Read My Lips; No More Pretzels

[Tarun 6]

As vaiSNavas we must wish everyone.

On the other hand, our ZrImad BhAgavatam states:

Anga Mhrj had a son named...

[Tarun 6]

Then again, his Pretzel Pastime may not have even occurred!

It's certainly not Nitya-lIlA.

Who can say for sure? Photos have been doctored before.

Stories fabricated to distract Amerika's general public.

Funny how foreigners often know more about Wash DC than we do!

Whom can we trust? Does Democracy exist? Are we a Republic?

What did 'Paul & Art' sing in reference to US Voting Rights?

"...Going to the candidates' debate.

Laugh about it, shout about it, when you've got to choose.

Everyway you look at it you lose!

Well here's to you, Mrs RAvana,

Jesus holds a place for those who pray (not prey) hey, hey, hey!"

 

[Tarun 6]

Notice how pretzel prices per pound have reduced significantly?

Tell-tale signs its time to bail out yet another industry.

We'll have to edit any remakes of Nat King Cole's hit:

"Roll out those Crazy Hazy Lazy...

Those days of soda & pr-tz-ls & b--r"

 

[Tarun 6]

FYI. The situation is even worse than that portrayed here.

 

Karl E. Miller [karlos@GNV.IFAS.UFL.EDU]

Friday, February 15, 2002 6:16 PM

Phil Hall

Fw: State of the President

Here's some interesting information. The next time someone asks you if

you think the President is doing a good job, consider these 76 points. They are all worth reading when you get a chance. You may have heard of Travis T. Hipp, progressive, tell-it-like-it-is news reporter for KPIG radio

station in California. He's been paying attention to what Bush has been up to while most of us have been distracted by extensive (or should I say excessive) war coverage on CNN, and put together this list. Points are brief but to the point:

 

STATE OF THE PRESIDENT

 

In George W. Bush's First year in office he:

 

1. Significantly eased field-testing controls of genetically engineered

crops.

2. Cut federal spending on libraries by $39 million.

3. Cut $35 mil in funding for doctors to get advanced pediatric training.

4. Cut by 50% funding for research into renewable energy sources.

5. Revoked rules that reduced acceptable levels of arsenic in drinking water.

6. Blocked rules that would require federal agencies to offer bilingual assistance to non-English speaking persons. This, from candidate who would readily fire-up his Spanish-speaking skills in front of would-be

Hispanic voters.

7. Proposed to eliminate new marine protections for Channel Islands and coral reefs of Northwest Hawaii (San Francisco Chronicle, April 6, 2001).

8. Cut funding by 28% for research into cleaner, more efficient cars and trucks.

9. Suspended rules that would have strengthened government's ability to deny contracts to companies that violated workplace safety, environmental and other

federal laws.

(Not too smart)

10. OK'd Interior Department appointee Gale Norton to send out letters to state officials soliciting suggestions for opening up national monuments for oil and gas drilling, coal mining, and logging.

11. Appointed John Negroponte - un-indicted high-level Iran Contra figure-to post of United Nations Ambassador.

12. Abandoned campaign pledge to invest $100 million for rain forest conservation.

13. Reduced by 86% Community Access Program for public hospitals, clinics & providers of care for people without insurance.

14. Rescinded proposal to increase public access to information about potential consequences resulting from chemical plant accidents.

15. Suspended rules that would require hardrock miners to clean up sites on Western public lands.

16. Cut $60 mil from Boy's & Girl's Clubs of America program for public housing.

17. Proposed to eliminate a federal program, designed and successfully used in Seattle, to help communities prepare for natural disasters.

18. Pulled out of 1997 Kyoto Treaty global warming agreement.

19. Cut $200 million of work force training for dislocated workers.

20. Eliminated funding for Wetlands Reserve Program, which encourages farmers to maintain wetlands habitat on their property.

21. Cut program to provide child care to low-income families as they move from welfare to work.

22. Cut program providing prescription contraceptive coverage to federal employees (though it still pays for Viagra).

(rajogun - no further comment)

23. Cut $700 million in capital funds for repairs in public housing.

24. Appointed Otto Reich - un-indicted high-level Iran Contra figure - to Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs.

25. Cut Environmental Protection Agency budget by $500 million.

26. Proposed to curtail ability of groups to sue in order to get animal placed on Endangered Species List.

27. Rescinded rule that mandated increased energy-saving efficiency regulations for central air conditioners and heat pumps.

28. Repealed workplace ergonomic rules designed to improve worker health & safety.

29. Abandoned campaign pledge to regulate carbon dioxide, waste gas that contributes to global warming.

30. Banned federal aid to international family planning programs that

offer abortion counseling with other independent funds.

This I can agree with.

31. Closed White House Office for Women's Health Initiatives and Outreach.

32. Nominated David Lauriski - ex-mining company executive - to post of

Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health.

33. OK'd Interior Secretary Gale Norton to go forth with controversial plan to auction oil and gas development tracts off coast of eastern Florida.

34. Announced intention to open up Montana's Lewis and Clark National Forest to oil and drilling.

35. Proposes to re-draw boundaries of nation's monuments, which would

technically allow oil & gas drilling 'outside' national monuments.

(I can just see it now: Jefferson & Lincoln pumping away..)

36. Gutted White House AIDS Office.

37. Renegotiating free trade agreement with Jordan to eliminate workers' rights and safeguards for environment.

38. Will no longer seek guidance from American Bar Association in

recommendations for federal judiciary appointments.

39. Appointed recycling foe Lynn Scarlett as Undersecretary of Interior.

40. Took steps to abolish White House Council on Environmental Quality.

41. Cut Community Oriented Policing Services program.

42. Allowed Interior Secretary Gale Norton to shelve citizen-led grizzly bear re-introduction plan scheduled for Idaho and Montana wilderness.

43. Continues to hold up federal funding for stem cell research projects.

44. Makes sure convicted misdemeanor drug users cannot get financial aid for college, though convicted murderers can.

How 'bout that one?!

45. Refused to fund continued cleanup of uranium-slag heap in Utah.

46. Refused to fund continued litigation of government's tobacco company lawsuit.

47. Proposed $2 trillion tax cut, of which 43% will go to wealthiest 1% of Americans.

48. Signed bill making it harder for poor and middle-class Americans to file for bankruptcy, even in case of daunting medical bills.

49. Appointed a Vice President quoted as saying "If you want to do something about carbon dioxide emissions, then you ought to build nuclear powerplants."

(Vice President Dick Cheney on "Meet the Press.")

50. Appointed Diana "There is no gender gap in pay" Roth to Council of Economic Advisers. (Boston Globe, March 28, 2001.)

51. Appointed Kay Cole James - opponent of affirmative action - to direct Office of Personnel Management.

52. Cut $15.7 million earmarked for states to investigate cases of child abuse and neglect.

53. Helped kill law designed to make it tougher for teenagers to get credit cards.

54. Proposed elimination of "Reading is Fundamental" program that gives free books to poor children.

55. Is pushing for development of small nuclear arm to attack deeply buried targets and weapons, which would violate Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

56. Proposes to nominate Jeffrey Sutton - attorney responsible for recent case weakening Americans with Disabilities Act- to federal appeals court judgeship.

57. Proposes to reverse regulation protecting 60 million acres of national

forest from logging and road building.

58. Eliminated funding for "We the People" education program which taught school children about Constitution, Bill of Rights and citizenship.

59. Appointed John Bolton - who opposes nonproliferation treaties and U.N. - to Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.

60. Nominated Linda Fisher - executive with Monsanto - for #2 job at Environmental Protection Agency.

61. Nominated Michael McConnell - leading critic of separation of church and state - to federal judgeship.

62. Nominated Terrence Boyle - ardent opponent of civil rights - to a

federal judgeship.

63. Canceled 2004 deadline for automakers to develop prototype high mileage cars.

64. Nominated Harvey Pitts - lawyer for teen sex video distributor - to head SEC.

65. Nominated John Walters - strong opponent of prison drug treatment

programs - for Drug Czar. (Washington Post, May 16, 2001.)

66. Nominated J. Steven Giles - oil & coal tycoon & lobbyist - for Deputy Secretary of Interior.

67. Nominated Bennett Raley - who advocates repealing Endangered Species Act - for Assistant Secretary for Water & Science

68. Is seeking dismissal of class-action lawsuit filed in U.S. against Japan by Asian women forced to work as sex slaves during WWII.

69. Earmarked $4 million in new federal grant money for HIV & drug abuse prevention programs to go only to religious groups and not secular equivalents.

70. Reduced by 40% Low Income Home Assistance Program for low-income individuals who need assistance paying energy bills.

71. Nominated Ted Olson- who has repeatedly lied about his involvement with Scaiffe-funded "Arkansas Project" to bring down Bill Clinton - for Solicitor General.

72. Proposes to ease permit process - including environmental considerations - for refinery, nuclear and hydroelectric dam construction.

(Washington Post, May 18, 2001.)

73. Proposes to give government authority to take private property through eminent domain for power lines and gas pipelines.

74. Proposes that $1.2 billion in funding for alternative renewable energy come from selling oil and gas lease tracts in Alaska National Wildlife Reserve.

75. Plans on serving genetically engineered foods at all official government functions.

76. Forced out Forest Service chief Mike Dombeck and appointed a timber industry lobbyist as his replacement.

* This last one #76 I most certainly do agree with.

As World eco-systems and economies crumble due to pollution overload, who better than a former lumberjack to yell aloud, simul-broadcast by all networks, so all 6 billion can at once, simultaneously hear: "TIMBER!!!"

-------------------------------

[Tarun 6]

Does George Bush deserve support?

--

Posted: April 18, 2002

1:00 a.m. Eastern

© 2002 WorldNetDaily.com

 

Two weeks ago, I suggested George Bush's presidency had turned out to be amazingly similar to what we had feared from Al Gore. The only major difference is there's very little conservative opposition to Bush's expansion of government, while we could have expected fierce opposition to Gore.

 

The article provoked some angry reactions from people who said that only a fool could fail to notice all the good deeds George Bush has done.

 

The Bush agenda

Not wanting to be a fool, I've compiled a list of the good things conservatives believe George Bush has achieved so far. Let's look at them:

 

He opposed the Kyoto agreement on global warming, while Al Gore supported it. But since the Senate had already rejected the treaty, it doesn't matter what the president thinks about it.

 

He's said he wants to cancel the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty so the U.S. can build a missile defense. All well and good. But he hasn't done anything to get America out of the treaty or to protect us from missile attack, beyond what Bill Clinton had already done. So far, it's just talk.

 

He hasn't signed a bill imposing new gun restrictions. But, then, Congress hasn't passed such a bill, so we don't know what he'll do when the test comes. But he's already proposed closing "loopholes" in the unconstitutional gun laws already on the books. And given the way he's embraced foreign aid, campaign-finance reform, federal health care and practically everything else, why should we assume he won't sign the next gun-control bill? (He signed many such bills in Texas.)

 

Bush and Gore make opposing public statements on abortion. But just as Bill Clinton did nothing to promote abortion, so George Bush has done nothing to reduce abortions.

 

On Social Security, Bush has talked about wanting to let you invest a teensy bit of what now goes down the Social Security drain. But he has sent no specific proposal to Congress. Even if Congress would turn it down, shouldn't Bush at least make the Democrats publicly oppose your right to invest your own earnings?

 

Al Gore probably wouldn't have pushed through a tax cut as Bush did. In my view, a tax cut without a spending cut means only that the monstrous burden of big government is being rearranged – not reduced. But since others may see the issue differently, this matter is at least debatable. However, even here Bush discarded some of the provisions he had labeled essential – such as tax relief for corporations.

 

Perhaps Al Gore wouldn't have handled the terrorist situation as Bush has. But we don't know what Gore would have done. Prior to Sept. 11, we didn't know how Bush would have handled such a crisis. In fact, he's already reversed some of his earlier promises – such as not imposing pro-American governments on foreign countries.

 

The Scorecard

In sum, George Bush seems very good on things that don't count – gun bills he hasn't had to veto, environmental treaties that won't be enacted anyway, talking about the ABM treaty or reforming Social Security while doing nothing about them.

 

But where something has actually happened – foreign aid, farm subsidies, education, health care, campaign-finance reform, corporate welfare, and much more – he's expanding government at a blinding pace, just as Al Gore probably would have done.

 

And I doubt that Gore would have signed a punitive tariff on foreign steel – which could trigger a terrible trade war and injure the economy.

 

Who's to Blame?? Am I carping at George Bush?

No, I'm carping at conservatives who would have been screaming bloody murder if Al Gore were president and had done exactly what George Bush has done.

 

Conservatives don't oppose Bush because he's Republican. For most Democrats and Republicans, it's all just a game – "beat the other team, whatever it takes."

 

If all you want is a president who will say what you want to hear, George Bush is your man. But if you want a president who actually does something to make your life better and reduce the government to its constitutional limits, you're no better off with Bush than with Gore.

Sorry, but that's the way it is.

 

Raise Your Sights

They tell you that in politics you must compromise. But all the compromises have been in the direction of bigger and more oppressive government. There are never any compromises in our favor – producing smaller reductions than we might want.

 

If you don't ask for what you want – if you don't demand what you want as the price of your support – you shouldn't be surprised that you never get what you really want.

 

When are you going to raise your sights – and stop supporting those who are selling out your few remaining liberties?

----------------------------

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NEWS:

--------------------------

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'Human guinea pigs' demand justice

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WND's Dougherty ON 'AMERICAN BREAKFAST'

COMMENTARY:

-----------------------

Planned Parenthood on the run!

By Joseph Farah

Mineta, Magaw: Stupid and incompetent

By Ann Coulter

Government – not Bush – failed on 9-11

By Larry Elder

 

E-MAIL HARRY BROWNE | GO TO HARRY BROWNE'S ARCHIVE

GO TO PAGE 1 | GO TO PAGE 2 | GO TO COMMENTARY

SEARCH WND | CONTACT WND

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[Tarun 6]

Inside Bush's Diary: The Sucking Sound of Quicksand

By Bernard Weiner

t r u t h o u t | Satire / Perspective

Wednesday, 17 July, 2002

 

Dear Diary:

 

The last time I wrote at length in my journal, in January, the first of the business debacles was just starting to unfold. [ See "Inside Bush's Diary: Bobbin' & Weavin' Over Enron." ] Course, I had to tell a major whopper -- that I didn't know Kenny Boy all that well -- but there wasn't a lot of damage and the story basically fell by the wayside. Especially once we ratcheted up the War-on-Terror and patriotic themes.

 

But, my lordy, things are a bit different today. The stuff has hit the fan, and our administration is covered in huge chunks of it. It's like we're being sucked into quicksand and can't seem to escape, no matter how much we bob and weave. And the damn media -- the media that's kept silent and supportive up til now -- is starting to resemble the circling sharks of old. They smell blood in the water, my blood, our blood. Even calling in our markers to the publishers isn't working as well as it once did.

 

If it was just me and the Harken thing, I probably could ride out all the accusations. After all, the SEC cleared me after a thorough investigation. Well, that ain't true: they never even asked to interview me, and they merely said they wouldn't prosecute -- thanks, Poppy! -- and would keep the matter open for possible future looks.

 

Even with that, though, I think I could still get through this one, with not too much damage. No, what's creating the quicksand danger is that Cheney is getting suctioned under as well -- he's in REAL trouble, and all his stonewalling isn't going to save him this time -- and Tom White, the Army secretary, is covered in Enron slime and needs to go. Cheney, it looks like, is going to be my Agnew: not only because he's hiding the Enron papers but because he's getting caught with his fingers in the cookie jar of corporate funny accounting, with Halliburton. Might work in another time, but not now, with the American people angry at greedy corporate financial bosses.

 

(If Dick has to go -- we'll make sure he resigns because of "health reasons," his weak heart and all -- I'm thinking of appointing Condy. That should silence all the critics: a black WOMAN! It makes me salivate, just thinking about the damn liberals trying to attack me on that one. Of course, I could really fry their brains if I appointed Colin, hee hee hee. But as much as I like a good prank, I wouldn't do it. I can't stand the guy, with all his moralizing and questioning. I don't trust him, not now and certainly not in 2004.)

 

And the guys we've picked to head off the scandal investigations, Harvey Pitt and Larry Thompson, are neck-deep in the conflict-of-interest quicksand as well. This is not fair. How were we to know that the common practices of the day in '90s corporate America would suddenly look so dirty in 2002, and come back to haunt us all?

 

I don't know what I'm supposed to do -- what, appoint Ralph Nader to investigate us? There just aren't that many non-corporate types in my Administration. If one's dirty, they all are going to look dirty. And I certainly can't agree to an objective outside investigator. And CERTAINLY NOT A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR!!!!! Ashcroft could try to get a friendly one appointed, but, given our luck lately, we might just wind up with a liberal or an ambitio us Ken Starr-like bulldog, anxious to make his mark, and we'd all be in deep doodoo.

 

No, we're just going to turn the spin cycle to high. We'll try the "don't attack the President and his Administration in the middle of a war" routine, but not a hell of a lot of folks are buying that one these days -- especially since the Congress hasn't declared war. The stench on the street is so overwhelming, the public wants someone to pay. All those poor seniors out there, angry because their pensions are flaking away as the markets tank.

 

I did my part. I read a speech denouncing corporate fraud and greed, but of course I made sure there were no harsh prescriptions, no major reforms, or we'd lose totally the backing of our business friends. Unfortunately, the Democrats are saying I'm just mouthing words, with no criminal penalties to back up the rhetoric. I may have to throw someone overboard. I'll try to protect Kenny Boy as long as I can -- he knows where too many of the bodies are buried, and besides, he's been good to me over the years -- but, if the worst happens, he may have to go. I can always pardon him later.

 

In the meantime, we move on other fronts. We're getting our TIPS program ready, where we're involving the American people in denouncing their friends and neighbors if they suspect terroristconnections or sympathies. One out of 24 citizens to start with, coming to a neighborhood near you. Sure, there will be folks settling old scores, and the FBI will have to waste a good deal of time, but the key point is that the public will be out there working for the Administration, even if they don't realize it. (Whatever else you can say about them, the Cuban and Soviet governments knew how to have a spy on every block, working for the central government. It worked for them, it can work for us. A win-win: We may just get tipped off about a terrorist, plus it'll be like having election-committeemen in every congressional district in America.)

 

And, where it counts, it's like we're waiting for Godot: for the other bin L aden shoe to drop. In the short run, with all the damage and disruption, the coming al-Qaida attacks will help us, of course, as every media outlet in the country will turn its attention to the terrorists. But, judging from what happened last time, the already weak economy probably will go into a tailspin, and I might get blamed for the deep recession that follows.

 

I've already taken heat for not alerting the country prior to September 11 when we knew the outlines of what was coming and what the targets might be. I'll just have to anticipate more criticism, even though we don't really have a firm idea this time where the terrorists will strike.

 

But I sure wish Osama would launch already. I'm not sure how much more scrutiny our business troubles can take. My ratings are sliding badly, too many GOP races in the upcoming election don't look good for us, the editorialists and pundits -- and some of them are even conservatives! -- are starting to pick on us big-time. Not even siccing Big John on them is scaring them off anymore; they're just not as frightened of Ashcroft as they used to be, especially as the courts keep overturning most of his anti-terrorist regulations and orders. There was even a conservative, Reagan-appointed judge the other day who admonished us to stay within the Constitution! Who does he think he is? But just his opinion is not a good sign for our side.

 

Meanwhile, we're getting ready for Iraq. We've got a new HQ in the area (so we can disengage from Saudi Arabia over time), and the final warplan is nearly ready, even though the Kurds and Iraqi Opposition keep objecting. It's just a question of when to go. Dick and the rest of the inner council can't decide whether it would help us or hurt us to attack before the November election. If D-day is the September 11th anniversary, we'll have to have toppled Saddam before the November election; otherwise, it'll be better to wait and finish it all off before the 2004 campaign begins.

 

All this stuff is all so damned complicated; I feel 20 years older already. I sure could use a cold one. I won't, of course, but I'm beginning to understand now why Bubba was so vulnerable to interns wearing thongs.

-------

Bernard Weiner, poet and playwright, was San Francisco Chronicle's theater critic for nearly 20 years; Ph.D. in government and international relations, he has taught at various universities, and has published in The Nation, Village Voice, The Progressive and widely on the internet.

[Streetstraw 0]

PRESIDENT PUSHES PLUSH PETROL PLEA FOR PRESUMABLY PROMISED PROSPERITY (post-dated checkers)

-----------------

We SHELL not EXXONerate Saddam Hussein for his actions. We SHELL MOBILize to meet Saddam's toxic TEXACO threat to our vital interests in the Persian GULF until an AMOCOble solution is reached. Our best strategy is to BPrepared. Failing this, we ARCOming to kick your ass.

Ours Truly (more or less), Papa & Baby Bush

======= OK, quick review =======

1) We SHELL not EXXONerate Saddam Hussein for his actions.

2) We SHELL MOBILize to meet Saddam's toxic TEXACO threat to our vital interests in the Persian GULF until an AMOCOble solution is reached.

3) Our best strategy is to BPrepared.

4) Failing this, we ARCOming to kick your ass. - Papa & Baby Bush