Heavyweights Weigh In

Asked to weigh in on the issue of whether schools should teach Darwin’s theory of evolution or the right-wing-preferred “intelligent design”, two prominent Republicans offered their views.

Jeb Bush told the Miami Herald that he believed in Darwin’s theory but that “it should not be in the curriculum.” This is a peculiar position any way you look at it: He believes something to be true and that it is a scientific truth yet he does not want students to be taught this truth.

Another outspoken, strongly opinionated, “maverick" politician, John McCain said simply, “Let the student decide.” This is another novel approach to education: the students should determine what their teachers teach them.

Not forgetting that it was the Republicans in the 1990’s that wanted to abolish the Department of Education and undermine public education in general, it is not surprising that key conservatives continue to condone ignorance. (And these are two of the smarter, more reasonable ones!)

God help us, if the theory of evolution is correct, humans are doomed.

Impeachment Bandwagon

The Impeachment Bandwagon is starting to roll, with some conservatives now joining the vast numbers of liberal and moderate politicians, journalists, pundits, lawyers, and scholars saying- in no uncertain terms- that Bush has stepped over the line.

The conservative business magazine Barron's published an editorial criticizing Bush: "If we don't discuss the program and lack of authority of it," wrote Thomas Donlan, "we are meeting the enemy--in the mirror."

The Nation magazine offers this on what the voters have been thinking:

“Public opinion is also growing more comfortable with the idea of impeaching this president. A Zogby International poll conducted this summer found that 42 percent of Americans felt that impeaching Bush would be justified if it was shown that he had manipulated intelligence in going to war in Iraq. (John Zogby admitted that "it was much higher than I expected.") By November, the number of those who favored impeaching Bush stood at 53 percent--if it was in fact proven that Bush had lied about the basis for invading Iraq. (And these polls were taken before the revelations of Bush's domestic spying.)”

We’ll see soon what the next round of public opinion polls reveal.

The Nation's editor sums things up: "It needs to be repeated that no constitutional clause gives the President 'because I said so' authority."

The radical right, for their part, is offering up comments like this that would make even dictators like Saddam blush: “ If you don’t have anything to hide, what’s the problem [with government-authorized domestic spying and torture]?”

Many Americans seem not to know their history well enough to recall the issues that led to the American Revolution against the tyranny of King George.

In the 2000's we are givng the un-checked authority back to a new King George. How quickly it has been forgotten what so many Americans have supposedly given their lives for in 230 years of war and occupation.

Politicians love the word “ Freedom” and wave around in front of of a citizenry that staggers around in an hypnotic stupor. Freedom to do what exactly? Go shopping at Wal-mart?

Loaded Gun

There seems to be a consensus building that Bush’s authorization of domestic spying is indeed an offense that could lead to his removal from office.

And this is not just coming from the liberal side.

Bruce Fein, a conservative constitutional scholar who was also the deputy attorney general in the Reagan Administration had this to say the other day in an interview on NPR:

“I think the answer requires at least in part considering what the occupant of the presidency says in the aftermath of wrongdoing or rectification. On its face, if President Bush is totally unapologetic and says I continue to maintain that as a war-time President I can do anything I want – I don’t need to consult any other branches –that is an impeachable offense."

Comparing Bush to what, in fact, got President Clinton impeached he adds this:

“It’s more dangerous than Clinton’s lying under oath because it jeopardizes our democratic dispensation and civil liberties for the ages. It would set a precedent that … would lie around like a loaded gun, able to be used indefinitely for any future occupant.”

Election Results

In Iraq, the recent elections have brought Sunni Arabs and Shiite groups together. Their common cause: to protest the recent elections.

It looks like the victors in the elections are the religious Shiite coalition and protest groups are pointing to evidence of voter fraud and saying the election is illegitimate.

Seems if George Bush wanted to bring American-style elections to the country of Iraq, he pretty much got what he hoped for.

Design Without Intelligence

Columnist Anna Quindlen follows up with this commentary on the concept of “intelligent design”:

“If God is watching us, as some believers suggest, as though we were a television show and God had a lot of free time, the deity would surely be bemused by how dumbed-down devotion has sometimes become in this so-called modern era.

How might an omnipotent being with the long view of history respond to those who visit the traveling exhibit of a grilled-cheese sandwich, sold on eBay, that is said to bear the image of the Virgin Mary?

It certainly argues against intelligent design, or at least intelligent design in humans.”

Breathtaking Inanity

In a rare display of sanity these days a judge in Pennsylvania has ruled that the Dover School district acted illegally when they required the teachers to teach the concept of “intelligent design” which is being offered by Christian groups as a “scientific” alternative to the theory of evolution. Wisely many teachers refused, though school administrators stepped in to attempt to ram the ridiculous idea down the throats of students.

In the judge’s words:

"The breathtaking inanity of the Board's decision is evident when considered against the factual backdrop which has now been fully revealed through this trial. The students, parents and teachers of the Dover Area School District deserved better than to be dragged into this legal maelstrom, with its resulting utter waste of monetary and personal resources."

For the record, George W. Bush thinks the theory of evolution is, at best, "iffy" and sides with the intelligent design crowd.

Impeachable Bush

In perhaps the most impeachable offense to date, Bush has been caught illegally authorizing spying on U.S. citizens. He quickly admitted the offense as the story was breaking, knowing he had been nabbed red-handed.

But, additional news now coming out reveals that Bush attempted to stop the story from getting out.

Jonathan Alter writing in Newsweek gives us these details:

“Bush summoned Times publisher Arthur Sulzberger and executive editor Bill Keller to the Oval Office in a futile attempt to talk them out of running the story. Bush was desperate to keep the Times from running this important story—which the paper had already inexplicably held for a year—because he knew that it would reveal him as a law-breaker.”

Alter adds: “We’re seeing clearly now that Bush thought 9/11 gave him license to act like a dictator.”

Viggo Speaks His Mind

The following is an extended quote from actor Viggo Mortensen (Lord of the Rings, A History of Violence) an interview with Progressive Magazine:


“I’m not anti-Bush; I’m anti-Bush behavior. In other words, I’m against cheating, greed, cruelty, racism, imperialism, religious fundamentalism, treason, and the seemingly limitless capacity for hypocrisy shown by Bush and his administration.

The outright lying—even though we’ve become accustomed to lying from this Administration—has broken new ground in the field of dishonesty. They’re so clumsy in their attempts to come off well. And there is so little heart in what they say. Even the sound of their voices is so false.

I think impeachment proceedings need to be started immediately but not just against[Bush]. God forbid we should have Dick Cheney as President. No. Those two need to go, and many of the others in the inner circle need to go."


I don't suppose George is going to be renting Hidalgo anytime soon.

Mortensen goes on, now looking at the bigger picture:


"I think most Americans will look back on this period since 1980 as a morally bleak, intellectually fraudulent period of history. There will be a certain amount of shame, a feeling we were part of something wrong. People standing outside of this country can see this because it’s very obvious.

It’s like looking at a spoiled brat, a kid who’s totally out of control, but because the parents are really rich and because they own the school, you have to put up with it. America is an empire in decay. But we don’t have to lash out and do damage on the way down.

We can reverse some of the damage we’ve done. It’s possible."

Bush Wins!

"It'll be the first time a Bush has won when all the votes have been counted.”

-Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, on USC running back Reggie Bush being awarded the Heisman Trophy

Iraq Welcome

"I think we are welcomed. But it was not a peaceful welcome."

-George W. Bush offering a review of the Iraq occupation thus far in an interview on NBC News

Integrity

The operators of Merriam-Webster’s on-line dictionary say that for 2005 “integrity” was the most commonly looked-up word.

I’m not sure if this fact reveals that “integrity” has had a prominent place in public discourse over the past twelve months or just that many Americans have no idea what it means.

For the record, integrity is…

Let me get back to you on that.

Best Place To Live

The city where I work was recently named the best place to live.

I'm guessing by someone who researches the best places to live and then sells maps and travel guides to such places.

Considering the future plans of unfathomably extensive development slated for this small city and the current flood of humanity onto the roads around town, I wonder if the designation is not a curse.

"The Best Place." The absolute best.

Be careful, the designation may be coming to your town next. In fact, I’m sure it will. Every community seems to get this label sooner or later in one category or another.

I’m not exactly sure who they are, but people apparently read these reviews and move to the newest Promised Land. A few years ago Pittsburgh, PA got the dubious "best place" distinction. Nobody there could really figure out why.

Singer/songwriter Jackson Browne was in one such community this past year when he addressed the audience:

“Could I just say congratulations on being chosen as the best place in the world to live. What’s that like? Wow. So everyone who wasn’t feeling so great about it is thinking: ‘Oh, shit, so there nowhere else in the world better than here?’ Wow. That must be quite a blow.”

Give Back Christmas

As the winter solstice approaches and dark days descend on D.C., conservative politicians and commentators are celebrating a victory. No, not the latest tax cut for the wealthiest Americans.

The victory that they are most excited about is the reinstatement of the word “Christmas” to describe the tree bought and decorated with taxpayer dollars.

In the Clinton era the more generic “holiday tree” was used to make the festive symbol seem more inclusive, more national, in this nation of cultural and religious diversity.

I have no problem with the reversion back to the word “Christmas”. The whole politically correct movement of the 90’s was superficial and, in retrospect, silly. "Christmas" is Christian, afterall.

But, I do think if we are to allow specifically Christian displays on public property, we should allow for other religious or special-interests groups to do the same.

Additionally, maybe we should go with private funding of the decorating costs by the individual groups instead of raiding the public coffers. Conservatives wouldn't argue against that, would they?

It has long been a cliché to state that Christmas has become too commercial, but the marketing of Christmas keeps getting more extreme. Holiday greed comes through in every store display, every T.V. commercial, and every Wall Street stock update.

“Christmas” is not a day, but rather many weeks (called “The Christmas Shopping Season”) starting in mid-October and trailing on into those dirty days of January with ravaged racks and bargain bins and grey snow piled in the parking lots.

In this corporate-sponsored culture, why not just sell the rights to the Christmas tree? The Lincoln Financial Tree or the Pepsico Nativity Scene?

And what's with the swaddling clothes? Any self-respecting Virgin Mary should know to use some vapor-tight Huggies on Baby Jesus.

All indications point to Coors Light as the official beer sponsor for The Christmas Shopping Season.

The conservative Christians want Christmas back. I propose we give it to them. And take the "shopping season" with it. Non-Christians should find their own, new ways to celebrate their traditions. They could start fresh-without all the commercialism (give that a year or two to develop).

Non-religious Americans might rejuvenate the ancient tradition of celebrating the winter solstice. The early Christians co-opted this late December holiday for their “Christmas”, so there could even be a “take back Solstice” movement.

I would be open to any changes that would minimize the extended, commercial part of this annual ritual. And while we’re at it, let’s move it to a time when more of the country is enjoying nice weather, say, September.

We would avoid all the delays and disasters brought on by the frenzy of travel at a time of year when weather can be so unpredictable.

We also would dramatically diminish the spread of cold and flu viruses created by the massive movement of sick, tired, stressed-out people who feel obligated to get together in tight quarters with other sick, tired and stressed-out people.

Happy Holidays!

Oh, sorry.

Many Historian's Views

In a survey of historians done by George Mason University in Virginia, more than 80% of historians labeled George Bush’s presidency an “overall failure”.

For someone who has been obsessed with his legacy, especially concerned with not following in his father’s footsteps, this conclusion must be devastating.

Worse, this cannot be read as a piling-on as recent polls show Bush’s approval rating tanking. This survey was conducted 19 months ago while Bush’s approval was still in the positive territory.

Certainly, historians sometimes read things wrong. A case in point: Nearly 20% said he wouldn’t be a complete failure.

And, of course, “success” can have different meanings. As one historian put it: “His presidency has been remarkably successful in pursuit of disastrous policies.”

One Historian's View

“He is blatantly a puppet for corporate interests, who care only about their own greed and have no sense of civic responsibility or community service.

"He lies, constantly and often, seemingly without control, and he lied about his invasion into a sovereign country, again for corporate interests; many people have died and been maimed, and that has been lied about too.

"He grandstands and mugs in a shameful manner, befitting a snake oil salesman, not a statesman.

"He does not think, process, or speak well, and is emotionally immature due to, among other things, his lack of recovery from substance abuse. The term is "dry drunk".

"He is an abject embarrassment/pariah overseas; the rest of the world hates him .

"He is, by far, the most irresponsible, unethical, inexcusable occupant of our formerly highest office in the land that there has ever been.”


-Unnamed historian interviewed in survey by George Mason University’s History News Network on George W. Bush

Are We There Yet?

Politicians, and government officials continue to declare "we are not in another Vietnam" despite the rising numbers of killed, maimed and psychologically wounded young men and women.

George Bush has resumed his propaganda offensive to persuade the increasing number of skeptical Americans that this war is different.

The rhetoric is powerful:

"We will withdraw all our forces... on a schedule in accordance with our program, as [the citizens and government] become strong enough to defend their freedom.

"I have chosen this course. It is not the easy way. It is the right way. It is a plan which will end the war and serve the cause of peace not just in [that country but throughout] the world.

"[If we were to withdraw] our allies would lose confidence in America. Far more dangerous, we would lose confidence in ourselves.

"I have not and do not intend to announce the timetable for our program and there are obvious reasons for this decision which I am sure you will understand.""

This quote, however, is not from Bush's recent speeches but from that other war time President, Richard Nixon.

Following the speech, another 25,000 American servicemen would be killed in Vietnam.

George Bush meanwhile was not listening to the speech but was absent without leave from the Alabama National Guard, possibly partying and drinking heavily, though, in fairness, there is no one around to say for sure.

Mark and George

In Virginia there as been some discussion-though not very serious- of a two party ticket that would have Gov. Mark Warner running for President with Sen. George Allen as his running mate.

Warner-emphasizing the not very serious- recently remarked:

"I'm a red-state governor, who failed at a couple of businesses, and I liked to party too much in college, and I recently got in a well-publicized bike accident. He's a guy named George who's done nothing more than live off his dad's legacy. Together we wouldn't just get elected president -- together, we already are the president."

Dick And Delay

"I guess you could say DeLay is Dick Cheney's kind of Republican: abusive, arrogant, and out of control.

It would be almost laughable were it not for the dangerous ideas they believe in, the outrageous conduct they condone, and the power they wield."

Sen. John Kerry in letter to supporters