Random idiocies from the GOP and the insane right and thoughts there upon.

It's been awhile, I know, but health issues really focus the mind on managing them. Sharing the human condition as we all do, you know that priorities need shift when intimations of mortality poke you with sharp reminders. Things are stable for the moment. Not resolved, but stable and under treatment.

Now for the good stuff.

Massachusetts Gain is Florida's Pain

First off, I want to thank the right wing GOP crazies-in Florida especially-and the national cohort generally; their ideology driven actions actually caused them to traitorously try to hurt the national economy for partisan gain. Disgusting.

You see Florida's GOP governor (with tea party support) canceled a high speed rail project which would have brought into Florida a couple billion dollars. This was done even though these billions would have immediately spawned thousands of jobs directly, with the projects predictable spin off economic benefits and job creation would amount to multiple billions.
http://inhabitat.com/nyc/some-of-floridas-rejected-2-billion-in-high-speed-rail-funds-go-to-ny/

The reasons given for turning down the money were the usual hodgepodge of belt tightening, nit picking, trickle down mythology and thinly veiled scapegoating of public employees, racism and the vague but all encompassing menace of "gubbernment." Other governors have turned down this money too.

When it came time to mention the projects body of research and studies, each rejection came with the weak, weaselly refutations we expect Each and every study's data were interpreted in the darkest of tones. Studies where "overoptimistic in their projections of economic growth and cost.

The partisan goal, of course, it keep the economy from growing-no matter the suffering of the ordinary citizens. The goal is to be able to bash President Obama with the cry of "Where are the jobs!" It's disgusting.

It's disgusting and dangerous. The fact that an entire major political party, with all it's various and powerful supporters, is putting it's interests before the nations should arouse vibrant opposition. This is economic sabotage and, frankly, treasonous.

Progressives need to add things up. A sober look at the actions of GOP state legislatures coupled with Governors, Scott Walker, John Kesich, Rich Scott and the rest along with the GOP/Teaparty congress paints a picture of coordinated, destructive economic actions, actions for the benefit of the GOP at the expense of the nation.

None of this is illegal, but it shouldn't be surprising given the out of control status of our extremist right wing, and the history of the building of the rats nest of interlocking secular and religious interest groups that supply the gas that inflates the fact impervious bubble most of these people live in.

I think it should be called out for what it is. It's ideology and self interest above country.

The good news from this is that there's no shortage of Blue State governments that are tickled pink, and oh so happy to take that money.

Ultra Blue Massachusetts just got money to refurbish and reopen Boston area rail lines. Those construction jobs and job creating orders to local suppliers will help keep the states below level of unemployment. The job and wealth creation an active line will spur will last long after those construction jobs have ended.
http://articles.boston.com/2011-03-27/news/29352882_1_high-speed-rail-rail-funds-governor-rick-scoBlue

Road Island got some unexpected cash to improve existing rail lines.
http://insights.corpfreespeech.com/rhode-island-to-get-part-of-money-high-speed-rail-money-florida-turned-down

Some of that sun-kissed money is finding its way to chilly Illinois.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/05/illinois-wins-high-speed-_n_857972.html

New York is getting some dosh.
http://inhabitat.com/nyc/some-of-floridas-rejected-2-billion-in-high-speed-rail-funds-go-to-ny/

Isn't it just lovely? There are more so go out and "Google" them.

The upshot of Florida (and other states) rejection of these, lets face it directly, stimulus monies is that the Blue States, who are not chary of "gubberment" dictates will benefit to the degree that they will maintain their economic advantage. This advantage will only increase exponentially due to these expenditures.

This is another thing that Progressives should seize upon. Bringing these monies into our sphere can only strengthen our position-especially with the struggling working class.

Why don't we have the courage to point out that, relatively, Blue State economies, embracing a more active government role, are on the whole doing much better than those strictly adhering to a fanatical ideology.

I'm glad we're taking this money. My neighbors can use the help.

It is too bad that some of your neighbors will suffer because of the policies, attitudes and actions of the right and the GOP.

Advertising Progressivism's successes is sorely missing from the contemporary scene. Artfully done, it will reach people we've long ignored.

Let's find ways to celebrate our successes highlighting its benefits, especially to ordinary working people while engendering their trust that we'll deal with the deficit with them in mind.

Let's make it better.

Still battling injuries.

Hello,

I have had an unfortunate year with injuries. I really miss commenting and, hopefully, getting a few responses to my observations, but medical needs must come first for the remainder of this year at least.

My best to all of you.

Old Pinko

Why I have been gone and am posting so infrequently.

Hello,

If anybody actually stumbles onto this site, they'll notice the infrequency of my posts. Well, I have developed a serious injury that is requiring a long period to treat and, hopefully, heal.

I'd still hope that I'll fully recover and then will have the time to give this site the attention that it and you deserve.

Be well,

Old Pinko

On the Juxtaposition of Legislation and Entertainment.

Well, as usual, long time no me, but-like it says above-I'm "Saving the world whenever I can show up, just like you." (The laundry simply must be done!)

Today I'm going to try to highlight an issue that has been going around about having Hollywood stars read the Senate Health Care Bill to somehow stick it to the GOP for their vicious obstructionist tactics.

I received an e-mail from my friend Matt Saroff-a magnificent advocate for "The Democratic Wing of The Democratic Party" whose great blog can be found here:

On this specific issue he writes:

"As you no doubt are aware, any US Senator can demand that the full text of the legislation be read on the floor. I think it's almost certain that they will use this tactic to slow things down.

For a bill that long, doubtless, they would use multiple readers, and there is now a meme going around the internet suggesting that, for an hour
or so, instead of speed readers, we allow some celebrities to read the text of the bill.

Specifically, it has been suggested that William Shatner, Christopher Walken, and Jack Nicholson be recruited to read the bills, each in their own unique verbal styling.

It is thought that this would provide for a piece of absolutely stunning video on CSPAN, while simultaneously making the Republicans look like jerks, so it's a win-win."

With respect, I deeply disagree. It could be a "lose-lose. I don't think it would be a good idea to use Hollywood folks. As a matter of fact, I think it's a bad idea that could seriously backfire on us

It could make us look silly and give the Great Right Wing Lie Machine much fodder about "Hollywood Elites, our being frivolous about the issue, disrespecting the 'Heartland' and all those wonderful 'Teabaggers' who are the only really true Americans' and much, much more.

It would be a serious mistake to give them an opening like this.

What I think should be done by the Democrats is to have folks, perhaps children, who have serious illnesses and no health insurance take turns reading the bill.

That, that would really stick it too them. Stick it too them with no risk of hearing from the right except for their usual whining about "Exploiting People." People who everybody knows the right has no interest in helping at all anyway.

However, we must protect these people from the Wing Nuts and their possible violence.

Michelle Malkin and other deranged whack jobs actually stalked the children who survived because of the SCHIP insurance program and then testified about it before Congress.

Michelle Malkin literally went and looked in the windows of 12-year-old Graeme Frost's home, in order to decree that his family was clearly too well off to qualify for SCHIP. Of course conveniently overlooking the fact that his dad is a carpenter, and has been fixing up the house with his own hands for a decade.

I think that with health care reform, which would likely condemn Republicans to more than 20 years in the wilderness, we most likely see some of the advocates, even children, KILLED, so we simply must protect them. Perhaps going so far as to hire private security for them during the reading and for the period after while the Brown Shirts throw their predictable tantrum.

Below is the link to Matt's blogging about this matter, and I recommend bookmarking and regular reading of his site for the many, diverse issues he raises.

"40 Years In The Desert"

I humbly think my idea has more potential punch. Now let's see if we can make this happen!

Be seeing you!

What's behind what's going on.

I saw the tears of the oppressed-
  and they have no comforter;
the GOP was on the side of their oppressors-
  and they have no comforter.
 Ecclesiastes 4:1

Where is Sarah Palin going?

I don't know what the wonder is.

It's elemental.

Sarah Palin is going to Fox News.

Good night again,

Old Pinko

I'm a fairly lousey blogger

Hello,

Well, I'm back. I don't have much to put in here, but wanted to show up even if to just to say "Hello" to anyone who may happen by.

I've had a rather long stretch of awful life circumstances starting in July 2008 that hasn't quite ended yet. I hope that when I get to the other side of this, I'll be able to come here more often and more productively. I'm afraid I'll never be a good computer user, though.

That being said, A President Was Killed the Last Time Right-Wing Hatred Ran Wild Like This.

That being John F. Kennedy, who was gunned down in Dallas, of course.

I've been thinking a lot of Kennedy and Dallas as I've watched the increasingly violent rhetorical attacks on Obama be unfurled. As Americans yank their kids of class in order to save them from being exposed to the President of the United States who only wanted to urge them to excel in the classroom. And as unvarnished hate and name-calling passed for health care 'debate' this summer.



Link to Truthout:

Of course it's much worse today with Fox and Fiends spreading hate all over the country.

Keep up the fight and have a good night.

Old Pinko