Monday, March 22, 2010

Wow! What a weekend in American politics. The Democrats have shown that they overwhelmingly support the freedoms and rights of all people. The Republicans once again show that they support themselves and a misguided sense of conservative pseudo family values. Kudos to the Democrat leadership in the House and for all those Democratic congressmen and women who voted for the Health Care Reform Bill. In years to come Americans will view the Health Care Reform Bill in the same manner as they view Social Security and Medicare. A safeguard for all. Yes, the bill will be expensive, but we are the richest country in the world. We have the resources to find the appropriate ways to financially support the bill and more importantly the rights and freedoms of all Americans regardless of employment, wealth or pre-existing medical conditions. We are Americans. If we can financially support many needy countries of the world, then we can support the medical insurance coverage of all Americans irregardless of cost. We are Americans. 

Saturday, March 21, 2010

Welcome Spring! We are so glad to see you. The winter in south Florida has been excruciating. Usually there are 2 maybe 3 weeks of extreme unseasonable weather during the winter months in south Florida. This year there have been 8 to 10 weeks, periodically. Next year I may have to go to the Islands for the winter to escape the cold weather. I know the wintry weather in other parts of the United States, especially in the northeast, has been much more drastic that here in south Florida, but everything is relative. In any case, I'm simply giddy over the arrival of Spring and the onset of more seasonable temperatures. 

The Health Care legislation may be coming to a head this weekend. A vote in the House of Representatives is scheduled for Sunday afternoon. If the Senate bill passes, unchanged, in the House, it goes to the president for his signature. Then the reconciliation process starts in the Senate. The reconciliation amendments will then go back to the House for passage and then to the president. This process will be followed if the House passes the Senate Bill. However, if the House uses the process of "Deem and Pass", then the amended bill must go back to the Senate for approval and then to the president as long as no changes were made in the Senate. Sounds confusing. What part of the legislative process is not confusing? Democrats and Republicans have both used the "Deem and Pass" process as well as "Reconciliation" in the legislation process. Both parties have used any means possible to get their respective legislation passed. This is the legislative process. Get over it. Most Network and Cable news coverage is for the most part fair, legitimate and appropriate. Except of course for their editorial commentary. Fox News is an exception. It is quite obvious the Fox News has a definite preference and slant on the political news of the day. It seems that Fox News is against anything Democrat. Why do I watch Fox News? For the humor and idiocy. 

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Happy Birthday Dad!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

It seems that the child sex abuse problem has hit the Vatican. Well, maybe. In the early 1980's the pope was the Archbishop of a diocese in Germany. One of the diocesan priests was involved in a sex abuse scandal. The priest was transferred and allowed to do pastoral work after some so-called therapy. Didn't work, the therapy that is. The priest was again involved in a molestation charge. The Vatican maintains that Pope Benedict had no knowledge of the case. The matter was purportedly handled by a third party, the situation was unbeknownst to the pope. This could be possible. Many times the bishop as well as any other "leader" of any other establishment delegates duties. In any case, another blemish to the good work of the Catholic Church. As I've often said, the Catholic Church is made up of human beings trying to do God's work. Humans make mistakes. The situation must be dealt with in a responsible, timely and equitable manner. Another point to be made, therapy in these types of situations, sexual abuse, does not work. The rate of recidivism in these circumstances are extremely high. Sexual abuse perpetrators must be punish and kept quarantined from potential victims. In my view, the Catholic Church will survive. Why? Because the Catholic Church is the church founded by Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ will survive - duh? And so will His church.

Monday, March 8, 2010

What is going on with our elected officials? New York's Governor Patterson is being investigated for ethics violations. He has announced that he will not seek reelection in November. Then there's Democratic Congressmen Eric Massa from New York being investigated for sexual harassment on male employees. The Congressmen says he will resign today, but that resignation may not come to pass. He is going out with a bang. He is making bizarre allegations upon the Democratic leadership as well as administration members. Congressman Rangel has already asked for a temporary leave of absence from his leadership role until the results of House ethics investigations are completed. My goodness, New York is full of corruption. It's easy for us to say, "Kick the bums out" and "Don't vote for any incumbents in the midterm elections this year". But wait a minute. Most politicians no matter the party affiliation seem to end up corrupt. A better solution may be term limits. I think the elected officials get too accustomed to being in office. Like many other celebrities, they fall victim to their own undoing by virtue of the power they seemingly possess. Term limits, now may be the time. 

What about former Vice-president Cheney's daughter Liz? She has chastised the Department of Justice attorneys as terrorist sympathizers for their defense of Gitmo detainees. Extremes on either side of the aisle pose great obstacles to the implementation of the freedoms and rights expressed in our American Constitution. In an attempt to gain political advantage against the opposition, some conservatives as well as liberals go too far. At times their actions and words may border on high crimes and misdemeanors. Remember folks, this is the United States of America and we are Americans. No one is above the law.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Happy Birthday Mom!