"The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object."---Thomas Jefferson
Looks like some pediatricians are getting their panties in a bunch about hot dogs; they think that the dogs need labels warning people not to let their children choke on them. Just what we need, more nanny state rules and impositions. Look people, if you have a kid small enough to choke himself on a hot dog, maybe you shouldn't give him one. Kids can also choke on lollipops, popcorn, candy, and just about anything else that will fit in the human mouth. That's why we have people around called parents; they are supposed to monitor small children.
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Supposedly there is a meeting this week on the healthcare boondoggle. What it appears to be is a situation where the POTUS and his lackeys the Congress and the Senate will meet with some Republican representatives and try to get them to go along with the bipartisan charade. I've noticed that with politicians (of both parties) that compromise has a different meaning than it does for other people. In politics, compromise means that one side gets its own way, and throws a few crumbs to the other side. I'll be surprised if anything good comes out of this; either it will crash and burn, or we'll get some sort of atrocious Frankenstein package cobbled together that will be bad for everyone. Personally, I'd rather see them toss the pork-filled mess and then start over again, but with both side contributing. Remember, they don't need the Republican vote to pass this bill, (the Democrats can pass it on their own majority if they want to do so) they just don't want to own it if it turns out bad.
"I can remember way back when a liberal was one who was generous with his own money."
-Will Rogers
"One man alone can be pretty dumb sometimes, but for real bona fide stupidity, there ain't nothin' can beat teamwork." - Edward Abbey
I was hoping to blog a little more often, but I've been under the weather again. Got some sort of sinus-throat problem, but the main problem is my back; some morning lately I have to do some stretching exercises just to be able to put on my shoes, and have been getting some spasms that damn near drop me to the ground. Hopefully they'll run their course in a few days. The weather doesn't really help; winter is a painful experience for those of us with joint problems.
More moldy-oldies in the music department; any favorites or comments on the top ten in today's playlist?
"Against the Wind" by Bob Seger
"The Lonely One" by Duane Eddy
"Dog and Butterfly" by Heart
"Nights in White Satin" by The Moody Blues
"The Times They Are A-Changin'" by Bob Dylan
"If You Could Read My Mind" by Gordon Lightfoot
"Johnny Reb" by Johnny Horton
"Both Sides Now" by Judy Collins
"Sometimes in Winter" by Blood, Sweat & Tears
"Flesh and Blood" by Johnny Cash
The last two in the list below:
This is (in my opinion) one of the most beautiful pop songs of the late sixties; though it is somewhat melancholy.
Washington DC and the adjoining states have gotten hit by a fairly good blizzard; having been in a couple of those, I don't envy them. At least in my area we're used to deep snow on occasion. Hope they don't have too many problems from it.
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Looks like science fiction writer William Tenn has died. I read quite a bit of his stuff while growing up. If you are under fifty, you probably have no idea who I am talking about.
It would seem that the White House has decided that we need another agency, one on climate change.
What is with the media in this country? There are all sorts of scandals and dirty deals being exposed about the whole anthropomorphic climate change fiasco, and the MSM in this country is downplaying it as much as possible. Of course, these are the same people who fawned over Al Gore, so what can you expect? The more stuff that comes out, the worse things are looking. No one is doubting that the climate changes, but the questions are how much does it change, and is it due to human actions? From what is showing up, the global change is nowhere near as much as some are claiming, and there is damn little evidence that it is of mainly human influence. It looks to me like just another way of the federal government to get a little more control of people, and expand its bureaucracy some more.
"There ought to be one day-- just one-- when there is open season on senators."
-Will Rogers
The POTUS and the Senate are having all sorts of conniptions because the Republicans don't want to play games with them on the healthcare plan. Personally, I don't trust either party, but I think the Republicans might be right in this case. Start over and try to hammer something out. Right now, we keep hearing that the Democrats want the Republicans to reach a compromise with them. It has been my experience that anytime someone comes to you with that line, you are in trouble. It's sort of like a guy that pulls a gun and demands all your money, then says he is willing to compromise, so he gives some of it back to you. What have you gained from the deal? What we have is a bloated corrupt Frankenstein of a bill that they want to pass, but if they start over everyone will have to start wheeling and dealing to get all their pork back into it. If it is such a great plan, why don't they just pass it? They have the majority. My personal opinion is that they don't want to own it if it goes bad. In effect they are saying to the Republicans, "Let's both pick this up, that way if it turns out to be a turd, both parties get covered in shit instead of just us".
"When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer 'Present' or 'Not guilty.'"
- Theodore Roosevelt
I was going to try and post more often, but a few days ago my CPAP machine (I suffer badly from sleep apnea) went out on me. It took several days to get it replaced, and I was not doing real well in the meantime, being extremely tired and out of focus. After having it back for a couple of days, I am doing a bit better now.
"Night Moves" by Bob Seger
"Wanted Man" by George Thorogood & the Destroyers
"Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin
"All Along the Watchtower" by Bob Dylan
"At the Zoo" by Simon & Garfunkel
"Lili Marlene" by Dave Brubeck
"The Old Man Down the Road" by John Fogerty
"Guinnevere" by Crosby, Stills and Nash
"It's In The Way That You Use It" by Eric Clapton
"The Big Country" from the movie soundtrack
Last two:
Eric Clapton; what more needs to be said?
This video has a great slide show that goes perfectly with the track.
