Statecraft Informer

Sparxafire!

So the Catholic Church in Los Angeles settles with 508 victims of sexual abuse at the creepy hands and mouths of various priests over the years. At $660 million, apparently, it’s the biggest settlement yet by the evil and gigantic cult. You have to be gigantic to be able to afford that kind of green!

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate the Catholic Church for the infinite suffering it has caused over time. Well. Yes I do. I just do not understand how 21st century humans can still swallow the giant load of crap they sell… to the point where they can afford to hand out $660 million in L.A., $157 million in Boston, $129 million in Portland and so on. That’s a lot of collection platesful.

I cannot think of a slimier betrayal… because there IS no slimier betrayal than priests sexually molesting their young.
Is there anything worse? Child molestation is really, really terrible… But to take that one step beyond to have it perpetrated by the self-proclaimed spiritual/religious authoritarian leader!!! C’mon. WHAT is worse than that???

I thank intellect every day that I am not crippled by religious fantasy. That means, among other things, I don’t have to forgive anybody if I don’t want to… or leave the judging to “god.” More cultish guilt trippage for the victims: Their religion requires that they “forgive” their molestors. Euw. How do think that’s working out. I already saw some of them weeping on television. Ahchoo… Ahmen… whatever. Off to the showers!

Sparafire!

As one of the time-sink, rhetorical, blah-blah-blah plans oozing about in the sewage of Congress, hear the latest:
Desperate Repuglicons are floating a whole new mission for U.S. troops in Iraq. As if. Of course, as a populace, we have given them good reasons to believe we will fall for just about anything.

Here it is in a nutshell – truncate the mission in Iraq to just two jobs: training Iraqi troops (yawn) and fighting terrorist cells in Iraq…. No more patrols, no more involvement with Sunni-Shiite rivalries, because, after all, these are really not in the interests of the U.S.

Supporters of this plan claim U.S. troop casualties will plummet if only these two tasks are the U.S. mission.

So, at last… a “mission” to “accomplish.” ???????

Sorry. I don’t get it. Why do we care about training Iraqi soldiers, who, after four years still can’t seem to understand which end of the gun to point at the Bad Guy? Train them to do what, exactly? Defend Iraq frommmmmm…. the U.S. troops, I guess, who seem to be the only ones over there, tramping about with guns and bombs and whatnot. This makes no sense.

Fighting terror cells in Iraq? Sure… and in Pakistan and in Afghanistan and in Japan or Mississippi or Cuba or Canada or wherever the hell they are. They’re not JUST in Iraq… they’re all over the world. And they are certainly not successfully fought with a gigantic conventional army of tanks and cannons and bombs.

Terrorism cells are fought like we fight them within our borders, with sneaky stuff – surveillance, quiet investigations and stuff.

So there. More time wasting, life wasting jibber jabber from your federal government. I figure that on average, we lose two or three soldiers per day in Iraq. That’s my clock and I can barely contain the depth and breadth of my unhappiness that our Congress sits around proposing crap like this as if there is no ticking at all.

Sparxafire!
I’ve always depended on the earliest explanation I ever heard about the difference between Republicans and Democrats:
Republicans care about things. Democrats care about people. And I think that is a good, if rough, rule of thumb. But one thing I’ve never quite understood is how a person moves from a young liberal to an old conservative…. Or how on earth any young person could subscribe to the Republican agenda. Or, ultimately, how anyone could care more for things than for people.

When Republicans try to pretend they care about people, they go about it all wrong. For example, how can anyone believe there is never any reason for abortion… ever. That’s the conservative, Republicanistic point of view… sternly, yet blindly protecting the unborn at all costs – heartbreaking costs. Immeasurable suffering for unwanted babies born to mothers who cannot care for them… welfare costs, deadbeat dads, health care burdens and so on.

“Somebody has to look out for the rights of the unborn,” they say. Well.

OK. How about its parents?

What is the point of forcing parenthood on people who are not prepared for it? Certainly, the Republican point of view pulls up way short when it comes time to help these moms with support programs. Euw… they curl their lip at the very thought.

The things Republicans care about… what are they? Money, certainly. And the things money can buy, like yachts and lobster dinners and jewelry. How can anyone value this kind of crap over human lives, friendships, love, companionship, laughter, hugs and all that gooey human stuff?

“Things” don’t do much for me. I do know of one person who has unhappily yearned for the next “thing” in her life that will surely “make her happy.” She’s been this way for years, and i’ve never understood why – after the 14th “thing” or the 38th “thing” — (”new patio furniture” “convertible” “diamond earrings” “bigger house” “even bigger house” and so on) doesn’t do the trick, it does not occur to her she is looking in the wrong place.

She is not a bright person. She is not a happy person. And she’s a Republican. Why does this “thing” sensibility continue in apparent perpetuity, when it doesn’t work?

Sparxafire!

Once again, your president takes time out of his busy schedule to play God with our very lives. I’m sorry, but this whole stem cell situation is ridiculous and out-of-hand. And of all the severe damage inflicted by religion over the centuries, this is right up there with guilt, warfare and child molestation. This “sanctity of the embryo” krapola as a sober tenet of the Republican/fundamentalist right is too hypocritical to continue to let actual, existing humans unnecessarily suffer and die from stem-cell preventable diseases. For Crying Out Loud.

Republicans can’t do enough to protect the embryo, apparently so it can grow up to be a soldier they can fling into a war zone in flip-flops and a T-shirt.

I suggest this to all illogical, religious fantasy fans: God gave us stem cells that can be used to conduct life-saving research. It goes against God’s plan to avoid using them to relieve the suffering of His children…. even you mr. prez.

Sparxafire!

Just when I start to wonder how the chief executive will top himself with outlandish behavior, he goes and actually subpeonas Michael Moore to investigate Moore’s trip to Guantanamo for his Sicko movie. Is it just Your Statecraft Informer, or does anyone else take umbrage every time bush (lower case intentional) insults your intelligence?

Does bush think that we’ll think this is some kind of legitimate move, to protect national security or something? Does he think we are so stupid, we won’t see this for the illegal first-amendment harrassment it is? Here’s Moore, a guy who speaks out, rightfully embarrassing a government that deserves it, and that government responds with a subpoena. I do NOT recognize this country any more.

Moore says he is going to refuse to appear on grounds of executive privilege! Bless his heart! Ya gotta love it!

Sparxafire!

This guy… this Michael Moore, honest ta god, I love this guy! EXCEEDING my highest expectations with Sicko movie publicity! He is storming around the weenia-media like a bull in a china shop — reading everybody the riot act about not only health care, but the war as well. Oh! And the administration! And the media! Did you see him deconstruct Wolf Blitzer? Oh, that was sweeeeet. Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Oh, puh-leeeeeeeeze. He’s part of the problem! Why would CNN allow him/require him to dare to comment about health care in this country??? How many yachts does Gupta have to water ski behind??? CNN has taken a huge hit in the small about of cred I still may have held for them. Really, really dumb stuff. Don’t EVEN ask me to comment about the Larry King. There simply is no vocabulary to address that raisin.

Sparxafire!
It’s getting difficult to comment sensibly about political and governmental events. It’s akin to describing a mile-long train wreck in slow motion.

“Oops, ladies and gentlemen, here comes yet another car smashing up into the pile. See how it crumples, and observe the extensive damage. Wait, here’s another — ooo this was a passenger car, so that’s definitely gonna cause some human carnage. Oh! This just in – looks like the Walter Reed car, and it’s squishing like cardboard. Look at all that mold! But wait, this next car is jumping the tracks altogether… looks like the Cheney car, and it has separated itself and broken off from the rest of the train……….” ad nauseum. O! The humanity.

Casualties every day, every day, every day… while we talk ourselves blue, purple and red in the face, deny allegations, refuse to comply, punch the U.S. Constitution in the nose, scratch our heads and pout – or maybe even mourn.

Even the democraps are whining about “April of 2008.” Let’s see, at a rough average of 70 soldiers killed every month, April 2008 translates to 630 deaths before we act. Why would we not shoot for March of 2008, and save 70 soldiers??? W-a-i-t a minute….. I have an even better idea: Why not TODAY and save the two or three who will die tomorrow????

Why not today?

“They” say we can’t just yank out of there, because everything will “fall apart and get worse.” “They” are the same people who predicted that “we will be greeted as liberators” and “mission accomplished” and similar. WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GET WORSE? There is NO argument whatsoever that could convince me that it would be a bad idea to load up every solidier and bring them all home as fast as the planes will carry them.

But, that’s just me.

Sparxafire!

So, today we learn that Scooter Lib cannot be on “supervised probation” because he never spent time behind bars. Supervisors are only available for those who’ve done time. Oops. Kinda refreshing to see some good ole incompetence take the place of illegal behavior on the part of this admin. I believe those are our only two choices: incompetence or treachery…. I could be wrong. Been wrong before.

Anyone inspired by the president’s Independence Day suggestion that we all “carpool for the troops?” Ah. I thought not. Some website already asks us to “honk to impeach” on Wednesdays. I guess this is how we’re takin’ it to the streets – 2007 style! Sweeeeeeeeet.

Sparxafire!

So the National Education Association had its convention in Philadelphia and everybody is disappointed in George Bush’s six-year-old “No Child Left Behind” program. By most accounts, it’s a big, fat failure.

One might consider the president’s ongoing support for the program. How many impassioned speeches has he made about how testing every kid at intervals changes everything.

One gets the feeling that the president tossed it out there in 2001, brushed off his hands and headed off to the war room.

However, yet another failure on the part of George Bush, meh… big deal. For me, the news coming out of the Philadelphia convention is the fact that 25 percent of Philadelphia residents live below the poverty line.

WHAT??? Has everyone lost their mind?

Presidential candidate John Edwards was there and he reminded the teachers that addressing poverty is a strong plank in his platform, adding, “No one should work full time in the United States of America and live in poverty.”

I ever so agree! I am sure Edwards has made the connection between education and poverty.

But 25 percent, in poverty in a major U.S. city. Does that set off any alarm bells anywhere? While the privileged frown at Iraq, it just might be their impoverished countrymen who sneak up from behind and terrorize their SUV and smash their iPhone!

No wonder we can’t get the people to rise up… they have no shoes!

How’s this for an example: I’ve written 15 posts at Statecraft Informer, and I just learned I earned nine cents for that! Six tenths of one cent for each post.

Be very careful out there….

Sparxafire!

So they took the teeth out of the Scooter Libby sentence. So? Why wouldn’t they? You would save a buddy from prison if you could get away with it. It’s the “getting away with it” part that’s tricky.

They are begging us to punch back. They’re just sticking their chin right under our nose and daring us to take a pop. They learned long ago that nobody is going to punch back – ever. They’ve seen us cry and stamp our little foot over and over and over and over and over. It’s like Bill Maher asks on the Huffington Post, “What’s the downside for them?”

So, with that kind of power assured and guaranteed, it only remains to see what will they think of next? It’s so very difficult to predict because their motives are only abstract: greed, favoritism, bullying. I might predict there will be nary a peep about health care, since Michael Moore’s movie, “SiCKO” will have the populace aroused about all that sickness — and i’m referring to the sick system, not so much the sick people.

Dare I predict that, while Congress continues to stamp its little foot about the war, Gen. Petraeus will pop out his little whack-a-mole head in September, and declare the surge to be a success (duh) … and our net troop count in Iraq will increase overall for 2007. Oh, little feet will stamp, don’t think they won’t! Stamp, stamp, stamp!

I myself plan to go out on my front porch every evening, put my hands on my hips, and stamp my little foot.

Hard to say who will be their next victims, as we follow the rank and malodorous aromas of Stencheny-Palooza ‘07. Stay tuned, I guess.

Sparxafire!
Obviously, today is the day to gritch about how your president gutted the good parts out of Scooter Libby’s sentence. I’ve read a number of reactions and whatnot, and it’s the same weary people summoning the same ole outrage. But now, here’s what Nancy Pelosi said,

“The President’s commutation of Scooter Libby’s prison sentence does not serve justice, condones criminal conduct, and is a betrayal of trust of the American people. The President said he would hold accountable anyone involved in the Valerie Plame leak case. By his action today, the President shows his word is not to be believed. He has abandoned all sense of fairness when it comes to justice, he has failed to uphold the rule of law, and he has failed to hold his Administration accountable.�

Pelosi is on my Top One List of people who should be bringing articles of impeachment against her two criminal higher ups. She would be our leader if both were convicted of the crimes they’ve clearly committed. Now, here she is, using words like “does not serve justice,” “condones criminal conduct” “his word is not to be believed” etc. So?

So, PELOSI MUST get up off her chair and bring on the impeachment. How can she say what she said and not impeach?

If she doesn’t, future presidents will take the brazen law-flauntations Bush/Cheney do — and get away with — as perfect permission to do the same. Oh yes they will! You know they will. This admin cannot stand unchallenged.

Joe Biden suggests that American citizens flood the White House with phone calls of protest. Is that it? Is that honestly all we have? Others suggest we should march in the streets or honk our car horn on Wednesdays and other childish things. I myself went out on my front porch and shouted “IMPEACH” at the top of my lungs, prompting my neighbor’s dog to bark in what sounded like an agreeable manner.

I warn one and all: Don’t let them get away with this.

Fascinating/Disturbing Detail: In an instant “after-poll,” off the top of their heads, 60 percent of Americans thought the commutation/pardon was an outrage… BUT 21 percent thought it was cool, and 17 PERCENT MORE THOUGHT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A FULL PARDON. So, it’s in the Kool-Aid, people…. 38 percent want the bad guy to skate!

Sparxafire!
Apparently in 2000, the U.S. government built 1.5 miles of heavy fencing to prevent auto traffic from illegally passing from Mexico into the U.S. In March, a routine aerial survey confirms that the fence is actually on Mexican soil by a margin of one to six feet. Mexico’s foreign relations department has sent a note to the U.S. protesting the fence on Mexican lands, “insisting” the removal should be completed “as quickly as possible.”

Does this strike anyone as just a bit… well, like perhaps a horsefly “insisting” that the horse flick his tail elsewhere, and make it snappy.

Presidential Horserace… There’s some disconnect somewhere. Obama raises the most money from the most people, yet Clinton continues to lead in the polls. Wha? Who? Ergle? Can you find the horsefeathers? I can’t.

Strap on the feedbag for this one:
Google’s advertising department is advising people that they can combat the negative wave of publicity caused by Michael Moore’s new film, SICKO!, by buying “issue management” ads from Google. Now, isn’t the SICKO! movie about the evils of greed in the first place? Gosh, we sure hope Google gets to cash in on this!