Argue With My Dad

It is time 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 two 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 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 one of the authors of the Torture Memos, John Yoo.  It seems that in the recently released Office of Professional Responsibility report which gives us the results of their investigation of Yoo and another Bush era attorney, Jay Bybee, we learn that the investigators were told that most of Yoo’s email records had been deleted and were not recoverable. http://thinkprogress.org/2010/02/26/yoo-email-deletion/  Where have we heard that excuse before?  Oh yeah, the Bush White House made that very same claim about their email records that are supposed to be saved, by Federal Law, and lo and behold they surfaced later on.  Senator Pat Leahy is pushing for an investigation of the missing emails as are the National Archives.  http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/declassified/archive/2010/02/25/exclusive-archives-demands-doj-explain-missing-emails.aspx  I will be following the ongoing investigation of these “missing” emails.  The Bush Administration follies continue.  Where do you think these emails went? 

It seems that we found another GOP elected official who has gone way over the deep end.  Rep. Trent Franks of Arizona, claimed that Blacks today are worse off than the Blacks who were slaves in our country because of abortions depleting their numbers! http://rawstory.com/2010/02/gop-rep-implies-blacks-slavery/  Now, whether you agree with the legal procedure of abortion or not; to make the statement that slaves had a better life than today’s African Americans is absolutely ludicrous.  It seems that Franks has made false claims about abortions before as the linked Raw Story posting lays out for us.  It turns out that the figure that he uses to claim that the abortion rates in the black community are almost 50% are incorrect.  Now, are any of you surprised that a Republican Congressman would be caught using false numbers and false arguments?  I know I’m not surprised.  What you think?

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.  Let’s hear from all of you neocons out there too!

I couldn’t wait all the way until our Friday Free For All so I decided to start a new, regular mid-week feature.  We will take a quick look at some of the hot issues of this week and even some of the issues that fly under the radar.  I hope you like them.

The first new item that interested me was this one about our current BFF, torture apologist, John Yoo.  It seems that Yoo is upset with the criticism he received from President Obama’s nominee to head the Office of Legal Counsel, Prof. Dawn Johnsen. You can find the story here http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/02/23/MNPH1C5G70.DTL and here at the How Appealing site, http://howappealing.law.com/.  The Office of Legal Counsel, of course, is the office where John Yoo authored his now infamous Torture Memos.  Professor Johnsen’s criticism is probably one of the main reasons why the obstructionist Republicans have been doing their best to block the nomination.  I wish Prof. Yoo luck in fighting the lawsuit against him brought by a former detainee.  Okay, I admit it.  I hope Yoo goes down!  He is an stain on the profession and should be in jail.

The next “short” is the story about the Senate approving a $15 Billion dollar jobs bill.  It seems that some Senators actually voted for it.  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704240004575085410014175900.html?mod=rss_whats_news_us   Wow!  Could the Republicans be having second thoughts about blocking everything the Dems try to pass?  No.  I think they just realized that there was no way that they could vote against a Jobs Bill in this economy.  13 Republican Senators actually voted to pass this bill.  Of course, 6 of those Republicans who voted for the bill actually voted two days earlier to enforce a filibuster against this bill!  The Think Progress site has the goods on these champions of hypocrisy: http://thinkprogress.org/2010/02/24/sens-flip-jobs-bill/. 

My last “Short” is this Feel Good story about an organization whose sole goal is to match Veterans and injured Veterans with jobs. Check out this Truthout site story about Hire Heroes USA:  http://www.truthout.org/hire-heroes-pairs-veterans-with-job-recruiters57136  This story almost brought tears to my eyes.  This group specializes in finding jobs for injured vets, but it helps all vets.  This is the best way to support the troops!  Here is a link to the website for Hire Heroes USA.  http://www.hireheroesusa.org/  Pass the word!

Those are our first Wednesday’s Shorts.  Take a look at them and the sites where I found the stories and let us know what you think!  We’ll be waiting for you!

 Is it Monday already?  If so, it is time once again for AWMD’s Monday Musings.  There are plenty of news items to choose from after the weekend.  There are so many possible issues to discuss, it is hard to choose just a few.  I don’t know if anyone else will be interested in the ones that I have chosen, but if so I hope you enjoy it. If any of my “Musings” interest you, let me know what you think.  Hell, even if they don’t interest you, let me know!  I am interested in your opinion too!(Most of the time.)

The first news item that grabbed my attention was the news that the one of our old friends, former Office of Legal Counsel attorney, John Yoo, was quoted that the President has the authority to massacre an entire village of civilians and the Congress can’t do anything to stop him, except pull the funding or to impeach him!  http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/declassified/archive/2010/02/19/report-bush-lawyer-said-president-could-order-civilians-to-be-massacred.aspx  I guess Professor Yoo didn’t think that statement was crazy enough because he even went further to state that the President can order the use of nuclear weapons “…and if the Congress doesn’t like it they can cut off funds for it or they can impeach him.”  http://thinkprogress.org/2010/02/22/yoo-nuke/  As the Think Progress article tells us and as confirmed by this article, http://www.acslaw.org/node/11239; ” When Congress, acting in the vast areas of overlapping power, tells the President “no,” the President must comply.”  Think Progess also gives us the Supreme Court precedent that flies in the face of Professor Yoo’s wild claims: LITTLE v. BARREME, 6 U.S. 170 (1804); HAMDI V. RUMSFELD (03-6696) 542 U.S. 507 (2004); and HAMDAN v. RUMSFELD (No. 05-184) 415 F. 3d 33,.    When I asked the question on my Friday Free For All posting why Cheney isn’t in jail yet, I guess I should have included John Yoo in that query as well. 

My next issue tonight concerns the latest Republican birther(Dr. Eric Wargotz) who is running to be the Republican candidate for the Senate from Maryland and claims that he does not believe that Obama was a natural born citizen of the United States.  http://thinkprogress.org/2010/02/22/wargotz-obama-birther/  Where do these wingnuts come from?  Do the Republicans have a training camp for people who refuse to live in the real world?  Does anyone else think that this guy is playing with less than a full deck?

Speaking of Republican wingnuts, I believe that I have found the champion.  It seems that a Virginia State legislator claims that disabled kids are God’s punishment for women having abortions!  http://www.newsleader.com/article/20100222/NEWS01/2220318  Yes, you read that correctly.  And Yes, he is a Republican!  What a surprise?!  What an insult to all families with disabled children.  Are these the kind of people that America wants to have leading them?  This is just one more example of the cold hearted politicians that call themselves Republicans.  I think a true Republican conservative like the late Senator Barry Goldwater, would turn over in his grave if he read who has taken over his Republican Party.   What do you think of this kind of creep?

What do you think?  It is time for you to let us know what you think!  Don’t be shy.  Get busy and give us your opinion!  Take the first step and write down what you think.  It won’t hurt!  I promise!

I may be a little late, but it is time 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 two 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 tonight is one that has been bugging me all week.  Earlier this week our old friend, former Vice President Dick Cheney went on the record that he is a big fan of waterboarding. http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/week-transcript-vice-president-dick-cheney/story?id=9818034&page=3  In this linked ABC interview, Count Cheney said” KARL: … waterboarding, clearly, what was your… CHENEY: I was a big supporter of waterboarding. I was a big supporter of the enhanced interrogation techniques that… KARL: And you opposed the administration’s actions of doing away with waterboarding? CHENEY: Yes. “  It was so matter of fact that I almost went right by it.  The former Vice President of the United States, once again, confirmed that he was a big supporter of waterboarding.  George Washington University Law Professor, Jonathan Turley put the exclamation point on Cheney’s torture cheerleading, “Cheney’s statement should be a moment of unspeakable national shame.”  http://jonathanturley.org/2010/02/15/cheney-i-was-a-big-supporter-of-waterboarding/  We already know that waterboarding is illegal and that the United States has prosecuted our own people and enemy soldiers for this exact activity.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/02/AR2007110201170.htmlWe also know that the international community considers waterboarding torture.  Can anyone tell me why Dick Cheney and everyone else in the Bush administration that authorized and allowed this activity to occur, are not behind bars?  Let’s have it out right here.  Give us your best shot and try to convince the AWMD nation that waterboarding is not torture.  I dare you!

I read earlier today with interest that Sen. Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader, has gone on the record that he could support a health care reform bill, including a public option, that was passed through reconciliation. http://rawstory.com/2010/02/reid-public-option-white-house-hedges/  In that same article, the Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, confirmed that the White House could support it if the Senate leadership was also behind it.  I have been let down a few times already by the Democrats in their on and off again efforts to pass a Health Care reform bill, but maybe the Republicans continued obstruction combined with Health Insurance companies recently trying to raise their rates by almost 40%, even when their profit margins are at record levels, will actually help the Democrats to gain some courage to do what 60% of the American public wants them to do. http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/poll_Obama_120909.pdf?tag=contentMain;contentBody  Who else here believes that health care reform and more particularly, the Public Option still has a chance?  Let’s hear from you!

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.  Let’s hear from all of you neocons out there too!  One special note here.  I will be taking in my beloved Salukis in their Bracket Buster battle against Western Michigan tomorrow, so I may be a little slow in responding, but I will respond as soon as I get back in front of my laptop.  Go Dawgs!

Happy Presidents Day to all of our AWMD readers. Is it Monday already?  If so, it is time once again for AWMD’s Monday Musings.  There are plenty of news items to choose from after the weekend, but I only have one issue to discuss.  It is not a news item or a political issue, and it is kind of personal, but I think it helps me to write about it.  I don’t know if anyone else will be interested, but if so I hope you enjoy it. If my “Musing” interests you, let me know what you think.  Hell, even if it doesn’t interest you, let me know!  I am interested in your opinion too!(Most of the time.)

The only Musing on my list isn’t a news item or even a political one.  I have been in a funk over the weekend since my siblings and I just moved my Mother into an assisted care Senior residence near two of my sisters in Lisle, Illinois.  Although this move will allow her more independence since she has been living with my sister for the last few months because the doctors say she should not live on her own anymore, it had to be hard for her.  She has COPD and asthma and emphysema issues and she is on oxygen 24 hours a day now.  She has been in and out of the hospital a few times this winter already and it was time for her to get on with the next chapter of her life.  I didn’t think I would be impacted emotionally by the move, but seeing many of my Mother’s possessions and things in a moving truck was a very tough sight for me.  It was also hard for me to see her giving some of her “treasures” away to family members in an attempt to clean up her house.  Throughout my life, my Mother and our home in Skokie was one of my constants.  My mother was the first owner of the then new house when she bought it in June of 1959.  She has owned it ever since and it holds so many memories that I cannot even begin to touch on them. 

It was her castle and the testament to her hardwork and dedication to all five of her children.  She bought the house with the proceeds from selling her two-flat in Skokie that she was able to purchase with the proceeds from my Father’s GI insurance.  She worked so hard during her life to keep that home for us and to provide a place of stability for all of us.  Being the youngest of 5 children, I was the last one to leave the house when I got married in 1974.  My Mother kept the home up and we were able to celebrate our 50th consecutive Christmas in the house this past December.  Unfortunately, it may have been the last Christmas we will ever spend in that house as a family now that my Mother is in her assisted living apartment.  I am sure that it will probably be sold sometime during the year, if the real estate market opens up a bit. In one sense, I hate to see anyone else living in Her house, but the more I think of it, it will be great to see another family living and growing there. Even though it has to be updated a bit, the bones of the house are solid.  It’s value to another family will live on.  Just as I and my siblings fledged from that nest;  I think my Mother will be proud and pleased to see another family make Her home their own piece of the American dream.  Her children and her grandchildren will always have the memories of growing up there and of enjoying many,many good times there.   Life goes on and my Mother has a new adventure to look forward to.  And I am sure that I will have more adventures to look forward to.  I just hope that I can handle them as well as she is handling hers.   Congratulations Mom on your new home!

I know that I am a little late, but it is time 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 two suggestion 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 news story today that caught my eye was the revelation that Attorney GeneralEric Holder stated that it is possible that the planned civil trial for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed may be abandoned in favor of a military trial due to complaints by New York City authorities that they did not want the trial in their city. http://cbs2.com/national/eric.holder.911.2.1490483.html  I don’t know about you, but the idea that the Justice Department initially decided to try the alleged 9/11 mastermind in Federal Court was great news for those of us who actually believe in the rule of law in this country.  If Holder is now folding under the pressure from NYC and Republicans, he is not honoring his oath and not doing his job.  A decision by the Attorney General should not be impacted by public opinion or political pressure.  If I was Holder, I would stick to my guns and hold the trial in Federal Court in NYC, and if the security issues are too great, in Federal court in a substitute domestic location.  I hope this quote from Holder is still accurate, “Holder still maintains that a civilian trial would be the best option for the case and “best for our overall fight against al-Qaida.”‘  http://cbs2.com/national/eric.holder.911.2.1490483.html   Keep the military out of it. 

My final suggested topic is the continuing saga over just one of President Obama’s nominations that continues to be delayed. The nomination of Prof. Dawn Johnsen, to head up the Office of Legal Counsel, made famous by John Yoo and his fellow felons, was delayed once again until February 25, 2010.  Her nomination passed through Committee back in March of 2009, but was stalled earlier by Republican holds and most recently when the Senate panel reviewing the nomination lost their quorum and it was pushed to the 2/25 date. http://www.mainjustice.com/2010/02/11/judiciary-panel-holds-over-johnsen-again/  George Washington University Law Professor Jonathan Turley is a big fan of Dawn Johnsen and what she will bring to the Office of Legal Counsel which was often abused during the Bush regime. “ ”What is missing in Obama’s inner circle are any prominent voices in favor of civil liberties,” said Jonathan Turley, a liberal law professor at George Washington University and an expert on homeland security and constitutional law. “She would help bring greater balance.” http://www.truthout.org/senate-committee-set-take-up-nomination-dawn-johnsen56617  Human Rights attorney, Scott Horton, also is on record of backing this important nomination. ‘ “The OLC is supposed to give guidance on how to follow the law, not on how to avoid it,” said Scott Horton, a human rights lawyer and author who frequently writes about legal affairs. “Johnsen would restore the office to its proper role.” ‘  http://www.truthout.org/senate-committee-set-take-up-nomination-dawn-johnsen56617  We have discussed Professor Johnsen’s nomination earlier here on AWMD. Hopefully, she will be confirmed on 2/25/10 or when and if Obama is forced to resort to recess appointments.  Her voice in the Justice Department and its Office of Legal Counsel is sorely needed.

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.  Let’s hear from all of you neocons out there too!

Is it Monday already?  If so, it is time once again for AWMD’s Monday Musings.  There are plenty of news items to choose from after the weekend.  If any of my “Musings” interest you, let us know what you think.  Hell, even if it doesn’t interest you, let us know!  We are interested in your opinion too!

I read the news articles about Sarah from Alaska’s recent speech at the Tea Party convention and I just couldn’t believe my eyes.  It seems that Sarah Palin has her own kind of teleprompter, a/k/a the palm of her hand.  Yep, that’s right.  The lady who loves to mock Obama for having the audacity to use a teleprompter, used the palm of her hand to write notes that she referred to during a question and answer period. http://www.oliverwillis.com/2010/02/06/sarah-palin-caught-reading-her-speech-off-her-hand/ & http://thinkprogress.org/2010/02/06/palin-hand/ & here is one more link with some great close-ups of these infamous notes, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stefan-sirucek/did-palin-use-crib-notes_b_452458.html.  Generally, I would not care if anyone was writing notes in ink on their hands, but when it comes to a former candidate for Vice President who is trying to be the next Republican to lose a Presidential campaign to a Democrat, it is quite striking to view such infantile behavior.  I guess I should not be surprised that the Palin would need notes.  I guess I should not be surprised that she even wrote them on her hand.  After all, this is the same Vice Presidential candidate who was unprepared during the election and as the evidence is showing us, is still unprepared.  What surprises me is that she is able to write!  Boy, I sure hope she runs for President in 2012.  It will be so much fun watching her head explode during one of the debates.

Speaking of Sarah Palin and her possible run for the Republican nomination for President in 2012, I think I may have found her running mate.  Utah State Representative Mike Noel, speaking about what he calls the global warming hoax, has stated that ‘ “Now, if you can’t see a connection [of a conspiracy] to that,” the legislator said, “you’re absolutely blind to what is going on. This is absolutely — in my mind, this is in fact a conspiracy to limit population not only in this country but across the globe.” ‘  http://www.sltrib.com/News/ci_14337716  Doesn’t this Einstein sound like a perfect match for Sarah ” I can see Russia from Alaska” Palin?

I saw the sad news earlier today that Congressman John Murtha of Pennsylvania died from complications that arose after his recent gall bladder surgery.  Rep. Murtha was 77 years old.  Although I did not always agree with Rep. Murtha, he was a legitimate war hero and an honored ex-Marine who first was elected to Congress in 1974, shortly after returning from a tour of duty in Vietnam.  Our prayers and best wishes to to his family.  The Marine family has lost one of its warriors.  May he rest in peace. http://www.wjactv.com/news/22500487/detail.html

Finally, it seems that John McCain’s daughter, Meghan McCain was on ABC’s “The View” and she took Republican Congressman and  Tea Party promoter, Tom Tancredo,  to task for what she called “innate racism”. http://rawstory.com/2010/02/meghan-mccain-tea-party-represents-innate-racism/  She blasted Tancredo for suggesting that people should be forced to pass a literacy test before being allowed to vote.  ““People who would not even spell the word vote or say it in English put a committed socialist ideologue in the White House… named Barack Hussein Obama,” Tancredo told the Tea Party crowd.”  “It’s innate racism, and I think it’s why young people are turned off by this movement,” McCain retorted on The View.”  Now, if she could just convince her Father’s running mate, Sarah Palin, that would be news.  But that might be tough to do, especially if Tancredo gets his wish because there is no way that Palin could pass any Literacy test!  Unless of course she could bring in her “notes”!

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!  Get busy and give us your opinion!

I know that I am late again because it is time 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 only suggested topic that I have tonight is a story that I almost didn’t believe when I first read it.  Republican Senator Richard Shelby from Alabama has given us the ideal example of the type of cooperation and bipartisan spirit of today’s Republican Party.  It seems that Shelby has put a blanket hold on over 70 Obama Administration nominees in an attempt to get more pork projects for his state. http://thinkprogress.org/2010/02/05/shelby-blanket-hold/  Yes, you read that correctly.  This is the same party that claims it is trying to be bipartisan, but the mean old Democrats won’t play fair.  This is the same Senator Shelby who threatened to kill the filibuster rule during the Bush regime to prevent the Democrats from attempting to stop Bush’s judicial nominees in February of 2005. “I do not think that any of us want to operate in an environment where federal judicial nominees must receive 60 votes in order to be confirmed. To that end I firmly support changing the Senate rules to require that a simple majority be necessary to confirm all judicial nominees, thus ending the continuous filibuster of them.” http://thinkprogress.org/2010/02/05/shelby-record-nominations/ Is there no end to the hypocrisy of these so-called Leaders? 

This hypocritical public servant is holding up the people’s business in an attempt to force the Obama Administration to give him the pork that he and the great State of Alabama deserve and want.  I have to agree with Vice President Biden’s view that the rules may need to be changed. “Also Thursday, Vice President Biden said he was so frustrated by Republican foot-dragging that he was considering whether Senate rules should be changed.” http://www.nationaljournal.com/congressdaily/coa_20100205_3373.php  The Democratic leadership is also considering recess appointments as their only alternative to this blatant abuse of Senate rules.  I tend to agree with them.  What do you think?  Can the Republicans get any more abusive with the filibuster and hold rules? 

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.  Let’s hear from all of you neocons out there.  Let’s see how you can justify this latest Republican abuse!

Now that we have completed the final weekend of January,  it is time once again for AWMD’s Monday Musings.  There are plenty of news items to choose from after the weekend.  If any of my “Musings” interest you, let us know what you think.  Hell, even if it doesn’t interest you, let us know!  We are interested in your opinion too!

I have to admit that it was a real pleasure to see the video evidence of President Obama finally taking it to the Republicans and challenging their lies and deceptive claims at the House GOP retreat. We could have used this reformed President this past year. http://thinkprogress.org/2010/01/29/russert-gop-obama/ 

It was also good to see the revitalized President Obama taking questions directly from citizens via YouTube.  http://www.youtube.com/citizentube#p/c/EB843ABAF59735FD  I just can’t imagine President Bush being able to handle pointed questions like the one Obama got on his decision to close Gitmo.  http://thinkprogress.org/2010/02/01/obama-gitmo-rank-politics/.  I could get used to this new and improved Obama.

I was interested to read that the Republican’s claims that the recent victory in the Massachusetts special election for Ted Kennedy’s old seat is evidence of a Republican movement throughout the country, is all wet.  According to a recent Gallup Poll, most of the states have remained in the Blue category. “The compiled results of Gallup’s year-long polling of more than 353,849 adults in all 50 states last year and the District of Columbia, found that far more states are safe havens for Democrats than for the GOP.  Democrats can count 24 states solidly in their column, according to Gallup, as they have more than a 10 percentage point party affiliation advantage there. Another 10 can be counted as “lean” Democratic, with a 5 percentage point advantage. ”
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/32310.html  As long as the Democrats don’t shoot themselves in the foot, the Congressional majority seems safe.  What do you think?

My last Musing concerns one of my least favorite people on the planet.  Sorry Qman, I am not talking about George W. this time.  I am talking about that fine example of Christian values, our old friend, Pope Benedict XVI.  It seems that the Pope, in preparing for a trip to Great Britain, seems to be forgetting what Jesus taught and chided Britain over its laws that are friendly to Gays.  http://rawstory.com/2010/02/pope-condemns-gayfriendly-british-laws-visit/  We all know how Jesus just hated people who were different from other people.  Good thing Lazarus wasn’t gay!  I bet Mary Magdalene is also happy that JC didn’t discriminate.

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!  Get busy and give us your two cents!