall extended-release capsules used for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder," FDA spokeswoman Shelly Burgess said.


Doctors, hospitals, pharmacists and patients are struggling with the problem that has caused them to delay treatment, postpone surgery or make do with costlier and less-effective substitutes. Fifteen deaths have been blamed on shortages....