Musings late August 2012

Musings Aug 22 to Aug 29

A writer for Salon says that “…sea levels are rising due to global warming God loving the Earth so much that he’s hugging it real close and accidentally melting the ice caps.   From http://www.salon.com/2012/08/21/hurricane_might_hit_tampa/?source=newsletter

So much for States’ Rights.  GOP Platform addressing Immigration would deny state colleges the right to charge in-state tuition to illegal immigrants, and would ban sanctuary cities.

Remember the Dixie Chicks?  When performing in England on the eve of the invasion of Iraq, with millions protesting in the streets against the impending invasion, and having just watched the President broadcasting his threats against Iraq, one of the Dixie Chicks said to the audience, “We’re ashamed the President is from Texas.”    Starting a firestorm of controversy, songs banned by corporate radio, public trashing of their cd’s, vilification of them as traitors.  Watch the DVD’s , “Protesting the Dixie Chicks,” and “Shut Up and Sing.”  Now Hank Williams Jr says, in front of a crowd of 8,500 at Iowa State Fair:  “Obama is a Muslim, Obama hates farming, hates the military, and we hate him.”  To loud, raucous cheers from the crowd of 8,500.  So?  Any repercussions?

Did you know that 13 states allow visitation rights for the rapist fathers of the rape victims’ babies? [Actually, I just saw an update, it seems there are 30 some states that allow this.]

[President of Catholics for Choice Jon] O’Brien added, “what is more worrying is the backroom lobbying the Bishops engage in to try and pressure the body politic in this an election year to give them a free pass and endorse their bogus claims of imagined infringements on their religious liberty when they are really seeking politicians to bestow on them religious privilege.”

Chyron on Martin Bashir says that Romney adviser is leading lawsuit against work permits for young undocumented immigrants. 

Jan Brewer, the governor of Arizona, apparently found this compassion and progress [of Obama’s Dream Act] unacceptable. Last Wednesday, Brewer issued an executive order denying driver’s licenses to young people in Arizona who qualify for the benefits of the new federal policy.   This will prevent these young people from finding work and attending school.

Why should anyone be surprised by U S Census report that shows wages have fallen more since 2009 than during the recession?  When unemployment is high employers can hire people cheaper.  In fact, corporations prefer high unemployment to low unemployment.  When unemployment gets down to 4 to 5% there is more competition for labor, it is a ‘seller’s’ market, and workers can demand and get more pay and benefits. 

Sheriff Arpaio is speaking at the Republican National Convention?  Dear God in Heaven.

Rush Limbaugh recognizes that Obama is God.  He holds Obama responsible for the hurricane bearing down on Florida.   I wonder if he will praise him if the hurricane is diverted?

Rush Limbaugh had added his voice to those who were suggesting that Todd Akin should withdraw from the Senate race.  Now that Gov Romney has added his voice to the chorus, and Todd Akin has defied him and all others and refused to step down, Rush Limbaugh claims that if he had demanded Todd Akin withdraw, he would have done so.  Ego, anyone?  But I guess we can believe that.  When Limbaugh ordered candidates to refuse to answer questions about rape exceptions, Romney let it be known that he would answer media questions, but that questions regarding rape or Todd Akin were not allowed.

“We’re not going to let our campaign be distracted [dictated to?] by fact checkers,” says a Romney spokesperson.

Who are the working class supposed to envy?  According to the Democratic party, they should envy the richest 1%, who own 42% of the nation’s wealth, get 93% of the nation’s income, owe just 5% of the nation’s debt, pay a lower rate of income tax than the working class, therefore, it isn’t fair, they should be paying more taxes.  According to the Republican party, they should envy the poor, homeless, hungry, unemployed, because they get too many foodstamps and unemployment checks, and pay hardly any income taxes.  Therefore, unemployment checks should be cut off, and foodstamps reduced.  And taxes raised.  So then, Democratic middle class envies the rich, Republican middle class envies the poor.  Makes sense.