Argue With My Dad

I know what you are saying.  That I am late again because it is time, once again, for another edition of the AWMD Friday Free For All.   This is the only time of the week when our arguewithmydad.com readers can control the topic(s) for discussion.  All you have to do is get someone else to respond to your suggested topic and then the floor is yours.  Don’t be shy and don’t hesitate.  Get busy and be sure to let us know your views and arguments so everyone can read and react to them.  Right here on arguewithmydad.com.  I will make some suggestions for possible topics, but they are only suggestions.  Today is Friday so only you can be the decider.   But you need to tell us what you want to discuss.  So, what the heck is on your mind today? With all that is going on, how can you not speak your mind?  Let’s hear from you!

The first suggested topic that I have involves the unprecedented question and answer session that President Obama had at the House GOP retreat.  It turns out that the President fielded the questions directly from the GOP members for an hour and one half and the whole event was broadcast on TV and radio! http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/01/29/obama.gop/?hpt=T2 & http://thinkprogress.org/2010/01/29/russert-gop-obama/  According to the Think Progress article that I already linked to, the Republicans may be wishing that they hadn’t invited him and that the question and answer session was broadcast. http://twitter.com/RussertXM_NBC/status/8380253627  It is a pleasure to see Obama taking the bull by the horns and hitting back at the Republicans where they are weakest, the facts!  Take a look at the articles and let me know what you think?

The second topic that I would like to suggest is the news story that the Feds are considering moving the trial of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the alleged 9/11 mastermind, from New York City due to security concerns. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/01/28/2010-01-28_white_house_orders_justice_department_to_look_for_other_places_to_hold_911_terro.html#ixzz0dz1GU1pO  I do not agree that the trial should be moved.  I understand that there are security concerns, but wherever you try this animal, you will have security concerns.  What happened to the intestinal fortitude of our country?  Since when do we cower in fear from our responsibilities?  Since when do we allow terrorists to dictate our actions?  In the linked article we learn that some of the local authorities have suggested some alternative sites in New York State.  “Leaders have suggested other venues for the trial, such as the Military Academy at West Point or Stewart Air National Guard Base in upstate Newburgh.”  I don’t like the idea of having it at a military base because he should be tried in a normal United States criminal court room.  The Feds agreed to pay for most of the legal and security costs that New York City might incur, but some of the local leaders think it would hurt the businesses too much if it is a multi-year trial.  I realize that this trial might last awhile, but I am not sure it will be a multi-year process.  Besides, who said that Justice is easy?

I have made my suggestions, and they are  just that, suggestions.  Let’s hear what You want to talk about.  I will be anxiously waiting to see what You want to talk about.  It is time to get busy and let everyone know what you are thinking about.  Let’s hear from all of You!  Don’t be shy and do not delay in telling us what you think.   It won’t hurt to let us know what You think. 

Now that winter has returned to McHenry County, Illinois, it is time once again for AWMD’s Monday Musings.  There are plenty of news items to choose from after the weekend, but I just want to discuss one. If my “Musing” interests you, let us know what you think.  Hell, even if it doesn’t interest you, let us know!

After the Republican victory in Massachusetts and the amazing Supreme Court decision that granted “personhood” to corporations, it is time for President Obama and the Democrats to grow a set and push legitimate health care reform legislation through Congress using Reconciliation, if necessary, and to force any Republican filibuster to the floor of the Senate.  We discussed on an earlier thread just how many times the filibuster has been used by the Republicans.  http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/reference/cloture_motions/clotureCounts.htm  It is heartening to see that some Dems agree with our view on this subject.  White House advisor, David Axelrod put it this way in Politico:  ‘ “The Republican strategy in the Senate is to turn 50 into 60, in other words no longer do you need a majority to carry the day in the Senate. You need 60 votes for everything because the Republicans are filibustering every single bill,” he said. “We need to call that out, and they need to explain to the American people whether throwing a wrench into everything at a time of national emergency is the appropriate policy. They want to win and election and take us back to the policies that got us into this mess in the first place.” ‘  
http://www.politico.com/blogs/politicolive/0110/Ax_GOP_throwing_a_wrench_in_midst_of_national_emergency.html?showall

Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania also appealed to the Democrats in the Senate to not be timid and to force the Republicans to actually debate their filibusters on the floor of the Senate.  http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/01/make-them-filibuster-gov-rendell-tells-president-obama-democrats-to-play-hardball.html  Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa actually has suggested that the filibuster rule should be weakened. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/01/sen-harkin-proposes-weakening-the-filibuster/1  Now that some of the Democratic leadership have signaled a willingness to actually fight the Republicans instead of trying to negotiate with people who have no intention of being reasonable, maybe we will get to see the Democrats return the Senate to a Majority rule body.  The Democrats and the Obama Administration have the opportunity to turn the corner on the Republican obstructionism if they stand up to their lies.  They have to call them liars when they lie.  They need to show the American public just what the Republican party is trying to do.  They are on the record that they will do everything and anything they can to deny Obama any success, even at the expense of the country. http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0709/Health_reform_foes_plan_Obamas_Waterloo.html?showall  &  http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/frank-luntz-the-language-of-healthcare-20091.pdf  How can these guys sleep at night??

Although I am finishing this posting a little late on this Friday, once again, it is time, once again, for another edition of the AWMD Friday Free For All.   This is the only time of the week when our arguewithmydad.com readers can control the topic(s) for discussion.  All you have to do is get someone else to respond to your suggested topic and then the floor is yours.  Don’t be shy and don’t hesitate.  Get busy and be sure to let us know your views and arguments so everyone can read and react to them.  Right here on arguewithmydad.com.  I will make some suggestions for possible topics, but they are only suggestions.  Today is Friday so only you can be the decider.   But you need to tell us what you want to discuss.  So, what the heck is on your mind today? With all that is going on, how can you not speak your mind?  Let’s hear from you!

The first suggested topic that I have concerns the monumental Supreme Court decision in the case of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that was announced by the Supreme Court earlier this week. In that case the Supreme Court overturned long term court precedent in finding that Corporations should be allowed to spend unlimited funds to support or help defeat local, state or Federal candidates. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/21/AR2010012101724.html  The Washington Post put it this way:  “Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and his conservative colleagues delivered a seismic jolt Thursday. They overturned two of the court’s past decisions — including one made as recently as six years ago — to upend federal legislation that says corporations may not use their profits to support or oppose candidates and to declare unconstitutional a large portion of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform act passed in 2002. “  Here is a link to the full decision: http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/09pdf/08-205.pdf  (I will warn you that the full decision is over 170 pages.) Citizens United argued and the Court agreed that coporations ability to speak their minds and press their views has been “chilled” by the lower court decisions and the McCain-Feingold law.  That is an amazing statement when those same corporations have spent hundreds of millions in recent election cycles and as I mentioned in the Monday Musings thread, the Chamber of Commerce spent over $120 million to lobby and argue the corporate positions in 2009.  Most of those funds were used to try to defeat Health Care reform legislation. I can just imagine how much of shareholders money the corporations will spend to defeat legislation and candidates who are trying to raise taxes on corporations or trying to regulate those same corporations. This McClatchey Newspaper article tells us  just what decisions were overturned by the Citizens United decision: “ The decision strikes down part of a 2002 campaign finance law, which banned direct corporate spending on “electioneering communications” within 60 days of a general election and 30 days of a primary. The decision also reverses a 1990 Supreme Court decision that had upheld a broader ban on corporate campaign spending.”  http://www.truthout.org/whos-activist-now-the-roberts-court56292   I want to know if corporations are to now be considered as “persons’ under the Constitution, shouldn’t they pay the same tax rate as persons like myself?  What do you think?

My final suggestion for a a Friday Free For All topic is whether the filibuster rule is being misused by the Republicans and should it be eliminated or changed?  Recently, Vice President Biden went on the record by stating : “As long as I have served, … I’ve never seen, as my uncle once said, the constitution stood on its head as they’ve done. This is the first time every single solitary decision has required 60 senators,” Biden said. “No democracy has survived needing a supermajority.”http://thinkprogress.org/2010/01/19/biden-filibuster/   According to a study by UCLA professor Barbara Sinclair,in her book, Congress Revisited, the filibuster was used only 8% of the time in the 1960’s and the Republicans used it 70% of the time in the recent 110th Congress. http://www.usnews.com/blogs/robert-schlesinger/2009/11/25/the-staggering-rise-of-the-filibuster.html  I like the idea suggested by the author of the above noted USNews article, Robert Schlesinger: “Before trying to change the rules (and either trying to abolish the filibuster or lowering the threshold to, say, 55 votes), Democrats should go to the mattresses and make filibusters real again. You could say that contemporary filibusters are all talk, or are no talk at all. Filibusters today are actually just the threat of filibusters. No one actually gets up and holds the senate floor for marathon sessions. Democrats should force the GOP to start literally talking bills to death. See how that works both in terms of public perception and legislative gumption.” What he is saying is that the Dems should grow a set and force the Republicans to actually filibuster on the floor of the Senate like filibusters used to be done.  The C-Span cameras would be rolling and everyone could see how obstructionist the Republican Party has actually become.  This country was not built on the requirement of a super majorityfor all votes. It was built on a majority rules basis, with rights for the minority.  The Republican Party has stood that principle on its ear.  Do you think that either party should be able to force 60 votes on every single vote?  Speak up and let’s hear what you thinking!

I have made my suggestions, and they are  just that, suggestions.  Let’s hear what You want to talk about.  I will be anxiously waiting to see what You want to talk about.  It is time to get busy and let everyone know what you are thinking about.  Let’s hear from all of You!  Don’t be shy and do not delay in telling us what you think.   It won’t hurt to let us know what You think. 

After a cold and foggy winter weekend here in McHenry County, Illinois, it is time once again for AWMD’s Monday Musings.  There are plenty of news items to choose from today, but we will try to hit the most interesting ones. If any of my “Musings” interest you, let us know what you think.

First of all, I want to wish everyone a peaceful Martin Luther King Day.  Rev. King was a man of peace and a man that would not sit still for injustice.  While the day was filled with reviews of Rev. King’s works and words, the Republican National Chairperson Michael Steele tried to claim that Rev. King and the Republican party work hand in hand for the American people.  “Today, our Party and the nation honors Dr. King’s dream by continuing his fight — the fight for all Americans to have an equal chance at the American Dream.”http://thinkprogress.org/2010/01/18/mlk-healthcare/  I bet that Rev. King would roll in his grave if he read those words from the Chairperson of the party that attempted to derail his efforts at every step.   As we have learned over the years, the Republicans are very good at ignoring history and science to get what they want.  And what they want is anything and everything their corporate friends are demanding.  Dr. King was also in favor of health care equity for all Americans.  And the Republicans, they are for health care equity for all….right???  What do you think?

It seems that the Republican running for Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat is being bought and paid for by Wall Street.  State Senator Scott Brown has every big Wall Street organization funding his campaign.  I guess they are looking for his support in defeating the financial crisis  responsibility fee that President Obama has proposed. “ The Wall Street front group FreedomWorks is mobilizing get out the vote efforts for Brown this weekend. FreedomWorks organized the very first tea party protests, and has used its extensive staff and resources to mobilize rallies and advocacy campaigns on behalf of corporate interests. Dick Armey, who as a corporate lobbyist represented AIG, Lehman Brothers, and Merrill Lynch during the bailout, is the leader of FreedomWorks. FreedomWorks is also funded and chaired by Steve Forbes and Frank Sands of Sands Capital Management.  – The Wall Street front group Club for Growth is strongly “boosting” Brown and is expected to run ads in support for him. According to recent disclosures, the Club for Growth is funded by a $1.4 million dollar donation from investor Stephen Jacksons of Stephens Groups Inc, a $1.4 million dollar donation from broker Richard Gilder, and $210,000-$630,000 donations from at least 10 other investors and financial industry professionals. The Club is also supporting a slate of candidates to repeal health reform, while its other endorsed candidates have opposed a financial truth commission.” http://thinkprogress.org/2010/01/15/wallst-scott-brown/  Some things never change.  The Republican Party as usual has been bought and sold by the very people and organizations that sent this country into financial turmoil.  And they want some more of the same and they are putting a lot of money behind their bet to ensure that by bankrolling Scott Brown.  Just think, if Brown gets elected, Wall Street is planning on even larger bonuses!  If that is possible.  What do you think of Brown and his financial partners?

What do you think?  It is time for you to let us know what you think!  Don’t be shy.  I won’t bite!  And if I do happen to bite, I don’t have enough teeth left to do too much damage!  Just ask Qman, he’ll tell you that my bark is worse than my bite!

Although I am finishing this posting a little late on this Friday, and after we have enjoyed milder temperatures here in  Northern Illinois,  it is time, once again, for another edition of the AWMD Friday Free For All.   This is the only time of the week when our arguewithmydad.com readers can control the topic(s) for discussion.  All you have to do is get someone else to respond to your suggested topic and then the floor is yours.  Don’t be shy and don’t hesitate.  Get busy and be sure to let us know your views and arguments so everyone can read and react to them.  Right here on arguewithmydad.com.  I will make one suggestion for a possible topic, but it is only a suggestion.  Today is Friday so only you can be the decider.   But you need to tell us what you want to discuss.  So, what the heck is on your mind today? With all that is going on, how can you not speak your mind?  Let’s hear from you!

The news item that I want to offer up as a possible topic of discussion pertains to two Icons of the conservative Republican party and their amazing comments about the historic natural disaster in Haiti. First of all, Rush Limbaugh claimed that President Obama would use the Haiti earthquake disaster to ” burnish his credentials with minorities in this country and around the world, and to accuse Republicans of having no compassion…”http://thinkprogress.org/2010/01/14/limbaugh-haiti-tampons/  This same bigot claimed on his program that the charities that the White House listed on its website that citizens could use to donate money to help Haitians would actually be misused by the Charities or the government. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/14/limbaugh-weve-already-don_n_422958.html  Of course, the Republicans always seem to outdo each other.  The most ridiculous statement made about the disaster that has killed thousands in Haiti was uttered by that great Christian leader, Pat Robertson.  Robertson stated on his television show, “[S]omething happened a long time ago in Haiti and people might not want to talk about it. They were under the heel of the French. Napoleon the Third and whatever. And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, “We will serve you if you get us free from the prince.” True story. And so the devil said, “OK, it’s a deal.” They kicked the French out, the Haitians revolted and got themselves free.” http://thinkprogress.org/2010/01/13/robertson-haiti/  Someone should ask Robertson just how do you contact the Devil in order to make a bargain with him.  Does he use Twitter or is on Facebook??  Wasn’t it Robertson who claimed that the attacks of 9/11 were caused by the ACLU?  http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2001/09/You-Helped-This-Happen.aspx    This kind of racist and inflammatory statement is common practice for this so-called Christian.  The best question that I have for Mr. Robertson is WWJD?  How can anyone look at the pictures of devastation in Haiti and try to blame the residents for a natural disaster?  Both Rush and Robertson are sick, racist human beings and they deserve to be called out when they make these outlandish statements.  What do you think of these statements?

I have made my suggestion, and it is  just that, a suggestion.  Let’s hear what You want to talk about.  I will be anxiously waiting to see what You want to talk about.  It is time to get busy and let everyone know what you are thinking about.  Let’s hear from all of You!  Don’t be shy and do not delay in telling us what you think.   It won’t hurt to let us know what You think. 

In light of the disaster in Haiti, I wanted to encourage everyone to do everything that they can to help the recovery efforts in that devastated country.  Here is a link to the White House website that provides a link to the Red Cross for people to donate and a link to a site that will provide more information for those who are interested in helping out in Haiti.  http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/01/14/president-haiti-first-waves-our-rescue-and-relief-workers-are-ground-and-work I realize these are hard times for many of us here in the States, but do your best to help.  Have a great weekend.

After yet one more cold Northern Illinois weekend, it is time once again for AWMD’s Monday Musings.  There are plenty of news items to choose from today, but we will try to hit the most interesting ones. If any of my “Musings” interest you, let us know what you think.

The first item that caught my eye over the weekend, was the news that Sarah Palin has signed with Fox News to be a contributor to the Fox News Channel. http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/11/sarah-palin-to-contribute-to-fox-news/  I know you were probably as surprised as I was that Sarah Palin picked Fox News to sign with!!  This signing by Fox News is just one more example of their alleged “Fair and Balanced” coverage of the news and politics.  Now, if Fox News signed former President Bill Clinton to an equal contract and provided him with the same time as “I can see Russia from Alaska” Sarah Palin, then maybe Fox News could make their infamous claim. The good news is that we should get some more examples of Sarah Palin’s unique style of lying and an opportunity for us to witness even more evidence of her immense intelligence.  I can hardly wait.

A new CBS Poll was released today that shows that 61% of the people polled agreed that the Health Care reform legislation either is “about right” or “not far enough”.  http://rawstory.com/2010/01/public-health-care-bill-far-enough-poll/  The breakdown was 43% thought it did not go far enough while 18% agreed that the bill was just about right.  I just wish that the Democratic leadership would read this poll and come to the realization that 43% of America wants the legislation to do even more than what has been passed by the House and by the Senate. I know I am probably asking a little too much of the Congressional leadership to actually listen to what actual Americans want out of the Health Care reform process.  Call me optimistic!

The last news item that interested me was the news that the former Solicitor General during the Bush regime, Ted Olson, wrote an op-ed in Newsweek arguing in favor of same-sex marriages!  That’s right.  I said he argued in favor of gays demanding the equal right to marry whomever they want.  http://www.newsweek.com/id/229957  Mr. Olson, along with his former Bush v. Gore adversary, David Boies, are representing the two gay people who are challenging the anti-gay marriage legislation in California.  This article is a great brief outlining the legal and common sense reasons why anyone should be allowed to marry the person that they love, no matter what their sexual orientation is.  Olson correctly considers it an equal rights matter and with credentials like his and Boies, their clients are in very good hands.  “Legalizing same-sex marriage would also be a recognition of basic American principles, and would represent the culmination of our nation’s commitment to equal rights. It is, some have said, the last major civil-rights milestone yet to be surpassed in our two-century struggle to attain the goals we set for this nation at its formation.” http://www.newsweek.com/id/229957  After you read the article, let me know if you agree with Ted Olson.  I haven’t agreed with Mr. Olson too often over the years, but he is absolutely right on this subject.  I really like it when conservatives see the light. 

What do you think?  It is time for you to let us know what you think!  Don’t be shy.  I won’t bite!  And if I do happen to bite, I don’t have enough teeth left to do too much damage!  Let’s hear from everyone.

Although I am finishing this posting late on Friday, and after even more snow and cold here in  Northern Illinois,  it is time, once again, for another edition of the AWMD Friday Free For All.   This is the only time of the week when our arguewithmydad.com readers can control the topic(s) for discussion.  All you have to do is get someone else to respond to your suggested topic and then the floor is yours.  Don’t be shy and don’t hesitate.  Get busy and be sure to let us know your views and arguments so everyone can read and react to them.  Right here on arguewithmydad.com.  I will make some suggestions for topics, but they are only suggestions.  Today is Friday so only you can be the decider.   But you need to tell us what you want to discuss.  So, what the heck is on your mind today? With all that is going on, how can you not speak your mind? 

The first issue that I want to suggest was actually suggested by one of our posters in our Monday Musings thread. Don asked whether Qman or myself thought that Cable News made any impact on policy decisions of our government officials.  If I have not paraphrased the question properly, Don can straighten me out.  The question is a good one.  Does MSNBC or Fox News actually attempt to make or influence policy by the government.  I have already commented on our earlier thread that I thought Fox News was actually an arm of the Republican Party.  What is your take on Don’s interesting question??

This next news item just made me laugh.  It seems that our old friend, Rudy Giuliani made the amazing claim that under the George W. Bush administration there were No domestic terrorist attacks! http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/01/rudy-we-had-no-domestic-attacks-under-bush-we-had-one-under-obama.php  I guess Rudy has a very cloudy memory of a certain little terrorist attack on 9/11/01!  Here are his own words: “We had no domestic attacks under Bush. We’ve had one under Obama,” Giuliani said. ” This is the same guy who was Mayor of New York City at the time of the 9/11 attacks and he still makes this preposterous claim.  Earlier in the week he tried to claim that the Shoe Bomber attempted attack happened before 9/11! http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1001/06/lkl.01.html  I have to admit that after reading these false and crazy claims from Rudy, I actually felt sorry for Rudy and the rest of the Republicans for having to stoop to the lowest and most obvious lies possible to try to claim that Obama took too long to react after the Christmas bomb attempt in Detroit.  What is your take on Rudy’s claims?  Is it time to call for a straight jacket for him? 

I have made my suggestions, and they are  just that, suggestions.  Let’s hear what You want to talk about.  I will be anxiously waiting to see what You want to talk about.  It is time to get busy and let everyone know what you are thinking about.  Let’s hear from all of You!  Don’t be shy and do not delay in telling us what you think.   It won’t hurt to let us know what You think. 

After a brutally cold Northern Illinois New Years weekend, it is time once again for AWMD’s Monday Musings.  There are plenty of news items to choose from today, but we will try to hit the most interesting ones. If any of my “Musings” interest you, let us know what you think.

The first item that caught my eye and one which was not carried in the mass media, concerns the fact that the Army has confirmed that torture is still performed at Gitmo, pursuant to Appendix M of the Army Field Manual. http://firedoglake.com/2010/01/04/torture-confirmed-at-guantanamo-army-field-manual-codified-abuse/  It seems that “legal” torture has never left Guantanamo.  The authorization for it was just purposely hidden in the amended Field Manual by one of our friends from the Bush regime;  “Donald Rumsfeld’s assistant, Stephen Cambone.” http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/army/fm2-22-3.pdf  (Check out appendix M) I wonder if President Obama or his Attorney General, Eric Holder realize that torture is still allowed at Gitmo?  When will the torture stop?

The next story that attracted my attention was the story from a couple of days ago when President Obama informed the country that our military involvement in Yemen has been increasing before the failed airliner attack by a terrorist trained in Yemen. http://www.truthout.org/topstories/010210ms1  In light of what happened on Christmas Day in Detroit, I can understand why our interest in the al-Qaeda activities in Yemen has increased. Since that report over the weekend, the latest news reports tell us that both the British and the US have closed their embassies in Yemen. http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/us-announces-embassy-closing-yemen-be  I don’t know about you, but this is beginning to smell a lot like a 3rd front in the so-called War on Terror is opening up.  In light of our repeated Predator drone attacks in Pakistan, maybe I should call Yemen the 4th front.  I sure hope we don’t send any boots to Yemen.  Our military is stretched way too thin now.  Let’s hope we can give aid to Yemen to fight al-Qaeda without having to send our troops in.  When will Washington learn that the military is not going to solve the problems with al-Qaeda terrorism?

I almost missed this last “musing” item. It seems that former OLC attorney, John Yoo is selling a book and he was interviewed by the New York Times and he had the audacity to claim that he had no choice, but to write the infamous Torture Memos. As the NewYork Times asked:  ” Do you regret writing the so-called torture memos, which claimed that President Bush was legally entitled to ignore laws prohibiting torture?
No, I had to write them. It was my job. As a lawyer, I had a client. The client needed a legal question answered. When you say you had “a client,” do you mean President Bush?
Yes, I mean the president, but also the U.S. government as a whole. But isn’t a lawyer in the Department of Justice there to serve the people of this country?
Yes, I think you are quite right, when the government is executing the laws, but if there’s a conflict between the president and the Congress, then you have to pick one or the other.”  He said he had to write the memos authorizing President Bush to torture detainees. If that is the case, then I have no choice but to tell Professor Yoo that he is an idiot.  I had to tell him that because their was a conflict between what he was claiming and what is the Truth.  Sorry, Professor Yoo, you are Wrong.  http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/convictions/archive/2008/04/03/outrage-at-the-latest-olc-torture-memo.aspx

What do you think?  It is time for you to let us know what you think!  Don’t be shy.  I won’t bite!  And if I do happen to bite, I don’t have enough teeth left to do too much damage!

Although I am a day late, and after another busy week here in cold and wintry Northern Illinois,  it is time, once again, for another edition of the AWMD Friday Free For All.   This is the only time of the week when our arguewithmydad.com readers can control the topic(s) for discussion.  All you have to do is get someone else to respond to your suggested topic and then the floor is yours.  Don’t be shy and don’t hesitate.  Get busy and be sure to let us know your views and arguments so everyone can read and react to them.  Right here on arguewithmydad.com.  I will make some suggestions for topics, but they are only suggestions.  Today is Friday so only you can be the decider.   But you need to tell us what you want to discuss.  So, what the heck is on your mind today? With all that is going on, how can you not speak your mind?  This is the First Free For All of 2010 so don’t hold anything back!

I know many sites are discussing the best stories of 2009 and some are discussing their predictions for 2010, but that would be too easy. I want to suggest that we discuss the “worst” stories of 2009.  In my mind one of the “worst” had to be the planned effort by the Republican party to derail anything and everything that the Obama Administration attempted to do.  They succeeded in delaying the Health Care Reform effort and they have succeeded so far in watering down the reform in favor of the insurance industry.  http://www.truthout.org/1002097 &    http://www.truthout.org/080509H   There may be some good news hidden in this story since the reform is now in conference so we will get some reforms, if not the real reform that we were working for.  That “worst” story is the most recent one to suggest.  But we have more!

This next story could have easily been the “worst” of 2009.  Unfortunately, 2009 was the deadliest year for our military in the almost 9 years of war in Afghanistan. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/2009-deadliest-year-us-afghanistan/story?id=9457231&page=1  My heart goes out of every family that lost a loved one while serving in or supporting the war in Afghanistan.  2009 was also the first time the number of fallen soldiers in Afghanistan exceeded our losses in Iraq.  When will we learn that this problem is not going to be solved by the military?   We passed the 3,000 day mark on Christmas Eve of 2009, http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/foreign-policy/73515-christmas-eve-is-the-3000th-day-in-afghanistan-and-30th-anniversary-of-the-russian-invasion-rep-eric-massa,  and I have to ask, how many more Christmas Eve’s will be ruined by family members receiving a flag in their stocking instead of the safe return of their loved ones?

My final suggestion for one of the Worst stories of 2009 has to be the fact that we, as a country, have not held anyone responsible for torturing prisoners and detainees.  This torture has been admitted in the case of waterboarding. The other so-called “enhanced interrogation” techniques, which is a sanitized term for torture, have also been admitted or proved in many cases, so why hasn’t anyone been prosecuted for these crimes?  http://www.thetorturereport.org/  The ACLU has a series of articles that inform us what torture techniques were used and who authorized them.  Why hasn’t Attorney General Holder investigated the Bush Administration officials who have admitted to authorizing waterboarding?  Maybe 2010 will be the year that the rule of law returns to the USA. 

I have made my suggestions, and they are  just that, suggestions.  Let’s hear what You want to talk about.  I will be anxiously waiting to see what You want to talk about.  It is time to get busy and let everyone know what you are thinking about.  Let’s hear from all of You!  Don’t be shy and do not delay in telling us what you think is the “worst” story of 2009.  It won’t hurt to let us know what You think.