Never Forget

I am puzzled by the fuss that has been raised over the Obama administration's decision to allow, after 18 years, the return of fallen soldiers at Dover to be seen by the public at large.

First of all, the decision has been left up to the families, they can choose to let the public be a part of honoring their loved one or not. It isn't mandatory and I highly doubt that anyone is going to strong arm a family into letting the media into their private moment if they don't want them there.

Second, with so little being mentioned now about the casualties of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars (or ever during the eight years we have been at war unless the numbers were massive) anything that can be done to remind the American people of the sacrificing still being made is a good thing in my mind. No matter how you feel about the wars, or the military (and I will be the first to stand up and say I am not a fan of either), these men and women are doing their jobs and have died as a result. They deserve our honor, our respect and most of all our attention.

Finally, as war becomes more and more technical like a surreal video game and less the hand-to-hand combat that was common just 100 years ago, I don't think we can ever go wrong in emphasizing the high human costs associated with any armed conflict. War is NOT a game, no matter how much we try to turn it into one. People die. They are horribly and permanently maimed in body, mind and spirit. We all need to be reminded of what we ask when we send young men and women, barely adults, out in uniform. Is what we are asking them to do worth their lives? Would you give you life for it, or you child's?

If seeing a flag draped coffin come home, makes the realities of war to "real" for some, then I guess they need to start asking themselves questions like those above. Perhaps your answers will surprise you.

Don't Let the Door Hit You on the Way Out

Once again my boyfriend nails it. Jon Stewart on Rush Limbaugh's decision to forsake Gotham:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Rush Limbaugh Leaves New York
comedycentral.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor

Black Lesbian Coming to a TV Near You

Now this is how I like to start off a Thursday! Fox (of all people) has just signed a contract with comedian Wanda Sykes to do a topical late night show starting in the fall. The show is expected to take the place of MadTV, but no definite night has been named for it yet.

I love Wanda Sykes. Her stand up is hilarious and she and Jane Fonda were the ONLY reasons to give Monster-in-Law a second glance. (J-Lo, who? Blech.) I for one will most definitely be setting the DVR for this one, especially if the rumors of her doing a Real Time with Bill Maher format are true.

Ole Rupert would give Satan himself a half hour time slot if he thought it would make him money.

And in other exciting liberal talk news—Air America's Ed Schultz is going to be hosting his own MSNBC gab-fest at the 6pm hour. Ed has been filling in quite a bit lately for various folks on the liberal news joint and he has a great, down-t0-earth appeal, ala Jack Cafferty, which I think will bring him a lot of viewers.

Speaking of Cafferty, he had a high time the other night on The Daily Show if you have a few minutes to spare.

When Rape Is Legal

Well it takes something pretty shitty for people to start reminiscing about the good old days of the Taliban, but Afghanistan has figured out just how to do it. President Karzai just signed into law that allows women the right to refuse sex ONLY when they are sick. Otherwise, they better be prepared to jump on the happy train and like it. The law also says that Afghani women must have their husband's permission to leave the house. 

I get that this is a different culture, and I don't expect these women to be running around like they are auditioning for the next season of Bret Michaels' Rock of Love, but it would be nice if they weren't going backwards in terms of their rights as humans.

But then again, we do live in a world where many African girls and women miss out on work or school because they don't have the proper sanitary accoutrements to welcome Aunt Flo. Makes you look at your Tampax in a WHOLE new way . . .

Salon has more here. Sad, sad stuff.

Sweet Dreams

Perhaps I need to rethink my reading of Newsweek before bed.

Yes gentle readers, my devotion to all things political even extends to my subconscious and non-waking hours. According to the spouse, sometime in the wee hours of the morning, I sat straight up in bed and started giving Tim Geithner hell, all the while sound asleep. The spouse tried to wake me up (first thinking I was mad at him because he was snoring), but to no avail. Shortly after my sleep tirade about the economy began, I laid back down, pulled the covers back to my chin and was out. It was then that he realized I had been asleep the entire time.

At least I don't sleep walk anymore . . .

Left of Center

Unless we are talking about the Little Rascals, I think that in general "gangs" are not such a hot idea.

Recently, 15 so-called "moderate" Democrats (including my state's own Kay Hagan) have formed a gang to try and dial back President Obama's agenda a bit. One of the group's main goals appears to be to restrain the new administration's spending. Evan Byah is the ringleader and wants the group to be known as the Practical Caucus. Alrighty then.

You know, I certainly am not going to sit back and say that Obama's plan to get our country out of its economic troubles is absolutely going to work. But I do know that the previous administration's financial policies sure did help to get us into this fix and to continue in that vein just isn't the answer. (More on the GOP's fiscal ideas in a moment.) 

But back to my Democratic buddies. I get that some of these people come from more moderate states. And as I mentioned above, I get that Obama's plan may not be THE answer, but it is a start or at the very least an attempt. And at this point, I would dare to venture that the majority of Americans want to see some action taken, even if it may be ineffectual or wrong. The waiting game won't accomplish anything. I don't want to be the one caught twiddling my thumbs while more of my friends lose their jobs, or even more go without insurance (either because of losing said job or because they can't afford insurance and oh, say, their house payment).

Here's a who's who of the group:

Mark Begich of Alaska
Michael Bennet of Colorado
Kay Hagan of North Carolina
Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire
Mark Udall of Colorado
Mark Warner of Virginia
Herb Kohl of Wisconsin
Mary Landrieu of Louisiana
Claire McCaskill of Missouri
Ben Nelson of Nebraska
Bill Nelson of Florida
Evan Bayh of Indiana
Blanche Lambert Lincoln of Arkansas
Thomas R. Carper of Delaware
Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut (An Independent)

The first six are all newbie Senators. Hope this works for them. I guess if you are a Democrat and not happy that your Senator is taking this stance, you need to let them know. Send them an email and voice your opinion. After all, they were voted to represent you.

While I appreciate that the Republicans FINALLY submitted their own budget plan, it appears to be a rather slim document without any real numbers. Therefore, I don't really think there is much cause for rejoicing just yet. Nineteen pages with no hard figures? Boys and girls, can't we do better than this? I mean either come up with your own REAL solution or just accept that you don't have the answer. And then let's everyone move on.

Loose Ends

Couple of housekeeping matters I wanted to address about the blog.

First, it would appear that I have a new commentator. Welcome to my new anonymous reader. I am not bothered by having anonymous readers, but it would be helpful to me if you could make up some sort of name or sign off or something so I can comment back to you. Otherwise, it leaves me a bit confused and bewildered and the last thing you want is that. Trust me, it ain't pretty. I hate to ask this gentle readers, but if you could indulge me in this way it would be greatly appreciated. There really is enough flotsam and jetsam in my head with out trying to separate anonymous commentators.

Second, my  last post (I believe) referenced the idea of a sort of Broad Minded code of living. I have been rolling this around and I like it! So I hope to compile something in the near future. Stay tuned, I just know you have all been eagerly awaiting tips from me on how to conduct yourself in everyday life . . .