Having been raised Catholic, I well remember when the church was a lot more concerned with the least of its brothers and not so much with the sex lives of the rest of the world (uh, other than its own, sadly). I don't know if it was the Reagan revolution, the success of the evalengelical movement, or the vastly overrated reign of John Paul II, but somewhere the Church lost its way and became a lot more concerned with the womb than with those already living.
I don't think the Church will ever be the same, but it's good to see that some of its leadership still stands up for the least of its brothers like Georgetown University scholars did when telling Rep. Paul Ryan that justifying his 2012 Budget with his version of Catholic doctrine was well, a wee bit fucked up. All too often faux Catholics like to pretend the Church is in line with republican teaching when in reality, outside of the right to choose and homophobia, it isn't even close.
Nice of the officials at Georgetown to hold on to Rep. Ryan's testicles for him, too. For all the media's glorifying of Ryan, he's a very little man who has done nothing but make the world a worse place.
Peace,
emaycee
Sunday, April 29, 2012
An alternate universe
Which is where republicans live.
John Boehner today noted that Americans don't want to vote for a loser--which is why they'll support Willard Romney, because he shows us that we, too, can be successful.
For fuck's sake, Francis, really? Because, you know, my Dad did okay in life but I certainly didn't start out with a couple million dollar head start like Willard did. That's not sour grapes, that's just sickness with this republican meme that we can all be like people born with a silver spoon in their mouth.
My old man came from a broken home and grew up in the poor neighborhood of Redondo Beach. With a GED and a lot of guts, he ended up with a successful management career in the steel industry. In the last thirty years, thanks to people like Willard and his Bain Capital minions (and that numbnuts, Ronald Reagan), people who succeed like my father did are getting fewer and fewer. In fact, it's reached a point where even a college degree is no longer the ticket to even a comfortable life.
And for Boehner to go on national TV and tell some idiot that Willard Romney's life story is some kind of inspiration to the 99% of us who aren't fortunate sons is the height of delusion. And good luck with that story line come November.
Peace,
emaycee
John Boehner today noted that Americans don't want to vote for a loser--which is why they'll support Willard Romney, because he shows us that we, too, can be successful.
For fuck's sake, Francis, really? Because, you know, my Dad did okay in life but I certainly didn't start out with a couple million dollar head start like Willard did. That's not sour grapes, that's just sickness with this republican meme that we can all be like people born with a silver spoon in their mouth.
My old man came from a broken home and grew up in the poor neighborhood of Redondo Beach. With a GED and a lot of guts, he ended up with a successful management career in the steel industry. In the last thirty years, thanks to people like Willard and his Bain Capital minions (and that numbnuts, Ronald Reagan), people who succeed like my father did are getting fewer and fewer. In fact, it's reached a point where even a college degree is no longer the ticket to even a comfortable life.
And for Boehner to go on national TV and tell some idiot that Willard Romney's life story is some kind of inspiration to the 99% of us who aren't fortunate sons is the height of delusion. And good luck with that story line come November.
Peace,
emaycee
Saturday, April 28, 2012
American Pride
Well here's something we can all be proud of--in the land of opportunity (if you're a white male), the land where anyone can grow up to be a millionaire (if you're a trust fund kid or Dad started you out with a bundle o' cash) we lead the world in percentage of low wage jobs. Fully fucking 24% of the jobs in America are low wage.
Somebody remind me again why capitalism is without peer in providing the best opportunities for all of us....
Peace,
emaycee
Somebody remind me again why capitalism is without peer in providing the best opportunities for all of us....
Peace,
emaycee
Friday, April 27, 2012
Aaaaa...oh, never fucking mind
In another piece of good news for the working men and women of American, CEOs now make 380 times the wages of their employees. Waiting, waiting, waiting...that trickle down and jobs they're going to create any minute now...not just yet....
Yeah, right.
David Atkins had a nice piece in Hullabaloo outlining the lies being told American workers concerning their wages being competitive with those overseas, and how apparently that only applies to the little people. He also talks about how progressive taxation is an important tactic to combat the every widening income inequality in America.
The AFL-CIO--for my money the most progressive major union in America--has started a nice website to bring this to people's attention....
Education and taxation are all well and good, but they won't put food on the table. Fully one-sixth of Americans now live in poverty. I see no reason to believe that number will get any lower--it's only going to grow. What is the level of Americans in poverty at which American take up arms to feed their families? Is is a quarter? A third? One-half?
Time will tell--meanwhile, those CEOs might want to start investing in well stocked underground safe havens. My guess is people will have even less empathy than these CEOs when they're starving....
Peace,
emaycee
Yeah, right.
David Atkins had a nice piece in Hullabaloo outlining the lies being told American workers concerning their wages being competitive with those overseas, and how apparently that only applies to the little people. He also talks about how progressive taxation is an important tactic to combat the every widening income inequality in America.
The AFL-CIO--for my money the most progressive major union in America--has started a nice website to bring this to people's attention....
Education and taxation are all well and good, but they won't put food on the table. Fully one-sixth of Americans now live in poverty. I see no reason to believe that number will get any lower--it's only going to grow. What is the level of Americans in poverty at which American take up arms to feed their families? Is is a quarter? A third? One-half?
Time will tell--meanwhile, those CEOs might want to start investing in well stocked underground safe havens. My guess is people will have even less empathy than these CEOs when they're starving....
Peace,
emaycee
Democracy is for suckers
...at least it is to Michigan republicans.
Seems we've gotten plenty enough signatures to put a repeal of the draconian Emergency Manager law on the ballot for Michigan voters this November, but the republicans have beaten it back because they claim it has the wrong fucking font size.
The law is extremely unpopular and would probably be repealed by Michigan voters--but to keep their unionbusting schtick going, Michigan republicans would have us subvert democracy. In the process, they've not only made Michigan look as dumb as, well, Alabama and Mississippi, but made any effort to either retain or acquire much needed talent for the jobs the businesses of this state still provide that much harder.
Because if Michigan republicans think our children are going to stay here, and people from out of state are going to want to work here and freeze their asses off six months out of the year in a state where there really isn't that much to do for fourteen dollar an hour jobs they are absolutely out of their fucking minds.
Like fucking Pluto out there.
Peace,
emaycee
Seems we've gotten plenty enough signatures to put a repeal of the draconian Emergency Manager law on the ballot for Michigan voters this November, but the republicans have beaten it back because they claim it has the wrong fucking font size.
The law is extremely unpopular and would probably be repealed by Michigan voters--but to keep their unionbusting schtick going, Michigan republicans would have us subvert democracy. In the process, they've not only made Michigan look as dumb as, well, Alabama and Mississippi, but made any effort to either retain or acquire much needed talent for the jobs the businesses of this state still provide that much harder.
Because if Michigan republicans think our children are going to stay here, and people from out of state are going to want to work here and freeze their asses off six months out of the year in a state where there really isn't that much to do for fourteen dollar an hour jobs they are absolutely out of their fucking minds.
Like fucking Pluto out there.
Peace,
emaycee
Beware the wolf in sheep's clothing
God knows I give the Free Press plenty of grief, so I should give them credit where credit is due. Brian Dickerson's piece on Gov. Snyder's lack of backbone when it comes to Michigan republicans radical (and oftentimes far off the course they promised--shocked, I know, republicans saying one thing and doing another) agenda should be a warning shot far and wide for Democrats and Independents. Mark my words: we've all made fun of Willard's "Etch-a-Sketch" candidacy, but that's exactly the direction he's going to take, and once in office, you can bet he's going to turn his back on every bizarre ass act the republicans will try to push through and let them become law no matter how unpopular or radical. It has happened here in Michigan and set us back decades and a lot of time and capital are being spent to fight battles that shouldn't have to be fought.
Republicans have no respect for anyone outside of their ilk, and the sooner the majority of voters know that, the better.
Peace,
emaycee
Republicans have no respect for anyone outside of their ilk, and the sooner the majority of voters know that, the better.
Peace,
emaycee
Thursday, April 26, 2012
And the campaign for 2016 begins
I originally chalked this up to the usual Rush Limbaugh idiocy, but the more I think about it, the more I think it's the opening salvo to the 2016 campaign (caveat--I was also one of the dolts who though Sarah Palin would undoubtedly be the republican nominee in 2012).
Bill Clinton has mentioned it and you have to think the prospect of Hilary Clinton running in 2016 has to be daunting for republicans. Willard hasn't exactly been inspiring confidence among his fellow conservatives and while it's still very early, the oddsmakers are a long way away from seeing him as the favorite this year. Which means the republicans could be facing a formidable candidate in 2016 with the prospect of not having control of the White House until 2024 facing them. And with news like this out of Arizona, it could be even longer than that.
Probably a long shot, but it's fun to think about don't you think?
Peace,
emaycee
Bill Clinton has mentioned it and you have to think the prospect of Hilary Clinton running in 2016 has to be daunting for republicans. Willard hasn't exactly been inspiring confidence among his fellow conservatives and while it's still very early, the oddsmakers are a long way away from seeing him as the favorite this year. Which means the republicans could be facing a formidable candidate in 2016 with the prospect of not having control of the White House until 2024 facing them. And with news like this out of Arizona, it could be even longer than that.
Probably a long shot, but it's fun to think about don't you think?
Peace,
emaycee
And I do believe it's time...
In 1978, I was flipping channels one night when I came across Martin Scorsese's "The Last Waltz" on HBO and it began a love affair with The Band that lasts to this day. The Band is probably one of the most under appreciated groups in musical history--the Beautiful Boy once told my brother and sister that his favorite guitarist was Robbie Robertson and in unison they both said "Who?" Their two best known songs are "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" because it was an unlikely hit for Joan Baez, and "The Weight" because it was featured in the movie "The Big Chill." They were critically adored and popularly ignored, and I would bet few people younger than myself (outside of the Beautiful Boy) even know of them.
I mention this only because Levon Helm, their drummer and often lead-vocalist passed away last week at age 71, the third member of five to have passed. Helm was the only American (the other four were Canadians) and his influence on The Band was huge--many of their roots rock influenced songs came directly from Helm's experiences in life. He may or may not have been the brains of the group, but he was certainly its heart and soul.
I grew up on top 40 radio (and still have quite the affinity for a good pop hit), but The Band was the first group I discovered that showed me there was a lot more of interest out there musically than just what the radio was playing.
And for that, I'd just like to say, "Thank you, Mr. Helm."
Peace,
emaycee
I mention this only because Levon Helm, their drummer and often lead-vocalist passed away last week at age 71, the third member of five to have passed. Helm was the only American (the other four were Canadians) and his influence on The Band was huge--many of their roots rock influenced songs came directly from Helm's experiences in life. He may or may not have been the brains of the group, but he was certainly its heart and soul.
I grew up on top 40 radio (and still have quite the affinity for a good pop hit), but The Band was the first group I discovered that showed me there was a lot more of interest out there musically than just what the radio was playing.
And for that, I'd just like to say, "Thank you, Mr. Helm."
Peace,
emaycee
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Part 3
It's, it's getting dark...everything is spinning...
House republicans want to cut food stamps to the tune of $26 billion--and make it so families literally have zero assets before they can collect--to preseve tax cuts for millionaires who don't need it and not slash Pentagon spending despite the fact that we already spend more on defense than the rest of the world combined.
This is the choice we face in November--a Mad Max dystopia or a nation that cares for the least of its brothers. That we're even having this conversation is beyond me.
...and it's official. I've lost my mind.
Peace,
emaycee
House republicans want to cut food stamps to the tune of $26 billion--and make it so families literally have zero assets before they can collect--to preseve tax cuts for millionaires who don't need it and not slash Pentagon spending despite the fact that we already spend more on defense than the rest of the world combined.
This is the choice we face in November--a Mad Max dystopia or a nation that cares for the least of its brothers. That we're even having this conversation is beyond me.
...and it's official. I've lost my mind.
Peace,
emaycee
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Part 2
Is there an organization in the world, other than the republican party and its many minions, that has completely lost its moral compass like the Catholic Church? I mean, when they're not trying to cover up the rape of children to save themselves money, or letting a bunch of single men tell women what to do with their bodies, one of their Bishops--a Bishop for Christ's sake, not some peon parishioner--is comparing President Obama to Hitler for his provision requiring insurance companies to provide birth control to women.
Let's see...murdering six million Jews, responsible for a war that caused over 50 million deaths...versus requiring birth control be provided to women. Fuck yeah--I can totally see the comparison.
Is it any wonder the Church of Christ (maybe at one time) is hemhorraging parishioners?
Swear to God, if Jesus hadn't been taken to heaven via the ascension, he'd be rolling over in his grave.
Peace,
emaycee
Let's see...murdering six million Jews, responsible for a war that caused over 50 million deaths...versus requiring birth control be provided to women. Fuck yeah--I can totally see the comparison.
Is it any wonder the Church of Christ (maybe at one time) is hemhorraging parishioners?
Swear to God, if Jesus hadn't been taken to heaven via the ascension, he'd be rolling over in his grave.
Peace,
emaycee
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh! Part 1
For fuck's sake, Francis, I'm losing my fucking mind.
Why on earth would any human being on the planet--let alone people voting for the most powerful person in the world--give two shits what Ted Nugent thinks about anything? So the Motor City Idiot gives some half-baked opinions about President Obama--we're talking a third rate music talent who had one minor hit ("Cat Scratch Fever"--not worth the effort to listen to) nearly forty years ago--I mean, who gives a fuck?
Dave Loggins had a hit with "Please Come to Boston"--are we seeking out his opinions on President Obama? Martin Briley had a hit with "The Salt in My Tears"--are we covering his remarks on the Democrats? What about Shawn Mullins of "Lullaby" fame? What do you suppose he thinks?
For Christ's sake--I imagine had any of those three had an IQ of ten and made their life's goal to kill Bambi maybe their thoughts would matter then....
Peace,
emaycee
Why on earth would any human being on the planet--let alone people voting for the most powerful person in the world--give two shits what Ted Nugent thinks about anything? So the Motor City Idiot gives some half-baked opinions about President Obama--we're talking a third rate music talent who had one minor hit ("Cat Scratch Fever"--not worth the effort to listen to) nearly forty years ago--I mean, who gives a fuck?
Dave Loggins had a hit with "Please Come to Boston"--are we seeking out his opinions on President Obama? Martin Briley had a hit with "The Salt in My Tears"--are we covering his remarks on the Democrats? What about Shawn Mullins of "Lullaby" fame? What do you suppose he thinks?
For Christ's sake--I imagine had any of those three had an IQ of ten and made their life's goal to kill Bambi maybe their thoughts would matter then....
Peace,
emaycee
Sunday, April 15, 2012
You, too, can pay zero in taxes
...if you're a mulinational corporation that makes billions in profit. As noted in Think Progress, 26 out of 30 major coporations have paid zero in taxes over the last four years. This despite the fact that your taxes paid for the roads their products traveled on, the police and firemen that protected their plants and office complexes, the military that kept them safe from foreign threats...you get the picture.
I'll be damned if I can figure out, if as Citizen's United declared that corporations are people, why in the hell they don't pay taxes just like ordinary people. Methinks it's probably the all too often left unsaid truth that in America there are aristocrats who are just a little more special than the little people like you and me.
It's not enough that we're forced to shop at the company store--they want us to run the fucking register and clean the place up, too.
Peace,
emaycee
I'll be damned if I can figure out, if as Citizen's United declared that corporations are people, why in the hell they don't pay taxes just like ordinary people. Methinks it's probably the all too often left unsaid truth that in America there are aristocrats who are just a little more special than the little people like you and me.
It's not enough that we're forced to shop at the company store--they want us to run the fucking register and clean the place up, too.
Peace,
emaycee
Bring it on, Willard
Now that it looks as if we're pretty darn sure that just maybe old Willard has a good shot at the republican nomination for President (and yes, the media is about that non-committal, even after Santorum dropped out), it's good to see that Mr. Has The Best Chance to Beat Obama is the favored nominee of labor unions.
While I'm sure that the collapse of the economy caused by businesspeople of Mr. Romney's ilk has a lot to do with it, the Occupy Movement probably helps even more. I mean, labor unions have to love having a poster child for the 1% to compare and contrast with the travails of the working men and women of America, now that income inequality is a viable issue.
One has to assume the Demcratic party will do its usual duck and cover routine, so it's good to know the unions, as usual, will be out there fighting for those of us doing the actual work that keeps this country running.
Peace,
emaycee
While I'm sure that the collapse of the economy caused by businesspeople of Mr. Romney's ilk has a lot to do with it, the Occupy Movement probably helps even more. I mean, labor unions have to love having a poster child for the 1% to compare and contrast with the travails of the working men and women of America, now that income inequality is a viable issue.
One has to assume the Demcratic party will do its usual duck and cover routine, so it's good to know the unions, as usual, will be out there fighting for those of us doing the actual work that keeps this country running.
Peace,
emaycee
Keep it coming, fellas
Seems our own probable republican Senate nominee to take on Sen. Stabenow, Pete Hoekstra, just can't keep his foot out of his mouth. When he's not using racist ads to denigrate Asian Americans, it seems he's telling women in Michigan that the Lilly Ledbetter Act is a "nuisance."
Because, you know, it's good politics to tell 51% of the voting public that it's too much of a pain in the ass to see that they're paid the same as men for doing the same job.
Enjoy those six extra years, Senator Stabenow....
Peace,
emaycee
Because, you know, it's good politics to tell 51% of the voting public that it's too much of a pain in the ass to see that they're paid the same as men for doing the same job.
Enjoy those six extra years, Senator Stabenow....
Peace,
emaycee
File this under no shit, Sherlock
Seems a recent study shows that teen pregnancy is highest in states with abstinence only programs in place...
Teens have been having sex since (figureatively) Adam and Eve first walked the earth. No amount of religious proselytizing or wishing it weren't so is going to change it--kids will continue to have sex. The least states can do is make sure their children are adequately informed about ways to prevent pregnancy,
Contrary to what the wingnuts might think, ignorance is not bliss when it comes to teen sex--it's the cause of the creation of a child for people often ill-equipped both emotionally and financially to handle one.
Peace,
emaycee
Teens have been having sex since (figureatively) Adam and Eve first walked the earth. No amount of religious proselytizing or wishing it weren't so is going to change it--kids will continue to have sex. The least states can do is make sure their children are adequately informed about ways to prevent pregnancy,
Contrary to what the wingnuts might think, ignorance is not bliss when it comes to teen sex--it's the cause of the creation of a child for people often ill-equipped both emotionally and financially to handle one.
Peace,
emaycee
Brevity is the soul of compassion, too
I've been reading Barbara Ehrenreich's work for many years now and can honestly say she's probably one of the most underrated progressives in the country. Her work highlights the poor, the working class, and the middle class to great effect and she is a staunch proponent of all three.
She's also very good at keeping her work short and sweet--I'm not sure of the four or five books of hers I've read that any of them top three hundred pages. But from small things, big things come....
I ran across this piece where Ehrenreich discusses how conservatives created the idea of a culture of poverty but little has been done to actually cure poverty. There are many theories as to what causes poverty, but Ehrenreich sums it up brilliantly in six words:
"Poverty is a shortage of money."
Pretty much hits the nail on the head.
Peace,
emaycee
She's also very good at keeping her work short and sweet--I'm not sure of the four or five books of hers I've read that any of them top three hundred pages. But from small things, big things come....
I ran across this piece where Ehrenreich discusses how conservatives created the idea of a culture of poverty but little has been done to actually cure poverty. There are many theories as to what causes poverty, but Ehrenreich sums it up brilliantly in six words:
"Poverty is a shortage of money."
Pretty much hits the nail on the head.
Peace,
emaycee
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